Darling Raven Daring Nikki 3-The Beautiful Ones

*4*

The next day Nightwing looks around at the group of acquaintances working in secret to overthrow the crime lords that have taken over the city. They may be upset that getting the information they need is taking so long but he has assured them he has contacts within the club risking their lives to leak out what little they can at a time. It may take time but they will get everything they need. As they discuss their plans for going after the crooked cops in the city. He sizes everyone up looking for someone that could be a former enemy of the Teen Titans that might recognize Terra and himself and who could mean to cause havoc for them. If that is the case then whoever it is toying with them by contacting Terra's real brother isn't here today.

-4-

"So you think we should give Candy some stage time?"

Nikki looks up from her phone to Elrich. "It couldn't hurt to try. In fact I think her 'spunk' as you put it would make her a shoe-in to replace me in the den of pain until the baby is born and doc okays it again."

"Not a bad idea at all." Sonja stands in the doorway. "Maybe we should test her out when she and Ebony get back from shopping."

Elrich looks up. "By 'we' that better just mean 'you'."

"You aren't happy unless you have someone to disagree with are you?" Nikki yawns as she stands up. "I'm board with all the business talk. I think I'll go grab a bite to eat."

Sonja watches Nikki leave the room. "How does she manage to eat so much and keep that kind of figure when she's pregnant?"

"Jealous are you little sis?"

"I'm jealous of anyone that can eat whatever they want and not gain an ounce."

"I'm not saying a word about Nikki's weight."

"How did it go last night?"

"Surprisingly well. I don't know why we didn't come up with this arrangement sooner."

-4-

Kilowatt watches TV in the private rooms where new recruits come for a hot meal and a bath when they first come into the club-before they find out their new bosses are pimps. After last night's appearance at the mayor's rally with Candy on his arm as opposed to Nikki the media are vilifying him.

"All a part of my plan."

"What plan?"

"To make Elrich look like the ass he is. I made a call this morning to let them know I picked out his arm candy so I didn't get dragged around in my delicate condition-souly for Candy's benefit of course. The one I made last night to tip them off about the boss' going out with new girl while leaving the pregnant one at home-has done him irreparable damage already. Consider it a gift for your contacts."

"I'm sure they will appreciate the boss' rep being tarnished like that. Why the sudden change to the boss from big brother?"

"It makes him feel more macho to be called that now that I have so many guys working here." Nikki turns off the TV. "Enough talk. Its time for some fun now."

The expected 'Yes mistress' reply is on the tip of his tongue but for the first time he can't bring himself to say it-not in the way she wants to hear it anyway.

"You should be careful though because she might decide she wants you."

The voice of Raven suddenly echos through his mind. She warned him how Nikki might act months ago. It had seemed like a good idea to play along-keep Nikki interested to get information-but now he finally realizes just how much he regrets doing that. Its wrong to feel for Nikki when its Raven that he truly wants.

"Charlie? Are you okay?"

"No." He cringes at the sound of thunder that suddenly booms through the tower.

"Thundersnow storm-it wasn't supposed to hit until later tonight. Does all that electricity in the air upset your powers or something?"

"Something like that. I'm sorry but today just isn't the best time to play." Though it may not be entirely truthful-he is grateful for the distraction. Playing with the mistress is the last thing he wants to do right now.

Nikki doesn't exactly buy it but Kilowatt is clearly upset over something so she lets it go. "Some other time then. You just go get some rest or whatever it is you need to do."

"Would the boss suspect something if I went up to the roof for awhile?"

"I doubt it would bother him." She doesn't mention Elrich would probably welcome the chance for him to be struck by lightning to be rid of him. "Just don't do anything to reveal our little secret about your powers. There are cameras everywhere up there."

"Yeah-I'll be careful." He leaves the room quickly putting distance between himself and Nikki. He takes the stairs up to the top floor.

The guard looks up as Kilowatt comes upstairs and approaches the door. "You aren't seriously thinking of going out in that are you? I've never seen lightning so bad before."

"I don't really care what its doing out there. I just need some fresh air."

"Your funeral man. Just remember I tried to warn you if something happens."

Kilowatt shrugs as he opens the door-he isn't afraid of a little lightning. The first thing that hits him is the intense cold. Snow is already piling up on the roof as he makes his way over to the edge of the roof. He looks up at the lightning dancing across the sky. Its a perfect mirror for his turbulent emotions right now. "Raven..." The wind quickly whips away his sigh as a bolt of lightning streaks overhead.

READ MY PROFILE BEFORE YOU REVIEW PLEASE for a list of the things in reviews that trigger my bipolar manic episodes and please for both my sake and yours don't put any of them in a review. you don't want to be on the receiving end of a reply if something does trigger an episode and one of my cousins isn't around to stop me from replying.