Author's Notes: And now, we come to the end of Deathstroke: Crossroads, in which groundwork is laid for the next story in the series, Deathstroke: Path to Resurrection (which will be posted within the next hour). I've been in Myrtle Beach with half of my family, and musing over the third story in the series (because if there's anyone who can find trouble in a resort town, it's Slade Wilson). I have a few ideas, but I'll have to come up with a villain for the piece. Maybe someone not as well-adjusted as Andrew Perkins, who lost someone in the Siege? Or someone else who wants revenge on Slade, because reasons? Or maybe someone who was put away by Meg's late husband and wants revenge because Stephen is now dead, and beyond his/her reach? Hmm, that idea has possibilities. In any event, like I said, the next story is called Path to Resurrection and sees the resolution of Grant from the future. Among other things. In this chapter/epilogue, we see Shado's reaction to everything that has happened recently, the three wannabes from a few chapters ago get a 'job offer' (yeah, that bodes about as well as you think it does); while Slade reacts to his nightmare. I've thought a lot about nightmares during the last few weeks, and as is so often the case, received inspiration from an unexpected place. For those unfamiliar with 'outlaw country,' it's kinda hard to explain, so instead, I'll explain about the song Meg listens to in this chapter. I heard it during our ride from Myrtle Beach north this afternoon. 'The Highwayman' is not the poem by Alfred Noyes/song by Loreena McKennitt, but is instead about a soul reborn through four incarnations … first as a highwayman, then as a sailor, again as a construction worker who died during the building of the Hoover Dam, and then as a star ship captain. It's a haunting song, and for some reason, it reminded me of Slade.

Epilogue

Toward the Future

He'd had too many nightmares over the years to count. During the last decade, since Lian Yu, nightmares were usually about the kid getting hurt on his watch, about his own death and resurrection … about finding Shado dead and the kid in shock (and equally horrific nightmares about Shado weeping over Oliver's dead body). He was used to having nightmares. Falling out of bed (or off a sofa) was a new one on him. So was having a nightmare prompted by a song. Then again, ever since he arrived in Destine, he'd had all manner of new experiences. He was still figuring out whether that was a good thing or not.

He and Meg worked for some time in her computer room after they got home from church and while Angel was doing homework … Slade trying to find his son, while Meg tossed observations over her shoulder as she sifted through her books, trying to sort out which ones she wanted to keep and which ones would be donated to the local library. She admitted that a lot of the books in the shelves belonged to her late husband, and little by little, she'd reluctantly given those books away. Slade could relate. It was something of her husband remaining, in addition to their daughter … letting go wasn't easy.

He'd learned rather quickly that to Meg, music was life. She acknowledged that she had very eclectic tastes in music … from classical to soft rock to so-called New Age to what was called 'outlaw country.' He'd asked her to define that. And she made the attempt, but kept getting stymied. She finally told him that when a song came on that fit that description, she'd let him know. And she did. It was called 'The Highwayman,' and it sent chills up and down Slade's spine. Given his reaction, maybe it shouldn't have been so surprising when he had a nightmare about it later (drowning in concrete … what a horrifying way to die).

And then there was his awakening (trying to claw his way out of the concrete, daylight always just beyond his reach … just like his time in the Lian Yu bunker, just like his sanity while under the sway of the Mirakuru). He wasn't aware of much at first, just a soft voice singing from what seemed like such a long distance. Gradually, that voice became louder and Slade's senses returned to him. He found himself not just on the ground, but on his hands and knees, with Meg a few foot from him, looking wary. And of course, her first words were to make sure he was all right. He was … he would be. Just … as soon as he stopped thinking about drowning in concrete (drowning in hatred and rage and resentment and grief).

Except, rather than letting it go, she instead asked if he wanted to talk about it. His first impulse was to say, rather emphatically, 'hell, no.' But her next words stayed that impulse, as she gently pointed out that it would help her figure out how to wake him up the next time he had a nightmare … preferably in a way that didn't get her knocked clear across the room. He was well aware that she was manipulating him … that really, he should have left. But … he didn't want to leave. More to the point, he feared his departure would put her and Angel into even more danger. And so, he outlined what happened to him on Lian Yu, all those years ago. Not all of it … but enough for her to understand.

And once more, she surprised him … first by putting together the pieces of what he told her earlier about his final fight with Oliver on the Amazo, and then again when she reached out to comfort him. But she wasn't done surprising him. No, because Margreet Theodora Carvalho gently suggested to him that he could find a base of operations here in Destine … that all men needed company, that she didn't believe for a moment that he was a monster. And then, even more stunning, she believed that he could turn Deathstroke into a force for good.

Could he? It was Meg's considered opinion that he already started, just by what he'd done in her town so far. Slade could have told her that what he'd done the day before wasn't all that special: that because of his time under the Mirakuru, he had even less patience with the likes of Gordon Alexander and the three thugs from the previous night. He could have told her that, and every word would have been true. But it didn't matter, not to Meg. And, he knew she was right. Every time he tried to put Deathstroke in the past, where he belonged, that went horrifically awry. So … maybe Meg was right. Maybe he, as Deathstroke, could atone.

Slade wasn't entirely sure if he believed in redemption, but he did believe in balance. There was no way he'd be able to protect Starling City (or Star City, or whatever it was currently called). But he could protect Destine … as he told Meg, he'd tried to destroy one American city out of a desire for revenge, a desire to hurt as he was hurting. It was only right that he now try to protect a small American town, as penance.

Then came Meg's promise to make him pay if he ever tried to hurt her town. He wasn't amused by her promise (though she didn't word it that way) … but he did appreciate it, and he reminded her that of course he put stock in it. She knew where he slept after all. Meg actually laughed at that, and the two retreated to the kitchen to retrieve Slade's lunch. Nothing was resolved. But from here, Slade could see a way into a future that might contain his younger son. Meg had told him that he didn't have to do this alone, and while he couldn't say that he trusted her (yet), he did believe her when she said that.

It was a stepping stone … if nothing else, it was a stepping stone.

DSDSDSDSDSDSDSDS

YES! Yes, he figured it out!

Tommy Merlyn indulged himself in an eyeroll as his compatriot danced around Dory's pantry. How exactly someone with no corporeal form could dance, Tommy wasn't entirely sure, but Shado was managing it. Then again, from what he could tell, she'd been a bad-ass in her previous life, so maybe it wasn't so surprising. Dory came into the pantry, a bit nonplussed by the sight of her sort-of great-granddaughter dancing. An eyebrow arched, and she asked, "Do I want to know what happened?"

Since Shado was still overjoyed (and still dancing. Did that mean she was Shado-dancing?), Tommy answered for her, Slade figured out that as part of his atonement, and to balance out the scales, he could protect Destine after trying to destroy Starling City. Privately, he thought that there was nothing that balance that out. Then again, he'd died when his father decided to wipe out the Glades, so maybe his judgment was a wee bit skewed. Not that he'd let himself think about his father right now, because that was tied to his worry over his mother (that, and thinking about his father was a whole 'nother can of worms).

Dory closed her eyes and leaned against the door jam, murmuring, "Then we're moving forward. Good. I just got an earful from Father Rick in the grocery store. He's not happy at all about Slade's presence in town." Shado stopped dancing at that, expression growing thunderous, and Dory explained, "He's worried that with Slade being in town … well, he's afraid that Slade is a trouble magnet, and he doesn't want any of his parishioners getting caught in the crossfire." That … actually made sense.

Trouble will come to Destine, Shadopointedout, whether Slade is here or not. Did he not listen when Meg told him that those three young fools last night would have targeted her and Angel if Slade hadn't been there? Whether he approves or not, there are bad people in the world. Not merely misguided, but bad. Shadopaused, beforeaddingabitreluctantly, On the other hand, he isn't wrong to call Slade a trouble-magnet. Both of my boys are.

"Oh, he knows that … and he did listen. But his concern is that Slade will become known as Destine's primary protector, aside from the police, and some kid with something to prove might decide to challenge him, the way those kids did last night. There's another wrinkle … Father Rick knows who Slade is. He knows about Deathstroke and about the siege. And he's concerned that someone with a grudge against Slade, as a result of the siege or even people Slade stopped before his fall from grace, will try to take it out on the town," Dory answered grimly.

Oh. Hell. And the worst part of it was, Tommy could actually see the priest's point. Dory went on after a moment, "The good news is, he trusts Meg and has faith that she knows what she's doing. But Andrew Perkins will not be the last person who confronts Slade over the events in Starling City." Shado and Tommy exchanged a look, one that their … well, whatever she was … immediately noticed. He couldn't (wouldn't) call her their spiritual mother, because the only mother whom Tommy had was Rebecca Merlyn (wherever she might be). But she was a mentor? That sounded about right, and Dory asked, "What aren't you telling me?"

That's a rather long list, Shadoadmitted, but the most important thing is that Meg knows. Not the whole story, not about the siege or about Lian Yu, but she knows about the past, and she's standing by Slade. More to the point, she's gotten him to thinking about using Deathstroke as a force for good. He isn't sure she's right, but he's thinking about it. Is that why you wanted him staying with her? Dory sighed and eased herbody onto one of thechairs in the kitchen.

"No, I had purely mundane reasons for that. I wanted Slade with someone stable. He's had very little stability over the course of his life. Some of that, he's chosen, but not all of it. Meg is a fairly steady person. She's a bit idealistic, but not in the damaging way. She's interested in what she can do to help people, rather than in changing them. I knew she would accept Slade. The thing is, if you're a dishonest person and try to make her think that you're better than you are, it's not going to end well. Not that Slade would do that. He wears his flaws on his sleeve, the way others wear their hearts," Dory observed.

And hides his heart away, Tommycommented. Doryinclinedherhead, andTommywenton, She did tell him that she would make him regret it if he ever hurt her town. Honestly, that was my favorite part of the conversation. Not just her telling Slade that, but his reaction. He took her seriously. Then again, after Felicity Smoak's part in taking him down, I guess he knows better than to underestimate anyone. Dorygrinnedatthat, hereyestwinkling.

However, it was Shado who answered, That was an aberration. Slade knows better. That was the other problem with the Mirukuru. The strength, the healing, the enhanced mental acuity … all of that leads naturally to cockiness. Add to that the emotional instability that the Mirakuru brings, and that's a vulnerability most people would never consider, but a dangerous one nonetheless. She fell silent for a moment, and then added, That's something I've often wondered about … the source of the Mirakuru. I know it's something that was developed by the scientists of the Imperial Japanese military during the Second World War to create an army of super soldiers, but where did the base element come from? That … was something Tommy hadn't really thought about. He'd been too horrified by what he'd seen in Ollie's memories, and Slade's. He'd wanted to hate Slade at first, after what he'd done to Ollie and Thea and to their city, but the more he saw, the harder it was to hate the man.

Dory was silent for a moment, before telling Shado, "Humanity has a bad habit of sticking our collective nose into things that aren't our concern. It wouldn't surprise me at all if those scientists tried to pull a Jurassic Park. They found something that should have stayed hidden, realized that they could make human beings 'better,' and were so busy thinking about what they could do, they didn't bother thinking about whether they should. Is it something I know? Not at all. But if there's one thing I've learned through all of my lives, it's that humans often can't leave well enough alone, and then everyone suffers for it."

And wasn't that a depressing thought? Then again, Tommy had only to look at his life and death to know she was right. Dory added with a small smile, "But humans can also learn from our mistakes. We don't always, but we have that capacity. I know Oliver believes he destroyed all of the Mirakuru, but in case he didn't … if Slade ever comes across another batch, he'll do what he needs to do. He's putting the past behind him, and looking to the future. As we all must." This was said with a glower at Tommy. He just rolled his eyes again, even though he knew she was right. Which meant that with his mother missing in action (so to speak), reaching his father just became Tommy's responsibility. He was never really able to do it in life … he wasn't sure if he could do it in death. But he owed it to his mom to try.

DSDSDSDSDSDS

"Heard you three got your arses handed to you by an old man. How embarrassing."

Braden growled under his breath, even before his companions stirred. Especially since it was true; and, it wasn't his idea. He'd wanted to just go after the mother and daughter, easy pickings. But they were given their orders … if they wanted to join the gang, they couldn't go after weak victims, only strong ones. Now, if they wanted to do weak victims after the strong, that was something else entirely.

Not that it mattered. As the stranger lounging on the other side of the bars pointed out, they'd gotten their asses kicked quite spectacularly. The stranger smirked at him, adding, "I suppose it's not really your fault. After all, you went after a famous retired assassin and mercenary. But, you made a few mistakes. The most obvious being, you should have realized that he'd notice he was lower on gas than he remembered. You made too many assumptions and that blew up in your face. You also chose the wrong secondary targets. The woman and her daughter are the widow and child of a dead police officer. If you'd succeeded in harming them, nothing would have saved you."

That … was something Braden hadn't known. The man (who wasn't American, but Braden wasn't sure what he was) went on, "My mum taught me that if I was going to do anything, don't do it halfway. It's one of the few good things she taught me. Doesn't make up for taking my dad away from me." The last was said under his breath, and Braden wasn't sure if he was supposed to hear … or respond. So, he took the safe path, and kept his mouth shut.

"So, what are you going to do for us?" Braden's cousin, Dillon, asked. Braden looked back toward his cousin, who was sitting up on the bench, eyeing the newcomer. Dillon pushed himself to his feet and ambled over to join Braden at the bars. His cousin may not have been the smartest person around, but there were times when Braden swore he had more common sense than the entire family put together. Dillon went on, "See, I don't think you're here just to say, 'aw, too bad.' You think you can do something for us … and that we can do something for you."

Much to Braden's surprise, the stranger actually smiled, saying, "Oh, you are smart, aren't you? You're right. You see, that man who wiped the floor with you? I need him kept out of my hair while I finish my business here. He'll try to stop me, and I can't have that. If he succeeds, then he unmakes me. So … I want you three to keep him busy, keep him distracted. If he gets too close, then you can take him down. Interested?" Honestly, no … much as Braden would have liked a second crack at that dude, he didn't really think it would go well for them a second time. Dillon told him while they were waiting to be processed that he thought their mark was holding back on them. Braden didn't want to believe his cousin, but bad things tended to happen if he didn't listen to Dillon.

A glance at his cousin told him that Dillon felt this was a Very Bad Idea. But before either could open their mouth, Braden's older brother Grady put his two cents in, sealing the fate of all three of them. He pushed himself to his feet, answering, "You're damn right we are." If they were alone, Braden was fairly sure Dillon would have facepalmed. His older brother never learned. And because they were family, Braden couldn't let him do this alone. He'd likely end up getting himself killed. Besides, his own father made him promise that he'd always look after Grady. His older brother continued, "You got a name, stranger?"

Beside Braden, Dillon rolled his eyes so hard, Braden was surprised they hadn't popped out of his head. Their new employer merely smiled and responded, "Of course I do. I've gone by many names. I've been called the Ravager. But I've always preferred my legacy name … Deathstroke. You, however, may call me 'Mr. Wilson.' And you gentlemen … you will be the beginning of my new army."

Fin (or the Beginning)