Teen Titans: Wild, Wild West
Chapter 5
A/N: HAHA! I did it! I am THE shiznit! I updated and I am SO proud of myself! Hope everyone likes it! First off, I need to thank all my wonderful reviewers:
Lain the Fluff-Master: OMG! I love it when you review, you are like my fave writer and reviewer and all-around person! I always look for your comment on my stories; that's when I know I have done a better job than I thought I did. So thanx again for all your incredible support and awesome comments.....Yeah, I know it was kinda mean to make him eat meat, but I love having a little humor in any of my stories and that was my little creative outlet for that chappie. Hope you like this new installment!
Little Death Strike: Thanx once again for your review; I love that you are a dedicated reader. Hope you enjoy this new chapter. Sorry it took so long.
Digital-Dragon-Master844: Glad you like the BB/Terra pairing. Hopefully I can get more into that relationship in later chapters, but for now it'll be kinda quiet and whatnot. Hope ya like!
A reader: Thanx, yeah Poor Raven. And trust me, it's only going to get worse! Enjoy!
Midnight raven3: Thanx for your review. Hope you like this new chapter!
Chickiidoo: Glad you think this is still really cool. But will you still be thinking that after this chapter? Have fun!
Youdon'tknowmyname: Good to hear that you like my story. Enjoy my new chappie too!
Firehottie: Yeah I love Rob/Rae too, if you couldn't tell! ;) Hope you like my new installment!
Copper coin: That's a good suggestion, and I think I might even take it. But who knows yet?
Peace215: Yeah, I agree, Poor Gar. But I just had to do it, it was calling my name and I don't ignore the little voices in my head! Sorry, but you don't get to find out what happened between Nightwing and Raven until next chapter....that is, when I figure out what even happened! ;) Hope you think my story still kicks ass after this chapter!
DarkRaven444: I'm glad you like my little twist on the TT's. Rob/Rae is the best couple in my opinion! Enjoy!
And now... onto my new chapter!
Raven silently paced back and forth in her room, pondering how to ask Wilson for the time off; she was sure that he was pissed at her for giving him the 'evil eye' at her performance, otherwise he wouldn't have sent in one of his 'friends' for her to entertain.
But I actually enjoyed this friend, she mused to herself, stopping by her window and stepping outside on her balcony to calm her thoughts and relive tonight's events. Boy he sure was handsome, and not to mention a great kisser! I sure would have liked him to continue, too bad he actually has morals, unlike all of Wilson's other cronies. Wilson....
She crossed her arms over her thin nightgown and shivered, not from the cold but from the mention of her 'owner.'
I still don't understand what he was doing in the company of such an immoral and disgusting man. I mean, Wilson usually associates himself with other lowlifes like himself, but this time he chose Richard, but why? Maybe....maybe he was trying to prove something, but what? Trying to prove that maybe he has friends wherever he goes? Or maybe he can do whatever he wants with whoever he wants? Or maybe.... Maybe he was trying to prove that he controls every aspect of my life and the only way to escape him and be happy is to...die.....
Raven's thoughts were cut short as she heard the soft click of her door shutting and the arduous footsteps of the sheriff. He stopped a few feet behind her, waiting for her to acknowledge him, but when it was evidently clear that his young prisoner would do no such thing, he cleared his throat and began to speak anyway.
"Well my dear Raven," he cooed, smirking as she pulled her frail nightgown closer to her petite, yet voluptuous body. "I simply came up here to find out how your night has been going. You have been rather silent ever since the incomparable Mr. Grayson left. Is everything alright, my pet?" Raven whirled around on him and glared daggers at the mention of her handsome client from earlier.
"Oh sure Sir," she replied scathingly, keeping up the facade Grayson had urged her to do earlier. "Everything is just peachy keen. Never been better."
Wilson smirked at her sarcasm and started to circle around her, taking in how defensive the young woman could get over one sour evening.
"What's wrong?" he questioned. "Did your evening with Mister Grayson not go as well as it looked?" Raven took a deep breath, remembering to keep her calm and not explode like she normally would have.
"Of course it didn't go well," she snapped back, turning around, plopping down on the couch and burying her face in her hands. "That, that man was an absolute pig! He completely infuriated me and I find it incredibly inconceivable that I didn't just put his lights out then and there." She paused for a moment and sighed heavily while looking up at Wilson. "I can't get my thoughts straight or anything, I just need a break or something."
Raven lowered her head to hide the tears pooling in her eyes as Wilson eyed her somewhat sympathetically but also with a look of contempt at making his pet this miserable.
No doubt she will surely crack soon, he thought menacingly. Just a little bit more of this torture and she should break just like that, then the town will finally be mine; maybe I should employ the young Mister Grayson to help, since he was what brought on this bout of unhappiness.
"Are you asking me my dear or simply stating your sorry state?" Wilson asked sarcastically. Raven's head whipped up at his tone and she glared at him through a veil of tears.
"Depends," she replied, hurt and angry. "If I'm asking you for time off, would you give it to me or not?" Wilson rubbed his chin as looked as though he was pondering his decision.
"Of course I'll give it to you," he replied slowly. "But that depends on how long you would like off. There is a holiday coming up and I don't think I could spare you for very long; definitely no longer than the weekend for sure."
Raven was surprised that he was even letting her off, but she was angry that he was only going to let her go for a little while, she had no idea how long anything Richard had planned would take.
"I don't need long," she replied, still wary of Wilson's intentions. "Just a night or so. I want to go and visit my cousin, if that's okay with you. I haven't seen her or her husband in quite a while. I hear they have some good news to share. I need to go somewhere and clear my head; nothing serious, I just want some alone time."
Wilson stared at her skeptically, musing over her words and wondering how much of the truth she was telling; the first time she wanted a break she had fled to another town and it had taken nearly a week to track her down and bring her back. But then again, the last few times he had let her go, against his better judgement, he had sent someone to watch over her, unbeknownst to her, and she had done exactly as she had requested. He figured he had finally instilled enough fear and respect for her not to try and attempt something as foolish as that again.
"I think we can accommodate that," he finally replied. "But I have much planned for this weekend; so I am only giving you one night. If you leave tonight then I expect you back here by six o'clock tomorrow night, and no later. Do we have an understanding?"
"Only ONE night?" Raven face-vaulted as she heard his words. "I seriously think I am having a breakdown here and I can only have one night?"
Wilson's smirk fell as he leaned close to her and grabbed her face in his hands, squeezing tightly. "Is there something wrong with my decision? Did I not make myself clear? We have. A busy weekend. And I need. You here. No ifs, ands, or buts. Got it, my pet?"
He tossed her face aside, leaving faint bruises along her jaw-line as tears brimmed in her eyes and she looked at the floor, suddenly interested in the wood grains.
"Yes sir," she admonished. "I understand; I apologize for my outburst. I shall return by six o'clock tomorrow. Thank you, Sir."
"As you should be," he sneered at her as he turned around and walked out of her room to leave her to change and pack for her minor excursion.
Raven silently let the tears cascade down her face as she quickly went about finding some clothes to change into and packing a small bag with the bare essentials. She rushed around the room until she finally found the clothes she was looking for; she changed into a simple white under-dress, a dark blue, button-up dress, her black traveling cloak over that, and she put on some simple black dress shoes she could easily slip off once she reached the Inn.
I need to get away from here, she thought venomously as she finished packing and began to walk downstairs. I can't let him own me like that; I would rather die than spend another moment stuck here as his 'pet.' Hopefully Richard can help me like he promised...Oh to be whisked away to somewhere far, far away, safe, wrapped in his arms...and away from Wilson. For good. I could finally get the chance to be happy....
Raven's thoughts were interrupted as she entered the deserted bar and her new friend Terra was tapping her foot and obviously waiting for her, as she sprang up and rushed over to talk to her.
"Raven!" she practically yelled out. "I've been waiting for you to come down here. Got a minute to talk?"
"Sorry Ter," Raven said, stopping for a moment as she suddenly noticed something about the perky, young bartender. "I am kind of in a hurry...I am meeting someo-" She quickly paused and looked around to see if anyone was listening. "I mean, I am meeting up with my cousin for a night. I just need to get away for a little bit and clear my head; tonight has been a rather...interesting night...Say...there's something different about you, but what is it?"
Terra shuffled her feet nervously and rubbed the back of her head.
"Oh, you know," she replied. "Nothing much, I just happened to, er, uh, get my life back on track. I kinda felt like I was just not really me lately, ya know?"
"Yeah, I know what you mean," Raven nodded. "But, if you don't mind, I kind of need to get going. I promise I'll be back by tomorrow evening, though, if you still want to talk."
"Well, I don't know if it could wait," Terra said, looking around as well to make sure no one was listening. "I wanted to talk to you about some personal matters. Wait a tick, why did you stop yourself from saying you were meeting someone? What's going on?"
Raven looked around her again as she shoved Terra off to a dark corner and whispered low enough that Terra could barely hear her talented friend.
"You can't tell anyone," she hissed, glaring at Terra. "Not Wilson, not your boyfriend, not anyone. Got it?"
Terra nodded fervently and looked wide-eyed as her friend began to quickly explain everything that had happened earlier in the evening.
"You see, a young man named Richard Grayson spent a good part of the evening with me and I am going to meet him later tonight at Kori's Inn. He said he is going to help me get the hell out of here and away from Wilson, once and for all. We didn't really get to talk long, so that's why I'm going to meet him at Kori's tonight.
Terra's eyes widened even more as she realized that her job just got easier.
"Richard Grayson?" she asked. "You're meeting Richard Grayson? The same one that was here with Victor Stone earlier?"
"Yeah," Raven replied, confused. "The same one. I didn't think there was another Grayson to speak of; why do you ask?"
"Well actually, what I had to talk to you about?" she asked. "Well it had to do with him and Victor. So, I guess if you're going to go see them tonight, then I'll just let them handle everything. Can you give them a message for me?"
"Sure," Raven said, quite bewildered. "I guess so....Wait, they can handle what?"
"Nevermind," Terra rushed, pushing her out the door and over to one of her horses. "It's not important. Just tell them that I'm going to stay here and keep things quiet for now, but they had better hurry before things start to look suspicious."
"Alright, got it," Raven said as she situated herself atop the horse and turned around to head towards Gotham Village. "I'll be back tomorrow night; try and keep everything relatively quiet around here, ok? Bye, Terra!"
"Bye Raven!" Terra shouted back, waving. "I hope everything works out for you in Gotham; as much as I love the new you, I kinda miss the old you..."
With that said to herself, Terra turned around and walked back inside. As soon as she was back inside the saloon, Wilson's deputy emerged from the shadows and began to cackle.
"Well, well now," she smirked. "What do we have here? Seems like something the boss should know about. Maybe I should keep an eye on her and call him if something goes down. It seems like Terra and Vic are already fixed and I'm sure that stupid little grass stain won't be that hard either. Roy might be a bit of a challenge, but his half-wit alien girlfriend will be back in a flash....At least Raven is proving to be a little harder than the rest, which I'm sure is fitting in well with Slade's plans. I think it's time for our snot-nosed heroes to get some little challenges thrown their way."
With that, Wilson's Deputy was on a horse and galloping after Raven, leaving a trail of dust behind her as she raced across the dusty ground.
The ride over to Gotham was a relatively quick one and the trio didn't get to talk about much, but they did get to discuss how Slade managed to get Dick back to save the Titans and they also talked about everything that seemed to be happening here. They arrived at the Inn around eight o'clock, tied up their horses and took a moment before walking into the building to help their friends. Victor walked in first, looking around to see if he could locate either Roy or Kori so they could go and talk to them. As soon as Dick and Garfield came in, a shrill laugh pierced the air and a young fire-haired woman shot out from behind the counter and nearly crushed him in a bone-shattering hug.
"Old Friend Garfield," she shrieked, not letting go until he started to turn a rather blue shade. "Oh I have not seen you in such a time of longness! How are you friend? What brings you and your traveling companions to our humble abode of the Inn?"
"H-hey Kori," Gar gasped out as he was set back down on the ground. "I'm doing pretty good. I, um, I'm just here with a few friends to stay a while and visit with you and Roy; where is that pesky devil anyway?"
"Oh he will be with us shortly, he is just fixing a bed that some patrons mysteriously split in two during their Honeymoon stay last night," she bemused. "Perhaps, Friend Gar, you would be so nice as to introduce myself to your handsome friends here?"
"What?" he asked, scratching the back of his head as he had zoned out for a second, like always. "Oh, oh yeah! Kori, I would like you to meet my ex-partner, Victor Stone and a good friend of ours from way-back-when, Rob-er, Dick Grayson. Heh."
Kori turned around to shake hands with both Victor and Dick, never letting her 100-watt smile leave her face.
"It is a wondrous pleasure to meet you Mr. Victor Stone," she said sweetly. "And it is also pleasantry to meet you as well, Mr. RubberDick Grayson. I would like to welcome you to our quaint home of Inn!"
Richard grimaced as he shook her hand and shot a glare at the now guffawing Vic and Gar, who quickly shut up when they saw his quelling glance.
"Actually, Mrs. Harper," he said. "It's just Dick. Dick Grayson. No, no 'Rubber.' Just plain ol' Dick Grayson."
"Oh my humblest apologies," Kori gushed, blushing. "I did not mean to offend you Mr. Grayson. Please, accept my numerous apologies as I ask for your gift of forgiveness."
Richard just smiled weakly and brushed her off, saying it was nothing as he just nodded his head at her words. Thankfully, they were taken out of the awkward moment as the one and only Roy Harper decided to grace them with his ever so suave presence.
"My Darling of Love!" Kori shouted as he came into the room. "Come and say hello to our friends who have come to stay with us in our Inn for a while!"
"Hey Gar! Vic!" Roy shouted as he came up to the trio and gave them each a hearty handshake. "It's good to see y'all again! It's been quite a while hasn't it? Hey, who's the newbie?"
"Roy, my man!" Vic boomed, grabbing his hand and pulling him into a bear hug. "Good ter see ya too! It has been a while, way too long if ya ask me! Oh, yeah, Roy I want you to meet an old friend of ours; Roy meet Dick Grayson, Dick, this is our old pal Roy Harper."
The two practically-clones shook hands and said their hellos, all the while Dick was trying not to grin as he shook hands with someone who was like a twin brother to him. The five of them stood there in the lobby of the Inn, making small talk as the trio who just arrived tried their best to stay in character so they didn't confuse the happy couple in front of them. Finally, after almost twenty minutes of talking, a small, knowing glance passed between Victor and Dick and they put their plan into motion.
"Hey, Roy man," Victor said, clapping his friend on the back. "Whaddya say to the four of us guys going for a little walk? Ya know, just get away and talk about 'manly' stuff?"
Roy looked back at his wife and half shrugged. "I don't know Vic. If I go, sweetie, are you gonna be fine without me for a bit?"
Kori gently smiled at him and nodded. "Of course, my wondrous husband! We will be just fine; it is still quite early and I am sure I can manage just fine as I always have."
"Wait, who's we?" Gar piped up, looking confused as always.
Kori chuckled as Roy walked up behind her and enveloped her from behind, caressing her tiny stomach. "We, as in, Kori and...well," Roy stated proudly. "And our baby. Kori's just found out she's pregnant and we're expecting a little Harper in a few months!"
"Oh, wow," Dick said. "That's great. Congratulations! I'm sure it will be a wonderful addition."
Victor and Gar offered their congratulations too as Roy gave Kori one last quick kiss and the four of them walked outside and went for a little midnight stroll to 'clear' their minds. Kori simply smiled, like always, and went back to her perch behind the counter, saying hello to anyone who passed by and offering them a hearty smile. The men had been gone for almost forty- five minutes when Kori heard the approaching hoofs of a small horse and a young, petite woman walked into the Inn. At first, Kori did not recognize her, but as she pulled the hood down on her black cloak, she laughed in delight and practically flew across the room to give her new visitor a welcoming hug.
"My cousin of my most favorites!" she yelled, almost knocking the petite girl down. "I have not seen you in a time almost matching that of forever! How are you? What brings you to visit me?"
"Kori!" she laughed, excited to see her overenthusiastic cousin once again. "It's good to see you as well; I know it's been quite awhile hasn't it? I'm doing pretty good, I guess. I could be better, but I think I'll survive. Anyway, I just came for a small visit...and, well.... I am also here to meet up with someone."
"Oh, well I am glad I was able to see you yet again, cousin Raven!" she smiled. "Who, if you don't mind my interrogations, are you meeting up with here? Maybe I can be of assistance?"
"Actually, yeah you probably could help me," Raven admitted, setting her bag down for a second. "He did say he wanted to come here and talk to you and Roy too. Well, his name is Richard, Richard Grayson; he's new here in town and he asked me to meet him here if I could get away from the bar for a night. Have you by any chance seen him? He came here with Victor Stone, I believe."
Kori looked perplexed for a moment before she spoke up. "Well, cousin Raven, I did just finish conversing with Mr. Stone and Mr. Logan and they did have a friend with them. But his name was Dick Grayson... could they perhaps be of the same person?"
Raven laughed breathlessly as she shook her head at her cousin's overt naivety. "Yeah, I think they could be the same person. Dick is often a shorter version of the name Richard. I didn't know they were picking up Gar, though; it would be nice to see him again. I haven't seen him since before my parents passed away..... Anyway, do you happen to know where he is? He asked me to come here and find him."
"Actually," Kori began. "The three of them left a little while ago and took my dear Roy with them to go for a late-night walk to 'clear their heads.' I do not know what they need to evacuate from their minds, but they have been gone for the better part of an hour. I assume they will be back soon enough."
Raven frowned and picked her bag back up. "Alright then. If you don't mind Kori, I'm going to go clean up a bit before they return. When Richard returns, would you please tell him I'm here waiting?"
"Of course," Kori replied perkily as Raven began to make her way upstairs to a room reserved for her at all times. "I shall inform him that you have arrived and I will send him up to your room."
"Thanks," Raven said as she stopped suddenly and turned back towards her bright, shiny cousin. "Say, Kori, that old lake with the waterfall wouldn't still happen to be there, would it?"
"Oh you mean the old hidden lake we used to swim in as children of smallness?" she asked. "Yes, I believe it is still there. I have not been there in a few weeks, but it should still be there."
"Hmm," Raven said as she began to make her way back outside. "Well then, I think I might just head out there for a midnight swim instead. Can you please tell Richard I will be back later? I promise I'll be back within an hour or so."
Kori agreed and Raven happily walked into the nearby woods, winding her way through the trees to one fo her favorite childhood haunts. No sooner than she had disappeared into the foliage did the four men return with Roy looking a little pale and a little different to someone with an astute eye for detail. Kori greeted them and informed Dick that Raven had just arrived and left to go for a night swim and that she would see him later in the evening. Upon hearing this, Victor nudged Dick in the side and gave him a look that told him this was his chance to help Raven and hopefully patch things up between them. Dick just grinned at him and sprinted off into the woods as Roy silently went up to his 'wife' and asked her to go upstairs with him so they could talk.
Victor and Gar went inside and took a room to go rest in while they waited for their cheery friend to be restored to them; while out walking, Garfield had discovered he still had his morphing abilities now that his memory was back, but he was greatly depressed when he found out his animal forms were no longer green and he could not change back into his old self. To be blunt, he missed his little, pointy, elf-like ears that he claimed were the reason all the ladies wanted him. Victor just laughed at him, but he too was a little upset because he couldn't change his arm into his beloved proton cannon; he still had his superhuman robotic strength, but he sorely missed his cannon and wanted nothing more than to be out of this crazy universe so he could use his gun yet again.
Five minutes after they had settled down in their rooms, they heard a loud bang as a green starbolt flew through their wall and narrowly missed Garfield's head. Moments later, as an overly excited, renewed Starfire flew into their room to reunite, another young woman arrived at the Inn and patiently waited to catch a glimpse of her pesky charge, to see what she was up to this time around. She settled herself into a large armchair by the fireplace and began to read a newspaper, glancing over the top every now and then to see if she had returned. She smirked behind her paper as she absently tugged on her unusually colored pigtails, thinking of all the wonderful battles that would ensue before she was to leave this place and return back home.
Next Chapter: Richard and Raven reunite once more by the lake and Rich finally acts on his feelings for her. Richard also reflects on the event that pushed him from the team and from his Raven as well. Will he be able to restore Raven's memory? Will Wilson's Deputy cause trouble for the happy couple? Will something else happen that I haven't thought of yet? Tune in next time as I try and rush to update the next chapter of Wild, Wild West!
A/N: Ok, so how was it? Sorry if it sounded a little rushed, but this is kinda of a slow part in the story, before all the good, juicy parts and it seemed like it might come off a little boring. I apologize profusely for that and I promise it will get better. Sorry it took so long to update but things have been Hella ca-razy and I just need to get my ass back on track. Hopefully I can have I Need Her updated too by the upcoming holiday. Review and let me know what y'all think! L8R Daze!
