Robin perched atop a gargoyle. It was quiet considering it was Christmas Eve. For some reason this night of the year was often crazy. If it wasn't Joker, it was some other Arkham cook looking to spread holiday cheer so to speak. But this year, all was quiet in Gotham save a few attempted burglaries which Robin had been able to stop easily.

"Robin," a voice said behind him. It was a serious voice, could have been the voice were it not obviously female.

"Batgirl," was Robin's cold response. He really hadn't wanted to run into any of the Batclan.

"I thought you would be with your family tonight." Batgirl perched beside him.

"They're in Bermuda," Robin replied.

"Oh," was her quiet response. After a few minutes of silence she continued, "Why didn't you say anything?"

"About what?"

"About being alone on Christmas. You could have joined us this evening."

"I didn't want to intrude."

"T-Robin, it wouldn't have been an intrusion. You are family. In some ways you're more family than I am."

"I'm a 'good soldier,' Batgirl, nothing more."

"Maybe. Maybe you're what he wanted me to be."

Robin looked over at Batgirl. Her face did not betray the emotion that her voice did.

"Batgirl, you're his child, nothing can replace that."

"I'm his daughter. Not his son. He's always loved Dick more because he was a boy."

"That is bullshit."

"Oh?"

"If your dad was as sexist as you seem to think he is, then why was there a Batgirl before you?"

"She wasn't his..."

"She wasn't his daughter," Robin completed. "See, me he'll throw out in the line of fire, but you? He'd rather die."

Batgirl detected the bitterness in Robin's voice. "Robin, you're more valuable to him than that."

"Look," Robin stood up, "Think what you will, but your father loves you more than you know. Be glad you have that." With that said, Robin shot out his grapple line and swung out over Gotham.

"Would you take that ridiculous hat off?" Batman snarled.

"Hey! I'm being festive here," Nightwing quipped, flaunting his bright red Santa hat.

"You're broadcasting our position!"

"Who stuffed your stocking full of coal?" Nightwing rolled his eyes behind his mask. "Now come on. These kids are gonna want their presents!"

Batman muttered something under his breath as he followed Nightwing into the orphanage they'd visited every Christmas Eve since Dick Grayson had come to live with Bruce Wayne.

As usual the children were sound asleep, and a few presents lay beneath the humble, but aesthetically pleasing tree. Nightwing and Batman quietly set to work laying out the presents for the children. As they were leaving, two children, a little boy and a little girl peeked around the doorway. Batman either did not notice them or ignored them and made his exit. Nightwing smiled and help a finger over his mouth saying, "Shh," before disappearing into the night.

Oracle worked from the Batcave this Christmas Eve, as she had the last few Christmas Eves since marrying Dick. Barbara sighed. The Batcomputer wasn't nearly as advanced as her systems at home in Blüdhaven, so it was taking forever to work. Plus it was a slow night.

Alfred approached from the stairs to the study. "Hot cocoa, Madam Barbara?"

"Alfred, it's just Barbara."

"Of course, Madam Barbara."

Barbara sighed again and rolled her eyes. "Hot cocoa would be great, Alfred."

As Alfred poured her cocoa, he ventured into a conversation. "A slow night for the Oracle?"

"And everyone else it looks like. Guess we get an extra special Christmas present this year. No looneys!"

"Master Dick and yourself seem to find yourselves with a very special present as well."

Barbara could hear the smile in Alfred's voice. She smiled too. "Yes. I never thought it possible, not after..." Her smile disappeared. "It's still dangerous though. For me and for my baby. My chances of miscarriage are higher, and the strain it will put on my body..."

Barbara felt Alfred's gentle hand on her shoulder. "I understand Madam Barbara, it is to be expected. Have you spoken with Doctor Thompkins?"

"Yes, of course. She referred us to an obgyn, Doctor Chris Callaghan." She cringed. "He says I'll have to adhere to strict bedrest in a couple of months."

"Pardon me for asking, Madam Barbara, but how far along are you?"

"Two months. But we only found out a couple of weeks ago." Barbara smiled at the memory of learning she was pregnant. She'd gone in for her regular physical exam with Leslie, the only doctor she trusted fully and completely, when Leslie found that she was pregnant. Barbara was ecstatic even knowing all the risks involved. And when she told Dick...It was priceless. He'd been getting ready to go out on patrol, but hadn't put his mask on yet.

"Hey, short pants," she'd called him back into Oracle's lair after he finished ranting about the terrible day he'd had at the BPD that day.

"Yeah, gorgeous?" he'd wandered in, prepping his mask with spirit gum.

"Don't you want to know how my day went?" Barbara had pretended to be annoyed.

"Oh, geez. Sorry, Babs. I'm a big goof."

"Yeah you are."

"How did your appointment go? Not missing any parts?"

"Actually..."

"Oh god, Babs, I'm sorry," he'd hurried to her side. "That was a stupid joke. What is it? What's wrong? We'll fly in all the expert doctors there are."

Barbara smiled. "Dick, I'm pregnant."

He'd been speechless. And fell on his ass right in front of her, jaw hanging nearly to the floor it seemed.

Barbara had giggled. "Well, at least you shut up."

Before she could speak again, Dick had moved to her, kissing her passionately.

"Madam Barbara?" Alfred's voice brought Barbara back to reality.

"Sorry, Alfred," Barbara was a bit flustered. "Just remembering."

"Ah." The gentleman's gentleman took the tray with Barbara's empty cocoa mug. "Might I suggest, Madam, that you retire? It seems the Fates have granted you an evening off. You may as well take advantage of it, and lord knows you need your rest."

Barbara yawned, not having realized she was tired. "Sounds good, Alfred. Let Dick do all the busywork tonight. I just need to shut down here."

"Of course, Madam."

Barbara smiled. What would any of them do without Alfred?

Catwoman sighed. The East End was quiet this Christmas, and for this Catwoman was grateful. She had more important things to consider right now, like the fact that she was going to be a grandma! Alright, so Dick was not her biological son, but she definitely thought of him as a son, even if he didn't actually call her "Mom." Selina recalled the first time she met Dick, years ago, back in her thieving days.

It had been at a charity ball for the Gotham City Orphanage. Selina was there to check out the merchandise, so to speak. Perusing the room from behind her champagne glass of ginger ale, she felt something bump into her. When she looked down she saw a small dark haired boy in an equally small tuxedo. He couldn't have been more than eight years old. She lowered herself to his level.

"Well, hello there," Selina purred.

"Hi, um, sorry ma'am," the boy blushed.

"I don't believe I've had the pleasure of meeting you," Selina held out her hand. "Selina Kyle. And you are?"

Dick shook her hand vigorously, grinning, "Dick Grayson"

"Grayson, huh? I don't believe I know any Graysons."

Dick just grinned. "I wouldn't think you would. I live with Bruce now."

"Bruce?"

"Yeah, Bruce Wayne," Dick stood on his toes trying to find Bruce. "He's around here somewhere."

"Bruce Wayne is your dad?" Selina grinned her Cheshire grin.

Dick furrowed his little brow. "Well, he's not my dad. My dad died, with my mom."

"Oh," Selina brushed a lock of hair from Dick's forehead. "I'm sorry dear."

Dick shrugged. "Not your fault." He perked up. "Well, I better go find Bruce. Nice to meetcha Miss Kyle!" And with that Dick was gone through the crowd of Gotham's elite.

Selina smiled at the memory. "And now our boy's gonna have a baby of his own," she said to no one in particular.

"Scary, isn't it," a voice said above her.

Selina looked up and grinned. "You know I'm not supposed to see you out at night."

Batgirl flipped down to her mother's level. "Yeah, well, it's Christmas and this is an emergency."

Catwoman quirked her eyebrow. "That's what commlinks are for."

Batgirl rolled her eyes behind her mask. "Not that kind of emergency, and besides, he might hear over the commlink."

"He?"

"Robin. His parents took off for the holidays without him."

Catwoman growled. "I know."

Batgirl blinked. "You know?"

"They always leave him alone at Christmas. Mrs. M used to be there for him, but since they had to let her go, he's mostly been on his own."

Batgirl was shocked. "Why haven't you and Dad said anything or, or done anything?"

Catwoman gave a grim smile. "I wanted to, but your father insists that Robin will say something if he 'needs anything.'"

"Well he won't, and he thinks we don't care about him. That he's just a 'good soldier.'"

Catwoman sighed. "Well I suppose your father hasn't exactly gone out of his way to prove Robin wrong on that one. Since Ja..."

Batgirl softened. "Yeah, I know."

"So you see why your father..."

"No, he's still being a jerk." Batgirl fired her grapple line. "Come on, I've got a plan."