Disclaimer:

The Teen Titans are properties of DC Comics. Spider-Man, Spider-Woman, Spider-Ham, et. al. are properties of Marvel Comics.

Any reference to an actual person or location is strictly coincidental.

Chapter Two - The Rags

"See, this is one of those things I don't get," Beast Boy said, a gloved hand pointing at a copy of Tattletale by the check-out lane, while Robin unloaded their cart onto the conveyor belt. "If this 'Spider' is one of the good guys, why doesn't he come over to the tower, introduce himself and team-up with us?"

Robin looked up and glanced at the tabloid Beast Boy was pointing at. The cover had an almost entirely black box with the hint of paler ellipses where someone's eyes would be, the headline boldly proclaiming that Tattletale had 'EXCLUSIVE: First Pics of the Mysterious SPIDER! See Jump City's NEW Protector!'

"I don't know, Beast Boy. As I understand it, this Spider has limited himself to muggings, rapes, the sort of street crime that we let the police take care of," Robin said, running a hand through his messy hair before returning his attention to their groceries. "Not everybody wants to be a superhero. Since it's all street crime, maybe he's just trying to repent for something he did previously?"

Cart empty, Robin paused thoughtfully while the checker furiously scanned the pile of groceries that would feed the teenaged heroes for a week. "We might have to look into the Spider, after all. Without knowing what his motivation is, we might be looking at a potential villain."

"Really, Robin?" Beast Boy asked incredulously. "We have a hero stopping street crimes, and you're thinking it's a cover for some villain? Maybe you need to lay off the paranoia."

Robin shrugged, watching the growing collection of bagged groceries. "You may be right," Robin said, "But if it does turn out that I am, you get my laundry duties for a month."

"And if I'm right…" Beast Boy asked expectantly.

"If you're right," Robin laughed, "you're going to be telling all of us about it until Raven pitches you into the bay. For a third time." Looking at beast Boy's expectant expression, Robin sighed before continuing, "And I'll do your turns doing dishes for a month."

"Deal!" Beast Boy exclaimed, sticking his hand out.

Robin shook on the bet and turned his attention back to the groceries, moving the sacks back into their cart. After paying their bill and offering the cashier a friendly, "Have a good day!" Beast Boy pushed the cart out of the store and down the strip mall towards the local tea and coffee place, Teatopia, where Cyborg, Starfire and Raven were getting the various coffees and tea blends that kept the team going on those unfortunate occasions where they were kept up for three days trying to stop a crime.

Along the sidewalk, the pair passed the usual assortment of civilians who were taking advantage of the warm coastal autumn to do some shopping and walking. The one anomaly Beast Boy immediately spotted was the person huddled against one of the planters. Worn-out deck shoes, threadbare jeans and an oversized flannel shirt wrapped tightly around her told Beast Boy that she was likely homeless. Her brunette hair was disheveled and looked like it had recently been hacked into something resembling a bob, the bangs longer than the back. And the rough taper between the two reminded him of Raven's hair.

As they walked past, Beast Boy's eyes tracked her. Too old to be a run-away, too young for life to have chewed her up, but from the way she kept her head down, he knew she was spending most of her time on the streets. And when she wasn't on the streets, the faint scent of coconut body and hair wash told him she was staying in one of the few women's shelters in Jump City.

"It sucks that we still can't fix homelessness," Robin said, bringing Beast Boy back to the present.

"Yea… Are we doing that 'Holiday for the Hungry' thing again? I can't imagine how bad it would be to be both homeless and hungry during the holidays."

Robin repressed a wry smirk. He knew that Beast Boy didn't have to imagine; before the Titans, Beast Boy had been both homeless and hungry before and after his time with the Doom Patrol. "Yea, we'll do that again. It's good for the community."

"Cool."