The next morning found Travis and Cassandra hugging tightly in an airport terminal.
"Here's the key to my locker at the Star City central train station." She pushed the key into his hand. "And here's a map of the city." She pushed that into his other hand. "Don't forget to call. I'll pick up no matter what. Even if I'm bleeding to death or caught by our resident crime fighter," she joked.
"Please don't joke about that."
"Alright, I won't. It's still true though." Cassandra pulled in a deep breath and slowly pushed it out through her nose. They were both standing in awkward silence. Her looking everywhere but Trav and him just watching her. It was as if he was trying to memorize her face before he left. "I meant what I said last night, you know." Cass stated out of the blue. She was finally looking at him.
"I know. I meant what I said in response." The intercom crackled above them.
"Calling all passengers for the flight from Gotham to Star City, please begin boarding at gate three."
"Well, I guess this is it." Travis stated.
"I will see you again. Worst comes to worst I get the h*** out of dodge and we only get paid half. No biggie." Her hands hovered over him for a second, brushing off imaginary lint or straightening his jacket collar. Trav grabbed them.
"Relax. Stop worrying. I should be the one worried about you, not the other way around." Cass sighed. Sometimes Travis knew her too well, though she wasn't really hiding her anxiousness.
"Alright. I'll see you in Tokyo, yeah?" She started their traditional goodbye joke which referenced the first two cities they met in.
"Only if you can catch me in London," Trav smirked. Immediately any worry she had switched to annoyance. This boy knew just how to push her buttons. The worry returned though when he turned around to board his plane. Travis looked back once and waved. With a small but genuine smile, Cass waved back. Only once she could no longer see the familiar mop of blonde hair and raggedy sweatshirt did she turn around. It was time to get back to work.
But first, coffee. I wonder if there are any good cafes near here. I also need to grab some milk before I head back to the flat, and other basic grocery needs. Everything I have is frozen. But coffee is still the higher priority right now.
With those thoughts, Cass quickly headed outside and grabbed one of taxis waiting outside the airport.
"Where to Miss?" The cabbie asked.
"The nearest coffee shop please."
"Okay."
The cab driver didn't say another word as they traveled through the city, for which Cass was grateful. She was too worked up right now to make some decent conversation. It wasn't like she and Travis hadn't split up for a job before, but for some reason this time it was so much harder. Maybe it was because of their touchy-feely moment last night, but she was more inclined to believe that something was going to happen. Something big. Something that Cassandra had to deal with on her own.
"Hey, you gonna get out or what? I've been callin' your name for a minute now." The cabbie declared.
"Oh! I'm sorry." She paid the man and climbed out of the taxi.
In front of Cass was a cute little coffee shop-slash-café with large windows and outdoor tables. The name on the windows read Kate's Coffee in curly script. Cass pushed open the door and stepped into the shop. She noticed that it was a decent size, big enough to accommodate the crowd of hipsters while still providing the comfortable atmosphere that coffee shops were known for. This was a place Cass could see herself spending a lot of time at. She moved towards the counter to order a simple black coffee with a small bagel. Her order was quickly served up and she took a seat in one of the booths on the side. Cass simply enjoyed her coffee and breakfast for a few minutes before she was rudely interrupted.
"Mind if I sit here?" The question was posed by a smiling red head. Cass took quick stock of him, noting the blue eyes and the relaxed posture as he leaned against the booth. It took a minute for her to realize that he was still waiting for an answer.
"Um, sure." She went back to her coffee and bagel wondering why in the word this guy had decided to sit across from her when there were plenty of other seats around.
"My name's Roy. Roy Harper." She looked at him.
"That's nice." There was an awkward pause as Cass considered what to say next.
"And yours is?" Roy had a smirk on his face as he asked the question.
"Oh! Oh, my name's Cassandra Blake. Most people just call me Cass."
Man, my social skills are rusty. How do I have full conversations with Travis?
Cass tried to continue the conversation but Roy jumped in before she could think of anything.
"You're not much of a talker, are you?" She shrugged and looked sheepishly at him.
"More like I don't socialize very often, and coffee is currently more important to me than a conversation. Sorry." Roy managed to take her by surprise though when he laughed.
"I get it, coffee's pretty important to me too. Though all food is." Cass reflected that this was a very awkward conversation, though Roy seemed perfectly fine with it. For a moment she considered trying to make conversation, but decided to just settle with people watching while sipping her coffee. Roy however, instead of people watching choose to watch just one person. Her. Cass lowered her mug from her face and glanced at him.
"Why are you staring?"
"I'm not staring." That little smirk was back. Cass found it very infuriating.
"Yes you are."
"No I'm not."
"Not now, but you were."
"Was not."
"Were to."
"Was not."
"Were to."
"Were to."
"Was not. Crap. I walked right into that one." Cass pouted; she was usually very good at those things. Roy just chuckled.
"Hey, I was wondering," he trailed off here.
"Yes?" She pushed.
"You want to get coffee?" Cass's eyes flickered to him and back to the cup in her hand. Seeing what she was looking at, Roy's eyes widened.
"Oh! Well not now! I mean we could – what are you doing?" Roy had trailed off in the middle of his sentence as he noticed Cass guzzling her coffee. She finished after a few seconds and looked at him, then her mug.
"Looks like I'm out of coffee. Want to take me to get better coffee?" She gave him a small, hesitant smile. It took a minute for Roy to register what she was suggesting. When it did, a huge grin took over his face.
"I know just the place." Roy, in truth didn't actually know a place. He was after all, only in Gotham because Ollie had some business there and Roy had tagged along as an excuse to see Dick. (He ignored the facts that he was eight-teen, and didn't get along with Ollie.) But even if he didn't know a place, Dick would. He would just find a time where he could slip Dick a text and get a name and address. Easy.
"Okay, just let me go to the bathroom first." She took a step away before turning back around. "Watch my jacket for me, yeah?" After his reassuring nod, Cass grabbed her purse and headed to the restroom. Once there, she indulged herself in a mini freak out.
Okay, I just got asked on a date by a nice looking stranger. Wait. Is this a date? Or is this just a friendly 'get to know you' type thing? I have no idea! Was that flirting? Was I flirting back? I don't do this kind of stuff on the job! Travis is the people person! Travis! I can call Travis! Wait, no I can't! Travis is on a plane! GAH! This is so complicated! Okay, you have one minute to call someone else. Think. Think. ARTEMIS!
The two girls had met years ago. They had not kept in contact quite as much since Mis switched sides, but they were still close enough that she could ask her for help. Cass quickly pulled out her phone and dialed Mis's number.
"Hello?"
"Mis! It's Cass! I need your help!"
"Cass? Are you okay? Where are you, I'll be there soon?"
"Yeah I'm fine I just have a really important question! If a guys asks to get coffee with you is it a date or is it just a friend thing?" There was a slight pause.
"Is someone dying and this is a code?"
"No! It's an honest question, now please answer it 'cause this guy is waiting out in the coffee shop and I've been in the bathroom freaking out!"
"Okay. Yes, I would consider it a date. We need to brush up your people skills. Tell me all about it later."
"Thank you! I will, I promise!" Not waiting for a reply, Cass quickly pressed the end button and turned off her phone. She stalled for another second by checking her hair before walking out.
"I was starting to wonder if you left through a window," Roy joked when she got back. Cass gave a small laugh and joked back.
"I tried but the window was too small." Roy looked at her for a moment before giving in and smiling.
"Was that a joke? Did you just tell a joke?" At her questioning look Roy raised his hands. "No offense but I just didn't take you as the joking type!"
"Ah."
That made sense
"I can offer a witty comeback every now and then."
"I hope so!" They stood in the café for a few more moments as Cass got into her jacket and scarf.
"So? Where to random stranger that I just met?" Cass paused. "And suddenly this sounds a whole lot more dangerous than it had before." Cass knew she could take care of herself if this guy decided to try anything, but he didn't know that. And she was trying to act a little more normal. Not that she thought she was succeeding.
"Why don't I show you?" Roy offered Cass his arm and pulled her along when she hesitantly slipped her arm through his. He was noticing that Cass hesitated a lot, and also that her social skills were practically nonexistent. It made him wonder why she said she didn't socialize very often. The fact that it was Gotham could mean any number of reasons ranging from a hermit who had a coffee addiction and couldn't make the stuff at home, to a work at home workaholic. There were also some darker, less nice reasons that Cass didn't interact much but Roy didn't want to dwell on the possibilities of those. He led her through the city to a small street vendor, thank you Dick, before bringing her to a secluded park. Again, thanks to Dick. They sat on a bench a small ways away from the path and facing a frozen lake. Cass took a sip of her coffee and moaned.
"This is really, really good coffee." She looked at Roy with a large smile on her face.
Note to self, Roy thought, Cass really likes coffee.
They sat on the bench sipping their coffee and chatting about small things for a half hour, like their favorite color and hobbies, before they took notice of the cold.
"We should probably move somewhere warmer." Roy suggested. Cass glanced at the time on her phone.
"Actually, it's almost ten and I have some shopping to do." She looked apologetically at Roy.
"Wait, it's almost ten?" He questioned, looking a little surprised.
"Yeah." She stood up and held a hand out for goodbye. He followed her example and stood up as well.
"I actually have somewhere I need to be as well." He shook her hand briefly, both taking note of how awkward of a goodbye this was. It was only when Cass was several steps away did something dawn on him.
"Hey, wait! Aren't you going to give me your number?"
"Oh! Uh, sure." She quickly rattled the number off as he put it into his phone.
"Thanks. See you around Cass."
"Yeah, uh, you too!" With that they both turned and walked in separate directions and focused on completing their errands.
Later, when Cass was done shopping, found her splayed across the couch completely and utterly bored. Nothing good was on TV and she didn't feel like watching any of the DVDs she had available. They were no fun to watch alone anyways. Wait. Artemis lived in Gotham, right? Cass checked the time. About four o'clock. Mis would be done with school by now. Without another thought she quickly shot up, grabbed her jacket, purse, and cell phone. She paused for a minute to re-strap a few knives to her ankle and hide some more in her boots before bouncing out the door. After a moments thought about Mis's possible locations, Cassandra decided to try her house first. Thankfully it was only a fifteen minute walk away, so she had no reason to call a taxi. When she arrived, Cass wasted no time to knock on the door. One long, three short, a small pause, and two short knocks later Artemis was opening the door. A very surprised Artemis.
"Mis! Hope I'm not crashing something!" Mis quickly got over her shock and opened the door a little wider for her friend.
"No! 'Course not! Come on in!"
"Artemis? Who's at the door?" Paula's voice rang throughout the small apartment and a second later she was wheeling herself around the corner and towards the pair.
"Cassandra! How lovely to see you!" The two exchanged a brief hug.
"It's lovely to see you too Ms. Paula. I was wondering if I could borrow Mis for a little while."
"Oh, of course! Just come over for dinner tonight, yeah?" Cass hesitated. Dinner might cut into her work time, but she could make an exception tonight.
"I'll do my best," she promised.
"Good! Off you two go now! Have fun!" The girls both chorused a confirmation before quickly walking out the door. At some point during Paula's greeting with Cass, Artemis had slipped on a jacket and shoes.
"Right first off," here Artemis gave Cass a light punch on the shoulder, "why didn't you tell me you were in Gotham?" Cass sighed. She had hopped that Mis wouldn't bring that up. The last thing she needed was more lectures about leaving 'the life' behind. She answered truthfully anyways.
"I have a job here. No I won't tell you anything else about it." Not happy with the answer, but knowing she wouldn't get any more out of Cass unless she was drunk, Mis turned onto a new category.
"Fine. Will you at least tell me how your date went?" Cass blushed.
"Um. Good. It went okay. I think." Cass threw her hands in the air. "I have no idea how it went. He asked for my number if it matters at all."
"If it matters? It so matters! That means it went well and he would like to go on another with you!"
"Huh. Who knew?" Cass continued to give Artemis a play by play of the entire date with only minimal interruptions. By the time she was finished Mis knew everything about the date except for the guy's name. And she didn't know that only because Cass knew the moment she had his name, Mis would find someway to do a full background check in order to make sure the guy didn't hurt her. And if things happened to go south, Cass really didn't want Artemis to put his name on her mental hit list. Cass was sure that even if she was one of the 'good guys' now, that Artemis still had such a list. She was just less likely to act on it. They reached Cass's safe house shortly after the play by play finished. After taking the elevator up to the top floor and a brief argument about the benefits of cheesy elevator music (don't ask), they reached her front door. Another brief argument about which movie/TV show they would watch ensued when they stepped into the living room. Mis was all for Star Trek, but Cass really wanted to watch Sherlock. Eventually Mis won, 'cause Cass was a sucker and didn't want to have a real argument about something so silly with her best friend. So Mis was setting up the movie and Cass was making popcorn when Cass's phone rang. It was in the living room and before she could get to it Mis was already answering for her.
"Hello this is Gotham's Asylum for the Criminally Insane, how can I help you today?" Artemis fought off Cassandra's attempts to grab the phone from her.
"Um. I'm looking for Cassandra. Is she there?"
"Yes Cass is a resident here would you like to know the standard visiting hou- Ompf!" Growing impatient Cass had elbowed Artemis in the stomach and grabbed the phone from her.
"Hello, this is Cass speaking. Please ignore all things previously said by my best friend; she won't be saying them for much longer." Cass glared at Mis, who just shrugged and walked out to finish making the popcorn. There was a chuckle on the end of the line. A very familiar chuckle, Cass noted.
"It's Roy; for a moment there I was worried I had the wrong number." Cass laughed.
"Nope, my friend just got a hold of my phone first. I imagine you called for a reason. What's up?"
"Actually I was wondering if you're free this Friday. There's this new movie coming out I thought you'd like to see it."
"Um Friday? Yeah, I think that'll work. What time and where?" She ignored Mis's frantic motions for her to put the phone on speaker.
"Say seven at the Greendale Cinema?"
"Seven, Greendale Cinema," she confirmed. "Hey, I hate to do this but I better get off before my friend eats all the popcorn. I'll see you Friday!" Before he could reply she hung up.
"So?" Mis prompted.
"So, what?" She gave a dramatic sigh and eye roll.
"What's going on between you and mystery guy Friday at seven? And why does his voice sound familiar?" She mumbled that last part to herself, but Cass still heard it. She hoped that Mis was just making connections where there were none, because Mis knowing her potential boyfriend was the last thing she needed.
"We're going to watch a movie at the Cinema." Cass stated it like it was the most obvious thing in the world. She had, after all, mentioned Friday at seven and the Greendale Cinema while Mis was present. Artemis either didn't notice her tone or (more likely) just choose to ignore it.
"Right, I'll be here at five to help you get ready."
"Why do you need to help me get ready?" Artemis looked at her with a flat stare.
"You had to call me to ask if a guy asking to get coffee with you was a date, while I was at school I might add. I can also almost guarantee that you did not think that the movies equaled a date. And lastly, I bet you hung up without saying goodbye."
"I. What? How do you know that but don't know that he called to invite me to go see a movie with him Friday at seven?" Mis shrugged.
"Selective hearing. Plus I wanted you to tell me so I could accurately tell what you thought." Cass grabbed a handful of popcorn.
"I have zero social capabilities, Mis. Zero." She nodded.
"We'll work on that. You just haven't had a reason to be social with anyone other than me or Trav in a while. You'll get the hang of it. For now though, we have a movie to watch before we head for dinner at my place." Cass tilted her head a little.
"Is that your way of politely telling me to shut up."
"Yes, now shut up and watch the movie."
Okay, and that is chapter three! Thank you all for the reviews, follows, and favorites! They make my day!
Reviews = happy writer = possible earlier updates/longer chapters.
Rockabilie123: Thank you so much for the review! It was the first one that actually made sense! :) I'm glad you love the dialog, it's something I struggle with a bit.