Chapter V: A Rooftop Dinner
Cyborg was breaking a sweat trying to keep his guests fed. About the only one he wasn't fawning over was Morpheus; the immortal did not need to eat and was happily sipping on one of Cyborg's homemade beers. The others were contentedly eating from a banquet so diverse that any award-winning chef would have gone crazy hours ago. Garfield had eaten several tofu hot dogs and Terra was well through her medium rare steak. Robin was content with hamburgers while Starfire was having mustard sandwiches. The two girls were munching on grilled avocado and mustard pitas; something Haley came up with that made Cyborg gag. That of course didn't count the four batches of pasta salad and potato salad he had come up with along with assorted chips and dip. He had knocked himself out knowing a full stomach would make his request much more difficult for his friends to refuse.
"Here you go Raven, a BLT. Just what you wanted, right?" Cyborg said as he held up a plate.
Raven stood a short distance from the others who were seated around a large round table. "Honestly Cyborg, you didn't have to make me anything," Raven said in slight protest. "Haven't you done enough already?"
"Come on take a bite," he said.
Raven took the sandwich from the plate and bit the corner off. She closed her eyes and savored it. "Wonderful," was all she could say.
"How about you Daniel? Do you want anything?" Cyborg asked Raven's other son who stood next to his mother. There was something so passive about Daniel. Darien, however, was the complete opposite. In time Cyborg came to realize Raven's sons were just distilled versions of her split personality.
"You can have one of my hot dogs," Darien quickly offered his brother.
"I don't think that would be a good idea," Cyborg countered. Darien's idea of a hot dog was a wiener soaked in Tabasco sauce and topped with spicy mustard. It seemed that on just about every account Raven's sons were complete opposites.
"Why don't you have half of my sandwich Daniel," Raven offered her son; a much more appealing choice than what sat on her other son's plate. Daniel shook his head in approval and took the other half of Raven's sandwich . Cyborg smiled in triumph as the last of his guests had something to eat.
"Does anyone else want my hot dog?" Darien addressed the group. "Cyborg made me one too many,"
"Does it have mustard?" Starfire asked.
"Yup."
"Then I should like to try it," Starfire replied.
Darien walked over to the table and held out his plate. Starfire took his offering and bit off the end. Her face quickly turned a beat red as she tried to fight the urge to spit the remains back on the plate. Cyborg rushed over to one of the coolers and pulled out a large wine bottle. He uncorked the bottle, grabbed a wine glass and filled it half way.
"Here you go Star wash it down with this," Cyborg said as he offered Starfire the glass. She took it and downed it in one gulp as her eyes watered.
"What's the matter dear?" Robin asked from his seat seeing his wife struggle with her food. He had almost finished his second burger.
"That boy eats lava," she said coughing. "I think I will stick with my mustard sandwiches."
"Let me try," Robin said curiously. "I've always had a good stomach for spicy food."
"Here Mr. Grayson," Darien held up his plate. Robin picked up the hot dog and took a bite. His face turned red and his eyes watered as he dropped the remains back on Darien's plate.
"And one for you," Cyborg quickly passed him a wine glass. Robin took it and downed it in one swig.
"That has got to be the hottest hot dog I've ever had," Robin said in a hoarse voice as a tear rolled down his cheek.
Darien look curiously at the pair then took what remained of his hot dog and shoved it in his mouth. Robin and Starfire watched waiting the appropriate response. Darien smiled back in confidence at their disappointment.
"OK," Robin turned to Raven. "What's up with your kid? He should be crying for mercy right now."
Raven looked at Darien with a slightly annoyed look. Her son was basking in the glory of his triumph. "Darien, we're all impressed with your show of strength. Why don't you see if you father needs anything." Morpheus was off to one side just watching the city lights shimmy.
"Sure Mom," he turned and headed towards his father.
"Well why don't the rest of us have a toast since I opened this." Cyborg quickly distributed glasses of wine to the former Titans and refilled Robin and Starfire's glasses.
"Does everyone have a glass?"
"We don't," Aimee said half disappointed.
"Sorry," Cyborg countered. "You're under age and still on duty."
"So Aimee and I will have to take care of anything that comes up in the next several hours?" Haley asked dourly.
"If things get that bad I'll come out of retirement and give you a hand," Robin quickly offered.
"Get real Dad," Haley said in exasperation.
"I'm serious," Robin answered.
"All right you two," Cyborg gently interrupted. "To good friends and not so old Titans," Cyborg offered up his glass. The rest of them did the same then lightly clanked each other's glasses before taking a long sip.
The group heard a light whoosh then looked skyward as a rocket climb above them. It exploded into a fiery red ball with silver streaks dangling from it. A loud report followed making the group jump.
Raven turned towards her husband and son who stood near the edge of the Tower. "Darien, front and center please," she said in a voice that vaguely hid her anger.
Darien reluctantly came forward with his father slightly behind him. Both had sly grins on their faces.
"Did you do that?" Raven sternly asked her son.
"Well I thought it would be appropriate to celebrate your reunion," Darien replied.
"Did you ask permission?" Raven continued as she struggled to keep her composure.
"Dad thought it was a good idea," Darien meekly countered. Now his father was also in trouble.
"Morpheus," Raven lightly scolded him. He had a half smile on his face as his eyes glittered in the darkness.
"Hey, I thought it was appropriate," Morpheus replied.
"I'll say," Robin quickly interrupted. "It scared the bajeevers out of me," he laughed trying to deflect Raven's anger away from the duo. "In fact, I think I'd better get to the bathroom. Dear will you help me?"
"Certainly," Starfire put down her glass and helped her husband from the table. The pair slowly made their way towards the Tower roof door.
"Um, dear, I think we need to step it up a bit," Robin said anxiously with a smile. Starfire sighed then picked him up and cradled him in her arms. Robin smiled back to the group and waved. "Don't wait up for us, we might get sidetracked on the way back." He gave the group a wink.
The others tried to stifle their laughter. Robin always made light of just about every indignity that he had to endure since his accident; it helped put others at ease. Starfire looked over and noticed Robin mocking her. She then slung him over her shoulder like a sack of potatoes. Robin grunted then swung his hand down and swatted Starfire's rump with his hand. "Hi ho Starfire, away!" he called out as the pair made their exit.
Cyborg laughed to himself. "Oh that's classic." The others sat stoically unsure why he was so amused. "Don't you guys get it?" He looked around at the others who returned blank stares. "The Lone Ranger, you know Tonto and Silver his horse?" There was still no response. "Well I guess it's an old show."
"You're living in the past again," Haley dryly commented.
"Yea, but there's nothing wrong with that," he sadly answered her.
"OK Cyborg," Terra suddenly spoke up. "Would you mind telling us why we're all here?" She had finally decided to figure out what was happening.
"Your steak good?" Cyborg tried to change the topic. He suddenly became very apprehensive about his request.
"Wonderful," she replied. "The best steak I've had in years."
"The only steak she's had in years," Garfield added.
"You're the reason I haven't had steak in years," Terra responded with a laugh. "And it's still the best I've ever had."
"More wine?" Cyborg quickly grabbed the bottle and refilled her glass.
"Thanks, the white zinfandel is great too," Terra added as she held her glass up.
"I thought that was familiar," Garfield said. "That's what we had at Sal's after our first date, remember?"
"How could any of us forget," Terra smiled as she thought about that night.
"Yea, that was great," Cyborg said encouragingly. "Remember how you got that bottle Garfield?"
"Absolutely," Garfield replied as he held up his glass for Cyborg to refill.
"Before we get started on a trip down memory lane can you please tell us why you've got us all here Cyborg?" Terra quickly interrupted.
"Why do you think I'm up to something Terra?" Cyborg asked trying to figure out a way to sidetrack her.
"The food, the wine; a mother knows when she's being had." Terra replied slightly annoyed with Cyborg's stonewalling. It was time to get to the bottom of this. "Aimee, do you know what's going on?"
Aimee froze. She would never be able to keep Cyborg's secret from her mother.
"OK Terra," Cyborg faintly said as he took a seat at the table. The retired Titan's focused their attention on their somber friend. "I got you all here to ask a favor. We need your help."
"What do you mean," Garfield asked.
"The other Titan's are MIA," Haley suddenly spoke up. She had been contentedly chewing on her avocado and mustard pita. She was going to enjoy watching Cyborg squirm.
"MIA?" Terra asked.
"Well I kind of know where they are," Cyborg answered sheepishly. This was another source of embarrassment for him.
"Kind of?"
"There on the east coast at some concert," Haley added.
"Why can't you just call them back," Terra inquired a bit perplexed.
"Because they've disabled their recall devices," Haley answered with a slight smile. It was amusing that the others had found a way to out wit the old man.
"Well I've got the currier droids looking for them," Cyborg said half irritated. "I'll find them, eventually."
"Cyborg," Terra said. "We're retired. No offense to anyone here but our hero days are long over. What could we do for you?"
"It's just for a day or two until the rest of the Titans get back. What could happen?" Cyborg replied.
"Yea," Garfield quickly said in defense of his friend. "We still have a few tricks left in us."
"Garfield," Terra patiently corrected him. "I'm sorry but you're not a spring chicken any more; you nearly had a heart attack flying over here and besides what will we do with Robin?"
Cyborg sighed. Terra was right, but he had no other options. "Look, we tried Titans East but their hands are full. We're short right now, it's just temporary and I wouldn't ask if I didn't think you guys could handle this. Aimee, Haley and I will help. There'll be eight of us; we can cover for one another until the rest of the Titans get back."
"All right say if we do agree," Terra continued. "What are we up against?"
Cyborg paused. "Un Gato," Haley chimed in; she couldn't let the others agree without knowing who they would be facing.
"Who's that," Garfield inquired.
"A real nasty outfit, very shady and ruthless. Robin and Starfire have probably heard of them," Cyborg reluctantly explained.
"Do you really think this is a good idea in our condition?" Terra asked sincerely.
"Mom, Daniel's iuvenis spell would help," Darien suddenly piped in.
"Darien, not now," Raven quickly replied trying to cut him off.
"But Mom it would be perfect," Darien protested. "He can do it, I'm sure of it."
The others looked at Daniel who shyly clung to his mother's robe.
"Darien not another word," Raven sternly replied.
"But…"
"Darien," Raven looked crossly at her son who retreated into a frustrated pout. "Daniel you need to be quiet too," Raven said as she looked down at her other son. Daniel looked up at his mother and nodded.
"What's Darien talking about?" Cyborg asked curiously. "Do I have to formally ask you?"
"Cyborg you know that's not fair," Raven protested.
"I'm gonna do it Raven," Cyborg said with a slight grin. "I'm desperate." He could see Darien smile in anticipation.
"What's going on?" Garfield interrupted anxiously.
"I have to answer questions truthfully," Raven explained to him. "It's one of the failings of being married to Morpheus." She turned and shot her husband an exasperated look. Morpheus shrugged his shoulders and smiled back at her.
"OK Raven," Cyborg continued. "What spell is Darien talking about and how can it help us."
"Do you really want to know," Raven said in a helpless voice.
"Yes I do," Cyborg said with a broad smile on his face.
"Daniel's iuvenis spell would make us young again," Raven answered. "But it'll only last twenty-four hours."
The others stood in stunned silence. "Thank you," Cyborg politely replied. "That wasn't so bad was it?"
"Worse than you ever imagined," Raven replied with downcast eyes knowing things were beginning to careen out of her control.
"Is she saying Daniel can make us young again?" Terra asked not believing her ears.
"For twenty-four hours; the effects are temporary," Raven explained. "Do you really think this will be fair to Robin? He will be the one most changed."
The others remained silent. They hadn't thought of the dramatic affects their plan would have on their former leader.
"I'll tell him and Starfire," Cyborg said somberly. "They can make their own choice; I won't force them to come. Are the rest of you in?"
Terra looked at her husband. Garfield's eyes were screaming yes. "We're in. How about you Raven?"
Raven sighed. She had given up hero work long before the rest of them. "I'm in if Robin and Starfire say yes. I won't abandon my friends when they need help."
The other's looked at Morpheus. "Sorry, can't come; not a hero," he replied with a shrug.
"Can we come?" Darien called out.
"No, it's too dangerous and you're not ready yet," Raven answered. Darien groaned in disappointment.
"When do we do this," Cyborg asked.
"First light of dawn," Daniel said in a soft voice as he clung closely to his mother's side. Raven looked down and smiled at her son trying to reassure him.