Notes: This is a direct sequel to Justice League New Beginning. Like its predecessor, it is a DCAU story that employs a modified version of the DC Animated Universe. For particulars please refer to the previous story.

Disclaimer: I do not own the characters or multiverse depicted. They are properties of DC Comics, Warner Bros. Animation, and Time Warner. If I've missed anyone, please do not squish me like a bug. No infringement of copyright was intended. This work is not for profit. It's just for fun.

Justice League

Second Strike

Chapter One

Barbara Gordon woke with a contented sigh. She reached over to the bed space beside her and realized that Bruce Wayne was missing. She smirked.

Just like him, she thought.

Gotham's nights had been less active lately. Even the Joker was having a respite in Arkham. Of course, she thought to herself, it just means he'll be twice as dangerous the next time `round.

Gathering up her discarded undergarments she went to the dresser and vanity reserved for her. She selected new underthings and grabbed some pajamas. Utilizing Bruce's walk-in shower, she nestled herself in between the spray nozzles.

She contently scrubbed away when all of her instincts told her that she was being watched. She turned suddenly and dropped into a fighting crouch. Bruce stood there and smiled.

"Not bad." He said approvingly, "I was only here for about two seconds."

"Just long enough to get a peek." Barbara grinned, "What d'you think?"

His grin became positively wicked, "I like the view. I think I'll join you."

With that, he strode forward, peeling off soaked clothes as he went.

Barbara laughed in delight.

Now fully clothed, they proceeded down stairs into the kitchen. Tim Drake was there with Alfred Pennyworth. Alfred did his butlery best not to comment. Tim wasn't so reserved.

"So you two finally came up for air." He teased, "`Bout time. You almost missed brunch."

"What happened to breakfast?" Bruce asked.

"You were detained, sir." Alfred politely pointed out.

Bruce looked to Tim, "I suppose you've helped yourself to both meals."

Tim grinned, "I'm a growing boy."

"One who's a little too savvy for his own good." Barbara opined.

"And whose fault is that?" Tim looked to Bruce and then to Barbara and then back to Bruce.

The couple looked to each other and shrugged. Tim had the advantage and he took great delight in it, "You two don't even pretend you didn't have sex. Compared to the rest of my friends' parents, it's pretty refreshing."

Bruce looked distinctly uncomfortable. Barbara had to smirk at the unflappable Batman finally getting flapped. She broke out laughing.

Bruce wasn't quite as amused, "What's so funny?"

"You." She managed to say, "Being trussed up, hung over a tank of piranhas, getting lowered into the tank and being helpless to do anything about it doesn't faze you but one all too knowing thirteen year old shatters your confidence."

Bruce struggled with his irritation at such an observation and then finally relaxed, "The Joker and Harley Quinn I understand. Tim is a mystery to me."

"Master Dick also befuddled you." Alfred pointed out, "You just didn't have Miss Gordon there to force you to admit it."

"I'd still like to hear that one." Dick Grayson admitted as he entered the kitchen.

"Master Dick," Alfred scolded him, "I would have answered the door."

Dick grinned, "The advantages of having my own key. I don't have to drag you away from anything. `Specially since this sounded like it was just getting good."

"It's good to see you Dick." Bruce said as he seated Barbara, "You've been staying away."

"You've had Gotham under lockdown so I've been helping the Justice League." Dick revealed.

"Any trouble?" Bruce asked.

"Nothing we couldn't handle." Dick answered, "Mostly, we've been assisting the ISA."

The International Security Agency was the UN's cooperative police force. Comprised of officers of more than two hundred law enforcement agencies, they provided the League with access to police assistance and cooperation throughout the world. They also manned the Watchtower space station and the Metro Tower.

The Watchtower provided surveillance of crimes being committed and the ability to transport JLers to the Hall of Justice. The League was now banned by UN resolution from teleporting directly to a crime scene. They could be retrieved from anywhere but they had to taken to the Hall and use the Javelin-9 shuttles to get to the threat.

The ISA's enforcement mandate was the apprehension of terrorists and criminal cartels. They assisted the League in the station but they also provided forensics support in the Metro Tower. Some of the best experts in the world were on tap to assist with the more perplexing crimes. After all, Batman wasn't available on a full time basis.

The League was tasked with stopping meta-humans, global and interstellar threats, and first contact with new alien visitors. This didn't preclude them from assisting the ISA but most of the JLers preferred to fight crime in their individual territories and only involve the League in potentially catastrophic events. The UN agreed with this policy.

Acting as an autonomous agency of the UN, the League had been granted enforcement powers in most of the member nations. However, as the Security Council had proven, this also meant that their authority could be threatened by bureaucratic interests. Both the Council and the ISA had pressured the League into enlisting certain members for reasons of their own.

Amanda Waller served the League as the liaison to the UN's Secretary General. She also served as a go-between for the Security Council. The primary attaché to the Council was General Wade Eiling. Eiling had been cured of his artificial mutation and had subsequently volunteered for his current role.

Despite official policy, Bruce had learned that both Waller and Eiling still served as advisors to CADMUS, specifically the Suicide Squad project. The Squad, led by Colonel Rick Flagg, was composed of super villains who were offered parole and early release, in exchange for their services on behalf of US Intelligence. Most of those released so far had revived their criminal careers but a few exceptions had honestly gone straight and retired their costumes.

"I see you two took the night off." Dick observed, looking to Barbara and Bruce.

"Did they ever." Tim snickered.

"What makes you say that?" Bruce wondered.

"I was taught detection by the best." Dick grinned, "Besides, Barb's glowing."

Bruce cast a wary eye in her direction. She merely smiled and shrugged.

"So are you two ever going honest?" Dick wondered.

"Wouldn't the fact that you dated Barbara before she I became involved bother you?" Bruce asked.

"If that were going to happen, I'd be a raging pool of jealousy right now." Dick assured him, "Barb and I were never that serious. Besides, she's good for you."

Bruce's eyebrow went up as a wry expression settled on his features, "So everyone tells me."

"If I were you, Master Bruce, I would listen to them." Alfred opined as he served Bruce, Barbara, and Dick. He then cleared Tim's dishes, "Come along Master Tim. You can help me with the chores."

"Again?" Tim squawked.

Bruce gave him a look. Tim's protestations died out, "Hold on. I'm coming."

"Nice to see things are still the same." Dick chuckled.

"Except you never listened." Bruce opined.

"I did on the street." Dick reminded him.

"Most of the time." Bruce countered. They both shook their heads.

"Do think we'll always be like this?" Barbara asked out of nowhere.

"I hope not." Dick commented.

"I don't know…" Bruce mused.

"Keep pondering it." Barbara cleared her own dishes and bent to kiss Bruce on the cheek, "I have to get ready for my night with the girls. Later!"

Dick looked to Bruce, "She's a wonder."

"I don't think she ever let you learn the half of it." Bruce opined.

"Nope." Dick confessed with a grin, "I learned bachelorhood from the best. Or at least the best until recently."

Bruce had no reply.

Kara In-Ze, popularly called Supergirl, stood in front of the mirror examining her outfit. It was early spring in New York but the temperatures hadn't broken fifty degrees yet. That required her to wear clothes far warmer than her body required but it was also an emotional crutch.

When Superman had found her on Argo, she'd been in a cryogenic stasis chamber for over thirty years. Cold now made her feel uneasy. In a recent skirmish with Mr. Freeze, she'd actually panicked when he encased her in ice. It wasn't something she was proud about.

"Looking good, In-Ze." A voice said from behind her. She'd been so distracted her super hearing hadn't detected his approach. She turned around and smiled.

"You're looking mighty fine yourself, Raynor." She admitted, "But why are we using last names?"

"I just thought you might like a taste of home." Kyle answered, "Superman may enjoy being Clark Kent. It's all he's ever known. But you had sixteen years as an In-Ze, not a Kent. I just thought you'd like to hear your real name once and awhile."

Kara's expression turned rueful, "That was one of the nice things about the 31st Century. I had my own identity."

"Too much of living in Superman's shadow?" Kyle wondered.

Kara shook her head, "Not at all. Superman inspires people to do their best. I'm proud to be Supergirl. That'll never change."

"So it's the whole secret identity thing." Kyle surmised.

"Yup." Kara confirmed it, "I'm just me. I hate having act like everyone else when I'm not. Argo may have been settled by Kryptonians but differences cropped up. Clark's the last Kryptonian and I'm the last Argoan. We should be allowed to be who we truly are."

Kyle smirked, "There's always Galatea."

"She's a clone." Kara drolly replied, "That doesn't count."

Kara turned the conversation on him, "What about you? Here we are, on the planet of your birth yet you empathize with me better than you do your average human."

"This planet isn't mine." Kyle said with a touch of sadness, "At least not anymore. Now it's just one of thousands."

"The 'seen too much to ever go back' syndrome?" Kara asked.

"Exactly." Kyle agreed, "Before the ring found me I had a job and a life."

"Does that mean you had a girlfriend?" she asked.

"Yeah." Kyle admitted, "It wasn't anything steady but it could've gone somewhere."

"So did I." realizing what she'd said, she amended her statement; "A boyfriend! I mean I had a boyfriend. Now he's dead. Everyone is."

"This has gotten gloomy enough." Kyle suddenly perked up, "Let's go out."

A smile tugged at her lips, "Out where?"

"Around town." He readily supplied the answer, "You have that Girl's Night thing happening later but that gives us the afternoon free. I've been to New York once, and that was when I was a teenager. The Corps settled in California so I don't get out this way much."

Kyle had an evil twinkle in his eye as he looked at Kara, "And I'm willing to bet you haven't seen anything."

"Let's say I haven't. What do you suggest?" she asked with her own twinkle and a smile.

"Well, assuming I did some research, I can think of quite a few stops to make." He said, "And that's without hitting any of the major attractions."

"Okay." Kara held up her hands, "I give. Take me. I'm yours."

Hours later, they were seated in a jazz café. Kara finished her coffee and sat the mug down, "How'd you know I was hungry?"

"Your super stomach super growls." Kyle grinned.

Kara's cheeks colored, "Sorry."

Kyle waved the thought away, "Don't be. It was kinda cute."

Kara's eyebrows rose and Kyle adopted a wry expression, "Take it easy, Kara. I'm not hitting on you. I know all about your little green man in the future."

"How'd…?" she faltered.

Kyle shrugged, "Green Arrow told me. "The point is: we had fun. We should do it again when we're both free. We can swap outer space and future time stories."

Kara mulled it over. Finally, a radiant smile formed on her features; "You're on."

"Now I have to get you back in time for you to leave for your get together." Kyle reminded her.

"Oh!" Kara was surprised, "I'd forgotten. How'd you know about that anyway?"

Kyle grinned, "L-Ron told me. He's an informative little guy."

"Isn't he just?" Kara was slightly perturbed, "It seems you've done some checking up on me."

Kyle's expression turned rueful, "Just confirming my suspicions."

"And were they confirmed?" she wondered.

"We're sitting here now aren't we?" Kyle stated.

Kara had no retort or rebuttal. They stepped outside, separated, and with a final wave goodbye flew off in opposite directions. The crowd was amazed and those inside the café realized that they'd been with Supergirl and a Green Lantern.

Later, at Barbara's townhouse, Kara shared everything. Barbara was practically giddy by the time Kara finished.

"He likes you!" she happily declared.

"I know." Kara shrugged, "But he's willing to be low key about it. He knows about Brainy and I and he's cool with it."

"Kara," Barbara began to counsel her, "Brainy doesn't know about Brainy and you. From what you've said he's been a jerk for almost a year now."

"Yeah." Kara said in a miserably wistful tone, "Another thing that's weird is I was gone for three years in the future and when I returned to this time only a year had gone by."

"So we're only a year apart in age right now?" Barbara was fascinated, "How confusing."

"Yup." Kara confirmed it, "Tomorrow is my birthday according to the future but it isn't for another three months according to the 'present' calendar."

"So why not celebrate both?" Barbara suggested.

"Really?" Kara brightened.

"Really." Barbara assured her, "Mary will be here any minute now and we can start planning tomorrow tonight."

"I wish Dinah and Zatanna could have made it." Kara confessed, "Or Thora and Beatriz."

"So do I." Barbara admitted, "I thought about inviting Helena but let's face it, she's kinda psycho."

"What about Mari or Shayera?" Kara wondered.

"Ms. McCabe is doing a photo shoot in Dubai right now." Barbara revealed.

Kara placed a swooning hand to her forehead, "My, oh my, the life of a jet setting model."

"Rough isn't it?" Barbara laughed.

"What about Shayera then?" Kara persisted, "She didn't have any plans for tonight."

"Her idea of fun is a brawl." Barbara sighed, "She's as bad as Helena. Besides, we're going out in civvies. It's kinda hard to hide those wings of hers. I don't think Barbara Gordon needs to be seen with the Justice League. People might start wondering how I spend my nights."

"Good point." Kara conceded.

"Waitaminute!" Barbara tensed up and flicked open a batarang.

The skylight opened and Mary Marvel's head and torso appeared, "Hiya! Mind if I join you?"

"Come on down." Kara called up, "As soon as Barbara gets done trying to take your head off."

Kara looked to Barbara, "Where do you stash those things without your utility belt on?"

Barbara wore a rueful grin, "Don't ask. Ever."

"I don't think I want to." Kara opined.

Rather than use the ladder dropping down from the skylight into Barbara's living room, Mary just floated down. She looked eager, "So when d'we party?"