Author's Note: This story is sort of an Alternate Universe piece. I say sort of because the events in the actual Justice League Cartoon will remain the same, but what has changed is that the Cartoon Teen Titans and the comic book Teen Titans have kind of been blended together. Beast Boy, Cyborg, and Raven are the oldest members of the league. The Robin in the Teen Titans is going to be Tim Drake and Dick Grayson is Nightwing. Speedy is a girl like in the current comics, Starfire has moved on from the Titans. Super boy, Wonder girl, and Kid Flash are in the Titans too. The Justice League Timeline is the same, and Nightwing is a member of the Justice League. And Donna Troy has been added in as a friend and advisor of Wonder Woman's.

Disclaimer- I own nothing of the story! No characters are my own ( not even Bette Kane. Yes that's right she actually IS a DC Character).

PS- if you don't read the author's note some of this won't make sense.

Masquerade

Chapter One

By: Angellwings

October 1998

So she wasn't a Titan anymore? Big deal, it's not like she had to be one to do the superhero thing anyway right?

After all, she was Bette Kane, world renowned tennis champion, and richer than sin. She could fund her self for years, but at the same time they were the Titans, the cream of the teenage superhero crop. She'd be crazy not to want to be a part of that. But they seemed to think her heart was in the wrong place.

Just because she had a small crush on Dick Grayson did not mean he was her sole reason for choosing this . . . this career path. He was just a perk of the job.

Although she was beginning to think teamwork was not for her. After all this was her second attempt at a team. First Titans West, and now Titans L.A., but neither has been very effective. As a matter of fact today she and Beast Boy were officially disbanding Titans L.A.

"You ready?" Gar asked her as he put a green hand on her shoulder.

Was she ready? Was she ready to announce to her friends and all of Titans East that her team wasn't strong enough to make it? No. Did it have to be done? Yes.

"As ready as I'll ever be." Flamebird responded hesitantly.

"Hold on!" Nightwing shouted hurriedly from behind them. "I need to talk to Bette." He explained to Gar.

"Sure, I'll be back." He said as he tossed a wink in Bette's direction.

"I was just wondering" Dick said hesitantly "If you had learned anything from this situation." He said referring to Titans L.A.

"Yeah, from now on I work alone." She said confidently.

His eyes widened as if he was shocked by her response.

"That's what you learned?" He asked.

"Well, yeah, this is all I've wanted to do since that day I saw you and Bruce in action, and saw how much good people like us can do."

"Bette, this is the third time you've tried to be a Titan, and for the third time you failed. Don't you think that all of this ought to . . ." He said with an urgent and impatient sigh. He took a long slow breath, and she knew what was coming would not be good.

"I'm flattered I 'inspired' you to do this, but it's gone too far." He said harshly, but quickly softened his tone and his features. "You're a good kid, Bette. You've got a bright future ahead of you, but it isn't in spandex."

He tried to comfort her by putting a hand on her shoulder, but she quickly and angrily brushed it off. She didn't dare turn and face him for fear that she might say something she'd regret later.

"Anyway," He continued quietly, "I've gotta run take care of yourself."

He quickly turned and exited the Justice Cave. Beast Boy re-entered just as Dick Grayson was leaving.

"So?" Gar asked curiously. "What happened?"

February 2005

"I still can't believe you listened to that jerk." Donna Troy told her as they walked down the sidewalks of L.A. to Bette's limo.

"I didn't listen to him, at least not at first. I tried the whole solo hero thing, and no one took me seriously. Even after I tried to update my costume. It's kinda hard to help people when the people you want to help think you're incompetent and don't trust your advice." She said as they stopped in front of the limo door. The driver quickly exited and walked around the vehicle to open her door.

"Whatever, you're good at the vigilante thing. Who cares what Wonder Bread thinks anyway? I gotta go, I'm meeting Diana at the watchtower this afternoon." She said as she hugged her friend goodbye.

"Okay, talk to you later." She said as she watched her walk off. Once her friend was out of sight she hopped into her limo and sped off through the crowded streets.

A few minutes later her cell phone rang, and she immediately answered.

"Hello?"

"Bette?" A familiar voice asked.

"Hey Gar, what's up?" she asked inquisitively.

"Listen Bette, I've been thinking . . ." He started.

"Oh Lord, this can't be good. Anytime you start a conversation with that phrase I always end up in a heap of trouble." She said skeprtically.

"I know, I know, but here me out. See, I've been thinking that . . .-"

TO BE CONTINUED . . .

The symbol "" means that the dialogue specified was taken from a DC Comic Book, and in this case I believe it(based on the style of the art) was taken from Beast Boy #4.

Another thing I suggest is that if you don't know much about Bette Kane/Flamebird that you look her up. She's a really interesting DC hero that just never took off (unfortunately).