Arriving here had been an ordeal by itself. She'd met people, made friends and allies whom she cared about. She had a team here and a group that helped keep her sane. She'd had support, Xander and Rory, but now Rory was gone. She'd tried to rebuild, but that was a long and difficult process - one that she was familiar with. But Dick was here; and in more ways than she'd admit, he helped, filling a void she had barely been aware was there. He was different. She could see it in every step he took and hear it in every word he said. She couldn't imagine what had caused it - given that he had been this way when he'd arrived. This place, it only made it worse.
Barbara held him tightly, closing her eyes, finding it familiar, comforting, and in many ways - it was something she had missed. So much. And they sat there for several minutes until he moved away from her - Babs' eyes slanting a bit in confusion. Was something wrong?
When he spoke she closed her eyes momentarily and let out a breath she hadn't realized she was holding. She instead put her hand back on his arm and squeezed lightly, trying to comfort him in some way. She pulled her legs up onto the couch and made herself comfortable, lying her head on the cushioned back of the seat. "Its okay," she whispered. The last thing she wanted was for him to be uncomfortable. ...she'd hurt him. Above all else, the one thing she didn't want, she'd done. And this one was different... And there wasn't anything to fix it, because she hadn't done it yet.
She leaned her head over more, getting comfortable on the couch where she was, her breathing becoming more relaxed. She was a fixer. And he was hurting...