Disclaimer: All characters are not owned by me and are used without permission solely for the entertainment of fan-fiction readers.

Author's Note: Sadly this is the end of 'If Only', but I hope that you enjoyed it and that you found it to be consistent with the Batman universe. This final chapter just kind of wraps things up a few months after the whole ordeal in Romania.

Epilogue

Six Months Later

I took in a deep breath and let the night air fill my lungs. I stared out into the night, taking in the skyline. If you knew the right place to look at it and you stood there long enough . . . Gotham could be peaceful, even for just one moment. It was wonderful.

My first few months back after the Romania incident were hard. I had gone through both mental and emotional torture and that wasn't something you could just bounce back from. It has taken a lot of hard work with Leslie to get me back in a healthy mind state. There had been memories from Sora left behind in my mind and they had caused terrible nightmares, not to mention my old recurring nightmares as well. After I had faced them though, it was like they had never existed.

Then I had to re-start my training. Not from square one, but I had to get back into fighting shape. Bruce had been very stern about wanting me to be ready before I took to the streets again. I think it was the first time he and Dick had agreed on something in a long time. Thank god Alfred was there for coffee and hot cocoa breaks. I had been determined and committed to getting myself ready to be back in action. It had been tough, but I hadn't lost my touch. Bruce had let me out on patrol a few days earlier and it was like I had never been gone. It surprised me how much I had missed it . . . swinging through the night, the mystery of the unknown in the air. I lived for that.

Things with me and Bruce were good. He had been impressed with my determination to get back in the suit, not to mention how fast I had gotten through my training. He knew how bad I wanted it . . . and he knew now that I was my own person. No longer did he bully me around or try to treat me like a child. I had finally earned what I had wanted all this time . . . his trust and respect. He respected me as a true member of the team, something that had taken both Dick and I years to obtain. And Bruce knew he could trust me to make the right decision at any time, that I was ready at a moment's notice. Oh there were still moments when we "disagreed", but it was something that came with working with the Bat, something that would never change. But he was trying and that was what mattered. Of course he would never admit to any of all this, but I knew.

Things with Tim were the same as always. When we got back from Romania, he had kept us all entertained for hours telling stories about working with Clark. And I doubt we will ever hear the end of it. I swear that kid reminds me so much of Dick when he was Robin: determined, confident, smart, talented . . . god was he talented. Tim was going places, of that I can assure you. Whether it be in or out of the suit, he would make it big.

Things with Dick and Bruce weren't great, but they were getting better. The whole situation in Romania had shown them that they were still the same two people with the same goal: to fight injustice, to help people, and to not become what they were fighting. There were still a lot of wounds to heal and their trust wasn't like it had been before, but they were working on it. They knew how to work incredibly together and that helped a lot, because the trust would soon follow. They complemented each other, no matter how much they wanted to deny it. Dick was stopping by the Manor more often and Bruce never said it, but I knew he was glad. He didn't show it much, but he loved Dick more than anything. But don't tell him I told you that.

As for me and Dick . . . well, things were pretty good. We knew we had made some mistakes in the past, but we also knew how we felt and didn't need to beat around the bush as they say. We could be straightforward and open with our feelings, which was a huge step and a big change from before. No more lies, no more pretending, no Batgirl and Robin in the way, just me and Dick. It was hard sometimes, knowing who was behind the mask and that we were both out there risking our lives every night. But we trusted each other's abilities and decisions out there, which made things a lot easier.

I snapped out of my thoughts when I heard someone approaching from behind me. An evil smile crept onto my lips as I realized who it was. I turned around to find Nightwing face to face with me.

"Having a pleasant evening?" he quipped.

"Looks like it just got better", I said suggestively.

He raised his eyebrows in surprise, "By all means, let me make it even better"

Nightwing moved in to kiss me, but I blocked it with my hand. He stared at me.

"Not with the masks on, remember Short Pants?" I teased.

If there was anything I had learned being a vigilante, it was never to mix business with pleasure.

He pouted, "Yes, but I also remember you agreed not to use the nicknames anymore"

"And take the joy out of my nightlife? Never!"

Nightwing was about to make a comeback when my communicator went off.

"Batgirl, I need your help at the docks. I uncovered some smugglers trying to sneak out priceless artifacts"

I grabbed my communicators, "Copy, I'll be there in five minutes"

"Bring Nightwing with you"

Nightwing lifted his arms up to question me. I giggled.

"Copy, we will be there in five minutes"

"Batman out"

I put my communicator away and laughed at the look on Nightwing's face.

"How did he know I was here?"

I tried to keep a straight face, "Common, you of all people should know. He's Batman. He knows everything"

Nightwing grumbled as we jumped off the rooftop.

- - - - - -

A Few Days Later

My breathing was heavy, but controlled. My feet hit the pavement, keeping in rhythm. I was starting to sweat, but I still had a few more minutes to go, so I continued my jog down the street. I could see my apartment building coming into view far ahead. My mp3 player blared in my ears, me feet falling in time to the beat.

After a few more minutes, I was at the entrance to my apartment building. I used my key to let myself in, checking my mailbox as I walked through the lobby. I pressed the 'up' button at the elevator and waited. The 'up' signal flashed on and the metals doors slid open. I walked into the elevator, pressed the '6' button, and leaned back against the wall. The elevator door's slid open again and I walked down the hall to my apartment, # 614. I picked up the newspaper propped up against the door before I pushed the key into the lock and after a loud click, the door opened. I walked in and dropped my keys into a basket on a tall table next to the front door. I tossed the newspaper on top of the coffee table in my living room, and made my way into the kitchen.

I put a pot of coffee on the stove before moving into the bedroom. Discarded clothing littered the floor and I removed my workout outfit and grabbed a clean towel. I popped into the bathroom and turned on the shower. Ten minutes later I emerged, wrapped in my towel. I dressed quickly into sweats and a tank top before I went into the kitchen. I made myself some scrambled eggs before removing the coffee pot off the stove. After pouring myself a cup of coffee, I grabbed my plate, and went into the living room. I plopped onto the couch and placed my plate and mug on the table, after which I grabbed the newspaper and began reading. I sipped my coffee, read, and munched on my breakfast for about ten minutes before I finished off both the eggs and coffee. Satisfied with having finished with the paper, I flipped on the T.V. to the morning news and watched that for about 20 more minutes before I got bored with that.

I stood up and made my way to the bathroom again. When I opened the door, a yelp escaped my lips because standing there in my bathroom was none other than Dick Grayson clad in nothing more than a towel wrapped around his hips. He grinned at me and shook his head, sending water spraying everywhere from his wet hair.

"Morning beautiful", he said.

I glared at him, "Jesus Dick, you scared me"

"My apologies, Madame", Dick said with a wink.

I punched him lightly on the shoulder, "You're such a dork", I said before I burst into giggles.

"But it is my dorkiness which amuses you", he replied.

I messed up his hair with my hand and sent more water flying, "Yes, you're my dork"

"Do I have Barbara Gordon stamped on me already?" Dick joked.

I crossed my arms, "Very funny"

Dick rolled his eyes, "I thought you liked the dorkiness"

I wrapped my arms around him, "It's growing on me"

"Oh really", Dick said as he closed the space between us.

I kissed him lightly on the lips before pulling my head back, "How would I amuse myself if it were not for your dorky self, Short Pants?"

"You're totally right", he said as he pulled me close and kissed me deeply.

This I could get used to. Things were going to be just fine.

- - - - - -

Well the end is finally here. I hope you enjoyed this story as much as I did. I wasn't easy at times, but I got it done and that's what counts! READ & REVIEW!

- Lady Artemis -