Richard took my hand and we headed toward the exit—there was no reason to stay. However, once we got to the doors, the DJ noticed and was determined to make sure the crowd did as well. He picked up his microphone and shouted, "Where ya goin' Grayson?" A spotlight that came from nowhere trained itself on us and my ears began burning. "And with such a pretty lady, no less…" The crowd cat-called and Richard merely raised his hand in acknowledgment and continued leaving the complex.

As soon as we were outside he began laughing. When I glared at him he sobered up immediately and was reduced to chuckling. "I love the way your ears turn red. It's so adorable." My ears blazed even more and he grabbed my hand again. "I have to ask," he said as we started walking toward the parking lot. "Is it weird to be holding hands with Richard Grayson, who, up to this point, you couldn't stand?"

I thought. "Yeah." He chuckled again. "Wait… Did you set up this party because you knew I would try to find Robin at it?"

"Yep," he answered. "Once I saw that you had gotten inside I wanted to watch. I knew you would have the results down to Luke, Peter, and me. It was just a matter of waiting." His eyes lit up as he told me of my own man-hunt. "You went up to Luke and were grinning like crazy. But you just sat and talked to him. What made you decide that it wasn't him?"

My ears, which had finally changed back to their original color, turned scarlet. "When I looked into his eyes, they weren't as… striking as yours. They weren't as light a blue—more of a navy." He looked dreamily ahead and continued.

"So, then, you obviously got up. You went looking for Peter and saw him; the look on your face was hilarious. You were so pissed. You walked back to some stairs and sat down, still brooding. I was waiting for you to realize it had to be me and, trust me; I knew the moment it hit you. Your eyes kind of bugged out and you stopped breathing. It was all I could do to not burst out laughing, you looked so comical. I had to start looking impassive, though. Your eyes searched for me and then you spotted me. I tried to put up my best defense, I did. I didn't know how you were going to try to catch me off guard, but I was prepared. Until, well…" he trailed off. "I didn't want to seem too out of character, so I had to talk when you asked me about Bruce. And then when you kissed me… Well, obviously I couldn't keep up the façade." I saw his cheeks color slightly, but then it was gone.

We walked the rest of the way to his black Corvette in silence, just walking and sharing each other's company. I got in and shut the door. Richard sat next to me and clicked a few buttons and a screen popped up out of the dash. Richard started the car and got on the highway. Suddenly Batman's face appeared on the screen Richard had pulled up when he started the car. "Well, she got me," Richard told Batman. "And in less than twenty-four hours, too. I think that's a record." Batman simply glared out at us. "I'm taking her to the cave."

"Wait," Batman instructed. Richard at once pulled into the left lane and drove straight past the exit I assumed he was going to take. "She has one final test." Richard rolled his eyes. "Barbara, if you have figured out who Robin is, you should have no trouble with this last task." I looked eagerly at him. "Who am I?" My breath stopped and I thought. Who was Batman? How the hell was I supposed to figure that out? "No helping her, Dick. Just think, Barbara. It's really quite simple." I closed my eyes and pinched the bridge of my nose. If Robin was Richard Grayson, it would only make sense for Batman to be….

"No way," I whispered. I looked up at the screen. "You're Bruce Wayne, aren't you?" Richard smiled broadly and even Batman's lips pulled out of the scowl.

"Well done," he said. "Dick, bring her to the cave."

"Yes, sir," he said and pulled off at the nearest exit heading to the outskirts of Gotham City. Richard sped up until he was totally out of Gotham. He was driving straight at a waterfall and increasing in speed, still. I tensed up as he rammed into the waterfall and the car leapt through. It landed with a crash on cool tile and he turned it expertly so that it glided to a smooth stop, not even screeching the tires. He hopped out at once and I got out as well. I followed him as he led me to a large open space with a computer. He waited expectantly as Batman—or, rather Bruce—approached us.

"Hello, Barbara," he said gravely. "Come with me." I followed him and Richard was right behind me. Batman motioned for us to sit and we did so. The cave was damp and dark, barely any light. Batman sighed and turned to face us, crossing his arms. "Before I train you in any way, I must address what is my most obvious concern. There can be no relationship with Robin. I don't care what you do as Dick and Barbara, but Robin and Batgirl," I gasped at the mention of my name, "can not have feelings for each other. I will not have you two compromising a mission to save the other one. You need to understand that now. If it ever happens, you two can not go on missions together. No matter what you two think, the millions of people in Gotham outweigh your own lives. We do this for the citizens, not for ourselves. Understood?" We both nodded. "Good. Alfred!" Batman called. Their butler immediately entered the room, rolling with him what appeared to be a mannequin covered in black cloth. "This is your outfit. What do you think?"

Alfred pulled the cloth off with a flourish and revealed my new suit. I gasped and at once went over to examine it. It was made of a sturdy but lightweight and flexible material. It was a deep purple, mostly. There was a cut in the back of the cowl that would allow my hair to be out. The outfit closely resembled Batman's in almost every way. My boots, gloves, bat insignia, the inside of my shortened cape were all black. The belt was a pale yellow, matching the color of Batman and Robin's. I marveled at it and glanced back at the boys. "Can I try it on?"

Batman nodded. "By all means." I took the costume and went to what looked like a closet area. I pulled the suit on and walked out. "How's it fit?" Batman asked. Richard uttered a low whistle when he saw me.

"Fairly well," I replied. "What do you guys think?" Batman nodded again and Richard just stared. "I think that means it looks good," I mumbled to myself. I went back and took it off. When I went back to the open room, Batman motioned for me to sit back down.

"To train you, I'll need to know your everyday schedule. We need to set up times that you're free. We have a lot to work on: hand-to-hand combat, far range combat, and your deducing skills. We'll start tomorrow; does that work?" I nodded. "We'll keep your suit and bike here," he began.

"Wait," I said, stopping him. "Bike?" Richard grinned.

Batman tapped on a keypad and a dark purple bike came zooming out of nowhere. There was a black bat symbol on the front, but other than that it was the same color as my outfit. "That's yours," he told me. I nodded and gulped, trying to take this all in.

"Anyway, as I was saying, we'll keep your stuff here. For now, go back to campus and try to realize what this all means. Dick, remember what I said—Robin and Batgirl can not afford to be in love with each other." He left with a rustle of his cape.

Richard stood up and grabbed my hand, dragging me back to his car. Once we got back on the road, Richard began talking excitedly. "Bruce got you an apartment near the Manor—that's where the cave is. That way you won't have to deal with roommates; but only, of course, if you want to move. He realizes that you'll have to explain that to your parents somehow and if you want you don't even have to deal with it. But know it's an open option." He kept talking all the way back and parked. We got out of the car and he walked me back to my dorm. It was about ten fifteen, and the lights were off in my dorm room.

"I don't think Bette's back yet," I mumbled. Richard scrutinized the window.

"The party wasn't supposed to get over until two o'clock. Maybe she's still there." He grinned mischievously at me. "Go in and open the window for me." I smiled and ran inside.

I was right—the room was deserted when I opened the door, completely empty. I rushed over to the window and pulled it open. I turned around and walked back to my closet, kicking off my shoes. When I looked back at the window I saw Richard closing it. He sat down on my bed and looked sadly up at me. I scrunched my brow. "What's wrong?"

"…Just that we can't be 'together' as Robin and Batgirl." I peered at him and smiled.

"But we can be together as Richard and Barbara," I said, trying to console him.

"Don't you think people will get suspicious that we're suddenly dating when, before, you made it extremely verbal that you could barely stand the sight of me?" He had been thinking about this for a while, I could tell.

"Well, we can have it be like it was; we'll just have little dates, late at night. During the day we can bicker and fight like always and then you can come visit me after dark." I sat down next to him on the bed. "We'll make it—I promise." He looked forlornly at the floor.

"It's not the same…" I rolled my eyes.

"It's just going to have to do," I said, turning his head and kissing him. I pushed him back on the bed and sat on top of him. "Well this is different. I've never been on top," I mumbled before leaning back over him. I placed my arms on either side of his head and straddled him with my legs. He began rubbing my thighs with both of his hands.

I soon became hungrier, wanting to go farther than we ever had before. I placed my hands on his cheeks and slid them down to his shirt, attempting to unbutton it, but he stopped me, grabbing my hands and standing up.

"What?" I asked, standing as well. He turned around and faced me.

"I don't want to go too far." I smiled and looped my arms around his neck.

"We won't," I promised and stopped his reply with my lips. I kept my hands in his hair, but his drifted from my hips up and down my back. After what felt like an eternity we broke apart. Breathing heavily I glanced at the clock and saw it was one thirty.

"I should probably go," he whispered. He gave me one last kiss before hopping out of my window.