Richard had been observing that since the last few days, Jay seemed to have an upper hand over Barbara almost as if he had figured out a secret and was blackmailing her with it. She was often at the Manor, training with Jay or spending time with him which even though wasn't odd still he found it out of usual.

But then recently a lot of things about Barbara seemed out of the usual such as her lighter mood, her friendship with Kori, her change of direct approach while investigating and her new found compassion for street children. He had found her talking and helping them out occasionally and though he appreciated the effort, he couldn't help but feel as if there was some other force at play which he couldn't yet envision.

Making up his mind to figure out what was going on, he decided to confront Jay because it was easier to get stuff out of him as compared to Barbara.

He found him in the training hall, as usual working out on improving his fight strategy. At times it seemed as if the boy was obsessed with proving his mettle as a young hero and did all in his power to improve himself.

"Jay, a word," he called out to gain his attention.

"You've already spoken three," Jason replied without even a glance his way, punching the bag dangling from the ceiling hard, "but go on."

"Can we talk without you training? Spare me a few moments from your busy schedule, I owe you that much."

"Sure," he nodded, catching the bag that came hurtling towards him then steadied it, "just coming."

Strapping off the gloves, he climbed up from the main combative ground as he approached Richard.

"So... What's up, big bird?"

"I have a few questions," he spoke up, "regarding you and Barbara."

Jay managed to disguise the surprise fleeting on his face very well as he shrugged nonchalantly, "sure, ask away."

"What are you using to blackmail her with?"

Jason burst out laughing at which Richard's blue eyes had narrowed but were still focused on him. "It's nothing..."

"If you think you can fool me, you're wrong. I wasn't trained by the world's greatest detective for nothing."

He straightened nodding in reply though his stormy eyes were still glimmering in amusement, "okay sure. You got me."

"What is it?"

"She doesn't want you to know."

"Suppose you tell me either way?"

Jason thought for a while as if considering the option, "and what do I get in return?"

Richard knew the negotiation would come to that point so he spoke up, "an off from patrol whenever you like. I'll cover your assigned locations."

"Just one off? That's not much, to be honest."

Richard sighed shaking his head wearily, "fine, an off very week of the upcoming month."

His brow furrowed as if thinking about it but then he nodded, holding his hand out towards him, "deal."

"So what are you blackmailing Babs with?"

He shrugged, "I'm not blackmailing her. She just wants me to keep my mouth shut about it."

"About what?"

"About her new friend... Or boyfriend, if I'm allowed to be very honest."

He paused as if surprised, eyes flickering slightly in disbelief, "boyfriend?"

"They make a lovely couple but I have a feeling it's not going to last," Jay admitted though there was no trace of a joke in his words, he was being serious.

"And who is the lucky guy?"

"Neal Hastings." He stated off handedly though his steel blue eyes were trained on Richard, taking in each slight flicker of expression on his face thoroughly.

"Hastings?" Shock was evident on his features, "you've got to be kidding me..."

"Wish I were," Jay replied nonchalantly, "and Dick you know Barb would kill me if she found out I let it slip to you. So whatever you do, don't you dare bring me up in this entire scenario."

He kept silent trying to process what he had just heard. It seemed so far fetched and absurd to think of Barbara even being on good terms with a man like Neal let alone dating him.

But then even he had noticed her curiosity towards Neal and the way she had at times gone slightly out of her way to reach out to him. True, Neal had charisma and if he wanted he could bewitch any woman he pleased but Richard knew Barbara too well to be certain that could not be the case with her.

"You look as if I told you the world is going to end in an hour," Jason remarked, finally tearing his gaze away from him, "loosen up. It's not that big of a deal. The world's not ending and we're all going to be fine."

"At this rate, I might even believe that the end of the world is near over what you just told me."

A soft chuckle resonated within Jason as he shook his head, silently laughing, "and here I thought you were on good terms with Hastings."

"I am. But Barbara..."

"I told you it would be better if you didn't ask." Jason patted his back in a cue to leave, "keep up your end of the bargain Dickie and remember if Barb finds out, you're bird feed."

"Oh shut it, I'm not going to straight up ask anything from her and tell her that you snitched."

His eyes widened, "I snitched? Not at all, we made a deal. That's two entirely different things. Besides you were begging to know this not the other way round so I didn't snitch, you made me."

He walked off leaving Dick alone with his thoughts. He was going through a mixed range of emotions from confusion, shock, curiosity and a slight tension.

He knew Neal well enough to know that none of his flings were permanent and he also knew that Barbara was a very devoted person who even though didn't fall in love easily but if she did, she could go to hell and back for the sake of it.

So far all he could see was a heartbreak due soon and as he didn't want his friend to suffer, he knew he had to have a word with Neal first. There was no way that he would let Barbara get involved with him because it could not only endanger her reputation but even put her at risk.

Deep down Richard knew Neal wasn't a bad person and he could go as far as to say that he deserved to be happy too just like the rest of them, but he couldn't deny that his past history of lovers put him at a suspicious category.

He had to make sure that he wasn't playing Barbara along because he felt a strange need to look out for her even though he knew she could handle herself very well. Maybe it was an after effect of being friends for so long that the two instinctively made sure the other was out of trouble.

Since he knew she would do the same for him, he made up his mind to resolve the matter as soon and as discreetly as possible.

And if Neal really was serious regarding his relationship with Barbara then he would back off, not wanting to come in between the two ever.

***