An Unexpected Guest

Diana was helping Lydia with her homework. Damian tried to ignore the affection his younger sister was receiving from her mother.

"Do you need any help Damian? "

"Tttt, of course not, Princess." Damian had come to use his father's term of endearment for the Amazon as an insult. Diana heard the malice in his voice, but chose to ignore it this time. Diana tried not to be frustrated with the boy. His actions upon arriving at Wayne manor hurt her. First, he tried to kill Tim and injured him severely. Second, his sudden appearance shook Diana's faith in her husband and by extension all of Man's World. In the months since Diana had tried to be kind to the boy. While Damian seemed to be attempting relationships with some of the members of the family their relationship was still very cold.

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Bruce and Diana were in the Batcave working on a case for the Justice League when Bruce abruptly got quiet and turned his chair toward the abyss in the darkness of the cave. He was on his feet in a second, with a batarang at the ready.

"You can come out Talia." At the mention of Bruce's former love Diana was now also on her feet. It took a second, but Talia finally emerged from the darkness.

"I would ask how you knew I was here, but… Your security is good."

"And it's clearly time for me to update it."

"What are you doing here?" Diana spat. Talia ignored Diana's question and turned to Bruce.

"When I sent Damian to you he was to take is rightful place. He is your truly rightful child. The plan was quite straight forward; he would eliminate your current Robin." At the mention of Tim's attack Diana's motherly instinct kicked in and Bruce quickly grabbed her arm. "Once he was in that position he would assert himself, taking his true place as your son and casting away the imitations you took in. " Once again Bruce was grabbing Diana's arm. " As for you," she finally turned to Diana, who remained quiet. "I accounted for you as well. I knew my son's sudden appearance would lead to the worst logical conclusion. I knew you would flee this world. I also knew you would take those daughters as well to protect them, thus eliminating any other heirs. I assumed that would be the end of it. Clearly," she said gesturing to Diana's swollen stomach, "I miscalculated that, but that was not all I misjudged. Damian was trained for this his whole life and he failed. This mission is over, but he may still have a chance to redeem himself. He will need to retrained, but my father is willing to accept him back."

"You expect us to let him go?" Bruce threw out in incredulously.

"Well, besides the fact that I know Damian finds no merit in your "family," he is my son."

"But was I really ever that mother?" Damian emerged from the darkness where he had been listening to the exchange. "Or was I just a pawn for you and Grandfather?"

"Damian, you had a mission and you failed. Accept it and let's leave now. As I mentioned, you may be able to redeem yourself."

"I am not going."

"Damian I do not have time for your defiance."

"No."

"This not a debate, there is no other decision."

"Well, I am making one. All my life you twisted everything you taught me to serve your purpose, but I have a new perspective now, I have learned new lessons. You lied and used me; I can't believe I ever addressed you as mother." Damian saw the look in his mother's face and readied himself for the hit. Surprisingly it did not come. At first he figured his father had blocked it….

"You will not lay a hand on him." Diana fiercely announced her hand firmly around Talia's wrist.

"You need to leave now, Talia. You will now disrupt my family again." Bruce growled out. Talia turned to leave.

"This is not over."

Talia was gone and the three Waynes just stood there for a moment. Damian finally looked over at Diana. She stopped his mother, and she did it for him. This was an unknown gesture to him and he now felt something toward her. He could only describe it as appreciation, but he knew there was more to it. He let a small gracious smile turn his lips up in her direction and she returned it.

PLEASE REVIEW! The feedback has been great; it's a great motivator. I also want to thank jada121 for the prompt for this chapter (I think it turned out pretty good). I am working on others that have been suggested, so keep them coming!