Author's note: Hi all, enjoy this one, there is a little twist! Let me know what you think!
Artemis's funeral was hard, the Team were inconsolable, I cried to, not just for Artemis but for what she was going to have to do, I cried for Dad, for Kaldur and for what was going to be ahead of us. Dick stayed strong and held me close as we watched a coffin containing a fake body lowered into the ground. We all eventually made our way back to the cars, Alfred was waiting for us. Tim's cheeks were red from crying, I went over and hugged him.
"I'm sick of going to funerals," He said fighting back more tears. All I could do was nod in agreement, I had been to my fair share of funerals, mum's, Jason's, now this one, Dick had been to more and Dad even more again. I sighed, our family, were we just fated to be this unlucky? We got into the car and didn't speak a word, Alfred gave me a smile of sympathy, I realised that out of all of us, he had been to more funerals, poor Alfred.
Tim disappeared into his room when we got home, I went down to the Batcave, I just wanted to be alone for awhile. I brought up the information we had on The Light and read through it for the tenth time, I hoped that something would click and I would be able to figure all this out. "Are you near to cracking this case Miss?" Alfred asked coming down the stairs, "I brought you some Earl Grey, I thought you might need it."
I took the cup, "No, not any closer. I just think the more I read over it the more I might understand, but I just can't figure it out, every angle I look at comes up the same."
"Try not to get wound up about it, you are doing your best," Alfred consoled.
"But it isn't my best. I am Batman's daughter for heaven's sake, the worlds greatest detective, and I can't figure this out," I threw my arms up in the air and gestured at the screen.
Alfred walked in front of me, "But you are not Batman Alexandra, you are you, and I think that you are a pretty incredible person as it is, so try not to worry, answers will come." I smiled up at him, he always knew what to say.
"Alfred's right Alex, information will come," Dick walked in dressed in his costume, "I got a called from Mal and I'm heading to Mount Justice, you want in?"
I rolled my eyes, did he even have to ask. I was dressed in seconds and put my mask on over my eyes, Alfred handed me my swords and I strapped them on my back. I followed Dick in to the Zeta Tube and we emerged in the Cave, Mal and Conor were waiting for us. On the screens above images of La'gann, Aquaman, Kaldur and Black Manta were on display.
"So what's going on?" Dick asked Mal.
"I have word from Aquaman, he is quote 'searching the seven seas' unquote looking for Lagoon Boy and his captures. It's a big planet," Mal said and a globe appeared, it spun around showing every inch of Earth, "And that's a lot of water."
Conor walked over to Mal and put his hand on his shoulder, "We'll find La'gann."
"And Aqualad, I want his fish head on platter for what he did to Artemis," Mal growled. I felt Dick tense beside me, I took his arm and rubbed my thumb in comfort, if only Mal knew.
Conor looked back at us and I quickly let go of Dick's arm, "Are we any closer to identifying The Lights partner?"
He shook his head, Conor and Mal looked back at the globe, "Let's go," Dick whispered in my ear, I followed without question and we slipped away without the other two noticing. I didn't question where he was taking me, I heard voices coming up from the cavern; it was a small and peaceful place below the main cave, it held holograms of all the fallen or retired members of the Justice League or the Team, there was Robin or Dick as Robin, Aquagirl Kaldur's girlfriend that was killed on a mission, Ted Cord or the original Blue Beetle, and now Artemis. I knew that some of the younger members of the team were down there trying to make sense of everything, I saw Tim wander down there the other day. I remember asking Dad when I found out about the League when I was about ten why there weren't huge monuments to them in the Hall of Justice, he told me that The League didn't want the citizens of Earth to see them as weak and mortal, it wouldn't do well for morale.
I caught up with Dick at the Zeta Tube, "Hey, you ok?" I asked. He looked up at me, and I immediately knew he wasn't, "What's wrong?" I put my arm around his waist and looked up at him.
"You don't want to know, honestly," He sounded distant.
I tensed my jaw, "What did we discuss the other day? You have to stop keeping things to yourself, it will eat you up. Did you find something out about The Light? Is it Artemis?"
He looked down at be, even behind his mask I could see his eye brows narrowing, "No it isn't."
"Then tell me Dick please," I put my hand on his cheek, it was a little rough, he hadn't shaved.
"It's about you Alex," His voice was serious, my heart plummeted.
"What about me?" I managed to say.
He thought for a second gathering his thoughts, "I was doing some digging on the Batcave computer, I found a file that Bruce had on you, I hacked into it, I'm sorry."
"What are you sorry for Dick?" I felt my heart rate increase.
He cleared his throat, "Have you ever heard of Ra's al Ghul?"
I nodded, "Yeah, League of Assassins, not particularly a nice person. But what has he got to do with me?"
"Not him, well not directly. His daughter Talia, she a Bruce had a thing years back, and according to the file on the computer, Claire McKenna wasn't your biological mother. Talia al Ghul is." I froze, what did he just say? I was the love child of Bruce Wayne and the daughter of a madman? I felt my knees go weak, Dick grabbed me, 'Not here babe, come on back to the Batcave." Dick punched in manually the code to Zeta directly into the Batcave. I practically fell through and to the other side. I landed on my knees and nearly got sick. Everything I knew, everything I thought I knew was a lie. I felt Dick pull me to my feet and pretty much carried me over to a chair by the computer. He knelt down in front of me, "Alex please say something."
"Show me," I whispered.
"Eh are you sure?" He raised an eye brow. I nodded, he rose and turned to the computer and brought up the file. I looked up and saw Talia al Ghul, my mother, my real mother, she had dark brown hair and chocolate brown eyes, I realised with a sickening feeling that we had the same face. "There is a video, do you want to look at it?" Dick asked. I nodded again, I didn't trust myself to open my mouth incase I puked.
The video came up on the screen it was Dad, he was talking to camera, "Alex, if you are watching this then you have found out who your mother is. She is Talia al Ghul. There are a number of reasons why I kept this from you, firstly I didn't want to tarnish your image of Claire in your mind, and secondly I didn't want you to think that you are anything like Talia, you aren't. I met Talia eighteen years ago now when I was on my travels around the world training. I met her in the Middle East had no idea who she was, we spent time together and then one night we conceived you. I didn't know that Talia was pregnant but she sent me a letter nine months later with a picture of you," He showed a worn picture of me as a baby, "You were so beautiful, I tried to call Talia, but I couldn't get in contact with her. A few years past and I began as Batman, that was when I learned about the League of Assassins, and I panicked I wanted to know where you were, if you were safe. After months of searching I found you, you were in the care of Claire McKenna in Central City, you seemed so happy and loved, I decided not to interfere. I now regret my decision. What I didn't know is that Talia had Claire on payroll, and that Talia's ultimate goal was to end Claire and set you on a dark path that would lead to the League of Assassins, back to her, and then she would use you to get to me. But after the death of Claire I made sure I got you before Talia could snare you. I am so sorry, I should have told you, and told you face to face, not like this. I hope you can forgive me, I love you." The video stopped and the screen went black.
Dick looked at me, "Are you…. eh?" He was lost for words.
"Am I ok after finding out that I was meant to be a weapon against my father and my mother is really a homicidal maniac? Yeah I'm just peachy." I said rolling my eyes, I felt tears fall down my cheeks and they ran into my mouth.
Dick pulled me to my feet and wrapped me into a hug, "I am so sorry babe, I wish there was something I could do." He kissed my hair. I couldn't even cry anymore, it felt like all the tears were gone over the last two days, and now there was no more.
I broke away from Dick, he gave me a look, I wanted to get away, so I lied, "I'm gonna to be ok. Really, just because my biological mother is who she is doesn't mean I have to change. I have become the person I am because of what Dad taught me and because of you Dick. Talia al Ghul might be my mother but she never showed it, if I ever have to face her she is meeting Blade not her daughter."
Dick smiled and hugged me, "How are you so strong all the time?"
I leaned up and kissed him, "Have you met my father?" He laughed, there was truth in that. I looked at my watch, "Crap! I have to go." I wiped my face with my sleeve.
"Where are you going?" Dick stood back in shock.
"Rochelle's engagement party in Dakota City! I said I'd go!" I ran off to get changed.
I made it to Dakota City in an hour, thank god for Zeta Tubes. I walked down the street and saw Zatana and M'gann. "Hey guys!" I called out.
"I thought you weren't going to make it," Zatana smiled at me. I gave them a hug, but I kept thinking back to Talia, needed to push her back, get her out of my head. We rounded the corner and were greeted by the rest of the group.
"Oh hey look! It's Alex, M'gann and Zatana!" Cassie called out and waved. I gave Rochelle a hug and sat down at the table, M'gann gave her a bag and took her seat.
"M'gann you shouldn't have!" She smiled and opened the bag.
"Actually its from me and Artemis too, we bought it together." M'gann went quiet. My head felt like it was going to explode, there was too much going on, too much for me to take in, too much to handle, but I had to keep it together, I couldn't let the girls see me break.
"What am I doing?" Rochelle said, "Having this shower? How can we celebrate so soon after…?"
"Because that is what Artemis would have wanted us to celebrate," M'gann said.
Zatana nodded, "She'd kick our butts if we didn't." I smiled in agreement, but inside I felt hollow, maybe it wasn't the best idea coming, but I couldn't go back now.
I decided to put on my best face and I raised my glass, "To absent friends." Everyone raised theirs a saluted Artemis. I took a sip of my drink and set it down. I saw Black Canary, or Dinah giving me a strange look, she knew something was wrong with me, dammit, I swore to myself. They all chatted over dinner and laughed, I tried to join in but I wasn't really up for it. Once the party was over I started walking back to the Zeta Tube, but some else had other ideas, "Alex wait!" Dinah called, I stopped but didn't turn to greet her, "Are you ok? You seemed very off at the party."
"There's a lot on my mind," I sighed.
"I can see that, you want to come over and we can talk about it?" She asked. I looked at her, I liked Dinah, she was always nice to me. I spoke to her a lot after Mom, I mean Claire, died.
"Yeah sounds good," I gave her a faint smile.
Dinah opened the door to her apartment and let me in. It had a fabulous view over Star City and on a real clear day you could see for miles. "Go sit down and I'll get you some tea." She disappeared into the kitchen. I sat down on a chair in the sitting room, but I couldn't fully relax. The door opened and I jumped.
"Whoa, sorry Alex didn't see you there. You ok?" Oliver, aka Green Arrow, came in the door.
"Sorta Olly," I swallowed.
"Oh," He put his keys down and hung his coat up then walked over and sat down near me. Dinah came in with tea and gave Olly a light kiss.
"So, Alex what is going on?" Dinah asked gently.
I looked from Olly to Dinah and back again, why were they being so kind, I didn't deserve this. "I found out today that who I thought was my mother is in fact not." Both the adults looked confused. "Have you heard of Talia al Ghul?"
Olly nodded, "Ra's al Ghul's daughter, I have had dealings with him in the past."
"Well she is my mother, and even though I know that I am not her, and that I am a different person, I've read the files on her, and the way I fight, they way I act sometimes, it's so like her. I'm….. I'm afraid. I'm afraid that I will turn into her and betray everyone." I felt a tear fall down my cheek.
Dinah got up from beside Olly and sat beside me. She put her arm around my shoulder, "Oh god, Alex. That is a lot to take in."
Olly spoke, "Alex honey, you are so far from Talia you have no idea. You are kind, gentle and you love people. Do you think Dick would be with you this long if he didn't think the same? Trust me, you are your own person, you are Bruce's daughter, us and the League and the Team, we are your family. Forget Talia, she is nothing to you."
I looked from Olly to Dinah, they were right, I know I had said it to Dick before I left the Batcave, but I didn't fully believe it, I just wanted to get out of there. "Thanks, I am my own person, I realise that now. I just with Dad being gone its harder to handle."
I stayed in their apartment for a little be longer finally relaxing, I smiled and laughed and felt normal again. I went to go home but Olly said he'd tag along to Gotham with me, he wanted to talk to Red Arrow. Ever since the original Roy Harper showed up and dropped the mantle of Speedy and became Arsenal, Red Arrow had moved to the East Coast moving from city to city.
By the time I got back to the Batcave it was well past one in the morning. I walked up in to the Manor and opened the Grandfather Clock. The room was dark, everyone was in bed. I made my way up the stairs to my room, I stopped at my door, but then walked down to Dick's room. I opened the door and saw his black hair sticking up out of the covers. I smiled, Olly was right, if I was like Talia, Dick wouldn't be here. I walked across the room and pulled back the covers sliding into the bed. Dick stirred in his sleep and rolled on to his back. I put my hand on his stomach then leaned over and kissed his chest and down his torso. He groaned and opened his eyes, "Alex?" He said sleepily.
"Shush," I whispered, and kissed his neck. I felt his arms wrap around me and he pulled me underneath him. I didn't even protest, I let him kiss my neck and down my chest and stomach. I smiled to myself, my breath hitched in pleasure. He kissed my lips and I ran my hands through his hair, then down his muscular back pulling him closer to me. I felt him sink into me, I sighed and kissed him harder. He kissed my neck and whispered in my ear, "I love you, please don't ever forget that."
I lay beside him afterwards, our legs intertwined. I looked up at Dick, the moon light framing his handsome face, I kissed his chest and closed my eyes, if I ever met Talia al Ghul, it would be to tell her how she failed, I am not her, and I never will be.
A few weeks had past since I found out that Talia al Ghul was my mother, I had made peace with it in my mind with help from Dinah and Dick. I walked into the Cave from the kitchen with a can of Coke, Dick was looking over the computer data. "Recognised Impulse B24, Blue Beetle B23." The Zeta Tube called out. I looked over as both of them sped out of the tube into the hall.
"Whoa, cool you heels guys," I said protecting my Coke.
"Haha! Let them in the dust!' Bart laughed and held something up.
"Left who in the dust?" Dick asked them, crossing his arms.
"And what is that?" I pointed at whatever Bart was holding.
He held it up, "A souvenir!"
"That's Beast Boy's thing," Blue corrected him.
"Oh, I thought it was Kid Flash…"
"Can we get to the point," Dick asked, I could see his patience was running thin.
Blue elbowed Bart, "Sorry, Aqualad attacked us with Icicle Junior, the Terror Twins and a ninja girl I've never seen before."
"This is how they tracked Blue," Bart held up the device, "I made sure they didn't do it again."
"So you brought foreign, possibly alien tech into the Cave? Rookie mistake!" Dick raised his voice, both Bart and Jaime looked like they just got their asses handed to them.
"Nightwing," I raised an eye brow at him.
He looked over at me and sighed, "Ugh, give it here." He began to look over at it. I recognised it straight away, today was going to be the day. Kaldur was launching a fake attack on the cave to prove his worth to his father but also to pass information to Dick. It looked like he was ahead of schedule, he must have had to move the day forward.
"Arrh! I'm an idiot!" Dick swore as an alarm went off. We turned to see Conor flying towards us, I ducked but Dick was hit and went flying too and was trapped under Conor. I looked back and saw that someone had but an inhibitor collar on him. Then the someone came into view, one of the Terror Twins and Icicle Junior.
"Impulse, get Icicle Junior, Blue you're with me." I pulled my Katana swords out, I knew that Artemis and Kal would be bluffing, but the other weren't going to play nice. Impulse ran towards Junior and knocked him out in seconds. I looked to my right, the other Terror Twin was making an appearance, the girl. I stood ready, but she was holding something, my eyes widened, it was a bomb, I don't remember this being in the plan, I thought. Impulse ran towards the Terror Twin but he was picked up and collared, crap. Blue tried the sonics, it seemed to work. Dick stood up but Tigress, or Artemis had him. She kicked him back to the ground, I wanted to tell her to go easy, but I couldn't. Dick was flat on his back and Tigress straddled him pinning his legs. I shook my head, that wasn't going to fly with me. She put an inhibitor collar on him.
'Oi, newbie, get off my boyfriend," I kicked her in the shoulder and sent her flying across the room. But she flipped and landed on her feet, then took a remote out of her pocket and pressed it, the collar on Dick's neck pulsed electricity.
"Stop!" I yelled as Dick fell to his knees. I looked up as Blue aimed his sonic.
"Stand down!" Kaldur's voice boomed out. "This battle is over."
"I don't think so traitor!" Jaime shouted.
"Blue! Stand down!" I commanded.
"Wise move Blade," Kaldur nodded at me, he motioned to one of the Terror Twins and he placed the bomb on the ground. "This bomb is the same as the one that destroyed Malina Island. I am holding down the deadman's switch, if my thumb comes off this button for any reason Mount Justice will fall."
Blue landed beside me, but before we could move the Terror Twins had us and inhibitor collars were fixed to our necks.
Junior appeared, "I'm fine by the way."
"Good escort, Beast Boy, Blue Beatle and Impulse to the flyer." Kaldur commanded.
"What about these three?" Tigress asked.
"As hostages here they have value, but Nightwing and Blade are ordinary humans and Superboy is a human/kryptonian clone, neither are of use to our partners." Kaldur told them.
Dick leapt to his feet, "Aqualad! You'll regret this!" He shouted. Kaldur walked over to him and punched him in the stomach, Dick bent double.
"I believe I have out grown that name," Kaldur said walking away. "I will leave the bomb with you, as a souvenir, oh and the Deadman's switch has a five mile range, do not pursue." He walked out of the cave after the others.
I looked over at Dick, "Are you ok?"
"Yeah fine," He smiled and showed me the flash drive that Kaldur had managed to pass to him. "Now just to get out of these."
"Not a problem," I showed him a switch. "Artemis passed it to me when I kicked her." We were out of the collars in seconds. I called for Wolf and Dick got the Supercycle ready. We lifted Conor on to the cycle and began to fly out of the Cave. I looked back at it as we went, all the memories, the fun times and the sad times we had here, they were about to be wiped from the face of the Earth.
We were over the sea and I looked around for the Black Manta flyer, there was no sign, not good at all. The heat wave hit us from behind, I felt the Supercycle flip, and the explosion ripped through the air. The cold water hit us and I gasped for breath. Then all was black and cold.
"Conor! Conor!" I heard someone calling out, I coughed and cleared my lungs, "Blade!" I focused my eyes. It was Mal. "Wake up Conor, we need to get out of here, the Supercycle is sinking!" I scrambled over to Conor and shook him, he jolted awake.
"Get Wolf we need to move," I told him. I sank down into the icy water.
"Are you ok to swim?" Mal asked me.
"Yeah I'm fine, you got Nightwing?" I looked at Dick is his arms, he was out cold.
"I'm have him don't worry. Come on, we need to get to shore." He turned and struck out, I followed suit, it was going to be a long swim to shore.
We made it back to The Hall of Justice, I looked at the clock, it was three in the morning, I never felt so tired. I passed a cup of tea to Dick, he was deep in thought.. I leaned over and kissed his neck. "Are you ok babe?" I asked him. He just nodded and sipped his tea.
"Recognised, Kid Flash B03." The computer called out. I grimaced, just we needed.
"What happened?" Wally asked.
Dick put down his cup, "It was necessary."
"It better have been, spill." Wally was fighting back the anger.
"Aqualad needed to find a way to help us rescue Lagoon Boy. He already injected La'gann with a tracker into his blood stream. Kaldur used the raid on the Cave to pass vital information and intel. A flash drive with among other things a tracking software that can locate the tag." Dick told him holding up the flash drive.
"Like that was all he did!" Wally crossed his arms.
"Wally he had to make it look good, he put inhibitor collars on us but he knew that Alex would get us out of them." Dick stood up.
"He took three more hostages! Members of your team!" Wally jabbed his finger at Dick.
"And we'll get them back when we rescue Lagoon Boy!" Dick told him.
Wally reached forward and grabbed the front of Dick's suit, "Dick he blew up the Cave! You guys almost died!"
I put my hands on Wally's, "No Wally, its all on the flash drive, he knew we would have to pursue to make it look legit and that is exactly what happened. He gave us time to get out we just got caught in the debris field from the explosion."
"You you both hear yourselves? What if even one of you had been left behind, huh? Why take that risk? Why go to such extremes?" Wally stared at us.
Dick walked over to the table and leaned against it, "The drive explains that too. He needed to cement his position with The Light and The Light's partner."
"Wasn't that why he 'murdered Artemis'," Wally questioned.
"I guess it didn't convince everyone," Dick sighed.
"You guess?!" Wally shouted.
"The Cave is just a place! Worth sacrificing if it helps us stop the invasion! Look I'm sorry you lost all your souvenirs," Dick was getting more and more annoyed.
"Are you serious?" Wally pushed Dick back into a seat, "I don't care about that junk, I'm worried about Artemis! Terrified for her! You put her right in to his hands!"
I stepped in front of Dick, "Wally enough. I can't image what you are going through, but when I was in the cave fighting Artemis, she past me this," I handed him a flash drive, "She said it was just for you. She is fine Wally, Kaldur is guarding her well, she bruised a few of my ribs too." I saw Wally look at the flash drive, then at us.
"Yeah well in the space of a few months Kaldur lost the love of his life, and found out that Black Manta is his father. What if Aqualad is actually a traitor? A Triple agent?" Wally questioned.
I heard Dick sigh, "Wally, I have found things out about myself in the last few weeks that would chill you to your core, but I am still Alex Wayne, Blade, I would lay down my life for my friends and Team mates. I know that Kaldur would do the same. We just need to have faith."