“Again. You need to focus more.”
Robin growled in his frustration. The angel that had saved him, Devin por name, was trying to help ease his mind. Since the dia he woke up healed, Robin had worried about his friends. They all thought he was dead. And Robin wanted to get back to them quick as possible. Devin had other ideas.
“Why do I have to do this?” he asked.
“To teach your mind. Robin, not all powers come from scientific breakthroughs or mutated genes. If you really want to see your friends, focus. You will see them.”
Robin stared at Devin. He was puzzled as to how she'd known his secret identity. But he honestly didn't care; something batman would have punished. Robin just wanted to get back to his friends. A whooshing sound caught his attention. A girl with silvery blue hair entered. Her eyes were a warm teal. She took a thin crown off her forehead and her hair grew short and black with red streaks. Her eyes changed to dark brown.
“Hey Devin,” the girl said. “How's our little bird?”
“Difficult. He refuses to concentrate.”
“Maybe I can help.”
The girl walked to him. She smiled, sitting across from him.
“You remember me?” she asked.
Robin nodded his head.
“Rebecca Stevens. Becca to your friends.”
“Correct. Let me help you.”
“I want to see my friends.”
“Then do as you're told. This is a mind trick. It enables you to see things no matter where they are.”
“Really? That's not possible unless you have powers.”
“Robin. I have no powers. But I do it all the time. Now focus.”
Robin hesitated. But then he closed his eyes and focused.
“Good. Now, focus on your friends. Just imagine where they are, they're faces...good. Dick, open your eyes.”
Slowly, Robin did as instructed. An orb sat in the air. And it was showing him all his friends. And he could hear them.
“Wally! Cut it out!” Artemis shrieked as Wally sped around the room in a circle.
“Not my fault I'm bored!”
“Stop fighting! Nothing you do is helping anyone!” Connor shouted.
“Enough! We need to keep our heads!”
Kaldur's voice was firm and intimidating, not the usual respectful tone he used.
“Better. Now, take a deep breath. We need to calm down.”
“Kaldur? Where's Megan?”
“She's in her bio-ship Artemis. She won't come out. I suggest giving her a few mais minutos before intruding.”
“You have good friends.”
Robin shook his head and the image disappeared.
“Sorry,” Becca apologized.
“You're okay.”
Becca narrowed her eyes, tilting her head in an adorable fashion.
“You're hurting,” she commented.
“I'm fine.”
“You miss them. You want to go to them. But you can't. Your mind isn't healed. And you know it.”
“...yeah. I hate seeing them act like this. Kaldur is the only one who seems to understand-and accept-the situation.”
“Don't worry. Devin is working with their minds, healing them. When they stop the fighting that has aroused, you may go back to your team.”
“What about you? And Devin?”
Becca smiled, but it seemed almost sad.
“Devin will go back to where she is needed. I-I have no plan yet.”
“You could come back with me.”
“Thanks Dick. But your team...they might not want me. And I'd rather not face rejection.”
“Exactly how many teams have you been on Becca?”
“Exactly? Hmm....fourteen.”
“And you've left?”
“No. Been replaced.”
“Yet you're still a hero? After fourteen different teams you still want to be a hero?”
“It's my life Robin. Being able to save people means everything to me.”
“You're running,” Robin changed topics.
“What makes you say that?”
“If I don't pry, you call me por my real name. When I get too close, you run and use my hero name.”
Becca chewed on her bottom lip. She stood suddenly, turning away.
“I think that's enough for today.”
Robin stood up, grabbing her wrist. She tried to yank her arm away, but he wouldn't let go.
“Becca...c'mon. Don't hide anymore. Why do you hide? You have a third life you need kept secret?”
“No.”
“Then why hide?”
“So no one sees my emotion.”
“What?”
“I'm either a skilled, sarcastic hero who loves to be violent or a sweet caring girl who feels no other emotion. Never am I allowed to show how much emotion I really have.”
“Why not?”
“...because then everybody will be able to tap into any emotion. If they do that, I might go insane.”
Robin stayed silent. Something about her seemed so interesting. And, in the few days he'd gotten to talk with her, he couldn't deny a strange tug at his coração whenever she was around. And, por the way she acted, Robin guessed Becca felt it too.
“Becca? I want you to tell me how you feel after I do something. Okay?”
“...okay.”
Robin moved his hand to hold hers.
“How do you feel? Honestly.”
“Happy.”
Robin brought his other hand to the small of her back, facing her.
“How do you feel now?”
“Elated.”
Robin slid his hand up to the back of her neck, placing a gentle kiss on her lips.
“Now? How do you feel now?”
“Ecstatic.”
“Then why run?”
“Too many broken hearts. Hard to trust.”
“Trust this Becca. No matter what anyone else says, you'll always have a início with me.”
Becca smiled and brushed her lips against his.
“I promise. We'll get you back to your friends. But you need to give us one mais chance.”
“Take as long as you need to. I'll be okay here.”