Sorry for the long break (again) between updates. But here is the next chapter. FYI, I'm tweaking the concept a bit, making it like 24, and having everything happen in a day (24 hours).
Enjoy!
"Explanation. Now," Bruce Wayne growled. "What are you doing here?"
"Mr. Wayne," Megan started.
"Bruce," Dick said, trying to ignore the fact that all of his friends were looking at him in expectancy.
"It was my idea," Kaldur confessed. "Mr. Wayne, I thought it would have been a nostalgic idea to revisit the site of many memorable events."
Bruce Wayne took a deep breath and looked at each of the young adults in turn. "Fine. The League's conferences will be taking place all day. The original members can show Cassie and Tim around the Cave. I'm sure you can find some food in Happy Harbor. Do not destroy the Cave."
Without another word, Bruce turned to the zeta tubes and was gone in an instant.
"Well then," Wally said, breaking the silence. "What to do now?"
"Wally," Artemis groaned. "Please stop making a scene."
Tim Drake and Cassie Sandsmark looked at each other, both were a little uncomfortable with the endless bantering between Wally and Artemis.
"The news is running all-day coverage on the League's conferences," Zatanna said. "Do you guys want to watch it?"
"Please," Brittany scoffed. "Who wants to watch the boring conferences? Why don't we head to the beach?"
"I'm with Zatanna on this one," Dick said looking at his girlfriend. "The League's conferences will deal with a lot of different issues. They could be interesting."
Brittany huffed and rolled her eyes, but stayed silent.
"Why don't we take a vote?" Kaldur suggested, ever the diplomat. "Who ever wishes to stay and watch the conferences, raise their hand."
Conner, Kaldur, Zatanna, Dick, Raquel, and Cassie raised their hands. Brittany pouted, and crossed her arms dramatically.
"Let's go!" Megan chirped and lead the group over to the large living room and turned the huge flat screen on.
"Almost the entire League is assembled on the steps of the Hall of Justice, ready to begin the conferences," Cat Grant, a news reporter, announced. "U.N. Ambassador Clark Kent is ready to address the media about the conferences."
"The main conferences will take place all day today, but several clean-up conferences will be taking place over these next few days. A private location has been arranged so that the League cannot be disturbed during conferences."
Immediately an onslaught of protests came from the media reporters, but Kent as well as the other Leaguers with him disappeared into the Hall.
"They're heading up to the Watchtower," Wally said blatantly but was immediately whacked in the head by Artemis.
"Wally," Megan countered. "The League just wants some privacy for their conferences."
The group turned back to the television when G. Gordon Godfrey's shrill voice pierced the silence. "So...the League for Peace has a 'private' location for their conferences. What else are they hiding from the public eye? They claim to be working towards peace but what if Wayne Enterprises starts making weapons to use against the public. What if Giovanni Zatarra, the so-called magician, starts using those illusionist powers to make our hard-earned money...disappear?!"
The Cave was silent, the entire team, looking at either Dick or Zatanna. Cassie and Tim were looking at each other in confusion.
"Zee," Artemis said, her eyes softening at the shock on her friends face.
"Dick?" Megan asked hesitantly, but the dark-haired young man just stormed out of the room, followed quickly by Zatanna.
How could they do that? Zatanna thought, in disbelief. My father...probably the only person on the League who hasn't made any public enemies.
"Uh," Zatanna's breath was knocked out of her as she ran into a tall body. "I'm so sorry." She looked up and was staring into the dark blue eyes of Richard Grayson.
"I wasn't looking where I was going," Dick apologized, his voice thick.
Zatanna turned away and covered her mouth. Do not cry. Do not cry. She told herself but when she felt strong arms around her shoulders she broke down.
"What's wrong, Ze-Zatanna?" Dick prayed that she hadn't heard him almost use her nickname, trying not sound too familiar.
"It's G. Gordon," she said, leaning out of Dick's embrace. "Why would he try and focus suspicion on the League. On my dad? He hasn't done anything to offend anyone. Least of all Godfrey."
"That man thrives off the suspicion and anger of his viewers. He was just trying to make the League look bad."
"I guess," Zatanna said, wiping her eyes, trying to hide her blush. "I just didn't think anyone could be that spiteful."
Dick had nothing to say. Zatanna was fiercely loyal to her father, and her mind tried to comprehend the evil in the world. "I don't think Godfrey knew who he was talking about."
Zatanna looked at him in confusion, as his signature smile appeared. "Because when he threatens the Zatara family, he threatens me."
She looked at his smiling face and laughed. "Thank you, Dick. You...have no idea how much that means to me."
Dick smiled and pulled the dark-haired young woman into another embrace. No Zee, he thought, gently looking into Zatanna's shoulder. You have no idea how much this means to me.
So this was really more of a transition chapter. Stay tuned for more of the action and I seriously want your input on the 24-type idea. This would have the events of the story taking place in a day. I really, really, want your opinion on this concept.
R&R :-)