(A/N): I apologize in advance for how crazy long this chapter is...
A(nother?) Rooftop Conversation
Conner could've sworn Grayson was ready to run straight to the hospital after McKibben's announcement, injury and all.
The detective, who still wasn't sitting (much to Wally and Artemis' chagrin), swung around to face Griffin, eyes wide.
"No." The commissioner said without even looking in his direction. "We made a deal."
"You can't be serious." The man swayed where he stood but paid the action no heed, "Just push off my vacation time till tomorrow."
"Detective," Her tone was equal parts exasperation and endearment. McKibben, on the other hand, merely smiled smugly at Grayson's obvious distress. "I stand by what I said. Your vacation begins as soon as you exit my office."
"Seriously dude, it's just a break." Wally had his arms stretched out, as if making ready to catch Grayson when he inevitably collapsed. "Some people would kill for it."
McKibben opened his mouth to speak, but was interrupted by the commissioner's door practically flying off its hinges.
Conner turned a glare towards the intrusion, annoyed at their abrupt entry. People really needed to start knocking.
"Commissioner Griffin!" A young woman, who couldn't be passed her early twenties, hurried inside. "Commissioner—oh, my apologies. I didn't know you were busy."
Wally stared at the new arrival, "What is this, a meet and greet? Anyone else want to share some breaking news?"
The commissioner in question rose to her feet, looking far too tired for someone her age. "How may I help you, officer?"
The officer flushed, biting her lip as she stared at the assembled heroes. Conner didn't think he was imagining the way her gaze seemed to linger on him in particular.
Fangirl, he thought distastefully.
It's not that he had anything against his 'fangirls' (or fanboys, he had those too), it was more so that his few encounters with them had been…horrifying.
They were all rabid, to say the least.
"I really didn't know you had company," The woman said. "I wouldn't usually barge in like this, but…"
Griffin rubbed at the worry lines between her eyes. "Just tell me what it is."
"There's a, um," She looked at Conner again (he would give anything to be able to fly—if only to get away from this conversation) and sucked her entire bottom lip into her mouth. "There's two men on the roof. They want to talk to you, or something."
The commissioner narrowed her eyes, like she wasn't sure she'd heard right. "There're men, on the roof?"
"Yes. Men. On the roof. They want to tal—"
"Thank you, officer, but I think the commissioner heard your message. You are now dismissed," McKibben waved a hand towards the door. "Off you pop, dear."
Once the woman was gone, Griffin sank back into her seat with a sigh. "This is certainly shaping up to be a much busier day than I imagined it'd."
"Tell me about it," Grayson muttered darkly from his seat, fixing an icy glare on his bandaged leg.
"Oh 'cry me a river', celebrity britches. Your life is just such a little nightmare," McKibben's tone held enough salt to kill a freshwater fish. "Please. Get over yoursel—"
"Deputy McKibben," Conner thought he saw the commissioner's eye literally twitch in its socket. "This has been an extraordinarily difficult few hours for everyone here, regardless of their economic standing, so I would greatly appreciate it if you shut your damn mouth."
Wally laughed, but quickly turned it into a cough when Artemis' elbow dug into his ribs.
"My apologies, commissioner." McKibben sounded anything but apologetic.
Conner snuck a glance at Grayson, curious to see how he was reacting to the other man's tirade, but the detective seemed unfazed by it. There was a small, bitter smile on his face. Like he was remembering something.
He certainly was a strange little bird, wasn't he?
"Would you like us to accompany you to the roof, ma'am?" Kaldur's voice acted like honey on the situation, smoothing out all the cracks and getting them back on track again.
The commissioner was now rubbing her at her temples, eyes half closed. "I believe that would be best, especially since I have an inkling over who our newest guests may be."
McKibeen frowned, "But Griffin, Sniper—"
She cut McKibben off, getting to her feet and stepping out from behind her desk. "Will have to wait. I'm sure the hospital staff can manage him in our stead."
And with that, they began to file out of the room. Conner was just about to step over the threshold when he heard a commotion behind him, immediately swivelling his head around to confront it, when—
He paused, raising a quizzical brow at the sight before him.
Artemis seemed to be quite literally growling at Detective Grayson, who had evidently tried to get up out of his chair again.
"You idiot. You absolute and utter moron." She physically spread her arms, as if that would prevent him from escaping. "Stay in your chair you fuc—"
"Okay!" Wally, who no doubt recognized the archer's I-am-about-to-eviscerate-the-person-in-front-of-me tone, leapt between them. "Let's just think about this for a sec."
"There's nothing to 'think' about." Artemis gestured at Grayson wildly. "We went through all that work to patch him up, and now he's just going to pull himself open all over again."
Conner studied the detective carefully, quietly noting how the man's hand seemed to hover above his belt.
Was he reaching for his gun? His badge? The action didn't make any sense, and it looked practiced. Learned.
Strange.
"Yeah?" Grayson smiled smugly, "What's it to you, quiver girl?"
"Quiver girl? Why I oughtta—"
As Conner watched the two verbally dismantle each other in front of him, he reminisced about when they'd first met the detective. When they'd thought the dark-haired man to be mild mannered and shy. Perhaps studious, even.
He hid a smile behind his hand as Grayson delivered a particularly witty retort to a stammering Artemis.
Oh, how naïve they had been.
"What's the hold-up?" The commissioner called over her shoulder, poking her head back into the room and glaring at them all.
"This—this buffoon's trying to follow us to the roof!" Artemis called, pointing an accusatory finger at the detective.
"Good." Griffin gestured for them to follow, "We're pushing your vacation off for a few hours, Grayson. You'll be happy to here. I have a feeling you need to be present for this."
"Yes, ma'am." Conner could only describe the detective's expression as smarmy. There was no other word for the toothy grin he was giving the archer.
Artemis threw her hands into the air, ignoring the way Wally patted her shoulder consolingly.
"There there, babe." The speedster looked immensely amused, though he was clearly trying to hide it behind a serious expression. "You'll get him next time."
"I hate you."
With that conflict (sort of) resolved, they continued on their way to the police department's roof.
Whatever Conner had been expecting, this was not it.
The sky was even more overcast now, clouds hanging low and the air smelling faintly of precipitation.
That, however, wasn't what'd surprised him.
For waiting on the roof, bedecked in all their hero glory, were Green Arrow and Green Lantern.
Lot's of colours in this hero community, Conner thought rather stupidly, still shocked by the heroes' unexpected presence.
In fact, the only one who didn't appear surprised by the Leaguers' impromptu visit was the commissioner. She merely nodded at them, a serious expression pulling at the corners of her lips.
The two green heroes approached, both of them smiling widely.
"Hello!" Hal Jordan—better known by his alias Green Lantern—took up a wide stance, arms crossed over his barrel of a chest.
Green Arrow took a much more subdued approach, stepping out from behind his colleague and looking at the younger heroes critically, "Good to see you're all still in one piece."
Superboy didn't think he imagined the way the archer's gaze lingered on his past protégé, carefully eyeing her up and down. When he saw she was uninjured, the hero seemed to relax a little.
Then Green Arrow caught sight of Grayson, who was sandwiched between a cautious Artemis and Kid Flash.
The lenses of the man's mask widened significantly as he stared, as if disbelievingly, at the detective. "Dick?"
Superboy frowned, turning around so he could glance at Detective Grayson.
The man had crossed his arms over his chest, bearing down on Green Arrow with a look of pure venom.
"I don't think we've had the pleasure of meeting, sir," The detective bit out, tone clipped beyond casual dislike.
"Oh," Green Arrow muttered something under his breath. "We…haven't. I've just seen you on the news and…" He gestured vaguely, "Stuff."
Grayson sighed heavily, like was contemplating taking a swan dive over the roof's edge. "Right. Stuff."
Wally caught Conner's eye from above the detective's shoulder, arching his eyebrows in a very clear What's that all about?
Superboy shrugged one shoulder, wishing more then ever that M'gann was with them.
Partially because she could read minds, but mostly just because he missed her. Sure, they could go weeks without seeing each other, but Conner still…missed her.
He shook his head, hoping to physically dispel his needy thoughts.
Green Lantern, who also seemed confused over Grayson and Arrow's strange little introduction, smoothed another smile over his disgruntled expression, "Commissioner Griffin, I presume?"
The commissioner stepped forward, extending a hand towards the hero. "You are correct in that presumption. I trust you didn't have any issues finding your way?"
Lantern brandished his finger and the glowing signet ring on it. "None at all, though it has been awhile since I've visited your, erm, charmingcity."
"Too close to the bat," Green Arrow, much less practiced in subtlety, said the word 'bat' like it was synonymous with poison or taxes. "Superman doesn't like us going near Gotham, especially not when the batsy's in a mood."
Conner really, really wished his heart didn't skip a beat at the mention of his DNA donor's name.
Superman still hadn't accepted him, even after all these years. Sure, the Kryptonian would talk to him and hold civil conversations, but Conner certainly wasn't getting invited to any Kent Thanksgivings.
"Yes," Griffin murmured. "I heard from another commissioner friend of mine that the Batman's been in…quite the funk lately."
"Understatement," Green Lantern said under his breath, but he quickly raised his voice again. "Enough about Gotham though, what seems to be the problem here? Young Justice causing a ruckus already?" He winked at the younger heroes, as if to show them it was all in jest.
Superboy winced, recalling all the times they'd botched stealth missions or literally blown up situations in the past.
Honestly, he couldn't blame Lantern.
"Wait," Detective Grayson spoke slowly, like he was still having trouble comprehending the situation. He turned on the commissioner, eyes wide. "You calledthem here?"
The woman winced, as if she'd been expecting this. "Yes, I did."
A million expressions flashed across Grayson's face, none of which Conner could interpret. "Why?"
"Because we don't have the facilities to hold a criminal like Copperhead, especially taking into account that he's a meta. I would ship him to Arkham but, with everything going on in Gotham right now, I didn't think it safe."
"But," Grayson seemed at a loss for words, "What about our interrogation?"
The commissioner glanced at the other two heroes, eyes narrowed, "I am assuming that, since we were promised their cooperation, they would not object to you and your companions carrying it out as planned."
Conner heard Green Lantern audibly swallow, "Of course, ma'am. Whatever you need."
Griffin stopped glaring immediately. "There, detective, whatever we need. Satisfied?"
Grayson seemed to consider Lantern for a minute, staring long and intently enough for the older hero to look uncomfortable. Finally, he sighed and said, "For the moment."
"Excellent," The commissioner clapped her hands together, face considerably less stony then it had been earlier. "Any other objections?"
To Superboy's surprise, Green Arrow cleared his throat, "Yes, actually. What the hell is hedoing here?" The hero didn't sound disgusted, just confused.
Griffin answered before Grayson could, no doubt sensing his rebuttal would be anything but pleasant. "He is one of my detective's, if you must know. Has been for over a year."
Green Arrow frowned, giving the other man a once over, "Since when are you a detective?"
"Since when are you an interrogator?" The detective shot back with enough venom to kill a small animal.
Arrow's brows nearly lifted off his forehead. "What—"
"Okay, kitties," Green Lantern stepped in front of his colleague, shooting the commissioner an apologetic look. "Let's put our claws away and have a nice conversation."
"Agreed," Griffin said. "Copperhead will be arriving any minute now, and I'd rather he not see us as a disorganized front."
"Couldn't have said it better myself." Lantern gave Green Arrow another warning look before turning back towards Grayson. "In the meantime, who exactly are you?"
Both Arrow and his former protégé smacked their foreheads, groaning at the other's idiocy.
Conner didn't think it was Lantern's fault; he himself certainly hadn't known who the detective was before Artemis explained.
"Detective Richard Grayson, but I go by Dick."
"Ah," Lantern wrinkled his nose. "Unfortunate nickname you got there, kid."
"It suits him," Wally muttered from his place at Grayson's side.
"I don't mean to be rude," Green Lantern ventured again hesitantly, "But…why does that name sound familiar?"
Green Arrow looked ready to have a stroke, but he reined in his exasperation and settled for giving an explanation instead, "He's the prince of Gotham, in the paper all the time. Richard Wayne-Grayson ring any bells?"
Conner could practically see the gears turning in Hal Jordan's brain. "Oh!" The man suddenly said, abruptly angling himself in the detective's direction, "You're Bruce's kid!"
Superboy turned just in time to see Grayson wince, a small movement that would've been imperceptible to the average eye.
Fortunately, one Conner Kent did not have average eyes, and he could easily read the subtle defensive posture the detective slipped into, as if preparing himself to run.
Though Conner didn't necessarily understand why Grayson wanted to leave their current situation, he recognized that 'fight or flight' look from his own reflection.
There had been countless situations in the past when the Kryptonian clone had wanted to run away, to escape. Finding out Superman didn't give a fig about him; learning Lex Luthor of all people was half his genetic father; he and M'gann's first fight…
So, yes, Conner understood how terrible the need to escape was. How degrading and small it made one feel.
He also knew that he never wanted anyone to feel that way again, whether they were some prince of Gotham or a random retail worker.
Which is why he slowly sidled in front of Grayson, blocking the heroes' view of the small man with his own body. "I think," He said slowly, making direct eye contact with both Leaguers, "That Detective Grayson's personal life is irrelevant in this situation
He thought he saw the commissioner cover a smile, but perhaps it was just his overly defensive mind imagining things.
Kaldur, whether or not he understood what Superboy was trying to do, immediately picked up the slack. "Yes, I agree. We need to figure out when an interrogation would be best."
"Oh," Green Arrow exchanged some kind of look with his fellow Leaguer, one that Conner didn't understand in the least. "We were kind of thinking…I mean, we really shouldn't bring a civilian to the Mountain. I know I said yes before, but…especially not one of his caliber." He jabbed a thumb in Grayson's direction.
Hal nodded, though he looked much more reluctant. "'Sides, we're the grown ups. We can handle interrogating some snake man, ya'know?"
"No," Kaldur bit out, echoing Superboy's thoughts exactly. "We are not having this discussion again. Not here, not now."
Grayson glanced between the two older men and the younger heroes, clearly trying to puzzle out what the Atlantean was referring to.
"Unc—uh, that is, Green Arrow," Artemis said, stumbling over how she usually addressed her faux relative.
The two had gotten closer in the years, Oliver truly becoming some kind of pseudo uncle to the younger woman. Conner reluctantly imagined how nice it would be to have someone like family in the League.
Artemis cleared her throat, glancing around carefully to see if anyone had caught her mistake. "You made a promise to the commissioner."
"Yes," The disguised Oliver Queen looked torn, like he desperately didn't want to deny his surrogate niece anything. "But that was before I realized Richard Wayne-Grayson was the officer you were working with."
"What's your problem with Grayson?" Wally asked from his place beside the detective, looking genuinely confused.
Conner hadn't though it possible, but Arrow looked even more constipated now. "I really don't have a problem with him, it's more his guardian that might prove an issue."
"Bruce Wayne?" Artemis wrinkled her nose as if in disgust, "Why would he be an issue? I thought he was just a frat boy that never grew up."
Grayson barked out an absolutely terrifying laugh at Artemis' words, one that had chills running up and down Superboy's spine. It was more of a cackle, really.
It reminded him of the day they'd first met Grayson outside that warehouse, when he'd laughed the same way.
Conner thought about it slowly, puzzling through all the information he'd learned in the past few days. Then he remembered what Kaldur had said, what felt like weeks ago.
"It's because this Bruce Wayne guy funds half the League, isn't it?" He said, all the puzzle pieces falling into place before him. "And you're worried that if anything happened to his son—to Detective Grayson—you'd lose Wayne's financial support."
At least Green Arrow had the gall to look ashamed. "I know it makes me sound like a terrible person but, losing Wayne's support…even just the positive press he brings us, would set us back years."
Grayson smiled that feral smile of his, like he'd found something infinitely amusing about Green Arrow's statement. "Right. Where would the Justice League be without Bruce's unfailing support."
"I mean it, kid," Arrow said. "Your guardian's an extremely generous man."
The detective merely smiled that strange smile at the older archer, not commenting further on Bruce Wayne's supposed giving spirit.
"Well," Green Lantern broke the silence that'd encircled them. "That was a train wreck. I swear we're not terrible people; your safety would be a major concern, too."
Arrow nodded earnestly. "It would. We can't have civilians inside the mountain. I mean, what if there was an attack? Or some kind of emergency happened?"
"They have a point," Wally added slowly, eyeing Grayson's injured leg with particular concern. "I hate to say it, but It's not like you have powers to defend yourself, man."
If Conner hadn't been watching the detective for a reaction, he would've missed the way Grayson's eyes nearly rolled out of their sockets.
"I think I'm fairly good at keeping myself safe, KF. Today was just a—"
Before Grayson could finish speaking, the commissioner quietly cleared her throat, raising an impressive brow at him. "I don't know why we're even having this discussion, especially considering you're on vacation time for the next week."
If looks could kill, they would literally all be dead. Grayson would have just murdered them with his gaze alone.
"Oh," Was all he said, but his glare spoke volumes. "Thanks for the reminder."
"But," The commissioner turned her stern gaze on the two older heroes. "I'm certain that, when your vacation time is over, you will be most welcome to interrogate Copperhead, wherever he may be."
"Well, I'm not so sure if we can—" Green Arrow started, still looking apologetic about it, but Hal quickly elbowed him between the ribs.
"Grayson's welcome any time," The hero said with a smile. "Young Justice know where to go and his safety will be our top concern."
The commissioner gave them a single nod. "I'm glad we came to an agreement."
Lantern looked between Grayson, who was still glaring sullenly, and the commissioner. His brow beaded with sweat. "Yeah, me too."
Conner thought it interesting that two powerless humans, who arguably weren't very threatening, could make a grown hero nervous.
Very, very interesting. Almost too interesting, but that was a thought for another time.
They were saved from having to speak further (thankfully, as Conner felt he'd filled his word quota for the day) when the rooftop door flew open and up marched a small squad of officers.
There were at least nine of them, lead by Deputy McKibben. Copperhead was shackled by power dampening cuffs, ambling forward like he had all the time in the world.
Conner wasn't going to lie and say he was unaffected by the metahuman's reptilian grin, but the clone had also faced down much more threatening foes than this.
In comparison to some of the things Superboy had seen, Copperhead was no more than a party trick.
That being said, Conner also knew not to underestimate the snake-man. Complacent heroes might wind up hurt, but overconfident ones ended up dead.
"Hello," The hitman hissed out, looking entirely too pleased to be surrounded by heroes. "Fancy meeting you here."
He drew out each syllable, eyes glimmering as they rested on the spectating crowd. Then the villain caught sight of the detective and it was as if a light went on behind his eyes.
"Grayssssson!" He shifted forward, parting the surrounding officers like they were mere dummies in his path. "It'sss so good to finally meet you. Masster talked about you all the time."
To seemingly everyone's surprise (except, perhaps, the commissioner's—Conner didn't think anything surprised her) the detective didn't so much as blink.
Almost as if this was just another day on the job.
Interesting.
"Copperhead," The detective said, eyeing the hitman up and down. "You're breath reeks. Ever heard of a mint?"
The snake-man hissed, though whether the sound was one of amusement or anger Conner couldn't tell. Either way, he wasn't sure he wanted to know.
"He told me you were mouthy, too. Ever since you were just a ittless one, he said." Copperhead was definitely amused now, forked tongue flickering between pointed teeth in a morbid smile. "I wissh I could tassste you."
Grayson raised an eyebrow. "Really? I'd probably taste horrible. That college diet did me in, if you know what I mean."
Conner eyed Grayson's lean musculature skeptically. It didn't look like the man had ever skipped a day at the gym, let alone survived a year on ramen noodles.
"So lippy," Copperhead said again, though he seemed considerably less pleased with himself now. Apparently the detective's cavalier attitude was finally getting to him. "How about I just—"
"Alright," Green Lantern's ring pulsed a bright green and, seconds later, a metal muzzle attached itself to Copperhead's elongated snout. "That's enough."
Arrow nodded, eyeing Detective Grayson curiously before turning back to Griffin. "Thank you for letting us take him off your hands, commissioner. I don't want to imagine the havoc he'd cause if he managed to escape."
The hitman struggled against Green Lantern's makeshift gag, as if trying to describe just what kind of chaos he'd have stirred up.
"Thank you for responding so swiftly," The commissioner answered in kind, ignoring the writhing snake-man completely. "It was a pleasure meeting you."
Green Arrow shook her hand stoutly, "Likewise."
Then, with the formalities out of the way, he gave his attention to the Young Justice team. "We'll have to meet soon for a debrief, understood?"
The rest of the team gave various affirmations, Conner simply nodding his head in response.
"Good, we'll be in contact," He smiled once more at Artemis, gave Grayson another indecipherable look, then motioned something at his colleague.
Green Lantern evidently understood the signal, as his ring pulsed again and lifted him, Arrow, and Copperhead into the air.
The villain's legs pinwheeled as his feet left the ground. He was no doubt cursing them out with his forked tongue, but nothing could be heard through the gag.
Which was good, in Conner's opinion. He'd heard enough of that oily voice to last a lifetime. This experience might've even given him an aversion to snakes; he'd have to wait and see.
"Hasta la vista!" Green Lantern called, giving them all one last wave.
And then the heroes were gone, leaving nothing but clouded Bludhaven sky and a roof full of officers behind them.
(A/N): Ngl exams almost killed me. Like, consider it a miracle I'm still alive.
Anywho, thank you so much for reading! And for your kind reviews ;-; they seriously inspired me to keep going with this so much.
This chapter's mostly unedited (again! I'll try and edit a chapter someday), but I didn't want to keep it from y'all any longer.
Hope you enjoyed! Have a great week, everyone :D
~ASL