Hey, I'm back! Here's chapter 1! Thanks to my awesome reviewers! Your support is much appreciated! I'm always open to tips, or just reviews that say this story is being read... Please Review!

Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice

Robin walked into the spare infirmary room and gently lay BlueJay down on the bed. He silently left the room and went to Batman's office. He stepped inside and said, "Batman, come with me." Batman looked up. "What is it?" Robin simply shook his head and said, "Come and see." They walked back to the room together and Robin stepped inside, closely followed by Batman. The dynamic duo stood in silence for a few moments, then Batman turned to Robin and said, "Robin, you directly disobeyed my orders retrieving her. I'm afraid I can't say I'm disappointed that you brought her here, but I'm upset that you tried." "I know, Batman, but she was alive when I found her." "She was?" Batman asked and Robin nodded dejectedly. Batman sighed and stated, "I see. I'll call the team in. Whoever wishes may give her a eulogy. She'll... she'll lie in state here."

While Batman called the rest of the team, Robin reflected on BlueJay's last moments:

(flashback) Robin's eyes adjusted quickly to the dark, dank atmosphere. He saw BlueJay up ahead, chained by her arms, blindfolded. Robin had begun to walk forward cautiously. The gunshot made Robin freeze. A second shot rang out and snapped the chains that held BlueJay's now-crumpled form. He ran over, cradled BlueJay in his arms, and ripped the blindfold from her eyes. Her eyes focused on Robin and she whispered his name just before her eyes closed for the last time and her head fell back. "BlueJay! Stay with me!" Robin screamed. The knocking on the door brought Robin back to the present. Batman ushered the team in and announced that Superboy wished to give a eulogy, then the teens may say last words in private.

Superboy cleared his throat and began, "The one thing I'm sure we all know is that BlueJay was notorious for breaking the rules." Kaldur laughed shakily at the statement. It was true. "The funny thing was that she always ended up being right for breaking the rules. She also never let anyone else disobey Batman. She was the only one who got in trouble. No one else was questioned for misbehavior. BlueJay, she was beautiful, strong, and self-sacrificial. That's... that's all," Superboy finished shakily.

After that, the rest of the team paid their respects. Nothing was elaborate. Artemis was tearful at seeing her friend in this state; M'gann was almost overtaken by her own distress, and that of the rest of the team. Kaldur thanked BlueJay for her friendship and her resourcefulness and her general kindness. Wally was very distraught and during his time with BlueJay, he simply apologized in rapid succession until he was out of breath. Superboy was next.

Connor stood stoically at the side of the bed, but visibly softened as he began to talk. "BlueJay, everything I said before was true. You were naughty, but you never let anyone else get blamed. You were... well, you were perfect. And, I loved you for it. Not to intrude on your relationship with Robin. More like a sister-brother thing, if it makes any sense." Connor laughed at himself, then turned to leave. Before he opened the door, he turned and whispered, "Goodbye, BlueJay." Then he left.

Batman was the next to visit. He stood beside the bed, looking down at BlueJay's peaceful, deadened face. What composure Batman had had shattered instantly. He sank into the chair next to the bed and buried his face in his hands. Bullets could not have done worse damage. He said through his tears, "Oh, BlueJay, how did this happen? I guess there's no point in telling you, but the Joker forced a live video feed on our systems of your torture. We were going to get you out! But most of the time, all of us felt helpless; we could only watch. I regret it now. The only way for it to be different would be if you and Robin switched places. I'm sorry to say this, but I'm glad it's Robin who's still here. I told Robin not to find you, but I'm not sorry to say I fully intended to get you out of there. He's safe, even though he went to get you. He's safe. You're safe. You're home. I just wish you were... alive. Alive and well. We all wish that, but you're not. I'm sorry. I'm sorry."

Batman stood up, shook himself roughly, and resumed his authoritative, imposing air. He walked out and saw Robin sitting on the floor, his head resting between his knees. "Robin," Batman said. Robin jumped up and Batman put his hand on his protégé's shoulders. "You may go in now, take as much time as you need." Robin nodded, avoiding Batman's gaze. Batman shook Robin's shoulders, "Look at me!" Robin managed eye contact as Batman continued, " I'm disappointed that you disobeyed my orders, but I am also very glad that she is here, not rotting disrespected in some prison of the Joker's. Remember that." Robin nodded and dropped his gaze again, escaping to the infirmary room.

As soon as the door closed behind him, Robin dashed to the bed, knelt down, and began sobbing on the sheet. He looked at BlueJay's pale face and began sobbing afresh, all the while choking out, "It's my fault! It's my fault! It's all my fault!" Robin kept going on like this, all the while thinking of how BlueJay let go of his hand, sending herself plummeting to the heart of the Joker's territory. Watching a live feed forced on the Academy's visual and audio systems. Seeing BlueJay whipped mercilessly by unseen forces electrically shocked perpetually, being held underwater longer than she could stand. And lastly, a bullet entering her chest and life slowly, yet quickly, leaving her broken body.

Eventually, Robin fell asleep, clutching BlueJay's hand while resting his head on her shoulder. When he awoke, he noticed the ring on BlueJay's left hand. He made a sound like a sob and a gasp caught together. She still had it, Robin thought. He remembered the day many weeks before when he had given it to her.

(flashback) "I love you. You know that?" Robin said. "Yes," BlueJay replied. Robin continued, "Will you, or, well, would you marry me?"

"I... I... how?"

"We'd have to wait until we graduate. It'd have to be a secret. But we could do it."

"Yes, yes, I will. I love you."

"I have a ring," Robin said after a pause.

"How?"

"Well, it's not really of any objective value. It's some thin metal, painted gold. It's probably worth a quarter. But it will mean more than that to us."

"Yes," BlueJay whispered, "I'll wear it. Always."

"Thank you," Robin whispered in reply. "I love you."

With that, he slipped the trinket on BlueJay's finger.

And she still had it on. Robin began to sob again. How did this happen? He didn't want this to happen. He didn't want anyone dead, except for the Joker. And Robin wanted BlueJay back most of all, even if it meant that he would have to die. "It's all my fault," Robin whispered again, his voice broken and subdued.

Batman stood out in the hall. It had been quite a few hours, but he wasn't going to rush Robin and tear BlueJay away from him forever. No, Robin would take his time. In fact, Batman had no recollection of how long he himself had been with BlueJay. He would let Robin take his time.

Robin looked up and whispered ruefully, "Oh, BlueJay! What will we do without you?" BlueJay's eyes fluttered open. "Robin?" she whispered. Robin stared at her with unbelief, then exclaimed, "Oh, BlueJay! You're alive! Batman! Batman, come in here!" Batman bolted in instantly and saw BlueJay struggling to sit up. Tears threatened to spill from his eyes again. But BlueJay did not share in their ecstasy. She began to yell hoarsely, "Batman? Robin? What are you doing here? Robin! Get out of here! He'll kill you! Get out!" "BlueJay, it's..." Robin tried to explain. "Get out of here now!" BlueJay yelled.

Batman moved forward and said, "Robin, get out!" "But, Batman!" "Now, please!" Robin left quickly and Batman turned to BlueJay, who was still trying to get up and screaming for Robin to get out. Batman pinned BlueJay's arms down by her sides and said firmly, "BlueJay, stop it. Listen to me. We're all safe. We're at the Academy."

"How did I...?"

"Robin broke you out of the Joker's prison. One of them, anyway."

"I told him not to try!"

"I know. I did too."

BlueJay finally seemed calmer. The fight was draining out of her. "I'm safe now?"

"Yes, you're safe now."

BlueJay heaved a sigh, partially of relief, and partially from exhaustion over the past days and having been 'dead' for over 24 hours. Robin walked in again, but Batman stopped him. "She needs medical attention. Right away." Robin froze, remembering what she had been through. He couldn't see any need for worry, until he noticed the blood seeping on the sheets. He remembered in a flash the merciless scourging, and other ordeals she had suffered. Robin immediately left, letting an Academy doctor take over.

Five hours later, BlueJay was given the all clear, and Robin walked into her current room. BlueJay rose a few inches and Robin enveloped her in a hug. He resolved to never let go again. As BlueJay settled back on her pillow, Artemis walked in bearing a bowl of hot broth. She smiled and said, "Good to have you back. M'gann made this for you. Kid Idiot told me to ask how you were doing." "Yeah," BlueJay replied quietly, "It's good to be... home."

"BlueJay?" Robin said after Artemis left. "Mmm?" she answered. "I know you're probably really mad at me," Robin continued as he began to feed the soup to BlueJay. "For coming to get you, you know. But I don't care. It was like hell when we thought you were dead. Joker made us watch, so don't think we don't know what you went through. I'm so happy that you're alive and safe, and you're going to stay that way, so there's no point in having you alive, safe, and mad at me as well." BlueJay sighed contentedly. "You're right about me being mad at you. But I'm glad to be here again. And... ow!" BlueJay grimaced and braced her head with her hands. "What is it?!" Robin jumped up. "Nothing," BlueJay reassured him with a weak smile, settling back in the bed. "The doctors did a full check on me, and I have a stomach the size of a cherry, although I feel like I could eat a whole tree. And I have this stupid concussion." Robin sat back down and gave a breathy laugh. "A whole cherry tree? Let's manage this soup first."

Thanks again, and please review!

I have a lot planned for the story, by the way! This is just the BEGINNING! ;)