First of all I'd like to thank you for reading this story. I don't own the Teen Titans and I never will (let that be the disclaimer for the rest of the story). I would appreciate any and all reviews and, trust me, I won't be upset if they do criticize me but, please, let it be constructive. Thanks again.

Chapter One

This wasn't the first time he had seen her in a place like this, this small hole-in-the-wall bookstore that had more books than customers in a year. And she was always with a friend that he had never seen, save for these mysterious trips. Her friend had red hair, a shade lighter than blood and typically in up in some way (currently it was in a ponytail that went to the side), and was about a half head taller than her. She was nearly the complete opposite of her friend. He had started to follow her ever since he had seen her in something other than her uniform. Currently, she was in a pair of jeans and a black t-shirt though you could see the leotard sleeves underneath.

She was different from his other team members, never wanting or needing for that matter to be the center of attention or just not paying attention to the others and reading something or another. Yet he had never seen her smile or laugh with them but here she was, with this unknown girl, laughing softly. Was she really that unhappy with the Teen Titans? He turned quickly, pretending to browse the shelf of objects, some of which were very lovely indeed, as the two girls looked over at him suspiciously.

"He's been following us," the other girl said, "I've seen him before."

"Don't worry about it, Morgan," Raven said calmly, not looking up from the book she was reading, "he's probably not important."

He bristled slightly at those words. Not important? Him? He was a member of the Teen Titans East, a slightly less know version of the original Teen Titans but nonetheless important. Roy Harper, otherwise known as Speedy, was known for being a jokester and the playboy of Teen Titans as a whole. He could string and release and arrow nearly as fast as his mentor, the Green Arrow. He nearly beat Robin in a fight, which was saying something.

--

Morgan watched curiously as the boy with the sunglasses walked calmly out of the store, noting that he seemed slightly upset but shrugged as she found the book she had spent many months searching for. She jumped to reach it, barely grabbing the book from its high shelf before falling to the ground, letting out a small "Oomph," as she hit the floor.

"Try not to fall too much," Raven told the girl sarcastically, as she watched her friend stand.

"I'm just glad I wasn't wearing a skirt," she said as she brushed the imaginary dirt off her book and outfit, which consisted of black jeans and olive green tank top, "And I found the book. Maybe now I can figure out what the heck is going on with me."

Raven nodded and the two went to buy the books they wanted. When they left, both arms were held down by too very large, very stuffed bags of books.



"I think we should be good for a while, right Rae?" Morgan asked cheerfully, looking at her friend, "No fair! You're cheating!" Sure enough the dark girl had used her powers to float the bags, though it was hardly noticeable.

"Most of these books are yours Morgan. I am allowed to cheat," Raven said diplomatically, making Morgan sigh.

"Let me get the driver," she said in defeat, pulling out her cell phone and dialing a few numbers, "Hey Joel? Can you come pick us up? Yeah, we're done here. Hey Rae, are we getting food?"

The girl shrugged and Morgan took that as a yes and asked the driver to pick them up at the front of the store.

"What do you feel like eating Rae?"

"You choose, you're paying after all," Raven answered, giving her friend a knowing look.

Morgan sighed, "Sometimes I just wonder if you're using me for my money. Then I realize that that would be stupid. I feel like Italian? Is that good with you?" Raven nodded as she put the bags in the back of the Lexus Hybrid Drive and got in the car.

"Ms. McArthur?" the driver, Joel, asked, "Where to?"

"That Italian place Mom and I went to the other night, the one in Steel City by the pier."

"Right-o Ms. McArthur," he said as he pulled out of the parking lot.

"You're talking about Giovanni's, that Italian place that just opened up?" Raven asked.

"Yeah, it's awesome. You need to try the lasagna, Raven. I stole some from my mom's plate and that was absolutely amazing."

"Isn't that expensive though?" she asked, "I don't want to be a burden."

"No worries," Morgan said, looking at her friend, "Mom is so happy that I'm not cooped up reading all the time she nearly doubled my allowance, which is more than enough for all of the books and lunch for two."

"I keep forgetting you're rich."

"Yeah, but just don't forget to smile for the paparazzi, or phase away. It's probably safer if you do that…that way I don't get kidnapped and all. That would be nice if it didn't happen," Morgan told her teasingly.

"I'll try my best," Raven said sarcastically.

If the two girls were surprised by how quickly time flew by as they talked, they didn't show it when they reached the restaurant.

"Hey looks like the paparazzi are here," Morgan told Raven as she looked through the window, "go to the restroom and we'll meet inside. She took a deep breath before opening the door to the photographers.

"Ms. McArthur! How do you feel about your father's plans for –" one asked before getting cut off by another.

"Is it true that you're dating a Teen Titan?"

"What?" she looked at the reporter, before laughing softly, "That's insane! Where did you get that one? Someone called it in right?" the reporter looked guilty, "Sorry to disappoint but no, I'm not dating a Teen Titan. Besides they're way to busy defending Steel and Jump City, for which I'm very grateful."

"Ms. McArthur, how do you feel about your father's plan to open the new museum here downtown?"

"I'm so excited! I know I must look like a complete nerd saying this, but I can't wait to be the first in line to see it. But if you'll excuse me, I'm meeting a friend for lunch and we have a lot to catch up on," she opened the doors, smiling at the group once more, before going inside.

"Table for two?" she asked the host, "Nonsmoking preferably."

"Right away Ms. McArthur," he said, barely hiding the excitement in his voice.

"You look like you had fun," Raven said, as they were being seated in a booth.

"Yeah, I was asked if I was dating of your teammates. It cracked me up."

"I'm sure it did, you're strange like that."

"Anyway," Morgan began as she rolled her eyes, "Speaking of your teammates, don't they care where you go nearly every day?"

"No," there was a trace of sadness in her voice, "Robin and Star got finally together so they're too busy with each other and Cyborg and Beastboy are too involved with their video games and other things I don't even know about. As long as I'm not late to beat the bad guys, then they don't care."

"That really bites," Morgan told her matter of factly, "it's their loss anyway and my gain."

They stopped for a moment when the waiter came with their drinks to order their food before Raven said, "And I get food without fuzzy blue things on it once in a while."

"Or pizza," she shot back, "I'm surprised no one is sick of the stuff yet considering how much you actually eat out."

"I know," she shook her head, smiling softly, "but most of them are guys and Star doesn't really know any better. Besides, she just smears mustard on it anyway." Both girls looked slightly sick at the thought.



"So how is the Titans East? I got that right, right?" Morgan asked.

"Fine, I haven't talked to them since the last time everyone was meeting, so there might be about a month long drag."

"Eh, it's cool; I just like hearing the stories about you superheroes."

"I'm beginning to feel used," Raven said, as the food was being put down, "but as long as the food is this nice looking I could get used to it."

"Alright, so we're both using each other," Morgan smiled, "You for my money and me for your superhero stories."

"Deal."

The two laughed as they began eating the, as Morgan put it, the absolutely amazing Italian food.

--

"I feel so full," Morgan said as she finished signing the bill, "let's walk a bit before I call Joel, alright?"

Raven nodded and the two began walking down the pier, window shopping and talking.

Suddenly, Morgan was grabbed from behind and lifted into the air by what could only be described as a mechanical arm.

"What the hell!?" she shouted as Gizmo laughed from behind her.

"Don't worry about that," the pink haired girl known as Jinx said, "we're just going to borrow you for a few hours that's all."

Unknown to the group of three, Raven had pulled her communicator out and was calling for the Titans East to join her.

"Like hell you are," Morgan told the group and began squirming in Gizmo's machine, managing to hit the small genius in the face with her elbow.

"Hey butt-muncher," he cried out, clutching his nose, "watch the elbows!"

"How about I don't?" she asked sarcastically before trying to hit him again.

Quickly he pressed a few buttons, dodging the onslaught of her attacks, and she was pulled away from his body.

"Gizmo," Jinx said, sniggering at his expense, "take the girl and go back to headquarters."

"Not so fast," Raven shouted, floating in the air, "put the girl down H.I.V.E."



"No way!" The other girl told her, firing a pink flare of energy at her. It was easily repelled, and Raven quickly sent one back to the bad luck fighter.

"Titans! Go!" the female voice of Bumble Bee cried through the air.

Help had arrived. Mas y Menos were distracting Mammoth as Speedy began firing shots at him, while Bumble Bee and Raven took care of Jinx. Aqualad, however, was having a bit more trouble trying to hit Gizmo. Every time it seemed like there was an opening for him to attack, the tiny boy would pull his hostage closer to him.

"Just douse him with water!" Morgan yelled at the boy in blue, tired of being pulled back and forth, "My God! Let's not be an idiot here! I'm not going to melt. I promise! It'll fry his system!"

Sighing he gathered water from the bay and, as it reached the size of a large wave, sent it towards Gizmo. The boy cried out in pain as the water hit him and sent him flying. When the water hit the machine, it made the mechanical arm holding Morgan up suddenly let go of its charge and she began to fall through the water.

Just as she was about to fall, however, a pair of sturdy arms caught her.

"Sorry about the water," Aqualad said, in a sheepish voice.

"No worries," Morgan told him as he helped her stand, trying to catch her breath, "I'll be dry in a few moments anyway."

"Are you alright Ms?"

"McArthur. I'm Morgan McArthur and yes I'm right as rain," she smiled at him, blushing slightly "though I'm sure that now isn't the right time to use that phrase."

"Are you alright Ms?" Bumble Bee asked as she walked over to the two, "I hope my teammate didn't hurt you at all."

"Oh no, I'm fine," she told her, "thanks so much for your help. I really appreciate it. Truly, I do."

"We do what we can," the leader said.

"Where'd Raven go?" she asked quietly, looking around, "Is there anything else you guys need from me?"

"Well, we need you to wait until the police arrive so that they can get your statement," Bumble Bee told her.

"Alright, can I sit though, my legs feel like jelly," Morgan confessed and, after getting the nod from the other girl, went to sit on a bench. When she was alone, the Titans were in a conversation, she began to mutter, "Alright Morgan you can do this. Let's get dry." After checking to make sure no one was watching, she ran a hand through her hair and began to control the water. The area she touched ended 

up dry while the water ran down her body. She did the same for her clothes only instead of going slowly; she acted as if she was brushing off dirt. The water ended up in a puddle before her.

"Go back to the bay," she murmured, willing it to listen to her.

"Are you alright?" the dark voice of her friend asked.

"Yeah, I'm fine," Morgan replied, "I wonder what they wanted with me. It was probably just money from my parents."

"At least they were easy to beat."

"Hey, let me run something by you. Is it just me or does that guy with the arrows, Speedy right, look like the guy that was following us?" Raven's eyes narrowed slightly when gaze reached that of her teammates, who flinched slightly.

"Maybe, it's probably nothing though. I wouldn't worry about it."

"Whatever you say," Morgan said, leaning back on the bench, as she heard sirens in the distance. Suddenly, she jumped and said, "Shoot! Mom's going to kill me!" before yanking out her cell phone and moaning, "Six missed calls! Mom's furious!" she quickly put in the number for her house, "Mom? Now don't be mad at Joel. It's not his fault. I went to that Italian place we went to last week and then walking around for a bit with Rae. But some super-bad guys came and tried to take me-no I'm not joking! No I swear it's for real this time…Mom, seriously!? You're going to bring that up now? That was two years ago! Watch the news woman!" by now she was pacing the length of the bench and gesticulating with certain words, "So…sorry I didn't call to tell you I was getting kidnapped and I'll be home as soon as I can…Love you too… Bye." Her eye was twitching slightly as she hung up the phone.

"Oh Rae, mom wants to know when the next time you'll be over."

She shrugged, "You got dry awfully fast."

"My toes were beginning to prune, besides I could only shield my cell phone when Water-boy over there decided to send the wave at me. That was an intense ride," Morgan said simply.

"I could have sworn I heard you heckling him on."

"Did you see how that midget was shaking me? I was close to throwing up on that cheeky bastard," she muttered, pouting slightly, making Raven laugh softly.

--

She was laughing again, with that girl. Damn, he needed to watch more news. According to Bumble Bee, she was Morgan McArthur, daughter of Seamus and Gloria McArthur and heir to that fortune. Why she was hanging out with Raven puzzled him though. He would have thought that she would have some other heiress friends to hang out with. She caught his eye and smirked.

He was pretty sure his cover had just been blown. Shit.

--

The police had arrived and had taken Morgan's statement and the crowd had dissipated, along with the Titans East, leaving only Morgan and Raven.

"Joel should be on his way," she told her friend, "Let me drop you off near the Titan Tower."

"It would be easier to just fly there," Raven countered, "and less dangerous for the weak one of the group."

"And who's that? Oh yeah…me," Morgan asked sarcastically, rolling her eyes, as she got in the Lexus, "I'll send the books to you alright?"

Raven nodded before flying off towards the Tower.

"Ms. McArthur," Joel began, "your mother wants you home."

"I figured as much," she said quietly, leaning on the door, "I might take a nap. I'm so tired."

"Well after the day you had I wouldn't be surprised."

"Think mom will let me?"

"There's not a chance in hell."

"Damn," she laughed softly, before nodding off in the car.

--

"Morgan," Gloria McArthur cried, "I just saw the news! I'm so glad you're ok."

"Mom! I need to breathe!" the girl in question said in a muffled voice, trying to break away from the woman. She gasped theatrically when she was finally free, making her father laugh.

Gloria McArthur was a tall, thin woman, easily beating her daughter in height by at least a head. She had brown hair that reached her shoulders and equally brown eyes. Her husband, Seamus, was of Irish decent, with sandy blonde hair and bright green eyes. To put it simply, Morgan looked nothing like either of them.

"I was so worried that you hadn't called, I thought something might've happened to you."

"Besides the whole almost being kidnapped thing?" Morgan asked.

"But I kept reminding you, dear," Seamus interrupted, "Raven was with her. She was fine."

"You just aren't used to me having a life are you?" Morgan teased.



"You two" Gloria shook a finger at the pair, "are horrible people, ganging up on a poor defenseless woman."

"You are hardly defenseless," Seamus snorted, "remember? You took Morgan to one of your kickboxing classes."

"Yeah, you made me cry!" Morgan told her, pretending to be sad.

The older woman through her hands in the air, admitting defeat, before walking away.

"Now she's upset. Go put your books up in the library and I'll calm your mother down," Seamus told his only daughter.

"Gotcha dad," she gave his a half salute before grabbing the three bags of books and hurrying up the stairs. When she reached the third floor she went to the area designated as hers. Her mother teasingly called it a wing but it was hardly that, consisting of a bedroom, bathroom, study and library. The library, which was just a nickname, was a large room that had been refurbished to have shelves on each wall, save for the door and two windows. The shelves were nearly full of books, ranging from a complete works of Shakespeare to the Twilight series to books on Celtic mythology. Her favorite section though, was mythology on ancient religions and cultures. She particularly loved the stories about Atlantis and the Celtic goddesses. She began unpacking the books by putting them on a shelf that was nearly empty. The shelf was reserved for new books and was quickly filled by the newly bought books.

Picking one up at random, she settled herself into the plush couch that had been there since before she could remember, and began to read.