CLXXV
In The End…

In the end, Death whisked John Constantine away to his final reward, leaving me alone with the lifeless body of the woman whom I had loved, the LexCorp android she had designed to save her life, and thousands of colorful tropical fish oblivious to what had just happened.

In the outskirts of London, England.

Even so, for the second time in my life, Suki-Anna Khan had awoken something within me. A realization that I was a part of something bigger. Something changed that day… in a crashing instant where the wave of humanity pulled me in its unseen undertow… and carried me back out to a distant Sea.

She made me human again.

I wasn't alone at all.

I wasn't afraid.

The fish we donated to a London aquarium the following day.

The third day, in a secret and private funeral, the frail remains of Suki-Anna were given a proper burial beside her mother's grave with only myself, Amir Khan (Suki's grieving father), a caretaker and Suki II present.

The painful tears in the eyes of Amir Khan sealed my recently-acquired android's fate.

Suki's robot had been implanted with all the memories and intelligence of its creator, as close to a replacement of Suki-Anne Khan as there ever could be.

I knew what the original Suki-Anna had done and what she had become. That memory was burned into my heart. She had wanted her robotic creation to take care of me, but there was someone who needed her much more than I did. So when I looked into the heartbroken face of Amir Khan, I knew what had to be done…

To the rest of the world, Suki II would become Suki-Anna Khan.

I offered Suki II a position with the fledgling genetic research division of Wayne Industries where she could work remotely within the home of her 'father'. It may have been difficult to believe that an android could feel regret, but I knew that Suki II felt acutely responsible for not being able to provide a cure for her creator in time.

She was to continue her study into a cure for fatal familial insomnia as part of an international team of researchers at Wayne Industries. She was also to offer consolation to Amir Khan and play the part of his long-lost daughter. I would have to pull some strings, but we could make this work.

Both of them readily agreed.

In the end, t worked out quite well for everyone.

Suki II had isolated the cure for FFI within six weeks. The original Suki-Anna had designed her robotic clone to be a miracle worker when it came to curing genetic diseases.

And she was…

In eleven months, my genetic research team had developed and patented a cure for Alzheimer's which prompted Wayne Industries to branch off into pharmaceuticals. In eighteen months, they had developed a viral gene inoculation that would eradicate cancer.

Within two years, having never sold a single unit of his Wayne Industries shares, Alfred Pennyworth became the richest man on the planet.

That summer, on clear starry nights, I would often look up into the sky above, attempting to find that one twinkling light in the celestial darkness that was Suki-Anna... The Genius of the night sky who had made it all possible.

My rational mind knew that her light would never reach the Earth within my lifetime… But on clear nights under a sky of stars, I couldn't help myself. I had discovered that it was part of being human.

In Gotham, life went on in spectacular fashion.

Upon my return from London, I immediately received my promotion. Having fulfilled the conditions of my offer, Bruce willingly stepped down as the C.E.O. of Wayne Industries and let me take over as leader of his corporate birthright.

Which gave Bruce the time he needed to focus on more important things.

In the days leading up to their Christmas Eve ceremony, Bruce and Raven Wayne suddenly dominated the news; from Raven's tragic origin as the child of both a God and human woman to her choice of a wedding dress.

The world's attention suddenly turned to Gotham, with media crews all over the Wayne Estate leading up to the Wedding. Babs, Princess Diana and Suki II were in the bridal party while Alfred, Clark and myself made up the groom's side.

Although I felt like a stand-in for Richard Grayson (who had managed to keep his 'resurrection' as the Batman a secret) I didn't mind. I was happy to be there for Bruce and Raven and see Suki and Amir again.

In the end, the whole gala affair went off without a hitch.

And of course, Barbara caught the bouquet before Bruce and Raven traveled to New Genesis for their well-deserved honeymoon. Their son had been conceived the month before, but the rest of the world didn't have to know that.

Shortly afterwards, in a move that stunned everyone, James Gordon stepped down as the Commissioner of the Gotham City Police Department. Ellen Yindel was quickly named as his replacement, encumbered with a mayoral mandate to curtail the vigilante activities of The Batman.

And then Jim Gordon really dropped the bombshell.

The Police Commissioner announced his candidacy in the Republican primaries at his retirement dinner, an event similar in scope to when Bruce had been offered the Key to the City months before. Luckily this time, there were no assassination attempts on the mayor.

Six days later, Bruce Wayne caused a political firestorm when - as the acting President representing the Democratic Party - he announced his own retirement from politics and then actively endorsed James Gordon in his bid to become President.

Perhaps it was Bruce's endorsement, or the brilliant and tireless campaign efforts of James Gordon's fiery daughter, or the fact that his future son-in-law was Superman… but Jim Gordon swept the Republican primaries that Spring.

James Gordon represented what America needed. A man who had held Gotham City firmly in check when the rest of America had been only one step away from anarchy.

One of the first honest cops in Gotham and a devoted husband and father. One of those rare men born with an innate sense of right and wrong, yet a firm believer in a system of law that had failed at times… yet had prevailed in the end.

Jim Gordon was the bridge to the New World. As the current father of Earth's Blue Lantern and the future father-in-law of Superman, he was as close to the Justice League as anyone could be. Being a long-term friend and ally of Bruce Wayne didn't hurt either.

Jim Gordon didn't run his campaign on fear or scandal. He ran it on a stronger America that would rebuild itself better than it had ever been. He ran it on hard work and a willingness to succeed.

One year after the night Bruce Wayne was offered the Key to the City and shortly before Wayne Industries released its cure for Alzheimer's, Jim Gordon was elected as President of the United States in a landslide victory.

As for me, being the C.E.O of a large multinational company kept me very busy. I had steered Wayne Industries into some new, profitable ventures, which required a lot of my time. But I had also increased its charitable profile.

Bruce had been a staunch supporter of the Gotham City Police Department, while I divested our funding more to the rehabilitation and the prevention of crime. I secretly met with Richard Grayson once a month, whose soul was still torn apart by the shackles of vengeance. He was a man who could not rest.

With the seemingly unending war of Batman in mind, I funded an ex-convict rehabilitation program. Wayne Industries would sponsor the education and training of willing ex-convicts to enter the work force and leave their path of crime.

Those who had previously tangled with the Batman seemed more than willing.

The following December, I even tried my hand at volunteering with the Wayne Industries ex-convict rehabilitation program as part of our volunteer drive. I might even be able to convince Richard that there was hope for the incarcerated.

I met people who had thought that their choices had been taken away from them until they had nothing left… who had done hard time in places like Blackgate and never wanted to go back there.

These people were willing to work hard to give themselves new choices and appreciated what Wayne Industries had offered... A chance at redemption. Something they could do that would keep them with the people that they loved… and not alone in a small, dark cell.

They wanted to be loved and validated, to be known as something other than a criminal.

Their eyes lit up when they talked about their family, their friends. The faces darkened with shame when they talked about what they had done, the stupid mistakes of youth that had put them there, wishing things could have turned out differently.

I let them know that wishes could come true. If you faced your fears, protected the ones you cared about and didn't give up, they did. I didn't tell them it was Raven Wayne who had shown me this, but I certainly sounded confident enough when I spoke… almost as if I had first-hand knowledge.

I honestly felt like I was doing some good, making a connection. Yet somehow, I felt like I was alone again… removed.

It was when I finally grabbed a coffee in the volunteer room that I saw her…

The most beautiful woman in the world.

She was the all-American blonde and blue-eyed girl that rallied her football team to victory from the top of a human pyramid. She was the beautiful track star who was also the popular valedictorian. She was the muse of all that was happiness…

…But were those tears in her eyes?

"…. Excuse me, Miss…. But I couldn't help but notice…"

"Oh, these?" She pointed at those stunning eyes and smiled. My heart exploded to witness such glory. "…Part of the job, I guess. Nothing to worry about. You're new here, aren't you? Pull up a chair and tell me how your night's going."

"It's… going great actually. To see people who have gone through all that hardship, trying to turn their lives around. People who had the odds against them their entire life. Makes me really appreciate what my mom and dad were able to do for me..."

She sighed.

"Ugh… Maybe don't mention the D-Word right now. That's why I had to take this little break... But trust me, I feel the same way. It is great to help here. To make a real difference with good people…

I was just talking with the nicest guy… He turned his whole life around, got a job, a promotion. Now he actually volunteers here. I made the mistake of asking him what the secret of his success was."

"Mistake? I'd actually like to know as well."

"He said he did it all for his daughter... That she had supported and believed in him the whole time he had been incarcerated, and that he could never let her down again… sniff…. Excuse me."

I watched as this beautiful creature dabbed a fresh Kleenex on her eyes to absorb the newly formed tears that had spilled down her perfect cheeks.

"I'm sorry… I didn't mean to make you cry again."

"Oh, trust me… it's not you that's making me cry. But I'll tell you what… you tell me why you're volunteering here… and then I'll tell you my sad story. Is that fair…?"

"Of course. But please, call me Tim… I'm afraid my reason is almost professional. My company sponsors this program and we encourage our employees to volunteer as well… Me included.

Also I have a… friend that is in… law enforcement. I think it would help him to hear that convicts can still turn their lives around."

"Oh sorry Tim, it's Steph…"

She reached out her hand for me to shake... I was amazed by how much it felt just like another hand I had shaken all those years ago in front of blackboard in England. Over the past year, I had buried myself in work and responsibility in order to avoid feeling the despairing loss of Suki-Anna.

Funny that it should all come back now because of just one handshake... Did Steph notice the sadness in my face when that painful memory triggered? She regarded me sympathetically, as though the name 'Steph' must have triggered painful thoughts, and then continued her sad tale…

"I volunteer here because my father has been a convict for as long as I can remember. I guess when I was born, he was a pretty famous game show host. And then his show was cancelled and he just couldn't find paying work. Somehow he got involved in crime and found out that he really enjoyed it… like he had found his true calling or something. My father, the career criminal…

After a dozen robberies and extortions, the notorious Arthur Brown was finally apprehended and sentenced to twenty years in Blackgate. The local media had a field day with that one! He was still famous enough that people recognized him - and he actually enjoyed the notoriety.

I've spent most of my life trying to help him… to give him a daughter he wanted to be proud of, to rehabilitate for. I've been volunteering in programs like this since I was of age. It's almost like second nature to me now."

"That's really inspirational… A lot of kids would have been ashamed, just written their father off and moved on. But you were there for him. That kind of loyalty is rare these days, Steph."

"Yeah… I was so inspirational at his parole board hearings that he actually got out after serving sixteen years. First offence, daughter who loved him, a real desire to turn his life around, etcetera…"

The sad look on her face told me this wasn't a happy story.

"… So where is he now?"

"Back in jail... The ex-con conned his own daughter for all those years. He never had any intention of going straight. He just wanted back in 'the game' and used his daughter to get there. He was caught and sentenced again last year… The worst part is that I had no idea he had even gotten back into crime. I just thought he worked at a collections agency for crying out loud…"

"Steph, you can't blame yourself. Even parents make mistakes, but to have a daughter like you willing to help him like that… wow."

"Thanks… I'm not sure how much I helped him though. I'm not sure I could ever give him what he needed."

"You gave him what any parent in his shoes would love to have… a chance."

"A chance at a normal life with family responsibilities… I don't think he ever wanted that. He wanted life in the lights, the big time…"

"I think life with you would be extraordinary…. I mean, you just seem to be that sort of person… not that I'm an expert… but you seem really great."

She looked up and giggled.

"Workaholic, huh? Must not get out much… Oh, I'm sorry, I guess we should introduce ourselves formally. My name's Stephanie… Stephanie Brown."

The second handshake did not incur the painful memories of the first. Quite the opposite in fact.

"Stephanie… That's a wonderful name. My name's Tim… Tim Drake."

"Nice to meet you, Tim... Say, that name sounds familiar… Where did you say you work again?"

"Wayne Industries."

I suppose it had been too much to ask for that I could remain anonymous.

"Ohmigod… Mr. Drake… I am so sorry. I didn't mean to burden you with all my family tragedies while you're here… I'm sorry, I just stupidly assumed you were another volunteer… I am such an idiot!"

"I am another volunteer, Stephanie. You're certainly not stupid or an idiot. And please, call me Tim. Talking with you has been one of the highlights of the day. To be honest, this is difficult time of year for me. I… lost someone one year ago."

She peered at me intently.

"Is that why you were sad when you shook my hand? I'm sorry… I don't mean to pry."

"Yes it was… You reminded me of her somehow… She was a remarkable woman as well. I see you have your jacket. Was your shift finishing?"

"Yeah… That last meeting put me over my emotional quotient today anyways. You think I'd just be able to move on with my life by now."

"The past has a funny way of catching up. I just realized I haven't eaten yet. Would you like to join me? My treat."

"I'm not really dressed…"

"Nothing fancy, just coffee and conversation. You seem like a wonderful, remarkable person. And very easy to talk to… I think this is the most I've actually conversed with someone in months."

"Thank you, Tim. I would like that actually. There's this great little Diner a couple of blocks away. And I'm sure there must be a lot of exciting things that have happened at Wayne Industries lately…"

"Yeah, you could say that… If you've got the time over dinner, I can tell you the most amazing story about Bruce and Raven Wayne. I may even embellish the small part I played in it."

"Sounds like a date then, Tim. It's almost closing time here anyways…"

Stephanie Brown put on her coat, held out her hand for me and smiled.

"…Shall we continue this conversation Elsewhere?"

And in the end, everything was right and good again.

The End