Author's Note – My thanks go out to all of you who reviewed my story; I do appreciate your thoughts. I apologize for the lateness of the next part, but 20 page thesis papers to detract from my free time. Anyway, here's the next part, it kid of focuses on Cass simply because I like her, and I like the way she's starting to become as much of a strong leader as Robin is. Anyway, enjoy, and comments are appreciated. Oh yeah, also one quick note – in the first chapter I said that Robin went to Happy Harbor…however that would be tough seeing as that cave was trashed. Instead I meant that he went to YJ's new hangout.
It was several hours later before I finally broke out of my restless slumber and managed to return to the land of the living. Actually, I didn't do so willing, but my senses had recognized that someone was approaching. I blinked fuzzily a couple of time before I managed to make out the figure standing before me. Blond pigtails…yep, that had to be Cass.
"Robin," her voice cut through the stillness of the room. "Is that you?"
With a small groan I managed to life my head, blinking the last traces of sleep from my eyes. I rose from the chair that I had been wedged on for the last several hours only to hear a hideous popping sound coming from stiff joints. After managing to stretch out some of my sore muscles, I finally addressed Cassie.
"Yeah, it's me."
"What are you doing here? You don't normally just come to chill here by yourself." I watched as her blue eyes quickly scanned me over, stopping briefly on my face, which had been badly scratched in my run through the woods. She had a look of intense curiosity, but she wasn't asking questions…yet. It made me feel kind of good actually. It was nice to know that she had that much respect for me and my privacy.
"Ah, yeah well…I just needed somewhere to think for a while. Sorry, I hope I didn't disrupt anything." I added the last as I noticed the overnight bad she had slung over one shoulder. Heh, figures it had the S-shield on it. Looked to me like she was planning on sleeping over at the HQ tonight. I briefly wondered if it might have something to do with our newest member, Empress. Maybe a little female bonding, plus Cass may have wanted to try and dig up some info on our newest mystery.
"No, no. It's no big deal. I just wasn't expecting to find you here, that's all. The girls were going to have a slumber party tonight, nothing big. I've just noticed that there seems to be a lot of tension between Anita and Cissie, and I was hoping that something like this would help them get along a little better." Inwardly, I smiled. Cass wasn't getting a lot better at this leadership stuff as time passed. I still remember when I had her take over as spokesman during all that crazy stuff with Klarion. I have to admit, she even surprised me with how well she handled the media blitz on us during that whole crazy time. I think it made me feel a bit better about myself. It was nice seeing someone on my team developing and growing up. It almost gave me a little flash into what Batman must feel watching his two Robin's developing. Unfortunately that thought immediately darkened my mood. I think Cass must have noticed the almost imperceptible change in my features, because the look of curiosity grew stronger.
"So…what's going on Rob?" Heh, her detective skills were getting better too. It was getting to be a lot harder to slip things by her. Unfortunately her questions were not something I really felt I could deal with tonight. I had to find some way of retreating without making too much more of a spectacle of myself.
"Uh, you know how it is. Life just kind of gets a little overwhelming at times and you have to just sit back and think on things for a while. No big deal. In fact, I should just be getting out of your way. Hope you have fun tonight." I finished, trying to put on my brightest not smiling face. I mean, I still have an image to maintain, and grinning like an idiot would not help maintain it.
Unfortunately my plan didn't work nearly as well as I thought. Instead of letting the matter go, Cass got an even more intense look on her face. Coming a quick couple of steps closer, she peered intently at my face.
"What's with all the scratches? Looks like you've been running blind through a forest. You're not usually that sloppy Rob. What's going on?"
Okay, definitely time for a tactile retreat. When did she get so astute anyway? I'm supposed to be the one throwing her for a loop, not the other way around. It's just that with everything that's happened today my mind is completely out of focus.
"Nothing, nothing at all. Everything's fine." I put on my serious face, you know the one that says…let this drop now or else I'm not going to be happy. Quick note on that face – it doesn't work at all on girls. Especially ones with super powers who aren't really the least bit intimidated by me.
"Rob, did you know that when you say nothing in that tone of voice that you're practically begging for attention." Okay, Cass was really getting annoying now. The concern is flattering of course; it's nice to know that she cares when the leader is having problems. However, these are my problems, and I'll handle them myself. I don't need anyone holding my hand and helping me through everything. I also don't need to "talk about things" or anything else. Quite frankly, as touching as Cass's concern was, I really wished she'd just shut up and leave me alone. In fact, I was just hoping opening my mouth to tell her something similar to that when she spoke again.
"Go get changed."
"Excuse me?"
"You heard me, go get changed. I know you've got a set of civilian clothes here that you can change into. So go get changed. Anita and Ciss will be here in about an hour, so that gives you exactly enough time to get showered and dressed. Now hurry up and do it. And I am NOT taking no for an answer."
At exactly which point did I lose control here?