So if any of you readers wanna leave a PM to give me some ideas of what you want to read & stuff, that's more than welcome. Also, those of you who are guests & reviewing, if ya'll wanna leave some ideas in your reviews, that's great. I love author-reader interaction. Shows a bond between the two(: So, without further ado, here's the next installment of my story(:


Bruce tapped his fingers against his desk. Behind him was another computer, this one with a huge monitor the size of the wall. On the other side of his desk sat Dick, dressed in civvies, stiff as a board. He had his game face on-and he meant business. "Are you sure she just didn't go off in a fit? Half-breeds have those tendencies. Even Diana, a full-bred, has rage fits from time to time."

"I don't think so. Every time she starts to mention it, her eyes just get... well, scared."

"Look, Dick, I've heard you talk this way before. You know where this got us last time."

"All I'm asking is for you to pull some strings out there either as Bruce Wayne or as Batman. Even get Diana to do something. She's a great new asset to the Team. I would hate to lose her, and so would everyone else. If they somehow get her connected..."

"I know, Dick. I just don't want to do someone a favor if they're not who they say they are."

"What do you mean? Is she suspicious?" Dick arched an eyebrow at Bruce. He shrugged in response.

"Not from what I've heard. I always say that as a precaution."

Dick nodded. "I don't think you have to worry about this with her. Just... look into it?"

Bruce nodded. They both stood, shaking hands. "Hey, Dick?"

Dick stopped at the door and turned around. "Yeah?"

"Just be careful with her. Girls like her who've been through things like that are very vulnerable and will hold onto everything."

Dick smiled. "Gotchya. See ya, Bruce."

"Goodbye, Dick."

Dick drove back to the Cave smiling. He was glad he and Bruce were talking again. Truth be told, he missed Bruce, but he always felt like Bruce was a control freak. Either way, he was grateful that Bruce was going to check into Cassie's situation.

Cassie. The name sounded sweet in his head. Sure, things had been awkward between them since he'd kissed her and she'd freaked out, but he felt like soon she'd come around. He didn't even realize what he'd done until she started squirming. Then she'd bombarded him with a million questions as to what was wrong with him, and he'd given her another dose of sedatives so she'd shut up. Then he'd retreated to the gym, his room, and solo missions in Bludhaven. He didn't know how well she was doing exactly, but he had an inkling that she would have a million more questions for him. And this time, he'd answer.

He pulled into the Cave's back driveway, shut off his car, and headed in.

Cassie heard the door open and disregarded it. It was probably Mal coming in from a run around the mountain or something. She turned off the TV and switched on the radio instead. As she bobbed her head to the music, she pulled open her laptop and started working on her research essay for her Psychology class.

"Ooh, Psych. That was always my favorite." The so-familiar voice that Cassie hadn't heard in a week made her jump, slamming the lid to her laptop shut. She placed her hand over her heart to steady it's rate. Dick was smiling widely, obviously thinking the situation was funny.

"Don't. Ever. Do. That. Again." Cassie was breathless, and not just because he had startled her. He was dressed in tight jeans and a button down-just how she liked her guys to dress. His black hair was all disheveled, and his eyes were sparkling with something that resembled mischief. Cassie thought back to when he'd kissed her in the infirmary, and how she'd overreacted. Truthfully, she'd been so ecstatic she couldn't keep her mouth shut. Sadly, he'd drugged her up and left. Now, she wasn't so sure she liked him anymore. But that smile...

"Sorry. Couldn't resist seeing you jump." Dick ran a hand through his hair and placed his arm on the back of the couch. "But seriously. Psych was my favorite class."

She nodded. "Cool. What exactly are you doing here? I thought you were going solo for a while..."

"I was bored here so I ran off to Bludhaven. Plus I have my own place there. I wanted to see how well you guys did without me. Any news on Megan?"

"Um, J'onn said she was starting to breathe by herself again. Her fingers twitch from time to time. I guess it's gonna be a while before she can even open her eyes, though. Sadly."

"That sucks. I have better news, though."

"Oh, really? How's everyone with they whole New Year's Eve thing that they were on trial for?"

"Well, Bruce is back. I guess he wasn't their main target. And from the way he was talking, Diana's back too. And we all know J'onn's back. But I'm not so sure about the rest of them. Then again, J'onn is being monitored. So maybe he's not completely let go. But that's not my news."

"Then what is it? New weapons or something?"

Dick smiled, shaking his head. "It involves you." He moved a little closer, and Cassie leaned away in response. He tucked a strand of hair behind her ear. "Bruce is gonna look into the investigation and try to erase more evidence of you being involved. He might even see if Diana can do something."

Cassie untucked the strand from behind her ear. Dick shook his head, letting the tips of his fingers rest on her shoulder. What the hell is he doing? Playing a game? Because I can certainly kill again if I have to. "Cool. But I don't get why you're doing that."

"Because I told you I didn't wanna lose you." Dick leaned his head forward, almost to touch hers. She clutched her laptop under her arm and stood up abruptly.

"Look, Dick, I was quite startled when you kissed me. Even more that you sedated me to shut me up. Then you leave for a week with no contact to the Team, and now you're back trying to make peace with me? I understand Zatanna messed you up real bad, but I don't think that's an excuse as to your acting this way. I'm not in condition to be in a kind-of relationship like that."

Dick stood, too. "I didn't mean to seem like that. I wanted to surprise you with the news. And I wanted to give you space in case you were a little freaked. And I was afraid something would happen to you if you kept rambling like how you were when I sedated you. I'm sorry."

"Well, you should've thought about that before you came here. Sorry, but I'm not gonna play this game. Like I said, I'm in no condition to." She walked away then, tears brimming in her eyes.

But he couldn't see that.