Voiced Frustration

The team was lounging around the mountain. They knew that they would not have any missions for another week or so because of the failed simulation. Nobody blamed M'gann for the events, but there was some lingering anger towards Robin who had allowed the team to hope, even though he was leading them on a suicide mission. The idea that he had so easily sacrificed their lives without telling them that they were going to die, angered them.

Black Canary had tried to explain the necessity of Robin' decisions, but nobody had listened. Now they all sat together in the cave. Robin was separated from the rest of them, pretending that their ostracization did not hurt his feelings. Typing on his computer, he tried to ignore the heavy stares that were slowly turning into glares.

Finally, Artemis exploded. "Why are you just sitting there like nothings wrong. Like you didn't kill us all?"

Robin had knew this was coming. Looking up, he shut down his computer and looked up at his team. Kaldur was staring at him intently, Wally was glaring at him hard, Artemis looked ready to murder him, Connor was glaring at the floor, and M'gann was watching Connor worriedly.

Robin didn't know what she wanted to hear. It was a simulation, and it was over. None of them had ever experienced something like that, so unlike him, they were overwhelmed by their emotions. He had experienced real loss before, and while the simulation hurt, it was nothing like the gut-wrenching agony of experiencing it in real life.

Looking everyone in the eyes, he spoke in a very calm and even voice. "As far as I know, Artemis, you were dead long before I took the lead. Our esteemed leader sacrificed himself, which while noble, was counter productive. Like chess, the game ends when the King, the leader, dies. It doesn't matter as much if a pawn dies or when the knight dies. Connor, knew what he was doing when he worked as the distraction. He did what Superman would've done, and he fought until he couldn't fight anymore. Wally, man, you knew exactly what was coming for the both of us. And M'gann, you have no right to be mad as you lived, and as long as someone lives to fight another day, we all win."

"My friend, we watched our mentors and friends die. How are you so calm?" Unlike the others, Kaldur did not seem angry or accusatory.

"You guys have never actually lost someone, have you?" Robin let go of part of his calm facade, and allowed some of his incredulousness show.

"Like you have?" Artemis snorted.

"I have. And let me tell you something. As amazing as M'gann's powers are to have gained control from J'onn, she didn't actually have the experience to make that pain feel real. The pain of losing an uncle, a brother, or a father is so much worse. It's soul sucking. Especially if you watch it happen. I watched my parents be murdered when I was eight, I remember the feeling quite well. While I may not have consciously known it was a simulation, I did know that something was not right. I watched the man I call a father die. The second father of mine to die in five years, but I felt nothing." Robin surveyed their stricken looks before saying, "I know the feeling of loss. Whatever your feeling now doesn't even compare, so stop feeling sorry for yourselves."

With that, Robin got up and started walking to the Zeta Beams. "Wait! You're telling us that it doesn't bother you that we all died? That you died? That your best friends died?" Artemis asked.

"Of course it bothers me. But I won't let that rule my life. I'm going to keep on going, keep moving forwards, just like I always have." Looking over his shoulder he said, "Besides, when I signed up to be a hero, I knew that it may mean more pain and suffering, that it may mean that I lose the life of my friends or my own, that I might have to sacrifice myself for the good of the world. Didn't you?" With that, Robin walked out of the room leaving behind a contemplative team.

Kaldur spoke softly, "I do believe that Robin is wise beyond his years. He is correct, we may lose our own lives or that of a friend."

M'gann started to cry softly, clinging onto Connor. "What do we do? I don't want any of you to die!"

Kaldur smiled sadly before saying, "I don't think there is anything we can do. Just spend every moment living life to the fullest. If you cannot handle it, I don't think that being a hero is the right course of action for you." Pausing Kaldur looked around. "I think that it would do well for us to remember that although Robin is the youngest, he is the most experienced by far." The team nodded silently before the room once again lapsed into silence.

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A/N: I don't really know...this just came to mind so I figured that I write it. I'm still writing Babysitting the Wayne's, I just needed to get this idea out of my head so that I could continue to write the other story. This story will be a series of one-shots. As always, Review!