Wow. I just realized- I haven't updated this story in over 4 years.

In that time I've fallen in love, graduated college, and started grad school.

But I never wanted to abandon this story. And after my 4 year sabbatical, I'm back.

I honestly think I needed to grow up and fall in love before I could continue this fic. It's hard to write about love when you're still young and naieve and haven't experienced it. I feel like I have that life expereince now, but in the same token, I'm still trying to figure out where to go from here. I have a rough idea of the plot, but how we get there... while, that's the mystery in life, now isn't it?

If you guys are still out there listening, you're the best.

And if you REALLY enjoyed this chapter, feel free to buy me a coffee so I can stay awake and keep writing these crazy fics at ko-fi . c o m slash fluffykitty12 . Thanks so much for your support!


Time seemed to move slower in space.

You were surrounded by stars and darkness at the same time, thousands of pinpoints of light in one vast abyss of darkness.

But it sure was something to see the Earth below you.

They sat together on a cot in the medbay of the Watchtower, looking through the viewport at the large blue and green planet they called home loomed before them.

I've never been to space before. Jericho admitted, squeezing her hand. He hadn't taken his eyes off of the viewport.

That was something new. With everyone else, he had to make eye contact in order for his powers to manifest, but with her, it seemed like physical contact was enough.

I've been coming here since I was little. I thought it was so cool, the first time. Robin and I used to turn off the gravity generators so we could float, it made such a mess for everyone else, but we loved it... she gave his hand another cursory squeeze. She found it was easier to talk to him mentally, rather than reply to his mental chatter verbally.

They'd only been up here for a day in a half in medical quarantine of sorts while they tried to derive what made Jericho's abilities tick. They were taking their sweet time to clear both of them, but truthfully, Scarlet didn't mind. It was like a mini-vacation, in a way- just her and Jericho, existing in the same space, across the same time. Nothing to focus on but each other.

It was a lot easier for her than Jericho, since she wasn't the one being used as a lab rat.

Vials and vials of blood taken for testing. Spit and urine, too.

When they made him do an MRI, Jericho had struggled.

Are you okay?

I get claustrophobic. It's a small tube. he admitted, licking his lips and twitching his fingertips nervously.

"You two mind including me in your mental conversation here? It's awkward watching you stare at eachother in silence." Batman deadpanned. He inclined his head towards the MRI machine. "Is there gonna be a problem here?"

Jericho looked over from where he was holding her hand. Just... I get claustrophobic. he admitted. My power is mostly dependent on eye contact, so if I were to panic in there, I wouldn't be able to scream for help... I'd be trapped. Not able to talk to anyone. That makes it so much worse.

"We can sedate you if that makes it easier." Batman offered. "But this has to be done."

Does he have to be all the way in the machine? If I'm making physical contact with him, then he can talk to me. If his feet are still sticking out, then maybe that will work...

Batman and Jericho looked over at her, Batman slightly surprised.

"I thought you said your power depends on eye contact." he said, shooting Jericho a look.

It does, Sir. She's the exception. This just started happening recently, to be honest- if she's touching me- holding my hand, mostly- I can still talk to her. Eye contact isn't needed. Once again, Scarlet Grayson is the exception to every rule.

"Right." Batman's brow furrowed slightly at this realization. "You won't be completely in the machine. Your feet will be sticking out. If you take off your socks and she holds your foot- can you still talk to her? Or we can try sedation..."

Jericho let go of her hand, climbing onto the bench of the MRI machine and tugging off his socks.

Martian manhunter strode into the room, hooking Jericho up to a set of EKG leads and bringing out a wire mesh cage shaped like a human head.

"You'll be bolted down with this over your head so you stay in place properly for the duration of the scan." Manhunter supplied helpfully. "If you start to become anxious, I will see the increase in your vitals and I can always reach out telepathically."

You will not be alone. I will be able to reach out and speak to you at any time, regardless of whether or not we are making eye contact.

Both Scarlet and Jericho jumped.

Martian Manhunter frowned. "You both heard that mentally?"

Yes. We were holding hands. We're linked. Jericho admitted, running a hand through his blond curls nervously. Please... warn me next time. I'm sorry... I'm not used to hearing other voices in my head.

"Of course, I apologize." Manhunter nodded. "Before I reach out next time, I will poke your consciousness so you know I am there before I speak. Please lay back, I'm going to start securing the mesh cage."

Jericho took a deep breath through his nose and nodded, laying back on the table and closing his eyes, trying to to twitch as the cage was placed tightly over his face so he couldn't move his head anymore.

"Now to inject the contrast. This might make you feel warm, and you may have a strange taste in your mouth..."

Martian manhunter carefully inserted the needle and slowly depressed the plunger.

Scarlet carefully took hold of Jericho's foot, smacking her lips and frowning.

"Tastes like metal." she commented.

Jericho gave a thumbs up from where he laid on the table in agreement.

Martian Manhunter furrowed his brows. "Your connection is quite unique."

"Thank you. It took us awhile to figure it out." Scarlet admitted, not bothering to break contact with Jericho's foot.

"Now we're going to put you into the machine and get the scan started. It should take about forty minutes, just try to relax. I will be present mentally if you need help."

Jericho gave another thumbs up, and Martian Manhunter slid the table into the machine, so only Jericho's feet below the knees were visible.

You alright in there, babe?

Yes. Please don't let go of me. I don't want to be alone.

I'm not going anywhere. she promised.

"Batman and I are going to leave the room and begin the scan." Martian Manhunter spoke, and they both left the room through the sliding doors.

There was a series of whirring and beeping sounds as the scan started.

They were silent for two minutes, three...

Scarlet?

I'm right here still. Are you alright?

Yes. Just don't like the quiet. Was making sure you're still here.

I'm staying the whole time. she gave his foot a reassuring squeeze. I promise.

There was crackling in the room and a the speaker on the wall beside them came to life.

"Are you two communicating telepathically right now?" Batman's voice came across the speaker.

Yes.

Yes.

There was a beat of silence before they both realized they replied mentally, and Scarlet shook herself slightly. "Yeah, we are." she confirmed verbally.

"Right. That explains those sudden abnormalities, then. We're trying to get a baseline scan here- so if you two could be quiet and not speak mentally as much as possible. Jericho- if you start to get anxious, you can talk to her, but otherwise- keep the mental chatter to a minimum, alright? We'll do further testing tomorrow of when you two are speaking mentally. Otherwise, the MRI is just going to be a mess."

"Alright, fine. How long is this going to take?"

"You've been doing well, only twenty or so more minutes."

"Can I talk to him out loud? He doesn't like the quiet."

There was silence for a moment, before the speaker crackled to life. "That is permittable, yes." Martian Manhunter confirmed.

She spent the next twenty minutes talking about anything and everything- telling him stories about missions she'd been on, mentioning bands they liked, joking.

Finally, They withdrew the table from the MRI machine and unbolted the cage, and Jericho was springing off the table, happy to be free.

"Your turn." Batman nodded to her.

Jericho looked alarmed. You have to do this too?

"Apparently I do." she said, not looking amused but heaving a sigh, sitting down on the table.

She kicked off one of her boots and tugged off her sock, wiggling her foot at Jericho. "You can hold my foot too if you want, but I don't think I'll have to talk mentally too much. I'm used to being in small spaces." she laid back, tugging her hair out of the way and letting it them bolt down the cage.

Jericho gave her foot a squeeze.

I don't want to leave you alone in there. You didn't leave me.

Then don't. Just... stay here and play with my toes. Oh boy, I can't get enough of that metal taste. she muttered sarcastically as Manhunter injected her with the contrast, before she was being sent into the whirring machine as well.

Within half an hour her MRI was over, and they were being released back into their two room medbay, curling up on one cot together and looking out at space again.

I wonder how long we'll have to be here.

A few days, probably. Not that I really mind. It's like a vacation here, just you and I.

I don't mind it. he wrapped his arms around her, pulling her closer to him and tucking her head beneath his chin. I don't like MRIs, but if that's the price I have to pay to see this beautiful view...

You get used to it, you know. Space gets to be normal, after awhile.

I wasn't talking about space.

She turned away from the window, confused, before his lips were on hers and they were kissing under the artificial lights of space.