Hi there folks. Sorry for the slight delay with this chapter but it's been pretty crazy the past few weeks what with moving back to university and settling back into actually trying to be an adult again. It means I haven't had as much time as I normally do to write and edit this, so apologies for any errors in advance! However, it's a nice long chapter to make up for it so hopefully, you'll all forgive me. We're also edging closer to the action that's coming in the next chapters - so hold on for that, as I'm actually pretty excited about it and I'm working on that as we speak.

As usual, thanks for reading this and feel free to follow, favourite, review or message me. Nothing is too small - I literally live for your feedback. Thesilentmage xxx

The hot-wired car wove through the backstreets in tense silence, broken only by Blake's fingers tapping against the steering wheel and the occasional cough from Gordon. With her Dad sat shotgun, Barbara sat in the back, Diane beside her.

As they drove, Barbara couldn't help it as she dozed off during the short journey to the GCPD safe house. The steady rhythm of the car on the road was soothing, and the night without decent sleep took its toll. Barbra didn't have the energy to fight it as her eyelids fluttered shut, and her head tilted against the icy window pane. The heating was also making it snug inside the vehicle. Who was she to deny herself a little sleep?

The safe house itself was an apartment in one of the calmer districts, to the north of Gotham, with a couple of bedrooms and- most importantly- it was safe. The sooner they got there the better.

Half an hour later, woken by the gentle voice of her father, Barbara exited the vehicle and stumbled her way inside the security of the safe house. She wiped the sleep from her eyes with her sleeve, attempting to look more alert than she felt.

Every step inside the building felt like a knife in her heart. As she cast one last look behind her at the street, she didn't know when she'd next be on it. Who knew how long this whole thing would go on for? Who knew how it would end? At least they'd be safe for now, hidden away in this apartment, but even she couldn't hide to bitterness in her stomach at the fact they were hiding. Bane. He was still out there. He would remain if no one did anything. You didn't have to be Einstein to know no one would.

With a sigh, she turned back to the stairs, carried on upwards, and left it behind for now. Gotham was alone.

The next few weeks were strange for Barbara. Life went on, but in a different way than it ever had before. No longer did any of them have the usual restrictions of work to occupy them, instead they were burdened with endless free time, but nowhere else to spend it than inside the walls of the safe house, which drove them all insane.

As the weeks went by, things grew worse outside. Every day, more and more blocks were lost to thieves, gangs, and Bane's men, who all slowly wormed their way into the heart of the city. You couldn't even walk down the street without seeing one of them stare back at you, with an expression that was enough to send shivers down your spine. It drove Barbara to the point of despair. She hated being trapped, and powerless – two things she was. It was why she did anything she could to keep herself occupied. Obviously, this meant eventually breaking free of their confines.

For Barbara, it was her daily walk downtown to the nearest checkpoint that Bane's men had established, to provide the city with its much-needed goods. It was an old school house that was their base. All over the city, they had erected similar structures, where men, armed to the teeth, would wait for the desperate masses to flock. It was then that the people all had to show their I.D. and collect their allotted supplies, all part of the charade that seemed to appear as if Bane was their benevolent saviour – not the man that had put them in this vulnerable position.

She, Blake, and sometimes even Diane, would head down there, collecting their rations and supplies. Barbara would let Diane and Blake handle the actual collecting as it was too much of a risk – in their eyes – of being noticed by one of Bane's men, especially as the checks got stricter and stricter. The last thing they needed was her getting caught, and to lead them back to her father. Instead, Barbara would spend the time, walking and talking amongst the crowds. It was surprising what she learned about where people had been seen, where men were positioned, rumours that had been heard... it was their hive of knowledge, and in this dark time, knowledge was power.

But back at the safe house, most days would be spent making plans. Her father, in his agitated state, refused to sit idly by while Gotham suffered. So, he would stick to the rooftop, watching, marking men and routines he noticed in the surrounding areas. He would also organise the three of them to routines, patrolling nearby homes, seeing what they could do to help those they could.

It sounded silly, but it was all they could do. There was no Batman. There was no one else to help them. They were truly alone; a fact that became clearer with each passing moment.

Barbara hated it.

One morning things began to change.

The four members of the house had all been up a while. None of them slept so well anymore, but they didn't say anything about it. It went unspoken, a mere side effect of their new lives. Still, they all tried, tried to be positive, tried to be optimistic. Something had to give… right?

That morning, it seemed as if Blake had had enough. It was clear on his face, and by the way, he hadn't said a word all morning. He merely paced about, doing odd things like picking up books that he swore he'd already read a thousand times or rifling through the mediocre stack of DVD's by the TV as if trying to occupy himself, but failing at every try.

Barbara watched curiously from where she sat, a cup of tea in hand, in the kitchen. She understood it, the cabin fever that seemed all too overwhelming, now more than ever. She took a slow sip and tried to figure out the right words to say. Like him, she failed spectacularly.

Blake eventually strolled into the kitchen and opened his mouth to speak after a moment, but stopped. Instead, he stormed into his bedroom and grabbed some shoes and a jacket.

Barbara raised an eyebrow and went to call after him. Luckily, she didn't have to. He reappeared almost instantly in the doorway.

"I need some air," he sighed, almost declaring it to her.

"And where do you think you're going?" her father croaked.

Barbara paused for a moment and watched the two of them. She hadn't even heard her father enter the kitchen behind her. Yet, he approached, helping himself to a mug of the freshly brewed tea that sat on the table.

"I'm going to run some supplies over to St Swithin's boys' home. I need the air and it's not that far from here- not that I need your permission anyway." His tone was heavy and Barbara could see he meant it. Nevertheless, it was dangerous outside right now. He couldn't go out there alone.

Barbara slowly got to her feet, and took a step towards him. She reached to the counter in front of her, snatching the awaiting bag of supplies sat there. "Get your gun," she muttered, throwing half of her supplies at him and turning to give her father a soft look. "I'm coming with you."

"What?" they both interjected suddenly.

Barbara rolled her eyes as she faced them. Seriously? When would they stop acting like she was going to break in two, just from mentioning Bane? They looked scarily alike, with their concerned eyes, and anxious frowns. It was unnerving.

"It's too dangerous for him to go alone," she started, as if it were obvious. "Besides, Diane can keep an eye on things here, once she gets out the shower, till we get back," she explained smoothly, grabbing her own coat and shoes.

Her father frowned, crossing his arms over his chest. "And what am I, then? A damn coat rack?"

"I can do it alone," Blake protested, but only weakly.

"Doesn't mean you should have to," Barbara countered firmly. She stared at her father briefly, sliding her jacket on. "And Dad, you're still recovering, ok? Don't push it."

The look her father shot her told Barbara he seriously was considering pushing it. He didn't like being cooped up any more than she did, but she knew he also worried.

Barbara watched as Blake gazed towards her father slowly, as if waiting on his opinion how to proceed.

After a short silence, her father assented, but only just. The way he sighed told Barbara it was a narrow victory.

"Be careful," he said, narrowing his eyes as he did, leaning back against the marble counter top.

She was sure he wouldn't let her go if it hadn't been so close to where they were. She would talk to him about this all, soon, but not yet. Now wasn't the time. They couldn't fight each other when they had so much else to deal with. She just took her victory – it was enough for now.

"Let's go then," she replied cheerfully, waiting for Blake to join her by the door, supply bags in hand.

They didn't have much, just spare food, books, and some old clothes that they'd located from one of the spare closets in the apartment. It wasn't exactly lots, but Barbara knew the home would be grateful for it regardless, especially now, when resources were becoming more and more scarce.

Blake went to open the door, but Barbara hastily reached down and opened it for him. She shot him a playful smirk, which she was relieved to see him return.

"After you."

"Thanks," he breathed, brushing past her and into the hallway. Barbara gave her father one last look, waving goodbye as she closed the door behind them, hearing as he called out to them to be careful. It kind of went without saying.

With that, they left.

She hadn't been to St. Swithins in a while. Sure, as she'd said before, she'd helped out at the centre often in the past. It had been her school's idea, setting each of their students up with a community assistance project. Most of her year had been given things like trash picking, or helping at the local community centre. Barbara had been given St. Swithins to assist with, once a week for two months a couple summers back. Needless to say, she'd enjoyed helping there. Enough to keep coming back, even after her placement was over.

It seemed so long since she'd been back here. By the look on Blake's face as she glanced at him, he felt the same. He looked tense, and there seemed a look of haunting in his eyes that told her he felt funny coming here. She wasn't sure why.

"You ok?" she asked, walking down the street, Blake matching her pace.

Blake nodded slowly, glancing at her as they walked. "I'm fine, promise."

"You don't look fine."

"I just… I needed some air- that safe-house was getting too small for me, and I haven't been here in a while; that's all."

Barbara felt like slapping herself. How could she have forgotten?

"Not since telling them about Jimmy… I forgot," she whispered, the puzzle being solved for her. She'd even been there. It had been the first time they'd met, back in her Dad's office, when he'd thought she'd been snooping. Blake was on his way to tell the home he'd found one of the boys dead, in the sewers. It was funny he'd been the one to suggest coming here then if he was awkward about the place. Was he that desperate for some fresh air? "And if it helps I was getting a pretty bad case of cabin fever too."

"Yeah," Blake murmured softly, not quite meeting her eyes as he rubbed the back of his neck, before continuing with his answer. He seemed surprisingly nervous, and Barbara didn't know why. "But I… I used to live here. I was one of the foster kids Swithins looked after."

Now she understood. Why had he been nervous about telling her that? It didn't change what she thought about him; that he was a good, kind guy. So he'd come from a home?

"You… you never said. I mean… you didn't mention any family these past few weeks."

"Yeah… I lost my Mom when I was a kid," Blake explained, looking down the street at the empty road ahead. "I lost my Dad years later. I was old enough to remember that one, but Swithins? They took me in. I grew up here, happy and safe. I just want to do what I can for them. You know?"

"I understand," Barbara nodded; she really did. Family was important in life. People deserved to have a loving one to support them when times were tough. Swithins were his family, and right now, he was worried. Just as she worried about him, and Diane, and her father, back at the apartment. It was natural. Still, she tilted her head a little in thought, her pace slowing ever so slightly. "They're your family. Family stick together, as do friends - which we are, Blake. Or we better be considering we've been living together these past weeks. I don't just let anybody steal my hot water."

Blake's face brightened a little, but Barbara saw it. She also noticed the way his lips thinly quirked upwards in a smile. "I'm glad you get it," Blake chuckled, gesturing to the building up ahead. Barbara looked up, and realised they'd arrived. "Because these lot can get a little crazy."

"Tell me about it," she sniggered.

Like that, the mood between them eased, as both started up the front steps, and knocked on the old wooden door, waiting for a reply. Luckily, they were only stood there a moment, hoods up against the wind that whipped down the street. Almost instantly, the door opened a crack, the sound of locks being undone, and chains being drawn back echoing out.

As soon as the door opened, though only a little, a face appeared, that of a young teenage boy, who glanced out at them curiously. Yet, as soon as his soft green eyes saw who they were he opened the door widely, almost pulling them inside in his excitement.

"Blake!" he beamed, as they stepped inside, lowering their hoods once the door was shut again. Dangerous times meant taking a few extra precautions. By the locks Barbara noticed on the door, a few wasn't quite the word. Swithins wasn't taking any chances.

"Hey Adam," Blake greeted, smiling at the kid in recognition. "How you doing?"

Adam Santiago was familiar to Barbara, and apparently Blake too. He was a young kid of about thirteen, with messy black hair that never looked brushed, and a smile that seemed almost too big for his face. He had been at Swithins for some years, as long as Barbara had been coming at least. She knew from Father Reilly that he'd been here longer, along with his older brother Dean. Their parents had died in a car crash, but both boys were cheerful. They were some of the more confident children Swithins housed. Needless to say, they were easy to get along with.

"Good," Adam replied, bouncing a little as he stood there. "You here to play soccer?"

Blake smirked, ruffling the kid's hair. "Not today, Adam. We came to see Father Reilly." Yet, the frown that Adam displayed instantly drove itself right into Blake's heart. His face softened and he glanced weakly at Barbara, who was merely smiling. Adam was pretty good at getting what he wanted. He was quite the little actor - that much she knew. Poor Blake. He simply shrugged, and winked at the kid, who was executing a brilliant puppy-eyes, even if she said so herself. "Well… Who knows? Maybe I can play later."

Adam immediately grinned, smug with the victory. He turned his head and shared his smile as he noticed Barbara, stood beside him. "Hi, Miss Gordon," he began oh-so-politely.

Nice try she thought internally. As if she bought the angelic child act. She knew him too well for that. "Hi Adam," she chuckled. "Since when do you call me Miss Gordon? Call me Babs."

"You want to play soccer later, Babs?"

She nodded. "Sure. Maybe in a bit. I can kick your ass again."

"That was one time!" Adam shot back, turning suddenly and bolting back up the stairs beside them in a mad blur.

"Adam – no running in the halls!" came the sudden authoritative voice, echoing down the stairs but Adam didn't seem to care. He just kept running, giggling as he did.

Barbara looked up sharply, knowing exactly who it was. Father Reilly. He looked well, all things considered, wrapped in a thick sweater, and beaming as he took in the two people stood by the door. "John," he cooed, descending to join them. His arms opened and he took him into his arms kindly. It warmed Barbara's heart.

"Father," Blake greeted, beaming as he hugged the man back.

Father Reilly stepped back and turned to smile at her, repeating his routine. She was more than accustomed to it by now. "And Barbara? It's good to see you, my dear."

"You too, Father. It's been too long."

Father Reilly sighed, shaking his head as he did. "Alas, that is not of your doing. What are you doing here?"

It was Blake that answered. "Came to check up on you… How are the boys doing? How's everyone holding up?"

"We manage, and we get by. Certainly, no midnight snacks for the kids anymore but they're coping."

"Well, we can't fix that but we can help a little. We know it isn't much but we brought what we could." Barbara held the bags she'd been carrying up for him to see and watched as he smiled again.

"Thank you. Both of you. You must come in. The boys will be happy to see you both again."

"We don't want to intrude-" Barbara began.

Father Reilly wasn't having any of it. "You two could never intrude. Please." He gestured behind him to the stairs, and Barbara knew better than to argue. Father Reilly didn't usually take no for an answer, not when coffee was on the table.

Barbara just shrugged in surrender, Blake doing the same. It wasn't like they had anywhere to be.

"So you don't know who has this trigger?"

It was a good question Father Reilly asked, sipping the mug of coffee in his hands. He leaned back against the worn kitchen counter and gazed across the narrow space at both Blake and Barbara curiously. Barbara just wished she had a better answer for him, and for herself.

"No. we don't," she sighed, clutching the now luke-warm mug in her hands tightly. She sounded frustrated. "We're having a hard enough time trying to locate the bomb as it is. Bane's not giving anything away."

"Man like Bane never would," Father muttered back sympathetically. "How's the Commissioner?"

"He's good. Angry, but good." It was Blake that answered that question, looking between Barbara and Father Reilly. His lips tightened into a straight line and Barbara almost felt he was answering for himself too. She knew him well enough by now to know that was his angry voice. He couldn't stop himself almost growling the word angry.

Father Reilly nodded slowly as he processed the information. "I'm glad to hear that – he's good that is. We couldn't afford to lose a man like James Gordon." His expression remained soft as he nodded towards the two of them too. "At least you two are alright."

Barbara felt a warmth in her chest at the sight of his smile. It was hard with everything going on with Bane, to remember that not everyone was bad in the city. There were still people who were good, who cared about them and others, not just her father and Diane. There were people who needed the protection of their own; they didn't all have police safe houses. "We're glad you and the boys are too," she replied.

"Don't you worry about us. We'll survive."

Suddenly, the door swung open beside them, and Barbara glanced up to see Adam stood in the doorway. He was a little out of breath, and Barbara almost immediately thought something was wrong.

"Barbara," he began urgently. It was close enough to Babs for her not to throw something at him. Playful idiot. But she immediately put the mug down on the counter and straightened up. She didn't expect the next words out of his mouth. "We're starting a match if you're in. My brother Dean, shot-gunned you for his team. We get Blake."

Barbara paused but grinned smugly at Blake as she relaxed. There wasn't any danger. But still Blake didn't look that enthusiastic at the prospect of a soccer match. "Oh really? Is that so?"

Adam nodded.

"Well, you're going down Adam. I'm in."

"Blake?" he almost begged, gazing up at the man. He looked so excited.

"Oh no, I-" Blake began in weak protest, gesturing feebly to Father Reilly beside him. Apparently, though, that wasn't going to work.

"Don't let me stop you," Father Reilly smirked, almost shoving him towards the door. "Have fun."

Blake almost rolled his eyes but didn't fight. No, instead he just tackled Adam into his arms, pulling him out the door and towards the quad on the roof. He seemed just like a kid at that moment and Barbara couldn't help but laugh. It was such a different side to him; one she hadn't seen before Bane had blown up Gotham. "Ok. It's on, little guy. Let's do this."

"Confident are we?" Barbara bit back. She smiled at Father Reilly and bolted after Blake, up the stairs to the rooftop quad.

"I'm not too bad," he called back. "You?"

With that, she shot him a playful smirk over her shoulder and headed towards the group of boys she could see waiting for them with a ball. "Oh… You'll see."

Soccer; it had been a good few years since Barbara played the sport. However – to her amazement- Blake seemed to be something of a professional. Yeah, she should have seen that one coming. But she hadn't. Her mistake.

She stood there, gaping, as he effortlessly re-took the ball from her for the fifth time since the game had started, and dribbled it past her team. He called loudly as he passed the ball back to Adam.

Barbara lunged forward, laughing as she tried to take the ball back and pass it to Dean, who was only a few steps away. But yet again she found herself blocked. Ok, she wasn't professional but she didn't like to lose. That and her natural athleticism made her a decent player.

She hurried forward, sticking her foot out to make a tackle as one of the other boys dribbled past her towards the goal. However, as she did she felt her feet tangle with someone else's and she fell to the floor, landing on something surprisingly soft. Something that also cried out as she all but fell on to them.

Blake?

"Ow."

"Oh my- I'm so sorry," Barbara immediately gasped, noticing the way her body was awkwardly pinning his to the tarmac. A flush rose in her cheeks and she scrambled to suddenly get off of him. "You ok?"

He nodded as she sat up and started to brush herself down. He'd live. If anything he was just embarrassed he'd missed her coming like that. Damn his stupid clumsy feet.

"I didn't take you for a cheater," was all he sniggered, pulling her back down as she tried to stand.

It was enough to take her completely by surprise.

"You fell on me!" Barbara protested in shock. Her body slid effortlessly back to the floor again, pinned beneath him. Who was the cheater now, huh? "L... L... Let go!" she giggled through breaths.

Instantly, his grip loosened, allowing her room to move. Blake laughed even harder in amusement as she kicked and threw him over. She wriggled past and snatched up the ball between her feet, the game not forgotten. If anything it had stopped the moment they'd tumbled.

"Dean!" she called passing it across the court to her team.

Blake moved to get up and intercept, but the boys were already on it. Barbara's team lunged, making her roar with laughter as the boys began piling up in a heap, pinning him down.

"BUNDLE!" Dean cheered as he all but propelled himself onto Blake, keeping him well and truly down. He also just happened to keep him down long enough for the ball to make its way to another one of their team.

"Go!" Barbara all but screamed, lost in the moment. It was almost as if she'd gone back in time to be a kid again. No Bane, no bomb, no terrorists. For one single hour it was all forgotten, lost in a blur of laughter and childishness.

It was euphoric.

Barbara watched as the ball travelled in a neat line and straight to another one of the kids, just in time for him to shoot and score a goal. He cheered loudly, as did the rest of her team. Victory was theirs.

"Rematch! That's gotta be a foul," Blake protested, as the boys began to slowly release him for their prison. However, Barbara could see he meant it playfully; his ear-splitting grin gave that much away.

Huh… he looked cute when he smiled like that.

Barbara jogged hastily over to him and offered him a hand. Needless to say, he took it.

"Sorry, Blake," Dean smiled, ruffling Adam's hair as he passed them. "You lose."

Be that as it may, Blake didn't seem to look too heartbroken about it, unlike Adam however, who was shooting daggers towards Dean.

"Stop being annoying," he whined, making them all snigger softly to themselves. It was unavoidable. He seemed too innocent when he did.

"I'm not being annoying. You're just playing like a girl," Dean retorted.

"And that's a bad thing?"

All the boys stopped, gulping as Barbara stood there, hands on her hips, grinning smugly – ball in hand.

"Don't make me beat you lot all over again."

Blake just laughed, watching as all of them fell deadly silent, looking like rabbits in headlights. Barbara certainly had that power over them, and over him.

"I think they'll be ok," he soothed, watching as she broke a smile too, dropping the ball back to the floor. It bounced once before she stopped it, resting her foot on the top, looking almost as happy as she had back in the bar that night before all this had happened. It made his heart stutter.

"Good."

"Re-match?"

"You're on, Blake."

"You … you can call me John, you know," he added hesitantly, rubbing the back of his neck.

Barbara just nodded. "Ok then… John." The name felt odd in her mouth, yet as soon as she said it, she knew it sounded right. "And you can call me, Babs. Not Barbara, or Miss Gordon."

He just laughed. "You're on then, Babs."

Her name sounded just as good coming from him too.

"You're back," Diane all but cheered the moment she and John made it through the door of the safe house. It was only a few hours they'd been gone, but by the expression on her face, you'd have thought it was days. Then again, stuck with a cooped up Commissioner wasn't exactly going to have been a fun day. No wonder Diane looked a little worse for wear, or so Barbara mused as she shrugged off her coat. "Thank god. Your Dad's been driving me crazy."

"Sorry we took so long," Barbara sighed in reply, smiling as she did. Diane didn't miss the way she really smiled as John slid past, chuckling to himself as he went. "We got caught up at the home."

"You look happy."

"I had fun. Played a little soccer, caught up with Father Reilly."

"Oh?" Diane breathed, crossing her arms over her chest and stepping weirdly close to Barbara. "That all?"

"Yes," Barbara muttered skeptically. She knew exactly what was going on here. Diane was the most open book she'd ever seen. It was why she stepped back from her and shook her head dangerously. "Di, drop the look. Now. I mean it."

"What look?" Diane shrugged innocently, but Barbara knew better.

It was why she rolled her eyes, skipping past and straight into the living room instead. At least she didn't have to worry about her Dad giving her weird looks.

"Dad! We're back."

Immediately her Dad came hurrying towards her out of the kitchen, looking almost as relieved as Diane had been to see her. Apparently, they were both just as difficult as each other to stay cooped up with. It made Barbara all the more glad she hadn't been here to see it.

"Glad you're both back ok," her Dad automatically exhaled in relief. His arms wove around her, holding her close as if to re-enforce his point. "I was worried."

"I know, Diane said."

"Sorry," he grumbled almost sounding guilty to confess it. "I just don't like sitting round doing nothing all day."

"It's too dangerous out there for you," came the automated reply.

It wasn't exactly as if they hadn't had this talk before; Barbara had all but worn out the subject with her father since it had all started. Still, she hugged him warmly before pulling away to respond.

"Bane's got his guys looking everywhere for you."

"I know." Her Dad rolled her eyes, throwing his hands up in frustration. "I just… want to do something… I'm going to go crazy if I have to spend one more minute like some caged up animal!" His voice had suddenly risen sharply, making Barbara all but wince as he snapped.

She noticed John doing the same as he stood watching from the kitchen behind them. The look he was giving them said it all; he wasn't the only one feeling that way. Still, her Dad's face fell as he seemed to catch himself. He all but rubbed a hand down his face and faced the window in irritation, choking out what sounded like a "Sorry."

"Don't be. You're not the only one who hates this; being cooped up. It sucks."

"But what else can we do?"

Barbara hadn't heard Diane enter the living room. In fact, she had almost been silent as she'd overheard their conversation from her position perched on the sofa. She did have a point though. What else could they do that they weren't already doing? It wasn't as if the four of them alone could do much to change things as they were?

"We need to hit Bane where it hurts," John said calmly, as if he'd already made up his mind. "Batman isn't coming back. It's just us, and nothing is going to change unless we make it."

Immediately Barbara felt her stomach churn uneasily at the thought. Batman wasn't here, sure, but he had to be coming back. He had to be. Up until now she hadn't really given it all that much thought; she couldn't. It just left her with this feeling of emptiness and queasiness inside, and considering their current position, it was a feeling she could do without.

"But… how?"

"There are plenty of people, hiding in this city; that would help us if we asked. We just have to find them."

"Like who?" her father shot back, raising an eyebrow.

It was Barbara who piped up this time. "Harvey, Foley…" she began. The list was easy to think of, and these were names just off the top of her head.

"What makes you think they'd help?"

"Because they'd much prefer hiding here forever," Barbara muttered sarcastically, rolling her eyes.

Her Dad got the point. He sighed, scratching his chin in thought. "Still… how would we find them?"

"People talk," Diane suggested smoothly. "Most are probably still in their homes but… people out there see things. We know that. I know somebody has to know where they are."

"And the cell towers are still up," John added. "Some we can call, as long as we block it so it can't be traced."

"I can help with that," Barbara piped up, thinking of the computer she'd seen in one of the spare rooms. It had been too long since she'd been at a keyboard. This was as good a time as any to get back in to it.

"True."

"You think we should organise a meeting?"

Her father nodded calmly. "We need order. We need a plan. Hiding in our homes and waiting for this to blow over isn't an option anymore."

John nodded in agreement. "I can start tracking people down… organise someplace we could meet that Bane wouldn't know about it."

"Does such a place exist?"

"Bane may have control of the city, but he doesn't know it. This isn't his home; it's ours. I know this city like the back of my hand. If anyone can find a place, I can."

Barbara paused, watching the pair of them. If she didn't know any better she'd almost have thought this was any old case they were working on, rather than the mad plan it was. Still, it was a plan none the less. Considering two minutes ago they hadn't had one, it was progress.

"Sounds like we have a plan."

Diane just smirked, pumping her fist in the air jokingly, as if she was at a pep rally. "Go team."

Somehow though, Barbara felt she was right about that. They were a team. Finally. They were doing something to fight back. They weren't hiding in fear. This was there city, and Bane had better start running.