Chapter 9

The Newest Titan

Random quote: "Are those...snails?"

A/N: What? No reviews for chapter 8? How disappointing. Whatev.

This time, I'm actually not going to do a normal recap, cause this is the first chapter that begins at the beginning of the day...whoa! I know the past 8 have been really slow, and I'm trying to change that. I tend to over explain...so from now on, my goal is longer, faster-moving chapters.

This takes place the morning after Lana's third(ish) night at Titans Tower.

Lana woke up slowly, but soon wished she hadn't. The sunlight coming in through the window was blaringly bright, and was beginning to give her a headache. She would've gone back to sleep, but she wasn't tired anymore. The snores from the top bunk told her that Beast Boy was still asleep, so she tiptoed out of the room and shut the door quietly.

Something smelled wonderful. It was coming from the kitchen, so Lana followed her nose there.

She found Robin with his back turned, wearing an apron and oven mitts and making breakfast. Robin was the best cook of the group, closely followed by Cyborg.

"Morning. How'd you sleep?" he asked, back still turned.

"Great."

"Breakfast's almost ready."

"Anything I can do to help?" Robin set her to the task of getting silverware and juice for the table.

Everyone was soon seated and eating. Lana had been there for three days and finally felt ready to describe the events reguarding herself and Sarah, as well as the destruction of her own home at the hands of Slade. After Lana's tale, there was a revered silence. It didn't last long, due to the alarms sounding throughout the tower. The Titans silently but immediately were ready.

"Stay here, Lana," said Robin hurriedly. "Make yourself at home. I'm sorry, but it's too dangerous for you to come with us." He exited quickly.

She sighed. Lana knew she wouldn't be bored, not with an entire T-shaped tower to roam, but she was already a bit lonely. She did the dishes, then took a shower. When she was finished, she selected a book from the bookcase in the main room. She was sitting on the couch, 36 pages into it, when the Titans returned.

"How'd it go?" she asked.

"Nothing we couldn't handle," answered Robin. Lana paused. There was no other way to introduce this, so--

"I just wanted to say thank you before I left."

There was a silence.

"Talk about déjà vu..." mumbled Cyborg.

"Lana, we've been through this before. You're staying." Robin was firm.

"But that was just until you found out what happened with Slade. You have all the information you need, so I don't want to intrude any longer."

Robin walked over to Lana, realizing how stupid it was to talk from across the room. "You're not intruding. I know you can tell that we want you stay."

"Really, you guys are too polite. You wouldn't tell me when I'd worn out my welcome, so I'd better leave while we're still on good terms."

Robin moved even closer to Lana and put his hand on her shoulder. He spoke slowly and softly. "If you left, where would you go?" It wasn't so much a question, as a point to be considered, but he put it gently so that it would not upset her.

Lana kept her eyes cast downward, and a single tear rolled down her cheek. Robin pulled her into a hug. Beast Boy made an awkward, throaty noise.

"I have no home," she whispered despondently, as if the thought had just occurred to her.

Robin pulled back from the hug and tilted her chin up gently with a gloved hand. "This is your home. Or, it can be...if you want."

The offer hung in the air, waiting to be answered.

Lana nodded slowly. "Thank you," she whispered.

It would take some getting used to, but Lana knew she could come to accept Titans Tower as her home.

A few weeks later, Lana had fully assimilated into life at Titans tower. But it still didn't feel right.

Her life was great; it was like living with her five best friends (which the Titans had indeed become) and no parents. She had chores, like every other teenager, and had lots of fun playing video games with guys or discussing books with Raven and doing Starfire's hair (or having her own done by the aforementioned). But it still felt weird to not have to go to school, like a normal teenager.

Of course, Robin had told Lana all of this before she had to make her official decision.

"There'll be no need for school; you'll learn everything you need right here. We'll train you in combat, and you'll learn to hone your powers."

They had regular practices which included an obstacle course, hand-to-hand combat training, individual power development, and tactical formation and strategy sessions, all led by Robin, of course.

He had also warned her that she would not have a normal teenaged life. He was right. At times, like during the Titans' movie night once a week, Lana felt just like a normal teenager hanging out with her friends. But then she looked around the room. Lana herself was the only one that could pass for a "normal teenager." The thought left an empty, hollow feeling in her chest. Something was missing from her life.

Then there were times during combat practice when Lana would hesitate and reflect on how she felt she was growing up too fast. She felt like she was shouldering the responsibilities that no teenager should have to bear; this was a completely different feeling from the one she had while just hanging out with the Titans. But then she would hear the others cheering her on as she completed the obstacle course. They sounded so childish, and it was a sound she welcomed.

The other Titans were lucky. No matter how serious the activity, they were always positive and upbeat. Even while doing laundry, or other "parent" jobs, the Titans remained young. This was what made them remarkable; upon first glance, they were the furthest from typical teenagers one could imagine. However, they were actually as free-spirited and fun-loving as teens should be. And most of all, it never seemed to bother the Titans that they would never be accepted by society as "normal."

"Lana, we've got something to show you." Robin's voice brought Lana out of her reflections over the past two months.

"You've been here for two months, and we feel you're ready," said Cyborg.

"In other words, you've kicked enough butt in the last two months," added Beast Boy. "But we'll need to blindfold you and lead you there."

"And we are most thrilled to present this to you." Starfire began tying a bandanna over Lana's eyes and took her by the arm.

"Yeah. Thrilled." Raven attempted to look happy but this made her seem on the verge of exploding. So she stopped.

After about a minute, they came to a stop. Lana was unblindfolded, and found herself facing a door clearly marked "LANA." The door slid open, and the Titans led her inside.

"Welcome to your room," said Robin unnecessarily.

Lana was speechless. The room was perfect. The bedspread and walls were green, her favorite color. And lying on the desk, next to the laptop Lana had brought with her was a communicator.

Lana walked over and picked up the communicator.

"This is mine?"

"Yup. You're an official Teen Titan now. Welcome to the club." With that, Robin motioned to the others to let her have some time alone to get used to her new room. Beast Boy hung back.

After a few moments of silence, with Lana still clutching her communicator, he spoke. "Lana?"

She turned around. "Yeah?"

"I'm really glad you're here." He left, with no further explanation.

And Lana knew she would never again worry about being alone. She knew in that instant that she would always have a home with the Titans.

A/N: So, I met half my goals. 50's not bad. That chapter was definitely longer, you can't deny that. And...wait for it...there was actual character interaction! I know, wild! As for the fast-moving part? Well...I did skip two months...that's fast, right? Oh shut up. The creative process can't be rushed. But I promise from now on more stuff will happen in each chapter. Thanks for reading. Please review! If you're reading this, I would really appreciate reviews. Even if you didn't like it, or thought it was mediocre, don't try to spare my feelings: I can handle any constructive criticism you throw my way. But please tell me why you didn't like it or what you thought I could improve on.