Chapter Fifteen

Metro Tower

Metropolis

United States

17:32 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

It had been a strange day so far for Pauline Lester. It had started off pretty much the same as any other day. Then she had been pulled aside by Batman and Green Lantern and told the founders needed to speak with her.

In an instant, she had realised that they knew about Emil Hamilton and Galatea. It had been at that moment that she thought her life was over. But it hadn't. At least not yet. She knew, though, that it could change at any time.

At that very moment, she was back in her office. However, she hadn't been allowed to see any patients. Truthfully, she doubted she would be allowed to see any of them ever again. Most likely, once they had made their decision regarding Galatea and Emil, she would be cut loose and perhaps even face prison time. Helping fugitives was a serious felony and she was quite guilty of it.

Pauline's attention was drawn away as the door to her office opened. Batman stepped inside with Superman and the two looked at her, causing her to squirm in her seat.

Batman was the first to speak. "We're sending you home early. Until further notice, you're on leave."

"Okay," she said simply, feeling defeated. "Is it paid leave?" she then asked hopefully, though she knew she was pushing her luck with that question. She was lucky they hadn't called the authorities and had her locked up for aiding and abetting.

"For now, yes," Superman confirmed, much to her surprise. The Man of Steel looked to Batman waiting for him to speak.

"We want you to take a message to Galatea and Emil Hamilton," the Dark Knight told her.

She paled. "Um, they don't even know I work in the Metro Tower, or for the Justice League," she mumbled.

Superman's brow raised in surprise. "They don't know where you work?"

"No, I never told them. I didn't know how they'd react."

"You're going to have to tell them," Batman said. "You're also going to explain to them that we're giving her a chance. A chance to prove to us that she is not dangerous. We will be watching."

"Um, okay. I guess I can do that," she said, even though she had no idea how they would react. Emil's reaction would be one thing, but Galatea? It was enough to make her feel like she was going to be sick.

"If you think you're in danger by telling them this, then that proves she's dangerous," Batman said. "Don't worry, we'll be watching and someone will be showing up to observe."

"Is that wise?" Pauline asked, feeling very unsettled. "They might freak out if I show up with a league member in tow."

"We'll give you an hour," Superman said. "To get them ready."

"So, who will it be?"

"You'll find out when they arrive at your apartment," Batman informed her.

"So it could be anyone?"

"You'll see," Batman said.

"So when do you want me to head home?"

"Now," Batman said.

Location Unknown

Time Unknown

Galatea flew through the dark clouds at high speed. She didn't know her destination, or even how long she had been flying. Still, the experience was exhilarating. She seldom got to fly without a destination in mind.

She then began to slow down and dipped beneath the clouds. Up ahead was a dark city bathed in black against a red sky. The last remnants of the sun peeking over the horizon.

She descended down silently, moving between two buildings which bore hideous gargoyle statues. She then landed in a narrow alley and used her x-ray vision to make sure no one was in view.

After changing for some reason, she headed out onto the pavement and made her way down the street, stopping at an intersection and waited till she could cross

Traffic slowed to a stop and the 'walk' sign appeared. As she stepped onto the road, the stopped car next to her honked its horn.

Galatea looked to her right to see a red-haired woman she didn't recognise.

"Hey, Babs," her own voice shouted, as she ran over to the passenger door and climbed in.

"Hey, Kara."

Midtown

Metropolis

18:02 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Galatea's eyes snapped open and she sat up. She hoped it was just a dream. She didn't want to even want to think about what she had just seen if it wasn't.

She climbed out of bed, before stepping out of the bedroom, having gone to sleep fully clothed. She didn't really see the need to change, not for what was a quick nap.

"Feeling better?" Emil asked her.

"Um, yeah," she said uneasily.

"What's wrong?"

"Nothing," she said too quickly.

"Are you sure about that? Seems like there's something on your mind."

Galatea opened her mouth, then closed it again.

"Please, if there's something worrying you," Emil urged.

The sound of the door unlocking drew their attention. It swung open to reveal a rather pale Pauline. She closed the door behind her, casting her frightened eyes to Galatea.

"I have to tell you something," Pauline said, her voice quaking slightly. "I think we should all sit down."

"What is it?" Emil asked, looking from Galatea to Pauline. "First Tea comes out of her room looking ill and now you come home looking like you're about to cry."

"Please, sit down," Pauline urged.

"Okay," Emil said, gesturing for Galatea to follow him to the couch.

The two sat down and Pauline began to pace. "The Justice League know you're here," she told them.

"What!?" Emil said, distressed by the news.

Galatea just shrugged. "I figured as much."

Emil turned to her in surprise. "What do you mean by that?"

"Batman's been spying on us. I saw him and the Question when we were at the park."

"And you didn't tell me?"

"I knew you'd panic, so I kept it quiet."

Emil bit his bottom lip. "We've put Pauline in danger," he said.

"Maybe," Galatea said. "I would like to know how she knows they know."

Pauline put her hands together and rested them against her chin before speaking, "I work at the Metro Tower as a doctor."

Emil stood up sharply. "You work for them!?"

"I," she stammered.

"When were you going to tell us!?" he demanded.

"I don't know," she said, running a hand through her hair. "I just didn't think you would take it well."

"Did you tell them about us!?" Emil accused.

"No, of course not," Pauline said quickly, both insulted and frightened by the insinuation. "I never even mentioned you. I only found out they knew Tea was staying after she showed up at the induction."

"And they let you go?"

"Kind of."

"What does that mean?" Emil demanded.

Pauline looked to Galatea who had remained quiet so far. "They're going to observe us," she told them. "I managed to convince them that Tea wasn't a bad person, so they've agreed to just observe, to see if what I say is true."

Galatea folded her arms. "So, I'm going to be the rat in the cage? To be observed and studied?"

"You're staying here, they aren't going to put you in a cell."

"It's still a cage, even if it's a nice one," the Argoan clone said. "Did they give you a tracker or something that I'm supposed to wear at all times?"

"No," Pauline said, her hands shaking. "They're sending someone here to watch us in person."

Emil shook his head. "No, we're leaving."

"I'm not," Galatea retorted.

"We can't stay here, Tea."

"I'm not running away again. Bring it on."

"Tea, this isn't a game!" he yelled at her.

"I know it's not a game," she shouted back. "I'm not going to run away every time I'm found."

"Tea, we can't stay and wait to see what they do. You can't put your life in their hands."

"I put my life in Cadmus' hands. I put my life into the hands of the United States Government. I've always had my life in other people's hands."

"And they tried to kill you."

"Whatever. I can run all my life, but they'll get me eventually."

"So you're giving up?" Emil questioned.

"You want to leave now?" Galatea asked him. "How do we get away from here with the league watching this apartment? Am I supposed to carry you with the league in pursuit, snapping at my ankles? You could be killed."

Emil took off his glasses and rubbed his face. "This wasn't supposed to happen."

"I dealt with them before. I can deal with them again," Galatea said fiercely

"Not the whole league," Emil said in exasperation. "You should leave. Me and Pauline will deal with them."

"Don't be stupid," the clone dismissed. "We're in this together."

"Your life could be in danger, Tea."

"The league don't kill, remember?"

"That's what they say," Emil mused, closing his eyes.

"I'm sorry for all this," Pauline offered, drawing the other's attention.

Galatea stepped up to her, causing Pauline to back away. "You're terrified of me, aren't you?" the clone questioned, looking into the woman's terrified eyes.

"Please," Pauline practically begged. "I tried to tell them you weren't a bad person."

"Then explain yourself to us," the clone demanded. "Tell us everything."

"Okay, I-I will."

Pauline did. She told them everything. Starting from her being offered the job, through to today's events.

Park Ridge

Gotham City

18:23 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Barbara unlocked the front door and both her and Kara stepped inside the townhouse, before the redhead pushed the door closed behind them, locking it.

"You want anything to eat?" Barbara offered. "I'm off to cook myself something."

"Nah, I'm good. I don't want to be any trouble."

"It's no trouble. I made chilli in a crock pot so when I got home, I could just heat it up and then add rice."

"If it's no hassle then I'll have some."

Barbara smiled. "We'll be finishing it off," she told her. "Which is good because I was going to throw away what I didn't finish it off tonight."

The two headed into the kitchen where Kara sat down at the table, while Barbara prepared the pre-made meal. She grabbed some packet rice and a pan, which she put some water in, before adding the rice on top, putting it over a ring on the oven.

"Shouldn't be too long," Barbara said, as she made her way over to a cupboard and pulled out some plates and set them down on the table, before retrieving some cutlery.

Kara cleared her throat. "Can I ask you something?"

Barbara smiled. "Sure, go ahead."

"What's happened between you and Dick?"

She grimaced before answering, "We had a bit of an argument."

"About what?"

"About things," she said obtusely. "I'd rather not get into it."

"Whatever it is, I have your back," Kara offered.

"Sorry, but I think it's best left alone," Barbara told her firmly. "At least for now."

"Okay. Well, he told me to tell you that he was sorry."

The redhead perked up. "He did?"

"Yeah. He also said that he couldn't be the friend you need. Or something like that."

Barbara's shoulders sagged. "So he's saying goodbye."

Kara became concerned. "Are you okay? Nothing happened between the two of you, did it?"

The redhead glared at her. "I said to leave it!" she snapped.

"Okay, I won't pry," Kara said, raising her hands in defence.

She hadn't seen Barbara like this before. To see her acting like this was disheartening. Kara felt nothing but sympathy for her. She had been through so much and she hadn't been there for her when she should have been. That made Kara feel guilty.

"Sorry," Barbara friend offered sincerely. "The whole thing's got me on edge. I didn't mean to snap at you."

"It's okay, Babs. If you ever need to talk, I'm here to listen."

"Thanks." Barbara checked the chilli. "Should be ready in a few minutes."

Kara waited while the meal was ready. Barbara sieved the rice, letting the hot water pour into the sink, before emptying it back into the pan and putting it on a heat shield on the table, before putting the crock pot down. She then retrieved two ladles, putting one in the oval pot, the other in the rice.

She then sat down opposite the Argoan. "Serve yourself up first."

Kara did so, first serving up some of the chilli, which was full of beans, onions and various other vegetables, then served herself some rice.

As she took a mouthful, Barbara served herself. "How is it?"

Kara nodded. "Good."

"Glad to hear it."

There was a brief moment of silence, which Kara decided to fill with some small talk. "So, how's work?" she asked.

"Busy. It's Gotham after all. The criminals never rest. I have been thinking about changing departments, though."

"Oh?"

"Yeah. Being an analyst is fun and interesting, but I miss being out there. If I do decide to be a beat cop, then I'd have to start from the bottom. Considering what Bruce's training involves, though, police academy should be a breeze."

"So, you going to do it?"

"Maybe. It's where my dad started out. Patrolling the streets. Even if it is behind the wheel of a car, it's something I think I'd enjoy doing."

"You'd have to have a gun," Kara pointed out.

"I know, but I'd also get a taser and a nightstick. Not using a gun was more Batman's thing. I'm not quite so opposed to it. In this town, the cops definitely need firearms."

"As long as you're comfortable using one."

"Comes with the territory," Barbara said. "I know the risks. Hell, I was more at risk being Batgirl than I probably will ever be as a beat cop."

"I just want you to be safe, Babs."

"I know and I appreciate it. Sorry again for snapping at you earlier. It wasn't intentional. It's just that when you brought up Dick-" she trailed off.

"Listen. I don't know what you two talked about that caused this falling out, but remember, I'll always be there if you need someone to talk to."

Barbara looked at her. "Don't take this the wrong way, but how can I be sure of that?"

"What do you mean?"

"What if you decide to head back off into the future?"

"Listen, Babs. I was selfish doing that. I left because I thought I was in love and I felt like I was out of place here. But people here needed me and I left a lot of people hanging without saying goodbye. I'm sorry for that, I really am."

"It hurt, y'know. You were a good friend and then one day you're gone. I thought I'd never see you again. You might as well have been dead."

Kara began stirring her chilli on her plate with her fork. The more she stayed here in the past, the more she felt that going to the future hadn't been in the best interest of either her or those she held dear. She didn't regret it per-say, but the Kent farm had suffered from her absence, as had Barbara and it weighed on her.

"I might have seemed dead, but you were dead," Kara said. "By almost a thousand years. It wasn't easy, but it was easier than when I lost my whole family and friends on Argo. I don't know why I stayed in the future. Maybe it was because I was told I had to. Maybe it was because I was in love. Or rather thought I was. Since coming to Earth and becoming Supergirl, I sorta became spoilt. I revelled in the limelight, paraded myself in front of the crowds. I loved the attention, but I had to also live as a Kent, a human. The future offered the chance for me to be Kara In-Ze all the time. I didn't have to hide and I thought I would be able to bask in the limelight all the time."

"What happened when you got there?"

"I wasn't as special in the future, but in a way, I didn't mind. I was still one of the most powerful people around and I got to be myself all of the time, no secret identities and even though I used Argo as my hero name, it was just a codename. Unless we were undercover, of course. It was its own bliss. But every year, on the anniversary of me leaving for the future, I felt some remorse. I'm sorry that I hurt you by leaving. I just didn't think about those I was leaving behind."

"What about those in the future you left behind?"

"Everyone knew everyone. If one person wasn't around to talk to about whatever problems you were feeling, there was always someone else willing to listen. In a way, it was like the league, but close-knit like a family."

"Do you miss it there?"

"Of course. But there's nothing I can do about it. They're unreachable, a thousand years in the future."

"I can't imagine," Barbara mused. "Well, actually I can. You were in the future after-all. Unreachable. But I think we've talked about that enough. You're back and here and that's all that really matters."

"I am," Kara affirmed. "And I don't plan on going anywhere anytime soon if I can help it."

There was silence between them.

Barbara rolled her shoulders, before looking back at Kara. "So, you been up to anything?" she asked her.

"I went back to the farm for a visit."

"Yeah? How are they?"

Kara smiled. "They're fine, but the farm isn't. They're too old to maintain it. I'm gonna move back in and help when I'm not doing league business."

"I'm sure they'll appreciate it."

"I'm not really doing it for praise or appreciation. They raised me for the latter part of my teen years. They helped me become who I am today. I want to give something back."

Barbara nodded as she finished off her plate of chilli. She rose up and rinsed her plate in the sink, before sitting back down and waited for Kara to finish, which didn't take her long.

"You wanna watch a movie?" Barbara asked.

"Sure," Kara said. "That would be fun."

Midtown

Metropolis

19:11 – Eastern Standard Time

March 14, 2007

Zatanna Zatara stood nervously in the elevator as it rose through the floors.

She reached into the inside pocket of her black blazer and pulled out the small lead-lined box. She opened it up, the small green rock inside gave off a soft, dangerous looking glow. She snapped the case closed and put it away. It was only to be used in defence if things got out of hand.

Zatanna hoped it wouldn't get out of hand.

When Batman had first approached her with the plan, she had been intrigued. She had even felt somewhat prideful that he would trust her with this. Now she was feeling uncomfortable with the whole thing. Kryptonians weren't to be taken lightly. Sure, they were weak to magic, something she specialised in, but they were still ludicrously strong and fast, faster than she could cast a spell, that was for sure.

The Elevator came to a stop and the doors opened. She stepped out and pulled out the small note with the room number on it. It took no time at all before she was stood outside the apartment.

"You owe me for this, Batman," she mumbled with discontent as she reached up for doorbell and pressed it down firmly.

It was almost a minute later when the door opened by Pauline Lester.

Zatanna tipped her top hat. "Good evening Doctor Lester. You'll be pleased, or perhaps not so pleased to know that I have been chosen to come into your abode and observe your super-powered guest."

"They chose you?" Pauline asked in surprise.

"Kryptonians have a weakness to magic and I'm far more sociable than Batman," Zatanna commented. "May I come in?"

"Sure," Pauline said with a slight quiver in her voice.

Zatanna stepped past her and looked at Galatea, who stood beside Doctor Hamilton next to the couch.

Pauline closed the door as the magician introduced herself. "Hello, I'm Zatanna."

"I'm aware of you," Galatea responded coldly. "I was issued a dossier on all Justice League members when I was at Cadmus."

"Okay," Zatanna said awkwardly as she took off her hat. "This is not ideal I know. This wasn't exactly how I planned spending the rest of my week."

"You're staying here?" Pauline questioned in distress.

"Yes, unfortunately. None of us really want me to be here, including me."

"So why are you?" Hamilton asked.

"Batman has a way with words," she replied. "And I have trouble saying no to him."

"A weakness," Galatea commented.

"Yes it is," Zatanna accepted. "So, are we all going to sit down and get to know each other? If you want, I could entertain you. Anybody got any cards?" No one responded. "No?"

Pauline slowly shook her head. "No, I don't have any cards."

"Oh. Well does anyone want to see some magic?"

"No," Galatea said. "We don't."

Zatanna sat down on the couch. "Well you lot are a bunch of joy." She rested her hat on her lap, the brim facing upwards. She reached in and pulled out a pack of cards. "Sure no one wants to see a card trick?"

No one answered.

"How about a funny story?"

Still no one answered.

"Okay, well, never mind then."

Galatea headed for one of the bedrooms. "I'm going back to bed. Wake me when she's gone."

Zatanna sighed. This was going to be a long night.

Watchtower II

Earth Orbit

20:02 – Station Time (EST)

March 14, 2007

Mister Terrific was sat in the monitor nest aboard the Watchtower, enjoying reading a paper on the latest hypothesis on there being a seventh type of quark which was a subatomic particle. It was pretty advanced stuff, but he was following along just fine, even if the idea of a seventh flavour of quark did not fit anywhere in the current model or even have any real evidence that it existed.

Unfortunately, he was interrupted from his study when a warning sound emanated from the console.

He looked up from the monitor as the station's computerised voice spoke out, "Warning! Five hyperspace terminus points detected. Formation complete in twenty-five seconds."

Terrific's eyes went wide and he hit the condition-one alert button on the console, which automatically sent out a general alert to all league members on Earth.

While he hoped that whoever was coming out of hyperspace and entering orbit with them would be friendly, he had a terrible feeling that they weren't, especially considering multiple craft were incoming.

Normally, he wasn't the kind of guy who went by feelings, but judging by the size of one of the exit points, something big was coming through and that didn't bode well.

In a few seconds, for good or ill, he would find out.

Updated December 2017