**This takes place after 3Below, in Wizards. Episode 10 (the last one). I wanted a reunion with Jim since we never got to see one, so this is the last chapter! Thanks, everyone, for reading. Author's note at the end. Enjoy!**

~ Chapter Nineteen~

Return of the Trollhunter

Barbara stood next to Walter in the kitchen, drying each dish he handed her with a towel. Walter Jr. and Nomura Jr. were blabbing happily together in their high chairs in the dining room, and the joyous sounds brought a smile to Barbara's face. She then glanced over at her handsome Changeling fiancé, who also had a smile on his face, and she knew what he was thinking about. Her. Always her. And for her, she was always thinking of him, as well.

Three months had passed since he proposed to her, four in total since she's said goodbye to Jim, and in that time, Jeffrey and Sarah had been adopted by their family, leaving her and Walter with two children again.

Also, since his proposal, aliens with killer robots attacked Arcadia Oaks.

Barbara couldn't believe it; all of those people who had run around town like maniacs, screaming over aliens and killer robots, were right. They did exist, and much like Trolls, there were good and evil aliens.

The good were extra-terrestrial brother and sister, Aja and Krel Tarron, who had won against an evil dictator named General Morando and his armies.

As Barbara helped wash the dinner dishes, her mind went back to the day when Walter proposed to her. Later that night, evil aliens attacked Arcadia Oaks, but Walter had already known and was prepared for it.

When he dropped Kubritz off at the Area 49-B base, and after they had a heartfelt moment with each other in bed, he told Barbara how the alien General told him his plan to attack Arcadia. Then, he boarded up and booby-trapped the entire house, much like he did for Angor Rot with Jim, and protected Barbara and the babies while the whole town went under siege.

With the windows and doors boarded up and their light source only being candles, she and Walter kept the babies in the basement for protection. When the babies were asleep, they placed headphones on, one bud in each ear so they could hear the music through their music player, and slow danced with each other.

Even though there was a war raging outside their home, she and Walter had made a safe haven out of their home, and was one of her most cherished memories with Walter. She had never felt safer than she did then. They slowly danced gently and remained in each other's arms all night, kissing tenderly before making love.

That night proved the theme to their relationship, enduring trials and times of fear, and their relationship, in fact, only grew stronger.

A few weeks after the aliens left, more trouble came to town when evil demigods, named the Arcane Order, came to town and both Barbara and Walter saw Douxie, the waiter at Benoit's Bistro who was a wizard and helped save them once, fighting them. Now, all of Arcadia knew about the existence of Wizards, magic, Trolls, and Aliens.

Barbara was also more anxious when she saw Toby, Claire, and Aaarrrgggghhhh fighting the Arcane Order and wondered if Jim was with them.

For three months, she hadn't heard from her son. At all. Not since she left him a voicemail when an asteroid threatened Arcadia and their lives. She tried to call and text him, but it went straight to voicemail every time.

Walter was always supportive and often reassured her that if he were in danger or dead, one of his friends would have told her, but since that wasn't the case, she prayed that one day she would see her son again.

One day he would return- she just knew it.

Barbara's thoughts were lost as she washed the dishes, and suddenly Walter's clawed hand reached over and took her hand as if he knew what she was thinking about- as if he could sense her building anxieties.

She smiled to herself and intertwined her fingers through his. His slender fingers rested over the top of her fourth finger, where a beautiful diamond ring showed through the towel, and she smiled brighter at the sight of it. He slid over, stood behind her, and pressed his lips on the side of her hair.

Walter was dressed in a casual brown suit with a deep red sweater underneath, his black hair was slicked back and groomed, and his green skin was clean and smooth.

Barbara leaned into his touch and closed her eyes. He smelled wonderful, just as he used to when he was a human. His cologne musk was pleasant and woodsy to her senses. She leaned her head back as his lips then found her neck, and his hands climbed to hold her by the waist.

They were in no rush to get married, as they wanted to wait for whenever Jim returned to them, but they already felt married. Each night they made love, and with the day dying down, they were growing restless to put the babies down and have a romantic evening together.

Barbara began giggling as his tongue and teeth grazed her skin, and in response, she flicked some dishwater at him.

"Oh, now you've done it," Walter growled, grabbing the sink hose, readying to soak her, but she laughed, twisted in his arms, and ran away with a ceramic plate still in hand.

Walter let go of the hose and ran after her, both laughing, and when he cornered her, she jumped upon him, straddling his waist, and their lips crashed together.

Moaning, she ran her available hand through his silky hair as he gently pressed her back against the kitchen wall. They kissed and made out passionately, hungrily, and when Walter's kiss deepened, she laughed against his mouth.

"Walt, I have to finish these dishes, and we've just left the babies at the table."

"They'll be alright for a moment," Walter whispered, kissing her neck now, "as will the dishes, my darling. Which, by the way, I already said I would do."

"I thought we could help get it done together."

"Yes," Walter whispered, "but when I'm around you, I can't seem to keep my hands off you."

"That's a problem." Barbara then closed her eyes and groaned in pleasure. She arched her body against him and the wall.

"How so?" Walter whispered against her skin.

"Because my productivity around the house is going to plummet."

Walter laughed and pulled away, smiling seductively at her. "Sorry."

Barbara snorted, released her legs from straddling him, and stood before him. She then stood on her tip-toes and kissed his lips briefly.

"No, you're not."

Walter grinned devilishly. "You're right. I'm not, and I'm not sorry about that, either."

Barbara shook her head, laughing, and went back to drying the dish she was holding. She turned her back to him, walking back to the sink, when she suddenly heard a strange noise. It was the sound of the front door shutting.

Barbara stopped, and even Walter froze. They glanced at each other in blank confusion.

"Was that the front door?" She asked him, and Walter's eyes narrowed. He turned around to face the swinging kitchen door to investigate when a voice called out throughout the house. A voice they hadn't heard from in months.

"Mom? Mom? Are you home?"

Walter gasped, whirled around to face Barbara, and she froze. Her heart stopped, blood rushed to her head, and she lost all grasp on reality.

"Hello? Mom? Are you here?"

Barbara dropped the plate, and it shattered on the wooden floor at her feet. Walter didn't move to collect it but still stared at her, and she at him.

"Jim?" Barbara whispered to herself. "Walt, tell me that I'm-"

"Mom?"

"It's Jim," Walter whispered, breaking Barbara out of her trance. "Darling, he's-"

"Jim!" Barbara cried out, finding a feeling in her limbs again. She rushed past Walter, and with him on her heels, they both ran through the kitchen door. "Jim?"

Both she and Walter burst into the dining and living room hallway and stopped dead in their tracks. At the base of the stairs was her son, Jim, but he wasn't the Jim Barbara remembered seeing.

No longer was her son the half-troll Merlin had turned him into, but he was back to his sixteen-year-old human form. Jim was wearing his usual blue jeans with a zip-up hoodie, his black hair was slightly shaggy, and his body a bit taller than before. His sapphire blue eyes mirrored her own, and his sweet face was just as she remembered.

Barbara held her breath as she slowly moved towards him. She was in shock. This had to be a dream—a trick.

"Jim?" She breathed, and he smiled warmly at her. His blue eyes swam with tears, and she saw that they were full of relief, joy, but profound exhaustion.

The closer she stepped to her boy, his eyes looked old and worn, no doubt from fighting and enduring so much as the Trollhunter, and that hurt was everything she longed to protect him from. His face also had a few deep scars lining his cheek and eyebrow bone.

"Hey, mom," Jim whispered, his voice was deeper from maturity and magic.

"Jim?" Barbara whispered, shaking from head to toe. "Is it really-?"

"Yeah, It's me." Jim paused, then let out a dry sob. "I'm home, mom."

Screaming, Barbara rushed forward and wrapped Jim tightly in a hug. They sobbed, hugged each other, and both sank to the floor. Walter watched the heartfelt reunion with tears in his eyes. Nearby, Walter Jr. began cooing excitedly, so he walked over, picked him up, and held him.

Jim and Barbara continued to cry earnestly on each other's shoulders, but he suddenly raised his face and looked at Walter over her shoulder.

Jim's sapphire blue eyes met his eyes, and he smiled gently at him.

"Welcome home, young Atlas." Walter paused and swallowed down tears. "It's good to have you back."

Jim's face fell into more anguish, and Walter's heart sank at the sound of Jim's and Barbara's sobbing. He had no idea what the boy had seen, what horrors and fights he had seen and participated in as the Trollhunter, what burdens his shoulders bore, and how he was human again- but he was thankful that Jim was home again.

"It's alright," Walter whispered shakily, comforting Jim. "Everything is going to be alright now, Young Atlas. You're home. You're safe."

"You stayed?" Jim whispered, looking up at him suddenly, as Barbara continued to sob.

Walter nodded. "Of course, I stayed. There's nowhere I would go because I love your mother, and I care deeply for you. I'm home, forever, if you'll allow me to stay."

Jim shut his eyes, nodding, then extended his hand. Walter was shocked for a moment but then took his hand, and Jim pulled him down onto the floor and hugged him.

Gasping, Walter froze and didn't quite know how to react at first, but after a moment, he wrapped his arm around Jim, held close to Barbara, and held Walter Jr. in his other arm.

"I missed you, mom," Jim sobbed, resting his face on her shoulders. "I've missed you so much!"

"Not as much as I've missed you, kiddo," Barbara cried, kissing his head and holding him tightly. But then, she suddenly let him go and faced him."But…what happened to you? Why aren't you a half-troll? I thought Merlin said that the change was permanent?"

Jim sighed heavily and looked away from her. "I'll tell you all about it in a moment, I promise, but, for now, I just need you to hug me, mom."

Barbara glanced up at Walter with worry, who was holding them both in his arms, and he smiled gently at her, silently telling her that everything was going to be alright.

"Okay, kiddo," Barbara whispered, kissing Jim's hair and pulling him back into her arms, resting her head upon his. "That's easy enough. I'm here for you, and we will get through this. Together. You can tell me everything when you're ready."

And Jim did.

An hour passed as Barbara and Walter sat next to each other on the sofa, watching Jim pace back and forth and listening to him as he told them his story, from the time he left them at the Arcadian forest four months ago to now.

Jim told them about Merlin, Douxie, the Arcane Order, the Green Knight, who ended up being King Arthur, and Morgana. Then, he told them about how he, Douxie, Claire, and Steve Palchuck went back in time to the first Killahead bridge battle against Gunmar and the Gumm-Gumms. He then told them about the battle against the Arcane Order when they returned from the past, where they turned him into a corrupted troll beast and how he ended up dying when Morgana, Merlin, and Arthur died. But in the remains of his beast form, his human form lived again.

Nobody said a word as Jim paced the floor, telling his story, but sometime in the middle, Walter had found Barbara's hand and grasped it tightly.

"…. so, the Arcane Order wasn't fully stopped by our efforts," Jim surmised, finishing up his story. "They will return for us someday, and it's going to be the most difficult battle we'll have faced yet." He finally stopped pacing the floor, rested his hands on either side of his thin hips, and sighed heavily. "The question is now when they will attack, and how much time do we have to prepare for when they do?"

Jim turned to face his mother and Walter, but Barbara stayed silent with her jaw open agape, and it took Walter a few seconds to speak. He finally cleared his throat.

"That's… quite the adventure you've had, Young Atlas."

"Huh, yeah, you're telling me," Jim said dryly, "and it is not over yet, unfortunately. Douxie is hiding Nari from the Order and said he'd be back someday, but the Order has the Genesis Seals. If they get their hands upon Nari and complete their powers, then it'll truly be the end of the world. And... I'm without my amulet."

Jim sat down on the coffee table across from them and sighed heavily. His tone then was heavy with sadness. "We are on our own, and without Merlin here to make me a new one, I don't even know if I'm still the Trollhunter."

Jim stayed silent, and at his lamenting, no one said a word. Barbara wished she could open her mouth to speak words of comfort for her son, but she still couldn't find the words. Instead, her mind was swirling horribly. Her son had technically died before the magic spell was broken, and he returned to his human form. And, two dangerous magical, demigod beings were on the warpath in destroying him and the entire world. Out of everything she had endured and heard, this was the worst yet.

Barbara promised herself that she wouldn't worry as much anymore, but she was past worrying. Now, she was terrified for her family's future.

Walter Jr. cooed loudly nearby from playing on the floor with some of his toys, and everyone glanced down at him. Jim smiled slightly, knelt on his knees, and rolled a small rubber ball towards him, making the baby laugh loudly.

"Jim."

Jim looked up, and both he and Barbara glanced at Walter, who had spoken. He was observing him as if deliberating what to say. Finally, after a few seconds, when he spoke, he enunciated every word.

"While true, the amulet being gone is a difficult thing, it, however, does not mean you are no longer the Trollhunter. The amulet has called to you, Jim, and a Trollhunter's destiny has been forever intertwined with yours. Until you are dead, that power is still yours to wield."

"But, I did die," Jim said softly, "will that have-?"

"No, you didn't," Walter cut in, shaking his head. "The corrupted Trollhunting beast died with Arthur and Merlin's death, but you are still here. Therefore, the powers of the Trollhunter still lies with you."

"But, how can I fight without my amulet or even my sword of daylight?"

Walter smiled at him. "Jim, you've proven yourself very capable of winning battles without magic in the past, and while yes, the armor and sword gave you an edge, I have no doubt that the calling is still manifested upon your head and is something you can do. Like the rest of us, you have a responsibility to protect those who cannot protect themselves." Walter paused, then wrapped an arm around Barbara, gesturing to her. "To save your friends, your family, and the people you love. That is what it means to be the Trollhunter."

Walter's words moved Barbara, and Jim even seemed impressed. He smiled kindly at Walter. "Thanks, but…" he sighed again, "I don't know if I can do this."

"Remember when I was training you before Gunmar's arrival?" Walter asked, and Jim nodded. "Well, that's the training you're going to have to revert to. You're going to have to be a bit more flexible, creative, and even a bit cunning with how you fight. The Arcane Order aren't magicks any of us want to mess around with. They are demigods, and if they have the Genesis Seals, then this will be a brutal war, deadly even. Because of that, I understand your fears for not having your amulet for extra protection, but you're still the Trollhunter with or without it." He pulled Barbara closer to his side and looked over at her now. "To protect all that we love, we're going to make do with what we have and fight with everything we've got."

Jim smiled again at him. "Thanks, Strickler," and Walter chuckled, shaking his head.

"Jim. I've told you, my friends call me Walter. I'm not your teacher anymore; you don't need to be so formal with me."

Jim stayed quiet for a few seconds, still passing a small rubber ball to a cooing Walter Jr., then added, "what should I call you, then?"

"Aren't we friends?" Walter asked, raising his eyebrow at him. "Surely, I have proven to you that I have changed?"

"But you and my mom are getting married, are you not?"

The room froze suddenly, and Barbara blinked out her numb staring. She had been listening to everything but was processing. It was a lot to take in, but she forced herself to take it and be strong.

"Um." Walter glanced over at her now and shifted uncomfortably in his seat. "Well, Jim, you see… we were, uh…"

"We were going to tell you when the time was right," Barbara suddenly cut in, finally speaking after an hour of being silent. "I know it's a lot to take in, but I love Walter, and…"

"I know, mom," Jim said softly, bringing out his phone and waving it at her, "I listened to the voicemail you sent me a few months ago, remember? You were saying goodbye because of the asteroid scare, and you told me that you loved Walter." He paused, took a deep breath, then crawled over, knelt at her feet, and took her hand in his. "Mom, I want you to be happy, and I have known for a very long time that you love… Walter." He looked at Walter, who smiled at him using his first name, then he looked back at her. "If this is what you want, then, honestly? I'm happy for you."

"But, Jim, your father…"

"Is not here and hasn't been since I was five years old," Jim said gently. "Look, mom, it's true; this is going to be a little strange for me to handle, being that Walter and I didn't exactly get along for some time after I became the Trollhunter, and when he tried to kill me… more than once... but he had kept his promise to me when I challenged him to change for the better. He has also kept his promise that he would look after you. I can see that he has been sincerely honorable and loyal to us and that he truly loves and cares for you. For all of us." Jim then glanced over at the cooing baby and chuckled. "And…well, as for you guys keeping Walter Jr.," he paused, then said, "I guess I have always wanted a little brother."

Barbara smiled endearingly as Jim's gaze settled on the engagement ring on her left fourth finger. "I only want you happy, mom," Jim then whispered, "and… Walter, when he was Mr. Strickler, did feel like a father figure to me."

"And now?" Walter asked nervously, but Jim smiled warmly at him.

"I still feel like you've got a great chance at being one to me again."

Barbara exhaled in relief, and Jim stood, leaned forward, and hugged her tightly. "Thank you for understanding how much he means to me, honey," she whispered, hugging him back. "I know we have a lot to figure out, but…."

"Hey, it's alright," Jim said, pulling away and smiling at her and Walter, "you said that we'd figure things out together, right?"

Barbara smiled in relief and nodded. "Right."

"Then that's what we'll do," Jim said softly. "We'll get you two married, and we'll work out living arrangements."

"Yeah…" Barbara said slowly, pulling out of his hug and looking nervous, "about that. We've temporarily given your room to the babies. Aaarrrggghhh and NotEnrique live in the basement, but I'm sure we can put them all together."

Jim suddenly waved her comment away. "No, you don't. Aaarrrggghhh is back living with Toby, and I believe NotEnrique wants to live with Claire again."

"But, I thought the Nunez family kicked him out?" Barbara asked, blinking in surprise.

"They did, but now that she's back, she has invited him to stay since he's like a brother to her. He'll most likely still come here to Toby's, but he may not stay here full-time. Until Nomura figures out what to do with her familiar, they can stay in my room. I'll take the basement."

Barbara stayed quiet for a moment, then whispered, "I don't… want you to feel that you're being replaced, Jim."

"Don't worry, mom," Jim said, smiling gently, "I don't. Trust me. I've learned to adapt to change since that's all I've gone through this summer and as the Trollhunter. I'm not upset, and I certainly don't feel replaced. I know that you love me and will do anything for me, as I will for you."

Tears filled Barbara's eyes. "Thank you, Jim."

Jim walked over, sat next to her on the sofa, and wrapped her in a side hug. "Together as a family, along with the rest of our troll fighting, magical, and alien allies, mom, we'll get through this new chapter in our lives, and we'll take on the Arcane Order."

Barbara shook her head and couldn't help but chuckle. "Trolls, Changelings, Wizards, Demigods, Aliens… Killer Robots…" she sighed, "nothing is normal anymore, is it?"

"Nope," Jim said, as Walter added, "oh, definitely not."

Barbara laughed.

"However," Walter said, smiling at her and Jim, "I hope you've come to realize that being normal is vastly overrated."

"Yes," Barbara replied with a chuckle, smiling endearingly at him and leaning into him, "I know, I have, and it's more than okay with me. I'm more than happy with how things have turned out in my life. I mean, I had a half-troll son, for heaven's sake, and a changeling troll for a fiancé. My very… strange but amazing life."

"Well, you don't have a half-troll son. Not anymore," Jim teased, then grinned at her, "sorry to disappoint."

"You could never disappoint me, Jim," Barbara said softly. "If you remained a half-troll, I was okay with it. You're my son, and I'll always love and support you, no matter what."

Jim smiled. "Thanks, mom." He then smiled at the babbling Walter Jr., and Nomura Jr. knelt back down on the ground and began playing with them. "You know, these guys are kind of cute. I know we are keeping Walter Jr., and that'll be weird to have a baby in our house, but it'll be fun to have some sibling company around here and see him grow."

"He's a good baby," Barbara said. "He reminds me so much of you, Jim."

"But, he takes after me," Walter teased, "so, of course, he'll be a wonderfully pleasant person to live with." Jim looked up at him with eyebrows raised, and when Walter began laughing, everyone joined. "I'm kidding, but hopefully, he is, and you all don't get sick and tired of me."

"Nah," Jim said, making Nomura and Walter Jr. laugh by shaking some rattlers at them, "you're good."

Walter smiled. "Thank you, Jim."

Barbara held Walter's hand and leaned into him as they sat and watched Jim play with the babies. Tears filled her eyes and spilled down her face at the sight. She never thought that she would see this day, with her son back, accepting the changeling troll she loved with all of her heart as a father figure and the son they were going to adopt as a brother.

Walter must have seen her tears because he pulled her to his chest and kissed her forehead. "Are you alright, darling?" He whispered in her ear, and she nodded.

"Yes. More than anything, Walt. Everything is perfect. Our family is complete, and nothing makes me happier."

Walter smiled warmly, leaned forward, and gently kissed her on the lips. Seeing them, Jim rolled his eyes and chuckled, "okay, yeah. That just happened. Look, could you two keep the PDA to a minimum, please? I don't need nightmares."

Both Walter and Barbara laughed, and when Jim went back to playing with the laughing babies, Walter gently cupped Barbara's chin and guided her to look up at him again.

"He will get used to the kissing," Barbara whispered, and Walter chuckled.

"I am not worried about it, darling."

"Me either."

Walter leaned in and kissed the side of her ear before whispering in her ear, "besides, we can kiss all we want in private."

Barbara blushed and laughed.

"And even with uncertain events coming for us, know that we will fight for each other, and you don't need to be afraid," Walter continued softly. "I promise that I will not let anything bad happen to you or our family. And when Jim is called to stand against evil as the Trollhunter, we will stand with him. I will protect you and our sons, no matter what."

"I know, Walt," Barbara whispered, smiling through her tears, "and I'm grateful for you. For when I'm with you, I know that I'm in good hands, and you'll protect me because you love me."

"Yes, my darling," Walter breathed. "I love you and will always protect you. You, Jim, and Walter Jr. are my family, and no matter what happens with the Arcane Order, we will deal with it."

Barbara smiled gently. "Together?"

Walter smiled back and kissed her on the lips again, longer and deeper to seal that promise.

"Always."

After a few seconds, they broke apart, smiled at the promise in each other's eyes, and then they looked at their family.

When Jim picked up the giggling babies, laughing as he played with them, they smiled, and Walter held her tighter to his side. They had a lot to figure out still, and the future was uncertain, but as long as they had each other, they had nothing to fear.

~ The End ~

**Thank you so much for reading my short, fanfiction story, everyone! I hope you enjoyed reading it as much as I've enjoyed writing it. I wanted to get all the chapters posted before tomorrow's "Rise of the Titan's" movie release! I cannot wait! I'm so excited and I hope to see all the characters, including Barbara and Walter! Crossing fingers! Anyway, that's it for this story! Thank you for reading, and as always, shoot me a review and tell me what you thought.

Shine on!

~Sunmoonlight