Chapter Fifty-Three:

A/N: I would like to thank BatShitCrazy (on AO3) for helping me with this chapter. Without you, I would have never been able to finish it in time! You are a great friend. ^_^

"Master Dick, you have a guest," Alfred says as he enters the room. Everyone is currently seated around the table for dinner, Tim and Jason pointedly ignoring each other. Bruce assumes Tim has yet to actually talk to Jason about the fight they had when the Kents were over. Damian is flipping his knife back and forth in his hand and Dick sits there quietly, deep in thought.

Bruce looks over at his oldest son who looks surprised to have a visitor. "Did you invite them in, Alfred?" Bruce asks after swallowing his mouthful of food.

Alfred just gives him a look that conveys the years of drumming manners into his ward. Bruce's eyebrow lifts in response. The silent conversation between them flows easily. "The young lady wished to remain outside," Alfred says, directing an inscrutable gaze at Dick.

Dick's chair flies back from the table and he hurriedly wipes at his mouth with his napkin. Bruce sees worry, concern and a flash of fear cross Dick's features. "It'll be Kori," Dick says with apology clear in his voice. Bruce isn't sure how Dick would know that it is Kori, but doesn't question it.

"Go," Bruce replies. Not even one minute after Dick has left, Jason also wipes his mouth and pushes his chair back, making a poor excuse to leave the room. Tim just looks at Bruce, shrugging his shoulders and follows after Jason.

"Father," Damian begins hesitantly, scrunching up his nose. "Why are they all going to spy on Grayson?"

Bruce doesn't want to answer but a loud voice echoes down the hallway, interrupting his thoughts. Both Bruce and Damian leave the table and head for the front door. Damian hangs back but Bruce steps past Jason and Tim, who aren't even trying to conceal their presence.

"But Kori?" Bruce hears Dick pleading. He stops at the threshold of the front door to see Dick standing a few steps out on the deck. The young beta is surrounded by some large cardboard boxes, a suitcase and several big black garbage bags overflowing with clothes. Kori floats a few feet away, beyond the steps to the Manor.

"No, Dick," says the Tamaranian loudly. "You've explained your actions many times. I do not claim to understand why you would secretly help Wally with his heats but even after your explanations, your attempts at reconciliation, you still kept things from me."

"What?" Dick's voice has gone high pitched at the question.

"You heard me Dick, my voice is loud enough for your ears," Kori crosses her arms and glares.

"Kori, I wouldn't, I didn't," Dick is tripping over his words now.

"Liar!" Kori shouts.

Bruce remains calm on the outside, but can hear the indrawn breaths behind him. Quickly looking back at his other three sons, he can see how the argument is affecting Jason and Tim. Damian still looks confused by the commotion. Waves of angry alpha scent fill the air around them.

Pointedly clearing his throat to get everyone's attention, he turns to look directly at Kori. "Do you have to do this at my front door? I don't need paparazzi, or anyone with a phone, to start snapping pictures." It isn't quite a Batman growl, but it isn't Bruce's normal tone either.

Kori looks contrite for a moment. "I'm sorry Ba.. Mister Wayne, I did not intend for a scene. I only wished to return Dick's belongings." Dick has spun around to face the small gathered crowd. Bruce can see the beginnings of panic and a silent plea for help on his oldest son's face.

"At least get your feet on the ground, Koriand'r." Bruce grumbles the order while trying to think past yet another growing headache. Kori's green eyes flash and it is obvious she is reluctant as she touches down on the ground below the steps. Bruce moves forward, past where Dick is rooted to the spot. The scent is stronger here with a hint of alieness that is completely different to Clark's. "Why now? Why here in front of my home?" Bruce demands to know.

Kori's face shows signs of distress, looking like she is about to cry. "We were going to go out for dinner last night. I was in the bathroom when Wally came over. Dick must have messaged Wally, requesting to talk to him but I think he turned up unexpectedly, and... the walls are thin." Kori chokes back a sob.

"Kori, no," Dick whispers.

"I could hear them speaking. Dick must have forgotten I was there when I heard. Did you know, Mister Wayne, that Wally is in love with your son?" the Tamaranian looks directly at Bruce.

"I told him I didn't love him, Kori! I love you," Dick interrupts before Bruce can answer.

"I know, Dick. You were very direct and harsh. Some would even say cruel." It is hard for Bruce to read the expression on Kori's face as she speaks, but the alpha's scent spikes in intensity. It smells of sadness and anger. Dick seems to understand, and takes a half step back. "I wished to speak with Wally. He is a valued friend. I was worried for him, so I went to see him today. He was afraid of me, Dick. When I explained what I heard, he ran." Kori's eyes flash with frustrated anger this time, and Jason instinctively steps in front of Bruce. "Wally is our friend and he ran from me! He feared reprisals from me because he admitted his feelings towards you." Kori continues berating Dick. "This hurt me deeply. Everything that has happened recently has done nothing but cause me pain and heartache. I can't… I just… I don't want to hurt anymore, Dick."

Dick appears to shrink in on himself. "Kori, please don't," Dick pleads quietly.

Kori looks at Dick with an intensity only previously seen in battle. As she speaks, she ascends the stairs until she is a single step below Bruce. "Dick, you have never been a cruel man. It was one of the reasons I loved you." Dick visibly flinches in Bruce's periphery at the use of the past tense. But the Tamaranian isn't finished yet. "You have always shown kindness, put the wellbeing of others before yourself. It's part of what we all do." Kori spreads her hands to encompass everyone present. "But your words to Wally were selfish. You did not care how it would make him feel."

Bruce is surprised to hear Dick has treated the situation so poorly. Dick puts his hands on his face and takes a shaky breath in. "Did you talk with Wally?" Bruce asks Kori.

Kori looks over at Bruce and regards him with her bright green eyes. "I did. It is not easy to catch a speedster so I waited at his favourite take out restaurant."

Bruce tilts his head to the side, a very Batman gesture that everyone knows all too well as an invitation to continue. Inside, he feels a little guilty about how he had berated Wally after Clark's injury. He also recalls the conversation from a few days ago and knows that Clark is keeping an eye on Wally. Clark would have contacted Bruce if anything bad has happened.

"Wally ordered his food and I was able to convince him to talk to me. We were both in civilian disguise, so we went to a nearby park. At first, he didn't want to speak to me about Dick. After reassuring him that I was not angry, he poured his heart out to me." Kori steps up beside Jason and Bruce, and pokes Dick in the chest. "Not only did you break his heart, Dick, but he told me about the termination of his pregnancy."

Kori's angry alpha pheromones rolls off in waves. Bruce struggles not to gag on the intensity. At Kori's final poke into Dick's chest, the now thoroughly defeated looking man falls back on his ass amongst his possessions.

Bruce's hand whips out past Jason and grabs Kori's arm. Kori must have been caught by surprise as her hand begins to glow green. Jason growls deep in his throat. "Stand down, Koriand'r," Bruce orders.

The flame dies quickly, but not before a sonic boom is heard overhead and Clark lands with a scowl on his face and a tint of red in his eyes. "What's going on?" Clark takes in the situation quickly. He turns to Kori, who looks afraid suddenly. "Are you threatening my mate?"

"Not your mate," Damian mumbles from behind Tim.

"Yet, Demon Spawn," Tim returns under his breath.

"Why does everyone want a half breed child?" Damian grumbles.

The group turns to look at Damian. Bruce catches the look of pain that is on Clark's face before focussing on his youngest. Before he can speak, Jason jumps in on the conversation. "I'd be careful saying things like that around two very powerful aliens, Baby Bat," Jason teases.

"Stop calling me that," Damian demands, going slightly red in the face.

Bruce sighs. The combination of angry alpha hormones and arguing within his family, makes his head throb painfully. Clark walks over to stand on the opposite side of Bruce from Jason. Putting his hand on the small of Bruce's back, he rubs in small circles gently. Jason is glaring at everyone, the rumble of displeasure from deep in his throat drawing the attention of the group.

"Dick, you were a dick," Jason begins. "This is not Wally's fault, nor is it Kori's fault. You made a poor judgement call and now you have to face the consequences." Jason draws his attention to Kori. "Having this confrontation here, at the front door of the Manor, can compromise us all. That part is on you, Kori."

Kori drops her head briefly, her red hair obscuring her face. "I apologize for my hasty actions."

Alfred clears his throat from just inside the doorway. "A conglomeration of colourful costumed heroes at the front door of Wayne Manor. What would the press make of this I wonder?" Bruce turns to glance back at Alfred before looking at Kori and Clark, both in uniform. A deep sigh escapes him and he pinches the bridge of his nose. This is a huge mess.

"Clark, can you at least get changed? I appreciate that you rushed here but, as always, Alfred is right. Tim, grab a coat from the hall closet for Kori, please?" Bruce tries to sound firm, like he knows what he is doing, but in reality his headache is making it difficult to concentrate. Clark speeds away in the blink of an eye, and returns moments later in a pair of jeans and a plain black shirt. Bruce narrows his eyes. "Are those my clothes, Clark?" Bruce asks gruffly.

Clark has the decency to blush. "You're clothes are the closest things I can get to right now."

"But my paternity clothes?" Bruce asks, eyeing the shirt Clark is wearing. It's one of his favorites.

"It's not like he can fit in your regular clothes since he's bigger than you, Old Man," Jason says, the snigger obvious in his voice. The general mood lifts momentarily but it doesn't last long.

Tim steps out and wraps a coat over Kori's shoulders.

"Thank you, Tim." Kori says. "Again, I'm sorry if I caused a scene for you all."

"Being sorry is worthless if our identities are compromised," Damian snipes.

"Damian," Bruce growls lowly.

"This is boring. I'm going back to my food before it's completely ruined," Damian says, before marching back inside.

Dick clambers up off the ground during the distraction. Bruce can see how distressed Dick is by the way he runs his hand through his hair. The strained bond between them makes Bruce's stomach churn.

The air is still full of conflicting scents, the strongest still being anger from the alphas. Kori is mad at Dick, Clark is angry that Bruce is upset, Jason is in protective mode, and Tim has returned to Alfred's side. Bruce needs to resolve this now, before the situation escalates.

"This is unacceptable," Bruce begins. "Dick, if I find you have treated Wally harshly, after all he's been through, after our discussion about your future plans with both Kori and Wally, you-" Bruce is cut off as the nausea rises in him once more. Pushing down the bile in his throat, he refuses to lose his dinner in front of all present.

"Bruce, are you ok?" Clark's concern shines in his bright blue eyes.

Bruce nods and places a hand on his swollen belly. "She's upset too," he says softly.

Clark looks at him, clearly not believing a word Bruce says but doesn't call him out on it. Bruce is thankful for that. The last thing he needs is to make another scene about him not feeling well.

Bruce rounds on Dick once more. "Did you tell her everything, Dick? Or did you hold back?" It is Batman's interrogation voice that asks the question, dominate and demanding.

Dick pales. "I, um, mostly everything." Dick refuses to meet Bruce's eyes, which tells Bruce everything he needs to know.

"Dick, you're a dick," Jason reiterates, having finally taken two steps away from Bruce now that Clark is present. He remains nearby, however, his alpha instincts still influencing him.

"Shut it, Jason," Dick says miserably.

Kori visibly flinches when Dick has speaks. "Mostly everything? Future plans?" Kori's voice has taken on a darker tone. Dick looks beseechingly at Bruce. Dammit, Bruce thinks to himself. It is obvious that Dick hasn't discussed the surrogacy idea with Kori. "Dick," Kori regains the group's attention. "What future plans did you have with Wally?"

"Master Tim, I believe it's time we left this conversation," Alfred states mildly. Tim looks to Bruce for direction and, at Bruce's small nod of agreement, reluctantly leaves the doorway with Alfred.

Jason sit down on the step, obviously not caring that Alfred thinks this private conversation should stay private. "This should be good."

"Jason, you don't need to be here either," Bruce states firmly.

"You've got to be kidding? I don't want to miss this," Jason says a little petulantly.

Bruce just glares and Jason holds his hands up in surrender. "Okay, okay, I'm going," comes the grumbled concession. Once Jason has gone inside, that leaves four of them standing awkwardly amongst Dick's things.

"I think I deserve to know," Kori speaks up again. Dick just looks more miserable.

"Do you think we should leave them to it?" Clark whispers.

Bruce just shakes his head negatively. If Dick's bond with Kori is suffering, he needs to be nearby no matter how sick he is feeling. Plus, he's a part of this now, whether he likes it or not. Wally made sure of that when he got Bruce involved.

"Dick," Bruce begins. "Tell her what you told me. Tell her everything. She deserves to know. Then it will be up to Kori as to what she does next. Whether she gives you a second chance." Kori crosses her arms impatiently.

"Well... the future plans I was thinking of included you, Kori," Dick says slowly. "We are still young, so is Wally." Kori's eyes flash but she doesn't speak. Clark moves closer to Bruce, who leans back onto the firm, warm chest at his back. "I'm 21 years old and not ready for a family yet, but that's not to say I didn't want one in the future. With you, Kori," Dick's voice has gone soft. "I did, I mean, I do. Want a family that is, with you, Kori."

Kori's stance relaxes slightly. "Dick, that's practically impossible. I'm an alpha and you're a beta. The chances of children-"

"Don't you think I know that?" Dick's voice rises in frustration.

"Dick," Bruce warns.

After taking another deep breath, Dick continues. "When Wally first asked for help with his heats, I had the idea of asking him to be our surrogate."

Bruce sees Kori's eyes widen in shock, and feels Clark's inhaled breath behind him. Closing his eyes for a moment, feeling the support at his back, Bruce tries to ground himself. This conversation could either go poorly for Dick, or could help to resolve the issues with Kori.

"Why did you never mention this to me, Dick?" Kori asks.

"Because I wasn't sure, okay? Because it was still too early for us to think about children. I hadn't even spoken to Wally to see if he would be open to the idea. I needed to talk to you first," Dick's voice rises steadily as his frustration comes back in full force. Bruce knows that Dick has misstepped, with the words and tone of voice used. He tries to catch Dick's eyes, to project calm through the parental bond, but it is in vain.

"You should have discussed this with me, Dick," Kori is angry once more. "Before you started sharing heats with him. If you were serious, about a baby, about us, then it would have been I that spent the heats with Wally. You should have told both of us."

Bruce silently agrees. A small sliver of guilt enters his mind. Batman has been secretive throughout his career, even when it comes to Robins who are his sons. Is what is happening now partly his fault? He feels Clark's hands reassuringly rubbing up and down his arms. He marvels for a moment at how well Clark understands him to the point of knowing what he is thinking. Looking back at the arguing couple, he sees Dick's face crumble.

"You're right, Kori. I should have told both of you sooner. I'm sorry." as soon as the words leave Dick's lips, he starts sobbing. Dick tries to cover the tears by covering his face with his hands but he is betrayed by the shaking of his shoulders. Bruce wants to go to him but instead looks at Kori.

The green eyes glisten with tears also as she shakes her head. "How can I trust you, Dick?" she asks softly. "First, you hide that you're sharing heats with Wally, then you tell me you want Wally to have our baby. When Wally expresses feelings towards you, you don't consider him at all and treat him poorly. I can't do this, Dick," Kori says sadly.

"Please, Kori," Dick openly begs. "I was thinking of us, of our future."

"No, Dick. You were selfish and thought only of yourself," Kori replies.

"Give me a chance?" Dick stretches a hand towards Kori.

"I can't, Dick. You are not the man I thought you were. You are not the man I fell in love with," Kori sniffles.

Bruce can't hold back any longer. Although he knew his son has been wrong, has made some terrible decisions lately, he can't just watch the pair of them in pain. Dick seems to be a walking disaster zone, remembering everything that has happened ranging from punching Bruce at the top of the stairs to the cave, to using kryptonite that risked his unborn child, and now destroying his relationships. Bruce needs to do something despite the headache that is now pounding at his skull.

"Listen," he begins. "Why don't you both take some time-"

"I'm sorry, Mister Wayne," Kori interrupts, removing the coat she has been loaned. "I don't think this is something that time will mend." Clark steps around Bruce and takes the coat. Kori turns back to Dick, tears streaming down her face. She looks disheveled, heartbroken. "It's over, Dick. No more chances. I just can't do this anymore." With those final words, Kori turns and flies away.

Dick falls to the step beneath him and begins to cry. Bruce steps away from Clark after a look passes between them. Clark woes inside to return the coat to the cupboard and gives the two some privacy.

Bruce steps over to the beta and lowers himself awkwardly to the step beside the heartbroken man. He doesn't say a word but simply lays his arm over the trembling shoulders. Dick turns into Bruce's neck and scents him deeply but it doesn't stop the cascade of tears. "I've messed up big, Bruce," Dick cries. "I've messed up so much."

Bruce says nothing, not really knowing what to say to the young beta to comfort him. He has a feeling no words would do such a thing anyway. He doesn't know how long they stay there, but eventually Dick seems to settle. When Dick stands and extends a hand to help Bruce to his feet, which Bruce takes gratefully, he experiences a moment of dizziness that he puts down to not finishing his meal. The pair walk inside the Manor, boxes and Dick's personal items temporarily forgotten.

At the bottom of the stairs, Dick turns to look at Bruce. "I'm going to my room for a while."

Bruce nods before heading to the bathroom to get some Tylenol. Just as Bruce swallows the pills down, Clark joins him. "How is he?" the Kryptonian asks gently. Bruce just sighs and leans into Clark, resting his head against the alpha's shoulder. He doesn't need to answer. Clark kisses his temple gently.

Bruce doesn't want to think about how their situation could have ended up with similar results. He just stands there, locked in the arms of his future mate, feeling grateful and looking forward to a long future together with their daughter.

A/N: Thanks for reading!