Mates: The Sequel

Chapter 13

A/N: I'm sorry for the lull in updates. But this segment is coming to an end and I had to brainstorm for the next one. And I've come up with something that...well let's just say the plot smacked me so hard with its genius that I almost saw stars. o.o I think I may have a concussion! XD

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The last thing he remembered was trying to tap into Superman's mind with his own. Then there was a searing pain in his head and all went dark. It hurt like nothing he'd ever felt before. Like his mind had exploded and all he could feel was pain.

Until a soft blanket seemed to wrap around him and washed it all away, leaving him surrounded by nothing but heaven. It was so nice and warm...he let out a cry of frustration when it left him. The pain didn't come back any but he now felt so unbelievably cold.

Why had it stayed? Why did it always have to leave?

J'onn pried his eyes open and blinked upon recognizing the interior of the medical wing.

What was he...?

"J'onn?"

Turned his head to the side, startled to find Flash standing over him. Didn't have a chance to ask anything though, before the speedster was talking again, "You really had us worried, you know. The others all woke up hours ago, even Hawk Girl. But not you--"

"What happened?"

Flash halted in his ramblings, shifting uneasily. J'onn waited, aware that it had to have been something bad, in order to cause Superman to snap like that.

A few more tense seconds, and just when he was about to ask again, Flash blurted out, "Don't get mad."

That immediately put him on his guard. Why would he get mad? It was no one's fault. It wasn't like Superman purposely let himself get taken over or anything. He'd sensed the creature inside the Kryptonian's mind. There was no way Superman could have stopped him.

He placed a consoling hand on Flash's arm. "I won't get mad, I promise."

For some reason that only made his teammate sigh. "Yeah, that's what they said too."

Glanced around the medical wing and noticed that he was the only one there. Then remembered Flash's earlier rambles. Right, they'd already woken up. "So you told them?"

"Yep. And they all got mad."

If they were angry over it...then it had to have been bad. Still, he wasn't really one to get angry. He was usually able to keep calm in situations where others blew up. "Flash, you can tell me."

A suspicious look. "And you won't get mad?"

"I won't get mad."

The red-clad superhero took a deep breath. "Okay...well...I'm sure you know about the dude in Superman's head?"

J'onn nodded.

"Right. Well...turns out, it had been in his mind for about a week or so and...Superman knew. And didn't tell anyone because he thought it wouldn't do anything."

His jaw actually dropped.

"Well then--"

"He KNEW?"p

"He said it felt safe! And that--"

"SAFE?! IS HE A FOOL?!"

"You said you wouldn't get mad!"

The Martian stood up, glaring down at Flash, who looked to be only a second away from running. "Where is he?!"

Flash bit his lip. "If you're going to yell at him, don't bother. Batman already beat you to it."

His rage died down at hearing that. Well...if Batman did it already, there was really no point. J'onn was sure that the Dark Knight had berated the Kryptonian for his stupidity. So anything he said to Kal afterwards would pale comparison. Slightly put off, he sunk back down onto the bed. "Batman?"

A small smile. "You know, you reacted the exact same way they did when I mentioned Bats." It was kind of amusing. They had all been ready to go and tear Clark a new one, until they learned that the Bat had already down it. Understandable though; if there was one person who knew how to hurt with words alone, it was him.

J'onn frowned. "What...was he doing here?" Hadn't they banished him to the manor?

"Who do you think stopped Supes?"

Golden eyes widened. "Batman took on that thing?"

"Yep."

That was...that...no...impossible. The man was just starting to get the hold of his mental powers. He wasn't even a beginner yet! So how did he manage to defeat a being that powerful? Asked Flash, hoping that maybe he'd have an answer but all he got was a shrug and a, "He's Batman.", as if that explained it all. Except he couldn't find it in himself to really get frustrated at such a reply because...it did.

However, he couldn't help but worry. Even though Batman was able to do what no one else could...he was still human. And he had to have suffered some injuries from saving them.

"Is he okay?"

Flash was silent for a few seconds. "I'm not sure. Superman said that he had a fractured jaw and a couple of cracked ribs. He didn't look...good."

He was in the monitor room typing in commands and in the process of being teleported when he became aware of what he was doing. Had he forgotten about that little kiss incident between Bruce and Diana? What was he doing?! Panic started to settle in his stomach, knowing any second that he was going to be in the cave and once he was there there'd be no way to back out. Felt someone grab him and when he appeared...

It wasn't the manor he was in.

He didn't know if he should feel angry or relieved, as he gazed into H'ronmeer's eyes.

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Bruce didn't know how Alfred managed to do it.

There was a cup of coffee and a nice warm plate of food being set on the table the second he was starting to wake up. Which, seeing how he was starving, smelled damn delicious. He sat up and grabbed the plate, shoveling food into his mouth, not caring if he looked like a pig. This was his house, and his food so he could eat it however the hell he wanted. All too soon he finished his meal and he stared down at the depressingly bare plate.

No...that couldn't be all, could it? More, he needed more. How could Alfred do this to him?! Yes the plate had been piled high and held twice as much as he usually ate but it wasn't enough.

The sound of the door opening cut off the thoughts of firing his butler, as he looked up and saw Dick entered the room. There was also a nice big plate in his hands and for a second he thought that it was for him, but then Dick took a bite out of it, crushing those thoughts. Had the nerve to sit next to him, with his food, taunting him.

An uneasy silence settled in the room, with Dick wondering if Bruce had really heard his comment, and Bruce wondering if he should punch his ward out and then take his food, or just ask nicely.

His body was still incredibly sore ...so the punching would really hurt...

But asking nicely would probably only get him an eye-roll...

Dick coughed, fiddling with his food. "Hey...uh...Bruce...about that um...thing...I said...in the cave...about...you know...blowing something out of...a certain...somewhere...I uh..."

In all honestly, he had no clue what Dick was talking about. The last thing he remembered was threatening to kick ass if they didn't shut up. Was he going to admit this? No. Because if he played his cards right... "Give me your food and I'll forget it ever happened."

More than happy to comply, he handed the plate over to Bruce, who promptly started stuffing his face again. Dick watched for a few seconds, amazed at how fast the food was disappearing and at how undignified he was acting.

Then he realized how easy it had been and groaned. "You have no idea what I said, do you?"

"None."

"Why didn't you just ask Alfred for some more?!"

"Because he's fired."

He gave Bruce a dry look. "What's he fired for this time?"

"Trying to starve me."

Dick shook his head. It would be useless to point out that his first plate had been actually a tray, which was more than he ate in a whole day. Alfred got 'fired' by Bruce on average about six times a week. Either because of his sarcastic remarks, waking him up too early in the mornings, trying to give him decaf instead of regular, making him stay in when sick or trying to starve him. Of course, it was never really serious. It was common knowledge that Bruce wouldn't last a week without Alfred there to take care of him.

The butler chose just then to enter the room and Dick looked at him sadly. "I'm sorry Alfred, I'm going to have to ask you to leave."

Old eyes twinkled. "I've been fired again, have I?"

He fought to keep a straight face as he said, "You should know better than to starve Bruce."

Alfred's mouth twitched slightly. "Of course. I seemed to have forgotten myself, sir." He looked down at the tray in his hands. "I did prepare this in case Master Bruce was famished upon awakening but since I am no longer working for him..."

At the mention of more food, Bruce perked up, almost done with his current plate. More? His mouth watered at the smell of it all... "You can stay."

"Really, Master Bruce? You'd truly consider giving me a second chance?"

If he still wasn't painfully hungry, he would have fired him again, but since he was, he only nodded. Alfred set the tray down and he attacked, growling a warning at Dick when his fork got too close for his liking. "Get your own!"

"I had my own!" Dick snapped, edging his fork closer. "You took it!" The growling was getting louder and he wondered how Bruce was able to do that before another plate was set down in front of him. Smiled thanks at Alfred and went to dig in, only to gape. His plate was now empty. And wasn't it just curious how a certain pile on a certain tray looked bigger?!

He glared. "Bruce! That was mine!"

The older man stopped his chewing to stare at his ward. "My house." He pointed towards Alfred, "My butler.", down to his tray, "My food." then at his chest. "Mine."

Dick had to admit that there was truth to what he'd just said. But he still wasn't going to let it slide. "Alfred! Make him give it back!"

Bruce snorted. "Alfred just nearly avoided unemployment. He wouldn't dare."

The butler rolled his eyes, disappearing for a few seconds and reappearing with another plate. "I have plenty more made, Master Dick." He gave Bruce a sharp look. "This is for Master Dick and Master Dick only."

Shot a smug look at Bruce and started to eat his own food that was his and his alone. A few minutes later and Tim entered the room, sitting on the other side of Bruce with his own plate. Waited for a hand to snatch something from Tim and frowned when it didn't.

"How come--"

"Tim flavors everything with Tabasco sauce. Nasty stuff." Made sure that Alfred wasn't around before stealing one of Dick's rolls.

"Hey!"

"If you were smart you'd learn to eat in the kitchen."

Fed up, Dick took his advice, storming out of the room.

Bruce and Tim continued munching in silence for a few more minutes, until Tim finished his and started staring at his plate with a dejected look on his face. He was going to have to get up and actually walk all the way to the kitchen and ask for more. Unless he asked Alfred to bring him another plate. But it seemed like so much effort...

He blinked when food suddenly started to appear on his plate. Pretty soon it was full again and a quick glance at the pile next to him told him that it was indeed smaller. Went to say thanks when Bruce suddenly stiffened, staring at a spot in the corner.

"Bruce?"

He ignored the question, instead concentrating on the two weird strangers who had just appeared in his den. He recognized one as the woman who hung over his bed sometimes, but the other one was male and dressed in leather. There was a sort of dangerous energy coming off the man and for some reason he felt a slight connection with him.

"So what, teleport him now?", the woman was asking.

The man narrowed his eyes. "Aphrodite, he's eating."

"You didn't have a problem about teleporting Green Lantern. And he was getting undressed!"

A huff. "We can wait until he finishes eating."

"Zeus gave us orders Ares."

"It shouldn't take him that long to finish!"

"You're only saying that because he's your favorite."

"So?"

Bruce watched them squabble some more, his mind turning over what he'd just heard.

Aphrodite.

Goddess of Love.

Ares.

God of War.

Zeus.

King of the Gods.

So gods were involved. Oh it figured. They probably knew what had happened with Superman too.

"We've already teleported the others--"

"I'm sure they won't mind being in Mount Olympus a little longer. They're probably wetting themselves in excitement."

He was still hungry but...well...he supposed finding out what it was that had nearly killed off the League was more important than filling his stomach. Wouldn't have to change either, seeing how he was still in costume... With a sigh, he put his fork down and walked over to them. "I'm ready when you are."

Ares smirked and grabbed a hold of him, wrapping an arm around his waist and giving his ass a firm squeeze before teleporting him away.

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Hawk Girl was having a conversation with Artemis about her home planet, and sharing a few stories. Apollo was talking to Green Lantern while occasionally shooting Hawk Girl dark looks. Wonder Woman was talking to Hera, though she mainly stuttered over her words, in awe about how she was finally able to meet her Goddess. Hera, for once, didn't have a scowl on her face, and was smiling compassionately. Hermes, Dionysus and Athena were all standing around Flash, the first two laughing over one of his jokes and the later smiling with a wistful look on her face. Hephaestus was chatting animately to Batman, who was actually answering back, all the while keeping a stern eye on Ares, who kept smirking and trying to move closer. J'onn was glaring at the God of War while talking quietly to C'eridyall, who was trying to calm his nerves down.

This was the sight Hades saw upon teleporting back in Mount Olympus, his arm still around Superman, who was looking a bit sulky. No doubt put off that the god had managed to get to him in the Fortress. The second they appeared, all talking ceased. The gods because the mortals had stopped and the mortals because they were all too busy glaring at the Kryptonian. Except Flash. He just looked apologetic.

Briefly, Hades wondered if the leaguers would start shouting, but they never did. Huh. Maybe they understood that drama was bad. That was refreshing; maybe he'd check in on them more often...

Zeus cleared his throat and all eyes landed on him. "We don't have a lot of time to waste. So let's just get to the point." Unknowingly to him just managed to gain a fraction of respect from Hawk Girl, Lantern and Batman.

"You know what happened. Someone entered Kal's mind and made him lose control. You also know that Kal had been aware of said presence for a few days and didn't come forth."

At those words, the eyes turned to Superman with sharp intensity, who winced.

"But you don't know who. And until you do perhaps you should hold out on the judging." Athena added, pleased when the glares lessened.

Sighing, Zeus leaned back in his chair and closed his eyes, thinking that perhaps it would be easier if he couldn't see. It wasn't. He didn't want them to know. Didn't want Kal to know. But that was what had started this whole thing in the first place, and it was time he did what was right.

"Rao is back."

Aphrodite felt her heart shatter as she watched the emotions racing across Superman's face. First was amazement, as she had expected, from the thought that his god had returned. But then reality sunk in and he remembered just what Rao had nearly made him do. "I...I don't understand. Rao is...kind, and loving and...this...this is wrong." He swallowed thickly. "You're wrong."

Surprisingly, it was Hera who spoke up. "Scriptures lie Kal-El. Rao abandoned Krypton and it's people. It was the first time you had felt him and not knowing what he was or what he did, you trusted your god, like your instincts were telling you to. Rao took advantage of that."

The Kryptonian shook his head, not wanting to believe it. "I don't—It doesn't make sense! If he's so evil then why did he come back?! Why would he--"

"Because he hates you." Hermes stated quietly, his usual cheerful demeanor gone. "He left because he couldn't handle his destiny. When Krypton exploded he thought his problems were solved. Then, turns out that not all his children were dead. He feels everything. Your pain, happiness, misery, anger, wants, needs, accomplishments, crushes...and he hates it. So he thought if he could fix things, maybe solve whatever it was that was bugging you, he could finally have peace."

Went to say more, only to be startled when Flash snapped, "Hey! I think he gets the picture." Sure the speedster supposed that they wanted Superman to understand just how bad of a god Rao was but he didn't see the point in crushing his spirits even further. He already looked depressed, they didn't need to add to it.

Wonder Woman nodded, agreeing with Flash. "I think we need to instead think up a plan."

He didn't want to drop the subject. There was a desperate part of him that wanted Kal understand...but Zeus knew she had a point, so he relented. "Very well. Rao has yet to leave, making us believe that he's planning something. So we'll each be taking watch over the League."

Batman's eyes narrowed. He wasn't sure if he liked the idea of gods baby-sitting them but if Rao attacked again, then it would most definitely spell trouble. Last time he'd nearly killed three members of the League. (Four if he counted himself, but he didn't). So it would probably help to have insurance. After all, what better protector against a god then another god?

Besides, they didn't really have much of a choice.

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How'd ya like it?? XD