SUHPRISE, SHAWTY'S!
Yep, it's me! I'm so sorry that I've been gone. If you keep up with my AO3 account, you'll see I posted an explanation on one of those stories. But to make a long story short, my mental health took an absolute nose dive. I started having some scary thoughts, and I ended up needing to get to a therapist, and a doctor. I got on antidepressants, and anxiety meds, and I've started doing better. It's still going to take some time, though, before I'm all better again. But I actually enjoy life again, and I'm enjoying writing again, which is HUGE for me! I just want you guys to know that I love all of you, and your comments mean so much more than you guys could ever know. I really hope you enjoy this come-back chapter!
Cassie's dress is the dress from Atonement. It's on Pinterest, and it's stunning!
"So, I can wear any color I want, right?"
Alfred sighed on the other end of the phone, and Cas smiled a little when she knew he was slightly regretting giving her such creative freedom. "So long as it's formal, you may wear whatever catches your fancy, Cassandra."
It wasn't that Cassie didn't like dressing up. She loved a cute dress and shoes just as much as the next girl. But it had been a little over a week since the attack on the GCPD, and she wasn't sure how happy she was to be at a crowded gala for the children's hospital. Alfred had invited her as his plus-one since the Wayne's were funding it for charitable donations. Small get-together's, she could handle, but she was still jumpy and not sleeping very well. Jim had insisted she sleep on the couch at Lee's with them, but she shot that idea down very quickly. Mostly because she didn't want her brother treating her like a child, but also because there was no way in hell she was risking walking in on Jim with a girl.
Again.
"I'll be there, Alfred. How's Bruce?"
"He's ecstatic about seeing you, hasn't stopped talking about it since yesterday."
Right as Alfred finished his sentence, she heard a low rumbling noise. Like stone sliding against stone. Cassie stopped her motion of scrubbing dishes and narrowed her eyes. "What was that?"
She heard Alfred whispering furiously, then his voice came back on the phone. "Oh, nothing, Bruce and I are just moving some bricks for training, and he got a bit too eager. I should get back to him now. See you tomorrow!"
And then he hung up.
Cas pulled the phone away from her ear, blinking, before shrugging and going back to her dishes.
Well, I guess I'm going dress shopping.
"And why didn't you accept Lee's invitation?"
She could just hear the exhaustion in Jim's voice on the other end of the phone. "It's only been nine days since the attack on the GCPD, Cas, and I can't rest knowing Jerome and Barbara and the rest of the inmates are still out there. I need to bring them in before they hurt someone."
Cassie frowned as she paused her flipping through a clothing rack. "I really wish you'd let me help you, you know. I was there, I have information, I can even go with you on interrogations."
"No. That's not appropriate, Cassie. You're not an officer, and you're way too close to this-"
"Oh, and you're not?" She snapped. It only took a millisecond before she bit her lip, closing her eyes. Maye that was too cruel. Essen had been a mentor to Jim, and she knew that Barbara turning out the way she did affected him more than he was letting on. "Jim, look, I-I didn't mean it like that. I just worry about you, ok? I can't help but feel like you're keeping secrets from me."
"Cassandra, I swear, I'm trying just to protect you."
Oh boy. He'd pulled out her full name. That meant he was close to the limit. She was still itching to keep going, but all that would lead to was an argument, and she wasn't sure that was a good idea. She was still recovering, and he was in the middle of a lot of stress. Maybe backing off a little might help them cool down.
"Ok, you're right. You're right. I'm sorry, ok? Here, maybe you and Harvey could ask someone you haven't. Maybe Penguin could-"
"Damn it, Cas, I've been over this with you and Harvey several times. We are not asking Penguin for a damn thing!"
Cas jumped, not expecting him to raise his voice. She couldn't remember the last time he'd spoken to her that way. She heard him growl, then he spoke again. "Look, I'm swamped here. I'll call you later."
He hung up before she could respond.
Cas pulled the phone away from her ear, glaring at it. Something was going on. She wasn't that young, and she most certainly wasn't stupid. Narrowing her eyes, she went to the next person on her speed dial. It only rung twice before it picked up.
"This is Bullock."
"Harvey, it's Cas." She paused. "Are you with Jim right now?"
"No, he's doing some paperwork. I'm grabbing us some lunch. What is it?"
The slightest bit of guilt dripped into Cas's stomach, and she winced. Maybe she shouldn't be doing this? But then her worry started again, worry for her brother, and that won out. "I-I'm worried about Jim. Have you noticed anything strange with him lately?"
There was a short pause. "Yeah. Yeah, I have. I've been trying to get him down to see Penguin, ask some questions about the breakout, but he refuses."
"Yeah, he just did the same thing to me." She bit her lip, her chest starting to feel tight. "Harvey, I'm really starting to get concerned. Lee mentioned he got reinstated suspiciously fast. What-what if Jim did something? What if he got involved with Cobblepot somehow?"
"Woah, woah, woah, slow down. Blondie, do you hear yourself? This is St. Jim we're talking about. The guy doesn't even jaywalk, and you think he went to a mob boss and did a dirty errand to get back on the force?"
"Look, I know it sounds crazy, but I've got this horrible feeling, and I can't shake it. Something is wrong with Jim, and I'm positive that little freak has something to do with it." She half-growled. Then, she sighed. "Ok, even if I'm wrong, just please watch him, Harvey. He trusts you, you're like his best friend."
She heard silence on the other end, and then Harvey groaned. "Your brother wasn't kidding; you've got a way with people, Cassie. Alright, I'll look into Penguin. But you need to stay out of this, you understand? If you get hurt, Jim will hate me forever."
Cas rolled her eyes. "I promise not to interfere. There, happy?"
"Very. Now, go buy a dress or whatever for that little gala tonight, and leave the police work to us, ok?"
He hung up, and Cas scoffed. "Guess no one in this town says goodbye, anymore."
The hall was already packed with people by the time Cas showed up. Paying the cab driver, she thanked him and stepped out, stumbling slightly.
Cursing, she adjusted the strap of her shoe, sourly noting it was the third time it'd fallen and nearly tripped her since leaving the house. Readjusting, she started walking in, her heels clicking softly on the linoleum as she entered.
The dress was on sale, thank goodness, and she was in love with it as soon as she saw it. It was deep green, almost a jewel color, and it was loose in the bodice before fitting around her waist and her hips, where a sash was tied. The skirt was loose and swished around her legs and ankles, the silk feeling amazing on her skin. She made a mental note to get invited to more events like this so she could wear it again.
The event hall had been dressed to the nines. Grand chandeliers, velvet red curtains and drapes, and gold decorations adorned the entrance. People had begun to gravitate towards them main showroom, where Lee had told her the magician would be performing. Cas wasn't one for magicians, or hypnotists, or any of that stuff. But she could use a night off, so she'd agreed. Plus, she was starting to miss Bruce. She hadn't seen the kid in weeks.
She entered the room, skirt swishing along her ankles, and smiled at the back of two familiar heads. "Don't tell me I missed the magician." She teased.
Alfred and Bruce both turned, and the young boy's eyes lit up. "Cassie!" He greeted, momentarily forgetting his posh manners and surging forward to hug her. She grinned, wrapping her arms around his shoulders with her jeweled silver clutch still in her hand. "I missed you!"
"Oh, I missed you too, kid." She told him warmly, pulling to get a good look at him. "I swear, every time I see you, you get taller. You'll have passed me, soon."
He smiled proudly, and Cas looked up to smile kindly at Alfred. "Alfred, missed you, too." She told him, hugging him and kissing his cheek. He returned the embrace, smiling back at her.
"I'm so glad you were able to come, Cassandra." The sound of a mic turning on interrupted him, and he turned towards the stage. "I believe we're beginning."
Lee was in charge of MC duties that night, which she had told Cassie as much when she'd called her that morning. She looked beautiful in a dark evening gown and classy white, elbow-length gloves.
"Good evening, everyone, I am Dr. Lee Thompkins. For the past five years, I've had the honor of being a part of the Children's Hospital. Thank you for your support and thank you so much for coming out tonight. Over the years, we've had magicians come and entertain our children. And so tonight, we have one of the magicians here for you. Without further ado, please allow me to present to you: The Great Rudolpho!"
Cassie applauded politely with the rest of the room, tucking a blonde curl behind her eye as a woman dressed in a sequined pink dress and masquerade-style mask came on stage, opening up a blue box covered in stars. It was empty, and she gasped, faking shock before closing it again. After a few seconds, she opened it with a flourish.
A lanky-looking man dressed in a waistcoat and bowtie waved to the crowed, bowing. As he walked further onto the stage, Cassie couldn't help but notice his beard. It looked… strange. Almost fake. She shrugged it off. This stage magicians made money fooling people, so wearing a fake beard probably wasn't the strangest thing he'd done.
"Greetings, everyone! I am the Great Rudolpho!" He announced in a deep voice, "Please, ogle my lovely assistant!"
The blonde bowed, blowing a playful kiss to the crowd. As the crowd applauded, he reached into his pocket and pulled out a red scarf. Twirling it in his hands, he flicked it and produced a long-stemmed rose. The crowd applauded, and to Cas's surprise, he looked to her and launched the rose towards her. She caught it, smiling good-naturedly as the man blew her a kiss.
By now, Lee had joined them again, smiling and hugging Cassie before they both turned back to the magician.
"For my first act, I will need a volunteer. Hmmm, let's see." Rudolpho covered his eyes and began to point at random spots in the crowd. "Duck, duck, duck, duck, duck, duck… goose."
Cas smiled and put her hand on Bruce's shoulder as the magician's finger landed on him, and the assistant scurried over, smiling in a flirty manner and holding out her hand. Bruce hesitated, but Alfred spoke.
"Come now, Master Bruce, don't keep the lady waiting." He half-teased, half-ordered. Bruce still didn't look sure but took the assistant's hand. The crowd applauded as she led him on the stage, where two men had rolled out a long, thin box.
"Hello, young man!" Rudolpho greeted as Bruce came on stage. "Please!"
Bruce climbed into the box, laying so his side was facing the crowd. The magician and his assistant closed the box, and the magician reached down before producing two very large, real-looking blades of steel.
"Does this handsome gentleman have a name?" He asked. Bruce nodded.
"Bruce."
"Bruce!" The magician turned back to the crowed, saying loudly, "Well, Bruce, this won't hurt a bit!" He clanged the blades together loudly, "Is there a doctor in the house?"
Maybe it was the way he said it, the way his voice darkened, but dread began to leak into Cas' stomach. She didn't even need to look at Lee or Alfred to know they felt the same way, and as the magicians prepared to slide the blades in, Alfred suddenly spoke up.
"Wait, excuse- could you- could you wait one second please-!"
The magician shoved the blades through the box and Cas actually had to bite back a scream. But to her relief, Bruce remained breathing and smiling in pleasant surprise as the assistant pulled the box apart to each side, showing Bruce's legs in one box and his body in the other.
It's just an illusion, Bruce is fine. It's not real. There's no danger here. Cassie tried to make sure she repeated it enough times that she believed it, but for some reason, she didn't. The hairs on the back of her neck were beginning to stand up, and her stomach was starting to curl. She shifted on her feet, biting her lip as Bruce stood up from his spot and began to walk back towards them.
"Some people say Bruce has a split personality!" The magician announced over the cheering over the crowd. The assistant led Bruce back over to them and strutted onto the stage as another man wheeled out a table covered in a black silk cloth.
"For my next illusion, I would like to call to the stage Deputy Mayor, Harrison Kane!" Rudolpho called out, and the crowd applauded as the man in question stood, waving politely to the crowd with a smile on his face.
"Is there something familiar about those two?" Lee suddenly whispered to her.
Cassie turned to her, eyes narrowed in confusion, but suddenly stumbled as the strap on her left heel fell again, this time nearly taking the whole shoe off since it happened as she moved. Cursing, she mumbled, "Hang on a minute."
Dropping to her knee, she adjusted the shoe, suppressing a few more swear words as she worked the buckle back through the strap and up over the back of her heel again. "Ugh, this stupid thing. Anyway, what were you-"
But she stopped in the middle of her sentence. Because Lee wasn't there.
Cas turned in a circle, searching the crowd. "Lee?"
But she couldn't see the dark-haired woman anywhere nearby. The sound of magician's voice caused her to turn back to the stage.
The cover of the table had been swept away to reveal a selection of wickedly sharp knives, their blades glinting in the lights of the stage. The magician picked on up, observing it, and that same bad feeling in Cassie's gut only seemed to deepen.
"By the way," He said, "No one here is getting out alive."
Cas placed her hand on Alfred's shoulder, "Alfred, I think that there might be something-"
She didn't get to finish her sentence. Right as she spoke, the magician threw the dagger out to his right side-
-and the blade sunk deep into the chest of the deputy mayor.
For a whole three seconds, shock completely paralyzed everyone. Cas watched in horror as the man looked down at his chest, which was rapidly gathering blood, in shock and then collapsed. The crowd began to scream, and not even a second later, gunshots began.
"Time to go!" Alfred told them, grabbing Bruce's arm and placing a hand on her back. But before they could get to the doors, a man suddenly lunged for them. Alfred flew into the fight, grappling angrily with two of them, and Cassie grabbed Bruce's arm.
"Come on, Bruce, hurry!"
"But, Alfred-!"
"I'll get him! Come on!"
She tried to rush him to the doors, but a hand tangled in her hair, yanking back cruelly. She shrieked, not expecting the move, and lost her footing. Two broad arms wrapped firmly around her in a type of hold, and she struggled, kicking wildly.
"Selina!" She heard Bruce cry, and saw in horror that he was running away, further into the chaos.
"Bruce!" Alfred shouted, panicked, only to be met with the butt of a gun in his face. Cas screamed as he fell.
"Alfred!" She cried, struggling harder, but the man only growled and began dragging her backwards. "Get off me! Get the fuck off me!"
"Hey, hey, hey! That's precious cargo, buddy!"
His voice paralyzed her. Icy cold terror dripped into her stomach, and she felt the hairs on her arms and neck stand up. The man whipped her around, and she watched in silent dread as the "magician" pulled off his hat, fake beard, and glasses. She breathed in a shaky breath.
"Jerome."
He threw the disguise off to the side, a lecherous grin pulling up on his face. "My, my, my, a vision in green!" He reached out, stroking his knuckle down the side of her face, and that snapped her back. She turned her face and attempted to clamp her teeth down on his finger, but he reeled back just in time, her teeth snapping together.
"That's my girl! Feisty as ever!" He stepped closer, twirling a blonde curl around his finger. "Now, Brad here is going to keep you in one spot while I talk to your brother, ok?"
Something behind him caught her eye, and Cas's face dropped when she saw two men dragging Lee on stage. "Lee!" She turned to glare at Jerome. "You son of a bitch-!"
"Ah, ah, ah!" Jerome pulled out a white cloth, and Cas began shaking her head in protest as he approached her, but there weren't many places she could go. The man, Brad, forced her head still as the sadistic little prick wrapped the cloth around her mouth, tightening it painfully. She worked it between her lips, but that only hurt the corners of her mouth.
"Tie her up. If she escapes, I'll take your head as payment." Jerome growled at the man, and Cas grunted in resistance as the man yanked her towards the side of the stage.
She struggled, but she wasn't very large, and another man had joined Brad to help him. Soon, she found herself with her hands duct-taped in front of her and her ankles together. The man sat her on the stage, his voice dark. "Sit still."
Cassie glared at him, wishing she had some type of weapon. But she didn't. And Alfred and Lee were hostage as well as her. They were surrounded by armed men while two maniacs roamed freely in a room full of civilians. They were in trouble.
"I'll take that, thank you!"
She looked up to see Jerome taking a phone from Barbara's hands as Lee was tied to a spinning wheel, and she watched as he scrolled through the phone. "There he is! Let's give your big brother and your lover boy a call, huh, girls?" He taunted her and Lee, glancing between them before sitting on the edge of the stage and pressing the call button with a dramatic flourish.
Cassie couldn't suppress her eyeroll. What is with these criminals lately and loving to hear themselves talk?
There was a short pause, before the smile on Jerome's face grew impossibly wide. "Sorry, Jimbo! She's a little tied up at the moment! You're outside, aren't you?" He snickered, "Oh, goodie!"
He paused again, then rolled his eyes. "Breathe, James. I haven't touched a hair on your girlfriend's pretty head. See for yourself! This is live television, after all!"
Cassie saw in shock he was right. One of the goons was pointing a camera at the stage. Jerome's gaze suddenly moved to her, and he smirked. "Oh, I can't promise you that, Jim. Look at her, sitting there, all tied up and looking absolutely delicious."
Cassie leaned away as he walked closer, closing her eyes and grimacing in disgust as he took a large whiff of her head. He straightened, and she heard Jim's voice say something in response.
"True, but, not the point." Jerome brushed him off. "Now, let's talk about what I want." He looked down at the deputy mayor's corpse and made a point of stepping over it. "Excuse me! Now, I want forty-seven-million dollars, a helicopter of course, the dry cleaning I left at Mr. Chang's- be careful, the man is a crook- aaaand, oh, I don't know; a pony!"
He leaned in close to the camera. "You have ten minutes before I start killing people, and this isbeing broadcast to every home in Gotham, so I'd hurry if I were you!" He began laughing loudly into the phone before he flipped it shut and stopped suddenly, standing up and saying to Barbara in a mock-serious voice, "I think that went well."
"Enough!"
Cas turned, blinking in surprise to see man in his early forties with dark brown hair and a thin face. He had stood and was walking slowly towards the stage. "You need to pack up your pathetic little sideshow and leave!"
What in the hell is this guy doing? Cassie looked around to see if he had anyone with him, but he didn't appear to. He was standing alone. Cas met Alfred's eyes from where he was being restrained at the back of the room, and he struggled slightly against the men holding him as their eyes met. She shook her head, warning him. This man was going to die; now was not the time for heroics. They had to be smart.
"Is that right?" Jerome mocked darkly, his eyes narrowing.
"It may be presumptuous to speak for all of Gotham, but we are all sick of you!" The man told him loudly, "You're a small, vicious man with a pathetic need for attention."
Jerome bowed.
"Enough." The man told him severely. "For God sakes, enough."
"Well, I'm curious to see what your leverage is here, Mr….?"
"Galavan." The man turned to the camera. "Theo Galavan."
Cas cocked her head to the side. Why was he talking like that?
"Well, Mr. Theo Galvan, if you don't sit down, I'm going to shoot you. In the face."
"I know there is some human decency left in you," Galavan told Jerome, who turned to him and pointed at himself with a confused expression. "But if you need a hostage, take me. But let these people go home. To their families, to their children-!"
It was a heroic speech, but it was cut off directly by Barbara slamming a comically large mallet onto his head. He dropped to the ground like a sack of rocks, and Cas deflated.
Ok, never mind. We're back at square one.
Time seemed to pass like single grains of sand falling one-by-one. Jerome appeared to be keeping himself entertained by terrorizing everyone around him. And Cas felt bad about this, but she was grateful his attention wasn't currently on her.
Right now, some poor man had been pulled up on stage and had an apple placed on his head. Jerome pulled out a black revolver, and Cas felt her stomach do a flip.
He just gets worse and worse…
"Stay very still." Jerome instructed darkly, raising the gun to the man's head. The man was sweating bullets and trembling so hard, Cassie was surprised the apple hadn't fallen off his head. But it stayed in its place.
"Oh, I can't look!" Jerome suddenly cried dramatically, turning his head and covering his eyes with his free hand. "Someone tell me how it all turns out!"
The muzzle lowered to the man's face, and Cas jumped as Jerome pulled the trigger.
But she sagged in relief as water squirted out, soaking the mans face. Jerome turned and growled in annoyance. "Turn around!"
The man did as he was told, whimpering, and this time, the red-headed psychopath pulled out another revolver, this one clicking loudly as he loaded it with real bullets.
Before anyone could protest, or even speak, Jerome fired the gun. It popped off loudly, echoing in the confined space as the apple exploded from the force of the bullet. The pieces rained down, but the man was unharmed.
Jerome looked around at the terrified crowd and held his hands out. "Well, clap!" He demanded.
The crowd did as they were told, and Cassie rolled her eyes. As terrifying as Jerome was, he was also a little predictable. He wanted an audience. He loved having everyone's undivided attention, even if it was from fear.
She felt her stomach drop as Jerome suddenly turned, his eyes zeroing in on her form that sat on the stage. Skipping towards her, he crouched down, putting his chin on his fists. "You look absolutely beautiful tonight, by the way."
She stayed forcibly silent, glaring. He sighed.
"Ok, I know you're mad, but don't worry." He leaned in closer, and Cas turned her head to the side, but he only grabbed the back of her neck and forced his lips to her ear.
"After these ten minutes, I get to take you home, and then you're all. Mine. And you'll forget all about that stupid, bratty kid you babysit, and your annoying, hero brother. It'll just be you and me." He pulled back, smirking wickedly. "And doesn't that just sound like so much fun?"
If her mouth hadn't been covered, she would have spit directly in his eye. But it was, so she didn't. He snickered at her helplessness, but they were both startled by a grunt of pain.
Barbara reeled away from Lee, holding her nose, and Cas's eyes widened as her fingers wrapped around the blade of a knife. She shrieked into her gag as Barbara drove the knife towards Lee's chest, but it stopped.
Jerome stood behind her, holding her wrist. He yanked the knife from her grip, softly growling, "It hasn't been ten minutes, yet. We really need to buy you a watch."
As he turned, though, Barbara only pulled her left fist back and slammed it across Lee's face. To the woman's credit, she remained quiet as it connected with her jaw, only closing her eyes and tightening her lips as Barbara turned away, fuming.
"Well," Jerome grabbed the microphone, "I think it's time for tonight's first official victim! The poor rich boy you all know and love, parents murdered in an alley, and my favorite volunteer! Where is Bruce Wayne?"
Cas's eyes widened, and she began frantically shaking her head, her protests muffled by the gag. But Jerome ignored her, eyes still scanning the crowd.
"You know, I'm an orphan too, Bruce." Jerome said sadistic glee, "But I killed my parents."
Cas met Alfred's eyes, but he only shook his head. He didn't know where Bruce was, either. It was a small comfort, but it didn't last.
"Kill his butler."
If Cassie had the means, she would have killed Barbara right then and there. She was forced to watch as Alfred was dragged to the stage, head held high. Jerome turned to her, eyes darkening.
"You're friends, right?" He asked, motioning between them. Cas refused to answer, glaring over her gag, but it didn't matter. The fear in her eyes must have been easier to read than a book, and he laughed maniacally.
"Well, then, consider this your first warning!" He raised a gun and pointed it at Alfred. "I don't share."
"Stop!"
Cas wasn't sure if she was relieved or even more horrified as Bruce suddenly ran out from behind a curtain. He rushed to Alfred, grabbing his jacket. She could see them whispering at each other furiously, but it was interrupted as Jerome grabbed Bruce's jacket and yanked him back, pulling out the same sharp knife.
At this point, she was struggling forward. Brad, or whatever his name was, grabbed her by the arms and held her firmly in place. She began struggling through her gag, trying to yell out Bruce's name, but it was just coming as muffled shrieks and grunts.
"You!" Jerome motioned to another waiter, "Check behind the curtains! Make sure no one's playing silly buggers!"
He had barely finished speaking when a gunshot practically sent Cas through the roof. Her eyes widened as her big brother stepped out, gun in hand, as he fired shot after shot at the men. Alfred himself suddenly pulled out a handgun, assisting him in taking down the thugs. Soon, it was just Jerome on stage, holding Bruce in front of him as a human shield. His knife was right up against Bruce's throat, and Cassie felt her heart drop to her feet.
There's no way they can shoot him and not hit Bruce!
"Drop the knife!" Jim demanded, still holding his gun, but Jerome only giggled and continued to hide behind the younger boy.
"I don't have a clean shot!" Jim told Alfred, and she saw the barest flicker of fear pass through Alfred's eyes, but he didn't show it.
"Stay calm, Bruce." He instructed the younger boy gravely. Jerome laughed again, and she could see his control starting to slip. He was fidgeting and messing with the knife more and more, and she knew he could only go so long without hurting someone.
"Well, seems like we've got ourselves in a little bit of a pickle! What do you say, Brucey boy? Wanna boost our ratings, huh?"
Cassie screamed through her gag, fighting angrily with the man holding her, but there wasn't much she could do from her standpoint. She realized in horror that Bruce was going to die right in front of her, and there was nothing she could do to stop it, or comfort him-
"I said enough!"
Cas hadn't even seen the man, Galavan, get up. Jerome turned and slowly, momentarily loosening his grip on Bruce-
-and Galavan promptly stabbed him the neck with a knife.
Cas jumped unintentionally, staring in shock as blood began gushing from the wound. Galavan lowered Jerome to the ground as he gasped and gurgled, whispering something to him that she couldn't make out. She could hear the redhead gasping out words painfully, but they were way too quiet for her to hear. Suddenly, he turned to her, the blood running from his mouth and up his cheeks in a gruesome, morbid smile. His eyes met hers and for three seconds, she saw there was still life in them.
And then, the light faded, and she realized that he was gone.
For a few seconds, everyone seemed to come to terms with what had just happened, but it halted when Barbara suddenly leapt over Cassie, heading for a long, glass tube.
"Jim, stop her!" Lee cried, but it was too late. A burgundy curtain dropped over the tube, and by the time Jim had reached the stage, the curtain dropped to the ground to reveal an empty tube.
Barbara had escaped.
Once the man holding her had been arrested and her bindings cut, Cas stood by Bruce and Alfred as Jim spoke to them. She watched Jerome was wheeled by, his bloody corpse completely still. A chill moved down her back, and she turned away, swallowing.
He's gone. He's really gone. He can't hurt you anymore.
"You were very brave." Jim told Bruce, and she rubbed the boy's back, doing her best to keep her own trembling to a minimum. "You helped save the lives of everyone in here. Your parents- they would have been proud."
"That they would have been." Alfred agreed, looking at the boy with a proud expression. "They also would have sacked me for letting you do something so idiotic."
Bruce shook his head, the white bandage on his neck the paramedic had applied flashing slightly.
"It was all of us; we were a team." He said firmly, but then paused and turned to Cassie. "Cassandra, I'm-I'm so sorry I ran, I didn't mean for him to take you-"
"Bruce, shhh, it's ok." Cas hushed him, hugging him tightly. "I'm fine. I'm safe, we're all safe. That's all that matters."
Lee joined them from where she'd been applying first-aid to Galavan, and Jim turned to her, looking relieved. "Is he ok?"
"He's fine." Lee nodded, "Though, I'd still like him to get checked at the hospital. Barbara gave him quite the knock. Any word on her?"
Jim shook his head. "No, she used a trapdoor in the stage. They must have always been planning to use that as their exit."
The group exchanged worried looks before Alfred suddenly stepped forward towards Galavan, who was walking past them with a policeman.
"Mr. Galavan, sir." He stuck his hand out to shake Galavan's firmly. "I would just like to thank you for saving young Master Wayne's life. If there's anything I can ever do for you, sir…"
"Or I." Bruce spoke up bravely. Cas bit back the proud smile on her face and patted his shoulder, keeping her spot at his side. Galavan shook his head, smiling sheepishly.
"I just did what any Gotham citizen would have done." He brushed off, and Jim turned to him.
"I wish that were true." He stuck his hand out. "Jim Gordon."
"Theo." Galavan returned, but then his eyes moved to Cassie's. "Excuse me, my dear, I don't believe I got your name?"
Cassie stuck her hand out. "Cassandra Gordon. I'm his sister," she nodded at Jim, "and Bruce's nanny."
His dark eyes stayed on hers as he shook her hand. "A pleasure, truly. Well, if you ever need help," he said to Jim, "please tell me. We're all in this together."
They all nodded, and he walked away. Alfred spoke up.
"Well, I better be getting this young man home. It's been a bit more of an exciting evening than originally planned." He smiled at Lee. "I never did like magicians."
Cas cocked her head at him, unable to stop her smirk. Oh, I see….
"Goodnight." Bruce told Jim, before turning to her. He hugged her tightly, and she returned it.
"I'm so glad you're ok." She told him truthfully, squeezing him before letting go and holding his shoulders. "I'll be by tomorrow, ok?"
He nodded, before walking away with Alfred. Jim turned to her, his eyes still worried.
"Are. You both sure you're ok?"
Cas waved him off, "I'm fine. And honestly, Jim, I have to say I'm better than fine. Jerome is finallygone." She shrugged her shoulders. "I'm free."
Jim smiled at her, leaning forward to hug her. "Please let me drive you home tonight. And I want you to call me in the morning, as soon as you wake up, you understand?"
Cassie rolled her eyes. "Yes, dad, I hear you."
He scoffed at her, before turning to Lee and suddenly grabbing her shoulder. He pulled her in for a deep kiss, wrapping his arms around her.
Cas's face dropped into one of disgust, and she groaned. "Ugh, Lord, that's disgusting! Guys!"
But they didn't stop, only kissing deeper, and Cas walked off, grumbling about 'old people'.
LATER THAT NIGHT
"So, he just kicked you out?"
Harvey scoffed into the phone. "Yeah. I think I rattled that little freak, though. Ah, but he's a dead end. We'll have to dig a little deeper to find answers."
"Yeah, I know." Cassie agreed, her sneakers scuffing against the wet pavement. She could smell the docks from her spot. "That's why I'm going after some information on my own."
"What? No, Cas, I told you, Penguin won't talk. And I doubt anyone from that little inner circle is going to talk. You'd have to have something they really want in order to get something out of them."
"Well, that's what I'm doing. And I do have something they want."
Harvey paused, and she heard him take in a deep breath. "Blondie, what are you doing?"
She stopped in her tracks, watching as the car pulled up. "If I don't text you in an hour, send someone to the docks to look for me. And do not tell Jim."
She flipped the phone shut as the car door opened, and a familiar figure climbed out. Cas held her head high as he walked forward, shrouded by the shadows of the bright headlights until he stepped into them. The light gleamed off his bald head, and he smiled brightly, his white teeth seeming to shine in the darkness as his pale eyes raked over her body.
"Hey, Cassie. Long time, no see…"
It was actually pain for me to write Cassie in such a helpless state, but I really don't want her to be this unrealistic character that never needs help or saving. Everyone needs help at some point. And for Cassie, Jerome is that Goliath.
I'm super pumped for next chapter, so make you sure you hit that follow/favorite button, and of course, please comment and tell me what you think!