randomplaces | Futureknight Chapter 2

"So this is the man who killed my family." Ronnie's voice was flat and emotionless.

"Not all your family," said Clark softly from where he stood behind the seat of her wheelchair with his head on her shoulder. She suppressed the impulse to reach up and touch his face, instead pulling the Bat persona around herself like a mask.

"Yes," said Prudence, equally emotionless.

"Narmo 'n I'll track him down," offered Con from where he sat with his arm around Vendea's waist as she leaned against him with her head bowed.

"No." Ronnie turned her chair toward the window and gazed sightlessly at the back lawn. "He's working in Gotham."

"*&%$#@ it, you're as stupid as Bruce was!" blurted Con, folding his arms over his chest.

"Ada..." Clark turned and gave him a warning look.

"Ronnie, we're your family. We want to help you," said Vendea softly, looking up so that her long blond hair fell away from her face.

"I know that. But I'm not sure I trust any of you not to go postal on him, especially Uncle Con," said Ronnie coolly.

The sound of something shattering filtered faintly from the gym.

"I'll go calm 'im down." The other tall slender blonde in the room got to her feet and limped out.

Con winced as windows rattled throughout the mansion. "I wouldn't do that, Ronnie. Superman forgives his enemies and tries to show them the error of their ways."

"Like you were showing Airman the error of his ways yesterday?" asked Vendea softly. "Con, love, right now you're so full of anger that I can't even hear your thoughts."

Con groaned and buried his face in his hands.

Ronnie sighed and turned back, her hand finally going up to her shoulder and covering Clark's. "I know this is bothering all of you. I remember my parents and the others who died that day. They were good people. Perhaps it was because I was so young when it happened, but their deaths only seemed like a long wait till I saw them again. If I hadn't had you to take care of me during my rehabilitation I might feel differently, but as things stand I don't feel any anger toward Hormah for what he did then. My family was saved. All he did was send them Home a little sooner than anyone expected."

Prudence cleared her throat and made a small catlike sound. "'And a little child shall lead them.' You are right, Miss Veronica."

"You can't tell me you're not mad at him," said Con skeptically. "You're doing the Bat thing."

"I am angry about what he's been doing to the Gothamites he's killed," she admitted readily. "And scared to death of the thought that God might let him take some of you."

Clark's warm little arms wrapped around her neck from behind, offering wordless support.

She leaned back against him gratefully, feeling a surge of fierce love for the child and for the couple who had given him to her. -My baby. Jesus, please let Your chariots surround him and the others. Keep them safe and well and help them to forgive.-

Con cleared his throat and she looked up to see him wiping his eyes embarrassedly on his sleeve as Vendea leaned her head on his shoulder.

Another throat being cleared made her turn to the door, where Lobo stood and looked at her with a faraway, thoughtful expression on his face.

"Where is Miss Star? She went to join you." Prudence stood and started picking up cups.

"Mad at me," he said absently, still looking at Ronnie.

"What are you thinking?" she asked softly, eyes meeting his.

"Rememberin' Czarnia," he said gruffly.

Ronnie looked away, hand on Clark's where they crossed over her chest as she thought of the world her honorary uncle had destroyed. "That was a lot bigger than one family."

"Yeah," he said, absent again.

-And You forgave him. He knows his debt. He's probably the safest to set after Hormah. Prudence's instincts might get the best of her, and Uncle Con's always worn his heart on his sleeve. Narmo would probably be safe, but I don't want to call him away from Aunt Clara and Metropolis.-

"What're ya thinkin', kid?" Lobo leaned against the doorframe with his arms crossed over his chest.

"Can you stick around for a few days?" She looked up again just in time to see Star come up behind him and squeeze his butt.

He gave a bellow of surprise and let out a string of alien curses as his wife laughed merrily, her one eye dancing.

"'Dea, you never squeeze my butt," said Con.

"It's not my favorite part of you." She pecked him on the cheek, then curled her feet under her on the couch and watched her mother and stepfather with a slight smile.

"Good grief, woman! Ya tryin' ta get fragged?" growled Lobo.

"I'd like ta see ya try." Star put her arms around his neck and pressed her nose to his.

Ronnie suppressed her own smile as she watched his scowl melt into a look of adoration and a nuzzle.

"PDA alert!" said Clark loudly, clapping his hands over his eyes.

Lobo snorted and hugged his wife close, his cheek rubbing against her hair as she lay her head against his shoulder. "Wanna stay in town a few days, babe?"

"Sure." She sighed, one hand sneaking back toward his butt.

He reached back and snagged it, grinning at her giggle, then turned toward Ronnie. "Sure, kid. Mind if we crash here?"

"I'll prepare your room." Prudence carried the coffee and tea things out, looking a bit happier than she had before.

"So..." Lobo closed his eyes again and rocked on the balls of his feet, still holding Star close. "Whatcha gonna do 'bout Richy?"

"Jen is already keeping an eye on him." Ronnie turned and rolled past them, going over Lobo's toe on the way.

"So that's where she went." Con rubbed his eyes. "Airman's been driving everyone nuts since she left."

"Airman drives everyone nuts. Period." Ronnie stopped next to him. "That's why Jen asked me for something else to do. We thought that playing undercover bodyguard to the CEO of Waynecorp would be a relaxing holiday."

"So that's the tall brunet he's been seen with." Vendea chuckled. "I thought she looked familiar."

"Wonder what the Martian Manhunter would've thought of his great-granddaughter going out with Bruce Wayne's great-great-grandson?" mused Con.

"He would not have minded," said Prudence as she returned. "Master Bruce, on the other hand..."

"Yeah." Con grimaced. "So what's the plan again?"

"Uncle Lobo will come out with Robin and I on patrol. You'll go back to Metropolis and do your usual," said Ronnie, her eyes straying toward Prudence as a savory smell began to fill the air.

"And I'll stay on call," added Vendea.

"Yes." Ronnie smiled at her.

"I smell dead cow." Lobo sniffed appreciatively.

"Gork," said Clark, wrinkling his nose.

"Yum!" countered his step-grandfather. "Can't wait ta tear inta it."

"I'm afraid you're going to have to," said Prudence apologetically.

Ronnie glanced toward the little red light that blinked in the corner of the window. "Bat signal."

"w00t!" said Clark.

Ronnie chuckled and headed toward the Cave, hearing Lobo grumble as he fell in behind her.