D- Definitely. For you, twenty-two points. I had to look up the exact phrasing- that's not the most-known part. The work shall be continued- with this many reviews already, I feel like I have to. Keep reviewing- love the comments.
Sam- Review more often, if at all possible. Writers love feedback. If they don't, they can ignore reviews. I review as often as humanly possible- if they take time to write it, I let them know what I think. I think going for more than three days without updating is a long time, unless I'm stuck, so don't worry too much about delays.
Gubba-Gubba- Love the review. Love the review. Love the review. Thanks.
They-Call-Me-Orange- Thank you so much. I'm flattered, and I'm not just saying that. All the positive feedback I'm getting is enough to make me want to write all day long, but school sadly interferes. I'll keep sharing whatever I have, don't worry. I'm having too much fun writing to stop, never mind all the awesome reviews people keep leaving.
Neko 1392- Not a thousand reviews would make me give away the plot. All I'll say is that I love the girl, and I'm looking past the usual I-can't-love-you-because-the-world-will-die angst. That's the most of a hint that shall be given.
crowmurder- Thanks. I always love that people are reading what would otherwise be private scribbles in one of my many notebooks. With the response this is getting, I'm definitely glad this is a more public version of the notebook.
moo- Everyone seems to be having that reaction. I didn't know it was that sad, but I'm really gratified that so many people are having a reaction to my little story.
BeastWithin- I'm happy to know there are fellow believers. Patient all believers must be, for Robin to back off and pick Starfire.
Fernnu- Thank you, my diligent reviewer. All I shall say is that the usual BBRae clichéd angst is out. Keep believing, everybody.
Thanks to everyone who reviewed. Just ask people who know me- I'm happy about it all day, except for when distracted with some physics research project that's a major chunk of my grade. If there are any parts of the story that don't make sense/come off too awkward/ or just take away from it, let me know. I'll fix all chapters later for grammar and minor details as needed. Thanks for reading, keep reviewing. R&R- The reviews melt my brain, not yours! But in a good way, of course, that is extremely beneficial to writing.
Cyborg's new company, started as a small part of Wayne Enterprises, was dangerously close to passing Microsoft in computer sales inside the United States, and was already the leading exporter. Simple-to-use, crash-free, inexpensive computers had the entire nation trying them in stores, trying to find the difference. Even while heading the hardware empire, he found time to join his fiancé in fighting crime. Every Christmas, some impossible to find car part arrived in the mail, or, once, a tip about a mole in his company who would have sabotaged an entire shipment.
Richard Grayson had forever retired his Robin costume. By day, he was Dick Grayson, CEO of a major company and billionaire. When not in public view and wearing designer suits, he wore the costume that made him Nightwing, crusader for all that is right. Annually, a benefactor who didn't bother to sign her name sent the whereabouts of some current nemesis, but never would reveal her sources.
Starfire's job as a bodyguard was short-lived. Instead, she founded her own company, a non-profit organization that acted as a liaison between Gotham City police and superheroes. She quickly expanded more bases to neighboring cities, helping police and heroes alike with special efforts. Kori Anderson, acting president, did not have much of a secret identity. Orange skin made that hard to pull off. Cosmetics only accented her features, as opposed to the concealing others would think of. She received yearly packets of contact information for young heroes in need of a steady job.
Gar Logan graduated with a doctorate in Animal Psychology and Behaviorology in just four years, never claiming that his instinct towards animal actions was not directly related to shape-changing abilities. Someone sent him notarized statements covering board for him and his roommate, showing the benefactor had covered room, board, and had included a contract for a city that wanted to design an animal-friendly zoo. He was just the man for the job. He called around after about five years, video-conferencing. Kori still wasn't trusted to plan a party without a classic Tameranean addition, and Dick was busy. He and Vic settled the issue in the most mature fashion possible. They played rock-paper-scissors, because video games would take too long. Vic lost.
"This is Victor Stone. Can I get Dick Grayson on the line?"
"He's in a meeting. This is his secretary. Can I take a message, sir?"
"Just tell him we're planning a reunion. Is he open starting December 2nd?"
"No, he's out of town from November 30th to December 13th, on a trip with Miss Kori Anderson."
"The seventeenth, then."
"He'll be back from the meeting in an hour or so to give final confirmation, but there's nothing on his schedule." She absentmindedly doodled on the day's date, November 8th.
"Thank you- what did you say your name was?"
"I didn't. It's Corvid, in case you need someone to complain about. Have a nice day." She hung up the phone, phony how-can-I-help-you? smile vanishing. She hated phone calls, typing, and regulations. Secretarial work was far from her cup of tea, as the saying went. Kori Anderson had already called her almost-fiancé four times about their trip, Vic Stone would call back, and some doctor or other was expected.
A tall man burst in without knocking, light brown hair tousled by the wind. He had dark green eyes that matched the emerald embroidery on his lab coat pocket- Dr. Logan. He noticed the secretary click away her e-mail screen. While she did, he slipped off a ring, and reverted to his natural green coloring, waiting for the inevitable reaction.
Hers was not expected. "You could have just been green in the first place, Dr. Logan. Mr. Grayson is expecting you, but his meeting is running late."
Gar read the nameplate on her desk, black letters cut into cheap imitation brass. RACHEL L. CORVID was frowning. "Do you know how long he'll be?" Gar asked politely. Sam had always found it hilarious that Gar was always polite, until he noticed that the surliest of people had to stretch to find nasty remarks about a polite person.
"No. You can either wait here or outside- his office is locked." RACHEL L. CORVID jammed a pen into an unruly bun of wildly curling black hair, graying at the temples. Bangs had already escaped a pair of barrettes.
"I'll wait here. Can I sit down?"
About to snap some rude comment, she saw his point. She moved a pile of papers from the only other chair in the room, filing them instead of answering the earlier question vocally. "Are you in on the reunion, then?" she asked amicably enough. "Your name was brought up."
"It's for an old group of friends. We had to work around Dick, really. Vic makes his own schedule, Kori trusts her assistant absolutely to run the company, and I basically work free-lance." He realized too late that he should not have brought up Kori's assistant. He might just be implying something, but nothing that wasn't true.
"Zoos." She blinked owlishly in response to his question, thick glasses making the expression even more pronounced. "I am a secretary, Dr. Logan, which is quite separate from being an idiot. I suppose you have a large group?"
"No. Just four."
"Good. That'll save me from renting a banquet hall at the last minute during holiday season. I'll be planning all practical details- Mr. Grayson's had me here since he started, so I'm used to it."
"We're going to our old home."
"Outside of Gotham, I assume. All the girls in the secretaries' break room would know of a green man, even if he isn't always green."
"It's a gift from Vic, actually- he made one for me a few years ago, so people would stop staring at me for just walking down the street."
"What does it do?" For the first time all day, she looked interested.
"It's a hologram projector, of what I would have looked like, if I hadn't become the amazing green animal man."
"Do you always talk in such detail to secretaries?" she asked, crossing past him to put a stack of files away.
"Only when they're you."
"Really. Only when they're older than you, obviously bad-tempered, and irritable?" She expected backtracking. He wasn't following the program. Most would immediately begin with an insincere "You-can't-be-that-old" before asking how old she really was. With a smile, as if that made it better.
"Especially then."
"Are you always this irritating?"
He could tell she wasn't mad. "Yes. I learned from the best."
"And who would that be?"
"Okay, so I taught myself. My roommate and I in college helped each other out."
"I doubt you ever needed help."
"Of course not- I'm a self-made annoyance."
He said it so proudly that she had to laugh. "That's quite an accomplishment. Do you have a diploma?"
"I invented the diploma."
"Did you also invent the dunce cap?"
"For my friends, yes. So many can't keep up with my jokes."
"How many friends put up with you?"
"Not many."
"Gee, I wonder why," Rachel wondered innocently.
"I resent that!"
"I resent you."
"Well, I resent anyone that would ever say anything mean to you. You're too cynical for your own good, until someone lets you know that it's safe to open up."
What she would have said was interrupted by Dick's arrival. She went back to her desk, pursed lips the only sign she had heard him. He turned his complete attention to his friend. They double-checked times, shook hands, and let, Gar slipping on his ring. The status quo was restored, but something wasn't quite right. There was a new person moved into the town, and something had to give. Or was it someone?