A/N: Hey guys, thanks for all your responses to this story! I hope you enjoy this next chapter. ~velvie

Disclaimer: I don't own anything.

"I guess it still hurts?" Wally asked, examining Dick's scar in a similar way to how Damian had the day before.

"Kinda. It was never really painful, but that's probably down to whatever it is they're putting into me." Dick joked. "I'm so bored. I mean, it's great that you guys all visit a lot but I'm just bored of being contained. I need to be free." He complained.

"You can be free later. Remember last time you tried to 'be free'?" Wally teased.

7 years ago

"Wally, I'm bored. I need to be free." Dick complained. The 15 year old had been hospitalised after the Joker had left him with minor injuries and breathing difficulties from his new 'Joker Smoke'.

"Dude, you've just got to wait. You'll get yourself in trouble!" Wally pleaded with his best friend who was already climbing out of the hospital bed.

"Relax, I'm just gonna go for a little walk then I'll come right back. No problem." Dick shrugged. He yanked the drips free from his hand and left the room. Wally groaned and walked after him.

"Seriously dude, you're gonna get in trouble!" Wally said quietly to ensure none of the nurses heard.

"Wally, chill. Can't you see I'm fi-" Dick coughed violently and dropped to his knees. Wally panicked briefly before running to get a nurse. He couldn't use his super speed, but luckily that wasn't necessary. The nurse helped the coughing and shaking boy off the ground and back into his bed, where she then scolded him for his foolish behaviour.

"That might have been more successful if I'd just left the damn drips in!" Dick said defensively.

"Yeah, yeah, you keep telling yourself that." Wally said, smirking.

Dick awoke later that day to find Barbara in her usual seat.

"Hey Babs. How long have you been here?" he asked in a sleepy voice.

"Long enough to notice you were in pain and get them to fix your morphine before you woke up. You're welcome." She replied. "Also long enough to hear you talking in your sleep. Apparently you miss your old team, particularly a certain magician. I made some calls and they're gonna come visit. You're welcome, again." A smirk lit up her face when she saw Dick scowling.

"Thanks" Dick sneered, secretly grateful for what she'd done while he was asleep. "So, what brings you here?"

"I was bored. I would have gone to the manor but I thought you could use the company. Oh and I have news; Alfred's on his way back." Barbara told her friend. The two then sat around in silence for a few moments until Dick spoke up.

"Barbara, what was it like? Before you became Oracle. How did it feel?" Dick asked quietly, fear and worry evident in his eyes. She couldn't lie to him at a time like this. He needed to know how she'd really felt, as he may have to go through the same thing.

"It wasn't great. I felt like a part of me had been taken away. Batgirl had been killed. I was lost, dead inside. I know that's probably not comforting at all, but it's the truth." She said, not making eye contact. She thought back to the day her world fell apart.

3 years ago

"I'm sorry Miss Gordon, I'm afraid you'll never walk again." The doctor informed her, sympathy edging his voice. She shook her head in disbelief. This couldn't be true. One bullet was all it took to bring her life to a standstill. At that moment she wished the bullet had killed her.

"No, that can't be right! There must be something that can fix this!" she yelled, anger building up inside her. Her father grabbed her hand to try and comfort her.

"I'm sorry Barb, there's nothing they can do for you." He said quietly. He wanted that to be a lie as much as she did. She pulled her hand away to cover her face, hiding her obvious tears. She'd worked so hard to become Batgirl, given up so much and come so far. It was all over now.

Barbara wiped away the tears that had formed as she thought back to that memory. She took a deep breath to compose herself, and then looked up at Dick. She could see that he was contemplating what he would do if he couldn't be Nightwing anymore. Although Damian was the only biological son of Bruce Wayne, Dick was the heir to his company. With Bruce gone, Dick knew he would have to take a position there. But money wasn't important to him. Money couldn't provide the thrill of fighting crime, or the happiness felt by doing good.

"Just remember this, Dick; they said I'd be paralysed for life, but here I am now." She said as she stood up and left Dick on his own to think.

A/N: Next chapter should be up soon. Until then, review! ~velvie