#Enterprise commentary

[soulerflaire]

Something else I'm getting tired of is the writers putting the Enterprise into these moral dilemma situations where the choices are "Commit obviously evil act" or "Fail to stop the Xindi".

Especially when it's not that black and white. Archer didn't even think for a second to ask the aliens to take him and a few others to meet with Degra in exchange for the trellium-D. He went straight to boarding party, stealing the warp coil, and stranding the aliens in space where they would likely starve to death, since they said they weren't equipped for the 3-year journey it would take to get home without warp.

This is not Starfleet. This is not what I want to see in Star Trek. I want to see our heroes facing down impossible odds and sticking to their principles anyway. I want them to look at an uncaring universe and say "I care."

I do not want to see them resort to banditry and murder.

[sensitivelittlevorta]

Enterprise Season 1 Episode 1 and 2 Broken Bow

1:42-1:50 Dude, that looks uncomfortable. Also, the way he pushed his ass through like he was swimming.

2:06-2:15 what the hell was stored in that thing no way that was just the weapon?! I thought that’s like a silo and there is just food in there?! But no?

2:40 OH MY GOD THE THEME SONG OH MY GOD I LOVE IT. HOW COULD I HAVE FORGOTTEN THAT THEME SONG?!

6:20 Klingot… Gringotts

7:20 Ooooh, the creepy smile doctor

7:45 isn’t dying because of wounds you got in battle but not in the actual battle actually pretty bad for a Klingon and you won’t go to whatever-it-is-called or is it the same? For the norse it is bad, I remember Thor telling Sif that in the fourth Thor movie.

8:22 (this is terrible, because of mouth movement or translating issues of idioms which don’t exist in other cultures they sometimes have to change sentences and they changed ‘knock you on your ass’ to ‘über’s Knie legen’ which literally translates to laying someone over their knees (so you can spank them (in a disciplining way)) but you can imagine what I thought when he figuratively said he wanted to spank her…💀 )

9:18 oooh, soval didn’t like being called out

10:20 Theee dooooooooggggg. Riiiiighthhtkjadk. They had a dog on board in this series!1!!!!1!!!!!!!

14:30 POOOOOOORTHOOOOOOS111!!1111!11!!!111!!111!!!!!!!111!11

18:20 why does the Enterprise have a disc slot…? Although it looks more like a snow shovel in this shot.🤣

20:04 is the Chinese food in San Francisco in 2150 authentic? Is the food there now authentic?

20:25 What do you think is in your normal day food? There’s literally bugshit in some candies. Don’t be so shocked about the droppings of some alien animal to be used as medicine.

21:27 that grin. That godamm grin. Also I think it made Archer doubt his life decisions for a split second

21:28 I remember that scene!

22:50 yeah… I definitely remember that scene… what a funny joke… third hand… funny… why? he doesn’t even have three hands🥲

24:10 I really wonder if we will still eat meat regularly in 2150. The number of people who don’t is rising, but how high will it rise in the next 100 years?

25:04 how many times did she have to try that?! Also, Archer is not impressed but very amused.

31:00 The Vulcans are out there and really think they know everything and are allowed to dictate the humans how to live life. What about meddling with other species? Oh yeah, my bad. That’s only forbidden until the species can use warp drive. After that they can just tell others what to do and what not to do. This really makes me hate Vulcans, but pretty sure that’s wanted, so…, good writing?

31:31 wäääähhhh!

31:46 wääääh. I don’t want to look at that! Please close him up. I don’t care about his lungs.

35:10 those green guys’ skin reminds me of those red rubbery running tracks. Also, I hate it when they speak a different language and require me to look at the screen to read the subtitles, I have no idea what they said in the beginning because I was looking at my phone

36:20 those jackets look awful. Ugly snake leather jackets

37:03 and you just know those Rigellians are smaller than Klingons?

38:45 are they naked? Are they clothed? Are they both?

39:40 gosh. I remember that scene and I am pretty sure I didn’t like it

40:04 please don’t say anything Trip. You have no idea what’s going on.

40:22-40:43 I told you! don’t say anything! If T’Pol says that, then please believe her. And she is right with interfering. Please don’t gimme anymore secondhand embarrassment.

41:03 can you at least give me one thing an enclave can mean?

43:27 pretty sure being bigger than an alien doesn’t mean you’re also stronger than them or that they don’t know how to turn that against you.

43:45 dude what? Why? Girl?! Why? I wouldn’t want to get kissed by some random alien that’s holding me captive… no matter how attractive they seem to be… Especially when she looks completely different after it!

44:09 and very close contact can’t just be skin contact? Like cheek on cheek? Or just hand on hand? Does it need to be the head? Can’t you just hug him? Why does it always have to be something sexual?

46:18 she dead. (also what kinda run was that steppystep over her and then steppysteprun XD)

46:47 you really should remember where you parked your car. My father taught me that since I was little. I thought Vulcans and Humans of the 22nd century should know that.

52:00 Why is this so sexual? I have no idea what they’re talking about because I am too busy feeling unwell because of that sexual massage thing they have going on.

52:25 why did she just shortly smear the cream on his back and then went to his legs? Surely, he is very capable of doing his legs himself. Can you please smear it on his back? Again, shortly back to the back and then suddenly his shoulders and his ears. He can do that himself? Just smear it in a nonsexual way on his back, please?! Now that we can’t see her doing his back, she is doing his back? They just show the sexual parts, yes? And the normal back one is off camera? Of course. And then he just leaves. Are they even allowed to leave yet? (imagine that with Archer and Shran though. In the same weird sexual way, but they just talk normally about their mission and then leave, and the audience is just hungry for more)

53:23 yummy…

53:43 (why are his legs less hairy than his chest? Is that normal? That’s a serious question, I have no knowledge about stuff like that)

45:30 is it logical to do that?

58:45 safety belts seem to be a good idea in general on board of starships. The amount of times people fly out of theirs seats on those series is way too high to not have seatbelts xd

59:49 that’s the Caretaker's array

1:01:20 Hoshi is about to get a panic attack

1:01:30 is that their tractor beam?! When was the tractor beam invented? That’s just two gacha claws on strings? How do you even aim that? If you miss with them, you have to retrieve them and shoot them again. I love it.

1:01:55 is that making fun of themselves because in the other series their displays also look like that?

1:03:38 would it? I thought nothing beats accidentally killing an alien when you just wanted to stun them…

1:03:58 sounds like you have a few squirrels in the controls

1:06:10 how you know that wasn’t killing?

1:11:08 disco!!! Where’s the music though? That was an elevator? Just more reason to wonder where the music was.

1:11:45 *snickers* *snorts* *starts laughing out loud*

1:13:10 why do those people always claim to know more about someone then the person themselves? I mean it makes sense in this setting with timetravel and all that, but in general, why do they think they know more? They can’t look into their heads, so why do they say that? Just to impress or frighten the other? I would be neither impressed nor frightened. Although I would be frightened to be in those situations in general 😅

1:15:10 is the timethingie going on in there also changing the way sound moves or why can’t neither of them locate the other by the origin of their voice?

1:15:25 that looked like it should have crushed his skull

1:16:00 eeeww

1:15:49-1:16:05 first scene: green running track guy has a strange hold on Archers uniform

                second scene: green running track guy suddenly has Archer in a strange chokehold

                third scene: green running track guy suddenly doesn’t have Archer in a strange chokehold anymore

1:16:25 same. I would be glad to be in one piece too. His face and hands though

Absolute shock on his face of having been beamed and he's still in one piece.

1:17:48 that smile…

1:18:13 The information is in his DNA?! That is small. Very small.

1:18:47 but I want to know what he said?! Tell me, Hoshi!

1:18:54 POOOOORHTOOOOOS. Awwww, his little tail is wagging so hard it’s just a ‘woosh’. Little baby boy.

[tangleweave]

Which Of the TOS Crew Are You?

Beta Ray Bill's Incredibly Wrong Result:

CHEKOV(?!)

I won't lie - you're kind of a bastard, but you're also a genius (no wonder you're the youngest member of the bridge crew!). Even if you mess up sometimes, you remain confident and daring. You're probably a master at trolling. Some may find you annoying, but they're probably just jealous of your stunning hair and nationality.

"... When this device asked my name, I said Beta Ray Bill, not Peter Parker."

--

Tagged Demanded by: @mutiineer

Tagging: Nope, not gonna tag anyone for this one, I'm lying on the ground from the sheer wrongness.

[giffingthingsss]

Condensed Commentary: Dead Stop

Mike Sussman and Phyllis Strong

[daisyachain]

The language of sci-fi was developed alongside pulp adventure stories in ‘exotic lands’ during an era when Britain and France were fighting tooth and nail to keep colonies subdued by any violence necessary up to and including deploying nuclear weapons in range of civilian populations, and were supported by their populations in doing so. Also in an era when the colonization of the Americas was considered a heroic democratic effort and not genocide. The language of space colonization has carried forward even in modern sci-fi and the concept is distinctly different—usually even sci-fi authors consider the eradication of alien species to be more boring than coexistence—causing a bit of whiplash. People in Battlestar Galactica keep referring to ‘colonies’ and ‘colonial’ laws or rules or customs and the effect is the same as when anyone in Star Wars talks about the Empire.

[biblioflyer]

Legacy should be more than legacy.

A wish list for Legacy that embraces as best as it can the warring tribes of Star Trek and could avoid another "The Last Jedi" scenario.

People who have read my Season Three commentary will know that I am far from the last person to cry "memberberry" (did I spell that right? I actually really dislike the concept.)

In processing the broad swath of fandom reaction, it breaks down into a few categories worth thinking about:

People who enjoyed it and see no flaws.

People who enjoyed it in spite of the flaws.

People who disliked it for narrative reasons.

People who disliked it for "meta" reasons.

I would say I'm firmly in that second category. Take for instance Jack Crusher. There's a lot of commentary about him that strikes me as bizarre. A backlash to the implication that there is a portion of the fanbase that is uncritically fawning over him. A segment of the fanbase that I have yet to encounter, although I will admit to not having sought it out.

My initial reaction was to dislike the character for both narrative and meta reasons. Narratively I thought his very existence ran counter to a lot of preconceived notions I had about what the "definitive" version of Jean luc and Beverly are, whether or not they'd even conceive, and if they did how they would handle it. Frankly I felt their relationship had largely been put to bed late in TNG's run and in a very mature way. Not everyone who loves each other needs to be in a relationship or actively bonking. This is a lesson I myself have learned in the fallout of relationships after coming to terms with certain incompatibilities while retaining affection for the whole person in spite of the illogic of maintaining a conventional romantic relationship.

The meta reasons are that he's rather clearly "replaced" in some sense both Elnor and Wesley, although they are both alluded to in the dialogue. I do believe its reasonable to assume we were meant to insert either Elnor or Picard's ex post facto reconciliation with his memories of his father into what is left unstated when he says he would never have been his father. Beverly also references losing both a husband and a son to the stars that Picard was infatuated with.

However, I held my own feelings about this loosely enough that the character was able to prove to me that he "deserved" to exist. That he could be an interesting part of the story.

I was not any less disappointed by the absence of Elnor and Wesley not showing up at all seems completely daft, but the narrative made a satisfying argument to me that Jack could have a place in the story if I was willing to give a little.

As I told the Anon who messaged a while back to say I was being snotty to people who prefer more plausible and immersive worldbuilding and less of the camp and contrivances (and presumably the "memberberries" although I would not want to put words in your mouth if you're still following):

Star Trek belongs to all of us. I believe in a big tent fandom.

Which is why I think that if there is to be a "Star Trek Legacy" it needs to not so much move on from fan service, but to be holistic in its fan service. A particular kind of TNG fan got love bombed by Season Three. I find no sin in this but this also isn't the ideal format for an entire series.

I have repeatedly made note that I think the entire Enterprise-G stuff is not ideal. I don't think the starship service pathway makes sense for Seven, Raffi, or Jack. I think it does a disservice to their character arcs and the broader argument that Star Trek Picard has been making that Starfleet is not the sole source of moral authority in the universe. There are other valid ways to do much needed and good work in the universe. The Fenris Rangers being one example. Jack and Beverly acting as a sort of "Doctors Without Borders" in space being another.

I also don't believe in petty retcons and I do recognize the symbolism of re-christening a heroic ship that is already filled with heroic people "Enterprise" in order to say that what makes Starfleet great isn't its scientific acumen, how many cool gadgets can be stuffed into a frame, or the number and potency of its phasers and photon torpedo launchers, but rather the courage, grace, and openness of its people.

It is in someways symbolic that a path that began with the Federation putting itself between the Romulans and the Synths has now hit another mile marker: with a crew of people who are willing to bend rules in the name of radical decency we are returning to a more "bottom up" Starfleet.

That we arguably already have this in the form of Strange New Worlds is beside the point.

So duly noting that I would have preferred something more like Star Trek La Sirena with our more anarchist characters doing their own thing in their way plugging the gaps that Starfleet can't plug for itself for all of the reasons that Shaw continuously argued, I'm going to lay out a vision of how Star Trek Legacy could be awesome.

Now do DS9

I've long been captivated by the idea of a show that is inspired by the Global War on Terror and the occupations of Iraq and Afghanistan, but not in the same way that Enterprise or Picard were. Originally my thought was that the post Dominion War Cardassian space would be a good setting for this. Show the reconstruction and the painful work of trying to knit Cardassian society back together and trying to create something that is both pluralistic and functional.

Now I am skeptical of the potential of the real world analogs of post war Cardassia (Iraq and Afghanistan) to have been successful regime changes even under conditions of maximum cultural sensitivity on the part of the occupier and the prudent allocation of resources rather than wildly throwing money at problems in ever growing boondoggles that are utterly useless to the people on the ground but sound logical to the vulture capitalists and well intentioned but largely clueless political scientists infesting the State Department and the staffs of politicians. Consequently I would be very wary of normalizing the idea of military occupations.

However, Starfleet is a good vehicle for exploring the ins and outs of trying to rebuild a society shattered by war. Something that is even more relevant than it was when DS9 first started dabbling in this with its stories centering Bajor.

Now if we're to keep going under the assumption that its been more than two decades since the Dominion War, we could update this to the Romulan resettlement zone. Dropping this storyline like a hot potato after season one is one of my great frustrations with Picard because I desperately wanted to see explicit confirmation that the Federation had indeed been thoroughly shamed into rediscovering its wide eyed, do gooder spirit.

With Discovery and Picard ending, there is a space for a serialized narrative show. While I am very wary of this based on how not great the meta-narratives of Discovery and Picard have been and the addiction to epic stakes, I think it could be done and done well.

So an opportunity presents itself to tie up other loose ends.

Nazi Hunting and Church Committees

Give me more Raffi/Worf buddy cop action.

Give me accountability for Section 31.

Give me justice for the Romulans.

Justice for Elnor!

Put Seven, Raffi, and Jack's skillsets and personality to their best use.

How?

Bring back Sloan.

Whoa whoa whoa. Don't click away. Hear me out. You've read this far.

Project Phoenix? That wasn't for Kirk.

Here's the setup. Section 31 was lobotomized by Sloan's death. By its very nature Section 31 was set up in a set of cells with no one but Sloan knowing the full picture. Independent cells were able to keep going after but after the agency's existence became public knowledge, their existence became ever more precarious. Their list of allies in Starfleet growing ever thinner as their collaborators were exposed or burned Section 31 to prevent exposure. They needed Sloan or at least the contents of his head to find more safe houses, caches, and closets with skeletons in them.

Laris catches wind of Sloan via old contacts. This time its Jean luc who is off world on business and doesn't need to know the details.

With the assistance of Worf and Raffi, a team is assembled to pursue Sloan. The Enterprise-G as it happens, is already there on an errand of mercy making good on almost two decades of back owed aide.

Already aboard? At least two individuals with relevant knowledge and an axe to grind:

Elim Garak, plain, simple reconstruction and conflict resolution specialist.

Julian Bashir, frontier medicine and medical infrastructure reconstruction expert.

If the performers are down for it, I'm okay with canonizing them as queer representation. I'm not necessarily a big shipper in general, but I'm not anti-ship.

Elnor's affinity with the Sisters of the Absolute Candor would also feature in as the Sisters are about as likely to love Section 31 as they do the Tal'Shiar.

Jack is...slightly expendable. Not because he's a bad character but because I'm scratching my head trying to figure out how he's not redundant skills wise. His knowledge of the less savory parts of the galaxy would be a bit fresher than Seven and unlike her, he's not the Captain. Overall I think that he should hew closer to his mother in this role because I think the Jack that was doing orderly work was more interesting than action hero Jack. Him being a legitimate counselor would also be an interesting twist as we have yet to see a male mental health worker in Trek IIRC.

For more like this check out my other essays reevaluating Star Trek Picard and interrogating the widely held fandom criticism that Picard made the Federation into a Dystopia.

[theblueblurhero]

"Like i thought you're resting and not trying to end me and make me broken and your freet. Wow Was that bark without any bite comments? Go ahead and rest then Eggy~"

[noblehcart]

excuse us as gleb is busy signing the space adoption papers for chekov ok

[finalfronticr]

TAG DUMP !

[gaelforcewinds]

all super valid and most definitely lacking in trek series', which is absolutely a failing of the franchise and i agree tbh

i will hit back with the idea that the showrunners of trek shows were intending other planets to be analogous to exploration of one human people group to another human culture or nation; for example, your point of keiko making "japanese" food. which region of japan? which culinary heritage? i remember hoshi sato on ENT making her mother's oden as a comfort food, but would a japanese person consider sato's or keiko's cooking to be exemplary of "japanese" cuisine? which would a non-japanese person choose?

we can look at those scenes and say "well, even though hoshi made oden and not sushi, its still japanese cuisine" and that's true! But a cardassian, a vulcan, a bajoran, wouldn't have that insight. they would see oden as a singular representative of japanese food, of earth food, and while their understanding would be limited, it would still be correct.

by the same token, when kira is eating/making hasperat, we don't know if that's a specialty of the dakhur province where she was raised, or something the entire planet would know about at this point in its development. we just know that hasperat is a bajoran dish in the same way gagh is a klingon dish in the same way oden is a human dish.

this is why modern critiques of DISCO klingons fall short to me as well; genetic diversity in the klingon empire (it's an empire spanning several worlds!!) would mean that the klingon culture, fashion, religion, and language are much more diverse than we currently know! seeing hairless, black-skinned (or pale-skinned) klingons, conducting religious rituals we have never seen before should be considered a triumphant installation to klingon lore and worldbuilding!! same with SNW's exploration of the klingon war, and the people who survived it.

i would LOVE, as OP was arguing, much more diversity in cultural exchanges on star trek (food, language, appearance, worldview, religion), but there's a lot in there that i think should get some credit lol

i.e. in ds9, we have a klingon restaurant on the promenade, klingon operas and their lore (lol) and impact on history, cardassian scientists who want to get away from cardassian food (as well as all the cultural explorations of cardassian literature, history, poetry, and art), bajoran history and religion (and religious extremists!), ferengi underground suffragists movements, and more

BUT ALSO there's the consideration of how angry fans would be at what they may consider a "cultural departure," which (unfortunately) p+ has to consider. which sucks.

in ENT, the reason i bring it up specifically is that there is the exact exchange OP was searching for in Judgment, when Archer's klingon advocate, Kolos, muses about klingon culture and society:

Kolos: "We were a great society, not so long ago, when honor was earned through integrity and acts of true courage, not senseless bloodshed."

"My father was a teacher. My mother, a biologist at the university. They encouraged me to take up the law. Now, all young people want to do is to take up weapons as soon as they can hold them. They're told there is honor in victory – any victory. What honor is there in a victory over a weaker opponent? Had Duras destroyed that ship, he would have been lauded as a hero of the Empire for murdering helpless refugees. We were a great society, not so long ago. When honor was earned through integrity and acts of true courage, not senseless bloodshed."

this was the first time in trek that we have seen a klingon critical of what he calls "the rise of the Warrior Class," implicating there are multiple classes of both career and birthright within the klingon empire before the war. by the time worf comes around, though, there is only the warrior class in power, so seeing this schism is fascinating and satisfying (which is why it's frustrating it happens in ENT, an otherwise ......not good......franchise installation)

this isn’t anything new or revolutionary to say but i hate how star trek portrays alien cultures as a monolith, maybe with two or three different subgroups at most. first of all it contributes to a lot of the weird bioessentialism written into the show second of all that’s just not how culture works. look at all those posts going around here joking about how what’s considered rude in one culture is polite in another, and that’s just in humans! “all klingons inherently have the Warrior’s Spirit” can you imagine if we said that about humans. sorry guys my ancestral scottish highlander genes are calling me to go beat the shit out of some englishmen i’ll brb

[quasi-normalcy]

Which Star Trek series should you start with?

The Original Series: Advantages: + The one that started it all + Has some sophisticated and socially conscious science fiction that has held up exceptionally well + The lead characters all have really good chemistry and fun to see play off of one another + It's what most people probably think of when you say Star Trek (together with TNG) Disadvantages: - It can feel very dated and kind of sexist, particularly in its treatment of women - The sci-fi and social commentary may have held up, but damn it, the special effects really haven't - When TOS is bad, it's really, really bad.

The Animated Series: Advantages: + Basically just more TOS. Disadvantages: - Basically just more TOS, but substituting extremely cheap animation for bad special effects

The Next Generation: Advantages: + Probably the most popular one at this point + The crew is full of interesting characters and they're fun to spend time with + Just really smart people solving Space Mysteries + Socialist space utopia + Geordi-And-Data! + Lots of cool sci-fi concepts and social commentary + It's what most people probably think of when you say Star Trek (together with TOS) Disadvantages: - Although not in the same way as TOS, it can feel dated at times, particularly in terms of its treatment of women and it's near complete refusal to acknowledge queerness - Without wanting to bias viewer opinion, the first season is widely considered to be pretty bad - The series makes no bones about the fact that the socialist space utopia is better than every other society that has ever existed and will reiterate this point over and over again

Deep Space Nine: Advantages: + The most popular Trek series on Tumblr + Has a complete story arc, as well as arcs for all of its characters, including the extremely minor ones + Plain, simple, Garak. The humble tailor. + Garashir, if you're into that + Seriously has a really sophisticated treatment of things like post-colonial politics, anthropology, worldbuilding, and the horrors of warfare + Just the characters in general + Is the only Star Trek prior to the 2010s to even look meaningfully at queer representation Disadvantages: - Has an absolutely massive inferiority complex with respect to TNG and this drives a few poor writing decisions that seemingly exist just to poke the Socialist Space Utopia in its eye - Introduces a space religion and then just slowly turns it into Christianity with the numbers filed off - Seems to think that sexual harassment is just a quirky eccentricity - There's no women in its writers' room, and frankly it shows

Voyager: Advantages: + Probably the clearest instance of found family in space + Lots of really good episodes + Lots of fun new characters + Strong female role models + "Set a course...for home." Disadvantages: - Continuity? I never knew her! - Probably about 90% of Trek's reputation for technobabble comes from this one series - Even less queerness than TNG. - Only like...3 characters actually get arcs. - The first few seasons lean very hard into bullshit fake "Native American" spiritualism with one of the characters - How do these guys have warp drive but can't find any water?

Enterprise: Advantages: + Chronologically the first series + 90% less technobabble + The only series to plausibly frame our heroes as astronauts...on some kind of...star trek. + Still has probably the best production values of any series + Makes alien cultures of the week feel somehow richer and deeper than other series + Faith of the Heart is good, fuck you. Disadvantages: - Oh my god, the decon scenes - Seriously, if you've ever wondered what a "sexy" series written by a 14 year old boy who's only ever seen a bit of scrambled softcore porn on late-night cable would be like, this is the show for you - Somehow feels more sexist and racist than the show from the '60s - Seriously, the POC characters mostly exist to fill seats on the bridge; the women constantly have to undress themselves - Hellooooo, Bush II-era political analogies - Scott Bakula is a good actor but you wouldn't know it from this series - In season 3, they add a tambourine beat to Faith of the Heart and ruin it

Discovery: Advantages: + Noticed the lack of queer characters in the first 50 years of Star Trek canon and decided to make up for lost time + Seriously, the "Bury Your Gays" tally for this series is like...negative two + Just incredible representation in general + Some really good science fiction plots, particularly in later series + Some really fun, memorable characters + It's still running, so it has an active fandom on Tumblr Disadvantages: - Makes Elon Musk out to be one of the great visionary geniuses of history - Not really representative of Star Trek as a whole - The series swerves wildly in tone because of constant, behind-the-scenes churn in the writers' room - Offputtingly grimdark first season - Let's be honest, none of the season-long arcs have actually had satisfying conclusions - Half the cast feels like it's just there for exposition and to be killed for cheap drama

Picard: Advantages: + Has the best dramatic acting of any Star Trek series by a fair margin + Has the best musical score of any Star Trek series + Introduces a whole crew of fascinating new characters + Introduces all kinds of fascinating transhumanist concepts + AGNES. JURATI. Disadvantages: - You know all of those fascinating new characters that I mentioned? Yeah, it unceremoniously gets rid of all of them to bring back the old TNG gang. - You know that all of those fascinating transhumanist concepts that I mentioned? Yeah, it gets rid of those too so that to give us some generic action - Oh my god, someone teach the set designers to operate a fucking light switch - Grimdark - Nossssstalgia - Each season is basically unrelated to every other season - Depends so heavily on TNG that its final season is basically unwatchable if you haven't already seen a 30-year-old TV series

Lower Decks: Advantages: + It has probably the most efficient storytelling that I've ever seen; seriously, it's incredible how much it can fit into a half hour episode + It has a bunch of delightful, archetypical characters you get to know and love + You like hanging out with these people + The ship is kind of crap and you will learn to love it that way. + Basically a sitcom version of TNG. + Has a big fandom on Tumblr Disadvantages: - The art style is pretty Rick & Morty-ish - It takes most of its first season to really strike a good balance between being a sitcom and being a Star Trek series - The main character, Mariner, is kind of unlikable for the first season or so (she gets better) - Lots of callbacks to other series (though always either incidental or clearly explained) - Given that it's the first Star Trek sitcom, the comedy is honestly kinda the weakest part? Subjective I know.

Prodigy: Advantages: + Absolutely gorgeous to look at; the most visually stunning Star Trek by quite a ways + Lots of fun new characters on a cool ship + Gives you clear on-boarding notes to the Star Trek franchise if you're watching it for the first time + Can be watched on its own, but also works as a direct sequel to Voyager and a prequel to Picard (making both of them retoractively better, in fact) + Kind of like the Clone Wars or Rebels of the Star Trek universe, I guess? + Found family in space! The next generation! + Soon to be running on Netflix, so if you already have a Netflix subscription, you don't need to pay for another service + Written for a younger audience. Not necessarily an advantage, but nice if you happen to like family friendly animation or YA. Disadvantages: - *sigh* You basically need to pirate it. Thanks, Paramount. - Has a second season that we may or may not ever actually get to see even through piracy. Thanks, Paramount. - Isn't airing on the same streaming service as all of the other ones. Thanks, Paramount

Strange New Worlds: Advantages: + Basically what the original series would be if it were released today, rather than 57 years ago; all of the cool, socially consciousness sci-fi adventure, none of the weird 60s sexism + Fun, awesome characters you get to like spending time with right away + Incredible visuals + Nifty sci-fi concepts, mostly without the 90s-style technobabble Disadvantages: - A huge cast with only ten episodes a season, so many of them feel underdeveloped - Unfortunately, a bunch of its characters are younger versions of the characters from The Original Series, and they hog most of the spotlight; and the characters whose futures aren't locked in stone are kind of treated as disposable - In general, it needs to spend less time being a prequel, and more time being its own thing - "What if Starfleet ran into the Xenomorphs from Alien?" "Well, they'd probably kill them." "Okay, let's spend several episodes on this."

[soulerflaire]

"There's nothing going on with any of us. Between any of us."

Bro, Cole literally kissed you and made it clear she planned to do it a lot more in the future. There is definitely something going on between you two. Why is he being all coy about this?

[lady-mimis]

I WISH YOU WOULD - BATMAN

Summary: Where your relationship with Bruce didn't end up well but you still love him

English is not my first language, so I apologize for any mistakes that might be on the text

Notes: Hey guys! I'm back with an imagine of my favorite hero. I stopped to write for nnt, but I still have some imagines ready so I will post eventually. For me Bruce is such a dads girl. This took me a long time, I hope you enjoy!

Warnings: Violence and language

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"Mommy?" Your daughter called you. You were working on your laptop while your daughter was watching TV.

Tim and Damian asked for your help in some kind of security program they developed, so you were just reviewing and improving the system

"Yeah baby? what's wrong?" You stop typing and look at her.

She was hugging her giraffe plush. It was a gift from her dad. She is such a daddy's girl

"I was wondering..... if you could tell me about you and daddy?" She ask curiously with those big blue, bright eyes

The question took you by surprise. She is still a curious kid, of course, but you wonder why she wants to know it now

She was a copy of her father, except that she has some of your features. Its funny how you waited nine months for your baby to be born with her fathers features

"Hmm, what do you wanna know? Can i ask why the sudden interest?" You asked your baby daughter, then sat beside her on the couch, putting a cushion in your lap

"I want to know how you two met each other, I mean you two are not together anymore but you were one day, right?" She questioned you with an innocence that you felt your heart shake a little.

Thinking about how she feels with her parents not being together. You remember once she was saying something about all of her friends having parents who are married and live together. Of course, you tried to explain that your situation is not so simple, but she was just a kid and couldn't understand anything

"Yeah, darling well.... I met your father at work, he was my boss"

You revive everything in your head

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"Good morning, Lucius! I brought some coffee for us" You entered the laboratory, greeting your coworker and put your bag on your table

You worked for Wayne Enterprises and were responsible for the technology that Batman held since the company funded him and his equipment

You were working on a motorcycle for Batman since he asked for

This project was a direct order from your boss, Bruce Wayne. You had never meet him, he was always busy being a playboy

Lucius was the vice president of the company, so he had a lot of work to do. You impressed with how he would help you and find time to be a businessman

"I'm glad you're here, today we have a lot of work" He thanks you for the coffee

After hours in the laboratory, you get ready to leave

"Hey baby let's talk please, don't dare ignore me again!" An unknown number sent you a message, but you already knew who it was

"Answer bitch!" Again

"I need you baby! I can't live without you!"

Your ex boyfriend calls you, but you refuse the call

How did he find your new number? You were angry about him harassing you since you two broke up

"Stop calling me! we broke up. Stop it" Sighing deeply, you reply

"You're okay?" Lucius asks you curiously, raising his eyebrows

"I'm just tired, you know, Matthew has been kind of asshole and... " You fake a smile for him not worry about you

You stop your commentary after hearing the voice of the artificial intelligence of the laboratory announce someone

"Access confirmed. Welcome, Bruce Wayne" The AI greets him

"Bruce, what a pleasure! (Y/N) this is Bruce" Lucius introduce you to him. He is excited for Bruce to finally meet you

Well, you have to admit that he is not only handsome. Bruce Wayne is hot as hell

He looked at you, head to toe and licked his lips. He smiles to you with an arrogant smile and offers his hand for you to shake

What a skirt chaser!

"Enchanted to meet you" You shake his big, rough hands. He looks around, analyzing the lab

Bruce Wayne has an elegant posture. He was wearing a black, expensive suit, probably tailored just for him. This suit must have cost all of your salary

He walks through the lab with a confident posture, analyzing everything around him

"So you're the one who made the Batmobile upgrades" He states uninterested

Okay, you were not hoping for him to know that

"Yeah, it's me. I'm working on the motorcycle project too" You said proudly, pointing to the prototype that was in the center of the lab

Adjusting your white coat, you grab the sketches of the project in your pocket

"Well, I see you're doing good. Have you already made any tests?" He looks satisfied with the prototype

"Not yet, still working on the motor " You give him the sketches, then point at the motor sketch

"it looks excellent! I'm really impressed. Now I know why Lucius trusts so much in your work" He smiled charmingly, winking at you

You couldn't help but roll your eyes. Is he really like this?

"Thank you.... I think" Looking at your watch, checking the hours

"I better go. It's starting to get dark" You grab your things and walk to the door

"Take care (Y/N)!" Lucius bids you farewell

"It was lovely to meet you (Y/N), I hope to see you again" Bruce gave a head nod

"Wait (Y/N)!" Bruce calls you, making you stop and stare him, raising an eyebrow at him

"What you think about a dinner?" Bruce asks with a cocky smile, and you find it charming, but no way you're going on a date with him. That could work with other women, but not with you

Bruce asked you out the first day he met you! HE WAS TRULY A WOMANIZER LIKE THE NEWS SAYS

You had recently broken up so you were not thinking about a relationship at that moment

"Thanks but no" You fake a sorrowful look and then smile, winking, teasing him

You leave to your house before gets too dark

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That night, you were watching TV on your couch. It was almost midnight

You heard a car stop by the front of your house and assumed that it was one of your neighbors

"Where are you? I'm here. Let's talk " he typed

Okay, you're starting to get scared

You walk towards the window, seeing his car in front of your house

"No! Leave!" You reply in panic

"Baby, open the door!" He knocks on the door, gently at first but then harder

"Leave me alone! I don't want to talk to you!" You say it loud enough for him to hear it

"Open the fucking door!" A strong knock. He was beating the door, and in a little time he would open it

You grabbed your phone and ran to your room, calling the police. You close the door of your room, hiding yourself in your closet

Tears were all over your face

"911, what's your emergency?" The policeman asked by phone

"My ex boyfriend.... is trying to enter my home and i ...... " A loud thud echos through the house. He entered in your home

"He's here, please help me!" You whisper, crying in despair

You passed your address to him

"We are sending the police, stay hidden until the police come, please stay in the line"

You could hear him on the underfloor, looking for you

"Baby, let's talk. You know how much i love you!" He always said this

"I can't live without you, you're so good for me, I will kill myself if you don't show up. IT WILL BE YOUR FAULT!!" He screamed with angry

He was coming closer, and you knew that the police would not make in time

"Let's just talk, babe, we can fix this. I CAN FIX THIS!" His voice echoed behind the door as he tried to get into the room

He was kicking the door, and you knew how the material would not resist

"We can comeback together, it's just show up and say yes!" He broke in

He was close, and you could see his shadow through the door of the closet

He has a knife with him

You knew he had found you. He was walking toward the closet

"I don't want to talk to you! LEAVE ME ALONE! I FUCKING HATE YOU, WHY YOU DOING THIS TO ME??" Screaming stunned

When he stops by the closet door, something caught him by surprise and he falls to the floor

A shadow figure was in top of him

The shadow figure knocks out your ex boyfriend

"It's safe now, you can get out of there" A male deep voice spoke, it sounded almost robotic, maybe it was some kind of voice modification

You got out of the closet, and you stared at your unconscious ex

That shadow figure was standing by the side of your ex's damaged body

Then you saw your hero, Batman.

"I..." You could not say a single phrase without sobbing

He stayed there till police siren sounds could be heard, then he just disappears

Batman had saved you that night, if wasn't for him, probably you would not be alive. You were grateful to Batman

You're remembered that night all too well, it was a complete nightmare

------------------------------------------------------------

The next day after the incident you were given the day off by Lucius.

You stayed at your sister place until you found a new place for you

You had to comeback to your work, everything was so stressful and worst Bruce keep showing up and continue flerting with you

------------------------------------------------------------

You were on the park lot alone, fetching your car keys, and you feel a presence behind you

You froze

Someone put a hand on your shoulder

"Hey, you alright?" Bruce Wayne ask in a worried tone

You felt so relieved to see it was just him

"Yes, i just got scared, you simply didn't make any walking sounds" You observe him, and take a deep breath

"Oh, i'm sorry about that.. what do you say about dinner as sorry?" Bruce offered, scratching his throat, making a slight frown, and put his hands on his pocket, trying to hide his nervous

That's new, he was always too confident and cocky. Now he just look like a normal guy

So you decide to be honest

"Look, Bruce i will be honest with you, I recently broke up. It's been hard times for me, i am not looking for a date at the moment" You look at him with soft eyes, denying his offer gently

That made Bruce nod in knowledge and look at the floor for a moment. He admired your honesty

"Well... that doesn't mean we can't be friends" Still not convinced he waits for your response

Friends? WITH BRUCE WAYNE? That was a good joke, but he seemed serious about it

With everything that has been happening, maybe you need to relax. You didn't have many friends. All of your friends live in other towns. So why not?

"Hmm.. fine we can dinner together as friends" You hesitantly accept looking at his ocean blue eyes. Somehow, his eyes pass you peace and truth

"Friends then" He smirked and offered his arm to you, guiding you to his car

It was a great night. Nice jokes and good food

That has become a tradition between you and Bruce since that day. You get to know Bruce better and overcome your prejudices about him

------------------------------------------------------------

You could say that you had a soft spot for Bruce

You even met his first kid.

It was a surprise when he told you about Dick. You had never thought about Bruce being a single dad.

You tried help him with his dads duties but he always declined your help. Even with his interventions, you continued to help him to raise Dick

You remember telling Bruce to go easier with Dick

And finally, he opened up with you, asking advice on how to improve to be a good dad for Dick

Dick was a nice kid but had a sad story. He always used to tell you how Bruce was hard on him and how he wanted some freedom

So sometimes you would take him to do things that a normal kid would do

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When you found out about Batmans identity, you freaked out

You were working on the maintenance of the security of the labs

Everything there was powerful and presented some danger. So the technology couldn't end up in the wrong hands

The access was only permitted if the people had registered fingerprint and eye identification

You noted that Bruce and Batman had the same fingerprint and eye identification.

He had saved you that night

When he entered the lab, you embrace him so tightly

All you could say was "thank you" sobbing

Bruce got very confused and worried about you

After a few moments he connected the pieces

He asked you to work only for him in his cave and his Batlab, as you called it

You accepted Bruces offer to work for him.

Most of the time, you would work with him or Alfred on the projects. Alfred always commented to you about how you and Bruce were a good duo

Alfred told you, you were the first person that Bruce let into his life. How was he different after you

------------------------------------------------------------

You had been friends with Bruce for almost two years

You were at the annual Wayne gala

Bruce had invited you personally and told you how much Jason insisted on your presence. Bruce had recently adopted Jason since Dick left for Jump City

Of course, you didn't approve the kids being his sidekicks. It was not ideal for them, but that was the form they found to let go of the fury and anger they felt inside. Bruce knew it better like no one

Jason was a tough kid, but all he wanted was Bruce's attention. Yet Bruce would be more hard on Jason than he has been with Dick

Jason had a hard life, and even being tough he was still a kid. All he needed was love and kindness. So you did what Bruce didn't. You helped him with everything, homework, patching him, you both played video game together

You taught him everything you knew, how to cook, how to hack, how to make analysis, how to program and more.

"(Y/N) You heard me?" Jason poked you but you couldn't take your eyes of Bruce

Bruce is the host of the party,and of course there will be people around him but you can't avoid to feel jealous at the surrounding women

Bruce was talking with a blonde beautiful woman for a long time

"Sorry jay, what were you saying?" You give him a soft look, messing with his hair

"Its about the new ship you are working, I liked the design its so badass" He said, excited about this project.

Jason was your little assistant in the Batlab

You nod, smiling and keep talking with him until Alfred interruption

"Sorry to interrupt you, Miss (Y/N), but I believe its time for Master Jason go to bed" Alfred explained and put a hand on Jasons shoulders

"Can (Y/N) put me to bed?" Jason asks in a low tone, looking at you with pleading eyes

How cute, your heart melt away with that. How can you say no to him?

Alfred looks to you, waiting your response

"Don't worry, Alfred, I don't care doing it" You shrug, guiding Jason to his room

You were both in his room. His room was all decorated with cream and red tones. The room has some posters of some old popular cartoons you both watch together, and some action figures on the shelf on the wall where the writing desk is. Some books you had gave him as gifts are on top of the desk

He was laying on bed, and you covered him with the red blankets

"Do you think you can sleep with that music?" You ask, fixing the blankets so he could be warm

"Yes, it's not that loud from here" Jason makes himself comfortable

"Thanks (Y/N), it makes me feel home" Jason smile to you, the mix of blue and green of his shining eyes makes he looks so innocent

He was looking at you like you were his whole world

"Good night Jay, I'll see you tomorrow after school in the Batcave" You kiss his forehead and turn off the lights

You lead to the door, ready to leave

"Good night, mom" Jason whispered sleepy

OH MY DID HE JUST CALLED YOU MOM? You stop, stunned in front of the door, felling a mix of emotions

When you got out, Bruce was standing there like a ghost

"Ohh! You scared me! Stop showing up out of nowhere" You raise your hand to your chest, breathing heavily

"You didn't need to do it" Bruce crossed his arms seriously, taking a look at Jason's asleep form

Bruce was in front of you, blocking your passage back to the party. His huge form was hovering you

"I wanted to do it, Bruce" You state, putting your hand on his chest to get him out of your way, but he does't move

So you raise an eyebrow to him. What was he doing? Trying to intimidate you or whatever?

"I thought you would pass the night talking with that blonde woman?" You comment. Maybe a little too rude

You perceive the frown on his lips and how his eyebrows grew closer

"As the host, I have to talk with the guests" He narrows his gaze to you. You hate when he does it

He unblocked the passage, still staring you

You turn back to the party, ignoring his stare

After that, you felt frustrated and resolved to drink to drown your sorrows

At the end of the night, you were a little drunk....okay, so much drunk that your voice was nasal and you were hiccuping

That time, Bruce was chatting with a beautiful brunette woman, and she put her hand on his chest. Okay, that's enough. The jealousy made your face turn red and warm.

You roll your eyes, ready to leave the party.

Bruce was so stupid, why do you care about the women around him? You are nothing to him, just a friend. You hated that feeling, you hate how Bruce makes you feel stupid

You were leaving, but an arm grabbed your hand, stopping you. In the movement to turn around, you stumbled on your feet.

The arms hold you by the waist so you don't fall

"I got you" Bruce is the one helping you. His arms are so big and warm

"What you're doing? leave me... hic.. Bruce" You tell him, trying to get out of his hold while he leads you to the manor

"I'm not gonna let you leave alone in this state. You're drunk (Y/N)" Bruce keeps his hold on you, until you are in his room

"It's your fault, when you were talking with those hotties, I was... hic...drinking by myself" You say with a joking tone and get out of his hold to sit at his bed

"Are you jealous (Y/N)?" Bruce asks, having fun with the situation

"NO! nrgh!" You sink your head into his pillow

"So do you care to share why you are so drunk? We both know you do not drink like that" He asked curiously, looking at you with those beautiful eyes

"Just to shut out... hic.. my emotions. Its was... hic...so loud" You said, snorting with your nasal voice

Bruce chuckles at your comment and leans himself on the wall

"You know you can tell me, right?" Bruce crossed his arms, but his voice sounded soft

"Right, I just disappointed...hic.. that you didn't have any time for me just because you were talking..hic... with your hotties. We are friends, right?" Whispering the last part.

Who were you trying to convince? You or him? You were already over heels for him

Bruce just raised an eyebrow for you, he knew you, and the fact that you just lied to him

"Tell me (Y/N) what really happened for you to get that drunk?" He came closer and stopped in front of you, analyzing you

He is curious, you are not the heavy drinker type. To be honest, he never saw you so drunk as tonight

It was dark in the room, just the moonlight light it. Bruce eyes shone intensely in the dark of the room, his eyes look like the ocean

"You happen, Bruce, I cant keep pretending that i don't feel nothing for you" Your voice is so low that you barely hear it

Nervousness ruins through your body. You start to roll your rings on your fingers.

"Pardon me?" Bruce says confused

He doubts that he heard what you said. He shifts his weight, trying to stay calm. Probably you are just too drunk and were babbling

So you decide to speak out loud

"Damn it! I was so jealous, you can have any woman in your arms anytime you want! I hate see you with another woman, and how I'm not the one in your arms. Your stupid blue ocean eyes that hypnotize me..." Bruce interrupts your sentence and kisses you with desire

"You're the one that I want. The one who has my heart. (Y/N), you don't have to worry about the others women" Bruce cups your face and rubs your cheeks, pecking your lips

He let go of you and stepped back smirking at your shock form

"Okay Bruce now you got me! You always found a ... hic.. way to shock me" You toss yourself in his bed, and your nasal giggles fill the lifeless room

"Well? what can i do? I have been waiting since the day we met for you to realize the great eligible bachelor that I am" His crooked smile makes you laugh hard

"Tsc, you're to cocky, hic.. that time you were the biggest womanizer of the whole country" You state, and hear his laugh echo in the room

Bruce chuckles at your state the bed, your cheeks are red from drinking, and your hair is a little messy, but he finds it cute. You are a sloppy, happy drunk.

How you love his laugh, his smile, and his beautiful eyes. You love everything about him. Okay, sometimes he's a pain in the ass, but still you love him

Then he walks to the door without making any sound

"I should let you rest" Bruce says, opening the door

"Can't you stay?" You watch him hesitantly stop in the front of the door

"Pleasee?..hic" You plead

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At first, your relationship was wonderful. Bruce was a caring boyfriend and a good partner

Then Jason died

You were completely broken

You loved him so much. The pain was unbearable

Bruce was dealing with his grief on his own. You knew how he blamed himself for Jason's death. He felt regret for being so hard on Jason

You hated how Bruce closed himself off from you

Everything has changed

Bruce was cold, quiet and reserved

Bruce was not the same person you used to know

The fights started

Time passed, and you two had to move on

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When you discovered about Damian's existence. You felt devastated, mostly because Bruce didn't plan to tell you

It was a shock for you when you found a boy who looked like Bruce in the living room

He was just seven years old. About the time you and Bruce started to date

The fights started all over

You were in the batcave. Where you help Bruce with the technology and projects he and you create

"What hell Bruce? Is that kid really your son?" Inhaling deep. You couldn't stop the shake of your hands

God, you were so nervous

You already knew the answer, but you need a explanation

Bruce just murmurs in response

"That's not even an answer, Bruce!" You state, tapping nervously your foots on the floor

"Do you have a son with another woman? I suppose you know who is his mother?" You wait for him to respond decently

You were standing by his side while he didn't even bother to glance you

"His mother is Thalia Alghul" Bruce shrugged it off, like that was nothing

Did he already know about the existence of this child?

"Bruce, look at me for a second! You cannot give a shit about this, but I do!" You shout, trembling

"Bruce! Did you already know about the existence of this kid?" Your voice wavers and the tears rush down your face

You felt betrayed

This time, Bruce slightly shivered and narrowed his eyes, analyzing you. Probably he was thinking you were out of control

Bruce was thinking of a response to calm you, but he couldn't find it, so he stayed in silence.

The silence was the worst answer he could give you. You know how right you were about your suspicious

"ANSWER ME, BRUCE! DID YOU EVEN PLAN TO TELL ME?" Pointing a finger at his chest, accusing him

Bruce gets defensive when you shout at him

"That's none of your business, (Y/N)" Bruce shouts back feeling attacked. Maybe it was, but he didn't think of that because he is too proud

"IT'S NOT MY BUSINESS, OKAY MR WAYNE, THEN IF THAT'S NOT MY BUSINESS, WE SHOULD NOT BE TOGETHER SINCE MY FUCKING BOYFRIEND HAS A CHILD WITH ANOTHER WOMAN AND NEVER PLANNED TO TELL ME ONE FUCKING THING ABOUT IT" You snap with anger. You shed tears like a crying baby

You felt terrible, weak, and disrespected.

The shouts echo through the cave

He was supposed to trust you, right?

There was a time you two were best friends and told each other everything, even the most silly thing in the world. You were a good duo, you were always partners

But the things changed

The love that was pacific became heavy and cold

What you and Bruce had become?

The sound of your cries attracted Tim's attention

"Hey mom! you're okay?" Tim asks gently, giving Bruce a disapproving look

"I.... just need to rest" You take a deep breath, accepting Tim help

You stare Bruce with watery eyes. You waited for him to say something

He stares at you with a blank expression

"Takes your mother to her room" That's the only thing Bruce says before turning back, walking to another part of the cavern

Bruce simply turned his back to you

It means nothing to him anymore. He didn't fight for you two

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The situation became more difficult because Damian disliked you

He thought his father should be with his mother, not someone like you. His words were sharp like a knife

To be honest, you thought the same thing. You aren't rich like Bruce, you two had different lifestyles. Two completely different world

In all of these years he never cared to propose to you. Did he ever think of having a future with you?

You started to question yourself after almost six years together

The day you finally decide to leave

You were sick, having nausea, dizziness and vomiting

Alfred realized that and advised you to go to the doctor

You took a few exams

In the same week, Damian got sick. He was in bed, shaking with fever. You were so worried about him

You checked up on Damian sometimes, even with his sharp comments about you or how he disliked you

He was just a kid who was created with a rigid education. He had a hard personality. You couldn't totally blame him

Alfred asked you to give Damian some soup for dinner. You agreed and went upstairs with the soup

"Hey Damian i brought some soup for you" You knock on his door before entering his room

"Tsc you can leave it here" He said with a tedious tone of voice

"Hmm do you need help to eat?" You ask, leaving the bowl on his expensive white nightstand

"No! Leave!" Damian says annoyed by your presence. Okay he didn't seem to be on a good day

Still, he doesn't have the strength to get out of the bed or eat alone

"But... Alfred helped you eat the meals, right? I could help you if you want" You tried one more time

"Don't you understand? I DON'T WANT YOUR HELP" Damian shouts aggressively, he tries to pick up the bowl but ends up toppling it

You look at him in shock

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I didn't mean to disturb you" You say in a low tone, holding back your tears

You leave Damian's room quickly and walk towards your room

You couldn't take it anymore. You are unhappy, sick and tired

You were in your room. The room you and Bruce shared together one day

You grabbed your bags and started to pick up your things

"What you're doing?" Bruce's voice surprised you. He was downstairs the last time you saw him

"I'm leaving, Bruce" You didn't hold back your tears. The tears rush freely in your face

Bruce felt his heartbeat skip when he heard what you said. You cannot be serious

"I don't understand..". Bruce comes closer to you, trying to understand why you were doing this

You stop to pick up your things to look at him

He is in shock, and even with his facade, you learn to see through it

"No! I know you don't, Bruce! You don't even realize whats happening around you" You snap angrily

"What? you cannot do that (Y/N)!" Bruce tries to change your mind, arguing with you, but you have already decide

"WHY NOT BRUCE? YOUR SON HATES ME! YOU DON'T CARE ABOUT US ANYMORE" You are so close to him but yet so far away. Giving a pleading look for him, you shake your head in deny

"Damian is just a kid..." Bruce answered back facing you.

You could swear that you saw a few of emotion on his eyes

"FUCK IT! WHAT ABOUT US BRUCE? DIDN'T YOU EVEN REALIZE THAT I AM SICK THE WHOLE WEEK? DID YOU EVER PLAN TO PROPOSE TO ME ONE DAY?" You screamed with agony, feeling your throat dry

He could see how you were hurt and unhappy

Bruce avoid to look into yours eyes. Not a single word left his mouth

"Your silence answered everything. I hoped you would be honest with me considering all of these years, tsc you are really a dick" You curse, turning back to pick up the rest of your things

You grabbed your bags, and turned around, ready to leave.

You give Bruce a final look, pleading to him to do something, say something or fight for you

You hoped he would say something or ask you to stay, but he didn't

If he had asked you to stay, you would

So you leave

Your words echo through to his head

Bruce's heart stops when he sees that you are really leaving, but he can't move

Maybe that was better for you. Maybe it was better for you to live without him always disappointing you

Bruce stays in silence, watching you leave

------------------------------------------------------------

You were completely heartbroken after the break up. You moved to your old apartment

Everything looked so empty, it was so strange to live there all alone.

You miss the kids, the noise of the manor, Alfred astute comments, and more... You miss Bruce

You and your sister went to the hospital to get your exam results

You remember all too well

In the doctor's office, sitting in a chair, waiting for the doctor to say the results of your exam

"Well, miss (Y/N), the results are not satisfying, but i have good news you might like" Isla gave you a sympathetic look and read some documents

"So I prefer the good news first, doc" You tried to sound optimist

You looked like crap, and you knew it. The last week had been so lonely. Tim and Alfred passed by your apartment to check on you, but it wasn't the same thing

"You are pregnant, congratulations (Y/N)!" She gave you the news

Your face goes blank

"(Y/N)? You alright?" Isla asked with worry in her eyes

"Yes... I think, I was not hoping for that, Isla" You explained, trying to calm yourself

She wrote something on her computer

"Right, but you have anemia, and this isnt good for you and the baby. It might bring you problems if you don't start to treat it. So you will have an obstetrician consult and I will accompany you with the anemia treatment, okay?" Isla smiles, handing the results to you

"You might consider to consulting a psychologist too, you don't look so well, it will make you good. Take care of your mind health" Her voice was kind, and you knew how she was right. You were a complete mess

"I will prescribe you some medicine" Isla catches the pen on her table and starts to fill out some papers

------------------------------------------------------------

When you got the results of the exams you couldn't believe it. You are Pregnant

"So? Whats got you so sick?" Your sister gives you a concerned look, as she come closer to you

"I.. cant believe it" You hand her the papers, still in shock

"OH MY! I going to be an aunt!" She is excited about the news

"That's not so bad, you just have to treat yourself" She tries to cheer you up

"Oh no. Why are you crying?" She embraced you while you cried. You were so hurt. It was so much for you

...

You had been consulting the obstetriciann, and everything was okay with your baby. You discovered you preganant for 3 months

Your sister were sleeping in your place to help you with the pregnancy

Your sister went out to some cheap club with her friends

You wake up to drink some water. Your throat was dry

You heard some steps behind you, so you stay alert

"Who's here?" You turn around to see it was Batman

Bruce was standing right in front of you, after all of those weeks

You relaxed since you're not in danger

"You know you could enter from the door like a normal person" You comment, rolling your eyes

He observed the place and looked at you head to toe

His presence is annoying you. Still, you could tell that his presence made heart beat faster

"What do you want?" You ask, breathing deep

"What is that (Y/N)?" He took some papers off his utility belt and shook them in front of your face. It was your exams

"Are you stalking me? Who gives you the right to pry your nose into my life?" You took the papers out of his hands

"Its not of your business Mr Wayne!" Your harsh look makes him shrugs

He was with his cowl, his blank eyes were observing you through the mask

"Not my business? It's my child!" He stated, with a frown on his lips

"I'm not going to repeat myself again. What are you doing here?" Walking closer to him, you could feel his scent. It felt stronger, maybe it was because of the pregnancy. How you miss him

Is he here to upset you more? To hurt your feelings again? You wish he could forget about you and leave you alone for a moment, since you two are not together anymore. But he always found a way to upset you

"The child... You cant have it!" He states in a deep, low tone

You could not believe him. His words were like a sharp knife in your heart

"What makes you think you can choose it? How cowardly are you, Bruce? hm?" You aggressively question him, pointing a finger at his chest, and staring him with fury in the eyes

"You cant have it! It's my child too!" He argues back, taking off his cowl. His blue eyes lost their shine. He looks tired, with dark circles around his eyes, his face is slightly skinnier

"WHY? YOU'RE JUST AFRAID CAUSE YOU CANNOT BE A GOOD FATHER TO ANY OF YOUR CHILDREN!" You know how to hurt him. Maybe it was too cruel to say it, but that was the truth

Bruce steps back with the comment, feeling hurt. You didn't like to hurt him but, he needs some sense

"Are you hearing yourself? Whats that Bruce? Why you doing this with me? don't you think you have made enough? Leave please! I don't want to see you anymore!" Pleading with watery eyes

His eyes wide, and the realization pass through his blue, tired eyes

What had he turn?

Indeed, He was afraid of not being a good father, but demanding those things from you was not right. He had no right to say those things to you

He broke you into pieces, and left you when you needed him

"I... sorry" Bruce whispered before leaving through the window

------------------------------------------------------------

The birth of your baby changed everything.

You were so surprised to see Bruce there to watch his daughters birth. At first, you were hesitant, but inside, you relieved

Bruce was watching your daughter sleep in your arms

"Look, I'm sorry for what i did to you. You didn't deserve that. I wasn't there when you needed me. Everything that I did upset you in a delicate moment" Bruce apologizes to you

His face full of regret makes you know that Bruce was being honest. He wasn't a man who expressed himself easily

"I want to be a good dad for her, let me help you. I want to be present in her life if you let me" Bruce held a sorrowful look

You had to make amends with him for your daughter sakes

------------------------------------------------------------

The kids and Alfred visited you in the maternity hospital

You were surprised that Damian was there to see you too

Dick, Tim, Jason, Your sister and Alfred are somewhere in the hospital, probably eating in the cafeteria

Bruce was taking a shower while you were arrested in that hospital bed, and Damian was staring at you with a doubtful look

"Hey kiddo, a penny for your thoughts?" You try a joke in a hesitant tone

"Tsc...What would I do with a penny? Anyway I have enough of money already" He says cockily

"Now you sound exactly like your dad" You giggle, having fun with his similarity with Bruce

He stayed quiet, still looking at you. This time, he was looking at you like a lost puppy

"You can say whats on your mind, dear" You look at him with soft eyes

He stared at you in shock. No one has ever called dear or been so soft with him like that

"Hm, I've been planning on how to apologize to you. I'm sorry its my fault that you left my dad" He apologizes in a low tone and avoids eye contact with you

"Hey dear, its not your fault. I didn't leave because of you" You sign for him to come closer

He hesitantly came closer, sitting at the end of the bed

"Any of the problems that i had with your dad weren't because of you. You're just a kid, any of this is your fault, Damian" You squeeze his hands

Damians face turns red, and he smiles slightly at you

"Since you're gone, my dad is so grumpy. No one can stand him anymore" Damian complained about his dad being a pain in the ass like you and Jason would say

------------------------------------------------------------

You really tried to move on, but the man didn't like the idea of dating a single mom

You swore to yourself that you would forget Bruce, but every time you were on a date you remember him.

What if everything was different? You wish it was

But life goes on

You left your work and opened your own workshop. You had your own laboratory and atelier to work on your engineering projects or whatever you would create

You moved to a bigger and safer house to live with your daughter

It has been like this for years

Now your baby is almost turning 6 years. She is your entire world. The biggest present you could ever have

You two were passing the time in the living room before her bedtime. You were working when she asked you about you and Bruce

You just told her how you two met

"Isn't daddys birthday coming?" She climbs into your lap

"Yeah, baby, it will be in three weeks" You caress her hair

"Daddy always looks at you like you are a diamond, mommy" She said, closing her eyes, enjoying the caress

"Hmm, baby lets take you bed"

------------------------------------------------------------

Talking about diamond

Bruce Wayne left the jewelry shop with a diamond engage ring. The Gotham prince has finally decided to settle down?, the news is on the screens

Maybe its for Selina? Maybe they had come back together?

"Hey (Y/N) you still there?" Barrys voice brought your attention back to the call

"Yeah, sorry about that... and no, your new suit is not read yet" You state, shaking your head, trying to forget the toughts about Bruce

"Hmm okay, isn't Bruce's birthday coming? Barry asked worried

"Why everyone keep asking me that? Yes, Barry his birthday is in three weeks" You say, annoyed by the question, grabbing your mug, starting to organize everything that is on your table

"Sorry, hahaha, I just didn't buy anything for him yet" He was having fun with your annoyance

"You don't need to worry about it, he's not a material man. He will like anything you give to him, you know" You organized the things, and fetched your car keys in your purse

"Sorry Barry, but i got to pick up my baby from school!" You say it in a rush tone

"Right, bye (Y/N)! Tell Gennie that Uncle Barry sent her a big bear hug"

You couldn't help but laugh

"You bet Barry!" You hung up

------------------------------------------------------------

"Mommy, can we eat ice creamy as dessert??"

You stopped on the mall to eat lunch and shopping with her

"Sure baby, let me just take another photo of you, you're so cute in this uniform" She was just the most adorable thing you have ever seen in her school uniform

She was in kindergarten, and Gotham Academy was a very secure and good school. Evangeline was even learning spanish and french

You pass in front of a decor shop. Once you had been there with Bruce

"I still cant believe you're serious" Bruce stares at you incredulous

"Why not? If i moving to live with you, lets just pretend that we are moving together and shopping new decor to our room" Smiling excitedly to him

"Alright! But nothing too colorful!" He surrenders

"NO WAY! I NOT LETTING YOU WITH THAT DREADFUL ROOM!" You say it loudly, and put one yellow duvet in the cart shop

Yellow was definitely your favorite color

"You need some color in your life, honey" You hold another duvet, but this time a yellow neon with purple leopard print

Bruce couldn't help but frown at that

You graciously laugh, catching his attention

"Whats so funny?" He asked crossing his arms with a grimace on his face

"You look so cute doing this face. Did you know you pout?" You pecked his lips

Bruce facades are gone with that. He holds you with his strong arms

"What? I do not pout!" You felt his breath in the back of your neck, he was laughing

"Mommy!!" Your baby girl shakes you, and you realize that you were standing there for a while

"Oh baby, i'm so sorry" You felt a little stupid to still think about Bruce even after all of this time

"I want ice creamy, and suddenly you stop in front of the decor shop. They don't sell ice creamy" She was pouting exactly like her father

"Tsc, You look exactly like your dad. I cant believe it." You say annoyed, shaking your head in deny

"What? My dad?" She had a curious look

"Lets get you your ice cream, baby!" You ignored and, she seemed to forget that you talked about her dad

------------------------------------------------------------

"Thank you!" You told the waiter

"Is it of your liking mini chef?" You ask, taking a sip of your milkshake

"Its yummy, mommy! but I think that if they put a handmade ice creamy, it would be more good"

"Why do you say that mini chef?" You lick your lips

"The industry ice creamy has so much sugar. Nothing its like Alfred's handmade ice creamy" She said, enjoying her ice creamy

"Well, with all the odds, you almost over with your milk shake" You state humored, laughing at her dirty milkshake cheeks

"Its still very yummy..." Shes was interrupted with screams

"What the fuck?" All you could do was protect your daughter from the danger

Some masquerade guys entered the place. They were high armed, and started shooting at everyone

------------------------------------------------------------

"Oh my! How terrified that girl must be. I know them. Her mother, she does some projects for me and the police force. You know, she is the mother of one of Bruce Waynes children, she created the other kids as well. I cant stop thinking that is one of the main reasons that the thieves got her and the kid" Gordon was the talking to someone on his cell phone when Batman showed up on the terrace of the building

What a terrible day. Bruce couldn't believe this was happening to him.

You and his baby were kidnapped, and he didn't find anything. He spent the whole day in front of the batcomputer searching for any trace of you.

All Bruce could feel was fury and fear. Fear to lose you two. Fear that he will never see you again. Fear that he could never say how sorry he is about messing up and how he was a dick with you. FEAR THAT HE COULD NEVER SAY AGAIN HOW HE STILL LOVE YOU

Bruce wishes he was a better man for you, he wishes things were different from the now on circumstances

Maybe its late for that. Maybe its too late to apologize

Bruce wished he never messed up with you. Maybe he wouldn't feel the regret filling his soul every moment since you gone

He wished you stayed, but it was so much for him to ask that of you

Maybe he was too proud. Maybe he already hoped that one moment you would leave him like everyone else did?

All he could do was watch you leave. It was for the best

At least you would not suffer anymore, and it would be safer for you. But God, that was the worst pain he felt in his life

What if he fought for you and him? He would give everything to come back in time. What if he asked you to stay? would you?

"Hey Batman, I assume that you already know the news?" Gordon hung up, looking at the man in the black suit. Batman seemed lost?

"Anyway, we need your help that Vick Vale don't stop calling looking for a scoop" He rolled his eyes, annoyed by the memory of the journalist

"The situation is that armed man entered in a fucking ice cream shop in the Gotham Mall and started shooting at innocent people and left with a single mother and a kid. We believe its a kidnap, and they are keeping they as hostage but they didn't call to her family asking for money though. In the worst case they might be... you know" He whispered the last part

"I wont let this happen! Not in my city!" Batman growls, making Gordon widen his eyes. He never saw Batman like this

"Any death?" Batman asked, holding his hands in fists, trying to calm himself

Gordon realized that Batmans body language indicated anger or better fury

"No, only injured people. Just five" Gordon said nervously

"Well, we talked to the people that were in the shop at that moment. They told us that they took the girl and the woman. The mother tried to fight, but there were many goons. One of them came behind her and hit her head to get her unconscious" Gordon told the statement of the people of the store

"Batman, I found one of them" Nightwing voice echos through the bug

"I'm on my way" Batman ansewered, and looks at Gordon giving him a nod, disappearing in the darkness of the night

------------------------------------------------------------

"I will only ask one time, Where are they?" He said it with threanteing tone

That mans face would be unrecognizable after that night

"I DON'T KNOW. I DON'T WORK FOR THEM. THEY JUST CAUGHT SOME OF US AND PAID TO DO THAT" He screamed, fearing for his life

A hard punch

"OUCHH! I SAID I DON'T KNOW NOTHING"

Batman punched that man until he spoke. Poor man

"Man, if you want some advice, you might start talking" Nightwing said from behind, watching the interrogatory batman style

"STOP! I WILL TELL YOU, OKAY? JUST STOP!" He screamed scared

Batman stopped waiting for him to say something useful

"THE GUYS SAID SOMETHING ABOUT JOKERS WANTED TO TAKE THEM AWAY FROM CITY, COUNTRYSIDE, OR OTHER CITY. SO THE BATMAN COULDN'T FIND THEM SO FAST. AS I KNOW HE HAS BEEN PLANNING THAT SINCE HE RAN AWAY FROM ARKHAM ASYLUM"

"WHERE IS HE?" Batman growls aggressive

"I DON'T KNOW"

"WHERE IS HE?" Batman punched him harder

"I SWEAR TO YOU I DON'T KNOW WHERE.... OHH STOP"

Batman felt the fury through his veins

"Batman stop! you gonna kill him!" Nightwing said, pushing him away from the beaten man

Batman stop and looks at his bloody gloves and the mans face.

"Hes still alive, call the cops"

------------------------------------------------------------

The mood at the manor was not one of the best. Everyone was worried about you and your daughter. The Batman was trying to find you, and all they had were the goon words

Its been a week since you two had been kidnap

Bruce was on batcomputer all night searching for some trace of you

"Bruce, you should have some rest. We can handle it" Dick said in a worried tone

"I'm okay, Dick" Bruce told him without a glance

Dick was about to say something, but the phone started to ring

Bruce got up quickly, picking up the call

"Hmmm, helloooo Brucieee!" The Joker voice

"Can you guess who it is ? hahahahah" He laugh maniacly

"Joker" Bruce murmured deeply, and sign to Dick start to track the call

"You right, Brucie, its me!"

Bruce wanted to yell at him for taking you and his daughter away from him, but he knew it was not appropriate

If he wanted to find you, he would have to stay on the line long enough to track where the call was coming

"Well, I have something that might be of your interest" He said humming

"What do you want, to give them back?" Bruce asked in an angry tone. He would do everything in his power to get you two back

"Just some money, you know the bank don't liberate loan for prisoners hum, hum what a prejudice, right?" He said it with irony

"How much? How much do you want?" Bruce asked, sinking his nails in his palm hand nervously

"If they are really important to you. You would not care if I asked you for 30 million dollars. I know you are a generous man" Joker said humored

"Right, you will have it. Let me talk to them, i need some proof that they are alive" Bruce required with authority

"Talk to your daddy, girl" Joker demanded

"Daddy? Is that you? I miss you. Uncle joker told me that you would come here soon, but its been a week" Evangeline's voice had an upset tone

Bruce felt relief for hearing the voice of his baby

"Yes baby, its daddy. Im coming for you soon. You just need to wait a little more" He told her in a soft tone, trying to comfort her

"Where is mommy? I miss her too" She asked in a crying voice

Bruce heart skipped a beat when he heard it. Were you not with her?

"That's enough. You heard your kid. She's very, very alive" He laughed at his own words

"What about my woman?" Bruce asked in a harsh tone

"Your woman? Well, Brucie, shes not one of your properties, we gentlemen don't talk about woman like this" The Joker scolded his words, not liking his tone

"And last time I checked, she was completely single. So no, shes not your woman, Brucie" Joker stated excitedly

"I must admit Brucie, you had a beautiful woman, her beauty really amazed me. If I had the chance, I would get her pregnant too. But what a shame, Brucie. How could you let go of a woman like that?" Joker let out a snort of disapproval

That fucker. Hearing Jokers words about you only made him angrier

"Fuck you, I want to talk with MY WOMAN" Bruce growled aggressively

"Bruce? Is it really you? Please tell me our daughter is safe...." The sound of your voice is one of fear, and then they shut you out

Dick gave him a thumbs up. He tracked where the call was coming

"We had enough idle talk. Send the bat with the money in 24 hours. Be in Gotham docks. I will be waiting for you. Don't be late Brucieee" The Joker hung up

"MOTHER FUCKER" Bruce yelled at the phone, throwing it on the floor

He would not let Joker kill someone he loved. Not again

"Master Bruce, don't let the emotions overwhelm your reason. Focus yourself in the search, the time is passing" Alfred adviced him

Alfred was right. He don't have much time. He has to find you

"Indeed, the call was coming from the docks" Dick said, marking the place on the map on the big screen that was showing some information about the investigation

"They have (Y/N) in another place. Shes is not with Evangeline. We have to find her quickly" Bruce told him in a serious tone

"Really Bruce? Did you realize that we spent the whole week searching for them and got nothing until Joker called? He planned everything so you couldn't find mom in time" Dick snapped with a frown

"We know they are far away from the city, It seems they are in the woods" Bruce told him with a narrow gaze

"What we gonna do?" Dick asked worried about you and his baby sister

One thought passed through Bruces mind

"Call Jason" Bruce demand

"Jason? Why do you think he will find it before us?" Dick has a big doubt in his face

"Tell him to look in the woods close to Gotham and Bludhaven. Even the borders" Bruce ignores his question

------------------------------------------------------------

"I'm not helping you. Im helping mom, old man" Jason stated through the bug

"Copy Jason. Just find your mom, please" Bruce pleaded him

"Don't worry, old man. I will bring her back to you. Just don't mess up again or I kill you" Jason told him before Tim shouted at him

"Jason, come take a look" Tim had found your purse. Your wallet was empty, and your mini mirror was broken

It means that they were on the right trail. They were close to Bludhaven Cemetery

------------------------------------------------------------

Batman, Robin and Nightwing were observing the place.

Joker goons were everywhere, and Joker was playing with his daughter

"Hmm kiddo, The time is passing, and your daddy still didn't show up to pick you up. Maybe he forgot about you" Joker pretended to be sad

"My daddy would never forget about me Uncle Joker. He's just late." Evangeline defends her father, pouting upset with his comment

Batman looks at Robin and Nightwing, signing to them to follow the plan

They knocked up the goons from the shadows

"Joker, Batman is here!" One of the goons told him

"I know, its part of the game. Hahahaha Hey, Evangeline, lets play hide and seek? " Joker asked and the girl agrees excitedly

"So, we both have to hide from the bat, and we win if he doesn't find us" Joker explains to the little girl

"And what if he find us?" She tilts her head, pouting in doubt

"We will make him a surprise" Joker told her excitedly, and grabbed the girl running from the shed

Nightwing and Robin were fighting with the goons

While Batman fight with other goons

"Go catch him, Batman. We can handle them" Nightwing shouts out

Batman runs in the same direction the Joker ran

"We found mom, B. They keep her trapped in Bludhaven Cemetery. They have just a few goons, but they are all high armed" Tim reported

"Don't die" Batman warns them in a harsh tone

"I'm the only one who got the permission to do that, old man" Jason jokes with irony

"This is not funny, Jason" Dick scolded him

"Actually it was" Damian chuckles, evilly

Batman silenced the bug

Batman was surrounded by sheds

Hearing the sounds of one of the sheds, he walked quietly towards it

An image projector was in the middle of the room

A video started to play

"Hey lady, How about you say goodbye to your family?" One tattooed man told you, holding your face

"Fuck you!" You spat at his face, trying to gel off his hold

"You bitch! I will teach you how to behave" He punched you hard in stomach

The record has a cut

You shows up beaten and all bloody on the screen

"Bruce, please save our daughter. Do not come after me. Take care of the kids and go easy on them. Do it for me... do it for us. Please be safe. I love you" You said goodbye for him

"No!" He cant stand the pain in his heart seeing you hurt like that

Batman got caught in a trap

a fishnet made of barbed wire trap him

"It seems like the bat is not that smart" Jokers voice echos through the loudspekears

"Lets take a look at your woman"

Your unconscious form appears on the screen. You were tied in a chair by ropes

"Hey batman! Are you seeing this beautiful woman here? She will explode in minutes, I hope you enjoy watching it" The tattooed goon said with a big grin on his face

A thud echoes in the background. Some gunshots

"What do you want Joker? Free her!" Batman growled at the clown

"What do I want, Bat? I want to play with you! You know, Ive been feeling lonely since you trapped me in Arkham Asylum again. I think it would be cool to gain some money and play a little with you! Isn't it funny?"

You were in the chapel of the Bludhaven Cemetery

"Shit! Red Hood and Red Robin are here, boss!" The tattooed goon shouts out to the camera

More shoots, and the door is cracked on the floor.

"What a terrific news!! It seems that the birds have come to join Mommy in her explosion!" Jokers laughed excitedly

The vigilantes appear on the screens, running towards you, unaware of the bomb or the camera

"Fuck! what they did to you, mom?" Jason whispered, cutting the ropes in your fists and ankles

"You know how Jason is my favorite Robin, don't you Bat?? He is going to die again because of you! Just because you sent him to search her! And poor Timmy! Hes just a teen that will blow up with his mother and brother HAHAHAAHAHAAHAHAHAH"

Jason held you tightly in his lap

"Everything will be okay mom"

Tim walked around the place they kept you arrested, and observed the chapel

"Jason are you hearing that?" Tim asked, looking in the direction of the beeps

"Until they found that I put a bomb there. Everything will blow up. BOOM!!!!" The joker laghed mischievous

"RUN" Jason shouts out

The bomb exploded

"NOOOOOO" Batman screamed

"AHAHAHAAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAHAH"

"The joke is on you BAT!!! HAHAHAAHAHAHAHAH"

"TICK TACK TICK TACK. Time is passing, you don't want to lose Evangeline too, right? Tick tack tick tack"

Batman heard sound of steps in the shed

"OH forget Bat! You did find us or we found you, whatever. HAHAHAHAHA" Joker entered in shed with a gun against Evangelines forehead

"Did you know how upset I was with you when I discovered about your girls? You didn't even bother to introduce them to me" Joker pretend to be hurt

Evangeline cries, hurting Bruce in his soul. All he wanted to do was protect her, but he couldn't

"Please let her go! I will give you whatever you want!" Batman pleaded in defeat

"HMM, What a interesting offer but I will pass Bat" He denies, smiling creepy

"I just want you to watch my grand finale" Joker would shoot in Evangeline head

Joker was about to pull the trigger when a blade was thrown into his hands making him drop the gun, and a stick hit hard in his spine

Joker screamed louder, falling on the floor

Robin walks close to the clown and holds him by his purple blouse collar

"Don't mess with my ummi, my sister or my family ever again, or I will kill you with my own hands" Robin kicked hard his spine

"HAHAHAHAHHAHAAHAH YOU'RE SO CUTE ROBIN HAHAAHAHAH" Joker laughed hard and louder with every beat

Robin was infuriated. Didn't he get hurt?

"That's enough Robin!" Batmans voice scolds him

Robin looked around, seeing Nightwing comforting his baby sister while Batman stood in the corner with crossed arms, watching Robin beat the Joker

With a final strike, Robin knocks the Joker out

------------------------------------------------------------

"When will mommy wake up?"

You open your eyes but shut them in pain. It felt like a truck had run over you

You moan in pain, trying to feel comfortable where you laid

You open your eyes slowly, trying to adjust with to the light

"Hey, she's waking up!" Jason warned everyone

Everyone shut up and come closer, looking at your dizzy form

"MOMMY!" Evangeline runs to you, hugging you tightly and you breathe deeply in pain

You felt relief to see everyone safe. You hold your daughter in your arms, making a grimace for your sons

"Go easy with her, Ginnie, shes bruised" Dick told her, chuckling at your grimace

The kids were all around you

Your daughter let go of you, leaving space for the other kids to talk with you

"I got really worried about you. I'm happy that you're awake mom" Dick smiles at you warmly, hugging you gently

You opened your mouth to answer, but your throat was dry. You only cough in answer.

Then Tim offers you a glass of water. You drank it

"Thank you Timmy. I was really thristy"

"Its good to see you mom" Tim hugs you quickly

"You scared me as hell, i love you mom" Jason whispered just for you to hear, and hugged you like you were going to disappear any moment

He hold you for a long time until Damian pushed him aside

"I missed you Ummi" Damian squeezed your hand lightly, and you pulled him into your arms

"Its good to see my boys and my girl safe" You smiled caring at them

Alfred walked up to where the kids were

"Its good to see you Miss (Y/N)" Alfred greets you, smiling fondly

You look around, seeing watchful eyes over you. Was he there all the time?

"How you're feeling?" Alfred asked you, checking the serum that was in your veins

"It sucks, it seems that I was hit by an car" You joke humored

Alfred nodded in knowledge

"My whole body is aching, I have a headache, and I'm very hungry" Your stomach is snoring

"I suspected that you were going to say that. I going to bring you something to eat" Alfred heads out of the cave with the kids following behind him

"It seems the anesthesia effects were gone." Bruce deep voice caught your attention

"Anesthesia?" Confused, you question him

Everyone had gone, giving you two some privacy

"You were shot. You lost a mount of blood. When the boys found you, you were unconscious. We had to take the bullet out. You almost had a hemorrhage" He explained

"How long I have been out?" You ask, staring down at your body

You were dressing just in a black top and a yellow Batman loose short

You had some bruises, and some parts of your skin were purple. Your ribs were bandaged. You had stitches on your right arm

Bruce was looking for something in the nursery cabinets

"One week and three days" He states, turning around, looking in the other cabinets

"Oh, your birthday is in two days" You murmur, staring at his back

You could see how his back tensed when you said it. He got quiet for a while, and focus himself on what he was doing

"Yes, Alfred is planning the gala for the weekend. I don't have time to do that" He scratched his throat, walking towards you

"Here take it" He hands you some analgesics and a glass of water

He sits beside you on the bed. You could tell that he was lacking sleep and his beard was to do. He had some scratches on his face

"You lack sleep, when was the last time you slept?" You ask worried about his well being

You raise your hands, fingering his scratches

"You don't need to worry about me, the only one who needs care is you" He says softly, holding your hand in his

------------------------------------------------------------

You stared at the mirror for a long time. The gala for Bruce's birthday was happening down in the salon

You were wearing a beautiful yellow gown that Bruce had gifted you on your last birthday. You never had the chance to use

You felt uncomfortable with your stitches showing up. Your body was bruised. You couldn't help but feel ugly, even all dressed up

So you decide to stay in the room where you were staying for the week

For a few minutes in the room, you got restless and walked to the library

You loved the manor library. It was a cozy place where you always loved to stay. The big window had a beautiful view of the gardens. You remember staying here with Bruce when you wanted some time alone. You loved the yellow candlelight and the beautiful decoration, it was so classic.

You sit next to the window, looking out at the garden, where some guests were chatting

"I imagined that you'd be here" Bruce entered the library without making a sound

"I don't get scared anymore. I'm used to it" You roll your eyes, annoyed that he doesn't make any walking sounds to enter the places, you raise your eyebrows at him in doubt

Bruce was wearing a beautiful tailored tux. His beautiful blue eyes contrast with the black tux but match his navy tie

"You didn't show up. I come to check up on you" He states, looking at the view of the big window

"I'm sorry for not being there. I don't feel good enough to be around people" You felt guilty for not showing up

"Are you feeling unwell? Do you need anything? What are you feeling? Bruce asks in a hurry, getting closer to you

You stand up, raising a hand for him to calm him

Then Bruce stops, looking at you head to toe, amazed by the view of your beauty. His jaw fell open, and he whispered something you could not hear and licked his lips, straightening his posture

"Wow, you're marvelous tonight" He notes the yellow dress he gave you

"Hm thanks" You doubt he was being truthful. You didn't feel marvelous

You stared at your hands.

"What? You don't believe me?" Bruce asks in shock, realizing your deny his compliment

"Yeah, how could you think that I'm marvelous tonight if I look like this?" You point to your bruised body, looking at your stitches in the right arm

"I don't see nothing but the most beautiful woman I have ever seen in front of me" Bruce states firmly, looking into your eyes

"How?" You whisper, denying

"I can show you if you don't believe me" Bruce steps forward

Bruce gently holds you by the waist and run his fingers through the bruises, kissing them softly. His touch makes you shiver

He looked right into your eyes, asking for permission to kiss you

You lean closer, kissing lightly his lips, closing your eyes and enjoying the moment

The kiss was passionate. How you miss his lips. How you miss the good years. How you miss him

He holds you tightly in his arms

You slowly separate and breathe deep. Widening your eyes in realization. What have you done?

You step back brutally

"Damn it! What we did? We shouldn't do this" You said rude, cursing yourself for letting that happen

You were walking in circles in anxiety

"What? If you regret about it..." You cut him off quickly with a sharp look

"How can you do this? You are engaged and then kiss me, messing with my feelings" The hurt in your voice makes him want to hold you in his arms

"Easy (Y/N). I'm not engaged with any woman" He claimed with a firm tone

"Wait? You're not engaged? But the news said you bought a engagement diamond ring, you didn't propose to Selina?" You tilt your head, doubting if he said the truth

You groaned in pain. You have put too much effort into walking around, the pain fills your ribs and you breathe deep

"Be careful. You cannot make an effort or the stitches in your ribs will open" He warned you, coming closer, guiding you to sit on the leather couch

You stay quiet, staring at the window. The silence was uncomfortable but you didn't want to say anything to him

He was the one who needed to say something

"Hmm... look. I did buy an engagement diamond ring but it is not for Selina. I bought it for someone I cherish and love dearly" He states gently, holding your hands, making you stop to stare at the window

You blink slowly and stay quiet, waiting for him to continue

"I know that I was a dick to you. How I mess the things up with you.... When you left, I felt the regret consume me every day for not fighting for us. I wanted to ask you to stay, but I couldn't. I couldn't be so selfish, I knew you would be happier and safer without me. You would be better off without me. Although I realized that I was nothing without you, just a poor and miserable man" He said in a deep, low tone. It was something so intimate for him to share about his feelings

You look into his eyes, seeing his regretful gaze. His husky deep voice hold honesty over his words

"I was so scared of losing you and not having the chance to apologize for my mistakes. I miss the good years, of our partnership, you were my best friend. I was afraid I could not tell you everything that I wanted. All I wanted to do was hold you in my arms and protect you"

You stay quiet, not finding the words to say something

"I know how I hurt you, and I understand if you don't accept it. But I feel like i had to do it before its too late for us. I still love you (Y/N)" Bruce eyes had a brightness that you had never seen before

Bruce got on his knees in front of you, taking a little velvet red box out of his tux pocket

You were taken back by his confession. Your heart races with his words

"(Y/N) Will you marry me?" The red velvet box had a beautiful diamond ring

You stare at him in shock, speechless. He was proposing to you. You couldn't believe that.

He stares at you, uncertain of your answer, but the big crooked smile you gave him makes him feel more confident

"Oh my! Yes!, I do marry you Bruce" He felt relief with that

Placing the ring on your finger, Bruce kisses your hand tenderly

"I was afraid you would say no" He admitted, getting up and pulling you up gently

"The thought didn't pass my mind, but now i considering it" You pretend to think about

Bruce face went blank with your joke, but then he relaxed seeing you laughing of him

"Don't joke about that. I want to get old with you" He fake a scolds making a frown

"Well you already are old so don't worry" You snap with a teasing grin on your face

"Wow, that hurted my feelings" He put his hand on his heart, faking a heart pain and pouting

You peck his pouting lips and hold your arms around his neck while he holds you by the waist

"I love you too, Bruce" You confess, burying your face in his neck

"I swear to be better for you" You feel his hands tracing circles on your back

"You just need to fight for us when the things get rough. Don't let me go ever again, and stay with me" You embrace him tightly

"I promise" He whisper

"I'll kick you in the ass if you don't keep your promise" He laughed, caressing your hair locks

------------------------------------------------------------

"DAMN Damian! You let Joker stuck in a wheelchair forever" You curse under your breath

Damian was ready for the scold but you only smiled at him, messing his hair

"Well done Dami, I'm so proud of you" You whispered so only he could hear and winked at him

"Dick gave me a little help hitting the stick on his spine" He smiled slightly, feeling proud about his achievement. Now that maniac would not be able to hurt anyone

------------------------------------------------------------

[centrally-unplanned]

I am still reading the Trump v United States case, which while a poor decision is not as sweeping as some commentary is leading people to believe; it is in a lot of ways a judicial punt I think. Still, I do find these comments particularly egregious:

The majority opinion noted that presidents are routinely criticized for not sufficiently enforcing some aspect of federal law. “An enterprising prosecutor in a new administration” could allege the previous president broke the law, it said. “Without immunity, such types of prosecutions of ex-Presidents could quickly become routine,” Chief Justice John Roberts wrote. “The enfeebling of the Presidency and our Government that would result from such a cycle of factional strife is exactly what the Framers intended to avoid.”

Do these people know that other countries exist? They have presidents and executives! This is not untested waters, virtually no other liberal system has full presidential immunity. The check on spurious lawsuits by political opponents is them being false, your functional justice system throws them out.

And more importantly, since this decision is something of a punt, nothing changed in this regard. You can still file political lawsuits, get a friendly judge to rule the behavior "unofficial", then you are done. It is the same thing. As will forever and always be the case, the way you get a political system to not jail its political opponents is by having a system that doesn't believe in jailing its political opponents. This kind of immunity is a solution searching for a problem.

[giffingthingsss]

Condensed Commentary: Shuttlepod One

Brannon, David Livingston, Dominic, and Connor.

[ktempestbradford]

A Story for Star Trek Day

I've told this story on Twitter before. I tell it every Star Trek Day and whenever a Deep Space 9 anniversary rolls around. It's about me and Avery Brooks (aka Best ST Captain Benjamin Sisko).

The college my mother went to specifically started recruiting top Black students in the 60s. Due to this, the Black kids all mostly knew each other as they were in that same program. Avery Brooks went to the same college and they were good friends.

(She once told me he had a huge crush on her and I was like MOM. MOTHER. WHAT. HOW COULD YOU HE COULD HAVE BEEN MY DAD.)

Anyway, many of the students in this program remained friends long after college. So over the years as Avery was getting TV gigs & such we would all watch cuz he was my mom's friend & I thought that was the coolest. There was one particularly fun night when my best friend's uncle, Frankie Faison, guest starred on A Man Called Hawk. TWO people we know on TV!

When I was in middle school Avery was touring his production of "Paul Robeson" and it came through our town, so I got to see him perform in person (awesooooome) and meet him for the first time since I was a baby (which I did not remember, of course).

Now, backing up a little bit: I am a Star Trek fan because of my mom. She loved the original series and I remember being a wee Tempest in front of the TV watching The Wrath of Khan and us excitedly going to see Star Trek IV together.

I watched TNG from the instant it appeared on TV because of her. I watched all of The Animated Series even though everyone looked "wrong". (Man... it took me 4 months to realize that dude in the red shirt was Scotty cuz I'd only ever seen movie Scotty.)

Then... they announced Deep Space 9.

We heard Avery Brooks would be the commander and there was MUCH rejoicing around our house. DS9 turned out to be the best Trek ever and, of course, Avery was awesome. This was around the time my mom dropped that "he had a crush on me but I wasn't interested" bombshell.

I'm still bitter.

I mean, I love my dad he's great. But SISKO COULD HAVE BEEN MY DAD.

I lost my mom in 1999. She was--and I'm not exaggerating--an extraordinary woman and beloved by many. I received so many beautiful messages of condolence from her friends all the way back to those college years, including Avery. So many people remembered her fondly. <3

I kept watching Star Trek and often talked to her as if she was there during episodes. She would have LOVED Discovery. Especially since she took me to RENT the year I started college. I'm sure she would have shared my opinion of Enterprise as well. But she loved her some Scott Bakula, so she would have watched, anyway.

I got the chance to interview Avery Brooks at DragonCon back in 2013 (jeez, it's been almost 10 years omg). Before the interview, I went up to him on the Walk of Fame and I said:

Hi, I'm (name K stands for) Bradford, I don't know if you remember me...

And he looked up and said: Of course I remember you.

We talked for a bit and I asked if I could come back and interview him later and he said yes (he wasn't supposed to; his handler had A LOOK). I didn't want to hold up his line, so I said I'd see him later.

Before I could go, he reached out for my hand and squeezed it before saying: I loved your mama, you know.

And we just stayed like that for a few seconds, missing her together.

...I might have been trying very hard not to burst into tears.

That DragonCon was the last time I saw Avery. Barring an extraordinary circumstance, that's probably the last time I'll see him in person. I'm glad we got to have that moment together. And we had a great conversation!

His contribution to Trek has meant so much to me. SISKO4EVA

And I'm glad that it's another tie between me, my mom, and Trek. I can't watch DS9 without hearing her voice giving color commentary. Even the episodes she didn't live to see.

I think Star Trek is part of what gave her hope for the future. She passed that on to me. ❤️🖖🏾❤️

Happy Star Trek Day to all who celebrate.