Cheshire, Lobo, Ares, and Circe attacked the two teams. Talia came up to Becca, kneeling before her. Becca looked at her, eyes watering beneath her mask.
“Get away from here little bird. Cheshire will find you later. Now go.”
Becca was pushed forwards and broke into a run. She had to hide. No way was she going to listen to what they told her. Becca leapt into the trees, jumping from branch to branch, tree to tree. She stopped when she was far enough. Leaning against the tree, she caught her breath. Two arms snaked around her and Becca realized she was leaning against a person. An arm surrounded Becca's neck and she struggled.
“Becca stop. I don't want to hurt you.”
The victim stopped her struggle for a minute at the sound of that voice.
“Robin? What are you doing here?”
“I came to save you.”
“Why? Did I cause you to worry? One little sheep wandered out of the flock and you exited your ivory tower to come save her?”
“No! I came because I wanted you safe.”
“Why?”
“Because I love you.”
Becca froze again; it was like she was hearing him say that for the first time. Her mouth dropped open and everything around her seemed to slow down. Except her heart, which began beating faster.
“You do?”
“Yes! Don't you remember all those times I rescued you? All the times we were together? All the stupid things we did? It was because I love you.”
The words caused her to choke, Love? Her heart and her mind did battle. She had never been loved. Talia had said so. But Talia must have been wrong. Right? Becca shook her head in confusion.
“But...you can't! Talia said no body had. I would have remembered.”
“Talia Al Ghul doesn't know anything about you. But I do. I know that you love the color purple but that you don't wear it because you hate to be reminded of your dead parents. I know that you love to eat ice cream on rainy days. I know that you hate it when people take your chocolate. I know that you hate when people touch your head. I know you can be territorial and fight for the good of the situation. But I also know that you love me.”
Becca stayed frozen in place and a blush ran over her cheeks when she felt Robin's hot breath on the back of her neck. It sent shivers down her spine. This was too much. Everything was breaking, everything was become...clear? Had it all been a trick, everything Talia Al Ghul had told her?
“You need to let me help you,” he whispered. “Whatever they've done, I know we can fix this. And no matter what happens, I will always love you.”
A sob of defeat wrenched out of her mouth and Becca turned to lean on Robin, crying into his chest. His hands were gentle as they stroked her hair and she remembered why it had felt so good whenever Talia did it; Robin had always been there. He had always taken care of her. He had always wanted her, cherished her, saved her. Robin had always loved her.
“They are going to inject a gas inside the Watchtower,” Becca warned. “It will give Talia the power to control the JLA and then they'll use them for criminal use.”
Robin tilted her chin up, kissing those perfect lips tenderly.
“Thank you.”