{the sheltered bird}

-A child is protected by the limit of feebleness against emotions which are too complex-

The apartment was a decent size, and morning light crept in through the yawning kitchen window, bathing a round wooden table in a warm white-gold glow. The apartment was very neat looking, chairs pushed in, books stacked up against walls, aligned beside twin cabinets that held dishes. The small girl that had opened the door led them into a tiny living room, which had nothing but a loveseat, a tall lamp, and a coffee table. There was a TV mounted on the wall on the other side of the room.

"Sit," the girl said, extending her arms out straight before her. Jason let out a sigh of relief as he was set down on the couch, and he winced as he moved his mechanical leg again. The girl was staring at him with big eyes, and she kept staring until he scowled at her.

"What do you want, princess?" he snapped, feeling on edge from being relocated. He didn't like that he didn't know her, and he didn't like that no one was letting him go home.

"Hey," Cyborg chastised, looming over Jason and jerking a finger at his face. "Be nice to the little lady, or I'm taking Dea back."

The girl appeared beside Cyborg suddenly, and the big man made a noise of shock, skittering sideways. The girl shook her head, her messy black spikes growing messier. "No," she said. "Fine." She beamed up at Cyborg, and clasped her hands together behind her back, her head tilting. "Coffee?"

"Yes, please!" Stephanie chirped, flinging one arm up in the air. Bart made a face.

"Do you have food?" he asked eagerly.

The girl smiled, and she nodded. "Food. Yes." She extended her arms again. "Sit. Hush." She pressed a finger to her lips, and pointed to a door that led into a hallway. "She sleep."

The girl disappeared when Jason blinked, and he gave a grimace as Stephanie plopped down beside him, looking happy as she looked around the room. There were Christmas lights tacked to the walls, but it looked like a first grader had done it, because they were all tangled together in a strange mass all over the lavender walls.

"That girl is creepy," Jason observed.

"Be nice, Blue," Cyborg warned.

"Yeah, yeah," Jason grumbled, glowering at the glittering lights.

"So when's Christmas, anyway?" Steph asked, straightening up. Jason looked at her, and he found himself thinking the same thing. "Like, what day is it, even? I'm all messed up."

"Uh… Christmas is in like, two days…?" Cyborg offered, scratching his cheek.

"One!" Bart said happily. "Happy Christmas Eve!"

"Yo, shit," Jason said, his eyes widening. "Christmas Eve?"

"Yeah, I know, it's so weird." The boy ruffled his brown hair, shrugging a little. "We should have a Christmas party when this is all over! You probably need new stuff anyway, you've been in a coma for so long."

"This is true." He'd kind of just figured he'd get new shit whenever he went home. He wasn't picky, he'd wear anything that covered him. Though a leather jacket… "Do you think there's any specials on ABC family?"

"Oh my gosh," Stephanie gasped, leaping for the remote. "I hope it's the stop motion ones, I love those!"

"Me too!" Bart gasped, plopping his skinny body between Steph and Jason. "Oh, this is exciting!"

"Missing cookies," Steph said, leaning back as the TV turned on. "Or waffles. Damn, I'd give my right leg for some waffles."

"Ha ha," Jason sneered. "You are so funny."

Stephanie gave him a bright smile, her disheveled blonde hair bouncing as she laughed. Rays of morning light strayed in from the window, setting the strands alight like golden threads. Jason watched her, and he noticed that she didn't have the face of a monster. He knew monsters, and he knew how their masks cracked when it came down to it— and Stephanie had a face so soft and childlike, he was angry at himself for not being able to help her when they were young. If they had just caught Cluemaster, then they could have saved the girl from this… this life of horrors and bloodshed. The life she'd never asked for.

"Oh, man!" Cyborg gasped standing beside the couch, as he could not fit on it. "Is this the Rudolph and Frosty special?"

"Nah, it's the regular Rudolph one," Bart said, resting his chin in his hands and smiling contentedly. "Look, see? The elf lawyer."

"Dentist," Stephanie corrected. "The elf lawyer was from Ella Enchanted."

"Whoa." Bart stared at her in wonder. "My bad."

They watched for a few minutes, bantering back and forth about the storyline, and teasing Cyborg for openly admitting that Rudolph was his goddamn favorite. Jason was merely mulling in the feeling of nostalgia, recalling watching this very same Christmas special at various stages of his life. He remembered watching it with his mother when he was very small, though she'd passed out long before the movie really got going. He remembered seeing on in a cheap diner he'd sat in one achingly cold Christmas Eve. He remembered watching it the year he turned thirteen, huddled up in a pile of blankets with Alfred sitting on the couch behind him at his request. Jason had never been a fan of Christmas, because when he'd been young it had often reminded him how little in life he really had, and his mother never remembered the day anyway. His first Christmas with Bruce had been a shock to be sure, and it was still the best Christmas he had ever had in his life.

The small girl appeared in the doorway with a tray full of mugs, and she rested it on the table before them. "Coffee," she said, extending her arms. There was a plate full of English muffins, which Bart attacked on sight. The small girl looked amused. "And food." The bitter smell of the brew was enough to wake Jason up, and he reached for a cup eagerly. He wasn't even a big fan of coffee, but he couldn't remember the last time he'd had it. He couldn't remember when he'd last eaten either. Jason took a sip of the coffee, and it seared against his tongue, thick and acrid and sloshing in his mouth as he swallowed, unfazed.

"That," he said, "is a shitty cup of coffee."

The girl stared at him, her brow knitting together, and guilt gnawed at Jason's stomach. He quickly amended himself. "I mean that endearingly," he said, giving the black coffee a swig. He'd had way worse, and it was a spread of warmth through his chest. "You should taste my coffee. It's like hot piss, but nastier."

"Lovely mental image," Stephanie said, smirking into her own cup.

"Honey, I could spit out the prettiest damn prose you've ever heard," Jason said, resting his cup on his metal knee. "I am actually a starving artist of words."

"Yeah, you're a real linguist."

"It's my secret weapon." Jason shook his head, and looked at the girl, who was staring at the television screen in wonder. She turned to them, and she pointed, her arms moving to gesticulate her question. The four of them could only stare at her in bemusement, as she pressed her lips together and waved her hands.

"Deer," she said, waving at the screen, her eyes big. "Deer fly?"

"It's Rudolph," Bart said softly. "Don't you know Rudolph?"

"Rude-off," the girl said, frowning in puzzlement. She shook her head profusely. "No. Rudolph. Rudolph?"

"Rudolph the Red Nosed Reindeer," Stephanie said, smiling up at the girl. "Can you say that?"

"Rudolph the… red nose-ed—"

"Nosed."

"Nosed." The girl stared up at the screen. "Rainy-deer. Rain-uh-deer." Her nose wrinkled in frustration. "Reindeer."

"Whoo!" Bart cried, clapping his hands so fast that they were a blur. "You got it!"

The girl looked startled, and she shook her head fast, waving her hands. "Hush!" she gasped. "She— oh." The girl sighed, and frowned at the door. "She awake."

"Who?" Jason asked. The answer came bursting through the door, a dark haired woman looking drowsy and disheveled. She was wearing a robe, and her dark eyes were piercing through the darkness as she locked onto the five of them, her body tensing in irritation.

"Good morning, Helena," the girl said, looking up at the woman apologetically. "I sorry— I am sorry. I say hush, they no hush. I am sorry." The girl stood frozen under the woman's piercing stare, and then she extended her arms out again. "Coffee?"

"Please," Helena said, her gaze switching to the four of them. "And please, tell me what's going on. I was only asleep for an hour and a half, Cassie, what happened?"

"Oracle send them," the girl said innocently. "I let them in."

"Oracle." Helena closed her eyes, and sighed, running her fingers through her hair. "Of course she would."

"Cassie?" Jason asked, peering at the small girl. She stared back at him, and turned away, disappearing before his eyes yet again.

"Cassandra is my… ward. For the moment." Helena stood before them, her eyes sharp and cautious. "She should have woken me up when Oracle called. Tell me who you are. Except you two." She waved her hand at Cyborg and Kid Flash. "I know you."

"Jason Todd," Jason said, taking a gulp of coffee. "Aren't you the Huntress?"

"Aren't you in a coma?" Helena looked a little irritated, but otherwise she seemed friendly enough.

"Formerly," Jason said, leaning back on the couch. "Woke up yesterday. Found out lots of people want to kill me. And apparently no one wants to take me home, and I just don't get this."

Helena closed her eyes and shook her head, as if she simply didn't care to ask him anything more. "And you?" Helena asked Stephanie, her eyes snapping open.

"Spoiler," Stephanie said, waving minutely. "Hi there."

"Never heard of you," Helena said, shrugging. "Okay, so Oracle wants me to do what with you now?"

"Protect."

Jason jumped as Cassandra appeared beside Helena, offering the woman a cup of coffee. Helena took it, giving the girl a grateful touch on the head. "God, someone should put a bell on you," Jason said, staring at the girl in wonder. He considered his words for a moment, and he shuddered. "Scratch that. Someone should put a neon light on you."

"I am sorry," Cassandra said. She bowed her head, and Jason winced. He could feel Helena glaring at him.

"No, don't be," he said, giving a shrug. "That's a skill that will come in handy in Gotham."

"It does," Cassandra said.

Jason studied her, and he couldn't help but be a little put off by her words. She still looked as innocent as a child, though, so he couldn't blame her. Helena drank some of her coffee, pacing back and forth in thought. She spoke as she did so.

"Tell me exactly what Oracle said."

Cassandra nodded, folding her hands behind her back as if to recite a poem. "She say— said, she said, "Cass, I am sending guest. Guests. So do not be too shock—ed when they arrive." And I said, "Okay, Oracle." And she said, "Good, Cass, good. There are four. Of them. There are four of them. All I want you and Helena to do is protect them. You can do that, yes?" Or… right. It may be right. I no know." The girl took a deep breath, and Jason stared at her, hearing her voice crack a little nervously. She was very serious, but she seemed to be content, her eyes big and wonder-filled as she stared up at Helena. "I said, "Yes, Oracle, I can do that!"" Cassandra beamed up at Helena, and she tilted her head. "But I no want to wake you, so I no tell. I am sorry. You just asleep, and no—" She winced, scratching her head. "I no speak right. I am sorry."

"I think you speak great," Stephanie chirped. Bart nodded in agreement.

The girl looked at Stephanie, and stared at her for a long moment before giving her a small smile. "Thank you," she said. "Why you sad?"

Jason turned to look at Stephanie, who had jolted up straight in shock, nearly spilling her coffee. "Huh?" she asked, looking startled. "I'm not sad."

"You are," Cass said, looking at her with a puzzled expression. "I am sorry?"

"Oh, gosh, no, don't be." Stephanie gave the girl a big smile, and she shook her head. "You're right. I'm just really sad that I have to leave you guys soon."

"Aw," Jason said, smirking at her. "You're the sweetest assassin I've ever met. And apparently I've met a lot the past few days."

"Assassin?" Cass asked, taking a step closer to them. "You?"

"Yeah…" Stephanie scratched her head. "It's a bummer."

"Leave." Cass was staring at Stephanie with big eyes, and she took another step closer to them, her face determined and dark. "Stay. Here. Leave them."

"Cass…" Helena said, taking the girl's shoulder. "Maybe you should wait in the kitchen."

"No." Cass shook her head profusely. "No. You no see. She leave, stay here, be happy. Like me. See?"

"No, Cassie." Helena sighed, and she shook her head. "We'll talk about this later."

Cass stood stubbornly where she was. "No." Cass lifted her head high. "Nuh uh. No."

"Cass," Stephanie said, looking at her with earnest eyes. "You're really, really sweet, but it's not that simple."

Cass gave her a look, and she folded her arms across her chest. "Simple," she said, pursing her lips so they gave a pouty look. "You like me. No kill, be happy, help. Leave them. Stay here. With me. I protect." Cass pressed her hand to her chest, shrugging Helena's hand off her. "I am sorry. I can protect. That what— that is what I am mean—" She winced, and took a deep breath. "What I mean. You no need to be sad no more."

Helena gave another sigh, and she looked at Stephanie with dark eyes. "She's not going to stop bothering you about it," Helena warned. "She's very persistent."

"I can't go anywhere," Stephanie said faintly. "I… I don't know how to get out of this. And I definitely don't want anyone to get hurt by default because of my stupid decision."

"No stupid." Cass pointed at Steph, and Jason stared at her in wonder. Okay, kid, he thought curiously. Who are you? "Smart. Get out while you can. You stupid if you stay, stupid."

"I for one," Bart said, raising his mug to Cass. "Totally agree. Steph should quit and join us. I mean, Titans Tower has room, and it's not like we're going to get Deathstroke off our backs anyway. This way we'll have an edge on him."

"That's actually a half intelligent observation," Jason said. "I am genuinely shocked."

Stephanie shrunk into the couch, biting her lip. "Guys… that's really nice and all, and you know… I want to. But I—"

"Stephanie." Cyborg stood over them, his giant body looming over them with a yawning black shadow. Steph stared up at him, her mouth dropping open in apprehension. "It's our job to help people. If you want out of the League of Shadows, you're out. Starting right now, you're under our personal protection. It is that simple. You've gone this far with us without straying to achieve your goal, and that's reason enough. You ain't betraying us. You're staying right here, and letting us deal with Ra's al Ghul and Deathstroke."

"You're crazy," Stephanie said, her eyes widening.

"You crazy," Cass said, extending her hands. "We honest. We are honest."

"This is all very sweet," Helena said, folding her arms across her chest. "But not even me and Cass can single-handedly hold off Ra's al Ghul and Deathstroke."

"We can," Cass said. Jason barked a laugh at her confidence, and she glanced at him. "No? You no think so?"

"Look, kiddo," Jason said. "You've got balls of steel, I'll give you that. But trust me, taking on those two isn't exactly a walk in the park."

"Steel balls?" Cass asked, blinking at him curiously. She looked up at Helena, who was glaring at Jason fervently.

"I mean, you're pretty damn brave, and that's admirable, like I get it, I've always had problems with letting my courage cloud my judgment. But Ra's al Ghul and Deathstroke together are pretty formidable. More like the complete opposite." Jason glanced at Stephanie, and he sighed, ruffling his hair in irritation. "But, whatever. If Stephanie wants out, let's just let the girl have her freedom and be done with it."

"Sweet!" Bart grinned broadly, jumping up and down. "All in favor of Steph quitting evildoing, and becoming a good guy?"

Jason watched Bart's hand zoom into the air, and Cyborg's followed soon after. Cass was studying the motion, and she raised her arm as well. Jason looked at Helena, who was staring at them all rather blankly. He smirked at her, and raised his arm, leaning back against the couch. Helena sighed and shook her head as Steph tentatively raised her hand, giving a sheepish smile.

"Fine," Helena said. "She's a hero now, that's all well and good, but what the hell am I fighting so I can be prepared?"

"Uh," Jason said, taking a sip of coffee. It was lukewarm now, but he didn't really care. "Not Ra's al Ghul. Just a few assassins that are on my ass. Oh, hey, ha. Ass—"

"Please don't," Helena said.

"You know, I was like, sixteen yesterday, okay," Jason said, scowling. "I'm not above butt humor."

"I thought it was funny," Bart offered.

"Thank you," Jason said, nodding to the small Kid Flash. "I think you're my favorite."

Helena nodded slowly, turning away from them. "I'm calling Oracle," she said, waving her hand back at them.

Cass stood there for a moment on her own, before she looked back up at the television. "Rudolph?" she asked, cocking her head. "He run too."

Stephanie gave Cass a wide smile, and she stared down at her coffee. "Guess I just got myself stuck in the Land of Misfit Toys, then, huh?"

Misfits, huh? Jason looked around, and he couldn't help but agree. He moved his mechanical leg again, watching it move, and he wondered how long it would be until he could walk again. Soon.


I actually don't know too much about Helena, so I kinda just went with whatever came to my mind characterization-wise. Cass, obviously, I put more thought into. She's obviously still learning to speak, and has a lot of trouble with it.

Victor Hugo wrote some dumb shit.