Kinda a long chapter, please Review

Disclaimer: I do not own DC or Young Justice

Dick crouched down picking the lock of the Gordon apartment. He knew Jim Gordon had an early shift today and Barbara wasn't answering her phone. He had been trying to get ahold of her for the past 10 minutes.

"Bingo" he whispered to himself after prying the door open with ease

The apartment was silent as Dick quietly crept through it. He tiptoed to Barbara's room slowly opening the door to find her asleep in her bed, red hair sprawled out all over the place, black tank top on, mouth partially open. Her phone was lying abandoned on the nightstand. Dick smiled but still rolled his eyes as he made his way to her bed. Climbing up in her bed he sat on his knees and gently shook her shoulders

"Babs wake up" he whispered

Nothing

"Babs come on wake u- "he was on his back

Barbara woke up and on instinct flipped him over pinning him to her bed.

"Dick?" She said slightly groggily as she began waking up and realized who was in her room

Dick laughed "Good Morning to you too Barbara," he said as he reached up and whipped a small bit of drool from the corner of her mouth with his thumb.

"What are you doing here?" She asked still hovering over him with her hands pinning his over his head

Dick smiled "What? A guy can't come visit his best friend" his eyes traveled down her body then back up at her "Nice panties" he winked

Barbara looked down seeing her lacy pink boy short underwear she quickly jumped off him and grabbed a pair of spandex shorts from the floor, slipping them on.

Dick laughed as he got off her bed "Relax Babs, it's not like they're something I haven't seen a girl in before "

"Not something I needed to hear," Barbara said looking over her shoulder at him "But since you brought that up, why aren't you hanging out with one of you 'special girls' this morning" She cocked an eyebrow

Dick shrugged "Well Zee and Rocket work on the weekend," he grinned

Barbara shook her head "Yet another thing I didn't need to know"

Dick laughed and jumped onto her bed sitting next to her "Besides, I don't really like any of the girls at school... except there was that one night with Bette-but you don't need to hear that."

Barbara shook her head in amusement lying back in her bed

"Anyways I honestly enjoy being with you" Dick grinned, he rolled and positioned himself so that he was over her stomach. With a devilish grin Dick bent down and blew a raspberry on her stomach.

Barbara laughed in surprise then looked at him and smiled "Yeah I guess starting the day with you does give me a little more pep"

Dick nodded resting his head on her stomach. Barbara began running her hands through his hair

"We have that party Wally and Artemis invited us to tonight?" Barbara asked

She felt Dick nod his head against her shirt

They sat there a little bit longer in silence before Barbara stopped messaging his scalp "Are you okay?" She asked

Dick looked up at her "Yeah. Why would you ask that? And keep rubbing my head that feels good" he said settling his head back on her stomach again

Barbara rolled her eyes but continued "Because I've known you since I was 9, and I know when something is bothering you"

Dick nodded "Yeah, I love how even though I was gone for over a year our friendship picked right back up where it left off"

"Dick" Barbara said sternly

He let out a sigh "Fine...I'm sorry about that whole random kiss thing last month when I was downloading that file. It was disrespectful for me to take you by surprise like that"

Barbara shook her head and changed the hand motion as she began combing her fingers through his dark locks. "That's water under the bridge, we do what we have to not risk a mission. Now I know that's not what's bothering you "

Dick was quiet

Barbara moved her hands to his cheeks then pulled his head up to look at her

"What's cooking in that hot head of yours?"

Dick let out a sigh and pushed himself up moving to sit beside Barbara

"Bruce's birthday is coming up," he said

Barbara nodded "Yes I know"

Dick took a breath "And I've been thinking about what to get him" he continued "I mean what do you get a guy who has everything?"

Barbara laughed lightly "I was thinking about just getting a card

Dick smiled "I'm" he paused "I'm going to be 18 soon and I think I'm going to ask Bruce to sign the papers," he said quietly

This caught Barbara's attention quickly she jumped up sitting on her knees and looked down at him "Wait you mean THE papers?"

Dick nodded

"You're going to ask Bruce to officially adopt you?" She rose an eyebrow

Dick nodded and sat up a little straighter so that he was sitting in front of Barbara "Yeah, I mean I know we haven't always gotten along but things have been better since I got back from the Titans and he has never once asked to take the place of my father. I know he never would, Bruce was there for me when I needed someone the most. I've been his ward for almost 10 years. I wouldn't be asking for anything, I don't want to be his heir or anything unless that's something he wants. I just think after everything he's done for me it's only appropriate ya know?" Dick looked up meeting Barbara's eyes "You don't think it's cheesy, do you? You're the only person I've talked to about this"

Barbara smiled "Since when do you care about cheesy?"

Dick chuckled lightly

"But no, I think it's amazing that you want to do that! If this is something you definitely want to do I think Bruce will absolutely love it" she said as she pulled Dick into a hug


"So, Dick and Barb are still a go for the party tonight?" Artemis asked while she lay in bed, Wally's arms wrapped around her waist the morning sun shining through the blinds

Wally nodded against her shoulder "Yeah"

"And they understand this is a college party, right? So, there's going to be some wild partying going on" she clarified resting her hands on his forearms

Wally let out a snicker "Babe, Dick lived on his own for a year. And they have both been fighting crime in Gotham since before they finished puberty. I think they can handle a party"

Artemis smiled and rolled so she was facing him "I guess you're right, but you did tell them they can't bring Tim, right?"

Wally smiled rolling his eyes "No I didn't, I kinda figured that was implied but if it'll make you feel better sure I'll give em the heads up"

Artemis leaned forward pecking his lips "So Baywatch it's Saturday morning and we have about 9 hours till the party. What are we going to do to pass time?"

A grin grew on Wally's face "I can think of a few things" he began leaning forward only for Artemis to quickly slip out of his grip "Just kidding, I'm meeting Barbara to go shopping for bathing suits for the party"

Wally sat up letting out a groan "are you serious what am I supposed to do while you're gone?"

Artemis shrugged "Go visit the cave, I think Barbara said Nightwing had some business there today.


Wally laid back on the couch of the cave, in the distance he could hear the muffled voice of Nightwing barking orders at the younger team members from the training room. He smiled to himself, crazy to think he was one of the founding members of the team when he was 13 and now he's leading kids younger then he was when he started this team

A few moments later Nightwing emerged from the hallway and entered the living room sitting in the opposite end of the couch.

Wally pushed himself up into a sitting position "You don't need to babysit the little one's boss?" He grinned

Dick chuckled "Nah they should be preoccupied for the time being. They're a good group, much more obedient then we were "he joked

Wally laughed "Is that a good thing or a bad thing?"

Dick shrugged "Too soon to tell "

"What about Robin? He seems pretty fond of that Wondergirl" Wally waggled his eyebrows

Dick scrunched up his nose "You think? I haven't noticed" he joked "Maybe I should be the one to give him the talk. Lord knows how awkward it was when Batman gave it to me"

Wally laughed smiling "You're doing good though man, with this team"

"I'm only co-leader" Dick reminded him

Wally nodded "Yeah, but your only 17 I was lying here while you were in there talking to the team thinking how much has happened and how much you've grown in only 4 years"

Dick shot him a smirk "You getting soft on me?"

Wally quickly shook his head "Don't ruin it".


"So, are you ready to go to a real college party tonight?" Artemis asked as she and Barbara skimmed through the rack of bathing suits

Barbara shrugged "Yeah I guess, it'll be fun to actually do something normal for once considering we never get to" she snorted

Artemis grinned "And Dick Grayson in a bathing suit is just a plus right"

Barbara rolled her eyes "That is the least of my thoughts" she held up a pink bikini only for Artemis to shake her head in disapproval "Besides won't some of the girls at the party be like 5 years older than him? Little inappropriate if you ask me" she shook her head

Artemis shrugged "Dick could easily pass for 18 or 19" she held up a yellow swimsuit earning an approving nod from Barbara

Barbra held up a blue bathing suit

"That should look good on you" Artemis nodded

Barbara smiled "I'm surprised we found Bathing suits in February. Why are they having a pool party in February anyway?"

Artemis smiled "I thought the same thing at first, but I guess this frat house has an indoor pool" she explained

Barbara nodded as they made their way to the fitting rooms


Barbara was preparing to get dressed in her bathing suit with her Kimono coverup hanging up close by when her phone rang

Barbara hurried over to her bed seeing a FaceTime from Dick

Quickly she answered it to see his icy blue eyes

"Couldn't wait another 20 minutes to see me?" She teased

Doc laughed "I wish that was the case, something came up. Joker broke out of Arkham."

Barbara's smile dropped

Dick sighed "Batman says that he and Robin can manage on their own but..." his eyes shifted away from the screen

Quickly Barbara nodded "It's cool I don't want them dealing with him alone. Especially after last time"

Dick nodded "I'll meet you on your roof in an hour" he flashed her a forced smile

Barbara nodded "See you then birdbrain" she ended the call. Quickly putting her bathing suit away in favor of her Bat-suit


Batgirl climbed through her bedroom window at 4 am exhausted and warm

Once inside she sprinted across the room locking the door before waving in another vigilant. Nightwing crawled through her bedroom window, his face missing its usual brightness. As soon as Barbara slipped off her cowl she noticed this.

Barbara shook her head "Dick you okay?" She questioned

Dick let out a sigh "We failed tonight"

Barbara shook her head stepping forward. She placed her hands on the side of his face waiting for his nodding approval before tucking her fingers under his mask and pulling it off. His eyes met hers, Barbara placed her fingers under his chin, so he wouldn't break the eye contact. "Dick, it was not a failure"

Dick shook his head "We didn't catch Joker and Robin got captured by Harley"

Barbara bit her lip, nodding her head "I know but we got Tim back before anything happened to him. I'd say that was definitely a win, we know how far Joker will go"

Dick nodded "Your right, I guess from a positive perspective we didn't completely fail. Robin came out completely unscathed, I don't know what I'd do if something happened to that kid... not after- "he stopped talking when Barbara removed her fingers from his chin.

"Jason wasn't your fault either, I'm tired of hearing you say if you had been here," she said taking the words from his mouth

Dick nodded "Your right"

Barbara sent him a half smile "I'm going to go change" she pointed toward her a-joined bathroom. Dick nodded watching her walk into her bathroom

While she was in there he flopped back on her neatly made bed

She returned a moment later Dick turning his head when the door open, dressed in a long grey worn T-shirt and purple pajama pants.

She flopped down next to him on the bed

"Cute outfit" Dick joked

Barbara smiled "Thanks"

They lied there in comfortable silence "Sorry you didn't get to go to the party I know you were looking forward to it" Dick spoke apologetically

Barbara shook her head "Hey duty calls, I know you were looking forward to it too" she turned her head to look at him as he did the same

"Yeah but you even got a new swimsuit for the occasion "he pointed

Barbara smiled "I guess that means you'll just have to invite me to the Manor to wear it" she reached over booping his nose

Dick flashed her a grin "What color is it?" He asked in a friendly manner

Barbara quirked an eyebrow "Dark Blue top with black bottoms"

Dick smirked "Oh taking fashion advice from me I see" he winked

Barbara rolled her eyes "Please if I remember right I'm the one who had to redesign your awful suit after you returned from the Titans"

Dick let out a hearty chuckle "Okay I'll give you that one, but what do you expect from a 16-year-old boy making his own fashion choices?"

Barbara laughed "You didn't give Kory an input?" She rose an eyebrow

Dick shrugged "Tameranians don't exactly put a lot of attention toward clothes" he waggled his eyebrows

"Again, something I didn't need to know "Barbara ran a hand through her hair

Dick watched as the hair fell through her fingertips

He licked his lips before sitting up "I should probably get going"

Barbara nodded pushing herself up too "Yeah your right, my dad will probably be home soon. Not sure how he'd react to seeing Nightwing lying in my bed"

Dick nodded, now standing "And I'd rather not see what his reaction would be" he slipped on his mask

"Goodnight " he saluted sitting on her window sill

Barbara smiled standing in front of him "Stay safe Boy Wonder"

Dick cackled "Never" he grinned before pushing himself back free falling into the city below.


The next day found Nightwing and Batgirl at the cave along with the rest of the team. Barbara stood in line in front of Aqualad and Nightwing who were giving instructions on an upcoming co-op mission in Australia, against Victor Zsasz, she hadn't gotten the chance to deal with him yet but had heard stories. Aqualad assigned her to Alpha which he was leading. But she couldn't help but notice how Nightwing watched her. She tried to ignore it though. Nightwing and Aqualad decided to leave the younger members Wondergirl, Robin and Beast boy at the cave for this mission and have them observe via camera.

"Alright let's change into our suits and head out" Aqualad ordered

Batgirl smiled heading toward the locker rooms to change out of her tank top and pants, only to be stopped by someone grabbing her wrist

She turned to see Nightwing "What? Barbara a rose an eyebrow

"You're not going today" he shook his head

Barbara wished he could see the glare she was giving him right now "What do you mean? Let go of me Nightwing" she attempted to pull away, but he tightened his grip

"Your injured, I can tell by your posture" he explained

Barbara didn't answer

Dick let out a heavy breath "It was when Joker released his hyenas on you wasn't it?"

Barbara shook her head "I'm fine" the room had now cleared out leaving them alone. She attempted to pull away again. This time Dick twirled her around holding her from behind, her back pressed against his chest, his arm wrapped tightly across her chest. She felt Nightwings gloved hand slid through the large hole sleeve of her tank top slipped past her sports bra to her bare rib cage where he pressed gently. Barbara let out an unintentional hiss

"Why didn't you tell me you fractured your ribs last night?" He whispered harshly in her ear before releasing her

She spun around to look at him "You were upset as it was with us not catching Joker, I didn't want to worry you over nothing" she shook her head

Nightwing nodded "Well you are in no condition to go out today. You will stay here with the others. Since you'll be here can you also make sure they pay attention to the live feed"

Barbara shook her head "What so now I'm babysitting?"

Dick shrugged "Well look at it from a positive perspective, you'll be getting practice in" he pointed

"For what? When you leave your kids with Aunt Babs so you and your future little wifey can go on a weekend getaway?" She crossed her arms

Dick smirked "That's the spirit! I mean come on my kids will probably be super cute"

Barbara shook her head "I pity the poor woman who marries you" she teased

Dick let out a cackle and stepped back "You know for a fact she will be a lucky woman. Now go to Med Bay I'll have Robin in there in 5 minutes to patch up your ribs." He instructed before following the rest of the team

Barbara let out a frustrated groan before obeying his orders and walking to the Med Bay.