A/N: Standard Disclaimers Apply

A/N: As always, thank you all for your kind words and encouragement.

Titans, Act Two, Scene One

Slade crept out of bed and took a palm-sized communicator out of his bureau drawer. He took a deep breath and narrowed his eye.

"Jinx, report," he said in his soft, dangerous voice.

Jinx's lilting voice came over the speaker. "It's like you thought, Slade. Cyborg, Beast Boy and Starfire engaged Mammoth and Gizmo, but no sign of Robin or Raven."

"Good work."

"What about…?"

"Their usefulness is over for the moment. If I have need of them again, I will make the arrangements. Right now, my dear, I have another chore for you."

There was a long pause before Jinx answered. "Okay, what ever you need."

"Good girl. I will be in touch soon."

As Slade deactivated the communicator, he glanced over to the stirring form in his bed. A green tinged beauty with long, jet black hair sat up slowly, pulling the sheet modestly over her lean body.

"What is it?" she asked.

"I was just checking on some old friends, lover."

"The Titans? Aren't you worried about them finding you?"

Slade laughed darkly, "Worried? I all but sent them an invitation."

…….

Robin and Raven, or rather, John Gray and Rachel Crow, stepped off the airplane and quickly made their way to the baggage claim. Raven thanked the stars that Middleton International wasn't a large or busy airport. The way Robin walked; she already barely kept up.

"Wait up, will you?" she finally called, sweeping her hair away from her face.

Robin stopped. "Sorry, Rae," he said. "I just want to get set up and find Slade."

"I know you do. The faster Slade's behind bars the faster we all can rest," she said patting him comfortingly on his shoulder.

Robin forced a smile, and looked to his friend. He covered her hand with his and gave it a gentle squeeze, acknowledging her concern. Raven took a slow deep breath and found her center. She forced herself to ignore the electric thrill of Robin holding her hand. They walked slowly and went through the large exit gate. Lining the pathway were families, loved ones, and drivers awaiting the incoming passengers. Raven smiled brightly as the unbridled joy of a little girl seeing her daddy come home beamed through her.

Robin scanned the small crowd and nodded. "Come on Rae. Our ride's here."

"Huh?" Raven responded, shaking herself out of her reverie.

Raven scanned the crowd. She saw a tall, well-dressed man holding a sign that said "Gray and Crow." He wore a thin, neatly trimmed moustache and had dark, but balding hair.

Robin smiled broadly and walked up. They shook hands vigorously.

"Rachel," he said, "This is... Mr. P."

"Ah, yes, Master R.. Master John has told me much about you, Miss Crow," he said. Raven was not at all surprised the man was English. "It is a pleasure we finally meet."

"Thank you," she said pleasantly and held out her hand.

Mr. P lightly wrapped his hand around hers and shook it warmly.

Raven's mind erupted in images of worry, blood, darkness, and a great, terrible shadow juxtaposed with laughter, healing, light, and, of all things, love. She took a step back and held her hand as if she touched a block of ice. Her eyes were wide as her mind tried to process the dichotomy.

"It's okay Rae," Robin said placing his hands on her shoulders, forcing her to look at his face. He pointed to her eyes with two fingers and then to his own, "Focus on me… Rae? Look, Mr. P works for him."

"Him?" Raven asked coming out of her visions. "Oh! Him."

"Yeah. He's patched us both up more times than I really care to admit. And he makes the damndest roast beef sandwich anywhere."

"I'm sorry," Raven apologized.

"Think nothing of it, my dear," Mr. P said warmly. "I'm just glad I still have an affect on lovely young ladies." He winked.

"Let's go, you dog," Robin said clapping his hand on Mr. P's shoulder. The three walked out of the airport and went straight to a black sedan. Mr. P opened the door for Raven and smiled broadly as she entered the car.

"Everything is as you requested, Master John."

"Thanks, Alf… Mr. P," Robin caught himself as he took his seat.

The ride to the house was short, and Raven looked at the typical suburban custom home, surrounded by a typical suburban yard with a typically suburban tree in the middle of the front yard. The young witch hated the house on sight.

"Could it be any more 'Stepford Wives?'" she said darkly.

"I suppose it could," Robin responded. "But then you'd have to wear a dress."

"Very funny, Boy Wonder."

Mr. P opened the front door. "You both are registered at Middleton High under your assumed names," he instructed. "Classes will begin on Monday at eight-thirty. Miss Raven, as I did not know your actual age, I placed both you and Master Robin in the Junior class."

Raven had already settled into the couch and had a book in her hands. "That's fine," she said not really listening.

"Your schedules are on your nightstands. I did try to get you both in the same class, whenever possible."

"Thanks," Robin said. "I knew I could count on you."

"The pleasure is mine, Master Robin. Now, I must be leaving, but first, Master Robin, a word please?"

"Okay."

Robin and Mr. P walked out of the living room.

Mr. P started, "Bruce is worried, Dick. He's always felt that the League should handle this Slade fellow, especially after your short apprenticeship."

"I can't go running to Bruce every time I run into a heavyweight," Robin said. "I have my own life now and a team full of friends. I need to take Slade down myself."

"I understand. And what about her?"

"Raven?"

"Yes."

"Alfred, you cad!" Robin exclaimed sarcastically. "I may have spent my formative years in the circus and the company of a well known billionaire playboy, but I assure you that I'm completely trustworthy."

Alfred Pennyworth laughed in a grandfatherly way. "I know exactly what you are capable of," he said, still smiling. The smile faded all too quickly for Robin's taste. "But," Alfred continued, "I have read your reports on the other Teen Titans. Can she do the job?"

"I know she can."

"Then that's well enough for me." Alfred hugged Robin as he would his own son. "Take care, Dick. Do you have any message for Bruce?"

"Tell him to be careful. Not that it'll do much good."

Alfred smiled, nodded, and got back into the sedan. Robin watched as the car rolled away.

…..

"Are you sure this will work?" Dr. Light demanded.

"No, but if it does, your power would be unstoppable!"

The blue man in the blue lab coat raised his arm over his head triumphantly. Dr. Drakken pulled a pair of heavy goggles over his eyes as he quickly turned a half dozen knobs on a bank of equipment. The machinery thrummed to life. Crackling sparks rose up Jacob's Ladders as Drakken went from read out to read out, gauging every detail.

"To think, Arthur!" Drakken exclaimed, "Einstein's famous formula, put to the ultimate test! I should have thought of this years ago."

"It has always been my deepest desire, Drakken," Dr. Light said as he plugged in several cables to his suit. "Not just to see light, but to see individual photons, in essence to BE light itself!"

The low thrum filled the room. Soon the pitch scaled higher and higher.

"Here, Arthur, let me help you with that," Drakken told his new partner. He plugged in a cable to Light's helmet and grinned darkly.

Dr. Light's eyes rolled back into his head. Subliminals crowded any other thought out of his mind.

Drakken laughed as the gauges were approaching critical. "You pathetic fool, Light! You honestly think that I, of all people, I, Doctor Drakken, would share my spoils with you? Oh yes, this experiment will go on, and if you survive your transformation, your loyalty will be rewarded!"

Drakken threw the switch.