Being a hero had been fun. Being someone other people looked to for hope and inspiration was a feeling that most people couldn't even begin to explain. But, being a member of the Bat-Family was even better. Always knowing you'd never have to do any of this alone, that you always had someone watching your back, felt even better. Then, one day, all of that was ripped away.

Bruce in typical Bruce fashion, had adopted another kid off of Gotham's streets. A young girl, no older than thirteen. She seemed sweet, kind of timid, but overall a decent kid. She got along with everyone, including you. Then, everything happened all at once. She'd accused you of hurting her. Had gone into graphic detail, even showed "evidence", fake bruises on her arms and legs. It hadn't taken much. You thought they'd believe you. Your team, your friends, your family, were supposed to believe you. But they didn't.

Jason had punched you. Had barely let the girl finish her tearful retelling of fake events before clocking you. Dick had looked disgusted. Not angry, simply repulsed. Which hurt even more than anger. Stephanie hadn't wanted even look at you. It had taken both Tim and Kate to hold Damian back from attacking you like Jason. Duke hardly knew what to think. He wanted to believe you, to give you a chance to tell your side, but the family pressure had been too much. Cassandra, like usual, had remained silent. But her face was full of pain and anger. Hurt mixing with betrayal. Babs had cursed you out in a way you didn't know she was capable of. Then there was Bruce. His reaction had been the most telling. No visible anger, or disgust, or hatred. Just a completely blank expression. Suffice it to say, you were kicked out of the family. Banned from being a hero in Gotham. They kept things out of the public, but for the girl's sake, not yours.

Things had only gone further downhill from there. Your family disowned you. Everywhere you went, you saw one of them always watching, treating you like you were a danger to the people of Gotham. You couldn't take it anymore. So, you left. Packed up what remained of your life and took off. You'd tried to settle down in Metropolis, but apparently, Bruce had spread the word to the other heroes of the world. Metropolis, Star City, Jump City, Coast City, and even Central City. No hero wanted you in their domain. So, you found some nondescript little town, feeling the weight of everything you'd lost weighing you down.

Five years passed. You'd settled into your new life, trying your hardest to push the thought of your former life out of your mind. Things had settled into a painfully dull routine. You'd wake up, go to work, go home, sleep, repeat. You fully expected to spend the rest of your life like this. Alone. But, the universe has a funny way of making things worse. Or better, depending on your perspective.

You'd gotten done with another day of work, tired and ready to relax at home. When you walked in, you froze as you saw....them. The Bat-Family, all of them, wearing theor civilian clothes and sitting around your house awkwardly. They all looked older. And not just in the normal, time passing way. Dick gave a small, unsure smile from the kitchen, while Jason nodded at you, leaning against the wall. Tim opened his mouth, like he wanted to say something, but closed it when he couldn't think of anything. Steph and Cass were sitting together on the couch, both of them waving. Duke stood by your TV, smiling, having clearly missed you. Babs also gave a tentative smile, her hands gripping the armrests of her wheelchair. Kate just gave a single nod, while Damian tried to ignoreyou. Bruce stepped forward, his face a weird mix of blank and full of a million different emotions.

"We found out the truth. Took us a while, but we found everything. Her plans to frame you, give herself bruises and say you did it. She's gone. Ran away after we found out."

That was it. A simple explanation of what they should have already known. Not a real apology, but it was as good as Bruce could do right now.