A Twist of Fate

Chapter 27

Dick looked at his sleeves again. It was odd being in such a tight suit, almost spandex, but it wasn't. He'd never realized how flexible Kevlar could be in the right portions. It would block all knives as long as it wasn't a joint and could catch slow, small bullets, and slow others so they didn't go in deep. The suit was also red, green, yellow, and hints of black. It was flashy and Dick refused the bright yellow cape that came with.

Dick looked over at the other members of the team. His team. They said he was a part of the team. It made something bloom in him he hadn't had in a long time. Belonging maybe. But he also knew he belonged with Slade and his elder brothers. He just hoped that any god up there wouldn't make him choose between them.

He caught a glimpse of green eyes and held in a smirk, "See something you like?" Dick called.

"You look like a hero." Wally said back, not biting at the bait.

Dick scowled, "Is this really the only suit in the armory?"

"The only one that could fit you. Everything else was too huge on you." Wally declared, "You got everything else that you asked for?"

"Yeah, I got everything I need."

Wally smirked, "I thought you would ask for a sword but you didn't."

"I know how much I can push and what is over the line."

Wally only shrugged glancing again at his phone.

Artemis noticed and thought it would be good to give Renegade a hint, "Wally, what have you and Richard been talking about? Humm. Don't try and deny it."

Wally sighed, "We were talking but after that ambush I haven't been able to get a hold of him. It's like that time we were on the mission at Haley's. We have a date soon and I'm scared if he backed out but too scared to tell me."

"Don't worry Wally." Magan soothed, "Richard isn't like that. He's probably really busy like he was in Happy Harbor. We could barely see him during the day and always had internships after school. He also said the day we saw him at the mall was really him going on airands and had time to grab himself a game for the few days off he gets."

Wally sighed with a sense of wanting, "I guess. I just want to see him."

Dick felt his heart warm before crashing down. What if, when he told Wally who he was, he would hate him. Or in the very least see him differently. It scared Dick more than he cared to think about. He looked out of the window to the island coming up fast.

"Everyone know the plan?" Kelder asked.

They all nodded. It was time to end this.

~ ~ ~

Bruce sat at the monitor room of the Watch Tower. The party was in full swing on the other side of the shut and locked door. Or at least it was locked when he sat down.

"Bruce."

Bruce sighed, "What is it Clark?"

"You know the party is out that door right? Or anywhere else in this place."

"I know. That is why I'm in here."

Clark sighed, draping an arm around Bruce's shoulder, hand laying against the man's chest, "You need to socialize more, with members of the league. You can't just have Diana, John, and me. And don't say that Oliver and Barry are friends too. The only reason you talk to either of them is because your kids hang out with their kids and Oliver runs in your circle out of the mask."

"No, Clark." Bruce sighed, "I don't do well with crowds."

"You're just fine at dinners and Galas. How is this any different?" Clark asked softly.

"Because it's not me." Bruce growled back.

Clark nodded, reaching up with his free hand and tugging the cowl from Bruce's eyes, "I know but maybe if you just let them see that you aren't that heartless, and that they can rely on you."

Bruce glared opening his mouth to protest.

"I'm not saying they don't rely on you. We all do. You keep everything in order in ways we all couldn't. You are order to our chaos." Clark leaned closer, "I'm not going to force you out there. I'm not Diana."

Bruce smirked slightly. The Amazon would drag him out of there by his ear.

Clark turned his attention to the screen and what Bruce had been working on, "Still looking into who Renegade could be?"

"No. I'm looking at why he could hate me so much; Batman so much. I've compiled all the things Wally has told me and what I've seen and experienced from him. But I'm still more worried about who is after the boy. And who the team might have to face in the coming days."

Clark nodded, "Yes, that would be a worry. Do you think it is this Light we are still trying to figure out?"

"Yes and no. It might be all of them or one individual a part of it." Bruce tapped a few buttons and all of the heavy hitters the Team has faced showed up on screen, "I still think there is more in this Light then just these ones. Actually I think they're grunts or close enough to it. Players on a chess board of an unknown size."

Clark hummed, "Renegade isn't bad as he seemed that day."

"You mean feral?" Bruce asked.

Clark nodded.

"Then you've never raised a teen. They're all feral at one point or another, moody if you're lucky."

Clark smiled, "Speaking from experience?"

"Jason has matured early. At twelve he's acting like a fifteen year old. Me and Alfred are ready to rip out our hair. He's ditching classes. Cursing like a sailor, though that isn't very new. He even took my lamborghini out for a test drive and got arrested. Thankfully Gorden didn't do anything but give him a warning before calling me to pick him and my car up at the police station."

"His teen years will be hell to bear," Clark muttered, "Good gravy, he is worse than you."

"I know. Alfred won't stop reminding me. Never thought it would be this hard to raise a kid."

"Jason's not a kid anymore Bruce. He'll be a teen in ten months. You'll have to set some rules for him and stick to them."

Bruce gave him an amused look, "When are you going to introduce Conner to Ma and Pa?"

"One week. I was hoping to make it a surprise."

"Have you talked to him at all beforehand?"

Clark winced, "I don't know how, I guess."

"Just ask him how he is at school. Maybe ask what last name he took. Ask him about anyone he might like or how he thinks of the team. Maybe ask what he expects from you."

"Why couldn't it have been your clone? You're so much better with kids." Clark laughed, "The Dark Knight, the most feared Hero, is better with kids then Superman."

Bruce chucked with him, "You com-"

Smash.

Both Bruce and Clark whirled around, Bruce pulling on his cowl. Another Smash. It sounded like glass hitting the floor. Then came Roy's tentative knock.

"Um, Bats. Superman." Roy called through the door, "Barry just passed out with a few of the other Leaguers."