Billy sat in the back of his fifth period classroom, his arms crossed as he looked blankly at the chalkboard at the front of the class, he and two others were the only ones in the class, having been caught trying to detonate a stink bomb in the cafeteria during lunch, getting caught didn't affect him much, it was just a waste of his time really, it was only thirty minutes after school, but e could use tht time to go on patrol, or sleep, that seemed to be the only things he did now a days. When he got done with patrol, he would sleep, when he woke up he went to school and quickly did the homework he should've done the night before, and when he got home, if he didn't have patrol, he just went to sleep, he no longer tried to hang out with his friends after school, or tried to hang out with the Team up in the watch tower, not since Wally had disappeared two months ago, and even before that, he only ever hung out with wally, never really bothering to to talk to the others, unless wally forced him to socialize, they all knew why, they all understood why he was avoiding everyone.

"Billy!" the teacher snapped, making him look up, the other two guys were gone, only he and Ms. Smith were in the room.

"Oh, sorry…" he said, getting up and walking out, feeling her disapproving gaze on the back of his head. He walked out into the hall and was almost immediately greeted by M'gan and Kaldur, "uh…hey guys…" he said, forcing a smile, "what's up?"

"We need to talk Billy." Kaldur said.

"Isn't that what we're doing right now?" he asked, walking past them, they looked at each other and followed.

"You know what we mean Billy." M'gan said lightly.

"I'm completely fine guys." He said as he walked outside, and then groaned as he saw Conner, Dick, Artemis and Zatanna, "what is this? An intervention."

"Basically." Connor said as he shrugged, "it was M'gan's idea."

"We're worried for you Billy." Zatanna said, 'you haven't been yourself since Wally…disappeared…"

"He died." Billy said bluntly, "don't sugar coat it, I'm not some stupid kid…not anymore…" he started walking away, putting his hands in his pocket.

"Billy, you're spiraling." Dick said, putting a hand on his shoulder, "you started when Perdita left, and Wally was the only one who seemed to keep you up, now that he's gone…we're worried."

"Don't be." He said easily, "I'm fine."

"Don't lie to us Billy, we're your teammates, your friends." Kaldur said,

Billy looked at all of them, these were his friends, his friends who he had basically cut off since Wally had disappeared, friends who, despite of everything, were still trying to help him, he felt his hands shaking, so he curled them into fists, "I'm serious guys," he said weakly, "I'm fine."

"Billy." M'gan started, "you need to let us in, talk to us."

"No," he said forcefully, 'I don't need to talk about my feelings, I don't need to say how much I miss Wally because he was one of my best friends, I don't need to say how much Perdita leaving broke me, and I don't need to tell you any of my problems because there's no way that any of you even understand!" he found himself shouting at the end, breathing heavily with tears coming down his cheeks, everyone was looking at him, concern evident in their faces, "I don't…need to talk…" he croaked out, as Artemis stepped forward and hugged him, "I just want them back…"


Perdita sat at the head of the table, watching as everyone around her ate and conversed, behind her she could feel Mouse's presence, the large bald man was behind a curtain, ready to spring into action if anything bad were to happen.

"My queen." Cherbov said from his spot at her right side, "what do you want us to do about these protestors?"

Perdita sighed, thinking of the thousands of people standing in front of her estate, calling for her to step down and let a democratic system take over, "what can I do, the people want Ian Makarov, and he speaks strongly for them."

"You're not serious about letting them win are you?" Gorgovitch exclaimed, "Vlatava has always been a monarchy, and will always be, this Ian Makarov is nothing but a radical, his movement will die like a flame in the wind, there is no way he could ever be as great a ruler as our queen."

"Times are changing Gorgovitch," Cherbov countered, "and while Perdita has been a grand queen…the people want change.'

"They don't have to change." An exotic voice said from across the table, she looked up at her guest of 'honor' Queen Bee, she was lounging in her chair, looking around with blood red wine swishing around in her glass, "I have said it many times Queen Perdita, arm your law enforcers, militarize them, make these people obey you, fear you!"

the men around the table slowly nodded in agreement, their eyes glued to the visiting dignitary, Perdita glared at her, "queen Bee," she said with icy calmness, "Vlatava, will never be a military state, not while I am in charge, you may think ruling by fear is the way to go, but it is not in my beliefs, nor the beliefs of my parents, just because the members of my court are susceptible to your feminine sways, do not think I will go along with them.'

As soon as the young queen had started talking, the men's eyes flickered, some shook their head in confusion, Cherbov just smiled, "well spoken my queen." He said, nodding to her.

Gorgovitch looked between Perdita and queen bee, wondering who to side, Loyalty is what made his decision, "aye my queen." He muttered softly, 'you are wise beyond your years."

Queen bee just smiled, looking at the young queen, "I am not the only one in possession of a means to sway my allies, my young queen." She said, taking a drink of the wine, "it seems you have quite the silver tongue."

"Do not confuse loyalty with persuasion your majesty." She said, rising from the table, instantly, everyone else stood, "I will retire for the night Cherbov, make sure our guest gets situated." She strode out of the dining hall and into the hallways, where Mouse was already waiting.

"Very good comebacks my queen." He said impressed, "I didn't think the harlot could be so easily over come."

"I have my country's loyalty, she does not, that is all I need to counter her." She said simply, walking down the hall towards her room, two handmaids ran out and tried to fuss over her, "please, I'm fine." She said kindly, sending them off as she went into her room, Mouse stood at the door, keeping guard as she went in and quickly stripped herself out of the expensive gown she wore. She changed her undergarments into a simply sports bra and panties, and put on a short sleeve shirt and black tights, she put on a pair of tennis shoes and grabbed her hoodie, pulling it over her head and peaking out the door, "Is anyone around?" she asked.

"No my queen.' Mouse said, "let us be off."

The two quickly made their way to a servants exit, climbing down old rickety stairs and cold stone corridors until they reached a heavy wooden door, which lead them outside, a good hundred yards away from the fence line of the estate, Perdita let out a sigh and pulled her hair out of the complicated braid, letting her long hair fall down around her shoulders, she and mouse walked quietly through a small copse of trees and onto a cobble stone path that lead into a small village, "it's been forever since I had the chance to leave the castle." She said wistfully.

Mouse smiled, "you miss it that much?"

"Of course, our trips into the village are the few things that make me feel like I'm useful to the people." She let out a shuddering cough that she tried to cover with the crook of her arm.

"Have you taken your medicine?" Mouse asked.

"Of course." She said, clearing her throat.

"Maybe we should return to the estate." Mouse said worriedly.

'It is just a cold mouse, you worry far too much." She said dismissively.

They walked down main street and into a tavern, filling the seats and tables were men and women, all looked worn from the days work, some of them were covered in the soot of the coal mines, others rolled their thick shoulders, trying to get the knots out of their backs from working in the fields.

"Amy's here!" one man shouted, and everyone cheered.

"Amy! Long time no see!" one man shouted, "We were starting to miss our favorite cook!"

"Sorry, I've been…preoccupied." She said as she walked into the back, Mouse following, in the back, a withered old man stood, filling three tankards with Ale. Puffing on a crumpled cigarette. His eyes squinting at her as she walked in.

"About damn time you showed up for work." He grumbled, "thought I was gonna have to look for a new cook and server."

"I'm here Mr. Krotzky." She said, puling the tankards out from under the tap as they started to over flow, she handed them to Mouse, "get these out there." She said.

"Of course Amy." He said with a twinkle in his eye, walking out with the tankards, "WHO ORDERED ALE!" he shouted, earning a loud cheer from the men and women in the bar.

Amy got to work, stroking the fire of an old stove and starting up a stew that she had been taught to make by the cooks in the kitchen of her estate, cooking cutlets of steak and chicken on a frying pan.

Mr. Krotzky sat in an old, rickety chair by the stove, "How are things in paradise?" he asked, putting another cigarette between his lips and trying to shakily start his lighter.

"Stressful," she said, stirring the stew for a few minutes before flipping the cutlets, she walked over and took the lighter from him, she flicked it on and held it to his cigarette, he puffed on it until it caught, and nodded in thanks, "that's why I came down, it's so much more peaceful here."

"Hmmph, working in a seedy tavern, cooking food and preparing liquor for a bunch of drunkards, how is that peaceful."

"It gets my mind off things." She said simply, putting bowls filled with the stew onto a table, where Mouse picked them up and set them on platters with a loaf of fresh bread and cheese before taking it out, "and the people here are grateful when I give them the food."

"Of course they are, it's food." He grumbled, "I'd be grateful too." He eyed her, 'you're getting thin girly, you eating right?"

'Of course," she lied, putting some finished cutlets onto plates.

"Don't lie to me girl." He warned.

She sighed, "I've just been stressed Mr. Krotzky." She said, "what with Queen bee, and the threats from the radicals…"

Krotzky laughed, "Radicals, just bunch of overtaxed farmers, wanting our country to be more like America."

She smiled, "and I agree with them…however, with Queen Bee here, we must tread carefully, she could easily sway opinion to a dictator ship."

"Not with you here, Perdita Silver tongue." He said, "she may be able to sway the minds of men, but you can sway the entire country!"

She giggled, "You make it sound like I have a superpower."

"Maybe you do." He said, "I have heard you speak many times, and no matter how tense the situation, no matter how far gone hope is, you seem to pull it back."

"I simply speak truth." She said dismissively, putting two more plates on the table.

"Hmmph, mark my words girly, you'll learn soon just how powerful you are."


Billy sat on his roof, looking off into the city, his uncle thought he was asleep, and he wish he was, but he couldn't, not after the confrontation with the team. He didn't like showing emotion like that, it made him feel pathetic, he groaned and leaned back.

"Billy." Connors voice said, making him jump, he looked over and saw Connor sitting on sphere, looking right at him.

He sighed, "I'm fine." He muttered.

"I didn't say you weren't." he said, 'get on, we got something to discuss."

Billy sighed and got into sphere, soon they were off, with Billy looking off to the side, they got out into the outskirts of Fawcett city, where Connor set sphere down into a clearing, and jumped out.

Billy did the same, "so, what do we need to discuss?" he asked.

"We need to discuss you, not sparring for two months." Connor said, cracking his knuckles.

Billy raised an eyebrow, "Really?"

Connor walked over to a tree and punched it, sending it flying out of the ground, he turned back around, "they say when you're depressed, it's good to release some steam, usually on a punching bag, and what better punching bag then a guy who can't even bruise?"

Billy smirked, "I guess…I could humor you." he said.

"Then suit up, I would hate to break ya." Connor said with a grin.

"SHAZAM!"


WWWWWWWWWWWW

Perdita sat in a banquet, watching people dance, she hated these events, ever since the dance she went to with Billy, none of them ever seemed fun anymore, sometimes they would just depress her.

"My queen." Someone said and she sighed, here it comes… she thought as she looked over and saw Queen Bee's nephew walk over, he was a handsome lad, black hair cut short, athletic build, and blue eyes, just one look for him made most women swoon, except for the queen of Vlatava, "would you care to dance with me?" he asked.

"I'd much rather relax here William." She said to him politely.

"Every banquet you turn down a chance to dance with me.' he said, "are you so shy? Queen Perdita?"

She let out a sigh, "no, William, I am not shy, I just do not want to dance." She said.

"Come now, I remember a time when you loved to dance." He said, holding his hand out to her, "please, just one dance.

"I will not say it again William," she said pointedly, "I don't want to dance."

He looked like he was about to argue, until Mouse stepped out from his spot behind the curtains, "Is there a problem my queen?" he asked her.

"No Mouse, Lord William was just going."

He plastered a fake smile onto his face, "so I was, by your leave." He said, bowing and walking away, his smile turning into a scowl.

"Mouse, could you please escort me to my room?" she asked, holding her head, "I am not feeling so well."

"Of course you're majesty." He said, helping her up from her spot, as they walked, Mouse put a hand to her forehead, "you are slightly feverish…have you taken your medicine?"

"Of course." She said, "I am just tired."

He looked at her, "How much sleep have you gotten lately?" he asked.

"Enough." She said absentmindedly.

"Do not lie to me Perdita.' He said softly, "how much sleep?"

"A couple of hours this week…"

"My queen, that is not good for your health."

She gave a dry chuckle, "is anything?"

He shook his head, "come, you must get to bed."

"Perdita!" someone shouted, making Mouse stop and turn, a lone man was walking towards them, his clothes were rather plain, a blue button up shirt and blue jeans, worn brown boots covered his feet, and a leather greatcoat hung on his shoulders, like mouse his head was shaved, unlike mouse, he had a goatee that was trimmed to perfection, "Perdita, my queen." He said, nodding to her in respect, "I hope you have not forgotten our meeting tomorrow?"

She looked at him, "Ian Makarov." She said, "Of…of course I haven't."

'Good, I came to the festivities tonight, and as soon as I walk in, I see you walk out, I had thought you were avoiding me."

"O-of course I'm not…I'm just…not well at the moment." She mumbled, trying hard to focus.

He looked at mouse, "she must see a doctor." He said, "She can hardly stand."

"It is only fatigue," she said forcefully, "I'm fine…I'm…I…Fine…" she stumbled and fell to the ground, her eyes rolling to the back of her head.

"Perdita!"


Perdita woke up in a white washed room, crisp sheets covered her against the cold morning.

"Good morning my queen." Mouse said off to the side, she let her head fall on it's side to look at him, too tired to even try and raise her head."

"You lied to me." he said quietly, "you have not taken your medication."

"Would it really matter in the end?" she asked hoarsely, " I have been sick…all my life…what's the point of taking medication for a simple cold."

"It may have been a simple cold," Ian's voice rang out, making her turn her head towards the large working man, "but add it with Insomnia and depression, and it makes a simple cold a hundred times worse." He walked over and put a strong, reassuring hand on her shoulder, "you cannot be so reckless, my queen…"

She let out chuckle, "and why do you care so much Ian? If I am correct in remembering, you are to be my replacement…should the movement take off."

"That does not mean I hate you, far from it, you are a wise ruler, beyond your years, but the monarchy must end…come now, let us not talk of these unpleasantries, you need your rest."

"I have rested long enough," she said, pushing herself off the bed and swinging her legs down, she tried to stand up, and almost immediately stumbled, Mouse and Ian both jumped forward to stop her from hitting the ground, "I am fine." She said, regaining her balance, she slowly walked to the bathroom, where a change of clothes waited.

"She is pushing herself too hard." Ian muttered, "Her heart gave out once already, that was five years ago…if it gives out again…"

"I know…" Mouse said, "she needs to get away from all this…this politics and stress, but that won't happen unless you get that movement going, she is on board, but her advisors are strong in their opposition, she has won over Cherbov and Sergei, but Gorgovitch and Reiner, they are still holding out."

"With half her advisors backing her…wouldn't that be enough?"

"It would…if queen bee was not here, she has too powerful a hold on Reiner, and Gorgovitch backs her."

"Queen bee." Ian spat, "I have dealt with her many times, she has yet to control me."

"You are stronger then most." He retorted, "I will admit, I was almost swayed the other day, she is powerful in her ways…but Queen Perdita seems to be the anchor that keeps most of us from flocking to Bee…that is why I'm scared of the day Queen Perdita finally succumbs to her depression."

"Is there not a confidant that could help her?" Ian asked, "a friend? A partner? Hell even a dog."

Mouse scratched his chin, "five years ago…during her trip to America, she met and befriended a boy…Billy…Billy Batson, they were very close, I'd go as far to say they were infatuated…but an attempt on her life made her shy away from him, abandon him in an attempt to keep him safe…maybe it is time for the two to reconnect."

"I will get some men on it, maybe we can get him here…for a short while."

Perdita listened from the bathroom door, she felt tears come to her eyes as they talked about her and Billy's four month relationship, she felt around in a small bag she usually carried around, until her hands brushed across flimsy film, she pulled it out softly and looked at the strip of pictures she and Billy had taken, "oh Billy…is what they're saying true? Or just something I want to hear?" she asked as tears fell onto the pictures.


Billy walked into his kitchen, pulling out a glass of Orange Juice.

"Billy." Uncle Dudley said, walking in with a phone, "guy on the phone for you, says his name is…Mouse?"

Billy's eyes widened as he quickly put the glass on the table, "Mouse?" he asked.

"Billy…I have a request to ask of you."