Bat Family

Wayne Manor was his job but also something of a secondary home (besides his Harem house). Today was Dick's last day in Gotham before he returned to Bludhaven for good. Starfire sat next to him, smiling and laughing as her boyfriend told dumb jokes.

Tim was sipping on his coffee and conversing with Stephanie regarding the sharp decline of crime families. "It's like someone has taken their money right under them and they don't know what to do," Tim said.

Stephanie shrugged. "Maybe the IRS finally got them."

Tim didn't look convinced. Neither did Damian, who sat in his chair with his arms crossed, deep in thought. Bruce wasn't around because he was preoccupied with Batman stuff. The guy was a nocturnal animal. Aaron saw him maybe once or twice a week.

Well, it was to his benefit. The less the detective talked to him, the better. Aaron arrived at the kitchen table with the sixth platter of shawarma. Hummus was served to the side and there was a vegetarian option for Stephanie as well. He slid the meal to Cassandra and then sat by her side, officially joining the conversation.

"I feel as though there's less and less for me to do now," Damian said. "Father actually told me last night to sleep early. Me! He told me to sleep early!"

"You do have school." Tim pointed out.

"I can just do a power nap. Compress eight hours into thirty minutes." Damian huffed. "Father should know I'm no ordinary student."

"Except you are a student," Dick said.

"Indeed," Starfire chimed in. "Your human age states you're a student, therefore you are, regardless of your superhero activities."

"I've been trained in more martial arts than you've been alive for, Tamaranean," Damian shot back.

"And because I have been alive for longer, I am also therefore the higher authority." Starfire grinned at him. "Isn't that the human way?"

"The common way," Damian corrected. "Although I suppose since it's you, there is some merit to your words."

"Ha." Dick chuckled and slapped the table. "So you admit you're just a kid playing dress up."

Damian rolled his eyes and surprisingly did not rise to his provocation.

"Personally, I think it's good," Aaron said. "Less crime means a better Gotham. After all these years, maybe criminals are getting the message." Aaron's words placed everyone in silence. He looked at them with a brow raised. "Oh come on. You guys didn't think you'd do this forever, right?"

"S-sort of…?" Tim said.

"I mean, it hasn't stopped since Bruce was in his twenties so we just assumed…" Stephanie trailed off.

"Look at Central City and Metropolis. Sure, Gotham isn't remotely like them but there has been a sharp decline in normal crime due to the Flash and Superman. It took some time but I believe the same is happening in Gotham."

Obviously a lie. It was Aaron. He was responsible for this sudden change. They didn't need to know that though.

"And Bludhaven," Dick said. "That's why I'm going back. I've been hearing whispers about the League of Shadows and Lady Shiva. I hear a lot of the criminal connection between Gotham and Bludhaven has been spliced. Crime has slightly spiked because of it. It's **** but should be easy clean-up."

Also Aaron's influence. He knew Nightwing wasn't in Bludhaven and took advantage of that. Since Gotham and Bludhaven were like twins, by helping one he could positively affect the other.

"Losing Nightwing and Starfire in fell swoop." Tim sighed. "Gotham better continue with this peace."

"C'mon, Tim," Dick encouraged, "you don't need me. You'll be fine."

"Pfft. Quit underselling yourself. You're a detective, an acrobat, and the fifth best martial artist I know," Tim said.

"Woah, woah, woah." Dick gulped down his food. "Fifth? Who's higher than me?"

"Lady Shiva, Bruce, Cass, and Karate Kid," Tim counted off. He tilted his head, raised his other hand, then added, "Oh, wait, I guess there's Richard Dragon, Connor Hawke, Black Canary, and Jason."

"First off, Karate Kid doesn't count. He's from the 31st century, he has access to technology and training that literally does not exist today. Second, Richard Dragon is dead, so he's off the list. And third…Jason!? C'mon, I am way more skilled than him. We are talking about pure skill, right? I have him beat by a decent margin."

"Eh. I dunno, Dick." Tim turned to the silent Cassandra. "You're the expert, Cass. What do you think?"

Cassandra replied, "I'm number one."

She didn't elaborate.

"As her best friend, I agree," Stephanie said.

"Well, that sure isn't useful," Dick said. "What about you, Damian? I'm sure you're the kind of kid to rank everyone."

Damian chewed on his food, sighed, and crossed his arms. "With the **** of my grandfather and Richard Dragon, as well as the exclusion of Karate Kid, from bottom to top, it would go something like this: me–"

"You?"

Both Dick and Tim looked at each other and laughed. Even Cassandra let out a giggle. Agitated, Damian stood up from his seat and slammed the table. The plates shook and Aaron winced as some of the shawarma slipped off.

"I am! I would most certainly be within the top ten! I know techniques and skills my father does not know! In terms of raw skill–"

"Knowing things versus efficiency in battle are two different things, Damian," Dick interjected, still chuckling with Tim. "You might have the theoretical knowledge but you've never been able to apply your skills to, say, Deathstroke while amped up by the Great Darkness."

'What did he just say?' Aaron asked in his head. The Great Darkness–the antithesis to the Light. A term that brought emotion to his expression.

Starfire noticed and explained, "It was during the Dark Crisis. Dick enjoys mentioning how he saved the multiverse."

"Because I did," Dick said haughtily, smirking. "I should be proud."

He should because that sounded unbelievable. According to the bits of information the Collective **** was feeding Aaron, it was a monumental feat of strength and willpower. The Great Darkness was at the top of the cosmic hierarchy. To defeat someone consumed by the Great Darkness should have been impossible.

"Anyway!" Damian cleared his throat and gathered all attention to him. "My list goes as follows: me, Black Canary, Deathstroke, Jason Todd, Richard Grayson, Wonder Woman, Connor Hawke, Bronze Tiger, father, Lady Shiva, and at the top Cassandra Cain."

'So Richard is short for Dick. I didn't know that,' was Aaron's thoughts on the matter. On the other hand, beside him, Cassandra beamed proudly. Dick looked like he had something to say. So did Stephanie.

"Where am I on this list?" Stephanie grumbled.

"You are forty–"

"Forty!?" Stephanie cut Damian off before he could complete his sentence. "What do you mean forty? I'm not THAT bad."

"Forty-second," Damian finished. "No formal training, failed the Robin test, a focus on acrobats, a reliance on gadgets. Need I say more?"

"Yes!" Stephanie exclaimed.

"Mother, Catwoman, Bane, Ghost-Maker, Azrael, Superman, Wildcat, Huntress, Batwoman, Cheshire, Deadshot," Damian listed. "I could name every single individual above you, if you so wish."

Stephanie sighed and stared up at the ceiling. "This is rigged."

"At least you're in the top 50," Aaron comforted.

"Indeed. Amongst the vast population, that is to be admired," Starfire added.

"Does Wonder Woman even count?" Tim asked. "She's super powered and like a thousand years old."

"We're excluding her superpowers," Damian responded. "I myself have seen footage of her. So has Grayson. I regard her martial prowess highly."

"She's definitely the strongest melee fighter in the world. Star crushing strength, light speed, plus martial arts from the gods? Yeah, there's no doubt about it," Dick said.

"Agreed," Starfire chimed. "I have also witnessed Wonder Woman's martial ability. Sometimes, it is like a dance. Other times, it is a ferocious wave. Though I am not as well versed in hand to hand combat as you four, I could see she was truly exceptional."

"So is Cass officially number one?" Aaron asked, smiling at the prospect of his partner being number one. Cassandra playfully nudged Aaron with her shoulder and smirked with pride.

"She beat Lady Shiva years ago," Tim supplied. "And Bruce has said that in pure hand to hand combat, she's above him."

"But like Richard said before, this does not translate into a fight though," Damian said. "I may have lost to Cassandra myself but neither Dick nor Jason have. They possess speed, strength, and–"

"Are you sure about that?" Stephanie asked, grinning. "How about we call Jason over and have the three of them spar?"

Starfire clapped her hands together. "Ooh, sounds fun!"

Aaron glanced at Cassandra and she was glowering at the opportunity to fight. He did not like that look and frowned.

"Err, hold up," Aaron interrupted. "Cass is…she can't fight."

"Why not?" Dick asked. He grinned at Cassandra. "Hey, Cass, your boyfriend doesn't think you can hang with the big boys."

"That's not it," Aaron defended. He sent Cassandra a silent message through his eyes. A plea, almost. Immediately, she understood and her excitement fell. Cassandra glanced at her stomach and bit her bottom lip.

Aaron took a deep breath and restarted the conversation. "We have something to say, actually."

Confusion filled the air. Cassandra and Aaron exchanged knowing glances and held hands under the table, their fingers intertwined. A subtle hush fell over the kitchen. All eyes turned to the two of them.

A thrill enveloped Cassandra as she announced, "I'm pregnant."

Silence. Total silence followed. It was like everybody had their breath stolen from them. Tim, Damian, Stephanie, and even Dick could not muster a response. It was the foreign alien that broke the tension.

"Oh, how wonderful! Congratulations, you two!" Starfire smiled widely. "Dick and I have also been trying for a baby–"

"Kory, TMI." Dick sounded almost robotic as he chided his girlfriend. His eyes were wide and utterly focused on Cassandra. His lips trembled. "Y-you're pregnant, Cass?"

"Mhm." Cassandra nodded shyly. "I am."

"W-wow." Dick leaned back in his chair and ran his fingers through his hair. Eyes wide, he looked bewildered beyond belief. "I-I can't believe it. I mean, I know you're a twenty five year old grown woman but–"

"It is difficult to see someone he sees as a younger sister to have a child before him," Starfire said, smiling. "Once again, you have our congratulations and blessings."

Wow, to think it was up to Starfire to be the cold headed one.

"Y-yeah." Dick managed to smile. "Congrats to the both of you."

Pause. Dick's remark left a void in the atmosphere. A lingering question.

"This is…like…a good thing, right?" Tim asked. "This isn't an accident or…?"

"No, it was on purpose," Aaron said. "We talked about it at length. Actually, it was Cass who brought it up. Since we have the money and plenty of time, I said why not?"

"Oh. My. God." It was like everything had finally settled in. The emotions, the joy, the elation--Stephani's expression shifted till it was bubbling in a massive grin. "Congrats, Cass!" She got up from her chair, circled the table, and hugged her best friend. The blonde cuddled and pressed her best friend's head to herself. "Jeez! I never thought you'd get pregnant before me! Lucky! I'm so happy for you!"

"Thank you, Steph." Cassandra was blushing. That served to deepen the hug.

"Congratulations, Aaron." Damian nodded in approval. "You and Cassandra fit well together. I am sure as parents you will succeed."

Aaron was touched by his heartfelt acceptance. "Thanks, Damian."

"Of course. It is what you deserve," Damian responded.

"Wait, wait, wait," Stephanie said, pulling away. "Where's Barbara? Where's Bruce? Have you told them yet? Wait, where IS Barabra? She should be here! Dick is supposed to be leaving today!"

Aaron suspected it was exactly because Dick was leaving that she didn't come.

Cassandra shook her head. "Later."

"Yeah, it's okay," Aaron said. "We have the time. We'll tell her and Bruce when we see them."

"You better!" Stephanie said, grinning. "We're going to be aunts and uncles! This kid is gonna be so spoiled! And well protected! She's gonna have the whole Bat Family at her call."

Ironic given that the same could be said for Stephanie's child.

Aaron wondered if she would react this way if he told her about Chloe…

'Later. Not today. Today is about Cassandra and I–about our baby.'

Finally, it was time to say goodbye to Dick. Everybody was outside the manor, with Dick leaning on his cool new car. It was no Mirage X500 but it was close enough. Hands were shaken and hugs were exchanged. Although Dick was leaving, this was by no means a permanent farewell. They would see each other again. Their business demanded they would.

"Bruce isn't coming?" Aaron asked, leaning down to whisper in Cassandra's ear.

"No. Said he was busy." Cassandra paused. "Also, I think they said their goodbyes."

"Got it."

Dick was decked in a dark blue blazer and white shirt. He threw on a pair of sunglasses as he approached Aaron with a flashy smile. "It was good to meet ya, Aaron. Good luck to you and Cass. And the baby." He nudged down at her stomach. "It's gonna be hard but I'm sure you'll do fine."

"Thanks." Aaron extended a hand. Dick quickly took it. "I never thought I'd get to meet Nightwing. You're everything they said and more."

Behind his sunglasses, Dick winked. "I do my best."

Meanwhile, Starfire went for hugs. First Damian and Dick, Stephanie and Cassandra, and then eventually Aaron. "I cannot wait to eat your food again," Starfire exclaimed, beaming down at him. "Perhaps the little one will join us by then."

Returning the smile, Aaron nodded. "Maybe."

After bidding final words to Tim, Stephanie, and Damian, Dick made his way to the car, with Starfire joining him in the front seat. As he rolled down the window, Dick leaned out. "Oh, by the way, tonight is pizza night for Barbara. Would you mind whipping up a special one for her, Aaron?"

Aaron gave a thumbs-up. "I'll take care of it."

Dick settled into his sleek, black sports car and the engine purred to life with a confident growl. The car's tail lights glowed like twin beacons. With a touch of finesse, Dick manoeuvred the vehicle smoothly along the winding driveway of Wayne Manor. Starfire waved through the window. Stephanie, Tim, and Cassandra waved back. In a burst of speed, they drove away, leaving dust and memories in their wake.

Aaron drew in a deep breath, hands in his pockets. Cassandra looped a hand around his arm. He wondered when he'd get to see Nightwing and Starfire again. They had been great company.

He peered down at Cassandra who was still facing their trail. With Dick gone, all that remained was breaking the news to Batman. Afterall, unlike with the rest of the BatFamily, they hadn't told Bruce that he and Cassandra were officially dating.