Broken Lines Of Silver
Author: ChristinaRoss
Disclaimer: I do no own the Teen Titans or any of their characters. Though I wish I did, well except for Robin (I don't really like him if you couldn't tell, he's annoying). But I do own Amie.
Author's Notes: Well, despite my efforts, my chapters are still moving slowly, but you people don't seem to mind, do you? Things can't be rushed. And this introduction section is still large! I don't want to, because I promised I would, but I may have to cut down on replying to the reviews. Maybe I can just lessen what I say, or just make a list of everyone and say 'Thanks to these following people' or something. I'll decide for next chapter. But for now, I'll move them to the end of the story, that'll neaten things up a bit. Last little note is that since their at a club, of course there will be drinking, now I don't say that its alcoholic drinks but it can be assumed, or not. But just pretend that the people live in a world where legal drinking age doesn't matter and some people are aliens or have super powers. I know it might be hard to imagine that, people not caring about drinking age I mean, but try. Oh, and the title of this chapter, I debated about using this because some people might jump to conclusion that this is about Starfire, well don't jump! Don't even leap! Just Read, Review, Enjoy!
Chapter 5:
A Fallen Star
Silver, purple, and green eyes scanned the busy bodies filling up the dim room. Despite the number of lights that were flashing on and off, the room was still very dark and the three girls were but shadows. Amie swallowed down hard and exhaled the breath she had been holding in since she entered the club. It was just like she remembered and she was thankful for the familiarity. She waited patiently for her comrades to finish their inspection of the surroundings before she moved. She knew that they wanted her to lead the way because they had no clue where to go as she did. She took an assertive step forward, secretly terrified inside, but showing a confident front. She didn't want the heroes to know that really she was scared to be there, to move at all, but she did for their sake's, especially Raven's. She didn't want to seem weak in front of the powerful woman.
She quickened her pace a little, weaving between the dancing figures, towards the bar and said over her shoulder to her followers, "Come on. Let's go sit by the bar and decide what to do next from there."
The usual techno music was blaring through her ears and she stopped walking once she reached the glass bar. Everything in the place was glass; it was the club's theme, hence the name 'Breakable'. Even on a few occasions, some of the partiers had gotten a little rowdy and smashed a few of the clear decorations but no one was ever injured.
Amie sat upon a bar stool and waited for her new friends to catch up. Starfire managed to squeeze out of the crowd and took a seat next to the small brunette.
"It is quite full," the tall tanned beauty stated. "How can one dance in such a crowded confinement?"
Amie giggled at Starfire's bewilderment. "Yeah, it is pretty full tonight. Hey, where's Raven?"
Amie didn't need to hear Starfire's answer, as low curses emitted from within a bundle of people. The dark sorceress stepped out of the group after tossing back one last threat and joined the two girls.
Amie wanted to giggle at Raven's sour behaviour but decided against it, feeling it was safer to not tease the frustrated half-demon and risk losing her head. Instead she asked the others what they wanted to do, "So do you guys want to sit here for a while, have a drink? Or do you want to dance? Or maybe find the others? Or what?"
Raven glanced into the silver eyes, which pulled away immediately in habit, and said dryly, "I'm not heading through that swarm of pests again. I'll stay here. But you two can go ahead if you want." She nodded to both Amie and Starfire.
Starfire dropped her enthusiastic smile and replaced it with a concerned pout. "But Raven, we do not wish to leave you here all by yourself. We shall stay here with you until you are ready to move again." Then she looked over at Amie who was looking around the dance floor anxiously. "Unless you mind, friend Amie," Starfire said, worried that she would have to choose between her old friend's and her new friend's wants.
Amie turned her focus onto the uneasy face beside her and grinned, "Nope. It's all good. I could use a drink anyways. I'm so thirsty. Besides, if we sit here for a while, maybe the guys will find us." She swiveled her stool to face the bar and waved to get the bartender's attention.
Out of the corner of his eye, the bartender saw Amie's request and walked over to the three lovely ladies sitting by themselves. He studied each of them separately, getting an evil stare from Raven, an innocent smile from Starfire and a bashful glance from Amie.
The bartender immediately recognized the last girl and exclaimed, "Hey, Girly! Haven't seen you around here in a while. Where you've been at lately? I take it your father's still keeping you on a short leash, huh?"
Amie coughed nervously, not raising her sight and answered the older man, "Uh… yah. Can we, uh, have three drinks please?" She could feel the two sets of questioning eyes staring holes into the side of her turned head and exhaled slowly.
"Sure," the loud man answered, turning around to start mixing ingredients. He asked over his shoulder, "So who's your new friends? Haven't seen you here with them before. What happened to the last two, big goons you had shadowing you around? Man, I can't say I blame you for ditching those two. They were…" He pivoted around, holding three small glasses in his large hands and placed them down on the counter top in front of each girl. He smiled at the threesome and continued, "ugly. Not like you two thought." He winked at Raven and Starfire who both started to sip their drinks. " So are you singing for us again tonight, Girly?" He received no response. He backed away and then continued, "I must say, Girly, you're choice in accompaniment certainly has improved greatly." He held out a hand for either of the strangers to shake and introduced himself, "Hi. I'm Jeff, Breakable's official bartender. Well, one of them at least."
Starfire took the man's hand and shook vigorously. "It is good to meet you kind sir."
The man yelped quietly from the tight grip encompassing his knuckles and commented, "Quiet a grip you've got there." He chuckled and held out his now free and wounded hand to the dark figure, who looked at it, slightly raising an eyebrow. He took the cue and retracted his hand back behind the counter. He walked away from the trio, feeling the tension in the air around them, and went to fill another customer's order.
Raven turned to the girl she wanted to question, who sat perfectly still with her eyes still downcast and hiding her face behind her hand as her elbow rested on the glass surface, and asked, "So what was that about?"
Amie swung her head around slowly, lifting her eyes slightly to meet the others. "Well," she began, "That was just Jeff, someone I know from here. Like I said, I used to always come here. He can be pretty talkative though." The corner of her mouth raised into a half smile. "And about the big goons and the father comment… I used to tell people that I had a strict father so it would explain my unusual behaviour and absences. The goons were Sir's men that he sent to watch over me sometimes when he knew where I was heading. They were pretty scary and ugly," she laughed nervously.
"And the singing?" Raven furthered.
"Oh, that. Well it was nothing. I would just," she brushed a loose brown strand from her face to behind her ear, "sometimes sing here. For money. Because Sir never paid me for his jobs. And I wasn't allowed to get my own part-time job so… yeah. It's no big deal." Her sentences came out choppy and forced and her eyes filled with self-shame.
"You sing?" Starfire eagerly asked.
"Yeah, but I'm probably not all that good. Just good enough to entertain these kinds of people," she flicked her head back towards the crowd.
"I thought you said you always try not to draw attention to yourself, to better hide from your… problems. Maybe you haven't noticed but singing does seem to pin all eyes on the singer," Raven said in a deadpan voice.
Amie clasped both hands behind her neck, her elbows pointing towards her accuser. She flashed a goofy smile and retaliated, "Well, like I said, I needed the money and it was better to sing for it than to resort to plan 'B', prostitution. Besides, singing always made me happy. It was the only thing keeping me alive and sane." The truth made her chuckle. She had never considered singing so important to her but now that she thought about it and was defending it, she realized how much she loved to sing.
A sudden boyish voice behind her caused the brunette to leap from her seat. The other two had seen the abnormally dressed boy walk towards the group but didn't warn the unsuspecting victim of his approach. "Hey, guys. Did I hear someone mention singing?"
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The green coloured fish swished past the smaller red fish near him and zoomed through the water, trying to spy anything that would catch his buggy eyes. Four familiar figures did just that as he noticed Robin and the three ladies making their way across the dance floor. He swam towards them, following directly under their footsteps.
Oh, I wish I knew what they're talking about? Why do they get to have all the fun and I'm stuck here as a fish? Lousy Robin. I bet he just wanted me out of the way so he could get all friendly with Amie. Argh, after this dance, I'm going to give him a piece of my mind! Wait a minute…
Beast Boy's anger was dissipated at the sight directly above him. The group stopped walking and was standing fairly close to the DJ's turntables and Robin was saying something to Amie. Beast Boy couldn't make out what they were talking about but he didn't care. That wasn't what was currently on his mind. He stared above him, his fishy lips opening up in a gasp, frozen in their drooling state.
Wow. Amie is wearing a skirt. Ho, man! Damn, I'm so glad I'm a fish.
He floated in the same position, stuck, unable to peel his eyes of the beautiful sight before him, for a few minutes. His lustful gaze was broken when the petit girl in the mini-skirt walked away, heading up to the DJ occupied at scratching disks.
Damn.
The remaining three finished talking amongst themselves.
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"Why is she going to sing again?" Raven asked, hearing the answer the persistent hero gave the young artist but knowing that he truthfully had other reasons behind his demand. She took her glare off the curious green fish below them, whom she had been studying for some time while Robin convinced Amie to sing tonight.
I'll have to have a talk with that boy soon.
"Because," Robin explained, "If we want this guy to know she's here, we're going to have to show her off a little. Once he hears she was singing here, he'll come looking for her. It's perfect!"
"Ooh! I cannot wait to hear her sing! I am sure she has quiet a beautiful, lyrical voice," beamed the overly excited Starfire, who was unusually hyper after the drink she gulped down.
"Yeah," the Boy Wonder agreed, " She probably has a great singing voice." He smiled at the thought, picturing the silver-eyed girl gliding on stage as she danced, her voice carrying over the undeserving crowds. He sighed, longing.
A sudden screech from the microphone caused the fallen boy to snap back to reality. A booming voice echoed into the room, as the DJ announced, "Alright, listen up you party people! We've got a special treat tonight. This girl here," he extended his right arm out beside him, showing off the fairly timid woman who was focusing on her friends' faces within the sea of others, "is going to sing for us tonight. Some of you might remember her, and for those who don't, be prepared to be blown away. So give it up for…"
"Amie!" the performer finished as she grabbed the microphone from the unwilling man's hands.
The horde of teenagers screamed and cheered, throwing their arms up into the air. A fast tempo-ed beat began blaring behind the star and the audience settled down slightly. Amie's lips parted and the words flowed out with ease from her throat. She maintained her speed with the background music, allowing every word to have its own emphasis. Her voice rained within everyone's ears. It was beautiful, sweet and softly forceful and she made it seem as simple to do as breathing. It was second nature to her. She moved her body in unison to the rhythm of the music, swaying her hips, shoulders, and lone free arm in any direction the melody ordered her to. She floated down from the platform gracefully, her feet moving as if they were gliding on air.
The four heroes stood in awe, Beast Boy now standing beside, joining Robin and the girls, absolutely stunned at the sight before them. The nervous, withdrawn girl they met the other day was completely gone now. Instead, what twirled in front of them was a confident, emotionally warm woman, pouring her soul into every word she sang and every move she danced. Their jaws dropped, each face blank from complete shock, none realizing that she was that good at her hobby.
Wow. Who thought she had it in her?
She's incredible, so beautiful and captivating.
That voice, I could listen to it all day.
She is magnificent. I am ever so envious… uh… and proud.
The masses of people waved and weaved around, appreciating the added vocals, as Amie continued her solo. When she finally finished her lengthy song, the Titans snapped out of the trance they had been locked in the entire time. Amie thanked all her listeners as they cheered and went on with their usual affairs, and she joined her comrades once again.
"So, how was that?" she inquired, hopeful for a good response from the only critics she cared to hear from.
Robin spoke first, lively, "That was amazing, Amie. Real good."
"Really?" she eagerly asked, just wanting to hear more praise for her skills.
Raven answered the girl's repeated question in a reserved voice, "Yah. Good job."
To the dark sorceress' discomfort, Amie flung her arms around the young woman's neck, pulling her close in a thankful, friendly hug. "Ooh, thank you, guys!" she screamed into Raven's close ear. "I'm glad you enjoyed it."
Robin and Beast Boy stared at the embracing girls, jealousy washing over them, as Raven struggled to free her self from the entangled limbs.
Ooh. Lucky Raven. She doesn't even like hugs. It's going to complete waste!
That should have been my hug. I complimented her first.
The irritated darker figure finally pulled away from the joyous brunette and she murmured, "I'm glad you're pleased but I don't do hugs."
"Oh. Sorry," she said, looking closely at her hug-victim, making sure that that apology was acceptable and required, unlike her previous ones which Raven had scolded her about.
Raven nodded in appreciation and Amie felt at ease.
Silence was among the set of adolescents until Starfire, who had been oddly quiet lately, interjected through the stillness. "Shall we dance?" she asked no one in particular.
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"All is calm so far," the robotic man confirmed, as the communication link crackled on the other side. He could barely hear his fierce leader's commanding voice through the loud music piercing in the background. He had been bored sitting by himself in the dark car outside the club and decided to update Robin on the occurrences, which were none, when really he just wanted to talk to someone and abolish this dullness. The dark-haired clubber wasn't responding much to Cyborg's conversation so he decided to drag him into one by force. "So what's been going on in there? Anything interesting?" he asked, wanting to know what he was missing out on.
Robin seemed distracted on the other side of the link, turning his head back constantly to see something, or someone off in the distance behind him, but he eventually answered the desperate teen, speaking slowly and loudly, "Oh… nothing much, really. Just some dancing. Nothing out of the ordinary or interesting happening in here," he lied, not wishing to share information about Amie's performance, desiring to keep the memories all for himself, and regretting that his other teammates were able to share into his joy.
"Oh," Cyborg said, disappointed. "That's cool."
"Yah, look, Cyborg. I gotta go. Just call me back if you notice anything strange, okay? We won't be much longer," ordered Robin, waiting for agreement in his demand.
"Alright," Cyborg whispered, turning off his communicator and lying back in the now reclined chair. "Whatever you say, Robin," he added to himself, slightly annoyed.
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Robin closed his communicator and marched back in the direction of the dancing girls he left. Beast Boy had revisited one of his posts, sitting on a wall as a fly, spying the unsuspecting crowds through his big, gooey eyes.
Starfire and Amie danced freely in a small spot while Raven leaned against a nearby wall, watching from a distance with folded arms. The two dancers attempted very hard to convince the 'party pooper' to join them in their fun but to no avail. Raven would and could not be budged. So the two of them determined to dance with each other.
On Robin's return, he squeezed in between the two girls and started to wiggle his hips in his own goofy fashion. "Hey, ladies," he greeted. "May I join you?" He was sandwiched between two of his loves, Starfire and Amie, his old crush and his new crush, one like a wife and the other, his mistress. He flashed them both a wide grin and let them dance in circles around him. He couldn't have been any happier… until Amie collapsed at his feet.
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"Well, she seems to be certainly more comfortable now," Raven murmured under her breath, commenting on the scene unfolding before her eyes. Amie was spinning close around the Titan's leader in a flirtatious manner while Starfire tried to mimic her competition's free flowing moves, attempting to keep up with the smoother girl's motions.
Raven sighed solemnly, a part of her secretly wishing to be out there too on the dance floor, well, a small part of her at least, enjoying herself but she wouldn't dare to listen to the annoying voice within her.
Of course, not with Robin though. Hmm… He also seems to be enjoying himself, a little too much. What is with all the guys lately? A new girl comes in and they drool all over her… I hope Cyborg doesn't join those two, but something tells me…
Her thoughts were interrupted as she witnessed the smaller figure buckle over, falling to the ground by Robin's feet. The still conscious, other dancers halted, gawking at the unexplained situation. Raven, preserving her rationalism, dashed over to the fallen figure, lifting her body up a little from the dirty, hard ground. She held the sleeping girl's head on her left arm and flicked her sight on Robin, who stood, still stunned. "We have to go… now!" she insisted.
Robin didn't respond. He rested perfectly motionless, watching the dark-clothed girl lift Amie up onto her folded knees. Starfire took the lead, "Yes. We must get her back to the tower. Come, Robin, let us inform Beast Boy of this misfortunate situation." She dragged the silent boy along with her, trailing off to find the green being, in whatever creature-shape he might be in at the time.
Raven watched as the two disappeared into the crowd, Robin still keeping his eyes on her and Amie until the last moment. Once there was no sight of them, she struggled to stand, not used to lifting such weight on her own without her powers, even though the girl in her arms was fairly light-weighted. She started to walk toward the club's exit, pushing past people, no one noticing her distress. Before she could reach her destination, silken arms wrapped tightly around her neck, clutching for life, and a warm body pressed close against her chest. She looked down, already knowing the source of such a physical attack upon her. Amie had awoken.
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"She what?" Beast Boy yelled, fear and sorrow in his voice.
"Do not worry, Beast Boy. Raven is taking her to the T-car and we shall take her back home. She will be fine there, I am sure," Starfire calmed the panicked former dog, now frantically waving his arms around and pacing back and forth.
"Yeah, don't worry, Beast Boy," Robin added, finally back to himself. "She probably just fainted from exhaustion. Too much excitement in one night after what she's been through already, especially within the last twenty-four hours. We'll find out back at the tower if anything is really wrong, which there won't be. So let's get going."
Beast Boy shot ahead of them, wanting to check on Amie himself, and tossed back, "Well then, let's go!"
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"Raven…" the frail voice whimpered. Her silver eyes glistened, filling with unshed tears and engulfed in sheer terror. She cuddled her carrier tighter, not wanting to ever let go. She felt a welcoming hand rub her back soothingly.
"There, there," cooed a somber voice, "you're going to be okay. You just fainted, that's all."
"Don't leave me," the weak Amie begged, "please."
"I won't. I promise. Were bringing you back to the tower, so just hold on tight, okay?" Raven patted Amie's light brown hair and felt the tense body in her arms relax. The form fell back, her arms releasing their death grip from Raven's throat, and laid back down into the sorceress' hold. "Amie?" Raven whispered, looking upon the young woman's still face. Amie plummeted back into a state of unconsciousness, but this time willingly, with a peaceful expression. She felt safe in the powerful heroine's grasp.
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Cyborg blasted his voice throughout the enclosed car, singing along to the latest chart toper, so he didn't notice the frustrated, dark shape approaching him. Black energy surrounded the car's sound system, cutting off the tune that was playing and then dissipating. Cyborg discontinued his singing and rolled down the window to holler at the half-demon for ending the only fun he had all night. Instead, he was faced with a weary, tired, pale face.
"What's going on, Rae?" he asked, concerned now because he had never seen Raven show such emotion, or any emotion for that matter.
"Open the door," she commanded. "Amie fainted. We're heading back home. Plan's over."
"Alright," he said, stepping out of the car and opening up the side door for Raven so she could unload her burden.
Raven laid the tranquil body across the back seat, Amie still sustaining a loose grip onto Raven, slender fingers wrapped around her bare arm.
"Looks like she doesn't want to let go of you," Cyborg noticed.
"I know." Raven climbed into the back of the car and sat, raising Amie's head as she did so, placing it back down gently atop her lap once she was fully settled.
The driver revisited his proper seat and turned the key, starting the ignition just as Beast Boy came rushing out of the club's entrance with flailing arms. "Hey, guys! Wait up!" he exclaimed, hoping they saw him, which was difficult not to. He leapt into the passenger's seat, glancing back at Amie, concern written across his face.
Cyborg's foot levitated above the gas petal, holding off from pressing down and heading home. A thought crossed his mind, "B.B., where's Starfire and Robin?"
Beast Boy snapped into his seat and shot back impatiently, "Robin has to ride his R-cycle back and Star said something about flying home ahead to set up the Med lab or a bed or something like that. Whatever Amie might need. So let's go already!"
With that, Cyborg released his foot's hesitation and the car zoomed forward, heading back home.
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kairistwin: Hehe… I like your comments about Robin and Beast Boy but… No, I won't ruin anything. Thank you for your review and that you think that I get better every chapter because I thought my last one sucked. And I try to update ASAP for my reviewers like you. Thank you so much!
Rabid-Gouki817: Well, Robin being human is still debatable. But he certainly isn't perfect like he seems to be portrayed on the show. Thank you for your comment and your review. Yeah, I'm trying to add a little more humour and character into my story. I am glad you keep returning to read and that you enjoy this so far. Thanks!
inu-yaha 1234: Wow! I rock! That's the best compliment I've ever gotten! Thank you! I am touched, truly I am. (wipes tear forming in eye) And you said my fan fiction does too? Wow. Thank you so much and guess what… you ROCK too! Thanks and I hope you keep reading my story!
DBZmotoko: Thank you, you think all my chapters are awesome? Kick ass! Yah Robin is actually a dirty little perverted boy in reality and its all downhill… no uphill I guess from here. Thank you for the awesome review and I shall keep them coming as fast and as good as possible! Thanks!