GOTHAM CITY
MARCH 7TH 00:12 EST
"It's Alex?!"
Betty paced across the apartment's living room, ringing her hands and socked feet padding across the green carpet. Conner sat on her couch with Dick, both of whom were looking at her in concern and worry. Betty had managed to make it through Honyebee – Alex's – introduction to the Team without losing it, but the moment that their introduction had been over and Nightwing had dismissed them all, Mariposa had bolted for the Zeta port, claiming personal issues. Conner and Dick had not been far behind.
The trio had retreated to Betty's apartment, where Betty changed into her night clothes and gave her two male companions a pair of their clothes they stored at her house for emergencies. Dick had similar clothes for all senior members of the Team at Wayne Manor, and Betty still had a pair of jeans and a blouse for M'gann. It was a precaution in case their identity got out and they needed to lie low somewhere else.
Betty had been in various stages of a freak-out since she set foot in Gotham. How could she not be – her friend and ex-boyfriend had secretly taken up vigilantism! He had been become her make-shift apprentice without her even realizing, and now one Alex Martinez was a member of the Team. Dick and Conner had quickly caught onto who it must be the minute he had let it slip that Conner was the best friend of his ex. Betty was sure M'gann knew too, but they currently weren't on speaking terms anyway, so most likely had decided not to follow after her.
Betty turned to Dick and Conner; eyes wide.
"Alex Martinez is Honeybee?!" Betty nearly screeched. "How did I – I should have - ugh!"
And she began pacing again. Dick sighed and watched her warily.
"Betty, this isn't end of the world news," Dick insisted. Betty 'tsked' and shook her head.
"Of course, it is!" Betty snapped. How could it not be? Betty was not sure how she was supposed to keep mentoring Honeybee now that she knew that it was Alex. It changed everything – Betty loved Alex; he was a good friend to her. Betty could not lose another loved one to this world, to this job.
She had lost Mom and Jason already. She spent everyday in fear she would lose another person close to her. Conner. Dick. Tim. Wally and Artemis on the rare occasions they came out of retirement for important missions. Even M'gann, because for all her anger and resentment, she did not want the young woman to die. Betty was not sure she could bounce back if she lost someone else, especially not someone she thought was safe, like Alex.
"Betts," Conner cut in, standing up. He walked over to her and put a hand on her shoulder, stopping her in her pacing tracks. "I know you're surprised, we all are. But it really doesn't change anything. Alex is still a capable hero who earned his spot on the Team. Are you really wanting to revoke his Team member status over this?"
"Well…..," Betty sighed and crossed her arms, looking away. "No."
Honeybee – Alex – was still a member of the Team, and she was not going to take away that new membership. Not over this. It's not like Alex had purposefully hidden this information from her. He had no way of knowing Betty was Honeybee originally and then Mariposa after, and Betty had not forced Honeybee to reveal his identity to her. This was not a secret that was being kept from her specifically, but something that was done to protect the people around Alex. His aunt and uncle. Marianne.
Did they know? Were they aware of their nephew and cousin's double life? They had to be, right? It was hard to keep this kind of secret from someone you lived with. Impossible even. That was the whole reason she still lived with Aunt Melody and did not have a roommate somewhere in Gotham City.
"All we can do now is decide the next steps," Conner said. Betty knew he was right. Betty had to tell Alex she had discovered his secret identity. She remembered back all those years ago when Dick found out her identity by accident, and she was grateful to Dick for not keeping that info to himself for too long. Betty was of the opinion that if you knew a secret about someone they were trying to keep, you had to tell them, even if some people in the hero community were not of a similar mind.
After that, Betty had to decide if she was going to reveal her own identity to Alex. Did knowing this information about her friend entitle him to know this about her? Or better yet, did it make Betty want to tell him?
"I know," Betty sighed. "I'm just not sure what they should be. Should I tell him my identity now? Do I still keep mine secret? And his family! How do I face his family? Knowing this about him?"
Dick raised a brow. "Do you often spend time with your ex's family?"
"With his cousin, yes," Betty shot back. Betty had taken Marianne under her wing as her personal baking protégé, she was due to come by tomorrow for a lesson how to make cheesecake!
"And none of that has to change," Conner soothed. "If his family does not know, you can't bring it up and blow his cover. So really, you can't do anything. Just go about it like you normally do."
Betty knew all this stuff, but in her stupor of surprise it had slipped her mind. Betty supposed that was why Conner was her best friend – he was her commonsense filter at times, just like she was.
"You're right," Betty said. She looked up at Conner and smiled. "Just like always."
Betty kept that smile for a long moment, and Conner returned it, squeezing her shoulder comfortingly. Betty searched again for those green flecks in his eyes, hoping that Conner would not turn away this time before she could spot them. They made her feel safe, and in this moment of surprise, what she needed was to feel safe. She found them, and she realized with stunning clarity that as long as Conner was here, she would always be safe. Conner would always be her safe place.
Dick cleared his throat, and Betty turned to him in surprise, having forgotten he was there.
Conner stepped away from Betty, letting go of her shoulder, and Dick looked between them in confusion. For what reason, Betty was not sure.
"So, I guess the problem is solved then," Dick said slowly. "Not you just have to decide, are you going to tell Alex the truth about you or not?"
Would she? Betty felt like deep inside she knew the answer. Her heart knew the answer, and her brain was racing to catch up.
"I'm not sure…..maybe it's one of those things I'll know to do when the time is right," Betty responded. Dick nodded.
"Fair enough," Dick conceded. He turned to Conner. "Sorry Betty, hate to stop a freak out and run, but me and Conner are running an early morning training session and need to be off."
Betty nodded. "Of course, of course, that thing with Blue Beetle, Impulse….and I guess Honeybee now."
It was a new member training session to review maneuvers, and normally Betty would be there, but she had an exam first thing in the morning. Though Betty's priority was her hero work, she still needed to keep the other parts of her life at least halfway afloat. So, a training session was going to have to be put on hold for college work.
Although, with it being Honeybee's first…..
"I know that look Betts," Conner interrupted her thoughts. "Go to your exam. Honeybee will be fine. He needs to learn to work with other heroes anyway."
Again, commonsense filter strikes.
"And once again, you're right," Betty said. "I'll see you two later then."
Betty turned to Dick, who once again looked confused. Betty tilted her head to the side in return, but Dick just shook his head.
"Come on Conner," Dick said. "Don't want to be out too late."
Conner turned to Betty and smiled. "See you after the training session?"
"Sore, let's do lunch," Betty supplied. She turned to Dick. "Want to join?"
Dick shook his head quickly.
"No, it's fine. I said I'd do lunch with Barbara," Dick said. Betty narrowed her eyes, not liking the implication of Conner and Betty doing lunch was the same thing as Dick doing lunch with Barbara. Dick and Barbara were in the middle of a sitautionship, while Betty and Conner were not.
(Betty ignored the sorrowful pitter of her heart at that thought. She also tried to ignore the wondering of why it made her sad.)
GOTHAM CITY
MARCH 8TH 2020 15:37 EST
Alex knocked on the door of the Bryons Women's apartment, Marianne at his side with a tablet in her hand. Alex yawned as he waited for Betty to open the door and Marianne snickered.
"You shouldn't have went on patrol after that meeting with the Team. Especially since they told you had training this morning," Marianne taunted him. Alex sighed and rubbed his temple.
"You were so much more tolerable when you were shy," Alex commented. Marianne gave him a mischievous smile, one that had become very commonplace in the years since she had reached teen hood. Something in her had just clicked in the years that Alex was away, training and traveling. Maybe it was the influence of Betty in her life, as Betty had taken Marianne under her wing during that time.
And Lord knew Betty was never shy with her opinions. That was one of the things Alex had first been attracted to when they were younger, and one of the things he treasured most about her now.
"I'm just saying I told you so, abeja," Marianne teased. Marianne had taken to calling him abeja, or Honeybee,ever since he had announced an intention to take up the Honeybee mantle, as way to make fun of him. Because Marianne just loved to make fun of him. Both as Marianne in civilian life, and as Avispa, his mission control as Honeybee.
Avispa. He was so going to get a mega chew-out once Mariposa figured out about her. Especially after Mariposa essentially said she completely trusted him by introducing him to the Team.
Alex's thoughts about Mariposa were cut off when Betty's door opened, revealing Betty wearing a red ladybug patterned apron. She wore her usual smile, but her eyes widened in surprise at Alex.
"Alex! I didn't know you were coming," Betty said, a tinge of unsureness at the edge of her voice.
"I had to drop off this munchkin anyway," Alex responded, grinning at her. "Thought I might stop by and say 'hi'."
"Well, don't be a stranger, both of you come in!" Betty told them, ushering them in the door. Alex and Marianne both stepped inside, and Alex was only mildly surprised by seeing Conner on Betty's couch with a container of food. Conner reached up and waved at Alex.
"Hey Alex," Conner said. Alex tried to keep his cool, not expecting to see Conner again so soon after training had ended. Because technically, he was not supposed to have seen Conner at all that day. Alex was pretty sure Conner suspected who he was after revealing he was the best friend of his ex, but he had not dropped his name explicitly. For all Alex knew, Betty could have plenty of blond ex's from his three years away.
"Hey Conner," Marianne said for the both of them. She looked at the logo on the side of the container of food. "Is that from the Thai place down the street?"
"Yeah," Betty answered for her friend. "Me and Conner planned to have lunch this afternoon, but we were running late, so we got takeout and just came here." Betty smiled and motioned with her head to the bag of food on the counter. "We also got some for you, since I knew you were coming over Marianne."
Marianne looked with wide eyes at the container.
"You got –"
"Pineapple chicken curry?" Betty finished, smirking. "Duh, it's only like your favorite dish ever."
Alex blinked. He hadn't realized that Betty knew Marianne that well. Alex had just thought it was a mentorship for baking, but apparently Betty had really taken to Marianne.
Betty put her hands on her hips. "Go wash up and we'll eat. Then we'll get started making some peanut butter cheesecake for dessert."
"Have I mentioned you're like the best?" Marianne asked, heading towards the bathroom. Betty smirked.
"Not today," Betty retorted. Marianne rolled her eyes and disappeared into the hall bathroom. Betty shared a glance with Conner, who raised a brow to which Betty nodded in response. Alex decided not to question it. At times it was like Betty and Conner had their own secret language and they talked without even speaking.
"I would have got you something too, if I knew you were coming" Betty said, walking towards Alex. She put a hand on his shoulder and gave him a sly smile. "Conner told me you worked up quite an appetite this morning at training."
Alex's internal monologue could only be described as a record scratch.
"What?" he screeched. "You-he—he told you?!"
It didn't surprise him that Conner put the pieces together. It wasn't hard to do, not really. Not when Alex had supplied him with the pieces. But it did surprise him that Conner had told Betty. Was—was this how the Team worked? Dolling out information behind each other's backs?
"Well, no," Betty answered sweetly. Her smile had just a hint of wickedness. "You did. Yesterday. Your ex's best friend? I'm his best friend and I'm your ex. So, pleasure to officially meet you, Honeybee."
But he had said that to the Team, which meant she had to have been there. Alex ran through all the heroes who had been assembled, trying to find one who matched Betty's description. Black hair, tan skin….
"Mariposa?!"
Well, holy shit.
"Keep your voice down!" Betty hissed, looking down the hall to where Marianne was in the restroom. Conner looked up at this and rolled his eyes.
"Betty, Marianne is currently laughing in the bathroom," Conner said simply. "Pretty sure she's already in the loop."
Betty sighed.
"Let me guess, she's this so-called help you've been telling me about?"
All Alex could do was nod dumbly.
"She's, uh, mission control," Alex said lamely. "She picked the name Avispa."
"Avispa?" Betty said slowly. And then she smiled softly, like she was remembering something and someone far away. "As in Wasp. Very nice touch."
"Yeah, I thought it was clever," Marianne said, coming out of the restroom.
Alex was unsure how Marianne could be so non-chalant about this. Betty was Mariposa. Which meant his ex-girlfriend was Mariposa. And she used to be Honeybee.
What were the odds of all of them being connected like this?
"Look, this is a lot to process, I know," Betty started. "And really, I wasn't sure I was going to tell you until a few minutes ago. But you have a right to know."
Alex blinked. And all he could think to say was perhaps the stupidest thing in the world.
"So, like, be real. Did you and the 1st Robin ever make out? I've been wondering for years."
Conner howled with laughter.
"Betty and Robin?" Conner said between laughs, standing up. "That's a good one."
"Really, that's your question?" Betty deadpanned. Betty shook her head. "No, me and Robin have never made out. I have never made out with any of the Robins." A look of disgust crossed her face, but then she smiled. "It's strange you care so much who your ex-girlfriend has made out with."
"Sorry, I'm not really sure what else to say," Alex said honestly. Marianne walked over to the counter and pulled out her container of pineapple chicken curry.
"So, like, can I join the Team?" Marianne asked. "Being I'm like his brain or whatever."
Betty and Conner exchanged a look, and then Betty shrugged.
"Have to ask Nightwing about that," Betty said. "Wouldn't hold your breath though. We already got mission control."
"Fair enough."
Years later, Alex would laugh about this conversation. But right now, all he knew was that was his head was spinning. And it would not spinning for a very long time.
MOUNT JUSTICE
MARCH 19TH 2010 11:42 EDT
Dick was very glad that he chose Artemis for the deep-cover mission. That was for a variety of reasons, including her natural aptitude stealth missions and keeping secrets. Artemis had grown up in the world he was about to thrust her back into, which made her a natural choice.
But not the only choice. Dick had considered Betty for the mission as well. Betty was a very smart and capable hero, and Dick was one hundred percent certain that if he had chosen Betty that she would be able to pull it off.
But when he witnessed what he did between Conner and Betty, he was glad he picked Artemis. Because whatever it is that was going down between them, Dick was not sure. Something, however, was most certainly going on. Two people do not look dreamily into each other's eyes, forgetting a third person was there, and then make lunch plans right after like it was the most natural thing in the world. Okay, yes, sure they invited Dick to go to lunch with them. But after witnessing the two practically making out with their eyes, Dick did not want to see what they were like when Betty was not mid-freak out.
He was glad because Dick was not sure that he had the heart to take Betty away from something that was clearly making her happy. It was in the beginning stages, sure, but whatever this was between Betty and Conner was making both of them happy. He cared about them, and he wanted them to feel joy.
Especially Betty. After she had lost so much to this life. Her mom. Jason. Her first relationship. She had even lost her father to the other side of the war. If Betty found something more than just friendship in Conner, something that was making her feel real joy, then Dick was not sure he could take that away. And pulling her away when it was so early would most certainly kill it.
For Conner too. Conner was obviously in pain from his breakup with M'gann. If he too could find something in Betty, then that was all the better.
The flipside of course was pulling Artemis and Wally apart, but they were strong. Resilient. Dick was sure that Artemis and Wally could survive this. They could survive anything, Dick was certain.
But as Dick watched Conner and Betty dance around each other, he was not certain they could.
And as the day arrived for the plan to go into action, he was certain about this choice as he saw Superboy and Mariposa laughing together in the kitchen, sharing one of their private jokes.
Dick smiled to himself. Yes, he made the right choice.
Eventually, Nightwing, Mal, Mariposa, and Superboy found themselves in the main meeting and training room, updating themselves on the original Roy Harper, who was found by Red Arrow, and Bart Allen's condition.
"I still can't believe this kid just showed up from the future," Mariposa commented.
"Well believe it, because he's here," Nightwing said. Mal scrutinized the profiles of Roy and Bart on the screen and sighed.
"They're both gonna end up our responsibility, aren't they?" Mal asked. Nightwing shook his head and turned to face them.
"Not necessarily," Nightwing answered. "Bart – Impulse – is staying with Jay and Joan Garrick in Central City. Roy, the original Speedy, is recuperating in Royal Memorial Hospital in Stay City. Arrows Red and Green are watching over him."
"Mh-hmm," Mal hummed. He looked at Mariposa and Superboy. "They're gonna end our responsibility, aren't they?"
"Doesn't everything?" Superboy shot back. He turned back to Nightwing. "Where are we on identifying the Light's new partner?"
Nightwing pinched his nose in frustration. "No progress."
All four of them turned their heads at the sounds of laughing, and they looked to see Miss Martian and Lagoon Boy entering the briefing room with a levitating tray of crab cakes.
"Slow down La'gaan!" Miss Martian gently insisted. Lagoon Boy just laughed and popped another crab cake in his mouth.
"Sorry angelfish," Lagoon Boy said. "The idea of cooking fish is amazing enough, but cooking them into little cakes?" He laughed again. Miss Martian smiled up at her boyfriend and leaned closer.
"Well, you're gonna choke!"
Mariposa and Superboy both narrowed their eyes at Miss Martian, but neither said anything to the seemingly oblivious couple. Mariposa turned to Superboy.
"I'm going to get a smoothie from the kitchen, anyone care to join?" Mariposa asked, apparently desperate to be in a different room than M'gann. Superboy nodded, and the two started to leave.
Nightwing sighed internally. M'gann and Conner and Betty had been fighting for almost six months. It had not affected their performance in the field, but it most certainly was straining all of them emotionally. Nightwing would intervene, but he was unsure where to even start with that.
"Call us when it's time for the briefing," Superboy said. Before they could leave, the Zeta port sparked to life.
"Recognized: Artemis – B08."
"Time for the briefing," Nightwing said.
"Artemis!" Miss Martian rushed to her friend, dropping the telekinetically floating plate into Lagoon Boy's hands. Mariposa had a similar reaction, walking over to Artemis with Superboy. All of the Team members called out enthusiastic greetings to the blonde archer, but Nightwing did not have it in him to do so.
He knew what this mission really meant.
"Okay, Gamma Squad, listen up!" Nightwing called, clapping his hands together to get their attention. Artemis, Miss Martian, Superboy, Lagoon Boy, Mariposa, and Mal all gathered around him and the holocomputer.
"This mission is in Cape Canaveral," Nightwing explained, pulling up a live feed of the Mars-Earth Cam-Satellite launch. "Covert op to safeguard the first Earth-Mars Camsat. There are people out there who don't even like the idea of aliens and will do anything to scrub this launch."
Miss Martian looked down, crestfallen. Nightwing could only imagine how it felt to have your very existence considered a threat. It must be difficult, and that's why Nightwing had selected her for this op. So she could have a hand in stopping them from getting rid of the satellite. Even if this op's main concern was to get Artemis in undercover, they still needed this satellite to get off the ground.
"That's why I came back," Artemis said, putting a hand on Miss Martian's shoulder, "because not all of us feel that way."
Mal raised a brow at Nightwing. "Why are you going?"
"Yeah, this would be good practice for Honeybee," Mariposa pointed out. "Or Impulse and Blue for that matter. So why you instead of them?"
"Well, let's just say that after running this team for a year," Nightwing said, "I'm peckish for a little action."
Oh, that was only the start of it.
y'all it's been rough. i finish my last semester of college, had surgery, then started my first 'big girl' job. but here we are. betty is my baby. i will not leave her to rot in the pit of unfinished fics i have.
Review Replies:
angel2u: I kind of think of it like The Winter Solider movie for Marvel – it's more of a surprise for the characters than it is for us. Alex from the moment he appeared in my head, I knew he was destined for more than being Betty's first boyfriend. I didn't know what, as back then I still had plans for a new OC to take on Honeybee, but they kind of got composited into Alex.
AnEmlg-Chan: I'm glad you love Alex, I love him too! Betty's reaction to everything is always complete freak-out and then talking through the issue with someone, so that's what I went with here. And the dinner thing will be brought up, but it just didn't find a place in this chapter. Hope you enjoyed it!
questions, comments, or concerns? let me know! have a blessed day!
-PrincessChess