You've Got the Touch
Orin and Areina were lying in bed and the half Atlantean couldn't fall asleep, so he watched as his fiancée slept. There was something about her that he couldn't put his finger on. He started wondering if her mother was the same way.
Twenty-Five Years Ago
His life was now in shambles. Roy Harper AKA Red Arrow had just attended the funeral for his only child. He was so distraught about it but Lian wasn't meant to die, not now, she was so young. His wife, Cheshire had run off again, but not before informing him that they were through.
One group of people was there; the original four protégés that he had become friends with, and Artemis whom he had become friends with since she was his sister in law. They were there for him; and even after everything was done, Reiena was still there for him. They had always had feelings for each other, but after Roy married Jade; Reiena didn't want to interfere.
"Roy; I'm so sorry about Lian. She was a good kid, and I'm sure she would have made a great hero." Reiena said as she hugged her friend.
"I KNOW she would have; she had my archery skills and Jade's assassin skills." Roy stated; a single tear falling. "Why would Jade blame me? I tried to get to her that night."
"We all know loss, Roy; but to lose a child, it's different. I don't know if this helps, but I think Jade was wrong to blame you." Reiena said as the hug was released.
Roy couldn't believe the wisdom that Reiena had, but he didn't question it either. He then looked into Reiena's eyes and did something unexpected…kiss her. It was a passionate kiss, one that told her he wanted her.
"Let's go to my hotel room, you need somewhere to stay tonight." Reiena stated.
"You're right; I don't want to be a burden on Ollie." Roy responded.
"You're never a burden, Roy; but I think you just need to get away and think." Reiena said.
"Alright….thanks Rei." Roy said; a sad smile on his face.
The two then headed out for Reiena's hotel to talk about what he needed to talk about….getting on with his life.
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Five Hours Later
Roy couldn't believe what had just happened between him and Reiena; but then again, it felt…right. He still couldn't sleep but seeing Reiena comfortably lying beside him, he couldn't help but watch her breathing so steadily. Sure he'd 'been' with other girls, and stayed with Jade for so many years, but there was only ONE true love in his life and she just proved that she felt the same about him. The cloned archer didn't know what to think, there was a spark between them that he never felt with Jade. Reiena was still sleeping, but now sleep seemed to be taking Roy as well.
Seven Hours Later
Reiena started to wake up as the bright morning sun came into her hotel room. She saw Roy was sleeping, but she also knew from years of being around him on missions he wasn't much of a sound sleeper. She pulled him close and he didn't jump.
"Good morning." Reiena whispered into Roy's ear.
"You know Bruce is going to kill me; right?" Roy asked, slowly opening his eyes and meeting Reiena's pure blue eyes.
"So; it was a good night with a familiar stranger." Reiena said, hoping to calm Roy's fear of her adoptive father.
Roy didn't know what to say; how would he tell her how he felt about her all these years. Right now he didn't care, he was with his soul mate and he didn't care what the consequences were. He was also curious as to WHY he would ever fall in love with another.
"It's alright. You've been on a unique journey, and at the time, Jade was the familiar person you needed. Sure we've loved each other for years, but did you really think Bruce or even my brother for that matter would let you anywhere near me?" Reiena remarked, knowing how protective the two men were.
"That's true; I did go down a dark path, didn't I?" Roy said, a little embarrassed to admit to that.
"Look, you started hanging out with Jason; and you KNOW how Dick felt after he….came back. I know he'll come back to our side, he just has to see that killing isn't always the way." Reiena remarked, thinking about her 'little brother'.
"You know, you always seem to have the answers. Thanks, Reiena." Roy said, and with that he sealed his thanks with a kiss.
One Month Later
They had just found out that they were parents in the future and that there was NO way Reiena would survive, but that didn't matter. This showed how long their relationship was going to last, hopefully. They didn't know who Vincent's mother was, but even if it wasn't Reiena, they saw that Roy's children were very happy to have each other.
"How, Roy….. how could you betray my friendship like this?" Dick questioned.
"She's always been there for me; it's not like we haven't kissed before." Roy hollered at his best friend.
Reiena blushed, she knew the truth about how far they've gone, but if she told Dick; he'd probably drop Roy off a building.
"The important thing is that everything must happen to ensure that all three of your children are born." Bruce stated; thinking about the three they had just met; and with that, the Dark Knight headed out on patrol.
The three young heroes looked at each other and silently agreed that Bruce was right.
"So, Roy; three kids in all, nice work." Dick said with a grin.
"What about YOU; you've got three as well. Sounds like you and Barb finally get together." Roy teased.
"How do we even know it's her, we split years ago." Dick stated, glaring at his friend.
"To be honest; it's something that Meygan said that makes me think it's NOT Barbara." Reiena said.
"We don't know; but let's not push it." Dick remarked. "Still, Areina has your ability sis; and I wonder how her aim is."
Roy just glared at Dick, but he knew his old friend was just teasing. The three of them laughed and headed out.
"Wonder when you too finally do get together." Dick remarked; his curiosity peeked.
Reiena didn't say anything as she stopped walking and looked down at the floor. When the original boy wonder saw his sister's face; he noticed a blush on her cheeks.
"WHAT!" Dick shouted, and with a speed that could rival Wally's; had Roy by the throat and lifted the archer against the nearby wall.
"Look, it was after Lian died; we didn't mean for it to happen, but it did. I found out that night that she always felt the same for me as I did for her." Roy was able to get out, despite his throat being crushed.
"Dick, I swear if you don't put him down right now, you won't have ANY hair left on your head." Reiena said.
He knew his sister wasn't kidding; so he released the red haired archer and gave his BEST batglare. "You better not break her heart."
"I loved Jade, but I think that Reiena and I were meant to be together. I'm sure Stripes will be fine; I mean she stood up to Bruce didn't she?"
The twins laughed at that comment and knew Roy had a point; Areina had not backed down even with Batman in the shadows before they came into the light.
"Stripes?" Reiena asked, wondering how he came up with that name for their future daughter.
"Isn't it obvious, Areina's hair; the black and red stripes." Roy said.
"I'm sure it's just something she did as a fad." Reiena remarked with a smile.
With that said and done, they headed out of the cave to talk more about this visit from their future children and a NEW Batman.
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2022
Reiena was pregnant, and she knew EXACTY who the father was, and he needed to know that it had finally happened. She picked up the phone and dialed a number. As she waited for the person she was calling to answer, she let out a sigh.
"Hello." The voice on the other end of the line answered.
"Hey, Roy. Guess you'll have another little girl, and at least we know she grows into a beautiful woman." Reiena said.
"Don't worry, Rei; I'll be there for her every step of the way." Roy said back.
"I know you will; Roy. I'm about four and a half months along; so it won't be much longer." Reiena said and with that, the call was ended.
She had found out she would die in childbirth with this pregnancy, but she also knew that this child would be a wonderful girl. A tear fell from her eye as she knew she would NEVER get to hold her child.
"I know you'll be a wonderful girl; and I couldn't be more proud of you, Areina." Reiena said as she rubbed her hands over the small bulge in her stomach.
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March 21st 2023
Roy had received a phone call from Bruce saying that Reiena was at the hospital. He was there quickly, but not in time to say goodbye to the mother of his second child. He told the doctors who he was, and was given time alone with Reiena's body to mourn the loss. For the second time in his life; he cried. After some time had passed a nurse came into the room to clean it up.
"Sir; were you related to Miss Grayson?" The nurse asked.
"I'm the father of her child, is Areina alright?" Roy said.
"She's healthy and in the nursery; I can take you there if you'd like." The nurse answered.
Roy nodded and the nurse led the way. A few turns later, he was shown into the nursery and the nurse that was running it that day handed Areina to her father.
"I overheard her grandfather and uncle talking; are you okay with her grandfather raising her?" The nurse asked.
"Yes; that is fine, Areina's uncle knows I've been having a rough time lately." Roy said, not taking his eyes off his little girl.
He stayed and fed Areina a bottle, then left her with the nurse. He was instantly in love with Areina, but after losing Lian, he knew he couldn't raise another child right now.
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Present Day; the next morning
Areina woke up, and saw that her fiancé was sleeping. She was half asleep but she put her arms around Orin and put her lips up to his ear.
"Good morning." Areina whispered.
The warmth on his ear awoke him and he was looking right into Areina's jade green eyes.
"Areina Grayson; you've got the moves that move me so much." Orin said as he kissed her lust lips.
After they released the kiss, Areina only grinned. "I guess I've just got the touch."