The green rabbit, still in the Changeling's arms morphed back into a toddler. He smiled at his putative father and Garfield instinctively smiled back. Rita produced her mobile phone and snapped a few pictures.
"I don't believe it … I have a son, I've had a boy for over three years … Alexa, you should have told me when you got pregnant."
Alexa smiled sheepishly. "Well … you weren't the only guy I was fooling around with at the time, so I didn't know he was yours, at least not until he was born."
"Well, there's no doubt now that he's mine."
"We still don't know that he is really your son … we need a DNA test." Raven interjected.
"Rave, you gotta be kidding. I mean, look at him, how could he be anyone else's boy?" Her husband replied.
"Raven's right, we should do a DNA test, no matter how much he looks like you." Alexa remarked. "Then we'll know for sure."
"Know for sure? He can morph! He's green and has fangs and pointy ears. Who else but me could be the dad? I don't remember seeing any other green shape shifters in Fort Collins."
"He can talk when in his animal forms … you can't." Raven grumbled. "We need a DNA test to be sure."
"Rave, why bother? It's obvious that he's mine."
Alexa cleared her throat. "Raven is right; we should have a DNA test done, just to be sure. There are a few labs here in Jump; we can take Garfield and Mark tomorrow to get tested. One of the labs is a LuthCorp operation, and I can get the work expedited …"
"No, I want Cyborg to run the tests. Gar, I want you to collect the samples and we'll send them to him."
"Rave, the labs in town will do fine. We can skip the LuthCorp one if it makes you feel better. I would do them myself, but I don't the right equipment."
"No, do as your wife says, Gar, she's right. These tests and their results have to be beyond reproach." Alexa added. "I want you and Raven to be 100% certain that Mark is your son."
"Why is this so important for you? And why do you want me to be certain?" Raven asked Alexa in her old school, emotion free, gravelly monotone.
"Because if Mark is going to become part of Gar's life, I want you to be on board."
Raven started at the wretched intruder. Why did the troublemakers always have to be blonds? And this nonsense of Mark becoming part of Gar's life, talk about being disingenuous. It was more than obvious that Alexa's real objective was to weasel herself back into Garfield's life, who was she kidding? But the worst thing of all was that everyone else was buying into the charade. Rita was suddenly thrilled at becoming a grandmother. What about Coraline? Was she suddenly forgotten in this unexpected emotional whirlwind?
"You want me to be 'on board'? You just showed up with a boy who you claim is my husband's illegitimate son and you want me to participate? This isn't a family reunion."
Ignoring Raven's outburst, Gar and Rita sat down with Alexa, peppering her with questions. When was Mark's birthday? What was his first word? Raven watched with a jaundiced eye, stewing in her juices and almost didn't notice the presence next to her. She looked up and saw Steve's severe expression as he too watched the scene unfold. He suddenly looked down at his daughter-in-law and they locked eyes.
"I have a bad feeling about this." He murmured to her.
"You don't trust her?" She whispered back.
"Not as far as I could throw her … good idea having Cyborg perform the DNA tests. I wouldn't put it past Lex Luthor to pay off every lab in Jump to give you a false report."
"I don't understand, what do they want with him? He isn't the ideal candidate for the job."
"I don't know, Raven. I'll have Questor look into this HIV vaccine program. I smell a rat."
Raven nodded. She remembered meeting Vernon Questor once. The man ran the Dayton's business for them; much like Lucius Fox managed Wayne Enterprises for the Dark Knight. He was a very capable man with powerful connections in the global business community. If anyone could find out what was really going on with the Luthor's vaccine program, he would the man for the job.
"Smell a rat? That's not hard to do when Lex Luthor is involved … Steve?"
"Yes?"
"I just wanted to thank you … for accepting me."
"I'm sorry that I took so long, but I can sympathize with you. Everyone thought I was crazy when I married Rita. The common wisdom was that since she was a Hollywood actress that she would be unfaithful and that our marriage wouldn't last long … but I trusted her. Just like Garfield trusts you."
"If I may ask, did Rita sign a prenup?"
"I never asked her … and I know Garfield didn't ask you either. Of course it wasn't necessary, you've done well for yourself, Raven. You're the world's premier ancient artifacts dealer and your business is very profitable, you are a multi-millionaire … you've done very well, you married my son after all."
"I like to think that Gar did well himself when he married me."
Mento gently placed a hand on her shoulder. "He did, and for the record, even if Mark really is Gar's son, I still think of Coraline as my first grandchild, even though she still hasn't been born."
Raven gave him a grateful smile. "Thanks, Steve. I appreciate that, but why?"
Mento glanced over at Alexa.
"That woman isn't my daughter, and she never will be … but you're a member of my family now, you are my daughter."
Raven took his hand and gave it a small squeeze. "Thanks … dad."
Raven turned her attention back to the couch where Melvin had joined Gar, Rita and Alexa. She frowned as she saw her husband smiling at the small boy.
"Gar, let's take those samples now, so Alexa and her son can go back to their hotel."
"You mean we can't stay the night?" Alexa smirked. "We are practically family after all."
"Sorry Alexa, but we already have a full house tonight; otherwise you and Mark would be welcome to stay." Gar lied diplomatically. He knew better that to have her stay at the house, even if Mark was his son.
"It's OK, Gar." She replied as she picked up the boy. "We have a hotel room at the Four Seasons … so, let's get these samples taken."
"I can take them in my clinic downstairs … I'll show you the way."
Raven followed Gar and Alexa down to the clinic, and Melvin joined them. The Logans had built a small corridor to connect the two buildings and they entered the clinic through a door at the end of the hallway. Gar flipped a switch, illuminating the clinic's reception area. Alexa walked around the room with a mild smirk on her face, stopping in front of a poster that extolled the virtues of heartworm prevention medication. She traced her finger along the edge of the graphic.
"So this is what you'd rather do?" She asked as she walked over to his desk. "You'd rather be a small animal veterinarian than find a cure for AIDS?" She picked up that St. Francis statue that Raven gave him when the clinic first opened.
"Gar has a special fondness for animals." Raven replied as she firmly grabbed the statue, taking it from Alexa and placed it back on his desk.
"I'm sure he does." Alexa replied.
Gar emerged from one of his labs with a pair of test tubes and a pair of still wrapped, sterilized cotton swabs. He took a sample first from himself, inserting the swab, mounted on a stick into his mouth, taking a generous sample of his saliva after which he inserted it into a tube and sealed it, writing his name on the outside of the tube with marker. He repeated the process with the small green boy, asking him to open wide.
"I'll FedEx these to chrome dome in the morning."
Raven took them from him. "I'll take them to him right now."
"You're gonna teleport all the way to Steele City?"
"Why not? I've done it before."
"Not in your condition."
"Gar, I'm pregnant, I'm not sick."
"Shouldn't you at least call him first? It's three hours later over there. He might be in his recharging station by now."
Alexa picked up her son.
"Before I head back to the hotel, I just wanted to let you know that Lex Luthor would like you to be his guests for dinner tomorrow night."
"That won't be necessary, you already have our answer." Raven replied.
"Raven … give Lex a chance, I think that you'll find him to be very persuasive. Like I do, he feels a great deal of passion for the vaccine program. Gar … please come … do it for Mark, and for me."
Raven narrowed her eyes, but said nothing.
Garfield heaved a weary sigh. "Fine, we'll go, just so that I tell Luthor in person that I'm not interested."
Raven brightened upon hearing his words.
"Once you hear his pitch there's no way you'll be able to say no." She smiled. "And once you have those DNA tests back, you'll know Mark is your son … this is so exciting, we're going to be one big happy family!"
"Family?" Raven interjected. "Gar already has a family, and you aren't part of it. You aren't his ex-wife; you had a one night stand with him. That doesn't make you a member of our family."
Alexa grinned sheepishly. "Forgive me for my enthusiasm. I guess I got carried away after seeing father and son together."
"That has not been verified yet."
"Of course, but you can't blame me for being excited. Gar has always been a good friend, and the prospect of him once again being more than just that … well, what can I say?"
Oh, I have lots of things to say. Rage fumed deep within Nevermore.
"Good night, Alexa." Raven politely dismissed her, concealing perfectly the maelstrom of negative emotion that was teetering on escaping from her mind, with the expected consequences in the real world.
"I'll send a limo for you guys tomorrow at 7. See ya!"
Raven watched from the clinic's front door as Alexa drove away with Mark in her rental car. Her heart sank deep into her stomach. There was virtually no doubt in her mind that the green boy was her husband's illegitimate son, but as she clutched the two test tubes she briefly considered praying to the God her husband worshipped, to beg Him for a miracle. She desisted however and instead flipped open her old Titans communicator.
"Raven calling Cyborg."
-( scene break )-
The old Fab Five, along with Bumblebee, sat around the round table with the Titans logo on it. Steele City's nighttime skyline was visible through the large windows, shimmering like a jewel in the dark. Nightwing stared incredulously at the large screen TV, which displayed a collage of the pictures of Mark that Rita took with her phone.
"He does look like you, but I still can't believe that's your son. Why didn't she tell you before?"
Raven leaned forward and answered for her husband.
"Some rubbish about not wanting to burden Gar. How convenient that now that she wants him to work with her that she suddenly decided to tell him about this boy. Dick, please thank the Justice League for teleporting us here … you were right, Gar, I couldn't do it, not for all three of us."
"Told ya … I am a Doctor, you know?"
"You're a DVM, grass stain." Cyborg chided him.
"Simian physiology is nearly identical to human." He snapped back at his friend.
"How much longer until the tests are done?" Raven asked with a hint of impatience in her voice.
"The test is automated and there's about five minutes left."
The sorceress's face betrayed an uncharacteristic look of worry.
"I think we all already know the answer … that test is only going to confirm that child is Gar's."
"Raven, even if that's true, it doesn't affect you guys. B's your man and he always will be, right, grass stain?"
The changeling took his wife's hand. "Of course, I wouldn't have it any other way."
"I know, but if he's your son then you have to make room for him in your life, and that means making room for her too."
"Don't worry, Rave, if it comes to that, I'll make sure there's a firewall in place."
"A firewall?"
"Yeah … if Mark is my son, I'll arrange for joint custody with Alexa, but I'll minimize my direct contact with her."
Raven frowned at him.
"That sounds easier said than done. There will be countless situations where you'll inevitably have to be with her just because you're with him."
"And at those times I'll make sure you're there with me. I'll never be alone with her. Never. I promise."
Their conversation was interrupted by the sound of a laser printer warming up, preparing to print the test results. The conversation at the table ceased as they watched the printer eject a single sheet. Raven leaped to her feet and snatched it from the output tray. She quickly read the results and from the expression on her face they knew what the result was: Mark was indeed Garfield's son.
Raven dejectedly handed the sheet to Cyborg, who hunched over as he read it more carefully. When he was done he raised his head.
"It says that 70% of his DNA matches BB's. That's pretty high, but when you think about it, the kid probably wouldn't be able to morph if it had a more average mix of genes."
The changeling sighed. "I'm sorry, Rave, I really am."
"It's not your fault … she took advantage of you … still … I'm not happy about this. This is going to make things complicated, really complicated."
Starfire wrapped an arm around her friend. "You know that I am always here to support you."
Raven returned her hug. "I know … thank you."
"So what are you gonna do next, BB?" Bumblebee asked. That she used Cyborg's old "bro name" for him did not go unnoticed by the changeling.
"Well, we're gonna see her again tomorrow, so I guess I'll tell her the results."
"I see, so you were planning on telling her the results in person? You could have done it on the phone, you know?
"We're having dinner with her and her boss. He thinks he can talk me into joining the vaccine program."
"Who is her boss?" Starfire asked.
Raven crossed her arms and frowned. "It's Lex Luthor."
Nightwing smiled. "Well, at least we know there's no way Garfield will accept that job. No self respecting superhero, active or retired, would ever work for Lex Luthor."
-( scene break )-
As promised, a limousine pulled up in front of Azarathia at 7PM the following night, and its driver, a burly looking woman dressed in a revealing chauffeurs' uniform, wearing dark shades emerged from the car and rang the apartment's doorbell.
Raven, who was dressed in the nicest maternity clothes she had, which is to say she was dressed rather informally in a black corduroy maternity dress with her signature cape and hood, answered the door. Gar was right behind her, dressed in business casual while Steve, Rita and Melvin weren't far behind.
"Good evening, my name is Mercy; I'll be your driver tonight." She paused as she noticed Mento and Elastigirl along with Melvin. "I'm afraid there has been a misunderstanding, only the Logans are on Mr. Luthor's guest list tonight."
Raven kept her blank poker face on. She knew who the infamous "Mercy" was; she was far more than Luthor's driver. The woman was every bit the elusive criminal he was.
"Do you know who I am?" The helmeted superhero asked.
"Yes, I do. You are Mento of the Doom Patrol; you are also Steve Dayton, CEO of Dayton industries. An impressive résumé, but you still aren't on the guest list."
Mento frowned as he was temped the read the insolent woman's mind, only desisting when he remembered the chip that Alexa and all of Luthor's key employees had embedded in their skulls.
"It's OK, Steve; we can take care of ourselves." Raven soothed him.
"I am fully responsible for your safety, and I assure you that you are as safe as if you were in Superman's arms. Now … if you'll please follow me, Mr. Luthor is waiting for you."
Raven arced an eyebrow. She knew from official reports that Mercy was a woman, but she wondered if the driver had grown a pair of stones, given her excessive and misplaced bravado. Mercy opened a door and gestured them to board the limo, which they did.
Within minutes they pulled up in front of the Château du Lyons, Jump City's most posh and expensive restaurant. Mercy once again opened the door and they made their way into the restaurant's reception area, where a snooty looking Maître d' scrunched his nose as they entered.
"I know who you are, but we have a dress code here. I'm sorry, but gentlemen are expected to wear a suit and tie. And Madam will need a proper evening gown and it makes no difference that that you are superheroes."
Gar glared at the man. "We don't need to put up with this, Rave, let's just go home."
Mercy suddenly appeared as if out of nowhere. "Dr. Logan and Dr. Roth are Mr. Luthor's guests."
A mortified expression appeared on the stuffy greeter's face. "My apologies … why didn't you tell me?"
"You never gave us a chance." Raven droned in her monotone, which betrayed a slight hint of her displeasure.
"Again, I apologize … please follow me."
The Maitre d' led them to a private room, where Lex Luthor was sitting at a table with Alexa. They both rose from their seats to greet the Logans.
"Dr. Roth, Dr. Logan, I'm so glad you accepted my invitation. Please have a seat." The bald billionaire gestured at two empty chairs.
There probably wasn't a person on Earth who didn't know who Lex Luthor was, he appeared constantly in the media. Seeing the man in the flesh, however, was another matter altogether. The man had an imposing presence. Even though he lacked any kind of superpowers he was definitely the archetype of the alpha male. He oozed self confidence and it was obvious that the man was used to getting what he wanted. The Logans also knew that he was a master of being able to come out of a dung pile smelling like a rose. Try as he did, Superman and the Justice League never seemed to be able to get a jury to convict the man.
The Chromatically Challenged Couple™ accepted his invitation and took their places at the table. A waiter appeared and poured sparkling mineral water into their wine glasses. The Logans did not drink any of it.
"We already have an answer for you, Luthor." Raven announced in her monotone.
Lex smiled. "Before you give me your answer, I would like to tell you about the program. And if you'll forgive me, I already ordered dinner for everyone."
Another waiter appeared, with servings of tomato bisque, which he placed in front of everyone. Luthor and Alexa took sips from their soup.
"It's exquisite, my compliments to the chef."
"Thank you, Mr. Luthor."
The waiter quickly disappeared and Alexa smiled at the changeling. "Try the bisque, Gar, its vegan."
He tasted it. "Yeah, it's good."
"So, Gar, what are the test results?"
"They were positive." He muttered.
"I never doubted it." Alexa gloated as she glanced at Raven.
The sorceress allowed an unhappy sigh to escape her lips. Luthor raised an eyebrow but said nothing. Raven turned to him. "Let's get this over with … we aren't interested in dinner, just give us your pitch and we'll turn it down and go home."
Luthor frowned. "Very well … I wanted to make this pleasant, Dr. Roth, but per your request I'll get to the point."
"You can call me Dr. Logan." She replied.
"How traditional of you, Raven. I always thought of you as a liberated woman." Alexa interjected.
"I took my husband's name to honor him."
"I'm sure you did."
"Ladies … can we stick to the program?" Luthor interrupted, with a slight hint of irritation present in his otherwise jovial voice."
"I'm sorry, Mr. Luthor." Alexa meekly apologized. Raven offered no apology of her own.
"Very well. I don't need to tell you that the HIV virus has become a scourge around the world. Other than promoting safe sex programs, which are often ignored, there is no way to prevent the spread of the disease, though its spread had been slowed considerably. There is however, a new problem."
"What do you mean by 'new'?" The green vet asked.
"There has been a new mutation. In the past, the HIV virus was transferred primarily via sexual contact. That has changed; it can now be transferred as easily as the flu or the common cold." Luthor handed Garfield a United Nations report. "This news has been kept secret from the public to prevent a global panic. So far it has been quarantined where it first appeared, in parts of Uganda and Kenya. Unfortunately the new virus is extremely virulent and there is a very real possibility that the quarantines will fail."
Garfield opened the folder containing the report and saw a map with the affected regions.
"The virus infects its victims quickly and thousands have already died once their immune systems failed. If the quarantines fail we could have a worldwide pandemic on our hands. The possibility of humanity's extinction has become a very real threat. The United Nations has commissioned LexCorp to find a solution to this problem."
"How quickly could this spread?" Raven asked as Gar studied the report.
"It could be completely global even before Coraline is born." Her husband remarked in a deadpan voice.
"Now do you understand the urgency behind getting you on board, Dr. Logan? Five months ago we were merely working on a vaccine for conventional HIV. Such a vaccine would have made me a lot of money, but now there is a lot more at stake than amassing a fortune, mankind's very survival is now hanging in the balance. I've been busy recruiting anyone and everyone who can help with this endeavor. Can humanity count on your help, Dr. Logan?"
"You do know that we will verify everything you have told us?" Raven interjected.
"Check with the Justice League, they will confirm everything that is in that report I gave you … so, Dr. Logan, are you on board?"
Gar looked at Raven. "I don't have any other choice, Rave …"
"I know, Gar, I know."
The room fell silent.
"OK, Mr. Luthor, I'm on board."
-( scene break )-
It sure seems like we hit a low point in the story. The DNA test came back positive, the world is threatened by a deadly virus and Gar is going to be working closely with Alexa.
Now it's mailbag time. Wow, the reviews keep pouring in! If this keeps up this story will be my most reviewed. Thanks!
Maddielove95 – It does look like a lost cause, doesn't it?
Wolf of IndigoRiver – I am committed to updating at least once per week.
elixxxrAngel – Alexa has a way of showing up at the worst time possible.
DeeThom – The question is, who is really weaving the web of deceit?
SilentGoddest – Thanks.
TW - Would you have preferred the Joker?
Kidstandout - BB is kind of stuck between a rock and a hard place right now. All I can say is that he will do the right thing.
Death Stroke The Kid – Things are not always as they appear. Good luck with school!
SuperNolon – Well, the DNA test came back positive, but right now BB has bigger fish to fry.
Bluedog197 - You are one of the few who was scandalized by Melvin's confessed behavior.
titanfan45 – Virtue is timeless, my friend.
The Cretin – I hope you get your computer fixed soon.
JOHNXgambit - I would go with Lex Luthor
TJSC25 – If Raven is smart (and she is) she will keep a very close eye on Alexa.
Sweetums14 – Someone once told me "Never have sex with a woman unless you are willing to have a child with her"
Katt In The Boxx – Sadly, I think I might have left you in a worse place than before.
gabylokita41 – Things will change, that much is certain
EP – I will endeavor to update quickly
Anoymous136 – Nope, 3 is the correct age, though he is almost 4
krostovikraven1 – Alexa does raise suspicions, heck, she works for Lex Luthor
Apollo Child – That's what Alexa wants you to believe ... bwahahaha!
Hairul The Nightrage Beast - I think only BB can appreciate Raven's little quirks.
Chayse-man – I received quite a few
WishToBeYouSomeday - That's what the DNA test says.
Guest – Yeah, it's kind of like real life. They don't teach you how to deal with that in Superhero school!
Adventuresstime - I agree, it isn't poor Mark's fault
Thisguy720 – Off like last week's fish!
js12601 – That is a tantalizing possibility. But what would Luthor's motive be?
Gyhy – Good question. Who knows?