Chapter Six: Fly in a Sticky Trap

Artemis tugged at my hair and M'gann did my make-up. I bit my lip and tried to stay as still as I could, but the yanking on my scalp hurt and the brushes tickled. I twitched my nose and tried not to sneeze in M'gann's face.

"There, done." Huffed Artemis, putting her fists on her hips.

"Oh! Hello Megan! A mirror!" with a wave of her wrist the Martian handed me a hand mirror.

I looked in it and my eyes widened. "Am… am I meant to look like a Villain or a Good Guy?"

They glanced at each other. "Whatever you want!"

"Hopefully a Good Guy though." Artemis crossed her arms.

I smiled. "Let's go show the guys."

Xx

I walked into the room with my best lusty, swaying walk I could. Not that the boys noticed my entrance, which was probably good, because I tripped on my cloak/cape on the way in. Wally noticed though, snickering a little. I blushed, but held my head high. I was going to do everything Giselle (the sex appeal Goddess) taught me.

I whistled. That caught Robin and Aqualad's attention, they glanced over and I watched their eyes widen.

I blew a kiss and dropped my dark green cloak.

Dick suggested I mix the different outfits my mother used to wear back before was born together to make my own outfit. So I did. I wore a strapless lime green leotard, turquoise tights with lime green thigh high boots. Lime green fingerless gloves covered my arms up to two inches before my shoulders and were decorated with twisted pale green and yellow leaves. My lips were painted dark green and the same color shadowed my eyelids. M'gann tinted my cheeks a little pale greener and Artemis twisted my hair into a long French braid that fell over my shoulder.

I struck a pose and puckered my lips. "How do I look boys?"

"About as good as your mother…" Wally blushed. I knew it was a complement not an insult.

"Wow…" gasped Robin, his face going pink.

"What will you call yourself now?" asked Aqualad, unfazed. Not surprising.

"Nettle, Stinging Nettle." I purred.

"Cut it out." Snapped Artemis, lightly smacking me upside the head. "Sexy doesn't suit you."

"Very true." I pointed out. I spun around and added. "I like it better then my old outfit."

M'gann smiled and high-five me at our good work. I looked around. "Where's Connor?"

"Off fixing his bike." Replied Wally, jamming some food down his throat.

"I'll go show him!" I chirped and dashed off to go find him.

Xx

I showed Conner. He didn't seem to notice or care about the difference, so I just wondered off back to the others.

I liked my new outfit and it felt kind of nice being close to Ivy… er… my mother. As bad as it sounded and was meant to be, I liked knowing that Ivy was my mother. She had been my idol for so long. Whenever Giselle and I chatted about what superpower we wanted I always said I wanted Poison Ivy's power. She argued that ice touch was far better. That's just her though.

But I knew that tomorrow night I was going to take off the Stinging Nettle costume and put back on Black Widow and pretend to be something I no longer am. Was keeping your secret identity really this hard? I wonder how Robin manages to keep it for so long! I don't even think Wally knows who he is, and they're meant to be best friends! And he wears those stupid sunglasses all the time!

I let out a frustrated sigh and strolled back into the hall. Black Canary was with them now and my face lit up, I couldn't wait to show her my outfit. I opened my mouth to call out to her but snapped it shut when a girl walked through the seta tubes. I froze.

Crossing my arms I watched as Robin quickly stumbled over his words and introduced everyone to her. Jealousy washed over me and before I knew it I let it take control.

I strutted over to them.

"That's, Artemis and Aqualad and-" when he turned he saw me and froze.

"Nettle, pleasure to meet you." I snapped, my voice dripping sarcasm.

I nudged passed her and made my way to the zeta tubes. The girl stumbled and Robin was quick to grab her and stop her from falling. I watched over my shoulder and narrowed my eyes.

"W… Nettle what's gotten into you!" demanded Robin.

My eyes flicked to the man in the top hat. "I quit."

The group behind me took in a deep breath and shouted out complaints that I was being selfish and what had gotten into me. I looked away, tears threatening to spill over. It wasn't a plan that just popped into my head out of jealousy. There was no doubt that the team would catch me with Giselle one way or another and they would feel betrayed. So I decided to quit the team, pack my things and run. It was best for everyone.

I tugged off the pale green mask that Dick had designed himself with the help of Alfred. It had pretty little silver lined nettle leaves around it. I tossed it to Robin's feet.

"I," I spun on my heel and walked calmly to the zeta tube. "-quit." Waving over my shoulder I added. "See ya."

"Black Widow, B0343…"

And I was gone.

Xx

"Dick, why didn't Winifred go on the mission?" asked Batman later that evening. He was driving Robin home in the Batmobile.

It was late and Dick was tired, the event today left him sore and in need of a shower and warm bed. He was half awake when his mentor and adoptive father asked the question out of the blue. A question he was hoping he didn't have to answer. He didn't even want to think about it.

The memory of Wini waving over her shoulder and walking away, replayed in his mind over and over. Each time it made his stomach churn and his heart almost stop. What had gotten into her? It wasn't like her to act that cold and why would she just leave when she was so happy about her new outfit. Something had to be wrong. But Black Canary stopped him from going after her, saying she'd come back when she cooled down, all she needed was some space and fresh air.

But Wini never came back. She never stowed away on the ship like he was hoping and pop out laughing about their scared faces. In some ways he was thankful she didn't show up. She was safer away from the fight. Much safer. But her little, rounded green tinted face never popped up anywhere.

Dick groaned and pinched the bridge of his nose. "She ran off before we left."

Bruce raised an eyebrow. His crawl was back, airing out his head and face. "Ran off?"

"She got all… mad when Zatanna showed up." He sunk down deeper in his seat under the hard gaze his mentor gave him through the rearview mirror. "She said she quit and just… left."

Reaching into his pocket he pulled out the mask she had thrown at him. The mask he had spent so much time and effort making for her. Letting out an aggravated sigh he ran his fingers through his hair.

"I'm sure she's waiting for us at home." Bruce reassured the boy and himself.

But she wasn't there.

"Alfred, please tell Winifred I want to speak to her."

Alfred gave his master a confused look. "But, Master, I thought she was with you. I haven't seen her all day."

That's when panic sunk in…

Xx

2 days later…

"Look what I found." Red Arrow dropped me onto the floor. "Isn't she yours?"

"Oof!" my wig slipped off and my red hair spilled onto the floor. My arms were handcuffed behind my back and my mouth was taped shut. He had taken the liberty of doing it after I shouted 'RAPE!' too many times. I moved and sat on my knees, hanging my head. Tears threatened to spill over.

I knew this was going to happen and once again, Giselle got away, leaving me.

"Win-"

Batman raised his hand and stepped forward, silencing Robin before he could finish my name. I knew everyone was shocked and angry at me for turning back to my old ways. I knew this was going to happen and I let it happen.

"What is the meaning of this?" questioned Batman, looking down at me then back to Red Arrow.

"Her and her friend, Red Queen, were trying to steal Lady Vada's pink diamond." He crossed his arms and scowled down at me. "I caught this one but the other got away. She did put up a fight though."

"Wi- Nettle, what do you have to say about this?" Batman's gruff tone made my heart slam against my ribcage.

Bruce… he was so nice to me. Letting me live with him, join the group and get me into a good school. How did I repay him? I went back to my old ways.

A tear rolled down my cheek.

Ch-chink!

I looked up and scowled. Jumping up I side-kicked Red Arrow away from me. He stumbled back and the rest stepped back ready (somewhat) to fight me. I tossed the handcuffs at Batman's feet and lightly pulled off the tape from my mouth. Tears spilled down my cheeks.

"I never wanted this!" I howled, my voice cracking, tears running off my chin. "I... I… I…"

My bottom lip quivered and I took one last look at the group then ran through the zeta tube. Not once looking back.

Okay, so her outfit is a mixture of Poison Ivy from 'Batman: The Animated Series' and 'Batman and Robin' from Uma Thurman's character.

Um, I know a few characters might come off a bit OC-ish, but I try my best to keep them the same. So don't review saying that this fanfic sucks because none of the characters sound like their characters—no one can really make them THAT perfect except the real writers themselves.

PLEASE REVIEW! I do enjoy them. And I never seem to get that many. But thank you to those that do. It means a lot.

IF YOU HAVE NOTHING NICE TO SAY, PLEASE SAY NOTHING AT ALL. xx