Disclaimer: I do not own the existing characters that we know and love of Young Justice, although I do take ownership over the new characters i.e. The majority of the Team's children

A/N: Hadn't updated this bit in a while, but do you like wonder what Lola's going to do? I'm indecisive and would love your opinions so don't forget to review

Chapter 14 – Lola Allen-Reyes

I didn't really know exactly why Willow stayed over, but I was thankful that she had. Having never really hung around with many girls in my life, I would normally find it tricky to make friends with them. Something about the friendships just wouldn't click. Whilst I considered myself a girly girl, there was just something so deterring about the cattiness of some girls. Nasty comments and petty arguments.

The morning after the awkward diner encounter, I woke up and opened the window of my bedroom. It was calm outside, with a pinky tint to the sky that looked like my dream wallpaper colour. Seeing as Willow was sound asleep, curled up in a ball on one side of my bed, I felt like I shouldn't disturb her. Instead, I perched on the window ledge, dangling my legs outside of the building. Looking out at my home of Star City over the tree's bordering our garden, I smiled for a moment.

"How did you end up in this mess, Lola?" I asked myself, forgetting that I had spoken out loud.

After a while, I climbed back inside, grabbing my mobile to call Ryan. I was still worried about him, even if we were going through a rough patch in our relationship. But he was missing.

I pressed my phone to my ear, counting the unanswered rings, until I was forced to leave yet another cringeworthy voicemail. "Jester, it's been days now- I'm starting to really panic now, please call and let me know that you're okay... or at least that you're alive. Because I miss you."

The eight letter, three word phrase refused to leave my lips. Disconnecting the call, I dropped the phone on the bed wishing that I had allowed Ryan to add me on the phone tracking app.

"You're awake?" Willow murmured blearily, rubbing her eyes. "How are you feeling?"

"Lost?" I replied.

The truth was I had no idea how I felt. I didn't even know what I was thinking.

"Can I ask you something?" Willow crosses her legs, squeezing her hands nervously. "I have been noticing some things lately and think you should know."

I sat down on the velvet cushion stool that was in front of my vanity table. "I guess I should talk it out with someone- without judgement please."

"Of course... So lately it has been no secret that you and Ryan have been arguing. You two were pretty fierce in your insults and petty fighting really- it really made things a little bit awkward between the squad."

"Yes. Well there are some things that just happen in relationships," I said dismissively, trying to deflect the conversation. "But go on, I know there's more."

"There's something, or more someone that seemed to always provoke two polar opposite reactions from you and Ryan." Willow paused, watching me closely with bright emerald green eyes. "Kyle."

"Kyle!" I squeaked in a high pitched. "What- what has Kyle got to do with it?"

"Okay, okay. So whenever Kyle and Ryan interact, there's this strong jealous, envious spark. Because of how well you and Kyle get along. Haven't you noticed it before?"

I went to speak, but stopped myself. Memories and recent events played on in my mind revolving around the three of us.

Ryan was jealous is how me and Kyle got on. Kyle was jealous of my boyfriend. I was jealous of Chelsea.

"Do you think it's possible to like two people at the same time?"

"What are you trying to say?" Willow shuffled to the foot of the bed. "Because if that's the case, what are you going to do about it?"

I shrugged my shoulders. "What can I do? Kyle is happy with his budding romance with Chelsea and I am- going to focus on my training and heroes work."

There was a lightning speed knocking on the bedroom door.

"Everyone decent?" DA02 asked speedily.

"DA02- you're good to come in!" I called out.

My speedster dad poked his head around the door. "Green Canary send out a message for available Justice Squad members to reconvene at the Watchtower. You two better make a move. Get changed and I'll drive you."

Willow threw on the clothes she was wearing the night before whilst I grabbed a pair of belted shorts and tank top. As for shoes, my cute shoe collection was dwindling. Sometimes, I would forget I was a speedster and that not all shoes were suitable for reaching those top speeds. One time I nearly ended up with second degree burns from not being able to get my shoes off quickly.

-o-

Speedster Dad waited for me and Diana to get to the transporter, kitted out in our hero suits.

"B-23 - Kid Flash. E-04 - Diana. E-06 - Stealth."

We appeared in the Watchtower almost instantly. This was my first time in the Watchtower. It felt weird at first, seeing the active superheroes wandering around like it was no big deal.

"I still wish you had taken the hero name Impulse..."

"Aww DA-02, I had to choose a name that was right for me," I replied, quickly kissing his cheek.

"Of course. Of course..." he replied before noticing Beast Boy waving us over.

The green skinned man held something out to me. "Stemmy wanted me to show you this."

I frowned at the grainy image, dismissively saying, "Beast Boy, why are you showing me an ultrasound?" My eyes darted comically between the scan and Beast Boy who was trying to hold himself together. "Wait! No..."

"Told you it would take a moment."

I hugged Beast Boy tightly. "Congratulations! That's amazing news- do I get to be bridesmaid?"

"Bridesmaid? Stealth, we're not getting married just because we're having a baby. Stemmy said that herself."

I wasn't buying it - that didn't sound like the babysitter I knew. Stem Cell would look after me whenever my dads went away on missions. She was all about love and union, but why not now?

A shout from Nightwing pulled Diana and I into the conference room. I had originally thought that the conference room was supposed to be for the Justice League members, but after the events of the Parasite, I guess things had changed.

Nightstar and Mentalist were there waiting on us. No sign or Firewing or Aqualad.

"You have another mission. A new masterm- villain has come out of the woodwork. One by the name of The Mastermind. Or Double M... Let's just say he was particular about the 'The' being there." Nightwing lifted a projection of the so-called villain, the Mastermind. Double M.

Double M had the look of a magician, with part of me thinking he looked like Zatarra. But Double M wore a silver mask that covered up one side of his face.

"Aqualad is away on an undercover operation, so we've selected you, Mentalist, and you, Stealth, to focus on Double M. As for Nightstar and Diana, your primary task will be to locate Jester and also help to protect the city."

Another superhero entered the conference room wearing a white corset leotard with grey tights underneath and a black tailored jacket.

"I didn't miss anything, did I Nightwing?"

Nightwing's eyes widened behind his mask. "Zatanna, I see you're back from Set'Al Khan. Did everything go according to plan?"

Zatanna frowned at us. "Double M is on the move."

Nightwing seemed momentarily flustered, an unspoken history between them perhaps. Made more awkward by Nightstar just seated only a couple of feet away.

"Nightstar, Diana- talk to Miss Martian who can bring you up to speed with the search for Jester. Stealth, take a seat. We need to talk strategy."

Zatanna our a hand out to stop me from moving. "I want to see what Project Genomorph is capable of," she said, narrowing her eyes at Mentalist.

"Another time, Zatanna. The Watchtower is not designed for testing abilities." Nightwing continued to bring up further projections as I sidled past Zatanna and sat down a few seats down from Mentalist.

I could see his amber eyes watching me closely, trying to determine my innermost thoughts. In the panic, I remembered he was most likely a telepath through thoughts and moving objects.

Get out! I shouted internally.

He slapped a hand to his temple as if he was momentarily in pain.

"Mentalist?" Nightwing said, pausing the projection.

Mentalist twitched, bringing himself back into the room. "I am... fine."

"Well let's keep alert- Double M is a magician. Believes he is related to Zatarra."

Zatanna clapped her hands loudly. "That is wrong, just to clarify. He's a dark magician anyway."

"What we want you to do is tail Double M. See what he might have planned. The chances are he'll hit an event in Gotham City. Take over and showboat to the people."

I inhaled sharply. "Do we have a list of suspected targeted events?"

Nightwing raised his hands. "That's your job now, Stealth. This is your chance to prove yourselves to be worthy members of the Justice Squad. Dismissed."

I stood up quickly and went to leave, hearing Zatanna say that she wanted to witness the extent of Kyle's power firsthand. It was Nightwing's suggestion that she return with us to the headquarters and talk with Green Canary.

As we stepped out into the headquarters on Earth, Green Canary greeted he three of us, surprised to see Zatanna. Firewing brought me a tablet from the lab and sat with me in the training centre. Zatanna insisted on testing the extent of Mentalist's abilities, wondering what a human-kyptonian-Martian-genomorph blend might do.

Firewing elbowed me sharply. "What's it like in the Watchtower?" he asked, looking up at me with big eyes desperate to know anything I had to say.

"You'll see it for yourself one day, Firewing." I smiled, ruffling his hair. "Willow mentioned something about you the other day- that she thinks you're being bullied, is everything okay?"

He hesitantly looked away. "I can't tell you, you wouldn't believe me... Have you considered a rubber silicon compound sole for your shoes? It might help reduce friction if you need to run. Something made from a similar material to the one the boots you're wearing now are made from."

The way he changed the conversation was sudden but the thought of saving my good shoes was too tempting.

"You've done enough for me with the utility snack belt, Firewing. Which I'm grateful for. If you fancy a challenge, I'd happily buy some shoes for you to test a speedster friendly sole on?"

Firewing nodded enthusiastically before gasping at the mini fight between Zatanna and Mentalist. "Woah..."

Zatanna conjured a chain and chanted an incantation. The chain struck Mentalist causing a loud gasp to escape my lips. Zatanna continued to hit Mentalist.

I dropped the tablet on the chair and went to intervene, but Green Canary stopped me. "You'll regret this..."

Mentalist's eyes were the giveaway.

Red, red with a thin black rim.

Zatanna choked up, rising from the ground. "Niahc ekohc m-" The sentence wouldn't finish as the air was squeezed from her lungs.

"Kyle!" I yelled.

His head snapped around to look at me. Just as he had done in the Gotham Gallery, Mentalist released his victim and collapsed to the ground.

"Stealth... I'm-" Mentalist muttered, but I didn't want to hear it.

I sped away, feeling the horror in the situation. Whenever Mentalist freaked out and went into what I could only describe as berserk mode, I hated being the one who had to pull him out of it. It felt like I was the only one who could physically do it. I spiralled up the stairs onto the roof of the headquarters buildings, rolling across the gravel as I tried to stop myself. From the dizziness, I knew that I needed a sugar rush and started to open the compartment on my belt that had a snack in it.

"Lola?"

I turned around quickly, feeling the wind blowing at my brown hair, putting knots in it.

"Kyle..." I whispered, trying to stop my thoughts, but it was useless. "That can't happen again. You have to learn to control your anger, and I need you to make a conscious effect to stay out of my thoughts otherwise I'll just scream internally."

Mentalist shifted his weight from side to side. "I erm- want to be a good partner."

"You can still be a good partner without being in my head. I'm going to get Miss Martian to implement training to control your emotions. What happened with Zatanna and what happened in the gallery can't happen again." I hadn't even realised that he was standing in front of me and my hand was on the side of his face. "What if the next time you go berserk and I'm not there?"

"I'll remember you instead," Kyle replied quickly, closing his eyes. "What is the matter?"

"Ryan- Jester. He's still not returned."

"He found his parents."

"Stop it!" I cried out, pushing past him and going back into the building.

Suddenly, something brushed past me and Mentalist removes his camouflage to stop me.

"Move out of the way, Mentalist. We have a job to do so let's focus on it."

He squinted slightly. "Chelsea thinks you like my jacket..."

"What are you talking about?" I asked, screwing my face up as I continued down the stairs to the ground level.

"Chelsea said you probably want to wear my jacket. What does she mean by that?"

"Have you asked her?" I shot back spitefully.

"She thinks you like the boyfriend material of my jacket. But you like Ryan's jacket, don't you?"

I gawked at Mentalist's face, annoyed by his cluelessness. "God Mentalist - she doesn't think I care about your jacket!"

"But that's what Chelsea said..."

At the bottom of the stairs, I shouted at him. "Kyle, she thinks I fancy you and she's clearly worried you fancy her!"

"You fancy me?"

"No!" I quickly said. "That's what she thinks."

"But you said Kyle does look good in that jacket. That if you weren't taken, you would be tempted. Who's taken you?"

My mouth twitched as I tried to remember when I said that. "Kyle- that was a private, internal thought. No one has taken me, I was referring to. No! I don't need to explain myself to you. Just leave me alone!" I ditched him quickly, finding Nightstar in the break room. "Nightstar, talk to me, how is everything?" I propped a knee up on the sofa beside her and leant forwards.

She brushed a curled strand of hair over her shoulder. "Erm... I think you've got some talking to do. He's not giving up without a proper explanation." Nightstar stood up and went to leave.

I grabbed her arm, feeling the silky sleeve of her suit. "It's not that simple. He doesn't understand the way things work with relationships."

Nightstar giggled softly. "Then perhaps the right person needs to teach him." She leant towards me, whispering in my ear. "If you ask me, I think you two are a perfect match. Remember it's the school dance soon, you should find someone to go with."

"What about Ryan?"

"What about him?"

Nightstar shrugged before grinning at something over my shoulder. "Hey Mentalist! See you Mentalist!" She kicked off the ground and glided past Mentalist standing in the doorway.

I choose my hands over my face, withdrawing my legs and bringing them up to my chest. "Sit down."

Mentalist crosses his legs and levitated in front of me.

"Now. There is no easy way of telling you about this but I'm going to try. Right now, I'm still Ryan's girlfriend despite the fact he is sill missing. God..." I wanted to remain honest but my mouth raised ahead of my brain. "And ever since you woke up, there has always been this connection between us. I think it's because we just get on so well. But you're in a budding new relationship with Chelsea and I need to let you enjoy that without trying to guilt trip you into anything. Ultimately, we have to remain professional. For the Justice League." I held out my hand to him. "Are we good?"

"Together, we are good."

I hugged him gently. "I think I know where Double M is going to hit."

"Where?" He smiled charmingly at me. "We should go now!"

"Calm down, little puppy," I joked, walking slowly out of the break room. "Green Canary, Double M will hit the local election."

Green Canary seemed shocked that I had come to a conclusion so quickly. "Really? How so?" She tucked either side of her bobbed hair behind her ear.

"So Nightwing said that Double M is a showboat - he'll want to catch people's attention whilst remaining on topic. What's more on topic than the local elections. One of which is happening at the town hall tonight."

"Okay. Excellent assumption skills, I like them, but what are you going to do?"

I hadn't a clue, but I didn't want my den mother to know that.

"Stealth, focus. What was the mission?"

"To watch and observe, tail him and see what Double M does." I paused. "But is that really all that you guys want us to do? Sounds like you want me and Mentalist out of the way."

"Now I think you're overthinking," Green Canary sighed, glancing between me and my new partner. "Get your casuals on- blend into the crowd and gather intel."

-o-

Kyle and I met outside the town hall where I suspected Double M would strike. He was wearing a grey T-shirt, black v neck jumper and dark jeans. The outfit looked effortlessly, and warm. More than I could say for myself in my limited choice of what was at headquarters. Belted shorts and a tank top.

I hated those moments where fashion was the downfall of me.

Up at the top of the town hall stairs, I could see the two candidates. Mr Jenson and Ms Drake. After the controversial animal cruelty Jenson's company had been accused of, I was all for Mayor Drake.

Kyle and I squeezed through the crowd to get closer to the front. My mouth dropped and I nearly squealed when Hayden Kennedy-Dallas stepped up to the centre of the three podiums lined up together. Clearly she was playing the mediator after making a somewhat speedy recovery from what happened at the gallery with the Salvation group.

My head jerked about, looking for any sign of Double M. The setup seemed perfect but nothing happened at first. Hayden Kennedy-Dallas did her introduction before guiding the questions between the two local candidates.

A figure. On the roof. Walking on thin air above the candidates. Or so it seemed.

"Kyle... look," I whispered, leaning towards him.

It was Double M. As I watched in amazement, I realised that it must have been a wire strung between two columns that he was walking across.

If Nightstar were here, she could use her starbolts to singe it. Diana could have easily put an arrow through the wire. Firewing could have manufactured a batarang to cut it. Even Aqualad could use hydrokinesis to dampen the line.

What could speed do though?

People were beginning to take notice of Double M. Taking photos, pictures. They were uploading them to social media already. This was playing straight into Double M's plans. I was about to push forwards when Kyle took hold of my arm.

"Nightwing told us to watch. Not intervene." Kyle let go quickly. "Sorry."

"What if he hurts someone?" I looked back up at Double M who turned around to face away from us.

In the flurry of movement, Double M released his cloak and vanished. Gone without a trace, leaving his cloak to float down onto the middle podium. The two candidates lifted either side of the cloak to reveal two glittering M's adorning the back.

"What is the meaning of this?" Candidate Jenson snapped.

I hadn't even spoken to Double M and I was already disliking him. Whilst he seemed harmless, there was something sinister about the way he moved and remained completely silent.

Kyle and I waited a while until we were convinced that Double M wasn't going to appear again. I went to walk home, but he started to follow me.

"Wait- what are you doing, Kyle?"

"I should walk you home, shouldn't I?"

"You don't have to do that..." I replied, trying not to shiver too obviously.

He playfully threw his jumper at me. "Your cold. Wear it, but it is not the boyfriend material."

"Very funny, Kyle." I laughed softly, nervously putting the jumper on and crossing my arms over my body to keep in the warmth. "It's so- warm."

My phone buzzed in my button and when I fished it out, I couldn't believe what I was seeing.

A text message from Ryan.

I need you. Tell no one. Meet at our spot.

But how did I ditch Kyle?

"Oh- I forgot to say, Green Canary wanted us to report back. I'm absolutely shattered, would you mind going there now and letting her know what we saw?" I might have fluttered my eyelashes at him to better my case, ignoring the knot in my stomach that was tightening.

"Yes. I can do that," Kyle replied, slowly turning back. He stopped to say, "Get home safe." He was crossing the road to head towards headquarters before I could say anything.

-o-

Meet at our spot. The top of the hills outside of town. You could see for miles at the top and even though it was far from home, it was a five second journey.

I crept through the trees to the spot itself, stopping to admire the view. A cold hand clasped itself over my mouth and pulled me back. My screams were muffled as I kicked out.

"Lola, Lola it's me!" Ryan snapped, dropping me hard. "I've missed you so much..."

I backed away, words failing me.

"What's wrong? Aren't you pleased to see me?" Ryan laughed, extending his arms out to me. "Babe, I have been lost without you."

"Where have you been?"

He stopped and frowned at me. "Who's jumper is that?"

"No one's... I just grabbed it from the wardrobe. It must have been one of my dad's." I found my fingers clawing at the cuff of the jumper. "Ryan, where have you been these last few days?" I asked again. "Everyone's been looking for you and is worried sick. I called you everyday."

"I know, I know what I did was wrong, but I needed to investigate something."

"Investigate what? What could you possibly have to investigate that required you to go off the radar?"

"To find out who are real parents were."

Thoughts from AspiringWriterGirl = Such drama, right? I love being able to mess with the relationships and friendships – hopefully it will get resolved soon :L