I studied their movements as Nightwing and La'gann sparred: watching their attacks, dodges, and rebounds. When La'gann fell to the ground, I straightened up and placed my hands on my hips.

"Neptune's beard! You got me again!" The young Atlantean cursed as he pounded the ground before taking Dick's outstretched hand.

"It would help if your attacks were less impulsive: think before striking. Your powers may focus around brute strength, but a great fighter relies on things like agility and tactics to help them win." I explained to La'gann. "Observe."

I delivered I swift kick to the weak point behind Dick's knee and, since the eighteen year old wasn't expecting it: he fell. I smiled at the victory before straightening Dick up with my winds. I had to admit, the sleekness of my new boots were certainly easier to kick with then my combat boots; just like the sleeveless bodysuit made it easier to move my shoulders.

"You got it Zephyr." La'gann nodded before turning back to Dick. "I don't care how many years you trained as Robin, and then Nightwing: you're mine Chum."

"I don't doubt it Lagoon Boy." Dick said with a smile.

Before anyone else could say anything, the Zeta-tubes came to life. Megan, Conner, Maia, Garfield, Karen, Tim, and Jaime stepped out: all of them save for Jaime and Megan covered with sewer junk.

Karen morphed back into regular size and was intercepted by Mal, who she quickly brushed off before running away.

Maia sprinted over to me before jumping into star position, showing off her sewer-covered uniform and hair.

"Look how gross I am Zeph'!" Maia exclaimed and I smiled at her child-like demeanor.

"That's lovely Clairvoyance." I shook my head. "Just make sure you shower, like, five times before going home. Your mother's already on edge with me: I don't need her mad at me for sending her daughter home smelling like Gotham sewers."

I heard weird sounds and I turned to La'gann and Megan kissing. I cringe and shake my head: those two never seemed like a good couple with me. Conner certainly didn't look happy as he stormed passed them and by the rest of us.

"I'm hitting the showers." Conner growled.

"Good idea." I said shooing Maia towards the showers.

"Especially for you Hermano." Jaime said, armouring down and turning to Garfield.

"Clayface is safely locked up in his Arkham cell." Tim reported back to Dick.

"I didn't do much, I just-" Robin was cut off by the holo-computer coming to life and a love message coming up of Captain Atom.

"Emergency alert: United Nations headquarters is being attacked." The leader of the Justice League informed.

"Beta's only two blocks away." Mal stated.

"Captain Atom, team's beta squad is on their way. ETA 3 minutes." Dick explained and Captain nodded before signing off.

"I can fly out, see if they need backup." I said, stepping forward.

"Negative, Batgirl and Wondergirl should be able to handle this." Dick said, turning to me. "They'll be fine."

After a moment, I nodded and stepped back. My title as second-in-command was applied loosely and I always followed Dick's orders. I may have trained everyone on the team outside of their mentors (if they had any) but Dick knew what was best.

"Actually, you can go home Lina, get some rest. Unlike most of us: you actually have a day job that pays." Dick said, placing a hand on my shoulder and I smiled sadly.

"Right, rest...That's a thing." I muttered, rubbing my hands before nodding and heading towards the Zeta-tubes. "You all stay safe."

A loud blaring sound sprang me from my sleep. Panicked, I pant and whirl around in search of the noise before finally locating my alarm clock. I sigh and press my hand on the 'off' button and sigh when the blaring stops.

I rub the eyes as I sit up, trying to emerge from the haze I had gotten from my whole...

I look over at my clock.

...two and a half hours of sleep...

I groan loudly and curse in French under my breath but flinch at the noise. I reach over to my dresser and grab the needle that was waiting for me. I place the injection so the point's just touching my arm before I pause.

I didn't have a class today until two-forty, and it was nine-thirty...I didn't need to take my medication right now. What was the point?

Why did I even get up this early?

I flipped back down on the bed, snuggling back into the covers.

And then the door flew open.

Oh ya, that's why.

"Look: it's your lovable protege, Maia 'Clairvoyance' Henare! Here to bless you with the magic that is fresh, New Zealand, home-brewed, coffee and my berry-ginger specialty." Maia cheered and I flinched at the loudness, but smiled sleepily as she threw the travel mug of hot black coffee and the bowl of blue-grey mush that was a lot tastier then it looked.

"And by 'specialty' you mean a weird creation that you created when you were half-asleep and for some reason tastes really good." I said, taking the food at eating a little bit of it. The taste was sweet and pungent, and it was like someone took the world's sweetest fruit salad and chopped a farms-worth of ginger into it.

"Tomato tomato." Maia said, waving my words off. "Fact of the matter is you need to eat, and as your protégé and friend: I have made it my obligation to ensure that that is exactly what happens." She said, and I found myself smiling at the young sixteen year old.

"I'm fine Maia, don't worry about me." I said, taking another bite of the stranger food before getting up and rubbing my neck.

"If by 'fine' you mean exhausted, depressed, and suffering from malnutrition then sure." Maia said, rolling her eyes. "You may pretend to be fine, but you're not Lina."

I smiled and placed a hand on Maia's shoulder. "You have enough to worry about without shouldering my wellbeing onto the weight. Seriously Maia, don't worry."

Maia didn't look convinced, but let it go nonetheless.

"Fine, your funeral." She shrugged. "But Quinn called, told me to make sure that you got up and at 'em before your class. He would do it himself but he was busy. You know...he really seems to care about you, maybe you should try to spend a little more time with the guy. You've been friends for what? Six years now?"

"Quinn's my business partner and a dear friend." I answered, taking off her pajamas and changing into her dance clothes, putting her hair in a tight bun.

"Ya, ya. I know. But let's say...theoretically, if he were to ask you out for coffee...what would you say?" Maia asked, shoving her hands between her knees and staring intently at me.

"I'd say coffee was fine, as long as it was between friends." I said, putting my dirty clothes in my laundry bin.

"Oh come on Lina! He's a great guy, not to mention he's liked you since you guys were in high school! Give him a chance!" Maia exclaimed but I sighed.

"Maia, look." I sighed. "Quinn's great, I know that better then anyone. And I know you're just trying to help...but with Dad and what happened with...Kaldur..." I sighed, feeling my muscles contract and my powers heighten-begging to be let free and tear through something. I took a deep breath, calming my emotions and mind. "I just...can't start dating again anytime soon, alright?"

"Alright." Maia said, getting up and embracing me in her hold. I happily embrace her back, holding her close to me and placing my head on her shoulder. She'd grown a lot in the past years, suddenly only being a mere inch shorter then me. But then again, with my height of 5'5'' (which in the superhero gig was considered tiny), that wasn't hard. Garfield, Tim, even Billy were all taller then me now: so I considered myself lucky that for the time being, my protégé still remained shorter then me.

"You're not 'fine' Lina, you can't keep pretending like you are." She said quietly.

I didn't say anything, just gently kissed her forehead before pulling away and heading to the kitchen.