Hey---happy holidays! Well, here's the third installment to 'Gotham at Daybreak'. It took me a long time to write (or rather, a long time to start writing), so I hope you enjoy it. It's a bit on the longish side—especially if you count the Red Notes at the end---but it goes quick. Believe you me.
Don't forget to check out the Red Notes at the end—it really gives the story a lot more depth. Think of them as the 'Special Features' on your DVD menu. No? Then how about the…um, Production Notes on the Batman movies DVDs---which I got for Christmas, by the way. Lucky you. The obsession advances.
Warning: I couldn't remember what Bumble Bee's real name was. I called her Anne---I hope that's not too bothersome. She's only mentioned in passing, anyway.
WarningII: I don't know what FFN has against indenting, but it's drinving me crazy. It wont let me indent! Argh!
Disclaimer: I asked Santa for them…but I guess I haven't been that good a girl. Maybe next year. For now, I don't own them.
Before Raven woke up, she thought the desk felt disconcertingly soft and comfy. A fresh warmness enveloped her, and she felt like floating forever, weightless in whatever it was that supported her.
When she opened her eyes, she knew herself to be in Robin's bed, snug in soft down covers, her head pillowed by the most wonderful cushions she'd ever know. She'd never seen Robin's bed before, but she was sure it was---she could feel him in it as strongly as anything. His scent, too—but that came mostly from her.
Raven wasn't disoriented or confused as to her location—how could she forget the events of last night when she had spent all night dreaming of them? And it was obvious that Robin had—very sensibly—decided to move her from the study into a more sheltered location.
Robin. He wasn't on the bed. She was almost disappointed; the idea of waking up next to him…it thrilled her, for whatever reason. It resulted very puzzling, but then again, that seemed to be a common denominator lately. What had come over her last night? She had no regrets—except perhaps the consequences suffered by the room—but her behavior had been irrevocably out of character…and yet so logical, so…right. The cliché disgusted her, but she couldn't deny its suitability; for some reason, last night was the closest she'd ever come to feeling complete.
She didn't mean that in a soul-mate kind of fashion. No, this new wholeness had nothing to do with Robin's intoxicating closeness and all to do with her actions, her thoughts, her feelings, her…heart? She'd had some sort of breakthrough last night, a metamorphosis that she'd intuited even before kissing Robin. Something so abstract she couldn't grasp it for fear of it fading in wisps of nothingness.
Though normally she liked nothing better than solving such a tempting puzzle, right now she felt like leaving it be. Enjoy this new Raven, so wonderfully free. Arching her back in a stretch, she looked around the room. Predictably Robin: Spartan and commanding, full of dark wood, cream, and wine red. The room itself was large enough, with a solid wooden desk, shelves full of books and memoirs from around the world, two snug-looking couches, a laptop, and little else. To the right was a door that presumably led to the bathroom and closet; in front of her, the one that led to the hall. Behind her, French doors opened into a small veranda. And of course, the bed: the wonderful, king-sized canopy bed overfilled with cozy, red comforters and pillows.
She would've been impressed, but she rather expected it after seeing the rest of the manor's luxury. Something caught her eye---a small, framed photograph on the nightstand. There, captured in all their impish glory, were the Teen Titans. The picture dated back to when they actually fit the name, and for some reason it saddened her. She reached out with one hand and pulled the frame down against the table, hiding the photograph from view.
"You don't like the photo?" Robin's voce startled her, but she didn't let it show. Lazily rolling to face the door, she saw him fully dressed in civilian clothes and carrying a tray loaded with food. The intensity of his unmasked green eyes hit her all over again.
"That particular shot isn't my most glamorous." She covered smoothly.
"I always thought you looked particularly lovely." His offhand comment unsettled her. She decided to change topic.
"What time is it?"
"Quarter to nine. Everyone's still asleep." It still was pretty late, considering both their standards. He sat down beside her and set the tray down. "I brought breakfast," he offered, gesturing at it. She looked it over---a cholesterol nightmare. Obviously, Robin had no idea whatsoever as to her eating preferences. But there was tea—thyme, her favorite. And Fitness&Yoghurt—with fresh strawberries.
"Thanks…" she grumbled, and continued to stare at the tray with distrust. Finally, she took the tea. "So…what are you up to for today?"
"I have to go pick up Babs," he told her through a mouthful of scrambled eggs and bacon, "then we're off to Greene, Perry, Miller & Sons. The will reading." He clarified, even before she asked, and took a big gulp of carrot-orange juice. "After that, I have to drop by the Police Station; Gordon wants me and Babs—well, Robin and Batgirl to browse through the police and forensic reports. He wanted Batman, but I told him he was busy…"he trailed off, then shook his head. "After that, I'm taking you to dinner. And we can talk."
"So you'll be gone all day?" He nodded. "Want me to come with you?"
"Nah, I'll be okay. It's going to be hard enough to explain Babs' presence to the lawyers…'Sides, you don't have a civilian identity and I don't trust Beast Boy alone in the manor."
"Alone? What about Cyborg and Starfire?"
"Cyborg's going back to Jump City for the day, to check on things…" Robin stood up, "and Star's…not much help, to be honest."
"And Alfred?" Come to think of it, Raven had seen next to nothing of the famed butler.
"He's not feeling well and…I don't want to bother him…"
"Yeah, well…that's fine. Take it easy, okay?" her voice did nothing to betray her concern at Robin spending the day practically alone.
"Irgh grwill." He called form the bathroom, toothbrush in his mouth. Raven heard the faucet close, and Robin reappeared. He sat on the bed again, and put on his shoes. Raven looked at him in silence. Finally he straightened, and looked back at her. He seemed to hesitate on something, but then he leaned in and brushed his warm lips to hers. When he pulled back, his hand was on her cheek and his eyes were soft tender gentle. Without thinking, Raven leaned in again. This time their kiss was real. A snow-globe exploded, and they broke apart.
"Sorry." Raven offered.
"I don't mind." He kissed her again, briefly. "At all." He stood up and left, closing the door behind him and leaving a mint-y freshness in her mouth. Raven lay back on the pillows. Though she worried for Robin, she couldn't help but be slightly grateful to be left on her own devices at the Wayne Manor—Robin's true home. The adjective stung, to be sure, but it was real nevertheless: The T Tower may be Robin's house, but Wayne Manor would always be Richard Grayson's home. And home is where the heart is, as they say, so Raven didn't hesitate to search for what Robin's head held. She would have liked to know what his heart held, too, but she feared it would be beyond her understanding.
Cyborg and the T-Car could cover the distance between Gotham and Jump City in an hour and a half. That meant he had an hour and a half to think---and nothing but. He didn't want to think right now—better to enjoy the wind, to savor the thrill of racing through the highway at over 200 miles an hour, loose himself in speed. Fast---was that how he and Bumblebee were taking things? Was his decision too rushed?
Stop it! He didn't want to think about it---he'd already spent too many hours agonizing over his decision; he needed a break. He reached for the CD controls, hoping that whoever had used the T Car last had left something good.
Something
Is about to give
I can feel it coming
I think I know what it means
What was that---U2? Aerosmith? Not right now. Cyborg switched over to the radio.
And I
I wanna rock&roll
All night
Disgusted, he switched stations.
Leeeeeeaving on a jet plane
Don't know when I'll be home again
The Beatles? No, thank you.
I wonder how, I wonder why
Yesterday you told me about the blue, blue sky
And all that I can see
Is just another lemon tree
What the hell was wrong with the radio? Dismayed, he turned the radio off and resolved to face the silence.
Leaving the Teen Titans. Who'd thought it would come to this? Truth be told, he had. He'd always imagined that one day he'd be done with running around and kicking villain ass. Then he'd settle down, get a nice job in NASA, have a family… but at twenty? It seemed too early. But both he and Bumblebee knew that each day he spent as a Titan might be his last.
Why had he become a Titan in the first place? It seemed he'd never felt a real passion for it. He had been only a kid, scared and confused by what had happened to him. Being a superhero had sounded like fun…what kid did not dream of it? But he'd always wondered…if it weren't for his machine-half, would he have chosen to become a superhero? No. Had there been other option open to him, would he have still followed Robin to the T-Tower? Perhaps. He'd never know.
Cyborg did not regret his years as a Titan. True, he'd had to deal with some pretty heavy stuff---but it had been…what had it been? Fun? Well, yes, but that's not it. Enriching? It had been, but that's not what he meant. It had been…it had been. That was the end of the sentence. It had happened, and for better or worse, Cyborg had survived and he had become who he was right now---a man deeply in love but stuck at a fork in the road. On one side, there was the T Tower, and all it stood for: being Cyborg the hero, fighting evil and injustice, righting wrongs, and at the end, a likely death in doing so. On the other, there was Bumblebee---no, there was Anne. Anne and Vic, and that was pretty much it. The rest was uncertain.
It was then that Cyborg realized that by taking the road to Anne, he'd be letting go of everything he knew and plunging head-first into uncertainty. He knew nothing of this life he would choose, except that it involved Anne. Perhaps it took greater courage to let go than it did to fight criminals---at least then, he knew what to expect.
But why was he going through this again? He had already made his choice---Anne. Vic. Had he not been at the verge of announcing this to the other Titans just two days ago? Yes, he had. The decision was made, and though he'd certainly miss a lot of things---namely the T Car and his friends---he knew it was the right choice. And now…Now he had to wait until this whole Batman storm blew over, and feel like a traitor in the meanwhile.
Barbara felt uncomfortable from the minute she and Richard had entered the plush office. It was classic and stately, kind of like the Wayne Manor but lacking the comfortable familiarity the latter had. A severe-looking man with a head-full of white directed them to sit in two awkward chairs. She wished she could've sat next to Richard---alone, the room seemed to swallow her whole. She turned her attention to the conversation the man---Mr. Greene, she was told---and Richard were already engaged in.
"And who is this" Mr. Greene gestured to her, "lovely young lady?" What is she doing here?, he seemed to say.
"This is Barbara Gordon, a close friend of mine. She's here for moral support."
"I'm afraid only relatives are allowed during the will reading." Barbara knew the man was making that up; it was too ridiculous a rule.
"Let me assure you, Mr. Greene, that her presence is very much required. I'm certain Bruce expected it."
"What is her relation to the deceased?" Both she and Richard cringed. A little angry now, Richard lost his patience.
"They were…close." The attorney seemed to understand the innuendo, and though a little uncomfortable, Barbara ran with it.
"Very well, then." In a very clichéd maneuver, he adjusted his wire-rimmed glasses and cleared his throat. "Mr. Wayne found fit to leave his last will and testament in a more…visual media. The lists and disks Mr. Wayne will make reference to are in my possession and will be delivered to you, Mr. Grayson, along with the corresponding paperwork upon the finalization of the reading." With that, he turned to the television screen behind him and clicked 'play'. The whirl of the DVD player was the only sound.
"I, Bruce Wayne, being sound of mind, hereby state," Barbara gasped soundlessly. There was Bruce, alive, strong and almost real enough to touch—so close. "that all my worldly possessions—a complete list of which has been delivered to my attorney, Mr. Derek Greene---are left upon my passing to my son, Richard Grayson. Alongside such, he will receive an encrypted disk, which he is to view privately. Another encrypted disk is left to Ms. Barbara Gordon which she, too, is to view privately.
"The sole exception to the above is $60 million dollars, $15,000,000 of which will be given to my butler, Alfred Pennyworth. The remaining $45 million are to be administered by Richard as per my instructions.
"The administrating of Wayne Enterprises is left to the Board of Directors of the company. All my stocks, however, are left to Richard, thus making him head CEO of Wayne Enterprises. Another encrypted disk has been addressed to the Board of Directors with further instructions and clarifications.
"The last disk is left to Ms. Selena Kyle." Bruce stopped speaking, but for a minute, it seemed to Barbara like he was looking directly at each of them. Then, the screen turned to black.
Robin and Batgirl made their way enigmatically into Commissioner Gordon's private office, a simplistic, functional space that was only vaguely familiar to either superhero. Throwing a sideways glance at Batgirl, Robin noticed the unease in her manner that always came with close encounters with her uncle; though her costume was a more than adequate disguise, she lived in constant fear of her uncle discovering her alter ego. Ignoring the offered seats, Robin and Batgirl stood in the shadows, emulating the mystique that came with being associates of the Dark Knight.
"You requested our presence." Keep it simple, short, unadorned. The universal rule to dealing with civilians while in disguise.
"Yes, well." Commissioner Gordon sounded uncharacteristically distracted. He sat behind his standard-issue desk and shuffled papers around for no apparent purpose. "Forensics came back with the results from the Wayne death." Robin cringed inwardly, but said nothing; as Robin, he had no ties to Bruce Wayne. Therefore, Gordon had no need to show delicacy. "To be blunt, it's sick. I know the news said he died from a heart attack or something—"
"Cardio-pulmonary arrest." Batgirl corrected softly. Commissioner Gordon frowned.
"Yes, something like that, wasn't it? Anyway, couldn't be farther from the truth. Bruce Wayne was as healthy as a horse, according to good old Dr. Jennings. This guy was done in---no surprise there; that's how the rich and mighty go. But what a way to do it…it's twisted, even by Gotham standards." Taking his keys from his pocket, he opened the top drawer of the desk. Taking out a fat manila envelope, he handed it to Robin. "Here ya go; I can't look at it again."
Robin opened the folder. The first thing was the data sheet---name of the victim, the policemen and forensics involved in the investigation, etc. Next came Dr. Jennings' notes. Robin skimmed through it, while Batgirl peered over his shoulder. Twelve-inch lacerations consistent though upper torso…palms perforated…femur and tibia on both legs crushed…bullet wound in the right shoulder…broken collar bone…first and second-degree burns throughout the digestive track…shredding of internal organs liver, right lung, esophagus, stomach, right kidney and pancreas… "Heart missing?" he read out loud, turning to Batgirl for confirmation and then to Gordon.
"Exactly as it sounds—somebody cut him open, shred his insides to pieces, and took his heart." He was silent for a few seconds. "At least the poor devil couldn't have lived through it." Batgirl looked at Robin and her eyes told him differently. He shook his head imperceptibly, telling her to wait and tell him afterwards. He turned to the next page, and the folder almost fell from his grasp. Batgirl clasped his arm and let out a soundless gasp.
The empty face of Bruce Wayne's shell was terrifying---unnaturally pale and tinted with a ghostly blue, it held little resemblance to the handsome features Robin held in his mind. He was naked to the waist, a white sheet modestly covering his hips and legs. Bruce's chest was covered in angry, red markings---most of them, Robin could identify as the lacerations depicted in the previous page but the rest were unmistakable suture marks. Grotesque, exaggerated, and bulky, they seemed a caricature, completely foreign in a real body. The stitches crawled all over Bruce's chest, but some marked a perfect circle over the left side of his chest. They took his heart through there.
Robin felt tears of rage push against his eyes. His hands clutched the papers tightly, and his entire frame shook. The fury pulsing though him was unlike anything he'd ever known---a more devastating passion than any he'd ever experienced. In a tremendous exercise of will, he repressed it and fought his body into normality. Save it. It'll serve you later. Though his breath was labored, the shakes were gone.
Behind him, Batgirl did the same. Robin remembered that she had already seen the body, and wondered briefly how she'd reacted then. There'd been no time—or will---for her to tell him of the specifics concerning Bruce's death, and he hadn't deemed it appropriate to pressure an explanation just then; it would've been too harsh to Batgirl. He knew all along that the circumstances were peculiar---which was to say, it hadn't been a cardio-pulmonary arrest---but it wasn't until now that he learned just how bizarre his mentor's death had been.
Considering unnecessary to view the remaining photographs, Robin closed the portfolio. "Do you have any leads?"
"You know the rules---who stands to gain the most? My eye would normally be on the heir, that Richard Grayson character. But he's just a kid---nineteen, I think. Besides, I've met the boy, and he seems of the decent sort. A little pale, if you ask me, but harmless. An orphan, you know? Twice, now." Yes, I know.
"I'd still like to talk to him, though. Unless, of course, you and the Bat want to take over the investigation?" his voice wasn't hopeful, but grave. The instincts he'd honed over his many years of police work told him that there was something in this case that was completely beyond his, and the rest of the station's, understanding---something dark, twisted, surreal. Just like Batman and his children. Not so children anymore, he corrected. Though still obviously young, both of Batman's protégées were strong and exuded an aura of power and maturity. And tragedy…for some reason, they looked the part of tragic heroes completely. Again, he wondered how they had come to join the Dark Crusader.
"Who knows?" Robin's voice interrupted Gordon's musings.
"Practically no one. The body was dumped in his manor; the butler discovered it and had the sense to keep quiet about it. He called me directly. So it's him, me, two of my boys, and Dr. Jennings."
"We'll do it. You have to drop the case completely; give me any files you have and warn your boys. This investigation never took place. When we find the murderer, you'll now." Robin knew his voice betrayed some of his urgency, but he masked it as a threat.
"That's all there is to it—the guy was naked, and we have no crime scene." A button on his phone began to flash. For a second, he glanced its way. When he turned back, Robin and Batgirl were gone.
One the roof of a building two streets away, Robin and Batgirl were sheltered from view by an oversized fire escape. The space was narrow, but worth the lack of comfort by the discretion it provided. Batgirl was kneeling, broken, her mask and cowl off. She looked directly at the ground even as she spoke, her hair falling like a curtain on the side of her face.
"He lived through it, Richard." Her former lover's mask, too, was off. "His body wasn't dumped; he made it to the Bat Cave. Alfred said he walked there. When I arrived, he was still alive---I don't know how they did it, Dick. It was awful---his face, God, his face all twisted in pain, and his veins popping. I could see them burst beneath his skin, actually burst! And he was delirious, completely lost---he kept talking to Selena, then you, and his parents, me, then Robin, and again you, the Joker, Catwoman, Batgirl, Alfred, and then himself. It was like Bruce was talking to Batman, and the Batman to Bruce. I couldn't understand most of what he said---I can't even remember it. Just that suddenly he stopped talking and died. Just like that." She turned her face up to look at him, and her blue eyes were blurry with tears. "Then I called you." With that, she burst into tears, and buried her head in his lap, her body shaking with sobs.
"Shhh…" His own voice was shaky and knotted as he ran his fingers through her blond locks. "We'll find them, the bastards who did this. We will." He swallowed hard. "And they'll pay for everything." He knew they would.
Beast Boy felt lonely. This wasn't a usual occurrence for Beast Boy, as there was always someone to 'entertain' in the Tower. But the Wayne Manor was different. It was big and empty---Robin was out, Cyborg was out, old butler guy had vanished, Raven was lost, and Starfire...uncharacteristically subdued. She had claimed exhaustion and slept in. And with no game console to be found---what did these people spend their money on, then? ---Beast Boy was left to wonder.
Part of him was secretly looking for the Bat Cave that he knew the manor was built over. There was surely an entrance somewhere. Of course, it would be unethical to actually search for it…but if he were to accidentally stumble on it? After all, that's how Robin himself came to become the Boy Wonder. And if Robin could discover Batman's most prized secret, it follows that he, the amazing Beast Boy, would locate the door in a second.
Three hours later, the secret endured. More than a little frustrated, Beast Boy resolved to wake Star up. With a sigh, he turned to face the frighteningly and imposingly long staircase. Then he grinned, and became a small, green pterodactyl.
Starfire looked in the mirror, and puzzled at her image. She was naked and slender, her orange-tinted skin smooth and soft, like cream. Her legs were well-toned, long and elegant, glossy when she ran her hands up them. She brought both hands to her chest and cupped her breasts—though small, they were well formed and helped maintain the esthetic of her appearance. She let them go, wishing they were larger but nevertheless satisfied by their light weight. Her hair was silken and it fell straight, like a curtain of carroty red almost to her waist. She took it and carefully brought it up to a bun. She turned around to better admire the graceful arch of her neck...perhaps she should wear her hair up more often. Or maybe cut it short.
Anyway she looked at herself, she still was beautiful. She couldn't find the flaw---there had to be one. Otherwise, why would Robin refuse her? Maybe she was too beautiful. No, that couldn't be. Perhaps…perhaps it wasn't about beauty…perhaps her beauty did nothing to help her…perhaps it served no purpose…She looked again, and hated herself.
Star reached for the razor and inattentively cut the palm of her hand. A bright red drop fell, staining the pale carpet. She stared, transfixed, at the wound and slowly brought the razor to her skin again. The cut grew until it extended from side to side of her palm. She stared still, until---disgusted, she let the razor drop. At the same time, he heard a crash outside her room, accompanied by horrific cry.
Pausing only to throw on a terrycloth robe, she ran out only to find what appeared to be a rather large green bird. The poor creature seemed mad; it cried senselessly and banged itself against the wall over and over again.
"Friend Beast Boy!" She cried, realizing at once that the thing was not a bird, but a small pterodactyl. "What is the matter?" At once, the pterodactyl became the green shape-shifter. He sat on the ground and rubbed his head.
"Owie…"
"Are you all right, Friend?" Starfire asked carefully, half-kneeling and inadvertently providing Beast Boy with an unobstructed view of her cleavage.
"I'm better now, Star." Beast Boy chuckled, nudging her head meaningfully in the direction of her robe.
"Oh." Star blushed and stood upright, giggling while cinching the robe tighter. "I did not notice. I was…taking a bath, when I was startled by your crash. Whatever happened?"
"I guess I got a little over-excited and missed the corner turn…" he gave a little laugh, and stood up, using the wall to steady himself. Star's eyes examined him worriedly. "It's okay, don't worry. Hey, how about…" he straightened out his clothes, "you join me for a little 'treasure hunt'?"
"Treasure Hunt'? I do not understand."
"We'll walk around, explore a little…I mean, have you seen this place? It's huge!" He looked at her expectantly. "C'mon, Star, it'll be fun, I promise."
"Very well, Friend Beast Boy. I shall join you in this 'Treasure Hunt'. Only allow me a couple of minutes so I can don a more suitable apparel." Blushing a little, she looked down at the alarmingly revealing robe.
"I suppose I can wait." He told her playfully. "Though you look quite delightful in your current…uh, apparel, was it?" Starfire giggled again and went inside the room, throwing one last, shy look his way.
Immediately after the door closed Beast Boy collapsed against the opposite wall, his body shivering uncontrollably. The episode had taken him completely by surprise---it'd never been so strong before. He had actually blacked out for a couple of seconds. He'd lost control. Again. And he would have remained that way, had Starfire not called his name. What was wrong with him?
Just then, Beast Boy heard the door knob shuffle. In a flash, he stood up, smile at ready. Starfire emerged from the room, clad in her usual purple ensemble and looking lovely. "All set?" he offered his arm with mock gallantry. She let out a little tinkling of a laugh and took the offered limb. "Huh? What's that? Are you bleeding, Star?"
"Oh!" she cursed her forgetfulness. "It is nothing...I…I accidentally cut myself with the razor. It is already closing up."
"Are you sure? You don't need any…uh, antiseptics and stuff?"
"No, Friend Beast Boy, though I appreciate you concern. It is most touching." Something didn't sound right. He wanted to press further, but decided against it.
"All right, then, off we go." And together they set out to explore the many dark corridors of the Wayne Manor, Beast Boy never forgetting the Bat Cave that surely awaited them and shoving behind his worry and suspicion.
With a sigh, Raven threw another book to the pile. She'd spent the entire day in Robin's room, rummaging through his desk and drawers for an interesting book. She had tried the library, but found it locked. Figuring it would be out of bounds for a reason, she had had to make do with the selection in the Wonder Boy's quarters. Most of them were textbooks---sociology, criminology, psychology… She wondered if he'd read them, and decided he probably had; Robin had a unique way of crawling inside a criminal's head that referred a lot of study on the subject. Or was that just natural ability?
Very worn copies of classic texts were also present---The Art of War, the Tao Te Ching, Hua Hu Ching, among others.Carefully arranged beside them---and looking as though they'd never been touched, let along opened—stood a series of books with titles like "Cosmic Consciousness; A Classic Investigation of the Development of Man's Mystic Relationship to the Infinite". Yeah, right, Robin's read that. A couple of mystery novels were stashed in a corner, almost guiltily hidden. Though mystery novels weren't exactly her thing---she'd rather plain old horror---she began to browse through them.
A couple of hours later, she was down to the last. As she reached for it, she absentmindedly knocked down one of the heavy text books--- Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies----and it toppled down, liberating the fake end behind it. Curious, she removed inspected the contents of this 'secret compartment': a couple of journals, a bunch of CDs—or DVDs, she couldn't tell----, some photographs…and half a dozen sketch pads. She put the tempting journals and CDs back in the compartment, replaced the cover and book, and took the sketch pads to the bed.
Nestling back on the pillows, Raven lit the lamp on the bedside table and browsed through one of them. What she saw left her speechless. All of them were women; faeries, elves, girls, matrons, spirits, models, hags, anything. The sketches were amateurish, rough and slightly out of proportion, but they conveyed so much beauty, such sensuality…the faces and bodies were far from perfect, yet…they seemed to be so fitting, like it wasn't so much about the body, but about the soul.
She found the same kind of drawings in the next two pads, but the fourth notebook surprised her. Again, the subject was a woman---young, about fourteen, lovely and slightly familiar. The first sketches were rough, simple. As the thick notebook progressed, so did the subject. Her body matured, her hair lengthened, her eyes gained depth. The innocent allure of the bright-eyed girl evolved into a raw sensuality, a physical prowess and appeal that left Raven breathless. By the end, the subject looked roughly nineteen---sometimes clothed, sometimes nude, her eyes remained dark, projecting a threateningly erotic hypnotism that twisted her insides.
When she turned the last page and so the last sketch, she knew who the subject was---with the mask on, she was unmistakable; Batgirl, staring up from every page. The Elegant Universe; Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory burst into sudden flames and consumed unto itself as Raven felt an unexpected flare of jealousy. She'd always known about Robin's old flame, and it wasn't Barbara's relationship to the Boy Wonder that she was envious of---things were confusing enough as they were without having to throw in past relationships. No; she only wished to feel half as beautiful as the blonde girl looked; she wished to posses the same mesmerizing quality, to seem as comfortable in her own skin. And yes, maybe captivate Robin—and Richard---in the same way Batgirl obviously did.
The doorknob jiggling open startled her, and she hurriedly shut the notebook close. Raven looked to the door, expecting it to be Robin but quickly forsaking the idea when she couldn't sense him. The door opened, and in fell Beast Boy and Starfire. They didn't seem to see Raven at first.
"Friend Beast Boy," Starfire said, "I believe this is Friend Robin's room…"
"You're right Star…You wanna poke arou---Raven? What are you doing here?" Now both of them were looking at her with puzzled eyes. Star looked away quickly, but Beast Boy fixed her with a stare. Raven imagined the picture she must've made---sitting in the nest of Robin's still unmade bed and wearing a loose pair of wine-red cotton pajamas she'd found in one of his drawers early that morning.
"The library's locked. I was bored." Raven explained dryly, gesturing at the pile of discarded books. "What's your excuse?"
Beast Boy was quite for a minute, as though waiting for Starfire to exclaim something to the effect of "Friend Beast Boy and I are on a hunting expedition! Will you not join us, friend Raven?". The alien girl, however, remained silent so Beast Boy answered, "We're exploring!"
"Searching for the Batcave, you mean?"
"You wound me, Rae." Raven fixed him with a stare, which he promptly shrugged off. "Anyway, you should come with us. Unless you're too busy frolicking in Robin's bed?" He raised his eyebrows suggestively. Starfire thought she might be sick.
"Frolicking, eh? Big word. Didn't know you had it in you." Raven didn't even bat an eyelash.
"I'm full of surprises. You should try me sometime." He mock-growled in what Raven assumed he thought to be a sensual manner.
"I don't care for tender meat." She countered in her dry voice.
"Ouch!" Beast Boy laughed and Starfire giggled uncertainly, not completely sure if she had understood correctly. "Come with us, Rae. You can vandalize Rob's room later. I'll help, even." He added with a wink.
"Fine." Too tired to say no and knowing they would only press further, Raven gave up and decided to accompany them. Besides, if they did find the Bat Cave, it would be better the two more playful Titans had someone to restrain them.
"Great! Come here." Putting an arm around Star and the other around Raven, he squeezed playfully. "My two favorite girls---let's go!" Raven shrugged him off, but Beast Boy didn't seem to mind. Together, the three of them made their way through the shadowed halls of the Wayne Manor, exploring whichever room seemed promising. It was tiring work, with Beast Boy refusing to leave even one book without pulling or one gargoyle without pressing and Starfire only smiling softly and even so, only at him. Raven, for her part, mostly frowned and offered good-natured sarcasm which earned more than a giggle or two from her fellow Titans.
They were in the entrance hall, at the foot of the great marble staircase, when Star called out, "Friends! This door appears to be locked." They had only found three locked room so far---the library, the master bedroom, and one of the side studies. Though the library remained a mystery---but one too clichéd to hold the entrance to the Bat Cave---, they were sure the bedroom had belonged to Bruce. And while the study might present a puzzle to the other two, Raven knew why that room was locked. Understandably, Beast Boy took this fourth locked door as promising. He rushed to Starfire's side.
"What do you believe it holds, Friend Beast Boy?"
"Probably the good silver." Raven said in a bored voice, before Beast Boy could answer.
"That's what they want you to think! I bet the Ba---I mean, there's all sorts of great stuff in there. Like maybe a game room or something."
"But Friend Beast Boy, we have already encountered the Game Room."
"Then maybe there are two of them!" Beast Boy exclaimed. Raven rolled her eyes. "Okay, or maybe it's a home theater. Haven't seen that one around yet, huh?"
"A home theater? What does this mean?"
"It's like a movie theater, but smaller." Raven supplied in the same exasperated tone.
"Oh! I desire to see this home movie-theater!"
"We could jiggle the lock…" Beast Boy turned to Raven, pleadingly.
"But that is not right, Friend Beast Boy." Star protested. "We cannot break a lock in Friend Robin's home."
"Then I'll open it from the inside!" Without waiting for a reply, Beast Boy became a lizard and slid under the door. A minute went pass, and nothing happened. Slightly concerned, Starfire knocked on the door.
"Friend Beast Boy! Is everything right?" A couple more seconds, and the door swung open.
"The silver closet. Shocking." Raven stated, peering inside and ignoring a slightly dazed-looking Beast Boy. Starfire, however, went to him immediately.
"Friend Beast Boy? What is the matter? Do you feel unwell?" She put an arm on his shoulder and frowned.
"I'm fine, Star. Just got a head rush." He tried to walk out of the closet, but stumbled back into a shelf. Surprisingly, the shelf gave way a few inches. It was enough for the Titans to glimpse the dull blue that glowed behind it. "There's something back here! Star, give me a hand."
"What do you want my hand for?"
"Just help me push." Together, they pushed against the shelf. Behind it, a stone stairway led down. "Yes! See! I told you---the Bat Cave's down there!" Without another word, Beast Boy hurried down the stairs, stumbling almost drunkenly every few steps. With no other choice, the girls followed after him.
Red Notes:
For organization purposes, I'll go in no particular order.
This is getting annoying---again, I had to cut the chapter short. There was too much stuff in there already. Still, this one's a filler. The plot hardly moves on. I'll make up for it in the next one, okay? Oh, and if the last scene seems a bit forced, that's because it was---I didn't really want to write it, but it turned out to be necessary. Oh, well.
Raven (Scene 1): Yes, she's weird again. I can't help it. I think weirdly, so all my characters do too. I don't know why it always hits her hardest. Anyway, I hope I was able to explain myself---To Raven, the most remarkable thing about the night before was the level of sensibility and…humanity that she achieved. Of course, sleeping with Robin's a big deal too---I'm not underestimating that. But you have to put it in perspective---she's always been a practically empty shell, and all of a sudden she's not only feeling but acting on all these bewildering emotions. She's always been able to figure out what others thought, but she'd never understood—or cared as much about-- the feelings of another person. So one breakthrough at a time, okay? But don't be disappointed, there's more RR stuff coming up.
Cyborg: I told you he was in this story! Ha-ha! Anyway, I've always thought Cyborg wasn't all that into the superhero thing. I know he cares about the people's well-being and everything but he's not…jaded enough. I know what you're thinking: isn't loosing over half your body enough? Well, yes, but he seems pretty cool with it, almost like he'd rather give it a more practical use. I can't explain it. But you'll get to see that storyline develop in chapters to come. For now, I've got to go do my research on Bumble Bee.
The songs: "Kite", by U2…the jet plane song—whatever it's name is---by the Beatles… "Lemon Tree" by….I can't remember…and the rock' roll song by a great 80s band that has fled my memory. I don't own any of them. Or Aerosmith.
The Will Reading: A free scene. I actually though to cut it out as well, but I was too lazy to think up another way to bring up the disks and stuff. Pointless, really.
The Police Station scene: Was Batman's death bizarre enough? I though I could go still further, but I didn't want to over do it. As you can see, I will be following that particular plot bunny---and therefore, lengthening this fic by a couple of chapters. Which is good, actually, because I had no idea how I was gonna cram everything in there. (Lain, you were right—4 chapters are not nearly enough)
Robin and Batgirl in the Roof: Complementary to the Police Station one. Actually, I wanted a little Robin/Batgirl time. Not romantically, though---I just though that having them connect a bit more would help the story. Also, I needed to bring Babs out of the generic-black-hole a little.
Starfire: I know I promised more angst. Be patient. There will be. And I hope the mirror scene wasn't too…out of the blue. I just figure she's going through some heavy self-doubt...and when does that hit harder than when in front of a mirror? The blood was for complimentary.
Beast Boy: And so he, too, emerges from the shadows of the generic-black-hole! His storyline's quite easy to guess, but hopefully I can give it a couple of twists in chapters to come. Also, I was kind of hoping to throw in a little smoothness. I didn't, of course, but it wasn't from lack of trying. Hopefully, he's not too OOC
The Sketchpads: I wasn't sure whether to put that in there---it's such a cliché. But I needed a plot devise, and none worked quite like this one. Anyway, they're more for Raven's benefit than to show off any artistic abilities our dear Robin might posses. What I meant was to delve into Raven's character a bit more---about how she wishes to be beautiful in a more earthly fashion. We all know she's got that ethereal creepiness thing going on, but I think she'd want a more…real attractiveness. I don't know; I suck at explaining. (And yes, I also wanted Robin to look good---that's not too terrible, is it?) The model's Batgirl because I though I needed a real person, not just imaginary drawings. Batgirl seemed the logical choice.
The books: I've always figure Robin's into sociology---he takes his work seriously, and he ought to be well-schooled, being Bruce's 'son' and all. The book titles I mentioned---- The Art of War, the Tao Te Ching, Hua Hu Ching, "Cosmic Consciousness; A Classic Investigation of the Development of Man's Mystic Relationship to the Infinite", "Guns, Germs, and Steel: the Fates of Human Societies", "The Elegant Universe; Hidden Dimensions, and the Quest for the Ultimate Theory" are actual, real books. I own none of them. Out of them, I figure he's red the Oriental philosophy ones and the Guns, Germs, etc. The others are just for show.
The Bat Cave: I've been, uh, studying the movies, and there are a lot of entrances to the Bat Cave. I picked the easiest one---it's actually the one Robin sneaks through in "Batman Forever".
Next Chapter: more Cyborg, and Catwoman makes her first (and probably only) appearance. Quite a bit of RobinRaven, as well as Gotham patrolling which I'm sure will be fun to write. I think Star and Beast Boy might be taking the backseat in this one, because I also want to move the murder plot along. Hopefully, we'll see a bit of Alfred.
Don't forget to review---it's great encouragement. Also, I'm thinking about maybe dragging Tim Drake (the third Robin) into this---for decorative purposes, mostly. What do you think?
Congratulations! You just got past my longest Notes ever!
---Fée (aka Red Room Flare)