It's All Relative
Chapter 16: Loose Ends Tied
By Teala373
Princess Diana of Themescyra was charged with multiple counts of treason, conspiracy, man slaughter and fraud by Superman, with the former High Council at his side. Her termination from the League was reiterated and she was stripped of her title as Royal Ambassador of Themescyra to the United States or America. It was also determined that she would be deported to her home country for a ten-year sentence and answer to Queen Hipolyte for the high Themescryan crime of removing the Amazon bracelets.
Aquaman was found guilty as Woman Woman's accomplice. He admitted to helping Wonder Woman out of his vengeance for Batman, whom he never got along with. His sentence was permanent probation on the League, in which Martian Manhunter agreed to oversee.
Flash was acquitted of his accomplice charges due to his testimony, participation and being blackmailed. He was, however, placed on a minor probation and sternly lectured on coming forward with information should another situation arise.
The original Batman, who now revealed himself to the core members of the Justice League as Bruce Wayne, was given a formal apology and reinstated as an advisory member. Though he would no longer conduct field research or operations, he was considered a direct advisor to Superman, Martian Manhunter and Green Lantern, as well as assist from the his terminal.
Martian Manhunter helped Barbara separate her real memories from her false ones. Through several weeks of counseling and therapy, he was finally able to completely erase her false memories and complete reinstate all her real memories. During this time of rehabilitation, Barbara was confined to the Justice League Watchtower with a strict no visitor policy.
Dick didn't take that lying down.
First he sent chocolates. Then he sent flowers. Then he sent chocolates in the shape of flowers.
"These are the finest chocolates money can buy… all at Bruce's expense, of course," a card read, eliciting a giggle.
He sent care packages with books he thought she might like to read, puzzles, stuffed animals and an endless supply of Twinkies. He sent cards with pink hearts and gooey quotes. He sent necklaces made out of string and macaroni, like he used to make her when he was younger. Most importantly, he sent her long letters detailing how well a once fractured family had mended.
Bruce, Dick and Tim had started over again. They were a real family that talked and spent time together doing normal things in the real part of the house, not just the cave. Tim and Matt had begun forging a strong bond, as were Dick and Terry. The five men greatly enjoyed each other's company and discovering the joys of family. The pain of the past was washing away and the future finally seemed bright.
The apartment Manhunter had set Barbara up with in the Watchtower gave her peace, solace, and plenty of time to think during her rehabilitation as she read her letters. Yet, no matter how much Dick's constant mailings made her laugh or smile in sheer happiness, she was still filled with doubt and confusion on what she would so upon her return to Gotham.
Could life really be that simple? Could they just all be so blindingly happy together? Terry and Matt seemed to think so when they were allowed to call her, their voices filled with love and hope. They begged Manhunter to speed up her therapy so they could bring her home and share their happiness with her.
Home.
That word made Barbara uneasy. Where was her home? She didn't want to go back to her apartment in Gotham; that was where they had lived with Warren, who really wasn't Warren at all. That whole life had been a lie and she didn't want to be so constantly reminded of it by living there.
Wayne Manor? Was that her home? It certainly was big enough and with the way things seemed to be going, it was a distinct possibility. But she was scared to dream and to hope. She was afraid to go back and find Bruce unchanged, dark as he ever was. She was afraid that Tim would still be depressed. She was afraid Terry and Matt would lose what they had gained.
She was afraid that there was no third chance for her and Dick Grayson.
The doubts would not stop swirling around in her mind, no matter how hard she tried to concentrate on something else. She tried to focus solely on packing her belongings and making sure everything was in order before her departure, but the doubts kept creeping to the forefront of her mind.
"Barbara?"
She turned and smiled as Manhunter stood in the doorway. "Hello J'onn." He had trusted her with his name during their first session. He wanted to establish trust between them before he delved into her fragile mind.
"I am very proud of your progress," he stepped into the room and took the heavier of her two suitcases. "A lesser person may have broken, but you will leave here whole."
She felt a swell of emotion at his touching words and fought back a lump in her throat. "Thank you. That means a lot to me."
They exited the room and began walking down to the transporters. Several times, Barbara wondered if she should talk to Manhunter about her fears, but continually talked herself out of it.
Finally reaching the transporter, she stepped up on the lighted circle and said her good-byes.
"I am returning you to a destination that is of importance to your future," Manhunter stated as he started the machine.
"What do you mean?"
Manhunter turned his somber red eyes towards Barbara. "Go and live your life, Barbara. You deserve it."
In a bright flash of light, she left the Watchtower and found herself in a very unexpected place: Dick's original bedroom in Wayne manor.
It was still as it was when Dick had last lived there. It was almost as if it were a shrine to mark the period of silent grieving on Bruce's behalf. Barbara walked around, examining items with one hand over her mouth, afraid to let any tearful noises escape. Her eyes ran over pictures and posters, awards and accomplishments. When her eyes landed on Eleanor, she lost it.
Grasping the much beloved stuffed elephant to her chest, Barbara wept for several moments, remembering the loneliness and knowing how much more horrible it must have been for Bruce and Dick, and even Tim… and now Terry. They were all alone together, except the alone part was going away.
She finally left the room, Eleanor still securely snuggled against her. She headed for the stairs, wiping the tears from her eyes. She slowly descended the long, winding staircase, but when she reached the final landing, something made her look up.
Standing at the bottom of the stairs was a very grave looking Dick Grayson.
She froze and subconsciously bit her lip. Blood began to drain from her face, but she took a deep breath and willed herself to stay strong.
They stared at each other for several moments before Dick finally spoke. "I want you in my life, Barbara. I love you. I've always loved you, and I'm willing to do whatever it is you need from me to get it right this time. I'm not losing you again… I can't."
A fresh wave of tears cascaded forth as a choked breath escaped her lips. She had never seen Dick more serious or more sincere. Her doubts began to fly away as she all but ran down the last of the stairs and flew into his arms.
"Don't let go," she whispered, her face buried in his neck and Eleanor promptly squashed between them.
"Never, ever," he promised, "never again."
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Bruce, Dick, Barbara, Tim, Terry and Matt had finally found a home, a family, and a wholeness that covered up the last of the lonely places in their hearts. Though Terry still continued to fight as Batman, he found a new vigor that came from truly helping people, and not fulfilling his own sense of vengeance. His success was so great that he was soon cordially invited to become a member of a very exclusive organization.
His grandfather was very proud of him.
fin