Chap. 17

Change in the Curriculum

"No way, I still say watching that date you had with Kitten was the worst." Sara said, with another sip of coffee. The group of former Titans and B.R.A.T.S was now sitting at the center table in the main room of the Tower, discussing the old times. Terra and Eddie were working the training course with the kids, so there was plenty of time for discussion. Of course, given how the Titans had entered the Tower, it revolved around the many times the Titans and Elementals had made fools of themselves. Right now, it was Robin's turn to try to explain his actions. "Look, I had to save the city! And if that meant I had to go to a junior high prom and date an insane, manipulative bitch, so be it." "Oh no, I think you misunderstand." Brett said. "When we watched you, we just pitied you." "Well, I guess that's a little better." The former boy wonder said, as he leaned back in his chair. ""But then what was it that was so funny?"

"It wasn't obvious? Watching Starfire practically ignite into flame watching you two." Brett said with a grin on his face. "That was hilarious." The others smiled, remembering what they had been told about that night. Except Starfire of course. "I was attempting to free Robin from the clutches of that evil witch." She said, with a slight puss on her face. "Is that why you crushed her car with one hand?" Sara asked with a smile. "Did she not deserve it?" Star asked. "Yes, and I still appreciate it honey." Robin said, as he leaned over and kissed his wife lightly on the cheek. That helped cheer Starfire up quite a bit.

"Ehh, besides you were kids then. Kids are crazy when it comes to love. That's why I'm thankful I don't remember my childhood." Brett added, as he sipped at his own coffee. "Hey from what I've seen, you must've been as love sick as the rest of us." Cyborg said. "Name one time when love's made me do something stupid." Brett said, confidence in his voice. "Gee, have you forgotten the day Beast Boy told you Raven was pregnant before they got married?" Sara asked. The bat's face deflated a bit, but he pulled himself up and said, "I think I handled that in a fairly mature and dignified manner." "Dude, you leapt across the table and tried to strangle me!" Beast Boy cried. "And it took all my strength just to pull you off." Sara added. Brett was quiet a moment, then said, "Ok, but notice your choice of words; tried, not succeeded." "What difference would that make?" Jinx asked. "If I had really wanted to kill Beast Boy, I would've done it. I was just giving him a taste of what would happen if he ever made my little girl unhappy." At this, there was a collective "RIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIIGHT."

"Fine, think what you want. I let 'em get married didn't I?" Brett muttered as he slumped into his chair. There was some light laughter, then quiet for a moment. "We should've done this sooner." Cyborg said suddenly. "What?" Jinx asked. "Get together like this, remember who we were. I mean think, can you guys remember another time that we've all even been in the same building?" Everyone shook their heads. "Why'd that happen?" Cy asked. "I-I don't know." Starfire said. "I always thought about how much I missed you guys. But I could never really pick up the phone." "Me too." Jinx said. "I kept thinking about everything we did, hell everything you did for me. Then when I did, I just… got scared to see you guys." "What? Why would you be scared of us?" Beast Boy asked. "It was never being scared of you Greenie." Jinx said. "I guess it was what you'd become, what I'd become." "You mean, normal?" Raven asked. "Well, kinda I guess." Jinx said. "I mean, we did a lot of great things. Our days used to be stopping super-villains and saving the world. Now it consists of cleaning the house and doing our taxes. I guess I thought that if I saw you guys doing it, it would be more real. It's not like I'm unhappy with my life, it's just…." "You thought seeing us would make you miss it." Robin finished.

"If that's true, maybe it is good we stayed away." Brett said. "What are you talking about?" Jinx asked. "Didn't you guys wonder why we've been gone for twenty years?" Sara asked. "We figured that you were on missions for the Architects, like you're supposed to." Raven said. "True, but we barely sent any cards or made any calls; and don't think we couldn't have." "So why didn't you?" Robin asked. "Because we didn't want to interrupt the lives you guys were making." Brett said. "We just figured that if we ever came by, we'd just be a reminder of bad times. You guys retired so you could escape all that and feel free. How would you feel if we showed up at your door? I mean look at this. The first time we come back in twenty tears and we're dragging your kids into this god-forsaken mess." He sighed and slumped back into his chair, too depressed to say anymore.

The Titans were quiet then. No one had any idea what to say to such an out-pouring. Of course, for such an emotional outburst, an empath may know best. "Why would you ever think that?" Raven asked, as she got and walked to her parent's chairs. "I always wondered where you guys were. I was happy every time you called the house. Why would I want you out of my life?" Brett began to respond, but Sara hushed him. "You two were the best thing that ever happened to me." Raven continued. "You made believe I could be happy, that I deserved to be happy. I want you to feel that way too. You are a part of my life, and I would never want that to change." "I wish I had believed that." Brett said. "But I suppose after strangling your husband, I was a little unsure of my status." "Tried to strangle, not succeeded." Raven said with a smile. "Well, she's definitely your daughter.' Sara said. "Given the alternative, I'd hope so." Beast Boy said. "It's hard enough with this guy as my father-in-law."

The old friends talked for a long while, until it finally came time to leave. The kids left the training room, tired and slightly battered, but satisfied with the day's effort. They each said their goodbyes, some with a better understanding of each other, others with a reminder of what they were fighting for. And as the ferry sped back to the shore, the Elementals felt that maybe it was possible for them to come out of this with their old friendships. Well, most of them. As the ferry speed off, Terra stood there quietly, watching her old friends disappear into the sunset with a morose expression. The others noticed it of course; after today it would have been difficult for them not to. Yet Brett and Sara did not stay to try to help. Instead, they left Eddie alone with his daughter, to try to be the father he needed to be. The dog sighed at the prospect, his uncertainty apparent on his face. But he was a Knight; he had to try.

"Penny for your thoughts?" he asked, as Brett and Sara walked back into the Tower. "Not sure they're worth that much." Terra replied. "Come on, try me." Eddie said. "I guarantee you that I've had more worthless thoughts; you wouldn't believe how much crap I have buried in my head." That brought a slight smile, and he pressed on. "Now really, what's troubling you?" "I guess the same old thing." Terra answered, looking out at the sea. "The Titans?" Eddie asked. "You still miss the old days?" "No, I'm over that. I think it's just seeing them the way they are now." "You mean the way they've grown out of all this?" "No, it's not that either." Terra said. "It's the way they have a point to their lives, something that they can say they did." "You have a purpose." Eddie said. "You're helping to make sure that their children are prepared for what's coming. You're trying to at. …" he stopped then, afraid to go on. But Terra wasn't.

"Yeah, I'm trying to atone. But I'm sick of doing it. I screwed up twenty years ago and I was locked up in stone as punishment. But even when I got out it doesn't stop. I'm thirty-four years old, and I have the body and mind of a fourteen year old. Yes, I'm training now, but when this is all over, what am I gonna do? The city will never take me back, and I don't have anywhere else to go. And what if I'm like you? What if I'm immortal, and I have to deal with this forever? I don't want to be this forever, I can't…." Terra finally broke off, her frustrations and sorrows building on her face.

But before she could, Terra felt a pair of hands, old and cracked, but still warm, caress her face. "I don't know what kind of answers I can give you." Eddie said. "But I do know this. You and I, we are heroes. We will always have a purpose, even when we don't want it. And sometimes, it seems like that purpose is a stone that bears down on us and makes everything we do seem impossible. But sometimes, it turns out to be something that is our reward. It took me centuries, but I finally found mine right here, on this island. And I know you will find yours. For now, you have to wait and hope. But you deserve a chance to see if the Titans' lives are ones you want. And I think I know how to do that……."

A few days later….

"All right students, time to get to work." Mr. Gover said, as he shut his notebook and motioned for everyone to get up. "Find your groups and see what you can get done. Remember, I want to see you guys doing something!" "Right, like we have anything left to do." Bart muttered as he got up. Truthfully, the lad had a point. The kids had actually managed to finish most of their project; in fact, what was left was simple rehearsal. But Gover wanted to see everything that was being done, so he insisted on these work-sessions during each Tuesday period. Frankly, Bart just wanted next Friday to come, so they could give their presentation and be done with it

Suddenly, the door opened, and the principal walked into the room. Almost instantly, everyone quieted down. But the man only chuckled and said, "Don't worry, I'm not here for any of you. I actually have an announcement to make." He paused a moment for dramatic effect, then said, "We have a new student here at the school. She's just come in from Markovia and I want you to show her the best behavior you can while she's getting used to this place." As he droned on, Martin leaned over and whispered, "Hey if she's hot, I'll help her." Bart smiled, but Lisa just scowled. "Boys." She muttered. "Anyway," said the principal as he wrapped up. "Without further adieu allow me to introduce Ms. Tara Markov." The class lightly applauded as the new girl walked into the room. She was fairly tall, dressed in jeans and a green and white T-shirt. There was also a butterfly clip holding her blond hair in place. That hair was actually quite long and healthy looking, causing many members of the class to stare in wonder as they clapped. But for five students, the light applause quickly changed into shocked looks. Of course, no one else noticed this and the principal continued to give his welcome speech.

"I trust you've found everything to your liking?" he asked Tara. "Pretty much." The girl replied. "It looks like you have a really good set-up here." "Well, we try." The principal replied. "Now then, I'll let Mr. Gover here set you up in the class and we'll go from there. I hope you do well, Ms. Markov." "I'll try sir." Tara answered. The principal nodded and walked out of the room. "So what's up teach?" Tara asked. "Well, the class was just working on its group project. If you'll give me a minute, I'll place you with an appropriate group." "Sounds good." The girl answered. Gover quickly went over to his desk and began to look through the group forms. Which gave just enough time for Terra to look over at the still shocked kids and give a wink.