"...Alright, consider it done," Damian agreed. "Are you sure?"

Conner thought for a moment, nodded. "Yeah. I am."

The young man was rather surprise by Conner's request, but understood it wholeheartedly, even if he had some objections. Didn't dare speak them...his former teammate...this...this...how did he lose out to this? He wondered and why? Two burning questions he needed answer, that Conner barely gave him. Damian came outside to get them, Conner had a feeling. Back when the Teen Titans were together and it was discovered about Conner's relationship to you. Something heavy and hard struck Damian, like thunder, he felt himself inside shatter for reasons unknown.

His mind swirled and swivel, collecting a thought nearly became challenge. And it hurt.

In one focal point inside it hurt, Conner? Of all...he didn't get it, he just didn't. And for that bitterness set in Damian. The words he had built over the years he had for the young man standing next to him, he wanted to say. That would result in a physical altercation, he held back, and didn't speak them.

Not after what was said between them, the maturity Conner displayed, and wholehearted words settled Damian. The bitterness faded and a passing trust replaced it.

Damian saw as though a certain weight was lifted from Conner, now placed upon him. He wondered if he could bear it? But the thankful look he received from Conner assuring he could, filled Damian with a strength he didn't know he had. Yet, at the same time a sunken pit dropped in his stomach.

"This is just a suggestion," Damian opined with a slight struggle and sincerity in his voice, "but you should mend things between the two of you."

Conner turned to him surprised.

"It would beneficial for you both," Damian continued the struggle faded from his voice replaced with completely sincerity, it reflected in his eyes and on his brow. He even turned to Conner. A small, nearly faint smile momentarily settled on his lips. "you never know," he turned around to the house, in the direction of the kitchen where you where in the window busy away with dinner.

A hurt frown darkened on your face and there was no doubt where he stood knew hot angry tears swelling in your eyes. You often brought your hand up near them with a quick wiping motion. Preventing anything from falling. That hadn't changed with you, after all this time, you refused to cry any sort of angry tears.

Conner turned around in the same direction, his eyes instantly go to you, swelled for a moment. Twisted with heaviness in his chest, that he winched a bit.

"If it'll be the last time," Damian continued, turning back to the barren landscape. "It's just my opinion of course."

Opinion or not, Conner turning back around, reflected on Damian's words. Especially the last part: Last time. Repeating it continuously in his mind, he didn't want to think of such a thing...of such a thought, he wanted to think of better thoughts. Dreams...hopes...the hope of seeing and watching Joanna running around across fresh green grass with the dog on her heel. Or if was in the city, in an apartment. She was running around like any child, enjoying herself. Laughing, smiling from ear to ear, without a care in the world. Her long black hair trailing behind, her blueish-grey eyes filled joy. Lighting up every morning, every day. Watching her grow each step of the way...with that mischievous and ego twinkle in her eyes. Matching his own, of course..he smirked half heartily, you wouldn't take the pleasure he would in Joanna's twinkle. You never liked it, that ego side but...secretly you did. He knew, even if you tried to hid it. He chuckled a little at the times you'd flush a little red from it, a small sheepish smile would always follow. That set his cheeks burning red.

Even now, a little, thinking about those moments...those memories...he missed those times. For a moment he wondered, back to Joanna, what she would become...years later down the line. What she would inherit? The possibilities seem nearly endless...she hadn't shown anything that he or you could see, would she fly? Strength? Those pointy ears she had, maybe magic...demonic? It could be anything...and he wanted to be around for that...what sort of hero would make? If she wanted to be one, but something told Conner that she would. Would she...wearing that family symbol on her chest? What would her hero name be? So many names came to mind. Was it too much he had some already picked out, maybe so. He chuckled softly at the thought she might not like them. He chuckled again at the irritated face she'd make, identical to your, with a scowl just like a certain blonde male magic user inside.

What a life that would be, for Joanna, a proud smile faintly spread on his lip. Turned warm and soft, you flooded his mind mere seconds after. Rushed a fervent warmth through every fiber of his body, he had to remind it to relax, but it always acted like that...ever since the first day he meet you. Well..at first it was small, but it grew and grew. For anyone his age back then, of course he tried to deny it. Pushing it down...pushing away, you did it too. He could see you fighting it too. But, there was always this...pull he had towards you, the same with you..drawn towards him. He often wondered if intensified that night...on your balcony..because he remembered this...calming jolt of euphoria take over and...next thing...the next morning...that same feeling remained. It never seem to go away, his cheeks dusted red every time after that and heart raced faster than his super speed. Only calming with you around...the same he saw when you where around him.

Even now, even during this...time and despite everything...the effect was there. If life was different...if it could keep going...he knew what it would be with you, similar to what it was now...just better and he hoped you'd return back to the life of a hero. Even if it was for a little bit and you changed professions to something else. Life would be great...no matter what. Maybe the two of you would even...reach the Justice League level. What...a life that would have been.

If...only...

But, dreaming could only last so long, bring his thoughts back to reality hurt, but Conner had too. Otherwise...he wouldn't be able to focus and do what needed to be done so...an attempt at a better future could happen. Something he hoped to be a part of and if not...well...he had most of his affairs in order, all except one.

You.

There was one last thing he needed to do, recalled Damian's words, before he left. Leaving with this...like this...he didn't want that to be last moment or memory of you. His heart couldn't take it. If all worked out, he still didn't want to leave like that and come back to it. Your fragile state could barely take it, just like now. Turning back around to the kitchen window, he sets his eyes on you, still busy with dinner, watched you wipe at your eyes in anguish. Felt his heart drop pass his stomach, Damian silently observed him. The guilt weighed on Conner it was visible, but at the same time he remained resolved. Quite an unusual mix, Damian rose a questionable brow, tempted to turn around, resisted...it had nothing to do with him. Even though a small part of him wished it did and could exchange places with Conner. He was steadfast remaining against it.

The same was with you...remaining against it. Against lifting your eyes to meet the eyes you felt looking at you outside. The more you thought about doing it, the more your brows pinched harder together and the said tears pinched in the corner of your eyes. The only thing that kept you from...doing anything was Joanna. She sat in her chair by the island, John was by her performing entertaining magic, rising laughter from her. Easing you a bit...but not enough...so you poured it into making dinner, that you where done with. Picking up the five serving dishes set them on the island pensively, unsettled that this might...or could be...the last meal...the supper...and everything...

No!

You shut your eyes tight, refusing...refusing that this was the last dinner...you'd have more...the three of you...you would. Conner would come to his senses and see...see that what he was doing was ridicules...and he...he'd stay back here with you and Joanna. Everything would remain as blissful as it could be during these times, Clark and the others would go away...but a part of you didn't want them to either...no more lose...no more...why was there so much loss...would it have made a difference if you...Everyone now was...just how much...did the spell you cast..years back make you selfish...you only did here...maybe if you...how much more must be lost? Why did Conner have...why couldn't he just...just...

You slam a hand down on the island, cracking it a little with a small burn, startling John and quieting Joanna. Open your eyes, for a moment see nothing but a hot blinding light, come back to the kitchen and to your surprise...John next to you...with a comforting hand on your shoulder and eyes softly narrowing and brows pulling down in concentration. A look you truly missed and needed. More than anything right now...throw yourself on him, surprising and nearly knocking him over, wrap your arms him tightly. Just as before...and hold him.

He went ridged for a moment, unsure what to do...arms above you...felt them slowly lower and wrap around you.

Stops.

Instead rest hands on your shoulder, pushing you off gently. Creating a small gap between, coughed uncomfortably to the side. Cleared his throat, looks to the side. For a moment, cleared his throat again. Turned back to you, comfort still in his blue eyes despite the gruff look on his face.

"Best get dinner started, huh?" he pats your shoulders and walks out.