“Again. आप need to focus more.”
Robin growled in his frustration. The एंजल that had saved him, Devin द्वारा name, was trying to help ease his mind. Since the दिन 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 या mutated genes. If आप really want to see your friends, focus. आप 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 बैटमैन 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 आप to see things no matter where they are.”
“Really? That's not possible unless आप 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 दिखा रहा है 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 आप 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 और मिनटों 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. आप want to go to them. But आप can't. Your mind isn't healed. And आप 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, आप 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 आप been on Becca?”
“Exactly? Hmm....fourteen.”
“And you've left?”
“No. Been replaced.”
“Yet you're still a hero? After fourteen different teams आप 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 आप say that?”
“If I don't pry, आप call me द्वारा my real name. When I get too close, आप 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 आप hide? आप have a third life आप 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 या a sweet caring girl who feels no other emotion. Never am I allowed to दिखाना 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 दिल whenever she was around. And, द्वारा the way she acted, Robin guessed Becca felt it too.
“Becca? I want आप to tell me how आप feel after I do something. Okay?”
“...okay.”
Robin moved his hand to hold hers.
“How do आप feel? Honestly.”
“Happy.”
Robin brought his other hand to the small of her back, facing her.
“How do आप feel now?”
“Elated.”
Robin slid his hand up to the back of her neck, placing a gentle किस on her lips.
“Now? How do आप 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 घर with me.”
Becca smiled and brushed her lips against his.
“I promise. We'll get आप back to your friends. But आप need to give us one और chance.”
“Take as long as आप need to. I'll be okay here.”