Welcome to the next chapter of A Touch of Fate! Thanks so much for the reviews on the first chapter. Please enjoy this next update!
Selene awoke from her sleep at the sound of banging on Wally's front door. Startled she wondered if something had happened to Edan but she shook the thought away remember J'onn retrieving his son the previous night. Selene hadn't wanted to give back the tiny baby despite how loud he could become. but seeing J'onn tenderly hold his child had been a nice experience. Sleepily Selene made a mental note to call Tegan to schedule a visit. A loud snore echoed out of Wally's room as the banging continued. With a sigh, Selene flung the sheet off of her body and slipped off of the couch bed. Yawning she padded across the cold floor and walked up to the front door. She peered through the eye hole and felt her mouth drop. With trembling hands she flipped open the locks and opened the door.
"Starfire? What on earth are you doing here?"
The beautiful Tamaranian woman pushed her way into the room before turning around to face Selene with a scowl on her face. Starfire placed her hands on her hips and demanded, "Why are you here? Do you still love this…" her sentence ended in a Tamaranian word that sounded suspiciously like a curse word.
A flush rose up on Selene's cheeks. "That's the first thing you're going to stay to me after being missing for six months?" She slammed the door shut and stormed by her friend, the surprise having turned into fury. "If that's it then you can leave. I'm going back to sleep." Selene stopped short when she felt soft fingers brush against her bare shoulders.
Starfire turned her friend around and Selene let out a squeak as she found herself pressed against an expansive bosom. "Forgive me, my friend," the alien said sadly. "Circumstances prevented me from contacting you before now."
Blushing heavily, Selene pushed away and asked, "What circumstances? Do you know how worried I was when I couldn't find you guys after everything came down?"
With a sigh the Tamaranian woman looped her arm around Selene's shoulder and led her to the couch bed. "Come. This will take awhile."
"Did you really think I would die in those flames? You're even more of a fool than I thought."
Electro Master's words seemed to echo throughout Tegan's head as she stared at the apparition in front of her. He was like a ghost. A ghost that looked like Aaron only more sinister and a hundred times deadlier. Tegan took a deep breath and said firmly, "You can't be here. You need to leave."
"And I will leave," Electro Master reassured her. "As soon as your son is here. He will make an excellent vessel."
"Well you can't have him!" Tegan said angrily, fire shooting up from her shoulders. Vaguely she was aware of shouting but ignoring it she pressed on. "And don't think you can have me either; what happened before was a fluke. I was weak from hunger and lack of rest. I am not Aaron, you won't have my body!"
Electro Master hissed at these words and the apparition cackled with electricity. This woman was mentally stronger than her fallen friend. If he did not escape the confines of her mind soon he ran the risk of staying trapped there forever. While before he had wanted to merge his being with Selene, the moment Electro Master had seen Edan, through Tegan's eyes, he had realized he had found the perfect new body to house him.
A child of two worlds, Edan was full of possibilities, possibilities that Electro Master was eager to exploit. He moved closer to Tegan and laughed, "We'll see just how lo-!" His voice cut off and he let of a gasp of surprise as the woman suddenly burst into flames.
The sight was impressive. Flames spiraled upwards to extraordinary heights and the woman, for the first time since her awakening, looked healthy. Her eyes, burning bits, sparked angrily and she snarled, "It's time for you to go." Tegan reached out a burning hand but before she could touch Electro Master a giant wave of water washed over them.
It took all of J'onn's strength to grab onto Tegan and drag her into the bathroom. Her head had quite literally gone up in flames and she had begun screaming and talking to herself. Feeling faint, the Martian threw her into the bathtub as the rest of her body erupted into flames. Sweat dripping down his face, J'onn quickly turned the shower on and stumbled backwards.
Breathing heavily he leaned over before looking up and staring at the woman in his tub. The fire was gone now, steam rising up from her rapidly cooling body. The water dripped down Tegan's slack features and J'onn felt a moment of fear. He was angry with her, furious if he were being honest with himself, but he loved her. His fists clenched at the thought of losing her once again. Carefully J'onn made his way to the tub and reached out a hand to brush a finger over her bald head.
Had being in flames for six months driven her insane? J'onn stepped back and folding his arms, waited patiently for Tegan to regain consciousness.
"Starfire…I…." Selene's voice trailed off as she looked down. Jason had avoided her for six months because of pride? Her heart twisted with hurt and anger once more. Shouldn't it have been her choice whether she wanted to see him? And couldn't he understand that what happened that day wasn't his fault? The only one to blame for that whole debacle was Electro Master. Selene's hands pressed down hard against her legs as she struggled to keep from crying.
Slim fingers touched her face and Selene breathed in deeply as Starfire said gently, "It is asking much but he needs you. Please, consider my request." The Tamaranian leaned forward and brushed her mouth against Selene's cheek before standing up and leaving the apartment. Selene's eyes followed her friend but she didn't move. She stayed that way, staring towards the door until Wally's voice startled her.
"So are you going to go?"
Selene jumped and placed a hand over her heart. "Wally! I thought you were sleeping!"
The speedster snorted and was suddenly sprawled out on the couch bed yawning. "Who can sleep with a gorgeous alien woman screaming in the next room? I'm surprised she didn't wake up the rest of the building. Hey! What was that for?" Wally rubbed his arm where Selene had turned and punched him.
Scowling at him Selene asked, "Gorgeous alien woman?"
"Hey, I'm just calling it as I see it." Wally said defensively. Dodging another attack from Selene he continued, "So what are you gonna do?"
Selene's shoulders slumped forward. "I'm not sure…you know I've been looking for him. But after what Starfire said…"
They stayed there silently for several moments before Wally said cheerfully, "Well, his loss. C'mon let's go out and get some breakfast." He zipped out of the room and into the bathroom leaving a pensive Selene behind.
Tegan came too in the bathtub. Water pounded on her body from the shower overhead and for a moment she wondered if she had slipped while showering. With effort she pushed herself up to her feet and turned her face away from the water. Tegan's eyes met J'onn's and she let out a soft cry of surprise. Stepping backwards, her foot collided with the portion of the tub that curved and she tumbled over.
J'onn was suddenly there, lifting her up and Tegan blinked at him in a daze. Grabbing onto his shoulders to steady herself she asked, "Did…what just happened?"
A faint smile touched J'onn's mouth as he reached past her to shut the water off. "You slipped."
"I noticed." Tegan replied breathlessly as her hands gripped J'onn. He was back in his Martian form but instead of his customary uniform he still wore only the sweats. As if noticing that the look in her eye had changed from one that was dazed to something a bit warmer J'onn pulled back from her abruptly.
He stood and pointed at a towel hanging on of a hook on the wall. "You may use that to dry yourself. There are clean clothes in the bedroom." He left the bathroom and Tegan felt a warm tear drip down her face.
Tears? Where's all that bravado you showed earlier?
"Be quiet." Tegan growled through clenched teeth as she dried herself off with the towel. Finishing she pushed open the bathroom door and pulled on one of J'onn's sweaters. The bottom hung to her knees and the sleeves hung over her hands but with absolutely no clothing of her own her options were limited. Brushing a hand self consciously over her head, Tegan left the room and made her way to the kitchen and dining room area. Partway there she heard the sniffling of a baby and her heart rate sped up.
Moving faster, Tegan walked into the living room and discovered J'onn perched on the couch with Edan in his arms. A small bottle filled with formula was in one hand and Tegan watched as J'onn lowered the bottle and pressed the nipple against Edan's mouth. The little baby eagerly began to drink and Tegan felt tears fill her eyes. She sensed a wave of disgust from Electro Master. Are tears really necessary?
Swiping a hand under her eyes Tegan replied softly, "They are if you're happy."
Well enjoy your happiness now, Electro Master said threateningly. It won't last long.
"Oh shut up." Tegan snapped. "Your threats are useless."
"What threats?" J'onn's voice broke into the conversation and Tegan jumped slightly. "Your behavior is most peculiar." He continued as he adjusted he bottle in his hand. "I had to throw you into the tub to keep you from burning down the apartment." She looked at him guiltily realizing that she would have to reveal that she had not come back alone. If he knew…what would he do to her? Would he kill her in her weakened state to be rid of Electro Master once and for all? Would he throw her out? Tegan's eyes went to Edan and she stiffened. She wouldn't be separated from her baby again.
Walking further into the room Tegan said, "There's something I have to tell you." She paused to sit down on one of the chairs in the room. "But…I don't think I can say anything till I've had something to eat. I feel ready to pass out again." This was the truth. Her stomach gnawed at her empty inside and the little energy she had was disappearing.
J'onn looked at her in alarm. "I will prepare something for you. Here, take the child."
Immediately Tegan felt Electro Master straining against her; her hands twitched and the movement wasn't hers. Her heart slamming against her chest Tegan blurted out, "I-I can't touch him. Not yet. I'll make myself something." She forced herself out of the chair and slowly made her way to the kitchen. No way was this bastard going to try and take over her child.
I resent that statement.
I love her.
Wally thought the words and frowned.
No, he corrected silently. I don't love her, not anymore, but I care for her deeply. The speedster sighed heavily as he stood at the bedroom door and looked into the living room where Selene sat staring aimlessly at the television. They had spent the day in each other's company but he could tell that the woman's thoughts were elsewhere.
His lip curled slightly. He wanted to love Selene, he wanted to give her everything she asked for but it was hard for him to let go when it was obvious to anyone around that she loved another man. And as long as he was in the picture…the thoughts depressed the speedster. It was like having a toy but having to share it with someone else who didn't appreciate it. Wally sighed again and noticed that Selene was watching him with a peculiar expression her face. He frowned slightly, "What is it?"
"You think of me like a toy?" Selene asked, the hurt tone making Wally wince.
Wally lifted his hands in defense. "Hey! I thought we agreed that there would be no mind reading unless there was an emergency!" Dammit, Wally! You know better than to think sensitive thoughts when a mind reader is around!
"Oh no, don't try and pull that! It's not my fault you're projecting your emotions so loudly!" Selene said angrily as she stood up. walking towards him, hands clenched tightly she continued, "Do you think I enjoy putting you in this position? Does it look like I want to love two men? I didn't realize it was such a burden for you!"
These last words were shouted and Wally and the speedster felt a wave of anger. "Well how do you think I feel!" he took a step forward and snapped, "You keep showing up, making me hope and feel things. But I can't act on any of it! And what the hell was that kiss for last night?"
Selene growled. "Maybe I just wanted to kiss someone! It's been six months!"
Wally suddenly spun around and slammed himself into the wall. He fell to the ground and groaned. "What the hell just happened?"
A frightened looking Selene appeared above him. "I…I think that was me."
The speedster looked up at her and for the first time since they had been reunited he felt a sliver of fear.
Jason lay on his bed staring aimlessly up at the ceiling. He had gravitated to the bed once the chair had become too uncomfortable. Thank goodness for laptops. He yawned and turned over onto his side and Jason's eyes caught sight of his helmet. His fingers itched to reach out and touch the smooth metal casing but he forced his hand to stay still. If he touched it…a sigh pushed itself out.
Maybe Starfire was right; maybe he needed to get back out there. But what was the point? He hadn't been cut out to be a robin. He failed as a 'brother' to Tim and Damian…his heart clenched in pain. They hadn't been close but as a former Robin and a fellow 'son' of Bruce, he should have been there. And Selene…the pain increased tenfold and Jason had to shut his eyes.
He had dropped the ball big time on that one. A vision of Selene's face filled his mind and Jason wished he could see her again. The thought fled his mind immediately, followed by a fierce scowl. She had made her choice clear when she had gone after The Flash. Jason had been nothing more than an interlude; she had used him until she could be with the red head once more. The pain turned into anger and the laptop found a new home in the wall.
A moment later the door to his room burst open. Jason barely had time to let out a yell of outrage before Starfire grabbed him and yanked him off of his bed.
"There's someone here to see you!" Starfire said with a pleased expression on her face as she shoved Jason into his bathroom. "Please take a shower."
Jason growled as Starfire followed him into the bathroom and pushed him none to gently in the direction of the shower. "Get your hands off of me! I don't want to shower…or see anyone!"
"How adorable." Starfire crooned as she tugged at the edge of his shirt. She smiled sweetly but her eyes burned into Jason's. "You believe you have a choice. Get. In. the. SHOWER."
A few moments later a meek Jason entered the spray of cold water as a satisfied Starfire showed herself out of the room.
The smell of cooking food had Tegan ready to gnaw off the edge of the table leg in the kitchen. Feeling faint she sat in a kitchen chair and rested her forehead against the cool surface of the table. Once she ate she would be strong enough to hold Electro Master down and keep him away from Edan and J'onn.
As if I want to be inside that overgrown statue. Electro Master scoffed. While his powers would serve my purposes, your Martian lover has unlimited mental strength. I would not have a chance to take him over. I must have someone weak and pliable. Edan will work perfectly.
"And just what do you think you're going to accomplish in Edan's body?" Tegan asked with a snort. "Make more dirty diapers than the average baby?" she was spared from hearing whatever inane answer Electro Master was going to offer up by the timer going off. Without hesitating, Tegan lept on the food. It was simple, some canned vegetables mixed in with ramen but it tasted like heaven.
When she finished, Tegan took the bowls to the sink and opened the faucet. Preoccupied with the dishes, she had no warning when suddenly there was a large amount of electricity flowing from her hands. With a sharp cry, Tegan fell to her knees as the combination of electricity and water shocked her. Vaguely she was aware of J'onn's presence but without a word, her eyes slid closed and she found herself unconscious.
J'onn held Tegan in his arms and gently shook her. "Tegan…Tegan!" he tried to reach her with his mind but something blocked him. Edan cried in the other room and J'onn let out a curse. He should have never allowed her to cook. Just as he was going to try reaching for her mind again, Tegan's eyes opened. J'onn felt relief as her eyes met his and she smiled weakly.
"J'onn…you look worried." Her voice was teasing and the Martian felt a flush rise up on his cheeks.
Gently he helped her up and replied, "It is hard not to worry when you keep going unconscious."
Tegan laughed softly and leaned on J'onn for support as he took her back into the living room, once he had shut off the sink. When he had her settled safely on the couch she yawned delicately and said sheepishly, "I saw a…spider and freaked out. I'm sorry."
"Do not worry," J'onn said, thankful that it was merely a spider and a more serious underlying problem. "I am relieved that you are feeling better." He paused with a frown. "What is it you wished to speak with me of…earlier?"
The smile on Tegan's face slipped slightly but she shook her head. "Oh that was nothing…" her voice trailed off and after a moment she asked eagerly, "May I have Edan now?"
This time J'onn didn't try to stop the smile. "I shall retrieve him.
Selene felt anxiety gnawing at her insides as stood in front of the front door to the location Starfire had given her. It was early morning the next day. She had packed her things, and come straight over. After what happened with Wally…Selene shivered. She had been so angry with him, the only thought in her mind had been for him to hit a wall and shut up. And suddenly it had happened, as if her will had been imposed on him. Scared of what would happen next, Selene had decided it was time for her to cut her visit to Wally short. He would be angry when he discovered her gone but Selene no longer cared. She wasn't a toy for him and for Jason.
She was human and struggling. Taking a deep breath she knocked on the door. As she waited for an answer Selene took a moment to study her surroundings. The neighborhood was dismal. Houses stood in ruin and the few people around gave Selene suspicious looks as they passed by. Selene's mind picked up a few of their less than charitable thoughts and she stepped closer to the door.
As if on cue, the door opened and a cheerful looking Roy appeared. "Selene! It's great to see you!" before Selene could react he had his arms around her and was giving her a tight hug.
Selene laughed and felt his emotions of joy wash over her. "It's good to see you two Roy! Now let me go so we can get inside. These people are making me nervous."
Cheerfully Roy waved at someone walking by and pulled Selene into the house, "Aww, don't be that way. They're only wondering who's crazy enough to come here…Starfire had an incident last week…" Roy's voice faded out as Selene looked around wide eyed at the interior of the house. Despite its humble outside appearance, the house on the inside was stylish and well furnished. Roy stopped talking to grin at her. "Impressive, I know."
"I don't think impressive covers it," Selene breathed out as she followed Roy down the hall into a sitting room. The room was big with comfortable looking couches, a coffee table, and a display case filled with tiny little trinkets. Also located in the room was a furious looking Starfire. The Tamaranian woman was standing in front of a window wearing a her typical uniform which caused Selene to blush as her eyes landed first on the rounded slope of her friend's behind.
Starfire turned around and Selene forced her eyes not to go to the other woman's impressive chest. Roy laughed and slung an arm around Selene's shoulders. "Hey babe, look at what I found at the door? Told you she'd come."
"It is too late now!" Starfire cried out in exasperation her arms went up and both Roy's and Selene's eyes strayed to her chest. Selene wondered how Starfire's breasts stayed within the small confines of the purple metal. Oblivious to the stares from her friends Starfire continued in frustration, "You were supposed to arrive yesterday. Then perhaps he would still be here."
Starfire's words knocked Selene's attention back to the present. "Wait a minute," she demanded, stepping further into the room. "Jason's not here? Where is he? I thought you said he hadn't left the house in months."
"He received a visit yesterday from his father. I left to go retrieve a traditional Tamaranian dish of reconciliation and when I returned they were gone!"
Selene held up a hand, slightly confused. "Wait a minute when you say father, do you mean…"
"Batman!" Starfire cut in impatiently, her face tight with anger. "He has kidnapped Jason!"
Tegan opened her eyes and growled at the sight of Electro Master's face. The villain crouched above her where she lay on the ground, arms and legs wrapped tightly with an unknown material. Tegan jerked against her bonds and felt frustration at not being able to free herself. She could sense that her body was sleeping, which meant that it was now was the opportune moment to reclaim her body.
"Move all you want," Electro Master said casually. "You may be stronger than Aaron was but your ordeal has left you emotionally and mentally weak. There is no escape."
He laughed as Tegan continued to struggle the ties. "Why, haven't you taken Edan yet?" Tegan asked through gritted teeth. "You had your chance earlier as you held him."
Electro Master walked away a few feet. "Because you were right," he admitted. "What possible good can it do me to be trapped away in the body of a child? No…I must wait until he reaches the right age." He paused to give Tegan a smile that sent shivers down her spin. "What better way to wait than as his mother." He let out a chilling laugh.
"No!" Tegan cried out. "You can't possibly think you can get away with this!" Tears pooled in her eyes. "I won't be here silent." She continued threateningly, the tears falling down her cheeks. "I'll stop you before you do anything to my baby or to J'onn."
There was a long beat of silence as Electro Master knelt down before her, and in gentle tone said, "And that's why you have to go."
Dun dun dun, seems like serious stuff is about to happen. Where did Batman take Jason? How will Wally react to Selene leaving? Will J'onn discover that the woman he loves is actually Electro Master? And how the heck does Electro Master think he's going to get rid of Tegan but stay with her body?
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