Chapter Five: Good Enough For Her

"My choices are few to none." Nightwing critically managed as he rolled his eyes and looked down at Police HQ. It seemed to be busier than usual, and for a good reason. With Commissioner Gordon's life in danger, many people seemed to be involved with protection him. "I can't seem to bandage up the gap between Babs and I. What do I do? Go to her date and beat the crap outta' him."

The young man considered this then shook his head, wondering what kind of reaction he would get from Barbara. "To much like something Tim might do. to high school. To much like some territorial male mammal." He smiled as a thought filled his mind, him beating down long nosed Drew to the ground with a gorilla body.

A whisper seemed to come from beside him, and he swerved to his left, his jaw tightening as he caught sight of the shadow belonging to Batman.

"Thanks for the warning."

Batman blinked and looked behind him, as if someone was supposed to follow, but no one did. "What is happening?"

"You just got here, other than that. nothing."

"The news is calling the situation with Gordon a mistake, and just a coincidence. I don't think that."

Nightwing looked at his retired mentor with a glare. "I gathered! It wouldn't be you if you tired to make the situation simple, now would it?"

No answer.

Suddenly, in a moment of annoyance Nightwing threw his head back and glared at the night. "Why in the heck are you hiding in the shadows Robin?"

"M'not hiding, if I was hiding, you wouldn't know I was here."

"Either that or you were hiding and doing a sucky job of it."

"That too." The boy emerged from the shadows and raised his head, looking at Batman, to Nightwing. "Um, how're things working out?"

Nightwing cocked his head. "Nothing is happening, nothing at all."

Robin smiled, yet looked different, looked sad. "It'll stay that way considering we have three people on it, not to mention the whole police force. Um, Batman, considering that everything is under control'n' all, can I head home? I'm getting tired."

Nightwing's jaw dropped and Batman wavered. Never in all Tim's years of being Robin had he made an excuse to go home. He loved being Robin and it was everything to him. "Robin, this isn't school you know, this is Gotham City at 12. the middle of the night! You get that?"

"Oh!" Robin let out sarcastically. "So that's my problem. See Batman, no wonder I was failing Algebra." He rolled his eyes and moved a little closer to Nightwing. "Do I really look that stupid Nightwing?"

"No, but you never want to go home! Is something wrong?"

Robin gave no answer besides a smile and a shrug.

"Yes." Batman hissed through his closed mouth, giving Robin the permission to leave for home.

The boy scurried into the shadows leaving Nightwing and Batman alone once more. It felt awkward and Nightwing wished he could ask to leave, but there was no way he planned to sink to Tim's level and ask Bruce for something. If anything, Nightwing planned to wait Batman out until the shadow beside him decided to head for home. Mistake number one of the night.

The minutes drew into long and deadly boring hours, and Nightwing wished like anything for something to happen. He considered seeing what would happen if he gently pushed on Batman's shoulder. 'Will he fall like a cow does, or will he just look at me like I am stupid?' The youth thought as he studied the figure beside him. 'He looks like a statue, wonder if I can cow tip him.'

"I want you to go to Barbara's home. See what she knows."

The voice startled Nightwing. 'Darn, right when I get to some great plan her tells me to go over to.' "Barbara's house? Have Tim do it, I'm busy right now." Dick bluntly replied, wiping the back of his hand across the back of his mouth.

"Tim is asleep. it won't be that much trouble for you just to go over and ask a few simple questions." Batman snapped.

"Tim can wake up and." Nightwing didn't finish, instead he leapt off the building, controlling his fall and then gliding to the ground, emerging into the shadows. His glare grew harder as he slipped through the alleys, climbed the walls, and sank through the grime that was in the inner city. "Tim could have done this easier that I could have."

He moved silently all the way to Barbara's apartment, hopping that her date was gone. To his relief, the only person in view was Barbara. Nightwing slipped into the window and moved behind her.

"Babs."

Barbara swung around, throwing her fist into his nose, the coffee mug in her hand slammed against Nightwing's head.

He let out a grunt as burning coffee ran down his face.

"OH! Di- Nightwing! What are you doing?" She grabbed his arm, and yanked him up. Looking behind her she hurried into the kitchen dragging him along. "What the heck are you doing? Sneaking up behind me in the middle of the night like that!"

"Ohh, I never knew you to be a morning person Barb, as far as I was concerned you lived in the night. Being Batgirl and all."

"Shut up Grayson." Barbara hissed. "My dad is here, asleep in my room. We all agreed that it would be safer to-."

"What?!?" Nightwing yelped as he shoved her aside. "You didn't tell Bruce or Tim, er or me that he was here?!?! How are we supposed to help him when you are playing hide and go seek with the commissioner?"

"I knew where he was."

"Well I would hope so!"

"Listen, don't you throw all this blame on me, I am not carrying your burden for you!"

"BURDEN? What is that suppose to mean?"

"It means that you have been a full time pain in the-."

"Listen Barbara, I don't know what has gotten into you but whatever it is, I think you need to settle down."

Barbara's nose flared at his words. "My father's life is in danger! My only family! I can't even do anything to protect him! I can't track anyone down, I can't do anything but live to be a shield when the bullet comes!"

Nightwing cleared his throat. "You could have asked for help. Tim is always available to baby sit."

Barbara threw her head back and laughed. "You stupid- What am I supposed to say to dad. 'This is Tim Drake, he'll watch you while I am gone?' Dad won't stand for that!"

Nightwing lowered his head, and blushed slightly. "I'm here too."

"I don't want you to be." Barbara said on impulse. "I never asked for your company. I want you out. leave me alone, stay away from me. I know what you want, and it is never going to happen, you hear me? NEVER! You left me all those years ago, you left me to look like an idiot. Then when you returned you treat me like I am. like I was nothing!"

"I was stupid and-."

"I don't love you anymore, I never did. Do me a favor and leave, if you like me that much you will leave the city." Here eyes were burning. "Don't you get it? Don't you see? No one wants you here! Not me, not Bruce, not Alfred, not Tim, we lasted without you, and we can live without you again."



Nightwing stepped back, his jaw tightly closed. "Well, if you feel that way, who am I to change you? Just remember I have always loved you, always Babs. always." He then pulled her forward, kissed her on the lips, then turned, leaving the room.

"GRAYSON! You have no right, get out!" She screamed, grabbing another coffee mug and throwing it at the window as he left. Tears streamed down her face, seeing he was gone. "I have no right."

She turned, hearing a noise behind her. "Dad?"

"No honey, but if you bring me to daddy, I'll consider sparing your life."

Barbara felt her heart sink, seeing four armed men, holding their guns pointed directly at her. "Gwaaad. NO!" She ran for the window, hoping to get Nightwing's attention, but as she moved away, one pulled the trigger, and Barbara shouted out as she felt it rip through her arm.

"That was not a nice move lady.not a nice move. any last words?" One asked, pushing the gun to her forehead.

Barbara nodded, whispering her words as a single tear slid down her cheek. "I love you too Dick. I love you too"

The man smiled, then played with the trigger.

TO BE CONTINUED.

Any guesses on what happens? Heh, yeah, so, we can get back to Tim now, can't we? Hehehe, yeah right, after I finish studying for my Spanish test that I have tomorrow. Leave a review! Thanks!

-Casity