"What the hell." Barbara shivered as she waited for her dad. "This city- Everything about it is corrupt." She looked up at the window, seeing that Hugo Strange was watching her from his office.

"Oh, where is dad?" Barbara whined, continuing to shiver. "I could go back inside... But I think I would rather freeze." She rubbed her mittens together.

"It's a good thing I brought you this then."

Barbara stiffened, instinctively turning her head towards the large oak tree beside her. "You have got to stop surprising me like that," she scolded. "One of these days you really will give me a heart attack!"

"I find it quite funny." Richard laughed as he stepped out from behind the tree. "I thought by now you would be used to it."

"Maybe if I hadn't just been in there." She pointed to the window where Hugo was still standing. However, now that Richard was gazing back at him, he walked away.

"Yikes, that place looks really creepy." Richard frowned. "And so does that man. Who is he? And why are you even at such a weird place?"

"My dad thought I should see a psychiatrist. He saw the cuts," Barbara sighed.

"Dads, am I right?" Richard chuckled.

His grin was so infectious she couldn't help but smile as well. "So what did you say you brought me?"

"Oh, this." He stuck his hand in his pocket and pulled out a long piece of purple fabric. "I probably won't be able to see you during Christmas, so here's an early gift."

Her eyes immediately softened as she saw the knitted scarf in his hand. "Richard, you really didn't have to. But  thank you, it's beautiful. Did you make it yourself?"

"I am glad you like it." He started to wrap it around her neck, looking into her eyes as he did so. "And yes, I did. Nothing's better than a hand-made gift in my opinion."

"I love it." She buried her face into the wool. It smelled like leather and firewood, scents she had come to associate with Richard. "I'm sorry." Her smile suddenly fell. "I did not get you anything. But I'll tell you what. What if we go ice-skating?" Barbara's eyes lit up at the idea.

Richard startled back. "Like- Like right now?"

"Yes!" She exclaimed, clutching the scarf with both hands. "Have you done it before?"

"No, well, I mean not recently."

"Then that can be my gift to you," she offered, taking hold of his hand. "If you want."

"Yeah, that sounds fun!" Richard beamed. "I can even show off my tricks."

Barbara raised her eyebrow. "What tricks?"

"Tricks I learned in the circus. I never get to show them to anyone anymore-"

The sudden sound of an approaching car interrupted him, forcing him back into the shadow of the tree. The lights passed right by the tree, missing Richard.

"Dad?" Barbara shielded her eyes with her hand, trying to see past the blinding headlights shining over her face.

"Barbara, how did it go?" He extended his head out the window.

"Fine," she replied curtly.

"Sorry about the wait. Something came up at the last minute," he explained as she entered the car.

"It's alright. I was not out here long."

"You should have stayed inside. Did Professor Strange not let you?"

"No, I just wanted to be outside." Barbara looked out the window in hopes of catching a final glimpse of Richard. But if he was out there, the night shrouded him from her.

"So what came up last minute?" Barbara turned back towards her dad.

James kept his eyes focused on the road as he answered. "Pamela Isley showed up at the house."

Barbara nearly jolted out of her seat at this news. "What?!"

"Yes, she is probably still there."

"Why?!" Barbara could already feel her heart thumping against her chest.

"She wants to know how the investigation is going for her fiance's murder." James finally glanced at his daughter. "Barbara, are you alright?"

"No..." Barbara paused. "Is she just in our house alone?!"

"Of course not. Sarah's there too... Are you sure you're okay? What happened with that therapy session?"

"We just talked. Like you wanted." She nearly sighed with relief when she saw their house come into view.

James parked the car and turned it off. "Well, it sure doesn't look like it helped... And were you wearing that scarf earlier?"

"Nothing gets past you dad. Just what I would expect from a detective," Barbara muttered to herself before shooting him a convincing smile. "Yeah, I was. You must have not noticed it."

Pamela was indeed inside the house just as James had said, waiting for his return along with Sarah.

"Commissioner," the redhead greeted warmly. "And Barbara. How are you doing?"

Barbara's mouth twitched. "I'm fine."

"I was just telling Sarah how these past few days have been so rough for me. Everything seemed to collapse and I couldn't do anything about it." Pamela gave a dramatic sigh. "I have been stuck in my mansion with no news about Harvey's killers or anything!"

"We are trying our best, Ms. Isley. But we will catch these killers. We already suspect it might be some of the escaped patients he prosecuted," James said.

"Oh, that does make sense. But please, you have to bring these people to justice." She clutched onto her chest.

Sarah stepped between James and Pamela, giving the woman a cold stare. "I assure you, we will."

Barbara couldn't help but be amused by Sarah's jealousy, having to use her scarf to hide her laughter.

"You have given us everything you know, correct?" James asked.

"Yes. I saw him earlier that day. No arguments, not even a mild disagreement. Nothing was wrong," she sobbed. "If only I had stayed with him."

"Yeah, maybe you should have." Barbara glared. "It must be rough having lost another fiance after Thomas and Jason."

Pamela's eyes swelled with absolute wrath at the names before quickly regaining her composure. "I am not sure what you mean, Barbara."

"Oh, I am sorry. I must have been confused. That therapy session really did a number on me." She turned away from the confused adults and headed upstairs.

~

Barbara couldn't help but give a triumphant smile as she stared up at the ceiling. It always felt good getting under Bruce and Pamela's skin. As much as she would have loved to stay and finish hearing Pamela's lies, that session really had messed up her mind, making her question her fragile grasp on reality.

It had also ruined her already ruined sleep schedule.

So for several hours, she lied awake thinking about Arkham's mysterious and terrifying past.

"Maybe he is lying," Barbara muttered. "It's not like I really know him. I will have to verify it myself. Tomorrow, I will go to the library-" The image of Julie's corpse invaded her mind as soon as she said the word. "No. I have no right to go there anymore..."

Sitting upright, a piece of paper lying on the windowsill suddenly caught her eye. Quickly lifting her glasses from the nightstand, Barbara slipped them on and staggered towards the window. But as she got closer, she realized it was not a piece of paper but an envelope.

"Gotham University," she read the address out loud.

The logo and seal confirmed it was official.

She slowly tore the envelope open, trying to prepare herself for what was inside.

"Dear Ms. Gordon, thank you for your application to Gotham University. After reviewing your application and much consideration, we regret to inform you that you have not been admitted to Gotham University this year.

I know this may come as a disappointment to you, and it was a difficult decision to make. However, we cannot admit all qualified applicants. Nevertheless, we encourage you to continue pursuing your educational goals.

Thank you for considering Gotham University..."