Batman

Batman entered the cave and gave his partner a glance. He and Robin had been partners for many years on the ruthless streets of Gotham, enabling them to speak in glances and gestures. Their skills had developed through necessity and allowed them to execute their plans without alerting the criminals they pursued. They were especially good at it, however, because they had perfected their skills at night in the shadows of Gotham. Even a simple shift in position by one was enough to alert the other of something important. In this instance though, Batman was merely instructing Robin to gather his teammates.

Robin nodded slightly in understanding but he didn't fall out of step from beside his mentor, nor did he call out. However, Batman wasn't called the world's best detective for nothing. He was aware of the mental link the team used and deduced that Robin must have linked up upon entering the cave. Even had that not been the case Batman would not have paused either. He trusted Robin to do as he was told and Dick wouldn't just ignore him.

His deduction was proven correct as he entered the briefing room, Wally already present, Miss Martian and Superboy entering from another hallway. He pulled up the computer screen, turning away from the team as Artemis entered the room. He was slightly surprised at the silence behind him – sure that the team would want to greet Robin – and surmised that they used the linked for more than just practical applications.

He turned and began debriefing them, informing them of their mission and how they would be assisting the Justice League. They were silent when he finished, eyes narrowed in concentration as their gazes bounced from team member to team member. He narrowed his eyes, sure that they were already forming a plan.

"Care to share?" He growled out in his usual gruff manner.

That startled them and they turned to him before glancing at Robin, who then stepped forward, detailing their plan. Batman couldn't help but be impressed and he nodded in acceptance. Before he could dismiss the team Wally spoke up.

"Really?" He cried aloud, turning to Batman. "You're impressed?"

It was Batman's turn to be shocked – for once in his superhero career. He was known for expressing no emotion and few could read him well. Seeing that Dick was one of the few who truly saw past the cowl he turned to Robin, knowing only he could have told Wally.

Robin looked at him sheepishly and he silently scolded him. He knew perfectly well that Batman preferred not to express any emotion. That was Bruce's job and these kids, bar Robin, didn't know Bruce.

"He didn't mean to," Miss Martian spoke up.

"Yeah, it just slipped out," Wally added, quick to defend his friend.

Batman turned to him. "It's not a bad plan," he admitted, quickly surmising that Wally had been responsible for the majority it, "but it needs some work." He swept his gaze over the rest of the team, noting that their attention was once again on him. "The rest of the League will rendezvous here shortly, then we'll split up accordingly."

The team nodded in acceptance of his words before suddenly turning to Superboy, whose head was cocked slightly to the side as though he was listening intently.

"Some of them are already here," Aqualad stated, speaking up for him.

Conner nodded and the team turned to Wally, who clearly hadn't been paying attention – joking around with Artemis. She elbowed him and his face lit up in understanding as he zipped out of the room.

"It is Black Canary and Green Arrow," Aqualad announced a moment later, turning to Batman as Wally zipped back into the room.

Batman almost turned to Wally, half expecting the speedster to announce it as well, confirming the archer's words. But Wally wasn't even paying attention anymore, engrossed in what Batman assumed was a conversation with Robin.

It was that, more than anything else – his casual disregard for what he had done – that struck Batman the most. Wally wasn't even remotely concerned about announcing who had arrived, he hadn't even glanced Batman's way upon entering. It was that which made Batman truly realize how deep the bond between them was. What one saw they all saw. What one heard they all heard. What one thought they all knew. Wally had known exactly what the team had meant for him to do, but he probably hadn't even considered that he would have to tell Batman. If Batman had to guess he would say Wally was their eyes, Aqualad was their mouth, Superboy was their ears … he stopped. (I can't assign them roles, this isn't the League) he reminded himself. He was sure that sometimes Miss Martian was their eyes, able to camouflage herself and watch in plain sight; sometimes Artemis was their mouth, not afraid to say what Aqualad wouldn't; and sometimes Robin was their ears, easily hidden in the shadows. These tasks were merely that, assignments the team gave each other to get things done. They were delegated based on convenience and, Batman assumed, sometimes they weren't even delegated, merely done without thought. What made this team so close weren't their abilities. Yes, they relied heavily on them, and yes, they used them often and without thinking about it – their abilities now second nature to them. But, though their abilities brought them together it was their personalities that kept them there.

He couldn't separate them even if he had wanted to. He resolved to allow Robin to visit more often, no matter how much he would secretly miss him. It was time he allowed his bird to leave the nest. Robin was growing up, along with the rest of the team, and Batman couldn't have been prouder of all of them.