Month 6

Life was so unfair. It was so, so cruel. Okay, maybe Nightwing was the one who was cruel. Yes, Cassie was happy to blame Nightwing for this. After all it was him who decided not to fill her in on why everyone was (and still is) acting weird. It was also Nightwing who had paired them off into teams. And put Connor with M'gann. Cassie remembered that she wanted him to be happy and all that, but did it have to be in front of her! Not that Connor looked particularly happy? ...except maybe when they went shoe shopping...or rode the Ferris wheel...when he was with Cassie...No, no, this was not helping.

Robin, Nightwing, and Batgirl were trying to disarm the bomb, while the different teams kept the drones from stopping them. It didn't help that it was such a wide open area, so it wasn't easy to keep a perimeter. Even better, the drones could fly. It wasn't that annoying for Cassie, since she could fly too. But for the rest of the team it was more difficult.

Using her lasso, Cassie yanked one of the drones to the ground. The metal dented as it hit the rocky terrain, but the stupid thing wouldn't quit. Her lasso couldn't be cut though, so it's attempts to escape were futile. Cassie smirked, this was what she loved. The battlefield. She threw the thing into the ground again, using all her strength. The little lights on the drone died and it sputtered to a halt. She turned back to the fight looking for her next opponent.

She really shouldn't have looked around. It was almost heartbreaking to see how well M'gann and Connor worked together. They had known each other for so long they knew what the other was thinking. Knew each others' fighting styles. They really complemented one another. They looked ...good together... And now she was pretty sure they were dating again. Connor seemed to be talking with her more than usual...

Part of Cassie questioned whether she should have fought for him. Whether she should have just confessed and let Connor decide. Instead, she realized she might have in fact pushed them together by not interfering. Okay, it was true that Connor had been trying to talk to Cassie for the past few weeks. It was. But Cassie didn't think she could bear it if he told her he was back with M'gann. And he probably would right? That's what friends do. Share their lives and feelings and stuff.

Maybe she hadn't been a good friend to him though. Cassie hadn't exactly told him how she felt about him. But to be fair she honestly wasn't sure how she felt about him until she saw him with M'gann. Argh. She needed to focus. She really did. Except all she could think about was Connor! Cassie felt so gloomy. She had felt that for a while now. And no matter how hard she tried she just couldn't get out of it.

"Cassie!" Snapping to attention Cassie realized that she had been so distracted that one of the drones had past the perimeter. Panic shot through her as she sped forward, tackling the hard metal thing to the ground. The skin on her knuckles broke as she smashed it into pieces. Cassie just wasn't thinking clearly. Picking it up, she threw it at another drone. Turned out, it worked great as a projectile.

She returned to her place at the line, but that one slip up had cost Beast Boy a nasty shoulder wound. He had filled in her place, but was just taking on too many of them. Guilt. It was her fault. Because she was screwing up again. But thinking about that just made her screw up more. Cassie took down three more of the attackers before one of them caught her off guard.

One of its blades sliced forward. Cassie barely had time to dodge it. The very edge of her bangs were taken off with ease. Sharp. Great. Then, instead of the same kind of attacks as before, one of the blades actually detached and shot towards her. It was a narrow miss, as it was aimed at her head, but it lodged in the top of her shoulder throwing her back.

She growled in pain before grabbing the edge of the weapon stuck in her shoulder and ripping it out. Without pause she flung it back at the drone. The blade easily cut through the hardened metal. It was then that she saw spots. Her shoulder was bleeding, and she suddenly noticed her hand was injured as well, her palm cut wide open. She hoped it wouldn't leave a scar. Cassie shook her head and ran towards her next target.

Ah success. Was there anything as sweet? Well, yes actually. But that was beside the point! They had won. Bomb disabled, city saved. Mission accomplished. ...even though she'd messed up... They were on their way back to base, everyone loading onto the jet. Cassie chose a seat in the back and was slouched down in the chair. She wasn't hiding. Really. Probably. Okay...maybe a little.

Her shoulder stung, and so did her hand for that matter. But neither of the wounds were deep and she was fine with waiting till they got back to base to have them looked at. Unfortunately, Connor seemed to think she needed to have them looked at now, since he suddenly slid into the seat next to her holding a first aid kit. Now she regretted sitting in the window seat, cuz she needed a quick escape, and it didn't look like it was going to happen.

"Let me see," he was kinda bossy, but then he had seemed fairly mad these past few weeks. Cassie knew he had a right to be. She was his friend and she'd abandoned him. But how was she supposed to be friends with him when seeing him date someone else was so painful!? Cassie let him take her arm and hand. The antiseptic burned slightly and Cassie bit her tongue to keep from hissing in pain. She was a little surprised he hadn't said anything yet, and she sorta hoped he wouldn't. But then...she also sorta wished he would. He finished quickly. He was really good at dressing wounds. Once he was finished he didn't leave. He just looked at her.

"Have I done something?" Connor was definitely frustrated but also...confused? Wait, did he think she was mad at him?

"No," Cassie said with disbelief. "Of course not!" Why would he think...oh yeah...she was avoiding him. "I've just been...uh..." She honestly couldn't think of a good excuse (lie). He frowned, and Cassie looked at her feet.

"Are you still upset about what happened?" He asked with a sigh. Ah, the whole coma thing. Well, yes actually she was. Cuz it was still her fault no matter how much time past. "I already told you it wasn't your fault." Yeah, except, see, he never really had. Even a month ago, after he woke up he said he 'had' told her it was okay. Cassie was seriously thinking about talking to Mr. Martian about his memory problems. Although, she wasn't sure whether he remembered the kiss and whether she even wanted him to remember it. Why was everything such a mess!

"Well," She started. But what was she supposed to say? Apparently she was quiet for too long.

"You need to stop worrying about it." Connor ran a hand through his black hair. He was getting annoyed, Cassie could tell. "And you have to get over your insecurities." And he was talking about her breasts (probably). Great. Wonderful. Oh, yeah and she'd promised him she wouldn't feel embarrassed about them. She felt her face warm anyway. Stupid face. Luckily (or maybe not) the jet landed. "We need to talk." Cassie nodded. Yeah, maybe.

"Cassie," it was Nightwing. Wow, she was just miss popular today. Connor gave her a pointed look, letting her know he still wanted to talk. She waited with Nightwing until everyone left the jet. Cassie had a feeling she knew what this was about. She'd screwed up royally today. Well, not royally, she'd done worse before, but still. "You were too distracted today."

"I know," her shoulders slumped and she had to put real effort into not hanging her head. After all her training and progress it was shameful to mess up the way she did. But Nightwing shook his head like she didn't understand.

"I thought it was best for you to figure things out on your own, but clearly that was a mistake." Well, Cassie could agree with that. She still didn't know what she was supposed to be figuring out. "In all honesty, I thought it was funny." She knew it! She knew he was making fun of her before! At least she wasn't as glum as a moment ago, now she was just upset. "You need to talk to Superboy." That did it.

"I know!" She exclaimed, she was so aggravated she could scream. "But what am I supposed to say? 'I hope you and M'gann are happy together'!?" Nightwing gaped at her like she was crazy.

"You are so..." He pinch the bridge of his nose. "Look, all those months ago when we sent out a rescue team for you and Dr. Peterson, Connor wanted to come. He didn't even ask, he just told me he was coming." Cassie wasn't sure where this was going. "When he saw that guy, and what he'd done to you, he almost killed him." Nightwing's frustration was building, and Cassie's dumb expression wasn't helping. "Almost killed him, Cassie!" He stressed.

"Well, yeah, I mean, I'm his teammate." She sounded incredibly unsure. And she was. Because she thought she knew what he was getting at but unless he outright said it how was she supposed to know. He face-palmed at her response.

"Cassie," he suddenly placed a hand on her good shoulder. "I know you're in love with him."

"What?" Cassie squeaked, eyes wide in horror. How did he know?! She hadn't even known until a few months ago. Was she that obvious?

"If you don't tell him, I will." Cassie's face paled at his threat. Why was he doing this to her? Wasn't it bad enough Connor was mad at her? Now she was being blackmailed into confessing? Apparently, Nightwing could see how distressed she was since he continued, "Look, it'll be okay, you just need to communicate with him."

She nodded, knowing he was right. But it didn't make anything better. Cassie gave in and hung her head in defeat. Nightwing had a way of getting people to do what he wanted one way or another, so there was no use fighting it. Sighing, she headed out into the halls. She didn't know where Connor was, and part of her wondered if she could prolong having the conversation if she (totally by happenstance) couldn't find him. She looked down at her shoes. That made her pause.

They were the shoes she'd gotten that day at the mall all those months ago. The ones she'd gotten with Connor. Her mind ran through that day, the memory still crystal clear. Everything about Connor she remembered with perfect clarity (albeit with Cassie bias). That day he'd held her hand, he'd looked worried when they got separated, and when her shoe broke that day, when she fell, it was his arms that caught her. Cassie wanted to read into the situation, wanted to think maybe he did like her at least a bit. But now, with everything, with M'gann... Plus Connor seemed pretty pissed she'd been avoiding him lately.

"Pull it together!" Cassie shook her head and slapped her cheeks. She wasn't a coward! She could handle bad guys and villains and anything the world could throw at her! No way would Connor be the only thing she couldn't take on!

Picking up her pace she poked her head into the training room. No Connor. Jogging towards the kitchen area, her eyes swept the room. Lots of people. But no Connor. Taking a moment to think (a rarity), Cassie snapped her fingers when she realized it. He'd been treating her wounds on the jet, and probably expected her to go to the medical bay after her conversation with Nightwing. Connor said they needed to talk. So that's where he had to be. She smiled happily, proud she'd figured it out. It was when she arrived though, when she saw him standing, his back turned to her, that she started to feel anxious again. She swallowed.

"Hey," She called out. Cassie cringed inwardly at how small her voice sounded. He turned. Now they faced each other. Cassie opened her mouth, then closed it. What was she supposed to say? Why hadn't she thought this through? Stupid, stupid! This part (the actual talk) was way more important than figuring out where he was!

"Are you mad at me?" He asked, his brow was knit as he regarded her. She couldn't imagine her expression, but she figured it was probably pretty strange. Cassie shook her head. "Then why are you avoiding me?"

"Because..." Cassie cleared her throat, and straightened. She could do this. But again her voice wavered, "You're always with M'gann..." was all she managed to get out. She was shocked when Connor let out a short laugh (well as much of one as Superboy could make).

"Cassie," It was weird. He looked relieved. "M'gann and I are just friends." Cassie blinked. That was news to her. Happiness swelled within her as she realized what this meant. He was still available! "Okay?" His blue eyes searched her face.

"Okay," She acknowledged with a short nod, a grin spreading across her face. He smiled. Her heart did a flip. Okay. Cassie was not going to chicken out now. No way. "Connor," She started, trying to impress the seriousness of this situation. And it really was...at least to her. "Connor, I like you!"

She'd blurted it out so fast that for a moment she wondered whether he'd understood her. Connor looked vaguely confused at her declaration. Cassie's heart sank.

"I like you too," He said slowly, brow knit. Cassie's heart soared. Then fell. She felt herself deflate. Connor hadn't understood. Not really. Stupid Nightwing! He said it'd all be okay! He'd talked (well ordered her really) into doing this!

"What I mean is..." Sucking in a deep breath and squeezing her eyes shut, Cassie tried again. "I want you to be my boyfriend!"

There was dead silence. Never a good sign. Oh God what had she done? Ruined their friendship that's what! She felt like an idiot. Why, why, why was it turning out like this? Cassie chanced a look at him. He looked...utterly...bewildered. Huh. Okay. Well, he wasn't mad or creeped out, so that was something. Then, Cassie's world turned on its head.

"Aren't I already?" Connor scratched his head, his expression moving from puzzlement to thoughtful. "Did you hit your head?"

"What?" Eyes wide. Mouth open. What. The. Hell. Huh?! "Wh-wh-what?!" Cassie sputtered.

"What do you remember?" Connor asked, worried. He was worried. For her! No, focus Cassie!

"When…?" Was all Cassie could manage.

"At the start of the Dr. Peterson case. Remember? I started worrying about you, we went on a date, we held hands, kissed...Cassie, we've been dating for six months." Cassie was frozen in place, her brain had gone on vacation since Connor had dropped this on her. Now Connor started to look unsure. "Haven't we?"

Mustering all her brain power (and there wasn't much) Cassie tried to piece everything together. Connor had only ever had one relationship (before Cassie), and there was never anything concrete about how it started (from what she understood...okay, yeah, she collected intel on Connor…). There had never been any actual confessions or discussion about an official beginning to the relationship. It made sense that Connor would assume all relationships just sorta happened. That there didn't need to be any kind of asking or talking. The trip to the mall was a date. He really had been jealous of Drake. That was what Drake meant when he said it all made sense. That was why Bart had congratulated her. Cassie's face turned red as she realized he really had been lucid when he'd kissed her (and he totally remembered!). That's what Connor meant when he said he'd told her it was okay. To him, the kiss took the place of words. That was why Nightwing had said it would all work out. Because in Connor's mind...they were dating.

Bart's words echoed through her mind. Don't screw this up Cassie. Connor thought they were dating, so you know what? They were! Cassie beamed at the thought. Her eyes practically sparkling as she looked at Connor.

"Yeah," she was getting a little choked up. "Yeah, we have." Cassie wiped at her eyes, no way was she going to full on cry. Not when something so wonderful was happening.

Before she knew it Connor's arms were around her. Cassie's breath hitched. It felt so incredibly natural as she wound her hands into his shirt. Pulling back slightly, she smiled up at him. Then, pushing herself up onto her toes, she kissed him.

He kissed her back.

******************A/N******************

Thanks so much for reading! Sorry it took so long. I wish I could say it was because of school (which ...could be true…) but really it's because I'm lazy and basically live my life plagued by writers block. I hope you enjoyed it though! There really isn't enough Cassie/Connor fics in my opinion, so hopefully this fills that void...just a bit...maybe…

Please do review even though it's the end! I'm always trying to improve my writing (as you can see I need it :D )