December flew by quickly now that I had purpose in my life. Dinah took several nights off from aiding Oliver and Roy each week to help me fine tune my metahuman powers and advance my combat skills. It was becoming easier for me to understand the limits of my telekinesis; most importantly when I needed to pull back lest I had another greenhouse door incident.

Tonight, however, I was on my own, which wouldn't normally have bothered me since my new training had begun, but it was Christmas Eve and it was hard to ignore that I was spending yet another one alone. I sat on the couch flipping through the channels trying to distract myself. More often than I cared to admit my eyes were drawn to the cell phone Barbara had given me before I left Gotham. The urge to call Bruce was nearly overwhelming.

Shoving the urge firmly away I settled back into the leather cushion and continued my channel surfing until a knock at the door sounded.
Immediately tense I slid off the couch as silently as possible and made my way quietly to the door. I breathed a sigh of relief as I looked through the peephole to see Manny, the apartment building's doorman.

"Hi, Manny. Merry Christmas," I said, opening the door with a smile. He returned the smile, his round cheeks wide.

"Merry Christmas, Miss Troy," he said using the false surname Bruce had picked for me. He held several packages in his arms, "I'm sorry to bother you but these were delivered earlier. Since I didn't see you today I thought I'd better bring them up before I went home for the night." I was surprised as I took the packages from him. Who would be sending me something? The only people who knew this address were Dinah, Roy, Oliver, and the Bat clan.

"Thanks, Manny," I said. I drew a tip out of my pocket and handed it to him.

"Appreciate it, Miss Troy. You have a good Christmas," he said, tipping his hat.

"You too, Manny," I said. Closing the door and locking it I took the packages to the coffee table and set them down. A bit nervous I poked the largest one in trepidation. It would be a very Joker thing to do to send me a bomb as a Christmas gift. But surely he couldn't have found me. Bruce and Oliver had taken every precaution possible.

Stop being paranoid, I chided myself. What a superhero I'll make. Mistress Scaredy-cat. Thats me.

I sat down on the couch and grabbed the smallest of the packages. Tearing off the tape sealing it shut I opened it to find two wrapped Christmas gifts and a card. I opened the envelope and pulled out the card, my eyes widening as I saw it. A cartoon drawing of Santa with an elf stuck to his butt was talking to another elf. The speech bubble above the elf said: Santa, an elf is missing. We can't find Dimples anywhere! I stifled the urge to smack my palm to my forehead as I opened the card to read the message.

Cass,

Merry Christmas! Alfred said this card is "highly inappropriate" for the holidays, but I think its hilarious. Am I right? Wish we were on your side of the country right now. Its freezing over here. It was so cold last time I went out to patrol I about froze my super butt off. The little gift is from me, but you know what they say. Good things come in small packages, eh? Hope Green Arrow and crew are treating you well. We miss you.

-Tim (And Alfred)

P.S. The motorcycle helmet you sent was awesome! Thanks!

I couldn't help but laugh at Tim's antics, and the vision of him as a hero-sicle out in the streets of Gotham. Picking up the smallest of the gifts I opened it to see a small jewelry box. Inside was a beautiful necklace and a note. The necklace was a simple silver chain with what appeared to be a bird pendant on the end. I opened the note from Tim.

Its a raven. I was reading up on mythology for my Greek Civ class and it said that Cassandra of Troy got her powers from Apollo, and one of his symbols was the Raven. Cool, huh?

Touched, I ran my finger across the pendant. I could scarcely believe Tim had been so thoughtful. It was perfect.

Setting it aside I picked up the larger gift. Opening it I saw a Christmas tin. I lifted the lid to see a collection of Christmas cookies and yet another note.

Cassandra,

I do hope Master Drake's card didn't offend you. Sometimes I just don't know about him. Its not much, but I thought a little bit of Christmas cheer might go a long way. I wanted to thank you for the first edition novel you sent me. How did you know it was my favorite? You are greatly missed here, Cassandra. I hope you will always count us among your friends if not your family.

-Alfred

I sniffed, trying to hold back tears as I held the note to my chest. I missed everyone at Wayne Manor horribly. I would have given anything to be there with them now.

It wasn't meant to be.

Picking up the next box I tore it open to see yet another gift and card. Tearing open the envelope I saw a much tamer card than Tim's displaying a picture of the huge Christmas tree placed in the middle of the Bowery every year in Gotham. I opened the card and read the note.

Cass,

I hope the card doesn't make you homesick. I saw it in a little shop and I had to send it to you. I just thought you might like a little piece of Gotham with you in Star City. As for the gift a little birdie told me you might be needing something like it soon. Hope it fits. There's some goodies I snatched from the cave inside the belt and a couple I had specially made. Thanks so much for the new tech you sent me. Gotham criminals will be on the run with the two greatest computer minds in the country on their case. Miss you, sweetie. Call me sometime.

-Barbara

I placed the card upright on the table next to Tim's. I must have passed that tree a million times on my way to work in years past but it never meant more to me than it did now. Ripping the wrapping paper off the gift I saw what looked like an oversized clothing box. Opening it I was met with a great deal of black leather. I inspected each piece as I pulled it out.

The first was a pair of leather pants with metal studded detail that circled around the thighs. Next was a leather jacket with similar metal details down the arms. It zipped closed in the front and was surrounded by leather piping that angled down into a v shape like you'd see on a corset. The top went all the way up to wrap around the neck. Next came a matching pair of knee high boots and leather gloves that had the same type of metal across the top of the forearm and hand that would definitely cause damage to anyone on the receiving end of a punch from them. A utility belt and leather domino mask finished out the gift. Poking around in the utility belt I found smoke bombs and metal pieces that at first glance I thought were batarangs. Upon closer inspection I realized that they resembled bird's wings instead of a bat. Hooked to the back of it was a grappling hook like the one I'd seen Batman use several times.

My heart swelled with pride as I looked at the outfit. Barbara and Dinah had so much faith in me. I refused to let them down.

My hand trembled slightly as I reached for the final package. There was only one person left who I knew in Gotham. The package was an odd one about the width of a baseball bat, and about four feet in length. Opening the top I peeked inside to see this one wasn't giftwrapped. Reaching in I pulled out a long silver jo staff; the type I'd used in training at the Batcave. The middle was encased in leather. At the top of one end was an intricate design carved into the metal of a bird in flight. Swirls and spirals cascaded down the rest of the metal emanating from the bird's wings. A simple note was taped to the leather.

Stay safe.

My heart clenched painfully as I clutched the staff to my chest. Only one person would have sent this.

Bruce.

Part of me was heartbroken that he hadn't sent me a message like the others, but the other larger part of me was singing in happiness that he'd thought of me at all.

I hoped he'd gotten the gift I'd sent him: an antique silver pocket watch. I'd debated for two days on whether to send him the corny note along with it before Dinah had finally told me to woman up and send it already. It had read 'I will always be grateful for our time together'.

So. Corny.

But apparently Bruce hadn't minded. That thought warmed my heart.

I leaned back into the couch and gazed at the presents. Even though I was spending it alone, this had still managed to be the best Christmas I'd had since my parents passed away.

It gave me hope that I was truly on the right path.