I went out with Tim since Bruce had to be up in the Watchtower tonight. Firefly was making trouble again. He managed to escape Blackgate and was robbing a bank downtown. "You gotta be on your toes kid. Garfield is more dangerous than you think," I said as we were approaching. "Please we'll extinguish this pyro in no time," Robin said taking off in front of me. I shook my head. Tim had been acting like he was invincible lately and it worried me.
"Ah, the B-Team has arrived. Where is Batman," Firefly called from the rooftop.
"Sorry bug boy he's busy, we told him we didn't mind taking out the trash tonight," Robin said landing on the roof with me.
"What are you twelve," Firefly asked annoyed "I'm just trying to make a little money here tonight."
Firefly spread his wings, launching himself into the air. Flames ignite from his jetpack as he hovers above the ground, casting an eerie glow. He then fired a volley of fireballs towards us. Robin and I separated so Firefly would have his attention divided. Robin jumped on the roof of a nearby empty building that was up for lease.
"Right where I want you kid," Firefly said. My stomach dropped when I heard him say it. I knew instinctively that he must have had that building wired for an explosion. I ran as fast I could but was nowhere near being close to stopping Firefly from hitting the remote on his gauntlet. Sure enough, an explosion rumbled and fireballs started to consume the building.
"ROBIN," I yelled landing on the burning roof. I spotted him quickly. He was trapped and trying to get himself free from some debris. I used my grapple gun to latch onto Firefly and I yanked down on it as hard as I could. Firefly looked at me annoyed but it was enough of a distraction so Robin could set himself free. Firefly blasted a huge fireball my way. I dropped my line and dodged it. Robin was almost free but was stuck on something. I sprinted as fast as I could to get to him. Firefly must have noticed because he fired from his gun again. My eyes widened as I saw a fireball hurtling toward Robin. With adrenaline pumping, I sprinted and pushed him out of harm's way. I thought at first I was successful in evading the blast but the back of my calves stung. I looked, and my boots and suit were scorched. I seethed in pain for a second.
"Are you okay," Robin asked as he scrambled to his feet, concern etched on his face.
Ignoring the searing pain, I gritted my teeth, "I'm fine. Let's worry about Firefly." He nodded with determination.
He charged at Firefly, from one angle and I went at another. My movements at this point were fueled by a mix of adrenaline and sheer willpower. We both expertly dodged his fiery attacks, showing that countless hours of training did pay off.
"You're not the only one who can play with fire, Firefly," Robin said taking his flare gun and shooting it toward Firefly. The flaregun was what we needed. For a few moments, it blinded Lynns and gave me the edge I needed to take him down. I lunged towards Firefly, delivering a series of rapid punches and kicks, each strike fueled by the pain I was feeling.
Once Firefly got his bearings he retaliated by unleashing a blazing inferno from his jetpack, attempting to engulf me with it. But I refused to back down. I was hurt and pissed at that point. I rushed through the flames with my cape billowing behind me and delivered a powerful uppercut to Firefly's jaw.
"AH," Firefly groaned, "You'll pay for that."
Enraged, Firefly increases the intensity of his flames, engulfing the entire rooftop. I frantically searched for an escape route, but my vision was blurred from the smoke and heat. In the distance, I could hear it. It was a jetpack, but not the jet pack that Firefly wore, it was one that Batman had. The one that never seemed to quite work. I could hear fighting but I couldn't see anything. The only thing I could do was look for a way off the roof before it collapsed. The smoke was getting thicker and I couldn't even see my hand in front of my face. My eyes burned and I could feel my eyes water. Then I felt his presence against me all of a sudden.
"I've got you," he said grabbing me by the waist. Soon we were in the air and I could feel the coolness of the night on my skin. I coughed and grasped onto him tightly.
"Robin," I coughed in pain.
"He's fine," he replied.
"Where's Firefly," I coughed out.
"The police are moving in on him now. He's out cold," he said as he landed with us both in the alley where we left the car. Robin was there looking a bit tattered. Batman gently set me down. I quickly started to walk but I was definitely in some pain. Both of them must have noticed my struggle and I was not hiding as well as I imagined.
"Batgirl, I'm so sorry," Robin exclaimed as he rushed toward me.
"Don't be, an occupational hazard," I said squinting a bit. I said continuing to walk again but Batman stopped me and scooped me up. He was careful to not touch my burns.
"Just slow down for a minute," he said stopping me.
"Robin, I came here on the motorcycle. You can drive it back to the cave," he stated gesturing to the bike parked next to the car.
Bruce gently placed me on the passenger side of the car and hopped in quickly. He knew the sooner I got medical attention the better I would feel. "Penny-one, this Batman. Batgirl is going to need medical treatment for second-degree burns," he said talking to Alfred as he fired up the engine and took off out of the alleyway.
"Oh my. Everything will be ready by the time you arrive sir," Alfred said reassuringly. Knowing Alfred was there was an instant comfort to me. I felt myself relax more. Unfortunately, Alfred had plenty of experience with treating burns. Alfred said that after bullet wounds and cuts, burns were one of the things he treated the most during his time as a medic in the Royal Army. I started shivering a bit. Damn it. These burns were bad.
"It's going to get worse now that the adrenaline is wearing off," Bruce said to me as he sped to the manor.
"Have you been burned like this before," I said through gritted teeth. I started shivering from the pain.
"Yes, but you will be fine. It hurts a lot worse than it looks at first, but then it will look worse than it hurts later," he said making a hairpin turn.
"Lovely," I replied.
"Don't worry I have something that will make the scarring minimal. So minimal at that you haven't even noticed it on myself," he replied. I thought about that for a second. Where were his burn scars?
"I was just a fraction of a second too slow," I said feeling disappointed in myself.
"Thank you," Bruce said out of nowhere, still focused on the road.
"For what," I asked genuinely perplexed.
"For getting Tim out of the way," he replied still looking at the road ahead of us.
"In case you haven't figured it out, I'd give my life for that kid," I said as I continued shivering.
"You'd give your life for anyone," he said seriously.
"You want to thank me, then don't let him beat himself up over this. You tell him it is not his fault. He will believe it if it comes from you," I said staring at him. Bruce nodded and continued driving. I closed my eyes and focused on my breathing as I tried to manage the waves of pain. I needed to get my mind right before we got back to the cave. If Tim saw that I was in too much pain, he might not beat himself up about it.
When we got back to the cave Tim was right behind us on the motorcycle. He desperately wanted to help, but there wasn't much for him to do. Bruce lifted me gently out of the car and carried me to the medical table. My shivering was a bit uncontrollable now. I tried to hide it for Tim's benefit, but I was failing at my efforts.
"Mistress Barbara, I will get the IV in. I've got pain meds ready for you," Alfred said helping me undress. He put a medical gown over me to protect my modesty.
"Pain meds, something that doesn't get used a lot down here," I said jokingly through gritted teeth as Bruce helped me lay on my stomach on the medical table with some of my weight resting on my elbows.
"Unfortunately they should be used more often. I know you would not turn them down as Master Bruce has," Alfred said glaring at Bruce. We both never passed up an opportunity to point out to Bruce how much needless suffering he puts himself through. I think Alfred was also trying to distract me from my pain.
"Of course not. I'm not some weird cave-dwelling masochist," I replied and seethed at the same time. Bruce let me grip his hand as Alfred gently flushed the burn area with cool water.
"Alright you two," Bruce interjected still holding my hand. Bruce didn't appreciate being the butt of our jokes.
"Well if you don't like the conversation, then go talk to your son about what we discussed in the car," I said looking back at him. Bruce nodded looking at me, and left to go talk to Tim.
Alfred was quiet for a moment before he said anything to me, "He listens to you."
"Sometimes you can't argue with reason," I replied. Alfred was silent. It was a strange silence for him. Almost like he was hesitant to say something.
"He seems to be listening to reason more often then," Alfred said from behind me. He was working gently to bandage the burn area.
"What makes you say that," I was a bit intrigued and slightly afraid he was insinuating that there was a romantic relationship between me and Bruce.
"Master Bruce should know by now that I know about everything that goes on in this house," he replied. My stomach dropped a little. It all of a sudden dawned on me where Bruce gets his calmness when confronting someone. Alfred was the master at nonchalantly landing truth bombs on you.
"What about Tim? Does he know about everything that goes on in this mansion," I asked afraid of the answer.
"Master Timothy is a better detective than Master Bruce gives him credit for, but no he has not quite caught on," Alfred replied. I felt a wave of relief hit me.
"Why say something now," I asked confused.
"I don't want you two to have to hide from me anymore. I want you two to feel safe. Especially when you are injured."
"How long have you known," I asked. He finally came around and faced me and sat down in a chair so we were at eye level.
"I've suspected you both had feelings for each other since before the Thanagarian invasion, but you two seemed to of not acted on them until your time in Metropolis," he replied.
"Okay so before we even knew," I smiled in disbelief and shook my head, "I feel like a fool for thinking you wouldn't ever notice."
"We all act like fools when we are in love my dear," Alfred replied giving my arm a slight squeeze. Love? He probably knew before we did.
"Does Bruce know that you know," I asked sheepishly.
"I confronted him about it months ago," he replied. This explains why Bruce has not been as careful as he was before. He probably figured out what was the point.
"I don't know why I'm surprised that he didn't tell me," I replied a bit irritated.
"Yes, he is not always forthcoming with information. He's been like that since he was a small child," Alfred replied dryly as he helped me flip back over to just sit on the table.
"We don't want others to know, it just complicates things."
"Oh yes, he has mentioned it. As you know I am nothing but discreet."
"You are the definition of discreet."
When Bruce came back to the med station he looked at me and could tell by my face that something was up.
"How does it look Alfred," Bruce asked.
"Second degree, but superficial. Mistress Barbara will have to be selective about the clothes she wears till it heals fully," Alfred replied cleaning up the medical supplies. Tim then came up to the medical station to visit me.
"Are you going to be okay," Tim asked concerned.
"Yes, I will be fine Tim. You would have done the same for me so I don't want you to feel any guilt. This wasn't your fault." Tim came and hugged me and accidentally touched my bandaged burn. I just winched quietly. Both Alfred and Bruce noticed.
"Are you getting soft on me now," I said confused looking at Alfred a Bruce.
"No but I know you like this sappy stuff and I feel like it is the least I can do," he said pulling away and giving me a slightly irritated look.
"Go get some rest kid," I said messing up his hair a little bit, "that's what I'm about to do anyways."
"Good night Barb," Tim said leaving.
"Good night Tim," I replied.
Alfred and Bruce started discussing some things as I watched Tim go up the stairs when Tim was finally up there and out of earshot I spoke up.
"Alfred has informed me that he is quite well aware of our relationship," I said a bit irritated.
"I didn't want to worry you, so I said nothing," Bruce said shooting a glare at Alfred.
"Why would it be a worry if I knew Master Bruce," Alfred inquired.
"Not you specifically, just anyone knowing," Bruce replied still annoyed.
"Sometimes I think the two of you are playing chess while the rest of us think we are playing checkers," I said getting down from the table and stumbling a bit. The pain meds were hitting me harder than I thought.
"I've got you," Bruce said holding me steady.
"Mistress Barbara, please be gentle with yourself," Alfred said worriedly.
"I'm fine," I said feeling vulnerable. I continued to walk and started to stumble again. Bruce was at my side in a moment catching me.
"You are not fine," he said irritated. He gently scooped me up again as he had done previously. I blushed feeling a bit embarrassed.
"I am to take my leave. Master Bruce seems to have it from here," Alfred said looking at me.
"Thank you Alfred for patching me up," I said with a small smile.
"Any time dear," he replied with a nod.
Bruce carefully headed up the stairs with me in his arms. I tried my best to not show my discomfort of feeling woozy and exhausted from the pain.
"Don't hide it from me," he whispered slightly still annoyed that I was even trying to do so. I nodded my head and flinched as I buried my head in his shoulder. I felt nauseous and I didn't want to throw up. He kissed the top of my head. He was right. I didn't need to be brave. He wouldn't judge me for showing my pain.
"I think the pain meds made me a bit nauseous," I said closing my eyes.
"Take a deep breath and let it out slowly," he said still carrying me. I followed his request.
"Good. Keep doing that. Nausea will subside some," he replied. He was right it was working to relax me. It also allowed me to breathe in him and his scent. He smelled of sweat and smoke from our encounter with Firefly. Even though that might not seem like a pleasant smell, the distinct way he smells was hidden in there and it was comforting to me.
When we got to his bathroom though, the need to vomit overwhelmed me.
"Toliet, toilet," was all I could manage to say. He set me down by it. I dropped to my knees and started to puke. He held my hair back and rubbed my back and I continued to get sick.
"It's okay just let it out," he said softly. I wiped my mouth and flushed the toilet. This was a nightmare. I hadn't vomited in front of anyone since my mother was alive. I couldn't believe this was happening.
"I better clean up. I'm a mess," I said feeling embarrassed.
"We will get you cleaned up," he said helping me off the floor.
"Bruce I'll be fine on my own," I said staggering to the sink.
"Will you just let me take care of you," he said a bit irritated again and grabbing my hand to keep me steady. I nodded. "Good," he said more relaxed.
Bruce helped me clean up without getting my wounds wet. He even helped me wash my hair so it wouldn't smell like smoke. Unlike all the other times he saw me naked, it wasn't very sexy. In many ways, he essentially helped give me a sponge bath, which was slightly embarrassing.
"So we are definitely in a whole other level of intimacy here," I said blushing as he used a washcloth to wash my shoulders and chest.
He just hummed at that for a second before giving a small reassuring smile.
Bruce could be a good doctor if he wanted to. He must have learned good bedside manners from both his father and Alfred. I noticed that Bruce didn't bring me to my usual room, he brought me to his and put me to bed in his bed. I suppose there was no need to hide from Alfred anymore and no need to be in separate rooms.
"There is a waste bin here in case you feel sick again. Once the Zofran kicks in you will feel better," he said putting it next to the bed. Between the burn shock and the pain meds, I was still feeling a bit nauseous. I was still shivering too.
"I'll be back. I just need to clean up," he said moving my hair away from my face.
I nodded and gave his hand a quick squeeze. I lay there and thought about my current situation as I heard his shower run. When was the last time I could say anyone took care of me like this? Every time someone has taken care of me in my adult life was Bruce. When he came back, I could smell the palo santo wood scent in the soap he used and it immediately flooded a warmness in my body.
"Bruce," I said.
"Yes," he replied slightly spooning me from behind. He was being careful to not touch my burns.
"Thank you for taking care of me," I said leaning back slightly into him.
"Always," he replied in my ear. A hot tear rolled down my cheek as I got choked up. I tried to swallow my tears but then I remembered what he said to me earlier. Don't hide it.
"Are you in pain," he asked noticing my tearfulness.
"No...well yes a little...but that's not why...I'm just emotional right now," I said letting my tears come out.
He had me turn over so I could face him. "I'm the emotional one, remember," he joked. I snorted at that and smiled.
"It's your fault that I'm crying actually," I said with a bit of a crooked grin.
"How so," he asked concerned.
"You told me to not hide it and I'm afraid that was the only thing keeping the tears at bay," I said holding his hand.
"I didn't mean -" he started.
"It's a good thing," I said gripping his hand tighter. I smiled slightly and kissed his hand.
He looked concerned still. I needed to explain myself.
"Growing up I was pretty much on my own and had to take care of things by myself. I love my father, but I was pretty lonely after my mother died. His job was so difficult that I never told him when I was upset about something. I didn't want to be a burden, so I just learned to bottle it up. I sometimes feel guilty that I ever felt lonely because my dad did the best he could, but it just wasn't enough," I replied trembling slightly because of the burns but also because being vulnerable was hard for me.
"You were alone a lot," he said mirroring back my thoughts.
"Dad tried to be home as much as possible, but he worked long hours and very often brought his work home with him. He would get so mad at me for looking through his case files. I think it's cause he wanted to shield me from the blood and gore of a crime scene, but I live in Gotham, and I had already seen it in person enough times by then. Sometimes he would get called to a homicide in the middle of the night and he'd have to pick me up out of bed, put me in the front seat of his squad car wrapped in blankets, and go to the scene. He thought I was still sleeping, but I never really was. "
"When did he stop doing that?"
"When I turned 11. I began to ask way too many questions and he figured I'd be okay at home alone at night by then," I replied.
"Were you," he asked. I gave him a look that said that I wasn't.
"I got through it," I replied. He soothingly tucked some of my hair behind my ear. I just looked at him and memorized all the features and lines on his face. There was some slight scarring on his chin. He didn't say anything he just patiently waited.
"I've always been on my own in many ways," I said teary-eyed.
"Is it hard for you when I am being overprotective," he asked. I wasn't expecting a question like that.
"Part of me doesn't like to depend on anyone for anything, but the other part of me likes it when you take charge," I could feel myself blush as he looked at me saying these words, "Is it annoying to you that my immediate reaction is to fight you on it?"
"No, you're stubborn, but it isn't annoying," he said with a wide smile.
"You look like the cat that ate the canary," I said with a glare.
"I was just thinking about how you like it when I take charge," he replied pulling me closer. I felt my heart skip a beat. Then he kissed me tenderly. When he pulled away he stroked my cheek with his thumb. "I've got you, always." The way he said it didn't feel possessive or condescending. He said it in a way that let me know he was a safe harbor.
"That may have been the sexiest thing I have ever heard you say. I know we joke about you being a charming bachelor, but seriously," I said earnestly. He grinned a little.
"I must remember to say it more often then," he replied still stroking my cheek."Are you still nauseous," he asked. I just closed my eyes and breathed in slowly.
"I'm not actually," I said not managing to open my eyes again.
"Good," he said kissing my forehead.
"Thank you," I said finally opening my eyes to see his reaction.
"You never have to thank me for taking care of you," he said putting his forehead against mine. I kissed him then. I couldn't put my emotions into words any longer. I think he felt them because I could feel his in that moment.
I fell asleep that night in his arms feeling closer than ever to him.
He woke me in the morning by squeezing me closer to him and whispering in my ear.
"I've got to get up. I'll take you to your room," he said softly.
"Hmmm can't you just stay here with me," I asked half asleep.
"I wish I could more than anything in the world right now," he replied getting out of bed.
"Then stay," I pleaded knowing it was hopeless. He came over to me and scooped me up. I lazily opened my eyes to look at him. A slight smile tugged at his lips.
He walked with me in his arms to my usual room and put me to bed.
"Rest today," he said setting me down and kissing me.
"If you insist," I replied when he pulled away.