This was where Watchtower's so-called story was trying to come into focus (and never really did). It's after Conner gets back from Smallville and Scarecrow is out.

Again, if you've been following this story, you'll recognize the chapter so you can - and may - ignore it.

I swear, I will let you know when the change kicks in though, we are getting close now.

"Hey everyone!" Wally cheered as he skidded to a stop in the recreation room.

He posed like he'd just finished a difficult trick and was about to say 'Ta-da,' his face split by the overly huge smile that could only be pulled off by him. Conner looked up from a book Martha had let him borrow from the farm about events in history. Roy looked up from his maps with a soft glare while Artemis, M'Gann, and Kaldur looked up from their game of cards.

"Hey," Conner replied. "How was the trip with Flash?"

"Fine, oddly relaxing," Wally sighed as he flopped onto the couch next to M'Gann. "How was your time on the farm?"

"It was fine," Kaldur explained for Conner. "He learned a lot."

"Thanks Mom," Conner muttered. Roy snorted, his maps rustling as he leaned forward and stifled his laughter. Kaldur had the decency to nod in understanding the fact that he probably deserved the remark. Artemis had a hand over her mouth in slight surprise. M'Gann giggled softly as Kaldur watched Wally try to not fall off the couch.

"Wow Conner," Wally chuckled. "Nice retort!"

Conner smiled and gave as soft a high five as he could to the young Speedster. They chuckled at the others as they stared in amazement and glee. Conner gave them a questioning glance before letting himself fall back to his book.

"How was your trip to Atlantis Kaldur?" Wally asked in his friendly manner.

"I spent time with my King," Kaldur stated, his tone a bit deeper than usual. "I did not go to Atlantis personally."

"Leave that subject alone Wally," Roy warned. "He's been touchy about it since I brought it up yesterday. Thank go Conner was here." The last sentence was spoken softly enough so that only Conner could hear it. He stuck his tongue out at Roy somewhat petulantly which earned him a giggle or two from the girls.

"Uh…" Wally began. Conner nudged him gently and shook his head as he pulled his lips into his mouth. Wally made the same motion and nodded before saying, "Shutting up about it."

"Good," Kaldur sighed as he pinched the bridge of his nose. "I can't wait for Robin to finish up whatever's keeping him in Gotham."

"It is finals season for schools in Gotham," Artemis stated calmly. "I wouldn't be surprised if he's in the middle of a test right now."

"He's thirteen!" Roy yelled skeptically. "He's in freakin' middle school!"

"Middle schools can have midterms and finals," Artemis countered. Roy scoffed as he continued to flip through maps and other files. Conner had glanced at the files at one point only to find they were on every criminal that wasn't a resident of Gotham.

"Damn it all," Roy muttered.

"What?" M'Gann asked gently.

"I can't find anything on this Scarecrow guy the news claims escaped Arkam a few days ago," he replied as he shifted through the files and maps. Conner felt his body stiffen and he tried to avoid making himself noticeable. Easier said than done.

"Scarecrow and Arkam…" Artemis mused as Kaldur blanched. "Haven't I heard of those names in articles about Gotham?" She shot a scathing look at Roy who shot her one back in spades.

"Yeah and last I checked, that was Batman and Robin's territory," Kaldur stated quickly as he tried to diffuse the problem.

Conner felt himself shrinking into the seat cushions. He didn't like where this was going. The others had asked how he knew what to do when Ivy brainwashed Robin months ago and he'd let it slip that he'd been allowed to read the files. He was beginning to wish he hadn't hidden the damned things in his room. He should have given them back to Robin before he'd gone to Smallville. Robin had already warned him to not get them out of order or damaged.

"Batman will freaking kill me if anything happens to the files so…Don't get them damaged with liquids, shuffled out of order, and don't – I repeat – don't loose any of them!"

He'd done well so far in those instructions but Robin hadn't said anything about letting the others see them. He wasn't even sure that the others would go by the guidelines that Robin had placed on him so strictly. He had a very strong feeling that it was going to be disastrous if he allowed the others to look into those files.

"Last I checked, Superboy over there knew what Poison Ivy could do with pheromones," Roy snarled, his domino mask narrowed as he glared at Conner. The young clone glared back in spades as he closed his book slowly.

"Leave it alone," he stated as he rose to leave.

"Whoa wait a second here!" Artemis yelped as she leapt up to race in front of Conner. "I know I wasn't the only one who found it weird you knew what to do back then. We never asked how or why you knew but since Red Arrow is interested in Gotham's Scarecrow, I personally think we should know."

"Was that supposed to be a jab?" Red Arrow asked. Artemis glared at him. Kaldur stood slowly from the table to stand between Artemis and Conner.

"She does have a point Conner," the Atlantean stated calmly and rationally. "I'd like to know why Red Arrow's interested in Scarecrow when it's not even his city. However, the fact you may know about the criminals in Gotham means we may have -."

"Get your asses down here!" Batman's voice roared through the hallways.

The entire team shook as they flinched like a bomb had landed in the room. Conner's eyes were slightly wide as he slipped past his teammates and strode for the main hall. He stopped dead when he saw Batman standing on the glowing platform, his arms crossed over his chest, his lips drawn in a thin line as he glared at them all with a murderous intent.

"Hello Batman," Kaldur stated cautiously. He was about to continue when Batman's attention began to rest on him. Wally and Artemis were trembling behind Conner, peeking over his broad shoulders. Artemis and Roy stood still, their backs stiff and their lips pursed.

"Shut up," Batman growled. "I have a mission for you. Stay silent, and I'll explain what you need to do."

They nodded and edged closer to the platform. They were all stiff as they tried to watch Batman as he brought up the screens and began explaining what they would be doing. They were going to Metropolis to do reconnaissance on someone named Lex Luthor. Conner felt his blood tingle at the sound of that name; Martha had explained who he was to Smallville. Once a friend of Clark's who went off a few too many deep ends.

At least he was meeting him while he was already a bad seed and not trying to win friendship.

"All you have to do is go in, get proof there's something wrong or at least suspicious, and get out bringing it to the League so the League can deal with it," Batman growled. The teens nodded and watched the elder hero leave them in a storm of barely restrained fury.

"Wow," Wally whispered after there was a burst of wind. He was suddenly in his yellow uniform and was snapping the goggles onto his forehead. "I've never seen him that pissed."

"That's difficult to not refute," Roy muttered. "Since Robin's not here, I'll join in to help you all out. That alright?"

"Sure," Kaldur sighed with a soft smile. "It will be good to work with you again."

"Can we go?" Conner asked as he shoved his friends out of his way. "I want to get this done."

"So we can continue our earlier conversation?' Roy jabbed sarcastically.

"So you can leave sooner."

If you've already read it, don't review. If haven't I'd love to hear from you.