The bedroom was calm and tranquil as the only sound to be heard was that of two people snoring softly. A trail of garments led up to the large bed with the hooded headboard. Raven's blue boots had been the first to come off, kicked off her feet just as she passed through the door. Garfield's boots were also abandoned on the floor, next to his Doom Patrol pants. Next came her cape and leotard followed by his shirt. At the foot of the bed were his shirt, her bra and panties and finally his boxers.
The bedcovers had been hastily cast aside and the two lovers slept under a single bed sheet, their naked bodies curled together like two spoons in a drawer, he sleeping behind her with his palm resting on one of her supple breasts.
Some say that you never forget the first time you make love with someone, and not necessarily because it's a great experience, but just the opposite. It also didn't help that they were neophytes. Raven of course was completely inexperienced and Gar's one and only experience had been over four years before. They certainly didn't perform the way couples did in the movies. The words "oops" and "sorry" were uttered more than once during their first ever encounter. Raven's G spot was nowhere to be found and she didn't climax nor had an orgasm and her mate was unable to control himself and climaxed early. By all conventional accounts their first lovemaking session was an unmitigated disaster.
But somehow they either didn't know or care. The next morning Gar joked that he had reverted to virgin status during his grad school years as there was no other way to explain his utter incompetence in the bedroom that night. That explanation suited Raven just fine and even though she didn't scream his name in sexual ecstasy that night she fell asleep in his loving arms with a smile on her face. It didn't matter to her that their lovemaking was less than mediocre that night, she knew that it would improve with time. All that mattered to her now was the he was hers and hers alone.
She had much to smile about. Life was finally good for her and it would get even better. It was more than any half demoness could ever hope for.
-( scene break )-
The images burned in his mind, tormenting him with their callousness. Hundreds of babies floating lifelessly in their artificial wombs, destined to never be. It was the collective product of indescribably brilliant yet evil and uncaring minds.
The Brotherhood of Evil wasn't the first and wouldn't be the last group of mad criminals who would try to take over the world. It had happened before and it would happen again. These groups always claimed that their goal was to improve the world, either by culling the weak, or by removing inefficiencies. Some even believed they were ushering in a new era of enlightenment, one that required the destruction of the current order.
One concept evil doers always agreed on was that the end always justified the means. Whether it be genocide in concentration camps or the destruction of entire cities and their civilian populations , as long as the goal was met anything could be justified as a tool with which to achieve it.
Nightwing examined his shackles for the umpteenth time, and once again could not find a way to release them. The Brotherhood tossed him and Starfire into a cell. She remained restricted by her bonds and the reflective blindfold continued to cover her eyes. She appeared to be asleep as she did not stir. Her chains, like his, provided them with some mobility, not that there was anything to do or see in the cell. Unlike the previous prison there wasn't even a toilet or a sink, just 4 gray walls.
Nightwing leaned back against the wall and sighed. He promised her they would escape, and he was determined to make good on the promise.
The cell's silence was broken when the door was unlocked and opened. It was time for the daily ritual: 5 five robots would escort them, one at a time, to a restroom where they could relieve themselves and wash up. After that was completed they would be given their single meal of the day. Since Starfire's hands were completely encased and was unable to use them she had to eat her meal like a dog as he could not get close enough to her to feed her himself.
After the door opened the first thing he noticed was that there was only a single robot this time. It had a laser rifle slung over its soldier.
"It is time for the restroom." The droid announced in its mechanical voice as it unlocked the chains that tied Nightwing to the wall. His hands and feet remained shackled together, restricting his movements.
"Follow me." The robot ordered him, just as it did every day.
One thing Nightwing had been trained to do was take advantage of any tactical change that presented itself. It didn't matter if he was weak and beaten up, any change was an opportunity, and for some reason there was only a single robot today.
"There is only one." He whispered in Tamaranian.
"I am ready, husband." A now awake Starfire who had been pretending to sleep replied.
Nightwing lurched forward and shoved the robot towards Starfire, who was levitating. With her two tightly shackled legs she kicked the android in the waist, severing it in half, its wreckage landing at Dick's feet. He quickly retrieved the electronic key and undid his shackles. He then ran to Starfire's side and undid hers. The last thing he removed was the blindfold. His eyes met her green orbs which were glowing.
They embraced each other and kissed, the pain of their separation soothed and washed away. Their revelry was short lived as the sound of more robots running echoed in the hallway outside.
"Escape … weak … cannot fight … return … with help." He struggled in Tamaranian.
"Agreed." She replied.
They dashed out of their cell only to find themselves confronted by a platoon of robots. Starfire pelted them with a barrage of star bolts, but due to an extended lack of exposure to sunlight she soon found herself drained and the star bolts quickly ended.
Nightwing was unarmed as his utility belt had been confiscated weeks ago. Dodging enemy fire he somersaulted towards a pair of destroyed androids and snatched their rifles in a swift and fluid motion, tossing one towards Starfire as he flipped through the air.
Using the rifles they fended off the remaining robots as they slowly retreated, trying to decipher how to escape from the prison level. Starfire located a stairwell and they burst through the heavy door. Starfire ripped the steel staircase railing from its moorings and used it to jam the door. As they fled up the stairs they could hear the robots first pounding on the door, which was followed by laser rifle shots. The titanium door held firm.
Emerging at the top level they were greeted by six robots, which they quickly dispatched. They quickly scanned the hallway and Dick decided to try a pair of double doors at the end of the hall. The doors were unlocked and when opened revealed an arctic wasteland. A fierce blizzard was blowing and without stepping outside Nightwing could tell that the temperature outside was at least 40 below zero and that in his spandex hero costume he wouldn't survive very long in the inhospitable environment.
Starfire saw a nearby steel case cabinet. It was locked but she was easily able to rip it open. Much to her delight it contained parkas and other garments they could wear outside. They quickly dressed and as soon as they were ready the princess picked her mate up bridal style and took to the air, quickly flying away.
-( scene break )-
Raven and Gar sat down to a late breakfast which Raven actually prepared. After living 8 years on her own she had no choice but to learn how to cook. She prepared a vegetarian sensitive meal that consisted of oatmeal, sliced cantaloupe, toast, orange juice and a couple of soft boiled eggs for herself.
Cyborg and Nightstar were already seated at the table and were enjoying one of Victor's traditional carnivore breakfasts.
"Raven, want some bacon? I made plenty to spare."
"Back off tin man! Stop trying to corrupt my fiancée with your cannibalistic ways." Gar reprimanded him in jest.
"Thanks Victor, but I'm fine." Raven replied politely.
Cyborg turned to the young princess.
"See what happens when you fall in love with a vegetarian? You become one!"
"That's not true, I am having two eggs."
Cyborg tsk tsk'd Raven before addressing Nightstar.
"Their loss and more for us, right little lady?"
Nightstar giggled as she shoved another piece of bacon into her mouth. Cyborg then turned back to the changeling.
"So when does the Doom Patrol arrive?"
"They're due any minute, Mento said …"
Gar was interrupted by a commotion that poured into the common room. The four diners looked up to see what it was and all they saw was a throng of Titans milling around an unseen point of interest. The crowd approached the table and parted, revealing its secret core.
"Mommy! Daddy!" Nightstar shrieked as she became airborne and shot like a missile towards her parents. She landed in her mother's arms and the two exchanged happy hugs. Gar ran up to Nightwing and also gave him a hug, Raven and Cyborg also did the same.
"Mommy! Where did you go? Why didn't you come back?"
"I am sorry my dear, but you must speak to me in Tamaranian."
Cyborg still remembered the Tamaranian he learned back when he temporarily upgraded to the Maxx-7 processor.
"Star? Why can't you speak English?"
"The Brotherhood of Evil did something to her brain. She can't speak English or Japanese anymore and she can't relearn through lip contact." Nightwing informed the assembled Titans.
"What did they do to her?" Raven asked.
"They were experimenting on the part of her brain that handles the lip contact knowledge transfer. They said that they accidentally harmed her brain, and that the damage is permanent. Raven, can you help her?"
Raven placed her fingertips on Starfire's temples, assessing the damage.
"I'll do my best."
Raven locked eyes with Starfire and smiled.
"Koriand'r"
The Princess smiled back and after handing her daughter to Nightwing she wrapped wrapped her arms around her gray friend. The sorceress returned the hug.
"Ra-ven" The princess enunciated carefully, as if she had never said the name before.
"Tell her that I'll try to heal her."
Cyborg nodded and translated. Kory listened and replied.
"She says she's ready."
Raven once placed her hands on the orange woman's temples and her blue light appeared, engulfing Starfire's head. Raven closed her eyes and focused intensely while Starfire remained still. After a few minutes Raven released her. Her eyes betrayed her lack of success.
"I was able to restore a portion of her memory, but I couldn't repair the transfer synapses, they were completely destroyed. I'm sorry."
"Thank you … friend … I am … grateful." Starfire replied in halting English. "I will …"
She rattled off a word in Tamaranian.
"Now" Cyborg Translated.
"Now have to …"
She sighed in exasperation and finished her sentence in Tamaranian.
"Learn the way all of you do … slowly … I feel like an invalid, a cripple." Cyborg translated.
"Don't worry mommy, I'll teach you."
Starfire hugged her daughter.
"I … missed you … my … child."
Gar stepped up next to Raven and wrapped an arm around her neck, she replied by resting her head on his shoulder, which did not go unnoticed by either of the Graysons.
"Are you guys dating again?" Nightwing asked.
"Aunt Raven and Uncle Gar are gonna get married."
"Married?" Nightwing replied.
Starfire apparently understood the statement as she lunged forward and drew Raven and Gar into a hug.
"Glorious … so happy … I love you."
As soon as he could breathe again Gar replied. "We love you too, Star."
"So when is this wedding?" A new voice in the assembled crowd asked.
Gar immediately recognized the voice.
"Negative man!"
"Gar, you know you can call me Larry, and congratulations to both of you. Steve and Rita might be jerks about your news but I think it's great and so does Cliff."
"Larry, that's not true. We were just taken by surprise by their news. We just never imagined that they would hit it off …"
"C'mon Mento, we all knew they were dating during their last year as Titans. There were pictures in Superhero magazine."
"That was a long time ago Cliff. Steve and I were merely surprised." Rita added.
Gar walked up to his first team and his former foster parents. He hadn't seen them in almost a decade. Rita stepped forward to hug him.
"I'm sorry we couldn't make it to your graduation, Garfield. But we will attend your wedding."
"It's OK, I understand. And thanks for accepting our decision. But first we have a mission to complete."
"Yes, the Brotherhood of Evil …" Mento began.
"They're creating an army of Human-Tamaranian hybrids." Nightwing interrupted.
"Whoa! Are you sure?" Gar asked.
"I saw them with my own eyes. The first batch were defective and perished while still in-vitro. Mallah said they were going to try again."
"Were they your …" Cyborg began to ask.
"Yes, they used Star's and my DNA to create them, plus some external DNA of unknown origin."
"Where is this lab?" Raven asked.
"Ellesmere Island, in Northern Canada." Dick replied.
Cyborg nodded.
"We traced one of their droids back to the same place. We were preparing a mission to rescue you guys. Now we can just go and kick some butt."
"The Brotherhood's base is not in Ellesmere Island. It's across the Arctic sea in Siberia." Mento interjected.
"It's not? Excuse me, but we were there!" Nightwing howled. "We weren't in Siberia!"
"You are correct in that you were being held in Canada. But that is not the Brotherhood's base."
"Then what is it?"
"It's a trap Nightwing." Gar replied morosely.
"A trap? What are you talking about Gar?" Raven asked.
"Let me guess, they made a mistake and you took advantage of it and easily escaped." Gar asked.
"I'd hardly call that escape 'easy'."
"Don't you think your escape was awfully convenient?"
Nightwing became indignant.
"What would you know? While you've been living it up in Fort Collins playing with your animals some of us have been busy fighting crime."
"He's got a point B, and like I already said, I traced that robot back to the same place."
"That was part of their plan." Gar retorted. "Nightwing, was there any evidence that Cy's dad was there?"
"I didn't see him, but doesn't mean he's not there."
Gar crossed his arms and sighed. They weren't going to like this.
"I'm with Mento on this one. No one knows the Brotherhood as well as the Doom Patrol."
Mento stepped back into the conversation.
"Garfield is right. The Ellesmere Island base was abandoned by them years ago. I agree that it's probably a trap. I'm also certain that those fetuses you saw were fake as was the GPS log Cyborg found in his father's replacement robot. They are trying to draw the entire Titans extended family there."
"Nightwing, did you see any of the Brotherhood when you escaped, or did you just see droids?" Gar asked.
"Just droids, but that doesn't mean they weren't there."
"I'm certain they aren't there. It's not their style to hide" Gar replied. "But I'll bet there's either a nuke or some other trap waiting for us there. There's no doubt about it, they let you escape. Mento is probably right, those fetuses are fakes and they told you they were your kids to cloud your judgment."
"You're full of crap Gar, you think just because you're a PhD and a Doctor that you now know everything." Nightwing protested.
Cyborg crossed his arms and frowned at his green friend. "I can't believe you're taking their side."
Gar glared back at his friend.
"This isn't about taking sides! It's about doing what's right!"
He turned to face the assembled team of heroes. Most had recovered from their mistreatment at the Brotherhood's hands and were ready to storm the enemy's base, wherever it was. Gar looked upon their faces. Like him, many had gone into retirement while the others pursued solo careers as superheroes. What was self evident is that they needed a leader, someone to guide them, someone to help restore their confidence not only in themselves, but also in their cause.
"We're going to Siberia." Gar announced.
"Say what? Have you lost your mind Green Bean?" Cyborg screamed.
Nightwing was bristling.
"Garfield! I'm the leader of this team!"
Changeling turned around and stood his ground against the much larger and more muscular Nightwing.
"No, you're not. You dissolved the Titans so you could go be Batman light. This is my team; I brought the Titans back together, not you."
"What a load! You were always the team clown; a joke, no one is going to take you seriously or follow you." Nightwing howled. "Who's with me?"
Raven stepped forward and walked up to Nightwing, who grinned triumphantly. If he could win Raven away from Changeling, everyone else would follow suit.
"I'm sorry Nightwing, but I'm with Gar, and not because he's my fiancé."
Raven walked to Gar's side and was soon joined by every other Titan, except for Cyborg, who looked troubled.
"I'm sorry B, but I'm with Nightwing on this one."
"You're making a mistake tin man. Please join us, we need you."
Nightwing gave Gar one last glare.
"Why are you being so stubborn, Nightwing?" Raven asked.
Nightwing turned and began to walk away.
"There's nothing to discuss. Star, Cy let's go."
Starfire did not budge.
"No husband … friend Garfield … he is correct … we should … be his team." She replied as she had to search for the words to use.
"What? You're on his side now?"
The princess cupped her husband's face with her palm. The look on her face was sad, as it what evident that taking Gar's side was a source of discomfort for her.
"I am always … loyal to you … but it … is a mistake … to go … back."
Nightwing drew her into a hug.
"Please beloved … we must … stay … friends."
Dick sighed.
"This goes against my better judgment, but we will join your team, but on one condition."
"What?"
"That the Doom Patrol also accepts your leadership in this mission."
Everyone turned to Mento, awaiting his response.
"The Doom Patrol is at your command Garfield."
The assembled heroes cheered their approval, while Raven took his hand and squeezed it. It was a moment of triumph for Gar; he stood up to Nightwing and won. Now he had the full support of the extended Titans team. While his decision was based on fact and experience he knew that there was a remote chance that he was wrong. But it was too late to worry about that, instead he turned to the assembled team.
"Who are the Titans!?" He shouted.
"We are!" They replied in unison.
"Whose butt are we gonna kick!?"
"The Brotherhood of Evil's butt!"
"Damn right we are! Everyone take 30 minutes to rest, we'll meet here to review our strategy! Dismissed!"
The assembly dispersed and the 5 original Titans gathered together with the Doom Patrol.
"So what's your plan?" Nightwing asked.
"We need a distraction. We need to fool the Brotherhood, to trick them into believing that we fell for their trap."
"And how do we do that?"
Gar smiled and turned to Cyborg.
"Tin man, I'll need your talents for this one."
"What do you have in mind, grass stain?"
"Come with me, I'll show you."
-( scene break )-
As Cyborg and Garfield retreated to discuss the Changeling's plans, Rita approached Raven.
"We need to talk, young lady."
Raven looked up at the much taller woman and frowned. She knew that this conversation was overdue, though that didn't make the prospect of having a heart to heart with her future mother-in-law seem any less unpleasant.
Rita Farr was an attractive woman; in fact she was quite the looker. Raven wasn't unfamiliar with her past, she knew that Rita had once been a up and coming Hollywood starlet, one whose budding career was shot down by the freakish accident that had turned her into Elastigirl. Raven would never admit it to anyone, but she was intimidated by Rita's stunning good looks, which was really more of a reflection of her own lack of self esteem.
"Agreed, it's long overdue." Raven concurred.
"I'd rather talk in private."
"We can go to my room."
The two women walked silently to Raven's spooky abode and entered. Rita's demeanor did not betray any unease and the empath felt none. After the door slid shut she walked over to one of Raven's bookcases and picked up a small figurine, which like most of Raven's knick knacks was macabre looking. She examined it with a bored look on her face before putting it back and turning to face Raven. Her expression did not change as she addressed the sorceress.
"So, you want to marry my son … might I ask why?"
Raven frowned. "Why does any girl want to get married?"
Rita smirked at the small gray girl who stood before her.
"Women get married for many reasons: money, because they want to have a family, because they're lonely …"
"Aren't you forgetting the most important reason?"
"Ah yes … love … let me guess, this is why you wish to marry my son, right?"
"I am financially independent, I probably can't have children and I'm perfectly used to being alone … so yes, I want to marry your son because I love him."
Rita crossed her arms and narrowed her eyes.
"I seem to recall that you couldn't stand the sight of him. I would almost go as far as saying that you hated him."
"That's not true. Yes, when he was younger he was very immature and even annoying. I won't deny that he knew how to get on my nerves; in fact it almost seemed like a gift he had. But I have never hated him."
"What about Tokyo? You slapped him on camera and for no good reason."
Raven shrunk upon hearing the accusation. "I wasn't in a good place at the time and it took it out on him. It's not something I'm proud of."
Rita refocused her gaze upon her. "So tell me Raven, what will happen the next time your demonic nature gets the best of you? Will you once again do something to him that you're not proud of?"
"I have my dark side under control."
"Do you, demoness?"
Raven gave Rita a dark glare. "So … the real reason finally comes out. You don't approve of me because of my background."
"Can you blame me? Every mother wants her son to marry a nice girl."
Raven balled her fists. Rita noticed a slight tremble in her jaw, which quickly vanished.
"I. Am. A. Nice. Girl."
"I'm sure you are." Rita's voice dripped in sarcasm.
Raven summoned her will and fully regained her composure. Her hands relaxed.
"I could just as easily make the same judgment about you."
"What are you talking about?" Rita hissed.
"You used to be a Hollywood actress … they aren't exactly known for their virtuous and chaste behavior."
Rita's eyes flared. Raven could feel the indignation swelling in the woman's chest; she had most definitely hit a nerve.
"I never behaved inappropriately. I was always above reproach."
"Really?"
"Yes, Raven, really. Unlike with you, there is no TV footage of me behaving badly. I sldo didn't do drugs and I didn't sleep around. I was a good Catholic girl!"
Raven snorted. "Next thing you'll be telling me that Mento was your first lover."
"HE WAS!" Rita shouted.
Raven smirked. "Garfield is my first lover too."
"Oh, bullshit, who do you think you're kidding, demoness? Do you really expect me to believe that my son was your first?"
Raven's smirk vanished. "I don't owe you or anyone other than Garfield an account of my past actions. He trusts me and that should be good enough for you."
This time it was Rita's turn to glare. Raven, to her credit, did not flinch, but she did continue speaking.
"You're going to be my mother-in-law. I would prefer that we respect each other and get along, but if you aren't interested I can live with that, Rita."
"You think you can just blow us off, witch?"
"if you insist on trying to assassinate my character, I can and I will. And name calling won't change that. And for the record, I am not a witch."
"I don't care what you are, I'm his mother; I will always be his mother."
"If you ask him to choose between us, you'd better prepare yourself, you might not be happy with his choice."
Rita's hands balled into fists, her long fingernails dug into her palms.
"You're using magic on him, aren't you? You cast a spell on him."
"I've done no such thing, because love spells don't really exist. Magic cannot be used to subvert free will."
Rita turned and grumbling she marched out of Raven's room.
"You think you're so clever. After I talk with Garfield we'll see who wins." She snapped at Raven before the door slid shut.
-( scene break )-
Thanks to all who have continued to read this story, and an extra big thank you to all who take the time to review! Starting tomorrow I'm going to be at Comic Con Denver, so I won't update for a few days.