Chapter Two: Two Years

Barbara Gordon began wheeling her way home. She'd barely managed to get out of the Burger place before Robin saw her. She couldn't let him see her. Not yet. The girl he called Star wouldn't understand, either that or she'd become jealous. And that wouldn't be good at all, her relationship with Robin had already been strained. She'd written him letters, but she received no replies. She figured he was obssessing over something.

She hated it when he obssessed. It drove him, drained him, and wore him out, though when she'd known him he'd never admit it, but she could see it, as if it was written all over his face. She'd tried so hard to get through to him, to convince him that he shouldn't worry himself, push himself so much, but he never listened, he was stubborn that way. She sighed, what was the use of remembering someone you really wanted to forget? Not completely, of course, but she just wanted the bad memories to leave her alone for awhile.

She quietly entered her appartment, turning on the lights, she went to her room. Pulling out her old uniform, she held it in her hands staring at it intently. She felt so helpless, and useless, she felt miserable. She couldn't do anything to help anyone now. Although the Justice League had asked her to compile information. But all she did was compile information, she couldn't, walk, run or fight like she used to.

She sighed and put it away. That life was gone now. Now she was starting over, for the most part. She quietly slept on the bed that had been left behind and dreamed of nothing that first night in Jump City.

The Titans arrived at the Tower without a word. Robin was wondering if it really was her that he had seen sneaking out the back door of the Burger Place. He didn't know what to think. Why would she be here? Putting these thoughts out of his head, he began researching his latest Slade finding.

He was in his room, where he always was when he was researching Slade. Slade was...a mystery to Robin. He could never find information on him, at least, not what he wanted to know, his personal life. No, that had always eluded him. He was a criminal mastermind, one that had to be taken down.

He had no new information this week, or last week for that matter. Frustrated, he slammed his fist down on the table in his room. He frowned, and heard a knock at the door. He opened it and saw Starfire looking at him with a concerned look on her face. "Friend Robin, are you alright?"

"Yes, I'm fine Star," he lied slightly, not wanting to worry her.

"Do you want to come and join us in the room of living?"

"I'll be out in a little while, Star, don't worry." Robin reassured her, shutting the door as she left him alone once again.

He turned away, walking back to the table. Looking out the window, he stared out, not expecting to see anything imparticular, when he saw the last person he expected to see. At least, he thought it was her. She was standing beside and little boy, saying something to him, she began wheeling away already; he needed to talk to her, if indeed it was really her; Babs Gordon, his old friend...his ex girlfiriend. What was she doing here? He had to find out...without Starfire knowing.

Barbara squeezed out her exit and went out to look around. She just decided to wander around aimlessly, exploring her newfound home. But curiousity got the best of her, she just couldn't help herself after a little boy asked her if she'd ever been to Titans Tower. She said no and the little boy insisted he take her there. She couldn't refuse him, so she went. And instantly regreted it. She and the little boy had walked up to the side of the Tower, not the side with teh door, but the side of the windows, in hopes of catching a glimpse of the Towers reverenced occupants.

Barbara was filled with an almost instant sense of regret because the window she sat beneath was his. She had managed to avoid him, but now she was right under his noise and she didn't really want to talk to him. Talking just brought it all back. The little boy, however, knew none of this, and just hoped to see any one of the five Titans behind the glass.

"Hey," she smiled. "Thanks for showing me around."

"You're welcome," the little boy said. "So where you going?"

"I don't know," she replied. "I really don't know."

Barbara began wheeling away. She hated running, it wasn't a part of her nature, but she just wanted the past to go away, and all she could do was run away from it.

She heard footsteps, and she knew whom it was that was following her. She didn't want to turn around, didn't want to see him again. She'd failed him, and she knew it. He'd failed her; he couldn't save her either. Not from her past and not from her present. She felt hopeless.

She could see him in her mind's eye, following her. She couldn't help but visualize him running after her. It was almost like old times. Almost. She heard the name, her name being called. "Barbara!" Robin called, "Barbara, wait!"

She sat waiting for him at the edge of the water in complete silence. She knew he was close by, and she felt unready for a bittersweet reunion with him. Robin, meanwhile, had spotted her immediately and without a shadow of a doubt knew it was her. She was leaving him, trying to outdistance the hurt she felt towards him. Hurt that he'd caused her, two long years ago. She would wait for him, but the door to her heart had long ago been shut and locked.

Barbara waited, she knew what he would do. He would try to stop her, keep her from leaving. "Dick," she said quietly, "Don't." Robin stopped. She kenw he'd seen her. So why did she try to avoid him?

"Barbara...Babs, is it really you?" he asked, unable to believe himself.

"Yes...It's me...old friend," Barbara said quietly. She was silent, not saying a word to him. She simply waited for him to say something. Robin shifted uncomfortably. He didn't know what to say. He was unsure of what he should say.

"So...what are you doing in Jump City?" he asked, trying as much as possible to keep the conversation light.

"I live here now, Dick. Bruce didn't tell you?" she was surprised and curious that he didn't know.

"Babs, about two years ago-" Robin began.

"No, don't talk about that. It's not your fault. I knew I shouldn't have fought the Joker by myself. I shouldn't have faced him alone."

"Don't say that, Babs. You're strong. You've always been strong," Robin tried to comfort her.

"No, Dick. When this...happened to me. I lost who I was that night. I've forgotten who I am. I've given up hope...I'm not as strong as you thought I was." She sighed sadly. Robin could hear the pain in her voice and he didn't know what to say.

Robin felt guilty again. He'd burried that guilt for a long time, but it resurfaced again. He should have been there to help her, he should have done something, but he had decided not to go out with that night. And she'd lost her legs. It was his fault. It was also his fault that she was depressed. He broke her heart right before he left. But in honest truth, Babs had ended the relationship first, she said that tehy should split up. But it was his fault, the thought, because of his obsession with various caes.

"Babs, won't you look at me?"

"I just don't want you to see...what a wreck I've become," she replied quietly. She quietly turned around to face him. He was surprised to see how pale and weak she seemed. He shocked him, and he pitied her.

"Babs, will you come inside?" Robin asked. "It's really late and you can't just sit out here forever."

"Yes...for old time's sake, I'll come in." She followed him closely and didn't say a word.Robin smiled sadly as he watched Barbara roll inside Titan's Tower. She was so strong, so alive and now, she was worn and weary, he'd never seen her so depressed. He began to blame himself. It was his fault she was this way. Joker had broken her body, but he'd broken her heart. And that crime was far worse than anything the Joker ever did.