a/n: Dick slowly losing his shit and letting Maeve take control of everything will always be personal to me.

~Dick's POV~

"You ready?"

"No... but what choice do I have?" Maeve sighed, rubbing her temples. "I just want this over with. The autopsy took long enough as it is."

This has been the month from hell.

Jason's autopsy took longer than expected due to his injuries, Maeve and I decided to graduate early to not deal with everyone asking questions, I've been made Team Leader after Kaldur infiltrated the Light, Roy's missing again, Wally and Artemis officially resigned and Zatanna and Raquel have been asked to join the League.

Bruce has barely left the Cave this month. After Arkham, Gotham City has had their lowest crime rate in decades.

And we're talking nonexistent.

Not even petty robberies have happened this month. Everyone's scared of the Batman and Domino after Arkham.

Especially Maeve.

She's barely left the Manor and barely sleeps. I haven't touched my bed in a month because I'm scared to leave her alone because of her nightmares.

Not that mine are any better, but it helps to have her close to me.

"You look beautiful." I smiled softly and pulled her away from the mirror. "Did you eat something?"

"Alfred made my favorite pancakes... I ate while you were showering." Maeve shrugged, trying to not look at me, her eyes cold and distant.

"Where are you?" I whispered, tilting her chin up gently. "And don't say here, because you're not."

"How can you still look at me after what I've done in there?"

"Because you're home where you're safe. That's all that matters to me, Maeve."

"But I-"

"You did what you had to do to survive, to protect him. That's all I care about, Maeve."

"Would you have done the same?" Maeve asked, finally looking up at me and my heart ached. "If you were in my shoes and it was the the two of you in there, would you have done it?"

"Without question and without hesitation." I replied immediately and she widened her eyes surprised. "Joker will get what he deserves, Mae. I promise that you'll be the one deciding his fate, not Bruce."

"Even if it means I kill him?"

"Then you'd finally be free of him."

｡ﾟ•┈୨🃏୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"Can't believe one of us is actually six feet under."

"Two... Mae died with him." I said, not tearing my gaze from Maeve and Bruce who were standing in front of Jason's grave. "She asked me if I'd do the same thing she did in Arkham."

"And your reply was?" Raquel asked, standing next to Wally and Artemis.

"Yes."

"Dick! You can't-"

"Two things. One, she needs comfort and to know she's not turning into Joker. Two, I definitely would've given the situation." I interrupted Wally and he widened his eyes. "Think about it, Wall... if it were you and me in there, or you and Artemis, and your only thought is surviving and you're running on rage and adrenaline because you're both dancing with death. What would you do?"

Wally, as well as the rest of the Team, stayed silent and looked down.

"You all just proved my point."

"Something needs to happen to make sure this doesn't happen again." Zatanna sighed as we all watch Maeve break down in Bruce's arms. "I can't imagine what she's feeling right now... He died in her arms."

"She's confused." Artemis called out and everyone, except me and Wally, turned to her confused. "She doesn't know what grief is."

"God, remember the Failsafe? She didn't even understand what death was and now she experienced it first hand." Wally sighed.

"She's come a long way since the Team was first formed. I'm afraid this is gonna set her back big time." Megan added. "Everything was much easier four years ago."

I decided to ignore everyone and make my way to Jason's grave, fighting my own tears when Maeve's sobs grew louder.

"My little bird... my Robin." She kept repeating and Bruce looked over at me, fighting his own tears.

"Mae... it's time." I whispered, reaching out to wipe her tears. "It's time to go home."

"I don't wanna go home." She whimpered, tightening her grip on Bruce. "It doesn't feel like home anymore."

"We'll get through this, Mae." Bruce promised, gently pulling her away. "The four of us will get through this."

I still don't know if he's trying to convince us or himself.

"I don't understand it, Dad..."

"You don't have to understand anything right now, Miss Maeve." Alfred assured, placing a comforting hand on my shoulder. "But it is time to go home. You can still visit him whenever you want."

"Promise?"

"I promise, Miss Maeve."

｡ﾟ•┈୨🃏୧┈• ｡ﾟ

"What are you doing?"

"Designing and making a new suit instead of rotting in my room... Katie said I should do something productive with my life."

"Katie was in the military. She's the last person one should take advise from" I shrugged, setting a cup of tea beside her while Kate flipped me off. "Though I do like how it's coming along."

"We tried to talk her out of it." Barbara called out and Bruce nodded.

"I'm not gonna stand here and wallow in my own self pity anymore. I want my life back." Maeve rolled her eyes and pulled me towards the computer. "Blue or should I stick to the white?"

"I'd say green because it's my favorite color, but whatever makes you comfortable with it." I shrugged, glancing over at her notes. "Gun holsters, really?"

"Rubber bullets and a static gun."

"And the crowbar? Why?"

"I have my reasons... I can pull out teeth with it." Maeve shrugged and I pinched the bridge of my nose.

"As long as you're comfortable with it, go on ahead." I repeated and she smiled slightly. "And as long as you don't lose your center."

"Considering my center is currently rotting six feet under, I think we're well past that, Dick." She rolled her eyes and walked to the back of the Cave. "Babs, I need someone to zip me up."

"And what are you doing?" I asked Bruce who didn't look up from our utility belts.

"Microscopic trackers. I'm not taking any chances again." He mumbled. "Mae, your suit has titanium lining, right?"

"And it's bulletproof!" She called out. "Tights are also lined with titanium and I put in the heat sensors! Anything else I should add?"

"Not anything I can think of right now."

"I think I should change the zipper, though. It's gonna be a bitch to zip up by myself... but other than that, I think it's done." Maeve walked out from the changing room and my eyes widened.

God, I love my girlfriend.

Her new suit was a black leotard with gray tights and a green logo similar to mine. Her domino mask still had the plastic covering instead of the white one and instead of the pigtails she wore her hair loose.

"How does it feel?" Kate asked with a smirk.

"Light." She sighed in relief and did a handstand, bending both of her legs so they touched her forehead. "And way more flexible than my old one."

"It looks good." Barbara praised, standing next to me and elbowed my side. "Close your mouth, stupid."

"Guys, Alfred's calling us up for dinner!" Kate called out from the elevator. "And that Barbara can stay the night if she wants, but I'm leaving after because I'm not babysitting!"

"I gotta change... I'll be up in ten." Maeve waved it off and walked back to the changing room.

"We'll meet you up there." I told Bruce and he nodded, handing me Maeve's new belt.

"She's a time bomb right now... be careful." He whispered and walked away.

"You're supposed to be fighting with Babs over a steak right now." Maeve said, walking out of the room in sweats and one of Jason's shirts, her hair in a claw clip.

"I love the new suit." I sheepishly shrugged and she nodded surprised. "And my favorite color too?"

"You're wearing mine, it's only fair I did the same." She winked and made her way to our old suits that Bruce exhibits and stopped right in front of Jason's. "How do you deal with it?"

"With what?"

"Grief. Roy tried explaining it to me once and I didn't understand."

"Everyone deals with it a little differently." I mumbled, wrapping my arms around her waist and rested my head on her shoulder. "Sometimes it helps to talk about it."

"Joker took ten years of my life... pivotal moments of my life that I'll never get back. And for what? He took my Robin and then took another month from me." Maeve sighed, leaning back against my chest. "I want my life back, Dick. I wanna be me again, but I think she died in Arkham when Jay died."

"You'll get your life back, Mae." I promised and she nodded shakily.

"I'm starting the hunt... preferably in a place where the Batman isn't breathing down my neck."

"Looks like it's time to work, huh? Like old times?"

"Exactly like old times."

"Can't wait."