CHAPTER 4: FLAME

I looked at my reflection in Jaime's mirror; dressed in my suit, I looked more confident than I ever have. After Dick whisked off my boyfriend, I was left to myself. The silence around the empty room made me uncomfortable to begin with but the longer I stayed, the more my insides started to eat me. So I got dressed.

My uniform was simple, it didn't have a logo which was one of my main conditions when I created it after Dick left the team to be on his own. Logos never made sense to me, I'd rather save the life of a civilian rather than doodle designs in a notebook. I wanted it to be completely different, no spandex was the other condition.

I also wanted it to be free moving and nothing like the other heroes, spandex simply screamed the word 'uncomfortable'.

My suit had long sleeves, though was open for anyone to see my cleavage and stomach, it was maroon. I had on baggy pants that made me feel more free, a small belt of cloth that hung on my hips too and was a shade of grey. It's not really necessary but it finished the complete outfit. The entire outfit screamed tribal to me.

The voices from the hallway was becoming more distinct, people were starting to wake up. Saturday was a slow day around the cave, no villains really went out of their way to cause destruction and mornings simply were spent by training. I could hear La'gaan's laughing, almost as if one cue every morning when people woke up.

I sighed and tried to run my fingers through the mangled and messy bed head but failed as I walked out of the bedroom. My eyes narrowed under the bright fluorescent lights, allowing me to trip slightly because of the lack of food. One thing that Wally and I always had in common was our love for food, he ate like a vacuum while I trailed behind and ate as well.

"Breakfast!" M'gann yelled out to the team, she was the resident mother in the cave. After the cave exploded, the team was invited to work with the Justice League in the Watchtower. We enjoyed it at first, especially Bart and Garfield but it didn't work out. The team couldn't exactly work and compromise with the 'adults'. So we built the cave up again, almost a replica to the original.

"Smells great, M'gann." I said to her as I sat down at the counter and started to divulge into the stack of pancakes, something Megan always made on Saturdays.

The only people that actually lived in the cave on a daily bases was M'gann, Kaldur, Connor, Garfield, Bart, and myself. I moved out from my last home a few years ago.

"Hey, where's Jaime?" Bart said as he sped past me and sat in the next chair over. He was wearing civilian clothes and almost inhaling the food on the plate. I chuckled and shrugged my shoulders.

Gar walked into the kitchen from the command room, "He's training with Nightwing, said something about wanting to testing everyone's potential before he took over the team again."

I choked on my food, "Take over again? Kaldur's team leader, especially since he didn't want the position in the first place. What an asshole."

"What are you talking about, Kai? Nightwing used to be your best friend back when he was Robin. Don't you remember?" M'gann said as she placed another plate down for Bart to eat since the first batch was go so quickly. I sipped from the mug of coffee that was in front of her.

"They argued this morning." Connor butted into the conversation. I frowned at him, not even knowing he was there until he spoke up.

"I just don't think that's fair, besides, Nightwing and I aren't friends anymore. He's just a twat."

Garfield snorted, "And who's gonna lead the team when Kaldur doesn't want to? You? The oh so great Kailer, aka Blaze?"

"Well, I'm better than Nightwing in combat, that's for sure." I chuckled into my cup. Someone cleared their throat behind us but I didn't turn around like everyone else did. I knew who it was. Karma was a bitch but sooner or later, I knew I would have to fight Dick.

I finally looked back, Dick had a prideful smirk on his face, "You think you're better than me. How many times have I kicked your ass back when we were younger?"

"That was four years ago, a lot has changed over time."

"Obviously." He muttered softly.

I got up from the table without finishing my food, the team soon followed behind. Jaime was sitting in the mission room, back pressed against the wall as he tried to regain his breathing. It looked like Nightwing gave him a run for his money but I knew better.

I knew that ever since he moved out of Wayne manor, Dick didn't practice with the Batman anymore, unlike myself who always trained with the Bats and Black Canary. I never stopped, just for this open moment to kick his ass and show him how much better I really am. He always won when we sparred because of his years of being Robin before I even gained my power and got the attention of the League.

Nightwing walked to the center and smirked at me, I simply frowned and rolled my eyes. A feeling in the pit of my stomach started to roll around. My hate for the first Robin was starting to take over. I closed my auburn eyes and breathed in slowly. You an never have your anger take over be fore a battle. It simply blinds you.

"Ready, Kailer?" He asked, throwing his two Escrima sticks to the ground on the outer floor of the practice area.

"Game on." I muttered under my breath and ran to him. Black Canery taught us to always act, never react. Make the first move yours before the opponent can take the battle into their own hands. Sticking my foot at him before Nightwing could understand that the match had started, I kicked him in the chest, directly on his blue symbol.

I bounced off of him and fell back gracefully as he held tightly to his chest. He charged at me quickly, but I dodged by flipping over him and punched forcefully on his back. The masked crusader stumbled forward, falling on his face.

The computer deducted 15 pointes, along with 20 more for my other attacks on him.

I stayed silent and waited for Nightwing to stand back up, the fight was not going to end this soon. I'm only starting to have my fun.

I charged back at him while his mind was still clouded and elbowed him in the face, causing him to fall back down on his back. I did a back flip and straddle his torso, looking down at his masked eye, my hair falling into my face. Nightwing took control and flipped us over so that he was on top now. My cheeks burned at our position, I kneed his in his oh-so-private part, making the dark headed boy to groan.

I shoved him off of me, pressing my knee into his gut, and held my fist back as if I was going to punch him square in the jaw. Instead, my fist lit on fire. I could feel the heat on the side of my cheek. I looked back down at the incapable man, and smirked at him again.

Nightwing groaned, "I thought this was a no powers spar."

"I like to bend the rules." I shrugged and got off of Nightwing.

"Winner, Blaze. Loser, Nightwing." The computer's monotones voice echoed throughout the cave. There was a silent lull until the team broke out into cheers. I smiled and held my hand out for Dick to grab, instead he glared and got up by himself.

"I can do it myself, thanks."

"Obviously." I mimicked, just like how he said to me before we fought. He glared again and walked out of the room.

Everyone walked up to me, they didn't hear the debacle that happened between Nightwing and I only a few seconds, for which I am grateful for. I made a complete fool of him, something that I've always wanted to do. He can't just expect that he's allowed to come back so suddenly with open arms. No, he's getting what he deserves after he deserted me.

Gar patted my back and laughed, "That was amazing, Kai! Nightwing didn't see that coming at all and you were all like 'Ah!' and he was all like 'Ugh!' and you just went all ape shit and went like-"

"Haha, okay, okay. I get it, BB. Thanks for the sound effects, I appreciate it." I laughed and slug my arm over his shoulder.

"Batman 0-2"

We all looked towards to the zeta tubes, the blinding light made me cover my eyes slightly. And out of nowhere came out the dark knight himself, ye old Batsy. To say that Batman showed as much as emotions as The Brain would be an understatement. He barely ever smiled in front of the team, but not as rarely as when he was Bruce Wayne, billionaire philanthropist and playboy. Or in fact as I call him, fuckboy.

The team got silent, knowing that the man behind the cowl didn't assign missions unless it was extremely necessary. All other missions where taken under the order of Aqualad, who wasn't around and spent the day in Atlantis for a break.

Until Kaldur got back, Barbara was second in command. She was not here either.

"Excuse me, team. But I have to speak with Blaze. Privately." He said with force. I froze under my feet and nodded. Jaime walked up to me as everyone filed out and gave me a quick peck on the cheek before leaving as well.

I sighed, "You know, you could try to not sound like drill sergeant sometimes. It kinda freaks me out a bit. After all these years, I'm still not liking the whole black on grey thing. May I suggest some glitter to add a little pizazz?"

He narrowed his eyes at me.

"I thought not," I mumbled. "So, what do you need?"

"Babysitting."

"With all due respect, are you out of your mind?" He continued to stare at me. I folded my arms around my chest. "Seriously? Can't Tim do it?"

Batman growled, "Out of town with Cassie."

"Alfred?"

"On some much needed break time."

"Jason?" I added with a more nervous voice. Batsy lifted one eyebrow, I sighed in defeat.

"Fine, fine. I'll look after the little demon. But he better not tie me to a chair this time, I almost caught the place on fire with my hair cause I was so angry. When do you want me to come over?"

"Tomorrow, five o'clock pm. I'll be gone all night so pack a bag."

I shrugged my shoulders, "I left some clothes behind in my closet. That should suffice enough, unless he's put it through a paper shredder like last time. But I'll go under one condition."

"And what is that?"

"I get to use the Bat Cave's data, I need to do some research."

He paused, "Fine."

"You know, he looks up to you a lot. At least you act more like big sister to him than Barbra does. He told me you're his favorite." Batman said before walking back to the zeta tubes and leaving. I nodded to him.

"I'm not sure if I should find that flattering or offensive if it comes from Damian, but I'll go either way. I'll see you later, Batsy."