Disclaimer: still don't own 'em. See chapter 1

A/N: Thanks again to my wonderful betas, Tammy and Arlene; ok, on with the fic! And don't forget to review!!!

            The next day dawned bright and sunny, as if New Gotham could dispel the harsh truths exposed by night under the spring sun. A bazaar being held by one of the local churches helped the illusion of normalcy. Although the feelings from her dream had not left her, Barbara was determined to enjoy the bazaar with Wade. Because the bazaar was being held in a park near the church, she decided to leave her mechanized wheelchair behind and use a regular chair – no handles or arm rests, angled wheels – that would be easier to use on the uneven ground.

            "You should take this with you, Miss Barbara." Alfred's voice stopped her just as she was heading out the door. Turning to face him, she saw that he was holding one of the emergency transmitters, a piece small enough to fit in her ear and go unnoticed.

            "Really, Alfred, I don't see the need," Barbara replied, with a smile that was only a little forced. "It's just a date with Wade – to a bazaar, in the daytime no less. What could possible happen?"

            The old butler studied her for a moment, long enough for Barbara to get the uncomfortable sensation that he was seeing into her very soul. When he spoke, however, his voice was calm and even, giving no hint he was aware of her distress. "You know better than anyone, Miss Barbara, that New Gotham is a city of many dangers, not all of which lurk in the dark. I think it could not hurt to be prepared, surely."

            Alfred had a point, as usual; Barbara sighed as she accepted the transmitter and fixed it into place. "All right, you win. I'll see you later." She couldn't help grinning at him as she turned back to the elevator.

            Watching as she entered the elevator and the doors closed behind her, Alfred Pennyworth smiled to himself. He was glad to see Miss Barbara doing something for herself; she did that so little of late . . .  As he turned away, however, he could not dismiss a vague feeling of disquiet, as if something was about to go wrong. It was the same feeling that had prompted him to press the transmitter on Miss Barbara, but doing so had not made the feeling go away, only lessen slightly. He made a mental note to contact Miss Helena later; maybe she could keep an eye out on her sweep that night. For now, that was all he could do.

            It was surprising, Barbara reflected, how much she was enjoying herself at the bazaar. The bright spring sun banished any lingering feelings from the night before, and she found herself laughing freely at Wade's bad jokes as they moved among the stalls of the bazaar. She felt a sense of freedom such as she had not felt in years; it was almost enough to make her forget her wheelchair – almost. The ground was more uneven than she'd expected, and slightly damp after rain the day before. She had to work hard to keep pace with Wade, but she was determined not to let anything spoil her wonderful day.

            Trouble came close to the end of the day, as twilight fell and the bazaar was beginning to wind down. Barbara and Wade were preparing to leave when sounds reached them of a fight breaking out between some rowdy teenagers and a new Gotham policeman. One of the teens broke away and ran – straight at Barbara. She tried to move away, but one of her wheels had sunk into a muddy rut, and she wasn't able to get out of the way in time. The running teen clipped the side of her chair, overturning it and sending Barbara to the ground.

            There was a moment of silence that seemed to stretch on forever, and then everybody was talking at once. Barbara barely registered the sounds of the policeman arresting the teen, as Wade righted her wheelchair and knelt by her. "Barbara, are you all right?" he asked. "Here, let me help you – "

            "No." Barbara pushed herself up to a sitting position, carefully avoiding Wade's eyes. She didn't want to see the pity that she knew was there. She had fallen out of her wheelchair before, certainly; she'd even done it in public, but to do it in front of Wade was suddenly more humiliating than she could take. "I can do it myself."

            The words came out a little more harshly than she'd meant them to, and Wade stayed silent as they headed out of the bazaar. Barbara knew she'd hurt him, and part of her mind scolded her for her overreaction, but she could not bring herself to speak. The feelings of guilt sparked by her dream mixed with the events of the day, and her earlier feeling of freedom gave way to a feeling of near suffocation.

            "I have to go," she whispered to herself frantically.

            "What?" Wade stopped as they reached the sidewalk and turned to her, a puzzled look on his face.

            Barbara took a deep breath as she turned to face him, trying desperately to remain calm. "Wade, I'm sorry, I know we were going to have dinner, but I have to go; I'm not feeling well."

            "Let me walk you home," Wade offered, but Barbara was already turning away, heading deeper into the gathering twilight. He stared after her for a long time, until she disappeared from his sight entirely, before turning and walking away, a determined look on his face.

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:lareina walks away, muttering to herself about lack of graham crackers: