Batman: The Crusaders

Chapter 6

Barbara Gordon's Pov
The next day was a blur. I couldn't get Batman off of my mind. Meeting him made me even more obsessed with finding out who he is.

"How did it go?" My father asked.

"It was...I don't know how to describe it," I replied, "somewhere in between scary and exciting."

"Oh," my father replied. "Do you have a crush on him?"

We both laughed.

"He's handsome," I replied, "thought I only saw his eyes and mouth."

We both chuckled.

"It turns out that green box came from a past villain," I said. "He was called the Riddler. He wasn't big villain but him and the Joker are working together. Batman said that was a threat."

"I knew the Riddler before he even went by the Riddler," my father said. "His name was Edward Nigma...he worked here for a little while. He was a nice kid but you never know what goes on on the inside, ya know?"

"Yeah," I replied. "So you really don't know the true identity of Batman? I mean you actually know the guy...you've talked to him and stuff...I don't understand."

"Some people just don't deserve to know his identity," my father said shaking his head. "I wish I knew who he was...but I don't think I ever will."

"I will," I said, "it's going to be my life's mission to figure out who he is."

"Why can't it just stay a secret?" he asked. "It's a secret for a reason."

"I've just dedicated so much time to it," I replied, "so why not dedicate my life?"

"Well what are you doing to do once you learn of his true identity?"

"I won't expose him. I won't give his secret away. I was just thinking maybe I could convince him to give up Batman."

"Why would you want to do that?" my father asked.

"Because it causes too many problems," I said, "all of these villains who wreak havoc on Gotham are only doing it for Batman's attention. If Batman didn't exist, we wouldn't be having so many problems."

"That's not true," he replied, "the Arkham Asylum has a lot to do with it."

"Do you think people would be trying to escape from it so much if Batman didn't exist?" I asked, "He's their main target once they escape. I mean, I know he's the one who keeps everyone safe but that's only because he wins. But people get hurt every year from crazy escape patients targeting Batman. We need to get rid of him dad. We need to find out who this guy is and maybe he can join the police force. If we find out we don't have to tell anyone. It's only for the city's sake."

"It's not as easy as you think it is Barbara," he replied. "Since when do you care about this city so much? You only came here to get away from your deranged boyfriend. You keep saying it was your mother who drove you away but I know it was all him."

"He had nothing to do with this," I said.

"Go back to Smallville," my father said. "This isn't your city...this is my city!"

"It's my home!" I said, "It's where I live! I want to live in a safe condition! Not just for me but for everyone else. Batman is ruining that, can't you see?"

"You don't belong here in the police force," he replied. "I can't believe I wasted that money for you to become a cop. You don't even know what you're doing."

A tear raced down my cheek.

"I didn't even want to be a cop," I said. I got up from my seat and left the room. I stormed out of the police station and down the street to my apartment building. I could feel tears running down my cheeks. As I made my way to the building I ran into someone, hitting my shoulder on their chest. I turned around to see Bruce.

"Sorry about that miss...oh hey Barbara," he said.

I looked down, trying not to show him my face.

"Are you alright?" He asked. "Are you hurt?"

"No," I said, shaking my head, "I just got in a fight with my father."

"Oh," Bruce said. "Well uh...Alfred is making deep dish pizza tonight...maybe that could cheer you up."

I shrugged and then nodded.

"Come on," Bruce said, "my car is about a block away."

We started walking and finally came upon his car.

"This is a nice car," I said, "very nice."

It was a matte black Lamborghini convertible. It was very cool. He opened the door for me and I sat down. He jogged to the driver's side and got in. He started the car and we drove off.