Legalities: Young Justice is property of DC Comics. Mike is mine.
Rating: PG-13
Summary: A date that won't EVER be forgotten, several fights and a friendship ruined.
The Date
By: Carmen Wayne
When Cassie Sandsmark had announced she was going on her first date, the responses from each of her teammates varied.
"That's wonderful!" Suzie AKA Secret said happily.
"If you want any advice or anything, come to me," Alvin Draper AKA Robin said. "God knows you don't want to go to Kon or Bart."
(Cassie had to laugh at that one.)
"Oooooh, who is he?!" was all Bart Allen AKA Impulse could say.
"A guy from my school," she told him. "Named Mike."
"Cooooool!"
But the most explosive of them all was Kon-El AKA Superboy. The moment he heard that…
"What's his full name, I want his address, license plate number, phone number, date of birth, number of pets in the house-including siblings-number of parents, names of parents, where his parents work--"
"Kon!" Cassie hollered. He looked at her. "It's only ONE date, right?"
"Right…"
"Can one date HONESTLY hurt me?"
Kon thought about that a moment.
"Well… How well do you KNOW the guy?" He saw a shrug wave from her shoulders and he grabbed her by the arms. "YES IT COULD! What is this?! A blind date?!"
"No! Kon!!"
Al ran in at the screaming and separated Kon from Cassie.
"Chill, Kon-El!" he ordered. "Jeez, I was down in the hangar and I still heard you! What's going on?"
"Cassie thinks she's going to be all right on a date with a guy she doesn't even know!"
"Well, that's the point of dating, Kon," Al said slowly.
"But--"
"Ha!" Cassie laughed.
"Then again, Miss Sandsmark, you really ought to be careful. You're a pretty girl, and really sweet. Some guys prey on that and take advantage of it."
"Ha back AT you!" Kon blurted.
"Shh!" Al hissed, a finger at his lips.
"You guys are TOTALLY over reacting," Cassie said. "I mean, this is my first date and you guys are freaking out more than I am!"
"D-uh, you barely know a guy and you're wasting your time--"
"Shh!! Kon!" Al growled. He looked at Cassie. "We're not--I'M not freaking out over this. It's just… I've seen things happen to girls that are as nice as you, you know? I know we've never done anything……… I've never done anything to upset or hurt a girl, but I've seen it happen."
"Yeah," Kon said, but then twitched. "Hey! What's that supposed to mean, Bird-boy?"
Al sighed.
"I just meant that I don't know your HISTORY with girls as well as you do, so I don't know if you've stuck your hand where it doesn't belong and--"
"I ALWAYS put my hands where they--"
"I bet you NEVER turn down an invitation to get--"
"I do if I think the girl's not ready--"
"And when has THAT ever been?"
Al crossed his arms and stared at Kon. Kon stood there, blinking. Al just turned to Cassie, his point proven.
"You two done?" Cassie asked.
"Pretty much, yeah," Al said with a large smile. He took Cassie by the arm and led her away from the dumbfounded Kon. "The moral of this story is, Cassie… That if he hurts you, I want you to come to us--me. Me for advice or whatever, okay? Now, are you going to let your mother drain your powers for this?"
"Yeah, probably," she said, nodding. "And I really ought to get home now, too."
"Okay." He hugged her gently. "Good luck, Cass."
She hugged him back, and then pulled away.
"Thanks, Al."
*DING DONG*
Cassie jumped up from her computer and grabbed her coat. Her short blonde hair was pinned back just a bit on both sides with silver butterfly clips Cissie Jones gave her. She wore red parachute pants and a black tank top with the Superman logo on it. She rushed down the stairs and met her mother at the foot of them. She extended her hand with a smile.
"You really want me to drain your powers, Sweetheart?" Helena Sandsmark asked.
"Yeah. I still have the training, the powers just make them cooler."
Several moments later, Cassie casually swung the door open to the equally aged young man. He had gelled, dark blonde hair and dark green eyes. He was only a little taller than her and had a huge smile. He too dressed casually in green widelegs and a plain white shirt with a green over-shirt.
"Hey, Cassie," he said with a smile.
"Hi, Mike. Oh! Mom, meet Mike."
She moved away so Helena could shake Mike's hand and study him.
"And what time will you have my little girl home?" she asked.
"Whenever you, or she, want her to be, ma'am," he said, keeping eye contact.
"Well, I always swore that she would have a midnight curfew… But I think I'll make an exception just this once…"
Mike smiled and nodded.
"When she wants home, I'll bring her home, Ma'am. Promise." He moved so Cassie could come out to where he stood, and held out his arm. "Shall we, Miss Sandsmark?"
Cassie blushed and kissed her mother on the cheek.
"Bye, Mom!"
She walked out and wrapped her arms around his. Smiling to her, he led her off. Her mother watched them and then smiled, shutting the door.
After watching "Low-Lander, the Final Beginning", Cassie excused herself to go to the restroom. Mike walked out the doors nearby to wait for her. He paced around a little, uncomfortable at the lack of people on that side of the large theater. He glanced behind him as he turned to pace back towards the doors. Accidentally, he slammed into someone.
"Oh, sorry, man," he said, looking to the teenage boy, a little older than him.
"That's all right. You're here with Cassie Sandsmark, aren't you?"
Mike looked at him warily and backed off a bit.
"Yeah… Why?"
A hand went to his neck and clamped down. The older teen glared at him hard.
"You hurt her and I'll kill you. I'm no murderer, but if you--"
"Kon!" Cassie screamed, running over.
Kon-El dropped Mike and turned to her.
"Cass! Hi!" he said, growing innocent.
Cassie grabbed him by the collar and shook him.
"What are you doing?!"
"Agh! Just… reassuring!" he said, trying to pull away.
Cassie looked at Mike with a bright smile.
"One minute, Mike." The smile turned ugly when she looked at Kon and she dragged him down a ways and around a corner to the back of the building. "What do you think you're going to accomplish by threatening my date?!"
"Cass-"
"Mike is the FIRST guy who's ever looked at me like I'm a girl! For all the time I've been chasing you, he's been chasing *me*! He makes me feel like I'm worth something, and YOU don't! And by doing this it's just like you're protecting your assets!"
"No, I'm protecting YOURS! You barely know the guy!"
"Kon, I've been going to school with him forever! I'm tired of these games! First you act like I'm nothing, and then you act like I'm your whole world! And when I start getting close, you CRUSH my feelings! I'm so sick and tired of the games you play with me, so either 'fess up or butt out!"
"I have nothing to confess and I'm NOT butting out!" he yelled back. "The last thing I need is for you to get hurt on your first date EVER!"
"You have no right!!"
"I have EVERY right! You're my friend and I protect my friends!"
"Because you care for them or because you want to look good?"
"That isn't fair, Cassie."
"No, it's VERY fair! I'll tell you what isn't! Acting like all I am is a piece of property and you've got to make sure it doesn't get broken! A month ago, that would have been everything I ever could ask for, but I've realized that Mike is treating me like he really does care!"
"I'm not leaving it at this until I know you'll be okay."
Cassie just tried to walk to Mike, but Kon-El grabbed her by the arm so he could say more. Cassie spun around and socked him in the jaw with so much force he had to let go and take a step back.
"DON'T you TOUCH me or TALK to me ever again!" she screamed.
She walked out for Mike, tears filling her eyes. Kon had to stop when he felt blood come from his cheek on the inside. The force of the punch she threw cut it open on his teeth. He looked around the corner to see Cassie on her knees, crying. Mike was right there at her side, holding her and cooing her. Kon rubbed his cheek again and blinked away his own emotions. Shaking his head, he shot into the air to head back to the Young Justice Cave.
"I'm so sorry about what happened back there," Cassie said for the hundredth time.
"Cass, it's cool," Mike said, smiling gently. "I'm glad you handled it though. I've never met a girl that had the guts to sock a guy twice their size."
They were now walking down a back road in some spare country around Gateway City. After taking a bus out there so they could talk, they decided to walk around before finding a way back. Cassie shrugged, holding his hand tenderly.
"Not much scares me. Not these days, anyway," she said, smiling weakly.
She looked at him with grateful eyes, thinking about how he helped her out after she punched Kon-El. He even went as far as to help clean her up from the runny make-up of her tears.
"That's another thing," he said. "I've never met a girl that'd come into these parts alone with a guy on the first date."
"I… think I could handle you in any situation," she said quietly.
"I don't think I'd *want* to face-off with you!" he laughed. "You probably COULD handle me!"
"I don't like to brag," she said sarcastically.
Mike chuckled and drew quiet for a moment. He gazed upwards at the stars, and then stopped. He turned to her with bright eyes.
"Go out with me again," he said.
Cassie's heart leapt from her chest and she laughed through her shock.
"I'd… LOVE to, Mike!" she said.
"Great. Then…" He took her hand gently and smiled. "Permission to kiss you, m'lady?"
"You're joking, right?" she asked.
"Why would I be joking?"
"I keep expecting you to say that you did this as part of a bet--"
She gasped as he pulled her in, his mouth partially open to greet hers.
"OWWW!!!"
Superboy fell away from the ice pack that Robin slammed down on his cheek. Robin crossed his arms and glared.
"I can not buh-LIEVE you did that! What? You thought Cass would be all right with you walking up and threatening Mike like that?!"
"I'm trying to figure out how she punched that hard without her powers!" Robin reached over and pinched him. "OW! Whatwasthatfor?!"
"You're not super powered anymore, Superboy. Stop act like a DICK!"
Superboy's eyes widened at the use of language. Impulse spewed pop and Secret had to turn into mist so she wouldn't be hit. Robin stalked off angrily. Superboy gestured to himself with the icepack in one hand to Impulse and Secret.
"Did I act beyond what I should have?" he asked. "Am I wrong for wanting to protect her?"
Impulse was busy shooting around, mopping and dry cleaning everything that had pop on it. Secret just stared at Superboy, and shrugged a little. She floated over and sat next to him.
"Maybe you should just wait until something actually DOES happen to her. It'd save a lot of problems," she said.
"I guess. But I've seen it happen to such sweet girls like her, and like you and Cissie and… I just don't want ANY of you going through that, you know?"
He looked away sadly. Secret gently touched his shoulder.
"Your heart is in the right place, Kon. It's your actions that are misplaced."
"Okay, what if you were in Cassie's shoes? What would you want me to do now that you practically broke my jaw and ran off with a guy I don't like but you do?"
Secret sighed in thought.
"I'd want you to apologize. You don't have to like Mike, you just have to respect that Cassie likes him."
"For all I know, he could be raping her as we speak and I'm here whining over a little cut and bruise she gave me."
Impulse shot over and sat on the ground in front of them.
"Or, for all ya know, she could be having the time of her life with 'im," he said. "Either we'll feel bad or she'll be angry that we were paranoid."
"Better safe than sorry, my saying goes," Superboy said.
"That was YOUR saying?" Secret asked.
Ignoring her, Superboy tossed the icepack to Impulse and walked for the door.
"Where are ya headed?" Impulse asked, shooting over next to him.
"To Cass's house to talk with Mrs. Sandsmark. Maybe talking to her will calm my nerves."
"Or upset hers," Impulse remarked.
"Either way." He slapped Impulse on the forehead to get him out of the way. As Impulse fell to the floor, he stepped over him, speaking to Secret, "Tell Al where I'm going and that he's MORE than welcome to follow."
Cassie pulled back and laughed breathlessly.
"Wow," she said, trying to remember that she needs air to survive.
"That your first kiss?" he asked, trying to do the same.
"Well… Kinda…"
"*Oh*. I remember. Superboy."
"Huh?" she asked.
He grinned and hugged her. By this time, she had regained her powers, so didn't hug him back for fear that she'd crush him. Both of them cringed at the cold drafts blowing now around them, but continued their conversation.
"You didn't know that people saw you making out with Superboy a month ago?"
"They *did*?"
"It's okay, though," he smirked. "I like you for you. Not 'cause you know Superboy."
Cassie was about to comment when a car drove up and slowed beside them. It was a black convertible with silver pen striping. Sitting in the driver's seat was a man with black hair. He eyed them both cautiously as he spoke.
"Storm headin' this way," he said in a strange accent.
"That might be the deal with the air and such. Why?" Mike asked.
"Not a place for kids ta get stuck," the man insisted. "Gimme yer names and I'll give ya a lift."
"Mike," Mike said warily.
"Mike what?"
"What does it matter to you?"
The man's eyes switched to Cassie.
"Pretty," he smirked. Mike stepped in front of her and narrowed his eyes. The man shook his head. "What's yer name, girlie?"
"Cassandra," she said.
"Uh-huh. Sandsmark, right?" he asked. That was about when Cassie felt like she should just give up. He smirked. "Small world, eh? I know yer friend. Get in."
They heard the doors unlock. Cassie narrowed her eyes.
"'My friend'? Who?"
The man stared at her with icy blue eyes.
"Al. Al Draper." Cassie's eyes grew wide. Mike looked at her strangely. The man sighed. "Ya gonna get in or not?"
"It's… It's okay, Mike," she assured.
After Mike checked her face, he opened the door and let her get in the back. He dropped the seat into it's right position afterwards and sat in front.
"I'm only takin' y'all just to the very end of this street, then I'm headin' my own way."
"Well, it's a couple of miles, so we'll live," Mike said. "Just that much off our walk."
The man smirked and put the car in gear. As they went along, Cassie closed her jacket and looked around the expensive car. She wondered if he was concerned for the black leather as a light rainfall began, but he just continued to drive in silence. She leaned forward and looked at him.
"How do you know Al?" she asked.
"Ya know his hobby?" he asked.
"Yeah?"
"Well, I partner up with 'im sometimes. Down in da 'haven."
Cassie stared at him a moment. She couldn't understand why Robin or Alvin Draper would ever go to any sort of haven… Until it hit.
"Nightwing…" she breathed out.
The man grinned and looked at her. Mike didn't catch that, for his eyes were focused on the road ahead.
"What's that?!" he cried out, pointing.
The two looked ahead at someone standing in the middle of the road. It was a large creature with clawed hands and red in color. The man slammed on the breaks hard, trying to stop in time to reverse.
"META-HUMAN!" he yelled.
The creature ran for the car as the tires squealed to a stop. The man cranked it on reverse and pulled backwards. Cassie stood on the seat, crouched down. She didn't want to make a move that would show she was Wonder Girl, but would if it meant saving Nightwing's and Mike's lives.
"*What* meta-human?!" Mike yelled.
"Not a clue! But it's responsible for the rain, though!"
Mike slammed into the door as the man spun the car around.
"Man, what do we call you?!" Mike yelled. "I need to know who to curse if we die!"
"Call me Richard!" the man said, more focused on getting away. "Oh, crap!"
Once the car was turned, they saw the creature there, running for them still. The creature lunged and rammed it's claws into the front of the convertible. Seeing no other choice, Cassie flew into the air and slammed full force into the creature. Mike watched in awe as "Richard" slammed on the breaks. He ripped the keys from the ignition and leapt out of the car. While he ran to get something from the trunk, Cassie ducked under swipes of the monsters claws. She side kicked it in the side and then spun and back kicked it. The creature winced, and then back handed her, slicing her neck, clear to her right cheek bone. She fell to the side hard.
"Cass!" Mike cried.
The creature went for him, when something white collided into its chest. It flew back and to the ground. Mike turned to see "Richard" standing there with a weird gun.
"Get to Cassie! I'll worry about the creature!" he ordered.
Mike crawled over the driver's seat and out of the car, running to Cassie who was trying to get up. Mike ran next to her and held her down.
"Cassie, that was amazing!" He pulled off the green over shirt and held it against the twin cuts. "Are you all right?"
"Have to help…" she moaned.
She tried to stand, but he held her down.
"Not yet, Girl Wonder, not with THAT wound," he said, smiling gently.
"Richard", meanwhile, did a hand spring into the air and kicked the creature back before it could get to its feet. He pulled out what looked like a cattle prod and slammed it into the creature's chest. Electricity exploded around him and Mike covered Cassie chest in case.
"This is NOT going to be pretty!" she cried, covering her eyes.
-------------
*********
~~~~~~~~
-------------
Slowly pulling the car to a stop at a main road, "Richard" looked at the hood where the creature had splattered all over it--and them.
"I guess trouble follows us around, eh?" he asked, grinning at Cassie.
"This is so not going to come out…" she whimpered.
"At least you're wearing blood friendly clothes," Mike said. He opened the door, and then folded the seat forward to help Cassie out. "I'm more worried about those slashes…"
Cassie took his hand and shakily got out. She held up a hand and sorely shook her head.
"It's fine. There's ways of making it not scar," she said. She turned to "Richard". "Thanks for the lift, Sir."
"No prob. An' tell Draper I said hi, will ya? Only, give 'im my code name."
Cassie nodded. "Richard" pulled the car into gear, wincing at the clicks that it made as he started to drive.
"You're Wonder Girl, aren't you?" Mike asked suddenly.
"Wha--?!"
Mike laughed.
"Don't play that, Cassie. You literally flew from the car, took on a demon, and survived when it slammed a backhand into you. But that's okay, I promise I won't tell… But, who was that guy from earlier?"
Cassie looked away, sadness filling her eyes.
"A friend long passed."
After a quick good-bye kiss, Cassie walked up for her front door, waving to Mike. She now wore his green shirt due to the cold, despite the bloodstains. Upon entering, a black, red and blue streak met her at the door.
"What happened?!" Superboy exclaimed. "What did he do to you?!"
"Cassie!" Helena exclaimed, rushing over.
Cassie slapped Superboy's hands away and glared at him.
"I'm *fine*! Mike didn't do anything! A friend of Robin's attempted to give us a lift and next thing we know, a demon or something pops out of nowhere and I was round one. Nightwing, said friend, made it explode. Hence most of the blood."
"We're going to a gynecologist!" Superboy announced. He grabbed her wrist. "Because I don't believe you yet!"
Cassie slapped him with half-strength.
"Believe it, you jerk!" She pulled from his grasp and walked for the stairs. "Look, I don't know WHY you're here talking--or plotting--with my mother, but I don't care! On SEVERAL occasions tonight Mike was willing to protect me which is WAY more than what I can say for you!! You wouldn't protect me with I lost my powers and were falling towards a meat grinder!"
"That's NOT true! Your one of my best friends, and I'm just concerned for you!" Superboy yelled back, growing angry. "I'm tired of people acting like I'm always out for *myself* when I show the littlest bit of compassion!"
"You threatened my date! WHO, might I add, I have another DATE WITH!"
"I wanted to make sure the jerk wouldn't hurt you!"
"I'm shocked he wanted anything else to do with me after you! Why don't you want me being with anyone else?!"
"Maybe because *I* want that chance!"
Cassie's jaw nearly hit the floor. Superboy stared back at her, clenching his teeth together. After a moment, she closed her mouth and shook her head.
"No."
With that, she walked up the stairs. Superboy closed his eyes. He looked to Helena, thanked her and apologized, then ran out as quickly as he could…
NOTE: Dun have one.