Chapter 2: Damsel in Distress

Being Robin wasn't always easy. Dick had to constantly juggle schoolwork, hero responsibilities, and his own personal life. But the hardest thing was keeping you cover when someone you care about is in danger. Dick learned that lesson the hard way when Barbara was attacked. It wasn't even by some big villain like Joker or Freeze. It was just some stupid street thugs who wanted to get to the Commissioner.

Dick sat on his bed staring down at his phone in his hands. It had been a week ever since his 'almost kiss' with Barbara and they hadn't talked or seen each other since. They skirted around each other at school and avoided any kind of contact through Bruce or Jim. It was Friday and he had just gotten home from school.

What was he thinking? He couldn't just try a kiss a girl who was a whole freaking year older than him! But the thing that interested most him was that Barbara had leaned in as well. She wanted to kiss him and that frightened Dick.

The phone suddenly vibrated, startling Dick, and Barbara's picture appeared on the screen. Dick immediately picked it up and answered it. "Hello?"

"Hi, Dick." His heart lifted at the sound of her voice. "What's up?"

"Um, n-not much," Dick said nervously. "H-how about you?"

"Nothing," Barbara said blandly. She sounded unsure. "Can I ask you something?" she asked.

"You just did," Dick said at an attempt for humor.

Barbara let out a small laugh. It was nice for both of them to hear the other's voice again. "Do you wanna hang out in a little while?" she asked. Dick jumped and nearly dropped his phone. "My dad and I are going to see a movie in a minute but we could hang out after that."

She sounded hopeful. That made Dick smile. He switched hands holding the phone and gulped. "Yeah, I'd like that," he said,

"Sounds like fun."

"Great!" Barbara said happily. "Meet me at the park in two hours?"

"I'll be there."

Barbara smiled. "Okay, see you then. Bye."

"Bye," Dick said, also smiling. He ended the call and fell back on his bed. He sighed in contentment and couldn't get that smile off his face. He felt almost high with happiness and excitement. He was glad that they could just get over and forget about the 'almost kiss', but part of him wished that they could talk about it. He wanted to get his feelings off his chest, but he was dead scared to.

Dick pulled up the sleeve of his jacket and checked his watch: 3:15. He had two hours to prepare for his meeting with Barbara. Dick raced into his bathroom and hopped in the shower. By the time he got out, it was already 3:45. Dick threw his clothes back on and broke out the hair gel. He slicked down some of the messy hair on the sides of his head and spiked up the front. He didn't use gel often, but he made it look cool when he did.

Dick washed the gel off his hands and checked his breath. He grimaced and popped a breath mint in his mouth. He grinned in the mirror and decided his head looked presentable. Dick looked down at his wrinkled school clothes and frowned. He ran back into his room and threw off the uniform. Dick grabbed a slightly tight black T-shirt, a pair of navy blue jeans, his dark green hoodie and threw the clothes on.

The teenage boy then went back into the bathroom and got out his cologne. It smelled like forest pine, identical to the scent in his room. Dick carefully smeared some cologne on the back of his neck, under his chin, and behind his ears. He checked the time again: 4:00.

A sudden idea popped into Dick's head that had him smile. Bruce wasn't home (solo business with the Justice League) and Alfred was tidying up the Batcave. Dick ran down the hall and to the stairs. He jumped and slid down the staircase banister and flipped once he reached the end. Acrobatics always come in handy. He hit the ground running and slid into the kitchen.
Dick grabbed a notepad and wrote a note for Alfred on it: Going to hang at the park with Barbara. Be back before dinner—Dick

Satisfied with the note, Dick nodded and stuck it on the fridge. He ran out the front door, closing it quietly behind him as he left. He walked calmly down the road and towards the local mall nearby. He knew a couple people who ran the shops and was often given discounts. Dick soon arrived at his destination and whipped out his wallet.

"Hey, it's little Richard!" the flower cart owner Peter said, noticing Dick's arrival. "How ya doing, Dick?"

"I'm pretty good, Pete," Dick said, grinning. Peter was a tall skinny guy with sandy blonde hair and dark brown eyes. He wore skinny jeans, a tight grey T-shirt and a pink apron over it. Peter's mom owned the mall and he worked at the flower cart to make a little extra cash. Peter was 19 years old and like a big brother to Dick.

Dick examined the flowers and picked out a rose. He twirled it in his fingers and took a whiff. "How much for the rose?"

"For you, it's free!" Peter said slyly.

Dick grinned. "Thanks, Pete-y," he said gratefully. Dick took out a quarter and flipped it. Peter caught it and stuffed it in his pocket, smiling.

"So, who's the rose for, lover boy?" Peter asked teasingly. "You got a date tonight?"

Dick smiled. "It's just for a friend, I swear," he said sincerely. That was true, after all. Or was it?

"And who is this 'friend'?"

"Barbara Gordon," Dick said.

Peter grinned. "No way," he said, "Dick's got a date with Barbara Gordon! Wahoo! I knew it!"

"Would you keep it down?" Dick looked around to see a few people staring at Peter's obnoxious behavior. "I told you it's not a date!"

Peter narrowed his suspicious eyes. "Right," he drawled. "Well, if you two love birds ever get together, don't say I didn't tell you so."

"Will do," Dick said sarcastically. He turned and walked away towards the park.

"Have fun!" Peter shouted, waving.

Dick rolled his eyes and walked down the streets towards the park. He and Barbara loved to play there when they were kids. They had this specific table where they would meet up at. The grass was green and there was a large jungle gym for the kids. Benches and table were scattered across the public park and there was a small sign at the entrance of the park path that read 'Gotham Public Park'.

Dick walked down the path and found their table. He sat down and checked his watch: 4:47. He only had to wait another half hour and then he'd see Barbara. Dick looked around and watched two birds hop around the branches of a tree. The leaves were gone due to the impending winter and the air was getting colder. Dick pulled his jacket more securely around himself and sighed.

The half hour didn't pass quickly. Dick soon pulled out his phone and began playing games on it until he was bored. He checked the time: 5:20. He sighed. Usually, he was the one who was late. Dick and Barbara had a time limit for when the other was late for something. If the other isn't there fifteen minutes after the given time, then the other person is allowed to leave and be mad about it.

Dick sighed and looked around. Couples were walking in the park, hand in hand. It disgusted him. He played with the rose in his hands and twirled it in his fingers. The next ten minutes passed and Dick stood from the table. He walked off, angry on the inside. It was getting colder and Dick's breath steamed in the air. He slumped his shoulders for warmth and approached the gates of Wayne Manor.

"Hey Alfred, could you open the gates for me?"

"Of course, Master Richard," Alfred said back. The gates opened and Dick walked up to the front doors. Alfred opened the doors for him and closed them as Dick walked inside. The warmth of the manor seemed to clash with Dick's bad mood.
"But Master Richard, I thought you and Miss Barbara—"

"She stood me up," Dick said sharply. He tossed his jacket on a rack and stormed grumpily into the kitchen. He took a seat in a chair by the counter and glared at the wall.

Alfred walked into the kitchen and placed a cup of hot cocoa in front of Dick. He accepted it gratefully and took a heavy gulp, despite the burning of his throat. Alfred always put a little bit of coffee in Dick's hot cocoa whenever he was mad or upset.

"What happened?"

Dick sighed. "She told me she'd meet me at the park at 5:15 after she saw a movie with her dad. I waited 15 minutes after that time because that's our limit and no one showed up. So, I left," Dick explained.

Alfred sighed in sympathy. "Is it possible Miss Barbara could be in trouble?" he questioned.

Dick's eyes grew wider. "What do you mean?" The Batlink in his watch beeped and flashed red. Dick looked down and then up at Alfred in surprise. Did he just…predict the future? Dick raced off to the Batcave and threw on his costume. Then he spied the R-cycle out of the corner of his eye. Dick grinned despite himself and strapped on the helmet.

Barbara groaned and opened her eyes. Her body was sore and she thought she felt dry blood on her forehead. Without getting up, Barbara examined her surroundings. She seemed to be in a dark warehouse. There were random boxes stacked in the shadows and a few windows that let in a small amount of sunlight. There were ropes tying Barbara's hands and feet together.

Barbara couldn't remember what happened. She remembered walking to the park after the movie, and then nothing. She struggled to sit up until a voice stopped her. "Don't bother." The voice was deep but it didn't sound familiar. "You're not getting out of here."

Barbara heard heavy footsteps coming closer to her. She felt panic rise into her throat and sweat bead her forehead. A man in a hood bent over Barbara and grinned. His sharp teeth glinted in the faint light. He took out a crowbar and patted it with his hand. Barbara whimpered in fear. Five more thugs walked up behind the first and grinned cruelly. "It's time we have some fun, boys."

"I doubt you'll have such fun in jail, dirtbags!"

The thugs looked up at the glasses warehouse ceiling to see a panel open and Robin the Boy Wonder glaring down at them. He took out a birdarang and threw it. It hit a stunned thug in the face and knocked him down. Robin leapt from the ceiling and jumped fist first down onto a thug. The thug fell to the floor and Robin punched him in the jaw.
The other thugs rushed forward, whipping out crowbars and pipes. A big thug swung at Robin, but the hero flipped back and kicked another thug in the face as he did so. The Boy Wonder ran forward and kicked another thug to the ground. He growled and punched another thug in the face.

The thugs all stood and glared at the teenage vigilante. They charged and attacked. Robin dodged a swing from a crowbar and yanked a pipe out of another's grasp. He swung and knocked one thug to the ground. Robin snarled and nailed another thug in the face.

"And I was expecting Penguin or Killer Moth," Robin said darkly. "You amateurs have let me down. This should be easy, though."

The head thug snarled. "You're not the only one who's disappointed, kid," he spat. "Where's Batman?"

Robin gave a little evil grin. "He decided to treat me with a little solo mission," he lied easily. "Wasn't that nice of him?"

The thug snarled and charged at Robin. The teenager slid underneath his legs and kicked him in the batteries. The criminal cringed and fell to the floor. Robin handcuffed him quickly and turned to face the other thugs. He took out his bo staff and charged. There were only four thugs left and one of them was down with one swing. Robin fought with an animalistic ferocity that was driven by anger.

No one kidnapped Barbara. No one.

Robin kicked the third thug down and swung him to the side with his staff. He punched the fourth across the face. Ditching the staff, Robin tackled the fifth thug to the ground and punched him. Then he punched him again. Pretty soon, there was blood. The sight of red snapped Robin from his rage.

Barbara had freed herself from her bonds during the fight and rushed to Robin's side. "Stop!" she said, placing a firm hand on his shoulder. He looked up at her and nearly burst into tears. Robin shut his eyes tight, held back the tears, and stood. Barbara stood with him and he noticed the blood on her forehead.

Robin cautiously touched the gash on her forehead. He frowned and pushed some stray hair from her face.

"Thank you," Barbara said gratefully.

Robin gave a small smile. He was just happy to see that she was alive. Dick had been scared to death at what he might find in the warehouse. "Just doing my job, Miss Gordon."

Barbara took a small step forward. Dick panicked, just like the first time. He remained completely still as Barbara leaned in. Their lips gently brushed against each other until Barbara pulled away.

The large warehouse doors burst open and the Commissioner and police barged in. "Barbara!" Jim Gordon said, dropping his gun. He ran forward and grabbed his daughter in a tight embrace. Robin walked forward with a solemn look in his eyes behind his mask.

"Your daughter's alright, sir," the Boy Wonder said in a low voice. "These thugs won't be waking up any time soon."

"Well done, son" Jim said. He ushered Barbara off to the police officers and bent down at eye level to Robin. "Where's Batman?" he whispered.

"Batman left for a mission with the Justice League, sir," Robin said, standing up a little straighter. He had always taken pride in knowing any Justice League information, no matter how small.

Jim nodded and looked back at his daughter. A medic was examining her head. Jim sighed. "Thank you, once again, for saving my daughter," he said, dead-serious. Robin nodded like an obedient soldier and Jim patted him on the shoulder. He and Barbara walked out of the warehouse and got into a cop car. Robin walked out just as they began to drive away and he watched them go.

Robin sighed and took out his grapple. He fired it and swung off into the night. Barbara turned around in her seat and watched as the Boy Wonder disappeared in the darkness.