Chapter Four: The Fallout
Happy Harbor
September 23, 09:46 EDT
Gabrielle sat, hugging her legs, as she watched her sister play gleefully in the sand. She gave a sigh, dropping her head to her knees. She lamented how she seemed unable to find any sense of normalcy in her newfound life, frustrated the she couldn't seem to do much to improve her current woes.
"You weren't kidding about the beach." A voice suddenly spoke from behind her.
Without a moment's hesitation, Gabrielle quickly moved to a kneeling position, taking up a defensive pose as she turned to face the source of the voice. She gave pause as she slowly registered the vaguely familiar figure of Roy.
She cocked her head, eyeing the boy curiously as she fell back into a sitting position. "What're you doing here?"
Roy gave a shrug. "A casual stroll along the beach?" He responded, giving a nod to her arm now, his expression concerned. "What happened to your arm?"
She glanced down to her bandaged arm now, reassessing her forgotten injury, and fought the memories as spots of red poked out from underneath the wrap. "Played with fire when I shouldn't have." She responded, almost remorsefully. She took a breath, taking a moment to gather herself before turning back to Roy with a shrug. "It'll heal."
Roy cocked a brow in question. "It looks pretty nasty from what I can tell." He responded. "You may want to get it checked out."
Gabrielle gave a sudden grimace. "I'll pass. Doctor's and I… don't mix." She responded flatly. "I don't really have the time right now anyway, there's a lot on my plate."
"Like?" Roy questioned, taking a seat beside her now.
Gabrielle eyed him curiously before responding. "I need to find somewhere for Nat and me to stay for a while."
"What happened to where you were staying?" He questioned, eyeing the woman beside him.
"It uh… it was a friend's place. It recently got trashed and we… didn't really see eye-to-eye on the matter." She responded, subconsciously hugging her legs once more as she stared off to the water, recalling the events from earlier that morning.
Mount Justice
September 23, 06:34 EDT
Gabrielle seemed unable to do more than pace around the mission room, ignoring as her 'mentor' and Green Arrow were tending to the team, in addition to Natalia, whom sat at a picnic-style table that'd been set up atop the training mat, practically demanding answers from the Leaguers. She turned to watch a moment as Aqualad was engaged in a conversation with Batman, a conversation which appeared to be rather serious, though she haven't the mind, or even the energy, to try and listen in.
She continued her pacing, mindlessly, her thoughts drifting to her sister, to the horror that played out last night. How she couldn't reasonably find words to explain how everything got so royally messed up, and how she couldn't explain to her sister that the robot she found so fascinating has seemingly turned traitor and tried to kill them all.
She locked eyes with the child in question now, the younger staring as if she knew what Gabrielle was thinking. Gabrielle wouldn't have been surprised if Natalia had a correct guess as to what her sister had been pondering, she may be a kid, but she wasn't as naïve as everyone would like to believe.
Without much warning Superboy suddenly had a tight grip on the straps of Aqualad's outfit, shoving him away from Batman and saying something Gabrielle didn't have time to hear, but she was quick to follow as Miss Martian flew over to the pair in distress.
"Conner, what are you doing?!" The young Martian questioned.
"Kaldur knew we had a traitor among us and said nothing!" Superboy answered as she landed near him, a glare set on his features towards their leader.
His fellow teammates followed in that sentiment as they approached, Robin quick to speak up. "You knew?!"
"And you didn't tell us?!" Kid Flash added in.
Aqualad gave a quick glance to his friends as he responded. "I sought to protect the team from- "
"Protect us from what?!" Artemis echoed. "Knowledge that might've saved our lives?!"
"You almost died!" Superboy spoke up, turning to Miss Martian now who eyed her friend in shock.
"That's enough!" Gabrielle called, shoving Superboy away from their leader and pointing an accusing finger to the boy of steel. "You need to cool your temper before you do something you regret."
Superboy turned his anger onto their newest member, shoving her finger out of his face. "Don't tell me what to do." He snarled.
"You're on the verge of a temper tantrum, so someone has to!" Gabrielle snapped in response, turning to address her fellow team members now. "Yeah, maybe it sucks Aqualad held back some information. But he's your leader, and from my understanding you all made the call to appoint him as such." She gestured to Aqualad now. "He was likely doing what he felt was best in order to protect this team, who also happens to be his friends!"
"What do you know?!" Kid snapped in response. "You're only defending him because you've been here what? Five minutes? You've no reason to be mad at him."
"My sister is here." Gabrielle snapped back, a glare now shot at the speedster. "She had the potential to be in every bit of danger the rest of us were," she took a step towards him now, "Regardless of feelings, that still doesn't give you the right to be out for blood!" She shot a look to the rest of her team. "Especially when you all refuse to let him so much as defend himself!"
Everyone seemed to make to retort but everyone's attention was claimed and turned back to the League members present.
"Enough!" Batman said simply, shooting a glare to the young heroes. Once content he had their attention he continued. "With Red Tornado… missing, the team will not be overseen by rotating supervisors." He took a step to the side, glancing back as Captain Marvel approached, a smile present on the latter's face. "Captain Marvel has volunteered to take the first shift."
"I'm really looking forward to hanging with you guys." Captain Marvel said, prompting looks among the members of the Team.
Superboy's attention was turned to Aqualad, both boys giving equal glares to one another. The boy of steel spoke first. "After I dismantle Red Tornado, you and I are gonna- "
"Red Tornado is a member of the Justice League." Batman cut in as he now stood directly in front of the two boys in question. "That makes him a League responsibility." He gave the pair a warning look. "You will leave him to us."
Before he could receive any complaints, he turned around, gesturing to a newspaper article that was now shown on the holo-screen. "I have another assignment for this team." Batman spoke as everyone gathered to see the article.
"'Gotham mayor attacked by Guerilla Gorilla'?" Kid Flash read aloud as the article changed to one from the Gotham Truth Rag.
"Batman, please!" Robin pleaded as he stepped forward. "Tell me you're not sending us on this joke of a wild ape chase."
"I never joke about the mission." His mentor responded, shooting his protégé a look, prompting the young bird to glance away, a frown set on his features.
Batman seemed to address the team now. "I've checked the sources. I've studied the patterns." He continued the briefing. "Mayor Hill's encounter is only the latest of a series of incidents." He turned to Aqualad now. "Aqualad, you and your team will depart for India and check this out."
Aqualad gave a nod in response, turning to his team as they walked past, Kid brushing against their leader, pausing to shoot him a glare. "Hmph. You team." He echoed bitterly before rejoining the rest of the team as they exited to the hanger.
Gabrielle and Aqualad both seemed to shoot a look at Kid, the latter's more of an apprehensive stare compared to the former's glare. Gabrielle turned and put a hand to Aqualad's shoulder. "They'll come around."
"I am not so sure." He responded, following the rest of his team now.
Gabrielle gave a sigh, moving to follow when batman's voice met her ears. "You are not permitted to go." He spoke.
Gabrielle turned to eye the man as everyone seemed to turn to watch the scene now. "And why not?" She questioned defiantly.
"You're not trained. You're a liability." Batman replied. "You're staying here. That's an order."
"That's such a load of crap!" Gabrielle responded, her arms crossed now, glancing to her mentor as well as the dark knight. "You're the ones who wanted me on this team because I could be an asset, and now I'm a liability? Which is it?"
"Gabrielle…" Canary spoke up gently, taking a step towards her protégé.
"You are prohibited from missions until further notice." Batman interjected. "Am I understood?"
Gabrielle shot the man a glare, taking a step towards him. "Technically speaking, if I'm prohibited from being any part of this team, then why should I listen to you?" Before anyone had a chance to offer a rebuttal, Gabrielle turned to her sister and motioned for her to follow as she headed for an exit. "Come on Nat."
Natalia glanced hesitantly to the adults before running to catch up with her sister, the pair leaving the cave without another word.
"Hey. Hey, are you okay?"
Gabrielle gave a small gasp as she was pulled abruptly from her thoughts, glancing to Roy wide-eyed before she slowly began to remember the events of the past few minutes.
Roy gave the younger teen a curious glance. "Are you okay?" He questioned. "You zoned out."
"Yeah…" She answered hesitantly, when she received a skeptical look in return she quickly continued. "I'm fine, really. I was just, lost in thought. Thank you for your concern though."
Before more could be said, the two quickly turned as a voice spoke up behind them. "Am I interrupting something?"
Gabrielle smiled as she quickly recognized the dark-haired man, resisting a chuckle as he adjusted the glasses resting on his nose. She nodded to his suit as she spoke. "A little fancy for the beach, don't you think?" She questioned, a playful tone evident in her voice.
"I'm on assignment." He responded simply.
Gabrielle nodded, fighting a smirk as she glanced to Roy. "Would you mind watching Natalia for a minute?" She asked.
Roy eyed her curiously but nodded. "Sure."
"Thank you." Gabrielle responded as she stood, following the man as they walked out of earshot of Roy and Natalia in particular.
Gabrielle shoved her hands into her pockets as she smiled, eyeing the man once more. "It's been a while, Clark." She commented.
"I thought maybe you'd be more welcoming to a friendly face." He responded before giving a shrug accompanied by a small smile. "You're also currently on a public beach. I feel a cape would draw more attention that needed."
Gabrielle chocked back a laugh. "Fair point." She commented, before giving a sigh. "I'm guessing Batman called you?"
"From what I'm told, you didn't seem to give him many options." Clark responded. Upon receiving a frown, he continued. "I understand it's an adjustment, Gabrielle. I do. And I miss them too. But for right now this is the best place for you and Natalia to be."
Gabrielle looked to her feet a moment before returning the gaze of her friend. "Don't get me wrong, I'm grateful for you doing what you can to help us. I don't know where Natalia and I'd be right now if not for you and the League." She spoke, furrowing her brows as she continued. "It's just… I don't know why I'm here. Supposedly on this team when I'm prohibited from missions, and all I can seem to do is upset the guy that's supposed to be my…." She threw a hand up. "Whatever he's supposed to be."
"The League is concerned that your emotions could cloud your judgement right now, especially where Natalia is concerned." Clark responded, prompting Gabrielle to avoid eye contact. "Which isn't to say you're not justified in your feelings, you've been through something traumatic, not to mention discovering your mother isn't who you thought she was," Gabrielle avoided his gaze now, "but that doesn't mean we're willing to risk your life by putting you out in the field if you're not emotionally stable, and especially since you've had no formal training"
Gabrielle gave a sigh, finally turning back to lock eyes with the reporter. "So what am I supposed to do?"
"Take some time, away from the team. Get your emotions in check, Canary will help, I know she's offered, and she's your mentor now, she's trustworthy. Not to mention she chose you, Gabrielle, which is no small feat. You've impressed her." He put a hand to her shoulder. "Now you need to trust she can help you."
Gabrielle made to argue but gave another sigh. "Alright, I'll take the time off. And I'll agree to training with Canary." She said, before suddenly becoming aware as Natalia attached herself to her sister's leg. Clark and Gabrielle both gave the child a smile before locking eyes once more as Gabrielle continued, putting a hand to her sister's head. "But where are Nat and I supposed to stay, if I'm taking time off from… everything?"
"You two can stay with me." Roy offered as he approached, earning the attention of Gabrielle and Clark both. "I mean, I don't live in town, I'm only here visiting a friend, and it's not a big apartment…"
"That sounds perfect." Clark interrupted, casting a glance to Gabrielle. "Like I said, some time away would be good for you."
"You can't be serious." Gabrielle responded with a grimace. "I barely know the guy."
"He seems trustworthy." Clark commented, giving a shrug now. "And it's just until things are sorted, right?"
Gabrielle made to argue but gave a sigh. "Right…" She muttered reluctantly.
"Then you'll be fine." Clark reassured her, placing a hand to her shoulder. "You go enjoy some time away, and I'll let you know when things have changed."
Gabrielle caught as he meant to comment further, an unspoken phrase hung between the two, one that her mother would say whenever any of them would leave the house; 'Stay safe.'
Gabrielle gave him a nod, earning a smile from the reporter before he excused himself and made his exit. Gabrielle gave a sigh, turning as Roy spoke up behind her.
"Should I ask how you know him?" He questioned.
"He was a friend of my mother's." Gabrielle replied, casting a glance to where the man had gone before locking eyes with Roy once more. "You said you're not from around here?" Once receiving a nod, she questioned further. "Where are you from?"
Roy paused a moment, seemingly content to stare at her before finally answering. "Have you ever heard of Star City?"