A/N : Just so people aren't confused, this chapter starts off when they are coming back from the fight. I figured it was unnecessary to write it out cause I could never do justice to the emotional trauma that is caused by just watching that part, for those of you who haven't seen the show yet, spoiler alert, Zatara is now doctor fate, having taken the place as his host to save his daughter Zatana, they beat up the bad guys and got everything back the way it's supposed to be.

Chapter 56

The team and the league returned to the cave triumphant, but forlorn. Though they had defeated the villains and reunited countless families, it was not without loss. Zatara has assumed the role of Dr. Fates new host body, and Zatana is left without a father. As soon as they got back, she rushed off by herself before anyone could see the tears that she was trying so hard to restrain.

"Do you thing she is going to be ok" Robin asked Batman having seen her rush off

"Only time can tell," Batman responded, "she and her father were very close"

"I wish there was something I could do to help her," Rob said

"All you can do is offering her your support," he paused for a second, unsure if he should go on "and your understanding; it may be good for her to talk to someone with a similar experience."

"That's a good idea, I should go talk to her," he said, but before he went after her he turned to his mentor and hugged him "I missed you," he said

"I missed you too," Batman, said returning the embrace, a small smile coming to his face.

"I'll see you later" Rob said, and went to go track down the raven-haired girl.

From next to him the caped crusader heard, "wow bats I didn't know you could actually show this much human emotion" and a younger voice say, "Whoa I didn't know they were capable of any physical act of the non-violent sort, let alone hugging."

In silence and without turning around, he walked off to the zeta tubes, leaving the two gleeful speedsters behind

Dick went looking for Zatana, not sure what to say, but knowing from experience that what she really needed right now was a friend. He looked all over the base before he finally found her holed up in one of the un-used rooms sitting on the bed. He opened the door and entered.

"Oh gosh Robin, what are you doing here?" she said trying to hide her tears from him.

"listen, Z" he said "I'm not going to ask you if you're alright, cause it's a stupid question, I just want you to know that the entire team, hell, the entire justice league is here for you, and if you ever need someone to talk to, I'm always here."

"I appreciate the effort Robin, but I just want to be alone ok."

"That may be what you want, but that's not what you need, if you're alone your just going to bottle everything up and become withdrawn."

"What are you, a therapist?" she scoffed

"No" Rob said walking over to sit next to her "just someone who has gone through the same thing you are, I found just talking helps."

"Really?" she said finally looking up at him, she looked at him for a second, then with new tears coming to her eyes said, "it's all my fault, if I had never put on that stupid helmet this wouldn't have happened, why did he have to save me, it was my mistake and should be my burden to bear." With that, she broke down crying. Dick put his arm around her and pulled her to him, letting her cry into his chest. "How could he just leave me?"