Chapter Two
The flashing light and harsh tone of the alert system jolted Raven out of a troubled sleep. She lay in bed for a moment and silently willed the alarm into silence, but gave it up as a lost cause when Cyborg pounded on her door.
"C'mon Raven, we gotta go!"
Growling with frustration, Raven flung the covers back and swung her feet over the edge of the bed. Wincing slightly at her contact with the cold floor, she dressed quickly, still securing her cloak over her shoulders as she left her room.
The others were already gathered in the common room when she arrived and with the exception of Robin, no one looked particularly alert.
"Geez, Raven," Beast Boy yawned, revealing abnormally pointed canines, "You look like I feel."
She gave him a withering glare and turned her attention to Robin. "This is ridiculous. Seven nights in a row. We can't keep doing this."
Robin nodded and drove his fist into the palm of his hand, "I know, but this time we're going to find out who's behind all of this. I'm sure of it." Raven, Cyborg and Beast Boy exchanged dubious glances while Starfire did her best to hide a yawn.
"Come on, guys," Robin barked, determinedly rallying the troops, "We need to hurry. This ends tonight."
The criminals had already cleaned out the warehouse and disappeared by the time the Titans arrived. Raven had joined the others in a fruitless search for clues when a short, red-faced man dashed up to her.
"So you're finally here, are you? Took you long enough to get here."
"Excuse me?"
"At first, I didn't even know they were here," the little man ranted, "I barely even got a look at them, they were just three shadows moving around the crates and hauling the merchandise out the door. They were strong, too. The whole shipment was gone in about five minutes."
"Wait," Beast Boy broke in from over Raven's shoulder, "you actually saw them?"
"I just said so, didn't I? Only I couldn't see what they looked like, just blobs of shadow. But maybe the security tapes would help."
"Your security cameras are still working?" Cyborg questioned doubtfully.
"Not the new ones," the little man admitted gruffly, "worthless pieces of junk, they stopped working just before the whole thing started. But I've got a few older models still running just dandy. They don't make 'em like they used to, I always say."
"Where are those tapes?" Robin demanded excitedly, "I'll need to see them." The man beckoned for Robin to follow him and the pair disappeared into a tiny office.
"How about that," Cyborg said admiringly, "looks like the Boy Wonder was right after all, maybe we will solve this thing tonight." The remaining four Titans continued to scour the warehouse for evidence, but it was as clean as each of the previous crime scenes had been.
Half an hour later Robin returned, VHS tape in hand. "Martin's gonna let us borrow this," he announced grimly, "there's something you all need to see."
Judging by the quality of silence in the room, Raven guessed that her friends were just as stunned as she was. She jumped when Robin cleared his throat and flicked the television off.
"I think we can all agree that we have our work cut out for us."
"But I do not understand," Starfire spoke slowly, "who are those people?"
Robin shrugged, "We don't know yet, it looks like we have some new players in town."
"Perhaps it is some kind of joke," Starfire insisted.
"If it is, it isn't funny," Cyborg said grimly.
Beast Boy's mouth was moving, but so far he hadn't managed to get anything out. "But … I mean … they're you!" he finally sputtered.
Raven hated to admit it, but Beast Boy was right. Although the picture on the video was grainy, the three figures that had been recorded were obviously meant to be Robin, Starfire and herself. The likenesses were too stiff to be exact, but they were close enough to fool the casual observer.
"But who would want to dress up like us?" Starfire asked, clearly flummoxed.
"Someone who wanted to get us into trouble," Robin explained, "someone out there is trying to make us look bad. We need to find out who before this gets out of hand."
"Full house, kings over tens," Beast Boy crowed as he laid his cards down with a flourish, "Read 'em and weep." He leaned across the countertop to scoop up his winnings while Cyborg gathered the cards up and started to shuffle.
"This isn't even fun anymore," the cybernetic groaned as he dealt the next hand.
"Hey, don't blame me. I wanted to play strip poker, she's the one who nixed the idea," Beast Boy jerked his thumb in Starfire's direction and the alien girl frowned.
"I have already learned my lesson. Also, I do not think you two play fair when we use those rules."
"She's got us, man," Cyborg said sadly and Beast Boy nodded resignedly.
"Are you certain you do not wish to play, Raven?"
Raven peered over the top of her book and shook her head. "No thanks. I don't play poker."
"Too bad," Beast Boy grinned roguishly, "Want us to let you know when we start playing 'go fish?'"
Raven ignored him and Starfire raised her voice to carry across the room, "Robin?" The black-haired boy's eyes never even left the television screen. "Robin, I would like to ask if you would care to–"
"Not now, Star," Robin interrupted. Almost at once he swiveled his head to face her and, catching the hurt look in her eyes, he added in a gentler tone, "I'm sorry, Starfire. Hang on a sec, I want to see this."
Every eye in the room was now turned curiously toward the television set. A local news reporter was on the street accosting innocent pedestrians, demanding their opinion of the recent development.
"What development?" Beast Boy questioned, but the other four hissed at him to keep quiet.
The scene switched to the newsroom where the anchor introduced the relevant video segment. 'Pay careful attention to this recent security footage. As you can see, the Titans were behind this recent robbery, and some official sources speculate that the team has been behind the recent crime wave from the beginning.'
The Titans watched in shock as the footage from the warehouse robbery played out across the screen. "I do not understand," Starfire whispered, "how did they find–?"
Her unfinished question was answered a moment later when Martin's round, red face loomed into view. 'I was there the night this happened. The Titans … they told me to keep quiet, that they didn't want this getting out, but I reckon the public needs to know.'
"That's not–" Robin began angrily, but quieted immediately to listen to the conclusion of the report.
'And there you have it. Almost a dozen robberies in the past two weeks, all apparently the work of our self-proclaimed defenders. If the Titans have truly taken the law into their own hands, can our local law enforcement stop them?'
Robin punched the button to turn off the television and turned to face his team. "I was afraid of this," he said grimly.
"I'll call the networks," Cyborg sighed heavily, "maybe I can do some damage control."
"Fine. Good. The rest of you? I need you out on the street. We need to find these guys. Now."
"We've got an alarm from the bank on sixth," Robin's voice crackled from Raven's communicator.
"Dude, I was just there!" Even over the static, the frustration in Beast Boy's tone was evident.
"I know, sorry Gar. I'll meet you guys over there."
Raven sighed and adjusted her course toward the newest crime scene. Her investigation of the pier hadn't been completed, but she couldn't bring herself to care. Rather than waiting for the next alert, Robin now had the Titans patrolling every night, but the Titan doppelgangers were still as elusive as ever. To make matters worse, the added publicity seemed to be encouraging them; the mystery criminals were now pulling several heists a day.
The most recent development was that, thanks to the increase in public interest, amateur photographs of the Titans were showing up daily in the print media. Some of the photos were of the actual Titans, taken while they were making their nightly rounds, and some seemed to be of the mysterious culprits, but as they were invariably taken during the nighttime hours all were considered evidence of underhanded activities. Raven was getting tired of seeing her own face on the front page of the paper accompanied by headlines demanding the Titans be apprehended and jailed. If it had been her decision, she would have washed her hands of the whole situation long ago.
Perhaps the worst part was the new attitude the general public had adopted toward them. Raven, always regarded as the coldest and least approachable Titan, had prided herself on not caring about her reputation. That, she quickly realized, was before she became one of the most reviled celebrities in all of Jump City. Now she couldn't even show her face without encountering overt suspicion, hate-filled glares and sometimes minor acts of aggression. Some of the city's citizens, mostly those aided by the Titans before, staunchly defended their innocence, but the majority of the population seemed perfectly willing to disown them.
The only bright spot was that the local law enforcement now believed in their innocence. Robin had made a point of checking in with the police chief regularly and had actually been inside the station the last time a call had come in to report a robbery he was allegedly involved in. He had given the officials access to their communication frequency, and while Raven wasn't thrilled with the idea that she was being tracked around the clock, she supposed the benefit of staying out of jail outweighed the inconvenience.
Despite official support, however, the media continued to encourage rumors and suspicion. Apparently the story of heroes-gone-bad was too good not to run with, and while the police chief's official findings were dutifully reported, it was with skepticism and hints of conspiracy. Meanwhile, each new sighting of a Titan involved in criminal activity was reported with ill-disguised glee. The final straw, as far as Raven was concerned, was when a panel of previously incarcerated criminals appeared on a local morning talk show to discuss the appalling state of the city and call for a return to common decency.
"We're all here, Raven. Where are you?" Robin's voice issued from the communicator once more.
"Right behind you," Raven said dryly, stepping out of a nearby alley.
"Ah, great," Robin squeaked and he cleared his throat. "Great. We're too late again, but there were a few witnesses. Star and I are going to question them while you three take a look around, okay?"
"Yeah. Sure."
Beast Boy sounded about as enthusiastic as Raven felt and she shot him a sympathetic smile. Wearily, she followed Beast Boy and Cyborg as they entered the bank. She would do her job, but it didn't take a psychic to predict that, once again, the criminals had left ample evidence of their presence, but none at all to indicate who they were, or where they had gone.
Raven couldn't remember the last time she'd gotten a decent night's sleep. She and the Titans had spent the last several days scouring the city for their mysterious counterparts, following tenuous leads. Each night, they would crawl into bed, exhausted, only to be awakened a few hours later by the inevitable alarm. Moments later the Titans would converge on the scene of the crime, cranky and weary, only to find their quarry had vanished into thin air. It was psychologically as well as physically wearying.
Raven looked around the crowded kitchen. Starfire was nodding off over her bowl of catsup and cornflakes, her normally sleek hair in tangled disarray. At her elbow, Cyborg absently added his ninth spoonful of sugar to his coffee. Beast Boy was at the end of the counter staring listlessly at the half-eaten stack of waffles in front of him. Raven daintily sipped her tea and silently willed her friends to eat slowly. Maybe if they stretched breakfast out until noon they could forget about their other plans for the day.
"Okay, guys. Let's get going, we've got work to do." Robin glanced at his watch and tapped his foot impatiently. Cyborg and Beast Boy groaned and Raven reluctantly slid down from her stool.
"We've got a lot of ground to cover today. Cyborg? I want you and Beast Boy to search the U district again." At Beast Boy's grunt of protest, Robin held up his hand and explained, "I know, I know you've looked there before, but I've gotten several reports of sightings near the college, and unless one of us has been robbing bookshops in our spare time …"
"What spare time?" Beast Boy muttered, but Robin ignored him.
"… okay then. Raven, you've got everything between seventh and twenty-third, and Starfire, you and I will-"
"No."
Raven stared at Starfire, one eyebrow raised, and Cyborg spun toward her so quickly he nearly fell off his stool.
"Wha—uh, what Star?"
"I said no," she repeated. Her voice took on a slightly pleading tone, but her eyes flashed determinedly, "Robin, I am sorry to disagree with you, but I am tired. I am too tired to fly around the city today and search for clues that are not there. I do not want to spend the day looking for criminals that we cannot find, and I do not think I am the only one to feel this way." Starfire looked around, seeking confirmation, and Raven found herself nodding her head automatically.
"Please, Robin," Starfire entreated. "Let us take a day off. We can spend the day in the park, perhaps later attend the cinema. I know you are tired as well, it may be that we will have more luck catching the evildoers if we have had a chance to rest."
Four pairs of eyes turned to Robin hopefully and his determination visibly faltered. "But Star! We have to … I, er … fine. Take the day off."
"Eeeee!" Starfire launched herself over the counter and knocked Robin backward into the cabinets with an enthusiastic hug. "Thank you, dear Robin! You will not regret it. Do not worry, I will make sure today will be most enjoyable for you!"
Cyborg and Beast Boy both snorted in amusement, but Raven motioned them into silence before they could spout off the inappropriate comments she could see they were just dying to make. Instead, they contented themselves with grinning knowingly and raising their eyebrows suggestively at a steadily reddening Robin.
"What are you waiting for?" Robin barked. "You wanted a day off, so go! Don't make me change my mind."
"Yessir!" the boys replied in unison. They hurried out the door, still grinning.
"Thanks, Robin," Raven said quietly as she, too, exited the room. But his attention was already focused on the girl wrapped tightly in his arms and she wasn't sure that he heard her.
Raven stretched luxuriously. She had spent the better part of the day in the park with the rest of the Titans eating burgers and playing football. Well, the others had played football, but she had agreed to referee, so as far as she was concerned it counted. Sarah had taken the day off to spend with Cyborg and had mercifully engaged Bunny in conversation for the better part of the afternoon. When the sun started skimming the tops of the trees, the party had broken off into smaller groups and everyone went their separate ways.
Raven had arrived back at the tower first and had immediately snagged the opportunity to catch up on her reading. Three chapters in Cyborg showed up, looking tired but happy. He explained that Sarah had gone into work to catch up a bit, and immediately flopped down on the sofa and flipped the television on in one practiced motion.
The two of them were sitting in companionable silence when the door slid open and Beast Boy walked in. She could feel the tension radiating from him immediately, and while Cyborg did not share her empathic abilities, he too was looking at his friend warily.
"What's up, man? Someone take your parking spot?"
Beast Boy just grumbled unintelligibly and plopped down next to Cyborg, his arms folded across his chest. Cyborg and Raven shared a concerned glance over Beast Boy's head, Raven shook her head slightly and Cyborg shrugged.
"Don't do that," Beast Boy sighed grumpily, "I hate it when you do that."
"Then maybe you could tell us what's wrong," Raven suggested dryly.
He turned to glower at her, but she returned his gaze coolly. "Hmph, fine," he conceded, "it's stupid really, but … well, it's just stupid."
"Gotcha. Stupid. Go on."
Beast Boy redirected his glare at Cyborg and continued, "Anyway. So I took Bunny to Paulo's place, y'know?"
"That the guy we rescued from Mumbo last year?"
"That's the one."
"Great food."
"That's what I thought. So we get there and get our order and then all this stuff starts happening."
"Stuff?" Raven questioned.
"Yeah, like … you could hear people making comments. Things like, 'what's he doing here, doesn't he have a bank to rob?' and 'keep an eye on your purse, Millie,' stuff like that."
Cyborg choked back a laugh, "You shouldn't let that kind of stuff get to you, man. People are just paranoid."
"Yeah, I didn't. It was really starting to bug Bunny, though. Then someone chucked a piece of broccoli. Hit her right in the back of the head."
"I can't believe Paolo would let that happen," Cyborg interrupted indignantly.
"Nah, he was in the back," Beast Boy shrugged. "Anyway, I start to get mad, right? 'Cause I don't care what they say about me, but they shouldn't be dragging Bunny into this."
"Please tell me the restaurant's still in one piece," Raven groaned, one hand over her eyes.
"Mostly. Anyway, after I apologized to Paolo, helped him clean up a bit, I walked Bunny home. And I was feeling pretty good, too, y'know? 'Cause it felt kinda good to stand up to those jerks. I didn't hurt 'em or anything, just scared 'em a bit. Let 'em know if they have a problem, they take it up with me." He prodded his chest with his thumb proudly and Raven rolled her eyes.
"So I'm walking with Bunny and she starts going on about how she knows all of this isn't our fault, but maybe we should be laying low for a while, wait for all this to blow over. And she's telling me that she loves that I'm a superhero, but that she's been getting a lot of flack about being seen out with me, and maybe we should just stay in from now on. Only we can't go to her place because her roommate doesn't trust me, so why don't we head over to the Tower?"
Cyborg patted his shoulder consolingly, "Sorry man."
"Yeah," Beast Boy said glumly, "That's when I told her she'd better not come over, I wouldn't want her to have to suffer the embarrassment of hanging out with all of the Titans at the same time. About that time she called the cab."
Beast Boy leaned forward to rest his chin on his hands while Cyborg continued to pat his back reflexively. "I just don't get it," Beast Boy muttered miserably, "how is Sarah handling all of this?"
Cyborg pulled his hand back to drum his fingers nervously on his thigh, "Ah, she … she's been … okay. I mean, she's a little concerned, I guess, but …" he trailed off and looked at Raven pleadingly. She sighed and scooted closer to Beast Boy.
"You just need to give her time. And space. We're used to the attention, Bunny's not. And with things being rough for us, imagine how she feels." Beast Boy shrugged gloomily and Raven reached out to touch his arm comfortingly, "She'll be fine, Garfield. She knows how much you care about her; she'll remember that before long."
"I guess," Beast Boy leaned back against the back of the couch and unconsciously grasped Raven's hand as she drew it away from his elbow. She let him hold it for a moment longer before gently tugging it away. "Thanks Raven. Cy. I think … I think I'm gonna go to bed. Maybe I'll feel better about everything in the morning."
"I hope so, man. Hey, wait up. I'll follow you out."
Raven ignored the look Cyborg threw her as he exited the room and was swallowed by the darkness of the hallway. She picked up her discarded book and tried to read, but found herself unable to concentrate. She was still awake, staring off into space, several hours later when Robin and Starfire finally got in.
Raven had never gotten the hang of sleeping during the day. After yet another late night, the Titans had dragged themselves into the Tower just as the sun broke over the horizon. Without a word, they had headed for their separate rooms and some much-needed rest, but while Raven was utterly exhausted, sleep eluded her.
She gave up in disgust and headed to the common room. She listened carefully as she passed the doors to her friend's rooms, but heard nothing but steady breathing and, in some cases, light snoring. She didn't even bother stifling the pang of jealousy that shot through her. Starfire, she was sure, had fallen asleep the moment her head hit the pillow, her hair probably fanned out around her head attractively. Robin had barely even made it to his door, certainly he had been too tired to obsess over last night's failure. Cyborg had it easy, once plugged in to his system monitor, he would sleep dreamlessly for exactly four point five hours, and Beast Boy had turned napping into an art. No, it was Raven and only Raven that was suffering from daylight induced insomnia.
In consolation, she would brew a pot of tea, curl up on the sofa with a particularly dry tome, and try to trick herself into dozing off. It hadn't worked yet, but there was a first time for everything. She had just tucked her book under her arm and was blowing across the surface of her cup when she heard someone behind her clear his throat. She hadn't heard anyone else come in and she turned around curiously. Only her years of practice controlling her emotions kept her from dropping her tea in shock.
Across the room a familiar face, magnified to enormous proportions, was gazing at her from the gigantic view screen. Raven lowered her eyebrows and glowered as the unwelcome apparition flashed a set of yellowing teeth in a predatory grin.
"How did you get access to this channel?" she asked flatly.
"Now ducky, is that any way to treat an old friend?"
"Old, yes. Friend, no. We sent you to jail last year." Raven pointed out evenly.
Mad Mod's grin slipped slightly and his voice took on a wheedling tone, "But I'm reformed! I've turned over a new leaf. Surely you've heard?"
Raven sighed and rolled her eyes, "Heard what?"
The Englishman's expression fell completely, "I've issued statements, love. I held a press conference." At Raven's blank look he added with exasperation, "It was all over the telly!"
"Sorry," Raven shrugged disinterestedly, "we've been busy."
"You—ah, right. I should have thought of that." He paused to collect his thoughts before pressing on, "No matter. The point is, I'm a legitimate businessman now. I'm firmly on the right side of the law. You can ask anyone."
"Okay," Raven said slowly, clearly, "so what?"
"So what? So I'm prepared to offer you my assistance," Mad Mod replied dramatically. "I understand you lot are in a spot of trouble and I believe I can help."
"I doubt it, but let's hear it."
"If you five will agree to join forces with me I will place my considerable resources at your disposal."
"Mmm hmm. Why?"
Raven's lack of interest seemed to deflate him and he stuttered slightly, "I—I've gone soft, I mean … reformed! I've reformed and now I want to rid the city of this damnable criminal element. One thing I learned in prison is that society needs order to function properly. I've decided to devote my energies toward that end."
"You realize I don't believe you, don't you?" Raven replied offhandedly.
"Bloody hell, woman!" he exploded, then inhaled deeply as he struggled to control himself. He spoke again in a calmer tone, "I've already explained that I'm on your side now, it would be foolish not to take advantage of my offer. If you'd just agree to meet with me at my office I'm sure we could work something out. I only want to help, just think of me as one of you."
"But you're not one of us," Raven pointed out, "and I don't trust you. If you have information I'd love to hear it, but the Titans don't work with criminals."
"Listen, love …"
"Don't call me 'love.' Unless you have information to share I think we're done here."
Raven reached out and flicked a button on the remote control. Instantly Mad Mod, his face faintly purple with frustration, disappeared. Raven took a sip of her tea, now cold, and made a face. She considered waking Robin to fill him in on what was sure to be a trying development, but opted to let him sleep for a while longer. She walked back into the kitchen, dumped the contents of her teacup down the drain, and started brewing a new pot.
"It seems a little odd," Robin frowned, "since when did Mad Mod care about following any rules except his own?" Rather than reply, Raven waved a quick warning at the Boy Wonder who barely glanced at the bolt of electricity that seared past him as he vaulted out of the way.
"Yeah, but that guy's got weird written all over him. You get the impression he was legit?" Cyborg casually fired off a laser blast before turning inquiringly toward Raven.
The girl in question shrugged and, with a flick of her wrist, dropped the chunk of pavement she had been levitating. For a moment there was silence, then the air crackled and Overload heaved the concrete aside.
"Overload not harmed! Overload stronger than puny humans!" Raven rolled her eyes and chucked another boulder at the monster.
Now that they knew his weakness, Overload barely even registered as a threat. Raven wasn't sure why he still bothered to attack the city, his little rampages always ended the same way, but for once she was glad he had. By unspoken but mutual agreement, the Titans merely toyed with the villain, using him as a welcome release for their pent up frustration. A stray thought flitted through her head to suggest that pummeling Overload was hardly an approved method of therapy, but she dismissed it. Mental health issues notwithstanding, Overload deserved what he got.
Starfire whizzed past Raven, energetically flinging starbolts. The alien girl was moving quickly, but Raven was sure she'd caught an expression of glee on her friend's face. A quick glance around confirmed that the rest of the Titans, rather than breaking a sweat, looked more at ease than they had for the past two weeks.
As if fate had sensed Raven's contentment and was determined to intervene, the Titan's communicators started beeping warningly. The Titans groaned in aggravation and Raven exchanged a despairing glance with Robin. The boy cleared his throat warningly, "Okay, that's enough everybody. Time to pack it up."
At his signal, Raven unearthed a water main, angling it at the monster. Across the street Cyborg was displacing a fire hydrant, a few yards to the left Beast Boy had morphed into an elephant and was sucking the water that had puddled on the street into his trunk.
With water deluging him from every direction, Overload fizzled and popped before collapsing into himself completely.
"Good work team." Robin glanced at his communicator and sighed, "Looks like we've got a double robbery on ninth and Washington."
"Our look-alikes?" Starfire questioned.
Robin smiled grimly, "What else? We'd better hurry."
"Why bother?" Beast Boy grumbled, "They'll be gone when we get there."
"I know," Robin snapped, "But no one will ever believe we're innocent if we stop showing up."