"The Team wishes to become my wards, do I have your consent?"

"No."

"Yes."

"Maybe."

"ARE YOU NUTS?!"

Batman looked at the Flash, the Wests and Paula Crock, who was in the Cave for this meeting among the mentors. Their cries of protest were unanimous.

"I am not giving up my daughter and letting her live with a man behind a mask!" Paula banged her fist against one of the shoulder rests of her chair.

"And what makes you think you can take care of Wally?!" Rudolph and Flash cried in protest together. Both looked at each other and turned red.

Mary West looked thoughtful. "Well, you do have a larger budget…"

Rudolph was incredulous. "Mary?!"

She had the decency to blush. "It was a joke. But seriously, he is rich-"

"You already get monthly checks to assist in your welfare." Batman said bluntly.

Aquaman crossed his arms, looking thoughtful. "Kaldur'am does have a mother and father back in Atlantis. However, he is declared an independent adult. What has gotten over that boy to make him want to contemplate adoption?"

"Your guess is as good as mine." Batman said.

The King of Atlantis sighed. "I trust this is meant to act as a cover of some sort. An alibi, perhaps?"

"…" Batman refused to speak.

"You have no real reason, do you?" Rudolph frowned. "My son is not going to live with the likes of you! Who knows what habits he'll pick up. Skulking and brooding and glaring and if I'm hearing this correctly, screwing a woman a week and dumping them on the curb."

Flash looked at Rudolph funny. "That sounds more like something an average teen would do."

A vein popped up over Rudolph's brow.

"Aside from the screwing." Flash added.

"Why would M'gann wish to live with you?" J'onn asked. "Her powers are still developing and she needs constant supervision now more than ever."

"As does Zatanna, although Zatarra is not currently capable of teaching her any further." Red Tornado's mechanical voice echoed through his iron body. "Fate may be willing to cooperate with us, but he will prioritize the needs of the world towards the needs of Zatarra's daughter."

"I have a friend who can help." Batman finally spoke up. "Right now, Zatanna needs stability-"

"And you feel that you will be able to accomplish this?" Wonder Woman questioned. "May I remind you that-"

"Robin is fine. I have assistance in the parenting apartment and cares greatly about Zatanna's welfare." Batman interrupted.

"But are they not dating?" Red Tornado asked.

The silence was broken only for a moment by an awkward cough.

"We'll cross that bridge when we get there." Batman mumbled to himself. "We'll consider this a trial run, then. To see if I can manage the training of all members of the Team by acting as mentor and parent. Icon, do you object to this?"

Icon looked at Batman like he was crazy – well, crazier. "Batman…Rocket isn't my daughter."

"I know, but you are supervising her training-"

"And she has no powers save for the belt that can enable flight, super-strength, and kinetic bubbles."

"Understood, but-"

"And I am more her sidekick than she is mine due to the fact that Rocket is the reason I am in the 'hero business' now. And she won't stop ranting how she was 'robbed' of her position in the Justice League."

"Her age was an issue." Superman said. "But what about Superbo-"

The glare he received made him stop mid-sentence.

"You are not his legal guardian." Batman growled.

"I'm fixing things between us now-"

"After several months of ignoring him." Black Canary growled. "So remember the next time you two bond…he's probably dealing with fresh wounds and wondering why you care now."

"So, aside from Kid Flash and Artemis' family, do I have your consent for this trial run?"

"What do we get in return? Aside from panic attacks over how you'll traumatize our protégés." J'onn raised an eyebrow.

"I will give periodic updates and withdraw my position as leader of the Justice League." Batman replied.

"And should you fail." Red Tornado added. "You will not lord yourself over all simply because of your title.

"…fine." Batman said with the air of a child being negotiated into a bad agreement.

"And that is why you are not going to become Batman's ward, young lady." Paula finished the tale with a glare. "Am I not a good parent to you?"

Artemis's eyes widened with the revelation that she had unintentionally hurt her mother's feelings for the sake of the bet. "No, Mom. You're great! It was just supposed to be a dare that spiraled out of control and-"

"PLEASE DON'T HATE ME, I'M SORRY!" Wally's cries drowned out her last statement. Artemis sighed at the dramatic air he was putting on. The Wests' looked like they were thinking the same thing.

Mr. West began. "Wally, we're not mad-"

"We're pissed off and hurt that you would be willing to leave us for the likes of Batman, someone who scares you!" Mrs. West concluded. "You're grounded for two months. No video games, no desserts-"

"No souvenir hunting either." Mr. West added.

"NOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOO! ALL THE PRECIOUS THINGS I WILL NEVER BE ABLE TO COLLECT NOOOOOOOOOOOWWWWWW! WHHHHHYYYYYY?"

"Because we care enough to discipline in a way that is fair." Mr. West said.

Paula chuckled to herself.

"Mom?" Artemis asked.

"I'm sorry, but I was wondering if either of you thought of the consequences were we to have agreed to the exchanging of custody." Paula's chuckles were getting louder.

"What's your mom talking about, Arty?" Wally started sounding alarmed.

Paula smirked. "Considering how far you two have come in your…friendship…I think any further exploration would be considered incest had Batman become your legal guardians."

The cries were loud enough to break the overhead lights.

Again.

Author's Note: This is a follow-up to the previous chapter. The mentor's reactions were added in further detail, I know I wrote that Kid Flash and Artemis' families objected greatly, but Smile-I'mTheEndOfAllThatYouSee pointed out some things I had missed. Dealing with the handling of powers was one thing.

Also added a brief mention to the "Superman and Superboy Bond after Season 1" cliche in it. I heard that in the fanfic, With This Ring, the attempts at reconciliation were met with disaster and that Superman wasn't forgiven due to the long absence and I quote "willing neglect." They are obviously bonding, but the League is quick to point out that Superboy is probably dealing with fresh wounds again because of it. Wasn't really worth taking a whole chapter to deconstruct.

Thanks for reading and sorry it took so long to update. So many cliches focused on Robin and the ones that didn't couldn't really be deconstructed so easily. Didn't know what to make of the "Artemis having an eating disorder" aside from saying how impossible that is.

Thanks for reading and sorry that this chapter is shorter than usual.