41 Change IV

Aaron stirred from his slumber as the soft morning light filtered through the curtains. He felt a gentle touch on his arm and slowly opened his eyes to find Cassandra, officially his girlfriend, leaning over him with a warm smile on her face.

"Good morning, sleepyhead," Cassandra whispered, her fingers tracing a tender path across his cheek. Her brown eyes sparkled as she leaned in to give him a soft kiss.

Aaron reciprocated the kiss. "Happy Saturday, Cass. What's on the agenda for today?"

Cassandra's lips curled mischievously. "Delicious homemade breakfast."

"How greedy. Anything else?" Aaron asked.

Their bodies, having shared the passion of the night before, felt a lingering closeness that heightened the intensity of their touch. Cassandra's fingertips traced delicate patterns along Aaron's back, while he softly caressed her cheek, cherishing the intimacy they shared.

"Make pussy loose again?" Cassandra joked.

Aaron rolled his eyes, though still wore his smile. "Keep it in your pants, young lady. Chloe is downstairs.

Cassandra giggled and whispered, "Shower then," and with a playful grin, she slid out of bed, her bare feet padding across the floor. Her firm butt was exposed as it waddled to the bathroom.

Well, that was Cassandra for you. 

Chuckling, Aaron sat up and swung his legs off the bed. He rolled his shoulders. 'Then I suppose I should go to the kitchen.'

As Aaron made his way downstairs, he could already hear the faint sound of laughter and chatter coming from the kitchen. His heart warmed at the sight of Chloe, his adopted daughter, engrossed in a Wayne Tech tablet, her eyes fixed on a captivating YouTube video.

"Morning, Chloe," Aaron greeted, giving her a gentle pat on the back. "What's on the playlist today?"

Chloe looked up and grinned. "Morning, Mr. Aaron! I'm watching this guy play games! He's so funny!"

'Ha. That used to be me back in college. Watching YouTube gaming videos to pass the time.'

"As long as it's not inappropriate," Aaron told her. She nodded and returned to her video with a snicker.

Minutes later and sizzle of bacon, the aroma of freshly brewed coffee, and the hum of conversation filled the kitchen. Chloe regaled tales of her new favourite YouTuber and he listened attentively. 

Eventually, Cassandra descended the stairs, her steps light and graceful. She glided into the kitchen, a radiant glow on her face that Aaron couldn't help but notice.

"You look cheerful," Aaron noted. "What's up?"

Cassandra grinned but didn't elaborate.

She settled into her seat and put her folded hands on the table. She gestured for him to sit across from her. 

A brow raised, he did. "Seriously, what's going on?"

Her grin grew and she reached into the pocket of her pyjama and withdrew a tight fist. Something was inside, Aaron could tell that much, but what? He contemplated using his X-ray vision but didn't upon locking eyes with Cassandra. She brimmed with excitement and a touch of anxiety.

"I have something to share with you," Cassadra said shakily. It seemed like it was taking all her courage to do this. "It's what you–we have been waiting for."

Aaron's gaze fixed on the object in Cassandra's hand. His breath caught in his throat as she revealed a pregnancy test, the positive symbol shining bright and clear.

A surge of joy coursed through Aaron's veins. He remained seated. Chloe glanced between them, puzzled.

"What's that?" Chloe asked.

"Remember when I mentioned the possibility of siblings?" Aaron said quietly. "It seems like…um…it'll happen."

"Oh. Ohhh." Chloe turned silent and thoughtful, then thrilled. She slammed her tablet onto the table. "Really!? Really!?"

"Really," Cassandra replied, grinning. She reached out a hand. He accepted.

For a moment, there was silence. Aaron was speechless. He didn't know what to say. He didn't know how to feel. Impregnating a woman versus actually announcing it conceptualization were so different. He couldn't believe it.

Aaron laughed.

"I can't believe it, Cass. We're going to have a baby," Aaron whispered, fingers interlocked.

Another small hand joined them. Chloe, with a smile stretching from ear to ear, giggled and tightened their connection. It was a moment that would forever be etched in their hearts.

The promise of a precious life. Who knew it could change so much?

***

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 desperate 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 death 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 Unconscious 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.

***

The beating heart of the BatFamily's operations: the Batcave. A dark, moody place that instantly dampened Aaron's excitement. He had come here only once before to serve Batman a cup of coffee during a particularly tough case. It had been a nerve-wracking walk.

Cassandra was beside him so his eyes were allowed to relax and wander. He fully took in the life-size mechanical Tyrannosaurus Rex, the giant U.S. penny, and the giant Joker playing card. The expectations Aaron had set for Batman's base of operations were high but he never saw this coming. It was a rather unusual place. 

The armoury gleamed with an arsenal of advanced weaponry and Batsuits of varying designs. Further back was the state-of-the-art training area, equipped with combat simulators and obstacle courses. Then there was the garage, where sleek vehicles like the iconic Batmobile and Batwing rested.

The BatComputer was divided into a series of screens flickering with surveillance footage, citywide scans, and encrypted data. That was where Batman sat, mask on, eyes glued but ears keenly listening to their footsteps.

"Do you need something?" Bruce asked, flipping his mask off as he turned his chair to face them. Cassandra opened her mouth, just to close it. They must have intruded on an important case if he was giving them the Bat Glare.

Aaron put a hand on Cassandra's shoulder. "Yes. We actually have something to announce." 

Bruce narrowed his eyes. He looked Cassandra up and down, tilted his head, and leaned back. "Cassandra is pregnant."

Aaron blinked.

Cassandra went wide-eyed. "H-huh–"

"You're sweating, your pupils are dilated and your left hand is shaking." Bruce's gaze then landed on Aaron. "He just looks excited. Therefore, you are either getting married or pregnant. I already figured you two were dating last week. I doubt you're already moving onto marriage."

Wow.

"Pregnant," Cassandra muttered, disappointed. Admittedly, Aaron felt the same. He really wanted to have gotten the jump on him. "I-is it okay?" Cassandra asked, her hand on her stomach.

Bruce locked eyes with Aaron. Stephanie and Chloe–he knew that Aaron hadn't told her. He knew he had to. Still, Bruce smiled. "Of course. You have my blessings. You can take a break from crime-fighting if you want, Cass."

"Thank you," Cassandra mumbled. Aaron elbowed her. It was going a thousand times better than she had predicted. 

"Don't." Bruce spun back to the BatComputer. "It's the least I can do. Ah, wait, will you have a baby shower? I can hire some people to help arrange one."

"No thanks," Aaron replied. "We appreciate it but we'd like to keep this to ourselves."

"Fair enough." Bruce side-glanced at them one last time and nodded. "Don't rush into this. Take your time. I know you aren't going to get married yet, which is a good choice, but just remember–there's no expiry date on it. Both the baby and the wedding."

"W-wedding…?" Cassandra reddened and rubbed her nape. Aaron chuckled.

"That won't be happening any time soon, sir."

"Hrn." Bruce nodded, eyes flickering from Aaron to the BatComputer in a millisecond. "Understood."

The two of them did consider it but decided to forgo it in the end. Marrying after less than two months of dating would socially seem weird. Aaron was still a civilian, after all. He didn't want the superhero community breathing down his neck because of a potential villain plot. Apparently, those happened a lot when it came to the love lives of heroes.

Well, if Aaron's little project in the background succeeded, there might come a day in Gotham where superheros wouldn't need to worry about that. They could live happy lives like everyone else.

***

Pizza night? More like a drunken night.

Upon entering Barbara's apartment, Aaron was hit with a strong odour. Cassandra tagged along with him and her face was scrunched up in pure disgust. 

Clumsy. Dirty. Sloppy. Those words appeared at the forefront of Aaron's mind as he inspected Barbara's apartment. The lights were off so the apartment was shrouded in a veil of melancholy. The door had also been unlocked. 

'Setting aside the abysmal security, this place reeks and looks bad. It's like a maze.' 

Each step was a carefully placed puzzle piece. For Aaron, of course, it was an easy puzzle. He could see through the darkness through his enhanced vision and his spatial awareness was godly. Both he and Cassandra were cruising.

Aaron went to the kitchen and set the box of steamy pizza he had prepared. He setted over an ensemble of discarded food cartons and drinks.

"She's in her room," Cassandra muttered, nose wrinkling. "I can smell the alcohol."

Aaron shrugged. "We should go grab her."

A trail of clothes was left in the wake of the path to her room. He and Cassandra exchanged worried looks. Barbara's door was closed but creaked open at their presence. 

"Hey, Barbara." Aaron had sensed her behind the door, her intense emotions and the smell like a limelight. And due to his enhanced senses, he had detected another thing: she was standing. Barbara had activated her neural implant.

Instantly, both of them were concerned. It wasn't like Barbara to use her neural implant willy-nilly. Aaron had seen first-hand how unreliable it could be. Moreover, Barbara was supposed to be a woman as tall as him yet right now she was barely managing to lean on the door. She was shorter, weaker, and hiccuping.

"H-hey, guys…!" Barbara laughed as she gestured and waved, an arm still on the door frame. Cassandra's expression hardened. So did Aaron's.

Not only was Barbara feeling off, but she was borderline undressed. Her white shirt was sliding off one side and revealing her shoulders, and she was missing her pants, leaving her in lacy red panties. Her hair was in a messy ponytail and her glasses were out of the picture.

Aaron doubted Barbara even recognized them. 

Her cheeks were red and her eyes were buzzing out of her mind. She looked like she had been drinking for hours. Aaron peered over her shoulder and saw bottles upon bottles of beer.

"You–"

Aaron couldn't finish his sentence as Barbara Gordon dropped to her knees. Time felt slow for him at that moment–the Speed Force suddenly decided to activate. It was strange. She went down, down, down, and her eyes were glued to his crotch. 

This situation…it wasn't new to him. In fact, it was quite nostalgic.

He anticipated what would happen next: she would drive his zipper down, grab his slacks and the waistband of his boxers, and throw it all down in one quick move. His cock would plop out, whacking her chin with a comical slap, then settle on her face.

Her fingers would attempt to wrap around his girth, only to fail. Though flaccid, his dong was twice as girthy as the average male's put together.

Then she would say:

"Biggest. Cock. Ever."

But Aaron stopped her. He prevented the aforementioned future from occurring by grabbing her wrist. Barbara struggled, arms failing to break out of his hold, and she glared up at him. 

"Come on! Let's fuck! Your cock is so much bigger than Dick's, it's not even funny. He's a chump, a little dick–"

Aaron intervened, "Barbara, no."

Barbara humphed and looked to Aaron's left. Her eyes narrowed as she looked Cassandra up and down. "And look at Cassandra. Her tits are small and I bet she has no clue how to suck your dick."

Silence. Cassandra pursed her lips, a little hurt, but managing to hide her pain. 

"Dick is gone. We're here for you."

Barbara's glare intensified. Cassandra didn't back down either. She met Barbara's animosity with kindness.

A minute later, Barbara broke down. Her emotions spilled over and she began to sob uncontrollably.

"I hate him! I hate him so fucking much! He just…ugh!" On her knees, she slammed a fist into the floor. The sound was deafening. She placed a hand on her face, breathing erratically. "God, I hate myself for being such a coward. I hate myself so much!" 

Her emotions were coming from a place of misplaced anger, sorrow, and envy. Anger that she was incapable. Sorrow that Dick had left. And envy that Starfire had taken her old flame.

"Come on, let's get up." Aaron gently pulled Barbara by the arm. She didn't resist nor did she help. It was like moving a human-sized puppet, its limbs dead yet heavy. Cassandra took the other side and helped him take Barbara to the living room. 

Along the way, Barbara moaned and complained. Her words were slurred, her voice choked with tears. "I don't know... don't know how... to go on without him," she managed to say between sobs. "He was... everything to me."

They set her on the couch and let her lean back. Tears rolled down. Her breathing steadied.

Cassandra silently went to get her a glass of water. Aaron sat by her side, waiting.

"Maybe before," Aaron said, patting her on the back. "But the two of you have moved on. You've made your choices. It's okay to cry today, Barbara, but don't let this turn you into something you're not." 

Barbara's breath hitched, and she suddenly clung to Aaron. Her eyes were wide open and glowing with desperation.. "But who... who could ever love me now? I'm in a wheelchair! Everybody takes one look at me and thinks I'm helpless. They see me as the Commissioner's daughter, they see me as tech support, a-as…useless! Replaceable!" 

Aaron grimaced. "That's not true–"

"It is! Only Dick a-and Stephanie and Cass saw me for what I was! They helped me so, so much and without them I…I might as well be useless." Barbara went quiet. Aaron didn't speak. "We married each other for a while–back during the Batman Who Laughs incident when we thought it would be impossible to survive. We said if we lived that it would be annul but…secretly I wanted us to marry." She laughed bitterly. "I mean, after Bruce's failed wedding, we used his honeymoon suite and fucked like rabbits. We talked about so many things–the future, marriage, children. You know, it was because of that fuckfest that we decided to adopt a puppy."

Aaron did not sense any puppies in the apartment. That meant Dick must have taken the puppy with him. Damn.

"His name is Haley," Barbara muttered. "Yes, he's with Dick. It was better off with him anyway. How's a disabled girl to take care of a puppy anyway?"

"Please drink," Cassandra said, having arrived with a glass of water. Barbara gulped down in ten seconds flat.

'What should I even say to her? I mean, she's known Dick since she was a teenager. Their relationship is steeped with love and friendship. Imagine that: dedicating over a decade of your life with someone, only to break up and see that person end up with a gorgeous alien princess.'

Insecurities sucked. They plagued the human mind like a disease. Men or women–it didn't matter. It affected all equally.

Barbara hiccuped as she drank down the water. It was a sad, miserable sight. He couldn't believe the strong, beautiful redhead was rendered to such a measly state. Neither could Cassandra. Seeing her mother-figure, her mentor, break down and cry like twisted her heart. 

"You'll find love," Aaron said. "I know you will."

Barbara returned the glass to Cassandra. Her eyes were puffy and she stared at her bare feet without emotion. Then, it started again. The unwanted thoughts and the insecurities. Barbara's cries subsided into sobs as she leaned against Aaron. "I want... I want to believe you," she whispered, her voice filled with vulnerability. "I want to find love... but I don't know how."

Empty bottles lay strewn across the coffee table. Alcohol was gripping the air. Theoretically, the pieces were set. Barbara Gordon was in her panties and vulnerable. Cassandra was open to him having sex with other women.

But no. Aaron had said it once and he'd say it again. He wasn't a villain. He wasn't obsessed with sex. For the rest of the night, he and Cassandra comforted Barbara like ordinary people. Platonically. With love and affection devoid of sexual chemistry.

"What about Chloe?" Barbara asked, sniffing. "Won't she be alone?"

"It's fine," Aaron responded. "I texted my neighbour to take care of her. She'll be fine."

Silence. "...I'm sorry," Barbara murmured. "Thank you."

"You're welcome," Cassandra replied, a hand on Barbara's shoulder, hugging her. The three were intertwined and the emotions practically rolled off of them. When Barbara trembled and cried, Cassandra and Aaron comforted through physical touch. Their affection melted her fears and desires. She returned to reality–to her future.

The night was tearful and unhappy. An explosion of emotions that Barbara never got to release. It was messy, childish, and time consuming. Even so, Aaron didn't regret it. He was glad he was here for Barbara in her time of need. He was glad he could help someone as a normal, ordinary person.