En mi castilla

In my castle

Upon arrival at the northern fortress Stone dropped to one knee, the sickening screech of metal on tile filled the air as Stone's ankle actuator succumbed to stress and broke off. Stone hated to show such weakness to his guests but they were mostly surfacers so it really didn't matter.

Jinx instantly was at Stone's side and after a moment of making sure he was ok, just tired, Jinx ordered him to bed.

Stone looked at and started to speak but Jinx cut him off before he could even speak. After all, they were off the battle field and in her domain now, one of their houses.

"The tour can wait until tomorrow. It's nearly dawn as is and I'm sure everyone is tired. You're also in very bad shape and in no condition to be walking." Jinx said with authority.

Stone rose up to his full height balancing on his one foot but said nothing. He knew he was beat up and exhausted. He thought about not listening to Jinx. She hadn‎'t listened to him in his realm but then again she hadn't been under the same set of rules as long as he had been. Coming up on 11 years to her couple of months did give Jinx a bit of a grace period.

Nightwing watched with amusement as Jinx ordered Stone off to be. It seemed to him that Stone wasn't all powerful after all in his own castle, or rather fortress. Jinx had a servant lead Kori and Dick to a guest room. It was strange that there were guest rooms in a military fortress, let alone guest rooms so lavishly furnished and decorated. On top of that it was complete with modern appliances and adjoining bath.

"This must be Jinx's work."

"I would have to agree dear. No man would use pink or purple so liberally." Kori noted the massive four post bed and its purple blankets and light pink curtains.

"No I mean how modern everything is. Where Raven and I were last time was very much medieval. Candles for lighting, not electric lights." Dick clarified as he peeked into the bathroom. "This has to be Jinx's work. Stone seems to like living in the past with his crazy sayings and traditions and things like that."

Kori walked up behind her husband and began to undress him starting with his pants. "Enough about Cyborg and all this. It's time to come to bed." With that Kori took a hold of her husband and led him to the big feather bed.

"Raven, help me with him." Jinx asked taking one side of Stone to make sure the big man didn't fall. Raven didn't understand why Jinx was worried. Raven knew that Cyborg had had a gyro stabilizer in him. There stood a good chance that Stone had kept that particularly useful bit of equipment in him. Still there was no telling just how much internal battle damage there was and so Raven made a show of "helping hold" Stone up which really was just walking beside him.

The trio walked/staggered in silence, the heavy and uneven thud of Stone's foot and stub the only noise to announce their arrival. When they reach what was the main bed chamber Raven stood by the door and watched Jinx get to work

Between Jinx and himself, Stone got ready for bed as much as Jinx would let him. Tonight it was being reduced to nothing but his stubs of arms and legs as Jinx had removed his damaged and undamaged appendages. His shattered remains of his helmet were removed and Stone could see his beloved Jinx with his own eye once more.

"Rest." Jinx whispered lovingly before giving Stone a quick goodnight kiss.

With Stone in bed at last Jinx let herself relax some. Turning to Raven Jinx motioned for the enchantress to follow her into an adjoining room. It turned out to be another bedroom.

"This is officially my room though I rarely sleep here when I am below. You can stay here for tonight. If you need anything just come and wake me. I'll be in the other room with Stone." Jinx explained and turned to leave but Raven stopped her.

"Why did you trick me into thinking that he had done something bad to you?" Raven asked giving Jinx a stern look.

"Stone felt that you were more likely to come if you were angry at him. And just so you know, our first night together he did rape me." Jinx supplied.

Raven gasped. "Why are you still with him?"

"I love him and he loves me. He's made up for what he's done, for the most part anyway. There is still some good in him left Raven. I'm doing my best to keep that spark alive but I don't think I'm strong enough to do it alone." Jinx explained.

"You're not going to recruit me into helping you Jinx." Raven said catching on.

"He still loves you Raven." Jinx replied quickly.

Raven was speechless and stunned and could do nothing but stare at Jinx in disbelief.

"I know he loves me but there is a part of him that loves you as well. He won't act on his feelings because he is with me but if I told him it was ok with me he might pursue you again. I'd be willing to share him with you if you would be willing to share him with me. Think about what I've said Raven. We'd all get what we want and perhaps together we can keep Stone from losing touch with Cyborg and Victor. Goodnight." Jinx left Raven with a lot to think about.

"Now how am I supposed to get any sleep?" Raven muttered to herself. She had no doubt that she would be awake for a while just thinking over what Jinx had told her. However once Raven's head touched her pillow she was out like a light.

Stone awoke in the morning with Jinx sleeping next to him. Stone smiled as he looked at her relaxed form. Despite what she had done yesterday Stone couldn't remain angry at her. She did her best for him, Stone knew that, but sometimes her surfacer emotions overwhelmed her. Still for a surfacer, Jinx had captured his heart for the most part. She was the right blend of aggravating and strong with the right amount of sentimental mush mixed in. Stone still didn't see the need for a woman in his life. However Cyborg and Victor felt it was something a man of his age, though it was irrelevant with Stone's immortality, should have a woman and children in his life. Stone wasn't sure that he should be rearing an heir in such turbulent times. With the South and East still posing serious threats the war could drag on for a while. And with Jinx working the dangerous job of playing the occupation forces while inciting revolution, her ability to do her job while being pregnant was not a very possible option. Still the current situation was very pleasing; sex was a great stress reliever and pleasurable besides.

"What are you thinking about?" Jinx murmured. She had woken up and seen Stone with his thinking face on.

"I was just thinking why I keep you around." Stone replied.

Jinx got up and out of bed to get Stone's arms and legs. "Oh? Just why do you keep me around?"

"Let me think. You're a very smart and capable woman. You're the sexy, loving, caring girl that I love. The great sex is a bonus." Stone answered.

Jinx laughed as she finished assembling Stone. "You were always a smooth talker Stone, even back then." Jinx cooed touching her nose to his. "Now get up, we have to have breakfast with our guests and you have to give Kori a tour."

"Kori? Star must have told you her real name. For being a former enemy you are very charismatic. You'd make a very good spy my dear."

"I'll stick to running the HIVE and being your consort. It's very tiring work laying on your back while you drive your meat into me."

Stone slapped Jinx's rump playfully. "That's for getting frisky. There plenty of time for that tonight. We have guests to feed after all."

Jinx just pouted having been denied a morning quickie. Stone stooped down and gave Jinx a very sensual kiss before straightening up again.

"Our guest my lady."

Jinx playful smacked Stone on the arm. "You are such a tease."

Stone took his place at the head of the table in the dining room. Prior to Jinx's overhauling of the base, it was a simply lit room with a long marble table. Jinx had added flowers and a table cloth, fancy chairs and more layers of silverware then Stone really cared to deal with at breakfast. After all this was supposed to be a military base and it was for the most part, but Jinx had asserted her influence on some of the places that Stone and she frequented. With Jinx waking and ushering in the guests Stone had to wait to start his breakfast.

Stone thought the entire point of eating with Dick and the others was pretty pointless. Other then giving Dick and himself a chance to constantly leer at each other and the women folk, Raven included surprisingly, a chance to talk about interior decorating Stone saw no real purpose to it. The only other possible motive for a breakfast together was to taunt Stone just a bit. Perhaps it was Jinx's way of getting back at him for earlier this morning. Jinx knew full well that a portion of what was Cyborg was still in love with Raven. Jinx had often talked about bring that old part of Stone back; this could just be part of that plan. It didn't matter though, the remainders of Victor Stone and Cyborg had been buried many years ago. If it pleased Jinx then Stone would let it go.

"Lady Governor Grayson, if you would come with me." Stone stood and gestured to a door after the meal was over.

"Just where are you taking her?" Nightwing cut in sharply.

"I am going to give her a tour of this military facility. Feel free to hold her hand the entire way Dick, this is purely to deter a Tamaranian invasion of my lands. Unlike you, I won't stand an alien invader in my lands."

Dick was out of his chair in a flash. "Why you son of a"

"Richard!" Kori quickly cut her husband off verbally and physically. Leaning in Kori whispered; "This is official business for me, I have to go with him."

Dick grunted his understanding and satisfied himself with glaring at Stone menacingly.

"If we could get started, the base is rather large." Stone said walking to the indicated door.

This left Raven a lone in the room with Jinx. A few moments of uncomfortable silence passed before Raven started up a conversation.

"Just why is he giving Star a tour of the place?"

"Like he said, to deter an invasion. Really to give Star a chance to avoid a slaughter. He's never given any of the other lords here a similar opportunity. Its proof there is some good left in him. Some sliver of the old Cyborg that still remembers and values friendship."

"You're not making any sense. The only logical explanation as to why you are staying with the man that you admit raped you is because you're pregnant. This 'sharing' and saving the 'good' in him is total bullshit. He's a complete machine that has become evil, why else would he have you, a villain as his hor?" Raven yelled.

Jinx was out of her seat and slapping Raven before Raven had time to react. Jinx struck Raven so hard that she sent the princess out of her chair and to the floor.

"Let's get one thing straight princess. I'm here because I love that machine. He doesn't control me nor is he any more evil then you are. At least I'm not the illegitimate spawn of Satan." Jinx shouted right into Raven's ear. Raven backhanded Jinx knocking her down next to her and crawled on top of the pink haired enchantress pinning her to the floor.

"I can't help who my father was but at least I didn't do bad things with my life." Raven snapped.

Jinx looked at Raven with an expression of surprise and then burst out laughing.

"What's so funny?"

"You say you've never done any bad things. I know that you robbed the city bank some years back. You just happen to beat me to that heist by 15 minutes. Not to mention that fact you haven't been out on patrol since you've been back on the surface. Plus you aren't even willing to try to help out an old friend that saved you from your dark side."

"What are you talking about!"

"We're more alike then you think Raven, that's why we're both in love with the same man."

"I'm not in love with that bastard!"

"Before we met him we were both lost. He was our anchor to reality, kept us from turning truly bad. I'm not sure about your specifics but he showed me that there were other ways of life other then the one I knew in the HIVE. When he took over he put me in charge. He didn't have to do that, he could have put Cinder Block in charge but he was giving me a chance to prove myself. He's given me so much in so many ways. I'm just trying to do what he did for me."

Raven stared at Jinx in disbelief. They had never known each other very well. Their encounters were limited to mostly trying to crush the other in the various fights they had. Now her old enemy was rambling off like a mad man about things that made no sense. Cyborg might have helped her that one time he and Beast Boy had stumbled into her mirror and on several other smaller occasions but Raven wouldn't say he was the reason she hadn't given into her bad blood. She grew up knowing what she was and had fought it all her life. That was completely different from Jinx who was trained by HIVE for a life of crime. She was the one who was trapped and needed saving, not Raven.

"I'm not crazy." Jinx said pointedly.

"What?"

"You just went on a shpeel out loud. I'm just telling you I'm not insane though I am pregnant. Just don't tell Stone cause he doesn't know. I'm not really sure how to break the news to him. And since I am pregnant by him it just goes to prove he's not a machine. Not completely. There is a bit of humanity left in him, see?"

"You don't know when to give up do you?"

"I'm just stubborn. Now can you get off me please?" Jinx said with a smile.

Raven realized that she was sitting on Jinx's stomach and scrambled to get off her. Both ladies dusted themselves off and sat back down at the table. Jinx turned the subject of conversation to other things like Raven's café and the two chatted as if their little spat had never happened.

"As you can see any force coming through the Pillars of Hercules will be shelled by artillery. If you make it to the River Styx you will be in range of some of the bigger cannons and from this side of the river onwards you would be shot at by machine guns. I must warn you that there is also a mine field though you seem to be able to fly so that shouldn't be a problem. I should really add some anti air defences too." Stone added thoughtfully.

They had finished the tour and ended at the main gate that over looked the River Styx and the Pillars of Hercules. The amount of weapons already zeroed in on the Pillars was mind boggling but considering that Stone had an empire, money was no object to him.

"Well Lord General, I must say this is a very impressive installation and I thank you for the warning. However I can not give you a tour of my facilities in return."

"Perfectly understandable Lady Governor Grayson. I wouldn't have given you the tour but since you are an old friend I thought it only fair to warn you. I'm sure any weaknesses in the place will be exploited. Your husband must prove a useful pet. You were always good at strategizing Dick. Your foresight was normally pretty good as well though I must say that the tragedy that has befallen the surface is most unfortunate for you. You always did like being on top."

"Go to hell Victor!" Dick barked and made to swing at Stone only to be quickly wrapped up by Kori.

"Dick!" Kori scolded. "I must apologize for his behavior."

"It's not necessary Starfire. It can't be helped that Robin grew soft as the years passed. Back in his prime we might have fought to a stand still, that's why I let him be the leader. That left Cyborg free to be big brother. Now, however, Robin might have grown into Nightwing but Nightwing is weak. You could never hope to match me in combat or influence or power like back then. Face it Dick, you're jealous. You're jealous because even if you fought Cyborg now you've fallen so far behind you can't hope for even a draw."

"You son of a bitch!" Dick struggled briefly as he tried to lash out against Stone but Kori had him firmly in her arms. "You're an asshole you know that?"

"Name calling? Tsk, tsk, tsk. Surely you can do better. No? Then leave, Raven will take you back to the surface. It won't be that hard for her to do that simple task once she figures out how to." Stone turned to look out at the river.

"You and me in a duel. Enough of your bullshit. You know I could have carved your tin can ass to piece when we were kids. That's why you always did what I told you to do, bitch."

Stone bristled. He had been called many things but that one word was the one he really didn't like. "You and me on top of the Tower at midnight. We meet in two months. That should be ample time for both of us to prepare. Now take your pet out of my sight Lady Governor Grayson, or I just might not wait two months to kill him."

Dick was about to answer but Kori quickly dragged him away. That didn't stop Dick from yelling threats and curses at Stone the entire time.

Raven and Jinx had taken notice of the loud shouting and had stopped their conversation at they listened to Dick's voice coming closer and closer to the dining room. Finally coming through the doors Dick decided to stop yelling and calmed down while Kori relayed a basic overview of what happened.

"Stone wants me to bring us back home?"

"He said it was a simple thing that even you should be able to do." Kori confirmed.

Raven sighed. Even after 25 odd years on the planet Starfire still let some simple things slip like the inadvertent insult she had just given. After conferring with Jinx the group did figure out how to get them all home. Jinx stay behind saying that Stone would bring her to the surface on Monday and that she'd call about dinner then. Somehow Jinx had weaseled Raven into offering dinner at the Tower which was going to prove very interesting. The bright side was that Kori and Dick would be there too. That way Raven wouldn't have to be stuck with Jinx and her half brained ideas.

A/N: This is short, just 6 pages but that's where it ends. For once I will give a preview into next time's episode. Of course Stone and Dick have a fight to the death and Raven and Jinx get to sit down and have dinner together. Discussed with be the topics of good and evil and men as Starfire will join in as well. Plus Jinx just might let it slip she's knocked up to Stone. So people, review if only to place your bets on who wins the big fight and what the out come might be. You can bet on Robin or Cyborg (they will be fighting old school style) and on if someone wins, if it's a draw and what kind of draw. They kill each other or something happens to force a draw, that sort of thing. This chapter was a set up chapter as a lot goes down in the next one. I promise at least 10 pages. Thanks for reviewing. I should be at 78 views the next time I look.

angelicdhampir2oo4: I think I answered your question about Jinx's standing in the story. I'm also going to elaborate as I called Jinx Stone's consort as opposed to concubine. There is a slight difference but that's for the dinner discussion. And Robin is being a dick but Stone is egging him on. The fight is next chapter, place your bet.

T is for Tanya: I see what you did but why on earth did you hit the "h" key? It's in the middle of the keyboard! Car trouble is the episode that made me a CyRae shipper just to let you know. I saw Teen Titans when I lived in Asia. According to my sister, who was a more consistent viewer, we saw up to season 3 out there. As to Jinx and Stone, well you don't expect Stone to abandon a pregnant woman do you? Raven will hook up with him but I just felt like making life complicated. Everyone loves a weird love triangle, right? Plus it would be the second triangle fic in the section and I know the way I'm doing mine is unique so you have to keep reading. I really just wanted to explore an avenue that is seldom probed. The idea of sharing a lover is very foreign. A guy might have something on the side but this will be in the open, most unusual. Raven will hook up with Cyborg but first she has to resurrect him. Just think, with a kid around Stone won't have as much time to be conquering the Hells so it might be a step in the right direction for him. Plus babies are cute. I can't stand them or small kids but they are cute. Jinx is just getting a lot of "air time" to make up for her late appearance. Benevolent Evil is the prequel to BETCOS. It started out as a Rae/OC but then I say Car Trouble and I changed it. Anyway place your bet on the fight.

The different: I just rambled off names cause I felt like it. Odds are I wasn't even close to one of your names. Seeing as you all go to someone's house I take it you are all friends in the same neighborhood or are all attending the same university. In the second case you reading ff is a bad waste of time but then again I'm in uni and writing this when I really should be reading or writing something important like a paper. I think I've addressed the Jinx Stone thing in T is for Tanya's review reply. A some up: RavenXStoneXJinx. I know that that is odd but I was reading one of my old books (again a real good use of time) and in it, actually in the course of a 10 book series, one of the main characters hooks up with 3 different girls. In the last book they (the girls in love with him (he loves them all to)) all sit down and actually worked out a time table for who had the dude when. Also in the same series there is a guy who is devoted to his one wife and I think Richard/Nightwing/Robin fills that role nicely. I figure with Robin already taking that spot we spice things up a bit with have an unorthodox trio. Basically, keep reading, Raven does get Cyborg but she will have to share him. After all Cyborg still loves Raven but Stone loves Jinx. Stone and Cyborg are the same but different so problems. Ok, do you know the real name of Jinx? I need it for next chapter. Just to confirm as well. I've heard that Raven's middle name is Rachel, is that true? Specifically, which three of you where shocked by the Jinx/ Stone kiss? Here is how you are going to do it. Each of you will tell me your name, who was shocked and what your bet on the fight is. Ok? Odd fact about me for you: My middle initials are KJ. ( I have 4 total) Apparently, here in America that means Kill Joy which I'm good at doing.

LockDown over and out…