Cassandra Cain is my baby, I miss her as Batgirl so much.

Also, remember, this is an alternate universe (obviously) so the timeline doesn't match with continuity. I'm making my own. (I'm going by preN52 age differences ((mostly, I didn't realize Cass would be the same age as Jason when I first said her age and not Tim so shhh, don't come at me)))

Ages:

Barbara- 20

Dick- 17

Jason- 14

Cassandra- 12

Tim- 11

Four years.

Four long years.

That's how long it took before Bruce allowed Cassandra out into the field, and even then, it was a probationary period.

Not that Cassandra cared, she was just happy that her training with Jason and Tim was paying off. She was even getting training from Barbara, which overjoyed her to no end.

It broke her heart when she heard about what the Joker did to Barbara, but she knew Barbara didn't want her pity. Barbara was still more than capable of handling herself.

At the moment, Cass found herself sitting in the Batcave in her Batgirl suit, cowl down, staring over the shoulder of her father as he typed away on the computer. It was still a surreal feeling that Barbara passed down the mantle of Batgirl to her, it was an honor, really, that Barbara felt she would do the mantle justice.

Cassandra felt a swell of emotions in her heart when she thought of the day Barbara told her she wanted Cass to carry on her legacy. She hoped she was doing her mentor proud but judging by the looks Barbara gave her, she had no reason to doubt herself.

Cassandra was pulled from her thoughts when she heard her brothers enter the main part of the Batcave from the changing rooms, talking loudly to each other. Tim looked up from his spot next to Cass, a frown on his face when he saw the Robin suit Jason wore.

Cass knew he wanted to be out in the field with them, wanted to do more than just help Barbara, but she knew he wasn't ready. His fighting still needed work. She was the one to tell Bruce that herself, thus 'benching' him until further notice.

"I'm telling you, Jay, there is no way you can take down Alfred. The guy is secretly immortal. Right, Cass?" Dick looked to Cass, who just nodded in return, unsure of the rest of the conversation. "See? Even the best fighter of all of us knows not to mess with Alfred."

"Alfred is...scary." Cassandra looked to Jason. "Don't...fight Alfred."

"Hey now, I'm not planning to fight him. I'm just saying if it came down to it, I so could win that fight."

"Jason, I love you, but no." Bruce chuckled, turning to face his oldest two sons. Jason grumbled, crossing his arms over his chest. Bruce looked over at Cassandra. "You're with Dick tonight. He has strict instructions to-"

"I know. Keep me on the sidelines." Cassandra smiled at her dad, reading the veiled worry on his face. "I'll be okay. Promise."

Bruce nodded, pulling his cowl over his head. "Jaylad, you're with me. We're looking into..."

Cassandra tuned out the conversation, looking to Dick as she too pulled her cowl on. Dick finished applying his mask before he got on his bike, patting the spot behind him. "Hop on, Cass. We're heading to the Narrows."

Cass got on, wrapping her arms around Dick's torso as he sped off towards the cave exit.

* * *

After patrol, in the early hours of the morning, the family gathered in the cave out of suit and in workout clothes, waiting for Alfred and Tim to come patch them up. Dick was chatting with Bruce about how well Cassandra was doing on patrol with him while Jason was sitting by the computer, arms on his knees and a sour expression on his face.

Cass approached him, a curious expression on her face. Jason looked up when he saw his sister's feet, his expression changing to a softer one. "Hey, Cass, 'sup?"

"You seem...aggravated. Do you want to talk?" Cass offered, checking Jason's expression for signs that her inquiry annoyed him.

Jason sighed, shaking his head. "Bruce...knows something about my family. Not this one, my old family. And he didn't tell me."

Cassandra nodded. "I see. And this...upset you?"

Jason blew a raspberry. "Well, yeah! I have a right to know this stuff, Cass! Who is he to keep it from me?"

"He was trying to...protect you." Cassandra glanced and Bruce and Dick, both of whom were still caught up in their conversation a few yards away.

Jason scoffed. "Sure, whatever." Jason stood up, walking towards the stairs. "Tell Alfie and Tim I'm good. I'm getting some sleep."

Cass watched her brother exit the cave, her eyes narrowed in thought. She turned when Bruce called her name, walking back over to her father and oldest brother. Bruce put a hand Cass's shoulder, a proud smile on his face. "Dick was telling me how your detective skills are improving. I also noticed how, since training with you, Jason and Tim's combat has improved immensely. Well done, Cassandra."

Cassandra smiled up at Bruce, turning to Dick. "You tell him about...the bike?"

Dick paled. "Cass! That was our little secret!"

Cassandra snickered. "Sorry. Couldn't help myself."

Dick glared jokingly as Bruce raised a brow at Dick. "What about the bike?"

Dick looked sheepish. "Well, uh, you see..."

Cass walked to the stairs as Dick explained the incident to their father, a smile on her face. She turned around and continued on her journey up to the manor, making a mental note to tell Barbara she got payback for her for Dick not using the intel she gave him last week.

As Cass's head hit the pillow at four in the morning, she was content with her life, happy to be out in the field and putting her training to good use. She was thankful to be apart of such a loving and caring family and have so many wonderful teachers around her, her three brothers helping her when she needed them.

She had no way of knowing the tragedy that would strike her family in just a few short months.