I sat on the edge of one of the tables in the Batcave. I watched the organised chaos going around me; Dad was on the computer trying to see what the Justice League was doing, Captain Atom was in the mist of organising teams by putting those together that would compliment each other on the bases of powers and skills while Barry and Kara were re-enforcing the cave. I sighed and looked at my feet, it had been over two weeks since Dick was killed and my heart still hurt, I was wondering would the pain every go away. I became more removed from the team, aloof and alone, I just didn't want to engage with anyone. Kara and Barry tried, as did Selina but I just shunned her away. I suddenly realised who I was becoming like, the brooding man sitting at the computer, my father. I smiled despite myself, there could be worse people.

"Ok, everyone listen up," Captain Atom called, everyone stopped what they were doing and looked around. "I have teams decided, Batman, Catwoman and myself are Alpha. Green Arrow, Black Canary and Batwoman are Beta. Starsaphire, Black Lightening and Aquaman, you're all Gamma. And finally Flash, Supergirl and Blade, you're all Delta." Captain Atom seemed pleased with himself, until Dad cut him short.

"Blade is with Selina and I, you can switch to Delta Cap," He said without even turning around.

Cap glared over at Dad, "Fine."

Dad stood up, "We have a plan." Everyone's attention immediately went to him, he didn't need a Captain's title to command a room. "We have to capture Hawkgirl, and in doing that we can infiltrate the League."

Selina walked past Dad, "We have intel that Hawkgirl will be in Liberia in about six hours. Batman, Blade, Captain Atom and I will go and apprehend her, the rest of you can get the cell ready." I looked over the group, they were in agreement. "Blade, suit up." Selina told me. I nodded and went to get my swords, I saw Kara trying to get my attention and gave me a look to see if I was ok, I just ignored her. I strapped my swords on my back and rolled my shoulders, time to push my emotions back and get the job done.

XXXX

I wiped my forehead, it was damn hot in this country and wearing black was making it worse. At least my suit was black and red, no idea how Dad was coping in all black and a cape. I moved slightly in my position. Below us the people of Liberia were lining the streets to celebrate their dictator of a leader as he drove passed in an open top car. I looked into the sky and there she was, Hawkgirl, circling above the street, ready to strike. I nudged Dad and pointed up, he nodded, then went on the radio, "You were right," He said to Selina.

"You ready?" Selina asked.

"Just say the word ma'am," Cap answered her.

Suddenly Hawkgirl dove, straight down towards the dictator. Part of me thought that she had a point, the guy was responsible for a lot of deaths with in his country, not to mention a civil war, but we couldn't turn into the dictators either.

"On my mark Captain," Dad spoke. As Hawkgirl soared back into the sky again with the dictator in her hands, Dad gave the word, "Now."

Captain Atom shot out of no where and grabbed her. The dictator fell. "Blade!" Dad shouted.

"On it!" I swung out from my position, I shot my extra cable at his leg and it wrapped around his ankle. I braced for his weight and swung up to the next building. I tied him off.

"You will pay for this!" He shouted at me as he swung back and forth.

I rolled my eyes and dropped down on a cable to him, "I saved your ass. Where do you think Hawkgirl was taking you? To the Mediterranean for cocktails? She was going to kill you, we've spared you that. Whether or not your 'people' do the same is another question. But you might want to re think your ruling standards, we might not be here to save you again." I glared at him, he looked freaked, and so he should be.

"Blade, we have Hawkgirl. Rendezvous at the meeting point," Selina told me over the coms.

"Acknowledged," I answered. "Well, see you around." I waved at him and swung off the building towards the carrier.

XXXX

I sat on the chair at the computer in the Batcave, by now the Justice League would know that we had Hawkgirl. I could picture them all in the command deck of the Watch Tower, trying to figure out why we had taken her. I realised that my little brother would be there too, the murderess leach, I tensed my jaw and flexed my hand, the things I want to do to him.

I walked over to Dad as he was looking at Hawkgirl in the custom build prison cell. "Your intelligence was correct it seems Dad. How did you know that she would be there and try and take that leader?"

He glanced down at me, "I can't really say Alex."

I glared up at him and crossed my arms, "Yes. Yes you can. You may not want to tell the others but you can tell me." He started to walk away from me, I followed, "You aren't going to keep her locked up in here forever are you? That isn't very heroic."

"No, I just need her to be here for a week, one week." He answered me.

I looked after him, "They will come for her you know, they'll look everywhere for her." But my warnings were landing on deaf ears, he clearly had weighted up the options and did all the calculations and wasn't in a sharing mood.

I made a face at his back, I was getting annoyed at him not telling me anything. I didn't hear my best friend land beside me. "You ok Alex?"

I looked at Kara, her blonde hair falling in perfect waves around her face, her blue eyes lighting up. I could see why Barry was head over heals for her, even Dick used to gawk at her when he didn't think I was looking, "I'm holding up." I sighed, leaning back against one of the desks.

"You look tired, when was the last time you slept?" Kara asked.

"To be honest Kara, I don't remember," I ran my hand through my hair, "It's been a while."

Kara put her hand on my shoulder, I flinched at her touch but she ignored me, "You haven't really slept since Dick died have you?"

I shook my head, "I can't Kara, when I close my eyes it's all I see, him there on the ground cold and lifeless. I haven't slept without him in in over five years, I just can't bring myself to start."

"Oh Alex," Kara sighed and pulled me into a hug, I didn't really have any say in the matter against her strength. "I thought after I found out about Krypton that I could never feel again, but everyone here has helped. Kal did before he went all crazy and Barry has too. We're all here for you, just lean on us."

"The Wayne's aren't known for leaning on people, Kara," I said into her hair.

"Well then be like your Mom?" She questioned.

I stifled a laugh, "Eh, my Mom is one of the heads of an assassin organisation and abandoned me after my birth, the empathy ship has sailed in my family." I broke away from her hug and smiled at her, "But thanks Kara."

"Blade, I need you at the computer," I heard Dad's voice boom across the cave. I rubbed Kara's arm in thanks and walked over to him.

"What's - oh," I stopped before I asked the question. On the screens before me there was a press conference, but it wasn't like anyone I'd seen before. On the banner below runner across the screen was 'Superman's identity revealed'. There was Clark standing here on the stage speaking to a massed crowd.

"Some of you may see me as an alien. But I came to this world as a child and I was raised by two of the greatest, most compassionate people on Earth. I believe in this world. I am one of you. I know there are some who disagree with our actions, but I could no longer standby and allow the people of Earth to suffer. Not when I had the power to prevent it. I know some of our actions may seem extreme, but the result is less people are dying from needless war. Less people are grieving for loved ones. Sons and daughters and mothers and fathers who may have been lost are returning home. My friend, Lex Luthor, reminded me that we all hadn't shared this message with everyone. We just want you all to be safe." Clark finished and smiled at the cameras.

" 'My friend'?" I laughed, "Are they being serious? Clark and Lex friends? Now the world has truly gone mad!"

"Clark is trying to show everyone that he's way is the best way," Dad sighed and pinched his nose in-between his two fingers.

I put my hand on his shoulder, "You ok Dad?"

He reached up and put his hand on mine and squeezed, it was a small gesture but I knew he was stressed. "The plan we have with Hawkgirl should be working as we speak, but I need you and….."

He stopped talking, everyone in the cave did. On the screens in front of us. Chaos was erupting. A boom tube had appeared and in my experience unless the boom tube was created by Cyborg and by the look of Clark's reaction this had nothing to do with Cyborg. It was chaos all over the world. "Dad we have to get out there," I moved to go to the Batwing

He stood up, "No we don't. We stay." He ordered, "Barry, Kara, Captain, can you keep the perimeter safe? Canary, Arrow and Blade we all need to talk, we can fill everyone in afterwards."

I walked over to the table and sat down next to Dinah. Part of me was itching to get out there and tear down some alien scum. Dinah saw my nervous energy, she put her hand on my leg and gave me a smile. Dad sat down at the top of the table, he hit a button and brought it the screens to show the images going around the world, the chaos and carnage, the screams of people's lives ending. My mouth was going dry, I knew how they all felt.

Dad but his elbow's on the table and knotted his hands together, "It's a full planetary invasion."

"Why those cities?" Selina asked. There was images from Paris, Shanghai, Moscow, Mumbai and Istanbul.

"Yeah don't they know alien invasions always start near the famous monuments?" Oliver crossed his arms. I had to hide a smile.

I realised something, "They're the most populated cities in the world," I said slowly.

Dad nodded, "Blade is right. This is about inflicting as much death as possible. Gotham will be next."

"We have to get out there Batman," I stood up and adjusted my swords on my back.

Selina stood up and looked at the two of us, "And then what? I steal things, you have some baterangs and pepper spray, she has two swords, he has a bow and arrow…." Selina look at us. "Repelling alien invasions not fully in our skill set."

"Batman, every time we've faced something like this, we've done it beside the rest of the Justice League. We can do our part. I'm sure Captain Atom, Flash and Supergirl can take two of those cities. But be realistic, we can't stop this without the other heroes, we need Superman."

"Right now, this is his world too Dinah, he will be fighting to protect it too. We all have to do our part," Dad said to her. Then turned to us, "Everyone needs to get to their targets and start fighting, we can't let Darkseid's creatures over run us. Flash and Kara, get to Mumbai, Oliver, Dinah and Blade, get into Gotham. Batwoman and I will follow."

XXXXX

We hit downtown and my heart rate increased. Arkham was a calmer scene then what was going on here. People were screaming and running in every direction. I drew my swords, time to get to work. I went up high, I flew through the air and swung my swords in every direction I could, the re-enforec steel cut through Darksied's creatures with ease. I landed on a balcony, I saw Dinah and Oliver repelling some more of them. I shot my cable and swung down to them. I landed heavily on the ground, jeez Alex gotta get out more you're getting rusty, I told myself. I locked the pommels of my swords together and spun them cutting down anyone in my path, the sparks of the metal hitting the armour of the creatures flew in every directions.

"So any 'instant miracle' arrows in there?" Dinah turned to Oliver.

"Nope I think this is it pretty bird," He said as he fired his last arrow. He pulled her to him and kissed her.

I rolled my eyes, and chopped off another head of a creature running towards me, "Seriously guys? End of days happening here and I'm the third wheel at the superhero party. Get fighting!" I kicked a creature towards them. They broke apart and glared at me. "Keep fighting." I nodded to them. But as the words left my mouth there was suddenly ashes. Ashes were falling from the sky, and there were no more creatures. What was going on? "Batman, are you seeing this?" I asked over the coms.

"Clark," He said, "No, he can't have." Then there was radio silence.

"Batman?" I asked again, "Seriously? That's all you're giving me?"

"What is it kid?" Oliver looked over.

I shrugged, "He just said something about Clark and then said 'no'." Then it hit me, "He killed them all, killed every single on of them. The boom tubes, they're closed too. He killed Darksied's son too. Oh god."

Dinah walked up to me, her blonde hair flecked with the ash, "I never thought he was capable of that."

"He is called Superman, it's kinda in the name," Oliver sighed.

XXXXX

I loosened the strap on my back to get my swords off and winced. My ribs were cracked and I strained a muscle in my neck, fantastic. I tried to reach up to get the other strap but I couldn't.

"I got it," A voice came from behind me.

I looked around and winced when I moved my neck too quickly, "Oh, thanks Barry."

"No problem," He lifted off my swords and put them on the table, "Wow, they're really light."

"Yeah Dick had them made that way, they're strong though. He managed to convince Diana to get them made by Hephaestus, they'll never break." I smiled, but I had to suppress the lump in my throat.

Barry put his hand on my shoulder, "I know you miss him, but you're doing great. He'd never want you to give up."

I smiled at Barry and was about to say something but something on the computer screens caught my eye, both Barry and I turned to it. There were people parading the streets with Superman banners and logos.

"They love him. All across the world they're chanting his name," Selina said from a chair.

"He took so many lives," Dad said narrowing his eyes. "Everyone meet at the conference table." He announced around the cave.

I gave Barry a look and we walked over. I moved in my suit, when was the last time I changed, I was feeling a little grimy.

Everyone was seated and Dad spoke, "There is no coming back from this for him."

Huntress gave him a look, "No coming back from what ? It was a war. Admittedly thanks to Superman it was a very short war. People die in wars. He saved lives."

"He slaughtered thousands Huntress," Dad turned to her.

She squared up to him, "He's a hero in the eyes of almost everyone around the world. But not your eyes. Even after he saved the lives of your friends and your own daughter too?" She stood up, "Go on, tell Green Arrow, Black Canary and Blade why their being alive offends you?"

I glared at her, how dare she say that to my father. I held my tongue but Green Arrow spoke, "Please don't bring me into this."

Huntress faced Dad again, "Being sanctimonious and arrogant doesn't make you right Bruce!"

Well she went and done it now, there goes Dad's secret identity and well mine too by default. Thanks Huntress, you're a real pal, my Dad never should have dated you. I glared at her, I was fuming.

But she continued, "There are people in this room who don't know you're secret identity, aren't there?" Dad narrowed her eyes at her.

"Bruce?" Captain Atom questioned.

Batwoman let out a laugh, "Bruce, striking fear in the hearts of criminals!"

Huntress leaned towards Dad, "You've asked these people to fight with you and you haven't told them who you are?"

"They know who I am," He replied, I could see he was tense, more than usual.

Huntress stood up and turned, "I think I'm done here. I don't want to fight against Superman, not when I believe he's in the right."

Selina suddenly stood up, "Huntress wait. There are things you don't know." She looked at Dad, "Tell her."

I gave Dad a look, what was he hiding from me? Dad sighed, "Superman is working on something." Huntress gave him a look and he continued, "I don't know what it is or how it works yet. But Superman and Luthor are talking about creating enhanced beings. I believe he is going to make a personal army."

"How more like Hitler can this guy get?" I mumbled.

"How do you know this?" Black Lightening asked.

"I can't say," Dad looked down. Wrong thing to say Dad, I sighed.

Huntress put her hand on her hip, "Again, you expect us to blindly follow you but you refuse to trust us." I had to admit, she sorta had a point there.

"You're right," He raised his hands, what was he doing? He reached for hid cowl, I took a breath, I knew this was it. The cowl came off and there was my father, in full view for all to see. The handsome, billionaire, playboy bachelor, Bruce Wayne.

There was a gasp around the room, then they looked at me. I looked over at Dad and he nodded to me. I rose and took off my mask. "Alex Wayne," I smiled at them.

"Didn't know Bruce Wayne had kids," Captain Atom said.

"I kept her and her brother Damian, or Robin, a secret. I didn't want the press or anyone making connections. She was there as was Damian as foster children, where as in fact I am their father." Dad explained.

"Sorry to cut this Wayne family tree discussion, but we have trouble on the screen." Batwoman cut in.

"Cultists," Dad sighed and put back on his cowl, "Captain Atom you'll beat us all there with Flash so you guys go ahead and try and disperse the mob."

I looked over, some Superman cultist were kicking off again. I sighed, was there going to be any end to this, just for a few hours? I put back on my mask and went to get my swords.

Dad walked past me, "Alex wait." I stopped and looked up at him, "You're exhausted, you haven't slept in days, its unsafe for you to be out there. Go up the Manor get some rest and food and come back down here later. Take Kara with you, Superman is probably going to show up and she hasn't seen him since Arkham, I don't want those two to level half of Gotham."

I wanted to fight him and argue that I was fine but I felt my body slowly giving in. "Fine," I said to him, "Just be careful."

Without warning he bent and kissed my head, "Always Alex." I smiled up at him before he turned to the batmobile in a flurry of black.

I turned and saw Kara land in front of me. "So you've been told to stay too?" She asked me.

I nodded, "Yeah and to be honest I'm kinda glad, I need to shower."

"And get some sleep?" Kara asked gently.

"I'll try," i sighed, "Come on lets get top side." I beckoned her to follow me up the stairs of the cave.

"I always wondered where these went, the doors are line in lead, I can't see past them," Kara mumbled to no one in particular.

I punched in the codes and pushed open the door, the familiar smell hit me; the must of old books, oak wood polish and the faint hint of lavender. The library was one of my favourite places in the house, there was peace amongst the books. You could leave yourself behind and escape into a novel and let the writer take you on a journey, and at that moment in time I wouldn't have minded an escape. I walked across the room and into the hall way, I heard footsteps coming towards me.

"Miss Alexandra and Miss Kara, what are you doing up here?" Alfred came around the corner. I hadn't seen him since Dick had died, I had been hiding down in the cave for over a month and a half, coming up to the Manor would make things seem more real. But I realised that Alfred had been alone for a lot of that time, only coming down to the cave to bring food to us.

"Alfred, Dad told us to hang back on a mission, would you mind showing Kara somewhere to wash up?" I asked him, trying to suppress my feelings of grief that were rising up again.

"Of course, come this way Miss Kara. Afterwards may I prepare some food?" Alfred asked me.

I nodded, "That would be great, thanks Alfred." I gave a wave to Kara as she followed Alfred up stairs. I walked the other way towards the back stairs, I couldn't face going past Dick's old room to get to mine.

I opened my door and the fire was burning in the hearth, I smiled to myself, Alfred must have lit this every night in the hope that I would come up and get some rest. I peeled off my suit and threw it in a corner, I flexed my shoulders and took a deep breath. I stood for a second, a feeling of wanting to cry crept up on me, but then it stopped. I looked at the floor, would Dick want me to be like this? Unable to think about anything else? Unable to help my team? No he wouldn't, he would want me to keep fighting. Fight until the end, like he did. I tensed my jaw and flexed my hands, "I won't let you down Dick, I love you too much for that," I spoke out loud.

My long raven black hair hung loose and wet down my back. It felt good to be clean again. I sat by the fire a box in front of me. I kept all of the things that mattered to me, ticket stubs from movies Dick and I had seen, photos from back when we were Robin and Batgirl, Dick smiling through the photo with a huge grin on his face. I heard a gentle knocking on the door. "Alex?"

"Yeah Kara, come on in," I answered her. She walked looking a little more refreshed.

"Just wanted to see if you were out of the shower, and you look hundred times better now," She smiled at me. "Now for food and sleep I think."

I sighed and stood up putting the box of keep-sakes back on the shelf in my room, "Alfred got to you so?"

"I did in fact Miss, and I thought I'd bring the food to you," Alfred came in the room with a trolley of food. The smell hit my nose making my mouth water slightly. "You look far too thin even for your slim frame Miss." He parked the trolley by the arm chairs by the fire, "Come come, sit down, both of you."

We didn't argue, we sat down and began to eat. I didn't realised how hungry I was until the first bit of food past my lips. We ate in silence, both to hungry to make conversation. I sat back in the chair and smiled to myself.

"By Rao I'm so full," Kara said and did the same. Then she turned to look at me, "So you're a Wayne huh?"

I nodded, "Yeah I am. But I wasn't born here, believe it or not but me and Robin, or Damian, we're full brother and sister. Obviously there is a nine year age gap between us but I was the first attempt." I saw her questioning look, "The first attempt at over throwing my father and taking control of Gotham. I was trained by the League of Assassins from the age of 3, like my brother when he was born. At the age of nine I was given to my father, my brother was given to him at 10. But for me more so than my brother, I didn't take to my mother's teachings in the League, I also had Dick when I came to the Manor, someone my age to lean on. Maybe my moral compass was stronger, I don't know. I shook the ideology of my mother and the League pretty quickly, after that I was just Batgirl, or Alex, that sweet little orphan that Bruce Wayne was kind enough to take in."

"Why didn't your Dad want to go public with you being his daughter?" Kara asked me.

I sighed, "He didn't want people to start making connections, people see that as soon as I arrived so did Batgirl." I saw her face, "Yeah I was Batgirl before Blade, Barbara took the mantel then. But Kara, in all this, are you ok?"

She moved in the armchair, crossing her legs and facing me, "I don't know Alex, everything I thought Kal-El was isn't true anymore. He isn't the same man, I think I just have to except that and try and fix what he's done. But what is really worrying me is that I went to see if my aunt and uncle in Smallville were ok, but there was so sign of them. I'm worried."

"With what happened to Lois I think Clark will be extremely protective of the rest of his family, I doubt he's done anything to Jonathan and Martha," I said to her, trying to make her feel some what better.

She nodded and rested her head against the chair, "I hope so Alex."

I jerked awake, I had no idea how long I'd been asleep. I moved in the chair and looked over at Kara, she was still asleep. I smiled then slipped out of the room. I walked down to the cave, the air was chilly but refreshing after being beside the fire for so long. I rounded the corner and saw Dad on the computer taking to Barry.

Barry spotted me and came over, "Where's Kara?"

"Relax there speedy, she's up in my room asleep. There's enough rooms here if you wanna stay up in the manor," I gestured, "You look exhausted, Alfred has food too." I patted him on the shoulder. He nodded a thanks and went upstairs. I walked over to Dad, "Where is everyone?"

"Gone to rest up," He answered not looking at me.

"What happened out there?" I leant against the table next to the computer.

He stopped typing and looked over at me, I could see the dark circles of exhaustion on his face behind the cowl. "They showed up, the crowd dispersed."

"That's it?" I raised an eyebrow.

"Yes," He responded.

I sighed and walked over to him, "Dad you're exhausted." I knelt down in front of him making him look away from the computer, "Please go up stairs and get something to eat and some food."

"I can't Alex, I have to monitor what they're doing," He looked down at me.

"I can Dad, I swear to call you if anything happens, please just go and sleep you'll get yourself killed if you're exhausted," I put my hand on his arm.

He softened slightly and stood up reaching for his cowl. He did look tired and even more pale than normal, "Fine. But call me if anything comes up."

I raised my three fingers, "Scouts honour Dad."