Baker X: This one here's a short one. No real action, just some comedy and slice of life. Don't worry, real action and plot are on the way. I just want to get all the introductions out of the way (though I've got more to go, these are the bigs ones). I hope you all enjoy my story, and please, if you read it, give me a review...even if you didn't like it. I don't really care for flames though. Anyways, enjoy. The next chapter I promise will be a good one, and just to give you a taste of what's to come, Smoke will be back.

The Legal Information: All characters present in the Teen Titans outside of Smoke, Clive, Sherri, and all others that are not seen in the show or comic book belong to me. All other characters, such as Starfire, Raven, and Slade, belong to their respective copyright holders. In other words, I do not own the Teen Titans, so anything that I say or have them do in this fanfiction does not reflect the opinions and beliefs of the creators of the Show/Comic or any of it's affiliates.

I'm working really hard at trying to sound smart, aren't I.

Dark Patriot

Heroes on Probation, part 2

With everyone set out about the dinner table, Sherri was the first to notice that things were starting to pick up in everyone's lives. They sat Beastboy, Terra, Cyborg, Robin, Starfire, Clive, Blackfire, Raven and herself. So what was the big deal? Those 4 sitting in a row, Robin, Starfire, Clive, and Blackfire. Sherri could tell, she had a natural instincts for these kind of things. Starfire was handing Clive slices of pizza, and so was Blackfire. Maybe Starfire was just being friendly, but Clive sure was enjoying the attention. Blackfire too was being as generous, pouring him a glass of soda as Robin looked on in some astonishment. The others didn't seem to notice, but Sherri had her suspicions about Raven. Raven knew of pretty much everything that went on in the Tower, so she figured she'd notice as well.

Sherri sat down between Beastboy and Raven, grabbing some pizza as well. She noticed her brother decided not to be his typical self and eat normally with everyone else.

Sherri: " Hey, you know, I was just thinking...it took you guys a while to get the pizzas. What were you two doing?"

Starfire: " What does she mean Clive? What did you and my sister do?"

Starfire sounded slightly frantic, sounding just off tone to what she usually does. Clive smiled and finished his slice of pizza.

Clive: " Well, go figure. On our way home, we bumped into Cinderblock robbing the bank. So I took a few moments to dispatch him and chit chat with the police."

Blackfire: " He was so heroic. You should have seen him. Cinderblock was no match for him!"

Starfire: " Indeed, Clive truely is heroic. He's saved all of us on many occasions, myself particularly."

Robin: " Well yeah. He's done some good around the city. Hopefully he'll continue to do such."

Clive: " Oh well, that's no problem. But hey Cyborg, mind if I can get some time from you to help work on my bike?"

Cyborg: " Sure man, anytime you need. Anything wrong with it?"

Clive: " Well, I was hoping to improve it a little bit and take care of some maintenace."

Cyborg: " I gotcha. We'll start tomorrow on it, how about that?"

Clive: " Cool man."

They continued to eat, and Clive helped himself to some more pizza. Afterwards, Blackfire chimed in on the small talk.

Blackfire: " So what are we gonna do after this team?"

Beastboy: " Team?"

Blackfire: " Yeah, team."

Terra: " I dunno. Any ideas?"

Clive: " Well, I was figuring on getting some practice. Maybe inviting my buddies over or something."

Cyborg: " Well, I...errr, have some repairs I need to do."

Beastboy: " I'm uhhh....uhhhh....yeah. I've got nothing to do."

Terra: " Then wanna help me out in 'Zombie Overrun'?"

Beastboy: " Sure."

Raven: " I'm going to go catch up on some meditating..."

Starfire: " Perhaps I shall join you?"

Raven: " Sure, why not."

Sherri: " Well, I've got homework guys, so I'll see you all later."

Robin: " Well, I guess since everyone else is busy, I'll just get some practice in."

Blackfire: " ...."

Starfire: " What is wrong sister?"

Blackfire: " Well, I was thinking maybe a team thing...but whatever. I guess I'll just find something to entertain myself with."

The team split off to do what they planned. Sherri went up to her room to do some school work, Robin out to the practice field to do some solo exercises, and Cyborg up to his room to make a phone call. Terra and Beastboy parked themselves infront of the gamestation and proceeded to shoot up zombies while Raven and Starfire left to meditate. Clive made a few phone calls and within a half hour, he had his band mates knocking. Blackfire just floated around, peeking in on others, then accompanied Clive with his buddies as he answered the door.

Clive: " Hey, glad you guys could make it."

Pat: " Yeah, well it's a hell of a drive man."

Alan: " Finding that little enterence thing you said was a lot harder than I though."

Clive: " Cry me a river."

Adam: " So this is your new place?"

Clive: " Something like that. My pad's upstairs."

Blackfire: " Clive? Hey, what's up? You've got your company here?"

Pat: " Whoa dude."

Adam: " Who are you?"

Blackfire: " Oh, we haven't been introduced. I'm Blackfire."

Alan: " And I am so yours..."

Blackfire: " What was that?"

Alan: " I mean, hi, I'm Alan."

Pat: " Pat."

Adam: " I'm uhh...uhh...Adam!"

She cast a glance to Clive, who shrugged off his friends jitters of Blackfire's presence. The 3 guys came in with their instruments in their cases. Clive and Blackfire led them to the elevator and they all packed in. Once they reached the 6th floor, the doors opened and his friends jaws hit the ground.

Alan: " What the!"

Pat: " I can't believe this!"

Adam: " It's beautiful..."

They gasped and walked down the hallway, passing all the different band posters and such. Bumper stickers were placed all around as well, and along with the rock music in the background, made this floor the ultimate in bachelor pads.

Alan: " This place rocks dude."

Clive: " I know. That was the theme."

Adam: " How many rooms are up on this floor?"

Clive: " Six bedrooms, then there's other rooms in here that I had modified as well, like the living room thingy and such."

Pat: " Cool."

Clive: " Well guys, let's head out to the practice room."

Adam: " No one will care how loud we are?"

Clive: " I doubt it."

Alan: " Then let's get started."

Clive led them into the practice room where they all attached their guitars to amps and Pat sat down on the drum set. Blackfire listened in on them as they practiced, not having much else to do. A good two hour jam session with Clive doing everything from heavy somber singing to shouts, yells, and fast paced gritty singing. Finally finished, they noticed that they had been accompanied by Starfire,Terra, Raven, and Beastboy as well. Clive's buddies about wet themselves seeing the 3 new girls appear. The guys almost tossed off their instruments and approached.

Clive: " Hey guys...how long have you been there?"

Raven: " Long enough to know that you're too loud."

Clive: " Whatever."

Raven: " You live on the floor above us. Infact, for some reason, this room just happens to overshadow my room...so I hear practically everything done here."

Clive: " Is that so?"

Raven: " Yes...and we were meditating while you were playing and it was disrupting to say the least."

Starfire: " But you did say it was somewhat enjoyable."

Raven: "...."

Clive: " I see...and the rest of you?"

Terra: " We beat Zombie overrun, so we thought we'd come up to hear you guys."

Beastboy: " Yeah man. You guys are the bomb!"

Pat: " Well, thanks."

Alan: " Yeah, we're just glad we've got a place to play and all."

Adam: " That's true. It's not like we can at our place. Too many neighbors would complain and we'd get kicked out."

Pat: " Speaking of complaining, we've got to go to work Adam."

Adam: " What? No way it's 7 already..."

Starfire: " Indeed...it is."

Clive and company escorted his bandmates back downstairs to the doorway into the garage, where they all said their goodbyes and parted ways. Pat, Alan, and Adam talked lightly on their way back to their cars.

Alan: " Man...he's so friggin lucky."

Pat: " Lucky isn't the word for it."

Adam: " 4 total babes just hanging around there! How much better could it get?"

Pat: " Well, he does have to fight crime and put his life on the line."

Alan: " Yeah...but remember, it's Clive. The guy's tough as nails, just like his brother was. Plus he's got some crazy ass powers to boot."

Adam: " Yeah, you're right there. Still...I wish I could have powers, then live rent free, bill free, and with so many cool people and hot chicks. I mean...damn man..."

Pat: " It's best not to think about it."

Back upstairs, the Titans had dispersed once again, as Clive walked over to the gamestation with Beastboy and Terra.

Clive: " Anyone up for a game of 'Metal Combat'?"

Terra: " That Mecha game? You're on."

Beastboy: " I've got winner!"

The trio played on while Blackfire left to go speak with Robin. She wandered the base for a while in search of him, finally locating him on the training deck fighting with sparring bots. He dispatched them with ease, then took a moment to get a drink of water. That's when she made her move.

Blackfire: " Robin, I need to talk with you."

Robin: " What is it?"

He was fairly cold to her, and she knew he would be. Still, she persisted.

Blackfire: " I want to know what it'll take for you to accept me as a Titan."

Robin: " Like we really trust you."

Blackfire: " I know it's hard. I did some bad things and I've had quite some time to reflect on them while I was away. You know, Centari prisons are not segragated, and some of those inmates tried some things on me. If it wasn't for my upbringings and other things, I might not have made it out of there. But thankfully, I'm strong and able to take care of myself."

Robin: " I see. I have some sympathy for you...but you still tried to switch yourself for Starfire, and I just couldn't take it knowing she was in a position like that. I can barely stand the thought of that she might have been in it."

Blackfire: " And I feel terrible about it now paricularly. When I was in there, I was alone, with only myself to rely on. No one could help me, no one could save me...it was terrible. I...I never want to be alone like that again."

Robin: "...."

Blackfire: " The Centari's released me on good behavior after I appealed my case. However, I'm on a probation of sorts and have to commit to certain obligations. First off, I'm obviously not allowed to commit any more crimes. Secondly, I must become an active member of a community and do something to help out wherever I will be staying. That's why I came here."

Robin: " I understand now. Until I can discuss this further with Raven, I'll let you be a Titan. But stay out of trouble."

Blackfire: " Yes sir!"

She smiled and gave him a salute. He shook his head with a slight laugh, then continued his work. She began to help him, and they sparred against each other for a while. In the meantime, Clive got up, brushing himself off as he sat the gamestation controller back down.

Terra: " Man, I didn't think you were that good!"

Clive: " I've got a few years on you with the whole video game thing. Back when I was still with my family and all, me and my brother used to play all the time. He was the arcade king! Taught me everything he knew."

Beastboy: " Wait...he wouldn't happen to be known as the JV?"

Clive: " How do you know him?"

Beastboy: " Dude, that guy has high scores on almost all the arcade machines in the city!"

Clive: " Yeah, that would be him."

Terra: " Dude, I've seen his high scores...it can't be possible."

Clive: " I've seen most of them. He knew it all. From Pinball, Fighting, Shooters, and Racing games, there was not a one he didn't master."

Beastboy: " He's a legend!"

Clive: " Something like that. Anyways, I'm gonna head upstairs. You guys have fun!"

Clive continued up the steps and after about 4 flights of stairs, he realized he should have taken the elevator. None the less, he continued his efforts and was able to make it to the fifth floor in only a few minutes. He wandered about, not sure where he was going, until he saw the door marked Raven. He knocked on it, but didn't get an answer.

Clive: " Yo! Hey! Anyone home?"

He knocked a second time, except much harder. Still no answer.

Clive: " Ok, I'm gonna give you one more time before I knock this door down and invite myself in. And I know you're in there because my powers tell me you are!"

Again, no answer. Clive cracked his right knuckles and set his fist flatly against the door. As he pulled his fist back, crackles of energy began to form around it. He let out a cry as his fist was thrust forwards. Too bad that Raven had to open the door at that moment, because the momentum he had was too much for him to gain balance. He ended up tackling into Raven and knocking her down. She still wasn't big enough of an obstacle to stop the stumbling titan. Starfire heard his approach while meditating and opened her eyes just as he ended up colliding with her. When Clive opened his eyes, he realized that he was laying on top of Starfire, who was crunched underneath him and against Raven's bed. He got off her quickly, then pulled the shadows around him to hide his immense blush.

Clive: " Sorry about that."

He helped Raven and her up to their feet and apologized while she and Raven brushed themselves off.

Clive: " I wanted to see if I could make it up to you girls for ruining your meditating session thingy."

Raven: " You've done enough."

Starfire: " It is alright. We were atleast able to enjoy the music you and your band play."

Clive: " So...mind if I join you all on this meditation thingy?"

Raven: " You can't be serious..."

Clive: " Infact I am. I'm willing to give anything a try. Even this."

Raven sat down on the ground crosslegged like. Starfire and Clive both did the same, mimicing her movements.

Raven: " Alright then...first you must find your center. Concentrate deeply and...Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos...Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos..."

Starfire and Clive chanted alongside her. When Clive peeked his eye open, he realized that he was the only one not floating off the ground. Feeling a bit left out, he used an ounce of his powers to make a dark hand rise up from underneath him and hold him up in the air with the girls. They would continue this for the rest of the night, till everyone decided it was late enough to warrent going to bed.