It's been two weeks since the fateful showdown between the Avengers League and Young Justice. For awhile, the young heroes were kept separate from each other. The League thought it best that they cool off.

That was then. This is now.

"So," Robin said quietly.

"Take a seat," Captain America offered.

Robin stood. He was in the Avengers League briefing room. He was on one side of the table. Captain America, Martian Manhunter, Batman, and Red Tornado were on the other.

Batman held back a grin.

"As you know, the League has taken great pains to keep you here," the Captain continued.

"The Captain is a firm believer in justice," Martian Manhunter continued. "As are we all. But it took some persuasion to not turn you over to the proper authorities."

Robin maintained his silence.

"We felt that, if what you said was true, you would never get a fair trial," the Captain resumed. "The evidence you supplied did help. He passed on a copy to Lois Lane, as per your request. Allegations have been made at Shaw, but they were easily dismissed."

"My private research, however," Batman cut in, "proved you correct. That's why the League didn't turn you in."

"We've taken this time to let the media die down," Cap explained. "We had an interview with Lane and expressed the situation. The outlook seems hopefully."

"So we're not charged with anything," Robin said.

"No, you're not," the Manhunter spoke.

"But that doesn't mean you're free to go," Cap frowned. "We haven't decided what to do with you yet."

"With all do respect, Captain," Robin started, "you've had two weeks. I think it's time we decided what to do with ourselves."

"In time," Batman said. "In due time."

Robin turned back around and exited the room.

Cissie sat alone and looked out a window. She sighed.

"Hey," Cassie said quietly.

Cissie turned to see her and answered her with a brief smile.

"Beautiful out, huh?" Cassie asked, sitting down.

"Yeah," Cissie replied. "It's awesome. The snow . . . so white, so pure."

"Cissie, I . . . " Cassie started. "I'm sorry."

"For?"

"For the way I acted . . . what I said to you. I mean, you know how I feel about Kon . . . and I thought, finally, he felt the same way for me . . . and I just wanted my best friend to be happy for me. And I shouldn't have said what I did . . . "

"It's okay," Cissie managed another smile. "We were all under a lot of stress. Don't worry about it."

"Are you sure?" Cassie asked. "That didn't sound very reassuring . . . "

Cissie sighed. "I'm not mad at you or upset with you . . . we're cool. It's this whole situation. How much longer are we gonna stay like this? Under house arrest with the League? I want out . . . "

"Me too," Cassie frowned. "Rob was supposed to talk with them today."

"I hope so," Cissie sighed. "This has got to stop."

"Ah miss you, too," Sam Guthrie's voice came through. He was on the communications monitor.

"I just wish you were still here," Jennifer-Lynn Haden said, putting a hand up to the screen.

"Ah know," Sam nodded. "But this is what they did. Me an' 'Yana . . . they sent us both to Muir. Really, it's for YJ's best. The AL was reformed with the purpose of hunting mutants . . . if they were harboring two of 'em in YJ, there'd be no way ya'll coulda gotten off."

"Are you coming back?" Jen asked.

"Ah . . . don't know," Sam frowned. "Ah hope YJ does go free . . . and Ah hope ya'll'er okay. But there's a lot happenin' at Muir. An' Ah think . . . Ah just might be needed here. 'Least, for now."

"But I need you here, with me," she replied.

"Ah know it'll be hard, Jen," Sam forced a smile. "But we'll see each other again . . . Ah know it."

"My allotted time is up," Jen frowned.

"Then you better go," Sam said quietly. "Call me again when you get the chance?"

"I will," she replied. She blew him a kiss.

"Take care."

The screen went black and Jade began to cry.

The blue-skinned mutant named Maggot stepped forward into what appeared to be an empty room.

"I did as you asked," he said. "I gave you all the information I got on 'em . . . "

"It is appreciated," a voice answered from both everywhere and nowhere. "Your services will be required on more time."

"Oh . . . okay," Maggot shivered.

"I have gathered more mutants," the voice continued. "You will lead them into the Morlock tunnels. Then you shall leave."

"Sounds easy enough," Maggot replied. "What're they gonna do?"

"That . . . is not your concern."

"So . . . this Jolt girl," Superboy started. "New member?"

"Yup," Linda answered. "She and Bart seem to be hitting it off . . . though Bart might be oblivious to it."

"I hope she doesn't hate me," Kon frowned. "The only me she knows is the clone, Match."

Linda nodded. "I can't believe we didn't realize."

"No, it's my fault," Kon sighed. "I've always been the hot head . . . and Rob and I have butted heads more than once. It just shows me how terrible a person I am."

"You're not terrible," Linda said. "You're wonderful. That's why I love you."

The two hugged.

"So Bart's really got a girl interested in him?" he asked.

Linda laughed. "Totally interested."

They both laughed together.

"They seem happy," Flash observed.

"No kidding," Hawkeye replied.

The two stood in the kitchen, watching Jolt and Impulse play a video game in the next room.

"You'd think this whole ordeal didn't phase them at all," Hawkeye continued.

"That's Impulse all right," Flash smiled. "Nothing ever phases him . . . "

"Shaw, your sentinels were defeated," Emma Frost frowned. "The heroes know all about your schemes. We're through."

"Not just yet," Shaw frowned. "I was able to call more favors . . . I, and the club, shall be fine. But for now, I need to distance myself from the Sentinels. Which is why it's imperative you locate Cerebro."

"I've got Hellfire people searching constantly," she answered. "As soon as he's found, we'll act."

"Good," Shaw answered. "Then I leave everything to you."

" . . . ?"

"I'm leaving," Shaw said. "I've trips planned . . . I'm visiting our other chapters. Montreal, Los Angeles, Tokyo and London. Business. I trust things will be fine here?"

"Of course," Emma replied.

"Good."

Robin walked slowly as he turned the corner and saw Batman standing there, waiting for him. He took a deep breath and approached.

"Robin."

He didn't reply. He just noted how his name wasn't even Chuck Barnes anymore. Always Robin. Something he had come to really resent the past two weeks.

"We need to have a talk," Batman started.

"Gee, you really are the World's Greatest Detective."

"Do I sense . . . hostility?" Batman asked sarcastically.

"The League forces Magik and Cannonball off my team. Then they keep us locked up for almost two weeks. Now that we're out of our cells, we're free to roam around some areas of the League's base. It's ridiculous."

"What do you want?" Batman asked. "To be treated like adults? Given freedom? After all that recent trouble? Your hearts were in the right place, sure. But the road to Hell--"

"--Is paved with good intentions, I know."

"We need to discuss your future as Robin."

" . . . "

"Things'll have to change if you continue. You need more supervision. More guidance. You'll be coming back in under my wing. You'll leave Young Justice. You'll--"

"Whoa, whoa," Robin put his hands up. "Leave Young Justice? Are you trying to disband the group?"

"Not at all. The group can continue, if that's what the League decides. But Robin won't be a part of it."

"And if I refuse?"

"Then I'll be looking for a new Robin."

" . . . "

"I have no real hold over you, Charles," Batman said in a lighter tone than usual. "If you want to leave, you can. But you have great potential. At least think it over."

Robin nodded. Batman stepped aside, and Chuck Barnes continued on his way.

"Are you sure this is okay?" Jolt asked.

"Totally," Impulse replied.

"It's, well . . . stealing."

"We're just borrowing," Bart shrugged.

"From the Avengers League."

"What have they done for us?" Bart asked. "Besides, the stuff I'm borrowing is just gonna help us fight criminals. It's info and stuff. Bios."

"You sure have thought this through," Jolt replied.

"I know," Bart grinned. "I really thought about this a lot and tried to focus . . . so it's gotta be the right thing." He pulled the copied disk from a computer bank.

"I hope so . . . "

Superboy sat outside. The cold didn't phase him through his tactile telekinesis, really.

Robin stepped out beside him, wearing a winter parka. "Hey."

Kon looked up briefly. "Yo."

"Crazy weather, huh?"

"Yeah," Kon said absently. " . . . Listen, Rob, I'm--"

"Save it," Rob sighed. "You don't need to apologize. Any trouble caused was your clone. Yeah, we've had our trouble . . . but I wanted you to know . . . I trust you. And I'm always glad to know that you've got my back."

Kon smiled. "Right back atcha, Wonder Boy."

The two stood in silence for awhile, neither one minding the cold.

"You know, it is a nice day," Kon said at last. "A nice day to just . . . be."

"I was thinking it was a nice day to decide what we should become."

"Really?" Kon asked. "And what did you decide, Rob?"

"Head back in and gather the others," Robin said. "And we'll tell the Captain."

"We'll tell the Captain?" Superboy asked.

"Just go on."

"Aren't you coming?"

"Be there in a second," Robin said, ducking low and looking about. "I have to find something out here first."

Captain America, Martian Manhunter, the Red Tornado and Batman stood on their side of the table. On the other side, in uniform, stood Young Justice: Robin, Superboy, Impulse, Wonder Girl, Arrowette, Jade, Firebird and Jolt.

"You realize what a difficult position this puts me in, don't you?" Captain America asked.

"We do sir, and we're sorry," Robin was the team's spokesman. "But it's time for us to leave."

"Would that it were so simple," the Manhunter frowned.

"Frankly, I don't see why it isn't," Robin continued. "We haven't been charged with anything . . . and it seems like, even if they did now, it'd be hard to make it stick."

"Nothing you say is untrue," Red Tornado said. "Although a bit simplistic."

"It can all be boiled down to simple questions," Cap took over. "Will you walk the path of violence or salvation? Disruption or unity? Young Justice has been a team of reckless youths . . . while the Avengers League has fought for Justice with care. This only begs the question, which will you use? The open hand . . . or the closed fist?"

"Funny you should bring that up, sir," Robin said. He punched the air in front of Cap and left his left arm extended. "Here's my closed fist. It can be used to hit, to hurt. Ways you say you don't agree with, right?" He opened his hand, revealing a small squirrel. "But it can also be used to warm . . . to protect." He closed up his left fist and put it to his side. "As for the peaceful approach of the open hand, well . . . that can be used to hurt as well!"

Captain America blocked Robin's moving palm, stopping it a split second before the Boy Wonder slapped him across the face. Robin's teammates were dying in shock.

"Your point is made, Robin," the Captain said, clearly displeased. "Though you are children, we have no reason or right to be your judges. The world is changing, growing ever more dangerous and dark. You must take the path your conscience dictates you to take. You're all free to go . . . free to decide your own destiny."

"Not quite," Batman frowned. "Robin."

"The answer, Batman, is no," he said. He put a hand to the little 'R' symbol on his chest. He tore it off. "I'm quitting."

The members of YJ were in shock once again. He held up his arm to keep them from saying anything. Batman, too, remained silent.

"Come on, Young Justice," Chuck Barnes said. "We're free."

He turned around and led the team out. Captain America followed them.

"Robin, are you certain about this?" he asked as the team stood assembled outside.

"Nope," he answered. "But it's the choice we've made. I've left Superboy with instructions for a new place to go. They'll be fine."

"And what about yourself?" Cap asked.

"I'll be fine, too. Let's just see where the road leads us, Captain."

"Walk the path with care, son," Cap said as the team began to fly away. "Walk the path with care."

Superboy carried Impulse, Wonder Girl carried Arrowette, Jade carried Jolt and Firebird carried no one. They approached what looked like a mansion.

"There it is," Superboy said. "Rob said it's the old Concordia resort that's gone into receivership. It's cleared out, but the furnishings are still there. The plumbing works. The electricity hasn't been disconnected. And the assets lists enough canned goods and frozen meats to feed a hundred of us."

"I still can't believe he did that," Arrowette frowned as Wonder Girl lowered them both to the ground. "Why would he just quit?"

The team stepped inside the lobby.

"Who said anything about quitting?"

"Huh?" Superboy's eyes went wide. "Rob . . . is that you?"

"Yup," he replied. Sitting in the lobby was Chuck Barnes. "Except Robin won't work anymore. When I'm in my civvies, it's Chuck Barnes. When I'm dressed like this . . . "

He was wearing a dark blue, almost black bodysuit. The boots and gloves were a lighter blue, but still dark. The same shade of blue formed a v-type shape for a fake neckline. His eyes were covered by a slightly changed bat-symbol. His gadgets and accessories were all hidden in an all but 'invisible' belt, including his bo-staff.

"It's Nightwing."