Becca didn't verplaats as Serepta strapped her down to the table. As long as Robin and the team was safe, there was no need to try and escape. Serepta smiled down at her, loving the painful vibe Becca was putting off.
“I'm so glad u were able to make it. I was afraid u and your boyfriend were going to become my birds of prey.”
“Robin is not my boyfriend.”
“Really? Oh. Such a shame he never will be. I just have one vraag for u though?”
Becca turned to stare up at her sister.
“Why did u never tell him?”
“Tell who what?”
“You know. But since u won't be thinking much longer, I'll humor you. Why did u never tell Robin that u love him?”
“Because it was obvious that we were never going to end up together. Even if I were to live. Besides, he's got other people.”
“Yes. That Kid Flash seems to be rather hooked on the bird.”
“Precisely.”
“Oh well. u made the right choice. See, if I take your soul, I can bring Devin back.”
“I figured. u always did blame me.”
“Well if u look at the evidence, it's quite clear.”
“I guess. Never one to change your mind of reconsider.”
“Nope. I do wish u could say hello. But u know that won't be possible.”
“Yep.”
“Such a tragic turn of events. If only I had another sister. Then I could bring mom back too.”
“Why don't you?”
“I miss Devin much more.”
“Harsh.”
“Yeah. But that's life my dear Becca.”
“So how does this work? Am I going to feel pain?”
“I hope so. Most don't but I usually wait until they die. But I'll need to use a fresh spirit. So you'll need to be alive.”
“And what happens to me?”
“I sell u to the same person who took my soul. Then I'll need your body for Devin.”
“Makes sense.”
“You seem so calm little Sparrow. Why is that?”
“Because you'll be happy. And so will the others.”
“You're right. I will be very happy. The only one I'm worried about is Robin.”
“No. He'll be fine after awhile. Besides, Devin will be back.”
“Right. Hmmm. u are a smart one aren't you? And I'm sure you'll find some way to return. u always do. Well did.”
“Thank u for the confidence.”
“Your welcome. Now. Shall we get started?”
“Yeah. The sooner I leave the better.”
“Good Sparrow. Just give me a minute.”
But Serepta didn't get a minute. Superboy smashed through the uithangbord and the others soon joined him.
“I thought u zei goodbye,” Serepta said, putting up a shield.
“I did. They didn't.”
“And they won't, am I correct? They want to save you?”
“Don't ask me. I don't know why they would.”
“True. u have become a burden.”
“Correct.”
Serepta grabbed her cane, throwing it at them. They scattered but continued to hit her with everything they had. But Serepta's powers were quite strong; she could cast multiple spells. She also knew each of their weaknesses, which she used to no extent.
“Nice,” Becca commentaar gegeven as Serepta used a high speed tornado to trap the speedster.
“Right? I learned that awhile back. And I learned this one a few days ago.”
Serepta cast a fireball in her hand and threw it towards the martian girl.
“Hmm. u were off.”
“Yeah. I just wanted to see what would happen. At least I have the speedster still.”
“Oh u do. I forgot about him.”
“I did too.”
Becca turned her gaze to look at the wall. The clock read 11:59. One meer minuut and it would be midnight.
“What? What's happening?” Serepta yelled.
Correction; a few seconds.
“Oh! u devious little team! I can't believe u did that! And after what I was going to do!”
Becca looked away as a bright blue light flashed. She could hear screams and a hissing sound but she didn't turn her gaze. She shut her eyes tightly. When the light faded, Becca opened her eyes. The others were on the floor, probably knocked out from the light. She bent her knee and pulled the dagger from her boot. She used it to cut the leather band that pinned her arms to the table. She sat up and went over to Robin. Becca rolled him onto his back and he opened his eyes.
“Becca? How'd u get free?”
Becca held up the dagger with a smile.
“Many tricks up my sleeve.”
Robin smiled, sitting up. Becca put the dagger away and hugged him.
“I'm so sorry,” he whispered.
“About what?”
“Everything. I didn't mean to have u pulled away. I should have defended u better, be a better friend.”
“It's okay. u have new friends.”
Robin pulled away to look her in the eye.
“That's no excuse! u were my first friend. u should have remained my friend.”
“We grew up, Robin. Things change.”
“Including your emotions?”
Becca stared at him.
“I know u like me Becca.”
“If only it was just that. I don't like u Robin. I love you. I always have. But u never seemed to notice so I let it go.”
“I hope u mean that.”
“Of course! I don't pour my emotions out randomly. u know that.”
“Yeah. I also know that I've loved u forever too.”
Becca just stared. She couldn't speak even as she had words to say. She couldn't speak even meer when a pair of lips attached to hers gently. Becca shut her eyes, kissing back shyly. She couldn't believe this was happening! Robin was kissing her! And he loved her! Becca looked up a little breathlessly when he pulled away, feeling her cheeks start to heat up.
“Ow! What happened?”
Both Becca and Robin turned to look over at Wally, who was sitting up with a hand to his head.
“Serepta,” Robin answered simply.
“yeah I knew that! Ah.”
Becca looked through her utility riem and pulled out her vial of clear liquid.
“Here. This'll help with the pain.”
Wally's eyes widened and he took it.
“Thanks,” he muttered.
Becca waved it off and retrieved it when he sipped a little.
“Not too much,” she warned. “You'll get sleepy.”
She went of to the other member who were starting to slowly get up and made each of them take it some.
“Are u okay?” Artemis asked when Becca came to her.
“Yeah. I've faced my sister many times so I'm used to the vertigo such lights create.”
Artemis nodded, taking the vial and did as Becca instructed. When each had had a little, Becca capped it and put it back in it's spot. She also took out a couple of washcloths and asked Kaldur to wet them. She gave one to Megan and the other to Artemis before she used the last one on Wally.
“You might need to put ice on your head when u get back,” she advised.
“You aren't coming with us?”
“Sorry Megan. But I need to look into a few things and see if I can fix them.”
“Where will u go?”
“Here. Serepta already bought the place and paid off the mortgage. Shouldn't be too hard to clear all this stuff out. Besides, now that she's gone, everything that was hers will disappear with in the volgende few hours. It all came with the selling of her soul.”
“Well now what? What are u going to do?”
“What I always have done. Save a couple lives and chase down the bad guys. What else?”
“Are u going to be okay here door yourself?” Artemis asked.
“Yeah. Now that I don't need to hid from Serepta, I have nothing left to be afraid of. And I know all forms of self defense, martial arts, straat fights, and anything else that they teach u on the streets. I also have had an education so I'm good.”
“To live door yourself?”
Becca smiled brightly. She placed her hand on her hips as she stood before them.
“I've lived door myself for five years, heroes. And now that I have vrienden like you, I know I'll be veilig at night. Even if I'm here.”
They smiled at the reference she used; Becca hadn't called the her vrienden since the moment she arrived. She had only referred to them as allies. But they could see she meant what she said.
“Now. Why don't we head back to the mountain, I can bring my stuff here, and Megan can cook us some dinner.”
The others exchanged looks and Megan blushed fiercely.
“I don't think that's a good idea,” Artemis said. “Megan isn't the best cook around.”
“On the contrary, Megan is a natural.”
Becca winked at the Martian who giggled in return.

“Ohmygosh! This is sooooooooooooo good! How'd u do it?” Wally hummed excitedly as he took another huge bite of Megan's spaghetti.
“Just a few secrets.”
Becca laughed and Megan smiled at her. The two dropped eye contact as the others joined Wally's encouraging spiel.
“Seriously Meg. How'd u make this so delicious?” Artemis asked.
“Like I said. A few tricks I learned along the way.”
“Hey Megan?” Becca cut in.
“Yeah?”
“Do u want to come back with me and help me set up my new place? I sure could use the help.”
“Hello Megan (hehehehehehehe I HAD to)! Of course I would!”
“Good. I also have a surprise u might enjoy.”
The two shared a look and then went back to eating as the others started pestering them about what Becca was talking about. With a devious smirk, Becca finally answered them.
“Alright. If any of u want to watch the Twilight saga with us, u may come.”
The pestering abruptly stopped and Becca went back to eating.
“So what's your plan for this weekend?” she asked.
“We're going to see one of Wally's nerdy science conventions in Central City,” Artemis said. “You're welcome to kom bij us.”
“I don't know. Sounds pretty boring,” Becca zei with a smirk.
“Whatever,” Wally said. “Just don't bring your sticks if u do; the guards will kick u out.”
“Wouldn't that make u happy?”
Now that Becca and Robin were an official couple (XD!), Wally had stopped accusing her and they had become close friends.
“Nah. I would miss seeing you're bored expression.”
Becca rolled her eyes and smiled. They finished their food in silence and then Megan surprised them door pulling out a perfect batch of chocolate hip cookies.
“Very nice,” Artemis complimented. “Another secret?”
“No. I just had a good tipper.”
Becca smiled brightly.
“No one can beat my mom's recipe. So enjoy them while they last.”
Becca was very pleased door the compliments she got and blushed lightly.
“it's my mom's recipe. I had nothing to do with it. I just remembered it.”
“What happened to the written one? I remember seeing her with it,” Robin reminisced.
“It was in the house wqhen it burned down. This was after I'd been on the streets but I heard about it. Was told door a friend.”
“Did u ever retrieve anything from your house?” Megan asked.
Becca's smile softened and it was clear was trying to hold back tears.
“No. Everything was gone when I arrived. There was nothing left.”
Robin put a hand on her back, kissing her temple. Becca leaned into him and continued to fight back the tears.
“Why were u living on the streets anyway?” Wally asked. “You never did tell us.”
“Right. My mom was diagnosed with cancer a few years ago. She died and then, weeks later, my dad was killed in a car accident. My sister ran away and, because I was scared out of my flipping mind, I followed.”
“What did u do for your parent's funeral?”
“Ha. That's a hard one to talk about. But this was during the time my sister and I were still...allies. We didn't have anything big, just a few relatives, my sister, and me. I don't even remember most of it because I was crying. But all I really remember is seeing their bodies put in the ground. We didn't have money for coffins, barely enough to keep alive the few weeks before the funeral. But we managed; I managed. I just wish I could've done more.”
Becca sniffled and shook her head, trying to force the tears away.
“So you're an orphan?” Megan asked.
“Yeah. But I've been able to get along. Make ends meet.”
“Why don't u become adopted?”
“Because then I would have to become something I'm not. I don't want to become any one's ward of even live in a big house. I prefer the simpler things in life and I can continue to enjoy them if I stay a...stray I guess. Not that I mind. Being a stray is fun; I get to do things I was never allowed to do. Besides, it's not as fun to be a pampered pet for someone. At least, not to me.”
“Well u can share my aunt and uncle anytime,” Wally said.
“Thank you. I might take u up on that offer.”
An uur later, Megan and Becca were getting ready to head to Becca's when Artemis came up to them.
“Are u sure u don't want to stay?” she asked.
“A part of me would love to stay with u guys. But I have no mentor.”
“Neither does Connor.”
“Yeah but he holds his own. Connor needs no mentor, just friends.”
Becca smiled when the clone's mouth perked up a little.
“Besides, I have to figure some stuff out. Maybe one dag I'll come back to stay.”
“You're always welcome,” Wally said, giving her a side hug.
“Same goes for my place. Except for March 14th. That's a dag reserved for me.”
“You got it. So plan to come and only toon up on March 14th.”
Becca laughed and pushed Wally away before hugging Artemis.
“Thank you,” she whispered.
“No problem. I want u to have this.”
Artemis pulled back and handed Becca a silver ring.
“You remind me of someone I know; someone who can disappear like the chesire cat.”
Becca smiled and took it, placing it in her utility belt. She hugged Superboy and Aqualad before Wally grabbed her.
“I want to apologize Becca. I was a jerk to u until just recently and I'm really sorry.”
“Eh. I kinda deserved it. I beatyou up with a stick remember?”
“Yeah. But still...”
“Look, I'll kick u butt in sparring tomorrow and we'll call it even.”
“Deal.”
Becca hugged him too and then she was swooped away again. This time door her boyfriend.
“Are u going to be okay?”
“Robin, I installed security systems even u will have a hard time breaking into. There's also a protective shield around my house because of Serepta. I'll be fine. She's gone and I need to stop depending on others. I'll be fine.”
A smile crept on her lips and she lowered her voice.
“I'll even visit u at the Manor sometime.”
Robin smiled and kissed her before Becca headed out.
“Ready?” Megan asked as Becca sat in the zitplaats, stoel volgende to(kinda below) her.
“Yep. Let's go.”