WARNING: Seriously, super incomplete chapter – one that most likely wouldn't have even made it to the final cut since the timing of events wouldn't make sense.

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XX

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Pineapple juice?

[Slurps] Ahh.
Just what the Doctor ordered.

How's the arm doing, Wally? Well, nothing wrong nachos can't cure.

Nachos? Oh! I'll go get you some.

Aah! [Beeps] - [Grunting] - Good work, everyone.
In fact, it's been a very productive week.
Yeah, for everyone except kid malingerer.
Hey! Arm broken in combat against the Injustice League here.
[Chuckles] I've really enjoyed being your, uh, den mother this week.
Recognized: Zatara, one, one.
[Whirring] Access granted.
Zatanna, Zatara.
A-zero-3.
Authorization: Zatara, one, one.
[Whirring] Zatanna, this is the team.
Team, my daughter, Zatanna.
- Hi! I'm - Robin! Ahem.
I mean, I'm Robin.
Heh.
She's M'gann, and that's Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, and Connor.
- Welcome to the Cave.
- Thanks.
So, uh, are you joining the team? Let's not get ahead of ourselves.
This is strictly a visit.
But I am sorry we missed the training.
It's something from which Zatanna could benefit.
[Thinking]

XX

"Do the rest of you get the impression we're still on probation with Zatara?" Green girl asked, turning to face us with a light frown.

"Zatara isn't the only one," Connor added grumpily. "I mean seriously, why is Marvel still hanging around?"

"Because we like having him around," Wally protested.

"Man-boy's my favorite," I agreed wholeheartedly, ignoring the affronted look it earned from my human. Rolling her eyes, blond-girl stared at the injured redhead accusingly.

"You like having him around 'cause he waits on you hand and foot." Turning her pointed look towards me, she lifted an eyebrow with amusement."And you just like him because he treats you like a canine Wally."

"That's not – "

"I've seen you sneaking off to play fetch with him outside more than once, Wolf. Remember that time I caught him – "

"You promised you wouldn't talk about that!" I mentally shouted, my embarrassment creeping over to the others through the link.

"Now this I've gotta hear." Robin smirked, rubbing his hands evilly.

"They're going to find out eventually," blond girl prodded. "You want me to tell them or do I have to do it?"

"…..Fine." Taking in a deep breath, I closed my eyes and tried to shut out the humiliation of what I was about to admit.

"I….I grew to like man-boy a lot after you rescued me from India. Since then whenever he saw me he –" I swallowed hard and opened my eyes, forcing myself to confront their curious stares.

"He gave me tummy rubs and dog treats."

The team stared at me uncomprehendingly for a few seconds.

"Wait, that's it?"

"No. The thing is….he still does it. Whenever I'm a wolf he likes to have me do tricks; if I do them he'll pet my stomach and give me treats as a reward."

Wally burst out laughing, his injured arm cradled into his stomach as he bent over from the force of his mirth.

"Oh my god Wolf, you seriously crack me up," he gasped out, a stray tear running down his cheeks.

"Look," blond-girl got back on track with an amused smile. "Pampering aside, at the end of the day Marvel's just another in the long line of watchful babysitters since Tornado left."

"It almost makes one nostalgic for Red Tornado's tenure as our supervisor," sea-boy sighed.

"Yeah," Robin's smirk became a dark grimace. "At least he trusted us."

"If you ignore the fact we shouldn't have trusted him!" Connor interjected incredulously."He was a traitor; that machine nearly got all of us killed."

"Hey," a voice broke in. Looking around, we all turned to face the brunette from earlier. "Are you guys having a psychic conversation?" she asked casually. "Because if you are I can't decide if that's cool or just really rude."

After glancing at each other uncomfortably, Connor stepped forward and addressed the adult heroes now watching us curiously.

"All right, fine; we were talking about 's been weeks since his attack, and the League still hasn't told us anything."

"The League is searching for Tornado and the other androids that invaded the Cave as well as their creator, T.O. Morrow," screeching-woman explained patiently. "Batman's made tracking them down our highest priority."

"But you haven't found any of them," Robin argued restlessly.

"Not yet, but Tornado is Justice League.We will find him; the team is not to pursue this."

XX

XX
Why don't you all take Zatanna on a, uh, a tour of the Cave?

[Snores] Ah.
You're giving a tour? Cool! Actually, I was hoping you'd take wolf outside.
He needs the exercise.
We'll join you in a few.
Sure, sure.
I can do that.
Come on, wolf.
What – My nachos!

XX

"You guys are leaving me behind to play distraction with Man-boy while you go off to find this 'Tornado' person, aren't you?" I asked resignedly.

"Sorry Wolf, but it would really help us out if you could keep them busy for a while," Robin replied apologetically.

"I'll make it up to you," my human promised. He paused for a moment, a smirk in his voice when he spoke again. "I'll even give you a tummy rub."

"I hate you guys sometimes."

"Well, now we know all we have to do is feed you a few dog biscuits and you'll do just about anything," Wally taunted.

"I'm eating your nachos as we speak, Wally. Wow, Man-boy really outdid himself on these too – he actually layered them and used extra cheese and salsa; this might just be his best creation yet."

"Aw, man."

"We appreciate your cooperation Wolf, and will let you know if we come across any significant clues," Sea-boy promised; a hint of a smile in his tone.

"Don't worry about it; it'll give me plausible deniability. Let me know how it went when you get back and don't do anything too stupid. Also, don't leave me behind like this again, I don't appreciate being separated from my pack without warning, it makes my wolf edgy. Be safe Co – you guys."

"We will," multiple voices chorused.

"I will," Connor murmured quietly.

XX

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So, good kidnapping? Actually, yeah.
Best ever.
Heh.
First of many, I hope.
If my dad doesn't ground me for life.
She's grounded for life! "They're good kids, Giovanni.
" "Don't worry, Giovanni.
" She's never joining this team.
Um, are they coming out to play or what?