August 19, 2002

        "Oracle to Robin and Batgirl."
        Tim froze on the rooftop, glancing anxiously at Cassandra.  It
wasn't the computer voice.  It was Babs.  "Go ahead, Oracle."  He kept his
tone crisp.
        "I have someone here who wants to talk to you."  Her voice sounded
broken up, and Tim braced himself.  What news was so bad she couldn't give
it to them herself?  The moment's silence seemed to stretch forever as he
held his breath.
        Finally, another voice came on.  "Hey, guys, what's shaking?"
        "Dick!"  His voice was terribly weak, but it was, unquestionably, Dick.
        "Back among the living, thanks to you," Dick joked faintly.
        If Tim were not in the Robin suit, he might have cried.  "Don't
even," he admonished.  "It's so good to hear your voice."
        There was a bit of shuffling noise, and then Babs was back.
"Sorry, Tim, Cass - I'm cutting him off.  But we'll see you tomorrow?"
        "You know it," Tim agreed buoyantly.  "Robin out."
        Beside him on the roof, Batgirl shook her head.  "Told you," she
said pointedly, but underneath her full mask, he could tell she was smiling.