A Bat and Her Beginning

Chapter 17: When the Bullet Hits the Bone

I wake up tied up on a conveyer belt of a machine. I know I'm in real danger but all I can think is that I live in a cartoon from the 60s I swear sometimes. At least back then clowns weren't scary.

I begin to look for Robin or the Joker, ooh or Batman that'd be great. As I look around I realize that I'm alone, that's, sadly, somewhat relieving. I try to roll myself off but my ropes are attaching me to the machine. DAMN IT!
What now Batgirl.

I see a shadow move on the ceiling above me indicating that someone's moving on the second or third floor. Judging from the speed of the movement I'd guess it's Batman but I'm still not gonna let my guard down. As much as a girl tied to a conveyor belt can not let her guard down.

I watch the figure jump off the rail above me and use his cape like a hang glider. I'm a little relieved that it's definitely Batman and not someone else though. He grunts and rolls his eyes, "I see you're a little tied up..."

I get up cautiously but ultimately decide to trust him, "And the Joker thinks you have no sense of humor."
I see a smirk spread across his lips, "Did you find Dick?"

"Um yeah, he's the one who put me here, or knocked me out at least."

Batman's eyes grow wide, "Well as you know Joker has many ways of mentally manipulating people, hypnotism, preying on weaknesses, chemicals and other excessive shit. I'm sorry you got caught off guard. It's a different feeling being taken down by a friend."

I shrug it off, "It's fine but do you know how to fix him?"

Batman scratches his cowl, "It's probably gonna be able to be undone with chemicals but if not he'll need talking down. He'll need to realize reality. If that's the case I think you will be able to talk him down better than me." I look at him dumb founded but he continues, "You two have a, um, special connection. I can take care of Joker while you clear his head."

I agree, I'd rather face Robin with a chance VS the Joker with none,and we begin to make our way to the main factory. We are moving cautiously but not too worried about being seen, we need the encounter at this point.

We make our way back to the open factory floor where we see Joker and Robin talking about something. They turn when they hear our footsteps. There's something wrong though. It takes me a second to realize what. Then it's all too obvious in more ways than one. Look at me from inside the Boy Wonder's uniform is Dick. Dick Grayson. My Dick Grayson.

Oh my god. That explains so much. Why I felt like I knew him from the beginning. Why he cried when he saved me. The weird chemistry and safe feeling I get around him. Wow.

Wait Dick's been the boy wonder for years and never told me. Not even when he promoted me to his girlfriend.

That explains why Batman knows so much about me though. He's got to be Bruce. It also explains why he thinks I can snap Dick out of it.

But does Dick know that I am, who I am.

Lord it would be a lot easier to have all these thoughts when I'm not about to have to fight him.  In the middle of my thoughts he began to charge me and I'm just now noticing this. I make the only decision that makes sense right now. I charge him back.

I slam into him and he topples to the ground shocked. I try to think of the right way to get through to him without completely giving away who I am.
I begin my voice shaking, "Dick? Dick Grayson?" Nothing.