Real quick, THANK YOU GUYS SO MUCH FOR ALL OF THE SUPPORT. I literally never thought sm of you guys would like this. You are all amazing!

Quick warning: this is a big one and a pretty importante one. I've been waiting to write this chap for a while so here ya go.

Ages:

Allison: 10-years-old

Dick: 12-years-old

Chapter 5

"Hey, Rob? I just realized something."

"Can it wait, A? I'm kind of in the middle of something."

"Nope. This is life or death."

Allison waited patiently for a response, sipping her lemonade through her straw as the sounds of fighting could be heard through the coms.

"What is it?" Robin tiredly asked.

Allison put her drink down and shuffled closer to the microphone. "I've put a lot of thought into this. Like, a lot. So hear me out."

Robin grunted for Allison to continue. The sounds of people fighting were still loudly present in the background.

"I need a hero name."

Robin paused fighting a thug and simply stood confused. "What? A hero name? A, you don't—Oh, shoot! You're still here."

Allison frowned. "Yeah, duh. I'm talking to you through the coms, idiot."

"Ugh, dude, have you ever heard of taking a shower?"

"Excuse me!? Robin, we are having a big talk on how you speak to ladies when you get back!"

"No! I didn't mean you! A, I think you smell amazing. Like purely heaven. It's almost like you don't even need to take showers—"

"Rob?"

"Stop talking?"

Allison hummed in agreement. She was about to continue the conversation when the voice of Batman interrupted them.

"You're right," Allison almost dropped her lemonade because Batman just said she was right. "You do need some sort of alias we can call you while we are on patrol. However, can't we discuss this when we are not in the middle of a drug bust?"

Both Allison and Robin hesitated before quickly muttering their agreement, clearly abashed.

But Allison couldn't help herself from saying, "As long as it is an awesome name."

OoO

"Four months, Dick!" Allison complained as she laid down in the gym at the Wayne Manor. The boy she was speaking to was currently stretching a few feet away. "Four months since I joined and I still don't have a super awesome hero name. What kind of monstrosity is this?"

Dick glanced at Allison. "Honestly, I'm fine with calling you A. It's not like there's anything else to call you."

"But when you say A on the coms, how do I know you're not talking to Alfred? It's confusing!"

Rolling his eyes, Dick said, "Then change your name," He glanced at the clock on the wall. "Allison, it's almost eight and you've been here all day. Where do your parents think you're at?" He didn't ask if she should be going home or if her parents will worry about her. It's something Allison is appreciative of.

She smirked in response, "They probably think I'm at Nicole Jennings' birthday party, exclusively for the rich. Which is also a sleepover. On a completely different side note, can I sleepover?"

"You know you're always welcomed to stay over, Allison." He paused before sighing, "But you know you have to spend some time with them. If they find out you're not hanging out with the fancy socialite kids, it's not going to be good."

Allison huffed, "Yeah, I know. But," she pulled out her wallet, "some money never really hurt anybody." She mischievously wiggled her eyebrows.

Dick snorted and walked over to help her stand. "I'm sure you're right. Come on, patrol is going to start pretty soon."

The pair started making their way to the Batcave using a different entrance than the elevator. In one of the lounges, Dick pulled a book from the bookcase, revealing a secret stairway leading down to the underground cave. Allison couldn't help herself from giggling at how cliché this entrance is and Dick elbowed her, knowing exactly what she was thinking.

The playful banter that echoed in the dark stairway following the two friends should have brought a smile to Allison's face, but she couldn't stop a corner of her lips folding in a frustrated frown. Four months. It's been four months of waiting behind a monitor and watching Bruce and Dick fight the bad guys while she's unable to do anything. She knows she promised them she would stay back at the cave if she could help, but she can't fight the itch in her bones that urges her to grab a mask and high-tail out of safety and journey into the dangerous city of Gotham.

Then she remembers that the criminals Batman and Robin fight daily aren't exactly human. There are the meta-humans, the aliens, and worst of all, the crazies. The crazies are the human rogues of Gotham who can be more dangerous than any super-powered being simply because of their screwed up brains.

She hasn't been training for four months to take down Gotham rogues, but to protect herself. Bruce trained Dick for almost a year before he was allowed to fight the danger of Gotham. And the difference in Allison's training and Dick's training is exponential.

So she forces her lips to turn into a grin, laughing at the joke Dick just told. She squashes down her worry that something may happen on the field and she can't do anything to help the Dynamic Duo because she is stuck in her chair just idly watching everything happen.

But then that forced grin turns into an authentic smirk.

After all, how many ten-year-olds can proudly say they are making a difference in this world?

When Allison and Dick find Bruce, he's already in his uniform with the cowl pulled back. He's situated at the computer, furiously typing and scanning the monitors for something. Allison spares a glance to her friend before they both rush over to where Bruce sits.

Allison fixes her eyes on the main computer screen as both Dick and Bruce start talking about the plan for patrol.

"Penguin? I thought he was done for a while after that mess with Riddler a couple of weeks ago?"

Dick left them, probably to go put on his suit, and Bruce spun back to the main screen. "It seems his break was long enough. Gordon received a tip saying Penguin's preparing for an attack against Riddler."

She sighed, "He can't just give up on a chance for revenge, can he?"

"Gordon also received a tip Penguin's planning an operation to gain arms through violent and aggressive means. The when is unclear."

"You got an address?"

Bruce nodded but was still frowning. Noticing this, Allison immediately looked at the super-computer and groaned. "You're kidding me. Who in their right mind would pardon Penguin from the crimes that sent him to Arkham in the first place?"

Bruce stood up and pulled his cowl on, turning into Batman. The two made their way over to the Bat-Mobile. "Ernest Livingston. A politician with a lot of power and a need for money. Unfortunately, there is no solid evidence to prove Penguin paid Livingston."

"Do we have to do a stakeout to collect evidence, though? They are so boring!"

"You're telling me!" Dick's voice appeared behind them in his Robin uniform. "We aren't the ones who get to sit behind a computer in warmth and comfort, eating Alfred's cookies." Both Robin and Batman entered the vehicle.

Allison was barely able to suppress a wince at Dick's comment. She couldn't create a comeback, so she just rolled her eyes in response. Dick, knowing that he won, smirked in victory. Allison stayed where she stood, watching the pair drive off for another long, long night.

OoO

Some nights, Allison is extremely busy on the computer. It may be tracking multiple escapees from traffic cameras or deducing the next MO of the crazy villains. Despite those nights being very stressful and fearful, she cherishes them for the thrill of excitement. Then again, those are the nights when she never gets sleep since she has homework to complete.

Other nights, even though she feels like a terrible person for thinking it, she just wishes for someone to break out of Arkham or rival gang conflicts or multiple disappearances — something! These are the nights where it is a normal patrol around Gotham where she makes idle banter with Dick and does whatever will keep her busy. Of course, she listens to the police scanner and monitors the whole city for any sign of disturbance (big or little), but Allison discovered the key to vigilante-ing is waiting. It sucks, but at least she can distract herself by making fun of Dick.

Then there are the nights she despises the most: stakeouts. They are the worst thing known in the vigilante world. She also views them as completely unnecessary, but that may be because of how boring it is. She originally thought stakeouts would be fun, like what you see on TV, except it is totally not like TV. At least, the stakeouts with Batman aren't.

Allison has to keep her undivided attention on the screen monitoring the building housing the targets. She also has another screen monitoring the roads connecting to the targeted building of which she must watch diligently. If there are multiple rooms and targets, she must rotate the cameras to every room so she can track what the targets are doing. And if she is somehow unable to see the inside of the targeted building, well, she has to find a way. While Batman and Robin are on standby during stakeouts to make sure the intended targets won't do anything extreme soon, Allison has to collect the evidence which will criminalize them once they catch them. Before a stakeout, since Batman and Robin aren't able to regularly patrol Gotham, Allison sends out a cryptic message to Captain Gordon (only he knows what it means). This lets Gordon know the Dynamic Duo won't be on the job that night and his men need to be extra careful of the dangers that they might normally overlook. Of course, the men in blue don't actually do anything different so she has to also watch over Gotham. All of Gotham.

This is only the third time Allison has been on a stakeout, but she hates it. She hates it so much.

As the young blonde does everything needed to do for the pre-stakeout list (there is an actual, hand-written list), she can't help but sigh in relief at the thought that it is summer. Summer means no school. No school means no homework. No homework means she can go to bed when the stakeout ends. And tying it back to summer, summer means sleeping in so she can get a healthy amount of sleep. She loves summer as much as she hates stakeouts.

And, surprise surprise, tonight is beginning to be as annoying and tedious as the other stakeout nights. Alfred (the absolute saint) dropped by an hour or two into the stakeout with a plate of warm cookies and a large cup of hot chocolate. Alfred knows how stakeouts can get and Allison is only thankful for all that he does.

Alfred Pennyworth, the real hero of Gotham.

Allison can't even take her attention off of the screens for a single minute. Well, that is an over-exaggeration, but the point still stands that she needs to be extremely vigilant. Though you can't blame her mind for wandering every now and then.

Is it bad that she wishes for something to go wrong? She feels horrible for wishing it, but putting her undivided attention on multiple monitors and cameras for hours of constant boringness (because nothing happens!) is damaging her mind.

Her only source of entertainment is Dick making random quips as the night goes on. Bruce immediately tells him to shut up after every single one, but they both know he secretly loves them. Now Allison would make a cheeky response to Dick's jokes, but she honestly is too scared of what Batman would say to do so.

Hey, she may have been reluctantly recruited to join the team but that doesn't make Batman any less scary.

Allison also wants to shoot the person who said working with superheroes is fun. It is certainly not fun! The big heroes get to bask in the limelight and get to have all of the fun while Allison gets to sit still and work…

Actually, that is not the case for every night, but the point still stands!

Allison verbally snorted as she thought, 'I should totally go on strike.'

But then she hesitated. 'Wait, what would I even go on strike for?'

Allison bit her lip, took a quick look at all of the monitors, double-checked nothing exciting was happening in the building they were staking-out and opened a new document on one of the less busy monitors.

While keeping an eye on the other monitors, the young blonde typed, 'Reasons I Need To Go On Strike:

1. It sounds fun.'

Allison studied her number one reason for a few moments and approved it with a sharp nod. When she has more reasons, she'll add to it later.

With her foggy brain cleared a little bit, she took a look at the digital clock to see it was only midnight. She almost groaned at the thought of doing this for a few more hours. Then Allison looked at the other monitors, checking for any slight change in the city. Penguin's warehouse was cleared, the city seemed clear, everything was blessedly clear. Until she saw the alert from Gordon asking for assistance in a petty theft of a rich Gothamite who won't allow help from the police and only from Batman, in which case she did groan aloud.

Why petty thefts require Batman's attention, Allison has no idea. It's just so petty stealing something so inexpensive.

Wait…

It's just so petty.

Allison froze and debated whether to burst out laughing, start hitting herself, or consider a personality makeover. She probably should do all three. Instead, she released another loud sigh and took a giant swig of her hot chocolate.

She's going to need something stronger if she's going to survive the night.

OoO

The clock is nearing 3 AM when Allison thinks the end of the stakeout is drawing close. Activity at Penguin's warehouse has steadily increased and Penguin is scheduled to make an appearance soon based on what the henchmen have said. They already have remote-controlled cameras and microphones hidden inside of the building (she loves Wayne Tech) and they have gathered plenty of evidence needed to properly criminalize them in court.

If Allison thought the rest of the night was bad, it had nothing on this moment. While all of the minor characters seem to be present, the guest of honor has yet to make an appearance. Therefore, it is only a matter of time before he arrives and the vigilantes fly in to bust the operation.

"A, there's an unusual amount of activity at the side door. Are you seeing this?" Dick's voice said from the mic connecting her to the Dynamic Duo. Her eyebrows furrowed as she rapidly switched monitors, attempting to see if the commotion means anything.

Yet none of the cameras showed anything—not even Camera 3 which is the one showing the side door Dick mentioned. She checked them all again. Nothing. Allison's eyes widened in fear as a third check proved nothing and a sneaking suspicion crept into her mind.

They better not have hacked me or I swear I will go down there and beat them myself.

When she carefully checked Camera 3's earlier footage, she froze when the picture skipped ever so carefully. She replayed it again and felt her heart skip a beat.

"Batman and Robin, they know you're there. I repeat, they know you are outside."

Silence.

Allison cursed. She quickly logged onto the camera attached to Dick's suit. Allison isn't supposed to use these cameras since the footage can be unclear and there is normally a multitude of other cameras for her to use like CCTV. However, if she is right, this might be the only way Allison will be able to have a reliable way of seeing what is happening.

Dick's bodysuit cam appeared on the main monitor. Just as she knew it would, the picture wasn't as clear as a more stable camera would be. She made a mental note to demand them to install better bodysuit cams.

She looked on in confusion as Dick seemed to jump across different buildings. She hoped they were making their way back to the cave, yet she knew that was wishful thinking.

"Batman, Robin. I need to know if you can hear me."

Just like last time, nothing.

"Are you freaking kidding me?" She mumbled under her breath. She moved Dick's cam to a side monitor and pulled up the com system which was supposed to work. A quick glance told her everything was wrong. So, so wrong.

A separate server stole the control system from the cave and managed to silence the alarms before they could reach her. Essentially, the coms were hacked.

Instead of crumpling under panic, Allison did the only other thing she could do at the moment. She made a quip.

"Of course we are hacked. Why wouldn't we be hacked? It would simply be too easy to have a peaceful stake out night where nothing goes wrong." She made sure to mute herself just in case the hackers were able to hear her over the coms. Allison is suddenly really appreciative of Bruce ordering her to mute herself over the coms when she isn't speaking to them.

Right as she was about to hack the hackers so she would hold control, sudden movement from the neighboring monitor caught her eye.

Her heart stopped as she saw Dick and Bruce beginning to make their way into the warehouse. The warehouse where said inhabitants are probably setting up a trap.

"Crap." She breathed out and immediately began to win back control of the coms. She thankfully caught the hacker unaware and got a few seconds before her opponent started to retaliate. She may have learned from the best (Dick), but she was far from his skill level. Her fingers flew across the keyboard knowing that she was under a time limit that seemed to grow shorter and shorter. Despite all of the codes she threw at the hacker, more were thrown at her.

Allison bit her lip and recklessly decided to change her objection. She doesn't need to gain full control. She just needs to gain access to Batman and Robin's com.

Allison created a bit of code, one she knew was tedious to decode. Once it was sent, Allison changed directions and worked towards Batman's com. She could see the hacker breaking her code and knew she had a matter of seconds to find the access point and draw up the code.

Her heartbeat matched the speed of which her fingers were moving. She could feel the strain from her eyes as they quickly glanced across the series of code, barely taking in the information before moving onto the next set. Allison took in a sharp breath when she saw the hacker breaking the defensive coding she left in her path. She knew the defensive codes were the only way to keep space between her and the hacker, but the codes were also the best way for the hacker to find her. These defensive codes are basically a bright, neon sign saying, "Right this way!"

Allison glanced at Batman's access point and made a split- second decision. She created a weak bit of code, betting on the hacker underestimating her abilities. She then swiftly hid herself and watched as the hacker began to annihilate the code she created. She revealed herself and typed a code to trap the hacker, a code that she and Dick created themselves. A code in which forces you to go in one direction. The direction Allison forced the hacker to go was towards Batman's com.

If the hacker wanted to free himself or go anywhere at all, he would have to breach Batman's com. And Batman's com was set up to notify him if any unknown tries to enter his private com system. A perfect trap to alert Batman of the danger they are in.

With Batman warned, Allison made her way to Robin's com. She thankfully was able to gain access in seconds with the hacker out of the way.

"Robin, come in. Are you there?"

She fearfully waited, thinking the time was wasted as the seconds passed with no response. She was about to turn around to gain access to Batman's com when—

"A? What happened? You went silent."

Allison closed her eyes in relief but didn't waste a moment. "You need to get out of there. Penguin knows you two are there."

Her eyes were fixed on the monitor showing Dick's body cam. She saw him freeze.

"What do you mean?" His voice was low and serious. Based on his cam, Allison guessed he was in the rafters. If Penguin knows Batman and Robin were in the warehouse, the rafters would be the first place they would check.

"They hacked the entire system. I don't know how, but they did. You need to find B and get out of there. Actually, Batman should know by now. Just leave."

Allison could practically hear Dick hesitate. "But Penguin is here. We could catch him—"

"Robin, are you even listening to me?" Allison hissed. "Penguin knows where you are! You have to go before—"

Allison froze when she saw a flash of green appear in Dick's body cam before the entire picture went black.

"Robin? Robin, are you there?"

Allison released a shaky breath. She turned the microphones of the warehouse on, thanking whatever superior being was listening that they didn't think to hack it.

Allison couldn't hear much at first and she didn't try to adjust it. She firmly kept her eyes on Dick's body cam.

After what seemed like hours, light began to pour in from Dick's cam. She could hear groaning from the com and was about to question Dick if he was alright before she caught sight of the figure standing in front of Dick. That was when she moved to adjust the levels of the microphone.

"What do we have here? A little birdie? Tell me Boy Wonder, where's your friend?" The squeaky voice of Penguin rang through the speakers, sending shivers down Allison's spine.

Dick remained resolutely quiet and Allison knew he was glaring through his mask.

Penguin released a squawk in laughter. "Do I have to persuade the answer out of you? You should know I brought the umbrella I use to hurt little birdies!"

Allison released a gasp in fear and her hands covered her mouth. She could hear Dick's breath hitch from the coms.

"I didn't want to be a bad host! Not after going through all of this trouble of getting you and Batman here to this party. Except the Bat is being all shy. Doesn't he want to know why I invited him here?"

A cool voice made itself known. "Stop squawking, Oswald. I caught your big, bad Bat."

"Ah, hello Ivy! Glad you could make it, very glad indeed." Poison Ivy, herself, showed up in Dick's body cam using vines to drag an unconscious Batman.

Penguin started to walk closer to the cam until he stood right in front of it, practically breathing down at Dick. "It seems the Bat decided to nap before the fun began. Don't worry, I can wait. After all, we've been waiting for months for the perfect moment. This perfect moment. No one is here to rescue you, bird-boy!"

Dick's voice sounded through the coms. "Yeah? And what makes you think that, Oswald?" His tone was one Allison heard often; it's a mocking tone reserved simply for the villains of Gotham.

While Allison wished for Dick to keep his mouth shut, she couldn't help but be curious about the answer. Batman may not have friends, but he does have allies. Allies who Allison hasn't met but knows they will answer the call of help in a matter of seconds.

The sound of a slap pierced through the microphones and Allison violently winced, unprepared for the aggressive act. Penguin released a strangled laugh like he was desperately trying to ring in some semblance of control and failing terribly. "Little Robin, you know that isn't my name. But I'll forgive you this once since today is a celebration! Batman and Robin's wings are clipped, I am soon about to get my revenge against Riddler, and all of the Bat's super friends are busy!"

Allison could hear Dick suck in a breath. Penguin continued, "Oh, yes. I know all about the Justice League's current adventure off-planet. And for those who remained here, well, let's just say I called in a few favors to keep them distracted."

The conversation was still occurring and movement was shown on the cam, but Allison paid little attention to any of that. She was simply staring blankly at the screen. Inside her head, however, thoughts were running wild as she felt the hopelessness of the situation seep deep in her.

Allison raised a trembling hand to call in a lifeline. "Alfred, we have a big problem."

OoO

Allison always wondered where Bruce got his will power (also known as stubbornness) from. However, after spending minutes arguing with Alfred, she doesn't have to wonder anymore.

"Surely there are heroes we can call. Someone has to be available for help."

"Master Bruce has made it clear there are to be no heroes invited in Gotham unless it is an emergency or a previously planned occasion." His tone suggested this is a phrase that has been repeated many times.

"Don't tell me this isn't an emergency!"

Alfred sighed. "It will not be one for Master Bruce."

Allison huffed and crossed her arms. "So what? We… We wait?"

Alfred, the ever stoic butler, graced her with a rueful quirk of the lips. "I suppose so, Miss Allison."

She threw her hands up in the air and started to pace. "I can't! I can't just… sit here! I mean, Dick and Bruce are trapped by two of Gotham's worst and we're supposed to do nothing? Nothing! I can't! I can't while my best friend…" She suddenly stopped and bowed her head.

Allison remained standing still until she felt pressure on her shoulder. She lifted her head to see Alfred standing in front of her with a grandfatherly warmth in his eyes. Allison shifted her weight; uncomfortable not because it's Alfred looking at her so, but because she's never had anyone look at her with that sort of warmth and care before. Noticing her discomfort, Alfred removed his hand from her shoulder but kept on staring at her with that foreign expression.

"I understand, my dear. There is simply nothing we can do but wait."

She turned her gaze to the side, slowly resigning herself to Alfred's words when she saw the glass case holding an old version of Dick's suit. Her eyes widened as she had an idea. A reckless and utterly stupid idea, but an idea nevertheless.

Allison, now filled with an overwhelming sense of hope, faced Alfred with a mischievous twinkle in her eye. "There is something we can do."

OoO

A few weeks ago, Dick convinced Allison to let him teach her how to ride his motorcycle. While she was nervous at the time, she was undoubtedly excited. However, the short (and disastrous) lesson made Allison swear up and down she would never touch that machine ever again.

So of course here she is breaking that vow.

Going as fast as she dared, Allison was speeding her way through Gotham, zooming through the streets and past buildings. Now and then she would wobble uncertainty when making a turn, but she did not dare to stop and worry that she is riding a vehicle she barely knows how to control. If she does stop to worry about it, she will probably fall and maybe twist something which will make the whole making her crude super-suit not worth it.

Well… super-suit is an overstatement. It's more of a blue hoodie thrown over a layer of Kevlar with leggings and black tennis shoes, but it was the best she and Alfred could come up with during their very limited time constraint. Oh, and she also forgot to mention a spare Robin mask which is a bit too big for her. Hence, the hoodie.

Why did they need to make a super-suit? The answer both excites and terrifies Allison to the core. It's because she is going to rescue Batman and Robin.

Yeah. She can't believe it either.

It took a lot of time to convince Alfred to go along with her plan, but she was almost halfway done with constructing her suit at that point. Alfred couldn't well stop her which he knew. Instead, he made Allison swear she was going to avoid conflict and only free Batman and Robin and then immediately run.

She said she'll try.

Alfred sighed and agreed because he had a suspicion that was the best he was going to get.

So here she is; a ten-year-old girl with defensive training about to free Gotham's heroes from one of Gotham's worst. Allison, having arrived at Penguin's hideout, winced as she saw vines decorating the inside of the warehouse.

Make that two of Gotham's worst.

Allison didn't take the time to figure out why Poison Ivy was there and she doesn't think she can think about it now. Though she can't dismiss the fact that the two of them working together is extremely odd.

Yet (again) she can't think about it now.

Before she left, Alfred showed her the exact entrance she had to go through, what paths she can use, and the places where Batman and Robin might be. He gave her everything she may need and drilled into her all that she needs to know. Allison is prepared. Some may say she is over-prepared. For all purposes, she is ready.

Because of that, Allison can't figure out why she is hesitating so much to enter the warehouse.

In her mind, she is determined to see this mission through. Her body doesn't agree. Her heart is pumping faster and faster the closer she gets to her entrance. She can hear the bump bump in her ear which only entices the unwelcome fear from creeping into her. Her hands are sweating and she knows it has nothing to do with the summer heat.

She's not scared.

She inhaled a shaky breath.

She's not.

She bit her lip, staring at the window she was meant to travel through.

She has no reason to be scared. Why should she be scared?

She shook her arms in an attempt to dispel the fear and fill it with courage.

Dick's been doing this for a lot longer than she has and he isn't scared!

She froze.

Dick's been doing this for years and yet he got captured. He trained for this and Allison hasn't.

She stumbled away from the window.

What makes her think she can do what Dick couldn't?

The fear journeyed deeper and deeper, drawing close to conquering her heart.

"Alfred?" Her voice was barely a whisper. She was preparing herself to tell him she couldn't do this. That this was a stupid idea. A reckless and idiotic idea. They should just wait or something or anything because Allison can't do this. She can't, she can't, she's not strong enough or brave enough, she's not meant to—

"When Master Dick," Alfred's calm voice held her thoughts to a startling halt, "first put on the suit, I daresay he was petrified. He certainly was determined not to show it, but both Master Bruce and I saw. He almost didn't get out of the cave."

Allison stood still, hanging on Alfred's every word.

"When I asked Master Dick why he wouldn't leave the cave, he said the same thing I believe you are thinking right now, Miss Allison. I asked him if he was scared and that poor boy said he was terrified. I'm going to tell you what I told him.

"You cannot have courage without having fear. Fear is not a weakness or a sign you cannot do something. Fear is quite like a game. And if you decide to play the game, you will find your courage. You do not think Master Bruce and I would have let you be a part of this is you could not play the game, do you?"

Allison remained quiet for a brief moment before softly responding. "You think I can do it?"

"I do believe you can."

Allison didn't move, but this time it wasn't just because of the fear. It was still there, but she could feel the courage beginning to join it. She looked back up to the window and started for it.

"Thank you, Alfred."

"You are welcome, my dear."

And she entered the building.

OoO

Allison was certain she would have encountered more trouble than she did. However, as she snuck through the warehouse, she didn't pass a single soul. Not that they weren't there. She could hear conversations from Penguin's henchmen, but she avoided them all.

Which is a good thing because she's unsure she would be able to knock them into unconsciousness.

Finding Bruce and Dick, on the other hand, was a lot harder than she would have imagined. She couldn't go into the main atrium to see if they were there. She did see the main stem of the vines through the glass panels from the roof. While she saw no sign of Bruce and Dick, the plant structure might just be her best bet.

If she could get there.

The majority of the guards seem to be in the atrium which only reinforces the suspicion her friends are there. She does not have an eye on Ivy and Penguin, but they are probably elsewhere conducting business.

If only she had the same skill level as Batman or Robin and then she could knock the henchmen unconscious one by one. But no! Bruce and Dick insisted she would not learn offensive moves. Moves which would really be helpful right at this moment.

She's only thankful she isn't tall for her age because her shortish stature makes it easier to sneak around.

After ducking behind crates and running for a bit on the rafters, she finally (finally!) made her way to the main plant structure thingy. She was careful to not touch any of Ivy's vines because she somewhat remembers Bruce saying Ivy can sense when someone touches them like a spider. It's weird, but then again Gotham is weird.

She circled the plant, trying to see if there is any clue to point her to Batman and Robin. Just as she was going to turn around to check another room, a small hiss caught her attention.

"Who are you?"

She turned her head to the left and saw Batman and Robin completely trapped in vines. Allison quickly checked her surroundings before lowering her hood to show a mess of blond hair. She really should have put it in a braid or something because this is going to be a pain to brush out.

Both Bruce and Dick's jaws dropped. She giggled for a second before quickly silencing herself as she took a paranoid look around her to see if anyone heard her.

"Allison!? What are you doing here?" This was a lot louder than a small hiss.

The girl glared at Dick through her mask and pulled her hood back up. "Saving your ungrateful behind. Hi Batman, glad to see you're not unconscious anymore. Agent A was getting worried."

Bruce's lip quirked up. "Hello, A." He shifted in the vines and Allison could see that he managed to free one of his hands.

Dick opened his mouth in an attempt to probably yell at her, but Allison stopped him before he could. "Look, I know I'm not supposed to be here, but can we talk about it when you're not trapped in vines?"

Dick glared at her before stiffly nodding.

"Great," Allison moved closer to the vines. "So, what is the best way to go about this?"

Bruce responded in a low voice, "Ivy will know when we start cutting her vines."

Dick said, "She'll stop us before we get free."

Allison hummed and look at her utility beat, mentally counting the number of smoke bombs she has. "You are saying we need a distraction?"

Both Bruce and Dick grimly nodded. Dick opened his mouth, but thought better of it and immediately shut it.

She released a sigh before handing Bruce a Batarang and glanced at Dick. "Do you have a free hand?" He nodded and revealed it. Allison was about to hand him her other Batarang when he grabbed her wrist. She glanced up, her eyes meeting with his mask. Though she couldn't see his eyes, she knew the worry was there.

He frowned and Allison almost thought he wasn't going to say anything when he said, "Be careful."

She pursed her lips and curtly nodded. She didn't say anything back, but Dick knew she would do her best.

She placed the Batarang in his hands and quickly turned her back to walk away. Just as she was a few feet away, she faced them again and said, "Wait for my signal. You'll know it when you hear it." She then disappeared from their sight.

OoO

Setting up the bombs was the easy part. Finding where Penguin and Ivy were at was the hard part. Finding a way to distract Penguin and Ivy was the hardest part. Finding a way to set a bomb in the room Penguin and Ivy were at was the impossible part because there is a giant vine blocking Allison from the room Penguin and Ivy are in.

She took a moment to consider her options before shrugging and placing an actual bomb and not a smoke bomb next to the vine. It's not that big so it's not like it will hurt anyone. She thinks. She hasn't actually used one of these bombs before so she's completely guessing.

Then again, it is almost five AM and she is really tired and doesn't care at this point.

She started to reconsider before deciding that they were the ones who decided to be villains. Honestly, if they didn't want their door to be bombed they should have just chosen a different career path. Allison heard there is a need for nurses at one of Gotham's hospitals.

She immediately snorted at the image of Penguin or Poison Ivy in a nurses' uniform conducting a doctor's check-up.

She already planned to do the smoke bombs first to distract the henchmen before doing the one in front of her quickly after. Hopefully, the bomb in front of her can obstruct the door in some way which will give her time to escape and Bruce and Dick time to free themselves and take some of Penguin's men down.

Allison backed up a few feet down the hallway, took a breath, and set off the smoke bombs. She could hear the bombs activating and the confused yells of the guards. She instantly set off the other bomb.

Allison had to duck to avoid some debris and plant remains. When she glanced up the plant was destroyed and the door was off of its hinges. Other than that, nothing was obstructing the door. Her eyes widened as she realized her plan did not work. She could hear the footsteps nearing the door.

She fished through her utility belt and pulled out a smoke bomb, not knowing what else to do. Allison knows she needs to escape, but she also needs to buy Batman and Robin time to escape.

She rose her shaky arm and when the door opened to reveal Poison Ivy, she threw the bomb as hard as she could. When the bomb reached Ivy, it reacted. Allison found out she did not throw a smoke bomb. She threw a real, explosive bomb that threw Ivy backward. Ivy broke through the windows on the opposite wall.

Allison shared a shocked look with Penguin of all people. She hesitantly pointed to the broken window. "I-I did not mean to do that."

Penguin didn't respond and only clutched his cane tighter.

"You think she'll be okay? She'll be okay, right?"

Penguin just gave her a look like he was wondering why she was even asking him. Wait, that is a good question.

Allison shook it off and just said, "Nah, she'll be fine. She's a meta-villain."

Despite what she said, Allison glanced out of the window. Instead of seeing a green figure collapsed on the floor like she suspected she would see, Allison saw a figure running away from the warehouse.

Allison laughed and grinned. "Yep, she's fine. Batman and Robin should be free, your henchmen should be taken care of, and Ivy is currently high-tailing it out of here. I have to ask, how does it feel to be alone, Penguin?"

She has to admit she's being a little cocky about this, but come on! She just rescued Batman and Robin and exploded Poison Ivy out of a window. By herself!

Penguin started to back away from Allison with a very nervous expression on his face. Allison crossed her arms, fully content in waiting for Batman or Robin to handcuff the guy. Penguin desperately looked around the room in some way of escape before he dejectedly looked to Allison.

She expected to see defeat or even anger in his eyes. However, she was very confused when neither of them appeared. Instead, Penguin started to grin and looked behind her.

"Why don't you tell me?"

She turned around only to feel a sudden burning sensation in her left arm. She cried out in pain as she uncrossed her arms, staggering backward as the sharp throbbing seemed to fill her entire body. Blood suddenly appeared on her left arm and started to flow out of her. Her back hit the wall behind her as she struggled not to scream out in pain as her arm was jostled. Through the encompassing agony, she came to an overwhelming realization.

She got shot.

Allison could see out of the corner of her eye Penguin and another man making their way towards her. The man was one of Penguin's men and had a small gun in his hand.

Her vision started to get hazy and she knew she was losing too much blood. She put her other hand on the wound which was somewhere in between her shoulder and elbow. The blood made it impossible to see where it was and she only found the gunshot wound because of the pain. She released a suppressed scream as she put hard pressure on it.

The pain was terrible. It was taking Allison everything she had to stop the tears from flowing down her face. It hurt. It hurt more than any pain she ever experienced, but she was not going to allow Penguin to see her cry.

Allison clenched her teeth and looked up. Penguin was right in front of her at this point and was pointing a very sharp-looking knife at her. She cursed herself at becoming so cocky and forgetting to look behind her. Maybe if she did she wouldn't be in this very dangerous predicament.

Penguin smirked at her. "Well, well, well. It looks like we have another little birdie! I don't like this hood. You!" He pointed to the nameless man. "Get rid of that hood so I can see who this bird is."

The man obeyed, and despite Allison's resistance, was able to pull her hood down. Penguin's eyes widened in surprise and he squawked in laughter. "Ah! We have a lady bird in our midst! Tell me, what is your name, miss bird?"

Allison remained quiet more because she was afraid she would start screaming in pain than in defiance. Unfortunately, Penguin seemed to assume she was just being stubborn. He frowned and moved the knife closer to her.

"Not going to respond? I'll just give you a name. A name, a name? What name could we give to this little, blue bird?"

Allison got another stupid idea. Before she could think it through, she moved as far forward as she could and spat in Penguin's face. Her body was too weak and in too much pain to hold her in that position so she immediately slumped backward and took deep breaths at the sudden and exhausting move.

Penguin's smirk was quickly replaced by a dark look. "You aren't a very polite bird, are you?" He growled. The knife inched closer to Allison's face as she tried in vain to move away from it. "We will just have to teach you some manners, blue bird."

The knife touched her cheek, drawing blood when a new voice added itself to their one-sided conversation.

"Aw, Oswald, I thought I was your favorite bird!"

Allison suddenly noticed the other man was no longer near them. Penguin seemed to notice that too as he turned around with hilariously wide eyes. Before he could turn around completely, however, he got pushed away from Allison. As his back hit the wall next to Allison, a punch in his face left him unconscious.

Allison saw who threw the punch and closed her eyes in relief. She leaned her head back against the wall and took a deep breath to calm her panic.

"Allison!? Allison, open your eyes! Are you okay? What happened, why are you bleeding? Allison! Alli—"

"Please, for the love of all that is good, shut up!" She groaned and opened her eyes to see Dick hovering over her injured arm. She saw him wince before looking over her arm.

"What happened? Did he stab you with his knife?"

She grimaced. Dick probably thought she did so because of the pain, but she did because he was going to freak out when he finds out it's not because she was stabbed (though the pain was still really bad).

"Ah, not exactly."

Dick froze and snapped his head to look up at her. He looked unnervingly calm and his voice was scarily even. "What do you mean?"

"I kind of, sort of, may have been—"

"Allison."

"I got shot." She said with a rush. Allison bit her lip and shut her eyes, very scared to see Dick's reaction. When he didn't say anything, she hesitantly opened one eye. His face was carefully blank and it looks like he didn't move a centimeter since she told him she was shot.

"Dick?"

"You what?" While his expression was blank, she could hear the venom in his voice.

She grimaced again. She weakly said, "I got shot."

Allison could see Dick's face twist into many emotions, some of which she was unable to read before it settled on pure, unaltered fury.

"You what!"

She winced as his arm accidentally bumped her wounded arm.

"Careful!" She scolded. "I just got shot."

Dick unexpectedly stood up. "Careful? Like how I told you to be careful? Allison, you are shot!"

"Yes, I realize that." She said dryly.

"Why did you not run like you were supposed to!? Allison—"

"Look!" She interrupted, feeling more and more annoyed the longer Dick went on his tirade. She could also feel herself getting weaker which she knows is not a good thing. "Yell at me when I don't have a piece of metal in me! Okay?"

Dick stared at Allison and she could see the internal debate happening inside his head. He ultimately sighed deeply and mumbled, "It is technically a lead-antimony alloy encased in—"

"Dick," she sighed both in pain and exasperation, "not now."

He smirked in response though she knew his heart was not into it. He kneeled back at her side and started to examine her arm. Every touch sent a sharp wave of pain throughout her body. She closed her eyes in a small attempt to thwart the pain. When the pain subsided a bit, she found she was quite tired. Maybe she can just rest her eyes for a bit…

Dick lightly slapped her cheek. "Hey," she opened her eyes and glared at him, "don't close your eyes."

She wanted to make a funny quip in response, she really did. But her mouth was moving before she could stop herself. "It hurts." She whimpered. She moved her gaze from Dick in shame. She whimpered. When Dick didn't respond she was thankful because it seemed he was going to ignore it.

However, he softly said, "I know."

She looked back at Dick and didn't see any sort of judging or pity in his eyes. She instead saw empathy, sadness, and something else she couldn't understand.

Allison smiled at Dick who returned it.

She didn't close her eyes again despite how much she wanted to when the pain became too much or when she was hit with a sudden wave of tiredness.

She didn't close her eyes.

OoO

When Bruce arrived, she could see he was as furious as Dick was. He thankfully was able to gain control over his rage and went to tie up Penguin and the other man. He led them to where the cops were in the atrium and came back to help Dick move Allison out of the building.

With cops and news reporters surrounding the warehouse, the only way they had as an escape was through the roof. However, they encountered a surprise on their way out.

"Batman?" Captain Gordon seemed to be waiting for them. He had a folder in his hands, but it was forgotten in his eyes as he caught sight of Robin who was helping Allison walk. She pulled her hood back up earlier inside just in case anyone saw them. She was grateful now she did that.

"Penguin said there was someone else in the building. Should I call paramedics?" Gordon glanced at her sleeve which was now drenched in blood. Allison heard Bruce respond though she kept her head down.

"No, that will be unnecessary," was Batman's cool response. Allison is honestly amazed by how calm he can be when encountered by someone he knows personally when in uniform.

The trio made their way to the side of the building and the footsteps behind them confirmed Gordon was following them.

"Can I ask who she is? Penguin already made it known to the press there was a female who seemed to be helping you."

Allison worked long enough with Bruce to know when something happens that he didn't want to happen. She could see his shoulders slouch slightly and could barely hear his quiet sigh. She should probably be upset he didn't want the public to know about her, but she can't deny that she doesn't agree with him. She definitely would have preferred her being a secret.

Gordon waited patiently for Batman's response. After a few moments, he said, "Penguin was telling the truth, for once. She is with me. Tell the press she normally works behind the computer in the cave but is always on-call for backup." Her head went up with a snap. She felt a smile creep up on her face at this news.

While she was happy she is promoted to backup, she could tell Dick was far from pleased by the way his body stiffened.

"And what name does she go by?" Gordon directed this question to Batman, but Allison could tell he wasn't going to answer. It wasn't his question and she was thankful he realized that. A hero's name is supposed to mean something. Whether it means something to the hero or civilians, it has a meaning. She spent months wondering what her name would be without finding an answer. She still hasn't found it.

She certainly didn't want the press to come up with her name. They would more than likely just give her something stupid and meaningless.

Allison deserves a good name. She earned it after tonight. She spent months helping solve mysteries and proving herself behind the computer. Tonight, she proved she's able to do more than that. While she isn't up to par with Batman or Robin, she didn't do too bad. Granted, the thing with Penguin puts a wrench in the works…

A name Penguin said brought itself into her mind. Something she didn't think about at the moment, but now seems to be calling to her. She once read a book about birds and she recalls the meaning of this bird: this bird is a symbol that means happiness will appear in your future. She believes it is only fitting. If she didn't have Bruce or Dick, she would be trapped in despair in her boring, socialite life. While her parents still are terrible to her, she thinks this name is going to give her hope of a better future.

At this point, Bruce and Dick already got their grappling hooks out and were about to leave. Gordon was well behind them and seemed unsurprised he was left unanswered. It probably happened far too much for him not to be surprised.

She turned around to face Gordon, her hood coincidentally sliding off though she still had her mask on. She stared at Gordon for a moment. He looked shocked for a second before morphing his face into a patient and calm expression. Her lip quirked up. She could easily see his anxiousness.

Bruce had already swung away, but Dick was waiting for her. Allison smiled at the captain and said, "You can call me Blue Bird."

She turned her back to him and took Dick's hand. The two of them followed after Bruce. Allison, despite the pain of her wound hurting just as bad as it has, felt her heart rise in the meaning of her new namesake: hope of a better future.

OoO

"Then what happened?"

"I turned back to Penguin and thought—crap that hurts!"

"Sorry, Miss Allison."

"It's fine, Alfred. Anyway, I thought I had Penguin cornered, but the joke was on me. One of his men managed to sneak up behind me and when I was turning around, shot me. Not much happened from there to when Dick knocked Penguin out beside him reveling in his 'victory.'"

They managed to get back to the Batcave and even though Allison is getting more tired because of the long night, the excitement, and the pain of being shot, Bruce is having her explain what exactly happened since she left them in the warehouse.

"What I don't get," Dick said from his spot next to Allison, "is why the guy shot you in the arm. Not that I'm complaining, it's just Penguin normally hires men who have good aim. Why shoot you in the arm?" Both Bruce and Dick stopped to think about it. Allison felt her heart falter as she remembered exactly what happened.

"Oh, crap." She breathed out. Bruce and Dick whipped their heads to look at her. She could hear the unspoken question. "I don't think he meant to."

Dick looked confused while Bruce kept on his poker face. Allison continued, "I forgot a detail. A really, really small detail. Something I forgot and thought didn't matter—"

"Allison." She turned her head to look at Bruce before she moved it to look at her hands on her lap.

She hesitated before saying, "When I turned around, my arms were crossed. Like this," Allison crossed her arms like she did earlier that night. It hurt as she moved her left arm, but the realization of what could have happened if she didn't have her arms crossed hurt even more.

Her newly stitched (which was a horrible experience of itself) and bandaged wound sat directly in front of her heart.

Allison could see when Bruce and Dick realized what she meant. A dark look passed onto both of their expressions.

A gunshot wound on the arm is far less serious than a gunshot wound on the chest. However, Allison has a suspicion if her arm didn't intercept the bullet…

She was lucky. She was unbelievably lucky.

"You aren't going back on the field." Her jaw dropped as she stared incomprehensively at Bruce. When he didn't say anything to clarify himself, she asked, "What?"

"No, I agree," Dick said. "You shouldn't have been out there. It's too dangerous."

She honestly couldn't believe it. "I saved you—"

"We would have gotten out in some other way." Dick interrupted her.

"Oh, yeah. How?" She glared at her friend.

"It doesn't matter now, does it?"

"Yes, I think it does! You wouldn't have gotten out!"

"That remains to been seen," Bruce said. "As Dick said, it doesn't matter since you aren't going back out there again."

"You can't expect—"

"Allison, this isn't up for discussion."

"You guys needed me out there. If it wasn't for me—"

"You don't have the training."

"And who refused to give me that kind of training?"

"Allison, I know this is hard for you to hear, but if you go out there again, this kind of thing can happen again. And you won't be as lucky next time."

"If I may," Alfred's voice interrupted the shouting match, "Master Bruce, how would you have escaped from Ivy's trap if not for Miss Allison?"

"Alfred, that isn't—"

"Answer the question, Master Bruce."

Bruce scowled at Alfred, but the butler stayed strong. After a small glaring battle, Bruce grumbled unhappily, "I don't know."

Alfred gave a hum in understanding. "And why does Miss Allison not possess the training you and Master Dick possess?"

There was a moment of silence. "We didn't give it to her."

"Ah, I see. Wouldn't you agree if Allison did have better, more offensive training, she would not have been wounded today?"

Bruce clenched his fist and gave a stiff nod. Allison was smiling wide as she watched the exchange.

"Now will you stop being a stubborn boy and give the poor girl a thank you?"

Allison wiped the grin off her face and tried to appear uncaring. It didn't work and Bruce could see it.

"I am thankful you were there, Allison," Bruce grumbled out. She couldn't say anything because if she did she would immediately start grinning. She instead gave a nod in acknowledgment.

"Miss Allison," Allison gave Alfred a startled look. She could hear Dick snort next to her and she quickly glared at him for it. "Master Bruce and Master Dick, while they are thankful for their rescue, are incredibly worried you could have been killed. You would have been killed if it weren't for the bit of luck you possess."

Allison doesn't like it when Alfred is like this to her.

"While I understand you don't have the proper training for now," Alfred gave Bruce a pointed look, "you must understand you were far too reckless. The only way you will be allowed as backup is if you promise to be more careful." Alfred waited patiently for her response.

The blonde scowled in return, completely unhappy about being on the returning end of Alfred's scolding session, but mumbled in reply, "Yeah, I'll be more careful."

Alfred gave a satisfied nod and walked away, his job now having been finished.

No one spoke for the next few minutes. She knew Bruce and Dick were still upset with her, but she didn't regret what she did for a single second.

So, she said, "I'm sorry I worried you guys, I truly am. But I am not sorry I came out to help. I'm not naïve. I knew what I was doing was dangerous. I almost didn't go in because it was so dangerous. But… you guys needed me and that was more important."

"Than your health?" Dick scoffed, but he sounded upset.

"No! It was more important than my fear of it being dangerous. Yeah, it was dangerous. But I had faith in myself and in you guys. And look! I'm completely fine!" She winced as she moved her left arm in the wrong way. "Well, not completely, but I'm fine in the way that counts."

Bruce and Dick still looked unsure.

She sighed. "If I'm honest with you, doing what you guys are doing is not my cup of tea. I'd much rather stay in the cave and be on-call as backup. And the few times when you guys do need me, I'll be more prepared than I was today."

Bruce still looked hesitant but accepted her words. Dick, on the other hand, remained unconvinced.

Allison leaned over and grabbed his hand. "Dick, I'm fine."

His eyebrows furrowed as she glanced uncertainly as her injured arm. He squeezed her hand and said, "You'll be more careful?"

Allison smiled in relief. "I promise."

Dick ran his other hand through his hair and sighed. Saying he still looked worried was an understatement, but he relented. "Okay."

By the time they went upstairs in the manor, the sun was beginning to rise. Bruce had asked Allison if she would want to return home and Allison didn't even hesitate when she said she would rather stay here. They all sat down in the living room to watch one of those cheesy rom-com movies. Her arm still hurts, but she knows it'll be fine.

Looking around the living room to see Dick almost asleep next to her, Bruce studying the movie with a confused frown, and Alfred watching contently, Allison knew she'll be fine.

Despite living with her parents, she never felt like she found a home with them. She never knew how a family member was supposed to react when you got hurt. She never knew how it felt to be loved or cared for by a family member. Allison James never knew the true concept of the word 'family.'

However, after all of these years, Allison thinks she may have found a home and a family right here in the Wayne Manor.

She chose the name Blue Bird for another reason. When she was younger, way before she met Dick, she would love to watch the birds flying around in her backyard. She would often run around with her arms stretched wide as if she was flying with them. The one type of bird that was her favorite to watch, however, was the bluebird.

It may be because of the cheesy rom-com that is on, but Allison can't stop the cheesy thoughts of the relief of finally finding her family from entering her mind.

IT IS DONE. I know I said I would update this sooner but I swear this chapter was so hard to write. Mainly because this is a chapter I wanted to be perfect. I feel like this is a really important chap to this story because like a LOT happens.

Also are there any good betas out there? Another reason this took so long to make is because I spend too much time reading every chap again and again carefully to try and correct mistakes. A beta-reader would help very much.

If you're interested, PLEASE LET ME KNOW.

Next chap will come soon, I promise. If it doesn't, I'll just… I dunno. If I don't post soon comment something for me to do and I'll do it. Girl Scouts Honor.

If y'all have any questions at all, anything you liked, or anything you wanted to point out, there is a nice box right below that would love for you to leave a review! ;D