we keep up the good fight
The morning after the end of the world begins with a kiss. Steph finally crawls in from the balcony after sunrise, barely present and supported by a watchful Cass. Cass presses her lips to Steph's as they enter and everything snaps back into focus. She'll never get tired of kissing Cass, of the way their lips move together like they've been waiting for this all their lives.
“You okay?” Cass asks softly.
Steph takes a deep breath. She thinks about Harper, sleeping off their surgery in a lonely hospital bed. She thinks about the protest camp, now nothing but ashes and arrests. She thinks about her mom again. She shakes her head, and leans in for another kiss to chase the thoughts away.
Cass kisses her back like she's trying to infuse Steph with all the love and hope in her body. When they pull apart, Cass asks again. “You okay?”
Steph doesn't know the answer to that yet, so she kisses Cass again. This time, as Cass’s tongue dances across the roof of her mouth, she tries to think okay thoughts. She thinks about Harper's survival and the protest leaders' hope and Rose and Nia and Cass, Cass, Cass.
“You okay?” Cass asks a third time, studying Steph's body like she already knows the answer but wants to hear it anyway.
“I will be,” Steph says firmly, and realizes it's true. The movement survives because they survived. She won't let them - won't let Harper - down by giving up. She won't let the Owls win.
Cass pats her cheek. “Love you.”
“I love you too,” Steph says. She leans her head against Cass’s shoulder and breathes in the scent of her jasmine body wash. It tethers her here, in this moment, this soft hope.
Across the room, Rose looks up from the unlit joint she's turning over between her fingers. She meets their eyes and smiles dangerously.
“Come,” Cass mouths. “Join.”
Rose pockets the joint. She moves across the Tower with lethal, fluid grace. When she reaches them, she presses a sharp kiss to Cass’s lips. Cass bites Rose's lower lip. Rose breathes a sigh into her mouth. Then she turns to Steph, who catches the kiss on her tongue and twists it between her teeth. Rose sighs again, longer and louder this time.
“Good morning to all of you,” says Dinah wearily, looking up from her post at the computers. Next to her, Barbara is asleep in her chair, her arms and head pillowed on the desktop. Dinah must've taken over after she fell asleep at the comms again. It's a routine of theirs.
The three Bad Girls pull apart, blushing. Well, Steph is blushing. Cass seems unbothered and Rose just laughs.
***
Steph glances around the Clocktower. It's crowded today, various League heroes having come back here after the camp burned, sharing space awkwardly with the usual Birds
In one corner, Zinda is cleaning her guns and humming an old drinking song as Green Lantern Jessica Cruz shows her pictures of her cat. In another, Renee Montoya is arguing with what sounds like her girlfriend over the phone. Steph catches ‘come on, Kate' and ‘please,’ before Renee snaps the flip phone shut and mutters ‘fuck’s sake.’
The guest room door is open, and if Steph squints she can make out what looks like one of Frankie's arm crutches leaning against the bed. The Operator must've decided it was safer to stay the rest of the night than to try to get back to her own place in the middle of the chaos.
Steph looks up and away to find Nightwing passed out in the rafters, Wonder Girl Donna Troy leaned against them comfortably as if there's no place she'd rather be than here.
Diana and her sister Nubia are sparring on one set of training mats as Cassie watches, her Arrowette at her side. Steph's gaze lingers on them for a moment, staring at the way they move, their fighter’s grace as their swords dance together. There's nothing like watching the way the Amazons fight.
Helena Bertinelli is grading homework on one of the other training mats, oblivious to the nearby commotion, her papers spread out around her. She has headphones on, which makes sense. Helena always listens to Italian punk bands when she grades. She tried to get Steph into them during No Man's Land when she was staying with Helena after - after the last apocalypse. Steph is glad she's around for this one too.
She spots Nia next, huddled in a blanket staring at the news screen like it's the only thing that matters. She nudges the other Bad Girls, and they drift over to their girlfriend as one. “Hey babes,” Rose caresses Nia's left shoulder. “Have you been here all night?”
Nia nods. “They're about to announce the verdict and I know Barbara said not to, but I just keep hoping they'll do the right thing and stop him.”
Rose sighs. Her face takes on the expression Steph associates with her visions and she shakes her head slightly.
“We stop him,” Cass reassures Nia. “Bad Girls. Birds. League. He will not win.”
Nia tilts her head up. She looks oddly fragile. “I don't know if I can believe that after this week. After…”
She trails off, but Steph knows they're all filling in the rest of that sentence: After Harper.
Harper would know what to say. All Steph knows how to do is lean down and brush her lips against Nia's. Nia melts into the kiss, clutching tenderly at the back of Steph's head and neck.
“I love you,” she breathes. It's the first time Nia's said it to any of them, and she takes a second to let the words sink in before looking between the three of them and saying it again. “I love you.”
“I love you too,” Steph says, and bends to kiss Nia again. Cass flashes the ‘I love you’ sign, and Rose kisses Nia's cheek.
The news flashes a ‘BREAKING STORY’ alert and the Bad Girls sit down together to see what else the world is going to throw at them today.
***
Luthor is found guilty on all charges but the judge says he's ‘refraining from penalizing him at this time, given Mr. Luthor's standing and position in the community, the extenuating circumstances that led to his crimes, and his evident commitment to genuine restitution. It is the opinion of this court that Mr. Luthor will be better served by a fresh start than any punishment we could mete out.’
Nia starts crying softly under her breath. Rose pulls her into her lap and presses a kiss to her hairline.
Nia’s eyes water and run over. Rose kisses her right below her eyelids. “Saw it coming, didn't you babes?”
Nia nods wordlessly. Steph is glad Rose, at least, is doing something to help her because all she and Cass can do is stare in shock and clutch each other.
Now what? Steph thinks.
Then the camera pans around the outside of the building as the verdict is read, where a crowd of protestors and counter-protestors are gathered. Signs read ‘Lex was Right’ ‘Lex Rex' and ‘Lex for Prez,’ as well as ‘Lex = Guilty,’ ‘He Did It, You Know It, Now Show It,’ and simply ‘Lex.’ Steph spots more than a few signs that shout out the Narrows protests, most reading ‘Narrows Strong.’ She feels tears well up. It's the tiniest bit of proof that their movement lives on - that what they built matters and will keep on mattering even after last night.
Cass makes a soft, relieved noise. Steph kisses her cheek.
On screen, the protestors are being pushed back by police as fights break out between the factions. Someone starts up one of the Canary's chants and other familiar chants follow, interspersed together in a cacophony of rage.
‘ESCALATE, INSTIGATE, IGNORE’
‘WE’RE NOT GOING (ANYWHERE)’
‘NO MORE KINGS (END OF THE LINE)’
This last one is a direct response to the counter-protestors, who are shouting ‘LEX REX’ and smiling for the cameras.
Luthor emerges from the courthouse looking shaken but victorious, flashing a smile for the cameras and refusing to answer any questions. Someone throws a brick and it collides with the wall a few feet from his head. A woman the commentator identifies as Luthor's long-term bodyguard Mercy Graves hustles him back inside quickly, but not before he flashes a ‘v for victory' with one hand and a peace sign with the other. He's smiling even wider as the door closes behind him. By tomorrow that picture will be on the front of every newspaper, assuming nothing bigger happens today. Steph doubts that somehow.
***
The news cuts between Daily Planet reporters in Metropolis. A reporter identified as Steve Lombard is at Shuster Sports Arena, which is one of several stadiums holding watch parties for the verdict.
“Shock has descended on the Shuster Arena, normally home to our Metropolis Generals and Meteorites during basketball season, and Mammoths and Mammoth Misses during hockey season.”
The camera pans around the duly shocked faces, landing temporarily on a woman Steph recognizes as Karen. It makes sense that the Metropolis heroes would've flown back overnight, but they'll be greatly missed in Gotham.
“Pro Luthor members celebrate vocally, clothed in their viral ‘LEX REX' merchandise and holding up ‘Lex 4 Prez’ signs. People are beginning to quietly trickle out, as security breaks up fights between the pro and anti Luthor factions. Luthor remains a controversial figure here in Metropolis, where Lexcorp out-employs most other industries even post-arrest. Many in the audience wear orange shirts representing TULE, or ‘The Union of Lexcorp Employees’, which has grown in number and influence since Luthor's arrest. TULE is expected to issue a statement later today. Lexcorp does not recognize TULE as a governing body.”
The screen goes to Cat Grant in the lounge where she films her morning show for the Daily Planet. Steph feels a now-familiar ache - Cat Grant's morning talk show was a normal part of Crystal Brown's daily routine. Watching it now makes her feel like her mom is with her at the world's end.
“Thank you, Steve. As a reminder, we had former Lexcorp engineer and current full-time TULE organizer Lana Lang on the show just yesterday morning-”
The screen plays a clip from the interview.
“People keep asking ‘what’s your plan for the verdict, what's your plan for the verdict,’ but what they don't realize is that our fight is over something much bigger than this one man's crimes. We're fighting an empire that's going to keep on existing whether he wins his case or not. We have to make sure TULE keeps existing, we have to keep growing and building and making sure people get their rights either way. What's your plan for after the verdict? Wake up, make a cup of coffee, and keep up the good fight.”
“She's good,” Cass comments. Steph pulls up the rest of the interview on her phone and almost starts crying at the thumbnail of Lana Lang holding up the Cat's Shadow.
“She shouted us out,” Steph breathes as she scrolls through the transcript. “She called us an inspiration and said she hopes we-”
Her voice breaks on the words. She holds out the phone to Rose, not trusting herself to finish the quote.
“TULE stands with the Narrows, with Gotham, and with the liberation movement we're getting to watch play out in real time there. It's an inspiration to the world and I bet I'll keep hearing ‘Narrows Strong’ chants at marches and meetings going forward. I hope they stick around for a long time. I hope they stay in the fight. I know we will. As long as it takes,” Rose reads aloud.
“Love it when you read,” Cass murmurs. “It's nice.”
“Anytime, babes,” Rose blows her a kiss. Cass catches it between her fingers and presses them to her lips. Rose goes bright red. Steph leans across to kiss Rose’s still-outstretched hand. Rose moans.
Nia smiles for the first time all day as her cheeks go pink.
“People believe us,” Cass grins over at the phone. “We survive.”
Steph hopes she's right.
***
“We now go to an unconventional watch party held at Bibbo Bibbowski’s Ace o’Clubs bar, presided over by our own Clark Kent.” The name pulls them back to the screen.
“Thank you, Cat,” Clark takes it away. He's got a microphone in one hand and a Superman logoed waterbottle in the other. He's surrounded by crying people in Superman memorabilia, the walls of the bar lined with Superman headlines and pictures. “The air here is thick with hurt. Metropolis's Suicide Slum has considered Superman theirs ever since the first time he showed up ‘after hours’ to help out at a community center and turn away ICE. Bar Owner Bibbo Bibbowski, who credits the hero with helping him turn his life around, runs what he calls ‘the Sooperman museum' alongside his landmark bar, which claims to host the best music, pinball, and beer in town. Today, Bibbowski offered free drinks to anyone who showed up in support of Superman, and he's kept the drinks coming as the verdict hits the community. Lexcorp has petitioned the Metropolis city government to allow it to rezone and repurpose much of the land in the slum. That project was put on hold by Luthor's arrest and now, many are wondering what his release means for their community.”
Different city, same shit, Steph thinks offhandedly. Clark interviews a few furious people, among them a girl who gives her name as Traci and her muscled girlfriend Natasha, who has familiar features, lesbian flag patterned dreads, and a fighter's stance.
“Whatever happens,” Traci says, Natasha’s hand on the small of her back, “we're not going to let Luthor take this from us. This city is ours - the slum is ours. He doesn't get to change that.”
She and her partner both raise their hands in - in the Cat's Shadow. Steph stares, transfixed.
We built something, she thinks again. We really built something.
***
She tries to carry the faith with her into the next news segment, as the Daily Planet’s political analyst discusses Luthor’s approval rating and presidential prospects.
“While there's been no statement either way from the Luthor camp, he's emerging as the clear frontrunner in a sea of similarly-undeclared speculative candidates,” reporter Ron Troupe has the graphs to back him up. It's concerning. Steph clings to the last bit of faith TULE and that Cat's Shadow reignited and doesn't let go.
“He hasn't announced yet,” she tries to reassure Nia, who's starting to shake again.
“Will survive this,” Cass promises. “Strong.”
Rose and Nia exchange a long, vision-haunted look that makes Steph worry about their ability to keep that promise, but she's not about to argue with Cass. She channels Harper instead. “Of course we'll survive it. We're the Bad Girls. It's what we do.”
***
Barbara wheels over when there's a break in the news stories to check on them - especially Nia - and to remind Steph to change her bandages.
“Any update?” Cass asks softly. There's only one update she could be asking for.
Barbara shakes her head. “They're still asleep and stable, that's still all I know, they're-”
“Still not here,” Cass finishes. Her voice is small. Her grief isn't.
Harper is still gone, and the Bad Girls are still undone without them. Steph tells herself their movement is still here, and that counts for something, but with Harper gone she just doesn't know.
Ron Troupe is talking again, something about the surprising veracity of the ‘Lex Rex' movement and Nia…Nia is hyperventilating. Oh shit.
Rose intervenes. “Come smoke with me on the balcony, babes, the news will be here when you get back.”
Nia shakes her head. “I have to know. It's who I am.”
Cass leans up to kiss Rose. “You go. Take Steph. Will stay with her.”
“Me?” Steph frowns. “But-”
“Come on, babes,” Rose pulls Steph to her feet and drapes her arm around her shoulders, pulling her close. “Keep me company? I don't want to be alone with the future right now. It’s an itch I can't stab away.”
“When you put it that way…” Steph presses a kiss to Rose's lips, and one to Nia’s hair for good measure, then lets her girlfriend lead her back out into the drizzling Gotham morning. “It's raining out here.”
Rose shrugs. “It's raining in there too, just a different kind.”
Steph can't argue with that. There's a storm coming, and it's going to get worse before they can figure out how to fix it, if they even can.
Somehow it's still only eleven a.m. It's been less than twelve hours since the attack on the camp left them reeling. It feels longer, like it's been forever since Steph got to hold Harper, like it's been infinity since she felt anything other than nebulous dread against her faintly sparking hope.
Rose kisses her, long and desperate and clinging, and Steph amends that: whatever else happens, she still feels the love. They both do, no matter how tightly the visions press in on Rose’s mind and how heavy Steph's grief weighs against her aching body.
They have each other. They have Nia and Cass. They have the Birds and the League and what's left of the still-fighting protest movement.
Maybe one day they'll be okay. Today, they'll simply hold each other close and watch the storm blow in.