Disclaimer: So I was reading a few fics today (got nothing better to do) and saw all these witty disclaimers up top saying nothing they wrote was theirs but owned by DC comics. That sound familiar to you? *scratch head*

Oh the things people come up with! Well i'll try not to work on the one shots in my head for a bit and finish what i've started. Realized I missed labeled some of my chapters coming up and I've got less written than I thought. *shrugs* oh well. Hoping my depiction of Zatanna is doing well, and just an FYI, I've never taken any fighting courses so whatever instruction is given here is probably wrong. =/

Without Me

Ch. 14 – Speaking of Training

"Straighten your back," Dick instructed, helping Zatanna with her fighting stance. "It'll give you better support when you land a kick."

"Like this?" Zee pivoted onto one foot and threw the other one into the open air.

The boy shrugged slightly, tossing his head side to side. "Not quite, but close enough for now."

This is what Zatara witnessed when he finally decided it was time for the two to go home: Robin teaching Zatanna the basics of hand to hand combat. She already knew a few moves for her own protection, but Robin was giving her a crash course for the field. Dick's sunglasses were off to the side next to some water bottles and towels, and both were in exercise clothes. It was clear they were at this for a while, and enjoying every minute of it.

"The real trick to taking down big guys," Dick continued, "is to throw them off balance and hit them hard in just the right places. It doesn't take much, just a little forethought and being faster than them."

"That how you took down that gang on your own?" Zatanna settled her footing and then retied her hair back. The smile on her face came from the thrill she felt from learning how to fight that day. Anyone could see it.

"A few of them. And Croc once too." The boy grinned impishly. "That was before he started mutating. Always ugly though. Batman never let me take down the real nasty ones." He gave a nervous laugh. "They're just a liiiiitttle too much for me right now. Maybe in a few years."

Zatanna laughed. "Give yourself some more credit Dick! I'm sure you can handle the big guns."

"Are you kidding?" Dick grabbed a towel and a water bottle and tossed them to her. "Kobra beat me pretty good last time, and you don't even want to hear about the last time I faced Joker." He shuddered as he picked up his own. He really didn't want to face that psycho again any time soon. "I may be brave, but I'm not stupid. Bats can have the big guys all he wants right now. I'll only try them if I've got backup."

She grinned at him. "Not as good as you pretend to be eh?"

"Oh I'm good," the boy insisted, a grin returning to his face. "I'm just not at their level yet. When I grow up, I'm going to be one of the best. That's a guarantee."

"Not the best?" she teased.

"Think anyone can beat Superman head on?" Dick shook his head, smirking. "I'm hoping I'll be on Batman's level, his equal. Way better than Green Arrow and maybe on par with Black Canary is all I know I'll get to, but Batman's the goal."

"Plan on taking the cowl someday?" It was a harmless question, and her smile wasn't malicious, but the question always unnerved him.

"Not if I can help it." He took a drink from his bottle, a familiar dark dread creeping into his chest. No, he couldn't be Batman. He couldn't do everything for the sake of the mission. The only reason he'd ever be forced into that cowl is if Bruce…

"Why not?" The girl wiped the back of her neck, cooling herself off.

Dick raised an eyebrow. "Have you ever met Batman?"

She shook her head. A smirk came to his lips. "Well if you ever do, you'll know why. I'm just not him."

Zatanna watched him for a second before speaking again. "Think I'll be as good as my dad?"

Dick grinned. "Counting on it."

"Alright you two," Zatara started, taking both of their attention away from their constant chatter. "It's time for us to go home."

Instantly Dick was on his feet, picking up his sunglasses as he approached the magician. Zatanna dragged her feet. She obviously wanted to stay longer. Dick was having fun talking to her as well, but he wanted to know if Zatara found a way for him to go home more.

"Did you find anything?" Robin put his sunglasses back on, a touch of desperation in his voice. Zatara's grim expression was all the boy needed to see. The hope in him faded some, being replaced by dread. "Nothing?"

"Nothing at the moment," the man clarified. "I have to do more research and find another spell that'll allow you to return to your proper world. And Martian Manhunter has informed me of some alien technology that might help you return. The League has limited interaction with other realities, but the rest of our universe may have some answers."

He nodded, but the man's reassurance did little to help Robin feel better. Another attempt to finding him a way home had failed. Earth technology couldn't do a thing for him, and neither could Martian, Kryptonian, Atlantian, or Thanagarian tech. Nothing the League had on hand. Even in their many archives of alien tech in their hideouts were apparently useless here, otherwise he was sure they'd bring them over by now. The magic Zatara knew off hand did nothing. Looked like all of Robin's hopes of going home rested in either dusty spell books or in whatever the Green Lanterns and other space travelers could turn up with.

Who knew how long that would take.

The boy took a deep breath before grimly nodding. He had to keep a brave face about this, but every time they found nothing, it only increased his fear of never going home and seeing his world again. And if everyone else's mood in the League were like J'onn's, who knew if he'd ever be able to go out into the field again. Being cooped up like this was going to kill him. There were quite a few reasons why he went by Robin.

Robin looked over to Zatanna, giving her a broad smile. "Thanks for hanging with me today. Haven't had this much aster in quite some time."

The girl giggled. "It was quite whelming for me too. See you tomorrow?"

"Tomorrow?" He looked back and forth between the magicians, almost as if he was begging them to return. "Really?"

"Course!" Zatanna insisted. "I bet dad hasn't finished all his spells yet, have you?"

Zatara raised an eyebrow. "Not all, but every one I know off the top of my head. Do you really want to spend your holiday here?"

"Holiday?"

"Martin Luthor King Day," she explained quickly.

"But we had school off last Monday," Robin informed them, confused.

"East coast, west coast I guess." There was a twinge in her eye telling Robin that wasn't the full story. Guess he was going to find out the truth later.

Zatara nodded. "Well, if you're certain you want to be here instead of with your friends—"

"Robin's my friend too," Zee interjected. "I can see them any day, but how often will I get to see him? I mean, he's dead here."

Robin ran a hand through his hair, nodding at the magician's surprised face. He probably told Zatanna everything about him, at least everything relevant. No League secrets and very little about Batman, just every secret he told his friends back home. And if he had anything to say about it, he wasn't going to be staying. Zatanna knew it. He knew it. One day he was going to go home, hopefully soon.

"I see," the man said slowly. "Well, then we better make the most of this visit. Shall we?"

"I'll walk you out." Robin draped his towel over his shoulders to keep them warm as he led them out of the gym and towards the Zeta-tubes. He continued to talk to them, smiling his excitement of seeing both of them the next day. So far the only constant visitor he saw there was Superman, and that was definitely because he was taking the night shift on him. Clark really didn't need to sleep very much, and though he was nice, he kept telling him to get some sleep. He couldn't wait for Zee and her dad to come back tomorrow.

Zatanna laughed merrily at one of his jokes just as they made it to the main hall. Superman was talking to Martian Manhunter in low tones, putting Robin immediately on mental guard. No need to alarm Zee to his worries around them.

"Not used to being nonchalant are you?" Zee joked back to Robin, her clothes changing to warmer ware before his eyes.

"Thought you wanted me to chalant you?" Both grinned impishly while the father shook his head.

"Your English teachers must be proud," he muttered, looking towards the ceiling. The other two spotted the aliens and smiled. "Zatanna, I'd like you to meet Superman."

The girl froze, her eyes widening in amazement. Robin couldn't help but to giggle. He remembered the wonder he felt when he first met Clark back when he was nine. Those were some good times. Batman's jealous growl was endearing then too.

Superman smiled at the girl and approached them smoothly. Ever the boyscout, he offered his hand to Zatanna. "Hello there. Zatanna right? Zatara's daughter?" Zee nodded dumbly, taking his hand in amazement. He shook it, a kind laugh in his eyes. "It's nice to finally meet you."

"You've heard of me?" She whispered, flabbergasted.

"Of course." The man of steel looked towards her father who smiled sheepishly. "Zatara talks about you all the time. You're the apple of his eye."

Pure joy lit in the girl's face and no one could blame her. Her dad talked about her to the League. Superman knew her name. Now she shook his hand. Robin was certain if Zee kept down the path she was on, she'd one day be calling him Clark as well and think of him the same way he did.

Once he released her hand, Superman turned to Zatara. "Anything?"

The magician of the League shook his head. "It wasn't made by magic, so finding a route for him back by magic will be difficult. I'll keep trying," he added looking at Robin who forced himself to keep from looking crestfallen. "In fact, we're coming here again tomorrow for a fresh start. Zatanna has the day off."

Superman nodded, a smile growing on his face. He looked over to Robin and the boy could tell he was thinking of his happiness. Robin tried not to blush but didn't stop his pleased smile. If he was stuck there, the least he could do was make friends with the other children of the League.

If he was stuck there? 'When did I become such a pessimist?'

"That's great. Wonder Woman will be here tomorrow so—"

"Wonder Woman?" Zatanna exclaimed in excitement.

"Diana?" Robin blurted out, not entirely pleased. Sure he got along with her, but couldn't it be King Orin or Dinah? Dinah would be great really. Even Ollie would be better. Diana didn't control her strength while fighting and she was always trying to push her teachings around him. Robin had a feeling if she was there, he'd be hitting the books more than talking to Zatanna or teaching her how to fight. No fun.

"Yes, she agreed to watch you for the day." The man of steel gave Robin an inquiring look, which the boy quickly dodged. He did not want to explain himself regarding Diana. "Her people's insight might even help you get home."

"Right. Sorry." The boy shook his head to clear it. "Thinking of something else, don't worry about it."

"Not fond of her?" Martian Manhunter interjected, raising an eyebrow, or where an eyebrow would be.

Robin looked to the ceiling, wishing the man wasn't psychic. "Don't hate her, just prefer her with someone near by rather than on her own. You know how she gets."

All three men exchanged knowing glances over the young girl's bewildered looks, then nodded. Zatanna pitched in her two cents. "Then why were you wearing her shirt earlier, Wonder Boy?"

"Boy Wonder," Robin corrected, a smirk on his lips. "Blame Flash. He bought the thing. It was that, a Flash, Green Lantern or Batman shirt. Wore Flash yesterday, and I'm not sure when Batman's coming by again. It was the safest choice."

"Safe? Why?" She cocked her head to the side as the senior leaguers exchanged knowing looks. Zatara just looked away, not wanting to get involved.

Robin grinned. "Long story. I'll tell you tomorrow. Must be pretty late if Supe's here."

"Nearly ten," the man of steel informed them. He gave Robin a disapproving glare. "Forgot to eat dinner again?"

The boy gave him a sheepish grin. "Sorry, been training. Time just escapes me."

"It's ten?" she asked quickly. Time escaped both of them.

"It's seven back home," Zatara reminded her. "Just in time for the dinner show. Ready?"

"Oh good!" Zatanna breathed out in relief. "Can't lose your place."

Robin smiled at the two of them. He learned a lot about them today, more than he ever thought he'd know in his own world. Hanging around Zatanna alone was pretty fun too. But watching the two of them together now brought a new wave of homesickness.

Sunday night. He and Bruce were supposed to go to a dinner party. He wondered what excuse he gave the deb holding it for not being there. Not like he wanted to be around a lot of rich fakes trying to make an extra buck or another political connection. He just missed the mental games the two of them would play as they endured the tortuous night.

'Wonder what this Batman's doing,' he thought idly. Did this one also go to pointless dinner parties? He hadn't seen the man in over twenty-four hours, nearing forty-eight. Back home, that meant it was time to start looking for him. No communications for that long meant bad trouble. But here Robin wasn't his partner. Not hearing from Batman meant nothing more than he was busy or avoiding him. Either would fit the situation.

And his Batman? Bruce? Robin shook his head quickly to clear it, a smile going back to his face for the others. 'Don't think about it,' he told himself. 'He's coming. That's all I need to know.'

"Well," Zee started, smiling at Robin, "see ya tomorrow Dick."

"Later Zee." He ignored the aliens' looks at him and her at the mention of his real name. Instead he waved goodbye to her as the Zeta-tube whisked the magicians away. He kept his eyes on it as he responded to their questioning gazes. "You're not getting my last name. I don't need anyone looking up my grave later.

"Any ideas for dinner?" Robin asked them, a playful smirk growing on his face. The dumbfounded looks on the two aliens was hilarious.

A/N: I think it's pretty obvious by now I'm not a Wonder Woman fan. not even interested in her really. Supes is higher on my like scale than she is, and her side-kicks were always more interesting. Or at least Cassie is. batfam and flashfam are more my faves, but i mostly stick to Batman and teen titans.

So there's a little bit of homesick dick going on too. You may have noticed how hard he tries to make it look like everything's okay, but things like this is what he's avoiding thinking. Stay positive! Keep moving! that's dick for ya.

As for the martin luthor king day thing, well I only did it because I didn't realize what starting all this on the 20th would mean, our time wise. And I know the 16th was the actual school off day, at least around here. i just needed Zee there two days in a row, and saturday was already taken by Hal. *sigh* correlating actual dates hurts my brain. =/