Chapter 10

When Arty said that she was going to find out about Kalli, she wasn't playing around. You could rarely find her around other people these days, she was usually in the security rooms, trying to find recent activities in the archives, and digging up dirt on Kalli.

I on the other hand had started training non-stop, and Diana and I were still not on speaking terms, so I was training by myself with notes she would leave.

I would always come to my tactical classes with bloody knuckles, and to my physical, tired, but ready for a fight. I was getting around 4 hours of sleep a night, and some people were starting to take notice.

"Ryan?" Megan would ask, "Are you ok, you don't look to well."

"Ya ya, I'm fine."

But the worst was Nightwing, he genuinely cared, and could noticed right away that something was wrong.

"Ryan what the hell is wrong with you? You're avoiding every one, and being a jerk to your friends! And don't give me the, 'nothing's wrong, I'm just tired' thing, cause that's a load of bull."

He hissed at me. Truthfully, I didn't even know, something I me just snapped, and only one thing mattered, showing up dad.

And if becoming part of the league is what made that possible, well, I'd cross that bridge when I get there. This whole week I had been on auto pilot mode, not aware of my surroundings.

So I wasn't surprised when I realized I was in front of my rom with Dick still yelling at me.

I turned sharply to face him, "You think you know every thing huh?! Oh ya, cause, you're the detective, 'Oh look at me I'm Nightwing, I'm all big and bad, and a total lady killer, watch out, I'll flirt with you and make you feel special, but when t comes down to it, I won't be able to commit and get all pissed when you start to see other people!" I said in his voice.

"What?"

"You heard me, it's ridiculous! Look I like you a lot, I really do, but I'm done with this! Whatever you want to call it, flirting, dancing around each other, what ever, I'm done!"

I opened my door and let it slide close, but not before hearing Dick say, "Why is it so hard for you to believe I do care about you, and I do want to be with you, but I can't right now! Why is it so hard for you to just let people in! Maybe if you weren't so shut out, you would have friends here! Maybe your mentor could actually stand to be in the same room as you!"

I slammed my fist against the wall, and the scabs that where already there, re opened and a little blood blossomed across my calloused hands.

I turned to my bed and saw a package. I slowly walked towards it, half expecting it to blow up. And cautiously reached my hand out to the card that was laying on top of the square box.

Ryan,

When Cassie died, it was the worst day of my life, she wasn't like a sister to me, she was like a daughter. And I truly loved her.

She was always happy, and no matter what, would always look on the bright side and treat every one with kindness, and would welcome them into her heart with open arms. She was loving, and caring, but also impatient and quick to prove herself to anyone and every one.

You two are very alike, yet polar opposites, I believe you would have hated her, but she would've adored you, like a younger sister does her older sister.

You on the other hand, are impatient, rude and closed up, but it's what you do to protect your self. Cassie never had to protect herself in the ways you did, she always had a family, always had people who loved her, and cared for her and noticed if she was feeling down, you don't.

But if you get past he hard barriers you put up, you are compassionate, and really do care, you always make time to talk to each of your friends every day so no one feels left out, even watch static with Conner, play games and cook with Meagan, be a friend to Artemis, prank with Wally, heal Kaldur, and you have a special connection with Nightwing. You love all of you friends, even if you don't show it so you can guard yourself, but you have a special connection with each one.

There truly is no one alive, or dead that I would want at my side but you.

I'll see you tomorrow for our lesson 10:00 sharp, here is a token saying, that I believe in you and I know you'll make the right choice in the end.

~ Diana

A smile broke across my face as I read, and re-read the letter. Some one believed in me.

I opened to box and laughed. It was a costume I lifted the fabrics out of the box and marveled at it.

The shirt looked like the top half of the Wonder Woman costume, and it came with a black leather jacket that went down to the bottom of my rib cage. The pants where a navy blue with white stars sprawled across. I put on the uniform, and it fit perfectly. The pants looked tight but where easy to move in.

I loved it. I took off the uniform and put it back in it's box. With a smile on my face I left my room, I had found what I needed.

Reassurance of a future.

"Nightwing?" I asked tentatively. I had found him in the gym continually beating up a poor punching bag with a series of kicks and hits.

"Can you please stop ignoring me? I'm sorry ok, I was mad and-" I wasn't getting any where he continued to pretend I didn't exist. Which angered me more than words can describe.

I watched his bare back tense with every punch and a smirk curled upon my lips. I walked behind him and wrapped my arms around his neck, and slowly kissed different places on his back, his shoulder blades, his neck, where ever.

His punching slowed and he growled, "Can't you make up your damned mind?" He practically spat.

I released him. And crossed my arms, "Well maybe if you'd acknowledge me-"

"First you like me, then you like Kaldur, then you just want to be friends, now you do this!"

"It's not like I'm married to the guy! And it was a date! I'm sorry that Kaldur can make me forget all my problems, and will treat me like I'm the only one who matters, and that even if he disagrees with me, he still has my back! He wants a relationship, you want…I don't even know what you want."

He turned to face me, and for the first time since I met him, he wasn't wearing his shades, or anything to cover his eyes. They were a beautiful metallic blue, that I could just get lost in, but right now they were cold, and angry.

"I want to know that you do care for me and that this isn't just some game to you! Playing every boy that shows interest in you! I want to know that one day, you won't just be gone!"

I reached out for his hand, but he retracted his hand and pulled away from me. "No." He said firmly. "You need to tell me right here right now, what's going to happen with us and what exactly we are."

"You are such a hypocrite! You're the one who refuses to consider us a couple, yet you tell me that I need to make up my mind! Do you just expect me to wait until everything works for you? Nuh uh you need to tell me what this is." My voice softened, "I like you Dick, I like you a lot, and I want to be with you, but I'm tired of this game, and really there's a lot of irony behind that statement, but that's another story for another time."

"What about Kaldur?"

"I care for him. But not like you." Dick cupped my face in his hand, "Would you leave him?"

"We aren't a couple, like I said, just a few dates."

"But if you were?"

I looked deep into his eyes and wrapped my arms once more around his neck, "Yes."

He pulled me into a kiss. It was gentle, and unlike the other kisses we had shared.

His lips were soft against mine and I pulled him down closer to me and the kiss slowly intensified and I was soon against the wall with my legs wrapped around his waist.

Wandering fingers started to pull at the hems of my shirt, and I pulled away, "Dick no. What exactly are we? Because I don't know about you, but friends with benefits, doesn't fly with me."

"You understand why a relationship couldn't work right now, right?"

I buried my head in his neck, "No I don't." I said quietly. "You only teach me one lesson, and we don't have to tell any one right? And as long as we both don't act any different, there's no reason this couldn't work."

I unhinged myself from his and looked into his eyes, but they were closed, "Hey look at me kay? This can work, but I don't want to pressure you, well I do, and I have been, but I'll stop, I just can't go any farther with you, unless we are official."

A little smile crossed his lips, "I'm willing to try if you are. But no one else can know, at least not until your apprenticeship is over. Ok?"

I smiled broadly, "Agreed."

We stood there, just holding each other in a comfortable silence. Until he ruined it, "We should probably go now."

"Probably."

Neither one of us moved. Dick sighed as he began to unwrap me.

Er Er Er Er.

The watch tower alarm sounded. We quickly released each other as Superman's voice boomed over he intercom, "All Justice League members suit up and locate your apprentices come to the deck for emergency transport to Earth. We are under attack!"

Dick looked at me with a face of alarm, "We need to get you to Wonder Woman, now!"

He grasped my hand tightly and dragged me running away from the gym and into the now crowded hallway. Filled with heroes and apprentices alike running either to the deck or away, trying to find their partner.

Dick pressed onto his ear, activating his com-unit, "Wonder Woman! Do you read? Where are you? I have Ryan with me in the East wing! Do you read?"

Among the chaos I couldn't hear Wonder Woman's response, but in an instant she was by our side, "Ryan, where is that package I left you?"

"Still on my bed, Diana I-"

"We will talk, just not now. Stay with Nightwing, and I will meet you on the deck, go now!" Just as quickly as she appeared, she was gone.

"Diana! No!" I tried to run after her, but dick pulled me back, "Ryan you can't go chasing after her, she has invulnerability, you don't."

"How do we know this is real and not a drill!?"

And right by our a window we saw Superman punch an incoming missile, shot from what looked to be a…ship. I was frozen in place

"That proof enough? Common!" He pulled me away to the deck for transport.

"Where's Arty? And wally, and Megan and Conner!?"

"They'll be fine, they are trained for this situation! Wonder Woman gave us an order now move!"

Dick was in soldier mode. I sighed and followed him, knowing that he was right and I couldn't win this fight, pick your battles and all that.

We pushed through the crowds, and made it to the teleports. There were long lines for each. The Watch tower gave a sudden jolt, and every one fell to the ground. We all got up and people were getting zeta-beamed out quicker than before.

Wonder Woman burst into the room, and located me flying to my side. She handed me the package and said, protect it with your life, do not let it fall into the wrong hands!" I looked down at the box, ya it was a kick ass uniform, but what was so special about it?

"OK."

"Ryan, I know your scared to reach your full potential, because you don't want to return to your former self, but Ryan, you must promise me you will do whatever it takes to survive. Promise me swear to me you will!"

"I-I swear!"

Her face relaxed remarkably, given the situation we were in.

"Nightwing, stay with her, make sure she finds the others."

"Of course."

"Ryan, you've been up here a while, you must realize, Earth's been invaded by the Th-"

There was another jolt in the Watch tower this one more powerful.

"Wear your uniform under your clothes at all time, do not let them know you are part of the league!"

And with that Wonder Woman pushed Dick and I onto the platform and zeta'd us out of the Watch tower.