Hello to everyone. Wow what a trip this has been. Even though I wrote a small short story before this, I truly feel that this is my first "Real" story. This has been so much fun. I hope anyone reading this is enjoying it was well.

Ok Disclaimer. I don't own crap, nope I swear I own nothing from DC. Anything I used that may be real is an accident and I don't own that either.

Ok, any warning's for this chapter? Lets see...Yes Its a Lemon free Chapter. A very very small lime. I didn't want to over do em, you know. Also a slight warning. I have a Dick Grayson/Selina Kyle pairing. Which who ever read my last chapter would just say Duh, I know this. But it could be getting serious. You'll just have to see. Although Barbara is still a major player in the story, Love Triangles are so great! Ok OK I have rambled enough. Almost forgot the start of this have some dark images. Please enjoy

He stood at the foot of his bed, feeling utterly exhausted. Dick shut his eyes and fell backwards into the comforts of his bed. It didn't matter that he was wearing the same clothes for the past two days or that he really hasn't slept. He was finally home. His eyelids grew heavy and within seconds he was fast asleep.

-Barbara sat in her chair from biology class but she wasn't in the class room. She was in a small empty room. The walls were painted blue with the floor and ceiling sporting yellow stripes. She sat in a corner facing the wall, not moving. "Babs what are you doing?" Dick stood in the middle of the room. There was no answer from the woman that professed her love to him. "Barbara, what's wrong, why won't you talk to me?" He was now starting to worry, why was she just sitting there. He walked slowly to her, about to place his hand on her shoulder but it froze. His hand would not move, he was now scared. He was terrified. He could not explain these feelings. His brain told him to grab her and find out what the hell is wrong with her but sadly he had to admit to the fact that fear kept him from doing so. He now looked up and found himself in the opposite corner that was diagonal from Barbara. Someone else was entering the room. It was a man. He could not see his face but it was surely a man. The shadows continued to mask the figure until it stood next to Barbara " NOOOOOOOO!" Dick screamed, the fear now tripled. The shadowing figure was now in full view, his tacky purple suit, his green hair and that wicket smile, the Joker was now hovering above her. Still frozen Dick now watched as the Joker slapped her across the face and called her a worthless bitch. He commanded her to pleasure him and she abided. Dick now fueled with both fear and angerthat bubbled over found himself frozen, unable to take any action. Another figure entered the room, it was Cole Hammonds. He quickly joined in on the Jokers sick fun. "God dammitt why can't I move, this isn't right, BARBARA!" Dicks shouts were pointless, nobody even looked his way. Realizing that he was stuck and unable to act he had to accept he was defeated.

"Aren't you going to do something Kid?" Selina was standing next to him, resting her elbow on his shoulder.

"But...but what can I do, she doesn't seem to be stopping them, infact it looks as though she is enjoying the tag team." Staring at the floor Dick felt too ashamed to look Selina in the eyes.

"That's bull shit kid" Selina now placing both her hands on her hips and looking very annoyed at his response. Dick slowly picked his head up to look at Selina, his expression was one of complete sickness. The color had long left his face, sweat ran down his forehead.

"It's not...look you have no idea."

Selina moved past annoyed and was now just plain pissed. "You don't think I know kid. You don't think I know how the Joker once kidnapped her and you weren't the one to save her. That Batman had to come to the rescue. You don't think I know how utterly useless you feel when Batman isn't there for you? Well, that's bull kid. Pitying yourself isn't going to save anyone, including yourself." Another voiced came from Dicks other side.

"Yea listen to her Dick, you have to learn to just accept what has happened and move on. I haven't always caught the bad guy you know, how many things have things blown up or collapsed and the bad guy still gets away, it's so many I lost count. As long as you don't lose hope then you can't even fail me or yourself or even her" Bruce pointed now at Barbara who was still being tag teamed by the Joker and Cole Hammonds.

Dick knew they were right, but he couldn't bring himself to move. He could not take that next step, so he was left watching the horror in front of him.-

Dick woke up covered in sweat, trying to catch his breathe. "I can't...I can't let this that happen. I have to pull myself together."

Robin entered the Batcave filled with confusion. He knew he had to crack down and find Batman. At that moment he decided to put all other things aside and find his partner, to find his brother. "Ah, good morning Master Dick, glad to see you up and about. What can I get you for lunch sir?" Dick turned and gave a resolute nod to Alfred.

"Yea Al I'll take a coupe bologna and cheese sandwiches and a diet cola. I plan on being here for a while."

"Very well, sir."

Robin planted himself in from of the huge bat computer, pulling up all info on Goth-Tech, The Joker and anything about this new stealth technology. A couple of hours passed, he was really no further now then he was when he started. He reached over to grab his sandwich, which was now beginning to get stale. He leaned back in his chair, trying to make the connection. He took a bite of his stale bologna sandwich and resigned to the fact that he would have to go back to the cabaret. This would be his best bet, if he was going to find Bruce he would have to start there.

Night was again taking its rightful place over Gotham. It was time for Robin to take action. He ran for his motor cycle, he was about to hop on when a thought occurred - The Batmobile. I have to show Batmans presence in some way- Robin headed towards the weapon on wheels and glanced over at the vault. The vault that held the Batsuits. For a brief moment he thought of suiting up as Batman but thought better of it. -the Batmobile will do- Robin hopped in and sped off.

X X X X

Her vibrant red hair wasn't looking so vibrant now. It was obvious she had not given it the proper care she once did. "Come on Barbara you have to get over him. You didn't do anything wrong. Didn't we have this exact same conversation not too long ago?"

"I really messed up this time. I know he isn't always there but...but when he is there he makes me feel as if I am the only person that exists. And besides for all the times he's been late or just not shown up, he has NEVER cheated on me. And what do I do at the first sign of us being apart, I go and call your stupid ass, knowing damn well what'll happen" Barbara walked with Cole both heading back to the dorms.

"Yea well I know you won't believe me when I say this Barb but I would be a one woman man for ya."

"Don't...just don't." She managed to snipe out under her sobs.

"What, I was just saying..."Again Cole had managed to turn her issues into how they should be going out. Both were caught up in their conversation that they were not taking notice of a slender blond woman running through the crowds of people ahead of them. The woman was dressed in a tightly wrapped woman's trench coat. The woman was barreling through people, she managed to knock one elderly man right to his butt and stumbled over another man walking his dog. She now was running straight for Barbara and Cole. They however were still too busy arguing about why she won't go out with him to notice that they were about to be the blonde's next victims. Sure enough the blond plowed right inbetween the two, knocking Cole to his backside. The slender blond woman continued to run for many more blocks until she finally slipped into an alleyway.

"Man that was close." The Slender blond woman was catching her breath and as doing so she was undressing her coat revealing a tight black skin outfit with knee high boots that also formed to her legs as if they were a mere extension of her. Her black gloves also formed the same way around her very tined arms. She grabbed something else that was black out of the inside of her coat pocket. It was a mask that she pulled over her head and fitted it so she could see out of the opening's where her eyes were. Selina was now fully transformed into Catwoman. She tossed her jacket behind the dumpster and making a few minor adjustments to her mask "It's show time." Catwoman made her way into the side entrance of the cabaret. Muffled laughter was heard on the other side of the wall. One of the regular comedians was going through his routine and from the laughs was doing well. Catwoman followed the hallway to a door that opened up to the back stage. She opened the trap door and made her way down a dark flight of stairs. After going through another dark hallway she found her self standing at an open door, the same door Robin walked away from.

"Aahhaa, wonderful, glad to see our feline friend decided to grace us with her presence, care for a drink little kitty?" The Joker sat leaning back in his chair, sitting at a round table in the center of the room. His goons scattered throughout the room. Some were sitting at a bar in the corner of the room and others were playing cards on some old crates on another side of the room. And of course Harley stood behind the Joker waiting to do anything he ask.

"So glad I could be of service." Catwoman snapped back with no hint of hiding her discontent to be near what she felt was one seriously fucked up excuse for a man. "I'll have a bloody mary." Reluctantly she made her way to the round table and sack across from the Joker.

"You heard the cat Harley get out guest what she wants." The Joker turned back to face Catwoman, not seeing that Harley just stuck her tongue out at him as if she was a five year old teasing another child. "So tell me, have you found what it is I need?"

Catwoman let a few silent moments pass, hoping to keep the Joker in anticipation. Her plan was working. She could see his eyes getting more narrow and his usual smile was turning. "For fuck sakes bitch did you?"

Allowing herself a few more moments of this pleasure she finally decided to put the icing on the cake. She casually remarked "I'm working on it, should know in a few days" another slight pause as she notice his stained white skin turning red. "Or perhaps it may be a few weeks, depends on if my contact is still alive."

"This is outrageous, it's been almost a month since that explosion." The Joker now yelled in a loud high pitch voice. "Almost a month you had without any interference from the Bat and you...you can't find a fucking lab." Still angery he snapped up from his chair, causing his chair to fall over. He took a step towards catwoman and before he took his second step she was all ready there to meet him with her whip hanging from one hand and her other up ready to claw.

"By the way I can't be a bitch you know, that's a female dog and last I checked I am a pussy cat." She was showing no sign of being concerned nor any sign that she was going to back down. There stand off was quickly interrupted, one of the Jokers henchman came bursting into the room.

"Boss...Boss we..." The goon stopped, trying to catch his breathe. "We got ---" The goon collapsed to the ground before he could finish his sentence. Moments later the lights in the room turned out. Harley let out a loud scream "Oh no Mr. J, could it be the Bat."

Still standing in the dark the Joker attempted to gather his gang" All right just calm down and exit stage left." HAHAAHAHA. "Always wanted to say that."

"Not so fast Joker" Robin gripped the Jokers arm and twisted it behind his back. The backup generator kicked in, the lights were back on in the room. Robin
looked around the room to catch everyone's position. He was relieved to see just Harley and two other goons in the room. Anyone else in the room must have made their escape all ready. He felt the odds were good.

"So tell me bird boy where's the Bat, why isn't he here?" Robin just tightened the grip he had on his arm, now wincing through the obvious pain the Joker turned his head to look at Robin. "You know I haven't seen him a few weeks, not since that Goth Tech explosion. Very strange don't cha think boy, AHAHAHAHA." Realizing that the Joker knew the same as he did about Batman Robin forgot for a moment where he was, the grip he had on the Joker loosened. And that small moment was all the Joker needed. He head butted Robin while simultaneously kicking backwards up at Robins family jewels. This caused Robins to stumble backwards a few steps. Before Robin regained his balance the Joker was all ready running toward another exit in the room, the two goons and Harley followed. Robin instinctively through a batarang towards the last person in the escape line, the object wrapped around Harley's feet and caused her to hit the floor hard on her face. "Mr. J, he's got me...come back!" Harley flopped around on the ground.

"Looks like someone hung you out to dry Harley, don't worry I'll escort you out of here." Robin picked her up, threw a pair of batcuffs on her and tossed her over his shoulders.

They now stood outside the Batmobile. The door slid back and revealed the inside of the vehicle. He again tossed her but this time onto the passenger seat of the Batmobile. Robin quickly leap into the driver seat and began to speed off as the door was closing. The first few minutes of the car ride was completely silent. Robin was remembering his training on criminal personalities that Batman taught him. The file on Harley is that she can't stand silence and if given time she would incoherently ramble. "All right, all right enough with the silence, so where we headed, the police station I'm guessin, right? Robin just glanced over at her, his expression was blank. "So ugh, the bat disappeared with those two losers at Goth-Tech, must suck to be all alone now uh?" Robin still showing now expression just wondering what other things Harley would reveal. "Yea me and Mr. J watched the whole thing on camera, you know technologies great, we got this guy that hacked into Goth-tech computers and we watched the whole thing on their own camera's. Yea we were watching our guys try and lift the chip, hey wait a minute, how'd you do that? I ain't sayin no more." Robin found it a bit more difficult to hold a blank face after hearing what Harley just freely boasted, his immediate thought was to interrogate her further. He knew there was more. But he had to mindful of the law. Even vigilante's have to follow some laws. He would let the police interrogate her the proper way. Besides after they were done he knew he would have a chance to pick this conversation up.

They were now parked out side Gotham Police head quarters. He walked Harley into the processing center and then went to Commissioner Gordon's office. He explained the incident at the cabaret, he left out what Harley found told him on the ride over. Robin suggested a full search of the cabaret as quickly as possible.

"That's wonderful news Robin. Harley is now in processing and I know you'll be soon back on the trail of the Joker. Glad to see we can lean on you as much as Batman. Thanks again." Robin was never good at accepting compliments, especially none that ment as much before. " Thank commissioner, I will be back to question Harley tomorrow."

X X X X

Wayne Manor looked very spooky and sinister whenever a thunderstorm passed over and tonight was no different. Dick lay comfortably on his living room couch watching the nightly news. "Master Dick, unless there is anything else I am to retire for the evening."

Dick turned his head from the couch "Oh no, I'm good Al, thanks." Alfred retired to his bedroom upstairs. Dicks eyes grew heavier, he was extremely tired and also feeling slightly disappointed that the Joker escaped. He tried to push that to the back of his mind. He knew he had to just relax. The TV was getting blurrier, he used the remote to flickit offand let it fall from his hand to the floor. He was finally able to fall asleep. Though it did not last long, minutes later the door bell rang. Dick thought he heard it but wasn't sure so he closed his eyes again. The door bell rang a second time. Now he was sure he heard it this time and realizing that Alfred was probably all ready asleep he decided to get it himself. The doorbell rang a third time. "Ok Ok I'm coming, Jeesuz Christ." Dick flipped a wood panel up that was camouflaged in the wall and entered a code and a small screen showed a picture of who was at the door. Seeing who it was Dick quickly scrambled to unlock the door and let her in. There she stood, completely wet from the rain. Dick was just shocked she was here at his door.

"Are you going to leave a girl to stand in the rain?" Dick quickly shook his head to clear it.

"Oh yea, sorry. Please come on in." Selina came in from the rain, her blond hair was soaked flat and stuck to the sides of her face."Let me take that from you." Dick took her wet trench coat and hung it in a near by closet. Selina looked beautiful. She was wearing a short dress and a sleeveless top, both soaked so much that they too were stuck to her body, allowing to Dick to appreciate how good Selina looked. Her slender but curvy figure was something men would kill for. Her blue eyes seem to hypnotize him. All feeling of being tired was now gone. "So Selina what uh...brings you out here on a night like this?"

She gave him a look of distress. "You would not believe just how bad tonight has been. First I get stuck staying late at work and then on my way home I get a flat tire and well the only thing that could be called lucky is that it happened near here and well I was hoping I could catch cover from the rain until it passes over."

Dick scratched the back of his head and looked at her curiously. He realized where Selina lived and also where she worked and the route to and from is no where near here, but he was happy she was here, so he didn't press the issue. " Of course you can stay here, look at you. You are soaked. Come on let's get you out of those wet clothes." Selina could tell there no sexual innuendo in that comment but she still had to give him a small jab.

"Mr. Grayson are you trying to seduce me?" Selina said hoping he knew she was joking. Dick realized how his request must have seem like a come on.

"Well...Er.. I didn't mean --"

Selina moved some of her wet hair out of her face cut him off. "But yea if you have some try clothes that would great." Dick held up his finger as if to signify -be back in a minute- and he hurried up stairs to grab some dry clothes. He returned moments later with a pair of sweats and a T-shirt. Selina held the T-shirt up and saw it had an iron on decal of Superman's face on it and it looked very old. Selina looked up at Dick with a smirk."Nice shirt Dick...well at least the sweats look normal."

Dick just held his hands up as if giving up."What, I was trying to find something that fit you and well I thought maybe my old Superman T would be cool. I've had since I was thirteen."

"Well I would hope you didn't buy this recently." Figureing it was a good time to stop giving him a hrd time, she ask where she could change at

"Oh um..go down that hall and it's the fourth door on the left. Oh and hey...I'll be in the living room, just come back the same way pass through here and count seven doors to your right." He now stood there watching her walk down the hall. He headed to the living room. Dick flicked the TV back on and plopped down on the sofa. Many minutes passed by, he was beginning to feel anxious and now somewhat guilty. This was the first time he was glad Bruce was not here. He began to think what he would say, then immediately stopped because it made him feel bad. And he wanted this, hell he needed this. Selina was refreshing. She was fun. At that very thought Selina popped into the living room. Dick thought how adorable and yet hot she looked in his clothes. The T-shirt was a little too tight. It really showed how perfect her breasts were. He knew there was a reason he chose that shirt. That tight shirt combined with a baggy pair of sweat pants was beginning to turn Dick on. He didn't say anything but just stare.

"What...? What are you looking at?" Selina knew what he was looking at but for some reason felt really getty, she felt like a young school girl. Something she remembered she never felt with Bruce.

He shook his head and wore a huge smile."What am I not allow to admire a hottie when I see one?" Dick realized this was the first time he heard her laugh. He loved it.

"So I'm a hottie uh?" Selina continued to laugh as she seem to bounce to the couch. She placed her self next to Dick and folded her knees underneath her self. She looked into Dicks eyes. She normally was never impressed with brown eyes but his were deep and somehow conveyed a depth that she could somehow relate too. Dick asked her how her day was. "Just about the worse day I've had in a long time. I told you most of it all ready, the rest isn't even worth mentioning."

"Aww, poor thing, you need one of my famous massages then, to relieve your stress."Selina didn't argue she turned her back to him and he started to rub her shoulders. "So I take it, its been busy at work then? You're still working as head of the S.A.G (Save the Animals of Gotham) charity?" His hands moved from her shoulders up to her neck.

"Yep, I am still there. Really hard finding volunteers and all. Everyone wants to get paid these days. I had a late meeting that was totally went to hell. But hey, I don't want to bore you with my work life, what's going on with you. Have you talked to Barbara lately?" Shocked at the question Dick stopped his massage.

"Um not really, I really haven't had much time to think about it really."

Selina turned back to face him."I saw her you know?"

Now seeming extremely angry he snapped at Selnina."You what? You went to talk to her? Why in the hell would you do a thing like that?"

Selina placed her hand on his leg, now seeming very sincere. "No No, nothing like that. I would never do anything of the sort."

He was now calming. "But how do you know what she looks like? You two have never met?

Selina continued her explanation."Yes, you're right we have never met but she is kind of famous. She is Commissioner Gordon's daughter. She gets mentioned time to time in the Gotham Tribune. So far satisfied with her explanation Dick placed his hand on hers, which was still resting on his leg. "She was with a man." Dick quickly retracted his hand and demanded to know who it was. "Well, I believe it was a football player. I remember seeing him on the news. He's the quarterback for GU (Gotham University), damn I'm sorry I can't remember his name but I know his letterman jacket had the number eight on it."

"Fucking Cole Hammonds. I hate that asshole. I can't believe she is still seeing that chump. That FUCKING BITCH!"

Selina reach in and grabbed both of his hands in an effort to calm him down "Dick, its ok calm down. I wasn't sure if I should tell you but, well I thought you had a right to know." He couldn't explain it but her voice and her soft touch was calming him. He looked into her brightly colored blue eyes. He could get lost in them, they were so beautiful. He leaned in close to her

"Selina ---" Dick said softly but before he could start his sentence Selina moved in as well and kissed him. It was not like the wet sloppy kisses they exchanged the night prior something more. They were long and very sensual and her lips were extra soft. She pulled back and looked deep into his brown eyes again. She could see how much life he all ready lived for being so young. She felt there was more to him just your typical twenty year punk kid. Though becoming overwhelmed in the moment Dick began to get more aggressive. He started to kiss more like the kisses from the club.

"Whoa...Whoa...Hey slow down a bit." Selina managed to pull back during one of his attacks. He didn't say anything but he was quick to show he understood and complied with her request. Ten or so minutes passed by and Dick pulled his face away from her and got up off the couch. He looked at Selina with a smile and held his hand out, motioning for her to grab it. When she grabbed his hand he picked her up into his arms. Selina wrapped her arms around him in a hug, he again noticed just how perfect her complexion was and how flawless her skin is. Dick walked her up the stairs to his room, where they expressed just how much they cared about each other.