Author's Note: I wanted to clarify something that I'm going to be doing frequently in this story so that way people won't be confused. When I refer to a Justice League member by their real name, they are out of costume. When they are referred to by their alter ego (ex: Batman, Nightwing, etc.), they are in costume. This is a revised version of the chapter; I thought the original ending of this chapter was kind of lame.
But, wait! There's more! Later in this story, I'm having Supernova team up with someone, but I can't decide who. So I decided I'd leave it up to the audience! I had an earlier set of rules but I decided to change them up. There's no formal voting system or anything, but if anyone would like to see Supernova team up with Batman, Nightwing, or Deathstroke, feel free to PM me or leave a review with your thoughts. As always, any constructive criticism, thoughts, and comments regarding the story as a whole is greatly appreciated. Thank you!
Chapter 7: Nightwing
Dick sat alone in the Batcave, quietly thinking about the girl. He couldn't describe what he was feeling, exactly. Curiosity, perhaps? He was definitely intrigued. There was just something about her. When Dick looked into her eyes, he saw rage, but also frustration and sorrow. What is she hiding?
Dick glanced at his watch. Batman had been gone for almost an hour. Dick knew trying to convince someone like that girl would take longer than five minutes, but an hour was pushing it a little. He couldn't help but glance briefly at the picture of the crater. That brought up another question he had: what was the girl's connection with that?
Before he could dwell on his question, the Batmobile suddenly rumbled into the Batcave. Dick rose from his seat and strode over to the driver's side just as Batman stepped out, followed by the girl. Dick paused in his stride, slightly taken aback by the girl's presence.
"Dick," Batman began, "this is Sam Gray. She's agreed to stay at Wayne Manor as my student. Sam, this is Dick Grayson, a former student of mine."
Dick snapped himself out of his stupor and offered Sam his hand. She didn't take it; in fact, she wasn't even looking at him. She was staring at some unknown point behind his head, completely lost in her mind. Dick glanced worriedly at Batman. What did you do? Dick asked with his eyes.
Batman shook his head as if to say, Don't push it. Dick shrugged, taking Batman's hint.
"There's a vacant room on the second floor," Batman told Dick. "It's the door to the left of the library entrance." He then addressed Sam, "Dick will escort you there. Training begins at eight a.m. sharp."
"Sure," Sam answered, deadpan. She then turned her gaze to Dick and stared at him blandly.
Dick cleared his throat before saying, "Follow me." He then led Sam to the elevator and the duo began their ascension to the second floor.
The elevator ride was silent. Tense. The walk down the hallway was no different. So before they reached Sam's new room, Dick again cleared his throat.
"I'm glad that you decided to come here," Dick said. Sam continued her stoic silence as they reached her room. "I know Bruce can seem a bit intimidating, but he knows what he's doing. He's a good mentor, too. I'm sure—"
"Look," Sam said suddenly, her voice firm. She held a tight grip on the doorknob and stared hard at Dick. "I'm not looking for friends. So drop the nice guy act. I appreciate what you're all doing for me. Let's just leave it at that."
Sam then turned, entered room, and slammed the door behind her, leaving Dick alone in the hallway. He stood there for several minutes, wondering if he felt hurt or angry. A few minutes later in his room, Dick started realizing how similar Sam was to Bruce: very cold, calculating, and very distant. But there was something…off with Sam; she wasn't just distant, she was going out of her way to push everyone away. As he lay in bed, Dick's thoughts dwelled on Sam longer than he knew he should have and he finally dozed off thinking about her ice-blue eyes.
