What family means

The Team

Lian didn't know why Dickie never went back to the team. Her Mommy and Daddy sometimes worked with them, but Dickie refused to. One day, they made an unexpected appearance.

"Roy? We need to talk to Dick." The green lady said. "About what?" That was her Daddy. "We need him to come back." "I can give you his answer: no. Being on the team would give him less time with Lian. Besides, after Wally, I honestly think he blames himself, and he won't want anyone else to die on his watch." "Still, I want to ask him myself. Besides, it's about Wally."

Roy sighed. The team was coming around more, trying to get Nightwing to come back.
They'd sent everyone from Artemis to La'gaan. Still, he always said no.

She walked up to her Daddy after the green lady left. "Daddy? Who's Wally?" Ray looked sad. "Wally was my little brother, along with Dickie. He was the fastest of us. But he died on a mission, and sometimes Dickie blames himself. Just, don't bring it up too much around him, ok?" Lian nodded, but was confused. If Dickie loved Wally so much, why didn't he talk about him?

Dickie came back from his job looking tired, but annoyed as soon as he saw the team. "No means no, M'gann." Was all he said as he took his jacket off. "Dick, it's been over three years. Besides, it's about Wally." Dickie froze. The last time he'd heard that name was months ago.

"We think we've found a way to get him back, but we need everyone. You don't have to come back permanently, just long enough to get him back to us." "To all of us, or to the team we don't even know he'll want to join again?" Dickie had an eyebrow raised. M'gann looked down. "I know what's going on. You think I don't read the files? I may not be on the team, but I still know what's happening." Dick looked disappointed. And he was.

He sighed. "I will help you bring him back. Then I'm done with the team. I've got a goddaughter to think about." M'gann smiled. "That's better than nothing."

After M'gann left, Lian walked up to Dickie. "Dickie? Who's Wally?" Dick froze, unaware she'd been listening. He sighed. "Wally was my best friend, my brother. When you were a baby, aliens came to Earth. Almost destroyed it. Wally gave up his life to stop that." Lian sensed he was hiding something. "It was more than a brother ship, wasn't it? You loved him" Dick chuckled. "I never could hide anything from you, Lian."

Lian looked surprised. "The lady was wrong." Dick looked confused. "What lady?" "The lady at the market. She said two man can't love each other, but two women can." "Yes, she's wrong. Two men can love each other, we just don't do it often."

Jade was listening from around the corner, and felt her heart break. Dick must have been through a lot. He'd have fallen in love, watched his beloved fall in love with another, and then die dedicated to another. And he'd never said a word.

She told Roy, who looked shocked. Yeah, they had been close, but he'd never expected this. He had to agree with Jade, Dick had been through a lot, and he'd never said a word. He decided to confront him before he left.

As Dick was about to leave as Nightwing, Roy came up to him. "Hey." "Hey Roy. What's up?" He sighed. "Dick, how long?" "How long what?" "How long were you in love with Wally?"

He froze. How had Roy known? "Jade overheard you talking to Lian, and told me. How long?" "Since I was thirteen. I watched him fall in love with Artemis, which was a slap to my face. Had I not been obvious enough? Was it something I'd done? I never knew, and I'm scared to know. I'm scared, Roy. I don't know what to do anymore."

Roy pulled Dick into a hug. "It's ok. Whatever comes next, we're here. If Wally doesn't like you anymore, I'll knock some sense into him." He laughed a little. "Thanks Roy." Nightwing removed his mask long enough to wipe a tear before replacing it. "I gotta go. I'll tell you about the mission when I get back."

Roy watched as Nightwing disappeared into the night. He sighed, knowing he probably hadn't changed anything. He sat down on the couch next to Lian and Jade, waiting for news.