Hey DTF here with yet another 'short' chapter. Amazing isn't it? Enjoy!
Chapter 7
"Are you two sure you don't want anything?" Olivia asked once again standing in front of a stove pouring oil onto the surface.
Beast Boy waved his hand still sitting at one of the side tables with Raven sitting on the other side, "I'm sure Ms..."
"Oh, just call me Olivia." She said, smearing the oil evenly across the stove surface and turning a knob to the right temperature.
Lee gave a snicker, "Why? 'Cause it makes ya feel old." He said from his stool seat by the bar.
The young mother turned her head toward the swordsman with a raised eyebrow, "You want something to eat?"
"Uh...I'm gonna go help Brittany with the dishes..." The scarred young man rose from his seat placing his traveler's bag onto the bar and headed toward the back door with his sword in hand.
Beast Boy and Raven watched each with their version of a grin on their faces from their seats.
"Just don't scrub so hard that the pattern disappears." Olivia chided.
"You got it." Lee said right before he passed through to the back.
The young mother's expression softened as she went back to what she was doing. "Oh, I forgot to ask what he wants."
Just then, Lee's head popped through the glassless window with his ever present grin, "I'll have the usual."
"Alright, one 'Lee special' coming up." She squatted and reached under the bar into a mini freezer and retrieved a slab of meat that would make Cyborg's mouth water and plopped it onto the stove top.
"Dude! Don't tell me you eat meat!" Beast Boy cried out at the sight of the ground chuck.
Lee brought his attention to the green shape-shifter with a grin, "Yep, sorry but, lettuce by itself can't keep this body of mine runnin'."
"Lee! When are you going to help me?" Brittany called out from the back, "I can't reach the cabinets!"
"I'm comin'." He was about to turn around when Olivia got his attention.
"Oh, Lee." She smiled as the steak sizzled on the stove top. "I have good news."
The swordsman gave a grin of his own, "Could it be that the steak is done?" He asked with a hopeful face.
The young mother chuckled, "No. It's not that." She said shaking her head. "I hired a waitress yesterday to work here." She flipped the Lee sized steak over on the other side to cook, "She should be here today to start working." Then a very noticeable smirk plastered itself on her face, "She was very pretty and looks to be around your age..."
Lee chuckled, "There's lots of pretty girls my age around here. I met two comin' over here." He held up two fingers, "Three," He held up one more, "If you count Ms. Raven over there."
Raven, having heard her name, brought her vision to the scarred young man and had a crimson hue on her face, though no one could see it since her hood was up. Lucky for her, huh?
Beast Boy didn't hear him because he had his head on the table mumbling "He eats meat..."
"But," Lee continued, "I'm kinda already involved with someone." He lightly thumped the locket making it swing side to side against his chest.
"That must be one lucky girl." Olivia smiled at him.
Lee turned completely around but didn't go yet, "Like I said before, depends on who's perspective." With that, he walked out of view to help the small girl in the back leaving the two Titans and the mother of one alone.
The young mother's smile faded some, but then came back full force, "From mine, she's really lucky." She said softly as she flipped the steak again.
Though, unbeknownst to the people inside the diner, trouble was coming in the form of five gang members not far away from the aforementioned diner with a mission in mind, each having a concealed weapon on them.
Raven brought her line of sight down to the table with her face returning to its original color. That was basically the first time anyone called her...pretty. Her eyesight then rose to the shape-shifter, though something inside of her wanted to hear it from...
The pale-skinned empath shook her head slightly. What was she thinking? She put a hand on her forehead and sighed. It was going to be a long day.
"Hey Rae, you alright? You look like you have a headache."
"I'm fine." She said, bringing her hand away from her forehead.
"If you're sure." He shrugged his shoulders. There was a few minutes of silence between the two, with the occasional outburst from Brittany asking 'Lee, what happened to the pattern?', until Beast Boy spoke up, "So, what do ya think of the new 'Hero'?" He asked, making the violet-eyed girl look at him.
"He's...different to say the least." She said, her face stoic and her voice monotoned, relaxing against the back rest.
Olivia couldn't help but overhear their conversation and gave a small laugh, which caught the attention of the two Titans, "It's nice to see Lee making friends his own age." She gave the 'steak' another flip and smashed it a little.
"Are you and Brittany his only friends?" The green shape-shifter asked.
"I don't know." Olivia turned around in her spot to face the teenage superheroes. "Every time I bring it up, he would somehow change the subject to something else. He's done that ever since he saved me and Brittany."
That last comment sparked a question from Raven, "How did he save you two?"
The young mother had a small smile on her face, "He saved us from an armed mugger two years ago."
"And in return," The young mother and two teens brought their line of sight over to the back door to see the scarred swordsman with Brittany on his shoulders standing near the end of the bar. "Y'all saved me from losing myself." He said with a smile.
Beast Boy and Raven each had questionable looks on their faces. What does he mean by that? They both thought.
"Oh, you two must be done with the dishes." Olivia asked.
Lee reached behind his head and picked up Brittany and set her on one of the stools, "Yep." He said, not missing the expressions on the Titans faces. "Is the steak done?"
"Almost. Just a little longer."
"Alright, then I'll be in the back checking the inventory." He said, receiving a nod from the proprietress, "Brittany, why don't you get the tables ready." He grinned down at the eight-year-old.
"Oh, I almost forgot." She hopped from the stool and jogged into the back area and came back with a rolling table with salt and pepper shakers, napkin dispensers, and condiments along with a washrag and a small bucket and started preparing the tables.
"Hey, Beast Boy, Ms. Raven," Lee called out, making the teen heroes look at him, "Y'all can join me if ya want. Y'all look mighty bored." He turned around and started walking to the back door, his grin never leaving, "Besides, y'all'll just be in the way if ya keep sittin' there." He said, just as he passed through the doorway.
The two Titans traded glances, then rose from their seats and made their way to the back door with Olivia watching from her spot in front of the stove. Maybe he'll tell them. She hoped, a small smile present on her face as she flipped the large piece of meat again.
After reaching the door, the green shape-shifter and pale empath ventured deeper into the diner. Upon passing through the doorway, they spotted Lee with a clipboard squatting near the right wall checking the contents on the shelves.
Then their eyes began to wander, taking in their surroundings, they noticed the right wall Lee was squatting near had shelves holding various sized canned goods along with bags of wheat, flour, cornmeal, etc. The wall with the swinging door had counter tops with assortment racks holding forks, spoons, knives, straws, and cups of all different sizes.
The left wall had two storage closets with the far wall holding a deep freezer and an oversized refrigerator along with a deep sink and wall cabinets with the newly washed plates in them and a clock. And last but not least, right square in the middle of the back room set a round table with four chairs around it and Brittany's new coat neatly folded near the edge.
"Have a seat." Their line of sight was brought to Lee, who had his head turned to look behind himself with a grin on his face.
The green changeling and pale half-demon made their way toward the table in the middle of the room, with Beast Boy pulling out a chair for Raven, the young girl thanking him, and then finding himself a seat.
"Y'all are probably wonderin' how I came to know those two, huh?" Lee asked after a few seconds of silence, while holding a bag in his hand then checking the clipboard, "Gonna need more of this..." He muttered.
Beast Boy started to scratch the back of his head, "Well, yeah. It's not everyday you get to meet the friends of a superhero."
The scarred swordsman stood to his full height, "Hmm, yer right 'bout that." He then turned around to face the two Titans, "But, I don't consider myself a hero."
"Then what do you consider yourself to be?" The empath asked.
"I'm just someone who's at the right place at the right time." He smiled at the half-demon. "Now, if y'all want, I can tell ya how I came to know Olivia and Brittany," 'Til a certain point anyway "But first, can I ask y'all a question?"
"Yeah dude?"
He closed his eyes and crossed his arms, the clipboard still in one hand, "Do y'all remember a rumor from, say," He opened one eye. "Two years ago?"
"A rumor?" Beast Boy cupped his chin, "I don't remember a rumor. How 'bout you Rae?"
The pale-skinned girl thought for a second, "...I don't recall ever hearing a rumor two years ago. Why, do you know it?"
Lee was about to answer when he heard a small bell ring. He turned his head in the direction the sound came from then at the clock. Nine twenty, they usually don't open 'til nine thirty.
Olivia, having heard the bell ring, prompted to tell the visitors that they weren't open, when she heard her daughter speak up.
"M-mommy." The little girl's voice sounded distressed. Not going unheard by Lee's ears.
The young mother turned around from the almost finished 'steak' to see her child being held up from the collar of her shirt by what looked like a teenager with a blank and unemotional face. His eyes portrayed having seen too much bloodshed for one to see.
"Brittany! Please don't hurt her!" She screamed.
"Then, I'll make ya a deal." He spoke with a calm and collected voice. "Give us the money in the register and I'll let 'er go." The other four people behind him chuckled.
It was then the swinging door that led to the back room broke free from the top and middle hinge, leaving the bottom the only one holding the door upright against the wall.
"What the-!" One of four gang members said.
Then the young swordsman appeared beside the so-called leader of the group with the silver colored blade in his left hand holding his arm parallel to the floor with the sharp edge maybe half an inch from the thug's neck. The wind from Lee's sudden movement finally caught up to him, making a small gust blow inside the small diner.
The hoodlum lowered his eyes to see the blade deathly close to his neck. Yet he remained calm. "Then, I'll make y'all a deal." Lee's voice grabbed the punk's attention, "Put her down and I'll let y'all walk outta here, or, the city will haveta send five ambulances. Which will it be?" The gangster saw in this person's eyes that he wasn't kidding and his cold voice just convinced him more.
Olivia could also tell that Lee meant business. His eyes that were normally a deep blue color were now an icy light blue and his usual warm voice was as cold as the snow outside. The only other time she seen him like this was when they first met, though his eyes were red at that point in time...
Brittany was thinking the same thing as her mother when she saw his eyes and heard his voice.
The silence that followed was broken by one of the gang members' laughter, "Ya obviously think real highly of yer self." The one that spoke was maybe six feet in height and had a heavy build much like that of Cyborg's wearing a trench coat. "Just because ya can point a sword at someone," He reached into his coat and pulled out a wooden sword that resembled Lee's katana. "We're s'posed to be scared?" He then proceeded to pull the handle like it was in a sheath of some sort and revealed that the actual sword was hidden in a wooden cover. He gave a cruel smile, "Anyone can point a sword at someone, but do you have the balls to actually cut 'em?" He shouted, slashing downward at Lee with enough force to sever bone and flesh in any normal person.
But, as you may have suspected, Lee wasn't normal...
Without taking his eyes off the gang member in front of him, he caught the blow with nothing but his right hand. The sword not even piercing the skin on his hand. When he caught it, he tightened his grip on the blade, his hand just inches from the tip.
Watching from the back room, Beast Boy and Raven stayed out of sight in hopes of keeping the situation from escalating.
"Raven, why do we have to stay back here? We need to help Lee out." Watching a friend in need wasn't really one of his strong suits.
"Because, Beast Boy, if the gang members find out we're here, they would do something desperate in their attempt to escape. We don't need that to happen; it's best to leave this to Lee." I can barely make out the fear from four of them, as well as a mix of excitement and anticipation from the one with the hidden sword, because the anger from Lee is so overwhelming. And I can't help but feel that he's holding back...
The green changeling nodded in understanding, "Yeah, you're right. I guess all we can do is hope for the best."
With that said, the pair continued to observe the mysterious teen to see how he was going to handle this.
"What the...hell?" One of three members that have been quiet up until now said, fear evident in his eyes, "How do you still have your hand?" He asked, not seeing so much as a trickle of blood running down this guy's hand.
The thug with the hidden blade gave another laugh, "It's just like what the boss said, expect the unexpected." He gave a short chuckle, "Though, I'm wonderin' how yer hand survived my attack without so much as a scratch."
"I'll tell ya then." Lee kept his eyes on the one holding Brittany, "You might be strong by human standards, but know this," He then shifted his cold gaze to the other gangster, "I ain't human." With a twist of his wrist, the scarred swordsman broke his adversary's sword almost cleanly in half making the hoodlum stumble back a couple of paces. Lee brought his arm back to his side, the piece of sword in his hand. Lee then returned his line of sight to the leader of the group. "Now, what's yer answer? Either one will end with Brittany back on the ground."
The leader of the group was silent for a few seconds, then gave his answer, "Very well." Lee brought his sword away from the thug's neck to his side. The thug in response set Brittany on the ground.
The small child ran behind one of Lee's legs, grabbing onto his shorts. The swordsman's eyes following her movement, then back to the gang members. "Since you kept yer end, I'll keep mine. Now get out," He brought his right hand up with the sword half, and crushed it. The pieces fell on the floor like rain. "And don't come back."
The leader put his hands in his pockets, and turned towards the door, "Lets go." Was all he said as the other four filed in behind him.
The battle hungry member gave a chuckle, "I was wantin' to see what other tricks he had..." He said putting his broke sword back into its wooden sheath. "Maybe next time."
A few seconds later, the gang members were gone and the tense atmosphere dispersed.
Lee closed his eyes and tossed his sword into his right hand so he could sheath it.
"Lee, are you alright?" Brittany asked, relocating herself in front of him.
The swordsman gave a chuckle, "I should be the one askin' you that." His voice was back to its normal tone. He squatted down to her height, "I'm fine though." His eyes were open, displaying the deep blue color once again.
The little girl smiled at him. Even during this traumatizing event, not a single tear was on her face. Brittany's eyes fell on Lee's hand and remembered what happened, "Let me see your hand."
A puzzled look came across Lee's face. He lowered his vision to his hands, "Which one?"
Olivia smiled at the two. Lee was back to normal or...as normal as he could get anyway. She watched as her daughter examined his hand to see if anything was wrong with it.
The scarred young man did the same as Olivia when his nose caught a scent, "Hey Olivia," The young mother looked toward him, "Food's burnin'." Lee laughed at her expression as she tried her best to save his meal. It wouldn't have mattered if it was burnt or not, he was still going to eat it.
The shape-shifter in the back room turned to his teammate with a grin, "I like this place." The young woman in turn smiled back.
With a change of scenery, we come to find the five man group on the sidewalk going to a rendezvous spot to relay some information and conduct a battle plan.
"What was the point of us goin' to that place?" The six foot figure asked his comrade.
The five foot ten inch leader kept his eyesight ahead of him, "We were on a reconnaissance mission."
"Recon mission, eh? Tch, did we learn anythin'?"
"Plenty. We know his weak point. Now we wait for nightfall."
"What fer?"
The leader turned his head to his battle hungry friend, "The boss wants to fight 'im."
Well, there you have it. Don't have much say so, if you like: Review. If you don't: Review. Anything is accepted. Have a nice day and thanks for reading.
