32 Productions Presents…
A Teen Titan Fan Fiction The Teen Titans in…"Babysitting"
Chapter Three
Main Room
Raven sighed as she clumsily tried to turned the page of her book. The stupid cast on her fingers made it hard to turn the pages. Shade reached over and did it for her.
Shade: I hate kids…
Raven: Shade, don't be like that. Just hate THIS kid.
Shade: I can't believe I twisted my ankle. That's ridiculous.
Raven: You can twist your ankle just by taking a bad step. A fall like yours could have resulted in worse.
Shade: I've been slammed into walls by Mammoth for crying out loud! And some little brat lays me up.
Raven was about to counter his bitching with the fact that her broken fingers were preventing her from enjoying her favorite pastime (reading, she can still meditate, obviously) when the door opened and Melissa came in. Matt grabbed the door frame, but Melissa yanked him off.
Melissa: That door isn't going to stop for your hands. You'll lose your fingers that way.
Raven: (muttering) That would make me feel better.
Melissa held Matt up in front of them. Shade raised an eyebrow.
Shade: …isn't he just a little heavy to be carrying with one hand like that?
Melissa: No, why?
Shade grumbled. Maybe the boy was lighter then he looked. …or maybe he was just weak. Yeah, that's what he needed, more self esteem issues.
Melissa: Matt has something he'd like to say to the both of you.
Matt stuck his nose up in the air. Melissa shook him.
Melissa: Say it, Matt!
Matt: I…I'm sorry for hurting you.
Raven and Shade looked at each other, then back at Melissa.
Raven: Are you…feeling okay, Mel?
Melissa: Fantastic. Never better. That was good, Matt. Now we just have to apologize to everyone else in the tower. If you do that without making a fuss…uh…
Raven stood up and whispered into Melissa's ear.
Melissa: Really?
More whispering.
Melissa: Well, if you say so. If you do that without making a fuss, I'll take you out for ice cream.
Matt's struggling stopped.
Matt: R…really? Any flavor I want?
Melissa looked at Raven as she sat down. Was she supposed to limit the flavors? In all honesty, she had no idea. They didn't cover this in assassin 101. Raven nodded her head. Melissa put him on the ground, smoothing out his shirt.
Melissa: If you behave yourself, I can't see why not.
Matt almost forgot why he was so upset with her. Still the prospect of ice cream kept him from going back into brat mode. He decided that he should do what the lady said. Raven made a motion with her hand, wincing at the pain. She forgot from time to time. Melissa understood immediately, though confused by her request. She reached down and took the boy's hand. He looked a little surprised, but accepted it, walking with her out the door. Shade watched them go and shook his head.
Shade: How'd you know to do that?
Raven: One of the kids was named Timmy Tantrum. You think I didn't learn how to deal with a bratty kid?
Shade: You're going to be a hell of a mom someday.
Raven blushed slightly.
Raven: I'd really rather not. From what I understand, it's extremely painful.
Shade: You could always adopt.
…where was he going with this?
Raven: Shade, aren't we a little young to be thinking about that?
Shade: What do you mean? I'm not asking you to go out right now and bring home a kid. Jeez.
Raven: Well, I just don't want to talk about it.
Shade: …oh.
Shade sighed. As much as he hated kids…he couldn't deny that his animalistic tendencies demanded that he produce some. Of course, it demeaned him to think along those lines, but it was true. Raven, however, didn't seem so eager for reproduction. Life was so complicated at times, wasn't it?
Ice Cream Parlor
Melissa put another spoonful of her simple vanilla ice cream into her mouth. She was never much for fancy flavors. No sprinkles or anything like that. Then again, she wasn't even much for ice cream. Matt, however, seemed to enjoy his very much…cookie dough, she believed. He finished quickly. Amazing that he didn't get a headache from that.
Matt: Why are you friends with them? Do you got powers too?
Melissa: No, I don't. But that's no reason not to befriend them. You do realize that out of that entire team, only three of them were born with unusual powers. Out of those three, two of them would have been much happier if they hadn't had their powers at all. You see, you can't blame them for being different. That would be like me not liking you because you have brown hair. It just doesn't make sense. They're good people, Matt. I hope you can learn to see that.
If she keeps buying him ice cream, he'll pretend to learn anything. Suddenly the power cables that led to the parlor building began to crackle. The television that was set for the news shattered and Overload emerged from it.
Overload: Give boy to Overload!
Melissa's eyes narrowed. There was no doubt who Overload wanted, despite their being other boys in the parlor. The question was, why? The first idea she had was Slade. Slade was known for manipulating the electric/electronic being, usually as distractions and for retrieval. But then what would Slade want with a mere boy? How very confusing. No matter. All that mattered now was stopping Overload. She had very few supplies on her in her civilian clothes. These supplies included several gas capsules, a mask in her pocket that could be tied around her head, and a taser. None of those would help against Overload. Hell, the taser would only HELP him. First things first…save everybody in the building.
Melissa: Matt, run! Out the door, go!
Matt obeyed and Melissa followed. If Melissa guessed right, Overload would be too stupid to think of using the other patrons as hostages or bait. As they bolted from the building, a glance behind her told her she was correct in her assumption. Overload went past them like the other people like they didn't exist. With that out of the way, there was only one more thing to do. Reaching into her pocket, she pulled out the Titan communicator, pressed the red button on the side and handed it to Matt.
Melissa: It's set for homing beacon now. It'll tell the others where we are. Take it with you and hide. I'll hold Overload off for as long as I'm able.
Matt: But…
Melissa: Please don't argue now.
Melissa ducked into an alley long enough to tie the mask around her face. It was probably foolish to think nobody would figure out who she was at this point. She was with the boy, dressed in the same clothes, with the same hair. How hard could it be? Still, it was best that she at least make an effort. Obviously fisticuffs weren't advised in this instance. Reaching into her pockets, she gathered her gas bombs. While probably not useful as far as the intended purpose (knocking people out) they might obscure Overload's vision. Speaking of, the electric monster was going after Matt right then. She had to get his attention. Perhaps…hmm. Picking up a trashcan lid, she hurled it directly at the computer chip floating in the middle of the electric body. If she was fortunate, it would nail the chip and the fight would end there. …unfortunately, luck was in short supply that day. The lid was repelled like it hit a brick wall.
Overload: Hmm? Another fly land on Overload? Flies stupid…
Melissa: Leave the boy alone.
Melissa was already dodging the slamming fist just as Overload began to swing. So predictable, even without her talents…or so she thought. A bolt of Overload's electricity struck her as she flipped back. Normally this would mean little, her suit well insulated. However, she wasn't in costume at the time. So saying…well, she passed out, spasms going through her. The distraction gone, Overload turned his attention back to the boy. Matt had huddled in an alley, hiding, but Overload could still see him behind that garbage can. Not very well hidden at all. This would be over all too soon…wait…what the…?
Titan Tower: Med-lab
Melissa groaned as she came out of her shock induced nap.
Robin: Welcome back.
Melissa: Hmm? Robin…?
She sat upright in a flash.
Melissa: Overload…did Overload get Matt?
Robin: Overload? That's what you called us about?
Melissa frowned. What…? But…
Melissa: Yes, he was after Matt.
Robin: Matt's fine. He said the monster went away.
Melissa: Went away? Why would Overload just go away?
It was a good question. For that matter…
Robin: What would Overload want with Matt anyway?
Melissa: I assumed he was under Slade's employment again…but that raises the question of what Slade would want Matt for.
Robin hit his fist down on the cabinets that housed the medical supplies.
Robin: Sometimes I think he makes these plans so complex JUST to piss me off.
Melissa: It may not BE that complex. It may be that we just don't know something about Matt that Slade does know.
Robin: I guess we should talk to him. …he was worried about you, you know.
Melissa blinked in surprise.
Melissa: Was he?
Robin: I guess he's grown attached to you.
Melissa: …it's only been a day.
Robin: But you got hurt fighting to protect him.
Melissa: …in that case, I'll talk to him. If he HAS grown to like me, then he'll be more inclined to tell me any secrets.
Robin: I think Beast Boy and Terra are finally having that TALK with him.
Melissa sighed. Knowing them, he'd probably go mad from the perversity of the information fed to him. The two were terrible at using euphemisms. She climbed out of the bed.
Melissa: I better find them before another youth is corrupted beyond repair.
Main Room
Matt's eye twitched. If there was ever a time for him to be suddenly struck deaf, as though through an act of a higher power, it was then. Beast Boy held up two sock puppets. One had a ribbon on it, to indicate that it was a female. Terra apparently decided to do narration.
Terra: This is John Doe. Now John recently began noticing things about himself. Hair was growing where there was no hair before. His voice was cracking when he spoke, sometimes going all squeaky. Now here's Jane Doe…no relation. She…
Melissa: LET'S just stop that there, okay? Some things need to be learned with time.
Beast Boy: But we tried explaining before and he just didn't seem to get it.
Oh wonderful. That meant she was too late to spare his mind the warping. Sighing, Melissa shook her head.
Melissa: I really don't think he's old enough for this talk.
Matt: No! Not old enough! Not old enough!
The two drew away from the boy in surprise.
Terra: Er…maybe we overdid it, Gar.
Beast Boy: Uh…yeah…maybe. Let's go…do something else.
The two got up and guiltily backed out of the room. Sighing, Melissa knelt down next to Matt.
Melissa: Are you okay?
Matt: Uh huh.
Melissa: Matt, you told them the monster went away…why did it leave?
Matt was silent for a moment.
Melissa: Matt, please. I really need to know. Does it have something to do with why you're being chased?
Matt: I…I don't know. He just…went away.
He was hiding something. Sighing, Melissa hung her head. There was no use prying further. The boy wouldn't give in to mere words.
Melissa: I…I'm glad that you're safe. I…was concerned.
Matt: Did he hurt you bad?
Melissa: No, I'm fine. Just a mild shock.
Matt: Your hair is messy.
Well, that's what happens when you get shocked. Your hair goes straight up. I didn't study the science of it, but I believe it's from the electricity traveling up each strand of hair, forcing it upward along with it. She pressed it back down…and it sprang back up immediately.
Melissa: I'll worry about my hair later. How about we go watch TV, hmm?
Matt: …okay.
Well, it was the only thing she could think of doing. Going back out seemed a little too…dangerous, given what had just happened.
Main Room
Melissa sighed. Why…? Why did children WATCH these shows? The patronizing way the people on them spoke…the ridiculous songs and questions…it was like a drill boring into Melissa's mind. Yet Matt seemed to be having the time of his life.
TV: Can you tell which one is a square?
Matt: The one on the left! The left!
TV: That's right! That's a square!
...the glass looked breakable. She wondered if it was possible to throw herself from the main room and splatter on the rocks below. Curse satellite television and its ability to get children's program at that hour. The mind numbing torture continued until she noticed that Matt wasn't responding to the televisions prompts anymore. Glancing down, she realized he had fallen asleep. Turning off the television, she scooped him up and carried him to his room.
Underground Lair
Slade slammed his fist down on the stone chair. Damn, damn, DAMN! That stupid piece of junk, Overload! The Titans would no doubt assume that he had deployed Overload himself! He hadn't, of course. That would be stupid. The Titans weren't aware that Knife-play was in his employ just yet, which was why he had used him to begin with. He wanted to stay as far out of the Titan's radar as he could during this plan…at least until there was no choice. Thanks to Overload, however, the Titans may very well accidentally stumble onto his plan, though they'd never guess EXACTLY what he planned to do. Overload's stupidity was an unforeseen incident. He had a choice now. He could step up his plan, make his move sooner then he had intended…or he could put it off for longer then he intended. …choices…
Guest Room
Melissa slipped Matt's shoes off and tucked him into bed. Her stealthy movements didn't disturb the sleeping boy and he just cuddled to the pillow immediately. Melissa was about to turn and leave when he let out a soft murmur in his sleep. It sounded like one of distress. Confused at what to do, she decided to wake him.
Melissa: Matt…Matt, wake up…
Matt woke up with a start.
Matt: Mom!
Melissa: Matt…Matt, it was a dream. Just a dream.
He didn't seem reassured by that fact. Sighing, Melissa shook her head.
Melissa: Matt?
Matt: I…I saw my Mom die…
What was she to say to that? She was so confused…so conflicted.
Melissa: I'm…I'm sorry, Matt…
Matt: St…stay here until I fall asleep?
Melissa: I…
Matt: Please?
Melissa caved, nodding her head.
Melissa: Very well.
Pulling up a chair, Melissa sat down. Matt scooted closer and closed his eyes. Hesitantly, Melissa reached out and began to stroke his hair. With time, he fell asleep. Biting her lip, Melissa thought for a moment, then laid back in the chair. She would sleep there tonight…just in case he had another nightmare.
Underground Lair: Ravager's Room
Rose sat back in her chair, mask on her lap and cell phone to her ear. She giggled.
Rose: No! You didn't! Oh you're a sick boy, Knife-play.
Thorn: If I had a physical mouth, I'd vomit.
Rose: Hold on a sec.
Rose covered the phone with her hand.
Rose: Would you shut up? For crying out loud, I met a guy I find interesting at least and you won't stop bitching. This is the price I pay for having a voice in my head, isn't it?
Thorn: Fine. Listen to his babble until your ear drums implode in an act of suicide. I don't care.
Rose grumbled. Somebody took their bitch pill that morning.
Rose: Hmm? Oh…yeah, I'll hold on the line.
Thorn: Ooo and now he put you on hold. Yeah, he's REEEEAL into you, isn't he?
Rose: Isn't there supposed to be an angel on my other shoulder?
Thorn: Her blood decorates my walls and her screams sing me to sleep at night. Never before has some cursed the fact that they can't die so much.
Rose: …that's disturbing.
Thorn:You're disturbed.
Rose: …am I? Huh.
The phone clicked.
Rose: Hello? …oh. Oh, really? Perfect. See you soon.
Thorn: Oh goodie. A date with the rambling moron. Praise your lucky stars.
Rose: Damn, you're feeling sarcastic today…
Rose slipped her mask on and waited for her father's order. He would tell her to accompany Knife-play on his venture. And she would thoroughly enjoy infiltrating the home of the Titans.
Titan Tower: Guest Room
Melissa and Matt snapped awake at the blaring alarm.
Matt: Wh…what's going on?
Melissa: I don't know. Wait right here, Matt. I'll be back.
Melissa got up and ran for the main room. She found the Titans (not Shade of course) around the computer.
Melissa: What is it?
Starfire: Nothing you need be concerned with. Please, return to Matt and stay with him while we are gone.
Raven: And keep quiet. Shade's still asleep and he gets real bitchy if he's woken up early. He's probably already pissed at the alarm.
Melissa: I don't like this.
Raven: Hey, he may be a little cranky, but he's going to stay in his…
Melissa: Not that. This. The alarm going off. It's definitely bait to lure you out of the tower.
Cyborg: Mel, relax. The security system will be running full force.
Terra: And we built that safe room with the runes on the walls for Raven. That thing can keep almost anything out. If push comes to shove, you can always stash the squirt in there.
Sighing, Melissa nodded. It wasn't like they could ignore the alarm for the sake of one boy. She went back to the bedroom.
Matt: What's going on? Are we under attack?
Melissa strained to smile reassuringly. Her lips felt almost tired from the effort.
Melissa: No, no. The alarm tells them that a crime is in progress in the city. The Titans are going to go stop it and come back home. Go back to sleep.
With a relieved smile, Matt proceeded to do just that. Melissa sat back in the chair and tried to join him in slumber, but something just kept scratching at her mind. Her instincts kept telling her not to sleep. No matter how she tried to reassure herself, she couldn't get the feeling that something was wrong out of her head. Her doubts, however seemed to have merit. Slowly she began to feel…drowsy. Then downright exhausted. Her eyelids strained. Before she slumped in the chair, Melissa managed to realize she was being gassed. Knife-play and Ravager climbed in through the hole they had cut through the window, gasmasks over their faces.
Knife-play: And no chocolate mess. Told ya the gas would work wonders.
Ravager: Right, right. So I owe you a coke.
Knife-play: Caffeine free. Can you even imagine me any more hyped up then this?
Ravager drew her sword.
Ravager: And now to make sure that this is one nap that she never wakes up from.
Drawing her sword back, she was shocked when Knife-play grabbed her wrists.
Ravager: What are you doing?!
Knife-play: What did I gas them for? A body count is something that should only be made when there's no choice. It makes people more lenient when and if you're ever caught.
It…made sense. Why was she so eager to kill someone anyway? It seemed…wrong. It WAS wrong, wasn't it? …wasn't it?
Thorn: The girl is a superhero of some kind. You may not know her face, but no doubt she is, if she's in this tower. Killing her now means you don't need to bother later. Kill her! If he stops you again, chop his head off.
Ravager hesitated. Knife-play was picking up Matt. She could easily do it now. He wouldn't even notice her swinging until it was too late. But…he had said not to…
Thorn: Who are you going to listen to? I want only what's best for you. That babbling fool has no idea what you need. Do it. It must be done. You know it must be done. Do it. Do it! Kill her! DO IT NOW!
Knife-play: …ager? Ravager!
Ravager: Huh?
Knife-play: Are you going to stand there or are you going to help me lower the kid down? I mean, I can't climb down while carrying the squirt. We have to use the pulley thingie we set up, remember?
Ravager: Oh…right.
Thorn: What are you doing?! Kill her now!
The response to Thorn's demand was a resounding "no" in Rose's mind. This left Thorn stunned…and enraged. It was Knife-play's fault. He was undermining her. Taking away her influence on the troubled teenager. That was something Thorn would not allow. …but what could be done? She was little more then a voice in Rose's head. Her only hope was to be more persuasive while Knife-play wasn't around. Earn her trust more. Plant the seeds of doubt…wait…then reap. …and in the meantime she had to hope the masked fool didn't ruin the garden of hatred Thorn had every intention of allowing to bloom in Rose's soul. That garden was her ticket to control of Rose's body…and then all of creation.
END PART THREE