Chalant Kisses

Cheek Kiss

"I'm no therapist but I promise you this: I will listen. I will care"

~ Unknown

When she had joined the Team on their mission to find Red Tornado, he had first hand seen her strength. She held her own during the battle, assisting and providing backup when it was needed while still attacking Red Volcano with confidence burning in her eyes. She was the wildcard that the team needed to finish the fight.

After she left with a very angry Zatara, he hadn't seen her again until the adults disappeared. That confidence she had when he had first met her was gone, replaced with worry and fear for her father, Robin encouraged her through it, promising that they'd find her father and all the other adults. She was grateful.

With her help, they located the source of the anomaly and defeated Klarion. At a cost.

Zatara gave his life to Nabu for his daughter's, leaving Zatanna fatherless and guilt ridden. Batman made arrangements to move her into the cave so she packed up her life and moved into the Cave with the help of M'gann, Artemis, and Robin.

She locked herself in her room for days crying and wallowing in her guilt for putting her father in that position. M'gann would leave her food at her door. She would never open the door but the food would be gone a few hours later after it had long ago cooled. Artemis and M'gann had tried many times to get her to let them in but she would just ignore them.

Robin visited the Cave one night just getting off of patrol. He had expected everyone to be asleep, but the kitchen light was on. He was shocked by who was there. "Zatanna?"

She almost dropped the bowl of food she was carrying. "Oh. Hey Robin. I didn't hear you come in." He realized she had just finished crying when she turned around and her eyes were red and puffy. She walked over and sat on one of the kitchen stools and slowly started to eat. He sat beside her. "Are you okay?"

"Mmhmm. Just peachy."

"You sure don't sound peachy."

"I'm just tired and hungry," she mumbled in between bites.

"What you're doing isn't healthy, Zatanna. You need to talk. That's the only way you'll be able to let it out."

"My mom died before I was even old enough to remember her. My dad was the only person I had left. He was the one I ran to when I needed one to talk to. He's the only one who's been there for me. Now he's gone." She started crying again and wiped her tears away with the back of her hands. She didn't want to cry in front of anyone, especially not Robin.

"When I was eight years old, my family died in an accident." He had turned around on stool and leaned back against the kitchen counter. His shades kept his eyes hidden but his frown said enough. "After they died I was put into a juvenile services system because social services were full. One day, some of the juveniles ganged up and beat me. They found me bleeding and bruised the next day. They sent me to a Catholic orphanage soon after."

She blinked. "I'm sorry but wha-"

"During those times, I didn't have anyone to talk to. I didn't really have anyone. But you're different, Zatanna. You've got Batman, Black Canary, Artemis, M'gann, Kaldur, Kid, Connor, and me. Whenever you need to talk, whatever you need, we're here."

Her tears stopped falling and she smiled.

Recognize Artemis B-0-7

She stood up from her chair and tossed her bowl in the garbage. "I'm going to bed. See you tomorrow and..." She walked back over and leaned over to kiss him on the cheek. "Thanks." She walked to her new room with a little more bounce in her step than before.

"Hey Robin. More work for Bats?" Artemis had just gotten back from her night classes. She wasn't shocked to see the Boy Wonder here. He'd usually at the Cave late researching or hacking while the Team was asleep.

"Nope just popped in to get something to eat and head home." He spoke quickly as he hopped off the stool and grabbed an apple from the refrigerator. He kept his head down as he walked past so that she wouldn't see the tomato that his face had turned into.

"Are you alright?"" Artemis asked when Robin practically ran past her towards the Zeta-tubes.

"Yep. I'll see you guys tomorrow. Later." The Zeta-tube activated and in a flash he was gone, leaving behind an extremely confused Artemis.

"Was it something I said?"