6 Minutes

1st Minute: The Earth Begins to Shake

"Soo Wall-man," Robin teased, "That speed healing gonna kick in yet?"

"Excuse you, Rob! I'm only half-speedster. Ergo only half-speed healing," Wally stuck his tongue.

"Ten bucks he's already healed. He's just too lazy to train," Artemis rolled her eyes.

On this fall afternoon, the team was just finishing up their last training session with Black Canary. With Red Tornado MIA, the League had various members take shifts in training the young heroes. Canary specialized in hand-to-hand combat. The next chaperone however…

"Recognized: Zatara 11," the computer announced.

From the bright light of the Zeta tube appeared one Giovanni Zatara in his magician's tuxedo and top hat. He typed a few keys on the holopad presumably to allow a guest into the cave…

"Access Granted: Zatanna Zatara A03. Authorization, Zatara 11."

The light flashed again. This time, a young girl in a school uniform appeared. Robin's eyes widened under the mask. Despite being in a crowded room, she was the only one he could see. Her dark raven hair, her beautiful blue eyes, her bashful smile as she entered the cave all mesmerized the teenage hero. Zatanna Zatara captivated Robin so much that he almost didn't notice M'gann floating up to greet the new girl. Acting completely on instinct, Robin dashed forward and shoved M'gann out of the way. The poor Boy Wonder was so eager, he didn't even notice Conner sending him a slightly annoyed glare when he caught his Martian girlfriend.

"HI!" Robin greeted a little too excitedly, "I'm uh… Robin! Ehehehe. And uh this is the Team! This is Megan. That's Wally, Artemis, Kaldur, and Conner!"

"Hehe thanks," Zatanna giggled.

"S-so uh are you joining the team?" Robin asked hopefully.

Robin's heart pounded furiously that it deafened his ears. He couldn't even hear Zatara protest vigorously at the idea of Zatanna being a hero. It was only when Zatanna pouted that Robin realized her father even said something.

"Gosh she's so beautiful…"

2nd Minute: My Heart Begins to Break

"Do the rest of you get the impression we're still on probation with Zatara?" M'gann asked through the mind link.

"Not just Zatara," Conner answered, "I mean why is Marvel still hanging around?"

"Makes one almost miss when Red Tornado was in charge," Kaldur chimed in.

"Yea. At least he trusted us," Robin replied.

Annoyed, Zatanna stepped right into the ring of friends. She put her hand on her hip and pursed her lips clearly showing her irritation.

"Are you guys having a psychic conversation? A little rude to alienate the newbie right when we first meet…" she tapped her foot on the ground.

"Uhh we didn't mean to!" Robin tried to diffuse the situation, "I-I mean y'know it's just something we're all used to. Cuz we've been working together as a team for a while so uh yea! It's just force of habit. But you're totally welcome to join the mental group chat. Right Ms. M?"

Everyone sent Robin a bewildered but knowing glare. Wally even had to cover his mouth to stifle his laughter. Kaldur looked away out of courtesy to hide his chuckle. M'gann gave Robin an understanding smile as her eyes glowed.

"Welcome to the mental groupchat, Zatanna," M'gann announced in her mind link.

"A pleasure. Does Robin get some sort of bonus fee for recruiting me?" Zatanna winked towards the Boy Wonder.

Wally snuck over while Conner vocally expressed his grievances over Red Tornado. In a hush whisper, he leaned close to Robin, who was blushing furiously under his mask.

"Dude, you've got it sooooo bad for this chick…"

3rd Minute: She Makes Me Feel Brand New

"Why don't you all take Zatanna on a uh….tour of the Cave?"

Angered that Canary refused to let them pursue Red Tornado, the Team surrendered towards the kitchen. Wally was especially miffed as Captain Marvel left with his nachos. Nevertheless, the Team left with a very clear and silent agreement. Besides, when have they ever listened to orders?

"Sooo, we're not actually taking a tour of the Cave, right?" Zatanna popped up next to Robin.

Boy Wonder was a little shocked since not many people were able to sneak up on him. More importantly, he immediately noticed Zatanna's change in clothes. Gone was the school cardigan and skirt. Now, she wore a much more comfortable camisole and a pair of capris.

"Wait. When did you? I mean how did you?" Robin asked.

"Like what you see?" she winked.

"Uhhh I well…"

"To answer your question, no. We're hunting down that robot," Conner grumbled.

"Yes. We are," Kaldur confirmed.

"Wow. Out loud and everything. And I just joined the mental groupchat too!" Zee crossed her arms.

Everyone suddenly looked around awkwardly trying not to address the elephant in the room. Zatanna's eyes darted around noticing how everyone stared at her and then shifted glances to each other. For a moment, she turned to Robin who just looked dazed. Internally, she giggled.

"Soooo what do we do with her?" Artemis asked.

"I mean, I doubt she'd tell," Robin made his case.

"I can't tell. Not if you…..kidnap me," Zatanna once again winked at Robin.

As she expected, Robin practically melted into a puddle. For whatever reason, Zatanna made him feel excited. She was sassy and feisty. He felt a sort of connection to her seeing that she was willing to be quite mischievous.

"I like her," Artemis approved.

"Me too," Robin whispered under his breath.

4th Minute: She's Everything I See

As the team flew in the Bioship towards Yellowstone Park thanks to Zatanna's "interrogation skills", Robin couldn't help but stare at the talented magician. Well, that wasn't too hard considering she sat right in front of him.

"Man, that was so cool," he thought to himself, "So many interrogations that coulda been cut short thanks to her. She's so amazing…"

Honestly, Kaldur was saying something to the team, but poor Boy Wonder tuned it all out. The only thing on his mind was the beauty in front of him. Her cheeky smile, her take-the-initiative personality. Honestly, where had she been all his life? As if feeling his gaze upon her, Zatanna turned around and raised an eyebrow at him.

"Like what you see?" she asked again while smirking.

"Hehe look," he raised his hands, "I'm just trying to be all nonchalant here…"

"Why?" she purred, "Be as chalant as you like."

Robin was stunned. Again, with her playful smirk, Zatanna made talkative cocky Robin melt with just a few words. All he could do was smile. No one ever played with his unwords, so this was something totally new and intriguing. Even though it might've looked like Zatanna had the upper hand in this flirtatious game, he didn't noticed how she quickly turned away to hide her own blush. Everyone else, however, did…

"Sooo are they gonna do this the whole mission?" M'gann asked in the mental groupchat sans Robin and Zatanna.

"God I hope not…"

5th Minute: She's Where I Wanna Be

Things were not going…strictly as planned. Good news: the Team found Red Tornado. Bad news: he attacked them with strong wings and…..tornados. Supposedly anyway. Unfortunately, Red Volcano saw right through their ruse and took over the onslaught. As the android flung boulders at the Team, Robin instinctively dove at Zatanna pushing her away from the debris. Rolling in the air, he made sure to be the one to land on the ground, but not before hugging her tightly against him. With his cape as the only cushion, Robin skidded across the hard ground with Zatanna on top of him. Winds still blew around them as he held her tightly.

"Gotta say, Boy Wonder," she whispered into his ear, "You're more in shape than I thought."

Robin blushed as he felt her pinch his abs teasingly. Despite the ever-present danger, Robin and Zatanna paused for a moment. They got lost in each other's eyes (well he in her blue eyes, her in his white mask) as their faces were almost pressed together.

"Uhh hi," he blushed.

"Hi," she smiled, "You gonna let me go now?"

"Right! Sorry."

As the two stood up, reality hit them very hard in the face as Red Volcano continued to crack the ground and crush the rest of the team with rock hands and other creations.

"Hey! Love birds," Conner yelled, "Quit making out and HELP US!"

Taking charge, Robin sprinted up a hill and flung a birdarang right at Volcano's head. The android without even flinching, caught the spinning blade with ease. Even when the projectile exploded in his hand, Volcano shook it off like it was nothing.

"Tornado's memory files and my superior processing speed allow me to anticipate your every move," Red Volcano bellowed with condescension.

"Emoks emoceb a dlofdnilb!" (Smoke become a blindfold!) Zatanna chanted.

Suddenly, the smoke from Robin's explosive turned solid and wrapped a tendril around Volcano's eyes. He was taken aback and struggled mightily to rip the binding from his face. Robin meanwhile landed right next to Zatanna, very impressed with her work.

"Tornado never knew my moves," Zee smirked.

"And I bet you've got some good ones," Robin answered back.

She turned around with a slightly amused look causing him to immediately walk back his compliment.

"W-whoa uhhh sorry," he awkwardly smiled with his hands up, "That may have come off as a little too Wally…"

"Hehe," she giggled, "I don't mind. At least not from you anyway…"

6th Minute: Everything Just Feels So New

Despite dire stakes, the Team plus the Red Androids were able to successfully defeat Red Volcano. Things were a little dicey when the stage three super volcano eruption nearly caused a global nuclear winter, but Red Tornado proved he was truly a hero by diverting the ash cloud. After dropping the last surviving android to tend to the real T.O. Morrow, the Team flew back on the Bioship after yet another successful, yet very unsanctioned mission. Once again, Boy Wonder found himself sitting behind the raven-haired beauty who proved herself quite handily on the mission. In his heart, he really hoped she could be a more permanent addition to the team. She fit in perfectly after all. Obviously. No other ulterior reason…

"So," he leaned forward boldly, "Good kidnapping?"

"Actually," she turned around sweetly smiling, "Best ever."

"Heh. First of many I hope."

"Maybe. Especially if you're the one doing the kidnapping…"

20 Years Later

"Wait that's it!?"

"Yea what the heck!? That's the whole story?!"

"It took you only six minutes to fall in love with Mom!?"

This time, late into the fall evening, twin dark-haired blue-eyed children sat on a comfy couch facing their tired dad who sat on the ottoman. The fireplace crackled as the embers gave off a warm glow. The dad chuckled and scratched the back of his head, clearly amused that his kids wanted more of a bedtime story.

"I mean, if you could see Mom at that age, six minutes might've been too long," Dick laughed.

"You fell in love with me in six minutes, yet it took you eight years to propose to me," Dick's lovely wife, Zatanna appeared in the room.

"Hi, honey," Dick smiled.

"Hey, sweetie," she walked over and kissed his cheek.

"Ewwwwwww," the twins gagged.

"Alright, you two," Zatanna said firmly, "It's time for bed."

"What? Noooo," the twins protested.

"Gio, Mary, it's late. You both have school tomorrow."

"Mom's right guys. I'll tell you more about our love story tomorrow. Go brush your teeth."

"Sigh okayyyy…." Mary whined before heading towards the bathroom upstairs.

"Soooo Mom?" Gio paused before heading up, "Was Dad really that charming?"

"Honestly," Zee smiled while looking into Dick's eyes, "He had me at 'Hi! I'm Robin!'"

"Ugh," Gio rolled his eyes as Dick and Zee laughed.

With the kids finally upstairs, Zee tugged at Dick's hand and led him to the couch. Gently, she pushed him down onto the cushions and climbed on top of him. Both were now sprawled out as she rested her head on his chest, a comforting position they two found themselves in many times.

"It really took you six minutes to fall in love with me?" she asked.

"Yea. After that mission, all I wanted to do was get to know you."

"Heh that explains why you showed up at my window the next night."

"Yup."

"Y'know, most girls would find that a little desperate."

"Ehhh probably."

"Luckily, I'm not most girls," she kissed his cheek.

"Still, we should make sure Gio doesn't take the wrong lessons from that story."

"Hahaha maybe."

They laid there for a bit just taking in the soft glow of the fire. Zee nuzzled her nose into his neck while he gently rubbed her back. They could hear the padded rumblings of their kids upstairs as they walked between the bathroom and their bedrooms. Just before Zee closed her eyes and drifted off to sleep, Dick brushed her hair and kissed the top of her head.

"So, how long did it take you to fall in love with me?" he asked.

"Hehe really?" she giggled.

"I'm curious."

"Uhhh maybe a little less than six minutes."

"No way…"

"I told you. You had me at Hi! I'm Robin…"

AN: 6 Minutes - Jonas Brothers

Sigh. I know I know. This is not How to Be Chalant . And I know I know, this is yet ANOTHER Jonas Brothers song. I honestly wasn't even planning on writing this haha. But I was driving home and this song came up on my playlist. In the 20min drive home, I came up with this cute idea haha. It took me a bit to try and break down Zatanna's debut in "Humanity" but I had a lot of fun with it.

I know that technically they interacted for more than 6 minutes, so just pretend they spoke for about six minutes throughout the whole thing haha. I also struggled with the ending. I debated on whether or not to just have the exchange as pillow talk or do a pseudo How I Met Your Mother type of thing. I obviously went with the latter lol.

Anyway! No more distractions! No more distractions! No more distractions! Haha thanks for enjoying the read! Leave a fav and comment!