A/N: Okay, this chapter takes place right after "Usual Suspects", so there's a small gap. I'm not going to go into detail with what happens in the actual episode because I haven't really done that in the previous chapters. I'd rather go into the aftermath of each episode, so if some of this chapter seems brief that's why.
I'm not sure if this is going to be the last chapter or if I'll add and epilogue but this story is definitely coming to a close. It's been a very long road. I started this story in 2017 and I'm finishing it in 2020. I can tell that my writing has gotten a bit better from when I started! I looked up the amount of words that qualifies a novel and apparently it has to be 40,000 words or over. I was pretty proud of myself for being able to say I've written something long enough to call a novel, even if it's not really up to those standards. I appreciate everyone's reviews, encouragement, and ideas! Thank you all for keeping up with the story through the years.
Disclaimer: I own nothing but the story.
Robin and Zatanna zetaded to the batcave after their debrief with Baman. Selina was nowhere to be found. They headed off to separate showers and met back in the cave. Dick sat in Batman's chair and used the giant screen to monitor the city for a few minutes and Zatanna sat down on the table next to the keyboard.
"You don't have to stay down here if you don't want to, Zee."
The magician smiled at him, "I want to."
He couldn't help a smile in return. "Suit yourself."
She laughed and then quickly sobered. He raised an eyebrow at her, "What?"
She reached out and took his hand,
"I just wanted to say thank you." She told him.
"What for?"
"When Bane got me down...well I don't know what I would have done if you weren't right there."
Dick chuckled, "Zee, what are you talking about. You're the one that made me my own personal army. I wouldn't have been able to do that without you."
She looked stunned for a minute and then smiled, "I guess you're right...but still thanks for being there."
He smiled at her, "Of course, we're on a team. I'll always be around for you, not that I think you need it. You don't seem to realize how far you've come. It's really amazing, Zatanna."
She smiled at him again. "Thanks, Dick."
He nodded before turning back to the screen. He heard her pull up a chair and sit down. They didn't really talk while he monitored Gotham but he was glad she was there.
They still hadn't really talked about what they were to each other. They had kissed a few times and he was sure he had feelings for her but with them being so busy, young, and dealing with their own problems… Well, they got a little nervous when it came to wanting to voice what they were. For now he was okay with things how they were. He didn't want to scare her off by actually asking her out.
"Are you sure you're okay? It couldn't have been easy seeing fate get inducted to the league today."
He glanced at her and she frowned, "It...wasn't. But that's just how things are now, ya know. I have to get used to things. I know that doesn't mean I can't miss him but I can't dwell on it."
Dick gave her a small smile and nodded, "I think that's a good way to look at things."
She smiled at him and leaned over to kiss his cheek. He felt a larger smile break out on his face and she laughed.
"I think I'm gonna go to bed. I'll see you in the morning, Wonder Boy."
Dick nodded, "I'm gonna call Selina and then I'll head up depending on what she's doing."
The magician walked away and her footsteps faded as she walked up the stairs.
Dick pulled up Selina's frequency on the batcomputer and waited for her to pick up.
"Hello, Batcave. What can I do for you?"
Dick smiled, "Hey, Catwoman."
"Kitten, what's up?"
"Just checking in...seeing if you need any help. Bats is off world at the moment."
"I'm good Robin. Get some sleep, please."
Dick sighed, "Yes ma'am."
Seina ended communications and he headed up stairs, he probably did need some sleep. He was feeling pretty tired now that he was thinking about it.
The next morning they went to the cave right after breakfast and Dick pointed it out to Aqualad that there was still someone feeding information to the light. The older teen agreed with him and they continued walking and discussing it with the team. When they stepped into the main hangar Batman enlightened them.
Dick felt Zatanna's hand on his shoulder but it only mildly comforted him. Roy was a clone...and the real Roy could very well be dead. Even through his grief he noticed that Batman had called them kids. He never did that, he knew they hated it. It wasn't exactly odd that Batman was at the watchtower all night either, but he usually let Alfred know if he wasn't going to be home. He knew that Alfred and Dick tended to worry.
Things just got weirder when Red Tornado shut down.
"Batman...he called us kids, he never does that." Robin informed them.
Aqualad proceeded to split them up into groups. They needed to get to the bottom of this, and fast.
"I have a thought…" Zatanna trailed off as she looked up and Dick smiled.
"Red Tornado two?" He asked and she smirked at him.
They retrieved the other android and got to work.
"I hope this works." Robin muttered as he started to transfer data.
It didn't take long for Canary to show up and for a moment Robin was relieved. Maybe Red was just having a malfunction, Canary seemed to be acting normal enough.
That is until Red sat up and yelled at them to get out of the cave. Robin leapt at the heroine and was quickly thrown away, but not before attaching a few smoke bombs. Rocket trapped BC when they went off and he relaxed for just a moment. He didn't get any longer than that though, a few more leaguers were announced and they made sure they were gone.
Red Tornado described what had happened to the league, or at least all that he knew, and Robin was getting more worried by the second.
Batman was being controlled. If they didn't figure something out things could get bad fast. And, he might never get his mentor and father figure back.
Bruce had told him before that there are worse things than death. He was starting to see how true that was.
Zatanna had already had her father taken away from her. Now he was even more removed from her life. Zatra had two forces controlling him...two forces keeping him away from her. When they managed to get the cure to him and he passed out… Well, she couldn't help but try. Of course it didn't work.
"I can save Fate from Savage but I still can't save my father from Fate." She spoke in a hoarse voice before Billy urged her forward.
She pushed it out of her mind as best as she could. She and the team still had a job to do. She ran and met up with the team in the main hall of the watchtower. She saw Robin battling it out with Batman and winced. He didn't really look like he was going to win but he was holding his own.
Zatanna made herself busy helping her other teammates and holding back the older heroes. She kept an eye on Robin. She was pleased when she saw him and Superboy finally take out and cure two of the biggest threats. Rocket had Wonder Woman under control and the rest of the league was dropping after being cured as well.
Soon Klarion and Savage disappeared from the space station and the team was left alone with their adult counterparts. They all convened near the zeta tubes as the robotic female voice announced that it was New Years.
Dick smiled as he heard Wally talking to Artemis before picking her up and kissing her. Megan and Connor were next. And he suddenly found himself being yanked into the arms of a certain magician.
He relaxed into the kiss and wrapped his arms around her. This kiss was a lot bolder than any of their previous ones. They did just get out of a life or death situation.
When they pulled apart he smiled at her, "So how about a real date?"
She laughed, "I think we've waited long enough."
"Any place in particular?" He smiled at her.
"You're the one with the plans, Wonder Boy." She smirked.
"Eddie's coffee joint? Eleven O'clock tomorrow." He told her.
She smiled as she remembered the place he was talking about, "Sound's good. From what I hear they have excellent cherry danishes."
They had been talking quietly but they hadn't noticed the rest of the team had gone quiet until they turned back to face them.
The team was staring and then Wally smirked at him, "About time, dude!"
The team all laughed as a group and exchanged hugs and congratulations for a few minutes.
"We actually did it." Artemis said in wonder.
"Yes, you did." Batman's voice came from behind them.
"Batman!" Robin exclaimed.
Batman allowed a small smile that disappeared as the rest of the league joined them.
"We owe you kids a serious debt." Superman started.
"We're not kids." Wally piped up.
"The world owes you heroes a serious debt." Black Canary corrected with a smile.
Flash elbowed Superman and he took a step forward. "...Superboy. Can I...talk to you?"
Connor looked up in surprise and nodded after a moment.
Zatanna watched the two of them walk off towards a more private part of the tower.
"Robin, Kid Flash, Aqualad, follow us." Batman said and walked off towards the inner parts of the space station.
Robin flashed her a smile as he walked away which she returned.
Artemis walked over to her and swung an arm around her.
"I could have called that."
"You mean me and Robin?" Zatanna laughed.
"Duh! You two have been making googly eyes at each other since you met! And with you living together it was only a matter of time!" Artemis teased.
Zatanna rolled her eyes, "Yeah, yeah."
Megan flew over and swooped in to give her a hug.
"Oh my goodness! We should all go on dates together!" The martian laughed and then gasped as a thought suddenly struck her, "We can go to fairs, oh and football games!"
The other two girls chuckled.
"Okay Meg, okay!" Artemis laughed out.
Wonder Woman approached them as they talked.
"Why don't the rest of you zeta back to the cave or your homes. Get some rest, you've earned it."
The other teens nodded and headed over to the zeta tubes. Zatanna opted to zeta directly to the Manor. She was in need of a shower and her bed. When she appeared Selina was instantly rushing to her side.
"Bruce just sent me a message! Are you alright?" Selina said as she ran her hands over her arms giving her a quick inspection.
"I'm okay, Selina! It was pretty crazy up there but the team and I handled it."
Selina nodded, "And Kitten is okay?"
Zatanna smiled and nodded at her. "He's okay too!"
Selina sighed, "Good!"
The woman pulled her into a hug. "I'm proud of you, hun."
Zatanna relaxed into the hug and sighed, "Thanks, Selina."
When Selina pulled aways Zatanna smiled up at her, "So...um Dick and I have a date tomorrow."
Selina grinned at her, "I knew that was coming."
"So you're okay with it?"
Selina laughed, "Well you're young, but you're both mature for your age."
Zatanna beamed at her then frowned, "Do you think Bruce will be okay with it?"
Selina laughed again, "I'll talk to him about it."
Zatanna smiled again and Selina winked.
"Go take a shower and get ready for bed, hun." Selina nudged her towards the main part of the cave. "You look like you could use some rest."
Zatanna was smiling as she turned towards the showers. She had never met her mother but Selina was turning out to be a lot of what she imagined a mother to be. She wasn't around all the time, but she was around when it counted. Selina had also been the one who had taught her how to live this life. She would always be grateful for that.
After the debrief and their talk with Roy everyone split up into separate groups for a few minutes. Wally met him just outside the meeting room.
"Dude!" Wally started and Robin rolled his eyes.
"Yeah?" Robin smirked.
"You and Zee, huh?"
Robin laughs, "You and Artemis, huh?" He mirrored.
Wally laughed along with them.
"That was one hell of a ride." Robin sighed.
"Yeah it was. I still can't believe all of that with Roy." Wally said sadly.
Robin lowered his head, "Yeah, I hope he's going to be okay."
"Me too, man." Wally agreed.
"Robin." Robin looked up to see Batman standing by the door. "Let's go home."
Robin nodded and followed his father figure to the zeta tubes.
When they arrived at the cave Selina was instantly on them. She pulled Dick into a hug and put a hand on Bruce's chest.
"I can't believe I was down here the whole time. Bruce, we need to fix this!"
Batman just nodded before he took off his cowl. Robin looked up at Selina, "Getting hard to breath." He wheezed.
Selina sighed and released her hold on him before gripping his shoulders, "You're okay?"
Robin nodded and took off his mask to look her in the eye, "I'm okay."
She sighed and kissed the top of his head. "Go get ready for bed, Kitten."
Dick nodded and glanced back at them then rolled his eyes when he discovered they were kissing.
Zatanna was just exiting the showers in a sweatshirt and leggings when he walked over. He pulled her into a hug as he approached and she sighed.
When he pulled back she grinned at him, "We really did it."
"Yeah, we did. You were amazing." He smiled.
"Me? So were you!" She laughed and let him go.
He kissed her cheek, " Thanks Zee. I'll see you in the morning."
She nodded and made her way up the stairs as he headed onto the shower rooms.
Dick quickly undressed and hopped into one of the private showers. He let the hot water melt away some of his stress before hopping out and getting dressed in more comfortable clothes. When he left the showers he headed over to the computer where he knew Bruce would be.
When he made it over his guardian was indeed sitting in his chair. Selina was sitting in another chair next to him as they talked quietly. Dick leaned on the spacious desk and yawned.
"I want Alfred to check you over." Bruce told him.
Dick shrugged, "I'm fine."
Bruce sighed, "It's more for me, okay. We saw the fight."
Dick looked at him for a second before walking over to the examination table near the desk. He didn't have to wait long for Alfred to bring down some drinks and then head over to where Dick was sitting.
"Would you remove your shirt, young master?"
DIcks sighed and complied. Once he did Alfred ran a pen light over his bruises and prodded him a bit. He could tell Bruce and Selina were paying attention.
"You appear only to be bruised. Nothing seems to be broken." Alfred determined.
"Thanks, Alf." Dick said as he pulled his shirt back on.
Bruce walked over to him before he could hop off of the table. His guardian put his hand on Dick's shoulder.
"That shouldn't have happened. I'm sorry you had to go through that." Bruce told him seriously.
"I know, B. It wasn't your fault." Dick said.
"If you want to talk about it...I'm always here."
Dick smiled, "I know."
Bruce nodded and took a step back.
Dick hopped off of the table and put his arms around Bruce. After a second the older man relaxed into the hug. He ruffled Dick's hair before he pulled away.
Selina pulled him into another hug too and sighed.
"You should go to bed, Kitten" She reminded him.
Dick nodded, "Sounds good." Now that he was thinking about it more he really was tired.
Selina kissed his temple before letting him go. He headed up the stairs and into the study before making his way to his room.
Once he was in his room he stretched out on his bed and smiled. Not everything about today was bad. They saved the league. He was finally, officially, dating Zatanna. He should probably still talk to Bruce and Selina about it but he was actually pretty sure they wouldn't have a problem with it. And he did have a date with his magician tomorrow morning. It seemed like things were looking up. Dick was happy as he closed his eyes and allowed himself to sleep.
Zatanna woke up at nine o'clock and stretched. She let out a sigh of contentment before pushing her covers off and getting out of bed. She smiled when she remembered that she had a date today.
She went over to her closet and picked out a cute white sweater and some nice jeans with some brown boots. Then she went into her bathroom and finished getting ready for the day. When she was done she exited her room and found that Dick's door was open. He was lounging on his bed in nice jeans and a sweater. She didn't even hesitate before entering his room and hopping onto his bed.
He smiled at her and pulled her closer.
"Morning." His voice was muffled against her neck and she laughed.
"Morning." She replied before laying back. He was half on top of her but she didn't mind in the slightest.
"Sleep well?" Dick asked.
"Mhmm. You?" She smiled.
"Like a baby." He sighed.
Zatanna was pretty content to lay like that and they did for a while. Then Dick flipped over onto his side and grabbed the remote to his tv.
He flipped to the news before laying against his pillows. Zatanna smirked and took this golden opportunity to lay her head on his chest. She felt his arm wrap around her as they laid. It didn't feel like they were there for long but soon Dick sat up.
"Ready to go?" He asked her with a smile.
She beamed at him, "Absolutely."
Dick hopped off of his bed and helped her off before they started down the stairs. They entered Bruce's study which was surprisingly empty and headed down to the batcave. Once inside, they zetaed to the city and Dick took her hand as they stepped out of the beam.
"It's only a few blocks away." Dick informed her as they set off down the alley.
She nodded, still smiling.
It had taken her a long time to come to terms with her father's removal from her life. She knew she would still be having difficulty with it if it wasn't for the boy holding her hand right then. He had helped her through everything and stayed by her side through it all. He had gone above and beyond for her and that's what she intended to do for him. She felt joy for the first time in a long time at the idea of being with him and at the idea that he was hers.
Zatanna grinned to herself and tugged lightly on his hand. When he stopped to turn around and look at her curiously she didn't even hesitate.
She pulled him forward and kissed him. She conveyed everything she felt about him in this kiss, how much he meant to her, and how much she needed him. She could tell by the way he was kissing her back that he felt the same.
They broke apart and just smiled at each other before he pulled her along. And Zatanna...She was ready. Ready for what their world had to offer her, especially with her Boy Wonder by her side. They were ready for what the world had to offer them.