**Disclaimer: I do not own any of the locations or songs within this story, Young Justice and its characters such as Dick Grayson and Zatanna Zatara are strictly property of Warner Bros. and DC Comics. Songs that are being sung are not owned by me either, but are written and performed by Jesse McCartney, voice actor of Dick Grayson on Young Justice.

Dick woke up looking at the face of the most beautiful girl in the world, in his opinion at least. She slept so peacefully, no snoring, their memory foam bed keeping them warm along with each other. He sat up on the edge of the bed looking out the window, thinking to himself, "I only have a few more days here with her, and I better make them count." Zatanna awoke; her eyes set upon her boyfriend of four years and asked, "Babe? Are you alright?" Dick was sitting thinking when he heard his angelic voice ring in his ears, "I'm alright, I just can't sleep anymore." "Why? Come back to bed, it's only half past three, we still have a few more hours before we have to get going." "I don't really want to go back, Zee." Zatanna reached up and gave him a kiss on the chick, her nice thick legs still under the sheets. He looked at her; a smile came onto his face as she was smiling.

She said, "I don't want to go back either, babe, but we have to, either way, the Team is counting on us, especially since Kaldur walked out on us, you lead the team now, Dick." "I'm happy to lead the Team; I have for over a month now, including this vacation we took together." "Come back to bed, my love." "Alright, I can't say no to you, not about this at least." He climbed back into bed, neither of them could sleep now, but they attempted to, his arms wrapped around her waist, their faces only inches apart. Zatanna ran her fingers through his hair, gently, and the look on his face told her he was enjoying it thoroughly. They laid in bed and talked to one another for the next few hours when Dick said to her whole-heartedly, "There are many people who always have a special place in my heart, a different kind of love, but with you, it's different, I'll love you forever, until the day I die, my heart is yours for as long as it beats."

She replied solemnly, "I love you with all of my heart, and my heart is yours as long as it beats. I'd like to spend the rest of my days with you, Richard Grayson." "You're my soul, Z…" His sentence was cut short by their doorbell ringing. Dick said, "I'll get it." Getting up from his spot on the bed, releasing Zatanna from his grasp, he put on the shirt of his pajamas and rushed to answer the door. He was surprised to see Bruce standing outside of it, he opened the door. Bruce looked at his son, seeing that something had changed about him overnight, and he had the feeling he knew exactly what had changed. Dick said, "Bruce? Come on in." Bruce replied, "Okay, I'm here to talk to you about Aqualad's status." "Kaldur'ahm? He told me he had been heading to Poseidonis to stay with his also grieving friend Garth, the hero Tempest." "Well, he was in Poseidonis, but he left there days ago, no one has heard from him since." "I hope he's alright then, Kaldur is a good hero, and a good friend. I let him walk out; it's my fault he's missing, Bruce." "

It's not your fault, Tula's death was unpreventable, she sacrificed herself, she knew the risk, and hopefully we'll be able to find him soon." "Hopefully, you're right." Dick said unsure. Dick said quietly, "I need to tell you something, Bruce. I did something I feel I shouldn't have done, not yet at least." "You and Zatanna…" He wasn't surprised to see that Bruce had figured it out so quickly, the man was his adoptive father, and mentor after all. "Yes, we did." Bruce gave him a reassuring look "Well, it's okay, you were safe weren't you?" "Yes, but I can't help but feel that we should have waited until after we were married." "Dick, I can't help that, the only major consequence would be her getting pregnant, besides, you know Diana and I are active, right?" "I only figured, your playboy act only fools the public eye, but to those who know you know what a caring friend, and loving father you are, to Tim and me." Bruce smiled at this, and Dick continued, "But, I can only think now, Zatara wouldn't approve of me doing this to her, I've taken her purity away from her." "The same way she took away yours."

Dick couldn't help but blush a bit at this statement. "Well, Bruce, I'll see you at the Watchtower today." Bruce stood up, and he hugged Dick, and said, "I'll see you soon, son." Zatanna, who was waiting in their bed, asked Dick as he walked back in their bedroom, "What was that about?" "He just wanted to find out what was going on with Kaldur." "And what did you say?" "I said that he went to Poseidonis last time I had heard anything, but Bruce said he disappeared." "Hmm, well we might have to search for him, but then again, I think we should just wait for him to turn up." "I agree, we should give him some time to himself, he should be back soon." Dick leaned in and kissed her, "Get your things packed up, Zee, we have to get back to Happy Harbor." Zatanna quickly responded, casting a spell, "Emit ot yrt tuo eht wen kool, dna kcap ym sgab." Dick watched as her nightgown changed into her newest costume, and the gown placed itself neatly into Zatanna's luggage. He never got tired of watching her perform magic.

He admired how fluidly and gracefully she cast her spells, the way she lifted her arms when she made a costume change. Her new hero outfit consisted of a white blouse cut at the chest to where it was more revealing, a white bowtie, white gloves, and a black jacket, with black spandex underwear, skin matching panty-hose, and black high heeled boots. He looked at her, admiring the look, even though he had seen it many times before he still loved it. She spoke again, "Tup no s'kcid emutsoc, dna kcap sih sgab." A magical sensation engulfed Dick and his costume, mask and all was on him, his bags had packed. He smiled, "Thanks." She smiled back and said teasingly, "Ready to go?" "Yeah, let's get going." Dick pulled their bags into his mustang which was also transformed into the Wingmobile; he smiled and opened the door for Zatanna, whose wavy hair was blowing in the wind. She sat down in the car, "Thanks boy wonder." Zatanna said teasing him. He smiled and leaned down to kiss her before she put her feet into the car, and he closed the door, "You're welcome." He smiled on and walked into the drivers' side, getting in and shutting the door.

They left their apartment building, 1013 Parkthorne Avenue, which was now owned by Dick, and this was one of the many things he had purchased such as Haly's Circus, with the fortune that was made from his trust fund that was left by Dick's family, courtesy of Lucius Fox. The drive was about an hour long, on the interstate; Dick had taken his mask off for the duration of the trip. Dick and Zatanna had travelled all over the world together as a couple, and as teammates. The couple even though it was rare when they weren't together, cherished every moment they had together; knowing any day could be their last. Their conversations as always were about the future, plans, missions, among many other things.

Finally they had arrived at Happy Harbor, entering Mount Justice the computer said "Recognize Nightwing B01 Zatanna B08". They were greeted by the rest of the Team which now consisted of Dick (Nightwing), Zatanna, Conner Kent (Superboy), M'gann M'oorz (Miss Martian), Barbara Gordon (Batgirl), Raquel (Rocket), Tim Drake (Robin), La'gaan (Lagoon Boy), Karen Beecher (Bumblebee), Mal Duncan, Cassie Sandsmark (Wondergirl), and Garfield Logan (Beast Boy). Conner and Tim were the first to greet them, "Welcome back you two! How was the vacation?" Tim said, shooting Dick a wink. Dick blushed, instantly he knew that Tim had found out about what had happened the night before. "It was a good time off, but we're glad to be back." Dick replied reassuringly.

Conner approached next, "We've missed you guys around here." "And we've missed all of you; the last few days have been crazy." "I heard you gave Deathstroke a beating for me, I'm glad to hear it." "He had it coming, he was trying to release Ra's Al Ghul from Arkham, and we couldn't let that happen." Conner was about to speak but a transmission came on the screen, it was Bruce, he was suited up, "Nightwing, I need you and Zatanna to come up to the Watchtower immediately." "We'll be up immediately." Dick replied. "Make that double time, Batman out." The screen shut off, "Alright Team, sorry to cut this reunion short, but we have to get up to the Watchtower, we'll be back soon." Nightwing and Zatanna entered the Zeta Tube and they Zeta'd up to the Watchtower to meet Bruce. Bruce was in the League meeting room, Bruce, even under the cowl, had a grave look on his face.

"Good you're here, The Court of Owls, do you remember them?" "Yes, the stories you'd tell me, how they used to rule Gotham from behind the scenes, why?" "Well, there have been a few murders recently all performed by one man, it wasn't Deathstroke, or the League of Shadows' work, there was a different mark, a symbol that looks slightly like an Owl, and we've looked into it, there have been multiple sightings of what are believed to be Talon's throughout Gotham, Azrael has traced a former Talon who could be of some assistance in this matter." Zatanna stood there puzzled by the fact that the Court of Owls was real.

Dick continued, "Okay, I think we'll be able to call on the whole family then today, we need to get this settled." "I'll round up the family and I'll meet you in the Batcave. Just beam in after you're ready, and it's your choice if you want Zatanna to come." Batman stepped into the Zeta tubes and he left. "Zee, I don't want to put your life in danger like this, these are some of the most dangerous assassins in the world." Dick said sweetly. "Dick, I just want to be by your side, through it all, I'd be out of my place here without you, and I'm coming with you." She grabbed his hand and pulled him to her body and kissed him softly but pulled off quickly, "Babe, you're freaking out over nothing, what could go wrong?" Zatanna said reassuringly, "Shouldn't the Team know about what's going on?" "Batman is briefing them probably right now as we speak; we need to get to Gotham, the rest of The Bat family is gathering at the Batcave." Dick and Zatanna beamed into the Batcave, finding it empty save for Alfred Pennyworth, the Wayne's family butler. "Alfred, prepare for the entire Bat Family to be here." Alfred responded, "Not the entire, Bat Family, Master Richard." "Alfred, don't mention him, please." Zatanna cut in, "Mention who, Dick?"

Dick sighed, "Jason Todd, you remember him, he was the second Robin, he was a headstrong boy, but he was my brother nonetheless. He was killed by the Joker after only a short time of being Robin; Tim took his place just a year after." "You didn't tell me too much about him." "It was something Bruce wanted to keep a secret but I told you anyway. Bruce actually at one point nearly killed the Joker. He had been so heartbroken about it. I had to resuscitate him, even though I hated the man, and he very well deserves death after everything he's done, I couldn't let my mentor, my father, have blood on his hands, even if it was over Jason."

"I'm sorry Dick, I forgot." She hugged him quickly, and he held on to her silently until he heard Azrael and the rest of the Bat Family walking in. Dick smiled to see his friends back, and when they were all in, Dick introduced all of them in the order they were standing, "Zatanna, this is Catwoman, Flamebird, and Batwoman. Batman, Robin, and Batgirl are on their way right now." The Zeta tube's computer announced Batman, Robin, and Batgirl coming through the beams. They entered and Bruce spoke quickly to everyone, "Welcome back, all of you, we're here today because there have been a series of murders throughout Gotham, and we have good reason to believe that it is the work of the Court of Owls. Nightwing, if you'd like to finish." Dick continued with Bruce's speech, "Bodies have been found all over the city, the Talon's have gotten sloppy with their work, we need to split up into smaller teams. We've tracked a former Talon, courtesy of Azrael, the man's name is Calvin Rose, he lives in an apartment in Bludhaven, and I think we're going to need his help if we're going to defeat the Court any time soon."

"We're going to have a team of three to confront Rose; the rest of us will be on watch for now." Bruce, Dick and Zatanna were one team this time ready to meet the former Talon, who had attempted to live a separate life, safe from the Court of Owls. The apartment Rose lived in was large, but simple; it seemed now that he had a wife and child. Conveniently, the blonde hair blue eyed Calvin Rose had come out of his bedroom to grab some cereal, he didn't know Bruce, Dick and Zatanna were waiting for him. The man turned on the small light, Dick saw a familiar face, a man, a performer from Haly's Circus that he had met many years ago in fact this man was a friend of his family, when they were both younger. Rose had nearly gone ballistic when he saw the three dark figures. Nightwing said, "Calm down, we're not gonna hurt you, we just need some questions answered." Rose replied with a startled look still on his face, "I don't know anything; I'm just a simple man." "Please, all four of us know that's not true. You were a Talon, an assassin for the Court of Owls. But we're not here to apprehend you. We want to know why you left, and why the Talons have been targeting citizens all over Gotham." Mr. Rose sighed, "I knew I'd be discovered some day."

"It's a consequence of living so close to what you were trying to escape." "Don't remind me, Nightwing, but I've left that life behind for a normal life, and here, the Talon's wouldn't dare send anyone to come for me, not here, I was one of their best." "Even so, do you have any idea why they'd be killing random citizens with no connection?" "When I left, they had been talking about retaking Gotham, from 'The Black Demon'; I assume they were talking about you." He looked over at Bruce, and then turned back over to Dick, "Well, would you be willing to go out one last time, to help us take out the Court for good?" "As much as I'd love to help you, if I go back, I put myself at risk of being put under the control of the Court once again. Their control is strong, but only in the reaches of Gotham." "Good to know, thank you for your time, Mr. Rose."

They walked out of the apartment, Rose had watched them leave, and he turned around and said to himself, "That voice, it's strangely familiar. Could it be? No who am I kidding, they died on the Trapeze act 8 years ago… except… except for the boy! That must have been him, it must have been Dick Grayson, he was selected to be a Talon, and he turned around again to try to get their attention, "Hey!" But as soon as he looked, they were already gone; he grabbed some of his old equipment, the black costume of the Talon, he refrained from wearing the cowl, he went to chase after them.

Dick, Zatanna and Bruce rendezvoused with the rest of their team, and they began talking over their plans. Dick looked at the rest of the group, he had become the new speaker, "Listen up, the Court of Owls has been killing people to draw us, namely Batman and I, out of the dark, they want to take the city back from the control of Batman and his allies, however, I suspect they're not involved with The Light whatsoever, and that some of The Light's allies and agents might be working against them as we speak." Tim replied to him, well I've done my own sleuthing, and Bane has not only has his own island in Santa Prisca, but he's set up operations here and has been waging war against the Court.

You know what they say, they send out a Talon for the head of anyone who speaks of them." "We won't have to worry about that, alright let's get to Gotham. A voice rang out to them, "WAIT!" It was Calvin Rose; he was wearing a suit that was strange to Dick, Zatanna and all of their companions. "Grayson, Grayson, it's you, you're the next chosen…" His words were cut short as three large shuriken entered his back and made a slight exit out of his chest, sticking there. He looked down, his eyes glazed; he looked at Dick and then fell to the ground. Dick caught the dying man's body and yelled, "Talon's!" The rest of his team got into their fighting stances, blocking the shuriken attacks with the spikes or their own weapons.

Dick held the body of the dying Calvin Rose, his voice muffled, fading, and choking on his own blood, "You Dick Grayson… you.. The next chosen Talon... The Court... Wants… You dead… Please… Tell my family… I love them." The man took one last breath, and his eyes glazed over completely, he went pale. Dick closed his eyes, pulled the three shuriken out and put his body down, "Rest in peace, old friend." Dick prepared himself to combat the Talon's who were fighting his family quickly. Zatanna cast a spell quickly, "Erif nrub, nordlauc elbbub." Instantly a fire had lit on the Talon's, and their minions, they were forced to run, it had killed many of the nonhumans who attacked them. The Talon's on the other hand ran off, back to Gotham. Tim prepared to make chase, Dick stopped him quickly, "Tim, now is not the time to give chase, if we chase them, there's bound to just be another ambush." "But Dick, we…" "Tim, no, we'll have to face them some other day, right now we've got a dead man here, and a child who lost a father." "I'm sorry, Dick." Zatanna put her arms around Dick, looking at him, he looked at her, "Everything's going to be okay Zee." He said sweetly. She smiled weakly, "I… I've never seen a man die like that, murdered, right in front of me." "It's alright; it's not something any of us wanted to see." Dick turned around to his fellow comrades, still holding Zatanna in his right arm, then looking down at Calvin's dead body. "The Court of Owl's must be stopped." Loosening his grip on Zatanna, he put his hand into hers for a second and pulled it out to bend down to take one last look at Calvin's body. "Your sacrifice… shall not be in vain, Cal." He carried the body in one arm, "Zee, come with me, we have to tell his family."

She followed him, taking his hand; she cast a spell, "Etak su ot eht esor ecnediser." They floated up and to Calvin's home; they rang the doorbell, as the sun just began to rise. A woman answered the door with a worried look on her face; Dick spoke in a grave tone, "Ma'am, Mrs. Rose, your husband is dead, I'm sorry, he was trying to tell us about the Court of Owls, when they murdered him." His wife said, "I knew that they'd come for him one day, I knew it, I dreaded this would happen…" Her eyes filled with tears, "I'm sorry, his body, leave it on the couch, I'll have the police handle it, thank you Nightwing." Dick carried the body into the houses couch, and he walked off, "Again, I'm terribly sorry, he was an old friend; I'll be back to check on you and your son, alright?" "Okay, I'll probably be here, oh and Nightwing, avenge him, please." Her face turned more serioius. "His death will not go unanswered, ma'am, I assure you."

Dick and Zatanna walked off and disappeared into the shadows, returning to the Batcave. After a small chat with the others Dick and Zatanna went off to Dick's room so they could talk and think for a while. Dick began pacing back and forth, thinking, while Zatanna sat on his bed, "Dick, Stop it." She said worriedly. "What?" He asked, confused. "You're not getting revenge on the Court." "Have you been reading my mind?" Dick smirked. "I don't need you… I can tell it's what you want." She said to him, looking away. "But please... Don't go after them. They're not worth it." "They killed Calvin… They tried to kill us… and more importantly they tried to kill you… I can't let them get away with this… If anything happened to you Zatanna… I couldn't live with myself." Dick whispered; the rage in his voice obvious, even in his hushed tone. "And they won't get away with it."

Zatanna stood up in front of him; she took his hands in hers. "We'll bring them to justice, but as a team, and not you alone. I can't lose you, Dick. Confronting the court alone means certain death." Dick sighed at this, but she was right, and he knew it. Confronting the Court of Owls alone meant certain death. He wrapped his arms around her waist and began trailing kisses across her neck; her arms slowly came around his own neck. They moved slowly to Dick's bed. He laid down on it, Zatanna on top of him, and once again continued to let the moment carry them further. They fell asleep after their little excursion was over; they were worn out after the long day, and still had a long day ahead of them, tracking down the Court of Owls.

Dick woke up to a nightmare; even waking up from it he still felt something was amiss. Zatanna woke up next to him, the moonlight shown on her flawless skin, Dick looked at her, "Zee, something's wrong, I can feel it." "What? It's late; you just had a bad dream." She replied to him quietly. "No, this is different; I feel that Bruce is in trouble, we need to find him." The rest of their team had gone either to patrol or leave, while it was just Bruce, Alfred, Tim, Dick and Zatanna. "Zee, we need to get dressed, now." Zatanna mumbled a spell, "Tuis su pu." A wave of magic came around them as their costumes came onto them. She smirked at his surprise, getting out of the bed, "Let's get going then." He smiled at her, "We have to wake up Tim, to get him ready."

Thanks for reading! RxR there's more on the way, all ideas and opinions are valued highly.