Chapter 6: Make Yourself at Home
The jolt of landing brought Batgirl's thoughts back to the present. The girl had pulled her legs to her chin. She was sitting sideways in her chair, still asleep. Batgirl wondered how long it had been since the girl had had a full night's rest. Living on the run, there was no way to guess. She had awoken when they were over the Atlantic, but they had assured her that she was safe and that they could talk when they landed. The only information they learned about her during the flight was her name. Raven.
Batgirl also noticed that Beast Boy had stolen glances at the girl every few minutes while they were traveling. The young teenager got up to shake the girl awake. "Hey, wake up," urged Beast Boy shaking her shoulder. "Wake up, we're here. Come on, I'll show you your new room!" The girl awoke with a startle, but relaxed when she recognized the green skinned boy.
The group took the stairs to a hatch in the floor of the building. The hatch led to a rarely inspected utility tunnel for the town's power and water supply. The temporary facility was a short walk from there.
"Pretty cool, huh?" Beast Boy bragged to Raven. "We've got our own secret tunnel to the…the…" he frowned. "Hey, we need to think up a really cool name for the old gym we converted."
"How about Beast Boy's Monkey House of Solitude?" teased Robin. "Come for the sleep, and leave for the smell."
"Um, close, but how about not," snarked Beast Boy. "Hmm, maybe the Jungle Gym. Or maybe Camp Justice. I'll keep thinking about it." He rubbed his chin in the exaggerated style that only Garfield could pull off.
Batgirl grinned. For Robin, fooling around like an annoying younger brother was a good sign. If he was feeling energetic enough to kid around with Beast Boy, his injuries must not be bothering him too much. Barbara knew that head trauma could be serious, but it seemed like they lucked out again.
"Ugh, you know what? I never got my souvenir from this mission," remarked Beast Boy.
"Um, hello Beast Boy," said M'gann smiling and gesturing towards Raven. "Don't you think she counts? You two can take a picture together when we get there."
"Oh yeah, awesome!" he replied. "Come on, Raven. We've got to get our picture taken together." He grabbed her hand and pulled the girl along behind him much to her dismay.
Miss Martian met Batgirl's eyes. How much do you think we can trust her? she asked privately.
I'm not sure yet. Did you see the bird erupt from the ground? It was almost like watching Tye Longshadow's energy projection, but she has enough control to shape it into different forms. She's clearly powerful. We have to be careful. We still know hardly anything about her. Where are her loyalties? How did the Bialyans find her? Where did she get her powers? We need answers before we can extend too much of our trust. Are you up for a mind reading? Batgirl questioned.
Yes, I can do it. I don't like it. But it's necessary, she replied.
They continued down the tunnel, finally catching up with Beast Boy. Somehow the girl had convinced him to return to a normal pace. Batgirl said, "Raven, before you get too far—"
"You don't trust me, and you want to ask me some questions," Raven interrupted.
"Well, not to put too fine a point on it, but yes," Batgirl replied. "We can't be too careful. Our Team was originally formed from several Justice League sidekicks. Since then it has grown into a way to help train new Justice League members. We've made plenty of enemies along the way, including the people who were chasing you in Egypt. We would like for you to allow Miss Martian to read your mind."
The girl winced in fear. "That might not be wise. My mind is not as…safe as the minds of others. I am not a native of Earth. In fact, I have only been on your world for three days. Most of that was spent running from the people you fought. Somehow, the man with the pale skin and strange head was able to sense my presence across vast distances."
"His name is Psimon," Miss Martian supplied. "He usually works at the behest of a woman named Queen Bee, one of the leaders of an evil organization called the Light. He has strong psychic powers, but we don't know how he developed them. I've fought him on the mental plane several times."
"If you're not from Earth, where are you from?" Batgirl questioned.
"I have lived my whole life in a city called Azaroth, a place of great magic and great peace," Raven explained. "If the universe was a skyscraper, with each world being a different floor, Azaroth would be the elevator. It's both connected to and separate from each plane. Its residents have taken on the responsibility to watch and record the important cosmic events throughout time and space. I left to escape the prejudices that haunt me there. The people of Azaroth are afraid of my powers. When Psimon first found me, he attempted to force his way into my mind. My inner demons… took offense to the intrusion. They fought back. He did not attempt it again." She paused, allowing them to process the information. "If you are willing to take the risk, Martian, I am willing to allow you to scan my mind for treachery. As long as you agree to keep my secrets, I will try to protect you from the landscape of my mind."
"I accept your conditions, Raven," M'gann replied. "Let's get started."
Batgirl watched as both women sat cross-legged on the floor of the tunnel across from each other. Their eyes grew vacant, and sweat shown on M'gann's forehead. Seconds turned into minutes as they waited. The neon bulbs lighting their way seemed to dim and flicker as the two women continued their psychic embrace. Suddenly Raven's cloak fluttered back and the shadowy bird form erupted from beneath to engulf the girl. The bird's wings swept forward to surround Miss Martian as well. Batgirl was unsure of what to do.
Almost as soon as it appeared, the shadowy bird vanished again. Miss Martian rose with a gasp mumbling about fire and something about antlers. "You don't exaggerate, do you?" the Martian asked as she recovered.
"In my experience, it is rarely helpful," Raven countered. After everything, the girl seemed relieved. "Have I earned your trust now?"
Miss Martian nodded and gave a weary smile. "Yes. I can tell that you mean us no harm. On behalf of the Team, I would like to welcome you to the Jungle Gym or the Monkey House of Solitude or whatever we're going to call this place. We would like for you to stay until we can figure out how to keep you safe." She motioned with her hand. "Right this way."
After a few more yards down the tunnel, the group climbed a ladder leading to the closed-down gym that a substantial portion of the Team called home. The gym's previous owner had conveniently neglected to pay taxes long enough that the city seized the property. Fortunately for the Team, they had some friends in local government that helped them purchase the building anonymously. There were already locker room facilities in place as well as a small kitchen area that used to house a smoothie shop. Beyond that, they just did some basic remodeling to make the place a little more comfortable. Between Mal, Sphere, and herself they were surprisingly handy.
"Pretty cool, huh!" exclaimed Beast Boy to Raven. "It's not as nice as Mount Justice was, but it's still better than the place we had in Blüdhaven. Zatanna even came by and warded it to be extra hard to find. Look over here! Mal put some extra desks in the upstairs if you need somewhere quiet to study. We can play video games if you want, but fair warning, I'm pretty good if I do say so myself. The locker rooms are down that hallway, and the women's bunks are behind that door." He lifted his palm and said in a false whisper, "M'gann says no boys are allowed back there, but I think she'll make an exception for me to show you around. That rule is mostly for…" The young teen looked left and right in confusion. "Wait, where did Robin and Wonder Girl go?"
Batgirl smiled. Well M'gann, it looks like Tim may get us a Stealther Girl after all, commented Batgirl.
I'll be sure to tell Karen, M'gann replied with a knowing grin at the inside joke. "Beast Boy, will you help Raven get settled in? Find her some food and some spare clothes."
Batgirl stopped paying attention to Beast Boys excited ramblings as he led Raven away. She was more concerned with the pattering of bare feet coming from the locker room hallway. Dick stood there in nothing but a short towel and his dark sunglasses. It took Barbara a moment to realize that she was staring at his abs. It wasn't like she hadn't seen them before, and in much closer detail, she told herself. Still, one more peek shouldn't kill me, she thought. M'gann looked at her, reading her mind, not with her Martian abilities, but with everyday powers of perception when a gorgeous half-naked man walks into a room full of women. It only took her half a heartbeat longer to realize something was odd about Dick's appearance. Something in the way he held himself. He wasn't brooding any more. There was a fire of purpose in the way he held himself. Dick had a clear goal where he had only a veiled despair for the past few weeks.
"I'm glad you're here," Dick started. "Alpha squad just got back from Oa about an hour ago. Who's the new girl?"
"She's the reason Psimon and the others were rooting around in Egypt. She's got some extreme powers, and they wanted to kidnap her. Why are you showering in the Team's locker room instead of your apartment in Blüdhaven?" Batgirl countered.
"I don't have to pay the water bill here," he joked. "Actually, I'm supposed to be in Palo Alto for dinner with Artemis tonight, but I wanted to see if I could catch anybody here first. Have you talked to Kaldur yet?" he asked.
Both Batgirl and Miss Martian shook their heads.
He continued, "It's good news. Well, it's at least hopeful news. Adam Strange is working on getting the zeta-shield to full capacity now."
"Isn't learning how to get the zeta-shield back up the whole reason to talk to the Reach?" asked M'gann. "How is that not completely good news?"
"That part went well, but there's more," Dick answered. "According to the Reach scientist, somehow the magnetic field disruptor interacted with the zeta-shield and Wally's speed to cause something called a delayed teleportation reaction."
"Wait, what does that mean?" said Batgirl.
"It means that the blasts that kept hitting Wally weren't fatal by themselves," said Dick.
"You mean Wally wasn't just vaporized at the north pole?" demanded M'gann.
"No, he's out there somewhere. Some outside party predicted the possibility of a teleportation and made moves to direct it to…somewhere," he explained. "Unfortunately they said there was no way to calculate where he went after so much time has passed."
"But that gets us a starting place!" cried Batgirl. "There are only so many groups that would even know enough physics to understand the possibility of teleportation, much less be able to direct it without arousing suspicion."
"Exactly my thoughts," Dick agreed. "But that means that we are going up against somebody in the big leagues. Somebody extremely dangerous."
Silence loomed among the three heroes. Batgirl felt overwhelmed and honestly, a little bit afraid. Dick was pinning so much hope on this. If they came up with nothing, he'd get crushed all over again.
In that moment, Beast Boy was concluding his tour with Raven. "Let's get something to eat. I'm sure you're starving, Raven." The pair appeared in the door of the women's area, Beast Boy in his typical monkey form. "Dude! There are girls here," he complained with his hands blocking his view and his tail covering Raven's eyes. "Go put some clothes on, jeez."
"Um," Dick mumbled finally noticing his lack of attire. "I think I'll do that now." He walked through the door for the men's bunks and shut the door behind him. Beast Boy and Raven continued to the kitchen while Batgirl and Miss Martian held back their own laughter.
Barbara was considering a shower of her own before she submitted her mission report when the men's door reopened. Dick had a mischievous smirk on his face as he gently pushed Robin and Wonder Girl out of the room. Miss Martian scowled at the couple as they wore guilty grins and disheveled hair.
Wonder Girl grabbed her elbow behind her back. "Um, good mission guys. I think I'd better get started on that history essay for school. Wouldn't want to procrastinate," she stammered as she hurried up the stairs to the empty study room.
"So…" asked Robin scratching the back of his neck. It was cute the way he copied some of Dick's nervous tics. She wondered if he even realized it. "Somebody wanna catch me up on why Nightwing is here?" asked Robin.
"Come on Boy Wonder," teased Batgirl pushing the boy down the hallway and away from M'gann's glare. "I'll explain the good news to you in a minute. Right now, I think a cold shower will do you good." Robin went along with Batgirl's suggestion and quickly shuffled down the locker room hall. She had to hand it to him. He knew when to take advantage of an excuse to leave.
Some days I regret accepting when the League asked me to be den mother here, Miss Martian complained with a roll of her eyes. I feel like I'm stranded in an ocean of hormones.
From what I hear, you and Conner weren't that different once you got going, Batgirl countered. And I remember firsthand that you and La'gaan weren't nearly as discreet as those two. She winked. Cut them some slack M'gann.
You're probably right, she sighed. It feels different when you're the one in charge, though. I can't wait until the Titan Foundation finishes their big project, and Red Tornado can take over again. The Martian girl made her way to the stairs. I'm going to go do the mission report and make sure Conner has gotten the message about Wally. Then I'm going to bed.
I don't blame you M'gann. You did the lion's share of the flying this mission. Staying alert for such a long stretch of time can really take it out of you. Thanks for calling Conner. I'm sure he would want to know as soon as possible. See you in the morning, Batgirl replied.
Goodnight, answered the Martian woman as she walked towards the communication room up the stairs.
Batgirl went to change into the spare set of civilian clothes she brought along before they left for Egypt. She tugged on a pair of black jeans and a white hoodie with black sleeves and purple trim. When she came out of the women's bedroom, Dick had finished getting dressed. He was sitting on the couch in a black polo shirt and jeans.
"Didn't you say you were going to have dinner with Artemis?" she asked sitting beside him on the couch. His fingers intertwined with hers without either of them thinking about it.
"Yeah, I should leave within the next hour. She asked if you wanted to come, too. We can make it like old times," he answered.
"I really miss having the four of us being able to hang out. Artemis and Wally, you and me. We had a blast. Even if you are a dog, you're a good dog." She shoved him playfully in the shoulder. "I miss that. I miss you. You know we're going to find some way to figure out where he is, don't you?" she asked.
"I know. I just wish I had a way to start looking right now. It will only get harder as time passes. Sorry Babs, for the way I've been acting since…you know."
"You don't have to apologize. I'm glad things are turning around now. We were all worried about you."
"I know. Running away was a stupid plan, and I wouldn't listen when my friends tried to tell me so." He brought up their joined hands and kissed the flesh between her index finger and thumb. "Thanks for not stopping until it sank in."
The pair heard a clangor of pots and pans from the kitchen, breaking the moment Barbara and Dick were sharing. They saw Raven ease out the doorway into the main area.
"Raven, why don't you come sit with us?" Barbara called. The girl took a seat on the loveseat opposite the couch.
"Beast Boy says he's going to make me tofu surprise. Something about it being his specialty," informed Raven.
Beast Boy took after his adopted sister when it came to enthusiasm in the kitchen. Unfortunately, enthusiasm didn't always translate to something edible. She hoped he wouldn't get embarrassed in front of the cute girl he had given so much of his attention.
"Oh, I'm sure you're in for a…treat," stammered Dick as Barbara elbowed his ribs.
"Tell us about where you're from," asked Barbara changing the subject.
Raven's eyes grew distant as she recalled the memories of her home. "The city is beautiful. You lose count of the number of soaring marble towers. They have libraries without equal," she answered.
"So, why leave and come here?" said Dick.
"It's…complicated," replied Raven, obviously uncomfortable with sharing too much personal information. "The people of Azaroth don't accept change easily. They are afraid of my potential, and after so many years, I needed to get away from it all. To go to a place where no one knew who I was. What I am."
Silence lingered among them. Barbara didn't know how to respond, and Raven didn't seem inclined to offer more information. Barbara acutely felt the young girl's sad gaze fall on them.
"You have lost something important," she stated.
Dick cast a confused glance towards Barbara wondering how much the girl knew about Wally. Beast Boy's constant narration would have made it hard for her to eavesdrop on their earlier conversation.
"I'm not reading your minds," she added quickly, sensing their discomfort. "At least not your specific thoughts. I have the ability to read the emotions of the people around me. I noticed a sense of loss on the ship." She looked toward Dick. "And you, you have an even deeper feeling of loss, but also an ember of hope." She tucked a stray lock of hair behind her ear. "I can't really control how much I sense from the people around me. Sometimes it gets…distracting."
Barbara decided to explain the situation to the girl. "A few weeks ago, we thought one of our friends had died in the line of duty. We found out today that that isn't the case. Instead of being dead, he is lost, and we have very little information to help find him."
Raven looked down at the floor, clearly struggling with a conflict of emotions. "I never got the chance to properly thank you for saving me."
"There's no need," Barbara assured her. "It's our job to try to help as many people as possible, especially when we can counter the people that use their gifts for evil."
"Just because not everyone can thank you doesn't mean that you don't deserve it," replied Raven. "I…I think I might be able to help you. Without you, I would be locked in some dungeon, or worse. I want to help you." Her eyes still betrayed her nervousness. "I know someone that might be able to find your friend."