Notes: Kinda short this chappie, as well as the next one. It was pretty much how the story decided to go.


The next four days passed without incident. Robin spent most of that time getting used to the persistent headache caused by the attack. No amount of painkillers staved it off.

"It's because your mind is hurt." M'gann explained to him helpfully. "Uncle J'onn and I have been helping but mostly, you have to wait for it to heal."

"Great." He rubbed his aching temples. "And how long will that take? Weeks?"

"A few days. Don't worry, I'll tell everyone not to disturb you too much."

He dropped his head and groaned, "I'm thirteen. I'm still not legal to drink, but now I know what a hangover feels like."

He was grateful for the shades he had to wear all the time for it protected his eyes from the base's bright lights. Now all he had to do was get used to the chatter of his teammates.

Wally was definitely to be avoided. He'd been warned, of course, but his enthusiastic nature always lets out. Fastest Kid in the World goes hand in hand with Most Impatient in the World. Not to mention he was called Kid Mouth at times.

And for that matter, staying with Artemis was no better. Any amount of time spent with the blonde archer resulted in complaints from Wally; majority of which Artemis had to heatedly answer back. And Dick would rather not have to play middle-man anytime soon.

M'gann was easier, but her bubbly self becomes irritating after a while. And she was always so gentle with him...

Superboy was the opposite. His near-invulnerability made him impervious to little annoyances that bothered everyone else; like the bowl of popcorn that fell on the Boy of Steel. The bowl lost, of course. But the resulting crash painfully echoed in Robin's head and it was all he could do not to clutch at his temples.

"Enough." Kaldur said quietly, his voice carrying throughout the kitchen. "Wally, Artemis, I expect you two to clean up. M'gann, Superboy, you have training to do. And Robin," it was an effort to turn his head without showing any hint of the pain he was in, but he managed to face his team leader. "I believe you promised to show me more of your Surface literature."

Promised? For the life of him, he couldn't remember promising anything like that to Kaldur - but it was hard to think through the pounding in his skull and maybe he did make such a promise. But shouldn't he have planned for the eventuality?

He stifled a groan as his head throbbed and carefully slid from his stool. The library was at least quiet and had a corner with dim lighting where he could take off his sunglasses.

It didn't occur to him what was wrong until they had reached the library. Of course, being team leader, Aqualad had to have noticed his situation. Aqualad had probably been drilled earlier on how hard-headed Bats could be, on how they almost always hide any indication of pain. Being team leader meant being attentive to the team and know whenever a team member isn't quite up to par.

And another thing that being team leader meant? Diplomacy. With ease, Kaldur had dissembled a growing spat between Wally and Artemis, reminded M'gann and Supey of their duties, and taken Dick out of a harmful setting. And he did it all without alienating anyone. Dick would have to learn how to do that soon. When his head stops drumming.

"I appreciate your help-"

"Forget it, Kaldur," Dick cut him off. "I know what you're up to. You don't have to pretend in front of me."

"Then, you are alright?"

"I'll be fine. Just a headache that won't go away." He walked towards the dimly lit corner and wearily sank into the lone armchair.

"Perhaps you'd be more comfortable in your room."

"Don't wanna move."

Kaldur chuckled. "Alright. Rest well, Robin. I'll stay and keep watch."

" 'm not a baby..." was what he meant to say, but his words were slurring and he wondered if Kaldur understood it. Never mind, it wasn't as important as...his eyes were heavy and he didn't feel like opening them anytime soon.