Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.


The ride back to the Batcave was a quiet one. As always Bruce piloted the Batmobile at breakneck speed, carving up the streets in the urban canyon that was downtown Gotham. Starfire was sitting morosely in the back seat, worried for her gray friend.

"Will friend Raven fully recover from the Joker's evil gas Batman?" She asked suddenly with no warning.

Batman did not reply and instead make a sharp turn into dead end alleyway, without slowing down. Starfire saw the brick wall at the alley's end rapidly approach and she clenched her teeth. She knew that the Batman would not crash his signature car on purpose, yet the bricks in the ooming wall looked quite solid. As the Batmobile passed the point of no return she saw the wall open up, revealing a long tunnel.

"This is not the way we came out, is it Robin?" She asked, again breaking the silence. This time she did get a response.

"There are several entrances to the Batcave." He replied as the Batmobile hurled down the tunnel. Soon she saw lights ahead and knew they were approaching the cave. The Batmobile barreled in and came to a screeching halt in its usual parking spot. In the distance she could see Beast Boy and Alfred standing around a hospital bed, which had its back raised in a sitting position. Beast Boy moved over and she could see Raven dressed in a hospital gown with an oxygen mask on her face and an IV in her arm.

No sooner than had Batman opened the canopy she flew out of the car's passenger compartment and made a beeline to Raven's side.

"Friend, oh my dear friend Raven! Are you unharmed?"

Raven nodded. Alfred closed a valve on an oxygen tank as Batman and Robin approached.

"I have completed the detoxification process your Highness. All remnants of the Joker gas have been neutralized and removed from Mrs. Logan's bloodstream. The electric discharge she received has left a mild after effect however. Nothing a good night's sleep won't remedy." He said as he removed the oxygen mask from Raven's face.

"Thank you Alfred. I can see now that Bruce is in good hands." Raven replied.

"Do not mention it Mrs. Logan. It was my pleasure to assist you."

Starfire let out a smile of relief as she removed her cowl. Robin handed her a box of baby wipes, which she used to removed the flesh toned make up that concealed her orange Tamaranian complexion.

Batman silently approached the assembled group. "So what did we do wrong?" He asked his informal team.

"We weren't prepared for the Joker Gas." Beast Boy replied.

"Yes Beast Boy, that is correct, but why did that happen?" The Dark Knight asked. "You were all properly trained before we left. What happened?"

"I let my personal feelings get the best of me." Raven replied. "I should never have lost my temper when she insulted Gar."

"Thank you Raven." Batman replied. "That is the correct answer, unfortunately."

"I'm sorry Bruce. It won't happen again." She said in a contrite voice.

"What happened Raven?" Robin asked. "If anyone on the team can control their emotions, it's you."

Raven sighed. "I'm used to having insults tossed my way. I wish I had a dollar for every time someone has insulted me. I've been called: Goth, witch, demon and other things that are even worse. I won't pretend that those words didn't hurt, especially when they came from the people that I risk my life to protect. But I learned to deal with it."

"But?" Batman interjected.

"Well…" She continued. "Gar has also been the recipient of similar insults over the years. He's always been able to hide his pain, but being an empath I always felt his pain as he couldn't hide it from me. I've become very protective of Gar these past two years, but I always kept my cool when someone insulted him. I guess seeing Livewire's arrogant, smug sneer pushed me over the edge. It won't happen again, I promise Bruce."

Bruce removed his cowl as he replied.

"Very well Raven. I think you should go and get that rest that Alfred prescribed for you."

"Bruce!" Barbara called from her wheelchair as she sat in front of the mainframe computer console. "I think I might have a clue as to where the Joker is hiding."

Batman and Robin approached the console.

"What is it Barbara?"

As her fingers danced across the keyboard a map of the deserted warehouse district appeared on the screen, with a city block highlighted.

"I have been able to trace several chemical shipments to this address. According to city records it's not only supposed to be unoccupied, it's also slated for demolition."

"Great work Babs!" Robin congratulated her with a kiss on the cheek. "You're like our own personal oracle!"

"Oracle!" Barbara beamed. "I like that! Can I use that?"

"Well done Barbara. I'll go and do some recon work while all of you rest. Robin, stay here. I want to talk with you in private."

Beast Boy picked up Raven's cape and draped it over her, covering the ever present hospital gown slit down her back. They wished everyone a good night. They were followed by Starfire in her Batgirl costume and by Barbara who deftly navigated her wheelchair to the elevator where she was joined by Starfire.

Now alone, the original dynamic duo began their confab.

"So what do you want to talk about Bruce?"

Bruce cleared his throat before replying.

"Now do you see why I don't approve of team romances? Raven's feelings for Beast Boy could have proven fatal."

"I'm not going to argue with you Bruce. But they're married now. What do you want me to do? Make them get a divorce?"

"I know, it's too late for them. Anyway, they make a good couple, in their own weird way."

Robin chucked. "You can say that again."

Bruce sighed. "So what about you and the princess?"

"What about us?" Robin asked defensively.

"Are you serious about her? Or is this just a fling?"

Robin peeled his mask off and scowled at Bruce.

"What do you think?"

"You tell me. You've been dating her off and on for three years now. It's no secret that she's head over heels for you. But what about you?"

Richard hesitated before answering.

"I guess I am pretty serious about her."

"How serious?"

"Very serious." He replied deadpan.

"I certainly hope so. I know you two slept together last night."

Robin gasped. "What? How? When did you …" He paused and then looked very indignant.

"I never laid a finger on her!" He snarled.

"Like you never laid a finger on Barbara."

"IS THERE ANYTHING YOU DON'T KNOW?" He roared. He then calmed himself before continuing.

"That was between me and Babs." He growled. "You don't have any right to bring that up. And just so you know, I HAVE NEVER LAID A FINGER ON STARFIRE!"

"You really respect her, don't you?"

"DUH! Of course I do!"

Bruce walked over to a desk and opened a drawer.

"She is an alien…"

"So what?"

He retrieved a small box from the drawer.

"You might not be able to have children."

"Does it matter?"

Bruce smiled the first time that night.

"I suppose not." He said as he handed the small box to Richard.

"You might as well give this to her, especially if you're planning on more slumber parties."

Richard opened the small box and gasped at its contents, it was a solitaire with the most dazzling and perfect emerald he had ever seen.

"Alfred brought it out of storage the other day. It was my great grandmother's engagement ring."

"Bruce…" Richard said, clearly at a loss for words.

"Go ahead Dick. Give it to her. You know you want to."

Richard nodded his head, clearly overwhelmed by it all.

"Thanks Bruce. You have no idea how much this means to me."

"Actually, I do." He replied. "I do."


Lisa entered her apartment with a big grin on her face.

300 grand! I'll be able to get the hell out of this grubby town once and for all. And tell Michael McKenna to stick where the sun doesn't shine.

She kicked off her shoes as she poured herself a scotch on the rocks, which she drank in a single gulp. She poured herself a second one and sat down in front of her TV, which she turned on just in time to catch the late news just after it had started.

" … Batman, Robin and Batgirl teamed up with two of Robin's Jump City teammates, the sorceress known as Raven and the green changeling called Beast Boy in a battle against the Joker's henchmen and the Metropolis supervillain Livewire. The Joker was not spotted at the scene of the crime, but his henchwoman, Harleen Quinzel, better known by her crime alias Harley Quinn, was reported to have been sighted at the scene …."

Lisa's heart skipped a few beats.

Did he just say what I thought he said?

She backed up the DVR and played the blurb a second time.

"…Harleen Quinzel, better known by her crime alias Harley Quinn…"

Lisa dropped her glass on the floor. She frantically rummaged through her purse until she found her mobile phone. She was barely able to navigate through the address book as her hands were now trembling. She eventually found the name she was looking for and pressed the 'Send' button.

Answer dammit! Answer!

"Hello?" A voice answered. "What's up Lisa? Why are you calling so late? I thought you had an early flight tomorrow."

"Heather! Heather shut up and listen to me! Please tell me you didn't tell this Harleen who I am. Please tell me you didn't give her my name."

"Lisa, what's wrong? Are you OK?"

"Just tell me dammit!" She screamed into her phone.

"Lisa, calm down. Yeah, I told her. What's the big deal?"

Lisa began to freak out.

"Oh my God, oh my God! I'm dead! We're both dead!"

"Lisa! What are you talking about?"

"YOU IDIOT!" Lisa screamed. "Harleen Quinzel isn't a reporter with the New York Times! She's Harley Quinn, the Joker's henchwoman!"

There was a prolonged period of silence.

"Heather! Are you still there?"

"Lisa." She sobbed. "What are we going to do?"

"We go to the police, right now!"

"They're not gonna believe us Lisa, not for a second! What are we gonna do?"

Lisa mind began to race as panic consumed her. She took a deep breath and calmed herself.

"I have an idea…"


Alfred had left a fresh set of sleep ware for the Logans, and had already prepared their bed for them, including turning down the bed and leaving each one of them a Godiva chocolate on their pillow. They slipped their flannels on, in Raven's case it was a nightgown and in Beast Boy's case it was a simple pair of striped pajamas. As soon as they had changed they slipped into bed, sighing in relief that the arduous and terrifying day was over.

Raven rested her head on his shoulder and slipped her hand underneath his pajama top as she began to gently caress his chest.

"Dude, what a day! And I thought we were just gonna apologize to Star and go home."

"Yeah." She replied sleepily "So did I."

"So what now Rae? Are we gonna stay here until they catch the Joker?"

She sighed in reply. "I don't know Gar. I'm getting mixed vibes from Bruce."

"Me too." He replied. "He's one weird dude. It sure explains a lot about Robin."

She shook her head. "No, he isn't his normal self. Dick's right, Jason's death really has unnerved him. At times I feel hostility from him and at times it's the opposite."

Beast Boy chuckled. "Well, at least Dick isn't completely stupid."

"You mean because he slept with Starfire last night?"

He snickered. "They didn't do anything, but they were together next door." His ears twitched and he snickered. "She's in there again."

Raven smiled and let an uncharacteristic chuckle escape her lips.

"I can sense that he's very nervous about something."

"Bruce probably chewed him out."

"That wouldn't surprise me. But that's not what I'm sensing, Is he ever going to pop the question to her Gar?"

Suddenly they could hear Starfire's screams penetrate through the wall.

"Yes, Yes, YES!"

The Logans exchanged surprised looks with each other.

"I accept Richard! I accept!"

"About time." They said to each other in unison.

Beast Boy grinned.

"You think she'll forget about our 'agreement' now?".

"Not likely. Say, they got very quiet all of sudden."

"Yeah, you're right Rae. I wonder what they're up to." He said as he wagged his eyebrows, with a big grin on his face.

Raven peeled her nightgown off and tossed it on the floor.

"Beats me Gar, but I don't intend to let them have all the fun tonight. Do you?"

"No way!" He replied with an even bigger grin as he tossed his pajamas on the floor and turned off the light.


A little naughtiness to close the chapter. Keep the reviews coming and I'll keep updating. Deal?

What will Lisa and Heather do to stay away from Harley? Stay tuned.