ADDITIONAL AN: This scene takes off from the end JLU episode "Divided We Fall" which (for those unfamiliar with the show, or the DCAU) occurs after Cadmus attacks the League insisting that they have too much power, which the founding members realize is true (after Flash kicks Brainiac-Luthor's ass into dust, of course). In response Superman and the others decide to disband the League – that is until Green Arrow, and the crowd, convinces them that the League is needed after all.

Epilogue

Ollie was actually feeling proud of what he'd just done. He knew that he'd never be at the level of Superman or the others, but to be the voice of the world for just one moment had been empowering (and if anyone had told him fifteen years ago, hell, three years ago, that he'd be standing up in defense of the Justice League or any governing body with as much power and as little public oversight – he'dda called them nuts!). Maybe one day he would be up there amongst the greats, after all you didn't need superpowers, per se. Batman was integral to the League himself.

Sometimes Ollie envied his fellow non-powered superhero. The Green Arrow had been born to right the wrongs in the world that the government or the super powers forgot about. Ollie had thought he'd be one of a kind, but then the rumors started out of Gotham City - a shadow in the night, denied by everyone but visible in the nightmares of all the worst of Gotham's criminal underworld. The Batman had gone from elusive shadow who worked where the police couldn't, to intergalactic hero with a mind unparalleled among heroes and villains alike. The Caped Crusader had the support of the Gotham Police under Commissioner Gordon, and was now out in the open as a founding member of the Justice League as well. He was a vigilante supported not only by the people but by the government.

It was like Bruce had always tried to tell him back in school – working with the government to make them accountable and not having to run from the sirens like the criminals he faced off against… That was Batman. He was proof that Bruce's theory, however hypothetical it had been, was the best road.

Ollie had only barely managed to gain the trust of the police in Star City. First he had done so one at a time, but now, as a known (and after today maybe famous) member of the extended league he was finally beginning to work with the authorities he had, as a young man, spited. Maybe that was the way to go, after all experience had taught the impulsive blond that friends were better things to make than enemies.

The Justice League, they were his friends, and by god he wasn't going to let anything happen to them.

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?" A deep voice intoned, breaking Ollie from his thoughts.

Green Arrow turned around with a momentary, fleeting, sense of deja-vu. "'Who guards the guardians?' We go it covered." Arrow smiled at the Batman, who was wearing a wry smirk of his own, and then turned away.

The sense of deja-vu nagged him as he walked towards his lover, Black Canary, waiting for him nearby on a motorcycle. Then, suddenly, it hit him and Ollie spun around, shock crossing his features as the memory of those same words uttered a lifetime ago pervaded his thoughts.

"Quis custodiet ipsos custodes?"

Oliver twisted around and stared at his long time friend. "Who guards the guardians?"

Bruce nodded, "We may have different views on things Ollie but… If you ever need a guardian yourself, you know where I'll be."

"Holy crap!" Ollie exclaimed, glancing around for the black cloak that had disappeared into the daylight with the same grace as it often did the shadowy corners of Gotham City. 'Those words… that voice… it's all the same… He's…'

"What?" Black Canary glanced over at the blond archer in confusion, barely able to contain an amused grin as he darted his head around, frantically searching the crowd.

Arrow finally turned to look at her, his eyes wide with astonishment. "I know him."

Dinah responded with a sarcastic, "Yeah, so do I. That was Batman, Ollie… Are you alright?"

"No… Dinah, you don't get it… I know him… who he is… I… He… Before Batman even existed… The person who…"

Now it was Canary's turn to go slack jawed in shock. "You know the secret identity of one of the most secretive and paranoid superheroes in the world!"

"Shh!" Ollie hissed leaning in closer. "Only the Big 7 know who each other, and all of us, are. If it gets out that I know…"

Dinah nodded, understanding completely that a hero's identity, especially heroes without superpowers like Batman and Green Arrow, was the strictest of secrets outside the community of superheroes – especially in a crowd of reports such as they were in.

"So," she asked in a low whisper, an eager grin on her face, "Who is he?"

Ollie just smiled his brilliant smile and replied, "My best friend."

ENDNOTE: I would like to thank my loyal reviewers, AriaJack, steelelf, and caltha. You've all been wonderful and supportive of me and this story. Thank you as well to all those who have placed this story on their favorites, or on alerts – your silent support is appreciated as well. And also, to the unknown readers, without whom this story would have never broken a thousand hits. I'm very grateful to you all.

Now that this tale is complete, if you have a free moment, please do review. Positive and negative feedback is always welcome, and anonymous reviews are also accepted if you don't have an account.

Vocal (or in this case written) support is truly a great motivator, and I do hope to continue stories in this universe either here or in the JL/U section of fanfiction. I will attempt to place a short note here when that happens.

Thank you all once again, and see you next time!