A/N: I'm going to wrap this up in a few more chapters. There will be a sequel, narrated by a new face that is going to kill me if she doesn't get out of my head. I assure you, it will be full of surprises and humor. Also, I have gotten a few complaints about my changing point of view. Sorry, but I like the way I write this. It keeps you guys on your toes!
Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, though I have impersonated one of their head writers in an attempt to take over the network in the name of the Eternal Flame. It didn't work.
Reunions: Chapter Fifteen- Help Wanted"Hi, my name is Tara, and I'll be your waitress," said the blonde fourteen-year-old a little too enthusiastically. I sighed. It had been a long day. These days an ex-criminal who has just been booted out of his secret guild gets absolutely no respect. I was at a small café in the middle of Jump City. The very city I nearly took over. Well, all things happen for a reason. "Sir? Excuse me, but may I take your order?"
"Oh," I replied. "Sorry, didn't hear you there."
"That's quite all right," she said politely. Her voice was very familiar. As she smoothed out her uniform I glanced at her arm. I noticed a small band of metal, as if she were concealing an entire suit made out of the stuff. I slapped my forehead in realization. Great, the last person I wanted to see. "May I take your-"
"A coffee, black. And get me some of those scones while you're at it." I interrupted, talking right over her. Quiet, submissive. Takes orders. Perfect disposition for a waitress. Though I must say that this job was inadequate for one with her skill. Ah, well. Easy come, easy go.
"Fine," she muttered, shaking her head as she hurried into the kitchen. It had been a long time since I had seen her. Actually, I hadn't seen much of anyone lately. Nothing peculiar about a lonely elderly gentleman with gray hair and a sad smile. Better to be safe than sorry, though. "Here you go," she said while offering me the tray, breaking my train of thought.
"Here, sit down." I pulled a chair out for her. "So, how have you been doing, Terra?"
She appeared startled. "Fine, thanks. Why you ask?"
"Well, your life has been completely turned around. Once you were a dignified apprentice, I mean, a common criminal. And now here you are, living with the Titans and serving coffee to an old man like me. I've seen many super powered teens in my day, and you are, by far, the most powerful and well behaved. You have an uncommon sense of right and wrong, Terra, you just never listened to it. Until you had it all, unfortunately for me," I sighed, staring into my coffee cup.
"How do you know all of this?" she demanded. So, she's not quite so naïve as she once was.
"Allow me to introduce myself," I replied, a smirk growing across my face. "My name is Marius, and I've just been booted out of the noble guild of copper and black." Terra dropped her tray. Ah, my words had a lasting effect on the girl. She left me with the bill, a shocked look on her face, and continued to the next table.
Meanwhile, a group of five teenagers in strange getups was entering the diner. A girl with brown hair, green eyes, and dark skin was arguing with a pale redheaded boy. She was wearing a striped yellow and black sleeveless shirt that had a turtleneck collar. She also had on black pants with a yellow belt, complete with two gold letters attached. The boy was in a matching red shirt and pair of pants. His shirt bore the initial, "S".
"I told you we should've asked for directions," the girl complained as her companions entered the café. "You men are so stubborn. Won't get help when you really need it. At least we girls are smart enough to know when to call in for backup."
"Yeah, yeah," he replied, waving away her insults with his hand. "At least we're here. Let's stop for a bit, then surprise Cyborg and his team with a visit." The remainder of the team, a dark-haired boy and two short twins, followed them. The dark-haired boy threw up his hands in disgust.
"Speedy, Bee," he complained. "We've been on the road for three hours, and I think we're all sick of you guys fighting." The twins nodded their heads. "Why don't you, Mas, and Menos go find us a table?"
"And where will you be, Aqualad?" Speedy smirked. "Signing autographs? Asking girls for their numbers? Because you're so much more important than us," he droned.
"I have to use the little boy's room," he whispered so audibly that I heard him from the table at which I sat.
"Oh," was all Speedy said in reply. Aqualad disappeared down the hallway that led to the restrooms. The girl I presumed to be Bee and the twins found a tabled and started paging through the menu. Speedy groaned, then sat down, checking his reflection in the glossy menu cover. Seeing the new customers, Terra rushed over to their table.
"Hi," she said, hardly pausing for a breath before moving on. "My name is Tara, and I'll be your waitress. What can I get you?"
"I'll have waffles," Bee replied. "They'll take nachos, a slice of pepperoni pizza, and a ham sandwich." She pointed to each of her team members in turn.
"No," Speedy protested. "I want the seafood chowder."
"You crazy, boy? Aqualad's gonna kill you." They went back and forth for a while, until finally Speedy got the chowder and reserved the sandwich for Aqualad. Terra delivered the order to the kitchen, then returned with a tray of food.
"Say," she said, expertly balancing the tray. "Where is this Aqualad?" Terra never saw him as he exited the men's room. He turned to wave to a fan, then collided into Terra. The food went flying, seafood chowder landing on Terra's head. "I'm sorry, mister, uh Aqualad, sir," she apologized. Aqualad brushed himself off then offered his hand to Terra. Wiping the chowder from her face, Terra's eyes met Aqualad's.
And she fell madly in love.
Aqualad helped her up. "Thanks," she stammered, still blushing. Aqualad smiled at her. I could tell he found her pretty, despite the chowder. Terra looked as if she were about to faint. Speedy pretended to be sick, then eyed the ham sandwich hungrily. Ignoring Bee's look of disgust, he dug in.
"No problem. I'm Aqualad, and we're the Titans East. We dropped by to see the Teen Titans."
"Really?" Terra said eagerly. "I'm staying with them right now."
"Why don't you get yourself cleaned up, then head back home with us?" Bee suggested. Terra nodded in agreement.
"The meal's on me!" she shouted over her shoulder as she headed to the girl's room. Aqualad and Bee burst into laughter. Terra soon emerged, much cleaner than before. As she headed out, I called her over to me.
"Yes?"
"You forgot something," I said, smiling. "Your tip." I pressed a small steel box into her hands. It had a single copper button on it.
"What is it?" she asked, still confused.
"The remote control that disables that nasty neuro interface. Yes, I know all about your past. My technology has become quite obsolete, and seeing as you are no longer my apprentice, I feel no shame in giving this to you." I admired my work. Great, she looked so confused. Then, reality dawned on her, and she smiled, then grimaced.
"Gotta go!" she shouted, running off with a look of horror on her face. Ah, yes, it was nice to see Terra again. Although I'm still clueless about one thing: how does she balance that tray with such skill?
