Airen squeezed her eyes shut and groaned. Sunlight shone brightly on her face making her warm. A breeze drifted in through an open window and with it the music of a twittering bird. She felt warm and comfy, something she rarely felt. She shifted, stretching out so she could feel the softness of her favorite sheets and hear the rustling of her puffy comforter.

Airen raised her arms above her head and stretched her back. There was a twinge of soreness in her leg and the events from last night came rushing back. The last thing she remembered was Black Hawke carrying her home and feeling the cold night air bite into her skin through her very thin shirt. After that, nothing.

Airen's eyes flew open. She was in her own bed, clean, hair brushed, and in an oversized sleeping shirt. She grabbed the comforter and looked at her lower half. She was in a clean pair of underwear and she could tell she wasn't wearing a bra.

Panicked, she sat up and yelled, "VIE!"


Violet sat at the bar in the kitchen sipping a mug of hot coffee. Her parents hadn't ever been big on the beverage, so it had been Uncle Dick that had first introduced her to it. Once she'd had her first sip, she was never going back.

Violet breathed in the comforting smell of coffee beans and contemplated what had happened last night.

In order to heal Airen, she'd been forced to put her under a sleeping spell. She had also stumbled onto a momentous amount of emotional damage, pain, scarring, the works. Violet had attempted to take some of it from her, but it'd been such a tangled mess she hadn't been able to sort through it enough to do any good. It hadn't helped that Airen, even though unconscious, didn't seem to want to let it go. It hadn't seemed like Airen wanted to keep it, more like was trying to conceal it.

Violet shook her head. That girl was a mystery wrapped in an enigma. Even Batman couldn't figure her out.

Once she'd healed Airen she had moved on to John. He had been no walk in the park either. As soon as she started the process, she could tell that the Beast was having issues. The amount of inner turmoil that John had been going through had forced Violet to take a step back and regroup before she continued.

When she said something to him, he'd claimed that he had it under control. While she didn't believe him, she dropped it. She wasn't really equipped to help him with that sort of thing. Dad was though. She had already given Mom a call letting her know what was going on and to tell Dad to give John a call. Mom had of course agreed.

Once he had been healed, Violet told John he could crash on the couch. He readily took her up on her offer and collapsed onto the plushy gray furniture piece. He'd been gone by the time Violet had woken up that morning. No note, no thank you. Just gone.

Violet sighed. She loved her brother, but sometimes she just wanted to send him to a pocket dimension and let him chill out for a few hours.

Her phone next to her buzzed.

Are you available? -Diana

Frowning, Violet picked up her phone to respond. Diana was never so cryptic or straightforward unless it was serious.

Yes. What is it?

Come to the manor as soon as possible. Will explain when you arrive.

Violet once again frowned at her phone. It was unlike Diana to be so demanding and secretive. Assertive, yes. Demanding? No. Something must be really wrong.

"VIE!" Airen yelled from the other room. Violet sighed and sipped the last of her coffee.

'Duty calls.'


Violet breezed into Airen's room with a mug of steaming fresh coffee and a smile on her face.

"Good morning!" She sang cheerily as she delivered the mug to Airen.

Airen looked at her as if she had grown an extra head. "What happened last night?"

Violet cocked her head to the side in question. "What do you mean? We went drinking and dancing."

"No, no, after that. There was a fight, gang war or something, and you and Johnathan left, and-"

Violet frowned. "We left?"

"Yes!" Airen said exasperated. "Do you not remember?"

"I remember that we got separated. I also remember that you got caught in the bar when some of the thugs took it over. I also remember that Black Hawke had to deliver you to the ER because you were badly hurt. Then John and I had to go and get and bring you back here." Violet explained with a concerned look on her face.

"You-you did?" Airen said quietly.

"Yes. And once we got you back, I changed your clothes and put you to bed. The people at ER had already cleaned you off."

"Oh. That must be the part I don't remember." Airen sat back against her pillows. "But why would the ER discharge me when I was still unconscious?" Airen sat back up gleeful at her quick thinking.

"Og course you were conscious. You were just woozy from all the pain meds they gave you." Violet challenged with a steely look in her eye.

"What happened to Mason?" Airen quizzed.

Violet paused. The look of surprise and ignorance on her face was pure gold. Airen beamed at catching her in the lie. Violet noticed her smile and gave her a scrutinizing look.

"Is there something you're not telling me?" Violet asked.

"I don't know, is there something you're not telling me?" Airen shot right back.

Violet studied her for a moment before standing. "You. Me. Dinner, tonight. Here in the apartment. Where we can talk." Violet gave her a calculating look before continuing. "In the meantime, I have to go. Will you be okay?"

"I think I can manage," Airen said rolling her eyes while sipping her coffee.


Violet arrived on the doorstep of the Wayne Manor less than an hour later. The new butler, Edmund Manning, answered the door. Edmund wasn't really new; he'd been with the family for five years now. He had been Alfred's own personal choice for the new butler and Alfred himself had trained him.

While Alfred was still alive and well, he was getting older and it did help him out to have the extra help. Although there were some things that Alfred had neglected to tell/teach Edmund, at least for the time being. In Alfred's mind, it was imperative that Edmund earn Bruce's trust before he was let in on "the family business".

Violet, thankful that she had shown up in street clothes and her holo ring, greeted Edmund with a nod.

"Mrs. Wayne is expecting me." She stated matter of factly. Before Edmund could say anything, Alfred appeared behind him.

"Of course, Miss Logan. Please, do come in." Alfred and Edmund made way for her to enter. Alfred offered to take her jacket cheerily while Edmund closed the door.

"No thank you, Alfred, I don't expect to be here that long." She answered.

"Of course, ma'am." He nodded in understanding. He turned to Edmund. "Edmund, please return to polishing the silver. I will see to it that Miss Logan is shown to the lady of the house." Edmund nodded and walked off toward the kitchen. When he was out of earshot Violet raised an eyebrow at Alfred.

"Does Diana know you call her the lady of the house?"

"She most certainly does not." He replied indignantly. Alfred raised his head and sniffed. "Now if you will be so kind, this way." He led her up the stairs and toward the library.

"So how bad is it?" Violet asked. Alfred's face fell.

"Very bad. I have not seen them like this since….well never mind."

"What exactly is it?" Violet pressed confusedly.

"I shall leave that to Miss Diana to explain," Alfred stated. He led her to the library and to the large grandfather clock that stood on the far left wall. Alfred opened it up to reveal a hidden staircase behind it. No matter how many times Violet witnessed it, it never ceased to amaze her that so much could be hidden behind such a small secret doorway.

Alfred led her down the stairs to a dark hall. At the end of the hall, it opened up to reveal a huge cave. The hall ended on a railed balcony that overlooked the rest of the cave. Several other balconies ringed the edges of the cave, each lower than the last.

Each balcony represented a level of the cave, each level offering a different amenity to the cave. The level just below Violet and Alfred was the "museum" as Damian called it. All of the cases with old uniforms on display, as well as displays of souvenirs and weapons from different villains or cases were held on that level. The level below that was the training level. It held a full-sized and fully stocked gym, armory, and a sparring ring.

Below that was the bottom level or the main floor. There the infirmary, bathrooms, locker rooms, break room with fully stocked mini-fridge, and microwave was kept. It was also where the Bat computer, Bat vehicles, and Bat lab were kept.

Off to Violet's left was a spiral staircase that led down to the lower levels. To the right was a fireman's pole.

Alfred led her to the stairs and began making his way down. When they reached the mail floor Violet could see a group of people waiting. What they were waiting for she didn't know, but she'd bet that it had something to do with her.

Sitting at the Bat computer was a woman in a wheelchair that Violet recognized as Barbra Gordon. She and Barbra had very little to do with each other socially, but Violet could understand why she was here. Next to her was a tall blonde woman who Violet assumed was Steffanie Brown otherwise known as Batwoman. Stephanie had taken over the role of Batwoman when her predecessor Kate had retired a few years earlier. Violet knew that the position had first been offered to Cassandra Cane, but for some reason, Cassandra had turned it down. Which left Stephanie.

Timothy Drake stood in the hall across from the infirmary doors with his wife Cassandra Cane-Drake. Leaning up against the wall next to the doors were Mia, Helena, and Damian Wayne. They were three of Bruce's biological children. The older two, Sauron and Samantha, were nowhere to be seen.

Mia was 17 years old and had nut-brown shoulder-length hair and blue eyes just like her father's. She stood at about 5'4 and was very slim with toned muscles. She took after her mother, Thalia al-Ghoul, in facial features.

The young lady next to her, Helena Wayne, was the spitting image of her mother, Diana Wayne. Even at 14 Helena looked so much like the Themisciran princess it was frightening. Shoulder-length black hair, bright blue eyes, the works.

Her brother Damian on the other hand was all Bruce. Same hair, eyes, facial features. They even had the same brooding frown and stance. The 12-year-old boy was currently glaring intently at the ground in front of him.

Alfred frowned at the crowd gathered. "There is a perfectly comfortable waiting room in the infirmary. There is no need to crowd the hallway." He said sternly.

Everyone's heads lifted at the sound of Alfred's voice. Tim nodded at Violet when he saw her, so did Cassandra.

"Mom kicked us out," Helena told Alfred with a pleading look on her face. She was the peacemaker of the family. While she had quite a bit of spunk, she couldn't stand for anyone to be unhappy, especially Alfred.

"Very well then. I suppose it is not your fault." Alfred softened his expression to put her more at ease.

Damian scoffed. "I don't know why we can't go in. We have a right to know what is ailing our own father and Greyson." His voice was filled with venom as he spoke.

Alfred gave him a stern look. "You would do well to learn that sometimes children are best left ignorant of the situation young master."

Damian glared at the floor some more but kept quiet.

One of the double doors to the infirmary opened and Diana poked her head out. When she saw Alfred and Violet, she looked relieved.

"Oh good! You're here! Come in, come in please!" Diana motioned for Violet to come and she obeyed.

Alfred cleared his throat. "Miss Diana, I must also inform you that Miss Melissa called again. She instructed me to inform you that she is quite concerned about Master Dick and if she does not hear from him in another hour, she will be driving up here herself."

Diana closed her eyes and swore under her breath. "Alright, fine. If she does show, stall her. I don't know how long we'll be." Noticing the crowd outside the door she frowned. "Don't you all have anything better to do?"

"No." They unanimously said as one.

"Gah! Kids!" Diana exclaimed before disappearing inside the door. Violet hurried to follow before the door could close.

Inside the door was a waiting room with chairs lining three of the walls. The floors and walls were a comfortable cream and off-yellow color while the chairs were wooden and sported navy-blue cushions. On the back wall was a two-way window above the line of chairs and a white door that swung open both ways.

Violet followed Diana through the door into a dark room filled with computers and monitors. On the wall that the room shared with the waiting room was the window where Violet could see into the waiting room. On the opposite wall was another window but this one had blinds over it.

Diana stopped in this room and moved over to the window. She looked at Violet and sighed.

"I'm sorry for calling you out of the blue like this, I really am but I just didn't know what else to do. I've been trying to get ahold of your mother, but-"

"You can forget it. She's in Azarath." Violet stated bluntly. Diana sighed.

"That's what I was afraid of. Don't get me wrong, I have great faith in your powers, in fact, I still would have called you even if your mother had been available. But with both of you, it might have been easier or faster somehow….." Diana bit her lip.

"I take no offense. Mind telling me what's wrong?" Violet asked. Diana turned and pulled open the blinds that covered the second window.

It too was a two-way window. On the other side was a room with several hospital beds lining one wall. On two of the beds were Bruce and Uncle Dick. They looked bad. Their hair stood up on end, dark circles under their eyes and pale. Their eyes seemed empty, far off like they were a million miles away.

Also in the room were Dinah Queen and Superman. Dinah was in street clothes and sat on a chair leaned over toward the two clearly distressed men. She seemed to be talking. Superman stood with his arms crossed on the wall behind Dinah in uniform watching them carefully.

Violet looked at Diana confused.

Seeming to read Violet's mind Diana began. "So far we know that they took down a warehouse full of the S gang's lower level muscle along with a lot of illegal merchandise, weapons, drugs, etc.." Diana paused.

"So?" Violet asked.

"So, they also witnessed the S gang's enforcer, Jimmy Noler, shoot someone in the head," Diana said. Violet blinked. She waited for Diana to continue.

"Not only did that bring up old traumatic memories, but they are also struggling with the fact that they were not able to prevent it." Diana glanced at the ceiling in irritation. "Hera, it does not help that every five minutes Melissa calls the manor looking for Dick. It is like she is a leech. She is afraid that if she lets him out of her sight for more than a few minutes he is out having an affair or something."

"To my understanding, Starfire cured him of that," Violet said quietly. Diana nodded.

"She did. That's why it is so frustrating. He would never do anything like that now, and he has never given her a reason to believe otherwise. But she cannot simply trust him." Diana rubbed her temples as though she had a headache.

Violet noticed how tired she looked. Her clothes were wrinkled and crumpled in odd angles. Her hair was a mess and her eyes had dark shadows under them.

"Dinah and Clark got here early this morning and haven't left the room since."

"About that, I get why Dinah is here, but Clark?" Violet questioned.

"He is here as muscle. Earlier they were very uncooperative and tried to fight their way out of the room. It took everything Dinah, Tim, Cass, Stephanie, and I had to get them on the beds and in restraints. After that, I called Clark."

"Why don't you go get a cup of coffee? Grab a few z's. I'm here now and so are Dinah and Clark. They're in good hands."

Diana gave a weak smile. "I know they are, and I will get some coffee. But I cannot sleep knowing that-" her voice broke and her breath hitched as she looked at the emptiness in Bruce's eyes. "Knowing that Batman's body is here but my husband is a million miles away and might not come back." Tears began to drip down her cheeks as she watched Bruce.

Violet placed a comforting hand on her back. "Shhhh. Hey, it's okay. They will come back. Both of them. I promise. Now go get some coffee and wash your face."

Diana nodded and left trying to hold back sobs.

After watching her leave Violet looked at her two new patients. "Let's hope I can keep my promise." She muttered as she took off her jacket.


Garfield Logan frowned at his son on the computer screen.

"Yeah."

"Wow."

"I know."

"I mean, WOW….."

"I know Dad."

"And you're sure it was the Beast?"

Johnathan threw his hands up in the air in exasperation. "Who else would it be? I know Mother Teresa doesn't talk like that and I sure hope Dracula hasn't made a home in my head."

Dad frowned and rolled his eyes. "Even I know that was a lame joke."

Johnathan rubbed his hands down his face then up into his hair. He gripped his hair with his two fists in frustration.

"I know Dad. But what else do you want, expect, me to do?" he asked desperately.

His dad sat back in his chair and crossed his arms frowning. "I honestly don't know son. That doesn't sound like anything my beast has said to me, past or present. Yes, what it did say to me did change after your mother and I-"

"Oh! Dad! Come on! I don't want to hear that!" Johnathan exclaimed. Gar gave his son a disapproving look.

"I was going to say, after your mother and I began a serious relationship my beast's communication changed. It focused more on protection than on sexual desire. But it never said anything about holding and comforting. Providing yes, but not the way yours seemed to express it."

"Great. So, the one "expert" I've got to help me doesn't even know." Johnathan moaned as he put his head in his hands.

"Relax. Your mother still has the monks keep a well-stocked library. If I know her at all I know that it's one of, if not the largest library in the universe. Surely there's something there that can help explain this."

"Thanks, Dad, but I'm not in Azarath, I'm in Gotham. On Earth. And you suck at research, not to mention you despise it." Johnathan grumbled through his arms.

Gar chuckled. "I don't like research, but Willow loves it and Will needs a challenging research project. Callassari has been complaining that he's too smart for school. Apparently, every hard project she comes up with he completes within hours. Which would explain why the boys always bored." Gar grumbled the last part to himself.

Johnathan peeked out between his arms at his dad. "Really? You mean it?"

"Yeah, that child is always walking around here complaining that he has nothing to do. Mom and I are going nuts trying to find stuff for him to do. Now, Willow, we can't ever get her to do her homework. All she wants to do is research random topics and interview the monks."

Johnathan glared at his dad. "Not what I meant."

"I know." Gar grinned. "Yes, I mean it. I'll get them started on it right away. Hopefully, we can have something put together for you by Thanksgiving. I'll also consult my own beast and see if he has any insight into what's going on."

"Thanks, Dad. It really means a lot to me."

"I know kid. I gotta go. Your Mom will kill me if I'm late for another audience day. Love you, say hi to your sister for me."

"I will. Love you too Dad."

The video call ended.


Sorry, it looks like I'll be tied up with my errand all day. But we are still on for dinner. -Violet

Airen read the text message on her phone partially in relief.

'Good because what I'm about to do is stupid and if you're otherwise occupied then you won't be able to stop me.'

Airen put her phone away and looked at the door before her suddenly nervous. The door seemed to tower before her in ominous foreboding, warning her away from what she had come here to do.

Taking a deep breath to gather her courage she slowly reached a fist up to knock on the door. Knocking lightly, she gulped and took a step back, waiting for the door to get answered.

She really shouldn't be here, doing this. She had made clear her feelings. But after last night…..something inside of her seemed to give way to the secret desires that had seemed to be growing. She hadn't noticed it at first. She had just thought that it had been a silly child-like infatuation. A flutter of the abdomen here, a hitch of breath there. Every text brought a smile. Every day she didn't see or hear from him brought a twinge of pain.

It hadn't been until last night when she'd watched him be beaten, at the mercy of those who would kill him, that she realized just how deep, just how serious, her feelings for him were.

When he had fallen to the ground and they still hadn't relented their merciless barrage of pain her heart had jumped into her throat and her stomach had dropped. She hadn't wanted to use her powers because she was afraid that they would be recognized. That her identity would be revealed. But watching him nearly die? She refused to allow that to happen.

After several moments of no response, she stepped forward and knocked again, this time harder. Something on the other side of the door clanged and there were some shuffling sounds. A moment later the lock sounded, and the door swung open.

"Hi." Airen greeted quietly.

"Hi." Johnathan greeted back. He looked surprised, as though she had caught him off guard.

Airen glanced at him and blushed when she realized just how off guard, she had caught him. He wore a pair of basketball shorts and tennis shoes and that was it. He stood in the doorway shirtless and drenched in sweat.

"You want to come in?" He asked.

Airen nodded and he moved aside to let her in. He closed the door behind her and moved to the kitchen.

"Want some water?" He asked.

"Um, sure." She said distractedly. She looked around his apartment in awe. The building itself was in a nice part of the city while the apartment itself looked like something from a movie or magazine about rich people.

The living room was large with one of the four walls made of floor-to-ceiling windows. The apartment being on the top floor of the 20-floor building the view was spectacular. The rest of the living room was equally as grand. The ceiling towered above at 12 feet tall and was painted white. The walls were painted white as well with no decorations hanging on them. There wasn't even a tv in the room.

The room was spacious with precisely placed pieces of furniture to give it a living room look without taking away from the space. A set of gray chairs sat up against one wall while a matching gray couch sat on the opposite wall. A glass coffee table sat just in front of the couch with a stack of magazines on it while a white wooden tea table sat in between the chairs. The floor was dark oak wood giving it a very cold feel.

The living room only took up half of the front apartment space, while the kitchen took up the other half. The kitchen was made up of gray with white undertones matching and complementing the living room well. The countertops were granite and the cabinets were wood painted gray while the floor was the same as the living room. The appliances, fridge, stove, oven, were all stainless steel.

The kitchen was spacious as well and had an island in the middle of it as well as a bar separating the kitchen and living room. Pushed under the bar were wooden bar stools painted white with gray cushions.

Airen frowned. The apartment was very cool and unwelcoming. It was stiff and held no personality. It didn't reflect Johnathan and his personality at all. He was warm and kind and open. While he was serious in most instances, he had a sense of humor and could be goofy at times. No, the apartment didn't reflect his personality at all.

She turned to say as much but stopped when she saw that he was still shirtless. He was still in the kitchen digging through the cabinets looking for something. He wasn't paying attention to her at all.

She took the opportunity to study him since he wasn't paying attention. He was tan, very tan in fact, and, as far as she could tell, had no tan lines. He was built nicely, with broad shoulders, toned muscles in his arms and abdomen. He had a noticeable four-pack and she could see a few toned lines that suggested he was working toward six.

He closed the cabinet and huffed in irritation. Apparently, he hadn't found what he was looking for. He walked over to the fridge, flung it open, and grabbed something out of it before slamming the fridge closed. Airen jumped slightly surprised at his sudden display of frustration.

He walked over to where she was standing and handed her a water bottle.

"Sorry, I'm out of cups apparently." He muttered. Airen took the cold bottle from him, her hand accidentally brushed up against his. His hand was warm and moist from both sweat and condensation from the water bottle.

"It's alright. Thank you." She replied. As he brought his arm back toward him, she noticed a tattoo on the inside of his right forearm. It was some sort of circular emblem. As he moved away from her she noticed there was a similar circular emblem tattooed on his left shoulder.

"Sooo…." Johnathan drawled as he faced her and leaned up against a second gray couch that faced the wall of windows.

"Soooo…." Airen repeated. She wrapped her hands around the bottle and wrung it nervously not knowing what to do or where to start. They stood there awkwardly for several minutes in silence waiting for the other to say something.

"Nice dress." He said finally. Airen looked at him in surprise then looked down at her choice of clothing. She wore a yellow sundress with short sleeves and ended at her knees. It had little flowers printed on it and the material flowed when she moved. Usually, she hated wearing dresses but today she had felt the need to dress a little nicer.

"Thanks." She tucked a piece of hair behind her ear and gave him a small smile.

"Aren't you cold?" He asked. Airen shook her head.

"Not really. I don't get cold easily."

"How's the leg?" He pointed his chin toward her right leg as he took a sip from his water bottle.

Airen moved the leg to where they could both see the angry red scar on the side of her calf. "It's alright. Some soreness this morning, but otherwise good."

He nodded and they fell into another uncomfortable silence. Airen bit her lip, trying to figure out how she was going to begin what she wanted to say. She didn't have to because Johnathan beat her to it.

"I have something for you." He announced as he pushed off of the couch. Airen watched him in surprise as he made his way to the back of the apartment. After a few minutes of shuffling noises from the other room, he came back and this time he had a shirt on thankfully.

He resumed his earlier position leaning up against the back of the couch and holding up something. It was a small vial with a red cap on the top and was filled with…..

"Blood?" Airen asked confused. Johnathan nodded. "What do you think I am, a vampire?" Airen asked half insulted and half-joking in an attempt to break the tension.

"No." Johnathan gave a little chuckle. "It's yours."

Airen eyes him suspiciously. "I get that you're giving it to me, but last I checked I didn't ask you to bring me the blood of any enemies."

Johnathan snorted. "No, you didn't and that's not what I'm saying."

"What are you saying?"

"It's your blood."

Airen looked at him in fear and slowly building anger, all humor gone from her face and voice.

"Where did you get it?"

"The hospital, or your clothes. They had to take off your jeans to fix up your leg and they gave them to us. They were covered in your blood, so I filled a vial."

"Okay….." she drawled, "Better question: why do you have it?" She spoke slowly trying to be patient and not become upset before she heard him out.

"I have it because I figured that it would be the fastest way to help you find your biological father. I can give it to the lab and-"

"No!" Eyes wild Airen leaped forward and snatched the vial out of his hand without letting him finish.

Johnathan frowned at her odd display. "What? It is the fastest way. The lab runs your DNA and in a few days, we know who your father is and we can look for him."

"I said no," Airen said darkly glaring at him. She put the vial in her book bag.

"Why not? It's not like your other methods have been working! You said yourself that you've made no progress!" Johnathan snapped.

"As a matter of fact, they are working, and I have made progress. There are a couple of leads in Chicago if you must know." She bit back.

"Look, I'm just trying to help!" Johnathan exclaimed.

"Why?! Why are you trying to help? It's not like I asked you to!" She yelled. Johnathan opened his mouth to answer but she kept going. "I don't need your help! I can do this on my own and I'm going to! I don't want your help!"

"But-"

"I didn't tell you that so you could involve yourself! I'm here to do something and I'm going to do it by myself, my way!"

"What are you so afraid of?" Johnathan hollered.

"I'm not afraid of anything." She snarled.

"Really? Because you're freaking out over nothing!"

"I'm not afraid of anything and I don't want your help! Can't you just accept that!" Airen yelled.

"I'd love to, and believe me I will, as soon as you tell me why you're being such an anal control freak about this!" Johnathan yelled back.

A knock sounded on the door interrupting them.

"What!?" Johnathan snapped without breaking his glaring match with Airen.

Another knock sounded, louder and more persistent this time. Johnathan huffed and went to answer it. The door swung open and Airen could hear the surprise in his voice.

"Lila?"

"Hey, Logan!" A cheery peppy-sounding voice came from the hall outside the door.

From where she stood Airen could see the woman that stood at the door. She had shoulder-length lemon yellow hair that looked way too dry, light purple eyes, and pale skin. Her face was long, and her nose was too small for her face. Her lips were too thick and covered in pink gunk. Her body made sticks look fat. She wore a pink sweater and a pair of white slacks.

"What are you doing here?" Johnathan's voice was tense, as though he was trying to not growl at her.

"Well, I came by too…." Lila's voice trailed off when she saw Airen. Her face changed from happy to angry in an instant. "I was going to see if you wanted lunch to talk things over. I also came to get my stuff."

Johnathan dropped his head in defeat then moved to let her into the apartment with a heavy sigh. "Can it wait? We're kinda in the middle of something here." He said as he closed the door behind them.

Lila eyed Airen suspiciously while Airen merely raised an eyebrow.

"Actually, we're done here," Airen said with a sickly-sweet smile directed to Lila. She placed her unopened water bottle on the counter behind her and made her way to the door quickly.

"Airen wait." Johnathan reached out his arm to stop her as she reached the door. He turned to Lila. "Lila, could you wait in the other room, please? I need to speak to Airen privately."

Lila shrugged passively and glared at Airen before turning to make her way to the back of the apartment. Rolling her eyes Airen opened the door not wanting to give Johnathan a chance to talk her out of her decision.

"Airen," Johnathan said. She ignored him and walked through the door.

"Angel, please." His voice was soft, and she felt him gently grab her arm to keep her from leaving.

She turned and looked at him with an unamused expression.

"Friends don't call friends "angel"." She deadpanned. Johnathan raised his eyebrows and leaned in close.

"This friend does." He whispered practically nose to nose with her. He grinned cheekily before moving back a little. "Friends have nicknames for friends. Besides, if you're going to call me Johnathan, I'm going to call you Angel. That was the deal, remember?"

"Well, maybe I'll just stop calling you Johnathan." She said tauntingly. His grin dropped and he grew serious.

"Please don't." He said quietly. His thumb began to gently brush her arm and the look he was giving her was very non-friend-like.

Her heart fluttered and her breath hitched. She had a hard time resisting those deep blue eyes, but she had to.

"I told you my stance on the subject." Airen made a point of looking at his hand. He dropped it and cleared his throat.

"You, as my friend, can call me Johnathan. I insist." He said seriously then looked at her expectantly.

After a moment of pause, Airen rolled her eyes and sighed. "I'll think about it."

His face lit up in a huge grin. She smiled and turned to leave.

"Hey." Airen turned back in question.

"Friends?" He asked.

She smiled reassuringly. "Friends."


Violet sighed and yawned as she made her way to the library. It had been a really long day but between her and Dinah, Bruce and Uncle Dick had finally been able to process. Once they'd processed Violet had taken a portion of the emotional pain so they would be able to function. She'd left enough so they could heal the way they needed to, but everyone needed them to be able to function.

Diana led the way up the stairs and through the library. If it was at all possible the poor woman was more tired than Violet was. When they reached the library door Diana turned and gave Violet a tired smile.

"Please, go on downstairs. Alfred will have dinner ready by now I'm sure and you're more than welcome to stay. I'll wait here for the others."

Violet smiled politely in return. "Thank you, really, but I already have plans for dinner, but I'm sure-"

The sound of a shrill voice from somewhere downstairs cut her off.

"I don't care if he's indisposed at the moment, he's my husband! I demand you take me to him NOW!" Someone screamed.

Violet's head twinged, a growing headache already forming from the amount of power she had used today. Diana frowned.

"What in Hera's name….." Diana slipped through the door and down the hall at a brisk pace. Curious, Violet followed after her.

Diana made her way down the stairs and followed the sound of Alfred's low voice into a small sitting room off of the foyer. Violet fast-walked in order to keep up thanking Azar that she had worn flats today.

Just before Diana reached the door a voice from the stairs stopped her.

"Diana."

As one Violet and Diana turned to see who it was. Dinah stood at the top of the stairs motioning wildly for Diana to join her.

"Violet, would you mind seeing what's going on in there? I'll be back in a moment." Diana asked. Violet nodded and Diana made her way up the stairs.

Violet entered the sitting room to find Alfred looking mildly uninterested at a young woman who appeared to be very angry. The woman was short with pale skin and shoulder-length nut-brown hair. Her eyes were a chocolate brown and she had freckles dotting her nose. She wore brown capri pants, a cream-colored sweater, and brown flats.

The woman stood glaring at Alfred with a fist on her hip and a finger pointing accusingly at him.

"Melissa," Violet said mildly. The woman turned to Violet in surprise. Surprise quickly turned to anger.

"Where is my husband?" Melissa demanded.

Violet stared at her as though she had turned purple. "I wouldn't know, and even if I did, I don't think he'd want me to tell you with the way you're acting."

Melissa glared at her then screamed in frustration as she walked away. Astonished at the grown woman's behavior Violet looked at Alfred for an explanation. Alfred merely looked at her blandly and sighed.

The doors opened and Diana breezed through looking dignified and graceful even though her hair and clothes were a mess and she looked like she hadn't slept in days.

"What's going on in here?" She spoke pleasantly with a polite smile on her face though the tone in her voice and look in her eyes said that she was through with whatever nonsense was going on.

"Ma'am, Mrs. Greyson is here and is demanding to see her husband," Alfred replied mildly.

"I can see that," Diana said giving Melissa a hard look. Alfred nodded then left the room knowing that if he was needed further, they would call for him.

"I won't allow you people to hold him, prisoner, here anymore!" Melissa shrieked.

"Diana frowned at her. "He is not a prisoner here. We are his family and were long before you met him. We called him here last night because we had a family emergency, I'm afraid." Diana spoke firmly.

"Well, why didn't he bring me!? I'm a part of this family too!" Melissa screamed.

Diana raised her head. "That I do not know. You will have to take that up with him." She said coolly.

Melissa turned her blazing eyes on Violet. "Why is she here? She's not a member of this family! Why is she here and I'm not?!" Melissa pointed an accusing finger at Violet's chest.

Violet took a step back. "I'm here because I'm a legal intern and I was going over and collecting paperwork with the family."

Diana glared at Melissa. "Violet is more of a member of this family than you are. She and her family spend time with us and respond when we contact them. You, on the other hand, have managed to isolate my son from this family since the day you became involved in his life. You smother him and manipulate him and on the rare occasion that we actually see and or speak to him, including Christmas, you are there attached at his hip and glued to his side. You never leave his side, you are always there shrieking like a, a….Athena, what is the word?"

"Banshee." Violet readily supplied.

"Yes! Thank you! Like a shrieking banshee constantly nagging and ruining people's appetites. If you ask me, if it were I that were married to you I would not have included you in the family emergency if only to get some peace and quiet. Quite frankly, it was very pleasant to see my son for once without you here and attached to him. I honestly do hope it happens again. In all of Hera's name, I still to this day do not understand why he decided to marry you." Diana said darkly.

Violet looked on impressed with Diana. She was known for losing her temper but up to this point, everyone had kept their mouths shut about Melissa for Dick's sake. Apparently, Diana was fed up with it.

Melissa stared at Diana in shock for several seconds before composing herself.

"I'm going to find my husband and you can't stop me!" She yelled as she stormed through the doors into the foyer.

"Dick! Dick! DICK!" Melissa screamed as she stormed through the foyer.

"Stop shouting in my house!" Diana yelled at her.

Melissa whirled on her. "If you don't tell me where he is right now, I'll…."

"You'll what?" Diana challenged eyes flaming. Violet watched wide-eyed.

"Relax Melissa. I'm here." Uncle Dick said calmly as he descended the stairs. He looked absolutely exhausted and was gripping the railing for support as he came down.

Melissa's demeanor changed as soon as she heard his voice. She whirled back around to the stairs with the most innocent and concerned look on her face.

"Oh, Dick! I was so worried about you!" She crooned sweetly as she met him at the bottom of the stairs. She grasped his arm, planted a large kiss on his cheek, and rubbed his back soothingly. It made Violet sick.

Dick looked at Diana. "I'm really sorry, about everything." He said forlornly.

Diana looked at him understandably. "It's alright, don't worry about it."

Dick nodded.

"I'm afraid we have to go sweety." Melissa crooned. He sighed and bid his goodbyes to everyone, looking dead inside the whole time.

Violet really did feel sorry for him. She hadn't known Uncle Dick before. She'd been too young. But she had heard stories and seen pictures. She'd seen and heard the difference between then and now. And every time she saw him, he seemed worse. It was painful to watch.

"I don't understand why we don't just ban her," Damian said when the door closed behind them. Violet looked up to see the rest of the family standing on the stairs.

"Because, if we ban her, we ban him and lose an opportunity we have of seeing him," Bruce said sadly.


Airen set out the takeout on the table. It had been a long grueling day for her and she was ready to eat. Violet came through the door and heaved a large sigh.

"You okay?" Airen asked. Violet was leaning up against the door with her eyes closed. She looked like she had been through hell.

"No, but I will be." Violet opened her eyes and looked at Airen.

"Are you?"

Airen huffed. "No, but I will be."

Violet nodded in understanding. Stripping off her jacket she made her way over to the table and sat down. Airen joined her.

"Alright, let's start with what you know," Violet said as she began digging through the containers of food.

"You're Shadow and Johnathan's, Black Hawke."

Violet froze with her arm stretched across the table. She looked at Airen in surprise.

"How long have you known?"

"Long enough to know that that ER story is complete bull."

Violet closed her eyes and nodded. "How do you know?"

Airen gave her a look. "It wasn't that hard. Leaving at 2 in the morning because you forgot something at the store? Or Mason called and asked you to come over? Really?"

Violet shrugged. "It's 2 in the morning. My brain wasn't fully functioning."

"Yeah well, Johnathan's excuses are worse. My buddies called at the last minute. I have a doctor's appointment. I have paperwork I forgot to do. Blah blah blah." Airen droned.

Violet raised a brow. "How is John anyway? Any soreness from last night?"

"Not that I could tell-" Airen paused. "How'd you….?"

"He called me."

"Crap."

"Why go over there if you two are trying to just be friends? Not that I'm complaining if you become more, but it was your idea, why taunt yourself?"

Airen shrugged. "I don't know."

Violet rolled her eyes. "Lot of that going around lately." She put some food on her plate. "Does he know?"

"Know what?"

"That you know?"

"No, and I'd appreciate it if you'd leave it that way. He'll tell me when/if he wants me to know."

"Done."