Summary: Babs and Dick have a moment, or do they? Things are looking up for Dick, but will Babs wake up and realize what her heart is telling her? And Batgirl runs into someone from Batman's past with a dark purpose, but what is that purpose and what are they doing in Gotham?

Chapter 4: Back to the Beginning

Jackie's Diner

I walked through the glass door and took off my coat, hanging it on the coat rack as I walked into the diner. A waitress greeted me and offered a seat. I shook my head, pointing at a booth were a young man with messy black hair sat studying the menu. The waitress nodded and gave me a polite smile before going off to attend more customers.

I walked over to the booth were Dick sat and plopped down across from him. Dick looked up from the menu and grinned at me. He stood up and gestured me to sit down with his arm, bowing in the process.

"Cut it out Grayson", I said.

Dick smirked and sat back down, "So, how was work?" he asked, studying the menu again.

I studied him for a minute before answering, "It was fine. Dad wants me to go with him to another one of those boring GCPD dinners", I told him.

Dick looked at me, "Need someone to rescue you from boredom? You know me, always saving damsels in distress", he said with a wink.

I shifted uncomfortably in my seat, "That's sweet of you Grayson, but I already have a date".

His face fell a bit, "Oh, well of course a lovely lady like yourself already has a date. Silly me", he smirked.

This was a little weird.

The waitress walked up to our table and set down two plates, a double cheeseburger and root beer float for Dick and a turkey club sandwich and cranberry juice for me. I looked down at the food before my gaze went up to Dick.

"You remembered. . . ", I said.

"After all the nights we spent here cramming for tests throughout high school AND college, I think it would be hard to forget", he answered.

"Right", I murmured.

Several minutes later

I was laughing so hard I choked on my juice.

"Oh my god! And do you remember that time you totaled the Redbird? He gave you this death stare, and I tried so hard not to laugh!"

Dick laughed.

"I thought he was going to ground me for the rest of my life. If he didn't kill me first!"

I nodded.

"I remember that I didn't see you on patrol for about a month!"

Dick growled, "Yeah, he so over reacted about that. It wasn't THAT bad!"

I burst out laughing, "Over reacted? You like totally wrecked it! He was FURIOUS!"

Dick rolled his eyes, "Whatever".

I laughed harder.

- - - - - -

Annual GCPD Charity Ball

I tapped my fingers on the table. I was so bored! Why did I keep on letting Dad convince me to come to these things? He always found a way. Christopher was busy chatting away with the other business tycoons at the ball. He hadn't asked me to dance all night. I let out a heavy sigh.

"Wow, these things really are just as boring as I remember them to be", said a voice from behind me.

I turned and there was Dick, flashing his most charming smile. I was actually relieved to see him.

"Yeah, well they seem to be getting more and more boring to me", I said.

Dick chuckled and held out a hand, "Care to dance?" he asked.

I nodded and gratefully took his hand.

"I don't think I could stand to sit any longer", I said as we walked out onto the dance floor.

The band was playing a slow ballad. Dick placed his right hand gently on my waist and held my right hand out in his left. We began dancing slowly. It was amazing how comfortable I felt dancing with him. It was like remembering a very nice dream you had forgotten. I had missed the way we danced.

The song was almost done when Christopher interrupted us, "May I cut in?" he asked.

Dick looked slightly annoyed, "And you are?"

I spoke before things got out of hand, "Dick, this is Christopher Soriano. My date . . ."

"Oh . . . ", said Dick.

There was a long silence.

"Nice to meet you Chris, I'm Dick Grayson", he pushed his hand into Christopher's and they shook, "Barbara's told me lots about you".

"She has?" Christopher raised an eyebrow, "Funny, she hasn't said a word to me about you".

It was safe to say I was feeling very awkward now.

Dick's smile seemed plastered on his face.

"Well Barbara and I have been good friends since high school, isn't that right Babs?"

I glared at Dick before turning to Christopher with a sweet smile on my face, "Yes, Dick and I have known each other for years. His father and Daddy are good friends, so we have been keeping each other company at these things since we were kids".

Christopher smiled, "This is wonderful! I finally get to meet one of Barbara's friends! I was certain she was hiding them from me."

I think Dick's jaw was hurting from all the smiling he was doing.

Christopher turned to me, "My dear, shall we dance?"

I nodded, "Talk to you later", I said to Dick.

Christopher and I were walking out to the dance floor when he stopped abruptly.

"Look, there's Senator Carlson. I'm sorry dear, but I must speak with him, it's rather important", he said to me.

"Go ahead, don't worry about me. I'll find . . . ", but he was gone before I finished.

I stood there staring after Chris, who walked over to the Senator and began chatting with him. A tall blonde woman joined them shortly afterwards. I scowled at her from the other side of the room. She looked like she had not eaten for months. But Christopher seemed more interested in her and her . . . chest. I was really pissed. I stormed towards the exit. On my way out, I passed by Dick, who was talking to some men. When he saw me he excused himself and jogged after me.

"Hey, what happened to Chris?" he asked.

"Can we get out of here?" I asked, "I need a drink"

Dick looked shocked, "YOU need a drink?"

He laughed.

I glared at him.

"Oh, you're serious", then he seemed worried.

"Come on Grayson", I dragged him towards the exit.

- - - - - -

A Bar in Downtown Gotham

"Okay Babs, I think you've had enough to drink for tonight", Dick said, snatching the shot of vodka I had placed in front of me.

"HEY! Give that back!" I protested.

I reached out to grab the shot glass out of Dick's hand, but I lost my balance and fell face first out of my seat. I groaned as I lifted my face off the floor and rolled onto my back. Dick pulled me up to my feet and lifted me into his arms.

"I think its time for you to go home" Dick replied.

I nodded off into a drunken slumber.

- - - - - -

Barbara's Apartment

Dick carried me up the four flights to me apartment door. He dug my key out of my purse, unlocked the door, opened it, and finally shut it all with only one hand. I carried me into my room and lay me down in the bed.

I smiled up at him, "Good old Dick, always there when I need him", I murmured.

Dick was busy removing my jacket.

My eyes opened wide, "You know . . ." I hiccupped, "I missed you".

Dick patted my head, "Liquor's talking Babs".

I pouted, "I'm serious!"

He chuckled, "Yeah, as serious as a drunk person can be".

I pouted again, "No, I am serious . . . I really did miss you . . . a lot", I said as I grabbed his coat and pulled him towards me, my lips clumsily locking onto his. I think I may have missed them . . . I wasn't exactly in the best state of mind. As if to prove that theory correct, my head dropped onto Dick's shoulder and I was fast asleep.

"Okay then", said Dick as he lowered Barbara gently back onto the bed.

Dick pulled the covers over Barbara and hung her jacket on a chair. He went back over to the bed and leaned over her. He ran a hand over Barbara's cheek and moved a few strands of hair away from her face.

"How could anyone forget you? How could anyone get over you?" he said to himself.

He leaned down and kissed Barbara on the forehead before leaving.

- - - - - -

The Clocktower the next night

I sat on the ledge of the Clocktower, legs hanging over the side. I rubbed my temples with my index and middle fingers. I still had a hangover from last night. Not that I remembered much of last night. All I remember is going to a bar, drinking a lot, and then waking up in my apartment. I could only guess that Dick had taken me there, seeing as I dragged him along with me. I also remember my date, the jerk, had not called me after my disappearance last night.

"Someone's got a hangover".

"Get lost Robin, I am NOT in a good mood", I growled.

Robin smirked, "Yup, you definitely have a hangover. Good thing Nightwing covered for you or Batman wouldn't let you out on patrol for a week. He'd give you his famous responsibility speech and then ground you for a week".

I glared at Robin and dropped over the ledge, freefalling through the air. I shot out a grapple at the last possible moment and came breathtakingly close over the ground as I swooped up to the top of the nearby three-story apartment building. I continued my journey over the rooftops until I arrived at The Gotham Museum of Art. I saw a shadow pass below me as I flew by.

I turned myself around and dropped down onto the Museum with a soft thud. I took out my communicator.

"Batgirl to Batman. There is a possible break-in at The Museum of Art. I'm going in," I said into it.

"Negative Batgirl. Wait for backup. I'm on my way and I'm sending Robin to your location".

I narrowed my eyes, "I'm going in", I repeated.

"Negative Batgirl, I said . . . "

I shut off the communicator.

I used a line to lower myself down into the alley behind the museum. I found the service entrance and picked the lock. I slipped inside, closing the door behind me. No need making the crook's escape easier.

I carefully avoided the security sensors as I moved around the building. I passed the security guards moving in the direction opposite to where I was heading. I knew I had around fifteen minutes before they would make their way back on their rounds. I moved stealthily into the next area, walking past Ancient Egyptian artifacts (sarcophaguses holding mummies inside, statues, jewels, and pottery) and rummaging through one of the exhibits was the intruder. I moved slowly towards them.

"I was expecting Batman", said a female voice.

My eyes narrowed at the comment, "Yeah well sorry to disappoint you", I sneered.

"Not a disappointed, I know he will be here shortly", was the reply.

"I'll have you locked up in Arkham by then", I growled.

The figure turned to face me. She was a tall woman with strong features. She had large, beautiful black eyes, a defined nose, cheekbones to die for, and a long, elegant neck. But her most capturing feature was her long mane of raven black hair that flowed down to the small of her back. Her ruby red lips parted back into a surprisingly sweet smile. I had expected a sneer.

"I can tell why he has taken you into his world. You are young and courageous, but I advise you to be more cautious and not so stubborn. It is apparent that you are here against your mentor's orders, he would not be so foolish to send his young protégée into an unknown situation", she replied without a second thought.

I was taken aback at how well she had deduced the whole situation. How could she know Batman so well? How could she guess everything like that without knowing something? I didn't like this at all, she knew too much. More than she should. I couldn't take her to Arkham anymore, much less to the police.

- How am I going to take her down? -

As if to answer my question, a quick flip of a cape and Batman was towering beside me. The woman did not seemed shocked or even the slightest bit scared at Batman's sudden presence. Robin lingered behind in Batman's shadow. The woman had moved slightly to hide her face in the shadows upon his arrival.

"Who are you and what are you looking for in this museum?" demanded Batman.

"I have already found one of the things I seek, and the other has just arrived", said the woman. Her voice was steady and held no trace of fear or doubt.

Batman raised an eyebrow.

As if to answer him, the woman continued, "I have been waiting for you. You seem to have lost your touch. You used to catch on to me much sooner in the past. You also usually knew it was me beforehand".

"Is that so? So I take we have met before . . . " said Batman.

"Of course. We have met many times before, in this lifetime and in past ones. Our souls are connected eternally . . . beloved", the woman professed.

Batman's eyes widened, "Thalia?" The woman stepped out of the shadows to face Batman, "Indeed it is I. I have been sent on a mission by my father, one which is unpleasant, but necessary", she explained.

"What sort of mission?" Batman asked suspiciously.

I stood there watching the whole thing. I was totally lost. Apparently Batman knew this Thalia woman. They must have known each other very well . . . for someone to call Bruce 'beloved', you would have to know him very well.

"It is a mission that my father has dreamed of for years. Something that even you cannot possibly imagine. Something far beyond the reach of your wildest dreams".

"What do I have to do with it?" asked Batman.

Thalia smiled at him, "You will know in due time. I only wished to inform you of my presence in Gotham tonight. I shall seek you in due time for the rest of my purpose".

She had no more than uttered the last word, when she vanished into thin air.

Batman glared at the spot Thalia had stood and gritted his teeth.

"Ra's", he muttered under his breath.

- - - - - -

TBC . . .

And the plot thickens . . . What could it be that Thalia wants? What could Ra's have up his sleeve this time? You'll have to wait until next chapter to find out what happens! Don't you hate it when I leave you all hanging like this? I LOVE IT! -Laughs evilly-

- Lady Artemis -