It's funny how, no matter how long you've known a person, no matter how many times they assure you of their love and loyalty, you still withhold information in fear of disappointing them. In fear of them turning on you. That's what it had been like for Roy. That's how it still was for him. Despite confiding in Jade and being assured it wasn't his fault, he still felt responsible for Shayera's actions. And since he felt that way it was impossible to make him feel otherwise, and in turn impossible to get him to confess to Ollie what was going on.

"You can't keep this to yourself, Roy," Jade said again for what felt like the million time that night. They were in bed together, laying down and facing each other. "It won't stop if you do."

"I know. I just don't feel like rattling the cages without any proof. My word alone may be good enough for you, but everyone else," he shook his head. "Do you honestly think they'll believe me?"

She wasn't entirely sure and bit her lip. "Well… what if we got proof?"

"What do you mean?"

"Let's beat her at her own game. If we catch her coming on to you and expose her for the pervert that she is, there's no way she'll be able to twist this on you."

He absentmindedly ran his hand up and down her bare arm. "How would we do that? She doesn't exactly strike with warning."

Jade considered his words. "We know she has the hots for you. If we were to use that against her, to trap her somehow…," her eyes flickered up to meet his. "How's your acting?"

TT

Dick had crawled himself up into a ball in Kori's bed almost immediately upon returning home. Aside from his shoes, jacket, and tie being removed, he hadn't bothered to change clothes. Kori ran her hand through his hair soothingly.

"Do you want me to get you anything?" she asked after about an hour of not moving from their position. He didn't reply and there was a pause. "Do you want me to call Alfred?"

She felt him tense.

Bruce's heart attack was all over the news, there was no running from it, but Dick had yet to say one word about it. He returned home after the event numb, and found Kori waiting for him in the living room. She had asked him if Bruce was okay, if he was okay, but he couldn't bring himself to reply. All he could do was allow Kori to take his hand and lead the way. He felt a knot in his stomach at that. One of the main reasons why Bruce and himself were feuding was because he wanted to lead his own life. Yet there he was, tucked under a blanket like a frightened child.

"It's my fault," he choked out.

"Don't say that."

"It is!" he cried. "It's my fault! I pushed him! I pushed him too much!"

He surprised himself when he began to sob, but he made no attempts to hide it. Kori wrapped a comforting arm around him and he turned to her lap, wrapping his arms around her waist.

TT

Everything about Roy Harper was deliberate today. His red hair soft to the touch and neat, the first few buttons of his shirt loose, the way he walked as if he had all the confidence in the world (when in actuality he was shaking like a newborn walking for the first time, not that anyone could tell). He had to be cool and suave, sexy and mature. Everything a woman could get from a man with just a look he had to be. How else was he going to approach Shayera?

She was easy to find, outside her classroom scolding her first victims of the day, a pair of boys who seemed to have caused her to drop her papers. She was chewing them out as they collected the sheets off the floor and returned them to her. They left soon after, and she was left standing and shaking her head.

"Dolts. They should really know how to behave around a woman better," Roy said, finally making his move and approaching her. He winked. "Especially one as beautiful as you."

She turned her nose up at him before entering her classroom. "Oh please."

He followed. "Is there anything I can do for you this morning?"

She placed her papers on her desk and glanced at him with a raised brow. "You're unusually considerate this morning. I thought you were upset with me after yesterday."

"I overreacted. It's not everyday an attractive and successful woman comes onto me," he brushed his knuckles against her bare shoulder and down her arm, smirking at the blush that came to her cheeks. "Can you forgive me?"

"Depends on what you have in mind," she answered, crossing her arms. It would have been so easy to give in during the first moment he expressed interest, but what fun would that have been?

"You free this afternoon?"

She thought for a moment. "I have some papers to grade and-"

"Drop it," he commanded, stepping closer to her. He reached a hand behind her and slipped something inside her back pants pocket. She gasped at the touch. "Meet me at the address on the card after school. I'll be waiting."

He pulled away quickly before she could reply and left the room as coolly as possible. Upon exiting he leaned against a row of lockers, taking a moment to calm his nerves so he could text Jade: It's done.

TT

Needless to say Dick didn't feel like attending school and opted to staying home, still confined to Kori's bed. It infuriated Xavier to no end, but Kori wouldn't hear his complaints. Instead she asked him to be nice and give Dick space, explaining his ordeal in as few words as possible. Xavier took the hint and left early. He had things he needed to tend to anyway.

Kori went about her regular routine as well, leaving for school when the time came. Upon returning home she wasn't too surprised to find Dick still in bed. She sat down besides him.

"I called Alfred."

From the corner of her eye she saw him clutch the sheets tighter to his chest.

"Bruce is going to be fine," she turned to him. "I think you should go see him."

"And say what," he began as he sat up. "Sorry for giving you a heart attack?"

"It's not your fault. There are other factors-"

"I pushed him too far. I wanted to piss him off last night, to get a rise out of him the way he does me."

"You're not the only stressful thing in his life, Dick. He's a businessman. Half his job is to be stressed."

"That just makes the whole thing worse! Why am I making this man's life more difficult than it already is?"

"You seem to forget something. Bruce wanted you in his life. He chose you. Even when you left he came back for you. I know he doesn't always show it, but deep down he does love you."

He sat up straighter. "You really think he wants to see me?"

She smiled and placed her hand over his. "There's only one way to be certain."

TT

Shayera held the small ivory card Roy gave her this morning in her hand as she stepped inside an elevator. On it was the logo for the hotel she was in, and behind it he had scribbled down the room number 5E. Stepping off, she found her destination to her left. For a moment she hesitated, thinking of the roles they played, but she pushed the feeling to the side as her hand touched the doorknob.

You only live once.

The door was unlocked, just like the card said it would be. She smiled. He wanted her just as much as she wanted him, and it felt good to be wanted. Confident, she pushed the door open and stepped inside, the door shutting behind her. She reached for the light switch on the wall and the room illuminated in a soft red glow. She was now aware of the red velvet pillows and mirrors on the ceiling.

"Kinky," she commented, stepping in further to take in her surroundings.

"But private," Roy replied, stepping outside the bathroom in nothing but a silk black robe. It was cut short, showing off his legs and thighs, and she found herself licking her lips at the sight of him. He reached a hand into the pocket of his robe and pulled out a pair of silver handcuffs. He dangled the metal object on one finger. "Care to play a game?"

"Only if I get to go first," she answered, taking the handcuffs from him. "On the bed. Arms above your head."

He lifted an eyebrow and cocked his head to the side. "You've done this sort of thing before?"

"Don't it? I've mastered it," she pointed. "Bed. Arms raised."

He followed her directions. Once he was in position she locked both his wrist to one of the metal rods of the bed frame. Satisfied with her work, she straddled him, her hands roaming underneath his robe.

"So," she began as she grazed her teeth against his collarbone. "What made you change your mind?"

He arched his neck, playing along. "Oh you know, a couple of things. For one, you were relentless, and two… You really pist Jade off."

She stopped working her mouth against his ear and sat up straight to see his smirking face.

He almost laughed at the look of confusion she wore. "Jade knows. She knows about how you've been harassing me. She even knows about the two of us being here right now. In fact, she planned it. Isn't that right, Jade?"

Shayera turned, looking for a body, but instead found an open laptop tucked in between the room decor of a vase full of red roses, and the beige old school phone that connected the room to the front desk. She hadn't had time to fully evaluate the room upon stepping in, Roy had seen to that.

Jade looked smug on the screen. "Ms. Hol, I kindly recommend that your old ass remove itself off of my boyfriend."

Cautiously, Shayera did as she was asked, but it didn't stop her from being furious. "What the hell is this?"

"Power move. You messed with the wrong boy, bitch. You see, Roy is my boyfriend. He's also the father of my child. You mess with him, you're messin with me. With my family. Now, I'm going to give you some demands-"

"Demands?" Shayera put her hands on her hips. "Don't be ridiculous. Why would I-"

"I'm getting to that part. And trust me, if I were you, I'd be patient and cooperative. Isn't that right, Roy?"

Roy smiled brightly. "That's right baby."

Shayera glared at him before turning back to the screen.

"First, I'm going to need you to free Roy from those cuffs. Think you can handle that?"

Shayera gritted her teeth and released the red headed teen. She had half the mind to leave him there, but her curiosity made her stay. The edge in Jade's voice was not one to be ignored.

"Finally, I'm going to need you to stop harassing my boyfriend. No more touching, ogling, or screwin' with his grades. And definitely no kissing. Do you understand me?"

Shayera had had enough. She leaned in close to the computer screen. "Listen here, little girl-"

"No, you listen," Jade cut off, eyes narrowed. "You think this is some sort of game, but it's not. This is our lives' that you're messing with and I'm not gonna tolerate it."

Shayera chuckled. "What makes you think you can stop me? You're a dropout. I have a masters degree."

"You don't need a masters degree to record a Skype call."

Shayera's eyes widened and she stuttered. "R-record?"

"This whole scene we've created has been recorded. You touch Roy… If you even look at him funny... Anything you do to make him feel uncomfortable… This video gets sent to Mr. Wilson and the police. Your life will be the one in shambles."

Shayera stepped back. "You're bluffing."

"Test me. I guarantee I won't fail."

Shayera looked back and forth between Roy and Jade before muttering a "fine" under her breath and hastily leaving the room, slamming the door behind herself. Roy stood up from the bed and picked up the laptop, his smile broadening, an expression that was equally shared by Jade.

TT

Dick had spent about half an hour parked outside the hospital, and another fifteen minutes pacing outside Bruce's room before finally entering. He didn't know what he was expecting upon seeing him, but he was definitely surprised at the sight of him doing paperwork in bed.

His jaw dropped. "You gotta be kiddin' me."

Bruce looked up, his eyes narrowed. "Hmph. Here to gloat?"

The comment stung, and like a guilty child Dick looked down at his shoes, digging his hands into his pockets. "I… wanted to see how you were doing."

"I'm surprised you care," Bruce said dismissively, putting his paperwork into the top drawer of the nightstand by his bed.

"That's not fair," Dick replied, looking up. He stepped further into the room. "Despite what's going on, I still… I mean-"

Bruce raised up his hand. "Spare me the sentiments."

Dick's blue eyes lowered once more and there was a pause. Sulkily, he turned towards the door, but the sound of Bruce's voice stopped him.

"Aren't you going to sit down?"

The question surprised him, as did Bruce's expectant gaze. Silently, he pulled up a chair at Bruce's bedside, folding his hands together in his lap.

"What took you so long? You should have been here sooner."

Dick's eyes widened. Had Bruce been waiting for him the entire time? He tried not to look as guilty as he felt. "I… didn't want to come."

Bruce scoffed. "By all means, don't let me keep you."

"I didn't mean it like that," Dick said, trying to explain. "I didn't want to come because I... I was scared." He looked away as he confessed, imagining Bruce to have a look of disappointment for displaying weakness. "I feel like this whole thing is my fault. If I had just been easier to deal with, maybe this wouldn't have happened."

Bruce sighed. "I don't blame you. My being here is a result of my actions, not yours. Though your stunt didn't help any."

Dick hung his head. "I'm sorry."

"I can't understand it. Why are you fighting me at every turn? I only want what is best for you."

Dick raised his eyes. "What's best for me or what's best for you? Bruce, I respect you. I'm grateful for you and to you. And, although there are a lot of things I admire about you, I don't want to be you."

"I'm not trying to make you into me."

"Aren't you? Why else have you been pushing Kori and I apart?"

"She's a distraction."

"To you. That's how you always treat the women in your life. Selena, Talia, Zatanna, Diana… You keep them around long enough until you realize you have to give more of yourself, more of your time. I'm not like that. I like spending time with Kori. I enjoy being with her."

"You're not even eighteen yet and you're devoting your whole life to this girl. It's ridiculous."

"Why is it ridiculous?"

"Because it makes you stupid and naive. You already had a drinking problem because of her."

"That was different. I was reckless, yes, but out of grief and guilt."

"Over emotions connected to her!"

"You know what… forget it," Dick snapped, standing up. "I should have never listened to Kori. Coming here was a mistake."

"Wait," Bruce commanded, and Dick obeyed. "... Kori sent you?"

Dick turned around. "She has this silly notion that deep down you actually care about me. Crazy, huh."

"You don't believe I care about you?"

"It's hard to tell most of the time."

There was a brief pause, after which a laugh escaped Bruce's lips.

"What's so funny?" Dick inquired.

"I can run an entire company but somehow I can't manage one teenager," Bruce shook his head. "Ridiculous…" He turned his gaze towards the window. "My parents died when I was just a child. I never had the opportunity to learn from them how to raise a teenager. Sometimes, I wish I could ask for their guidance."

Dick reclaimed his seat by Bruce's bedside. "It's something we could figure out together. That is, if you're willing to look at me as more than just some sidekick to order around."

Bruce chuckled, turning to face him. "If I recall correctly, you used to love sneaking into my office."

Dick shrugged. "I also used to believe girls had cooties. Things change," he looked at him seriously. "I've changed."

Bruce smiled slightly. "Yes, I suppose you have."

TT

Kori sat with her legs tucked under her in the living room of her home. With both boys vacant from the house she decided to spend her alone time with a book. It wasn't her typical go-to activity, but with both boys gone and the entire house being quiet, she could study properly. As she was turning the page in her textbook she heard the doorbell ring. At first she ignored it, but then an urgent knocking followed. Standing up, she headed towards the door.

She wasn't expecting company, nor did she order any food, so she thought perhaps maybe one of the boys forgot their key. She opened the door without checking the peephole, which she would soon learn was a deadly mistake.

Her eyes traveled upward to meet the green gaze of the tall man that stood outside her door. Her body began to tremble, her heart racing as her eyes widened in fear.

The man smiled gently at her. "Hello, Kori. Did you miss me?"

She nearly choked as his name escaped her lips. "... Phey…"

TT

I am so sorry this chapter took so long everyone! It's actually been completed for the past two or three days but I haven't had the time to sit down and type it because I've been super busy.

I'm so excited! We have finally reached the point that I have been waiting for. When Kori and Phey meet again. I've been dreaming of writing this chapter and it's finally here, so I will be taking my time with this one. It's a very important event in the story. Kori finally confronts her rapist. In the internship that I do, we recently had an event about sexism, and during the event we had several speakers who were victims of sexual abuse, so I took in a lot about how female victims feel and what's it like if they actually get the opportunity to do something about it.

Anyways I hope everyone enjoyed this chapter. I'll see you all next time! I'm hoping no longer than a week or two, but like I said, I want to do this chapter right, so it might take longer.

Title of this chapter is named after the song You Don't Own Me by Lesley Gore.