Deadlocked with the eerie incandescent glow emitting forth from the figure's eyes, Raven stood, nearly dumbstruck at the sight before her. Instinct quickly kicked in though, remembering all that she had learned and trained day after day with. As the shadowed figure came down upon her, Raven rolled backwards, taking hold of the figure's forearms. As she rolled upon her back, she swiftly lodged her foot into the figure's midsection. Something wasn't right though, to the touch, it felt…inhuman, and very cold. The midsection didn't give way like flesh does, but instead was highly rigid, almost mechanical. Without another though, Raven followed through with her attack, sending her attacker over her head, and crashing through what was left of one of the counters from in the kitchen area.
"Knock it off, Cyborg, it's me," Raven called into the shadows, hoping to hear his voice. Instead, she was greeted by the same two eyes, coming within inches of her own face at blinding speed. Attack after attack was blocked or parried on Raven's behalf with ease, finally seizing the opportunity to strike. With a quick snap of the wrist, she brought the backside of her knuckles across the side of the figure's face, quickly retracting it in pain, finding that she struck metal. Before she could recover, the figure had managed to tackle Raven to the ground, holding her there as she squirmed to get free.
"Get the hell off of me! Let me go!" Raven ordered as she continued to struggle, finally opening her eyes, looking to what was in front of her, the incoming light from the broken window finally shedding truth on the situation. A wave of familiarity washed over her in an odd sense, but the sight didn't match what her heart was telling her. There was no denying it though. Raven held still, peering into the glow of the eyes.
"I-is that y-you…001?" She unbelievably asked, finding it just as hard to do so, despite her current position.
The apparently mechanical being reared back a little, almost showing a hint of recollection, even confusion.
"My, it has been a very long time since I've been called that," the machine spoke, his voice nothing like the near-mirrored one of Slade's she knew him to have. He even looked extremely different. No longer a puppet for Slade's plans, but a friendly sight to say the least, especially for her at the moment. From what she could tell, he went with the Titans after everything took place and apparently became somewhat of a member of the team. In fact, it appeared that he was left to guard the Tower from intruders finding out things that they really shouldn't. It didn't matter, nothing did anymore, this was her first sign that was actually welcomed for once. "I'm a little perplexed though, I recall from my memory banks that you are indeed deceased, Raven, are you not?"
"Trust me," Raven began, "as soon as you let me up, I'll explain everything, and hopefully you can do the same for me."
"Oh, my apologies," he replied, aptly standing up, even helping Raven to her feet, "ever since the disbandment, I've been given the task or protecting what vital assets have been left behind in the structure. I do hope I didn't bring any harm upon you."
"I've had worse," she admitted, dusting herself off, "if anyone should apologize, it's me."
"Quaint," the machine answered, turning his attention back to her, "in any case, I am quite surprised that you were able to recognize me after this time apart, as well as my….upgrades after that most dreadful incident."
"Come on now," Raven half-smirked, looking up at him, "you don't think I wouldn't recognize a friend, now would you?"
"In has been approximately 5 years, 4 months, 2 weeks, 2 days, 12 hours, 27 minutes, and….10 seconds since your last known time of life. I have been highly upgraded, reprogrammed for the most part, so I have deduced that you recognizing after this time apart and my changed exterior to the odds of doing so approximately 45,367 to 1."
"I suppose I'm lucky then."
"Quite," he continued, looking out across the bay, "much has happened in your absence, Raven, but my processing is running into a logical error I hope that you may be able to clear up."
"If you've got questions, I'm all ears," Raven nodded, understanding that it must be playing havoc on the machine's AI about her existence.
"You were clearly declared deceased so long ago, yet, you stand before me, alive, or from what my readouts are returning anyways. How have you overcome death? To the best of my knowledge upon my hard drive, organically based organisms such as yourself only have one life to live, and upon death, do not return to the living once more."
Raven walked towards the window a few steps, her person finally moving into the light, or what was naturally available from outside.
"What you see before at this very moment is the work of a miracle, 001," she softly began, recalling the events, "it may be difficult for you to contemplate, even I find it hard to believe time to time, but in short, I have been given a second chance if you will. I did indeed die, but by a divine hand, I live once more."
"That is sufficient to answer my question," 001 nodded, "why has it taken you this long to return?"
"A series of events that didn't quite go my way for starters," Raven informed, folding her arms before her across her chest in an attempt to stay warm. "I ended up far from home, civilization at that. My communicator was busted, so I couldn't just call for help. I have walked, literally crawled my way home. There were times where I would settle down here and there for a moment, usually for training."
"Training? For what? What of your powers?"
"I…lost them," Raven painfully admitted, "due to my "resurrection" if you will, I lost control over them. I can only suppress them through the aide of meditation and relaxation methods, if not, they become unstable and dangerously out of control. I, as well as anyone around me, is at a constant danger until I fix this situation. I can hopefully keep everyone safe for now though. In any case, as much as I hate to admit it though, I was grateful Slade taught me what he did, as I built off of that, and studied beneath the best martial artists master in the world. I may not have my powers, but I will remain an active member on the team."
001 stood idle as he processed the information, Raven clearly hearing his internal components operating much like a computer. He eerily stared at her as he done so, giving her an unsettling feeling.
"That seems logical indeed, Raven," he finally spoke, "forgive me for my processing speed, Cyborg has neglected to run diagnostics checks and update my software for nearly a year now."
"So that was the last time you had any contact with any of the other then?" Raven questioned, surprised at the lapse of upkeep on not only Cyborg's, but everyone else's behalf.
"Yes, I regretfully admit," 001 continued, "it is as if there was a slim ray of hope left within his and the others' vessels, and it withered away. Most regretful indeed. I hold no ills towards them though, I am but a machine, equipment, a tool, and treated as such. I have become obsolete, and my usefulness has diminished."
"Don't say things like that," Raven consoled, placing a hand on his shoulder, but he only looked at it since he lacked feeling, "look, you still have use, I'm the one that has caused this all to happen in one way or another, and I need your help to right the wrongs that have taken place."
"I will be more than compliant to aid you in your quest, Raven," he nodded, "it has become my highest priority in my task list."
"Alright, for starters," Raven began, "do you know or have the information to the others' whereabouts?"
"Yes, I know the locations of Richard and Kori Grayson, Victor Stone, and Garfield Logan. These are either assumed names or cover-ups, but this how they have been programmed into my systems.
"Richard Grayson…I know that's Robin, or Nightwing, whatever he last called himself, and I'm going to assume that Kori is Starfire's alias in relation to her Tameranian name, so those two are married then?"
"Correct."
"Victor Stone…that's definitely Cyborg, and Garfield is Beast Boy. What about Terra?"
"Terra…" he began, searching his storage, "appears I lack information on her, but from last recorded records, she was indeed one of the remaining members of the team before it was disbanded. I'm more than certain the others will know of her location."
Raven nodded, trying to remain calm, as she was on the verge of reuniting with her…family. Friends seemed so inadequate at the moment to cover what was within her body in terms of thoughts and feelings.
"Very well, 001," Raven acknowledged, "is there any way you can give me their locations, such as addressed and whatnot?"
He held up his arm as if he was looking at a watch, and slowly, but surely, the sound of paper printing emitted forth, coming out of a small slot in his forearm. Nowhere near full-sized, but ample enough to provide her with the information she required. The paper was yellowed from time, but it didn't matter, the ink lay fresh on it, and 001 ripped it from his forearm, handing it to her.
"Hopefully this will help you with your request, Raven," he informed, "if you do happen to find Cyborg, please instruct him to come and perform routine maintenance on me, I am in dire need of it, and I can only do so much without help."
"I'll be sure to send him your way as soon as I find him," she promised, "can I trust you to look after my belonging while I go and look for them?"
"I'll safeguard them with my existence," 001 assured.
All Raven could do was smile at her long-lost acquaintance. Though changed significantly by Cyborg and the Titans, he was still the same robotic entity that she knew him to be. Upon gathering some money from her backpack to put into her coat, Raven embarked back down the stairs she climbed earlier, through the wasteland of a hallway that had seen its fair share of vandalism, parties, and destruction in general. It was a disgusting sight to say the least, even a painful one at that. It was her home, her life, and seeing it in such disarray pulled at her heart. She knew her actions that she was to take place on would hopefully free her of this sight in due time. Raven exited the Tower in the similar fashion that she had entered, climbing down and around the jagged rocks, attempting to get the small inlet of a bay on the other side of the island where the fisherman was anchored…supposed to be anchored anyways.
"I swear that old man better still be there," she said to herself as she approached the hill before the bay, topping it, and indeed finding the boat still there, the man kicked back, reading a newspaper. Raven placed her fingers in her mouth and whistled, getting his attention, signaling for him to come pick her up. He looked up, seeing her, waving. Placing his newspaper to the side, he quickly went into the wheelhouse of the fishing trawler, brining the small vessel about. It inched closer to the shore in reverse, allowing her to step onboard once again.
"You find what ya need?" He questioned, preparing to take off again as he idled out of the bay for somewhat open water, at least what wasn't iced over.
"Regretfully, yes," Raven admitted without thinking.
"Why ya regret it if that's what ya need?"
Raven realized what she said.
"It's nothing, trust me, I found what I need," she informed, trying to hide her true identity. In this day and age, Raven's…look wasn't exactly original too much anymore, so blending in wasn't a problem for once. No need to go and blow that cover after all.
"That's all that matters," the old man commented, "anywhere else ya need to be goin'?"
"Just back to shore, that's all," she answered, checking to make sure she had enough money for whatever possibly expenditures she'd need while she's there. "The most I'll spend will be if I need a place to stay for the night, but this should cover meals and transportation…" she thought she thumbed through the bills, then placing them in her pocket once more.
The rest of the waterway trip to the dock again was in silence, the old man focused on piloting his vessel, and Raven contently thinking of what had happened to cause the Titans to disband. The only conclusion she could arrive at was it was all her fault, if not for her "death", all would be the same, as it was everyday. Faith was strong though and she refused to give up, especially after coming this far. The old man expertly guided the vessel back into port, mooring it as well. Raven slowly disembarked, placing feet on the dock once more.
"Hey, wait a minute," the fisherman stated, gently grabbing Raven by her arm.
She turned around, seeing him holding the money that she had given him for passage to the island, "take this back, I don't need it from ya."
"Please, keep it," Raven gently informed, pushing it back towards him, "it is my fare for giving me a ride."
"Ya need it more than me, Raven," the man smirked, watching Raven's eyes grow wide with surprise at the uttering of her name, "it's good to see one of ya heroes around here again, I'm hopin' that ya are here to get ya friends back together, aren't ya?"
"H-how did you know?" She questioned in a hushed tone as she assured no one else heard, still suffering from the shock of surprise.
"Ya look exactly like her, and ya needed a ride out to Titans' Island," he deduced, "it's kinda obvious, don't ya think?"
"A little," Raven admitted, embarrassed, "look, please, just don't tell anyone, not a single living soul. I don't know what is going to happen yet, so I can't make any promises if we are actually coming back, alright?"
"No problem, ya have my word," he seemed to swear allegiance. "I read in the papers a quite a few years back that one of ya died or somethin', that be you, ain't it?"
Raven reluctantly nodded.
"So how ya standin' before me now?"
"Trust me," she began, almost amused by those who asked her, "it's a long story, and I'd love to tell you, but I'm kinda in a hurry."
"Ah, I understand," he nodded, preparing to shove off once more, "I'll read about it in the paper, I bet. Stay safe, hope ya find out what ya need to find."
Raven smiled, waving back as he began to leave the dock once more, apparently to continue with his day of fishing, late or not. She approached the bustling commercial district not too far off from the dock, hoping to find the fates of her friends and teammates.
"Let's see here," she commented to herself as she brandished the folded up piece of paper that 001 bestowed upon her, "who should I surprise first?" Raven added with a light laugh, attempting to make the best of the situation. "Let me rephrase that, who should I visit first that won't flip out?"
Raven stood in thought for a moment, finally coming to the conclusion that every last one of them probably would, no matter how she presented herself.
"Cyborg will do, he seems to be the most logical of everyone, I'll eventually get around to everyone anyways," Raven concluded, checking her watch, "and from what 001 has given me, it appears that he is at work…as the athletic director of Jump City High School. Why am I not surprised?"
After a quick lunch at a nearby diner, Raven more than thankful for the hot meal, something she hadn't experienced in a long time, she took a cab to the metropolitan high school, located not too far from downtown. Though the city was large indeed, this was the largest school in the district, as well as one of the best in terms of athletics from what she heard from Cyborg off and on as he had a passion for the numbers in sports.
"Athletics Director, huh?" Raven thought as she approached the grounds, stepping through the opening in the fence around the field. Though clearly snowing in the middle of the summer months, it appeared that the practices for the football team went on as scheduled, doing their various assigned tasks by the coach. With a hand shielding her eyes from the sun overhead, she peered across the expanse, seeing a tall, broad-shouldered man calling the shots. It was undeniable that it was Cyborg. "Definitely seems to fit him well," she added with a smirk as she continued to trudge through the snow.
Even though she neared him across the snow-covered ground, she didn't seem to take notice that she was walking across the actual field, and there happen to be a practice game in progress, and the play happen to have already started.
"Yo, head's up!" One of the players yelled, getting her attention. Raven turned in time to see the ball flying through the air like a rocket. Without a blink of an eye, she easily caught it, much like any of them would have, the intended receiver coming to an abrupt halt before her.
"Thanks for the warning," Raven timidly commented, handing him the ball, "sorry for the interruption."
"Nice catch, girl," he complimented, "you might wanna stay off the field though."
"I will," she laughed embarrassingly, turning to find the hulk of a man behind his teenaged player. It was indeed him, it had to be.
"Mind tellin' me what you're doing on my field?" He questioned, his voice indeed that of Cyborg's, deeper with age. At a glance, he didn't look like him, in fact, he looked human, but Raven knew better. Thanks to his technology and knowledge of just that, he had masked himself before, it was clear he was doing it now. Though, a full face of facial hair seemed to mask the friend she used to know.
"Do forgive me, C-, Coach Stone," Raven caught herself, calling him by his cover apparently, "but I do need to discuss something with you in private."
"Do ya now? What might that be?" He questioned, crossing his arms, some of the players gathering around.
"Yes, I'm from…Jump City University," Raven lied, finding it to come rather naturally at that, "I'm here from the athletics department, doing some scouting, and I'm looking for the best players in the state, so why not start right here in Jump City?"
"Now you're speaking my language," he smirked, motioning, "come on, follow me, go somewhere nice and warm to talk."
The players were in awe, hearing of the possibility of having a full athletic scholarship to a university.
"Well don't just stand there, get back to work," he ushered, getting them in gear, followed by various obedience's and "Coach" added to it.
Raven found herself inside his office, one beneath the stadium bleachers of the football field, more than comfortable in the basking warmth; yet, she kept her coat on and hood up…for the moment.
"Take yourself a seat," he offered, placing his own overcoat on his coat rack. By his physique and mannerisms, it was quite clear that he was who Raven thought he was. "So what's this I hear about giving some of my boys a spot on JCU's team?"
"Honestly," Raven reluctantly began, "that isn't why I'm here, I'm not associated with the university in any way, shape, or form. I just needed to speak with you privately about a certain matter."
"Then why are you here?" Coach Stone became irritated at being led on. "I'm busy at the moment and don't have a lot of time to shoot the breeze."
Raven hesitated, but lowered her hood, allowing her violet locks of hair to flow down to her shoulders, a little long, but still holding resemblance of her style. Eyes closed, she finally looked into his, amethyst staring back at him.
Silence came between them as he backed up slightly in his chair behind his desk, confusion clearly in his eyes. He continued to study her, appearing to assure his eyes were true. The resemblance was too close to deny it, despite the time and the fate of his friend and teammate…this was just a mirror image of her.
"I've brought my intentions out into the open," Raven commented, remaining fixated on him, "now it is your turn to reveal yourself to me…Cyborg. Cy, it's me…Raven."
He slowly stood up in awe, nearly dumbstruck as he approached her, studying her closely. Every single logical thought within his mind said that she should be dead, and definitely not sitting before him, alive and well. This was beyond comprehension, mortal or otherwise. So sure that this wasn't real, he brought a single hand up, touching her face gently. Though still in his cover, he began to choke on his own tears.
"R-r-raven? I-is it really-"
"Yes," Raven interrupted, her emotions starting to get the better of her as well, overcome with sheer happiness that he recognized her, as well as didn't chastise the possibility that she was alive.
Without hesitation, he wrapped his large arms around her, holding her tightly in a hug, quietly sobbing, apparently out of joy. Raven wasn't far behind him emotionally. Though just the beginning of her return, this was the culmination of all her efforts. All the blood, sweat, and tears shed were for this moment, right here. After what seemed like an eternity, he finally released her from their embrace, managing to wipe his own eyes as well. It seemed to be difficult to form a cognitive sentence at the moment for him, blown away by sheer impossibility at her existence.
"Trust me, Cyborg," Raven began, attempting to regain herself as well, "It's a long story. Before I continue, could you…could you show yourself to me? Your true self, the Cyborg I know and love like family."
Though still blown away in shock, he reached behind Raven, pulling the blinds to his office closed, as well as locking the door. Assured of privacy, as well not to blow his cover, he brought his hands up, a championship ring on either hand, cleverly disguised as them anyways, and slammed them together, interlocking them. In a glowing hue of blue energy, Cyborg's metallic body slowly began to appear through the façade as it crawled down his body, revealing his true form. Though clearly upgraded from the last time they had seen one another, it was still Cyborg. He met eyes with her once more.
"H-how is this even possible?" he managed through his shock, it was going to be awhile indeed before it wore off. "This better not be some kind of sick joke."
"Cyborg, please, am I the one to pull jokes? No, and no one is intelligent enough in this city to do something like this, or even that stupid for that matter. It's me Cyborg, Raven, I'm as real as real could be. Like I said, it is a long…very long story at that, but all that it requires is for you to listen and attempt to make the best of it. I know parts won't make sense, but trust me, I have lived this."
Cyborg studied her once more, it was now impossible to deny it, Raven was indeed before him, returned from the grave at that in his mind since they had laid her to rest already.
"Alright, Rae," he began with a slight smile, taking a seat at his desk, "lay it on me. I know that we've done the impossible before, but this takes the cake, I mean, messin' with the laws of nature right here kind of impossible."
She had missed his easy-going and humors nature, feeling nostalgia washing over her once more. It felt like home, she felt…accepted.
Time seemed to fly by as Raven spoke of her adventures across the world over the past five years, all the way from her very absence in the beginning, all the way to her case of mistaken identity in the Tower not long ago. Though quite a few details were left out, Raven just hit all of the main points, anything that was important, and hopefully answered any questions he had.
"…and then I came here from the Tower with the information 001 gave me," Raven finished, "hoping to find all of you again."
Cyborg attempted to shake himself back into normality as he shook his head upon hearing the tale, as unbelievable as it sounded, it was logical, and with Raven, nearly anything was possible.
"So let me get this straight," he began, pointing a finger at her gently as he propped his elbows on his desk, "you've been alive this whole time, unable to contact us or any other Titan, roaming around the world, and finally made your way back home?"
"In a nutshell," Raven replied, "yes. Cyborg, you have to believe me, why would I make up such an elaborate story, let alone return to Jump City for you guys?"
"Easy, Rae, I believe you," he assured, sighing, "it's just so…so…unreal, I mean, we had a funeral service for you and everything, and now, you're sitting before me, it's hard to take in. That happened nearly 5 years ago, Rae, it's difficult to accept the fact that you're alive in front of me right now. You've defied the laws of nature, that isn't something people do all the time."
"Cyborg, I know it's hard to take in all at once, but what I'm telling you is true, everything that I've done since that day, as well as what has happened to me, all of it." Raven assured.
With an exasperated sigh of understanding, Cyborg met eyes with her again.
"You've had plenty of chances to settle down somewhere, why did you choose to come back to this god-forsaken place?"
"I wanted to be with my family, my friends, the Titans, Cyborg," she replied with her heart, "I know what I did was wrong, nearly unforgivable, but I beg for it from you and the others, so we can be whole again, a team once more."
"Rae, in case you hadn't noticed," he gently stated, "the Titans called in quits. We packed in a few years after you…died. It was nothing but a downward spiral since that happened. All of us lost a little bit of us on the inside, unable to fill it again, no matter how hard we tried. Worst of all, that vulnerability within us made us lose one another, and in the end, the team was no more."
"Just like I thought," Raven began, tears coming to her eyes, "it was all my fault."
"No, no, no, please don't cry, Rae," Cyborg attempted to console, gathering her up in his arms as her sobs were muffled against his shoulder, "shhh, it isn't your fault. It was our own as a whole."
"How so?" she sniffled, still welcoming his embrace.
"After your…untimely demise," he stated, allowing her to sit down while he knelt, taking her hand for assurance he was there for her, "we all took it upon ourselves to grow stronger within one another to continue forth, knowing that you wouldn't want us to dwell upon your passing, and allow your sacrifice for the rest of us to go in vain. Richard took it upon himself to avenge you any way he possibly could, as well as seek redemption for failing you. You know how he's always been, Rae. We started tracking down leads and whatnot. We found out that Blood and Chang had been working very closely with Slade, and swore to take both of them down. If you didn't stop Slade, Raven, those three would be running this city, possibly more, by now. In any case, we tracked Blood to Gotham City. In short, we found his H.I.V.E. Academy, and took care of business. To be honest, Star managed to get hurt pretty bad, and Nightwing just snapped, and he killed Blood."
Raven was in awe of this. She knew he would indeed protect those he loved, but take another life? It didn't sound like him.
"Our own choices wrought the outcome, Rae, as much as we wished to hope otherwise, that is the truth. Richard and Kori split from the team, leaving me, Terra, and Gar. From there, well, as you can tell, we didn't do so hot. After several botched attempts of being heroes, it was a consensus that the innocent people we were to protect no longer had faith in their heroes, so it was best we called it quits. I never thought that day would have come, Rae, but it did. The Titans disbanded about 3 years ago, almost three years anyways, and we all went our separate ways, staying in contact for emergencies…that's about it."
"So how are you doing this here?" Raven motioned to his office, apparently of his coaching position.
"Well, you know me, I've always been a sports buff, so why not find myself a job amongst everyone else and blend in, live a "normal" life," he commented, looking at the various pictures on his walls, "ever since I took up this coaching job, I've put Jump City High in the highest ranking bracket of teams, as well as brought home back-to-back state championships. Working towards an undefeated season this year." He added with a nervous laugh, almost able to feel what Raven was thinking.
"Oh yeah, Cy, on a side note," she commented, "001 wants you to come out to the Tower and fix him up, he's in dire need of it."
"We call him Cypher now, but yeah, I've kinda neglected him lately. Haven't had time to go out there and run routine maintenance on him."
His passion for his new life made what Raven was thinking even harder to suggest out loud.
"Cyborg, can I level with you?" She managed, taking a deep breath.
"Sure, what's on your mind, Rae?"
"The only reason I came back to Jump City was to be with you guys again," she began, "to be a Titan again. Cy, I know that you are happy, even the others are for all I know, but I want to form the team again. We're complete again, and I must undo the wrongs I've committed against you and the others. This isn't a choice for me, Cy, it's a necessity, I can't live with myself if I went on without even attempting to redeem myself."
Cyborg closed his eyes in deep thought, sighing.
"Rae, we aren't those people anymore," he reluctantly admitted, "as much as I hate to admit it, I'm not a Titan anymore…I'm Coach Stone. I'm happy with who I am now, Rae, I haven't been this happy ever since my accident that turned me into Cyborg, I actually feel normal again."
It felt like someone had ripped Raven's heart free of her body, causing her to clutch at the unknown pain that dwelled within it.
"Look, it doesn't mean that we can't still be friends," Cyborg attempted to retract, realizing what he said had such a demoralizing effect on her.
"Normal, huh?" Raven replied, hurt, "of course, it would be so selfish of me to wish for things to be the way they used to be, one big family, you know? Well, guess what Cyborg? My normality rests on the sole fact that we are together again as friends and family, as Titans, because I have no one else! I have nothing else in this world! You and the others are the ones that have helped me keep my sanity, and I kept that in mind the entire time I was away, hoping to come home to open arms, a warm welcome, but no, I'm being shunned away, kicked to the curb with "that was the past, this is now". Cyborg, you sicken me. You, of all people, I thought would be the most understanding. I can only hope the others are…if not…well, maybe I was better off staying dead."
"Rae, wai-" Cyborg managed, only to have the door slammed in response as she left his office, leavening him to bask in the silence. He didn't realize the weight of his words that he spoke to her. Displeased with the situation, he sat at his desk, burying his face into his hands, deep in thought.
"Have I grown that distanced from the others to say such things, to her of all?" He pondered, pulling his top right draw of his desk out, the embossed "T" symbol upon his communicator standing out against the black background, the remainder of the device in yellow, how it had been, how it always will be. Her words burned into his subconscious, scathing ones at that, continually repeating over and over again, and the sad thing was….they were true. Cyborg shook his head, closing the draw as he continuing thinking about the situation, as awkward as it may be, was indeed real. Without another word, he pressed the rings together, assuming his identity of Coach Victor Stone once more.
"God I hate this feeling," he quietly said to himself as he donned his hat once more, preparing to go back out onto the field and continue coaching his boys, if they were still out there anyways.
Meanwhile, though tears managed to form in her eyes once more, Raven held a majority of them back, continuing to retain hope within her vessel. She still had the others to go to in her time of need. As much as it hurt, she didn't blame him, she wouldn't give up a life that she was comfortable and happy with to one filled with constant torment and uncertainty. Being a hero of any kind came with a hefty price and bearing that weight for so many years can wear on a person. One would have to be insane to give up normality for that. She would have said the same thing if the roles had been reversed, no matter how much she wished to deny it. After what he said solidified what she had been told previously about the fate of Blood and the actual disbandment, that only offset her hopes of rebuilding the team with her return. A traumatic experience split them apart, starting with her apparent, and should be, death, spiraling into nothingness, leaving the city to fend for itself.
"I've still got Richard, Star, Gar, even Terra to go to," she optimistically said to herself as she stood there, awaiting a cab in the freezing snow. "Maybe they will see things a little differently than Cyborg did. I don't blame him though; I would have done the same thing. As soon as I'm through with getting around to everyone, I'll stop back by again and apologize to him."
A half-hour later, Raven found herself in the suburbs, outskirts of the city at that. A rather new neighborhood, much like the one she witnessed on the way in, but these homes appeared to be upper-middle class, far out of the price range of many inhabitants of the city. She studied the address printed on the aged paper, assuring she had the right place.
"Is this really where they live?" She quietly commented, stuffing the paper back into her coat pocket, "seems a little…out of budget for them, but I was already surprised of what Cyborg has managed to accomplish. Here goes nothing."
Raven cautiously approached the eloquent two-story home, complete with a spacious lawn, and two-car garage. The brick-laden walls of the home stood out against the snow, as well as the antiquate cobblestone drive itself. Besides a series of small trees lining the drive, the lawn was barren, unable to support any extravagant foliage due to the weather. Large bay windows ornately decorated with shutters and engravings around them. From a first glance, it appeared the two of them were well on their way to living the American Dream. She hesitantly brought her finger up to the doorbell, stopping short of pressing it, but then followed through, knowing that it must be done. It was clearly evident that she was nervous, possibly the most she had ever been. It was one thing with Cyborg, but Robin…Robin was different, he had been their leader. It didn't help matters any about what she had done to him in Slade's name either. For all she knew, he was still bitter from that alone.
"I'm not ready for this," she thought, preparing to turn about and leave, but the sound of footsteps on the other side of the door already sounded, staying her feet. Raven wished to leave, but it felt as if her obligation stayed her feet, the door's locks coming undone, beginning to open. Black, medium length hair and a pair of the bluest eyes looked back at her upon a face that was ever so familiar. His height was something new indeed, no longer short, nearly the shortest on the team at that. He was as tall as Cyborg, but retained his own natural body shape, toned, yet wiry from his acrobatic nature. Something odd though, he appeared to be dressed rather formal, a suit and tie.
"Yes, how can I help you?" He politely questioned of Raven, just as with Cyborg, the voice instantly recognized from hearing it time and time again as teammates.
"Richard Grayson?" Raven timidly questioned beneath the cowl of her hooded sweatshirt, shielding her features from him.
"Yes? Can I help you with something?" Richard answered, perplexed.
Raven took a long breath, still attempting to shield herself from the biting cold as snow continued to fall.
"M-may I come in, I have something rather important to tell you," she suggested, hoping he would allow her entrance.
Though there was a slight moment of hesitation, he stepped aside the doorway, allowing her entrance.
"Sure, come in, warm yourself up."
"Thank you," she consoled in her most appreciative manner she could muster.
Raven made her way through the foyer into the actual home, the large, open rooms making it easy to spot the living area of the home, taking a gentle seat on the couch. Opposite from the couch to the right was a recliner, one mirrored on the other side of it, across the way to Raven's other side. Richard took a seat in the recliner, keeping eyes on Raven, unsure of her identity or intentions.
"So, what is this important manner of business you need to discuss with me?" He politely asked of her. For all she knew, he was busy and in a hurry, so might as well attempt to make it as short, and hopefully painless as she possibly could.
"Richard…" she began, trying to find the words that would best work in the current situation, "…do you remember me?"
"Do I know you?" He asked of her, confused.
"You can say that, I'm somewhat of a long lost friend of yours. It's been a few years, but I do indeed know you, better than anyone else at that."
At this point, he was more than intrigued by her words, listening intently.
"I know who you are…Nightwing," she whispered.
He nearly jumped back in surprise, somewhat of a similar fashion that Cyborg reacted. She figured that by the end of the day, they would all react in such a way. It was to be expected.
"Who are you?!" Richard demanded, fearing that his cover had been compromised completely.
Raven gingerly lowered her hood with her hands, looking him directly in the eye. Richard's own grew to near pinpricks in surprise at what he saw before him. They quickly returned to normal as logic kicked in, becoming visibly angry.
"I don't know who you are or where you got your information," he nearly growled, "but you are a sick person with your warped and twisted jokes."
"Richard, it's me!" Raven defended, hurt by his words, "Raven…your friend."
"That's impossible, she died…a long time ago at that," he countered, his mind telling him it was impossible to be true. He felt the past being brought back up, possibly the worst time of his life.
"I never died, Robin," Raven slipped back into the usual mindset of what she called him, "I'm not going to lie, a lot of weird stuff has happened, I mean a lot, but I have been alive this whole time, attempting to find my way home from halfway around the world, powerless. Please, just hear me out."
Though angered from the previous thought that it was an imposter playing a cruel joke, his thoughts surfaced. How would she know so much about him and his past if she wasn't who she claimed to be.
"Look, I know this doesn't make sense, it doesn't make sense to me half the time, but you have to trust me, I am indeed alive, I have been, and I've returned."
"Why now?" he began, giving her chance. Maybe, just maybe, she was telling the truth.
"I traversed this globe on foot, my communicator was broken, and I stopped off here and there from time to time, learning a thing or two," she explained, "I found Master Chu Hui, Richard, the very same that trained you."
That alone surprised him; the possibility of her being truly alive was now a remote possibility. The wall of logic began to crumble before him, now, with clear mind, he saw…Raven, alive and well before her.
"How can I be sure you are who you say you are?"
Raven pushed the hair across her scarred eye aside, tucking it behind her ear, showing it to him. Her ashen complexion, complete with the ruby-red chakra upon her forehead, plain as day.
"Slade did this to me in that final hour, Richard, "Raven reluctantly informed, almost feeling the fresh pain from it recourse through her body as she recalled the event. "I bear the scars, much like this one, to this day."
Richard studied her intently, slowly bringing his hand up, and gently running it down her face, tracing the old wound. The texture and warmth of her skin was undeniable that she was alive and not some figment of his imagination, or even more preposterous…a zombie. He had always been one to bottle up his emotions, any of them, so Raven understood that he wasn't showing them in an outpouring nature, it was just how he was. She could almost feel it in his aura, how happy, relieved, whatever positive emotion you could possibly conceive, it was there. To her, she didn't need to see it, it was clearly there in her mind. Without warning, she leapt up from the couch, wrapping her arms around him, and engaged him in a tight embrace. Though one not for emotions, he gladly accepted it, gently patting her on the back. Despite the years apart, they almost felt closer than ever. After several moments, she finally released him, finding her seat once more.
"Raven," he began, still blown away by the sheer unlikely probability before him, "…I…I don't know what to say, I mean, I'm more than ecstatic that you are alive and well. I thought you were gone for good, we all did, and I could never forgive myself for what happened to you…It was my fault what happened to you, Raven."
"No, Richard," Raven consoled, finding him distressed, "you did what you could do under the circumstances. I was the one that made mistakes. I turned my back on you and the others; I committed heinous crimes in his name. If anyone is to blame, it is me."
"H-h-how is this all possible?" Richard managed in awe, much like how Cyborg acted. "I know we've done the impossible before as a team, Raven, but this takes the cake, I mean, defying death and all."
"Cyborg and I already went over this today not too long ago, Robin," she meekly smiled, "I'm sure he'll call you and let you know everything. I left out a few details, mind you, but all the main points were brought to the forefront indeed."
"Wait, you already went to see Vic?" He questioned, surprised.
"Yeah, he was the closest when I got back from the Tower onto the mainland again. The information that 001, I mean Cypher or whatever you guys call him now, said he was working at the high school, so I stopped by and found him coaching the team or some nonsense."
"So I've heard," he commented, adjusting his posture in his seat, "I'm sure that you want to know why I left the team, don't you?" Richard added, slightly ashamed of himself in her presence.
"I'm sure I already know, at least from what Cy told me anyways, you need not to explain yourself to me," Raven assured, "if what he said about Blood and what happened to Star was true, then I would have probably done the same thing in your shoes. Speaking of Star, where is she, I'd kinda like to see her again."
"She's upstairs, hold on a minute," he smiled, heading to the staircase, "Hey babe?" Richard called up the stairs, using what seemed like a usual pet name for her.
"Yes, dear?" Star's uppity voice of innocence replied, apparently from their bedroom.
"We've got a…visitor here, could you come down for a minute?" He beckoned, smiling nervously back at Raven, who merely sat contently, studying the décor of the home around her.
"I'll be down in a minute," she assured, apparently finishing her daily primping, or what Raven thought to be. Star was always one for vanity, so it wouldn't surprise her any if that was what she was indeed doing.
Richard peered up the stairs intently, awaiting his wife of whom he has been happily married to for three years.
"Who is it?" She questioned of him as she bounded down the stairs with grace.
"You'll see, she's waiting in the living room."
He stepped aside, allowing the figure of Starfire to step onto the hardwood floor in front of the stairway. Always possessing height and the figure that belonged to a supermodel, her years of maturity into womanhood were indeed kind. Starfire was easily the most beautiful girl she had laid eyes on from her standpoint, always envying her to a degree at her narrow frame, long legs, and beautiful eyes. Male or female perspective, she had it all. It was different to see her dressed in a simple white blouse and black skirt, apparently preparing to attend some form of business. Her flowing red hair was done up in a bun. Doubting she actually needed them, Raven also saw her with a pair of reading glasses perched atop the bridge of her nose, accustomed to peering over them. Briefcase and overcoat in hands, she entered the living room, smiling. Unlike Richard, her naturally occurring ability to outpour emotions and state what she thought out loud was rather common, just like old times. The exact moment her emerald eyes met with Raven's own amethyst, she stopped dead in her tracks, mouth agape. The only response she could muster was dropping the items she had in her hands. Starfire didn't need an explanation, but what she saw was real before her in her mind.
"R-r-r-"she managed with tear filled eyes full of sheer joy, Raven merely nodding in agreement. Starfire managed to literally fly across the room, taking Raven up in her arms. One thing was for sure, her alien strength didn't weaken over the years.
"Oh my goodness, how is this possible?!" She said out loud ecstatically, "Friend Raven has returned!"
"Star…" Raven managed beneath the crushing strength.
"I knew it to be true, I have felt that you were alive this entire time, I knew it!"
"Star," she gritted her teeth, though happy for Starfire, she was hurting her, especially with her side that never healed properly. The strain began to take its toll as she could feel her joints popping. Any more pressure, she'd snap Raven in half like a twig.
"You have returned to us, a joyous occasion in need of celebration indeed!"
"Starfire…you're crushing…me," Raven finally let out, causing her to release her person, who she held aloft without effort. She drew several breaths of relief, returning to normality.
"It took her awhile to stop doing that to me," Richard semi-joked.
"I'm sorry, I don't recognize my own strength," she embarrassingly apologized, "It has been quite a bit of time since I've felt like this. Friend Raven, it is so pleasing, a miracle, to see you once more."
"It's okay, Star," Raven assured, holding her side, but quickly returned to a casual state. "Yes, I do have to agree with you there, it is very…pleasant to see you two again."
"Do have a seat, Friend Raven," Starfire motioned to the couch once more, sitting right beside her, literally on top of her. Raven didn't hold it against her; Starfire was always the emotional type, so this must have been a heyday for her. "How are you amongst us, amongst the…living?"
Knowing that the day was far from over with, Raven hit all the high points of her travels once more over the past 5 years, leaving out most of the unimportant details, at least what would be towards her actually returning. Mainly an explanation of her existence, as well as the vital stops she made along the way, and reasons why it has taken so long. Needless to say, much like Cyborg, these two were astonished, and completely blown away by this tale of great magnitude. Starfire had managed to procure tea, Raven's favorite, from the kitchen as well. It seemed that they had indeed found some common interests besides being friends over the years.
"If you think about it," Richard deduced by nature, "it does make sense, but it is highly improbable, I mean, what are the chances?"
"Tell me about it," Raven nervously laughed, feeling at home again, "I don't even believe half of it, I'm surprised you guys do."
"Like Richard said," Starfire complemented to him, "when you think about it…it makes sense."
Raven easily noted during what conversations that they had thus far that Starfire's speech…mainly her use of English, had improved drastically.
"This is something that I'm impressed with from you, Star," Raven pointed out, getting a perplexed look from her. "if it wasn't for your nature…well, and the fact that you're married to him, I wouldn't have recognized you."
"How so?"
"The way you are speaking," she smiled, "I remember when you had a hard enough time forming a cognitive sentence. Now, you speak rather eloquently."
"I can say the same about you," she commented with a raised eyebrow, getting a similar reaction, "you seem more…down to earth. Compared to your past, well, formerly-known self to us, it's almost as if you are a completely different person. This isn't a bad thing; mind you, Friend Raven, but merely an observation."
"What can I say?" Raven shrugged, "This just kinda happened to me, and I made the best of it."
A couple hours later, as well as thumbing through album after album of photographs, Raven finally felt like she had bonded with them enough once more to make her perceived suggestion. Hopefully this would go a little more smoothly than it did with Cyborg.
"Guys, can I say something?" She looked up from an album of photos of their wedding, seeing Garfield, Terra, Cyborg, and other various Titans present in the pictures.
"Of course, Raven," Richard stated.
"I hope this doesn't turn into a killjoy or anything," she began, "but besides getting to see all of you once more, there was only one reason why I came back to Jump City. I heard what happened to the team, what happened to you guys, and how everything went downhill. I hold myself responsible, and have come to terms with it. Now though, I have returned, and everything can be the way it was once before. I want to reunite all of us again, be the Titans, and bring order to that god-forsaken city outside your window."
A brief moment of silence ensued as the both of them thought intently.
"Raven, please understand this," Richard sympathetically began, "that isn't who we are anymore. We were just a bunch of kids trying to act like adults and got way in over our heads. We paid the price for it too. I don't want to risk losing anyone again or allowing anyone to get hurt beneath me. I thought you were gone for good, and Starfire almost followed. If anything was to happen to her now…I couldn't continue."
"She is right though, Richard," Starfire semi-protested, a spark of hope within Raven, "it has been a few years, but she is back, as if all is well, and we could pick up where we left off, just like old times, correct?"
"In theory," he respectfully countered, "look, Raven, it's not that I…let me rephrase that, we don't want to do it, but we have so much to risk now. What happened, with you, almost to Star, was a reality check, proving that none of us were invincible, and how life is precious. We can't just gamble with it on a daily basis. I haven't been happy for a long time…now I am. Sta-, Kori is at my side, living happily ever after. We both have successful careers now, and are planning on starting a family. Begin a Titan puts all that in jeopardy, and I'm not going to risk our very futures on that stake."
Cyborg's words rung simultaneously in her head, fearing that what she thought was true. Ever since she had "passed" ,they had been happier than ever, leading normal lives, all in lieu of her being gone. Her death was a good thing to them, or so it seemed.
"Richard…" Star attempted, but found it no use, turning back to Raven.
"It's okay, Starfire," Raven managed, clearly hurt inside, "I understand. He is right, how awful it is of me to come back and wish this from my friends in my time of need. I don't know about you two, but no matter what becomes of me, I've always been a Titan at heart. The first time I felt accepted, the first time I ever felt friendship, the first time I…belonged, was as a Titan. If I'm to be denied that, then I am nothing. I'm glad you two are living happily ever after, at least some of us will," she added, getting up, heading for the door. "Jump City will have at least one Titan come to its calling, or I'll die trying."
Richard started to say something, but quickly retracted, feeling the same way that Cyborg seemed to when he told Raven the same thing. Kori only looked on, slightly hurt. After the door closed, mildly than compared to when she spoke with Cyborg, she turned towards Richard.
"How could you say such a thing to her as soon as she comes back?" She questioned accusingly.
"I told her the truth, she needed to hear it," Richard replied under her eye, "no sense in leading her on with lies and hopes of failed promises."
"Richard, she is our friend, nearly family, and you plainly shunned her away as if she was nothing," Starfire said, upset with the situation. "I don't know about you, Nightwing, but if it means putting our future on hold for even a moment, I will not hesitate. Raven has been through hell and back, she needs us now more than ever, and if that means resurrecting the team…then so be it."
He stood there in awe of the compassion she was showing for Raven's cause, despite all the words they had exchanged time and time again about their future, as well as the plans of having children. If she was willing to put that aside for a moment…then maybe it wasn't such a preposterous idea. Richard gave a long sigh, grabbing his coat as he prepared to go out the door.
"I'll think about it, Kori, and we'll talk later."
"Where are you going?" Star asked of him.
"The best thing I can do under the circumstances," he admitted, hoping that she didn't get far.
Raven was trudging along through the foot-high snow on the sidewalk, making her way back towards the city, and hoped to come across a bus stop or something soon. First Cyborg, then Nightwing and Starfire, things weren't looking optimistic as they had turned down her literal plea for normalcy. Without the Titans, she was nothing. She saw out of the corner of her eye as a black luxury sedan pulled along side on the street, gaining her attention. The window was down, and she saw Richard within.
"Get in," he solemnly told her, feeling slightly ashamed of himself.
Raven just stood on, looking at him, as if she was looking into his very soul. She could tell that he was conflicted, she could feel it. Her powers may not have been returned to her yet, but through her meditation and focus, she could sense things.
"I'll take you to Gar," Richard stated, grasping her full attention. "It's the least I can do."
Somehow knowing he was right, she hesitantly climbed into the passenger-side front seat of the car, closing the door behind her.
Just as he had promised, Richard drove across the city, finding herself in the industrial sector, one that was rarely visited, even as a Titan. Nothing but factories and foundries that employed thousands of citizens of the city, there wasn't anything of worth or practicality of stealing for some diabolical plan…the good ole' days. Raven shook the perceptions of nostalgia from her head, watching the world go by outside the window. Though silence was between them, it wasn't uncomfortable, as the two of them were still deep in thought. Richard on his choice, and Raven about what she was going to do next. Both had quite a few weighty decisions to make in the near future.
"Sorry for blowing up on you," Raven finally spouted out of the blue, breaking the silence.
"I understand, I'm sure I would act the same way in your situation," he assured, "things are just…different now, more complicated. Every choice that anyone makes has a deeper meaning, as well as higher risk and consequences. Raven…it's not that we are completely against it…but so much is riding on a single choice."
"So you're actually open to the concept then?"
"Don't get your hopes up," he admitted, "but I'll talk it over with Kori, and we'll go from there. If you need a place to stay, anything, while you're in town, you're more than welcome to stay at our place; we have more than enough room for you."
"I appreciate the gesture, Richard," Raven smiled, "I'll end up taking you up on it too, the Tower isn't exactly hospitable right now."
"Here," he said, giving her what was apparently their home phone number to her, scribbled down on a scrap of paper at a stoplight, "if you decide to do that, just call, and one of us will come pick you up, alright?"
"Yeah, I will," she semi-smiled at his generosity, "Richard, even though the Titans disbanded, why don't you guys stay in touch?"
"We try to the best we can," he admitted, "we have our own little things to attend to, but we try to talk regularly, weekly at best. You remember where the pizza place used to be, you know, downtown?"
"Yeah, why?"
"Well, don't know if it was a twist of fate or whatever, but there's a coffee shop there now, and we usually try to meet there every now and again. Lately has been kinda difficult though, Vic is running his summer camp with the high school football team, I just recently got back from a business trip to Gotham City, Kori has been booked solid with modeling gigs, last I heard from Terra, she's still going to JCU for Geology or something."
"What about Garfield?"
"He chooses to do what he does, it isn't pretty," he admitted, pulling into a vast parking lot of one of the facilities in the industrial sector. "Things seem to have hit him the worst when the team disbanded. Down on his luck, he's worked a bunch of different jobs here and there, trying his best. At the time, he was with Terra, but things went south for them from what I heard, and now they are just friends. He refuses to get any help from any of us, Raven, he won't take handouts, as he likes to call them. I knew he was rather proud, but I never realized that it was to such an extent. Now, he's working at the steel foundry, longest job he's had since."
"Does he like it though?"
"Far from it, he's hurting, bad," Richard admitted, "on the inside. Ever since he and Terra split, he can't put the past behind him. She was keeping him together basically, and now he's brining up everything."
"Starting with me," Raven commented.
"Yeah," he reluctantly added, "but since their break-up, he's been pulling double-shifts, 7 days a week, trying to shut it out. I wouldn't be surprised if he's more than happy to see you again, Raven, I know we were."
"More than Star?" Raven smiled in a jokingly manner.
"He would make Star look depressed," Richard replied in a similar manner, "Raven, he needs you now more than ever. We haven't spoken with him for a long time, and I don't want to here about him doing something stupid being the next time I hear of him. Just be understanding if he's in utter shock when you talk to him, alright?"
"I will," she huffed with a laugh, "I'm surprised that you, Star, even Cyborg have taken it this well thus far. Gar's…different though, I mean, it's like he pulled a complete 180 on the way he acts, it's like he forced himself to become a whole different person."
"He
did that for you," Richard admitted, gaining her attention, "he
sought to improve himself for you, Raven. He started that no sooner
than you left, hoping to better himself in your return, and be worthy
of your attention. Gar was preparing to be who you wanted him to be,
Raven. When all of that happened…he didn't lose sight of it, but
remained in such a manner in your honor. Raven, the least you can do
is repay the favor, not only to him, but yourself."
She was
taken back for a moment at this revelation, not having a clue to how
deep that dedication really went. Even long after she was laid to
rest in a sense, Garfield continued to live on in her legacy, being
mature, as well as dedicated to whatever it was he undertook. In
addition to losing what love of his life he managed to partake with
Raven upon, the disbanding of the Titans must have hit him the
hardest indeed. Now lonely and no longer needed, he must indeed be
feeling the pressures of anxiety and depression bearing down upon him
from which there was no escape. The only option left was…her, she
was to save him from himself in a sense.
"Well, Raven," Richard commented as she thought, "I hate to run, but I have business to attend to, as does Kori. Gar's shift will be over in a few minutes, so you can meet up with him then. I mean what I said about needing a place to stay while you're in town, don't hesitate to call, alright?"
"Will do," Raven answered with a half-hearted smile, opening the door, "I understand that you are busy."
Though there was no hint of resentment or sarcasm in her voice, Richard felt as it she had shunned him for it. A long-lost friend who is supposed to be dead under the laws of nature up and returns years later absolutely fine isn't exactly normal, but the Titans have never really been just that.
Raven watched as he pulled away, leaving the vast parking lot, waiting for Garfield.
"I hope his reaction is a little more…understanding, maybe rational," she thought, standing in the cold outside the double-set of doors to the foundry that led to the parking lot.
A loud, deep whistle bellowed through the still, cold air, apparently signaling the end of the shift, yet it managed to startle Raven in her silence. Within a matter of moments, the doors parted, a flood of workers exiting, still wearing their safety goggles, hardhats, gloves, and other safety equipment. They wore navy-blue uniforms, many splotched with stains of grease, as well as dirt and grime from working in such a place. Raven stood off to the side in the snow as they passed, many with lunchboxes and pails in hand, random conversations about them, many having to do with an upcoming football game or something, she wasn't paying attention to them. Raven only sought out one person.
"You gonna come over and watch the game, green bean?" A voice from the flood of people questioned, instantly grabbing her attention.
"Nah, man, gotta work," another, one Raven missed so much replied, not too far from her.
"It's voluntary; you don't have to be here all the time, man."
"Gotta make ends meet, even if it means doing what I'm doing. Maybe some other time."
"You're workin' yourself into an early grave is what you're doin'," the man commented, Raven seeing where the voice was coming from, hopefully watching to find Gar as the crowd began to disperse.
"I know, I know, but you know with…well, you know, everything that's happened, I got to keep my sanity somehow."
"Watching the game and throwin' back a few brews does just fine for me. Come on, man, it's not gonna kill you to come over for a few hours and just kick back and relax."
"I guess I could, no promises though, I'll give you call later or something and let you know, alright?"
"Alright man, take it easy. I'll be sure to call you when I need to see if my grass is the right color for the season while I'm at it."
"Haha, funny man, Jack, funny man," he sarcastically replied in good humor, finally coming into view.
Time seemed to slow as Raven watched him appear from the crowd, heading towards the parking lot. If not for his unusually colored exterior that he seemed to be well known for, he would have blended right in. His hair, though beneath a hardhat, was a little longer than she remembered him having, but she instantly noticed that he was indeed taller, even broader in the shoulders. Whatever he was doing or did as a job or exercise seemed to be benefiting for him. In any case, she noticed that he wasn't as trim as he used to be, nowhere near obese by any means, but a little pudgy in the torso, more than likely contributed from a poor diet than anything. He also seemed to be sporting well-trimmed chinstrap and goatee upon a face that she recognized with ease, as it was as green as his hair was. Raven finally mustered up enough courage to actually approach him, more than positive that it was him…the skin was a giveaway. She could only imagine the flak he's received from his peers over time for just that, as well as known for being a former Titan.
"G-Garfield?" Raven cautiously called to him as she followed him through the maze of cars in the parking lot.
"Yo?" He questioned, turning around on one foot, then becoming serious as he saw her, more polite than anything because it wasn't one of his coworkers. "...Can I help you?"
"Possibly," she began shyly, "question is, can you help me?"
"Do I know you?" Gar questioned once more, slightly interested in what she had to say, and in his opinion, didn't look half bad, not bad at all indeed. There was something…peculiar about her though, he couldn't quite place his finger on it. His friends continually told him ever since his "mutual" break-up with Terra that he should start dating again. So why not now, or at least try for it anyways. "If not, I'd like to. Maybe over a cup of coffee or something?"
"Same, old Garfield," Raven smiled, amused at him, seeing that he was indeed still the person she remembered, "some things don't change, do they, BB?"
His interest was indeed peaked at that. Not that it was a surprise, but he had just met this girl mere minutes ago, has no clue who she is, and looks like she's from out of town. Things just didn't sit right with him on how she would know who he is.
"You got a name, since you know mine and all?" He questioned, unlocking the door to a car, nothing fancy, just a four-door sedan in good condition.
"Of course," Raven slyly answered, "I'd love to tell it to you, somewhere more…private."
He generously opened her door for her, motioning for her to get in. With a girl like this, how could he refuse?
"I'm curious," Raven began as he drove rather civilized, something she wasn't accustomed to seeing from Beast Boy at all, "you gave me a rather…deep look, what intrigued you?"
"Who isn't curious?" He joked, "I'll level with you I suppose, and it also has reasoning behind why I'm bringing you along with me. You…remind me of someone…someone that used to be close to me."
"Really?" Raven sounded surprised, "who might that be?"
"It was during my days as a Titan, it's kinda obvious, but like you already know, I'm the green one. Anyways, a teammate of mine holds a striking resemblance to you. She and I kinda had a thing that never had a chance to develop. Well, a lot of stuff, bad stuff at that, happened, and here I am now, without her, and working a dead-end job."
"She's a lot closer than you think," Raven announced, hopefully watching for a stirring response on his behalf.
"I doubt it," he regretfully commented, "she died, but the past is the past. I miss her, but we all gotta move on, right?"
"Well spoken," she admitted, looking over at him, "you seem to be rather educated."
"What can I say? My last failed relationship had some value. Dating a girl that was going to college usually helps, but once more, things didn't work out."
"Except this one wasn't caused by a death, was it?"
"Nah, things just weren't working, so it was best that we just be friends, that was the least that we could do?"
"She wouldn't happen to be Terra, now would she?"
Luckily, they were stopped at a traffic light, otherwise he would have locked up the brakes trying to stop.
"Yeah…how do you know that, I've never told anyone about her outside of the Titans," he commented, realizing what happens when you add two and two together in a sense. "Nah, there's no way possible, is there?" He thought, but decided to be smooth about it, even play a little mind game with her. "Depending on her reaction, I'll know for sure."
"So, how long are you going to play me for a fool, Rae?" He blurted out with a smirk.
Easily enough, Raven was shocked that he could tell without help, it must have been the common bond they share between one another, something that no other being on the face of the earth could understand.
"H-how did you know it was me?" She questioned through her shock. That instantly gained his attention, expecting to get a perplexed answer, but instead one of utter surprise. Needless to say, he was as well.
"Holy crap, it really is you!" Garfield added, appearing as if he had seen a ghost. Luckily for him, the street was barren of other vehicles at the time as he opened the door and rolled out, gaining distance between him and Raven. "You're not real! You can't be! My head is messing with me!"
"Calm down, please, Garfield," Raven attempted to coax, cautiously approaching. "Just listen to me, I assure you I will explain all in due time, but you have to believe me. I am who I say I am. It's me…Raven."
He rounded the other side of the vehicle as she did on his, playing a bit of unwanted chase.
"This is some kind of trick, a horrible one at that," he replied, pointing at her, "You've got a sick mind, lady. You may know a few things about me, but there's no way who you say you are!"
"Stop acting stupid," Raven replied, attempting to not be hurt by his accusations, "just get in the car and I'll explain everything."
"Why should I trust you?"
"Call Victor, Richard, even Kori, Star, whatever she's calling herself now," Raven motioned, keeping her mind level, "they will tell you the same thing. Now, do you want to act civilized or continue making an ass out of yourself?"
He just looked at her dumbfounded, knowing that the only was possible that she knew what she knew was if she truly was who she said she was. Nothing else really left to contemplate about, Gar slowly walked back around to the driver's side of the vehicle, as Raven to the passenger's. She didn't need to take a second moment to see that his mind was racked with a million thoughts at the moment, and quite frankly, she didn't blame him. At times, she didn't believe what had taken place in the most recent years of her life.
"Okay," he finally said with a sigh, trying to remain calm, "let's say, hypothetically of course, that you are who you say you are. If you are here before me…then you didn't die?"
"Technically…yes," Raven informed, but quickly followed up, "but, by some grace or celestial being seeing that it wasn't my time, I was given the proverbial second chance."
"When you die, you don't get second chances."
"When you're completely normal, then yes," she pointed out, "my mother sacrificed her well-being for me in my darkest hour. I can only repay her by making amends for the mistakes I have committed in my "past life". What she did gave me this second chance at her expense, and I am truly grateful for it."
"What was her name?" Gar quizzed, trying to put his theories to the test.
"Arella," Raven quickly answered, seeing what he was doing.
"Where are you from, as well as her?"
"Azarath, a civilization in an alternate dimension different from this one."
"What is your "real" name," he continued, testing her patience.
"Rachel Roth, Garfield," she deadpanned, "can we stop with the 20 questions, we're not in grade school anymore. With you sometimes, I can't tell though."
That dry sarcasm seemed to seal the deal for him, proving, well in this case, disproving, that she was an imposter. As hard as it seemed to be believed, Raven was really before him, alive and well. Luckily for him though, he was just pulling up in front of his apartment.
"Alright," Garfield announced as he put the vehicle into park, turning the ignition to turn the vehicle off, "here we are."
"Home sweet home?" Raven smirked, taking in the disposition of the apartment building he lived in. Not exactly the highest of standards or in the best neighborhood, but respectable to say the least.
"It's my humble abode, somewhere to hang my hat, you know?" He replied, trying to hide his embarrassment of his living arrangements.
"It's better than most, Gar, besides, I haven't seen the inside of it yet."
"Right this way then, allow me to show you," he beckoned in his usual nature. It may have been a few years since she last saw or heard of him, but he remained the same in his own little ways.
Raven followed him through the foyer of the complex, preparing to ascend flight after flight of stairs. There was an elevator, but she noticed how much attention he paid to it that it was apparently out of order, a lot at that. Thus far, not exactly luxurious, but hospitable surrounded her as she climbed the various flights of stairs behind him. Tacky wallpaper coming off the walls at the seams, accompanied by worn carpeted stairs, as well as the safety of a loose railing…definitely an interesting place with character. A middle-aged man with thinning hair and a thick mustache stopped him at the top floor of the stairs.
"When are you going to pay rent?" He questioned with a thick accent, definitely foreign at that. Raven wasn't really paying attention to him, more or less focused on how she was going to explain her "adventures" to him the best way he could take it.
"Tomorrow, I promise," Gar informed, trying to go around him, but being stopped again.
"You said that yesterday, I want rent, now," he made clear in a professional manner, "this isn't welfare, it is business, and business bad when you no pay. You are back on this and last month rent, no rent, no apartment."
"How much is the rent?" Raven questioned, gaining both of their attentions.
"600 dollars a month," He informed, "1200 in his case."
"Here," Raven thrusted a wad of money out from her pocket, "here's a little for the deposit, or whatever you want to put towards his rent. There's about 1500 there or so."
The man eyed the money for a moment, then graciously took it.
"Very well," he commented, looking back at Garfield, "you're covered for this month, maybe next it seems. I'll give you receipt later."
"That's fine," Garfield nodded, knowing it was best to remain in good standing with the landlord at all times. "I'm bound to be home."
Garfield led Raven past him as he disappeared back into another unit, more than likely the one he lived in himself. His apartment seemed to be the last one on the top floor of the complex.
"I'm sorry about that," he commented, nearly ashamed of himself as he fished his key out of his pocket to unlock the door, "I'll pay you back."
"Don't worry about it," Raven assured, following him through the door after he opened it, "I know what it's like to have it rough, trust me."
"Where did you get cash like that though?" Gar asked of her politely.
"I've acquired street smarts, if you will, along the way," Raven semi-proudly answered, knowing it could be a double-edged response, "when I need to make a quick buck, I find ways."
Garfield only looked at her stunned. She knew exactly what he was thinking of, and couldn't be any farther from the truth. For some reason, she expected it of him.
"Not like that, nothing like that at all," she pointed out, "a…acquaintance of mine entered into a tournament and split the winnings with me. Nothing more, nothing less."
"I believe you, it just kinda sounded weird when you said it," Garfield added, resenting even alluding to such a thing. "Umm…take a seat anywhere, mi casa es su casa, right?" He added as he locked the door behind him, motioning towards the living room…if that's what it could be considered.
The apartment was furnished, but wasn't easy on the eyes. A well-worn couch accompanied by a pair of end tables on either side, complete with lamps. One appeared to be missing the shade that topped it. The hard wood floor was far from gleaming, scuffed from years of use before him moving in, the living room area was covered by a cheesy looking rug to add some "pleasing" décor. The coffee table sat in front of the couch, an apparent foot rest and collective of fast-food trash. Though the apartment itself was rather open and spacious, it still seemed small due to the cluttered nature of it. Two tall, narrow windows that faced downtown provided a somewhat pleasing view, but it allowed her to see the dust that filtered and floated in the sunlight. The rest of the apartment was in a similar disarray, it had this certain cluttered look to it, but was surprisingly well-kept. His lifestyle and necessities appeared to be clashing with one another, even in the homestead. The kitchen and dining area appeared to be the same, as for the bedroom, she would rather stay away from that at the moment. His room at the Tower was a disaster, she couldn't imagine what that looked like.
As gestured, Raven took a seat on the couch, assuring she wasn't sitting on anything beforehand. Meanwhile, Garfield was rummaging around in the kitchen, making all kinds of racket.
"What are you doing?" Raven curiously questioned as she looked over the couch into the kitchen, waiting on him.
"Making coffee," he answered, looking around the corner of the wall at her, "I'll be in there in a sec."
"Bring me a cup too while you're at it," she asked of him, adjusting herself on the couch to get a little more comfortable. Raven noticed the television hanging on the wall. Though he appeared to be living modestly, he had some impressive items in his possession. Not only was the TV more than expensive and massive in size, but she also noted a surround sound system, and to top it off, what appeared to be the newest generation of console video game systems on the table under the TV. It was quite evident that he had a vast library of games as well in the rack beside the table itself.
"It's good to see that old habits die hard for once," Raven commented as he entered the room, handing her a steaming cup of coffee.
"What do you mean?" Garfield questioned, perplexed.
"You're still a kid at heart is what I mean, Gar," she smirked, "you're still playing video games after all these years. I bet I could find your collection of horrible B-list action and horror movies, maybe a comic book or two if I wanted to."
"Like you said," he smiled, hiding his embarrassment, or attempting to anyways, "I'm a kid at heart."
"So this is what you've been doing since…" Raven began, studying him.
"Eh, more or less, pretty much odd jobs here and there," he admitted, "I'm not proud of it, but I'd rather earn my keep and place in life than take a handout. Don't get me wrong, I appreciate what the others have tried to do for me, but I want to earn it. I know they've told you about what's been going on with me in one way or another, so it shouldn't be no surprise to you."
"Richard did, but I'm more interested in what you have to say about it."
"Well…in the beginning, I suppose," Garfield started, taking a long sip of his coffee, wincing as it apparently burned his tongue, "as soon as I packed all my crap up and moved out of the Tower, all that jazz, I started looking for work, of course. I've basically lived here the entire time since then, and I'm thankful I have such a "caring" landlord. I tell you, Rae, there were a few moments where he should have evicted me and kicked me out to the curb, but he didn't."
"He seemed…charming," Raven sarcastically commented, hoping to get a smile out of him.
"He has his days," Garfield laughed, "anyways, you wouldn't believe the jobs I've been in and out of since the Titans…you know."
"I understand," Raven consoled, knowing it must have been difficult for him to discuss such a dark day in their history. "So what kind of "careers" have you had?"
"Well, I tried to get back into showbiz at first, you remember all the stories I told you about how I was a child actor on some sci-fi show, right?"
"I remembered when you stopped going on about it," Raven light-heartily commented.
"Hardy har har," he added, "seriously though, I went that route. Let's just say they don't have a need for any genetically-altered people with green skin, such as myself. In any case, I didn't get discouraged, and decided to find a job here in Jump City. Stay close to the others, you know, just in case. I managed to start working at the zoo. Don't laugh."
"I'm not laughing, that's a…respectable job," Raven attempted, but knowing it was going to come out sooner or later. "What exactly did you do at the zoo?"
"…I cleaned the cages," he quietly informed, almost ashamed of admitting such a thing. "but that didn't last long, if you couldn't tell. I have enough problems putting up with my boss' crap, didn't need to put up with the animals on top of it."
All Raven could managed was a chuckle, which surprised him to say the least.
"You never laughed at my jokes before, and I'll admit, that one was pretty bad."
"I've changed, Gar, just as you have," she pointed out, "besides, I find it…enjoyable that you make the best of any situation, no matter what."
"What can I say?" He shrugged, "I try."
"So anyways, what happened after that?"
"Retail. Electronics retail sales," he cleared up, "I happened to start working at this game shop downtown. Loved that job to death, got all my new games and systems from there with my discount if you couldn't tell. Anyways, that was the longest job I held, between playing games and getting paid for it, to having kids come in and see their hero face to face, well, ex-hero anyways."
"Sounds like it suited you well," Raven complimented, "since it appears you aren't working there anymore, care to explain how you arrived where you are now?"
"Besides the Titans disbanding, this is about the time, pardon my French, shit hit the fan for me. Just as I started to get back on my feet, all supportive of myself and whatnot, bam, things start going south for me and Terra."
"You and Terra? I thought you two got along together rather well." Raven acted surprised, even though she already knew of what had happened.
"So did I," Gar rolled his eyes, "needless to say, I started getting stressed out, trying to fix the relationship, keep up with work, life period. Well, if you haven't noticed, I'm a bit of a bachelor now. It was in the "best interest of all parties" to take some time off from the relationship."
"So she wanted to take a break and see other people then?" Raven optimistically questioned in her voice.
"Basically," he sighed, appearing distraught to speak of it, "that was about 2, almost 3 years ago."
Raven didn't realize it had been that long of a "break".
"Well, after I pretty much lost the will to live at that point," he sarcastically stated, "I just kinda…stopped going to work. They canned me, of course, and I happily joined the forces of unemployment for awhile. Well, since Terra moved out, no one else was paying rent, and my landlord doesn't appreciate that, so I started job hunting again. More often than not, I was turned away because of my "previous" experiences, including the Titans. Days got pretty rough for me when people started calling me names and throwing stuff at me in broad daylight because I was a "quitter" and left the city in their time of need. Terra took whatever confidence and will I had left when she left, leaving me by myself with nothing more than my misery keeping me company. I was heart-broken, so…destroyed; nothing seemed to hold weight anymore. There were days I debated if life was worth living, Rae. I'll even admit, there was at least a few days of that where I was a hair away from cutting it short, but a small part of me, this inner voice, said that it wasn't my time yet. You know what kind of person I am, it takes a lot to get me depressed enough to even contemplate that. Ever since I…I lost you, Raven, I haven't hurt like this, this pain just keeps gnawing away at me, at my very soul. Without you, I turned to Terra for that aid, not in spite of you, but I knew that you would have wished it in your passing for me to be happy. Terra turned away from me, and left me with nothing."
He was becoming emotionally upset, tears forming in his eyes. He may have bottled them up over time, both of Raven's return and relishing in the past. Partially of joy at her apparent "revival", as well as even contemplating upon the darkest days of his life, either of them proving to be more than he could handle. Raven attempted to console him, wrapping her arm around him as she brought him close, enjoying his warmth for her own behalf. It was a feeling that she had all but forgotten in their time apart. She kept herself from joining him in his showing of sadness, but she hated to see him hurt so deep and in such a way to make who was easily the most happy-go-lucky person she knew to break down. He collected himself after a moment, knowing that she needed to hear the rest, and wasn't there just to hear his sob story.
"Which has led me to where I currently am now in this crazy thing called life," Gar began once more, wiping away the remnants of tears. "Since things started circling the drain in this town, they started blaming the Titans for abandoning them. Well, since it's kinda hard for me to blend in, I was constantly a target of harassment. Got a few good scars from some people because of that, but I don't blame them if I was in their shoes. Anyways, the bills don't pay themselves, so I went job hunting again and wound up at the foundry. Nasty, dirty, smelly job, a man's job, so I'm like "what the hell? Why not?". The filth and grit that came along with working in that place helped me blend in a little better than anywhere else for awhile, I looked like some dirty kid with green hair to them, so they left me alone. I got tired of keeping up appearances, so I dropped the act and let them know who I really was. Not as bad as I thought it was going to be, in fact, made a few good friends out of it in the end, nice guys."
"Like Jack, I assume?" Raven questioned with interest.
"Yeah, basically," Gar answered with a nod, "I probably know him the best out of everyone I see and talk to everyday at the ole' grind. I absolutely despise working there though, not because of the people, but the job sucks, period, and the crap I do everyday ain't worth the pay."
"Then why do you do it?" she logically questioned, "sounds like you need to get out of there quick and in a hurry to me."
Garfield sighed after he took another long drink, polishing off what remained in his cup as he collected his thoughts.
"After you…passed, for lack of a better term," Garfield began, "I was hurt, all of us were, but part of me, some of my innocence died with you. It felt as if it was ripped free of my very soul, and left me with this gaping void forever to be left vacant. It made me realize how much of a…bitch life could be. I was reluctant, very reluctant, at first to try to rekindle things with Terra because of what I still held for you and refused to appear as if I was merely replacing you.
"I know, Garfield, there's no need to explain anything on your behalf," Raven assured, "like you said, I would have only wished the best for you and the others in my passing and not to mourn. Sorry for the emotional rollercoaster these past few years, it's all I really have to offer in condolences."
"There's no need to, you've redeemed yourself many times over without question," he replied, adjusting his position on the couch. "Like I said though, there was this…this void within me, Terra merely covered it up for a time being to make me feel as normal as I could possibly be without….without you. I needed something to keep my mind off of…life, and this job seems to do that rather well. I work 7 days a week, 16 hours a day with double shifts, take up all the overtime I possibly can. I'm just now starting to save money up because I've been stupid with it up until now. Hope to move out of this rat's nest and into a real house on the suburbs or something.
"Why…why are you working yourself to death?" Raven unbelievably requested of him, seeing he lacked his usual spry and spunk about his person, more than before in any case.
"Working keeps my mind clear of everything that has happened, basically focusing my attention to the task at hand instead of moping about, depressed all the time. Besides, working with molten steel all day in that god-forsaken is the closest thing to warmth I feel these days…so in a nutshell, I'm not hurting when I'm working," he added in an attempt of optimism.
Raven had suspected that he and Terra were together, but didn't know of their mutual break-up, and couldn't even contemplate what happened in the wake of it. It didn't take a genius to notice that he was hurt, about as deep as it comes, and was surprised that he was holding it together still. He wasn't bitter, nor resenting her, but he just didn't seem to be the same Beast Boy she knew all too well. It was undeniable though, there weren't too many individuals in the world that sported emerald skin, pointed ears, and naturally-occurring locks of green, so it was the one and very same Garfield Logan that she bided farewell that fateful day so long ago.
"If it's anything to you," Raven timidly began as she sat next to him, "I'm sure you're more than interested in what I've been up to the past few years."
"Of course," he quickly replied, his attention easily garnered, "I mean, it's not everyday when people come back from the dead and are discussing the past over a cup of coffee." He finished in his comedic tone. She couldn't help but smile at him.
The afternoon hours quickly faded well into the evening as Raven went on about her travels in her supposed death, full of action, excitement, horror, and revelations like no other. Garfield could do all but sit like an eager child with wide eyes at the tale unraveled upon him. Between seeing the monster that started this all again in the flesh to training to be essentially a ninja, it was a story of epic proportions in his mind. He now understood the reasons behind why she couldn't contact them or any Honorary Titans as she traveled, as well as keeping to her own personal agenda in order to be a functioning member of the Titans once more without her powers. Much like the others, he was dumbstruck with awe at the spectacle.
"…and now I'm here…talking with you," Raven smirked as she finished, enjoying what was her fifth cup of coffee. "I know you've got questions, and I'll answer them in due time, but I've got a question for you, Gar."
"Say what?" He snapped back to reality as he lulled the information over in his mind.
"I said I have questions for you, pay attention," Raven reiterated, hoping that what she was to ask would receive a different answer than what she had already gotten from the others throughout the day.
"Go ahead, I'm more than eager to answer," he smiled, "I still can't get over how…outrageous, but believable in a logical sense, your travels have been, I mean, it's out there, like out out there, and you know with me, it takes quite a bit for something to be out there."
"I know, and I understand, but I need to ask you this it's really important."
Garfield nodded, silently waiting for her to continue.
"Garfield," Raven began, taking a breath as she prepared herself, "I've asked the others, so I only hope your answer is the one I seek. I returned to Jump City not just for you and the others to seek you out as my friends and family. I returned to put myself to a better use, my higher calling if you will. I feel with every fiber of my being this is the correct thing to do and wouldn't be doing it unless it was, but I came back for my teammates. Garfield, I came back for the Titans."
"Rae, we've been split up for a couple years now," he explained painfully.
"I know, I've heard it from Victor, Richard, and Kori," Raven admitted, "but that…city out there needs us now more than ever, and I refuse to turn my back on them. Problem is, I can't do it alone, and I need your help. I need the Titans. We should reform the team and bring justice back to Jump City once more. Will you join me in my efforts?"
Garfield leaned back, letting out an exasperated sigh as he contemplated the situation.
"Rae, look," he politely began, "I know you mean good and well, but the city is a total loss. Ever since we disbanded and that accident happened in the Industrial sector, this town has went to hell and dug itself into the fiery depths themselves. The police force is outnumbered and under-equipped to handle the rampant crime rate that has skyrocketed. Even with the Titans, it wouldn't make much of a difference."
"You don't know that until you give it a chance," Raven pointed out. "Look, I know you and the others are scared, scared of loss, and I don't blame you. First it was me, then Richard almost lost Star. This time is different though, I never truly left, I was merely…misplaced, Garfield, all is well, and now is a perfect time to give back to Jump City what they deserve…the Titans."
He easily took notice to the passion that was in her eyes for this cause. What she said was indeed true, she truly returned to Jump City not for herself, but for them, and wished for things to return to the way they once were. Though people change over time whether they notice it or not, it happens, and it wasn't so simple to just agree to something so important to them, to everyone. Gar thought deeply, lulling the idea over in his head as he attempted to come to a conclusion while Raven anxiously waited.
"I'm not saying no," he began cautiously, the last thing he wanted to see was her cry or be hurt, "but this is life-changing decision, Rae. I can't just up and say "yes" because of my commitments at the moment, it's irresponsible and immature, and we aren't kids anymore."
"So what's your answer then," Raven questioned, avoiding to make it sound like a demand, and prepared for the letdown once more. Garfield drew a long breath, thinking upon his choice.
"I'll think about it," he finally blurted out, "my life isn't exactly glamorous, living from day to day alone and hurt in this hellhole, and the highest point of my so-called life was as a Titan, so I'll keep it in mind. Just give me a few days to think it over, Rae, that's all I ask of you."
Raven respectfully nodded, knowing that his answer wasn't exactly what she was looking for, but better than what the others had offered her since.
"Well, I know you're busy and everything with your job, so I suppose I'll get going and let you get some rest. I'll probably stop by tomorrow around the same time if I can make it," Raven stated as she stood up, checking her watch.
Garfield did the same, following her to the door, but couldn't think of what to say. The last thing he wanted her to do was leave. Though it felt like they were united, both of them were completely different people from the last time they knew one another, so it was as if getting reacquainted all over again. Raven placed her hand on the knob, preparing to exit his apartment, only to feel his ever-welcomed warmth embrace her once more. She managed to turn around and clearly accept it, finding that he almost refused to let go. It was to be expected, and she didn't blame him. In all honestly, she didn't want to let go either.
"I never want to lose you again, Raven," he stated, looking her in the eye, "I blamed myself for what happened to you and couldn't forgive myself. This is something of a higher calling to give me a second chance to redeem myself for failing you. Things and people change, but I know you well enough that you are still who you are in your roots, and I can only hope for the same of me."
"Hope is what gives us our strength, Garfield," Raven stated, "without it, we are nothing. If not for my ultimate goal of seeing you and the others, even if only for a moment, I would have long given up and lived the remainder of my days alone in an unforgiving place. We find it in one another to continue in one way or another, no matter the odds or what stands in our way."
He finally released her, the air of loneliness washing over him once more.
"Say something, idiot," his thoughts told him, "don't let her leave. You lost her once before, don't risk it again because of stupid mistakes in putting personal choices before her."
"Goodbye, Garfield, I'll stay in touch, let me know of your decision, the sooner the better."
"Stay safe, Rae, please be careful," he replied, getting a smile of appreciation out of her as she gently closed the door behind her. He waited until hearing her travel down a few flights of stairs as he stood in silence.
"Way to go, jackass," he said to himself, running a hand through his hair. "You done messed up once by not helping her when she needed it and now you just turned your back on her. This just feels so…unreal, but I still feel like the biggest ass as ever."
He paced the floor, her words still ringing in his head. As much as he hated to admit it…she was right, everything she spoke of how the Titans weren't an option, but a necessity for a decaying metropolis whose cries for help were going unanswered by a disgraced legion of superheroes refusing to show themselves out of selfish protection of their behalf. The more he thought of it, the sicker he grew in his stomach at what they had become. The values they stood for were nothing more than a figment of the past to them now, leaving behind everyone for their own personal agendas. Garfield checked his watch as he sat down on the couch again, staring blankly at it. He finally came to the conclusion that something needed to be done…now. Fishing for his cellular phone, he finally brandished it, flipping it open, and dialing a well-known numbered. Three rings and someone answered.
"Hello?"
"Hey Richard, it's Gar."
"Oh, hey, what's going on?"
"You know good and well what's going on," he snapped, but caught himself, "I'm sorry…I'm just a little…stressed over this."
"It's alright, I understand. I know you didn't believe it at first, but I'm telling you, she's the real deal, I mean, we asked her everything we could think of to see if it really was Raven, and she even bears wounds that we all know good and well how she received."
"Tell me about it. Look, I was wondering if it would be possible if we could all get together and discuss this…as a team."
"Gar, trust me, I want to help her in her time of need, as well as the city's, but things aren't so simple anymore. We can't just uproot our lives and go back to the way things were."
"That's why we need to thoroughly discuss it like adults and come to a conclusion. Richard, it isn't fair to Raven to just shun her away like that after all the shit she's been through. She's looking for a place of belonging, and the Titans are it, without it, she feels as if she is nothing. I'm not trying to sway you to choose one or the other, but you need to understand how she feels and what it means to her. That's all I'm asking."
Richard let out an audible sigh through the phone's speaker.
"Let me get a hold of Victor and see if we can't work something out, at least a compromise or something. Any preferences on when and where?"
"The coffee shop on Main street and as soon as possible, even right now if you can," he answered, making it known how dedicated to this cause he was to this righteous cause.
"Alright, I'll see what I can do, Gar, no promises though," Richard admitted, "I'll call and let you know."
"Hey Richard?"
"Yeah?"
"Thanks, I really appreciate it."
"Like you said," he admitted, seeing what he was getting at, "it's the least that we can do for her. Depending on the consensus or conclusion we come to, we'll let Raven know, and go from there."
"Later, Richard," Garfield ended the conversation, putting his phone away, "there may be hope for you yet, Rae."
