A/N: Writing update: I am on the second to last chapter! WHOOO! Finally! I think I may split it into two chapters though due to length since I know some people love long chapters and other people hate them because they just can't focus enough to finish them, though I am fond of even numbers(chapter 44 would have been the last chapter/Epilogue if I didn't split them, we'll see)

Anywho, here is the latest chapter. I worked really hard on this chapter and I don't know if you guys will like it or not and I hope you do...so here it is!

Disclaimer: I own nothing.

Enjoy!

Chapter: 36

They still sat facing one another, in companionable silence when lightning sparked suddenly. Flaring up on Livia's hands and arcing down her knees towards Darren's. She let out a cry of warning but the electricity just sputtered and fizzed out once it reached his ankles,

"I'm so sorry…I didn't mean to do that…sometimes it just acts up," she muttered sheepishly,

"It's okay," Darren said chuckling, "I don't feel pain…and besides…it just stopped before it reached me…my suit is insulated too," Livia frowned at that,

"So did the flame I threw at you. That has never happened before," she stood…so did Darren, though he felt slightly lightheaded as he did so, he was still tired from his run over here and still healing overall, "I've…I've actually never used magic on a Talon before…only on their weapons,"

"So?" Darren asked, frowning and placing a hand on the vanity chair to steady himself,

"What…what if magic doesn't work on them? On you?"

"Why does that matter?" He asked, raising an eyebrow,

"It matters because I can't read your mind…the fire didn't hurt you and the lightning didn't electrocute you…so I probably can't do that with other Talons as well,"

"Okay, but why does that matter? You aren't going up against the Court of Owls," Darren remarked, frowning at her,

"It was my backup plan…it was my weapon against the Court," She sounded slightly panicked,

"Wait…what do you mean your weapon against the Court?" Darren didn't mean to snap at her, but it sounded like she was relying on her own abilities to defend herself against the Court…which wasn't possible. Darren could barely escape them and he was one of them.

Livia suddenly leapt at him, throwing fireball after fireball after fireball. They all only singed his suit…no burned skin or any affect on him at all or they winked out of existence the moment it touched his skin, leaving only a flash of intense heat before vanishing. Darren waved away the smoke in the air, trying not to seem too angry at this revelation,

"Livia why did you think this was a weapon?" he asked again, very seriously, he wanted to know what she had been thinking. Sure magic could be used in a fight, but it shouldn't be relied on…no superhuman ability should be,

"Because you said they were superstitious…I thought if they feared my magic I could defend myself and my family if they ever did attack like you said they might. It was why I didn't tell you! I thought you were superstitious too because those Talons practically raised you and I didn't want you to despise me or fear me," She sounded angry as well, throwing her hands up in the air and paced angrily around the room, but was actually more frustrated at this discovery than anything. Her plan was now void and useless. Darren though, felt ticked off even though he understood her rationality completely,

"So all this time…you thought magic could stop them, that was the reason you thought you were protected. That's what you wouldn't tell me all those nights ago? I could have told you magic didn't work on us! I knew that!" Silence echoed once again before Darren spoke again, much quieter than before, "You really thought magic would make me hate you? I mean I was cautious of everyone…I was wary of you and your presence, I couldn't risk letting anyone close. I thought you were one of them for awhile…I even contemplated killing you because I couldn't risk the smallest chance you were a Talon waiting to strike against me or my—my family. I realize I was wrong, but you kept this a secret even though it wasn't true?"

"I didn't know it wasn't true, I was hoping it was and…wait, hold up you wanted to kill me?"

"I contemplated, never actually did anything," Darren insisted raising his hands in a placating matter—maybe he shouldn't have mentioned that, "it was because I didn't know who was friend or foe…I was different back then…I didn't know you as a friend…I didn't think of you that way. I didn't trust as easily—still don't really either but that's besides the point.

"You kept this a secret! That was dangerous, you can't just rely on a theory when other people's lives are at stake," Livia let out a scoff and scowled at him, causing Darren to glare back at her,

"Do you know what would have happened if they cornered you and it was then that you found out magic didn't work on Talons? You'd be dead…because you kept this to yourself!" He hissed, stepping forward aggressively…Livia flinched at his words and took a step back though her expression never wavered from a scowl even if he did speak the truth. Even if his sudden movement slightly frightened her, she stood her ground.

He didn't know why this angered him so much, but it was a reckless thing she did and a stupid thing to rely on. It was why the Talons-to-be sparred against the Talons, so they wouldn't have only their abilities to rely on in a fight, they would have something other than their enhanced abilities to use once they were turned. He took a deep breath and relaxed his stance…it is not his goal to be imposing, she was only working with the information she knew and the abilities only she knew she truly had,

"Don't be upset about this! That isn't fair! People get to keep whatever secrets they want, including me!" she stated. Darren glowered at her again, he couldn't help it…even if he understood the truth that rang in her words, "Don't give me that look. You had your secrets as well, and I let you keep them for as long as you desired. How would that be fair if it were any different for me?" Darren stepped forward again, less forcefully…she didn't step back this time,

"I could have killed you…I could have hurt you if I were any less restrained than I am now…I could have made a terrible mistake and if the Court knew that magic didn't work on them they wouldn't have stayed away. They would have hunted you down and hurt someone I—," he cut himself off and they both froze at that, staring at one another blue-grey eyes to yellow-green…both shocked,

"Someone you what?" She breathed, Darren swallowed, confused by the direction this conversation went. He'd been angry before…angry she'd been so reckless…but now, he didn't know what he felt,

"Someone I—," he couldn't finish that sentence…he didn't really know how to end it, he didn't know what this mass of feeling building in his chest was. It had suddenly happened, with no warning and he didn't know what it was. Whether it was relief that he hadn't hurt her or pain at the fact that she didn't trust him with her worries in the first place, or something else he couldn't name or understand,

"Someone you hated or despised…did you hate me Darren? Is that why you wanted to kill me?" Livia asked carefully and unreadable expression on her face, leaning against the wall—arms crossed—once more, they had circled each other while shouting at one another…now they stood still coming to a stop where they started,

"No! Never…I couldn't," he barked it out, quickly and harshly. It was the truth,

"You couldn't hate me?" she asked softly dropping her arms to her sides, her gaze warm and opened, so different from the cold calculating gaze she had just moments before, "You couldn't hurt someone you cared about could you…you couldn't let them hurt me,"

"I…I—no…no, I couldn't. Not…not someone like you," Darren stated slowly…wondrously. Alarmed by the sudden realization, something he hadn't seen before or understood before.

It wasn't hatred he felt for her…it had never been that…ever, it was something meaningful, a need to know her. It wasn't just caution he used to weave his answers when he spoke to her or had conversations with her, it was nerves…he was nervous to talk to her. He stumbled over what he said for the longest time, until he got to know her better. It wasn't fear of her he felt, it was the desire to know someone else—which frightened him because he never felt that way towards anyone before, he'd never experienced it before. He never experienced such a capacity to trust someone enough to open up to, to talk to. But he forced himself away because that would put her in danger…it had never really been just about his safety, yet he was drawn to her anyway. It wasn't suspicion that made him spy on her and Tim doing their project, it was jealousy…Tim got to spend time with her, not him. He never felt any animosity towards her…not in a long long time. Just longing and desire and…and…affection. He couldn't actually name what he felt, only understood it as something unmovable, unchangeable…incredibly reliable and intense…it made him feel alive,

"Someone I care about," he said finally after a long pause between them. Certainty in his statement, he knew it to be true…but did she know it to be true as well. Did she feel that as well or did she fear him like she did the other Talons? He stepped even closer still and she stared at him, a smile gracing her face, and he felt as if his chest had been crushed or trampled by something…this feeling…whatever its name was, he wasn't used to feeling. Not this intensely, not like this…it felt like worry and happiness but at the same time something different…something good,

"What did you see in me?" he asked instead of acting upon the confusion he felt,

"What?" Livia asked, eyebrows furrowing,

"When you found me in that alleyway? You told me before people don't save strangers unless they see something in them…what did you see in me?" Livia was silent for a moment, considering her answer,

"I saw…a savior…someone who would fight no matter what for others who were trapped with no way to live a life of their own because you knew what that was like. I saw someone who would always fight for justice in the way you knew how…and someone who would learn and grow and change because that is what making your own choices in life does…it changes you and maybe it's not always perfect or for the better…but those changes and choices are your own. They make you, you. They are what define you.

"I saw a savior for Gotham…a savior for the victims…for the ones who don't need a Batman or a Nightwing…but someone who would do what is necessary when needed," Darren stared at her and in that instant he decided that he knew what he felt towards her. No one had ever seen something so deep and meaningful and worldly in him ever.

He had never loved anyone as much as he loved her in that moment,

"Can I kiss you?" He asked, he didn't know what else to say, or do to describe what he was feeling…it was something he never felt before towards anyone, at least not in a truly romantic way. Livia tilted her head like a cat, shaking it and then chuckled a little,

"You're too polite for me Darren," a smile graced her face yet again making her eyes shine brightly…full of life and happiness despite the hell he has dragged her into,

"Is that a problem? Should I not have asked? Did I—," Darren started, concerned he'd upset her,

"Shut up and kiss me you idiot," she murmured, rolling her eyes and smiling lightly. He blinked, stunned by what she just said but then smiled. Darren stepped froward slowly…cautiously, reaching up to cup her cheeks with both hands gently…feeling almost shy, an unfamiliar feeling of nerves fluttering in his stomach and chest. He was taller than her and he had to bend down slightly to reach her. His lips pressed against her's and he dropped his hands from her face to her waist as her arms wrapped around his neck, settling there gently. It was an innocent kiss, one that dulled the nerves he felt and made him realize that he actually felt. This was real…this was happening…and it felt different and amazing and invigorating all at once. That one kiss was a slideshow of emotions he has never felt before, and it was wonderful.

Darren pulled back, wondering what was going on in Livia's mind…wondering if she had felt all the things he had and more. Livia let out a breath she seemed to be holding, his eyes met hers' and that's all it took before they lunged for each other at the same time. Coming in for a harder kiss, a deeper kiss as the hands still tucked around his neck crept up through his hair, twisting through it and sending indescribable sensations down his spine.

That kiss. That kiss was all it took. Something had unlocked within him. A piece of him that had been kept away, ignored, never really explored or needed for his line of work, never needed for a Talon. A part of him that Darren had never known was there. Something that glimmered like a dying ember suddenly sparked, roaring into a fire that spread through his veins, that danced under the surface of his skin in an inferno of need and want.

Heat spread through him, almost encasing him…a feeling he's never felt before. Something he's never experienced. A fire that threatened to consume his very being…something he would let happen because that fire was not going to destroy him. No it would give him new strength and feelings he never truly had before like desire and want and need and…and…love.

They were still wrapped around one another, his hand slipping under the thin fabric of her bathrobe, caressing along her ribs. Gooseflesh erupted along her skin at his chilled touch and she gasped against his lips…sending a wave of sizzling fire through his body. He instinctively pulled her closer, running a thumb along her breast, her nails dug into the back of his suit at his touch.

They tore at one another touching, kissing, breathing as one, a mess of lips, teeth, hands and hair…almost tearing at each other's body in a cyclone of lips, hands and teeth until Livia's back thumped against the wall audibly—knocking a few items off the vanity, they crashed to the floor—and Livia let out a small cry. Darren opened his mouth to apologize worried he had hurt her when she let out a chuckle against his lips, sending a tingle through them and he couldn't help but laugh as well before she pounced, pulling his face back to her's. But Darren heard the doorknob turn and in an instant pulled away vanishing into the shadows of the room. Livia stumbled forward slightly due to his instantaneous absence as she turned to face a little dark eyed, brown haired boy—the spitting image of Dr. Branley—,

"Livia…I heard a loud noise!" he cried, looking concerned. Livia had a hand to her chest—pulling the bathrobe quickly back into place—the other against her lips, and appeared to be trying not to look too flustered,

"Oh…uh…it's nothing to worry about. I just…um…I…dropped something. Go…go back to bed Petey,"

"Are you sure? There are crazy people here…that's what daddy said,"

"Yeah, but they're not in this apartment. Go back to bed now," slight warning in her voice. The little boy nodded solemnly before backing out of the room, Livia closing the door behind him to make sure it was completely shut before turning to face Darren—hiding behind the open door to her bathroom—and started to cackle,

"Oh my God…my little brother has literally the worst timing," she smiled brightly at him and he tried to smile back but exhaustion was really catching up to him at this point…the energy he felt moments ago vanishing as if it had never been there. Livia saw him wavering on his feet and frowned, stepping forward,

"What's wrong Darren. I—Darren!" she gasped as he fell forward. She caught him and nearly fell over,but she twisted them around and guided him to her bed, "Sorry…I should have realized, you're still healing—," she babbled, Darren shook his head, dismissing her misdirected guilt and silently reached up and took her hand—he marveled at how comforting just holding her hand felt. He didn't feel this when he pulled her along by hand in the school when it was attacked. Things changed, his perspective changed and his understanding of what he felt changed. That's what it had to be, he didn't know any other explanation. He shifted slightly, her hand still in his, and lay back against the pillows,

"It's not your fault…I wasn't helping myself much earlier either," Livia smirked before letting out a sigh and letting her head drop onto his chest,

"I—I didn't think you'd ever like me," she murmured, turning her head to face him, "I didn't know if you could—," she cut herself off, frowning slightly as if something had come out in a way she hadn't meant it to. Darren frowned and sat up slightly,

"You didn't think that I could love…or try to? Or feel anything in a romantic way?" he asked. Livia bit her lip, as if ashamed to think that,

"I didn't know…what you've been through from such a young age, it can change people. It did…but clearly not enough. And I like most teenage girls…I…I can be insecure and impulsive with my feelings…I didn't want to scare you away,"

"Nothing would scare me away from you. I don't scare that easily," he didn't consider that a lie. Fear…was a complex thing, and it wasn't something to push upon or confess to others…not yet, not completely, "Though I'm certainly open to really learning how to truly love and feel," Darren murmured huskily—flinging those thoughts away—leaning forward to steal a kiss, craving that feeling of fire within his body once more, only to be pushed back down onto the pillows by Livia's gentle hand,

"We'll have plenty of time for that later," she chided sitting up, though she grinned as she said it,

"Of course I did…I do…like you," Darren felt it needed to be said, "You aren't afraid of me…you saw me, as me. Not as the Talon. Not as the assassin. There was no fear of me…you just acted like I was anyone else,"

"Well it did help that I knew the boy before the assassin," Livia stated, "And you are like anyone else—your history is your own. Though to be honest, I guess I also wouldn't say you're like anyone else. You're beyond anyone else,"

"True…I am definitely better looking…actually just better in general. Faster, stronger, I can see in the dark really well…," he grinned as Livia rolled her eyes,

"Don't make me regret saying that,"

"I don't think I could, you are pretty stubborn. I bet you wouldn't let yourself regret anything. Your stubborn ass wouldn't let go of my hand when we were stuck dangling out of that window despite the fact that it was either dropping a few feet or dying,"

"I prefer determined," she stated, frowning, "and I do not jump out of windows on a daily basis…as I told you then!"

"You prefer a lot of things,"

"I do prefer you, semi-questionable escape tactics and all," she declared, Darren wanted to argue against that but grimaced briefly—apologetically—instead before moving to sit up,

"I'm sorry…but I think I'm going to be sick," Livia nodded and grabbed the nearest trash bin and handed it to him, sitting next to him on the bed, brushing the hair back from his forehead as he thew up,

"How embarrassing," he groaned, plopping the bin on the floor,

"I'm a doctor's daughter. I'm no stranger to throw up," she replied giving him a reassuring grin, "But I think it's time you told someone where you are," Darren frowned, lying back down on the bed,

"No,"

"Darren," she said, exasperated,

"I want to stay here," he curled onto his side to face her and Livia sighed, leaning her elbows on the edge of the bed and resting her chin on her hands,

"I know…but my dad will be coming home soon and if he does it will be even harder to get you out of here as it is," her eyes were almost luminous in the dark, they were mesmerizing,

"I'm quiet," he replied, not missing a beat,

"He comes in to wake me up for school,"

"You should invest in an alarm clock," Darren monotoned, eliciting another eye-roll from Livia,

"Would it be better if I called someone?" Livia questioned. Darren rolled onto his back and stared at the ceiling before looking back over at Livia. She looked concerned and on the verge of doing just that whether or not he agreed,

"Fine,"

"I'll call Tim. Neutral ground and much better than either Bruce or Dick at the moment, right?" Darren nodded grumpily, he listened as she called from the bathroom…wondering what the others were doing…what they were thinking. He heard Tim pick up and turned onto his side towards the windows, forcing himself to focus on something other than Tim and Livia talking a few feet away,

"—yes, he's here," Livia stated, after a second or two of listening she replied, "He heard them…that's why he's here," a few more moments of talking before she replied haughtily,

"Ask Bruce and Dick," before hanging up and coming back into the main room. She then knelt next to the bed reaching over and threaded her fingers through his, pulling him gently onto his back once more,

"I know you don't want to see them…but there's more to the story I'm sure,"

"It doesn't change the fact that they considered it,"

"Perhaps it was considered sarcastically. You know Dick, he couldn't lock up family,"

"I hardly know any of them at all,"

"You've known them for far longer than you've known me," she reminded him. Darren let out a grunt, "Close your eyes and try to nap. Tim will be here soon and you'll go home. It will be fine. I promise,"

"Not even you can make everything fine," Darren growled, but complied. It wasn't really Dick he was upset about—not anymore at least—he was more understanding about his background and his occasional slip-ups. It was Bruce who was unmoving with his standards and expectations. It was him he did not trust, and probably never would…even if he had to live under the same roof as him for the rest of his life. Perhaps he never had that trust to begin with.

A/N: Aghhh, I really hope you guys liked this chapter and that it made sense. I am not a guy so perhaps this perspective of anything romantic is a bit inaccurate but I tried my best as I have done throughout this entire series. I think this chapter really worked not just for them and their characters, but for the overall future of this series. Livia is a complete and different perspective for Darren, she is also still learning things about herself and the world as well just like Darren. In my opinion they really compliment each other in that way and in many others, I am a big fan of the whole 'two sides of the same coin' type of power couple. I personally really liked this chapter and how it all came together.

So...let me know: you like, you hate, you're unsure...you have questions? Please write a comment and I'll answer to the best of my ability.

Fun Fact: the phrase Coup de Foudre, which means strike/shot of lightning refers also to the phrase 'love at first sight' which inspired the lightning at the beginning of this chapter(I freaking love this phrase) Although I personally do not really like love at first sight stories...this whole relationship was not that of course, but I felt it was a cool thing to include/allude to :)

Also, in response to Rakuzai's question from last week: Yes Zatanna appeared in an earlier chapter, as for why she did not know immediately that it was Livia who contributed to the 'high levels of magic in Gotham' I cannot really say except that you will find out by the end of this story and in part of the next installment why she could not/did not. Bruce is investigating Livia's abilities and whether she is a threat, but on a very discrete level because she is friends with two of his co-workers of fighting crime-one being his son-and friends with a very temperamental teenager who is also a Talon assassin. You will learn what he has been doing and why by the end of this story. As for where I will go from here, I will not include most of the DC story arcs from the comics because I feel that it is difficult to include my characters, the characters I have from the comics and what happens in the comics as well as keep it all making sense and true to the storyline. I will most likely reference different things vaguely, for example: in a later chapter I do mention Batman Incorporated.

I hope this answered the question! If anyone has any others PLEASE PLEASE PLEASE REVIEW REVIEW REVIEW! I will answer as best I can!

Happy Holidays! And hope you guys have a happy New Year!

Next chapter on Thursday!