-Athena's POV-

"What is she doing here?" Donna's wicked voice seemed far away. My eyes and mind were locked with Dick's, staring each other down. I was trying to convey how sorry I was through my eyes, but it didn't seem to work. I knew how I looked on the outside. I had spent way too long developing the strong, confident, intimidating look that I couldn't change it.

"Nightingale is here to rejoin the team. I think the whole situation was a misunderstanding. We all have our pasts," Aqualad glanced at me and Artemis, "and the past does not define our presents or our futures. Nightingale has a sensitive past that she wants to keep personal and I think we can respect that.

"It is what she does now that defines her, not what she has done. And so far, she has proved that she serves justice, just like we do," Kaldur put his arm on my shoulder, but I could barely feel it resting there, "however, this is not a dictatorship. I will leave it up to a vote."

Everyone glanced around. A fire flashed behind Dick's eyes. I felt my eyebrows knit together. Deep inside of me, maybe in the pit of my stomach or in my heart, I felt a twinge of pain shoot through me. I had experienced physical pain -- pain so intense it was a miracle I survived -- but the last emotional pain I felt was when Coda was killed.

Dick's eyes left mine. He jerked around, his back facing me. I could hear his feet stomp against the floor as he stormed out of the room.

"Dick!" Wally called out. Artemis gripped his arm, keeping him in place. His eyes slid to mine, a glare on his face as well.

Donna smirked.

"Well, let's vote. I do not want to waste anymore time. If you think Nightingale shouldn't be on the Team, say so now," Aqualad crossed his tanned arms.

"No more traitors," Wally growled. Donna, of course, agreed. Guardian also offered up his opinion.

"Assassins are usually bad guys...I don't think having her on the Team is a good idea." He cowered down as Bumblebee looked over. She looked hurt and she wasn't even the one being debated against.

"I think Athena is one of the most trustworthy people I know. Her past doesn't change that," Zatanna stated boldly.

"We all make mistakes," Batgirl agreed.

"Aren't heroes supposed to give second chances?" Cassie smiled, her bright teeth seeming to fill the room with sunshine. Tim nodded along, flashing me a reassuring grin.

"She's one of the best people on this team, we can't just let her leave," Connor said, "especially when I still haven't defeated her in a fight." He winked.

"Athena has been gone for two months without any contact with us," Artemis flashed me a glare, "and look what she has done -- nothing. She didn't go kill people, she didn't go to Ra's Al Ghul. She stayed here."

"She has a good heart," Roy didn't look at me, but a smile lit him up.

After everyone offered up their opinions, Aqualad took the final deciding votes. "We have three against, seven for, and seven abstained. We need one person to make a decision."

Blue Beetle stepped forward. "I know what betrayal feels like. I experienced it during the fight with the Reach. Nightingale didn't betray us."

"Then, she stays," no one cheered or shouted, "let's assign missions."

As everyone gathered around the computers, I turned my head before arms wrapped around me. My legs left the floor as I was spun gently. When I was finally let down, Roy's face looked like it was about to split open. His mouth was about to touch his ears, his smile was so wide. His cheeks were almost as red as his hair.

"I- We have missed you," he said, hugging me. I put my hands against him to push him away, but I let him have his glory.

I felt a pair of knuckles hit my shoulder. "Yeah, seriously, why didn't you contact me? Even I didn't know where you were and I'm your best friend," Artemis glared, pulling Roy off of me. I smiled, happy to see her.

"I couldn't risk being found or taken in by the ones who don't like me," I looked over my shoulder to see the pout on Donna's face. She looked like a child.

"I would never take you to the cops, are you kidding?" Artemis punched me again. She was using anger to disguise that she actually missed me. I did the same.

"Will you stop punching me? I'm here now, aren't I?'

"After two months!" Both the archers shouted. I shook my head. We all joined the group. Connor nodded and smiled to me as I stood beside him. Blue Beetle also flashed me a grin. Tim stood on my right, Cassie holding his hand. I was surrounded by all the people who voted me to stay. Even a smile was on our leader's face. Aqualad struggled to keep his grin off his face as he pulled up mission files.

Missions were assigned as normal. It felt nice to be back. I was put on Gamma squad, which I didn't mind. Donna was on Alpha and Roy and Artemis joined me on Gamma. Aqualad patted my shoulder as we embarked on our mission.

-

Roy insisted that a 'welcome back' dinner was in order. Everyone who didn't hate my guts and felt sure about my intentions joined us. We all showered at the Watchtower and changed into normal clothes.

Tim called Alfred to pick us up, telling him that he had a surprise. When the limo pulled up, Alfred hopped out and wrapped his old arms around me. I giggled and grinned.

"Alright, alright. It's only been two months," I regarded.

"Two months that we didn't know where you were Master Athena. Two months we thought you were hurt or maybe even dead...or worse," Alfred looked down at his feet.

"Worse? Like what? That I actually did betray you guys?" Everyone had gotten in the car except Tim, Alfred, and I.

"We didn't believe that!" Tim objected. "The only one who thought that was Dick and he was just..." Tim stopped after he realized what he said.

"Yeah, of course Dick thought that's where I went." I rolled my eyes. Alfred put his hand on my shoulder.

"Master Dick is just confused. We all are. He just can't except the feeling yet."

I swatted his hand off, trying to control my anger. "Whatever. Let's just go to dinner." I opened the door and allowed Tim to get in. I tried to take the front seat, but I was dragged to sit beside Roy. However, my arm was tugged by Kaldur. I was instead plopped down beside him. Roy grunted in defeat.

"Hey, Kaldur, thanks for...y'know...helping me get back on the Team," I whispered in his ear as everyone sang aloud to the music in the car, "it was really nice."

"Anything for someone I care about," he kissed the top of my hand and turned to look at me. His eyes raked across my face as if he was taking in every detail. I blushed and turned away. I was delighted to see a bit of pink on his dark skin. He scooted away so our thighs weren't touching anymore. He turned to talk to Zatanna.

The whole ride, the radio in the back was cranked up loud. Everyone who could drink did so and even a couple of minors. I, of course, drank the champagne being passed around. Even though New Years was months ago, we partied like it was that night. We belted out tune after tune until our loud limo pulled up to the restaurant.

Roy had chosen a fancy french place. One by one, we piled out of the car and into the restaurant like cattle. The server noticed Roy Harper as Oliver Queen's ward, Timothy Drake as Bruce Wayne's ward, and Victoria Smith as Bruce Wayne's new partner. When you are in a family worth billions of dollars, you don't need reservations. Even if it means you are a group of eleven people. Impulse and Blue Beetle stared intently at all the food whizzing past.

"When do we get to eat?" Bart asked, impatiently. We found our table. It was a secluded, long table in a separate room that had windows on every wall. Out the windows, you could see the glittering city of Gotham.

"Calm down. Our appetizers should be out soon," Bumblebee answered.

"We didn't even order!" Bart shouted.

Kaldur sighed. "We let the chef chose what we are having."

"The whole meal?"

"Yes."

"Even drinks?"

"Yes."

"And dessert?"

"Yes." Artemis growled, impatient with Bart's immature nature. He sank down in his seat. Artemis sat beside him, since she was close to the Flash family. Beside him was Blue Beetle, who looked overwhelmed by the fancy restaurant. I was on Artemis's left, with Kaldur on my right. Roy sat across from me sandwiched between Zatanna and Karen. Tim and Cassie sat beside Kaldur, talking with their faces close together. Connor was beside Cassie and chatted with Zatanna.

A platter of bread and a pot of fondue was placed before us. Before anyone could blink, Bart had already dipped two slices. They hung out of his mouth as he stuffed them in his mouth.

"Don't eat too much, the first course should be out in about five minutes," Kaldur said, chewing on a small slice of bread.

"I don't get full," Bart replied, gulping down two more cheese-dipped slices. I sipped at the glass of white wine Kaldur ordered.

The first course was oysters, much to Kaldur's liking. He ate at least half of them by himself. He ignored the second course of soups and salads. When the final course came out, everyone was happy to finish every morsel. We dined on duck with vegetables and rolls. Dessert came last, but no one but Bart could finish their fancy, sweet, meal. I took a bite of my cheesecake before deciding to drink the dessert wine instead. Kaldur choked down a couple of bites of cake before letting Bart finish it.

Everyone at the table leaned back in their chairs, letting the pleasing feeling of a food coma wash over them. My eyelids were getting heavy, too. All the leftovers were wrapped up and handed to each person. The three people who inherited billions split the bill. Tim and I decided to leave first.

Kaldur, Roy, and Artemis followed me out. We all wobbled out to the car, our bellies maybe too full.

"Thank you for the dinner," I said, smiling. Artemis punched my arm.

"You better show up tomorrow or I will kill you," she threatened.

"I am back for good. I won't leave without telling you guys," I promised. I meant it, deep down. The more I thought about it, the less my mission meant to me. Of course I wanted to avenge my parents, but I didn't want to kill Bruce. He had only been a friend to me. And ever since my true identity was revealed, the need for revenge was feeling less and less important. I also didn't feel loyal to Ra's anymore. Actually, I was dreading seeing him again. I didn't want to leave.

I didn't want to complete my mission.

"Archery this Saturday?" Roy asked, hugging me. I smiled. He nodded and went back inside with Artemis.

"I'm glad you're back, water lily," he purred, grabbing my shoulder.

"Glad to be back," I looked down, "I just wish things would go back to how they were. Some people seem to be okay with it, but some people aren't." Dick's glare burned behind my eyes. I felt my arm tense up. Kaldur must've noticed too, because he gently massaged where I had tensed.

"Those who deserve you will accept you for who you are," he said, quietly. I felt his finger trace the tiny bird tattooed on my neck. I shivered, the memory when I got it flooding my mind. They didn't have tattoo needles at the League of Assassins. They had knives dipped in ink.

"It's alright. I will always be here for you," Kaldur lifted my chin, his hand trailing away from the tattoo, "Dick will come around. He isn't very intelligent if he let's someone like you slip from his grasp."

A genuine grin warmed me. The cold, Gotham air made my skin tingle. I had, of course, been forced to experience colder in way less clothing, but it still made me shiver. I longed for Dick's arms around me. He always was like a furnace. Or maybe he just warmed me up by being around.

"Thank you so much, Kaldur," I said, hugging him. He rubbed my cold arms with his large hands. He pressed a kiss on my forehead and opened the door for me. "You're one of my best friends," I turned toward him before he closed the door.

"And you, one of mine," a dimple appeared as he closed the door.

I fell asleep in the car. Despite the warm and kind nature of Kaldur, the dark rejection of Dick prevented me from having any good dreams. I was, instead, comforted with flashbacks and memories of all the tortures I had been through. Sweet dreams were not in order when the only person I had loved in years hated me.

~~~I did it! I updated! I love all the support you guys give me. Seriously, I thought you guys would hate me for being so inconsistent, but you guys are just so amazing for sticking through with me. I promise things will be better in this book soon enough. And before you ask, Kaldur and Athena are just friends ;) Don't forget to vote, comment, and follow if you aren't already! Love you guys xoxo~~~~~