"I… I don't know what to say… I can't be worthy of that?" Raven stammers as she regards the black pointy eared costume sections hanging on the rack staring back at her.

In her eyes it looks like an all black version of Batman's costume, complete with long armored gloves with scallops attached to the sides, heavy looking boots and a sand-gray utility belt. There are differences however, it is most notably the silhouette of the eye-catching yellow bat emblem across the chest and that the cowl will completely cover the wearer's face, where Batman has his mouth and jaw visible, this one is covered by a piece of black cloth. As is the eyes that leaves the wearer to be essentially faceless.

"Yes you are." Raven almost jumps as Barbara speaks up, revealing her presence. "You have the basic skills needed, you are determined and you will do what it takes to save lives giving little thought about what it may result in for yourself."

"But…?" Raven manages as she is overwhelmed, she didn't come to Gotham for this, she never even imagined they would consider it.

"I will explain." Bruce says. "I see a huge potential in you Raven and I want you in Gotham. Outside this cave, the gangs and hoodlums are growing worse than before and as much I hate to admit it, we need help. But we need the human kind and this is where I tell you of the restrictions I am going to impose on you if you take up the offer. Because Gotham is the way it is, we are low on actual meta human threats, and I want it to be kept that way, we have enough to deal with the endless line of psychos this city produces and a collection of the strongest organized crime families in the US. If a superhuman like yourself begins operating here in the open, you will draw the attention of other meta humans and short sighted demons that will come here just for you. This city can't take those as well and deal with the latest rampage. So if you choose to accept, all those powers you possess, they will stay hidden at all time, unless in the most dire circumstances."

"So you have to do this like an ordinary human." Barbara surmises.

"But what about?" Raven asks as she plinks her bracelet. "According to Diana, I am more resilient to blunt damage and…"

"I know and there is an old craft that teaches the student how to ignore pain, I have lost count on how many times some thug just stares at me after he hit me. As for your massive strength, I will teach you how to fight without needing to employ it. You will know where light touches from you can prove almost crippling, our opponents won't ever know you can lift a truck." Bruce continues.

"And the League and the Amazons?" Raven asks.

"This one is on me." Barbara says. "Gotham is notorious for its solitary Bat-family, but only two are known to have any connections to the League. Then there's Raven, a team player, once a defender of Jump City, has recently been revealed to be an Amazon then as a powerful half-demon and a member of the Justice League. And that is where the Raven needs to be, out there and face down the invasions and the super-threats this world faces. But when not dealing with those, how one know where Raven goes and waits?"

"This is the deal." Bruce cuts in. "If you choose to take it, you can operate in Gotham as a member of this outfit. But you will have to leave Raven behind, she works with the League and the Shadowpact and deals with the threats they face, but here you wear that and follow the rules that follow it. And unless I tell you otherwise, for now, that costume stays in Gotham. Remember, this is a sacred trust I am offering you, but I know you are up to it."

"This isn't just because of what we have been through?" Raven asks Bruce.

"No, I asked Barbara for her approval of this the day you met her. But before that, when I sent you away to find Richard in Jump City, if you had been rejected by him and come back here, I would have tested you and if you proved up to it, you could have been the second Robin. What that would have been like, I don't know, but I am certain you would not be the same person you are today."

"And you?" Raven asks as she turns to Barbara.

"You have my approval, from what I hear, you have literally gone through hell to bring Bruce and the others back, and leapt to shield some kid from several tons of falling masonry with your own body even if you didn't know if it would injure you. Also, you are smart, which will save you in this business longer than any amount of superpowers will. And I think it is time for me to pass on my mantle." She pauses for a second. "Better not ruin it." She adds with a smile.

"I… I'm overwhelmed." Raven manages. "I didn't expect this."

"Think about how your friends will react when they find out." Barbara adds, the image of one slack-jawed Richard, two collapsed boys and a wondering Starfire brings a smile to Raven's face.

But it also sends a lot of other thoughts racing through her mind. By accepting this, she could be put on the reserve list of the League as she will be spending most of her time here in Gotham. Would Diana and Hippolyta accept it? Could she even handle having this many places to feel responsible for? Then another thought enters her head, this would force her to be human, no magic, no extreme displays of superhuman powers, just her pretending to be human, like Clark Kent. But then it strikes her, they are all trying to blend in and just be human when not dealing with wrongdoers, she may have been running from one situation into the next ever since returning to Gotham, but there were bound to be times when she had to sit on the sideline.

"So what do you think?" Bruce asks, as she seems to come back to them.

"It will be difficult to juggle with it all, but I will try and live up to the faith you are showing me." She says as she looks him in the eyes before she, to the surprise of both Bruce and Barbara, hugs him. "Thank you." Bruce just smiles before patting her back.

"Reminds me of the night you finally gave me your approval to be around." Barbara says as Raven lets go.

"Sorry, that was out of character." Raven says as she straightens up. "So I guess I have to take a new name with this?"

"Well, I think Batgirl is the most appropriate since it would seem like you are married to Bruce if you go for Batwoman." Barbara says before getting a hug as well.

"And the Shadow is still wanted for twelve counts of assault and is considered extremely dangerous." Bruce adds.

"Pity, I kinda liked that name. But Batgirl flies again?" Raven sighs as she lets go of Barbara.

"That she does." Barbara confirms. "Now how about that dessert? I am not going to miss out on Alfred's chocolate soufflé."

"Good idea, but one thing Raven, let's keep this between us till we are going to send off John's ring." Bruce adds.

"Richard will fall off a building." Raven replies. "So when is the first flight?"

"Tomorrow night unless something pops up, I have requested a single night off; we have a reason to celebrate." Bruce says as he effortlessly drifts back into his playboy persona. "After all today's paper reads that Wayne Enterprises has acquired Lex Corp, thanks to the almost suspicious actions of a purple headed woman and a pile of recently acquired documents."

"There you are; what kept you?" Richard asks as the three appear back in the dining room as the rest are halfway through their soufflé. "You look a little flushed Rae?"

"It's nothing." Raven replies dryly.

"Nope, you always say that when it's something." Richard counters before taking another mouthful.

"But I am not going to tell you." Raven finishes before taking her first spoon full. "This is good." She notes, partially to move the subject along and also because it's true, making Raven wonder why Starfire, Cyborg and Beastboy aren't through theirs yet.

"Told you." Barbara replies as she digs in as well.

"So Bruce what were you three doing?" Richard continues.

"Private conversation."

"Barbara?" Richard tries.

"Not tonight Rich, I haven't had Alfred's soufflé in ages." Barbara continues.

"And it's delicious." Lois adds. "Any chance Alfred will part with the recipe?"

"Bound to be a family secret or something." Wally adds.

"Not necessarily Mister West, I happened upon it on the back of a milk carton." Alfred replies as he walks in, getting smirks out of Tim, Bruce and Raven who spot the sarcasm. "But I do hope the taste is adequate."

"Think the table agrees that everything was delicious." Clark says as he wipes the corners of his mouth with his napkin.

"Yup. To the chef." Cyborg says as he holds up his glass, which is followed by the rest of them.

"Why thank you." Alfred replies as he bows slightly.

"So perhaps it's time to send off that old ring of mine?" John suggest as he sees Raven, Bruce and Barbara pick up pace to finish up.

"Probably a good idea, but dressed like this?" Shayera asks as she looks down herself.

"I think we should send it off as it has come to know us." Clark continues.

"A good idea, Raven would you mind getting the lantern and the ring, they are in the vault." Bruce says as he finishes, casting a quick look at the ceiling, Raven gives him a slight nod before getting up knowing what he was talking about. She can't actually help herself when she teleports down to the cave.

"You wouldn't think this is Gotham." John notes at the stars above him, as he is standing with J'onn, Lois, Linda, Wally, Starfire, Beastboy, Cyborg, Helena and Barbara, waiting for the others to appear.

"Yeah, I thought it was always cloudy here?" Wally adds.

"Well it has sunshine in the daytime too." Cyborg replies.

"On average, Gotham has 15% more overcast weather than other cities due to its situation." Batman says as he emerges from the house followed by Nightwing and Robin.

"Who would have thought a few hundred miles would make such a difference?" Lois adds thinking about Metropolis.

"Well in this weather you will be lucky if you can see the bat signal." Tim adds.

"Don't tempt fate Tim, may be one of the very rare quiet nights." Richard continues.

"Guess a quiet night for you is only a handful of criminals." Beastboy says.

"Actually it is." Richard continues. "But if the special cases are out we take that as a handful, even if that is the only one."

"Reminds me, we need to discuss Luthor at some point." Bruce sighs. "We don't know how much he knows from his exposure to the Spectre."

"I wouldn't worry too much about that." Richard says. "I kept an eye on him since Jump, Waller has him in a medically induced coma, apparently scared that he may have some leftover juice. She's been calling the station several times to hear when J'onn is back from his 'trip to Mars' to have a look at him."

"Well that's good to hear." Clark says. "I'd hate to come home to an irradiated apartment, so what do we do when he gets up?" He says, despite the risk, he was certain Luthor would one day wake up.

"Well, I would dig up the skeleton in our closet, but I know it's not up for discussion." Shayera says as she exits the building with Diana right behind her.

"It was a mistake to do it in the first place; it will be the same again." John shrugs.

"This some big secret of the League we aren't supposed to hear?" Cyborg asks noticing how they are obviously uncomfortable with this reminder.

"Before you met him, Dr. Light learned the identity of the Elongated Man, being the coward that he is; he went after his wife Sue instead." Batman says. "I and a few others, including Zatanna got wind of it. They arrived first and found out what he had done to her. When I got there, there had been a vote amongst them to have Zatanna erase Light's memories and 'clean him up a little' and she was just finishing up. I have a rule that has since become League policy, we are never to alter a person's personality, as much as we might want to in some cases. I tried to enforce that back then, in return, Zatanna erased my memory of ever being there."

"Man, and this is the guy we took as a complete fool?" Cyborg says as he rubs his head.

"Did the Sue survive?" Starfire asks.

"She did, she's fine today, but it took her half a year to get over it." Batman replies.

"Not to breach the regulations or anything, but what if Luthor knows?" Linda asks. "I know some of you are hard to get to, but me and Lois aren't. And we both know how long an arm Luthor has."

"We can for starters hand out league communicators or alarms, as a safety measure." Wally suggests. "And follow company policy?"

"It will do for starters." Batman says. "As long as Luthor is out, the threat is for now minimal and none of you should have to move or change names because of this."

"So where's Rae with that ring? Isn't she the last one missing?" Beastboy asks, trying to lighten the mood.

"I've been here for the last five minutes, admiring the view." Raven says from above them.

"She sure is… quiet?" Superman says as he looks up with rest of them, spotting a single figure standing on the ridge of the roof, with her back to the moon, her silhouette shows off the pointed ears and the cape falling behind her and the large lantern in her left hand, the others just stare, while Bruce and Barbara smiles slightly.

The figure remains up there for a second more before sliding down the copper plates of the roof, just before the reaching the gutter she leaps into a forwards somersault and drops the eight meters down, turning around in mid air and spreads her cape out that acts like a parachute before landing in a crouch in the middle of the assembly on the terrace before getting up.

"That has got to be, the most awesome thing that I have ever seen!" Beastboy exclaims after a second of strange silence.

"Sister?" Diana asks not believing her own eyes.

"Rae… is that… you?" Richard asks, equally failing to believe what he is seeing even if he knew it was.

"No, Raven is a member of the Justice League and an Amazon. You can call me Batgirl." The figure says while the covered mouth piece reveals a teasing smile. Richard just stares some more, like Beastboy and Cyborg do.

"Then, you are not friend Raven?" Starfire asks almost timidly.

"Bruce, I am not just seeing things?" Wally asks.

"No, this is as real as any of us and a deal I've made with Raven, she has proved to many that she is in the League and an Amazon. As you all know about the rules I have about this city and the reasons I enforce them, this is what she will do to operate here. She is still a Leaguer and an Amazon and you can still call her when you need her help." Batman says as he moves to stand behind Raven and puts his hands on her shoulders in an almost fatherly manner. John nods and pulls a mock pout telling them he is impressed.

"Well, I have to say that, I guess none of us here expected it, but congratulation kid. Let just hope my ring doesn't have you deported back to Oa." He says as Diana steps forwards to stand right in front of Raven with her balled fists on her hips.

"So another allegiance made Sister?"

"Yes, do you disapprove?" Raven asks, some of the others do manage to wonder if Wonder Woman would disapprove during the few seconds they wait for a reply.

"You join forces with the most formidable man on the planet, no I do not disapprove, but I expect you to bring your knowledge back to Themyscira." Diana says sternly before smiling at her.

"I will." Raven says. "So how about we see where this goes?" She asks and holds up the lantern.

"Good idea." John says as he takes it from her. "Got the ring too?" Raven picks the small green object out of one of her belt compartments and flips it to him. Beastboy is oddly enough reminded a movie he once saw as John regards his old badge of office. "It's strange, you know? It's such a small thing, yet it's widely considered the most powerful weapon in the universe. I hope it finds someone other than that other guy."

"Well the ultimate asshole as a GL sounds like fun too." Shayera adds.

"So how do we do this?" Wally asks.

"Honestly, I don't know. The rings always find their own bearers; this will be one of the few times a Lantern retires before he's dead." John replies.

"So are you going to toss it into the air?" Beastboy asks.

"No, I think it's out of juice." He says as he holds the Lantern out in front of him. Putting his fist with the ring inside of it, he recites the oath as green energy begins streaming out of the lantern:

"In brightest day, in blackest night!

No evil shall escape my sight!

Let those who worship evil's might

Beware my power

Green Lantern's light!"

As the light dies away and John retracts his hand and opens his palm, they can all see the ring glow green as it hovers up circle over their heads.

"Green Lantern of sector 2814 deceased, scanning sector for sentie…warning, ring compromised… patching uplink to Oa… stand by." John's eyes go wide at the information.

"MOVE!" He yells as a green flash is emitted a few seconds after they have hurried away, with Barbara quickly being moved away with the help of Wally.

As the bright green flash dies away, there is a new group of people occupy the terrace, Ganthet with three other guardians two males and a female accompanied by the four Lantern's; Hal Jordan, Kilowog, Katma Tui and another human with what can best be described as a pot cut style of hair as it is long down to a line that goes just under the tip of his ears while his uniform is the usual green and black and white, his only green is on his vest and the white is only on his boots, gloves and the wide belt he wears. Through the dinner party is quickly reached the unspoken agreement to hide the identities, and so does Lois and Linda.

"Well this hardly looks apocalyptic to me." The unknown human says, sounding slightly disappointed.

"Gotham is a rough town Guy, but it's not a circle of hell." John says as he stands up from behind the railing he had taken refuge behind. "And believe me, I've seen it."

"What the…pPoozzer! It's you!" Kilowog exclaims as he recognizes John. "Whataya doin' outta' uniform?"

"John? They told us you were dead?" Katma asks.

"Well, we all were." John says as the others emerge as well. "Temporarily, so what brings you all here?"

"Hold up, I wanna be out of Gotham before I bump into…" Guy says as he backs away from the other and right into. "him." He says as he slowly turns around and finds Batman staring at him.

"Gardner, I thought I told you to stay out?" The man in black rumbles.

"Despite the quarrel with Green Lantern of sector 2814 Guy Gardener, our presence here was believed necessary when contact was reestablished with your ring." The female guardian says. "We are however perplexed John Steward of Earth, how you were reported deceased, yet you stand before us now?"

"Well that would be her fault." John says pointing out Raven who is standing behind Guy.

"WOW! Jeez!" The man says as he notices her as well. "Damn it Bats do you breed them to do that?"

"I believe the change in attire is warranting a different name than the one you used last we met?" Ganthet asks as he regards her obviously seeing right through the costume.

"It has." Raven agrees. "You want to know everything that has been going on?"

"We do, never before has a power ring been lost like this, and neither have we seen a dead Lantern return." One of the two male guardians says.

"Well, I hope I don't pass out this time." Raven sighs as Ganthet floats up to her eye height.

"This time you aren't resisting." Ganthet says before his eyes glow green as he and Raven lock eyes for two brief seconds. "Seems our threat index of you was justified. And a difficult journey you had undertaken and to answer your question John Steward, Parallax is fear incarnate an opposite to our Ion, the embodiment of will, Green Lantern Hal Jordan was briefly possessed by it once before we Guardians drove it out."

"Not my most glorious moment." Hal admits. "But how did you know about that?"

"And how come I am the only one who seems to not know who this is?" Guy asks as he points at Raven. "Bat's and GL's don't mix!"

"You aren't, we haven't met her before?" Katma asks.

"Is Sinestro still in a hospital bed?" Raven asks.

"Oh, it's you. And yes he is." Katma realizes. "Guy, a word of advice; doesn't make her mad."

"Bah." Guy grumbles. "Nothing beats a powering."

"Anyways, what now?" John asks the Guardians.

"Your ring must find its wearer as per protocol." Ganthet says as the ring again flies around the groups.

"Scanning for suitable candidates… candidates found… Batman of Earth, Batgirl of Earth, Nightwing of Earth, John Steward of Earth, you possess the ability to overcome great fear." It says as it circles the candidates.

"Hmm, perhaps there it is spoiled for choice." Ganthet notes. "We will let you decide." He says before the Guardians disappear in a flash of green.

"Ok?" Wally asks at the sudden departure.

"So a choice between me and three Bats?" John continues. "I am cool about it if you want it." Batman takes a single look at Raven and Nightwing before stepping forwards.

"There isn't a choice." Batman says as he offhandedly grabs the ring while staring at John. "This is yours." He says as he flips it to him and turns away.

"You serious man?" John asks, clearly surprised. "You could be a great Lantern, and prove what you have been saying all these years?"

"I belong in Gotham, and I would hate to have you say, 'I told you so'." Batman says without turning.

"You two?" John continues looking at Raven and Nightwing.

"I got enough on my plate." Raven says.

"I think it belongs to you as long as you live." Nightwing continues. "Besides, he is not going to let me." He continues as he thumbs Batman.

"Phew, no bats in the corp." Guy sighs.

"I take what I said earlier back, that has to be the ultimate asshole." Shayera whispers to Wally, who gives her a nod.

"Bat's punched him out when the guy wanted to fight him, with one hit." Wally whispers back. It was considered a bit of an urban myth on the Watchtower, one that could be tracked to back Hal Jordan, who had said Guy thought he could take Batman's spot in the League.

"Well, seems we get to keep you John." Superman says, ignoring the banter as John puts the ring on and changes costume.

"Yeah, means Kyle can receive some additional training if needed." John agrees, while looking at Katma. "Thanks."

"So you Bat's girlfriend or something?" Guy asks Raven who just quirks an unseen eyebrow at him at the question.

"Are you on purpose trying to provoke a fight or something?" Raven counters.

"Just an honest question." Guy shrugs. "So you off duty later on?" He continues as he reaches forwards with one hand to touch her shoulder that is swiftly grabbed and twisted so far that Guy swiftly finds his face in the ground and his ass in the sky.

"Easy rule Gardner, Bat and other people don't like being touched." Nightwing says before he lets go of the arm.

"Jeez, lighten up…" Gardner grumbles.

"Thank you." Raven replies as Nightwing passes her.

"And you wonder how you get on Batman's bad side." Jordan mentions as he offers Guy a hand to get up.

"I was just asking a damn question, how'd I suppose to know she was taken?" Guy complains.

"One, you didn't ask, two I wouldn't be interested in any case." Raven replies flatly.

"Why? Batboy got something I don't?" Guy snaps, obviously she just set him off.

"I think we need to separate you two before someone gets injured." Hal says as he forms a green wall between Guy and the Bat-clan.

"No way! I'm insulted! And I will have a piece of one of those two! I'll even take off my ring to get it!" Guy shouts in Jordan's face.

"Guy, you can't win a fight like that." Jordan sight trying to dissuade him.

"Bull if I can't!" Guy continues as the other two lanterns just shake their heads behind Guy's back.

"Let him try." Raven says from the other side of the barrier.

"See?!" Guy continues to shout.

"Whatever, it will be your headache… again." Jordan sighs as he lets down the barrier and takes Guy's ring.

"How many hits?" Wally whispers to Shayera.

"One." The woman replies flatly as her arms are crossed over her chest as Guy jumps up and down on the spot warming up while Raven remains motionless.

"Ready for a proper ass whopping?" Guy asks as he throws a few punches into the air in front of him like a boxer.

"Are you going to try or are you just going to pretend?" Raven asks dryly.

"Right!" Guy snaps loudly before charging forwards with a raised right fist, as he comes within distance, Raven raises her own left arm to block the fist while her own right hand darts forwards, shoving her extended fingers into Guy's solar plexus and upwards before his charge is stopped by her shoulder. Batman Robin and the old Titans have a second to see Guys pained expression over Raven's shoulder, before she quickly steps back to watch him collapse on the ground, gag three times before vomiting onto the ground. "Jezus Christ…" He heaves after he is done.

"Nice hit." Nightwing whispers. "Very little strength needed."

"That was the idea." Raven replies quietly.

"Any chance you can teach that?" Linda asks.

"Perhaps a self-defense course would be in order in the near future?" J'onn suggests.

"Sounds like a good idea, Batman do you feel up to that?" Superman asks as Jordan walks over to Guy who has rolled onto his back.

"I can show you a few moves." Batman replies wondering why he didn't suggest that.

"And I will volunteer Guy here for sparring." Jordan says as he lifts Guy over his shoulders, getting a pained groan out of him. "Come on buddy, I'm sure Sinestro will be eager to tell you how this could have gone."

"Yeah, take care poozer's, we better get back. Good ta see ya ok John." Kilowog adds before taking to the sky.

"Poozers?" Lois asks.

"His name for every friendly he meets." Katma says with a smirk. "Hopefully the next we hear from you will be something more uplifting." She says before taking off as well.

"Sorry about the mess Batman, give Kyle my regards when you see him." Jordan says as well before taking off as well.

"Pity we couldn't go the night without a fight." Shayera sighs.

"You haven't been in one." Diana mentions. "So what now?"

"Evening coffee." Batman says. "Took the night off remember?"

"Uh Bats?" Tim says drawing the man's attention to the boy who points to the city where a cloud is passing over, displaying a familiar symbol.

"Unless it's something major, I expect you three back in three hours." Batman says before pulling his cowl back. "The rest of you, we have things to talk about." He says before herding them all inside, leaving Robin, Nightwing and Batgirl behind.

"Did we just get ordered into the city without Bat's?" Robin asks.

"Well, we have one bat and that will have to do." Nightwing replies. "So can you get us there in a jiffy?"

"Nope, I got rules to follow, and I hope you have extra helmets." Batgirl replies.

"Ah, well, let's hustle!" Nightwing shouts as they run towards the Cave's garden entrance; an old derelict well.

"And off they go." Superman says as he and Bruce watches the trio disappear from their view. "You sure you shouldn't be there to introduce her?"

"Positive. Nightwing and Robin will be more than enough; the symbol is all she needs." Bruce replies as he turns away. "So who wants to play 'Riddle me this?'" He asks as he regards the others behind him.

Authors Note: Don't hang up yet readers, I still have a trick up my sleeve :)