Tim shifted slightly in that half-awake and half-asleep state that sometimes happens when you might normally get up, but know you can stay in bed if you want. It was their first morning home after vacation and they can a couple more days without obligations. They needed the time at home together. They had left for vacation the very day after Bart regained his consciousness and it had been a whirlwind of fun, but the late Spring weather was wonderful and they all wanted time to be close together. Bart didn't know until he woke up that they almost lost Kon; and Tim managed to conceal just how hard the emotional strain had been to almost lose both Kon and Bart. But the rest and vacation had done wonders for everyone. As he shifted slightly under the covers, he thought he smelled coffee… one of his few weaknesses. For a moment he thought he was dreaming about his favorite coffee shop down the street, and then realized he wasn't dreaming when the aroma persisted; and felt the bed begin to vibrate slightly.

Tim slowly opened one eye and was greeted by a pair of amber eyes above a stupid grin staring back at him. The cheerfully manic face was attached to Bart sitting cross-legged at the foot of the bed with a big mixing bowl in his lap, which he was using as a cereal bowl. Clearly, Tim had discovered the source of the vibrations, which increased in intensity.

"You're awake!"

"I am now." Tim said almost with a laugh. The speedster bolted off the edge of the bed, forgetting the bowl of Froot Loops and milk in his lap, but in an impressive display of speed he snatched the bowl out of mid-air without losing a drop of milk or a single Loop and disappeared. In a second (literally) Bart returned with a big cup of coffee. The hardwood floor rumbled slightly with Bart's quick footsteps and Kon curled under the covers slightly and mumbled:

"Tornado… cellar."

"You're not in Kansas anymore Toto." Tim told his sleeping love with a chuckle and took a long sip of the coffee, and was barely able to swallow it. Bart had made the coffee and he did it like he did all things he ate or drank… in large quantity. It was so strong he must have used half a bag of coffee. Tim continued to choke it down since Bart was in such a good mood and he didn't want to bring him down. He picks up Kon's t-shirt off the floor where it had ended up after last night and pulled it on over his slim body and headed toward the kitchen to see what he could do to rescue the coffee… and hoped to god that Bart hadn't drunk any.

"Good morning Tim." Jamie calls from the living room in front of the TV.

"I wondered where you were."

"I didn't feel like sitting on your bed with Bart waiting for you to wake up. It would be a little weird."

"Yeah, well, Bart's a little weird. We love him anyway." Tim says with a smile for the auburn-haired speedster.

"You're telling me." Jamie responds and mumbles something about giggling weirdoes and Donald Duck, but the smile on his face tells Tim that he doesn't want any more information. Moments later Kon comes lumbering into the room with his usual cheerful face and messy morning hair and the not-quite-awake squint that doesn't go away until he's had his first cup of coffee… or apparently glass of Coke that Bart suddenly presses into his hand. He takes a long drink of the pop and his bright blue eyes widen slightly further in wakefulness.

"So… what's going on today?" Kon asks, knowing the answer. It had to be why Bart was so excited and barely containing it. He liked going to the Emporium, but today would be a little different. The guys that hung out there knew he had recovered, but he hadn't been by yet; and Bart had a brand new pair of shoes to show off to a kid that adored him.

Jamie just stood to the side watching the amusing morning antics with a smile. The easy and open affection they all had for one-another brought a smile to his face; and made him wish that his own home was like this. His own mom loves him, he knew that without a doubt, but she had been distracted by her new boyfriend lately; and that guy didn't like Jamie one bit but she wasn't willing to believe it. But here with his boyfriend and two best friends in Metropolis he felt loved and accepted. He'd gone back to El Paso briefly after they returned from Warworld, but for some reason the guys at the skate park treated him a lot differently now. Even the guy with the foul mouth had stopped giving him grief about dating the boy with the auburn hair. He wondered about the bandages on his face, but didn't ask. But here there was no personal drama, just the happiness and affection that drew him in like a warm and fuzzy blanket.

After breakfast, which turned out to be a long and messy affair, the four guys crammed themselves into Kon's truck for the drive across town. Jamie and Bart sat in the middle practically in each other's laps and barely had room for Kon to reach the shifter, but it made for plenty of laughs. Bart was the only one in uniform and he wore the real shiny one that he liked best. It wasn't terribly practical for missions since it was "flashy", but that made it perfect for today. Tim had called ahead and knew everyone would be at the shop, and Bart was eager to meet someone. The guys piled out of the truck like it was a clown-car in a comedy movie and went in to the Emporium. Brett was uncommonly excited to see the guys, especially seeing Bart back to his normal self; and Brian and Andy had to practically drag him off Tim and Kon so they could get their own hugs. But Bart sidestepped the whole rigmarole and went over to the back alcove where the impromptu coffee shop was to find Calvin. The hyper little kid was standing still like he was in a catatonic state with his eyes glued to his favorite speedster.

"Hey guy!" Bart says to the kid. "It worked, you know. The shoes worked perfectly." And Calvin saw that Bart hadn't worn his usual ankle length running boots, but had on the Flash sneakers Calvin gave him when he was catatonic. Calvin practically launched himself across the few feet to Bart and landed in Bart's arms for the hug that was waiting for him. The kid was suddenly in a fit that was something between laughing and crying at seeing his own personal hero back to normal… or at least normal for him. He pulls himself away from Calvin and zips over to Jamie and snatches an item out of his back pocket. He'd brought it along for him since (obviously) Bart's uniform had no pockets. Bart leaned down and put a pair of goggles on the boy's head. It was a pair of Kid Flash's old ones, but being put to a very good use. Calvin wore them like they were the most special thing in the galaxy.

"You want to go for a run?" Bart asks Calvin with a smile.

"Yeah!" But the word came out like a combination of an exclamation and a whimper. Bart was fast, not strong, but Calvin wasn't very big either so he didn't weigh too heavily on him when the boy climbed up his back and onto his shoulders. Just as Bart walked out of the Emporium with Calvin on his back, the boy lowered the goggles over his eyes and stuck his tongue out at Jamie, leaving the whole group in laughter, and Calvin got to run with Bart for the first time. The future star track runner of Madison High School was in the making, they just didn't know it yet. Bart's route took them across surface roads and down the highway to the city interior to the section of downtown that had suffered the least from the drone attack, where the steel, concrete, and glass skyscrapers stood tall against the sky.

"Hold on tight!" Bart yells aloud so Calvin can hear him over the rushing wind. His pace increases and Speedforce lightning begins to crackle about his feet and then up his legs as he runs faster and faster, finally encompassing them both in the lightning-like energy as they head right for the concrete side of the skyscraper. Bart feels Calvin's arms and legs tighten around him as he dashes right to the concrete, and up the side of the building. Bart had checked online before they left home today. There was an observation deck on the 37th floor high above the city. Screams of delight from Calvin echo all the way up the side of the building. It couldn't have been more than a second or two up the side, but to Calvin it was a moment that lasted forever.

Bart let Calvin climb down once they were on the observation deck and they took in the view of the city that they both called home; and that Calvin was learning to love. After a few moments Bart decided it was time to take Calvin back to the Emporium. After climbing back up on Bart's shoulders while on the exposed observation deck he felt he was even higher up and exposed, but it held no fear for him. He knew he had a superhero for a personal friend.

"Faster this time?" Calvin asked.

"Sorry buddy… if I go faster you won't be able to breath."

"How do you do it then?"

"I don't know. I was just born this way."

"You mean perfect?" Calvin asks with stars in his eyes, if you could see them under the goggles he wore proudly.

Twenty minutes later, Bart returns with Calvin huffing and puffing from the excitement as he climbed off Bart's shoulders.

The hyperactive kid then walks over to Jamie and wraps his arms around him in a hug, as Jamie cringes waiting for another kick to his shin.

"I wanna be you when I grow up." Calvin declares proudly.

"Really?" Jamie states entirely confused.

"Yeah… You get to hang out with Bart all the time."

Even Tim, who wasn't prone to much humor, had to stifle his laughter at that.

Before long Calvin was asleep on the couch half in Bart's lap while Tim and Kon visited with Brett and exchanged information on the state of the city with him and Brian and Andy. Brian had been wearing himself out helping repair the damage to the city. He was the Concrete Angel after all, but exerting his power to repair the damage of a building was taxing on him; and he was doing it many times a day. It was something not even Superman could do and he was proud to be able to help. Tim brought him the new uniform he had promised, and it was of the same colors, but more adaptive to the colors of the environment around him and the mask was more open in the face to show off his attractive eyes, but also showed them when they took on that hematite glow in his anger. All in all, it was an improvement.

After a time, the doorbell dings and in walks a tall somewhat rough-looking man whose nose looked like it had seen a couple of fights in his younger days though he still retained much of his good looks. Though his clothes were simple working garments, they were worn with a certain remembered pride. He almost seemed like he was someone who lost his way once, and had found it again… which he had.

"Calvin?" The man calls out looking for the sleeping kid. The boy bolts awake out of Bart's lap and runs to the man's welcoming arms.

"Daddy! Bart's better and he took me running and we went to the top of the city…"

"Take a breath Calvin." The man said with a smile that was perfectly genuine. Tim and Kon had to stifle a laugh as that's what they used to say to Bart when he was a little younger and ran his words together. Then Calvin runs over and grabs Bart by the wrist and drags him over to meet his father. The man gives Impulse as firm but gentle handshake and says:

"I'm glad to see you're better and finally meet you. Calvin has been worried sick. I heard you helped save the world, if you can believe what the newspapers say. Thank you."

Bart's heart melted right then and there. These kids were the ones they had saved from kidnappers and all came from broken or difficult homes; and many families had recovered and come together after the rescue. Some better than others. Brian had lost everything with the murder of his mother, which he had yet to avenge; but Calvin's father had learned what his son meant to him and they were both better for it and happy.

Bart just delighted at the moment and realized that what he did really helped people and decided that he needed to search online for another pair of shoes. He didn't want to ruin Calvin's illusions. He hadn't worn his usual boots and the Flash shoes Calvin gave him were all but trashed from the run. The boy gave Bart another hug and pulled the goggles off his head to hand back to his hero. He hated doing it, that was obvious from the look on his face. Wally had already given them freely and Calvin would cherish them.

"You keep them, you ran like a real speedster today." Bart said as he said goodbye to the youngest of the boys they rescued.

Now his father's task would be to get them off his head. Then he remembered to say goodbye to everyone else before his father took him home; not long before Tim, Kon, Jamie, and Bart went their way as well.

"Yes Dad… we'll be there… Sure, a weekend home will be nice… No, I know Bart's not a little kid. He'll be fine at home if he wants to stay… Okay, we'll bring him… Yes Dad, I know you care and want to see him too. I have some paperwork for you to have your attorneys look over as well. The merger can go through once we tie up a few loose ends… You know what they are… Thanks, I think I will need some help on this one… alright Dad, love you."

Tim hangs up the phone and makes a notation on his calendar for the following weekend and dials the intercom to inform his secretary that his weekend is booked.

"Yes, Mr. Drake, the weekend at the Wayne residence in Gotham City. Also, Mr. Trimble is here to see you."

Tim was slightly surprised that Robert was waiting in the reception room rather than letting himself in. He was Tim's "executive assistant" after all. Actually, he was more like his unofficial head of security, bodyguard, investigator, and friend.

"By all means, do send him in please."

The tall and competent former soldier walks in and quietly closes the door behind him, and locks it. He wore his finest suit today and his hair had been recently cut and was carefully combed and apparently he had paid for a professional straight-razor shave as his skin was perfectly clean and fresh. He reaches his right hand into his suit jacket rather slowly.

Tim took in all the details within the first two steps that his assistant made into his office at Drake Pharmaceuticals, but Robert was acting a bit unusual today. His right knee pressed against the inside of his desk and a razor-sharp Birdarang silently slides out of the panel near to his hand, but unseen by anyone who stood on the other side of the desk.

Robert Trimble completes the gesture and pulls a carefully folded sheet of paper from the inside pocket of his suit jacket and sets it carefully on Tim's desk. His look is a combination of respect and maybe shame. Tim picks up the sheet of paper and carefully reads the type-written lines while Robert stands unmoving in front of him.

"What is this all about, Robert? You're resigning? Why? I need you here with me and this company needs you. You're honest, intelligent, and loyal once it is earned."

"Mr. Drake…"

"I asked you to call me Tim in private, remember?"

"I understand, but I need to say it this way sir. When I finally confirmed your identity when that assassin almost had you, you asked me what it would take to buy my silence. I asked only that you save this city, your company, and its people. I spoke out of desperation and my statement seems as I would be likely to blackmail you. I would do nothing of the sort, but you do not need that doubt in your mind with the challenges you face. Therefore, I tender my resignation."

Tim sits quietly and takes in every word Robert has to say, and his knee presses the switch under the desk once again and the birdarang returns to its hiding place. He gets up from behind his desk and strides over to the credenza to the side of his expansive office, and pours two cups of coffee. He adds copious amounts of cream and sugar to one and carefully stirs with a gleaming silver spoon and offers it to Robert, then takes up his own cup of black coffee.

"Robert, if I had any doubt about you in any way, you have erased them. Just for the record, I did not doubt you and understood what you meant and there was no need for this. But you doing so speaks volumes about you. Thank you, but I am refusing your resignation. This company and I both need you. You know who has manipulated the company and its logistic chain and who he really is. This man and his associates want me discredited and want Robin dead… except for one who seems to not want me dead."

"Yes… Tim. I heard him. I would have fired sooner but you both moved so fast I could not chance the shot. I don't care for his intentions, if you know what I mean."

"Neither do I, as you can imagine; and I have not had the chance to thank you for that very timely shot. You may have made an enemy of a very dangerous man, Robert. But thank you."

"Mr. Drake, if you insist on keeping me on the payroll then let me get back to work and see if I can get some leads on the abuses of our shipping system."

Trimble heads out of the office and reaches for the door just as he hears the snap of the lock being broken.

"Oops. I thought it was stuck." Kon says sheepishly as he lets himself in. His eyes meet Robert's and they both suddenly understand each other. They shake hands warmly and Robert says:

"Take good care of your husband, he's a good man."

"I will. Count on it." Kon answers as the soldier/mercenary turned office assistant strides confidently out.

"What was that all about? I come by to drag you off to lunch and find the tail end of some sort of drama." Conner asks.

"It's complicated, but I'll tell you over lunch. I'm starving." Tim was entirely surprised, but pleasantly so. Kon had even dressed up a bit. He wore a blue and white striped Oxford shirt that really brought out his blue eyes, but his neatly ironed khaki pants were still cargo pants. Rather than his usual tall brown work boots, he was wearing a pair of fashionable brown urban-style boots. All-in-all, he looked great, but was still completely Conner Kent.

Tall, handsome, broad-shouldered and very polite, Kon left Tim's secretary in a puddle of adoration. The couple headed out hand in hand and seeing the two gorgeous guys together she wondered if there were any decent guys left for her to find eventually.

"By the way, Dad wants us to come over for the weekend." Tim tells Kon around a mouthful of pizza. "He's up to something, but I haven't figured it out yet. He even insisted that we bring Bart and Jamie, even though Damien raises three kinds of hell about Bart. But it's some sort of family thing because Dick will be there and is bringing Wally."

"Sounds like fun. It's all the people I like, but in an old Gothic mansion like a haunted house." Kon deadpans.

"Kon, it's not that bad. I finished growing up there after my parents died." then Tim remembers Kon's recent phobia over haunted houses. Disneyworld would remember him for some time to come.

"So… what's the deal with Robert? I thought you liked him, but he looked like he had taken a beating, and he looks like a guy who's never been beaten."

Tim proceeded to explain the incident with Robert Trimble. He had told Kon about the run-in with Deathstroke before, but didn't go into detail about what he had said on the rooftop. The fact that Robert's single shot had been so precise and he still lived spoke volumes about his prior military training. Superboy had enough baggage from the insinuation Slade Wilson had made in Brazil, but the more obvious statement would send Kon into a dark rage. Tim wasn't trying to save Slade from the hazard, but wanted to protect the populace of any city that the man happened to be operating in. Tim, strangely enough, suffered from low self-esteem once in a while, but there was no doubt in his heart about Kon's feelings toward him and how he would react.

"It sounds like you have one hell of an assistant, Tim."

"Yeah, it turns out he has a good ear and good memory. He remembered the sound of my voice and some of my looks from Bialya. He's completely cool though. Bruce would have a fit if he knew that he discovered Robin's identity, but that mission had been his idea. You know, its hell trying to run a company and being only nineteen. I'm not sure I'm ready for all this and being Robin, but if I don't then what will become of everything my father built?"

Kon now finally understood the impact that the Bialya mission had on him now that he had experienced the loss of Kaldur on Warworld.

"Honey, I think you are doing a great job and apparently your assistant does too; and I like the guy. I'm glad you have someone you can trust on your staff. Maybe you should drag him and his wife over for dinner some evening. But anyway, I'll pack us a weekend bag and we can head over to dark and gloomy after you get home tomorrow. I have an interview for an internship tomorrow, but I should be home in plenty of time. The trick will be getting Bart to pack only a single weekend bag."

They were both glad for the sudden observation. The conversation was starting to get occasionally depressing and even though they had a lot going on, their lives had gotten far better lately. They had saved Jamie and defeated Warworld and had Bart back to health; and made the time for a vacation that they sorely needed. They still carried on with their friends about their trip, and they all took the jokes at their own expense very good-naturedly. Bart had even taken to quacking like a duck as Jamie took each step across a room. Tim was the last to figure it out, not having Conner's sensitive hearing to understand what had created the joke. Kon had even made a convincing argument about how Goofy was cool. Bart had pointed out that Goofy was loyal and fearless, even if he was derpy; and so was Kon. He was even willing to admit to himself that he wasn't as graceful and classy as Tim… a little derpy. But he was cool. So… Goofy had to be cool too.

Kon walked Tim back to his office and gave him a goodbye kiss as Robert quietly walks in and sets a file on the desk with the name "Johann Craven." Kon could see that Tim had a hefty afternoon ahead of him. The look that Robert gave Tim and Kon as he set the file down all but said that this man would need their other identities to deal with him.

Kon was as open and honest as an unedited book. Being evasive was entirely foreign to him, but he was so conflicted that he was entirely honest with himself and Tim when he said he wasn't sure what he thought about the internship interview tomorrow. Fortunately Tim had enough on his mind that he didn't think to ask the name of the company and he didn't have to lie, which he completely sucked at.

After dinner Tim cleaned up and started the dishwasher while Kon ironed a shirt to go with the suit that Tim had made him buy some time ago. Bart spent the next twenty minutes texting Jamie about the weekend plans. Apparently twenty minutes of texting was better than a five minute phone call to get a point across, but Bart was constantly texting Jamie anyway.

Few might have suspected the way life worked in the Kent-Drake household. In the morning Bart was often up even before Kon, and Kon would fix the guy's lunch for school, and snacks, and more snacks. The speedster ate a lot. Once that was done, Kon would fix Tim's breakfast while he showered if he was going to his office, which wasn't necessarily a daily thing. If he didn't have anything to do at the office, they would fix breakfast together before seeing Bart off for the day. Those were their favorite mornings, when they could be together if even for only a few minutes. But today was different. Kon was entirely distracted while getting ready for his morning interview. Tim fixed breakfast this time. He fixed his strapping farm-boy a large breakfast of bacon, eggs, and potatoes and copious amounts of coffee. Tim thought for a moment that Kon suddenly looked like a smaller and younger (and much better looking) version of Clark Kent, but that would be inaccurate. Kon was uniquely himself in every way; handsome, kind, and far more intelligent than most suspected; but he also feared very little in life. Unfortunately, this was one of the things he did fear, but he faced it head on.

"You okay sweetie?" Tim asks as he adjusts Conner's tie.

"Yeah, I just want this to turn out right, that's all."

"You'll do great." And Tim hands him his leather portfolio with the Metropolis University logo; and Kon checks yet again to make sure that he has a copy of his resume and transcript. Tim walked him to his truck and saw him off with a good luck kiss. Once he was on the road and committed to his goal he relaxed a bit more. He had walked into Warworld fearlessly so this couldn't be nearly so bad. That's just the way Kon was. Once he set his mind to something he dove in fearlessly, except where Tim was concerned. He wanted to make him happy and proud.

"The Director will see you now, Mr. Kent." The severe-looking secretary told the stalwart young clone.

The receptionist opens the office door and Conner steps through, to be intercepted by yet another woman wearing a conservative skirt suit and looked like she could kick some serious ass if she needed to. Her hands swiftly and expertly began to frisk Kon for weapons when a voice halted her.

"Mercy, I think that if Conner came here with violent intentions that a pistol under his jacket would not be his weapon of choice. Thank you for your diligence, but do let him come in."

Kon choked down what remained of his apprehension and walked the rest of the way to the expensive oaken desk with the distinguished but quite bald man sitting behind it.

"Good morning Mr. Luthor."

"Good morning to you Mr. Kent. I imagine you must be surprised that I chose to interview you for an internship rather than one of my department heads as might be typical?"

"Yes sir, that thought has occurred to me." Conner responded, then his typical courage and boldness took hold. "But I thought about it and it seemed that it should have been expected."

"Do tell." Lex Luthor asked with an arched eyebrow.

"You have wealth, likely surpassing Mr. Wayne. You have power and influence; not to mention being very well-informed. Frankly you could have anything you desire, and probably do; and your staff jumps at any whim. But there is something lacking."

"And what would that be?" Luthor asks now that his curiosity was really plucked at.

"Curiosity. I don't think you would have expected me to come to your company looking for a job. You know who and what I am: the clone of Superman… and a human."

"Mercy… give us the room, please." Luthor orders his assistant with a firm but bland expression. The woman clearly doesn't like leaving the office with the upstart speaking so bluntly to her employer, but she had been given an order and she followed it. After the door had closed behind her, Luthor rose from his chair and walked to the front of his desk to stand before Conner.

"So… where in my company would you like to work? I have already seen your transcript and see where your studies have led you. Genetics is an interesting field."

"C.A.D.M.U.S."

"I don't own CADMUS, Conner."

"I think you can find me a position there. My studies in genetics have yielded some interesting results." Kon said with a narrowed eye, and he knew he was treading a fine line with all but blackmailing Lex Luthor, but he wanted the job. Kon was solid in personal courage, but he didn't always consider long-term consequences. No physical harm would come to him in this interview or at his future job, but life held many consequences beyond those brief times. He had all but hinted to one of the most powerful men on Earth that his human DNA came from him… and they were natural enemies.

"Very well. Whoever taught you how to negotiate an interview must be a very shrewd man." Luthor said with a steely eye.

"Indeed he is." Kon said as some pride enters his voice, and recognizing his mistake too late.

"Ah, yes, I see. I forgot that you are recently wed to the young owner of Drake Pharmaceuticals. I'm sure I would like to meet this young man at some point. I recall now. You two were quite the front page item of the Gotham tabloids."

"Yes sir. The magazines made some mention of us." Kon responds, detecting some threat in Luthor's mention of it. There was no purpose in denying it. It used to bother him that Tim was such a society icon. He was the most eligible bachelor in Gotham and Kon felt like he was only a country bumpkin, but Tim's devotion and love had taught him otherwise. He'd even moved to Metropolis and went to college there for Kon. But the level of subtlety in the conversation with Lex Luthor was taxing. Kon was a brilliant young man, but not subtle. His pure and strong heart caused him to take the world at face value. He didn't live half in shadow, and still managing to keep his honor, like his husband who knew how to deal with such people as this one.

"Does young Mr. Drake know you are seeking a position with me?"

"No sir. We have not discussed it. I expect it to be a difficult discussion." And Kon's heart twisted in wondering how he would explain.

"You are right that I am curious and I appreciate your candor. One becomes plagued with sycophants in my position. I will be in touch with you soon. You will have the position. But let me give you a single piece of advice Conner." Luthor says in a voice that has a hint of emotion.

"Yes sir?"

"I am not entirely the man that you think of me. Remember that. If you continue to think so I will teach you otherwise." Kon thought it a threat until he saw the disappointment concealed in his expression.

With a handshake that might almost be considered warm, Conner lets himself out of the office and heads home with a job. He didn't look forward to telling Tim, but he needed what Luthor's job could offer.

"Bart, we're only staying two nights. Do you really need to pack that much?" Tim asks the auburn-haired young man as he stacks clothes into multiple suitcases.

"But Tim, this is for both Jamie and I. I need an extra uniform; and what if we go out? I need dancing clothes and daytime stuff, not to mention lounge-wear."

"First of all, you won't need the uniform. The world would have to be coming to an end for Batman to allow Metas to operate in Gotham, even one as fabulous as you." Tim says with a laugh until he sees the look Bart gives him that says 'Yeah and what was last month all about.'

"Okay… one uniform just in case. And this is a family visit. I doubt the clubs in Gotham will collapse if you don't go dancing, so you might be able to get by without your 'dancing shoes.'

"You're no fun." Bart says petulantly.

"That's not true. It's Gotham that's no fun. But how many bags do we really need to carry for 2 nights?"

In the end, Bart managed to repack to fit one suitcase for both him and Jamie… one very large suitcase. Jamie just kept his opinions quiet. He normally just wore jeans and a hoodie which looked great on him, but Bart had over-packed for him too. Really, how many pairs of skinny jeans, t-shirts, and fashionable gear did one guy need for two nights?

Kon drives them to the Zeta-tube for the transport to Gotham, lately the neighborhood was going downhill. It was right at the edge of Suicide Slum, which Concrete Angel was protecting as well as he could, but Kon loved his truck immensely. Some riffraff had tried to move in with the chaos of the past month. He parked in a spot that was as innocuous as he could find and prayed to Rao… whoever that was… that it would be okay. The four climbed out and Tim thought they needed to upgrade to something that could fit them all more comfortably. Of the four guys two of them could fly and Impulse could run at speeds approaching the speed of light, but Tim still needed to drive around and the Redbird just didn't scream subtle. Besides, off-mission they needed to be able to get around like normal people. You didn't get many groceries home flying around with shopping bags. But as Kon parks around the corner in the industrial area where the zeta beam was located a large and broad-shoulder black gentleman with an enormous hammer hoisted on his shoulder came about the corner.

"You guys leaving your truck here?" He asked

"Only for a couple of nights. Is it in your way?" Kon asked.

"It's not the greatest neighborhood." The man responded with some firmness in his voice.

"I'll move it then." And Kon started to get in to move it. Tim tensed slightly and his hand reached unseen to the back of his belt as Bart's feet twisted into the dirt for traction. Almost unheard, but Kon's superior hearing caught it clearly, was the energy whine of Jamie's hand as it formed to his sonic cannon, all of them preparing for a potential fight.

"You can leave it here and save yourself some trouble. It's safe in this area. I try to look after it a little bit. I know that concrete kid is helping the Slums out, but we all need to pitch in to make it a better place. But if they want that nice truck they need to get past me."

"That's quite a stand to take over a truck." Tim said in wonder.

"We all have to start somewhere. If we do the small things then maybe it grows and we take back our city. It's all bright and flashy for the cameras but there's hazards here too. Some nice kids were kidnapped here a while back. They were lucky and got rescued, but it would not have happened in the first place if more of us did what was right. I have a workshop not far from here and decided to start keeping an eye on things. After what happened with that attack, it seemed some people might take advantage of the chaos."

"You're a good man." Tim said looking the man in the eye. He gave Kon the look that said to trust him. It had to begin somewhere; and he was right, it started somewhere and trust had to go both ways.

"I try. My name's John, by the way… John Henry Irons." They shook all shook hands and Kon noted the strength in his grip and the intelligence in his eyes.

As the four young heroes exited the zeta-beam into the Batcave, and into Wayne Manor, they found Dick and Wally already there and waiting for them. It was past dinner-time and the mood was one of an impromptu family catching up. For some of them it was the first time getting together since Bart regained his consciousness. Bart got a chance to tell Wally about Calvin's reaction to getting the goggles as a gift. Tim and Kon got to catch up with Dick, while Jamie felt like a fish out of water. He felt like the cause of so much grief, though the fault was not his, and tried to stay out of the way. Bruce Wayne, seeing his discomfiture, made a point of making him comfortable. Alfred brought a mug of cocoa, but Bruce himself offered it to Jamie.

"I'm glad to have you here. And you… Bart… come here." Bruce called. He was in a great mood, having his sons and their friends together, but it was still his home and he could be a bit brusque in his affection.

"Yes sir?" Bart asked as he stepped over.

"We are all glad to have you back as well." And Bruce Wayne shook his hand while pulling him into a hug and then placed Bart's hand in Jamie's. It was the only way he knew how to show his affection and show to them both that Jamie's actions while the scarab was under Warworld's control had not been held against him.

Meanwhile, Tim tried his best to be nice to Damian. He had shown his true mettle in Gotham in Robin's absence and took the mantle of the Robin that was to come. Tim thanked him for his courage and skill.

"It wouldn't have been necessary if you were doing your job." Damian hisses at him.

"Damian! That is what is unnecessary." Bruce corrects his only blood-born son.

"Yes sir. You are correct." The little fiend answers too easily.

"Tim… a word with you please." Bruce asks with an odd tone to his voice and head towards the grandfather clock in the back hallway that leads to the Batcave. Tim follows the tall Gotham industrialist down the stone stairs to the heart of his greatest secret, and the place where Robin's secret was born as well.

"I ordered you to stand down when you approached Warworld. I knew you had plans, but nothing so foolhardy. You defied and disobeyed me; and worse you convinced others to disobey League orders."

Tim felt his blood boil. He almost lost his husband and their friend there, not to mention the death or loss of Kaldur'Ahm, which bore heavily on the entire Team. But they had dared to try and save the world and had succeeded, against all odds. The days and nights of looking after Bart in his coma, not to mention hearing Kon weep over Kaldur when he thought no one would know; being accused was more than he could bear, especially being surprised by it under the circumstances.

"No sir! I did what we had to do. You and the members of the Justice League were known and taken into account by the enemy. Look at what happened to our cities in such a short time. I thought we might succeed because we were unexpected. We did, but I miscalculated and we had to save Jamie. We had failures and losses that I still do not know how to bear; and there are still allies of that enemy to deal with."

"I'm not done!" Bruce declares and his voice suddenly softens.

"You disobeyed me. You made decisions against my clear orders… you gathered and led a team to success. Did it have cost? Were their consequences? Of course there were, painfully so. A protégé would not do this, but a friend and ally would. You have made me proud!"

Bruce Wayne looked at the young Timothy Drake with pride. Tim almost wanted to break down in the sense of redemption, but instead steeled his shoulders and stood tall. He might not even tell Kon about this moment, but keep it special for himself. His own father had never had the time to even know his son. But his adopted father who had given him a mission in life now trusted him as an equal. His heart was full with both pride and sense of responsibility.

Tim followed Bruce upstairs back to the Manor with a lighter heart. He had been expecting the rebuke, but not how it had turned out. The remainder of the evening had Bart and Wally catching up and being the obnoxious speedsters they were. Tim, Kon, and Dick tried to engage Jamie in a video game. Bruce and Alfred sat back and enjoyed the view of the young men enjoying themselves under his roof. It felt like a redemption for having sacrificed so much of his own love of life, but found it again with them. He thought back to when Tim was first mortally wounded by the explosion that almost killed him, the keening wails of Superboy when he flew away with his son; he knew now that bringing him back to Mount Justice (and to Superboy) to recover was the best decision he had made in his difficult life. He had let his Robin fly, but the Robin came back and brought some fine additions to the family with him.

No one, except maybe Alfred, would have expected that Bruce secretly loved the laughter of youth in the old house. He had sacrificed his own youth on the altar of Justice, but could he could at least enjoy it in others he cared for.

The following morning saw the guys gathered about the breakfast table. Alfred had clearly been up early to accommodate Bart, as there were piles of waffles waiting on him. Tim and Kon joked about with one another, though Kon seemed uncommonly distracted. Dick and Wally were deep in animated conversation; and Bart and Jamie were acting (again) like two had recently rediscovered each other (which they had). Damian sat at the far end of the long oaken table with a sour look on his face.

Bruce, now having seen the morning begin with familial joy had an announcement to make. He stood and looked about the room with an intense eye, like looking at the house as a whole; as though there was no one in the room that didn't know what there nighttime activities were.

"Bart, did you bring your favorite uniform with you?" Bruce asked in humour.

Bart looked over at Tim with a stern amber eye and stuck his tongue out at him as to say 'I told you so".

"Your presence is expected at the Tower tonight. I will be standing with those asking to see you. Take it as a measure of my respect that I do not stand with you and let you stand for yourself."

"Oh shit." Conner says. He's always done what was right, or at least he thought he did, but was never asked to answer for it. He knew they defied the League and was fearing the worst. Tim suspected something else, but was going to let the surprise linger.

Exiting the zeta-tube there was an honour guard of heroes. Robin's uniform was not his best or worst. It was simply what he wore every night on the streets he protected. It fit him better than a knight's gleaming armour. Kon wore his blue cargo pants and long-sleeved S-shield shirt as his simple approach belied his handsome strength. Bart of course wore his best; and Jamie had only to ask his scarab and he was encased in handsome blue and black armour. Behind them came a line of others: Kid Flash, Nightwing, Artemis, M'Gann: and Concrete Angel (and Andy with him as an honoured guest).

Superman and Batman were present and both viewed their sons with obvious pride. Wonder Woman looked on Superboy and Robin with delight, but especially at Concrete Angel who she had once shamed (and she regretted that moment), but he had come around into the fullness of power and into understanding of his own strength.

"Ladies and Gentlemen, we have debated and come to agreement that these candidates should be accepted into the Justice League." Batman said ceremoniously.

"You have agreed, but not all of us have, Batman." Hawkman made clear in his singular role as the dissenting voice. There were times when the Thangarian objected simply to be disagreeable. Superboy having seen the burden of leadership that Robin carried and the choices and sacrifices he himself had made gave him the courage and will to walk up to the Thangarian warrior and look him dead in the eye and voicelessly dare him to challenge him. The Thangarian took the measure of the young man standing fearlessly before him and quietly changed his opinion.

"Ma'am, Sirs…" Brian said in hopeless nervousness. "I barely know what to do or say. I only found my abilities after Superboy and Robin saved me and Kid Flash and Nightwing rescued Andy. We only know what we can do where we live and we want to restore it to where what we experienced might not happen to others. I'm floored, but it's a bit much for me. We are making friends who can help. It's a good start." And Andy comes to Brian's side and takes his hand in support.

Robin and Superboy firm their shoulders. Hawkwoman knew their answer before any of the other, even if they didn't realize it yet; and Superboy spoke for them both, and most knew he was not a joiner:

"We can't join you. The rules you set might have cost us the last fight and we proved otherwise. We need that independence. We've saved lives. If we followed orders then who knows what might have happened. Inspire us. You are our mentors. But let us fight the way we know best… in the shadows where no one suspects. We don't do it for glory. No one needs know."

Robin looked over on his husband and gave him such a look of abject love and approval that even Fate spoke in his sepulchral voice from the quiet side where he stood like an icon of mystery:

"They had the courage to go where we did not. Hinder them at your peril. Not all shadows are evil things, as you know well Batman."

"Perhaps he is right." Wonder Woman says, and the matter of Superboy and Robin is settled and they retain their freedom to operate independently.

"Nightwing… Kid Flash?" Superman asks.

Nightwing turns to Robin and says: "It's been a long road from that first day at CADMUS to now. Freeing Superboy, falling in love, losing Kaldur. Kid Flash and I need a break. Being part of the league gives us that break without quitting."

"It's an honor that you've earned, Nightwing. Just don't be strangers please." Robin asks.

"Never, little brother."

"And you two… the invitation is extended to you as well." Flash asks as he looks over to his own grandson who has come from the future.

Bart looks to Beetle for confirmation and sees his bright smile and answers:

"Sorry Grampa Barry, but we have to stay with them. We did a lot of good with them and we're a family now. Being up here in a space tower takes us away from the people we are supposed to help." And all Bart could think about was Calvin who was the greatest success of the kids they rescued in his opinion. But Concrete Angel was one of those guys and he stood right there among the other young heroes. That was quite a success in its own right.

The Justice League inducted Kid Flash and Nightwing and the other young heroes went back to their pursuits, but you could tell that Superman and Batman were proud of their sons' decisions. At one time in history, Superman and Batman were known as "The World's Finest." Now as their sons went on with their blessing they were going to make those words truly matter and etch their names on the history of the world along with their friends.

"These teens have shown their worth and strength. Sometimes wild and unruly, but true of heart. Their enemies need be wary of the young titans." Wonder Woman said softly to those around her; and Batman arched an eyebrow under his cowl at her curious phrase.