Disclaimer: I do not own Young Justice!
"We have failed again," Aqualad said in a heavy voice, head bowed in shame. The team was reporting back to Batman after their latest mission in protecting high tech scientific equipment as it was transported to a new facility.
Robin frowned, shaking his head slowly in frustration. "I don't understand how, we did everything how we were supposed to! There was no hidden tracker or GPS; nothing that could've given us away. So why…"
His voice trailed off, followed by a palpable silence. No one looked at each another, instead staring at the ground. Several minutes passed before Batman cleared his throat, startling the teens out of the cloud of gloom that hung over their heads.
"Either way, you followed orders and the technology isn't irreplaceable, so you can consider this mission a success." He gave Aqualad a quick nod before turning and walking away.
The teammates looked at one another is surprise; did Batman just try to cheer them up? Robin broke the silence with a laugh, his trademark cocky smile returning. "We must have messed up pretty bad if The Bats had to cheer us up."
Kid Flash immediately followed with a laugh of his own, grinning back at his best friend. "Yeah, that was weird. Never thought I'd see Batman being the cheerleader." The best friends stared at each other for a few seconds before bursting into hysterics. Artemis and Kaldur watched them with a half smile while Superboy stared with a raised eyebrow and the hint of a grin.
Everyone's mood was soon lifted as Artemis proceeded to taunt and tease Wally into a fury; Robin and Aqualad watched while making bets as to when they'd go out. Superboy looked at the scene for a moment before noticing Megan was missing from the group's festivities. He turned around just as she walked quietly by, heading down the same hallway Batman had disappeared through earlier.
Superboy paused for a moment, contemplating what to do, before going after her. He quickened his pace and was about to call out to her when he saw her pause in front of a door. The Martian had a serious look on her face, worry dominating her features. She fiddled with a piece of her hair for a few seconds before balling her hands into fists, going into camouflage, opening the door slightly, and slipping in, closing the door shut. Superboy stepped carefully up to the door and listened intently.
"- we can't continue to let her go out like this, she could seriously get hurt," Green Arrow insisted, followed by the sound of a fist pounding on wood.
Batman replied, his agitation poor disguised, "She knows the risks, and she accepted this from early on. And until we find out exactly what the Shadows and the Light are up to, we can't stop."
Green Arrow laughed harshly. "We're as close to finding out as we'll ever be. You've noticed how their missions keep failing because somehow they're always one step ahead of us – don't pretend you haven't, I know you've been watching them – how the information she gives us is never quite right. We're being played as long as we continue this."
The Martian Manhunter interjected, "I have to disagree on your last statement Green Arrow; I have looked into her mind several times and find no falsehood in her statements or memories. Everything we've been told is true."
"Then why do we keep messing up? Why are we always too late?" Green Arrow shouted. He was answered by silence, followed by the scraping of a chair.
"You're sure what she's saying is true?" Batman asked.
"Yes," the Manhunter replied.
"Then there's nothing left to say."
More chairs scraped against the floor and Superboy took this as his cue to leave. Megan flew out of the room a few seconds later, catching up with him once they reached the kitchen.
"You… you were listening too?" Megan asked, cheeks pink with embarrassment.
"Yeah," he answered, smiling lightly. He couldn't blame her for her curiosity.
She was fiddling with her hair again and biting her lip. "I didn't plan on it, but after what Robin said I just couldn't stop wondering what was going on. I was just going to talk to Batman about it, but then I saw they were all together in a room and I …" she paused in her ramblings, a dejected look on her face.
Superboy was surprised; he had always thought she was carefree, if not a bit of an airhead. She had given this greater consideration than the rest of the team had, himself included. Unsure how to cheer her up, he awkwardly patted her head, averting her gaze.
"It's alright," he said quietly. His hand had stopped now and rested gingerly on her head.
A peaceful calm filled the room. They both tried their best not to look at one another, but their eyes were drawn together. Both of them blushing brightly, the Martian decided to break the ice.
"It's Artemis," she said. He gave her a confused look and she added, "Who they were talking about. It was Artemis."
Superboy chucked, "I figured. Didn't think Green Arrow would be so upset if it wasn't."
Megan laughed as well but a frown curled onto her lips again. "It sounds like she's in danger." She looked up at him, brown eyes big with concern. "What should we do?"
He gulped, fingers threading through her hair against his will (not really). "Nothing, for now. Batman will take care of it."
She nodded and they stayed quiet; less than a foot away from each other. He looked down at the same time she looked up at him, staring. His hand traveled down from her hair to the side of her face, thumb caressed her cheeks. She leaned into his touch, closing her eyes. He felt his own cheeks grow warm as he studied her, watching the rhythm of her chest as it rose and fell. A strand of hair fell on her cheeks and he brushed it away, pushing it behind her ear. His fingers lightly brushed the outer part of her ear, earning a shiver.
Her eyes opened slowly, glazed over with an unknown emotion that was mirrored in his own. She pursed her lips slightly, eyes narrowing as his lips lowered to meet hers. They were less than a fraction away, so close, when he heard approaching footsteps. He stepped away from her, looking the other way as their teammates stormed into the kitchen.
"Hey guys! Didn't know you were still here…" Megan smiled brightly at them. A little too bright. For a split second she turned her face away and Superboy thought he saw her blot her eyes, pouting.
Kid Flash moved closer to Megan, giving her a rather lecherous smile. "I was hoping for dessert."
The Martian was clueless to his none-too-obvious suggestion, but Superboy wasn't. In a sweep he grabbed at Megan, pulling her close to him in a possessive but rather gentle hold.
"Sorry," he growled, "but we're busy." He then proceeding to basically carry her out, an astounded but delighted look on her face.
Wally watched the encounter with equal surprise, but Artemis just sighed and smacked the back of his head. Robin and Aqualad exited the room at this point, tired of hearing their constant banter and sexual tension.
He whirled around to face her, yelling. "Ouch! What was that for?"
She shook her head and rolled her eyes in disbelief. "For being such an idiot."
A/N: I feel like a cheating girlfriend with my constant excuses as to why my updates are so late. This time it's college, even though it is a legitimate excuse! I've got seven classes and tons of homework x/ But enough of that! I have -gasp- an actual plot coming along. I've been writing it up and so far, so good. Also trying to write longer chapters. Wow, this was a long note. Thanks for the reviews, leave more please, kthanxbai.