The Wayne Legacy: Knightmare
By BetterInTexas
Chapter 39: Post Metawave – Epilogue V
Stratford Lake/Wayne Manor
The Gotham Police Department divers found what they were looking for easily enough. There was only one spot on Stratford Lake where a car could be pushed off a cliff. A barge with a crane had to be floated to the area and it took several hours to pull the old, rusted, but surprisingly intact car from the water.
Kara watched from the trees near the shore at the base of the cliff, Dig beside her talking on his phone quietly with the advanced security team in New Orleans ahead of their weekend trip.
Tomorrow morning, John Blake would meet her at the manor and accompany her, Diana and Steve to New Orleans where they would arrive around noon and be at the Bourbon Orleans Hotel on Bourbon Street by two p.m.
She hadn’t told Diana where she would be today but hadn’t bothered to ask Dig to keep it to himself. She had her tracker on so Diana knew where she was but so far, her sister had left her alone. She wanted to be alone as much as possible though knowing Dig wouldn’t leave her, which was fine. She took comfort in his presence. Unlike Diana who would hover and try to hold her, want her to talk about her feelings, Dig stayed quiet, not intruding on her thoughts.
When the car broke the surface of the water, a tear slipped from her eye. She didn’t know the man. Diana had filled her in a bit more and she was more than angry that Diana had known this for longer than she suspected and said nothing.
She knew this half of her DNA was probably the reason she had an immunity disorder. She knew this man wanted Emily to have an abortion.
He probably sensed the woman was crazy, Kara thought bitterly.
Kara now knew she had actual blood relatives in the world, something that was a bit surreal. Robert and Anita Penrose, the parents of the boy in the car, were alive and had wanted justice for their son for twenty-two years.
Would Kara ever meet them? In her mind, it was impossible. What could she possibly say? I’m the baby that was the catalyst for your son’s demise. Sorry about that. I’m Emily Parlow’s daughter, the woman that likes to bash people’s skulls in. She also probably killed another girl but I’m not sure where her body is.
The water-logged car was maneuvered onto the barge and police officers looked inside and began roping the car off with tape, obviously determining the wreck was a crime scene, meaning there was a body inside, or the remains of one.
Kara took a deep breath and turned to Dig. “Let’s go home.”
“Diana texted.” Dig told her as they started walking. “She wants to know if you are up for having a meeting with Lena tonight at the manor.”
Kara nodded. “Business, right. Yeah, I’m good.”
The two walked through the woods and emerged onto a parking lot. Four black SUVs were present and three of them had four armed guards. The fourth only had a driver and it was that one that Dig and Kara entered, sitting side-by-side in the back.
“You okay?” he asked.
“Of course.” Kara told him, feigning indifference though she knew he wasn’t fooled. “So, your brother, sister-in-law and cute little nephew will be here for Thanksgiving, and then stay at the manor through the wedding, correct?”
“Yep. They are very excited.” Dig assured her.
“And then after the honeymoon, they have to come stay for Christmas.” Kara reminded him.
“I’ll ask them about Christmas.”
Kara snorted. “You haven’t had a Christmas with family in years. I haven’t had a Christmas with a child ever. Either they come to us or we go to them.”
“I’ll let them know. I think they are a bit intimidated by the thought of staying in the manor but I’m sure by the end of Thanksgiving they will be comfortable.” Dig assured her.
They reached the manor and Kara noted Diana was already home. When she checked her watch, she saw it was after six p.m.
She walked inside and saw Diana was waiting for her.
“Are you okay?”
“They found him.” Kara said instead of answering, her tone a bit sharp.
Diana sighed, her shoulders slumping uncharacteristically. “You are still angry with me, aren’t you?”
Kara was actually more frustrated than upset. “I’m not angry, Diana, not really… it’s just… a lot has happened, and you have to stop trying to protect me from it. I have to learn to deal with these things.”
“I don’t want you to hurt.” Diana told her softly.
“I am going to hurt… I’m supposed to hurt, right? Am I not allowed to hurt? I can’t stay in that perfect world Dad wanted me to have forever.
“ I get it. He thought I would be isolated behind these walls forever so he didn’t want me to worry about anything else. He raised you to follow in his footsteps by protecting me from the world and all the bad things in it.
“But, Diana, because of you… what you did for me… I’m not isolated anymore. I have a life so I am going to have to learn to live it. You need to let me make my own decisions. I should be able to have panic attacks without sedatives being shoved down my throat. I should know if Emily Parlow calls to threaten my sister. No more secrets, okay?”
Diana’s face fell as she visibly stiffened. Kara felt the weight of her sister’s gaze as Diana stood there, obviously considering her words.
Slowly, Diana relaxed and she smiled gently, lightly gripping Kara’s shoulders. “Protecting you from the world has been the driving force of my life from the moment I first saw you, Kara. Everything I’ve ever done revolved around making sure you were never stressed or hurt in any way, that you were healthy and safe. You are asking me to change that mindset and it will not happen overnight. Please, give me some time to adjust. I promise you I will try to let go… to trust you… share things with you. I take my promises to you very seriously… you know this.”
Kara smiled back, clasping her sister’s wrists, knowing it would be a hard thing for Diana to actually do, but feeling the sincerity of her promise. “I do… and I will let you know when you are becoming too pushy.”
“Of that, I have no doubt.” Diana replied, laughing and releasing her. “Lena is having a drink with Dr. Prince in the library. Shall we talk to her, or would you prefer another time?”
“Now is fine.” Kara told her.
“Excellent. Sam is almost here as well. As soon as she arrives, we can begin.”
Ten minutes later, Ruby had grabbed Steve, pulling him to the garage to look at planes, while Kara, Sam and Diana entered the first-floor library. Hippolyta smiled, thanking Lena for the chat, and walked out.
Lena raised an eyebrow as the three women who ran Wayne Enterprises, and the world, entered at the same time.
“Hello, everyone.” She greeted them. “Samantha Arias, I am Lena Luthor. I’m glad we have the chance to meet.”
Lena stood and offered her hand which Sam shook before taking a seat along with the Wayne sisters. “It’s a pleasure to meet you, Lena. I’m glad you are taking a break from Karlo’s case.”
Lena huffed. “It is driving me crazy. I am sad to say, I am at the end of my wits. Alex and I are on this nonstop and no closer to a cure. Honestly, I don’t think there is a cure for him. I suspect, as time goes on, he won’t be the only human who has been affected in a strange manner.”
Kara nodded, thinking the same thing. Until they had a larger field of subjects to study, not much could be done or understood. Black Book was working on various issues and defenses against interdimensional invasions in the future but with the radiation dissipating when the strange hand was cut off, everything was at a standstill. They knew from Karlo that bad things happened but not much else.
“Lena, we would like to talk to you about Biomax.” Diana started.
Lena was a bit surprised. “I’m afraid there isn’t much I can say. I doubt I will be a part of it very much longer. I have yet to have any of my calls returned by my former boyfriend and current business partner. He is looking for investors and having my name attached to the company is not ideal for attracting funding.”
“Biomax is as much your intellectual property as it is his, right?” Diana asked.
Lena laughed. “I don’t think that will matter.”
“You might be surprised. I’m not sure why Jack isn’t talking to you, but he has no plans to offer you a buyout.” Diana informed her, a hint of mystery in her gentle smile.
Lena raised an eyebrow, trying to hide her distress as Diana seemingly confirmed her suspicions despite her hoping otherwise. “And how do you know this?”
“Because we bought out his half of the company.” Sam revealed, smiling.
Lena was speechless as she mulled that over. A faint glimmer of hope resurfaced as she softly asked why.
“Because I believe in you… we believe in you.” Kara told her. “I think you can make Biomax work without Jack, but I don’t think he can make Biomax work without you. The technology is revolutionary. It deserves its best chance and that best chance is you. I believe we can do great things together.”
Lena tried to wrap her head around that. “Wayne Enterprises doesn’t do partnerships.”
“Normally, no, but you are a special case.” Kara told her. “You can change the world. You will change the world.”
Lena looked at the three women in disbelief. “After what has happened, you think getting into business with a Luthor is a good idea?”
Diana waved her concern away, an enigmatic smile lighting her face. “It is no concern. You did nothing wrong. My PR Manager will make sure the world understands this. She could even turn the public opinion in your favor as ‘the Luthor who is trying to save the world’ . Myndi Meyers can put a used car salesman in the White House if I told her to. She is that good.”
Kara nodded. “You can of course sell your half to us, but we hope you don’t. Biomax is your baby. I can’t make it happen. No one understands nanotechnology in medical treatments better than you. If you move to Gotham, we will build a separate, updated lab, all the infrastructure you need to make it happen and bring Biomax to life with no need for public funding. We will be equal partners in regard to profits. Jack has signed all his rights to intellectual property to us. It’s all yours now. We just need you to make it happen.”
“You both agree with her?” Lena asked, still in a stunned state of disbelief at this turn of events.
Diana and Sam nodded.
“I’ve run the numbers.” Sam told her. “The costs can be controlled if we move the headquarters to Gotham since our tech manufacturing infrastructure is already strong here. It will save millions. We can wait five years and then support it through FDA trials. When it passes, we revolutionize medicine.”
Lena thought that through. She and Jack had planned to put quite a bit of their personal fortunes into this project to cover fifty percent and then ask investors for the other fifty. This arrangement would be much better. She would only have to deal with one partner and not have hundreds of stockholders and a board of directors to deal with.
It would mean getting into business with Diana Wayne as well. Diana was ruthless, but those who were under her banner were treated well and she protected them. It was something she always admired and wished Lex would emulate, not that he ever would.
“What does Eliza Danvers have to say about this?” Lena asked.
“Eliza’s medical research and technology division is geared towards revolutionary medical equipment, drugs, disease research and other related branches. Nanotechnology has never been her focus.” Kara explained. “I always believed you and Spheer would make the nanotech leap. I never saw your work as a competitor for what Eliza’s division accomplishes, just another medical breakthrough that can save millions. When we heard Jack wanted to buy you out, we couldn’t let that happen. We made him an offer he couldn’t refuse.”
Lena watched the three women carefully, trying to read their faces. Kara’s was hopeful while Diana and Sam were unreadable. It impressed her how good both their poker faces were.
“The three of you are offering me a way to keep my company, maintain control, and improve my public relations… offering to partner with me when you have never done partnerships. I don’t… I mean, why? You are saving my professional life and probably my personal life to be honest. Of all the people you could do that for… why me?” She asked, still having a hard time accepting what they were saying.
Diana looked at Kara and nodded.
Kara walked to a shelf in the library and pulled out a medical research journal. She lay the journal on the table.
“The highlighted area.” She said, pointing.
Lena didn’t need to look after seeing the title of the paper, she had spent months writing it. She now understood why Kara was so passionate about this.
“I can’t guarantee nanotechnology will be able to fight off viruses and infections in people with immune system disorders… especially children.” Lena admitted. “I think it can happen, but I can’t guarantee it. This could be a colossal failure.”
“Whether it can be done or not, don’t we owe it to the world to try?” Kara asked. “Let’s try, Lena. I’ll give you what you need and you can make this happen. Maybe we fail, but I would rather fail and keep trying than regret never trying in the first place.
“Nanobots that would attack infections and viruses? Noninvasive surgeries, attacking tumors without chemicals or radiation? Do you know how many drugs I had to take growing up to fight off infections, and how sick they made me?
“You could do away with that. You could save thousands, maybe hundreds of thousands one day. You can change history, Lena.”
Lena smiled at her and felt the hair raise on her arms, inspired by Kara’s quiet but determined voice.
Lena realized that Kara got it. She got the point of science, which is something that, sadly, not many scientists did. The point was to improve lives. If it didn’t work, keep trying until something does. They owed it to humanity to solve the problems they could.
It was no wonder Kara’s employees and security loved her. She had been amazed at how her Wayne Security team had attacked Daggett for just saying a bad word about her. Kara was inspiring and understood money wasn’t everything, that helping others meant more. People like her and Lena were given these intelligent minds and felt they must use them to improve lives, to advance humanity.
Apparently, Diana got it as well if she was going along with this. Then again, taking care of a severely ill child while growing up herself would make this a personal project for her as well.
Lena stood and offered her hand. “In that case, I’m honored to be your partner. I suppose I should start looking for property here tomorrow. Tonight, we drink and make inappropriate and insensitive comments about giant men made of clay!”
They had drinks, laughed and then Diana and Kara turned in, planning to go to sleep and be ready for their early morning trip.
Sam and Lena were left alone together. Sam had a car waiting to drive her home when she wished and Lena wasn’t quite ready to go to sleep so they talked a bit more.
“I’ve only ever worked in my family’s company. What is it like working with Diana?” Lena asked.
Sam smiled. “She is the most awe-inspiring person I have ever met. I don’t quite know how to explain it. I know I love learning from her. I look forward to work every day and am excited to go into the office for the first time in my professional life. She’s given me more confidence in myself than I would have ever found on my own. She is a great leader. Her people would take a bullet for her. I… I could go on. Diana is…”
“Everything my brother is not.” Lena interjected. “It’s what he could have been, but something ruined him. Not something… our father. Our father ruined Lex when he was a child, tried to make Lex just like him, gave him his ego as well. Lex… I don’t think when he was younger, he wanted to be… what he became.”
Sam reached over and took Lena’s hand, surprising her.
“I doubt he meant to douse the Earth in interdimensional radiation.” Sam told her.
The two women looked at each other for a long moment, then burst out laughing, deciding they needed more drinks.
“Okay…” Sam said an hour later. “I must be off. Work tomorrow.”
“Tomorrow is Saturday.” Lena reminded her.
Sam thought for a moment. “Right. Ruby usually leaves me every Saturday at one. Violet, Diana’s bodyguard’s adopted daughter, comes to the Suites most Saturdays at one and the two go to the pool room or the game room. Violet is homeschooled and isn’t great at socializing. Ruby makes sure she interacts with other kids at the Suites and they play games, do nails… you know, girl stuff. When that happens, I go to the office for a few hours.”
“Why?”
“Because I freakin’ love my job.” Sam told her. “Then for a wild Saturday night, Tatsu usually comes over and the four of us have dinner and drinks, watch movies, that sort of thing. You are welcome to join us tomorrow night. I invited Sasha to join us as well. Sasha is my bodyguard.”
Lena thought of that for a moment and it struck her how much of a family this group was. Diana’s bodyguard had an adopted daughter who hung out with her Vice President’s daughter and they had standing movie nights on Saturdays with bodyguards. She couldn’t imagine Mercy Graves showing up at the Luthor Mansion for movie night if they ever had one.
“Really? You wouldn’t mind if I came over?” Lena asked, still feeling a bit stunned at the professional acceptance she had received lately. The offer Sam was making was going even further, including Lena in a more personal way.
Sam shook her head. “As long as you dress comfortably. Diana and Steve have come over a few times. The first time, she arrived in a dress and heels and Ruby made her change into my sweats and socks. Diana is a bit taller than me in case you haven’t noticed. She looked adorable with the pant legs only reaching to just below her knees. Barbara hangs out with us when she isn’t making the club rounds.”
“What about Kara?” Lena asked. “Has she ever come over?”
Sam nodded. “A few times when Babs can get her out. Kara spends a lot of her time here. From what Diana tells me, she enjoys restoring planes and cars here at Wayne Manor. I guess it’s her idea of a party. Kara once told me she feels more comfortable around machines than people. I think she just needs more experience around people.”
“So… what is Kara like to work with?” Lena asked, wanting to know more about the blonde she hoped to work closely with some day.
Sam smiled sadly. “She has had a rough time lately, but she keeps smiling, even when she doesn’t want to. I don’t think she realizes how strong she is. She is only twenty-two. I can’t wait to see what she is capable of in five years… ten years. Of course, I could say the same about you and me for that matter.
“Anyway, it’s getting late and I need to go before I’m tempted to drink more. See you tomorrow night. Tell Alfred if you need a ride and he will organize one for you. It’s been fun talking. I’m sure we will have many more opportunities to chat in our future.”
Lena watched Sam drive off and felt exhilarated. She retired to her bedroom and stared out the window, trying to wrap her head around what had happened that evening.
Lena had been possibly facing more questioning and hounding from federal authorities, the loss of her company and probably her career since no one would want to touch her.
Now, she was a part of Wayne Enterprises, partners with a company that never formed partnerships. Kara Wayne believed in her when the whole world was ready to write her off, even her former boyfriend and business partner.
She went to bed, almost afraid to go to sleep and wake to find it was a dream.
It wasn’t though.
In many ways, Diana and Kara Wayne had saved her life and she would do her best to make sure they never regretted taking a chance on her.
Thanksgiving Morning
Kara stood inside the Wayne Family Mausoleum in front of her parents’ crypts. She backed away from them and leaned against the wall behind her, resting her back on her great, great Aunt Cynthia’s crypt.
“Hi, Mommy and Daddy.” Kara began, calling them by the titles she had called them when they were alive. She tried to make it to the family mausoleum at least once a month but the past few had been especially busy, so she hadn’t been in a while.
Bruce hated coming here and Diana usually came to place flowers, say a prayer then leave.
This was a special place for Kara. Whether it was childish or not, whether it mattered or not, Kara felt she was talking to her parents when she was here.
“It’s Thanksgiving. We are all having dinner as a family for the first time in years. This afternoon, I’m going with Bruce to deliver meals to our boys’ and girls’ homes and a few homeless shelters. You would be so proud of who he is turning into. I’m not talking about the you know… nightly activities either. He has been working so hard. He is always tired because he won’t give up his nightly habits, but he seems happier now, mostly when he comes home from the office.”
Kara paused for a moment. “I have a new boyfriend. You would really like him. He’s a good guy, a hero. You would love him, Daddy. Uh… I hope you aren’t always watching over me. At least when my dates end up like… the Tower. You probably wouldn’t be happy about that. So… yeah… but he treats me well. He even learned to dance for Diana’s wedding. I can’t believe it’s in a few days. It seems so long-ago Steve proposed. The wedding is going to be one that will be talked about forever. I have been working hard on it and it will be beautiful.”
Kara tool a deep breath and wiped a tear from her eye. “I wish you both could be there. Alfred is going to walk Diana down the aisle but if it was you, Dad… so much would be different if you were both here. Life wouldn’t be so confusing. I never got enough time. It isn’t fair. Diana and I should be cooking with you, Mom, and I should be going to orphanages and homeless shelters with you. God, how I miss you both so much.”
She slid to the stone floor and began crying, the emotional longing she usually didn’t speak of, pouring out of her.
She wiped her eyes, sniffed and got to the point of her visit. She knew they had no answers but perhaps talking to them would give her some clarity.
“Emily Parlow is my birth mother and a killer. I guess you already know that. I just found out Diana knew who my birth father was and considered not telling me. I don’t know how to feel about that. A part of me wants to be angry she was considering keeping it from me, but another part knows she did it for my protection. It’s confusing. Also, the police found my birth father. They found his body. I didn’t go to his funeral. I didn’t think I had a right. I know Emily was the reason he is dead, but I feel like I was kind of part of that too.”
She laid her head back against the cool marble wall. “I… I hear her voice inside my head sometimes, taunting me. Telling me I’m just like her… that I’m a killer. I don’t bash people’s skulls in or beat them to death, but I make weapons that are… people overseas, bad guys hate me and I’m okay with bad guys hating me but what if they aren’t all bad guys? Why do I like creating these weapons so much? Why do I hear her voice taunting me, calling me a killer, saying I am just like her?
“I don’t know if my subconscious is speaking loudly, or if I am losing my mind, but I hear it. I hear her damn voice in my ear, telling me I am more dangerous than she is. What do I do? How do I shut that voice up? I make weapons for good guys to protect us. I’m not a murderer, am I?
“I wish I was still a little kid. Even though I lived in fear of being sick, I miss wearing that stupid, warm bunny outfit and curling up in your arms, Mommy. You made everything so much better. When I was in your arms, I didn’t have to think. I could just be. Diana has done a great job, but she has had to be more my mother than my sister and that isn’t right. It isn’t fair to her.”
Kara stood up and walked forward, pressing her forehead to her mother’s crypt and running her fingers over her carved name, then doing the same with her father’s.
“Happy Thanksgiving, Mommy and Daddy. I love you.”
Wayne Manor
Bruce and his sisters had plans to deliver meals starting at eleven, but he wanted to get a training session in before the day went into full swing. Blake had arrived early to see Kara since he had to work that afternoon and agreed to spar while she was at the cemetery.
“Why am I wearing pads?” Blake asked Bruce.
The two never wore pads when sparring, Bruce insisting that they weren’t needed and were crutches to rely on that wouldn’t be there in the real world. When Blake reminded him of his armored suit, Bruce had told him to shut up.
Now, while Bruce was unprotected, he had told Blake to wear a torso pad and head gear, along with a mouthpiece.
“We are going to take it up a notch in speed.” Bruce explained, his face expressionless.
“Okay.” Blake agreed, wondering how much faster it could get. He had never known Bruce to hold back in training.
The first kick to his face showed him Bruce had definitely been holding back in training. It turned his head around and caused him to stumble.
“Block. You have to be faster, react faster.” Bruce told him.
Blake regained his footing and went on the attack. He threw swing after swing, never landing a single one when Bruce’s palm struck his chest, throwing him back five feet in the air. When he landed on his back, he lost his breath.
Bruce circled him as Blake tried to regain his feet. So far, he had taken a kick and a palm strike and felt as if his world had been rocked.
“Do you know why we call Kara ‘Bunny’ sometimes?” he asked Blake.
Blake stood up and nodded. “Something about some costume she wore constantly for a year.”
Bruce smiled. “She loved that thing. Every time I would call her ‘Kara’, she would yell that she was a bunny. Kara liked to pretend. She wanted to be anything else besides a sick girl. In her mind, Kara was sick but bunnies never got sick.
“She was so innocent then. In many ways, she still is… but not in every way, apparently.”
Blake felt a chill crawl down his spine, beginning to understand.
“On the floor, Blake? In the Tower, on the damn floor?!” Bruce yelled, the anger finally showing in his eyes even if it wasn’t reflected in his attack.
“We didn’t plan it, okay?! It just kind of happened!”
Blake barely ducked under another kick, only to have his leg swiped and a punch sent him reeling to the ground. He rolled this time and hopped up, only to find another fist heading towards his nose.
Before the fist made contact, a small hand shot out and grabbed it.
He carefully looked to the side and saw, of all people, Diana’s personal art curator, the one who changed the paintings and vases in the manor every week it seemed.
“Give the poor boy a break. He gave her pleasure. The place doesn’t matter, only the quality of the act.” The woman told the irate brother, a smirk on her face.
Despite the beating he had just taken, Blake felt himself blush.
Bruce dropped his fist and glared at him. “No worries. I am sure any acts in the future will involve appropriate times and places, right?”
“Whatever you say, man.” Blake replied, the sarcasm evident.
Bruce stepped back into his space, leaving no room for Blake to move, his expression matching that of his alter ego. “You will respect my little sister or we will revisit this issue when Dr. Prince isn’t here to stop me.”
Blake stared, realizing Bruce was deadly serious. “I promise… I mean that.”
When Bruce finally stepped away, Blake pulled off his head and chest gear, grabbing a bottle of water, trying to regain his equilibrium after the unsettling exchange.
“Bruce, we should spar.” Hippolyta suggested.
Blake raised an eyebrow. “You know self‑defense and hand‑to‑hand combat, Dr. Prince?”
“Please call me, Lyta, John. I am quite adept at hand-to-hand fighting. I suppose you could say I’ve been practicing all my life. I have asked Bruce to spar with me several times but he always finds an excuse not to.”
Blake noticed Bruce didn’t appear so enthusiastic about it. Perhaps he was afraid of hurting her. He couldn’t go as hard at her as he did at Blake when he wasn’t pissed off about his little sister having impromptu sex on the floor of the Tower.
“I don’t believe we have any pads that would fit you… Lyta.” Bruce said.
“I don’t need pads.” She responded.
“C’mon, Bruce. You pick apart my weaknesses and improve them. Give her a few pointers.”
“Yes, Bruce. Give me a few pointers.” She agreed, a gleam in her eyes.
Bruce shook his head. “I have no doubt you are very adept… actually, I doubt there is anything I could teach you. I understand you have had many, many years of practice.”
Blake didn’t understand why Bruce was so against this. What he didn’t know was Bruce had no desire to fight a woman who had three thousand years of combat experience and made Ra’s Al Ghul seem like an infant.
“Perhaps another time.” Lyta replied, her mouth curled in a smug smile. “It is good to see you, Officer Blake. Work on that speed and don’t be afraid to go for the throat. Fight dirty. I do.”
Hippolyta laughed at Bruce, who wasn’t looking at her, and walked off.
“Scared to hurt her, huh?”
Bruce nodded. “That’s right. I’m scared to hurt her. Diana wouldn’t be happy. Yeah, let’s go with that.”
Blake looked a little amused at his response. “So, we good or what? You get it out of your system? If you haven’t, you should probably keep beating me because she isn’t wearing a bunny costume anymore and I doubt that’s going to be the last time we do the deed.”
Bruce’s glare returned. “Not on the floor of the Tower.”
“No problem.” Blake agreed quickly.
Bruce smirked at him, finally backing down and grabbed his own bottle of water. “Working on Thanksgiving. That’s too bad.”
“Crime doesn’t take a holiday.” He agreed. “I’m off for the wedding. That’s all that matters. Kara wants me to come by after shift tonight but it’s probably going to be late.”
“I’m sure she will make sure the chef saves some food for you. Be careful out there, John.”
“I think I’ve already faced the most dangerous thing I will face today and had to be saved by a museum curator.” Blake remarked, chuckling. “Happy Thanksgiving, Bruce.”
First St. Shelter, the Narrows, two hours later
After dropping off food at two locations and visiting with children at an orphanage, the Waynes decided to have Thanksgiving lunch at the First Street Shelter in the Narrows, much to security’s dismay. It was the largest homeless shelter in Gotham City. Kara had never been to one of these shelters and found them sad.
“The people who greeted her as she was serving dressing were polite, all smiles and ‘thank yous’, but she could sense the underlying grief in them. They looked broken, in despair and it broke her heart to see. There were all types of people in here, all ages, races and some children to her horror. These children were not orphans but here with their parents who, for whatever reason, were on the streets.
After the line had gone and everyone was sitting, Dig, Steve and Kara went to the end of one bench, Kara taking a seat next to an elderly woman and across from a young man who was wolfing his food down as if he hadn’t eaten in months. Perhaps he hadn’t.
She began making small talk with the woman, learning her name, and talking about what brought her here, while Steve and Dig engaged others at the table.
In another section of the room, Bruce and Diana were visiting with different people, asking them polite and non-probing questions. The twins met up at the back of the dining hall after making their rounds.
“I didn’t realize the place had fallen below my standards for these shelters. I’m ashamed to say it has been a while since I have visited any of these places.” Diana admitted. “More money is needed here.”
Bruce sighed. “The child refugee program specializing in reuniting displaced families overseas is quite costly. I had an issue with it when I first learned of the cost. I thought the money should be used in Gotham. Miss Hart made me read the files of three young women whose parents were killed in war and had been separated from their siblings, the only family they had left to hold onto. She told me I was more than welcome to fly to them and explain to their faces we could no longer help them because more money was needed in Gotham.
“I declined to do so and got the point. We are all over the globe, Diana. I know we have to operate within a budget but our programs are stretching farther than our dollars.”
“Why hasn’t Miss Hart said anything to me?”
Bruce shrugged. “She wouldn’t say but I have the feeling she wants to operate in the budget given and not constantly ask you for money.
“I, on the other hand, have no problem asking you for more money. I’d do it myself if I have to, but it is called the Wayne Foundation and is a huge tax write off for Wayne Enterprises.”
Diana smirked, extremely pleased at his understanding. “Nice job. You are going to be a natural. Go over the budgets for the different projects and tell me how much more is needed. Break it down with Miss Hart and let me know. Between you and Hippolyta, I may be bankrupt soon.”
“Doubtful. I’m not sure if it is possible for you to go bankrupt.” Bruce replied with a smile, enjoying this moment with his twin, and genuinely looking forward to more. “While you are off enjoying your honeymoon, I’ll visit every local shelter and program then make a list of what we need.”
Diana smiled but said nothing. At this point, she would give Bruce whatever he wanted. She had never heard him take an interest in anything besides fighting and stopping crime so this made her very happy.
“The land where Ace Chemicals was on… it has been cleared by the EPA as non-contaminated.” Diana informed him.
“What about it?”
“Bolts. Nuts and bolts.” Diana said mysteriously.
Bruce looked at her strangely, wondering if she had lost some nuts and bolts. “Okay?”
Diana’s eyes were twinkling mischievously at his confusion.
“I’m going to use the land to build a new factory. The factory will make nuts and bolts. Our construction crews will be our first customers and we will branch out across the nation. It’s a new business unit I am willing to try.” Diana explained, watching his reaction closely. “Ace Chemicals was in the Narrows. You wanted a place for the people of the Narrows to work. This will be a brand-new facility, in the heart of the Narrows, that doesn’t require employees with perfect backgrounds. We will need machinists, line operators, machine maintenance techs, welders, employees in shipping, front office employees, salesmen. You wanted a place for the people of the Narrows to work after receiving job training, there you go. The perfect place to start.”
“You are serious.” Bruce’s eyes were wide.
Diana nodded, his response exactly what she expected. “I am because you are. I don’t want this to go on, Bruce. I don’t want these people wallowing in poverty but I can’t fix everything. I’ll give you what you need to fix as much as you can.”
Bruce nodded, fighting back a smile. “Thanks.”
“Like you said, it is called the Wayne Foundation. Remember, you are allowed to have fundraisers, so we don’t take on all the costs. Just because we can afford everything, doesn’t mean I want to pay for everything if I don’t have to.” Diana smirked.
Bruce did smile now, even laughed and bumped her shoulder. Diana bumped his, pushing him aside a few steps.
“So, what do you think Dad would say if he found out Kara had sex on a floor in Wayne Tower?” Bruce asked, wondering if he needed to smuggle Blake out of the country to keep him safe from his twin.
Diana dropped her head. “I don’t want to think about it. I’m assuming after the beating I heard you giving him that beds will be involved in the future. I’m glad you handled it so I don’t have to threaten him… it was better coming from you anyway.
“By the way, why won’t you spar with Hippolyta?”
Bruce huffed. “Because no matter how much I have learned or how good I am, she is three thousand years old and has forgotten more about fighting than I will ever know. I can see it in her eyes. She wants to hurt me.”
Diana crossed her arms, laughing out loud.
Wayne Manor
Later that afternoon, after stopping by three more shelters and two orphanages just to say hello, the group made it home in time to have showers and dress for their own family meal.
Guests started arriving at six, nearly the same guests that had gone to the island with them at the end of summer. Blake and Cash were on patrol and Myndi Meyers was with her family in Pennsylvania, but those in the large extended family were present.
Andrew Garcia and his wife arrived punctually but it would be strange this year without Harvey here. General Lane and his two daughters had been invited but were unable to attend.
Cathy and Terrance had arrived at the same time as Jim, Barbara and Eliza. Alex showed up ten minutes later. Tatsu and Sam had arrived with Violet and Ruby. Dig’s brother, Andrew, and his family had arrived early that afternoon. Lucius had come as well since his kids were spread out in different locations. Lena arrived, having just moved out of her temporary room at the manor and into her own place in the building Tatsu lived in. With Bruce, Dig and Steve here, it was the largest Thanksgiving gathering they had probably had at the manor since their parents died.
Once everyone had been seated, Diana stood.
“Dear friends and family, thank you for being here. This is a very special holiday. Much has happened this past year. Some of it has been wonderful, and some of it has been tragic. We have lost loved ones, our city has been struck by terror and humanity was threatened… but we survived.
“My brother came home where he belongs. Steve finally got smart and asked me to marry him, my little sister is healthy. We have improved Gotham despite the challenges. Crime is at an all-time low, the unemployment rate has gone down, and our schools continue to set the bar for education across the world.”
“I was reminded today that we still have much to do. It seems insurmountable at times, but the work must go on. It is up to us to lead the way. I am thankful to have each and every one of you in my life.”
Diana locked eyes with Hippolyta for a moment and she smiled lovingly. “I hope after dinner you will all wander around the manor and allow Lyta to show you the wonderful changes she has made to our art and antiques on display. She has been a very special addition to our household. She brings a new level of elegance, class and joy and I am grateful she agreed to live here.”
Raising her glass, she proclaimed, “To all of us. In remembrance of those we have lost, gratitude for what we have and the determination to keep fighting to make this world a better, safer, happier place. Happy Thanksgiving.”
The room toasted and cheered, even Ruby and Violet, impressed by Diana’s speech.
Dinner went well, as did the party afterward. Hippolyta did have a wonderful time showing off the antiques she had taken from the vault and explaining their history to the guests.
Afterward, the guests all left to go home or retire to their rooms, and Kara had gone to bed early.
Bruce had turned in early as well, not even considering going out. He had told Kara he would be staying off the streets until after Diana’s wedding and had apparently meant it.
Diana sat on the couch in her bedroom, a drink in one hand and a framed photo of her parents in the other.
“You okay?” Steve asked her.
Diana nodded. “I think I am. Am I?”
“You seem like you are doing pretty okay to me. You are about to marry the hottest guy in the world in a few days, Bruce has an actual job, Kara is having a rough time, but she is also growing up, learning how strong she is.” Steve affirmed though knowing something was bothering her. “What’s going on in that beautiful head of yours?”
Diana sighed. “Harvey.”
Steve understood. “Diana… I am not going to pretend to know what he was thinking. I don’t think any of us will ever know. All I can say is the day I met you… that next morning when you asked me to come to the manor, I knew I would do anything in the world for you, keep any secret you wanted me to.
“I’m not excusing it, but he was in love with a woman he thought loved him. He paid for it with his life. You are going to have to let it go and remember the good he did.”
Diana sat the framed photo of her parents down and finished her drink. Steve sat on the end of the couch and she laid her head in his lap.
“I love you.”
“You’re quite right to.” Steve replied.
Diana punched him in the stomach gently. “I never should have let Kara make you watch Doctor Who with her. Oh…”
“Problem?”
“John Blake just showed up and Kara is letting him in. I guess she didn’t go to sleep. She is taking him to… eat.”
“She saved him some food in the kitchen.” Steve reminded her.
Diana groaned. “Yes, she did… and she has it in her bedroom… I’m going to need a pillow. Lots of pillows to press against my ears… oh, hell no. I’m getting earplugs. I can’t listen to this.”
While Diana was trying to block out what she could, Kara was pulling John Blake into her bedroom where a plate of food waited on her table for him.
“Smells great.” He said but his eyes stayed on her, ignoring the food.
“Yeah, smells great.” She agreed, pulling him with her to the bed. “You’re off duty. Time to get out of that uniform.”
The next morning, a happy Kara got out of bed leaving John asleep. She stepped towards her window and gasped.
The first snowfall had come early in Gotham this year.
Kara grinned. This morning, before all the chaos of the last-minute wedding plans ensued, she would build a snowman. She had friends missing, a psychotic birth mother on the loose, radiation effects she couldn’t understand, a boyfriend who risked his life every time he went to work and a voice in her head that made her doubt everything she believed about herself at times.
She pushed all of it from her mind and focused on what she could control. The ‘eternal optimist’, the ‘hoper of far-flung hopes’ and ‘dreamer of impossible dreams’ would play in the snow as she vowed to do fourteen years ago.
First, she had to sneak her boyfriend out the manor before Bruce decided to spar with him again.
Bella MacLeod's Twilight Fanfiction 
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