Disclaimer: I don't own Young Justice, but I do own Andie Kyle.

I pulled away, just as Batman entered the lounge. I gave Robin an apologetic smile, turning my back to leave.

"Andrea. We need to speak," said Batman.

I blinked, taking a moment to digest this new information; the Dark Knight wanted to talk to me? I glanced at Robin with a raised eyebrow, but he just shrugged.

Batman stared at the Boy Wonder. The silence spoke volumes.

"Yeah, yeah, I'm going." Robin muttered. He shoved his hands into his pockets and stalked out of the room.

I gave Batman a nervous glance. I'd heard stories about his 'talks' – they were never good.

"The latest mission report has revealed new information about you. In light of the team's statements, I'm inclined to believe that you possess certain supernatural abilities." His voice took on a sharper edge. "Is this true?"

My throat dried. I felt very small in front of him, very… insignificant. "Yes."

"Your powers, uncontrolled, are a liability to the team. Either you learn to control them, or you're suspended from missions for the foreseeable future."

"What?" My head began to spin, a serious headache was forming. "You're not giving me an option here! I can't… I can't control…" I lowered my head, gaze shifting around the room. "If I use my powers, and then… and then lose control – for even a second – what happened on that mission, will happen again." I shook my head. "There's just no way…"

He stared at me, without an ounce of sympathy. "Find a way." Turning, he marched towards the zeta tube. "You're suspended till further notice," he said, as the white light engulfed him.

I flopped onto the couch, placing my head in my hands. A muffled groan escaped my lips.

Batman had asked for the impossible. Me? Control The Cats Essence? Yeah right. When I use it, I only have half the control of my body and mind; I'm not myself. And If I let down my guard, if I relax for even a second, I'll have no control.

I'll become a prisoner in my own body – something else will be calling the shots.

I opened my eyes, staring through the gaps in my fingers. A pair of black boots stood in front of me. Sighing, I looked up. "You were listening?"

"Of course," Robin said, without a hint of guilt. As if it was normal to eavesdrop on private conversations. "Bats' has a point. You're like a ticking time bomb if you can't control your powers."

I gave him a withering look. "You did not just compare me to an explosive weapon of mass destruction."

He shrugged, brushing off my comment. Then he dug in his pockets. Seconds later, a pair of keys dangled from his fingertips. He threw them. "Catch."

I snatched them out of the air. "Keys?" I raised an eyebrow. "Don't tell me we're moving in together?" I teased.

"…Funny." He said, in a monotone. But his face seemed a few shades pinker. "Let's get out of here. Those are the keys to my motorcycle."

I laughed in disbelief. "You mean the new one? That Bruce just bought for you?"

He nodded.

I narrowed my eyes. "And why are you letting me drive it?

"Just being nice." He shrugged. "Not a big deal."

I raised an eyebrow. "Not buying it. 'Nice' is letting me pick a movie at the cinema, or –"

"We've never been to the cinema together." He pointed out.

"Or," I continued, ignoring him, "letting me beat you in a sparring session."

He snorted. "That, has also never happened. Are you sure you're not thinking of some other boyfriend?"

I leant in closer, analysing his face. "What are you hiding?"

He leant forward, smirking when I rocked backwards. "Fine. I'll tell you." He stretched his arms, making his way across the room towards the exit. "Bruce said I can't ride the bike till the GPS and some other equipment is fitted. But that's not happening till next week. I don't want to wait. And since he didn't say anything about you riding it…"

"Wait. I'm your 'loophole'?!"

"It sounds bad when you say it like that."

I scowled at his back, speaking through clenched teeth. "Maybe because it is bad." He said nothing, and as he approached the zeta tubes, my irritation grew. "Way to make a girl feel special," I muttered bitterly.

He spun around, one foot in the zeta tube. "Good." he said, ignoring my sarcasm. "Because you are. You're special." The light engulfed him before I could reply.

His smirk was the last thing I saw.

I sighed, repressing a smile. He had me. And he knew it.

Zzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzzz

"Speed up! We can make it," he yelled through his helmet.

I didn't dare look back as the motorcycle swerved, dangerously, in my hands. Kicking the gas, I flew past just as the traffic light turned red. The sound of honking assaulted my eardrums as a truck grazed past. Loose hair strands untangled from my plait, flying into my eyes. "I can safely say, that I'm done with motorcycles. This thing is death on wheels."

"You're a paragon of bravery," Robin said, sarcasm dripping from his words.

"Oh, shut up." I muttered.

We drove on in silence, the morning sun bouncing off the bike. Robin tapped my shoulder. "Turn right here," he said, pointing to a small side road, "and then pull over. We're almost there."

I turned right, the tires screeching. Driving down a narrow alley way, I glanced back at Robin. "Almost where exactly? Is this another one of your 'dates'? Because I've had a crappy morning, and I really don't need you to make it worse."

He removed his helmet, to give me a full view of his blue eyed glare. "Give me some credit. I can pull off a 'good date' you know."

I snorted.

The bike lurched left, and I spun around, clutching the brake levers. Nothing happened. I tried again, leaning into it. Nothing.

"Hey. Pull over." Robin yelled, as we sped towards a wall.

I pressed the levers, again, and again, each time more frantic. "It's not – "

"Jump." He grabbed my arm, pulling me off the motorcycle as it careened forward.

Fear heightened, adrenaline pumping, the Cats Essence made its appearance. My ears mutated, pointing to triangular tip. Then came the claws, the fangs, and finally, the eyes.

I grunted as I hit the ground, arm flailing sideways in a harsh blow to Robins jaw. My hair, untangled, lay in a mess across my face. Strands found their way into my mouth, twisting around my elongated canines. I looked down at my claws. This is wrong. This is very wrong.

Then the explosion came. I hunched down, teeth bared, snarling at the fiery eruption. My ears began to bleed as the blast quickly grew. Red droplets travelled to my cheeks, leaving behind a low ringing in its source. I looked at Robin's bike, and watched. Soon, only fiery chunks of metal remained.

He blinked slowly, sitting up to rub his jaw. He clenched his eyes shut in pain. "I said 'jump', not 'fall'."

"You weren't aware you were missing brakes on your motorcycle?" I said, in an attempt to act normal. To pretend that I held even the tiniest bit of control over my situation.

He stood up, dusting himself off. "Well I wasn't the one driving. Was I? Anyway, what's up with your voice…" his words drifted off, as he turned to look at me.

It was that look of shock, that tiny flicker of wariness, which broke my calm facade. I stood in front of him with trembling limbs. "The Cats Essence is more powerful; it invaded my body without my permission. It didn't fight, or argue, it just… slipped in."

He recovered quickly from his state of shock, though he kept his distance. "Does that mean it's controlling you now?"

I shook my head. "It only has half the control, but… I think it can take that control whenever it wants." My breath quickened. "Right now, my thoughts aren't even… they aren't completely my own. I –" Swallowing hard, I looked away. "I want to kick you… and see how far your head will roll."

His face remained still, only his hands moved, clenching tightly till they blanched white. It's obvious Robin, I thought. You're in over your head. Despite my earlier explanation, he just couldn't understand. Not completely.

I had to get real help; magical help. Before I was unable to stop myself from hurting everyone I loved. Again.

Robin took a step towards me, probably as a sign of trust. But his guard was up. I could see it.

I shut my eyes, and concentrated. With all my will power, I pushed away the Cats Essence. But it fought, and I struggled. By the time it was gone, my mind felt …. Raw. Wrong.

Slowly, I opened my eyes. I stared at my hands, turning them around to gaze from every angle. "Back to normal."

He stared at me with an odd sort of intensity. He seemed glued to his spot.

"You Ok?" I asked.

"Are you?"

I nodded.

"Doesn't look like it." He leant forward; blue eyes hardening. "Andie, you've got cat eyes."

Things just never stay calm for long. Smh.