Chapter Three

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

10:17 – Eastern Standard Time

March 09, 2007

The bruising, swelling and cuts on Kara's face had almost completely healed thanks to her accelerated healing factor under the Earth's yellow sun. Being locked in that room earlier with only a red sunlamp to keep her company had only served to delay it.

At that moment, she was being escorted down the hallway by Doctor Pauline Lester. Their destination was to see J'onn, as part of the final test to make sure she was indeed Kara and not an imposter. Despite understanding the need to be sure, she was still finding the experience a little disheartening.

"I don't know why they're bothering with all this," the doctor commented, breaking the uncomfortable silence. "I think we've pretty much proved who you are."

Kara shrugged. "It's probably Batman who needs further convincing," she surmised, knowing how the Dark Knight could be.

"Probably so," Pauline agreed. "Well here we are." The two of them came to a stop outside an unassuming door.

"Thanks for the escort," Kara said.

"Don't mention it. I probably won't see you again, unless you're injured which isn't likely, considering who you are."

"No, but I'm always prepared for the worst."

"I won't keep you," the doctor said, moving off.

Kara took in a deep breath before she went in alone. Inside, she met three familiar faces. One of which was covered by a black cowl with pointed ears on top. She wished she could say she was surprised that Batman was here. The other two were Clark and of course, J'onn.

Batman spoke first, "Sit down in front of J'onn."

As instructed, Kara sat down in front of the Martian. "Please relax," J'onn instructed, as she got herself comfortable.

She nodded, as she took in a deep breath through her nose, exhaling slowly through her mouth. She felt nervous. He would be privy to her thoughts, which were usually private to her alone and that's how she liked it. Still, she knew that this was necessary. She had appeared outside a destroyed facility after being pummelled by her clone. There was no guarantee that she wasn't a clone as well.

The green Martian held his hands out, at either side of her head. "This will not hurt," he told her, as his eyes glowed red, giving him a slightly demonic look. After a few seconds, Kara began to feel the slightest caressing of her mind. J'onn visibly frowned for a moment, before he withdrew from her mind. His eyes went back to normal, as he lowered his hands. "This is Kara," he told them confidently.

Superman smiled widely. "I knew it was you."

Batman simply nodded. "Then she will be re-inducted into the league under the Argo alias. Unless she wants to be known as Supergirl."

Kara nodded. "I look forward to it and Argo is who I am now."

"It will be conducted on March fourteenth," Batman informed her.

"Okay, sounds fine," she said, before adding, "That's not too long to wait is it?"

The others frowned at her.

"I'm unsure of the date," she admitted. "Just arrived from the future, remember."

"One week," Batman said. "It's March ninth today."

"Oh," Kara mumbled, feeling like an idiot. She had forgotten the arrival date Brainiac had given before coming back. She blamed it on getting her lights punched out by her clone.

"It will also be done here at the Metro Tower," Batman informed her.

"Not at the Watchtower?" Kara questioned.

Superman shook his head. "We're more open about our operation now," he told her. "It helps with public trust. Also, we were already doing the induction of two others on that day."

"You were?" Kara asked intrigued. "Anyone I'd know?"

"Mister Miracle and Big Barda," Batman revealed.

Superman added, "They finally decided to join up. Though they're only going to be part-timers, like Batman."

"Any reason they don't want to go full-time?" Kara inquired.

"Not really our business," Batman said. "That's all for now unless you have any questions."

"I have one. Are you going to introduce me as Supergirl with a name change, or as someone else?" Kara inquired.

"It's best that we just introduce you as Argo," Superman said. "There's no real need to say anything else."

Kara agreed. "Okay then."

"That's all for now," Batman told her again.

Kara nodded before she turned and left.

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

14:52 – Station Time (Eastern Standard Time)

March 09, 2007

The six founders were sat around the circular table, waiting patiently while Flash walked in and sat down. His limp had noticeable subsided, even if it hadn't completely disappeared.

"Okay," the hero clad in red began, "What's so important that I had to come all the way up here? I am injured, y'know."

The other five members all turned to J'onn in anticipation. After all, he was the one who had called the meeting.

"I'm guessing this has something to do with Kara?" Wonder Woman said as she webbed her fingers. "Something you saw in her mind?"

"It does," J'onn said, with a curt nod. "And yes, I did."

"Well, speak up," Shayera said, eager to hear what was so urgent.

"When I went into Kara's mind to confirm that it was her, I sensed an echo of another consciousness."

That got everyone's attention. "Like mind control?" Superman asked with concern.

"No, this echo was like her mind, but it was not hers," the Martian said obtusely.

Flash looked around at the others, confused. "Is anyone else not following?"

"Explain," Batman urged the Martian.

"I believe that somehow, the psychic connection between her and her clone has been re-established."

"Like when she was having those dreams?" Superman said, sounding slightly disturbed. "But I thought it stopped?"

"It's currently inactive, but the connection is still there," J'onn informed them.

"Meaning?" Flash said, confused.

"Meaning that the 'channel' so to speak, is open. There is no information being passed between the two. At least there wasn't when I looked."

"Is this different from the first time they had a mental connection?" Superman asked.

"Yes," J'onn replied simply. He then elaborated, "Back when she was having the dreams, back before we knew her clone even existed, I detected no connection such as this. It appears that it may be a new development. Perhaps one that has only occurred since she arrived back in our time."

"But that's only just over a day ago," John Stewart, the Green Lantern pointed out.

"Yes," J'onn affirmed. "But it still exists."

"Know why, or how it happened?" Shayera questioned.

"No," came the reply.

Batman thought for a few moments. "Could we find out the current location of the clone, using this connection?"

"I don't know. I believe the link between them originates from the clone itself. If this is the case, I might not be able to easily see through it the other way."

Superman was starting to look worried. "What do you mean?"

"As I said. I believe the clone is the source of the connection. As to the how, or why? That currently eludes me."

Superman stroked his chin. "Why didn't you detect the link before? When she was having the dreams?"

"That is because the connection before only manifested itself when one of them was asleep while the other was awake," J'onn explained. "What is happening now, is the same phenomenon, manifesting itself in a different, more continuous, yet currently far less intrusive way."

"Can you repeat that in English?" Flash joked.

"It is akin to a connection between two telephones in two separate rooms. The rooms representing their minds. Neither one of them knows the telephone exists but it is still there," J'onn told him.

"Can you break the link?" Wonder Woman asked him.

"It might only be possible from the clone's side," the Martian informed them.

"I thought you said it was like a phone?" Flash asked. "Couldn't we just hang up on Kara's side?"

"Uncertain. I believe the line would simply be re-established later if I tried. It could even make it worse. I would most likely need to look at both of their minds, to figure out a way to terminate the connection."

Lantern leant forwards in his chair, webbing his fingers. "So, we need to find the clone, and subdue her long enough for you to sever the link."

"I would also need her to be calm," J'onn said. "An aggressive, unwilling mind, is much harder to deal with. Especially when I do not know what kind of psychic link is being used."

Wonder Woman looked grim. "She's as angry as Hades on a bad day. I doubt anyone could calm her down long enough to do anything."

"So what do we do?" Flash asked. "We can't leave Kara like that."

Batman folded his arms atop of the circular table. "We might not have an option."

"The big question here is do we tell Kara?" Shayera wondered.

"No," Superman said, shaking his head. "There's no need for her to worry about something she can't do anything about."

"And if she starts having the visions again?" Wonder Woman inquired.

"Then we deal with it," Batman said simply.

"I don't like it," the Amazon said.

"None of us do," Shayera agreed. "What we should ask ourselves is, would it cause more harm than good to let her know?"

"Exactly," Superman concurred. "Nothing may become of it. No need for her to worry."

Lantern slowly shook his head in disagreement. "I agree with Diana on this one. We could be looking at a time bomb here. Who's to say what extent this psychic link could manifest itself in?"

All eyes fell on J'onn, who responded in his usual stoic tone of voice, "I doubt it could manifest in any way that could be harmful. Physically, or mentally."

"I'm not talking about hurting Kara," Lantern rebuked. "J'onn said it was like a phone in a closed room. What if the Galatea clone finds this metaphorical phone in the room? She could get vital information from Kara." He looked at Batman. "Kara knows who you are," he pointed to Batman, "as well as Superman. What if she gains the ability to take specific information from her mind?"

Once again, all eyes fell onto J'onn. "It is an unlikely scenario, but possible," he answered. "Though, I must stress that it is very, very unlikely."

Flash raised his hand. "I say we tell her."

"So do I," Wonder Woman added her voice.

"I agree with both of them," Lantern said, affirming his earlier sentiment. "It'll be easier to have J'onn monitor the psychic link if she knows. At least until we can find a solution."

"When you put it that way, John," Shayera said, changing her mind, "I agree. She needs to know. We need to keep tabs on it, and it's easier if she knows."

Batman and Superman exchanged a glance, before Batman spoke, "Telling her could be a mistake."

Lantern disagreed. "Not telling her could end up being a security risk."

"Four against three," Shayera said.

J'onn shook his head. "I agree, she should be informed."

"Then it's five against two," the former Hawkgirl amended.

Batman glared in response.

Shayera rolled her eyes. "Put your weapon of mass intimidation away," she said, referring to his infamous glare. "You lost."

Superman leaned back. "So when do we tell her?"

"Tomorrow," Lantern said. "We'll bring her up here and we'll all tell her together."

J'onn nodded. "Then it is settled."

"Good, because I have to get back to Central City," Flash said.

All eyes fell on the speedster.

"You sure you're ready for patrol?" Superman asked him. "You still have a limp," he pointed out.

The hero clad in red shrugged. "Flash might not be, but Wally West still has a life and a job there."

Batman rose. "Then this meeting's adjourned."

Flash Museum

Central City

United States

16:04 – Central Standard Time

March 09, 2007

Wally West actually had a few days off from his life in forensics in the CCPD, because of his injury. When he had phoned in about his knee, with the number of a doctor who could vouch for him, his boss had given him time off until Monday but had also reminded him that any more sick days, and he'd find himself without a job. He knew he would have been dismissed by now if he hadn't been so good at it. He had a good eye and a quick mind. Perfect for forenzic investigation.

When he'd been reminded of how many days off he'd had, including sick days, he found that it had been near a third of the year. He knew it was obscene, but his work in the league was important to him and it was important to the people whose lives he had saved.

At that moment, he was in his civilian guise, which included a large coat over a white t-shirt and blue jeans. He was keeping an eye on a tall auburn-haired woman, who stood over six feet in height. While she usually wore a pink outfit with a lot of gold jewellery, including giant earrings and set of choker necklaces. Today, she was in a dark hooded sweatshirt and black jeans. However, Wally knew exactly who she was.

At that moment she was stood in front of a statue of the Flash, her hands on her hips, a pout on her lips. "I wish I had a museum in my honour," he heard her say to herself, before moving on to the next exhibit.

Wally observed her, as she slowly made her way around the rest of the museum. After another ten minutes of perusing, she headed for the exit. At a distance, Wally continued to follow as she crossed the street and headed into an alleyway. He followed her, watching as she turned left down another passage. He peeked around the corner, to see her standing there, with her back towards him.

He turned around, and slowly started to make his way back to the street when he felt a slight tremor rumble through the ground. He stopped and turned around, to see the six-foot auburn-haired woman was now ten feet tall and was stood with her arms on her hips, with a rather unhappy expression.

"Are you following me, creep?"

"Um, no?" he said, more in the form of a question.

"Leave, or I'll crush you. Don't make me ruin my shoes."

He did as asked and headed out of the alley in a hurry. But not a Flash hurry.

Normally, he would have found a place around here to change into his Flash uniform. However, he was wearing his favourite coat and he had nowhere to put it, at least not anywhere it wouldn't end up getting damaged, stolen or lost. It wasn't an emergency and he believed, or rather he hoped she would still be here when he got back.

Back on the pavement, he began scanning the street for a particular kind of car. As soon as he saw one, he called out for the taxi and took the slow ride home to his apartment.

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

17:22 – Eastern Standard Time

March 09, 2007

Kara "Argo" In-Ze stood at a window, staring out across the cityscape, with her arms firmly folded across her chest. She hadn't been here in the past for very long, but she was already starting to miss those she had left in the future.

It was funny. None of them had even been born yet and wouldn't be for nearly a thousand years. But this time last week, they had been alive, they had existed. Or they had from her perspective.

She knew that it wasn't healthy for her to dwell on it. Her place was here now, in the twenty-first century, not in the thirtieth. At least for the time being. It didn't matter that she didn't really feel like she belonged here. History demanded that she was and that's all that really mattered.

"Hey, is that you Kara?"

Argo looked around to see Zatanna standing there, in her typical black and white magician's garb. Her legs were left exposed, apart from the fishnet stockings she wore. Sat atop of her head, was a black top hat with a blue band around it.

"Hey, Zee," she replied, turning her attention back to the window, feeling positively miserable.

The magician stood beside her, casting her own gaze out towards the city. "You miss the future already, don't you?"

"It became my present," Kara told her. "This place seems so primitive by comparison."

"I know we don't really know each other that well, but if you ever need someone to talk to, then I'll happily sit and listen."

"Thanks for the offer, but I'm not sure talking about it will do anything."

"Maybe I can cheer you up in another way?" Zatanna offered, before removing her hat. "This might seem cliché," she began, as she reached inside.

Kara looked at her, as the magician's whole arm disappeared, a sight that was quite unusual, considering there was no way the hat was that deep. She should have only been able to reach in as far as her elbow, not all the way up to her shoulder.

Zatanna pulled her arm out and looked inside with a frown. "That's odd," she mused. "I seem to have lost it." She reached back in and rummaged about. "Ahh, got something."

The Argoan stared as she pulled out a yellow rubber chicken. The magician then tossed it aside, it hit the floor with an audible squeak.

"That wasn't it," Zatanna mused, before reaching in again. After a moment of searching, she pulled out one of Batman's Batarangs. "Oh, he's been looking for this," she commented. "But still not what I'm looking for." She dropped it, and it landed on the flat of its blade on the ground with a clatter.

"What are you looking for?"

"You'll know when I find it," Zatanna assured her, shoving her hand back into the hat. "Got something."

"What?"

Slowly, Zatanna started pulling out a wooden shaft. At first, Kara assumed that it was a baton or a bat, but the magician kept pulling more and more of it out until the staff had gone well beyond four times the length the hat was deep.

Finally, the other end of the eight-foot staff was freed from the head-ware, and Zatanna held it, placing one end firmly on the floor.

Kara stood there with a smirk on her face. She had never seen anything like it, and she'd seen a lot. "You've got some kind of portal generator in there or something, haven't you."

"Here," Zatanna said, throwing her hat over to her.

Argo caught it and looked inside. It appeared to be a normal hat, even looked normal using her x-ray vision. She reached inside, and her hand slapped against the top of the hat.

"How?" she asked, looking back up in amazement "I don't see anything that could make wormholes or zeta tubes."

"It's a regular hat," Zatanna assured her.

"So it's all you. No tricks, or anything?"

"No tricks. Not in the conventional sense. It's real magic."

"I read that you did regular non-magic tricks, though. At least on tour."

"Most of my show is illusion and trickery, using mirrors and the like," Zatanna confirmed. "I usually save the real magic for the big finale. More fun like that, and I'm not as worn out afterwards."

"Doing magic is tiring?"

"Of course it is. You don't appreciate how hard it is to do actual magic. It might look like fun and games, and I may look relaxed, but it's all part of the act."

"Can you conjure anything from inside anything?"

"I could pull a badger out of your ear if you want?"

"You can do that?"

"No, actually. Your ear would have to have a big enough circumference to fit a badger in it."

Kara laughed out loud. "You're not just a magician, but a comedian too."

"I'm an entertainer. It's my job to wear a lot of hats. Speaking of which. Tah nruter."

Kara's eyes went wide as the black top-hat flew out of her hand and landed in Zatanna's. "Wow," the Argoan said, smiling widely.

"Sporp nruter ot noivilbo," the magician said. The staff, the Batarang and the rubber chicken, all flew back into the hat before she placed it firmly back onto her head.

"I thought you were looking for something?" Kara questioned.

Zatanna pointed to Kara's much happier face. "I was looking for your smile."

"Thanks," she said with gratitude.

"If you ever need cheering up, then you seek me out." The magician turned and began to walk off, before stopping, looking back. "But don't abuse the offer. I'm not going to come running every time you feel a little blue."

"I won't, and thanks again." Zatanna left, and Kara turned to look out of the window for another minute or so before she too turned and left the room.

New Brighton

Central City

United States

16:36 – Central Standard Time

March 09, 2007

It took almost fifteen minutes for Wally to get home in the taxi. Something that he found agonizingly slow. Once his door was shut, he quickly removed his civilian clothes, then releasing his hero uniform into the air from one of his many rings. While normally, he would have dressed in less than half-a-second, his still dodgy knee made it take a whole two seconds instead.

Suited up, and ignoring the slight pain his knee was still giving him, he ran out, albeit at a much slower speed, back towards the alley. In four minutes he was there, facing off against an angry six-foot tall Giganta. He knew it was dangerous to be here, but he was the Flash. He loved danger, revelled in it. Well, for the most part anyway. He wasn't some idiot, who would jump into danger if it wasn't necessary, despite what the others in the league might think.

Giganta pulled her phone out of her pocket, showing the time to him. "You know how long I've been waiting here for you?" she demanded.

"Sorry, babe," he apologised, in his usual jokey tone.

The anger evaporated from her face, replaced by a smile. "You're forgiven. Now, where are you going to take me?"

Suddenly, Flash realised a major flaw when he had set up this 'date'. He had only gotten as far as where they were meeting, and not what they would be doing once they had met.

She rested her hands on her hips, pouting. "You don't know do you?"

"Um, no?"

Giganta frowned before she slowly shook her head. "How about you run me around the city? I've never been carried at super-speed before."

"I'd love to babe, but I've hurt my knee."

"Aww, you poor baby," she mocked playfully. "How did that happen?"

"It got laser-visioned."

"Aww, did you annoy the boy scout?"

"No, it was that clone from Cadmus."

"Clone?" Giganta asked, confused. "You mean Bizarro? I thought Luthor made him?"

Flash realised that he'd probably already said far too much. He had assumed that she already knew about the Cadmus clone. She had worked with Luthor after-all, and he had been with Cadmus for a time.

With a shrug, he decided to tell her anyway. "Yeah, they made another clone, but of Supergirl."

"Oh, I think I might have heard about her. Why did she zap you? Did you refuse to go on a date with her? Did you refuse because of me?"

"She'd levelled a building, and I was trying to stop her before she did anything else."

"You really do like ruining a girl's fun, don't you," she teased.

"She'd hurt people. She was completely out of control."

She clasped her hands together and fluttered her eyes. "Aww, you're such a sweetheart. So concerned about other people's safety."

"I'm a hero. Saving people is what I do."

Giganta suddenly looked serious. "Then save me from this boredom that's starting to set in, and show me your city."

"Sure, where do you want to go?"

"I don't know, it's your city," she said, starting to pout. Then, a sly smile slowly spread across her lips, as something crossed her mind. "We could always skip seeing the city part, and head straight to your place," she said suggestively.

"Um," he stammered, unsure how to respond.

"So, how many of those costumes do you have?" she said, poking his forehead. "If you have more, maybe I could play dress-up." She grabbed his cowl, at where the nose met the fabric, and pulled it forwards, letting it snap back, with an audible slapping sound.

"Ow," he said, rubbing his face. "What did you do that for?"

"Just wondering when I'm gonna get to see you without your disguise?"

"Maybe one day."

"Come on, I've shown you my secret identity."

"You never hid yours," he pointed out.

"True."

"Though if I didn't know it was you, I wouldn't recognise you as Giganta. Amazing what changing your hair and different clothes will do."

"I'm glad you noticed," she said. "Now are we gonna stand in this alleyway for the rest of our lives, or are we going to actually go somewhere?"

"I could take you out to dinner," he suggested.

"Dressed like that?" she asked, before gesturing to herself. "And I'm hardly dressed for dinner either."

"Well, I was really hoping that we'd just talk, y'know. Get to know each other better."

Giganta rolled her eyes, before growing to seven feet, grabbing him unexpectedly into a bridal hold.

"Hey!" he shouted out.

"If you're not gonna show me around, I might as well show myself around. And you're coming with me, lover-boy."

"Couldn't we both just walk?"

"No." Without saying another word, she walked out of the alley into the street, Flash still in her arms. Almost instantly, people started to stare and point.

"Who're you, and what happened to the Flash, is he hurt?" some guy asked.

Giganta smiled. "He's tired from running around all day, so I offered to carry him. Didn't I Flashy."

The hero clad in red groaned. "This is so embarrassing," he muttered.

"Now run along," she told them, as she continued on down the street, the speedster in her arms.

"So, anywhere we're going in particular, gorgeous?"

"Not really. You got any ideas?"

"We could get ice-cream?" he suggested.

She looked down at him with a frown. "Ice-cream?" she repeated, unsure if he was being serious. She then shrugged. "Okay, let's get ice-cream. But it has to be good ice-cream."

"Okay, sure thing babe," he replied.

She stood there, still holding him for a few moments before she was forced to ask, "Well, where can we get good ice-cream?"

"I'll tell you, if you put me down, and let me walk instead of carrying me," he said.

"No," she refused. "You'll tell me, or I'll find more crowds of people and embarrass you in front of them."

"Okay, okay," he relented. "Just follow this street south. On the corner of fourth and Albany, you head west till we get to the edge of the city. There's a mom and pop place there that sells the best ice-cream in America, and they're open till six."

"The best in America?" she questioned, unconvinced.

"I should know, I've tried all of it."

"Okay, I believe you." Giganta put him down and shrunk to her usual six feet, before patting him on the head like he was a dog.

"Gee, thanks," he muttered, not at all appreciating the head-patting.

"Now, lead me to this place," she ordered.

"Sure. But first, there's one thing I've always wanted to ask you?"

"Yes?"

"How come your clothes grow with you when you, y'know, grow?"

Giganta smirked at him. "I bet you'd prefer it if my clothes didn't grow with me, wouldn't you, you pervert."

Flash visibly blushed. "No, of course not."

She laughed out loud. It was a rather pleasant sound, one that Wally hoped he'd hear more of in the future. "You really are cute, Flash," she told him sincerely. "One minute you're 'babe' this 'gorgeous' that, and the minute I say something to you, you turn as red as your costume."

"I just wasn't expecting you to say that that's all," he said, defensively.

"I can see that. And to answer your question, I don't know. Except that it involves magic somehow. I would find out more for you, but the only person that really knows is suffering from an unfortunate condition."

"What's that?"

"He's dead."

"Oh."

"It doesn't matter. Grodd tried to fry my brain, so I don't really care he's gone. All I do care about right now, is us getting that ice-cream."

Flash smiled. "And all I care about is getting you some."

"Our second date had better be a lot more than getting ice-cream, though," she warned. "I expect candles and romantic music."

"Don't worry, it will be," he promised. He put his arm through hers, interlocking them. "Now let's go get the best ice-cream in America," he said, as he led her onward down the street.

Park Ridge

Gotham City

United States

19:19 – Local Time

March 09, 2007

Dick Grayson sat down on the cream coloured couch as Barbara fetched him a cold drink. He didn't drink alcohol, nor did he like to drink coffee anymore. At all times, he wanted his brain to be functioning, just as it should. Without any chemical interference of any kind messing with it.

"It's spring water," she said, as she passed the over, before sitting down beside him.

"How's Tim doing?"

Barbara leant forward, resting her arms on her knees. "He still has the nightmares, but he's pulling through." She ran a hand through her long red hair. "But things between him and Bruce have completely collapsed. He already wasn't living with him and now they aren't even on speaking terms."

"Sounds like Bruce is content with pushing everyone away."

The redhead was quiet for a few moments. "Not when he's with the league," she said finally. "It's like Justice League Batman is a third person on top of his other two personalities, Bruce and Gotham Batman."

"The last thing we need is Bruce turning into another Harvey Dent," Dick mused. "Is there really no way of getting through to him?"

"No idea. I just hope that he doesn't let Gotham Batman win over the other two personalities. If that happens, then he'll become a lonely, bitter old man."

"He's already a lonely old man."

"He has the Amazon," Barbara said, with melancholy.

Dick took a sip of his water. "He also has Alfred."

"Yes, he does. I'm just afraid that when Alfred finally passes on, we'll truly lose Bruce. Alfred's the only one who truly understands him. He's the only one who can get through his thick head."

Dick nodded in agreement.

Barbara turned and looked directly at her friend. "So, what brings you here, Richard? It's been like three months since we last spoke."

he looked over at her in surprise. "Really? That long?"

"Yes, really. The last time I saw you was on new years."

"I didn't realise it'd been so long."

"It has. You didn't have a run-in with him, did you? Is that why you're here?"

Dick clenched his jaw. Was he really that predictable? "I did actually," he admitted. "He came to Blüdhaven."

"What did he have to say?"

"He wanted me to join the Justice League."

"And?"

"And, I told him no."

"Why?" she questioned curiously. "It's a big opportunity, one I never got, not really."

"I can't stand to be near him, Babs, let alone be under him again."

"You won't be under him."

"Of course I will. He's a founding member. One of the seven overlords of the Watchtower. Sitting there like kings looking down on us mere mortals."

Barbara chuckled humourlessly. "You don't really think that, do you?"

"Why wouldn't I?"

"Dick, I don't see it like that at all. I see it like a guardian in the sky, watching out for us."

"Were they watching out for us when they fired their laser gun in a populated area?"

"You know the story behind that. It was Luthor who took control."

"But is that the truth? Or was it just convenient to blame him?"

"You're turning into one of those conspiracy nuts," she warned. "Going back to what we were talking about, before you started talking crazy. If I had been asked to join when I was still a cape, I would have joined up in a second. But Bruce wanted someone watching Gotham full-time, and that was me and Tim."

"You still could," Dick told her. "Join the league I mean."

"I've given that life up now, Dick. I'm a data analyst for the GCPD, now."

"You could be more than that, y'know."

"I know, and maybe I will be one day. For now, though, I'm happy with my role in the department."

"So, you think I should take the offer?" Dick asked her sincerely. "He did say it was just a reserve role."

"Reserve?" Barbara repeated. "In that case, nothing would change. They wouldn't call you unless something big was going down somewhere nearby in the city or state, or the Earth was in danger. I was technically on reserve for the league, but I was never called upon. Not even when Darkseid attacked the last time. Bruce wanted me to stay with Tim and Alfred, and make sure they were safe."

"Yeah, I thought that's what being reserve would mean."

"Then why not say yes?"

"I don't know. I guess I want to be in charge of what I do, not be tied down by an organisation."

"Just give it a try. If it doesn't work out, then you can always leave."

"Maybe I will give it a shot." He stood up slowly. "Thanks for this, Babs. You're a true friend. I promise to come visit more often."

She smiled at him warmly. "I'd like that, Richard."

"Maybe we should go out somewhere sometime?" he suggested. "As friends," he amended quickly.

"As friends," she agreed. "Just make it soon."

"I will, I promise."

She walked him to the door, where she promptly kissed him on the cheek. "Don't be a stranger, Dick."

"I won't," he promised.

She opened the door and he promptly left, stepping out of the town-house onto the pavement. He briefly looked back before making his way to where he'd parked his car.

Updated Dec 2017