"I assume your attempt at seducing the little firecracker was unsuccessful?" Black Beetle's chuckling amusement boomed from behind him and he paused, doing his best not to turn around and sneer at his superior, "I didn't she'd be so difficult to tame."

"She isn't," he replied, his back still turned, "Her mother is the main source of her resistance. Once that settles, she'll be more than willing to come along."

"For your sake, I hope so," Black Beetle walked past him, his large arms brushing into his shoulders, "I doubt you'll find another like that one anytime soon. Young, strong, and very malleable. A perfect pet."

He continued to look on as Black Beetle entered the command center and stood on as the doors closed behind him. His superior was correct; the Wonder Girl was the ideal candidate. Their last day together may not have gone as planned, but he would take his time. His host mother had told them once before it was easier to catch flies with honey. While the Wonder Girl was by no means a fly, she responded to sweet words, kind gestures, and genuine emotions. She was a protege of an Amazonian but she by no means wanted a savage, modern-day Hercules. What she needed was compassion, tenderness, sensuality. And his databases were filled to the brim with every quality she so earnestly desired.

It would be slow. It would be steady. But by the end of it all, she would be his to keep; to control.

A few nights after his "chat" with Black Beetle, he was in his host home, looking over mundane homework assignments he had to keep up with in order to maintain the appearance of Jaime Reyes. Trivial really, especially the biology. They'd done well with the subject before but now, with his advanced knowledge courtesy of the Reach, every question was answered as quickly as they were read.

He was starting up questions on basic molecular biology when his phone vibrated against the sheets. The screen lit up a bright blue and the name "CASSIE" was written out in white, block letters. Welcoming the distraction from the dull worksheets, he picked up the phone with a smirk, hoping he could use this opportunity to further her affections and dissuade her need for her mother's approval.

"Hola, bonita," he greeted, "What's up?"

"Hey, Jaime," her voice was low and strained, as though her throat was sore, "I know this is kind of out of blue, but can I come over? Barbara is out patrolling with Robin in Gotham City and...I could use a friend."

"Sure, sure!" he exclaimed, emphasizing excitement and surprise, "Come on over, it's no trouble. How about we meet at the park we were at this Saturday, at the same spot? It'll be quiet so we can talk there."

"Okay," she replied, "Thank you, Jaime. I'll go through the Zeta Tubes; be there in twenty."

She hung up and he wasted no time finishing his homework and primping himself for her oncoming visit. It mattered little why she called him up and ask for his company - every meeting with her would only improve his chances and bring her closer to her role with the Reach.

Throwing on a dark blue jacket and a pair of sneakers, his armor folded over his clothes and skin and he flew out of the window. It took only a minute or so to find his way to the spot they'd occupied a few days before. A wave of shivers encased his skin as he recalled the enticing kiss, the lingering touches, the simply delectable moans that never left her throat...he licked as his lips as soon as his armor retracted, anticipating the further pleasure that could come from her visit.

"Jaime?" he whipped around, amazed that she was able to glide in so quietly. Stealth never seemed to be her forte, "Is that you?"

"Cassie!" he jogged up to her, stopping within an arm's distance, "I just got here and -"

Two petite arms clasped tight around his waist, soft face buried into his neck. Well, that took him for a whirl. He didn't expect her to be so forward. Then again, she did express a wealth of her emotions with touch. Perhaps this was an invitation for affection?

"Oh, Jaime..." the Wonder Girl looked up and his eyes furrowed at the distress written over her face and the tears sprouting from her eyes, "I'm so glad you're here. I really needed someone to talk to."

Talk? Okay, she had said as much over the phone, but wasn't that a typical adolescent excuse to distract from talking with various activities? His databases all but confirm this. When the Tye asked "to talk" they would go off to skateboard or watch a movie or play video games. She should be the same since she seemed simpler than the Tye. He suppressed the rising, irritated sigh and pressed his hands into her shoulders instead, "What's the matter, Cassie? Is it something with your mom?"

"Yeah," she sniffled, wiping at one of her cheeks, "She's going away for awhile, a long while to explore some ruins in Italy and I told her not to and that it's not safe. But then she turned it around and told me that I should come with her and that I shouldn't be playing hero with Diana not around. And then it just escalated to a fight and I shut my door and I decided to call you. Now I'm here and I have no idea what to do."

"Um...let's sit down at the table, okay?" he insisted, taking one of her hands and leading them over. This was something he shouldn't be dealing with. Her emotions, her problems with her mother? They mattered little in his plans for her. But still, something nagged at him from beneath his skin, chest unhinging at her cries. They once would go above and beyond to ensure she was okay, to make her feel safe and secure. It would be better to comfort her and continue to fortify her trust rather than push her away; if only to sate the dolorous throbs crawling up his bloodstream.

Once they sat down at the table, he grabbed a hold of both her hands, tracing circles over her fingers, "I'm...sorry that happened. Your mother shouldn't have told you that. You earned your spot on the team. You deserve to fight. You're safe with all of us around."

"I know, I know..." she trailed, leaning in closer and perching her head on top of his arm, "But..I was right, right? I mean, I know I'm putting myself at risk, but I have powers! She doesn't! She knows the Reach is going after a lot of influential people and they might want her for some architect thing or something! I just don't think she should put herself in that danger and then tell me to stop defending the world and come with her instead. I bet if Diana was here, she could talk some sense into her..."

"Maybe you should stay at the warehouse for a few days," he offered, wrapping one arm around her shoulder, "Let this whole thing blow over with her, get her to think it through and see it from your side. You're home-schooled after all, so it's not like you'd be ditching school. And I can visit you every day so you won't get too fed up with the other guys."

"That sounds...like a pretty good idea actually," her voice lightened and she lifted her head off his arm. Her eyes remained puffy and her cheeks were still a blotchy red, but her lips were drawn into a smile and she seemed...content, "Mom might be a little mad, and Nightwing may take some convincing, but you know what? I'm going to do it. But do you promise to visit everyday?"

"Yes," he whispered, pulling a stray blonde hair away from her face, "I will."

"Oh, thank you Jaime!" she squealed, throwing her arms up, grabbing onto his jacket and tugging him forward for a smack on the lips. The kiss was sloppy and tasted like salt, yet he couldn't help but respond and kiss back, a throaty groan resonating against his teeth. She pulled back all too soon, a blushing, giggling mess, "I'm going to head over there right now!"

"O-okay," he stammered out, imitating what they would have done a few months back, "I'll come with you...just in case Nightwing gives you trouble."

"That would be wonderful," she kissed his cheek before she stood up, extending her hand out towards him, "The Zeta Tubes will be faster. Let's get over there before your mom finds out you snuck out!"

He laughed, taking her hand, "You don't have to worry about that. Since Tye's been away, my mom thinks I'm a good little boy and wait for the team and their trouble to find me."

She returned his laughter, her feet starting to hover above the grass, "Well, she's in for a rude awakening soon."

"Bonita, she doesn't know the half of it."