A few weeks have passed. Richard and Alisha have gotten closer and closer, almost meeting up every night.

They shared more laughs, glares, and donuts, just enjoying their time together. Soon they knew almost everything about each other, falling into such perfect rhythm that they knew what the other was saying just by looking at one another.

However Alisha was still cautious. She let herself go with Richard around, but Richard could feel her still holding onto the ledge, as if waiting for something bad to happen.

Bruce and Alfred continued to tease him for usually coming home with a grin and a spring in his step. They always held secretive smiles, which made Richard unnerved.

Soon it was Alisha's birthday. It seemed that Richard was more excited about the fiasco than her! He would always ask her about her plans and what she wanted and how she wanted it. She kept her responses as bleak as possible, knowing it would annoy him.

"Come on, Ali." He said the night before her birthday. "What do you want?"

Alisha groaned and laid on her back, tired from the workout she did before he appeared. "I don't care, Richard. I told you. I don't need anything from you."

Richard scowled, "Why not? I'm your friend aren't I? As a good friend I should get you a present."

"Then how about you shut up for 5 minutes. That would bring me such joy." She said, smirking at him.

Richard flicked white donut powder at her in response, making her chuckle. "RUDE." He said.

She shrugged her shoulders and said nothing. He wordlessly laid down beside her, their shoulders touching.

"So… nothing?" He asked again.

Alisha closed her eyes and heavily breathed out of her nose. "A necklace is fine." she relented.

Richard beamed. "I can do that!"

Alisha rolled her eyes and sighed. "Knock yourself out. Nothing expensive though."

Richard turned on his side and smiled cheekily. "I would spend millions on you without thinking twice."

Alisha covered her face in embarrassment. She hated it when he did that! She knew he did that to annoy her, but it also made her embarrassed. She playfully kicked his leg and grumbled her response.

He giggled and poked her side. "Look at me~ I want to see those mystical dark eyes~"

Alisha felt her cheeks begin to flush with color. "WILL YOU STOP." she yelled behind her hands. She tried to sound annoyed but Richard heard the squeak of embarrassment and felt pride swell in his chest.

He always felt accomplished when Alisha showed more than the usual annoyance or fleeting smiles.

"Okay." He said. "I'll be good."

When she felt her blush fade she took her hands away from her face and found his face close to hers. She yelped and rolled away from him, making him laugh hysterically.

"YOUR FACE! PUAHAHAHAHA!"

"YOU JERK!" She exclaimed. "YOU KNOW I HATE THAT!"

"I am your friend so I get a jail free card!" He sang, grinning.

"Your face is repulsive! I don't want it near my face!"

"My face is beautiful! It is a work of art! Why do you fight this!?"

"Fight what?! Wanting to vomit?!"

Richard gawked in disbelief. Why must they always bicker? Although… If there will ever be a day where they stopped, he would be worried. It was just a way how they communicated and how they showed that they cared about each other. Somehow.

He smugly flipped his hair. "Someday you'll fall in love with me. I know it."

She scoffed. "HA. That would be the day I would stab myself through the heart."

He rolled his eyes. She leaned back and let her hair down carelessly. "Besides, you'd fall for me first by this rate."

"What do you mean by this rate?!" He exclaimed.

She shrugged and twirled a hair around her finger. "Because you flirt and like to get in my face."

"Uh, yeah because it annoys you!"

She silently laughed. "Whatever floats your boat."

"You're lucky your birthday is tomorrow. Or I'd just shove this donut down your shirt."

She shot him an intense glare. "Do that and you will never see daylight ever again."

Richard smirked and laid back down, making them lap back into comfortable silence. Alisha stared at the ceiling, wondering what changes will happen now that she will be 13. Would she look more mature? Would her breasts get bigger? Would she start to smell? Should she shave?

She silently sighed, finding all of this exhausting just thinking about it.

"Would I still be pretty if I didn't have big breasts?" She blurted the words before she could stop them.

Richard felt his face burn hot. "Wh-Why-"

"Just nevermind. Forget I even said anything." Alisha said hastily, turning away from him to hide her humiliation.

Why did she say that?! Out loud?! Of course boys like girls with big breasts! That's why models usually have small waists and big breasts! Those are what guys want! Right?

She heard Richard clear his throat, "I think it all depends." He said slowly, sounding nervous.

He had never really thought of any girl like that. He just liked a girl for her personality. It was a plus if she was beautiful, but it didn't matter. As long as there was chemistry. At least that was what Bruce had told him. However he had never seen Bruce with an average looking woman.

"A girl still looks beautiful no matter what her cup size or waist size is. Some guys have preferences, yes. But really it doesn't matter. So yes, I think you will still look pretty with or without big breasts. Or anything really. You are my best friend and that is all that matters."

Alisha slowly turned around, dumbfounded. "Really?"

Richard scowled. What got her down this road?

"Of course. Why did that pop up?"

She played with her hair mindlessly. "Because since I'll be 13… Won't I have to shave my legs regularly and worry about looking more mature?"

He scoffed. "You already are mature. Sure, you have that crazy anger going for you-" She swatted his arm, smiling. "-but you don't need to look the part to BE the part. You can be whoever you want to be."

Alisha was quiet for a few moments. She then said softly, "Can I hug you?"

Richard was suddenly stupefied. Did she… What…? Hug? From… me?

Alisha flinched when she realized what she had asked. She didn't know why she asked. But she felt… closer to him somehow. She felt vulnerable and let him in, which was even rare for Eve to see. Before she could tell him to forget about it she felt his arm drape around her shoulders and pull her into a small hug. For a moment she let herself be hugged and awkwardly patted his back. He pulled away, not wanting the hug to last longer than it needed too. He knew how it made her squirm.

"Thanks." She said, gratefully. He smiled at her. "What are best friends for?"

She chuckled. "How do you know we are best friends?"

He put his hands behind his head. "Because you let me hug you. Also because you haven't tried to kill me recently."

Alisha lightly smiled. "Hmm. True. Although knowing you, that feeling will come back soon."

"Hey! I've been good! Be proud of me!"

"Do you want a medal?" She asked dryly.

Richard batted his eyelashes playfully, "Yes, yes I would."

Alisha covered her mouth to hide her laughter.

Richard grinned. "By the way, how is Eve?"

Alisha's lips twitched upward in amusement. "Oh the usual. Still boy crazy and hyperactive."

"Wow. STILL single? I thought she would have tied up a boy in her attic by now." He teased.

"Be nice!" Alisha scolded.

He snickered, "Sorry. Just saying though. You have to agree."

Alisha cleared her throat, "Okay maybe a little. But I love her to death."

"True. Although my other best friend Wally is the same way."

Alisha scowled. "You never told me that you had a friend named Wally."

Richard shrugged. "He is a ginger."

Alisha raised an eyebrow. "Is that all?"

"He is like Eve in a way." he continued. "Just a bit more awkward."

Alisha's eyes danced with interest. "Can I meet him?"

Richard playfully scoffed, "Why? So you could leave me in the dust!?"

Alisha smirked and teased with a hint of condescendence, "Awww is little Richard jealous?"

"No! Why are you making this weird!" He exclaimed.

"You're the one who is making this weird!" She huffed.

"Why would I make this weird? Huh? Why do you always try to go against me?"

"Oh my god, I want to strangle you!" Alisha groaned.

"You just can't keep your hands off of me!" He teased.

"I am never hugging you again!" She muttered.

Robin snickered. "Sure, keep telling yourself that."

She silently glared at him. She should have never let herself be vulnerable. She knew he cared, but when still felt like it was too soon to depend on him about her feelings. With Eve, it was easy. They were both girls and had known each other for awhile before they really became friends. Alisha sighed. She snuck a look at him and for some reason she just felt like she could trust him. It had been only a few weeks and she hugged him. She has known Eve for a few years and she had only hugged her about three times in their entire friendship. The feeling of being comfortable and safe this early in a friendship frightened her. She didn't want it to be wonderful at first and then spiral down into destruction.

Hell she knew by how they bicker it could be destructive, but somehow it wasn't and that was what makes it beautiful. It even makes their bond stronger. Which is something that amuses and baffles people. Alisha saw Richard knowingly smirking at her. She instantly felt herself flush with embarrassment. She had been staring at him for too long. Oh god.

She childishly stuck out her tongue at him and looked back up at the ceiling.

"Hey." she heard him say.

"What." She asked, making herself sound annoyed.

"Let's go for a walk. It's nice outside."

"What if you try to take me into an alley and kill me?" She asked, her voice playful.

"If I wanted to kill you I could have done it already." He said with a light smile.

She hummed and sat up. He was already on his feet and held a hand out to her. She made a face and slapped his hand away, getting up herself.

"Well, excuse me for wanting to be a gentleman." He mused.

Alisha rolled her eyes. "You are nothing close to being a gentleman. I would know."

Richard raised an eyebrow. "And how would you know~?"

Alisha rolled her eyes. "Because-"

"YOU'VE HAD MANY BOYFRIENDS!?" He said loudly, cutting her off.

Alisha wanted to smash her head against the wall. "NO!"

"Oh my gosh I bet you had like a total sea of boyfriends!" He squealed, putting on a show of being extra flamboyant.

"You have got to be freaking kidding me-"

"OMG ITS MORE?!"

Alisha shut her eyes and exclaimed, "I'VE NEVER HAD A BOYFRIEND, YOU IDIOT."

That shut Richard up. He then smirked devilishly. "So~"

Alisha narrowed her eyes. "So?"

"You have never been kissed~? Right~?"

She tilted her head to the side in confusion. "Yeah? So?"

He walked over to her and took her hand, "Then I'll be your practice boyfriend."

Alisha ripped her hand away from his and, just to irk him she wiped her hand on her shirt. He put a hand to his chest, offended. "I don't have cooties."

"I don't like to be touched." she said firmly, but her eyes danced with mirth.

"Well you just hugged me so-"

"I was feeling down. That won't happen again." she said.

Richard pouted. "You don't need to be so hard all the time." He put a hand through his hair. "We are friends now. It's fine to be vulnerable."

He saw her expression slightly soften. "I know." she said, keeping her voice neutral.

She then turned and started to walk toward the exit. "Are you coming or not?" she asked, not looking back.

Richard grinned and jogged after her, happy she still wanted his company.

Alisha sighed silently. She wasn't a fan of showing her emotions too often. But most of all she hated being vulnerable. She never dared to cry or show any kind of negative emotion in front of her family. The only person she let in about her sadness was her grandfather. They just had such a strong bond that no one could ever replace.

But she felt bad for brushing Richard off. She knew he was trying to be a good friend. After all he did hug her, but knew not to push it. He gave her exactly what she needed at that moment and she was grateful. She looked at him and saw him whistling to a tune as they walked outside.

She looked around and took a deep breath through her nose, enjoying the scenery.

She studied him and wondered why on Earth he stuck around. She is rude to him, she could be vicious when she wanted to be, and she felt like she wasn't good enough for him.

She didn't feel like a good friend. Nothing close to a best friend, even though he had told her she was.

She felt him nudge her. "What are you thinking about?"

She looked into his cobalt blue eyes and then looked away. "Nothing. Just enjoying the night time."

He nodded in understanding. He looked around and saw that there were still a few shops open. "Want to go look around?"

She scanned the stores and brightened when she saw Julie's Jewelry Store still open. "Let's go in there! They have nice things and I'm friends with the owner."

Richard raised his eyebrows in mock disbelief. "You're social?"

She rolled her eyes and lightly slapped his arm before walking toward the building. "Idiot." she muttered.

Richard laughed and caught up with her, putting an arm around her as they entered the store. "Alisha!" A feminine voice squealed. Alisha tried to shake off Richard's arm but it wouldn't budge.

"Get off." she hissed. He just sent her a cheeky smile in reply.

A mousey older woman came out from the staff room and beamed seeing her. She then saw Richard's arm around her and her smile grew.

"Oh my! Alisha, is he your boyfriend?"

Alisha clenched her jaw as she lightly pinched his rib. No reaction. "No. He isn't."

She then reached higher and gave him a firm titty twister.

He yelped out a loud, "YYEEOOWW!" and threw himself away from her.

The older woman blinked several times in confusion as Alisha bit her lip to stop her from smiling. "What happened?" The older woman asked, concerned.

"I accidentally stepped on his foot." She said casually. Richard glowered at her, clutching onto his injured nipple.

"Oh dear. Be careful." The woman said. She looked at Richard and smiled. "Are you okay, dear?"

Before Richard could open his mouth Alisha cut in, "He is fine. He likes to get attention. How are you doing, Marsha?"

This seemed to distract the woman. "Oh I'm doing splendidly! Business is doing much better than last year and Georgia is getting better with her arthritis on her hind legs."

Richard saw Alisha brighten at the mention of Georgia. Who was Georgia?

"Can I see her?" She asked eagerly, putting both of her hands together like a prayer.

Richard watched in fascination. He then realized that she was letting him in again. Ever so slowly she was letting him meet the people she knew, and the people that she loved.

Marsha tittered. "Of course! Let me go get her. She is in the staff room. You know how she is."

Alisha nodded in understanding, however Richard could see she was nearly shaking with excitement.

Who made Alisha that excited? He wondered.

"Who is Georgia?" He asked finally. Alisha looked at him and cleared her throat, seeming to calm herself down.

"Georgia is a small cockapoo."

Richard blinked. "I never saw you as a dog person."

Alisha scowled. "I don't. I only like Georgia. Other dogs jump too much and are filthy."

Richard put his fist in his mouth, trying not to laugh. Alisha looked at him curiously. "What? It's true!"

"You know that Georgia probably gets a bath once a month, right?" He said.

Alisha shook her head. "No. Marsha gives her a bath once a week and makes sure that she always wears booties whenever she goes outside."

Before he could say more Marsha came out with the dog in her arms. The dog was a warm copper color surrounded by curls with a pure white mustache that showed her old age. When Alisha and Georgia made eye contact, the dog instantly started to try to jump out of her owner's arms to get to Alisha.

Alisha grinned and cooed, yes she actually cooed, "GEORGIA! HI, SWEETIE!"

Georgia whimpered when her owner didn't give her to Alisha fast enough. When Georgia was taken into Alisha's embrace the dog yelped happily and rubbed her face all over Alisha's shoulders, neck, chest, and face. Even stealing a few kisses while her tail wagged 70 miles an hour.

Richard's jaw was to the floor. Actually no, it was farther than that. He was so shocked that his jaw was basically lost in the center of the Earth now.

He watched as Alisha snuggled with the animal, digging her face into the dog's fur, smiling in bliss. That was when Richard realized that this was what Alisha looked like when she was comfortable. When she loved someone. When she completely let go. There were no barriers. And she was allowing him to see it. He felt himself smile at the sight. He wanted her to feel like this for as long as she lived. He knew she deserved it.

He took out his phone and snapped a few pictures of the scene, knowing she would want these. These are precious moments to her, and he wanted to print them out and give them to her so she could keep them forever.

He then saw her look up and asked, "Do you want to carry her?"

Richard nodded and opened up his arms. Georgia looked at him with hesitation but when he smiled and softly cooed she jumped into his arms willingly.

He stoked her fur and relished at how soft she was. He saw Alisha start to look around in fascination. She would pick up nearly every crystal or every kind of jewelry that caught her eye and would ask what it was and the history behind it. Marsha told each story with passion, pulling anyone who listened in. Alisha continued to look around until she saw a few necklaces on display. She gasped and picked one up, gently caressing it. She then looked at how much it costed. She shook her head and put it back. Richard saw that and a light bulb popped up above his head and lit up with a DING!

He casually walked over to the necklaces with the dog in his arms and saw it wasn't one necklace, but a pair. He thought it was perfect.

Georgia licked his chin, as if agreeing with him. He smiled down at her and scratched behind her ears, making the dog close her eyes in pleasure.

Alisha's watch beeped. She looked at the time and bit her lip. He knew that face. She didn't want to leave.

"Want me to walk you home?" He offered.

Alisha looked at him in surprise. "No. But thanks." She said.

Richard chuckled. "Don't want me to see where you live yet?"

Her lips twitched. "Yeah. I wouldn't want you to teepee my house over night."

Richard laughed. "Is your house even worth teepeeing?"

She raised an eyebrow. "More than yours."

Richard laughed even harder. Oh if only she knew. It would take hours to teepee the mansion.

She huffed and looked at Marsha. "You go on home, sweetie. I'll see you soon."

Alisha nodded. Marsha pulled her into a warm hug, surprising both her and Richard.

"You're turning into a beautiful young lady. I hope your 13th birthday will be something you'll remember."

Alisha's expression softened and dug her face into Marsha's shoulder. "Thank you. I'll see you soon." She pulled away and awkwardly clasped her hands. "Good night."

Richard walked over to Marsha and handed her the dog. He then leaned over and whispered to her, "I'll be back later. I want to buy something for her."

Marsha's heart did a thud in her chest. It meant so much to her that Alisha was finding good friends who cared about her and loved her. Marsha remembered when Alisha would come here all the time. All alone. She knew Alisha was never a people person, but she knew Alisha would find the right people who would break her out of her shell and show her the world.

"I'll be here." She said. Richard nodded. Alisha motioned for him to come with her out the door.

He walked over to the door and held it open for her, making her cheeks flush with a light pink. She covered her face with her hair as she walked out of the store. No one had ever held open the door for her, besides her father of course. A part of her had to admit that that was gentlemanly.

They walked silently for awhile. Richard was humming again. Alisha looked at him curiously. "What are you humming?"

"Poker face by Lady Gaga." He said.

Alisha couldn't help herself. She burst into laughter, nearly falling onto the ground at the absurdity of his answer. It caught her off guard and yet she couldn't stop howling with laughter. "What?! There is nothing wrong with it! Can't a strapping young lad like myself like Lady Gaga?!" He exclaimed. Plus, the song reminded him of her. Well, mainly the title anyway.

She managed to calm herself down. "I expected.. I don't know.. Eminem or Snoop dogg? I don't know what boys really listen to."

Richard tsked. "That right there is SEXIST!"

Alisha's eyes widened as she felt a fresh wave of laughter hit her. "How on earth is that sexist?!"

"Because! Boys can listen to Lady Gaga too! Or Taylor Swift or Katy Perry!"

He wasn't even angry, he just loved how it made her laugh. Now he knew why Wally always went through this route with the ladies. It helped them open up.

"You are such an idiot!" She exclaimed, giggling.

He grinned. "Exactly the reason why you love being friends with me."

She calmed down and shook her head. "Whatever you say."

He chuckled. "Alright. You better go on home. I don't want you to get into any trouble. Especially on the night before your birthday."

She nodded and waved. "I'll see you tomorrow."

He waved back. "See you."

They again both walked in seperate ways.

Richard made it back to the shop and bought the pair of necklaces. Since he was a friend of Alisha's he got a 10% discount. Even though he didn't even need it. He said his goodbyes and took the bus back to the mansion, turning in for the night.

(A/N: I AM SO SO SO SO SORRY THAT I HAVE BEEN GONE FOR SO LONG! I HOPE YOU ALL DID NOT FORGET ABOUT THIS STORY! I have had so much stress with testing, college apps and my head not being in the right place. GOOD NEWS is that winter break is coming up and my friend, who helps me with this story when I am in dire need God bless her, dared me to write three chapters in the first week of winter break. So, I will do my best. I love you all who have stayed and read this story. I hope you all find this story to be well written and full of laughs, I LOVE YOU ALL)

-Blazing_Inspirit