"Yes, you heard me correctly, this will be an exclusive party … yes, I understand that it won't be cheap … so can you tell me how much? … Yes, I really am Raven from the Titans … you'll get back to me? … When? … Ok, tomorrow is fine, but no later. I'll be expecting a quote … right, expect 126 guests … yes, open bar and the food had better be to die for … good. And don't gouge me, you'll be getting plenty of free PR, OK? … Good, I'll be expecting your call tomorrow, thanks … goodbye."
Raven ended the call on her mobile phone and put it down. Coraline was napping in her crib, while Mark was on the floor, lying on his stomach and propped up on his elbows while he looked at a picture book. As soon as Raven finished her phone call he sat up and smiled at her.
"Mommy … can I have my own Game Station? I want to be just like daddy."
"You're too young to have a Game Station."
The little boy did a remarkable imitation of "The Face". He was definitely his father's son.
"I'm sorry, Mark. That might work with your Aunt Starfire, but it won't work with me."
The boy was unable to conceal the disappointment on his face … or was that also an act? He most definitely was his father's son. Raven spread her arms, inviting her son to approach her.
"Come here."
The boy became airborne and glided up to his mother. They hugged each other and she kissed him on his forehead.
"Mark, you've just discovered your new powers, the ones you inherited from me."
"I like to fly."
"But you could fly before."
"Flapping my wings is hard. Now I don't have to."
Raven nodded. "Mark, your new powers are very special. They're easy to use, but they can also be hard to control. If you aren't careful you could hurt yourself, or someone else. You don't want that to happen, do you?"
He vigorously shook his head.
"When I was a little girl your age I also discovered my powers. I had a teacher, her name was Azar. She taught me how to control my mind, which helps me control my powers. If she hadn't taught me my powers would be very dangerous."
"Is Azar gonna be my teacher too?"
"I'm afraid not sweetie, and that's too bad, because she was a great teacher, and I miss her. But I know another teacher for you; do you know who it is?"
He shook his head again. Raven smiled.
"It's me. I'm going to be your teacher … and our first lesson starts now."
He smiled his winning grin at her.
"Now pay attention, first we float in the air."
Mother and son slowly lifted off from the floor, gently rising in the air.
"Now, I want you to cross your legs, just like I do."
The boy was a quick study and his legs were soon crossed.
"Very good. Now I want you to put your hands on your knees." The boy wasn't ready to attempt a proper lotus position … that would come layer.
"Very good, Mark, now close your eyes."
The child complied.
"Now I want you to listen to your heart. You will need to be very quiet to hear it. "
He closed his eyes and the room fell silent.
"Can you hear it?"
He nodded.
"Good, all I want you to do now is listen to it. I'm going to do the same. Try not to move, but don't fall asleep either … I'll tell you when to stop."
Mother and son, with very solemn expressions on their faces, floated in the air. Every once in a while he would fidget, and Raven would use her empathic powers to soak up his restlessness and help him calm down and remain still and silent.
After several minutes the door to the suite slid open and Beast Boy entered their apartment. He smiled when he saw them meditating together and remained as quiet as a church mouse. Mark opened his eyes and smiled at his father. Garfield smiled back, and then raised his index finger to his lips. Mark closed his eyes and resumed his simple meditation. The green titan quietly turned to leave and Raven cleared her throat.
"It's OK, Gar, we're done." She droned in her monotone as she unfolded her legs and floated back down to the floor.
"He's already learning to meditate? I'm impressed."
"Not really, it's more of a pre meditative exercise. He won't be able to truly meditate until he's much older."
"Still, not bad … a chip off the old gray block, I'd say."
"Time will tell what the full extent of his powers will be … but for now there is something I want for both of them, more than powers … I want them to have a normal childhood … or at least one that is as normal as possible. I don't want them to see themselves a smaller versions of Beast Boy or Raven the Titan."
"That's not going to be easy." He replied.
"I know, but that doesn't mean we can't try."
He nodded his agreement. "You know you have my full support on that … so … changing the subject … rumor has it that you're planning a big shin dig for Bumblebee."
"I am … it's going to be expensive, Gar, I hope you don't mind if I spend a lot of money on it."
"How much is 'a lot'?"
"I'm estimating about $80,000."
He whistled. "That is a lot of dough … but it's your money."
"Gar, we've been over this before … it's not my money, it's our money."
"I know, I know … it's cool … it's not like we spend this kind of money all the time … so … what are you doing?"
She smiled one of her tiny smiles. "I can't tell you … just like you can't tell me what you're doing for Victor."
Before he could reply, Nightwing's voice was heard over the PA system.
"Senior Titans, please come to the conference room immediately."
Gar arched an eyebrow. "I wonder what that's about."
-( - )-
The Logans entered the conference room and took their seats. Cyborg, Bumblebee, Starfire and Jinx were already seated, while Wally and Nightwing were pacing in front of a whiteboard, both looking impatient.
"Good, we're all here. There are some issues we need to discuss." Grayson began. "The first one has to do with the five trainees. Their performance during Slade's attack against the Tower was exemplary."
"They performed above and beyond our expectations." Wally continued. "Jinx and I have been reviewing their response during the attack. As a group they showed maturity, initiative and ingenuity."
"What are you trying to say?" Raven asked.
"We think that it's time for them to graduate and become the New Teen Titans." Jinx replied. "We want to turn the Tower over to them by the end of the month, which of course means that we all need to move out by then, twenty five days from today. The deal was that Wally and I are the oneswho decide when they're ready. However, before making it official, we wanted to consult with all of you … so … what do you think?"
Cyborg was the first to reply. "I agree … the five of us weren't that mature or prepared when we first moved in here, and we did fine … so … two thumbs up."
"I'm with Sparky. Not only do these kids know how to fight, they made great decisions during the attack. They kept the robots away from the Tower's most sensitive areas. I've compared their actions with yours when Slade invaded years ago … I hate to say this, but the kids were better than you guys were back then."
"I agree with Bumblebee." Starfire concurred.
Raven sat silently, staring stoically into infinity.
"So, Raven, what do you think?"
The sorceress frowned. "I agree that they work extremely well as a team. My concern is how will they behave between missions?"
Jinx rolled her eyes. "Raven … by the time we were their age … we were all doing it."
Raven glared at the pink haired hextress. "Not everyone."
"OK, so you and Beast Boy are a couple of prudes."
"We are not prudes."
"Yes … you are … now stop worrying about it, OK? They'll do fine … Garfield … what do you think?"
"I think that it's kind of ironic that a half demon and a half beast were able to keep their hormones in check, while the rest of you make excuses …"
Jinx slapped her head and moaned. "Not you too."
"That said, I think it's time to turn the Tower over to them. Just like we did, they'll make their own mistakes … but they've earned that right … they're the Teen Titans now." The changeling finished speaking.
Jinx glanced at Raven. "So … do you still object?"
Raven crossed her arms. "Fine, but if anyone gets pregnant …"
"You can tell us 'I told you so' … OK that's settled."
Nightwing steeped forward. "Now we need to discuss the next order of business … what to do with Rose Wilson?"
"I don't trust her!" Raven snapped.
"Raven … if it wasn't for Rose, Gar wouldn't have been able to get you to the infirmary on time … you would have died." Starfire reminded her.
The sorceress scowled. "Terra saved my hide more than once … and then she betrayed us to Slade."
"So you object to Rose joining the team in Steele City?" Bumblebee asked.
"Vehemently." Raven hissed.
"We think she deserves a chance." Cyborg remarked.
"But she needs to be ... broken in … before joining Titans East." Karen added.
"So … who's crazy enough to take Slade Girl in and teach her to play nice?" Raven asked.
"We are." Kole announced as she and Jericho entered the room, hand in hand. "And please don't call her that … you guys never called Joey Slade Boy, did you?"
"Jericho was never a psychotic under Slade's control." Raven interjected.
"That … isn't exactly true." Kole rebuked the demoness. Jericho began to sign and Kole translated. "I was, very briefly, my father's apprentice until I too escaped. I will take responsibility for my sister; I believe that someday soon she will be ready to become a Titan."
"Are there any objections?" Nightwing asked.
There were none. Nightwing pressed an intercom button. "Cassie, please escort Rose to the conference room."
Within less than a minute the door slid open and Rose, who looked both concerned and curious, entered the conference room. She looked around and immediately noticed Jericho's presence.
"Joey? Is that you?"
The mute Titan smiled and opened his arms wide. Rose ran to him and they hugged. Once they released each other he began to sign at an overly enthusiastic pace.
"I'm sorry, Joey, I don't know how to sign."
Kole smiled. "You'll get a chance to learn, Rose, because you're coming to live with us, that is, if that's what you'd like to do."
Rose's face broke out into a huge grin. "Really? I can come live with you guys?"
Kole was carrying a canvas bag, which was slung from her shoulder. Joey signed at her and she pulled out a small white board and a marker from her bag and gave it to her husband.
"We haven't been introduced, I'm Kole … Kole Wilson … I'm your sister in law, I married Joey four years ago."
Jericho began to scribble on the white board. He showed it to Rose.
"I'm so happy to finally meet you."
Rose wrapped an arm around Kole and pulled her close. "Dad never told me that you got married."
More scribbling. "Dad doesn't tell us a lot of things."
Rose released Kole and began to have an animated discussion with her long lost brother. Kole felt a hand on her elbow gently pull her away.
"Oh … hi Raven."
"That was very generous of you to agree to take Rose into your home."
"Maybe … I know it means a lot to Joey."
"Are you still feeling guilty?"
Kole remembered her confession during the truth or dare session during Raven's bachelorette party.
"I was … so I finally told him."
"How did it go?" Raven asked.
"Not so good."
"Don't tell me he got angry."
Kole shook her head. "No, he understood that it was before we became a couple … but …"
"But what?"
"He … withdrew … I don't mean that he gave me the cold shoulder or anything. But I could tell that it bothered him … I was his first and only partner."
"So you agreed to taking Rose in out of guilt?"
She shook her head. "No … I did it because I love him. I knew how much it would mean to him."
Raven moaned as she face palmed. "Why are men such idiots?"
"Raven … please … don't be angry with him."
"I'm not … but I think a heart to heart is in order."
"Raven … please, you don't have to … everything is OK … really."
"I just want to talk with him about Rose … I don't trust her."
Kole gave Raven a reluctant smile. "OK."
Raven walked up to Jericho and tapped him on the shoulder. "We need to talk."
Before he could reply they both sank into the floor. The next thing he knew they were standing in a meadow. He looked around with a puzzled look on his face. He then signed a question to Raven.
"You can talk here. No need to sign."
Jericho opened his mouth. To his astonishment he heard his own voice say: "I can't talk; my vocal chords …"
He stopped, clearly astonished at what he had just heard. "This is impossible." He looked around. "Where are we?"
"We're in my mind … I call this place Nevermore. I brought you here because I want to talk with you about Rose … and your wife."
"Raven … I know what you're thinking … Rose is potentially dangerous, it's true, but we can handle her."
"Do you really think she can be reformed?"
"I know she can."
"You're lucky that Kole is on board with this."
He nodded. "I know … she's great … I don't deserve her."
"Then why are you treating her like a dirty dish rag?"
Jericho's eyes popped open wide. "You mean you know?"
"I've known for a long time. Do you have any idea of how guilty she was feeling? And she had no reason to feel guilty … she didn't cheat on you; it was before your time. That's how devoted she is to you."
"Yes, I know."
"Do you even have an inkling of how hard it was for her to come clean and tell you the truth?"
"Yes, I do."
Raven drew close and poked him repeatedly in the chest with her index finger.
"Kole is the best damn thing that ever happened to you! She isn't damaged goods."
"I never said that she was."
"That's not what I heard."
Jericho drew back. "Ok … it's true … I was caught off guard. It was a big surprise, and not a pleasant one."
Raven sighed.
"Joey … trust me, you need to get over this … I know this to be true from personal experience."
His eyes opened wide in surprise. "You mean … I thought … I heard that Beast Boy was your first."
She glared at him. "Not me, you idiot!"
"Oh … of course … I'm sorry … I …"
"Forget it … look, Gar had a … a friend before we became a couple … and had a one night stand with her. Joey … I understand how you feel, because I've been there. And for me it was worse. I met the bitch, and she was damn gorgeous. She made me feel so insecure … but you know what I did? I chose to trust Gar. And yes, it's a choice. You won't just wake up one morning and find that the sense of insecurity is suddenly gone. It will never be gone, which is why you have to choose to trust … and let me tell you something … if there is anyone you can trust … it's Kole."
"I know, Raven, I know I can trust her… it's just that sometimes it drives me nuts, not knowing who this guy was."
"You don't want to know, so forget about it. The only thing that matters is that she loves you so much that she told you the truth. A real bitch would have buried it, but she respects you too much to do that. The only reason it took so long for her to tell you was because she knew you'd be hurt. So stop being such a baby … dammit Joey … you won, she's yours and not … his. I was at your wedding. She promised to forsake all others and she meant it."
Jericho smiled.
"Beast Boy once told me that there was no point in arguing with you … because you're always right."
"Well … I am right about this … so just forget about it, OK? You're made for each other. Even Gnarrk, who's always been super protective of her, allowed you to date her."
He frowned. "Wait a minute; it wasn't Gnarrk, was it?"
Raven gave him a four eyed glare. The young man flinched.
"Don't. Be. An. Idiot."
"Sorry, that was dumb."
"Joey, I don't know who it was, and I don't want to know, but I know that it wasn't Gnarrk. And you shouldn't want to know either. Nothing good will come from having that knowledge, so let it go and thank whatever God you worship that she married you … OK?"
"Yeah … thanks Raven."
"So, are you done being stupid?"
"Yes, I am." He smiled sheepishly.
She leaned forward and pecked him on the cheek. "Good … let's go home. I'm sure that by now Kole is worried sick that I killed you."
-( - )-
Saturday morning …
Garfield was humming happily to himself while he shaved.
"Are you done yet? I need to use the bathroom." A familiar monotone called out.
He shut off the shaver and placed it in its recharging and cleaning cradle.
"It's all yours, babe. Sorry I beat you to it, but we're leaving in half an hour, so I had to get ready early. I'm sure that all the guys are already here."
"Why do you need to leave so early? Karen's party isn't until tonight."
"We aren't having a party."
"So what are you doing?" She asked. "Why is this so hush, hush?"
"I'll tell you; if you tell me what you told Jericho when you whisked him away. After you guys came back he looked like you took him to Hell or someplace like that."
"I can't tell you without revealing someone else's secret." She replied. "Let's just say that it was very important."
"Some people are saying that the two of you snuck away for some action." He snickered.
"Who said that?" She thundered. "How dare they!?"
He laughed even louder. "Rave, relax, they were just kidding."
"Who was 'they'?" She demanded.
"I'm not telling you."
"It was one of the brats, I'll bet."
"Rave, let it go."
She sighed. "Why does it bother me so much when people think I'm not faithful to you?"
"No one said you were unfaithful, will you just chill?"
She moaned her displeasure.
"Hey, I'll toss you a bone … we're taking Chrome Dome to Tokyo."
"Tokyo? Don't tell me you're taking him to dinner at that sushi place in the documentary."
"I tried that, but the place was already booked solid, plus the chef won't take non Japanese customers. We're doing something else."
"How are you getting there?"
"Justice League teleportation. The Martian Manhunter owes me a favor."
"Won't it be the middle of the night there?"
"That shouldn't be a problem. This is a round the clock event."
"Event?"
He grinned. "Sorry, Rave, I already told you too much. So, who's watching the kids tonight?"
"Melvin's coming over."
The changeling finished dressing. He was wearing slacks, a turtle neck and a sport coat. He admired the finished product in a mirror. "Not bad, if I say so myself."
"I'd better not see you cavorting around with any Japanese fan girls." She warned him in a clearly dangerous voice.
"We're not going to karaoke, so no fan girls."
"So you're really not going to tell me what you're doing?"
"No can do, babe, sorry." He gave her a quick kiss. "I'll be back tomorrow."
"Tomorrow? Gar, what are you guys doing?"
He grinned. "You're cute when you're curious … bye!"
-( - )-
Next chapter is dedicated to the parties. I still haven't decided on a name for the Grayson boy!
Thanks again to everyone who has been following this story. I still can't believe the number of reviews.
I'm going to skip the mailbag so I can post this right away!