CHAPTER ONE

Carolyn and Dick arrived at the Clocktower right away. They came running into the Clocktower. "Barbara, what's going on? What is the problem?"

"The Muse has escaped." Both Carolyn and Dick froze in place. Their eyes were wide in shock. They couldn't believe what they were hearing. "The guards sang an ensemble on how they believe she escaped."

Dinah walked up to Carolyn, "Mom? Why didn't you tell me about the Muse? You've told me about everyone else."

Carolyn looked down at her daughter. "I know sweetie. Its just … this villain wasn't really a villain." Dinah looked at her confused. Carolyn sighed. "She was under someone else's control when she committed the crimes she committed."

"What happen to the person who was controlling her?" Helena asked.

"She was murdered," Barbara answered. Barbara looked at Carolyn. "You think she'll come?"

"No doubt about it. Who knows what the criminals in there have done to Kayla. If she escaped it can't be good." Barbara nodded. "Do we have any other information?"

Barbara shrugged. "Haven't looked." Everyone heads whipped over to look at Barbara. Barbara just yawned. "Carolyn will you watch over the Delphi? I'm exhausted." Carolyn nodded. "Thank you." We'll talk about this more in the morning." With that Barbara headed into her bedroom and closed the door.

"Who'll come?" Helena asked.

Carolyn and Dick looked at Helena and then at each other. "It doesn't matter Helena," Dick said. "Even though Carolyn said she had no doubt the person will come here, she probably won't and Babs knows that." Helena opened her mouth to protest. "No. We don't need to talk about it." Dick looked at Carolyn and saw she was trying not to show her distress. "If we do people will just get upset and we don't want that. Alright?" Both Dinah and Helena nodded. "Good. Now, Helena, go home and Dinah, go to bed. Get some rest, you'll need it."

Dinah and Helena did as Dick said without any fight. "This is serious isn't it?" Carolyn asked. Dick nodded. "You really think she won't come back?" Dick shook his head and looked at Carolyn. "Are you just saying that because you know what I want to hear?"

"No. Did you know she came back before?" Carolyn looked at him and shook her head. "Yeah she did. Bab's and mine senior carnival. Her and Barbara professed their love for each other and then she took off again. Told Barbara not to try and find her."

Carolyn and Dick stood in silence for a while. Carolyn went over to the Delphi and put it on standby. "Lets go home. The Delphi will page me if there is anything serious." Dick nodded and they took off.

THE NEXT DAY

Dinah was watching the clock waiting for the bell to ring and signal the end of the day. She wanted to get to the Clocktower as fast as possible. Ten minutes, she thought. "Di, you alright?" Dinah's best friend Gabby asked. "You've been staring at the clock and fidgeting for the past ten minutes. What's going on?"

"I'm just worried about Barbara. She didn't show up today and apparently she never called in sick. I'm worried something horrible happened to her."

The teacher looked over at the two girls with sympathy. "Miss Redmond why don't you go ahead and leave now. I know you are worried about Miss Gordon."

Dinah jumped up and started getting her things. "Thank you so much Ms. Wayne. I really am worried about her."

The teacher watched as Dinah raced out of the classroom. She turned around to reveal Ashley Wayne. "Alright. Homework time." The entire class groaned.

AT THE CLOCKTOWER

Carolyn, Dick, and Helena were all around the computer looking at the same information they had last night. There was nothing new. Dinah came running in out of breath. Carolyn spun around and asked, "Dinah, what are you doing home so early? I know Barbara wouldn't let you out early."

Dinah stopped and quirked her eyebrows at everyone. "She didn't. Ms. Wayne her sub did. You guys didn't know Barbara was still here?" Everyone shook their heads. They all looked towards Barbara's bedroom. "She hasn't come out?" Everyone shook their heads again. "Okay."

Carolyn got up and headed towards Barbara bedroom but as she got close to the door she stopped and turned around. "Dinah, what did you say your subs name was?"

"Wayne. Why?" Carolyn ran down the stairs and over to the Delphi. She started typing furiously. "Mom, why?"

Carolyn pointed to the screen. "Is this her?"

Dinah looked at the screen and nodded. "Younger but definitely her. She even has blue highlights. Who is she?"

"Ashley Wayne a.k.a. Oracle. She was the original."

Helena looked at the woman in question. "Wayne?"

"Yeah," Carolyn said as she looked at Helena. "I guess that would make her your aunt."

"Why'd she leave?" Carolyn looked at Dinah. "You guys said she'd come back. Why did she leave in the first place?"

Carolyn looked at Dick and he nodded. She brought up and article and moved out of the way for Dinah and Helena. "Did she …?"

"Kill Aphrodite?" Barbara said from upstairs. Everyone looked up towards her. She was wearing the bomber jacket from the showdown with Harley. "Yes she did."

"Why isn't she in Arkum?" Helena asked.

"No evidence," Carolyn said. "There were no witness. She made sure we were off the grounds and Aphrodite sent her goons to escort us."

"Fingerprints?" Dinah asked as she read the article.

"Gloves," Dick said. "Ashley wasn't stupid. She had no idea what could happen when she and Carolyn went in so she was prepared for anything."

"Why didn't she turn herself in?"

"Trust me Hel," Barbara said once she made it downstairs. "Taking off was punishment enough for her. I wouldn't be surprised if she was dead." Barbara moved over to the Delphi. "Why are you guys talking about her?"

Dinah looked at Barbara and noticed a look her eyes she had never seen before. She saw desire, need, and hope. Hope that she was wrong. "Well, I'm kind of giddy to inform you that you are wrong for once. Mom brought up the article because your sub today, her name was Ms. Wayne."

"Wayne is a very common name," Barbara said.

Carolyn looked at Barbara and said, "Yeah but, it would be a big coincidence that she would also have blue highlights. Dinah did you notice the color of her eyes?"

"They were eerily the same exact color as Helena's."

Carolyn walked over to Barbara and put her hands on her shoulders. "Are you alright Red?" Barbara completely broke down. Carolyn hugged her. "Come on Red. Let it all out." Carolyn rubbed soothing circles between Barbara's shoulder blades where she knew the redhead could feel it. "Let it all out. Dick will you get her some water please?" Dick nodded and took off to get water. Barbara stopped crying and pulled herself together. "Are you alright?" Carolyn asked.

Barbara nodded. "Yeah, it was just the nickname. It set me off for some reason."

"Its understandable. She rarely called you anything else, well, unless you count Venus." Barbara laughed which is what Carolyn was hoping for. "Knew that would make you laugh."

"Venus?" Helena asked smirking at Barbara.

"It was a code name I used so we could get some information on the Muse. It wouldn't be funny except we used a doubles tournament as a cover. The Muse's partner was Aphrodite." Dinah and Helena laughed. "We didn't know until I had already picked my name and by the it was to late to think of another one." That made the two girls laughed even harder and Barbara and Carolyn joined in. Dick came walking in and handed Barbara her water. "Thank you Dick," Barbara said as she wiped the happy and sad tears from her eyes. "She said she never left."

"Barbara?" Barbara looked at Dinah. "Ms. Wayne has subbed for you before."

"She has?" Barbara asked.

"Yeah. She always had me or Gabby write her notes for you. We always wondered why."

"She didn't want you to recognize her handwriting," Carolyn said. "Even after all these years you would see it and know it was hers in a heartbeat." Barbara nodded. "Can you hack into the school's system and get her address?"

"I can but she said not to try and find her."

"She didn't really stay hidden," Carolyn said.

"Dinah, has she subbed for anyone else?"

"No. Only you Barbara."

Barbara gave Carolyn a look. "So what Barbara? You could have asked anyone who subbed for you. Its just a lucky break for her that you never do."

"She knows that I never would as long as my students don't complain about the sub. I'm going to the school and see if I can catch her before she leaves." Barbara got her coat and took off. "Watch the Delphi!" she yelled over her shoulder. Everyone looked at each other.

NEW GOTHAM HIGH SCHOOL FACULTY PARKING LOT A HALF HOUR LATER (I know the song lyrics don't match but it's the point of the song that counts)

Barbara was going through the hallways as fast as possible, trying to find Ashley. She dodged down side hallways and into classrooms to avoid the principle. She wasn't looking at where she was going and ran into a bathroom door that was opening. It hit the person who was opening it. "Oh, my god. I'm so sorry," Barbara said as the person came out from behind the door with shock on her face. Barbara immediately recognized her. "Ashley?"

Ashley: Hey baby, is that you? / Wow, your hair got so long / Yeah, yeah, I love it, I really do / `Norma Jean', ain't that the song / We'd sing in the car / Drivin' downtown, top down / Making the rounds / Checking out the bands on Doheeney Avenue Barbara: Yeah, life throws you curves / But you learned to swerve / Me I swung and I missed / And the next thing ya know / I'm reminiscin', dreaming old dreams / Wishing on wishes / Like you would be back again Both: I wake up and tear drops / They fall down like rain / I put on that old song we danced to and then / I head off to my job / Guess not much has changed Barbara: Punch the clock / Head for home / Check the phone, just incase / Go to bed / Dream of you / That's what I'm doing these days Ashley: Someone told me after college / You ran off to Vegas / You married a rodeo cowboy / Wow, that ain't the girl I knew / Me I've been a few places / Mostly here and there once or twice / Still sortin' out life, but I'm doing alright / Yeah, it's good to see you too / Hey girl, I'm late / And those planes, they don't wait / But if I ever come back around / To this sleepy old town / Promise you I'll stop in / To see an old friend / And until then... Both: I wake up and tear drops / They fall down like rain / I put on that old song we danced to and then / I head off to my job / Guess not much has changed Barbara: Punch the clock / Head for home / Check the phone, just incase / Go to bed / Dream of you / That's what I'm doing these Both: I wake up and tear drops / They fall down like rain / I put on that old song we danced to and then I wake up and tear drops / They fall down like rain / I put on that old song we danced to and then I wake up and tear drops / They fall down like rain / I put on that old song we danced to and then

Ashley and Barbara just stared at each other for what seemed like forever. Finally Barbara broke the silence with, "The Muse has escaped."

CHAPTER TWO

Ashley stared at Barbara as the words had time to process in her mind. The Muse. The person who made her sink to the same level as the bad guys. The person who made her lose the woman she loved. "When?"

"Last night. We've been on the case since. When I got up this afternoon they were looking at your file. I asked why and Dinah said you were my sub." Ashley nodded. "Were you really on your way out of town?" Ashley shook her head. "Then why …"

"Mommy!" came a scream from down the hall.

Ashley turned around and smiled. "Britney!" The little girl who had screamed came running down the hall and jumped into Ashley's outstretched arms. "How's my little girl?"

"Good." Britney looked down the hall and saw a old woman. She leaned into Ashley and whispered in her ear, "I don't like Ms. Valentine. She wouldn't let me watch TV or play with Bobby. Do I have to stay with her still?"

Ashley shook her head. "I'll find you a new baby-sitter." Ashley waved Ms. Valentine over. "Thank you Ms. Valentine," Ashley said as she handed the woman some money. "I won't be needing you to watch Britney anymore. I'm going to stay home from now on." Ms. Valentine nodded her head and left. "Well, that was rude."

Britney was looking at Barbara whose mouth was open in shock. "Who's that Mommy?"

Ashley spun around and saw Barbara was still sitting there. "Ah, Red you trying to catch flies there?" Barbara's mouth snapped shut as Ashley chuckled. "Britney I'd like you to say hi to Ms. Barbara. She's an old friends of mine."

Ashley put Britney down who walked up to Barbara and held out her hand. "It's a pleasure to meet you Ms. Barbara."

Barbara smiled down at Britney and shook her hand. "Same here Britney." Barbara looked up at Ashley who was smiling at the scene. "You have a daughter?" Ashley nodded. "Adopted?" Ashley raised an eyebrow at that. Barbara looked at Britney again who was walking around her and looking at her chair. "Never mind. Its obvious she's yours. Whose the father?" Ashley shrugged. "How do you not know?"

"Can we talk about it later Red?"

Barbara smiled. "So, you're going to stay around for there to be a later?" Ashley looked at Barbara, smiled, and nodded. "Good. Lets go introduce your daughter to everyone else. Carolyn and Dick are at the Clocktower." Barbara looked down at Britney. "You want a ride outside?" Britney nodded her head. "Well, climb on up. Just be careful and try not to kick me." Britney carefully climbed up into Barbara's lap. "You coming Ashley?" Ashley nodded and the three of them were off. "You know Carolyn and Dick are engaged?" Ashley stopped and her mouth dropped open. "You like catching flies too?" Ashley's mouth closed as Britney and Barbara laughed.

THE CLOCKTOWER A HALF HOUR LATER

"Think Barbara found her?" Dick asked Carolyn. She shrugged. "Wonder how she'll react to me and you."

Carolyn chuckled as she sat next to Dick and leaned against him. "She'll ask tons of questions and want to know every detail on how we got together." Carolyn smiled. "She has to know everything …"

"… and she does." Dick finished Carolyn's sentence.

"I resent that," Ashley said as she walked into the Clocktower behind Barbara and Britney. "Hey Tweety."

Carolyn jumped up and hugged Ashley. "You came back!"

"I never actually left. I wasn't eighteen yet. I couldn't leave town without being considered a runaway."

Carolyn punched Ashley in the shoulder. "Don't ever do that again! You hear me?"

"Hey," yelled Britney as she jumped out of Barbara's lap. "Don't hit my mother!" Ashley and Barbara laughed as Carolyn looked down at Britney with shock.

"Tweety, I'd like you to meet my daughter, Britney," Ashley said as she picked Britney up. "Britney, say hi to Ms. Carolyn." Britney clamped her mouth shut and shook her head. "Brit, she was just joking around. I scared her a long time ago and she was telling me not to do it again."

"Like when I got separated from you in the mall?" Ashley nodded. Britney looked over at Carolyn. "Hi," she said shyly then stuffed her head in the crook of Ashley's neck. "Sorry for yelling," she
murmured.

"Its alright Britney. I shouldn't have hit your mother. Its nice to meet you."

When Britney didn't answer Carolyn looked at Ashley. "She can't hear you. She's deaf. That's why she didn't know what you were yelling and hitting me for. She wasn't looking straight at you so she couldn't read your lips."

"Wow. You can't even tell. She talks so … well, normal."

"I know. Its because of her Meta ablilities. When she goes feral her hearing returns to normal. That's how she learned how to talk." Ashley looked down at Britney and realized she had fallen asleep. "Well, I better get going. Britney's asleep, meaning she didn't get her nap."

"You guys could stay here tonight," Barbara said. "That way you can help out with research and stuff. It would be nice to have someone else who knows how to use the Delphi so well they could reprogram it in their sleep."

Ashley chuckled. "Alright. I'll have to borrow some clothes though."

Just then Alfred walked in. "Ms. Barbara is there … Ms. Ashley! What a pleasant surprise!" Alfred walked over to Ashley and hugged her. He looked at Britney in her arms. "And who is this sleeping beauty?"

Ashley smiled. "This, old man, is my daughter Britney."

"She looks just like her mother." Ashley blushed. "Ms. Barbara, is there anything you need before I go back to the manor?"

"Yes actually. Do you have any of Ashley's old clothes here? I don't think I have any that will fit her, considering she is a good five inches shorter then almost all of us." Ashley huffed.

"I think I actually do Ms. Barbara, including some clothes from when she was Britney's age. I'll go get them right now."

Just then Huntress came in from the balcony. "Barbara I'm going to do an early sweep then I'll be … back." Helena looked at Ashley. "Hello. Who are you?"

"Ashley Wayne. You must be Helena." Ashley held her hand out.

"Don't expect me to call you aunt or anything," Helena said as she ignored Ashley's hand and plopped down on the couch next to Dick.

"I'm sorry. Why would you call me aunt?" Ashley looked at Helena then at everyone else.

"Bruce is her father, Ashley," Barbara said. Ashley calmly nodded. "Well, I'm hungry. Is anyone else?" Carolyn, Dick, Dinah, and Helena all shook their heads. "What about you Ashley?"

"I could eat."

"You could always eat," Carolyn said. Ashley stuck her tongue out which Carolyn copied.

"And you guys always said I was immature," Dick commented.

"Do you really want to hear my insane troll logic for this argument, again. I'm sure you've memorized it by now. I mean, how many times did we have this exact same conversation over breakfast?" Ashley asked.

"Everyone morning," Carolyn answered. Ashley nodded and looked at Dick. He just rolled his eyes. "You guys will have to go out. Alfred does grocery in the morning and the cupboards are bare." Ashley rolled her eyes. "Dinah, can Britney sleep in your room?"

"Sure." Dinah walked over to Ashley. "I can take her Ms. Wayne."

"Thanks, and Dinah? Feel free to call me Ashley outside of school." Dinah nodded and headed towards the penthouse. Ashley turned to Barbara and asked "So where do you want to go?"

Barbara smirked and said, "It's a surprise." She got in the elevator. "Are you coming?" Ashley blushed and entered the elevator. Carolyn and Dick laughed.

AT AN ITALIAN RESTAURANT

Ashley and Barbara were sitting in a little corner Italian restaurant. "Do you remember this place?" Barbara asked Ashley.

Ashley smiled and nodded. "Its where I took you for your birthday your first year as Batgirl. It seems a lot smaller now."

"Seems bigger to me." Ashley nodded. Barbara looked at Ashley and smiled sadly. "I haven't been here since the shooting. My only memories of this place are coming here with you after sweeps. It was always open."

"That's because I knew the owner," Ashley said. Barbara laughed. "I always called him ahead of time. He lived upstairs."

"He's daughter owns the place now." Ashley blushed. "But apparently you know her too."

"I dated her for a couple of weeks freshman year. She dumped me when I couldn't explain why I had to leave in the middle of dates. She got pissed when she found out from her father that I showed up here with you sophomore year." Barbara chuckled. "How have you been?"

"Fine. Considering," Barbara said. Ashley nodded. "I'm sure you heard about what happened." Ashley nodded again. "Why didn't you come back sooner?"

"My psychiatrist. She said I should stay away from you." Barbara quirked an eyebrow. "She knew what I did. I'm surprised she didn't turn me in. Well, now I know why but then I was surprised."

"What do you mean now you know why?"

"Harleen Quinzell." Barbara flinched. "Sorry. I know what she did to you. She's damn well lucky she's in Arkum. I might of just had to repeat history if you guys didn't turn her in."

"I almost didn't." Ashley's eyebrows scrunched up in confusion. "I almost broke my own rule. I only have one rule and I almost broke it."

"She killed a loved one, but I'm not surprised you didn't. You have always been the strongest out of all of us." Barbara smiled.

HALF HOUR LATER

Ashley refilled her and Barbara's glasses with wine. Barbara was laughing. "Remember when we performed "Dancing Queen" at the school talent show?"

Ashley chuckled and buried her head in her hands. "Don't remind me. That was so embarrassing."

"I thought it was funny. You had a shirt on underneath."

Ashley blushed. "That's not the point. You ripped my shirt off. My other shirt broke dress code. I got detention because of that."

"I got you out of it." Barbara took a sip of her wine. "That was when you started calling me Red. Why?"

"When my shirt came off you were blushing. Your face was completely red. Not pink or any other shade, it was RED." Ashley pushed her plate away. "How did Carolyn and Dick end up together?"

"Long story."

*Flashback*

GOTHAM UNIVERSITY

Dick was laying on his bed in his dorm room studying for a test he had the next morning. "I hate anatomy." He slammed the book shut.

There was a knock at his door. "Hey Grayson. You have a lady guest out here waiting for you."

Barbara! Dick jumped out and ran out to the common room. "Carolyn?"

"Hey Dick. How are you?"

"I'm good. Come on back to my room so we can talk in private." Carolyn nodded and followed Dick back to his room. "What happened to you?" Dick asked as he cleaned up the cuts that were all over Carolyn's face.

"I got in a fight." Carolyn looked up in Dick's eyes. "I can't believe I'm gonna say this, but I actually missed you."

"Missed you to Care. I'm glad you're back." Dick looked at Carolyn. They just sat there for a minute and then kissed. Dick picked Carolyn up and laid her on the bed. "Are you sure?" Carolyn
nodded and kissed Dick.

*End Flashback*

"They've been together ever since, well except when Carolyn took off for a while. They got back together as soon as she came back." Ashley nodded. "I have no idea why Carolyn went to Dick but I guess it's a good thing. They're extremely happy together."

"I can see that. Is Dinah his?"

Barbara shrugged. "Don't know. She doesn't look it. I haven't tried to do the math."

"And don't wanna?" Barbara nodded. "Don't blame you. Has Dinah asked though?" Barbara shrugged. "If she had you'd probably know." Barbara nodded. Ashley sat thinking for a few minutes. "You said long story. That was a very long story."

"I didn't tell you how they back together after she left." Ashley nodded. "Do you wanna know?" Ashley shook her head. "Our lives are like a soap opera." Ashley laughed. "So how have you been? You still haven't told me who Britney's father is."

"I told you I don't know." Barbara raised an eyebrow. "I was raped. Nine months later I had a bouncing baby girl."

"I'm sorry. Does she know?"

"No. I'll tell her when she's older or if she asks why she doesn't have a father around."

"She obviously doesn't care right now."

Ashley laughed. "No she does not. She's a spoiled little brat."

"But you wouldn't have it any other way and you know it," Barbara said. Ashley laughed and nodded. "Its funny I found you today."

"Why?"

Late last night I was going through some old things / when I saw a picture of you, my best friend. / It reminded me of days when you were mine, / you had a way that always left me with a smile. / I want those sweet days back again cause baby, it's a sunny day but you're not around. / That doggone rain might as well be pouring down. / It's such a shame cause my heart's on the ground. / Just wanna be Cool With You again. Sometimes I sit by the fire and reminisce / about the time that we spent in front of it. / And that old flame will never be the same, / until you come back here and rekindle it. / I just wanna share my heart with you again cause baby it's a sunny day but you're not around. / That doggone rain might as well be pouring down. / It's such a shame cause my heart's on the ground. / Just wanna be Cool With You again. I fall asleep at night and often see and hear in my dreams (in my dreams), / holding me (holding me) yeah baby, / but then I wake up and I realize that you're not here with me. / It hurts so much I gotta have you back baby it's a sunny day but you're not around. / That doggone rain might as well be pouring down. / It's such a shame cause my heart's on the ground. / Just wanna be Cool With You again. It's a sunny day and you're not around. / That doggone rain might as well be pouring down. / It's such a shame cause my heart's on the ground. / Just wanna be Cool With You again.

Barbara shook her head, breaking eye contact with Ashley. "Barbara?" Barbara wouldn't look at her. Ashley lifted Barbara's chin with her finger, forcing Barbara to look at her. "Barbara. I love you, I always have, and I always will. No matter what happens. Don't ever forget that. Understood?" Barbara nodded her head. "Good."

The two of them sat in silence for awhile, just staring at each other. "Ditto, you know." Ashley's eyebrows bunched in confusion. "The whole unconditional love thing? You know I feel the same way, right?"

Ashley smiled, nodded, and grabbed Barbara's hand. "I do now."

A HALF HOUR LATER AT THE CLOCKTOWER

When Ashley and Barbara got back everyone had already gone to sleep. As Barbara checked the Delphi, Ashley moved a chair out onto the balcony. She moved behind Barbara and kissed the crown of her head. "Wanna watch the sunrise?" Barbara turned around and nodded. As soon as she set the Delphi alarm Ashley picked her up out of the chair and brought her out to the balcony. She set Barbara on the chair she brought out and then sat behind her, pulling Barbara close so she was kind of cradling her.

I have always been a little shy / I've always been the quiet / Type till now / And I never let my feelings show / I never let anybody know / Just how much I was so / Deep in love / But now that you're in my arms

I'm gonna stand on a rooftop / Climb up a mountaintop / Baby, scream and shout / I wanna sing it on the radio / Show it on a video / Baby, leave no doubt / I want the whole world to know / Just what I'm all about / I love to love you out loud

You keep bringing out the / Free in me / What you do to my heart / Just makes me melt / And I don't think I can resist / But I've never been one to / Kiss and tell / A love this true can't be / Subdued / So I'm gonna let out a yell

I'm gonna stand on a rooftop / Climb up a mountaintop / Baby, scream and shout / I wanna sing it on the radio / Show it on a video / Baby, leave no doubt / I want the whole world to know / Just what I'm all about / I love to love you out loud

Baby, I want the whole world to see / Just how good your love looks on me

I'm gonna stand on a rooftop / Climb up a mountaintop / Baby, scream and shout / I wanna sing it on the radio / Show it on a video / Baby, leave no doubt / I want the whole world to know / Just what I'm all about / I love to love you out loud

Baby, I love to love you out loud / Yeah, I love to love you out loud

Ashley looked down at Barbara and saw she was asleep. "I love you," she whispered. She then kissed Barbara's temple and carried her inside.