Chapter 3-Wreck

An alarm sounded throughout Titans Tower. Beast Boy dragged himself out of bed, after wasting about five minutes figuring out that the alarm wasn't an alarm clock. It was the Titan Alarm, rousing them at two in the morning. When Beast Boy arrived in the main room (Note to Self: This room has many names; this is mine. I could care less if you call it something else. :) ), everyone else was waiting. That is, everyone but Jace.

"What's the deal, Robin?" Beast Boy asked upon arrival.

"It's Slade," Robin replied shortly.

"...Stupid insomniac..." Beast Boy muttered; Raven gave him a sharp jab in the ribs.

"Let's go," Cyborg said, then adding, "I'll drive."

"Wait a second," Raven said, and Robin (who was halfway out the door—go figure) halted before asking, "Why?"

"Where's Jace? Shouldn't he come to?"

"How fast can you meet us downtown at the Tex-Sector?"

"Won't take long."

"Okay. That's where you'll find us—and Slade. Get Jace and meet us down there as quickly as possible."

"Okay."

The other Titans—all but Terra, of course—left quickly, Robin and Cyborg leading. Moments after, the squeal of rubber tires on asphalt was heard as the T-Car sped off and to Slade. Raven walked swiftly to Jace's door, which was shut and locked tightly. Briskly she rapped on the door.

"Jace? It's Raven. Can I come in? We need to go downtown. Slade's pulling a heist and we have to stop him. Jace? Jace? If you won't answer I'll just come in. I can unlock the door no problem. Jace? Jace, are you in there?"

"Go away. I'll try and catch up later or something. Go ahead and do what you can." The voice that responded sounded deeper and gruffer than the voice of Jace she had heard earlier that night. (Note to Self: If it's after eight PM and before six AM, it's night to me.)

"Are you sure? Is everything okay?"

"Yes, and yes. Go away."

"Jace, I—"

"I said 'Go away.'"

"Okay." Raven walked away quickly, trying to soothe the burning in her chest, trying to suppress the tears coming her eyes.

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Raven glided swiftly overhead of the downtown region. She was within a block of the Tex-Sector when she spotted the T-Car heading—surprisingly—toward Titans Tower. She landed in the road in front of the car, figuring someone was "borrowing" it without any intentions to return (Note to Self: Most people call this "STEALING" and consider it "BAD.").

The driver punched the brake, the car skidding to a stop about a foot in front of her. Suddenly there were more brakes as the R-Cycle crashed into the back of the car, the motorcyclist being thrust onto the back hood of the T-Car, which was now less than an inch from Raven. Raven, however, somehow managed to stand without flinching or even batting an eye. After a moment of building suspense of what might happen next, the driver door flew open.

"Yo, what do you think you're doing?! I almost killed you!" Cyborg was engulfed with rage as he shouted, pulling some "bungee-cords" (Note to self: I LOVE BUNGEE CORDS! THEY'RE SOO COOL!) from the glove compartment. "Don't you ever pull a stunt like that again, Rae! Never, you hear me, never!"

Starfire, meanwhile, had practically flown out the passenger door and to Robin's side. She was shaking Robin like mad as she asked urgently, "Robin! Robin, are you injured? You will be okay?"

Robin sat up on the back hood, trembling as though he had just—not seen a ghost, as I doubt he would be afraid of a ghost if he isn't afraid of Slade LOL. He trembled as though he had been dipped into a pool of freezing cold water and set on the Polar Icecaps to dry. Starfire helped him climb down. "Wh-wha-what h-hap-ppen-ned?"

"Yeah, Raven, what were you thinking—landing in the middle of the road. And in front of the car, no less!" Beast Boy spoke as he jumped out of the car, and what he said was more of a statement than a question.

"Where's Slade? I didn't think you'd be able to take him down that quickly."

"He got away," Robin replied dryly and irritably.

"Sorry I couldn't get down here in time to help," Raven apologized.

"He was gone when we got here. Let's go home."

Cyborg, who had just finished strapping the remains of the R-Cycle onto the top of the car, climbed into the driver seat. Robin and Starfire climbed into the back seat, and Beast Boy into the passenger.

"You coming, Raven?" Cyborg asked.

"That's okay; I'll walk."

"C'mon, hop on in."

"Fine." Raven climbed in beside Robin, fastened her seatbelt and gazed out the window, ignoring anything around her.

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Raven knocked on Jace's door. "Jace?"

"Didn't I tell you to go away?" came the curt response.

"I'm coming in," Raven said, and unlocked the door (using her powers).

"No! Don't! Stay away! Go, NOW!" Jace cried in a voice that was a third shout, a third whisper, and a third sob.

"Jace, what's—" That's when Raven saw Jace.

Author's Note: Ah, the suspense! How come all the chap names are one word??? New chap soon! Please Read, Review and Enjoy!!