The Shadow Files – Spring Blossoms
Catarena was back in town for a two week vacation from her schooling and training in Europe to keep up appearances as a college student. She would be entering her fifth year there and was considering it her last. She had been in training for five years and in school for seven. She wanted to take her new skills and finally apply them to the field, along side Batman and Robin.
Tim Drake, now the third Robin, had been keeping in touch with Catarena while she was in Europe, since joining the team. Their cover was Cat was a pen pal. Catarena enjoyed Tim's company and letters; probably a little more than she let on but she knew she couldn't give in to her feelings.
Cat had been reading peacefully in the manor on a Friday afternoon when suddenly her peace was disrupted by Tim, who popped up next to her. Cat's heart raced at the sight of him. He was seventeen now, the same age that Cat "was" and he had a secret for her but he didn't want to tell her. Though he didn't see the harm in flirting with her.
"Is this all you do when you're home?" Tim asked.
"I workout, and patrol."
Cat replied as she held her book to her chest, huddling in her chair as Tim stood over her.
"No I mean, do you ever go out and have fun? Bowling, movies, parties?"
"Um no… I've never done those things before." Cat replied.
Tim seemed shocked and disappointed.
"Well, how would you like to go roller skating with me?" Tim asked.
"I've never gone roller skating before." Cat said timidly.
"That's alright, it's easy. Come on, you'll have a great time."
Tim said as he grabbed her hand; not really giving her a choice as he pulled her to her feet. Though, Tim did allow her to change before leaving. She was wearing a black t-shirt and a green plaid skirt with leggings and white socks. Tim thought she looked amazing but Cat wasn't sure. Before she could change her mind Tim dragged her out the door.
Once at the rink they got some skates and sat down to tie them. The rink was packed with kids of all ages, and music Cat wasn't familiar with blasted from the speakers all over the huge arena. Once Cat was on her feet she fell back immediately but she missed half the bench and fell onto the ground. Tim stifled a laugh as he helped her up, which wasn't working very well. Cat kept slipping and embarrassingly fell forward onto Tim.
"Heh… I have the best balance a human can have and yet I put these things on my feet and it all goes to crap."
Cat said as she blushed. Tim laughed as he held her arm until she got the hang of skating.
"Before long you'll be an expert as always." Tim told Cat after a few minutes.
To some extent Tim was right but occasionally Cat would lose her balance when some young kids would fly passed her. It seemed like a group of younger kids were playing tag and their strategy was to dodge between slower skaters to throw off the chasing person. Tim was behind Catarena at one point; she was being daring and skating a little faster ahead but this ended up being a mistake. Tim tried to warn Cat of two boys speeding to her but she couldn't hear over the music and the crowd. The boys zipped passed her and she got so startled she tripped but Tim was there in a flash and he caught Catarena before she knew what had happened. Cat was shocked to see Tim move so fast and she would have been suspicious but she was too focused on the fact that she was in his arms. Cat was standing upright again but Tim still held her, transfixed on her. Catarena was unable to move and gazed at his ever growing closer lips. Long had her heart wished to be in the arms of another but she forced herself to remember that she couldn't love anyone to save herself the pain of watching that person grow old and die as she remained young. Tim knew what was on Cat's mind though he didn't care. He had a secret to tell her and she had to find out sooner or later. He had been in love with her for a while; he only needed the right time to tell her. But as he made his move he sensed Cat was reluctant. Catarena knew Tim intended to kiss her. There had been a growing attraction between them for some time. Catarena longed to be kissed and loved by another. Despite this longing her will to resist was greater, but Tim wasn't going to give her the opportunity. Tim brushed his fingers against her cheek and into her hair as he brought his face closer to hers. He captured her lips deeply as he pressed his mouth firmly against hers. At first Cat resisted but after an instant she relaxed. Tim could tell she hadn't done much kissing in her life, which surprised him. Her actual age was her mid 20's, he couldn't imagine anyone passing up the chance to kiss her. Though with an uncle like Bruce Tim could see the problem. He was certain Cat and Dick might have had something but this proved him wrong. Kids were flying passed them but they were oblivious. Tim knew Cat wanted to be kissed more than anything but when she started to tremble in his arms he became worried. He stopped kissing her but still held her. Cat bowed her head and rested her forehead on Tim's shoulder as she still trembled slightly. Tim held her as they stood at the edge of the rink. After a moment Cat lifted her head and couldn't help but stare at his lips but his concerned features brought her out of her trance. She smiled slightly for him as she finally caught his gaze for a moment.
"I'm alright… I need to go to the bathroom. I'll be right back." Cat said and Tim let her slip from his grasp.
Tim watched her skate off before he exited the rink to wait for her.
In the bathroom Cat locked her self in a stall. She leaned against the door trying to fight off her tears. She could sense Tim's attraction to her, and try as she might she couldn't deny her own feelings for him but she knew she had to push him away to save herself the grief. Though deep down Catarena knew she couldn't survive the future alone.
Before too long, Cat began to regain her composure. She knew if she stayed too long Tim would begin to worry. Once back in the arena Cat couldn't locate Tim. There were so many people and scents she couldn't keep her head straight. It was causing her to panic but she stood by the edge of the rink to calm down and look for Tim. Before she could even start to look two boys, around Tim's age, skated up to her as the DJ announced couples only skate.
"Hey, I haven't seen you in here before." One boy said to her as the other skated up next to him.
"I'm visiting a friend, but I'm originally from Gotham." Cat told him as she looked over her shoulder, hoping to see Tim but sadly he was still no where to be seen.
"Well welcome home then. To celebrate how's about you finish up this couples skate with me?" The boy suggested.
Catarena wasn't really listening but when his words registered she looked at him startled.
"Um no thank you, I'm trying to find my friend." Cat replied but the boy was persistent.
As he touched her arm, Cat jumped and was worried when the other boy came closer too.
"I could help you look… If we skate around the…" The boy said but suddenly stopped when Tim showed up out of now where, wrapping his arms around Cat.
"Hey! Here you are!" Tim said as he quickly gave Cat a kiss on her cheek to show the boys this was his girl. Catarena was so shocked she couldn't respond to the next events right away.
"So… what's going on here?" Tim asked in a cheerful tone.
The boys looked flustered as they racked their brains for an excuse, but Cat snapped out of it.
"They offered to help me find you."
She told Tim, who smiled at the boys.
"Well thanks!" He said to them and then held onto Cat's hand, tugging her onto the rink a little.
"Come on, we're going to miss the couples skate."
He told Cat, who followed him onto the rink into the crowd of other skaters holding hands as they skated. Cat was a bit flabbergasted at first but then found some of her voice.
"Thanks, I could have… should have…" She stammered.
"It's alright. I've actually always wanted to do that. Besides, you seemed in a bit of a spot. Is everything alright?" He asked.
Cat half nodded.
"Yeah… It's just all this noise and scents. For some reason I started to panic when I couldn't find you." Cat said as she held his arm with her other hand and rested her head on his shoulder as they skated.
"Thank you." Cat told him softly.
Tim gazed sadly at the things passing around him; he wished the song would never end.
"Any time." Tim replied as the song was ending and kids were returning to the rink.
Cat stopped as Tim stopped by the edge of the rink, and she stared at their hands which were held together by their entwined fingers. Tim knew Cat was going to push him away so he decided he'd keep the ball in his court before she got the chance to talk about what had happened earlier.
"About earlier…" Tim said as he turned to her, his hand still entwined with hers, "It didn't mean anything. I was caught in the moment. I only wanted to know what it was like to kiss you. I'm sorry." Tim said.
Cat wasn't sure to believe him but she accepted it for now, still hoping she'd change her own mind.
"It's alright I'm not mad." Cat replied.
"Are you hungry?" Tim asked and Cat nodded.
Tim treated Cat to dinner, which was an adventure. Cat had never really eaten any junk food like hotdogs and fries and things. Tim was enjoying her reactions to these new discoveries. Soon Tim took Cat home and they ended up watching movies all night long.