Author's Note: I didn't like the way this story was originally going, and neither did you guys, so I took it down and I'm starting over from a certain point. The first 5 or so chapters will be the same, then I'm going to switch it up. Some things will stay the same while others change. I hope you all will like the changes that will be coming.

I'm stating this now: This is primarily a Dick/Barbara story. However, there will be other relationships such as Dick/Zatanna and Barbara/OC. It will end with Dick/Barbara, maybe sooner than later ;)

Since the chapters are already written, I'll get them up as quickly as I can. I really hope all of you will like this version better, and I'll get to work rewriting.

Barbara Gordon has always been close to Dick Grayson.

They had been close ever since she met him at the police department about six years ago. Ever since, they had been the best of friends. It seemed like where Dick went, she followed. Being raised by a single father who worked all the time, she spent countless nights at Wayne Manor under the watchful eye of Bruce Wayne and Alfred Pennyworth.

When Bruce was there, at least.

Dick always made the "sleepovers" fun. Pizzas, movies, games, you name it. She loved spending time with him, and he always found a way to make her smile.

But lately, she had been seeing him less and less.

Alfred told her that Bruce took Dick to work with him a lot, and that Dick would be in touch with her soon. He would text her late at night and apologize for not being there, then come up with some excuse at school the next morning with another apology.

She missed the way things used to be between them.

"Everything ok, Barbara?" her father asked as they pulled into Gotham Academy.

"Just tired, dad."

"Remember that you'll be staying with the manor tonight," he reminded her. "I have to work a double. Alfred will pick you and Dick up after school."

They pulled into the Gotham Academy parking lot, and he turned to her. "Be good tonight, alright?"

She turned her head away, remembering last time she spent the night and how she and Dick accidently broke a priceless heirloom that was in the manor after an innocent game of hide and seek went very wrong.

She can still remember Bruce scolding Dick, and her own father scolding her when he found out.

"You know, I can take care of myself."

"I know," he said softly, squeezing her shoulder. "You're still too young to be home alone, and I feel much better knowing that you're in good hands. Promise me, Barbara."

"I promise, dad."

He leaned over and kissed her head. "I'll see you in the morning. Love you."

"Love you, too," she said, before reaching over to grab for her bags. She bid him goodbye before she got out of the car and walked into the school, ignoring all the boys who were eyeballing her.

She had changed a lot over the summer, and she wasn't the only one.

Waiting for her by the entryway was none other than the adopted son of Bruce Wayne himself, Dick Grayson. He had also changed a lot during the summer. He had grown quite a few more inches and, much to her annoyance, almost taller than her already. His shoulders were more broad and defined. The muscles in his arms seemed to be getting bigger as well, not that she has been noticing or anything.

"Babs!" he cried, walking up to her.

"Grayson," she replied, smiling at him.

"Let me help you with that," he said, grabbing for her bag. "Ready for tonight?"

"No."

"What?" he asked in fake shock, flashing her that famous grin that always made her stomach do flips. She walked to her locker and out the bag inside. "You know you have fun."

"Oh, yes, the incredible night of pizza and Disney movies."

"Don't act like you don't enjoy it."

She shook her head, packing her book bag with everything she would need. He leaned up against the locker, crossing his arms as he did so.

"I hear you went out with Bryan the other night."

She scowled, wondering when he would bring that up. "It wasn't much of a date when our dads were there with us."

"You like him," he sang to her, causing her to blush and push his chest.

"Be quiet!"

"You're turning as red as your hair."

"Funny," she replied, rolling her eyes. She closed her locker and glared at his still-grinning face.

"This is our freshman year of high school. We should be having fun!"

The bell rang, and she put her bag across her shoulder. "Gotta go, circus boy."

"Meet you at lunch?"

"Always," she said with a smile, and turned to walk to her class, wondering what Dick might have up his sleeve tonight.

"Hello, Miss. Gordon," Alfred said, standing outside of the car. Barbara smiled.

"Hi, Alfred."

"We have a houseguest tonight, Alfred," Dick said, walking up beside her.

"And Master Bruce has asked me to keep the strictest eyes on the both of you after what happened last time."

"He worries," Dick replied, shaking his head. "It's not like we meant to break the artifact."

"I really am sorry about that," Barbara replied quietly.

"None of the less, I have my orders and Master Richard you have yours as well."

He groaned, remembering the lecture Bruce gave him before they left this morning.

"Morning," he said, running into the kitchen. He sat down at the table and quickly dug into his meal, realzing that he was running late and had very little time to eat breakfast.

"You're late."

"I know," he replied, turning his head away.

"We need to talk about tonight."

Dick groaned, knowing that this was coming. "What about tonight?"

"If anything else gets broken around here, you're grounded for a month."

"We won't break anything."

Bruce gave him "the look", and he turned away, knowing that his guardian didn't trust him.

"Say it back."

"If anything gets broken, I'm grounded."

"Glad I made that clear. Now, I'm off to work, and you better be finishing up that breakfast before you're late to school."

"Are you going to get in the car?" Barbara asked, snapping him back to reality.

"Huh?"

"He's walking home, Alfred," she said with a grin. He shook his head and slid in next to her.

"Be quiet, Gordon."

His phone buzzed in his pants, and he took it out, his brow furrowing in confusion as he saw who the text was from.

Dick! Where have you been? You haven't been to MJ all week!

MJ.

Mount Justice.

I've been really busy here, Wally. I'll get in touch as soon as I can.

"Everything ok?" Barbara asked, watching as he put his phone back into his pocket.

'Yeah, everything's great. I'm living a double life as Robin who not only assists Batman, but also assists the team at Mount Justice while still trying to balance a normal life with my best friend who has no idea.'

"Everything's fine," he replied with a smile, turning his head to look out the window.

They remained quiet until they arrived back at the manor. He helped her out of the car before grabbing their bags, putting them into the informal living room.

"I'm assuming you'd want your usual pizza dinner?" Alfred asked.

"Wouldn't be a party without it."

"I trust I can leave to do other things."

"You can," Dick replied with a grin. He gave him a stern look before turning to walk away.

"You keep Alfred and Bruce on their feet, don't you?"

"Got to find some way to keep things interesting around here."

"I believe you find too many things interesting around here."

"I don't believe that includes you anymore."

She gave him a playful pout. "Whatever will I do without be able to play with the famous Wayne boy?"

He threw his head back, his beautiful blue eyes sparkling as he let out a laugh. She was unable to stop herself from smiling.

"Your life would be boring without me."

"You wish," she said, pushing him.

"You want to go, Gordon?"

"Bring it on, Grayson," she replied with a grin.

He threw himself at her, and they fell to the floor, rolling around while trying to wrestle with one another. After a few minutes he had her pinned underneath him, grinning down at her while she struggled to get away from him.

"You're tiny! How are you this strong?"

"I work out," he replied, taking off his jacket to show her his muscles. She rolled her eyes, more so of trying to not focus on his muscles.

Towering over her, his blue eyes shun into her own, and she was unable to turn away. His eyes were shining bright, and she moved her eyes down to look at his chest, seeing how much puberty had affected him.

"Dick?" a voice called out, and he quickly rolled off of her and helped her up. Bruce appeared in the living room, still dressed in his suit, and eyed them, as though determining something in his mind.

"Hello, Bruce," Barbara said, unable to look at him.

"Hello, Barbara. Everything going ok?"

"Other than your squirt of a son driving me up the wall, everything is great."

"I don't know what you're talking about," he said, pushing her slightly. "I'm a delight."

"Glad to hear that. Do you mind if I steal Dick for a minute?"

She nodded. "I'll be in the kitchen."

Dick nodded, and watched as she grabbed her book bag and disappeared down the hall. Bruce waited until she got out of range before turning to his young charge.

"There's an emergency and I need to go. You need to stay here with Barbara."

"Are you sure you won't need my help? What about the team?"

"This is just a Justice League mission only."

"Is it about the missing sixteen hours?"

"I'm not sure. Superman has called it and I need to be there. Stay here, do you understand?"

"Yes, Bruce."

"Tell Barbara I said I'm sorry."

He nodded, and watched as Bruce turned and walked away. Dick let out another sigh, getting annoyed that Bruce had yet to find a mission for he and his friends to complete. He grabbed his book bag and joined Barbara in the kitchen.

"Bruce sends his apologies, but he's not joining us for dinner tonight."

"It's ok."

"Whenever you're hungry, I'll order the pizza."

"That sounds great," she replied with a smile, closing her textbook. She then gave him a look, and his stomach turned. "Hey, why does Bruce disappear a lot? Is it his work?"

Dick nodded. "He's very busy."

"It must get lonely around here sometimes."

He shrugged, turning to look away from her. "I find ways to entertain myself."

"Like how?"

"Follow me," he said, standing up. She threw him a confused look before following him to the other side of the manor and to the gym.

"You keep yourself busy by working out?"

"Wait here," he said, before disappearing behind the bathroom door. He came out a minute later dressed in workout clothes. He then winked at her before he grabbed onto the two rings and did flips.

She couldn't turn away as his muscles flexed with every movement.

"What do you think, Babs?"

"This is unnatural," she replied, watching in fascination as he body turned every way imaginable. He laughed.

"Circus boy, remember?" he replied with a grin. "You wouldn't believe the things I did when I was in the circus."

"I wish I could have seen you," she said softly, watching as he let go of the rings and flipped in the air, landing gracefully on the ground.

"Didn't you used to be in gymnastics?"

"Used to be. Why?"

"You try," he said, gesturing towards the rings.

She hesitated for a minute before saying, "Let me get changed."

He nodded, and she grabbed for her bag and changed into her workout clothes. She then rejoined him and stopped dead in her tracks as she saw him lifting weights.

"Ready," she finally said, turning away from him. She walked over to the rings and pulled herself up, struggling at first before getting into the swing of it. After a minute she was able to do a flip before landing hard on the floor.

"Barbara!" he cried, running up to her. He helped her to her feet. "Are you ok?"

"I'm fine," she said, rubbing her arm before grinning. "My landing was a little rough."

"We might just have to work on that."

"Yeah," she said softly, unable to stop staring into his blue eyes.

"What's the matter, Gordon?" he asked, and she couldn't help but notice the change of voice.

"I'm thinking of ways of how I could kick your butt."

"You wish."

"I could," she replied, and he almost smiled by the fire burning behind her eyes.

"I love this movie," Barbara said, grabbing a handful of popcorn. Dick finished the last bite of his pizza before throwing his plate onto the coffee table.

"It's one of my favorites," he replied, picking up the Van Helsing movie box.

Her cell phone started going off, and he paused the movie so she could answer it.

"Hi, dad." She waited. "No, it's going great here. I'm having a lot of fun."

Dick took a moment to look at his phone. Are you coming to MJ tonight? We're all a little worried about you.

Not tonight. I'll come tomorrow.

"I love you, too, dad. See you tomorrow morning."

She hung up, and he put his phone away. "Sorry. My dad likes to check up on me a lot."

"It must worry him, you not being in his sight."

"He used to take me to the police department and I would sit in his office and do whatever I could to keep my busy. It got really boring, especially when he started working with Batman. He was always away. Then you came along, and he and Bruce decided it would be better for me to come here instead."

He lowered his eyes, wondering if he should even ask the question. "Can I ask you about your mom?"

She looked away, and he instantly regretted it. "I'm sorry. I shouldn't have-"

"No, it's ok," she sighed, wrapping her arms around herself. "I don't like talking about it. She left us."

"I'm sorry."

"It's not your fault. She left shortly before you lost your parents. Dad was struggling trying to raise me alone and work all the time."

She looked away, and he reached over to grab for her hand. "Neither one of us have had the best life, huh?"

She laughed. "I guess not."

"You know you're always welcome here."

"I feel honored," she replied, taking a sip of her water.

"Time for bed," Alfred said a few hours later, walking into the informal living room. "The guest room is all set up for you, Miss. Gordon."

"Thank you."

"C'mon, Alfred," Dick begged. "Can we please stay up late?"

Alfred hesitated before saying, "One more hour."

"Thank you."

He nodded, and turned to walk out of the room. Dick grinned at her.

"Alfred really cares for you."

"He and Bruce take good care of me."

"Is he still not back yet? Shouldn't you be worried?"

"Nah. He'll be back soon, and we better be in bed before he is."

She immediately noticed his nonchalance, but decided against calling him out for it. She played with her pajama shirt.

"What?" he asked softly.

"I'm exhausted," she said with a small laugh.

"Something else is bothering you."

"Where have you been lately? I come by and Alfred says you're not here."

"I sometimes go with Bruce to the office."

She stared at him, and he immediately knew that she didn't believe him.

"Why are you lying to me?"

"I'm not lying!"

"You're not telling the truth, either! Why won't you tell me where you're going?"

"It's not your business!" he hissed.

She looked away, and he instantly regretted his tone towards her.

"Barbara, I-"

"I'm tired," she whispered. "I'm going to bed."

She moved past him and ran upstairs. He let out a groan as he kicked the coffee table, mad at himself for letting this happen. He then cleaned up the living room and retreated to his room, hoping to fall asleep but knowing that he wouldn't.

'I'm sorry, Barbara.' He thought, moving to look out the window. After a few minutes he turned to walk back out of his bedroom and down the stairs, stopping at the clock to the cave entrance. He changed the time, and it opened, revealing the rounding staircase. He slowly moved downstairs, spotting Bruce and Alfred by the computer.

"Master Richard! Where is Miss. Gordon?"

"She's in her room."

"What happened?" Bruce asked, refusing to turn around. Dick mentally groaned. It really was hard living with the world's greatest detective.

"She's mad at me."

"For?"

"Lying to her."

"About what?"

"Everything. I want to tell Barbara I'm Robin."

"No," Bruce said firmly, finally turning around in his chair. "I told you not to tell anyone."

"Wally knows."

"He figured it out, and he will be the only one. Including Barbara in this is something I am forbidding."

"Bruce, she suspects something. It's getting harder to lie to her, nor am I finding the ambition to anymore."

Bruce sighed. "I know this is a lot to put on you, but you know why I require you to remain hidden, even to the team. Barbara-she is one of the brightest children I have ever met. She may be putting pieces together, but you have to try to get her off your trail. Whatever it takes. If she finds out, it puts her in danger. Her father would never forgive me if something happened to her, and I would never forgive myself. I don't want that put on you, either."

"She's my best friend, and all I ever do is lie to her."

He let out a frustrated sigh as he turned and walked away from Bruce. A moment of silence fell before Alfred turned to Bruce.

"Would it really be a bad thing for him to tell her?"

"I'm not putting her in danger like that," Bruce said, returning to the monitor.

"Not to point out the obvious, sir, but does it seem to you that Master Richard and Miss. Gordon are getting a lot closer lately?"

"I've noticed. You believe that's why he wants to tell her?"

"I think it might be a pretty good reason."

Bruce closed his eyes, rubbing his face as he did so. "Go to bed, Alfred. I'm going on patrol."

"As you wish, sir," he said, before turning to exit the cave. As soon as he was out of shot Bruce dropped his head, still in disbelief that Dick would be turning fifteen in two weeks.

"I'm taking him in, Alfred."

Alfred looked at him in shock. "You plan on adopting him?"

"I had you to help me through my parent's murders," he said, watching Dick through the glass. "He has no one. He'll spend the rest of his childhood in this building."

"It's a major responsibility to raise a child," Alfred began. "Things would have to change."

"I understand that," Bruce replied softly, "but I also know that he needs someone, someone who knows what he's going through. I had you to help me through it. He has no one. I can't let him go through this alone."

He watched as one of the employees walked up to Dick before taking him out of the room.

"With you and I raising him, he won't turn out like me, Alfred. He'll be better. We're going to make sure of it."

Alfred nodded his head in agreement. "This will be good for you, too, sir."

He turned the cameras on and immediately spotted two children talking on the stairwell. Rubbing his face again, he sat in his chair and watched, knowing exactly what Alfred was referring to as Dick wrapped his arm around her shoulder. He then put his cowl back on and got into the Batmobile.

Dick made sure the clock was back in its place before he slowly descended up the staircase, spotting Barbara at the top as she was about to walk back down.

"Hi."

"Barbara? What are you doing up?"

"I can't sleep," she said quietly, tucking a piece of her hair back behind her ear.

"That makes two of us," he replied with a laugh. "Bad dream?"

"Something like that."

He sat down on the step and patted the seat next to him. She hesitated for a minute before sitting down next to him.

"Still mad at me?"

"A little, but I guess I'm overreacting. I just-I miss you, Dick. I feel like I don't see you that much anymore."

He rubbed the back of his neck. Since they had formed the team at Mount Justice, he had been busier and had less time to see her. In fact, this is the first time he's seen her outside of school in quite a while.

He knew what he had to do.

"I'm sorry," he said softly, turning to face her. "I'm not forgetting you, if that's what you're thinking. You'll always be my best friend, Babs. I'll never forget the redhead who let me cry on her that night in the police department."

He wrapped his arm around her and gave her a one-arm hug. She let out a soft sigh and closed her eyes.

"Daddy?" Barbara asked, spotting a boy with black hair sitting on the bench. "Who is that?"

"His name is Dick," Jim said, squatting down next to her.

"Why is he sad?"

"Because something very bad just happened to him."

"Gordon!"

"Stay here, Barbara," he ordered, before turning to the detective.

She continued to stare at the boy named Dick, and, before she knew it, she was standing in front of him. He looked up at her, and she noticed that he had been crying.

"Hi, Dick. My name is Barbara."

"H-hi," he stuttered, wiping his face. She sat down next to him and wrapped her arms around him, trying not to cry herself when he started to cry on her again.

"Your birthday is in a few weeks," she said, snapping back to reality. "What do you want?"

He shook his head. "I don't know."

She rolled her eyes. "You're no help."

"You coming to my party?"

"Of course. Will it be as extravagant as last year?"

"Better," he replied with a grin.

His hand moved up and down her arm, and she shivered. She closed her eyes again, and he turned to look at her.

"Maybe you should go back to bed," he whispered, and she nodded. They both stood up, said goodnight and went off to their respective rooms.

Recognize: Robin, B01

"Rob! About time you got here!"

"Wally," he replied dully, stepping out of the zeta tube. Wally narrowed his eyes at him.

"Something wrong?"

"No," he replied, putting his gym bag onto the floor. "Do you want to spar with me?"

"Sure," he said, still eyeing his friend. He quickly changed and was back in a matter of seconds. "On your mark."

Robin got into stance, trying to ignore Wally's look. "Mark."

He took a shot at him, and another when moved out of the way. Wally sped past him and took a shot, causing Robin to groan. He stopped running and looked at his best friend.

"Something is bothering you."

"No, it's not," Rob replied, getting into stance again. Wally walked over and put his arms down.

"I have known you for far too long. I know who you really are. I know when you're upset. Talk to me, Dick. What's going on?"

"Don't use my name in here, Kid Mouth," he hissed, looking around.

"Fine. Now, seriously, what is it?" he thought for a minute before grinning. "Is it Barbara?"

"No," he growled, taking a shot at Wally. It was blocked, and Wally grinned.

"It is!"

"Shut up!" he hissed again, taking another shot.

"Robin like Barbara, does he?"

"She's my friend, and I'm dating Zatanna. You know that."

"Sure thing," he replied, rolling his eyes. "So, what's the deal?"

"I want to tell her I'm Robin, and Batman won't let me."

"Big step."

"I hate lying to her," Robin admitted with a sigh.

Wally pressed his lips together. "It's really bothering you, isn't it?"

Robin didn't say anything. That was Wally's answer.

"I know it is. You're one of the best fighters I know, and you're missing every shot. It's distracting you."

"Robin!" Zatanna said, rushing into the room. She kissed his cheek. "When did you get here?"

"Hi, Zatanna. Not too long ago."

"Wally," Artemis said, walking up to him.

"Hey, babe," he replied, giving her a kiss. "Where's everyone else?"

"Well, Kaldur returned to Atlantis, and M'gann and Connor are, well, busy."

"We're not interrupting anything, are we?" Zatanna asked.

Robin was just about to speak, but his communicator went off. He groaned before putting his finger up to his ear. "Robin."

"Get back to Gotham," Bruce's voice echoed in his ear. That was all he said.

"I have to leave."

"You just got here," Zatanna said, with a disappointed look on her face.

"I'm sorry, but Batman's calling me."

"Better hurry, then," Artemis said.

He went to change into his uniform before returning. He gave Zatanna a quick kiss, lingering a little longer than necessary, before saying goodbye to Wally and Artemis.

"Rob," Wally said, stopping him just before he stepped into the zeta tube, "You know you and I have a habit of bending the rules. That's how this team got started."

He stared at him for a minute before smiling. "Thanks, K.F."

"Better go," he said, clapping his shoulder. Robin stepped into the zeta tube before reappearing in Gotham City.

"I'm going for a walk, dad," Barbara said, collecting the trash from the barrel.

"It's too late now. Take the trash down and come back up here."

She nodded before she put her shoes on and walked out of the building, throwing the trash into the dumpster as she did so. She was about to turn back to the sidewalk when something caught her eye.

"Hi, pretty," a man said, appearing out of the shadows.

"Hi," she said dully, trying to get back to her apartment building. He grabbed hold of her arm and pulled her back, grinning at her.

"What's the rush? We haven't gotten to meet each other yet."

"Get away from me!" she screamed, using her other arm to attempt to get away. He blocked it with his body and wrapped his free hand around her throat.

"Better play nice," he hissed, and her vision was beginning to go in and out as she struggled to breathe.

Next thing she knew, her teenage attacker had been attacked himself.

She fell to the ground, coughing as she struggled to breathe again. Her vision still disoriented, she couldn't see her savior, but she could hear them struggling.

When her vision finally returned, she saw the attacker was unconscious, and her savior was…a child who looked like he was twelve or thirteen.

All she could make out was black hair and a red hoodie. It wasn't until her father helped her up that she noticed he was gone, and was beginning to wonder if he had even been there at all.

"Are you ok?" Jim asked in worry.

"I'm fine."

She looked up to notice that Robin was staring down at her, and she could almost swear he had an angry expression on his face before he vanished.