Author's Notes:
Here it is: the epilogue for "Last Resort!" I'm a little sad to be ending this one, but at the same time I'm a bit glad to be moving on to more stories, including a Batman Beyond and Warriors crossover. I know they're two very different things (one about people with or without powers living in the city and one about cats living in the forest), but I figured it would be fairly interesting to experiment with those two. Oh well, that's another story. Without further ado, here's the epilogue...
Bruce sat in front of the large Batcomputer tensely. He had been sitting like this for over an hour with Ace and Ed sitting beside him. The rat was fast asleep on the large dog's back as he, too, slept. Bruce slowly turned down the music he had been playing to help the two pets calm down and sleep before completely turning it off. The silence made the old man even more tense. Who knew that Judas Priest and Iron Maiden could keep me somewhat calm and have these two settle down a bit? he wondered. He let out sigh of despair. Coba. I hope she, Terry, Dick, and Selina are alright. I haven't heard from either of them since Coba contacted me about an hour ago.
It was not long until Ed woke back up and looked around anxiously. At first Bruce thought it was because he had turned off the heavy metal, but Ace raising his head up a few seconds later with his ears twitching in the direction of the big cave entrance disproved the old man's theory. Then Wayne heard it as well: a motorcycle engine. He stood up with the help of his cane as a single headlight shined through the cave. Ace stood up as well after helping Ed climb up onto Bruce's right shoulder. They approached the two riders of the motorcycle that came in. The driver grinned at him. "I told you I'd return it. Junior here thought I wouldn't."
The passenger shot the driver an indignant glance. "Hey, it was Nightwing's concern, not mine."
"It was yours, too. Come on, Batboy: admit it."
"Old hag," Terry muttered.
"What was that?" Selina asked with mock severity.
"Fine, I was concerned!" Terry surrendered. "Who wouldn't be?"
"Where are Dick and Coba?" Bruce inquired concernedly.
"They're fine, you big worry-wort," Selina reassured him playfully. "They're just leaving the 'Wingcycle' outside. They'll be here in a few minutes."
At the cave entrance, Dick and Coba had just finished hiding the Wingcycle and were heading into the cave, walking along the cave's stone driveway. After getting a few hundred feet into the cave, Dick took off his mask before looking at Coba. "Tell me something, kid," he started curiously.
Coba was a bit caught off guard by the hint of confusion in his voice, but remained unfazed by it as she took off her own mask as well and pulled her hair out of the ponytail she had tied it back into to wear the mask. "Tell you what?" she inquired, even though she knew what he was going to ask her.
"You nearly panicked three times tonight, but you managed to calm yourself enough to not. How did you do that?"
The girl stopped walking, then looked into the man's only eye solemnly as he stopped as well. "I remembered something you said last night about looking within myself to find courage, and also what you said this morning about how you focus on the task at hand to keep yourself from showing your fear to yor enemies. Well," she admitted, "I didn't really succeed with hiding my fear, did I?"
"Not really," Grayson replied grimly, "but it wasn't easy for me at first, either. Was there anything else that drove you?"
"Yeah," Coba answered with a nod. "I thought of how you, Grandmother, and the rest of my friends and family would feel if I died."
Dick looked at her curiously with his right eyebrow raised. "Did you think of quitting as Batgirl?" he asked.
"It crossed my mind at one point, but I can't really picture myself as a 'normal' human being with a 'normal' life without constantly facing life and death situations, no matter how stressful they may be." Coba noticed that Dick was a bit surprised by her decision. "I'm sorry," she apologized. "I know you're not thrilled about kids being vigilantes."
"Don't be sorry, kid," Dick calmly told her. "I became a vigilante when I was a little younger than you are, and I'm still one. You became one before we even met. It's not my place to tell you to stop." He allowed his words to sink in, then added, "But it is my place to offer you some lessons in combat."
It was Coba's turn to be surprised. "You mean that?"
Nightwing grinned at her. "Absolutely. Tonight and last night I noticed that you could use some more training—more one-on-one, to be exact. The kind Bruce isn't able to offer due to his health. I'm not saying that you don't have skills, though."
"I know," Brooklyn stated with a reassuring grin. "I'd like that. I think Bruce would agree, even if he is a bit hesitant at first." She hugged him warmly. "Thanks, Grandfather."
Grayson hugged her back, smiling bigger. "No problem, Granddaughter."
Brooklyn did not protest at this title like she had originally thought she would. She instead welcomed it, and felt that it fit. It's a lot sooner than I expected, too, she noted, grinning a little more.
The duo pulled out of each other's embrace after a few moments before continuing down the driveway. It was not long until they entered the main cave, where Bruce, Selina, Terry, Ace and Ed were waiting for them. Bruce quickly hobbled over to them and hugged Coba. Ed carefully slid down from Bruce's shoulder to Coba's left shoulder, then affectionately licked her left earlobe. Without being told, Coba knew that her legal guardian had been worried and hugged him back. "Sorry for scaring you, Bruce," she apologized sagely.
Instead of scolding her like she had expected, Wayne looked at her and Grayson. "Are you two alright?"
"Yeah, old man," Dick said good-humouredly. "We're both fine."
"I guess my word wasn't enough," Selina mused in a mutter.
"I guess not," Terry agreed. He looked at the old woman curiously. "What was it that brought you back to Gotham, anyways?"
"I'd like to know that as well," Coba said calmly, curiosity also in her voice.
"So would I," Grayson atoned gruffly, narrowing his one eye at her.
Kyle hesitated nervously at first upon receiving Dick's stern gaze, but relaxed considerably when she received reassuring glances from Bruce and Coba. Thanks, both of you, she silently thanked, though she knew that only Coba would receive it. Letting out a small sigh, she told them what she had told the first Batman the previous night.
"So let me get this straight," Terry said once Selina was done speaking: "You and Grayson are Coba's grandparents, except Grayson didn't know about Natalie's birth or that she was his daughter, and you were in Paris all this time?"
Selina nodded solemnly. "Pretty much." She turned to Coba. "Earlier you asked how your grandfather and I got together. Would you like to hear about it now?"
"Only if it's alright with him," Coba responded, gesturing to Grayson.
"It is," Dick answered grimly. "It's not a subject I'm particularly fond of, but it has to come out at some point. Now is as good a time as any." He looked at Selina, though he continued to talk to his young granddaughter. "Actually, now that I think of it, we've had several encounters involving us flirting with each other. I don't exactly know when we—you know."
"I know," Selina replied grimly. "Both what you're saying and when we—you know," she stated with a small grin as she winked at Dick, who scowled at her in response.
"Would it be alright if I went home or on patrol while you guys are discussing this?" Terry inquired Bruce, noticably uncomfortable. "I'm not exactly crazy about these discussions."
Bruce nodded. "Take the night off. You've had a rough time tonight: everyone has."
Like I always do, the teen thought. "Thanks." He turned and left the Batcave. Well, hopefully I'll be able to see Mom and Matt before they go to bed. I kinda miss being able to, even though they do sometimes drive me crazy. He smirked. Like a certain old man I know.
Selina looked at Coba once more after Terry had left. "What do you know about a thug named Enrique el Gancho?" she asked her granddaughter.
Coba thought hard for a moment, the name swimming in her mind. "He was a smuggler from South America that went by the nickname 'Ricky the Hook' because of his hook hand," she answered. She realized something. "That's what brought you and Grandfather together, wasn't it? While the two of you working together, though for different reasons without him knowing at first?" She paused for a moment, then realized, "And it was between the time you two found the tracer on your whip and when you put it on your cat Isis?"
"Exactly," Selina grinned, somewhat grim. She gently ruffled Coba's hair fondly. "Not bad, Girl Wonder."
"A fitting title, really, especially considering she's still alive after what's happened the past couple of nights."
Bruce, Dick, Selina and Coba turned to the cave entrance in surprise to see Barbara Gordon standing on the steps with Terry standing behind her. Without him saying so, the foursome in the cave knew that he did not tell Barbara about Selina's prescence. "Yes, Coba," the commissioner spoke again, walking down the steps, "I know what you've been going through. Bruce filled me in earlier while I was on my way to Wheeler's ranch."
I didn't tell her about your heritage, though, Bruce thought to Coba. I figured you'd like to tell her if it ever came down to it.
The girl made a quick nod at Bruce in acknowledgement. To her relief, Barbara did not notice it.
Barbara came to a stop directly in front of Selina, her gaze somewhat spiteful. Coba shifted uneasily as Selina glared back. Dick placed a reassuring hand on Coba's shoulder, causing her to relax once more. "You've got a lot of nerve to come back where you're a wanted woman," Barbara stated a bit coldly.
"If by that you mean coming back to find my daughter because I was worried for her well being, then yes, I do have a lot of nerve," Catwoman retorted.
Gordon blinked in surprise, though she still had doubts. "Selina Kyle is more concerned with another person other than herself? That's a new one."
"I know," Selina admitted. "But it's the truth."
"I've heard that line before, too."
"It's true," Coba spoke up suddenly.
Barbara eyed the young girl curiously, a glint of hardness in her eyes. "How do you know that your grandmother isn't lying?"
"I'm psychic, remember?" Coba said calmly, despite feeling a bit uncomfortable by the first Batgirl's gaze.
"Wait, how did you know that they're related?" Terry inquired in surprise.
"We had bloodwork done on her after her mother died to identify any relatives she may have," Barbara replied sagely. "Only two of them were in Gotham: Bruce and your father. I would have called Dick if Bruce wasn't up for being an adoptive parent again, but he's managed so far."
Bruce looked at Coba a little irritably. "You mean you had it done before we did it the other day?"
Coba thought about it in shock, then looked down shamefully. "I'm sorry, Bruce. I didn't remember it then."
The old man softened his gaze apologetically. "Don't be sorry, kid," he said calmly. "It was before you lost your memory." He looked back to Barbara. "I'm guessing that you're here to arrest Selina."
Gordon shook her head, smiling in amusement. "Actually, no." When everyone looked at her in surprise, she continued. "After what happened at the ranch tonight—which I know from the teenagers' accounts that she had helped free them and didn't steal anything—I'm denouncing the hunt for her. I've instead come to make her an offer: free housing for a few months, at least until you figure out what you want to do and get back on your feet. You'll be watched for the first couple of weeks by some of my men, just to be sure that you're not up to your old tricks, but after that you'll have the place to yourself."
Selina blinked in astonishment. "That's the best you can do?" she playfully teased.
Barbara managed a grin at that remark. "Yep, that's the best I can do. What do you say to it?"
Kyle was silent for a few minutes, thinking it over. Coba was the only one aside from Selina to know exactly how many concerns Selina had and what the concerns were. After what seemed like forever, the woman nodded. "I accept."
"Good. What time would you like to leave?"
"In a little while: I'd like to talk with these guys a bit more. Mind if I just let you know when I'm ready?"
The commissioner nodded. "Fine by me. I have a few things I want to say, as well." She looked back at Coba. "You had Bruce call me about the ranch, didn't you? It's not like him to do it without having some pressure added to him first."
Brooklyn looked at her solemnly. "You're right, I told him to," she admitted. "I couldn't think of a better way. Even if we did manage to escape—which we did, although I wasn't sure if we would—we wouldn't have been able to detain all of the guards and take them to you to deal with."
"I would've lost my job if the mayor were sitting in my office when I received the call," Barbara said a bit sourly. "You're lucky it was just my husband."
"I know, and I'm sorry. But—"
"But nothing," Barb snapped. "You put all of our identities and reputations at risk, possibly even our lives. I thought you were smarter than this."
"She was right to do so in this case, Barb," Dick sided with his granddaughter, placing a hand on the young girl's shoulder as he noticed her look down shamefully. "As cocky as I am, I know for a fact that we couldn't have completely taken care of them ourselves, and everyone in the city would be in trouble if she didn't have Bruce tell you. She must've figured that saving the city was more important than risking our identities being exposed, and I agree, even if it does cost any of us our jobs or lives."
Gordon considered his words for a moment. As much as I hate to say it, he's got a point. She looked back at Coba. "Is that what you were thinking?" she inquired.
Coba looked back up at her solemnly and nodded. "Yes."
"Then I take back my statement. You did well tonight." Barbara turned to everyone else. "All of you did. Better than me and my men, even: according to the children, you fought the guards head on when you could and got them out of there in a more timely fashion than we could have."
The four vigilantes who had been at the ranch exchanged glances of surprise from the praise, then the youngest two grinned. "What'll become of Wheeler?" Coba asked suddenly, her expression grave once more.
"We'll let the people and the law decide that," Barbara said grimly, "but chances of him getting free without charges look slim. We have an eyewitness account from a girl who escaped from him last night. She was brought into my office by Tim and Heather Drake just before the station was to close."
"Jennifer," Coba murmured.
Barbara nodded. "Yes, it was Jennifer. She told me a great deal about how you, Dick and the Drakes helped her."
Grayson face-palmed, remembering something. "That reminds me: she says thank you," he stated as he turned to Coba, his face burning with embarrassment.
Brooklyn nodded in acknowledgment, then reached up and touched him on the shoulder to let him know that she was not upset with his delay in relaying Jennifer's message and to not be ashamed about it.
"Selina, we should get going," Barbara stated. "Some of my men may be asleep by now... and I'd like to catch them nodding off," she added with something of a smirk.
"Alright, Commissioner," Selina said, suppressing her own grin. She turned to Coba. "Coba, I know we got off to a really bad start and barely know each other, but I want you to know that I'm proud of you. I accept you as my granddaughter." She smiled bigger, tears forming in her eyes. "I think your mother is proud of you, too."
"I think so, too," Coba said quietly with a smile, her own eyes tearing up. "Thanks, Grandmother."
Selina gently hugged the girl. "No, Coba," her voice choked out with emotion, "thank you."
Coba hugged Kyle back. Dick could tell by Coba's body language that she was not afraid of Selina, and was instead a bit relaxed and happy that she was no longer an enemy of the former thief. Yet, he noticed that his granddaughter was also saddened that Selina was leaving. He knew, however, that Selina would return to visit her sometimes. I guess Coba doesn't know that, yet, he thought.
"Goodbye, Coba," Selina said, pulling out of Coba's embrace. "I'll try to visit often."
Okay, now she knows, Grayson thought with a grin.
"Goodbye, Grandmother," said Coba, looking into her eyes. "Take care of yourself."
"Always. Why else do you think that I'm still alive?" Selina asked with a smirk.
Batgirl smirked as well. "Good point."
Catwoman ruffled the small teen's hair. "Take care of yourself... and those around you," she added solemnly, gesturing to Terry, Bruce, Ace, Dick, and Ed. "You never know how long you'll have them."
"I know, and I will," Coba promised.
"There's a good girl." Selina looked at Bruce, Dick, and Terry as she walked towards them. "Take care of her, will you?" she requested in a quiet voice.
Bruce nodded. "Of course."
The two younger men nodded sagely as well, though the youngest man smirked. "You do know that Coba could still hear you, right?"
"Huh?" Selina gasped, caught off guard.
"I guess that's a no," Coba grinned.
The six humans in the cave had to laugh at that. Even Ace and Ed seemed to be amused. After a moment, Barbara and Selina bid their companions farewell once more before leaving the cave.
Wayne turned to Terry and Coba solemnly. "I hope you don't think that the place was typical," he said, speaking of Doctor Wheeler's resort.
"No, we don't," Coba answered for herself and Terry.
"I just wish we didn't need 'em," Terry said sadly, not even casting an irritated glance at his half-sister for answering for him. He noticed Coba was nodding in agreement.
"I know." Bruce placed a hand on Terry's shoulder, then one on Coba's. "I know."
Grayson looked at the teens and old man sagely. "Well, I know it may not be easy considering the amount of stress this has caused, but let's be thankful that it's over," he said gently.
Terry and Coba nodded in agreement. Bruce only looked at Dick, but Coba knew that Bruce agreed with him, and what was going through her guardian's mind, which she agreed with. She spoke his thoughts aloud, though speaking it in her own way, and her family members agreed with her in solemn silence: "The nightmare may be over, but it will forever leave a mark in the hearts of those involved."
There you have it: the official ending for "Last Resort." I know, the ending's a bit of a cliffhanger, but we all know they move on with their lives because if they hadn't, there wouldn't be "The Call!" Well, okay, I wrote my version of "The Call" before this, but the original was made after the original "The Last Resort," so this one takes place before "The Call" as well.
For this story, I had originally wanted to call it something other than "The Last Resort" to match the theme this story has (which is pretty much of Coba facing a lot of her own personal fears), but I realized "The Last Resort" still fit pretty well: she ended up having to face her fear of heights to help Wheeler, whom she was afraid of as well; Terry still had to rely on Sean; Selina had resorted to coming to Gotham in search of her daughter, and became involved in a situation she knew she may not have survived to help Coba. Besides, if I changed the title to something that had "Fear" in it, then it would imply that Scarecrow was the main villain in this when he really had nothing to do with it.
Aside from the crossover story I mentioned doing earlier in the chapter, I am currently working on a one-shot I had described once I finished with "The Call" and a story to follow it. The story will not be based on any particular episode, hence it will pretty much be my own story line, but will include some elements from the episodes and at least one of the graphic novels. Of course, getting both of those written and typed will be delayed by having my wisdom teeth removed on Monday. :( But hey, at least I'll be able to lay around and come up with more ideas for them! What do you know: I came up with a positive outcome even for during a painful time! :D
1/25/2014: *My heart has joined the Thousand, for my friend stopped running today... ~Watership Down* I would like to dedicate my work on this story to my rat Shadow, who got sick as I was finishing up this story and had to be put to sleep this morning. :( Rest in peace, little big guy. I will miss you greatly, but I am glad that you are in a better place and no longer suffering, and that you are with your friend Theo in heaven now.
A big round of thanks goes to TRON0602, SailorSedna052, princessanastasiaromanov464, and Snarry2013 for following this story and/or leaving reviews. This story may not have become what it is now if not for your support. I am very grateful for you guys! :D
Have a great rest of your day!
Until next time,
WNR.
