Barbara Gordon had a crush

Barbara Gordon had a crush. The man she liked had black hair and dark intelligent eyes. She went out with him nearly every night, but not on what you would call a date. She’d crash at his place every now and then during the day, but his schedule kept him hopping. True, she was only in her first year of college, but who could blame her for falling for the tall, dark, and handsome billionaire bachelor Bruce Wayne?

Today was one of the few days that Bruce was at home, and Barbara planned on enjoying every minute she could with him. All she had to do was ring the doorbell. She lifted her hand, heart fluttering. A whole day with Bruce! She rung the doorbell. Alfred arrived, said the usual, “Good evening Miss Gordon, please step inside,” and with that she was in.

“Where’s Bruce?” she asked.

“I’ll fetch him. In the meantime you could talk to Master Greyson,” Alfred said turning towards the stairs.

Talk to Dick? The Pixie? Barbara groaned. The twerp always prevented her from flirting with Bruce. But, she might as well say hi, it wasn’t like she had anything better to do at the moment.

She made her way into the family room where Dick sat playing his video games. Barbara looked at the TV. He’d been playing the exact same game a week ago.

“Don’t you ever get bored of these game?” She asked.

“No,” was his curt reply, “Aren’t you here to bug Bruce?”

Awkward silence.

“Uhhhh…I’m gonna go get something to eat,” she said as she dashed for the kitchen.

“Uh-huh,” Dick replied without thinking.

Once she reached the kitchen she slammed the door shut, her face almost as red as her hair, her heart pounding. That brat! He knew she liked Bruce!

“…I really don’t want to go Alfred, but I have to…”

Barbara perked up. It was Bruce, and he was headed for the kitchen!

She quickly scooted away from the door and opened the refrigerator door, trying to look busy.

Bruce entered, Alfred right behind him.

“But sir, its not right to put someone in danger like that,” Alfred scolded him.

“Alfred! I can’t go alone!” Bruce exclaimed, exasperated, “It’s a masquerade couples party!”

Barbara’s ears perked up. Couples? Party?

“What’cha talkin’ about?” she walked over and leaned against the counter nearest Bruce.

“Hm? Oh hi Barbara,” Bruce said, “It’s nothing big. Just a masquerade couples party that I have to attend.”

“Why do you have to?”

“Well, there’s some rare jewels that’ll be on display, one of them a golden cat with diamond eyes.”

“Ah. So Catwoman is a definite attendee plus any other criminal who think they could pull this off.”

“And that’s why I have to go!” Bruce directed a frown at Alfred, who merely raised his eyebrows.

“You don’t have a date yet?” Barbara asked, her heart pounding in her ears.

“No. Alfred doesn’t want me to bring anyone. He thinks they’ll be in danger.”

“Which is precisely why—“ Alfred began, but Barbara cut him off.

“—you should take me. With you.” I did not just say that! Barbara thought, shocked.

Bruce and Alfred looked at her. They too were shocked.

“Wouldn’t it be awkward? Bruce Wayne billionaire play boy and Barbara Gordon, police comi—“

“—you said it was a masquerade party, yes?” Barbara cut Bruce off.

“Yes…”

“Then no one would know.”

“Yes, but…”

“Bruce, it’s the only logical choice.”

He sighed, a sure sign of his defeat. Barbara cheered silently. Yes! A date with Bruce!

“Fine. Be here Saturday with a formal dress. I’ll provide the masks,” Bruce instructed.

Barbara grabbed a soda from the fridge, shut the door, and took off for the front door.

“Where are you going?” Bruce asked, bewildered.

“Shopping!” the red-headed teen replied, “I have nothing to wear Saturday!”