A/N: Guess who's done it? Guess who finished this story?! Woot Woot! So as I said before some few chapters ago, I will finish this story up and then take about one to two weeks off to get some of the writing done for the next story and then I'll start updating as usual again. I've already got four chapters done for the next story and I feel you're all gonna love it! Thanks so much for reading this!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Enjoy!

Chapter: 36

Darren was shaken awake by Dick. He was extremely groggy but relatively well rested,

"Everyone will be here in a few hours. You should get up so you're not too tired still when they do. You also might want to change clothes," Dick stated. Darren gave him a tired glare but hurried upstairs and changed into something nicer for dinner. He'd slept for quite a while which was pretty good for him. Once he came downstairs Dick approached him, a frown on his face,

"Tim said you didn't sleep well last night," Darren glared in the direction of the other teen,

"Tattle," he muttered, "It was nothing,"

"No it wasn't. It clearly bothered you,"

"I don't actually remember it," Darren admitted, "It just riled me up. I had to let some energy out,"

"Why didn't you talk to Jason about it?" Darren shrugged uncomfortably,

"I'm used to handling my own problems," he said finally,

"I know it's difficult to come to terms with, but you don't have to shoulder everything yourself. We're here for you now," he placed a hand on his shoulder and gave it a comforting squeeze,

"Yeah but for how long?" Darren blurted out. Dick looked at him surprised, Darren stared back at his cousin with an equally surprised expression. He hadn't meant to say that, he just blurted it out. Yet just by uttering that one sentence, the overall problem that had been plaguing him had been revealed. Malik's words played back in his head You can't possibly think you'll be here forever…they will all eventually die, and we'll be all you have left. Jason had brought it up more subtly when he and Darren were talking. It must have stuck with him ever since. That had been what was bothering him so deeply. More so than anything else caused by his newfound unwanted status by the Court. He didn't want to be alone. Even if that was years and years away. It still flitted there in the back of his consciousness, "N-never mind," Darren muttered, shrugging off Dick's hand and slinking over to the couch to watch TV with Tim. Dick stared after him, a slightly deeper frown on his face. Darren couldn't help but feel guilty for contributing to such a degree of frowning.

Darren avoided Dick for the remainder of the time before everyone came for dinner. He mindlessly stared at the TV, not even taking in what was being displayed. Eventually Dick would corner him and he'd have to explain everything. Perhaps not that Malik had visited, but the overall issue of why he said what he had. The knowledge that he would eventually stop aging completely filled him with some level of worry. Not only would that cause some confusion and suspicion by everyone in Gotham, but it would leave Darren defenseless from the Talons. He wouldn't be able to been seen in public when that happened, which will eventually lead to the people in the city forgetting him. Then he'd be easy pickings for Talons sent by the Owls. He'd like to think he could defend himself from them all, but an entire organization of assassins after him on his own? No, he wouldn't last a week…that is only if they don't decide he wasn't worth their efforts. Why did he have to think about this now? Why did this worry him so adamantly? The ding of the doorbell caused him to jerk in surprise, not expecting such a loud noise.

Now he had to deal with another problem: meeting new people. With a sigh he stood and followed Tim and the others to the entryway. He had his own insecurity in meeting the Commissioner for the first time. And Barbara and Stephanie. But he had been told he was being silly. He saw the Commissioner first. He was an older man. With greying fiery red hair and light blue eyes framed with glasses. He had a mustache too. His face was lined and Darren could see every laugh, smile and worry line etched into his face. When he saw Darren a smile broke out on his face, Darren didn't exactly know why he was so pleased to see him, but that wasn't necessarily the worst reaction he'd ever received,

"Hello you must be Darren. I'm James Gordon. This is my daughter Barbara. It is nice to finally meet you," he shook Darren's hand firmly and Barbara did the same. She had the same fiery hair but bright green eyes instead,

"Dick has been talking nonstop about you, and it is really great to meet you in person,"

"Wish I could say the same, but the only thing I heard was that you were Dick's girlfriend,"

"Is this where you tell me if I break his heart you'll hunt me down and destroy me?" Barbara asked,

"No, I figured I should threaten Dick with that, but you seem to be quite capable of doing that yourself," Darren replied. They laughed, "I only know that you're the Commissioner," he said to her father,

"Not right now. I am only James Gordon. I leave my cop hat at home for holidays like this,"

"Noted Mr. Gordon," Darren stated. He was beginning to think that perhaps meeting new people wouldn't be so hard,

"Call me Jim," was his reply as he moved to say hello to Dick and Tim. Stephanie meandered over to meet Darren as well,

"I hope you're hungry, I brought pecan pie,"

"I've never had that before," Darren stated, a grin on his face,

"I thought so, but Tim might've told me that. What better time than now to try it?" she replied a large smile on her face. Stephanie had light blonde hair and light brown eyes. She seemed to have a bubbly energy and Darren couldn't help but send small smile in reply.

Everyone meandered over to the living room. It was odd being with a large group of people and have no fights ever break out. He had seen Tim and Damian break out into a fight or two, but that had been in a more private setting. Darren kept glancing around the room waiting for glasses to start flying around and people start launching themselves at each other fighting over the remote. But that didn't happen. Light conversation and the occasional tinkling laugh were the only echoes throughout the room. The murmuring of voices was almost calming. It was welcoming. It seemed to say 'this is what family was like.' Dick and Barbara were sitting close on the end of the couch, talking animately to each other. A wide smile on both their faces. Bruce and Jim were talking seriously near the fireplace, but both had slight smiles on their faces as they also caught up their weeks events. Tim and Stephanie were in their own corner of the couch whispering to each other, Stephanie occasionally tilting her head back to laugh at something Tim said. Damian was Damian and spent his time in the corner of the L shaped couch, his earbuds jammed in and ignoring everyone.

Darren didn't mind sitting on his own. In fact he liked just seeing everyone, happy in their own right, enjoying each other's company. It felt familiar, even if he'd only been living here a few weeks and had just met these people. It was quiet, but loud all the same. Spacious but close-knit as well. Distanced, but filled with a sense of closeness. It worked. But Darren couldn't help but imagine a time when it would be quiet, cold, and dark. When the voices would just be echoes of ghosts from the past. When he was the only one in the room left standing.

His shoulders slumped, he hated to think like that. He hated to even consider that. But he could feel his mind wander back to that thought. That problem. That one concern that while so distant was so very real. With a frown he got up form his seat and left the room. He couldn't be the one to ruin the moment. He couldn't let them see him upset for no reason. So he took himself out of the room and hurried upstairs to his bedroom. Let them enjoy their togetherness, he'll come down for dinner time.

Darren had flung himself over the comforter of his bed, with his eyes closed. Perhaps he was still overtired. Maybe if he took a nap he'd stop thinking of all these people as already dead and buried leaving him alone. It was a strange concept to think of, that one day Dick would be grey and wrinkled while he remained the same. It was odd to think that Damian, who was younger than him, would one day surpass him in height, age and looks. It was terrible to think of that and to worry mostly only about himself…but at this point, he couldn't imagine himself alone. He didn't want to. He didn't want that to happen. And yet there was nothing he could do.

A light knock on his door caused him to snap his eyes open. He let out a sigh and called out lightly,

"Go away Dick," the doorknob turned and Darren growled and sat up snapping, "I thought I said to go away—," as he did so, only to cut himself off at seeing Barbara standing in the doorway. He blanched slightly, he hadn't meant to be rude to her, a guest and a pseudo member of the family,

"I—ah—sorry," he mumbled, looking down at the floorboards,

"It's alright," Barbara said, "Dick had wanted to come up here, but I figured he had already tried to get you to talk about what's on your mind,"

"How do you know about that?" Darren asked, looking up and raising an eyebrow,

"You might not have caught on, but he's been literally talking nonstop about you for weeks," she said with a slight smirk on her face, "Including when he was worried about you,"

"Oh…sorry you had to deal with that,"

"It's fine. He's just happy…no, that's not the right word, he's ecstatic to have found you,"

"I know…and I'm glad he's happy," Darren stated. Barbara frowned slightly as she closed the door behind her,

"Are you…not happy?" she asked,

"No…I am. Trust me I am…"

"But…?"

"It's nothing…it's stupid," Darren stated, glaring at nothing in particular,

"If something's bothering you it's not stupid," Barbara stated, "Talk to me," she crossed the room and sat down next to him on the bed, "Talk to someone who doesn't really know you all that well, maybe that will be more help than someone who does," Darren was silent for a bit, but Barbara didn't seem to mind and he appreciated that. He knew from the others that she had photographic memory, and that she was Batgirl in addition to the daughter of the Commissioner and Dick's girlfriend. She seemed nice and genuine too, that was hard to come by in any kind of person. He immediately felt bad for thinking about her being dead, especially because of how much Dick cared for her and how much her father loved her. He could see it. He was pretty good at reading people. He wasn't at Dick's level, but he saw enough when he needed to.

Darren shifted himself to face her and took a deep breath before starting to speak,

"Well…I…since I'm a Talon," he began, Barbara nodded encouragingly, "I…don't exactly age normally,"

"I know. You only age until you're in your mid to late twenties then aging is at a virtual standstill," she stated, she then frowned, "Is that what's bothering you?"

"No…it's the fact that you guys don't age the same way as I do," he replied,

"Oh," she said, then, "oh," she blinked in understanding before her expression filled with such a level of sympathy and empathy that it was slightly overwhelming. He wasn't expecting such a reaction, should he be more worried about this?

"Oh Darren," she stated,

"I know, it's stupid," he said looking away again,

"It's not stupid," Barbara stated, "I don't think the concept of you not aging while we do would register as stupid for anyone," Darren knew one person who would definitely think it was stupid but he kept that to himself,

"I…I've always knew that I wouldn't age like normal people do, and I knew that you would all…eventually…die. But I never thought about the…afterwards aspect until last night and now," he mumbled it all fast but Barbara nodded in understanding, "I…I don't want to be alone," he could feel that upsetting and uncomfortable feeling rising in his chest and he forced it down. It wasn't fair to break down in front of Barbara, not when she was trying to make him feel better,

"It's okay to be afraid. Fear is sometimes a good thing. It helps people survive. And you will not be alone. Not for a very long time…and even when that happens there are others who will be there for you,"

"Yeah…Calvin would still be around," Darren muttered, I hope, he added in his head,

"And you will still have family alive," Barbara stated, "I mean, not anytime soon but I'm not going to my grave kidless," Darren blushed at that and sputtered out,

"Well…I mean…I never thought of that…and I wouldn't want to drag your or anyone else's potential kids into this," Barbara let out a chuckle,

"My point is that there is still so much time between then and now. I know it will always be in the back of your mind, but try and focus on the now. You have us here now…all of us," she reached over and placed her hand on top of his and gave it a light squeeze. Darren wanted to pull his hand away but forced himself not to. He wasn't that comfortable with physical contact, he was better about it now but it was still something he didn't really like. It wasn't something he was used to,

"Alright…I will. You are very right," lightly pulling his hand out of her's,

"I always am,"

"Batman and now you, apparently love saying that," Barbara laughed again,

"Better?" she asked,

"Better," Darren replied, and he did feel better. It will always be a painful thing to think about, but he needed to be reminded that that won't happen now, there are people there for him now and there will be someone in the future there for him as well,

"Let's go back downstairs for dinner then," she stated, "I'm starving," she stood and started heading for the door,

"Barbara?" Darren called, she stopped and looked back at him, "Thanks," she smiled at him and he hurried to follow her back downstairs.

Everyone was finally sated at the table. The food laid out on platters and steaming, it smelled delicious. Darren's stomach rumbled, it'd been a few hours since he'd last eaten, and he'd probably actually slept that meal off before during his nap. Darren reached for the serving spoon for mashed potatoes—one of his favorites—only to have his hand smacked by Tim,

"What gives?" Darren muttered, retracting his hand from the potato spoon,

"It's not time to eat yet," Tim stated,

"But we're sitting at the table,"

"We go around and give thanks,"

"Give what?" Tim rolled his eyes,

"We say what we're thankful for. It's a tradition,"

"Does everyone do it?"

"Maybe not everyone, but we do it here," he replied shrugging. Bruce waited till everyone was settled before saying,

"Well, like with every year. I'll start us off," Darren glanced from one end of the table to the other, everyone seemed completely okay with this. Why couldn't they do this after they ate the food? It would be a waste if the food went cold,

"I'm thankful for Alfred, for making this meal…and every other meal. And I am thankful for my family," next was Damian,

"Uh…yeah, family," was all he said. Dick listed of quite a few things, including him which made him scrunch down in his seat out of embarrassment. Jim said his family and that he was still alive after so many years of dealing with Gotham's criminals, which was a very logical thing to be thankful for. Barbara of course said her father and Dick and that she could walk again. Darren knew about her few years of paralysis, he couldn't imagine what that was like to go through. It seemed terrifying, but he knew how brave she was and what an incredible difference she made despite a physical setback and disability, it was very inspiring,

"I'm thankful for the essentials. Food, water, shelter…coffee,"

"Tim," Bruce stated, slightly exasperated,

"And of course family," Tim amended, a slight grin on his face. All eyes then turned to Darren. He stared back and gulped, he hadn't thought he'd be a part of this,

"Um…well. I'm thankful that I found family," he started, nodding in Dick's direction…he then bit his lip, glancing at Jim and thinking of how to best phrase what he was very thankful for, even if it meant he'd live as a Talon for the rest of his life, "And I'm thankful that I'm here," he emphasized the last word, he knew the Bats would get it but he continued for Jim's sake, "I'm thankful that you welcomed me into your home…and your family," perhaps he explained more than he wanted to, but the message was delivered and it felt good to share it. He was thankful to be a part of their lives, and that they wanted him there in theirs. Hopefully that feeling didn't change as time went on.

Once it was clear he was finished speaking, everyone dug in. Passing platters of food around, the clinking of silverware and glasses echoed in the dining room and Titus pattered all around their feet, sniffing for scraps. Darren had to put his fork and knife down to just take it all in. It was always strange how different this lifestyle was from the one he'd been raised in. He didn't know if he'd always be familiar with it, but he could definitely get used to it. Even so…

…This felt like family. And it felt right too.

A/N: The concept of immortality is always seen as something great, yet it's also a terribly sad thing if you think about it. Everyone you love growing old while you stay the same, them dying when you don't? So yeah, happy thoughts. Lol. Sorry if the commish seemed a little stiff and awkward, for some reason my Jim Gordon writing skills was off when I did this and I didn't know how to fix it. Also, hoped you liked some Darren and Barbara bonding!

So yeah, you all know the drill. PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REEEEEEEEEEVVVVVVVVVIIIIIIIIEEEEEEWWWW!

Next Chapter on Friday!