Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or anything else in this story
Very long chapter, a lot of information, a tiny cliffy, not that bad, hope you enjoy
(Chapter inspired by Damien Rice's song: 'Woman Like a Man')
Day III
JUMP CITY SUBURBS
KHAN RESIDENCE
On the final day of their vacation, Guardian and Darkness had arrived at the house of those who raised Guardian after his parents' death. Jemal Khan and his wife Leila Khan had raised their nephew as their own child. Currently they were raising their nephew's own adopted daughter.
Guardian was wearing a blue sweater, khaki pants, and black shoes. Darkness was wearing hew own black sweater and grey pants with black boots. Guardian knew he couldn't come to visit them in his uniform so he came in civilian clothing.
"Nervous?" Darkness asked, noticing how tense Guardian was as they slowly approached the door. She held his hand tightly, she still remembered last night vividly.
NIGHT BEFORE
Guardian and Darkness had a very good time, Guardian with Beast Boy, Darkness with her mother, brothers, and sisters. They then had a very nice dinner as well, the whole family together, including the original Titans and their families. The dinner was very funny with Beast Boy and everyone thoroughly enjoyed themselves. Except for the bad jokes that is, sometimes Beast Boy tried too hard.
Guardian had also got to know his brothers and sisters in laws. Although several threatened him with the famous: 'if he hurt my sister' speech, it was a great experience. By the time everyone retired to their rooms Guardian and Darkness were led to their own by Beast Boy.
Upon entering the room Beast Boy pointed to the mattress on the floor, "Of course you will be sleeping on the mattress while Christine sleeps on the bed, hate to have something happen tonight," Beast Boy said giving the young couple a suggestive smile. Guardian and Darkness both blushed as Beast Boy laughed and told Guardian to come with him for a little while.
When they left the room Beast Boy turned to Guardian and said, "I was just joking, I know you wouldn't really try anything."
"Don't worry, I wasn't offended, I would never do anything to your daughter," Guardian said giving his father-in-law a reassuring smile.
"Just wanted to tell you that, I know you wont do anything, go ahead and go to sleep, you've had a very long day," Beast Boy said giving Guardian a handshake.
Guardian returned to the room and shut the door only to stand frozen. There was Darkness, on the bed, the comforter covering her but Guardian could tell she had very little on. He saw her bare shoulders, pale with a greenish tint, a very intoxicating, inviting tone. It wasn't a sickly green or anything like that; it was very beautiful to gaze at.
"Guardian, I-I feel we need to move on, go to the next stage, save our marriage, go to the next step," Darkness said quietly. She had been thinking and she felt this was the best way to save her and save Guardian. "Tonight, I am all yours," she said as she looked down. Waiting for Guardian to come, she had no experience with anything like this.
Neither did Guardian but he was on the spot. A part of him knew it was wrong, but a part of him wanted to go through with it anyway. His lust was now aching to get out, his natural human, barbaric instincts wanted to get loose. Those animalistic instincts had long been suppressed by Guardian, who had spent his life suppressing these emotions through his honor code and his religion, now he felt all those locks were beginning to unravel. He was about to take off his shirt when it came to him. When his beliefs returned to his brain.
"No Darkness, we can't do this. I-I would just be using you. I was so close to using you. This won't help us at all, doing this wont help; it can only bring us lower. We will fall apart, be unable to look at each other," Guardian said before turned away and then he lifted his hand with the ring, "If we do it, then by morning the ring will be off. It will all be gone, my honor, my faith, my wife, my life would become meaningless. If I do this then I would shame my parents," Guardian said before leaving the room.
Darkness now smiled when he left the room, "So he does care," she thought. She also felt slightly embarrassed at her actions and went to put on some clothes and sleep reassured.
END FLASHBACK
"I am nervous, I haven't seen them for so long, and I haven't seen Maryam for a while either," he added.
"So, are you going to ring the bell or are we going to wait while you try to put yourself together?" Darkness asked with a smirk.
"Alright, lets do this," Guardian said as he pushed the bell. A few moments latter a middle-aged woman answered the door. "Selim? Is that really you?" she asked as tears began forming in her eyes.
"Aunty Fatima," Guardian replied as he found himself being forced into a very deep hug.
"We were so worried, so worried, what have you been doing? Jemal! Jemal! He's back!" called Fatima as she led the two Titans inside. Her husband appeared with the baby in his hands, he was dumbfounded at how much his nephew had changed.
TEN MINUTES LATTER
Guardian had been brought to tears by the time he reached the living room with his aunt and uncle; they led Guardian in and told him to sit down. Darkness sat next to Guardian as he faced the people that raised him.
"Child, where and what have you been doing?" Jemal Khan asked kindly. Fatima was sitting on a lazy chair with baby Maryam in her arms looking at the child she raised, waiting for answers.
Guardian had a story, an explanation in his head on what he was going to say. He wasn't going to lie, he planned on sugarcoating it, leave out what he viewed as unnecessary information, but in the end he confessed everything. Once he started he couldn't stop. He spoke of getting his powers, of becoming Guardian, of saving Rani, about meeting Robin and becoming a Titan. He talked about his training, Julie, how he got Maryam, his first mission, Darkness getting shot, Iqbal, the spy game, he said it all, he even told them of his wedding.
"She is your wife?" Fatima asked in shock as she looked at Darkness, not in anger or disgust, but in surprise. It's not everyday a fifteen year old son says he is married. "So then she must by Maryam's new mother," she thought. She had noticed how Darkness would look at the baby; she had a motherly look in her eyes.
"Yes, if I didn't take the ring then Iqbal would have taken her, I couldn't let it happen," Guardian said quietly. He then went on to explain the rings and how they never intended on staying together.
"I don't know if I accept this marriage," Fatima spoke, "Don't get me wrong, I have nothing against the girl, but I don't think you are ready. Come on son, your only fifteen and you've killed a man, you've seen men died, seen all kinds of abuse, you even have a daughter, and now you have a wife. Sorry, this is too overwhelming for you," Fatima said.
"I understand auntie, I understand, but, we are bound, it wasn't our choosing, this ring says it," Guardian said showing the ring, now firmer than it was two days ago.
Jemal Khan had just been sitting quietly on his chair lost in thought when he asked, "You plan on sticking to this wedding don't you?"
Guardian replied, "Yes father, I do," looking at his uncle right in the eye.
"So, you have forgotten how you were raised, how you raised yourself," Jemal asked him quietly.
"What does that mean?" Guardian asked, he didn't intend it, but he had an edge in his voice.
"You were a man of God, a religious man, a man who knew what was right and what was wrong before you left," Jemal continued.
"I still am, I still am that boy, that boy who went through the racism, the hate, by shunning the world of sin and following the way of his ancestors," Guardian said forcefully.
"I have no doubt you still say your prayers and you still follow the honor system, but you have changed, you've compromised those beliefs for this woman, for this love," Jemal said. He didn't say this in a bad way to Darkness; he was just making a point.
"Compromised what?" Guardian asked, "And what does this have to do with Darkness?" he added.
"You've married a woman who is not from your native land, not from any tribe, that compromises the honor code, and second of all, your wife and you don't share the same faith. You know very well how marriages like this end," Jemal Khan said.
Guardian was silent, not knowing what to say, he hated to admit this but his father figure was right. Marriages between people of his ways and outsiders without any type of conformity always ended ugly as time went on, Guardian was thinking of one of his uncles who had married a Spanish girl.
"What if you two eventually have children? Will they follow your way or hers? You know you can't really change the honor code or faith, the question is whether you and her are willing to make some decisive choices on your future," Jemal Khan said, "Besides, you weren't even married with your family's approval, without any family witnesses. So technically, according to the traditions you claim you still follow this marriage is void," he added. Again he wasn't threatening anyone or directing it towards anyone; he was just trying to avoid tragedy for his nephew.
"Void?" asked Darkness who spoke for the first time in a while, she looked at Guardian, expecting him to arguer, looked at Fatima, and then at Jemal, all three had sad looks on their faces.
"Yes, this marriage isn't official, isn't legal, its, its, its void," Guardian said quietly. It had never occurred to him; he never had thought of those factors his uncle had just described, he hadn't thought of the long term.
"So do I have to convert or something to make it legal?" Darkness asked.
"No, no, child, you don't have to do anything," Fatima said.
"Yes, my wife is right, you shall not, nor will you be forced to do anything you are uncomfortable with," Jemal said in agreement with his wife.
"But I want to marry Selim, if converting is the only way then I wont hesitate, I will do it," Darkness pleaded.
"Its not that, there are other factors, the honor code, children," Guardian said.
"I will learn it all, just teach me," Darkness continued.
"Please, don't be rash, you two have to think over what you are going to do, talk to her parents too, no one is pressuring you to do anything. To us the marriage is void, that I won't deny, but to you and your family and friends it isn't," Jemal said kindly.
NORTHSIDE SLUMS
Nightfire lit a cigarette as she stood with Fireteen in front of a warehouse where Jim's drug dealers were picking up a shipment.
"Since when did you smoke?" Fireteen asked in slight surprise at Nightfire's addiction.
"Since her death, since I realized I might not make it through to the end, since I found about the machine. I mean we will be killing people soon, so with all that on my conscious I decided to relax by using cigarettes," Nightfire replied.
"It only relaxes you because you're addicted," Fireteen told Nightfire.
"Alright doctor Fireteen, I am sure the machine will erase my addiction when the time comes, if I am lucky enough to live till then," Fireteen said.
"Quit talking like you is going to die, strangely, it doesn't make me feel better," Fireteen said with bitter sarcasm.
"Whatever, oh my God," Nightfire said as she stared ahead.
"What is it?" Darkness asked.
"Look who just went in," Nightfire said pointing at one of Hartwell's city council members who had just entered in.
"Seems someone's playing for both clubs," Fireteen said.
"Seems Hartwell's going to get embarrassed tomorrow," Nightfire added.
"I can see the headline now: CITY COUNCIL MEMBER CAUGHT IN TITANS DRUG BUST," Fireteen said with a small laugh as she called the rest of the Titans to let them know the update.
"Alright guys," Robin's voice came to all the Titans ready for the operation, "Kid Flash make sure no one gets out and deal with any guards that come by. Fireteen, Nightfire come in through the roof, Kili deal with the electricity, Me and the rest of the Titans will launch the assault. Titans on my command… Titans GO!" came the order.
A yellow blur was seen going in circles around the building, taking out any guards outside, Kili using his powers turned off the lights inside, on cue, Fireteen and Nightfire smashed down through the roof. The shocked gangsters had no idea what hit them. While the two girls dazzled and frightened the dealers, Robin led Avengement, Nola, and Ariel in the room as they proceeded to detain the dealers.
"Damn you Titans," one dealer grumbled as Ariel shoved him hard against the wall, handcuffing him.
"Shut your filthy mouth," she growled as she grabbed him and through him on the ground with the rest of his tied up comrades.
"That's what I call shock and awe," Avengement said with a smirk to Robin. The Titans all assembled in the middle of the warehouse.
"Good work guys, no problems, perfect raid, didn't stand a chance. Head back to the Tower and relax, Guardian and Darkness should be back soon," Robin added to the team. Today was a big victory, all the major drug dealers in the North Side caught, a very good raid for the New Teen Titans.
TITANS TOWER
The Titans, still in battle gear arrived to the Tower to be confronted by Guardian and Darkness who were waiting in the main room.
"Since when did Robin and Avengement carry guns?" Guardian asked, he was asking about the two pistol holsters on Robin and the rifle slung across Avengement's back.
"Since Freeze was murdered, since we vowed to kill," Robin replied, "How was your trip," he added as if it wasn't a big deal.
"Interesting," Darkness said before leaving for her room. "Have to talk to Robin about the guns later," she thought tiredly. All she wanted was to sleep.
"She's just a little confused," Guardian answered his teammate's strange look at her.
"Why?" Nola asked.
"It was a long, overwhelming, but very important three day break," Guardian said to the Titans.
"If you aren't busy, you and me have something to discuss," Robin said to Guardian.
"Alright," Guardian replied as he followed Robin to his room.
When they entered the room Robin didn't say anything, he just picked up a paper and handed it to Guardian. The paper had a series of messages which went like this:
I just said get her out of the picture
That's what I did
I didn't say murder her or do all those sick things you did
I didn't do it, but I will admit my boys did get a little carried away
Our deal is over now
I don't think so
Why would you say that?
The Titans might get an anonymous tip on who the traitor is
You wouldn't, I would take you with me
True, but I would get out of jail in a heartbeat, you on the other hand
"That's a series of emails I read two days ago. I am monitoring all the Titans internet searches and emails," Robin said as Guardian looked up after finishing the paper.
"Who wrote this? Who is the traitor?" Guardian asked, he wanted to get the traitor.
"I can't pinpoint exactly who but the list has been narrowed down. The only Titans on computers during the time was Nola, Kili, and Nightfire," Robin said.
"Nightfire is a suspect?" Guardian asked, Nightfire was Robin's cousin.
"Yes, everyone who was logged on when this correspondence took place is a witness, regardless of their past acts, or their relations with me," Robin added.
"So tomorrow you, me, and Avengement interrogate these three until something comes up?" Guardian asked.
Robin gave Guardian a little smirk, "What are you crazy, no, what I did do was hack into all three of their computers so now I have complete access, before I could only monitor, but now I have full access," Robin explained.
NEXT DAY
TITANS TOWER
KID FLASH'S ROOM
Kid Flash had been brooding in his room ever since his meeting with Jinx and his father. He was on the edge and had been expressing his feelings in his journal. However he was currently tearing his room apart looking for the journal. It had some very personal stuff in it, mostly him venting his frustration at being a hero and his parents, but it also had his contact information with Green Arrow.
He then stopped when he heard someone knocking on the door, he went to the door, with his coldest faces on he opened the door and coldly said, "Yes."
"I heard some noises, seems you are missing this," Nola said with a smile as she held Kid Flash's notebook. Kid Flash's face fell, Nola was the last person he expected to find it. She was by far the quietest Titan; she did her job, nothing less, but nothing more.
"Where did you get that?" Kid Flash finally spoke.
"You left it by the computers in the main room, you shouldn't leave anything like this over there," she said matter of factly.
"You didn't read anything did you?" Kid Flash asked, pretty sure he already knew.
"Well, yeah I did, it seems I am not the only Titan keeping secrets," Nola said.
"What do you mean?" Kid Flash asked.
"Don't act like a stupid fool, you want to get boned, you want to get stoned, you really want to get a room like no one else, you want to be ruled, you want to be burned, you want to get rich, and you want to get kitsch. You really want to be the bastard of yourself," Nola said, reciting Kid Flash's journal.
"That wasn't about me, not be specifically," Kid Flash said red with embarrassment.
"Then who is it about? Your daddy? Because you know what Kid Flash," she leaned to his ear and whispered seductively, "I want the same thing you wrote, and I also want the last line you said, the line I didn't say," she added with a grin.
Kid Flash's eyes grew wide at that statement.
ELSEWHERE
Robin was in his workstation writing a report on the latest mission when he received a call, he answered, "Hello?" he asked.
"Is this Mr. Drake, also known as Robin?" came an official sounding man from the other end.
"Who are you? How do you know my name?" Robin asked, fear rising on who could possibly have that information.
"Agent Lowell, FBI," came the reply.
Robin was now slightly confused, "Why is the FBI calling us? The government doesn't like Hartwell, so why are they involved?"
"Mr. Drake?" came Lowell's voice.
"Sorry, why are you guys calling us?" Robin asked.
"I am sorry to say this, but one of your teammates is a wanted man," said the agent, his voice with sympathy.
"What? Who?" Robin asked with dismay and anger in his voice.
"The hero who goes by the name Kili, he has a warrant on his name. Typically the local police would do this but seeing how your relationship with the police is, the FBI has taken over. You don't have to worry about the local Jump City authorities, they will not be involved," the agent added.
"What is he being charged for?" Robin asked.
"He is being charged with assault and battery, towards a woman," the agent explained.
Robin sighed in frustration, he knew he couldn't resist, "When will you be coming," he asked defeated.
"We are sending two boats right now to the Tower, we also need the hero Guardian with us," the agent added.
"What? Why Guardian?" Robin said, now angry, "What the hell is going on, is everyone getting arrested?" Robin thought.
"The victim says she will only talk with Guardian, and he is a part of the investigation, not in a bad way," Lowell added.
Robin said, "We will get ready for your arrival," with that he hung up the phone and sat back to ponder for a few moments.
Fireteen entered the room and asked, "Why are you so damn tense," it always bothered her how everyone was on the edge, Darkness, Robin, Kili, Kid Flash, and Guardian, but then again, Guardian had been on the edge ever since she met him.
"Call Kili and Guardian into the room and if you see some patrol boats enter the area allow them to land and lead the officers into this room," Robin ordered sternly.
Fireteen knew better than to talk back when Robin gave an order like that, she simply nodded and went to carry them out.
SEVERAL MINUTES LATTER
"What's the situation, why did you call Killi and me here? Has there been a breakthrough in the case?" Guardian asked eagerly after him and Kili entered the room.
"No, I am afraid that Kili is under arrest," Robin said, not wanting to sugarcoat the situation.
Guardian turned to Kili and asked angrily, "What the hell did you do Kili?"
"What! What am I being charged with, I have never done anything wrong before?" he said also in anger and disbelief.
"You are being charged, by the FBI, on the charges of assault and battery," stated Robin as he read the warrant that had been mailed to him by Lowell.
"Assault and battery? In a battle?" Guardian asked.
Robin just shrugged his shoulder, "He said something about a woman."
Kili's eyes grew in realization, "Did I really hurt her that bad?" his mind flashbacked to that moment when he grabbed her throat and it suddenly dawned to him on how stupid he was.
"I see you realized what you did, I won't ask you the details, but I just want you to know how disappointed I am at you," Robin told Kili coldly, like a father telling his son.
Kili looked down in shame, Guardian also stared Kili down, Guardian knew this had to do with Anna. As if on cue Fireteen returned with three FBI agents trailing her.
"Robin, agent Lowell is here to take Kili and Guardian," Fireteen said in slight disbelief that two of her teammates were being detained.
"Goodbye guys," Kili said dryly as the cops handcuffed him and read his rights, Guardian wasn't handcuffed. As the two Titans left Robin and Fireteen just watched, when the door closed Robin collapsed in his chair lost in thought.
FBI HEADQUARTERS
JUMP CITY
"What exactly is going on?" Guardian asked when he was led to the interrogation room first; Kili was taken to a cell when they had entered.
"Last night we received a call from the neighbors of a Miss Anna Parker. Miss Parker hadn't been seen out of her apartment and neighbors say they had heard some shouting form that room a few days earlier and were concerned. Jump City police arrived and found she was dehydrated and she had several bruises on her throat, immediately they took her to the hospital and from the statement they received she said Kili did it. Although she didn't want to press charges, the federal government persuaded her otherwise," Agent Lowell said as he sat across from Guardian.
"That doesn't explain at all why I am here, this seems to be between Kili and Anna," Guardian said.
"Well, Anna just said Kili did it, nothing else, we have no motive and are very confused," Lowell answered.
"Why are you confused? Didn't she tell why or how or even when?" Guardian asked.
"No, she said she would only give a statement on what happened to you," Lowell answered.
Now Guardian was surprised, "The only person she will talk to is me?" he asked again.
"Yes sir, so if your ready, we can bring her in," Agent Lowell said.
"Alright," Guardian said, really not wanting to get involved in Kili's problems.
Nola's out of character will be explained next chapter, as will her thing with Kid Flash and why she is doing this. Guardian meets Anna next chapter while Kili contemplates his future, Ariel and Avengement go hunting, while Robin and Fireteen hunt for answers. Nightfire and Darkness also talk next chapter, its going to be GREAT!
SO:
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