"Mark! Settle down and watch the TV!" Raven winced as soon as the words came out of her mouth. Instructing her son to watch TV … on purpose? That was inconceivable! Nevertheless, the green lad obeyed her and settled down in the living room in the upstairs apartment and refocused his attention on the TV. Raven's old home above Azarathia felt absolutely spacious when she lived there alone. But now she had a husband and two children to share it with and she was suddenly feeling claustrophobic. The stack of cardboard boxes around her only served to reminds her that "things change" as Terra once told her husband.
Azar! Had they ever changed!
A dark portal was open, floating in the air. Suddenly a foot poked out through the black hole, followed by the leg to which it was attached. Beast Boy, loaded down with three cardboard boxes, emerged from the portal and tripped as he stepped into the room. The top most box he was carrying went flying and making a quick hand gesture Raven deftly caught it with her dark energy. She frowned at her mate and his careless clumsiness.
"Oops!" Her spouse sheepishly grinned. "Uhh … that's all the boxes, we're done."
Raven took in the scene around her. There were about thirty boxes, full of their personal items, stacked in the small family room.
"How and when did we collect all this junk?" She moaned. "We were gone for only a few months."
"Half of it are toys and books for Mark and Coraline, courtesy of Starfire. You also bought Mark clothes … by the way, you have good taste, Rave, I should let you pick clothes for me too. Then there's the China set Cyborg gave us as a belated wedding present, that takes up a few boxes and …"
"Never mind, Gar, it was a rhetorical question." She cut him off as she opened the box she caught mid air. It was full of the super expensive dishes Cyborg gave them. Gar rubbed the back of his neck.
"Good thing you caught that." He laughed nervously. "Chrome Dome would have been pissed."
Raven smirked. "I would have bought replacements … he would have never known."
Raven began to unpack the box and stopped to admire the plate she pulled out. "Top of the line Wedgewood, Victor went all out … look at me … admiring the China like I was …" She murmured a bit loudly.
She paused.
"Like if you were an ordinary woman?"
"A well to do ordinary woman … I saw this set at a department store with Starfire … she must have told Victor that it caught my eye."
He picked up another plate and inspected it. "It's pretty … but it's just a plate."
"That pattern costs $300 a setting … he gave us 12 settings … that was very generous of him." She droned in her old school monotone before being interrupted by the doorbell.
"Sounds like they're here. I can get the door." He remarked as he put the plate back into the box.
"It's OK, I'll get it. You just keep our little green trickster out of trouble." She replied as she headed for the stairs, gliding down to the front door, which she opened after verifying, using her empathic abilities, that their expected guests were on the other side of the door.
"Raven! It's so good to see you!" Tina Felty beamed happily before giving Raven a quick hug.
"It's good to see you too … the last time I saw you, you were frozen in a cryonics tube." She replied as they released each other.
"Well, like always, Garfield saved the day."
A small smile appeared on the sorceress's face. "Well, he is a Titan after all." Raven turned to the brunette that was standing next to Tina. Raven stifled a frown. Did all of Garfield's old, chummy classmates have to be such gorgeous knockouts?
Whatever happened to the stereotype of the short, mousy, intellectual girl?
Oh … wait … that's me.
Raven extended her hand to the brunette. "You must be Janey."
The women shook hands and Janey broke out into a grin. "Gar talked so much about you back at CSU, it's a real treat to finally meet the girl Gar was so in love with. It's like I already know you."
"It's nice to finally meet you too, Janey. I only wish we could have met under happier circumstances, please, come in."
Janey's face fell. "Yes, the funeral."
Raven led them inside and they followed her up the stairs, Gar was just returning from dropping of a box of toys in Mark's room. Starfire had been under orders from Raven as to what kinds of toys were appropriate. There were of course wooden Brio trains, building blocks, jigsaw puzzles, books and other high brow toys. The changeling smiled when he saw a box that stood out from the crowd. It was a set of "Rock 'em, Sock 'em" robots. His eyes lit up, anticipating the matches he would play with Mark. He made a mental note to thank the princess later as he returned to the family room, but not before hiding the forbidden toy in the closet. Raven didn't have to know everything.
Janey and Tina exchanged hugs with Gar. Tina gave Gar an especially affectionate hug and turned towards Raven when they released each other. "If you ever change your mind about Gar, I'd be more than happy to take him off your hands." She winked at Raven.
"You might as well wish for a unicorn while you're at it." Raven smirked at her before gesturing to them to have a seat in the cozy living room. They took their seats and Raven offered them some tea. They both politely declined. Janey's demeanor quickly changed.
"I can't believe Alexa's really dead." She sniffled. "Why did this Slade guy want to kill her?"
Gar began to fidget with his fingers before he made eye contact with his wife. Raven knew what he was asking her and she subtly nodded before addressing their guests.
"The full details of Alexa's involvement with Slade were never disclosed to the public. Since we couldn't locate any living relatives of hers and you are the only ones who stepped forward to claim her body for the funeral … you have a right to know the truth. And the truth is that Alexa was in league with Slade and she later betrayed him, which proved to be a fatal mistake for her."
Tina's eyes boggled. "Raven … you can't be serious. Alexa was working for a super villain?"
"I'm sorry to say that is the truth. She stole secrets from Lex Luthor and sold them to Slade, for a huge sum of money. But she withheld a decryption key from him, so he couldn't access the secrets. She apparently had a change of heart and sought protection with us, since both Slade and Luthor were after her … the rest you already know about."
Janey nodded. "The Slade-bots threw her to her death." She repeated the lie Nightwing told the police.
As she spoke, a melancholic look appeared on Gar's face.
"Gar, what's wrong?" Tina asked.
The green Titan didn't answer. Raven spoke up for him. "Gar blames himself for her death."
"I could have saved her." He murmured. "If only I had been more decisive."
"Gar … don't say that, I'm sure you did everything you could." Tina interjected.
"No … I didn't … I made a bad choice, and because of that … Alexa is dead." He omitted mentioning how he became the Beast and lost all control, and that in his fury he almost lost Raven as well.
Raven pursed her lips, not knowing just how far her husband's confession would go. To her immense relief, he fell quiet.
"We all make mistakes." Janey remarked softly. "Gar, we know you cared about her. We all did. Sure, Alexa wasn't a perfect person, but she was our friend and deep down she was a good person."
The changeling felt a lump form in his throat. He couldn't tell them that Alexa almost succeeded in murdering Raven and that she was insane. He wanted them to remember her as their old classmate, not as the murderous psychotic she really was. It was said that funerals were for the benefit of the survivors and not for the deceased … telling them the truth about Alexa would serve no purpose other than to make them grieve even more. This white lie, a great big fat white lie, was more than justified. All he could give them was this illusion, it was the least he could do for his two friends.
He slowly nodded. "I'm glad you guys came … doing this alone, it would have been really hard."
Janey was carrying a briefcase. She opened it and pulled out some 8 by 10 photos, which she handed to Raven. She looked at the first picture which was of the "four musketeers" as Tina dubbed what began as an informal study group in their Freshmen semester. The shot was taken in the winter, in front of the Life Sciences building. The four of them were standing in the snow, and wearing winter coats. Raven zeroed in on Alexa who had a pleasant look on her face that she had never seen before. The blonde was standing next to Gar and had her arm draped around his neck. Janey was on the other side, laughing as she made bunny ears behind Gar's head, while Tina shared in her laugh.
Raven sighed as she looked at the picture. It was a time in his life she knew so little about. He had gone away and made new friends … sexy, shapely friends and lived a new and entirely separate life from the Titans, something she failed at miserably during her own college years. She still couldn't believe that he had been that devoted to her during those lost years, gently rejecting the amorous advances from these beauty queens … until Alexa finally got him drunk and in her bed.
The next was a solo shot of Alexa's head. It was also taken during her freshman year, by Janey, who was an amateur shutterbug. Alexa looked uncharacteristically soft in that picture, almost … nice. Raven wondered what had happened to her, what had transformed Alexa, taking a pleasant if promiscuous coed and turning her into a sociopathic monster.
"This is a nice picture." Raven remarked in her monotone. "The funeral is closed casket; there wasn't much the morticians could do with her head … I saw it, believe me, you don't want to see her body ... anyway, I'll frame this one and we'll display it during the funeral."
Janey covered her face with her hands and began to cry.
"Why did she do it? Why did she work with Slade? Was it just for the money?" Tina asked.
Raven pursed her lips before replying. "I suppose we'll never know." She lied.
-( - )-
Later that evening …
The funeral had been the way most funerals were, which is to say somber, depressing and mournful. Janey had told Gar that Alexa mentioned being raised Protestant, though she never went into any detail, so they recruited a Methodist minister to perform the funeral. Tina gave a long and emotional eulogy. After the funeral a long wake was help in the now fully repaired Tower, and it didn't end until later than expected.
Garfield carried a sleeping Mark and gently deposited him in his small bed, which had a custom made frame that made it look like the T-Car, a gift from his uncle Cyborg. After removing Mark's tiny shoes he gently covered his son with a blanket.
"Pleasant dreams, slugger."
Raven was doing the same with Coraline and when they were done the Chromatically Challenged Couple™ slowly backed out of the room, softly closing the door as they exited. The changeling loosened his tie and removed it, after which he removed his black suit coat, draping it over a chair.
"Funerals are depressing." He remarked out of the blue as Raven quickly changed into a flannel nightgown.
"It was nice of the Teen Titans to host the wake." She replied.
Gar stared wistfully out the bedroom window. The Tower was brightly lit, like a giant Christmas tree.
"It was, especially since they know she actually was a lunatic … the Teen Titans … that's not us anymore."
"We're just the Logans now, owners of an antiquities shop and a veterinary practice." She replied as she got into bed. He stripped down to his boxers and joined her, lying on his back. She snuggled up to him, resting her head on his shoulder and draping an arm over his chest.
"Gar?"
"Yeah?"
"You had some very pretty friends at school, close friends … I know that both Janey and Tina would have liked to be more than just friends with you … but you weren't interested … why?"
Gar didn't respond, at least not immediately. Instead he delicately traced the edge of her ear with his index finger.
"Do you even have to ask?"
"Yes … I do … Gar, I know I'm not a great catch …"
"Why do keep saying that?"
"Because it's true. Come on, Gar … I have a short temper, I'm not affectionate, I hold grudges and … I'm not … attractive."
"What? Rave, not one thing you just said is true."
"Gar … your friends … they're amazing … they're cute, smart, affectionate … they were crazy about you … Azar, they still are … Gar … why did you settle for me? You could have done … better … a lot better."
"Now you're being an idiot … last time I checked that was my job." He snorted.
"I'm not joking."
"Neither am I, Rave. I had some cute friends in college … but that's all they were … friends. I did date some other girls, but you already know that nothing came from that, and you want to know why? Because they were nothing like you. I know you don't believe it, but you're cuter, smarter, prettier and hotter than any of them. But there's more … you're also strong, courageous and brave. And I've never met anyone with stronger convictions or morals than you."
"I'm creepy."
"You're mysterious." He corrected her. "But you forgot the most important thing of all."
"I did?"
"Yes, you did. I've always been in love with you; I never was in love with anyone else."
Her expression softened. "Why do I always doubt that?"
"You really don't believe that I love you?"
"No, I know that you do. I just … sometimes don't feel worthy of it."
He surprised her with a glare. "Sometimes … you just …"
"Piss you off?"
"Yeah … you do … could you stop hating yourself? You're not in competition with anyone. I chose you … not because I settled for you … but because you're the best … Raven, you're the only one I could entrust my heart to. You're the mother of our children. You. Are. The. One."
A small smile made a brief appearance on her face. "OK." She purred as curled up even closer to him. "I love you too… goodnight."
A seductive smile appeared on his face.
"Goodnight? I don't think so." He replied in a husky voice. "The night is still young and I'm in bed with a beautiful, sexy woman … sleep is not on the agenda."
She raised her head from his shoulder and they shared a smoldering kiss. She then removed her nightgown and tossed it aside. For the rest of that night she had no more thoughts of Gar's old friends.
-( - )-
Two months later …
The orange T-Ship calmly cruised over what some Americans derisively called "Flyover Country". Robin was at the helm. His passengers included his teammate Speedy and the entire Logan family. Wondergirl and Superboy flew alongside the jet while Bart was running somewhere below; all having given up their spots on the ship to the Logans.
The day had arrived; Victor Stone and Karen Beecher were finally going to tie the knot.
Years before, when she learned about Karen's unfaithfulness, Raven experienced the same anger and indignation that the rest of the extended Titans family felt. But she was one of the first to forgive Bumblebee and recognize that the winged Titan was truly remorseful and repentant of her cheat. And she was among the first to congratulate the couple when they reconciled after being apart for so many years and she firmly believed that Karen had changed and that Victor wasn't making a terrible mistake. She also felt great admiration for her "big brother". Most men would be unable to forgive that great of a trespass, but not only had he done so, he left it in the past. She knew that he didn't harbor any grudges nor would he ever bring up the incident to use as a weapon in a squabble with his wife. Karen was a lucky woman, and she knew it. Raven harbored no doubts that theirs would be a successful marriage.
Soon enough the T-Ship began its descent to Steele City, whose skyline, including the ubiquitous T shaped tower were becoming visible on the horizon.
-( - )-
The changeling and the tin man were standing together on the Tower's roof, gazing at the horizon.
"It ain't Jump City." Cyborg spoke first.
"Do you miss it?"
"Sometimes, when things are slow. How about you and Raven, do you guys miss being Titans?"
"There are days when I see the Tower and I miss it. I know Rave does too. But that's over for us. The noobies have been doing great. It won't be long before they city doesn't even remember that Rave and I were Titans."
"Any sign of Slade?"
The changeling shook his head. "Not that I know of, but we both know he'll be back … so, Tin Man, how are you doing?"
"Oh … you know …"
"Scared?"
"Hell yeah … so tell me, B …"
"I was terrified."
"Really? I mean, you looked really happy that day."
"I was, but I was also scared. It's a big step … you know … forsake all others, until death do you part, in sickness and in health, for better and for worse … those are big promises, a lot of people make those promises on their wedding days, with every intention of keeping them … and yet so many fail."
"For what it's worth, I never had a doubt that you and Raven would make it."
"Thanks … I know we've only been married for just over a year, but sometimes it already feels like I've always been married to her."
"You guys are perfect for each other."
The changeling smiled at the remark. "So are you and Karen."
"I know more than a few people think I'm stupid …"
"Do you trust her?" The changeling interrupted.
"Well, yeah, of course I do."
"That's all that matters … what others think doesn't matter."
-( - )-
The next day …
Vic and Karen chose to have the ceremony performed outdoors. It was a beautiful spring day without a cloud in the sky. The guests were already seated. Raven was dressed in her old Titans gala costume, wearing black leggings and fake fur trim on her cape. Mark was smartly dressed in a blue suit with a clip on bow tie. He tugged at his shirt collar repeatedly when he wasn't fidgeting in his seat. Coraline slept happily in her mother's arms. Melvin sat next to her "aunt". Guests were still arriving and Raven noticed through her empathic senses that Melvin was feeling anxious about something.
"Is everything OK?"
Melvin sighed. "That obvious, huh?"
"Not really, but I am an empath … you know I can sense things … so what's up?"
"You remember when you told me that someday I'd find the right guy?"
"Yes, I do. Soooo … did you find him?"
Melvin nodded. "I think I did … and now I remember all those things you told me … I'm worried."
Raven wrapped an arm around her shoulder. "You'll be fine."
"It's really exciting, but it's also really scary. Hank told me that he wants to be with me forever … no one's ever told me that before … I'm not sure how I feel about that."
"Do you love him?"
"Well, yeah … I do, I'm just not sure I'm ready for that kind of commitment."
"It's OK; you can take it at your own pace."
Melvin raised an eyebrow at the remark. "Uh, didn't you and uncle Gar get married just a few months after you got back together?"
"Yes, we did, but that was our pace … you have your own. If Hank is the right guy, he'll wait until you're ready."
"What if I'm never ready?"
"Then you will need the courage and wisdom to know when to let him go."
Melvin frowned. "I guess real love isn't like is in the movies."
"No, it's not. If there is any proof of that, it's the couple getting married today. Living happily ever after is a lot of work. And sometimes it can take blood, sweat and tears to get there."
"You and uncle Gar had it easy."
"No, we didn't … we waited years before admitting to ourselves and each other how we really felt. Had he not landed that professor's job, we never would have reconnected. We allowed eight precious years to go down the drain. You call that easy?"
Raven stopped talking when Cyborg and Beast Boy, dressed in their tuxedos, walked up the aisle and took their places at the altar, where the minister greeted them with a handshake.
It was time.
Karen appeared with Nightwing at her side. She was dressed in a traditional white gown and he wore a black tuxedo and his mask. The assembly fell quiet. As if on cue the organist began to play a lesser known wedding march and Nightwing, taking the first step, led a very nervous Karen down the aisle. Cameras flashed as Mar'i, who was gliding in front of them, tossed rose petals in their path.
The aisle, though not long at all, felt like a gauntlet to Karen. Dick gave her arm a reassuring squeeze every few steps. As they approached the altar she saw him. While he was grinning like an idiot he also looked as nervous as she felt. Before she knew it they were at the altar. Dick released her arm. The minister, a middle aged woman, smiled at them. They had requested a "traditional" wedding, so there was some tradition to be met.
"Who gives this woman in marriage?" The minister asked.
"Her friends and I do." Nightwing announced loudly.
"Before we proceed, if anyone objects to this marriage, speak now or forever hold your peace!"
Karen closed her eyes. She suddenly imagined Raymond, her slime bag boyfriend from years before suddenly appearing, shouting "I object! This woman is by all rights mine."
Fortunately, Raymond was nowhere to be found and no objections were raised. Nightwing delivered her to the altar before returning to his seat next to his now visibly pregnant wife.
The minister continued to proceed with a traditional Lutheran ceremony. She spoke briefly about the institution and tradition of marriage and quickly worked her way through the rubrics of the ceremony, and after the scripture readings were complete they were ready to recite their vows.
Victor stepped forward and recited his vow first.
"I take you, Karen, to be my wife from this day forward, to join with you and share all that is to come, and I promise to be faithful to you until death parts us."
Bumblebee then recited her vow.
"In the presence of God and this community, I, Karen, take you, Victor, to be my husband; to have and to hold from this day forward, in joy and in sorrow, in plenty and in want, in sickness and in health, to love and to cherish, always faithful, as long as we both shall live. This is my solemn vow."
Mari flew up to the altar with a velvet pillow in her hands, upon which rested two wedding bands. Victor took Karen's ring from the pillow and turned to face her.
"Karen, I give you this ring as a symbol of my vow. With all that I am, and all that I have, I honor you, in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Spirit."
He slipped the ring on her finger. Karen then took the other ring from the pillow.
And the Tower's sirens and klaxons began to shriek and blare.
"Ah, man, you gotta be kidding me." Victor groaned.
Nightwing pulled a portable console out of his pocket. After looking at it his face turned grim.
"Bad news, Titans. The wedding is postponed. We have a report of Brother Blood attacking the nuclear power plant.
Before anyone could say anything, Batman rose to his feet, followed immediately by Superman, Wonder Woman, three Green Lanterns and other members of the Justice League.
"You aren't going anywhere." Batman commanded in his deep voice. "We have this covered, finish your wedding."
Before anyone could say anything the Justice Leaguers took to the sky, flying across Steele City bay. Once the klaxons fell silent, the minister, who never lost her cool, calmly nodded at Karen to continue. The exchange of rings was completed. The minister then turned to face the assembly.
"Karen and Victor, by the promises before God and in the presence of this assembly, have joined themselves to one another as husband and wife. Those whom God has joined together let no one separate."
The wedding guests, most of whom were not Lutherans, peeked at the cheat sheets they found earlier on their seats.
"Amen. Thanks be to God." They replied in chorus.
The newlyweds exchanged a kiss. It was done. The minister, who was beaming happily, raised her arms.
"Ladies and Gentlemen, I present to you Victor and Karen Stone!"
The assembly rose to its feet and applauded.
-( - )-
So CyBee are now official! Two more chapters to go, and this ride will be done. Thanks to all who have been following this story and made it the most reviewed story in the K-T section. I can only wonder how long that record might last!
And now, it's mailbag time!
gabylokita41 – Alas, we have heard the last of Slade in this story.
jim78559 – Thanks!
nolan - While I might not agree, I thank you for your praise.
Fl4mingTurd – How long were you gone? And where did you go?
Guest – I was hoping that the serenade would resonate with the female readers.
Soulsurfer2112 – Thank you!
jovanchin2013 – Joey and Kole will be just fine.
Guest – Poor Raven, doesn't she get a say?
Hairul The Nightrage Beast – To be honest, I know very little about video games, so I used fictional titles.
BartWLewis – I really like Bart's character in the comics. He came across as a bit of a spaz in Young Justice though.
Bluedog197 – I think that more than a perv, Slade is a know it all control freak.
Damian96 – There are good stories out there. I recommend "The Crime of Passion" by Sir Alwick. You should read it and leave a review for every chapter, it's that good.
Anoymous136 – It isn't quite over yet.
The Cretin – Yours was the review that broke the record!
titanfan45 – Yours was the review that tied the record!
JOHNXgambit – That is a coincidence.
acosta perez jose Ramiro – Hacer enojar a Raven es cosa de necios!
Guest – Thanks!
Kidstandout – I figured that there had to be real championships.
The Walrus – Thanks!
mlbv-grimm – I was worried that the aftermath stuff would bore my readers, but apparently I was wrong
SuperNolon – All things come to an end.
Just a Reviewer – Well, #3 was not planned. Raven is a good mom, so the more the merrier.
krostovikraven1 – I'm sure Cyborg kept an ace or two up his sleeve.
NATSUxERZA 123456 – Thanks! It's always my hope that my writing will continue to improve.
goldenrod51 – Every sequel I have written has stunk and I ended up deleting them.
Guest – Patience, Grasshopper!
Guest – It's true, Damien and Mar'i are canon. We'll see.
JasonVUK – That would be a lot of diapers (nappies) to change.
Dragonkyng – I hope you will like it.
Iskandar06 – Thanks!
DeeThom – Thank you.
Shadico – There was no way BB and Cy weren't gonna win.
Guest – I do update once a week, that's better than most other writers. I can't imagine working on a story for 7 years and only updating 3 or 4 times a year.
Jason9000 - Unfortunately, Slade's interactions with the new Titans isn't part of this story.
Simplyacritic – Just two more chapters, I promise