Lost Hope
Chapter 6
As Robin, Dick Grayson had become his friend. His first friend, his best friend. Land dwellers didn't know him and ocean dwellers feared him. "Even if the King of the Seven Seas trusted you, it didn't guarantee others would," Tempest recalled as he stared sadly at a picture of the two of them together. **But Robin never judged him.** He accepted him and he taught him to use his differences to his advantage, making him a stronger and better person. But not strong enough to stop the tears in the last week. He mourned the loss of his friend to the extent that even the love of his wife and child often could not break through the vast emptiness that the loss of his teammate had caused.
Batman had asked for a final report. He also asked if he could meet with him and the original Titans here at the Titans Tower. Wally wasn't going to be able to make it, but the others were here. Maybe it was time to let go and rebuild their lives. Wayne Tech had already replaced the T-Jet. The new specs were designed by Dick originally with some minor changes. Maybe Batman was ready to let go, too.
Tempest never heard his friend enter the room. "Hey, are you ready Garth," Roy growled. "He's here."
Garth looked up at Arsenal; he had not smiled since he had returned from the rescue. The same dark shadow hovered over both men. They were the last ones to be with him and never got a chance to day goodbye. The one time Tempest didn't know what was worse, the name-calling and sense of humor when Roy was happy, or the lack of it when he wasn't. Garth slipped on his gauntlets and dunked his head beneath the water of his tank one more time, then quickly pulled himself out. Extending his hand out, Roy took it, Donna placed hers on top of theirs as they stared solemnly into each others' eyes. Garth said the words that no one else seemed to have the strength to say. "Titans Together." With that they all fell into each others' arms.
Maybe it was a good thing that Batman had planned to talk to the Titans because what Clark had on his mind to do; his father would say was a bit pea brained. It was going to be tough enough not giving in to his anger there would be no way he would be able to control Bruce too.
Being Superman didn't always give you access to places you wanted to go, and Luther would make sure he was not given the red carpet treatment in the White House, unless there was something in it for him. He noticed the security had doubled since he last visited the newly elected leader of the free world. Could it be that Luther was expecting him? Well he was going to get that visit and he wanted Mr. President's undivided attention. Clark noticed Lois in a crowd of reporters. He had forgotten it was her week on what was now lovingly called the Dirt Floor by the reporters, having to face the daily bullcrap that President Luthor dished out. It gave him an idea.
The President's secretary was quite beautiful, but then he was known for keeping beautiful women around him. He also knew he trusted no one; he would have some kind of bug to listen in on those who where in the room, especially if he saw Superman coming. A quick nonchalant look around the room proved him right.
"May I help you?" she queried.
"Yes, I'm Superman. I don't have an appointment but I have a situation that may concern national security and I would like to discuss it with the president before the wrong people find out. It has to do with the downing of the Titans' jet."
"Yes, that was tragic. To die in a storm you were attempting to save others from..." She sighed.
"Ma'am, there was more to that incident than meets the eye."
"Nonetheless, I am afraid the president is unable to see you at this time. He will be leaving to meet with the press and then will be off to an international conference. If you would like to make an appointment, I believe I can fit you in on the 27th of next month."
"No, thank you. By then it will be much too late. I guess I will have to handle it on my own. Starting with my own press conference."
Chapter 6
As Robin, Dick Grayson had become his friend. His first friend, his best friend. Land dwellers didn't know him and ocean dwellers feared him. "Even if the King of the Seven Seas trusted you, it didn't guarantee others would," Tempest recalled as he stared sadly at a picture of the two of them together. **But Robin never judged him.** He accepted him and he taught him to use his differences to his advantage, making him a stronger and better person. But not strong enough to stop the tears in the last week. He mourned the loss of his friend to the extent that even the love of his wife and child often could not break through the vast emptiness that the loss of his teammate had caused.
Batman had asked for a final report. He also asked if he could meet with him and the original Titans here at the Titans Tower. Wally wasn't going to be able to make it, but the others were here. Maybe it was time to let go and rebuild their lives. Wayne Tech had already replaced the T-Jet. The new specs were designed by Dick originally with some minor changes. Maybe Batman was ready to let go, too.
Tempest never heard his friend enter the room. "Hey, are you ready Garth," Roy growled. "He's here."
Garth looked up at Arsenal; he had not smiled since he had returned from the rescue. The same dark shadow hovered over both men. They were the last ones to be with him and never got a chance to day goodbye. The one time Tempest didn't know what was worse, the name-calling and sense of humor when Roy was happy, or the lack of it when he wasn't. Garth slipped on his gauntlets and dunked his head beneath the water of his tank one more time, then quickly pulled himself out. Extending his hand out, Roy took it, Donna placed hers on top of theirs as they stared solemnly into each others' eyes. Garth said the words that no one else seemed to have the strength to say. "Titans Together." With that they all fell into each others' arms.
Maybe it was a good thing that Batman had planned to talk to the Titans because what Clark had on his mind to do; his father would say was a bit pea brained. It was going to be tough enough not giving in to his anger there would be no way he would be able to control Bruce too.
Being Superman didn't always give you access to places you wanted to go, and Luther would make sure he was not given the red carpet treatment in the White House, unless there was something in it for him. He noticed the security had doubled since he last visited the newly elected leader of the free world. Could it be that Luther was expecting him? Well he was going to get that visit and he wanted Mr. President's undivided attention. Clark noticed Lois in a crowd of reporters. He had forgotten it was her week on what was now lovingly called the Dirt Floor by the reporters, having to face the daily bullcrap that President Luthor dished out. It gave him an idea.
The President's secretary was quite beautiful, but then he was known for keeping beautiful women around him. He also knew he trusted no one; he would have some kind of bug to listen in on those who where in the room, especially if he saw Superman coming. A quick nonchalant look around the room proved him right.
"May I help you?" she queried.
"Yes, I'm Superman. I don't have an appointment but I have a situation that may concern national security and I would like to discuss it with the president before the wrong people find out. It has to do with the downing of the Titans' jet."
"Yes, that was tragic. To die in a storm you were attempting to save others from..." She sighed.
"Ma'am, there was more to that incident than meets the eye."
"Nonetheless, I am afraid the president is unable to see you at this time. He will be leaving to meet with the press and then will be off to an international conference. If you would like to make an appointment, I believe I can fit you in on the 27th of next month."
"No, thank you. By then it will be much too late. I guess I will have to handle it on my own. Starting with my own press conference."