Chapter Ten

Centennial Park

Metropolis

United States

10:07 – Eastern Standard Time

March 13, 2007

It was cold. So cold that Galatea could see her breath. Both she and her 'father' Emil Hamilton were wearing coats, though she didn't really feel the tepid temperature as much as he did, thankfully.

Even though it was Tuesday, there were quite a few people there in the park. Some were walking their dogs, others appeared to be tourists on vacation, or just using it as a shortcut. The rest, she didn't really know. Perhaps they were like her and just wanted to have a look around.

The two of them were currently sat on a park bench, watching people as they went by. A few said friendly "hello's", which Emil, unlike Galatea, returned.

After being sat there for what was perhaps a good twenty minute, Galatea stood up and stretched her legs.

"Everything alright?" Emil asked.

She smiled at him. "You know me. I can't sit still for too long."

"Want to take a walk?" he asked her.

"Yeah, I would like that."

He stood up, and the two began to make their way deeper into the greenery that lay in the centre of the city. It was an odd contrast, with steel buildings and tarmac, surrounding the large park on all sides. It was just what the city needed, though, a place where people could forget that they were in the middle of a steel and glass jungle.

Feeling that she was being watched, Galatea cautiously scanned the roofs of the buildings that were ahead on the other side of the park, making sure she didn't move her head around too much as to not make it obvious what she was doing. She then looked around as casually, as she could, her eyes passing over a figure dressed in black and grey, who was semi-hidden, but easily recognisable on a rooftop. At least to her eyesight.

Galatea made sure she showed no reaction and just kept glancing around, trying to look as natural as possible.

A group of kids ran past, making Emil tut and shake his head. "They should be in school," he commented.

"I could take them there if you want?" she suggested.

"No, no," he said. "Let them be. It's their own education they're missing out on."

She shrugged. "I wasn't being serious anyway."

The two of them stepped up to an artificial pond with ducks and fish, surrounded by a waist-high railing.

Emil leant on it, while Galatea glanced behind, casting her eyes back the way they had come, her eyes passing over the one she suspected of following them. She turned back around, looking at the ducks.

The man following them looked like he was straight from the nineteen-fifties, with a long blue trench coat and a matching brimmed hat. He was also wearing oversized reflective sunglasses and a large yellow scarf that matched his shirt. The combination covered just about every bit of visible flesh apart from a slither of forehead.

She couldn't quite pinpoint where she had last seen someone wearing that attire. But since she did recognise it, she suspected that he was either ex-Cadmus or Justice League.

Suddenly it dawned on her.

"Question," she muttered under her breath.

She had been given a file on all the known Justice Leaguers, back when she was Cadmus 'property'. She had looked up what little they knew but she had also seen him in person before. He had been with the green archer and Supergirl, back when she had tried to lure the Argoan to her death. Unfortunately, it had not been successful.

The sunglasses and scarf were probably hiding the faceless mask he wore. Unless he wasn't wearing it, but the man was crazy enough to double down on his disguise, with a faceless mask, sunglasses, and a scarf.

"I'm glad we came out," Emil said after a few moments. "I think this will do us good."

"Maybe," Galatea said, turning back around and leaning her back against the railing, looking to where she had last seen Question.

"What do you mean by that?" he asked, looking back at her.

She didn't answer. The Question was gone.

"Is something wrong?"

She turned back around. "No," she lied.

If she told him what she had seen, he would probably drag her off to another city, and she was hoping that the league would try to get her. She was itching for another good fight.

"Did you see someone?"

"No, just my super-hearing picked up someone shouting. It was nothing," she lied again.

He eyed her suspiciously. "If you're sure."

"I am," she said, as her attention was drawn to someone sat on a bench reading a newspaper. He was facing away from them, roughly two-hundred feet away. Even from this distance, she could make out the words of the page in the paper over his shoulder.

He changed the page, and her eyes caught an article about a Justice League induction tomorrow, at the Metro Tower. She smiled to herself.

"You want to go back to Pauline's place?" Emil asked. "You seem distracted."

"Hm?" she said, looking at him. "Oh no, I was just reading the newspaper."

He frowned. "What newspaper."

She pointed. "The one he's reading."

Emil chuckled. "I can barely tell he's holding a newspaper, let alone what it says."

"Your eyes aren't that bad," she retorted. "You can tell he's holding something, right?"

"Yeah, I can see he's holding something, just not a newspaper."

"I'll tell you what I wouldn't mind doing," Galatea began.

"What?"

"Getting some more clothes. I feel weird borrowing your friend's. They're a little tight in places."

"We don't really have much money," Emil reminded her.

"I'm not looking for anything designer," she assured him. "Just something simple."

"Okay, let's see what we can find," he accepted.

New Brighton

Central City

United States

10:45 – Central Standard Time

March 13, 2007

Wally West had been wandering around for the last few hours, the voice of his now former boss, echoing in his head.

He had been given the boot, fired, lost his job. It wasn't what he had expected when he walked in this morning, though now he knew he should have. Recently he had been taking more and more time off work, even faking illnesses. Now, it had finally all caught up with him.

The truth was, he did take the job seriously. It was just that he took his other job more seriously. The problem was, that that his job in forensics paid more. Though the league wage was slowly going up. He suspected Batman was one of the ones behind his payroll. He didn't really know who paid him, as it hadn't been disclosed.

He knew that he had gotten off lightly up till now. He had always feared that one day they'd decide to let him go. He had just tried to put it out of his mind and not think about it too much.

Wally wondered how the others did it. Well, he knew how Batman did it. He owned his job. In fact, out of the founders, only he and Clark were culpable. He would have to ask Supes how he did it and get a few pointers.

He stopped and sighed, as he found himself outside his apartment building. When he had awoken that morning, albeit twenty minutes late for work, Giganta hadn't been awake. He wondered if she would still be asleep, or if she would still be even in his apartment. She didn't strike him as the type to just lounge around all day. He had no idea what she had done yesterday when she had been left alone. He hadn't heard anything about any gigantic women terrorising the city, so if she had gone out, it hadn't been to do anything overtly nefarious.

After a deep inhalation of breath, he stepped inside and made his way up to his apartment. He unlocked the door and stepped inside, seeing Giganta sat on the small couch, watching the television.

She looked over at him, as he pushed the door closed and locked it. "You're back early."

He winced. "Yeah, I lost my job," he said.

She looked back to the screen. "I hope it didn't have anything to do with me?" she said. "Hanging around with a former supervillain can't be good for a hero's reputation."

Wally shook his head. "Nah, it was my other, non-hero day job."

She stood up and made her way over to him. "Does this mean we can go out somewhere now?"

He cringed. "Considering I lost my job, I think I'm going to have to save the pennies for a bit." He let out a sigh. "Well, at least I can be at the induction of those new league members tomorrow."

"There's gonna be new league members?" she asked.

"Yeah, four I think. One of them's one of Bat's guys. Darkwing or something."

"The others?"

"Big Barda, Mister Miracle and Argo."

Giganta stared at him blankly, before responding, "Never heard of any of them."

"I wouldn't really expect you to," he said. "Though maybe one day, it'll be you," he said hopefully.

She smiled. "That's a big maybe there.

"Why?"

"I'm not as selfless as you or the others," she admitted honestly.

"You're able to admit it, so there might be some hope for you."

She smiled wider. "If you think so."

"I do."

"Aww, I love your confidence. Thanks. I'm not sure that I would be willing to risk my life for someone else's."

"Have you ever tried to save anyone?"

"Apart from teammates? Not really. I'm not sure how my ability could be even useful in saving people."

"You could rescue people from the top floors of burning buildings," he said.

"I could, couldn't I," she agreed. She then put a comforting hand on her shoulder.

There was a brief moment of silence.

"I'm sorry about your job," she said, after a moment, giving him an unexpected hug. "Ooh," she said, squeezing him tighter. "You smell nice."

"Uh, sure," he said.

It wasn't that he didn't like her, as he really liked her. It was more that he had no idea if it could possibly ever work between them. He was actually scared about what the others would say if they found out. She wasn't just any villain after all. The seven founders had all fought her on several occasions. Diana for instance, held onto grudges. Shayera could attest to that, and Batman didn't trust his friends, let alone enemies.

Superman was more optimistic. He was willing to forgive and forget, more so than the others. Or at least when it came to most people. There were a few he hated with a passion, such as Luthor or Darkseid. Though those two had not been seen or heard of since the two had vanished together in Metropolis, after the last invasion.

For today, he knew he would have to talk to his aunt and uncle, and get their opinion on what had happened. First, though, he would have to get out of the death-grip like hug, Giganta still had him in.

Slowly, he eased her off of him. "Listen. There're some people I need to see tonight."

"Can I come?" she asked, hopefully.

"I don't think that would really be a good idea."

"Why not?"

"It's family I'm off to see."

"And I want to meet them," she insisted. "You can't expect me to sit around here all day."

"I'm not ready for you to meet them yet."

"I'm sure your mom isn't that bad."

"I'm actually off to see my aunt and uncle," Wally said.

"Oh come-on, Wallace. You'd think you were ashamed of me, or something."

"No, it's just that we've not even been going out a week yet."

"So what? I thought you liked things fast?"

"I do," he said. "It's just that I usually burn through relationships in a week or so. I don't want that to happen this time."

Giganta went quiet.

"I want this to work," he said with conviction. "I want this to last."

She reached up and caressed the side of his face. "You really are the sweetest man I've ever met," she told him honestly. "If you want to see your uncle alone, I won't try and interfere."

"No, you can come," he told her, relenting. "If I want this to be serious, then you should meet him, and my aunt. They're two of the most important people in my life."

"I promise I'll behave," she said sincerely.

"I know you will. We'll wait till tonight, though, once they get home from work."

"Where do they work?"

"Well, my Uncle used to work at the police station, in forensics like I do. Or did."

"Figures."

"Now he works at the hospital, working with patients who have lost the use of limbs."

"And your aunt?"

"Galaxy Communications."

"And which one's the relation?"

"Aunt."

"So the uncle is family through her?"

"Yes," he answered. "Why so interested?"

"Because I want to know more about you, Wallace."

"It's Wally."

"Sure," she said grinning. "And I can't wait to meet them."

"They'll like you, I'm sure," he told her, before adding mentally. Provided they don't find out who you really are.

Park Ridge

Gotham

United States

11:22 – Eastern Standard Time

March 13, 2007

It was Barbara's day off from the precinct. Today, she was not going to do anything, and just sit back and relax. She had laid in till ten and had slowly risen, had a shower, some breakfast, and now she was relaxing on the couch, watching some cooking show.

That's when she received a knock at her door.

She stood up and made her way to the door. She pulled it open, seeing Dick stood on the other side.

"What a pleasant surprise," she said.

He smiled. "Hi, Babs. Your day off, right?"

"Yeah, it is."

"Fancy going out somewhere?"

"I was planning on a quiet day, just sitting ogling the TV."

"Oh," he said, his face falling.

"No, no," she said waving her hands. "I meant, that that was the plan, but sure, I'll come out with you. Just hold on."

She moved over into the lounge and switched off the television, before grabbing her coat. After locking the door, Richard led her to the nearest parking lot.

"So, where are we heading?"

"Thought I'd drive us to the river, take a walk along it and talk. Then go for some lunch."

"Sounds nice."

He stepped over to a red 1970 Chevelle, with a black vinyl roof, and an SS on the front grill, which she knew probably stood for 'Super Sport'.

"Nice car," she commented.

"A side project," he told her as he climbed in behind the wheel.

She got in the passenger side. "Side project?" she asked.

"Was a wreck. Mistreated by the previous owners and not well maintained."

"I thought you were more a motorcycle guy."

"I am, but I like the classics too. Plus it's easier to get a full week's groceries in one go with a car."

"I bet."

He started the engine, and the powerful V8 roared into life. Barbara couldn't help but shake her head, a small smile crossing her lips. Boys and their toys, she thought.

Her smile grew larger once got onto the road, and he started accelerating hard.

"Watch it," she warned playfully. "I'm with the force. I might have to arrest you if you drive too crazy."

"I'm not speeding," he replied, not taking his eyes off of the road.

"Well, you're certainly not wasting any time, regardless."

He grinned. "Maybe I'll take you to the track someday. Then I'll show you what she can really do, especially with my tweaks."

"Thanks, but I'm not really that interested in seeing you show off."

It didn't take them long to get to their destination. After locking the car and feeding the parking meter, the two went for a walk, heading eastwards, the Statue of Justice looming tall at the mouth of the river in the distance.

The Statue was a lot like the Statue of Liberty in New York, with the sculpture of a woman holding a torch. But instead of a stone tablet in the left hand, Lady Justice held a giant shield. Both statues together made the phrase 'For Liberty and Justice for all' and the shield represented that Justice was something that defended the people and the torch, like that in New York was a symbol of hope.

The two of them leant on a railing and looked across the river, watching the ships as they sailed slowly alongit.

"Dick," Barbara began. "I have to know something?"

"What's that?" he asked, looking at her.

"Do you still have feelings for me?"

He cast his gaze back to the river. "You're a good friend, Babs. When we were at college, sure. I was attracted to you. But now? No, I don't think of you like that anymore." He looked back at her. "Why do you ask?"

"No reason," she said a little too quickly.

"You can tell me," he said. "If you need to get something off your chest, then do it. I'm here for you."

"It's about Bruce."

"You have feelings for him?" Richard asked in surprise.

She shook her head. "I did, but not anymore."

Richard looked at her but said nothing.

Barbara felt like she had to explain. "You have to understand, I had started to see us as a family. Bruce was the father figure to Tim and he was kinda like a son to me too, y'know?"

"No," Richard said, not understanding. He looked her up and down, before looking back out to the river. "Did you love him?" he asked her finally.

"Who Bruce?"

"Yes," he affirmed.

"Yes, I did."

"I suspected, but why?" Richard questioned, a hint of anger in his voice.

"I don't know, Richard. It just sorta happened. It was passionate, romantic and it happened so fast." She gritted her teeth. "Then the Joker kidnapped Tim and tortured him. The stress of that and Bruce becoming distant." She rested her hand on her stomach, which didn't go unnoticed by Richard.

"Were you pregnant?" he questioned, his tone cold.

"I didn't know until later," she tried to explain. "The stress of what happened. It was too much. I did things. It made me miscarry."

He just stared at her.

"Dick?"

He was at a complete loss for words. Never in a thousand years had he ever expected her to ever say that. Then slowly, the shock was replaced by anger.

He grabbed her by the shoulders and spun her around to face him. "You were pregnant with his kid?" he shouted at her. "I thought you were smarter than that!" He began to shake her. "How could you?"

"Dick, you're hurting me."

He let her go and turned his back to her. "I thought you were smart. You know what kind of man he is, Babs. You know what he's like. Any child of his brought into this world, he'll warp and twist, just like he did me. You think what the Joker did to Tim broke hBruce, don't you. You're wrong. It just revealed who he really was."

He reached into his pocket and pulled out some cash, forcefully shoving sixty dollars into her hand.

"What's this for?"

"The Taxi ride home."

"This is too much"

He didn't reply. He turned around and walked away, leaving her stood there clutching the money.

"You're just walking away!?" she shouted after him, feeling confused as to what had just happened.

Her eyes never left him, as he climbed into his car and drove away.

She turned back to face the river, a tear rolling down her face. She didn't know how things had gone so wrong. Her life had seemed perfect. Everything had fallen into place.

But the man with the bleached white face and red lips had destroyed it. Not a week went by where she didn't hear that laugh in her sleep, in her nightmares. Even thinking about it made her shiver.

Finally, she turned away from the railing and began to make her way slowly home.

Wayne Estate

Gotham City

United States

12:48 – Eastern Standard Time

March 13, 2007

Richard slid to a halt outside the tall gates of Wayne Manor. His drive up here had not made his mood any better. If anything, it had made it worse. He was livid.

The truth was he did still have strong feelings for Barbara and he always would. To find that she had slept with Bruce. He had literally found out that the woman he loved had slept with the man who he had seen as his father for most of his life.

He hit the buzzer on the gate and waited while Alfred answered.

"It's Dick. I want to see Bruce!"

"I'll let you in, Master Dick."

By the time the electronic gate had swung open, he was back in his car and speeding up the winding driveway.

He once again slid to a halt, as he stormed up to the house. Alfred opened the door.

"Is everything alright, Master Dick?" he asked, catching a glimpse of his sour face.

"I want to talk to Bruce."

"He's in the cave. Though I must admit, we weren't expecting to see you until tonight."

"I'm not sure if I'm still even going to be eligible for the league. Not after I've seen him," he said, as he stepped inside the house.

"May I ask why not?"

"I think assaulting a founder will make me exempt."

"Please, Master Dick. I must ask that you reign in your temper before going to see Master Bruce," Alfred pleaded.

"I'm not sure I can, Alfred. He took advantage of Babs and that's not something I can forgive."

"Please, whatever happened between them was consensual."

"Nothing's consensual when it comes to Batman."

"You need to calm down a little," Alfred suggested.

"How can I?" Dick questioned angrily.

"Perhaps some herbal tea will calm your nerves."

"Sorry, but I'm more of a water drinker."

"Would you like a glass of water, then?"

Dick sighed, rubbing his eyes with his palms. "No. I think that just this once, I'll have some of your herbal tea. It's not you I'm angry with. Sorry if I'm being a bit short with you."

"Nonsense. You are upset. I will help ease your mood before you see Master Bruce."

Alfred led him into the large lounge, where he sat himself down. The seasoned butler then moved off into the kitchen. A few minutes or so later, he returned with the cup in hand.

"Thanks," Dick said, taking it off of him.

He took a sip. The warm liquid flowed down to his stomach, almost instantly taking the edge off of his temper.

"Thanks," he said again.

"It's quite alright, Master Dick."

He continued to slowly sip until the cup was empty.

"I needed that. Thanks, Alfred."

"There's no need to keep thanking me. I do what I can to help, Master Dick."

"Then go see Barbara. She needs someone who won't let her down, and I sure as hell can't offer that. I'm too much like Batman, and it would be better if she didn't have people like me in her life. She deserves better."

"I will take it into consideration."

He stood up. "Now I guess I'll go talk to him."

"Try to avoid fisticuffs if you can."

"I'll try, but only because you're asking."

He headed off for the clock and turned the hands to the specific time. There was a click, and it opened. He stepped inside, the clock moving back into place behind him.

Slowly, he made his way down the steps, forcing himself to keep his cool.

He reached the base, seeing Batman sat at the computer, staring up at it. On the screen was the image of a black-haired woman, next to an older man. It appeared that the image had been taken from afar.

"Spying on people?" Dick asked.

"You're early," Batman said, without taking his eyes off the screen.

"I'm early because I need answers."

Batman looked at him. "You're not in uniform," he commented.

"I'm always in uniform," Dick replied. "It's just beneath these clothes."

"What do you need to ask?"

"I need to ask why?"

"Why? Don't play games, Dick. If you're going to ask a question, then ask it."

"You don't get to call me that anymore, Bruce!" he spat, before casting a long look around the cave. So many memories. He'd like to think they were all pleasant. Unfortunately, this place was just too tainted. It only brought up the bad memories, not the good ones.

"You're going to have to speak to me," Batman said after a few moments of silence. "I'm not a telepath."

"I want to know how you could do that to Barbara!?"

"We've been through this. She decided to leave of her own accord."

"You bastard!" Richard said in a raised voice. "If you truly loved her, you wouldn't have driven her away. She was pregnant with your kid and you offer no support when she miscarried!? How could you do that?"

"It was her decision, Richard. For both of them. Barbara and Tim."

"No. You made the decision for her!"

"You don't know what you're talking about."

"I know you had an obligation, but you're selfish. You always have been. You care more about yourself than you do about anybody else."

"Watch your tone."

"No, I won't. You discarded her when things didn't go the way you wanted them to. You're a perverse control freak."

"That's enough!" Batman shouted, losing his usual cool.

"Joker was your perfect nemesis," Richard continued. "I think his death hit you harder than if it had been Tim that died!"

"You don't dare say that!"

"Too close to home? You're just like him."

"I'm nothing like the Joker!"

"No? Just look at me. I'm your Harley Quinn. You've screwed up my mind and made me just like you. I'm suspicious, obsessive and I push everyone away. It would have been better if I'd been raised by the circus."

"Then go back to them, then," Batman said, his voice suddenly becoming calm as he regained control.

"No, because I said I would join your league, and I'm not backing down now," he promised. "I might not be able to stand you, Bruce, but I have something to offer the Justice League and I feel they owe me some answers."

Batman said nothing as he focused back to the two images on the screen. "Are you done with your soapbox?" he asked.

"I'll see you tonight," Dick said as he turned and made his way back up to the house. He needed time to cool off and think and staying in the same room as Bruce would only make him madder.

A few minutes later, he was back on the open road.

Updated December 2017