Choices

25. Departures

Summary:

Standing in the control room, two figures watched as the gigantic bat taxied through the underground runway, its stealth systems, except for the invisibility one, already online. Going through the paces, the Amazonian technology was the last to be engaged. It is not necessary to switch it off while at stand still, after all the original Invisible Plane was invisible the whole time. However, this is not that plane, this is the Batwing, and as years ago, the Bat is still a symbol. Although, along with fear, shadows, justice, vengeance and a whole lot of other things it was associated it, the most important thing now is ‘HOPE’. Hope for the people who have put their lives on the line to wrest back their planet from the alien conquerors. Hope for the millions who even now, under the harshest of conditions and ever present danger are managing to keep the human race alive.

But most of all, hope for the very planet, for Earth itself.

---

Her eyes dulled, Cassandra Sandsmark, Wonder Girl watched as the invisibility shield comes online and just like that, within a blink of an eye, the Batwing vanished. The only thing now discernable was the muffled boom of the engines firing, but that too would go within the next couple of seconds.

At her side was the other Cassandra, the silent as a statue, Cassandra Cain a.k.a. Batgirl. Even though her mask was off, grasped in her hand, there was no emotion playing on her face….after all, she was a Bat, and the Bats do no show emotion…even when someone leaves them or when they leave someone behind.

-----

A few hours ago,

“Wonder Woman, report to the conference room.” Batman’s voice sounded over Diana’s private communicator. Similar calls were sent to Wonder Girl, Flash and Zatanna. Also called were the other team-leaders, namely, Changling, Raven, Faith and Major Disaster.

Minutes later, they were gathered in the specified room, where Batman, J’onn, Batgirl and Oracle were waiting for them.

J’onn spoke first. “As you all know, we have been able to find Superboy, Kon-El. Although, severely wounded, his condition is stable now and he is recovering in the infirmary. Given his rate of recovery, we can safely bring him out of stasis, within the next twelve hours. Even though there are no tracking devices, either electronic or organic, inside him, we do not know about his mental or magical standing. From our preliminary tests, neither Zatanna nor I have been able to find anything that might pose a danger to us. Once he is awake for a longer stretch of time, we will be able to complete our tests.”

“Any questions?” Batman asked once the Martian had finished with his report. Even though he said the words, his tone carried its usual warning….i.e. do not ask anything. Do as I say, or else….

----

Giving everyone present, a cursory glance, he started with the main reason for the impromptu meeting.

“Given the new additions and the increased risk there will be certain changes. As of today, J’onn and Zatanna will be stationed here, while Oracle will be moving to the other location. Batgirl will be increasing her instruction sessions from every four days to three.”

His speech done, the caped crusader turned towards the computer resuming his work.
“Yes Garfield,” he spoke without even turning around.
“Oh, eh,” Even though he was a full-grown adult now, the erstwhile Beast Boy was still unnerved by their leader. “How long will this changes last? And will they be on a rotational basis?”

“Indefinite,” was all that the Changeling got as an answer. “Anything else?”
“Uh, no boss,” Changeling gave a double thumbs…hoofs up.

“Good. Oracle, you have an hour to get ready.”

With that, everyone present started to file out of the room.

----

“Tim,” Wonder Girl stopped the male Oracle. “You don’t have to do this….don’t, please.”
“Yes I do,” the hardness in his voice was something Cassie hadn’t heard in years. At least not since the day, Robin left the Teen Titans to join his mentor after the League fallout.

“Tim,” Cassie reached to hold him, only to have him step away.
“We talked about this,” he avoided using her name. Squaring his shoulders, he walked away, leaving a tearful Cassandra looking after him.

“Cassandra….” Diana stepped up to her fellow Amazon.
“Please Diana, I can’t talk right now…I’m sorry,” lifting off the ground, she flew away in the opposite direction….towards the infirmary.

------

//Flashback//

The near swish of the door opening told him that someone had entered the room. He did not need to see to know who it was; he already knew who it was.

He continued on his work. If she wanted to talk, she would have to take the first step. He had done his bit and that one time was enough for him.

“Tim.”

“Cassandra.”

‘Cassandra.’ Her heart clenched at his use of her complete name and the way he had spoken it. She knew he had closed off because of what she had done….said to him.

--

“Come on Cassie,” he had come to her. “Get some rest. You can come back later.”

Instead of answering, she just shook her head.

“Alright. Then lets just get something to eat. When was the last time you ate?”
“….”

“Cass…Cassie?”
“Let me be Tim.”

“Cass…” His voice hitched as old memories rose again. “I know you and Conner….”
“You DON’T KNOW ANYTHING,” she had gone off. “You don’t know anything….I cannot leave him like this…..He’s my husband.”

Such was his shock that he nearly tripped over his bionic leg. Surely he must have heard wrong.

“What…?” His voice sounded alien to him.
“Tim…I’m sorry.”

“Why? H...Why didn’t you tell me?”

Instead of answering, she just turned away from him…..her eyes clenched so as so not see him walk away.

--

“Tim…” She stepped closer. “Tim, I’m….I didn’t mean….”

“How is he?” His question was just to cut her off. She knew that he already knew the answer to that. After all, he was the Oracle. Information gathering was just a small part of what he did.

“Better now,” she tried a smile only to have it falter ruefully. He wasn’t even looking at her. “Tim, I wanted to tell you…”
“You did.”
“I wanted to tell you earlier,” she raised a hand to his shoulder to turn him towards her, but drew back at the way his flinched from her touch.
“I doesn’t matter,” he was speaking in clipped tones, all aspects of his emotions gone.

“Tim, look at me,” she stepped forward to his side. “Tim….please…”

Sighing, he left the data he was analyzing and turned his eyes to her. Even though both of them had blue eyes, they were looking so different now. Hers were moist and full of sorrow and regret….and with some parts of love mixed in it. His…his eyes were blank and completely void of emotion. He had done his share of repenting and regretting. If only had pushed harder that time a year and a half ago when on his question about Conner, she deliberately changed the changed the subject of their conversation. He knew how close they had been, her and Conner. Maybe he should have inquired more about him….at least then he wouldn’t have it shoved it in his face like it did.

“Is there any…” Whatever her question was, got lost in his next words.

“Go to him Cassandra. Go to your husband.”

Not waiting for an answer, he left the room…and her….alone.

//End Flashback//

----

The sudden silence announced the liftoff and departure of the jet, only broken by the sliding of the door as Batgirl also left the room…..once again leaving her alone.

Standing there, numbly watching at the monitor, Cassandra did not realize when her knees gave way….

….or when her tears finally broke free.