The Present…
Batman had paid little attention to that week's meeting. None of the news affected him or his city, so he decided he wouldn't concern himself with any of it.
Veterans filled four of the other six chairs at the round table. The two seats to Flash's left had remained empty for sometime now.
Five months, to be exact. It had been four months since Ollie's death and less than nineteen since the Joker's.
Ace died seven months ago that very day.
Recently, Batman had been avoiding the League and its missions, paying closer attention to Gotham and its needs.
"Diana will be in Washington this Friday, attending the Global Warming benefit. Can you fill in for her, Batman?" Superman asked. "I know it is short notice, but the rest of us cannot."
"No."
"I wouldn't have asked unless you were the last resort."
Batman paused and noted the slight change in J'onn's expression before he added, "I've decided to submit my resignation."
"What?" Flash blurted just as Superman's eyes widened. Diana stiffened in her chair. Her pink lips slightly parted, as if she wanted to say something.
"Bruce," Superman whispered, "I know these past few years have been difficult for you, and I'm sorry for that."
"I've been neglecting my city."
"You're still part of this team."
"I no longer have the time for the Justice League." He stood from his seat. "You have an ample amount of new recruits. My absence shouldn't be missed."
J'onn spoke next. "This partially has to do with your protégés, Batman. I suggest that you not leave us with anger. Much has come to pass in the last several months, and we have all suffered great loss. You had made it quite clear that you did not want Nightwing to be a part of the League."
"And he was inducted nonetheless," Batman snapped in J'onn's direction. He waited a moment before adding, "A maniac had kidnapped my son, and he is still recuperating from the trauma. My focus should be elsewhere."
Diana finally spoke. "We understand. Your family is important, but we're your family too. We've lost four friends recently, three of whom you knew very well." Her blue eyes lowered for a brief moment. "I beg you to reconsider. You are an asset to this operation."
"You can't leave us too," the Flash pleaded. "Not this soon. We just lost Shayera and John…"
"I've come to the conclusion that I have no other choice." He left the room without another word.
He tried not to wake her as he slipped beneath the covers.
"You're back extremely late."
Bruce had failed.
After yawning, Selina propped her head on her hand. "You didn't get hurt, did you?"
"No."
"But something happened." She sat up to switch on her lamp, and Bruce noticed she wore one of his dress shirts. Its design included thin blue and purple vertical stripes. She had buttoned it dangerously low.
"I resigned from the League."
"I can't say that I'm surprised. It caused you unnecessary stress."
As he continued, he couldn't help but wonder what color panties she wore. "I should have left sooner."
"You mean for Tim?"
"He is only one of the many reasons."
Selina took down her long, raven hair from her messy bun and said, "Speaking of Tim, I got a phone call from Leslie. They had a follow up last week. He's doing well. He's made a lot of progress."
"Progress away from home."
"Well, you did say Tim couldn't quite handle it here, even after a year of therapy. It's better for him to be away from it all."
Bruce nodded. "What would you say if I asked you to move into the manor?"
Selina's green eyes widened. "I'd probably call a therapist for you."
"I'm being serious."
"I know you are. That's what's scaring me." She pulled her knees to her chest, and Bruce caught a glimpse of her violet panties. "I know I basically live here, and you basically sleep at my place when I'm not here."
"But?"
"But I don't know. Why do you want me to move in? I mean, you've just recently revealed your identity to me. Don't you think it's a bit fast?"
He wanted to answer her, wanted to tell her the truth or at least ease her mind.
"I can't," she admitted. "At least, not yet." Selina fluffed her pillow a couple of times and lied back down. "I need to get some sleep, and you do too. You have work in the morning."