Disclaimer: Seriously, this is getting old. The Justice League ain't mine.

First Steps

Chapter 3: Routine

The high pitched beeping of his alarm clock shot through Dick's head far faster than any bullet could. He groaned as he rolled over, mashing his hand on the top of the clock until he succeeded in hitting the snooze button. Dick took stock of his surroundings for what seemed like the hundredth time, still slightly disoriented from being in this building in the first place. He eased out of bed and stumbled in a half dead state to his private bathroom. Dick smiled at the thought of having a room in the Justice League Watchtower with his own private bathroom a week after sleeping in his sparse apartment with no heating.

After showering and getting dressed, Dick made his way to the mess hall, trying his utmost not to stare at all the strangely dressed people he saw along the way.

You're not exactly dressed to blend into a crowd yourself, Dick reminded himself as he saw others trying not to stare at him. He wasn't sure if it was 'new guy' syndrome or if his costume was really that odd. He came to the mess hall doors, and was about to push them open when they slid aside obligingly. Dick tried to hide the surprise on his face. He had been living at the tower for almost a week, and he still hadn't quite adapted to the level of technology at this place. He still found it hard to actually admit he was teleported into Bludhaven every night for his regular patrol.

"Not feeling intimidated, are you?"

Dick turned his head to see Kara Kent, otherwise known as Supergirl, giving him a wry smile. He hadn't seen her in quite some time, and she had changed quite a bit since then, with longer hair and a new uniform that seemed to match Superman's much more. Dick smiled.

"Compared to dealing with Batman, this is easy."

Kara smiled back as she went to pick up a tray and joined the queue. Dick followed suit. It suddenly became obvious to Dick she had become a bit taller since he last saw her, as she had no trouble looking directly at him as she spoke.

"So... how's Batgirl?" she said, obviously being careful to protect secret identities.

Dick shrugged, taking a sandwich and some orange juice from the shelf in front of him. "She was fine, the last time I saw her."

Kara frowned as she held her tray out to the worker on the other side of the counter. "You two still aren't speaking to each other?"

"What do you mean, 'still'?"

Kara rolled her eyes and took back her tray, silently thanking the worker before diverting her attention to looking for a table. She gestured for Dick to follow as she sat at a table with only one occupant. Dick didn't recognise him, but he was sure he had seen him on T.V fighting alongside the League. He was dressed in gold and dark blue, with a strange visor covering his face with shortish blond hair that flopped slightly over the front of the visor. There was some strange golden device floating around him as well, and Dick tried his best to ignore it as he sat down. Kara obviously knew him, judging from the smile on her face.

"Hey Booster, how's it going?"

The guy called Booster obviously hadn't noticed they were there, because he took a large bite out of his burger before looking up in surprise. He seemed to swallow the morsel whole, which made Dick wince.

"Hey Supergal, have a seat," he said cheerfully. She obliged, and glanced at Dick when he didn't sit down as well.

"Oh! I'm sorry. Booster Gold, this is Nightwing. Nightwing, Booster Gold," she said, gesturing for them to shake hands.

Dick put his tray down on the table, and extended his hand. "Good to meet you."

Booster slowly extended his hand. "Likewise."

Dick ignored the suspicion in his voice and sat down next to Kara. He immediately saw a reaction from Booster, although it was partially hidden by his visor.

Oh, so it's jealousy…Dick thought, slightly amused. He tried hard not to smile, but obviously didn't do a very good job as he saw the irritation on Booster's face grow.

"So… Nightbird-"

"Nightwing," Dick corrected.

"-Nightwing, where are you from?"

"Bludhaven."

There was a long silence as Booster simply stared at him.

"It's near Gotham," Dick added.

"I know," Booster said, an indignant tone raising his voice slightly. Attempting to recover, he asked another question with a slightly more calm voice.

"So… how do you… know each other?" he said, trying very hard to sound nonchalant. Dick just smiled, battling his urge to grin inanely at how transparent the poor guy was. It was Kara who answered the question for him.

"Through Batgirl. We've worked together a few times."

Dick looked over at Kara and wondered if she realised about Booster's jealous questions or not. Dick reminded himself that he couldn't tell what the women in his life thought of him either.

Never could, never will.

Booster seemed to relax slightly, but Dick couldn't tell if it was defeat or victory that made it happen.

"Oh. Okay."

"And Booster – a burger for breakfast?" Kara asked teasingly.

Booster shrugged and grinned. "What can I say? I like a protein heavy meal in the morning."

The golden device spoke, which shocked Dick so much he almost choked on his sandwich. He sipped at his juice in an attempt to wash it down.

"Sir, you must be mistaken. You told me you were having a burger because you had not slept all night, which was a result of your hiding from Wonder Woman after you mistakenly saw her naked."

The juice that was travelling down Dick's throat erupted forth as he struggled valiantly not to laugh in Booster's face. Kara was taking no such lengths to contain her laughter. Booster shot the device a glare.

"Skeets?"

"Yes, sir?"

"I will kill you."

"Yes, sir."

Kara attempted to hold the laughter as she spoke again. "Booster, how did you manage to see Wonder Woman-?"

"It wasn't my fault! How was I supposed to know the shower in her room was broken and that she would use mine?" he said, his voice raising a defensive octave. "She should have left a note on the door or something!" he continued, becoming silent as he looked over at the doors, suddenly hiding under the table, pulling Skeets under with him. He raised his head slightly to look at Kara and Dick.

"Uh… nice to meet you Nightbird. See you later Supergal. And if she asks…"

Dick looked over his shoulder to see Wonder Woman entering the room. He looked back at Booster and tapped his nose.

"You were never here," Dick said.

Booster smiled and gave him a thumbs up before he left, carefully hiding behind different people and pieces of furniture as he made his way to the exit, Skeets following close behind. Dick looked over at Kara.

"Is he usually like that?"

"What? Screwing up all the time? Yeah… but his heart's in the right place."

Dick thinned his eyes as he looked at her. "You don't…?"

Kara's raised an eyebrow as she smiled. "What? Booster? Oh, he's nice enough, but… why'd you ask?"

Dick shrugged. "Don't know. He's definitely got a soft spot for you, though."

Before she could respond, an enthusiastic voice interrupted their conversation.

"Mind if I join you guys?"

Dick looked around to see the Flash stood with a dangerously large pyramid of burgers. Dick sighed as the memories came flooding back to him, remembering just how much Wally used to eat when he knew him. Kara motioned for him to sit.

"Sure, have a seat."

He sat, and was about to speak when the intercom came online and the voice of the Martian Manhunter echoed forth.

"Supergirl, Atom Smasher and Vigilante, report to the teleportation chamber immediately."

And with that, Kara was off to help the save the world, giving a small wave to Dick and Wally as she flew away. In the ensuing silence that followed, Wally quickly finished off three burgers. Dick decided to speak up.

"So, how have you been?"

This seemed to take Wally by surprise, because his eyes widened slightly at the sound of Dick's voice.

"Uh… just got back from a mission at this place called Blackhawk Island, which was a pretty crazy place, what with these robotic sharks and-"

"No, I meant… how have you been since I last saw you..." he looked at the clueless look on Wally's face before adding, "...a few years ago?"

Wally was silent before finally responding. "Huh?"

Dick sighed.

He never was the brightest crayon in the box.

He looked around the room to check if anyone was looking, and for any cameras, and quickly raised his mask so that Wally could see the face underneath. Dick smoothly put the mask back on and looked at his comrade.

Wally's face contorted in shock. "Holy… Dick?"

Dick ducked his head and looked around the room to see if anyone had heard, then put his finger to his lips.

Wally smiled sheepishly. "Sorry. But hey, good to see you! How've you been?"

Dick smiled, glad that Wally recognised him after he removed his mask. He didn't particularly feel like listing all of their escapades together.

"Pretty good, for the most part. Didn't you recognise me at all? I was beginning to think it was some other guy in the Flash costume at the meeting."

Wally shrugged, speaking through a mouthful of burgers. "Well, you seemed kinda familiar, but last I saw of you in college, you were still Robin. And J'onn said Robin wasn't allowed in the League, so-"

"Wait, wait. You thought I was still Robin? Haven't you seen the new kid?"

"There's a new one?" Wally asked, still munching away on his burgers.

Dick sighed and rubbed his eyes. He had forgotten just how dense Wally could be. "Well, anyway, I've kind of moved on from that. Now I'm Nightwing." He looked at Wally's costume.

"But it looks like you've done some growing of your own. The last time I saw you, you were still Kid Flash. Now look at you."

Wally shrugged slowly.

"Yeah, well... I knew I'd have to take on the mantle someday. But I didn't think it would've been so soon, y'know?"

Dick put his hand on Wally's shoulder.

"Yeah… I know."

Wally stared into his mountain of burgers for a moment before snapping back into his usual, happy self. "So, how're you finding things in the League? Not quite like living in a big T-shaped tower, is it?"

Dick smiled. "Not really."

"You had any assignments yet?"

"Not yet. I think that new recruits must be given a week or so before they're put on assignment."

Wally frowned. "I never heard about that. Tell you what. Next time I'm leading a team, I'll put you on mine. Show you the ropes, eh?"

Dick smiled. "Just like old times."

Wally grinned as he finished off the last of his burgers. "Yeah."

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(A/N: Thanks for the feedback, and I hope that this resolves the whole 'Wally and Dick being old friends' thang. And yes, I know I said no Teen Titans references, but... I couldn't help myself.)