Summary: A few weeks after her accident, Barbara gets sick of lying around the house doing nothing and explores the Manor. She comes across Dick's old room, opening old wounds and brining forgotten memories. To make matters worse, an unexpected visitor turns Barbara's world upside down.

Chapter 2: Old Wounds

"I told you Alfred, I can walk perfectly well on my own", I protested.

"Miss Gordon, that spill you took a few moments ago downstairs seems to make me think otherwise", said Alfred.

"It's just that I'm sick of being stuck in bed all day. I need to get out of my room!" I pleaded.

"Miss Gordon, I am certain that Master Bruce or young Master Timothy would be more than happy to take you outside when they return", he continued.

I pouted and sat down on my bed, "Fine, you win Alfred".

"I'm glad to hear that you agree Miss Gordon".

"Yeah, but don't expect me to agree much longer", I said under my breath.

Alfred walked out of the room, closing the door securely behind him.

I lay down on the bed, staring up at the ceiling for a few minutes before letting out a huge sigh. I was bored out of my mind. I sat up to think.

- I don't care what Alfred says; I'm getting out of this room -

I stood up and walked uneasily out of the room.

I was slowly making my way down the hall, when I heard Alfred coming up the staircase. If he caught me now, I would never get out. I reached for the doorknob of the closest room and turned it. I slipped into the room just before Alfred walked into the hall. I watched through the half open door as Alfred walked past and up the flight of stairs that led up to the next floor. I sighed in relief.

After enjoying my success, I took a moment to look around the room I now found myself in. It was dark, and the only light came from the small amount of sunlight coming in from the half open window at the far end of the room. I felt my way around the bed and to the nightstand, where I felt a lamp. I turned the lamp on and light filled the room. As I looked around the room, I found looming in front of me on the wall, a familiar poster. It featured the Flying Grayson's in their final appearance at Gotham City. It had been my gift to Dick for Christmas long ago.

My hand dropped down to my side, knocking something to the ground. I bent over to pick it up. It was a picture frame. I turned it over to look at the picture. Smiling back at me was Dick, his arm wrapped tightly around my own shoulder. I looked so happy. That was because I was happy in that picture. And I had never felt that kind of happiness again. A tear rolled down my cheek onto the glass covering the picture.

A sudden noise from behind startled me and I dropped the picture. I turned around to see Bruce looking at me sadly. The tears were streaming down my face now. I wiped them with the back of my sleeve and picked up the picture. I placed it back on the nightstand before turning to face Bruce again.

I avoided his eyes, "I'm sorry . . . I just happened to come in here . . . I had no idea it was Dick's room".

He laid a hand on my shoulder, "There is no need to apologize, Barbara".

I nodded, more tears filling my eyes, "I'll just go back to my room now".

Bruce stopped me. I don't know why, but I threw myself into his arms, the tears running freely. I shook violently with each sob. Bruce just stood there, taking it all until I had calmed down. I finally let go and sat down on the bed.

I sniffed, "I loved him so much. It just hurt so much when he left like that. He never even said good-bye".

"He didn't say good-bye to any of us. Not you, not me, not Alfred. I guess he just needed some time to figure things out. I just thought he would have been back by now. We are all hurting Barbara, you're not alone in your pain", said Bruce reassuringly.

I looked up at him.

"How do you do it Bruce? I've tried so hard to repress all my feelings about this, but I just can't anymore. I want to move on, I really do, but I just can't. I don't know what to do".

Bruce sighed, "I understand that you loved him deeply Barbara, but you can't shut yourself out from the world. You have to accept things as they are and move on. You can't keep on punishing yourself like this. It is going to break you".

I turned away from him and looked out the window. My thoughts were racing around in my head.

- He's right Barbara. You have to move on. It's time to let go, once and for all -

I turned back to face Bruce. I looked him in the eyes and held his gaze, studying him. Then, I looked down at the floor wiped away the remaining tears. I looked back up at Bruce.

"You know I can't do this alone. It's not going to be easy. But I will do my best", I said.

"We are all here for you, Barbara. I want you to remember that".

I smiled and nodded.

- - - - - -

A Few Days Later

My eyes fluttered open. The sunlight was pouring in from the open windows of the room. I smiled, realizing that Alfred had made an early visit. Yawning, I stretched out before throwing off the covers and jumping out of bed. Throwing on a robe, I slipped into the bathroom.

A few minutes later, I emerged in my robe, hair dripping onto the carpet. I walked up to the closet. I was going out with Christopher Soriano, an executive at Gotham International Bank. He and I had met at one of Bruce's social events. It wasn't like me to date someone like him. You know: rich, successful, handsome, and pretty much perfect in every way. I had never liked the idea of becoming part of the world of Gotham's elite, but I was trying new things, so why not?

After going through about all the clothes I owned, I took out a short, emerald green dress.

- Dick always said this dress really brought out my eyes -

I shook my head.

- There you go again Barbara. Forget Dick. Let it go already -

Sighing heavily, I stuffed the dress into my closet and took out a simple black one. I brushed my hair into a ponytail and put on a white pearl necklace and earrings. I stood in front of the mirror and smoothed out my dress. I smiled at my reflection.

- You still got it -

- - - - - -

The Batcave

It had been almost a month since Bruce and I had our little talk. And for the first time in a long time, I felt happy. Things were going well with Christopher and me. Nothing too serious, but we had fun together. Work at the GCPD was definitely improving. And my nights as Batgirl where no longer filled with painful memories. I hadn't had any nightmares for weeks now. Yes, I was happy again.

"Watch your left side. Your defense is weak on that side", Bruce pointed out to Tim as they were sparring in the training ring.

I stood on the side with Alfred, watching. Bruce, Tim, and I were all wearing our judokas. Tim had a yellow belt, while Bruce and I both had black belts. I laughed as I watched Tim try desperately to knock Bruce down.

I don't know how, but I felt a sudden change in the air. Something was just different. My suspicions were confirmed when I felt Alfred tense beside me. But for some reason, I didn't stop watching Bruce and Tim. Alfred's next words made me stop breathing.

"Master Richard!" Alfred called out.

I spun around to look at the young man that had entered. I felt my heart stop. It was really him. He looked so different, and yet exactly the same. He looked good. I glanced back behind me and saw Tim looking at him curiously. I couldn't read the look on Bruce's face.

I could feel the tension in the air. I knew that Dick was waiting for a response. My response. I saw his ice blue eyes searching my face for a reaction. I just stood there, waiting for someone to say something.

His eyes never left mine. Why was he looking at me like that? I wished Bruce would say something, because I felt trapped. I wanted to say so many things, but I didn't know how to say them. I wasn't even sure how I felt or how I was supposed to feel about this for that matter. In a way, I was relieved he was back, because now we all knew he was okay. But of course, there was the lingering anger and resentment. I looked away from his gaze.

"Hello Bruce", Dick said, his eyes never leaving my face.

"Hello Dick", Bruce replied with absolutely no emotion in his voice.

"Hey Babs", Dick said gently.

I winced at the name mostly because of the voice saying it. The last time I had heard his voice had been that night. The last time he had called me that had been that night. I looked at him straight in the eyes and all that I felt was the sudden urge to hurt him. Badly. So I did what I knew would hurt him the most.

"Hello Dick", I said in the most casual voice I could manage.

I watched as his eyes fell. Had he expected me to greet him with open arms? No, he knew better than that. He knew I was trying to hurt him. And I was succeeding. But instead of feeling good about it, I only got a sick feeling in my stomach. I should have stopped there, but I continued my assault.

"How have you been? It's been a while", I said coolly.

"I'm doing good", he replied calmly, but I noticed the hurt in his eyes.

"Good to hear that", I replied. Then I turned to Bruce, "Maybe I should leave you two alone to talk?"

Bruce nodded. I walked up to Bruce and kissed him on the cheek before turning back to Dick.

"Maybe I'll see you around?" I asked, ignoring the surprised look on his face.

"Maybe", his eyes were giving Bruce a very cold look.

"See you around then", I said pleasantly.

"Yeah, see you around", he replied, his eyes still on Bruce.

I walked past the training ring, "Come on Tim, let's leave them alone" I called out.

Tim gave Dick and Bruce one last look before jumping out of the ring and following me out of the room.

"Who was that guy?" Tim asked curiously as we made our way back upstairs.

"Just an old friend", I answered.

"He didn't seem like just a friend to me", Tim replied.

I stopped and looked at Tim. He looked determinedly back at me. I could tell he wasn't going to back down. I sighed. It was time to tell him the truth. I owed him that.

"Dick was the first Robin. He is Bruce's ward and he used to live here at the Manor up until two years ago", I explained.

"Why did he leave?" asked Tim.

My eyes dropped, "You see, Dick and I were a couple back then and had been dating for over a year. When he found out that I was Batgirl, he felt betrayed because I didn't tell him. But, he was even angrier with Bruce for not telling him as well. He and Bruce had been having problems before and I suppose that was the last straw for Dick, so he left".

"But, did you know he was Robin?" Tim asked, a bit confused.

I looked at him sadly, "Sometimes things just happen Tim, and we don't always know why. I wish that Dick had seen that we both had kept it from each other for a reason, but he didn't. And sometimes you have to accept things and move on".

"I see", Tim paused in thought, "You loved him, didn't you?"

I was surprised by the question, "Yes Tim, I did".

"And did he love you?"

I thought for a moment before answering, "I thought he did Tim, but after what he did, I'm not so sure".

Tim looked at me intently, "Babs, do you still love him?"

That I definitely did not see coming, "I used to think I did Tim, but I moved on with my life. I couldn't keep on hoping that one day he would just show up and everything would be okay again".

"And now that he's back? It looked to me like he still cares about you".

- What is this, an interrogation? -

I bit my lower lip, "I'm not sure. I wish I knew what was going to happen Tim, believe me, I do. It would make it so much easier. I just hope that . . . oh never mind", I said.

"Sure Babs", Tim replied.

- - - - - -

"Do you plan on staying long?" asked Bruce.

"I don't know", Dick answered.

"You don't know?" questioned Bruce.

Dick flinched under Bruce's glare, "Look, I came here to tell you that I was back in town. I don't know for how long. I'm renting a loft by the docks for now. I'm going to see how things work out and then maybe I'll find something more permanent", he explained.

Bruce's gaze softened, "Why don't you stay in the Manor?"

Dick gave Bruce a dark look, "I thought you would know why", he hissed out.

Bruce looked surprised, "It's not what you think Dick. It's not like that".

"Like hell it isn't!" Dick cut in.

Bruce glared at Dick quietly for a long time before speaking again.

"When you left, it destroyed her. It was like her spirit had been broken. For two years, she kept going downhill. I finally made her see that she had to move on. And then there was the accident . . . "

"What accident?" Dick asked severely.

Bruce didn't even flinch, "We were taking down a drug lord at the docks and things got out of hand. Batgirl took a bullet and we nearly lost her. She is still recovering from her wounds", he reported.

"But she looks fine", Dick said.

Bruce nodded, "Her injury was minor, but she lost so much blood . . . we almost lost her".

Dick looked at him coldly, "Where were you when this happened?"

"I was taking care of the drug lord, Batgirl and Robin decided to go after his men. Batgirl miscalculated the situation. I only just made it in time to save her", Bruce continued.

Dick's eyes flashed with anger, "She miscalculated? You blame her for what happened? God Bruce, you're unbelievable!" Dick shouted.

Bruce stood up tall, his eyes on fire; "My relationship with Barbara does not change anything in my relationship with Batgirl. As Batgirl, she is still under my orders. She is still my pupil", he said harshly.

Dick lowered his head, "When did this relationship happen?" he asked sadly.

Bruce raised an eyebrow, "I told you, there is nothing between us".

Dick looked at Bruce angrily, "You don't have to lie to me Bruce! What happened that she felt she had to go to you?" he shouted.

Bruce had had enough, "She finally accepted that you were not coming back!" he bellowed.

Dick looked outraged, "But I did come back!" he yelled, "I came back", he said hoarsely.

Bruce remained silent.

Dick looked hurt, "Why Bruce?" he asked.

But Bruce still remained silent.

Anger clouded Dick's eyes, "Fine! You can have her! You always get what you want anyways, don't you? I just hope she doesn't expect me to greet her with open arms when you break her heart. You always hurt them in the end Bruce, always", he sneered.

Bruce just stood there, his eyes dark and brooding.

Dick turned on his heel and stomped out of the room. He angrily climbed the stairs out of the Batcave and stormed into the living room. There she was, as beautiful as ever. But, he was much too angry with them to stop now. He saw me look up at him as he entered. A polite smiled graced my face.

"Are you leaving Dick?" I asked.

"Is he so much better Babs?" Dick spat out.

"What?" I asked in shock.

"IS HE SO MUCH BETTER?" he asked harshly.

My eyes narrowed. What I said next I did out of anger, I never really meant to say it.

"He's better than someone who leaves without saying good-bye and doesn't even send a post card for TWO YEARS! Two years Dick! For two years I worried if you were all right. For two years I kept hoping you would come back! But I got tired of hoping Dick; I was tired of chasing a shadow! At least he doesn't run away when things get bad!" I answered.

Dick laughed angrily, "That goes to show how well you know him Babs", he sneered, knowing how the nickname stung.

My eyes seemed to be on fire, "Yeah, well at least he's not a coward".

I knew that would hurt him the most. He visibly flinched as the words hit him.

Dick saw Bruce silently watching from the hall, "Well I hope you two are happy together!" he shouted at Bruce.

Then, walking up to Barbara until they were face to face, he whispered, "I could have loved you".

I stood there, still realizing what had just happened. I was staring at Bruce blankly.

- What have I done? He thinks Bruce and I . . . oh my god -

"Dick, you don't understand. You have this all wrong", I said, trying to explain.

Dick just stared at me, "Like hell I do. Save me the drama. I'll let myself out".

And with that, he stormed out of the room, slamming the front door and leaving the three, well four (Alfred had appeared out of nowhere) of us bewildered.

"That was not at all amusing Barbara", growled Bruce.

I was still staring at the door, "I didn't mean for things to get so out of hand".

"Well it did get out of hand", he replied.

I whirled around, "Not that you made it any better! What did you say to him!" I demanded.

"I never said anything to implicate that you and I were . . . an item. I only told him that you had moved on, which was the truth", he answered.

I glared at him, "No Bruce, it wasn't the truth, because you weren't entirely honest with him. You should have cleared it up from the beginning!"

Bruce looked at me in the eye, "Why is this bothering you so much? I thought you had moved on!"

"I HAVE moved on! I AM OVER DICK GRAYSON! WHAT DO I HAVE TO DO TO MAKE YOU ALL UNDERSTAND THAT?" I screeched.

"Miss Gordon, please do try to calm down. Master Bruce, do you think we could discuss this some other time? I don't believe Miss Gordon should be agitated in such a manner in her present state", Alfred cut in.

Bruce nodded, "Alfred take Barbara up to her room to get some rest. Tim, back to the cave".

- I was over him. I was. I am over Dick. OVER HIM. Wasn't I? -

- - - - - -

TBC . . .

Things are getting interesting, aren't they? Think you know what will happen next? Remember to Read and Review!

- Lady Artemis -