Chapter 17:
The team was hanging out in the Watchtower cafeteria. The League was having another meeting. They obviously weren't allowed but they didn't mind much. Unlike the early years of the team they were secure in their position and could easily get the information anyway. The elder team members, such as Aqualad, Tigress, Batgirl, Ms. Martian and Superboy were often invited to League meetings anyway. They were a bit suspicious that they hadn't been invited to this one, but there seemed to be more important matters.
Nightwing walked into the room unnoticed. That was the magic of being trained by the Batman. Though there were two other people in the room trained by the Batman, who noticed him almost immediately, but they had seen him a few days ago at Alfred's mandatory family dinner. They decided he would approach them if they were needed. Like Batgirl and Robin, Artemis also noticed Nightwing come in but kept quiet. If he wanted to be noticed he would say something. Superboy who had heard another heartbeat seemed to agree. His girlfriend, Ms. Martian, not so much. As soon as the familiar presence of Nightwing came into the room she felt it.
"You're back!" She squealed, flying over and immediately giving Nightwing a giant hug.
"It's nice to see you too M'gann," Dick laughed. He was feeling a bit more optimistic. Even though there first attempt didn't work he had a feeling Wally would be home soon.
Everyone eagerly greeted their old teammate. Mal clapped him on the shoulder and his girlfriend gave Nightwing a kiss on the cheek.
"Nightwing! I have so much to tell you!" Cassie hugged him so hard he felt his ribs bruise.
"Later Cass. I promise."
"L'gann" he greeted the Atlantean who gave him a formal handshake.
Gar (Beast Boy) ran over and flung his arms around Nightwing's waist. He ruffled the younger boy's hair affectionately.
"You've grown a few inches Gar."
"Soon I'll be taller than you!" The eleven year old puffed out his chest causing the older girls to giggle.
"I want to show you my newest souvenir for the collection," the green boy grabbed the older hero's hand. He tried dragging him away when M'gann led him away instead.
"Another time Gar. Everyone wants to say hi to Nightwing. I'm sure he'll be happy to see after he's done."
Nightwing chuckled, "I will. You'll have to tell me all about how you got them."
"Nightwing! Looking good, well not as good as me," Bart blabbered. He didn't notice Dick's sharp intake of breath of seeing Bart in the Kid Flash suit. He sounded like Wally at that age when he made a joke about looking good. "This is so crash!" Bart continued.
"It's good to see you Hermano," Jaime pushed Bart away stopping the ongoing speedster.
"It's great to see you as well Jaime. The Scarab been giving you trouble?"
"Na, I've kept him in line."
"That's good. You been keeping Jaime in line Kal?" Nightwing turned to Aqualad.
"It is good to see you my friend," the Atlantean placed his fist to his forehead in a sign of respect but Nightwing was having none of that. He gave his old Atlantean friend a hug and took the opportunity to whisper in his ear, "We need to talk."
Aqualad had at first assumed an expression of surprise. Nightwing had not given him a hug in years, but the whisper relieved his shock. He wondered what was going on.
Nightwing had just stopped hugging Aqualad when he felt a strong arm grab his head in a wrestlers hold. His head was stuck in Superboy's elbow as the older boy gave him a noogie.
"Kon!" he whined sounding just as he did in those first years of the team as Robin. That didn't gain him any sympathy, the others just laughed.
"B.G, Robin, long time no see," he said as he finally got out of Conner's hold.
"Very funny. You patrolled with us three days ago before dinner," Tim said dryly. His brother didn't just chuckled annoying Tim more.
"Come here!" He pulled his brother into a hug. Tim groaned, making the older bird cringe a little inside. Jason used to do the same thing when he gave him hugs. He guessed it was a thing with boys that age.
He looked over to Artemis wanting to catch up but she didn't meet his eyes. Instead she got up and left the room. Nightwing sighed, this was all his fault.
Now that he had greeted everyone he decided it was time to get down to business. "Aqualad, is it okay if we talk now?" Aqualad nodded but Beast Boy gave a noise of protest, "I promise to come see your souvenirs later," he placated the younger boy.
Then he and Aqualad walked toward the balcony, after Aqualad walked out the door Nightwing turned and called out, "Batgirl, I want you here too." Batgirl started heading over and the team dispersed but then Nightwing decided he wasn't finished, "You too, Bart."
The speedster looked surprised, everyone else did as well. To be called in for a private meeting with all three team leaders, current and former, was huge. Why was Bart needed?