“I can't believe how much has happened,” Becca ব্যক্ত aloud.
A wind blew her hair and she attempted to tuck the loose strands behind her ear. She sighed as the sun set. It was a gorgeous summer sun set with cool breezes. The দিন was as perfect as the weather. Except for one minor detail.
“Megan has become like a sister to me. She's always there to help me and she trusts too easily. Kaldur is...I don't know him very well. But he could be a close friend if we were to talk. Then there's Connor. He is very temperamental but he has a sweet side; he's a brother. And so's Wally. Ohmygosh. Wally is just all around crazy! But he has earned his place on the team. Artemis would come next. She and Wally are constantly fighting but that's because of the romantic tensions. She could be my best friend. And আপনি know all about Robin. Did I miss anyone?”
There was no answer. But Becca had expected that because it was deadly quiet. What else would আপনি get from a private cemetery? Tears flooded her eyes as the names of her parents, engraved in stone, stared back at her blankly. This had been the দিন Becca had হারিয়ে গেছে her mom. And her dad would be two অথবা three days away. She was all alone. Becca let the tears slid down her cheeks, fingering a blade of grass.
“I miss আপনি so much! Mommy...daddy...why'd আপনি have to go? Mommy...daddy...!”
The sobs came now, wrenching from her হৃদয় and out her throat. It hadn't ever been so easy to mourn when Serepta had been on her trail. But now Becca was free to do much আরো the weep over the loss of her parents. She looked at herself and felt uncomfortable. She was wearing the purple dress she'd had for her mother's funeral with the a little green jewelery set her dad had bought her. She didn't wear much color, but Becca had decided to dress with her parents' পছন্দ colors; just for th day. Now she was wondering if she should've reconsidered. Before she could decide what was আরো honorable, arms wrapped around her and Becca wiped at her trickling tears.
“I thought I'd find আপনি here.”
“You a good detective, Dick.”
“Hmm. You're a better one.”
Becca smiled a little, leaning into him as the sun sank lower. She felt Dick's breath hot on her ear and couldn't keep the heat from flushing her cheeks.
“You look beautiful,” he whispered.
“I wanted to honor them দ্বারা wearing something they'd love.”
“I know. আপনি mother would like the dress. And your dad would be pleased with the green jewelry.”
আরো tears began to fall at the mention of them and Becca felt lost.
“How do আপনি do this? I want to know how আপনি did it those first couple years.”
“I had a family to help me. Bruce and Alfred were very helpful and understanding. They let me mourn. But kept me from wanting to যোগদান them.”
“But...I have no family. You're all I have left. You're the only family I have.”
Becca fingered the silver band on her ring finger. It had little hearts engraved in it and a few sparrows. But there was a robin with rings outspread right in the center, where a jewel should have been. It was simple, something that would have meant nothing. But Becca cherished it.
“Don't worry, love. I'll help you. Even between being Becca and Shade. আপনি don't have to worry.”
“Dick, I don't even know who I am anymore.”
Dick moved to sit in front of her. He cupped her cheek and tilted her head upwards. She grabbed his free hand and ট্যাঙ্গেল্ড their fingers together.
“I know who আপনি are Becca Stevens. And I will never loose you.”
“Promise?”
Dick looked into her vulnerable brown eyes and he knew how হৃদয় broken she was; how betrayed she had been feeling. He leaned down to capture those tempting lips with his own.
“I promise.”


“Is your hair dyed?”
“What?” Becca asked, a smile on her lips.
“Did আপনি dye your hair?” Wally repeated.
“No. Why?”
“I never thought আপনি could black hair with red highlights. Especially ones as red as yours.”
“Umm...It's just like that.”
Wally tilted his head as he watched Becca jog away. She'd gone from happy to secretive; over hair! Something was wrong. Becca was normally cool with all of his যেভাবে খুশী questions. But she just closed up, like she was carrying a burden. A secret. Wally LOVED secrets. He wanted to find out Becca's secret and he was anxious to start. But if he got too nosy, word would get to Robin. Then he'd be in trouble. Find a secret অথবা get in trouble with the Dark Knight?...Bye secret!

“That was too close,” Becca finished.
“Yes it was,” a muffled voice agreed. “They're getting too close too fast. We need to keep this secret Becca. Remember?”
“I'm trying. But I'm not very subtle with my emotions.”
“True. Relax. I'm sure Wally won't know any better. And the others don't see আপনি as much.”
“What about Robin? I can't keep this a secret forever ya'know.”
“Just a little longer. In a week's time, you'll be able to release this information আপনি have. The small amount we discussed about anyway.”
“What do আপনি mean? What's going to happen?”
“...I'm not sure. Things are too iffy right now. But there's an evil stir in the air. আপনি need to be on the alert. And watch over them. They don't know.”
“Alright. But only because it's for you.”
“Thank আপনি Becca. Now I best let আপনি go. We wouldn't want them snooping around right?”
“Of course not.”
“Good. And remember, we know nothing.”
The speaker hung up and Becca was left standing in darkness.
“Yeah. But I wonder if that's enough.”
I know this seems random, but ভালুক with me! It all ties in at the end!!!! XD