Nightwing didn't mean to keep it a secret.

Really.

But situations being as they were, he felt when he had first met the highly antisocial girl that helping her settle in, teaching her the techniques he'd learned to control his emotions, and specifically asking for some under-the-radar League help just wasn't high on his 'Let me tell you what I did this weekend' list.

Naturally, as his secrets were sorely prone to do, he managed to have it revealed in a spectacularly awkward way.

Ergo: Garfield Logan.

He was pretty sure- now that Gar had settled in at the cave these last three months- that the new hero Beast Boy had a slight fanboy crush on him. He could tell because the kid had a tendency to do exactly what the first Robin used to do with Roy: pop up out of nowhere to just watch him, pop up out of nowhere to ask him a question, and pop up out of nowhere to invite him to hang out. It wasn't in Dick to be mean spirited, but where Roy had preened at the idolism, he felt a bit uncomfortable. A bright happy kid like Gar just didn't work well with the now darker and more Bat-esque Nightwing. Beast Boy wanted to play, Nightwing wanted to train. Beast Boy wanted to crack jokes, Nightwing would cringe at how bad they sometimes were. Beast Boy wanted to endlessly talk TV and cartoons, Nightwing needed to focus on missions and contingency plans.

God, he had turned old. When had he turned old? At least he could admit to pulling the occasional prank with Wally on their original members for old time's sake.

He didn't want to be harsh about it, though. It wasn't really in Dick to be harsh (unless- you know, bad guys). Protective, yes. Stern, when the situation called for it. Harsh: no. So he'd smile and tell Garfield that sorry, he couldn't do anything that day or the next few coming up, but Billy had gotten a new video game- had he checked it out yet? Or he'd shake his head, because such and such a reason was involved, and Gar was too young to go on this type of mission, but he heard Conner was doing recon in Metropolis, did he want to be sent out there?

Predictably, it was the over-protective sister that brought a halt to his subtle deflections. Typical M'gann. God, she had grown up too, now.

When Gar became the last part of his family, M'gann had taken him in without a second thought. It hadn't been easy for the kid, but the martian was determined to make his life the best she could, by being the best sister she could. In a way, Nightwing could see a lot of the old M'gann in Gar- from his green skin down to his repetitive catch phrases. What Gar seemed to be oblivious of in his older sister, however, was her very scary way of bullying others into accepting him if she felt it was needed. He'd batglared at villains on Tim's behalf before, but admittedly glowing green eyes that left a literal hiss echoing in your brain had just as good an effect.

Which was what brought up the spectacularly awkward scenario. Because earlier that morning, M'gann had put her foot down after the day before seeing a crest-fallen Garfield sitting in his room saying that he was beginning to think Dick thought he was a burden and didn't want him around. Which wasn't true, was it Dick Grayson? Because Dick Grayson wouldn't be as low as to break her little brother's heart so callously, would he? No, he wouldn't. That's what she thought. So Garfield is going to hear today that- as it turns out- there's a mission for him to do that coincidentally Nightwing is taking the lead on, isn't he? Don't say you can't make a mission up, Richard John Grayson, because July 18th, 2014 and the Breakout Incident definitely happened on an 'official' mission. He's going to go with Nightwing and be safe but have fun while hanging out with his idol, or else.

Yes, M'gann had indeed accepted her role as a protective older sibling flawlessly.

This brought them to Jump City- a relatively recent metropolis that was just starting to have its own occasional villains pop up. No hero had really claimed the territory yet, but the Team kept an eye on it for just that reason. So today- wouldn't you know it? There appeared to be possible villain activity, and it needed to be checked out. Garfield, like his own personal green sun, lit up the second Nightwing invited him to come. He also pulled Tim into it (who was such a good little brother because he didn't even question the tactical errors and mismatches this whole plan was formed on and just played it cool, thank you Drake), and they were now scouting a local dark ally. You know, for villain activity.

The goal was to placate M'gann, and have Robin and Beast Boy interact enough that some of the hero worship would start to transfer to someone more his age- and in general just less him. Unfortunately, the scouting mission would not give any good intel, but hey- at least they had a safe and fun time of it, right?

Well, again. Secrets, spectacularly awkward. It never fails.

Turns out there was some villain activity- some bad villain activity, and while they were definitely still on the down low as far as the heroes were concerned, the appearance of three so blatantly obvious foes- two of which were formidable in their own right- scouting the city raised the alarm just enough that the criminals decided to attack and capture.

Which is why Nightwing, Robin, and Beast Boy were chained up with their utility belts fried and useless while the latest upstart was doing his 'I won' speech with Slade watching on as a bodyguard. Why'd it have to be Slade? If Garfield's hero worshiping was uncomfortable, Slade's creepy obsessive stares were downright unnerving.

Whoops- villain was directing his attention to them, better focus in.

"- has told me all about you, Nightwing. I want to say I'm honored you came to investigate me, but your performance has been rather disappointing, I'll admit."

Well, it would have been less disappointing if he had actually been taking the outing seriously, but that was his own fault.

"Just you wait!" Beast Boy let out a laugh that cracked a little too much at the end. "This was all a part of our plan- and you fell right for it! Note it- Nightwing never disappoints!"

Ugh, no Beast Boy, no. Your praise is not helping.

"You won't get away with this." Robin intoned with a rather bored air: thank goodness someone was switching the conversation back to the egocentric one in the room.

"Ah- but I already have! Once I set this device in motion- all of Jump City will be under my control! You saw how effective it was when my now mindless minions followed through on their orders to bring you here!"

Hmmm, those thugs really hadn't flinched when he had tried to take them out. Maybe this guy's machine was a problem.

The costumed man- a rather fetching combination of greens and blues, but Nightwing had already forgotten his name- let out a peel of maniacal laughter that Slade remained unimpressed by, if his one eye was any indication. "Soon you'll know firsthand- as I'm going to make you my primary minions of the new army against heroes!"

Tim executed a well-placed bat glare, but Garfield was still too new to the job and let out a gasp of horror. Note: have Gar train with Tim on using a poker face with villains.

Ugh, the man was continuing to monologue. Here was the part about how he wasn't always like this, and he had always been brilliantly gifted but misunderstood, and there was the part about something unjust happening to him. And oh look, he vowed revenge and was now going to achieve it. Didn't see that coming. Did he have to raise his voice as he kept going? Honestly.

"-ALL THE WORLD will TREMBLE at my power! My might! I WILL- !"

"Azarath metrion ZINTHOS!"

Everyone watched in surprise as a black force wrapped around the machine, effectively crushing and decimating the villain's key piece.

… oh, so that's what part of Jump City they were in.

Almost as in disbelief, the man actually pushed down on his controller, just to test if it would still work. The rubble sparked, but nothing else happened. "N-no!" He pressed the button again, repeatedly to see if anything would suddenly work. Grayson noted Slade's twitching eye at the poor display of villainy. "No! No! This cannot happen! It was perfect! Perfect! How could this-"

"Hey."

Everyone looked up, and there was the girl. She looked exactly like Grayson had seen her last time- clearly not getting enough sunlight because of that anti-social habit, wrapped in a decently intimidating blue cloak. From where she was located, they could only see her frowning mouth. Seeing she had their attention, she continued on. "Can you keep it down?" The monotone was only slightly tinged with irritation. "I can hear you three floors up."

Ah, basement then. He had been half expecting a warehouse by the slight echoing interior. Should have guessed by the lack of windows.

"You- you destroyed my machine!" The villain didn't quite wail, but it was close. And highly unprofessional.

"You disturbed my meditation." Raven replied.

Fuming, the man pointed superiorly at Nightwing and the others. "I took them down, and I can take you down! And once I do, my revenge will be-!"

But Raven had turned away after he had pointed the trapped heroes out. Wordlessly, black magic appeared and sliced through the restraints holding them. She glided down to Grayson's side, recognizing him instantly. "What are you doing here?" Her questioning voice actually managed to raise to almost normal tones.

"Scouting mission," he quickly turned to the villain. "You did successfully destroy our communicators, but not the trackers in our suits. And since we were supposed to check in about five minutes ago," he gave that smile he knew his adversaries shuddered at, "I think we'll have more company pretty quick."

The flustered man didn't really know what to do, especially when Slade (after one last creepy parting look) turned and announced since so-and-so wouldn't be able to pay that second fee he was out. Literally, he stepped into the shadows and was gone. Tim, thank goodness, remembered his training and quickly subdued the other man, so they had some credit for the botched fake-real mission.

"Can I help you?"

Grayson turned from watching the scene- but the question was directed at Beast Boy, who was looking at the quiet girl in unabashed admiration- and appearing not a little twitterpated. She was getting fidgety under the cloak, and proved it when she brought down her hood to glare with her purple irises at the boy. "I said, can I help you?"

Oh boy, he was blushing green. "Uh- n-noted. I mean, I heard you- that was amazing! What you did! How'd you do it? Are you like Zatana? Who are you?"

To her credit, she kept a straight face. "I have magic. Probably not. Raven." She turned to Nightwing. "I was meditating when he started up." She glanced over to the now cuffed villain, who was torturing Robin through his prepared speech of 'Where and How it all went wrong'. "Sooo who's with you?"

The question was directed at Nightwing, but he never got a chance to answer. "I'm Beast Boy! That's Robin, he works with Batman. And you know Nightwing. How do you know Nightwing? I'm Beast Boy."

She raised a rather delicate eyebrow. "Yes. So you've said. Nightwing has been training me."

And, ow, having a gift that lets you turn into any animal really emphasizes the kicked puppy face. "Nightwing trains you? Why? He doesn't do magic. I-I mean, noted, that's cool…" He turned that sad face on Grayson and oh Lord stop I'm sorry I didn't know you would be so hurt God we'll have more outings with less embarrassing captures I promise. "You don't train me."

For the love of- the kid was about to cry now. He never should have taught him that face. "Considering how today went, I think we'll have to revise that. Definitely training with you in the future." Phew, there was that blinding smile. M'gann wouldn't have to kill him. Yet.

Beast Boy turned to Raven- back to normal. "You should train with us! I've never seen you at the mountain, but you should visit! I have a great comic collection!"

To Grayson's surprise, Raven looked- uncomfortable? "I don't really read comics. And I haven't met many of the other heroes."

Oh, wrong thing to say, girly.

"You what?" Grayson could already see his mind made up. "I have to introduce you! They'll think you're so cool!"

"Uh, I don't really do people-"

"No, he's right." Grayson turned in surprise to Tim, who was smiling of all things at the reclusive magic partaker. "Raven, was it? You have amazing control of your magic; I'd love to see more of it in action. Do you work with a team, or just solo?"

"You should join our team!" Beast Boy interrupted before she could answer. "You'd be great! I know it! Or we could- uh- join your team sometimes!"

Woah, wait, things were getting out of Grayson's control here. "Guys, let's talk about this-"

"Look!" Beast Boy pointed up to the familiar figure of Miss Martian phasing through the ceiling, Conner crashing through shortly after. "That's my sister and her boyfriend, you have to meet her!" Dragging the now equally uncomfortable and incredulous girl behind him, Garfield hurried over. "M'gann! This is Raven and she's so cool! Grayson's been training her in secret-"

Woah, hold up-

"-and didn't tell anyone that he's starting up another team-"

Excuse you, Beast Boy?

"-so now I'm going to form my own team with Raven and Robin here in Jump City!"

What the hell is going on?

Conner looked confused, while M'gann smiled brightly at her brother but the second he turned back to Raven sent him a glare that said he was in very, very big trouble. Tim sighed, that smile still on his face. "We'd better stop him before Batman thinks you're recruiting me out elsewhere."

Oh my God. Why does everything I keep quiet blow out of proportion?

It wasn't all bad. As it turned out- and Dick had noticed right away- Garfield had set aside his hero worship in the name of a full blown crush on the beautiful magic practitioner. M'gann and Raven instantly clashed with their opposing views on handling Beast Boy's behavior, and he was given a month's worth of headaches trying to explain that no he wasn't training Raven in secret to start his own League and no he wasn't encouraging Robin to leave the nest too early Batman and no he was not hiding any more secrets.

… Because two months later when they found out about Cyborg, he hadn't really considered him a secret.

Really.

Welcome back, my possibly faithful readers? I have returned, this time with more sarcasm than I know what to do with! This is definitely an AU of how YJ and TT could have been in the same universe, and I hope you will be gentle with me if I don't follow strictly the canon origin stories of our characters.

Some important things to note is that technically Tim is going to be the 'Robin' of Teen Titans, since Nightwing is already on his own.

In addition, this means Tim is paired with Starfire- technically.

Lots of technicallys…

Please let me know what you think so far! I look forward to making you actually laugh in your seats, so please let me know if I succeed!