New Justice: Journey of the League
Disclaimer: The same as always.
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A Secret Past
-30ish years ago-
Henry Allen smiled at his wife Nora. The two walking their son Barry in his stroller. "Jay," a voice said. Henry looked over almost out of habit at hearing his brothers' name "Is it you? Your married? With a kid? How could…."
Henry tried to open his mouth to explain but the woman kept on talking as Nora held back a giggle. "Joan," Henry was thankful he had been going to meet with Jay for lunch. The woman, Jay called Joan, turned and stared.
"I think you're looking for him," Henry said pointing.
"You're a twin," Joan said seeming to be blushing.
"It happens," Jay comforted Joan. "This is my twin brother Henry Allen, his wife Nora, and their son Barry."
"Well… I'm just going…." Joan said pointing.
"Why don't you join us for lunch?" Nora asked. "It would be nice to meet the girl Jay has been talking about."
"Okay," Joan said following the group into the restaurant. "Why do you two have different last name?" The question was asked once they were all sitting. Joan knew Jay's last name was Garrick.
"Our parents divorced," Jay said. "It's a long story."
"Do you have any siblings?" Henry asked.
"No, only child of only children. So, it's only me," Joan said. "I have no family."
"Your parents?" Nora asked.
"Dead," Joan said. The answer was a little too quick but no one seemed to noticed as they started talking about other things. Joan thankful for that.
-Present Day-
"I don't know," Kara said, the two in the living room with boxes of invites. "Inviting four different Earths? It's a lot."
"We need to invite Karry. They introduced us," Rae pointed out; she was the one wanting to invite all four Earths while Kara had some doubts. "And you want SuperEarth's Astra there so it's only right to invite their Kara and Barry as well."
"And Prime brought you back to me," Kara pointed out. "What about Alien Earth?"
"It's the only version of my dad I like," Rae said, taking several invites out. "I'm inviting them."
"Rae, it's four versions of your cousin, including Malcolm Garrick, and four versions of me who are not me," Kara said, standing up and following Rae out. "What about our guests who don't know our secret?"
"What guests?" Rae asked as she headed for the zap tunnel. "The Justice League, Lois and the kids, my aunt and uncle. The Grants now know – even Stephanie, Snart, Lisa, and Mick know. Who else are we inviting?" Rae had opened the zap tunnel to Homebase, Kara following her through.
"Okay, even if guests all know. What about workers?" Kara asked as they arrived at Homebase, the pair ignoring Adam, Caitlin, Jess, Winn, and Mon who were all there in what seemed to be swim wear. The Crystal clone was also there by her sister – without any memories to be given and being taken away from Replicate so soon she was like a little kid. Caitlin's parents and younger sister had helped her and they now claimed Caitlin was triplets; Crystal's clone now going by Cordelia or Cordy.
"Like who?" Rae asked, referencing the Sanctuary workers.
"Food servers," Kara pointed out.
"We can have the cooks for the restaurant make the food buffet style – with the number of speedsters it's better doing a buffet," Rae pointed out.
"Flowers, set up," Kara said.
"Can set it up all the day before and have it taken down the day after," Rae said.
"Photos and videos," Kara continued, trying to find a flaw.
"Red Tornado can attend and his memory can be put into video form. As for photos, Daphne did a good job for Iris's wedding. She's basically family being Caitlin sisters so we can ask her and have her there," Rae said. Caitlin tilted her head at this but said nothing.
"Music," Kara said.
"DJ Smoak," Rae said with a smirk, talking of Felicity Smoak.
Kara paused. "Someone to perform the ceremony." She now tried.
Rae opened her mouth, realizing Kara had found a flaw.
"I'll do it," Adam spoke up at this, raising his hand and making the two look over to him. He had on swim trunks and a t-shirt, along with sunscreen on his face. "I'm already ordained online to legally perform wedding ceremonies – and in your state."
"I want to ask why, but it's convenient for me so not questioning it," Rae said with a smirk. "See." She turned to Kara.
"And you're good with someone I have previously slept with performing the ceremony?" Kara asked.
"No offense honey, but if I cared about people you slept with being around we'd have major problems in this League," Rae said, causing some laughs.
"Go," Kara said with a smirk herself. She hadn't wanted to not invite the multiverse either, knowing how important they were to Rae, and Rae smiled, having won her fiancée over. "By the way, should I send an invite to the Wests?"
"Um… I don't think so. Things are weird with them," Rae frowned as she stood on the X on the floor, their spot for multiverse transportation. "Oh, and don't send out the Grants invites yet – I'll bring them personally tomorrow. Ms. Grant is a little weird with her mail; she makes me open it anyway, which is weird for a chef, but I suppose knowing I'm the Flash helps." She paused at this before addressing their A.I. "MIA send me to Karry Universe." There was a flash of blue light and Rae had vanished.
"I do have to ask," Kara then turned to look at the group still lingering. "What's with this…?" Kara pointed at the group in their swim outfits and beach towels. There was even a cooler and umbrella along with beach seats.
"Going to have a beach day," Winn said. "Private beach. Want to join?"
"Maybe later but I got a job to go to," Kara shrugged, opening a zap tunnel back to the Sanctuary.
-Karry Universe-
Kara and Barry were in the Penthouse getting ready for the day. Alura and Nora were running around, calling each other's names, much to Romana and Star amusement. That was when another speedster trail joined them to Kara and Barry's surprise. Barry had to concentrate at the speedster but smiled at what he saw with his speed; Kara getting it from his mind.
The speedster slowed down and Rae, in her Flash outfit smiled at the two. She had both Alura and Nora in her arms already and the two were laughing. "Girls, give Aunt Rae a big kiss," Kara said and Nora and Alura yelled out "kiss!" Rae laughed as she bent down to kiss them.
"Aunt Rae," Romana and Star said together, giving her a hug.
"Hey girls," Rae said, smiling at them and putting Alura and Nora down to hug the two. Romana and Star kissed Rae's cheek. "You miss me?"
"You had us worried," Barry said, coming up and hugging Rae. "Thanks for sending out that message you were back. Could have come around sooner though."
"Been busy," Rae said. "But I came here to give you this." Rae took one of the invites out and handed it to Barry.
"You and Kara are getting married?" Barry said, only looking at the invite for a second but understanding what it was.
"Yes," Rae said a smile on her face. "And I want you there. You two did so much for me. I don't know where I would be without you. And of course, I want your kids there as well. All four of them." Romana and Star smiled as Alura and Nora clapped their hands.
"We wouldn't miss it," Kara said with a smile. "Although we have a wedding tradition we'd have to do."
Rae raised an eyebrow.
"They sing," it was a voice coming up the stairs and Rae turned to see Winn there with Amelia. "Karry Karaoke."
"Hi," Amelia said, waving at Rae.
"Hey, the only normal one of you," Rae said, making Amelia chuckle. "And if you want to sing…" Rae had a smirk on her face as she turned back to Kara and Barry. "Kara, would you mind singing 'Will You Still Love Me Tomorrow'? You know, Carole King?"
"I know the song. Why?" Kara asked finding it a weird song.
"It's mine and Kara's song," Rae said with a smile.
"What about me? I need to sing too," Barry interjected, and Rae laughed.
"Tell you what, I'll tell DJ Smoak to bring some karaoke," Rae said.
"DJ Smoak?" It was Barry, Kara, and Winn who all said it together, catching on to the familiar name.
"As in Felicity Smoak?" Kara asked.
"You know her too?" Rae asked. "DJ and hacker. Now a friend of the League."
"We knew her," Barry said, biting his lip.
"Okay," Rae said, deciding not to ask. "Hey Amelia, if you want to come, feel free. And you can bring Stopwatch."
"Stopwatch?" Amelia asked.
"Winn," Rae said with a nod. "I'd love to stay longer but I got three other Earths to invite. See you soon." Rae gave Barry and Kara a hug again, then Alura and Nora a kiss before running out.
"Stopwatch…" Winn said with a raised eyebrow.
"DJ Smoak," Kara added as the group laughed.
-SuperEarth-
Barry sped into his parents' house, quickly changing out of his speedster outfit as he stopped in the kitchen before his mom and dad.
"I'll never get used to that…" Henry Allen chuckled.
"Barry's an Empowered now," Nora pointed out as Barry stole his dad's slice of toast to eat.
"How's Millie?" Barry asked though, looking up at the ceiling; his sister hadn't been the same since their jailbreak on Mutant Earth.
"Peaceful," Nora stated. "Although this house arrest is killing her."
"She's lucky she just got that," Barry pointed out. "Director Danvers will be coming over tomorrow to assess her. Hopefully her house arrest will soon be over."
"And what after that?" Henry frowned as Nora held on to his arm a little.
"We'll face that hurdle when we get to it. Are you going to have that apple?" Barry suddenly changed tact, his dad about to bite an apple now his toast had been taken. Henry chuckled as he shrugged and tossed it to Barry – but before he could catch it there was a flash of light and the apple vanished.
All three paused as the flash of light turned into Rae, already biting the apple.
"Thanks Uncle Henry," Rae smirked as Barry laughed, realizing who this was.
"Uncle Henry?" Henry asked. "Who exactly…?"
"Rae," Barry answered for his dad. "My cousin from New Justice. The one who helped me train."
"Oh," Nora voiced at this, sharing a look with her husband.
"Well this is unexpected." Barry gave Rae a hug. "Last I heard, you were trapped in the speed force. Again."
"Long story," Rae chuckled.
"We'll just…" Henry and Nora began to edge out of the kitchen.
"No need to leave," Rae smiled at her alternative aunt and uncle, "I just came to deliver some –"
"I'll just check on Millie, though," Nora interrupted, leaving the room.
"Millie?" Rae looked between Henry and Barry at that.
"My sister," Barry pointed out.
"I forgot you had one here," Rae shrugged before pausing. "Isn't she the one who lead that thing on Mutant Earth?" She hadn't been there but had heard of it. No one in the multiverse had been impressed by SuperEarth actions back then.
"Yeah," Barry bit his lip. "She's under house arrest; been like that for over a year. Alex is coming over to assess her tomorrow and see where to go from there. It's… complicated."
"I said it before, and I'll say it again – the only normal version of your sister I know is Karry's," Rae pointed out. "No offense," she added to Henry, just as Nora came back.
"None taken, although that's interesting," Henry said wondering about this other version of Millie who was apparently normal.
"She's reading," Nora stated simply.
"Anyway, I got something for you; well you and Kara." Rae addressed Barry now. "I dropped one off with Astra before coming here, but felt I needed to deliver one to you too personally," Rae held out the invitation.
"You're getting married?" Barry asked, grinning.
"Oh, to who?" Henry asked, a bit curious now.
"Kara," Rae said, making Nora and Henry look at each other.
"You're marrying your Earth's Kara?" Nora asked, as Rae nodded. Nora gave Barry a look at this. "You don't find it odd with Barry dating Kara here and having them at your wedding?"
"Oh, I'm so over that," Rae said, dismissively.
"Me too," Barry said. "There's lots more Kara and Barry out there then Rae and Kara, but they are different people." Barry shrugged. "I'll be there." Barry smiled at Rae.
"Good," Rae said. "Just… don't bring your sister."
"She doesn't want to be anywhere near one Kara, let alone two," Barry said.
"Five," Rae said holding up her hand for five digits. "Karry is coming and I have to go invite Prime and Alien," Barry chuckled.
"Yeah keep Millie away from that," Henry said with a smirk.
"Why doesn't your Millie like Kara?" Rae asked though, curiosity taking her.
"She used to idolize Supergirl but that got flipped on its head last year," Nora sighed, answering for Barry's benefit.
"Oh," Rae didn't know what to say to that.
"You go," Barry stated. "You're busy."
"True. See you later," Rae said giving the alternates of her aunt and uncle a smile before running away.
-Prime-
"The crying is giving me a headache!" Cisco complained; both Kara and Caitlin were there, both with their babies. Caitlin's son Nicolas 'Nico' Snow-Palmer was only a week old and Caitlin was still on maternity leave, still exhausted, but she had come into the Cortex that day with him anyway. Kara had Skye and was rocking her in her arms.
"Babies cry, Cisco," Caitlin rolled her eyes at this.
"I still didn't expect the Cortex to turn into a crèche overnight," Cisco pointed out.
"If you don't want to be here, you can go to the Secret Sanctuary," Kara pointed out; she was keeping her eye on their temporary replacement of Power Girl in the Hitchhiking Kayla Lane. Barry was busy so Powie and Kayla were out now.
"Yeah well I think, I'm going to…" Cisco paused as the computer alerted to an incoming portal. He stood quickly, but the flash of blue light showed Rae to be standing there. "Rachel!" Cisco seemed too pleased to see her, causing Rae to pause at this. "Please tell me you need me to help you with something?"
"Um… no. And no one calls me Rachel. Rae," Rae said blinking and Cisco groaned as Rae looked to the babies; mainly Skye. "Oh Skye! So tiny. It's been years since I saw her like this..." Kara gave a blink as Rae smiled at the baby. "Um… I mean… speed force."
"Speed force jetlag," Cisco said with a smirk, easily remembering the terminology.
"Yeah, it's harder to get over than you think," Rae paused as she looked to Caitlin. "Oh, and who's this?" Rae noticed the child in Caitlin's arms.
"Nico," Caitlin said, with a smile.
"Who's the father?" Rae asked. Her Caitlin was with Jess but if she remembered here Jess was a female named Jesse.
"Ray, of course," Caitlin said, giving the girl a frown and Rae raised an eyebrow. "Ray Palmer?" Caitlin tried, seeing the disassociation in Rae's face. Rae shrugged though; the named sounded familiar for some reason, but she could not place it.
"Adam Cray's counterpart," Cisco sighed, supplying the information for Rae.
"Oh!" Rae said and then laughed. "Wild Fire and Atom… Sorry, I find that funny." Caitlin raised an eyebrow. "But not why I'm here." Rae took the invite and handed it to Kara, who took it with one hand, keeping Skye safely in her other.
Kara scanned the invite quickly and then smiled. "Congrats," Kara grinned. "Barry is out at the moment, but I'm sure he'll want to go."
"Good; and of course, bring Skye. Alura and Nora will be there as well," Rae said, giving Skye a kiss.
"Who's Power Girl?" Her eyes had momentarily caught sight of the monitors, seeing Power Girl saving the day with Powie by her side, and yet Kara was here…
"Kayla Lane," Kara pointed out. "She's doing good."
"Oh. Hitchhiking Kayla!" Rae smiled. "Might be worth inviting her too… will have to talk to my Kara. Anyway, I need to head to Alien. You mind…?" She had turned to Cisco at this.
Cisco had on his goggles and opened a portal fast for her.
"That works," Rae said straighten her helmet and jumping through it.
"And I'm going to the Secret Sanctuary," Cisco added to the girls, instantly vibing himself to their other base as Kara and Caitlin chuckled to themselves.
-Alien Earth-
When Rae appeared in Alien's Earth DEO it was dark; red lights were blinking on the walls.
"Okay… this is never good," Rae muttered, looking around.
"How did you do that?" It was a voice Rae did not know called and dropping from the ceiling was an alien Rae had never seen before: green skin, and reptile-like. "This place is no in and no out. But you got in…?"
"Oh, just a portal," Rae said, frowning at the reptile-man.
"Open one for me. Free me," the reptile-man said.
"Besides the fact I can't open portals, I wouldn't," Rae said.
"You will!" The reptile-man stated.
"You don't know who I am?" Rae said with a smirk.
"Some Flash fangirl," the lizard said. Rae's outfit, while different from her father's now, was still very similar. Of course, also had the same helmet.
"No, I am the Flash," Rae smirk as she ran, confusing the reptile-man, getting behind him, taking her helmet and hitting the creature over the head. The lizard fell to the floor.
Rae kicked the unconscious body as she finally heard yelling and footsteps; turning around she saw agents, Supergirl, Mon, Jay Garrick, and this Earths J'onn J'onnzz running in.
"A little too late," J'onn stated, coming to a stop.
Rae pointed at the creature on the floor.
"Not bad timing," Kara said. "That was the last escapee."
"Get him in a cell and undo the lockdown," J'onn instructed the agents. J'onn gave Rae a nod.
"Finally have a suit I see?" Jay said with a smirk and Rae giggled back. "How was the speed force? I heard you got trapped. I was concerned."
"Not bad actually," Rae said. "Glad to be back. And this is for you and Malcolm," Rae handed out the last invite; Jay taking it.
"Tying the knot," Jay said after a moment. "And you want your old man there?"
"Only version of my dad I like," Rae pointed out with a smile.
"Guess you don't need someone walking you down the aisle though?" Jay asked.
"Not sure if we're doing that part of the ceremony. Me and Kara still need to talk it over," Rae said. "By the way, Kara, Mon." The two had returned, having been by the computers, lettings father and daughter talk. "I ran out of invites but you two are welcome to come as well."
"I don't know," Mon said.
"Yeah, might be a little weird," Kara said.
"Hey, it's at the Kryptonian Wildlife Sanctuary," Jay said, still looking at the invite.
"On second thought, it's not me really," Kara said.
"Yeah, I mean we see Prime Kara and Barry a lot so, just because you're with a woman on New Justice doesn't make it weird," Mon added.
Rae nearly giggled at the interaction. "Well whatever you decide," Rae said. "Hey Stopwatch." Winn, who had showed up, and was by the computer console Kara and Mon had just been by. She remembered he wasn't Stopwatch here as he turned around to face her. "Mind sending me home?"
"Oh, sure," Winn said, heading for the computer with the system connected.
"And don't send me to Prime this time," Rae said. "I've literally just come from there."
"Got it," Winn said using the computer and opening a portal.
…
Rae was ready to appear back on Homebase, but where she appeared was in some warehouse instead.
"Whoa, who are you?" It was a Frankie, but he looked more like Cisco; looking around, Rae saw two Karas there with slightly different hairstyles and Rae assumed one of them had to be Kayla; Barry, Mon, a girl who looked like Cisco, and some type of giant gorilla were also present.
"Alien Stopwatch…!" Rae groaned. "Okay this was an accident. I'm on the system. New Justice Earth. Came to the wrong Earth. Mind sending me home?"
"Okay," one of the Karas said. "Cesca?" The girl who looked like Cisco gave a nod turning to the computer to send Rae home.
-New Justice-
The day after delivering the invites to the multiverse Rae walked into her work with Clark by her side. The dog going right to his spot and sniffing around giving a bark. She had a few invites to her wedding in her bag. "I still can't believe it," Annie said. "Can't we get out of this?"
"And get the your such bad daughters speech," Cat said.
"Just get it over with," Joel said
Rae was raising her eyebrow at the conversation. "Ms. Grant, Captain Grant," Rae said.
"Oh, good Rain," Cat said. "My mother is coming over and she's bringing friends. We set it as a lunch. Don't be offended by anything my mother says. No matter how perfect your meal is she will make comments about it."
"And her friend Emily is basically as bad. Especially to the help," Annie continued.
"Emily's husband is not bad. Richard. He'll just look sad and moan about their daughter who left home and never came back. What was it? Jane? Jill? Jamie? I don't remember," Joel said with a shrug.
"Okay," Rae said. "But I wanted to give you both this." Rae took out the two invites and handed one to Cat and one to Annie.
"Henry and Nora Allen and Lois Lane request your presence at the wedding of their daughters," Cat read off out loud and gave Rae a look. "Rachel Joan Garrick and Kara Lane. Well about time we got this? You've been engaged since you got back." Rae raised an eyebrow. "You started wearing that ring when you got back. It might not be a diamond but not hard to tell what it was."
"Is this with a plus one?" Annie asked.
"Um no," Rae said. "No one who doesn't know who we are can come. The entire Justice League will be there plus multiverse family. Including four versions of Kara. Five including my Kara."
"Ah, got it," Annie said with a nod. "Well count me there. Besides I have been wanting to see the sanctuary."
"We'll tell Adam no date either," Cat said and Rae smiled at that.
"Joan," Joel said. "That's a nice name."
"It was my mom's name," Rae said. "I'll see about what to cook for dinner."
"Don't go too fancy. Or complicated. We want her out fast," Cat said and Rae chuckled as she went to the kitchen.
"Joan…. Do we know someone named Joan?" Joel asked.
….
Rae had to admit Cat and Annie were right. Cat and Annie's mother Katherine and her friend Emily had already made comments about her appetizers. She had made a simple fish dinner which was ready to come out. Everyone was sitting by the table as Rae was bringing out the plates. Rae also bringing something special for Ember who was sitting by Carter.
After Rae was done serving Emily stopped her. "Could you get me a Martini?" She said.
"Me too," Katherine Grant added.
"Um…. What's in a Martini again?" Rae asked.
"There are two ready in the refrigerator," Cat interrupted having known her mother and friend would ask for them.
"And bring a bottle of wine," Annie added.
"Scotch if it's not too much trouble," Richard added. Rae gave the man a smile and nod. She kind of liked the older man.
"Seriously, how does your cook not know how to make a simple drink," Katherine said before Rae was even out of the room.
"Because I'm a cook not a bartender," Rae said and ducked out before she saw the glare. She knew Cat, Annie, and everyone else she actually saw everyday would find it funny.
"What rude staff you have. You'd think you can do one thing right and hire good people," Katherine said.
"Oh, daughters always disappoint," Emily added in. "My daughter is…."
"Emily," Richard said in a warning voice. "We haven't seen our daughter for close to 30 years. So enough. I hope to one day see our Joan again and not fight."
"What was she like?" Dawna sked. She was sitting next to Richard.
"Oh stubborn, independent, I think her and Cat would have been good friends," Richard gave Cat a wink at that as he took out his wallet and took out an old picture. "And beautiful."
"Can I see?" Dawn asked.
"Be careful," Richard said but allowed the teen to take the picture.
At that moment Rae returned with a tray with three drinks in it and a bottle of wine. "Wine," Rae said putting it in the middle of the table and Annie grabbed it right away to open. "Two martinis." Rae put the two drinks down and then took the last. Circling around the table. "And last but not least a scotch." Rae placed it in front of the man giving him a smile.
She was about to go but then her eyes caught a glance at the picture Dawn was holding. She paused as she took it in. "Dawn, where did you get a picture of my mom from?" Rae asked recognizing the woman in the picture. She was knelling down and had an arm around a dog. Rae didn't remember this picture but she knew it was her mom.
Annie who had taken a sip of the wine started coughing it up. All eyes went to Rae, even Ember looked up and Clarky picked his head up from his spot. "Rachel Joan," Joel whispered remembering the invite from before and commenting on the middle name.
Emily though didn't hear it as she stood up. "How dare you? What kind of scam is this?" Emily yelled out. "Poor girl thinking she can trick older people for their money."
Before the speedforce Rae might have exploded at that but she had a new calm about her. The years of peace did her some good. "I don't know what's going on here," Rae said pointing. "And I honestly don't care." Rae grabbed the picture from Dawn hands without a second thought and went to turn around to go to the kitchen, but Richard grabbed her arm and turned her around. Staring at her face in a way that kind of made Rae nervous.
"You have her features," Richard said. "Emily this isn't a joke. This is Joans' daughter."
"Okay," Rae said stepping back.
"Rain," Cat said seeing Rae had no idea what was going on. "Dawn got that picture from Richard. A picture of his daughter."
"That is not possible," Rae said. "Because it's a picture of my mom and if it's his daughter that makes them my grandparents. And I don't have grandparents. They are long dead."
Richard looked hurt. "I think you should call your mom or we could go see her. Get this sorted out," Richard said. It hurt him to think his daughter told her daughter, his granddaughter, that he was dead. But this had been something he thought about every day for a long time. He had chosen to wait for Joan to come home on her own so never searched her out. Now was just too good.
"That's not possible," Rae said.
"Oh, and why not?" Emily asked hand on her hip. Still not seeming sure.
"Because she's dead," Rae said and paused for a second to take off her time in the speedforce from the years she was going to say. "She's been dead for 24 years."
Richard took a seat at hearing that. "How convenient for you," it was Katherine. "I don't believe this for a second. Cat is this the type of person you hire. Who would try to scam your guest. Says something…."
"You know what I've had enough of you," Rae said. These two women finally breaking through her new found patient the speedforce gave her. She didn't like people attacking, even verbally, people she loved and that included the Grants. "No one should ever listen to you. Not with the way you put down your daughters. And you have amazing daughter. Cat Grant runs one of the best news company in this country. Has a wonderful husband and children. And Captain Annie Grant is an astronaut. She's been to space. You're just a bitter old woman and as for you." Rae turned to Emily at this. "I have no interest in your money and I'm not poor. My fiancée makes more than enough money for me to never have to work. I do this because I like it. I don't care about you. Either of you."
Rae went into the kitchen and grabbed her bag. "Clarky come," she yelled out as she headed for the door. Clarky jumping up and following his mistress out.
When Rae was gone it was silent for a moment. "Well I think that says a lot about her future employment," Katherine said looking at Cat.
"Yes, I think Rachel deserves a raise," Annie said not being able to hide the smirk on her face.
"You read my mind sister," Cat said with a smile kind of loving Rae's little speech there shocking her mother. "And I think you three can go. Now." No one had eaten but Cat had decided this unwelcome visit in the first place was over.
Katherine, Emily, and Richard all got up to leave. "Rachel Joan Garrick," Joel said out loud making them look around. "Your granddaughters name. It should be very easy to look up her parents. And she was telling the truth. She doesn't need this job."
-New Justice-
"Okay, what's up?" Kara asked. She had come back to the house. Rae's emotions had been driving Kara nuts. And Kara could not figure out what exactly Rae was feeling. It was odd. "There's something on your mind…" Kara paused taking a look at the kitchen. There were cupcakes, cakes, and cookies everywhere. Clearly all homemade. Rae was mixing more batter. Chris was sitting at the table chomping down. Lois was there as but was telling Ellen and Jason they could not have too many before dinner. "Okay? What's going on?"
"Don't ask me," Lois said. "She came home early and just started."
"I'm not complaining," Chris said with a smirk.
"You're going to get fat," Kara said to him.
"Um… not on Earth," Chris said.
"We're under the red sunlight emitters. We're as normal as humans here. You can gain weight," Kara said. Chris paused thinking it over.
"Damn I need to get one of those yellow sunlight things Clarky has," Chris said and Clarky barked. He had gotten a collar with a yellow sun light emitter in it. So, he could have his powers in the sanctuary.
"Go run that off," Kara said.
"And take Ellen and Jason with you," Lois said. She deciding her and Kara needed to talk to Rae. Chris gave a nod took a cookie and grabbed Ellen. The little girl didn't have superspeed even under the yellow sun but Jason did. He gave Jason a nod and the two walked out. "Okay, put that down." Lois took the bowl out of Rae's hands. "And talk."
"About?" Rae asked.
"Rae," Kara said taking her fiancée hand. "Come on. What happened?"
"I met my grandparents today," Rae said making Kara and Lois look at each other. "Turns out I have grandparents. On my mom's side." Kara put an arm around Rae as Rae recounted what happened in the Grant household. She even showed the picture of her mom she still had.
"That must have been difficult," Lois said.
"No," Kara said. "That's what's troubling you. It wasn't."
"I was more upset at Katherine Grant was insulting her daughters than at them," Rae said. "It's just…" Rae's hand went to the necklace Kara gave her. Alura necklace. "When I found out who this belonged to." Rae looked at Kara at this. "I was going to give you something from my mom. I had it in my hand. Was going to give it to you."
"What stopped you?" Kara asked curious.
"The reason you gave this to me. Because it belonged to someone you loved and you wanted to see someone you love wear it. That piece of jewelry in my hand was just a trinket to me," Rae said. "My dad I have always admired and love. No memory of him but we were connected. My mother…. She's nothing to me. I honestly don't have any feelings for her. It's something I never wanted to admit knowing how it sounded."
"It sounds like you're a girl who lost her mother very young and attached to someone else in that role," Lois said. "That's not a bad thing Rae. Your mother died. It's hard to feel a connection to someone you have never known. But here's the thing. These people are living people who are related to you. You have a choice to make now."
"What would you do?" Rae asked her eyes on the two.
"I'd give them a chance," Lois said truthfully.
"Kryptonian tradition says to honor family. Take care of family," Kara said. "At the same time your mother made a choice. To disconnect from them. So, I would be honored bond to stay with my mothers choice. Even if I didn't know or understand the reason. Not saying that's what I think you should do though."
"Very helpful," Rae said to the two grabbing a cupcake she had made off the counter. "There's another thing to think about. My other life. Flash. You can't be my family without knowing who I am. And I can't tell them. Not now."
"True," Lois said. "Could wait and see…. This isn't easy Rae. And in the end no one can tell you what to do."
Rae's cellphone rang and she went for the phone. "Hey Aunt Nora," Rae said listening for a minute. "I'm coming." Rae hung up the phone. "Guess what that was? My grandparents reached out to my aunt and uncle. They were fast." Rae finished the cupcake and grabbed a tin. "Going to bring some for Ryan and Richie." Rae filled the tin. "I got a cake in the oven. Don't let this go to waste. Oh, and we really need to replace this kitchen. Everything is so old."
Rae ran out leaving the two there looking at Rae's finished snacks, her cooking ones, and the unmade ones. Clarky going after her. "Well, you got this right Lois?" Kara asked as she took a cupcake and taking eating. Lois laughed as she nodded letting Kara go back to work.
-New Justice-
Rae arrived at her Aunts and Uncles. Nora was sitting on the dining room table with a photo album in front of her and lots of photos. Henry was helping Ryan and Richie with homework. "Desert for tonight," Rae said putting the tin down. Clarky sat down next to her.
"Let me guess after finding out about having grandparents you made a ton of food to take your mind off it and think," Nora said looking at the large tin.
"Yeah," Rae said sitting down. "They called?"
"They were getting on a plane and heading home. They gave us their address and ask for pictures. Also offered to switch Joan and your dad's body to their family plot. We told them no on that," Henry said. Rae had to chuckle. It wasn't even her dad's body. None of them knew who was buried in that grave or what Wonder Woman had done. Rae had never asked. "But Nora made doubles of all our pictures a long time ago."
"Was going to give it to you to keep," Nora said and Rae raised an eyebrow. "But I think they need it more."
"Did she ever…." Rae wasn't sure how to ask this.
"No," Nora said assuming the question. "Joan told us her parents were dead. If we had known… we would have let them be in your life."
Rae shrugged it off. "It doesn't matter to me," Rae said. "I am honestly not upset or angry. Just…. Not sure what to do."
"Well they are your mom's parents," Nora said.
"My biological mom's parents, but Aunt Nora you're my mom," Rae said and Nora had to smile.
"But still they… are looking for something," Nora said. "When Joan died Jay had you to hold onto. And when Jay died we had you. You made it a little easier." Nora put one last photo in the album and then closed it. "Now your grown and you have a choice in it, but maybe let them also have a choice. See if they can be family and if you can't… then well you know."
There was a knock on the door and Henry went to get it. "Their address," Nora said giving Rae a piece of paper. "I think this should be delivered personally."
"Connecticut," Rae said wondering what they had been doing here in Central-National today.
"But first," Henry said having two giant bags with him. "Eat. We got enough for you."
"I'm still not use to not getting enough for you," Nora said. "We always have big leftovers." Rae giggled as she took what Henry handed.
-New Justice-
It was dark and late in the night when Rae paused in her running in front of the house. Unsummoning her speed force suit and taking her goggles and helmet off. She shrunk the helmet down so everything was hidden away in her pocket. She had Nora's photo album under her arm as she looked. Clarky by her side like always.
The house was big but not huge. While she was eating she decided to look up her grandparents. Richard and Emily Williams. They were well off. Not rich in the way Bruce had been or Laurel was, but more like able to have a more than comfortable life.
Rae went and knocked on the door and a maid answered. "Are you here for the service?" The maid said.
"Um… yeah," Rae said deciding to go with it as she was let in. There were many people in the large room and a large photo of her mom when she was young blown up with the words RIP Joan Williams. She snuck through to see her grandparents up front and another man, probably the age her parents would be, there with a drink.
"I always thought I would see Joan again," the man was saying. "She died too soon. We'll miss you."
"You people realize she's been dead for 24 years, right?" Rae asked wondering how this was all put together so soon. It was only a few hours since she had met them.
"What are you doing here kid? Crashing…" The man started. Clarky growled at the man.
"Stop, Christopher." Richard said. "This is Joan's daughter." The man, Christopher, stopped. Rae gave Clarky a hand to stop his growling. "Rachel, I wasn't… well we weren't expecting you."
"No one ever expects me," Rae said. "And the only person who calls me Rachel is Captain Grant. It's Rae." Rae pointed at the sign. "Your sign is wrong. Her last name was Garrick when she died."
"That is… a very good point," Emily said.
"And that picture is very old," Rae said holding out the album. "From my aunt. They are all doubles so you can keep." Richard took the album aware of the eyes on him and this. Everyone curious about the granddaughter. "And I guess that's it."
"You came all the way here to deliver this," Richard said lifting the album a little higher. "Central-National is not exactly close."
"I got friends in the area. Going to head to Starling and spend some time with them," Rae said. It was true Starling was not that far but she was really just running home.
"We would like to get to know you," Emily said and Rae was surprised how fast her attitude had changed. Seemed one google search did wonders. "Maybe you could come with your fiancée for Friday night dinner. We'd like to meet him too."
"Friday night dinner," Rae repeated. "Maybe. And maybe I'll bring my fiancée if SHE wants to come." Rae made sure to go a little louder on she. She saw her grandparents make a step but said nothing. No visual reaction. "But I can't invite you to the wedding. Not yet. My wedding is family only. You might be my grandparents by blood, but your strangers to me. July 6th. Keep it on your calendar if you want. Maybe by then we'll be something."
"Okay," Richard said with a nod understanding as Rae left. Clarky turning around and going after her.
-New Justice-
When Rae arrived back at the sanctuary Kara, Chris, and Lois were all in the living room. It was late enough Ellen and Jason were in bed. "You just missed Karry Kara," Kara commented to Rae who raised an eyebrow.
"I was there yesterday," Rae said. "What did she want? More about singing at the wedding?"
"No, they were looking to get a puppy for Morgan," Kara said making Rae raise an eyebrow. "Apparently he was depressed. Didn't go into detail. Didn't ask."
"She just bought a large selection of dogs for her to pick from," Chris said.
"And she ended up choosing the husky who likes to goof around," Kara said. "Probably perfect for that clone."
"Also took the beagle Porthos," Chris added in.
"Just for the weekend. It's sweet since he wants to be in a house," Kara said.
"You're not seeing that beagle back here," Rae said with a head shake sitting next to Chris.
"That's exactly what I said," Chris said with a laugh.
"They don't have a sanctuary of their own. They can't keep taking in animals," Kara said as her phone rang. Kara looked at it. "Homebase… must be the system." Kara answered the phone moving away.
"Make you a bet that's Karry saying they are keeping Porthos," Chris said. "50 bucks."
"No way, it's definitely that," Rae said.
"I don't think so," Lois said.
"So sure, you want to take on both of us?" Rae asked.
"I'm in," Lois said with a nod.
The three now waiting for Kara to get off the phone. Kara didn't seem to say much. Just short sentences that didn't make sense without the other end of the conversation. Finally, she hung up. "That was Karry," Kara said coming back over.
"They're keeping Porthos," Rae said.
"Yes," Kara said and Rae and Chris smirked at Lois who made a face. "And they are opening their own sanctuary."
"What?" Rae asked shocked.
"STAR Co Sanctuary for Extranormal Animals. They have meta animals on their Earth apparently. And want to take our overflow of Kryptonian Animals. Cats, dogs, horses, iguanas were specifically mentioned," Kara said.
The room was silent for a moment and then Rae started to laugh. "Didn't see that one coming," Rae said petting Clarky and then pointed at Lois. "You owe us both 50 dollars."
"The bet was on Porthos not a sanctuary. It's off," Lois said getting up. "It's getting late. Time to go to bed." Lois headed up.
"You owe me money," Chris said getting up and running after her. Rae just laughed not caring that much.
"Hey Kara," Rae said taking her fiancée hand. "Do we have another invitation?"
"We got some extra. Inviting the grandparents?" Kara asked actually curious about how things went.
"No… well… I told them to keep the date open. We'll see how it goes there," Rae said. "And they want us over for Friday Night Dinner." Kara raised an eyebrow but decided to let Rae continue. "I need to invite the Wests."
"Oh," Kara said with a smile. "On the table. Already filled out and ready to put in the mail." Rae raised an eyebrow. "I know you Rae. You weren't not going to invite them."
"That's a double negative," Rae said, but gave a smirk. "Apparently you know me better than me. I honestly thought I wasn't." Kara kissed Rae and smiled. "But I have to hand deliver that invite too."
"Why did we bother mailing them?" Kara asked. "You could have just done it in two seconds yourself." Rae laughed as she went with Kara to bed.
-New Justice-
The next day Francine West was in the kitchen. Walter was eating breakfast at the table with Iris. Julia was sitting at the dining room table away from her brother. The two hadn't been getting along for a while. Stopped their superheroes life. Julia was thankful the two were going to two different colleges. Both local though. Julia had been thinking about seeing about transferring to a college out of state.
Joe was getting ready for the day and was about to leave when Rae phased through the wall with Clarky. Francine screamed out. "You got to stop doing that," Rae said removing her goggles.
"What are you doing here?" Iris asked giving Rae a glare.
Clarky gave a growl at the woman in the wheelchair but Rae stopped him. "Just here to deliver this," Rae said holding out the envelope. She waited for someone to take it and it took a second before Joe reached over for it.
He opened it up and took out the invitation inside. He read it for a moment. "It's a wedding invitation," Joe told his family. "Rae's getting married."
"Congratulations," Julia said not sure what else to say.
"And you invited us," Francine said.
"Of course," Rae said. "I wasn't going to at first. Thought it might be weird, but yesterday I was forced to think about family and I realized you're my family."
"And this is how you treat family," Walter said standing up seeming to want to get what was in his mind out. "By killing one of them."
Rae tilted her head. "Um… I killed Barry and no one said anything," Rae pointed out.
"That was different," Walter said. "Barry was a madman and murderer."
"So was Wally," Rae said not seeing the difference. "Look whether you like this or not Wally was no different to Barry. He killed Yellow Arrow. He choose to take a knife and slit open her throat. We don't know how many people he killed for the League of Assassins. What we do know is he went to Iris's wedding with the intent to kill me. And when that didn't work he and his girlfriend set off bombs. And he was Savitar. We don't know how many people he killed as Savitar." It was true. While Savitar had come after her he had explored time and the multiverse beforehand. He could have killed a lot of people. "Barry was just more obvious." Rae took a deep breath. "I made my choice, but so did Wally. I would walk the same path if I could do it again, but I do regret it hurt you. I never wanted to hurt you."
Rae took a step back. "You can throw that invitation in the garbage if you want," Rae said. "But I had to invite you." Rae gave a nod as she put her goggles back on. "Clarky come." Rae ran out with her dog leaving the Wests alone to think.
Post Chapter Note: wow this chapter got longer than I expected. I hope you enjoyed and liked.
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Karry Master OUT!
