Hack Ch. 7
A/N: Sorry it took so long… I've been studying, gotta get into A.P. classes next year in high school… And I have been procrastinating all month on working on this chapter… Anyways, this isn't very interesting, it's more moving into the Cave and such. It's really going to follow the Young Justice storyline, probably until the start of the season 2. I don't know about you guys, but I'm kind of hating the producers right now. I mean, first the time skip, where you had to miss out on all the Spitfire love, and then they're postponing the series to January! Oh well, they're bringing Teen Titans back, so… By the way, I used to LOVE Teen Titans. It's what got me hooked on Young Justice… Anyways, read the chapter! Enjoy!
11:12 March 21, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
It was actually very nice.
Despite the absence of… you know… windows.
Tall, wide, stony grey walls, and wall to wall shag carpet.
A thick layer of dust covered everything though, the kitchen obviously hadn't been in use for a while, the marble countertops and the blank bookshelves covered in dust.
There was little furniture, a bookshelf in each of the eight bedrooms, a thin shower curtain in the shower room, and a large library, which actually had many old F.B.I. records.
"We'll be bringing in the rest of the furniture tomorrow, so you guys will have to sleep in the living room for now," Bruce said, examining the dwelling.
"So, uh, we'll be living here now?" Dick asked, apprehensive.
"Yes," Bruce replied stoutly, "This was originally a base that the F.B.I. used as a safehouse, to help guard people from the Witness Protection Program who had been found, or people who just simply weren't safe. The base was discovered in 2001, so the base was abandoned shortly thereafter."
"So, we'll be hiding in place sight?" Megan asked timidly.
Artemis could tell the man freaked poor Megan out.
"That's the idea, yes," Bruce said curtly.
"Do we get a TV?" Wally asked.
"Yes," Bruce said, "You will, in essence, be living here. We believe that the Shadows is targeting you guys specifically, so, we will have you stay here. No one knows you are here except for the agency," Bruce explained, "Dinah will be training you, and Agent R.T. will periodically check in on you."
"So we won't be going on missions anymore?" Wally whined.
"You will," Bruce responded, "But only short, covert missions. We are taking you off the Savage case."
"What!" Dick shouted, outraged, "Kaldur, Wally, and I worked our butts off for that case!"
"Well," Bruce said, his eyes narrowed, "Obviously, it was too much for you, since all of you suffered a traumatic mental simulation."
"That reminds me," Bruce continued, ignoring Dick's hurt look, "Dinah will also be holding your mandatory therapy sessions here, along with briefings, and training sessions. I expect you to attend them and treat her with respect. You are not to leave the base without permission. Dismissed."
With that, Bruce walked calmly out the door.
Agent Dinah then walked in, clutching a pile of folders, "Agents," she said, nodding at them.
"What are you doing?" Dick asked.
Dinah stopped walking, "I'm entering information into the computer. It's hooked up into the F.B.I. database, and since none of you have taken the time to enter in your previous missions, I have taken the liberty to do it for you."
Artemis nodded, "I'll help you."
Artemis followed out behind Dinah, and the rest of the team was left behind awkwardly.
"So… uh… I call the wall!" Dick cackled.
22:14 March 21, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
The room had been transformed, now resembling something out of a teenage girl's slumber party. Pillows were scattered across the room, blankets and mats covering the shag carpet.
Megan and Connor were wrapped tightly in each other's arms, a thin blanket barely covering Connor's broad shoulders, while his thick arms are completely enveloping her thin frame.
The pair is lying the furthest away from the rest of the group, snoozing together on the far right side of the room.
Dozing next to them is Kaldur, lying rigidly straight, his hands folded neatly on his stomach.
Artemis had plopped herself next to Kaldur, her hand is tucked underneath her head, and her blond hair is out of its usual ponytail and pooled around her head on her pillow.
Dick is tucked away against the wall, a good six feet away from Artemis, leaving a large gap between him and her.
Wally plopped down in the only remaining space between Dick and Artemis.
He rolled away from Dick, knowing that the little troll kicks in his sleep, having grown up with him.
He relaxed his tense shoulders, leaning into the pillow and pulling the blanket up to his chin.
He promptly drifted off to sleep, exhausted.
6:21 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
Wally sighed contently, feeling something warm, and soft wrapped in his arms, pressed against his chest.
Something was tickling his nose, and he opened his eyes groggily to see that the something was yellow.
Yellow.
His eyes shot open wider, and he realized that at some point during the night, he had enveloped Artemis in his arms, and dragged her to his chest.
She looked so carefree, and pretty, so different from the snarky, cranky, awake Artemis.
However, it couldn't do for the rest of the Team to find them like this, so he carefully unwrapped his arms, and got up.
9:23 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
"After breakfast," Dinah said, chewing thoughtfully on her pancakes, "Connor, you and I will have our one-on-one therapy session."
Connor frowned, "I don't need therapy."
Dinah's eyebrow rose, "It is mandatory for the whole entire team, Agent Kent."
Connor's brow furrowed at the name, "Whatever."
"When Connor is finished, Artemis, you will go next. Kaldur, you will follow, then Megan, Dick, and then Wally," Dinah said smoothly, dabbing at her mouth with a napkin, "I expect you all to be prepared. During the therapy sessions, I would like the people who are not with me to help move the furniture in. Understood?"
The six of them nodded.
"Very good."
9:42 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
"So, Connor Kent," Dinah said carefully, enunciating the words precisely, "let's start off with an easy question, why do you think you are here today?"
Connor huffed grumpily, shrugging his shoulders.
"You know, Connor," Dinah said, her voice softening, "Nothing leaves this room."
Connor didn't reply.
"Very well," Dinah said, rubbing her hands together, "How about we talk about something else? How is your relationship with Megan going?"
Connor's eyes widened, "You can't tell anyone."
Dinah leaned back, satisfied she had drawn a response, "I won't. Everyone knows, however, in fact, the Attorney General knows, but seeing as you two are not advertising your relationship, no one has really decided to take action on it."
Connor leaned back, slightly relieved, "Fine."
Dinah frowned, frustrated, "Really? Then why weren't you the first one to comfort her after the simulation? Why did Agent Batson get to her first?"
Connor's fists clenched, but then, suddenly, his shoulders sagged and his brows dipped in sorrow, "I'm not good enough for her."
"Oh? And why do you think that?" Dinah asked quietly, pressing him for answers.
"… I'm not… I don't think I fit her. She's always happy, and bubbly, and confident, and I'm… me," Connor said, avoiding Dinah's eyes.
Dinah leaned forward, placing a reassuring hand on Connor's shoulder, "You are a wonderful agent, Connor, and I want you to know that you two are great together. In fact," she added in a jovial tone, "I won thirty bucks off of you two!"
Connor smiled, a rare occurrence for the brooding agent.
"I think we're done for the day?" Dinah said, "Send Artemis in."
10:02 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
"You know," Artemis said dryly, her arms, "I don't need therapy. I died first, remember? Missed out on all the fun."
Dinah raised an eyebrow, "Really?"
Artemis took a deep breath before replying, "Yup."
"Artemis," Dinah said softly.
That's all it took.
Artemis lips pursed, "…It… It was all my fault, you know, just because I was the weakling, everyone else suffered."
Dinah motioned for her to go on, and Artemis continued, "I should've done something, and all I did was stand there."
Dinah placed a reassuring hand on Artemis's shoulder, "It was no one's fault, Artemis, and you shouldn't blame yourself for something you couldn't control."
Artemis nodded stiffly, and cracked a smile, "Uh, thanks."
"So, what's going on between you and Wally?" Dinah then asked.
Artemis's eyes widened, "N-nothing!"
Dinah smirked, "O-kay, whatever you say, send Kaldur in."
10:11 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
Kaldur was sitting stiffly in his chair, his hands clasped tightly together.
"Whenever you feel ready, Kaldur," Dinah said.
Kaldur took a deep breath, letting it out slowly, "The exercise… has made me realize that… I am not fit to be leader."
Dinah rose a thin eyebrow, "Oh? Than who do you think should take your place?"
"…Connor is too… angry, and does not want the burden of leadership on his shoulders. Megan is too raw, too inexperienced. Wally is too bias with his choices. Artemis is too slow to trust, and she does not open us to us. Dick would be the logical choice, but he is still too young and immature."
Kaldur let out another sigh, "It seems… that I will have to withdraw my resignation."
Dinah pursed her lips, "Kaldur, you need to remember that not everything will be in your control. In some situations, accidents will happen. It was your fault, remember that, it was no one's fault."
Kaldur nodded mechanically, "…Thank you."
Dinah leaned back, "I think you just need to loosen up a bit. Hang with the 'boys' more."
Kaldur laughed dryly, "Very well, thank you."
Dinah nodded, "Send in Megan."
10:15 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Rhode Island, Rhode Island
"So, Megan," Dinah began, sensing the red-head's discomfort, "Why don't we start by talking by how you felt during the simulation."
Megan bit her lip, "I was… scared… it was so real, and I thought… I thought I was gonna die."
Megan suddenly let out a gasp of anguish, her head burying itself in her hand, "And… it was all my fault… the reason why this whole thing happened… it was all my fault… if I had been more careful…"
Dinah placed a reassuring hand on Megan's shoulder, "It was not your fault. It was not anyone's fault. It was an accident. Your team mates do not blame you for anything."
Megan looked up, tears in her bleary eyes, "…I'm so sorry."
"You don't have to apologize," Dinah said, "I want you know, that we don't blame, Bruce doesn't, the team doesn't, and neither do I."
"Connor probably thinks I'm a freak, he couldn't even touch me after the accident," Megan said quietly, sniffling.
Dinah patted her back gently, "He thinks you're too good for him, actually. I spoke with him earlier."
Megan looked up, "…You… know?"
Dinah nodded, and then chuckled, "Everyone knows, actually."
Megan laughed, "…Thank you."
Dinah nodded again, "Send Dick in."
10:32 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
Dick was wearing his sunglasses, covering his eyes and making it hard for Dinah to conceive any emotion from him.
"So, Dick, what did you think of the training exercise?"
Dick was quiet, his hands rubbing together slowly, "I don't…"
Dinah nodded at him to continue, "Nothing leaves this room."
"It… reminded me of my parents' death," Dick said.
"Oh? And why is that so?"
"…It was just like before," Dick whispered, "I could've saved them… But I didn't."
Dinah frowned, but then she leaned back into her chair, "You know, Dick, the thing is… the training simulation was designed for you to fail. So, really, you couldn't save them. Much different than didn't."
Dick looked up, his lips pursed.
Dinah smiled, "…Dick, I don't know what happened with your parents, but at least know that this wasn't your fault. It wasn't anybody's fault, it was an accident."
Dick nodded, "…Thanks."
"Send Wally in," Dinah said, dismissing him.
10:40 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
Wally was munching on a large bowl of popcorn, his feet propped up on the table.
"So, how were you during the training simulation?" Dinah asked, raising an eyebrow at Wally's behavior.
"Just peachy, babe!" Wally said, popping another handful of popcorn into his mouth.
Dinah frowned, "So you're telling me, that after everything you've been through, after witnessing all of your friends die in front of your eyes, you're 'just peachy?'"
Wally chewed on the popcorn thoughtfully, "Yeah, I think you get the gist."
Dinah smirked again, "So, perhaps you'd like to explain your extreme reaction to Artemis's death."
Wally sputtered for a moment, swallowing the popcorn before speaking, "I'd rather talk about you babe!"
Dinah sighed, "Wally, you're in denial."
"I'm cool with that," Wally said, popping another handful of popcorn into his mouth.
Dinah rolled his eyes, "You may go, Wally."
Wally grinned, satisfied, and he left quickly.
12:09 March 22, 2012 Abandoned F.B.I. Facility, Happy Harbor, Rhode Island
"I think that's the last thing that needed to moved," Dick said, cracking his back.
Connor grunted, admiring their handiwork.
They had moved two couches into the large main room, which they decided would be the living room, and they had also placed a table across from the kitchen, taking advantage of the large, empty space.
They moved in beds and mattresses as well, placing one in each of the rooms.
Bruce obviously didn't waste any money on the Team's new living quarters.
The flat screen TV that they had put into the living room had been a gift, from Aremis's Uncle Ollie, and Wally was currently watching a football game, his arms and legs spread out and taking up most of the couch space.
The kitchen also connected to the living room, and Megan had worked hard cleaning it up to usable condition.
Megan was stirring a pot of spaghetti sauce, the smell filling the base.
Soon, the spaghetti was ready, and Megan carefully laid the pot on the new table.
Artemis, pitying Megan for having to prepare dinner all by herself, grabbed the silverware from the drawer and began setting the table.
Soon the rest of the Team had gathered at the table, and began enjoying the food, forks clinking against the porcelain dishes.
"I think we should give this place a nickname," Wally said around a mouthful of noodles.
"Why?" Artemis asked, wrinkling her nose at the half-chewed food in Wally's mouth.
"Because, you know, I kinda think this place shouldn't be referred to as, 'the abandoned witness protection program safehouse,' not very catchy," Wally said, almost rolling his eyes at her.
"Fine then," Artemis said raising an eyebrow, " What do you want to call it then."
"What about…" Wally said, chewing thoughtfully, "the fortress of solitude."
Dick snorted, "First of all, isn't that the name of Superman's base? And second of all, this isn't solitude, I mean, dude, last time I checked, there were six of us here. Not really solitude to me."
Connor laughed, and Wally frowned, "Fine, but good luck coming up with something as creative as that!"
"Oh yeah, because the 'fortress of solitude' was so original," Dick said, smirking.
"How 'bout," Megan said quietly, biting her lip, "The Cave?"
"The Cave?" Dick asked thinking.
Megan smiled, "Yeah, like the Batcave, but as in, our own cave."
"The Cave…" Wally said, still chewing, "It could work."
Wally then narrowed his eyes, and manipulated his voice to be deeper, "Hey sexy… Wanna come see my cave?"
Artemis snorted, "As if any self-respecting girl who doesn't want to get assaulted or murdered will go home with a guy that asks if he wants to come to his cave."
Wally sniffed, looking affronted.
"Well I like it," Connor said, pushing his empty plate of spaghetti forward.
"The Cave," Kaldur said, testing it out," The Cave. I think it is appropriate, considering this building's rock walls."
Dick smirked, "Only you, Kal, will look at the name because of the 'building's rock walls.'"
Kaldur chuckled.
Wally grinned, "Well I like it."
"Fine. The Cave it is."