Understanding the Life of a Bat

Yesterday, Dick found out about Areina and Meygan 'being' with their boyfriends. Dana and Terry were together after that, and she was happy that everything was out in the open between them. Dana was walking around Watchtower when something hit her; a thought about her friend Max. Batman's girlfriend wanted to talk to her friend so she went to find her. It took a little time because she had to remember the way to the common area, but once there, she found the pink haired girl.

"Max, can we talk?" Dana said.

"Sure girl, what about?" Max answered.

"When we were in high school, you kept covering for Terry. You knew he was Batman; how could you keep that from me." Dana said, a bit of annoyance in her voice.

"Calm down, let me explain. It was after the G.A.T.s and a group of Jokerz attacked the school." Max started.

"I remember that. Wasn't Carter Wilson one of them?" Dana said.

"Yes, well that Jokerz file I programmed had Terry listed as a person with a double life. I thought he was a Joker, but when he saved me, I figured it out. I kept covering for him, and keeping the secret, but he swore me to secrecy. I'm sorry Dana, but I just couldn't tell you. He had already put a child danger before I found out, and he didn't want you in that position." Max explained, hoping Dana would understand.

"How did that guy find out though; the one that attacked us." Dana questioned, now wondering how a villain could figure it out.

"I talked to Terry and Areina about that. They said that he found out Areina's uncle's identity, and well everything else fell into place. Dick Grayson was captured and tortured for two weeks and Areina and Mr. Wayne didn't find out until Areina's 18th birthday. Remember when Terry seemed to be sore in his shoulder; well it's because that guy, Drow I understand it, dislocated his shoulder and he did the same to Areina when they went to save her uncle. Not only that; but Areina's right arm and left leg were broken." Max said, recalling what she learned from her friend and his partner in crime fighting.

"I think I get it now, I shouldn't be mad at him because he was protecting me from what happened at the school that day. I already forgave him, but I need to talk to him about something I said." Dana stated. "Thanks; Max."

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Areina and Orin

The couple was sitting down, once again looking out of the windows on Watchtower at Earth. With everything that was happening, Areina had become distraught as she realized that Ace was left behind. She had cried herself to sleep the night before, but Orin was there to give SOME comfort. She had already been comforted enough after learning that her mother was murdered, but she had another 'person' in her life that she couldn't go one without, and that was Ace.

"I can't believe I didn't realize we lost Ace. He protected me the best he could when that group of Jokerz took me hostage, and he even offered me some comfort after we came back from the past with that incident with the time chair." Areina said, thinking about the dog that helped her in so many ways over the years.

"I never did meet Ace, but I hear from Terry that he, and I quote, was a "good Batdog"." Orin said, not really knowing how to comfort his love.

"He was a fighter, if Slade Bots did attack, I'm sure he did his best to fight them." Areina said, thinking about how Ace would protect his family when there was trouble.

Orin hugged Areina, but that's when he saw something moving out of the corner of his eye. The half Atlantean released his girlfriend and was ready to fight off whatever this intrusion was. Areina turned around, but she put up a hand to stop Orin from attacking. He trusted her intuition and relaxed.

The movement came closer and it didn't take long for the second generation fire controller to grin. "ACE!"

It was the Wayne/Grayson family pet, a German Shepard/Boxer mix. When the dog realized that he was sneaking up on one of his 'charges', his stance changed and he ran over to her. Areina was so happy that she was crying again, but this time it's because she was happy that Ace had escaped the attack on Wayne Manor.

As Ace licked Areina's face, a human figure came toward her, Orin and Ace. Orin somewhat stiffened when he realized who it was.

"Mr. Wayne." Orin said, alerting Areina to his presence.

"Bruce, how?" Areina asked her grandfather.

"I'm sure Dick told you that I called him to the manor to get your stuffed tiger. I took Ace in, and I didn't want him mixed up with what was coming our way, so I told Dick to take him too. The reason we haven't seen him at all is he was inspecting Watchtower; it is a large place." Bruce told his oldest granddaughter.

"One of these days, grandpa, I'm going to figure out how you're always three steps ahead of everything." Areina said; a smile on her face.

"Maybe someday, but your mother and uncle never got the hang of it till they were older." Bruce said, and with that he took his leave.

Ace, who was always by his master's side, didn't leave Areina and Orin. He did however growl at Orin when the half Atlantean tried to pet him.

"Ace, listen to me; I love him, and he loves me. I know you've been protective of me ever since I was kidnapped that day, but Orin protects me too." Areina said; and that's when the German Shepard/Boxer relaxed and let Orin pet him.

"He listens very well." Orin said as he rubbed the dog's head lightly.

"He had a hard life before Bruce found him. He was used in a dog fighting ring. It was the anniversary of when Bruce's parents died a few years ago, and Ace was on the streets. A Joker was about to hurt Bruce when Ace jumped the joker and kept him away from Bruce. The sad thing is that the Joker got the better of Ace, but Bruce took care of the Joker and he ran off. Ace was then carried to the car and Bruce took care of him." Areina informed her boyfriend. "Ace, why don't you go see if you can meet the other kids. Just don't attack them on sight."

Ace barked and ran off. Areina smiled and Orin did as well; seeing his mate happy made him happy, and right now that was all he could ask for.

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Dana and Terry

Terry was sitting in his and Dana's room on Watchtower. The second Dark Knight was still grieving after losing his mother and brother. The day he lost his father he was thankful that he had his mother and brother. Now, he was officially an orphan and what's worse, he couldn't get the images of his home out of his head. Blood was everywhere and he couldn't even stomach the images of his mother and Matt lying on the floor.

He was crying when a knock came on the door. "Terry, it's me; can we talk?"

Terry wiped his eyes and went over to open the door. There stood Dana and she could tell he was remembering his family as he still had the picture of the four of them in his hand.

"I was thinking about something I said when we first got here. Can we talk about it?" Dana said, hugging her boyfriend.

"Sure." Terry said, somewhat comforted by the fact that his true love knew his secret now.

"After the Joker returned….. that night at the Dance Club; how did those posers know who you were?" Dana asked; the two of them walking over to the bed and sat down.

"I guess it all started back when Bruce was Batman. Tim Drake was kidnapped and Joker broke him mentally. Tim started telling Joker anything he wanted to hear, and he found out Bruce's secret. When Joker resurfaced, I'm sure he figured it out about me and that's why he sent his little gang after me that night." Terry said. "That's why I didn't want you to know my secret; they hurt you to get to me, and they were willing to kill you if necessary. I couldn't put you in that kind of danger, and that's when I found out that Joker knew about Bruce, about me, AND Commissioner Gordon. She was Batgirl when she was in her 20s."

Dana now saw what Max meant, and thinking about Drow using her to get revenge on him, she was worried.

"Terry, don't worry. I'm sure that as long as I'm not around you when you're Batman I'll be safe." Dana said.

"I'm sure Drow's told the Legion of Doom about all of us, so we have to be careful. If the timeline gets fixed, we don't know if our enemies will remember finding out our identities. I want you to promise me that if I'm never around, you'll call Areina or Max if you get in trouble." Terry said, thinking about the fact that Drow never could shut up.

"Alright Terry, I will. I guess I should go talk to Areina. I want to get to know her better." Dana said, and with that, she kissed Terry passionately then headed out.

Terry couldn't help but smile a little bit; Dana was actually adjusting very well to the fact that she just found out that for about five years her boyfriend has been protecting the city of Gotham.

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Dick was still trying to process the fact that both his oldest daughter and only niece had 'been' with their boyfriends. When the original boy wonder found out; he had chased Orin and Kevin down with his son Mathen by his side. It took some work, but Areina and Meygan kept the two men from hurting their mates.

He was walking through the halls when he saw Dana coming from the opposite direction. He figured that since she knew Terry's secret, he might as well introduce himself properly.

"Hello Dana." Dick said.

"Hi, you're Areina's uncle right, Dick Grayson?" Dana said, hoping she was learning everyone's name.

"Yes, her mother was Cardinal then Flamebird and my twin sister. I hope this isn't too much for you to take in." Dick said, knowing that Dana had questions about everyone.

"I'm getting use to everything; thanks for worrying though. I just hope that freak that chased me and Max gets his soon enough." Dana said, thinking back to the high school.

"At least you're not like I was when he had me captured. Two weeks and he tortured me the whole time. I'm sure you've heard dof Two-Face, from back in Bruce's day." Dick stated.

"From what I've read about him, he was a DA for Gotham. Something happened and soon after he became Two-Face, but what does this have to do with anything?" Dana questioned, remembering the name Harvey Dent from history class.

"Drow is Two-Face's grandson. He has this thing against Batman…..well Bruce. He told my niece that he didn't care if it wasn't the same Batman that disgraced his grandfather, he just wanted to END Batman." Dick said, thinking back to that time two years ago.

"At least Terry and your niece were able to save you." Dana said; wanting to show how she felt. "I don't even want to think about what he was willing to do to me just to upset Terry."

"I know, Dana; it's hard to think anyone would hurt you just to get to another person, but there are people out there that do it. When Reiena and I were just eight years old, a mobster killed our parents just to get money from the circus owner." Dick said, looking down so Dana didn't see the sadness in his eyes.

"I'm sorry to hear that, Dick; but at least you found another family." Dana said.

This caused Dick to look Dana right in the eyes, and he saw that she was being sincere. "Thank you for that Dana, and I hope you come to think of us that way as well."

Dana didn't say anything, just smiled as she walked closer to the original boy wonder. Dick had a feeling he knew what she wanted and so he let her hug him. He patted her back to say that he accepted her hug and she released it a second later.

"Just remember, it's not just Terry that can look out for you. My niece, Areina, knows that Terry loves you and wouldn't let anything happen to you. I'm sure once the other kids get to know you they will be the same way." Dick said. "I have to meet with the younger heroes to help them train, but this is kind of advanced for you and Max, anyway, goodbye Dana."

Dick walked off and Dana knew that he cared, but after hearing what happened with Dick's parents, she figured it out: Sometimes being a hero means losing something so dear to you that you have to get vengeance.