chapter 24

On the other side of Gotham, the Scarecrow was watching as his goons dumped one hundred gallons of the new and improved fear toxin into the cities water supply. His arms were crossed over his chest and he watched smugly as the henches did his bidding. Batgirl was bound and gagged in the van behind him, probably still unconscious. He had considered leaving her there, at the hideout while he went to work, but the sadistic corner of his brain… The Scarecrow part of his brain… It told him to bring her along. When she woke, what if the fear toxin had faded away? He couldn't let her go without, could he?

Plus, he had to admit. Her ramblings were very entertaining. He couldn't recall how many times Batgirl had punched in his face, broken his ribs, given him concussions and worst of all ruined his plans. It was fun to watch her squirm. "It's about done, boss. Should we go ahead and go back to the hideout?" He noticed the goon looking up at the sky, his eyes flickering towards the darkness up above. Crane smirked.

"Afraid of the nocturnal predators, eh?" Jonathan enquired, smiling at him sarcastically.

The guy blinked. "Well, yeah, sir… Now that you mention it…"

"Try telling me what to do again and the Bat won't be the only thing you're afraid of," He hissed into the man's face. As unintimidating as Jonathan Crane may be in size and shape, the madness in his eyes kept any threats at bay. The thug in front of him was at least three inches taller than him and probably had about one hundred pounds or so on him. It was obvious who would win in a fight. But it was also very clear that it would be a very, very big mistake to try. When the guy nodded and stumbled away, frantic and fearful, he hmphed in approval and walked a few feet to the left, looking at the men that were about to load the truck up with empty gas cans. "Leave them here," Crane said. "We're as public as can be now. If the Bat wants to find us, he will. Evidence or not. We don't have time to waste."

"Yes, sir, Doctor Crane!" One of them yelled and dropped the red tub, making it echo loudly around them. Crane cringed and gave the guy a look of absolute fire before spinning suavely on his heel and walking towards the van. As he passed the back, he heard a small muffle, peaking his curiosity. With a twitch of his lips, he unlocked the large back doors and pulled them open, seeing a struggling Batgirl, trying to sit up. He scoffed.

"Having trouble?"

"Mmm!" She growled through the gag in her mouth, her eyebrows slanted in anger, eyes bulging and skin white with emotion.

He put a hand to his ear. "Sorry, what was that? I couldn't hear you over the sound of —" And then there was a loud crash and both of them paused, eyes locked on each other. His eyes widened at the same time that a slow grin made it's way onto her face. They both knew exactly who it was. "Shit," He hissed and slammed the doors closed before running to the driver's side of the van. There was a loud scream behind him and he rolled his eyes as he jerked the door open. He was not in the mood for this. But then again…

This was a perfect opportunity to rid himself of some weight. He reached under the seat for the pistol kept there and checked the clip before circling the van and yanking open the doors. Climbing in, he grabbed Batgirl by her hair and as she screamed unintelligibly through the wad of fabric in her mouth, dragged her out onto the pavement. There was another crash and then silence. There were no henchmen in sight. He yanked her up against his body and pressed the gun to Batgirl's temple, his jaw strained tight with anger. "Come on, Batman! Was I not clear enough for you? It's loaded, ya know!" Batgirl grunted in fury as he prodded the barrel against her temple.

"You sure you want to do that, Doctor?" The two froze and Batgirl's eyes widened. Was that…? No, it couldn't be… "Put the gun down before I have to put you down." It was! Dick Grayson, welcome back! Crane turned them around, not letting the gun slip from her forehead and they came face to face with Dick… Dressed in a new outfit, black kevlar covering every inch of his body, a blue bird spread across his chest, hair hanging around his head shaggy and unkempt and a black mask covering his eyes.

"Robin?" Crane scoffed.

"Nightwing," He snapped. "And Batgirl will be leaving with me."

Crane sneered. "I don't think so, kid." He aimed the gun straight at Nightwing's face and Barbara squealed through the gag, panicking. Nightwing narrowed his eyes and in a flash, a Batarang flew out, the rope wrapping around the gun and jerking it from his hand. As soon as the metal weapon clattered to the ground Batgirl threw her head back hard and their skulls cracked together. A cloud of smoke exited the contraption under his sleeve as he fell to the ground. Batgirl coughed and wheezed as Crane fell, his skull slamming hard into the ground. He was out for the count but Barbara had already inhaled a generous amount of the fear toxin.

Nightwing wrapped his arms around her stomach and lifted her over his shoulder as he grappled up and out of sight.

When Batgirl woke up, her mind was hazy, her limbs were stiff and aching and her skin was covered in a thin sheen of sweat. She swallowed heavily and peeled her eyelids open, taking in her surroundings. She was on a soft couch, a thick comforter draped over her and she lacked her cowl and gloves. She panicked for a moment and sat up, soon after realizing that it was safe. She was in Wayne Manor. A fire crackled in the fireplace a few feet away and she blinked. The sound of voices registered in her ears and she stood up, pushing the blanket off and walked towards the exit of the room. The voices only got louder as she walked. "— off at GCPD before I brought her here. He's in the MCU. Don't worry."

"I got Gordon to turn off the main water supply. Just until we can make sure it's all purified…" He trailed off and then finally, he said, "And Ra's?"

"I don't know."

A loud sigh. "We'll find him. Eventually."

"Bruce, I…"

It was silent for a minute and Bruce finally said, "You what?" His voice was curt.

"I'm not staying. We aren't going to find him." Barbara frowned, her head still aching, but the pain in her chest even stronger than that. He was leaving again. Why so soon? She peeked around the corner hesitantly and Dick turned to look over at her. He gave her a sympathetic frown. "You're awake," He said softly.

"How long was I asleep?" She asked, rubbing her neck.

"Only a few hours," Bruce replied quietly. His eyes flickered between Dick and Barbara and he finally sighed and said, "I'll give you guys a minute." Barbara nodded and on his way out of the living room, he squeezed her hand tight and reassuringly. Once he was gone, she walked closer to Dick, not meeting his eyes.

"How are you feeling?" He asked after a moment.

"Sore. Weak. Guilty," She breathed.

He swallowed. "Can I get you anything?"

She shook her head. "Dick, no… Stop. Why are you being so…"

"So what?"

"Nice to me."

Dick frowned at her, his lips pulling down at the corners and he stepped closer. His arm extended and his thumb stroked across her tear-dampened cheekbone. "I still love you. That hasn't changed. I couldn't live with myself if I…"

She reached up and put her hand on the back of his, leaning her face into his palm. "But I deserve it."

"Maybe. But it doesn't help the situation to be bitter, angry. I still want you back," He told her. "And I'm going to do everything I can."

"But you're leaving," She said.

He nodded. "I know. But not forever. I need my space, I need… I need time. I can't stay here, not when…" And his eyes closed in pain, but he slowly collected himself. "I've been under Bruce's wing for years. I think that maybe I need to try this on my own. That's why I did this," He said as he gestured down at his new outfit. "But I won't be gone forever."

"I'll miss you. Bruce will, too."

"And I'll miss you guys. I love you, Babs. It's time for me to go, though."

She nodded, weak and upset. "Okay. Be careful."

He smiled. "I always am. I'm going to go talk to Bruce. You should rest." She nodded at him and squeezed his hand once before he left the room, his boots clicking on the tile. Barbara watched him leave and sighed, walking into the connected kitchen. She poured herself a glass of water and drank it down quickly, sparking her to fill it up once again before heading back into the library where she'd woken up. She curled up in the blankets as she nursed her water, watching the fire in front of her for what seemed like an eternity. The toxin was still sweating out of her system and there was a feeling in the back of her head that seemed to scream at her, warning her that something bad would happen even though she knew that was completely irrational. Crane was behind bars, Ra's was nowhere to be found, and the water system was shut down. For now, the city was safe.

Always for now. Never completely safe.

She didn't hear Bruce when he walked into the room. "How are you feeling?"

She jumped slightly and looked up at the door where he leaned casually against the wooden frame. "Not very good, if I'm being honest."

"Want more water?" He asked, and Barbara shook her head. Finally, she patted the spot next to her and he walked over to the couch slowly, sitting down with a sigh. "Dick left." She nodded in response.

"I figured." It was quiet for a moment and then Barbara sniffled, prompting Bruce to lean forward. A single tear rolled down her cheek and and he frowned, wiping it away. She was shaking with self restraint, trying not to cry but unable to keep the tears at bay. As a torrent of sobs racked through her chest, Bruce pulled her body into his chest, cradling her softly as she whimpered into him.

"Shh, shh, sweetheart," He cooed to her softly, stroking her hair. His strong arms pulled her onto his lap and she lay there, limp against him. "It's over. It's all over. We don't need to worry now," He said, tucking hair behind her ear. "Crane's locked up, the city is safe. Selina left again…"

"It's never over, Bruce," She said and sniffled.

He sighed. "No… No it's not. But that's what makes these moments of peace just that much sweeter."

"Bruce… What is this?" She breathed.

"What is what?"

"Us," She whispered, closing her eyes.

He was quiet for a moment, just gently rocking her until finally he said, "I'm not really sure."

"I learned something, when I was poisoned. That toxin makes you think, a lot, about things you try not to. And…" She paused and swallowed and he tilted her chin up towards him.

"What?"

She sat up and straddled him weakly, her hands on his chest, feeling the damp material, stained with her tears. Her fingers slid up his neck and into his hair and she kissed him sweet and slow and loving and he pulled her in close, holding her tight against his torso and she sighed into his mouth. "I love you," She whispered.

Bruce froze and pulled back, looking her in the eyes, his own brow pulled low in confusion. "Babs…"

"I do. I know it's crazy, and I know I shouldn't, but I do…" She tried to kiss him again and he held her bay, holding her wrists.

"Don't say that," He breathed. "You shouldn't ever feel like you aren't allowed to love." He kissed her hand sweetly and held it to his cheek. "And I think I feel the same way about you." She swallowed and then grabbed him again, forcing him to take her mouth, to kiss her hard and her arms wrapped around him tightly, constricting, but he didn't mind. He grabbed her in his arms and lifted, lying her down on the couch and crawling over her. Her mouth molded to his and they moved in sync, hands stroking up and down each other almost methodically and tears of joy, or sadness or maybe just confusion fell down her cheeks. She grabbed his shirt, yanking it over his head, kissing his chest, praising every contour and blemish and inch of skin. He anxiously unzipped her costume and she wormed her way out, not wanting to drag this out anymore. She'd been waiting for this for so long and now she had him, right here where she wanted him and wasn't going to waste another second. She was quickly naked beneath him and together they fumbled at his belt, trying to free him of the confines of his pants. He kicked the pants and boxers to the floor and they landed in the small piled of steadily growing clothes. One hand slid beneath her back and the other squeezed her breast as he positioned himself between her open legs. Her arms were around his neck and her breathing was harsh and ragged, desperate for him to be inside.

His hard appendage slid across the warm folds of her sex and they both shivered together. Just as he was about to push in, he froze, staring into her eyes and she gasped, "What?"

Lowering his head to kiss her ear, he whispered, "I am the luckiest man in the world."

"Bruce," She gasped and then he pushed forward, prying her walls open and she moaned loudly, nails digging into thick skin. "Oh… God…" He filled her up so perfectly, stretching her walls in the most delicious of dirty ways. Her legs wrapped tightly around his back, pushing into his lower back, pushing him deeper. He was so hard and solid inside of her and his skin was so warm and perfect, making hers tingle and raise with goosebumps. His soft grunts of ecstasy, the gasps and pants filled her with love, her belly warming up like she was drinking alcohol, the warmth spreading through her chest and veins and another tear dripped down her cheek. She thought that this feeling, this absolute and unadulterated love was enough to make her orgasm and the feeling of his cock sliding in and out was just enhancing it. "I love you," She whispered, a little breathless.

"I love you, baby…" He said back and caught her nipple in his mouth, sucking it gently. When he pulled away, he buried his face in the crook of her neck and chanted, "I love you… God, I love you…" As his hips assaulted hers, burying himself deep into her warm wetness. He kept hitting that spot and soon she was quivering deliciously underneath him and all she needed was one small kiss, his lips touching hers to send her over the edge, screaming and writhing. Her muscles tensed and flexed, her eyes shut tight, chest heaving as she panted hard. He groaned above and fucked her faster, close to his own release. He held her hips tight and pushed in deep, his cock finding places inside of her, igniting nerves that she didn't know existed. His hands repetitively stroked her skin, cupped her breasts, stroked over her folds and she was soon shaking, revved up to the point of another orgasm. She hesitated right on the brink, waves of pleasure to the point where they almost hurt…

"Come in me," She begged and kissed him again, hard. Bruce was happy to oblige and it only took moments before he erupted, warm come filling her up and dripping out. As jets of his seed spurted into her, she shook hard and then she was coming, too. The mess between her thighs was sticky and wet, a mix of their arousal having overflowed. His cock pumped and jerked inside of her, and he was a grunting, sweaty mess until finally he collapsed on top of her and the two lovers laid there in exhaustion, breathing in each other's gasps. Her fingers slipped through his hair and her eyes closed, listening to the sound of his breathing and the crackle of the fire.

Eventually, Bruce pulled out and curled his body around hers, spooning her to his chest. He pulled the blanket up to their shoulders and held her tight. He kissed her sweetly, kissing the shell of her ear, her shoulder. "What are you thinking, Babs?" He asked, and she was reminded of the first night they'd made love. She smiled weak and lazy and sighed, finally content in his arms.

"That I've never been happier."

THE END.

Don't fret, my loves, there's still an epilogue!

valerie: Thank you so much! I'm glad to see some new faces! (Or read some new words?) I'm sorry that it ended so abruptly after you came, but I hope you enjoyed it thoroughly!

Mrs. Wayne: Believe me, I'm sad, too! I loved writing this fic more than anything. On the brightside, now that I am finished with Tension, it will give me more time to focus on my other stories!

Guest: That makes me so happy! Your review was so terribly sweet, thank you very much. I hope that you enjoyed the final chapter, and that you enjoy the epilogue as well. :)

Pulgarcita: Thank you so much, I'm very happy you enjoy my stories! I've had a few requests for a Selina/Bruce fic, and hopefully one of these days I'll get one published! Keep an eye out!