Young Justice Fan Fic: Batgirl X Nightwing (Barbara Gordon X Dick Grayson), some Kid Flash X Artemis and Miss Martian X Super Boy
Summary: Batman forces the team is forced to undergo an unconventional training exercise… Batgirl and Zatara are forced to talk things out and settle their conflict over their mutual infatuation for Nightwing.
MOUNT JUSTICE: TUESDAY, DECEMBER 14 11:00 A.M EDT
Batman had summoned all members of the Junior Justice League to undergo a mandatory training exercise. In total, over 20 members were joined in the sparring room. Among them: Nightwing, Kidflash, Superboy, Aqualad, Red Arrow, Miss Martian, Artemis, Zatanna, Batgirl, Garth and others, along with Batman and Martian Manhunter. With everyone present, the room felt smaller and a thick tension was looming.
After being forced to wait for several minutes in silence, a few annoyed cries broke out. "What's this stupid training exercise all about anyways?" Artemis groaned.
"Did we really all need to be here at once?" Superboy scowled, desperately trying to make space for himself and Wolf among the crowd. These few outbursts seemed to spark and give way to more frustrations and arguments.
This went on for several minutes before Batman's sharp voice cut through the noise. "Your constant bickering is exactly why I have called you all here today." The crowd quickly grew silent. "The Justice League has been reviewing your teamwork over the last several missions…" Batman continued "…and to say the least, it's been abysmal."
No one spoke up to challenge this statement, as a screen displayed behind Batman began showing a series of video clips gathered from recent missions, illustrating the various errors he was referring to. "You aren't thinking like a team. You are allowing yourself to be divided over minor disagreements and are putting your comrades at risk in the process." A few people looked away in embarrassment.
"…So what does this have to do with the training?" Kid Flash nervously asked.
"Think of it more as a team building exercise" Martian Manhunter stepped in.
A collective groan broke out across the crowd.
"We will be pairing you off into groups of two." Batman stepped forward, pressing a button on his forearm and pulling up a hologram screen with two empty boxes. "The fellow team member you are assigned is one with which you have an unresolved conflict. The objective of this exercise will be to resolve it amongst yourselves so that you may continue to operate as a cohesive team."
"And what if we just decide to just leave?" Artemis chimed up again, her arms crossed defensively.
Batman smirked. "I'm glad you asked."
Martian Manhunter stepped forward now, placing his hands out in front of him and summoning 10 cylindrical chambers out of thin air, each measuring about 7 feet in diameter. "As mentioned in the briefing you all received beforehand, this exercise is mandatory. No one is exempt."
"How exactly are you going to be measuring the success of our 'conflict resolution'?" Aqualad spoke up, respectfully but inquisitively.
"The tubes contain bio-organic technology that measures the levels of various neurotransmitters, including cortisol and adrenaline. It also scans and measures for changes in your body language, including micro-facial expressions and vocal tonality. When the tube determines there to be no signs of psychological distress or heightened emotional reactivity, it will dissolve and you will be free to go". Martian Manhunter explained.
A few gulps and heavy sighs could be heard. A few team members cast concerned glances around the room.
"Now, I will begin assigning you." Batman hit a button and faces began to appear across the screen.
"Kid Flash and Superboy…Step forward" Batman called out.
"Saw that one coming." Artemis rolled her eyes.
"You've got to be kidding me!?" Superboy exclaimed. "There's no way I'm doing this!"
"Oh, like I'm thrilled about this arrangement!?" Wally retorted.
"The sooner you get in the tube, the sooner you can both go home." Batman stated firmly.
Superboy and Kid Flash reluctantly stepped forward towards the cylinder, which opened to allow them to enter and sealed itself behind them. No sound could be heard from the outside. Eyes nervously shifted back towards Batman, as they awaited the next pairing.
"Aqualad and Garth."
Aqualad rose to his feet and walked over to Garth, extending him an arm to assist him up as well. "Come, brother. You and I have much left unsaid."
Garth accepted. "Agreed. I am thankful for the opportunity to finally do so."
Batman silently wished Aqualad's name had been called first, as he had always been a strong and diligent team member, who could lead by example. He was hopeful that this would change the collective feeling about the exercise moving forward, however, this feeling was short lived.
"Batgirl and Zatana."
The room fell silent again. A gulp could be heard across the room, in the vicinity of Nightwing. Both women calmly stepped forward. Barbara kept her eyes straight forward, looking only at Batman, as if trying to make his head explode with her gaze. Zatana took a slow, deep breath. "Shall we?" She said, politely. "After you…" Batgirl mumbled. "I insist." Zatana said, gesturing for Batgirl to enter first. "Why? Do you plan to stab me in the back with that little wand of yours?" Batgirl smiled sarcastically and Zatana stepped forward first, rolling her eyes. The rest of the room shifted their gaze over to Nightwing, who had been eyeing the two girls very carefully. "…yikes" he whispered.
"Moving on." Batman cleared his throat. "Red Arrow and Artemis."
Artemis scoffed. "Y'know this might actually be kind of fun." She reached for her bow. "I definitely think we've got a score to settle."
"You think you stand a chance?" Red Arrow said, preparing to draw his bow.
"You're foolish if you think we're going to allow you to enter the chamber with any weapons." Batman said, clearly losing his patience. "The point of this exercise is to resolve your conflict, not escalate it."
Artemis and Red Arrow both growled, jeering at each other, as Martian Manhunter ushered them into their chamber, and removing their bows and quivers in the process.
Batman refocused the attention of the room back on himself and the next pairing. "Nightwing and Miss Martian." Both stepped forward silently, as if not wanting to test Batman's tolerance much further. They turned towards each other, nodded and stepped into the tube, although Nightwing was admittedly a little preoccupied about what was going on in the rest of the chambers, as was M'gann.
After the remaining heroes were sorted. Batman and Martian Manhunter took a moment to savor the silence. "Who do you think will be the first to emerge?" Martian Manhunter posed.
"Tough to say." Batman "They're a stubborn breed."
Martian Manhunter chuckled. "Especially the ones you trained." Batman sighed, feeling as if for a moment that part of his training curriculum may have in fact been lacking in the communication and social skills department. His eyes wandered over to the first tube with Wally and Superboy.
"So, what do you say, Supey, I accept your apology and then we go out for pizza?" Wally said arrogantly.
"MY apology?" Superboy turned, as if preparing to charge towards Wally. "What do you think I have to be sorry for?"
Wally rolled his eyes. "Oh, I don't know, for being that overly possessive weirdo boyfriend that 'freaks out' every time someone gets too closet o M'Gann… for starters"
"What about you apologizing for being a disgusting, sexist, womanizer who does't know when to shut his damn mouth!" Connor's voice began escalating as his hands reached out towards Wally's throat. Just then, the walls of the tube reached out and encased Wally and Superboy in itself, swaddling them, and rendering them unable to move.
"Great!" Wally exclaimed. "Now you've gone and pissed off the tube!"
From just outside the tube, Martian Manhunter had a sudden thought. "I forgot to inform our young heroes about the tube's abilities to restrain them, should any of their exercises escalate to violence.
"Surely, it won't come to that." Batman said sternly, but with an air of doubt.
Next, Batman glanced over at Aqualad's tube.
Inside, Aqualad and Garth sat across from each other, calmly looking to meet each other's gaze.
"Surely we both know what we are here to discuss." Garth started.
"Aqualad nodded. "Tula."
"Yes, but, much more than that." Garth said, his eyes looking to meet Aqualad's waist, and the symbol across his belt. "I fear we have both grown envious of the path the other has taken. I believe the earth dweller's say, 'the grass isn't always greener on the other side'."
Aqualad understood that Garth was referring to the prestige that he had gained through working along side King Orin and the Justice League.
"Yes, but my choice, although noble, became incredibly isolating, and I longed for my friends from Atlantis. Seeing you and Tula, together, and in love was the cruel reminder of the cost of my choice".
"I never knew you felt so lonely. I always thought you had a family with your team here."
"I do. But I was serving as their leader. I couldn't show weakness, or appear doubtful of myself. I could't speak honestly or openly with them… I couldn't be my true self."
"I never knew…" Garth said, placing his hand on Aqualad's shoulder. "Kaldur… you will always hold a place in my heart. And I know Tula felt the same way."
"So, you do not blame me for her death?" Aqualad said, tears forming in his eyes.
"I could never blame you for that. I am just happy that you are still here and that I can still call you my friend." Garth hugged him and the two sobbed into each other's shoulders for several minutes. As they broke apart, they looked at each other and smiled. Suddenly the walls of the tube began to dissolve.
"How much time has passed?" Aqualad asked, as he helped Garth to stand and the two walked out into the room again.
"About 2 hours." Batman said, not turning to face them.
"Are we the first to emerge?" Garth asked.
Martian Manhunter nodded.
"You two are free to go." Batman gestured towards the door.
"Come, Kaldur" Garth said, "Let us celebrate this reconciliation with a drink back in Atlantis. Aqualad nodded and the two departed into the nearest Zeta tube.
"Do you think the rest will be that easy?" Martian Manhunter asked.
"Doubtful" Batman said, this time turning towards the tube with Artemis and Red Arrow.
The two hot-headed archers were it the midst of a lengthy heated conversation about Green Arrow.
"Fine! I admit it! We both have daddy issues! Can we just get out of this damn tube already!?" Artemis screamed.
"I don't care who your father is. My problem was you lying about it to my friends."
"Oh, like you've always been one to tell the truth?" Artemis retorted.
Red Arrow turned his back to her. "I'm done talking about this."
There was a long pause.
Artemis let out a long sigh. "Look…" she lowered her voice. "For what it's worth, I was never meant to be your replacement." She sat down on the floor, hugging her knees to her chest.
"The league saw an opportunity to rehabilitate a super villain's punk kid by having me join the league and Green Arrow was the only one with an opening for a new sidekick."
Red Arrow said nothing.
"I don't even like green. I hated this fucking costume at first!" She went on.
"And the truth is, he never stopped talking about you."
Roy turned his head towards her slightly. "Who?"
"Green Arrow, you dumbass!" She threw her hands up, exasperated.
"All he ever did was talk about you like his son. How great of a shot you were, how proud he was of you going off on your own. He was really hurt when you left, but he was also really fucking proud of you… and you're lucky to have that, y'know?" Tears started forming in her eyes. "My dad never told me that he was proud of me."
Red Arrow turned to face her. "I didn't mean to bring up your personal family business."
"It's fine." Artemis said, wiping her tears. "Just, maybe show Green Arrow some appreciation for everything he's done for you. Call him once in a while. Don't give up on him because he hasn't given up on you."
Roy extended a hand to her, and helped her up to her feet. "I admit that I've been a little foolish in the way I've acted towards you".
"A little!?" Artemis snorted.
"Alright. I was a jealous asshole and I'm sorry, alright?" He smirked.
Artemis punched his arm playfully and they extended their arms to shake hands. As their arms fell back to their sides, the walls of the chamber disintegrated and both let out a sigh of relief.
"Finally!" Artemis said, kissing the ground of the cave again.
"How long were we in there for?" Roy asked.
"Over 4 hours" Martian Manhunter replied.
"Geez, who's left?"
"M'gaan and Nightwing, Kidflash and Superboy… and Zatanna and Batgirl".
"Welp, I've had a long enough day and I'm NOT waiting around for Wally to finally apologize to Superboy. I'm outta here!" Artemis said, making her way to the Zeta tube. "Same. I've got plans tonight." Roy said, following her and waving to Batman and Martian Manhunter as he exited.
"Admittedly this exercise is taking… longer than I expected."
"Black Canary warned me that this could take a while, and to 'trust the process'", Batman air quoted.
Meanwhile, in Nightwing's and Miss Martian's tube, the two heroes were attempting to have a diplomatic discussion.
"So we both know why we're in here." Miss Martian started.
"Yes." Nightwing nodded. "It's about how you use your powers."
"But you can't disagree that the use of my powers is effective. I get the job done."
"It's not just about getting the job done, M'gann, it's about being as humane as possible in the process. You can't just mess someone's brains up and call that a good day's work…" Nightwing said in an exasperated tone.
"Nightwing, you seem… distracted" She said, placing a finger to her temple. "Something on your mind?" Attempting to read his thoughts.
"M'Gann stop. I know what you're doing and you're only serving to prove my point."
She refrained from delving further, but saw flashes of Batgirl and Zatana in his mind.
"As a matter of fact, yes, I am distracted. I am the leader of this team and I'm worried about all my teammates out there trying to sort out their problems. I'm worried what that says about me as a leader. I'm trying to be strong enough to lead by example and yet, I'm no different." He ran his fingers through his hair, frustrated and tired.
"I had no idea the amount of pressure you were under."
"Yeah, well maybe next time you'll think and pause before turning a civilian's mind to mush, because aside from being a horrific and selfish act, it also creates a real headache for me when I have to explain that kind of stuff to the league."
M'gann did not respond.
"Do you know how many times I've had to beg and plead for them not to remove you from the team?" Nightwing turned to her.
"W-what?" M'gann's eyes widened.
"Yeah. The first time you used your… powers… to control someone's actions… Batman wanted to kick you off the team. He said you were too dangerous."
"And what did you tell him?"
"I said he was right. That your powers were growing, but that you would never risk the safety of the mission, or the team."
"…I wouldn't." M'Gann said tearfully. "The team is all I have."
"Then you'd be wise to remember that the next time you want to abuse your powers. You are the trigger that could make or break this team… this family." Nightwing stared at her intently. M'Gann's eyes were filled with panic and desperation.
"I- I didn't know…"
"Well, now you do…" He said softly. "You could choose to be like Batman… do everything for the sake of the mission, but risk losing everything and everyone you love…. Or, choose to be like M'gann, the loyal martian who keeps her team together, even when they're falling apart."
M'Gann hugged him, sobbing slightly, but letting out a sigh of relief.
The walls of the tube fell around them, revealing that it was now dark outside.
"Whoa…" Nightwing said.
"It's already 6:00 P.M!?" M'Gann said, catching notice of a nearby clock.
"Are Wally and Superboy still at it?" M'Gann asked jokingly.
"Actually they left about an hour ago, something about grabbing pizza and beer in Central City" Martian Manhunter stated.
"I know exactly where to find them." M'Gann said, "I think I'll go meet up with them, wanna come?" She asked Nightwing.
"Who else is left?" Nightwing asked Batman, scanning the room to find only one tube still remaining.
"Batgirl and Zatana…" Batman said
Nightwing felt a pit form in his stomach. "I think I'm gonna stick around for a bit longer, and wait for the rest of the team to finish up." He told M'Gann. "Sure thing lover boy". She tossed him a playful wink and turned to enter the Zeta tube.
Nightwing turned his attention to the last standing tube, desperately wishing he could hear what was going on inside.
"Come on. You've gotta be going crazy in here!" Zatana said, exhausted. "It's been like six hours already and you've barely said anything to me!"
"Actually it's been more like seven." Batgirl said, calmly leaning against the wall of the tube, arms crossed.
"GAH!" Zatana's threw her hands up in the air in desperation. "Why are you like this with me?"
Batgirl sarcastically inspected her fingernails "Bad experience with a magician at my sixth birthday party. Don't take it personal."
"Bullshit." Zatana scoffed. "I've seen how you treat Artemis and M'Gann… Everyone talks about you like you're sweet as maple syrup, but to me you're ice cold."
"Fine. Take it personal then." Barbara shrugged.
I"m done beating around the bush. We both know why we're in here."
Barbara rolled her eyes towards Zatana, amused.
"This is about Dick."
Barbara's heart skipped a beat.
"This is about me and Dick having our fling a few years ago and you— you…"
"I, what?"
"You- being— UGH!" Zatana couldn't find the words amidst her frustration and mental fatigue,
"I'm what…" Barbara said in a stern voice, her intensity rising by the second.
"You being Barbara fucking Gordon." Zatana said, sounding defeated.
"He told you my secret identity!?" Barbara said, both shocked and disgusted at the sound of her name coming from Zatana's mouth.
"No… I figured it out on my own."
"How?" Barbara said, meeting Zatana's gaze for the first time.
"HOW?" She said again, fists clenched.
"When we were first dating…" She began "He would flake on me all the time. At first, it was to help out a friend with some bullies after school, then it was to help a family friend move, and then to get help from a girl in his class with his calculus homework..."
Barbara listened intently.
"Then, a few months into our relationship, he started talking about someone he was working with on a case. He lied and told me you were a detective with the GCPD, but the way he talked about you… your mind… how brilliant you were… how you managed to solve every case you worked on together…"
Barbara let out a small smile.
"Imagine, wearing your sexiest lingerie to tempt your boyfriend of 6 months on his birthday, staring at a shirtless, bronze Adonis like Dick Grayson and all he can talk about… is 'a detective he met on the GCPD'. It's like he didn't even see me."
"So, how did you know he was spending time with me?" Barbara said attempting not to imagine the scene Zatana was describing.
"I'm not stupid." Zatana snapped. "Eventually, I put together the fact that all of Dick's 'friends' were really just one person, someone he had known for years, someone he knew from school and through his crime fighting connections. You and him were around the same age, both attended Gotham Academy and your dad was the police commissioner…"
"Even still…" Barbara was puzzled.
"I confirmed my suspicions when you joined the Junior Justice League… The first time I saw him look at you… heard him speak to you… he lit up, just like he did when he was talking about that detective…and I knew". Zatana shrugged, staring off into the distance, as if reliving the memory from 30,000 feet, tears were in her eyes, but she didn't sound sad. "Shortly after, I decided to break it off with him."
Barbara was silent for a long time before speaking. "You should know, Dick and I… we never… He…never cheated on you while you were dating".
"Oh, I know that. He was just always looking for a way to spend time with you, whether he knew it or not…I wasn't even mad at him for it." Zatana said, "Even he didn't know he was in love with you until I basically spelled it out for him."
"W-what? Th-that's crazy." Barbara blushed bright red under her cowl. "Dick's not in lo-"
"Yes. He is. I confirmed it with Starfire, his other ex-fling from the Teen Titan days. She was able to corroborate all the same observations I had."
"So, he admitted it?" Barbara said, turning cautiously towards Zatana.
She sighed. "Not at first. Like you, he adamantly denied it. Truthfully, it's like he thought you were untouchable. Like he couldn't date you. Hell, maybe he still thinks that seeing as he STILL hasn't asked you out yet." Zatana crossed her arms, appearing relaxed and let out a laugh. "But make no mistake, Barbara, he's never loved another woman. It's always been you."
Barbara shook her head. "I'm so sorry for how I've treated you…" Barbara turned to face Zatana fully, eyes filled with remorse. "I've been acting like a total bitch and you've been nothing but nice to me since the day we met."
Zatana sighed. "The truth is, I respect you a lot. I had very high expectations for you, given how Dick had talked you up all these years, and you surpassed every single one of them. You're brilliant. You're smart. You're drop dead gorgeous…"
Barbara blushed, burying her head in her hands.
"… and that boy is an idiot who has spent too many years being terrified to ask you out. If you're ever gonna get that date, you're going to have to go out there and get it yourself."
Barbara sighed and nodded. "It's because of my dad. He can be really overbearing"
"I know what that's like.. and I mean, Dick with Bruce… Yikes!"
Barbara's eyes widened when Zatana mentioned Bruce's name.
"Like I said, not an idiot". Zatana scoffed.
"You know, you're pretty drop dead gorgeous and smart yourself." Barbara said, eyeing Zatana up and down.
"…And I have plenty of other male suitors, Barbara Gordon, so don't you worry about me…" Zatana popped her hip out slightly. "But what I'd really like is a friend I can rely on and trust."
Barbara nodded and held out her hand as a gesture of good faith. Zatana slapped her hand away and pulled Barbara into a hug, whispering into her ear. "Now go catch you a love bird".
Just then, the walls around them collapsed, revealing the two heroines embracing. The room was nearly pitch black, Nightwing was seated on the floor, head in his hands, anxiously tapping his foot. Batman and Martian Manhunter approached them. "Are you two alright, you were in there for nearly 8 hours?"
"Fine. Starving. Need to pee." Zatana said, racing off to the nearest restroom and gesturing Barbara to make her move.
Barbara marched up to Dick Grayson, startling him from his anxious daze. She pulled him up by his collar to meet her. Batman lunged forward, ready to intervene, should they break out into a brawl, but Martian Manhunter stopped him.
Barbara pulled Dick Grayson into a kiss, grasping the back of his head with one hand and his neck with the other. Instinctively, he kissed back and wrapped his arms around her waist.
Batman stepped back, stunned. "This was not the mission objective." He said sternly.
"Oh, no?" Barbara broke the kiss and turned to face him. "I beg to differ. Zatana and I have successfully resolved our conflict and look forward to working on many missions together in the future." She said matter of factly, turning back to face Dick. "And you— owe me a date."
"Yes, ma'am!" Dick said, giving her a playful salute.
"Like… now!" Barbara said, with an exhausted tone. "I'm famished!"
"Deal." Nightwing said
"Let me get changed." Barbara said, making her way to the restroom to switch out of her hero costume. As she opened the door, she was greeted by Zatana who was anxiously awaiting her arrival. "Took you long enough! How did it go!?"
Barbara simply nodded and smiled. Zatana let out a yelp and leapt to give Barbara another hug. "Well, you better hurry up and get changed!"
"Thank you…" Barbara whispered. It was then that she noticed Zatana had changed into a swanky black cocktail dress. "And where are you headed off to?"
Zatana blushed slightly. "Don't tell anyone yet, but Red Arrow actually asked me out last week and we're meeting up tonight."
"And you think the Bat Boys are broody?" Barbara said jokingly.
"I know. I know! But I figured what's the worst that can happen?" She shrugged.
"Call me and tell me about it tomorrow" Barbara said, entering her number into Zatana's phone.
"Will do!" Zatana said, giving Barbara a wink and leaving the restroom and making her way towards the Zeta tube.
As she was leaving, she passed Dick, turning briefly to face him. "You owe me big time for tonight, Grayson." She said, nonchalantly.
"I'll say. What the heck did you guys talk about in there!?"
"That's privileged information." She said, in a coy voice. "But you better not screw this one up, got it?"
Dick shook out the tension in his shoulders. "Don't worry. I won't."
Zatana left in the Zeta tube.
A few moments later, Barbara emerged wearing jeans and a fitted yellow sweater. "Ready?" She asked.
"I've been ready for years." He said, eyeing her longingly.
"What I'm really dying to know is how Wally and Connor worked things out."
"Maybe we can…" Dick said, eyeing her playfully. "I know a great Pizza place in Central city!"
"Lead the way!" Barbara said, taking his arm as they entered the Zeta tube.
As the last of the young heroes left the hall, Batman and Martian Manhunter stood in silence.
"Well?" Martian Manhunter finally said, "I'd say that exercise was a resounding success."
"I'm not so sure…" Batman said staring at the spot where Nightwing and Batgirl stood, lips locked.
"As a sort of father figure, I understand it cannot be easy to watch your children grow up…"
"It's not that…" Batman said. "Dual relationships can only serve to complicate things on the battlefield."
"I beg to differ." Martian Manhunter interrupted. "We wanted to bring them together as a team, give them something to fight for, what better reason to fight than for love— for family."
Batman had no words. The two departed the cave at last and the exercise was complete.
Thanks for reading!
If you enjoyed this story, you can check out my other Dick X Babs and Young Justice fan fics!
XO- SP22