AN: And we're at the final side-story chapter! This was again by anothvortex from Spacebattles. Every side-story is now placed into chronological order.

Side-Story: No More Tears

Looking at her daughter hug Taylor like her life depended on it, Zoe Barnes felt the ever present tension drain from her soul. The last six months made their previous trials seem like a pleasant fantasy. Between helping Taylor and Lisa with their settlement from the PRT, swearing affidavits against Bastion, Director Piggot and the Brockton Bay department in general, and helping Kurt and Lacey recover after a failed attack on their home by the Empire, the Barnes family had been put through the wringer. However, despite all of the drama and heartache, the mother would not change that moment for anything.

She had actually helped! She had made things better! There was a level of satisfaction that could not be properly described!

Well Annette could have done it, but she was not Annette. No one was.

Taylor's life as a Parahuman was still an uphill battle. After her first Endbringer fight, a LOT of very powerful people had their eyes on the girl. In addition, the current PRT and Protectorate leadership was unwilling to completely stop their power plays, even if it was a lot subtler than before. However, instead of a desperate child trying to keep her head above water, "Isis" was a determined soul who would no longer be used and abused. With Lisa and New Wave in her corner, she was far past the point of being blackmailed with disciplinary pay holds.

Emma was also a work in progress. Her therapist had been happy with the girl's improvement, but concerned about her long term care. Her initial trauma coupled with Sophia Hess's crude indoctrination had created a firm dichotomy in her mind. On one side was the normal, friendly teen who was wallowing in guilt over her actions against everyone. On the other was a thrill seeker who demanded violence and control no matter the cost.

It was not anything as trite as multiple personality disorder from the movies. Rather, the doctors compared it to alcoholism. An alcoholic was always an alcoholic, and could wait as long as it took for the next drink. In the same fashion, Emma would be fine for weeks, only to backslide at the worst possible time. The lack of control over her own mind terrified her daughter, and they were looking at longer term solutions for her care and education. For now, she needed the structure and support that only the aslyum could give her.

Still, today was not about such dreary topics, but instead a chance for reunions. Taylor and Emma's were just one of those involved.

Walking over to a nearby bench in the facility's public area, Zoe turned to the sole occupant. "It's been too long, hasn't it Danny?"

Danny Hebert was another difficult topic. Taylor's miraculous ability to resurrect people appeared limited to Parahumans. After the fifth attempt by a politician to force greater control over her abilities (reportedly due to a sizable campaign contribution), a full press release of Isis's powers and their limits was published by the PRT. Taylor's increased energy had allowed her to boost her father's healing to something miraculous. Damage that might have taken years to fix was purged in mere minutes.

But Danny was not a Parahuman and as such the results, while amazing, were still something realistic. He could talk to and understand people again, and actually engaged those around him. But his reactions were still off, the speech patterns similar to those recovering from a stroke over the long term. Every word, movement and attempt to seem normal just highlighted how abnormal he currently was. The doctors said he would get better with time and more therapy, but it would probably take many more years of effort.

Case in point, the pause before he nodded was long enough to be uncomfortable. "It has, Zoe. It...it really has."

They sat, watching Taylor speaking with Emma. If not for their age, and the brunette's glowing eyes, it could have been any number of scenes from their childhood. With everything that had happened, it was somewhat bittersweet. So Zoe was not surprised when Danny spoke again, although a part of her wanted to be. "Do, do you hate me Zoe?"

Biting back her first response with the ease of long practice, the woman looked at the man in front of her. Taylor's father was mobile, but his problems were still there to see. Especially in the flat, dull tone he tended to use. "I think I did, Danny. But I can't anymore."

Turning to her, the man actually had a brief spark in his eye. Then it was gone like a dying candle. "I...I have heard so much about how I hurt everyone. How I hurt Taylor. What she almost did when...you must think I'm just selfish. I only thought about my own pain. I should have thought about others."

Looking back at the two girls, she smiled as Taylor gestured over to the side. Lisa, somewhat smaller and less intimidating since their last meeting, came forward. Emma looked at the new girl, then Taylor before covering her mouth and crying. That led to even more hugs and smiles. Something that all the teens desperately needed. "You did think about others. You thought about them too much and didn't think enough about your own needs."

The skinny man had nothing to say to that.

Leaning back into the bench, Zoe sighed. "Danny, I was angry for a long time. But it wasn't just at you. I hated myself for letting it get to this point, Alan for failing his family, and yes I'm including Taylor there, and I hated the world that just kept hurting people I cared about. But I learned to recognize the facts. I spoke with people, including my therapist and even the blonde over there. I realized I just felt helpless, and that hate wasn't going to FIX anything. But I swear to God that if you put Taylor through anything like that again, I will show you just how angry I can still get."

The pause was long before Danny managed a sigh. "I...I would deserve it. Taylor managed to get me into a..a treatment center. Kurt and Lacey have done enough, and now that she has the pull, the Protectorate and PRT are covering all the medical bills like they SHOULD have. I'll do everything I can to try and be better. Taylor deserves better, and I have a life to spend making it up thanks to her. So...so I'm just going to have to suck it up."

Reaching out, Zoe grabbed his hand and squeezed. "Just remember that you're not alone anymore. We won't let you be."

After another of those too long pauses, Danny squeezed back.

Smiling, the elder Barnes turned to the three teens, still all happily chatting. "Alright girls, let's get a table and eat. I have a picnic basket read to go!"

With the enthusiastic reaction, her family finally felt like it was truly healing.