Wolvmbm: I liked that Batman was able to be the sort of person Booster didn't think he could be. It's rare that we get to see such growth and connections to past stories. Well I wanted to give a couple of nods to other events, I'm not sure if I'll write their POVs in the two parter. It sounds like Batman won't know Booster was in the past at that time.

Excel: Thank you. :)

Anna: Thank you very much!

Genx: Thanks. :D

Spoilers for: Booster Gold 1,000,000, mentions of Blue Beetle #25 Vol 2., Green Arrow/Black Canary Wedding special and Final Crisis.

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Peter Platinum is like looking into a distorted mirror, worse than looking at Daniel in fact. The man though doesn't care about anything beyond the fame, the money--nothing more than himself really. Booster Gold always did care about more than those things though, he just didn't let many see that side to him. When Ted died (the first time) he wanted to do something positive. To make a real difference, to redeem himself, to make his mark on history for the better. Instead he got Peter Platinum--his one legacy is a fraud he inspires to con others into believing him to be a hero. It's sickening. Too much to cope with the recent loss of Ted, the failure with Barbara Gordon, screwing up time and a million other lifes' worth of failures.

Quitting the Time Masters was the natural thing to do. How can he stay when he doesn't feel like he can fully trust Rip? When he doesn't think he's really making any difference at all? The Royal Flush Gang is the last straw. Booster doesn't care what anyone thinks about him anymore. It's not like they ever listen when he is trying anyway. Ollie Queen and Hal Jordon think that their better than him. That he staged the whole damn thing. He's not sure what he would have done if Batman hadn't called but he doubts it would have been pleasant. Stupid hypocrites.

Strange of often he's been in the batcave lately. This is the first time he's actually been invited so he supposes that's a change. Not that it means that Booster is just going to sit back to let Bruce belittle him more. A life time of being talked down to makes it very appealing to cut to the chase. Returning home, assuming he could get over the death penalty on his head, would be better than this life of constant let downs. It would be like the whole thing had been one giant nightmare. Maybe working in some low paying job in a museum would be a fitting punishment.

Paper flutters around his eyes before he realizes Batman has thrown something at him. Red catches his eye leading him to follow the photos path. Scattered around his feet are images of Barbara and himself bleeding out from the Jokers' actions. Bruce tells him that he had them for years. The impact of that is too huge to absorb then--everything is too much to deal with. All Booster can do is stare transfixed on his own broken body in the picture. The dark knight wants to know what he's up to, going as far as to knee next to him like a friend. Michael needs some space, he can't bear to look at anyone when he admits to his joke of his attempts at heroics.

"Heroism doesn't suit you." Mr. Mind/his father/whoever had said that was right.

Suddenly the burden is too much for him to bear alone. He's drowning in self-doubt and fear. Needing to talk to anyone that actually gives a damn. Raising from his feet the blond starts to confess trying to save her and Ted. Heroes save people everyday, he couldn't no matter how hard he tried. What did that say about him?

"A joke?" Batman says it like he is generally mystified about such a word being attached to Booster Gold. The strange part is that he's actually listening for once, someone that knows him is really seeing him as more than a punchline. God, there's so much he wants--needs to say but can't. Booster tries to convey how much his new mission is affecting him hoping that the man of fewer words can understand the full meaning behind what he's saying.

"I can stop people from changing the past for the worst but I can't change it for the better." Did Bruce know how maddening that was? "I swear, I had the Royal Flush Gang, but...god it's driving me crazy."

"Let the world think your crazy if that's what it takes to be the best you can be, Michael."

Of course he did. Who else knew what it was like to be doing your mission under the guise of a bumbling fool? Who the others would write off as crazy himself. Just like the first time Batman graces him with a rare smile of approval, shakes his hand and tells him to keep up the good work. Unlike before however he doesn't demand that he knows everything detail. Finally Boosters' not so alone in the world after all.

"I know this hasn't been easy, and I'm not going to make it any easier. But she will."

Rip has given Booster Gold the best award for his efforts, the only thing that could tie with getting Ted back. His twin sister Michelle. He wants to introduce her to his friends to show her off. Their not certain if that's the best idea though. It might raise too many questions. There are other things that keep him busy though, like his first reunion (in this timeline) with the old gang. It's amazing how different it is from the one they had in the alternate timeline. Not that it's surprising that a Maxwell Lord run Omac world acts differently from the normal one. Still he can't help wondering how if it would have happened the same way if Ted was by his side. Tora not Bea comes forward to hug him not Ted. Guy to his credit doesn't overreact to the woman he loves embracing another man. Bea for her part is silent in her shock letting the others flock around him instead.

It's easy to remember then when they last spoke (in this timeline) and how she belittled him. No one had come to his 'funeral', while that hurt at least Guy and Tora had excuses. Bea didn't. Daniel who had been a total stranger back then had come because he felt that he needed to be there. Fire his supposed friend hadn't felt the same. Booster knew that he should have stayed mad at her. The problem was that he had never been a grudge holding type of person. He hadn't been able to hold onto his anger with Bruce, Rip or even his own father. Holding onto her dead flash burnt body had made it impossible for him to feel anything but relieved to see her alive now.

She might feel the same since she holds off on asking too many questions. No one does though it's plain to see that they want to. Tora obviously wants to talk about Ted, and it's not until their all leaving that she gets her chance.

"I'm sorry to hear about Ted."

She has no idea how raw it still was, how not that long ago he was talking to his best friend in the flesh. How he had failed Ted once again.

"...You're the first one to say that."

Guy proves how much he's really grown when he lets her hug Booster again.

There are a couple functions that they all attend. Taking on Superbrat-Prime when he's attacking all the heroes at once for the Sinestros' Corps. Then the invite to the Black Canary/Green Arrow wedding which wasn't something he expected given the couples' low opinion of him. Apparently they wanted everyone in the community to come. He almost declines, not wanting to have to deal with more glares from everyone there.

"Didn't you used to say that half the fun of being in this line of work was the parties it involved?"

"Yeah, well things were a little different then, Bruce."

"Just go to the wedding, Michael. Brooding when you don't have to doesn't suit you."

He knows he's being teased in that Bat way but he doesn't care. It's an excuse to hang out with the others and be there for the inevitable fight. At least that was what he thought. The place is jammed packed making it an actual effort to locate anyone. The upper floor is opted merely to get some leg room. From there he can spot the happy couples of Superman and Lois, Scott and Barda and Buddy Baker with his wife. Saving all of time and space hasn't left Booster with a whole lot of room for dating lately. Perhaps going to a wedding wasn't the best idea for someone who was as lonely as him. Sure he had Skeets, Rip, and Shell (Daniel and Rose didn't really count.) And he never did see himself as the long run commitment sort of guy. Still, would have been nice to have been there with someone special.

Could he even be with anyone? Rip hadn't said that he couldn't date but it would be awkward for anything beyond one-night stands. How the hell was he supposed to be in a relationship if he couldn't tell anyone the truth? Who would take him seriously? With that depressing thought in mind he spotted another sore point with his mission. Rather a failed mission of his. Barbara Gordon. She looked stunning in her bridesmaid gown surrounded by flowers. Ted would have already run up to her to warn her that she was threatening to outdo the bride. Michael wasn't Ted though so he stayed rooted to his spot out of her sight.

"I am glad to see you, Booster. I feared that I would not get a chance to see you again."

Absorbed in his own musing he hadn't heard anyone approach him. Seeing J'onn is a breath of fresh air that lightens the burden momentary. Like the prodigal son had returned home welcomed after his grueling ordeal. Maybe he had. J'onn smiles fondly in return gesturing for them to talk away from the gathering.

"I'm the bad penny, I always turn up."

"I hope so. I've been meaning to speak with you for some time now."

Those words are a warning signs these days yet Booster tries not to worry too much. J'onn hasn't been on his case enough to have figured out what he's been doing. He wouldn't invade his thoughts to discover the truth either. The pair manages to find a spot alone, something that would be an impossible feat later on once the rest of the guests arrive.

"Is everything alright? You look greener than usual." Booster says trying to lighten the mood, the weak joke falls on deaf ears.

"I fear that I have not been as forthcoming with you as I should have been. I know that I should have made myself more available--to have sought you out earlier. In my shame I could not. When we all thought that you were dead I realized that my lack of action was a mistake. That I should have been there for you my friend, that perhaps I could prevent any rash thinking if I had."

The martian is earnest, his face reflecting the sincerity of his words. Booster can't help feeling guilty for how his own action have apparently made the other leaguer fret and for feeling oddly pleased to finally be acknowledged by someone like this. Replaying what he said something doesn't click with sudden longing to impart fatherly advise.

"Shame? What do you have to feel--"

"About Ted." His scarlet eyes are searching for something Booster can only guess at. "When he came to me for help I was foolish enough to ignore his warnings. Worse yet I assumed that he was wasting time that it was--"

"Just a joke." He's sick of hearing those words, the same ones that he knows will always be used when people talk about him. Even worse--no one had learned from Teds' death outside of Bruce.

"Yes. I can not express how much I regret it. I have made attempts to bring down Checkmate from the inside to honor his sacrifice for our cause. I am sorry to say that I have failed to do so." It only takes a second for Booster to see the depths of J'onns' sorrow. It's so familiar with his own, tempered with such a similar failure to do some good in Teds' name. He knows that if this talk had happened at an earlier point he might not have been so forgiving. J'onn is making the effort which is a hell of a lot more than most.

"It means something that you tried. Thanks for letting me know." It seems his green friend had thought that there would be more conflict involved. "Don't look so shocked J'onn, despite what you hear I can grow as a person."

They share a smile at this. "I suppose I felt that my actions warranted more. I have been living with this guilt for some time now and believed that I had earned your scorn."

"Nah, not really in a scorn mood. Not just with the wedding and all. If there's one thing I've learned lately it's that it's our efforts that make the difference. As long as we don't give up we're not really failing, even if it seems like it to others. I get that now." The blond had glanced over believing he'd get the same eye rolling reaction Ted and him got for 'trying to be deep in a cheesy fashion' only to discover J'onn studying him proudly.

"I am glad to see you again Michael, not just to unload my burden. If you ever need to speak with me--"

"I know where to find you. Thanks. Could you save me a seat?"

"Of course." J'onn is halfway down the hallway when the shadows moves. Booster can't say that he hadn't seen this coming but he smirks all the same.

"Never saw you as much of the party type." No one answers him of course yet he could almost swear he catches a sigh.

Booster Gold never had a chance to speak with J'onn J'onzz after the wedding. The next time he saw the martian he was dead. The news had hit them all hard, it was the sort of thing he couldn't see anyone of them ever recovering from. J'onn was the very soul of the league, having touched everyone in it in some way. It felt like his death had separated them all in some profound way they had yet to discover. More noticeable to him was how physically separated they were. Couples, family, close friends and teammates were scattered about to each mourn alone. Almost as if it was more bearable than doing it together. Not for the first time he wished that he had someone to turn to at these moments. Neither Rip or Michelle had known J'onn though. Skeets was with him--sort of--he tended to fly off to get a better view of the proceeding from above.

Guy was busy with the other lanterns making sure that they got all the guests to and from Mars safely. Ice was off somewhere, likely with Fire. Somehow Booster had found himself being one of the few close to the coffin. Through the glass he could see his friends' prone body in it's true form looking like J'onn was just asleep. He couldn't even see any noticeable wounds. It would have been nice to have a few moments alone but he's never been good with death. In their world it's ever changing. Booster even thinks he spots a couple people at the funeral that should currently be dead. J'onn was at Michelles' funeral and now even she is back.

Placing a white rose over what he assumes is the aliens' heart Michael hears muttering about himself. How a corporate whore like Booster Gold shouldn't be there to taint the proceedings of a real hero. Whoever is saying it suddenly stopped dead in the midst of his sentence. Glancing over his shoulder he can see why, Batman has arrived reminding all of those present to show respect. It's a quick reassuring clasp on his shoulder that's gone before the others can notice it yet it serves it's purpose. It shows that despite what the others here think Booster has support.

Batman doesn't stand next to anyone really, a couple of odd heroes might stand near him but no one is actually with him. Another hand touches Boosters' shoulder drawing him out of his musings. It's a meaningless comforting gesture that comes from Plastic Man of all people. No one is immune to the great loss they have suffered. Booster only hopes that they can cope with what's to come.