Sorry I couldn't update for a while. It has just been taking me a long time to write. But I have the next chapter and boy! It's exciting!

Bethany's POV:

"That was amazing, Bethany!" Wally ripped off his mask and bounded towards me. His hair was all messed up and he had this bright grin on his face. The rest of the Team huddled around me, Robin stayed on the outskirts, crossing his arms. Superboy high fived me and pulled me into a hug.

We had returned back to the Cave and the exciting energy was still flowing around us. Well, except for Robin, who, apparently, was glaring at the floor.

"Bethany, I didn't know you had smoke pellets!" Artemis said.

"And how did you hit Klarion through the smoke? I could hardly see through the smoke to find you!" M'gann exclaimed excitedly.

"I don't know, I kind of just whacked around while running, hoping that I would hit him along the way," I said sheepishly, rubbing my neck.

"Well done, Bethany," Aqualad patted me on the back and the rest of the Team kept asking me questions.

I noticed that Robin was standing outside of the circle, looking away. His eyebrows were furrowed and his arms were still crossed. He looked angry.

"Robin," I stepped away from the group. They semi-circled behind me, "Are you okay? Did you get hurt?"

"What you did was not something to be proud of," He said simply, still looking at the floor angrily.

That made me falter, "I don't understand. What do you mean?"

He threw his hands up and finally faced me. Even with his mask on, I could feel his glare.

"What were you doing?! You could have gotten yourself killed!" Robin shouted at me.

I took an automatic step back. Robin had never been angry at me. He never even raised his voice at me. I was suddenly very scared of him.

"Robin," I said quietly. Now it was my turn to look at the floor, "I had it under control."

"That's what they all say! And then they get killed or hurt!" Robin shouted, "You can't take risks like that and then expect us to sit out while you fight an extremely powerful witch all by yourself! You have no experience. This was your very first mission!"

"I wasn't going to fight him, I was just going to get away," I was starting to get really nervous. When Robin shouted, it was scary and heartbreaking. It made me really upset. I felt like I had disappointed Robin to no return.

"I can't believe you would put me in that kind of a position," Robin's voice lowered. It broke my heart.

"Robin, calm down!" Artemis' firm figure stood in front of me, like a shield, "She got out fine!"

"Yeah, man. I don't know what you're talking about. You just need to eat some Chicken Whizzies or something and cool off," Wally had no smile as he stood on the other side of me, putting a hand on my shoulder.

"Are you guys hearing yourselves? She puts herself in danger and refused our help! Aqualad, how could you tell us to stand down when you knew that she is so inexperienced and she was fighting a lethal opponent?" Robin continued to yell.

"No. Bethany did fine tonight," Aqualad replied sternly. He strode past me to stand in front of Robin, "If we are going to continue to be successful, then we need to start trusting one another. If Bethany says something, then we need to trust her judgement. Trust is the foundation to building a successful and cooperative team."

Robin paused before turning to address me. His face was hard, unlike his usual soft and fun self, "You should have asked for helped," He said emotionlessly.

"I wasn't going to fight him, Robin," I said as soothingly as possible, even though my voice was shaky because I wanted to cry, "I just wanted to get past him. I didn't want to risk people getting hurt just because I was a few seconds behind. The longer people stayed out of the ship, the more danger they were in."

Robin's face hardened.

"You don't get it, do you?" He said dangerously. His face was dark as he said softly, but firmly, "There was no need for that. On the Team, we never leave anyone behind," And then he turned and walked away.

Aqualad's POV:

I knew I shouldn't intrude on Robin while he's fuming, but as Team leader, I felt an obligation to smooth this out. I followed Robin down the hallway. When we were finally alone and out of earshot, I spoke up.

"Robin," I made my voice as strong and assertive as it could be. He turned around almost automatically and crossed his arms impatiently.

"I don't need a pep talk, Aqualad."

"I wasn't going to give you one."

"Good. Then what?"

"I could ask you the same question."

"What?"

"What was that about?" I raised my eyebrows. I hoped I wasn't being too nosey.

"Just say what you want to ask me."

"Why were you getting upset over something so minuscule? That's is unlike you, Robin," I said it as gently as I could. I didn't want him to start shouting again. That was uncalled for.

"It wasn't minuscule. She put herself in danger and burdened the Team with what the outcome could be," He still had that harsh look on his face.

"I think there's a different reason that you're so upset about it," I continued. I knew I was being pushy, but there was something not adding up. Robin's usual cool and collected form had completely shattered and he had lost his cool over something so small. There had to be something deeper than he was letting on. Did he have feelings for Bethany? Were those "feelings" clouding his judgement?

"It's nothing more," He said firmly, although part of his hard exterior fell. He didn't look as angry anymore.

"I feel like this has more to do with your feelings, than your worry for the Team's burdens."

"Aqualad, it's nothing," He turned away to start leaving.

"Are you sure? You know you can tell me anything. I'm not just the leader. I'm your friend."

"Don't push it, Aqualad," Robin called over his shoulder. And then he was melting further into the shadows of the hallway.

Bethany's POV:

"Don't listen to him," Artemis rubbed my arm comfortingly. We were sitting on the couch in the kitchen and the Team was just bustling around getting ready to either go home or just hang out. After all, it was about 1:30 am Monday morning. We had school in about 6 hours and I wasn't even dressed for bed.

"I just don't understand," I murmured. I stared blankly at the space in front of me. I wasn't crying, I was just shocked and scared.

"Calm down, Bethany," Superboy sat next to me.

"I am calm! I'm not crying or anything!" I raised my voice a little at him.

"But you're shaking," Superboy put an arm around me and pulled me into a brotherly hug, "It's okay, Robin's just frustrated. I'm sure Aqualad smoothed things out already."

"But why was he angry at me?" I dropped my voice lower. No one needed to get yelled at anymore tonight, "We were fine on the mission and then just like that. He snapped when we got back."

"He'll get over it. I'm sure he was just worried about you," Superboy said to me. He rubbed my shoulder.

"Why?" I still stared blankly ahead, "Well, it's probably because we're on a team, like he said, right? Just as simple as that. I guess it really is my fault."

I looked at Superboy when he didn't respond right away. He was staring distantly, probably deep in thought. When he finally replied, he looked like he was still thinking.

"Or…" He said mostly to himself.

"Or what?" I sat up and stared at him.

He looked at me like he didn't realize that he had spoken out loud.

"Nothing. I was just thinking, that's all," He quickly replied.

"What? Superboy, tell me," I demanded.

M'gann floated over to us and sat on the armrest of the couch next to Superboy.

"Hmm, you could be right Superboy," She tapped her chin. Superboy looked at her defensively, "Oh! Sorry, I didn't mean to intrude in your mind. Sorry."

"No fair! She can just read your mind. Tell me, Superboy. What were you thinking about Robin?" I don't know why I was so determined to know. Something just made me feel like this was important.

"Yeah, tell us," Wally raced over here. Artemis was also listening on my left.

"Well," Superboy scratched the back of his head, "The reason why he could be so upset is that he really cares about you."

"Um, of course he does. We're a team," I replied stupidly.

"What Superboy is trying to say is that Robin probably likes you!" M'gann squealed.

I froze.

What?

Robin liked me? No way! I was just a boring girl, nothing compared to Artemis or M'gann. Why me? I didn't even like… did I?

M'gann was looking at me curiously, like she couldn't decide whether or not to read my mind or not.

"Don't you dare," I leaned back into Artemis, "And no he doesn't! I mean, how could he?! I'm just… me!"

"You guys would be so cute together!" M'gann squealed excitedly.

"Let's not get ahead of ourselves," I struggled to understand, "He just yelled at me. How could he possibly like me?"

"He yelled at you because he cares about you. It's so easy to see," Artemis said simply. Great, even she was smiling.

"No, he's the freaking Dark Knight's protege. He couldn't like someone as simple and unexperienced as me," I managed to say. Besides, it wasn't like Robin could actually like anyone. He's associated with the Dark Knight! The Dark Knight had no feelings! But there was also a reason why Robin wore the colorful outfit and Batman wore the dark outfit. But still. I couldn't process anything.

"You guys would be such a cute couple!" M'gann said happily.

"Ummm wait," I tried to change the subject from me, "I thought we decided that Wally and Artemis liked each other!"

Beside me, Wally and Artemis jumped about 10 feet away from each other. Artemis' back went rigid.

"Wouldn't they look cute?" I exclaimed, plastering on fake smile to egg them on.

"EW! How could you even - Bethany! How can you even be capable of saying something like that?!" Artemis shouted at me.

"WHAT?! Woah, woah, woah, woah! Where did that idea come from?!" Wally yelled at the same time.

M'gann and I snickered with one another.

The hallways were dark, gloomy, and mysterious as I walked back to my room alone. They were completely silent except for the sound of my shoes occasionally scuffing the well polished floor. Everyone (but M'gann and Superboy) left to go home. It was already past 2 in the morning and I had school in about 5 1/2 hours. M'gann and Superboy were hanging out in the kitchen and I had decided to go back to my room and shower and sleep. My feet shuffled lightly along the cold floor as I made my way back to my room.

Then someone emerged from the depths of the shadows in the hallway.

On instinct, I reacted and shot my fist out and the person's chest as hard as I could.

"OW!" I yelled shaking my hand. Damn, that really hurt. My fingers stung and I managed to pop a couple knuckles. I leaned over and clutched my hand to my chest.

"Woah! It's just me, Bethany!" Robin said.

Immediately, I shot back, on gaurd. I didn't want to get yelled at again.

He frowned and my reaction, but then shook his head, "Is your hand okay?"

"Yeah, it's fine," I replied shortly.

"Why did you hit me? You hurt your hand now. Let me see it," He stepped towards me.

Instinctively, I backed away from him. He stopped and looked a little sad.

"It's not my problem you're freaking made out of rock!" I yelled frustratedly at him. Then I slammed a hand over my mouth. Damn your loud mouth, Bethany! Dick raised his eyebrows and smirked.

"Why thank you," He said coolly. He crossed his arms confidently, "I worked hard for that 'rock.'"

"What were you doing, Robin?" I was tired of this game, "Why were you lurking in the shadows outside of my room?!" My heart was beating rapidly. Whether it was because I was scared of Robin or because there was a boy waiting for me outside of my room, I don't know. Robin's confident pose dropped and he drooped his shoulders in shame.

"I just came to… umm… apologize for earlier," He rubbed the back of his neck and looked at the floor in front of me.

"Oh," Was all I could say. I internally face-palmed. Smooth, Bethany. He comes to apologize and all you can say is "oh."

"Yeah, I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled at you like that. It was uncalled for and I should learn to trust your judgement more because we're a team," He looked up and searched my eyes, "I was just… worried about you."

It was silent for a moment.

"I'm sorry, Robin. I didn't mean to make you worry. I shouldn't have -"

I was cut off by Robin's arms around my waist. He hugged tightly me like he would never see me again. My heart started racing even faster and I was pretty sure he could hear it.

"Don't ever scare me like that again," He whispered in my ear.

I stood there, stunned. Slowly, I wrapped my hands around his neck and hugged him back. I buried my head into the his neck and let him engulf me. His body warmth enveloped me and I could smell his musky cologne.

We stood there for what seemed like forever. There was something comforting and reliable about the embrace of his arms. Something familiar and… safe. My head was so cloudy and I felt like I was in a dream. I suddenly couldn't think properly. Robin's overpowering heat and safe arms were like a comforting blanket to me.

Before I could put my finger on what felt so familiar, the warmth was gone. Robin stepped back and looked down at me and smiled.

"You should get some rest. If I'm not mistaken, you have school in a couple hours."

"Yeah," Was all I could say. I just stared at him for a few seconds, still trying to process what just happened. After a couple more seconds, his friendly smile turned into a smirk. God, I didn't know if I loved or hated that smirk. I needed to stop staring!

"Right!" I straightened up, "Sorry," I turned to go into my room.

At the threshold, I looked back at the strong boy behind me and said softly, "Good night, Robin."

"Good night, Bethany."

I walked into my dark room and lay on my bed, staring at the ceiling. Robin was so strong, but he could be soft.

Gotta stay traught guys! I'll probably post either tomorrow or Friday! It'll probably be a really long chapter full of excitement…!