Thálassa

Chapter 7

AN: Sorry for the long wait, I've been thinking up an original story idea and forgot to update. No hate please but criticism is welcome. School also presents a problem. Sorry.

"So I may not have mentioned one thing," I started to say as Alfred patched my arm up.
"Yes?" Bruce asked, already sounding exasperated.
"So I might have maybe threatenedKlarionwithaCelestialBronzeknifeafterherealizedIwasademigod."
Bruce looked at Dick for clarification.
"She said that she threatened Klarion with a Celestial Bronze knife after he figured out she was a demigod," he blinked. "Wow, I guess spending so much time with Wally actually paid off."
"So the Light knows?" Bruce asked.
"No, I made him swear on the River Styx to not tell anyone, not harm me, and not harm anyone either I or my blood-relatives think of as family. So you guys, Percy, Jade, Annie, Wally, and Roy are untouchable," I summed up.
"Roy huh?" Bruce smirked. I glared and blushed heavily.
"W-well yeah!" I stuttered. "B-Because Wally and R-Roy are practically family, right? I mean," I kept stuttering, gods that was embarrassing, "Dick's always talking about them s-so they're like h-his b-brothers."
"Yeah right," Dick scoffed. "You're not exactly the most subtle person, Ner."
"Excuse me?!?" I asked embarrassment forgotten. "I'm very subtle thank you very much! How do you think I've pranked so many campers?"
"In the subject of love," Dick amended as we walked upstairs after taking off our costumes.
"I'm very subtle when love is involved!" I said, still indignant.
"You're not because you basically just told me that you have a crush on Roy," the sly little troll said.
"I do not!" I said, blushing.
"Than why are you blushing?" Bruce chuckled.
"I-You, Argh!!!" I screamed and stomped the rest of the way upstairs.

*****************

"Nere," Bruce said the next morning at breakfast, "I think we should tell the media that you're here before some crazy rumors start up about why you're here. When should we hold a press conference?"
"Why not this afternoon? There aren't any major media stunts happening today and we need to do it before school starts tomorrow," I pointed out after taking a bite of Frosted Flakes. (AN: I do not own Frosted Flakes)
"Good idea," Bruce said, after making sure his schedule was clear. "Dick, Nere, put some more formal wear. I'll tell the press. Be ready in 15."
"The monkey suits?" Dick groaned.
"I'm about as happy about it as you," Bruce said, pinching his nose bridge like he always does when he's stressed, annoyed and/or exasperated. "But we must do what's necessary. Now go."
We nodded and trudged upstairs to get ready.

*****************

Roy was sharpening his arrows when Rob called. He swore quietly as his hand slipped and cut his finger.
"What's up kid?" Roy asked Robin.
"Dick Grayson is about to do a press conference. It seemed interesting. Very last minute. Wayne invited a TV camera man. Channel 214," he said mischievously.
"I assume Wally already knows?"
As soon as he uttered those words, Wally appeared. He was jumping up and down impatiently, like a small child who wanted something, waiting for his friend to finish talking to Robin.
"I assume he's there now?" Dick said.
"Yup."
"Bye," he said and hung up.
"Come on!!!" Wally pulled Roy towards the TV room where Artemis was watching Pretty Little Liars. Wally took the remote as she protested and changed the channel to 214.
"Hey! I was watching!"
"Two against one," Roy replied absentmindedly. "Besides, that's our friend on TV."
"You know Dick Grayson?" Artemis sounded incredulous.
"Yeah, I babysat him a few times. Wayne and Ollie know each other. Plus it shortened my punishments. Why? You know him?"
"He goes to my school," Artemis said.
"Be quiet archers," Wally said. Both Arrows slapped him upside his head. "Ow!"
"Mr. Wayne, Mr. Wayne," a reporter on the TV asked. "Why is it that you called this press conference? Are you adopting another child?"
"Not exactly," Mr. Wayne smiled charmingly. Sometimes, Roy really couldn't believe Bruce Wayne is Batman. "I'm here to announce that my ward Dick's older sister is coming to live with me for some time. I assumed you'd have questions for her and I thought, 'Why not call a last minute press conference before school starts?'"
A girl stood up at the podium. She was fairly tall with the Grayson ebony hair and big green eyes. He'd call her attractive, but she was his best friend's sister. The camera focused on her.
"Hello," she smiled at them as they took pictures. "I'm Nere Grayson, I'm Richard's sister."
If she's Dick's sister, Roy mused. That probably means Nere is Thálassa.
Reporters yelled questions. Nere raised her hands and gave a soft smile.
"One at a time please, I only have one mouth."
They chuckled.
"You in the green jacket."
"Ms. Grayson how long will you be staying with Mr. Wayne?"
"It's likely I'm only spend the school year here, my god brother is going on his honeymoon soon and he is my legal guardian."
"How old are you Ms. Grayson?" Another reporter asked.
"I'm 17, I turn 18 December 23."
"Are you single?" a male reporter asked, waggling his eyebrows.
What did that have to do with anything? Roy scowled.
"No, I'm single but not looking for a relationship."
"Why do you spend so little time with your brother?"
Nere's face darkened. This was obviously a touchy subject.
"Obviously our separation is not by choice. If I could, I'd spend the whole year with my brother, but Mr. Wayne has a busy schedule, and I go to summer camp for dyslexic and ADHD children during the summer."
A camp for dyslexic and ADHD children? Roy thought. This could be a lead in my investigation.
"You're dyslexic and ADHD?"
"Yes," she answered testily. "Dyslexia and ADHD are learning disabilities, but I usually manage."
Roy was now certain Nere was Thálassa.
"Did you move in with Mr. Wayne because of these disabilities?"
"No, they are two completely separate topics with no correlation."
Mr. Wayne put a hand on Nere's shoulder.
"I'm afraid that's all the questions we have time for today," he said. "The official story will be coming out soon if you wish for more information." The TV cut back to the news anchor.
"How do you know him Baywatch? Barry Allen is a scientist, not a billionaire," Artemis, said eyebrow raised.
"W-We went to a erm-science camp together!" Wally looked pleased with himself for thinking of that. "Y-yeah! He's really smart ya know, really good a science but he's better than Roy and I combined in math-" Wally started rambling.
"Shut up Wally," Roy hissed, exasperated.
"A-are you guys friends?" Wally changed the subject.
"I'm friends with his friend Barbra Gordon," Artemis responded, still suspicious. "We have a few classes together; he's really smart."
"Yeah."
Awkward silence consumed the room. Artemis and Wally looked at each other longingly.
"Oh my god, I can't stand it anymore," the elder boy stood up. "You guys just get a room already, I can't stand the gooey eyes!"
"Roy!!!" Wally looked at him embarrassed, slowly turning as red as his hair.
"Use protection!" Roy called as he walked out.
"HARPER!!!" Artemis screamed and he ran away snickering.

*****************

Three hours later, the Team, excluding Robin and Thálassa, were meeting to discuss their new teammate.
"What do you think of her?" Kaldur asked the Team and Roy.
"I don't trust her," Artemis said immediately. Their leader nodded at her to continue. "I mean, we've never heard of her now and suddenly Batman's letting her join?"
"I had only met her once before, about four years ago," Wally added. "She seemed nice then. Rob doesn't mention her often and she doesn't visit often, according to him, only three times a year. I don't know where she is the rest of the time."
"She said she had only recently started helping Batman but she beat Roy!" M'gann exclaimed.
"And making him swear on his magic?" Zatanna added. "That's a scary powerful oath. If you break it, you'll literally lose your magic! Makes you wonder what she wanted him to keep quiet, and how she knew about it."
They lapsed into silence.
"What is your opinion of her, my friend?" Kaldur suddenly asked Roy. All of the teen looked to the older boy for his judgement, everyone knowing he was one to be suspicious of everyone.
The older boy stopped for a second. Thálassa was definitely skilled but from they had talked about while they were going to CADMUS, she knew Dick well and loved him a lot. She was definitely keeping a few secrets, but who here wasn't? She had been helpful in his investigation for the original Roy Harper but rationale in keeping his hopes up.
"I think that she isn't lying about her relationship to Robin and Batman. She's reserved and observant, so it might be possible she's a spy, but doubtful. It was also suspicious how she talked to Klarion and threatened him with a knife before letting him go. I noticed her moves are very different than Batman and Rob's, but that might be because she sees the world a different way because of her learning disabilities," he hesitated about adding the next bit. "She and I went to CADMUS to see if we could find anything that could help me in my investigation for the real Roy Harper. She found something that even Bats missed."
"And they stole the Batmobile," Wally added. "Kudos for that, man."
"Anyway," Roy said, glaring at his friend. "I think that we should keep an eye on her. She's definitely hiding something, but we should be discreet about it."
The others murmured in agreement.
"So it is decided," Kaldur concluded solemnly. "We keep our guard up around Thálassa and try to find out more about her."