Hey guys, I have a really good reason for being gone, I swear. No really- you try getting home at five every day for weeks on end and see how much you get done- AFTER all your projects, tests, and homework. Yeah, that's what I thought. So, anyway, last chapter went really well, and it's been my most popular chapter this far, besides the first. Nine reviews! (First chapter got ten, FYI) Even if most of them were screaming at me for killing Grant, lol. Sorry guys, had to happen. Anyway, on that note, I would like to ask you a favor. I would like to (sort of) break the record for number of reviews for a Jericho story. At this rate, I will have 60 reviews by the time I hit chapter ten. But, I think we can do better, no? Therefore, I AM OPENING A CONTEST! To see the rules for that, of which there may be many, I would kindly ask that you go to my bio page- even if you don't have an account. I will love you forever! In other news, last chapter was extremely eventful, so, this chapter is gonna slow down a bit. Just telling you now.
Jericho's POV
"Your wrist..."
It was the first thing said in a long time of silence. I had stopped crying, but neither of us really wanted to move. I still wanted to hide under a rock or something, but with Kole here beside me it hurt a little less.
She picked up my hand, examining the dried blood that stained my sleeve. I'd long forgotten about that- everything from before the fight seemed like it happened a week ago. I realized that it had only been about 24 hours since I told Mal about my dad. How could that be? Meanwhile, Kole looked up at me, waiting to see if I would tell her what happened to my wrist. I shifted my gaze away, a little uneasy. None of them knew Grant had actually kidnapped me. Maybe it was better that way. He was just trying to keep me alive; not hold me for ransom or anything. Of course what he was doing was wrong- but he wasn't all bad.
"Alright, whatever- you don't have to talk about it," she said. "But we can't just leave it alone; come on."
She stood up and pulled me after her. I didn't want to move; I wanted to stay alone in the hall for forever if I could. I didn't want to face anyone else yet. But, it looked like I didn't have a choice, as Kole dragged me down the hall, keeping a firm grip on my hand. Without running into anyone, we made it to the Med. bay. I saw the clock, and noticed that it was now almost six in the morning- everyone must be asleep.
"There's a first aid kit in here somewhere," said Kole casually, letting go of me to look through the cupboards. Meanwhile, I examined the wound on my wrist, taking off my arm brace to get a clearer look. I hadn't looked at it in all the time I'd had it. It wasn't as deep as it felt, and only circled about halfway around. Kole came back with a little white box, and asked me to sit on a bed with her. I watched her face while she worked- if being with her made my heart hurt less, then looking at her face almost made me forget. I could see in her eyes that there was something she wanted to say, but she didn't seem to know how to bring it up. She wrapped a long, thin bandage around my wrist just a few times before stopping with a heavy sigh. She looked up at me.
"Jericho I know you don't want to talk about it- I understand. I just wish I knew how to help you. Talking helps. I just want to help you…"
Not a second later, the door opened again, before I had even the slightest chance of answering. The two of us turned to see Robin and Raven each walk in. Between the pair, there was a cool atmosphere, quickly penetrating to the rest of the room. I had to try very hard to keep myself from squirming in discomfort.
"What did you do to your wrist?" Robin asked.
"He just scratched it during the fight, I think," Kole covered for me, quickly. "But it's just that- a scratch, so no biggie." She said it so easily, with a smile that not even I could detect as false. Robin nodded stoically.
"Alright- but I wanted to talk to Jericho. Would you mind if Raven took over?"
"Sure." This time when Kole smiled I could see a flicker of discomfort. She slid off the bed, making eye contact with me for just a brief second before leaving. When the door shut, I handed my wrist to Raven and looked at Robin, afraid of what he would say.
"Raven told me that Red X was your brother- I'm so sorry." My eyes flashed to Raven, my fears confirming themselves. Robin knew of my more innocent of family ties; how he responded to this would foreshadow his reaction to when– if –he found out about Slade. Raven wasn't looking at me- she was busy concentrating on my wrist. I looked back up at the expressionless black and white mask of our leader, waiting to see what he would do. He continued, "I get that you need some time… but I still have to ask a few questions. Raven can answer for you while she's healing your wrist."
I nodded, forcing myself to remain calm.
"How long did you know that he was Red X?"
I opened up a border in my mind ready to show Raven what she needed to know- before one of us slipped. We both felt her fall into my mind too far. Against my will, bits of my memory flashed through my mind in front of us both, as she accidentally triggered something. My life was revealed to her, from the very beginning of my earliest memories. A flashing knife, splattering red blood all over the floor. Gunshots, metal against metal, and screams filled up the darkness. A black figure looms over me- over us. A family is torn apart, faces fade out of the darkness, all the people I loved, watching me sadly. Me, running away to live in Tibet. Finding Mal. Becoming a Titan, and fighting the BoE. My night with Kole. Sitting with Mal on the beach. Grant, pulling off his mask. Running to get to the Tower again. Kole. Grant. Raven. Kole. Mom. Dad.
The was another flash, and I heard Raven cry out, and when I opened my eyes she was across the room, on the floor. I realized that she had seen everything. She knew everything.
"Raven!" Robin hurried over to help her up again. "What just happened?"
I locked eyes with her for a moment- neither of us knew what had just happened. I was terrified that she knew my secret, and that she would tell Robin any second now.
"I don't know…" Raven answered after a few painful seconds, breaking eye contact with me and turning to him. "Usually I have to concentrate to get into someone else's mind; but this time I practically fell in headfirst. I'm not sure, but I think it's his powers mixing with mine that made it so easy. But we're both fine." She looked back at me- I still couldn't read her expression well enough to tell if she would say anything to Robin. "Either way, I don't think I'll need any more information to help answer the questions for him, if he doesn't mind. I think I understand now."
Crap- she was going to say something after all. Everything was over.
"So, when did you find out?"
He told me… last night, it was. Before the attack, I answered.
"I see. How did he tell you?"
I looked at Raven for help. I didn't want to tell them that I had been kidnapped by him, but how else would he have told me? Raven took this one.
"He contacted Jericho just before the attack. He had taken out a contract to destroy us all, but when Jericho joined the team, he didn't want to kill him, too. He wanted Jericho to go somewhere safe, where they would meet up together. But Jericho couldn't just walk away, so he ran up to tell us as soon as possible. But… it was still a little too late."
I nodded in agreement. Was Raven always this good at cover stories?
"And this happened right before the attack? While you were, where, in the basement or something?"
I nodded once again. Why not? It made sense. And now kidnapping wouldn't be one of Grant's charges. Even if he was dead.
He gave a single nod himself, and walked out. That was it, no more. Was he really letting it go that easily?
"He wouldn't normally drop it so quickly, but I gave him a talking to before we came here." I looked at Raven, eyes still wide, nervous. "He knows what it's like to lose someone, trust me. He knows that you need time on your own to feel grief, and to heal. He's just forgotten over time. Now his priority is only the law. He would have interrogated you- found out the truth. But I stepped in to remind him what was important."
I could only stare at her. You know about my dad. I didn't even need to bother signing it out. I could feel this odd, transparent connection between us since the slip-up with our powers.
"I know. I would never have guessed it. You? HIS son? If it weren't for my heritage I would never believe it possible." She shrugged.
You're not going to say anything?
"No. I can see that you're afraid for him to find out. And I can see why. I don't blame you. Will we have to tell him eventually? Probably. But not yet. I know you're trustworthy because I can see into your mind whenever I want- not that I will; don't look at me like that. But Robin is too cautious for his own good. Maybe that's what makes him leader. Anyway, who knows? We might never have to tell him." And then it was her turn to leave the room, just like that. Um, was I missing something? Never mind. I'm going to go get some sleep.
Out in the hall, there was someone sitting on the floor; Kole. She had fallen asleep against the wall, waiting for me. I reached down to shake her shoulder. She moaned and frowned, before finally opening her eyes. She looked up and spotted me, smiling.
"Jericho? What happened?"
I helped her up and we started walking down the hall to our rooms, still holding each other's hands. He just wanted to ask me about my brother.
"Oh." She looked down at her feet as we walked along. "What I said earlier; I mean it."
Mean what?
She looked back up. "You can tell me anything. If something's bugging you, you can just tell me. I don't want you to feel like you have to keep secrets." I stayed quiet until we reached my door, when we stopped. She hugged me goodnight- I wanted to share everything with her, even for the rest of my life. I didn't want to let go. She felt like the only reason for me to be happy anymore. But, she let go, smiled comfortingly, and turned to leave. Numbly, I clasped on to her hand, preventing her from leaving. She stopped and turned to look up at me, waiting.
Kole… Don't go. I want you to stay with me- please. She nodded, stepping back to stand in front of me. I- I do want to tell you something. I was afraid to before, but you deserve to know.
I led her by the hand into my room, where no one could hear us; where we were alone.
"Jericho," she whispered in the dim light. "What is it?"
I have a secret. I've been keeping it from everyone, but it gets harder and harder. I have to tell you. Herald and Raven already know.
"Raven?"
She accidentally entered into my mind back there. But she promised not to tell anyone, so-
"Jer, I swear I'll never tell a soul; not ever!"
I know. That's why I'm telling you. Come here… I pulled her over to sit on the bed with me; hanging on to her hand like it was the key to my sanity. It almost was. We sat there, just like before, when she was bandaging my wrist. Kole it's about my dad. My dad is an awful, horrible person; but… I know deep down he loves me, and my mom, and my brother. I guess he's not a bad person, really. He just does a lot of bad things.
"Oh, Jericho, I understand. My dad is a terrible man, too. He gave me these powers; so I guess he did some good. But I hate him."
Did you inherit your powers from him? That's how I got mine- that's not so bad.
"No. He really gave them to me. He used me as a guinea pig." Her voice wavered, and I felt her tense, as if she was trying not to cry. "I can't stand the sight of needles, or scalpels, or anything. It just makes me think of him, and all the times he experimented on me. I hate him."
Oh Kole… I hugged her tight, keeping her against my chest for a moment longer. I could feel her tremble, when she tried not to cry. We stayed like that for a while, before she leaned away from me.
"I'm sorry- you wanted to tell me something."
No it's alright- I didn't know you grew up like that. I guess my dad would never do that. My dad would never hurt a hair on my head. But… he still hurts other people.
"What do you mean?"
You already know my dad. My dad is Slade. I dropped my hands and my head in shame, waiting for her disgusted remark. She was silent, so I kept going, not once looking up at her. I wanted to say something. I feel like I'm going to explode, sometimes. I hate it- I feel like I don't belong here. But I could never say anything about it.
"Jericho," I thought I heard her sobbing under her voice, but before I could look to see, she was squeezing me tight. I was slightly shocked he wasn't repulsed, or at the very least afraid of me; but I was relieved that she still liked me. "Why didn't you say something sooner? I'm so sorry you have to feel this way- but please, never leave. I don't want you to go. Even if Robin finds out and wants to kick you off the team or something, I'll go with you."
You'd do that? You don't hate me?
"Of course I would. I'd go anywhere with you. And no, it wouldn't be fair to hate you. I could never hate you. In fact, I think I kind of feel like I love you." She looked shyly up at me through her eyelashes. I felt something tugging at my heart again. I was supposed to do something. Say something, you idiot! Before thinking twice about it and backing out, I held her face in both hands and pressed my mouth against hers. She didn't move at first, but slowly she tilted her head, wrapping her arms around me. I had never done this before, but I liked doing it with her. Something deep within me felt a sense of satisfaction- accomplishment. It felt great. This day may have been the saddest day of my existence, but she really made me forget, now. Why on Earth was life not like this all the time?
Reluctantly, I parted from her, letting go of her face to sign something back to her.
I think I love you, too.
(TT)
Kole shut his door behind her, leaning against it. She slid down a few inches, a sigh of ecstasy escaping her pink lips. He loves me- he said that he loved me! Just then, she heard a sly chuckle. She opened her eyes to see Argent standing there, arms crossed, with a smirk on her face. Kole flushed.
"What? Why are you looking at me like that? Argent! We didn't do anything! I was just-"
"I know exactly what you two were doing, love." She laughed and walked away.
"Argent! No- it's nothing like that! Argent!"
(TT)
Slade's POV
"Damn it!" I slammed my fists down onto the desk in front of me. I told him- I told him that he shouldn't go. I knew it was a suicide mission. Why wouldn't he listen? He never listened to me! I growled under my breath. "I hope you're happy Grant. Save me a spot in Hell."
My oldest son- gone. Dead because he was too stubborn to listen. I knew the entire time- they sent him out there to die. Why hadn't I stopped him? I could have done it. But I'd been so mad at him- I hadn't cared.
"Sir," came a voice. "It's H.I.V.E again."
"I told them no!"
"I know, sir. But they won't leave this time."
I clenched my fists. "Very well."
Wintergreen left, and a few minutes later, an elderly woman came in.
"I thought Blood replaced you," I said to her.
"He failed. I moved back into place. But we're not here to talk about promotions, Slade."
"You will call me Deathstroke," I hissed. There was no reason for it, but I wanted them to suffer for everything.
"Fine. You know what I want. Why are you hesitating to seal the deal?"
"Because you don't deserve it. I'm not coming to work for anyone who murdered my son."
"Business is business, Deathstroke."
"So you admit you planned his slaughter."
"It was nothing personal."
"Nothing personal? He was my son! My son! And you have the gall tell me there's nothing personal about it? Keep your damn contract. I won't do it, not ever."
"You used to work against the Titans on your own free time. And now, when I offer to pay you to do it, you refuse. Why?"
"I don't kill kids." Least of all my youngest son, for that matter. "Just get out."
"Of course. I suppose I'll have to find someone else who can take the job." She let the door shut behind her.
No. I've lost one son- no one's taking Joseph. When Jackal slit his throat, nearly killing him, I promised myself nothing would ever happen to him again. I let Grant walk right into suicide mission. Now Joseph's life was in danger as well. I should never have let him stay with the Titans- I should have pulled him out to begin with. Never mind H.I.V.E., he could get killed in any fight. I know he's capable- he just won't defend himself properly. I've already lost Grant; I won't allow any harm to come to Joey. Whatever it takes, I'm going to keep him safe.
Aw yeah! I said to myself that I would let things slow down this chapter. Ha! Well, I tried. The JeriKole relationship might seem a little rushed to you, but this is WAY less than what they did in the comics! Keeping it canon PG style, baby! Sorry Slade swore. Do me a few favors, will you? First, review! Second, go take a look at the contest on my profile! I really like this chapter :3 Even with seven bruises, extreme carpet burn, scratches… wait what was I talking about? Oh right! Gotta love theatre. Anyways, again, please review!
