AN: Um. This chapter took a lot longer than my other ones. Sorry about that.

I know y'all don't want to hear about my life, but I'm gonna tell you anyways. See, my phone, my only device that has internet, broke. During my struggle to purchase a new one I was unable to post any knew chapters. Again, I apologize. I'm usually awesome when it comes to updating. (Yeah, I just complimented myself. I do that.)

Okay, here are the current pairing votes (both wattpad and FF):

Spitfire (KFxArty): 19

Torpedo (RocketxAqualad): 6

Supermartian (ConnorxM'gann): 13

Traught (DickxArty): 3

Chalant (DickxZatanna): 5

Dibs (DickxBarbra): 5

Birdflash (KFxDick): 12

Museum Heist (KFxArtyxDick): 1

SeaArrow (KaldurxArty): 1

Zatanna/Klarion: 1

Bat/Cat: 1

No Renegade Pairings: 17

Votes are still open! Thank you for your comments and votes. You guys are amazing. As a gift for being so patient, I give to you...Chapter six!

xXx (Le Beach) xXx

Beaches were fun, as Renegade soon found out. When he informed the rest of the team that he figured out his identity, everyone was ecstatic and insisted that they should celebrate the occasion.

By everyone, he meant M'gann.

Even though his friends were slightly disappointed over not being able to learn about his identity, they still showed excitement over his journey towards citizenship. Even though he's been on the team for little over a month, he still felt over enthusiastic whenever his friends showed that they cared. How things have changed since he was stuck in the corner of a lonely cell. These days, he had friends, a parental figure, a roof over his head, and he was even going to start school. Weird.

"Hello M'gann, we should go to the beach everyday!" The Martian girl exclaimed as she stretched her arms up to the blue sky above the beach.

"First, let us have a moment of silence for our missing teammate." Renegade said, morphing his features to look sympathetic. On the inside, though, he was snickering at his friend's misfortune.

"Poor Wally." M'gann said softly, actually sounding like she felt bad for the guy. School couldn't be that bad, right?

"Yeah, whatever." Superboy didn't sound very concerned either. "Let's just swim."

Renegade grinned and ran towards the water, throwing his shirt off as he did so. "Last one in has to kiss the Joker!"

xXx (Nananana Batman!) xXx

"So, where has this kid been this entire time?"

Bruce was sitting across from Commissioner Gordon in his office, trying to get through the process of legally declaring Dick alive. "Cadmus. He was one of the escaped experiments. I'm sure that you've seen it on the news."

"Of course I have." Gordon looked mildly annoyed. "But why are we just now getting word about this boy when all experiments were released last month?"

"The League found the boy. They remembered that I was particularly desperate in his search and believed that the best course of action would be to bring him to me. Since Dick wasn't in the right state of mind, I decided to wait until he was mentally well before I brought any of this up."

"Regardless of his mental state, you should have informed the police."

Yet, the police are incompetent with everything else... "I apologize. I wasn't thinking very clearly. I was only happy that I was presented with the opportunity to adopt Dick again."

"Hm." He changed subjects. "I understand that he has memory issues."

"Yes, but as of now, they are being taken care of."

"I hope that means you got him a therapist."

"Yes." Black Canary was the best therapist he has ever seen, not that he would ever say that out loud.

Gordon sighed. "We can legally declare that he's alive, but it'll take a while for the paperwork to go through. On top of that, you need to talk to social services in order to get your guardianship renewed. Then you have to have Dick take a placement test for school...If there ever was a time to throw your money around to get your way, now would be that time. You're looking at months of waiting."

You know things are bad when a police officer tells you to bribe people. Ladies and gentlemen, Gotham City! "I understand. Thank you for all of your help. I appreciate it."

"Don't mention it. I saw how you were when the kid first disappeared. It would take a fool not to see how much you care. If there's anything else I can do, all you need to do is ask. Just bring Dick in for a few questions and we'll take it from there."

Bruce smiled politely as he stood, extending his hand to the other man. "Thank you, but I can't possibly ask you for anything else. You've been a good friend these past few years."

Gordon returned the smile and shook his hand. "It's no problem at all. You really saved my ass when I was trying to get Barbara into Gotham Academy. I didn't even have to ask, you gave me all the money I needed! If I can help in any way, I want to."

"That's not necessary..." Bruce paused. "Actually, I do have something I need help with. Do you think that you and Barbara can come over for dinner tonight?"

Gordon seemed to understand what he was actually asking. "I'll talk to her when I get home. I'm sure that it can be arranged."

Bruce smiled a little more widely this time, not entirely faked. "Wonderful. I'll see you later this evening. Tell the family I said hi, will you?"

"Of course. Take care, Mr. Wayne."

"You too." With that, Bruce excited the room and made his way outside of the GCPD. While he started the car, he allowed himself to feel a sliver of anxiety. How would Dick react to meeting someone that wasn't involved in the hero business?

Hopefully, the night would end with his protege making a new friend.

xXx (Back to le beach) xXx

The rest of the fun filled afternoon was spent playing a few games of volleyball, and burying Superboy in the sand. Renegade wasn't sure how they were able to get the clone to agree to such a thing, but it happened. Too bad he didn't take a picture. He suddenly had the idea of starting a superhero blog, where all he would do is post ridiculous pictures of everyone he knew.

Ahem. Back to the present.

Soon after they dug Superboy up, Batman came out, saying that the League has decided to allow a new teen to join the team. Renegade was already told about this new teammate before he came to the cave, so he wasn't as surprised as his friends. But, the thing that really took him off guard was way that his mentor stood. He couldn't put his finger on it, but Batman seemed to be in a pleasant mood.

The team quickly changed into their correct uniforms as soon as they came into the mountain and met up with each other in the mission room. Seconds later, two figures stepped out of a zeta tube, one being Green Arrow and the other being-

"This is your new teammate- Artemis." Batman stated. "As of today, she will be assisting you in your missions."

Artemis was a girl of average height with brown eyes, and blonde hair pulled into a ponytail. Although her stance was relaxed, Renegade could tell that she was ready to shoot an arrow at moment's notice. That wasn't too surprising, considering who she was related to. Like his training with assassins, things you learn with the League of Shadows stay with you for life.

"Artemis Crock- potential ally spotted." A deep metallic voice said in Renegade's head. Renegade frowned at this, unsure if Artemis being a potential ally was a good thing or not. Technically speaking, it was an evil computer chip that made the comment.

"Recognized: Kid Flash, B03."

Wally stepped out of the glowing zeta tube, a wide range of beach related items stacked in his arms. "The Wall-Man is here! Let's get this party start-"

Renegade could barely hold back a snicker as his friend went crashing onto the floor, his items scattering around him. The beach ball that he was carrying bounced towards Red Tornado and Batman, both who did not look amused.

Silence.

"-ted..." Wally finished lamely, blushing.

Artemis smirked. "Wall-Man, huh? Wow, love the uniform. What, exactly, are your powers?"

Wally pushed himself off of the ground half-glared at Artemis. "Uh, who is this?" He asked, eyes moving from one person to the next. When his gaze landed on Renegade, his glare disappeared and was replaced by pure relief. Oops, it looked like no one told Wally that he wasn't psychotic anymore. Since Wally already knew what he looked like, hopefully Renegade would be able to tell him everything...

"Artemis, your new teammate." The blonde said snobbishly.

Wally forced a grin. "Kid Flash. Never heard of you."

Green Arrow decided to take that moment to step forward and put a hand on Artemis's shoulder. "Uh, she's my new protege."

Wally's eyes widened fractionally. "But what happened to your old one?"

"Well for starters, he doesn't go by Speedy anymore." A redhead with a black and red uniform and a bow and quiver on his back stepped out of a zeta tube. Renegade studied him carefully, somehow not having any data on this guy whatsoever. An uncomfortable buzz formed in the back of his mind as he stared at the archer. Something was wrong... "Call me Red Arrow."

Green Arrow smiled warmly and stepped forward. "Roy." He greeted cheerfully. "You look-"

"Replaceable." Red supplied with a scowl.

Renegade narrowed his eyes. He's felt that buzz before, usually when he's trying to hack into a strongly defended device. Renegade focused on the feeling and found that the buzz was coming from-

"It's not like that. You told me you were going solo!" Green said, interrupting Renegade's thoughts. Dick frowned at a sudden thought and glanced at Batman. Would there ever be a time where his mentor would replace him?

Roy growled. "So why waste time finding a sub? Can she even use that bow?"

Artemis's expression hardened. "Yes, she can."

"Who are you?" Wally asked suddenly. Renegade rose a brow. Didn't anyone let the other kids know who Artemis really was?

"I'm his niece." She answered the same time Green Arrow said, "She's my niece."

Really, that was the best they could come up with? Renegade snorted. "Another niece?" He asked, but backed off when his mentor shot him a subtle glare. For some reason, Artemis's identity was to remain secret.

"She's not your replacement." Aqualad said calmly. "We have always wanted you on this team and we have no quota on archers."

"And if we did, you know who we'd pick." Wally said, not bothering to sweeten his words.

Renegade saw a flicker of hurt cross the female archer's face. Wow, way to gang up on the newbie. It wasn't her fault that Roy was feeling replaced. "Whatever Baywatch." Artemis said coolly. "I'm here to stay."

Red Arrow seemed to have had enough of this and turned to leave, only stopping when Aqualad stepped into his path. "You came to us for a reason." He said calmly.

"Yeah, a reason named Dr. Serling Rouqette." Red informed him.

Renegade knew this name, but not from his databases. This time, he simply watched the news to get this information. Grinning slightly, Renegade started to bring up a holoscreen with the Doctor's information on it. "Rouqette? She's a nano-robotics genius who teaches at Royal University in Star City!" He couldn't contain his excitement, proud of himself for not relying on his computer chip so much. "She vanished two weeks ago!"

"Abducted two weeks ago." Red corrected, looking unimpressed. "By the League of Shadows."

Artemis's expression allowed a trace of fear to bloom before it completely vanished.

"Woah, you want us to rescue her from the Shadows? Hardcore." He turned towards Renegade and shared a fist bump with him, grinning widely. Renegade returned the grin, excitement reigniting. The League of Shadows would be the biggest challenge that they have faced so far, but with Renegade's experience with assassins-

"I already rescued her." Oh. "There's only one problem." Roy walked over to the screen. "The Shadows have already coerced her to create a weapon." Red pressed a button and a new display came up on the screen, showing a picture of a bug shaped weapon along with a container.

"Doc calls it the Fog. Compromised of millions of microscopic robots. Nanotech infiltrators, capable of disintegrating anything in their path. Concrete, steel, flesh, bone...But it's main purpose isn't mere destruction. It's theft. The infiltrators eat and store raw data from any computer system, and deliver the stolen intel to the Shadows. Providing them access to weapons, strategic defenses, cutting edge science and tech-"

"Perfect for extortion, manipulation, powerhousing...Yeah, sounds like the Shadows." Artemis finished. Renegade rolled his eyes under his mask. She was obviously trying to make herself seem more important by showing off her knowledge.

Wally looked unamused. "Like you know anything about the Shadows." He said smugly. At Artemis's knowing smirk, his smile fell. "Who are you?!"

"Rouqette's working on a virus to render the Fog insert." Red said, ignoring the bickering two.

Renegade frowned. "But if the Shadows know that she can do that, they'll-"

"They'll target her." Roy interrupted coldly. Renegade scowled at the older boy spitefully. Was he this mean to everyone, or was it only reserved for him and Artemis? "Right now she's off grid. I stashed her at the local high school's computer lab."

Green Arrow looked horrified. "You left her alone?"

"She's safe enough for now." Roy said with another glare. Renegade mentally added Green Arrow to the list of people that Roy apparently hated.

Green Arrow walked over to his former protege. "Let's you and I keep it that way."

"You and I?" Red said in disbelief. "Don't you want to take your new protege?"

Green Arrow looked as though he wanted to argue against that, but went silent when Batman put a hand on his shoulder. The two of them shared a meaningful look and Arrow finally looked defeated. "You brought this to the Team." He said forcefully. "It's their mission which means it's hers now, too."

"Pfft. Then my job's done." Roy said coolly and walked into a zeta tube.

"Recognized: Speedy-"

"That's Red Arrow, B06- update." Roy hissed as he disappeared in the light. As he vanished, the buzz in Renegade's head left as well. Renegade disregarded it, deciding that Roy must've had some new equipment with him.

But he swore he felt something coming from Roy's head...

Batman suddenly spoke. "You have a mission, correct?"

Aqualad nodded and made his way to the bioship, the other teens following behind. Renegade hesitated before doing the same, deciding that he could tell Batman about his findings later.

xXx

When they arrived at the high school, they broke off into groups who would either guard Dr. Rouqette, or patrol the perimeter. Renegade was stationed with Kid Flash, Aqualad, and Artemis in the room that held Dr. Rouqette.

After introductions, Aqualad spoke to M'gann. "Miss Martian, link us up. We do not want the Shadows intercepting our comms."

Immediately, Renegade felt a familiar presence in his mind, belonging to M'gann. Seconds later, the feeling of his teammates's consciousnesses settled into his mind as well. The two foreign links were those of the Doctor and Artemis.

"Everyone online?" Miss Martian questioned.

"Ah. This is weird." Artemis complained.

"And distracting." The unfamiliar voice of Dr. Rouqette almost made Renegade jump. "Coding a distributed virus on a kiddy computer with less RAM then a wristwatch is hard enough. Now I have to hear teen think in my skull?"

As if they were overjoyed in the prospect of listening to her complain...

Kid Flash rolled his eyes as he swallowed a bite of his granola bar. "Lady, do you always complain when someone wants to help you?"

Artemis silently snorted. "Pot, kettle. Have you met?"

"Hey, hey! I do not need attitude from the newbie that threw Red Arrow off the Team."

"That is so not on me!"

"Fate of the WORLD at stake?!" Rouqette snapped suddenly.

Kid's energy spiked at that moment, signaling that if the two weren't separated, things wouldn't end well. "She started it!" He said in a near growl. Renegade rolled his eyes. How did they go from a fighting married couple to three year olds?

"How about I just help Miss Martian and Superboy patrol the perimeter?" Artemis suggested.

"Good idea." Aqualad said coldly. Renegade had to admit that he was surprised by the Atlantian's unfriendliness. Either he was completely fed up with the arguing, or he truly disliked Artemis.

Not cool. Feeling a bit protective over his new teammate, Renegade turned towards KF. "You might want to cut her some slack. It was her arrow that saved your butt against Amazo."

The speedster nearly choked on his snack. "What?! No! That was Speedy's- I mean, Red Arrow's arrow, right?"

"Hmm...Not so much."

"Well, I'm still not giving her the satisfaction!"

Renegade smirked as Artemis spoke again, "You know I can still hear you."

KF groaned loudly and smacked his forehead while Renegade quietly snickered at his misfortune.

Rouqette sighed. "I couldn't get the Justice League."

Aqualad ignored the spiteful comment. "The virus won't be much use if we cannot find the weapon. Can you track it?"

Frustration flared through Rouqette's link. "My utility fog is not a weapon!" She defended. "It's science, brilliant science, and of course I can track it! But I'd have to go online. We might as well rent a billboard with this address and "assassinate me" in neon!"

Oh, she was afraid. That was a pretty lame excuse to be so irritating, but Renegade could definitely relate. Aqualad, too, realized what was going on and gently put a hand on the Doctor's shoulder. "We will protect you."

A pause. "...tracking Fog now."

Minutes flew by after that, with Rouqette eagerly tapping away at her keyboard, Aqualad protectively standing behind her, Kid Flash fidgeting so often, and Renegade mentally going through Algebra problems in his private section of his mind. The peaceful silence stretched on, until- "Mm...That boy..." Artemis said suddenly, and a mental image of Superboy came to the forefront of Renegade's mind.

...Ew.

"He can hear you! We can all hear you!" Miss Martian exclaimed, venom laced in her thoughts. Renegade nearly gagged at the obvious display of jealousy. He never asked for a team full of love polygons. No, thank you.

"Oh, I know..."

Gross. His innocent mind did not need the underlying mental images that Artemis was producing. If he wasn't in a relationship himself, there was no way in hell that he needed to be seeing this. No. Just no.

Aqualad came to the rescue. "Miss Martian, Dr. Rouqette has located the Fog. Reconfigure the bioship so that Superboy and Renegade can pursue."

Renegade didn't bother to hide his sigh of relief and nearly sprinted out of the room. Romantic cheesiness and jealous catfights have been successfully averted.

xXx

As the two Cadmus experiments flew away from the school, the mind link slowly eased away until they were finally alone in their thoughts. The two boys sat in compatible silence for a few minutes until Superboy finally spoke. "We saw the scars."

Renegade blinked slowly. "What?" Realization slowly sunk in. Crap, how could he have forgotten? Not knowing what to say, the boy averted his eyes. "Oh."

"Yeah." Silence. And then, "What happened to you?"

"A lot of things. Sorry, but you'll have to be more specific."

Instead of looking angry at the sarcastic response, Superboy's face remained passive. "The ones on your arms are from needles, I know that already. But what about those lines on your back?"

Renegade clenched his hands into fists as memories threatened to invade his mind. "I was tested. They wanted to see if I could be broken. I thought I was, but someone believed differently. He wanted to make sure that I was unbreakable before he wasted time training me."

That period of time was particularly joyful. Renegade was put through several methods of torture, which continued on even when he was a sniveling mess pleading for all of it to end. Whips, electricity, drowning, anything that you could think of that wouldn't deal out permanent health affects was used on him. At the very end, his strong will was rewarded with a creepy man who claimed that he was his new Master.

Actually, the only name he knew the man by was "Master."

In present time, Superboy remained quiet for a while. Finally, he decided to speak again. "I'm sorry."

Well, that was unexpected. "For what? You didn't do anything."

A shrug. "I know. I'm not apologizing on my behalf, but you don't deserve this. Any of this. I might have super strength, but even I couldn't go through what you did and still find something to laugh at."

Renegade smiled, though it didn't quite meet his eyes. "I wouldn't call myself strong. I was the idiot that got myself captured."

"You were a kid, give yourself some credit." Superboy's eyebrows came together. "You never talked about that man before. Who is he?"

"Uh." Renegade struggled with his words. "He was some sort of super assassin that wanted to train me as his apprentice or something. He ended up buying me from Cadmus."

A blink. "You can't buy a person."

"Not legally..."

The clone scowled. "Well if I ever see him, I promise that I'll break his spine for you."

Instead of feeling reassured, Renegade panicked. "No. Don't go anywhere near him. He..." He shook his head. "He's dangerous. He would kill you and the Team and I'd be left alone and-"

He didn't realise that he was hyperventilating until Superboy stood up and put a reassuring hand on his arm. After the younger boy calmed, the clone spoke. "You're afraid of him." It wasn't a question.

"Yeah. He said that-"

'Renegade will betray anyone who isn't his true Master.'

Swallowing, Renegade continued, "He said that he'll hunt me down if I escape." Well, the Man did say that at one point, but that wasn't what was supposed to come out of his mouth.

"We'll protect you." Superboy said sternly. "This Team will keep you safe no matter what. Even if we couldn't, you have the entire League ready to step in at any time. You don't need to be afraid of him anymore."

Renegade laughed hollowly. "Funny, Bats said something similar." His smile faded. "What if...What if he tricks me into going with him? What if there is programming in me that will make me go to him?"

"If there is any reason that you are ever trapped with him, we will go through any means to rescue you." He smiled reassuringly. "Plus, Manhunter checked you over for any programming a while ago. You can be trusted."

"Thanks, Supes." It was then that they finally flew over their destination, which was already in shambles. Forcing himself to move on from his last emotional conversation, Renegade put a hand to his earpiece. "Renegade to Aqualad, we've located the Shadows' next target- Star Labs." He gazed down at the destroyed building regretfully. "It's too late. It's destroyed, totally destroyed! The Fog decimated it!" Renegade shared a look with Superboy. "This is bad. Star Labs was cutting technology and now all that information is in the hands of the enemy. What's our next move?"

The response was instantaneous. "Rescan for that Fog." He ordered someone on his side.

The two experiments floated over the wreckage for a few tense minutes before Renegade finally received the new coordinates. He studied them carefully, a ball of dread forming in the pit of his stomach. "The next target is a Wayne Tech facility." Renegade informed Superboy. "This isn't good. Wayne has too much valuable information. If the Fog gets it, then..."

"What kind of information?"

"That's not important right now." Renegade said quickly. "But, based on what I know, Wayne Tech operates on a 24/7 workforce. We'll never evacuate the building on time!" Too many innocent lives were depending on them. It made him feel nauseous.

As soon as the bioship made it to the Wayne Tech building, Renegade rushed to the ship's door. As he gazed down at the endangered building, a ping on his holo glove announced that the virus was on its way. "It's downloading!"

Superboy's eyes focused on something below them. "Don't need it." He said suddenly before jumping out.

"Wait, Superboy!" Renegade called, watching as his friend's form landed on the ground. Wow, deja-vu. The last time the two Cadmus escapees were paired up, something closely similar happened.

As Renegade contemplated their continuously failed teamwork, Superboy was suddenly struck by a red laser beam and was thrown onto the pavement gracelessly. "No!"

It was too late. Superboy was down, and the Fog was released.

Thinking quickly, Renegade threw himself out of the bioship and used his grappling hook to safely land closer to the Wayne Tech building. The doors flew open as Renegade burst inside, and he ignored the confused security guard as he chased after the cloud of robots. As the alarms finally started to blare, a heavy grate slowly descended.

Why, why did Bruce not tell him the voice activation codes for this place? Sure, he only lived with him for a day so far, but it would've been very helpful if he knew a few things about his Dad's workplace!

...No, he didn't just refer to Bruce as Dad.

As Renegade came closer to the grate, it became painfully obvious that he wasn't going to make it through. A quick glance back showed that there was another grate closing behind him. If he was going to be stuck in here, he would die along with everyone else. His eyes closed of their own accord, accepting that he was defeated by a simple piece of technology...

Wait, technology!

Renegade skidded to a stop right as the grate closed in front of him and quickly used his mechanical senses to find the security system. A familiar buzzing feeling wound up in the back of his mind and he focused on that, mentally peeling back the many layers that made up voice commands, passwords, identification cards...

The grate went back up.

Smirking, Renegade ducked under the still raising grate and quickly made his way into a cafeteria. As his eyes scanned the room, he was relieved to see that there was a girl attending in front of a computer. In seconds, he was in her place, plugging his holo glove into it.

"What's going on? What are you doing?"

"Please shut up, Miranda." Renegade said hotly as he frantically typed into the computer, doing everything that he could to connect the virus to Wayne Tech.

"Uh, how do you know my name? Mister, I'm going to have to ask you to leave?"

Seriously? Growing angrier, Renegade glanced at Miranda and pulled up information on her from her databases. "Miranda Liham, 27. If you want to live long enough to see your father again, I suggest you leave me alone so that I can save you." He growled. Ignoring the shocked expression that the woman wore, he typed in one final command. "Please be linked to the mainframe..."

Access granted.

Success!

The dark cloud of nanobots turned to a deep red color as it fell to the ground, useless. Renegade cheered to himself silently and thanked the computer lady, frowning in confusion as she flinched away. Wow, way to be nice to the hero that saved you. Rolling his eyes, Renegade made his way outside, where he was met with the sight of Superboy standing above an unconscious man.

The clone gave him a once-over, checking for injuries. "Did you do it?"

Renegade did the same. "Yeah. I see you had some fun."

"Oh yeah."

Then, Renegade's comm beeped. Soon after, Aqualad's voice sounded in his ear. "We have apprehended two of the Shadows. Although one escaped, Dr. Rouqette is safe. What is your situation?"

"Mission accomplished!"

xXx (A few hours later- elsewhere) xXx

"Would you care for some wine, Commissioner?"

"That would be great, Alfred. Thanks the dinner, by the way. It's delicious."

"I'm glad you feel that way. I will return momentarily." A pause. "Do sit up, Master Dick. Slouching is bad for your back."

Dick muttered a complaint under his breath as he straightened his spine, picking at his food moodily. He just saved hundreds of lives, kept a Wayne building from being totaled, and he was rewarded with a boring formal dinner with the Gordons? Being a rich kid suddenly became the worst idea ever.

"So, Dick, how are you feeling? Going through what you did must've been terrifying."

Just an hour ago, Bruce told him everything that he told the Commissioner so that he would be prepared for any questions that might be directed towards him. "Okay, considering."

Gordon smiled kindly. "I'm glad to hear it. How about your memories?"

Dick shared a subtle look with Bruce, uncomfortable with a stranger knowing these things. "I'm starting to remember things. Today, I remembered what day my birthday is." He blushed faintly. "Well, it's probably in my records already, but..."

"Nonsense." It was Bruce who spoke. "I'm glad that you remembered it on your own. You're definitely improving."

The redhead girl was now staring at him curiously. Dick hated it when people did that. It made him feel like a zoo animal on display.

Alfred hurried in at that moment, pouring both Commissioner Gordon and Bruce a glass of wine. "Thanks Alfred." Gordon said before returning his attention to Dick. "So, school starts soon. Where are you going?"

"Um..." He looked at Bruce for help.

"He'll be attending at Gotham Academy."

Gordon rose a brow. "He'll be studying at a high school level at thirteen?"

Bruce smiled proudly. "Trust me on this, Jim. Dick is a very smart lad. Before school starts, I'm going to have him tutored so that we can see just how good he is."

"Ah. Well, I'm sure Barbara wouldn't mind tutoring him in math. Isn't that right?"

The girl rose her eyebrows, but otherwise ignored the question. "So," she said instead. "What was your Cadmus name?"

Needless to say, Dick flinched.

'Renegade will betray anyone who isn't his true Master.'

"Barbara!" Gordon exclaimed. "You know better than to ask questions like that." He looked at Dick apologetically. "I'm so sorry."

Dick continued to pick at his food. "It's okay."

He suddenly felt the eyes of Bruce on him. "Dick, you haven't eaten anything. If this is stressing you out, you can leave. No one will blame you."

"I'm fine." Dick said forcefully.

Silence returned to the table, only being interrupted as Bruce spoke again. "Hey Jim, I have some tech that I want you to get a look at." He looked at Barbara and Dick pointedly, trying to convey some sort of message to the older man.

"Oh? Well let's see it. Will you two be okay by yourselves?" He asked the two teens.

"We'll be fine." Barbara said easily.

"Okay. If there's any trouble, we'll be in my study." Bruce smiled as he led the Commissioner out of the dining room, closing the door behind them softly.

Dick continued to push his peas around his plate. "So not feeling the aster," he muttered under his breath.

Barbara apparently heard him. "Aster?"

Dick smiled sheepishly, still refusing to meet her eyes. "You know, the opposite of disaster?" He shrugged nonchalantly. "I like playing with words."

"I see that." Barbara grinned. "What other ones do you have?"

Dick finally looked up, startled. No one ever showed interest in his vocabulary. "Well, I've got turbed. Instead of being disturbed..."

"Huh, that's interesting. Have you tried anything besides getting rid of the -di in front of a word?"

"No. I've been too busy to focus on my word play. Do you have any suggestions?"

Barbara grinned. "Have you tried overwhelmed? There's underwhelmed too."

Dick quickly realized where she was going with that and grinned widely. "So why isn't anyone just whelmed?"

"Exactly!"

As Dick and Barbara continued to chat with each other, Gordon and Bruce finally returned to the table. The adults seemed to be amused at their unique take on the English language and even made some suggestions themselves. After a heated argument about whether or not gusting should be the antonym of disgusting, the group migrated to the living room to play Monopoly. Needless to say, a board game played by a vigilante, a sidekick, and a Commissioner was unforgettable. Even as a civilian, Barbara proved to be quite the opponent.

By the end of the night, he had a whole list of new words to annoy the villains with.

Even better, he had a new friend.

xXx

AN: Aaand, done! After days of frantically trying to remember what I had in store for this chapter, I finally have it completed. I deserve a pat on the back!

Guys. I have a relevant question. Who is your favorite villain? This isn't some random inquiry. It's important. Please.

Note: Suggestions are still being accepted.

Note 2: Pairing votes are still being accepted. I'm kind of subtly hinting at multiple pairings because I'm not ready to make a commitment to any couple. (See what I did there?)

Note 3: Let's play, "guess that villain!" I'm sure all of you know by now, but who do you think is the one who bought Renegade? What are your thoughts on him/her?

Note 4: Renegade is the mole. Wait, that's not right. I usually say something else, don't I? How peculiar. Oh well. It works either way. :)

Until next time!