The Complications Of Life
By: TTFAN
Disclaimer: I don't own any of the D.C. characters or their places.
Chapter 2- Attack
Tuesday December 20, 2011
Gotham City- 10:24 P.M.
Richard 'Dick' Grayson sat behind the table of his desk. He finished his work early. By early he meant before midnight. He massaged his temples. It was a stressful week especially since Bruce Wayne (his father by adoption) was planning on signing the contract, making him the heir to Wayne Enterprises. He turned his chair and looked through the window at the quiet city known as Gotham. Oh how he remembered how he used to watch over it, with pride. Though he was only about nine back then, he loved punching down the 'bad guys'. He still did. He got up, took the elevator down, and exited the building after locking it of course.
Dick hopped into his car and drove over to Bludhaven, Gotham's neighboring city, the place was crawling with criminals, most from Gotham thinking they have a chance here.
'There wrong. If anyone thinks they'll get a free ride because the Bat isn't there. They're definitely wrong.' Dick thought as he took out his keys and unlocked the first door to his apartment, he went up the flights of stairs and unlocked his door, slamming it behind him.
"Don't slam the door!" Bridget Clancy, the landlord yelled. Dick walked over to his bedroom and pulled out a box from underneath it. He opened it, in it was a skintight black uniform, with a large angular design of a blue hawk on the chest; black gloves and matching eye mask that angled down to cover his nose as well. He put on his uniform and belt before opening the window. The cold breeze swept over his face causing his skin to tingle. He reached his arm out and shot out his grappling hook. He spent a few minutes looking for any signs of-
"HELP" He heard a woman cry out, that was his cue. He ran over and jumped towards another building. He saw 3 men gang up on a woman, one grabbed her wrist. These kinds of people make him sick. He jumped from the building he was standing on and kicked the man that had his hold on the woman. He was no longer Dick Grayson, college student, heir to Wayne Enterprises. He was Nightwing, protector of Bludhaven.
Same time, but in Metropolis
Princess Koriand'r aka Kory watched the city lights from her car window. Besides helping the New Teen Titans she took a job as a model. Countless people would envy her for her figure and looks but she didn't care, she wanted to see her other old friends again, since Tameran was destroyed they were the only people she had left. Tonight she was spending the day off with her designer and manager…not the kind of people to engage in the 'hanging out' with, but she needed a break badly.
"Friend Becky…what activity do you wish to partake in?" Kory asked her new 'friend'.
"We're going clubbing tonight Star." Becky replied cheerfully. Though she adapted to a new environment and had a new name, people still referred to her as Star, short for Starfire, her titan name.
"What is this…'clubbing'?" Kory asked her manager, Brent.
"Just have some fun and relax." Brent said. Kory turned to her other friend still curious.
"You just dance, have a few drinks and meet some new people." Becky said as the car stopped in front of a shabby looking bar. The neon signs read 'Jerry's'. Kory entered the bar and was soon engulfed with the smell of rum and the pounding music. She walked over to the counter to get a drink avoiding several dancers and people falling over from the over dose of alcohol.
"Umm…excuse me, may I obtain a beverage?" Kory asked a blonde haired person, her back was turned. The blonde turned and Kory recognized her immediately.
"Star?" The blonde asked staring at the red head in bewilderment.
"Friend Tara!" Kory exclaimed elated to see her old friend. She greeted her with a bone crushing hug.
"Can't…breathe…" Tara managed to gasp out as she let go.
"I am elated to see you." Kory said.
"Uh. Yeah me too, didn't expect you to come over to these places…" Tara said.
"Several new friends brought me here to participate in the act of…'clubbing'. Do you work here?" Kory asked.
"Part time mainly during the day, but they called me in for a few extra bucks on the night shift." Tara replied, noticing Kory kept her way of speech.
"But is this not a place where females…remove articles of clothing and participate in the act of reproduction?" Kory asked fiddling with her thumbs. She didn't want to ask but she was curious to why her friend would work here. Tara stared at Kory for a while trying to figure out what she was saying. Then zooming in on what civilized people thought of a bar, it hit her like a blow from Slade.
"Oh…actually I don't do that kind of stuff. I'm a bartender. Jeez, Kory what kind of girl do you think I am?" Tara asked chuckling. Kory smiled then apologized for doubting her friend.
"So let me guess you want a light drink?" Tara asked as Kory nodded.
"Is there a beverage without the 'alcohol'?" Kory asked.
"Kory…this is a bar. Café by daylight but it's a bar by night. Well, there's a smoothie I made. Since you're a model and all-"
"It is alright friend Tara the many…'junk' foods I consume do not affect my…lower body part known as the 'thighs' as much as the normal female human. I have a fast metabolism."
"Ok, one ice cream smoothie coming up." Tara said as she went over to a blender cleaned it stuck some chocolate syrup, ice, milk, vanilla ice cream, and other sugared objects in it, then blended it.
"Here you go. It's on the house." Tara said handing her the beverage after spraying whip cream on it and sticking a straw in it. Kory took a sip and squeal with delight.
"Good?"
"It is most sugary and delightful. What do you call this 'smoothie'?"
"Rocky roads, I ripped it off an ice cream name." Tara said as a blonde haired guy leaned over the counter. It was Brent and he was completely wasted.
"This is my manager, Brent." Kory said.
"How long ago did you guys get here?" Tara asked wondering how someone could get drunk so quickly. Brent leaned over and slung his arm around Tara.
"How bout you and I head over to the back. I'll show you a good time." Brent slurred as she lifted his arm off her.
"You see the sign up there? Read it." Tara said pointing up to the sign above.
"Do not hit on the bartender? Cute but I'm not buying it." Brent said.
"I'm not some kind of fuck toy got it? I'm giving you a fair warning, since you're new here and cause you're Kory's friend." Tara said before walking over to another part of the counter to take someone else's order.
"Hmm…feisty just the way I like them." Brent slurred looking her up and down.
"Umm…friend. I advise you not to participate in the act of 'hitting' on the Friend Tara. The sign is up for a reason…" Kory said.
"Can't be that bad. Besides, she was totally checking me out." Brent said hopping over the counter.
"Friend Brent I strongly advise you not to." Kory said a bit worried. Brent ignored her and walked over to Tara, whose back was to him.
"Just a cherry vodka right?" Tara said writing on her notepad. She felt an arm pull her from behind the waist, causing her to turn.
"Employees only. I'm going to have to ask you to leave." Tara said shoving him off her.
"You thinking about that offer?" Brent said holding up a hundred dollar bill.
"Look, plain answer is no." She said walking over to the many wine bottles, she opened one then poured it into a mug, then added some flavoring into it, before sliding it down the counter. She felt the annoying poke on her shoulder before whirling around to face the annoying ass Kory considered a friend.
"Come on babe, two hundred's my final offer." Brent said.
'What is this guy deaf or something?' Tara thought.
"No. Leave me alone or I'll have to resort to primal force." She said before he pulled her body close to his.
"Then bring it on." Brent said as he forced a kiss on her, shoving his tongue into her mouth. She slapped him breaking the kiss. Tara glared at him, before punching him in the face then the stomach, sending him over the counter and to a table where he crash landed. Brent's nose was bleeding, possibly broken. The music stopped and the bar was silent.
"Just cause he's out doesn't mean you guys didn't come out here for a good time…hit it!" Tara said as the music started again and everyone resumed what they were doing. She turned over to a worried Kory.
"I'll call the paramedics. He shouldn't be in too much pain since his senses are numbed from the alcohol. Just make sure he doesn't chug too much next time, ok?" Tara asked as Kory nodded a bit relieved. She got off the stool, her glass now empty, and left to go get Brent.
"Wait." Tara said as Kory stopped.
"Raven wants you to come over to her apartment tomorrow. I wasn't expecting to see you so today but…it's urgent. Gar and I will be there, we'll try getting Vic and Rob- I mean Nightwing. It's a reunion thing…can you make it?" Tara asked.
"I believe I may." Kory smiled as Tara scribbled the address on a napkin.
11:00 P.M. - Titans Tower
Victor Stone used his screwdriver to adjust the a few parts of his machine.
"Well…I'm almost done." He said with a grin.
"You still awake?" A young teenager said running his fingers through his light brown hair.
"Don't you have school tomorrow, Bart?" Cyborg asked not looking up from his work.
"Nope. Vacation totally rocks. So what are you working on?" Bart asked.
"I'm improving my proton cannon, higher blast range, more power." Cyborg replied.
"Cool. Can I help? You'll get it done ten times faster." Bart said.
"No, you may be the fastest kid alive but I can't guarantee you're the smartest." Cyborg said turning his finger into a blow torch.
"Come on Cy. I've read every book in the San Francisco Library. I know all about high tech stuff." Bart replied. Cyborg stared at him for a while before letting out a sigh.
"Fine. Just don't mess with the power tools." Cyborg said as Bart sped past him and grabbed a few tools.
"No. Don't mess with the- Don't touch that!" Cyborg yelled as Bart adjusted the machine.
"All done. Check it out." Bart said grinning like a maniac.
"Look I don't think that-"
"I'll do it." Bart said readying the cannon, he pressed a button and…
BOOM
The room was covered in soot and so was Bart and Cyborg. Bart release a cough as black dust came out.
"BART!"
"Heh, whoops would you look at the time, I better go now." Bart said and he was gone in a flash.
"Man I am never having kids." Cyborg said looking at the mess. It was going to be a long night…
Bart sat in his room hoping Cy wouldn't come looking for him. Then again he wasn't trying so hard to hide.
"Man I am so dead." Bart grumbled as he sped over to the video console. He stared at the screen as the game started.
"I wish I still had someone to talk to." Bart said firing at the 'aliens' from his 'space ship',
"How could I let her fall over to him?" He asked himself pressing the buttons rapidly.
"So you did like her." Robin said as Bart spun around, the screen flashing 'Game Over… Loser'.
"Back then…she wasn't trying to be like him, she was something else…someone who'd listen to me." Bart said a bit nervous. He was a smart kid, lacking experience, Wally West (The Flash) once told him. When he was around Robin, he felt stupid, one of the reasons he admired him so much. Robin was like an idol to him.
"Rose is working for Slade." Robin stated.
"She still has time to change. You don't know her like I do."
"You saw what she did last time. You almost got yourself killed."
"It's not like we can't take her down."
"She's just as dangerous as Deathstroke. Rose was Slade's daughter. It was bound to happen, Kid Flash. It wasn't you're fault."
"But why do I feel like such a loser. Heck even my folks sent me back in time to be a better hero." Bart said folding his arms behind his neck.
"You already are one." Robin said leaving the room.
11:05 P.M. - Metropolis
Tara adjusted a mask over her face. She was dressed in a black hoodie and matching black pants. Her face was well hidden by her hockey mask.
'It makes me look like Jason Voorhees…good.' She thought referring to the masked murderer people saw in movies. She heard an alarm as she ran over towards the Metropolis City Bank and threw a razor sharp blade, an X shaped one, at the person with a ski mask's hand. He stopped in his tracks and dropped the sack of cash. The burglar turned to be met with a kick in the face.
"Who the hell are you?" The burglar asked.
"Name's the Vindicator. Get out of here before I alert the authorities."
"Make me."
"I was hoping you'd say that." Vindicator said before kicking him in the stomach, just as like that he fell unconscious. She tied him up as she heard the police sirens she shot her grappling hook up to another building. From there she leap to another building and continued this until she was out of sight.
"Hmm…criminals are getting weaker each day." Vindicator mused to herself. Thing was Tara didn't really care much about good or evil. She needed excitement in her life. She spent a few nights being the 'Batman of Metropolis', she liked the action, the thrill of being a superhero. Keeping her identity a secret was essential too. Besides the villains in Metropolis stopped being idiots and attacking in brood daylight.
'Try doing good in a place, they'll love you for that. One mistake then they'll turn on you.' Vindicator thought before she heard a metal clank of someone's shoes on the building.
"So this is Metropolis." A voice said behind her.
'Sounds…so familiar, it's definitely a female…perhaps a teenager?' Vindicator thought turning around. Standing before her was a teenage girl, wearing a half orange and black cloth over her face, covering her eyes and nose.
"The Vindicator huh? Slade wants you out of the picture and I'll be able to do that." She said throwing a sharp dagger at her. The Vindicator quickly caught it and threw a smoke pellet. The area was clouded by a thin vapor. The Vindicator used her geo-kinesis making a rocky hand come out, closing its fingers on Slade's minion.
"Who are you?" Vindicator asked ripping off the mask, her eyes widened. Underneath the mask was a young girl with white hair her left eye was covered with a black eye patch.
"Rose?" Vindicator asked. She took off the mask and lifted her hoodie.
"It's me Tara. What the heck happened to your eye? Did Slade do that? Why I'll get that bastard-"
"He didn't do it. I did." Rose said breaking out of the rock.
"Why the heck would you do something like that?" Tara asked still confused.
"I'm his new apprentice and Daddy wants you to join him, though I can't imagine why." Rose spat.
"I'll never join Slade. Rose don't listen to him. He'll fill your head with lies."
"He's my father. He's the only one who ever cared about me. I'm asking you one last time-"
"No thanks."
"Good, the faster I get rid of you, the better." Rose said menacingly with an evil smirk. She charged at Tara with two swords in her hands. Tara dodged the attacks, and then whipped out a Bo staff from her belt.
"Rose, he's lying to you. You can't trust him."
"You're lying you traitor!" Rose yelled stabbing Tara in the right shoulder with her sword. Tara gritted her teeth in pain before kicking Rose in the stomach sending her flying.
"Normally I have a policy against beating up minors…this time I'll make an exception." Tara said pulling the sword out of her shoulder. Rose got up as quickly as she fell. She charged at Tara again with her swords, but Tara managed to block them with her Bo staff. Tara swung her Bo staff at Rose's ankles sweeping her off her feet. Tara moved her Bo staff over Rose's chest.
"Listen to me you don't know what you're getting yourself into." Tara said. Rose pulled out another concealed dagger and threw it at Tara's already bleeding shoulder. Tara blocked it with her Bo staff, directing it away from her, unfortunately this gave Rose enough time to get up and jump-kick her. Tara quickly blocked it with the Bo staff, a large collision was made as the Bo staff broken and Tara was flung back.
Tara did a back flip and landed on her feet, she raised her arms and concentrated on her energy. There were glowing cracks now spread in all directions. Very large masses emerged from the roadbed, forming into a pair of colossal humanoid mud figures that were on the ground, next to the building. Tara used her powers to bring them up to the building they were standing on.
"My father taught you that. Without him you'd be nothing." Rose said picking up her swords, as the mud figures ran towards her she sliced through them with ease.
"Fuck. I need to…get away. Find some place with a better advantage." Tara told herself. She was running out of options fast and Rose was almost done slicing up her mud figures. Tara used one hand to lift a boulder. She jumped on it and flew away. If Rose was as smart as she thought she'd catch up soon. Tara felt a shearing pain in her leg causing her to lose her balance. She stumbled on to another building realizing a bullet was wedged in her left leg.
"Pretty cheap, you are using a shit load of weapons on an unarmed person." Tara said as Rose landed on the building. Normally a person would've fell into the concrete street but the she had landed on the building safely. It suddenly occurred to her.
"No…he didn't….damn ass hole. He gave you the serum didn't he?" Tara asked.
"What serum?" Rose asked.
"No. I can't believe he'd do that…to his own daughter. I'm going to kill that son of a bitch." Tara said ignoring her question.
"Let's end this." Rose said raising her gun. Tara's eyes glowed a bright yellow color as a pillar of rock slammed Rose in the stomach causing her to drop the gun. She was now hanging on the edge of the building with her right hand on the ledge. Tara limped towards the edge.
"This is the only way I can get you to listen. You already know that your father's Deathstroke. Ever wonder why? The military was developing a way to change normal people into meta-humans. They disguised it as medical experimentation on a resistance to truth serums. It made him stronger and faster, bad side effect, it turned him into a psycho. I'm pretty sure he pumped your system full of that stuff." Tara said.
"No. My father would never-"
"Slade wouldn't. What about Deathstroke? I can't really say he's the ideal father for anyone. It drove him even more psychotic over the years with all the stress on his brain. You can still save-"
"I don't need saving." Rose interrupted.
"You can only save yourself. Stop this before you turn into him. I can help you. I've been down that road before you'll eventually get yourself killed." Tara said.
"…Why are you telling me this?"
"Because I believe in second chances" Tara said extending a hand, Rose took it.
"You always were gullible." Rose said smirking as she kicked Tara in the gut. The blow sent her flying, her back slammed into a metallic vent sticking out of the building. Tara got up as quickly as she came down, her eyes devoid of emotion. Rose charged at her with a Bo staff of her own. Tara dodged the blow, grabbing her wrist and snapping it back. A sickening crack was heard. Tara ignored it before sending a punch to Rose's stomach. After she was seemingly unconscious, Tara fell to the ground.
The exhaustion swept over her like an ocean's wave. Her shirt stuck to the bloody wound near her shoulder. She closed her eyes and took a deep gulp of air. She didn't want to open them, she didn't want to see Rose get up and finish her off. She still had enough energy to create a spike and impale her though.
'No…I could never do that. Not to her she's just like…me. R-Richard always tried to tell me...trying to warn me...I won't let that happen to her.' Tara felt a lump in her throat before turning over to the side and throwing up a mixture of water and blood. Her vision was clouded by darkness.
'I should've been more careful. I should've known he'd get to her eventually.' Tara thought as she heard metal soles colliding with the concrete, the footsteps getting closer. She unwillingly opened her eyes and saw Rose lift her up by the neck and hang her over the edge of the building, Tara didn't notice, she didn't feel anything.
"I guess I'd always known it'd come down to this." Tara managed to choke out.
"I never really liked you. You nearly killed my father. This is my revenge from him. Good bye traitor." Rose said releasing her grasp.
11:10 P.M.
Tara felt a throbbing pain in her head and arm. She managed to land on the hood of a car, breaking her fall in a sense. It was a good thing she landed on her arm and not her head, bad thing: she was in a world of hurt. She saw a blurry figure run, no fly towards her.
"What happened?" The person asked. He had a blue muscle shirt with a yellow triangle on the chest region and matching blue tights. The triangle had a red S on it. The man was also wearing blue tights with red…underwear over it.
"Hi ya, Boy Scout it's a nice evening." Tara said.
"Tara?" Superman asked. Of course everyone in the superhero biz knew her. She was the 'traitor' who risked her life to 'save' Jump City.
"Why yes I am." Tara muttered, delusional from the blood loss.
"I'm taking you to a hospital. Just hang on." The Man of Steel said carefully lifting her so he wouldn't damage her further, in the state she was in, that was pretty hard. He started flying in search of the nearest hospital.
"No…can't…go to…Hospitals." Tara managed to speak somehow regaining her sense of reality.
"You're in critical condition. You need professional help-"
"Damn it! I can't go to a freakin' hospital." Tara yelled.
"You need help, you've lost a lot of blood and-"
"If you want the rest of Metropolis to know who Clark Kent is I suggest you reconsider."
"How did you…"
"Research. Isn't it obvious? Remove the glasses and you've got yourself a superhero. I'm surprised no one's thought of it yet." Tara said as Superman changed course towards a closer location, in front of a house, he rang the doorbell. A woman in her mid thirties opened it. She had black hair and blue eyes. She gasped as soon as she saw the torn up woman in Superman's arms.
"Lois…we're going to have to cancel our date." Superman said.
"What happened to her?" Lois Lane asked.
"I don't know. She's in critical condition and refuses to be taken to a hospital. I was wondering if she could stay here for a while." Superman asked.
"We should bandage her wounds first." Lois said as Superman set her down on the couch.
"Rose…contact Titans. Must warn…others, evil…bitch." Tara spoke broken up sentences reaching for the phone.
"What's the number?" Lois asked picking up the phone.
"1-895-9875. Tell…Rich to get Titans to…Tower...she's hunting…them down." Tara said closing her eyes.
"Is there some place she can sleep?" Superman asked.
"Yes. I have a guest room. We can move her there." Lois said as Tara drifted into unconsciousness.
Wednesday December 21, 2011.
Lane Residence- 3:00 A.M.
A shadow crept into the room the ex-Titan was in. Tara was wide awake after a quick nap. She was now in a black tank top and she still had her jeans on. Her stomach, arms, and legs have been bandaged up. Her arm and leg were also now in a cast. The shadow stepped into the moonlight. The figure wore a skintight black outfit with a large red X emblazoned over the heart; the low end of the upward stroke is extended to cross the chest. He had a long black cape, gray belt and gloves, the latter with X's on the backs of the hands. A black mask whose face resembles a white skull, with another red X on the forehead, its upstroke is extended, like the one on the chest, to cross the right eye. He was known as the infamous thief, The Red X.
"Sleep well Princess?" A distorted mechanical voice asked her.
"I told you not to call me that." Tara muttered. Red X was one of the few people that knew about her parents in Markovia.
"Least it's not in public. You feel ok?"
"I'm immobile, defenseless, and a main target for anyone who wants to kill me, mainly Slade. What do you think?"
"Standard question" X said shrugging, he walked over to the side of her bed and pulled up a chair.
"Thanks for leading me a few of your weapons, didn't help me much though."
"Hey, least I tried."
"…If they know you're here, The Boy Scout'll take you out faster than a speeding bullet." Tara said.
"Not caring. Sides I haven't seen you in a while. How's my favorite Titan?" X asked.
"Ex-Titan actually, I'm just trying to stay alive and I won't be able to in this state." Tara said.
"Ah, now that's were I come in, my dear. I'll make sure no one's going to hurt you again." X said taking his glove off and running his fingers through her blonde hair, she closed her eyes, letting him stroke her hair, while most people would be out the window by now.
'She could be so cold…but around me she's so fragile…' He thought.
"I need you to get something from my room. It's about a few blocks away from here. On my desk there's a laptop. Could you bring that over here?" Tara asked handing him her keys from her pants pocket.
"On it" X said saluting her. He walked towards the window and opened it.
"And X?" Tara asked.
"Yeah?" X asked.
"I you go through my drawer, I will personally hunt you down." Tara said smiling.
"Don't worry babe, I will." Red X said before climbing out the window.
4:00 A.M.
"Damn she didn't tell me she put a security system on that shit." Red X said as he rubbed his arm, where a laser hit it.
'I'll have to remind her to get some other underwear color besides black and white.' He thought grinning under his mask.
He climbed into the window. He set her laptop down on a nearby table. Tara was sprawled on the bed with her bed sheets on the floor, her blonde hair falling over her slender shoulders. He studied her physical features memorizing every curve of her form. He picked up the bed sheets and tucked her in. Red X took off his glove and traced the scar on her face with his thumb.
"Damn it Markov…that's what you get for helping people. You soften up and you're basically road kill." Red X whispered. It just wasn't fair. Everyone envies a hero since they think they have it all, the super powers, brains, fame.
'They wouldn't know how lucky they are to be normal. To be asleep at night knowing you're safe from everything, while people work their asses off or die just to help them.' X thought. One of the reason's he used the suit for stealing. You become a thief. You don't have to look out for anyone cause no one looks out for you. That was…until he met her.
"Sweet dreams Princess." He said lifting his mask a bit before pecking her on the forehead and exiting through the window.
7:00 A.M.
Lois Lane slammed her fist on the alarm clock…thank god she was on her break. Every day was the same, wake up, drive to the Daily Planet, get kidnapped by some psycho, then get saved by Superman, get to the Daily Planet, search up articles, hand them to Clark, blah, blah, and blah, same old thing everyday. Today might actually be interesting. She had an ex-Titan who was also a former criminal in her guest room. She got up, took a shower, got dressed then went over to the guest room. She heard clicking noises as she turned the door knob. There sat the blonde typing away on her laptop.
"How did you get that?" Lois asked as Tara didn't look up, she didn't seem to notice.
"I had a buddy come over. By the way you have bad security, anyone can just break in." Tara said.
"What happened yesterday?"
"Learned that I'm sadly beaten by a teenager. Who just happens to be my former friend."
"Why exactly?"
"Her father's an evil bastard, that brain washed her from reality."
"Who is she?"
"Jeez for a journalist you sure ask a load of questions. Then again it's part of your job huh?" Tara said looking up from her work.
"Just a bit curious"
"Uh-huh. Oh yeah…by the way thanks for letting me crash here. It's something a load of people wouldn't do."
"You're welcome. We didn't really get a chance to introduce ourselves yesterday. Lois Lane." Lois said extending her hand.
"Tara Markov." Tara said shaking it. There was a long moment of silence.
"So…you're dating the Boy Scout huh?"
"You mean Superman…yes."
"You know his 'alter ego' yet?"
"I don't really want to bring that up while we're dating."
"Eh don't worry. Either he'll tell you eventually or you'll find out. He may be closer than you think."
"He told you who he was?"
"No, it's a bit obvious, so I figured it out."
"What are you working on?" Lois asked trying to change the subject.
"Hacking into a database" Tara said.
"Are you-"
"Bingo." Tara said as the file opened up, Lois peered over and looked at the screen.
"Rose Wilson?" Lois asked.
"Yeah. Just happens to be Deathstroke's only child, since his two other sons died. Figures he'd use her."
"So…do you need anything, like some food or a drink?"
"Water's just fine." Tara said as the doorbell rang and Lois went to get it. She opened the door revealing a 23 year old man with black hair with a reddish tint, he had dark brown eyes.
"Can I help you?" Lois asked.
"Uh…I'm here to see Tara after I heard about her accident." The man said.
"Who are you?" She asked suspiciously.
"Go ahead and ask her yourself." He said as Lois turned around. Tara managed to get out of the bed with the help of some rock-made crutches.
"It's ok. He's a friend of mine." Tara said.
"How did he find out?" Lois asked.
"He has his ways." Tara said shrugging.
"And you are?" The man asked.
"Oh yeah. Lois, this is Jack. Jack. Lois." Tara said introducing them.
"Lois Lane…you're the reporter for the Daily Planet…really fascinating articles, one of the reasons why I read the paper." Jack said.
"Thank you, would you like to come in?" Lois asked as Jack walked into the house.
"Can I speak to Tara…privately?" Jack asked as Lois nodded and pointed to the guest room. Jack picked Tara up in bridal position and walked over to the room. He set her down on the bed and took a seat in the same chair X sat on.
"I got you these." Jack said taking out a batch of roses.
"Please tell me you didn't steal them." Tara said.
"You know I have other jobs other then that." Jack said smirking.
"Sure… Why exactly are you here?" She asked.
"Raided Luthor's joint, then I got bored." Jack said.
"Causing trouble again?"
"Hey it was only a little Zinothium. I've got two reasons to back it up. One every one hates Luthor, even the Dude of Steel. Two, he was using it for a cannon that could wipe out half the city. I was doing every one a favor by-"
"Stealing a dangerous chemical" Tara stated.
"Aww…come on. Don't give me that look." Jack said.
"You know stealing is a really bad habit….X." Tara said calling him by his alias.
"Hey what can I say, my fingers are like magnets." Jack replied folding his hands behind him.
"So I've heard you're company's doing good." Tara said trying to think of a topic.
"Yup. I'm forming up a bond with Wayne Enterprises next week. Even though I don't like that Richard guy, it'll benefit the company."
"Both of you are so…similar."
"Yeah. Doesn't mean I like him. Over judgmental little dork." Jack mumbled as the doorknob turned ever so slowly, causing both of them to direct their attention to the door. Jack got up, balled his fist and got into a battle stance. The door opened as Garfield Logan walked in, Jack relaxed.
"I got here as soon as I heard bout the message. Are you ok? What happened? Do you need anything?" Gar asked.
"I'm fine." Tara replied.
"Who's he?" Gar asked looking at Jack.
"I'm just a childhood friend. I better get going…is there anyway other way I can help you?" Jack asked.
"No…you've done enough. Thanks." Tara said as he walked out of the room.
"…Who exactly was that?" Gar asked cocking an eyebrow.
"One of the few people I'd consider a friend." Tara said taking her laptop and looking over the archives.
"I'm sorry about what happened. The rest of the Titans and I'll keep you safe and make sure it'll never happen again-"
"No thanks. I've got enough help-"
"But you're completely defenseless, do you expect me…us to just leave you like this?"
"I've got a body guard ok as far as I'm concerned he's the only one who can help."
"The rest of the Titans will be coming over soon."
"Oh joy, more people can this day get any better?" Tara asked sarcastically as the knob turned and the four other original Titans walked in.
"Friend Tara" Starfire said running over to make sure she was ok.
"Hey that you T? I haven't seen you in a while, wanted to but…no like this." Cyborg said.
"Can you tell us what exactly happened?" Raven asked.
"I'm sure you've heard of Rose, right Cyborg?" Tara asked.
"Aww…no. She didn't, I mean she's a good kid but she. Slade just. She did this to you?" Cyborg asked placing his metallic hand to his forehead.
"She might've done worse." Tara said shifting her gaze to a man leaning on the wall.
"Terra" Nightwing said getting off the wall.
"Nightwing" Tara said getting off the bed.
"Traitor"
"Jerk"
"Both of you are acting like idiots. Cut it out." Raven said as the two adults glared at each other.
"I proposed a conference. I've heard Lex Luthor and Ra's Al Ghul are up to something." Tara said.
"How would you know?" Nightwing asked narrowing his eyes.
"Please, I've spent years in the Arkham bird boy. It's like a villain chat room. I'm not necessarily a hero either. I get the info in many ways, even you wouldn't know." Tara said.
"What exactly are they planning then?" Cyborg asked.
"If I knew I would've told you by now. So far all I've got is that they're sending out a reasonable fee for our asses explaining why I ended up like this. I suggest we find their location and strategize for the moment. So far the only one with a good cover is Nightwing. We'd have to go into hiding, find some sort of disguise, or safe place where we can crash. Most of all we should split up-"
"Just so they can hunt us down one by one? Not going to happen." Nightwing argued.
"If we're all in one location we'd be an easier target. Drop a bomb and hello shit in the face got us killed. They'll be able to kill us faster if we're all in one spot." Tara countered.
"Suppose they do find us divided,we'll be easier to take down."
"If they do find them and the 'bonded idiots of shit' doesn't work we're screwed over bird boy. I almost got killed by that bitch yesterday. She's got a stash load of weapons, meaning one of those could be a bomb."
"Than why didn't she use it yesterday?"
"It'll attract attention and if she misses and blows up someone else, she'll be breaking the code."
"What is this code you speak of?" Starfire asked interrupting their debate.
"Deathstroke can kill, well duh he's a mercenary, but that doesn't mean he doesn't have any morals. Most likely Rose would follow in her father's footsteps. They're not going to harm innocent lives if they're not on their hit list or if those people are in the way of killing someone. It's just not right…but if they notice that two of us are in a building, they're not going to hesitate for a 2 for 1 deal." Tara said as she saw the look of defeat on Nightwing's face, oh sweet victory.
"So it's settled, we'll find some sort of disguise...then again there is another way. Since Nightwing does have a point, we'll have to ask the Justice League on that part, some of us can take refuge at the Watch Tower." She said as they nodded in agreement.
"Hey Rae. You still have your healing powers. You think that you can help T out?" Cyborg asked as Raven walked over to her bedside.
"Don't. If I'm every injured like this again and you're not there, I'm a goner. My body has to get used to this. Guys, remember Deathstroke never kills to take over the world, it's his job." Tara said.
"I'll make a few arrangements with Superman." Nightwing said before leaving.
"I've got work at the Tower. I guess I'll see you when I do." Cyborg said before exiting as well. Kory's cell phone rang. She picked it up, nodded, and then placed it back in her purse.
"I must go now…I wish for you to get much rest and recover Friend Tara. I shall see you soon." Star said before leaving.
"I have another appointment. As much as I'd like to escape Harleen's babbling about the Joker…I better go." Raven said teleporting out through the ceiling, leaving Tara and Garfield alone.
"…Don't you have something to do now?" Tara asked.
"Actually I've got plenty of time." Gar said sitting on her bedside. Tara grabbed the crutches near the bed. She walked into the living room…unluckily for her Superman and Lois were in the middle of something. As soon as she walked in Superman saw her and they both stopped engaging in osculation.
"Er…Am I interrupting something…I'd better go now." Tara said turning to walk back to her room.
"I…erm…did you need something?" Superman asked nervously.
"Remember when you first saw me as the Vindicator…you asked if I wanted to be in the Justice League…does that offer have an expiration date?" Tara asked staring at the floor. She just couldn't look up at him. What are you supposed to do if everyone calls you a traitor?
"Well…Shayera did recommend you…I'll take it into consideration." Superman replied. Shayera Hol formerly known as Hawkgirl was a Thanagarian Lieutenant under cover at Earth to study its defense systems, technology, etc. When her people took over Earth to destroy it and make it a hypergate to enemies she turned on them. Shayera was Tara's boxing/sparring partner, other than that they both had something to relate to betrayal, redemption, both their ex's moving on.
"…If I ever get a chance to join…can I bring someone else there, not as a member though…" Tara asked quietly rubbing her arm.
"Who?" Superman asked.
"My…daughter, Deathstrokes been tracking people down and I don't want her to go through what I did. She's still a kid and I don't want her mind to be manipulated, especially for the wrong reasons…" Tara said.
"Of course she can stay…just as long as she doesn't mess with the controls or the machinery." Superman said.
"Thanks." Tara said before walking back to her room and getting back in bed. She noticed two emerald eyes watching her every move, it was making her nervous.
"Do you have to watch me?" Tara asked in a low voice.
"I'm making sure you're ok." Gar replied.
"So how are the new kids at the tower?" Tara said interested in the new people who lived in her former home.
"Bart's ok, he's a pain in the ass but he's a good kid, not to mention he's the new Kid Flash. Cassie's cool, not to mention hot, pretty much a natural leader, all but she's good with us, and she's the new Wonder Girl. Then there's Superboy or Conner, a little head strong but he's alright, not to mention I still get to bug him bout dating Cassie without getting melted by heat vision. The new Robin's just well…like the old one." He said.
"So I've heard."
"Were you going out with that guy I saw before?"
"I…it's hard to describe. Jack's a good friend and all. He's the only guy I'll let flirt with me with out feeling ten minutes of hurt. He's someone who I can tell anything without judging me."
"Would you believe me if I said I don't trust him?"
"It's reasonable. I mean he's kind of mysterious to some people who've never know him."
"So…what's he got that I don't?"
"Why do you want to know?"
"Just wondering…"
"Well he's intelligent, a little funny, understanding, a bit romantic, and trustworthy." She said empathizing on that last word.
"…That's good you can find someone to confide in." Gar said.
'I just wish that was me…' Gar thought, his communicator rang off with the old Titan ring tone. He picked it up.
"Ok Bart…I'll be right there." Gar said before placing it back into his pocket.
"I gotta go now…later." Gar said. Just as he opened the door and walked out, Tara uttered a few more words.
"Good bye." She said softly as the door closed.
A.N.Sorry hadn't updated in a while, same old excuses school work. I've got a feeling I'm screwing up somewhere around this story and it'd be nice to know what I'm doing wrong.