"So," Dick sighed for the third time, "what did you need to talk to me about?"
I shook my head. "Not until I'm done with my ice cream."
I ate the chocolate soft serve at a moderately slow pace, taking in the rich taste that had been absent from me for far too long.
I took one last spoonful and then let the plastic spoon clank down into the empty bowl.
"Okay," I cooed, "I'm done." Dick looked relieved, but he had no idea what was coming his way. "What the hell were you thinking?"
Dick was taken back. "Excuse me?"
"You heard me," I chastised. "I saw everything and I know everything. Bringing Artemis back, faking her death, and putting Kaldur deep undercover was just plain stupid."
"You're upset about that? I've been doing what needs to be done. It comes with being a leader."
I groaned. "Dick, faking Artemis' death was overkill! I understand the need for deep undercover, but it's dangerous. Especially since you haven't even let the original team know."
"The ones who know are the ones who need to know," Dick replied.
"And that's a major danger, Dickie." I ran my fingers through my hair in frustration. "Especially with M'gann–"
"M'gann?" Dick interrupted. "Why M'gann?"
I looked at him with disbelief. "You really haven't noticed M'gann losing control? Even Conner knows." I leaned in. "Did you even question why they broke up?"
"People break up, Erin. Didn't you say yourself that I especially know that?"
I scoffed, "Not these two. Not after everything I saw them go through. Not to mention one of them is an extremely powerful telepath–"
"I'm ending this conversation." Dick stood up and started to walk away. I grabbed his arm to stop him.
"Look," I said sharply, "I'm just telling you what I've seen. You may think that nothing gets past you because you're the leader, but everyone has their secrets. Everyone has a dark place. And I just got back. I don't want to see anyone else I care about leave. Permanently."
Dick sighed. "You're right. I'll keep an on M'gann."
Before Dick could walk away, I asked, "No one in the League knows, do they?"
"No. Only you, me, Wally, Kaldur, and Artemis know."
"Wally's right," never, in life or death, did I think I would ever say that. "It'll get even more dangerous from here. Someone could get seriously hurt, by the team no less. This will have repercussions no one saw coming."
"I know," Dick nodded. "We all know the risks. We agreed that it was worth it in the end."
He still doesn't get it. I narrow my eyes at him. "Was Jason worth it?"
Dick stiffened. "Did you have to bring him up?"
"If it makes you really listen and see the danger then yes." I knew that was a low blow, but I couldn't help it.
"The minute someone joins the team, they are made aware of the danger." Dick looked me in the eye. "We can't all come back from the dead."
I deflated. "Oaky, I deserved that. I'm sorry, Dick. I just don't want what happened to me happen to anyone else." I placed my face in my hands. "I mess everything up."
"We're going to need you," Dick countered. "I know we will. The Brotherhood wouldn't have brought you back if we didn't."
I smiled weakly. "Thanks, Dickie."
A grin came to Dick's face. "You know you're the only one who has ever called me that?"
"Good," I smirked. "I don't like copycats."
Dick started to walk away. I knew I couldn't go back to the Cave, not yet. That only left me with two options. The second was easier.
Before Dick could get too far, I ran to stop him.
"What is it?" he asked.
"You're Red's friend," I started. "I was wondering if… if he told you–"
"Baylor Memorial, Star City," he said simply.
I smiled crookedly, but wholeheartedly.
