Spoilers for last episode likely in comments.

[notsosubtle]

Di-Wonder Woman always used to tell me something like this was part of being on a team like mine, but...it doesn't make things any easier.

Comments

[ridemyelectrostick]

I always knew-- [Given the whole "your predecessor is dead" thing] --that... that it was possible. What we do is dangerous.

[He sighs.] I just always hoped we'd never have to see it happen again.

[notsosubtle]

Me too. [Don't mind her, Tim. She's just going to go ahead and latch onto your arm.]

Do you think Nightwing's going to be okay?

[ridemyelectrostick]

[It's okay, he can use some "arm-laching-onto," given the crappy day they've all had.]

I- I think he'll try to be okay. He's strong, but this will take a lot of time.

It's going to take a lot of time for most of us.

[notsosubtle]

[Sighs softly. Nightwing was the one who made her feel welcome on the Team, and bolstered her confidence when she had her doubts.]

Probably. [Tries to refocus her thoughts. Nightwing would want them to be strong in his absence.]

I'm glad we have lots of time in front of us. [Squeezes his arm.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

[Tim is mostly compartmentalizing his feelings right now. It's how he manages.

Nightwing is his friend, one of his mentors, someone he's admired since he was four. He's family. Seeing him in pain like this is hard. And Tim doesn't have the first idea of what to do.

How he feels about Wally's death... That's something darker, more tangled, harder to untangle and compartmentalize and handle. But he has to be strong. For Nightwing and Babs and the Team and Cassie.]

We shouldn't take it for granted.

[He covers her hand with his and squeezes slightly. Having Cassie at his side is a comfort.]

[notsosubtle]

[Cassie has spent enough time around the Bats to know they didn't cope with their emotions in the healthiest ways. Nightwing was able to keep everything a secret from them for months. Most people would crack under that kind of pressure. She can only imagine the kind of mental training and emotional repression that went into being able to put that kind of facade.

Let's go of his hand so he can pull him into a full hug.] You're not going to pull away, are you? [Not from the hug, but from her and everyone else.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

[He reciprocates the hug. Tim wishes they hadn't waited so long.]

No. But if I do... snap me out of it.

[He might do it without entirely noticing. Pulling away is the coping mechanism he knows best.]

[notsosubtle]

I will. [A small, playful smile finds it's way on her face.]

If you do, I'll whack you really, really hard upside the head so you won't do it again.

[ridemyelectrostick]

[He smiles a little.]

You'd at least bring me flowers in the hospital, right?

[He's teasing.]

[notsosubtle]

Depends. Are you going to bring me flowers whenever we go on our first date? [Teasing.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

[Oh, right they... will do couple-y things. Normal stuff, for once.]

Of course. I have manners.

[notsosubtle]

[Looking forward to doing the couple-y things.]

When do you think we'll go on our first date?

[ridemyelectrostick]

I don't... when would you like to? Later this week?

[notsosubtle]

[Goes in for another hug, this one more gentle than the last. After everything they've been through, Cass is emotionally and physically exhausted. Wants to focus on anything that helps lift her spirits.]

The sooner the better.

[ridemyelectrostick]

[He hugs back just as gently.

The carpe diem lesson they learned so painfully is fresh in his mind.]

Tomorrow?

[notsosubtle]

[Brings a hand up to his face, managing a small smile that has a tint of sadness to it.]

Tomorrow.

[ridemyelectrostick]

[He nods.

And then actually kisses her buy it's not like before when they did it on a whim.]

[notsosubtle]

[Oh, well...this is nice. Very nice.

Slides her arms around his neck, pulling him closer while she returns the kiss.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

[It definitely is.

And it takes his mind off of all the terrible things they've been through, if only for a minute. Cassie's good at that, whether it's, er, kissing or just being there.]

So, um. Where exactly do you want to go tomorrow?

[notsosubtle]

[Lifts one arm, lighting bopping him on the nose with her finger tip.]

Nu-uh. You're suppose to plan it out! [Pauses.] Unless you're stuck on ideas. [Has no problem taking charge and sharing what she'd like to do.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

No, I'll figure something out.

[Once he figures out what normal people do. :| ...movies or something?]

[notsosubtle]

Thanks, Tim. [Smiles in appreciation, and plants a small kiss on her cheek.]

[ridemyelectrostick]

[That gets a small, shy smile.]

It's the least I can do.

[They need time just... away from it all. If only for a few hours.

Now if only he could figure out how to help Dick.]

[mgann]

It never does, and it never will. All we can do is be there for each other.

[notsosubtle]

[Reaches up to rub at her eyes with the heel of her hand.]

I know. [Offers her a small smile and then goes in for the hug.] I missed you and was really worried!

[mgann]

Cassie... [M'gann returns the hug, squeezing her gently.]

Thanks. I didn't mean to worry everyone.

[notsosubtle]

Gar was right! No one else is allowed to die, pretend to be dead, or disappear again! [Announces matter-of-factly.]

[mgann]

[She gives the younger girl small, sad smile.]

I wish it was that easy.

[notsosubtle]

I'm still gonna try and give it my all to protect everyone. And not take the time we have for granted.

[mgann]

Good. That's what we need to do. Nothing will get better otherwise.

[notsosubtle]

[Time to shift to less depressing topics. Gives her a playful nudge.]

Sooo...how are things going with Conner and you? [Yes, she means exactly what you think she means.]

[mgann]

[Well, that catches her off guard! She blinks and stares at Cassie, unsure of what to say.]

[notsosubtle]

[It's cool. She can wait!]

[best_dad_ever]

The sooner you get used to it, the better. This is the nature of things on both sides.

[notsosubtle]

[Clench!es her fist.] Because of people like you!

[best_dad_ever]

You act like I'M the one who killed the kid.

[leadsteamgamma]

It's never easy, not when it comes to someone you care about...or the people we're dedicated to protecting.

(Tim's experienced this before in a way, his whole predecessor and whatnot. Hope Cassie doesn't mind if he offers her a shoulder to cry on.)

[notsosubtle]

[Takes a hug instead of a shoulder to cry on.] I don't want to lose anyone else. It feels like we lost someone or almost lost someone constantly in the past few months.

[leadsteamgamma]

I know. (He hugs back, gently tightening his grip a bit.) I can't say it'll go away. The pain, I mean...but it'll get better.

I'll be there for you.