Everything was so blurry when I awoke. I couldn't see anything properly, but I could hear someone say, "Good, she's awake." I rubbed my eyes to see who it was, and jumped when I saw everyone that I had seen before standing around my bed; Kid Flash, M'gann, Robin, Aqualad, Superboy and all the Justice League. Even Artemis was there, standing behind the Young Justice squad, but she didn't seem too impressed. To my right, Cade was kneeling next to me, though I was unsure why. Giving him a confused look, I saw Artemis push her way in front of everyone, her arms still folded and her face still stern.

"Either prove you're worth it or get out!" she cried, stepping forward with her hands jerked to the side in a violent stance.

As I looked at her, I saw M'gann and some of the guys trying to pull her back.

"The thing is… I'm not worth it… I know that already… But I haven't GOT anywhere to go…" I responded, dropping my head and twiddling my fingers, "If you want me to go, fine…" Standing up, I started for the door, before having Aqualad grab my hand to stop me.

"Tempest, you do not yet know that you are not worth it. But I believe that if you have nowhere else to go, you are welcome to stay here. Perhaps not as one of us, but part of our team," he reassured, releasing my hand and placing his own on my shoulder. I smiled at his kindness and then looked at the Justice League, hoping they could shine some light on the subject.

With a step forward, Batman began to speak. "You'll be able to stay on one condition. You will stay behind for missions and not interfere with anything. Cleaning will be your duty and you'll have to find ways to keep yourself occupied. If anything happens whilst we are away, it will be on you." I nodded excitedly and jumped up and down on the spot, almost drawn to hugging Batman, though I thought better of the situation.

"You can hug me if you'd like," Kid Flash smirked at me, moving right next to me. I smiled at him, but moved away slowly, feeling an invasion of privacy.

"Dude," Kid Flash exclaimed after being nudged in the side by a smirking Robin.

"Kid Mouth means we're happy to have you here," Robin substituted, smiling at me. I smiled in reply and shook his hand. At least I wasn't a complete outcast.

~~~.~~~

As I followed the groups around the cave, I found myself talking with Robin and Kid Flash. Cade was busy talking to the Justice League.

"It's too bad that you can't be part of our team. I think you would have been an awesome addition," Kid Flash smirked at me, moving closer. I simply lowered my head again and smiled at the ground.

"No, for once he's serious. We're sure you would have done great," Robin added, placing a hand on my shoulder. Raising my head, I looked at them both and smiled and even bigger smile. This was the first time that I could remember that I actually felt wanted.

"Thanks, you guys," I responded. I felt a zap of excitement travel through me as we continued walking through the cave.

"So, about that hug?" Kid Flash asked, looking at me out the corner of his eye. I just looked at him and kept walking.

"Really?" I heard Robin ask in the distance. I already knew that this team would be a very interesting bunch of characters.

~~~.~~~

When we finally arrived in the main area of the HQ, everyone stopped around Kaldur and awaited his orders, including Cade.

"You excited?" he asked me, moving next to me again, just like the first time we met in the cave.

"About what? I'm staying here…" I replied, looking at him with only a raise of the left side of my lips.

"Oh, right… Right…" Cade merely just continued looking at Kaldur, hoping that he would say something exciting, but he just stood there, looking at Batman.

"Do you have any missions for us, Batman?" Kaldur asked, walking toward the Caped Crusader, who had the same look of displeasure as he always did.

"No. There are no missions for you currently. Just be ready, he will be tested soon," Batman responded, pointing at Cade when he was being referred to and sounding monotonous; there was nothing new with him.

"You kids can take a day off today. Have a look around the place," Superman instructed, raising his hands slightly to add emphasis to what he was saying. I was already making my way to the kitchen, ready to do the dishes. Like everything else, the kitchen was rather metallic, though it did have a kitchen feel to it, having a proper bench that wasn't completely made out of metal. Running the water, I cupped my hands under it and splashed some onto my face. Everything had happened so quickly and I was feeling so confused. What was real and what was I just imagining?

After not being able to hear them talking anymore, I heard Kid Flash state that he'd find her, which I guessed meant me.

"Hey, beautiful, what are you doing in here?" he asked, leaning on the island counter behind me.

"Nothing. I thought that you were all 'taking a day off'," I responded, my back against the sink.

"Yeah, but that includes you. Unless you don't want to come." I lit up, really feeling accepted.

"Of course I do!" I smiled and found myself feeling like a little child, getting excited over nothing major. The only thing was that it was major to me. It was the first time that I felt like things were actually going somewhat right. Grabbing my hand, Kid Flash led me back out to the rest of the gang; I could feel myself blushing really badly.

"Honey, she's home!" he announced, presenting me again to everyone else.

"Where did you go?" M'gann asked, moving close to me.

"Uh… the kitchen…" I said, ashamed. M'gann just smiled at me.

"Well, are we going or not?" she exclaimed, lifting off of the ground. The only thing I could say was, "Whoa."

With a roar of appreciation, the entire Young Justice group started heading out the cave, myself and Cade included, though he wasn't looking entirely happy. As soon as we stepped outside, I was gob-smacked. It was beautiful. The ocean was right next to the cave.

"This is amazing…" I exclaimed under my breath, running out toward the ocean but making sure I didn't get wet.

"You sure are…" Kid Flash spoke, coming back to reality when I turned around and gave him a strange look.

"I mean, yeah, it sure is," he quickly changed his story.

"Nice save, Kid Mouth," Robin teased.

"Dude!"

I turned around to see Cade standing alone by a tree. Feeling a little bad for him, I decided that talking to him could be a good idea. Maybe I would remember something?

"Hey, are you alright?" I asked, standing next to him and leaning on the same tree that he was.

"Yeah, just swell," he replied sarcastically. Giving him an intrigued look, I hoped that he would elaborate, which he did, but not without some show of annoyance first. In this case, a sigh.

"I wanted to be tested, you know? I was waiting for it. I don't know why but I feel like I deserve it. You wouldn't know, so I don't expect you to understand," he explained, setting a little fire in the pit of my stomach. How would he know if I didn't know what that felt like? As annoyed as I was, I managed to keep my cool and stay somewhat nice to him.

"There's more to me than you'll know, Cade. I don't know much about myself either, but that's what I want to find out. I want to find out about my past, my present and my future. I know how it feels to want to be wanted, to fit in somewhere. Trust me. But you have to be patient," I tried reassuring him, but to not avail.

"That's easy for you to say! Ever since you've gotten here, you've had everything handed to you on a silver platter! Well I haven't! I've had to work my way through it and convince the Justice League that I'm something! It's been hard, but not for you! You're nothing, but everyone thinks that you'll be a 'great addition to the team'! Well, you know what? You'd just make the team crumble! You don't believe in yourself and I know why! Because there's nothing about you to believe in! No super speed, no super strength, no super powers! But I know that I'll find something! It'll just take time for me! So leave me alone with your little sob story of 'poor, little Tempest who can't do anything right!' Because I know it's all true! Just not for me. For you," Cade shouted at me, shocking me completely out of my mind. I didn't know what I had done, nor what I had said, that made Cade that annoyed that he'd go all out in making me sound like a complete fool. But the worst part was…

I believed him.

Still leaning against the tree, in shock, I saw everyone just staring at us, looking of shock on their faces too. Everyone except Artemis. If anything, she looked somewhat pleased.

"I'm leaving!" Cade shouted, storming off. A sense of danger overcame me and I immediately saw what it was. A piece of cement from a building nearby had somehow come apart from the building and was hurtling straight for Cade. It seemed like I was the only one who noticed it, seeing as everyone else was busy looking at me, feeling confused or quite happy.

Closer and closer, the large piece of cement flew towards Cade, showing no signs of stopping. I had no superpowers, so there was no way that I could help him, but I knew I had to do something. Signalling the team would have taken too long, so I could do nothing but stare at the giant boulder that was hurtling straight for its unsuspecting victim. With only a few metres to go, I found a strange power rushing straight through me, followed by the movement of the trees. In less than a second, the tree I had been leaning on moved from behind me, causing me to fall straight backwards, and stopped right next to Cade, catching the piece of cement in its foliage.

I had no idea what had just happened, nor did I know what I had to do with it, but soon, there was another piece of cement, this time falling from overhead. By now, the team had realised something was wrong and only saw the strange sight of a tree with a massive piece of cement contained in its leaves. Once again, they didn't notice the second piece of cement until it was too late.

Knowing that it would crush Cade, I knew I had to do something, but what could I do? I ran forward, hoping to push Cade out of the way in time, but I wouldn't get there in time. My legs weren't fast enough. Suddenly, another strange power overwhelmed me, and I felt myself change into a bat, right behind a large, thick tree. Flying through the air, I had no idea what was going on, until I felt Cade's skin touch my wings. With a very strange push, I managed to knock him out of the way, but the second piece of cement was still coming. Closer. And closer. Until it finally connected with something.

Me.

~~~.~~~

I could hear voices, but I didn't know why. Maybe I was dead and the voices were from heaven? Or maybe I was in hell… Either way, I could hear voices. Familiar voices.

"What was that? I swear, I saw a bat…" a feminine voice asked, sounding extremely confused and worried.

"I do not know. But that tree was not there a minute ago…" another masculine voice stated.

"Wait… Where's Tempest?" yet another voice asked. Footsteps came nearer to me; all I could do was pray that they would realise that I was under the piece of cement.

"Superboy, Kaldur! I'm sure I saw something under that boulder!" the same feminine voice as before announced worriedly. I just laid there, under the boulder. For some reason, it didn't squish me completely, it only just touched my head.

Within a few minutes, I could feel the rock moving, followed by the bright light of the sun. I had landed on my back, thanks to the cement boulder.

"Oh, my gosh… It's Tempest!" I saw Megan standing right above me, only just blocking out some of the sun's rays. I could only manage a mumble in reply; everything was kind of blurry and my head was dizzy. Suddenly, something lifted me out of the crater that was left in the ground and when I looked, I saw it was the fuzzy outline of Superboy. I tried to thank him, but nothing would come out in English.

I could feel myself being lowered onto the ground, still without much grip on reality. I could hear words, but I couldn't comprehend them. Then something came into my vision. Two somethings actually. One was dressed in yellow and red, whilst the other wore red and black. Three guesses who they were.

"Is she alright?" I heard Kid Flash ask, kneeling down in front of me.

"Does she look alright? She looks worse than you in the morning," Artemis stated, walking past me and moving next to Cade, who was frozen to the spot, staring at me in shock.

"Yeah, like you'd look better if you just had a NEAR-DEATH EXPERIENCE!" Kid Flash retorted, looking at Artemis and then back at me.

"Don't worry, you don't look that bad," Robin reassured me with a friendly smile. I tried returning it, but nothing came except a wheeze and light-headedness.

~~~.~~~

When I finally was able to stand up properly, I immediately noticed an evil glare boring through my skull. Cade. Wasn't he happy that I had just saved his life, twice? But I wasn't even sure that it was really me that did it. Maybe it was someone else, I just got caught in the way.

Artemis was standing next to him, so I knew this wouldn't end well. I had no idea why she hated me so much – maybe she didn't want anyone else in the team? But then, why was she so interested in talking to Cade?

"What was that?" he asked me as Artemis walked off. Everyone else was gathered around in a circle, discussing something.

"What was -?" I started, before being cut off.

"You know damn well what I mean. What did you do that for? Why? You didn't just let it crush me! What the hell is wrong with you?!" he shouted again. I was starting to get the feeling that this guy didn't like my help.

"But, I thought…" I was starting to feel really nervous, so I turned around to go to the rest of the team, but Cade grabbed a tight grip of my arm and forced me to face him.

"What did you think? What the hell did you think? Did you really think that you'd be doing me a favour? That you'd be saving my life? Well, you know what? I didn't need your help! I could have shown that I could save myself! I didn't need you there, trying to help me! You're nothing but a mess! You can't do anything properly! You used a TREE to stop the first bit of cement and then, you turned into a bat! A bloody bat! Surely, your idiocy wouldn't have become you, but apparently it has. And quite quickly too. So, if you're feeling proud of what you've done, forget it! You haven't helped anyone, especially not me! They don't really want you in their team, they're just playing you to make you feel better! And now, I have no chance to be in their team either, because you decided to be the bloody hero and 'save me' from the bloody blocks of brick! Well, you know what? You'll never amount to anything, so don't even try! You think that the boys are interested in you, especially Robin and Kid Flash? Well guess what! Your powers of seduction can only go so far! They don't really care about you and if you're alright! They just care about when you're leaving! You may not be able to see it, but I can tell! Your 'seduction techniques' haven't and won't affect me! So before you embarrass yourself anymore, why don't you just leave while you can!" he spat at me, barely taking breaths. I watched as his face became redder and redder and felt tears start to well in my eyes.

Was I really that bad a person? For the last time, I turned around, and again, saw everyone staring at me. But this time, I wasn't able to handle it. I was able to handle everything that I had just been told. I wasn't able to handle what he had said about Robin and Kid Flash. I wasn't able to hand about everything he said about me! I stood there for many seconds, and when the tears hit my cheeks, I turned around and headed back inside. I had no idea why I was actually going inside, especially after what Cade said. Why didn't I just leave altogether?

Waddling through the cave, I eventually came back to the room, but when I saw Cade sitting on the bed, contemplating about something, I thought maybe it wasn't such a good idea. I continued through the 'building', trying to find any room that wasn't occupied. I had no idea where I was, nor if anyone would find me, but I didn't care. Just as long as I wasn't getting in anybody's way.

Finally, I found a dark, empty room that was unoccupied and sat myself down on the silver floor in there. My head lowered, the tears flowed freely now. I wasn't sad that Cade had just gone off his rocker at me because I saved his life. I was sad because everything he said was true. At least, I felt everything he said was true.

Hours went by and I stayed in the room, not wanting to distract anyone else. Thoughts ran through my mind like a rollercoaster. It was probably true. They probably didn't want someone who couldn't control themself hanging around with them, getting in their way and ruining everything.

Suddenly, my head, which was stained by my tears, in my hands, I heard a knock at the door, followed by M'gann, who looked worried.

"Are you okay? We… we heard what Cade said… Well, some of it," she told me, sitting down next to me and putting her arm around my neck.

"What he said was true…" I admitted, feeling weak that I was agreeing with him. My back was still to the door, so that no one else could see my face.

"What did he say?" M'gann asked, stroking my back and wiping the tears away as I lifted my head from my hands. I took a deep breath in and looked at her.

"Well, I ruined any chance that he had of being part of something that he really wanted… Heh, it's funny how something with such a positive intent could end up so badly… Plus, there's nothing I can do here apart from get in your way. Even staying behind, I could screw up… I don't belong here! You guys are amazing! And I'm… not," I answered, stopping as soon as I started thinking of Kid Flash and Robin.

He was too right about everything he said about Kid Flash and Robin… I'm an idiot… Being friendly, that's all it was. Why on Earth would they be interested in me? Really… All I can do is mess up. I'm not even fit to be here… Suddenly, tears came to my eyes again, but I tried to fight them.

"Tempest?" M'gann asked, touching my cheek and moving my face to face her, "Do you really feel that way? About them, I mean. Because I can see the way they look at you. All of them, but those two especially. There's something there, I know. I may be from Mars, but I can tell Wally and Robin, they really feel something too. I can tell," M'gann reassured me, "and I'm really sorry… I can read people's minds, and I'm not supposed to, but I had to. I had to know what was wrong…"

I smiled at M'gann, stupid tears filling up my eyes again, but this time, it was in happiness. I could tell that she definitely cared.

"Why did you worry?" I asked, looking into her eyes.

"Because, I know how you feel. About being confused and not knowing whether you fit in or not… I'm just glad to see you're okay," she answered, looking down for a few seconds before giving me a hug. I held onto her tight for a little bit, knowing that she really was there for me.

"Thank you…" I whispered, my smile growing even more. At that point, I had a strange urge to turn around, and went bright red as soon as I did. In the doorway stood all the boys in the team; Kid Flash and Robin at the front and Superboy and Aqualad at the back.

"Well, this is awkward…" I heard Robin whisper to Kid Flash. I was looking at the boys, who seemed a little intrigued and confused.

"When do you get here?" she asked, trying to sound as casual as she could.

"Uh… When you came in. We were looking for her too," Robin answered, looking at me. I felt myself blushing even more. They were looking for me. They were looking for ME!

"And we saw you reading her mind. And kind of, you know, heard when we were mentioned…" Kid added.

"Right. You heard that. That's lovely…" I mumbled, hoping they wouldn't hear me, but I was wrong.

"Actually, yes. I am sure the boys would agree with M'gann's thoughts," Aqualad thought aloud, him and Superboy pushing Kid Flash and Robin into the room with myself and M'gann. By now, I was sure I was a human tomato.

"Well, we'll see you later, Tempest," M'gann bid me farewell, along with giving me a knowing wink. I wanted to be angry, but I couldn't. She was the nicest person here and I was in the same room as the two guys who I was starting to feel strangely about.

Romantically about. As sure as I was about what Cade said, M'gann's words buzzed through my head just as equally.

"So, uh…" I started, unsure about what I was supposed to say.

"Do you really think that?" Robin asked, placing his hand on my arm.

"Think what?"

"That we're amazing?" Kid Flash asked, a smirk on his face. I smiled at him and saw Robin's hand hit him over the back of the head, causing me to giggle at their childishness.

"That you only screw up? That you only get in the way? That you think you don't belong here?" Robin answered, giving Kid Flash a 'don't even say it' look.

With a sigh, I looked at them both and then up at the ceiling. "You are all so used to each other. You're like a family. I feel like I'm just pulling your family apart. I know, it's stupid, but I just do."

Looking at each other, both Kid Flash and Robin smiled at me and grabbed onto one of my hands each, making me turn into a ripe human tomato.

"We've always got room for a new addition in our family!" Kid Flash announced, smiling his adorable smile at me.

"Yeah! If we didn't want you here, you'd be out on the streets already, home or no home," Robin added, smiling boyishly at me. Both of them were absolutely gorgeous and even more so up close!

I smiled and thanked them, all three of us standing up, Robin and Kid Flash still holding onto my hands. As they let go, I looked at Robin and gave him a hug, thanking him for everything that he had said. As he walked out of the room, I realised that Kid Flash was still with me.

"Hm-hmm, what about my hug?" he joked, still smiling at me. I grinned in reply and wrapped my arms around him, holding on tight.

"You'll always be welcome here, no matter what Cade says," he whispered in my ear, sending a shiver down my spine. As I released him from my grip, I felt his lips connect with my cheek.

"Don't forget that."