Chapter Sixteen: Sparks Fly

Robin rubbed his head and continued to leaf through a stack of papers. Behind him the doors slid open and someone's silhouette fell across the square of light that fell on the floor

"Robin?" it was Raven. The masked teen didn't ven bother looking up. "Robin this is kinda important."

"What is it Raven?" Robin asked still not bothering to glance behind him. Suddenly a hand grabbed his shoulder

"I've come for you Robin." it sounded just like Slade! He'd gotten into the Tower!

Robin whirled around, swung a punch, missed, and fell. Nearby a familiar laughter rang through the air.

Gar was rolling around on the floor clutching his stomach and laughing his head off. In the doorway Raven shook her head

"You should've seen you face," Gar howled "Man that was absolutely priceless." the changeling continued to laugh and cry at the same time.

Robin's mouth hung open and he shook his head "Gar… Raven… Slade…?" he stuttered attempting to form a complete sentence without much luck

"Gar has some information on Shahari. So please don't kill him without asking question first." Raven said watching the changeling with amused eyes

"Really?" Robin said frowning. He got off the floor and glared at Gar who was lying eagle spread on the ground "You nearly gave me a heart attack!"

The changeling rolled his eyes and sat up slightly "Do you want to hear what I have to say or not?" Robin nodded "Good. Her name is Shari Simon. She has a daughter named Niki who's eight. And… uh… she was married to Cameron. At least until Changeling…ya."

Robin frowned "Did you know her?"

"Little bit. But-." he broke off and his ears twitched

"Raven touched his shoulder "Gar?"

"The twerps are listening." he replied with a toothy grin.

Seconds later the door opened and a rock flew at Gar

"Name calling isn't nice." Jason said with a smirk

"Neither is throwing rocks."

Robin groaned "Let's going into the main room so you can explain this all to me."

Once the two teams had gathered in the common room Gar spoke "Shari had a daughter named Niki and she can control water. I don't remember everything but I think Cameron injected her with some kind of experimental serum. After that Shari divorced him."

"So she's out for revenge?" Jinx put in

"As far as I can tell." Gar replied

There was a pressing silence then Robin cleared his throat "Gar… I… made a mistake."

The changeling raised an eyebrow "So… are we… cool?"

Robin shrugged "Frosty."

Instantly the Outsiders swarmed Gar laughing and hugging him.

"Has anyone seen Shadow?" Starfire asked

"He said something about going into the city for a little bit." Jason explained. The group went back to celebrating.

Gar met Raven's eyes and glanced at the lunar calendar that hung on the wall.

The next two nights had no symbols.

Shadow rapped on the door of Holly's house and smiled as the door opened to reveal Holly's face

"Hey Holly. How's it going?" he asked

"Shadow! Hi, I'm fine. You?"

"Okay I guess. Listen can we talk?" the boy inquired shifting nervously

Holly opened the door fully "Sure come on in."

Shadow back up a few steps and glanced over his shoulder at the high sun. "Well… I was thinking the park."

Holly gave him a smile then disappeared into the house. Seconds later she reappeared and pulled on a pair of tennis shoes "Let's go."

Shadow nodded "We'll go my way. It's faster."

"Your way?" Holly asked quizzically.

Shadow held out his hands "Hold onto me."

Holly obeyed and in a matter of minutes they were emerging from a vortex of black shadows near a barren park.

"Wow! That's pretty cool." Holly exclaimed giggling slightly.

Shadow shrugged "I guess. Come on."

The two teen sat on a secluded park bench. Shadow rubbed his neck trying to find the right words

"Do you remember that night at the dance club?"

"Shadow-."

"Listen Holly. Please just listen." Shadow took a deep breath preparing for whatever the girl might say or yell "I… I'm a demon."

"Are you serious?" Holly asked looking confused

"Very." Shadow replied

Holly pursed her lips "Shadow… I really don't care. You've been a great friend to me." she said after a moment

"That's the problem…" he pulled his sleeve up showing the girl the already wavering binding symbol that Raven had burned into his skin "Once the sun set I'll change. And I'm worried you'll get hurt."

"Why?"

"Because… you've just got to trust me on this one, Holly."

Holly smiled "I trust you Shadow."

"If you see me at all tonight I want you to call my friends with this." he pulled his Outsider communicator out of his pocket "Jus press the button and start talking."

Holly nodded and took Shadow's hand letting him pull her up. For a moment she was still then she threw her arms around the shocked boy "You don't have to live like this you know." she whispered in his ear trying to hold back tears

Shadow shook his head "Yes, I do."

Holly hugged him tightly then stepped back. A small smile crossed the demon's handsome features "Come on, I'll take you home."

Raven turned a page in her book and glanced out the common room window. The sun was starting to set.

Across from her Shadow was watching the sun as well. His face was already showing strain and his silver eyes were starting to take on a translucent glow. A black tear hit the carpeted floor.

"Shadow…" Raven got up and sat next to the boy

"I'm sorry for whatever I do." he whispered.

A gloved hand reached out and gripped the boy's shoulder. Gar stood behind the boy watching the sun. Then he looked down "It's okay dude. We're all here for you."

The Outsiders and Titans all gathered on the sofa. Robin however stood back a few feet not feeling comfortable with the Outsiders now that he knew Gar led them

"All of us." Robyn said softly. The others murmured in agreement.

Shadow didn't reply. His eyes were closed. The last sliver of the sun slipped behind the city.

Raven felt the boy's mind struggle for a moment before slipping into a dark abyss.

The demon's body turned into a black mist and disappeared through the huge widow.

Gar waited for a moment, his face grim "Alright guys, let's go."

Shadow looked at the house then slid up the roof and under one of the widows.

His human self formed so quickly it looked as if he'd merely been hiding in one of the corners and suddenly decided to step into the light.

Across from him there was a sleeping figure. He walked over and sat in a shadow that formed into a chair, watching Holly sleep. Shahari had already given him his orders but he had a few hours left and tomorrow night as well.

Holly turned over and faced him, still asleep. Ignoring the burning in his chest he ran a gentle hand over her cheek "Soon," he breathed "Soon the weakling will vanish and I will have you."

Beneath his hand the girl trembled and he knew she was awake "You trust a boy who can not even control himself but you refuse to trust a man who-."

Holly's hand flew striking the demon across the cheek "Shut up! You're a demon! Shadow is my friend!"

The dark men laughed lowly "He and I are the same. Whatever I do he feels." he stroked her face. Holly jerked away "And yet… I can not harm you. Something he feels prevents it."

Holly edged to her dresser where Shadow's communicator lay. The man saw the communicator but made no move to stop Holly.

Holly pressed the button and spoke into the speaker "Whoever's listening… Shadow's… he's… here."

Gar landed in a crouched position then stood fully. Behind him the others pulled up and gathered

"We know you're here, Shadow!" Robin yelled unable to stand the silence.

"I am well aware of that, mortal." the demon appeared nearby leaning against a wall of a building

"Why are you working for Shahari?" Gar asked. It was only a few minutes until sunrise

"Is it really any of your business Garfield?"

A green barrage of starbolts flew at the boy who simply raised an arm. When the smoke cleared he lowered the arm which was smoking slightly. Starfire's mouth fell open

"Was that supposed to hurt?" Shadow asked brazenly. Without waiting for a reply he threw out a hand and lack energy instantly bound all the heroes, even Raven.

Gar glared at the demon who sneered at him "Why she wants you alive is beyond me." he muttered. Dark energy formed around his right hand "Say good-bye to your friends, Garfield."

As he started to fire the blast Holly bounded out from her house causing the demon to pause and look up in surprise.

Without hesitation the girl ran over, wrapped her arms around the demon's neck and pressed her lips against his.

Instantly the change began to take place. Shadow's energy binds vanished and his eyes stopped glowing as he closed them. He wound one arm around the girl's waist and touched her cheek with the other. Slowly they broke apart, their eyes locked together. Shadow's dreamy expression vanished and he looked shocked.

The teen took a couple of steps backwards, his eyes darting over the confused faces of his teammates. Then he vanished into a pool of shadows.

I know I'm kinda focusing more on Shadow than on Gar. But trust me this will all make sense in the end. I hope…

Anyway once this is done I will be doing a sequel. It will just be random events and plenty of fluff between several different couples. But it needs a name so send be some ideas!

And also I need some ideas for oneshots.

And plz read my new story Strangers! I need some help on it.