Disclaimer: I do not own YJ.
Batman looked to the other superheroes. He knew Robin would probably pull the "I was nine when I became Robin" defense. But Annemarie was younger…and they weren't talking about her fighting.
"Bruce! You cannot be considering this!" Superman protested.
"Clark, settle down!" Batman snapped at him. "This is a group discussion. Let's look at the pros and cons here."
"They like her. They care about her. She seems to have solved Conner's anger problems. Did I mention the kids really like having her around?" Flash said. "Look at them Clark! They're unified together. Heads could roll if we make the wrong choice here."
"I do not think having a young child here is a very good idea," Martian Manhunter said. "She has her brother Leo, and it would not be safe for her here."
"Why can't Canary just wat-?" Green Arrow started, but was promptly smacked in the back of the head.
"I AM NOT A BABYSITTER!" Canary growled.
Annemarie hopped out of Conner's arms and walked over to Black Canary. The little girl tugged on the woman's arm. Black Canary looked down and her anger dissipated. She smiled and ruffled the little kid's hair. Her eyes widened as she looked at the other heroes.
"Emotion manipulation?" she suggested raising an eyebrow. "I don't….want to get mad…and there's a first!"
Annie looked up at Superman. Her big eyes were pleading and he forced himself to look away. Superboy loved her. He said she was like his daughter. He was having a hard enough time accepting the boy was here! He wasn't ready for the boy to take a kid. But he'd never been ready for the boy either. He looked around at the others. Everyone seemed to be relaxed.
"Bruce…"
"Clark she'll have to stay here anyway," Batman interrupted him. "Leo doesn't get out of the hospital for a while, and the kid has nowhere else to go."
"I vote the kid to stay," Flash said.
In the background, Wally smirked and said, "My uncle's the best."
Robin replied, "Shut up Kid Mouth."
Conner sent a glare their way. He needed to hear the verdict.
Green Arrow, Aquaman, and Black Canary looked uncertain of who to choose. Superman of course jumped to the big N-O. Batman surprisingly cast a yes vote, deeming that perhaps it will teach the team responsibility. Manhunter was with Superman on this one, he said no. Red Tornado could care less…and Green Arrow simply said, "As long as I'm not watching her and as long as we're not sending her on missions with the team."
"Agreed," Flash said. "That's three yes, two no, one I-really-don't-care. Aquaman, Canary? Time to vote."
Aquaman looked at them and said, "No. It's just not safe for a kid."
"Aren't they still kids as well?" Canary mused. "I see no harm in letting the kid stay…so she stays! That's four to three."
Aquaman, Martian Manhunter, and Superman stared at the other four. Batman scooped up Annemarie and walked over to Conner.
"I don't know what you heard…but she's staying here with us. I expect you to take care of her. Canary will help if things get out of hand, but this is a good opportunity to learn responsibility," Batman said. "Out on the streets, you're responsible for little lives, just like her. Hopefully this will get some of you to slow down and mature a bit."
Kid Flash and Robin gave him a group look that said, "We resent that remark!"
Conner smiled at them and said, "Thank you."
He turned to his team mates and said, "And thank you guys for sticking by me."
"We're a team," Kaldur said. "We should always stick together."
Megan took Annemarie and smiled at Conner. Conner hugged the both of them. He thought to himself, "It doesn't matter what Superman thinks…these two have given me more love and acceptance than I probably deserve. We are united as a team, all of us. They accept me. They care about me. We all love each other…Annie too."
Superman's stomach dropped. How could he accept this so easily? After going through all that trouble for one kid? He thought to himself, "Have I been wrong about him? Looking at him now…I see more than stolen DNA, I see a boy. I see a boy who wants my acceptance, and love. I denied him that, and he went and found it for himself in his team mates, and in a young girl. Have I been wrong this entire time?"
He watched them hug Annemarie, and part of him felt that's what he should have done. He was in shock for a little bit, but he should have put forth more effort. He was scared of failing as a father, but why did he let that stop him? Bruce was right…Conner was his son. And now he had to make things right between them, for the sake of a relationship.