Family Ties
Italics - mind link :). I don't own anything but the storyline :p
The members of Young Justice were currently all crowded around their youngest member, who sat on the couch with a large dictionary open on his lap. He was peering intently at the book, finger running down the pages until, suddenly, he pointed with a triumphant cry at a word on the page.
'Here it is Supey! This should help to explain about families' the ebony haired boy grinned, pleased with himself.
The day had begun as normal, with the team hanging out at the cave in between training and receiving missions. It had been a quiet morning, and all members had been enjoying the peace and relaxation. Except for Conner. Apparently, while Cadmus had taught him many useful things, they had unfortunately skipped put such topics that they viewed as 'irrelevant' for a super-cloned weapon. This group of 'irrelevant' subjects included issues such as love, friendship, caring and other intimate emotions that most people thrive on. So it was such that, when Black Canary referred to the team as having the strong bonds of a family, Connor wished to find out exactly what this meant.
'Well, hurry up! What does it say then, Rob?' Wally prodded the boy's arm impatiently, who rolled his eyes and read the definition aloud.
'Family: 'any group of persons closely related by blood, as parents, children, uncles, aunts, and cousins'.He finished with a flourish,before pausing slightly and cocking his head to the side in thought. Glancing upwards at the other members of his team, Dick noticed that he was not the only person who seemed less than satisfied with the definition. Well, yes, it was admittedly correct, but wasn't a family so much...more than just blood ties? Did trust and love have nothing to do with it at all?
'So Canary was wrong then. Why would she call us a family if none of us are related?' Superboy demanded in an irritated tone.
The dictionary stated that families are distinguishable through their blood relation to each other. That all members are related and live under the same household; have been brought up by the same parents. However, this seemed so shallow, barely touching upon the true meaning of the word. But this was becoming difficult to explain to a 16 week old clone.
'Conner, while it is true that none of us are blood relation exactly, I feel that we have become a family, or sorts, in other ways and tha-' Kaldur began, attempting to explain to the clone.
But he would have none of it.
'If we aren't related by blood, how can we be a family? I mean, look at me and Superman. We are blood related and he doesn't even look at me so how can a group of people that don't even have that one basic connection call themselves a family!' Conner sneered angrily, his fists clenching at his sides. Superman was a sensitive issue for the Boy of Steel.
The remaining members of the team shared concerned glances with each other. Kaldur glance once more at the seething clone before nodding to M'gann whilst subtly indicating to his head. The martian caught his eye and nodded quickly before linking up the team, minus Conner, to the telepathic link she had established.
Everyone besides Conner online? She asked, hesitantly, before receiving various replies instantly.
You know it, babe
Oh for the love of God Baywatch...
Yeah Miss M
Good. Now that we are all able to talk freely about this. How are we to tackle this issue that faces us. It is clear that Superboy is very distressed. Kaldur's voice, calm and reasonable rang through their minds.
Welllll...it's not as if the dictionary is wrong. I mean technically we're not really a family. But... Wally trailed off with a sigh.
But we have clearly formed the bonds of a family and I for one feel that we are as close, if not closer than any blood relations that I know of. Kaldur answered.
We can't let Conner keep thinking that he doesn't have a family that loves him! He looks so sad...Miss Martian stated softly, watching Superboy from the corner of her eye as he grumbled at the static on the television.
Wait, guys, I think I have an idea. Robin's excited voice chimed. Now, I know we can't really tell Supes we're a family, as we already sort of failed at that... But what if we could show him? Show him how much we all mean to each other and stuff. I mean, I'm not sure how exactly and it might not work but-
No Robin, that's a brilliant idea! M'gann squealed happily. And I have the perfect way to do it!
Breakline-
The following morning, Superboy woke up in an even worse mood than the day before. It was raining. Heavily. He had been hoping to take Wolf out for a walk, not only to exercise the animal, but also to work out some of his frustration. Frustration at not having a family.
Family
He was really starting to hate that word. Grumbling to himself, he violently kicked off the duvet and forcefully pulled on his usual black t-shirt with the familiar logo. Dragging his feet, he slammed open the door to his room and trudged along the corridor to the main sitting room in the cave, where he was sure to find his teammates - who, were in no way, shape or form, his family.
Sure enough, there they all were, sitting on the couch. As he sat down in an armchair beside the couch, Conner had the uncomfortable feeling that he was being scrutinised. Glancing over to the couch, he was met with the faces of his teammates, brimming with anticipation. Confused and definitely not in the mood, Connor glared at them.
'What?' He barked grumpily, which he immediately regretted after witnessing the hurt flash across M'gann's face, the disappointment of his leader and the slight apprehension of their youngest member.
But Kid Flash, however, never one to let things get him down, was unperturbed.
'Sheesh dude, chill out! We're just excited, that's all '. The red head teased, flashing a cheerful grin in his direction. 'You wanna know why?'
'No'
His grunt was met with silence.
Wally decided to try again. 'Well, you see Supey, you know how we were talking about that certain topic yesterday. What was it again? Oh yes...families, right? Yeah...well, um, we were thinking about it and...basically... werealllyareafamilytogethera ndwealllikeyoalotandwantyout oknowthatyou'repartofoutfamilytoo' he finished, blurting the last, more intimate, part of his speech in super speed.
'Wally, you nit! Nobody understood that!' Artemis scowled, whacking the speedster on the arm.
Taking a deep breath, Kaldur stepped forwards, towards the moody clone.
'My friend, what Wally meant to say was that we, as a team, really are a family and we want you to know that you are a big part of our family too. It is because of this desire to show you why we not only can be considered to be, but are a family that we came up with our plan' the leader smiled gently.
Robin suddenly flipped off of the couch to land right beside his chair, nodding eagerly.
'So we all went home and came out with a few memories: one where the team has supported us through a good time and one where they've helped us through a bad time' the acrobat continued for the leader, smiling. Wally sped over, slinging his arm around the Boy Wonder's shoulders loosely.
'Because, basically Dude, that's what families do. They are there for each other, through the good and the bad times, right? We've been doing this the entire time, but, well, we just thought you might need to be reminded.' Kid Flash finished, nodding his head towards the martian of the team.
M'gann smiled shyly at Conner, and floated over to stand beside her teammates.
'I know you don't like people being in you head, but this time, it'll be more like you're in all of our minds. This team is a family Conner, and we really want to show you what it means to us all. Please Conner?' she pleaded, taking his hand.
How could he refuse that? There was something about M'gann that always made him want, no need to make her happy. Plus, Robin's puppy dog eyes in his peripheral vision were not helping either.
'Fine, let's get it over with'.
Breakline-
The team currently all stood in M'gann's room, where they were less likely to be disturbed, positioned in a cirlce, loosely holding hands to form a chain.
'Okay guys, if we're ready, we can start?' Miss Martian began, 'I'll start with the happier moments alright?'. Her eyes began to glow and as the team closed their eyes, they soon found themselves standing in what appeared to be the training room of the cave.
'This is one of my happy memories' She smiled at them, 'thank you for being so supportive'.
The team easily spotted themselves from a few months ago.
Wally and Artemis were bickering over the something or other and Kaldur and Robin were sparring, with Superboy watching with folded arms. Suddenly, there was a high pitched squeal as a green blur rushed into the room.
'Guys, guys! Guess what! Guess what!' the Martian exclaimed, bouncing from foot to foot excitedly.
'What is it babe? Did you just realise that I'm single? Shocking I know, but-' Kid Flash was cut off by an elbow to the ribs from the blond archer.
Shaking his head, amused, Kaldur stepped down from the training pad to approach the girl.
'What has happened that pleases you so, my friend?' He asked kindly. Miss Martian seemed barely able to control herself, clapping her hands happily.
'I made it!' She cried, 'The Bumblebees Cheerleading Team invited me to join their team!' And with that, she preceeded to grab a startled Artemis's hands and dance around the room with her, laughing delightedly. Her smile only seemed to grow larger at the comments she received.
'That is excellent news my friend. I am so very pleased for you. They are lucky to have such a wonderful member for their team'. Kaldur. Always a kind-hearted soul.
'Alright Miss M! You totally rock! You're gonna be asterous!' Robin. Any praise from the experienced, young acrobat was always welcome. She was secretly delighted at being thought of as 'cool' by her little brother.
'A cheerleader too? Ah man! Babe, you couldn't get any sweeter! I'm gonna have a lot of competition!' Wally. Funny and well-meaning, she could always count on him to cheer her up.
'Nice on M'gann! Admittedly, I've never really...liked... cheerleading, but with you in it, I guess it can't be all that bad'. Artemis. Strong and supportive, whenever and for whatever.
'I knew you could do it. When's your first game? I'll be there.' Conner. M'gann's heart fluttered. His support meant more to her than anything in the world and she clung to him, muttering one million 'thank you's. Her team cared about what she cared about. They were happy to see her happy.
As the memory faded, the team all looked up at M'gann, grinning.
Geez Miss M, I didn't realise how much that meant to you Robin laughed teasingly.
Of course it meant a lot! I was so happy to have your support and am and will be eternally grateful for my wonderful family. She replied, her eyes sparkling. Anyways, enough of me! Now it's time for someone else's memory! Here it goes...
So here's what I have so far. I started with probably my least favourite memory so it will at least get more enjoyable for me to write... Please give me some indication as to whether you like it or not and whether or not you want to keep reading it. Will update as soon as I can if you want me to continue. Thanks xxx