Disclaimer: Teen Titans isn't mine.

Yes, yes, I know, I should be updating my other stories and I even said I would, but this idea has been driving me crazy. Anyway...

Here's a story that doesn't exactly have an set plot necessarily; it'll be more like a show, with short, episode-type plots rather than a long, overarching one (for the most part). No pairings are set, and I don't plan to exactly definitely define any, unless someone can convince me to do so - good luck with that.

And on another side note, I think this one will be fairly complex compared to my other writing. Not necessarily dark, but more complicated. I like experimenting with writing, and chances are, there's going to be a lot of p.o.v. shifts and tense changes. However, it should be clear who's speaking and whether I'm referring to a flashback or not. If it's not clear, then, well, that's my fault.

I'll be clear at the start and say that this story will be mostly Raven, Jinx, and Nightwing (and maybe Batman?) centric. Of course there will be other characters, but they'll all be from the show, or they'll be Batman villains/characters who are pretty famous (ie: Joker, Batgirl, etc.).

Finally, the first two chapters are mostly an introductory sequence to this story. Just to get people more used to the style, setting, and general flow. Basically, most of the events are set in Gotham, a little bit in the future, in which "Rachel Roth" and "Jennifer Pechman" are the two civilians corresponding to... I'm sure you can guess. "Robin" will be Tim Drake, and "Nightwing" will be Richard Grayson (the original Robin from the Teen Titans show), and of course Batman's Batman.

Okay, that's all for now. Happy reading~

"Speech"

Thoughts

It drips from the sky, droplet by droplet. So soft, so perfect, so surreal.

It's cool outside. No, cold? Or warm. It... doesn't really matter.

The skies are grey, and it falls in the lightest of drizzles. Barely wet, but there, slowly, slowly soaking through everything. It's wet, but I don't mind. It's calming.

There are shadows everywhere. It is day, but this city - Gotham - is always dark. However, that's fine. The darkness is okay. Although, the filth is occasionally overwhelming. Only sometimes.

The darkness... it's not a problem, is it? Or maybe it is. It's hard to say. I don't mind it. No, actually, I like it, but it's just... it would be better to avoid the shadows. Because he's there. It's not that the birds in this city are unfriendly, but... it's just better to remain hidden. Right? He doesn't need to know about me.

He's moving. He's got a mission, huh. He's good at what he does - he always has been. It's not easy to find him, even if you are looking for him, and you never know when he's going to strike either. He's gotten better since - since... ugh. I"m done with that. Being a hero takes its toll. I don't need - no, I can't do it anymore. I vowed to leave it behind. I - he's looking. At me? No, he wouldn't recognize me anyway. He can't control our bond. He doesn't know how. Yes, he's just staring off into empty space. He seems distracted. So he didn't notice.

It's... for the better. He shouldn't know. It should stay like that.

"Mr. Wayne? Mr. Wayne, sir?"

"Huh? Oh, yes, Laura. What is it?"

"You have a call waiting for you. It's from Richard."

Richard? What does he want? "Very well. Connect him please. Thank you."

"Bruce, finally."

"What? You know I'm busy today-"

"It's important. Remember that client you were talking to me about?"

Client? Client... I see. Ivy. There's a new exhibit of rare and exotic plants at the museum that opens must be going for them, but the exhibit doesn't open until 1. And right now it's only... 12:15.

"I do. What about her?"

"She wants to meet for lunch. But if I remember, you have a doctor's appointment-"

"No, that can wait. I can always reschedule. They won't mind."

"Right. I'm sure they won't."

"Did she mention anywhere specific? I know a number of good restaurants."

"Oh, yes, actually. The Metropolitan Steak House?"

I see. So that's where he is right now. That's three blocks away from the museum. So she's trying to set something up.

"Very well. I'm on my way. Why don't you two go ahead and sit down? Take it easy for a bit. No need to talk about work until after lunch."

"Errr- that's-"

So she's planning something big, then.

"Oh, lighten up, Richard. Life's not all about work. But fine, if she wants to, go discuss that job she mentioned. You'll just have to fill me in on the details later."

"Right. See ya soon."

Something seems a little strange. There's a little more, well... tension... in the air than normal. Nervousness? Someone's worried. Is it just him? He's always been like that, so maybe it's okay. Maybe... no, it's definitely more than normal. He's usually like this when he's on a mission. No, not just that. When he's preparing for a fight or tailing someone. So he is following someone. That's - that's not my business. It's not like he can't handle himself. He's done this plenty of times, and besides, he's got help if he needs it. He's fine. He's always been fine. As long as it's not Slade. Besides, I promised to leave that behind a long time ago.

Anyway, what time is it? 12:30, huh. Still have half an hour left on my lunch break before I have to head back to the hospital. Today hasn't really been busy anyway, and I'm sure the other doctors can handle it. I do more than my fair share of the work anyway, for being a surgeon as well. They can't expect me to do everything. Alright, fine, I guess I can stick around for a bit.

Wait a second... there's another one coming nearby. That's- yes. Judging by his voice, it's Batman. So it's that serious, huh. Who are they even after?

I should be able to sense - ah, Poison Ivy. The museum? There's lots of people there for the new exhibit... hmm.

I can't get involved. I... no. I won't get involved, but the least I can do...

I'm a doctor now, so I suppose I can try to help... well, actually Poison Ivy uses a lot of toxins more so than actual weapons. So I can't really do anything about that. It'll take time to make antidotes, and I don't exactly have a lab here right now. Though, if I used my powers- no! No, no, I can't do that. I promised I wouldn't. And besides, I haven't used them in what, six years? The more active ones, at least. But it's still not good. I could lose control. That would be bad. And I can't let him see me either. If I'm going to help, it has to be quietly. I shouldn't let him notice me. It just wouldn't be right.

"Bruce. She's inside. The exhibit opens in 10 minutes. What should we do?" Nightwing whispered into a communicator.

"It doesn't look like she's doing anything at the moment. I think she's waiting for the people to arrive."

"Have you told Gordon about this yet?"

"I did. We don't want to shut the exhibit down yet, though. If at all possible, we should take her down beforehand."

"Before she's done anything? We can't convict her for that."

"For trespassing, then. Besides, if memory serves me correctly, she still has a few months left on her term at Arkham. She shouldn't be out yet."

"Fine. We need to get her to somewhere as far away from those plants as possible. I don't want to know what she's done with them, and we certainly don't want to damage them."

"Just wait for me to go first."

"Bru- damn it."

Nightwing let out a low hiss as Batman closed the connection. He looked up from his position, crouched behind a large, fern-like plant, peering through the leaves carefully. Around, there was pottery of various sizes, holding a plethora of exotic, strangely shaped plants on display, and on the other side of the room, he spotted Poison Ivy staring at one of them, stroking its leaves as if it were a pet. And in the darkness... was that Batman?

No. I'm imagining things. He's somewhere else. Somewhere near. But where? Damn it Bruce, why are you so hard to find? Argh. Well, do I let him make the first move or should I? Hmmm - what the-

One of the plants suddenly began moving and wrapped its arms around Nightwing, restraining him as the villain began walking toward him.

"I knew you two would be here," she smiled at him, eyeing him devilishly. "So predictable, as always."

"Isley! What are you planning?"

"Boy, you're not in any position to be asking me questions."

Abruptly, a projectile flew out of nowhere and sliced through the branches of the plant, right as a shadow appeared on the other side of the room.

"Isn't he?"

"Hey, watch it! That's a rare species of dwarf tree-"

"I know. It's also got incredible regenerative abilities, so you needn't worry about that."

"Well, well, someone's been doing his research- hmph." Poison Ivy ducked aside as Nightwing jumped forward, narrowly missing her.

"What are you planning?" Batman repeated.

"Guess."

"Hn." Batman grumbled under his breath. "Guess we're forcing it out of her then."

"Come to see the new exhibit, Doctor Roth?"

A short, dark haired woman turned, and smiled slightly, briefly, before looking back at the closed doors. "Obviously. What're you doing out in the middle of the day, Jennifer?"

A cat-like grin was her response. "Same to you, Rach. Shouldn't you be takin' care of all the sick people?"

Rachel Roth sighed. "I feel like I'm about to."

Her friend - who had melded into the alias of Jennifer Pechman - looked at her oddly for a moment, before the realization hit her. "Oh, so they're at it again. Come on, Rach, you can't dwell on it forever! We gave up that life-"

"I'm not."

"Then what are you- oh. Him. Still obsessed about him, huh. I see how it is. And I thought we had somethin' between us-"

"Please. I can practically feel the sarcasm oozing off of you."

"Hah, fine. You got me. But seriously, I thought we went over this. Bird boy's always fine. Always has been, always will be-"

"And what if he isn't."

"Well, sucks. He knows what he's gettin' into. And we're done with that shit. Aren't we?"

"I- yeah. We are."

"So, what's the problem?"

"Nothing."

"Hmph. Ya know- you know what. Never mind. You still comin' tonight?"

"To where- right. Your place. Movie night and..." Rachel blushed, looking away.

Jennifer merely grinned. "Let's be real. You love my massages, don't you."

"I... hey, you dyed your hair again. Violet, really?"

"Don't change the subject! And yes, I did."

"Hn."

Rachel looked at the other girl for a minute, tilting her head. They had both changed quite a bit, admittedly, but the once pink-haired girl had probably changed more. For one, her hair was no longer up in the usual horn style, but instead fell around her shoulders and was often different colors; today, it seemed to be violet. Her face was still as angular as ever, but a little more angular, a little more gaunt - and her eyes were carefully concealed behind a pair of contacts, though if one looked carefully, it was still possible to see the pink behind the pale colors. And beyond that, she had filled out nicely. Maybe her body was still slim, and a little boyish, but there were a few more curves now, not that Rachel knew what Jennifer looked like underneath- even though she did...

Rachel's blush deepened and she turned her attention back toward the museum.

"Don't you have a bar to be running?"

"Rae, I own the place. I don't have to do shit if I don't want to."

"Wonderful."

"What'cha tryin' to get rid of me for anyway? Is it ol' bird boy? Sheesh, don't obsess over him too much. Can't have him stealin' ya from me yet."

"Funny joke." Rachel turned back to the museum, then looked at her phone"". "They better take care of this fast. Five minutes until that exhibit opens, so unless they want to lock the whole place down..."

"Why're you so worried anyway?"

"I- well, he- people could get hurt."

"People, huh. Alright. Fair enough."

"Shouldn't you be going?"

"Nuh uh. Don't think I don't know you, Rachie. The instant I leave, you're gonna go rushin' in there and-"

"Not a chance. I'm not about to let him - or his mentor - know that I'm alive."

"Good. I don't want them tailin' me either. With my record... wait a second. You're-"

"I'm not lying. But I intend to help if I need to. I'm a doctor, right?"

Jennifer frowned. "Welllll... didn't they move you to the psychiatric ward? You're more of a shrink now, right?"

"Still a doctor."

A sigh was her response. "I'm still keepin' an eye on you."

"Wouldn't have it any other way."

"Spores! Nightwing, get down!"

"Too late, boys. Really should react faster."

Batman tugged on a gas mask and ducked aside as Poison Ivy shot an arrow at him from her crossbow, then again as one of the plants swung at him.

"Nightwing, move!"

"I told you. Too late." Poison Ivy paused momentarily, then eyed the motionless hero, smiling to herself. "Hey, boy. Want to help me with something?"

Nightwing frowned, struggling with himself momentarily, but he felt strangely compelled to listen. "Depends on what..."

"I just want you to deliver a message to everyone out there for me. That's fine, isn't it?"

"... sure..."

"Good boy. Now- hey!"

Poison Ivy ducked as Batman charged at her, then rolled aside to avoid a few projectiles. Batman grunted in irritation as they missed, but took the opportunity to grab a hold of Nightwing and tie him down.

"Richard. What are you doing?" he grumbled beneath his breath.

"I... don't know."

Hmm. She's made something different this time. Must be some sort of airborne drug that makes people more receptive to persuasion. But that wouldn't only work in her favor...

"I know what you're thinking, Batman," Ivy muttered. "No, it won't work for you. It makes people susceptible to a certain type of pheromone that only I carry. So don't even try."

"Hmm, maybe she's right, Batman. If she-"

"Be quiet!" Batman hissed, then threw out a couple more projectiles, these ones curved a little differently than the ones he had used earlier.

Ivy ducked. "You can't possible expect those to hit me..."

"Can't I?"

The villain looked back again and her eyes widened as she saw them whirl around, spinning back toward her. She dodged barely in time, but one of the blades tore through a pouch at her waist, sending spores flying everywhere through the air. She groaned and glared at Batman hatefully.

"You just had to hit that one, didn't you. I was planning to use those for an experiment of mine, but now..." she held a hand to her head. "Oh well. Guess we'll just have to see what happens."

"What do you- oh my..."

Around the two heroes, the plants began squirming around, swinging their branches wildly in the air.

"Nightwing! We're getting out of here!"

"Nope. Boy, you're staying with me."

"I'm... yes. I'm staying with you."

Batman's eyes narrowed and he secured the bindings on the other hero before slinging him over a shoulder.

"Batman! What are you doing? I'm-"

"Shut up! We're getting out of here. I don't want to hear any opinions from you."

"But-"

"Quiet!"

"Please. Don't think it's going to be so easy, Batman. Get 'im, boys!"

The plants started rushing forward, their branches and vines extending out to trap the caped crusader in their clutches. He turned quickly and threw down a smoke bomb and disappeared into the cover. Abruptly, the plants stopped, moving forward more cautiously.

"Well, what are you waiting for? He can't hurt you. Just get him!"

Some of the plants turned back to Poison Ivy, who suddenly had a strange sense that she was in trouble. "Umm... uhh," she started backing away as the plants closed in on her. "Sorry guys. Didn't mean to be so pushy. Take your time." One of the vines extended toward her.

Suddenly, she swatted it away and began running. "Damn it. Looks like this formula didn't work. They're too disobedient. Well, back to the lab. And I didn't even get to try out my new spore formula on everyone else either! Oh well. Gotta get out of here-"

"Not so fast."

Out of the darkness, a weighted rope came flying out at Poison Ivy and swung around her rapidly, tying her arms to her body and her legs together, completely immobilizing her. Batman stepped out after a moment and held out a torch to the advancing plants threateningly, all the while keeping his eyes on the villain on the ground.

"Revert them back to normal."

She glared at him. "If I could, don't you think I would've done that when they turned on me? I told you it wasn't a good thing when you broke that pouch."

"Then what can I do to stop them?"

"How should I know? Figure it out-"

Batman punched the ground next to her head, leaving a dent in the floor. "Answers. Now!"

"Okay, okay. Sheesh. The way I designed them, they're like house pets. Just... these ones are an unruly bunch. Think of them like disobedient cats."

"Cats that can crush you in a second if you're not careful."

"Yep. Something like that."

Batman's eyes flashed momentarily as his torch went out. He looked back at Poison Ivy warily, then toward the plants, then back again.

"Stay put. Or else."

"Yeah, yeah."

The dark knight stepped back, holding his hands up, trying to placate the horde of plants. "Easy there. I'm not here to hurt you."

"Pff. Yeah, right. That's what they all say, at least until-"

"Be quiet!"

"Hmph."

Poison Ivy waiting a moment until Batman's attention was focused on the plants again, then she squirmed around a little, trying to untangle herself from the rope. There was a certain trick to getting out of it - she had learned from experience, unfortunately - and all it took was a lot of wiggling, and a fair bit of time, though luckily, her creations seemed like they were doing a good job of keeping the hero busy. Possibly. Maybe-

"What do you think you're-"

"Getting outta here! Have fun with my babies, Batboy." She swung her legs around, tripping Batman as he lunged at her, then ran down the hall, toward the exit.

Toward the front entrance, unfortunately, but she didn't have time to rush past Batman and all of her failed creations to the back, but then again, one always had to take what she could get.

"Freeze, Ivy!"

"Oh, please. Not you again."

Nightwing scowled. "Give it up. You don't have any more of those spores this time."

"Don't I?" Poison Ivy reached for another pouch.

The masked hero drew back instinctively, covering his mouth, but then gave out a shout of pain as she raised her crossbow instead and put a metal bolt in his shoulder.

"Just kidding. Hey, by the way, your partner could probably use a little help. See ya."

Nightwing dropped to the ground, but got up as quickly as he could, trying to pursue her despite the blood flowing freely from his disabled arm. "Get... back here..."

"Make me."

She ran out of the entrance, leaving Nightwing behind in the museum.

"Hey, Rach. Look. Isn't that... you know, that plant lady?"

"Poison Ivy? Oh, looks like they didn't get her this time."

"You gonna go stop her?"

"Do I look like a superhero to you?"

"Yes," Jennifer said slyly, under her breath, earning her a hard glare. She merely grinned back. "C'mon. Two normal guys against all these crazy freaks. Think they could use some help."

"Right. Then you go stop her."

"No thanks. Not about to get back into that business."

"Then what are you complaining about? Batman and Nightwing are pretty competent. Usually."

"Really, Rae? Batman, yeah, I guess so. But Nightwing? C'mon, we knew the guy-"

Rachel suddenly put a palm over Jennifer's mouth. "Shush. He's there. See, in the doorway - oh my god. He's hurt!"

She began rushing toward, but a hand on her arm stopped her.

"You can't!" Jennifer spoke in a rushed whisper. "What if he recognizes you?"

"Well..." Rachel looked back, where a bunch of vines had begun to reach out of the building, prompting the people around them to scream and run away.

Nightwing looked up as well and tried to draw a weapon, but he was bleeding too severely and collapsed to the ground instead, gritting his teeth against the pain as the metal bolt went further into his shoulder.

"I'm going," Rachel wrenched her arm free. "Stay out of sight. It'll be more likely for him to recognize us if we're together."

"Damn it, Rae, what if you get hurt too?"

"I don't care."

"But- hey!"

Rachel ran toward the fallen hero, then froze as she stopped near the doorway, staring at the looming figures of all the gigantic, mutated plants in the dim lighting within the museum. She took a deep breath and forced herself to remain calm, trying to appear non threatening.

"Guys." Or girls? Not a botanist, can't tell. Will they even understand if I speak to them? "We're not going to hurt you."

She took a step forward. The plants moved toward her threateningly, so she stepped back toward Nightwing instead. Guess I better let Batman handle this. Not my job to deal with these things. "I'll just take him and go. Okay?"

She took another step back and gently lifted Nightwing from the ground - just enough to begin dragging him away. There was no movement to stop her. Still, she made sure to move slowly and cautiously until they were far away, all the way on the other side of the street, before she turned to him and traced her fingers around the bolt in his shoulder.

"Who... are you..?"

She turned away slightly, hiding her face from him. "A doctor. I happened to be on my lunch break when I saw you. Hold still for a second. Do you happen to carry any bandages with you?"

"In... my belt..."

Rachel nodded and took out a roll of bandages - right in the same slot she remembered they were - and stared at the wound again.

"You were lucky. It only got one of the smaller veins, but even so, you'll bleed to death if we leave this thing in. This will hurt, but I need to take it out and seal the wound."

"I... know."

"Are you ready?"

"Just do it."

She began pulling, slowly at first to get a feel for how the tip was embedded, then more quickly, so that the pain would at least not last long. Nightwing, to his credit, stayed completely silent, though the agony in her own mind told her exactly how much pain he was in. Curse these stupid powers. I'd better hurry up.

She put some pressure on the wound, then began wrapping his shoulder as someone approached behind her. She didn't turn, but somehow, both of them knew that she realized that he was there, despite the fact that he had not made any noise.

"How is he?"

"Fine, I suppose. Lucky. It only fractured the bone. It didn't go far enough in to actually break anything. Though, he'll still need more medical attention than this." She stood. "I would have called an ambulance, but I assume you people don't operate that way."

Batman nodded slightly, then held out his hand. "Thank you. Who are you, by the way?"

She shook his hand, all the while keeping him from looking at her face directly - just in case. "I'm a doctor."

"... I see. That makes sense. Well, I won't keep you from your duties, Doctor..."

"Roth." Damn. I thought I could get out of giving him my name, but it seems like he wants some information. Well, that's okay. He shouldn't be able to find anything based on that alone, unless he really digs into it. But I'm not a criminal, so he probably won't. And even if he does... it's probably okay. "Yes, you're right. I have to be going. It was nice meeting you, Batman. Good to know you're not just a myth."

Batman's face was inscrutable. "It was nice meeting you too, Miss Roth. And I'm sure we'll meet again."