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Author's Note
Summary: Dick and Donna break up with their respective significant
others and
are surprised to find comfort in each other's arms. But can a relationship
that's been based on a deep friendship and a brother/sister love last? And what
of those they left behind?
(Note: This story takes place shortly after the infamous Nightwing/Huntress New
Year's Eve "kiss" and Dick Grayson's Police Academy graduation. And before you
send me flaming e-missiles, this is just a "What if?" exercise...Okay?):):)
Disclaimer: All the characters are owned by DC Comics and Time/Warner (should I
throw in AOL, for good measure?); this is an original story that does not
intend to infringe on their copyright. Feedback is welcome!
Copyright: January 2000
Goodbye, Hello
by Syl Francis
"But, Auntie Donna! I don't *want* you to go!"
"I'm sorry, Lian, but it's best that I do."
"Is it because Daddy was with *her*?" Lian pointed accusingly at the young
woman who was tiptoeing down the hallway. The girl stopped and looked back in
obvious panic, knowing exactly what Donna could do to her. The fact that she
was currently in an awkward state of hasty undress didn't help her case any.
"Of course not, sweetheart," Donna said, noting wryly that the young woman was
trying unsuccessfully to sneak out. She gave her a cold glare, picked up Lian
to protect her from the presence of the "intruder," and turned away
dismissively. She carried Lian into the nursery. The young woman closed her
eyes in sudden relief and left.
Donna held Lian comfortingly, while trying not to telegraph her churning
emotions to her goddaughter. The two had returned home early from an afternoon
of shopping and playing in the park. They'd wanted to surprise Lian's father.
Unfortunately, the surprise had been on them.
Donna took a moment to collect her thoughts. How best to broach the subject
without seeming critical of Roy? Lian loved her daddy wholeheartedly, and Donna
would not say or do anything to ever hurt the child.
"This has nothing to do with your daddy--" Donna began, but was interrupted.
"--Then why *are* you leaving, Wonder Doll? If it has nothing to do with me,
that is?" Roy asked. He stood barefoot in the hallway, looking disheveled. He
was shirtless, his pants unbuttoned and partially unzipped. He looked
unbearably handsome. And impossibly adorable.
Donna wanted to break every bone in his body...
****
"You *kissed* her? On New Year's Eve?!!"
"Well, yes, but--"
Barbara's green eyes flashed. "How *could* you--? After all you said? That she
meant nothing to you? That that one night stand had all been a mistake--?"
Dick swallowed. How could he explain something that he himself didn't
understand? Helena meant nothing to him...and everything. She represented
everything he disapproved of, but he couldn't help feeling somehow responsible
for her.
It seemed that the more Huntress vied for Batman's approval, the more Batman
ostracized her. And the more Nightwing wanted to be there for her. The
kiss...it hadn't meant anything. She was injured and laid up in the hospital.
She needed someone...*He* needed someone. And it was New Year's Eve.
Dick tried again to explain.
"Babs, it was only *one* kiss. It didn't mean anything. I swear--"
"Like the time you kissed *me*? Not even a week before? I suppose that didn't
mean anything, either?"
"You're twisting my words, and you know it," Dick protested quietly.
"Remember
that *you* threw *me* out on New Year's Eve. Remember that *you* didn't want
*me* around that night. Remember that *you* said we were going too fast!"
"Sure! Throw my words back at me! It won't be the first time the perp tries to
blame the victim!"
"Victim?" Dick laughed in clear disbelief. "Babs, be reasonable. I was
wrong; I
admit it. But I was lonely. I needed someone and so did Helena. You're the one
who said you didn't need or want anybody. You practically threw me out on my
ear that night."
Barbara turned her wheelchair and began wheeling towards her newly renovated
kitchen. Dick followed her. He looked around at the kitchen's gleaming cabinets
and appliances with a touch of pride. He'd done much of the installation work
himself. He could still smell the fresh paint.
Dick sighed. Why couldn't he and Babs connect, he wondered for the umpteenth
time? Sometimes he felt like he'd loved her all of his life. At other times he
felt like he'd always be on the receiving end of her cold shoulder.
"Maybe you're right, Dick. Maybe I *am* partially to blame for this. But then
again, maybe it's for the best. If all it took was one rejection from me to
have you run into the arms of *that* woman, then perhaps there was never
anything between us..."
****
"Don't even try it, Roy," Donna said quietly. She knelt down to Lian's eye
level. "Sweetie, I want you understand that I'll always love you. Anytime you
need anything...anytime you need to talk...you just call me, and I'll fly right
over."
Lian crossed her arms and jutted her chin stubbornly. "Don't you love Daddy
anymore?" Her dark eyes looked plaintively at Donna's.
"I'll always love your daddy, Sweetheart. He and I are family, and always will
be. Just like I'll always be your Auntie Donna. Forever and ever." She reached
out to take the little girl in her arms, but Lian ran to her daddy.
Roy scooped her up immediately.
"*No*! You don't love us, anymore. I *hate* you!" She hugged Roy's neck
tightly.
"Donna, I'm sorry. This is all my fault--" Roy began. Donna turned away
imperiously, the very picture of an Amazon princess.
"Roy Harper, do not presume to flatter yourself. This is entirely my own fault.
I've known you almost my entire life--"
"You mean, during *this* life time, anyway, don't you?" Roy quipped, attempting
to lighten the mood.
The woman who was Troia whirled in fury. "Don't you *dare* make light of this,
Roy. When I moved in here, I came with my eyes fully opened. I knew you, and
the kind of man you were. But I was foolish enough to believe that I could love
you despite all that. I was foolish enough to believe that--" Donna stopped.
Lian was looking at her, and then at Roy, with wide eyes.
Donna swallowed and looked away. She would not say anything that would lower
Roy's stature in the eyes of his daughter. Instead, she changed tack. Firmly
placing a wide smile on her face, Donna turned and faced the two people whom
she loved more than anyone else in the world.
"I was foolish enough to believe that I could be both a 'wife' and mother,
again. But we know how busy life can be when you're a full time Titan *and* a
fashion photographer. I was crazy...I can't do this. No, Lian needs a full-time
mother, and *you* need someone who won't throw you out the window at every
little thing. So...like I said, it's best I leave..."
****
Dick stood with his back to Barbara.
"I guess, it's best I leave," he said. "I was wrong...I admit it. But it
doesn't matter. If it weren't this, it would be something else." He closed his
eyes, momentarily overcome by the pain. "You'd only find some other excuse to
push me away. You told me a long time ago that you didn't need or want anybody.
Maybe it's time I listened."
He headed towards the door and paused.
"Don't forget that we're still family, Babs. You know I'll always be there for
you. If you ever need anything, just call...and I'll 'fly' right over." He
turned the doorknob. He waited for her to say the words that never came.
Resignedly, he stepped through the door.
Standing immediately outside her apartment, Dick looked back sadly. "Goodbye,
Babs."
****
A few weeks later, Dick finally felt like his life was no longer on a downward
tailspin. He hadn't been sure that he'd ever recover from walking out on Babs
that night, but now--?
Nothing could possibly go wrong now, Dick thought happily. He and Clancy were
walking arm-in-arm from the Police Academy parade grounds. He was now a full-
fledged, sworn-in officer of the law, and Clancy had just informed him that
she'd been accepted into medical school.
He looked into Clancy's lovely, almond eyes and listened to the hidden promise
in her lilting Irish brogue. He smiled. Things are looking up, Grayson...
"Congratulations, Officer Grayson."
Dick and Clancy turned towards the new voice. She was standing there under the
shade of one of the mighty oaks that lined the drive up to the Police Academy
administration building. She wore a brightly flowered dress that flowed just
below her knees. Her beautiful long, sable hair fluttered softly in the gentle
breeze.
He recognized her instantly.
"Donna!" Dick cried out in delight. He ran to her and swung her, laughing, in
his arms. Her exuberant laughter sounded like musical chimes in a warm spring
day. "You *came*! This is so *great*! Where's Roy? Lian?" Dick looked around
for his friend and goddaughter.
"They, uh, couldn't make it, Dick," Donna explained smiling. "But you
didn't
think for one minute that *I'd* miss your graduation?"
Dick looked her up and down, holding her by both her hands. "You look
*wonderful*!" A sudden warmth suffused him. "Donna, you're the best. I thought
that no one in my 'family' even remembered--what with everything's that's been
happening and all..." He shrugged lamely.
Donna didn't need to ask. Bruce Wayne hadn't made it. She placed a hand gently
on his cheek. "I'm sorry."
"I know. But *you're* here now...that's all that matters--"
"Ahem--" A throat being cleared behind them unexpectedly interrupted their
reunion.
Dick and Donna turned as one to the 'intruder.'
"Uh, *Clancy*! Oh, God! I'm sorry...Donna, I want you to meet a friend of
mine...my landlady, actually. Clancy, this is Donna Troy, one of my oldest and
dearest friends..."
"I'm pleased to meet you, Ms. Troy," Clancy said, pleasantly. Her light Irish
brogue became slightly more pronounced. "Dick, I'm sorry, me boyo, but I must
run. I have a few dozen repairs that have been crying out for attention, but
that I've been putting off for a while now--"
"Oh, Ms. Clancy...please don't leave on my account," Donna protested.
"Oh, no, Ms. Troy!" Clancy said, laughing a little too loudly, while backing
away at the same time. "I *really* must go! Mister Grayson, as always--perhaps
some other time!" With that, she turned and made her way quickly to the parking
lot.
Dick stood uncertainly watching her go. He sighed. So much for that! "Another
one bites the dust. Thanks, Donna."
Donna smiled impishly. "Oh, it's not all that bad, Mister Grayson. I'll make it
up to you by letting you take me out to an expensive restaurant for dinner."
Dick smiled down at her. "Oh, you will, will you? That's very thoughtful of
you, Ms. Troy."
Laughing, the two close friends walked hand-in-hand to the curbside where they
flagged down a taxi...
****
"And she walked out? Just like that?"
Donna grimaced. "Well, I thought about tossing her butt out the window, but I
didn't think that homicide would be appropriate in front of Lian."
Dick grinned. "I bet Roy feared for his life for a couple of minutes."
Donna did not look amused. She opened her mouth, but Dick beat her to the
punch. "Hey--" he said reassuringly, reaching for her hand. "I'm just
kidding.
What Roy did was wrong, and I'm sure he knows it." Dick shook his head, then
added by way of confession, "But he isn't the only male Titan who's just put
his big, fat foot in it..."
He proceeded to tell Donna about his own romantic faux pas.
"You *kissed* her?" Donna hissed. "The Huntress? What were you *thinking*,
Richard Grayson? Diana's told me a little bit about her. Enough not to want to
meet her in a dark alley--not without my powers, at any rate."
Dick nodded unhappily. "I know...but, I can't help feeling *some*thing for her.
I mean, she tries so hard. Admittedly, she goes about it the wrong way, and may
eventually end up getting herself killed, but--"
"But she wants to do the right thing," Donna said understandingly. "Dick
Grayson, you amaze me sometimes. You're probably the smartest guy I know, but
in many ways, you're the dumbest. You *let* people take advantage of you.
You're just so...sweet. That's you're problem, did you know that?"
Dick gave her his best Batman/cum/Nightwing scowl, sans the mask. Donna almost
choked on her dinner in laughter.
"You're wonderful, Dick," she said, her eyes smiling. "You continue to take
in
strays who invariably turn around and bite you. This Huntress isn't for you.
She's a man-eater from everything I've heard." She paused, and added a little
tentatively, "Kory still loves you, Dick. All she needs is a little
encouragement--"
Dick emphatically shook his head, 'No!' "That's a closed chapter, Donna. I'm
not going back there. In the end, all I had left was pain and emptiness. It
took me a long time to climb out of the black hole that I crawled into." He
looked at her, his dark blue eyes burning with an intensity she rarely saw. She
nodded in acquiescence, but was not about to give up.
"How about Jesse? She's shown a certain interest in Nightwing's...um--" she
paused, teasingly, unable to go on.
"I *know* what part of Nightwing's anatomy Jesse's shown interest in," Dick
interrupted, blushing. "I admit she's cute and intelligent, and we're even a
lot alike in many ways...Maybe in another place and time, I'd be interested,
too. But--"
"But Barbara Gordon has been on your mind and in your heart for the last few
months or so. I *know* you've had a thing for her since we were kids, Dick. Are
you sure you're not overreacting to what could basically be a crush?"
Dick dropped his eyes, unsure of himself. "Donna, I honestly don't know. I
don't know what I want anymore."
He felt Donna's hand slowly encircle his.
"Dick, if it's any comfort," she began. "If I had someone like you, I
*know*
that I wouldn't push you away into the arms of another woman."
He looked up into her beautiful, blue eyes. All he saw was support and
understanding. He returned her smile.
"And if I had someone like you, Donna, I'd never be stupid enough to even look
at another girl."
They sat gazing warmly into each other's eyes for a minute longer. Dick noticed
for the first time how the overhead lights seemed to sparkle in her eyes, like
jewels in the bluest ocean. And her lovely smile appeared to be inviting a
kiss. Why had he never discerned the glossy sheen of her long, dark hair as it
cascaded gently over her shoulders whenever she laughed or shook her head?
Soon, Dick began to feel a slow flush encompass his being. What was the matter
with him? This was Donna Troy, his childhood friend, practically his sister. He
gave himself a mental headshake.
Can it, Grayson! You're still lonely after losing Babs. Donna doesn't need any
more complications in her life...
****
As they walked up to her hotel room, Donna felt butterflies in her stomach.
What's the matter with you, Donna Troy? Dick Grayson is *not* interested in
you...not like *that* anyway! He's practically your brother. She looked up at
him surreptitiously.
Why hadn't she ever noticed just how handsome he was? It seemed that all of the
Titan females except for her had at one time thrown themselves at him. Except
for Kory, Dick had somehow managed to fend off all of their advances. He was
much too intensely focused on being leader, at the job at hand, in his
training.
And the one time he'd allowed himself to be distracted by love, he'd been left
devastated by the experience. Was it any wonder that Dick rarely gave his heart
to a girl? Now, only the second time that Donna knew of (although, admittedly
there could've been more, since Dick never seemed to lack for opportunities),
Dick had been hurt again.
She sighed.
"What is it, Donna?" Dick asked. He'd stopped at her hotel room door and held
out his hand for her key.
She shook her head in self-deprecation. "We sure are a pair, Dick. You'd think
that two reasonably intelligent individuals would have better luck in the
romance department." She smiled up at him. "I guess we're just hopeless."
Dick unlocked her door and smiled down at her.
"You mean, 'Hopelessly romantic'?" he quipped. "Besides, who ever said that
Love was either reasonable *or* intelligent?" Turning serious, he continued,
"Thank you for coming to my graduation, Donna. It meant a lot to me."
He leaned down to kiss her good night. What started out as an innocent,
brotherly peck quickly deepened into something else. Soon, Dick was holding
Donna tightly in his arms, kissing her fully and passionately. What's more,
Donna was responding with equal fervor.
Eventually, when the two young people broke apart, they breathlessly stared at
each other in disbelief. The back of his knees had become watery; hers were
about to fold out from under her.
"Donna," Dick gasped. "I-I'm s-sorry...I don't know--"
Donna stood shaking her head. She covered her mouth in surprise. "Dick--? I--"
They continued to stare at each other in mutual shock. Finally, Dick's pounding
heart began to quiet down. His stomach stopped its aerial acrobatics. His legs
felt able to support him a moment longer. He reached his hand out and
tentatively placed it on her cheek.
"Donna, if you want me to leave, just say so. I'll understand."
Donna blinked against the sudden tears, and unable to speak, shook her head.
She held his hand against her cheek and smiled through her blurring eyes.
"Oh, Dick...I don't understand, but--"
"I don't understand it, either, Donna," he said, taking her into his arms
again.
****
Much later, he lay on his side gazing down at her perfect, sleeping form. He
was still stunned by the intensity of the feelings raging within him. He'd
known her practically all of his life. She'd always been the teammate on whom
he could depend the most...the one he entrusted with leadership whenever he had
to stand down temporarily.
She was his best friend, his sister, the shoulder he'd cried on when Kory left
him, the willing ear he'd confided in when Batman fired Robin, when Bruce
adopted Jason, recruited Azrael to replace him. But in all that time, Donna's
heart had always belonged to someone else: to Roy, to Terry, to her son, to
Kyle, and then to Roy again.
He felt his love suddenly overwhelm him, and he reached for her. Donna woke up
and, smiling, came willingly into his arms...
****
"Roy called again," Donna said sadly. Roy had been calling her, off and on, for
several weeks.
Donna and Dick were in her New York City condominium. The glamorous furnishings
were a direct contrast to Dick's own, seedy, Bludhaven apartment. They'd now
been dating secretly for a couple of months.
"He says that Lian misses me and our outings together in Central Park." Donna
looked ready to break down and cry. Dick held her against him.
"Did you tell him?"
She shook her head. "I couldn't," she whispered. "Did you tell
Barbara?"
He shook his head.
"We'll have to tell them," she said unhappily. "Sooner or later, they'll
find
out. It's best that we're the ones who break it to them."
Dick walked over to the window and looked out. "I know." He felt torn,
confused. How could something that felt so right, feel so wrong, he wondered?
Sometimes he woke up in the middle of the night glowing with indescribable joy.
At other times, he awoke into a deeper darkness than any he'd known while
growing up in the Batcave.
He felt a hand on his arm.
"No matter what happens, Dick, I *do* love you."
He turned and took her fiercely into his arms. "I don't want to lose you,
Donna. Not now...not when we've just found out how we feel about each other."
He held her at arms length. "Donna, will you marry me? Today? Tomorrow? Now?"
Donna looked stunned.
"Marry you--? Dick--?" she shook her head. "Dick, it's too soon. We
can't--"
"*Why*? Why is it too soon, Donna? Tell me that. We're neither of us married or
engaged to someone else. We're free to marry. You say you love me...I love you,
too. What could possibly be wrong with that?"
Donna looked at him, her eyes reflecting the very pain that he felt eating away
at him. "Oh, Dick, look at us! Listen to what you're saying!" She suddenly
brought her hands up and covered her face. "We've been sneaking around for the
past two months, unwilling to tell our closest friends or family about
us...About how we *say* we feel about each other. Why?"
She looked at him accusingly as if it were entirely his fault. Dick looked back
at her helplessly, unable to answer.
"I'm so ashamed...of me...of us," she whispered. "Of what we're
doing...trying
to *steal* happiness, while hurting those who love us out of spite, because
they hurt us."
She began sobbing brokenheartedly. Dick immediately enveloped her in his strong
arms. He felt his own eyes watering as he held her to him.
"Shhhh-shhh..." he crooned softly. "I'm sorry, Donna...I'm so sorry. You're
the
last person in the world I want to hurt...Please, don't cry...Please..."
****
Later, they sat quietly on her sofa, Dick's arms comfortingly around her, her
head resting on his shoulder.
"Don't you see, Dick? We found each other on the rebound. We were both hurting
and angry at the time. Maybe we needed each other. I know that I needed *you*."
She looked up him, her lovely eyes still tearful. "I've loved you all of my
life, Dick. You're the one person I've always been able to depend on...I've
turned to you more often than anyone else I know. I trust you unconditionally.
Maybe that's why..."
"Maybe that's why you were able to fall in love with me--for the first time--
all over again," he finished, smiling. She nodded.
"Dick, don't you see? We *do* love each other. We always have...We're just not
*in love* with each other." She tenderly caressed his cheek. "Whenever I'm with
you, I feel so loved and protected...so cherished, that it's all I can do not
to break into tears of happiness." She dropped her eyes.
"But it isn't enough," Dick said simply. Donna looked up quickly, her eyes
reflecting her inner torment.
"Oh, Dick, I'm so sorry. Hera, help me...it isn't enough."
A lone tear trailed down her cheek. Dick wiped it tenderly with his thumb,
cupping her chin in his hand.
He kissed her playfully on the nose. "Hey, none of that, now," he said hugging
her to him. Placing his chin on her head, Dick spoke with a twinge of longing.
"I think you're right, Donna. I guess I've loved you all of my life. You were
the sister I never had, the friend I could always depend on, the one person
whom I could trust above everyone else when things became too much for me."
He grinned.
"We were fated to fall in love, Donna. Did you know that? Some would even say
that we're made for each other. But--"
"But neither of us believes in fate, do we?" she asked. Smiling, Dick shook his
head, 'no'.
"And neither of us has been known to listen to what others say," he added.
Smiling, Donna pecked him impulsively on the cheek. Dick hugged her closely.
"I love you, Donna Troy," he said. "And given another set of circumstances,
I
would never let you go. But I can't compete against a certain rakish devil with
laughing green eyes and flaming red hair. Nor, do I stand a chance against a
curly-haired, dark-eyed angel who loves her Auntie Donna more than anything in
the world. With the exception of her daddy, of course."
"And I love you, Dick Grayson," Donna said softly. "But I know that I can't
compete against a certain redheaded, ex-babysitter whom you've loved since you
were nine."
They shared a quiet moment together.
"So, what next, Ms. Troy? Didn't I hear you say something about a date in
Central Park?"
Donna smiled and hugged him. "Thank you, Dick!"
****
Pausing at the front door, he heard her in the other room. She was talking on
the phone.
"Hello? Roy? It's me..."
****
Standing in the shadows afforded by the Gotham Cathedral's snarling gargoyles,
Dick finally made the call.
"Oracle, here."
The disembodied, computerized voice sounded cold and businesslike in the
breaking dawn. In other words...she sounded wonderful to him.
"It's me."
"..."
Taking a deep breath, he plunged in.
"How about some breakfast? We need to talk."
The End
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