The sound of gears turning filled the room.
"Rose, your performance was unacceptable."
"I'm sorry, father."
"We lost one of our hostages because of your blunder."
The young teen winced. Failure wasn't something to which she was accustomed.
"I'm sorry."
"Our grasp on the changeling has been compromised. Our entire plan is now in jeopardy."
Ravager stared at the floor, unable to look up at her father.
"Were you not my daughter, I would have killed you for committing such a thoughtless mistake."
She raised her head. "But she never got close to the box after I destroyed it, and it was still recording when I sliced it in half."
"Have you forgotten that she can teleport objects!? She probably retrieved the card when she hit you with her energy. You let her catch you off guard … have you been using your inhaler?"
Rose nodded. "Yes, father, I have."
Twice a day, once on the morning and then 12 hours later in the evening Rose would breathe in a dose from a mysterious, unlabeled inhaler her father provider her. She began taking the mysterious medication shortly after her mother, Lillian Worth, who gave birth to her out of wedlock, after a brief affair with Slade, surrendered her to her father's custody. Her mother was more than happy to be rid of the promiscuous and rebellious girl. Rose clearly remembered the last words she heard her mother say.
"Take the damn whore with you, she's clearly more yours than mine. And don't bring her back, I never want to see her again."
Lillian got her wish, as she died 4 months later in a mysterious automobile accident, when she lost control of her car and she plunged to her death from a bridge, falling into a deep river and drowning. Rose shed no tears when her father later told her what happened. Her mother rejected her as far back as she could remember, and when Slade came back out of the blue to claim her she was elated, even though she knew who he was.
"Daddy" was the opposite of mother. While he was strict with her she felt a bond that she had never experienced before. Slade began to train her in the basics and she was a quick study, sparring with Slade-bots and learning to use the Katana. Eventually, as it happens with everyone, the Peter Principle kicked in as she reached her level of incompetence and she ceased to progress. She hungered for her father's approval and when she stopped improving she became despondent.
That was when Slade told her about the military experiments performed on him. She was surprised to learn the he was basically a real world Captain America, except unlike the fictional Steve Rogers, Slade was betrayed by the military that created him when they believed he was a mistake that needed to be neutralized. His country's betrayal cost Slade his marriage and he began his dark journey, starting out as the Deathstroke the Terminator, the assassin for hire and eventually became Slade, criminal mastermind.
That was when she was given her first inhaler. She remembered well the day she inserted it into her mouth and pressed down on the housing. Upon inhaling the mist the world around her seemed to … change.
She resumed her training and with great delight she found that she could perform feats that defied belief. It was almost as if she had become a metahuman. Her strength and speed, which were already well above average, became unbelievable. And a new ability appeared: pre-cognition. Rose could foresee two to three seconds in advance. That, coupled with her enhanced strength and speed, made her a nearly invincible opponent.
Her admiration for her father grew by leaps and bounds. All she wanted to do was to be like him and earn his approval, but now, she had failed him and she felt her world crumble around her.
"It won't happen again, father."
"No it won't. Rose, I want you to double your inhaler dosage. It clearly isn't working like it was before … you can skip training today. Go to your room and rest. Tomorrow I will have a new training plan for you."
Rose obeyed her father without question and returned to her room, which was Spartan and devoid of any individuality, except for an ornate teakwood mounting display that was on top of a tall bureau, where she kept her katanas when she wasn't carrying them on her back. They were a gift from her father, who personally stole them from the Imperial Palace in Tokyo. She picked up one of the swords and examined it. It was the pinnacle of Japanese craftsmanship, perfect and without flaw. It had the name of the sword smith, who patiently made it in the 17th century, etched on its side.
Ravager restored the katana to its display, suddenly feeling unworthy of possessing such a flawless blade. Unlike her, it didn't need to cheat to achieve perfection, it was genuinely without flaw.
She opened the top drawer in the bureau, which was full of inhalers. She pulled one out and inserted it into her mouth, but did not press it. She removed it from her mouth and stared at it, her eyes trembled. Every time she administered the drug there was a sense of euphoria that ran through her body … but there was another sensation … she felt as if she was someone else … a stranger in her own body.
The inhaler remained in her hand, mocking her, reminding Rose that without the cocktail of chemicals inside of it that she was just an ordinary girl. How did Nightwing do it? He held his own against her, when he disguised himself as Beast Boy. She once asked her father if Robin used chemical enhancers when the boy wonder was briefly his apprentice. The answer, of course, was no, he did not. He also told her that Nightwing had a natural advantage over her: he was a man. He had greater physical strength than she did for this simple reason, plus he had a fanatical devotion to training and cultivating his body.
Rose frowned at the inhaler, her pride suddenly feeling wounded. Slade told her she needed more of the drug. Knowing this made her feel weak, a failure. It wasn't fair; she was 100% devoted to her training. Why couldn't she have been born with powers, like the witch or the Tamaranian?
Rose was now glaring at the inhaler.
"I don't need you."
She dropped it back into the drawer, which she slammed shut.
-( - )-
"Come on, slugger, it's time to put your pajamas on … it's bedtime."
Garfield's cajoling fell on a pair of deaf, green ears. He couldn't blame Mark for not listening; everyone in the Tower was fussing over him. In addition to preparing the celebration, the princess had taken it upon herself to buy some clothes for the miniature changeling, who was handed over with just the clothes he was wearing, which was an OshKosh ensemble with little dinosaurs printed on the shirt.
The youngster was sitting on Jinx's lap, while the hextress spoon fed him ice cream. Mia, Cassie and Nightstar were sitting next to them, smiling at the toddler.
"He looks just like you, Mr. Logan." Mia remarked happily.
Raven stifled a snicker upon hearing Speedy address her husband so formally. Gar leaned towards his wife, who had Coraline in her arms. "Laugh it up, remember, you're older than me."
"By one lousy year."
Kid Flash came out of the kitchen and handed a mug of herbal tea to Raven.
"Thank you, Bart."
"My pleasure … Ma'am."
As soon as the junior speedster was out of earshot, Gar leaned a second time towards her and smiled. He opened his mouth to speak, but before he could she interrupted him.
"Say it and you're a dead man."
"What? You don't like being called Ma'am?"
"It's still better than being called 'Mister'."
"Oh, I agree." He grinned with the same smile he did when he was a kid.
"You do?"
"Yes, it has a certain 'MILFY' connotation to it … very hot."
"Are you saying I'm a cougar?"
He snickered. "Of course not, you're still way too young for that."
"I see … so I'm a MILF then?"
"We'll you are a mom now, and you're hot, so technically yes, you're a MILF, my MILF."
"Oh so that's all I am to you? A roll in the hay?" She teased him.
"Well … there's more to you than that. But you can't blame a guy for noticing how hot you are."
Raven gave him a mild glare.
"Garfield … have you forgotten that I'm an empath? How can you possibly be oozing so much lust after what happened to you today?"
"What can I say? You did a great job of patching me up."
"You're a doctor, you should know better that push it so soon."
"Oh come on, I was just kidding."
"My empathic senses say otherwise."
He pecked her on the cheek before getting and walking over to where Jinx was sitting, scooping Mark up from her lap. The female Titans protested his removal as did Mark.
"Come on, kiddo, it's been a long day. Time for bed."
The Logans excused themselves and returned to their room. Raven changed Coraline's diaper and nursed her, while her mate got his son changed into his pajamas, which of course had animals printed on them, made sure he went to bathroom and had him brush his teeth. He then took him into his old room, which was now connected to Raven's old room via a new doorway. Gar smiled when he saw his old bunk beds, which Cyborg dragged out of the basement and setup in the room. He pulled the covers back on the lower bunk and Mark climbed in.
"I get to sleep in a big boy bed."
"You sure do. Did you sleep in a crib before?"
The boy nodded. "Cribs are for babies. I'm not a baby anymore; I'm a big boy now."
"You sure are, champ. This is your room now, OK. You sleep in here, do you understand?"
The boy nodded. "Will you read me a story?"
Gar furrowed his brow. "I'm sorry; buddy, but I don't we have any."
Mark pointed at a well stocked shelf.
"Wow, I guess Star does think of everything."
Gar randomly selected a book, which was titled "If You Give a Mouse a Cookie." Mark grinned as his father climbed into bed with him and read him the picture book. He laughed at the mouse's increasingly ridiculous requests. Before he knew it, the mouse had come full circle and was asking for another cookie and story was over. His father tucked him into bed and kissed him on the forehead.
"Good night, Mark."
The boy's eyes widened. "Stay with me, daddy. I don't want to be alone."
"You're a big boy now, sleeping in a big boy bed, remember. Did you know that this was my bed when I was teenager … now it's yours."
"Please."
Gar tousled his son's green mop of hair. "Sorry slugger, Daddy sleeps with Raven."
"Why?"
"Why? Because we're married. Mommies and Daddies sleep together."
The boy pouted and made 'the face'. A chill went down Garfield's spine. If there was anything that could prove Mark was his son, that was it.
"It's bedtime, Mark. I'll leave a nightlight on … I'm sure Starfire bought one for you."
Beast Boy was right; a nightlight was already plugged into the wall. He turned it on and a golden faced bear began to glow.
"See, you won't be alone … Pooh Bear is here." He kissed him again. "Good night, Mark, sweet dreams."
Gar found a plush Pooh Bear, no doubt another of the princess's purchases and handed it to his son, who immediately latched onto it. He tiptoed out of the room back into his own. Coraline was asleep in her crib and Raven was sitting in their bed, reading an ancient looking book.
"Some light bedtime reading, huh? What is it?"
"An ancient Sumerian book."
"I thought those guys used scrolls and tablets."
"They did, this was transcribed during the middle ages."
"Hey." He wagged his eyebrows at her. "How about you put that book down and we have some quality time?"
"You know that you aren't allowed to have sex for a week, not until you finish healing."
"So we don't have intercourse. We can be creative."
"Have I ever told you that you're a pest?"
"I wish I had a dollar for every time you did." He wagged his eyebrows again.
Raven pursed her lips. "Define creative."
"You know … foreplay."
"Without any sex afterwards … riiiight." She droned in her monotone.
"Aw c'mon … don't make me beg."
"You already are begging … fine … I just hope we don't regret this."
Raven reached for the bottom of her Nightgown and was about to pull it over her head when she saw a green face peek over the foot of the bed.
"We have company." She announced.
Mark quickly climbed onto the bed, still clutching his plush Pooh Bear.
"Why aren't you in your bed?" His father asked him in a stern voice.
"It was scary. I want to sleep with you."
"Mark, I left the night light on, there's nothing to be …"
The toddler crawled and wedged himself between them.
"Mark!"
Still ignoring his father he snuggled up to Raven. She wrapped her arms around the boy. "You can stay with us tonight."
Gar made a face at her. "What? No fair."
She playfully stuck her tongue out at him. "When you finish healing, I'll rock your world, but tonight he's mine."
Within minutes Mark fell asleep in Raven's arms.
"He even snores like you." She smiled as she caressed his green head.
Gar smiled at the scene before him, his lustful thoughts forgotten.
"He really likes you, Rave."
She kissed Mark's forehead. "I can't explain it, Gar, but when I hold him, he feels like he's actually my boy."
He nodded. "He looks like he's yours."
"I wish … I still can't believe that sociopathic bitch Alexa gave birth to this precious child. It almost seems like a contradiction."
Gar sat up in the bed.
"Rave … what if we don't rescue Alexa?" He asked.
"Gar, as much as I hate that woman, we can't abandon her like that."
"I know … but I can fantasize."
Raven leaned over and turned off the lamp on her nightstand.
"Good night, Gar."
He leaned over and kissed her. "Night, Rave … I'm holding you to that promise."
"You know that I always keep my promises … it will be worth waiting for, I promise to blow your mind. You won't be able to walk for a day."
"I love it when you talk dirty."
"Gar?"
"Yes, Rave?"
"Shut up."
"Yes, ma'am." He replied with a grin.
-( - )-
"Man, I still miss this town."
Cyborg and Nightwing were in their respective compartments in the refurbished T-Ship. They were flying over the outer suburbs of Metropolis and the downtown area was looming ahead, with Luthor's skyscraper standing over the others, like a phallic symbol.
"This is Superman's town, though Luthor obviously doesn't agree, judging by his headquarters." Grayson remarked offhandedly through his headset. "He isn't thrilled about us coming to see Luthor again."
"What? Did Supes say anything to you?"
"Nope, but Batman did."
"What did Bats say?"
"That I should know better than to fraternize with people like Luthor, that it could tarnish our reputation."
"Since when does he care about our reputation?"
Nightwing shrugged in reply. A brief silence followed as the T-Ship approached Luthor's building.
"Hey Nightwing?"
"Yeah?"
"I know you can't tell me who you really are, even though Raven and the Grass Stain know. But tell me, what kind of relationship do you have with Bats? Is he your dad or something … I mean the dude is always butting his nose into our business and always tells you what to do."
"Haven't you noticed that I usually ignore him?"
"Except when you don't. So is he your dad?"
Grayson pursed his lips. "No, not exactly."
Victor arced his human eyebrow. "What's that supposed to mean?" He asked as landed the T-Ship on the building's helipad. The ever present Mercy, with her hard as flint face, was waiting for them.
"Nothing … let's get going. I want to see Luthor."
-( - )-
"So, you gentlemen have something you wish to speak with me about, something so important that it couldn't be done over the phone … so, what is it?"
Nightwing and Cyborg paced around Luthor's office, having refused to sit down.
"Slade has released the boy into our custody." The masked Titan blurted.
"I see, let me guess, Dr. Pontone is still his hostage, right?"
"Correct … the question is why? Normally the boy would have been a much more valuable hostage, since we care more about him than Alexa. She obviously has something Slade wants."
The bald magnate remained silent.
"What does she know that's so valuable? What is she withholding from Slade?"
"I can't tell you."
"What do you mean you can't tell me?"
Luthor drummed his fingers on his desk.
"Because you're a vigilante."
"You aren't making any sense."
"You don't have a security clearance of any kind, do you, Nightwing?"
"What? Of course not, I would have to reveal my identity to get one."
"Precisely. Dr. Pontone stole information which if it falls into the wrong hands could pose a threat to national security. I'm afraid that I can't share this with you."
Nightwing grunted his displeasure.
"Listen … Luthor … we've recovered the boy, so our business with Slade is done. So unless you tell us why Alexa is so important to Slade, we're walking."
"You mean you would abandon Dr. Pontone to Slade?"
"Yes … we will."
Luthor grinned. "You're bluffing."
"I know what you're thinking, that I've always been infatuated with Slade, but I'm not a kid anymore Luthor. And I know that recovering Alexa is more important to you than it is to us. So if you want my help you need to tell me what Slade wants Alexa."
"I don't believe you, Titan."
Cyborg walked to the door. "Let's go, man, this ain't our problem."
"Yeah." Grayson replied as he began to walk away.
Luthor didn't budge until they reached the door.
"Very well, you win … but you didn't hear it from me."
He gestured for them to sit, and this time they accepted his invitation. Luthor leaned forward, his hands in a prayer like gesture.
"You remember when 'The Joining' invaded the Earth?"
"How could I forget? Batman, Batgirl and I were barely able to stop them."
"That is correct; it was a close call … too close, Earth was almost lost. Anyway ... that isn't going to happen again, not if I can help it. LuthCorp was commissioned by the UN and the US government to design weapons to counter any future alien invasion."
"I've never heard of this before." Cyborg interjected.
"Like I said, it's top secret."
"And Alexa stole the blueprints for these new weapons." Nightwing added. "And she hasn't given them to Slade, at least not yet. Right?"
"That much is obvious, Nightwing. So … now that I've told you more than I should have, can I count on you recover Dr. Pontone before, in a moment of weakness, she hands the designs over to Slade?"
Nightwing sighed. "OK, we're on board."
"Excellent. If you require any resources just contact Mercy … money is not a problem for obvious reasons. Now if you'll excuse me I'm supposed to deliver a report to the Joint Chiefs of Staff."
Mercy suddenly appeared and led the two Titans back to their ship. They walked in silence until they reached the helipad, where the T-Ship was parked.
"If you need anything, contact me." She reminded them as the climbed into their signature jet.
"I'll remember that." Grayson replied.
The T-Ship took off and was soon at cruising altitude. Cyborg turned on the intercom and addressed his teammate. "I don't know which is worse, Luthor having super weapons or Slade having them."
"Slade is worse."
"Luthor was right, you were bluffing. He had to know that."
"I'm sure he did know … he probably also knew that if we dug deep enough we would have found out anyway … I think he just wants us skip all that and get to rescuing Alexa."
"Uh … speaking of that … how are we going to find her? I mean Slade has really covered his tracks this time."
"I'm working on it, Cy, I'm working on it."
-( - )-
A shorter chapter, but I didn't make you wait long this time.
And now the mailbag!
Me – Thanks!
JOHNXgambit – Absolutely, Grayson has grown up.
Sweetums14- And Raven looks like she's ready to adopt him.
7SheWolfShaman7 – I'm certain you're going to love the Omnibus. It will take getting used to them looking different than in the show.
BartWLewis – Now we know why Slade is hanging onto Alexa. Also, in the comics, Slade doesn't have a secret identity.
Just a Thinker – For some reason The One Eyed Bandit is my least popular story.
Guest – Thank you.
Toto Yoshio – BB is a confident guy. You'd have to be self confident to be married to someone as powerful as Raven.
krostovikraven1 – I guess NW will be left wondering. Maybe Raven can draw a picture.
Randamwriter – Ouch indeed.
Anoymous136 – They do have a lot in common.
The Cretin – Raven has no lost love for Alexa.
JasonVUK – And you will get more.
Soulsurfer2112 – They surely are tempted to ditch her.
gabylokita41 – Thanks!
Hairul The Nightrage Beast – Maybe more than 7.
Dragonkyng – I'm sure it crossed her mind. There is a reason why NW handled the exchange.
Bluedog197 – Slade has always underestimated BB.
Ravenandthefire – They can't, because they're Titans.
Notabotipromise – Closure is coming. Slade's back story is in the New Teen Titans Omnibus Vol 2
SuperNolon - Indeed he always is.
bigC94 – BB is SUPER lucky he married Raven and not Terra.
Iskandar06 – Thanks!
DeeThom – Other than Mark being safe with the Logans, everything else is in a tailspin.
Shadico – It had to be a tough choice for Slade. I hope you like the "Markness" in this chapter.
mlbv-grimm – You know it did.
titanfan45 – You never know, those chats can sink in when you least expect it.