Disclaimer (for all chapters): I do not own Teen Titans, though I so wish I did…
Authors Note: Tell me what you think
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Wally shoved his hands into his pants pockets and sighed. He pulled out the note Jinx had left him, it having been read and reread, folded and refolded many times that it was nearly impossible to read Jinx's scratchy handwriting. But Wally had it memorized word for word.
Kid Flash,
I don't even know why I'm writing this. I just know I'm leaving.
I don't even know why I'm leaving. I just know I have to.
I'm sorry it has to be this way. I wish I could tell you in person, but
Then you'd try to stop me.
There is only one thing I'm certain of right now, and that is that I'm going to
Become a civilian. Where I'm going, I have no idea. So please don't try to find me.
Don't make this hard on yourself. Please.
Sincerely,
Jinx
Yes, Jinx had left him and he'd no trace as to where she'd gone. Yes, he missed her. More than she, or anyone, would ever know. And yes, he loved her. He had never told her and that was one of the biggest regrets he had.
Robin had told him to let it go and move on. What an idiot. Starfire had comforted him. Robin was lucky to have her. Beastboy and Cyborg had given him the new Game Station Omega 5 and let him have the first play. Good friends. And Raven had simply helped him clear his head when the need arose.
Raven. She was probably the one person that knew how much Jinx's departure was tearing him up. What, with the Malchior deal and everything. She was one of those misunderstand yet great people. Like Jinx.
Wally sighed and folded the note back up, placing it gently in his pocket. He knew it was kind of pathetic, keeping the small note for as long as he had, but no matter what he did, he could never bring himself to dispose of it.
Right after Jinx had left, maybe a month or so, the Justice League had shut down the Teen Titans for good, the reasons unknown except to Robin. And so, they all had to adjust to being 'normal' human beings, surprisingly something that Robin struggled at more than Starfire. Now every Titan had a new name, a new job, a new life.
He, the once great Kid Flash, was now Wally West, the now great security guard to Wayne Enterprises. The job wasn't that bad and the pay was pretty good, but it compared nothing to being a superhero.
I miss you, Jinx.
While Wally had been thinking, he hadn't been watching where he was going, and hit right into an unsuspecting bystander.
Wally grinned, ready to apologize, when he looked up and heard the angry voice.
"Hey! Watch it!"
TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT
Jenny leaned against the apartment door, irritated and impatient. What was taking him so long? She looked over at the dark haired, lightly tanned eighteen year old boy sitting on the oldest looking leather couch. Elliot Sanch, formerly the villain Kyd Wykkyd, smiled at her and shrugged, saying he had no idea what the holdup was. Jenny turned her gaze on the fifteen year old genius that sat at a desk, mulling over his latest gadget, expecting him to have an answer.
"Stefan-" She began but was immediately cut off by 'Stefan' Talo, the reformed Gizmo, who looked at her angrily.
"Don't ask me. Ask that barf-brain when he gets out." And, as if on cue, the bathroom door burst open, and Roy Harper jumped out, many different smells and aromas following him as he did so.
Jenny had no idea how it happened. Her being stuck with the arrogant 'Speedy' of all things. But, just as she had gotten back from France, she had found Kyd, Gizmo, and Cheshire waiting for her, expectantly. Knowing she wouldn't be able to get rid of them, the four had all started a crime fighting team, but after about six months, they stopped, knowing full well that they'd given Jump City and Steel City's criminals a run for their money. (Yes, she'd gone back to Jump. Where else had felt like a real home to her?) They used the money from the Hive Tower, to get suitable jobs and apartments. Then, in the middle of the night, someone had knocked on the door, demanding to see Cheshire. The assassin had then gleefully admitted to sending a message to the hero and that was how he had found them. Jenny let him stay regrettably; the guy was so full of himself.
"What took so long?" Jenny snorted, opening the front door. Roy looked at her and waggled an eyebrow.
"I need to get ready for my date." He declared, leading the way to the sidewalk, where Jade Nyguron-Cheshire-waited for them. It was a smart choice to pick a home close to the Main Street Plaza, since they went there so often.
Jenny rolled her eyes. "We live right next door to you. You saw her yesterday." Roy leaned down and kissed the Asian girl on the cheek, sliding his arm around her waist. The girl smiled however small it was.
"Exactly. Much too long. I, unlike you, have a life." What a conceited jerk. Elliot and Stefan joined the two lovebirds and Jenny hung back, watching, analyzing, studying her friends-and yes, no matter that she would never admit it out loud to anyone as long as she lived, Roy was her 'friend'.
Jade, the ever silent seventeen year old, resting her head against Roy's shoulder. The two were good for each other. Maybe, when the time came, Roy would invite her to the wedding. Elliot, never saying one word. Jenny had never seen him so happy to be around other people, the people he considered family. And then there was Stefan, the most annoying person Jenny had ever dealt with-well almost…- but he was like her little brother, an insanely smart, snotty brother. The boy was leading in products with Victor Stone for heaven's sake!
Like the others, Jenny had shed her identity as Jinx, sorceress of bad luck, and had become a fashion designer and artist. But sometimes, when she was left to think, her mind brought up the painful memories. The Hive Academy, Teen Titans, Kid Flash… That one stung the worst. She'd read the news paper a few months after she'd met up with the others and cried herself to sleep. The cocky teenage Flash had gone on a world trip, searching all over for the one he called 'Jinx'. If he really cared that much… It hurt her more than anyone knew, leaving him like that. But she couldn't go back in time and fiddle around, make things they used to be. What was done was done.
Jenny. The word entered her head uninvited. She didn't like it when Elliot spoke through her head. It was like an invasion of privacy. But that was the only way he spoke, and Jenny found it comforting in the very least, dragging her away from self-pity and angst. Her head snapped up and she found herself standing in the middle of the street, away from the group. The other three were looking at her; Roy and Stefan oddly, Jade, understandingly. It was always good to have a best friend that you could confide in.
"Are you going to stand there all day or what?" Roy asked, rolling his eyes. Jenny frowned at him and resumed walking.
"I was thinking, something you obviously won't achieve in you short lifetime." Jenny sneered. Stefan smiled at the hidden threat and held in his laughter. If there was one other person that could hate Roy more than Jen, it was the youngest of the group. She had almost reached them when the black-haired girl wobbled and fell backwards. Seeing her predicament, Jenny swiftly turned around so that she faced the asphalt, and flew into a cartwheel. The one thing she could beat her best friend in was gymnastics. And she liked it that way.
A young man, about the age of Jenny, eighteen or nineteen, was on the ground, having broken the fall with his hands, looking up at her with a look of awe over his face. He had spiky red hair, freckles plastered on the bridge of nose and icy blue eyes that sent pain jolting through Jen at the memories. They look just like his…
"Hey!" Jenny barked at him. "Watch it!" She said angrily, narrowing her now purple eyes at him. Roy, on the other hand, seemed genuinely happy to see the man. He walked right up to him and held out his hand. The carrot top took it gratefully.
"Wally?" Roy asked, slightly surprised, as he helped the other red head up. Jen raised an eyebrow and looked over at Jade to see if she knew what was happening. The girl shrugged, swinging back and forth in her kimono. Stefan and Elliot just stood and watched the encounter.
"Roy. Long time no see." 'Wally' said, grinning. He brushed himself off and looked at the other four.
"Oh. These are my friends." Roy said, stepping next to Jade. "Guys, this is Wally West. Wally, this is Jade Nyguron, my girlfriend, Stefan Talo, the short little midget, Elliot Sanch, and Jennifer Hecate. Don't get on her bad side." Roy whispered as an afterthought. But Jen heard him perfectly.
"Right." She glared at Wally. "Call me anything but Jen or Jenny and you won't live to see tomorrow." Roy snorted.
"Empty words, Wally. Pay no mind." Wally's smile grew bigger-if that was possible-as he chuckled. Jenny clenched her hands into fists.
"You know, Roy, one of these days, I'll kill you and I won't come to your funeral." She growled. Stefan brightened t this.
"When you do, tell me. I wouldn't mind losing that bit-sniffing-" He didn't finish as Jade had whacked him on the head. He cringed and fell silent, though Jen knew he was thinking of some choice words in his head. Roy had gone slightly pale but tried to quickly maintain his composure.
"Nice to meet you, Jenny." Wally said, staring right into her eyes. The said girl avoided eye contact.
"Yah, yah. We all know you think Jen is attractive but let's get back on track." Roy said impatiently. Wally's face turned beet red as he turned back to face his friend. Jenny watched him carefully. He hadn't denied it, so did he agree with Roy? That thought made Jen smile-though she quickly hid it by swiping a piece of stray hair out of her face. "What are you doing in Jump? I thought you left for Star City or something."
Wally shrugged. "Got tired of it. Decided to meet up with some old friends. That sort of thing. What are you doing here? I thought you'd be in Steel City." He looked at Roy, who nodded understandably. What's to be understood? The archer looked at his companions for a moment.
"Nope. Thought I'd stay with my family." He swung his arm around, indicating his friends. "Or close to it anyway. No matter that some are planning my downfall." He shot a glare at Stefan and Jen, who smiled sweetly at him. "Hey, we're just about to go to get some pizza, if you want to come. I'm sure Jen would just love that." He said dryly. Jenny's skin prickled with her not-often-used power. How I wish… Urgh. But I can't. But he does deserve it. No, Jade would kill me.
"Sure… if that's alright with everyone, that is." Wally said, side-glancing at Jenny.
"No way!" Stefan said angrily. Jen was glad to at least some one on her side. She couldn't see getting along with some pompous twin of Roy's. "I had to pay for this outing with my own cruddy money! ("Which you have enough of." Roy coughed) And I'm not paying for another." The boy grudgingly folded his arms across his chest.
"That's okay. I can pay for myself." Wally said.
"Besides, Einstein, you're out ruled." Roy said happily. Elliot and Jade nodded vigorously. Obviously wanting more company than the usual. Jenny just watched them in disbelief. "Great. Nice to have you join us, West."
This is going to be a long day. Jen said to herself, unhappily following the others as they started to walk down the sidewalk.