The Road Not Taken: The Wyvern Arrives Part XIV
"Thisavros!" Alfred dodged out of the way to avoid being run over as Diana burst into CJ's room. "Are you alright?" She was sitting by her son in an instant.
"Just a bad dream." he whispered as Diana gently embraced him.
"Just a bad dream? You're sweating." Diana was surprised by how pale CJ was. "What was the dream about, us?"
"Something along those lines." he responded in the Amazon's variation of Greek.
"We're here thisavros, we won't leave you, I promise." She noticed something odd, he was trembling. As she was about to say something, her cell phone went off.
"Hello?" the way her face changed, CJ knew what was coming. "I have a family situation that came up, reschedule. No, I don't give a damn what country he represents!"
The look on Diana's face made CJ wonder if his mother would reach through the phone and pull the speaker before her to be systematically deconstructed. The curses that came out of Diana's mouth afterwards he'd only heard directed at someone that had dishonored themselves in the worst possible way, but didn't have the courage to choose an acceptable end. As she turned back to her son he spoke first.
"You have to go." CJ stated.
"I'm sorry thisavros, I"
"I heard mom. Have a safe trip back to the Embassy. I'll see you later." Diana kissed her son on the forehead before she left.
After a shower CJ was in the cave interfacing with the Batcave's main computer when he found out he wasn't alone.
"What's going on between you and Supergirl?!" CJ turned around to see his father's face tightened with anger.
"Hi dad, I'm feeling a lot better this morning, thank you so much for asking." though the remark seemed meant as a joke, there was no humor in CJ's eyes.
"That isn't funny CJ, you allowed yourself to be hurt because you got close to someone who"
"Do yourself a favor and shut up while you're ahead." CJ growled as he turned back to the computer. "For the record, how many of those scars you have are from your desire to protect the innocent?"
"Protecting Gotham is our mission, things like that happen." Bruce responded almost automatically.
"Oh, don't even try to hand me that 'Mission' bullshit!" He sensed the motion even as his father's hand landed on his shoulder. "If you wish to keep that arm, I suggest you move it."
"We can't let things like this happen CJ, until you can get your mind back on doing your job, you're off active duty." His son's laugh surprised him, because it was completely devoid of mirth.
"Are you actually going to try to send me to my room without supper dearest papa?" CJ bit out through clenched teeth.
"What about this do you find so funny Wyvern?" He rounded on Bruce so fast he couldn't even follow the movement.
"One; my name is Christian Wayne. Two; any of your pathetic little arguments and idiosyncrasies are voided by one simple fact."
"The fact is we can't afford relationships son, they're a dangerous distraction." Bruce interrupted.
"Wrong, I'm here. That proves your love for mom works, you're just too damned afraid to see that!" Bruce's shoulder tensed and a fraction of eye blink later CJ had two finger pressed into said shoulder deep enough to bruise.
"You need to grow up son, real life isn't like a fairy tale." Bruce coldly sneered. CJ's pupils narrowed into angry slits as his eyes started to glow.
"How dare you speak in such a manner you ignorant little child!" Bruce's eyes flared in anger
"What did you just call me?" Bruce nearly shouted.
"A child, running away from the fact that he has dishonored the memory of my grandparents." Had Diana been present she would have called in the Justice League for backup, so intent did the two men she cared the most for seem upon open melee.
"I do what I do to make sure no one else has to go through the pain that I did." he could see the fire dancing in his father's eyes.
"Well then you failed Batman." Now CJ sneered as he spoke "I found your ashes in what was left of the Batmobile alongside the ashes of Robin. I followed a trail of blood to where my mother left me a message on the main computer with her last breath. I was nearly eighteen when I lost my family, so do not dare try to speak to me of not knowing pain!"
"Wonder Woman, is everything all right?" the delegates arguing over trade rights all stopped as Diana had dropped her glass.
"Forgive me, but I need to be excused." Diana started towards the door.
"We will accept the proposed compromise, if you stay but a little longer I'm sure we will have this all worked out." Oddly enough, the two delegates that were arguing were both parents, they unknowingly noted the special kind of concern that came over Diana. Within ten minutes the trade dispute had reached a mutually beneficial end and the receptionist approached Diana.
"Ambassador, would it be possible for us to move up?" the assistant was nearly run over as Diana almost flew out of the conference room.
"Cancel all my other appointments, I have a family situation I must attend to." Diana was already half way to her own chambers.
"Your mother wishes to" one of the guards tried to speak, not knowing how determined the Princess was.
"Tell her I'll call her later!" Diana shouted as she left, she needed to get to Gotham because of one thing she knew in her heart: her son needed her.
"If you know that pain, then you should know why we can't allow those things to happen son. I would hope I raised you better than that." Bruce didn't know why his son was just not listening.
"I followed all those lessons from your early career. As a result the woman that cared for me just a dearly as my own mother did used her last breath to tell me she loved me. Thanks to your lessons my heart died in my own hands. Kara took a bullet for me, literally! I warn you, if you say one word against her actions, or chastise me for having my mother's heart I will knock your head across this damn hidey hole of yours!" CJ should have been shouting, but his voice was low and clear.
"You're being irrational son." Bruce stated.
"I'm being human and unafraid dad. I'm not you, I never will be. That's why I became The Wyvern. I'm not making the same mistakes you did and I damn sure won't turn tail and run away from what may be the best thing that could happen to me." CJ couldn't believe he was having this argument with his father.
"You're making a mistake and you'll only end up hurting someone and being hurt in return." Another humorless laugh echoed through the cave.
"I never would've believed this." The sadness in his son's eyes gave Bruce pause. "I never would have imagined the man I looked up to and admired my whole life was such a fucking coward!"
Diana arrived in the cave half an hour after she felt the surge of emotions from CJ, and found the sole occupant standing in the same spot he'd been cemented to since the argument had ended.
"Bruce, what happened, where's CJ?" Diana asked breathlessly.
"Master Christian left the manor after a rather heated argument with Master Bruce." the faithful butler spoke up as he entered the cave.
"Alfred!" Bruce really didn't need this.
"You had an argument with our son? He just recovered from his injuries Bruce, what were you thinking?!" His silence spoke volumes. "Oh Hera, please tell me you didn't…"
"I'm afraid he did Miss Diana." Alfred queued the cave surveillance recording of the argument. After watching it she agreed with her son, but, had some concerns.
"Hera help me thisavros, I should wash your mouth out with soap for that language." she then rounded on Bruce. "Tell me you don't honestly believe all that Bruce."
"You know I do Diana, it's the truth." he answered.
"Right, when you can look me in the eyes and tell me that with any kind of conviction I'll believe you." Bruce turned to leave, only to find his way barred by Alfred.
"Master Christian does have a valid point Master Bruce, he is living proof that you can be happy." Alfred's words were accompanied by a warm smile.
"Isn't seeing him proof that it's worth it to try Bruce?" Diana almost pleaded.
"Marriage and kids was never part of the plan Princess." he deflected.
"Yet we have a son, and before you try to steal his argument, I know he's my son as certain as if I'd birthed him on this world." The strength of the love and conviction in Diana's face was almost too much for him.
"You deserve to be happy Bruce." Diana ran her fingers across his cheek. "Don't we deserve a chance?" For once in his life, Bruce had no counterarguments or contingencies.
"No, I don't think you were justified thisavros… Yes you made good points, but your language was appalling!" Diana left Wayne Manor after sharing a meal and a meaningful talk with Bruce.
"I don't find this very funny either young man." The chuckles on the other end of the line stopped.
"You can make it up to me by coming back to the Embassy." She thought she was prepared for his counter offer, she was wrong.
"What do you mean you finally have your place presentable, what have you been doing there?" His question made her laugh.
"If I had any clue I wouldn't have asked the question thisavros. What's the address?" The chime for an incoming text message was instantaneous.
"How do you do that?" Even as she asked the question another text came through, this one making her laugh harder.
'Probably because I know you too well mitera.'
'Three, two, one.' CJ opened the door even as Diana was raising a hand to knock.
"Stop doing that." Diana narrowed her eyes at her son.
"Squinting will give you crows feet mitera." CJ spoke without looking up.
"Seriously Christian, we need to talk." He knew this was no time for jokes as his mother used his given name.
"Forgive me mitera, but, I will not allow him here until he stops running from the truth." Diana was torn, she knew her son was right, but, she had to take this chance. She'd never really thought about a family so soon, but, now that she had one… she wanted to keep it together so badly she almost couldn't bear it. A warm sweet scent shook her from her contemplation.
"What's this?" she looked down at the steaming mug.
"Apple cider, what does it look like?" CJ seemed surprised as he handed his mother a mug.
"I can see that." she stated the obvious.
"Well, you got me started with this, why are you so surprised?" Diana took a sip from her mug, her delay was telling.
"What's wrong mitera?" he could sense her uneasiness.
"Thisavros, there's something I need you to understand." He heard the heartbeat before the doorbell rang.
"There was a reason I only gave you the address." His voice was cold as he approached the door.
"Well, at least you didn't send Alfred to the door first." Bruce's glare was met equally by his son. After a while he noticed his father's eyes soften.
"CJ, son, can I come in?" his voice was more cautious than CJ had ever heard.
"Knock yourself out, I was just leaving. Deus, is the Moon Dragon ready?" CJ really didn't want another argument.
"Yeah CJ, but, I think you may want to stay for a bit." Deus tired to negotiate.
"Deus, lock up after they leave, then enter sleep mode." CJ turned back to his parents. "I'm leaving in five minutes, say your peace." To Bruce's surprise it was Diana that broke the silence.
"Don't do this!" as she moved forward she forgot the mug in her hands.
"Thisavros, please! I don't want my family to be." Diana stopped as a grimace crossed her son's face. His arm had moved so fast to grab the falling mug that he dumped half it's contents across his hand and wrist. She grabbed the hand towel CJ had tossed over his shoulder and covered his wrist as Bruce grabbed ice packs from the freezer.
"Don't bother." CJ stated, with no hint of pain in his voice.
"Thisavros, you may've been burned." Diana moved to check his hand again.
"No, I haven't. " he looked into his mother's eyes. "I've always had a high tolerance to heat." He calmly walked to the sink and ran his wrist under the faucet.
"You shouldn't use warm water son, that'll cause it to burn." Bruce moved to stop his son.
"I very much doubt that Mr. Wayne, I just don't want my wrist getting gummed up by the cider." Bruce's eyes were wide at the name CJ called him by.
"Son, please, don't do this." the shock in Bruce's voice was clear.
"This is what you want Mr. Wayne. I will no longer trespass upon Wayne Manor. Your precious mission will be safe." As CJ turned away from his father he didn't see the pain that crossed his face.
"Mitera, I'll call before I show up at the Embassy, I just need to think about some things. Clear my head for a while." He gave Diana a kiss on the cheek before he walked out the door.
"What have I done?" Bruce whispered, he felt like CJ had shoved a knife into his heart.
"Don't give up hope Bruce." Diana spoke up. "When CJ spoke to you, I could feel the emotions he had."
"My son hates me." the pain was evident in his eyes.
"No, he doesn't" Diana was surprised when Bruce's shoulders seemed to sag as she embraced him. "CJ was just as hurt as you were when he spoke those words. I think he left so he wouldn't have to let us see the pain he was in."
"I should've stopped him… why the hell did I let him go?" Bruce was cursing himself for not following his feelings and speaking up to counter his son.
"He'll come back Bruce, he wants his family to be whole just as much as we do." Diana spoke up, hoping it happened sooner rather than later.
"You know CJ." Dues started tentatively.
"For the love of Christ almighty Deus, I know how much of a bastard I've been. Dad needs to see for himself that his rules and guidelines should be revised. As much as I hate it, this is the only way he'll see that." CJ admitted.
"I guess on the bright side, you didn't throw him out." When he got no response Deus was pleasantly surprised. "CJ?"
"Yeah, I know Deus… still feel like a total piece of shit for that though. Is the Lotus out of storage?" he inquired.
"Yes, you said you needed to clear your head, so, where to for awhile to allow for the head clearing?" There were a myriad for different choices he could make, but, all the ones in Gotham would allow his parents to find him. He was trying to think of where to go when the image of Kara, water from the Gotham Harbor shining on her face, entered his mind. 'For once, I'm going to do something strictly for me.'
"You know what Deus? Fuck it! We're going to Metropolis." CJ decided.
A/N: I hope the difference in how CJ treats his mother as opposed to his father aren't too muddled. Despite his costume choice CJ is still Diana's son. His being half-Themyscirian will be an almost constant guide for who he becomes.