Chapter Six: Contract

Everyone gathered in the main entryway and listened to Robin prep talk them for meeting the mad man

"I don't doubt any of you need to control yourselves except me." he took a nervous breath and glanced around at his teammates and the Dakota Titans

"Raven, if I do anything that might endanger whatever deal Slade wants to make stop me okay?" Raven nodded and patted his shoulder in comfort

"Why are you meeting your greatest foe like this? In the Justice League-."

"That may be the way things are on your team but that is not they way things are done on the Titans. Robin has led us well over the past and we all trust him to make the right decisions." Starfire said crossing her arms. Robin pulled at the throat of his cape in embarrassment then continued

"Arella and Jon are going to stay here and keep an eye on Jesse and Jinx. They'll call us if their condition changes." everyone nodded "Alright Titans let's roll."

Cyborg pulled his car out of the garage and let anyone who could fly in. Batman sat in the back while Robin scanned the area where Slade had wanted them to meet

"Azarath Metrion Zinthos." Raven whispered thrusting her body into the air. Starfire already hovered above her. Beast Boy perched on her shoulder as a falcon and whistled comfortingly before flying on his own

"Alright let's lock and load." Terra yelled. She seemed to be floating but she had two small sheets of granitite rock under her shoes that let her float without using a huge boulder. Static and Gear zipped over then they all followed the car.

Rose Wilson watched as her father paced back and forth along the canyon wall. Slade had never given any signs as to being nervous before but now he looked like a caged animal

"Daddy is something wrong?"

"Let's just hope the Titans will accept our offer." as he spoke a cloud of dust appeared in the distance and soon the T-car and the flying Titans came to a stop

"I'm glad you could make it." was all Slade said. Rose stood off to the side watching the other teenagers warily

"What do you want Slade?" Robin asked in an even tone. Slade looked at his daughter and then at the Titans

"I want you to let Rose fight Trigorn with you. I will help in any way I can but I'm not in the best condition to go up against a demon lord right now." as he said this Raven noted that the man seemed thinner and haggard like he was sick. Or he could just be getting older

"Why should we trust you? You've attacked us and kidnapped several members of the Titans already." Static asked crossing his arms

"I have my reasons for this fight. This is not something I would back out of."

"It's more of the attacking us that I'm worried about." Beast Boy commented. Slade nodded

"Understandable. Alright Titans, what can I do to prove I mean business?" suddenly Rose stepped forward

"If Slade goes back on his word you can do whatever you want with me." by the look on Slade's face he was not expecting this

"How do-." Cyborg was cut off by a black band of energy covering his mouth. Raven jerked her head and everyone huddled together

"She is his daughter. Surely he will not turn on her." Starfire whispered

"Slade would sell anyone to get what he wants. We've seen it happen more than enough." Robin protested

"I agree with Star." Raven said "Did any of you see his face when Rose suggested that. He cares about her even if he won't show it." Robin sighed and looked at his team then he straightened

"Alright, you've got a deal." Slade nodded hesitantly. Rose hugged him so fast that he had no time to respond then she went over to shake Robin's hand. Her grip was easy and firm. She didn't try and crush his hand like he was expecting either

"I'll be checking in. Be sure to contact me when you get new information." Slade said. Robin nodded and watched the man that was his greatest enemy take off down the canyon

"Alright. Let's go home." Beast Boy said. Cyborg held out an arm as he passed. The changeling hit it dead on and fell over

"Not yet." he looked at Rose. His electronic eye scanning for listening devices and other spying equipment. Rose looked amused then laughed as his expression turned to one of confusion

"I'm not wired. Daddy made me take everything off since he didn't plan on attacking you." Raven nodded then lifted into the air. Under her cloak she let the black mist that had been encasing her hands disappear. There was a ringing sound from her link and she opened it

"Raven, thank Azar. Jesse has gotten up but Jinx isn't doing well at least that's what Jon is saying."

"We're coming." Raven replied. The screen went blank.

Raven rushed into the med bay and was immediately bombed by loud beeping from the machines that surrounded Jinx. Cyborg came in after her and the others waited outside

"Her heart rate's slowing extremely fast. What do we do?" Raven looked at the girl's pale face then at her arm

"She needs a transfusion. And I'm the only one with demon blood who's strong enough."

"You sure?" Raven nodded. Cyborg soon had her attached to a long tube and gave Jinx some of Raven's blood. The pink circles on her cheeks reappeared and her pulse steadied. Raven however looked paler than usual and weak

"Are you okay?"

"Ya, I put a spell on the tube so that it only took out my demon blood. Human blood might make her worse. So my powers are going to be pretty weak for the rest of the day."

"You go get something to eat. I'll stay here." Raven nodded and walked out the door

"I'll get someone to bring you some lunch." Cyborg waved absently then continued working on Jinx.

Beast Boy leaned against the wall his large ears twitching rapidly. He heard Raven saying the word transfusion and that scared him

"Are they done yet?" a cold voice asked. Batman walked into view and looked down at the boy who shrugged and put one foot against the wall

"Dunno." he focused on the room his elf ears twitching as he sorted out the sounds. No one was talking so he left it alone and looked up at the tall man beside him

"Why don't you like Rae?"

"Who?" Beast Boy rolled his eyes

"Raven. Purple hair and eyes. Red ruby chakra on her forehead?" Batman crossed his arms

"I never said that."

"Well you meant it. Rae's not the only empath around here." the man raised an eyebrow

"You're an empath as well as a changeling?"

"No, animals can sense emotions. And I have animal senses." the door opened and Raven walked out. Her face was paler than normal and she looked tired

"You okay?"

"Ya, we had to give Jinx a blood transfusion." her steps faltered and Beast Boy pulled an arm over his shoulder and put his own across her back

"Come let's go eat." the two walked down the hall and Batman followed deep in thought.