It was a lazy Sunday at Wayne Manor. Tim was skirting around the pile of homework that was due the next day. His mind was fuzzy with all that had happened the last week. They had been on two patrols in the last three weeks. All was quiet in Gotham again. No more assassinations, and there was not a single sighting of the fake Batman. Looking out the window Tim could see the first few flakes of snow of the season. Following them down with his eyes, his attention went to the bench down in the gardens next to the koi pond. His mind instantly went to Marti with this.

He slipped on his shirt and left his room for the gymnasium. Perhaps he could get into the mood for homework after he blew off some steam, he thought to himself as he walked down the hallway. He could hear The distinct echo of a punching bag through the double doors. Pushing his way through he instantly spotted Marti, in the middle of an intense rhythm of punches and kicks. As soon as he passed her she stopped, "Oh Tim! Hey spar with me."

He shook his head at this. She had been back to normal Marti since her father returned after that night. Though she was a little more violent. The other night on patrol, she kicked a purse snatcher a little too hard, breaking the poor man's collarbone.

"Naw… My shoulder is acting up a little. Must be the snow." Tim replied, as he pulled off his shirt.

"Then let's just wrestle." She said through gritted teeth, as she pulled up the velcro strap of her boxing glove.

"Umm… That's still a arm workout."

"Come on… Please. I swear I'll go easy on you."

Tim bit on the inside of his cheek, and scowled with this. It was really annoying to him how she was able to switch from being such a fragile creature, to this insensitive brute. "Go easy, or do your worst. I'll still win."

She raised her brow at this, and waved him over to enter the ring.

They stood just a few feet apart, circling the ring.

"You going to play by the rules this time girly?"

"Do the bad guys ever play by the rules?" She smirked with this, and cracked her thumbs in unison.

Really wish I would have worn a cup. Tim thought to himself. But, before he could think of a reason to pause this round, she began her attack.

The two of them struggled back and forth, Tim could easily overpower her with any throws or arm takedowns, so she focused on his legs. With these tactics they were pretty evenly matched. They both were becoming pretty exhausted from this. So Marti switched tactics, and placed a very well timed high kick to his chest.

"Fuck!" Tim spat out, as he got back on his feet. "Dammit Marti… That's just cold."

She stood waiting for him to get back into the fight. But he didn't. He stood back, leaning on the lines.

"Come on Tim… You can handle that." She urged.

For a second he thought about brushing it off, but he hesitated, and gripped the line. "No… Marti, you need to get a handle on your emotions."

"What are you talking about?"

"What am I talking about?! Ever since the Phantasm-.
"Tim don't!" She cut him off. "I don't want to talk about this!" She said turning her back to him, and pulling up the line from the ring to leave.

"Oh no you don't!" Tim lunged forward, and grabbed her from behind, and pinned her down.

Marti thrashed, and gritted her teeth. "I swear Tim. If you don't get off me…"

"See this is what I mean. Sure you were no sweetheart before… But you would never threaten me like this."

Marti stopped her squirming, and relaxed her muscles. Taking in a breath she closed her eyes. "What do you want me to say Tim?! My mother, whom I figured was dead. Turns out all along she has been a hired assassin… Oh… And on the night we were reunited, she used me as a meat shield. What makes your the best person to talk to about this?"

"You're not the only one with a dysfunctional parent."

Marti gasped at this. She had totally forgot about Tim's parents.

"Yeah. I may know a little something about this." Tim said, releasing her from his hold, and leaned against the lines.

"I'm sorry. I just." She started to lose her cool. "She… Heh. From my memory she was so perfect. And… Now..." Her voice cracked. "She's..."

Tim scooted forward and wiped some of her tears away. "Try to remember the good things about her. At least you had good times together."

She weakly smiled at this, and nodded her head.

"And please stop kicking me." He playfully pleaded, as he got her into an arm lock and gave her noogies.

They continued to wrestle like this, flopping about on the ground. They had reverted to playing it dirty, due to their exhaustion. Marti finally was able to pin him, and begin to pinch at his sides. This was a deadly move for Tim, and he knew this would do him in. So he went for the move that would end the battle. He quickly sat up,breaking her hold on his arms, and kissed her full on the lips. She halted her attack immediately with this, and remained still as he kissed her. She didn't push him away, nor did she object.

"Ha! I won!"

She quickly opened her eyes, and looked him over. He had his usual smirk of victory.

"Works every time."

She scowled at him. "Ehhh. Quit being such a perv!"

"I will when you stop liking it." He teased as he squeezed her, holding her arms down.

She couldn't help but laugh at this.

They laughed together like this for good few minutes. After they calmed down from this, they were both in the ring on their backs, looking out the large window at the snow storm.

"Thank you." Marti said, turning to look at Tim.

"You know it's getting pretty hard hiding our relationship from your dad."

"Well… We will be off the college in a few years. Just make sure you get good grades so we can go together."

"Probably should get back to my homework then." He said getting up. He kissed her on the forehead, "You need to take a shower, you smell."

"Speak for yourself. She whispered in his ear.

From the far side of the room Bruce walked in, and spotted them. Tim made a quick decision move and mashed his sweaty chest into Marti's face. "Ha! Deal with that girly!"

Marti thrashed, and managed to throw him off to the side. She quickly spotted her dad off to the side, and began their usual routine. "Oh you're going to get it now!"