AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry it took so long to finally roll out the final update. I got my sleeping schedule all screwed up and I'm trying to get it back in order. Well, here it is in all it's glory. The final chapter to Shattered!

Epilogue

Bruce Wayne silently sipped his coffee as he gazed out the window. The forecast had predicted nothing but rain for the next few days. He mused over how it matched the melancholy mood he had fallen into. What had it been? Three months now since the incident with Superman?

The billionaire had been greeted with relief and cheer from his "Batman" family. Tim and Dick had both been in tears when they're father figure had been returned to them. Alfred as well had celebrated at his young master returning. There had been a general cheer all around as Bruce gave them all a shaky smile. Wally at his side clinging to him as if he expected his partner to be snatched away from him again.

They had talked little of Bruce's ordeal. In fact, the billionaire had made a hesitant return to his company. Only showing up at the office when absolutely necessary so his employees knew he was still alive. Most communication had been reduced to e-mails, phone calls, and instructions he left for those who helped to run the company.

He had always been withdrawn and secluded, so the Justice League didn't ask many questions. They only knew Superman had done something terribly wrong to one of their founding members. After the incident of losing his powers Clark had seemed to return to his senses. In a daze asking what had happened as the rest of the League descended upon him upset. By that time Batman had lost any nerve he had managed to conjure up in a short amount of time. Standing there rigidly as Wally did his best to handle the situation.

Ever since Bruce had not really set a foot out of Wayne mansion. He never bothered to go into the batcave anymore. Instead settling down in his room with the door shut tight. Alfred had begun to attempt to draw his young master out of the house but Bruce firmly said no. He was not to be disturbed and he did not wish to be bothered.

A knock at his door drew his attention. Sighing, Bruce opened the novel he had been trying to read. His eyes scanning the page for the fifth time as he attempted to focus on what was in front of him. When he said nothing he heard the door slide open and then shut again with a click. A second later a hand reached out to touch his. Gently pushing the book down.

"Hey Brucey Baby, I brought you some coffee." Wally said quietly as if raising his voice would shatter the man. Bruce gave the young man a tired smile, amused at being served coffee by the Flash himself.

"Decided you didn't need to change when you got back?" Bruce asked as he accepted the mug of coffee. He inhaled the steam of the brew enjoying it. When he took a sip he tasted a hint of mint and sighed to himself.

"I can change later. You're the one I'm worried about. Alfred said you didn't eat dinner last night."

"I skipped one meal, Wally. I wasn't feeling hungry."

"And breakfast?"

"I had coffee, didn't I? Besides, I never ate breakfast to begin with."

"Lunch? Explain that one."

"No appetite. There's no explanation other than that. I'll eat when I'm hungry." Bruce answered tiredly. Most days he just felt extremely tired now. Usually drifting off to sleep in the middle of the day for no apparent reason. Tim worried over him constantly insisting he at least get up to take a walk outside. Even train a bit to keep up his reflexes. Bruce had only shaken his head at his young apprentice and gone to bed. Waking up three hours later to find it raining outside and the sky growing darker by the second.

"Still Bruce, you need to gain your weight back. I swear you're shrinking. If you get any smaller you'll fit in my pocket."

"Then you could carry me around with you wherever you go."

"True, but I'd rather have you big rather than small."

"Strange. I've been told I'm also a handheld."

"Cute." Wally said as he reached up to draw back his mask. His ginger hair was mussed and sweaty from having it on so long. His leaf colored eyes sparking with the usual mischief as if he were planning to pull a prank in the next moment or so.

"Clark called, wanted to know if you were okay." Wally continued sipping at his own cup of coffee. Bruce set his aside on the table as he drew his blanket tighter around him. The scars marring his body still bothered him a great deal. Laying for hours at a time trapped in Kal-El's room with nothing to do. Drifting in an out of a doze as he stared up blankly at the wall.

"J'onn has been working with him to try and um…block Kal-El out. He said he's been trying to eliminate him, and believes it possible. Only that it's very meticulous because he has to comb through Superman's memory. Picking out small pieces of Kal-El as he goes along, or any influences he may have over the big guy so he doesn't resurface again." Wally began to fidget as he said it.

Bruce closed his eyes for a moment as if tired. Kal-El's burning green gaze appeared on the backs of his eyelids. There were days when that was all he could see. The alien tracking every movement as it followed him around. As if bidding his time for when Bruce would drop his guard long enough for the alien to reach out. To just touch the billionaire again and shatter him from the core.

"I'm glad to hear it." Bruce said warily. He no longer felt like drinking his coffee. His head had begun to hurt as he rose from the window seat. Going over to the bed which had been calling to him at least for an hour.

Setting his book on the nightstand he laid down. The pillow cradling his head as he closed his eyes again wishing for blissful sleep. Wally followed him, crawling into bed beside his lover and laying down next to him. When Bruce opened his eyes Wally's green orbs stared back at him. Worry marring their perfect beauty.

"You think he'll come back, don't you? Kal-El I mean."

"Kal-El is an aspect of Superman's personality. From my experience with such people, Kal-El is most likely a representation of Clark's true desires. Perhaps even the temptations he faces in everyday life, but cannot act upon due to his morale code."

"Like a split personality disorder?"

"Almost, but not quite. Split Personality disorders aren't even accepted among psychiatrists as a real thing. For the most part I believe Clark would never wish me true harm. But I think a part of him grows tired of always playing the perfect boy scout and needed to act out. Strike someone down."

"Meaning you…but why?"

"Probably because I'm the only one that can beat him. To Superman I provide a challenge. Or I did at least until he beat me." Bruce explained still gazing into his lover's eyes as he spoke. Even if he were going insane, he had still retained some essence of his Batman persona. Automatically analyzing the evidence presented to him and drawing several theories from it.

"You say it like you expected this."

"At some point and time I predicted Clark and I would come to blows. It was just a matter of who would come out alive. Better me than…than…" He trailed off then. Wally stared at him wide eyed but Bruce could not bring himself to say it. Gazing into the younger man's eyes how could he tell him he had imagined the other countless times being raped by Kal-El? In his darkest hour thinking of his partner had been the only thing keeping him going.

"Do you want me to do patrol tonight?"

"Only until midnight. Wake me up when you get back so I can take over." Wally smiled at that as he pushed himself up on his elbows to kiss Bruce on the lips.

"We can do it together. I'll tell Alfred to put your dinner in the fridge. See you later, Brucey Baby." Wally whispered as he got up. Then in a flicker he was gone. A fluttering page the only indication he had been there.

With a tired sigh Bruce rolled back over on his other side and fell asleep. For once, he felt a bit of happiness seep back into his soul. Perhaps tonight he could back on his mask and approach that brooding countenance in his dreams. Reclaim what had been taken from him. After all…

He was Batman.