Wow, that's much better…thank you to all who reviewed; I know it's difficult to remember to do so, but it makes me feel like I'm entertaining people to the best of my ability, so I truly appreciate it. So, let's get back to the diner, and find out what's going on…
Let the Fire Fall
Chapter 3: Heart Grenades
I really didn't want to hear what my two former teammates had to say; the past can't be changed and I wasn't looking for a chance to brush off some skeletons in my closet. I think what got me was the look in Raven's eyes; she really was trying to get me to see something important. I couldn't resist that girl's charm, and I reminded myself of the years I spent wondering how she really felt…
Raven sighed angrily and I decided I better not push my luck any farther. "I'm serious for once, Raven. What's going on?"
She looked up and stared deeply into my eyes, as if she was seeing some inside of me that I couldn't. "Since you left, Garfield, the team was never the same."
I laughed softly and shook my head. "Lemme guess… there was an empty void in your hearts that couldn't be filled, because you felt remorse after kicking me off the team?"
Raven surprisingly nodded slowly, her facial expression showing pain from the past. "We thought we were doing the right thing, because…well…" she trailed off, looking away, embarrassed.
"…you were willing to throw everything away," Cyborg cut in uncomfortably. We sat in silence for a few moments, and I thought deeply about what I'd say next.
"You guys just don't understand, do you? Where was the respect in being the group goofball? Where was the Doom Patrol when I needed them? Steve (Author's Note: Steve Dayton is Mento's real name) was a like a second father to me and yet I never saw him! Is that the kind of life I want to lead? Always wondering, what if?"
Cyborg and Raven looked at each other and then shuffled in their chairs awkwardly. "We could have helped you sooner," Cyborg said, trying to sound kind. "If you felt that way, you should have come and talked to us, and not just leave, man."
"You guys wouldn't expect it from the comic relief, don't you get it? You would have never understood," I said, knowing the lies behind those words even as they came out.
"No, Bea- Garfield. You know that's not true. You're hiding something deeper than that," Raven said, still looking into my eyes with a fiery gaze.
"Look, I don't need your guys telling me about my own decisions! If I wanted to leave, you didn't need to destroy my heart in the process!" I yelled, making heads turn again.
"It was time for me to grow up and be a man, and live my own life."
"Being a man doesn't mean leaving your team, your family behind, Garfield. We all respected the fact that you wanted to change your life, but you did it in a way which hurt us all."
The silence was back again, and it was crushing.
"Look, maybe I don't want to tell you guys everything about me. And I know you feel the same. The past can't be undone. All this aside, did we even get to the real problem yet?"
Cyborg took a deep breath. "No, we haven't. Here's the lowdown: Robin and Starfire moved to Gotham City about five months ago and we haven't heard from them since. Robin always gave me a number to reach him at, but there's been on luck. Even the communicators failed us. We're trying to come back, B.B. Reform the team; you know, and make things right again. Raven and I agreed that we'd leave for Gotham in a week, and find out what's going on. Do you want to come with us?"
Suddenly, I had a giant pit in my stomach; the past was catching up with me again, and I hated to face it. I hated to face all of them, especially in a way which made me look like the fool.
"I can't. No, count me out of this one," I said, swallowing back the lump in my throat. "This little reunion will only pull us farther apart."
"Didn't you listen to a word we said, Garfield? Why are you doing this?" Raven asked, the anger in her voice rising.
I felt a rage boiling inside me as well, angry that they had dragged me to a diner to bring me back into a world which I despised. I grabbed my jacket and began to get up, and when Raven noticed this, she began to get up as well.
"No, let him go. We don't need him," Cyborg said coldly, staring at me with malicious eyes. I practically ran out of that diner, once again trying to run from my mistakes…
When the diner was out of sight, I stopped running, trying to catch my breath. I hated this feeling. They just had to come and remind me of all of these lies…
Suddenly, I felt a hand on my shoulder, surprising me. I turned around sharply and saw it was Raven. More surprising, she didn't look angry.
"Garfield, I don't care what made you leave the team. I don't care that you left. I'm just happy to see you. Times change, and so do people, but the feelings you have for them never seem to die. Do you understand? Deep down, you're dying to let yourself be free. You're a wonderful, optimistic person…you have always been the kind of person I wish I was. That's why…that's why…" she tried to say, and for the first time in my life, I saw Raven cry.
I felt the hot tears forming in my eyes, feeling the hurt of seeing this beautiful, smart woman sob, especially over me. I took her in my arms and embraced her, the hug letting go those years of built-up regret and emotional toll.
Now, more than ever, I needed to find the truth…
Well, I think this was a good "tying" chapter. I hoped you guys liked it; reviews always appreciated and thanks for reading! ;)