I was wrong, there will be 31 chapters. This one got way away from me and became quite long, but I couldn't figure out where to cut it, so you get the whole thing. I hope you enjoy it.
I own nothing. The Teen Titans belong to DC and their respective creators.
Chapter titles are taken from the song "Valerie Plame" by Peter Tracy.
Her shoulder screaming, Raven hissed, "Good."
Melvin released her and stepped back, but Raven shook her head. "Again."
"I'm exhausted," Cheshire said from where she was paired up with Bee. "Can't we take a break?"
"Or at least learn something useful?" Rose complained. "How to break an arm or something?"
Raven paused, pushing her hair back as she eyed the girls. It was nearing midafternoon. They had yet to be allowed up to shower, but she had heard people moving around upstairs all night. Things quieted down now, but the voices were building back up again and there were definitely more than before. It wouldn't be long before the sale – one more day, maybe two if they were lucky.
"You're such a badass," Bee agreed with the others. "Can't you teach us something more than escaping grabs?"
"Yeah," Melvin said. "Like how to snap some ribs."
Frowning, Raven rubbed her sore shoulder. "No."
As the chorus of complaints began to grow, Raven spoke over them. "This isn't a game or a T.V. show where the bad guys will check themselves because you're girls. They have guards. Guns. Powerful friends. They got to this point by being ruthless. If we pull this off, they will be ruined. We have names, faces, and multiple witnesses. That means they will do anything to keep you from escaping. So no, I'm not going to teach how to break their wrist, because they have guns and they will use them. They will shoot to kill because they can't risk you getting away."
Melvin had gone pale and even the arrogant Rose looked chagrined. Raven didn't stop. "I'll teach you how to escape. I'll teach you to get away, because if you do, you'll break far more than a rib. And it'll do a hell of a lot more damage to them." She eyed each of them, finding a new resolution on their faces. "So, again."
This time, not a single complaint was heard.
They kept at it for another couple of hours, only taking a break to plan where they were going to plant the bombs, and who was going to do it.
"It can't be you," Cheshire pointed out when Raven volunteered. "They've got their eyes on you. And we'll need a distraction. I'll do it."
"And me."
Everyone's heads swung towards Melvin.
Raven frowned slightly, "Melvin…"
"I can do it," she interrupted, raising her chin. "I can."
Ignoring the look Bee and Rose sent her, Raven nodded. "All right." Quickly, she explained how to set the bombs and the best places.
"What about lighting the fuse?" Rose asked.
"Easy. We get someone into the bathroom just before going up there," Raven answered. "They'll have the lighter-"
"What lighter?"
"The one I'm going to steal. Claim to need the bathroom, light the fuse, and get out. In the confusion, you'll all make a run for it." Raven ran through everything in her head, the remembered another important piece of information. "Oh, and all of you need to memorize this phrase: Můžete mi přímo na americkém velvyslanectví?" She said it slowly several times before each girl had it down passably.
"What does it mean?" Cheshire asked.
"It means, 'Can you tell me where the American Embassy is?'"
Bee laughed in awe, "We're actually going to do this, aren't we. We're all going to get out."
Raven saw the girls smile at one another, the first ray of hope she'd seen since meeting them. "Yeah."
"Beast?"
Garfield shifted in his cramped seat. The apartment had been vacant for some time, but whoever used to live here had left something in the fridge and it was rank. The bathroom with the frosted window didn't smell much better, but it was the best viewing point for the building. There were two small windows up top that opened out to vent out the theoretically warm water - when he splashed water on his face it had been just this side of freezing - so Garfield had pulled in a small step ladder to give him a seat. It was pretty narrow, though, and he'd already been there for two hours.
"What's up, Elasti-Girl?" he murmured, taking the binoculars away for a moment to rub at his eyes.
"Is Robot Man in yet?" she asked him.
"Nah, no sign. Negative Man and Mento?"
She moved, a chair creaking in the background. "Still out. They found one of the names you mentioned - Mallah. They're going to intercept and get Negative Man his seat."
"Good."
"Are you all right?"
He chuckled unhappily, "Fan-fucking-tastic."
"Language."
"Sorry."
"But really. Are you all right?"
He sighed, rubbing his forehead. "I'll be okay tomorrow."
"We'll get her back," Rita said gently.
"I know."
Rita waited, but when Garfield didn't continue, she spoke again. "What's she like, this spy of yours? All Mento has said is that she's difficult. And you and I haven't had a chance to speak."
"Maybe not on an open line."
"It's closed. You and I can hear the others when they radio in, but they can't hear us until I let them."
He smiled faintly, aware that he wasn't escaping this line of questioning. Not with Rita. "Rae is…" Garfield looked up at the ceiling, "She's so damn amazing. She's smart and funny and quick and gorgeous. Difficult, sure. And stubborn as all hell. Reckless. She's got a temper and one hell of an attitude. She can be judgmental and proud. But she's…she's so good."
"As a spy?"
"Everything. She's a good friend, an awesome spy, but she'd down to her bones a good person. She's been dragged through the gutter and you can bet for damn sure that she's in there working on a way to get out. She turning those girls into a freaking League of Assassins or something." He smiled at the thought, but it faded.
"She sees everything the way it should be. The world, the spy game. Me. She got me talking about my parents and the gangs and all this shit just because she asked. The Titans tell me I'm a good agent and they want me with them, and even Mento doesn't want me with him half the time." He huffed, shifting in the step ladder. "They barely ask for anything and I'm pushing myself beyond everything else I've ever done. I've never worked harder or been more focused or…Hell, I've never led a mission before and here I am. Leading a suicidal mission for this girl because I…" He became very conscious of the words coming out of his mouth. So he swallowed a few back and instead said, "I don't know what I'd do without her."
"But you're coming back to DP," Rita reminded him. She didn't sound pleased about it.
"That was the deal."
"You don't need DP, not with Interpol on your side."
Garfield had that same thought the night before. "Because I trust you. X may be on the level, but he's still only one man."
Rita sounded conflicted, "Garfield, if you-"
"Pulling up," Cliff interrupted.
Garfield straightened, hearing a faint click from the comm. "I've got eyes," he murmured.
A dark car pulled up and Cliff got out of the back, the buzzed head and semi-permanent tattoos on his neck and arms looking legitimate. He had been given a new Hood jacket, of slightly better quality than most. He played into the part, grabbing a cigarette and a lighter from his pocket. Garfield watched the driver - another Hood - lead Cliff round to the side door. Two knocks, then three, then one. He jotted it down on his notebook, never looking away.
"Anyway," an unfamiliar voice came through the comm, "here's where most of the work will be taking place. Bill, he's running point, he put you by this door. Check names and pictures against the paperwork and get rid of anyone who doesn't match."
"Simple enough," Cliff rumbled. Perfect. He'd help get Larry in even with his hasty credentials.
"Don't say that. Something'll go wrong, I'm certain of it. This batch has been worse than the rest. I'm sure we'll have issues with them tomorrow night. So just be on guard."
"Can do."
"Great, let me take you to meet the few people you need to know. Big rules here are don't mess with the merchandise and don't bother the bosses. So let's get you geared up and I'll show you where to bunk for tonight." Footsteps echoed in a fairly large area before he said, "Bathrooms are over there - men's have got showers and all - and this is where the stage'll be once it's fini-"
A faint shout echoed through the comms and Cliff's guide swore.
"Not again," he said. "Come on, we could use you."
"What's going on?" They were running now, the patter of their feet speeding up.
"Shitty product. There's this one girl down there and she's done nothing but cause problems since she got here."
Garfield tensed "Oh, shit."
"Your girl?" Rita asked.
"Probably."
Another scream echoed up - this one definitely male.
Garfield amended his statement.
"Definitely my girl."
Raven ignored the arrival of two more guards, but the red jackets almost made her pause. Hoods? Still, she kept her focus on the new guy - Johnny had been replaced and Raven almost found herself missing him.
Andre was the new man in charge, a seeming French poof who didn't want to get his hands dirty.
Then he'd come down and tried to take Melvin upstairs alone. Raven hadn't allowed it.
"Get back, girl, before you become even more damaged," he ordered.
Raven held her spot between him and Melvin. Bee had dragged her behind the rest of them, but Raven could still hear Melvin's shaky breathing.
"Try to touch her again, and I'll break your wrist," Raven promised.
"Tasha," Melvin pleaded, fear making her shake. "Don't, you'll get in trouble."
"'Cause it's been a picnic so far," Bee muttered.
Andre's lip curled up in a sneer. "And why the sudden display of fight? Tomorrow night you'll all be sold to the highest bidder. Think of this as a dry run."
Raven's stomach churned and her fists clenched.
"Leave the girls alone, Andre," one of the new arrivals said. The big man behind him remained silent, his eyes focused on Raven and letting the cigarette in his mouth burn away. "You know the rules."
"What Wilson doesn't know won't hurt me," Andre said. He made to shove Raven aside, the girls' voices rising in fear and anger.
"Come on, little girl," Andre purred.
No.
Raven snarled, leaping forward and tackling Andre to the ground, the surprise of the movement doing more than whatever strength she had left. Sliding over his arm, Raven grabbed his elbow in one hand and twisted his arm back, grabbing his wrist before using her feet as leverage on his forearm and stomping down the same time she pulled up.
Andre screamed and Raven got off of him as other guards finally moved. She didn't blink as they grabbed her arms, but struggled enough to put up a semblance of a fight as she stared down at Andre. "I warned you."
The smaller man on her right sighed. "Come on. Boss'll have to hear about this." He looked to the two men who had come down with Andre. "Get him out of here. And leave the girls alone."
The hauled Raven back up the stairs, which hurt her ribs, but she grinned when she heard Andre scream. They shoved her into the chair at the small table again and she was told to wait.
Raven looked around, unable to keep from being impressed at the progress they'd made. There was a small round stage in the middle of the room. Surrounding it were about 15 small cubicle-type rooms with doors away from the stage and the opening to the center. A few men were working on erecting some type of metal detector by the side entrance. Raven marked that in her mind - if they needed weapons, that might be her best bet.
The clack of shoes on the wood floor made Raven glance over her shoulder. Blood approached her, pausing only to talk quickly with the Hood from the cellar. Raven crossed her arms and waited for Blood to come and sit down.
He wrinkled at his nose at her. "You, my dear, have been better."
Raven refused to be offended by that. "Yeah, well, my accommodations suck."
Blood chuckled. "Still the same spirit. I've missed that. I hear you're causing trouble."
"Your guards are a little handsy."
He smiled, "And it's your job to stop them?"
"Well, somebody has to."
"How I've missed this witty repartee between us, Ms. Finn. You are far too clever to be wasted in the bedroom. Which, of course, is where most of the girls will end up. For a time, at least."
"Is there a point to this?" Raven snapped. "I've got a nice corner in my cell and I don't want to lose it."
"Yes. I've decided that I will purchase you."
Raven had a moment where she thought to hide her true reaction. Then, she realized she didn't care. They'd taken her team, her freedom - her partner. She'd save these girls no matter what and she'd take down Blood and Wilson. But as for what happened to her?
She couldn't bring herself to care.
So when Blood made his comment, Raven let go of the urge to hide her response and just laughed at him. She laughed until Blood started to frown.
"You think Wilson is going to let you?" Raven asked him incredulously. "He runs this sale. What makes you think you can lift a finger against him?"
"I am an essential part of this operation. Wilson needs-"
"A lackey. A face to blame. A fall guy." Raven's words were cutting. "And you've been so damn willing to take that fall, you're begging for it. For more fame, more fortune, more power. You never even realized that it's all his. You've got nothing without him. You are nothing without him."
Blood's eyes were hard and his hands were shaking in anger. Raven just smiled and stood.
"I didn't say you could leave!" Blood shouted.
"And Wilson would want you taking me out of the cell?" she retorted.
The fearful blink made Raven lean her hands on the table and get in his face. "If you want to talk to me again, double check with your boss, first."
She walked off and Blood didn't call after her.
One more day. Just one more day.
She could do it.
Garfield wasn't sure how, but X appeared about three minutes before their planning meeting started. He winked upon entering and Garfield made a note to check the rooms for bugs.
Ignoring the looks of irritation and surprise on Steve and Larry's faces, X tossed a bag of chips onto the table, "I brought snacks." He sat down next to Garfield as if he'd been invited, an easy grin on his face.
Garfield hid his smile and turned back to Rita, who'd been interrupted. "Blood hasn't left the building, but we haven't seen Wilson since he left yesterday evening. We'll have to keep an eye out for him, but keep a low profile. We can't let anything spook them into cancelling the sale."
"Such as the antics of Raven," Steve muttered.
Garfield cast him a faint glare, "She doesn't know she has backup. She's doing what she can."
"And it's been fairly effective," Rita added in quietly, pretending not to notice Steve's look of surprise.
"That's Raven," X agreed. "Causing trouble everywhere. So what's the plan, fearless leader?"
With a glance at Steve, Garfield started the meeting.
"The sale is going down tomorrow night, at 9. Elasti-Girl and Mento are here as our eyes, making sure no one gets out."
"I'll get you a comm to Interpol as well," X said to Rita. "You'll be our relay."
Garfield continued, "Negative Man is going in under the name Mallah-"
"The real one is currently in a Czech prison," Larry added with a smile.
"So we won't have to worry about him showing up." Garfield glanced at the screen, where they knew Cliff was listening, if not responding. "Robot Man is working security and he's already inside. He'll get us in."
"Most of the men we've been researching come with 2-5 bodyguards," Rita reminded them. "I'm out because apparently, women aren't allowed."
"Sure they are. If they're on the menu." X didn't blink at the annoyed glance Rita cast him. He grinned and continued, "I'll do it."
Larry glanced at Garfield, who nodded slightly. X would be fine. "Me too."
Steve cut his eyes over at him, "You've been made. You can't."
"Negative Man'll help me out with a decent disguise. Besides, there'll be a bunch of assholes there and I doubt Blood and Wilson will be checking out the security themselves. With Robot Man in place, it'll be cake."
"You're too close."
"I'm going."
"But you-"
Garfield silenced him with a fierce glare. "I. Am. Going." He held the stare until Steve looked away. "What else?"
X glanced between them with a grin. "Tense. Interpol will be outside, waiting for my signal once we confirm the girls, Blood, Wilson, and the buyers are in place. They'll cover all the exits."
"They'll have to move quickly," Steve said, apparently getting over his battle with Garfield. "If they think they're going to be caught, who knows what they'll do."
Garfield nodded grimly. "We'll need some sort of a distraction."
"What're you thinking?" X asked, leaning forward to grab the untouched bag of chips and tear it open. "Gun fight'll be too dangerous."
"And they'll probably confiscate those going in," Larry pointed out. "Which could be a good thing to have access to…"
Rita relayed that through to Cliff, as Garfield answered X's question. "I was thinking C4. Just enough to make a dent."
"Bathrooms?" Steve frowned.
Garfield nodded, "Flooding, decent noise, central enough to cause a bit of a panic. Interpol moves in while we cover the girls."
"Again, with what weapons?" Larry reminded them.
"Robot Man'll get them," Garfield said confidently.
"How will we get the C4 in?" X asked.
Garfield smirked slightly, "The Titans have something that'll help." He ignored Steve's frown and looked around, "Robot Man gets us weapons once we're in. Wait until we've got confirmation that everyone's inside, then I'll set off the bomb. X, Negative Man, Robot Man, and me get the girls out. Interpol handles the buyers. We'll take Blood and Wilson when it's all done. Agreed?" He glanced at X, anticipating some kind of argument for taking the two biggest fish, but he just continued to smile, crunching chips obnoxiously. The others nodded.
"Don't think I need to tell you what's at stake here," Garfield said quietly. "Not counting the girls in there, if Wilson or Blood get free, there'll be a bunch more on our hands. We can't let them get out."
Steve and Rita nodded. Larry shrugged, unable to be flustered.
X smiled, but it was a dark grin. "They won't."
"Good. Then get some rest. Tomorrow'll be busy."
Raven slowly leaned her head back against the wall, trying to take in a deep breath and wincing as her ribs shifted in a way they shouldn't. Her shoulders ached, she'd had a headache for days now, and she got these bouts of nausea that were probably not a good sign. She was cut and bruised all over and wanted nothing more than to sleep for a week.
But it was almost over. Just a few hours left, then they'd either be free or she'd be dead.
Melvin was pressed up against her side, close enough that every time she shifted, Raven's ribs complained. Raven remained quiet, though, putting her hand over Melvin's, tightly clasped in her lap. It may have been partially nerves, but Raven knew there was a lighter hidden there, too. Raven had lifted it from the bigger Hood when she'd hurt Andre. She might not have been as good as Rose, but she was good enough. Melvin had offered to hold it and Raven had passed it on.
The green dress wasn't doing any favors for Melvin's pale complexion, but at least it was clean. They'd finally been allowed upstairs to shower and change, though that had been a battle on its own.
It hadn't been until late this afternoon that their cell had been opened and the girls had been ordered out. Luckily, Cheshire had been by the door and heard them coming, giving her and Melvin enough time to grab the two pipe bombs and hide them beneath their clothes. Raven slid the lighter into her pocket and followed the others.
They been forced to line up and head into the men's restroom. Bee paled when she saw the three men waiting inside the room, the showers already running.
"You've got five minutes," one of them ordered. "Get going."
Melvin turned wide eyes onto the others when the men clearly weren't going to leave. Cheshire met Raven's gaze, unsure. Raven could see the faint bulge from the bomb at Cheshire's back and thought quickly.
"I'm not showering with you all here," Bee informed them. Rose nodded, crossing her arms.
"Today, tonight, what's the fucking difference?" the guard muttered. "Let's go. Four and a half minutes, now."
Bee glanced at Raven, who swallowed, torn. Cheshire moved towards the stall and was stopped by one of the others. "Where are you going?"
"Where does it look like?" Cheshire asked. She moved past him and shut the stall door behind her. The running water of the showers masked the noises in there slightly, but Raven heard metal on porcelain and bit the bullet.
Turning away from the guards, Raven stripped off the soiled clothes she'd been in for the past few days and stepped under the spray, passing the lighter from her clothes to her mouth. The water was freezing, so she moved quickly, trying to forget the audience. To her left and right, she saw the other girls doing the same, Bee and Rose using the toilets, subtly pulling Melvin towards the stall Cheshire had used. When they returned, the three of them quickly showered as well, all pretending not to see the silent tears on Melvin's face.
They turned off the water at exactly five minutes, handing out worn towels to each of them. Raven glared at the man who took a little too long to give her the towel, snatching it out of his hands. After they were dried off, they were handed dresses that were barely decent, but at least clean. Raven pulled it on quickly, the low cut, short hemmed dress better than nothing. They were given back the shoes they'd worn in and Raven slid the lighter into the dress while she was bent over.
Afterwards, they had been shuffled into a small room – a storage closet of some kind – off the edge of the auditorium. It seemed like they would be led down a small gap in the circle to the center of the stage. The open sides of the cubicles had been filled in with one-way mirrors, allowing the people within the cubicle to see out, but not for whoever was in the center of the stage to see in. To be seen, but not see.
The girls were mostly silent the two hours they were kept in there, knowing the responsibility that lay with the last girl. She would have to fake illness to get back into the bathroom and light the bombs. It was essential. It was necessary. Without the distraction, there was no way any of them could get out.
Raven flinched when Blood's voice echoed through the speakers outside their room.
"Welcome, welcome! I'm so pleased you could be here. We've got a good crop for you tonight."
The guard at the door grabbed Rose's arm, pulling her to her feet. Rose glanced at Raven, her thin mouth not revealing any trace of fear. Still, she stared until Raven nodded once, and only then allowed herself to be pulled outside.
The door swung closed behind Rose as Blood continued to MC. He acted like he was hosting an Oscar's ceremony and Raven's stomach turned again.
"We'll walk them through, then start the bidding after you've seen the options," Blood continued. "As always, the bidding will open once the first price is offered and close after ten seconds of silence. Let's begin." There was a brief period of silence, then Blood started again. "First up is Rose. A beautiful young woman with a decent enough figure, she'd more bark than bite. Still, she can take a few hits, which is something you all enjoy. Twenty-two, she's been around the block, but she looks younger. The opening bid will be at $7,000. Take a look, gentlemen."
The second guard pointed at Cheshire, next in line. If they continued, Melvin would be the last girl out. Raven squeezed her hand and nodded at the prize within. Melvin gave her a quick jerk of the head that Raven took as agreement.
Slowly, the line diminished, working its way down to Raven. Every girl that left was marched in front of men while Blood commented on the size of her breasts, the color of her hair, her age, whether or not she was a virgin, all lined up like sports statistics. Raven inhaled when Bee walked out, casting a frantic glance over her shoulder at Raven and Melvin, the last two left. And then they pointed at Raven.
She squeezed Melvin's hands one last time. "See you in a bit," she whispered. She stood before the men told her to, and took a step towards the door.
"Tasha?" Melvin's voice was tiny and terrified.
"It'll be okay," Raven told her. "I promise."
Melvin nodded and her wide eyes were the last thing Raven saw before the door closed behind her.
Waiting in their tiny assigned room, Garfield wondered if this had all been a little too easy. Cliff had been manning security, letting the three of them pass without hesitation. The C4 on Garfield didn't set off any alarms, but he was certain Cliff had felt it when he searched him.
"No sign of Wilson yet," Cliff whispered as he handed back Garfield's faked security.
Garfield nodded, seeing X glance around.
"Girls are being kept in a side room for the moment," Cliff added.
Larry glanced up and in a snide voice ordered, "Let's go."
Cliff shoved him forward a bit for show, then turned to the next guest.
Next thing Garfield knew, he was in and milling around with the rest of the scum of the earth, most of them chatting with flutes of champagne. Larry had spoken to a few, before being approached by Blood. Garfield had turned his face away, taking a couple of steps away from the group. X slid into his place without hesitation and Garfield listened in on the conversation.
"Monsieur Mallah," Blood greeted. "Such a pleasure to meet you in person. I've enjoyed our brief emails."
"As have I. A good crowd this evening," Larry said confidently, the French accent just thick enough to denote a native speaker, but the English obviously well studied. "I do not see Mr. Wilson, though," Larry added with a glance at the crowd.
Garfield kept his face averted, but could hear the way Blood's voice grew colder. "Wilson will be here shortly. But I can handle anything you might need."
Larry laughed off the tension, "Of course. I think a glass of champagne will suffice. Then I would like to sit down. It's been a long day. When will it start?"
Blood waved over a waiter and Garfield almost spoke up. It was Billy, all dressed up in armor that was too big for him, unaware that he had signed his own death sentence by taking this job. Had Garfield's life gone a different way, that could have been him.
He ducked his head as Blood waved Billy away and reverted back to pleasant host. "Of course. Your room is third from the walkway. An excellent view. Your phone is waiting inside. We should start about 5 after."
"Perfect. Good evening, Mr. Blood."
"And you, Monsieur Mallah."
They separated and Garfield returned to the group once Blood was out of eyesight. Larry glanced at him briefly and then they found the room with his fake name on it. X looked over the room while Larry examined the phone. Garfield stayed by the door, keeping his foot in front of it for good measure.
Suddenly, a voice was piped into each room from the small speakers on the table, "Welcome, welcome! I'm so pleased you could be here. We've got a good crop for you tonight."
The show had started.
As Blood began to blather on, Garfield realized just how deeply they were in this. He watched the first girl, Rose, being pushed onto the stage while Blood talked about her like she was a new fashion trend. X had stopped looking around the room, apparently not finding any bugs at all, as he watched Rose stand in the middle of the stage, trying to look brave but her shaking hands belying her feelings.
"This is so messed up," X muttered, his fists clenching.
"Is Wilson here yet?" Larry asked through the comm, his voice coming out sharper than Garfield had ever heard it.
"No," Steve answered. "Hold your position."
So they were forced to watch as girl after girl was shoved onto the stage. Some cried, others just stood in shock. Every time a new one appeared, Garfield chest tightened and then released when it wasn't Raven. But he knew she was coming.
A knock at the door made Garfield tense and step behind it, allowing X to answer. Larry turned in the chair, watching over his shoulder as X opened it just a fraction.
Cliff's voice made Garfield relax. "Here. This is all I can get for now. Hoods are armed. Make it count." He shoved three pistols into X's hands and shut the door quickly, returning to his post.
X passed him and Larry each one. Garfield ejected the clip and counted. 12 bullets. Not great. Shoving it down the back of his suit pants, he leaned his back against the mirrored glass, needing the coolness. "Mento?"
"Not yet."
Larry sighed, rubbing his eyes. "We still have all the bidding to get through. We've got time."
Garfield nodded. "I know, but-"
"Next up is a rather difficult girl. But who doesn't love one who can take a little punishment?"
Garfield saw the look on X's face and knew who would be on that stage. He swallowed tightly, closing his eyes.
"There's a discount for her current condition, as well as the fact that she's not untouched. But she's strong and pretty enough for even the roughest of you, though I recommend clipping her wings before you do anything else. She's feisty, this one. We'll start the bidding for Natasha at $8,000."
"Fucking assholes," X cursed.
Garfield's stomach lurched and his nails bit into his palms.
"Stay focused, Beast." Steve's voice was uncharacteristically calm.
Garfield inhaled briefly, then turned around.
Raven stood on the platform. The lighting couldn't hide the black eye or mottled bruising on her side, and the dress wasn't doing much to cover it up either. The black dress was ill-fitting, the one strap constantly slipping off her shoulder. It barely reached her thighs - also covered in marks and cuts. Still, Raven's chin was held high as she glared at the buyers, as if she could see through the glass to who waited behind it. When her eyes passed over him, Garfield took a half-step forward. She was beaten and bloodied and bruised, but it was her.
"Take a good look, gentlemen. This is a unique find."
Garfield watched Raven scoff, then turn and walk off the platform, joining the other girls who had been lined up on the side. They were clearly waiting for something, but no one appeared. Then Blood spoke up, "Small delay, but we've saved the best for last. Be patient."
Garfield kept his eyes on Raven, watching how all the others girls looked to her, like she was going to help them somehow. Raven smiled at them briefly, but he could see how pale she was and how her fingers were tight around her wrist. She was nervous. He wished he could tell her just to hold on for another few minutes.
Steve's voice came through the comm quietly, "Wilson just came in. Beast, make your move."
He couldn't move, he couldn't leave her up there.
X nudged him. "Get it together, man. Go."
"Right." Garfield tore his eyes away from the woman on the side of the stage and left, consciously trying to unclench his fists. The faster he could blow this place up, the faster they could all get out of here, the faster he could find Blood and beat the ever-loving shit out of him and anyone else who got in his way.
He got to the bathroom, but was stopped by a Hood at the door. "Just a minute, sir."
Garfield frowned, "What's going on?"
"Nothing, just one of the-"
He broke off as the door opened and a young girl stepped out. She had dirty blonde hair and the green dress was obviously meant for an older girl who had matured. This girl wasn't even fourteen.
"All right." The Hood waved him in as she looked up at him, her eyes huge and terrified. Garfield had to bite back the urge to smile at her, to try to reassure her. He hurried into the bathroom, not entirely sure he wasn't going to be sick.
Ignoring the man at the urinal, Garfield headed into a stall. Quickly, he withdrew the small lead lined container from his pockets and pulled out the C4 and detonator. The man flushed the urinal and the door creaked as he left. Reaching around the back of the toilet, he attached the C4, holding his breath as he tried to get it just right, "Placing the C4 now, timer set for-"
He paused, a faint and uncomfortably familiar sound making itself known in the silence.
"Beast?"
Frowning, Garfield shoved the C4 into place, pocketing the detonator, and went into the first stall, where the noise was coming from. He lifted off the lid of the tank and nearly dropped it.
"Oh, shit."
Melvin tripped as she was pushed onto the stage, catching herself on her hands before pushing up to her knees. Tears were streaming down her face as she looked around her, Blood's chipper commentary echoing around the room.
"Young, untouched, and unpracticed. The true prize of our collection tonight. Bidding for sweet, little Melvin will begin at $10,000. With that, you'll have two minutes to make your decision before we start the-"
BOOM!
The explosion rattled the entire room, far larger than it should have been with two tiny pipe bombs. Raven was moving before the echo had faded, lunging up towards the stage to grab Melvin's wrist and drag her the way they had entered the stage.
"Go!" she screamed, when the girls remained still. Rose led the charge, barreling straight into the one Hood that was able to get to his feet and try to stop them. He hit the ground hard and Raven only paused long enough to grab the pistol that had been shoved into his belt.
Rose was leading the girls back down the walkway to the storage room. The door opened and the guards who'd been in there watching them came out, their eyes wide. As they saw the girls approaching, they reached for their guns, but hesitated.
Raven didn't. Melvin jumped and cried as Raven fired two shots and the Hoods went down, bullets through their shoulders. It probably wouldn't kill them. Even if it did, Raven wasn't entirely sure she cared.
Rose veered off, hugging the wall as she headed in the direction of the bathrooms. The stage and cubicles kept the exit from being too accessible, so they had to make it halfway around the circle before they were free.
Which meant a lot of angry buyers.
The first few cubicles were opened, but the men inside were gone, clearly heading towards the exit. Smoke was pouring out of the bathroom and the door hung off of one hinge. Three Hoods, including the small guy from the day before and the one that had eyed Raven in the shower, were on the ground with bits of metal and glass in their shoulders. Cheshire tripped over one of them and he didn't move at all.
"Don't stop!" Bee shouted, when Cheshire seemed to think about doing just that. She shoved the Asian girl forward, almost knocking into Rose.
A cubicle opened and out stepped three men, all wearing suits and looking pissed.
"Look out!" Melvin screamed.
One of the men grabbed Bee, twisting her arm around. Raven shot the gun, taking out the other two, but couldn't get a clear shot without risking Bee or the other girls. Suddenly, Bee slammed her head back and stomped on the man's shin and instep, making him release her enough that Raven had a clear line of sight. She took it.
More and more men were pouring out of the rooms, more concerned with getting out than what the girls were doing. The exit was being swarmed with men and Raven saw the leaders of their little group - Rose and Bee - hesitate as a few of those men, seeing safety just without the door, suddenly turned their attention back on the girls. She didn't have enough bullets to get all of them.
"Go left," Raven told them, pushing them when they didn't immediately move. "Go! There's another exit!"
Rose - thank God for Rose - moved first, pulling Cheshire and another girl along with her. More gunshots started to rung through the air and the girls tried to keep low as they ran, cubicles being peppered with bullet holes. Shouting echoed in from outside the building and Raven hoped against hope there were authorities out there.
Melvin tripped and Raven dragged her a few feet, slowing down but not stopping. The others pulled ahead and Raven saw the inky darkness of the night sky when Rose hauled the door open. Quickly, the girls tumbled outside, one by one. Raven got Melvin to her feet and took two steps forward.
A hard blow knocked Raven to the side, tangling up with Melvin and throwing them both to the ground. The gun skittered away across the concrete, away from the exit. Raven got her wits about her and hauled herself to her feet in front of Melvin.
Johnny and Andre stood in front of her, the latter armed and the former just looking pissed.
"Where are you going, bitch?" Johnny spat out.
Andre aimed his gun at her, "We haven't had a chance to talk."
Raven froze - if she moved, it would hit Melvin; if she stayed, it might kill her and they would still get Melvin. She edged slightly more in front of Melvin, jumping when a bullet glanced off the ground in front of her. Andre turned with a frown, then fell back with a scream, his shoulder spraying blood over Raven and Melvin as a second shot cracked the air.
Turning, Raven saw men start pouring in from the first exit, their dark coats and pants some type of military. Someone was here. Someone had come for them.
Taking advantage of the distraction, Raven grabbed Melvin and shoved her towards the door, "Go!"
"Tash-"
"Run!" Raven ordered, turning back to face Johnny only one second too late.
Before Raven could blink, he had her up against the wall, giant hands around her throat as he squeezed. Raven tried to kick, but he shifted, thighs blocking her from kicking anything vital. Her vision started to sputter and fade as she gasped for any oxygen at all. Still, as authorities continued to pour in from the front, blocking the windows and doors as they gained ground, Raven couldn't help but feel somewhat elated. The girls were safe and the buyers were being arrested. They hadn't gotten away with it. Even if she didn't make it, Blood and Wilson would be caught. They-
Over Johnny's shoulder, she saw the two of them abscond out the back hallway in the fray.
They were getting away.
Dredging up every bit of strength she had, Raven slammed her hands on her elbows and kicked out at his lower stomach. He fell backwards and dropped Raven to the ground. She slid down the wall, her knees giving out. Dizzy and gasping, Raven struggled to haul herself to her feet, but stumbled. Johnny took in a deep breath and-
Fell to his knees, his eyes rolling back in his head. He hit the ground with a thud and didn't move again.
"Wh-" her words were choked off by a cough, her bruised throat complaining. She leaned forward, trying to catch her breath and having a choking fit instead. When a hand touched her back, she flinched, but whoever it was made no move to hurt her.
Ears ringing and vision swimming, Raven looked up at her would-be rescuer, the hands soothing over her back appreciated but unnecessary. She tried to croak out some sort of thank you, but the words died in her throat.
Garfield crouched beside her.
Raven grabbed his arms tightly, wondering if the lack of oxygen made her hallucinate, wondering if she let go if he would just disappear.
His eyes were bruised with exhaustion, his hair unruly, his face smudged with soot and ash and blood. Even the arms she held onto were cut and dirtied with whatever it had taken to get in here. The suit he was wearing was nicer than his undercover security garb for Kori, but it was torn and stained, the obvious bulges of weapons ruining the fine lines it had once had.
But it was him.
He caught her face in his hands, the rough, blunt-tipped fingers soothing over her cheeks, even as her own hands tightened on him.
"Hey," he tried to smile, but it faltered and fell short.
"You-you're-" Raven mumbled, her throat aching and stinging with every syllable, but she couldn't help it.
He interrupted her gently, "Late, and don't I know it."
She shook her head as he helped both of them to their feet, trying to argue but finding herself too drained. He took off his suit jacket and pulled it over her shoulders. Raven inhaled deeply – nobody could fake that smell. That, more than anything, proved that he was real. That he was alive.
That Wilson had lied to her. For days, he had let her believe that Garfield had died trying to save her, only to find out that he was here, very clearly alive.
Though she couldn't speak well, Raven drew herself up. This wasn't over until she had Blood and Wilson in handcuffs. Not just for what they'd done to these girls, or to her team, or to Garfield, but for what they'd done to her.
She held onto his arms tightly, still refusing to let go of this one piece of reality, no matter what else happened. However, the job wasn't finished.
"The girls?" she croaked.
Garfield twisted his head around, "All out, according to Interpol. Blood and Wilson?"
She let go of one of his arms, starting to the back of the auditorium. "This way."
For half a breath, she thought he was going to argue. That she was in no shape to go after someone, that she should stay here and let the authorities and Garfield clean up after this mess. Instead, he just smiled that half-crooked grin and handed her the gun she had dropped, taking the still-screaming Andre's as well.
He held out his hand to her.
"Come on, beautiful."
