I am so sorry for keeping you waiting for so long! Several things have changed for me and really put my life into perspective. I have been working on this chapter bit by bit and it has kept me relatively sane throughout this time.
All that aside, I really hope that this loooong chapter is worth the wait. I'm actually worried about this one since it's fairly DEATH BY FLUFFY, but that is what many of you have requested regarding the infamous "Beach Scene". I offer this flufftastic chapter as a peace offering along with the assurance that it won't take me well over a three months to get the next couple of chapters out!
I am so happy with all the reviews I got for the last chapter! It seriously broke my heart that I couldn't get this out to you guys faster! Thank you all so much. I replied to all your reviews at the end of this chapter.
Disclaimer: I do not, nor do I pretend to have any ownership of Young Justice or the DC Universe. I do however take full ownership of Catlyn
Captivating Sympathy
Chapter Nine: Like A Cat To Water
With the exception of a sickening yellow discoloration, Catlyn's wrist was slowly returning to normal. The brace was still worn during times of strain such as training, but its usefulness was becoming less and less frequent. Both her ankle and previously swollen cheek had healed completely through the use of mountains of ice and what she would refer to as her imprisonment to a single location.
Gotham City Academy was currently undergoing construction to patch up the demolished classrooms and the gaping hole in the upper wall of the gymnasium from the team's last mission. This development provided Catlyn with time to recuperate inconspicuously and avoid questions about the origin of her injuries. The students were not on a vacation by any means though as homework for the time missed was constantly being sent out and expected to be completed by the time classes reconvened. In response, Catlyn and Robin had taken over the living room, claiming it as their personal study hall. Kaldur and Superboy had no problem in leaving the two studious teens be and spent several hours training during the day while Megan watched before making dinner.
Despite the pair being bombarded with the influx of assignments, Wally still found the situation outrageously unfair. "Comfy chairs!" he grumbled from the kitchen, seeing Robin sitting on one of the green couches while Catlyn was huddled around the coffee table.
"You have a new one every day," Catlyn commented flatly on Wally's comparisons of school and Mount Justice without looking up from the last bits of her history homework.
Robin glanced down at her and grinned before he finished editing Catlyn's English paper. He leaned over and set it on the table haphazardly. "Yeah," he agreed, "but yesterday's was pretty good."
"What did I say yesterday?" Wally asked through a mouthful of cake Megan had made earlier that day.
"We don't have to suffer through cafeteria food," Robin smirked as Wally visibly shuddered.
Catlyn set her pencil down and stretched before gathering up her many scattered assignments and placed them in their respected class folders. "Finally finished," she sighed and closed her eyes, leaning her head back on the cushions of the couch behind her.
"Took you long enough," Robin teased, chuckling when Catlyn opened her eyes and stuck her tongue out at him in response.
Wally cast a look at the clock in the kitchen and back at Catlyn and Robin. "Get a late start? Why are you just finishing up at six?" he asked perplexed.
"We decided-" Robin began before being interrupted by a loud humorless laugh from Catlyn. "Fine," he conceded, "I decided that we should do tomorrow's assignments when they got here instead of waiting to do them in the morning." He directed his attention over to Catlyn with a small smile. "You'll thank me tomorrow," he said, sounding rather sure of himself.
Catlyn slowly picked her head up off the couch and stared at him, trying to figure out what he had planned. Her time spent studying Robin's features was cut short as her focus was broken by Wally's voice.
"Why didn't you just leave when you were finished, Cat?" Wally asked. "There are plenty of places to go around here," he said, gesturing to the several exits around the cave with a banana.
"I can't go anywhere without Robin," Catlyn responded with a shrug, only half explaining her situation.
Wally looked between his two teammates and smirked at the brilliant teasing opportunity that had been set before him. Discarding his banana, he sped into the living room and pinched Catlyn's cheek with one hand and Robin's with the other. "Daww, how cute," he said, pulling their cheeks in the direction of the couch's center cushion. Seemingly satisfied that they were now looking at one another, he released them. "Gonna go train," he said, backing away with a smirk. "Don't do anything I wouldn't, you crazy kids."
"Batman grounded her," Robin yelled after Wally, feeling his cheeks heat up at the Speeder's implication.
"Well that's interesting," Catlyn mused as she looked in the direction of the training room, both her cheeks a vibrant shade of pink.
Robin looked down at her, his heart beating rapidly. Try as he might, he couldn't explain the nervousness that gripped him.
She turned her head to look at him. "I didn't think there was anything Wally wouldn't do," she answered with a calm innocence reflected in her large green eyes.
A sense of relief washed over him, leading to several sporadic chuckles being released. He paused for a moment and shook his head, laughing more evenly.
"Well I didn't," Catlyn said in a quiet voice, her blush deepening.
Robin shook his head again as if to signify that he wasn't laughing at her. "You're right. It just sounds wrong coming from him," he said with a large grin.
"Are you going to be staying for dinner Robin?" Megan called as she entered the kitchen, her nose already buried in a cookbook.
"Nah," Robin said as he got up off the couch, "I'd better be getting back to the Batcave." He lowered his hand to Catlyn, pulling her to her feet when she accepted it. "Get some sleep. You'll need it for tomorrow," he said before walking towards the back, more than likely to say his goodbyes to the rest of the team.
Catlyn watched after him, her mind, fried from a marathon of homework, tried to once again figure out what he had planned for tomorrow. Coming up with nothing, she flopped onto the couch and rolled onto her front.
"Boys are confusing, aren't they," Megan offered, looking up from the book for an instant.
Catlyn mumbled the affirmative into the couch's arm rest. It was something she had heard several times, but she began to wonder when she started to care. The more she thought on it, the larger a knot grew in the pit of her stomach.
Catlyn sat up in bed for several hours after bidding everyone an early goodnight. She pulled her knees up to her chest and rested her chin upon them. Several questions and half-baked answers raced around in her mind as she sat in her pitch black room.
Why couldn't boys just say what they meant? Unless they did and girls tried to look deeper for things they wanted to hear. Why are the other boys here not as confusing? Superboy said everything he thought without restraint. With Wally, Catlyn was almost afraid to know what went on in his head, and although Kaldur didn't speak much, he left no question as to his intentions. Why was Robin different? Unless he wasn't and there was nothing that needed to be said. Did-did that bother her?
Although no one was there to see, she hid her face in her hands as a heavy blush tainted her cheeks. She curled up under the covers and willed sleep to take her.
Sleep did eventually come to claim her, but it was far from restful. The thoughts that plagued her before her decent into unconsciousness manifested themselves as dreams, leaving her to toss and turn until morning.
"Wake up Cat. I'll leave you if you aren't ready," a perky voice said from above Catlyn's bed.
Green eyes fluttered open to meet friendly red orbs staring back, crinkled in a smile. Catlyn yawned and stretched, casting a curious glance at Megan before rubbing the sleep from her eyes. "What's goin' on? Where are we going?" she mumbled as she swung her legs over the side of her bed.
Megan regarded her with a look of confusion before understanding crossed her face. "Hello Megan," she said with her trademark tap to her forehead. "You went to sleep before Robin called about going to the beach today."
"The beach?" Catlyn asked dumbfounded. "But I don't-"
"Exactly," Megan said with excitement, holding up her index finger, "which means we have to go out and get what we need. I made a list from what I've seen people do on the TV. According to that we'll need-"
Catlyn tuned Megan out as she gathered clothes to change into after a shower and followed the chatty Martian out into the hallway. She nodded every now and then to appear like she was actively engaged in the conversation as she thought about the day's events that had been set before her. Shopping and water? Oh, she'd thank him alright, she mused with an inaudible grumble.
"Is there anything I missed?" Megan asked after coming to a halt outside Catlyn's bathroom.
Catlyn bit her lower lip and tried to think of something the Martian may have over looked in an effort to continue the ruse that she had been paying attention. "Sunscreen?" she offered.
Megan stared down at her with a blank expression before a small embarrassed giggle escaped her. "I did forget about that part," she admitted with a small blush.
Wondering what the blush was about, Catlyn opened her mouth to ask before the realization struck. "That's not what I meant," she insisted with a blush of her own. "The sun-"
The Martian only giggled once more and forced Catlyn into the bathroom, closing the door behind her. "I'll be waiting at the bioship for you," she called out over Catlyn's sputtering attempts to explain her reasoning for sunscreen.
Catlyn cupped her face in her hands and shook her head. So it was going to be that kind of day.
Following a quick shower, Catlyn quietly meandered through the barren living room on her way to the bioship's docking platform. She waited for Megan to open the hatch, mussing her still damp hair into some semblance of a style. Upon boarding, she paused after casting a glance at Megan.
Although she had seen Megan manipulate their teammates before, it gave her pause to see a perfect replica of Robin sitting in the captain's chair.
"Wow Megan," Catlyn said, sitting in the only other chair as she swiveled to face her. "You look different," she said stating the obvious, at a loss for anything else to say.
"Well of course silly," Megan grinned. "Batman did say you couldn't leave the cave without he or Robin going with you," she explained as the spacecraft became airborne and blended in with the surroundings.
Catlyn nodded and smiled at her, wondering if she understood that this probably wasn't what Batman had in mind. "You've really improved with your shape shifting," she complimented.
The Martian blushed lightly and smiled, turning the focus off herself and on to the matter at hand. "We should be able to get everything from a mall in Happy Harbor. We'll start out with a nice swimsuit for you. You're really cute Cat, so I think a bikini that doesn't show too much skin would be perfect for you. We'll find one that Robin will love."
Catlyn's stomach did a somersault and she could feel an intense heat radiating from her face. "W-what?" she stammered, slightly taken aback by such boldness coming from her teammate.
"Don't you want to look cute for him?" Megan asked as her head morphed back into its usual appearance, worried she had been completely off base with her reading of a potential budding romance between the two.
"Yeah," Catlyn admitted before shaking her head. "I mean no. I mean," she sighed and pulled her knees up to her chest, "I don't know."
Megan landed the ship, still in camouflage mode, on the outskirts of the mall parking lot and opened the hatch. She hugged Catlyn tightly around her shoulders as the petite girl walked past her. "We'll get everything figured out eventually," she said with a reassuring smile before once again completing her Robin replica.
Catlyn smiled up at her and returned the hug, the knot in her stomach easing slightly. "I hope so," she admitted. "Fighting crime is easy compared to this. At least you know where you stand."
Robin walked into Mount Justice already in his swimming attire. He had a cooler in tow and a volleyball under his arm. He cast a quick glance around the living room and smiled at Kaldur. "Ready for the beach?" he asked excitedly, lobbing the ball at the living room's only other inhabitant.
Kaldur caught the ball easily and set it down gently on the floor. "I am curious as to why you chose to organize a beach visit today rather than on a weekend," Kaldur confessed.
Robin tabbed a soda from his cooler and took a large gulp before answering Kaldur's query with a smirk. "Give Wally something else to complain about. That, and it's the last day before Cat and I have to head back to school."
"I see," Kaldur said with a small smile. "So you didn't want Wally to see Catlyn in her bathing-suit."
"Yeah," Robin answered, preparing for another drink. "Wait, no!" he stammered, bringing the can away from his mouth.
Kaldur chuckled at his teammate's catch.
"It-it's not like that. We're just friends," he insisted.
"I didn't say you were anything more," Kaldur responded, a small smile still playing on his lips as Robin flushed. "You seem to be very close to her."
"Yeah? Well, we spend a lot of time together," he reasoned. "We go to school together and on missions together and we train together." His blush had receded, although a light shade of pink still graced his cheeks.
Kaldur nodded, feeling a subtle pleasure in teasing Robin. Perhaps Wally was rubbing off on him more than he had originally thought.
Grunts could be heard coming from the hallway leading to the bioship's docking platform.
"Explain this to me again, Megan. Why did we think it would be a good idea to unload the ship all at once?" Catlyn's frustrated voice wafted into the living room.
Several boxes clattered to the floor.
"This requires a lot more concentration than I originally thought," Megan complained as the pair traipsed through the hallway. Rather than the duo coming into view, the passage was obscured by a wall of boxes from the floor to the ceiling.
"I think we're stuck," Catlyn's muffled voice said from the other side.
Robin and Kaldur exchanged a grin at the ridiculousness of the scene in front of them before beginning to break down the cardboard barrier which separated them from their teammates.
"Thanks Kaldur," Megan smiled as Kaldur and Robin began to pull at the boxes that jutted out the furthest.
"What all did you buy, Megan?" Robin asked, not bothering to mask his amusement as Catlyn came into view, box by box.
"A lot," Catlyn answered before Megan could go through her list for what seemed like the hundredth time in the three hours they had been shopping.
"Oh, we're running late," Megan complained after a quick glance at the clock in the kitchen. She grabbed hold of Catlyn, shoving the bag that contained her teammate's swimsuit into her hands. "We'll unpack while you change," Megan insisted, turning Catlyn around by her shoulders and sending her on her way with a gentle shove.
Not having much of a choice in the matter, Catlyn retreated to her bedroom and changed into her newly attained swimsuit. She blushed at her reflection, wondering why she felt more naked in the cornsilk bikini and board shorts with black trimming than she did in her formfitting catsuit.
A knock at her door jarred her from her thoughts.
She tied a sheer black sarong around her waist and opened the door, surprised to see Superboy leaning on the wall across the hallway. "They sent you to collect me?" she asked, receiving a nod in the affirmative from the clone before he lead the way back to the living room. She followed at a distance, her arms wrapped around her midsection, and wondered how Megan had talked her out of getting a simple one-piece.
"Good, we're all here now," Megan called out excitedly before leading the way out of the cave and onto the beach, clutching a red boogie board. "Hello Megan. We should come to the beach every day," she said, watching the waves break against the shore.
"First, a moment of silence for our absent comrade," Robin remarked, cupping his face in his hand dramatically and somehow refraining from smirking.
"Poor Wally," Megan agreed as she closed her eyes and hung her head ever so slightly.
"The water is calling," Kaldur smiled, leading the charge into the surf. It pleased him to be in a position in which he could feel the comforts of the ocean while remaining with the friends he had made on the surface.
Robin and Megan followed quickly behind him, laughing as they splashed one another before shielding themselves from a wall of water created by a Superboy cannonball.
Catlyn watched from the shore, a small giggle escaping as she shook her head. She gathered her towel and spread it out in the shade before retrieving a book. A small blush graced her cheeks as she continued to rummage and pulled out a small bottle of sunscreen. She retreated to her towel and began to slather the bottle's contents on her bare skin wherever she could reach. Rather than asking for someone to rub it into her back, she instead resigned herself to not expose it to the sun.
The book was engrossing and she soon lost herself within its pages. The sound of the ocean lapping at the shore and the happy laughter from her friends added to a growing sense of peace. It was short lived however as another shadow fell upon her, accompanied by cool water droplets which pelted her pale skin. Catlyn tore her eyes away from her book and looked up at a positively drenched Robin.
"Hiding away in the shade?" he accused with a small smirk, crossing his arms over his chest.
Catlyn grinned and shook her head before she went back to her book. "Not hiding, just reading," she answered, only to have the book snatched from her grasp. "Hey!" she protested.
"Not anymore," Robin smirked before taking off.
She leaped to her feet and chased after him. "Give that back!" she demanded.
"Run, Robin!" Megan yelled from the water. "She's catching up!"
Robin only laughed and picked up his pace. "Come on, Cat," he jeered. "Some sun will do you good." He stumbled in the sand for a moment but quickly regained his balance.
That momentary stall was all Catlyn needed to close the gap. She reached out and grabbed his unoccupied wrist, spinning him to face her.
Despite the setback, Robin only grinned and further taunted her by holding the book straight into the air.
Catlyn narrowed her eyes as she stretched and reached, moving closer and closer until her body was pressed against his. She used his wrist for support as she came to rest on her tiptoes, her fingers only inches from the spine of her book.
Knowing her body was so close to his brought several dormant butterflies in Robin's stomach to life and he let out a shuddering breath, the book held tightly in his grasp forgotten.
She felt his warm breath waft across her neck and turned to look at him, her nose brushing against his in the process. Her previously narrowed eyes widened and her breath hitched in her throat. How had she not noticed how close they had gotten? Despite her growing blush, she couldn't bring herself to look away until she heard the solitary 'click' of a camera.
Both Robin and Catlyn jumped back from one another as though they had been electrocuted and turned to look at Megan.
"Memories?" she offered with a giggle before flying into the air, well out of their reach, and turning the camera on Kaldur and Superboy
Catlyn's cheeks turned a bright red and she was finally able to retrieve her book from Robin's hand which now hung limply at his side. She noticed he had a blush to rival her own and allowed herself a small smile before turning back toward her shady sanctuary. The soft crunching of sand behind her alerted her to the fact that Robin was following her path.
"I thought you put on sunscreen," he said, falling into step beside her.
"I did," she answered, sneaking a glance at him. She noticed his cheeks had nearly returned to their original coloring and cursed her pale complexion.
"You missed a spot," he smirked, placing a gentle hand against the small of her back and hurrying her into the shade.
Once back in the shade, she turned to face him but averted her eyes. "Couldn't reach," she shrugged.
Robin picked up the bottle of sunscreen and squirted a substantial amount into his hands. "With that logic, you'll get a sunburn for sure." he remarked, rubbing his hands together and coating his palms with the sunblock, "Turn around."
Catlyn did so without protest, although she was sure he could hear her heart hammering away at her chest.
His touch was gentle, his hands larger and softer than she had realized. Had she not been so nervous, she might have even called the experience relaxing. She closed her eyes, trying to block out everything other than the sensation of his hands traveling up and down her back.
Her skin was so warm, so delicate. For a time, Robin could feel her heartbeat through her back and allowed himself the briefest of smiles before he noticed an area of even lighter skin. A very thin strip of scar tissue ran diagonally down her back. It started at her left shoulder blade and ended only inches before her waistline. Why had he not noticed earlier? With one hand on her shoulder he very gently grazed his fingertips along the path of the scar, leaving goosebumps in his wake.
"What are you doing?" Catlyn asked, catching Robin's hand at her waist. She turned within his lax grip to face him, a slight flush dusting her cheeks. Her eyes scanned his worried expression and she sighed. "I don't remember how I got it," she explained before he had time to ask. "Nothing to make a big deal over though," she shrugged with a reassuring smile. "It's not like it still hurts."
From over Robin's shoulder, Catlyn could see Kaldur approaching and was relieved her previous blush had completely dissipated.
"M'gann wishes to initiate a game of chicken," he reported, gesturing to the ocean where Megan was currently trying to explain the concept to a rather disinterested looking Superboy.
"Have fun with that," Catlyn grinned. She opened her book and flipped to her place only to have in snatched from her once more. "Not again," she huffed. "Robin, give it back," she insisted, her eyes following the book's shadow to Kaldur who only smiled.
"It is time you joined us," Kaldur said with a small grin.
Catlyn closed her eyes and crossed her arms over her chest, shaking her head.
"Come on, wuss," Robin jeered.
She opened one eye briefly, only to respond with a simple, "No."
"Weenie," Robin taunted a little louder.
"It's not going to work," Catlyn responded. "You're wasting you time."
"Scaredy cat," he smirked.
Both her eyes opened and she stared pointedly at Robin. "What did you say?"
Robin's smirk widened. "Scaredy cat," he repeated.
Kaldur chuckled quietly, looking between a pleased Robin and a jaded Cat who gave in to his ridicule.
"Fine!" Catlyn conceded, rather begrudgingly.
"I shall inform M'gann," Kaldur grinned, walking back to a dejected Megan and a frustrated Superboy.
Robin offered his hand to Catlyn who reluctantly allowed him to haul her up off her towel and lead her to the ocean. He felt her hesitate at the water's edge and smiled before turning around with an overly dramatic sigh. He squatted down in front of her and issued a simple command, "Get on."
Catlyn took him up on his offer and allowed him to carry her piggyback through the surf.
The deeper the pair ventured towards the others, the further Catlyn shimmied up Robin's back in order to avoid contact with the cool water.
Robin helped support her on her ascent to his shoulders where she finally came to rest.
"I didn't think you'd be so eager, Cat," Megan said with a warm smile, pushing herself through the waist deep water to great Catlyn and Robin.
Catlyn smiled back, actually enjoying allowing her feet to trail in the soft ocean current. "I came to win." she said sitting up a bit straighter. "There is no way I'm getting wetter than this," she declared with a grin.
Robin grinned and adjusted his grip around Catlyn's legs suddenly, causing her to wrap her arms around his forehead. "We'll see how well that works out," he chuckled.
"Jerk," Catlyn muttered, bopping Robin lightly on the top of the head as Megan giggled and Kaldur popped up out of the water beside her.
"Is everyone ready to begin?" Kaldur asked beside Megan.
Robin glanced past Kaldur towards Superboy who was currently engrossed with a tide pool teaming with life. "And what about him?" he asked, not wanting anyone to feel put out on the beach get away he had organized.
His question was answered when Superboy's head perked up and he barreled into the surf, a gentle smirk gracing his features before he leaped into the air.
Catlyn heard the deafening splash and clenched her eyes closed, bracing herself for the wall of water that was sure to swallow her up at any moment. After several seconds devoid of the influx of water, she opened one eye and chanced a look.
Kaldur halted the advancing wave with a single hand, his palm facing outward, and a look of mild concentration on his face. He removed his hand and the wall of water collapsed in on itself. "He wanted to play interference," he explained, turning his attention toward Robin who was holding tightly to Catlyn calves.
Not to be ignored, Superboy once again bounded into the air, only to be held in Megan's telepathic hold before he could plummet into the water.
"We haven't even started yet," she reprimanded with a giggle as she slowly lowered Superboy into the surf.
"You were taking too long," Superboy reasoned simply with a small smirk before retreating to his original position and waiting for the game to begin.
Catlyn agreed with Superboy and skimmed her toes along the surface of the water, light spraying Megan with a gentle sprinkling of water.
"Alright," Megan said with a grin, shielding herself from the onslaught of water droplets. She levitated herself onto Kaldur's shoulders. She draped her legs over her teammate's broad shoulders, but never fully rested on them.
Robin could feel the ocean current shift ever so slightly, seeming to curl and stiffen around Kaldur.
"Hey! No powers," Catlyn and Robin declared simultaneously.
Megan and Kaldur exchanged a glance before Megan closed the distance between herself and Kaldur's shoulders, and the current returned to normal.
Robin locked eyes with Kaldur and the challenge was set. He gave the top of Catlyn's thigh a gentle pat after he steadied himself to signal that he was ready.
The result was nearly instantaneous.
Megan hunched over as her fingers interlocked with Catlyn's. The two girls leaned forward, trying to muscle their opponent off their perch while the boys did their best to steady themselves.
Superboy erupted from the ocean between the two teams, effectively breaking the girls' hold on one another.
Robin reeled back from surprise, pitching Catlyn forward. In an effort to keep her from plummeting into the water below, he gripped her thighs tightly as her form stiffened and she placed her palms firmly against his chest. The combined effort steadied her and allowed her to straighten up.
"That was close," Catlyn said, somewhat breathy. She glanced over at Megan and Kaldur and realized that it was taking a little longer for the pair to get their barrings.
"Leverage," Robin whispered just loud enough for her to hear. He tilted his head back and smirked at her upon seeing that she seemed to have reached the same conclusion. While keeping an eye out for the renegade Superboy, he meandered back to their starting position to meet Kaldur.
The battle commenced as Megan's hands shot out, trying to find their mark on Catlyn's shoulders. A frown graced her features when she found she was unable to get a good hold as Catlyn time and time again was able to wrench herself free from Megan's clutches.
"Sunscreen," Catlyn smirked at Megan's puzzled expression. With that, she wrapped one arm around each of Megan's outstretched arms and leaned back.
Feeling the shift in her weight, Robin backtracked just as Superboy cannon-balled directly behind Kaldur.
Despite her grip slackening slightly, Catlyn regrouped and doubled her efforts to pry the Martian from her perch upon Kaldur's shoulders.
Trying too hard to overcompensate the force pulling her forward, Megan leaned back as far as she could.
Catlyn hunched over and gave one final pull. Feeling that Megan was using everything she had to straighten up, Catlyn released her hold on the Martian.
Once the constant pulling pressure was removed, Megan flailed her arms in a vain attempt to keep her balance, but it was for naught. She tumbled backwards off of Kaldur's broad shoulders and landed with a loud splash into the ocean below.
Kaldur scooped Megan up out of the water as Catlyn threw up her arms up into the air in a celebratory manner.
"We did it!" she whooped with a small giggle.
"Good job, Cat. That game really made me hungry," Megan smiled before ringing out her hair. "I'll start making lunch," she offered before wading toward the shore.
"Well done," Kaldur said with a soft smile, stopping Superboy's advancement with a substantial wave. "The match has been decided," he reported, leading the clone in the direction of the smell of hotdogs and hamburgers which wafted from the beach.
"I can't believe we knocked her in," Catlyn marveled, still seated on Robin's shoulders.
"It's your turn next," Robin chuckled, shifting his hold on her legs.
"Not a chance!" Catlyn declared, seeming to mold herself round the back of his head. She seemed confident that she could wait it out and hold on until she felt something brush against the bottom of her foot. She took in a quick deep breath and jerked her foot away from his fingertips.
"You're going in," Robin taunted, doing his best to follow the erratic movements of her jerky foot.
"No, cut it out," she complained, a hint of giggles tinting her tone. "I'll go in!" she conceded, still doing her best to avoid his questing fingers.
"You had your chance," he smirked, tightening his hold on her calf, cutting down on the extent she could kick.
"Robin!" she giggled. She hunched over and went on the offensive. She extended her arms down his torso, her fingers finding their mark along his ribcage.
A strangled noise of surprise emanated from him. He clearly didn't expect her to tickle back. He twisted and jerked as her fingers inched further and further up his torso. Several chuckles escaped as Catlyn was able to tickle a bit more effectively now that he had abandoned his assault on the soles of her feet. "S-stop," he laughed. He released his hold on her legs in an attempt to shield himself from her probing fingers. With one final jerk forward, he pitched her over his shoulders and into the water.
Catlyn emerged from the ocean and spouted a stream of water at a Robin who was on the tail end of collecting himself.
He chuckled at her antics before extending a hand toward her.
Before she had a chance to accept his offer, she was swallowed up from behind by a large wave. She tumbled just beneath the surface of the water until a strong pair of arms wrapped around her, bringing her out of the surf. She coughed out her thanks as Robin gently rubbed her back.
"I don't think water and I will ever be on good terms," Catlyn grumbled, her lungs now free of water.
The pair turned and began their trek to the shoreline just as Megan called out that the food was ready.
Robin gestured to the cooler he had brought, insisting that Catlyn sit first.
Megan only grinned as Catlyn straddled the cooler and Robin joined her with his back pressed against hers. She passed them their food before taking the last serving for herself.
"Good as always," Catlyn smiled, rubbing away a smudge of mustard off her face.
Superboy grunted in agreement, getting up and dusting himself off. He gathered up the volleyball, turning to face the others with a grin and a slightly raised eyebrow. "Who's playing what this time?"
Catlyn smiled and shook her head. "You guys go ahead. I'm gonna walk the beach," Catlyn reported, getting off the cooler and brushing herself free of crumbs.
"If you are certain," Kaldur said, regarding her with a contemplative look.
She waved off his concern and headed for the shore line. After a time still feeling stares, she called over her shoulder, "You don't have to worry about me." She turned with a smile as the waves lapped around her feet. "We're at the beach, guys," she grinned, "so why are you just standing around?"
"Yeah," Superboy agreed enthusiastically, lobbing the volleyball from one hand to the other.
Kaldur gathered up the net with a half smile as Megan flew close to the sand, drawing in the boarders for their makeshift court with her index finger.
Robin watched Catlyn quizzically for a few more seconds before helping Kaldur set up the net.
Catlyn meandered down the beach, leaving the sounds of strain and laughter of the impromptu volleyball game behind her. As the noises dissipated, thoughts that near constant company had kept at bay were brought to the forefront of her mind.
Why was Batman so closed to the idea of her leaving the cave without an escort. She had proven through her training that she was more than capable of keeping an assailant at bay. Leaving the cave to explore hadn't even entered her mind until the option was taken off the table. What was he protecting her from, or was he trying to keep something from her? The subject was never up for debate and answers weren't ever offered. Robin seemed more than willing to comply with Batman's desire to keep her under a close watch. Did he know Batman's reasoning?
Her thoughts changed to the time she had spent with Robin. In school, as Dick, he was so different. He was more reserved, not quite the clown she had grown accustomed to when he put on his trademark sunglasses. Somehow he had perfected juggling both his lives, making Catlyn wonder which personality was the original and which was the fake. Was he being himself when he would complete amazing feats of acrobatics and laugh as his adversaries fell, or when he was staring down a difficult problem with a silent intensity?
The more she thought on it, she was surprised at the number of similarities she began to pick out. She realized that no matter which personality was real, Robin was, in essence, a dependable and kind person with a penchant for lifting the spirits of those around him. She counted herself lucky to be a friend of both sides.
She stopped in her tracks by a tide pool and bit her lower lip, staring into the mini ecosystem.
Was being a friend the peak of their relationship? She thought of their recent physical contact: how smooth his skin was beneath her palms, how tight his stomach was as she leaned against him and how soft and warm his hands were as they worked the sunscreen into her slightly reddening back.
Heat rushed to her cheeks and she closed her eyes, shaking her head as if doing so would rid her mind of such thoughts. She reasoned that if he was interested he would say so. With that inference made, she bleakly began retracing her steps to the makeshift family she had unknowingly become apart of.
Her heart swelled when she thought of the friends she had been able to make. Kaldur, with his calm and logical demeanor, had been assigned the father role in her mental schema. Placing Wally was simple. With his consistent teasing coupled with his underlying protectiveness of her, it was a no-brainer to consider him a big brother. Although she wouldn't admit it out loud, she couldn't bring herself to deem Robin as a brother. Doing so with the jumble of feelings within her would feel unnatural. Megan was another easy one. No one but a sister would dote on her the way the Martian had when Catlyn found herself incapacitated.
A flood of images crossed her mind. All were scenes depicting a young girl with mousy brown hair and chocolate brown eyes smiling up in admiration. She looked familiar and yet completely foreign. Never the less, the sight of the little girl sent a pang of guilt through her. Catlyn closed her eyes and concentrated on what she could only speculate was another memory.
"I've got to go, Helena. I'm running late," a distorted voice she could barely make out as her own called from deep within her forgotten past.
"Catlyn, wait," a much younger voice pleaded, sounding far away. "Don't leave your whip. You might need it." The voice sounded on the verge of tears.
"Thanks, now get back into bed before I tell mom. You need to rest if you're going to get over this fever."
Catlyn's eyes snapped open as the realization that she had a little sister settled in.
Before too much thought could be put into those in her past, the blur of a volleyball streaking past her head called her back to the present.
"Maybe that's why Batman doesn't want me to be out alone," she marveled, getting her wits about her. She squinted down the beach, just able to make out a thin figure, growing larger and more distinct as seconds passed.
"How far were you planning on going?" Robin asked, jogging to meet her. He picked up the volleyball from the crater in the sand and faced her, his smile faltering. "What happened?"
For a time,Catlyn was silent. She pondered whether or not she should tell him of her newest semblance of choppy memories. A sigh escaped her lips as she resigned herself to the fact that he had always been honest and up front with her. He had revealed his secret identity to her the first chance he got, a tribute to how much he trusted her. "I may have left someone behind," she murmured. Guilt once again gripped her heart at the admission.
"Left who?" Robin probed in a quiet and gentle voice.
Catlyn launched into a retelling of the jumbled fragments of memory she had been able to piece together during her time alone. "I don't know how long ago it was," she confessed, staring at the sand as the strand of memories came to an end. "When I last saw her I mean."
Robin propped her chin up, and although he smiled warmly at her, there was something off. He seemed detached. "I'm sure you'll find her. Just give it time," he said almost solemnly.
A weight seemed to have been lifted off Catlyn's shoulders, but she couldn't shake the feeling that it had been transferred to Robin. She bit her lower lip as she cast a glance at her teammate. It was eerie to see him so serious when the team wasn't on a mission, and something that needed to be corrected.
She veered onto sand moistened by the monotonous lapping of the waves, venturing into the surf only up to her ankles.
Robin walked with her and regarded her with a raised eyebrow. "You and the ocean settle your differences?" he asked with a small smirk.
Catlyn regarded that smirk as progress, but it wasn't good enough. "Maybe," she responded before leaning over and skimming the surface of the water with her fingertips.
Water droplets leaped from their source, pelting Robin's neck and shoulders.
She giggled and took off down the shoreline.
"Get back here," he demanded, although the smile in his voice made him sound less than menacing.
"Yeah right," Catlyn retorted with a grin of her own.
A strong arm wrapped around her waist from behind and hoisted her into the air, spinning her around once her feet had left the ground. Over her own squeals and giggles, she could hear a steady stream of light chuckles coming from Robin.
He set her back on her feet just in time to see Megan fly buy in a blur of color.
The Martian doubled back and, looking slightly panic stricken, warned both Robin and Catlyn to take cover before she took off once again.
The source of Megan's distress became apparent as a swarm of nearly fifty squawking seagulls flapped their wings feverishly.
Catlyn was the first to turn tail and follow Megan's example with Robin hot on her heels. "Why seagulls? They are so much worse than flying monkeys!" she complained.
"I hate monkeys!" Superboy bellowed, bounding over his teammates and landing in the menacing demon-birds' path.
His sudden appearance was enough to surprise those in the front line into retreating and his wordless battle cry caused the remainder to seek cover.
Kaldur surfaced from the depths of the ocean and came ashore, wrapping angry bite marks on his fingers within strands of seaweed. "M'gann, kindly never do that again," he scolded in his even voice.
"Never again," Megan agreed, watching the seagulls disappear. "It's getting late," she mentioned, pointing at the sun whose base was gently kissing the horizon. She sighed wistfully and looked at the beach front entrance to Mount Justice.
"We don't have to go yet," Robin offered. "We still have time to bury someone in the sand."
Superboy lay on his back and while it wasn't necessarily an invitation, it was good enough for Robin.
He began scooping handfuls of sand and depositing them along Superboy's legs and torso.
Megan followed his example while Kaldur collected a bucket, not wanting to risk exposing his fingers to the sand just yet. Catlyn sat on the ground beside Megan, helping her to pack the sand more tightly.
With the four of them working together, Superboy soon had a tower of sand that was taller than Catlyn at its peak.
A distant beeping called Robin's attention and he departed to the team's original "base camp". He returned moments later with the cooler in tow. "Batman wants to see us in the debriefing room. Sounds like a good one," he reported, the excitement evident in both his voice and expression.
With mixed emotions about leaving the beach, the five teenagers gathered what they could, opting to leave the volleyball net as a promise to return sometime soon.
Catlyn brought up the rear and chanced one more glance at the sun that had sunk halfway down into the horizon. She knew she has seen thousands of sunsets but couldn't remember one with as many vibrant colors as the ones streaking through the sky above her now. She felt a presence beside her and looked to see Robin already in costume. How long had she been standing there?
"I don't think Batman is going to approve of your new choice in costume," Robin smirked.
She rolled her eyes but smiled all the same as she turned to make her way into the rear section of the cave. "Hey, Robin," she called over her shoulder, pausing before she reached the living-room. "You were right. Thanks for today."
I really hope this was worth the wait! It's about two of my regular chapters in length... Leave it to me to crank out 12 pages in word about a scene that only had a combined two minutes max of air time. As promised, here are my responses to your reviews. They really mean a lot to me.
Megandary: I suppose you got your wish of me not updating so rapidly... but I don't think others shared that particular desire. lol. There will be plenty of Robin/Catlyn interactions and schmoopy moments. That you can be sure of. ^_^
xKROWEx: Thank you so much for the compliment! You make me blush. O/O
In all seriousness though, both are still in denial that anything more than a close friendship has developed between the two of them. I'm not one for love-at-first-sight stories, so there are going to be several more awkward and blushy moments to be had. Sometimes Batman reminds me of those English guards that aren't allowed to smile. I loved seeing him as Bruce in "Downtime" because he was actually personable rather than a big ball or angst and rage.
Wheatieluv: Writing a confused Superboy was a lot of fun. I wanted to have the chapter end differently but still be fluffy and cute. I'm really happy that you found it as funny as I did! Batman does have several things figured out that will come into play several chapters down the line. Shame on Batman for keeping secrets.
DrakesChick: Have I converted you? Goodness me, how flattering! :3 I'm so happy that you like my little Catlyn and all of her awkward cuteness.
Frigyt: I'm glad that you enjoyed the last chapter and I hope this one will be received well too.
Scarlett Wolf: They are cute aren't they! They are making their way to getting to that point, but until they get there, I hope you enjoy the ride!
Dreamin'BIG: Here is your more! Sorry it's so late! TT_TT
mahlia: Robin and Catlyn are making their baby steps toward each other in subtle (and sometimes not so subtle) ways. I love the dynamic between Catlyn and Wally! He just strikes me as an older brother figure to her more so than any other character on the team.
Spottedfire123: I suppose I can't be mad at you for being late on reviewing when I am so late getting this chapter out now can I? lol. I'm so sorry about that by the way. I hope you enjoy the fluffyness!
Algie888: Under your threat of death, I got this out as soon as I possibly could! I know it's been a long time since I last updated, but there shouldn't ever be that big a gap ever again! I promises you!
Haley Tran: Sometimes I think the world needs to be smothered in fluffyness for a while. lol. Fear not though, the plot will not be lost... now where did I put it?
Purple-starburst: I'm so sorry for making you wait for so long! TT_TT I'm super flattered though and I hope I don't disappoint you with the rest of the story line.
Numbah 175: A cookie for you! I love Stick It! I am such a movie buff that in my writings I have both obscure and familiar movie quotes scattered around so long as they fit the scenario and it's not too much of a stretch, so be on the lookout because I can promise you there will be more.
Kurowriter1122: You flatter me. I'm blushing O/O. Catlyn and I are pleased that you like the story! Truth be told, I never thought she would be so popular. She was just an idea that wouldn't leave me alone and it exploded into this. I'm so glad you like my writing style. I'm rarely serious, so I suppose that it shows in my writings. So happy that it's well received!
LittleFireQueen: Robin (Dick Grayson) has always been my favorite DC character hands down! I love how sweet and optimistic he is. One of the things I love about writing Catlyn is that she can switch between being a hard character with a take-no-crap attitude and a giant bundle of awkwardness and confusion depending on the situation. I'm so happy that you can identify with her at points. I think everyone has a little bit of Catlyn in them!
Minni Alice: Oh my, Thank you! There are some wonderful young justice fanfics on this site and to hear that I am writing someone's favorite is quite the accomplishment! I hope I don't disappoint you with later chapters!
Musei Kage: I'm working on editing more thoroughly before posting, but since it takes me a while to write, I tend to skip over some of the small inconsistencies since I know what I'm trying to say. lol. Rest assured that I am working on getting better at that though! I am planning some original content since the show isn't the same without Robin! Well I had original content planned before but it just gives me an excuse to bring it out early! You were right on the money with her name the first time... like CATE-lyn. I'm so glad I'm not over doing it! I was worried for a while about how many schmoopy (you can thank mahlia for that word. Lol.) moments I was adding, but I'm a sucker for it.
ShesXsuperXfreaky: Is it too late to cash in on that penguin? I promise that it will never even take me half as long to put up another chapter again!
Angelrider13: Thank you so much for reviewing and I am so happy that you are having fun reading this. I'm having an absolute blast writing it!
HandInTheCookieJar: I suppose I'm evil like you are too. Catlyn definitely has some struggles coming her way. I think I've already said too much. I'll try putting some more subtle moments between the two of them. Thanks for the advice.
Skyrill: I did make mention in the very first chapter that I was going to play around with their ages... Only because I would feel like a ginormous pedophile if I wrote a love story about a thirteen year old.
Lucy-McNugget96: I think there need to be a few more OC stories out there. Not to say that cannon pairings don't do it for me, but there is something interesting about an OC that can gain a cannon characters attention and prove to be worth something... Mary Sues aside that is.
Anon: Not to say that there is really going to be that much "dramatic romance" in the near future, but there is something brewing... And I have fiddled with the ages... It's my story and I take that creative liberty since I would feel like a dirty old hag for writing a romance about a thirteen year old. Not to say that it can't be done, I would just prefer not to do it. I'm glad that you like their interactions as they are now. I think that the puppy love stage is always the cutest.
suspicious person: I'm so glad that you find this intriguing! Batman has some information on her that he is not willing to spill to anyone. He is the world's greatest detective and all. lol. How can you not love Catlyn though.
WiseGirl-AC: I'm so happy to hear that you don't think that I am overdoing it with the fluffyness. I love fluffy chapters so long as they have a purpose like character development and the like.
SakuarTenshi36092: I have returned so I hope that this is worth the wait and the time it too for me to actually finish this beast of a chapter didn't scare anyone off.