You can save my life if you stay all night
But you don't owe me in the morning
You could read my mind, you could make my heart beat
But you're never gonna own it
Let me know, let me know
Are you out?
Are you in?
Will you say so?
Yeah, we can't hold on and we can't let go
Stuck in reverse
You're a long way from everybody
You're the one that's brokenhearted
Can you even see what you do to me?
- Reverse, Goo Goo Dolls
Three days of doing nothing really begins to eat at Apache.
The frequent trips outside to do her business were about it, and Jinx always had her tethered.
On the second day Jinx had in fact found a length of rope a good twenty feet long and that was what Apache was tied to when Jinx left her outside. She actually felt grateful. She didn't have to do the unsightly in front of Jinx, which would have been way beyond degrading for them both.
Jinx had went on a solo heist and left Apache outside in the middle of the night at one point. She was only gone for an hour and Apache had refuge in the warehouse but still. She had tried to chew through the rope where it was tied to an old water spout during that time. She hoped that would be a good place incase Jinx had come back before she could finish so the girl didn't see the frayed rope. Apache had been surprised when Jinx had come back, two overly full duffle bags slung over her shoulders. Full of what Apache hadn't known.
Despite this, Apache was still nothing short of fuming. She wasn't ever left alone long enough to attempt to finish chewing through the rope so she didn't even try lest she get caught trying, and her collar is too tight to slip out of.
Not to mention the growing knot in her stomach the longer she stayed around and watched the charming girl.
It's more than terrifying her.
Because she knows this feeling all too well.
She needs to hurry and get away from the charming thief before she makes a decision she'll regret.
A wave of warmth blasts through her belly as she watches Jinx play Just Dance on the new looking Wii from her spot in the corner of the nice leather couch. She'd finally gathered enough courage to lay on the couch with the girl last night when she had insisted that Apache join her. She didn't realize just how much she loves being a pillow as a dog. She can still vividly remember the smell of strawberries, lavender, sage and sugar.
The wave of her hips.
The adorable tilt of her head.
Her light nimble steps.
Her precision.
Her absolute grace.
Her charming and conniving grin.
Apache lowers her ears.
She's making herself sick.
Because this feeling, not long before Jinx took her, had blossomed for Raven as well.
And it's not just admiration.
She knows the difference.
Admiration had worn off about a month after she'd gotten here. She's way over that now.
She's completely sick over it; she'd never even felt this way about her girlfriend, and she'd thought she loved her. And it wasn't something she took lightly. It had taken her almost a year to tell her girlfriend she loved her, when she was positive that she did. They were even talking about getting married in a few years.
Jinx dances her way through at least half the songs before sighing and shutting the Wii off. She stretches before glancing at the clock on the DVD player.
"It's one? Wow, I played this all morning?" Jinx places herself next to Apache on the couch, sliding her platform boots closer to her from under the dark stained wood coffee table. She grasps her cheap looking smartphone, tapping away at the screen. She grins. "Wanna go for a quick walk before it starts raining again?"
Apache's ears shoot up. Yes, she did. Another chance at Jinx slipping up. At least she's forcing herself to think like this. She doesn't have a choice, damn it. She has to get back to the Titans.
Jinx laces up her shoes before going through the motions to leave. Apache is again tethered to the five foot length of rope as she gazes at the trap door directly above the ladder, eager to see the outside world.
As they retrace their steps to the Starbucks, it sprinkles briefly before the sky once again gives up its attempt to rain for the moment. It had rained an inch and a half over night and over the morning after all. Typical February weather in Jump, Apache supposes as she gazes up at a sweatshirt adorned Jinx, light blue leggings stretched over her legs.
The streets are drenched, the gutters all full to the brim with rain water. Apache isn't necessarily enjoying the wet sidewalks on her paw pads, let alone the mist and sickly smell of oil that's being kicked up from passing cars.
The starbucks is as busy as ever due to the cold weather, the walk up window deserted nonetheless. Jinx dashes across the road with Apache when no cars are coming her way, the duo hopping over huge puddles.
A bored teenager comes to the window after a moment, her green eyes staring lamely at the girl and dog.
"Rough day?" Jinx teases. The girl hums.
"What can I get you?"
"Grande caramel mocha, please." Jinx hands the girl a $10. Apache can feel her nose scrunch the slightest bit.
"That'll be hot, right?"
Jinx cackles. "Right!"
The girl has Jinx's coffee out in record time. Both girls simply nod and Jinx goes on her way.
She pulls the green tab from the lid and tosses it in a nearby trashcan before heading a different way than they had gone before. Apache stays in step with Jinx as she tentatively sips on her hot coffee.
The lunch rush had already passed, so not many people are out, to Apache's relief. She steps tentvely and lamely over the darkened concrete.
Today just seemed like one of those days that hung over everyone's head. At least to Apache.
She would love to curl up with a thick blanket and watch 101 Dalmatians with some hot chocolate. Or even Oliver and Company, The Aristocats, Lady and the Tramp, The Emperor's New Groove, anything beside walking down the streets of Jump.
Apache can feel a gaze prickling her fur, causing her hackles to rise. Her head shoots up, her ears forward. Her ears swivel as she looks behind herself, taking in the surrounding city. She searches for the source of the feeling.
Her eyes fall on a familiar healthy figure outside a Subway across the street, amber eyes framed by a halo of curls and watching her intently. Their gazes meet and hold. Apache misses a step, slowing ever so slightly. The girl's eyebrows knit together, her plump lips slightly parting. Apache's eyes widen and adrenaline shoots through her body when the girl's free hand digs in her white sweater pocket to pull an iPhone from the fabric. After a few taps, she holds the phone to her ear.
The two round a corner, causing Apache to lose sight of Nicole.
Apache can feel her heart pick up along with her breath. Nicole had to have called Beast Boy if no one else. Apache looks up at Jinx, the girl completely unaware. Yes, she needs to get back, but she doesn't want Jinx thrown in prison. Why can't she talk to Jinx, send her away in time? This whole not being able to communicate is becoming ridiculous.
They meander through a muddy alley, Apache stressing more than she should be. There's a homeless man huddled behind a dumpster, she notices. The smell of marijuana and some other substance is thick in the air. They walk through the long alley before popping out across the street from a very lush looking park.
They wait for what seems like a convoy of cars to pass before they dart across the drenched street, hopping onto the concrete. Jinx seems to be completely unaware of Apache's racing heart, thumping in her chest so hard its painful.
As the two step onto the grass, Apache is disgusted at the squelch of mud and grass underfoot. Jinx has shoes on, of course she wouldn't care about the mud.
Apache turns her gaze skyward. They would for sure be looking now that they knew Jinx is out and about with her. It would be any time. Apache hadn't noticed Nicole following them so granted it would take a bit longer if she hadn't.
Her eyes are alert, intently watching their surroundings for any sign of the Titans. They pass various trees with new growth just beginning to blossom on the branches, delicate flowers that would soon become glossy leaves. Jinx seems to be ever oblivious to her tenseness and unease as she sips her coffee. Apache can't help but wonder what she's thinking. She must not like being cooped up for days at a time for her to be leisurely strolling through a park when she knows shes top priority to the Titans at this very moment.
She's so strung that she visibly jumps when she feels a raindrop on the top of her head smack in between her ears. She gazes skyward as the sky seems to open up above them, dropping rain as if a faucet had been turned on. They would quickly be soaked to the bone.
Jinx turns them back around with a hum, seemingly enjoying the rain. Apache steps heavily beside Jinx as she quivers, feeling the need to run. She's never been so strung before, and she has no idea how to cope.
Apache yelps and jumps back as a black raven opens up in front of the duo, red eyes blazing. Jinx's backside hits saturated grass due to the yank on the opposite end of the rope. They look wide eyed up at an irate looking Raven, amethyst fire dancing in her eyes. Jinx's coffee lays spilt and forgotten on the muddy grass less than a foot away.
"Give me back the dog." She grumbles, her hands positioned in front of her, black encasing them in a silent threat. The tone of her voice leaves no room for argument.
"And I should do that why? And especially not if you're just gonna take me in!" Jinx protests as she jumps back to her feet, Apache cringes at the mud stain on her cotton candy blue leggings.
"That isn't an option, you're going in either way." Jinx throws a hex in response.
Raven simply deploys her magic into a shield, deflecting Jinx's hex back into her. Jinx and Apache both go flying, landing hard in a huge muddy puddle. Raven snatches Jinx up in her magic, giving the pink haired girl a hearty squeeze. Jinx cries out in response.
'Raven, wait!' Apache pushes herself up out of the ankle deep puddle, mud and water running in rivets through her now not so black fur. Raven gives her a questioning and warning look out of the corner of her eye. 'Jinx is going to become an honorary Titan,' Raven's look turns skeptical. 'Hear me out. I forget the exact details, but she gets wrapped up in a bogus mission and Kid Flash is able to get her to transition over. Please let her go just this once.'
Raven glares, but Apache just stares up at her with pleading unwavering eyes.
Without looking away, Raven drops Jinx.
Jinx lands hard back into the puddle, and when she looks up, the Titan and black dog are nowhere in sight. She shivers, her breath hitching in the downpour.
Apache's paws hit grey carpet. She collapses without meaning to, her body still shuddering from being teleported. She glances around the familiar sight of the common room. She sighs in relief.
She glances up at Raven as the girl pulls her communicator from her waistband.
Apache's ears twitch at a familiar masculine voice.
"Raven, did you get her?"
"Yeah, I got her. I'm back at the tower."
"Alright, we'll meet you there shortly. Robin, out." Raven closes her communicator.
'So, Nicole called?' Apache lowers her head back to the carpet.
"Um, yeah," Raven raises an eyebrow at her.
'I seen her. I don't think she would have called if I hadn't turned around,' Apache laughs lightly.
"Lucky you then, huh," Raven huffs.
'No kidding,' Apache closes her eyes for a moment. 'How'd you find me first?'
"Simple, I locked onto your aura when Garfield got the call. We all left in a hurry," Raven informs, walking over and into the kitchen. She places her tea kettle on the stove after filling it with water. It's only now Apache sees that Raven is soaked. Apache just hums. They sit in silence until the rest of the team returns, which is after Raven has already poured her cup of tea. It was actually a short time as far as Apache is concerned. Cyborg must have either went 100 miles per hour down the access tunnel or they all flew back.
"Where's Jinx?" is the first thing from Robin's mouth.
"She slipped away before I could apprehend her," Raven answers him simply.
Apache is startled out of her skin when she is scooped up in someone's arms and spun around too high in the air for her liking. "Oh, Apache! Friend Raven has found you! I am the very glad to see you!"
'Yeah, Star, me too,' Apache says despite Star not being able to hear her. Star sets her back on her own paws, kneeling down next to the dog and pulling her into her lap. Apache happily leans into the thin form of the Tamaranian princess.
"Yo, what up Apache," Beast Boy says in delight as he comes to seat himself next to Star and the dog. "Jinx didn't ruff you up too bad, did she?" Apache shakes her head with a roll of her eyes, causing the green toned boy to chuckle lightly. Leave it to him to be pulling jokes.
"Now is not the time to be joking around," Robin says seriously. "For all we know that could have been planned and Apache could have told Jinx or the H.I.V.E. what she's learned."
Apache barks at him in protest. 'She had no idea I'm not a dog!' she screeches in her head at him. Raven relays the information for her. Robin and Cyborg look at her skeptically. She lowers her ears as she gazes at the two male Titans, hurt washing through her veins and radiating through her eyes. Cyborg looks away.
"I did find the spells i need to turn Apache back and restore her memories." Raven's lovely monotone cuts through Apache's hurt mind and causes the rest of the team to stall, distracting them from all of the suspicion and emotion sailing through the room. She lifts her head from Star's chest to gaze dumbly at the grey skinned girl. Her eyes are shut lightly as she leans against the counter, her hands cradling her warm cup of tea.
'What...?'
"When can you do it?"
"I just have to set up what I need to perform the spell."
Apache can't believe what she's hearing.