Do My Scars Define Me?

Rope-A-Dope

Dick saunters back into the circle, steadying his stance and turns to look at me. My jaw is clenched and I'm set to be offensive. I won't be caught off guard again. He comes toward me and I switch my stance to defensive, protecting everything vital and moving from Dick's reach when he comes into range. My goal isn't to get hurt, just wear him out. Apparently he didn't expect me to be so fast; he has been going at about a third of the speed he was going with Bruce, but now he picks it up to half.

Three quarters.

As fast.

A little faster.

He's practically flying through the air now, his feet barely touching the ground before he comes shooting back at me. I continue my evasive dance, knowing that by now he's getting sick of hitting air and wearing himself out. He pauses and we stand apart from each other, facing off, me waiting for him to move, him catching his breath. I spare a quick glance at Bruce and see him on the edge of his seat, watching us the way one might watch a favorite action movie, or a thriller. My gaze shifts back to Dick and I step out of the way again as he lunges for me. We face each other for half a second before he's launching himself back at me. Though this time, I stick out a foot, barely catching the tips of his toes, but it's enough to get him off balance. I watch as he falls, and right before he catches himself, I push him sideways.

And out of the circle.

He falls into a somersault and lands on his butt, staring at me incredulously.

"How did you do that?!" He demands, getting up, panting. Bruce busts out laughing and stands up, walking toward us.

"She did that by using your confidence against you, Dick. You got cocky and she took advantage of it." He turns to me and smiles, proudly. "A great strategy, I must say. Good job, Phoenix." Dick huffs and rolls his eyes.

"Whatever. It's not like she could beat you or anything. Besides, I wasn't ...." He pauses and thinks for a moment. "I wasn't in the... Right territory." I raise an eyebrow.

Your "right territory" isn't in your training dojo? Really?

He rolls his eyes, pouting. "Whatever." I furrow my brows, a little upset that he's being so aloof. I know it sucks to be beaten, but I thought we were closer than that. I quickly throw on my neutral mask that I use to hide how I'm feeling and turn to Bruce, giving a small smile.

It sounds like it would be fun to face off with you, but I should probably head to bed. I'll see you guys in the morning. Good night.

"Good night, Phoenix." Bruce replies, looking a little suspicious, but not saying anything about his feelings. "You remember how to get to your room?" I nod and wave to them, pretending that Dick not responding to me doesn't hurt, before making my way out the door. I shut it quietly behind me and almost walk down the hall to the stairs when I hear a whoop of joy. I stop and silently walk back to the door.

"I'm telling you Bruce! She's it! The new addition to the team! Please? Wally will be so happy to have someone else to annoy and you know we could use more members! I was going all out and she beat me, and you saw her style, she could defiantly beat you. Please, Bruce, quit being Batman for a second and think about this!" Silence follows and I'm assuming that Bruce was thinking over what Dick had said.

"If she joins, you know that she wouldn't be able to communicate with the team. It's a dangerous proposition, Robin. You know that." I could practically hear Dick nodding.

"I know that Batman, but c'mon. She's smart, she can fight, and she's cunning. She's the perfect addition to the Bat family."

Bat family... So Batman, Robin, and Alfred? Maybe Agent A... I chuckled to myself thinking of them all in matching Batman suits, fighting crime before Christmas dinner. I shake my head and listen again.