He had recounted every single word of what had happened, how he had found Dianne and what she had told her regarding the Joker. Batman had listened carefully, the Commissioner got every single word penned down and assured him that the case would be dealt with justly.

But all those assurances could not rectify the calamity that had struck, none of it could bring Dianne back.

After the statements had been recorded, they had asked him to go back home and that he would be called if any cooperation from him was needed. But he did not have the strength to go all the way back to Crown Point so he returned to the deserted corridor where Dianne had been kept earlier, collapsing on the chair in front of the post mortem room.

Neal held his head in his hands, quite clearly exhausted. Though not long had passed when he felt a hand gently grip his shoulder and looked up to see Richard.

He was in his uniform and holding a coffee cup in his hand which he extended towards him. Neal looked as if he couldn't process anything at the moment so Richard handed him the cup and sat down on the chair beside him.

"Thank you," he spoke up at last, taking a gulp of the warm liquid, hoping that it would soothe his frayed nerves.

"I'm really sorry for what happened," Richard added softly though he had no idea how Neal would respond to that but he wanted to keep a short conversation going.

Neal nodded but said nothing, taking another gulp from the cup. Thick waves of exhaustion were taking hold of him so he closed his eyes, resting his head back against the wall.

"Shall I take you back home?" He offered after a while of silence, observing that he looked extremely fatigued.

"Yes please," Neal mumbled, "thank you..."

"It's alright," Richard offered him a warm smile when he tilted his head slightly to look at him, "I don't know what you think about me but I consider you a friend."

His eyes flickered towards him in surprise, "even after all I have done...?"

Richard realized that he was referring to Barbara and shook his head, "I don't know what was between you and Babs nor did I ever interfere. But what I do know is that she was very happy with you and it seems illogical to her for you to push her away."

Neal took in a deep breath, his features reminiscent of sorrow and pain, "I partially told her why today... She will figure out the rest soon enough."

Richard knew he was always cryptic and would not elaborate further if he asked him so he spoke instead, "come now, you are tired too and you need to rest."

He supported him out to the parking lot where his car was parked. Neal noticed that Barbara's car was no longer there for she had to leave earlier along with the Commissioner to look after the further procedure of the investigation.

The drive to his place was silent and the car finally came to a halt at his doorstep. But Richard did not unlock the car just then so Neal refrained from stepping out, turning to face him.

"Neal, I know this is not the time to say this but... You should tell Barbara the whole truth."

His face paled because for a second it seemed as if Richard knew about the truth he had just referred to, "what...?"

"I know you love her and it hurt you too to push her out of your life," he resumed in a soft tone, "and even though I don't know what reason you had for doing so, I think Barbara deserves to know it. You can't take such a big decision and keep her in the dark simultaneously."

Neal pondered on his words for a long while then spoke up at last, "she will get hurt if I told her everything..."

"She is hurting even now," his blue eyes flickered in concern, voice dropping to a low pitch, "if you think she hates you because of how terrible you had been to her when you broke things off with her then you're wrong. I've known her ever since we were very young and I know very well that she is extremely devoted. She would go to hell and back for the people she loves. And you just so happen to be the person she loves most."

He kept silent though his features showed that he was reconsidering his decision. "I don't think I will ever be able to face her and tell her everything," he confessed, "I fear I don't have the strength left in me for that."

Richard looked at him reassuringly, "then don't face her if you can't. Call her, text her, just let her know the truth and then leave the decision in her hands. It can't be that difficult if you are not doing it directly, right? And that way she would come to know if it and she will herself take the decision of either staying with you or leaving you. That would be fair, I guess. But what you did wasn't fair on her nor on you."

Neal knew he was right; he didn't have to tell her everything face to face, there were other options. And then he was also right that Barbara deserved to know the truth, keeping her in the dark any longer would be selfishness.

"Fine... I'll tell her," he made up his mind at last, "I'll tell her right now."

He patted his back in a comforting gesture, "and if you need my help for anything, don't hesitate to call."

He nodded, marveling at how pure and wholesome Richard was deep inside despite the corrupt atmosphere of the city and its people that he dealt with on a daily basis. "Thank you, Richard, for everything you've done."

He unlocked the car at last and Neal stepped out, the decision he had taken still vivid in his mind. He had to tell her the truth and he had to do it as soon as he possibly could.

Because there was not enough time left and every single second was precious for a man in his situation.

***