The Thanigarian invasion was over and during that whole time I was couped up with Tim in my apartment. We were under strict instructions not to engage with the winged aliens. I didn't question Bruce's decision; I ultimately agreed for Tim's sake. There was no way I was going to be able to keep an eye out on him and fight these battle master aliens all at the same time. Tim was, of course, very upset to miss out on the action, but he did what he was told.

I kept Tim at my place a little longer because there was a Justice League meeting at the manor. I didn't think it was a good idea for us to intrude. Alfred said the hearings would be over with in the afternoon. When we arrived, they group had just come to a decision. Before I went inside, I looked at the damage done to the side of the manor. The huge gaping hole in the wall was going to take some time to repair. Alfred was beside me looking at it as well.

"This mansion survived the Civil War and two fires, yesterday it was almost destroyed by a quick-fingered dolt in a red suit," Alfred said as he stared at the gaping hole.

I laughed a bit at his dry British sense of humor. "How is Wayne Manor's intrepid butler."

"'Intrepid?' I rather think of myself as 'dauntless,'" he replied smoothly.

I smiled and put a hand on his arm, "'Dauntless' it is then."

"You and me both dear," he said returning the gesture and putting his other hand on mine.

"Do you need any help, Alfred? I don't mind you putting me to work," I asked concerned for him.

"So kind of you, but I'm managing. You've already done enough by keeping Master Timothy with you."

Our conversation was then interrupted by a strong female voice, "You must be Barbara?"

I turned behind me to see Wonder Woman. "Dr. Livingstone I presume," I replied.

"Um," Wonder Woman was confused. Alfred laughed a bit and patted my hand as he left.

"Sorry Wonder Woman. I was trying to get a chuckle out of a dauntless old butler, and it worked," I blushed a little bit. Not a great first impression on a goddess Barbara.

She came closer to me and placed a loving hand on my shoulder, "Please sister, call me Diana."

"Nice to me you finally Diana," I replied. I couldn't help smiling, almost idiotically. She had become kind of a role model for me since she came on the scene. She was gorgeous and had a very friendly demeanor.

"I was just taking a walk on the grounds and spotted you. I was hoping I could get your perspective on something," Diana said. Wonder Woman wants advice from me? On what?

"Um sure, why don't we walk to the garden and talk," I said hesitantly.

We did some small talk on the way to the garden path. Nothing to earth shaking. The earthquake didn't start until we got into the garden.

"I wanted to ask you about Bruce," she said as we stopped in front of the Koi pond.

"What about him?"

"I'm concerned. Does Bruce usually take unnecessary self-sacrificing risks?"

"He's a vigilante in Gotham," I replied confused, "so pretty much every day."

"Yes I realize that, but this seem more unnecessary," she replied.

"Ok," I returned just wanting her to spit it out.

"He manually crashed the Watchtower into the Thanagarians. He told no one of his plans. I believe if he had made Superman aware, he could have made sure he made it out alright."

I felt a bit sick to my stomach. What the hell Bruce. "How-how did he get out?"

"Superman found out and saved him in time," she replied.

I could not believe what I was hearing. "You're telling me that Bruce was planning on dying and didn't tell a soul until it was too late?"

"Precisely," she seemed a bit concerned now at my reaction.

"And Clark had no idea. He didn't even overhear it by eavesdropping as he is now," I said leaning to my left spotting him in the distance.

"What?" Diana turned and looked behind her.

"What would Mrs. Kent say about your manners right now?" I said addressing Clark. I knew he could hear me. He floated over towards us.

"Ma would be disappointed," Superman replied as he touched down beside us.

"Tell me everything from the beginning," I said staring him down.

"Bruce can I talk to you for a moment," I said standing outside of Bruce's study.

"No time. I have to go, we are going to deliberate on the future of the league" Bruce said quickly while keeping his eyes on his work. He was still wearing his costume and was typing away on his laptop.

"Then what are you doing here?" I asked closing the door behind me.

He finally glanced up from his work when he heard the door click shut. I think he knew he was going to be late for the deliberation.

"The money for a new Watch Tower has to come from somewhere.

I walked up to his desk with my arms crossed, "New Watch Tower huh? What exactly happen to the last one?" I made sure I said that last part sharp. He needed to know I was angry with him for being so reckless on the Watchtower.

"What did Kent tell you?"

"I didn't hear it from Kent at first. Diana came to me. She was concerned," Bruce was silent. He just stared back up at me from his desk.

"I asked Clark if he knew you were going to do that. He had no idea. Why didn't you tell Clark from the beginning? He could have made sure you made it out alright."

"He couldn't be distracted."

"Distracted!? You don't have superpowers, Bruce! What if you were killed? What about Tim and Alfred? What about Gotham?" I shouted. I was shaking with anger. I don't think I've ever been so angry in my life.

"It's part of the job, remember?"

"Last time I checked part of the job was surviving so you can continue to do the job," I responded furiously.

He slammed his fist on the desk and got up to lean in towards my face, "You and I are different Barbara. This is all still a game to you, a thrill. Lives are on the line, and I do what I have to do to save them."

"Just because I don't pout or have a sour attitude doesn't mean I don't take this any less seriously than you do St. Bruce," I spit back venomously, "I have bled, cried, and sweated doing this job. I'm not some adrenaline junkie that gets her kicks beating up criminals. I also don't act like the whole world is on my shoulders. I know I have people to count on, and I do rely on them to help because I'm not a proud, arrogant ass."

"The world IS on my shoulders because everyone is so naive. How many times have I had to pull you out of the fire?" I shook my head in disbelief.

"Even if that is true, then what is the world going to do if you're gone? What is your family going to do?"

"My family died when I was eight years old," he replied coldly.

What he said cut through me like a knife. It was the meanest thing anyone Bruce has ever said. I wanted to punch him in the face. Maybe that's the reaction he was going for. Instead, I clenched my fists till my knuckles were white. "You're such a bastard!"

"Why? You have a family Barbara; I'm sorry you're angry with your father but you at least still have one," he spit back.

"And what? You haven't had anyone? What about Alfred? What about Dick? What about Tim?"

"What is it to you," he asked. His tone would have scared even Superman, but I knew better. I stood my ground; I wasn't scared of him.

"What is it to me? How could you even ask that? I care about you, I-" I stopped myself. What was I about to say?

"If you don't like it then you can leave," he replied back.

The way he said it, it was so cold, even for him. Something was off. He was holding back something. "I don't believe you," I said calmly. My eyes searched his face.

"I'm sorry I shocked you. I-"

"No, no, no," I cut him off, "I. don't. believe. you. You are hiding something and are pushing me away on purpose."

"I have to go now," he murmured. That's when I realized. He was never going to tell me. He wasn't going to be honest with me. I thought we were friends, even best friends, and he was going to shut me out. This is how the relationship is always going to be. Me caring, him caring, him getting mad that he cares, and then him being an asshole. Bruce was about to leave when I spoke up.

"I don't know if I can do this anymore?" I said. It was true. All this back and forth of him being an ass one minute and kind the next was starting to give me whiplash. Maybe I do care too much? Maybe I need just to leave, for my sanity. A lump was starting to form in my throat. God, why was I crying?

"Then don't," he responded without even looking back at me. And with that, he was gone.

I held in tears as I made my way to my car out front. I attempted to start it. The engine grinded. I tried again. The same. "DAMN IT," I cursed. I got out of the car and slammed the door shut. I need to go somewhere to be alone before anyone saw me cry. I went to the side kitchen entrance where I thought no one would find me. I leaned against the wall and hugged myself. Thankfully I was wearing my big comfortable gray cardigan. It was starting to cool off for the night, and the air was a bit chilly. I quietly sobbed a bit and made sure I wasn't too loud. I didn't want anyone with super hearing to notice. I heard the side entrance door to the kitchen open. I quickly calmed myself down and wiped my eyes with my sleeve.

"Mistress Barbara? My dear, what is the matter?" It was Alfred. A flood of relief came over me suddenly. I just let go. I needed someone to talk to, and Alfred was the perfect candidate. He would understand.

"Oh Alfred," I wept quietly. He came over and embraced me. He somehow always managed to smell of earl grey tea and a wonderful aftershave that I had never smelled on anyone else but him.

"It's alright my dear," he said tenderly, "it's alright."

"I-I don't know if I can do this anymore Alfred. He's warm one minute and the next he's so cold. And I've been at odds with my father. I worried about him during all of this, but I'm still just so disappointed in him and-" Alfred cut me off.

"You love them both immensely that is why you are hurting," he said putting his hands on my shoulders.

"Yes," I responded without question.

"My dear there is nothing wrong with that," he said reaching into his pocket and retrieving a handkerchief.

"Thank you," I said as I took it to dab my eyes.

"May I give you a suggestion?"

"Of course Alfred," I continued to dab my eyes.

"It would be best not to worry about what your father wants or what Master Bruce wants. What do you want? What do you need?"

"I think I need to leave Gotham for awhile. I think I need some distance," I said without even really thinking.

"Then go. We will all be here still when you return. At least I do not plan on turning in my resignation anytime soon," Alfred said with a slight smile.

"Alfred," I searched the elder man's face. I saw nothing but kindness. "I need to borrow a car."

"It would be my pleasure, but first, the League has asked for your presence," he replied.

"Seriously?!" I probably looked horrible.

"Do you want me to tell them you are in dispose?"

I sighed not knowing what to do. "First, I would love to see Bruce's reaction to that and second, do I look like I've been crying?"

Alfred gave me a pointed look. That was a yes. "Go upstairs, compose yourself. I will stall for you."

I gave Alfred a big hug. He returned it and then quickly ushered me inside, "Go, Mistress Gordon."