Thanks go out to my wonderful betas Patty, Em, Beth and Tammy. You girls have been so awesome during this fic. I also want to acknowledge Devin Grayson in this part. Since the whole fic has been based upon and inspired by something she wrote that I did not like, it's fitting I think, that a part of the end scene of this chapter is based upon and inspired by something of hers that I did like: page 248 of Devin's book Inheritance. I hope you all enjoy this chapter. Char :-)

COURT MARTIAL: PART 31:

Nightwing sat back down and turned back to Green Lantern. Lantern smirked at him. "You managed to stop Starfire."

"Objection again!" Barbara shouted.

"Sustained," Captain Marvel. This trial would not finish soon enough.

"Your honor, I think it is very relevant that Nightwing can contain Starfire with a few words, as we have seen twice during the duration of this trial. Something, that according to the defendant, he has done many times. Yet, he wants us to believe that he could not stop Tarantula the night Roland Desmond died."

Green Arrow muttered under his breath, "What about the twenty other objections that occurred prior to that one?"Marvel ignored Green Arrow's comment, and continued, "Green Lantern, this is not a stage. Let's get past the drama and to the point. The objection was sustained, keep inflammatory comments to yourself and move on."Wally shook his head and grumbled under his breath, "What an ass. And saying Roy's right, hurts a lot."Green Lantern refocused on Nightwing and began again, "It is your testimony to this court that you froze and couldn't stop Tarantula. Correct?"Dick glared back at Lantern, but spoke evenly, "Yes."Green Lantern nodded, "In earlier testimony you quoted what Blockbuster said during your encounter. Was that verbatim?"Dick canted his head, not sure where this was going, "I guess… I mean I think it was."Green Lantern moved closer. "Haven't you've been trained to reproduce from memory crime scenes and dialogue? Isn't that along with hypnotism, self-hypnotism, and other methods of extreme self control, things you've learned to help combat crime from Batman?" "Yes, among other things.""Just to make sure, I understand. Even though your extensive training on self-control may have failed you on that night, you were still able to recall with detail the words you exchanged with Roland Desmond?" Stewart leaned on the bar in front of the witness chair.Dick clenched his jaw as he spoke, "Yes, I believe I recalled them accurately."Green Lantern turned away and walked back to the prosecution's table. Jean handed him a sheet of paper, and Stewart turned back. "Let's revisit some of those words that you have chosen not to recall. Shall we?""Objection!" Barbara's knuckles clutched white around the now broken pencil. "Nightwing has no choice but to be completely honest due to the lasso. If the prosecution is making a point, then they just need to ask a question.""Sustained." Marvel shook his head again. "Ask your question, and move this along."Stewart feigned contriteness with a subservient tilt to his head, and continued. "Didn't Mr. Desmond say something else that night in the hall when you were fighting him?"Dick's brow furrowed, "I --"Stewart spoke again as he looked down at the paper, "Didn't he say something else about you and what he knew?" Stewart put down the paper on the table and approached Nightwing, firing off questions as he went, "Didn't he say to you that he knew that your civilian ID was Nightwing?"Dick frowned, "Yes.""Didn't he say who cares?""Yes."Stewart stopped before the witness stand, "Using those wonderful techniques of self control, and memory, perhaps you can recall the rest of the conversation?""It's a useful piece of information but its not the REAL secret." Dick paused and looked down."What is the REAL secret?" "Objection! Relevance." Barbara interjected, hoping to derail the latest tact."Goes to motive, your honors." Stewart's eyes never left Nightwing's face as he looked back up."Overruled. Continue." Marvel turned to Nightwing. "Answer the question, please."Dick's soft voice carried in the crowded room, "Who Batman was, and in turn Batman's operatives like Robin. My family." Dick looked up and met Barbara's and then Bruce's eyes."The secret is very important, correct?" Green Lantern prompted.Dick nodded, and then answered, "It allows Batman to be Batman. Allows him to do what is important."Green Lantern nodded, "And what did you say in return to Desmond?"Dick stared at Lantern for a moment, "What?"Green Lantern asked again, "What did you say to him after he threatened Batman and Robin?""If you go near any of them, I swear…" Dick's voice died off as he shook his head."Batman has rules and plans about everything, we've all been unfortunate victims of them --"

"Objection! Batman and his actions are not on trial here." Barbara shouted as she hit the table for emphasizes.Green Lantern ignored her and Marvel's attempt to interrupt, "What was the plan to protect the secret? Come on, Nightwing. You were Robin for years. What were you instructed about the secret?""Objection! Your honors --" Green Lantern raised his voice to drown out and keep everyone's focus, "What were you to do to protect it? What lengths were you to go to? We all know how extreme Batman is --" Stewart inches from Dick's face, waved backward to the gallery and shouted, "How complete his plans and instructions are for dealing with everyone, friend or foe. You were instructed to go to extremes to protect it, correct?""OBJECTION!" Barbara shouted again, pounding on her table to interrupt Stewart. "This is not about Batman or his plans or anyone's grudges against Batman!" In the gallery, while it appeared that Batman was stoically staring at the stand, Selena knew better and gripped Batman's arm. She whispered forcefully, "Don't … please don't."Marvel leaned toward Stewart. "Lantern --"Green Lantern shouted back at Nightwing, "What were you told to do to protect the secret? What is the rule to protect the secret?"Dick shook his head as Oracle shouted out her objections. Everything crowded in around him and the focus grayed to a single voice. Stewart's badgering relentless voice and then the many lessons from Batman about secrecy swirled about him. His mouth opened as the lasso's powers overruled his will and he spoke, "We keep the secret at all costs – no matter what.""Including murder?"

"No," Nightwing shook his head, "No."

"So when you stood by and let Roland Desmond's brain splatter all over you and the stairwell, you were only doing what Batman instructed right? You were protecting the secret?""NO!" Dick shouted back."Is that an actual no, or some self hypnotic response to defeat the truth? Or maybe it is your poor fragile mind's attempt to deal with the horrible truth, is that what Doctor Midnight told you?""OBJECTION!" Barbara's livid voice rang out again.

"What is your problem? What do you have against me?" Dick angrily shot off at his inquisitor, ignoring Oracle's objection. "This is more than just doing your job, Lantern."

"My job is to stop murderers from killing again. That is what I am trying to do," Stewart retorted.

"Really? Looks to me like you're over-compensating. I couldn't stop a murder." Dick's eyes narrowed behind his black mask before he pressed on. "It's not like I a blew up a planet."

Green Lantern growled as he started his advance toward the witness stand. He was pulled back by a blue gloved hand. Furiously, he turned on Blue Beetle. "Let. Me. Go," he growled through clenched teeth.

"No! Calm down, John. Don't let him get you angry. Remember what Jean said ... that's your job."

John Stewart closed his eyes taking a deep breath and counting to ten. The ten count really did not dissipate his anger, but it gave him the time to get it under control. He hated that he had allowed Nightwing to goad him into showing anger in court.

"Counsels approach." John opened his eyes and looked up at Marvel's frown as the rest of the prosecution and defense joined him in front of the front tribunal table. Captain Marvel leaned forward and the rest of the tribunal moved in as Captain Marvel spoke slowly and quietly. His voice did not carry beyond the group gathered in front of him. However, each enunciated word had a razor sharp edge. "I have had enough! Green Lantern, you are making a painful process into an ordeal for everyone. You are either oblivious to it, or are actively disrupting these procedures in order to extract your pound of flesh from the accused. Either case, it has gone far enough. If you chose to sabotage your case, that is your choice, but you will not do so at the expense of this court and everyone involved. We are to seek justice and if we can perform that duty with you, acting as a responsible party to these proceedings, then you may continue. However, if you cannot control your animosity and anger, I will not only have you removed, but also you will be facing disciplinary actions for conduct unbecoming a member of this League. If I did not think that you were capable and able to do your job, after the first warning in chambers, you would have been gone. Do you understand?""Yes, your honor.""Are you absolutely sure you understand? Because my tolerance does have limits, and we have reached it. I will not offer another warning after this."Stewart nodded.Marvel's gaze swept the gathered defense and prosecution as he continued, "While Green Lantern's behavior is his responsibility, in this court his co-counsels are responsible for it as well. Punitive actions against any individual of any team, will follow with censure for the rest of the counsels. Understood?"As they all nodded, Wally opened his mouth. Barbara grabbed his hand and squeezed with speed that would have done the Flash proud. Unfortunately, Marvel did notice. "Yes Flash, I know exactly what you were going to say. It does apply to you. While Stewart is certainly the worst behaved, you all have been walking a very thin line. Every one of you are officers of this tribunal and as such, you represent the tribunal to the body of the League. When you interact with the Titans, you should be actively discouraging their behavior instead of quietly condoning. Or actively condoning it in the case of some of the comments you've made at the defense table." Marvel's gaze pinned each of them as he moved down the line. "If I have to declare a mistrial due to misbehavior on the part of defense or prosecution, there will be severe repercussions. If I have any more problems with the gallery, especially the Titans, there will be severe repercussions."Jean looked at Barbara and then back at Captain Marvel, before she spoke, "We understand your honor. I apologize for Green Lantern's behavior. It is my fault, because I was pushing him to be very aggressive and may have pushed him over the line."J'onn shook his head, "I don't believe you had to push him that hard which is the point. All of this is too personal, to too many."Arthur spoke with quiet force to the prosecution, "I do not have the patience of Captain Marvel, and I am far less charitable than the others at this table. Make your points, quickly and concisely. I believe that everyone here understands exactly the point you are making and that is done. Now, move on this needs to end." Marvel nodded, "Exactly. Perhaps this should have been done in chambers, but I want this over with now. We hopefully do not have that much more to go." Marvel waved them back to their seats, "Let's get this over with." Marvel waited until the prosecution was seated again and turned back to John. "Do you have any further questions, Green Lantern?"

"Yes, your honor, I do." Turning his attention back to the defendant, he queried, "Nightwing, besides Blockbuster, you've killed before, haven't you?"

"Objection!" Barbara said, her left hand rubbing her pounding temple yet again. "Nightwing did not kill Blockbuster."

"I'll re-phrase," Green Lantern stated. Walking toward the witness chair, he asked, "You killed the Joker didn't you?"

"Technically, I guess you could say so. He's not dead though," Nightwing replied.

"Well, let's look at things technically for a moment. You beat Joker with your fists until his heart stopped beating, isn't that true?"

Nightwing's jaw flexed. "Yes, but I --"

"The only reason Joker didn't stay dead was because Batman performed CPR, correct?"

"Yes. I was under the influence of the metahuman, Rage, who augmented my anger and grief. I can tell you that it would never have happened otherwise. If he hadn't been controlling the situation, it never would have happened."

Lantern nodded. "I see. Blockbuster is killed while you watch because you froze. You beat the Joker to death under Rage's influence. You're easily susceptible to outside influences aren't you?"

"No, that's not what I'm saying. Both incidents involved extreme and unusual circumstances converging on me. Things that were beyond my ability to control or to keep control over myself."

"There was another time you weren't in control of yourself. I believe Brother Blood had brainwashed you?"

"Yes."

"Brother Blood ordered you to kill the Titans, isn't that right," Green Lantern asked stopping his advance mere inches from Nightwing.

Nightwing looked around the prosecutor to Flash. His gaze then moved to Cyborg and Beast Boy. His mind replayed that awful day. His friends captured, pleading with him not to submit to Brother Blood's will. Kory's entreaties and proclamations of love pulled him from the brink of blackness. Pulled him from the clutches of Brother Blood's mind control. "I had been brainwashed by Brother Blood. You're right. He ordered me to kill my friends ... but I didn't."

"How would you describe your physical condition at that time?"

"Physically at the time I was almost normal," Nightwing answered. Shudders still coursed through his body when he thought of how close he had come to harming his friends. "Mentally, I was under Blood's mind-control. Had been for a while."

"But you didn't kill the Titans, did you?" Lantern asked.

"No, I didn't. Thank God I didn't." Nightwing replied softly.

Green Lantern turned and started walking away. Half way between the witness and his counsel table he stopped and whirled around, "It's interesting that you could overcome mind control to save your friends but not your enemies."


"We interrupt this broadcast to go to a live feed of Clark Kent from the Justice League Watchtower on the moon," Jack Ryder said, his plastered smile focused on the camera. "Clark."

The television screen split showing closeups of WGBS anchor Jack Ryder and The Daily Planet's current star reporter, Clark Kent.

"Thank you, Jack," Clark started. "The case against Nightwing has moved into its final stage. The JLA Tribunal moved into chambers to begin their deliberations after the prosecution and defense made their closing arguments this morning."

"And do you think these 'so-called' deliberations are going to be more than window dressing for the verdict? Are they really deliberating, or has the verdict been a foregone conclusion all this time?"

Clark's blood boiled at the implication that this trial was a farce. It had torn apart the Justice League and the entire hero community -- probably irrevocably -- and some people thought this was not real. It was all too real for all of them. "There is nothing in this proceeding that is foregone ... except the fact that the superhero community will never be the same."

"Any indications which way the trial is leaning?" Ryder asked.

"I couldn't begin to predict. Both sides made strong arguments in favor of their cases. But it's clear that Nightwing has the unwavering support of many of the spectators."

"Was Batman present?"

"He was. Batman sat stoically behind Nightwing during the closing arguments."

"Did they say what the connection between Batman and Nightwing was?"

"They did, but its classified," Clark responded.

Jack Ryder rolled his eyes pandering to the camera. "What are they, some paramilitary organization?"

"The Justice League is an arm of the United Nations, Jack." Clark felt a headache starting behind his eyes. As Superman, he should not have headaches. He knew this. He also knew he caused them himself. It was stress. Jack Ryder always caused him stress ... it was stressful to restrain himself from breaking something each time he spoke to the man. "The League is suffering from this trial. Regardless of the outcome, I'm not sure what the future is going to bring for this organization."

"I suppose they're split about the verdict like the general public," Jack speculated. "WGBS' latest poll show forty-six percent of viewers favor a guilty verdict, forty-one not guilty, with thirteen percent undecided." Smiling into the camera, he continued, "Just go to WGBS on-line at and take part in the poll. Former-President Lex Luthor had this to say -- "

The television screen morphed from the faces of Clark Kent and Jack Ryder to a video-tape of Luthor standing outside LexCorp Tower. "See! I kept telling you that the capes were unstable!"

"Isn't that the pot calling the kettle black?" Clark retorted before he realized his audio feed was still on. Yes, he definitely had a headache.


"I think this has been the biggest bunch of bullshit I've ever seen!" Ollie angrily blurted out after the conference room door closed behind the Tribunal members, secluding them for their deliberations. "Can someone tell me why we've put that boy through hell when he didn't do anything?"

"Oliver, the fact that he did not do anything is precisely why we are here," Diana responded as she walked toward the round table in the center of the room. "I think that it is without a doubt that Nightwing's abilities would have allowed him to save Roland Desmond. He could have prevented this murder." She stood regally in the room, her blue eyes firmly focused on the Emerald Archer.

"Unless he was suffering from a dissociative episode and the other ailments that Dr. Midnight testified," J'onn interjected. "That is something we must consider."

Arthur sat in his black chair as if it was his throne. With a regal tilt to his head, he looked out at his colleagues and joined the discussion. "But he is a Bat. We know how they're trained to withstand anything, to have a plan for any circumstance. Do you really want us to believe that he just "broke" to use Midnight's words?" Arthur asked. He did not like this. It made him feel sick inside but it was his duty no matter how distasteful and he was not a man to shirk his duty.

Captain Marvel took his seat at the large table. His fingers traced the JLA insignia in the center. This was the table that normally sat in the center of the Hall of Justice. It was the seat of the Justice League's decision-making authority. Justice. What was justice? What was justice in this case? He was going to need the wisdom of Solomon to decide. "This has not been an easy case. I'm not sure there's going to be an easy decision for us to reach. Both sides have made valid arguments. It's up to us to sort them out."

Ollie mumbled under his breath and pulled out a chair. "Then let's get down to brass tacks. I don't think Dick's guilty of anything." His gaze fell on Diana seated across the table from him. "Do you remember those cases Barbara read to us?"

Captain Marvel nodded as he leafed through his notes. "That the mere presence of the defendant does not make him an aider or abettor even if the defendant has a secret intent to assist if it becomes necessary. The defendant must actually have aided or encouraged the principal."

"That's the one," Ollie said animatedly. "He had to take an overt step to be guilty. He didn't!"

"I remember that. I also remember John Stewart reading to us that criminal liability as an aider or abettor applies to a person who fails to prevent a crime when he has the opportunity and duty to do so. My problem is with Nightwing's inaction. His utter failiure to do anything," Wonder Woman responded. The others understood her position. Diana was the truest warrior of them all. Had Nightwing killed Desmond with his own hands, Diana would have understood, possibly even condoned. Her problem stemmed from the fact that he did nothing at all.

Arthur shook his head. "I understand what you are saying, Diana. As a warrior, it would appear that he should have stepped in. However, as unappealing as Tarantula is, she was a warrior in battle. Was it even Nightwing's right to step in between her and her honorable fight?"Oliver snorted, "She shot an unarmed man, not all that honorable."

Arthur raised an eyebrow, "But he was not powerless. He had destroyed so much of Nightwing's world and had done significant damage to Tarantula. He was far from being a victim even as close to being subdued as he was."Diana nodded. "True. He was not vanquished. If Dick had stopped her, she would have been denied her right of battle."

"And was it not Nightwing's battle that she interfered with?" the Martian asked. Captain Marvel interrupted, "A warrior's code, is not what is on trial. It is a matter of law."Arthur looked at Marvel, "Oh come now. Who's law? We are all warriors and if we obeyed the law, we would not exist. We're framing this trial about breaking the law, when most of us ignore the law on an day to day basis. Let's not lie to ourselves, this is not about anything except what holds sway. The rule of law or the codes we honor that frame our actions."Green Arrow nodded. "We're not the Legal Eagles. We're the Justice League, and to be honest when compared to justice the rule of law is a lowly standard."Martian Manhunter nodded. "That is exactly what this is about, even more so than the law. The only thing that separates us from those we fight, is our code. When a hero looses track of that, he looses the right to be called a hero.""Laws are set to provide structure to a society. Even a society of heroes," Captain Marvel interjected. "They cannot be ignored.""I'm not saying they should and in this case, the code that Nightwing follows and the Law he professes to protect, were both violated by his lack of action." J'onn stated with conviction.Green Arrow stared at J'onn incredulously. "You're saying that Nightwing is guilty?"Diana spoke quickly, "I think that it is far too early in this deliberation to decide. We need to discuss this for ourselves. I see the warrior code being upheld, but the law being violated. While the rule of law in the world of man often seems unfathomable to me, it is something I have sworn to work within."Green Arrow crossed his arms. "You mean every time you go out and fight a supervillian, and violate the sovereignty of whatever country you're fighting in?"Diana frowned. "You're making this difficult.""You're damn right I am. I'm not going to sit quietly by while we loose track of what is going on. The real truth is we can't judge Nightwing without judging ourselves. You can't ignore the parts that are unpleasant, just so we can convict him and go about our business," Oliver shot back."Nightwing had battled honorably to save innocents up until the moment Tarantula interceded. I'm not sure that he could, as Dr. Midnight said he could not have, or even should have stopped her. However, I cannot believe that justice would be served, by ignoring what the law has to say." Diana added. "At the end of the day, we are warriors and our honor is all we have.""We must not ignore the law. It is what binds society and gives us order. In our discussions, we must not lose track of that law. As a Justice League member, do we not have a legal duty to act? Did Nightwing not have a legal duty to save Roland Desmond?" Captain Marvel added.Green Arrow looked to each member of the tribunal and settled on Arthur. "And where does the law fall with you? Or the code? Or what the hell ever standard that individuals seem to be applying to this?"Arthur shook his head. "I … I do not know. Like it our not, we each bring what is important to ourselves into this room. I am a warrior and a ruler. I have sent men to their death for less transgressions than letting someone die. I do understand the necessity of law, but I also understand that by our very natures we are essentially acting outside of the law.""Surely, the simplest question will have the hardest answer." J'onn looked at each of them. "Is Nightwing a hero or a villain?" Pausing, Martian Manhunter looked at the insignia in the middle of the table. "Was it right or wrong?"


She sat stretched out on the sleek sofa. Selina crossed her long legs at the ankle as she read from the Gotham Gazette. Her green eyes glanced over the edge of the paper as she allowed it to drop slightly, so she could glance at the dark shape moving repetitively back and forth in the room. She shook her head and flicked the paper back up with a shake. "You're going to wear a hole in the carpet," she said folding the paper and continuing to read.

Bruce merely grunted as he continued to stalk back and forth in his marathon pace across the apartment's living area. His pent up frustrations radiating from his every movement.

"You know I don't understand how Luthor can continually buy his way out of every rotten thing he does. You and Clark caught him red-handed when he was trying to set the two of you up. Then he shows up months later claiming he had been kidnapped and replaced by a rogue clone. People actually believed him." Selina pointed one of her long fingers at Bruce. "You should hire his PR people."

Bruce stopped in mid-pace to glare at her before he began pacing again.

"Listen to what he said." She prefaced before she started reading from the article. "All I have to say is that this, all of this, is indicative of what I had feared to be true. I wanted to believe in them, -- HA! I'm surprised he doesn't choke on this drivel. He goes on to say We all have that child naiveté deep inside that believes that we can trust those with these tremendous powers and drive. However, the adult knows the real world is often not that simple and I would say that their true colors are showing. I'd like to show his true colors. My cat-o-nine tails would make a lot of nice colors across his shiny bald head." Selina heard the soft chortle that Bruce tried to hide as a grunt. She smiled behind the newspaper.

"Then Curley goes on to make his political statement against the capes by saying," Selina cleared her throat and used a mockingly deep voice, "This is only the beginning and everyone of us must now take a stand. We must preserve our rights. We stand before giants without any hope of our way of life surviving, and yet we must be victorious. That is why I am asking each and every world citizen to make their voices heard. Let your voices ring out and say to those elite, you are not needed or wanted. We can and do stand without you. We are the masters of our own destiny. We are mankind, and we will prevail over you." She flung the newspaper across the back of the sofa. "What a bunch of malarkey. People that contribute money to his campaigns are idiots and I should steal from every one of them."

"Selina," he growled.

"Well, I should. I didn't say I would, just that I should. You've made a rut in the carpet. Why don't you sit down?"

"I do not want to sit. I want to be with Dick," Bruce ground out.

"But Dick wanted to be alone," she said, standing up and crossing the space the between them. Wrapping her arms around him, Selina rested her head on Bruce's chest. "I can understand that ... and I know that you can understand that."

Bruce nodded as his arms encircled her. "It doesn't mean I have to like it." He held her a moment before letting her go. Sighing loudly, he moved to the sofa and sat down. "You know, Luthor's not entirely wrong. There's a grain of truth in what he says."

"All great lies start with a grain of truth," she said as she scooted onto the sofa beside him. "Doesn't mean he's not still a slick, skuzzy, bald liar."

Bruce's lips tugged upwards at the corner, a half-smile trying to form. "Its the grain of truth though that holds me back. Back from the times when I have wanted to kill the Joker."

"I thought that was my whip and Gordon's gun," Selina said slyly. She smiled when he growled.

"We can't appoint ourselves gods. I know the Joker should be put down. He's a mad dog and every second he breaths; another innocent life is endangered or destroyed. I KNOW that. I feel it and it would be so easy to just ... snap ... and he's gone. We would all be better for it. But you know why I don't?" He felt her head nodding. "It's not the law or morality or ethics ... but fear. Fear that I would not stop. I have too much rage to take that step and then ... stop. It is the line I drew, that others stand behind with me, because we know that we are always a step away from destroying everything that is good by trying to save it from what is bad."

"Dick didn't cross that line," she said with conviction.

"I know. I know. I just hope that they understand. That they're capable of understanding."

"What do you mean?" she inquired.

"This ... trial ... it's not really about Dick, not anymore. And that's what is really ripping the League apart. It's the elephant in the corner of the room, that no one has ever talked about and the question they don't dare ask. But the question is always there. The League ignores it because it's a question they cannot answer."

"The question?"

"Where is the line that no one can cross, and what draws it? When do you stop being a hero and start being one of the monsters you fight? Do you think I put Ollie on that Tribunal because he's a friend or for his liberal bias? I put Oliver Queen on that Tribunal because there is no way in hell that he would ever vote to convict my boy. He wouldn't because he'd be convicting himself. And he'll raise holy hell to keep them from convicting Dick." His body tensed as he vented his anger. "Some League members have killed, but they never tried them. They never threatened to send them to a prison planet in another galaxy. This is the elephant that this league has never faced and they can't face it now. They're trying to use my son to answer their question. They've ripped my boy apart to dissect their own consciences. Clark brought Dick here to protect him and instead they ... "

She squeezed him tighter. There was nothing she could say to ease his worry or his pain. All Selina could do was share physical contact with Bruce in an effort to bring him comfort.


Dick sat on his bunk, one leg drawn up before him, his arms latched around his leg, and his head resting on his knee. His mind replayed so many scenes ... good and bad. Steps in his life that brought him here. As distasteful as his testimony had been, he had come to terms with his part in Desmond's death. He just had to hope that the Tribunal would set him free. Free to fight the evil in the world. That was the best way he could atone for not being able to save Blockbuster.

He exhaled a large breath he hadn't realized he had been holding and leaned back against the cool metal wall. He had said it was up to the Tribunal to determine his guilt or innocence. And it was. There was nothing that he could do now but wait for the verdict. Dick Grayson hated waiting. He hated being confined. At least it was almost over.

Unless he was convicted.

"Don't get all morbid, Grayson. It ain't over until its over."

A slight smile snaked over his face as he thought of Barbara and Wally. They had both worked so hard on his case ... worked hard for him. They had done a really good job. He hoped it was good enough. More for their sakes than his own. Dick knew that they would both be devastated if they lost. He did not want anyone to experience the type of guilt he had, especially not people he loved.

He knew, despite Babs and Wally's best efforts, John Stewart and Ted Kord had presented a very good case against him. A damn good case. Dick hoped it wasn't good enough. The last thing he wanted was to be shuffled off planet ... away from his family and friends ... to remember the pain and anguish in their eyes ... to be so very alone. He remembered his dream ... or rather his nightmare. Dick shuddered. He had no clue what that prison planet was like, but he could only imagine and everything he imagined was unbearable.

"Yep, I've been living in the lap of luxury in this cell compared to what I'd probably get." Dick shook his head disgustedly. He was talking to himself. That was not a good sign. He knew it came from the fact that he was worried.

"Well, you wanted to be alone, so who else do you have to talk to?" He shook his head again. He was not going to answer himself. Not out loud. He had to question his decision to ask his family and friends to stay away while the Tribunal was deliberating. What had he been thinking? "If I'm convicted, they're going to ship me off planet. This is the last time that I could talk to ... "

"No! --"

Dick jumped from his bunk to bang his fist frantically on his porthole window.

Booster walked over, pushed the talk button and asked, "What can I do for you, Nightwing?"

"Booster, could you call Bruce. I ... need ... want ... to talk to him. Now! Please!"


"Come on in, Wally," Barbara responded to the chime. She poured two cups of steaming coffee and moved from the kitchenette toward the living area. She stopped and stared at her visitor. "Ted?"

Ted Kord shrugged. "Yeah. It's me. Sorry, I'm not Wally."

"Can I help you, Ted?" she asked coolly.

"Barb, I was wondering if we could ... I dunno ... talk. ... Please."

She sighed and held out the extra cup of coffee toward him. "Sure, sit down."

Ted moved closer, taking the extended mug, and sat in the side chair. "Thanks. I know you're expecting Wally so I won't keep you too long. I just ... needed to speak with you."

Barbara wheeled herself to sit across from him. "About?"

"Us ... the case ... everything." Ted sighed and sank back into the tan chair. His fingers drummed unconsciously on the arm of the chair. "I just hope that when this is all over we can still be friends."

Barbara looked down. "Ted, I --"

"I know, I know ... you don't know. I just want you to know that I'm sorry for my part in this. I ... you know that I didn't exactly volunteer for the job. I was asked to do it and no one else was eager to take it so I agreed to help out. At the time, I thought, well I felt that Dick maybe had crossed the line. I thought he was guilty."

Tilting her head up, she asked, "At the time?"

Ted nodded. "After Dick's testimony, I'm not so sure. In fact, I'm pretty sure that he's not guilty." He looked down. "I hope you win."

"Oh Ted," Barbara replied. She stopped and took a deep breath. "Thank you. It means a lot that you've come around."

"I know that it may seem like too little too late now, but --"

"Better late than never," Barbara finished for him. "I can't say what the future will hold, Ted. Especially if Dick is convicted. If he's not ... maybe. All I can say is we'll have to take things one day at a time."

He nodded, understanding. "I know that ... at times it seemed ... well it got ugly in there. Uglier than anyone wanted. I can't really say why that happened. I can tell you though that we, John and me, we honestly believed Dick was guilty while we were trying this case. We were trying to seek justice like we were obligated to do."

Barbara sighed and averted her eyes from his gaze. "I ... understand. At least, I'll try to Ted. You said that you no longer believe Dick's guilty. What about John?"

"He's still firmly planted on the other side." Ted shrugged. "Sorry."

"I guess it's to be expected. It doesn't really matter anymore what anyone thinks ... except the five people in that locked room downstairs."


"Aren't you done yet?" Roy groused.

"Hold on ta yer shorts, Speedy," Vic replied as he completed his interface with the Justice League computer in Wally's apartment. "I've almost got ... yeah ... oh yeah, I'm good." A green parrot flew off his shoulder.

"So? They can't see us now?" Gar asked morphing from a parrot back into his normal form.

"That's right. They'll just get a reloop of us playing cards from the last few nights that we've taped. They'll have no record of what we really talk about in here," Vic replied spinning around to face the others.

"Wonderful," Garth said standing from the sofa. "However, I want added protection for this discussion."

Roy grinned. "Dude, you're talking my language. Ready Wally?"

Wally nodded. "I'm ready. Let's do this. I gotta go meet Babs shortly."

"All right, let's get busy. These are the last minute preparations." Roy moved to the center of the room as the other Titans followed him. Kory took his arm then wrapped her free arm around Robin's shoulder. "Raven, honey," Roy said aloud.

It was all the call they needed. The ebony blackness of Raven's soulself flew through the Watch Tower's outer wall to envelope the Titans in her inky void.

"Ahh, I've missed this," Wally said.

"Wallace," her voice was everywhere around and in them, "it's good to have you all here once again."

"Good to be here, babe," Roy added as he watched Raven walk from the shadows toward them. "Ain't you cute in that sixteen year old body of yours?"

"Down boy. Two words – Jail. Bait," Vic said slapping the back of Roy's head. "We got plans to make."

"Well, she used to be my age," he groused. "And Gar dated her. He get some kind of dispensation because he's green?"

Robin smiled at his teammate. He called her Rachel, they all called her Raven, and it was always a good thing to have her on your side. "I think we all know what we're supposed to do," he started off in what they all called Bat-mode.

"We just want to make sure," Garth added. "Raven?"

"Should Nightwing be convicted, I will don the mind shield from Dayton Industries. Therefore, my motives and thoughts will be shielded from Martian Manhunter. Then my soul-self shall transport Nightwing and Oracle to Batman's prearranged location."

"I'll take Stewart," Kory said, green fire sparking from her eyes.

"No, you won't. If everything goes as Batman plans, there will be minimal fighting. But if it all falls apart, you cover Wonder Woman," Robin replied forcefully. "We aren't changing the plans now. Batman has the best opportunity to stop Green Lantern before he uses the ring. Superboy will be here and will cover Captain Atom."Roy let out a low whistle. "Yeah, good luck with that one. It's going to be a tough fight."

"I think the word is war," Vic interjected. Robin nodded, "Yeah, but Superboy has tricks that Captain Atom isn't up to speed on and that'll buy some time."

"It's Captain Marvel that worries me," Gar mumbled.

"Don't worry about him," Wally replied, "Batman has a surprise to handle that one, if we have to."

"Yeah, and Ollie'll jump on the bandwagon. He doesn't have to know the plans, he'll jump in and help us," Roy added confidently.

Garth stared at his friend and wondered where his mentor would end up if they all had to choose sides. He prayed they would never have to find out.


"You know how ... proud ... I am of you?" Bruce asked. They sat side by side on Dick's bunk, their backs against the cold metal wall.

Dick bowed his head and nodded. "Yeah, I do."

"I'm ... glad you called for me."

"We're you pacing a rut in the rug?" Dick asked with a sly grin.

A half-smile tugged at Bruce's lips. "You know me too well."

"I'm supposed to. It's my job," Dick quipped.

"And it's my job to protect you," Bruce replied seriously.

Dick sighed. "I know. You always have. Never doubt that."

"I should've -- "

Dick held up a hand. "Don't. We've gone through this already. Now's not the time, I just ... I needed to spend some time with you ... in case."

Bruce shook his head. "Now it's your turn to get told 'don't'. I'm not going to let anything happen to you. Believe me."

"I do. I always have." Dick locked and unlocked his fingers as he stretched his arms back and forth. "It's what partners do. They watch each others backs."

Bruce nodded. "I remember ... when you was eight. You had been at the Manor about," he thought a moment, "four months. It was the anniversary of my parents deaths ... the first one that you was there for. It was raining so hard --"

Dick grinned, "Yeah. Alfred was supposed to keep me in the house." His mind filtered back to that day so long ago. The rain was torrential, lightning was crackling all around."

Bruce remembered the sponge-like substance of the brown mud as he sank to his knees before the tombstone. The anniversary of his parents death had always been his worst day. Time heals all wounds he had been told many times in those seventeen years, but until that night, his heart had remained an open, festering wound. Until that night. "You broke free of Alfred's grip."

Dick nodded. "I wasn't even thinking. I just knew that I had to be with you. That you needed me." He remembered throwing himself across Bruce's back, clasping his arms around his throat and burying his face into the man's back. "You needed me ... as much as I needed you." Dick added softly, "I still do, you know."

Bruce nodded. In his mind, he heard Dick's voice ... not the voice of the strong, confident young man who sat beside him now, but the childish voice of the boy he had been. "I'm here," Dick had said as he held on to Bruce. "I'm here and you're not alone!" Bruce had turned and grabbed Dick in his arms, moving him like a tiny doll until he had him pressed against his chest. Bruce had cupped the back of Dick's head with one large hand and had pressed the child against his massive shoulder. Then, Bruce had risen, taking one of Dick's small hands in his own. "Come on. It's cold out here. Let's get you home." The sensation of the memory swept over and through him. There was nothing more that he wanted in the world, than to scoop his child up now and take him to the safety of home. He needed Dick with him. Steeling himself, Bruce resolved that even now, nothing would stop him from taking Dick to the warmth and safety of home.

The locking mechanism on the door sprang to life with a clicking swooshing sound. The two men turned to the heavy gray promethium reinforced titanium vanadium door slide open. Eel O'Brien stepped in. He cleared his throat as two matching sets of blue eyes stared at him.

"Eel?" Bruce asked.

"They want you back in Hall. The Tribunal has a verdict."

TO BE CONCLUDED ... IN PART 32