Well, this chapter is a bit out of format here. I decided to put some story here, more than in the other chapters. Some chatter, too. Sorry.

Additional disclaimer: Dani Din is created and owned by Shraga Gafni. Not by me.

Liberation.

Raven was uneasy. Of course, that was the entire idea.

No, I didn't choose the best restaurant in the world, for myself. I didn't choose the most expensive, to get material revenge. Nooo.

"You know, Beastboy, this place really makes me uneasy, but it seems to pass. Now, it feels kind of… liberating here."

I am a bit disappointed. But then, I don't really want to hurt her.

"Yeah." I say as I look at the people outside. "It's lucky for you that you have denounced so much of your heritage and not a full demon. I think even your dad would have felt somewhat uneasy this deep in Jerusalem."

Take my hand

I've changed my mind again

Really I believed it true

that all who fell in love were foolish

But I was wrong

I've learned that lesson well

All the way back home at midnight

you were sleeping on my shoulder

The shrine of the three religions is a good ward against demons. I would know.

The waiter arrived. I made an order for the both of us.

"You speak Hebrew?" Asked Raven in amazement.

"You don't? I would have thought with all your reading you would. Although, of course, Judaism never looked kindly upon sorcery."

"No, I never dared to learn it. Back to my question…"

"I lived here for a couple of years before I joined the Doom Patrol. You may be surprised, but I learn languages very quickly."

"How did you get here? You never told us about that."

"I… I would rather not talk about it." I say as memories float back. "It's not something I want to remember."

Take my hand

Don't think of obligations

Now, right now

your love is liberation

She placed her hand on mine.

"Please, Gar, tell me. I wish to know about you."

To free in me

the trust I never dared

I always thought the risk too great

but suddenly I don't hesitate so

It was a very painful time in my life, but I guess she had the right to know.

"When I was around 10, a criminal got hold of me. Can't tell you his name because he never used one for long." I showed her a place on my neck where a faint mark could still be seen. "He got me implanted with a device to kill me if I got out of control, so I had no choice but to steal for him."

I looked into her eyes at those words. There was sadness and understanding. Apparently, she accepted that. I continued:

"For about a year, we traveled throughout the world, me constantly making him richer. Yet, somehow, he decided it wasn't enough. He made a pact with a demon." I smiled at that. Raven did, too. "And you know how it usually ends. Anyway, when things started turning grim, he fled here, knowing that this is one place the demon won't enter. And, of course, he still sent me out to steal."

"Yet," said the girl in front of me "you managed to get out. How?"

Take my hand

Don't think of complications

Now, right now

your love is liberation

Liberation

I hesitated before continuing. This might really complicate things between us.

"The obvious way. I got him killed."

"How?" That was one thing she didn't expect. And one thing which got out of her a negative reaction.

"He made a few mistakes. First, he was very prone to anger fits. Lucky I could get away before he could beat me up. Because of those fits, the device was made so it couldn't kill me instantly. First it stunned me, and only a minute later, could the killing sequence be activated, so he could cool down. The second mistake was, that one day, a few weeks before Christmas, he told me to prepare to assassinate someone.

Now, I sometimes sneaked away to university lectures about philosophy, and some other subjects, too, and despite all of my Master's brainwashing I realized, that such an order, to an extent, justifies quite drastic measures."

The food arrived. We started with vegetable soup. Raven was the first to speak.

"I understand. To defend another or yourself, killing is justified."

"Yes, but it doesn't make it easy. Morally or otherwise. He could always hear everything I said, see what I saw, so I couldn't pass any message outside. However, I did manage to look at some calendar charts. You see, there was the third mistake of his. He liked feeling his superiority over the demon. So, from time to time, he went very close to the border of the safe area, and taunted the demon. I subtly managed to convince him to go to the border at a proper time."

"What was the time?" Asked Raven, intrigued. That was certainly her area of interest. "Some fast, or a mourning day?"

I smiled at the memory. "Nothing like that. The power of this place is too strong for the people to affect it. But the charts I looked at, gave the exact moment the darkness is strongest. I brought him to the border right at the moment of the winter solstice." I paused. Raven smirked. "He was snatched away rather quickly. Since he had time to stun me, I couldn't help him. I doubt I would have though, considering the words he said about my parents when dragged away. Anyway, the demon didn't have time to grab me as well."

"I don't understand. Didn't the device have some safeguard to kill you when he died?"

"Only if it would look like I killed him. When he was teleported to hell, all his lifesigns stopped the same moment. Animals can't do that, at least none I could transform into back then. I was spared."

"What happened then?" She was eager to hear the rest of the story.

"Nothing much. I lived here for a year or so, sneaked away to lectures, stopped some burglars. Then, a friend referred me to the Doom Patrol. They removed the device, and the rest is history."

She looked at me.

"You know, Gar, I am impressed. I never took you for such a… devious type"

The night, the stars

A light shone through the dark

All the way back home at midnight

you were sleeping on my shoulder

"There are a lot of things you don't know about me, Rae." I said looking into her eyes. "Things I would like to share with you."

Slowly, she leaned over the table, and kissed me. It was such bliss, to finally feel her lips against mine, to taste them, to… It was indescribable. I don't know how long we were like that, until suddenly…

"Gershom! Long time no see!"

This could only be one person in this small country. I looked over. That was him, a sixty year old guy with a somewhat unnatural face color. One I would recognize anywhere.

"Dani! Long time, never see!"

He walked over to our table. Taking it all in, he started talking excitedly.

"I heard from someone a guy who looked like you was sighted in the town. I knew I would find you here. And, that, if I'm not mistaken, is Raven."

She shook his hand "Yes, that's me. And you would be?.."

"Of course, where are my manners. Dani Din," He lowered his voice "The Invisible Man"

"This is the friend I told you about. A local hero. I met him soon after I got rid of my master."

I looked at him.

"Would you join us for the lunch maybe?"

"No thanks. You know what happened when the entire world became vegetarians."

We had that argument at least a hundred times while here.

"I know, they were drowned. I don't think there is much risk of that now, and there's also God's promise"

"Still, I think I should leave you to your… date, am I correct?"

I looked at Raven to see her reaction.

"Yeah. Now, if you would step aside. Our lasagne is coming."

He moved away, sitting behind another table.

Raven lifted an eyebrow.

"Gershom?"

"Foreign names are often changed here. He decided to call me Gershom" I paused "and you are welcome, too."

"Well then, Gershom, let's continue our meal. Anything else in mind after that?"

"Well, we can walk through the city for a few hours. I know some beautiful places. After that, we'll get back to the T-ship."

Take my hand,

Don't think of hesitation

Now, right now

your love is liberation

Liberation

After finishing the meal, and saying goodbye to my friend, we, as I promised, walked around the city for a while. It was … really nice here. Of course, recalling my slavery wasn't pleasant, yet telling it – that was – cleansing. Liberating. And Raven has finally seen the real me. And liked it.

Now that really puzzles me.

She is still uneasy about approaching the city centre, but there are plenty of other city streets around to walk and chatter. And beautiful landscapes. She really liked the stories I heard on the lectures.

"So let me get this straight." Raven asks while giggling. "That sage gave them three miracles, and the other sages still remained convinced they are right?"

"Yes" I was telling her the story of Akhnai's Oven. "So he says: 'If I'm right, the Heavens shall prove it.' A Voice came out and said he was right."

"So what did the sages say?"

I shrugged.

"The head of the sages said, that since Torah was already given to the people, it's not in the Heavens but here. So the decision is made here. Heavens don't get a vote. The majority won."

"How did God react?" Asked my girlfriend (Do I call her that already?).

"According to a later account, someone met Prophet Elijah, and asked him that question. God smiled, and said 'My children have won over me, they have.'"

Raven smiled.

I look at my clock.

"Sorry, my love, but it appears we should return home."

"I don't want to." She pouted (Dammit. Since when did she get such a good control over her powers?).

"Well, Don't hurry then." I said before kissing her.

Back home at midnight

All the way back home at midnight

The T-ship was flying, racing the sunset. I chose the time and speed well, so that we would enjoy it for the entire way. A bit slow, yeah, but we're in no hurry. The rest can work without us for a day.

Raven snuggled into my side, quite asleep. The time difference was affecting her. Well, the autopilot is Cyborg work, so I guess I can get a nap myself.