Disclaimer: These characters aren't mine.

One week later, Bart found himself sitting on the top of the Gotham National Bank, his feet dangling over the edge, waiting for his contact to arrive. Why was it the bat folks had to meet on top of buildings? Was even an alley asking too much? Not surprisingly, it was also nighttime. Yet another Bat family standard. At least for the moment, the Bat signal was unlit.

With each passing second, he contemplated leaving. Yes, he had agreed to meet whomever, but as he waited, his doubts started to get the better of him. In reality, what could this person do? What could this person say? What was there to say besides the empty platitudes? No one could guarantee Melanie's safety. No one could promise him that all would be well. Maybe those expectations weren't realistic, but Bart honestly didn't care. Besides, he had died and was now alive again – how realistic was that?

Time may heal all wounds, but it was doing nothing for his anxiety level. He still hadn't had a good night's sleep since he had gotten Melanie back. Just knowing he would have to leave her for an hour or so to come to Gotham had been difficult. Knowing she was in the capable of hands of his grandparents had not eased his worries. Bart knew worrying was part of being a parent, but his level of worrying was not normal. Being a parent shouldn't be this hard. He should be able to sleep at night, or at least most nights.

Over and over his mind returned to one question – what was the responsible thing to do? Why couldn't he get Max's question out of his head? He almost wished Max would raise the question again, then he could at least justify his mind fixating on the topic. Yet, Max remained silent on the topic. Instead, Bart would catch himself staring at Melanie, wondering if he was being fair to her. She was still young enough to easily start her life over. If she left now, she'd never have any memories of him. Was that what was best for her? But then he would remember the pain he had felt at being rejected by his grandma and Wally when he had first come to this time period. Was it fair to make Melanie go through that as well? Maybe she wouldn't understand now, but eventually she would, eventually she would feel rejected.

He suddenly felt the presence of someone else. Quickly turning, he almost fell off the ledge in surprise at the proximity and identity of his visitor. Catwoman. What was she doing here? Before he said a word, she sat down next to him and smiled gently. "Tim told me what's happening." Bart froze at her words. Tim. Not Red Robin. Not even just Robin. Tim. Catwoman knew Tim's identity. Why? How? All of the Bat clan redefined paranoid when it came to secret identities. His mind raced to put a civilian name to Catwoman's face, but nothing came. Her smile stayed in place. With a quick movement, she pulled down her goggles and pulled back the hood of her costume. "Selina Kyle," she greeted, holding out her hand.

Selina Kyle. That name was familiar. Wasn't she either dating or had dated Bruce? Wait – Bruce had dated a villain? Bart's mind continued to race, question upon question popping into his head. He pushed his questions aside. At the moment, they weren't important. If Tim knew her, if Tim trusted her enough to tell her his identity, then he knew he could trust her as well. With a small smile of his own, he pulled back his own mask. "Bart Allen." He shook her hand.

She frowned. "Bart Allen…didn't you die?"

"Long story."

Selina only nodded and brought the conversation to the topic at hand. "You're probably wondering why Tim thought I could help."

"You could say that." Catwoman. He never would have guessed Catwoman.

A sad and wistful expression appeared on her face. Her hands tightly clenched the edge of the roof. "My daughter turned two a few months ago. I haven't seen her for over a year. I don't know where she is. I don't even know if she still has the same name." Bart felt a chill settle in his heart. This was going to hit close to home, hit way too close to home. Again the urge to leaving was almost overwhelming.

After a brief pause, Selina shared her story. Having a baby girl, starting a new life in hopes of raising that daughter only to have her past life catch up with her. "Giving her up was the hardest thing I've ever done…but it was the only thing I could do. She wasn't safe anymore, at least not with me. No matter how hard I tried, I knew I wouldn't be able to protect her. She had been linked to Catwoman. She could be used as a pawn against me, something I couldn't have happen."

Bart looked away. Tears stung his eyes. She didn't use the empty platitudes. Selina understood. He had finally found someone who truly understood.

"Bruce helped me. His attorneys took care of everything. I gave up my daughter. I cut all ties to her, because as her mother, it was the only way I could truly protect her. It was the only way I could show her how much I loved her," she said softly. Selina wiped away a stray tear. "It wasn't easy. It's still not easy. There are days I wonder if I did the right thing. Then there's a crisis or some nutcase and I realize I didn't have a choice. I chose this life. Maybe when she's older, she'll someday choose this life. But I couldn't choose it for her."

Silence fell between them. Bart stared off at the horizon. "How much did Tim tell you?"

"That you're in a similar situation. That you have a daughter. That she was kidnapped by one of your rogues. That you're confused about what's best for her."

"But how much did he tell you about me?" Because to understand his hesitation, she needed to understand him, understand who he was.

"He only said I would be meeting Kid Flash. I didn't even know your real name."

He reminded himself that Tim trusted her, that Bruce trusted her. Or at least they trusted her enough to let her in the big Bat secret. He hoped she could follow his story. While he had given up his identity, he wouldn't – couldn't – give up the identities of others. "My name is Bart Allen. I was born in the 30th century. My grandpa is the Flash, the one that just recently returned. The other Flash is my cousin." Slowly, he shared his story. Being born with the metagene, the speed force killing him, his grandma taking him back in time to save his life. "I don't remember my parents. My dad is dead. He was murdered. My mom…she still lives in the 30th century. I've met her, but I couldn't stay with her." He missed her. It had been a couple years since he had last seen her. "My grandma brought me here to save my life. I know they loved me. I mean, they must have to give me up, to let my grandma take me away. They did what they thought was best. They saved my life. Now, I'm facing that same question. But I…I don't want to give her up. She's family, my family. I…I know what it feels like to be given up. I know my parents did what they thought was best. I know they love me…but it still hurts. I…It's…I never had a choice. I know she's too young to make that choice, but…" He shrugged. And then there was what had happened with his grandma and Wally. Living with Max turned out to be a good decision, but to be rejected by your own family…it had hurt. It had made him wonder what was wrong with him that no one seemed to want him.

"How did this rogue connect you and Kid Flash?"

"Professor Zoom, Eobard Thawne, is from the 25th century." Bart smiled slightly at the surprised look on Selina's face. "Yeah, a kid from the 30th century and a villain from the 25th, and here you probably thought the Bat family had issues. Anyway, he knows all about the Flashes, including our identities. He wants to wipe out our existence. But what's really twisted is that if he kills me, or kills my daughter, he's killing his descendant. See, I'm not only a descendent of the Flash, but also Professor Zoom. My mom is a Thawne."

Selina kept her emotions guarded. If his pronouncement surprised her, she hid it well. Bart felt his own emotions slipping. "What do you want to do?" she asked gently.

"I want to keep her. I don't want to give her up. But if I keep her…" He shrugged again and stared into the distance. "I already failed once. I had a simple job. Protect her. Keep her safe and I failed. He'll try again. And if it's not Thawne, eventually it will be someone else, and I just…what if I fail again? What if I fail again and she's hurt? Or killed? She doesn't have the metagene. She…she'll never have powers."

Selina hesitantly put her arm around Bart's shoulders. "But you can protect her. She can be safe."

"I know…but she's my family. She's…I…want to keep her. She…she…I have my grandpa and grandma and my cousin and my mentor who's sort of like a dad, but it's not the same. I know what it feels like to be given up. Even if it's for a good reason, it hurts. It's like I did something wrong…and she didn't…hasn't…done anything wrong. It's me. It's my fault, not hers." His thoughts and words were becoming jumbled, a sign of his growing agitation.

"Bart, it's hard. I know it hurts, but what if it happens again? And as much as I hate to say it, it's probably when it happens again, not if. Am I right?" Bart remained silent. Selina pressed on. "How will you feel when it happens again? What if she's hurt the next time? The guilt you feel now, it will be nothing compared to what you'll feel if she does get hurt."

Bart continued to remain silent. He didn't want to think about it, yet he knew he had to, because Selina was right. It was just a matter of when, not if. He knew that. And if Melanie got hurt…knowing he could have kept her safe, Bart knew it would probably push him over an edge, over a line. Because maybe this time he could convince himself that it wasn't his fault, but if it happened again, knowing he had had options and had refused to take them, well, then it would be his fault.

"You know Bruce and Tim will find a safe family. They're anal by nature and will triple check everything. You wouldn't be able to find anyone better." Selina paused. "Bart, I think you know what you want to do. In your mind, you've decided. You just haven't let yourself voice that decision. Your heart hasn't accepted it."

"I…" He stared at his hands. He didn't even try to hold back the tears. Maybe because Catwoman – Selina – understood. Or maybe just because deep down he knew that he didn't really have a choice. If he wanted to protect his daughter, if he wanted to keep her safe, he had to give her up. Just like his parents had. Once again, Thawne had impacted the Allen family. Is this how it had felt for his parents? Did it hurt this much? Did they feel this helpless? This useless?

"It will hurt. God, it will hurt. There will be days when you are so angry, so hurt, that it consumes you. But the pain will eventually dull. It doesn't ever quite go away. Birthdays, holidays…you'll always remember, always wonder what could have been, where she is. But the consolation is knowing that she is safe from all the freaks we face, knowing that Bruce and Tim will ensure that whatever family cares for her, gets to call her their daughter, is the best possible choice."

Her words were sincere. Tears continued to blur his vision. He had to give up his daughter. He had to protect her. He had to forget she even existed. "I have to give her up," he whispered.

Selina pulled him close. Bart rested his head against her shoulder and cried.

Everything happened too fast. Bart had hoped the process would take months. Instead, it had taken four weeks. Asking Tim for help had proven to be much, much easier than telling the speedster clan his decision. Countless tears had been shed, but none of them had questioned his choice. Maybe they had already known.

The Wayne Enterprises legal department had proven to be as efficient as usual. They had created a list of five potential families. Bart had had the option of selecting which family got Melanie. He had declined. It would have been too much. It was hard enough giving her up, but to have to choose the family as well…it was an extra responsibility he didn't need. Instead, he had asked Tim and Bruce to decide. Once selected, Tim had shared some basic facts. The couple lived in the Midwest. They had been married for ten years. The wife was unable to have children due to a car accident. There was a large extended family that was very close. Tim had assured him the entire family – parents, grandparents, uncles, aunts and cousins had gone through a thorough security check, including investigators looking for information that might not be available in government files. They had even checked out the neighbors. Everyone had passed.

The legal department had also addressed any questions and concerns raised by the California Department of Social Services. Considering he just had "temporary custody," Bart assumed those concerns were numerous. The department was probably less than thrilled they had been somewhat strong-armed into granting him temporary custody only to have him now giving up his parental rights. If the department raised any concerns, Bart never heard about them. Maybe the department had received another large donation from an anonymous donor.

Their final night had been spent at Wayne Manor. Bart wondered if that was simply Tim's way of ensuring that Bart didn't take Melanie and run. Probably. But staying at the manor had made it a little easier. Having to face the speedster clan in the morning would have been hard, would have made what he knew he needed to do nearly impossible.

Thankfully, Tim or Alfred or Dick or maybe even Bruce had made sure that Damian wasn't around. Bart couldn't stand that kid. He could easily imagine the remarks Damian would have probably made. From his own experience, Bart knew learning social cues wasn't easy. Yet knowing and accepting were two different things. For that final night, Damian – and Dick – had been away.

Selina had also been present. Whether it was Tim's idea or Selina's, he wasn't sure. It didn't matter. The fact she was able to put aside her own pain to be there for him meant a lot. He imagined his situation was making her relive her own decision. He hadn't missed the tears in her eyes when she had seen Melanie. He wasn't hurt when she didn't show any interest in holding Melanie. Instead, Selina had quickly left the room.

Then there was Alfred and Bruce. Alfred was just Alfred. Nothing ever seemed to faze the man. As for Bruce, Bart hadn't quite known what to expect. It was Bruce/Batman that had given him the name Impulse. Bart had never figured out if it had been meant as praise or a slam. He suspected a slam. And while Tim had assured him previously that Bruce admired what he did as Kid Flash and what he had done as the Flash, Bart never felt comfortable around Bruce. Then again, did anyone outside of the Bat family? Melanie quickly answered that question. With one smile, she obviously had the billionaire wrapped around her little finger.

That final night had been the hardest night of his life. In one of the guest bedrooms, he had settled into a chair and held Melanie the entire night while she slept. He didn't want to forget the feeling of her in his arms, the scent of her hair, how she looked when she slept, how…he just didn't want to forget. For the first time in his life, time moved too fast. Before he knew it, the eastern sky had started to brighten. Morning had arrived. It seemed wrong that it would be a bright, sunny day. Where were the storm clouds when he needed them? Changing her diaper, getting her dressed, feeding her breakfast – a mantra repeated itself in his head – "for the last time." With each passing second, the urge to run became stronger and stronger.

The drive into Gotham was quiet. What was there to say? For her part, Melanie seemed happy and content. If only she knew what was about to happen. If only she knew the existence of Melanie Dawn Allen was quickly coming to an end.

The papers were to be signed in an empty office suite in a building owned by Bruce. When the office door clicked shut, leaving just him, Melanie and Tim in the room, Bart knew the final countdown had truly begun. Somewhere in the building waited Melanie's new family. Bart held her a little closer. Melanie finally sensed something was up. She had grown more pensive and clingy.

"You can still change your mind," Tim noted. "Nothing's been signed. No one will think any less of you."

Bart rested his cheek against the side of her head. "I know. It's tempting. But it's…it wouldn't be right." It wouldn't be right. Not for him. Not for Melanie. Not for the husband and wife that waited somewhere in the building. Tim only nodded. They waited in silence, Bart fighting back the tears.

A soft knock sounded. The door opened. Bruce and a man whom Bart assumed was an attorney entered. It was time to sign the papers. In his chest, his heart started to beat harder. Bart pretended to listen as the attorney explained everything, but all he heard was a loud roaring noise in his head. He knew the specifics. They had reviewed them previously. If – when – he signed, he was giving up all parental rights. He would have no say in her upbringing. He was to have no contact. He would cease to exist in her life; she would cease to exist in his. "Mr. Allen, do you have any questions?" the attorney concluded.

"No," Bart answered hoarsely.

"Then I'll need you to sign and date these papers." The man pointed out the blank lines and set a pen on the table.

"Bart, take all the time you need," Bruce said gently.

If he took all the time he needed, he would never sign the papers. Hesitantly, he picked up the pen. Melanie immediately made a grab for it. It was too much. Bart felt the feeble grasp on his emotions starting to fail.

"Bart, let me hold her," Bruce offered.

Melanie went to Bruce with no hesitation. Rather than battle Melanie for the pen, the attorney had produced another one. The first signature was hard. When it was done, he knew he had to do the rest quickly. He did.

Handing the baby back, Bruce and the attorney left. They had reviewed the logistics the previous night. He now had fifteen minutes to say goodbye. He felt hollow. How did he even begin to say goodbye? Melanie watched him closely. He needed to put on a brave face for her sake, but how could he when his heart was breaking in two?

"Do you want me to leave?" Tim asked.

Bart couldn't speak, his throat tight. He only shook his head. He no longer fought the tears. He held Melanie tightly. "I love you so much," he whispered. "I'll always love you. I'll never forget you. No one will. You stole our hearts. You…you…" Then it became too painful. To have to wait another thirteen minutes was unfathomable. Bart kissed the top of her head, tears coursing down his cheeks. "Tim, take her. Please, take her. I can't… Just go."

After Tim had taken her and left the room, Bart sunk to the floor and cried. His daughter was no longer his daughter. He had…he had…

He didn't hear the door open and close. He didn't register someone kneeling next to him. But when a pair of arms wrapped around him, he felt a small measure of comfort. "Let it out, Bart. Just let it out," Selina said hoarsely.

He did.