Justice League Nuptials 125
Bruce Wayne and Barbara Gordon made it to Commissioner Gordon's side later that evening. Barbara stayed by her convalescing father's side while Bruce and J'onn stepped out of the room to confer. The Martian's news was grim.
"The Commissioner has been conditioned to kill Batman and his partners on sight." J'onn began in a whisper, "We've managed to thwart that programming but it is still his first impulse. During trials, moments of stress, or fatigue the conditioning may win out."
"You don't know Jim Gordon." Bruce said in steely tones, "He'll beat this."
"Yes, I know. I've been inside his mind." J'onn replied, "However, the impulse will still be there until he has completely conquered it."
"How long will that take?" Bruce asked.
"However long it takes." Was J'onn's cryptic answer, "Every human mind heals at its own rate. I know Gordon will heal. I just can't estimate how long it will take."
"So what happens to him now?" Bruce wondered.
"I've given my report to Dr. Schubert. He will prepare a battery of psychological and psychiatric tests. Once Gordon clears those, he will return to the force after a recommended period of rest." J'onn answered.
"I'll see to it that he gets his rest." Bruce vowed.
J'onn nodded his head, "I know you will. Now, I must say my goodbyes. Congratulate your junior partners. They held this city together until the League could respond."
"Yes, I know." Bruce replied, "I was briefed on the flight up here. It sounds as though Supergirl and Mary Marvel took quite a beating while holding out."
"Mary has been healed by the power of Shazam." J'onn revealed, "Supergirl's injuries should last her a handful of days."
"Ah, the wonders of Kryptonians and Argoan healing factors." Bruce shifted his back, "If only we all had them."
"Yes, that would be convenient." J'onn mused, "But now I'm off."
J'onn said his goodbyes to Gordon, who was sad to see him go. They'd grown quite close due to the intimacy of their telepathic bond. Gordon owed the Martian Manhunter his sanity and he knew it. Like with Batman and the safety of the city, it was not a debt he could ever repay nor would he have to.
Later that evening, Barbara stayed with her father while Bruce returned to the manor. As he stepped out of his car, he spotted a Detroit muscle car discreetly parked next to the garage. Knowing who would drive such a car he wasn't surprised to find the Question waiting for him inside the house.
"Question." He said as Alfred helped him out of his coat.
"Mr. Wayne." The Question tipped his hat, "We need to talk. Or, more specifically, I need to talk to Batman."
Bruce turned to Alfred, "Is Dick here?"
"He's in the cave, Master Bruce." Alfred replied, "And Master Tim is in bed. He and Master Dick had quite an evening at Arkham Asylum containing the other patients after the Legion of Doom absconded with the usual Rogues' Gallery."
"Thank you. I need to speak with the pair of them." Bruce declared.
"Should I rouse Master Tim?" Alfred reluctantly asked.
"No." Bruce gently decided, "He's earned his rest. I'll speak to him in the morning."
Bruce turned to the Question, "Follow me but I suppose you already know where the entrance is."
"Behind the infamous clock." The Question chimed up.
"I'd like to know how you've figured all of this out." Bruce admitted, "I don't suppose you learned this by going through my trash?"
"You've sanitized most of your garbage. Little is revealed by it. You should see what the US President's says about him." The Question chuckled.
Bruce decided not to touch that one as he led the Question down the stone staircase to the Bat Cave. In its bowels resided the powerful computer system that Barbara had spent the last nine months upgrading. Dick Grayson sat in front of it.
Dick had changed out of his Nightwing togs. One shower later he felt human again. Alfred had brought him soup and sandwiches and his strength was returning. He felt sorry for Tim.
Tim had changed and showered. Afterwards he devoured a rather large meal that Alfred had prepared. He'd headed straight to bed after he finished his meal. Dick could remember those days and knew that Tim would recover…he just wouldn't want to.
He heard Bruce and the Question coming down the stairs. He recognized Bruce's footfalls but the second pair was a stranger's. He turned to see who it was following Bruce and was surprised to find the Question in tow. He was surprised since the Question was supposed to be helping Dick find the Joker.
"Hello Dick." Bruce said, "I hear congratulations are in order."
Dick was immediately suspicious, "What do you mean?"
"Supergirl and Mary Marvel are getting most of the credit for keeping the Legion at bay until help could arrive." Bruce relayed, "But from what I've heard, it was you and Tim organizing the GPD that started to turn the tide. The radio was also full of reports of your actions at Arkham tonight. I'd say that the two of you have proven yourselves tonight."
"Who are you and what have you done with Batman?" Dick asked.
"I spent a few hours with Ra's al Ghul trying to recruit me. He undoubtedly still wants me as his successor. It made me think of mine." Bruce admitted, "I'm not getting any younger. The day is coming when I won't be able to be Batman. You and Tim can pick up the mantle then."
"What about Barbara?" Dick wondered.
"She's getting more involved with her Police work. I expect that she'll abandon the costume altogether in the near future." Bruce revealed.
"And how will that affect the two of you?" Dick had to ask.
"I respect her and her decisions." Bruce said, "The only part of it that I have difficulties with will be her using a gun. I trained her better than that."
"Ahem." The Question cleared his throat, "I hate to interrupt but I do have other pressing business in Hub City."
"What are you doing here?" Dick hotly spouted, "You're supposed to be finding the Joker."
"I already found him." The Question disclosed, "He was in Los Angeles."
"How'd…?" Dick sputtered.
The Question shrugged, "It's what I do. He's in Bailya now. The Crimson Queen is holding a banquet in honor of the Legion of Doom. It should be in the early morning hours in that time zone now."
"What about our bugs?" Bruce asked, "Have the picked up anything yet?"
"The Wild Huntsman is still in Venezuela." The Question answered, "Black Canary and Green Arrow are monitoring the bugs' signals and half an hour ago they reported that the Huntsman was meeting with President Chavez. Nothing else of note has happened since."
"Keep on it." Bruce urged, "It'll pay off eventually."
"I know." The Question replied, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I have a drug cartel to close down."
"How can you be here if you have crooks to bag?" Dick asked.
"I have the Huntress watching them." The Question stated.
"Isn't New York her home territory?" Bruce inquired.
"Not anymore." Was the Question's simple answer.
"Oh." Bruce and Dick said in stereo. What else could be said?
"Goodbye for now." The Question started up the stairs, "Give my best to Commissioner Gordon."
Bruce and Dick exchanged an amused glance. Then Bruce asked Dick what he was up to. Dick included him in his search and they sat down and worked on the problem like they'd used to.
In Bailya, it was in the early hours of the next day. The Legionnaires were still reveling. Many had disappeared. They'd found discreet places to spend time with courtesans and handmaidens.
Luthor had been amused by the Queen's obvious slight by placing Black Adam in the place of highest honor. After the festivities dwindled, The Crimson Queen still saw him. Adam was there as well standing in as her bodyguard.
"Your Majesty," Luthor offered her a weary smile, "thank you for your courtesies. The evening was fantastic."
"Your work in Gotham has shifted public opinion in a positive direction." The Queen smiled slyly, Opinion is divided even amongst the permanent members of the UN Security Council. China and France offered a proposal to disband the Justice League. The US, the UK, and Russia vetoed it but it's a start."
"It's only a matter of time before costumed adventurers are banned." Luthor promised, "Then Bailya will hold a monopoly on super humans and we will be able to strike anywhere and at any time unopposed."
"And Bailya's diplomatic position will enable her to be the ideal refuge. And our elevation to a nuclear power will ensure our survival." The Queen replied.
Luthor hesitated, "Nuclear power?"
The Crimson Queen's eyes glittered with a feral madness, "We have constructed our first H-bomb. Fifty more are being assembled as we speak. After that, we'll be able to triple production. Our orbital booster rockets are being retrofitted into ICBM's. None of the other nuclear "club" members will be able to escape our vengeance if they should try and invade."
"Wouldn't that be an overreaction?" Luthor asked, "You do have nearly a hundred Legionnaires at your disposal as well as dozens of other meta-humans. Isn't that enough?"
"No!" the Queen snapped, "None of you are truly loyal to me. You're all mercenaries. And you and your Legion are trying to conquer the world. You'll abandon Bailya as soon as it's profitable for you to do so."
Luthor remained silent. She spoke the truth and they both knew it. They were both opportunists and they would use one another as long as there was a mutual benefit. If it furthered his cause, Luthor would readily betray the Crimson Queen and deliver her to the World Court for trial.
Of course, Luthor mused, Black Adam would try and kill me.
Knowing that he was facing an implacable opponent he withdrew and returned to the Dome. He fought the urge to rebuild Brainiac and wisely chose to check on Grodd first. The simian was resting comfortably. Luthor changed out his fluids and then retired to bed.
He was more exhausted than he'd ever been before. He was even too tired to satisfy his carnal lusts. That's when he knew he'd pushed himself too hard. Tomorrow would be a new day. Perhaps he'd serve up a fresh conquest then.
In Metropolis Clark finished cooking up a Chinese dinner for Diana. They settled down in his dining nook and partook of the meal. Diana ate it with relish.
"This is good!" she exclaimed between bites.
"At least you have a healthy appetite." Clark grinned.
She smiled back, "The advantages of being an immortal, unchanging Amazon."
"Could that ever change?" Clark wondered.
"There are ways." Diana said with a husky quality to her voice.
Clark noted the tone behind her answer but he wasn't certain why it was there. Opting to take the coward's way out, he ignored it. He told himself that he was imagining it.
"So, what do you want to do after dinner?" Clark asked.
Diana seemed vaguely disappointed but she readily answered, "I'm just a visitor in this town. You show me around."
Clark smiled, "Actually, we never finished our tour of New York. Its nightlife is world famous. Let's find out what it's like being average citizens. If we get bored we can drop and visit Kara or another friend of mine. She'd love to meet you."
"She?" Diana sounded irritated.
"Lana Lang." Clark explained, "We grew up together. We've been friends forever. I think she wanted to be more at one time but that day is done."
That seemed to mollify Diana, "Why would we want to see her?"
"Lana's a fashion designer." Clark grinned, "She'd love to create something special for you."
"Is that a bribe?" Diana's elegant eyebrow arched.
"Yup." Clark smirked, "Did it work?"
"All right." Diana loosed a theatrical faux sigh, "Let's see your friend."
"Let me make a call." Clark replied, "She may not be in and you won't have to worry about it. It'd be great if she could meet you though."
Diana suddenly realized that Clark wanted to show her off. This Lana Lang was his oldest friend and he wanted her opinion of Diana. She not only felt better, she was enthusiastic.
"Good news." Clark said as he moved from the living room to the dining area, "Lana's in. She's dying to meet you."
"Good." Diana said as she rose and came to stand next to Clark, "The feeling's mutual."
Clark wondered what had brought about the change but he wasn't going to argue with it, "Shall we be off then?"
"You want to stay in street attire?" Diana was surprised.
Clark grinned and held out his hand, "Who's going to see?"
Diana accepted his hand and held it. A ripple of pleasure ran through her at this miniscule gesture. He was putting his trust in her and that meant more than anything.
They took off from his balcony and headed south towards New York. Their hands were joined the entire time. Even Clark had to admit that it felt good to hold her hand. Almost unbidden, his mind began to imagine other possibilities.