So, I've decided to write up another chapter since I had nothing better to do.

I own nothing but Lexi, and Mandy.


Bleh. Being covered in clay is disgusting, but I dare not remove any of the sticky stuff that is on me, or I'd end up like my friends. On the floor.

Clayface spit out a glob of clay that hit both Aqualad and I. I hit the floor with a heavy thump, and Aqualad smashed into a storage door. My eyelids began to feel heavy, and the last thing I see is the glass ceiling shattering, a bat flying in to the rescue.

"Element, you ok?" A voice cuts through my tormented dreams. There was fire, everywhere, and I couldn't escape it.

My eyes open in a flash, "What?" I asked, sitting up.

"You got knocked out like the rest of us, but you looked totally in pain. Did Clayface hurt you badly? 'Cause if he did, I swear he will never see the light of day," That was Kid Flash, looking down at me with a concerned look.

"I'm fine," I almost snarl at him, ignoring his offer to help me up.

"If you're sure then," KF looked skeptical, but then ran to catch up with the others, who had already disappeared back into The Cave.

"I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you, hit the showers and head home," Batman instructed, his voice tight with anger.

"Head home? I am home," Superboy replied.

"Just Aqualad," Batman growled as Robin lingered.


I don't know what happens to my friends after the missions are over. I guess they do the same as me. Get showered, go home, and sleep. Maybe exercise? Eat? I don't know.

But I was feeling so much like a failure that after I got home, I changed out of my uniform and into some blue shorts and a green shirt, and headed to the dance studio.

Ms. Mandy's Dance Academy isn't far from my house. A short five minute bike ride on sidewalks and various streets. The building was a bit old, but Mandy recently paid to get a new sign. Now it was purple and pink letters with ballet slippers intertwined with tap shoes.

I caught Mandy just as she was locking up the door. Mandy was a young woman with blonde hair and bright blue eyes. She's probably my favorite adult, since she's been with me since my parents died. She's almost like a mom to me…almost.

"Oh, Lexi!" She cried when I rode up beside her, "You missed your lesson! I was so worried about you!"

I offered a slight smile, "I'm here now, but I know that's no excuse. I was hoping I could practice now?"

Mandy stared at me, "You sure? It's late.."

I checked my watch, "It's only eight fifteen."

"Ok then, make sure you lock the door when you leave. You know where everything is," She threw me the spare set of keys, then proceeded to walk towards her car.

"Hey Lex, you sure you're ok? Because I can tell when you're upset."

"I'm fine," I whispered, and pushed open the door.

As soon as my foot hit the wood floor I felt better. This place, this atmosphere, this where I felt I belonged. The place I called home. There was nobody to interrupt me, nobody to tell me I failed. It was just me and the music.

I placed my water and bag on the ground, and went over to the cd rack, looking for the one had held my routine song.

"Ahah!" I cried in triumph when I found it. I walked quickly over to the small desk in the corner that held the cd player, the only thing in the whole dance floor. Mandy's computer in the other room provided a steady hum in the quiet, but soon ended as I stuck the cd in and pressed play.

I ran to the middle of the floor, and struck the starting pose: right foot out, pointed, hands in front of chest. The cd player started the song, quietly then building up volume

Step one, you say we need to talk.

Slide right foot towards left, knee popped.

He walks, you say sit down, it's just a talk.

Arms out to the side, spin, bringing them down.

He smiles politely back at you, you stare politely right on through.

Left foot behind right, right arm up.

Some sort of a window to your right.

Spin back to face mirror, SMILE!

As he goes left and you stay right.

Leap to the left, 360 spin, bring arms overhead.

Between the lines of fear and blame.

Lean to the right, hand in front of face, other arm out.

You begin to wonder why you came.

Pop right hip while bringing right hand down. Repeat.

Where did I go wrong? I lost a friend.

Right foot behind left, spin and shift left. Look left, hand covering face.

Somewhere along in the bitterness.

Bring right leg up, kick with left.

"AUGH!" I let out a cry as my foot dragged unexpectedly on the polished floor. I fell forward, and braced myself on my hands.

"You stupid idiot!" I yelled at myself, "You shouldn't have done that!"

I got to my feet, struck with a sudden pang of weariness. The music kept playing, and I tried to pick up, but lost my place. Angry, I ran over the cd player and jabbed the 'stop' button. The studio was filled the hum of the computer once more.

"So, this is what you do when you're not bothering me," I turned to see Robin standing in the doorway. Only he wasn't wearing his uniform, just a black jacket over a green shirt with jeans. Black sunglasses replaced his mask.

"What are you doing here? Wait, scratch that, how did you find me?"

"You're looking at a detective second only to Batman," Robin smiled his cocky smile.

"Ever heard of Sherlock Holmes?" I asked.

"He's only in stories. I'm the real thing," He scoffed.

"Which leads to my original question: What are you doing here?"

He taunted, "What, I can't see how our newest member spends her time?"

"No," I glared at him, "You can't. Don't you have someone else to annoy? Wally, maybe?"

"Wally is celebrating a birthday in Central City. You're the closet person, so I decided to say hi."

"I don't need you to interrupt my personal life. You're annoying enough as my teammate."

Robin faked a hurt look on his face, "Oh, man. Did you hear that? That was my heart breaking with your harsh words."

I took the cd out of the player, "Get. Out."

"Nah. I'm comfortable here. Besides, I like watching you dance."

I couldn't stop the heat from rising to my cheeks, "Too bad your not going to," I commented.

"What? Don't let me stop you from doing what you love," Robin appeared to be genuine.

I offered a small smile, "So, the great detective figured out one of my hobbies. Good for you."

"Hey, just trying to get underneath your skin, trying to see who you really are."

"That's quite hypocritical, dontcha think? You want to find out who I am, but you've never told me your name, much less what color your eyes are," I gestured to his sunglasses.

"Batman instructed me not to reveal my identity," He argued, "That's way different."

"Is it Robin? Is it really?" I asked quietly, then walked over to the cd stack. I found the one empty slot and returned the cd to its home.

"Yes it is. Really."

I stuck out my tongue in his direction.

He rolled his eyes, "Real mature Lexi."

I shrugged, "When in doubt, stick out your tongue."

"And you call me young," He remarked.

"I never called you 'young', just annoying. Which you are."

Robin mused, "Ah, that must be your default saying."

"Maybe to you. I like everyone else on The Team."

I swore I saw his face fall, but he retained his happy manor so quickly I thought I imagined it, "I like everyone on The Team too. They're great heroes and awesome friends."

"Except me?" I dared to ask.

"'You're annoying'," He quoted my 'default saying'.

"Heh, you can't be perfect." We were facing each other on the dance floor, now that I had nothing to do.

"I wonder what the others are doing," I said. Anything to stop this awkward pause, and to forget the conversation about us.

"Well, like I told you, Wally's celebrating in Central City.."

I added, "Kaldur's most likely in Atlantis. Or some other sea city."

"Superboy and M'gann are back in the cave."

"And Artemis…?"

The Boy Wonder shrugged, "No idea where she goes or what she does."

"She doesn't share anything about her life."

"Neither do you," Robin pointed out.

I didn't reply, just shifted uncomfortably with the focus on me.

"Now, tell me the real reason why you're here. And don't tell me it's because you like my dancing," I demanded.

"Bats wanted me to get you. We're due for a mission."

I grinned, "Finally, something to do!" I walked over to my bag, unzipped it, and took out my uniform. I guess evil could happen everywhere.

Robin had a serious look of discomfort on his face.

"Relax, idiot. I'm going into the changing room," I told him, irritated. And he calls me immature.

I headed into the hallway in which Mandy's office was in, and went into the changing room across from it. When I came back to the dance floor, Robin was in his uniform.

"How did you…..?" I trailed off, but then shook my head, "Never mind. Let's just go to the cave."

"Where would you put your stuff?" He pointed to my bag, which was on the floor still.

"Uh.. Wait here," I went into Mandy's office, and got a piece of paper and a pen. On it I wrote:

Mandy, sorry about leaving my stuff here. Something came up. Promise I'll pick it up later!

Love,

Lexi

P.S. I still have the spare keys. I'll drop them off later too!

I placed the note on my bag, and with Robin, exited the dance studio. I locked the front door and stashed the keys in my pouch, glad to have a place to put them. Now, I racked my brain for a way to get to The Cave quickly. The telephone booth was a good half hour away by walking, and there wasn't room for Robin on my bike.

"Hellooo? Earth to Element!" Robin snapped a finger in my face. I blinked and saw him standing next to a motorcycle.

"I'm not getting on that thing with you," I muttered.

"Excuse me?"

"Uh, I said, where will I put my bike?" I reworded, because I'd never hear the end of it if Robin heard that last part.

"Here," Robin took my bike, and placed it upright against a wall, hidden by bushes, "Problem solved. Get on," He handed me a helmet and put his own on.

I swung my leg over the seat of the bike, and wrapped my arms around Robin's waist. I guess this would be cute. If I actually liked him. Which I. DO. NOT.

It took less than ten minutes to reach the alley where the phone booth was.

"After you," Robin opened the door for me. I brushed past without a word.

"RECOGNIZED: ELEMENT B08. RECOGNIZED: ROBIN B01" The computer announced our entrance.

I saw everyone in their uniforms walking over to Batman. Robin and I did the same.

"Good. You're all here. The Watch Tower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyian Desert."


Sorry it's a bit shorter than usual ^^; and sorry for anything spelling/grammar errors I've made as well

How To Save A Life (c) The Fray