The Medic: Chapter Fifteen
Title: The Medic
Author: Asase
Rating:PG 13(just to be safe)
Genre:Action, frendship, fluff
Characters: OC, The Young Justice Team
Summary: A Happy Valentine
Word Count:1,977
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or expanded DC universe.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">
The Medic
Chapter Fifteen
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">
Gotham
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14, 23:55 EDT
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aqualad stood on one of the ballroom's many balconies, looking into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. It was finally over. Or, as the part of his mind that had spent too much time in Gotham whispered, it was just the beginning. He pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind. The Injustice League was captured and the Justice League members were escorting them to a secure facility. The bomb was defused. Luthor was found bound in a hallway and Batman returned in time to give the G.C.P.D. a copy of Jokers flash drive. A quick scan revealed some pretty condemning evidence. Luthor was taken into custody. The Joker escaped but Batman and Robin would surely bring him to justice. There was no cause for pessimism but Aqualad's mind was unsettled. His belt buckle flashed.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Aqualad?" Miss Martian spoke over the com, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"No, M'gann. The mission is complete."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Oh, good! Mission accomplished over here too."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"What is Wally's condition?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's going to need to rest up for a while but otherwise he's fine. He's talking to Robin now."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Um Kaldur have you seen Artemis? We keep trying to reach her but her com is offline."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur sighed, "I believe I know where to find her."
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick adjusted his tie in the mirror of the deserted public restroom. Changed from Robin to Dick Grayson, he was now ready to make reappearance. His com beeped from his costume.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick picked it up, "Hello?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Rob! Hospital food is atrocious. You wanna helicopter me over some food from that ball thingy your pops is hostin'? "
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Say it louder KF. I don't think they heard you on all of the floors."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Dude no one's gonna guess from that, and shouldn't you be all happy and relived now?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Robin scoffed, "Why should I be? Conner and M'gann are reliable. I knew they would find you."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Are you sayin' that I'm not?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Aren't you supposed to be calling someone else right now?" Robin asked, redirecting the conversation.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I totally tried. Meg's got Kal searching for her now. She's probably spent the last few day's crying her eyes out. She loves me that much you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"More like terrorizing the western side of Gotham. Tears were shed but they weren't Artemis'. She's gonna kill you, you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah… Oh Kal found her! Time to meet my doom!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The transmission ended. Dick's com glowed with an eerie light. Startled Dick dropped it. The light expanded until it was a pillar.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Robin?" the voice was distorted and distant but he recognized it instantly.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Zatanna?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good it went through!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I uh…" he cleared his throat trying to sound nonchalant. "I didn't know I could accept calls from other dimensions."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Zatanna giggled, "Kor is a bit out of the average cell phone's signal range. It's just a spell I cooked up."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"So your training is going well?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's going great! Soon I'll be done and stronger than ever."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"How soon is soon?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"A week maybe two. Madam Xanadu has a few more things to teach me. This isn't what I wanted to talk about," she paused, "Happy Valentines Day Robin."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Robin grinned, "Happy Valentines Day Zatanna."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">An extremely happy Dick Grayson sprinted down the hallway, startling passerbies. She was coming back! After so long she was finally coming back! Running wasn't enough to channel the joy bundled in his body. He somersaulted down the hall, eliciting astonished sounds from his observers.
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis sat on the roof, her feet dangling over the edge. She stared blankly at Gotham's skyline.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"The mission's over isn't it?" she asked as she heard Kaldur approach, "Can't a girl get some peace?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Apparently not," he removed his crest from his belt and handed it to her. She looked at him uncertain, and then took the communicator. "I will be near the ballroom when you are done," Kaldur smiled at her and patted her shoulder. He left her on the roof top.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis placed the crest near her ear.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Happy Valentine's Day!" Wally yelled
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis flinched, "You!...You're late!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I'm late?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's twelve fifteen Kid Dork."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I would have been on time if someone hadn't been sulking with her com off."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis didn't answer.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That doesn't sound like an apology."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Happy Valentine's Day," she muttered.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"And?" he prompted.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Don't push it."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You know I had plans. Romantic ones."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It didn't involve corndogs did it?"
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The police had secured the area. Several stragglers milled about the ballroom. The excitement was over but going home was not an alluring prospect. Everyone was still too wired. Cira stood on the sidelines, sipping her second glass of wine. Her band had ditched her. She found out why when she saw them take the stage, Mio at the piano, Rita with her violin and King his cello. Bruce Wayne followed behind them. Wayne took the microphone.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good morning," he began. Everyone focused their attention on Wayne. "It has been an exciting night," the crowd chuckled, "One that we will never forget. I am certain that these wild accusations against Lex will be proven false. He is an upstanding citizen and one of the most compassionate, generous, and hardworking men I know!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He has got to be the best liar I've ever metmso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">, Cira thought.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"But since we are all still here we may as well enjoy ourselves," Wayne continued.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Her band began to play "Come Fly with Me" by Frank Sinatra and Bruce Wayne, Batman, began to sing. His voice was good, very good, it was phenomenal. Cira downed the rest of her wine, and if it were appropriate she would have tossed her glass over her shoulder. It was the last straw. Instead she walked purposefully, no stomping she told herself, to the buffet table and placed, not slammed, her glass down onto the table.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Hey!" Dick appeared next to her, his cheeks rosy from exertion.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's singing."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cira turned to Dick and spoke through clenched teeth. "He's singing."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He sings," Dick shrugged, "While helping Al with the garden, while fixing his cars, in the shower."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's weird."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That's what you find weird?" Dick shook his head smiling.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You're happy…I take it your friend is okay."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Like there was ever a doubt."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Right," she smirked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick moved in front of her. "You owe me a dance." He held out his hand.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I do?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick just looked at her expectedly. She took his hand and they moved to the dance floor. The first song ended and Wayne began to sing "I've got you under my skin". Apparently Wayne was a fan of Sinatra's music.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"This is pathetic," she looks down at Dick, "I can't even lay my head on your shoulder."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I can lay my head on your shoulder," he grinned up at her.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That's not cute…The one man that I dance with tonight that's taller than me wanted to talk business."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"How was dancing with the Penguin?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Penguin?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah. Cobblepot's The Penguin," he gossiped, "Look up his crime profile later."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It made my back hurt…" Cira looked at the stage. "Why is he good at everything?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I like your singing better."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cira smirked, "Good answer. He's not going to win you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You're going to sing again?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's got four songs," she warned.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"By the way. Have you thought of your other name yet?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Pulse,"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Pulse," Dick nodded, "We can work with that."
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur returned to the ballrooms balcony in time for the start of the second song. He watched the few couples dance inside. He had forced himself not to think of it. He had to focus on the mission after all but now that the mission was over his thoughts shifted to unhappier musings.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The pattern was predictable. Robin was… where ever Robin was. M'gann and Conner were attached to the hip. Artemis and Wally played at not being able to stand each other and yet they couldn't get enough of each others company. As always Kaldur was forced to wait until they were unoccupied.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Normally in times like this, when he was left alone, he would call Roy. Roy pretended to not be worried about his old friends, but he would ask questions about the team's well-being and Kaldur would answer them, and more. It very well may have been Kaldur's need for companionship that gave their enemies the information they needed. At the moment Roy, wracked with guilt, had cut himself off from the team and Kaldur, especially Kaldur. It hurt, even more than Tula's rejection.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Raquel helped some. She helped a lot actually. She was bright and eager to be a hero. She had also proven again and again that she didn't expect Kaldur to be anything but another person. Not a leader, or a solider, but a person. She was right about them not rushing into a relationship. Kaldur wasn't even certain that his heart had comeback together after Tula, and his heart was freshly broken over Roy, basically his heart needed a different kind of break. So even though Rocket wasn't his girlfriend she was someone to him, and she would never let him mope over a holiday that was ultimately insignificant. She wouldn't allow him to feel sorry for himself, but right now she was literally stuck in Dakota.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The team had gotten limited feedback from the bubble that surrounded Dakota. Kaldur itched with the urge to aid his friend; unfortunately he and the rest of the superhero community were warded off by a mysterious power. Icon was with Raquel, she was also in the company of a hero named Static as well as other local heroes that seemed reliable. Kaldur had done extensive research on this Static, he found that he young hero had done much to protect his city. However, their involvement could never fully ease Kaldur's mind, he was still concerned about the Shadow Cabinet. Their leader, Dharma, had grown visibly older keeping the bubble from dissipating, but Kaldur did not trust that the man would do everything in his power to bring Rocket home safely. Kaldur frowned a bit at the implications.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis appeared by Kaldur's side, pulling him away from darker thoughts, "Thanks," she mumbled, holding his crest out to him.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur took it and gave it a quick inspection. It was cracked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I'll uh… get you another one." The second song finished and "I get a kick out of you." began. "You wanna dance?" she jerked her thumb at the ballroom.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Dance?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"We are not dressed properly for such an occasion."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Tch! We're the best dressed ones here!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis grabbed Kaldur's arm and dragged him to the middle of the dance floor. Cira and Dick's eyes grew wide as they watched the pair; they looked at each other and collapsed into giggles.
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Gotham
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15, 1:30 EDT
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The room was damp and dark. It was slowly illuminated by seven screens. The harsh light made the Joker's sickly skin glow. Figures cut out of white light filled each screen except one.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"What have you done?" a high pitched voice asked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Nothing that I'm not willing to do again," the Joker held up a chain with six flash drives.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Blackmail, betrayal, brutality," a female voice spoke.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Survival of the fittest. I like it," a deep voice said.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"We seem to have an open spot in our roster," said a voice with a thick French accent.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Welcome to the Light Mr. Joker," the deep voice congratulated him.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The screens went black, and the Joker's wild laughter filled the room.
Chapter Fourteen
Author: Asase
Rating:PG 13(just to be safe)
Genre:Action, frendship, fluff
Characters: OC, The Young Justice Team
Summary: A Happy Valentine
Word Count:1,977
Disclaimer: I do not own any characters or organizations from the Young Justice cartoon, comics, or expanded DC universe.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">
The Medic
Chapter Fifteen
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">
Gotham
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 14, 23:55 EDT
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Aqualad stood on one of the ballroom's many balconies, looking into the room, his hands clasped behind his back. It was finally over. Or, as the part of his mind that had spent too much time in Gotham whispered, it was just the beginning. He pushed such thoughts to the back of his mind. The Injustice League was captured and the Justice League members were escorting them to a secure facility. The bomb was defused. Luthor was found bound in a hallway and Batman returned in time to give the G.C.P.D. a copy of Jokers flash drive. A quick scan revealed some pretty condemning evidence. Luthor was taken into custody. The Joker escaped but Batman and Robin would surely bring him to justice. There was no cause for pessimism but Aqualad's mind was unsettled. His belt buckle flashed.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Aqualad?" Miss Martian spoke over the com, "I'm not interrupting anything am I?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"No, M'gann. The mission is complete."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Oh, good! Mission accomplished over here too."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"What is Wally's condition?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's going to need to rest up for a while but otherwise he's fine. He's talking to Robin now."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Um Kaldur have you seen Artemis? We keep trying to reach her but her com is offline."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur sighed, "I believe I know where to find her."
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick adjusted his tie in the mirror of the deserted public restroom. Changed from Robin to Dick Grayson, he was now ready to make reappearance. His com beeped from his costume.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick picked it up, "Hello?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Rob! Hospital food is atrocious. You wanna helicopter me over some food from that ball thingy your pops is hostin'? "
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Say it louder KF. I don't think they heard you on all of the floors."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Dude no one's gonna guess from that, and shouldn't you be all happy and relived now?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Robin scoffed, "Why should I be? Conner and M'gann are reliable. I knew they would find you."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Are you sayin' that I'm not?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Aren't you supposed to be calling someone else right now?" Robin asked, redirecting the conversation.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I totally tried. Meg's got Kal searching for her now. She's probably spent the last few day's crying her eyes out. She loves me that much you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"More like terrorizing the western side of Gotham. Tears were shed but they weren't Artemis'. She's gonna kill you, you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah… Oh Kal found her! Time to meet my doom!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The transmission ended. Dick's com glowed with an eerie light. Startled Dick dropped it. The light expanded until it was a pillar.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Robin?" the voice was distorted and distant but he recognized it instantly.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Zatanna?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good it went through!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I uh…" he cleared his throat trying to sound nonchalant. "I didn't know I could accept calls from other dimensions."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Zatanna giggled, "Kor is a bit out of the average cell phone's signal range. It's just a spell I cooked up."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"So your training is going well?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's going great! Soon I'll be done and stronger than ever."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"How soon is soon?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"A week maybe two. Madam Xanadu has a few more things to teach me. This isn't what I wanted to talk about," she paused, "Happy Valentines Day Robin."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Robin grinned, "Happy Valentines Day Zatanna."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">An extremely happy Dick Grayson sprinted down the hallway, startling passerbies. She was coming back! After so long she was finally coming back! Running wasn't enough to channel the joy bundled in his body. He somersaulted down the hall, eliciting astonished sounds from his observers.
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis sat on the roof, her feet dangling over the edge. She stared blankly at Gotham's skyline.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"The mission's over isn't it?" she asked as she heard Kaldur approach, "Can't a girl get some peace?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Apparently not," he removed his crest from his belt and handed it to her. She looked at him uncertain, and then took the communicator. "I will be near the ballroom when you are done," Kaldur smiled at her and patted her shoulder. He left her on the roof top.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis placed the crest near her ear.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Happy Valentine's Day!" Wally yelled
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis flinched, "You!...You're late!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I'm late?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's twelve fifteen Kid Dork."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I would have been on time if someone hadn't been sulking with her com off."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis didn't answer.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That doesn't sound like an apology."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Happy Valentine's Day," she muttered.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"And?" he prompted.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Don't push it."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You know I had plans. Romantic ones."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It didn't involve corndogs did it?"
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The police had secured the area. Several stragglers milled about the ballroom. The excitement was over but going home was not an alluring prospect. Everyone was still too wired. Cira stood on the sidelines, sipping her second glass of wine. Her band had ditched her. She found out why when she saw them take the stage, Mio at the piano, Rita with her violin and King his cello. Bruce Wayne followed behind them. Wayne took the microphone.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Good morning," he began. Everyone focused their attention on Wayne. "It has been an exciting night," the crowd chuckled, "One that we will never forget. I am certain that these wild accusations against Lex will be proven false. He is an upstanding citizen and one of the most compassionate, generous, and hardworking men I know!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">He has got to be the best liar I've ever metmso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">, Cira thought.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"But since we are all still here we may as well enjoy ourselves," Wayne continued.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Her band began to play "Come Fly with Me" by Frank Sinatra and Bruce Wayne, Batman, began to sing. His voice was good, very good, it was phenomenal. Cira downed the rest of her wine, and if it were appropriate she would have tossed her glass over her shoulder. It was the last straw. Instead she walked purposefully, no stomping she told herself, to the buffet table and placed, not slammed, her glass down onto the table.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Hey!" Dick appeared next to her, his cheeks rosy from exertion.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's singing."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cira turned to Dick and spoke through clenched teeth. "He's singing."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He sings," Dick shrugged, "While helping Al with the garden, while fixing his cars, in the shower."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It's weird."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That's what you find weird?" Dick shook his head smiling.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You're happy…I take it your friend is okay."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Like there was ever a doubt."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Right," she smirked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick moved in front of her. "You owe me a dance." He held out his hand.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I do?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Dick just looked at her expectedly. She took his hand and they moved to the dance floor. The first song ended and Wayne began to sing "I've got you under my skin". Apparently Wayne was a fan of Sinatra's music.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"This is pathetic," she looks down at Dick, "I can't even lay my head on your shoulder."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I can lay my head on your shoulder," he grinned up at her.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"That's not cute…The one man that I dance with tonight that's taller than me wanted to talk business."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"How was dancing with the Penguin?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Penguin?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah. Cobblepot's The Penguin," he gossiped, "Look up his crime profile later."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"It made my back hurt…" Cira looked at the stage. "Why is he good at everything?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I like your singing better."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Cira smirked, "Good answer. He's not going to win you know."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"You're going to sing again?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"He's got four songs," she warned.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"By the way. Have you thought of your other name yet?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Pulse,"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Pulse," Dick nodded, "We can work with that."
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur returned to the ballrooms balcony in time for the start of the second song. He watched the few couples dance inside. He had forced himself not to think of it. He had to focus on the mission after all but now that the mission was over his thoughts shifted to unhappier musings.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The pattern was predictable. Robin was… where ever Robin was. M'gann and Conner were attached to the hip. Artemis and Wally played at not being able to stand each other and yet they couldn't get enough of each others company. As always Kaldur was forced to wait until they were unoccupied.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Normally in times like this, when he was left alone, he would call Roy. Roy pretended to not be worried about his old friends, but he would ask questions about the team's well-being and Kaldur would answer them, and more. It very well may have been Kaldur's need for companionship that gave their enemies the information they needed. At the moment Roy, wracked with guilt, had cut himself off from the team and Kaldur, especially Kaldur. It hurt, even more than Tula's rejection.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Raquel helped some. She helped a lot actually. She was bright and eager to be a hero. She had also proven again and again that she didn't expect Kaldur to be anything but another person. Not a leader, or a solider, but a person. She was right about them not rushing into a relationship. Kaldur wasn't even certain that his heart had comeback together after Tula, and his heart was freshly broken over Roy, basically his heart needed a different kind of break. So even though Rocket wasn't his girlfriend she was someone to him, and she would never let him mope over a holiday that was ultimately insignificant. She wouldn't allow him to feel sorry for himself, but right now she was literally stuck in Dakota.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The team had gotten limited feedback from the bubble that surrounded Dakota. Kaldur itched with the urge to aid his friend; unfortunately he and the rest of the superhero community were warded off by a mysterious power. Icon was with Raquel, she was also in the company of a hero named Static as well as other local heroes that seemed reliable. Kaldur had done extensive research on this Static, he found that he young hero had done much to protect his city. However, their involvement could never fully ease Kaldur's mind, he was still concerned about the Shadow Cabinet. Their leader, Dharma, had grown visibly older keeping the bubble from dissipating, but Kaldur did not trust that the man would do everything in his power to bring Rocket home safely. Kaldur frowned a bit at the implications.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis appeared by Kaldur's side, pulling him away from darker thoughts, "Thanks," she mumbled, holding his crest out to him.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Kaldur took it and gave it a quick inspection. It was cracked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"I'll uh… get you another one." The second song finished and "I get a kick out of you." began. "You wanna dance?" she jerked her thumb at the ballroom.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Dance?"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Yeah."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"We are not dressed properly for such an occasion."
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Tch! We're the best dressed ones here!"
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Artemis grabbed Kaldur's arm and dragged him to the middle of the dance floor. Cira and Dick's eyes grew wide as they watched the pair; they looked at each other and collapsed into giggles.
***
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">Gotham
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">February 15, 1:30 EDT
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The room was damp and dark. It was slowly illuminated by seven screens. The harsh light made the Joker's sickly skin glow. Figures cut out of white light filled each screen except one.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"What have you done?" a high pitched voice asked.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Nothing that I'm not willing to do again," the Joker held up a chain with six flash drives.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Blackmail, betrayal, brutality," a female voice spoke.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Survival of the fittest. I like it," a deep voice said.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"We seem to have an open spot in our roster," said a voice with a thick French accent.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">"Welcome to the Light Mr. Joker," the deep voice congratulated him.
mso-fareast-font-family:"Times New Roman"">The screens went black, and the Joker's wild laughter filled the room.
Chapter Fourteen