Ted Kord

Dinah stopped for a moment, breathing hard. “Yeah, me too. I hope.” She tried not to think about it. Every base she had busted, she hoped she ran into him but she was always a little disappointed when he wasn’t there. Like she had failed him. Her family. “That doesn’t convince me.” Dinah responded after he stumbled back as she bounced on her heels. “Come on, I thought you wanted to spar but this feels a little one sided.” She laughed. “Enemies aren’t going to warn you. They just. Keep. Coming.” Dinah told him as she began to deliver a series of kicks in his direction. 

-

“Gotta keep up hope, right?” he asked with a grin. He knew how much all this had to be weighing on people, especially those who took on more leadership facing roles like Dinah; if beating the snot outta him helped her cool off for a little while he’d take it. “I’m a more defensive fighter, you know that.” he chuckled, though it didn’t last long as he took three kicks and ended up on his back, “All right birdy.” he growled, kicking his legs to flip up to his feet and launching his own open palmed strikes. Teddy was an engineer and that had translated to his fighting style, he struck with precision, aiming for weak or vital spots.  

Michael sighed. Sure, Teddy had a point - who knows what could happen if they all just slept on the job. (Well, he would know, but that was beside the point.) But if they wasted themselves now, they wouldn’t be super useful in the future. He didn’t want Teddy to burn out too quickly. Michael returned the smile. “Gee, thanks.. It was nothing really. Just good ol’ fashioned teamwork.”

“But yes. That’s exactly what I’m gonna do,” Michael returned and stooped his massive frame to begin Operation: Get Teddy To Shower. “Your hacking can wait,” he hooked an arm under Teddy’s knees, “and you smell really bad, bro,” while the other arm tried to slide around his friend’s torso. “Just do this one thing - for me, dude. And for the team, so you don’t like, pass out in the middle of a battle or something.”

-

“Yea well I haven’t really got a team for this which is why I gotta work extra hard to get it done before those bastards decide to launch another attack; they’re not about to take us freeing those people lying down.” If there was one thing he had deduced it was that the Apokolips Forces happened to be petty little bastards. “Hence why the sleep and food can wait, I’m dieting anyway.”

Teddy had already turned to get back to work when Michael moved in front of him and proceeded to try and pick him up like a bride on her wedding day. “Michael.” He began tensely, “If you pick me up like a goddam princesses I swear to all that is holy I will deck you before you can say Gladys.” Because even now he wasn’t about to let that go. But... he really didn’t wanna Booster, he was tired as hell. “And I don’t smell that bad...” he muttered.

“Steve is really fine,” he said with a shake of his head before putting his hand on the files Ted was holding. “And I sad a break, Ted. I mean it.” He didn’t like to pull rank or force people to do anything, but he had to be looking out for the health of his people if they wouldn’t do it for themselves. “You’re doing great work, and I don’t doubt you at all. But you are just as important as the information. All of us are.” There had to be an after the war, and if they were ground into the dirt then there was nothing left for that after. 

He met the other’s eyes, hoping to show that he was genuine. That he really did believe they’d have it figured out.

-

Teddy grimaced a little, too tired to realise the expression was showing on his face, “Uh, right, sure. Sorry bout that.” he cleared his throat and rubbed his eyes, looking down a little and feeling his cheeks heat at the reprimand, no matter how well-meaning it was. Seemed he just couldn’t get anything right these days. “I just... don’t wanna keep people waiting.” he mumbled a little, rubbing one of his biceps with the other hand. They were trying to save everyone and every day he took longer was another chance for Apokolips to attack again.

He finally met Steve’s gaze and sighed, “There’s just so much riding on this, y’know?”

Dinah stopped for a moment, catching her breath as she looked over at him as he commented on Oliver. “Maybe but he is out there and I owe it to him to try and find him. He deserves that much.” She told him. “Besides, I don’t think your my go to source when it comes to dating advice.” She mused a little. “For a lady who can literally kill with her voice, you talk way too much.” She pointed out. Dinah had nothing against the smart quips but when it was fighting, she was like a force of nature. She didn’t stop to quip until at least after. Dinah was almost like a her name sake, a flying bird as she aimed the kick.

-

Teddy winced, reaching hand up to grip his chest before dropping the arm, it didn’t hurt that bad and he was trying not to look like so much of a wimp around possibly the strongest woman he knew. “I think he’s out there,” he said with a small grin, “Ollie’s too stubborn to die.” he scoffed, “I’ll have you know Melody and I had a very mediocre relationship when severely run of the mill dates. And anyway talking’s my-ah!” His hands were barely up to absorb some of the impact and it still sent him stumbling to the side; he rolled and hopped back up to his feet, “Damn woman! Warn an invalid!” he quipped, jumping back pre-emptively since Dinah wasn’t one for reactive fighting.  

Steve had come to see Ted not to chastise him for the amount of time it was taking him, nor to point out that someone else could do it faster. Steve wasn’t a tech guy. He understood it somewhat–mostly thanks to crash courses from Nat and, occasionally, Tony–but it wasn’t his forte. Still, he knew that things were often more complicated than simply pushing a number of buttons.

“Ted,” Steve said the moment he realized the other looked utterly exhausted. “You need to rest.” He knew that Ted had a heart problem and that he also was just like so many of them and would push himself too hard. But Steve wasn’t going to let the team make his mistakes. “C’mon, pal, let’s take a break. I think Anna Marie made coffee. You can tell me what you’ve got so far.”

-

“What? Noooo.” he said with a dismissive gesture, “S’only been five days. I’ve worked longer.” Not much longer and usually with bad consequences but still. “‘Sides, this is too important y’know. Folks risked a lot for it.” He knew Captain Rogers’ friend had been attacked while he’d been working, just like Bruce, Damian and even that rude-ass Nose God Loki. He owed it to them not to drag this out.

“Well I uhh...” Coffee would help him get back to work quicker, so it wouldn’t be a wasted journey. “O-okay, lemme just grab some uhr some translations sheets I’ve been working on.” He grabbed a bundle of mismatched files and tired (unsuccessfully) to pat his hair down a little more. “Okay, lets umm, lets go, Sir.” he added after a pause. Formal, formal, polite and professional... maybe then Steve wouldn’t think he was an utter idiot.  

Titus elicited a few elated barks, his long tail wagging heavily against thefloor below them. Damian couldn’t help the amused snort on his end and raised a hand over his mouth. There was rarely any ample time to find conversations with his father’s allies. 

“I know,” he mumbled, playfully rolling his eyes at the mention of Tim. “That’s only part of the reason why I’m here. I’m sure any of my brothers would have a field day, knowing I’m asking for help.”

Without another beat, he reached into his pocket and pulled out an item from his utility belt. Typical Batarang, through it was slightly different from Batman’s. The corners were thinner and the edges a bit more serrated. He whistled once and Titus ducked underneath, carefully trotting back to his owner’s side with a low whine.

-

Teddy continued to coo nonsense, snuggle and press his face into the dog’s muzzle; the animal was likely every bit as deadly as his master (he was convinced even the bugs in Bruce’s house were likely martial arts masters) but a doggo could still be a doggo and this boy enjoyed his fusses just like the rest.

“Aww, well I’m not gonna tell.” he laughed, wiping his goggles clean and throwing the sodden tissue into the bin. “Besides, even if I did we both know no one would believe me.” Robin needing help from Blue Beetle of all people? Pfft.

“No-o, you needed a break, like, yesterday. Bats can wait-” and frankly, he was going to have to. Teddy didn’t look the greatest right now, and this interpreting thing or whatever it actually was that Teddy was doing was going to kill him if he didn’t stop to smell the roses every once in a while. Or showered, for Pete’s sake. 

“A shower, some grub, and then maybe a nap and you can get back to it. I won’t take no for an answer,” Michael insisted with a quick little finger wag. “And you won’t mess it up, you’re doing a great job!” He had no idea how far along Teddy actually was or if it even was a good job, but anything to get him to step away for a little bit.

-

“Bats doesn’t wait. Neither should Captain America, Scott Summers or like, any of the other people who risked their li-” he yawned again, jaw clicking, “Lives. You included,” Teddy gave him a tired grin, “Ya did good Boos. Lots o’prisoner’s have been freed thanks to you and everyone else.” And Booster deserved that recognition.

Teddy rolled his eyes, “Oh? And what’re you gonna do? Drag me outta here and into the shower?” he asked wryly, only to scoff, “I’m hardly getting anywhere. I got the right data but it’s encrypted to fuck and Kilowog’s translating tech can only get me so far so I’m trying to learn Apokolips via hacking to hack better.”  

“You look like shit.” It was half-blurted out, and Barbara’s eyebrows furrowed as she looked him over. “Jesus Christ. I brought this for you,” she gestured towards the drink carrier in her lap, housing the two coffees she’d brought for them, “but I’m starting to think I should drink it and you should go take a nap. And a shower. And eat something. Not necessarily in that order, but all of those things need to happen.” She’d known that he would be working himself into the ground - they were both alike in that way, and what he was working on was important, but there was a line that needed to be toed carefully instead of crossed.

“Look, I know I am definitely not the poster child for healthy sleep habits and an appropriate work-life balance, but by the looks of you I’ve gotten more sleep than you have lately…which should concern you.”

-

“I always do.” he replied on instinct, that little self-deprecating voice in his head getting all but full reign now after five days of consistent working with less than stellar results. “Gimme and I’ll love you forever.” he said with a pout, “I got another twelve hours in me, I’m dieting anyway and I got some deodorant in here somewhere.” he said, looking back at the organised chaos his lab had become. Usually he was much tidier but... working binges weren’t conducive to cleanliness. “You are the poster child for all things bright and beautiful mistress of the keys, countess of the code.” he words pretty much a half-awake stream of consciousness now.    

“Pfft. I can sleep when this is done. Bruce and the other’s risked a hell of a lot to get this data so the least I can do is actually make something useful outta it sooner rather than later.”

Dinah shrugged a little. “I may have wore fishnets once but even I know how to keep a secret.” She mused a little as she bounced a little on her heels as she watched him for a moment. “I dated Ollie. I gotta be kind to these boys.” She mused. “Not about to what? That sounded a little bit like one.” She humored a little. “You think an enemy is just going to say ready, set, go?” She asked as her push kick connected. “Good recovery.” She gave credit where credit was due. Helping teach someone wasn’t about insulting them or being superior. It was calling out what was right as much as what was wrong. “This is what you wanted wasn’t it?” She asked him as she launched a swift combo of three kicks, trying to keep him on the defensive and perhaps put him to the matt. 

-

“Maybe I have too.” Teddy grinned cheekily. It wasn’t a total lie, he and Melody had gone to watch Rocky Horror back in their college years and dressing up had been demanded. “I’ve said it before and I’ll say it again; he’s not good enough for you.” Teddy snorted; he’d been friends with the guy since they were in pre-school, he was allowed to make those jokes. Trying to reassert his bearings and prep for Dinah’s next move he quipped, “That’s how they do it in the films.” he chuckled, “Thanks, I’m great at backing away from my proble- yikes!” One kick-two kick-three kick. He managed to avoid landing on his ass and instead bent backwards into a full crab pose, kicking off and making more distance before flipping to the side and landing in a crouch.

There was no way in hell he could best Dinah in hand to hand, he knew that. But, his gymnastics were pretty good. Dodging and making distance he could work with while he tried to plan.  

Teddy had finally fallen asleep. He’d been working six days straight, barely eating to try and make sense of the data he’d manage to hack out of the Apokolips compound; it was encrypted, in an alien language and completely unorganised so needless to say it was slow going even with Kilowog’s technology and Teddy felt like more of a failure every day.

“Whazzat!?” He jolted awake when the door to his lab closed, a little drool down his chin, a piece of paper stuck to the side of his head and his curly hair resembling a rats nest; he’d only been asleep two hours. “Sorry, s’ry.” he yawned and lent back, several vertebrae cracking with the movement. “M’working, was just resting my eyes.” His bleary, blood-shot eyes. Looking over he saw it was none other then the, always immaculate looking, Captain Rogers and immediately felt a million times worse, “Sorry,” he repeated, yanking the paper off his hand and frantically looking around for another chair or something. 

“I’m still working on getting the data ready, I know it should be done by now but I think I’m finally making some progress.” he said quickly.      

Dinah glanced over to him before shrugging. “Whose to say I haven’t?” She hadn’t actually managed to defeat Bruce in a fight as of yet. However, on the other hand, he hadn’t manage to defeat her in a fight yet either. They were still at a stalemate, much to each other’s chagrin though Bruce was perhaps a little more subtle about it. “Your not my type.” She mused before she stared back at him, as if to ask if he was sure. “You can’t cry.”  She told him. She instantly went on the attack, aiming a roundhouse kick before following with a push kick to his torso to try and floor him quickly, keeping the combo fairly simple to not try and overpower him.

-

Teddy grinned, “You’d have told me by now. Because I’m your friend who you love and like to tell fun stories about beating up Batman.” Cause that was a story he’d love to hear and then tease Bruce about the next time he saw him. “Ouch.” he said, his grin never faltering, “But joke’s on you, I’m not anyones time. And I’m not about to- wah!” he cried, jumping back and just barely avoiding getting knocked on his ass in less than a second. “Okay and we’re jumping right in.” He was kicked back but went with the momentum, bending backwards, hands out and kicking off to flip over and land on his feet, arms now up to defend himself, “Sheesh.” he muttered, “Polly gonna kick my ass.”    

Dinah caught the bag as Ted spoke over the pounding of her fists against the packed leather. “Maybe but I am kinda running short on options these days.” She was happy to help but she still hadn’t found Oliver, Roy or Mia or any of her other family. Helena was out there still too or so she hoped. She felt a personal stake in this and she had to keep fighting, no matter how tired she was. “Depends. I might make you too sore to sit in that science chair of yours.” She smirked as she teased him as she unstrapped the gloves.

-

Teddy laughed, the booming, infectious sound seeming to resonate around the room; so many people told him he had a great laugh. “We still have Bruce? C’mon, admit you’d love to beat up the bat from here to Gotham and back.” It wasn’t like anybody else there could do it while looking badass in fishnets. “Ohhh threatening me with a kinky time?” he asked, waggling his eyebrows, “C’mon! Pity spar with my pathetic backside, it’s been a while since I got to mourn my lack of skill.” Plus, he hoped going up against a living opponent (rubbish though he was) might help her feel a little better.

“I’m c-coming,” Teddy said, mid-yawn. He’d been working for about five days straight with no sleep and little food or drink; the latter two weren’t exactly unusual for him but five days without any proper shut eye were approaching his limit. Plus... he hadn’t exactly showered. He’d been hiding in his lab from the moment they got back from the mission and locked the door; torn between fear of people seeing him struggle to translate the data he’d hacked and worry that he’d be interrupted. 

Rising unsteadily to his feet, Teddy teetered over to the door and it took him three tries to get the code in properly before the door slid open revealing the beautiful (and much more put together looking) form of Barbra Gordon. “Heyyy Babs,” Teddy waved half-heartedly, “You look good; doing something different with your hair?” 

“Oh, dude-” came Michael’s exclamation once he stepped foot inside Teddy’s lab; the stench was potent and it took everything in him to delve further into the technological abyss. He found his friend slumped over in a puddle of his own drool - at least, that’s what he’d tell everyone - and resisted the urge to tickle him awake. Instead, his own entry roused Teddy awake, finally.

“Looks more like sleeping on the job, right pal?” Michael squawked back and rested his knuckles against his hips. “When was the last time you actually slept?” He wrinkled his nose when he drew near. “Or showered, ugh! Dude. You need a break from this - pronto.”

-

“Shaddap Boos,” Teddy yawned, reaching up to run a hand through his messy hair and starting when he felt the paper attached to his face, “What the-” he peeled it off and sighed. “I was sleeping just then,” he said, turning his bloodshot eyes to Michael, “I’ve just been trying to do this since we got back,” five days ago, “And I’m not getting very far... Apokolips need to employ someone to-” he stopped and yawned, his jaw clicking, “Organise their shit.”

“Boos I just gotta stay a little longer, get some o’this done and I can give it to Bats, y’know.” Prove their hadn’t made a bad choice putting their faith in him... actually try and be useful, “I can’t mess this up bro.”  

Teddy had finally fallen asleep. He’d been working six days straight, barely eating to try and make sense of the data he’d manage to hack out of the Apokolips compound; it was encrypted, in an alien language and completely unorganised so needless to say it was slow going and Teddy felt like more of a failure every day. 

“Whazzat!?” He jolted awake when the door to his lab closed, a little drool down his chin, a piece of paper stuck to the side of his head and his curly hair resembling a rats nest; he’d only been asleep two hours. “Sorry, s’ry.” he yawned and lent back, several vertebrae cracking with the movement. “M’working, was just resting my eyes.” His bleary, blood-shot eyes.