Okay, I wanted to do this because we need more Daddy daughter moments. Inspired by Steven Curtis Chapman's heart breaking song, which seriously makes me cry everytime I hear it or even read the words. Dunno exactly why, but I love this song. Just thought it'd be good. Enjoy!

Cass-8

Cinderella

It was one of those days when a song he heard in passing just wouldn't leave his head. Worst part was, he only picked up the chorus and parts of the verses. It wasn't a perky song, but bittersweet. Something he didn't want to think about either.

But when his daughter came into his study, a little shyly, he couldn't help but to remember it. "Dad?"

"Hm?" Bruce looked up at the sound of her small voice. Cassandra had worked hard to speak and he wasn't about to ignore her now that she did. Her voice wasn't very strong yet, but being with three brothers who had little volume control would soon fix that. She would have to yell in the future to be heard. "Is there something you need?"

The small girl shifted uncomfortably for a minute before answering. Normally she wouldn't be bothering her father for anything, but this time… "Can you help with homework?"

The man blinked for a moment before motioning her over, smiling. He needed a break from reading League reports and he wasn't about to tell his little girl no. "Of course. Come on over and show me what it is."

"Well…" Cass came further into the office but stopped at the wide open space before the desk. Seeing her stop, nervous and not holding any books or papers, made him wonder what was wrong. Eventually she looked back up to him, fidgeting while she explained. "Today in PE, we danced. Tomorrow we dance. I stepped on toes, a lot. Can you help me practice?"

It took her father back a step hearing the question. That song he heard earlier that day, the one that kept playing in his head, only part of it over and over again, returned in full force. Part of him wanted to ask her if she asked her brothers first (Dick was an accomplished dancer and Jason had a great sense for music), but the song in his head wouldn't leave, telling him what to do. A gentle smile appeared on his face as he looked on his daughter for a moment before getting out of his chair and approaching her. Cass blinked a bit in surprise, but couldn't help but to giggle when he bowed deeply to her.

"I'd be honored my lady. What particular kind of dance is it?"

As the usually quiet Asian girl started telling him choppily what they had learned in school, the song played again in his head. When he had pieced together it was a simple waltz and a cha-cha they had learned, Bruce helped her remember all the moves, talking her through each step slowly so she could ask questions and not have to solely rely on reading bodies to guess her part. After twenty minutes or so, she picked it up, almost to the same level as Dick. The girl was a natural. "I think it's time we tried this with music."

Quickly he returned to his computer and deliberately picked an instrumental piece perfect for this dance. He needed to get that song out of his head and Cass was ready for the next step. He turned playfully to his daughter, bowing. "May I have his dance your highness?"

Cass giggled before trying to make a curtsy. "I'd be honored."

Both held onto each other and started to move in synch with the music playing on the speakers. It wasn't a slow piece, nor a fast one. Just right for the two of them. But maybe Bruce should have played it a little louder, because that song he was trying to be rid of hit him again full force as he watched his daughter merrily dance away in his grasp. And this time he remembered all of it.

She spins and she sways
To whatever song plays
Without a care in the world
And I'm sitting here wearing
The weight of the world on my shouldersIt's been a long day
And there's still work to do
She's pulling at me
Saying "Dad, I need youThere's a ball at the castle
And I've been invited
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone...She says he's a nice guy and I'd be impressed
She wants to know if I approve of the dress
She says, "Dad, the prom is just one week away
And I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be goneShe will be goneWell, she came home today with a ring on her hand
Just glowing and telling us all they had planned
She says, "Dad, the wedding's still six months away
But I need to practice my dancing
Oh, please, Daddy, please?"So I will dance with Cinderella
While she is here in my arms
'Cause I know something the prince never knew
Oh, I will dance with Cinderella
I don't want to miss even one song
'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

In Bruce's mind's eye, he could see his little girl grow up and become a young woman, leaving him excitedly for some man he'd never met before. A strong woman, ready to take on the world and live her own life miles away from him. Prom dress, a wedding dress, her first date… He didn't even want to think about when she'd hit puberty yet. And yet he knew, one day she'd grow up and he wouldn't be the center of her world.

He certainly wasn't ready for the clock to strike midnight quite yet.

As the actual music ended and Cass laughed at her father's clumsiness in his distracted state, he smiled a little wistfully at her. She only had to look up at him once to know he wasn't feeling the same things she was. Sad even. "Dad? What's wrong?"

"Nothing's wrong," he admitted, smiling a little for her sake. "Just… thinking.

"Cass…" Bruce knelt down to her eyelevel then wrapped his arms around her, giving her a strong hug. She returned it, in hopes to calm the man she grew to love and respect more than the one who first raised her. So much more. "Do me a favor."

"Hm?"

"Don't grow up too fast. Take your time and stay my little princess for as long as possible, okay?"

Hearing this, Cass turned her head to see her father's face. Wasn't he supposed to be sad? But he wasn't. Not really. More thoughtful than sad. Would her growing up make him sad? The last thing she wanted was to make this man sad and cry. If it meant making him happy, she'd stay as small as she could. Still, she couldn't help but think it was a little silly. "Okay Daddy. Love you."

Then she pecked him on the cheek, giggling a little. He really was being silly. Bruce smiled at the act of affection before returning it on her forehead. "Love you too. And any time you feel like dancing, I'm always ready to help. Okay?"

"Okay," she promised lightly before releasing her grip on him, beaming at him. Dad was just being silly, like all adults were. Barbara's dad became silly because of her from time to time. It must be a dad thing. "Thank you for helping."

"You're very welcome." The man smiled more proudly at his girl, releasing her. "Think you've got it?"

"Think so," Cass answered with a nod.

"Good. Now go get ready for bed. I'll be up to tuck the whole lot of you in soon." She nodded once before darting out excitedly. As she ran away though, her father couldn't help but to see her all grown up and running to a decorated car, wearing a long white dressed and holding the hand of some unknown man. All he could really see besides her dress and her smile was that she was leaving him.

But that smile…

'Cause all too soon the clock will strike midnight
And she'll be gone

A/N: awe! I love this piece too much! couldn't quite convey what I wanted to put here, but did okay I think. Cass is after all his only daughter here and therefore the princess of his castle. if Bruce has a hard time letting go of Dick, it'll be even harder for him to let his little girl go.

Okay... need to get back to work.