It wasn't often that the entire Bat-family went out on patrol together, but there seemed to be a kind of energy in the air on the nights they did.

Robin had this energy running through him as he landed in the alleyway. He and Batman had just busted a small drug ring, and he had been tasked with securing the perimeter.

The young hero scanned the area. While it appeared deserted, he could feel a presence watching him. The force of another person plowing into him confirmed Robin's suspicion.

Using the attacker's momentum, he managed to throw them off. A figure all dressed in black with only their eyes showing was staring, glaring, back at him. "Please give me a reason." Robin grinned, ready to show this ninja wanna-be who they were messing with.

The attacker charged towards him, running so fast the young vigilante hardly had time to react. He pulled out three batarangs and flung them in the masked fighter's path, but instead of pinning or tripping over them, the attacker dodged the first and caught the other two.

Before Robin could even process the action, the fighter slung the projectiles back, pinning the boy to the wall. Robin squirmed as he tried to pull the batarangs from his shoulders as the assassin pulled out a blade.

Just as he glimpsed his own reflection in the metal, something knocked the knife away. Batman dropped from the rooftop and tackled his protégé's would-be killer to the ground.

Robin finally managed to free himself and ran to where his mentor was handcuffing the attacker. Batman pulled down the ninja's hood, and both crime fighters' eyes went wide.

It was a child. A girl with short black hair and brown eyes who looked hardly older than Red Robin. "I want everyone back at The Cave." Batman ordered. This child assassin was far too dangerous to be handed over to the Gotham PD.

III

Once they were all present, the interrogation began.

They all tried for over an hour, asking the girl who had sent her, who her targets were, what she wanted, but through it all, she never made a sound. Even more time was spent asking the same question in different languages before they all decided to call it a night.

"I'll take first watch." Red Hood offered. "I'll let you know if it starts talking."

"Cassandra." Came a small but assertive voice. They all whipped to towards their prisoner. Her eyes seemed to sear through their bodies and into their souls. "Not it." She hissed, focusing her stare at Red Hood.

The young man flushed from the uncomfortable attention. "Good luck." Nightwing smirked as he and the rest of the family headed off to bed.

III

Cassandra didn't start talking. Over the next few days, she stayed completely silent no matter who was guarding her. Yet somehow, her silence seemed to speak volumes. She watched everything with an analytic curiosity and seemed to judge the contents of a person's soul.

Still, Cassandra was quite a cooperative prisoner, and soon Batman decided she didn't need to be watched 24/7.


"Are you sure we should be sparing with her watching?" Tim asked, glancing cautiously towards where Cassandra was asleep in her chair. "Would you relax? She's out cold." Jason pointed out as he equipped himself with batarangs and foam bullets.

"Besides, it's not like you have any technique worth analyzing." Damian smirked as he retrieved his sword. Tim grabbed his bow staff, ready to defend his skills.

The two younger boys started fighting while Dick coached from the sidelines, and Jason calculated the odds of Tim finally beating some humility into Damian. Before long, the boys seemed to forget that they were just sparing.

They were in full battle mode, trying to dominate their opponent. They were so blinded by adrenaline that Damian didn't even think twice before flinging a batarang at Tim's face.

Tim easily dodged it but in the process, cleared the way for the projectile to sail straight for the Bat-computer's primary monitor. The boys all closed their eyes, waiting for the horrible sound of the screen shattering.

After a few seconds, they dared to peak and saw Cassandra standing in front of the computer holding the batarang between her fingers. "How did you get out?" Damian demanded. Cassandra merely shrugged and slung the weapon to his feet.

"Your aim. Not good." She told him, and Jason and Tim stifled laughter. "My aim is impeccable." Damian countered angrily. "Now, let's just calm down," Dick said, placing a hand on his youngest brother's shoulder. "Cassandra just saved us, mostly you, from getting grounded for life. There's no need to start a fight."

"Aw, but I wanna see Dami get his butt kicked." Tim fake whined. "I've fought her before." Damian sneered. "You not win." Cassandra pointed out with a hint of amusement in her voice. "I will destroy you!" Damian snapped and drew his sword.

Dick started to take the blade from him when Jason intervened. "Aw come on Dickie. Let them duke it out. Besides, I bet she could use some exercise after being locked to that chair for a few days."

Seeing as he was clearly outvoted, Dick stepped aside to let them fight. After all, he could always step in before things went too far.

Damian went straight for the offensive, swinging his sword with every step he took. Cassandra dodged his attack with ease, stepping out of his way and never breaking eye contact. Finally, once she was backed up to the edge of the ring, she made her move.

Pushing off the railing, she kicked Damian's sword hand and sent the blade flying overhead. Her hands seemed to blur as she struck Damian once between his ribs and again on his neck.

The disorienting sensation gave Cassandra enough time to post on her opponent's shoulder and volt over him. She retrieved his sword from where it had landed and, in one swift motion, knocked Damian's feet out from under him.

"I win." She said simply as she placed her foot on his chest, pinning him to the ground. "That was awesome!" Jason cheered as he rushed the ring. "You were pretty impressive." Dick relented. "That was totally kick-ass Cass!" Jason laughed.

"Kick ass?" Cassandra asked as she released a still fuming Damian. "It means you did good." Tim smiled. Cassandra nodded her understanding and turned to her sulking opponent.

"You do good." She complimented. Damian begrudgingly stuck out his hand to shake. "You were formidable." He muttered.


After seeing the security footage of their fight, Bruce decided that Cassandra had won her right to move around the cave.

The entire family was getting quite used to having her around. Damian asked for a rematch almost every day, some of which he won. Barbara and Stephanie loved the idea of having another girl around. Bruce and Alfred were even discussing bringing her up to The Manor.

Cassandra found herself growing comfortable around them all. Of course, something had to interfere.

The family of vigilantes was suiting up for the night when Alfred's voice came over the intercom. "Master Bruce, the local news has something you'll find quite pressing."

Tim was already pulling up the feed on the computer. A muscled man toting an assault rifle stood at the top of the steps at city hall. A group of well-dressed men and women were kneeling around him with their hands on their heads.

"Have the Batman bring me my assassin! I know he has her!" He barked at the spectators. Bruce scowled. It'd been a while since he'd seen David Cain, but clearly, the man still held the same malice for him.

"He has till midnight before I kill every person in this building!" Cain was yelling as the feed cut out. "I have a feeling he's looking for you." Steph muttered, coming over to stand by Cassandra. The black-haired girl nodded. "I go." She whispered.

"Like hell you will." Jason spat. "You don't have to go back to him." Tim told her. "The people..." Cass started. "We'll get them out." Barbara promised. Cassandra shook her head violently. They weren't getting it.

They all started talking over one another, telling her she didn't have to go back, that he had no hold over her, that she didn't have to be his weapon. Her hands flew over her ears, trying to block them out. She needed words. She had to find the words.

"He is father!" She finally screamed, shaking from the auditory overload and the energy of raising her voice. The others were silent as Bruce came over and placed a hand on her shoulder. "Do you want to go back to him?" He asked, quiet and gentle.

"He want hurt-" Cassandra stared again, only for Bruce to stare her down. "We will get them out no matter what you choose." He assured her. Cass stared at him for a long time, searching for any hint of insincerity or disbelief in his eyes. But his eyes were honest, and it gave her a spark of hope.

"Not want him." She told them, and they all nodded. They had their objectives. Now they needed a plan.

III

David Cain smiled wickedly as he spotted Batman slinking out of the shadows with his daughter in tow. "I suppose this is what I get for sending a child to do a man's work." He grimaced. "She'll learn in time."

"Release the hostages." Batman ordered, keeping a firm grip on Cassandra's shoulder. Cain grunted at a woman, and she quickly got up and scurried to the police barrier at the base of the stairs.

Cain then turned to his assassin, motioning for her to come. "No." She told him. She was done being his living weapon. "You hurt. It wrong."

Cain's surprise at the sound of her voice registered as anger on his face. "Obey your orders," He grabbed one of the hostages and held the gun to his head. "Or they're all gonna hurt." Cassandra's eyes flicked around the area, looking for where the others were supposed to be stationed. Everyone was in place.

She glanced at Batman, who nodded for her to continue with their plan. He released her shoulder, and she walked slowly towards her father. "You failed me." He growled. The girl nodded, keeping her eyes down. "Redeem yourself." He ordered, handing her the gun and pushing the hostage to his knees.

Cassandra looked at the man. He was crying. She could see his life flashing before his eyes. She looked at David Cain, her father, the man who taught her to fight at the expense of her words. His eyes were full of glee as he waited for his weapon to take a man's life.

"I am sorry." She breathed and fired three (non-lethal) shots at Cain. He was down and screaming in agony but all the while threatening that she would regret this.

Cassandra could tell by his eyes that he meant it, but for once, she didn't believe him.


Seeing as she more or less appeared out of nowhere, it took social services quite some time to process Cassandra's adoption. But that was ok. The extra time gave her a chance to get to know her new family better.

She read their eyes and learned to trust their words. By the time Cassandra Cain-Wain was made an official member of the family, she knew their souls, and more importantly, they knew hers.


A/N Hey guys! Don't forget I always love to hear your thoughts and ideas for new chapters so hit me up ;D