Date Night

A few days after the homecoming dance, Gotham Prep was buzzing with excitement and gossip. The hallways were alive with chatter about two major events: the football team's victory over Metropolis High School and the chaos at the homecoming dance. Maggie walked into the school with her usual calm demeanor, though inside, she felt a mix of exhaustion and relief. She had spent the last couple of days recovering from the ordeal with Mr. Freeze and trying to get back to her normal routine. But "normal" wasn't so easy when half the school was still talking about the dance. She made her way to her locker, only to be immediately surrounded by her friends, Emily and Stephanie.

"Can you believe we beat Metropolis High?" Stephanie practically squealed; her excitement barely contained. "That game was insane! And then... everything else that happened at the dance!"

Emily chimed in. "Yeah, everyone's still talking about the frozen gym and how Roy tried to play hero before—well, you know."

Maggie nodded, though she didn't add much to the conversation. Talking about the dance made her feel uneasy. She knew that people didn't know the full story—just that Mr. Freeze had somehow crashed the party—but the memories of being kidnapped still lingered.

"Roy was so brave," Emily added, with a teasing smile. "Even if it didn't work out."

Maggie forced a smile. "Yeah, he tried."

Stephanie nudged Maggie. "Speaking of Roy, are you guys still talking? He was super worried about you after everything."

Maggie shrugged. "We're good. He's a nice guy, but... I'm still processing everything, you know?"

Emily exchanged a knowing glance with Stephanie. "Makes sense. But hey, you've still got him wrapped around your finger."

Just then, Jason appeared, walking alongside his friend, Roy. The two were clearly talking about something mischievous, as Jason had his usual smirk on his face. He spotted Maggie and her friends, and for a second, his eyes flickered to her, then to Roy.

"Yo, Maggie," Roy greeted with a casual wave. "How are you holding up?"

Maggie crossed her arms. "Better, thanks."

After Maggie responded with a casual "Better, thanks," Jason leaned against the lockers, smirking as usual. But before he could get another word in, Emily crossed her arms and shot him a sharp look.

"By the way, Jason," Emily said, her tone icy, "you still owe me a proper date."

Jason blinked, caught off guard. "Uh, right... yeah. About that—"

"No excuses," Emily interrupted, clearly unimpressed. "I get that the dance didn't go as planned, but you bailed. Big time."

Jason ran a hand through his hair, clearly uncomfortable under Emily's glare. "Look, Em, things... got complicated. I'll make it up to you, alright?"

"You better," Emily replied, her cold stare lingering just long enough to make her point.

Before the tension could fully settle, Roy jumped in with a grin, clearly seeing an opening. "Hey, speaking of making it up—Maggie, how about we do our own date? You know, something that doesn't end with a freeze ray?" He winked, and Maggie felt her stomach do a little flip.

"Uh... I'm not sure," Maggie said, hesitating. She wasn't quite ready for another night that might spiral out of control, especially after the whole homecoming debacle.

But before she could come up with an excuse, Stephanie jumped in enthusiastically. "Oh, come on, Maggie! You should totally go for it! Roy's fun, and after all that craziness, you deserve to have a good time."

Maggie gave Stephanie a hesitant glance, biting her lip. She glanced over at Roy, who was still flashing his confident grin, and then over to Jason. Jason, leaning against the lockers, was noticeably quiet, his eyes shifting between Roy and Maggie, though his expression didn't give away much.

Finally, Maggie shrugged. "I guess… maybe... I'll think about it."

"Awesome!" Roy replied, clearly pleased with her non-committal answer. "Just let me know, and we'll make it happen."

Jason raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Emily, however, wasn't finished. "And you," she said, turning back to Jason, "don't forget. You owe me big."

Jason gave a half-hearted grin. "I haven't forgotten."

As the group broke off to head to their classes, Maggie couldn't help but feel like the whole situation had gotten a little more complicated. Between Emily's cold shoulder toward Jason and Roy's sudden enthusiasm for a date, she had a lot to think about.

In the Wayne Manor training room, Maggie Wayne and Barbara Gordon were in the midst of a sparring session. The room echoed with the sharp sounds of fists hitting pads and the rhythmic shuffling of their feet. Barbara, or Batgirl as she was better known, was quicker, but Maggie was holding her own, blocking and countering with precision.

"Good form," Barbara praised as Maggie landed a solid hit on the pad she held up. "You're getting better. You've got the focus and instincts, just like Bruce."

"Thanks," Maggie replied, though there was a hint of distraction in her voice.

Barbara noticed immediately. "What's on your mind, Mags?"

Maggie hesitated, but after a moment, she stepped back and dropped her guard, letting out a small sigh. "It's just... Roy asked me out."

Barbara's eyebrow arched with interest as she lowered the training pads. "Roy? As in the guy from homecoming? I didn't think you were into him."

Maggie shrugged, grabbing a towel to wipe the sweat from her forehead. "I don't know if I am. He's nice, and he's fun, but after everything that happened at homecoming, I'm not sure if I'm ready for another night that could turn into a disaster."

Barbara crossed her arms, a thoughtful expression crossing her face. "Sounds like you're not just worried about Roy. It's more about the whole 'going out' thing, right?"

"Yeah, kind of," Maggie admitted, pacing a little as she thought it over. "I mean, Stephanie thinks I should go for it, but I just don't know if it's... I don't know if I'm ready. With all the stuff I'm dealing with at school, the training and—"

"The double life," Barbara finished for her. She stepped forward, putting a hand on Maggie's shoulder. "I get it. Trust me. Juggling normal stuff like dates and school with what we do isn't easy. But it doesn't mean you shouldn't try. Roy seems harmless enough. What's holding you back?"

Maggie sighed. "I guess I just... I don't want things to get too complicated. Plus, Jason already seems weird about it."

"Jason's...protective," Barbara noted with a small smile. "He's probably trying to figure it out himself. But that doesn't mean you have to base your decision on what Jason or anyone else thinks. What do *you* want?"

Maggie considered Barbara's words, chewing on her bottom lip. "I guess I just don't know yet. I'm not opposed to going, but... I don't want to regret it either."

Barbara gave her a supportive pat on the back. "You won't know until you try. Besides, a simple date doesn't have to be complicated. Go if you want to, but if you're not feeling it, don't force yourself."

Maggie nodded, feeling a bit better after getting it off her chest. "Thanks, Barbara. I needed to hear that."

"Anytime, kid. Now, enough with the heavy talk—get your guard back up," Barbara said with a grin, slipping back into training mode. "You may have a date to figure out, but right now, you've got training to finish."

Maggie smirked and raised her fists. "Bring it on."

As Maggie and Barbara continued their training, the conversation shifted back to lighter territory, but the curiosity in Maggie's mind hadn't faded.

"Hey, Barbara," Maggie asked between breaths as she dodged a jab, "what was your first date like?"

Barbara smirked at the unexpected question, lowering her gloves slightly. "My first date? Wow, that feels like ages ago. I was in high school, and it wasn't with who you might think."

"Oh?" Maggie tilted her head, intrigued. "Who was it with?"

Barbara chuckled. "His name was Matt. He was just a regular guy. We went to the movies, grabbed some pizza after. It was nice. Nothing fancy, but it was awkward as hell."

Maggie smiled, imagining Barbara, always so confident, being awkward on a date. "What happened?"

Barbara shrugged, circling around Maggie for their next sparring sequence. "I guess it was just the usual first-date jitters. Neither of us really knew what to say half the time, and the movie was one of those loud action films, so it didn't help much with conversation." She shook her head, laughing. "But it wasn't terrible. I don't regret it, even though we didn't last long. It was a learning experience."

Maggie blocked a punch, thinking it over before speaking again. "And what about… you and Dick?" Her voice softened slightly as she threw a light jab.

"Do you regret going out with him? You know, since he's with Kori now and everything?"

Barbara paused, her eyes flickering with a mixture of surprise and reflection. She lowered her guard completely, signaling a brief break from the sparring. "Dick and I… well, we had something special for a long time. He was my first real relationship. But, no, I don't regret it."

Maggie frowned, intrigued. "Really? Even though you're not together anymore?"

Barbara gave a soft smile. "Yeah, even though we're not together now. We were both growing and figuring out our lives, and sometimes that means things don't work out the way you expect. But I wouldn't trade those memories or what I learned from being with him. I loved Dick—still care about him—but sometimes, people just grow apart."

She tilted her head thoughtfully. "Besides, Kori's great for him. I think they balance each other out in a way that he and I couldn't. And that's okay. We all move on."

Maggie nodded slowly, absorbing Barbara's wisdom. "I guess that makes sense. It's just… weird to think about. You two always seemed like—"

"Like we'd be endgame?" Barbara finished with a knowing smile. "Yeah, a lot of people thought that. But life's not a fairy tale, Maggie. You don't always end up with the person you thought you would."

Maggie took that in as they both readied themselves for the next round. "Still… I hope if I do go out with Roy, it won't end up being weird later."

Barbara smiled, lifting her gloves again. "Just focus on enjoying the moment. You'll figure out the rest as you go. Now, enough about boys—let's see if you can land that combo I showed you."

Maggie grinned, resetting her stance. "You're on."

After the training session, Maggie sat on the edge of the mat, towel draped around her neck. The conversation with Barbara had given her a lot to think about, and as she cooled down, she found herself reaching for her phone.

She stared at the screen for a moment, her finger hovering over Roy's contact. There was still some uncertainty in her mind, but Barbara's words echoed in her thoughts: *Enjoy the moment. *

Taking a breath, she typed out a quick message.

Maggie*

Hey, Roy. About that date... I'll take you up on the offer. *

She hesitated for a second, then hit send before she could overthink it. Immediately, the little "message sent" bubble appeared, and Maggie exhaled, feeling both relieved and slightly nervous about what came next.

Now, all she had to do was wait for Roy's response.

A few moments later, Maggie's phone buzzed with a new message. Her heart raced as she opened it, revealing Roy's enthusiastic response.

Roy*

Awesome! How about this Saturday? We could hit up that new arcade downtown and grab some burgers after. I heard they have the best milkshakes! What do you think? *

Maggie couldn't help but smile at his excitement. She could almost picture Roy grinning as he typed that message.

Maggie*

That sounds fun! I'm in! *

Roy's reply came in almost instantly.

Roy*

Great! See you Saturday at 8 then! Looking forward to it!

Maggie grinned at the message, feeling a flutter of excitement.

As Robin and Batman patrolled the shadowy streets of Gotham, the night was relatively quiet—too quiet for Jason's liking. He was focused on scanning the rooftops when his phone buzzed in his pocket. Sneaking a glance at Batman, who was fixated on the alley ahead, Robin quickly pulled out his phone, hoping for a quick read.

The screen lit up, revealing a text from Roy.

Roy*

Dude, Maggie finally said yes! We're going out this Saturday!*

As he was about to type a response, Batman's voice cut through the night.

"What's so important that it can't wait, Robin?"

Startled, Jason quickly shoved his phone back into his pocket. "Uh, nothing, just—"

Batman turned his sharp gaze on him, a knowing look in his eyes. "Let me see."

Before Jason could protest, Batman reached out and grabbed Jason's phone, quickly swiping through to the text. He raised an eyebrow, his expression shifting to a mixture of surprise and something resembling amusement.

"So, she said yes?" Batman's voice was surprisingly neutral.

"Yea, Roy taking her to the new arcade downtown." Jason replied, trying to sound nonchalant.

Batman handed the phone back to Robin.

"Now let's focus on the patrol," Batman instructed, his demeanor shifting back to serious.

Jason nodded, tucking his phone away as they continued their watch over Gotham.

Saturday night was alive with the sounds of laughter and music as Alfred pulled up to the brightly lit arcade. Neon signs flickered overhead, casting colorful reflections on the pavement. Maggie could already feel her excitement bubbling up inside her as she looked out the window.

"Here we are, Miss Maggie," Alfred said, glancing back at her with a warm smile. "Just remember to have fun."

"Thanks, Alfred!" she replied, her voice bubbling with enthusiasm. She turned to the rearview mirror, catching a glimpse of Jason in the back seat, dressed in his casual clothes. "You're meeting up with Emily?"

Jason shrugged, a smirk playing on his lips. "Yeah, I'm just going to a movie. Should be easy after the chaos of the homecoming dance."

"Good luck," Maggie said, trying to sound more supportive than nervous. "I hope it goes well."

"Thanks," Jason replied, rolling his eyes slightly but unable to hide his own anticipation. "Just don't let Roy make you play any of those ridiculous dancing games."

"Hey, I like those!" Maggie shot back, laughing.

Alfred parked the car, and Maggie opened the door, her heart racing as she stepped out into the excitement of the arcade. She turned back to Alfred and Jason. "I'll text you later!"

As Maggie entered the arcade, the bright lights and upbeat music engulfed her. She spotted Roy standing near the entrance, grinning and looking ready for a fun night. Taking a deep breath, she walked over to him.

"Hey, you made it!" Roy exclaimed, his eyes sparkling with excitement.

"Of course! Ready to get our game on?" Maggie replied, her nerves beginning to settle as they exchanged smiles.

"So... what's first?" Roy asked, glancing around the expansive room filled with games and activities.

Maggie scanned the rows of machines, her eyes lighting up at the sight of a classic racing game. "How about some car racing?"

"Bring it on!" Roy said, flashing her a competitive grin.

They made their way to the racing game, slipping into their seats as the machine roared to life. As they buckled in, Roy shot her a sideways glance.

"You're going down, Maggie."

"We'll see about that," Maggie replied, her confidence shining through. As the game started, they both leaned into their screens, mashing buttons and steering as if their lives depended on it. Laughter erupted as Maggie narrowly passed Roy in the final lap, her heart racing from the excitement.

"Not bad!" Roy said, throwing his hands up in mock defeat. "Okay, your turn to pick the next game."

Maggie glanced around, spotting a cooperative shooter game. "How about that one? We can team up."

"Sounds good," Roy agreed, following her over to the machine. As they played, Maggie found herself more at ease, enjoying the teamwork as they fought off pixelated aliens together.

"So, what's your favorite part of the city?" Roy asked between rounds, his eyes focused on the screen.

"Definitely the parks. It's nice to escape the city for a bit," Maggie replied. "What about you?"

"I like the rooftops," he said, a hint of mischief in his tone. "You get a killer view of the skyline, and it's pretty quiet up there. Perfect for thinking or… planning your next move."

Maggie raised an eyebrow, intrigued. "Planning your next move? What do you mean?"

"Oh, you know," Roy shrugged casually, "just life stuff. I want to figure out what I want to do after high school, you know? It's all a bit overwhelming."

"I get that," Maggie nodded, remembering her own thoughts about the future. "It's like everyone expects you to have it all figured out. But sometimes, it just takes time."

Roy smiled, appreciating her understanding. "Exactly."

As they continued playing, Maggie couldn't help but notice how easy it was to talk to Roy. They shared stories about their favorite classes, their families, and even their hobbies. The more they talked, the more she realized how much they had in common. After a few more games, they decided to head over to the Burger and Shake place next door. There date continued over burgers and milkshakes.

"So, what's the deal with you and Jason?" Roy asked, taking a sip from his milkshake. 

Maggie raised an eyebrow, considering Roy's question. "It's more of a protective sibling vibe than anything romantic, I promise."

Roy leaned back in his seat; his curiosity piqued. "So, it's not like he has a crush on you, then? Just brotherly instincts?"

"Exactly," Maggie replied with a laugh. "Jasons definitely got that tough-guy attitude, he just wants to make sure I'm okay, especially after the homecoming dance."

Roy nodded, understanding. "That makes sense. It's cool that you two have that bond. Just wasn't sure if I should be worried or not."

"Not at all!" Maggie assured him.

The date began to wind down as they stepped outside, the cool night air wrapped around them. Roy shifted his weight from one foot to the other, clearly anxious. He glanced at Maggie, who was distracted by the glow of her phone, checking for any messages from Alfred.

"Hey, um…" Roy started, his voice trailing off. "I had a really great time tonight."

"Me too! Thanks for making it fun," Maggie replied, her cheeks turning bright red.

Roy took a deep breath, wrestling with his thoughts. He wanted to lean in for a kiss, but uncertainty clouded his mind. Would it be too forward? Would she be okay with it? He could feel the moment slipping away, and before he could second-guess himself, he stepped closer.

"Maggie," he said, catching her attention just as she glanced up. Before she could respond, he leaned in and pressed his lips against hers quickly. The kiss was brief but sweet, and he pulled back, his heart racing.

Maggie blinked in surprise, her expression a mix of shock and delight. "Whoa! Roy…!"

Before she could say anything more, she caught sight of Alfred's car pulling up, and Jason leaning against the passenger door, a teasing smile on his face as he observed the scene.

"Hey, lovebirds! Ready to go Mags?" Jason called out, raising an eyebrow at Roy, who was still standing awkwardly.

Maggie turned bright red, realizing that Jason and Alfred had witnessed her first kiss. "Um, yeah! I'm ready!" she stammered, trying to regain her composure.

As they approached the car, Roy shot Jason a nervous grin. "Uh, goodnight, Maggie!"

"Goodnight!" she replied, still processing what had just happened. She climbed into the back seat, and Alfred glanced at her through the rearview mirror, a knowing smile on his face.

"Everything go well, Miss Maggie?" Alfred asked, his voice warm and inviting.

Maggie could only nod, her heart still fluttering. As they drove away, she caught Jason's teasing gaze in the mirror.

"He really went for it, huh?" he teased.

Maggie crossed her arms and shot Jason a playful glare in the rearview mirror. "Okay, okay, enough about me. What about you and Emily? How did that go?"

Jason leaned back in his seat, a faint blush creeping onto his cheeks. "It was… fine," he replied, trying to sound nonchalant but failing to hide the hint of a smile.

"Just fine?" Maggie pressed, raising an eyebrow. "You're not even going to give me any juicy details?"

Jason shrugged, a grin breaking through. "Well, we went to see that new action movie, and I might have tried to impress her by pretending to know a lot about the plot. Spoiler alert: I didn't."

Maggie laughed. "That's classic you... So, did you at least make her laugh?"

"Yeah, a little," he admitted, scratching the back of his neck. "We ended up joking about how predictable the movie was. I think we bonded over our shared disdain for the over-the-top villains."

Maggie's curiosity grew. "So, are you going to ask her out again? Or are you waiting for her to make the first move?"

"I'm not sure," Jason said, glancing out the window, clearly deep in thought. "I mean, I liked hanging out with her. What if she doesn't feel the same way?"

Maggie rolled her eyes playfully. "You're such a dork. Just be yourself! If she laughed at your jokes, that's a good sign, right?"

"Yeah, I guess," Jason replied, his tone more thoughtful now. "I just don't want to screw things up like I did last time."

Maggie softened at that. "You're not going to screw it up. Just be honest and have fun. Trust me, I'm pretty sure Emily is into you."

Jason smirked, a glimmer of confidence returning.

Maggie laughed, feeling a warm sense of camaraderie with her Jason. "You should! Just remember to keep it casual. And no fake movie knowledge, okay?"

"Deal," Jason said, a genuine smile breaking out across his face.

After a long and eventful evening, Maggie and Jason finally headed upstairs to their respective rooms. The adrenaline from their first dates still buzzed in the air, and they exchanged playful banter as they climbed the stairs.

"Goodnight, dork," Maggie said, giving Jason a light shove as they reached the top.

"Goodnight, princess," Jason replied with a grin. "And try not to dream about Roy too much!"

Maggie rolled her eyes but couldn't help smiling as she closed her door.