So uhh, that upload schedule I talked about... clearly didn't go according to plan. Here's the laydown, my computer broke and I had to wait two weeks to get it fixed, and then I had a huge series of tests and projects and ughhh, and then, as it is so apt to do, my personal life kind of did a one-eighty. The icing on the cake, these two chapters gave me the most hell trying to write, particularly this one my god. Anywho, more on the chapter itself at the bottom!


MOUNT JUSTICE

August 26, 12:08


I hesitantly paused in front of Artemis' door. She was cooped up in her room at the Cave, probably reading or doing whatever it was she did when she spent hours alone. M'gann was practically vibrating at my side, biting her lip so hard I was worried she might chew through it. I swallowed and knocked, light and gentle.

"Yes?" Artemis called out from inside, her voice seemingly a little gravelly from disuse.

"M'gann's dragging me out into the world for a girl's day out, and we were wondering if you'd like to come?"

There was a pause, and the silence hung heavy in the air. And then there was shuffling from the other side of the door, which then swung open to reveal the girl in question. She wasn't wearing her mask, the first time I had seen her actual face, and I was taken aback by just how beautiful she was. The features I had seen in bits and pieces drew together, the high cheekbones, dark eyes, straight nose and full mouth making up a girl who looked like a model.

M'gann jumped back a little and I had to blink, she puffed a loose piece of hair out of her eyes, "depends. Where to?"

I cleared my throat, "just to Gotham. M'gann's never seen a big city, and I refuse to let her solely shop in Happy Harbour Mall, it's against my upbringing."

She seemed to roll the idea around in her head and eventually sighed, "yeah sure. Let me grab my bag?"

I nodded, "we've got to collect our shit too, meet by the Tubes in five?"

She murmured her assent, closing the door as she turned around. M'gann thumped me wildly on the shoulder, "oh my god! She's gorgeous! And coming with us! That means she likes us!"

I laughed under my breath, "go get your stuff."

Turning left towards my own room here, I swung open the door to find it almost exactly as I had left it. My copy of the Iliad was on my desk, with a sticky note from Kaldur thanking me for letting him borrow it. It was one of the few books missing from the Cave's extensive library, and apparently he was also a classics nerd. Kaldur devoured books like Wally devoured food, on a constant search for knowledge. He claimed it staved off the boredom of having practically nothing to do all day, so who was I to begrudge him some Homer?

There was, however, an additional sticky note on the back of my door written in Dick's bold font. 'Check under your pillow'.

I did as instructed and found a Kit-Kat. I snorted, throwing it in my bag to eat while walking. After he had discovered my chocolate addiction at the age of ten, Dick started leaving me Kit-Kats in unlikely places, saying the pun was too great to ignore. In return, I left him terrible jokes. Double-checking my wallet was in my bag, I grabbed a sticky note and pen, crossing the hall to Dick's room here. It was dark, and smelled too much like dust and too little of him to really be his room, but it held a faint trace of his scent. I scribbled out a quick pun worthy of a popsicle stick, 'how does a train eat? It goes chew, chew'.

Leaving his room behind me, I made for the Zeta Tubes. M'gann was already there, bouncing excitedly as she held her purse in both hands. Artemis came into the room a few seconds later, face somewhat apprehensive. I flashed her a bright grin, typing in the code for Gotham. I turned to the two of them, "ready to experience the cesspool that is my city?"

Artemis snorted and M'gann grinned, "I can't wait!"

When we emerged from the alley containing the Zeta Port, I stopped to let them take in one of the busiest parts of Gotham. M'gann's jaw dropped, and Artemis looked fairly unfazed. Figures, Star City was just as busy, if a little less dirty.

I performed a whole grand tour, Chinatown, Greektown, just about every little sector imaginable. By the time it was nearing four o'clock, M'gann and Artemis each had at least five bags filled to the brim with stuff I insisted on paying for. Artemis had refused profusely, and I had feigned hurt and said it was only polite she accept any gift I might offer her. Her favourite seemed to be an independent bookstore that sold a rainbow of novels. I filed it away in my head that she was a book lover, and resolved to buy her them whenever possible.

We decided to end the day at Rosie's, the diner Dick and I frequented. It was family-run, and it made the best burgers in Gotham. The waitress left us our food and I was picking at my fries when M'gann turned to me with a beaming smile, "thank you so much Ara, this was so fun!"

I smiled back at her, "hey no problem. I don't have a lot of friends who are girls so this was actually a really nice change of pace."

Artemis put down her coke, "yeah, you and Boy Wonder are practically attached at the hip."

I swirled my straw in my Shirley Temple, "we actually have a friend named Barbara, but she's doing a summer internship at her dad's work so we haven't gotten to see her a lot lately what with the constant missions and all."

"What does her dad do?" She asked, eyebrows furrowed.

I winced, "sorry, SID compromising."

She waved her hand, "don't worry I get it. I don't exactly share a lot of details about my life."

I pointed at her with a fry, "and that's totally fine."

M'gann looked up at the clock and then turned back to us with a worried look on her face, "we have to be in the Mission Room for briefing in ten minutes."

We paled, hurriedly called over the waitress, paid in excess and then booted it back to the nearest Zeta Port with our bags. I practically broke the keypad inside the phone booth punching in the code for the Cave, and we hit the floor at a run. Tearing through the room, we whipped past the boys and made for our rooms. I slammed into my door, throwing it open and tossing my bags to the floor, nearly forgetting to shut the door in my rush.

I stripped faster than I had ever in my life, throwing on my uniform as quickly as one can put on a near skin tight jumpsuit, hurriedly shoving in my ear pieces and putting my mask into place. I nearly tripped on the Kit-Kat from earlier, which had slid from my bag when I had thrown it to the ground. On a whim, I took it with me as I zoomed out of my room.

I met with Artemis in the hallway, M'gann way ahead of us thanks to her ability to just shift into her suit. We tore into the Mission Room with two minutes to spare, leaning on each other to catch our breath.

I opened the Kit-Kat and broke her off a piece, which she accepted with guarded enthusiasm. Rob raised an eyebrow, partly at our rush and probably partly because of the action. He walked over, leaning his elbow on my shoulder nonchalantly. I rolled my eyes, shoving him off me. He had been rubbing the three inches he had gained on me in my face for a week.

He smiled up at Artemis, "feel special, Belle sharing chocolate is a rare sight."

Wally ran up to us, the gust of wind accompanying him kind of nice in my disheveled state. He was grinning, "hold on, Cat shared chocolate?"

I narrowed my eyes at him, "I like her better than you, deal with it."

Artemis snorted as Batman swept into the room, face all austerity. We immediately fell into line, waiting for him to address us. He surveyed us, gaze lingering on me, Artemis and M'gann. He stopped in front of the Holo-screen that was appearing behind him, eyes narrowed. He turned back to the screen, "nice to see all of you here on time."

I smiled cheekily, "hey, who would I be without a daily close call?"

He sighed in a long-suffering manner, statistics, coordinates and a picture of Gotham's warehouse district appeared on the screen. I was practically bouncing, "are we going into Gotham?"

Bruce's eyes were weary behind the cowl, "yes Catgirl."

I bumped fists with Rob, "homecourt, let's go."

Bats sighed, "we've gotten intel about a possible deal related to the Cadmus project…"


GOTHAM

August 27, 06:12 EDT


I shoved Artemis out of the way as Clayface swung an anvil-like arm at her, she went flying ahead of me, and I sailed into the metal doors of the warehouse. There was no telltale crack or pop, meaning I probably hadn't broken anything, thank god.

M'gann screeched my name, dropping her camouflage. Clayface immediately slammed her out of the sky, prompting Superboy to fling himself at the guy in a fit of rage. I held my head, trying to blink away the black at the edges of my vision. A steadying hand placed itself at the small of my back, Rob. His concerned face swam into my eyesight, "you okay?"

I nodded, dropping my hand, "yeah. Just hoping I don't get another damn concussion."

He laughed a little, darting away to go throw explosives at Clayface. I stepped forward to address the shapeshifter, "hey! As much as I appreciate your concern for my skin, I'm exactly in need of a clay mask right now!"

He growled, stomping forwards to most likely beat the shit of me. The birdarangs Robin had lined his back with exploded in quick succession, prompting him to double over. I turned to Kaldur who had his water swords drawn and was looking around almost frantically. I called out to him, "Aqualad, we need a plan!"

"I am trying, Catgirl, but you talking is hardly helping my thought process!" He snarked, dodging a swing of Clayface's pike.

I whistled lowly, "okay Mister Grump, hurry the hell up!"

Artemis called out from behind me, "Cat! Watch out!"

I looked at her to see a large shadow looming over me and getting larger. And then all I saw was a blur of colours as I flew through the air, slamming hard into the concrete wall. I heard Artemis scream, Wally shout something vaguely threatening, and then two more large thuds. My vision was hazy, and I felt myself dancing on the line between wakefulness and unconsciousness. I fought it, my head lolling to the side to try to watch what was happening.

The blurry figures of my teammates lay on the ground, and it looked like Kaldur was the last man standing. My fingers twitched, and I was trying to shake myself from my stupor. Kaldur was knocked down, and the last thing I saw was the glass of the skylight falling like crystalline rain as a large shadow fell with it.


I woke up to the sensation of delicate fingers carding through my hair. Fluttering my eyes open, I found myself laid across the laps of Artemis, M'gann and Rob, the Martian absentmindedly playing with my hair. The first thing I saw was Dick's face, drawn tight with worry behind his mask. M'gann peered down at me when I stirred, face breaking out into a wide smile, "she's awake!"

I realized I was in the very back of the Batmobile, the Gotham streets whipping past us. I caught Bruce's eyes in the rearview, him throwing a worried look my way. My attention was drawn away when M'gann tried to prop me up. I winced, my ribs sore and clutched the side of my head. The vertigo subsided and I attempted to get off M'gann, who was looking uncomfortable now that she had to bear my full weight.

I slipped off her, squeezing in between Artemis and Rob. Mis turned as far as she could to face me, "I'm so sorry, I should have warned you earlier or something."

I shook my head, "it's fine, I should have been quicker, that's all. How long was I out for?"

Kaldur spoke instead, "we all woke a few minutes after Batman intervened, you've been unconscious for about an hour and a half longer I suspect."

"It's probably because you're still fresh off a concussion, that's all," Wally said reassuringly.

I curled into Artemis' side, resting my head on her shoulder. She smelled like green apple and jasmine, it was strangely comforting. I felt like a little kid who had been thoroughly scolded, and Bruce hadn't even said anything yet.

The car pulled to a stop, and we piled out with a distinct sense of shame. There was nothing but silence as the light of the Zeta Port enveloped us, the uncomfortable feeling of being broken down and made back up again coursing through me.

Bats paused in front of us, "I need to talk to Aqualad. The rest of you, hit the showers and head home."

"Head home?" Superboy asked, " I am home."

I sighed. I was covered in clay and dirt, and probably blood somewhere and all I wanted was a shower and my bed. I was surprised when I heard Bruce dismiss Rob behind me, "just Aqualad."

Dick usually got to sit in on after-mission talks with Bats and Kaldur, as part of his grooming to run the team eventually I guess. He trudged up behind me, and I searched his face for emotion. Laying a hand on his shoulder, I offered him what I hoped was a reassuring smile, "don't worry about it, it's probably about why Kaldur was so weird today."

He averted his gaze, "I guess."

I let him walk on ahead of me, hiding behind a wall in range for my earpieces to pick up on Bruce and Kaldur's conversation.

"I am sorry you had to intervene," Kaldur said earnestly. "I know the Team performed poorly-"

Batman cut him off, "the Team performed adequately. The problem was you. You're their leader, and your head wasn't in the game." I could see why Bruce sent Dick ahead, for all his harshness, he wasn't big on public humiliation.

"No! You are-" Kaldur stopped himself with a sigh, weariness and guilt coating his voice, "correct. Of late I am not even convinced I belong on the surface world. For so many years it filled my every thought. But now that I am here, my dreams are all Atlantis."

"Atlantis," Bruce questioned, "or someone you left behind? You can split your time, between the surface and the sea, but not your mind. Either you're here one-hundred percent or you need to walk away. Make a decision Kaldur, and make it soon."

Bats walked off, and I waited thirty seconds before peeling myself off my wall and approaching Kaldur. I whistled lowly, "you got chewed out."

He looked at me with stricken eyes, "you heard all that?"

I smiled, tapping my ear, "I'm sure Supey did too, he just wouldn't say anything." He sighed and looked so tired I grabbed his hand and pulled him towards the back door.

"Where are we going?" He asked, and I shushed him, letting the doors slide open and reveal my favourite place in the Cave. The little ledge opened to the sea on one side and the forest on the other, and the sun was just peeping over the horizon staining the whole sky shades of pink, purple and orange.

I sat at the edge, dangling my feet over the side and patted the ground next to me, "come tell Auntie Arabella all about it."

He sat, sighing heavily, "I don't know, perhaps I am homesick."

I cast him my best 'what kind of idiot do you take me for' look, "I don't think so. I agree with Bats, I think you're missing someone. So, out with it, what's her name?"

"Excuse me?"

"Or his name, if you swing that way. I don't discriminate."

He looked out at the ocean longingly, "no, it's a she. Tula."

He said her name like a prayer, and I had to fight a grin that tugged at the corner of my mouth. I laid back, face up to the sky, "tell me about her."

"She's extremely beautiful, and kind, and intelligent and gentle. She's just… good. There's so much goodness in her and that makes her so special. Any man would be lucky to have her." He kept going, telling me stories of the two of them growing up, learning at the Conservatory, how he had kissed her on a dare at the age of ten. Eventually, he paused, staring dreamily into space, "she's perfect."

I smirked, "sounds like you're in love with her."

He grew a little more serious, "I am."

I sat back up, "listen, you want my advice? Take a few days off. Go see her, tell her what you just told me."

He paled, "a few days off? But the Team needs me."

I turned so he was forced to make eye contact with me, "Kaldur. You aren't Atlas, you don't have the whole world on your shoulders. You can take a weekend without the universe imploding. I'm sure Rob can take a little responsibility, and even if the Team has to take a break, the world was doing fine before us. You're only sixteen, lighten up."

He turned away, "and what if Tula rejects my advances?"

I laid my hand on his shoulder, "then you take it like a man and don't blame her. But for what it's worth, I think she'd be crazy to turn you down. You're a great guy Kaldur."

He looked back at me, "you think so?"

I grinned, "sure. I mean no offense, you're more of a big brother to me than anything else, but you'd be a catch for any girl. You're objectively attractive, you're intelligent, kind, funny, there's no way Tula isn't just a ridiculously in love with you as you are her."

A smile broke out across his face, "you're right, I'll arrange with Batman for a small vacation home. And then I'll tell her. Thank you, Arabella."

I got up, dusting my legs off. The sun had fully risen, making the waves sparkle, "no problem. Always up for free therapy, just let me know."

He didn't get up, and something told me he was going to sit and think for a little longer. I made for the door but his voice stopped me, "for what it's worth Ara, I think you're very wise for your age."

I flashed him a grin and left, making a beeline for the showers. Hopefully everything would turn out alright.


GOTHAM

August 27, 19:34


I blinked awake as a loud buzzing noise made itself known in my left ear. My room was dark, the curtains pulled back to reveal the nighttime skyline of Gotham. I yawned, looking down at my phone to see I had six missed calls in a row from Wally, and his name was flashing across the screen still.

I picked up the phone, holding it to my face and curling back into my pillow, "yes?"

Wally sounded a little frantic on the other end, "have you talked to Dick at all?"

I blinked, instantly awake. I rubbed at my face with the heel of my hand, "not since the mission. I was talking to Kaldur, and then I showered, got debriefed, went home and I've been hibernating since. Why, is everything okay?"

He sighed, "yeah, he just seemed kind of upset earlier, and he isn't answering my texts."

Yawning, I threw off the covers, "I'll go over and check on him. Knowing him he's just upset over Bruce not wanting him to sit in today."

"Alright, thanks Ara."

I balanced my phone between my ear and shoulder and I got up, "hey it's your grandpa's birthday today right?"

"Yeah, why?"

"No reason, tell him I said happy birthday."

"Alright, stay safe."

"Yeah, yeah, see you later."

I hung up and ventured into my closet for actual clothing to wear. Grabbing an oversized knit sweater, boyfriend jeans and keds, I changed quickly and grabbed my keys, locking the door on my way out.

A twenty-minute cab ride later, I was standing at the gates of Wayne Manor. Sliding my keycard and walking up to the door, I opened it with little hesitation, ditching my shoes at the door lest Alfred murder me for ruining his perfect floors.

I padded barefoot through the manor, quietly looking for either Dick, Bruce or the aforementioned butler. I decided to try the training room, and found it empty. There was an abandoned towel and half-drank water bottle, and a large hole in the wall that looked like it had come from a fist.

I traced it gently, the center of it was too small to belong to Bruce, and he wasn't one for punching walls.

I returned to the hall, doubling my efforts to find Dick. I decided to try his bedroom when I heard a whoop of laughter and the sound of someone dribbling a basketball. A small smile tugged at the corner of my mouth and I went out towards the basketball court.

Alfred stood in the doorway, a smile on his face, and beyond him Dick and Bruce were playing and carrying on. I fell into place beside Alfred, leaning against the doorframe. I spoke quietly, "he's good?"

Alfred jumped a little, but talked in the same low tone, "it would appear so. I believe Mr. Grayson simply felt he was lacking Master Wayne's approval."

I snorted a little at his formality, "I concur."

"Belle?" Dick called out from across the court.

They ceased their game and Bruce eyed me with mild curiosity and surprise. He braced a hand on his hip, "Arabella, does your mother know you're here?"

I rolled my eyes, "no she's out, but I practically live here anyway so."

Dick raised an eyebrow, "why are you here?"

"Because someone," I said holding up my phone to show him my call log, and numerous calls from Wally, "decided to ignore Wally after taking a page out of Superboy's handbook and being a little angst machine and he got worried. So naturally he wakes me up and asks me to go check on you."

I could see Bruce holding back a snort and had to grin. Dick looked a little sheepish, "sorry, I was training earlier, I didn't check my phone."

I shrugged, "I was going to come check on you anyway, and fill you in on the drama with Kaldur and his lady love."

"Lady love?"

I leant back against the doorframe again, "oh yeah. This girl, Tula, they've been best friends since the cradle along with this other guy named Garth. He's head-over-heels in love with her, you should've heard him talk about her. Anyway," I turned to Bruce, "he said he was going to contact you about taking a day or two off, so he can go home and see her, profess his love and all that jazz."

Bruce nodded, "he already did. He left earlier today."

Alfred shook his head, "teenagers."

I turned to him, "oh shush. He's being open and honest with his feelings, that takes courage."

His lip twitched, "I suppose. Tell me Miss Williams, are you staying with us tonight?"

I yawned, "maybe. At this point I should just start paying you rent, Bruce."

"Eight-hundred a month utilities included," he joked back, and I smiled. It was nice to see the Dark Knight being playful.

There was a loud ding, and Alfred gazed down at his phone. He looked back up at Bruce, "it would appear there's a League emergency at Tokyo Bay sir."

Bruce frowned, turning to Dick, "hate to cut the game short but duty calls, you two good on your own?"

I slung my arm around Dick's shoulders, "don't worry I'll keep this one in line."

Alfred huffed gently, "if anyone needs to be kept in line, I believe it's you Miss Williams."

"Arabella, Alfred, and fair. What can I say, I'm a rebel at heart."

"A rebel without a cause, maybe," Bruce cut in. I shot him a glare and the two of them swept back into the house towards the Batcave. I yawned, letting go of Dick.

He shrugged turning to me, "Disney marathon?"

"Only if we start with The Aristocats."


I woke up to my phone buzzing yet again, this time on the couch in the living room Dick and I had set up in and with a crick in my neck. It was M'gann calling instead of Wally.

I picked up, "hello?"

"OhmygodArayouwon'tbelievewhatjusthappenedohmygodohmygodohmygod."

I sighed, sitting up from my previously curled up position, "M'gann. Slower."

Dick leant over to look at me, "is that M'gann?"

I rolled my eyes, mouthing 'no shit' and put her on speaker phone so he could hear and save me the trouble of just relaying the story in five minutes.

The gulls in the background told me she was on the beach, probably to get out of Superboy's earshot. She took a deep breath and let it out, "so. I was going to make dinner and I asked Superboy if he wanted to help, and he said no but he got up anyway. So I was pulling out ingredients telekinetically and I kind of accidentally went too fast and got it all over him? And then I freaked out because he was covered in egg and milk and brown sugar and started drying him off and I was babbling and making a fool of myself and then I just kind of trailed off and we had this fifteen-second moment of really intense eye contact and then he just sat back down still covered. And I cooked and we ate and now I'm calling you?"

I blew a piece of hair out of my eyes, "M'gann. How many times do I have to tell you that he's probably just as into you as you are him?"

"You say that but he's nothing like Wally is, aren't boys forward with this kind of thing?"

"A, Wally isn't into you, Wally thinks you're attractive and is mildly infatuated with you. B, some guys are, some guys aren't. I don't think Superboy exactly tops the list of guys who are open about their feelings."

"You have a point…"

I rubbed my eyes, "either kick around until he makes the first move or be a woman about it and ask him on date or something."

"Or something," she said flatly.

"Just walk up to him and kiss him, I don't know. Do I look well-versed in telling guys I'm madly in love with them?"

Dick snickered, and M'gann yelped, "I am not madly in love with Superboy!"

"Right, and the general staring, moony-eyed-ness and awkward compliments are just you expressing platonic admiration. Woman up and go ask him for coffee, or ice cream, or whatever it is people do for fun in Happy Harbor."

"But… what if he says no?"

I pinched the bridge of my nose, "M'gann, my little ball of sunshine, you're gorgeous, you're smart, you're kind, you're pretty much the only one willing to put up with Superboy's shit. If he doesn't realize how perfect you are, that's on him, not you."

Her tone brightened immediately, "really?"

"Yes, really. Now go do something vaguely cute and giggle."

She laughed, "thanks Ara, I'll let you know how everything goes."

"Alright, be careful."

"See you tomorrow!"

She hung up and flicked my phone to the other end of the couch. I groaned, "first Kaldur now M'gann, when the hell did I become a dating coach?"

"You should charge by the hour."

I swatted his shoulder, "oh hush you. Pass a blanket, I'm freezing."

He handed over the soft, fuzzy one he knew I liked and I curled up in it, resting my head on his shoulder and humming along to Everybody Wants to Be a Cat. Dick snorted and flicked my nose. I turned my head into his shoulder, glaring up at him, "I hate you."

He fake-glared back, "I hate you more." We held eye contact for a few seconds and then burst into laughter with the sound of Thomas O'Malley's voice in the background.


The last straining notes of Jessi's song faded out, and I fell to the shiny, hardwood floor of her music room in a crumpled heap. She clapped from across the room and I stood, dusting off the legs of my sweatpants, "so the lights would fade to a complete blackout there."

She shook her head, "it's absolutely perfect. I can't believe how quickly you've managed all this."

I tightened my ponytail with a grin, "it's been my pleasure, really. The music's beautiful, I can't believe you write stuff like this at our age."

"It's just because I've been playing piano since my fingers could stretch across a chord, my brother's the same."

I blinked, "brother?"

Realization seemed to dawn across her face, "I didn't tell you about him did I? I have an older half-brother, Will. He's insufferable, cocky, and a total womanizer."

I wrinkled my nose, "he sounds fun."

She pinched the bridge of her nose, "don't even get me started."

The sound of her music room door being swung open interrupted our conversation and a tall-ish guy I'd ballpark around fifteen walked in. He was gorgeous, tanned skin, straight nose and strong jaw, the same cinnamon hair as Jessi and a set of deep green eyes. He strode forward like he owned the place, gaze on his phone, "hey Jess, do you know if dad-" he looked up from his screen, eyes landing on me and cut himself off, "who's this?"

I noted his British accent as Jessi groaned, "speak of the goddamn devil."

I raised an eyebrow, connecting the dots in my head and walking towards him with a hand stuck out, "Arabella Williams. I'm choreographing and dancing for your sister in her upcoming performance?"

He shook my outstretched hand, sliding his phone into his back pocket, "Will Sutton, Jessi's half-brother."

He had calluses on his fingertips, and I regarded him coolly, "so I've been told. Different last names as well."

He grinned widely, "I took our father's, Jessi took her mother's. She says he's too big of a prick for her to want to be associated with him and I'm inclined to agree but it's always fun to throw around that I'm James Sutton's son." He retracted his hand, "that's our father, he's-"

"A business owner with major holdings in the US and UK, I'm well aware. Is it true he's extending into Australia these days?"

He blinked, apparently unused to being cut-off, "I'm sorry, I wasn't aware you were business-savvy."

I crossed my arms, "comes with being a good family friend of the Waynes. God knows how many galas I've been to. I could give you a twenty-year background on any prominent businessperson."

He laughed, sticking his thumbs in his belt loops, "I like a girl who knows her stuff, do you attend Gotham Academy?"

"I'm starting there in the fall, yes."

He raised an eyebrow, "starting? You're Jessi's age then? You seem…" he gave me a once-over, "older."

"Will!" Jessi hissed from the piano, outrage plain on her face.

"What?" He said good-naturedly, "I didn't mean anything by it, she just seems rather mature." He turned back to me, "I'm starting my second year there in the fall. I've been in boarding-school exile for the past few years, but I got to spend the summer with my mum in London."

I narrowed my eyes, "yes, well I'm more of a French girl myself."

He gave me some sort of mix of a smirk and a smile, like he was genuinely amused but trying to coat it in a layer of asshole, "I'm sure Jessi's already told you but I'm actually in a band, you should come see us play sometime."

I waved my hand dismissively, "sure, whenever I want to bleed from my ears I'll come see you. Now, if you don't mind, we have choreography to go over."

A spark of curiosity flared to life in his eyes and he turned to leave, "I think you'd be surprised." He turned to go, but stopped and looked over his shoulder with a wink, "oh and French girls are hot as hell."

I cocked a hip, staring him down, "they sure are."

He grinned, "I'll see you around."

"Can't wait!" I called from behind gritted teeth.

He left, taking the smell of designer cologne and worn leather with him and I turned to Jessi, "oh he really is terrible."

She threw her hands in the air, "what did I tell you? Nice job handling his fuckboy ass though."

I gave a mock bow and she laughed, starting up the music again.


MOUNT JUSTICE

August 28, 12:14


I heard Glados' voice ring out in the Mission Room as we walked towards it in uniform, "recognized, Aqualad, B-03."

My mouth curved up into a smile, and I heard Bruce's voice, low and steady, "made your decision?"

"The decision is made," Kaldur said, more assuredly and calm than I had heard him for a while, "I am here. One-hundred percent."

"Just in time for your next mission," Bruce said as we entered from the hall. He turned to us, statistics and images flashing up on screen. "The Watchtower detected an immense power surge in the Bialyan desert. You're being sent in covertly on a recon-only mission."

"And when will this be?" Aqualad asked.

Bats turned to him, "in a few days, we have a few details to iron out. Until then, rest up. Wait here for Black Canary, you have a training session soon."

We nodded and he strode out from the room, and I groaned, "Bialya? God why."

"Is it that bad?" Kaldur asked, eyes curious.

I snorted, "oh you're going to hate it there, nothing but sand for miles on miles, not a drop of moisture and oppressive heat slamming down on you."

"I agree that sounds rather unpleasant."

I perked up suddenly, "so how did it go with Tula? You guys sort it out?"

His face grew serious, "it would appear that while I was gone she and Garth began a romantic relationship, and thus she rejected my advances."

I cringed, "oh Kaldur, I'm so sorry."

"Do not be," he said, resting a hand on my shoulder, "it had to be done. My emotions were clouding my mind, making my leadership suffer." He turned to the whole of the Team, "I apologize for our last mission, I was off my game, and we failed as a result."

"Dude, you have worse stuff to be upset over," Wally said.

"This Garth guy seems like a shitty best friend to me, going after the girl you like," Rob chimed in.

"He was unaware of my affection for Tula, as was she," Kaldur said.

I patted him on the back consolingly, "so it's not like he meant to go all Mr. Steal-Yo-Girl on you, it's just terrible timing."

"Mr. Steal-Yo-Girl?" Artemis asked with a snort.

"Hush you," I said, waving her away, "Tula's an idiot for not pining as helplessly after you as you have her. So you know what? Forget her. Go find a hot girl somewhere and have some old-fashioned teenage fun."

He wrinkled his nose, "is that a euphemism?"

I shrugged, "possibly."

He laughed, warm and full, "enough of that. How is your… you called it choreography? How's that going?"

I dragged my hands down my face, "the dance? Wonderful. I was however introduced to Jessi's less than wonderful half-brother yesterday."

"Half-brother?" M'gann asked with a renewed interest.

I rolled my eyes, "oh yes. He's British, in some kind of boy band, thinks he's god's freaking gift to women, and he's going to go to our school," I said, gesturing between Dick and I.

Artemis raised her eyebrows, "and is he attractive?"

I groaned, "unfairly so. Which just makes the fact that he's an arrogant bastard so much worse. He insulted my intelligence, flaunted his wealth and then he hit on me and left. I detest him."

M'gann was practically bouncing, "a hot, rich British musician hit on you and you see this as a problem?"

I flung my hands in the air, "did you miss the part where I mentioned his general insufferable-ness? I don't know what kind of standards you have but I assure you mine are a hell of a lot higher."

Artemis cocked a hip, "well if you don't want him feel free to give me his number."

I huffed, "oh absolutely, no problem."

"Sounds like an asshole to me," Wally said annoyedly.

I pointed to him, "thank you!"

The sound of boots hitting the floor alerted me to Dinah's entrance. She strolled into the room, "let's go kids."

I sighed, "oh goody."

She pointed at me, "you seem enthusiastic today Catgirl, come up." I cursed the universe in my head and stepped into the ring, taking a fighting stance. She grinned, "very good. Hands a little higher though…"


Okay, words cannot describe the ways in which this chapter kicked my ass. It was so difficult to write, and every time I put something down I hated it. Hopefully, it doesn't totally suck. We met Will though! I had such a fun time designing his character when I first thought him up, and we'll be seeing a lot more of him and his sister later in the story. As always, see you next time! (More like in two seconds hopefully given that this is a double upload.)