A/N: Hello everyone! Since I'm posting this multichapter fic all at once, I'm just going to put one author's note at the very end. I do not own Batman. Please read and enjoy!

"How Many Bats Are There?"

"How Many Bats Are There?" Dick read the headline of Bruce's newspaper as he accepted a stack of pancakes from Alfred. "What, have they lost track?"

"Tt" Damian replied, glancing up from surreptitiously playing Angry Birds under the breakfast table. "They must be idiots if they have not realized father is the only one worthy of being the Batman at present. Until I am prepared to take up the mantle myself, of course."

"But what about Stephanie and Cass? They may not be Batman, but they're still 'bats'."

"They don't count. Brown doesn't have the skills necessary to be a Bat, and Cain is still in Hong Kong."

"Actually, Master Damian, Miss Cassandra shall be returning this morning. She has concluded her business in China, for now, and would like Master Bruce's counsel on a rather puzzling case she believes should be attended to post haste."

Dick smiled. "Great, we should go meet her at the airport, right Tim?" he asked as his younger brother entered the room, blinking wearily at the light.

"Go meet who at the airport?" he asked, sitting and accepting a cup of coffee from Alfred before reaching for the bacon.

"Cass, she's here on a case. But get back to the real subject, what do we do about that headline?" Dick waved his hand in the direction of Bruce's newspaper, its owner still hidden behind it.

Tim blinked. "Do something about it how? Do you want to answer the newspaper? Tell them how many Bats there are?"

Dick grinned maniacally. "Tim, Tim, Tim. You have it almost right. Why tell when you can show?" He turned to the head of the table. "How about it, Bruce? Want to give the reporters a picture that will wet the pants of every two-bit thug in Gotham?"

Bruce lay down his newspaper and stared at his son. "Why should we hand the underworld accurate information on our numbers and appearances?"

"Bruce, think about it. All the people who have the ability to use that kind of information already have it. We can't always avoid security cameras and we've been operating for a long time. The information can be found with enough effort. And if we really got everyone together for a photo shoot, put up a united front, think how massive it would be! The crooks would be quaking in their boots if they learned there were bats out there that they've never seen. Because really, maybe, maybe, they've see more than one of us. But what two-bit hood has any idea – let alone has seen – how many of us there actually are? It would make them pause before committing a crime, knowing how likely it is that at least one of us is in the neighborhood. Like you always say, criminals are a cowardly and superstitious lot."

Bruce paused. "Fine," he said. "If you can convince everyone of this scheme of yours, actually pull it off, I'll be there." A slight twitch of the mouth. "Tell Cassandra I'll see her this evening. I've got a meeting with Lucius in an hour." He stood and left.

Dick grinned at his brothers. Tim reached over and snagged Bruce's discarded newspaper. "This will be difficult," Tim said, skimming over the article. "There's us, of course, and we can ask Cass when we pick her up. I guess I could call Stephanie, tell her to pass on the message to Barbara."

"No, I'll call Barbara," Dick said. "Wait, Barbara! She's probably far enough along in her rehabilitation to put on the cowl for one night, if it's just for a photo shoot." He grinned triumphantly.

Damian scowled. "So we're including my father's former apprentices as well?"

"Of course, Dami! We need the whole family!"

"And on that note, Master Dick, I believe it is time to depart if we wish to meet Miss Cassandra's flight upon its arrival."

Dick stood up, then turned to look at Damian, who was slipping his phone away guiltily, and Tim, who had opened the newspaper and was scanning the insides. "You guys coming?"

"Tt, fine," Damian answered. He stood up and stalked over to Grayson, then looked back. "Isn't Drake coming as well?"

"I've got to make a phone call," Tim said, standing and heading towards the cave. "I'll say hi Cass when you get back."

Dick nodded, and then left after Alfred with Damian.

"After all, we need the whole family," Tim murmured as he left for the "basement".