Chapter 7

A tense atmosphere consumed the white medical room.

Thoughts were being processed, ideas were emerging, and pulses were racing.

"I cannot allow you to do this for me Mr Watson."

The doctor stood up from his metal stool and had started to find a way into the black binds that restrained And'r. Moving quickly, eyes studying, fingers twiddling; there had to be a way through these.

Looking over his shoulder, he examined the metal medical tools that hung on the wall behind him. Idea sparked, he ran over to the area, leaning up and taking a small metal saw from its place on the wall. He made his way back slower, And'r couldn't help but notice the slight limp in his left leg.

His old bones cracking, he knelt down and began sawing at the metal shackles that clung to her petite ankles. And'r looked down at the old man in hesitation, her whole body consumed with guilt. There's no way she could allow this man to give up his life for her, she would find a way to get them both out.

Mr Watson's attempts at cracking the metal was slowly but surely working. Now breaking into a full sweat, the metal chain started to snap. And'r stretched her legs apart; her super strength coming into effect as the metal chain snapped instantly.

The sharp metal clank of the shackles hitting the tiled floor echoed throughout the room, resulting in And'r and Dr Watson becoming as still as statues. Both eyed one other, anticipating an interruption from outside the room from the noise they had just created.

And'r had never felt pressure or fear like this before, but her emotions at this precise moment were heightened incredibly. Pearl white teeth biting deeply into her rosy bottom lip, she couldn't avoid the heat that had begun to rise in her face, she wasn't the type to usually sweat but thrown into this situation she couldn't help the perspiration that had crawled into her.

She watched Mr Watson struggle with the arm binds and sighed gently.

"Mr W-"

"No more chit chat. I've made my decision."

His stern tone silenced her.

He looked up at her and gave her a sad smile, his hands continuing the battle between his saw and the binds.

She cleared her throat gently, twiddling her hands and bringing them back towards her chest.

"I believe I can do this much easier, if you would take three steps back."

He stopped his fidgeting and stood to his feet once more, the familiar bone crack echoing loudly in the quite room. He paced backwards three steps as advised and watched her curiously.

She drew in a deep breath slowly and closed her eyes. Her fists clenched and her teeth ground together, an unseen wind blew her hair back slowly as she exhaled. Her eyes whipped open revealing luminous green balls and matching green orbs that consumed her balled fists, all of sudden her entire body was submerged in the bright green glow.

Limbs no longer seen in the intense glow, a high pitch frequency tone echoed in Mr Watson's ears loudly. He covered his hands over his ears as a sudden reaction, the minute his fingers touched his ears the bright light dimmed, the frequency pitch disappeared and And'r was seen once again, free of her binds.

His mouth hung open in shock; his hands fell to his sides from his ears.

"You are certainly no ordinary woman my dear!"

He chuckled lightly, stepping closer to her once again and helped her to her feet.

She studied the small old man in front of her; he wasn't lying when he said he was unwell. The dark sagged skin under his eyes showed the tiredness that lived within him; blue veins, dark circles and a yellow tint to his skin. Every spot, freckle and mole was suddenly visible to And'r. His skin was proof he had lived a long life, but now he was tired.

He noticed the sudden direct gaze of And'r and smiled sadly.

"You see me clearly now. I suppose these lights don't do me much justice!" He chuckled lightly, scratching his overgrown stubble.

She shook her head quickly, stepping back. "N-No I just have not seen someone so close…in so much detail." A crimson tide erupted in her cheeks; she turned her head trying to hide the sudden embarrassment.

Both interrupted from their moment of embarrassment, the metal door in the corner of the room came to life; a repetitive metal thud echoing in their ears.

"Yo, Doctor dude! You nearly done in there or what? We got places to be ya know, inject the bitch and be done with it!"

Both And'r and Mr Watson exchanged glances of worry to each other, knowing their short lived friendship was coming to an abrupt end very shortly.

The old man studied the syringe in his wrinkled hand and sighed.

"I can't let you do this Mr Watson. We can both get out of here together."

She spoke in a soft hushed voice, careful not arise any suspicion from the boneheaded thugs standing guard outside the door. Her delicate fingers reached over to take the syringe from the old man, but were quickly deflected.

He held her fingers gently, his eyes staring up into her green orbs as his grip tightened.

"I would like to be with my Joan now my dear; I want to go whilst I am still in control. I just ask one favour of you."

And'r nodded, her eyes suddenly shimmering with wetness.

"My children; Andrea and Derick, protect them sweetheart. These…thugs, they will come after them once they realize what I've done."

He reached into the pocket in his lab coat and pulled out a golden locket, opening it he smiled as he studied the two pictures of his children that lived inside it. He brought the locket up his lips, giving soft kisses to the two portraits.

Andrea had long blonde hair and golden brown eyes, by the tone of her makeup and her feminine demeanor And'r guessed she was around eighteen years of age. The boy on the opposing side of the locket had the same golden brown eyes, but with dark chestnut hair; he was most handsome for a young boy at the age of fifteen.

And'r studied the man in front of her saying goodbye to his children. She couldn't let him die; she couldn't let these children lose their father. Nobody deserves loneliness; she knows that first-hand.

"We will both get out of here. There is no certainty that the drug will automatically kill you is there? I could get you to the hospital in time? I can fly, we would be there in no time…we could-"

He shook his head to her surprise. Closing his precious locket, he placed it back in the safety of the coat pocket before patting it gently. His gaze turned up back towards And'r and he smiled.

"I have made my peace, I have accepted my fate. My children are in good hands; we have a lot of extended family around the states. If it's not too much to ask, could you see to it they are sent to a relative safely? I think the Batman takes care of those sorta things; heard he had a thing for kids with deceased parents."

And'r stared at the man blankly, but nodded nonetheless.

"Okay here's the plan kid, I'm going to leave the room once I've injected myself and tell the fools outside that the job is done. Before the door closes behind me, you fly out past the guards and out of the building. I don't know much of the structure of this place but I did see a broken patch in the roof, you should be able to fly through that and to safety. The guards can't get up that high so quickly. They probably have guns, so try your best to avoid the bullets."

And'r nodded slowly, guilt consuming her once again. This old man was so brave; he didn't deserve to die here in this miserable place.

"My home address is twenty-four Halyard Street, my children will be home. You should be able to find it easily; just off Halyard Square. Should be an old red Volvo Estate parked outside the house."

She watched as the old man dabbed his newly wet eyes with his trembling finger, reaching over to him she held his hand gently. The first contact of kindness she had shared with anyone; she smiled.

"Do not worry; I will take care of them."

He placed his own hand over the top of hers. The pair embraced like this for a few moments, it was hard to believe they had only just met. The tears forming in his eyes were now unavoidable, but he still kept a smile on his lips.

"I never asked. What is your name?"

Taken back by his question, she squeezed his hand gently.

"I-I do not have one. My assassin name for master is agent And'r; I would like to believe I…have a real name…somewhere."

She smiled sadly, but kept the embrace of hands with the old man.

"I pray that you find your true identity sweetheart. A lovely woman like yourself will surely have loving family and friends who truly adore you. I hope you find your place in this world."

One final squeeze of hands ended the bonded embrace. Stepping back from the engrossed woman in front of him, the old man fiddled with the hem of the lab coat before rolling up the white sleeve; his other hand prepared the syringe for injection.

And'r turned away, not wanting to see the tragedy that befell her. Her long red hair covering her peripheral vision, she stared down at the cold tiled floor below in sadness in her pounding heart. The tiles were suddenly extremely interesting. Now injected with the sinister clear liquid, the old man set the syringe back down on the metal table and exhaled.

No other words were exchanged after that. The old man ruffled his sleeve back down to his wrist, smoothed down his clothes, picked up the small metal tray with the newly emptied syringe and headed for the door.

And'r watched the old man in his bravery walking to his death, everything she was taught about people was a lie; this old man here in the room was living proof.

Unblinking and un-moving, her gaze never left him. Her expression as blank as her mind until the wetness in her eyes woke her from her trance. Bringing up a tanned hand to her cheek, she felt the water leak down her cheeks.

What is this?

Taking her hand away from her face she studied her newly damp fingertips, her worried expression moved from her delicate tips to the old man leaving the room.

Taking a step towards him she followed slowly. She knew the moment he was through the door she would need to either take out the guards, or at least fly past them.

The next few steps taken would change everything.

Could she have a life without this job? Could she really leave Slade? So many questions zapped through her head.

Mr Watson knocked his knuckles roughly on the metal door.

"It's done."

The door slid open revealing two guards armed with pistols and wearing body armour. Both sporting dark sunglasses and having missing teeth and hair, the one on the left grunted, his arms crossed over his overweight stomach as he studied Dr Watson in disgust.

"Took ya long enough goddammit, we got a poker game to get to ya know!"

The other one sneered, his round stomach also coming into view "Yeah, what took ya so long? Boss said it was a 2 second job!"

Small and timid Mr Watson stood in the doorway, the two overgrown babies for men towering over him.

He held up his palms to them, a signal of peace "Look, I've done the job. Let me leave."

The left crony pulled his pistol from his belt, stepped back and aimed it in Mr Watson's face.

"Don't ya talk back to me like that ya old bastard! We're tha boss of you!"

A rapid swirl of green and auburn passed through the doors over the old man's head. Ducking with his hands shielded over his balding head, he clenched his eyes closed awaiting the impact of the bullet. The two guards fell backwards; both now armed with guns and both had no time to grasp what was happening.

And'r swooped through the door, eyes glowing, teeth bared and fists sparked with green energy. Her fist collided with the face of the left guard; knocking him to the floor, she turned and repeated the same action with the guard on the right. The power of the green that absorbed her hand created an intense power knocking both men flying down the corridor.

She turned mid-air and grabbed Mr Watson under his armpits. Turning her head up, she stared at the broken ceiling above her. The old man had been right, there were cracks in the roof; cracks that she could definitely smash through to get herself and John to safety.

The dust beneath Mr Watson's feet departed rapidly as And'r took off into the air at supersonic speed. Halfway to the top of the building the guards managed to find their feet, shooting bullets up towards the flying And'r and Mr Watson.

Trying her hardest to both swerve the bullets and keep Mr Watson safety priority, And'r smashed through the wooden beams of the rooftop.

The muffled sound of breaking wood splintered their ears, eyes keeping closed until out into the cold night air both And'r and Mr Watson felt the relief sliding through their bodies.

The green energy from And'r exploded during the breakthrough, a green hazy residue still floating above the wrecked building even though both were far from the building.

And'r scanned the rooftops beneath her, looking for a safe place to hide John. She settled on the tallest building in Bludhaven; the police station.

Placing him slowly to the ground of the rooftop, she released her grip on his underarms and let him gather himself.

It wasn't until she had sat John down that she noticed the blood.


"Nightwing, can you hear me? Nightwing?"

Raven floated over the grey shadowed buildings of Bludhaven, now clad in her familiar Titan uniform; her navy cloak blew wildly in the harsh cold night. Yellow communicator clutched tightly in her hand, she scanned the broken city beneath her. It sure felt good to do this again, fly the skies at night scanning for trouble, talk to teammates on the old familiar Titan communicator and most importantly be a protector once again; a hero.

She smiled slowly, squeezing her communicator in her hand before bringing back up to her mouth.

"Night-"

"I'm here. Sorry, had to take care of a mugging. How's everything up there? Seen anything yet?"

Raven's smile dropped slowly. Her flight picking up in pace as she swerved over a satellite.

"Not yet. Don't worry, if she's out there we'll find her. We just need to be patient, we need to-"

"Patient?" His voice resonated anger.

"Is four years of waiting not patient enough? Four fucking years Raven. Is that not enough?!"

"Dick – I know. I wasn't trying to upset you. I told you not to get your hopes up just in case of anything-"

"Just…not now Rae. Not whilst we're looking for her, I need that hope to cling on to; to help me carry on."

The duos conversation was interrupted suddenly by their mechanical friend.

"Hate to break up the friendly convo, but ya'll gotta see this. A huge green explosion has been spotted west of the city; old mental institute thought to be derelict for nine years…could be a lead."

Nightwing revved the engine of his N-Cycle, white headlights lighting up the dark alleyway in front of him. His fingers clutching tightly at the gears, he couldn't tame the excitement that grew in the pit of his stomach.

"I'm heading there now, send Changeling and Raven the coordinates and I'll meet you all there. If anybody sees her, do not hesitate to make contact."

Before a startled Cyborg could reply, Nightwing had already headed off into the night. He shook his head at his former leader's antics and smiled as he programmed the coordinates into the computer of the newly advanced T-Car; sending them to the titans communicators.

A green pterodactyl hovered in the blackness of Bludhaven's polluted skies. The smog of the polluted city almost visible, the air was thick and heavy with the burdens of Bludhaven's citizens.

Raven appeared next to the pterodactyl instantly, knocking him out his circular course. His large wings flapped loudly, his body weaving in and out of the area Raven had just previously appeared. She smiled gently at her playful, prehistoric husband.

"Nightwing's insane again. Did you hear the broadcast? Cyborg's spotted something suspicious west of the city, Wing wants everyone there now."

The pterodactyl bowed his head in acknowledgment. Spreading his wings wider and swooping lower to the buildings, he changed his flying direction.


"Mr Watson! Hello, Mr Watson?!"

And'r clutched the collar of his white coat, shaking him aggressively. The old man's glasses balanced at the end of his nose, falling closer to the tip as And'r shook him. His mouth hung agape, his eyeballs rolling around unaware of his surroundings.

She sat on the cold ground of the police station helipad, Mr Watson cradled in her arms. His breathing was shallow but his eyes remained open.

Worry and tears brimmed in her emerald pools, her grip on his coat tightening.

"Mr Watson…please…you were my first f-friend"

Her voice quivered with every syllable. Surely her new friend wouldn't be taken from her so soon? Surely life wouldn't be that cruel?

Mr Watson regained his composure somewhat; he sat up with the help of And'r. His trembling hand stopped gently on his stomach, the growing patch of blood wetting it. Her shimmering eyes followed his hand down to the deep wound.

How could she let him get shot? She was so careful with avoiding the bullets when she flew, yet this happened.

Distress shook in her bones, she had promised this man she would save him and she failed him; failed his children.

Mr Watson drew in a deep breath, blood trickling down the left side of his mouth. His hand trembled up to her face, resting on her cheek. He smiled. Not a smile of happiness, but a smile of relief.

"Don't worry; you tried your hardest kid. Now call the cops and get outta here, get to my kids, tell them I loved them…that I didn't die for nothing; that their mother and I will be watching over them. Whatever you do, don't let that man near them."

His voice was so quiet and raspy; she could hardly make out what he was saying. Sirens blared in the maze-like streets beneath, a helicopter sounding somewhere in the night sky. And'r looked down at the dying man in her arms, she was crying. She was weeping for this kind man who had given her answers without her even asking questions.

She watched his eyes close slowly, she watched the life leave them, and she watched his heart stop. She never thought death as a bad thing; she never understood the importance of life; until now.

All the killings, all the shootings; they were menacing and wrong. She was a menace who was wrong. Her thoughts swirled viciously in her head at all the immoral acts she had done, everything made sense now. All this time her instincts told her it was wrong; she should have listened.

And'r laid Mr Watson down gently on the ground; her tears on a continuous downpour as she leant down and kissed his cheek gently. She gently reached her shaking hand down to his pocket in the lab coat and pulled out his golden locket and placed it round her neck, under the white gown. Without further hesitation she knew what she needed to do. She needed to let someone know his body was up here, even though it was too late for medical care; it wasn't too late to pay him one last respect.

Closing her eyes, she clasped her hands together tightly. The familiar green glowing orb erupting from her fingertips, growing in size she allowed the orb to stretch big enough to create a flare for the helicopter to see before letting it shoot up into the night sky.

She watched the green explode behind the murky clouds, illuminating the downpour of rain that had started unnoticed. She turned her head back down to look at Mr Watson's body and sighed sadly.

"The skies cry for you too Mr Watson."

Within a second of the helicopter picking up her green flare, she was gone.


Hands gripped brutishly to the handlebars and feet planted firmly on the metal of the bike; Nightwing raced down the wet slippery roads. Weaving in and out of traffic like a maniac, he knew something was happening tonight. That uneasy ball of anxiousness had been sitting in the pit of his stomach since he first went out on patrol; he would see her tonight. He would save her tonight.

Concentrating too hard on the skill of being acrobatically precise on a motorcycle lacing through moving cars, he almost didn't see the green illumination; almost. Only catching it out of the corner of his masked eye, but that was all he needed. She was here.

The bike screeched to a stop, rubber tires slipping on wet concrete he stared up at the sky. He saw something shoot up first; he saw her signalling just like she did with the Titans. A moment too soon he would have easily missed the speeding green asteroid that bolted east of the flare.

Kicking the engine of his N-Cycle back to life, he changed direction taking a shortcut through a more suburban area of Bludhaven, following the green asteroid.

"Titans! New course of action, she's on the move, east of the city towards the suburban part of town. Head there right away. Raven, Changeling you two will get there much faster than me and Cyborg will. Follow her but do not engage until we arrive."


Four minutes later, a confused humanoid Changeling and engrossed Raven touched down in Halyard Square. Garfield stared around at the houses that surrounded the deserted square, it seemed so peaceful. Christmas lights were still on; families were seen through the window enjoying dinner, laughing and playing with one another.

He looked through the closest window carefully without being seen; a family of three were snuggled up on their couch watching TV, the parents sat protectively with their son in the middle. Garfield smiled.

"Something's close."

He turned on his heels to face his mystical wife, his smile never leaving. His muscular body highlighted in his tight white and red costume, the change from Beast Boy to Changeling had been one of his best decisions; he was in no way at all a boy anymore.

"You think it's really her Rae?"

Her delicate pale fingertips rubbed her temples gently, her eyes closed in deep concentration.

"Not sure, I know Starfire's presence and this isn't it. Whatever it is, it's strong and extremely emotional."

Her hands dropped to her sides aimlessly, she brought her legs up and hovered cross-legged in the air. Her usually pale legs covered in black shiny pants; there was no way she was wearing her leotard in this weather. Her arms found themselves in their usually trance position, thumb and finger touching; elbows resting on her knees.

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azarath Metrion Zinthos. Azar-"

Raven's eyes opened wide.

"Found her."

The shock in her eyes was enough for Garfield, he skipped over quickly to his wife, helping her down from her levitation position, not that she needed it.

Her eyes remained open wide as she told him what she saw.

"-Red hair, green eyes flying through gardens…through bushes! Her legs...so long-it has to be her Gar!"

He rubbed her back gently, prying her away from her shock. It was extremely rare that Raven lost control of her composure like that; mailboxes blowing up around them, fences swinging open and closed, wind chimes screeching and echoing in the dark streets.

"Calm down baby, you're waking up the whole neighborhood"

Small circular motions now, up and down her spine slowly. Sure enough, it seemed to work. Everything around them came to a halt; the only thing moving was the natural rustles of the bushes from the sharp winds of winter.

"What's going on here?"

Appearing out of nowhere, Nightwing appeared at the other side of Raven in a split second.

"Dude, you get more and more like Batman every day. You can't just sneak up on people like that!"

Ignoring the green changeling he turned to Raven, placing a hand on her arm gently.

"You saw her didn't you?"

She nodded, pulling her hood over her head quickly to hide the embarrassment of her outburst of emotions.

"Which way?"

Raven shook her head, showing her slight confusion.

"I'm not sure. I saw a street name…Halyard Street…must be around here somewhere. She was…It was flying through garden bushes, a row of them. There was…a big tree in one of the gardens, with a lot of Christmas decorations hanging on it, a Red beat up car parked outside it. Seemed pretty distinctive, should be easy to find."

Nightwing nodded, pleased with the information from Raven.

This was it. She was so close; he could feel his blood boiling in excitement. His heart was racing, his palms sweating. He would have his girl back tonight.

"Shouldn't we wait for Cy?"

He turned to face his green friend.

Too close to her .Must get to her. So close.

"He can catch up, he's not far behind." Turned on his heels already, Nightwing was off into the dark alleyway of connecting suburbs with Raven and Changeling following without a chance to speak.


Total shock.

Confusion, panic, love, fear, torment, shock, shock shock.

That was what befell the three Titans on this night.

Staring at the scene ahead, not one of them expected to see this tonight. Not one expected to see their innocent beautiful Starfire clad in a white hospital gown stained in blood, binding two children against their will.

She stood in front of the open door to a small brick house, her arms around the torsos of both children. A boy and a girl.

There she stood. Flaming red hair flying around her petite tan face, large green eyes watching the struggling children squirm in her grip uncontrollably.

"Get away from me you crazy bitch I'll call the cops!"

The blonde teenager fought harder than the younger boy, her long nails scratching at Starfire's arms like a viscous alley cat.

Starfire struggled keeping the girl contained as she dragged her and the young boy down the garden path slowly.

"Please, you must be silent. I am here to help in regards to your father Mr Watson, he has-"

Words cut short. She caught a glimpse of three figures ahead of her. Green pupils studying each one slowly carefully, she hadn't expected anyone to be awake at this time of the night.

I've never seen these people before, they can't work for Slade. Those costumes are so strange, oh my, that man is green!

"S-Starfire?...What are you…H-How are you-?"

Garfield was the first to speak, the bravest of the three. His forest green eyes bulging out of his head as he studied her, he would have never believed it if someone had told him they had seen Starfire attacking children wearing a hospital gown, but lo and behold here she was!

"Holy crap you're Nightwing! Oh my god, is this real life?!"

The blonde audacious teenager squealed.

Nightwing stared in disbelief at the scene before him.

It was her, but she was…different. That playful innocence that lived in her round eyes was replaced with narrow green slits that were dim and lifeless. She was holding those children way too tight. Her hair was straighter and shorter, stopping at her rib cage rather than her ankles. This wasn't right.

"You are Nightwing? I-I am told to inform you that there is trouble, I have been informed you can help with-"

"Don't you speak like you're her."

His voice was hoarse; it was broken just like he was.

"Who the fuck are you and what have you done to her? Why do you have her body? Is this is a sick joke?! Is it?!"

Starfire's grip on the children loosened completely, they quickly scrambled over to the Titans for safety away from the fire-haired vixen.

She stared at the man in the black suit that had just spoken such hard words at her. She studied him, his costume, his physique…this was the same man from the rooftop that night. Why was he was nicer then than he is now?

"I-I do not understand…we have encountered one another before…on the rooftops? I am out of costume right now so you may not recognise me…I've just been helping-"

"I told you not to speak."

His tone was threatening.

She was scared.

That tone of voice means nothing but violence when it comes from Slade. Was he going to attack her?

She studied the small cloaked girl that stood next to him, her face full of sorrow and disbelief as she stared back.

The green one, he was friendlier but what had he called her earlier? Star-fire? Was that an insult?

"Look, I don't know who you are or why you dislike me, but these children need to be moved to safety right now. Their father - Mr Watson has been…killed in an attack from a very bad man. I managed to get us both to safety but he was shot by a henchman on the way out. I owe that man my life; I swore I would protect his children and I will do just that."

She hadn't even noticed she had both palms facing up towards them in a signal of peace; funny how you pick up hand interaction signals from emotions. She stepped closer to them slowly, her bare feet cold on the frozen blades of grass.

"Please, if not for me then for Mr Watson. He was the kindest-"

A small dart flew into her neck within seconds. Her breathing hiccupped as she fell to the cold frozen grass losing her conscious.

"What the hell Wings?! You can't just shoot her like that!"

Changeling stared back at the emotionless statue form of Nightwing, his face as cold and stern as Batman. He waved his hands in front of the unblinking state in front of him, staring in disbelief at what his friend had just done, the sadness of the situation found his way into his stomach.

It's really not her. No way would Dick do that to Star.

"Raven, bind her. Take her back to the cave for questioning. Changeling, take these children to the police station. Find out the deal with their father."

Raven looked over at her leader, uncertainty in her eyes. The situation had looked unfortunate yes, but they couldn't just jump to conclusions like this. This girl was clearly Starfire, or at least her body was.

"Nightwi-"

"Do it now."


Again, thank you to those reading and reviewing, you lovely people! Will hopefully update sooner for the next chapter.