Disclaimer: The characters in this story belong to Bob Kane, who left the world a wonderful legacy, and DC Comics. I am using them without permission and make no money from this.

Time frame: Somewhere between the last issue of the Batman and Robin Adventures and the Batman: Subzero movie.

Author's Note: This story is dedicated to my sister, Marlene, whose birthday is December 14.

An Unexpected Gift
Part 1
by Corina "Mako" Borsuk

Dec. 14

"Aw, do I have to? Those things are always so boring."

"Really, Dick, I thought you enjoyed holiday parties," Bruce said dryly.

"I do enjoy holiday parties, but this isn't going to be a party. It's going to be one of these dull affairs you hold for business associates and big wigs. You spend the whole time talking about business or avoiding Veronica," Dick said, smiling at the last comment. "Besides, I'm finally done with classes for the holidays, and I don't want to waste my free time."

"Dick, I really would appreciate it if you would come. Besides, it'll give us a chance to spend some time together."

"Oh yeah, we'll have some real quality time. Not to mention, there won't be anyone even remotely close to my age there."

"Actually, that's not true. Jim said he was bringing Barbara." Dick threw his arms up in the air in a gesture of surrender. "Oh, fine. I'll be there. Alfred, break out the monkey suits."

xxxxxxxxx

"Barbara, what are you doing tomorrow evening?"

"I was thinking of going to Cindy's. She's having a little get together before everyone takes off for the holidays. Why?"

"Well, I was hoping you'd consent to being your dear, old dad's date to the Wayne Christmas Party," responded Gotham Police Commissioner James Gordon.

"Oh, Dad, do I have to? Last year's party was so boring. Maybe you could get Montoya to take you. She's nice, and I bet she'd be a lot of fun."

"Please, honey. You wouldn't leave me without a date, would you?"

"I guess not," Barbara said, resigning herself to the inevitable. "Just let me call Cindy and cancel."

xxxxxxxxx

Dec. 15

"What a bore."

"Talking to yourself, Grayson?"

"What? Oh, Barbara, it's you. Yeah, well, talking to myself is about the most exciting thing going around here."

"I'm insulted," Barbara said with mock indignation. "But seriously, this place is pretty dull. Dad asked me to come, but he's spent the whole night trying to convince the mayor to budget more funds to the police."

"I know what you mean. Bruce has been spending our quality time trying to make a deal with some guy from Central City Industries."

"Wanna bet we could sneak off to Cindy's party and be back before either my dad or Mr. Wayne notice."

"Yeah, Cindy's party," Dick mumbled, sounding distinctly uncomfortable.

"Oh, sorry. I forgot that you and Cindy, well…"

"Look, you don't have to dance around it. Yeah, I broke up with Cindy. Which probably means you hate my guts, right?"

"No, I don't hate you, but I do have to wonder why? I thought you liked Cindy."

"I do like her, but it just didn't click, you know? Sometimes, I don't think I'll ever find the right girl." I'll probably spend my life alone, just like Bruce, Dick thought. Then, aloud, he added, "It's not like any girl would be willing to put up with me for long."

"C'mon, Dick, don't sell yourself short. You're good looking, smart and funny. Not to mention, you've got a line on some serious cash," Barbara said, winking and playfully nudging him.

Putting on a forced smile, Dick said, "Guess you're right, Gordon. Besides, this topic isn't doing anything to lift our spirits." Taking Barbara by the arm, he whispered conspiratorially, "How about I take you away from this and show you the dark secrets of Wayne Manor?"

"Lead on, Grayson."

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"I thought this was supposed to keep us from boredom, not add to it," mumbled a very bored Barbara Gordon.

"Okay, so a tour isn't as exciting as I thought it would be. I thought you'd be interested in all the stuff Bruce has collected."

"Well, it might be interesting, if you could remember what this stuff is."

"So I don't remember, sue me. Hey, wait. I've got a better idea. Come with me." A sense of deja-vu came over Barbara as Dick grabbed her arm, dragging her behind him. Before she realized what he was doing, Dick had already pulled her out a side door.

"Dick, are you crazy? It's freezing out here."

"Don't be such a stick in the mud, Gordon. Besides, I deserve a chance to redeem myself." Reluctantly, Barbara followed, her blue heels sinking into the fresh snow. She was cold and seriously questioning Dick's sanity when they came to the crest of a small hill. The sight she saw dispelled any doubts about this little trip and quite simply took her breath away.

Below the hill was a small glade of pine trees. Each tree was covered with a layer of snow and tiny icicles. The small sliver of moonlight peeking through the clouds glinted off the Christmas trees. To Barbara that is exactly what they looked like. It seemed as if nature decorated each tree in celebration of the season. The sight was mesmerizing. Barbara didn't even realize she was staring so intently until she felt something slam into her back. The cold against her skin pulled her attention back to reality. Before she could spin around to face her attacker, she was hit again and again. The barrage was relentless.

Quickly bending down, she grabbed a handful of snow and hurdled it at the now laughing Dick Grayson. Unfortunately, with her feet partially sunk in the soft snow, she lost her balance, falling in the white down. She could hear Dick's laughter grow louder as she struggled to dig herself out of the snow.

"Oh, you are going to pay for this, Grayson." Without even bothering to get up first, Barbara scooped up another handful of snow and threw. The cold sphere struck Dick upside the head. He stopped laughing as he rubbed his head.

"Hey, that hurt!"

"Serves you right," she retorted, finally getting to her feet. She held a snow-covered heel in each hand and regarded them sadly. "Don't think I'll be wearing these again. Well, thanks to you, Grayson, it looks like I'll be walking back in my bare feet."

Just then, a chill wind blew through the glade. In truth, it wasn't much more than a slight breeze, but to Barbara it felt much colder. Dick saw her shiver as she brought her arms around herself tightly. The spaghetti-strapped blue satin dress she wore was soaked through by the snow, causing it to cling to her unnaturally. Her feet were buried up to her ankles, just as Dick's were. But, his heavy shoes kept his feet warm, while the ice-cold snow against Barbara's bare skin sent chills through her body.

Quick as a flash, Dick removed his blazer and closed the few feet between Barbara and himself. He wrapped the jacket around her, then just as suddenly lifted her off the ground and headed back to Wayne Manor.

"What in the world do you think you're doing, Grayson?"

"I'm making sure I don't get on the wrong side of the police commissioner by making sure his daughter doesn't freeze to death."

"There is no way I'm going to let you carry me in there, so set me down." When Dick didn't comply, Barbara began to squirm. "I said let me down."

"Calm down, will you? It's not like I'm going to hurt you. I'll take you in the back, and you can get dried off, okay?"

In response, Barbara stopped her struggles. But, she continued to mumble under her breath until Dick finally carried her through the back door. Dick managed to sneak both Barbara and himself into the kitchen without anyone being the wiser, anyone but Alfred that is.

"Master Dick, Miss Gordon, are you alright?" Alfred asked with fatherly concern. "You aren't hurt, I hope."

"I'm fine. Just a little cold is all. Don't let Mr. Over-reactor here fool you."

"Geez, I was only trying to help. I mean, it was sort of my fault," Dick said, by way of an explanation. Even so, he realized that he might have overreacted just a bit.

Alfred took in the situation as Dick and Barbara exchanged insults. Slipping easily into his role as efficient butler and care giver, he began gently issuing orders. "Master Dick, fetch a heavy blanket, while I make some hot tea. Miss Gordon, you just sit down and we'll have you good as new in no time."

About an hour later, after being wrapped in a warm blanket, drinking some hot tea and being given some fatherly attention by Alfred, Barbara was warm and dry.

"So, are you sure you're okay?"

"For the hundredth time, Dick, I'm fine. See?" She asked, spinning around for his inspection. "I'm plenty dry. I think the dress is a lost cause, but otherwise I'm fine."

"Look, I'm sorry about that. It's a really nice dress. I'm sure I can get Bruce to buy you a new one."

"What was that, Grayson?"

"I was just saying…"

"Don't worry," Barbara said, casually dismissing his offer with a wave. "I had a good time. The view of those trees was worth braving the cold."

"Really? You sure you're not mad?"

"Nope. You know, you can be a real gentleman, that is when you're not being a total jerk. Besides, at least I wasn't bored. Thanks for the entertainment, Grayson, but I better be going." With that, Barbara slipped on her shoes, smoothed out her dress and confidently rejoined the party.

"Quite the young lady, isn't she?"

"Huh, Alfred. Where'd you come from? Yeah, Barbara's pretty cool. Most girls would've thrown a fit if I hit them with a snow ball."

"Indeed," Alfred said knowingly. "Indeed."

to be continued

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