A/N: Yes I am not dead. I had 1/3 of this written about 4 years ago and then lost the motivation to continue with the DCAU stories. This past weekend, I don't know what came over me, but I binge watched all of JL. Going to do the same for JLU this upcoming weekend.
I am rather rusty with writing so I apology in advance. The first 1/3 will probably be of higher quality than the rest of the slop.
Honestly the ending for this chapter wasn't going to happen. Just thought it would be more character building to show just how cold and distant Emma was at this point in her life.
Set in between Red Chapter 10 and Red Chapter 7.
The low hissing noise generated by the electricity coming from the tracks drowned out the other sounds on the train and it soothed her. Emma stared out the window, half of her mind watched the passing scenery. The other half was consumed by a feeling of nostalgia. It had only been fourteen years ago that she rode a train to Gotham, trying to get away from her family. Now here she was home-bound on a train to Metropolis, trying to get back to her family. Though she had no intentions on staying for long. This was to be a quick visit that she hoped, if all went well, would end the way she had envisioned.
Around her people heading into Metropolis either napped, read, chattered on cell phones, or looked out the windows. It was the usual assortment for a commuter train: commuters in suits and ties rummaging through briefcases, the occasional tourists, or the one-timers using the train to get in and out of the city without driving.
The train's electronic horn blared several times and Emma glanced down at her lap again with a sigh. She had intended on planning out how exactly she was going to even start a conversation with her parents but she was distracted and soon lost in her own thoughts. She was hoping beyond anything that this would go well and that's where her mind had drifted off to. She began running a variety of different outcomes in her mind. It had been fourteen years after all since she had last seen or spoken to her parents. She really wouldn't be surprised if they wanted nothing to do with her at this point.
"Mommy?"
Emma looked next to her, jolted out of her thoughts by the sound from the toddler next to her. "What?" she questioned a bit curtly.
The little girl turned her body around, standing up on the seat and pressing her face against the glass window, "Go fast, Jaye an' Mommy fast."
Emma slightly turned her head to see the scenery race past them. "Right, we're going fast," she dully stated with a quick roll of her eyes. She watched as the young blonde went on her tiptoes in order to see more. "Jaye sit down right now. You're going to end up falling and hurting yourself," Emma scolded her.
The toddler glanced at her mother momentarily before complying and sitting herself back down in her seat. "Bored, Mommy play."
She raised an eyebrow at this. Never before had her daughter asked her to play, not once. It was as if they had a mutual understanding that Emma did not play and that Jaye was to leave her alone. "Not now Jaye. You'll have plenty of time to play later. You'll have...Uncle Rexy to play with."
"Uncle Rexy?" Jaye said slowly, repeating the syllables.
"Yes, Uncle Rexy and..." Emma faltered. She knew her mother would never want to be called 'Grandma'. Shayera would most likely cite how it made her feel old, which technically she was even if she still looked like she was physically in her late twenties or early thirties. Though she had to admit John didn't look bad for his actual age, something she was sure the power ring helped with. That and the fact medical science was claiming that sixty-five was the new thirty. Her father would most likely not care what his granddaughter called him, as his wife would. She also didn't feel that it was her place to pre-assign the two nicknames for her young daughter to use. "Um you'll have Uncle Rexy and your grandparents." It was most likely safe to just let the little girl decide what to call them. Especially when it came to her mother; it would be safer to just let the two of them sort that one out themselves.
The girl pouted as she sulked in her seat. Within ten minutes she began yawning. Emma smirked for a mere second. It was a good thing Jaye skipped her nap earlier that day. She was going to have some momentary peace and quiet for once.
Metropolis hadn't changed much since the last time she had actually been in the city, which was roughly ten or so years prior on an assassination assignment. More hi-tech modifications could be seen here and there on buildings but for the most part the city remained the same. The Daily Planet towered over the city's populace along with the LexCorp Tower looming over the city.
Emma maneuvered down the busy streets while carrying Jaye, as the toddler could simply not keep up with the hustle and bustle of the city and only caused delay for her mother. She also had a duffel bag thrown over her shoulder and, as embarrassing and degrading as it was, a rainbow-colored bookbag on her back.
Even though Metropolis had not changed generally, the Metro Tower's exterior had gone under vast reconstruction over the years. If Emma had no prior knowledge to the Metro Tower's location she would have never recognized the building and would have simply overlooked it. She mused over the fact at how foreign the building was to her now. She had practically grown up within its walls as a child, along with the Watchtower of course. Now that same building had been changed and altered over time, just as she had. She momentarily wondered just how different it would be inside. Had the Justice League...well technically now re-branded the Justice League Unlimited...changed as well over the years?
Whenever Emma saw the news and the Justice League was involved she looked for any familiar face she could find on the screen. Her parents were still active members, as was her Uncle Clark, which she considered to be predictable. A few new faces had graced the League though as older ones had disappeared. A new and extremely young Green Lantern which worried Emma, an Atlantean that seemed a bit too attached to a certain winged-hero for her liking, and a meta-human that could alter his size to monumental or minuscule propositions. Though the one hero she did see join years before was Warhawk; the very same hero the Atlantean seemed to adore. Emma had no need to see under the helmet to know that it was her brother fighting in that armor.
She recalled how she saw on the news quite a few times that Rex, when he first donned the Warhawk persona, was normally partnered with both Shayera and Diana, when the Amazonian was still apart of the Justice League, and how the two senior members normally had to scrape the poor novice out of trouble most of the time. Now Rex seemed a lot more competent in battle, even if he became a bit more foul tempered and brazen over the years since she had seen him, and normally partnered himself with the young Green Lantern and pretty Atlantean nowadays rather than John or Shayera.
Before she could get further lost in her own thoughts, a green wall suddenly appeared before her. For a split second Emma's heart leapt with joy before she saw that the green constructed wall came from the young, Asian Green Lantern she had seen on the news.
"This isn't a tourist attraction. You need to leave." The young boy sternly said to her.
"I don't think so." Emma frowned. "I came to see someone and you will let me in."
"I will?" He raised an eyebrow. "I believe you have no idea who you're talking to."
"Oh I think I do."
Before either could retort any further, a black and white streak appeared between them.
"That's enough Emma." Superman said as he looked over at her.
"You know this woman Superman?" The young Lantern asked.
Superman nodded. "It's alright, Kai-Ro, you can stand down. That goes for you too Emma. And might I ask, why are you here and who's the child?"
"First off why I'm here is none of your business and second she's none of your business either." Emma glared at him. "Are they here or not?"
"If you're referring to John and Shayera, no they are not. They're currently on a mission but should be returning relatively soon." Superman responded. "Rex is here."
Emma rolled her eyes. "Oh joy."
"Uncle Rexy?" Jaye looked up at her mother and asked.
"Uncle Rexy?" Superman repeated. "Don't tell me you had a daughter."
Emma sighed. "Fine I won't tell you since it's none of your business."
Superman raised an eyebrow but decided to not push the matter. He instead turned and began to walk towards the tower. "Your old room is still in one piece. Shayera wouldn't let anyone take it apart."
Emma rolled her eyes as she followed him. "How nice of mother."
Superman shook his head slightest. He found the petty grudge to be foolish and childish at this point. "You know she loves you."
"Whatever..." Emma gruffly replied as they entered the Metro Tower. "Fancy, I see you guys really upgraded the place."
"We have to keep up with the times after all." Kai-Ro replied this time as he floated past Emma. "As our enemies advance so must we."
Emma shrugged. "Logical." She then paused. "Where can I put her?" She motioned to the toddler in her arms.
"You're not going to keep her around you?" Superman asked.
"No...I rather for her to not be involved in the conversations...yet. I need somewhere I can put her and have someone watch her."
Superman looked at Kai-Ro who immediately frowned. "Why me?"
"Please? It would be for long." Superman said to him. "Plus you may have some fun babysitting."
"I have meditations to complete." Kai-Ro sighed in defeat, knowing he wouldn't win against Superman. "Very well, I will simply have to delay my schedule for a time." The young Lantern than made a hand construct to quickly take the bags Emma was carrying. "I shall take her and the belongs to the rec room."
Emma hesitated before handing off Jaye. "Make sure she doesn't get a scratch on her." She then added after a pause. "She'll whine and complain and it'll be annoying."
Superman smirked as Kai-Ro nodded and left with the young girl. "Don't worry she'll be fine. What's her name?"
Emma scowled. "I'm not worried. Her name is Jaye and that's all you need to know. Look where's Rex so I can get this over with?"
"If not in his room then the training room. I can show you to both of them."
Emma picked up her pace as she passed the Kryptonian. "No need, I remember the way. Everything might look different but it's still all in the same spot as before. Isn't it?"
"Observant but yes everything is still the same no matter how differently they may look."
"A bit stupid don't you think? You guys should have changed the layout too. What if I decided to sell this tower's layout to a group of bad guys that want you all dead?"
"We didn't see the need for it. Besides you wouldn't do that."
"How would you know?"
"If you were going to do that you would have done it years ago. You've met plenty of people over the years while working for Derek Powers." Superman stated as Emma's mouth dropped. "Bruce has been keeping tabs on you since you dropped out of college and went off on your own. I technically should have you arrest here on the spot."
"Do...do they know?"
"No, against my better judgment I haven't told John or Shayera a thing and neither has Bruce. Do you think they would be happy to know what you've been up to? Do you even know how worried they've been about you?"
Emma swallowed as she tried to think of a response. "I...it doesn't matter what I chose to do with my life. I wasn't destined to become a superhero like them it seems. Not that it matters. I still have access to this tower either way apparently. That hasn't changed either."
"No you don't."
"What do you mean I don't?"
"Bruce wiped your clearances out of the system as a security measure. All data on you was cleared and stored behind maximum security files. No one can access them now except Me, Bruce, John, or Shayera. We're the only four that can restore your access to the servers. Shayera I can see doing so but I think you'll find John to be hard-pressed to do so. I don't think you'll find him to be as forgiving about this situation than Shayera will be."
"I'm not looking for forgiveness nor do I want it. You can have your security clearances. It's not like I need them. I don't live here after all and I don't plan on it. I don't need you babysitting me around the tower. I can find Rex on my own." She growled.
Superman narrowed his eyes but gave her a curt nod. "You know where to find him. Just don't overstay your welcome." He then turned and started to head in the opposite direction.
"I won't...Uncle Clark." Emma quietly said though she knew he could hear her.
Superman smirked and muttered. "She hasn't changed a bit."
Emma continued to scowl as she walked the halls of the Metro Tower. Honestly the longer she stayed the more she felt as if she were finally home and she hated the feeling. This wasn't where she belonged and she kept telling herself that. Hoping to make that feeling finally go away.
Reaching Rex's room, Emma sighed. She didn't know what she was going to say to him. Hug him? Just say hello? Or just pretend as if she wasn't happy to see him?
Emma sighed again as she raised her hand to knock on the door but found herself hesitating and unable to do so. Or perhaps she was unwilling, she wasn't sure.
"Why does this have to be so hard? Just knock, say hi, and that's it. Simple." She whispered to her. She took a deep breath and raised her hand to once again attempt to knock. Just as she was about to a voice spoke up.
"Em? You're back?" Emma turned her head towards the voice to see Rex standing there looking dazed. Slowly the dazed look turned into a smile. "You're back!" He ran to her and hugged her, lifting her off the ground.
"Rex put me down. It's not that exciting. Plus it's temporary."
"Temporary or not, you're back. That's all that matters. I've missed having you around. It wasn't the same being the only troublemaker around." He said as he placed her back down.
Emma smirked. "You a troublemaker? You only followed me around. You never caused trouble on your own. Too goody two shoed for that. Right Warhawk?"
Rex shrugged. "Still, it was fun getting in trouble with you. Guess you heard."
"I saw you on the news plenty of times. Doesn't take a rocket scientist to figure it out. Especially when the person has known you their entire life. You wanted to be a superhero since we were kids. At least you aren't scare of everything anymore."
Rex shrugged. "I was a kid. Kids easily get scared. Besides you could have done the same. You always used to beat me in our sparring matches."
"Not my thing and just because I can fight doesn't make me a superhero. Bad guys know how to fight too you know."
"Point taken." Rex then smiled. "You have no idea how happy Mom is going to be when she sees you. Every single day she mentions you. If I had to give my honest opinion. You're her favorite."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I doubt that Rex. I'm not anyone's favorite, especially right now. Trust me."
"Hey I mean it. Dad is going to be happy too. Though he might be angry first."
"I expect some anger. It's been fourteen years without even a letter saying I'm still alive and breathing. It's justifiable."
"You know Dad. His bark is a hell lot worse than his bite. Now Mom on the other hand."
"If she was angry at me than she would pummel me the second she sees me."
"Exactly and you have no reason to worry about that. She's not even slightly mad at you or at least she doesn't seem to be and you know Mom. If she's angry she'll let you know about it."
"Yeah I guess. Sorta dumb on her part to not be though."
The two walked in silence for a moment.
"I can introduce you to the rest of the League." Rex offered.
"I met that kid Green Lantern, Kai-Ro. Seems like he has a stick up his ass." She paused. "I've seen the others on TV."
"Kai-Ro is just um...serious for his age. You just have to get used to him. I think you'll get along with Mareena. Just don't get on Barda's bad side."
Emma rolled her eyes. "I'll try not to."
Eventually the two made it to the training room. Rex paused before they entered. "Only three not here are Micron, Static, and Batman. Micron and Static are on a mission together. Batman is with Mom and Dad."
"He's not Batman. Just a replacement that can't be like the original." Emma duly stated as she walked past him and entered the room.
"Who in the hell are you?" A rather muscular woman asked as Emma entered.
"Easy Barda." Rex called to her. "That's my sister."
Barda frowned. "So you're the good for nothing Shayera talks about. Probably only back because you need something from Mommy and Daddy."
Emma glared at her. "I see you replaced Wonder Woman. You might be as strong as her but you don't have Aunt Diana's brains from what I've seen."
"What did you say to me!?" Barda skulked over to her and grabbed her shirt.
Rex groaned. "I told her to not piss off Barda."
Mareena tilted her head as she walked over to Rex. "So that's your sister?"
"Yeah that's her...unfortunately not any better mannered than last time I saw her."
"Is your sister nice?"
Rex paused a moment before replying. "I wouldn't say that." He chuckled lightly. "Honestly she's a great, big asshole who enjoys insulting people and being a nosy bitch." To his surprise, the Atlantean laughed at his description. "Yeah Emma can be nice."
Mareena stopped laughing as she then looked worried. "Um Rex...you might want to stop Barda from ripping her head off."
Rex turned his attention back to Barda and Emma who were in the middle of grappling with each other. "Hey, hey, hey stop it! You guys shouldn't fight. At least talk and get to know each other first."
Barda looked at Rex unamused. "Really? Talk to each other? Who do you take me for?"
"An idiot." Emma punched her square in the jaw with a right hook.
Barda scowled as she stumbled back and rubbed her chin. "Not bad. Stung a little but now it's my turn." She swung her fist, catching Emma in the chest, and flinging her across the room. Emma slammed against the wall as Barda slowly walked towards her. "Now that was a real punch. Care for more?"
Emma laid on her back for a moment to catch her breath and to let her vision straighten. "Hardly felt a thing." Emma slowly stood. "Was that supposed to hurt?"
Barda smirked as she cracked her knuckles. "Oh I'm not even warmed up next."
Mareena gave Rex an incredulous look. "And you're sure she's your sister?"
Rex sighed as he watched the two go at it. "Yup, she takes after Mom."
"Like you don't?" Mareena smirked. "You got Shayera's temper and I've seen you get Barda angry."
"Yeah I guess." Rex flinched as Emma threw Barda into a wall. "I guess it's just a family thing."
Mareena likewise flinched as Barda tackled Emma. "Maybe we should stop them. Barda might hurt her."
Rex waved her off. "Barda wouldn't." He then paused. "You don't think she would do you?"
"WHAT DID YOU JUST SAY!?" Barda threw a punch. Thankfully Emma ducked in time as Barda's fist created a crater in the wall behind her.
Emma looked behind her and then back to Barda. "Shit."
Below them the teleportation pad in the communication hub came to life as three League members materialized.
Batman stumbled off of the pad as Shayera smirked. "At least you didn't throw up this time kid."
"Ugh man...I'll never get used to that. Weird stuff out there off world." Terry muttered. "The old man warned me."
"You'll get used to it. Trust me." John patted his shoulder.
"We could do it again. Would make travel to Gotham much faster." Shayera suggested but was then elbowed by the Green Lantern next to her.
"Shay behave."
Shayera rolled her eyes. "I was just having some fun John."
"At Batman's expense. Go easy on him."
Before Shayera had the chance to retort, Superman strode up to the three. "I see everyone is back in one piece."
Terry groaned as he clutched his stomach. "More or less. I might lose my lunch still."
"I think Bruce would like you back in Gotham. You know how he gets when you're gone for too long." Superman said to him with a bit of humor laced into his tone.
Terry straightened out and let out a small chuckle. "Yeah cranky but more than usual. I don't know how you guys dealt with him for so long."
Shayera shrugged. "He grows on you after a while. Bruce is...like a teddy bear...a teddy bear covered in spikes. Rough on the outside but soft on the inside."
"Yeah I'm sure if I called him a teddy bear that would go over real well." Terry frowned. "I better get going before the old man gets anymore annoyed with me."
"Just remember his bark is a lot worse than his bite nowadays." Shayera called after him.
"So how did things go with Terry?" Superman asked them.
"Not bad, he's rough around the edges." John replied. "I mean teamwork definitely isn't his thing obviously. Him and Bruce have that in common."
Shayera smirked. "Honestly he's like if you took Wally and Bruce and merged them into one person. Having a smart alec Batman around is...different."
"Different but welcome." John stated. "It's nice having a fulltime Batman that actual wants to be in the Justice League."
Suddenly the tower shook as crashing and slamming noises could distinctively be heard well above them.
Superman looked up; obviously using his x-ray vision to survey the carnage. He frowned and then sighed. "That would be our guest making friends with Barda."
"Guest?" The Thanagarian and Green Lantern gave the Kryptonian quizzical looks.
"Yes a guest. Currently in the training room. You might want to go up there and stop those two before someone gets hurt." Superman suggested. "Rex and Mareena are having a hell of a time up there trying to rein everyone in."
John sighed. "Come on Shay."
In the training room Rex was trying, and failing miserably, to hold Barda back. Mareena, just as badly, was attempting to hold back Emma.
"Let me go Warhawk or else I'll have to hurt you too." Barda growled at him.
"I can't..." He grunted as he struggled against Barda's resistance. "Do that Barda."
"Fine." Barda elbowed him in the temple, effectively stunning him momentarily. This was enough time for Barda to slip out of his grasp and begin charging towards Mareena and Emma.
Mareena gasped and looked around her before letting go of Emma. "I'm sorry." She then leapt out of the way as Barda tackled Emma to the ground.
"Now say it again you piece of shit!" Barda yelled as she threw a punch. Emma moved her head out of the way as Barda's punch left a crater in the floor.
"Gladly you psychotic, egotistical bitch." Emma smirked as she moved her head again to avoid a punch.
"You insolent, little bug!" Barda lifted her by her neck.
"Try me...Bertha." Emma quipped.
Barda scowled as she tightened her hold on Emma's neck. "That's it you little pest! I'm going to-"
"Barda put her down!" John cut her off. "Now!" He held a fist up and his ring began to glow. "I'm not going to tell you a second time."
"You're lucky Mommy and Daddy came to save you." Barda murmured to Emma as she set her feet onto the ground. "Just wait until they aren't around to protect you."
"I don't need protection so try me." Emma countered as she sucker punched Barda in the jaw.
"You!" Barda lounged at her as Emma did the same.
John let out an exasperated sigh. "Really?" He created a wall between the two. "Both of you stand down."
"And if we don't?" Emma indignantly asked.
At that Shayera cracked her knuckles. "I'll knock you both out myself."
"I'd like to see you try." Both Emma and Barda answered at the same time. The two scowled as they then glared at each other.
John sighed as he walked over to his daughter and placed his hand on her shoulder. "Emma please."
Emma continued to glare at Barda before turning her head away before shrugging John's hand off her shoulder. "Fine, you get off lucky. This time."
"Same could be said for you." Barda retorted as she began to walk towards the door. She paused when she was next to Shayera. "You can't protect her forever." She then continued out of the training room.
"I think I should leave too." Mareena quietly said. "I'll see you later Rex." The Atlantean quickly left the room as well.
There was a brief silence before Emma broke it. "I had everything under control. I didn't need you two to butt in."
"You really think we would let Barda pop your head off?" John asked her with a raised eyebrow.
"No since the League doesn't kill and she wouldn't be able to. At worst she would have given me a concussion."
"After breaking the rest of your ribs?" Rex muttered but earned himself a glare from Emma.
"She didn't break my ribs. Perhaps bruised but not broken. Next time I'm going to kick that pompous, Apokoliptian ass of hers." Emma scowled.
John frowned. "So you have a good excuse?"
Shayera swallowed as she chose to stay quiet. Knowing her daughter, her feelings hadn't changed over the years. She was stubborn and, Shayera knew, her mother's daughter in a lot of ways.
Emma glared at him and for a moment John thought he was staring at Shayera with the way she was glaring and scowling. "Last time I checked I don't need excuses."
"Funny because when someone just up and vanishes for fourteen years usually they have a valid reason about why they did." John didn't falter as he continued to frown at her.
"Well at least she's in one piece." Shayera pointed out. "So obviously she's been fine." Shayera looked at Emma. "Like I thought you would be."
Emma looked at her unamused. "That's not how Rex made it sound. He made it sound like you were being a worrywart twenty-four seven. Though that is rather unlike you mother so I would have been disappointed to find out if that were true."
Shayera narrowed her eyes slightly at Rex, who squirmed a bit under her gaze. "I have no idea what Rex is talking about."
"Right..." Emma sarcastically stated with an eye roll. "Look I didn't come back here for just no reason."
"Yeah I think we could figure that one out," Shayera retorted. "So what do you need from us?"
Emma smirked as she crossed her arms over her chest. "Cutting straight to the chase. At least some things don't change. Well what I need is related to a very long story."
"I think we have the time to listen to a long story," John said to her.
"You thought that was a good idea!?" Shayera yelled at her.
Emma flinched slightly. Yes she expected her parents to be disappointed and yes she expected them to be angry. "Well actually-"
"What in the hell were you thinking!? Let me guess, you weren't!"
John wisely stayed quiet as he let Shayera blow off some steam. Honestly this was more up Shayera's alley than his and he didn't know what to say really. Yes his daughter was an idiot for getting married to a lunatic. Yes she was an absolute imbecile to have a child with the way her disposition was. The thing he had the most trouble with was her line of work.
"You see-"
"You're an idiot!" Shayera cut her off again.
Though John was getting the sinking feeling in his gut that he knew why Emma was here and why Emma would have brought her daughter with her.
"This is why I really didn't want to come back," Emma rolled her eyes. "Because of you."
"Yet here you are," Shayera scowled. "Let me guess. You want us to raise her. Don't you? That's why you came back, to dump a kid you don't want off on us."
Emma pompously smirked as she sat back. "I don't have to ask now."
John looked at Shayera and saw her visibly fighting the urge to say no. John knew Shayera wasn't going to say no in the end. She didn't have the heart.
Shayera let out a low growl as she looked away.
"Well?" Emma raised an eyebrow.
Shayera looked at John, who shrugged. Shayera slowly looked back at Emma but with the same scowl, "We're not doing this for you. I want to make that clear. We're doing this for Jaye. That's the only reason why we're agreeing to this. You have some nerve."
Emma shrugged as she stood. "So I've been told plenty of times." She then started to walk towards the door as she then called over her shoulder, "Have fun."
"Where are you going?" John asked her but Emma could tell by the tone it was more meant as in 'do you think you can leave' type of question.
Emma looked over her shoulder at them. "Obviously I'm leaving. You agreed to what I wanted so I have no reason to stay."
"So not even a goodbye?" John leaned back with a disappointed tone. "That's cold. Even for you Emma."
Emma turned her head forward again and smirked. "Guess I am."