Young Justice tv show - Ep. 16, Failsafe

Evelyn was at work sitting in her office when she got the call about the Young Justice team being stuck in training. Bruce didn't sound worried per se, just concerned about getting them out of the mental scenario that Manhunter put them in.

Evelyn didn't have to be told twice, she left her building after telling Heidi to reschedule all her meetings and went to the nearest Zeta tube.

"What happened?" Evelyn asks as soon as she walks in. The kids all laid out on metal tables forming a circle around Batman and Martian Manhunter. Evelyn had the sense to put her sunglasses on to cover her face but otherwise she was still in her work clothes.

"J'onn put them all into a mental simulation but M'gann took over control of it. They won't wake up." Bruce gruffly said. J'onn had his eyes closed and seemed to be inside his own head.

"What's wrong with J'onn?"

"Put himself into the simulation to see if he can shock M'gann out of it." Evelyn nodded and set her coat and bag down. She made sure to hide all identifying items inside the bag, underneath loads  of useless generic papers.

"I'll go make some hot chocolate and sandwiches for when they wake up." Bruce nodded and Evelyn turned to leave.

"Can I have some?" Evelyn laughed and pat his padded shoulder as she left for the kitchen.

"Sure honey."

———

Evelyn had just finished plating everything when she heard the first gasp sound from the other room. Evelyn set everything down and rushed back to see all the kids groaning as they sat up.

"What happened?" Dick, or Robin, spoke as he pinched the bone between his eyes. He looked like he just woke up from being knocked out.

"The mental simulation was meant to help you figured out how to adapt and keep going, even when everything continued to go wrong. You all were meant to fail but after Miss Martian saw Artemis die, she convinced herself Artemis was truly dead. She took over the simulation and everyone forgot that it wasn't real. Artemis herself thought she was dead. She should've woken up from her unconscious state but instead slipped into an even deeper sleep. I had to shock Megan into waking up and remembering it was all a simulation. Yet when I entered my mind was clouded but all the grief and sorrow she was feeling. I couldn't recall my true mission until everyone was gone. I'm sorry, I should've had better control." J'onn spoke as he helped M'gann up from the table.

Evelyn just watched as Megan instantly started apologizing for what she did. She had no intentions of taking over the exercise and convincing everyone it was real. She truthfully was glad it wasn't.

"It's okay M'gann, you didn't know." Robin sent a weak smile to the green skinned Martian.

"Apollo?" Robin looked behind M'gann to see Apollo leaning against the doorframe, a frown on her face.

Apollo broke from her thoughts and sent a smile to the kids now all staring at her.

"Batman called, told me what happened. Figured I'd come by and make some sandwiches and hot chocolate for when you all woke up. It's all in the kitchen waiting for you." Evelyn spoke softly as she sent each person a soft smile. She knew the kids just went through something traumatic. To watch their mentors, family and friends die? Then to watch their own teammates die? Anyone would be shaken up by that.

No one said anything at first, not even Wally who was always excited for food. Kaldur was the first to move, he walked past Evelyn and gave his thanks before grabbing a sandwich and hot chocolate from the kitchen. The others soon followed behind, all quiet and upset.

Batman and Manhunter left the room too, leaving only Evelyn and Dick as the boy had yet to leave the table.

"What happened?" Evelyn softly said as she walked over and sat next to him. He clearly was struggling with something that the others didn't know about.

"I... you died. You died on the tv and I couldn't do anything but watch it happen. Batman and I signed up for this, we know fight knowing we may die. I never thought that maybe you—maybe you would die first." Dick whispered as he stared at his numb hands. He couldn't feel anything as Evelyn's death just kept repeating in his mind.

It was on the tv and Dick watched as you hurried around helping others leave Gotham. Alfred was no where to be seen and Dick had a sinking feeling he was already gone. Then he had to watch as you got caught in the lasers path, your body disintegrating into nothing but ash. In that moment Dick wanted to curl up and cry, forget about the mission and just mourn for you. For the person who made him feel so loved and seen. For the person who never left his side, no matter how much he yelled or screamed at her too.

"Gray, look at me." Robin looked up to see Evelyn with a gentle expression on her face. She placed her hand on his cheek and wiped the stray tear that fell from his eye. "I'm not going anywhere. I'm here. With you and Bruce. If you think I wouldn't fight like hell to stay here with you, then you don't know me at all. I love you so much, Gray." Evelyn gently spoke so no superhero could hear her say Robin's name.

"I felt so weak."

"You felt human." Both heads snapped up to see Bruce walking back in with three sandwiches and hot chocolates. He handed the two each of their own before leaning on the table next to Dick. He was still in Batman mode, with the cold look on his face but his eyes showed his concern. He was worried about Dick and Evelyn knew that. She heard it when he called her and told her about Dick not waking up.

Evelyn smiled her thanks and set the food behind her. She turned back to Dick to see him looking at the food in his hands.

"You are the best of us. Never feel sorry for being human and having healthy emotions. It's okay to be sad but know it wasn't real. We all are alive and here, together." Evelyn placed a kiss to the top of Dick's head as he leaned into her. Evelyn just wrapped her arms around the boy and tried to send all her love through it.

Bruce seemed hesitant but after seeing the door closed and separating the three from the others, he stepped up and wrapped his arms around them both. Evelyn sent a grateful smile to Bruce before giving him a soft kiss to his cheek.

Evelyn knew their family was difficult and sometimes emotionally unavailable, but she wouldn't change any of it. Not when it got her to this moment, this moment of love and truth. Evelyn kissed both Dicks head and Bruce's cheek again before letting go. She wanted Dick to eat something to regain his strength and while she enjoyed the hug from both him and Bruce, Dick couldn't do so. She held the sandwich up for both to see before taking a bite.

"Eat you two. Otherwise I'll never cook or bake for you again." The boys felt their eyes widen before looking to each other. Both quickly found their sandwich in their mouth and hot chocolate in hand.

"Don't choke though!"