"You would think that." Gemini sighed. "But I've been so close to death so many times that the grim reaper and I are on a first name basis."

Bruce couldn't help but smile. "You're quite welcome." He turned and gave her a quick kiss.

Joker laughed. "Your just making it sound more fun." He grinned. "I'll have to try it out sometime."

Lori blushed and let him place the necklace on her. "What do you think?"

"Fine, fine, go ahead and get yourself killed." Gemini said, rolling her eyes.

"It's almost as beautiful as you are." Bruce said, smiling at her. "It looks wonderful on you."

"You would miss me." Joker kissed her dipping her a little. "Your life would be boring." He grinned as he set her upright.

Lori blushed brightly. "You really know how to complement a girl." She took his arm and headed for a Japanese restaurant.

"Of course I would miss you." Gemini replied. "That's a given."

Bruce smiled and took her hand, letting her lead him.

Martha made a face. "Gross." Joker chuckled and ruffled her hair. "You'll get use to it."

Lori wondered around with him in tow for the rest of the night till she started falling asleep standing up. "I think it's time for bed."

Cal rolled his eyes. "Let's go do our homework in our room. That way we don't have to see them getting all kissy." He said.

April nodded. "Sounds good to me!" She said, gathering her things.

Bruce smiled, holding Lori up. "Then let's head back. We'll get some sleep and maybe tomorrow check out the hot spring at the inn." He said.

"OK." Lori mumbled following him back to the hotel barely making it to there room and onto the bed before she fell asleep.

Martha followed the twins frowning a little. "Why do you think mom and dad went without me?"

Bruce tucked Lori in before laying down next to her, not even bothering to change before he fell asleep.

"Our mom says that sometimes parents want to spend time together without kids, to do adult things." Cal said.

"I think it means they want to kiss a lot without any of us saying stuff." April said.

Martha blushed a little then shrugged. "I guess so." she finished up her homework, went to change and then went to bed.

The twins did the same, except that once everyone was asleep, Cal got up and climbed up on the roof. He did that every night, but no one knew. He would stay up there several hours, and then go lay down and pretend to sleep until it was time to get up.

((Timeskip?))

((I'm kind of at a loss here. If you got an idea let's hear it.))

((Uh...um...skip to a few years later? Kids at age...10, maybe? Make shit up as we go along?))

((I kind of got nothing. *LA sigh*))

((Hm...let's try this.))
*A few years later*

Cal sneaked down off the rooftop and back into his room once again. He and April had been moved to separate rooms the year before, when they had argued that they were too old to share anymore. Sneaking out had been easier since then. Laying down on his bed, he reflected on the day to come. It was their birthday, which meant it was Martha's birthday, too. They were turning 12. He had bought a present for her with his allowance money. It was getting harder to hide how he felt about Martha, especially since he figured out his own feelings.

Unbeknownst to Cal, April was also awake in her room. She was reflecting on a problem that seemed to get worse every day: choosing sides. Their parents almost never tried to sway them one way or the other, but they both knew that soon enough they were going to have to choose. The problem was, April didn't want to choose. If she was honest with herself, she had chosen a long time ago. What she really feared was the look on her parent's faces when she told them. She sighed, hating that she had to be one or the other. That she had to let one of her parents down. She shook her head. It was their birthday. She should enjoy it and worry later.

Martha was wrapping her presents for her twins humming softly. She had chosen good a long time ago though seeing her practice fighting with her brothers made her mother nervous Lori couldn't say she was surprised the girl was following after her brother's and her father. She hurried downstairs greeting her parents adding her presents to the twins table's waiting for the others.

Joker sighed as he looked at Gemini. "How did they get so old?" he was dressed as Darien already for the twins and Martha's party.

Gemini chuckled. "They're only 12. Still just children." She said. "Still, it won't be long before they don't need us anymore." She added sadly.

Cal got up and got dressed- he didn't use his alarm, since he didn't need it- and headed out to the kitchen for breakfast. April was in the hallway. "Happy birthday, Rilly." He said with a smile.

Shutting off her alarm, April got dressed and went out of her room, meeting Cal in the hallway. "Happy Birthday, Cally." She said affectionately. They walked together out to the kitchen.

Bruce greeted his daughter proudly. "Happy birthday, princess." He said, kissing the top of her head.

"There they are my big children." Joker hugged them both. "I'm so proud of you both and I always will be." he ruffled Cal's hair and kissed the top of April's. "Know daddy has been waiting to annoy your uncle Bruce long enough. Let's head out." he went to get the keys.

"thanks daddy." Martha smiled then greeted Alfred, Richard, Jason, Timothy, Helene and Damien all of whom had come for her birthday. She hugged her mother last since she was by the stove. "Happy birthday." Lori smiled hugging Martha back.

Cal ducked his head, embarrassed, and said nothing.

April smiled but also said nothing. They both followed their father out the door.

Gemini chuckled and followed, after making sure to lock the door behind her.

Martha heard the car and hurried out to great the twins. "Happy birthday!" She grinned at them ignoring the Joker who gathered the presents and headed into the house.

April, who was the first out of the car, ran up and hugged Martha. "Happy birthday!" She said joyfully.

Cal came up behind them and waved. "Happy birthday, Mari." He said, using the nickname they'd had for her back when they were little.

Gemini came over, kissed Martha's head, and smiled. "Happy birthday!" She said, before heading inside to help out if she was needed.

Bruce tensed up when Joker walked in, and reached over to take Lori's hand. "I can do this. For Martha. Don't let me go after him." He asked her desperately.

"I'll try." Lori promised squeezing his hand as Darien grinned at the bat crew. "You could cut the tension with a knife." She grimaced.

"I got you guys a present each." Martha took Cal's arm and April's hand dragging them inside.

"We each got you a present, too." Cal said, following Martha happily.

"Yeah, you're gonna love what I got you!" April said excitedly.

Gemini stopped in the middle of the room, suddenly nervous. "Now, come on, we can all get along for a couple of hours...right? It's for the kids." She said.

Bruce gave Gemini a look that clearly said 'I'll behave if he does' and nodded. "Right. For the kids."

"I make no promises." Joker grinned at Gemini being his usual self.Lori rolled her eyes and held onto Bruce's hand feeling like this was going to be a long day.

"Let's get cake!" Martha dashed past the adults grabbing both Lori and Gemini. "CAKE!" She demanded with a pout.

Cal laughed and looked at April. "We better run before she eats it all." He said.

April nodded. "I'll race you!" She said. Getting a nod, they both set off and ran into the house.

Gemini chuckled. "Hang on, there. You know we do presents first, because you three always go overboard on the cake." She said, just as the twins arrived. "Why don't you three exchange your presents first?"