A/N: Hey guys! Thank you all so much for your reviews and for your tips—I'm doing my best to keep them in mind while I write. It was brought to my attention that there might be some catches with the behavior/personalities of the actual characters; if you read that and find it to be true let me know please. Also, please be patient—I won't match the actual show totally because this is my work and my own style, but I do know the characters and, hopefully, have adapted enough so that small discrepancies will make sense in time when the story is taken as a whole and not individual chapters. Thanks again!
September 30th 1:07am:
"Arg you're so immature!" Artemis yelled, tossing her hands in the air. "This isn't a game Wally—get that through your head before you get the rest of us killed!"
"I'm immature? You're the one who pitched a fit because you weren't paired with Superboy for the mission! And for the record, Ms. Grownup, I've been at this a heck of a lot longer—than—you." Wally enunciated each of the last three words sharply, sticking his tongue out at the end.
"Can you believe this? Are you seriously—"
"That is enough." Kaldur didn't raise his voice, but the aquarium wall shattered and the ensuing flood separated the two teammates with tentacles of water.
"But she/he started it!" the two yelled at the same time, both glaring angrily up at their leader.
Kaldur, who until this point had turned and begun to walk away, whipped around, his hands clenched to fists. "I said that was enough. You two are acting like children. We are heroes, team-members, not toddlers fighting over toys in a sandbox. What has gotten into you two?"
His voice had steadily risen until it was a yell, his eyes glowering at his subordinates threateningly; he'd never gotten this angry before.
"For the past several weeks you have been at each other's throats and picking each other apart! You argue, you sneer at one another! You bicker like children and turn-tales and tattle on each other the second one goes just a hair too far! Why can you two not work it out and get along like before? What on earth has gotten it into your heads that this behavior is acceptable?"
Megan and Conner stood back, awkwardly—in reference to each other, watching surprised as Kaldur unleashed his frustrations. Dick gapped open-mouthed at the entrance to their layer, having never seen his friend in such a state.
Artemis and Wally stood, shuffling their feet with their shoulders slumped and heads bowed. Obviously listening, they offered no objections and tried to avoid Kaldur's stony gaze. Seconds of silence ticked ominously by, the group caught in a gracelessly uncomfortable situation.
"…I'm sorry…about earlier. I don't have time for this. I've gotta get stuff together to help Cailan tomorrow." Kid Flash tugged his mask off and turned his back, not meeting his leader's eyes.
"Tch!" Artemis scoffed, her rage triggering her to ignore the reprimand she'd just gotten. "Right, just walk away and dottle off to that…that…queen-bee. Ignore your TEAM!"
"Dude, what is your deal?" Wally rounded on her, throwing down his mask and bulking himself to his full (though, still rather puny) girth. "Every turn has you bagging on me or on Cailan—what exactly did we do to you to tick you off?"
"Hm, I don't know, maybe the fact that you're ditching us for her!" Artemis crossed her arms and turned her body away from K.F. "Not that saving the world is that important, when some girl you hardly know decides to give you the time of day, right Wally?"
"What was that!" Wally roared, taken aback at the direct attack. "You—"
"…is that what this is about, jealousy?" Megan asked, tipping her head to the side. "Hello Megan! Artemis, you're upset because Wally is spending so much time with another girl!"
The team froze, and looked wide-eyed at each other and Miss Martian. Taken aback they all took a moment to digest what she'd said. Her outburst and following smile confused them slightly and caught everyone off guard.
"NO WAY!" Wally and Artemis yelled together, moving even farther apart than they'd been.
"…Megan's on to something…you two did begin arguing more after school started and Wally tried to flirt with Cailan…" Dick put his hand to his chin as if he were going to stroke a beard he didn't have, thinking.
"Wha—no! I-I…" Artemis gave up, put a hand to her head and sighed. "Look, I just don't trust her and I think that the more you put her on this high pedestal, the farther and the harder you're going to come crashing back to earth when you realize she's not half as perfect as you think. I…just don't want my friend to be hurt."
"Thanks SO much. Hmph. It isn't any of your business anyways; you can't just—"
"It doesn't matter. For the time being, you two will be reprimanded and off of future missions. You are not to report here, unless called directly for." Kaldur'am had a hard time saying it. But Batman had made things very clear in the beginning; he couldn't take the chance of his team being compromised.
"What? What kinda decision is that?" Artemis demanded, stepping forward.
"Wait you can't just take me off the team!" Wally protested, gesturing wildly with his hands.
"Are you sure that's a good idea, Kaldur? I mean—" Megan started in.
"…this is so not good…" Dick muttered to Conner, who nodded and remained out of the line of fire of the other four who continued to argue. "Not. Good."
…
[Sunday, September 18th, 12:30pm]
"Hey, thanks for letting me reschedule for today Wally," Cailan said tossing her head back and dropping her things into the booth seat. "I had practice yesterday and dance rehearsal, ran over. Oh, and…sorry, about the late call to explain everything I—"
"No, no! It's cool, really, it's fine. No big…" Wally shook his head and protested, despite the fact that he'd waited nearly two hours for her to show before he gave up and went home. "Ahem…uh, anyways…your physics,"
"Oh…right," she groaned. "I've got pretty much no idea what's going on,"
She thudded her textbook on the table and hurriedly flipped it open a few chapters in. "Uh…I think we're here…?" she said, giggling and rolling her eyes, digging through her purse for a planner.
They sat across the table for a while, going over things. Wally walked her through the chapter; he hadn't thought it'd be so hard to teach something. He was starting to get a new-found respect for teachers.
"Okay, I kinda get this; it shouldn't be so hard—I'm sorry," She brushed physics aside, taking it halfheartedly. Calie paid attention to what he said, but when she got a problem wrong she laughed it off and had a way of acting like she didn't care.
Every so often Cailan would glance up at Wally as he studied the problem, searching for a good way to help her understand. If he caught her looking she'd smile and let him go back to looking at the textbook. She wanted to apologize again; the two sides of her argument when something like this: "It's none of his business why I was busy yesterday and late today. I let him know that I couldn't make it…" for the pro of keeping silent, and like this: "He's a sweet kid. He deserves to know that you're not totally heartless and just manipulating him." for the con of not saying anything.
"Hey, Wally?" she put her hand on his arm. "Uh, I—"
This time, I wonder what it feels like, to find the one in this life, the one we all dream of, but dreams just aren't enough, so I'll be waiting for the real thing, I'll know it by the—
Cailan mouthed sorry and answered her phone, sliding out of the booth and standing at the corner of the table. She rolled her eyes and held it to her shoulder, looking back to the freshman boy with a question.
"Nah, its cool, no worries," he waved his hand nonchalantly, trying to stay positive.
"…I told you babe, if I don't study I'll—" he heard her whisper irritably.
He tried to ignore his heart sinking. 'babe,' equaled boyfriend. "I gotta go. No. I've got. To. Go."
"Wally, I'm really sorry." Cailan said, turning off her phone.
She focused more after the phone call, as if (to Wally at least) she was trying to make up for the distraction. He could tell she was concentrating harder than before; at least she was trying. He couldn't say that she was going to get a 100% on her next test, but the concepts and basics of what she was doing was at least apparent. He could guarantee she wasn't going to fail it.
The time slipped by and it was soon late in the afternoon.
"Thanks again Wally. Hey, wanna let me buy you an ice cream or something—to make up for taking your weekend with school stuff, and for yesterday?"
"Well, you don't have to make up for anything at all, but…yeah, if you wanna I'm not gonna twist your arm to make you stop," he grinned.
"Great! Where do you wanna go?"
"Hm how'bout—oh, wait. Cailan, I can't." the young hero groaned inwardly and leaned heavily against the wall. "I've got plans with my friends tonight."
"Hey, that's cool. Rain check, kay?"
…
[8:00pm]
"Lizzy told Emily that she's been seeing Jake," Megan said, sending food around the kitchen haphazardly making dinner.
Wally slumped on his elbows, head hanging.
"Wally, this is not healthy," Kaldur said, putting a hand on his friend's shoulder. "There are other girls—"
"Don't give him that line," Dick chuckled, walking in through the portal in his Robin outfit.
"Duo gig with The Bat over already?" Conner said, hardly looking up from the videogame he had going on the big screen.
"…" Robin glanced around and then shrugged. "Just the Joker's goons; he's planning something big though."
"Is Artemis coming for dinner?" Megan asked, peering at the others.
"I do not believe so," Kaldur said, straightening and crossing his arms.
"But she said she wanted a rain check…what does that even mean?" Wally interrupted, looking to the others for help.
"…maybe Artemis could—"
"She doesn't exactly like this topic. Hey, what game is that?" Dick changed directions and went into the living room, his costume gone and jeans and hoodie in proper place.
"Please, do not focus so much on this girl Wally." Aqualad said; he turned to Megan and said he was going for a swim before dinner.
…
"Kaldur!" Garth said, breaking from his studies and grinning. "How have you been? It is too long since last we saw you!"
"I am sorry brother; I am and have been well, and busy. And you? How have classes faired for you here?" He met his friend's embrace and stood back; they were patched and mended in their friendship, but there was still a bridge they needed to cross.
"They have been classes, but the Queen has taught us much. But come," he saw the look on Kaldur's face and knew there was more. "this cannot be what you have given your precious time for. Tell me, brother, what is it you seek?"
Garth kept his smile and kept his attitude warm, opening his arms wide to Atlantis.
"Actually, I only wanted a word with Tula; a past event has been on my mind, yet I cannot seem to recall the details. I was hoping she would be able to clarify,"
"I am sorry to tell you Kaldur. She is away now; she was asked by the Queen to accompany her on a journey to the Indonesian Sea-territory. They seek new techniques and methods, but they are not within easy reach." Garth said, trying to keep a peaceable demeanor to Kaldur.
Kaldur paused a moment, nodded his head, gathered his thoughts. "Thank you, Garth. It was a simple matter; there is no need to tell Tula I called. I shall see you both again soon," Kaldur said.
Aqualad swam the rounds; there were other friends he needed to see, a home he wanted to look over again.
…
[September 21st, 8:30pm]
"Oh!" the look on Cailan's face was a mixture of pure surprise, startlement, and apology as she stood with her mouth hanging open, her eyes wide. "I am so sorry!"
Her chestnut hair billowed up around her shoulders as she instantly dropped to the ground to pick up the books she'd knocked out of the guy's hands.
"It is not a problem," Kaldur said smiling, on his knees assisting Cailan with his books.
"Hey," her eyes smiled over to him as she paused. "You're Wally and Dick's friend…uh, Cal, right?"
Kaldur smiled a reply as they stood.
"I've seen you around school," she said. "Sorry for the book-check, you'd think I'd be graceful as a dancer!"
"Really, it is no problem. What are you doing here so late?" Kaldur asked, looking around. He figured she must have come to the business district from the school.
"Just grabbing a bite after practice," she smiled. "What about you?"
"Oh, I…forgot my books. There's a test tomorrow. You just finished with practice?"
"Wellllll, I had gymnastics and cheerleading right after school, and then I went to work with the dance team after that."
"That's right, Wally said—" he stopped and cleared his throat, trying to think of a good way to change the subject.
"Wally said…?" she asked slowly, cocking her head at him.
"…oh, uh, he just mentioned that you were on many school teams,"
He studied her face; there was a series of emotions that flew across her face, but none lasted long enough for him to register. "Heh, yeah, it keeps me pretty busy,"
"KALDUR! What IS TAKING so long?" Dick called from around the corner.
"Sorry for keeping you," Calie said, adjusting her pack and sports bag to hold the sack of food she had with her with both hands.
"Do not worry, Dick is simply impatient."
"Oh, hey Calie," Dick said as though he knew her. There was an informal code among the students at GA: class rank was important—to most of them. If Dick had gotten caught by the wrong person at school, it could have meant trouble.
Calie, however, greeted his tone like she would any long friend's. "Hey Dick? Sup man?"
He shrugged and smiled. "Just hanging around; we're gonna study for that test tonight." He lied easily.
"Well, good luck on that one. Don't stay at it too late; it's better to sleep before a test,"
They'd walked down the street together and she was getting ready to separate and go down main as she said her goodbye.
"Oh, hey," Dick said, getting an idea into his head. "The two of us and Wally are gonna hang at the park on Friday, if you don't have anything going on, you should catch us there."
"When do you find time for schoolwork?" Kaldur interrupted, giving Calie a quizzical look.
"…hah, well…therein lies why I'm plaguing Wally for help in physics…" they didn't respond "Well, I mean, I get a lot of work done in class and before school…I squeeze some studying in between practices…but…"
Dick whistled. "Keeps ya busy…"
At the same time Kaldur murmured something about her 'not being a plague to Wally'.
"I guess…" she gave them a funny look and laughed. "Hey, I gotta get going, get some studying in and all that… catch ya guys around…"
"Hey! Calie," Kaldur called, reaching a hand for her shoulder.
The girl turned, just shy of his reach. "Hm?"
"…uh, about Friday?"
"I'll see,"
…
[September 23rd 9:19pm]
"Thought you weren't gonna show tonight," Dick said, leaning against a tree.
Calie dribbled the ball a little and brought it to the top of her foot. With a bounce she sent it up and caught it, tossing it from one hand to the other. "Eh, decided you guys weren't that lame,"
She winked and cherry-bombed the ball to Wally.
The soccer ball glowed in the dark; after explaining why she was late—a dance performance at South-West high (conveniently leaving out certain details) –and getting teased for it they split into teams. Wally, of course, chose Calie; Dick and Kaldur played opposite them. Calie and Wally switched between playing field and playing goalie.
Kaldur played a casual field game; if he tried too hard he and Dick would have won by a land slide. Calie was a dancer, not a soccer player; Wally was fast but Kaldur was more versatile on the field, and there wasn't a shot Dick couldn't block.
"Heh, Wally, I think you're losing on my account," she joked, sitting and catching the water bottle Kaldur tossed to her.
"Why not trade teams?" he asked, shrugging his shoulders.
Calie blushed and shrugged, taking a fast drink. Maybe he's getting tired of you tangling yourself in his feet…you shouldn't be trying to flirt with him anyways. That's what people call 'being a tease', stupid.
"…yeah, sure okay," Wally said, fist-bumping Dick.
"I dunno Cal, I'm not much of goalie either," she smiled trading her place next to the red head to sit with his friend.
"I would not worry about the ball getting to you in the first place," he winked and smiled down at her. She took another drink. Did Wally see?
…
[September 28th, 12:04pm]
"…haha, yeah I know! You wouldn't believe it from her size though!" Wally overheard as he carried his tray over to his lunch table.
"What do you mean?" the girl's friend said, glancing around to see if she'd been heard.
"Well, Calie is so small, I wouldn't think she'd be able to handle all the booze,"
Wally froze and turned, staring blatantly at them. They didn't notice and continued on; dumbstruck the young hero sat, hardly looking at his food.
"Something up?" Artemis asked, her tone void of emotion.
"…no," he lied, digging in.
I didn't know she drinks…
[2:54pm]
"Jake, no," Kaldur heard someone giggle as he dug through his locker at the end of the day. "I told you, I gotta get to practice,"
"Yeah, I know. I do too," he heard the guy—Jake—and heard the grin on his voice.
"Jake!" there was laughter now.
Kaldur thought nothing of it as he met Wally and the two turned the corner to get to the main stairs and exit through the front doors, a thing they rarely had a chance to do anymore.
"…Cailan?" Wally asked, taken aback.
It would have been one thing to see a hug, or even a kiss. It was another thing to walk around the corner at school and see her legs around a guy's waist, back against the wall, hands around his neck. His face was hidden in her shoulder and she was shying away, being ticklish.
Her face went scarlet and she squirmed to get out of Jake's grasp. "arg," he hissed, "What?"
He set her to her feet and she turned away from the three of them. "Babe, what? What's it matter?" he demanded, glancing to the two intruders and then back to her.
"I—I gotta get to practice," she said, giving another ashamed look to the two heroes and slamming her locker closed, darting off around the corner.
"What the hell?" Jake growled quietly, punching her locker. "Damn bitch,"
Wally was frozen in place, still starring at where Calie had been; Kaldur had turned his face away, not wanting memories of Tula, not wanting to see when he'd thought…
"What're you staring at, you freak," Jake shouldered Wally roughly into Kaldur.
"Hey!" the red-head said, startled out of starring.
"That was uncalled for," Kaldur's voice rumbled in a low tone, his eyes sparking out that Jake was on dangerous ground.
"Yeah, so was this," he threw a cheap punch from Kaldur's blind spot, sending him stumbling.
"Kaldur!" Wally shouted, catching his leader by the shoulder.
"Heh, listen to the pussy and stay down kid,"
…
[September 29th 9:37pm]
"K.S WHAT are you DOING?" Superboy yelled, doing a double take at Wally and leaping to his aid just before a beam obliterated everything in a three-foot radius from where Wally had been standing. Unfortunately for Superboy, he didn't make it clear of injury.
"Kid Flash get your head in the game!" Kaldur yelled using his unique weapons to simultaneously save Superboy and block yet another attack.
Kid Flash shook his head and made a running lunge for their attackers, stabbing blindly in the dark in attempts to find him.
Their job was to be covert; once again they'd been discovered and jeopardized from a childish mistake. They were only supposed to gather information and report back this time. They weren't supposed to take on this minor-league of joker-cronies.
"Heheheheh! Uncle Joker isn't going to like that they're interfering!" the ring-leader of the street gang spat out, a wild, drug-induced grin on his face.
"Baal, shut up!" a girl in a ragity-ann getup yelled as she wailed on Dick after the distraction with Superboy had caught him off guard.
"Robin!" Megan yelled, using her telepathy to freeze the doll mid-punch.
"Behind him Megan!" Kaldur yelled; Artemis let a net-arrow fly and captured a meta-human in the form of a hyena before he'd had a chance to sink his claws into Megan's back.
"This way!" A pumpkin-headed boy of fifteen yelled, his jack-o-lantern smile flickering as he screeched the tires of a car in a doughnut-spin. Baal shoved another bone-head out of the way and leapt in, followed by the ragity-ann imposter and the third punk. The hyena-thing whined, but it's 'friends' spun their wheels and took off, the tires squealing dirt in their faces.
"…definitely not feeling the aster this time," Robin groaned, kicking the dirt. They had explaining to do.
…
[Present time; September 30th 1:15am]
"You can't do that." Artemis said boldly, taking a stance.
" I just did. I am the leader of this team."
"I wasn't even the one who jeprodized our mission! It was Wally who froze up and nearly got us all killed! Not me. You can't take me out of this; my uncle—"
"—left you in my charge. You may not have caused our mission to fail—that was a flaw in our approach and our teamwork—but you are also not helping whatever this situation is. You have not been supporting Wally and have not been much of a teammate since we all enrolled at Gothem Academy. Whatever is going on, you should have come to us—both of you. Instead, you hid it away and that could have gotten us all into trouble tonight. Pack your things and stand. Down."