A/N: What? You're still here?! Well thank goodness! I know this has been a painfully long update and I'm sorry. My life has been really mesy these past few months but I promise I never forgot about you guys. I've got all but a page or two of Chapter 11 written and will do my best to have it up soon. You do have a slight reward for your patience though. This chapter is 50 pages is word. Almost double the length of Chapter 9. Please let me know what you think.
Oh, and please take this as your warning. I've moved the rating on this story to M and it will make much more sense after you've read this chapter and even more after Chapter 11 is up. Things are going to get bad. People are going to be hurt. And if I've done my job well you will be worried about at least a few of the Titans. I'll give more specific warnings as they apply but the road gets bump from here on in.
Chapter 10
A Walk Down Memory Lane
After her last disastrous trip to Nevermore Raven had learned to meditate without entering her mindscape. It allowed her to heal sufficiently from her ordeal while still maintaining control of her emotions and through them her powers. She used the technique frequently in the next four days often meditating for hours on end. All of it was in preparation for entering first Garfield's and later Dick's mind.
In some strange way it was easier to enter her teammates mind before she was forced to return to her own. Doing so successfully would reassure her that she could enter her mind safely. Raven could feel her emotions pulling for her return. She'd have to go back soon.
Dick had kindly told the team that Raven would need to be left alone for the next few days to prepare for the journey into their minds. He'd tactfully explained away the reasons for the trips as the best way for Raven to prepare to reenter her own mind.
However none of them, Dick and Garfield included had been thrilled with all the meditation. They'd all accepted Raven's need for meditation but the idea of her meditating, even in an altered version, for so long set them all on edge.
In an attempt to pacify them she had agreed to meditate on the roof. The sunny warm weather of summer made the roof a comfortable place to meditate. It also meant that if something went wrong she'd be easy to get at, not locked in her room cut off from the rest of them like last time.
Just before sundown on the fourth day someone, Garfield this time, came to the roof to check on her. Every few hours the team would send someone to make sure Raven was okay. Once they got a signal that all was well from Raven they would go back inside.
When Garfield reached the roof he was greeted with a setting sun and a wave of acknowledgement from his girlfriend. She slowly lowered herself to the ground before starting to massage her stiff, and slightly weak, legs. "Are you okay?" Garfield asked concerned.
"I'm fine." Raven said giving up on her legs and floating over to Garfield. "My legs aren't completely recovered yet. They're still missing a bit of muscle mass according to Victor. It may take another week to get it all back."
"You can walk though, can't you?" Garfield had been under the impression that Raven was healed physically.
"Yes, I am. However I just sat in the same position for eight hours straight. No one's legs would appreciate that and it makes it hard to walk immediately after.
Wordlessly Garfield gripped Raven's waist. She wasn't sure what he was doing but she let her power go trusting Garfield to hold her up. Once he felt her relax into his grip he set her on the ledge of the Tower (there was a bar to prevent someone from falling backwards) and started to gently massage her legs.
"Garfield." She protested. "You don't have to do that."
"I want to." He smiled up at her. "Is it helping?" Raven hesitated before nodding. After a moment she seemed to accept the inevitable and relaxed as he continued to massage.
"Are you ready for tomorrow?" She asked as the dying sun lit the roof in a brilliant orange. His brow furrowed but he didn't stop massaging her legs.
"Not really." He admitted not meeting her eyes. "How could I be ready? I'm nervous about you going into my head, seeing the memories, letting you see them. But, at the same time, I think I'm as ready as I'll ever be."
"It won't change anything you know." Raven told him solemnly. She put gentle fingers beneath his chin and forced him to look at her. Slowly Raven lowered her mouth to his capturing his lips in a slow, passionate kiss.
Garfield stood up just as slowly never taking his lips from hers. His arms snaked around Raven's waist pulling her closer until she slid off the edge. He was dimly aware that the sun had truly set leaving them bathed in starlight.
'It's a good thing I'm so distant Nevermore.' Raven thought giddy. 'Happy and Love must be going crazy.' She pressed herself against him as he encircled her waist reveling in the closeness of his body. Her hand had barely grazed against his cheek when the roof door flew open revealing Kory.
The two teens sprang apart Raven pulling her hood up as she turned to greet Kory. She seemed determined to act like nothing had happened. Garfield rubbed the back of his head blushing dark on his green skin.
"Oh!" Kory away from her friends. "I am most sorry my friends! I didn't mean to interrupt." She called over her shoulder. "Boyfriend Dick asked me to come look for you when you did not return from visiting friend Raven. I now see it was just a different type of visiting." Now even Raven could feel herself begin to blush.
"It's fine Kory. You didn't interrupt anything. We need to be going inside anyways." Raven told the other girl. "Just don't tell anyone, please."
"Of course friend Raven! Is this one of those things we discussed at out most recent 'night of girls'?" Garfield watched in fascination as his girlfriend blushed even harder, clearly visible in the light of the open roof door. She nodded trying to hold onto whatever dignity she had left.
As they started down the stairs Garfield and Raven shared a secret smile Kory leading the way happily oblivious. "Oh friend Garfield!" Kory turned to look at him gently floating down the stairs backwards. "Boyfriend Dick requests that you visit with him in the Common Room before the time for sleep.
"Uhm, sure Kor." Garfield said racking his brain for a reason Dick would want to talk to him. "I may as well go now. You coming Raven?"
Raven nodded. "I'm going to get my book first though. I'll just meet you in the Common Room."
"See ya." Gar said giving Raven's hand a quick squeeze. "Let's go Kory." He said smirking. In an instant he had morphed into a sparrow and taken off down the hall, Kory following him her laughter filling the stairway.
"Beat ya!" He said cheerfully a few minutes later dropping next to Dick on the couch in default form. Kory floated over to Silky still laughing joyfully. The small animal was curled up around one of her boots and she lovingly picked him up and cradled him as if he was her child. "You wanted to talk?" Garfield asked Dick who was absorbed in a crossword puzzle.
"Yeah." Dick said throwing the puzzle onto the Common Room table. Behind him Raven floated through the Common Room doors and landed gently before walking to the couch where she sat next to her boyfriend. "I just wanted to remind you to go talk to Victor before you and Raven start tomorrow. He's down in the garage if you want to talk to him tonight; otherwise you need to wake him up tomorrow morning."
"Oh, wow!" Garfield clapped a hand to his forehead, something the team knew he only did when actually surprised. "I'd totally forgotten. Yeah, I'll just go now and the head up to bed. I wanted to ask him something anyways. Thanks for reminding me." He stood up lazily stretching this way and that. He turned to Raven who was looking at him suspiciously. "Ask, Dick. I've gotta run. Good night, Raven." He cupped her face in his hands and kissed her slowly. "I'll see you tomorrow morning." He grinned at her.
The Common Room door hadn't fully shut when Garfield heard Raven slowly say, "Dick." He grinned pushing the elevator button and tapping the wall with ill-concealed impatience.
The elevator door opened on the garage with Victor no where in sight. Garfield took a few uncertain steps into the room before spotting his friends legs. Victor was working underneath his car again. "Hello? Garfield?" Victor's voice was strangely echoed in the car's metal undercarriage making it sound ghostly.
"Hey, Vic." The rest of Garfield's best friend emerged from underneath the car. "Dick said I should come talk to you before tomorrow morning."
"Yeah." Victor said standing up and wiping his oil smeared hands on a nearby rag. "He mentioned you'd be coming to talk to me. Once a week, right?" Garfield nodded. "Okay, so, shoot." Victor said leaning against table. Minutes passed by silently. "Gar?"
"I don't know what to talk about."
"Talk about anything. You can tell me how your week's goin', how you and Raven are, if you're nervous or upset about anything. I'm only going to be telling Dick the bare bones of what you say, Gar. Everything else stays between us." Garfield stayed silent. "C'mon man." Victor prodded gently.
"Okay." Garfield took a deep breath casting around mentally for something to say. "My week's been okay. I haven't really seen Raven much since she's been meditating all the time." He trailed off.
"What exactly are you two doin' tomorrow?" Victor asked curiously.
"She wants to know more about my past." The changeling replied looking down. "But I hate to talk about it, and parts of it aren't clear enough for me to be able to explain it. So Raven suggested I just show her the memories so I won't have to try and explain them."
"Are ya nervous?" Victor asked quietly.
"Yeah. Nervous and scared." He admitted just as quietly. "She keeps saying it won't change anything but," He shook his head looking lost. "How can she say that when she doesn't even know what the memories are like. Raven has no idea what she'll see." Garfield finished distraught.
"What exactly do you think she'll see that is so awful she'll want nothing to do with you?" Victor asked a little distraught himself. "Never mind. It won't even matter. No matter what you show her Raven will realize what ya ought to be able to see. That you were a little kid in a terrible situation."
Garfield remained silent and Victor sighed. "Is there anything else ya wanna talk about BB?" Garfield considered telling him about his ever worsening nightmares but decided against it and shook his head. "You should probably get some sleep then." He said giving his friend a reassuring pat on the shoulder. "G'night."
"'Night." Garfield returned giving Vic a wave and heading out the door. "Wait!" he cried as he reached the door. "I need to ask you something. How would you feel about helping me throw Raven a birthday party? Dick already knows about it." He hurried on seeing the apprehensive look on Victor's face. "But I still need help with stuff like food. Come on Mister 'Master Chef '."
"Are you gonna royally piss Raven off by doing this?" Victor's raised eyebrow was clearly referring to Raven's 16th birthday.
"Man, is anyone ever gonna let that go? I'm sorry I didn't know she would become a portal for an evil of epic proportion on her 16th birthday." He rolled his eyes. "It'll be fine. So you will you help?"
"Yeah, man. I'll help."
"Thanks." Garfield smiled before leaving.
Victor watched him go shaking his head. "He'll open up eventually." He said aloud trying to reassure himself. With one last look at the closed door Victor went back to working on his car and managed to distract himself until going to bed.
Garfield awoke the next morning to a nervous stomach and the prospect of a daunting journey. He wasn't surprised to find Raven in the Common Room drinking tea. "Good morning." He said dropping a kiss on her head as he settled onto the couch with a glass of orange juice.
"Morning." Raven replied leaning her head onto his shoulder briefly. "We should start once we've both had breakfast." She said gesturing at the drinks they both held. "Do you want to eat something?"
"No." Garfield replied shaking his head so fast that he felt one of his ears flapped. "I'll save food for once this is done."
"We don't have to do this Garfield." Raven said seriously taking one of his large hands in hers. Startled Garfield looked up. Raven was looking at him but any emotion was tucked carefully away.
"Yes, we do, Raven." He said quietly running a thumb over her pale knuckles. "I may not be excited about this but that doesn't mean we shouldn't go through with it. I hate going to the dentist but I still go. I'll be fine." He drained the last of his orange juice. "Ready?" He asked standing up.
Raven nodded using their still joined hands to pull herself up. "We're going to the roof." She reminded him when they got to the stairwell. Just as with her meditation everyone had requested she stay out in the open to ease their still weary minds.
"I know, I know." He said easily leaping from stair to stair like an excited dog. Garfield threw the door open with a triumphant gesture and stood aside letting Raven go first with an impish bow.
"Sit down, just like I am." Raven instructed settling into her normal meditation position.
Garfield did as he was told and Raven lifted herself into the air before settling down a few inches closer to Garfield. "We need to be close to help steer my mindscape towards you more easily." She said to Garfield's suggestive smirk.
"What do I do?" He asked. All Raven had told him yesterday was to sit quietly and think of the memories they'd be looking at.
"Exactly what I told you to do yesterday." Of course.
'Simple enough.' He thought taking a deep breath. "So should I . . . ?" he trialed off uncertainly.
"When ever you're ready. I'm only following your thoughts."
"Okay then." Garfield closed his eyes letting his mind wander back to the months just after he'd been bitten and the days after his parents' deaths.
He was pretty deep in Africa. Deeper than most visitors ever go. Then again he wasn't a visitor, not anymore. This was his home now. He didn't have another one. Nor did he have a family outside of the tribe.
Garfield gripped Deka, the medicine woman, tightly by the hand. Woven baskets holding candles in his parents honor were lit before being released to float down the river. As they drifted out of site becoming small orange blurs Garfield turned away pushing his face into Deka's soft, warm body as if by sheer will he could become apart of her and ease his pain.
Surprisingly strong for her age she picked him up cradling his now shaking body and quietly began to sing an African lullaby into his ear. As she turned back towards their village Garfield caught sight of the tribesmen's faces. They looked scared and uneasy starring straight at him. And the little boy buried his head into Deka's shoulder feeling pretty scared himself.
It was only three months later and Garfield was holding Deka's hand again but for a very different reason. Deka was dying and while the tribe had a new medicine woman ready to take over Garfield had no one.
He gripped her hand and tried not to cry as she whispered that he was beautiful and not to be afraid. "Never be ashamed of who you are mwanasheria a kijani." She told him her voice rasping with age and sickness. Something seemed to pass over her face and Garfield knew she was gone.
A young mother from the village laid a hand on his shoulder but Garfield was already morphing into a wolf. He howled his pain as everyone in earshot stopped starring horrified at a creature they had never even seen before. Laying his head next to her body he whimpered urgently.
Grief stricken he slipped back to his own form and lay on the dirt floor sobbing. This time though there was no comforting hand. When Garfield looked up the mother was standing against the wall her toddler pressed to her chest. Her eyes were wide and scared and Garfield quickly stood up trying to control his crying. He took a hesitant step towards her but she fled the small hut leaving him alone.
Days later and he was back in his family's old hut scooping belongings into his knapsack. Outside the villagers angry voices rose and fell as they talked about him. Garfield wasn't really sure what was going on but his name and the word demon had come up several times already. Whatever was happening; it wasn't good news for him. Frantically shoving a family picture into the bag he swung it on his back and slipped out of the hut.
Thankfully most of the tribe was grouped around the village's ever-burning fire. Garfield did his best not to look back as he slipped into the jungle, his former tribe's angry voices fading away like footsteps.
Hours later when he was too tired to walk Garfield climbed into a nearby tree as a chimp, the bag dangling from one foot. In that tree, miles from what had been his home for years, Garfield slept.
He was swinging from tree to tree the tribe tracking him below. From the size of the group every hunter in the village was running along below him. Garfield climbed high into a tree's canopy and deposited his knapsack safe from harms way. He became a bird and, after the moment it took to memorize where he was, flew away hoping he was too high to be spotted.
Somehow Garfield had managed to find the Doom Patrol's headquarters. Quietly becoming a moth he flew in as a woman – Rita he'd later find out – walked through the door. He stayed moth-formed hiding on top of a bookshelf until an alarm went off and they were called away. Once he was sure they were gone Garfield flew to the ground where he changed back to his own form.
Cautiously he moved from room to room always listening for the team's return. What he didn't notice were the security cameras following his every move.
Two weeks later and they'd finally managed to catch him. He'd been trying to take a piece of fruit from the bowl on the counter when someone had thrown a sack over him. In the darkness he'd panicked and became a rabbit, the animal he inexplicably gravitated towards when scared or worried. After a few bumpy moments in the bag he'd been released into a windowless, and apparently doorless, room.
He stayed in rabbit form staring up into the stern face of who he now knew to be Steve. "Change. Back." Steve told him in a tone that made it clear he wasn't asking. Silently Garfield changed back, doing his best not to cry both ears drooping. "You've got to be –" Steve said exasperatedly. "How old are you?" He demanded sternly.
"Seven and three quarters. Sir." He added quickly realizing how much trouble he was in.
"Where are your parents?" Steve asked suspiciously.
"I don't have any." Garfield told him looking down. "They died." He clarified quietly. "In a boating accident."
"What's your name?" Rita was never going to let this kid leave, Steve realized.
"Garfield Mark Logan." The boy looked a little less scared, one ear starting to rise slowly.
"Do you know where you are, Garfield?"
Garfield struggled to remember the name he'd heard over the P. A. system a few days earlier. "The Doom Patrol?" He ventured.
Steve smiled inspite of himself. "Rita!" He called. "Come in here and see what I found." Garfield grinned hopefully as an attractive woman poke her head in the door.
"R – R – Rita!" A nine-year-old Garfield shook his adoptive mother's shoulder. She lay on the ground unresponsive. As he continued to shake her, Rita's head fell to the side. With a yelp Garfield jumped away from her sightless eyes.
"Steve!" He called trying to find his adoptive father. "Steve, something's wrong with Rita! Where are you?" Garfield tumbled over Rita's body and into the Doom Patrol's headquarters. He could smell smoke somewhere in the house. "Steve?" He called much more quietly.
Garfield followed his nose to the smoke's origin. Walking into the kitchen he stopped. Part of their roof was blown out. Cliff was lying in the corner his limbs torn off, the metal gleaming in the sun. Negative Man was no where in sight but Garfield saw that his bandages were littering the floor. He found Steve in the wreckage of what had once been their refrigerator.
"Steve!" He screamed running over. He slowed when he saw the bloody gash that trailed Steve's chest. "Steve, Rita – she won't –"
"I know. " Steve said raggedly. "Garfield, I need you to grab your knapsack. Put everything you have in it. Then go." Steve closed his eyes trying to catch his failing breath.
"What?" Garfield asked blankly. "Go? Go where? I can't leave! This is my home!" He was nearly crying now.
"Listen to me Garfield. I'm very, very hurt. Rita and I can't take care of you any more. So I want you to go pack your stuff, and fly."
"Where?" Garfield demanded, frightened. "This is my home." He repeated more insistently sounding like the scared 9-year-old that he was. "Where am I supposed to go?"
"The docks." Steve seemed to be struggling with speaking. "There's enough money in the safe to put you on a ship to the U.S. If anyone gives you a problem just show them your Doom Patrol badge." A spasm racked the once strong body and Garfield started to cry silently. "Okay, buddy?" Steve asked when the spasm had passed.
"Yes." Garfield swiped away his tears.
"C'mere Gar." Using what must have been the last of his strength Steve pulled himself out of the wreckage in a sitting position. Slowly he wrapped his arms around Garfield pulling him close and kissed his forehead. "I love you, Garfield. And so did Rita. Now go."
"I love you too, Steve." Tears streaming down his face Garfield stood up with his adoptive father's blood on his shirt and slowly walked out of the kitchen. He looked back at the door but Steve, watching him leave, waved his hand in a "go" motion. Garfield waved one last good-bye and went to his room to pack. He did his best not to look at Rita as he passed by the front door.
Once outside Garfield put his knapsack, now holding pictures of both his families, on the ground and became a giant bird. Once in his new form he grabbed the back with his strong talons and slowly lifted himself into the air. He let one heart-wrenching cry tear from his throat before clamping his beak shut and beginning the long journey towards the coast.
He was 12 now and Garfield was much more scared than he had been when his tribe had been hunting him. He was in a sealed plastic cage with air being filtered in and out through a machine at the top. Who ever had put him there had gone to great lengths to make sure he couldn't slip out.
Garfield cursed his stupidity at not just getting on a boat three years ago like Steve had told him. Drug dealers and poachers or no, it would have been a way out. Instead he was in a cage. Just as he was wondering if a gorilla would be heavy enough to break the plastic a man walked into the room.
He was tall and muscled with long blonde hair pulled back into a ponytail and a neatly groomed beard. Garfield was forcibly reminded of the poachers he'd seen in the jungle six years ago with his parents. Immediately Garfield gave up trying to escape and retreated into the back of the cage ready to run at a moments notice.
"Hello." The man said in a deep voice that rumbled in his chest. "I see you're awake. That was remarkably quick. It must be your animal DNA. But I suppose you don't even remember being hit by the tranquilizer, do you?" Slowly Garfield shook his head "no." The man seemed satisfied.
"I should introduce myself. I'm Jacob. And you," He walked right up to the cage pulling a collar out of a pouch at his waist. "You're mine." Before Garfield knew what was going on the cage had opened and Jacob had him by the neck. "I wouldn't change if I were you. I'd hate to squash a little green bug." Garfield froze in fear and the collar was on him.
"This is the beginning of a great partnership." He said stroking Garfield's head like one would a dog. "I've got plans for you."
Another tribe, another group of priceless relics. A much skinnier and decidedly more care-worn looking Garfield repressed a sigh. "Move." Jacob breathed in his ear. "Get the artifacts." His finger hovered over a button that would send an electric shock through Garfield's collar. "Now." Gulping Garfield jumped into an eagle feeling the collar change with him.
He soared over the village quickly spotting the headman's hut that would house the tribe's altar – and their "artifacts". As the men of the village left for a hunt Garfield landed in a tree. He quickly became a lizard and scurried down to the ground.
On the ground he crept to the now-unprotected hut of the tribe's chief and slipped inside. A colorfully woven cloth separated the chief's house from the tribe's shrine. In the semi-darkness of the hut the gems sparkled like beacons in the night.
Garfield changed to his own form feeling incredibly guilty. He pulled a sack out of his pocket marveling as he always did at the way things, including his clothes, seemed to be packed away when he transformed.
Once the bag was filled, and the altar empty, he hesitantly poked his head out the door looking around. The only person in sight was a small boy who looked two or three. Garfield put a finger to his lips hoping he would be quiet.
Too late. His mother was emerging from another hut. As she scooped her son up she saw him. She yelled something in a dialect he didn't know and soon women and children were pouring out of huts.
Feeling terrible but knowing the terrifying consequences of abandoning the bag Garfield changed into a growling grizzly bear. As gently as possible he knocked a nearby woman down. Grabbing the sack with is mouth he took off into the jungle thankful bears couldn't cry.
Tonight was the night. After nine months of captivity Garfield had finally worked out how to get his collar off.
Jacob had made the mistake of leaving Garfield to wander the station once. He thought (and told him) that the 13-year-old boy was too stupid to do anything without being told how. Clearly he had forgotten that his captive was once a member of Doom Patrol. He'd broken into Jacob's computer and found the sequence to deactivate the collar.
He knew Jacob had planned a raid for tonight but Garfield had other plans.
When Jacob sauntered into the room with Garfield's cage in it, the changeling shoved himself into a corner trying to look fearful as usual. "C'mere boy." Jacob said patting his leg. Garfield shuffled out of the cage with his head down. Jacob probably thought he was afraid. Garfield was just desperately trying to hide the growing grin on his face.
"Dinner." Jacob dropped a piece of raw meat in front of him and Garfield became a wolf ignoring his distaste in favor of the fuel provided by the meat.
"Tonight," The muscular man clipped a leash to Garfield collar. "I've got a special job for you." He gave the leash a tug and once Garfield changed back they started walking through the station. "You're gonna raid a temple."
"No." Garfield said stopping sharply so the leash pulled taut.
"What," Jacob asked in the deadly sort of calm that often speaks of insanity. "Did you just say?" His hand wandered to the electric buzzer at his waist.
"I said; No." Garfield's hand flew to the collar and in a flash it lay on the ground between them. Jacob stared at it horrified.
"How?" He spit out stumbling away from Garfield who was cracking his neck for the first time in months. There was a small scar on the back of his neck where the skin was burned from the buzzer but other than that this part of his body seemed fine.
"Did you forget who I was?" Garfield asked continuing to stretch. He could feel every bruise Jacob had given him last week when he had dropped, and broken, a marble statue groan gently in protest. "Steve and Rita were my adoptive parents. I was on the Doom Patrol. Did you really think I was that stupid?" He walked towards Jacob who stumbled back until he hit a wall.
"What do you want?" Jacob demanded. Garfield thought he might actually wet himself.
"You're going into custody." Garfield growled struggling not to kill him in a number of forms. "But first," He smiled widely slowly picking the collar up. "I have some things to return. So I'd better put you somewhere safe. I wouldn't want you to wander off."
Before Jacob could react Garfield snapped the collar around his neck and shoved him into the cage. "I'll be back soon. Oh, and I changed the collar a bit. I wouldn't try taking it off."
Garfield blinked as he opened his eyes into the bright day light. He glanced at the sun's position; three hours had passed. Touching his face he was surprised to find it wet. When had he cried? Across from him Raven was also coming out of her trance.
Raven pushed herself onto her knees and launched herself onto him grabbing Garfield in a hug that rivaled Kory's. Slowly, with the memories still fresh in his mind, Garfield brought his arms around her back. Her body seemed fragile and she felt shaky. "Raven?" He ventured after a minute. "Are you crying?"
"I didn't know." She said into his ear. "I knew the memories were but – I didn't know Gar." He tightened his grip on her.
"It's okay, Rae. How could you have known?" He rubbed small, comforting circles on her back. She sniffed and pulled back wiping at her face. Without thinking he swiped at the remaining tears ignoring his own.
"Are you okay?" Raven asked studying his face.
"Uhm, yeah. I think so." Garfield said pressing the heel of his palms into his eyes. "I don't remember the last time I thought about Deka. Or Jacob." His face darkened as he remembered his one time captor.
"Garfield," Raven asked quietly. "What happened to him?"
"Hmm?" Garfield's mind had been somewhere else. "Oh. I brought him to the police. I still had my Doom Patrol badge hidden in my knapsack. As long as he hasn't escaped he's still sitting in a jail cell in Africa.
"You should rest, Rae. This is the most you've used your power in ages." She nodded stifling a yawn behind her hand. "I'm gonna get some lunch. Maybe hang out with Victor or something." He swiped at his eyes one last time brushing away any remaining tears. Garfield barely noticed the kiss Raven gave him as she went inside and stood on the roof a moment longer eyes closed against his memories letting the sun bathe him in warmth.
He shook himself like a dog trying to dislodge the feelings that came with the memories. With one last glance at the bay he went inside. Garfield was surprised to meet Dick on the stairs. "Hey." He said cautiously. Dick looked a little nervous.
"Hi." They stood there each waiting for the other to speak. "I saw Raven walking into her room so I figured you guys were done." Garfield nodded wondering where this was going. "Are you, uhm, okay?" If Dick hadn't been doing something really nice Garfield would have laughed at his lack of social grace.
Instead he shrugged lightly. "Yeah. I mean it was hard to see everything again but it was years ago. Gotta move on ya know?" He tried to smile brightly but it felt wrong.
Dick put his hand on his shoulder in a sign on commradity. "Hey, no one's saying you don't have a right to mourn. We're all here if you need someone."
"Thanks Dick." This time when Garfield smiled it felt much more normal. The young men gripped each other's forearms in the biggest show of affection Dick could manage.
"You want some lunch? We've got veggie burgers. I figured you'd be hungry." Garfield smiled widely.
Friday dawned just as bright and sunny as the previous day had been and Raven woke up early. Not earlier than Dick though. She came down to the Common Room to find a freshly showered Dick sitting down to breakfast clearly finished with his morning workout. "Morning." She said putting the kettle on.
"Good morning, Raven." He said glancing up from the paper. "I think we may need to step up patrols. There's been a increase in the amount of muggings lately."
"More importantly," Raven said digging through the cupboards for her tea bags. Who had let Garfield put the groceries away? "Are we patrolling the right areas?" Dick was technically the Titans leader but he tended to ask for and appreciate their input. "And are we going pass them at the right time of day?"
Dick looked thoughtful. "I've got access to the police database through the computers on the Evidence level. I feel as though we're in the right places. Maybe we should start going out later. Or add a late night patrol." He trailed off now pursuing a different article.
Once Raven had finished her first cup of tea she tentatively asked "Are you ready?"
Dick studied the paper another minutes before looking up. "Yes." He said after staring blankly at the window. "The roof?" Raven nodded and Dick went to put his dishes in the sink.
They silently walked up the stairs squinting as they emerged in the bright sunlight. "Dick," Raven felt like she'd had this conversation a million times already. Hopefully this would be the last time. "Are you sure about this? You don't have to do anything you're not completely comfortable with." In her defense he did seem less sure than Garfield had.
"I have to, Raven. I can't keep having nightmares." He looked down no longer meeting her eyes. "I miss them, Raven. And I think about them everyday. But," He finally looked at her the resolve visible in his eyes. "I don't need to relive their deaths five times a week in my dreams. I can remember it well enough without that."
"Okay." Raven nodded. "Sit down." She joined Dick on the roof floor. "You need to close your eyes and think of a memory that's given you nightmares. It doesn't have to be your parents." She assured him as a pained look flowed across his face. "Just a memory that's given you nightmares."
She waited, allowing Dick a few minutes to choose a memory. "Okay, now visualize putting the memory into a box." Dick's eyes crept open to stare at her incredulously. "Just do it." He closed his eyes quickly. "The box is a barrier between your dreams and you're memories. Whatever goes in cannot cross into dreams. They are memories and nothing else."
When she was sure Dick had done as told Raven used her power to surround the "box". After the box was surrounded she removed herself leaving only the power behind.
Usually Raven needed to be in close contact with something and consciously manipulate it for her powers to work. There were exceptions though – like Malchior. Raven could, when she chose, keep her power somewhere permanently if she was willing to surrender a part of her consciousness to it. The piece was small, less than 1/500th as far as she could tell, but still Raven was usually hesitant to do so. This was, of course, more than worth it.
Slowly Raven had Dick do this with every memory that he could remember giving him nightmares over the years. Every time a new memory was added Raven needed to remove her power, allow the memory into the box, and reseal the barrier, surrounding the box over and over.
After some time (Dick too absorbed in memories and Raven guiding them to the "box" for either to notice how long exactly) Dick quietly told her, "I think that's it."
"Dick," Raven, already in his memories projected her voice straight to his mind. "Do you mind if I shuffle through the remaining memories? Anything that's given you nightmares will stick out like a sore thumb to me. The rest will be gone before I even realize what they were."
"Okay." Dick thought pretty sure Raven could hear him. She could. "Just be quick please."
"Of course." Raven left the box quickly shifting through memories that disappeared as soon as they came into focus. In the end Raven only found one other looked memory. It involved a serial rapist and a rather young child. Raven felt nauseous after seeing it.
With the last memory sealed Raven left Dick's mind. "Dick, I need you to pick one of the memories we put away. Can you still recall it? Details and everything?"
"Yeah."
"The we should be done. If everything went as it should you have the memories but they can't terrorize you anymore. Of course if you do have nightmares let me know." She stood up slowly taking care to stretch her leg muscles. "How long have we been up here?"
Dick glanced at his watch. "Almost five hours. I don't get why this took so much longer than what you did with Garfield."
"With Garfield we were just looking at memories." Raven explained. "Today we had to sort, and on occasion view, hundreds of memories. This was more than remembering. It was separating and sealing."
"Okay." Dick said slowly. He, much like Bruce, felt better when dealing with the physical world as opposed to the spiritual one. What Raven had done was kind but he'd be sticking to following leas and solving crimes.
"Thanks, Raven." He said sheepishly. They were both standing at the railing looking out over the bay. "It was getting bad." Dick confessed quietly. "Worse than I wanted to admit." He turned to Raven and was amazed when she hugged him. In almost 5-years of being a team he could count on his fingers the number of times she had hugged anyone. Well, excluding Garfield. And even that was mostly after they had started dating.
After a moment he raised his own arms and returned the hug tightly. "Dick." She said somewhere by his left shoulder. "I heard about what you told Gar. I hope that you realize this is your family too." Raven slowly lowered her arms and Dick did the same. "We're here whenever you need someone."
"Thank you." He said quietly as they returned to looking at the bay.
"Of course, Dick. Isn't that what family's for?" She looked at the water one last time. "We should get something to eat. We missed lunch."
"Yeah." Dick said stretching. "Let's go in. Are you going back to Nevermore soon?" He asked as they walked down the stairwell towards the elevator.
"I have to." Raven said heavily. "If I don't Rage could break through the barrier. You guys thought last time was bad?" She shook her head. "She could gain control of my mind. I'd have no control left. Helping you and Gar let me realize that I'm in control, not my emotions. I need to remind Rage of that."
Dick nodded resignedly. "When are you going back?"
"Probably Wednesday." Raven said as they entered the elevator on the 5th floor. "I'll need to meditate for a few more days."
"Would you mind staying on the roof? Just in case. I don't want another two weeks like that." Raven nodded immediately. She'd been anticipating the request. "Have you told Garfield yet?"
"I told him yesterday. He's not happy but I think Gar's accepted it." Raven hoped he had at least.
"Well can't you see how he feels?" Raven shot Dick a look. He smiled sarcastically back at her. "You know what I mean. Gar's your boyfriend. He had this huge crush on you for ages. Right when you two start getting close you disappear for two weeks leaving the rest of us in a panic. No one's blaming you!" He said hurriedly. They reached the Common Room and Dick immediately went to the fridge. "I'm just saying those two weeks were hell, especially for him. He must have told you by now that he thought it was his fault." Raven nodded.
"So we get you back and Garfield thinks things are finally back to normal." Dick had started making a turkey sandwich that was making Raven feel starved. "Now barely a month later you're going back. Obviously this is something you have to do but that doesn't make it any easier for him."
"I know that." Raven said snagging a chip off Dick's plate. When he stared she said defensively "What? I haven't eaten since last night." Dick wisely shrugged and offered her half of his sandwich, which Raven gratefully accepted. She took a bite and stole another chip before continuing.
"I know he doesn't like it." She repeated. "Neither do I. It's not like this is fun for me. But I have to. And I'll have to again in the future. Garfield can't freak out every time I need to deal with my emotions."
Dick had polished off his half of the sandwich and was now eating chips straight form the bag. Raven had stolen any remaining ones off his plate. "I'm sure once he sees this trip go well he'll chill out. How long do you think you'll be there?"
"I don't know." Raven admitted quietly. "Time works differently in Nevermore. It's got to do with how much mental exertion is going on or something. I'm not really sure. Knowledge is the only one who can even understand it, let alone try explaining it to someone else."
Dick let out a low whistle. "You can't come back every so often or something?"
Raven shook her head. "I'll only be able to tell how much time has passed in Nevermore. Not outside of it." She smiled slightly. "It shouldn't be too long. I shouldn't have very much to do and what has to be done shouldn't take too much energy. Hopefully I'll be back in four or five days max. But I can't make you any promises, Dick."
"I know just – be careful." Raven smiled softly struck by just how much their connection had grown. "I'm not sure we can keep Garfield calm if you're gone too long." Dick's smile edged on a smirk.
"When am I not careful?" Raven wanted to know. "I'm going to talk with him before I leave. He needs to go on missions while I'm gone. The team can't afford to lose two people if we're needed. I'm perfectly safe in Nevermore. He's not going to worry himself sick over me."
"Easier said than done, Raven." Dick told her putting the dishes into the sink. He looked at his watch. "I've gotta let Bruce know that everything turned out fine and then find Kory. Thanks again, Raven. You really helped me." He squeezed her arm gently and headed for the elevator.
Raven put the chips away before teleporting herself into the fifth floor hallway. Normally she would have taken the elevator or stairs but Raven felt like testing her newly regained powers.
"Why hello there." Came a singsong voice behind her. Raven spun around to see Garfield wearing khaki shorts and a purple shirt standing in the hallway. "I see you and Dick are done. Everything go okay?"
Raven nodded unprepared for this new connection with Garfield. But no sooner had she begun to adjust to his goofy, loving thoughts brushing hers than they changed.
"Are you okay, Rae?" He asked, quickly crossing the space between them. "Do you feel alright?" He must have seen her face change when the connection hit her.
"I'm fine, Garfield." She assured him placing gentle fingers on his hips. "What have you been up to?"
"Nothing." He lied cheerfully. Raven narrowed her eyes and tilted her head. She could tell he was lying but not why. She was sure there was no maliciousness behind it though. But before she could inquire as to what he had really been doing Garfield had pressed his lips to hers and she stopped thinking about much at all.
He walked her back still kissing until Raven's back hit a door. Garfield pushed the button and wrapped his arms around Raven to keep her from stumbling when the door slid sideways. He continued to kiss her with tantalizing softness, still backing up until Raven's knees hit his lower bunk bed.
Slowly she let Garfield lower her onto the bed her arms wrapped around his neck. As she lay there with him on top of her Raven's body felt electrified wherever they touched. She tried to lose herself in the passionate kisses but Wisdom's voice broke in. 'Careful.' The maroon cloaked emotion breathed in her ear.
The warning took a moment to register but when Garfield's hands started to move up her body, Raven broke the kiss. Taking both of his hands in hers she kissed each gently eyes locked with his. He nodded slowly smiling a little shamefacedly and Raven gently kissed his lips thankful for his understanding gaze.
They lay there quietly kissing for almost an hour before the alarm rang. Raven shot up telepathically summoning her cloak and leotard. Wrapping a band of black energy around herself she changed quickly. When the curtain of energy fell Garfield – somehow already changed – was starring at her. "What?" She asked blankly.
"Raven, you can't go on missions with us – can you?" Raven sighed irritated.
"If I'm well enough to go into people's minds, I'm well enough for missions." She glared at him daring him to disagree.
"You may want to check with Dick first." He muttered. Raven merely glowered a bit more before pointing to the circle of energy growing on the floor around her. Clearly they would be teleporting to the Common Room. Garfield became a mouse meekly crawling into the circle.
"Don't morph while we're moving!" She warned and then they were gone.
A second later they appeared in the Common Room where Garfield quickly scurried off towards Kory. "Okay guys –" Dick stopped. "Raven, why are you in your uniform?"
Raven turned her glower onto Dick. "If I'm well enough to be in your head I'm damn sure well enough to fight." She silently dared him to disagree.
Dick took a deep breath gathering his courage and used the leader authority he so rarely called on. "Sorry Raven." He shook his head." "No go. Your powers are still too unpredictable. I don't want your powers to go haywire during a battle because you get angry. Patrols fine. But no fights, not until you get back from Nevermore."
Raven narrowed her eyes even further but Dick fixed her with his best Batman stare and after a moment she nodded and tuned cape swishing. Taking deep breaths Raven decided to meditate doing her best to ignore Dick, who was now saying "Okay, it's Killer Moth and he's got a gun that's cocooning people so watch out."
For the next four days Raven meditated for most of the day only allowing herself to be pulled away occasionally. Tuesday night Raven was out on the roof looking at the stars with Garfield
"I'm going tomorrow." She said turning her head to look at him.
"I know." Garfield said not looking away from the sky.
She leaned against him. "I'll be back soon." She felt him nod. Raven bit her lip. "Tomorrow's Wednesday." She reminded him. "Don't forget to talk with Victor." Another nod. "Garfield," Raven said sitting up. "Is everything okay?"
He sat up with her tapping his fingers gently on her leg. "I'm scared." He admitted in a quiet voice. Raven wrapped herself around him. "I know you've got to go back, but what if something happens? I just got you back and now you're off to Nevermore. What if you get trapped there or something? Or you're there too long and make yourself sick? You're barely better!" Okay, so Dick had been right.
Raven let him finish before slowly crawling into his lap. Garfield's arms immediately closed around her holding on tightly. She lay her head on his chest listening to his heartbeat.
"I'll be okay, Garfield." She promised quietly. "Last time was a full out war against Rage. Think of this as – as a clean up patrol. All the major fighting is done but there are still perimeters to secure." He nodded miserably and Raven's heart clenched as his mind brushed ever closer to hers.
She raised her head off of his chest and met his eyes. Raven took a deep breath and held both of his hands. "Listen. I don't know how long I'll be gone and I can't tell how time in Nevermore passes but," She stopped for a second before pushing on. "If I'm gone for a week call my name. I'll be able to hear you and I'll leave my mind.
"But you can't call me unless it's been a week. Leaving could be dangerous. Promise me you won't let anyone disturb me unless a week passed."
"I promise, Raven." And with Raven still nestled against him he lay back on the Tower roof kissing her head. "I'll miss you." He said quietly.
"I'll miss you too. Hopefully that will prompt my emotions to be quick." They smiled at each other.
"It's almost one." Garfield said looking at the moon with sharp eyes. "We should go in. You don't want to be tired when you wake up tomorrow."
Raven clung to him even tighter as she said resignedly. "You're right." She went to kiss him good night but a good night kiss turned into several. Minutes passed before they separated, standing in each other's arms.
"Wake me up on your way to the roof, okay?"
"Okay." Raven promised. They walked downstairs and after a bit more good night kissing both were in bed.
Raven awoke to the third early morning that greeted her bright and sunny. But today Raven was nervous. She knew that she could bring order back to Nevermore. But she was worried about going back. It was, she had rationed, like breaking a bone. Even when the bone's fully healed a tendency to baby it often remains. The only true solution was to use the bone and proved it's healed. Raven had to go to Nevermore to prove her power in only to herself.
She got dressed in yoga pants and a light comfortable T-shirt and left her room. Creeping through the hall so as not to wake Kory Raven opened Garfield's door.
Raven lifted herself into the air and watched amusedly as Garfield flickered idly between a mouse and himself. He was dreaming peacefully. She waited for him to change back to his own form before putting her lips next to his ear. "Garfield." She said quietly letting the word stretch on her lips. "Time to get up."
He rolled over towards her eyes blinking rapidly. "Is – " He yawned. "Is something wrong?" He pushed himself off the bed. "Oh." Garfield said with dawning comprehension. Turning into a sleek tabby he stretched before jumping off the bed and landing lightly on the floor. Purring loudly he rubbed himself along her legs.
"Come on" Raven said laughing. "I want to eat and get started before everyone wakes up for the day." Garfield morphed back and together they went downstairs.
To Raven's surprise Dick was sitting at the table eating breakfast. She'd known he would be awake but had assumed he would be in the Evidence Room like he normally was.
"Hey, dude." Garfield greeted plopping down next to Dick. He poured soymilk into a bowl of Spaceships and Aliens (his favorite cereal) and stole the comics.
"Good morning." Raven said while making her own breakfast of French toast and bacon. She was hoping to keep her strength up while in Nevermore.
"Hey guys." Dick returned. "You're going?" He looked at Raven; there was no need to be more specific.
"Once I eat." Raven answered. "I'll be back as soon as possible. Garfield knows how to reach me if there's an emergency."
Dick nodded, "Gar are you – ?"
"He's going on patrols and missions." Raven cut in firmly looking at her boyfriend. It had taken 20 minutes of arguing but he'd finally relented.
"I know, I know." Garfield said easily as if he had never fought her about it. Raven's threat of withholding kisses had certainly helped. "You'd think I was five the way she talks." He said to Dick grinning.
Dick smiled slightly. "Imagine that." He said dryly. "Be careful, Raven." He said seriously. Their mental connection was closer than ever and Dick was soon amazed to find himself being hugged by Raven for the second time in less than a week. When she let go he kissed her forehead gently as a brother or father might and was grateful for Garfield's understanding nod. "We'll see you in a few days."
"I'll walk up to the roof with you." Garfield offered. Raven nodded and took his hand waving good-bye to Dick. She gripped his hand tightly and tired not to be nervous.
They emerged on the roof bathed in bright sunlight. Garfield became a lizard soaking up the late summer sun. He scampered across the roof before taking his true form once more.
Raven crossed the roof and hugged him tightly. "I'll miss you." She said quietly into his ear. "Take care of yourself, okay?" Garfield nodded looking sad despite the smile on his face. "I'll see you in a week." Raven gripped him tighter than ever. She kissed him softly before pulling away. "Bye."
"Bye." Garfield said letting her go. "Have fun." She shot him a dark look. "Hey, it could be fun!" He said holding his hands up.
Raven settled on the roof floor taking several deep breaths. For all that she was nervous this also felt so right. She enjoyed meditating. The abbreviated version had been like being given a bite of ice cream and then denied the bowl. It was the closest thing to a homecoming Raven had ever known.
"Azarath. Metrion. Zinthos." She chanted feeling her emotions welcome her back.
Garfield left the roof when Raven started chanting but went straight down the Tower to the beach. He quickly became an otter gliding underwater. The other life forms in the bay swirled around him and he quickly found some fish to chase. Even if he wouldn't eat them it was still good exercise.
Eventually he got tired and, after lounging on a warm rock, decided to go back inside the Tower. Dick and Kory were out so it was just Garfield and Victor lazing around the Common Room.
"It's Wednesday, man." Victor reminded him gently as their favorite show Japanese Game Shows! Ended.
"I know." Garfield said with a sigh.
"How are you and Raven doing? You okay with her leaving?" He turned off the television.
"We're fine." Garfield said leaning back on the couch, his hands tucked behind his head. "And it's not like I have a choice."
"Ya know what I mean, BB" Victor gently prodded. "Are ya freaking out?"
"A little." Garfield admitted. "I'm actually kind of excited."
Victor raised his human eyebrow. "Excited." He repeated.
"Yeah." Garfield said craning his head sideways to see him. "Raven's birthday is in two and a half weeks! I've still got tons of stuff to figure out. And how often do you get days to plan surprise party without having to worry about the guest of honor finding out? As long as I can keep Kory quiet we should be fine."
"I see." Victor said slowly. "How are ya doin' other wise?"
Garfield shrugged. "Okay." He looked down. "A little worried." Victor cocked his head. "For a really long time I've been having these awful nightmares. Mostly stuff that happened when I was younger." Victor looked concerned. "After last week though, they calmed down. I haven't even had any these past two nights. I'm worried that now that Rae's gone they'll come back."
Victor leaned back on the couch thinking. "Game Station." He said suddenly.
"What?" Garfield asked looking at their Game Station with confusion.
"Game Station." Victor repeated firmly. "We're gonna play Game Station every night until you're too wiped out to dream. I bet Dick would set up some sort of tournament with us. A good gaming marathon with plenty of pizza should wipe you out."
Garfield was grinning from ear to ear. "Man, with Aliens Ate My Neighbors and Adlez: A Chain To The Future. It'll be kick ass!"
"Gar." The changeling froze in the middle of his fist pumping. "If you're still having nightmares you can talk to me. I have time outside of Wednesday, ya know." Victor smiled gently.
"Thanks, man." Garfield said as Kory and Dick walked in holding hands.
"Oh, hello friends!" Kory said smiling excitedly.
"Hey." Dick said smiling as well but much more calmly.
"Hey." Both boys returned. "How was lunch?" Victor asked.
"Great." Dick answered. "That restaurant you recommended was amazing. Thanks!"
"No problem, man. Victor always knows when it comes to food!" He said cackling slightly.
"Hey, Kory." Garfield twisted around on the couch. "D'you wanna go shopping with me?"
"But did we not just go to the market of superness two days ago?" Kory asked uncertainly.
"Different type of store." Garfield explained. "I've gotta get some decorations for Rae's party. You're in charge of putting all this stuff up so I thought you'd like to come. Help me pick some things out, you know?"
"Oh, yes!" She cried happily. "There is a wonderful store in the mall of shopping that is just perfect!" With that she grabbed Garfield's hand and they were off. Kory dragged him to the roof happily telling him how much quicker flying would be.
Garfield, released from Kory's grip, became a red tail hawk and followed the princess across the bay.
"What colors were you thinking of decorating our beloved home in?" Kory asked when they landed in the parking lot. Garfield couldn't help the smirk spilling across his face as one young man's eyes after another followed Kory through the doors. In a rather detached way (he was far too close to the young alien to think of her as anything but a sister) Gar could see the appeal. Kory looked beautiful even though she was just wearing a green T-shirt and jeans.
"Remember how Raven said her favorite color was yellow?" He asked as they passed a jewelry store.
"Yes!" Kory exclaimed gleefully her eyes lighting up.
Raven looked around curiously. The realm she was in looked unfamiliar. "Hello?" She ventured staring at the wildflowers. They seemed to be growing out of craters in the ground. When no one answered Raven headed towards the house. It looked like Brave's but had a deep purple trim instead of green. In the distance she spotted what looked like the walls of Timid's maze.
Just as Raven put her hand on the door handle Love appeared. "Hi!" She said smiling. Raven let the door handle go and Love seized her in a hug.
"Hi, Love." She stared at the door. "You know, I've never been inside one of your homes."
Love shrugged. "For good reason, I'm sure. Knowledge didn't really go into specifics. She just said you'd be happier staying outside." Raven nodded, she'd learned to listen to Knowledge over the years.
"How far is your realm from Rage's?" Raven looked around for the road.
"Other end." Love answered quickly. "We've got a bit of a journey. But how are you and Garfield?" She asked slyly.
"Fine." Raven answered blushing slightly. "Do I need to see anyone?"
"Hope, Knowledge, and Wisdom are all waiting for us on the very edge of Rage's realm. They need to talk to you about reinforcing the barrier."
"So it's held?" Love nodded happily and Raven breathed a small sigh of relief. "Let's go then." She reached out a hand, which Love took, and brought them through Nevermore to Rage's realm.
While Raven knew she would have felt Rage breaking out of the barrier it was still a relief to see it standing strong. No sooner had she thought this then there was a huge crashing noise. Raven looked closely at the barrier where she could just see Rage throwing herself against it.
"She's been doing that since she woke up." A voice behind her said. Raven turned to see Knowledge smiling from behind her glasses. "I'm glad you're well again, Raven."
"Thanks Knowledge. It's nice to be back to normal. Where's Wisdom?"
"Here." The maroon cloaked emotion seemed to appear at Raven's elbow. "I hope you've grown from your experiences." Raven bowed her head.
"Hello, Raven." Hope said clasping her hand. "It's so good to see you." She squeezed Raven's hand tightly. "Are you ready?"
"What do I have to?" Raven asked. She just wanted to be done and go home.
"It will be very similar to before." Knowledge said tucking a book into the folds of her cloak. "You've got a small amount of power that was unused before. You'll use it to extend the barrier. Make it stretch to the door and be twice as thick.
"We emotions can no longer travel through Nevermore without using the portals unless you are with us. It will be more complicated but should help to slow Rage should something happen.
"Once you reinforce the barrier though, she should be trapped here permanently."
Raven nodded. "Why are all of you here though? Do I need all of you to supervise?"
"Because this will take time Raven, and you will tire." Wisdom told her. "We will be here when you do to lend you our power. It will be hard Raven, but you are equal to it."
"Okay." Raven said nodding again. "Let's get started then."
Love smiled knowingly. "You must be eager to get back to Garfield." Raven ignored her.
"Work your way around the barrier moving clock-wise." Knowledge advised. "We will walk behind you and supply you with extra power when needed."
Raven took a deep breath and approached the barrier with hands that trembled slightly. She closed her eyes calling on the power she had unwittingly stored. When Raven opened her eyes she was once again looking at her surroundings through a multicolored screen.
Slowly Raven directed the power at the wall bringing it closer and closer to the edge of the realm. Occasionally Raven would see a specific color grow and knew her emotions were supplying her with extra power. For all that she was aware of it though, she could not feel it.
The barrier parameter seemed endless and Raven felt as if she had been working for hours on end. Only when Raven tired to reinforce a wall that had already been expanded did she realize she was done.
She let go of the power and fell only to have Wisdom catch her. "Are you okay?" Raven nodded too exhausted to speak. "Leave, Raven." Wisdom told her. "All is well in Nevermore."
Raven slowly stood up. "Good bye." She told everyone stifling a yawn. "Azarath. Metrion. Zinth –" The scene shifted and disappeared.
Raven opened her eyes sitting, once again, on the roof floor. 'Sunset. But what day is it? Less than a week, but still. How long have I been gone?' Slowly Raven unfurled her legs ignoring the cramps.
After a few minutes of massaging her legs she gave up and flew inside and down several flights of stairs. She didn't expect anyone to be coming up the stairs.
"Raven?" Victor hurried up the stairs between them. "Hey! Are you okay?"
"Yeah. Just tired." Raven with a weary smile. "What day is it?"
"Saturday. You just missed dinner but I'll make ya something. Everyone's down in the Common Room. C'mon." And without further ado he scooped her up.
"Victor!" Raven protested. "I'm fine. I can fly!"
"Save your strength. Jeez, I never realized how small you really are. That's not an insult." He added when Raven glared at him. He teased her gently the rest of the way to the Common Room; Raven too tired to protest.
"Oh, Titans!" He called stopping outside the door. "Look what I found!" They burst into the room. Garfield and Kory were both resting on their knees looking over the back of the couch. Dick was half out of his chair ready to help Victor is needed. "Ta-da!" He said setting Raven on her somewhat shaky feet.
"Hi." Raven said shyly.
Before she could say anything else Garfield had leaped over the back of the couch and swept Raven back off her feet. "You're back!" He yelled joyfully. "When did you wake up? Did everything go all right? Are you hungry? I'm sure we can fix you something."
"Garfield! Garfield!" Dick yelled. "Calm down." He told the changeling with a smile. "Why don't you sit down, Raven?" Raven floated gratefully over to the couch dragging Garfield along by the hand.
"Oh, friend! It is so nice to have you amongst us once again!" Kory exclaimed floating a few inches off the couch in her excitement. "How do you feel?"
"I'm fine." Raven said loudly enough for everyone to hear. "Just tired. It's gonna be nice to go to bed, that's for sure." She sat on the couch with her friends for the next two hours. At one point Victor handed her a turkey sandwich that she ate gratefully. Eventually though, Dick noticed her dozing off and ordered her to bed.
"I'll take her!" Garfield volunteered. He scooped Raven off the couch. Raven, almost asleep, had no energy to protest. Garfield carefully carried her to the elevator and then into the hall. By the time he was in her room Raven had fallen asleep. He pulled back the covers and gently laid her in bed. Once she was covered Garfield kissed her head, whispered "Good night", and left.
"Raven." She rolled over trying to ignore whoever was talking. "Raven." The voice, a male's, said again. "C'mon. It's time to get up. You've been asleep for over 12 hours. Wake up Rae." Blinking Raven opened her eyes. Her sight slid onto the clock at her bedside. 11:34 the numbers glared at her. Whoever had awoken her hadn't been lying. Who woke her up at all?
"Morning." She yawned turning towards the voice. Her suspicions were proven correct when she found Garfield standing beside her bed. "Is there any breakfast?" Garfield nodded and Raven pushed herself up. Looking down she realized she hadn't changed or showered in five days. "I'll meet you in the Common Room. I'm gonna take a shower first."
"Okay," Garfield agreed. "But if you're not downstairs in 30 minutes I'm coming to get you." He warned raising his eyebrows suggestively.
28 minutes later Raven stepped into the hallway wearing a dark blue T-shirt and gray jeans. Raven felt better than she had in ages though she suspected the shower was probably a large part of that. She'd only made a few tentative steps down the hall when Kory stepped out of her own room.
"Friend Raven!" Kory had on a long yellow dress that fit her perfectly.
"Hi, Kor. You look nice today." She smiled; mentally laughing at how Dick would surely react.
"Thank you, friend!" Kory said happily. "To tell the truth I am hoping Dick will notice." She looked cautiously hopeful.
"Oh, he'll notice." Raven assured her friend. "Are you going to the Common Room?" Kory nodded. "Let's fly." Raven said smiling.
Garfield was leaving the Common Room as Raven and Kory flew in. "Why, hello there." H said sitting back down at the table. "Hungry?"
"Starving." Raven answered.
"Then you're in luck." Victor said piling plates onto the table. "I've prepared a full gourmet buffet experience for you Raven. And before you ask Salad head, yes, you're disgusting tofu bacon is here too." Garfield smiled brightly ignoring the slight on his beloved food.
"This looks delicious." Raven said pull the bacon towards her already pancake-filled plate. "This is delicious." Raven corrected herself after a few bites. "Thank you, Victor."
"No problem, Rae. Eat up, there's plenty of food." Raven had just finished her incredibly delicious, and large, breakfast when Kory asked if they could spend the day at the beach.
"Oh friends! It will be such fun! We can go swimming and have a picnic. Please let us go friends!" Dick smiled happily; obviously ready to go along with whatever Kory wanted. Clearly her dress wasn't going unnoticed.
"Uhm, Star." Raven could see that, as usual, she'd have to be the voice of reason. "Do you even own a bathing suit. Do any of us?" She asked looking around.
"Guys never really grow out of bathing suits." Garfield told her cheerfully. "Besides, we can wait for you and Kor to go to the mall. I'm sure Victor'll be packing a massive picnic."
"Already on it!" Victor called his head stuck in the fridge. "Go get bathing suits!"
"Yes, let us go Raven!" Kory said tugging her away from the table. "It will be most fun!"
"I'm coming." Raven said trying not to glower. "Can I have the card, Dick?"
"Sure." Dick said trying not to laugh at Raven. He reached into his utility belt and pulled out the Titans credit card.
Jump City didn't exactly pay the Teen Titans for their work. And obviously some of them, like Dick, could get whatever they needed on their own. Instead the Titans were given a charge card which they could use for whatever they needed including groceries and clothing, as well as "fun" stuff like movies and video games. The City picked up the bill. It was Jump City's way of saying "Thank you."
Raven slid the card into a small purse Kory had given her for Christmas and sighed before telling her friend, "Let me teleport us there. It'll be quicker."
"Okay!" Kory said happily coming to stand next to her friend. The grasped hands and disappeared leaving the boys standing in the Common Room.
They appeared right outside the main entrance to Jump City Mall. Crowds were just starting to filter into the shopping center. Thankfully Kory knew exactly where to go and took off. Both girls tried to ignore any shoppers who seemed to recognize them.
Once though a little boy tore away from his mother's hand and launched himself onto an unsuspecting Raven. His mother rushed over apologizing as Raven stared down at him unsure of how to proceed. "Hello." She said trying to sound friendly as his mother stood next to Kory looking embarrassed.
"Hi." He sounded awestruck. "I'm Liam an' I'm four an' a half." He blinked slowly. "You're Raven." Liam added as if she didn't know. "You're a super hero."
"That's right, I am." Raven kneeled to his eye level. "It's nice to meet you Liam." She looked a little helplessly at Kory who smiled encouragingly and his mom who was laughing behind her hand.
"I'm gonna grow up an' be a super hero too." Liam told her solemnly. She smiled at him. He was kind of cute. "An' then," He went on excitedly. "When I'm all grown up, I'm gonna marry you!" Raven felt her smile drop a little and she looked back at his mother.
"I'm sorry." She said coming to kneel with Raven. "You're his favorite hero and he's just in love with you. Liam," She turned to her son. "Can you thank Raven for talking to you?"
"Thank you, Raven." He chorused obediently. His eyes hadn't left her.
"Did you want to go to the toy store?" Liam nodded but didn't move otherwise. "Let's go then." She said gently taking his hand.
"Wait!" He cried. "Do we have my coloring book an' crayons?" For some reason his mom shot an apologetic look in Raven's direction before nodding. She handed him his coloring book and a purple crayon.
Liam flipped busily through the pages, his back to Raven. Apparently he found the pictures he was looking for because there were two loud ripping sound and he turned around. Raven felt herself blanche when she saw what he was holding. In his hand were two surprisingly well-colored pictures of herself from some sort of Teen Titans coloring book.
"Can you sign this? Please?" He asked eyes wide holding out the topmost picture. Raven felt herself blush even as she took the crayon from his hand. She could here Kory giggling but didn't look up.
To Liam, She wrote
Thank you for being my biggest fan!
I'll see you when you save the world one day!
She hesitated before drawing a heart next to Raven
"Here you go, Liam." Raven said with a smile. She handed him his crayon and book page back. He promptly dropped both and threw his arms around Raven's neck.
"Thank you, thank you, thank you!" He yelled squeezing her tighter than ever. Raven gently hugged him back but looked at his mother pleadingly.
"Liam." His mother said gently. "Let Raven go. I'm sure she has shopping to do and so do we. Say good bye."
"Good bye!" He said letting go. "Thank you! Oh! This ones for you!" Liam informed her handing the other coloring book page to her. It was another colored-in picture of Raven but next to it Liam had drawn himself holding her hand and smiling.
"Thank you very much. Bye Liam." Raven said standing up. "It was nice to meet you." She smiled.
"It was amazing meeting you." He said solemnly and Raven blushed again. As his mother took his hand and led him away she mouthed 'thank you!' over her shoulder. Raven heard him ask as the crowd began to divide them "Can we hang it in my room? Please?"
Kory started to laugh uncontrollably. "Don't." Raven said pleadingly. She covered her face with her hands. She carefully folded the picture in half and put it in her purse. "Let's just go get bathing suits. Please."
"Your face." Kory bit out between peals of laughter. "You looked as if you had seen a vlidaer!" But she started walking again and Raven followed her suddenly much keener on getting a bathing suit.
Raven had rarely felt more thankful then when they arrived at What Suits You? the malls beach store. Kory was quickly distracted by a bright green bikini. Raven took a deep breath and plunged into the sea of colors.
Over all, Raven was horrified by the lack on one piece's but figured she could live with a bikini. It took three trips to the changing room but finally Raven found it. A modest forest green halter top with a thick band that ran under her breasts. The bottom was the same color in a style Kory called "boy shorts".
Kory took much longer. After a half-hour she had narrowed her choices down to three. The first was a deep orange one that looked like a bra and panty set to Raven. The next was bright green and a little too revealing. They'd never get Dick, or any other guy, to stop starring. Finally she had a light purple bikini that showed off her impressive hips and breasts without being obscene.
"The third one." Raven said quickly praying her friend would listen. Thankfully Kory did choose that suit and 15 minutes later Raven gratefully teleported them home.
"How was the mall?" Dick asked when they appeared back in the Common Room. Kory gleefully told him about Liam while Raven stood off to the side and blushed. "Looks like Gar's got some competition." When Raven glared at him he changed the subject.
"We're almost ready. I've got to change and Garfield's finding the beach towels but then we can go."
"Raven and I shall go change and then return to the Common Room." Kory announced. She swept out of the room and Raven trailed after her still feeling faintly embarrassed. "I do hope Dick likes my bathing suit." Kory fretted.
"I'm sure he will." Raven reassured her trying not to fall to the same fears herself. They separated into their rooms to change. Raven pulled on her bathing suit, followed by a pair of gym shorts and a T-shirt. She pulled Liam's picture out of her purse and carefully taped it to her wall. It was sweet.
Raven emerged into the hallway to find it empty. She ducked into the bathroom and grabbed the sunscreen that the boys had, of course, forgotten.
"Raven?" Kory was in the hallway looking for her. Raven poked her head around the corner and smiled. They were both wearing the same shirt. It was a light blue T-shirt with the word Tokyo splashed across the front, a gift from the City for the Titans help.
"Ready?" Raven asked as Kory braided her long red hair so it wouldn't tangle in the water. At her request Raven helped her pin it up off of her neck.
"Yes friend!" She replied and they took the elevator down to the Common Room where the rest of the team was waiting.
Twenty minutes later they pulled into the empty parking lot at an almost deserted beach along lower Jump City. The Titans piled out of the car and lugged their bags down to the beach. Jump City had been relatively quiet lately but everyone had brought their uniforms just in case.
It was a beautiful day with plenty of sun and temperatures hovering in the lower 80's. Once everyone had slathered on sunscreen (no one wants to fight crime and a sunburn) they sat down to eat Victor's picnic. He had packed a lot of food but there is never enough for three teenage boys and soon it was gone.
After the picnic Garfield went into the water while Victor and Dick unrolled plans for a massive sandcastle. Raven and Kory sat on the beach watching in awe. Both boys collected bucket after bucket of water. 'Where,' Raven wondered to herself. 'Did we get all of these beach toys?'
By the time Garfield come out of the water shaking himself like a dog the castle's base layer was down. "Here." Victor threw a spoon at a startled Garfield who caught it. "Make windows. Carefully." Soon all three boys were working in tandem, while Kory and Raven edged away.
"We are going down to the waters edge friends." Kory said after a minute when no one noticed them stand up. Dick waved a hand in their direction before telling Victor to reinforce the south wall. Raven rolled her eyes and grabbed Kory's hand pulling her away.
They walked down to meet the tide, cooling their feet in the water. "Oh I do love beaches!" Kory said happily wading out. Raven followed her enjoying the cool water lapping up against her thighs. "We do not have them on my planet." She told Raven looking up as if her home planet would suddenly become visible.
"Really?" Raven asked trying to remember if she had seen any standing water on Tameran. She hadn't.
"Oh no." Explained Kory. "Our water is all surrounded by uninhabitable land. My people must drain water away from the source. I believe it is called irrigation on Earth?" She looked questioningly a Raven who nodded. "But our systems extend much farther than those on this planet. They cross entire land masses."
Raven couldn't even imagine a system that big as said as much. "Your planet always seemed so fertile." She commented and Kory quickly launched into a discussion of irrigation techniques, which left Raven's head spinning. "Let's go see how the boys are doing." Raven suggested 15 minutes later and was relieved when Kory agreed.
Raven could practically feel her eyes growing as the sandcastle came into sight. In the half-hour or so they had been gone the castle had reached the top of her shoulder and was still growing. "What are you building?" She asked wonderingly.
"A replica of Wayne Tower in Gotham City." Dick told her glancing up briefly. "Don't look at me like that." He said. "This was all Victor."
"It's one of the tallest buildings in the world!" Victor chimed in enthusiastically "Garfield's making the letters right now and I'm finishing the tower itself with Dick."
Raven stared for a few more minutes. "Okay." She said finally. "I'm going to go read. Don't forget to put sunscreen back on." Raven sank into one of the beach chairs they had brought pulling a book from the bag she had packed.
Everything was quiet 20 minutes later when Kory tentatively asked, "Friends, who is standing on the hill?" They all turned – even the boys who were just putting the finishing touches on their tower – and saw a man surrounded by animals. "Wilderness?" Kory suggested.
"No." Victor said shading his human eye from the sun. "I don't think it's him. It might be – "
"Jacob." Garfield cut Victor off. "It's Jacob