You found the whole thing about Luthor being Lois's informant rather surprised and skeptical at the same, but he proved it to be true and explained his reason why. Which was surprisingly honest and had no undertones to it, like his previous notations. The cost of his men though wasn't too much of a concern for him, it made it look complying just in case Batman popped in. Which was understandable, still...deaths that weren't really needed. But, it was life after all.

After making it in and Luthor explained further his plan he required Damian's assistance to get the preparations underway. Which would take some time. Still in a pain from the attack, sit down and rest. Your hounds laid next to you, you really were out of practice or maybe you just...you could have easily taken out Lex's men, but...at a cost and you rather not do that. Also, you where sure you wouldn't be able to handle such an output, the hounds nearly drained you. The good thing, you didn't hear the voices anymore like before, look at your hounds smile a bit relieved and pleased. Stroke on with the hand your finger had the two metal bands on, yours and Conner's, stop and softly look at them. Letting it drown out the situation and world around you, for a moment. Clench your hand into a fist, bring it close kissing the bands. Manage a faint smile, remembering that day, contradicting the sting of pain from the hole in your heart. You dare not think it, already knowing...having felt it...

You couldn't act this way, you didn't have the time or energy...besides there were more pressing matters and you knew, thinking about it you chuckled softly, he'd possibly tease or mock you about it. Taking another moment, set your hand aside, look around at everyone...Harley was standing with her people...Clark was off trying on Luthor's armor. Damian with Lex, your eyes stay on him a bit longer than the others. The letter...you remembered, he gave you from Conner to read, you were sort of tempted to read it. But, if you did, you knew what would follow so you opted out of it. Raven was with John, the two of them talking. Raven...she was looking worse, your heart sunk a little. How much longer would she be able to keep this up? From the look of it, it didn't seem for very long. If you had been around...then maybe you could have helped her..taken the burden for a moment. Like she did for you.

Oh, there was so much you wanted to say to her...tell her and do. Maybe, you thought, it could be made up with Joanna. She seemed drawn to Raven, maybe that rift that was formed could be mended through her, and from there...you pushed the thought away quickly, noticing someone's shadow cast over you.

It was Lois, standing before you at a safe distance, being weary of the hounds, with her infamous quarter smirk on.

"Not once did I get a single picture of my granddaughter, well that feels weird saying out loud." She chuckled a little to the side. Still keeping her smirk on, softening it a bit.

It eased you a bit and you shared in her chuckle a little, though your eyes shifted to the ground a little to your feet. That nervously tapped lightly on the ground, your hounds noticed tilted their heads a little. Lois sighed a little reaching out to you tentatively, the hounds kept her hand a bit at bay, until you gave your hounds a hand signal it was alright. She rested her hand upon your shoulder. You felt every emotion from that single touch, your shoulder sunk and tears rose. Your throat became dry and tight, not even your saliva could wet it. Your neck became weaker than before, lowered your head pass your sunken shoulders, every part of you trembled as you tried to hold it together. It was either the weight of Lois's understanding eyes or her touch that put this make-shift weight upon you. Never had anything felt heavy in your life...everything...everything..and everyone...what you did and now...despite how you felt inside, her touch was welcome you desired for quite some time. There was so much you wanted to say...Lois noticed your trembling lips kneeled down to your level. Her eyes waited for yours to meet hers. Her patience was so warm and comforting, time for a moment seem to stand still.

Your mind leafed through what to say, the right words...not just for her but everyone. Though right now it was for her, after so long...the best thing you could think of was-

She hugged you. Surprising you. A shock jolted through you, paralyzing you for a moment. Your arms remained by your side for what seemed like five minutes, found themselves around her, tightly. She held you the same equally. The last time, you remembered hugging her like this was...the day you woke up in the hospital after the Cyborg Superman thing when you made that decision to change your life.

And even than tears fell. Just as they did now, from you. "She's so..so big now," you give a tearing chuckle, "and eats a lot."

Lois smiled behind you, chuckling inside. "I bet. Heard she was a cutie."

"She is and I know she knows, the way she had Clark and others wrapped around her finger. Rambunctious too."

Lois hummed for a moment, "I wonder where she got that from? Huh?"

You and felt your heart warm instead of drop as it was supposed to. "...I'm sorry you hadn't received any pictures." You whisper, the two of you separate and meet each other's eyes.

"Yeah, well guess I'll have to return all those presents from all the Christmas and birthdays I've missed. Won't I?" She nipped playfully, standing pulling you up with her. She stepped back a moment to get a good look, pride washed over, and swelled in her. Seeing a young woman in her presence, even with streaks of tears down on your cheeks. Which you wiped away. "You don't even look like you've had a kid, so many would hate you for that."

"Thanks," you laugh a bit. Smiling a little, quickly look at everyone else again. Stay on John the longest with Raven following, your eyes lowered a bit when they reached Damian.

Your thoughts went elsewhere, almost if not for Lois speaking, brought you back. "I'm glad you came and I'm sorry too. He did it becau-"

"It's alright," you stop her, there was no need for her to apologize, a settling smile softly laid on your lips. Having come to terms with it now, with every part of his actions. Softly touch the bands on your finger, daze out to the fonding memories for a moment. It was like a flash, how quickly everything went pass. No matter what, it always washed this cozy warmth over you, that prickled you with happiness, despite the circumstances. "I know he would have done it either way. He was stubborn like his daughter."

You cast a smile to Lois, one that was both sad and proud. "Guess the apple didn't fall far from the tree huh?" She chuckled softly. Relaxing her stance. "Anything else I should know about my granddaughter?"

There was a good amount you could say, your eyes lite up a little just thinking about it. Smiling to yourself a little at it. Wondering how she was fairing right now? More so wondering if those watching her were doing alright. She hadn't shown any sort of powers either you or Conner noticed. Where ninjas and assassins the best babysitters for a toddler? The thought worried and frighten you a bit, even though Damian told you they'd be able to handle it and not to worry. He always had a habit of telling you not to worry. You just wondered if Joanna knew she was on your mind.

Over at the League of Shadows Joanna up on the floor, giving Titus a belly rub, stopped for a moment looked up in a particular direction. As if someone had said her name, her sudden stillness worried those watching her, they quickly went to her side. She snapped out clapping her hands, slamming them down on the marble floor leaving small cracks, giggling.

You smiled too. Yes, there was so much you could tell Lois about Joanna.

"I've been meaning to ask," Lois looked at the hounds, "new trick or something?"

"In a way," you stroke one behind the ear, quickly look at John "let's just say it's a way for everything inside to have a physical form. A trick I was taught. They say it's good to let your demons lose every once and awhile."

She rose a brow. "Not sure that's what they say, but hey, whatever works. They're very well trained. Before this is all over though," she turned around to John and Raven. Focusing more on John. "are you going to..."

You look at him, felt your stomach drop a little. "...I think it's best to keep it the way things are. Besides, I have more pressing matters that have my attention."

Lois looked at Damian rather shocked. "Seriously?"

"No," you affirm lowly, your eyes on Raven. Felt your heart curl a little with regret. "I haven't been fair. Besides," you bit your lip for a moment, clenching your hand a bit. "I highly doubt he'd remember also it's fair payment."

"Payment or not," Lois disapproved, "you don't know what will happen. Or if this might be the last time. Every moment is important. Especially now. You won't be sure if you'll get a second chance."

Her words hit a nail in you, that you could barely ignore. So you pushed it to the side...for now. Raven and John were coming over, Lois left your side. Raven, how tired she looked, it was as though any sort of gust of wind could knock her over. Trigon was poisoning her after all these years.

"Violet, let me see-" she began. Only to stop when put a hand on her gem and found yourself standing before Trigon.

Tied up and bound, though the restraints seem to be weakening. His eyes dropped to you, glowing with either calm rage or something else...you couldn't quite put. Except he seemed to tamper down at your presence. Nothing but a thick silence formed, his demurring presence almost made you cower back and knees buckle. But you didn't, the best you could. Keeping your eyes away from him, hold up both hands coat them in dark flames. Recite an incantation John had taught you, slam your hands on the ground send a wave of mythical flames in his direction. Watch them mix with Raven's energy and strengthen his binds.

An angry roar burst from him. You left the minute it did. Come back to the present world, look at Raven who seemed a little bit at ease. Just a little, it wasn't much but you hoped it would be.

"Thanks," she said a bit dryly. There was no smirk or even a small smile, you understood. Her eyes look at your shoulder. Opened her mouth.

"How's your shoulder?" John asked pointing to it. There was a warmness of concern in his words.

You look at it, it stung a little still, but nothing too bad. "It's alright. Thank you. I'll be able to still help out. I've...I've had worse."

He wanted to say something, but held back and walked away. Leaving you and Raven, both of you watch him walk off. That feeling came back again, one Raven picked up on. She looked at you about to say something, but you stopped her.

"We'll do this together, Raven," you set a hand on her shoulder, "you and I. I'll be there for you."

Just as she was about to say something, Clark came out in the armor he chose, at the same time Damian and Lex finished. All eyes and heads turn to him.

"Ready."