In the previous chapter, Dick dodged Bruce's questions about which invitations he was delivering to the League.
Warnings: Some Language . . .
"Hey! Watcha all looking at?" Guy Gardner asked as he walked into the cafeteria on the Watchtower. "Watcha got there?"
The crowd of heroes looked startled at his approach, several tucking the cards they held behind their back while others walked quickly away, murmuring something about crime in their cities. Superman exchanged glances with Wonder Woman. The two, having large reserves of patience and fortitude, remained to greet the third Green Lantern.
"Where's everybody goin'?" Guy raised his voice to be heard by the retreating Leaguers, although none turned back. They merely waved a hand before disappearing into the corridor beyond.
"Hello Guy," Superman smiled. "I thought you had scheduled a deep space patrol this week."
If Supes' expression appeared a little strained, Guy chocked that up to relationship troubles with Lois. Maybe he'd offer the big guy a little advice if he was still feeling generous at the end of their convo . . .
The gingered Lantern shrugged. "We finished a little early," he explained. "All the scum buckets must have heard I was passing through and scurried back under their rocks." He grinned, tucking his thumbs into the armholes of his sleeveless vest, and rocking back on his heels. "I have a reputation, ya know. All the intergalactic sleazebags like to avoid me when they can."
"Just the sleazebags?" Wonder Woman murmured softly.
Superman cleared his throat. "You must have a fearsome reputation indeed, Guy," he stammered diplomatically.
"Don't you know it?" Smiling, he looked pointedly at the cards in the duo's hands. "So, what's that you got there? Looks like invites to something. Someone's got a party going on?" Guy peered around the cafeteria curiously. "I should make my presence known. Being back early and all, gotta give the host the time to retrieve my invitation." He coughed, giving Diana a sheepish grin. "Or the hostess," he said, winking.
Diana rolled her eyes.
"So, who am I looking for?"
"Oh, um, it's just a private get together for a few friends," Clark stammered. "Nightwing wasn't aware of your schedule."
Guy looked surprised. "Nightwing? What's he been doing up here? He's not a member of the League."
"He's not official," Diana told him sharply. "Although, not because he hasn't been invited to join on more than one occasion."
"Nightwing's been an unofficial member since he was still Robin. He's always been welcome on the Watchtower," Superman explained. "He's turned down League membership several times."
"No shit?" Guy raised his eyebrows. "Maybe it's a confidence thing. I suppose I could be convinced to give him a few words of encouragement, a couple of pointers, you know?"
"More like he wanted to continue with the Teen Titans and, more recently, wished to concentrate on reducing crime in Bludhaven."
"Bludhaven, eh? Now there's a shithole of a city," Guy remarked. "A bigger sewer than Gotham, if you can believe that. He must'uv screwed the pooch hard to have Batman stick him with that mess."
Wonder Woman frowned. "He chose Bludhaven because of the city's crime was so prevalent. It wasn't a punishment."
"Ho'no? Ain't you being a bit naïve, Wondy? You obviously haven't been there."
Diana's face flushed but not with embarrassment. She was taking a step forward when Clark laid a calming hand on her arm.
"Nightwing is cleaning up the city and doing a good job at it. Crime has gone down there significantly over the last two years."
"He's taken down the likes of Blockbuster and exposed corruption in the police force that extended all the way up to the mayor, and he did it all on his own," Diana informed him. "Perhaps you just remember him before he stepped out on his own. He is not a sidekick anymore."
Guy held up his hands, chuckling. "Okay, okay . . . So, short-pants has grown up and is having parties now. Maybe I'll give him a thrill and drop by his little shindig."
"Oh, well, it is a private thing. I doubt you'd enjoy it," Clark said quickly.
"It's for Batman," Diana clarified.
Guy pursed his lips, hesitating. "Can't imagine why anyone would have a party for Bats. A bigger stick in the mud, I've never met . . . and after dealing with the Guardians of Oa that's saying something. I've been around the galaxy a few times, you know."
"We know . . ." Superman and Wonder Woman blurted together.
"Well, I suppose he's got to, though, being the Bat's kid and all. Growing up with that guy," Guy whistled, shaking his head, "It's no wonder the kid's got a complex. Bet that party's going to be dullsville. "
"Oh yes, you'd be right, Guy. You might want to keep on the downlow while you're here, so you aren't roped into having to attend. I'm certain Nightwing mentioned there will be a lecture included . . ." Clark told him, leaning in conspiratorially. "Wonder Woman and I weren't lucky enough to avoid it."
Shuddering, Guy nodded. "You might have something there. I suppose I could swing by Alpha Centauri - See what's up in that neighborhood."
"Excellent idea," Diana smirked. "Save yourself, Guy, while you still can."
Spinning on his heel, Guy took to the air, heading back the way he came.
"Quick thinking. I'm surprised you didn't just tell him he wasn't invited," Diana smiled, turning back to face Clark.
"And take the chance that Guy would crash the party later? Better if he believes he doesn't want to go and avoid earth altogether until after it's over."
Oliver Queen, also known as Green Arrow, and Hal Jordan, *the earth's first Green Lantern, joined them; Ollie waving his invitation in the air.
"A freaking surprise party for the Bat? I wouldn't miss this birthday bash for the world."
"Hey, thanks for the invite," Booster Gold grinned at the younger hero.
Dick stood with Booster and Ted Kord, the Blue Beetle, in front of the Zeta Tube. They were the last to receive the surprise party invitations.
"Make sure you don't mention this to Guy," Dick reminded them. "If we have any hope that Batman won't kill us for holding this party, Guy can't show up. He just rubs Bats the wrong way."
Truthfully, Booster did also, but if Ted were going to be there, he would keep the time-traveling hero in line.
"You don't have to worry on our account, Nightwing. The only one who can tolerate Guy Gardner for any length of time is Guy Gardner," Ted assured him.
"I am so glad I got back in time to attend," Booster said. He tilted his head as he looked Nightwing assessingly. "You know, he looks just like you. The family resemblance is uncanny."
Frowning, Dick stared at him. "What?"
"What?" Booster stared back.
"Who looks like me?"
"Oh, you must have misheard me," Booster waved the question away. "Not to worry. It happens all the time."
Ted laughed uneasily, slapping his friend on the shoulder, and tugging him away from the younger man. "Don't mind Booster. Thanks again for the invitation. We'll be there, and we'll keep out mouths shut to Guy – promise."
Nodding with a little uncertainty, Dick gave a little wave as he watched the two retreat. "Um – Okay, great. I guess I'll see you both then."
When the door slid shut, Ted turned around. "Michael, what were you thinking? You know you aren't allowed to tell people about their future."
At least Booster looked chagrined over his mistake.
"Right, right. I know that. I wasn't actually going to tell him anything about his family. I was just making an observation."
Ted blew out a breath in exasperation. "Just keep your observations to yourself. Last thing we need is to screw up the timeline."
"Never fear, buddy," Booster grinned. "I'm an expert on the timeline."
"That's what you've been telling me for years."
"No worries. I've got this." Booster assured him. "Say, how old is Batman supposed to be this year?"
"I have no idea." Ted looked at him sidelong. "Why?"
"Just saying that it wouldn't be hard for me to find out if you wanted to know."
"No!" Ted yelped. "I don't want to know. I like surprises."
Booster nodded. "Oh yeah. Surprises are awesome . . . But, if you ever were curious –"
Ted shook his head. "I'm not. I swear to you, I have no interest in knowing Batman's age."
"Okay, okay!"
The two friends walked in silence for a few minutes. They turned to head back down to the training area to work off their lunch.
"But should you ever change your mind . . ." Booster murmured.
Elle yawned. She always had trouble sleeping the nights when Dick went out on patrol. Made getting things done the next day a little difficult, but he was happy, so it was worth it. She could always take a nap later.
She had just finished making a payment for her flowers and her cake. No easy feat when the florist had to arrange for an emergency shipment to be flown in for the wedding. It had cost a bundle, and while she didn't like relying always on the money her father had left her, this wedding was once in a lifetime and worth dipping into those funds.
"You didn't have come with me, you know," Elle told her companion as they walked back in the direction of the car.
Tim scoffed. "Are you kidding? Of course, I do. Dick would kill me if anything happened to you."
"It's over with," she complained. "The contract was dropped. Deadshot won't be back, and neither will Nameless."
"You can't know that."
"Didn't you hear? I kicked butt the other night. I took on four men and won," Elle informed him.
Tim smiled. "I heard, but you got a black eye out of it and some bruised knuckles."
"Exactly. Past-tense," she emphasized. "They were gone by morning."
"Okay, you were sporting a black eye and bruised knuckles."
"Yeah, well, you should have seen the other guys," she grinned. "I chipped a brick wall with my bare knuckles, Tim! Gah! You should have been there. It was amazing. I've never done anything like that in my life. All that training has really paid off."
"I'm happy for you, Elle," he said, "really. But it's not brick walls that you should worry about. Not every attack will come when it's raining. Remember Chicago? How would you deal with something like that happening again? The gunman is hidden, shooting from a window in a street full of windows. You can't prepare for something that."
Elle glanced at him. "And you can?"
Tim didn't answer. While she had made her point, Elle knew she was safer with him than without him and it wasn't just her life she was gambling with anymore. Still, it was difficult to justify endangering Tim's life for the sake of her own.
"I didn't retire my bodyguards just to replace them with you," she muttered.
If Tim were hurt trying to protect her, how would she live with that? How would Dick ever forgive her?
"Look, Elle, it's not going to be forever." At her look, he shrugged. "Okay, it might be. You and Dick are linked now. He's been trained by the best for the risks that are involved with crimefighting," he told her, "but he's not prepared to risk you. To be honest, it's why he's always dated within the crime-fighting community. Although, his past girlfriends were out there with him, he knew they could take care of themselves."
Tim winced, knowing this was a sore subject. "Look. I know you've shown a lot of improvement, but you have a long way to go before you'll be able to take down criminals on a nightly basis."
Elle stopped him with a hand on his shoulder. "I have no desire to do what you guys do every night. The idea of facing off with some of the crazies I've seen on the news makes me break out in a cold sweat. I'm a non-confrontational kind of person . . ."
Tim gaped at her in disbelief. Frowning, she asked him, "What?"
Laughing, Tim apologized. "Sorry, Elle. It's just – You must be the most confrontational non-confrontational person I've ever met. I mean, you actually punched Batman in the face! You jumped on Red Hood's back. I know a few hardcore criminals who wouldn't have done that. Hell, Dick said you picked up some guy's Taser at the karaoke club and shot him with it."
"He was attacking Dick! What was I supposed to do? I couldn't just stand there and watch it happen."
"As I understand it, you were supposed to run and hide. Those guys were after you. In case you didn't realize this, Dick is one of the best hand-to-hand combatants in the world. He's been doing this for fifteen years."
Elle crossed her arms. "Would you have run away?"
"I've been doing this for four years after undergoing rigorous training under the Batman," Tim reminded her. "You've barely had three months. It's not the same thing."
She rubbed her arms. Despite her excitement over her accomplishment, the experience had been frightening. She would never have been able to get any sleep the last two nights if Dick hadn't been wrapped around her. And Tim was right; if it hadn't been raining when those men carried her out of the club, it was entirely possible that she would have become another statistic, a victim of the human-trafficking ring Jason was hunting. That she had managed to defend herself successfully the other night had been nothing more than dumb luck. While she had been inside the club, Elle hadn't fared well at all.
She was no Batgirl or Starfire or Wonder Girl, for that matter. Sighing, Elle continued in the direction they were heading.
Her father and Aiden were right. She'd never make it on her own. She was a trouble-magnet, doomed to be under someone else's protection her entire life. Honestly, she couldn't imagine living her life without Dick being a part of it, but there was a small part of her that still yearned for independence. Surely, there was some way for her to have both . . .
There was a small communication device in the shape of a shell she had tucked away in the back of her underwear drawer. The memory of her last conversation with Arthur Curry flitted through her mind at that point - Atlantis. Her curiosity about her past rose another notch and she wondered if the answer to this maddening self-doubt lay deep beneath the ocean waves. The need to know if there was more to her than her voice grew in importance as did the need to not be a burden to her new family. As much as she loved them, she knew babysitting her would get really old really fast.
"What other errands do you need to do?" Tim asked her.
"The only thing left to do today remains back in the manor," she said. "Time to go home."
"What's that?"
Elle smiled wickedly. "Practice. The party is just around the corner."
She laughed as Tim groaned. No matter how the boys muttered and complained, they did enjoy themselves when they got together for this. Except maybe for Damian . . . Damian did actually enjoy practice.
Although Elle was happier now than she had ever been, she couldn't help wanting something more. Little things - like respect and confidence, the assurance that she could carry her own weight and wasn't a bother. She wanted Dick to not have to constantly worry about her and desperately wanted to feel like he was downsizing for a lesser model.
Tonight, she decided, once everyone left on patrol, she would contact Arthur and confirm the visit they had previously discussed. Maybe then she could begin feeling better about herself, like she wasn't a hindrance . . .
Like she belonged.
REACTIONS?
I missed you guys! I wrote this part with Guy and didn't plan on posting it as part of the story, but changed my mind because I thought it was funny. Take a minute and tell me what you think of it. Did I manage to capture Guy's personality here?
So sorry over the delays. I hope you haven't given up on me. This story is still ongoing. However . . Advice to other writers: Don't write several stories at the same time. As you get caught up in one of them, the others suffer.
*Oh, and before anyone says anything - I know that Hal Jordan wasn't the first Green Lantern. That was Alan Scott, but in this AU (and in the main continuity currently) Alan Scott doesn't exist and Hal was the first.*