Gotham City Concerto
A Teen Titans Fan Fiction by Jacob McDonald
Opening notes: Not much to say really. Read, review, and I'll see you in the closing notes.
Standard disclaimers apply. I don't own Teen Titans, and I like it that way.
Epilogue: Raven's Thanks
Raven flopped down into the squishy, slightly used looking blue arm chair in the living room of Titans Tower. It was one of the only pieces of furniture she'd kept from the apartment she'd shared with Jason and Kylee, mostly because it was exceptionally comfy, and made for a good reading chair. It was now situated in the same corner she had always read in, but now instead of levitating in mid air while reading, she had a throw to place over her legs and a chair to cuddle down into.
The violet haired sorceress was wearing dark colored jeans, and a dark blue hooded sweatshirt, with no shoes, but warm, wool socks firmly in place. It was, after all, getting cold.
As she pulled her micro-fleece throw up around her legs, and took a sip of the warm herbal tea that sat on the end table next to her chair, Raven smiled slightly. Across the room, Bart struggled in vain to win a match against Dick in the ridiculous Street Fighter game. Kylee was in the kitchen, pouring over math homework with Vic, and a rather pregnant looking Komand'r was walking in from the lower levels to the elevator that would take her up to the residential area.
Pulling out her journal, Raven flipped it open and thumbed through the pages until she reached a blank one towards the back. Pulling a pen from behind her ear, being careful not to tangle it in her mid-back length hair, she began to write.
November 25th, 2004 - Thanksgiving Day
Today is Thanksgiving, and the Titans are celebrating in the one way we can be counted on to celebrate anything.
By eating a TON of food.
Sarah just left the kitchen a half hour ago at Victor's insistence, and he took over the cooking of the turkey (Gar threw a fit AGAIN this year) and the helping of Kylee with her math homework.
Bart should be doing it with her. I'll yell at him in a moment.
Things have gone quite well for the Titans in the past several months it would seem, despite the fact that we have yet to encounter and engage the forces working behind the scenes in Jump City. We're working on it though, and Dick hopes for a breakthrough soon.
Everyone has adjusted to life in the Tower again at a remarkable rate. Even Kylee, Bart, Komand'r and Sarah, all of whom have never lived here, are doing quite well.
In fact, everyone is doing well. Even me...
I guess I'll start with the kids. Bart Allen, Impulse, has found a new home with us, ever since Max Mercury vanished into the Speed Force while out one day doing... well, we don't know what he was doing, but he ran so fast he hurled himself somewhere else in time. Bart came to us that day, looking for all the world like a lost puppy.
"Hey guys." Bart walked into the living room, a sullen look on his face, and a laundry bad slung over his shoulder.
Jason, Kylee, Gar and Kori all looked away from the TV as he walked into the room, sighing in a depressed sort of way. Kylee frowned and stood up, walking over to him, "What's wrong, Bart?"
"Max left." he muttered his reply.
"Left?" she blinked, "Where too?"
"I don't know. He got sucked up into the Speed Force though, so somewhere closer to my time would be my best guess."
"Your time?"
"31st Century."
Kylee blinked, "Um... I didn't know you were from the future..."
"Yeah. Mom sent me back a while ago to learn how to be a better hero. I'll be the Flash someday you know, and I need to have all the training I can..." he trailed off, "Anyway, Max is gone, and Wally... erm... the Flash is doing something for the JLA right now, so I don't really have a place to stay at the moment."
Jason walked over from the couch and smiled down at him, "You seem to be taking Max's leaving in stride fairly well. Why'd he go?"
"I dunno. All I know is that I'll have to live with Wally now."
"What's so bad about that?" Jason arched an eyebrow, "Flash is a decent guy."
"He just got married. I'll have to deal with newly weds..." Bart stuck out his tongue, "Yeck."
"You are always welcome here at the Tower, Bartholomew." Kori floated over, followed by a meandering Gar. They all stood around the amber eyed teen and beamed at him. Kylee stepped forward.
"We have a room set up for you already actually. Just in case."
Bart looked surprised, "Really? Who's idea was that?"
"Dick's." Gar rolled his eyes, "He's paranoid."
"Well... that's a good thing I guess." Bart smiled weakly, "Sweet. Guess I'm staying with you guys for a few days."
The Flash didn't seem to mind when Dick called him and told him we could keep Bart here at the Tower. We assured him that with another child the same age around already, getting him to go to school wouldn't be a problem, and training him here would be easier than him running to Keystone City every weekend. Bart's lived here for almost three months now.
Kylee is advancing in her studies as a super hero, and as a Junior High student at a remarkable pace. She's bound and determined to be street worthy by the time her next birthday rolls around, and she's startled all of us with her level of commitment to both her school work and her other studies.
"HIIYYYAAA!" Kylee flew foot first at Jenny, who grinned as he blocked the kick easily.
"Is that the best you've got? Dick not teach you any new tricks?" the pink haired Titan laughed, "I think you were better before he started training you!"
"Laugh while you still can, Jen." Kylee took up another stance, "You're going down."
"Whoa." Jenny jogged back a little and took up a defensive posture, "What the hell style is that?"
"Kahlari." Kylee started to circle her opponent with measured strides.
"Sounds like it's from the sub-continent."
"Right." Kylee darted in and struck like a cobra. Jenny dodged to the side, ducked a high kick, and caught a rapid open handed strike to her chest. She tumbled backwards and rolled up with a wince.
"Ow." she jumped into the air as Kylee came at her again, and planted her hands on the smaller girls shoulders, "Let's see if Dick taught you how to get out of this one!" As she landed with her hands still on Kylee's shoulders, Jenny picked the smaller girl up from behind herself and hurled her across the training room.
"Waaaa!" Kylee flew through the air with a cry of shock.
Aside from her combat training, Kylee still works with me on her meditation and spell casting, and with Vic on her tech training. He's teaching her how to use a wide variety of different devices, and she'll be learning to pilot various vehicles as well when she's a bit older. At the rate she's going, she'll be field ready by the time she's fourteen without a problem.
The older Titans are back to their old tricks once again. Victor and Garfield still play video games and bicker, Kori still moons over Dick, only now, he moons back, and I still seek solitude and quite times of reflection... just not by myself so much anymore... erm... does that make sense?
Raven sat in a comfortable position, lounging on the couch, a book open in her lap and a mug of herbal tea nearby. Her bare feet were tucked up under Jason's legs as he too reclined with an open book and a mug of tea. In unison they both licked their thumbs and turned a page.
Blinking, they looked up at each other, then grinned. Jason winked at her, and Raven winked back.
Books flying, they jumped into each other's embrace and started making out just as Komi walked into the room. She stopped, stared for a moment, then turned and walked back the way she had come.
After we all got back together, there were some personal issues that had to be resolved, especially with two particular members of our team. Komand'r was pregnant with Tara's boyfriend's baby. It was more an issue for Jerry Springer than for the Titans, but I went to mediate anyway when they confronted him.
Boy was that ever a bad idea...
Brian opened his door after the third knock, and paled visibally at the sight that greeted him. Tara, Komi, and Raven all stood on the other side, dressed in casual clothes, and smiling sweetly. He took a step back.
"Oh God. You're here to murder me aren't you?"
"Oh, don't be such a drama queen, Brian." Raven pushed the other two girls forward and ushered all of them into the penthouse apartment, "We need to get things out in the open, and I'm here to make sure it all goes down without a hitch."
"Oh yeah," Brian rolled his eyes, "because having three former lovers confronting me is so much easier than just two."
Raven stopped, blushed, then turned away and mumbled, "Uh... forgot about that... sorry."
Brian's mouth dropped open, "You forgot?"
Tara and Komi both burst out laughing, and Raven turned back around with a sheepish nod, "Sorry! It's just... it seems like I've been with Jason forever, and... he's... um..."
"Please don't tell me Jason is better in bed than I am..." Brian closed his eyes and ran a hand through his hair.
"Okay." Raven nodded, "I wont."
Brian opened his eyes and looked at Tara and Komi, "Um... okay... look. Tara, before I really knew you, Komand'r came through town and we uh... kind of had a one night stand thing. You know, we agreed that she could stop by if she was ever in the solar system and we'd see about hooking up again, but I never intended to actually follow though with that after I started dating you. I mean..." he trailed off, seeing the annoyed look both woman were giving him, "What?"
"You just decided to kick me to the curb because some blond haired floozy came along?"
"Hey!" Tara looked offended.
"Er... sorry." Komi glanced at her, "I didn't mean that..."
"So'kay. I'm a little pissed that he slept with one of the Titans arch enemies in the first place."
"Hey!" Brian looked offended now, "I used to be one of the Titans arch enemies!"
"Man's got a point." Raven said, and ushered them all over to the living room, where she sat them down across from each other. Komi and Tara on the couch, and Brian on the love seat. She herself sat on a chair off to the side.
"Now," she stated, "what we need to do is get all of your feelings out in the open. Do you want to do it yourselves, or should I just tell everyone what they're feeling?"
"We're all adults here, Raven." Tara said. We can do it ourselves."
"Very well." Raven waved a hand, "You start."
"Um... okay." Tara took a deep breath, then looked at Brian, "When we were back in Markovia... and we made love for the first time... I mean, really made love instead of just the desperate sex we'd had the few nights before... that's when I knew I was in love with you. I mean, it was like... wow, right?"
He nodded, and she continued, "I'm really torn... I love babies, and I'm happy for Komi..." she reached out and grasped the dark haired alien's hand, and gave it a squeeze, "At the same time though... it's your child." she looked Brian in the eye, "You'll have to give some of your love and attention to Komi now, even if you're still with me... I gave up on Gar because I didn't want to share him with anyone... call me selfish and jelous, but I want my man to be my man." she looked away, "That and I don't know if I should deprive a child of it's father just so I can be happy."
"Okay," Komi interjected, "my turn here." she too looked Brian in the eye, "Tara's last concern is unfounded. While I will allow you to see your child whenever you want to, he or she will not stay with you over night, and will not be taken by you on any day trips. This is my child more that it's our child."
Brian's eyes hardened, "Now wait a damn minute! I don't want this to go into any legal action, but-"
"Brian," Raven cut him off, "It can't go into legal action. Komand'r is from a different planet. Our laws and regulations over seeing child care and custody don't apply to her."
His mouth dropped open, "So... I have no say in how my own child is going to be raised?"
"I didn't say you wouldn't be able to participate in the child's life," Komi said, "just that I would be the primary parent here. I plan on living with my sister at the Tower for as long as they'll have me-"
"We would never kick you out, Komi." Tara stated quietly. The alien girl smiled at her and squeezed their still clasped hands.
Raven looked over and motioned with her hand, "Brian, care to tell us how you feel?"
"I feel... like a shit head." he stared at the ground, "It was great, Komi, but... damn it all, I'm in love with Tara." He looked up at the blonde and smiled, his eyes slightly watery, "I love you so much... I never thought I'd come across someone who makes me feel like you do, but... shit girl, I don't know what I'd do without you."
"Aw..." Tara jumped over the coffee table separating them and landed in his arms, "I love you too baby!"
He hugged her and looked over at Komi, "I'd still like to be friends, Komi, but I don't think being lovers again is in the cards for us."
"It's okay." Komand'r smiled lightly, "As long as we're clear on where we stand... this child will be raised to be a proud member of the Tameranian race, even if he or she is a half breed. Who knows? Maybe I'll find someone... better for me."
Raven snorted, "Komi, face it. You and I have both had better sex than we did with Brian. You're just looking for a bigger-" she stopped herself, and looked over at the cuddled up couple, both of whom were glaring at her, "Uh..."
"That's our cue to leave." Komi stood up and flew over to Raven. Grabbing the violet haired young woman's arm, she picked her up and flew towards the patio doors, "Bye!"
Brian has since forgiven me for my thoughtless comments, but he didn't speak to me for a month after our encounter. I'm just happy they got things sorted out, though I feel that more problems will arise after Komi actually has the baby.
On this day of Thanksgiving, I find myself reflecting on all of this and feeling warm and safe inside. I'm very grateful for all I've been blessed with.
For my best friend, lover, confidant, and hero, Royce Jason Harper.
For my foster child, friend, and daughter, Kylee Anna Rodgers.
For Victor Stone, the man with the body of steel, and the heart of gold.
For Garfield Logan, who makes me laugh... which was bound to happen eventually.
For Koriand'r of Tameran, who is the light by which we all stumble through the darkness of this world.
For Richard Grayson, who gives us all strength and courage, and who never gives up on anything, even me and my many difficulties.
For Tara Markov, who keeps us all grounded and easy going, simply by being those things herself, and for mediating all disputes she comes across.
For Sarah Simms, who gives us all a sense of normalcy, simply by being so normal. And for making a great cup of tea when I'm in need of it most.
For Komand'r of Tameran, who gives me hope that even the worst criminals can become something better if they try.
For Brian Berms, who is far more of a hero than he'll ever admit.
And for Bart Allen, who bears a huge legacy on his shoulders, but carries it with a strength and dignity few could master. He gives me hope that the next generation of heroes will be far more than we could ever hope to be.
I am thankful for my friends and family... the only family I've known for quite some time. So thank you, Mother, for sending me here, Jump City, for accepting us, and thank you Titans... you've become my everything... and I wouldn't have it any other way.
Raven closed her journal and placed it down on the table next to her chair. Mumbling a quick locking spell over it (she'd taught it to Kylee just the other day) she stood up and walked over to the kitchen.
"Bart!" she barked, "Get in here and do your homework!"
"Eep!" he all but threw the controller of the Game Station away from himself and was in the kitchen with a book open in less than a second, "Sorry!"
"And don't break the table because you're writing too fast again." she said in a firm voice. "Vic, how's the gravy coming?" she lifted the lid of the simmering pot and tasted it with one finger.
"Could use some salt." the robotic Titan handed her the shaker as he opened the oven and checked on the turkey, "Mmm... smell that bird!"
Dick leaned against the counter as he walked over from the couch, "How much longer do you think?"
"Bart can have the table set in less than a minute, and we'll be ready to eat in a half hour." Vic replied.
"Great." Dick pulled out his T-Comp, "I'll call everyone."
Raven smiled at him and walked out of the kitchen and out into the living room. Staring out the large windows at the Jump City skyline, she smiled a warm smile and hugged herself. She whispered out to no one, her breath fogging the window lightly,
"It's great to be home."
Closing notes: After a long and tumulus journey (109,701 words not including opening and closing notes... that's 277 pages) this story comes to an end. I would like to express thanks to all of you who've reviewed, and all of you who stay loyal to my storytelling, even when I throw curve balls at you, hit you with cliffhangers, and outright ignore popular fan conventions and do things that no one agrees with. Thank you for reading my ridiculously long chapters, and thank you for putting up with the drivel that I put before and after every one of them as well. You've all been so supportive of this story, through out it's three part run, and I'm sure you'll continue to support it as it enters the fourth installment, as well as the newly spawned spin off, which will be written by Hisan, featuring a new cast of heroes in a new city, and intersecting with this story line at several points. Enough of that though. On to...
The Titans find themselves fighting for the peace and freedom of their home city once again, as various organizations attempt to fill the power vacuum left in the wake of the criminal element being wiped out by the vicious attack by the Cursed Dead. Enemies both new and old rain terror on the streets of Jump, and only the Titans stand in the way of the city's total annihilation. Get ready for action, adventure, comedy, drama, mystery, and even more new Titans as the crew heads into the finale of our performance!
Coming soon... JUMP CITY SYMPHONY!