A/N: Hallie: THE FINAL CHAPTER! It is here. I am going to miss writing Joshy for the time being. [This isn't the end of Josh, though.]

If you enjoyed this story and want to see what happens next, feel free to check out the next installment: It's All Led Up to Now. [Following that one is Flight of Mind.]

I do not own Young Justice, the JL, Batman, Marie Logan, or Garfield Logan.

I do own Joshua Logan, Ren Logan, Creatonia, the Ost, and Alicia.

Feedback is always appreciated. Enjoy! :D

Chapter 10

"Josh? Can you take care of Gar? I'm handling Ren!"

"Got it!"

Josh headed over to the nursery room and picked up his two-month-old son. The crying baby quieted down after being lifted into his father's arms. "Hey, Garfield. My little man. Why don't we get your bottle?"

The Creatonian carried him out into the kitchen where he found a frustrated Marie trying to put shoes on a two-and-a-half-year-old Ren. The little girl kept kicking her legs and repeating, "Barefoot!"

"Princess, it's cold outside. You can't go without shoes."

Ren did not relent, "Barefoot."

Josh came up from behind his wife and crouched down to maintain eye-contact with the little girl who was seated on the counter, "Rennie, if you don't put on your shoes, we can't see Uncle Bruce."

She stopped kicking.

Marie was going to be gone for most of the day for an annual doctor's appointment. Josh had Saturdays off from his job as assistant Zookeeper at Gotham Zoo. He applied for the position after graduating college with a degree in Zoology.

Josh had to discuss League matters with Bruce, but also had to bring the children.

Not that they minded.

Josh placed Gar in his baby basket and took Ren by the hand. After kissing Marie goodbye, he was on his way. Over the past two years, the Ost had kept true to its word and had not lightened on its verbal torments. Josh had gotten much better at ignoring the negative comments constantly running through his mind.

After his collapse, he realized how awful the situation had become. He finally admitted to himself that he couldn't deal with it alone. Josh then chose to tell Marie and the seven original Leaguers about the Ost.

Martian Manhunter began to help Josh strengthen his mental resistance against the Ost. It kept taunting him, though, becoming crueler as the months went on. It would sometimes resort to threats, but they were usually empty. Though, the latest threats concerned his family, instead of just himself.

They seemed less empty.

Josh arrived at Wayne Manor and was greeted by Alfred at the door. Ren tore away from her father and ran to the elder man, hugging his legs, "Alfie!"

Alfred reached down to pat the head of the small girl, "Yes, hello dear. Welcome back, Mr. Logan."

"You can call me Josh, Alfred."

"Very well. Master Bruce is in his study, Mr. Logan."

Josh chuckled to himself and headed into the Manor, gaining shelter from the biting cold. Ren had become very accustomed to the layout, so she sped ahead of him.

Bruce looked up from his paperwork when he heard the pitter-patter of little feet rushing closer. His goddaughter appeared in the doorway of his office with a grin on her face. He smiled as she giggled and ran around the desk to climb on his lap.

Her green eyes looked up at him, "Uncle Bruce!"

"Hey there, Princess."

Josh soon entered the study, still holding Gar. He gave Bruce an apologetic smile, "Sorry that I had to bring the kids. Marie has a doctor's appointment and couldn't bring them along and-"

The billionaire cut him off, "Josh, it's fine. I never mind seeing Ren and Gar."

Josh set Garfield's carrier on a chair, making sure to be gentle, so he didn't wake up. He sat down in the other chair across from the desk. The two men began the meeting, discussing things concerning the new members of the League and the Injustice League that had formed. The IJL had also become aware of the location of Mount Justice, compromising it. The League was forced to move their Headquarters into a space satellite called the Watchtower.

The points they made would be brought up in a full League meeting that would be held later in the month. Bruce shifted Ren from one knee to the other, "How are you doing with it in your Dreamscape these days?"

Josh sighed, "It's been threatening to go into the Dreamscapes of Marie, Ren, and Gar. I am afraid that it's serious. I don't want that deity anywhere near my family."

Bruce nodded in understanding, "Is there anything you can do to prevent it?"

"Protecting one's Dreamscape is an individual feat. Though, I think that it can be in only one Dreamscape at a time. If so, I would be able to feel if it left mine. I don't know enough about it to stop it, though."

"How do you learn more about it?"

"The only information on the deity would be back in Creatonia."

He couldn't just go back to his homeworld. How would he accomplish it? Would he even be able to return?

It would mean leaving his family behind, for there was no way he was bringing them with him. He couldn't do that. But, if his family were mentally in danger, then he would do almost anything to protect them.

After the meeting was over, Bruce said that Josh could hang around with Marie's appointment was over. Being the CEO of a company had its perks- one being the ability to control his schedule.

Ren had run to one of the large windows in the den, pressing her face up against the glass to watch the heavy snow falling to the ground. Her eyes followed the snowflakes with wonderment. Gar was still sleeping in his carrier when Josh walked up being his daughter and lifted her up. Ren squealed, "Daddy!"

Josh was very impressed with how quickly she had learned to speak and how clear her words were for a toddler. She could form complete, yet simple, sentences while being understood. Ren was growing up to be a brilliant girl.

Bruce and Josh turned to look at Alfred when they heard him enter the room wearing a concerned expression. He cleared his throat, "Mr. Logan? There is a phone call for you."

Josh furrowed his eyebrows. How would someone know to call him at Bruce's? The only person who had Bruce's number and used it to contact him would be… Marie.

He quickly followed Alfred to the phone, leaving Bruce with Ren and Gar. Josh took the phone from the Butler, "Hello?"

"Hello, is this Joshua Logan?"

"Yes."

"I am calling from Gotham Mercy Hospital and regret to inform you that your wife, Marie Logan, has been involved in a car crash."

Josh's blood ran cold, "I-is she alright?"

"She is currently admitted to the Intensive Care Unit. The injuries are severe."

The Creatonian took a shaky breath, "I will be there as soon as I can."

He put the phone back into its holder and walked back into the den, his face ashen. Bruce looked over from where he was playing with Ren, "Josh? What's going on?"

Josh swallowed, "It's, uh, Marie. She was in a car accident and is in the ICU. I need to go and see her. C-can you watch over Ren and Gar for me, please?"

The Creatonian's mind was numb, and he could barely process what he was saying.

The billionaire nodded, "Yeah. Of course."

Ren walked over to her father; she could tell that something was off, "Daddy?"

Josh knelt down and pulled her into a hug, "Daddy has to go somewhere for a little bit, and you and your brother are going to stay here with Uncle Bruce. I'll be back soon, Princess."

"Promise?"

"Promise."

Marie didn't make it until the next morning.

The following week could have been summed up as a blur.

Josh took a few days off work. A small funeral for Marie was held. Ren was confused and slowly come to the realization that her mother was never coming back.

There were tears.

Bruce helped out with Ren and Gar. And mostly, Josh wanted everything to stop.

He needed to think and process what the hell had just occurred. He was overwhelmed.

His wife and best friend was dead.

Gone.

Just like that.

And he didn't even have the time to sit down and mourn properly.

It was three days after the funeral and Josh was sitting in a silent apartment. Ren and Gar were with Bruce. The Creatonian appreciated the help, but it couldn't go on forever. He couldn't afford a babysitter, but couldn't leave his young children home alone.

He was lost and broken.

He didn't know what to do anymore.

'I can help.'

He groaned, not this. Not now.

'If you allow me to assist you, you will not lose any more loved ones.'

Never.

'You will regret your resistance one day.'

Josh brushed off the comment; he didn't have the time to deal with this. As much as he felt that he couldn't move forward, he had to for the sake of his kids. He'd have to deal with the pain later but now was not the time.

Because the fact of the matter was, life moved on, whether he was ready to or not.

He didn't want to be left behind.

The days seemed to drag on, getting longer and slower with each passing sunrise. Soon two weeks passed, then three, then a month, then two.

It felt like a year.

Josh's focus was solely on his children. Gar was too young to know what tragedy had occurred, but Ren had figured it out. The little girl was quieter and laughed less. The sight of his daughter losing the shine in her eyes was almost as painful as losing Marie.

Alicia, thankfully, ran a daycare and offered Ren and Gar a spot. She would even stay later if Josh were caught up with something. She was a gift from above.

Josh had become much more drawn back among his fellow Leaguers. They had been informed of the situation, and a few had tried to console him, but to no avail. Bruce wanted to help him but had no idea how. Both men shared a quality of shutting people out when something was lost.

The billionaire could understand losing someone so dear, so he left him alone as he wished. His major way of helping was to take the kids off of his hands for a few hours here and there.

What Josh's mind kept wandering to was back to a comment the Ost had made a few months prior. He had brushed it off then, but he was wondering if it was meant to be a serious threat. It hadn't been the only one, for the ones focused on his family were becoming more common.

More deadly.

He had begun basic training with Ren (she wasn't in the Watchtower quite yet) and could see how powerful she had the potential to be. If the Ost went into his daughter's Dreamscape before she had full control, he had no clue what it would do to her.

Some type of action had to be taken. He didn't want to, but he might just have to.

Josh left Ren and Gar with Alicia and made his way to the Watchtower.

Recognized, Image. 05.

The Creatonian immediately spotted Batman working alone at one of the computers and beelined towards him, "I need your help."

The Dark Knight turned around to face his friend, interest peaked due to the urgency in his voice, "With what?"

He glanced around and lowered his voice, "Getting back to Creatonia."

"What?"

"Please."

"How?"

"That's what I need help with."

Batman sighed, "You're going to need more than just my help."

Josh nodded, "Alright."

Batman gathered the other six original Leaguers, informing them of Josh's plan.

He didn't really have one.

Get to Creatonia and then figure out what to do with the Ost. He didn't know how to get there or how long the actual mission would take.

The Ost was threatening his children. He didn't need a plan to know he had to stop it and protect them. Martian Manhunter spoke up, "How did you get from Creatonia to Earth?"

"My father built a portal. I have no idea how to duplicate it."

"What about Dr. Fate? He can open up portals," Wonder Woman said.

Flash added in, "Isn't that limited?"

The Amazonian thought about it, "Maybe we could enlist the assistance of Zatara?"

Josh nodded, "Yeah… They could definitely help us."

Aquaman leaned forward on the table the eight heroes were gathered around, "Image, do you even know what is going to happen? Are you going to bring your children with you?"

"No. Never. It would put them in harm's way."

The Atlantean sighed, "Then where will they go? Are you just going to leave them? Are you even sure when you will be back? Are you even sure you will be back?"

Josh had no response. He didn't know. He just had to protect them.

Batman said, "We'll find someplace for his children. They will be in good hands."

The Creatonian racked his mind for any idea for what to do.

Hal Jordan crossed his arms, "How are they supposed to grow up knowing their fathers left and might never return?"

"They won't."

The attention turned back to Josh, "They'll think I've died."

Hal narrowed his eyes, "First their mother and now their father?

Manhunter spoke up, "Maybe they could think they have lost them at the same time."

The Creatonian looked over, "How?"

"Mental manipulation."

Batman watched the two men begin to discuss the possible idea. Making Ren and Gar think they've lost both of their parents… He knew how damaging that could be. But, he also realized how stubborn Joshua could be and that he wouldn't be able to change his mind.

He had to make sure the situation went as smoothly for the children as he could allow.

The plan they formulated was anything but a simple one.

Dr. Fate and Zatara were able to figure out how to open a one way portal to Creatonia. Martian Manhunter began to alter Ren's memories to make her remember her parents both dying in the same car crash- a sort of illusion.

All while Bruce and Josh went to fake the Creatonian's death to the public eye. Bruce tried to convince Josh that there was another way, but his logic and reason had become skewed when his children became involved.

Ren and Gar were to be placed in a hospital, to simulate them being in the crash with their parents. Bruce would have to act as if he had lost his closest friends to convince Ren and the Public. He had then offered to become the legal guardian of the children.

It would be better for them to be placed with someone they knew than to be thrown into the foster care system. Then the League would still have contact with them and would be able to assist in power training.

The League was to maintain the façade that Image was dead until- if ever- he returned.

Ren and Gar were also never to learn the truth.

Josh stood in his apartment for what would be the final time. The plan was to go into action the following day. Ren was on the floor of the living room, playing with her stuffed tiger. Gar was asleep in his playpen a few feet away.

Guilt was eating Josh from the inside out.

There was not a word to describe the pain he felt at the thought of leaving his children behind. But, he had to keep them safe from the Ost. The only way he would be able to do that was by gaining information on it. That is what he hoped to do in Creatonia.

The past few months had been a nightmare for him, but there was no time to feel sorry for himself.

Get up.

Move forward.

Move on.

Josh had spent the past 48 hours with Ren and Gar. He jumped when he felt a sudden hand on his shoulder. He turned to see Bruce, "I hate this."

"I know."

Josh sighed, running a hand through his hair, "Thank you… For everything."

"Anytime."

The two men's eyes locked on the young children. "Take care of them, alright?"

"I will. I promise."

Ren blinked open her eyes to find herself in a dark and moving car. Gar was asleep next to her, her parents talking in the front seats, and it was snowing.

The little girl could vaguely recall coming from ice skating. She heard her father mutter something about the roads being slick.

She wasn't sure what that meant.

Suddenly, everything went bright.

Her parents were screaming.

CRASH!

Ren wasn't knocked out, but she did tumble out of her car seat. The seat belt got broken off. She gingerly crawled up and into the front seat. Her father's neck was positioned at an odd angle. Her mother had a shard of glass in her chest.

They weren't moving.

She scrambled back into the backseat, shaking. She glanced at her brother, whose little eyes were looking around. He was too young to know what was going on. He looked as if he was about to cry.

A weird scent entered the air.

Something in the little girl's gut told her to get out.

Ren would never be able to tell you how she was able to get her little brother and herself out of the car, but she did. The final thing she could remember before she woke up in the hospital was the car bursting into flames.

Then: nothing.

Fin