Tuesday, 12,19
"I think we'll have pizza today," Robin said stepping past the team and into the main room, all the time not taking his eyes of Cathy and Jinx.
"Booya!" Cyborg cheered as Beastboy gave a fist pump, oblivious to the tension in the room.
"Cyborg, why don't you take the rest of the team out to collect it?" Robin carried on.
"Okay, you guys coming?" Cyborg asked looking towards Cathy and Jinx.
"No, thier not," Robin answered for them as Cyborg looked between the two girls and his leader.
"Oh, okay," Cyborg said realising that Robin just wanted the team out of the way. "Erm, Come on guys, we'll take my car."
"You too Raven," Robin said as Raven remained where she was as the others started to leave. "This doesn't concern you."
"It does," Raven said simply in her usal dead pan voice. "I've know about them for a while now," she said before the sound of the main door closing was heard.
"Fine, what is going on here then?" Robin demanded sounding angry although he was trying to keep calm. "Is this some kind of game to you, Jinx? And Raven, what the hell? Your suppose to be the smart and more mature one here?"
"What is this about exactly?" Cathy asked standing up.
"And you," Robin said turning his attention to Cathy. "We take you in, willing to help you and this is how you repay us?"
"Willing to help me?" Cathy repeated looking at the boy wounder. "I didn't ask for help, I was running away. You guys came looking for me because you was hoping I'd have all the answers to stopping Gurter."
"And so you should help us," Robin argued back taking a step closer to her. "You're the reason Guter's even here in the first place, in our city!"
"Sorry for wanting my freedom, bird boy," Cathy argued back, also taking a step forward. "And you know what? It probably wouldn't have been long for Gurter to have used me to take over this mistable mud ball of a planet, let alone your city anyway, if I hadn't escaped him! You think just because bad things are happening now doesn't mean worse things wouldn't have happened in different situations?" She finished as Robin fell silent while both Jinx and Raven watched the two. "Well, I feel better now, you?" She said looking more calm as she took a step back.
"What?" Robin asked looking unsure.
"I like to have a good shout every now and again, just gets it all out of the system," Cathy said happily. "And talking about getting things out of your system, maybe you can tell us all what your beef is with Jinx?"
"Beef?" Robin repeated looking unsure what was happening. The conversation had truned aroumd so quickly that he was unsure what was happening. "I haven't got a problem with Jinx."
"Yes, you have," Raven finally spoke as he looked up at her. "The whole team has noticed it, Robin. Jinx has worked really hard to fit in and in most cases, has done a great job. It's only you who doesn't seem to see it or if you do, acknowledge it."
"I do," Robin protested as Cathy sat back down on the sofa. "I'm just..." he started looking unsure what to say.
"Just what?" Jinx asked looking at the Titan leader.
"I'm worried you'd be another... Tara," he finally said as Raven and Jinx looked at him.
"The rock chick?" Jinx asked unsure. She'd heard bits about the women from the team but not a lot to really know the full story. It always seemed to be a sensitive subject with them so she didn't push.
"When it was you and Kid Flash," Robin carried on, looking at the pink haired witch. "I didn't think twice at giving you a place on our team but, I started to worry that Kid was the only reason you joined us and now you guys arn't togeather I thought that... that maybe..."
"That I'd betray you guys and leave?" Jinx finished off as Robin gave a light nod.
"I'm sorry, the team is just so attached to you," he said looking guilty. "I didn't want to see them hurt again."
"I'm not going to leave," Jinx said looking at him. "I get why you feel like that but, I really like it here. I like being the hero with you guys and hanging out with you all. Kid may have been the reason I joined, but he ain't the reason I'm staying," she said with a reassuring smile. "So you need to get use to me sticking around."
"I'm sure I can," Robin smiled feeling a little silly for the way he acted but happy it was out in the open. "I'm sorry, Jinx. I should have gave you more credit than that and Raven's right. You have worked hard and you're a prized member of this team... if not a little rough around the edges at time."
"That's what makes me, me," Jinx grinned.
"So you two..." Robin started after a short pause as he looked from Jinx to Cathy. "Your a... togeather?"
"I... erm..." Jinx stuttered unsure what to say as Cathy didn't answer and gave a light shrug. She didn't want to say anything that Jinx wasn't ready herself to say.
"I'd say complicated at the moment and needs time to figure out," Raven answered for them as Robin gave a nod.
"Well when it is figured out, let me know will you?" he smiled before heading to the kitchen. "The guys should be back with pizza soon so we better get the table set."
"I'll help," Jinx grinned as she followed suit while Raven took a seat next to Cathy.
"That was interesting," Raven said looking at Cathy. "Usally it takes days to get Robin to open up about what's bothering him. You did it in ten minutes."
"Something needed to be said," Cathy said simply, watching the two in the kitchen. "And Robin kind of reminds me of my brother. Sometimes he just needed a little push to get things off of his chest."
"Pizza is here!" Cyborg's voice echoed through the tower before Raven could ask any more questions.
"About time, I'm starving," Jinx moaned putting the plates and cutlery on the table.
"And you guys won't believe this but they actually put one of Starfire's concoctions up on the menu," Beastboy said holding a couple of pizza boxes.
"Which one?" Robin asked curiously.
"The anchovie, skittles, marshmallow and meatball with the maple syrup and squirty cream," Starfire beamed floating in. "Most delicious."
"Sounds it," Jinx said looking unsure.
"Yeah, I'd say you won't need to worry about sharing that one with us tonight, Star," Cyborg said not looking too entertained with the idea of fish, meat and sweets on a pizza.
"Glorious," Starfire chirped in happiness taking the her box to the table.
"And as for the rest of you..." Kid Flash said before using his speed to zip round the table, dishing out pizza boxes before seating everyone down in their seats. "Meat feast for Cy, mega veg for Beastboy, pepperoni for Robin, italano for Raven and Hawaiian for Jinx," he said with a smile, leaning on the back of Jinx's chair. "And a bit of everything for yours truly," he said pointing to himself.
"Oh and we wasn't sure what you liked Cathy so we got you margarita, hope that's okay?" Cyborg said as Cathy looked down at the box in front of her.
"That's great, plain and simple," she smiled happily opening the box before looking across the table at Kid Flash. "I got to ask though, why are you here already? I thought no one was available for a couple of days."
"I'm the fastest man alive," Kid started.
"Second fastest," Raven corrected as Kid carried on as if Raven hadn't spoke.
"I'm never too busy to come help these guys out," he grinned before taking a seat next to Jinx and opening his own pizza box up. "I can easily get around."
"You can say that again," Jinx mumbled under her breath as Kid looked at her for a moment.
"Well, it's good to see you again Kid," Robin said as Cyborg and Beastboy nodded. "We could defentally do with your help."
"So I hear," Kid grinned.
The rest of the meal went on as it started. The team joked and talked till they were full. After chatting for a bit longer, Robin started on the subject of training and strategy plans, pulling the main screen up with detailed patterns for examples while Jinx started to take the plates through to wash. It was her night to after all. As she reached the sink with a few of the plates, she felt a flash charge past her. It returned back to her not a second after and there stood Kid, leaning up against the counter.
"That's the boxes taken care off," Kid grinned as he guestering towards the bin.
"Oh okay, thanks," Jinx said not looking up at him.
Yes, she had said to Raven that she was over the speed freak and she was in some ways but, he still hurt her and for that, it was fare too soon for her to want to be buddy buddy with him. She had stayed quiet through most of the meal cause she didn't want to say anything to bring down the mood of the rest of the Titans but he was making it hard right now seeing as he wouldn't just leave her alone.
"It's nice to see you again by the way," Kid said as he stepped away from the counter and took a step closer to Jinx. "I've missed you, you know?" he said before wrapping his arms around Jinx's waist.
"What are you doing?" Jinx asked stopping what she was doing.
"I just told you, I've missed you," Kid purred into her ear. "Don't you miss me?"
"No," Jinx said sternly as she shoved him back. "And what do you mean you miss me? You dumped me, remember?"
"And I regret it," he begged taking Jinx's hand in his own. "I was wrong to leave you like that I was just so scared."
"No, you was pissed off because I wouldn't sleep with you," Jinx corrected looking angry. "What is this really all about, Wally?" She asked looking at the speedster. "Is this because you caught me and Cathy together? What are you? Jellious?"
"What?" Kid asked with a huff. "No!"
"You're upset because I moved on so quickly?" Jinx asked watching the Kid. "Because I'm not dwelling on you like some love sick puppy?" She asked as he didn't answer. "You know what? People might think you're a hero, but really, you're just a big headed dick who thinks too highly of himself," she added shoving the dish towel into his chest before leaving him and the rest of the dishes alone.
"Ah, you guys ready?" Robin asked as Jinx returned to the main room.
"Oh yeah, I'm ready to batter something," Jinx growled pounding her fist into her other hand as Raven raised an eyebrow to her friends behaviour.
Several minutes later, the team was in the trainning room. Kid Flash had made short work of the dishes and joined them not long after they left the main room. Cathy had started to raise one of her largest Warriors that was a simular size to Gurter, ready for trainning. Just like last time, once the team defeat the Warrior, she would summon a second then a third and so on till the team were ready to stop and also just like last time, she would watch over just in case her Warriors went too fare and hurt someone. At the end of the day, her Warriors only knew how to fight, not to play nice.
"Okay, when Titan East get here," Robin started. "We will have the ability to keep swapping in and out of the fight but we also need to know how to pace ourselves just in case for some reason, we loose that privalige. We already know that going all out in the first ten minutes is going to do no good for us because Gurter won't feel a thing."
"Right, so slow and steady wins the race," Beastboy said before turning into an eger looking tortious.
"Or..." Kid started before charging over to the Warrior that had just been summoned and darting round its feet before leaping up and slamming into its chin and knocking it to the floor and then returning to the team. "We do something like that."
"Oooo, that was very fast," Starfire said looking at the fallen Warrior as Kid gave a grin.
"No offence guys, I know your worried about this Gutter guy..." Kid started.
"Gurter," Raven corrected as Kid carried on.
"But I've taken down guys like this before," he said simply with a shrug. "Big, strong and solid but slow."
"You really think you can take him down on your own?" Beastboy asked as Kid have him grin.
"Yeah," Kid nodded as if it was so obvious.
"I don't know if that's a good idea," Robin said looking unsure.
"Oh come on Boy Wounder," Kid said speeding to his side. "You really think I can't? I'll have this problem of yours all done and dusted before you know what's happened."
"He is fast, man," Cyborg added looking up for the idea.
"I guess," Robin nodded although still looked reluctant.
"Great, so maybe we can chill and have a bit of fun tonight?" Kid said with a shrug. "Play a few games and watch a movie maybe? It'll be nice to catch up with you guys."
"Yeah dude, that would be so cool," Beastboy chipped happily. "Plus, I still ache from last night's trainning."
"Oh yes, that would be most fun," Starfire agreed.
"Okay, if that's what everyone want then I guess," Robin sighed as a small cheer came from most of the team.
"I'll go get the popcorn!" Cyborg said as they began to head back out of the training room.
"You coming Jinx?" Raven asked noticing that Jinx hadn't moved.
"Neah, I don't really feel like..."Jinx trailed off as she uncomfortable rubbed her arm.
"I get it," Raven nodded. "Call me if you change your mind or want to talk," she said as Jinx gave a nod before turning and catching up with the team.
Cathy had returned her Warrior and was heading over from the fare end of the training room when she stopped at Jinx.
"Wanna talk about it?" Cathy asked as Jinx shook her head lightly, not looking up at the Horseman. "Wanna beat the crap out of something?" She then asked as Jinx gave a nod. "Okay," she smiled before her eyes shone and a few small Warriors rose up.
Jinx grinned before dashing at them, using a mix of hits, kicks and hexes, she took each Warrior down just as quick as Cathy was able to summon them. After fifteen minutes or so passed, Cathy stopped summoning them and instead stepped into fight Jinx herself.
"What are you doing?" Jinx asked avoiding a swing from Cathy's fist.
"Sparing," Cathy said simply. "I havn't had a proper play in years."
"But I don't want to fight you," Jinx said simply as she blocked a second attack.
"Why?" Cathy added before dropping down and sweeping her leg across catching Jinx's feet and knocking her down. "I heal quick remember... or are you scared I'll kick your ass?"
"I'd like to see you try," Jinx called before jumping back to her feet and starting her own attack.
And so the two fought. They pushed back, each gaining and taking the upper hand but it was Jinx who finally managed to knock Cathy down with a few well placed jabs in the chest and a high kick to the face. By this point, the two had been at it long enough to look warn.
"You... You feeling better now?" Cathy panted.
"I really do," Jinx nodded, plopping herself down next to Cathy. "Sorry if I hurt you."
"You didn't," Cathy said as Jinx looked at the cut on the side of Cathy's face from the last kick. "Okay, not enough to bother me at least."
"Gotta admit, didn't expect you to go down quite so easily," Jinx grinned giving Cathy a playful punch in the arm.
"It's been a while since I fought properly," Cathy admitted catching her breath. "Plus, I usally clash swords, not fists."
"Swords?" Jinx asked thinking back to the dream. "Can you show me it?"
"What?" Cathy asked unsure.
"Your sword, can I see it?" Jinx asked as Cathy looked at her for a moment before nodding. She out stretched her arm up above her head, her hand open wide before a small flame formed out from her chest area. It began to run up and around her arm and grew longer as it did. As it reached her hand, she clasp her fingers around it, the flame carried on up into the air forming the shape of a sword. Once the full shape was done, Cathy lowered her arm to give Jinx a closer look. "That's amazing," Jinx said looking at the weapon. "Where does it come from?"
"From me," Cathy said smiling at Jinx's reaction to the weapon. "I can't part with it see, If I let it go..." she said going to drop the sword but as it began to leave her hand, it burnt out and faded to nothing. "It goes."
"That pretty cool," Jinx smiled.
"You're fare too easily amused," Cathy chuckled as they fell quiet for a bit.
"What are you going to do when we defeat Gurter?" Jinx asked looking towards Cathy. "Where are you from? Will you go back there with the other Horsemen?"
"Erm... I don't know," Cathy admitted.
"I've been away from home for so long, I just... don't know."
"Maybe you can stay here with us," Jinx said moving her hand so it laid over Cathy's. "With me."
"Is that what you want?" Cathy asked with a smile as Jinx nodded. "Okay I will but," she carried on. "If Gurter can't be stopped, I would like you to leave with me," Cathy asked as Jinx's smile faded. "I know you think the Titans can take him down and with your little fast friend helping, you probably can but if you can't... I can't be controlled by him again jinx. I just can't," she said as Jinx thought for a moment before giving a nod.
"Okay, I promise," Jinx smiled as Cathy smiled back before grabbing the witch in a hug.
Unknown to either of them, a certain speedster had been watching the confasation from the entrance before racing off back to the rest of the team.