Chapter 10
The break in Dick's hand has shown healing, but because of that handstand on the pole, it's broken again, worse than before, having to be re-set and casted, but the stitches on his hand and chest were able to be removed, as if over a week of healing had gone by, the wounds are basically sealed and the broken bones in his chest have shown great progress. How this happened in just a few short days, no one knows, but he's free to go home after getting over the hypothermia. Alfred had driven the entire way to pick them up.
Dick just stares out the window the entire time they're headed home, not saying a word. Upon reaching the manor, Alfred opens the door for him and he climbs out. They head inside, but Dick is surprised when he steps in and everyone on the Team is there, and a few members of the League. His mouth gaps as they shout surprise, a sloppily made banner hangs from the banister that says, "welcome home!"
Wally smiles widely and approaches quickly, hugging him tight. The rest of the team approach and most join in on the hug, really everyone besides Conner and Roy.
"I'm so glad to see you're ok…" Wally says.
"We all are…" Kaldur says, he separates from the group first, everyone else also slowly releases, except Wally. "But Wally really missed you."
"I was scared of what Vandal might do to you…" Wally says, pulling away from Dick. "Are you ok?" Dick smiles.
"Yea, I'm ok. He didn't lay a hand on me, Queen Bee tried to control me, but somehow it didn't entirely work." Dick explains. "I was able to keep our secrets."
"That's impressive!" Wally says.
"Maybe you're not entirely straight." Artemis says. Dick looks at her, brows knitting. "I mean, she's able to manipulate those who have an attraction to women, right? That's how she controls people."
"But I have an attraction to women." Dick says, glancing at Zatanna, then back at Artemis, she just shrugs.
"Don't know what to tell you." Artemis says. Dick thinks, looking down. Has he ever had an attraction to men? He becomes lost in thought.
"Let's not worry about it, ok?" Wally says. "What matters is he's home." Dick smiles.
"I shall start on the pizza, Master Dick." Alfred says.
"Thanks!" Dick says happily. Everyone goes to the main living room to hang out and talk. There's already snacks and drinks available. While the kids are busy playing games, the adults, Diana, Clark, J'onn, Barry, and Bruce enter his study to discuss what all happened the day before.
"Bruce…" Clark starts. "I have to ask… What were you thinking?"
"I was thinking the only way to save Dick was to give into their demands." Bruce explains. "I told you this."
"I know, but I wanted to see if you had more of an answer. If he fell, I would have gone to catch him, you know that." Clark says.
"And I didn't want you blowing your cover. Batman can't fly. There was a risk they'd find out my secret identity." Bruce explains.
"And that's more important?!" Clark asks. He huffs and pinches the bridge of his nose. "There's nothing we can do about it now…"
"No, there isn't." Bruce states.
"So, what's the plan?" Diana asks.
"I rise up the ranks, earn their trust, get them to divulge plans to me." Bruce says. "I'll have to be careful about it, if Batman seems to know too much of their plans, they'll suspect I'm still "working with him."" He air quotes.
"This is a dangerous game, Bats." Barry says.
"Always has been." Bruce states.
With the kids, they're playing Clue, with Dick being Mrs. Peacock, Wally being Colonel Mustard, Artemis as Mr. Green, M'gann as Miss Scarlet, Zatanna as Mrs. White, Aqualad is Professor Plum. Conner and Roy just watch, Roy isn't taking much interest, but Conner watches with some interest.
"Did you know there's a movie based on this game?" Dick asks as he's placing the pieces down, setting the cards.
"Is there really?" Artemis asks.
"Yep! It's kind of old, made in the eighties. Bruce and I watch it sometimes, it's actually pretty funny." Dick explains. "It was one of the first movies Bruce showed me and asked if I could figure out who the murderer was. But I didn't know it had three endings… I was so happy when I saw the first ending because I thought I got it right, but I was wrong…"
"So who did it?" M'gann asks.
"I'm not telling." Dick says, smiling widely. "You'll just have to watch it." He finishes dividing the cards and places the chosen cards in an envelope, placing it in the center. "So, how you play, you take the cards I handed you, don't let anyone else see and write down which ones you have on your notepad slip. Then, when it gets to your turn, you roll the dice, and move your character to the spot where you think the murder took place in the manor. You look through your list and you say who you accuse, like say I don't have Mr. Green with the rope in the Study marked off, I'd say I suspect Mr. Green, with the rope, in the study. And if someone has evidence, they would show it only to the person making the accusation, only one piece of evidence per accusation, so even if you have two or all three, you can only show one, or even if someone else has evidence."
"Uh, what if you have no people cards?" Wally asks, marking off his notecard.
"That's normal, we have a random amount of each category, it won't be evenly distributed between all three categories, just means you have to work harder to find the suspect." Dick explains. "Which kind of sucks, but hey. And since you're all new, I'll go easy on you."
"Very confident, Mrs. Peacock." Kaldur teases.
"Indeed I am, Professor Plum." Dick teases back, marking off his cards, which is a bit hard as he has to use his left hand, but he finishes, folding his paper.
"Just you wait, girl wonder." Wally teases. They finish with their papers and set them aside. They each take turns rolling to see who goes first. And through much speculation, so much suspicion and rather cruel words…
"It has to be you, Miss Scarlet. With the lead pipe, in the billiards room." Kaldur says. "Is there any evidence to contradict this accusation." No one comes forward. Kaldur takes the envelope and certifies that it was indeed Miss Scarlet, with the lead pipe, in the billiards room. "Well? What do you have to say for yourself." M'gann seems like she's trying not to laugh.
"Only this…" She says, standing up. "You'll never catch me alive!" She shouts and starts running.
"After her!" Dick shouts, getting up and running after M'gann. Zatanna and Wally get up to chase her. Wally is obviously faster and manages to tackle her.
"Gotcha!" He says.
"Tie her up spell!" Zatanna shouts, waving her hands. M'gann pretends to be bound.
"Oh no! Whatever shall I do!" M'gann shouts.
"Suffer and die." Zatanna states.
"Dang, ok." Wally says. "Harsh." But he laughs.
"By the way, it's "you'll never take me alive."" Dick corrects.
"Oh… Woops!" M'gann says, smiling widely. M'gann sits up. Kaldur and Artemis catch up, Artemis offers a hand to M'gann who takes it. Conner too joins shortly.
"Who would have guessed you were the murderer." Conner teases a bit.
"Even I didn't know!" M'gann says. "I thought it was Mr. Green." Conner glances at Artemis, then back to M'gann.
"I could see it." Conner states bluntly.
"Hey!" Artemis shouts.
"No one ever suspects the Peacock…" Dick says quietly.
"Dude, I thought it was you the entire time." Wally teases, lightly punching his shoulder.
"Well, you're just a bad detective. I'm an angel!" Dick comments.
"So was Lucifer." Wally states. Dick makes horns on his head with his fingers.
"Bwahahaha." Dick laughs evilly. Zatanna makes a cross with her fingers.
"Begone, Satan!" She shouts. Dick sticks his tongue out and falls to the floor like he's dead. Wally and Zatanna laugh. Wally grabs his arm and picks him up, pulling him to his feet.
"Oh, I'm feeling the aster." Dick says. Wally pokes his head, Dick pokes his arm, causing Wally to poke him back in retaliation, which leads to a poking war, a hand slapping fight, which is mostly playful.
"Ladies! You're both beautiful, cut it out." Artemis says, pushing the two from each other.
"Dang right! I'm gorgeous!" Dick playfully snaps, placing his hands on his hips, popping his hip out. Making everyone but Conner laugh, Conner just raises an eyebrow.
"Your hips certainly don't lie." Wally teases, wrapping an arm around Dick's hips and pulling him close, playing along. Dick's eyes widen, looking into Wally's.
"Get a room you two." Artemis teases, crossing her arms, but neither react to her. Wally's eyes shift all around Dick's face, as if surveying it, studying his features, his flawless face, his thin, soft-looking lips that is slightly quivering, his adorable little nose that lightly twitches like a little bunny. And his beautiful stormy-blue eyes, the gateway to that fiery and passionate and warm soul.
M'gann and Conner look at each other, unsure what to say or do, Conner can hear Dick's heart racing, telling M'gann this telepathically. But, Dick doesn't seem to mind being in Wally's hold, otherwise he'd start squirming, but he hasn't moved. They look at Kaldur to see if he thinks they should do something.
"My heart is beating like crazy… or am I crazy…?" Dick thinks. "Why do I feel like I can't move…? Why isn't he moving?!" As if reading his thoughts, Wally lets him go.
"S-Sorry… I thought I was being funny." Wally says, smiling a bit sadly. "I guess I wasn't." He rubs the back of his head, stepping back. Dick just stares at him for a moment longer, then lowers his head. "Dick…?" Wally goes to place a hand on his shoulder, but Dick moves out of the way, rushing upstairs. "Hey!" Wally races after him, taking his hand just before he reaches the top. "I'm sorry, ok? I didn't mean to make you uncomfortable. I won't do it again!" Dick turns his head to look at him, then the others, then back to Wally. "Please, don't go…"
"I'm sorry…" Dick says quietly. Wally smiles at him.
"You have nothing to apologize for. It's my fault." Wally says. Dick sighs and turns, following him back down. Artemis looks between the two, it finally sinks in… she closes her eyes and steps back, walking back to the living room. Wally takes notice of her leaving and wants to follow, but he hesitates. Why…? He likes Artemis, doesn't he…? She seems upset… Zatanna follows after Artemis at least.
"Dick, are you ok?" M'gann asks. "You seem kind of pale."
"Yea, I'm fine. Traught, whelmed, and feeling the aster." Dick says, smiling. Conner crosses his arms, hearing his heart beating faster, but he refrains from causing drama. He can also hear Wally's heartbeat is elevated as well. "Another round of Clue?" Dick suggests and heads back to the living room. He's the first to reach it, seeing Artemis's eyes closed, Zatanna rubbing her back. Dick looks concerned and steps over, kneeling in front of them. "Artemis, are you ok?"
"Yea… Fine… I just… feel a little sick…" Artemis says.
"Is it your stomach? I can ask Alfred for some ginger-ale. Do you think that'll help?" He asks. Artemis shakes her head, but she opens her eyes, looks at him, smiling a little.
"I'll be ok. Thanks, Dick… I think I should go home…" Artemis says, her smile falling, and she stands up. Dick also stands up.
"You can stay in one of the spare rooms, Alfred can make tea for any ailment. You'd just have to describe it. I recommend you talk to him before you go at least." Dick suggests. Artemis smiles a little again, seeing the concern for her in his eyes. She never really got a good look at his eyes before, not even when they were playing circus and had different masks.
"Ok… I'll give it a try…" Artemis says, walking by everyone, she glances at Wally a moment as she walks and then heads for the kitchen. Alfred turns to her, hearing the door open.
"Mistress Artemis. Is there something I can do for you?" Alfred asks.
"Yea, um… Dick said you're good at making tea." Artemis says. "I need a remedy…"
"Describe your ailment." Alfred says, walking to a cabinet and opening it.
"Chest pain, nausea, head-fog…" Artemis describes, placing a hand to her head.
"I see." Alfred says, mostly just to let her know she's being acknowledged. He takes down a container of tea, taking a scoop and placing it in a teapot with water and places the pot on the stove. "It will take time for the water to boil and the tea to steep, for now, why don't you keep me company. I sense you desire a distraction." Alfred states, gesturing to a seat she can take. She walks over and sits down.
"So… How long have you been their butler?" Artemis asks.
"Since nineteen-seventy-five. I met Master Thomas, Master Bruce's father, while deployed in the British Army and we became fast friends. I loved the man as if he were my elder brother. His family became my family. After their deaths, I pledged I would stay by their boy's side and care for him."
"That's very noble of you." Artemis says. "I wonder if I'd ever be that strong."
"I believe everyone has the capacity for unmeasurable strength, but rarely alone. One little ant can survive, but a whole colony can live." Alfred says. Artemis smiles softly.
"I've found my colony, my strength. Even if… I just…" She hesitates, struggling. "I'm being selfish…"
"Wanting something isn't selfishness, forcibly taking it is what makes one selfish." Alfred says. "Everyone wants, it's in our nature." Artemis looks down.
"I… want a boy… but he has feelings for someone else. I knew this, but I saw them together and it hurt…" Artemis explains. "How do I make this pain stop…?"
"Heartbreak is a tricky pain to deal with." Alfred starts to say. "It can come in many forms and can even be deadly in some cases. It is a pain that only you can heal, just know there is no timetable for healing. What is broken can be repaired, perhaps not perfect, but better off than just being broken. You have the strength of spirit, you simply must see it in yourself." There's a buzzer sound, followed by a second buzzer sound. Alfred pulls the pizzas out of the ovens and sets them on heating pads on the counter, so they cool down. They're sizzling hot and smell delicious.
"Those smell really good… Do you make pizza a lot?" Artemis asks.
"No, this is my first try actually." Alfred admits. Artemis raises an eyebrow. Alfred smiles.
"Now I know why you three get along so well, you're just as strange." Artemis comments.
"I will gladly take that as a compliment, Mistress." Alfred states.
"Good, because I meant it that way." Artemis says, smiling widely. "Thank you for your help. Dick recommended I speak to you, I'm guessing this is what he meant."
"I am glad to have been of service, Mistress Artemis. I provide counsel to both the Masters and on occasion to those who come into our home. You are of no exception." Alfred says. The teapot begins to whistle. Alfred takes it off the heat and pours the tea through a sieve and into a teacup. He brings the cup over and sets it on the table beside her. "I caution you, the tea is still hot."
"Thanks, Alfred." Artemis says again. Alfred nods in return, a slight bow before returning to the main part of the kitchen. After some time, Artemis takes the cup and takes a sip to test if it's cooled enough. It is, and it has a different sort of warmth to it than it just being hot. It's so soothing.
Out in the living room, there's been a new game of Clue underway, Conner was asked to fill in for Artemis until she felt better and she could join the next game if she wanted.
"You know what, because of your comment earlier, I'm gonna say, Mrs. Peacock, in the kitchen, with the knife." Wally says. To show that he means it, he lightly slams the little knife prop in the kitchen.
"Oh-ho, we're doing that are we?" Dick teases.
"Yes, we are, I just said it." Wally states.
"Sorry, Wally." Kaldur states, placing a card towards him upside-down. Wally takes up the card.
"Dammit…" He mutters, checking it off on his note sheet. "I will get you, Peacock."
"Not in this life, Mustard." Dick states, crossing his arms.
"I probably should not say this, but it was not Mrs. Peacock's card that I showed him." Kaldur states.
"What…?" Dick mumbles questioningly. Wally points, laughing.
"It could still be you!" He shouts.
"No! It won't! It never is!" Dick says.
"Dude, that's not how chance works." Wally comments.
"Maybe not, but it's still not me!" Dick states vehemently.
"We'll see about that, my friend." Wally accepts the challenge.
"Once it's your turn again." Kaldur states and takes the dice, rolling for his turn, but he doesn't quite get to the location he wants, making it Zatanna's turn.
"Ok…" Zatanna starts, looking at her note sheet. "Mrs. Peacock."
"Hey…" Dick trails off.
"With the knife, in the billiard room." Zatanna finishes. Kaldur again has evidence, showing it to her. "Man…" She lightly pouts, but isn't upset.
"The noose is tightening, Dickie." Wally taunts.
"We'll see about that." Dick mutters, taking up the dice for his turn, rolling and getting to the Hall. "Ok, Colonel Mustard."
"What?!" Wally shouts.
"In the Hall, with the revolver."
"It's cuz I'm yellow, isn't it?" Wally questions.
"No, it's cuz it's you." Dick states plainly.
"Well, I have evidence against your accusation!" Wally says, taking out the card and passing it to Dick. Dick takes it up and sighs.
"You're free to go, Colonel… But I got my eye on you." Dick threatens, handing the card back to him. Wally takes it back quickly, sticking it back with the rest of his cards. It's now M'gann's turn. She rolls, but doesn't get to her desired location. Conner rolls, same thing. Now it's Wally's turn. He doesn't roll, wanting to stay in place.
"Ok! I'm staying here! Mrs. Peacock, in the kitchen, with the revolver." Wally says, emphasis on revolver. No one comes forward with evidence. "Uh oh, looks like little miss blue bird is in trouble!" Wally reaches for the envelope but Dick swipes it up, getting up and running.
"Nope!" Dick shouts.
"I'm faster than you!" Wally shouts after him, running and tackling him very quickly, pinning him to the ground. "Take that!" Wally tries reaching for the envelope, but Dick tries to hold it out of reach the best he can. Unfortunately, his arm-span is as long as he is tall… And Wally is able to get it rather easily, taking out the cards and looking them over. "Mrs. Peacock, revolver, in the kitchen! Yes!" He cheers. Dick just lies back in defeat.
"Asshole…" Dick pouts.
"No one likes a sore loser!" Wally says, getting off of him and standing up, holding his hand out to him. Dick smiles and takes it, letting him pull him up.
"I'll get you next time." Dick warns.
"I'd like to see you try, shorty." Wally challenges.
