Author's Note: So I got my computer back and it has been working (fingers crossed) so let's get going. . . This is a two part story with one side Barbara's perspective and the other Dick's.
Disclaimer: If I owned Batman my computer would not have crashed. . . . . . . . . okay maybe not, but you know what I mean.
Faux Boyfriend
Barbara Gordon burst out the front door of the building where her karate classes were held with a huge smile on her face.
Today had been a great day.
"Hey, Babs. How did it go?"
She turned around to see her best friend Dick Grayson waiting where he usually did, leaning up against the tree that grew near the curb.
She had to roll her eyes at his appearance.
"Why are you wearing those silly sunglasses? It's not even that bright out."
"Because they look cool." He retorted as he slid his phone back into his pocket.
"They look ridiculous." She informed him.
Okay, maybe not ridiculous, but just pointless at this moment. Besides, the designer frames blocked his eyes—and she liked his blue eyes.
"You'll just have to suffer Babs." He said with a grin. "Did you have a good day?"
She decided to let the sunglasses topic go this time.
"Yeah, I think I'm getting really good." She hoped she didn't sound like she was bragging too much, but putting Frank Pensive's face to the mat in record time
felt good. Maybe he would think twice about teasing her again.
"I noticed." Dick said with a trace of a smile. "You're working hard. Do you want to stop and get something to drink before we walk around?" He offered.
Barbara shook her head.
"Let's just get going." She would be fine.
"Oooh! I have to stop for some taffy Dick. I'm all out."
Dick gave out a knowing sigh as their feet came to a stop outside of Barbara's favorite candy store Cavity.
"What happened to the bag I bought for you?" He questioned.
"That was two months ago." She pointed out.
"All right. Go ahead. I had a feeling that we would have to stop here." He gave a smirk and crossed his arms.
Barbara stuck her tongue out at him and went into the building.
"Barbara, is that you?"
Mrs. Herman, owner/operator adjusted her glasses over the trays of chocolates that she was putting out on display.
"I haven't seen you in a while dear."
"Yeah, I guess not." Barbara replied with a smile. "Sorry."
"It's not a problem. I had a feeling that I wouldn't be seeing you for a bit after your boyfriend came in here and bought you a whole bunch of taffy. He seemed
like such a sweet boy."
Barbara bit her lip.
This was usually the part in conversations with people where Barbara had to launch into an entire explanation that Dick was not her boyfriend.
She really should set Mrs. Herman straight.
It really wasn't her fault for thinking that though. Dick had bought her a bag of salt water taffy because she had worked really long and hard at a project for
school and came out with a fantastic grade. He did it to congratulate her—there were no romantic strings attached.
"Barbara dear?"
Mrs. Herman's voice snapped Barbara back.
"Oh, just an assortment of what I like, please." She tacked on, hoping that that was the questions that she was asked.
"All right, extra watermelon, no root beer, no banana, some cotton candy . . ."
Barbara watched as the bag filled up with the colorful, flavored sweets. The smell was wonderful.
"Okay, there we go." Mrs. Herman announced with an expert twist of a tie to seal the bag.
Barbara pulled out a wad of bills from her pocket and paid.
"I'll come back soon." Barbara promised as she left.
Mrs. Herman gave a wave with her hand.
"You should probably buy some her of business, you go there often enough."
"Be nice to me or you won't get a piece." Barbara said to Dick as she came over.
Untying the bag, she held it out to him. He looked at it trying to decide which one to take.
"Are there any blue ones?" He asked.
Barbara reached over and pulled off his glasses.
"Ouch, Babs. Worn a guy before you do that." He looked down into the bag. "Hey, they are in colors." He announced humorously.
"Makes a world a difference when you aren't wearing these." She dangled them over his head.
"Is this blue one raspberry or cotton candy?" He asked as he pulled out a piece and tried to grab back his glasses.
He missed.
"Hard to tell." Barbara retorted.
"I'll be adventurous then." Dick unwrapped it and tossed it into his mouth.
Barbara pulled out a watermelon.
"Ready to go?" Dick asked.
"Yep."
Walking around Gotham really wasn't encouraged for teenagers, but they were Batgirl and Robin, so nothing should happen that they weren't ready to handle.
They did, of course, try to stick to the better areas of the city.
It was nice just to be up and around—in the city, instead of on top of it. It was a good day.
Dick yawned and stretched out his arms over his head.
"Where do you want to go now?"
Barbara looked up and down the street.
"Let's go right." She decided.
"Is your head okay?" Dick stopped to ask.
"What? Yeah, just a headache." Barbara explained. She didn't realize that she had one until now.
She grabbed another piece of taffy. Her mouth seemed really dry.
"We've been walking around for a few hours. Do you want to stop?" He offered.
"We haven't even made it to the bookstore up a few blocks. We can stop there." She decided. She could make it that far.
The stopped at a crosswalk and waited for the proper time to cross. As the "walk" sign flashed, Dick stepped out, but Barbara found that she had a hard time
getting going.
"Babs?" Dick questioned as he waded back through the crowds of people to get to her place on the curb.
"Sorry, my feet feel weird." She explained as they crossed over again in time.
She was feeling kind of funny.
"Babs, are you okay?" Dick asked seriously. He reached out a hand and held onto her arm.
"I'm fine . . . Dick. We can keep going. I just need to . . ."
"Your heart is beating like crazy. I can feel it in your pulse." Dick said as he held her wrist.
"All that walking." Barbara said with a shrug. She felt really tired now.
"I just . . ." She blinked a few times trying to piece a thought together.
"Babs?" Dick repeated her name. He sounded far away.
Her head started spinning and she felt her legs go limp.
The world went dark.
Doctor Hertz to room 251. Doctor Hertz to room 251 please.
Barbara blinked a few times before the room around her came into view.
Stark white walls and blank colored paintings confirmed one thing—she was in a hospital. She sat up immediately and looked around. An IV was stuck into her
arm. What had happened? She located the pull chain for help and tugged it. Someone came quickly.
"Well, I see someone has woken up." The nurse said as she walked in. She was an older women who reminded Barbara of her grandmother.
"How are we feeling?" She asked her.
"Not too bad." Barbara responded. "How long was I out?"
"Not long. When was the last time you drank something?"
Barbara had to think about it.
"Before my karate class I drank some water."
"Did you have anything for breakfast?"
"No I didn't. I was running late so I skipped. I drank some milk during lunch at school though."
The nurse shook her head.
"That's what I thought. You became dehydrated and went unconscious." The nurse explained carefully. "But you'll be okay."
"Thanks." Barbara said softly.
"No problem. Just try to remember to drink extra when you know that you are going to be active." The nurse told her. A smile crossed her face. "Do you want to
see your boyfriend? He was the one who called the ambulance to bring you in."
Barbara rubbed her head. Her boyfr . . ?
"Oh, Dick." Barbara said with a nod. "Sure."
She knew she should probably correct the nurse, but at the moment she didn't feel like it.
A younger nurse came into the room.
"Are we okay in here?" She asked the older nurse.
"Yeah, just need to get this IV out. Would you mind going to the waiting area and getting a young man from in there?" The older nurse asked as she motioned
for Barbara to stretch out her arm.
"What does he look like?" The younger nurse asked with her hand on the doorknob.
"Don't worry he's easy to spot. I've seen men with children about to be born who have acted calmer."
The lady said it with a smile and the younger nurse left.
"Honestly, the way he was panicking I thought you had been hit by a car or something, but instead you were just dehydrated." The nurse said with a smile as
she slid the needle out of Barbara's arm.
Barbara gave a smile in return. Dick did have a tendency to panic when she got hurt.
"Oh, and don't worry, your dad has already been called and he should be on his way here soon." The nurse assured her.
"My dad?" Barbara said. Now it was her turn to panic.
A knock came to the door.
"Well, I'll see you when your dad gets here so sit tight okay?" The nurse instructed as she opened the door.
Barbara could hear talking outside of the door.
"Don't worry she's fine."
Dick soon popped through the door.
"Babs, are you okay? I asked you if you wanted to drink before we started walking!" He pointed out.
"I know, I know. Sorry." She grimaced, thinking of the trouble she had caused. "But did you really have to call my dad?"
"What was I supposed to do?" Dick asked. "Have you taken to the hospital and not tell him? I'm not stupid."
Barbara sighed and supposed that he was right.
Dick ran a hand through his hair. He still looked worried.
"Are you okay now. Really?" Concern shown through his eyes.
"Yes, yes, I'm fine. You always do this."
"I always do what?" He asked standing up straighter.
"You always freak out when I'm hurt."
"What am I supposed to do?" He questioned. "You collapsed in the middle of the sidewalk." He gave a shudder. "And last time you twisted your knee right as
you landed on the roof."
Barbara winced at the thought. That had hurt.
"What did we tell my dad about that again?"
"Uh, you told him something happened at karate or something like that."
"I knew taking more lessons would come in handy in more ways than one." She said proudly.
Dick nodded.
You could never have too much cover as a superhero.
"Are you okay to go?" He asked her.
"Just waiting for my dad. Instructions are to drink water."
"Actually after all this talk about water, even I'm getting thirsty. Do you mind if I grab something to drink really quickly? There's a water fountain down and
around the next hall."
"Go. I'm not going to collapsed again." Barbara promised.
Dick eyed her carefully as if he didn't believe her.
"I'll be right back." He said.
"I'll be here." Barbara said as she crossed her arms.
Dick set his sunglasses down on the table and walked out of the room.
The knob jiggled and as Barbara looked up, she was greeted to her dad's face instead of Dick's.
"Dad." She said happily. "Hey."
"Hey Barb. How are you doing?" Her father asked sincerely as he set down his jacket. He walked over to her and gave her a hug.
"I'm fine really. All liquid up and ready to go."
"Well, I'm glad it's just that. I never know what is going to happen to you on days you have karate. Are you sure you're not working too hard?" He pressed her.
Barbara bit her lip.
She was going to have to come up with more excuses.
"I would have been fine if I would have drunken more today. I'll be alright. I'm probably more embarrassed about it than anything. Nothing like causing panic by
collapsing." She joked. Really, it was such a girly thing to do—almost the equivalent of fainting.
Did she hit the ground? Nothing hurt, so Dick must have caught her.
"Do you have a boyfriend?"
"What?" Barbara asked as she snapped her head around to face her dad.
"The nurse said that your boyfriend had you brought here." Her father waited for an explanation.
" . . . Oh! Oh, they just meant Dick. We were out walking around, remember?"
"Oh, good." Her father said relaxing a bit. He looked relieved.
Barbara crossed her arms.
He didn't have to sound so happy about it.
"I'm just glad that you are okay. Where is Dick anyway?" He looked around.
"All this talk of water made him thirsty. He went to grab a drink."
The Commissioner shook his and gave a smile.
"Are you ready to go then?" He asked.
The door opened.
"Commissioner, hello." Dick said as he spotted Barbara's father.
"Dick." He said giving the boy a nod.
"I think that Barb is ready to get out of here. I'll pull the car around if you want to walk her down to the lobby."
"Sure." Dick agreed.
"Dad! You don't need to pull the car around. I can certainly walk to the parking garage." She objected.
"No you don't. You will wait for me down there with Dick alright?" He ordered. He scooped up his jacket and left the room.
"Ready?" Dick asked giving her a grin.
Barbara sighed.
"Fine." She muttered.
As Dick pressed the elevator button, Barbara stopped to rub her arm where the IV had been.
"Does it hurt?" He asked her.
"Not really." She said as she gave a yawn. "I can't believe that my dad is pulling the car around. Sometimes he is as bad as you are."
"I'm going to pretend that that is a compliment." Dick said dryly. He slapped the button again.
"Eager to get out?" Barbara said teasingly.
"I don't like hospitals." He said flatly.
"That's kind of harsh." She spoke the words, but understood what he meant.
"Nothing good happens when you have to come to one. It means someone is hurt."
"That's not always true. Good thing happen. People heal . . . children are born. That's a good thing to visit for." She pointed out.
"Fine. Those things as good." Dick admitted as the elevator opened.
"Barbara?" A voice called out softly. Quick footsteps could be heard.
"Down here!" Barbara called out, before feeling bad. She shouldn't shout in a hospital.
Walking down the hall a few feet and around the corner, she saw the older nurse from earlier.
"Oh, good I caught you. Your boyfriend left his sunglasses."
Barbara took them carefully and thanked her.
She should probably correct her now—her mouth stayed shut on the matter.
"Thanks again."
"Have a good day." The nurse replied.
Barbara wandered back to Dick.
He slapped the button to call the elevator back.
She held out his sunglasses to him.
"Where did you . . ?" He stated as he took them back.
"Nurse found them. She said my boyfriend left them."
Dick took them slowly with a sheepish smile.
"Too bad she found them." Barbara said trying to change the subject quickly. She could not believe that she brought that up.
Dick slid them on and hit the button again.
The door opened and they both got on.
There was silence.
The door opened and they both got off and someone got on.
After a few feet Barbara spoke up.
"Ah, this isn't the right floor."
Dick's head snapped up.
"Oh, we just got off. I assumed . . ."
They both turned around and headed back for the elevator.
Dick slapped the button.
This floor of the hospital was quiet.
Barbara rubbed her arm as Dick scratched the back of his head.
Barbara gave a quick glance over at Dick. He was staring straight up at the elevator numbers. At the moment, it wasn't moving.
Barbara stood there awkwardly.
She didn't know why suddenly she felt shy around him. People were always assuming that they were a couple. It was just kind of a fact of life.
Besides Mrs. Herman, the list of people who Barbara had not corrected included the mail delivery man, a few librarians, the girl who lived in the next apartment
room over, and a worker down at the Laundromat. And now those nurses. Barbara added them on.
She didn't mind people thinking that Dick was her boyfriend, but she always tried to correct people since she didn't want Dick to think . . .
It was just a complicated situation.
It wasn't like she wanted . . . okay that was a lie.
But what was she supposed to say?
Hey Dick, you know how everyone always thinks that we are a couple? Would it be so bad if we were?
She looked over at him as he slapped the elevator button again.
"Hey, Dick?" She asked quickly before she lost her nerve. "Do you know how everyone . . ."
"Sorry Babs, what was that?" He asked. He turned his head still wearing his sunglasses.
She swallowed hard.
"What? Ah, pay attention." She snapped.
"Sorry . . . this elevator is taking forever." He said the words with a catch in his voice.
"I was thinking about how . . . about how people always think we are together."
"That? Funny isn't it?" Dick said giving the button another slap.
Barbara frowned.
"That's not really what I meant."
"Oh?" Dick said after clearing his throat.
"I just . . ." She wasn't even sure what she was saying at this point. "I guess I should have corrected that nurse."
"No it's fine. I don't care." Dick fiddled with his glasses.
"You don't?"
She was surprised.
"Why not?"
She saw him gulp.
"Well, because . . . I mean, you're not a bad person or anything, I would be . . . anyone would . . . you would be . . . there could be worse people that everyone
could assume was my girlfriend."
Barbara tried to process this.
"What are you saying?" She asked.
"I'm not saying anything." Dick replied while looking uncomfortable. He pressed the button again.
"Yes you are." Barbara charged. She tried to look at him head on. He avoided her gaze.
She pulled the glasses off his face.
"Babs!" He objected.
"Don't avoid me."
He grabbed his glasses back, but held them in his hand. His blue eyes looked to the floor. She tried to stay calm.
"Do you want me to b. . ?" Barbara let the sentence drop.
"Babs I . . ." Dick pressed his lips together. His face was serious.
Barbara held her breath. Could it be possible?
"Listen Babs, I often . . . but I never thought that it could . . ."
He met her eyes and they stared at each other for a moment.
She really did love his eyes—she wished she could convince him to stop hiding them.
She watched as he licked his lips before slowly leaning towards her. She felt his breath on her skin seconds before his lips touched hers.
It was a quick kiss. Soft and gentle.
He slowly started to pull back, but Barbara reached out and grabbed his hand so as to stop him from pulling away completely.
They both stared down as they intertwined their hands. Looking back at each other, they both smiled.
Instantly, they both kissed again.
The elevator door dinged.
The pulled apart.
Barbara felt her face flush and she ran a hand through her red hair.
The elevator had two nurses on board both pushing people in wheelchairs.
"We'll take the next one." She heard Dick's voice say.
The nurse leaned over and the elevator doors shut.
There was silence. Dick leaned over and hit the button again.
Barbara realized that her hand was still in Dicks. She gave it a tug and a squeeze. A brilliant smile danced across his lips.
Their lips touched each others hesitantly at first and then more comfortably. Barbara felt one of Dick's hands wander in to her hair as the other one slowly
came to rest around her waist.
She carefully reached her hands up to wrap them around his neck.
The elevator dinged open.
They broke apart.
"We'll take the next one." Barbara said swiftly.
The nurse pushing the rolling bed nodded and slapped the button.
The doors closed.
Dick hit the button again.
Barbara had to let out a laugh.
This was ridiculously wonderful.
Dick shared a grin with her and Barbara let herself be wrapped up in his arms again. She pressed her forehead against his as they took a moment to look at
one another.
"I love your eyes; I wish you wouldn't hide them." She whispered.
He looked surprised.
"Alright, I won't then." He said after a moment.
She gave him a big smile and his lips found hers eagerly.
It felt so wonderful. Why was she ever uncertain about this?
The elevator door dinged.
"We'll take the next one." Dick and Babs spoke at the same time.
The man inside looked startled. He was carrying a bunch of flowers and holding onto a "Get Well" balloon.
"Are you sure?" He asked. "There is plenty of room."
He motioned around the elevator was empty besides him.
"Oh, ah. . . " Barbara glanced over at Dick.
"Well, there is plenty of room." He repeated.
They got on board.
The man gave a smile at both of them.
"Lobby?" He asked.
"Yes please." Barbara replied. She hoped her face wasn't too red.
Her hand was still tightly clasped in Dick's.
The doors opened to the bottom floor.
Barbara felt her cell phone vibrate.
She pulled it out as they walked out of the elevator.
"Hello? Dad?" She said.
"Barb? Where are you?"
"We'll be right out, sorry. The elevator took forever to come. I mean, it kept being full." She sputtered out.
"Alright, well I'm right out front."
"Okay. We're coming." She hung up.
"Ready?" She asked Dick.
He shook his head.
"You go on. I called Alfred to come pick me up."
"But Dick . . ." Barbara tried to protest.
"It's alright. It would be too much hassle to drive me home, so just go home and rest and I'll see you tomorrow at school."
"Tomorrow? What about tonight?"
Barbara thought about it.
If Dick had called Alfred that meant that he knew that she had been in the hospital and even though it wasn't that serious there would be no way that Bruce
would let her do patrol tonight.
"Okay then. Tomorrow it is. I'll see you then." Despite not being able to go out tonight, a smile graced her face.
"Alright then." He promised.
He leaned over and gave her one more quick kiss before giving her a push in the direction of the door.
The doors slid open as she walked past.
She turned around to see him looking around the lobby with a smile on his face.
Barbara woke up the next day feeling perfectly well. She took a long drink of water and found a text from Dick on her phone saying that if she needed any
more water that he would be happy to import some for her.
There was a note from her dad instructing her to take a water bottle to school with her.
She did as she was told.
When she got home from school that day, she mixed up a can of lemonade concentrate so that she could drink something a bit more exciting.
There was a knock on her door.
She walked over and looked through the peephole—it was Dick.
She opened the door.
"Still hydrated?" He questioned.
Barbara rolled her eyes.
My dad is going to be forcing water on me for the rest of my life." She informed him. "What are you doing here?"
He pulled a bunch of flowers from behind his back and handed them to her.
"Aww. Dick." She said sweetly as she stared at them. They smelled lovely.
He gave a pleased smile.
"I'll see you later."
"Okay." She responded giving him a smile. He was so funny.
She watched him as he dashed back down the hall.
Soon after that, her father came home.
"Dad, are you back for lunch?" She asked as he came into the room.
"Just thought that I would stop in to see you. Are you doing okay?"
"Yep. Drinking lots." She replied lifting up her glass of lemonade. He father gave a satisfied nod.
"Good to hear." He told her.
"There's more sandwich meat in the fridge if you want some."
"Will do." He said with a smile and headed of into the kitchen. She heard the fridge door open and heard her father pull out a glass cup.
"Hey, Barb?"
"Yeah, Dad?" Barbara called back in the direction of the kitchen.
"Where did you get these flowers?"
Barbara paused. She forget that she had left them in there.
"Oh, they're just fro . . ." She stopped. Better now than later.
"There from my boyfriend."
That sounded good.
There was silence from the kitchen until the sound of broken glass filled the air.
Barbara stifled a laugh.
He was just going to have to learn to live with it.
Random End Notes: Greetings charming people! Okay, so you can expect the second part . . . . this weekend/into the beginning of next week. Or as I like to
call it—when I have a free moment in my life. I've been forgetting my tag line!
Advice, and (gentle) [be nice please! :}] criticism, would be appreciated. Or a haiku if you feel like one.
{Dick/Babs because, HELLO! They are perfect for each other!}