-Athena's POV-

"In the wheelchair you go," Alfred spoke calmly, rolling my transport into the room. I glared at it. It's black leather and silver wheels were like threats, accusing me of being weak.

"I will not," I said. I flung my legs over the side of the bed. Letting my bare feet touch the cold floor, I stood up quickly. Almost instantly, my legs gave out and I crumpled. Bruce rushed forward. His strong hands gripped my skinny arms as he gently lifted me into the wheelchair.

"I can do it! Let me walk myself!" I tried to stand, but Bruce held his hand on my bicep. I glanced down at his calloused fingers. His fingers touched even when they were locked around my arm. It made me realize just how much I had lost.

I sank down and let Alfred roll me through the doors of the hospital. I didn't speak the whole way to the Manor. 

When we arrived, I took in every scent and every sight. The house smelled smoky and sweet, like homemade cookies. It was bright as always and colorful. I felt like a kid again, being in that house. It felt like home. 

I had taken the wheels into my own hands and started to explore. Although I had lived in the Manor for over a year, I had been locked in a cell for longer. Alfred had put out the houseplants and Spring decor. I rolled around the Manor, taking everything in. The marble sparkled as the sunlight glinted off of it. 

"Athena! Come in here!" Tim called as I rolled out from the garden. 

I rolled into the main room and came face to face with my surprise. My three best friends were anxiously waiting with the backs towards me. I cleared my throat and they all turned around. 

"Jesus Athena!" Artemis shouted, running towards me. I leaned forward and let her wrap her arms around me. She mumbled into my shoulder, her voice choked up. I knew she wouldn't publicly cry, but she let out a few sobs into my neck. 

She let me go and backed up, allowing Roy to come forward. He looked at me solemnly, his eyes darting over my form. But then, a wicked grin stretched across his face. His green eyes were watery, but he also wouldn't let tears fall. 

Roy grabbed my hand and traced the brand. He gazed up at me, silently asking me a million questions. I shook my head. Slowly nodding, he pulled me into his arms. He had cut his hair from it's usual shoulder length. Now, his hair barely reached his neck. As he hugged me, I tangled my fingers into his strawberry hair. The soft, red curls wrapped around my fingers.

He smiled and pulled away. "I'm glad you're okay," he whispered, stepping back with a smirk, "I can hug you and more later. You still have my number." I rolled my eyes.

Finally, Kaldur strode towards me quickly. He wrapped his strong, tan arms around me and pulled me up and out of my chair. I let him hold me up. I didn't think it was possible, but he seemed to have put on some more muscle. Unlike Roy, his hair was still shaved. 

Kaldur took a deep breath, pulling me tighter against him. His fingers dug deeper into my back, feeling my shoulder blades. I felt his muscles tighten against me as he inhaled. With his exhale, he slowly lowered me back down. 

His expression was so depressing, I cracked my own smile. Kaldur's eyes drifted down to my lips, recognized the action, and then smiled himself. I pushed his cheek jokingly. Kaldur steps back to join the others.

I glance up at them. They are all smiling, but their smiles are as fake as plastic. "So, what are you going to do now that you're back?" Roy asked, his eyes glinting a little.

"Train, for sure."

"Miss Athena, you should rest," Alfred coughed. I laughed.

"Pennyworth, I have rested for long enough," I lied, "I need to train."

"Well, in that case," Roy chuckled, "you should come to the Archery range with us!"

Artemis bounced on her feet in excitement. "Yeah! It's been awhile!" 

"And I would and the other Atlanteans would love to swim with you again," Kaldur said, grinning.

I got excited and stood up out of my chair. Before I could even move towards my friends, I tumbled to the ground. I smacked against the hard marble. I had forgotten about my weak legs. Hands and faces surrounded me as all my friends rushed forward. Multiple fingers dug into my arms as they tugged me to my feet and into my chair.

All the optimism drained out of me. Everyone looked at me, their eyes panicked. I let my head fall down as I stared into my lap. 

"Athena..." Roy started. 

"I need to rest," I declared, embarrassed and disappointed in myself, "Pennyworth, take me to my room."

"Its okay, Athena. You don't have to--" Artemis reached for me, but I dodged out of her grasp.

"I'm tired," Alfred walked over, but Tim dismissed him. Tim picked me up out of my chair and carried me.

He gently laid me in my bed. The sun had gone down, making my room pitch black. It was quiet. I rolled onto my side, refusing to face anyone. I assumed Tim had left until I felt him sit at the edge of my bed.

He sighed. "Theeny," he cooed, "just because you are injured, doesn't mean you are weak."

I kept quiet. I didn't want to hear about Tim's foolish philosophy. 

"Athena, are you asleep?" He whispered, shaking me gently. I kept still. Tim left quietly, leaving me alone in the dark.

I enjoyed the seclusion, but also dreaded it. It was just like the dungeons. The darkness seemed to be all their was. I wiggled my toes, making sure I was still alive. I let my mind clear. A feeling of melancholy hit me. I let the dark carry me away, making me feel like I was drifting away from the face of the planet.

The entire time I had been back, I had never assessed my injuries. I never really looked over myself anyway. I ran my hands over my arms, ignoring my loss of weight. I gently pawed at my ribs, feeling each broken piece. I pricked my finger on the stitches covering my lower abdomen. I stroked the brand on my hand, getting angrier by the second.

Ra's had ripped me away from my life. He threatened everything I had and ruined my life even more than he already had. Unlike what had happened to me as a child, I had built something for myself. When Ra's and my uncle planned against me, I was just a kid. Sure, I had a loving family, but I hadn't actually gotten anything myself.

This time, I had found myself my own family. I had met someone who I could lean on; someone I could trust. I also had developed my career and found friends who truly cared about my well-being.

But, Ra's took it from me. He wanted me to go back to the way I used to be. Although I owed all my training and skills to him, I also owed my pain to him. Some part of me still saw Ra's as a father figure. Years of manipulation had caused a deep level of Stockholm Syndrome. 

As I traced my brand, I realized just how much torture he had caused me. He had taken me from a life I could live happily and had branded me, reassuring me just how trapped I was. His brand was a mark of territory, telling everyone just who I belonged to.

I remembered Roy's look when he observed the brand. While I had been locked up, he was one of the reoccurring people I thought of. I had no doubt in my mind that all my loved ones knew exactly where I had been. But, I doubt they knew why I was there or why I returned looking the way I did. I doubted I would ever tell them.

Bruce had given me a pair of silk pajamas from my old closet. They were baggy on my form, making me feel cold. I curled into a ball, trying to clear all the negative thoughts from my head. They swarmed. I started to feel overwhelmed the harder I tried. My head felt like it was full of cotton. I gripped the sides of my head. 

Light filled my room. I sat up in my bed, looking for the source of the yellow beams. Outside my window, I had a perfect view of the Wayne Manor garden. LED decorative lights were wrapped around the hedges like Christmas. Lanterns littered the grounds as well. 

I smiled softly. I didn't realize Alfred had set up the lights. The closer I looked, I saw the Wayne family standing next to the flowers. Tim and I made eye contact and he waved towards me. I nodded and got in my wheelchair. 

Using the side of the staircase as a ramp, I quickly rolled down and out into the garden. Tim handed me a lantern as I looked around the garden.

"You're awake," Bruce said, grinning ever so slightly. I hung the lantern on the only hedge I could reach. 

"We should go out to dinner!" Tim suggested, putting a hand on my shoulder. Bruce glanced down at his Rolex, frowning.

I knew what he meant. I looked between Tim and Bruce, nodding. "Go. Gotham needs Batman and Robin more than I do."

Tim dropped his smile. I shrugged and looked up at Alfred. "Its okay, Al and I can bond," I smiled small. 

"Stay on the com. We'll be back shortly," Bruce encouraged as him and Tim dashed down into the Batcave. Alfred grabbed my wheelchair.

"No, I want to do it," I said, rolling down the paved path of the driveway. 

"Excuse Miss Athena, I have to attend to the computer," Alfred bowed, "will you be alright by yourself?"

I looked out at the endless expanse of Gotham City below me. "Of course," I answered, quietly. I picked up a red poppy, turning it over in my hand. I giggled, sneezing as the pollen coated my nose. 

I carefully pulled myself up onto one of Bruce's motorcycles. When I turned it on, I felt it roar to life. Power radiated through me. I smirked.

I was going into town.

~~~~~~Writing while listening to the new Gorillaz album maybe isn't the best idea? It's gets pretty pessimistic lol. Thanks for all the positive comments on this story you guys! I'm really happy you guys are liking it!~~~~~~~