Something was going on, Joanna could feel it, but she wasn't exactly sure. All she knew from her perspective was you hadn't come to greet her that morning, instead it was Clark. He helped her this morning, feed her, dressed her. He just didn't hum anything sweet, like you would. He talked to her a lot, asking her things that her two year old paid no mind too. Or drifted off somewhere else, a few times she answered back with a nod or tilt of the head. His approach and attention was kind, but she just wanted to see you and made it known. He didn't really answer, just kept asking simple questions and answering them for her. Joanna was sure her favorite color wasn't orange, she liked blue. This man knew nothing about her. He tried but, failed. The one who did know was you and you hadn't appeared. There was no sign of you, she knew you where still here, she could feel it. And the this strange shift in the air, was Conner gone? He had to be, because his presence wasn't anywhere near that she could find. So he must be out and would be back soon.

If he was, as she believed, then why were you, now with the others, putting on a jacket? Why did you have...this carrying thing, this big bag filled up with you. And why did your eyes look so...so sad? She tried asking touching your face, gaining your attention for a moment on her. Her eyes stare into yours asking, watch more sadness fill them even as you smiled, and kiss her. A kiss that felt different, it was sad too. Loving but sad. Confusing Joanna further. No one was saying anything, quietly she listen to you and the others talk.

Talk about, how hard it was. Sorries. And safety. That part seemed directed at her, she was sure of it, the way the black hair boy with the cape quickly looked at her, then back to you. She watched you give a nod, and it was sad too. Just why where you so sad? She wanted to know, but no one was telling her anything.

No one was speaking to her for some time, until you scooped her up in your arms, and said she was going somewhere. A new place? There was a new place she was going too? How exciting! She wondered where it could be, apparently it was somewhere in...the mountains...that's what she heard. Why the mountains? Before she could try to figure that out, a wall of flames spewed up suddenly startling her, she buried her face in your shoulder. Frighten. Shaking all over from such an experience. Refusing to lift them up to see, ignoring your comforting words ensuring her that it was alright. She kept her eyes buried, crying, crying for Conner. For his touch to comfort her, but it never came.

It always came...he always reached out and laid a strong, soothing hand on her head. Easing any rising nerves that came, but...there was nothing. Why...just why? He should-

"It's alright."

She heard!

"You'll be alright."

There it was again, the voice! It wasn't Conner's but...it was just as caring and...worked. Slowly she lifted her eyes up, peeking out saw the house gone and found herself...in a hallway. Not just any hallway, it was much different the ones she was use to go through. These halls where grander...warmly lite, with clean walls...strange and beautiful designs on them. Wooden clean floors, strange arched doors on the rooms passing by and...people wearing all black. Showing nothing but their eyes, standing by the doors, while two followed a few feet behind. These new people? She wasn't sure who they where, but they seem alright from what she could tell.

"In here."

She heard, that voice again. She turned to see what the voice was talking about, found herself in a gigantic room. Bigger than her own, it had a bed that much she knew. The rest of items in here she wasn't sure. Wanting to know, she wasn't given the time, suddenly felt herself being lowered and placed on something soft. A bed. And you at her eye level, again with those sad eyes that tried to smile at her. Now, Joanna was worried. Something wasn't right, she tried reaching for you tears in her eyes, but received a warm kiss on her forehead that made it hard for her eyes to stay open. Try as could to fight it, her eyes closed and body fell back.

You try hard not to react at what you just did, doing your best to ignore the crushing feeling from your heart. Putting a spell on her like that...how could you forgive yourself? The answer would have to wait, right now there where more pressing matters. Slipping off the bag from your shoulder, open it and take out something precious.

Conner's leather jacket.

Hold it up before you for a while, he couldn't wear it anymore...but he kept it. It was the only thing from you took, the one thing he left behind...that Damian presented to you. That a letter and lastly his band he wore on his finger, like you. All of it. He left with Damian and something else...Damian told you and only to you. The moment you and him arrived here to the League of Shadow. A place you hadn't been in so many years...and essential to your growing. You could still remember running down the halls to training with Tala or another member for lessons. It was nice to be here and it was a perfect place for Joanna to be right now. Because where you were going...she couldn't come. You didn't want her too.

Even if she could come...you wouldn't want it. She was what you needed to protect, the only good, the only happiness right now. The only innocence. Like Conner you were doing it for her. Even if you weren't here to see it.

"I love you," you lay Conner's jacket over her like a blanket, giving her one more tender kiss," remember, mommy loves you. Daddy too."

Those words...Damian accepted them, watching you and Joanna. It stung at first a couple of hours ago...now...not so much. What could he do? Nothing really, the only he could was remain honor bound to Conner's request. That much he could do. Though he wasn't sure if he'd...fully follow it. Despite Conner's blessing, something in Damian knotted in the pit of his stomach...refused. What he witnessed right before him...was quite clear and made his choice clear.

Maybe, he thought for a moment, maybe in another life.

"Alright," your voice reels him back, to you wiping away the tears, stand before him, "I'm ready. Let's go."

"Alright," he held out a hand, "though before we do. There's something you might need to change into. It's a gift my mother left for you."

A gift? Tala left you a gift? A little strange but Damian was right, you needed something different to wear. What you had, shorts and another tank top, white this time wasn't going to be enough. Taking his hand let him led you to it.

"They're taking an awful long time," John said a bit annoyed to the Clark and the others, left back at the house. "we've got a short window to do this. They're little dillydally is taking up the time."

Raven cut her eyes at him, "Shut-up. We know."

John was unfazed. "I'm just saying we've got a deadline, every minute counts. Staying here for a day ate away at that. Sups said himself it was crucial, if we're going to do this, then let's do it. If she didn't want to join, then we should have let her be here, not wait for her decide after a day. We shouldn't even drag a mom into something like this."

Clark picked up on hidden concern from John, he saw it on the man, pass his scowl. "If the circumstances where different then I wouldn't have come, but we need all the help we can get right now. Having Violet can help give us an edge. But, if she does choose to stay there, then...we'll have to do what we can. Patients isn't something we can afford, but for right now, we have too. This isn't easy for her either."

"Besides," Raven interrupted, stepping back a little, "they're back."

A whoosh of dark flames shot up from the ground and disperse. Returning you and Damian, for a moment you where a woozy. A side effect from being...a tad rusty. Teleporting, it's been some time.

"You okay?" Damian asked noticing your discomfort, helping you steady out.

"Yes, thank you," you nod, shaking it off the best you could. Stand on your own look at the others. Specifically Clark, uncertain and doubt cross your eyes for a moment, you had to close them for a moment. Pulling those feelings back, open your eyes now filled with slight shaky determination. But determination none the less. "I'm...I'm ready."