Hello... Yes... I know and I'm sorry it took so long but you know... Christmas shopping, christmas decorations, parties, card making, gift wrapping and all that... I was also working on another fanfic as some of you might know so that took up some time too... I'm sorry :( But hey if any of you like disney,especially beauty and the beast go check it out because that will totally make my day :) (selfish self promotion, I know I'm terrible... but pls?) Well here it is so yay! I hope you like this :) Pls don't ignore the little disclaimer at the bottom... Trust me, I think its important...

"Nnnn..." Batman grunted as regained consciousness. He felt ghastly... very cold and yet he was sweating. Grumbling, he proceeded to sit up only to feel a strong hand push him gently back down. Confused, he looked up only to see Superman's relived face look down at him.

"Don't tire yourself... Copperhead's venom almost got to you..."

"Ughh what happened? Luthor..."

"They got away... all but Copperhead.. I'm going down to Striker's to interrogate him now..."

Batman nodded while stubbornly sitting up again.

"Alright... Lets go..." he instructed ignoring how sluggish his muscles felt.

Superman frowned.

"You're staying here..." he said sternly

Batman glared at the Boy Scout...

"No I'm not..." he growled slowly.

"Yes you are... That venom almost killed you..." Superman retorted, exasperation cleary reflected on his face.

"So?" Batman shrugged casually, enjoying how Superman was grinding his teeth.

"So you're staying here..." the kryptonian repeated while signaling for John to watch Batman as he stormed out of the room.

Batman squinted... This was digressing... He didn't need John to baby-sit him like a child... Besides he had no intention of obeying Superman's orders anyway... Never had and probably never will...Scowling and ignoring John's concerned looks, he pulled out the IV drip needle and slid off the bed, making his way to the computer mainframe while John tagged awkwardly behind him.

John watched as Batman typed away. He was genuinely surprised by this Earthling's strength of character... Even the soldiers, the secret agents he had worked with back on Mars weren't this... determined... And they were constantly at war until... John sighed. Superman did encourage him to talk to his team mates more... So he was going to try to talk Batman out of... Whatever he was getting himself into...

"You really should be resting..." John started trying to sound firm.

There was no answer... Except for Batman's typing. John sighed internally. Maybe he should be more... what did the earthlings call it... sentimental?

"I know this must be hard for you... Feeling vulnerable... You're the only one of us without special... powers..." Still no answer but John swore he saw Batman's mouth twitch... Immediately he tried to rephrase what he just said.

"But you don't need to prove yourself, you're a VAULED member of this team and we're only trying to..."

"I'm taking the shuttle..." came a growl. John blinked. He hadn't even finished yet...

"I'm taking the shuttle... Unless you want to try and stop me..." Batman repeated fiercely like he hadn't even remotely absorbed a single word John found so hard to articulate. For a moment, John did consider stopping Batman. It wouldn't have been hard; one psychic command would have done it... Maybe... But what was the point, wouldn't it just defeat the point of his previous speech? Wasn't her just underestimating this so valued member of the team? Cautiously, John stepped aside.

"No..."

Batman nodded and exited without a word.

Barbara's lip curled as she caught Star Sapphire staring at her... again...

"What does this bitch want?" she thought angrily. Well she knew exactly what Sapphire wanted... She wanted an apology...

"Hell no..." Barbara snarled and looked away determined to keep her mind trained on everything but Star Sapphire. It worked for about five minutes before Barbara felt guilt wash over her. Not because she lashed out at Sapphire... That bitch deserved it ...but more because she gave into her rage... Barbara remembered she had an uncle who had schizophrenia... He had explained to her from his dying bed that it was like living in an unending nightmare, bizarre images, the terrible things happening, only with a nightmare you open your eyes and it goes away. No such luck with a psychotic episode... There... That was how she felt... Trapped in an endless psychotic episode... She remembered the stigma she carried towards the mentally ill for years... and now... to think they can lead a more normal life than she could ever wish to... It anguished her to no end...

Finally, for the sole purpose of getting rid of the infuriating weight off her chest... Barbara took a deep breath.

"I'm sorry..." she spat between her teeth.

Star Sapphire raised an eyebrow.

"For what..."

"For unnecessary violence... I understand... if you feel disgusted by me... I'd just prefer if you kept it to yourself next time..." Barbara said coolly before exiting the room.

"I understand... if you feel disgusted by me... I'd just prefer if you kept it to yourself next time... WHAT KIND OF STUPID EXPLANATION IS THAT?!" she yelled at herself wishing she could take her last sentence back.

"Great, now, not only has Sapphire gotten exactly what she wants, she knows you're vulnerable and extremely insecure. Good job Barbara! Terrific!" Barbara fumed, slapping her forehead over and over. She stopped when she heard footsteps behind her.

"What?" Barbara snapped aggressively, feeling more stupid as the seconds passed. Sapphire raised her arms defensively before taking a deep breath.

"Look I... I... I want to apologize too... I don't think I've acted any better at all..." she admitted to a very surprised Barbara who blinked in surprise. Did the woman who constantly sneered at her just apologize? Sapphire sighed before continuing.

"It's just that... the Injustice League.. I'm surrounded by hardened criminals... Hardened MALE criminals... These stupid dogs will turn on each other for a few dollars... How do I establish myself among them? Show them I'm not an easy target? Something... Look, I guess I saw you as a way to secure my position... I'm sorry" she admitted her arms crossed.

Barbara took a minute to absorb what Sapphire just said before hesitantly nodding in agreement... She, as much as she hated to admit... could relate... Sapphire was right... It was already hard not to look like easy prey among experienced psychotics... But as a female? Their safety depended on how seriously the others could take them...

"That's alright... " Barbara mumbled.

Sapphire shrugged. Almost... As if by mutual understanding... The two women nodded and smiled. However, their tender moment was quickly disrupted when a loud "thud!" sounded from the other room.

Looking at each other in confusion, they quickly ran back to investigate.

"What happened?" Barbara growled only to clasp her hand over her mouth in horror. There in the middle of the broken table, lay a very battered, very broken and definitely unconscious Batman...

"Hehehahahaha..." came a sinister series of laughter ... Laughter that only proceeded to get louder and louder and louder...

About Sapphire and Barbara's epiphany ... It may sound a little sexist but from what I can tell from the comics and the series... Sapphire doesn't seem to like males very much... One male in particular so this is what I think drives her nasty behaviour... Barbara being a female can relate... However, these are not my personal beliefs so don't flame me if this offends you male readers or female readers... This is just what I think Sapphire's motivations are... Ok thats it :) Pls review :)