CONCEAL, DON'T FEEL [✓]

*0.013*

"Alexis! He's awake!" M'gann exclaimed as she ran into the other room in the medical bay where Alexis had shot straight up from her spot in the chair next to the medical bed.

"Okay, I'm on my way! Watch Elizabeth, okay?" Alexis asked before she rushed out of the room. Alexis made her way to the other room and was surprised to see Nightwing standing near the doorway, as if he was waiting for her. "Oh, hi. You're awake."

Nightwing looked at her before his frown seemed to express itself more visibly on his face. "Hi. Um.."

"Here. Let me help to that chair." Alexis offered warily as she helped Nightwing to the chair just next to the medical bed and sat him down in it, causing him to groan softly.

"You okay?" Alexis asked as Nightwing nodded. Alexis, for some reason, had observed him for a second. She didn't know why, but she did. Her mind went scrambled as she stared Nightwing up and down. For one thing, she was staring at his chest and abs. Like, what sense does that make?!

"Um..Alexis?" Alexis broke out of her trance and saw that Nightwing slightly smirking at her. "What?"

"You were staring."

"Shut up!" Alexis said while looking away, making sure that she had the blush that went across her face. She heard Nightwing chuckle softly before she looked back at him.

"Anyway, all jokes aside," Nightwing began as Alexis folded her arms. "I want to apologize to you about the way I've been treating you. About the rude comments and the mistreatment. Whatever that thing was that was stuck in the back of my neck, it had controlled my emotions. Made me say things and do things that I would never do to anyone on the team."

"I know." Alexis said as Nightwing looked at her in shock. "What do you mean? I was horrible to you."

"Yeah, you were. But when I saw that chip in your neck, I knew that it wasn't you doing the talking. But I will say one thing.." Alexis said as she stared Nightwing dead in the eye. "I forgive you, Nightwing. But I'll never forget."

"I know you won't. And I know it will feel out of place now that that thing isn't controlling me anymore." Nightwing said as Alexis looked down at her feet. "But, I want us to start over, Alexis." Nightwing pleaded while grasping her hand. Alexis was shocked by the contact and had stiffened up slightly.

"Nightwing, I.." Alexis began as she looked at him. "I..do want to start over. But, I'm not sure if I can."

"I understand. I just want you to trust me again. Like we did as kids." Nightwing slightly pleaded as Alexis' eyes began to water. She bit on her lip before letting out a shaky breath.

"I'll try." The corner of Nightwing's mouth rose slightly as he got up and hesitantly wrapped his arms around her. Alexis wanted to push him off and tell him that she's not ready for that yet, but what stopped her was the fact that he imbraced her. She missed this. She missed hugging him and holding him and never letting go.

All those 5 years of torture and mistreatment seemed to wash away from her mind. She felt the warmth of her best friend again. She smiled softly before she finally wrapped her arms around him.

"I know I haven't told you this, but I want to thank you for the times you've saved my life." Nightwing added in as Alexis hugged tighter as if saying you're welcome.

"Hey, guys." Nightwing and Alexis quickly parted to see M'gann standing by the doorway smirking. "If you guys are done, Batman, Black Canary, and my uncle are here." Alexis and Nightwing looked at each other before Alexis nodded and left out of the room.

"I see it went well." M'gann said as Nightwing nodded. "Yeah. I'm glad I was able to get through with her. Hopefully, we can lead the team together."

"You still want her to lead the team alongside yourself?" M'gann asked in surprise as Nightwing nodded. "Alexis would make a great leader. I have faith in her."

"As do I." M'gann said with a smile. "Well, let's get go before the team worries."
-

"Nightwing, Miss Martian." Batman greeted as soon as Nightwing and M'gann entered the briefing room where everyone including Alexis and Elizabeth were waiting. "What happened?"

"Nightwing had been under some kind of control by this chip on the back of his neck. It was what was making him say things he wouldn't normally say." Miss Martian began as Alexis added in: "It was made by the same technology that this company my dad worked at used to build clones. Giving them emotions, feelings, the whole nine yards."

"We're not exactly sure which company because there are at least 3 companies invested in building clones. One of them is Lexcorp, of course." Robin said as Batman and the other two Leaguers took their attention to the hologram projecting the details of the chip.

"Good. We'll continue to investigate this. Right now, I got a new mission for all of you.."