Fic: The Best Accidents (Tim/Kara)
Title: The Best Accidents
Fandom: DC Universe
Rating: PG-13
Characters/pairings: Tim Drake/Kara Zor-El, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Clark Kent
Words: 3048
Summary: A series of unexpected events, mishaps, and disasters bring Tim and Kara closer together.
Author's Notes: Written for How Tim lost his Virginity Challenge. Set in something resembling current continuity, only without all the BftC silliness and Damian.
"Alright, just stay still, Miss Zor-El. The scan will be over in a minute."
Alfred looked over the test results as the MRI scanned Kara's cells. Bruce and Clark watched from the side.
"This is all my fault." Clark shook his head. "I should have been there. New supervillain, I didn't know what he was capable of..."
"And then you would have both been hit and lost your powers, and there would have been no one to rescue Kara. Relax. This has happened before. She's alive, and you've dealt with these problems enough to know that your powers always come back eventually."
"All done." Alfred switched off the machine and began printing the scans. "I should have the information shortly."
Kara sat up and stretched as the door to the Batcave swung open. Robin ran in, having flown across the country from Titans Tower.
"What's going on? I heard Kara's here? Is she hurt?"
"Not except for my pride." Kara grinned as she got up from the table. "I was fighting this new freak who showed up. He called himself "Red Son" and claimed to be 'the souls of a thousand dead galaxies'. But he hit me with these weird red rays, and suddenly I was powerless."
"Wow. It's temporary, right?"
"I hope so! That's what they're trying to find out. I've never been without my powers this long before." Kara shivered. "It's really weird. I'm not used to being cold. Is it always this cold down in the Batcave?"
"Here." Tim pulled off his cape and draped it over Kara's shoulders. "Better?"
"Much." Kara grinned.
"Ah." Alfred looked up from the data. "This makes sense. The rogue Kara was fighting generated concentrated red solar rays. Similar to the ones Superman was exposed to when he lost his powers during the Crisis."
"Wait, didn't it take a year for his powers to come back?" Kara spun around, her face full of panic. "Is it going to take a year for me too?"
"Unlikely. He was exposed to the full brunt of a red sun's core. You were exposed to much less intense amounts. However, your solar energy stores have been erased, and the inhibitive effects of the red sun are affecting you. Until they wear off, it's unlikely your powers will start to come back."
"So, how long exactly?" Kara asked.
"Let me just do some calculations...anywhere from two to three months."
Kara spun around to Superman. "Don't you have anything in your fortress? Like, to super-charge me? I can't stay like this for three months!"
Clark put his hand on Kara's shoulder. "I do have some things like that...but they're only for emergencies. They can be dangerous, and it's not worth risking your safety to get your powers back sooner."
"But...what am I supposed to do now? I've never been without my powers on Earth. For a few minutes, yeah, but months? I can't just wait around for them to come back while people are getting hurt out there!"
"We could train her."
Kara and Bruce both spun their heads around at Tim's suggestion. Kara seemed to take to the idea enthusiastically, grinning wildly. Bruce...less so.
"No."
"Come on, Bruce, why not? You already gave her some lessons when she arrived on Earth, right? This would be like an advance course. Besides, we could always use another pair of hands in Gotham."
"Yeah!" Kara ran up to Batman. "Just give me a chance. I mean, it's not the same as having my powers, but until they come back, I'd love to learn all your techniques. I can help out around the city, and it would probably make me a better fighter even after my powers do come back."
"I have no interest in helping you get yourself killed." Bruce glowered. "This is a dangerous war we fight. Far more dangerous than the costumed antics you're used to in Metropolis. Every night, I know that there's a decent chance my sons or I might not come back. And courageous as you and your cousin are, it's not the same kind of war. You have nothing to gain by this, everything to lose." He turned to Superman. "Back me up here, Clark."
"I don't know." Superman shook his head. "You did train me the first time I lost my powers, and I use some of those techniques to this day. I definitely don't want you to take Kara out in the field until she's ready, and that's your call, but if she's ready to learn under you, I think it's a great idea. Better than her cooling her heels in Smallville until her powers return."
"Besides..." Tim grinned. "I know you always like putting the rookies through their paces, and you've taught me everything you know."
"If I may interject, Master Bruce, you do always seem to be in a better mood when you're in teacher mode. This might be a good opportunity for all concerned." Alfred nodded.
"Fine." Bruce whirled around to face Kara. "Understand this. If I take you on as a protege, even short-term, it will be the hardes thing you've ever done. As a Kryptonian, you're used to everything coming easy. This won't. 15 minutes into your first lesson, you'll be begging me to quit. But I won't let you. Do you think you can handle this? Because I'd rather not waste my - "
"I saw my planet die when I was fourteen years old." Kara snapped in Bruce's face. "I think I can handle a little intense training. I'm not the weak little girl you seem to think I am."
A small smile flickered across Bruce's face. "Well...you definitely have the motivation. Tim, show her to the guest room. I'll expect you both back down here in fifteen minutes to begin."
As Kara and Tim walked up the stairs, Kara smiled at Tim. "Thanks."
"No problem. Glad I could help."
"...I have no clue what I just got myself into, do I?"
"Not even a little." Tim grinned. "But don't worry, the time will fly by - you'll be too exhausted to notice it."
Kara gulped. "Yay."
------
"Let me see."
Tim slowly removed the pack of frozen peas from his eye, revealing the nasty bruise covering it. Kara winced.
"That bad, huh? I'm afraid to look in the mirror."
"I am soooo sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard."
"Hey, you broke through my defenses. That's a good sign." Tim grinned. "I get beat up far worse than this on the streets."
"So...you think I'm getting better?"
"Definitely. You've been training for almost two weeks now, and you've been giving me a pretty good fight in sparring matches lately. Don't let Bruce get you down - he'll always find something to criticize."
"Thanks." Kara blushed. "You've really been great. Bruce is always barking orders at me, but you're really helpful. I've probably learned more from our sparring sessions than from actually training with him. I'm just sorry I thanked you with a black eye!"
"That's the big secret of the Robin fraternity. We always help each other out. And you're kind of an honorary Robin by now."
"When I lost my powers...I was so freaked out at first. Now, being here, training like this, pushing myself to the limit, it's almost starting to feel natural. I figure my powers are coming back sooner or later. But I can wait. Because of you."
Kara slowly leaned in as she dropped the ice pack on the bed. She planted a soft kiss directly on Tim's lips, then pulled back, nervously waiting to see the expression on his face.
"About time. Didn't want to push you."
Before Kara could react, Tim kissed her back, much more passionately. As they got lost in each other's lips, he thought to himself that this was definitely the best black eye he ever got.
-----
"So...what do you think?"
Kara spun around in her new Flamebird costume. It had taken weeks for her and Tim to convince Batman to let her go out on patrol, but she had passed his last test with flying colors. Tonight, she'd become a part of the Bat-family for real. Even if it was only temporary, becoming Flamebird was almost as exciting as the first time she put on her Supergirl outfit.
"I think you look great. Half the criminals are probably going to drop their guns in awe when they see you."
"Aw." Kara grinned. "I can't wait to be running the rooftops with you. You think we can find an alcove or two to make out in?"
"I'll have to call Dick. He knows all about sneaking away from Batman on patrol." Tim laughed. "So...do you feel ready? Is there anything you want to practice before the big show?"
"Is kissing Robins an option?" Kara wrapped her arms around Tim and nuzzled his neck.
"Whoa! I hope so!" Tim grinned and kissed Kara quickly. "Seriously, though. We've got a few hours to go over anything you're not sure about. Just you and me, no pressure."
"Well...we could always do one more run on the obstacle course. Loser pays for ice cream?"
"You're on." Tim winked, putting his competitive face on. Girlfriend or not, he knew Kara liked to win. And that was exactly what he wanted in an obstacle course opponent.
Kara nodded, and they were off. Tim maintained a slight lead over the hurdles, and reached the rope swing first. He swung across, and could see Kara gaining on him from behind. He hurried up the wall climb and scrambled over.
Kara could see Tim just in front of her. He disappeared over the wall climb, and she scrambled to the top. She could probably catch him with one good jump from the top, she thought. High up, but it looked like she could make it. With a running start, she leapt off the edge.
"Ow!"
Tim's head spun around as he heard Kara cry out. She was lying crumpled on the ground, her face in obvious pain. He ran over, kneeling beside her.
"Kara? What happened?"
Kara struggled into a sitting position, clutching her leg. "It's my foot. I landed wrong. I was trying to catch you, and..."
Tim gently eased Kara's foot into his lap. He lightly touched a fresh bruise at the side, and she hissed in pain.
"Okay, yeah, I think you've probably fractured something. We'd better call Alfred down here."
As Tim ran over to the intercom, Kara buried her head in her hands. Everything had been going so well, and now it was completely ruined by one moment of bravado. It hadn't even occurred to her that she could injure herself in a jump like that. She had to keep reminding herself that she was only human now, fragile like the rest of them. Unfortunately, she had remembered that a little too late.
-----
"Kara, at least let me help you pack."
Kara looked away from Tim as she struggled to pack her suitcase while balancing on her new crutches. She didn't want him to see the tears in her eyes.
"I can handle this myself, Tim. Besides, don't you have to go out on patrol?"
"Not while you're here, hurting. Batman can wait."
"You heard what he said. It was a mistake to train me. I'm careless, overconfident, and not fit to be a hero in Gotham. He wants me out. And given that I'm definitely not going to be doing any rooftop acrobatics for six weeks, is there really a point to me staying?"
"I want you here." Tim helped Kara sit down at the side of the bed and put his arm around her. "We've all gotten hurt at some point, by doing dumber things than this. Did Batman really say all that to you?"
"Yeah. Only not as nice. There was also something about not wasting his time."
"Yeah, well...that's Bruce for you." Tim shook his head. "So that's it? You're leaving?"
"I called Clark to pick me up. He'll be here in a few minutes. I'll wait for my powers to come back in Metropolis, and then I can forget this whole fiasco ever happened."
"It wasn't all bad, was it? I mean, what we had - "
"Was great. But was it ever really going to work out? I mean, while I was a Gotham vigilante in training, it was perfect. It's probably best we just take it for what it was before anyone gets hurt, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Tim leaned in and kissed Kara for what could be the last time. "It was great while it lasted. You take care."
Kara wrapped her arms around Tim and held him tight. She would miss her Robin, but it was for the best.
-----
Alfred finished stitching up the cut on Tim's back as Bruce looked on disapprovingly.
"It's nothing, Bruce. The thug got in a lucky shot."
"It's not just tonight." Bruce glowered. "You've been careless the last few days. You must have had a dozen close calls, and this one was too close. I want to know why you're behaving like a rookie again."
"Maybe I'm a bit distracted, did you ever think about that?"
Alfred spoke up. "Sirs, if I may, Master Timothy's carelessness seems to coincide with Miss Zor-El's departure from the Batcave."
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Does this have anything to do with it?"
"No! Well, not intentionally. I miss her. And she's been on my mind a lot. Not that you'd understand - you couldn't wait to get her out of here!"
"She hurt herself showboating on the training course. That's as clear an indication as you can get that she's not cut out for this line of work. By the time she was recovered, she'd likely have her powers back. There was no reason for her to stay."
Bruce and Tim stared each other down, both glowering. Bruce looked to the side at Alfred, who gave him a meaningful look.
"You're obviously not any good to me tonight. Your mind's elsewhere, and I'm not taking you back out there where you're likely to get yourself killed." Bruce reached into his pocket and tossed Tim a set of keys. "To the spare Batplane. Go to Metropolis, get it out of your system, then come back here ready to continue the fight tomorrow. What you do there, what the two of you decide, is your business."
Tim grinned at Bruce and ran to the Batplane. As Bruce headed back into the tunnels, Alfred nodded approvingly.
-----
Kara sat in front of the TV, surfing through the channels. She had never really sat still to watch TV for long since her arrival on Earth, and she was amazed by how little of it interested her in any way. She glared at the cast on her foot, which was elevated on pillows in front of her. She wasn't used to being stuck in one place, but with her powers gone and her injury, it was going to be a really long few weeks.
She was snapped out of her self-pity jag by a knock at the window. Struggling over to it, she threw the curtains aside.
"Hey. Miss me?"
Kara stared into Tim's grinning face as he climbed in the window.
"Tim? I thought we decided - "
"No. You decided. I never got to give you the counterpoint."
"Okay, I'm listening..."
"Why did we break up, again? Because you were afraid it wouldn't work out down the line? So what? How will we find out unless we try? I don't have anything better going. Do you?"
"No. My dating life since I came to Earth has been kind of...weak to say the least." Kara said, thinking back to the disaster that was Power Boy.
"Then wouldn't it really suck to miss out on something great because we were scared? Because Batman's given me the night off, and I'm right where I want to spend it."
"I should warn you, I'm not going to be a particularly exciting date right now..."
"As far as I'm concerned, you couldn't get more exciting. I'm dating Supergirl!" Tim grinned. "That is, if you'll have me."
Kara answered by grinning as she pounced on Tim, tackling him down into the couch and kissing him passionately.
"Thank Rao you were smart enough to see I was being an idiot."
Tim smiled as he looked up at Kara. For a night that begun with a robber stabbing him, things were really looking up.
-----
"Wow."
"Wow is right."
"Should...should we have used protection?"
"Different species, remember? Still technically an alien girl."
Tim and Kara looked over at each other. For their first night together outside of the confines of the Batcave, this was not the activity they had planned on. But the passion of being back together had turned out to be far too much to resist.
"So, wow...that was really your first time?"
"Yeah." Tim said, his voice a mix of shock and excitement. "Yours?"
"Yeah. I had chances, but I never took them. I wanted it to be with someone I trust."
"...We have got to try that again once your powers come back."
Kara grinned and whapped Tim with a pillow. "We are not having sky-sex. At least not anywhere where the tabloids can see us!"
Tim laughed as he rolled over and kissed Kara. "I know the sex usually comes after the date, but are you up to going out? I've got the whole night off, and a beautiful girl I'd love to take out to dinner."
"I could go for that. Think Le Bernadin valet parks Batplanes?"
"I don't know, but we'll find out."
Tim kissed Kara one more time before he got out of bed to get dressed. Kara curled up under the blankets and smiled. If she hadn't lost her powers, if she hadn't spent weeks training under Batman only to break her foot at the last minute, if any one of the little disasters of the last month hadn't happened, she and Tim might never have shared this one perfect moment - the first of what she hoped would be many.
Fandom: DC Universe
Rating: PG-13
Characters/pairings: Tim Drake/Kara Zor-El, Bruce Wayne, Alfred Pennyworth, Clark Kent
Words: 3048
Summary: A series of unexpected events, mishaps, and disasters bring Tim and Kara closer together.
Author's Notes: Written for How Tim lost his Virginity Challenge. Set in something resembling current continuity, only without all the BftC silliness and Damian.
"Alright, just stay still, Miss Zor-El. The scan will be over in a minute."
Alfred looked over the test results as the MRI scanned Kara's cells. Bruce and Clark watched from the side.
"This is all my fault." Clark shook his head. "I should have been there. New supervillain, I didn't know what he was capable of..."
"And then you would have both been hit and lost your powers, and there would have been no one to rescue Kara. Relax. This has happened before. She's alive, and you've dealt with these problems enough to know that your powers always come back eventually."
"All done." Alfred switched off the machine and began printing the scans. "I should have the information shortly."
Kara sat up and stretched as the door to the Batcave swung open. Robin ran in, having flown across the country from Titans Tower.
"What's going on? I heard Kara's here? Is she hurt?"
"Not except for my pride." Kara grinned as she got up from the table. "I was fighting this new freak who showed up. He called himself "Red Son" and claimed to be 'the souls of a thousand dead galaxies'. But he hit me with these weird red rays, and suddenly I was powerless."
"Wow. It's temporary, right?"
"I hope so! That's what they're trying to find out. I've never been without my powers this long before." Kara shivered. "It's really weird. I'm not used to being cold. Is it always this cold down in the Batcave?"
"Here." Tim pulled off his cape and draped it over Kara's shoulders. "Better?"
"Much." Kara grinned.
"Ah." Alfred looked up from the data. "This makes sense. The rogue Kara was fighting generated concentrated red solar rays. Similar to the ones Superman was exposed to when he lost his powers during the Crisis."
"Wait, didn't it take a year for his powers to come back?" Kara spun around, her face full of panic. "Is it going to take a year for me too?"
"Unlikely. He was exposed to the full brunt of a red sun's core. You were exposed to much less intense amounts. However, your solar energy stores have been erased, and the inhibitive effects of the red sun are affecting you. Until they wear off, it's unlikely your powers will start to come back."
"So, how long exactly?" Kara asked.
"Let me just do some calculations...anywhere from two to three months."
Kara spun around to Superman. "Don't you have anything in your fortress? Like, to super-charge me? I can't stay like this for three months!"
Clark put his hand on Kara's shoulder. "I do have some things like that...but they're only for emergencies. They can be dangerous, and it's not worth risking your safety to get your powers back sooner."
"But...what am I supposed to do now? I've never been without my powers on Earth. For a few minutes, yeah, but months? I can't just wait around for them to come back while people are getting hurt out there!"
"We could train her."
Kara and Bruce both spun their heads around at Tim's suggestion. Kara seemed to take to the idea enthusiastically, grinning wildly. Bruce...less so.
"No."
"Come on, Bruce, why not? You already gave her some lessons when she arrived on Earth, right? This would be like an advance course. Besides, we could always use another pair of hands in Gotham."
"Yeah!" Kara ran up to Batman. "Just give me a chance. I mean, it's not the same as having my powers, but until they come back, I'd love to learn all your techniques. I can help out around the city, and it would probably make me a better fighter even after my powers do come back."
"I have no interest in helping you get yourself killed." Bruce glowered. "This is a dangerous war we fight. Far more dangerous than the costumed antics you're used to in Metropolis. Every night, I know that there's a decent chance my sons or I might not come back. And courageous as you and your cousin are, it's not the same kind of war. You have nothing to gain by this, everything to lose." He turned to Superman. "Back me up here, Clark."
"I don't know." Superman shook his head. "You did train me the first time I lost my powers, and I use some of those techniques to this day. I definitely don't want you to take Kara out in the field until she's ready, and that's your call, but if she's ready to learn under you, I think it's a great idea. Better than her cooling her heels in Smallville until her powers return."
"Besides..." Tim grinned. "I know you always like putting the rookies through their paces, and you've taught me everything you know."
"If I may interject, Master Bruce, you do always seem to be in a better mood when you're in teacher mode. This might be a good opportunity for all concerned." Alfred nodded.
"Fine." Bruce whirled around to face Kara. "Understand this. If I take you on as a protege, even short-term, it will be the hardes thing you've ever done. As a Kryptonian, you're used to everything coming easy. This won't. 15 minutes into your first lesson, you'll be begging me to quit. But I won't let you. Do you think you can handle this? Because I'd rather not waste my - "
"I saw my planet die when I was fourteen years old." Kara snapped in Bruce's face. "I think I can handle a little intense training. I'm not the weak little girl you seem to think I am."
A small smile flickered across Bruce's face. "Well...you definitely have the motivation. Tim, show her to the guest room. I'll expect you both back down here in fifteen minutes to begin."
As Kara and Tim walked up the stairs, Kara smiled at Tim. "Thanks."
"No problem. Glad I could help."
"...I have no clue what I just got myself into, do I?"
"Not even a little." Tim grinned. "But don't worry, the time will fly by - you'll be too exhausted to notice it."
Kara gulped. "Yay."
------
"Let me see."
Tim slowly removed the pack of frozen peas from his eye, revealing the nasty bruise covering it. Kara winced.
"That bad, huh? I'm afraid to look in the mirror."
"I am soooo sorry. I didn't mean to hit you that hard."
"Hey, you broke through my defenses. That's a good sign." Tim grinned. "I get beat up far worse than this on the streets."
"So...you think I'm getting better?"
"Definitely. You've been training for almost two weeks now, and you've been giving me a pretty good fight in sparring matches lately. Don't let Bruce get you down - he'll always find something to criticize."
"Thanks." Kara blushed. "You've really been great. Bruce is always barking orders at me, but you're really helpful. I've probably learned more from our sparring sessions than from actually training with him. I'm just sorry I thanked you with a black eye!"
"That's the big secret of the Robin fraternity. We always help each other out. And you're kind of an honorary Robin by now."
"When I lost my powers...I was so freaked out at first. Now, being here, training like this, pushing myself to the limit, it's almost starting to feel natural. I figure my powers are coming back sooner or later. But I can wait. Because of you."
Kara slowly leaned in as she dropped the ice pack on the bed. She planted a soft kiss directly on Tim's lips, then pulled back, nervously waiting to see the expression on his face.
"About time. Didn't want to push you."
Before Kara could react, Tim kissed her back, much more passionately. As they got lost in each other's lips, he thought to himself that this was definitely the best black eye he ever got.
-----
"So...what do you think?"
Kara spun around in her new Flamebird costume. It had taken weeks for her and Tim to convince Batman to let her go out on patrol, but she had passed his last test with flying colors. Tonight, she'd become a part of the Bat-family for real. Even if it was only temporary, becoming Flamebird was almost as exciting as the first time she put on her Supergirl outfit.
"I think you look great. Half the criminals are probably going to drop their guns in awe when they see you."
"Aw." Kara grinned. "I can't wait to be running the rooftops with you. You think we can find an alcove or two to make out in?"
"I'll have to call Dick. He knows all about sneaking away from Batman on patrol." Tim laughed. "So...do you feel ready? Is there anything you want to practice before the big show?"
"Is kissing Robins an option?" Kara wrapped her arms around Tim and nuzzled his neck.
"Whoa! I hope so!" Tim grinned and kissed Kara quickly. "Seriously, though. We've got a few hours to go over anything you're not sure about. Just you and me, no pressure."
"Well...we could always do one more run on the obstacle course. Loser pays for ice cream?"
"You're on." Tim winked, putting his competitive face on. Girlfriend or not, he knew Kara liked to win. And that was exactly what he wanted in an obstacle course opponent.
Kara nodded, and they were off. Tim maintained a slight lead over the hurdles, and reached the rope swing first. He swung across, and could see Kara gaining on him from behind. He hurried up the wall climb and scrambled over.
Kara could see Tim just in front of her. He disappeared over the wall climb, and she scrambled to the top. She could probably catch him with one good jump from the top, she thought. High up, but it looked like she could make it. With a running start, she leapt off the edge.
"Ow!"
Tim's head spun around as he heard Kara cry out. She was lying crumpled on the ground, her face in obvious pain. He ran over, kneeling beside her.
"Kara? What happened?"
Kara struggled into a sitting position, clutching her leg. "It's my foot. I landed wrong. I was trying to catch you, and..."
Tim gently eased Kara's foot into his lap. He lightly touched a fresh bruise at the side, and she hissed in pain.
"Okay, yeah, I think you've probably fractured something. We'd better call Alfred down here."
As Tim ran over to the intercom, Kara buried her head in her hands. Everything had been going so well, and now it was completely ruined by one moment of bravado. It hadn't even occurred to her that she could injure herself in a jump like that. She had to keep reminding herself that she was only human now, fragile like the rest of them. Unfortunately, she had remembered that a little too late.
-----
"Kara, at least let me help you pack."
Kara looked away from Tim as she struggled to pack her suitcase while balancing on her new crutches. She didn't want him to see the tears in her eyes.
"I can handle this myself, Tim. Besides, don't you have to go out on patrol?"
"Not while you're here, hurting. Batman can wait."
"You heard what he said. It was a mistake to train me. I'm careless, overconfident, and not fit to be a hero in Gotham. He wants me out. And given that I'm definitely not going to be doing any rooftop acrobatics for six weeks, is there really a point to me staying?"
"I want you here." Tim helped Kara sit down at the side of the bed and put his arm around her. "We've all gotten hurt at some point, by doing dumber things than this. Did Batman really say all that to you?"
"Yeah. Only not as nice. There was also something about not wasting his time."
"Yeah, well...that's Bruce for you." Tim shook his head. "So that's it? You're leaving?"
"I called Clark to pick me up. He'll be here in a few minutes. I'll wait for my powers to come back in Metropolis, and then I can forget this whole fiasco ever happened."
"It wasn't all bad, was it? I mean, what we had - "
"Was great. But was it ever really going to work out? I mean, while I was a Gotham vigilante in training, it was perfect. It's probably best we just take it for what it was before anyone gets hurt, right?"
"Yeah, I guess so." Tim leaned in and kissed Kara for what could be the last time. "It was great while it lasted. You take care."
Kara wrapped her arms around Tim and held him tight. She would miss her Robin, but it was for the best.
-----
Alfred finished stitching up the cut on Tim's back as Bruce looked on disapprovingly.
"It's nothing, Bruce. The thug got in a lucky shot."
"It's not just tonight." Bruce glowered. "You've been careless the last few days. You must have had a dozen close calls, and this one was too close. I want to know why you're behaving like a rookie again."
"Maybe I'm a bit distracted, did you ever think about that?"
Alfred spoke up. "Sirs, if I may, Master Timothy's carelessness seems to coincide with Miss Zor-El's departure from the Batcave."
Bruce narrowed his eyes. "Does this have anything to do with it?"
"No! Well, not intentionally. I miss her. And she's been on my mind a lot. Not that you'd understand - you couldn't wait to get her out of here!"
"She hurt herself showboating on the training course. That's as clear an indication as you can get that she's not cut out for this line of work. By the time she was recovered, she'd likely have her powers back. There was no reason for her to stay."
Bruce and Tim stared each other down, both glowering. Bruce looked to the side at Alfred, who gave him a meaningful look.
"You're obviously not any good to me tonight. Your mind's elsewhere, and I'm not taking you back out there where you're likely to get yourself killed." Bruce reached into his pocket and tossed Tim a set of keys. "To the spare Batplane. Go to Metropolis, get it out of your system, then come back here ready to continue the fight tomorrow. What you do there, what the two of you decide, is your business."
Tim grinned at Bruce and ran to the Batplane. As Bruce headed back into the tunnels, Alfred nodded approvingly.
-----
Kara sat in front of the TV, surfing through the channels. She had never really sat still to watch TV for long since her arrival on Earth, and she was amazed by how little of it interested her in any way. She glared at the cast on her foot, which was elevated on pillows in front of her. She wasn't used to being stuck in one place, but with her powers gone and her injury, it was going to be a really long few weeks.
She was snapped out of her self-pity jag by a knock at the window. Struggling over to it, she threw the curtains aside.
"Hey. Miss me?"
Kara stared into Tim's grinning face as he climbed in the window.
"Tim? I thought we decided - "
"No. You decided. I never got to give you the counterpoint."
"Okay, I'm listening..."
"Why did we break up, again? Because you were afraid it wouldn't work out down the line? So what? How will we find out unless we try? I don't have anything better going. Do you?"
"No. My dating life since I came to Earth has been kind of...weak to say the least." Kara said, thinking back to the disaster that was Power Boy.
"Then wouldn't it really suck to miss out on something great because we were scared? Because Batman's given me the night off, and I'm right where I want to spend it."
"I should warn you, I'm not going to be a particularly exciting date right now..."
"As far as I'm concerned, you couldn't get more exciting. I'm dating Supergirl!" Tim grinned. "That is, if you'll have me."
Kara answered by grinning as she pounced on Tim, tackling him down into the couch and kissing him passionately.
"Thank Rao you were smart enough to see I was being an idiot."
Tim smiled as he looked up at Kara. For a night that begun with a robber stabbing him, things were really looking up.
-----
"Wow."
"Wow is right."
"Should...should we have used protection?"
"Different species, remember? Still technically an alien girl."
Tim and Kara looked over at each other. For their first night together outside of the confines of the Batcave, this was not the activity they had planned on. But the passion of being back together had turned out to be far too much to resist.
"So, wow...that was really your first time?"
"Yeah." Tim said, his voice a mix of shock and excitement. "Yours?"
"Yeah. I had chances, but I never took them. I wanted it to be with someone I trust."
"...We have got to try that again once your powers come back."
Kara grinned and whapped Tim with a pillow. "We are not having sky-sex. At least not anywhere where the tabloids can see us!"
Tim laughed as he rolled over and kissed Kara. "I know the sex usually comes after the date, but are you up to going out? I've got the whole night off, and a beautiful girl I'd love to take out to dinner."
"I could go for that. Think Le Bernadin valet parks Batplanes?"
"I don't know, but we'll find out."
Tim kissed Kara one more time before he got out of bed to get dressed. Kara curled up under the blankets and smiled. If she hadn't lost her powers, if she hadn't spent weeks training under Batman only to break her foot at the last minute, if any one of the little disasters of the last month hadn't happened, she and Tim might never have shared this one perfect moment - the first of what she hoped would be many.