"Oh no!" April jumped up and hugged her friend. They had all grown up with Ace, and everyone loved him. "I'm so sorry. Will we...be able to see him again?" She asked. As far as she knew, Lucifer was doing fine, though he was getting old. The hyenas seemed the same as always, and she often wondered if her father had modified them somehow.

"I don't know." Martha sobbed. "He's coming home tomorrow with Alfred for the finally verdict." she sniffled. "I couldn't bare to go with him. My partner in crime is going to die!"

"Oh, Martha. I'm so, so sorry. I wish I could help." April said, and she meant it. Her heart ached for Martha, and for Ace. "At least you have the kitten Cal got you. You can cuddle with it to try and feel better." She suggested.

"It's not the same though." Martha sniffles. "With Ace this sick who knows how long Alfred has and are parents aren't exactly young anymore either." She was a worse worried the April some times.

April shivered. "Our parents aren't that old, Mari. They've got plenty of time left. I mean, can you really see any of them giving up...ever?" She pointed out. "And I'm pretty sure Alfred is immortal. Otherwise, your dad's antics would have finished him years ago."

"You haven't seen him lately he's turning one hundred years old but he still tries to be there for dad." Martha sighed.

"Maybe it's time for him to retire." April said. "He's worked hard for so long, I think he's earned it. And your dad doesn't even go out anymore and Lori looks after him well enough, so he shouldn't worry." She spoke as if she were trying to convince Alfred himself.

"He is retired but he wanted to take Ace to the vets." Martha sighed a little. She rubbed the tears from her cheeks "Sorry I just started to cry like that."

"Oh, don't apologize." April said. "We're best friends. If you can't cry to me, you can't cry to anyone. It's what I'm here for. Even if you have to be tough for everyone else." She smiled gently. "Now, it's late and you're probably exhausted, so let's get to bed. You can choose whichever bunk you want." April had a bunk bed in her room for when Martha slept over.

"Top." Martha smiled and climbed into the bunk. She woke early and went to the kitchen remembering as she sat down that she was at home though the climb down should have been a big clue.

Cal was the first one in the kitchen after Martha. He was a little surprised to see her in there. "Good morning, Martha. Did you sleep okay?" He asked politely, a little nervous that she would just ignore him.

"I guess so." Martha shrugged and looked to the other rooms. "Do we make are own breakfast?" She realized she had never done that before either her mom or Alfred had been making breakfast when she woke.

Cal shrugged. "Usually it depends on who wakes up first. If it's mom or dad, they'll make it for us. I can make whatever, if you want." He offered, looking through the cabinets.

"I've never made my own breakfast." Martha confused. "Well...does cereal count?" she chuckled.

Cal chuckled. "If you ate it for breakfast, I'd say it counts." He said, pulling a box of cereal out.

April shuffled out of her room right then. "I don't smell breakfast. Mom and dad still asleep?" She mumbled.

"Seems that way." Martha smiled at her friend then concentrated on making herself a bowl of cereal.

April yawned. "Okay then. Pass the milk, please." She said, grabbing a bowl.

Cal passed the milk over to April and got three spoons out for them to use. "No school today. Any plans?"

"Go home, help dad with mother stuff like that." Martha shrugged handing April the milk.

"Sounds fun." April said, pouring her milk. "You want to train later?" She asked.

Cal took a bite of his cereal, thinking. "Actually...I need your help. Both of you." It sounded like it took him a lot to ask.

"Well I need to get home to help out but I guess I can stay a little longer." Martha stared at Cal. "What do you need help with?"

"I'm...I'm scared." Cal said, not looking at either of them. "I don't know what to do. I don't want to do bad things, but I don't really want to be a hero, either. But I keep hearing Ra's voice in my head, and every time I do, bad things happen. I think he's controlling me."

April paused, spoon frozen halfway to her mouth. "Cal...why didn't you say something before? Bruce probably could have helped you."

"I didn't know before. This started after we confronted Ra's yesterday. I haven't had a chance to tell anyone, and now Bruce is busy with Lori, and if I get too close I might do something bad..."

"Alright, alright, don't panic. I'm sure we can figure something out. What do you think, Martha?"

"I think dad should have let Damien kill Ra's." Martha sighed. "What can we do really? Cal has to fight Ra's the best he can. Dad will still help you, I'll take care of mom."

Cal nodded. That was pretty much the reaction he had expected.

April stared at Cal intensely, not speaking. Finally, she looked away. "I think, if Bruce helps me, I can remove his influence from your mind." She said.

"You...can? How?"

"My powers seem to be telepathic. If I can enter your mind..."

"That could work...we'll need both sets of parents just in case something happens." Martha looked at Cal then carefully squeezed his hand. "We'll help you Cal."

Cal finally looked up and met Martha's gaze. "Okay. Thank you." He said, giving her and April a tired smile.

"It's no problem, Cal. We're all friends, right? That's what we're here for." April said cheerfully.