Tim's reunion with Dana was emotional, to say the least. Alfred watched silently, leaving only when he saw them clutching each other, tears streaming out of both of their eyes. He glanced out the front door, noting Bruce speaking with Cassandra on a bench on the lawn. He shook his head, a weight settling within his chest, and feeling older than he had since Miss Stephanie's death.
Meanwhile, Cass was getting herself back under control…as much as possible under the circumstances. While what Bruce had said about reacting differently when an acquaintance, a friend…a loved one was killed, she knew her reaction had been much deeper than that. Because somehow, she knew she was responsible for everything that had happened tonight. Oh, she knew Bruce wouldn't see it that way, though he would recognize her own feelings of guilt as he himself experienced them far too often and would not mention them. And most probably no one else would believe it was her fault either…except maybe Tim.
That was her greatest fear…that when she revealed the truth, she'd see betrayal, hurt…disgust…in his eyes. In all likelihood, it wouldn't come to that…she didn't know what Bruce had planned regarding the case, but it probably didn't include Tim very much…at least for the moment. But still…she had to share what she knew…it was only right. She took a few deep, gulping breaths, unsure of the reaction she'd receive.
"I…I have to…" She snuck a glance at Bruce, annoyed to find he wasn't paying attention to her. Well. So much for her confession. But she calmed down as she noted his tense stance, and followed his gaze towards the house. Alfred was silhouetted in the doorway, apparently waiting for… something. Bruce stood, and Cass followed suit, frustrated. But she could tell this wasn't the time to bring up her revelation.
"How is he?" Bruce's voice came softly, rough with emotion he refused to release. Alfred simply shook his head, and Bruce cursed under his breath. Cass wasn't sure what he'd expected…how was anyone supposed to "be" after witnessing such a tragedy? She followed the men into the house, feeling lost…adrift.
A flash of light caught her eye as she started to close the door, and she turned, opening it again. A car was pulling into the long drive, somewhat recklessly, she noted with a frown. But as it came to a halt she recognized it and stepped back outside, closing the door behind her. One person emerged, then went around to the other side to help the passenger. Cass shivered, though she wasn't sure if it was from cold, emotion, or something else. She set her mind on the task of figuring out why they hadn't brought Babs' SUV as they struggled to free her chair from the back. They finally managed, and she started walking towards them, trembling, wondering how much they knew.
"Cassandra!" Dick was the first to notice her, and Babs peeked around him as she settled herself in her chair. She wheeled over to her, and some unspoken signal passed between them. Cass found herself suddenly overcome and she fell to her knees, clinging to Babs as tears poured out of her eyes. Babs murmured quiet comforts, reflexively smoothing back Cass' hair, but none of them really got through to her…she just cried.
When she finally regained some control, she realized that Dick had disappeared. Wiping her eyes with the back of her arm, she pulled back, feeling quite humiliated. But Babs wasn't looking at her with disgust, or even pity. Instead, moisture glinted on her own cheeks and Cass could recognize in her a similar heaviness of heart. Cass glanced back at the Manor, uncomfortable with all the emotions that were being yanked into the open. She had broken down with Babs before, when Batman had taken the mantle of Batgirl from her, but she still wasn't usually an emotional creature.
"Cass…do…do you know what happened?" Babs drew Cass' attention back to the present with her confusing question. Cass cocked her head to the side, trying to understand…to make her brain work again.
"Don't you?" Babs kind of shrugged.
"I only know what the police know…and what the 911 call reported." She shuddered a little, just enough for Cass to catch it, but probably not enough for anyone else to see.
"What…what did it say?" That was one piece of the puzzle she hadn't been able to place yet. If her suspicions were correct, Mr. Drake should never have gotten to the phone…unless it was planned. Babs hesitated, then sighed. She knew Cass deserved an explanation, especially seeing as how the words on her own monitor had sent Robin into a raging, unthinking panic.
"Well…the report on the computer only targeted certain words…tagged them. Words I had entered as important. These include the names or homes of everyone in the Family, alerts on escapees from Arkham, and a few others. All that was shown on screen was a 911-call from Jack Drake's residence…the EMT units were being dispatched…and the police…and that was enough to set Tim off." Cass nodded absently. She had pretty much figured that much out. After all, Batman had said there was a call…and even had the screen said more, even Tim wouldn't have been able to get much more than that information from the short amount of time it had been displayed. But there was obviously more Babs wasn't sharing.
"And?" Babs sighed again.
"And…the call itself was pretty bad. Mrs. Drake apparently walked in and just found him laying there…" she shuddered, "and called 911. She was pretty hysterical…understandable under the circumstances…and I knew it would be bad for Tim to see that. I just wish I'd had something to redirect his attention before…" She trailed off and Cass nodded absently. Would it matter to Tim that there was nothing he could have done? She doubted it…it might ease his feelings of guilt, but only if he believed it, and even then it was doubtful.
"I don't…" she hesitated, not sure she could make it through the lie to Babs with her emotions strung as tightly as they were without giving something away, but she boldly continued. "I don't know anything else. The police were already there…no one could get in and search." Babs nodded, apparently believing her.
"Makes sense. I assume Bruce will go back later and investigate when the crowd is lessened." She glanced at the car and then at the house. "That's one reason I called Dick…he needed to know, he might be able to help…and he's like a brother to Tim anyway…" she seemed to realize she was rambling, and took a deep breath, slowing her speech. "Batman said to meet him here, Dick wanted me to wait for him…kinda thought it would be better not to be alone at times like this. It's true, too." Her focus came back to Cass and she frowned. "Cass, why don't you stay wi…"
"No." She pulled away, walking over to lean against a tree, wrapping her arms around herself. She didn't want to stay here, or with Babs, or anywhere. She was too keyed up…and she had too many suspicions. Better to stay by oneself than to risk anything. Behind her Babs sighed again and wheeled towards the house, most likely deciding she would have more success with anyone else. Cass watched her until she disappeared into the house, then straightened. She couldn't deal with this right now…she especially couldn't face Tim. She would get to the bottom of this…yes, that was it. Find him and…and…well, she wasn't sure what she'd do once she caught up with him. Didn't matter…she just needed to do something. Anything. Now.
The building was dark and rather intimidating…that is, it was to most people. But very little had the ability to intimidate Batgirl…especially not a simple edifice made of stone and iron. Blackgate Penitentiary. Home to any number of the heinous villains who preyed on the innocents of Gotham…but she sought only one. Slipping through the darkness, every sense alert and ready, she made her way up to the prison's outer wall. Her cape she removed and placed amongst some rocks as, having swam across to the island's dark shore instead of trying sneak aboard a ferry and risk exposure, it was weighted down with water and would only slow her progress.
Entering the facility proved no difficulty for her, as she moved swiftly and silently towards her destination. The sound of approaching footsteps sent her scuttling into a darkened passage, but the guard passed by without so much as glancing her way. Using every skill she'd ever been taught, she lithely avoided each and every security camera, monitor, or other device in her path. She didn't hesitate, never faltered…until she stood outside her destination. She felt a strange flutter in her stomach, and whether it was from nerves or rage, she wasn't quite sure. Footsteps approached…the guard, again. She disappeared as he passed, then slipped behind him, needing to retrieve the key that would unlock the cell door. It wasn't difficult to obtain. This time she didn't hesitate. She turned the key in the lock, then slid inside letting the door close behind her. She stood for a moment, then pulled off her cowl, staring defiantly at the man seated on the small cot.
The figure in the cell glanced up at her entry, a light coming into his eyes for a moment, but he covered his reaction before a normal person could notice it. Of course, as she was constantly being reminded, batgirl was not normal. She had caught the look and it fanned the flame of her anger into rage. Without warning she launched herself at him, slamming him into the wall, her hands wrapped around his throat. He made no struggle, simply let her know through his stance that he didn't believe she'd go through with it for a moment.
"I warned you!" Her voice came out in a rasp, harsh and unyielding. "I told you! Kill again and…and…" images flashed through her mind and she fell backwards, glancing at her hands, seeing them covered in blood…the blood she would never completely remove. David Cain pushed away from the wall, massaging his throat, and calmly watching her reaction. She closed her eyes, shaking her head as if she could shake away the memories.
She might have expected a disparaging remark, something along the lines of his knowing she wouldn't have it in her to go through with it…but to her surprise he remained silent. She pried her eyes open, glancing at her hands for a second, relieved to find the blood had been just a figment of her imagination. Then she glared at him.
"Why?" She demanded. She didn't really expect an answer…on the other hand, Babs had once thought he'd give her information just by asking, and he had placed himself in prison on her insistence after framing Bruce for murder…an elaborate test of her new mentor. A sickening twist in her stomach caused her to take a deep breath, and her eyes opened in recognition. She'd already known it was her fault…no matter what anyone would tell her, Cain was her father, and his actions all reflected on and related to her, therefore it was her fault…but she hadn't even thought…or maybe let herself imagine…that this really was completely her fault. Another test of some kind? Or…
"Why what?" His bland question brought her focus back to him…dangerous, to lose focus when caged with a deadly assassin. Her hands clenched, itching to carry through on her promise made long ago. But she must restrain herself…if only to find out the answers before she completed her earlier actions.
"Don't! I know…I…you killed him!"
"Exactly who is it I'm supposed to have killed while locked up in this fine institution?" She growled in frustration, not bothering with words. They both knew the only thing keeping him within Blackgate's walls was his promise to her…he'd already proven before that he could come and go at will. She glared at him and he shrugged, unconcerned. He didn't believe she'd carry through her threat? A grim smile spread over her face. That would be his last mistake…he'd trained her not to back down…and Batman had encouraged that philosophy. Even as he noted her smile and tensing stance, the smug smile melting from his face, she moved.
To be continued…
