The Ones

That get away

All of us are alone.

When you strip away all the things that supposedly divide or make us different you land on this simple fact. We're alone.

That's what makes us all alike.

Where you come from doesn't matter. Who your parents were doesn't matter. Your color, your creed, your religion or your status doesn't matter; we are all still fundamentally alone.

The other thing that makes us alike is each of us doesn't want to be alone.

A lot of money has been made since the dawn of time understanding and capitalizing on these two simple facts. The whole social media that surrounds us today is there simply to make us feel less alone. We are in contact with the world 24/7 now. Phone calls, e-mail, texts, Facebook, Twitter, Pinterest, , LinkedIn, Tumblr and a thousand more seek to provide the illusion of a connection. Yet nothing has been able matched simply looking into someone else's eyes and seeing them smile at your very presence.

Think of the best times of your life and they always involve being with someone you love or care for. The pleasure of sitting in the same room talking can never be equaled over the phone or the computer.

As obvious as it seems, there's the meaning of life, not being alone.

The Watchtower

It was chaos when they arrived back from Apokolips. Questions flew from every direction as they all tried to understand what they had just been through. More than anything Karen wanted to talk to Clark, but Helena, Michael and Victor were already talking to her about the possibilities of getting home.

Home the place where friends and family used to be.

As she let them surround her and tried to follow the excited discussion, she looked over at him. He'd come for her, across unimaginable distance to bring her back. No words could speak louder about his feelings for her. As she half listened to the others, Karen knew she wasn't going anywhere until she talked with him.

Clark wanted to talk to Karen alone, but the others surrounded her. He'd waited this long and didn't want to wait any longer, but he would. There was someone else he wanted to talk to. If this ordeal had shown him anything it was he needed people in his life. He needed friends and most especially family.

Kara.

She floated off the side in the shadows looking at the others. They had all been comrades, fighting together as a team one moment and now it was back to the way it was before. Since waking up on this planet, confused and frightened by seemingly everything, Kara hadn't had a moment to stop and think. Part of that was probably by unconscious design, as she was afraid if she let herself go there she wouldn't be able to hold it together anymore. Her parents, her world, everyone she'd ever known were gone. The future she's been working so hard for seemed to have vanished in the blink of an eye. She was lost in this new, strange world. As she looked at the others who had so recently fought at her side talk amongst themselves, she felt the loneliness creeping in.

"Kara."

She turned and looked at him, almost surprised to hear her own name. Her cousin, Kal-El was looking at her. Deep down she knew that was whom he was, her baby cousin all grown up, but to admit it meant admitting everything else.

"Can we talk?" He asked.

He spoke in Kryptonian and while she still had her doubts, it felt so good to hear her own language.

"Okay."

He ushered her into another room away from the main one. As the door closed she felt nervous. She didn't want to fight him, but that's the way things usually worked out between them. He seemed to hesitate for a moment, as if he were thinking the same thing.

"Thank you." He began as simple as that.

"You-Your welcome,' she replied.

The distance between them remained, but Clark willed himself to close the gap if not physically than emotionally.

"I know you still have your doubts about me,' he began. "About who I say I am and if I'm really your cousin. If I were in your place I'd probably have the same ones. I'm willing to wait as long as it takes for you to be sure. Run any tests you want if that helps."

Kara wasn't sure what to say to this. Part of her wanted to admit he was her cousin, but part was still afraid. He waited a moment to see if she'd respond and when she didn't he continued.

"When the adopted family that raised me on this world died, I thought I was alone. I have holograms and recordings from Krypton that's it. I tried making my peace with the fact that I was the last of my kind, the last Kryptonian and then you happened. You weren't even just another Kryptonian you were family. A family I don't have memories of. I suddenly realized I wasn't alone anymore. That's why I came to you like I did. I wasn't thinking of anything but the fact I wasn't alone. I've made the mistake again since then, but I can't deny the feelings."

Kara listened, knowing this was difficult for him.

"I wanted to say thank you for helping, but more importantly I wanted to say you're not alone either, Kara. I'll always be here for you, no matter what."

"Thank you,' she managed to say, even as she fought back the tears.

"I do know what it's like,' he offered. "For five years I've been keeping everyone at a distance. I did my part, but I never let anyone get close. Maybe I was afraid of what would happen to them if they did or what would happen to me if I lost them, but things have changed and I can't live like that. No, that's wrong, I won't live like that anymore. Being detached from the world around me is no way to live."

"I don't know, Kal,' Kara whispered.

"Take your time, I won't rush you,' he replied. "Just know that I need you as much as I think you need me. Those holograms and recordings can only tell me so much. My former babysitter and big cousin can tell me so much more. You Kara, you can tell me about my parents, our family and our world. I need you, cousin."

Kara smiled for the first time in a long while. When he raised his hand towards her, she found herself taking it.

"You were always a needy baby as I recall,' she said with a smirk.

Gotham

Helena had transported down to her hotel room. She needed to pack up and catch a flight to Paris to meet up with Karen. Michael and Victor seemed to think if they worked together they could solve the problem of getting them back home. Helena wasn't sure how she felt about that. Five years had past since they had been whisked away and so many things had changed. Unlike Karen, Helena had quietly made her peace with the idea that they were marooned on this world and would most likely never get back. Perhaps it was just that she was the more practical of the two of them, but she had always been taught to deal with the situation as it is instead of as you want it to be.

Now those assumptions had been thrown out the window. A real possibility had now presented itself of a way home. She was faced with dealing with what she'd lost all over again. Her parents were dead. They wouldn't be there to greet her if she got back. Helena had to wonder just how much of her world even remained after five years? Was being a legacy enough?

The other part of it was what if she didn't go back? What did she really have in this world other than reminders of what she'd lost in the other? This Batman and Catwoman weren't her parents they just looked like them. Karen was really the only link and friend she had on either world left and once she went back where would that leave Helena? The money, the company, those were all Karen's and Helena had little interested in them really. She had been born it seemed to do one thing and now she had to ask herself was that enough? Are the hopes and dreams of her parents the only thing that matter anymore?

It seemed the final hurdle to her growing up was right in front of her. Following in footsteps can only take you so far and then you have to make some footprints of your own. Helena moved over and opened the window. She felt the warm breeze drift in as she looked at the night sky and the city spread out before her. The urge to be out there came. Perhaps it was a family trait to be able to think better on the move, but she slipped into her uniform and moved out into the night.

She was home. It wasn't the city or even the world that mattered, just that she was moving through the night sky. This was her first love, the simple freedom the night always brought. She was a creature of the night just like her parents had been. That would never change.

An hour drifted into another, as Helena moved all over the city. It seemed alive belong her and she just wanted to soak it in. Finally she stopped on the upper ledge of one of the downtown buildings to watch the crowd letting out of the movie theater. She could see couples with their children laughing and talking about what they had just seen. The excitement was clear in their distant voices. She watched one young man imitate one of the actions scenes from the movie he'd just watched as his parents stood bemused at his antics. It was another night like so many others, yet Helena had to wonder what fateful choice would be made. As she pondered her problems, she just remained perched on the ledge.

"So you're back."

The voice was young and had an irritated quality to it. Helena knew who it was without looking. Damian.

"Yeah, I guess for awhile,' she replied.

"I know who you are,' he said. "I know all about you now."

She turned and smiled at him.

"I know all about you too, little boy."

"You can knock that little boy stuff off right now." Damian demanded. "You just think you know me, you don't, trust me."

"Whatever,' Helena replied, looking back at the movie goers.

"You're not my sister and I'm not going pretend you are,' he stated.

"It's a good thing I'm not, or I wouldn't have taken it so easy on you the last time,' Helena countered.

"Oh, that's funny,' Damian laughed with a mocking tone. "I was taking it easy on you, girl. I would have wiped the floor with you if I was really trying."

"In your dreams!"

"You want to go again? Just say the word!" He hissed at her. Helena turned to face him again.

"Your dad should have taught you better manners, Damian,' Helena replied. "Mine would have."

"Right! Cause he obviously made such good decisions on your world,' Damian scoffed. "I mean just look who me married."

"Oh, you little prick, you are so going to pay for that!"

Helena launched herself at him. Damian flipped her over his head and onto the rooftop. He followed and the fight was on.

Metropolis

It was well after midnight. The streets were quiet as the rain continued to pour. Clark always loved walking at times like this. The rain had washed away the smells that usually inhibited the city and everything felt new again. Few people ventured out on nights like this so in the middle of this bustling municipality he could be alone with his thoughts.

He felt like he'd made the first step with Kara. It would take time, but at least now they were talking. Since the Kents had died, Clark thought he'd never experience what it felt like to be in a family again. Now that possibility was out there. Through her he might even be able to connect with his birth parents and the world he came from. Mostly though, it was just the feeling of not being alone anymore.

He'd been trying to convince himself for the last five years that it was for the best that he not get too close to anyone. He'd kept everyone at arm's length to either protect him or her or himself. He now realized what a fool's errant that really was. No matter where he was originally from or what amazing abilities he might have he had the same universal desires and wants as everyone else. A life, any life is better when it's shared with others.

Perhaps he knew this all along, but didn't want to admit it. Maybe it was why he'd remained in the Justice League these last five years, even though he wasn't particularly close to any of the other members. Maybe that's why he'd immediately gone to Kara when her ship crash-landed. Maybe that's why he'd gone to New York to see Karen that first night. It seemed his unconscious mind was trying to tell him something all this time. Now he was finally listening.

Clark had so many questions he needed to find the answers to. Most of them surrounded Karen, but there was another kiss he knew he had to address. What it meant or might mean he wasn't sure. In different circumstances it might have been the start of something, but right now it wasn't fair to anyone, especially her. They really didn't know each other that well yet, but being honest seemed like a good place to start. The kiss hadn't been a mistake. What it had been, he wasn't sure, but he knew it wasn't a mistake. It hadn't been planned, but seemed to come naturally. In the moment it was right, but now there were other things to consider.

You don't start something when you're not finished with something else. As confusing and irrational as it was, whatever it was between Clark and Karen didn't feel like it was over. He didn't know where they stood, if they stood anywhere at all, but he couldn't move on until he was sure it was really finished. He wasn't sure he wanted it to be finished, no matter what she might say.

As he cut across the empty park, Clark headed for the main fountain. As he cleared the trees, he saw her.

Karen.

She was just floating in the rain, as if waiting for him. He stopped in his tracks and just looked at her. She had changed and even in the pouring rain she looked lovely. They held each other's eyes for what seemed like an eternity and then she finally spoke to him.

"Hi."

"Hi."

Instead of her floating down to the ground, Clark floated up to her. Twenty feet off the ground in the pouring rain they faced each other with only a foot or two between them. They were both nervous.

"I, ah, well, um, wanted to thank you, you know, for, well, coming after me." She started with.

"I couldn't just let you go like that,' he replied.

She nodded.

"So now you know about me."

"I think so, but I'd like to hear it from you,' he said.

"It will still be the same,' she replied. "I'm not from this world or universe. We, Helena and I, we sort of got caught, transported or something and we're marooned here."

"For five years."

"Yes."

"Why did you hide?"

"We were seventeen in a strange place, Clark. We didn't know who to trust or not to,' she said. "This world looked so much like ours, yet everywhere we turned it was different."

"Like me."

"Yes, like you."

"So I remind you of him?" Clark asked. "Is that why you kept pushing me away?"

"No." Karen said with a shake of her head.

"Then, please, why?"

"I lost everything, twice, Clark. I-I-I didn't want to lose anything else,' she whispered. "My whole focus up until recently was just getting back to our world."

"And now?"

"I don't really know,' she admitted.

He floated a little closer.

"What do you want to do?" He whispered.

"I don't know that either.' She said with a sigh. "It was so simple just a few months ago. All I wanted was to find a way home and then …"

"And then?"

"I met you,' Karen murmured. "I didn't want to get attached to anyone here, cause I knew one day I'd be going back. I stayed away from everything that seemed familiar. I thought I was safe and then you appeared."

"I just had to,' he began to explain, but she cut him off with a kiss.

"I'm glad you did,' she whispered. "It made me realize all this time I've been living for other people. Those people are gone. I never stopped and asked myself what I wanted."

"And now?"

"I have a choice to make," Karen said. "I want to stay here, maybe even with you, but now there is a real possibility of going home. Michael and Victor seemed to think it's doable. It's not just about me, if it ever was. I owe those people that gave their lives something. My cousin and Helena's parents fought to give her and me a chance. I can't just turn my back on that."

"I want you to stay, Karen, but I would never ask you turn your back on your world, though,' Clark replied. "Maybe I could come with you?"

"No,' she said with a shake of her head. "This world needs you. I can't ask you to give it up."

"So where does that leave us?"

"I want to stay, Clark, but I have to go back,' Karen softly said. He could see there were tears in her eyes, even in the rain. "I couldn't live with myself or be with anyone until I go back and try and make things right. I'm going to be miserable either way, but I can't just give up."

"I know,' he sadly said. "That's what makes you a hero on any world."

Karen gave a small sad smile.

"I don't feel much like a hero,' she admitted.

Clark pulled her close and kissed her.

"You are, trust me."

She returned his kiss and looked into his eyes.

"I can't offer forever, Clark but if you want we have until I have to leave?"

"I want,' he replied. "I'll take whatever time we can have."

They were done talking. The rain continued to pour down, but they paid it no attention. Time was finite for them and they didn't want to waste a moment.

Gotham

Helena's skirmish with Damian ended prematurely. The Bat-signal was turned on. For a moment, both started to head towards it, but Helena remembered. This wasn't her world and the signal wasn't meant for her Batman and Robin. It wasn't meant for her. She just stood and watched as Damian went into action.

She had to admit the kid was good, damn good. Not as good as her and she was winning, but he had gotten in some nice shots. She would be feeling them tomorrow. The little prick probably cheated she thought to herself. Glancing at the signal one more time, Helena was reminded of so many things. So many emotions were tied up in it for her.

Now there was a real chance they could go home. Since hearing the news she'd been wondering what there really was for her to go home to? Her parents were dead and most of the city she'd grown up in was destroyed. The hand picked board of directors her father had put in place was probably running what was left of Wayne Enterprises. Besides she had never been interested in running the family business, well, as least the official family business.

She'd always wanted to be the Huntress, well, Robin at first, but once she got here she knew that was what she wanted. In the grand scheme of things did it really matter where she fought crime and evil? She wasn't a superpowered hero like Karen, she was just human. She would never decide the fate of either world. Helena could only do her small part in the larger struggle. The heavy lifting would have to be done by others.

She thought she'd made her peace with never getting back, but now that option had been reopened. The memories of her parents sacrifice came rushing back to her. If she turned away from the chance to continue the fight in their name would she be turning her back on them too? Would they understand why she didn't go back, if that's what she decided?

And what if she didn't go back, what was there really here for her? Karen was her only real friend on this world. Helena had been painfully reminded that this world's Batman wasn't her Batman. So she was alone no matter what she decided.

"You should have kicked that little punk's ass harder."

Helena spun around to see Selina sliding down a rope towards her. She landed, lifted her goggles and smiled.

"He could use a kick in the ass, let me tell you,' Selina added.

"You-You saw that?"

"Yeah,' Selina nodded. "I think you were winning before it was cut short. He was probably cheating too, but I can't prove it."

Helena smiled at this.

"I would have won, but I figured I'd better let him go,' Helena offered. "You know the signal and all."

"Can't interfere with the signal or the boss gets all pissy,' Selina joked. She looked at Helena for a moment and her tone changed. "So did you save your friend?"

"Yeah.' Helena nodded. "I had help, Superman and some others."

"Let me guess, Batman didn't go?"

"No." Helena replied. "Not his fight and he couldn't leave Gotham."

"That sounds like him,' Selina sourly said. "He's such a douchebag sometimes. So you're okay?"

"Yeah."

"Are you staying?" Selina asked.

"I don't think so,' Helena replied.

"Going back?"

"Probably."

"I guess you have to, don't you?"

"I guess,' Helena offered.

Selina took a step closer. She wanted to reach out to Helena, but wasn't sure if it was the right thing to do or not. Something had been on her mind since she'd first heard the news about Helena and she had to ask.

"Back on your world, your mother,' Selina hesitantly began. "What-What kind of mother was she?"

Helena smiled as she remembered her mother. It was an easy question.

"The best."

The two shared a smile at the answer.

Metropolis – Two weeks later

Clark walked into his apartment with the take out food just in time to see Karen hang up her phone. From her expression he knew it was the call they'd both been waiting for and dreading. Michael and Victor had found the way home.

Karen was only wearing a slip as she looked up from the phone and saw Clark standing in the doorway.

"It was Helena,' she softly said. "They figured it out."

Clark closed the door and set the food down before walking over to Karen.

"Okay."

She looked at him and there were tears in her eyes.

"I have to go, Clark."

"I know,' he replied, pulling her into his embrace. "When?"

"Tomorrow."

The word hit him hard, but he wanted to be strong for her. He knew how difficult this decision was and he didn't want to make it any more difficult.

"All right."

Karen hugged him as if she never wanted to let him go.

"I've been back and forth with this, Clark," she whispered. "I was supposed to be their secret weapon. With all of them gone I'm the most powerful one on Earth's side. I owe it not just to them, but my Earth. I can't walk away from that."

"I know, Karen, I know."

She kissed him with all the passion she felt.

"Please, don't come with me tomorrow, Clark,' she begged. "It's going to be hard enough without seeing you there."

"If that's what you want,' he replied, even thought every part of him wanted to be there with her.

"We still have tonight,' she quietly said. He looked into her eyes and saw the doubts and fears in them.

"Then tonight will have to be enough,' he replied.

Gotham

Helena had just gotten off the phone with Karen. She could hear the sadness in her friend's voice. They both had mixed feelings about tomorrow but had decided they would go back. Things would never be right if they didn't. Some obligations you can never forget.

Helena glanced at her packed suitcases and then around her hotel room. Her last night on this world she didn't want to spend cooped up in this room. Changing quickly, she was out the window and into the night. Lost in thought she simply moved over the city taking in the night air. It was so similar, yet she knew it wasn't the same.

It was hours later when she landed back on her hotel's roof. It was well passed midnight and even Gotham was silent for the most part. She moved over to the ledge and looked out at the city one last time.

"You're leaving tomorrow."

She knew that voice anywhere. As she turned around he emerged from the shadows. Batman.

"Yes."

Their last meeting was on both of their minds. It had not ended well. He seemed hesitant. Since the moment he found out who she was, he'd been wrestling with what it meant. He was a man that prided himself on always thinking of every possible scenario, yet this one had never crossed his mind. He was always so busy thinking about what others might be doing, that his own personal life had not been part of his equation.

Apparently the Batman on the other world had. Bruce couldn't know what had gone through his counterpart's mind. What choices he'd made on that world that Bruce hadn't on this one. When he'd first heard that his counterpart had married Catwoman it seemed so outlandish it was hard to believe. He told himself it would never be a possibility in this world, yet the longer the idea rolled around in his mind the less it seemed so absurd. Looking at Helena he could see both of her parents in her.

"The Wayne private jet will be standing by for you to take you tomorrow,' he finally said.

"That isn't necessary,' she curtly replied.

"I know but I want to do this."

"Why?"

This was hard for Bruce, emotions always were.

"Because if the roles were reversed I would hope he would do the same thing,' Bruce offered.

"He would have and more,' Helena replied. The implication in her words was plain to him.

"I would hope he'd understand why I couldn't go with you to rescue your friend."

"He would have, but mother would have talked him into going anyway,' Helena admitted.

"I don't doubt that," Bruce replied with a small smile.

Helena smiled too, but didn't say anything else. Bruce didn't want it to end like this. As hard as it was, he felt he needed to say more.

"Be safe when you go back, don't take any unnecessary risks."

"I never do,' she replied.

"You stole from me, I'd say that was a pretty big risk,' he countered.

"That was necessary."

"Next time, just ask,' he offered. "By the way, the anagrams were a clever touch, but another unnecessary risk. I can just imagine where that idea came from."

"Just a little flair to see if you were paying attention,' Helena admitted.

Bruce smiled again and took a step closer.

"I'm serious, Helena, please be careful."

"I will."

"If you should ever return there will be a place for you here,' Bruce quietly said. "No matter how long you're gone."

"Thank you."

"I've had a new set of armor put on the plane along with some weapons that might come in handy over there,' He continued. "I hope they help you in your fight."

"Thank you again," Helena said, touched by this gesture.

Bruce took a step closer, so they were looking into each other's eyes.

"I know I'm not your father, Helena, but I think I can say with some certainty on his behalf, he's proud of you. I'm sure they both are."

Helena felt the tears welling up in her eyes. She knew this man wasn't her father, but hearing him say that meant the world to her.