"We are going to Jump City?" Slade questioned, as he watched Raven open up a suitcase, "and who was on the phone anyways?"
"It was Sam," Raven said calmly, with a smile on her face.
"And Sam is in Jump City?"
"Yes, with his fiancé –"
"What?"
"Isn't that wonderful? I am still in shock that our son is getting married. Married! Oh, it still feels odd saying it," Raven said cheerfully.
"…wonderful…. He never even mentioned a girlfriend."
"He did a while ago. I think the name was Jessie, or Jessica. Maybe it was Jess. Oh, I don't remember."
"What about Steph, is she coming?"
"Yes, Sam was going to call her after she got off the phone with me. We are leaving as soon as possible. We need to get there before Thanksgiving," Raven said, hurriedly raiding drawers for the trip.
"So we are actually going to return to the city, that you once swore to protect and I once swore to destroy?"
"If you put it that way…yes we are. We aren't going for us, Slade. We are going to for Sam," Raven pointed out.
"I've faced every evil in the world, except the one we are facing soon," Slade started to say, leaving the room to get tickets.
"And what is that?"
"In-laws."
-xXx
"Well, my father isn't exactly all that happy about the suddenness of this either, babe. So relax, you aren't the only one who is totally freaking out," Jess sighed, cracking her knuckles nervously.
"I think he's more nervous about meeting my parents than giving you away to me," Sam sighed.
"I don't know why. He's been like that all the time. He's always asking about my past boyfriend's family life and parents. It's annoying."
"Hmm…. I wonder why. Sounds like a strange paranoia." The doorbell rang in the background, ending the conversation. Jess squealed, realizing only a minor amount of nervousness. The two walked to the door to greet their guests.
-xXx
"I started laughing when he told me. I was near tears. But then he sounded serious, so I stopped," Steph said with a grin on her face.
"Very polite way of congratulating him," her father commented.
"I couldn't help it. He's so studious that I didn't even know he knew how to talk to women. I guess he proved me wrong."
"You two are ridiculous." Raven said rolling her eyes.
"Well at least he's getting married and not doing hookers every night," Steph pointed out.
"…true…," Slade agreed.
"Steph!" Raven scolded.
"What? Its college anything is possible."
"Well are you "doing" guys every night?" her father questioned.
"Of course not."
"Shut up, the both of you," Raven said while ringing the doorbell, "please try and be civil."
"We'll try."
"No guarantees."
Raven pressed the doorbell, and it was heard echoing throughout the house. The three of them stood nervously out side, waiting impatiently for the door to open. Soon, a jubilant voice was heard on the other side of the door.
"Welcome, friends!" a red haired woman, with bright, sparkling, green eyes, answered the door.
"Starfire?" Raven asked, in disbelief.
"Raven!" the woman gasped, letting all her excitement out. She squeezed Raven with most of her strength, which caused Raven's breathing to be at a minimum.
"Star…you are hurting…me--" Raven gasped, trying to get her friend off of her.
"We thought you fell of the face of the earth!" Star shrieked.
"You know her?" Steph asked, in bewilderment that her mother actually knew someone.
"I see you have met my parents," Sam said from behind Star.
"Why…they are your parents?" Star questioned, off guard by the statement.
"Yeah…."
"So that means that…ah! This is so exciting!" Star said, giving Raven another bone crunching hug, "come in, please! Appetizers are out and ready to be eaten!"
"Mom!" Steph said in a hushed voice, getting her mother's attention, "is she always that cheery?"
"Always," Raven said with a smile.
Now inside, Sam introduced his fiancé, Jess.
"This is Jess Grayson, and these are my parents," Sam introduced. Jess shook both of there hands with a wide smile.
"And from the looks of it, you know my parents…I assume so," Jess said very unsure.
"Yeah. Old time pals," Slade said sarcastically.
-xXx
If there was one day, that he could wait for, it was this day. Not only was Richard Grayson on edge about his daughter getting married, and leaving his protection, he had to meet the parents. What would he say? He was sure that they would have nothing in common with him, especially his background. Straightening out his shirt, he heard the doorbell ring. He would have to think quick on his feet, try with all his heart to pretend to have common interests as these people…these normal people.
He heard is wife's high pitched squeal, she was probably a little to excited to see the guests. But she was always jubilant. Putting his hand on the door handle, he thought he heard a familiar voice, from a woman. And then a man's voice, an all to familiar voice that used to be imprinted in his nightmares. It couldn't be…could it?
-xXx
"So how is everything? We haven't talked in such a long time!" Starfire said, sitting down on the couch with the appetizers.
"Great. It couldn't be better," Raven said with a smile.
"I see you did the right thing," Star said, directing the comment towards Slade.
"Yeah, I did," Slade said, bringing Raven in for a hug.
"What?" Raven asked, wondering what they were talking about.
"Nothing, my dear," he said with a smirk.
"If you guys don't mind me asking, how did you meet?" Sam asked filled with curiosity. Raven looked over at Star, trying to read if she had told her daughter about her past. But, Starfire gave a nervous and wary look. Having to give their explanation was saved from footsteps coming down the stairs. Starfire perked up, hearing that her husband was coming down. Nervously, he walked into the room and his gaze fell upon Raven, which meant that he was here.
"Richard! Isn't it wonderful to see Raven again?" Starfire said cheerfully. Raven stood up and hugged the used-to-be Boy Wonder. He was surprised at the response, seeing that a hug was something she would never give.
"It's nice to see you again," Richard said with a smile, "so I guess Sam's parents are late?"
"No, in fact, we were right on time," Slade grinned maliciously.
"What?" Rich asked in disbelief.
"I basically had the same reaction," Slade commented.
"Isn't that wonderful that this has happened? Now we get to see each other more often," Raven said with a nervous smile, attempting to allude the oncoming tension between Slade and Richard.
"Just what I wanted," Richard said with a sarcastic smirk.
"Sit down, Richard," Starfire said demandingly, "oh Raven! Guess who else is coming?"
"Really? You kept in touch with them all these years?" Raven asked curiously, hoping her guess was right about who else was coming.
"They stayed in Jump City and are in charge of the Tower. But even though we live in the same city, we don't see them much. Only on the major holidays," Starfire said, saddened.
"I wonder why…. Oh, Star can I talk to you in the kitchen?" Raven asked, getting up.
"Sure."
-xXx
"Dad, how do you even know Mr. and Mrs. Grayson?" Sam questioned. Slade sat there in silence, not knowing how to answer his son. He told him loosely about his fiancé's parents when he told him the story of Rhiannon, but could he tell Jess that his father was the one who kidnapped his daughter all those years ago? Of course….
-xXx
"We need to tell them everything. They are old enough to understand and mature enough to hear the truth," Raven stated bluntly, "Star…we can't keep this a secret forever…."
"It's not Starfire anymore, it's Kori. And I don't want Jess finding out about what Richard did. He killed your daughter!" Kori said, near tears.
"Kori…. The past is behind us, now. We need to think about the future," Raven said, trying to hide the fact that Kori was telling the truth when Richard did have a lot to do with killing her daughter.
"Fine. But we will tell when the whole team is here," Kori agreed un willingly.
-xXx
"Remember how I told you about Rhiannon?" Slade asked.
"Our older sister that died in Titan's tower? Yeah…," Steph said.
"She didn't die by an accident. Her death had a meaning. And to think otherwise is disrespectful to her."
"What does that have to do with knowing me?" Richard asked, not seeing the point of the story.
"It has everything to do with it Nightwing.
"Wha--" Jess was cut off by a doorbell sounding.
"Saved by the bell," Richard muttered to himself, as he rose to answer the door. Opening it, he greeted to men at the door.
"It's nice to see you guys," he said shaking their hands. Jess got up and greeted each of them with a hug.
"Come meet my fiancé and his father! My mother and his mother are in the kitchen. They should be in here soon," Jess said excitedly, leading both of them into the adjoining living room. The two men stopped as they both looked at the nearly impossible.
"Wait…so who's your fiancé…and are you sure he's the father?" one of them asked.
"Yes, Gar. I am sure. And Sam is my fiancé," Jess answered, distressed.
"You shouldn't be as upset to see me, as I am to see you and your aging team," Slade threatened towards Gar.
"Don't start anything," the other man said, hoping there wouldn't be a feud.
"Thanks, Victor," Jess said with a smile, sitting back down next to Sam.
"Garfield and Victor!" Kori squealed entering the room, giving them both a hug.
"Who?" Raven asked.
"The other members of our old clan," Kori explained, trying not to use the word 'team'.
"Oh, right," Raven said with a blush.
"Raven!" Vic exclaimed with excitement.
"Hey! What--" before she could say anymore she was swept up into a hug.
"How have you been doing?" Vic asked.
"Great! Life couldn't be better. Well, it would be if I could see you guys more often."
"You should come back to the city more often," Gar said shyly.
"Yeah…."
There was a certain tension that Raven and Gar displayed, as if they didn't know what to say to one another. Possibly it was because they were friends with benefits for so long. And because Gar truly loved Raven, it was hard to get over the fact that she left.
"I shall need help in the kitchen. I would greatly appreciate the assistance of Raven, Jessica, and Steph," Kori said, implying she wanted them to help her.
"Sure, Mom," Jess agreed, leaving the side of her loved one.
-xXx
"So, what does it feel like to be getting married?" Vic asked after a few seconds of ere silence.
"It's exciting, knowing that you'll be spending the rest of your life with this person. I just can't wait," Sam said with happiness. Vic gave a small grin, pleased with the response.
"And she loves you…even though a strange mixture of blood runs through your veins?" Gar asked.
"What are you talking about? My parentage has nothing to do with our relationship. Besides…your green so why should I listen to you?" Sam asked with spite.
"It was an accident that I couldn't have prevented."
"Right. And, my father is probably just as normal as any other father, so why are you attacking me?" Sam asked, his voice angered, looking for an answer.
"So you were never told of the scandalous adventures of the Teen Titans? Interesting…."
"Dad, what is he talking about?" Sam asked his father, curious to what the green man was talking about.
"Your sister's birth and demise, and all the glory and pain that occurred," Slade answered, looking his son in the eye.
"But what does that have to do with the Teen Titans?"
"Just about everything," Richard answered, "your father changed all of our lives…forever…."
-xXx
"…they would never admit it. It was so obvious it was ridiculous," Raven laughed, washing a dish, lathered in soap bubbles.
"Ha, really? They still even seem dazed with each other. It's like they just met for the first time. It's really sweet," Jess added.
"We weren't that bad, were we?" Kori asked, innocently.
"Yes, you were. Don't sound modest, Kori," Raven sighed, handing the washed dish to Steph so she could dry it.
"So how did you and Dad meet?" Steph asked, curiously.
"Well--" Raven started, before Kori cut her off.
"He wasn't exactly the boyfriend…or husband at that point…to bring home to your friends," Kori laughed.
"What?" Jess and Steph questioned simultaneously. Kori and Raven both looked at each other, and nodded heads in agreement, with what they would tell.
"Remember how at the Titan's Tower they explained that there was a period of time when Slade and Raven were missing?" Kori asked Jess.
"Yeah! They said there was conspiracies going around like crazy about it," Jess remembered.
"Like what kind?" Steph asked.
"Like they were having some secret relationship, and the Titans didn't want anyone to know. How could they be so dumb? I mean…who wouldn't find out about a conspiracy like that!"
"It was a great cover up for what really went on though," Raven mused.
"What do you mean?" Steph asked.
"Raven really was having an affair. If you must call it that."
"How do you really know?" Jess asked.
"Because I'm Raven…the Raven." Steph and Jess both slightly dropped their jaws at the statement, trying to grasp the right thing to say.
"…so what happened after it ended?" Steph asked.
"It never ended, Steph. I married him, and had three children by him. Including you," Raven stated. The kitchen fell into an ere silence, and the pressure to break it was growing more and more intensely.
-xXx
The smells of Thanksgiving dinner emanated throughout the house, and the men of the party came to help set the table for the meal. Though there was still bitterness between rivals, everything was seemingly going on track. After everything was seat in its right place, everyone sat down.
"Now, it's a tradition here to say what we are thankful for," Kori explained, "I don't know what you do at home--"
"I'd…we are okay with that," Slade mused, already having an impression of what he was going to say.
"Okay. So Richard, could you start?" Kori asked.
"Sure," he said, almost unenthusiastically, "I am thankful for family and friends."
To his right, Kori said, "I am thankful that all of us could come together again."
"I'm thankful that this evening isn't turning out to be half bad," Jess said with a smile.
"I'm thankful that Jess is happy," Sam said, squeezing his fiancé's hand.
"I'm thankful I know the truth," Steph said, rather proudly.
"I'm thankful the truth is finally out," Raven sighed.
"Amen. Oh, right. I'm thankful that I haven't punched Richard, as he is called now, in the face," Slade crudely stated.
"Dad…," Sam sighed with disapproval, "way to ruin a happy moment."
"It's what I do best."
"Amen to that," Richard said raising his wine filled glass.
"Richard!" Kori snickered.
"I couldn't help it," Richard shrugged.
"You can't help a lot of things," Slade glared.
"Oh shut it, Slade. Vic just say what you are thankful for, before this becomes completely out of hand," Raven suggested.
"Alright. I am thankful that Gar hasn't said one of his crowd silencing jokes," Vic said for spite. Gar looked at Vic with distaste.
"Thanks for helping me there Victor," Raven sighed.
"Just stating what I'm thankful for, Rae. No harms," Victor shrugged.
"Well I'm thankful this is going as expected," Gar stated, finishing the "thanks" for the day.
"So you thought that today was going to end up like this?" Richard asked.
"Of course. The Titans wouldn't have it any other way."
"How sweet," Slade mocked.
"Get over yourself!" Raven shrieked.
"So this is your healthy relationship?" Gar asked.
"Better than any relationship you had with her," Slade said with a threatening eye.
"Ouch…," Vic said, thinking aloud.
"Shut it the both of you," Kori said, "and just eat. Stuff your faces so you can't talk."
"I'll gladly shove his," Gar said referring to Slade.
The night went on for hours like that. The next generation sitting in awe at the dysfunctions of their parents and their parent's friends. The rude comments were continually said, and the memories would last for generations….
-xXx
As every worker knows, work follows you everywhere. It was no different for Slade. As soon as he opened his laptop in the hotel, another job came on to the screen.
Slade's eye widened at the name, and said softly, "This is either a taste of heaven, or a beating from hell." He blinked his eye many times trying to believe that Richard Grayson's name was on his list. Rubbing his temples with his thumb and middle finger of his right hand, he knew that he couldn't accept the job. But what if he did? He would have an angry son and wife to deal with. Never mind Kori and Jess's anger too. What flustered him even more was the question of what was he doing, that was so wrong, that landed him on a vigilantes list. Slade was perplexed but, decided to get some rest. Tomorrow he would question him.
-xXx
"I still can't believe that you were a Titan! My mother…and my father? An ex-villain. The infamous Slade! And what am I, coming from such parentage? Surprisingly human. Now that's just not fair!" Steph complained.
"Hero work isn't easy," Rich stated, "it has its kinks."
"Right. A super cool home, super powers, and unlimited phone numbers to all of the hottest guys in the business!" Steph listed.
"Speaking of work, how's it going for you Rich? What have you been up to since hanging up the costume?" Slade asked.
"Good…why?"
"Not getting into trouble?"
"No. Why the sudden interest?"
"Just wondering. What?" Slade answered, looking into Raven's eyes.
"Have you guys been to the tower, yet?" Kori asked.
"No, we haven't," Raven said.
"It looks just the way it did all those years ago," Kori explained.
"Mom almost cried throughout the whole thing. At the time I just thought she was overwhelmed," Jess said smiling.
"What do the tour guides say about the explosion?" Slade asked.
"'A fight between the Titans was explosive, and thus was the ending of the Titans,'" Jess quoted.
"Impressive," Sam complimented.
"Well, we better get going home. We need to be at the airport," Raven said.
"So soon?" Kori asked with sadness.
"I know, but we'll see you guys again soon, for the wedding," Raven said, getting up from the couch, hugging her dear friend. Slade quickly followed, and so did the rest as they said their goodbyes.
"I'll be watching you," Slade said to Rich, his eye narrowed threateningly.
A/N: The first chapter of 2006! Enjoy. (( Sorry for the delay…I fell of the face of the earth! ))
