The indispensible 'Shoutouts!'

Lady of Faerie: Brain says he can help with your problem…but you know that old saying about the 'cure being worse than the disease?' (Brain: I like them both!)

Terra Logan: I hate you for agreeing with Brain! ( Brain: I hate you for putting him on your 'Fav' list for that stupid 'Betrayal' thing.) But I forgive you for adding me to your 'Faves' for 'Betrayal, Reduex!' Thanks!

Shekron Kaisar: Huh? What was the question again? Oh yeah—no, that was not Raven—that was me, the all-powerful third-person omnicient author!

Visigoth: My, we do have so many ideas for plot turns! (Brain: Kill him?) I am sooooo not into S&M! Brain is the one who…ouch! Quit it!

J.Zink (Brain: A wise decision, human vessel!) What? What what happened? What does that mean? (Brain: See kids…read Mr. Zink's comments, and you will see why we tell you not to smoke…'tobaccos' which are not properly aged…)

AstaOmega: See, Brain—not everyone thinks I am stupid! (Brain: No accounting for taste…) Thanks!

Animegirl75: Hee hee—she didn't mind being insulted! (Brain: Unusually tough…) That was just a gratuitous insult to initiate you to the 'club.' Glad you have a sense of humor! (Brain: He can stop hiding now.)

Schizo and proud: 'Spunky' Raven? 'Yes, we have no bananas-Robin?' Vodka? (Brain: I'm in love!) I, like you two, too…possibly too much to say…

Kali Donovan: Glad to hear your condition is so easily controlled… Oh, damn—did I do that stupid 'introduce a plot line' thing again? So sorry—I will try to rectify that, starting now.

Not Quite Worthless: (Brain: Are we feeling a bit inferior?) Stop it, Brain! Not nice! I'm sorry, that was just your gratuitous insult of welcome! Thanks! And, you're welcome!

Christina Ross: I'm sorry, but you leave me nothing to insult you about…you are such a clear, incisive, brown-nosing reviewer! (Brain: Allow me… Your comments are inane, irrelevant, and patronizing.) Hey---I thought you were gonna insult her?

Saint H: You sir, are a strange person. But you kiss up in a most pleasing manner. (Brain: We'll keep you.)

Nightlark: Ta-da! You just became amusing again! Thank you for calling me 'cool.' (Brain: That may have something to do with the 'amusing again' bit…)

AlwaysWrite: Aha! Very clever—buttering me up with praise before dropping the 'but' bomb… (Brain: Impressive!) Well, I'm on to you! If you really really liked my story you would never have a single teeny-tiny objection to anything! (Brain: Excuse us, while Vin beats his head upon the wall…)

DM: Filler? Filler! That's what you call something that sucks, but not too bad? (Brain: She's trying to be tactful, idiot!) Well! I certainly hope this chapter is up to your standards!

Mr. Vincent Del Greco

Central Metropolis General Hospital

Trauma Ward, Room 218

Dear Vincent,

I am so very sorry that I—uh—became too personally involved while injuring you for appearances' sake.

I can assure you that, although I did not truly 'lose control,' I had no intention of actually breaking three of your ribs.

I feel really guilty about the concussion and your dislocated shoulder. I guess you are a bit more fragile than I would have supposed for a man of your age.

I also feel really bad about your legs, too. I had no idea that you had bad knees to start with. I hope the doctor is wrong in thinking that you will need to replace the left knee with an artificial joint.

Your nose looks pretty good, though, from the nurses' description.

Five pins in that ankle? Ouch! Does that hurt as bad as it sounds?

I guess you won't be able to write for a while anyway, now…not with your right hand, anyway-ha ha!

Sorry. I don't mean to sound callous or smug about your suffering. I just can't help myself. I feel so good—so at peace—so alive again!

I regret the timing of having to tell you this now, but I'm afraid I'm going to have to call off our little 'agreement.' I don't like to go back on my word but, truthfully, beating your ass just felt so good…so right. I feel like my old self again, perhaps even better!

My changed attitude even enabled me to have a nice talk with Beastboy, and I believe I have a new appreciation for him. He seems better able to deal with me strictly on the basis of a friend now, too.

Of course, I will pay for your hospitalization—it's the least I can do. (Hee hee: that was a joke! See—I'm even learning a few things from BB.)

Thank you for the Cappucino, though—I really did enjoy our talk at the Boxcar.

Too bad I hate your guts.

Sincerely,

(just) Raven

P.S. Let me know when you are feeling all better...we might need to 'get together' again. Muahahahahaah!

Brain, please threaten the nice readers.

(Review--or you know what happens...)

Thank you, and--GOODNIGHT NOW!