10.

Bio Ship – 20 miles from Manta's base:

"Can you see anything?" Artemis asked Wally is both looked out opposite Windows of the bio ship.

"No, nothing," he told her. Double M, can you find them yet?"

"I'm sorry, but I can't. I'm still getting residual effects from Psimon's mental trap. I can't detect anyone outside of the ship." Try as she could, Miss Martian couldn't mentally detect Kaldur or Conner. It was like searching through the static filled channels Conner would watch constantly for anything remotely resembling a TV show. "If we don't find Kaldur or get any word from Conner I'm-"

"There he is," Wally announced.

"Conner?"

"No, Kaldur." Moving from his position by the window, Wally ran to the back of the ship. "Head a mile southwest and drop down to pick him up. I'm going to get him in."

As the ship descended to the ocean surface where Kaldur waited on the escape sub, the rear hatch opened and dropped down a ramp for the former leader of the team. Once it was close enough he drug a bound and unconscious Black Manta with him, which surprised the ginger.

"Oh man, never thought I would see you again so soon," Wally told him. "Dude, cool." Grabbing Manta's belt buckle, he pried it off and flipped it in the air like a coin. "Souvenir."

"Where's Nightwing?" Kaldur asked as he secured his beaten father in the ship's cargo area.

"He's in the front. Why?"

"Because when I detached my father's private escape sub of from the base it triggered the self-destruction protocol."

"Oh crap. We need to get Supey, he still back there. Megan!"

"No, we can't go back for him," Kaldur yelled as Wally zipped into the front of the ship. "There's not much time left. We can't risk getting caught in the blast zone."

"Why? How big is it?"

"Remember Malina Island?"

Match's holding chamber – Manta's base:

Large chunks of metal and concrete crashed into the ground around Conner who tried to dodge what he could while looking for any possible exit to the surface. Even parts of the drop ships he and Match damaged or destroyed fell from the mile high surface of the hanger area with flaming debris raining down on him. As the base began to tremble underneath him, he knew he had a little time to get out.

"Another crash course of flying," he muttered.

Squatting down to charge his legs for a powerful leap, he shot upward with his hands stretched out before him. Remembering what M'gann, Rocket, and the other fliers once told him about flying, he controlled his direction by moving his hands and head where he wanted to go as his body followed.

Dodging some of the larger debris, Conner found himself slowing down slightly but quickly corrected himself and increased his speed. The smaller objects were batted away or blasted with his heat vision while others were obliterated by his new force blast power. Every blast was like an extension of his punches, making the concrete and metal shatter on impact. He was close to the midway point when he saw a large piece of the ceiling come tumbling down. Conner's eyes grew wide when he saw it began to rotate as he neared it. A blast of heat vision as well as his concussional blast only created a hole in its center, giving him no choice but to shoot through it and hope for the best.

Slamming his arms to his sides, he picked up speed and threaded the hole he created with his body. The other side of the slab almost slapped him out of the air, but he only concentrated on picking up more speed. It wasn't long until he reached the top of the chamber with a roar when a bright light incased him and the entire base exploded.

Those in the Bio ship were forced to brace themselves from the shockwave that rocked te aircraft end over end. Nightwing crashed into a console, landing on his bad shoulder as Wally landed on his back with the large glass of the front of the ship being the only thing separating him from falling into the ocean. Kaldur barely managed to stop himself from falling out of his chair, which he held onto for dear life. Artemis slid next to Nightwing with Miss Martian landing on top her.

"Conner!" M'gann shouted as she scrambled to her feet and floated back to her pilot's chair. "Were going back."

"Megan," Wally said.

"I don't want to hear it, Wally. We're going back."

"I'm not arguing with you. It's just, well; can you please turn the ship right side up? Kinda nervous about being on the window if you know what I mean."

As the base exploded in a brilliant ball of fire, a small object came shooting out from one of the larger explosions. While insignificant at first, it didn't fall into the ocean but flew in a straight line away from the destroyed structure with a long trail of smoke flowing from behind it.

In tattered clothes that were singed and burnt, Conner emerged from the exploding base looking a little worse for wear. Dried blood spotted his face along with black scorch marks. His fingerless gloves were torn from the punches he delivered and a boot was missing. The jeans he wore were a total loss as they were torn with half of his pants right leg completely torn off. Holes were in the knees, several belt loops were torn along with his belt being busted, and his left back pocket flapped behind him with a hole where it used to cling onto. As for his shirt, it was torn and burnt in a way that left only the red "S" shield on the front with the back torn in a way that it resembled a short tattered black cape.

Once he was far enough away from the destruction, Conner straightened up to a vertical position and turned to look back at what was left of the base. He instinctively put out his arms as if digging into the air would slow him down but eventually he learned how to bring himself to a complete stop. Black smoke covered the ocean surface as smaller fiery explosions shot skyward.

"Kicked their aster," he muttered with a grin before looking down and saw his exposed foot. "Thu, another one of my favorite boots gone." It then dawned on him that his right leg was slightly lifted and bent at the knee, exactly like all the other flyers do, and he quickly put it down. Why they all did that he would never know.

Closing his eyes, he inhaled deeply, filling his lungs completely with the salty air before slowly exhaling when the familiar sound of a vehicle came up behind him. Turning, he saw the team, his team as they all stood in the window which she floated up to. The side of the bio ship opened to allow him entry and once in, he was greeted by his old teammates.

"Supey's back, er er," Wally said as he pumped both hands into the air.

"Great," Artemis said as she hugged him. "Now I don't have to kill you." She was surprised when he actually returned her hug.

"I thought you were-"

"Long story. Ends with me, Dick, Wally, and Kaldur being moles."

"Kaldur?" Conner said, looking at the Atlantean.

"Calm down, my friend. It was all a ruse to get in with the light. We will explain later." Kaldur held his hands up as he said that.

Looking from his former leader/enemy, Conner noticed a sleeping Nightwing. "What happened to him?"

"Shot. Passed out on painkillers," Wally informed him.

It was then, after he saw Nightwing's shoulder from where he stood, when he saw M'gann standing in the back and locked eyes with her. He moved past the others to stand in front of her and noticed she had been crying. The two stood in silence, taking in the sight of the other. Conner, as battered as he was, could only concentrate on the bruises, scratches, and light scorch marks on M'gann's lime colored skin.

"Are…are you okay?" he asked.

"Yeah. I'm fine."

"Good." He was about to say something more when a sob burst from her mouth and new tears fell down her face.

"I… I'm sorry," she said. "For… for all the wrong and hurt I caused you. I tried to help you by, by getting the Kryp…Kryptonite out if you but… I-"

"M'gann," a small smirk developed on Conner's face. "Shut up."

He stepped forward as she fell into his arms and the two held each other tight. "I'm sorry to," he told her. I shouldn't have pushed you away like that. I should have been there for you. They're your powers. I can't tell you what you can and can't do with them. But I-"

"No," she continued to sob. "I should have listened to you, should have been better. I never wanted to hurt you. I just didn't want to lose you."

Both apologized for different reasons; for not being there for the other, for betraying a fragile trust, for the abuse of one's power, and for refusing to talk to the other. However, both knew each were forgiven at that moment.

"Uh, dude," Wally said. "This is the part where you kiss her."

Looking back at the ginger speedster, Conner replied, "I know that," and cupped M'gann's face to give her a deep kiss, which she eagerly fell into.

"Hold on," Artemis said as her two friends made up before her. "You're not mad that he said that?"

"Let's just say, he hasn't gotten on my nerves. Yet." Conner said during a momentary pause between him and M'gann as he rested his forehead on hers.

"One more thing, Con Con. " Wally slapped a hand on his shoulder. "Whatever happened to you saying 'no capes'?" he asked while indicating Conner's torn shirt.

Slowly, Conner looked up from staring at M'gann and a very familiar look took over his face. "Okay, now he's on my nerves."

As he turned to catch his friend, the others began to laugh and slow Wally down to allow Conner to catch him as he chased him around the ship. None noticed their sleeping leader muttered lightly.

"Whelmed," Nightwing softly said as he continued to snooze.

8:37pm – Mount Justice – Three days later:

"PARTAY!" Wally yelled over the loud music playing and the celebratory chatter.

The entire team, past and present, were there in the cave having a good time in celebrating the victory they had earned as well as Captain Marvel who had turned back into Billy Baxton and was currently in a soda and cake induced coma. Crumbs littered his face and cans were scattered around him. Over in the training area, several others played a form of darts using hollowfied projections of their enemies with Batman's newer protégés keeping a close score. Mal stayed in a corner with Karen, hoping she wouldn't want to dance by keeping her stocked up with fruit flavored punch. His plan was working out well enough until Flo Rida's "Good Feeling" began to play and she grabbed him by the arm, forcing him to a somewhat empty area where the two could dance.

Make way for the partay animal!" Hopping on one foot, Garfield, looking like his usual half human half monkey self, tossed his crutches away and headed for a large open space in the middle of the repaired living room.

"Gar, no!" Artemis yelled as the boy took a nosedive to the ground. "Your leg."

Ignoring her, the shape shifter morphed into a turtle and spun on his back. His rotations increased dramatically until he morphed back to his normal self and rested on his side with his head propped up on an arm.

"I love doing that," he laughed.

"I'm surprised you can use your powers with a cast on." Kaldur told him from behind the teen.

"It's a party. I can stand a little pain. Now can you please help me up into the kitchen? I do have a broken leg after all."

Across the room, Dick Grayson stood with a smile as both the new and old team enjoyed themselves. He wore his civies and actually had his sunglasses off for a change.

"Hey, Wing."

He turned to face the newly repaired Zeta tubes as Black Canary and Green Arrow joined him with Red Tornado close behind. "Hey BC, GA, RT."

"We just came by to check on you before heading to the Watchtower for the League's party. You're not the only ones who came away with the victory," Black Canary told him.

"And don't forget a private party afterward," Green Arrow added as he draped his arm around her.

"We're just fine," Dick told her when Jamie stumbled out from a nearby hallway. His mouth had lipstick covering it which he tried to hide when he saw his leader and the three Leaguers. Shortly after, Cassie roughly planted in arm around him. Her lipstick was smudged and she didn't bother in trying to hide it. "Some more than others."

They watched the two head back over to the living area before Dick turned back to Black Canary. "It's just a shame. Lex, Queen Bee, and Ra's weren't at the base you attacked."

"Don't worry about it," Green Arrow told him. "We have more than enough information to go after them as well as who this "partner" is."

"But for now, enjoy your victory and don't get too wild down here, kids," Black Canary told him."

"No problem," Dick said. "And what about you, RT? You're gonna go party with the League?"

"Apparently, yes. I was told I could, as Flash put it, 'get down with my bad self'. However, I will instead be monitoring for any disturbances," the android informed him.

"Right. GA, bring back some videos of that."

"Will do, Wing." Green Arrow said with a small salute. "Will-"

"Oh my goodness," Black Canary interrupted. Her eyes were locked on the large amount of food in the kitchen and she just had to go over to see it up close. "What did you guys do? Rob a bakery?"

Cakes, cookies, pies, turnovers, and other sweet treats were stacked on the tables among the barbecued meats and other food. Large coolers rested on the ground, full of ice, water bottles, and seemingly every soft drink known to man. It was insane the amount of stuff to eat that was available.

"No, it was our resident Susie home Martian," Wally told her as he zipped in to grab a handful of cookies, much to Artemis' chagrin.

"M'gann did all this? She hasn't done anything like this since she and Conner-"

"Yup," Garfield told her, eating a large slice of banana cake. "Told ya she only really cooks when she's happy."

"Speaking of which," Wally said with a mouth full of sugary food. "Where are Megs and Con Con?"

"They're having a private party," Zatanna told him when she and Rocket overheard them. "For the third day in a row."

"Private party? This is the party! Why are they having a private party?"

"Wally, think about it," Dick said as he slapped a hand on his friends shoulder. "They're having a "private party"? By themselves?"

When Wally didn't get it, Artemis replaced Dick's hand with her own. "They're a couple? Wanting to be alone? Like us when we…"

"Ohhhhhhhh," Wally finally said. "Ew."

"Yeah, I agree," Garfield said. "Note my Ew."

"Baywatch," Artemis said as she kissed the speedster with her arms around his neck. "How did I ever in up with you?"

Outside the cave, near the ledge of a Cliff, Conner sat on the ground against a tree with M'gann sitting between his legs with her back against him. Despite the cool breeze that blew around them, she wore only a pair of capris with a black long sleeve shirt that matched Conner's. He in turn went back to wearing his normal jeans and short-sleeved black T-shirt. And he of course had a new favorite pair of boots on; identical to the ones he had lost. Both were engaged in a deep kiss in the light of the full Moon with the sound of the waves below being slightly drowned out by the loud music from the cave.

"You sure you don't want to go inside?" Conner asked as he further wrapped his arms around her.

"No, I'm happy right here," she said with a giggle. Her green skinned cheeks turn red from his affection. The same sparkle in her eyes and happiness in her voice when she was with him had returned since they reunited and he was determined to keep her like that, always.

"Listen, about-"

"Don't. Please don't say his name again."

"M'gann, whatever he said, whatever he thought, it's not true."

"I know." She stroked a finger along the neck of his shirt. "It just hurts when someone, anyone says those things. I know I shouldn't care, but it still hurts."

"M'gann," he said as he lifted her face to look at him. "Human, Martian, tan, green, white, it doesn't matter what you look like because I see the real you inside, the only part that matters. And that's what I love about you."

A large smile appeared on her face. "I love you too, Conner."

"Besides, you did kind of see the psycho in me and liked me anyways."

"Where did you come up with that?" she asked.

"Some kind of genius."

With a giggle, she leaned her head back on his chest and looked at the moon. "So, my Kryptonian can fly and go Jedi now. But how good are you really in the air?"

Grinning, Conner stood up and went over to the edge of the cliff as he walked backwards. Instead of falling off into the water, he stepped into the empty airspace as if he were walking on solid ground. "I don't know. I've been practicing during our breaks. So you tell me."

Floating over to him with a smile, M'gann wrapped her arms around his neck as they floated a little ways from the cliff. "Showoff."

"Not really." He placed his forehead on hers before going in for another liplock.

"Nuh, uh," she playfully said as she pulled away slightly. "If you want more of that," she moved his hands to the top of her capris. "And more of this, you've got to earn it."

"How?" He asked with a grin.

She floated away from him and ascended into the air a few feet away. "You've got to catch me."

A mischievous grin etched itself on his face as he assumed a position to bolt after her. His stubbornness wouldn't allow her to get away from him, just as it would not allow him to lose her again. She helped save his life by removing the Kryptonite from his body and he had saved hers by coming to her aid at the oceanic base. It was a gesture the two had repeated time and time again since the team was first formed.

With the grins never leaving their faces, he shot after his happily laughing Martian and the two flew into the open sky with him in pursuit, disappearing in the light of the full Moon.

End

A big THANK YOU for all those who've read this. I really hope you all enjoyed reading it. Looking forward to seeing the rest of season two in a couple of weeks but the first season will always be my favorite (not really feeling the new additions except for Beast Boy and Blue Beetle). For those that followed, favorite, and reviewed/commented, a big THANK YOU goes out to ya'll as well.

And like the others, music to go along with the story. (It's just what popped in my head while writing this)

"Good Feeling" by Flo Rida – (Party song)

"You Could Be Mine" by Guns 'n Roses – (Overall song-Love the fast pace it has)