I have bad news D:. Next week, I won't be able to post any chapters on Thursday or Friday as we're taking an overnight field trip… But I'll be posting chapters as usual besides that :P.
ieatcookies, thank you ;).
KitsuNova, I know I'm cruel, it's just the way I work XD. And thank you so much!
The February Rose, yeah, if I was being mentally stalked by a creepy dude in a cloak and my ex-boyfriend I would probably tell someone… But she did think that it was the best way to protect her friends. And don't worry; I consider characters real as well :D
Sarcasm and Sparkles, no worries ^^. Sometimes I get really busy too, which is why Wednesday is my day off, since I have my very long piano lessons that day XD.
The next morning, M'gann called for a conference of the most senior team members and Robin to discuss Angel's nightmares.
The girl herself was not present, as she had asked to excuse herself as soon as she calmed herself down. All M'gann knew right now was that she had gone flying.
But a faint orange was making the sky look like dusk, the stars fading into the now-pinkish sky, as the sun came up, and there was still no sign of her.
M'gann felt a small tug of worry, but pushed it away. Angel could take care of herself.
"So what has passed?" Aqualad queried.
M'gann exchanged a look with Zatanna. The Martian had told her about Angel's nightmares, how Rogue and someone she called the Grim Reaper had been showing her horrible visions.
"We found out what's been… Bothering Angel." Zatanna said, her blue eyes troubled.
The Team instantly looked interested, if a bit wary.
"And…?" Nightwing asked, letting the question hang in the air.
"Angel has been having nightmares, as you all know," M'gann began.
About twenty minutes later, M'gann was looking at six shocked faces.
"Why is this… Guy, doing this to her?" Nightwing asked, trying to contain his guilt at not being able to help Angel before.
M'gann shook her head and sighed. "All I know it's probably for the same reason as why Cadmus wanted her. She's a valuable pawn in this crime game."
Wally narrowed his eyes. "I think there's something more to this."
Superboy nodded his head. "So do I. This Grim Reaper is just on the surface of something."
"The question is what?" Artemis said, her face still pale.
Only Robin didn't say anything.
Angel stayed away from the Cave as long as possible, unsure what to expect from her teammates. She sighed softly as a cool wind caressed her feathers and gently lifted her up higher into the sky.
Exhaustion made her weary, but with the constant wind blowing this way and that, it was easy to stay aloft.
She circled around several times, not bothering to try any aerial maneuvers. Everything was so quiet, so peaceful. Completely unlike the horrifying world she had seen only hours ago in her sleep.
A shudder ran through her, causing the tips of her wings to tremble with terror. Had she been mistaken to tell M'gann about Jack and Grim Reaper visiting her in her sleep?
What would the others think? What about Robin?
Angel flinched at the thought of the hero, flashes of his battered body running through her mind.
"Hey, Blue!" Angel turned in surprise, only to see her mentor swoop towards her, wings beating strongly.
"Hawkwoman?" She asked.
Shayera veered a little so she was side by side with Bluejay. "M'gann told me… About the nightmares." She said, getting straight to the point.
Angel nodded dully. She should have guessed.
"We're going to find this guy. We're going to stop him." Shayera continued, her voice getting stronger.
Bluejay looked at her in surprise. "You really believe that?" She said, doubt coloring her voice.
Shayera snorted. "You really think we're just gonna pretend nothing's wrong?"
Angel was silent, and just looked ahead.
"Do you really think you could stop him?" She asked after a few seconds of silence, allowing worry to enter her tone.
"Well, we're sure gonna try." Shayera retorted.
"And anyway," She added with a grin. "You don't really think we're gonna let him steal all our secrets through you. Plus, I really can't wait to kick that Grim Reaper's a-" She stopped and corrected herself. "Butt. Kick that Grim Reaper's butt."
Angel smiled, sudden courage filling her.
"You're right." She conceded, causing Shayera to grin again.
After all, she wasn't just Angel Devine anymore; she was the Bluejay.
After a few more hours of flying lessons, the two flew back into the Cave, both landing lightly on their feet.
Bluejay still felt nervous about the seniors' reactions, but she had more confidence than before.
But when she stepped into the Zeta Tube cave, they all shot her reassuring smiles. She grinned back, hope flaring in her chest. She wasn't alone.
So? That just means more will come down with you. A small part of her mind whispered to Bluejay, but she pushed it away.
"Angel?" It was Nightwing who stepped forward.
Bluejay nodded, shyness trying to overcome her.
"We just wanted you to know that we'll do everything in our power to keep you safe." He said, his voice strong with conviction.
"Hear, hear!" KF said jokingly, speeding forwards until he was besides his best friend. "All for one, and one for all!"
Artemis came up behind him and whacked him upside the head.
The speedster let out a yelp of pain before giving the archer a half-hearted glare.
Connor rolled his eyes, before stepping forward as well. "I second that." He grunted.
"So do I." M'gann said, smiling at Bluejay.
"I'm in." Artemis acknowledged Angel by giving her a small wave with her bow.
"As am I." Kaldur said, flashing a smile towards the winged girl.
"Uh, I think we all know I'm a yes." Zatanna teased as she walked up to Nightwing and leaned against him.
A flower of deep affection blossomed in Bluejay's chest. This was her family now. And no matter what Grim Reaper and Rogue said, she wasn't giving them up without a fight.
"We'd better get to finding Rogue and the Grim Reaper then." She said, causing everyone, including her mentor to smile.
And unbeknownst to Angel, there was a figure hidden by the shadows as he leaned against the wall near the mouth of one of the hallways.
His mouth was turned up in a warm smile while his dark blue eyes gazed affectionately as he stared at her.
Tim had noticed that the only time when he could ever really embrace his feelings, he had to be in darkness, unseen, the lack of light making a screen in which he could really show his affection.
He wasn't sure how to show it to her without it, though. But he was certain it wouldn't be long.
There was still that nagging uncertainty that he didn't feel the same way he did; but that seemed minor at the moment.
All he could do for now was gaze at her in rapture, his affection for now cloaked by darkness, as his mentor did so often.
I actually really enjoyed that end bit with Tim… Next chapter up tomorrow! And I know this one is short too XD. But right now, I'm making the chapters shorter cuz there should be different key parts in different chapters. Well, that's how I think it should be XD.
