A/N: Okay, now I'm being threatened with a zombie army, vampires, and evil leprechauns! Haven't any of you heard of catching more flies with honey (yeah, I know who would want to catch flies, and I think they pretty much live off of dead things anyway. But still!)?

Oh, never mind I'll just hide out in my bunker a few more days (darn, I'm running out of peanut-butter).

The zombies wouldn't help me, so I still don't own anything. Maybe I'll ask the leprechauns.

Chapter 11

Sean still felt weak and every once in a while a shiver would pass up his spine that he knew wasn't from the freezing night air. Tired couldn't begin to cover how he felt. It was like whatever revelation had come over him took all his energy with it. Batman, he still wasn't comfortable with calling him Bruce or knew if that was even appropriate, had carried him down off the roof of the bank (he was also still getting used to knowing he had been on a roof and not had a heart attack), and was still helping him walk back to the giant T shaped tower.

Jessie walked beside them, steadily casting hostile glances at Batman. Even though he was mostly leaning on Batman, Jessie was sure to keep one protective hand on Sean's shoulder and even took his heavy bag from him (not without telling him he should quit carrying that old thing around). But there was one thing that still bothered Sean about the Batman.

"Batman?" Sean slowed their pace so he could look up at him and hopefully not stumble over his own two feet.

"Yes?"

"How did you get here so fast? That ferry to and from the island isn't exactly rocket powered, and it's no short trip here," Sean saw something like a smile flicker at the corners of the Bat's mouth.

"Just a second," was all he said. Jessie gave an irritated huff. She hated answers that didn't answer the question.

Batman turned right, around corner onto a darker street and stopped, "Stay close," he said and pressed something on his belt. Nothing happened . . . for a minute. Just as Jessie was about to give another irritated comment a revving sound was heard, then the screeching of tires. Jessie's comment died in her throat as a long, black, tank of a car came around the other side of the street. It parked neatly right in front of them, engine rumbling.

"That's how," Batman started toward the vehicle, gently keeping a dazed Sean on his feet, when Jessie found her voice.

"We are not getting in that thing!" she pointed to the machine like it had committed a murder.

"Jess," Sean was too exhausted to humor her, "please don't tell me you have something against cars."

"I have no problem with cars," she glared at him," I have a problem with this guy's car, and being in it with him," she said it like it should have been obvious.

"Jessie, I don't know all the facts here, but I'm pretty sure this is the safest car, and maybe the safest driver in the country, so please, just get in," Sean started toward the car again, this time unaided, and the passenger door popped open on its own. That gave him a bit of pause, and then he decided he didn't care and got in. Batman walked around and the driver side door did the same and so did the backseat door, waiting for Jessie.

She sighed and carefully folded herself into the seat, immediately buckling the seat belt. All three doors closed, and Batman hit the gas, causing Sean to suddenly doubt his "safe driver" comment.

The water was in sight in no time, and Sean was sure they would stop but the Bat kept going.

"Um, what are you . . .?" Sean started.

"Just wait," Batman really enjoyed guessing games. The car suddenly made a whirring sound and the dash began o blink AQUATIC MODE: ON. They hit the water, and sped over the surface. Sean glanced out the window and saw that the tires had changed into something resembling skies, but didn't have time to really investigate for they were suddenly on the island, and the tires were rubber again. The Bat parked and turned the engine off as the doors popped open again.

It was very dark by now, but the Tower still glowed. Jessie jumped out quickly, while Sean came more slowly, he was still pretty sore when he moved the wrong way. Batman was beside him instantly, letting Sean use him as a crutch once more, much to Jessie's irritation. Sean wanted more than anything to just sleep.

Jessie followed slowly as they made it to the door, and Batman didn't even have to knock. Raven stood in the open doorway, with Wonder Woman just behind her.

"Hey," Batman greeted them, "Look who I found."

10:28. Soon it would be too late to turn back. Not that Sean wanted to, but he couldn't help thinking it. He'd already found out what happened when you broke curfew once, and it made his stomach turn to think what would happen the second time.

He and Jessie were sitting on the couch in the Titan's common room. Jessie kept looking around like she expected an ambush of some kind. Sean was surprisingly comfortable here. Raven and Wonder Woman were the only other people home; the others needed some air. Sean could see why.

The common room had been turned into some sort of library for all things weird and unusual. There were tons of old books on what looked like Greek mythology. Father had a lot of stuff like that too. He kept all of it in his office, where Jessie and Sean never went, but Sean had caught glimpses of through the opened door.

The others, Batman, Raven, and Wonder Woman, were in the hallway . . . discussing something. Sean didn't know why they bothered, they where almost yelling. He could catch snippets of their conversation through the door, except Batman, who seemed very calm about the whole situation.

"What happened to just leave them alone?" that was Raven. Jessie huffed in agreement at the closed door.

Batman said something in his low rumble that Sean couldn't make out.

"What do you mean he called you?" Wonder Woman then.

Batman didn't have time to answer before Raven blurted, "Oh, duh! Why didn't I think to give him a communicator?" it sounded like something in the building shattered then but Sean couldn't be sure.

They spoke lower then, and Sean was too tired to really listen. So, instead, he looked at his sister, and hopefully stay awake.

"Jess, quit it," she was doing that ambush look-out again, "No one is going to hurt you."

She sighed, "I know," she hugged her arms around her middle, "I just . . . oh, I don't know . . . it's stupid."

Jessie found a spot on the floor and starred at it. Sean decided to push, it was that or fall asleep.

"What is it Jess?" Sean stifled a yawn, "What makes you so hostile about this place? About these people? What did they do to you anyway?"

"They didn't do anything," she said quietly, "But . . . have you ever been somewhere that feels wrong?" she looked at him, "I know it sounds weird, but this place, and these people, especially the little green one, Beast Boy, it all makes me feel . . . strange . . . too strange for comfort," she glanced around again and shook her head, "Besides, that doesn't matter. What are we going to tell Father?"

"You can tell him whatever you like," Sean said, "It really doesn't matter to me."

"Sean," Jessie had that stern voice again, "What exactly are you planning on doing here? We can't stay here. We have to go home sometime. And do you have any idea what Father's going to do . . ." her voice died and she looked away.

"Yeah, Jess, I've thought about it," Sean said quietly, "Which is why I'm not going back. You're right. Something weird is going on here, but I don't think anyone in this building is responsible."

"Are you telling me that you believe this conspiracy theory or whatever? Do you honestly believe that we were both . . . crime-fighting superheroes . . . in my case with the "ability to move earth"," she put air quotes around that last part, "Please, Sean, think about this for a second, and tell me it's not the craziest thing you've ever heard." She was glaring indignantly at him, and he realized he was grinning, "What are you smiling about?"

Sean started to answer but instead started into an uncontrollable laughter. Jessie was looking at him like he really had gone crazy. Later Sean would say he was just tired, and a little hysterical, but at the time it was just because the whole situation was, as Jessie had put it, the craziest thing he'd ever heard.

"And you believe it as much as I do," Sean finally gasped through his hysterical laughter.

Jessie's mouth dropped into a perfect O, "I . . . you . . . how could you say . . ." the sentenced sputtered out as Sean laughed harder, now lying on his back on the couch. He knew his sister. He knew she only got defensive and hostile when she knew she was wrong, even more so when she knew Sean was right.

Unfortunately this also made her very angry when she was forced to admit Sean was right, which is why Sean found himself being struck by a large book that had been sitting on the table. Not hard but enough to count.

"That still doesn't prove anything," Jessie said simply and went back to sulking while Sean tried to stifle his giggles. The other three walked in from the hallway then.

Raven paused for a moment to raise an eyebrow at Sean's smirk and Jessie's sour expression. For the first time Sean saw how tired she looked. He figured the books all over the place had something to do with it. She looked away from them and sat cross-legged on the end of the couch.

Wonder Woman sat next to her and Batman stood next to Sean, not too close though.

"Are you both all right?" Raven was looking at them again.

"That depends," Jessie said, "What do you mean by all right?"

Raven smiled sleepily, "Are you hungry?"

Sean wasn't but then he remembered Jessie had skipped lunch. She didn't really like fast-food that much.

"Jess is," he piped up and her stomach did pick that moment to growl. Jessie slapped his arm murmuring something about minding his own business and followed Raven into the kitchen. Sean was left with the senior heroes. He tried to stifle another yawn but failed.

Sean felt someone tug his arm, "Come on," it was Batman.

"Where're we going?"Sean asked as he followed.

"You need sleep," Batman said simply; he was leading Sean down the hallway that went t the bedroom Sean had slept in last time.

"Thank you," Sean sighed, really, it was about time. Sean could barely keep his eyes open enough to follow the Bat. Finally, they reached the door.

Batman opened it and pointed to the bed, saying, "Those are for you." Another stack of clothes for Sean to sleep in.

"Thanks," Sean yawned again as he dropped onto the bed, "You got those from his room didn't you?"He wasn't sure why he'd asked that, like the laughing fit, he just blamed it on pure tiredness. By His of course he meant Robin. Sean could admit he was starting to believe some of this, but comparing himself to this complete stranger was still way too weird.

Batman, or Bruce, man, it was just weird calling him that, nodded hesitantly in response.

"Do you need any help with your leg?" He asked. Sean shook his head.

"I don't have to change the bandage as much anymore," Sean said quietly.

The Bat nodded again and said after a minute, "Good night, then," and he shut the door. Sean was a little sad to see him leave, but right after that feeling came the newer creeping one, at the bottom of his stomach. He thought back to what Jessie said, about this place feeling weird. She could be right in that point. But every time Sean felt this new creeping feeling, he wanted to say something, or do something to fix it. He had no idea why, and unlike all the other things he couldn't explain about this place and these people, this fact bothered him. A lot.

Sean sighed. He changed into Robin's clothes, or his, oh, whatever, and climbed into bed. He looked at the clock. 11:02. No turning back.

He was too tired to think about it, and as soon as his head hit the pillow he was asleep.

Jessie was currently experiencing the effects of a skipped lunch, an awkward silence, and a strange place inhabited by strange people all combined into one. She sat in the Titan's kitchen counter, feeling very much like a lost puppy might; only a dog probably wouldn't have been aware of the awkward and strange parts of the equation. She should've just gone with Sean, but she really was hungry.

Raven finally stopped rummaging through the fridge and placed her findings on the counter; sandwich ingredients.

Raven passed Jessie a plate and said, "It seems we've fallen behind in our grocery shopping." She sounded so tired.

"You okay?" Jessie asked as she pulled the bread towards her.

"I'm fine," Raven shrugged, "Just a little overworked. Not that I'm complaining, but you and your brother's . . . case, is quite a conundrum."

Jessie was about to deny that she or Sean even had a "case" but it really wasn't worth the effort; in arguing with Raven or herself. So instead she asked, "Why?"

Raven thought for a moment, "Has your . . . father ever said anything about your family? His parents and relatives I mean."

"That doesn't answer my question."

"I know."

Jessie finished putting her sandwich together and stared at Raven before answering, "Not really. Ever since our grandfather died he doesn't like to talk about them. But he always says that our family is very old and very prominent in the history of Greece. Come to think of it that's really all he said, never told us why or what made them important," she took a bite, "Guess he doesn't like that part either."

Raven listened raptly and nodded when Jessie finished, then she asked slowly, "Has he ever mentioned something called, and yes I do know how weird this sounds, it's called Mnemosyne's Stone?"

Jessie chewed for a while longer thinking, "Nope. And, yeah, that does sound really odd, but who cares anymore."

Raven leaned onto the table resting on her elbows, "Do you know who Mnemosyne is?"

Jessie shook her head. She had planned on being the one asking the questions, but of course, nothing ever went as she planned it, so why fight it?

Raven took a long time to go on. Then she explained, in a slow, quiet monotone, "Mnemosyne, in Greek mythology, is the goddess of memory. She was also the mother of the muses, one of which had a son. This son had powers over the mind much like Mnemosyne, but he was not a god, he was mostly mortal; his mother, the muse, fell in love with a handsome man. He never misused his powers, how he did use them goes unsaid.

But then he married a woman and they had children, and each child had the same gifts as their father, it never weakened, never became any stronger. But as the generations of the family went on corruption occurred. Certain members began to use their powers for their own selfish gain, controlling armies, destroying whole cities and the like. They were an unstoppable force.

Finally, in the written folklore, and mythology, it is said that Mnemosyne intervened. They say that she took a stone from the deepest cave in the earth, and gathered all her offspring in a faraway place, some of them coming only by force. It says that she cracked the stone in half and said something in an ancient language that died long ago. Different versions of the story have different opinions on what actually happened, but it's all basically the same. The family's powers were taken from them and placed in the stone.

It is said when Mnemosyne put the two halves of the stone back together it glowed blue, and she hid it from the family; none of them ever found where. They say that some members of the family were able to gain back a fraction of their powers, but they could never be fully restored without the stone," Raven paused and refocused on Jessie, "Do you see where I'm going with this?"

It took Jessie a moment to find words, but she nodded all the same, "You think my father is a part of that line." Raven nodded.

"Why don't you think that of me and Sean? Or do you and that's the whole reason for this?" Jessie had forgotten her sandwich.

"You're not really his biological children, are you?" Raven asked back.

Jessie paused, "No," she didn't like to talk about her family either, "We were both adopted when we were too young to remember."

"What about your mother?"

"She and my dad divorced a few years ago. Sean and I moved here to live with our father because mother got a job in China and didn't want to take us that far from home," Jessie leaned back in her chair, she might as well go ahead and tell everything, Raven was going to ask anyway, "Her name is Amelia Johnston, she's an interpreter for some big company whose name is too long to remember. She should be in Beijing as far as I know."

Raven nodded again, "Why did it take longer for Sean to get here?"

"He wanted to stay and help mom get packed, and finish the semester at our old school," Jessie almost asked how Raven knew Sean had gotten there after her, but realized that would be a pointless question considering who she was asking.

Raven sighed and stood up straight, "If you're finished I should probably show you to your room," Jessie opened her mouth, but Raven held up a hand, "I'll make sure it's close to Sean's." Jessie actually smiled at her a little. This might not be as bad as she thought.

They called the others when Jessie and Sean were in bed and definitely asleep. Raven was in the middle of updating them.

"We need to check for a woman named Amelia Johnston. She could be posing as their mother if she even exists. For all we know Dr. Martin either made her up to explain everything away or he could of brain washed her too. I can't see him pulling in anyone who isn't family, of course, I could be wrong," Raven swept her eyes over the rest of them.

"I got that," Cyborg said and made his way to the computer, "in the meantime Raven, I think you should get some sleep. You look awful."

"Thanks," Raven droned.

"You know what I mean," Cyborg turned back to look at Beast Boy and Starfire standing next to the three League members, "And you two should go with her."

"What are you, my mother?" Beast Boy puffed, he hated being treated like a little kid. But Starfire didn't argue, she simply took Beast Boy by the arm and dragged him out. Raven looked like she was going to put up a fight, but followed anyway, mumbling something to herself.

Superman picked up one of the large books and looked at Diana, "How about a lesson in Greek?"

Her mouth twitched, like she was holding back a laugh, "Sure, but you might regret the offer." Superman cringed, but followed her to the couch.

Cyborg turned back to his computer and by then Batman had already wandered off somewhere.

This place is nice.

That's what Sean was thinking as he wandered into his new dream. The sun shone brightly here. There was a large hill, clear of all trees except for one at the very top. It was a huge oak surrounded by field grass and wild flowers. It looked like something straight out of one of Sean's books.

Butterflies and grasshoppers sprang from the ground as he walked up the hill towards the tree. He made it to the top and sat down under the oak's shady branches. He laughed as watched a little squirrel scurry out of one of the branches as a mother bird fussed at it getting too close to her nest.

If he went around the tree and looked towards the horizon he saw that the hill dipped down and then ended abruptly into a sort of cliff. The cliff looked over a lake, calm and crystal in the sun.

Sean jumped. Someone was tapping his shoulder. He turned and saw Jessie. She was grinning at him, and he grinned back.

"Come on, Sean, look," she tugged at his arm and he got up, following her at a run down the hill. She was laughing and he couldn't help laughing with her. She slowed as they reached the cliff.

They stopped and looked out over the lake. The cliff wasn't that far up from the water. It gently lapped at the base a little less than five feet below them.

"Bet we could jump," Jessie said tip-toeing to the edge, "Wanna try?"

Sean was about to challenge her but suddenly felt a chill. Then the wind made a hissing sound through the trees. No, not the wind, a voice.

"Did you hear that?" He asked his sister. She, too, was looking around for the source. Then Sean felt a hand on his shoulder. He spun around and saw Father.

"It's all right, my boy, have your fun," Father said softly, smiling. Sean felt the chill again.

"I don't think we should," Sean said slowly, "Its getting cold."

Father chuckled, "Nonsense, it's never too cold," he wrapped his arm around Sean's shoulders and his other arm around Jessie's and walked them back to the edge.

"You see, you're perfectly safe," He was saying. But Sean was uncomfortably aware of his father's touch. It was cold, and it hurt.

"Um, I don't want to swim anymore," Jessie said and tried to back up, but Father held her tight.

"Come now you two, you wanted to only a moment ago," Father's voice sounded strange, like the hissing Sean heard earlier.

"We changed our minds," Sean said and tried to twist out of Father's grip. Father grabbed his wrist and pulled Sean and Jessie close to his face.

"You can't change your mind, Sean. You are mine after all," Fathers skin was cold around Sean's wrist, but the more he or Jessie pulled away the harder Father's grip was. Sean looked over Father's shoulder.

The grassy field was changing. Where there had been flowers and leaves there were small flickering blue flames. The huge old oak tree seemed to develop cracks that glowed an eerie white-blue, its leaves gone revealing bare, jagged branches. The flames were growing.

Sean looked behind him at the lake. It still glittered in the sun, but now it foamed and lashed at the cliff mercilessly. Even the sun took up the strange blue tint.

"Remember that my children. You are mine. After all that's what you wanted," Father's grip was agonizing now. Sean looked down at his wrist, and screamed.

His skin was the same color as the blue flames, only glassy and cracked. The cracks originated at his father's hand and were steadily running up his arm, and when he glanced over at Jessie he saw her flesh was doing the same. She was screaming too.

The cracks seared across their arms reaching up their necks until Sean felt them creep into his skull, then down into his chest. He was still screaming. He felt Father shake him as he whispered, "Remember Sean, mine, forever, mine, it's what you wanted . . ."

Sean was still screaming and thrashing, Father still shaking him. But there was a new voice.

"Sean! Wake up. It's only a dream . . ."

Sean stopped screaming and realized what was happening. He opened his eyes, gasping and still disoriented. The shaking stopped as Sean looked at who was holding him.

Batman. And a few of the others stood behind him staring with scared and startled looks on their faces.

"Are you all right?" Batman still had Sean by the shoulders. Sean looked down at his hands, still catching his breath. No blue cracks to be seen, just the old scares. His flesh tingled all the same.

"Where's Jessie?" he looked at the others staring at him.

"She's in her room. She had a nightmare too," Superman walked up behind Batman, "The others are tending to her."

Starfire and Cyborg stood behind the adults. Sean guessed the rest had headed to Jessie's room. Sean was cold all of a sudden and began to shiver.

Batman was still staring at him, "Sean, look at me, are you all right?" he demanded.

Sean slowly sat up fully in the bed and nodded shakily, "I've been better." He started to get to his feet.

"Where are you going?" Cyborg asked.

"I have to make sure Jessie's okay," Sean moved towards the door on legs that felt like jell-o, then realized he didn't know where Jessie's room was. He turned to the others.

"Come on," Batman put a hand on Sean's shoulder and steered him to the right. They never made it all the way to Jessie's room though, because she came around the corner with Beast Boy trailing after her. As soon as she saw her brother she flung her arms around his neck, and buried her face in his shoulder blonde hair hiding her silent tears. They both stood there quietly for a while.

"Still want to go home," Sean asked when Jessie stopped shaking. She lifted her head from his shoulder and shook her head, sniffling. Then she realized they were being watched.

She looked around at the Titans and the League members. She was searching for one face in particular. Beast Boy stood off to the back, looking worried, but hesitant to approach.

Jessie smiled a little crookedly at him, "Maybe I was a little too hasty in my "crazy" diagnosis."

Beast Boy didn't say anything, he just grinned back at her.

Children can be so hard to deal with sometimes. Carlisle Martin came out of his trance a bit disappointed. He was hoping his children would come back on their own, but of course they were going to be difficult.

That's why he chose them after all. Both had a determination in them that was essential. He sighed and got up from the chair. All he could do now was wait. Unfortunately, in order to really have any control over them he had to be able to touch them. From this distance he could break into their subconscious, but that couldn't make a difference unless they would listen to him.

He had to find another way. After all he'd done in order to get the first parts of his collection, he would not let them slip away. He went up the stairs, thinking.

The dark girl had found out much. He could see it through Jessica's mind. He took a moment to contemplate how much stronger his connection was to Jessica than to Sean. It was to be expected of course; Sean had fought it in the beginning, Jessica came more willingly. And that half-demon had already clogged Sean's mind with her own connection, making it harder to get in.

None of this mattered now. Carlisle would have to depend on Jessica for now, until he brought both of them home. Soon Carlisle Martin would build the unstoppable force that his ancestor's had so long ago, but his would be better.

He would be more careful about his choices, choose them young. His ancestors had been too rushed in making their armies. Carlisle could wait. He already had his eye on more targets, but first he had to control this situation.

He climbed into bed with a heavy mind. Yes, Sean and Jessica would have to come home, and he would set all of this right. He didn't want to completely control them like the drones of his ancestors; he wanted them to have some free will. But he might have to. Then there would be no escaping their destiny.

He could wait.

A/N: Sorry if this chapter didn't really get anywhere, but I had to get a little bit of history out of the way first. I hope I didn't bore anyone to death.

Also tell me if I should never do anything from the villain's point of view again, I know I probably suck at it.

Thank you and please review!