"Do think he'll be angry?" Jim tossed to Will, carefully throwing an unconscious Roy's arm around his neck while hosting his slumped body up.
Will smirked, "Probably. But wasn't new." They passed a low chuckle, and remember their task. "Better get going." Will knelt and scooped your slumped body hanging half off the bed.
A day prior, your picture capitalized and plastered screens large and small across the division, Godfrey hadn't let up his rant and demonization of you. Citing and pointing to the Justice League for their failure and debauchery in apprehending a national 'threat' that's been hiding right in the backyard. Citizens and civilians began expressing their concerns and doubts. Some demanded a reason why the League hadn't done their supposed job.
Other news outlets soon joined in, Cat Grant included. The Daily Planet too. Even Lex Luther was re-interviewed on his thoughts and feelings.
"Quite frankly l, it's rather unsettling knowing someone dangerous is still mobile." Lex expressed with sincerity, expression and all, "Though I'm concerned for my own well-being, I fear for my staffs' safety above all else. This is why I've increased security and for the duration until this threat has been neutralized and dealt with by offering remote work. I employ others to do the same."
"Hot air I say," Alfred furrowed, muting it and turning a nose at it.
The words spoken about you colored horribly and though he understood why and the fluctuation of concern and minor panic, Alfred couldn't stop the crippling feeling manifest within his heart. His face and eyes reflected a grimness of worry, he had since you left the manor. It lingered about him and occasionally thoughts of you crossed his mind about your location and health. He hoped you were fine and well. A part of him wished he would have intervened and stopped you. Now, this with you.
Picking up his duster he started back on light cleaning. The manor was quieter than usual he acknowledged, since your departure he felt a stillness moved in; even though you barely made yourself known or kept to your room during your stay, when you did come and venture out it provided some sense of vitality. Now, a haunting seemed to loom about the manor, one Alfred was sure Bruce felt. He paused for a moment on Bruce and wondered about his thoughts now. Though he had an insight. Since the moment of the agreements and indoctrination of the two sisters, Bruce has compartmentalized himself with them. Keeping tabs and equal distance, ensuring all was well.
Alfred was aware of it in part to honor the late Hamato Yoshi, the sisters having trained under him as Bruce did years ago. The two had lost contact for nearly a decade but eventually regained even if briefly and Yoshi was no longer the physicality of a man but more mutant. But he was glad to have reacquainted with Bruce as Batman one night. Yoshi was proud of the man Bruce became, their reunion was brief, and Bruce was in the area haunting a lead. Yoshi lightly touched on his life, and like the shadows, he melted away. Before he did, Bruce spotted a glimpse of his new students and family. Among them are the sisters.
Resuming dusting, now in one of the libraries, Alfred hummed to himself shifting to the piano in the center, and a tender smile pushed upon his lips. You came in here once and took to the piano, playing a piece in private. It enunciated with an ornamentation candor, Alfred happened to hear it, recalling Master Tim informed of your love for the musical arts and your aptitude in it. Your piece was composed beautifully.
It matched you well now as his smile curved down would your music hold the same equivalent? The thought was crushing; all he could do was hope you wouldn't lose such a spirited gift.
"Such a lonely young lady," he lamented quietly, crossing over to the high window and taking a moment gazing out to the courtyard, specifically towards the east where the hedges and flowers grew.
You often would be there, walking among them, running your fingers through. Despite his age, Alfred was quite sure he saw a semblance of a smile carried on you when he brought you something.
"Master Bruce, I know you will do what you can," Alfred affirmed with absolute and worry settlement in his eyes. "You too, Master Tim."
Feeling his worry elevating, Alfred turned from the window and memory and resumed cleaning.
Over at STAR Labs in Taos, late into the night, a shadowy figure hoovered, atop the building. They remained friendly with the shadows and night sky, keeping calm and nearly motionless, avoiding the cameras stationed around. They keenly meander their eyes ploddingly across the roof, fix upon a particular spot towards the west of the building. A smile curled slowly and twisted into their lips, matching the cold glint in their eyes. Without hesitation, they lift an arm outward and with a single thought complete their objective and wait. Within a few minutes, they hear a rushing alarm alerting those in the building. Bringing their hand up, touching their head lightly with the tips of their fingers; through the eyes of another(without their knowledge) enjoy the ensuing chaos that erupted and futile attempts to save their life. When they saw the line flatten, they release their attachment, pushes up, and flyaway, completing their task.
"Shit!" Tigress hissed when the news broke out about you. Nightwing informed her and she along with the others couldn't believe it.
It stunned her, that her mind nearly halted at the revelation. Time was no longer on her side and her initial plan was scrapped. She had to reach you before the others. A race against the League and their resources was dead lost; if they managed to get you they'd have no idea or knowledge about what she discovered thanks to Dick. She didn't need this, already having dealt with information Superboy relayed; Blue Beetle and Impulse forged the plan with Tye and Asami involving Roy, returning you back. She wasn't entirely surprised, a part of her slightly suspected such even if she at first denied it. Layered on Robin had discovered something about you and your...condition. Dick, like Superboy, brought the younger heroes here(dragging Static who hadn't any clue but was assumed) and Rocket went and retrieved Tye and Asami, and brought them back to the abandoned subway station. She was furious but set it aside when you became known and against her better judgment, though knew it would work, counted them for her plan.
They had to move fast, even if the majority wasn't completed she had to get you.
"Can you do it, Zatanna?" Tigress asked.
Zatanna winked, "Of course, we'll be back before you know it. He knows right?" She turned to Nightwing, who just finished sending the message, and threw a thumbs up.
"You're good," he affirmed.
Relief mildly swept over Tigress, "Good. I have extra babysitting days now, but it's payment. Are you sure she'll allow her to stay there for a moment?" she turned back to Zatanna, burrowing the worry rising in her eyes.
Blue and the others stood next to Superboy observing. "It'll cost me, but she won't mind and they won't expect it either." Zatanna assured setting a comforting hand on Tigress's shoulder, "Don't worry, we'll get her back here."
Her words provided Tigress with some comfort, "Thank you. I know we will."
"Alright then," Zatanna stepped back, Nightwing tossed a locater, "I'll be back, I mean we'll be back soon. See you in New Orleans. Torpelet em ot retnuhwoB ytiruceS."
With a blinding flash, she was gone and instantly appeared before her location an hour before sunset. Jim was slightly startled and Will finished locking up, both with packed bags.
Zatanna walked over, "Ready?"
Will shrugged, "As ready as we'll ever be. Though I wonder why you can't just teleport us there."
"I was wondering that too," Jim added, trying to ease himself before departure.
"Trust me, it's safer this way. Also, we want to shake up our tracks and I'm paying her for this so, yeah, there's that," she said, "now stay close and no talking. I have to concentrate." Calming herself to adjust the words correct words, spoke them and with another blinding flash, they found themselves in the parlor of Madame Xanadu.