A month had passed. Zatanna was 11 weeks into the pregnancy and already had the beginning of a baby bump. Dick landed on the balcony, sneaking in as quietly as he could into the apartment.
"It's okay I'm awake," Zatanna's voice called out from the kitchen. He tried to run for the bathroom to shower and change before she saw him. He'd been distracted tonight while helping a pregnant woman escape two muggers and had managed to get himself stabbed in the arm. The whole time he had been imagining it was Zatanna being attacked.
"Oh Dick! What happened?" She rushed over to him, ushering him onto a seat while he stripped his uniform off to his waist. She moved her hands instinctively to heal him with magic. He grabbed her wrists and shook his head.
"Sorry babe, no magic remember," He stooped his head, kissing the small bump, "It will have to be the old fashioned way I'm afraid!" He smiled as she scoffed, going to fetch the first aid kit from the kitchen. It had been the first time he'd managed to get an injury since finding out Zatanna was pregnant. She was still struggling without the use of her magic. The babies just used too much of her energy as it was.
"Have I told you how beautiful you are lately?" He grinned as she came back with the first aid kit and a bowl of hot water. She laughed a little, setting everything on the table beside him.
"I'm not good at doing things like this without magic Dick, so it will probably hurt." She was right. A part of Dick wondered if getting stabbed actually hurt less. She scowled at him, as he moaned about her stitching abilities. "It really wouldn't take much energy to heal this up.." She ran her finger lightly over the stitching, it would hold. "I'll heal the scar after these two stop draining all mommy's energy," She laughed as Dick kissed her again, hugging her lightly, his face against the bump.
"Don't worry kids, your dad will teach you how to do things without magic, your mommy's useless!" He laughed as she hit him lightly. "I'm going to wash up, go get some sleep." He kissed her on the cheek and headed for the bathroom.
Zatanna pulled on an oversized jersey. It was one of Dick's old college shirts. She rooted out a loose pair of shorts and pulled them on. She was really going to have to buy some maternity clothes if she kept growing at this pace. She crawled into the bed, lying on her side and started drifting to sleep.
Dick dried himself off, wrapping the towel around his waist before examining his uniform and tossing it in the wash basket. He walked over to the mirror above the sink, wiping it due to the steam. His body suddenly froze as two glowing eyes stared at him from the mirror. He tried to move, to call out to Zatanna, but he was completely frozen. Everything around him appeared to go black and he felt like he was being physically moved. Suddenly he was staring at himself. A smirk spread across his own face, staring at him.
"I have to admit Dickie-Bird," Klarion's voice echoed all around Dick. He saw his hand run through his wet hair, ruffling it backwards, "It didn't take you that long to drop your guard." It was Klarion. Dick reached forward, impacting with something hard.
"Get out of my body! ZATANNA! ZATANNA WAKE UP!"
Klarion laughed, his laugh was Dick's laugh. "Did you say something Dickie-Bird?" He tapped the mirror and turned away, "I don't have time for this. My wife is waiting for me." He left the room and Dick was plunged into darkness. Another square of light appeared next to him. He turned and looked. He could see Klarion in his body. He was in his bedroom, smirking at the mirror. He gave a sly wave to the mirror before crawling into the bed beside Zatanna.
Dick punched and screamed until his knuckles bled and his voice was hoarse. No matter how loud he screamed, Zatanna didn't hear him. He saw her turn, smiling with her goofy half asleep expression. He loved her like that, she was always hilarious when she was half asleep, saying the most random thing. He saw her lips move, but heard nothing. He turned away, he couldn't watch as she kissed his body, he knew it was Klarion, she didn't.
She stirred slightly when she felt Dick crawl into the bed beside her. She felt his wet hair dripping water onto her pillow as his lips softly kissed her neck. She turned and smiled at him as he wrapped an arm around her.
"Your hair is all wet," She smiled. She giggled, closing her eyes as Dick shook his head, showering her with droplets of water. She wound her fingers through his hair, pulling it back from his face. "You need a haircut man wonder," his hair was nearly to his chin apart from his bangs, which fell just below his eyes. He lay his head down on the pillow, pulling her closer and kissing her. She pushed him back lightly when he tried to deepen the kiss.
"I'm tired," she turned back to her side, "can we just sleep?"
"Of course," He kissed her neck again, pulling her close, holding her close to him as she fell asleep. He couldn't help but smirk. She couldn't tell that he, Klarion, was possessing Dick. Her magic was weak due to the pregnancy, once he avoided any other magic users, he could stay like this with her until the babies were born. After that, he would have to be creative.
Zatanna woke up with a start. Dick was still spooning her, normally he rolls away during the night, pulling the blankets with him and taking up most of the bed. He mumbled something as he started waking up, Zatanna giggling, trying to pull away.
"Dick, you're kind of poking me in the back here," She giggled again as he started kissing her neck, his hands wandering around her body. She tried to push him away again.
"Can you blame me? Waking up next to you," He pulled her close, his hand creeping up her top. She turned her head, kissing him passionately. Things heated up quickly between the two. Klarion's mind was racing, he was so close to finally having what he wanted, to finally having Zatanna. She pulled back, breathing heavily.
"Dick we shouldn't," She whispered, giggling as he kissed her neck up again, "Think about the babies." She laughed, pushing him up off her. He smiled, it was his cocky smile, the one that melted her heart.
"I'll be gentle," She gave up pushing him away and chuckled.
"Oh fine, it's not like I can get any more pregnant than I already am!" She giggled again as he ducked his head under the blankets and pushed her shirt up over her head.
"Get away from her!" Dick hammered on the glass again. He couldn't take this anymore, he had to find a way to get out, he had to stop Klarion, he had to save his wife. He hit the glass once more, sinking to his knees when he saw his possessed body duck under the blanket. Zatanna's head tilted back, he could hear her familiar giggles, but it was only in his mind. He closed his eyes. He couldn't watch any more.
Klarion's voice boomed around Dick's prison, making him look up to find he was in the bathroom in his apartment.
"I take it by now you've realised that once I'm in view of a mirror, you can see what is happening," Dick swore he could see Klarion's smile through his own.
"I swear, the more you touch her, the more you're going to suffer!" All he could do was glare, his fists were too sore to try punch his way out of his imprisonment. Klarion tapped the mirror and laughed.
"Can't hear you Dickie-bird. The only reason you can hear me is because I want you to," He smirked, slicking his hair back. "I hope Zatanna's up for round two!" All he could do was stare as he watched Klarion through the bedroom mirror, wrapping his arms around Zatanna as she was getting dressed. Something caught her eye, and she turned to look at the mirror, seconds too late as Klarion threw a shirt over it. She would see him as the reflection, not a regular reflection!
"Okay, are you going to tell me what's wrong?" Zatanna mused, passing Dick a plate full of food. The last three night's he had cancelled going out on patrol, he hadn't trained and now he was eating less than usual.
"I don't know what you mean Zatanna, I just want to spend more time with my beautiful wife," He smiled, but she frowned, walking back into the kitchen. She rubbed her shoulder and neck. There were red marks all over them, some were love bites, some just regular bites. Dick had been particularly needy lately, and despite all promises of being gentle, he hadn't been.
"I'm going to make some popcorn!" She called through to the living room, hearing a response in the form of a grunt. She put a bag of popcorn into the microwave and waited until it started popping before pulling her communicator from her pocket and putting it in her ear.
"Zatanna to Robin," She spoke as quietly as she could, waiting for the line to connect.
"Robin here, what's up Tanna?" Tim's voice was cheerful down the line. He reminded her of another thing that had been odd for the past few days. Dick had only been calling her Zatanna. There was a distinct lack of "Zee" and "Babe".
"Dick's been acting strange… I can't place it but.." She rubbed her neck again. One of the bite marks was particularly sore, he had broken through the skin. "I think I need help…"
"I'm on my way." The communicator buzzed as the line closed. She put the communicator back into her pocket and turned to get the popcorn.
Dick glared as there was a light knock on the balcony door. Zatanna ran over and opened it, hugging Tim.
"Don't take off your mask Robin," She whispered quickly and quietly. She couldn't explain her suspicions, but she wanted to test Dick. "Dick, look who's here!" She turned and smiled, ushering Tim into the apartment and closing the balcony doors.
"A bit late for visitors don't you think?" Dick was on his feet, his eyes were still narrowed slightly.
"Not really," Tim laughed, squatting down in front of Zatanna, level with her bump. "Hello there little ones! Uncle Robin here, your Dad is being silly and bailing on work." He laughed with Zatanna, not seeing the glares from Dick. Zatanna caught a glimpse and tapped Tim on the shoulder.
"Anyway Dick, you're kind of needed out there with us right now," Tim stood between them, crossing his arms.
Klarion was so close to losing it. Yet again, another bird boy was standing between him and Zatanna. He couldn't leave the apartment, because his hold on the possession would fail, and he was running out of patience making excuses.
"I just want to spend some time with Zatanna," He walked around the sofa, hoping to get around Robin. "She's pregnant, and I can't stand the thought of leaving her alone all the time." He nearly sent a fireball hurtling as the balcony doors burst open, the Batman himself sweeping through the door.
"What's going on Zatanna? Did you call them here?" He stared at her, she looked uncertain as she rubbed her neck again. Batman walked right up to him, but Klarion kept his focus on Zatanna.
"I'm sorry Dick. You've just been acting a little different.. I was worried," She mumbled as Robin stepped protectively in front of her. Batman grabbed his arm, and Klarion snapped. He jumped back, kicking Batman in the gut and hurtling him back into the sofa. Zatanna shrieked at the suddenness, Robin pulling her into a corner out of harm's way.
"Get out of my home!" He yelled at Batman and Robin, fighting all urges to use his magic.
"We're trying to help you Dick," Batman growled, getting to his feet. "Tell me, what's my name?"
"Batman," Klarion scowled. He knew he was asking him what his real name was. He took a step back, diving down the hall and into the kitchen. Batman and Robin were close behind him, narrowly dodging the kitchen knives thrown at the doorway.
"I don't know who you are, but you better tell me what you've done with Dick!" Robin yelled from outside the door. Klarion was trapped, his only way out of this was using his magic. He turned and laughed, phasing through the kitchen wall into the living room. He heard Zatanna yell from behind him and turned, grabbing her wrists before she was able to hit him with the bat in her hands. Robin and Batman appeared around the corner again, Robin catching Dick's reflection in the mirror above the fireplace. He nudged Batman who looked too, shocked to see Dick's reflection was actually banging on the other side of the mirror.
"Klarion!" Batman yelled suddenly, "let go of her and release Dick!" He pointed at the mirror for Zatanna to see. A few times in the past few days she thought she had seen something in the corner of her eye moving, but Dick, or rather, Klarion, had told her it was just her imagination.
"You…" Zatanna's voice was barely a whisper. "Tel Kci-" Before she had even said the second word of her spell, a gag appeared in her mouth.
"Tsk Tsk Zatanna, we all know what will happen if you use your magic," He was behind her, still holding her wrists. She was staring at Dick, the real Dick, in the mirror and shivered as Klarion ran his tongue slowly down her neck. She winced as he bit softly into her neck, causing the real Dick to smash his fist against the mirror in anger. He was glancing between Robin and Batman. "You're not going to attack a pregnant woman are you?" He moved Zatanna, using her as a meat shield. He put her wrists together, a rope appearing around them, and let go of her hands. Klarion pulled her close, one hand softly caressing her bump and smirked at the dynamic duo.
"Also I'm sure this body is used to a good fight," He laughed again, rolling his shoulders, "but you should probably remember that it is his, not mine."