Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or general DC universe.

The Medic

Chapter Twenty Five

Atlanta

February 26 21:00 EST

Dick winced as he caught bits of conversation from the crowd. The line to enter the club was staggering and the Team was at the tail end of it. The Songbirds had gained popularity after their performance in Gotham, or more accurately, after the rumors about Cira spread. To Dick's knowledge Cira was taking the new attention well. To her publicity was publicity, he'd just prefer it if his new friend's name wasn't so salaciously linked to his father. Random starlets he could stomach, this development was just… odd.

"Is this normal?" Kaldur asked. "I assumed that such things happened only on television."

Conner crossed his arms over his chest, stretching the dark fabric of his shirt tight across his shoulders. "No way her band is that popular."

"Oh I don't know," Wally grinned as he looked the flyer he held in his hand. "Apparently Cira's last client was pleased with her work."

Dick shoved Wally harshly.

"Wayne right?" Artemis peaked over Wally's shoulder. "At least her taste has improved over the years."

Dick and Wally looked at Artemis, clearly horrified at her suggestion.

"What? He's hot for someone his age."

"Art." Wally folded the flyer and placed it in his back pocket. "Not cool."

Artemis shrugged in response.

Dick peeked at the start of the line. "We'll have to bribe our way in."

"Perhaps we can watch her perform some other time?" Kaldur suggested. "I highly doubt such tactics will work"

Dick pulled his wallet from his back pocket. He handed Kaldur a clip full of bills with a business card attached. "Why don't you try it out?"

Kaldur's eyebrow rose at the amount. He gave the Team his best, "Are you kidding me?" look. They only stared at him expectantly. Resigned to his task Kaldur squared his shoulders and walked purposefully toward the bouncer.

Wally shook his head as he watched Kaldur leave. He wondered if there was some difference between human and Atlantean physiology that made it impossible for them to slouch. Even in less formal clothing, a high necked deep red button down shirt and dark jeans, Kaldur moved like he was in full military gear. This was supposed to be fun, Wally thought and frowned. He hoped that Kaldur wasn't as stiff on the dance floor.

Robin began to giggle and Wally moved to run his hand through his hair. He halted in disgust as his fingers hit the headband he borrowed from Megan. He was suddenly reminded of why he didn't let his hair grow more than a few inches.

Conner elbowed the still giggling Robin, and pointed to start of the line where Kaldur beaconed.

Artemis smirked. She was the first to saunter forward. Her hand rested on the waistline of her dark jeans, fingers brushing the skin of her exposed midriff. The rest of the group shrugged and followed her lead.

Cira allowed her senses to roam freely. Feeding off the crowd was one of the many perks of being a performer and when the feedback was positive the high Cira received was indescribable. It was also addictive. Not that she admitted it. Any form of addiction would send her into some labs for testing, or worse a therapist's office. The sudden pressure Superboy put on her mind jolted her into singing off key. Her control slipped causing her to play a jarring note on her guitar. It was the end of the song but that didn't stop Rita from glaring.

Cira gave the signal to change the song order and Rita gave her another glare. There were scouts in the audience, and the line up had been specifically chosen to give the best impression. Cira began playing her pick anyway. She needed the change, something harsh, something rough, anything that would not rely on the quality of her voice. One song would be enough time to recalibrate her senses. Too late to stop her, the rest of the band played along.

"This is a little darker than I expected," Conner said, his expression softened as he looked to the stage. It wasn't something that he would listen too all the time, but it was better than dribble Megan liked from the radio. Not that Cira would ever hear him say as much.

"It is…but it seems to have a good rhythm to it. Should we try dancing?" Megan did not give Conner a chance to respond. She dragged him into the crowd. The rest of the Team rushed to follow before they lost the tell tale glitter of the sequins from Megan's dress.

Cira managed through two more songs. Her band mates gave her worried glances throughout the performance. The audience didn't seem to mind. That was one blessing, the break after this set was another. She excused herself from the stage, muttering apologies to her band mates. It was unorthodox but they would have to face the scouts without their singer.

Something obscured the Team's life signatures. The sensation wasn't as layered as Captain Marvel's transformation but it was similarly hazy. She found Kaldur first. Wasn't he the responsible one? She thought sourly. The reasonable one? Cira strode up to him and tapped his shoulder. She was forced to look up into pale green eyes as he turned. Cira froze, her neck tilted back uncomfortably, before her brain remembered to tell her body that backing up was a better idea. "Kaldur'ahm?"

"Ah..I must apologize for our sudden appearance."

Cira's eyebrow rose. Did his voice get deeper? She wondered. Did his voice even need to get deeper? She inspected him as she crossed her arms over her chest. "That's uhhh."

Suddenly self aware Kaldur averted his eyes. "I have been told that it is distracting."

"Right," she chuckled a little. "Distracting. Great word choice. You know-" Cira was interrupted by a laugh, that laugh. She leaned over to see Dick.

He was taller, and broader. His now long hair was swept back into a horse tail. Dick wore a bright blue shirt with a plunging neckline. The garment would look comical on anyone without his natural flamboyance, Cira decided. And only he could draw that big of a crowd.

The girl's surrounding him lit up as they giggled. Cira only caught snatches of the joke but she was certain it was bad. The pretty ones, she thought, her inner voice a growl, always get away with the bad jokes.

Cira excused herself from Kaldur, and marched to Dick's location. Zatanna hung off Dick's arm, not at all bothered by his flirting. Seeing her now Cira could feel the connection between her magic and the Team's sudden growth spurt. She cataloged that sensation for later use. She grabbed Dick's ear between her thumb and forefinger before dragging him away, glaring at the girl who dared object.

"Okay! Okay! I get it! You're mad. Let me go!" Dick's voice was still light despite the passing of a few years. Cira ignored his protests, and continued to pull him to a less inhabited spot of the club.

"What were you thinking?"

"We just wanted to go out." Dick said as he wrenched himself free of her grip.

"Then go somewhere appropriate!"

Dick shrugged. "It's not too bad in here."

"I don't care what you look like now, you are a good-" Cira paused to tally the amount on her fingers. "Four years too young."

"I'm not too young for-"

"No. Just shut it. You know exactly what I mean and why I am upset."

"That's not the only reason why you're upset," Dick muttered.

"I can list them if you want. It won't change a thing."

He glared at her then. "Listing them would be a nice change of pace," he said through his teeth.

"Oh, so now I'm just another adult that doesn't understand." She rolled her eyes. "Fine. You want a concrete reason? " She placed her hand on her hip. "I haven't figured out how to block out meta humans and aliens yet. By popping up unannounced you almost ruined my performance."

Dick blinked at her.

" The Kyrptonian's the worse."

"Conner? "

"You try performing with bells ringing in your head."

Robin considered her words for a moment. "Calling him by his actual name might help."

Cira shrugged.

"But you're right." Dick wrapped his arms around Cira's waist and leaned his head on her shoulder. "Batman mentioned that examining the League was hard on you. I should have asked."

Cira looked over to him. Her scowl deepened. He was trying to be cute. "He'd never try to pull this on Batman," she muttered to herself.

"But we're already here and it's only for one night."Dick batted his eyes at her, grossly exaggerating the motion. "Can we stay? Please!"

Cira's eyebrow twitched. Why are his lashes so long? And why the hell am I noticing? "Whatever." Cira looked away. "Just watch yourselves."

"Awesome!" Dick pecked her on the cheek. "It will be fun. You'll be filling the aster in no time! " He released her and made his way back to the Team, passing Rita and King on his way.

Cira's friends watched him pass, looking to each other before standing at Cira's side.

"Wow," Rita breathed. "Have you ever seen such a-"

"Never," King agreed reverently.

Rita tugged at Cira's arm. "Okay, who was that?"

"Old friend," Cira answered her voice flat.

"Just an old friend?" Rita pursed her lips. "You're not going to introduce us?"

"Yeah…friends share." King said still staring after Dick.

"Can you not?" Cira asked, her expression clearly showing her horror. "Just don't. It's too weird."

"Fine," Rita said sourly. "Keep Mr. Bubbly Buns to yourself."

Cira's lungs constricted. Was this some sort of punishment? "Please. I'm begging you."

"He's already taken isn't he," King said, sounding dejected.

"Yes. Yes, he is." Cira gestured to the dance floor. "And here come the rest of them now."

King and Rita stared at the Team as they approached.

The bassist's jaw dropped. "You've replaced us with pretty people."

Cira just looked to Rita in confusion.

"I'm serious! It's like a troupe of supermodels are coming this way. My skin's breaking out as we speak. "

"You're exaggerating." Cira rolled her eyes but looking at them she reluctantly agreed. She wondered after meeting the Justice League if supernatural hotness was a requirement for membership. Sure Plastic Man existed but someone had to prove the rule. Looking at the kids now, all grown up and filled out in the right places, it wasn't fair. Cira frowned. "Just don't freak alright? They can smell fear."

End of Chapter Twenty Five!'

Sorry for the delay. Real life smacked me off a cliff.

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