Barbara awakened the next morning with a start. Someone is staring at me. She turned her head to the side and saw Helena staring at her. Helena sat Indian style eating a blueberry pop tart. She smiled when Barbara looked at her. Barbara stretched her arms above her head and let out a sigh.

"Come here, Helena." Helena smiled and jumped off the bed. She gave Barbara a quick hug and backed away.

"The nurse said I wasn't to wake you up, since you have a long day ahead of you."

Barbara nodded, remembering that she started therapy today. Laura was coming to help. "Will you get me some sweats out of the closet, please?"

Helena walked out and opened the closet door. She pulled out a light blue t-shirt with a star on the sleeve, and a black sweat pants. Barbara quickly changed her shirt and pulled her red hair back into a ponytail. Now, how do I get my pants on? I could ask for help, but I won't have help at home so I guess I better figure it out. Barbara glanced at Helena sitting in a chair watching her. Barbara moved the sheets off of her legs and saw how small they were. It has only been a few weeks and they are already beginning to shrivel. The former Batgirl, who would fly from the roof tops, ran her hands over her legs with their receding muscle mass. She wanted to cry, but she couldn't. Helena was watching, and Barbara had to be strong for her.

Barbara rolled up the legs of her pants and slipped them over her feet. She slowly slid them up to her thighs, hiding her legs. When they would slide no farther, she rocked back and forth to lifter her butt so she could slide the pants the rest of the way on. It took about twenty minutes, but she got them on. Babs laid back in bed exhausted from the work.

"Way to go, Barbara. You did it." Helena clapped her hands with a smile.

Barbara rested for a while before tackling her shoes. She tried to move her legs into her lap but that didn't work so well. She glanced around the room and noticed the wheelchair near the door that was for her trip to therapy.

"Helena, roll that chair over here for me."

Barbara slid into the chair that Helena placed by the bed. Since Batgirl was very flexible, she easily bent over and could reach her feet. She slipped on her socks and shoes with ease.

"That's better. I have some time before therapy, want to play some cards?" Barbara sat up and smiled.

Helena pulled out a deck of cards and they played till Laura arrived.

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Laura walked down the hallway ready for the first day of Barbara's therapy. She was a little worried about Helena attending. How will Hel act if she sees Barbara in pain? But then again, it couldn't be any worse than what she has already been through. Plus, Babs needs all the support we can give her right now. Laura walked into the room and was surprised to see Barbara sitting in the wheelchair, playing cards.

"What's going on? I came early incase you needed help getting dressed, and here I find you dressed and playing cards. I could have slept another hour." Laura placed a pouting look on her face, making Helena and Barbara laugh.

"Nope. She did it all by herself. Want to play cards with us?" Laura sat in a chair and they started another game just as the nurse walked in.

"Time for therapy. Follow me and I will show you to the room."

Laura let Helena push Barbara. They followed the nurse to the elevator and went to the basement level. The elevator doors opened to a large reception area. The nurse talked to the receptionist, then lead the trio to the third door on the right. The room was huge. There was a table with papers and instruments laid out on it. There were gymnastic bars and loops hanging from the ceiling. In the middle of the room were two metal bars attached to the floor to help people walk.

A young man entered from another door. "Hello, I am Ken, your therapist."

Barbara took the initiative and introduced everyone. "Hi, I am Barbara Gordon, this is Dr. Laura Harris, and this is Helena." They each nodded their head in welcome.

"When you're done, will you be able to find your way back upstairs?" The nurse asked, Laura nodded yes and the nurse left.

When the door closed, Ken got right down to business. "Today we will be seeing where you stand in upper body strength along with doing some simple tasks such as showering and dressing your self. We will also..."

"She already knows how to dress herself. She did that this morning." Helena interrupted Ken.

"Oh, really!" Barbara nodded her head.

"Well then I guess we will look at your upper body strength." Ken wheeled Barbara under the round rings hanging from the ceiling. Barbara raised her arms to grab the rings but she was too short. Ken gently placed his hands on her hips and lifted her up. When Barbara had a hold of the rings, Ken let her go and pushed the chair out of the way.

"Alright, now lift yourself up so your arms are next to your side."

Barbara closed her eyes and concentrated. She felt herself slip to a Batgirl mode. She felt her arm muscles contracting in anticipation. She slowly pushed her arms out forcing them into a ninety-degree angle. They burned from being out of use for so long. Her sides pulled from the weight of her body. She began to breath heavily. Her hands were sweaty and she started loosing her grip. She started to move her arms down, trying to get them by her side. Her arms gave way and she feel back to her starting position. Her hands slipped and she fell.

Ken quickly caught her. He placed her in the chair and handed her a water bottle. "Not bad. You got farther than most would in your position."

Barbara's hair dripped with sweat, and she was still breathing heavily. She felt that she hadn't accomplished anything. I have done better before. Batgirl could do better. When I flew from the rooftops, I supported my weight. I could punch guys out with the strength behind my punches. Now I can't even lift my own bodyweight. What's wrong with me!

"I am tired, can we continue this later?" Barbara wanted to cry again.

"Of course, you did really well today. See you tomorrow." Ken walked them to the elevator.

When they returned to Barbara's room, Laura took Helena shopping so Babs could take a nap. Barbara could still feel the burn in her arms and sides. She took some ice from her water glass and placed it on a side. Then Barbara cried for failing at her new task.