Getting to know you

Meeting the team

Dick nervously tapped his finger on his arm. He was meeting the team. All at once. After meeting the League, he wasn't as nervous, but they were so big. Anybody could hurt him.

Wally grabbed his hand. "It's ok, babe. They won't hurt you." "I know. It's just...there's so many of them. What if they don't like me? What if I mess up, and they find out I'm a Talon? I'll never live it down."

"You won't mess up, and they're like the League. So few of them are actually human. Besides, we've all had dark parts in our past. What's important is we get over them instead of them controlling us." Wally said softly, his voice quiet. "I'm scared, Wally. Yeah, we've all had dark spots, but I killed. I...I was a villain. People feared me. I don't want to be feared."

"No, they feared Talon. They feared the one who worked for the Court. They don't fear Nightwing. They love him, because he protects them. They love Dick Grayson, because he's a ray of sunshine in a dark world. They'll love you, ok? Just breathe." Wally ran his thumb over the back of Dick's hand.

Bruce walked in, donned in his Batman uniform. "It's time, Dick. If you feel unsettled by any of them, just play it off and tell us afterwards." Dick nodded. Dread started pooling in his stomach, making it feel heavy. Wally stood up and led him through the mountain. Dick's stomach was turning at the thought of all the people surrounding him.

Dick paled at the sight of the team. He knew they were big, but it didn't strike him how big they were until he saw them. "I-I can't. I can't. Too many." Dick backed out before they saw him. "Hey, it's ok. They won't hurt you. I know we're big, but we will never hurt you. Stay by me, and nothing will happen." Wally whispered, holding Dick close.

Dick had to take deep breaths before he could even think of going out there. It was just too much. They were asking too much of him. He couldn't do this, he would never do this, he couldn't—

Wally led him out there. Into the room that would surely mark his end. Everyone's attention snapped to the teen following Wally. Was this the guy that captivated Wally? Wally grabbed Dick's hand and pulled him forward.

"You are Nightwing?" Kaldur asked. "Yeah. Aqualad?" Dick held his hand out, hoping Kaldur wouldn't notice how badly he shook. Kaldur accepted the handshake, a warm smile on his face. "I hear you are joining us." "Hoping to. Heard a lot about you guys. Lot of good, bit of bad. Batman told me he hoped I could fix a few of those problems. No offense." "None taken. I hope you can help us, and we can help you."

The meeting was tense. Thanks to M'gann, everyone could feel Dick's fear. Could feel how he didn't trust them. Was something making him unsure?

"Wally, can you hear me?" M'gann asked. "Yeah. What's up?" "What's wrong with Nightwing? He feels scared." Wally sighed looking at her. "He was kidnapped when he was nine. He escaped about two years ago, but was hurt a few months later. He's developed some trust issues that he's trying to get over. It kills him to not be able to trust, but he's been hurt by too many strangers. He doesn't know you yet. Just give him time. He'll relax, and come to trust you. He's careful, because he doesn't want to be hurt again."

Dick was starting to calm down. He was starting to feel as if they wouldn't hurt him, just like Bruce and Wally had said. the team felt this change, and relaxed as well. He felt somewhat comfortable around them. It made them happy to see a person who found it hard to trust trusted them.

"So, how did you guys form? I know the basics, you busted Superboy out of Cadmus, but how did it happen?" Dick asked. "The League got an anonymous tip, saying Cadmus was up to something. Kid Flash, Red Arrow and I snuck in, and found Superboy. The league made us a recon team, but I don't believe that we have stayed recon." Kaldur explained. They had moved to the living room, allowing people to sit in chairs and on couches.

"When was the tip sent?" Dick was getting a strange sense of deja Vu. Aqualad pulled up records. "July third, 16:35. Why?" Dick paled. "That was my tip."