A/N:
So, surprise-surprise! I decided to update today (again) because I felt so bad about leaving readers hanging with a double-cliffy (once in chapter 5 and once in that little bonus quip.)
Disclaimer: Don't own young justice. Just Renee.
Nightshadow: Chapter 6:
~Robin's POV~
I felt Renee start to shift in my arms so that she wouldn't be talking into my chest. I knew what she was about to tell them. She had taken me by surprise the night before by whispering it to me right before Kid Mouth showed himself. Robin didn't have a chance to respond, nor an adequate response, but Dick Grayson had the sudden urge to embrace her and tell her what happened to him, as well. But she didn't know Dick Grayson. She didn't know me. She couldn't know me. In a spur-of-the-moment decision, I said it for her.
"Renee's last name is Knight. Her mentor, Ra, was her brother Logan." I said gravely, still holding Renee tight against me. I watched as five pairs of eyes widened in shock.
"So…Renee, you…you lost both your brother and your father in one day?" Artemis asked tentatively, her voice starting to waver with raw sympathy. Renee nodded and buried her face back into my shoulder in one motion. Warm tears started to seep through my shirt, but I didn't care. She needed to cry. For as long as I knew Renee, she would never cry. She would laugh everything off in a nonchalant way that I know made even Batman proud of his friend's little sister.
Get your act together, Robin. I mentally kicked myself. For some reason, this girl makes you want to throw aside everything Batman – everything Bruce Wayne taught you. You cannot do that. You don't want to put her in jeopardy like that.
As fast as Renee had started crying, she stopped and reluctantly pulled away from me. I dropped my arms, letting her. I just kept repeating Batman's number one rule in my head. Over and over and over again, my version of his gravelly voice spoke: Never reveal your secret identity to anyone, Dick. They will become a target if you do. And if they slip up, you'll become a target.
I watched numbly as Artemis, Kaldur, Wally, and Miss M group–hugged Renee, consoling her and thanking her for telling them the truth, saying that it was alright and it wasn't her fault. Wally had one arm wrapped around Renee's small shoulders and was animatedly explaining how the fact that Batman wanted her back meant that it's okay and that he thought the team could be her redemption of sorts. He caught my gaze and gave me a wink that said, 'Hey, I'm just talking her up for you, Rob.'
"Batman 02" Interrupted my thoughts. I spun on my heel to face the Dark Knight himself.
"Batman." I said, inclining my head in greeting.
"Robin." He responded in his usual stoic fashion. I noticed, however, when he saw the team surrounding a still slightly red-eyed Renee, the corners of his mouth twitched up.
"Team, you have a mission." He stated before pressing a button, making one of the various holographic computers appear. "There seems to be a series of break-ins at various warehouses across the country. So far it's happened at Star City, Central City, and Metropolis. The League has reason to believe that the next target will be at this particular warehouse in Gotham."
"Why that one?" KF asked from behind me. I glanced back to see that he had shifted so that he was now unusually close to Artemis. He really isn't trying to hit on Artemis during a debrief, is he? I sighed inwardly. Typical Wally.
"Because there is only one thing that all these warehouses have in common: they were all once owned by George Carey, and were all bought out by one Walter Snow." Batman pointed to screen, which now showed an elderly man that reminded me of Alfred, then one that had the same multi-millionaire look as Bruce Wayne. I shoved that thought aside with a pang of regret. Can't think about Dick Grayson's life right now. I took fleeting look at Renee. She was standing next to M'gann, watching Batman with relative interest and something else I couldn't quite place, but looked like jealousy. Now why would she be jealous? I pondered as Batman continued to drone on.
"Get changed and go as quickly as possible." Batman told the team. I turned to leave, but a strong hand caught my shoulder, "Robin, can I talk to you?" I nodded mutely. There was something about his body language that instantly sparked worry.
"What's wrong, Batman?" I asked tentatively, uncertain whether or not I wanted to know the answer.
"I need you to keep an eye on Renee. Walter Snow was one of Clockwork's aliases." He said in a voice that could just barely be classified as audible. I felt my mouth drop open.
"You mean…he could..?" I left the question hanging. Oh, god. Poor Renee. If she hears this, she'll be devastated. All that work…all that pain….stop it, Dick! Stop thinking like that! She is your friend. You can't let her in like that. She would never be able to see the real you. The full you. I felt like I was playing mental tug-of-war. I wanted to let Renee in, but better judgment said I shouldn't. And Batman said I couldn't tell anyone. So I couldn't.
"We don't think it's him, no. It may be one of his thugs finishing his last wishes, or there really could be a man named Walter Snow that has nothing to do with anything. But Renee doesn't know it was one of his aliases. And you can't let her know." Batman gave me a strange look before turning and walking away, signifying the end of the conversation. I trudged back to my room to change into my suit.
Great, another secret to keep from Renee. I couldn't help but think.
Aww, poor Robin's torn. But don't worry; he won't let his secrets out that easily.
So, I hope you're excited for next chapter. A review/alert/favorite would be nice…or not. Whatever floats your boat.
Word Counts:
This Chapter: 964
Total: 7,168
Happy Writings,
Vid.
