Chapter One
This is a story about the Titans old and new that I wrote especially for a friend of mine. Love ya chica!
Dick Grayson sighed as he dug in his pockets for his keys. This was fifth time this week he'd misplaced them.
He groaned as he put his grocery bags down in front of his door. He had started leaving a window unlocked in his apartment just in case, but it took a little effort to swing from the hallway window to the fire escape.
He looked down the landing to make sure no one was watching and pushed the window open. He swung a leg out and looked across to the fire escape, it was a good five feet from his position.
"Well I guess I get to do this the hard way…again."
"Or…you know, you could knock?"
The voice startled Dick so bad he almost went tumbling out the window.
He clutched his chest and turned back to the hallway to see his adopted younger brother Tim Drake standing in his apartment doorway.
Tim glanced at Dick's hand, which was still clutching his chest, "Oops sorry did I scare you old man?" Tim chuckled.
Dick brushed off the dig and swung back inside.
"Uh, hey bro…how did-"
"Window, you know, you really shouldn't leave it unlocked."
Dick picked up his groceries and walked past Tim into his apartment.
Tim shut the door behind him.
"I wouldn't leave it unlocked if I didn't keep losing my stupid keys. And it's not like Alfred's around to open the door for me."
"You mean these?" Dick turned around to see Tim dangling a set of keys from his finger.
"Where did you find those? I've been looking everywhere!"
Tim chucked the keys at Dick, "Saw them on the counter when I came in."
Dick caught the keys and groaned, the one place he hadn't looked, exactly where he had left them the day before when he'd come home.
"Hey speaking of coming in, why are you here, you're supposed to be on the West coast with Titans."
"Well-"
"Actually, now that I think about it I know for fact you were there last night when I talked to Gar…please don't tell me there is a jet parked on my roof, which by the way you are not supposed to be driving? Tim…"
"Whoa! Chill Dick, I didn't steal the T-jet come here, although you and I both know I could fly it easy, Conner brought me." Tim jabbed a thumb towards Dick's couch where a stoic Conner Kent sat watching what looked like a comedy talk show Dick recognized, the female host was playing a game with her guest that looked a little bit like charades. Words popped up on the screen and the guest seemed to be doing a little dance to try and describe the word.
Conner looked up and waved, "Hey."
Dick scratched his head, "Alright…why are you guys here?"
Conner and Tim glanced at each other and smirked.
"What?"
Cyborg drummed his fingers on the Watchtower's console. He was so bored, everyone was away on mission and he was stuck on monitor duty.
Manhunter usually took this job, but Batman had needed his help with something and Cyborg of course was next on the list.
Usually monitor duty wasn't so bad, Cyborg typically had calibrations to make on the Watchtowers systems, or there'd be something big going that required full League response, but today all there was to do was twiddle his thumbs.
Cyborg rocked back and forth in his chair as he absentmindedly scanned the screens.
Man, I wonder if Pizza Hut delivers to outer space? He pondered
"I'm sorry Mr. Stone I do not think the food delivery services can deliver to the Watchtower, although I am sure if you are hungry there is something in the kitchens you could make use of."
Cyborg spun around to see J'onn, Martian Manhunter, standing behind him.
"Whoa, hey J'onn I didn't hear you get back! That didn't take long."
"Yes, Batman thinks someone is using Martian technology in Gotham to create a detonation device, but I believe we were able to track the source, and Batman can handle it from here."
"Oh…uh, well that's good I guess. So, ya got anything for me to do, 'cause I gotta say things are kinda, well slow."
J'onn glanced at the screen and noticed the distinct lack of activity.
"Yes, it is as you say…slow, but I am sorry Cyborg I do not have any tasks for you at the moment, although someone is here that I believe might offer you some…amusement."
"Huh?"
"That's great Kory just like that. That's right, smile! That's perfect sweetheart. Let's take a little break, go ahead and change into the next outfit, and we'll finish up."
Kory Anders nodded to the photographer and stood. A small dark haired girl ran up to her with a water bottle.
"That was fantastic Kory! I know we got some great shots there. Thanks again for doing this, we really needed this for the new magazine." She handed the bottle to Kory.
Kory smiled widely, "Of course, Stella! Anything for my friend, and I have actually quite missed this."
An assistant brought over the next outfit Kory had to wear for the photo shoot.
"There is a changing area set up over this way Ms.-"
The assistant stopped short as Kory already had pulled the first dress over her head. She reached for the next outfit from the now bright red assistant.
"You seem to have gotten a burn from the sun, maybe you should go into the shade." Kory noted.
Stella was blushing at the sight of the now naked Tamaranean girl, "Heh, I forgot how…um comfortable you are…heh, heh."
"Should I not be comfortable?" Kory pulled on the top of the new outfit.
"No! I mean yes! I mean you should be…comfortable…" Stella stammered
Kory chuckled, "It is alright Stella, I am aware that I am more…comfortable with my form than you are used to, but it is alright you should not be ashamed of how your planet's customs have effected your views. You actually remind me of a dear friend of mine."
"Kory."
Kory turned around to see who said her name. A dark haired girl stood across the room.
"Raven! It is so good to see you my friend!" Kory ran over to embrace Raven who did not return the embrace, but merely waited to be released. "Are you here to partake in the taking of pictures as well?"
"Um, no, actually I was hoping you could help me with something." Raven said straight-faced.
"Of course! Anything! What is the task?"
Raven started to say and then stopped, "Um…Kor can you actually put some pants on, first?"
Garfield Logan, entered the Tower juggling several grocery bags. He had to use his foot to open the door.
"Guys! I'm back! Can I get a hand? Guys!"
No one came.
"Guys come on! I could really some help with these!"
Gar grunted as he struggled with the bags. He continued down the hallway looking for any of the other Titans. They were nowhere to be found.
Typical, they beg him to make a grocery run, and now they are nowhere to be found.
Seriously guys? Gar continued toward the kitchen and common area. It was bad enough they had eaten through all the food so fast, forcing Gar to need to make a run, but then no one even had offered to go with him, or hell, help him carry the stinking groceries to the kitchen, and not to mention it was also-
A noise broke Gar's train of thought. It sounded like Conner's voice up ahead in the living area.
"Hey Conner, could you give me a hand? And did we really need so many fruit snacks?"
Gar rounded the corner into the living space.
"I mean, I know you like them but-"
"SURPRISE! HAPPY BIRTHDAY GAR!"
Thanks so much for reading the next Chapter will be out very very soon!