"Superman!"

The Man of Steel barely had time to turn towards the joyful voice before Kara launched herself at her cousin. He managed to embrace the young woman, but not before both of them nearly went through a wall.

"I'm so happy you're okay!" Supergirl hugged the older man tightly, burying herself in the familiar red and yellow emblem on his chest.

"Er, it's good to see you, too, Supergirl," Superman replied, looking a bit embarrassed.

Barbara wasn't fooled. Sure, Kara sometimes let her feelings get the better of her, but the affection between the two of them was strong. Superman was just as glad to know his cousin was all right, and her detective's eye noticed he didn't seem to be in any hurry to let the young girl go. In fact, the relief on his face was palpable.

Batgirl felt a pang of envy. Bruce would never allow himself to be so free with his emotions.

Speaking of whom . . .

"Um, sorry to break up this touching reunion, but where is Batman?"

The two Kryptonians parted, and Superman approached with his hand out.

"Hello, Batgirl. It's nice to see you again."

Barbara shook his hand, suddenly nervous. Although she and Kara were good friends, she had only met Superman a few times, mostly in passing and always with Batman.

"N-nice to see you, too, sir," she stammered.

Get it together, Barbara.

"No need to be so formal, Batgirl," he stared at her for a moment, "Looks like you've had a rough time of it."

"Oh, this?" she looked down at her bruises and bandages, "Nothing a few days rest won't cure. Just trying to do my part while you and the League take down the heavy hitters."

"I'm sorry it took us so long to get things under control," Superman said earnestly, "but believe me when I say that the Thanagarians won't be back to bother Earth ever again."

'That's great! I knew you guys would pull through!"

Geeze, Babs, why don't you ask for an autograph while you're at it. Moron.

"Anyway," she continued, self-consciously running a hand through her hair and looking around, "did you see where Batman went? I really should report in." And stop babbling in front of you before you think I'm a total idiot.

"He said he was going to check on Nightwing's condition."

"Okay. Well, if you'll excuse me."

Kara piped up, "Say hi to Batman for me!"

Barbara shot her a dirty look.

-----

Despite the florescent overhead lighting, Batman had still managed to find a dark corner for his bedside vigil. The cape was drawn around his body, so that only his cowl and ever-present impassive visage could be seen. He was as still and silent as the stone gargoyles he was so fond of perching on. He did not react when she paused in the doorway.

Batgirl entered Nightwing's room and stood by the foot of the bed, waiting.

She knew what was coming and was not disappointed when the Dark Knight finally spoke.

"How did this happen, Batgirl?"

Barbara swallowed once and spoke simply, "We were ambushed."

His head turned slightly towards her, "And?"

"And there were a lot of them. Maybe twenty or thirty. We were both overwhelmed."

"I trained you better than that."

Not all of us have the Justice League backing us up, jerk.

"Sorry," she said instead, "some of us are merely human."

Batman's reaction was unexpected.

"He once said that to me," he said quietly. He slumped a bit and looked down at Nightwing, "In fact, he said a lot of things I probably should have paid more attention to." Although he was still wearing the costume, a transformation had occurred.

She was no longer trading barbs with Batman.

She was talking to Bruce.

Barbara walked around the bed and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"He's going to be okay. Kara got him here in time."

Bruce turned to look at her, taking in her injuries.

"Are you . . . ?"

"I'll live," she said breezily, grinning wryly, "Although Bludhaven may have to wait a few more weeks for Batgirl's proper introduction to the masses."

"That's good. We'll be needing you."

"We?" Barbara was confused, "Did Robin come back from the Titans?"

Bruce shook his head, absently pulling Dick's sheet a little higher over his body.

"We are going to rebuild the Watchtower and the League. And when we do, I need you to be ready."

"What?" What is he talking about? Ready for what?

"We were caught unprepared for this invasion," Bruce's voice darkened as his Dark Knight persona returned, "Even though we set up the Justice League to defend the Earth from precisely this type of threat."

He began to input commands into his utility belt computer.

"I think you're being a bit hard on yourself," she said, trying to comfort him, "You couldn't have known Hawkgirl was going to turn traitor. She had everybody fooled."

"I should have known," he backed away from her and began to head for the exit, "It's my job."

"Where are you going? You just got here!"

"The Batwing will be here in an hour. Transfer Dick to the plane. I'll have Leslie waiting in the Cave."

"The nurses said not to move him!"

"It's too risky having Nightwing convalescing in a public hospital. He's made a lot of enemies since he set up shop in Bludhaven."

"Damn it, Bruce!" she swore, striding after him, "Not everything is about the damn Mission! Do you really think some mob boss is going to attempt to assassinate Dick when there's just been a global alien invasion? Come on!"

Batman stopped in the doorway and fixed her with a familiar glare.

"Just do it, Batgirl. I have League business to attend to."

With a quick sweep of his cape, he left.

-----

"Thank you, Alfred." Barbara accepted the tea.

"I do wish you'd reconsider, Mistress Barbara. There are eight guest rooms in the Manor, all of which containing beds much more comfortable than a cot."

They were in the medical bay within the Cave. Despite her reservations, the transfer from Bludhaven had gone flawlessly. Dick was now out of uniform and resting comfortably, attended by the most advanced medical equipment Waynetech could provide. Leslie had left only a few hours ago, saying she felt optimistic he would fully recover within a few months and could wake up at any time.

Barbara was determined to be there when he did, thus creating a need for makeshift sleeping arrangements.

"That's okay, Alfred. Even a cot will be heaven compared to what we've been through the last couple days."

"As you wish," the butler sniffed, removing her dinner tray, "But I'll have you know, even Master Bruce doesn't sleep down here."

Barbara leaned back in her chair and stared at the various stalactites high above on the cavern's ceiling. Her eyes then wandered over the various destroyed trophies. Even the giant penny had been knocked over.

That must have been some battle yesterday.

"Please, Alfred. It's just something I have to do."

"Of course, Madam," Alfred said gently, "Just be sure to use the blankets. These caverns can be drafty under the best of circumstances."

She smiled at his concern, sipping the tea.

The butler sighed as he looked out at the cave. "It will take weeks to get everything back in order, and, unlike the damage upstairs, I can't call in a cleanup crew."

"I will admit, however," he continued, "That it is nice to have so many people back in the house. I just wish the circumstances were less grave." Alfred made he way to the elevator. At his age, he had decided the medical bay was simply too many steps away from the clock entrance.

"How's it going up there?" Barbara asked, setting down the tea and picking up a crumpet.

"Not well, I'm afraid," the Englishman pushed a button to open the doors and stepped in, "Master Bruce had me summon Hawkgirl into the meeting room just before I came down here."

"How's she holding up?"

The butler deftly placed a hand on the doorframe to prevent them from closing before responding, "I'd say she appears fairly resigned to whatever they decide to do."

"What do you think of her? Is she a traitor like they say?"

Alfred didn't hestitate. "I think she is a brave person who did the best she could in a truly tragic situation." With that, he released the door and disappeared.

Now why does that sound so familiar?

She looked down at Dick, brushing a stray cowlick back into place.

"Kind of like that time on the roof with the Joker, huh, Dick? Either choice I made was going to hurt someone I loved."

The young man made no reply.

-----

A few hours later, Barbara decided to call it a day. She had been wearing her costume all this time what with the League upstairs, but ultimately she decided if Bruce trusted them, then she could, too. She stripped it off like a snake molting its skin and stared at it.

Bloodstains, energy burns, rips, sweat, and God knows what else.

She waded it up and tossed it aside.

At least I have a spare here in the Cave.

One blissful thirty minute shower later, and Barbara felt better than she had in days.

Good thing I hounded Bruce to install a bathroom in the Cave a few years ago.

Wrapped in one of Bruce's over-sized robes, she put her hair up in a towel, and padded back out to check on Dick. The cool stone felt good on her bare feet. Alfred had provided sleepwear for her, but she had left it out by the cot. She'd put it on quickly and---

She wasn't alone.

"I'm sorry," Wonder Woman said, "I didn't realize anyone else was down here."

The Amazon was standing by the mainframe, looking perfect as usual.

"Can I help you with something?" Barbara said bluntly. She was embarrassed, annoyed, and self-conscious all at the same time.

I can't believe Bruce is letting her wander anywhere she wants.

"I didn't mean to disturb you. I just came down here to clean up a bit."

"Pardon me?"

"The cave," Wonder Woman gestured, "I'm afraid we made a bit of a mess during the battle yesterday. I thought I'd try to straighten it up."

Barbara snatched the night clothes from the nearby cot and began to put them on under the robe, "Does Batman know you're down here?"

"No. Bruce is busy talking to J'onn about the new technology they want to install in the next Watchtower." The Amazon walked over to the knocked over penny and hefted it effortlessly, "Besides, I knew he wouldn't ask for help."

Huh. She catches on fast.

"Well, if you don't mind, I was just planning on turning in."

Placing the penny carefully in its base, Wonder Woman rotated it until the Lincoln head was right side up, "Of course. Bruce had mentioned you had been through a lot lately."

Boy, she just loves using his first name, doesn't she?

Barbara took a deep breath, finished dressing and walked over to Nightwing's bed.

Get a grip, Barbara. She's just being thoughtful.

Somehow knowing that Wonder Woman was the only member of the League who had bothered to come down to clean up made Barbara feel even worse.

Surely, she has some flaws? Feet of clay, maybe?

"How is he?" Wonder Woman approached the medical bay, but kept a respectful distance. "Bruce wouldn't tell me much."

Join the club.

"He'll make it," she said, simply, just wanting the Amazon to take the hint and leave, "But he needs his rest." To help make her point, Barbara abruptly turned off the bay's lights and walked over to her cot.

Wonder Woman got the message and began to float slowly upwards.

"I hope you both recover completely," She arced gracefully towards the clock entrance, "I'll make sure no one else disturbs you."

The Amazon disappeared through the secret entrance, and Barbara was left alone.

She sighed.

The sooner I get out of here, the better.

Author's Note: Nice to see some reviews from new people. Not that I don't appreciate those from the usual suspects. ;-) I did notice some concerns in the last set of reviews and I just want to put them to rest. A Wonder Woman/Superman pairing is mostly wish fulfillment on Barbara's part. While I don't hate the idea as much as some of you appear to, I don't plan on incorporating it into my plot. This is, and will continue to be, Barbara's story.