Training for precaution

Even though the threat was close at hand Zatanna and Nightwing couldn't just rush in, they had to think this through. Zatanna couldn't help but remind herself how weak she was when she couldn't speak. As she had already guessed, Dick hadn't heard her telepathic cry for help, he just happened to get there in time. Zatanna still didn't know if it was possible to cast spells mentally, but the strange accident which got her into this mess, gave her hope that it could be done. She called on all the knowledge she had collected in her years of training and began to read.
Meanwhile Dick kept an eye on Lady Vic and Ra's Al Guhl. So far it didn't look like they were ready to strike yet, but Dick wasn't planning on taking any chances. It could as well be a trick.

"Did you find anything yet?" He asked, as they had dinner in the warehouse. Zatanna had been reading and meditating all day and so Dick had left her alone to do his research at the Bat-cave, Gotham was not far from Blὕdhaven after all. There he scanned every inch of the map, magnified it on screen and memorised every aisle and stairway. He had also downloaded the map into the computer installed in his suit.

"I've read all my dad's old journals, but there's nothing on mental spells, I just don't think my dad ever thought about the possibility of such spells, but I do. Just by wishing to be with you, I transported myself right to you and I want to know how to control it."

"Good, keep up the good work, but I'm afraid you will never learn it in time." Dick pointed out.

"No, you're right, we have to be smart about this. The moment Ra's Al Guhl strikes I have to be ready. For now I better focus on the strength I have and a few new spells I can master quick enough. I will not be trapped next time!"

"I think I can help you with that." Dick said with a grin. "Let me teach you some techniques to withstand Lady Vic if she manages to gag you. I know you have been trained by Black Canary, but allow me to show you Batman's style."

Zatanna's frown cleared with a smile. "That's a great Idea!" she finished the last bit of her noodles quickly and stood up. "We better start then."

Dick grinned and stood up as well. "You're right."

"Egnahc etholc otni ruo smrofinu." Zatanna said and they wore their mission outfits within a second. "Let's begin, I'm ready." She gave him a confident smile.

"Right, I will teach you what I taught Tim, it is based on the technique Bruce taught Barbara. It is a way to overpower opponents who are stronger than you."

"Sounds good." Zatanna said and she walked to the middle of the room where she couldn't hit any furniture. Dick, now Nightwing did the same, but went to stand some feet away from her.

"First let me see what you got."

Zatanna braced herself as Nightwing came running to her, she knew he wouldn't hold back and she had to bite her lip to prevent herself from blurring out a spell. When she was a child her dad had made her take self-defence classes and Black Canary never backed down either. This wasn't new for her, but she had always chosen for her spells and that had made her combat-skills sloppy. She let Nightwing come and waited for the opportune moment. With a swift move she stepped aside and so avoided his fist. She got low and tried to tackle him, but this move was too predictable and Nightwing saw through it. He jumped away and turned around to face her.

"That kick would normally work, but it is too predictable." Dick said ad he grinned. "You know, you should have hit me."

Zatanna smiled and shuddered. "I thought it was the point to use as little strength as possible."

"Yes it is." Dick awkwardly scratched his neck for a moment to give himself time to think. "Let's try again. I want you to overpower me. You can either jump and drag me down by the shoulders or kick me really hard. You have to focus all your strength on your legs, in case your hands get bound."

"Got it!" Zatanna said enthusiastically and she backed away to give herself a good run-up. 'ok, Zatanna, you're used to jumping around with a large number of bad guys, you can manage a high jump!' she thought to herself and she started running. At the right distance, she jumped and aimed her kick at Nightwing's chest.

Dick went down, but so did she. Zatanna shot forwards and rolled over and crashed against one of the beds. She sprung up, rubbed the back of her head and walked to her would-be victim.

"Shall we try again? My landing needs work." She said and she offered Dick a hand. He took it and grimaced.

"Good kick." He said and he winced.

"Do you want a pillow to land on?" Asked Zatanna and she meant it. It was not her meaning to bruise him all up before the real fight began.

"Yeah, Yeah maybe that is a good idea." Dick admitted and so Zatanna conjured some pillows for him to land on and hey continued their training.

Through practice Zatanna perfected her kick and Dick moved up the ladder of difficulty for her. He was now a moving target and was armed with his bo staff. All furniture had been removed from the warehouse, apart from the beds, Zatanna had transported them somewhere else for the time being.

With the last stage of difficulty, Zatanna's hands were magically bound together and she still had to pretend that she was gagged. This was it, her final test for tonight. Zatanna watched Nightwing brace himself and she began the countdown in her head.

'Now!' she thought and she broke into a run, when she got close enough, she jumped high into the air and kicked as hard as she could. Nightwing avoided her and readied his staff to knock her off her feet. A few times before he had succeeded, but not this time! Zatanna knew that she would not be able to disarm him, so she kept low and out of his reach. Like she had planned, Nightwing followed her moves and held his staff very close to the floor. Zatanna leaped and landed with her feet on the lowest end of his staff. She bent forwards, throwing her entire weight on the staff. Nightwing wanted to let go off his weapon, but he was too late and lost his balance. With a muffled thump he hit the pillowed floor, with a grinning Zatanna on top of him. She landed on his chest and with both her boots she pinned Nightwing's arms to the ground, he was completely at her mercy.

"Good, didn't see that one coming." Dick said panting, his expression had changed from surprise to satisfaction.

Zatanna was also panting, but she smiled. "Sepor esaeler em." She said and she freed her hands from the magical rope. It disappeared and Zatanna placed her hands at either side of Dick's head. Then she brought her face close to his. "If only it always is as fun as knocking you down, boy wonder." She said softly and she removed Nightwing's mask.

"That title now belongs to Tim." Dick whispered back. His eyes were soft and peaceful and they seemed to drink in every detail in Zatanna's face.

"You have outgrown the Robin costume, but you will always be a boy wonder and a bat." Zatanna softly and she pressed her lips against his. She closed her eyes and let him take control. Dick wrapped his arms around her and together they sat up.

"I'm really glad that you are here, Ze." He said. "I had forgotten how much I missed you."

Zatanna kissed him on his cheek. "Let's hope we still feel the aster after tomorrow." She said.

But Lady Vic still didn't make her move the next day and Ra's Al Guhl didn't come to her mansion anymore. This was strange, a few days ago it seemed that they would strike too soon, but now it looked like Ra's Al Guhl lost interest in Zatara's secrets. That could not be right, it could be that the villains were waiting for Zatanna and Nightwing to show them the way in. Dick had already thought about this possibility, but if they waited too long Ra's Al Guhl could send Lady Vic after them and find their hiding place. Dick just couldn't find a right decision.

"I am not the right person to decide what we should do. It is you family's secret mansion and either way it will be in danger." He said.

Zatanna nodded. "I'll take you to the mansion in the morning, there's no point in waiting any longer."

AN: sorry, short chapter for such a long wait, but a lot happened in the time I tied to write, so please forgive me! :( Still I hope you like it and review!