"Well, we were looking out for Deathstroke, not the Joker," Artemis said, crossing her arms over her chest. "Joker's not very subtle, so I know we shouldn't have missed him, but we did."

"He also had a lot of goons," Wally added. "They're the ones that hit us across the head."

"We are sorry," Aqualad told Batman. "We should have been ready for any attack-"

"Joker's not a common criminal," Batman interrupted. "I'm not surprised you didn't stop him, especially since you weren't expecting him. I'm just wondering why you were all in the same place? With Miss Martian's telepathic link, you should have spread out all the way along the outside of the mansion."

"Um, my mind link wasn't working, Batman," Miss Martian spoke up. "I don't know why, though. It was working fine on our last mission. It was as if something was blocking it."

Batman seemed to think about it. "Alright. I'll ask Martian Manhunter to look into it. You're dismissed."

"Hey, Bruce?" I spoke up. He gave me a don't-say-my-name look, but I went on. "Why didn't Slade attack when the team was down and you wouldn't fight? You don't think Joker' s working for him...do you?"

Bruce shook his head. "Joker isn't loyal to anyone. Deathstroke and him are enemies and, even if they're working towards a common goal, they'd kill each other before they could get the job done." Bruce ruffled my hair. I noticed he was favoring his arm that didn't get stabbed. "Don't worry. We'll figure this out soon, okay?"

I nodded. "Do I have to stay in the mountain again?"

Bruce nodded. "You'll be safer here."

"Won't I be safe in the Batcave as well? I mean, there's a lot of weapons down there and-"

"No," Bruce said firmly. "I'll be back at around seven. Flash and Green Arrow are watching the mountain today. I'll see you in a bit." With that, he exited via Zeta Tubes.

I sighed and walked to my room. I knew being alone could get me captured, but I didn't care. If Deathstroke tried to kidnap me today, I could take care of myself. Bruce was suppose to be my guardian, my father, but ever since Deathstroke's return, he's been more distant. It was as if he was preparing himself for the worst. I guess it made sense. He would go into a complete panic if I was taken again. He'd become obsessed with trying to find me and lose a lot of sleep. His movements would become sloppy and he might end up getting hurt, or worse.

I shook the thought. Maybe being alone wasn't the best option for me. I walked to the living room and noticed everyone else was eating lunch. I wasn't hungry and I just plopped down, using Wally as a footrest. He shoved me off and I smirked, putting my feet back on his knees. He glared at me, but I could tell he didn't really mind.

"Is your telepathy still not working, Miss M?" I asked the martian.

She shook her head. "I don't know why. Maybe I'm sick?"

Connor put a hand on her forehead. "You don't feel hot. Do you want me to contact your uncle?"

Megan shrugged. "I guess so. It could be something serious."

Connor nodded and went to probably find Flash or Green Arrow so they could contact Martian Manhunter.

Megan put a hand on her head. "You know, now that I'm thinking about it, I do have a bit of a headache. And my stomach doesn't feel right."

Me and Aqualad helped Miss Martian to her room and made her comfortable. "I will go make you some soup," Aqualad said.

I put a hand on Megan's head. "Supes was right. You don't feel warm, but there must be something else wrong with you. I'll go get a thermometer."

"Martian's body temperatures are different than humans," Megan said. "That won't help."

Martian Manhunter then entered the room. I quietly slipped out, not wanting to disturb them just as Superboy went in. They were dating, so it made sense, but I didn't need to be in there. I hope she'll be okay, I thought.

I walked back to the living room. "How is she?" Artemis asked.

I shrugged. "Manhunter's working to see what the problem is now. He'll probably tell us later."

The team nodded. I sat down on the couch again, hoping nothing was seriously wrong with my friend.

~

"Poisoned?!" We all exploded at the same time.

"I am not sure how," Martian Manhunter said. "But it was found soon enough so that it won't kill her, but she will be sick for a few days."

"Who poisoned her?" I asked. "Was it the Joker?"

"No," Manhunter said. "It was in her system before the Gala last night. This is why her telepathy was not working."

"But if it wasn't Joker," Wally asked. "Who did it?"

Deathstroke, I immediately thought. But how...

We spent the rest of the day making sure Megan was comfortable and gave her company. I couldn't stop coming up with scenarios in my head of how Slade could have poisoned my friend. Was he watching us? The thought creeped me out. 

After we ate supper, which was made by Aqualad since he was the next best cook on the team, I noticed that Batman was suppose to be coming soon. I'd have to explain my theory of Slade watching me and the team, which I really didn't want to do. He'd get really over protective like he always does and I'll be watched every second of every day. That did not sound at all fun, but it was better than getting captured by Deathstroke again. 

I tried to get my mind off everything by playing video games against Artemis and Wally, but my heart wasn't in it so I kept loosing. I checked my watch for the thousandth time. It was already 7:15. Bruce was never late. "What do you think is holding up Batman?" I asked Wally and Artemis.

"He'll be here soon," Wally said. "Maybe he had to wrap up a case."

I waited another fifteen minutes, then decided to go to the Batcave to see what the holdup was. 

"Bruce!" I called out, exiting the Zeta Tube. I didn't see him for a while. "You said you'd be back by..." my voice trailed off. Alfred was collapsed against the wall, blood smeared against the wall. "A-Alfred?" I asked in fear. I didn't want to get closer, but I did. "No," I said quietly. "No, no, no!"

"Dick!" Someone said from behind. I spun around to see Deathstroke. My eyes widened and I felt my heartbeat pick up. "W-w-what are y-you doing h-here?"

"Dick, calm down," Slade said. He never called me Dick. Something was up, but I still didn't trust him. "W-where's B-Batman?" I asked.

Slade grabbed my shoulders. My heart rate spiked. I was frozen in fear. "Calm down, Dick," Slade said. "You inhaled fear gas. It's Bruce."

I was frozen in place. He might be tricking me. "B-But A-Alfred. You k-killed him!"

"Alfred's not down here," Slade said. I glanced behind me. Alfred's body was still there. "N-No he's not. He's dead. R-right there..."

"You breathed in fear gas," Slade said. "I'm going to pick you up, okay?"

I winced as he picked me up but he didn't hurt me. I could feel my heartbeat speed up. It was dangerously high, but I couldn't stop it. "Calm down," Slade said. "You'll have a heart attack."

He set me on the medical table and put an oxygen mask over my nose and mouth. "Deep breaths, Dick."

I did as I was told. Everything slowly was going back to normal. Tears were running down my cheeks and my heartbeat was returning to normal. Alfred's body was gone and Bruce replaced Slade. I closed my eyes and took deeper breaths. "Bruce..."

"Don't talk," my guardian said. "Just breath."

I nodded and wiped my tears away. Eventually, I could feel myself getting sleepy. "Bruce...I'm tired."

"You were stressed," Bruce said. "Just get some rest and sleep off the rest of the gas." I nodded and closed my eyes. The last thing I felt was Bruce brushing back my hair.

~

I actually updated before I left for Canada! This is a surprise. I actually didn't have writer's block.

See y'all whenever!