She lifted her eyes from the book she was reading, gaze flickering towards the clock. Taking her phone, she texted Steph to call back whenever she was free. 

It had been a month with Steph in New Haven so Dora was missing her a lot. And though they talked as frequently as possible, it wasn't the same as having her back in Gotham because she got very little free time due to her studies.

Shortly after her phone rang and she picked it up, smiling because she knew the call was from Steph. Her smile widened hearing the enthusiastic Hi from her friend's cheerful voice.

"Dora, the second I saw your text, I wrapped up all my work and called because it seems like a century since we last talked and oh my God I have so much to tell you!"

Dora laughed at her excitement, "of course, I am so glad you were free right now. I really miss you."

"Me too, sweetie, but there's a good news..."

She had left the sentence deliberately incomplete, sparking up Dora's curiosity, "what good news?"

"We might get a break for Christmas and I will try my very best to come back."

"That's great, I can't wait till Christmas then."

A light chuckle greeted her from the other side as Steph replied, "same. Anyways, how have you been?"

"Good actually," she replied, "Tim's doing great too and I met Cassandra last week."

"Yeah, Cassie's back and it sucks that she chose to come back at the time when I couldn't meet her. I'll ask Tim and the others to make sure she stays for Christmas because I'm dying to meet her. It's been two years..."

"I understand," Dora nodded, leaning back in her bed as she placed the book aside, "how's Luke?"

"Luke just dropped by. Wait, let me put the phone on speaker," Steph remarked and Dora heard the soft laughter as she switched the call onto speaker mode, "okay, guess who I'm talking to?"

"It's Dora, right?" Luke's voice sounded.

"Hi Boots," her eyes sparkled playfully as she greeted him, knowing it would annoy him. The slight groan and Steph's laugh after that confirmed her assumption.

"Hey," he spoke up as Steph's laughter faded, "how's my little explorer doing?"

"Great, how about you two?"

"Perfect."

Dora laughed, "Steph, your presence definitely has a positive effect on this sour wolf. He actually sounds happy and that's a first."

"Oh come on," Steph couldn't hold back the laugh that poured out.

"Haha not funny, Dora," Luke added, "first giraffe, then Boots and now sour wolf? You literally have no respect for me. Must I remind you that you are two years younger than me but treat like I'm the younger one?"

"I just love annoying you," she replied, laughing as well, "your reaction is always priceless. Besides, all three of the nicknames I have given you fit very well. What you say, Steph?"

"Don't know about Boots but the other two, definitely."

"Not fair, Steph, you were supposed to take my side here."

She chuckled, "sorry, I'm Dora's friend first."

"Very very unfair."

"Sour mode activated," Dora remarked, her smile widening.

It felt great to talk to both of them and even better to know they were both quite happy together. Dora had seen how detached Steph and Luke had been when their relationship had gotten strained due to everything that happened in the past year. So knowing that they had managed to mend their relationship was relieving.

"Luke, are you coming home for Christmas too?"

"Yeah," he replied, "but I'll be spending Christmas with Dad and Cami. We have two days after that so maybe I will drop by Gotham as well."

"Good," a soft sigh escaped her, noticing the time and knowing that she would have to hang up soon, "I love you guys a lot, never forget that."

"Obviously, is that a thing to forget?"

"We miss you too, Dora," Luke added, "it was very nice to hear your voice and even better to know that you're fine."

"Likewise." The door knocked and Dora looked up, realizing it would be Alex calling her for dinner, "hey, it's dinner time here so I will have to go. But keep calling me frequently, okay? I don't call myself because I don't know your schedule and don't want to disturb."

"It's not a problem, we get few free periods but I will make sure me and Luke both talk to you as frequently as possible."

"Thanks," she smiled, "talk to you soon."

"Take care of yourself," Luke stated and she could hear the concern in his tone.

"You too. Take care of Steph as well because trust me, Lukey, you're very lucky to have such a blessing."

He chuckled, "sure sure, I don't deserve this blessing, do I?"

"Stop it," Steph remarked, "no such thoughts. You and I are made for each other."

There was silence from Luke's side so Dora spoke up, "hey Steph, is he blushing?"

"I don't blush!"

"If by that you mean his lovely face is getting slightly pink, then yes," Steph replied, amusement evident from her light tone.

"Okay bye Dora, go get dinner and don't you dare skip meals," Luke spoke up while Steph was laughing in the background.

"Sure, I take care of myself very well now," Dora replied, "bye you two."

"Love you, sweetheart," Steph added, "will talk to you soon as I get another free period. Our next shift is starting in a couple minutes and we will have to jog the entire way to the class if we don't leave now."

***

The fresh night air struck him as he swung agilely from his grappling hook, the red and black cape billowing behind him. It felt exhilarating to be out on patrol again; the starry night sky, the cool gusts of wind and the company of Black Bat all made him feel much better than being cooped up in the Manor.

Red Robin was finally able to spread his wings and fly through the dark skies of Gotham, his sharp eyes looking out for any signs of upheaval as he scanned the alleys. The freedom he felt in being able to wear his suit again was overwhelming since he hadn't been out in Gotham as Red Robin for more than a year.

Black Bat kept close to him, her eyes focused on him as she looked out cautiously, making sure that he didn't get into any trouble. She knew Bruce was reluctant to let him go out as a vigilante just due to his self sacrificial nature hence she was watching out so that Tim wouldn't come to any harm.

However, she trusted him to deal with patrol well enough. After all, he had been saving the city for more than half his life.

After patrol hours ended, Red Robin returned to Gotham Tower and Black Bat followed, perching up on the very edge of the parapet beside him.

She kept silent but she had informed Oracle already that they were okay and would be coming back slightly later as they had taken a break at Gotham Tower.

"Not going back?" She asked softly, watching him as he sat still with his eyes closed.

"Enjoying my freedom for a little longer," he replied, "letting it sink in that everything's back to normal at last."

"Good," she mumbled, "you are happy tonight."

"I feel free after so long," he took in a deep breath, letting the cool breeze caress him, "of course I am happy."

"But Dora... She is sad." Cass spoke up after a long pause between them.

Tim knew Cass was very observant and even though she had met her only once, she had already judged that Dora was hurting.

"I know," he mumbled softly, eyes staring ahead of him, "I am trying my best to... To get her to come back to normal too but it's hard."

Cass had not been expecting that answer but she didn't ask further. At first she had thought perhaps Tim wasn't aware that Dora had been sad and that's why she had told him but it turned out that wasn't the case.

"We've been through a lot," he resumed, "honestly, a lot would be an understatement."

She nodded, "she loves you."

"I love her too. That's the reason to why we are still together even though such a lot has happened."

Her hand gently rested on his shoulder in reassurance, "if you are still together after a lot that has tried to tear you apart, you will make through this too."

Cassie never spoke much but once she did, it was always something deep with a lot of meaning. 

"I hope so too," he replied, "I really really hope that we make it through because I can't bear to lose her."

***