***************************************** Disclaimer: I own nothing here, all the characters contained within the story are owned by DC Comics. I make no money and write only for my own enjoyment and that of others, so lawsuits against poor me will be fruitless. Author's Note: This is written in response to a challenge set out by Syl Francis on the "Nightwing" mailing list. Though the challenge was made to someone else in response to their comment that Dick's reaction to Barbara's shooting had never been shown in the books, it tickled my brain. So here goes everything. Feedback to gabi@gies.com ***************************************** I'll Never Let You Fall by Terri Hayes Monitors flickered silently next to the fragile figure on the bed, the only sound in the room a quiet hiss of oxygen. A shadow moved deeper into the darkness outside the window, watching as the night nurse took a pulse and noted it on the chart she carried. Careful hands smoothed the blankets over the still form, and then the nurse left as quietly as she'd come. When the room was empty, the figure outside finally moved. Melting from the shadows of the night to materialize on the window ledge itself, he efficiently popped the screen from its moorings and let himself into the room. The midnight shift at the hospital was always quiet, the rooms shrouded in just enough darkness for the patients to sleep but with still enough light for the nurses to work by. The soft glow of the low lighting would hide the after-hours visitor from the eagle eye of the night nurse. Hovering near the open window for a long moment, just another indistinct blur in the night, the figure simply listened to the soft breathing of the bed's occupant. When he finally stepped forward to the side of the bed and lowered himself into the chair near her, Nightwing's knees were shaking. He reached up to remove the mask from his face with a heavily gauntleted hand, Dick Grayson's anguish became visible in the cerulean blue of his eyes as he looked on his one-time partner. Peeling the weighted glove from his arm and hand, Dick slid his hand into Barbara's gently. It broke his heart to see her like this, so frail and hurt, instead of laughing and soaring through the night sky next to him like she used to. She'd been contemplating retirement, he knew. Feeling as if she'd lost her edge. He didn't know if she'd finally decided before this or not... but now she would have no choice. Barbara Gordon, AKA Batgirl, would never walk again. Dick dropped his eyes to her hand, clasped in his, and let the tears fall. <