Chapter Three

She was in complete and utter awe.

Robin, the Boy Wonder, had come to the rescue, followed by Batman. After Robin had knocked the man to the ground and freed her, he had engaged in a bit of a fight. He was flexible and agile, and it had looked as though he had been toying with the man just to rile him up. Then after a few seconds, Batman had swooped down and knocked the man out with a single punch before scolding Robin for playing around.

Stella was in a daze as she watched the heroes, the ones she had seen on the news and had read in books, tie the unconscious man up. It took her awhile before she noticed the hand that had been extended to her.

"I, um, thank you." She managed to stutter out as she gripped the young boy's hand. He pulled her up and gave her a cheeky smile.

"No problem. It's what we do." He said and she offered him a shaky smile. Now that she saw him close up, he didn't look much older than her.

Her knees stung, her body was sore, and she was still trembling from her near death experience, but a wave of relief washed over her. Tears sprung to her eyes as everything rushed back to her and she couldn't help the sniffle that escaped along with a few tears.

Robin looked a tad worried - and a bit panicked? - and he placed a hand on her shoulder. "Hey, it's okay." He spoke softly. "It's over now and you're safe."

"Y-yeah." She sniffles quietly and wiped her eyes. That really was a close call. If Batman and Robin hadn't shown up...she wasn't sure if she wanted to imagine it. She definitely wouldn't have been able to meet her family again if they hadn't come.

Finally, Batman, one of the heroes she had admired for a long time, walked over to where she and Robin were. He was incredibly tall and really intimidating, and she couldn't help shrinking a little bit. Even with the mask on, she could tell he had a hard look in his eyes and practically sensed the disapproval radiating off of him.

"You shouldn't have tried to engage in a fight with that man." Batman scolded her, the frown evident in his deep voice.

"I-I know, I'm sorry. B-but I wanted...I just wanted to help." Stella looked down and fidgeted.

"Almost getting yourself killed is not helping."

Stella's bottom lip jutted out a little. It had been dumb, she knew, but at the time, that sense of danger hadn't fully registered in her brain. She wiped her eyes with a trembling hand and sniffed before whispering, "I-I know t-taekwondo."

"That doesn't mean you know how to fight." He narrowed his eyes at her.

"Leave the baddies to us." Robin piped up with that cheeky smile.

Batman was ... he was right. She shouldn't have jumped into a situation that she hadn't been really prepared for. But … even then, she didn't regret trying to help that woman. No matter how idiotic and naïve it was or how terrified she had been. Robin was the same age as her and he was fighting crime with Batman. She may have been inexperienced, but she still wanted to help.

"You're to go straight home. Do not try this again." His words were final, no room for 'but's or any other argument. Nobody tried to argue with the Dark Knight anyway, unless you wanted nightmares for the next ten years. All she did was nod and mumble an agreement before a police officer walked over to escort her home. Before she left though, Batman gave her one last look. "You did well."

Those three simple words warmed her shaky heart and a small smile spread across her lips. She watched Batman and Robin, who gave her a brief wave, grapple off and disappear over the building before she followed the police officer out the alley.

It was only a matter of time before she arrived home and once she did, her parents were hugging her and lecturing her ears off. In the end, her parents decided they weren't letting her, or any of her siblings, out in the evening and for the time being they were to come straight home. She didn't blame them for being overly protective and worried. Gotham was safer than before, but it wasn't all that safe.

Needless to say, her older sister wasn't too happy with this and she blamed Stella for their parents' decision. She did feel bad that her actions ruined it for everyone else. Though her little brother didn't seem too bothered by it, bless his soul.

"Are you okay?" Aiden asked softly as they trudged up the stairs after their mom and dad finished lecturing her. Stella smiled and pulled on her brother's arm to lead him to her room.

"I'm okay now. I was really afraid, but I feel a little better now. Sorry if you had plans after school, I kind of ruined them, huh?"

Aiden shook his head vigorously and smiled kindly. "It's okay. I don't usually go anywhere after school anyway." He was always such a kind and selfless boy. He may be smaller than most kids his age, but he had the biggest heart that they couldn't even compare to. And she loved her little brother so much for that.

"Thanks, Aiden. And guess what? Batman and Robin saved me." She whispered loudly for only him to hear. His eyes widened and he looked at her eagerly to explain her first meeting with superheroes. "They saved me before the bad guy hurt me. And he said that I did well."

Aiden sat with his legs crossed on her bed, leaning forward in childish curiosity as she sat down on her swivel chair. "Batman really said that?"

"Uh-huh. He was really strict at first, but then he said it at the end." It was probably one of the best praises that she had ever received, if you factored out the ones her parents gave her from time to time. Like, if Wonder Woman or Black Canary ever complimented or praised someone, it would've probably made their day too.

"That's so cool! You got to meet them." Just like her, Aiden was an avid superhero fan as well so they always talked about it together. Their oldest sister, however, was not and would always scoff and roll her eyes, telling them they were childish. But Stella knew that Teresa kept a picture of Superman somewhere in her notebook.

"Robin looked like he was my age." She said, leaning her cheek on her palm and humming in thought. Did a lot heroes start off that young? "Do you think I could be one even though I'm young?"

Her little brother nodded and smiled that same sweet smile. "You already are to me." If it had been any other person that had said that, it would've been extremely cheesy, but her brother was so sincere, she knew he meant it.

She reached over and ruffled his hair while smiling widely. "Thanks, kiddo." He would never know just how much that meant to her and how much it fueled her desire to become a stronger person. She wanted to be stronger so she could protect him better, and, of course, protect others.

Happy Friday!

Thank you so much to everyone who reviewed, favourited, and read. It took awhile, but finally Batman and Robin! I know it's a small part, but the ball is rolling. Hopefully, I was able to keep them in character. Stay tuned! :)

~Mari