Ann

Batgirl (2000) #17 // 23 // 42

Cass is so attentive in all these instances. She often reads too much into Babs' responses, leading to her trying to emulate Babs in DC First: Batgirl/Joker by fighting the Joker, trying to emulate Babs' romances via Kon and Tai, and trying to embody Babs' Batgirl by donning her old costume.

This line from Batgirl (2000) #45 is the epitome of Cass asking for Babs' advice. Remember that in Cass' early days, being Batgirl was her first identity. Asking Babs what it was like to be Batgirl is essentially Cass asking for advice on how to be herself. Cass constantly tries to emulate Babs because she sees Babs as holding the key to her own identity.

Batgirl (2000) #5

"Tried to fix me. Teach me." To Cass, 'fixing' and 'teaching' are synonymous. Babs as her teacher also doubles as her 'fixer' - in a way, Cass sees Babs as a healer. It's no coincidence that Cass borrows Bruce's language for Leslie to describe her own relationship to Babs:

Batman Chronicles #18 // Batgirl (2000) #25

Cass is not only calling her "like a mother," she's also likening Babs (maybe subconsciously) to Leslie, a doctor. Leslie fixes up Bruce, just as Babs fixes up Cass. She doesn't just go to Babs for advice, but also for emotional support and healing.

Batgirl (2000) #49

This moment is so pivotal to me. Like other times, Cass approaches Barbara with a question (why?). But she's not looking for an answer this time - she just wants Babs, just wants to feel the presence of someone who loves her. It's here that Babs' role as teacher/mother/healer converges into someone Cass goes to whenever she feels hurt or lost. Here, no words need to be said. Babs is speaking Cass' language.

Which is why Babs calling Cass stupid is so tragic. Cass' love for Babs is tied up in Babs teaching her, guiding her through life. To be called stupid from the person who has all the answers, who you went to for guidance, who fixed you up and healed you - it was devastating.

Batgirl (2000) #54

Babs doesn't realise that Cass has been learning from her; the lessons Babs taught her weren't about literature, but were on how to live, how to love, how to be Batgirl and how to be Cassandra Cain. Babs not only dismisses Cass' efforts to learn English, but also all those other lessons that Cass knows she has learned but Babs doesn't catch. I think it's in this moment that Cass realises how little Babs actually understands her.

Babs essentially implies Cass is 'unteachable', which to Cass means Babs is no longer the person who fixes anything. So she leaves.

Their reconciliation in Batgirl (2000) #67 is also interesting. On Cass' quest to find her mother (who she thinks might be Shiva), she once again links motherhood to teaching ("Shiva wants to... teach?"). But here, Babs attempts to stop teaching Cass. She stops herself from correcting Cass' language.

Now, Babs talks about what Cass has taught her:

"You make me know change is real." I think this line is really important to Cass. For the first time, she's seeing that she has stuff to teach Babs - and Babs is letting her see that, as a way of apology. Babs finally actually addresses Cass' disability, too. They reconcile and, when Babs tells Cass to call, Cass says "The phone's two-ways." Their new relationship is built on a bedrock of mutual respect, where they can both now teach and learn from each other.

Batgirl (2008) #2

Now, Babs understands. They've gone through those ups and downs and come through with something different, something stronger. Cass still asks Babs for favours, and Babs still worries about Cass, but it's grounded in something less unequal and more trusting.