Author's Note: Hey guys, here's a new story for you. The idea came to me when i was helping my dad do the grocery shopping. Weird i know, but hey, it's a new story, so i'm not complaining. I'm thinking about making this a chapter story. But i'm not too sure so let me know what you think.

Disclaimer: I don't own any of the characters in this story. Wish i did, but i don't.

Anyway, enjoy this story and don't forget to review!

Mission Away, Mission to Stay

Batman's POV:

I didn't want to do this. But I had no choice. Dr Fate was off world dealing with Klarion again, and there was no one else who could handle this.

" I'm going to have to send Zatanna," I say to Black Canary. We were in the briefing room in the Watchtower discussing a mission that required a magic user.

" Batman, she might not be ready," We had been going around in circles about who we were going to send, or whether it could be put off for a little while to wait for Fate to come back, but so far, the only thing we could do was send Zatanna.

" I realise that Dinah, but it's the only option we have right now. And I'll send Hal with her," I give her a pointed look. I had promised Zatara myself that I would look after Zatanna but we needed her for this mission.

" I know that, but let's face it, we don't know how long she's going to be gone for," Dinah placed her hands upward on the table and leaned forward a bit, " It's going to effect her schoolwork, her life. Not to mention, the counselling sessions we've been having are only just starting to help her deal with losing her father,"

" There is nothing else we can do," I shake my head. We had gone through every possibility. I had run simulations on the computer in the Batcave to see what could go wrong, but there was little I could do.

" Well then, your going to have to tell her," Dinah leans back and stands up out of her chair. " Do you want me to go get Hal for you?"

I nod my head as I myself begin to stand.

" Okay, I take it you want him to meet you at the cave?"

" Yes, I'm going over there now to talk to Zatanna. Tell him to hurry," As I leave the room, I try to work out how exactly all this was going to play out. I knew for a fact Robin was going to be mad at me. I had noticed how fond of Zatanna Dick was, and sending her away might make him resent me.

It's for the best, the conflict in the Australian deserts isn't going to stop unless the negative magic Wotan put there is gone. Not to mention Wotan is still hiding out there somewhere, I tell myself almost at the Zeta-tubes.

This needed to be done.

Zatanna's POV:

"Nooo! Argh!" I laughed as I ran away from Robin, chasing me with a water gun.

" Never!" he cackles back at me. I continue to laugh as he blasts me again with the freezing cold water. Turning around I put my hands up infront of me.

"Evig em a retaw nug!" I chant. A poof of smoke comes and goes, leaving me with a water gun much like Robin's. I begin to pump the tank and shoot water back at him.

" Ha!" I laugh as I watch him jump at the coldness of the water, " It's just a little water Rob," I mimic what he had told me earlier when he started chasing me.

" Zatanna," The stern voice comes from behind Robin. I lower my gun as my eyes widen. " You need to come with me,"

" Yes Batman, " I hand the water gun to Robin as I walk over to Batman.

" Bat's it was me who started the water fight," I smile slightly at Robin when he speaks up. It was nice of him to admit it was him who started it.

" That's fine. I need to speak to Zatanna, it's important," My eyes widen some more hearing what was said. Since when was I needed for something important? I thought to myself. " Follow me," I hear Batman's gruff voice and do as he says. I give Robin a quick glance back, seeing him mouth 'good luck' at me. I quickly give a small smile in thanks and continue to follow Batman down the hall.


When we enter the mission room, I see that Hal is there waiting for us both. Batman goes over to the computer and begins to bring up some files. Looking over to Hal I see him giving me a comforting smile.

" Zatanna, you and Green Lantern will be heading to Australia's central desert," Batman brings up a map on the screen, marking out exactly where we will be.

" There has been some… disturbances there. We believe that this is Wotan's doing and that he is still there. Dr Fate is off world, and you are the only other magic user. We need you to reverse whatever magic is being used and take down Wotan," Bats turns back towards me, no emotion showing on his face.

" Why isn't the whole team going?" I ask, trying to work out why it was just me and Hal.

" We don't know how long this will take. The magic is very strong. And having the team there would only serve as a distraction to you," Hal answers. " We have to try and get this all fixed up before Wotan causes permanent damage on the people there,"

" What do you mean?" Not understanding what they mean, I give them both a questioning look.

" The magic appears to be affecting the people's mind. Causing them to become more aggressive and abusive to others," Batman brings up a short clip of a bunch of people fighting outside a school. They looked like normal people. " We think that the longer the magic is in place, the less chance you or anyone will have of reversing it," Batman continues. I nod my head slightly and move closer to the screen. My eyes lock onto a small mark on the arm of one of the people in the footage. It looked like some sort of pentagram, possibly one from an ancient mind controlling spell.

" That mark, it has something to do with the spell," voicing my thoughts.

" Are you sure?" Hal asks taking a closer look at it himself.

" I'm positive,"

" Well, you two will be leaving in an hour," Batman closes of the computer screens and hands me a USB, probably containing all the info he had up there. "Pack enough to last a month, but not too much that its going to cause a problem," I nod again.

As Hal leaves Batman places a hand on my shoulder. Turning around to look at him, I catch a glimpse of what might have been concern.

" I trust that you can handle this Zatanna. But you can't tell the rest of the team where your going," I nod sadly, realising that I probably won't see any of them for quite a while. "You won't be able to talk to any of them when your out there, make sure you keep your goodbyes short though," Nodding again.

" What do I tell the team?"

" Nothing, I will handle that. Just tell them it's a mission when you say goodbye. And don't worry, you will be coming back," He gives me a reassuring pat on the shoulder.

" Thanks, I better get packing," Batman just nods and turns towards the computers again as I leave the room.


Packing wasn't too hard. Filling a small suitcase, I had enchanted it to be larger on the inside, with clothes and magic books. Looking around the room, I pick up a picture of the team and Myself laughing at the beach. Robin and I are laughing at Wally and Connor who were getting buried by the rest of us. Placing it into the suitcase I also get the last picture I have of me and my dad. It was taken a week before he put the helmet on. We were at the park together hugging and smiling brightly. I quickly used a duplication spell on that and take the copy of it with me.

Giving one last look at my room, I zip up the case and leave. Going down the hall way was hard. It was like walking towards a blinding light. It hurt because you didn't know what was happening at the other end, or whether you were coming back. In the lounge area the team was watching a movie. I smiled sadly, starting to feel homesick already at the thought of not seeing them for so long.

Artemis is the first to notice me standing there with a suitcase in my hand.

" What's going on?" She stands up walking over to me, a questioning look on her face.

" Batman's sending me on a mission,"

" For how long?" Raquel walks over, pointing at my suitcase when she asked.

" Batman will explain. I'm not aloud to say anything. I'm gonna be leaving in a few so I just wanted to say a quick goodbye,"

M'gann rushes over and gives me the biggest hug. Quickly returning the embrace, I look over her shoulder to see the rest of the team has come over toward us.

" I'm going to miss you so much!" M'gann cries as she lets me go.

" We all will," Kaldur says, giving me a hug as well. I smile sadly again and hug each of them.


Robin is the only person who hasn't said anything or hugged me by the time I have to go. I wish he would at least say goodbye, I thought sadly.

" I have to go now guys. Don't have too much fun without me," I laugh a little at that, trying to lighten the mood. But to no avail. " See you soon," Waving as I leave the room to head to the Zeta-tubes.

Crossing into the hallway, I take a quick breath and let it go again. Working up the courage to walk through the door and meet Hal by the tubes.

" Wait! Zee!" I turn to see Robin running up behind me. " I didn't say goodbye,"

Stopping infront of me he looks down before looking up at me again. He wraps his arms around me and pulls me into a huge hug. Hugging him back I tuck my face in the space between his head and his shoulder. I let a single tear drip down.

" I'm going to miss you Robin," I say quietly, not letting go of him. I feel his arms tighten around me some more.

" Bet I'll miss you more," he whispers into my ear. I look up, trying to see his eyes through his mask.

He kisses my cheek and releases me from the hug. I drop my arms from around him too.

" Not possible," I say returning the peck on the cheek and smile at him. " Besides, I'll be back before you can say chalant,"

" You better be," He opens the door for me leading me into the hangar of the cave.

Seeing Hal and Batman waiting by the Zeta-tubes, I suddenly feel really nervous again. Robin being Robin, picks up on that and hugs me again. Extra tight.

" Good Luck," he whispers in my ear and smiles as he lets me go. I nod and smile back heading over to where the two leaguers waited for me.

" Are you ready?" Batman asks me, his voice as dull as ever.

I nod.


That is just a little chapter. Hopefully there will be more. Don't forget to review or PM me about what you thought. Feel free to give me ideas about what else to write and i'll give you a shout out at the start of the chapter!

Zatanna Carrile :)