Tender
Chapter 4
Err… Hi there, long time no see huh? Seeing as its been what? 3 months since I updated? Jeez I'm so sorry! You all have permission to track me down and attack me if you wish. I deserve it.
So aside from my clear absence I WILL finish this, which is a promise written in blood, even if it kills me!
I could come here and write down a million excuses but I'm not going to as I know how annoying it can be.
I'd just like to thank you, from the bottom of my evil, cruel heart, for all the reviews so far. I'm trying really hard to improve my writing skills as they are clearly lacking.
And finally I'm going to drop the "Scout/Nightwing POV" things as I feel I'm loosing the whole 1st/2nd person thing. Meaning basically it's starting to not make sense. Instead I'll only do it when absolutely necessary.
Anyway on with the story at last!
"Let's see what Scout can do."
Normal POV
Dick Grayson's Apartment
Scout had woken up at 8:00 and was eager to talk to Dick some more. She looked down at her bandaged ankle and gave it a gentle nudge. Instead of expected pain that anyone would feel at a broken ankle, Scout felt only a slight throbbing that would surely fade within a couple of hours. A small smile spread across her face at this. She'd done it once again but how she going to explain this to Dick still eluded her.
As soon as that thought crossed her mind the familiar face of Dick poked through the door.
"Guess I'm not the only early bird" Dick joked.
"Course not." Scout laughed.
"Don't you remember the ridiculous times in the morning we'd pack up for the circus' next stop?"
Dick gave his signature chuckle at the comment, his mind flashing through memories of the circus. But soon shook himself out of his daydream remembering the main reason he was there. He shifted his position so that he was now leaning against the far wall facing Scout.
"So, I was wondering if you wanted to visit the Mountain and meet some of the team today." He said struggling to find the right way to put it.
"I just thought that you handled those thugs pretty well and I'd love to see you doing combat. Obviously your ankles currently put you out of action but we can get there via Zeta Tube?"
Scout smiled sheepishly at Dick.
"Actually my ankle's slightly better, maybe you got it wrong when you said it was broken. But I'd love to go." Scout said quickly trying to hide behind her words.
Dick paused for a while noticing he wasn't the only one having trouble with words today. But didn't give it a second thought as he jumped back into the room with one final comment and a smile.
"Great, give me 5 minutes to suit up." Dick said as he left the room.
Mount Justice – 12:30pm
It was training day for the youngest members of the team. The main room of the mountain was set up for combat practice. Wonder Girl and Superboy were in the centre each in their own fighting stance. While other team members such as Blue Beetle, Robin, Lagoon Boy and Beast Boy were spaced around the sides watching the scene in the middle.
Wonder Girl was the first to move flipping herself behind Superboy. She extended her fist aiming for a quick strike to his upper back but it never made contact. Just at the last second Superboy had ducked and now had his hands wrapped around her wrist. In one swift movement Cassie was thrown over his head and landed with a thud in front of Conner.
"Wonder Girl, Fail" Said the voice of the computer.
Superboy reached a hand down to lift Cassie back on her feet which she took with a smile.
"You'll get me one day Cassie" Conner stated.
"Yeah right, who's ever gonna beat the boy of steel?" Cassie laughed.
"Recognized Nightwing B01"
The familiar yellow glow welcomed the leader of the team as his silhouette materialised into the room. Nightwing said nothing as he walked over to the control panel.
"Scout A09. Authorisation: Nightwing B01"
The present team members switched their attention to the corner of the room. Conner walked over to the Zeta Tube with Cassie drifting close behind as Scout's form appeared in the room. The room was silent as everyone waited for someone to speak up.
That question was answered as Nightwing stepped forward.
"Team, this is Scout an old friend. She's just come to meet you guys and watch combat practice."
"Hi." Scout said giving a small wave with her left hand. The Team looked at her for a moment puzzled and slowly walked over to join the convocation. Robin was the first to speak up.
"Good to meet you." Robin said smiling, he too like Wally had heard stories form Dick's past and on many occasions had tried to pry a little deeper into his leader, and brother's possible love life, even if his was only a child when he left. But of course Dick had said nothing and dismissed the subject completely.
"I'm Robin, and this is Conner, Cassie, Gar, Lagaan and Jaime. Obviously my identity is top secret and only known by those special few." Robin said smiling.
Scout laughed while Nightwing smiled to himself, clearly Robin knew that if Scout knew who Dick was it didn't take a genius to workout his personal. But Tim just continued to smile before Nightwing broke in, wiping the looks of confusion from the other Team mate's faces.
"Well" Nightwing stated, "Beast Boy, Lagoon Boy you're up." He said motioning towards the training arena. After receiving a nod Nightwing, Scout and the rest of the team followed as the two headed over to the middle of the cave. After taking up their stances they waited for their opponent to make the first move.
They each moved at the same time nearly causing a head on collision. But it was avoided when Beast Boy morphed in to a snake casually sliding through Lagoon Boy's legs. The frustration from this got to Lagaan as he continued to fail to hit his opponent. His now large body used the approach of attack rather than looking for weaknesses, which in the end caused him to lose as Beast Boy shifted in to a small monkey and climbed up his body until reaching his head, from where his formed itself into a hippo. Leaving Lagoon Boy to rather ungracefully crash upon the floor.
"Lagoon Boy, Fail" The voice echoed.
Beast Boy was thrown off of Lagaan, who didn't seem happy with the result.
"Neptune's beard" He shouted. "I'm going to cool off" was the last thing heard as Lagoon Boy stomped out of the room.
"Don't mind him, hermano." Jaime said now out of his Blue Beetle form.
"Good job, Beast Boy. Next time perhaps try not to run straight ahead, sometimes it works to be the second to move." Nightwing stepped forward and reset the training program.
"So who wants to go next?" He asked.
"I will." Scout's voice said from behind Superboy.
Again really sorry for the long wait! I will try to get back into the routine. See yea soon! :D