4 Part 4

Wally's POV

The next morning, Artemis and I were busy watching the others sparr. We hadn't been sent on many missions lately, as all of them had ended in some sort of disaster. Even with Kaldur back, the team just wasn't the same without Dick. The only reason we had defeated the Light and the Reach was because Artemis and I had been communicating with him while he was undercover, him telling us where to go, what to do, basically leading the team from afar all while trying not to blow his cover. I wasn't sure how he managed it all.

That was another reason I was angry at the rest of the team. Dick did so much for them, and then they repay him by treating him so badly. They have realised now though, that without Dick, the team just doesn't seem to work. He was the glue holding us all together, the oil to the machine, and without him, things just don't work out.

Therefore, when I heard the zeta beams announce, "Nightwing B01," I was never more grateful for anything in my life.

Dick's POV

When I arrived, dressed in my usual blue bird emblemed suit and black domino mask, the zeta beams announced my arrival.

I expected there to be shouts of fury and disbelief at my arrival, and I was ready for it. What I wasn't prepared for, was what actually came.

I walked into the sitting room to find that no one was there. I could hear noises coming from the training room, however, so I walked in that direction. I found most of the team there, some of them sparring, others standing on the sidelines watching. I went and stood in the doorway to watch as well.

Currently, Tim, dressed as Red Robin, was sparring against Artemis. They were both pretty evenly matched, so I was proud when my younger brother won, knocking Artemis to the floor. He put out his hand, which she took, and helped pull her up.

"Thanks," she said, "good work."

Wally then came up to me, seeming to be the only one to notice I was there.

"You've come back." he said, quietly

"I thought it was about time," I replied, giving him a small smile.

"Why didn't you let them know you were here?"

I shrugged," Let them realise it for themselves."

The two of us continued to stand in the doorway, watching as Tim now went up against Lagoon-Boy, defeating him easily. It was actually quite interesting to watch without anyone knowing I was there. I had always felt that they were careful around me, whether it was because I was in charge or something else, I wasn't sure. But now that they didn't know I was there, they did things more naturally, which was pleasing.

After two more sparring matches, everyone decided it was time for a break, and turned to the doorway in order to leave. Tim was the first of the bunch to notice me.

"Dick!" he cried, running up to me and hugging me, "you're back!"

"Yes," I replied chuckling, "and I'm afraid you're stuck with me."

"You know," Tim said, " I'm glad you're back."

I smiled at him

"So am I,"

After that, I was greeted, much to my surprise, by an onslaught of tears, hugs and apologies. It seemed like everything was back to normal, and I was the happiest I had been in months.

Later, Babs, or rather Batgirl, came up to stand besides me as i watched the others talk animatedly with each other.

"Are you alright?" she asked me anxiously.

"No," I replied, giving her a warm smile, "I'm better than 'alright'"

Tim then announced that he was leaving.he came over to talk to me

"Bruce wants to know if you'll come over this weekend, something about 'Jason' and 'a family lunch' ?"

He raised an eyebrow. I laughed.

"Sure, tell him I'll be there by 10:00 am."

He grinned and ran off towards the zeta beams, which soon announced his departure. I smiled to myself. What I told Babs was true. I was the happiest I had been in a long time, and nothing anyone said would change