"Lori, no!" Bruce said, but too late as Lori was already rushing towards Talia. He stood up, fists clenched. "You're both delusional! Killing every criminal will only leave us with more criminals! Our lives would never be happy, let alone crime-free, with all those deaths over our heads and twice the amount of villains to deal with!" He shouted. "Killing is a problem, not a solution! Taking lives will never solve any problems, no matter what the circumstances!"

Damien looked up at him frowning a little. "At least let us kill Joker.'' he sighed. 'your such a pacifist if they killed Lori you might kill them." He blinked as Lori got the upper hand against his mother.

Bruce shook his head. "No. Not even if they killed Lori. And Lori, at least, understands why." He said, suddenly losing his anger. "This is the one thing I could never make you understand. And seeing what you've done today, I'm thinking I never will." He turned away, watching Lori instead. "I wish you well in your life. I hope you find happiness, wherever you end up...son."

"Why can't you be happy with me the way I am?" Damien asked taking a step towards him. "Why do I have to think like you in order for you to love me the way I am?" he rubbed his cheeks turning to hide his slight tears.

Lori slashed at Talia cutting her face a determined look on her face.

"I could ask you the same question. You have always shown disdain for the decisions I have made. Why could you never accept me the way I am, without criticizing and questioning every move I make?" Bruce asked pointedly. "Damien, I do love you the way you are. I wouldn't change you for the world. I only wish you would consider the consequences of your actions before rushing in head first." He said, sighing. His voice was quiet.

"I do some times I am a kid still jumping in is how I learn...or so Alfred keeps saying. I'm just tired of them hurting people we care about maybe I jumped in but it seemed like the easiest way." He hugged Bruce not getting to see the fight which ended when Lori stabbed Talia repeatedly not realizing that she was dead even as blood poured out of her.

Bruce hugged him back. "The easiest way is almost never the right way, unfortunately." He said, pulling away. "No matter what, Damien, remember that I am proud of you." Right then, out of the corner of his eye, he saw Lori stabbing an obviously dead Talia. Hs face went pale. "Lori! Lori, that's enough! Stop, it's over!" He shouted, running to her to pull her away from the body.

Lori dropped the knife like it was hot crying softly. She buried her face into his chest "I didn't mean to, I didn't." She blubbered as Damien stared at his moms body a mixture of anger and sorrow on his face.

Bruce hugged her tightly, trying not to shake. Even though he'd known that Lori was a criminal, he really never thought she was capable of murder. "Hush, Lori...it's okay. It's over." He said, though he wondered if it really was okay.

"Maybe if we got her to the pit there." Damien went to his mothers side tears rolling down his cheeks. Lori nearly threw up when she heard Damien "oh Damien." She grabbed his arm and placed her knife in his hand. "It's only fair." She sniffled waiting. Damien stared at her then made to stab her but instead slapped her making her jump and blink. He sunk to his knees sobbing hesitantly Lori hugged him when he didn't pull away she hugged tighter.

Bruce watched the exchange, feeling helpless. For the first time in a long time, there was nothing he could do. He couldn't save Talia, he couldn't comfort Damien and he couldn't make Lori feel better. For lack of anything else to do, he moved forward and hugged both of them. "I'm sorry. I'm so sorry."

"It's my fault really." Lori sighed leaning into Bruce's warmth. "I should have done something about her a while ago." Damien pulled back. "Your right something should have been done before she died but there's no use fretting I'll just have to use you as a mother figure.'' Damien smiled at her.

Bruce looked at Damien, feeling rather surprised. It was no secret that Damien had never really liked Lori. What had changed his mind? "Are either of you hurt? We should get you to the hospital just in case." He asked, deciding to see to their immediate needs instead of asking questions that may never be answered.

"I'm fine." Damien shook his head. "now that mom can't control me anymore." he sighed examined Lori's cuts and bruises. "I think Lori needs your attention though." he smirked.

Bruce raised an eyebrow at his son, but smirked. "Alright, then, I'll take Lori to the hospital. Will you be okay by yourself?" He asked. He knew Damien could take care of himself, but he couldn't help but feel protective.

"I'll be fine dad I'll meet you at home.'' Damien headed away sighing softly.

"Can't you just bandage me up at your cave?" Lori pouted.

Bruce paused. "Are you sure you don't have any wounds that I can't treat?" He asked, secretly hoping that she didn't. He kind of wanted to bring Lori home.

"I'm fairly certain." Lori examined her body. "If there is I'm sure Alfred can help." she chuckled. "I mean he fixed you when Bane broke your back and threw all kinds of unknown injuries."

Bruce chuckled. "Okay, you got me there. Let's go, then." He said, helping her up. Luckily it wasn't too far to his place, so they got there relatively quickly. Bruce got Lori sitting down and started cleaning and bandaging her wounds.

Lori stayed still letting Bruce to do what he needed to do. She smile softly and suddenly kissed him clinging to him tightly.

Bruce had just finished bandaging the last wound when Lori grabbed and kissed him. He kissed her back, holding her just as tightly.

Lori pulled away after a few minutes needing air. "I'm sorry I killed her Bruce but...there was really no other way. IVY! How could I have forgotten." she got to her feet flinching as her bruises protested.

Bruce pushed her back down gently. "I brought Ivy to the hospital and instructed them to call me if there was any change. She'll be fine." He said, making sure she didn't try to get up again. "Listen...I can't say that I'm happy that you killed her, but...I understand why you did it. My guess would be that Gemini had the same motivation...either way, I forgive you."

"I'm glad love." Lori hugged him then picked up the phone as it rang. "Wayne residence Lori soon to be Wayne speaking... Oh thanks." She looked heartbroken. "Ivy's gone." The tone of her voice indicated that she hadn't just left the hospital.

Bruce was silent for a while. How was he supposed to reply to that? Right after he had said everything would be okay, they learn that Lori's friend died. After a long moment, he sighed and hugged her. "Oh, Lori...I'm so sorry. I wish I could help...I'm sorry."