"Swindle" by Ed Alger (SecondLevelWriter)
Author's Notes & Disclaimers: What, you expecting something different? It's all the same from the past bunch of chapters! Oh, well, there is one thing... "Take A Look At Me Now/Against All Odds" is likely owned by Phil Collins (and probably, by extension, the band Genesis). Also, "We're Not Gonna Take It" is performed (and likely owned) by Twisted Sister and Dee Snyder. I want my MTV.
Chapter 10
Resignation
Swindle could do nothing more than stand and gape at what he was seeing. Jinx had not only reverted back to her brainwashed self, but she was now clutching onto Stone's arm tighter than ever. After what looked like a rather heated response to Bumblebee's second request to cut in, the Titan spy looked back up to the stage with a regretful look on her face and held up her hands helplessly.
Time seemed to slow to a crawl for the rogue as he looked upon his one-time girlfriend, now lost to another. His heart felt like a lump of ice in his chest and every extremity became too heavy to lift an inch. Everything he had worked and fought for; fighting Slade and Terra to free Jinx from their trap, turning against the Titans, enrolling into the Hive Academy and trying to live through day after day of classes... all for nothing. His right hand found Jinx's gold bracelet still hanging from the belt loop and gripped it tightly.
He had to admit it sooner or later. It was over.
"Guys," he spoke at last. "Change of plans."
Bumblebee slipped back to the rear of the auditorium, watching her ally with concern. If the stories she'd heard were true...
The lights went low, prompting a slow dance song was coming up. Tim played a rather somber introduction on the keyboard, while Swindle was bathed in a deep blue spotlight. Without lifting his eyes to the crowd, he began singing.
How can I just let you walk away, just let you leave without a trace?
When I stand here taking every breath with you, ooh...
You're the only one who really knew me at all...
Swindle finally looked up and immediately saw Jinx. Memories filled his head as he looked upon the sorceress and continued to sing with a shaky voice.
How can you just walk away from me, when all I can do is watch you leave?
'Cause we've shared the laughter and the pain, and even shared the tears...
You're the only one who really knew me at all...
So take a look at me now, 'cause there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face...
Take a look at me now. Well, there's just an empty space
And you coming back to me is against all odds and that's what I've got to fa-a-a-ace...
Mike pounded out the beats to the bridge, which helped the thief's resolve to finish the song. He pulled the microphone off the stand and walked to the left end of the stage, staring out into space just briefly before his gaze returned to Jinx yet again. It looked like she was unsuccessful in getting Stone to dance with her, so she remained content to hug his arm.
I wish I could just make you turn around... turn around and see me cry!
There's so much I need to say to you, so many reasons why
You're the only one who really knew me at all...
Through the final chorus, Swindle paced back to the other side of the stage. He sang out as loud as his voice could manage, crouching to one knee when he made it back to center stage to finish the song.
So take a look at me now, 'cause there's just an empty space
And there's nothing left here to remind me, just the memory of your face
Take a look at me now, 'cause there's just an empty space
But to wait for you, well that's all I can do and that's what I've got to face
Take a good look at me now! 'Cause I-I-I'll still be standing here
And you coming back to me is against all odds
That's the chance I've got to take - - -
The rogue had tilted his head back as he held the last note, and let the microphone drop away with his hand while Tim played the next to last refrain. Swindle bowed his head forward, looking down at the floor of the stage as he barely was able to sing the last seven words.
Just take a look at me now...
"Oh, Swipe... I'm sorry." Bumblebee sighed sadly to herself as she slumped against the wall. Stone's ear had twitched when he heard someone mention the thief's former name. Suddenly, it all hit the robotic Titan like a sack of horseshoes. No wonder nobody knew where Swipe was, he was here as Swindle!
All this time, Swipe was trying to get Jinx back and he never knew the guy was there.
And now Jinx was currently attached to his arm.
Trying to fit in with the crowd couldn't have backfired any worse. He told Robin that this wasn't a good idea.
"He sounded so sad there, Stone. He must really miss his last girlfriend..." the hexer remarked softly. Stone noticed her grip on his arm had loosened a little. Maybe there was still a chance to make things right again.
"Y-Yeah... Yeah, he does - must! Say, uhm, it's getting late. I gotta hit the sack early so I'll be ready for tomorrow's exam."
"I'll walk with you. I should get some sleep, too. I haven't gotten my full eight hours in for the past few weeks."
"Really? How come?"
"I'll tell you on the way. It's a long story."
As they walked through the double doors past Bumblebee, the Titan spy furtively glanced up at Swindle in case he leapt off the stage in hot pursuit. The rogue only stood there with his head down, unaware that Jinx and Stone were leaving together.
Onstage, Tim and Dave checked on their friend, "Hey, Swipe? Are you okay, man?"
Mike stood up from behind his drums, "Are you just gonna let this happen? You're gonna give up on her?"
Jeff knelt by Swindle and added, just loud enough for the thief to hear, "You've got to get up, Swipe. You can't let her get away like this. You love her, I know you do. Don't let her get away."
Through his band mates' urgings, Swindle felt the pain in his heart slowly turn into a fiery rage in the pit of his stomach. They were all right, it can't end like this. It won't end like this. The rogue looked back up and into the crowd, but now only saw Bumblebee gesturing that the others had left. The fire grew stronger as his hand balled into a tight, shaking fist. For as badly as he wanted to go after them, he knew upon seeing the crowd stare anxiously up at him that he couldn't get out of the building without closing the set. They'd only try to stop him or slow him up with their compliments.
"One more song," he finally informed the guitarist. "By Twisted Sister. I think you know what I'm talking about."
"I think we do. Anytime you're ready, Mike!" Jeff called back as he signaled to the drummer and got back to his place.
After only one measure of just the drumbeat, Swindle immediately started singing. There was a fierce glint in his eye, and a distinct edge to his singing voice.
We're not gonna take it! No, we ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
We've got the right to choose and
there ain't no way we're losin'!
This is our life! This is our song!
We'll fight the powers that be just
don't pick our destiny 'cuz
you don't know us! You don't belong!
We're not gonna take it! No! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it ---anymore!
The rogue paced back and forth across the stage like a caged animal, a dark scowl etched on his face. The rest of the band started to wonder if he was using the royal "We" for this particular song.
Oh, you're so condescending!
Your gall is never ending!
We don't want nothing - not a thing from you!
Your life is trite and jaded - boring and confiscated!
If that's your best - your best won't do!
Ohh-ohh-oh Whoa-ohh-oh
We're right! (YEAH!)
We're free! (YEAH!)
We'll fight! (YEAH!)
You'll see! (YEAH!)
Whoa-oh, we're not gonna take it! No! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
I said, we're not gonna take it! NO! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
NO WAY!
As Jeff blasted out the bridge on his guitar, Swindle leapt down into the crowd and headed for the back of the auditorium. On the way, he pushed anyone and everyone who got in his path. Nobody got angry with him, as they figured it was all part of the act.
Ohh-ohh-oh Whoa-ohh-oh
We're right! (YEAH!)
We're free! (YEAH!)
We'll fight! (YEAH!)
You'll see! (YEAH!)
Woah-oh, we're not gonna take it! No! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
We're not gonna take it! No! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
Just you try and make us!
The rest of the band picked up the chorus while Swindle screamed the background insults toward the audience. All the while, Jeff and the others saluted their friend in a gesture to wish him well.
We're not gonna take it! (C'MON!)
NO! We ain't gonna take it! (YOU'RE ALL WORTHLESS AN' WEAK!)
We're not gonna take it --- anymore! (NOW DROP AN' GIMME TWENTY!)
Ohh, we're not gonna take it! NO! We ain't gonna take it!
We're not gonna take it --- anymore!
The rogue saluted back to his bandmates before he threw open the double doors behind him and dashed out into the main hall. Back in the auditorium, the cheering and applause was deafening. That didn't matter to him now, though. He ran with all his power to get back to the dormitory wing, just in time to catch "Stone" walking back to his room. Without thinking twice, Swindle threw a single knife into the wall ahead of the false student to stop him.
Stone jumped back a few steps and put up his guard, knowing full well who his attacker was, "Swipe! I didn't know you were here, seriously! I was just ---"
"Didn't you stop to think about how she'll feel, Cyborg?" the thief interrupted, causing the target of his fury to become wide-eyed with shock at being discovered. "Yeah, I know it's you! An' I know it's gonna break her heart when she finds out who you really are! Never mind the fact that I've been trying to get her outta here in the first place!"
The undercover Titan waved his hands defensively in front of him, "I know, I know! I'm sorry! It just happened, all right?"
Swindle got face-to-face with Cyborg, "No, it's not all right. I'm not about to stand idly by an' watch Jinx get ---"
Stone interrupted him this time, "Wait a minute! How come you haven't gotten her outta here in the first place?"
"Because her memory's been totally wiped out! She doesn't remember anything that happened in the last coupla months! I can't just drag her back to the motel like that!"
The Titan pondered the information, "That would explain her crush on me..." A killer glare from Swindle put Cyborg back on track, "Hey , how many times d'you want me to say that I'm sorry?" There was another moment of silence before he spoke again, "I got an idea. I'll tell her tomorrow that I'm going to be transferred out to another branch of the academy. Their location is a secret, so she won't be able to write or contact me at all. How does that sound? Is that letting her down gently enough?"
Swindle paused to think it over, "Y'know, all things considered... That's actually pretty damn good. It's better than anything I can come up with."
"Thanks. I know she's important to you, Swipe..."
"Swindle."
"Sorry. Swindle. I still remember the show you put on at the club, and what Star told us all afterward. That's why I didn't get why she started getting that crush on me."
"An' that's also why I want to put Brother Blood outta commission," the thief replied, smacking a fist into his palm. "I won't leave this place without Jinx."
"She means that much to you, doesn't she?"
Swindle ruffled up his slicked-back hair and grinned, "If this is any clue... I'd take on the whole school if I had to." A bell sounded, indicating that it was time for lockdown, "Yeah, yeah, I hear ya... Well, I'm glad we had this talk, Cy... er, Stone. I feel a little bit better now."
"Whatever help you need, I'll be glad to give it. You have a good night, Swindle."
With that, the two students returned to their rooms before the rest of the masses left the auditorium. The rogue entered his room and shut the door behind him, leaning against it shortly afterward. He fished the bracelet from his pocket and held it between his fingers. Hope was alive once more, even if it was on an iron lung for the time being.
Meanwhile, Stone/Cyborg was recieving a transmission from the Titans. He hadn't called them in a while, since he couldn't get a chance away from the eyes of the Hive Academy and there was a major test to study for.
End of Chapter 10
In Chapter 11 - More ups and downs, but mostly downs, await the rogue as the headmaster's ultimate project reaches its completion. Cyborg will try to help Swindle get Jinx back, along with Bumblebee, unless... What's that look for? This is a drama, after all!