Chapter 3
The dawn's rosey fingers reached through the curtains allowing the drowsing form of Tim drake to wake up fully. Since being beaten by Shiva he had been forced by Alfred to stop all night duties until further notice in the hope that the extra rest would help him to recuperate. Unfortunately rest was the last thing he was experiencing. Listening for the tell tale click of the window lock being picked he quickly rolled over facing away from the window and feigned sleep. Climbing through the window Batgirl could tell that her love was not asleep and smirked under her cowl. Walking over to the bed she removed her cowl and bent down to kiss his cheek.
Feeling the glancing brush of her lips Tim reached up and pulled her onto the bed next to him and turned to face her.
"Hi!" "You better?" "Much." "Me check."
Without warning Cass grabbed him and kissed him properly her hands holding him as urgently as he held her. After several minutes they both came up for air, a smile domineering both of their faces. "AHEM!" The firm tone of the cough had the two lovers whirling around to see who had managed to sneak in while they had been.occupied.
Alfred stood frowning at the two heroes trying to control the laughter that was threatening to well up from inside him.
" It is not proper for a young gentleman to entertain a young lady while in bed, Master Timothy. So it must seem that you need to get up and get dressed. Miss Cassandra will await you in the kitchen where breakfast will be waiting!"
Flipping off of the bed Cass landed next to Alfred,
"Chocolate Pancakes?" "With hot fudge sauce Miss!"
Standing on her tip toes Cass kissed Alfred on the cheek, Wrapping her cape around her in a Batman like Manner so that only her eyes could be seen she pushed her cape back and stood with her hands on her hips,
"To banister, Robin!" with a Whoop she raced out of the room leaving Tim and Alfred to just stare at each other as they heard her slide down the banister.
"I suggest you get a move on, young sir, before Miss Cassandra eats your share as well."
After breakfast found Tim and Cass sat watching cartoons in the spacious lounge. "So what do you want to do today, now that I'm allowed out of bed?"
"If I may make a suggestion young sir, your comrades at Young Justice have been quite frantic about your well being a visit to lay their fears to rest might be advisable."
Unwrapping herself from around Tim, Cass stood up and stretched,
"Me sleep, wake when go."
With that she sauntered from the room. Smiling to himself as he watched her body move.
Dressing with care, Robin smiled as he thought of his team and the probable trouble they had caused during his absence. Fixing his mask into place he exited the changing area and went to look for Cass. Finding her asleep near the medical bay he stood and watched her face as she slept. Although still in pain Tim was glad that he had been the one to fight Shiva, it would have killed him to have lost her had she lost or perhaps worse if she had won. As he stood there staring Cass shifted in her sleep to face him as if she could sense him even in her sleep. With the Grace of a cat Cassandra woke up and uncurled herself from the cot and walked over to hug Tim.
"I wish I could just stay here with you but Alfred's right I do need to go and see the guys. See you later ok?"
Stepping back from him in a gesture that screamed what are you talking about Cass pulled her cowl down over her face.
"Not see later, me come!"
"You sure?"
Stabbing him in the chest with her finger Batgirl stepped in close,
"Me want word with Smoke girl."
Thinking about the possible disaster about to take place made him shudder, Young Justice where bad enough but Young Justice and Batgirl! Tim wondered if he should alert the Justice League. Nah thought Tim to himself don't exaggerate, maybe just the Titans.
Getting into Young Justice Headquarters was depressingly easy, it seemed that since his absence the team had become lax. Without bothering to announce his presence he proceeded to give Cass the official tour of the complex. Knowing that the others would be in the recreation area he left this till last planning a little surprise.
Signalling his intent to Batgirl, Robin entered the room undetected as the gang sat watching TV and eating popcorn.
Standing behind the settee he reached down and intercepted the popcorn as it passed from Bart to Cissie.
"Hey Rob, give that ba." "Rob..hey-guys-Robs-back-an-hes-ok-after-fighting-the-ninja-lady!"
In the second it took for Impulse to finish his sentence the popcorn had gone skyward and Robin was surrounded by his friends patting him on the back and hugging him as they enquired about his health. Touched by their concern Tim put on his bat face as he prepared to unleash his surprise. "Nice to see we still have someone on monitor duty and people can't just walk in unannounced."
"Hey chill Bro, only you could get in here undetected and we can handle anything that might be thrown at us."
Frowning at Kon's, attitude his reply was stopped by a crunching sound coming from the couch. Spinning around from their positions surrounding Robin they where amazed to see Batgirl sitting there on the couch, her mask halfway up her face munching on their popcorn.
"Wha..how..eh?"
Turning to the stuttering Superboy Batgirl held out the now empty container.
" 'S good, more."
While Bart went to get more popcorn Robin made some formal introductions, the girls soon dragged Cass off to one side of the room where they instantly started to giggle. Returning with the hot buttered popcorn Bart stood next to the two boys.
"Why does it feel like they are laughing at me?" the speedster asked in a small voice. " 'Cos they are, now go deliver the popcorn before things get ugly!"
As he walked over the girls fell silent until he was out of earshot when they immediately all turned to look at the boys before starting to giggle again. Feeling uncomfortable the boys beat a hasty retreat. After checking on the Supercycle and ensuring it that he was ok Robin found himself standing alone watching as Cass interacted with his friends.
"So Batgirl."
"Cassandra!"
"Wha?"
"Me Cassandra, Cass." With that she removed her cowl and smiled
Shocked by this revelation after only just meeting her, the heroes where momentarily silent. Kon walked over and joined the little group quickly followed by Bart. After introducing the two boys the group began their barrage of questions.
" So where are you from?"
"How long have you known Rob"
"Are you two going out?"
"Don't know, year, we go out every night, he fun!" Realising that she had misunderstood his question Kon rephrased it,
"No what I mean is are you two seeing each other?"
Tilting her head to one side Batgirl turned her head.
"Sure him there, you not see?"
"Arrrrgghh, this is worse than talking to Bart! What I mean is, is he your Boyfriend?"
Walking over to rescue her Robin caught the tail end of the questions.
Hugging Robin tightly as he came over Batgirl answered, "yes!"
"Woohoo, Robin and Batgirl, sitting in a tree."
Walking over to Kon to stop his song Robin was stopped by Batgirl who grabbed a piece of popcorn and threw it into Kon's mouth causing him to cough and choke.
After a while the group settled down to watch some Tv, sitting next to Bart Cass could tell that the speedster was nervous, turning to him with a smile Casss tried to find out what was wrong.
"What wrong?"
"N.n.n.nothing!"
"Tell, me help!"
"Errm can I ask you a question?"
"Sure".
"Errm is-Batman-your-dad?" His nerves causing him to slip into high speed speech Impulse waited ready to take off if needed.
The shock of the question caused the group to turn and stare, Cass taken by surprise gasped out a loud , " What?" before dissolving into a fit of giggles.
Impulse upon hearing the volume of her answer assumed that he had upset her and left the room with a Whoosh.
Finding a dark corner of the complex Impulse sat down and waited for Batgirl to leave.
Explaining what had happened to the others and the reason for her giggles Batgirl decided to go and look for the scared speedster. Floating behind her silently Secret followed hoping to have a private word with the dark damsel.
Getting half way down the corridor, Batgirl stopped and turned to face her non corporal companion.
"Hi, you help find Whoosh?"
"Whoosh?"
Moving her arm across her body at speed Batgirl repeated the sound.
"Whoosh!"
"Oh , you mean Bart! Sure I'll help."
The two companions walked on an uncomfortable building between them. Turning towards an open door, Batgirl signalled for Secret to wait outside. Moving as silently as a shadow Batgirl crept up on the shivering speedster. Sitting down beside him Cass softly got his attention.
"Batman not real dad, he look after me." "Huh?" "Dad not nice Batman look after." " You mean like Max looks after me?"
The two sat silently a moment of understanding passing between them.
"You come to Gotham?" "Eh?" "You come visit us, we get Chocolate!" Her face broke into a big smile "Bu..Bu..But-what-about-Batman?" "Me Protect!"
Listening from outside the door Secret floated into the room and took the shape of the Dark Night.
"Bart!"
Looking round and seeing the 'Dark Knight' in the shadows Impulse took off as fast as he could. Getting about two steps into his retreat he was stopped by Cassandra's hand holding on to his collar.
"It Secret." Looking at the two giggling girls Impulse stood still as they walked out of the room.
Walking past the two giggling girls Robin found Impulse still in shock.
"Bart?" "Rob are you sure she's not Batman's Daughter?"
Still giggling Secret turned to Batgirl a worried expression coming over her face,
"I heard about what you said to Robin about wanting to talk to me. I just want to say I only hid under his clothes to prevent Shiva from killing him, I didn't .."
"Me ask, Robin good?" "." "Under clothes, he good?"
Thinking about her answer carefully before answering Secret smiled,
"Oh Yeah!!"
Leading the relieved group to head back the tough twosome where stopped by a news report on the monitors. The report showed a scene viewed from a security camera, youth wearing full jesters motley, holding up a Bank. The bank robber held the guards up using a modified inflated bladder on a stick, which seemed to spew the Joker's laughing gas with each hit. As the thought passed through Robins head the man himself entered the field of view laughing at the fools antics. The film was stopped and the camera returned to the reported in the studio.
"So it seems that everyone is getting a sidekick, what started with Robin and the Titans and continued with Young Justice it seems the criminal element has decided to train the next generation of villains. The question is who is this heir to the clown prince of crime?"
Turning to Robin, Batgirl tilted her head slightly. Getting the message the two slipped out of the room before anyone noticed and offered to help bring him in.
This was Gotham. This was the Joker. The kid was theirs.
The dawn's rosey fingers reached through the curtains allowing the drowsing form of Tim drake to wake up fully. Since being beaten by Shiva he had been forced by Alfred to stop all night duties until further notice in the hope that the extra rest would help him to recuperate. Unfortunately rest was the last thing he was experiencing. Listening for the tell tale click of the window lock being picked he quickly rolled over facing away from the window and feigned sleep. Climbing through the window Batgirl could tell that her love was not asleep and smirked under her cowl. Walking over to the bed she removed her cowl and bent down to kiss his cheek.
Feeling the glancing brush of her lips Tim reached up and pulled her onto the bed next to him and turned to face her.
"Hi!" "You better?" "Much." "Me check."
Without warning Cass grabbed him and kissed him properly her hands holding him as urgently as he held her. After several minutes they both came up for air, a smile domineering both of their faces. "AHEM!" The firm tone of the cough had the two lovers whirling around to see who had managed to sneak in while they had been.occupied.
Alfred stood frowning at the two heroes trying to control the laughter that was threatening to well up from inside him.
" It is not proper for a young gentleman to entertain a young lady while in bed, Master Timothy. So it must seem that you need to get up and get dressed. Miss Cassandra will await you in the kitchen where breakfast will be waiting!"
Flipping off of the bed Cass landed next to Alfred,
"Chocolate Pancakes?" "With hot fudge sauce Miss!"
Standing on her tip toes Cass kissed Alfred on the cheek, Wrapping her cape around her in a Batman like Manner so that only her eyes could be seen she pushed her cape back and stood with her hands on her hips,
"To banister, Robin!" with a Whoop she raced out of the room leaving Tim and Alfred to just stare at each other as they heard her slide down the banister.
"I suggest you get a move on, young sir, before Miss Cassandra eats your share as well."
After breakfast found Tim and Cass sat watching cartoons in the spacious lounge. "So what do you want to do today, now that I'm allowed out of bed?"
"If I may make a suggestion young sir, your comrades at Young Justice have been quite frantic about your well being a visit to lay their fears to rest might be advisable."
Unwrapping herself from around Tim, Cass stood up and stretched,
"Me sleep, wake when go."
With that she sauntered from the room. Smiling to himself as he watched her body move.
Dressing with care, Robin smiled as he thought of his team and the probable trouble they had caused during his absence. Fixing his mask into place he exited the changing area and went to look for Cass. Finding her asleep near the medical bay he stood and watched her face as she slept. Although still in pain Tim was glad that he had been the one to fight Shiva, it would have killed him to have lost her had she lost or perhaps worse if she had won. As he stood there staring Cass shifted in her sleep to face him as if she could sense him even in her sleep. With the Grace of a cat Cassandra woke up and uncurled herself from the cot and walked over to hug Tim.
"I wish I could just stay here with you but Alfred's right I do need to go and see the guys. See you later ok?"
Stepping back from him in a gesture that screamed what are you talking about Cass pulled her cowl down over her face.
"Not see later, me come!"
"You sure?"
Stabbing him in the chest with her finger Batgirl stepped in close,
"Me want word with Smoke girl."
Thinking about the possible disaster about to take place made him shudder, Young Justice where bad enough but Young Justice and Batgirl! Tim wondered if he should alert the Justice League. Nah thought Tim to himself don't exaggerate, maybe just the Titans.
Getting into Young Justice Headquarters was depressingly easy, it seemed that since his absence the team had become lax. Without bothering to announce his presence he proceeded to give Cass the official tour of the complex. Knowing that the others would be in the recreation area he left this till last planning a little surprise.
Signalling his intent to Batgirl, Robin entered the room undetected as the gang sat watching TV and eating popcorn.
Standing behind the settee he reached down and intercepted the popcorn as it passed from Bart to Cissie.
"Hey Rob, give that ba." "Rob..hey-guys-Robs-back-an-hes-ok-after-fighting-the-ninja-lady!"
In the second it took for Impulse to finish his sentence the popcorn had gone skyward and Robin was surrounded by his friends patting him on the back and hugging him as they enquired about his health. Touched by their concern Tim put on his bat face as he prepared to unleash his surprise. "Nice to see we still have someone on monitor duty and people can't just walk in unannounced."
"Hey chill Bro, only you could get in here undetected and we can handle anything that might be thrown at us."
Frowning at Kon's, attitude his reply was stopped by a crunching sound coming from the couch. Spinning around from their positions surrounding Robin they where amazed to see Batgirl sitting there on the couch, her mask halfway up her face munching on their popcorn.
"Wha..how..eh?"
Turning to the stuttering Superboy Batgirl held out the now empty container.
" 'S good, more."
While Bart went to get more popcorn Robin made some formal introductions, the girls soon dragged Cass off to one side of the room where they instantly started to giggle. Returning with the hot buttered popcorn Bart stood next to the two boys.
"Why does it feel like they are laughing at me?" the speedster asked in a small voice. " 'Cos they are, now go deliver the popcorn before things get ugly!"
As he walked over the girls fell silent until he was out of earshot when they immediately all turned to look at the boys before starting to giggle again. Feeling uncomfortable the boys beat a hasty retreat. After checking on the Supercycle and ensuring it that he was ok Robin found himself standing alone watching as Cass interacted with his friends.
"So Batgirl."
"Cassandra!"
"Wha?"
"Me Cassandra, Cass." With that she removed her cowl and smiled
Shocked by this revelation after only just meeting her, the heroes where momentarily silent. Kon walked over and joined the little group quickly followed by Bart. After introducing the two boys the group began their barrage of questions.
" So where are you from?"
"How long have you known Rob"
"Are you two going out?"
"Don't know, year, we go out every night, he fun!" Realising that she had misunderstood his question Kon rephrased it,
"No what I mean is are you two seeing each other?"
Tilting her head to one side Batgirl turned her head.
"Sure him there, you not see?"
"Arrrrgghh, this is worse than talking to Bart! What I mean is, is he your Boyfriend?"
Walking over to rescue her Robin caught the tail end of the questions.
Hugging Robin tightly as he came over Batgirl answered, "yes!"
"Woohoo, Robin and Batgirl, sitting in a tree."
Walking over to Kon to stop his song Robin was stopped by Batgirl who grabbed a piece of popcorn and threw it into Kon's mouth causing him to cough and choke.
After a while the group settled down to watch some Tv, sitting next to Bart Cass could tell that the speedster was nervous, turning to him with a smile Casss tried to find out what was wrong.
"What wrong?"
"N.n.n.nothing!"
"Tell, me help!"
"Errm can I ask you a question?"
"Sure".
"Errm is-Batman-your-dad?" His nerves causing him to slip into high speed speech Impulse waited ready to take off if needed.
The shock of the question caused the group to turn and stare, Cass taken by surprise gasped out a loud , " What?" before dissolving into a fit of giggles.
Impulse upon hearing the volume of her answer assumed that he had upset her and left the room with a Whoosh.
Finding a dark corner of the complex Impulse sat down and waited for Batgirl to leave.
Explaining what had happened to the others and the reason for her giggles Batgirl decided to go and look for the scared speedster. Floating behind her silently Secret followed hoping to have a private word with the dark damsel.
Getting half way down the corridor, Batgirl stopped and turned to face her non corporal companion.
"Hi, you help find Whoosh?"
"Whoosh?"
Moving her arm across her body at speed Batgirl repeated the sound.
"Whoosh!"
"Oh , you mean Bart! Sure I'll help."
The two companions walked on an uncomfortable building between them. Turning towards an open door, Batgirl signalled for Secret to wait outside. Moving as silently as a shadow Batgirl crept up on the shivering speedster. Sitting down beside him Cass softly got his attention.
"Batman not real dad, he look after me." "Huh?" "Dad not nice Batman look after." " You mean like Max looks after me?"
The two sat silently a moment of understanding passing between them.
"You come to Gotham?" "Eh?" "You come visit us, we get Chocolate!" Her face broke into a big smile "Bu..Bu..But-what-about-Batman?" "Me Protect!"
Listening from outside the door Secret floated into the room and took the shape of the Dark Night.
"Bart!"
Looking round and seeing the 'Dark Knight' in the shadows Impulse took off as fast as he could. Getting about two steps into his retreat he was stopped by Cassandra's hand holding on to his collar.
"It Secret." Looking at the two giggling girls Impulse stood still as they walked out of the room.
Walking past the two giggling girls Robin found Impulse still in shock.
"Bart?" "Rob are you sure she's not Batman's Daughter?"
Still giggling Secret turned to Batgirl a worried expression coming over her face,
"I heard about what you said to Robin about wanting to talk to me. I just want to say I only hid under his clothes to prevent Shiva from killing him, I didn't .."
"Me ask, Robin good?" "." "Under clothes, he good?"
Thinking about her answer carefully before answering Secret smiled,
"Oh Yeah!!"
Leading the relieved group to head back the tough twosome where stopped by a news report on the monitors. The report showed a scene viewed from a security camera, youth wearing full jesters motley, holding up a Bank. The bank robber held the guards up using a modified inflated bladder on a stick, which seemed to spew the Joker's laughing gas with each hit. As the thought passed through Robins head the man himself entered the field of view laughing at the fools antics. The film was stopped and the camera returned to the reported in the studio.
"So it seems that everyone is getting a sidekick, what started with Robin and the Titans and continued with Young Justice it seems the criminal element has decided to train the next generation of villains. The question is who is this heir to the clown prince of crime?"
Turning to Robin, Batgirl tilted her head slightly. Getting the message the two slipped out of the room before anyone noticed and offered to help bring him in.
This was Gotham. This was the Joker. The kid was theirs.