What could have been Chapter 5

[Sweetdreams]

Thank you for everyone for their support on this story. I really appreciate it, thank you. Oh, and thank you Batgirl for your um.....
I am guessing sympathy for my very blue and green face right now. Thank you everyone for everything. Now, without further interruptions......................

Chapter 5

"You can't keep them lock in there forever", Barbara commented as she pulled out a cookie sheet from the oven.

"Watch me", Dick replied, watching a small hand sliding pass the counter by the cookies that Barbara just took out.

"I thought they were your friends", Barbara asked confused as she watch his face for any sign of emotion.

"Well, it doesn't matter now. We'll just wait until Bruce.......... I mean Batman takes care of them", Dick said reaching over to steal a cookie himself. But, Barbara was to quick for him, before he could reach one, she slapped his hand away. Which gave Tim enough time to swipe two of them. He grinned at Dick from over the counter. Dick shooked his amused at the tyke.

"What is so amusing?" Barbara asked annoyed.

"Nothing. By the way, didn't anyone ever tell you that you adorable when you are mad", Dick aid sweetly, giving Barbara a irrestible smile. Barbara rolled her eyes, while behind the counter Tim was pretending to barf.

"You have told me that countless of times to relieve the tension in the countless of situations we have been.", Barbara said, relieved he was the one who cracked the ice.

"Ok, we can change the subject............happy now?" Barbara said relenting on the subject of his friends as she turned to put the cookies away. Meanwhile, Tim passed Dick a cookie from behind the counter. He stuffed the cookie in his mouth just as Barbara turned back to him.

"What are you eating?" she asked suspiciously.
"Nothing" he said innocently, swallowing the last of the cookie.

She turned around. "TIM, come out from wherever you are hiding." she demanded.
Tim recognizing the tone, he peeked his out from behind the counter. "HI!", he said in the sweetest voice he could muster. Dick snickered. Tim and Dick looked at each other, and started to laugh.

Barbara shook her head. "What am I going to do with you two?".

"Tim, you should be in bed", Barbara said in a motherly way.

"But, it is Christmas!" Tim whined giving Dick a look that clearly meant "Do I have to?".

"Dont't look at him! I am in charge of you. And Christmas is in a week. So, back to bed." Barbara reprimanded.

Dick gave her a soft smile."It is just one night, Babs, let him stay up a little late."


"Fine. But at least help me clean up the mess in here" Barbara siad relenting giving Tim a smile.

"No, it's ok, let Tim go watch TV. I'll help you....... if that is ok I mean." Dick said, his eyes meeting with Barbara"s.

"Ok, Tim go ahead and watch some tv, but not anything that can give you nightmares" Barbara said tousling his hair. Tim gave them the biggest smile and ran off.

Dick started to wipe the counter with a cloth. "He is a sweet kid."

Barbara nodded absentminded as she put the trays in the sink.

"So, Bruce told me that you are quitting after New Year's. Is that true?" Dick asked softly, watching her.

Barbara nodded again, not quite meeting his eyes.

"Why?" Dick asked getting a little suspicious.

"Well, after last week's event............... by the way thank you for saving my life back there." Barbara said quietly as she walked over to where he was standing.

"You are welcome. But, it was you Barbara who got attacked not Batgirl." Dick said trying to stop the awful flashbacks of the awful godforsaken night.

"I know, but that made me realize something. My dad is sick, and I need to be there with him. What if something happens to me........he will be alone. That is something I can and will not let happen. He needs me and I need him. My decision is made, Dick. Anyway, I think it is time for me to settle down, get married, etc. " Barbara said quietly meeting his eyes.

Dick took her hands in his. "What is wrong with your father?"

"He has lung cancer. He was suppose to quit his job today." Barbara said sadly as tears fell down her cheeks. Dick pulled her into his arms. She buried her face into his shoulder, crying.

"Ssh, everything will be alright. Does Bruce know?" Dick asked gently as he stroked her hair.

She lifted up her head. "No, only my dad, me, and now you. Please don't tell him. My father wants to."

"I won't. I know I haven't been here for you for the past year or two, but from now on you can come to me whenever you need. Ok?" Dick said gently as he stroked her cheek.

"Thank you, Dick. That means a lot to me." Barbara said quietly as she pulled away from him.

She started to wipe away her tears. "Well, we better go check on Tim."

But suddenly, they heard Tim yell "Help!".

They ran to the door. Barbara put her hand on the doorknob. Just as she opened it, she collasped onto the floor.

"NO!" Dick cried falling to his knees. "Babs, wake up!" He lifted up her head to his lap, and took her pulse. It was weak. A shadow went over them.

"What did you do her?" Dick yelled. Arsenal looked down at him, holding Tim by his pajama shirt. The rest of the Titans surrounded Dick and Barbara.

Kory smiled at him. "Don't you remember Cobra's posin, sweetheart?."

"Dick, what is wrong with her................ fix her, MAKE her better." Tim said trembling from the fear.

"I can't ................ it is up to them." Dick said, rage started to fill every entire bone in his body as he watched the woman he loved.


Suddenly, he attacked Arsenal. Tim fell on the fall with a thunk. Soon, Kory and Donna pull them apart.

"It's ok, honey. Nothing bad will happen to her. She will be ok." Donna said soothingly.

Dick glared at her.

"That is if you do what I say." Arsenal said softly.

"We need a favor, honey. Only you have the power to accomplish it. Our world depends on it." Donna said quietly.

"Why me?" Dick asked gritting his teeth as he struggled against Wally's grip.

"Because you are the next in line. Batman fought it and defeated it, and now it is your turn." Donna explained.

"We knew the only way you will help, is if we get you attention. Which is by hurting your girlfriend." Wally explained.

"He has a thing for redheads. Doesn't he?" Roy asked innocently.

Dick lunged for him. "She is not my girlfriend. She is an old friend of mine."

They pulled him back.

"You mean ex-girlfriend. The one you left behind. The one you tried to replace with Kory. But you couldn't. You loved her and still do. You never loved Kory. You just thought it, because in your heart you yearned for Barbara." Donna explained.

"I resent that" Kory snapped. Everyone glared at her.

"Anyway, we have proof." Donna said taking a tabliod out of her pocket. There was a picture of Dick and Barbara kissing at a park two years ago."

Nobody noticed Tim was disappearing to the cave.

"Now, can we get back to business. Will you do it?" Roy asked gently.

Dick looked at Barbara's still form on the ground. He nodded slowly.

"Good. Don't worry she will be in good hands.", Donna said.

Wally let Dick go.

"THe mission will begin in two hours at midnight. I suggest you put her somewhere comfortable." Roy said, watching Dick gently pick her and carry her up the stairs.

Kory was about to follow. But, Donna stopped her. Kory glared at their retreating figures.

Upstairs......

Dick laid Barbara gently on his old bed. "Don't worry. They will regret this. I won't ever let them do this to us again, I promise.
He got up and walked to the door.

"I Love you" he said quietly as he left the room.


end of Chapter 5

[Batgirl]

I always wondered what would happen if Kory and Babs met... Great job, please go on soon. (As soon as you feel better... but look on the bright side, you'll never have wisdom teeth out again.) What exactly happened on that 'night' and what's wrong with Jim? Please post soon!