Chapter Text
It was a quiet day aboard the Watchtower.
Green Lantern and the Flash were monitoring Earth from the main consoles while Wonder Woman and Superman stood by the central table, reviewing the speech they would give about their upcoming missions. At the primary workstation, Batman was finishing the previous day's report.
Then an alert flashed across the main screen.
Batman recognized what it meant immediately.
He had programmed the Watchtower's servers to notify him of any suspicious activity connected to Lex Luthor. For good reason, too. The billionaire had tried to attack the League's orbital headquarters more than once—not to mention the countless schemes he'd devised to eliminate the Man of Steel. Somehow, though, he always managed to walk free.
"Oh, great. It's that guy again," Hal Jordan groaned. "What is it this time? Another anti-Superman death ray?"
"Seriously, Big Blue, that man has the weirdest obsession with you.” Barry said with a grin, zipping over to ruffle Clark's hair in the blink of an eye. "I'm telling you, he's just jealous of your perfect hair."
"Come on, guys," Clark said, smoothing his hair back into place as he stepped toward the monitor. "If Batman called our attention to it, it's probably serious."
Without saying a word, Batman traced the latest financial transaction Luthor had made through one of LexCorp's shell accounts. When the recipient's name appeared on-screen, he froze for the briefest moment.
This couldn't be good.
"Lex transferred a substantial amount of money to an account belonging to Slade Wilson," Batman said grimly. "As our files confirm... better known as Deathstroke."
The room fell silent.
Everyone knew the mercenary's reputation. He had built a flawless—and bloody—career as an assassin, never left evidence behind, and had slipped through the League's fingers more than once. Even Batman, despite managing to hold his own against him, had always come away from their encounters badly injured.
"So Lex hired Deathstroke?" Hal folded his arms. "Wow. Didn't think he was enough of a coward to pay someone else to do his dirty work."
"It's probably another attempt on Superman's life," Diana said. "He finally realized he'd never succeed on his own and decided to hire a professional."
"I don't think that's it," Batman interrupted. "There's more."
As they spoke, his fingers flew across the keyboard, breaking through the encrypted communications between Luthor and Wilson. After cracking the final security layer, he uncovered a file identifying the intended target.
The moment he read the name, he knew he was in trouble.
"Bruce Wayne?" Flash read aloud, blinking in confusion. "Why would Lex want Gotham's favorite billionaire playboy dead?"
"Perhaps a conflict of interest between LexCorp and Wayne Enterprises," Diana suggested. "Though hiring Deathstroke still seems excessive. A civilian like Mr. Wayne wouldn't stand a chance."
Batman had to bite back the urge to argue.
"The message doesn't explain Luthor's motives," he said, forcing himself back into his usual calm. "For now, all we can do is speculate. Either way, Mr. Wayne needs to be warned."
"Warned?" Hal scoffed. "Bats, we're talking about Deathstroke. What's a warning going to do? By the time Wayne realizes he's in danger, he'll already have a bullet in his head."
"Hal's right," Clark agreed, concern written across his face. "Mr. Wayne needs more than a warning. He needs protection."
"We'll notify the GCPD and have officers stationed around Wayne Manor.” Batman suggested through gritted teeth. The thought of police guarding his own home was almost physically painful.
"Yeah, because Gotham PD is definitely going to stop the deadliest mercenary on the planet," Barry replied dryly.
"Fine." Batman's patience finally snapped. "Then what do you suggest?"
He had no intention of dragging the League into his personal affairs. He could deal with Deathstroke himself—and this time, make sure the assassin stayed behind bars.
"I think one of us should stay at Wayne Manor," Diana said matter-of-factly. "That way, if Deathstroke makes his move, we'll be there to stop him."
"Stay with him?" Batman echoed before he could stop himself.
The idea of having a fellow Leaguer living under his roof—even temporarily—caught him completely off guard.
"I think that's an excellent idea," Superman said.
"Yeah... sounds great." Barry raised his hands apologetically. "But I'm out. I promised Wally I'd take him camping tomorrow."
"I've got enough on my plate in Sector 2814," Hal added proudly. "Green Lantern duties."
"And I have to return to Themyscira for Hera's festival," Diana said. "The ceremony lasts the entire week."
That left only Batman... and Superman.
Batman remained conspicuously silent.
He was still the only member of the Justice League who hadn't revealed his civilian identity. It wasn't that he didn't trust them—but experience had taught him never to lower his guard around people powerful enough to kill him if they ever chose to.
That instinct had only grown stronger now that his life wasn't the only one he had to protect.
He was a father now.
"I could probably take a few days off from the Daily Planet," Clark offered, breaking the silence.
The idea of spending several days with a spoiled billionaire didn't exactly excite him, but Bruce Wayne was still a civilian. If Clark could save his life—and finally help bring Deathstroke in—then it was worth the inconvenience.
"I'll do it."
"Perfect. Then it's settled." Hal started toward the exit. "My shift's over anyway. Have fun babysitting your traumatized billionaire, Big Blue."
Barry and Diana wished Clark good luck before following him out.
Batman stood motionless, silently calculating how he was going to survive the next few days.
What a headache.
"I should probably let Mr. Wayne know before I just show up at his front door," Clark said.
"Agreed. I'll contact him myself," Batman replied in his usual clipped tone. "Try not to interfere with his routine. Bruce Wayne can be... difficult.”
He was, of course, referring to the spoiled, shallow public persona he had spent years carefully cultivating.
Batman stepped into the teleportation tube.
Just before activating it, he glanced back over his shoulder.
There was one more thing Superman needed to know.
"Oh—and one more thing…you'll also have to deal with his son."
The transporter flared to life, and Batman vanished in a flash of molecular light.
Clark stood frozen in the middle of the room.
Bruce Wayne had a son? But... he looked so young.
He blinked several times, trying to process the revelation.
Yeah.
This mission had just become a whole lot more complicated.