Hi hi hi :) Thanks for the reviews! And don't worry, Paige isn't joining the team. Robin is just giving in slightly and trying to avoid a long argument.

Side note I'm listening to My Valentine and for some reason it's really starting to creep me out.

Anywho…

Without further ado, I give you Chapter 5!

Disclaimer: Blah blah, I don't own YJ or anything. Just my OC's and the plot (kinda) :3

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Paige "Sanders"

Crimson Angel

I followed Robin and Miss Martian into another section of Mount Justice. It was a little homier, a lounge with a kitchen beside it. In the lounge sat a handful of teens, all in costume. The Young Justice.

I wish I had known this was going to happen; I definitely would have worn something different.

Zatanna smiled when she saw the three of us enter the room. For a minute I thought she was looking at me but her grin was directed towards Robin who blushed under her gaze. My stomach twisted with jealousy once again, I tried to push back the feeling and focus. I moved my gaze over towards Wally. Carefully I tried to search his expression to see if he had any recognition of who I was, we had met just a few days ago.

To my relief he offered a charming smirk, "I'm glad we finally get to meet you." Good, he didn't recognize me. Bart who was sitting beside Wally didn't seem to recognize me either. Thank the Angel.

Robin cleared his throat, "This is Crimson Angel. She's the one who contacted me about the current threat."

Aqualad sat poised at the end of the couch. "It's nice to meet you Crimson. Don't worry, you're in good care." He stood up and shook my hand, "Robin has told us about you and I realize that you are very capable. However, this is now official Young Justice Business and we can't allow outsiders in."

I stared at him wide eyed. So this was going to be a continuous problem. "Listen here, friend. If you think I'm going to stand back and watch something that directly affects me. Well, just no, I-"

Robin grabbed my wrist, swiftly pulling me away from Aqualad. "She's not really in a good mood at the moment." He explained before lowering his voice. The two walked away and Robin began speaking with Aqualad at the far end of the room.

I stood next to Miss Martian, irritated beyond words. "What's going on now?" I asked her, eyeing the pair discuss something with solemn expressions.

M'gann shrugged, "I think they're deciding what to do with you." She smiled weakly, folding her hands behind her back. "I'm sorry I upset you earlier."

"It's not your fault, don't apologize." I stuttered out, I didn't want her to feel guilty. I should've said more but my mind was elsewhere at the moment. I continued to watch Aqualad and Robin before noticing that the rest of the team was watching me. Was I really that interesting?

I looked over the lot of them. They seemed to have a mix of curiosity and uneasiness bubbling inside them. I couldn't blame them; I did have a little outburst. "Hi?" I chimed with a dim smile.

Wally stood up and approached me, taking my bandaged hand and examining it. I had nearly forgotten about the injury. "What happened to your hand, babe?" He asked, gently turning it over.

I tensed, wanting to pull away. "I tussled with a stone wall. It didn't end well." Wally quirked an eyebrow in confusion, "I punched a wall." I clarified, looking away.

"Anger issues." Artemis observed, sitting back in her seat.

"You're one to talk, Blondie." Wally said, dropping my hand and turning to glare at her.

Artemis narrowed her eyes, "I don't have anger issues, if anyone does it's Superboy."

"Hey!" The young kryptonian protested, shooting a glare over towards Artemis and Wally, "don't bring me into your little lover's spat."

"We're not together." The two said at the same time with equal annoyance. They glanced over at each other, each wearing a look that could kill.

Miss Martian sighed, shaking her head as she watched them continue to argue. "I thought they'd fixed this already." She said softly.

"Me too." I said before realizing I wasn't supposed to know that. "I mean…" I stumbled over my words trying to think of an excuse; Miss Martian didn't seem to hear me though, so I gave up.

"That's enough." Aqualad bellowed, turning an icy glare towards the quarrelling couple. Robin hovered beside him, wearing a look of uncertainty. He looked at me and smiled, as if saying sorry. This wasn't looking good.

"I think we can all agree it is unsafe to have a beginner join the team for this mission." Aqualad stated, "I am sorry, Crimson. We will have to decline your offer for help, but rest assured we will make sure you are safe for the duration of this threat."

The room was eerily silent. The team waited for my reply, I'm guessing they were expecting some kind of tantrum. Well, they'd be disappointed because I was not going down that road again. "No." I said plainly, locking eyes with Kaldur.

"This isn't something up for debate. I'm sure you're aware I'm the team leader. My decisions are final." He replied, his expression never wavering.

"You said it was unsafe for a beginner to join the team. I, however, am no beginner." I forced a smile. I needed to hide that fact that I was terrified. Terrified that this was my last chance to make an impression. Terrified that this was my last chance to try and get it through Robin and Aqualad's thick skulls that I needed to be part of this.

"You have no credentials." Said Aqualad with a pointed look, "you've been on the maps for less than a month."

"Doesn't mean I'm a beginner," I responded airily. I crossed my arms, trying to read into his expression, finding it near impossible. "I've seen things far more horrific than your favorite horror movie. I've done things more dangerous than an Indiana Jones film. I have the skills of an action movie star. I can do this."

"Doing what exactly? How can you have this history?" Aqualad asked, exasperation creeping into his tone, "you don't have any evidence to back up all these claims; if you did then we might consider your offer."

"Crimson, you have to understand that to us you're a stranger." Robin said with a softer tone, "we can't find anything about you on the computers and you've been rather uncooperative in giving us…Me, your background. We still have to treat you as a possible threat."

"Listen, I'm not trying to join your little team. I just don't want to be pushed away from a case that I'm directly involved with," I snapped, dropping my arms to my sides, "just give me a chance, I'm not out to sabotage you…I…I look up to you guys." I blushed slightly, embarrassed. Why did I say that?

Aqualad sighed heavily, turning away as he rubbed a hand over his face. The rest of the team looked curiously between the two of us, none of them seeming to have anything to say. Aqualad turned back, looking over the team with questioning eyes, "We will…Discuss it, but I can not make any guarantees. This might end up being a League decision."

I beamed, it was better than nothing. "Thank you."

"It's getting late," Wally yawned, breaking all previous tension in the room. "Why'd we have this late night meeting anyways? It's past Bart's bedtime; we can pick up on this tomorrow right?"

"I don't have a bedtime!" Bart protested, frowning at the fellow speedster. Wally chuckled, ruffling his hair.

Aqualad gave a quick nod and the group quickly dispersed. "Good luck," Miss Martian smiled sweetly at me, "I'm routing for you." She then left my side, gliding quickly over to Superboy.

Things were looking up and my spirits were high. I was hoping for something a little more concrete. Sill, I couldn't get greedy. I smiled, enjoying the moment of hopefulness and anticipation for what was to come. This was happening. I wanted to be something more and I was doing it. Living the dream.

"Someone looks happy."

Robin stood beside me. He looked as if he was trying to decide between being glad or upset. He lowered his voice, "I don't condone this. It isn't safe for any of us."

Couldn't I just enjoy my moment? "Why do you care so much about my safety?"

"Because you seem like the type who gets into trouble." Ouch.

"You trust me, why won't you admit it?" I asked softening my tone and hoping it would get me a better answer. "I'm not going to hurt anyone."

Robin glowered down at me, the muscles in his jaw working. "Because I have no reason to trust you, except for one incident." He admitted, "And maybe you won't hurt anyone intentionally, but you're still a liability. Being emotionally unstable isn't a good attribute for a hero."

Emotionally unstable? Please! That was one time. It was late, feelings towards Robin were doubtful. I just…It was a one time thing. I rolled my eyes, forcing myself to behave with confidence for Robin's sake. "You should trust your gut, because I am reliable. You can count on me; I swear I won't be a liability. What happened the other night will never happen again."

"How do I know that?" He asked, lowering his voice as someone passed by. "How do I know for sure I can trust you if you won't tell me a thing about yourself."

"The mystery is why you like me, isn't it? I wouldn't want to spoil that." It's an act, I know. Just keep it up, be exciting, be different. I continued to encourage myself. Sad, but the only way to keep me motivated to be a different person. Leading Robin farther away from the trail that said I was Paige.

"You don't know I like you." The bird-boy retorted, amused.

"Oh except I do, because the feelings mutual. But hey, you're the detective's protégé; you've figured it out already." I smirked, leaned forward, and used his shoulder as an arm rest which was slightly awkward since he was taller than me. Still it accomplished its purpose in the 'I-don't-give-a-fuck' persona I was attempting to take on.

Robin gave a slight shake of the head, smiling to himself. "You're too cocky for your own good."

Says you of all people. I only smiled back, pulling away as I felt the sensation of someone watching me from somewhere in the room. I looked around and sure enough, Zatanna was standing a ways behind me glaring daggers. Oh right, I had nearly forgotten Zatanna and Robin were most likely a thing.

Luckily, Zatanna was in range of hearing us, so I decided to clear things up to avoid future confrontation. "And don't get any ideas, the liking is totally platonic."

Robin's grin wavered slightly, but he didn't skip a beat in replying. "Likewise." Ha! So you admit it. Birdie likes me, how heartwarming.

I looked at my watch, it was getting pretty late. I felt the urge to go home. And how exactly am I getting home. I looked around noticing that a majority of the YJ had left, including Miss M. "So, I seem to have lost my ride home."

"There's a Zeta tube location near your apartment, follow me." Robin motioned towards the exit that led back into the Missions Room. I wasn't quite sure what this 'Zeta' thing was, but if it took me home it didn't really matter.

Robin fiddled around with the technology near the tubes for a moment before motioning me to step inside. I did as told and after a bright flash found myself standing in an alley. I was back in Gotham. Thank the angel, what an insane night.

I stood in slight shock for several moments wondering how they had technology so advanced it could teleport people. Did that really just happen? It was like…Magic. I laughed at myself for thinking that before drawing off my mask and walking out onto the pavement.

I was surprised to see another flash in the corner of my eye followed by Robin. "What are you doing here?" I asked, quickly slipping the domino mask over my eyes.

He shrugged, "Walking you home. Problem?"

I shook my head and followed him out onto the pavement. Who knew that an alley so close to where I lived housed a teleporter for heroes. There were secrets everywhere.

It was late; the streets were near deserted so not much suspicion was raised to see the boy wonder nonchalantly walking down the sidewalk.

My building soon came into view, so did the party on the rooftop. The scene was adorned with stringed lights and arches. Soft music carried its way down to the street below as did the hum of conversation and laughter.

"What's going on up there?" Robin asked; his head tilted upwards to look at the party.

"My roommates having a party." I explained hoping none of it had spilled into the apartment so I could make it into my room without hassle.

"You didn't want to attend?" He asked, raising his eyebrows.

"Not my crowd." Never was, never would be. Downworlders still didn't accept me, and I didn't accept them. Old habits, they only undid for Mason. I yawned, starting to feel drowsiness swallow me up. "Well anyways, goodnight. I hope to hear from you soon; your team better make the right choice."

Robin smiled, looking a little worn out himself. "We'll see." He hesitated for a moment before waving goodbye and leaving.

I watched him leave wistfully before entering the building.

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Sorry for the short/crap chapter . I wanted to update quickly before school started again and I stayed up laaaaaaaaate. Anywho, I will update soon within the next few days! I PROMISE! I'm getting better at updating, see :)

Alrighty, review review review! Reviews=Motivation so please do! I love all you beautiful readers! ^-^ See y'all soon!

Robin: ASTER!

Wally: Dude, you need to stop.