"You didn't have to stay"

I woke to the sound of Dick's croaky voice, his warm hand squeezing mine. "Of course I did," I replied sleepily, leaning back in my chair, stretching as best I could. "You would do the same thing for me"

He hummed, wincing in pain. I quickly grabbed at the glass of the side table, moving to help him drink without actually letting go of his hand.

"B said you were settling in" Dick pulled back, leaning his head against the pillows.

I shrugged, placing the cup back. "He was interrogating me yesterday"

"Don't worry about him. He likes to have all the answers and you're a mystery to him" Dick maneuvered himself to the edge of his bed, settling back against his covers as he silently coaxed me to come up with him.

Almost automatically, I sat cross legged, switching Dick's hand to my other one as I silently examined him.

Guilt wormed its way through my mind. This was all because I couldn't force myself to go back. It was my fault that he was in a hospital bed.

"We have some things to talk about" my eyes found his before glancing at where I knew a camera to be.

Sleeping with sunglasses on had been an experience.

"Most likely I'm gonna go back with Agent A and I'll take you with me. My room is soundproof"

I nodded, although I couldn't help but look at his heavily bandaged chest. Father could have caved it in entirely. This just affirmed my suspicions from before.

He hurt the others, sure, but it was Dick he was truly after.

"Hey" Dick brought my hand up to his face, directing my attention with it. "I'm okay. You're okay."

"You're lying in the Medbay" I deadpanned.

"Yeah but I'm alive and I always will be"

"Mhm because your immortal"

"I totally could be. Can't prove me wrong unless I die" he grinned cheekily.

Rolling my eyes I adjusted the dark sunglasses. "I don't know how you deal with these all the time." I gestured vaguely to the only thing protecting my identity from the big bad Bat.

"You can snag one of my masks if you want. They're more comfortable than glasses." I nodded but made no real move to get up. Dick's eyes narrowed suspiciously. "I'll be fine"

I threw my free hand up in defense. "I'm not saying you're not."

"Have you eaten today?" When I didn't reply, he gave my knee a little shove. "Go. Eat. Get one of my spare masks. I don't want to see you back here until you do"

"You're so bossy" I teased, only to receive a small glare in return. "Fine, fine. I'm going"

I forced myself to keep my eyes forward so that I didn't double check on him as I exited the medical wing, the door sliding shut behind me to hide Dick's identity.

No one but Batman, me, and senior League members were allowed past that point in order to preserve not only Dick's identity but Batman's as well. Everyone else had been stupidly easy to figure out when Dick told me what his was.

The cave hallway was empty but as I neared the kitchen, the chatter of the teenage heroes grew louder. As soon as I entered, they all immediately grew silent.

"Is he okay?" Wally seemed to be the one to snap out of it first.

"He's fine" I replied, making a beeline to where I knew the granola bars to be. I wasn't very hungry and it would be enough to satisfy the mother hen in my friend.

Now all I had to do was grab a domino mask and I could go back.

"He was half dead when we brought him back here" Artemis called out bluntly.

"Obviously not all the way" I shot back before I could stop myself.

"Please. We are just worried about our friend" Kaldur stood up from where he'd been sitting next to the clone of Superman.

My nerves shot through the roof. I only wanted to get back to Dick as soon as possible. Apparently the junior Justice League wanted to get in the way of that.

"I'm sure you guys are" I placated. "He's really okay, nothing a few bandages and bed rest won't fix"

"Why can't we see him?" The speedster demanded. "We're his friends too"

"He's still recuperating, any more than one or two people is overwhelming" a voice replied from behind me. Batman stood in such a way that it allowed his cape to wrap around him entirely. "Nightwing has requested you join us in the cave" He turned his attention toward me.

I nodded, watching as he disappeared as quickly as he came. Seems Dick's stories were true, he did enjoy doing that to people. "Looks like that's my cue" I turned back toward the team, grateful for the excuse to leave.

On the way to Dick's room, I slipped into mine, gathering my keepsakes once again. Seems I shouldn't have set them out yet. I hugged my bunny to my chest, it had been around longer than Dick had.

"How did you figure out Nightwing's identity?" Wally asked suddenly, I spun around to find him leaning against my door frame.

"With my super secret powers" I rolled my eyes, picking up my backpack.

"Are you joking? Because I can't tell, you've got this whole mystery vibe thing going" the speedster made a general gesture toward me.

"Yes Wally I was. I don't have any powers." Making to move past him was more difficult than I expected, the redhead only stepping in my way.

"Nightwing is my best friend and if you do anything to hurt him..." He trailed off, leaving the threat unfinished.

This was the most serious I'd ever seen him.

With an annoyed huff, I replied. "Nightwing and I have a deal, he keeps me safe, I keep all the secrets. I wouldn't want anything to happen to him because he's the only thing standing in the way of some rather powerful people who would love nothing more than to get their hands on me."

The half truth rolled off my tongue easily but made my stomach twist uncomfortably. Our relationship was a lot more complex than just a simple protection deal. I tried to go around the speedster but once again he was in my way.

"Yeah about that. How much do you know?" He crossed his arms stoically.

"More than you, now move before I move you" I threatened, sending him a dirty glare.

He narrowed his eyes, but relented, throwing his hands up in surrender as he backed away.

I sent him a nod goodbye as I made for Dick's room.