Chapter 21: Ceremony

Hey, Hey, Hey! I just read the reviews for chappie 20 and it was awesome! Anyways, thank you guys so much for the ever loving support! J

So I'm gonna skip terrors because Miss M and Conner are handling this one, they can totally handle this.

Hope you guys like this new chappie!

Star City

September 14, 2010, 7:00 EDT

"I can't believe that I am wearing this nonsense dress that you picked." I say, adjusting the edges of my white dress.

"Stop doing that." Hal hissed and I gotta admit he looks good in his suit. Today is Uncle John's special day. He gets to be promoted to Lieutenant of the Marine Corps. I'm a proud niece of my Uncle.

I pouted, "You're not the boss of me." We got out from the car and I'm wearing a navy blue Sunday's dress paired with a navy blue hat. My light hair is braided in my left side. Thankfully I'm wearing flat because it's so hard to wear heels.

The place was amazing. Fine weather and lots of Marine Corps wearing their complete uniform. The weather is great and everyone is wearing their best outfit. Hal and I sits on the front row where the first team is going to be honoured first.

"Woah, there are so many people." I say to Hal as I scanned the crowds.

Hal smiled and his eyes were sparkling because of the sun. "Yeah. They said that there are two guest of honors plus their wardens I think. Possibly 4 all in all."

"What? Who could that be? It maybe superman. Nor Batman and Flash." I say.

Uncle John approaches us, wearing his clean marine uniform. He looks so good. "Uncle John." I hugged him and smiled.

"John, congrats." Hal says as they shake hands.

Uncle smiles, proudly. "Just happy to see you both here. Dani, you're wearing a dress."

Hal sighed, "Believe me, it took me 1 hour to forced her to wear that dress."

"Hey. I realized that this day is Uncle's day so I should be there to support him." I smiled again, to see that I am not guilty.

Uncle chuckled. "I better go. The ceremony is about to start." There are a lot of flags and flowers with ribbons all over the place. On the stage, 7 chairs were there. Possibly the guest of honors and their commanders or generals.

Hal and I sit down and the program started.

"Ladies and gentlemen, welcome to the 57th pinning of ranks ceremony of the Marine Corps. I am here to introduce the two main guest of honors for this major event. We have Mr. Bruce Wayne and Mr. Oliver Queen!" People clapped and I watched them entered the stage.

"What the heck…" I say, seeing Mr. Wayne with Dick and Mr. Queen with Roy. Dick never told me that he's here? And Roy too? Also I'm wearing a dress and it looks so stupid on me.

"Woah, it's your friends." Hal says while clapping. They smiled and Dick caught my eye. He smiles and winks at me. What the heck was that? Was he flirting?

I lowered my eyes for a moment and pretend that there is something in there and looked back. Next Roy comes in, I realized that both of them were wearing a formal clothes for the ceremony. Roy smiles like in a mischievous way that makes me wanna punch him.

I forgot that Hal also forced me to wear light make-up. Dang it! This is so embarrassing!

Hal smacked my ribs which hurted a little bit. "They are definitely checking you out. I could see their eyes looking at you. By the way, I'm killing them both and John and I were exchanging glances about it."

"What? You're so mean. They were not doing that." Clapping stopped and people were in order and Dick and Roy were whispering and it makes me wanna explode and use my powers to escape this situation.

"Why are you embarrassed by the way? You have good clothes and it suits you well and the make up too. Thank Carol for that." Hal says, with a worried look on his face.

"Because I never wear this in front of them and Dick is like my best friend and I kinda acted like a kid/tomboy to him. To Roy, kinda like a tough girl."

"That sucks. They looked stunned. Look how much they whispered to each other." I looked at them and they looked at me and talked again.

"Right, thanks for the warning. I appreciate it."

"I am so full right now." Hal says, rubbing his stomache while me and Uncle John ate dinner. After ceremony, the dinner was held at the boats the big boats so that everyone can fit inside. Uncle John looks shiny in his uniform because of his medals of honor. I'm so proud of my Uncle right now makes me wanna shout to the world. Gladly, I have pictures with my favourite people in the world.

"Hal, you can't just say that and then rubbed your stomache. People are observing here." I say, glancing around. People were laughing and some were drinking hard.

"Hal, no drinking. We don't want Danielle to be involved. After dinner then let's go home." Uncle suggested.

I nod taking another sip of the coca cola drink. "I agree. I wanna sleep." I yawn.

The night was great. The stars were burning bright in the night sky. Family of the marine men were having the time of their lives. Some children were dancing non-stop. Mothers are drinking too. What kind of family allows that?

A tall Caucasian man approaches to our table and from the looks of his uniform and medals. He seemed to be the General or the commander of the Marine Corps.

Uncle quickly stood up and saluted. "At ease, Stewart." He looks at us. His green eyes were like emerald jewel. He seems to be in his 40's.

"Sir, this is my family. This is Hal, his my cousin through marriage." Hal shakes the general's hand. "And this is my niece, Danielle."

I smiled and we shake hands too. "Pleasure to meet you sir."

The General smiles, "What a nice family you have, Lieutenant. There is a party after this. Care to join us? Everyone is going to join the party."

"We don't-" I started to say but Hal covered my mouth. "I think you have something in your teeth, sis. Better wipe that off. Excuse us."

Hal dragged me to the side where the faucet is located. People were just passing us and they did not seem to bother us.

Hal dropped his hand and snapped his fingers in front of my face. "Dani! You should not have said that. Didn't I orient you back at the house?"

"What the heck do you mean?" I say, snapping his fingers again. And I remember. Uncle was trying to impress his general so that he can make it to the his first team. The next in command or to be the 1st lieutenant.

"Oh… I forgot that. Sorry." I apologized ahead.

"I forgive you and better think before you speak." I nod and we went back to the table. Thankfully the general was gone.

"Don't worry, John. I already scolded her." Uncle just nods. "How about we party? The music is starting!"

Uncle smiles and he and Hal were on the dance floor. Uh, I hate disco. I always ended up dancing with someone else.

"Hey." I turned and saw Dick, holding out an ice cream in his hands. And its chocolate. He's wearing a black jeans with red shirt. It's simple but he looks great.

I raise my eyebrows, "Okay, I'm sorry that I didn't tell you that I am here. Forgive me?" He offered me the ice cream.

Instantly, I took it. "You're so lucky that it's chocolate. What kind?"

"Dark." He smiles.

I smack his arms with my free left hand. "What the heck Dick? Why didn't you tell me that you're here and you're friends with HIM."

"You talking to me?" Roy appears right next to Dick. Great. "Hey, Dani. You look great." He looks at me, from head to toe. He is wearing brown pants with navy blue shirt, I hate to say this but he looks great too. He and Dick. I hate you guys.

I glare at Dick. "You knew him?"

"Queen Industries and Wayne Enterprises have great ties. We help each other out. That's where I knew Roy." Dick explained.

I lick my ice cream, trying to process my mind. "Let me try to rephrase this, you jerks are friends and never told me that and also you never told me that you idiots were here as well. And I have to wear this dress in front of you idiots."

They both smile. "You really look good in that outfit, right Dick?" Roy nudged his elbow which made Dick's face red.

"I didn't know that you were friends with Roy." Dick says, still red.

"Wait. I didn't tell you that. Guess were even." I hold out my fist and we fist pumped.

Dick smiles, "You wanna dance? To make it up to you, I mean."

Roy smirks, "Nice one, Grayson."

I smack his arm. "He's trying to be nice, Roy. So don't be a jerk." I turn to Dick. "Sure."

We went to the dance floor but Hal took my hand. "Sorry, Dick. But we have to go. There is an emergency at the Ferris Aircraft. My boss needs me there."

I glanced at Uncle. He mouthed trouble. He took his bag, ready to leave and waiting for Dick's reply.

Dick looked disappointed. "Sure, Mr. Jordan. Umm, I'm planning to dance with someone else anyway." Ouch that hurts. He really didn't want to dance with me. Dang.

He turns to me, "See you soon, Dani." He smiles a bit and waved. I mouthed to him, I owe you a dance.

I smile back and Hal says, "Better teleport us there quickly, sis." I nod and hold my brother's hand and Uncle's. I closed my eyes and we were gone.

So, how is it? Um, so sorry for the late update. Been busy for a while... But anyways, thank you so much for reading :))

Review if you want! And it is highly appreciated :))