Chapter 25

Dick and Barbara got their ice-cream and spent the rest of the day together. They talked about school, what they saw on the TV the other night and other things that friends talk about. Barbara was happy with the answers that she got out of Dick, but really she was still suspicious as to what happened. She also had a few more questions but she didn't want to ask him before. So as Dick walked her to her house she asked

"So how in the world did you become such good friends with kid flash after only one day?"

"What do you mean" Dick said

"First you chased, then punched a superhero" Barbara said

"Well we just liked similar things. You wouldn't believe how much you can bond while playing video games" Dick said laughing

"You got to play video games with a superhero" Barbara almost shouted

"Calm down, Babs" Dick said "it's not that big a deal"

"But it is Dick, your friends with a superhero" she said excitedly. "So did you by chance meet robin"

"What do you mean" Dick said tensing up slightly

"You know the boy wonder, I mean all the other side kicks were there Aqualad, Kid Flash, and I'm guessing the girl with the bow was with green arrow. And batman set up the whole thing"

"No, he wasn't there" Dick said

"Oh why" Barbara asked disappointed

"I don't know I didn't ask" Dick said shrugging "why are you so interested in robin any way"

"Oh no reason," Barbara said blushing "I as just curious"

"Are you blushing Babs" Dick said looking at her red cheeks

"What, no" she said turning away. Her cheeks just got redder and Dick started laughing hysterically "what's so funny" Barbara asked looking back at Dick

"You have a crush on the boy wonder" he was able to get out over his laughing

"No I do not" Barbara said getting defensive

"Yes you do" Dick countered

"Well he protects Gotham with batman, and at our age to, it's pretty admirable" Barbara said defending herself

"So you admit it" Dick said

"What no" Barbara said flustered "it's just that if I did, that would be why"

"Face it Babs, you're a robin fan girl" Dick said smirking

"I am not" Barbara repeated. By now they had gotten to Barbara's building. She walked up the steps saying "if you tell anyone, I will personally hunt you down"

"Alright, I'll see you at school tomorrow fan girl" Dick said teasing her.

"Do not call me that" Barbara shouted down the steps at him, but Dick was already walking away laughing his head off. Barbara just sighed and walked up to her and her dad's apartment. When she walked in her dad said

"Hey barb, did you and Dick have fun"

"Yeah sure" Barbara said

"So what was the shouting about" he asked smiling

"Oh you heard that" Barbara said embarrassed "it was nothing"

"Alright" Jim Gordon said "but you know you can allow"

"Alright" Jim Gordon said "but you know you can always talk to me"

"I know dad" Barbara said "I think I'm just going to do my homework and get to bed early"

"Alright then" he said "goodnight"

"Goodnight dad" Barbara said smiling then she went to her room to start her homework

Dick walked home with a smile on his face. He thought that it was funny that Barbara had a crush on his alter ego robin. It was only like a fan girl crush. She didn't actually like the hero. All the girls in Gotham had a crush on the boy wonder. But as he walked he realized that he was also kind of jealous of himself. Barbara had a crush on robin, not him. Not that he wanted Barbara to have a crush on him he thought. He was passing the ally way with the telephone booth that acted as a zeta tube so he decided to take a short cut the manor.

Recognized robin B01

He walked in to the Batcave and looked around. Batman wasn't in the cave so he just went upstairs to the manor.

"Alfred" he shouted "you here"

"Yes Master Dick" Dick herd Alfred call back "I am in the kitchen"

Dick walked into the kitchen and sitting down, Alfred was cooking dinner "hey Alfred" he said "Bruce still at work or is he out"

"I believe that he has gone out as Bruce Wayne" Alfred said "all he said was he was going out for the night"

"Oh ok" Dick said "do you think I should go on patrol tonight"

"You know how I feel about you going out by yourself master Dick" Alfred said

"Come on Alfred" Dick said "there's no need to worry, it's not like I'm in grade school anymore."

"Yes because a high-schooler fighting dangerous criminals is much safer" Alfred said sarcastically.

"Well I'm going to go out" Dick said getting up. "The Batmobile wasn't gone so I guess he's out upholding his reputations as a playboy billionaire."

"Wait, a second young man, you're not going anywhere without something to eat." Alfred filled a plate for Dick and started to walk it to the dining room.

"Do I have to sit in there" Dick said "it feels so lonely sitting at that table alone"

"Very well" Alfred said setting down the plate at the table in the kitchen.

"Thanks Alfred" Dick said smiling; he sat down and started eating.

"Do slow down master Dick, at that pace you are sure to choke" Alfred said, noticing the speed at which Dick was eating

"Sorry Alfred" Dick said with his mouth full and only slowing down a little. He finished his food quickly then jumped up and said "well I'm off, hey do you think that Bruce would mind if I took the Batmobile out"

"I would not advise it" Alfred said

"Yeah you're probably right, Bruce would freak if he came back and the Batmobile was gone" Dick said laughing. Well I'll see you later Alfred" he ran out the door and to the Batcave to go change in to his robin suit. Alfred just sighed and shook his head at the young boy's eagerness.