I'm sorry, i'm trying to get back in the swing of writing. :( Please enjoy and tell me what you think.

L.L.A.P

~Laces

Chpt.11

Athena didn't like staying home from school. She understood where Bruce was coming from when he told her that he wanted her to stay at the Manor for a while, but she still was antsy.

Bruce knew that if Athena went to school with Austin on the loose, it would do more harm than good. She would be unable to focus, and jumpy at everything.

The girl tried to keep herself occupied. She read some books. She worked out in the cave. She sang some songs. She helped Alfred around the Manor. She studied.

Athena was easily bored when she wasn't around people though. Sometimes Alfred wanted to clean areas himself. Bruce was at work. Paige, Jensen, and Ramon were at school. Dick and Conner were with the team, along with everyone else. All her parents were either at their own jobs or in the watchtower. Even Bart was too busy to hang out with her.

However, when school ended, she was excited to see Ramon drop by. He visited her every day and told her what they did in school and she would help him with his homework.

"Hey, are you going to be alright?" Ramon questioned the fourth day Athena was out of school.

"Yeah… yeah, I'll be fine." she whispered. "Bruce is still looking for Austin. He doesn't want me to go back to school until the guy is caught." She sighed heavily, running a hand through her hair.

"Athena…" Ramon bit his lip and looked down at the picture he was drawling. "Never mind."

"What is it?" Athena questioned, tilting her head.

"It's nothing. Bruce knows and that's all he needs. Forget I said anything." Ramon informed quickly, and Athena furrowed her eyebrows.

"Ramon please tell me. What were you going to say?" Athena questioned, and Ramon let out a long sigh.

"Athena… don't freak out, okay? But… but Austin makes passes by my house." He whispered, and Athena's eyes widened.

"What?" she questioned, her voice high and anxious.

"Well a few days ago I saw Austin sitting on a bench near my house. He saw me, and just smiled. Then he got up, called a taxi, and drove away." Ramon informed. "Then yesterday he actually knocked on my door posing as some Jehovah Witness. He smiled at my Mom and it was creepy."

"Did he try to hurt you?" Athena questioned, her voice panicked.

"I don't know. When he smiled at Mom, he didn't have a chance to do anything else because she punched him in the face and told him to get off our property, screaming that she knew a pervert when she saw one."

"I see." Athena whispered, and was silent.

"Hey, it's okay. Bruce makes sure to have some people check on my house. He's taking this very serious." Ramon informed in a gentle voice.

"I just want this guy gone. What if he goes for Paige? Or Jensen? I can't…"

"Shhh." Ramon gave the girl a tight hug, running his hands through her hair. "You need to calm down. Paige said she didn't see him and Jensen is safe too. I think Austin is only interested in me because of how defensive you were of me. He just wants to get under your skin. But you can't let him get to you, alright?"

Athena nodded, and Ramon debated with himself whether or not to kiss her on the cheek. However, he settled on hugging her tightly, trying to comfort her.

Ramon understood that this was hard for her, and he hoped that Austin would be caught soon.

Athena enjoyed the embrace but felt her heart sink when he had to pull away due to Alfred coming in, telling them that Ramon had to go home early do to a dentist appointment his mom scheduled.

However, Athena brightened when she saw another visitor knock at the door.

Conner.

~*~*~*~*~*~About an Hour Later~*~*~*~*~*~

"You shouldn't worry so much." Conner informed with a comforting smile.

"everyone keeps telling me that, but I can't help worrying. I mean, wouldn't you be worried if some whack-job knew everything about you?" Conner was silent for a moment.

"I can't blame you for worrying when you put it like that." Conner sighed. "Do you want to stay with Ma and Pa for a while? I'm sure Austin wouldn't find you with them."

"I can't risk getting Ma and Pa involved." Athena whispered. "Austin already knows about my friends, and he has made it a point that he can get close to Ramon. I don't want to add Ma and Pa in the list of people I have to worry about."

Conner placed a hand on Athena's shoulder, and the girl hugged him tightly, just like she did when she was little.

"I'm going to miss you, you know that, right?" Athena whispered.

"Bruce told you about my mission in space, huh?" Athena nodded and Conner let out a long sigh.

"I'll be back soon, Athena." he gave her a warm smile. "And if that Austin guy is still out there and harassing you when I get back, I'll hunt him down and beat him into a bloody pulp." Conner kissed Athena on the forehead. "I won't let this guy hurt you."

"Thanks Conner." Athena grinned, giving him a strong hug.

She watched as Conner gave a small wave, and flew off, but she wasn't the only one watching.

"Power Girl and Superboy, hmmm?"