Title: Time Will Tell

Author: DC Luder

Summary: After a tragic injury, Bruce must make the long road to recovery with the help of family and friends.

Rating: T

Infringements: All recognizable characters belong to DC Comics, not DC Luder.

Author's Note: This chapter has been modified from its original version to make it more awesome-er.

^V^

I felt my bones crunch as the masked man drove his fist into my side.

Ribs splintered and shivered into my already bruised lungs.

I was too weak.

I was going to die.

The massive man picked me up with ease and threw me at the glass display case that stood a few yards away. On impact the glass shattered around me, slicing through my tunic like a knife through butter. Unable to move let alone rise to my feet, I lay sprawled amidst the debris of hard glass. As the man stomped towards me, my burning fingers felt a soft material. I managed to turn my head to see it was a yellow cape.

The man's eyes studied me as my other hand found a small green mask.

In a mere whisper, I managed, "Jason… Robin."

Trembling on weak limbs, I stood and shuffled to the masked man. He stood at seven feet tall and was easily over three hundred pounds of heavy and strong muscles. The eyes of his mask glowed red as blood in the dark cave as white tubes ran from the back of his head to a small control panel on his left arm. Even though his lips were hidden I knew he was smiling.

Even at my best, I couldn't have defeated him.

But I couldn't give up.

I threw a weak blow; my blue glove tattered and bloodstained. He dodged it easily and retaliated with a quick uppercut to my arm in order move it out of the way and then a forceful hook to my cheek, sending the world spinning. Before I could even think of blocking the next blow, his left leg rose and slammed into my face, sending me to the ground.

And as painful as the fall to the granite floor echoing in my joints had been, the reason I had screamed was that a stalagmite impaled my side.

I couldn't…

He grabbed me by the collar of my tunic and hefted me towards him. In a thick Latino accent, he demanded, "Beg for mercy! Scream my name!"

With the remaining strength I had, I growled, "G-go back to… Hell."

Without hesitation he backhanded me before lifting me high above his head his vice like hands gripping me relentlessly as if was going to attempt to break free. It was too late, it was far too late for that…

Blood pounding in my ears, I could no longer hear the fluttering of bat wings from above or the gurgling breaths that escaped my lips.

All I could hear was his voice, "I am Bane, and I could kill you. But death would only end your agony… And silence your shame. Instead I will simply break you!"

And then the deafening shatter of bones as he brought me down on his knee, sending a sudden jolt of fierce pain through every fiber of my body.

And then there was no pain. No voice. No light…

I shot up, drenched in a cold sweat, my breaths heaving from me. Glancing around, it took a moment to realize I was in the safety of my bedroom as opposed to whatever piece of hell I had dreamt of. Looking to my left, I found Selina motionless beside me, Isis curled up at her feet.

The room was silent save for a soft crying, although not coming from me but rather the baby monitor on Selina's nightstand. Seeing how sleep was no longer on my agenda, I rose quickly to turn the volume down before stepping out of the room. Reaching the corridor, I took a few long breaths as I navigated to the next room over. At four months old, Mattie was just starting to sleep in her nursery after living in her bassinet in our bedroom. It was a difficult transition for Selina at first but given my tendancies to wake in the middle of the night, I had done what I could to assure her Mattie was being watched over.

Passing into the nursery, I whispered soothingly before picking her up, carefully unswaddling her in order to check her diaper and pajamas. Her tiny quaking body was warm against my bare chest, and after ending up being clean and dry, I decided she had overheated. I took her into the hall with me and began our late night routine of walking up and down the corridors and stairs and then back again. The alarm clock in the master bedroom had put it at a little after four, and since I had changed her an hour earlier, she most likely needed a little burp and back rub.

Alfred said I was a natural father.

As I toured about, gently trying to soothe my daughter's cries, my mind ventured back to the dream as well as those that had been plaguing me for nearly two months. All were generally violent and were always confusing, full of strange faces and places. I had suffered a number of flashbacks over the course of the last year but none had been so vivid, so painful.

There was a reason, of course.

After Mattie had been born, I had been introduced to a number of my former associates, including a man named John Jones. Although I hadn't believed him at first, he claimed to be a telepathic and wanted to help me regain my memories if I so desired. Rather than decide right away, he had offered to come back at a later time, allowing me to thoroughly think matters over before we proceeded.

I had debated with myself for nearly two months, trying to decide whether I was content with the man I was or if desired to be the man I once was. I had asked the opinions of my Family but each and every one declined, saying it was my choice to make. After asking Dick if I was that different from who I once had been, he had responded, "You are, Bruce… you may not be the same man, but you are a better person."

In the end, I had decided to take the leap, to see if Jones would be able to bring back all that I had lost. Selina had asked why after I had announced my decision, and I had explained that I wanted to be able to tell Mattie about my parents and that I wanted to remember what Dick was like as a boy. I had added that I wanted to remember every minute I had spent with her, although she had hit me in the face with a couch pillow, yelling at me for being too sappy.

There had been other reasons, but I had decided to keep them to myself.

Like how I wanted to know where the dozens of scars on my body had come from.

I needed to find out what had truly caused my amnesia…

And why none of the memories I had regained were happy ones.

As I reached the first floor, Mattie's cries had silenced and her breaths came evenly on my neck. Kissing the top of her head gently, I couldn't help but think back once more to the dream. The details were hazy but the pain I had felt in the nightmare lingered. Whatever life I had lived before seemed to be one that I wouldn't have brought a child into. With my slumbering daughter in my arms, I wondered if I had made a mistake, trying to bring back memories that had once caused so much pain.

I continued rubbing Mattie's back, wanting at least one of us to have a peaceful rest.

^V^

There was a vague sensation of Bruce returning to bed at some point before dawn so when I woke, I naturally expected to see his face beside mine. Instead, I was met with whiskers and a soft purring as Isis rubbed her face against my chin. I pulled the playful kitten to me as I rolled onto my back, tickling her chin and causing the purrs to grow louder.

As she fell asleep on my stomach, I yawned before glancing to the bedside clock. Nearly half passed seven. Although it was a Friday, it was going to be far from an enjoyable day. Mattie had a check-up with her pediatrician, Dr. Marcy, including a panel of inocculations. Although I had expected Dr. Thompkins to step up and continue her care of our daughter, she had gracefully bowed out, directing us to one of her most trusted colleagues in Gotham. Given the family's stature, Dr. Marcy was more then happy to add us to her patient list, but more importantly Mattie adored her.

Even after fits of post-vaccine bawling.

At a little over four months old, Mattie was right on track with neonatal development, if not a little ahead. She was able to differentiate voices, rocking her little chubby body anytime she heard mine or Bruce's. Her teething stage was in full force, making her uncomfortable and needy. Thankfully, she was easily appeased by sucking on cold wash cloths or frozen toys. She was just starting on solid foods, which was a huge relief on my part as I was able to decrease the amount she breastfed. She was more active as well, rolling over from her back to her stomach, shaking her hands and kicking out in excitement, with a smile on her face.

Our bundle of joy.

Still exhausted, I forced myself out of bed to start the day. After a quick shower, I donned black leggings and a loose fitting sweater. Although I had diligently been making the effort to get myself back in shape, I had a long way to go. Between caring for Mattie around the clock and working out, I had direct my energy to the former. My entire life, I had always been this side of superficial and looking in the mirror after having Mattie was just as difficult as it had been while I was pregnant with her…

Putting my hair up in a damp bun, I made my way out of the master bedroom and next door. She was still adjusting to sleeping in the nursery as well as to not being fed during the night. It was difficult not to give in to her tears and cries, but Dr. Marcy had recommended it to help maintain her weight and institute a lifelong cycle sleep and wakefulness. Every night at eight, we bathed her, read to her and then I nursed her before putting her to bed. She was generally good about sleeping from nine until one but often woke in the wee hours. Bruce was always the first one up, racing to change her before soothing her back to sleep.

Apparently, he had decided to stay with her for the remainder of the morning…

The nursery door was open as I approached it, and I opted to lean against the frame as opposed to walking in. Bruce, still in his pajamas, was sitting cross legged with Mattie upright in his lap. He was helping her hold a plush globe, smiling as she clutched the Pacific Ocean.

Without looking up, he greeted me, "Good morning."

"Morning… you been up long?"

Bruce shook his head, "She went back to sleep after I changed her at one... woke up again… but I stayed in here, just in case."

Before his mind had been erased, he had been able to lie without detection. He had no doubt stayed with Mattie to watch over her, but the real reason had no doubt been that he had another nightmare.

Joining my family, I sat across from Bruce, reaching over and tickling Mattie's arm as I said her name softly. She looked towards me and then grinned, her pinks lips glossy with saliva. "Her appointment is at eleven… want to do lunch afterwards?"

"Okay," he nodded before rotating the globe so that Mattie looked down on Asia.

With his attention diverted, I studied his tired face. As he had once before, Bruce was ignoring what was bothering him by focusing on something else, or rather someone else. Although he was certainly more outgoing emotionally than before, recently he seemed to be reverting back to his old ways, bottling everything inside and trying to fight it on his own.

Alfred said it was a sign, but neither of us were certain as to what it indicated.

J'onn had been diligently working with Bruce over the last few weeks and felt that the memories we had once thought long gone were still present in Bruce's mind, just not accessible to him. Over the last year since he had been shot, several had trickled through the cracks and surfaced, leaving Bruce confused and frustrated. J'onn had tried to explain to him that he should be optimistic, that he should be hopeful.

Unlike before, Bruce had agreed, saying, "Okay… I'll try."

Bruce lifted Mattie up and turned her to face him. As he kissed her face, she grabbed onto a lock of dark gray hair and tugged. She was obsessed with pulling hair, showing no regard for who the hair was attached to. Thankfully, Isis had learned to steer clear of the baby, mostly racing from the room whenever Mattie entered.

"Ow," he smiled at her and gently removed her tiny digits.

I rose to my feet and offered, "Why don't I take her… get her fed and dressed… that way you can shower."

"She ate an ounce about an hour ago," he nodded and handed her over to me, "Probably could go for the fresh stuff."

"Bruce," I said, forcing him to pause at the doorway, "Are you all right?"

He nodded, "Just… tired… didn't sleep well."

"Well, if you want, go back to bed, I'll wake you before we head down to her appointment."

Shaking his head, Bruce replied, "No… I'm fine… I'll nap when she does, later." With a curt nod, he turned to the hall, closed the door and disappeared.

He was far from fine.

I was changing Mattie's diaper when Alfred announced himself with a knock on the door. After welcoming him in, he opened it and smiled warmly, "Good morning, Ms. Selina."

"Good morning, Alfred…" I hefted Mattie into my arms and held her up to look at her favorite grandfather figure, "Say good morning to Alfred, Mattie?"

Although the entire Family was excited to have a baby in their lives, Alfred was overjoyed. Any opportunity he could spend with her, he gladly accepted, which had possibly been the only reason I had maintained my sanity since she had been born. When I had originally thought Bruce to have been dead and that would have to raise our child by myself, I had been terrified. It had been foolish to think that even though Bruce was gone that I had been alone.

He approached the child, pausing within her line of sight and greeted, "Good morning to you, too, Miss Mattie."

"Have you seen Bruce yet?" I asked before sitting Mattie down on the changing table. Her outfit for the day was laying out next to her, black leggings as well as a white Henley body suit and a teeny tiny purple hooded zip-up sweater. Shopping for her had become my new focus as opposed to looking for my own outfits.

"Briefly, earlier this morning. Is something amiss?"

I shrugged as I began putting the onesy, "I don't know… I mean… he just seems off this morning." And many mornings that had preceded it…

"I will offer my counsel to him at once."

"Alfred…"

"Yes, Ms. Selina?"

I hesitated, dropping my gaze to Mattie before continuing, "Do you think it was a mistake? Letting him… try to regain his memories?"

He paused as well, his eyes also falling to his youngest charge's smiling face, "I believe, that no matter how this endeavor ends, it is for the best. He had valid reasons for wanting to remember who he once was… For himself as well as for the rest of the Family…"

I couldn't help but thing of the look in Bruce's eyes when he had told me why he wanted to remember everything. How he wanted to know what his childhood had been like, what he felt the first time he saw me and what it was like raising Dick. It had been so difficult not to blatantly tell him that he had no childhood and the first time he had seen me I had attacked him and that he hadn't been the father he imagined when Dick was young.

But I couldn't do it, not to him.

Alfred's voice spoke softly, "There is no mistake to be made in trying. I believe Master Bruce, old and new, would agree."

^V^

Ms. Selina was justly worried.

Where he had always opted to avoid others with what was bothering, more often than not, he would be willing to vent to me. In the last year, he had done so more than he had in his entire life. Then again, in a sense he had lived his entire life over in the last year.

Well, not his entire life…

Leslie and I had broached the subject with Master Dick shortly after it was decided that Master J'onnz would aide in Master Bruce's recovery. Although a dreaded task, it was decided that when he began to recall memories specific to his life as the Dark Knight, we would sit him down and explain matters to him. Master Dick had seemed quite upset at the thought of it and when I had inquired as to why, he had replied, "It's just that… Everything is so different… I… I know it sounds selfish but I'm not sure if I… "

He had been unable to finish, his self hatred for not wanting his mentor to recover taking hold of him.

Although I had offered comfort, he had denied them, "No, Al… it makes me a horrible person… he spent his entire life becoming who he was… and I don't want him to go back because I like who he is now better…"

I had looked him directly in the eyes before assuring him. "Even if he changes, your role in his life will not. You will, and have, always been his son. Is that understood, Richard?"

He had nodded, but the pained look on his face remained.

The nightmares had grown not only in frequency but in severity. Ms. Selina was justly worried about her beau as I had blatantly heard his cries in the night, followed shortly by his footsteps up and down the hall as he walked with his young child. I had waited until a little after five before rising from my bed in order to check on both father and daughter. Sure enough, both had been in the nursery, Miss Mattie slumbering in her crib and Master Bruce looking longingly at her from the rocking chair.

"Sir?" I had announced myself softly.

He had looked to me instantly, his eyes glowing in the dimly lit room, "Alfred, what are you doing up?"

"It is five, sir."

"Already?" Master Bruce had asked, both of me and himself. After confirming it with his wristwatch, he had sighed, "I didn't realize it was that… early."

"Time escapes us all, Master Bruce."

Nodding, he had glanced once more to his slumbering child, seemingly undeterred by our muted conversation. "She's been asleep since three, hopefully she can make it until seven…"

"Has she been fussy?"

He had shrugged, "No… not really. She just doesn't want to sleep through the night, not yet."

"All in due time, sir… I recall another young infant that lived in this house that woke at all hours of the night."

"Me?"

I had nodded, "Thankfully your father was a night owl, much like yourself. He would walk with you through the halls until you finally fell back asleep."

"Like I do with Mattie," he had commented. There was a moment of silence before he asked, "Do you think he would be… if they would be proud of me?"

"With everything you have done in your life, sir, I have always asked myself the same question… and every time, the answer was yes. They would be proud of you, sir… because I am. You have achieved what they would have wanted for you."

"What's that?"

Smiling, I had replied, "What every parent longs for their children."

He had smirked, his eyes never leaving Mattie's face, "Happiness."

"And are you happy, Master Bruce?"

"… yes." He had hesitated before asking, "Was I happy… before?"

Not wanting to lie more than I had to, I had answered, "You were on the verge of being happy, sir… what has changed in your life since then has been for the better."

I had left him with his thoughts and his firstborn daughter. Returning to my quarters, I had washed and dressed for the day before preparing an itinerary on a piece of stationary. With house being empty for the middle of the day, I had plans to tidy up the master bedroom and the nursery, changing linens on the beds and also tending to laundry. Aside from a trip to the market for produce, the remainder of the day was fairly light aside from the general tasks around the Manor.

With clear skies and mild temperatures for the afternoon, it was tempting to spend it in the gardens, pruning evergreen shrubs, laying in fresh bulb fertilizer and planting dahlias, gladiolas and lilies. The begonias would have to wait until the safe, warm nights of May but it would be nice to get a head start on the others. There were landscapers that tended to the lawns and trees, but I had always enjoyed maintaining the gardens.

List completed, I had made my way to the ground floor with a basket of clothes to be laundered along with a set of garments that needed to be sent to the cleaners. For many years, it had just been myself and Master Bruce, thus making the task of maintaining Wayne Manor relatively simple. Adding two more residents, as well as frequent guests had upped the ante some, but it had been a welcome challenge. Knowing that it was only the permanent household members that were expected at breakfast, I had decided to take extra care in preparations.

For the lord and lady, Eggs Florentine with miniature potato pancakes and sliced tomatoes.

For the little lady, applesauce and rice cereal.

A standard in the house for some time, the automatic coffee machine had greeted with me with a warm aroma. Collecting eggs, butter, spinach, sourdough bread and potatoes, I hear footsteps entering the kitchen. Closing the refrigerator, I announced, "I'm afraid breakfast isn't quite prepared, Master Bruce."

"I'll be sure to tell him," Master Dick had greeted me, fatigue weighing his tone down.

"Sir.. I was unaware you were home…" I had commented before setting the fresh ingredients on the countertop. As I had gone about collecting vinegar, peppercorn, sea salt and lemons from the fruit basket, I continued, "I will have to prepare a feast for three in place of two."

He had shaken his head, "Actually, I'm going to head out… have to be to work by eight."

The clock on the far wall put it at quarter passed six. The hour commute in addition to washing and donning his uniform would give him little time to partake in the most important meal of the day. Insisting that he at least have a serving of eggs, toast and bacon, Master dick had reluctantly agreed, even after his stomach growled in hunger. Rapidly preparing his meal, I had inquired as to how the evening had faired.

"Okay, I guess… still nothing concrete on Aces High… really the only underground casino and gambling outfit left in the city and we just can't seem to pin them down… the undercover work isn't even getting us anywhere…"

"We must be thankful, then."

"Thankful, for what?" he had asked.

I had turned from the stovetop to face him, "Why… that your greatest concern of the criminals lurking about Gotham focus on losing money amongst each other as opposed to forcing ill intent upon innocents."

He had smiled sadly, "Yeah, I guess that is something to be thankful for."

Over his full plate and coffee mug, Master Dick had interspersed details of his vigilante efforts while sating his hunger. Although he had intended on moving on before making his presence known, Master Bruce had appeared with Miss Mattie in his arms, searching for a bottle. A pleasant surprise for both, Master Bruce had been delighted to see his ward while Master Dick had been more than happy to give good morning kisses to his little sister.

Although the toll of his nightly efforts was certainly settling in, Master Dick was still outwardly maintaining his cheery disposition, at least in the presence of his mentor. In fact, I doubted he had ever let slip his worries in front of anyone save for myself and perhaps Ms. Barbara. Much like Master Bruce, he had learned to bare his burdens in solitude.

Surprisingly enough, he had not taken only the bad traits of his mentor. In fact, I was quite pleased that he had grown to realize something I had known for some time, just like Master Bruce. In Master Bruce's case, I knew it to be true when he had decided to expose his identity to the only cat thief that had gotten her hands on his heart.

For Master Dick, I had known much longer… In fact, it had been since his ten-year-old figure had informed me that he and the Batman had encountered the mysterious Batgirl once more.

He had finally realized that he loved another, and was loved in return.

^V^

"A what?" I asked.

"A night out."

Looking at Dick while he hung upside down on the chin-up bars of the Clocktower training room, I inquired further, "Why?"

Reluctantly, he freed his legs, tucking once before landing square on his bare feet. He shrugged while crossing the mats towards me, "I don't know… just… I'm tired of the routine. I go to work, I go see Bruce, I patrol Gotham, I tour the Haven, I go to sleep, I go to work… things have been quiet… Alfred even made fun of me for making a big deal about not being able to get to the bottom of Aces High when usually Batman deals with far greater threats…"

"Good old Al, always there to put things in perspective."

"Exactly," Dick nodded as he grabbed a towel off of a steel rack near the free weights, "I tried to haul out of there this morning before Bruce or Selina came down… and then Bruce walked into the kitchen with Mattie… I had never felt so guilty in my entire life…"

"Dick, it's-."

"No, it's not okay, Babs… I just… I just don't know anymore. I thought that by now everything would be back to normal… that with J'onn and the memory flashes… he'd be back," his eyes fell to his feet, "But he's not… and I don't think he ever will be."

"Dick," I approached him, "We all feel that way… that this is our best chance, his best chance… and it's not working, not yet. But the dreams are more detailed, more accurate… who knows, maybe another few weeks…"

"Another few weeks, few months, few years…" he sighed, his bright blue eyes looking to my face, "I don't know how long I can do it."

After a beat, I answered him, "You'll do it as long as you need to, because that's what he would do for you. For any one of us." When he didn't respond, I added, "And besides, if he ever gets wind of this self-doubt, self-loathing, self-pitying crap, he'll kick your ass."

Finally, a smirk came over his lips.

He was right.

He needed a night out.

"Tell you what, you shower, I'll make reservations, get tickets to Spamalot and we'll make a night of it."

"Isn't it a little late to score seats?"

I rolled my eyes as I turned to leave, "Please, Grayson… Bruce has last minute tickets available at every major venue in the city every night. Fourth row, middle for most of them." When I looked back to him, he was shaking his head with a smile on his face. I offered, "Or would you rather see Phantom?"

The smile faded before he countered, "Please, no masks, no capes."

"As you wish."

He had arrived at the clock tower a little after three in the afternoon. I hadn't expected him until seven or later given that he had to work but he was quick to explain that he had called in sick. When I had asked if he actually was, he had simply dismissed me by saying he was heading to the training bay. A little Bruce-ish for my taste, but I had let it slide for remainder of the afternoon.

To distract myself, I had picked up the apartment, folded towels and had a light nap before making my way to the computers. Bringing up the training room cameras, I had watched on for the better part of an hour as he punished himself with fast-paced katas, straining weight lifts and relentless assaults on the sand bags. When he had cooled down and hooked his feet on the chin-up bar, I had decided to intervene. The quiet nights in Gotham were counterbalanced with the typically chaotic days and nights protecting Bludhaven.

As he had admitted, his life had taken on a painful monotony, one that had no end in sight.

Since the beginning of Bruce's recovery, Dick had been his optimistic self, offering positive energy throughout the entire rehabilitation. As a result, Bruce had soared through regaining basic life skills, learning a lifetime of knowledge once more, as well as to move forward with a normal, family life. Less than a year ago, our lives had turned upside down, and rather than celebrate how far we all had come, Dick was too burnt out to care.

Not that he didn't care… Dick always cared about everyone and everything, both a strength and a weakness.

After freshening up and changing into a dark, low-cut top and flowing calf length skirt. Entering the bathroom, I smiled to hear Dick singing along with the Bose stereo on the counter. As Back in black came on, I chuckled to myself as he overzealously imitated the screech of Brian Johnson. Brightening my face with makeup, I called out to him, "Hey, do you take requests?"

"Sure!" he said back, barely loud enough over the music and the running water.

"Good. Stop singing."

He pulled back the glass door, his head and torso dripping with suds. Shaking his head, "Cold… Just cold, Babs."

Before leaving, I flushed the toilet and asked, "How cold is that?" His cries at the sudden jolt in temperature brought a true smile to my face.

Opting out of a show, we had decided on dinner and followed by a quiet night at home.
Given that Obdulio's was on West Main, traffic on the way had been a bit of a nightmare, making us fifteen minutes late for our reservation at seven. Thankfully, the hostess new who Dick Grayson was and had saved it for him and his date. She was barely in her twenties and sported a skin-tight black dress and an all too-happy smile. There was a little too much wiggle in her walk, a waste seeing how Dick's eyes were on patron's entrees.

We started with Azul Margaritas, fresh guacamole and warm tortilla chips with ensalada del barrio. I was already full from the amuse bouche and decided to pick at Dick's heaping plate of grilled chicken, rice and asparagus in jalapeño-lemon sauce. To cool our palates, I chose the Trio del Sorbet while Dick had opted for to the chilled Torta de Banana with cinnamon ice cream.

"Babs?"

"Hmm?" I replied as I licked my spoon.

Looking up at him, his plate was empty, as were his eyes.

"I'm quitting."

My brow rose as I fought back urgency in my voice, "Quitting what?"

"Being a cop." When I remained in silent shock, he continued, "I was thinking of moving to Gotham, try and make life a little less… lively."

After leaving behind the guise of Robin along with the city of Gotham, dick had strived for independence and individuality. After striving for so many years, he had been more than successful in creating the identity of Nightwing, leading fellow heroes into victory and taking a city under his watch. His becoming a police officer had been the next step, pursuing a career that allow him to watch over Bludhaven day and night, working from the inside. Although Bruce hadn't approved at first, I and the rest of the Family had sided with him, doing what we could to encourage him along.

Bruce was actually just starting to come around when-.

"Dick, you left Gotham because you needed to be on your own… Yes, you had to come back to some extent for Bruce… but are you ready to leave it all behind?"

He shook his head, "No… but I don't have a choice."

"You always have a choice, Dick."

He smirked, recalling a line of reasoning Bruce had used on both of us many, many times.

"What if I said I was moving to Gotham not just for Bruce."

My eyes widened, "If you say that it's for me, I will stab you in the eye with a tortilla chip." To further validate my threat, I picked up the last chip on the platter and held it like a throwing star.

"You wouldn't…" he stated but his voice lacked the conviction.

Softening my gaze, I said, "You can't do this for me, for Bruce… for anyone else but you. And unfortunately, you never quit at anything Dick."

Another smirk tugged at his lips before they went solemn, "People change, Babs."

I shook my head, "Not you… now, we can finish this discussion when out of the earshot of Gotham's biggest gossipers. Meanwhile, tell me how beautiful I am."

^V^