A/N: Alright so before we begin this is what's going on. My computer is having some problems, so when I head home for Thanksgiving Break I'm getting it fixed, meaning I won't have access for a bit. When I get back I have exams but I'm not exactly what you'd call overly dedicated to m academics, so I doubt that will stop me. Anyway, it might be one or two weeks before I can add more stuff so check it. After this I'm going to try and do one more multiple chapter post before I have to get my computer checked out. So bear with me for a bit it'll only be a temporary absence.

Laissez Les Jeux Commencer!

9

Slade watched the news coverage of what was going on. This was big; he didn't need his monitors to know what Raven had done. Judging by the reports the mayor had fallen, been saved and then fallen again. He guessed she had run into another one of those, self-styled heroes. He was amazed she had pressed the attack after the mayor had been saved. True he had told her to kill him, but even he wouldn't have expected her to go that far. "That's loyalty you can't buy." He thought to himself. He was actually touched that she had gone to such lengths to please him.

Still this was definitely big, perhaps too big. Now there would be a massive man hunt and unfortunately all of those kids were still breathing. He really didn't want them to find this place. Still he had Raven and wondered again what the outcome of such a battle would be. He heard the door hiss open and heard her walk toward the room. Obviously she could hear the television. He waited until she had come in and sat down to talk to her. "Well that was rather interesting. I was just watching your latest exploits on the news. Please tell me you at least got what I sent you for."

Raven reached into her pocket and removed the CD case. Popping it open she handed it to him and once again saw his eyes light up in pleasure of a job well done. "Very good Raven, but tomorrow we face a different problem. Obviously you won't be working for a while but there is a city meeting I need you to attend. It's open to the public, but with my connections we can get you in the inner circle. Basically you need to become Rachel again."

"No problem." She said standing up to leave.

"Actually, Raven there is a problem. Those idiot kids will now be after you in force. Forget the police they're all idiots and I can take care of them, but those kids are idealists and they won't be shaken so easily. Due to this latest event they might join together and come for you. You still don't know what the other two can do."

Raven shrugged it off and went up the stairs. "I'll be careful Slade.

"I certainly hope so Raven, I've gotten quite used to you." Slade shook his head as the thought went through his head. Only an idiot would have such thoughts, she was almost a daughter to him. He had raised her and taught her everything she knew. Shaking his head again he turned off the TV, and checked the security cameras once again. Satisfied all was okay he went to his room and hoped she wouldn't kill him in the morning. After all she hated going out in the day. It would really suck if she blasted him into oblivion.

Raven tossed in her bed unable to sleep. Eventually she got sick of trying and went downstairs. The first thing she did was check the security system and made sure all was quiet. Checking the clock she saw it was six in the morning. The conference she was supposed to attend didn't start for six more hours. Not really knowing what to do she went upstairs and started reading one of her spell books, expanding her knowledge. Not realizing it, she slowly dozed into a sleep wrought with fitful dreams from which she couldn't escape.

Slade walked into his apprentice's room and noticed her tossing back and forth. Really he was surprised she was able to sleep with all the movement. Moving forward he said her name twice before she finally opened her eyes. She had obviously been having a nightmare because he was forced to duck quickly to avoid a table that flew at his head. He raised an eyebrow and looked at her. "It must've been some dream. It's been a long time since I had to duck an uncontrolled object."

Raven glanced down at the bed. "Yeah, sorry. What do you need?"

"Oh, it's not what I need. You need to get up and prepare to go to that little conference the city is holding after the tragic loss of the mayor."

Raven looked confused for a moment before she remembered she already knew that. "Oh yeah, sorry. Give me a minute."

"Fine. I'm going as well, but under another name and I won't be with you. I'll stand with the ordinary citizens, and find out what they think."

"Raven nodded, surprised that they weren't doing it the other way around."

One hour later they both left, Raven headed toward the garage, once again looking like her alias and Slade walking in the other direction. He decided he would take the bus to better feel for what the public thought. It made sense to Raven who double checked she had everything and then opened the door and pulled out the keys to her own Porsche Carrera that she had gotten not so long ago.

Pulling out she shut the door behind her and drove down the street. She passed Slade waiting at the bus stop with a group of people, but they didn't acknowledge each other. This time he was in a completely new mask, one she hadn't seen before, but he looked like a man in his forties instead of twenties. She wished she was so good at disguising herself, but he hadn't bothered to teach her that. Instead he had given her something better. He had given her anonymity, which, he said, was the strongest protection one could have.

She reached the other side of the city and had to park several blocks away. Not feeling like walking the whole way she phased out and appeared in the middle of an alley alongside the building. In this area the alleys were clean and clear. She walked in the building and those who saw her recognized her and let her pass. Or at least those who mattered recognized her. She arrived at her destination and settled in for a long and boring speech that would eventually lead into some other figure saying a few touching words that he had rehearsed all night long.

When the city councilman stood in front of them, she tried to appear concerned as he spoke about what a tragedy it was, and how there was an unknown threat. She had to struggle to hide her surprise when two people walked through the door. It was none other than Cyborg and Beast Boy there to talk about the person they were looking for. She was quite flattered at the details.

They refferred to her, as a young woman who didn't really appear threatening but was highly dangerous, and was not to be approached alone. She was however insulted when they said they didn't care whether she was brought in or brought down. Eventually her mind wandered and she wondered what Slade was doing and what the public's reaction was.

After the "Heroes" were done talking they left the room, probably to repeat themselves to those outside. The little get together lasted about another half hour when the councilman said some more words and invited all to attend the speech he was going to give in memory of the mayor. Quite frankly Raven didn't really care. She hadn't thought much of the mayor when he was alive and just wanted to return to her room and sleep.

Slade waited patiently as two heroes he hadn't seen before spoke to the crowd outside. Well rather one did the talking while the other just looked around. One was a young man who took himself way too seriously and looked like a rainbow. The other was a young girl who wouldn't stand still and really just appeared nothing short of stupid.

He wondered what was going on inside the building and left once the kids were finished. Like Raven he preferred to sleep during the day and that's just what he was going to do.