A/N: Sorry that this chapter took me so long. I had a mild case of writers block, and on top of that I had a ton of homework and other things that had to be done. I'm trying to re-teach myself how to cope with the overwhelming amount of homework and tests after a long summer.
Discalimer: I do not own the Teen Titans.
Chapter Eleven: Day Off
Raven had insisted on sleeping on the floor next to Gar's bed. At first, Gar had argued with her, but once he realized he could not win against her he gave up. Cleaning a portion of the floor, Gar gave her a sleeping bag and finally went to sleep.
Almost immediately after lying down, Raven could hear Gar snoring lightly. She stared up at the ceiling with a small smile. Everything had happened so suddenly, it was nice to have some time to think, and she had no intention of sleeping.
Most of the night was spent watching the boy sleep while in deep thought. For most people this would be mind-numbingly boring, but Raven enjoyed time like this.
When Gar woke up he was startled to see Raven staring at him from the chair in the middle of the room. Once she noticed he was now looking back at her she quickly averted her eyes towards the floor trying to hide her blush. He rubbed his eyes and yawned before speaking. "Morning," he groaned.
"Good morning," she replied quietly after clearing her throat. The room was suddenly consumed in an awkward silence. Each avoiding the other's gaze.
"Hungry?" Gar asked hopefully with his goofy smile.
"A little," Raven weakly smiled back.
If they had thought it had been awkward a moment ago than there was no word to describe breakfast. They both sat in front of their bowls of cereal silently eating across the table from Gar's parents. Mark held a cup of coffee in one hand and the newspaper in the other, while Marie ate a piece of toast and read a magazine. Although it was deathly obvious that neither of them were actually reading. Every couple of seconds one of them would glance over across the table, thinking that no one had noticed. It was extremely frustrating for Gar, but he kept his mouth shut.
"Did you hear about this? They still haven't caught that assassin," Mark finally said showing the picture on the front page of the newspaper to Marie.
"Hm..."
"So... Do I have the day off?" Gar spoke up.
Mark thought hard about this for a moment. "Yeah. In fact, you don't ever have to come back. You're fired."
"What!" Gar tried to sound surprised, but he couldn't stop himself from laughing.
Glancing down at his watch, Mark realized how late it really was. "Oh man, I'm gonna be late. See you later." After kissing his wife goodbye, Mark ran out the door.
"I should get going too." Picking up the two empty coffee cups, Marie set them in the sink. "You should try to stay inside. It's dangerous to be wandering around with this killer on the lose, not to mention Raven's father. Be good and don't do anything stupid."
"Yeah, yeah, we know. Bye, mom." Then, they were alone again. "God, parents can be annoying."
"You should be grateful for the parents you have."
He should have known better than to say something like that to Raven, he must have sounded like a real jerk. "I'm not saying that I'm not. I didn't mean it that way. But they still can be extremely embarrassing." Relief overcame him when she smiled back at him, the last thing he wanted to do was hurt her feelings. Next time he would think before he spoke.
"So, what are you doing today?"
"Ah, today? I don't know. I'm supposed to have a date with some really hot girl," Gar replied with a smile. Rubbing the back of his neck as he pretended to think. "I guess I could blow it off, but it would have to be really worth it."
"Well, good for you. Truthfully, I wasn't even sure that you were into girls," Raven dead panned.
"Hey! I'm into you, aren't I?" he said with a charming smile. So much for thinking before speaking, but he did have to admit it was fun to make her blush.
Richard woke up early like normal and got changed. His small room was just like Raven's old one, except his walls were covered with old newspaper clippings. Every week Kori would bring him a newspaper and he would rip out important articles and stick them to the eggshell white walls. After a small thirty minute workout in his room, Richard went to watch the news.
As always, he was the only one up, excluding whoever was stuck working then. Turning the channel to his favorite news station, Richard relaxed on the old couch. It was the same old news as always, and the weather never seemed to change. Then, he saw something that he hadn't expected.
"This dangerous mercenary is now at large after subduing twelve prison guards who were all fully armed," announced the anchorman.
Richard's full attention was on the television, when he was interrupted by someone. "Argh, matey."
"Quiet, Danny. I'm watching this." With a disappointed look on his face, Danny sat down beside Richard.
"He is a 50 year old Caucasian male. Here is a picture of the fugitive." Suddenly, a picture of a man with white hair, a small patch of hair on his chin, and an eyepatch flashed on the screen. "If you spot this man please call the police immediately. Do not confront him. He is an extremely dangerous criminal."
"Do you know who that is?" Richard asked Danny as he leapt up from the couch. After another quick glance at the t.v. Danny shook his head with a confused. "That's Slade!"
"Once working in the military, he mysteriously disappeared after the failure of some super-soldier program to enhance the speed and strength of common soldiers. When he was later found, he was working as the infamous mercenary: Deathstroke the Terminator. Although, his legal name is Slade Wilson. Again, he is extremely dangerous and should at no time should be approached. He is wanted on several counts of manslaughter, first-degree murder, theft, arson, and innumerable other offenses."
"I've waited so long for this," Richard growled as he slammed his fist into the palm of his other hand.
Garfield and Raven chatted for awhile sitting at the dining table. Every conversation seemed to end in an awkward silence, though. Just a few days ago things had been much different between them, easier and more natural.
"Let's get outta here and go do something fun," Gar suggested as he stood up from the table.
"That's probably not the best idea. My father has a lot of employees, who knows what could happen if they find me with you."
Gar smiled, "Don't worry about it, I happen to be a master of disguise." Raven just stared back at him with a critical look. "Well, maybe I'm not a master, but I did dress up as a vampire for Halloween once."
Rolling her eyes, Raven acted exasperated, although it was difficult to keep herself from smiling. "It's too dangerous."
"I'll be careful. We can go to the movies, it'll be too dark for anyone to recognize us... Come on, Rae. Please..."
"Fine," she sighed. Raven hated him for persuading her, but she hated herself even more for giving in.
With a triumphant grin, Gar grabbed her hand and dragged her out of the room. Pulling her into his room, he released her hand for a moment while he picked up a black hooded sweatshirt and pulled it over his head. Then, he began searching through a pile of junk on the desk that Raven hadn't even known was there. Finally, he dug a pair of black sunglasses from the bottom of the heap. Sliding them over his emerald eyes, he looked back at Raven with a grin.
"What do you think?" he asked waggling his eyebrows above the rim of the shades.
"I almost didn't even recognize you," Raven answered sarcastically.
"I know, I told you I was good with disguises," Gar replied seriously as he inspected himself in the full-size mirror on his wall. "Here you can wear this if you want." He picked up a sweatshirt from the floor and handed it to Raven, it was identical to his except this one was white.
"White's not really my color," Raven said as she looked down at the garment in her hand.
"Eh, you'd look beautiful in anything, Rae." Garfield had his back turned to her while he fixed his hair using the reflection in the mirror, so he didn't see the bright blush on her cheeks.
Hesitantly, she pulled the jacket over her head. Then, Gar turned back around his hair still looking the same it had a minute ago. "Okay, let's go." Again, he grabbed her hand and pulled her out of the room outside to his car.
There weren't any particularly interesting movies out, so they chose the one that sounded like an action movie. By the time the title had appeared on screen their attention had already been lost. The theater was only one-third full, so they had taken seats towards front and off to the side.
Instead of pretending to stretch, Gar for the more direct route and put his arm across Raven's small shoulders without hesitation. He was happy when Raven leaned into him, instead of pulling away like he was worried she might do.
During the movie, Raven kept getting the same odd feeling. She almost felt like she was being watched, but whenever she looked over her shoulder she saw that no one was sitting behind them. The feeling only seemed to build while they watched the movie. She could only describe it as a foreboding feeling.
When she looked over her shoulder for the fifth time Gar was concerned. Looking over his own shoulder, all Gar saw was empty seats. Then, he turned back to Raven. "Is something wrong?"
"Huh?"
"You keep looking back and you seem... worried," Gar replied.
"Oh, it's nothing. I just thought I heard something that's all," Raven lied. There was no reason to worry him, and she couldn't prove anything.
The movie lasted far too long considering it had no storyline. All the film appeared to be was pointless violence with bad acting and horrible computer graphics for many of the stunts. They were almost relieved when the credits appeared on screen.
After the movie they went back to his house and sat in his room laughing at the poor quality of the film. Although, Raven couldn't shake that strange feeling, it did lessen a little after they left the theater.
The rest of the night went normally. Dinner wasn't quite as awkward as breakfast had been, but not by much.
"Mr. Roth called back today and I told him we still hadn't found Raven. He started yelling at me. And when I told him I would file a missing person report with the police, he said that it 'wasn't necessary' and that he would find her own his own," Mark told them.
"My father hates the police, and it would be far too dangerous for him to have any cops around. Most of his business isn't actually legal in this country, if you haven't already guessed. But the part that really worries me is the end. I'd much rather that the police were looking for me instead of him."
"Well, couldn't we tell the police about all of this," Gar suggested.
Mark sighed, "We have no evidence of anything and if they were to find out that we were keeping Raven here we could be charged for kidnaping."
"There's no way we can win," Raven said softly. Everyone was silent after that.
Raven insisted on sleeping on the floor, and this time she actually did sleep. Exhaustion had been taking hold of her once again, and this time she didn't feel like fighting it, so she let herself drift to sleep. No one could have guessed how big of a mistake that was.
An almost inaudible click was produced by the lock on the front door of the house. Slowly, the door opened as three large shadows stepped in silently. They walked carefully, their boots didn't even make a sound as they walked across the wood floor of the entry. The door shut with another click and without the light from the moon or the streetlights coming through the door the house became pitch-black.
Roaming through the hall, they glanced into each room as they walked by it. Finally they found their objective, but then again they always did, there were the best in the business and also the most expensive.
A/N: Sorry that this chapter was so boring, but I was trying to build it up for the next one, which shouldn't take quite so long to post. Well, tell me what you thought.
Rainbow-Jess: Aw, thanks. You're so sweet. I was really that the fight scene was too boring, so that means a lot. :D
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Silent Midnight Rose: Hahaha. Yeah, but he doesn't mind as long as he can make her smile. Thanks:D
XX.xXx.AchillezWiplash.xXx.XX: Hahaha thank you so much! I try to update weekly, it helps keep me focused. I'll type as fast as my fingers can go! (Salutes) :D
BallBuster706: Aw, thanks. I will stop for nothing:D
Beast of Brisingr: Thanks! I was worried that the fight scene may have been too boring. I'm sure you're a lot better at it than you think. I won't let you down. :D
Django X: Aw, thanks! Good luck! Haha, last time my sister pulled me out of my bed I hit my head, she didn't do it again after that. Waking up early has to be one of the worst things about school, right after homework. :D
ravenmasteroftele: Haha! I bow down to you. You are truly evil. Hey, if you're ever looking for a henchman, I even offer sarcastic remarks and wry jokes for all occasions. Aw, thanks. You're too sweet. :D
new identity: Sorry, but it's fun, at least for me. And it hooks you so that you're more likely to continue reading. :D
Agent of the Divine One: Thank you. Haha, maybe I should have made her kill him... hmm. Oh well, too late. He probably won't be able to walk for awhile anyway. :D
dPhantoMfreak: Thanks! I'm glad you liked the fight scene, I was worried it might be too boring. :D
Kaos Kraze: Haha, let's hope he is like is his son. Don't worry, if you fall off the edge I'll throw you a rope. Yeah, I really love cliffhangers, and I think it helps keep me on track and motivated. Haha, cliffhangers are great for getting reviews. :D
ravanwolf: Aw, thank you. I'm so proud! I hate McDonald's, Taco Bell is way better with their fake Mexican food... Now I'm hungry too. :D
chittychittybangnag16: Haha, thanks! I love your reviews. :D
Luna Forest: Haha! You got that right. :D
addicted2danny: Alright, I like evil. Let's hear how good you are at being evil. :D
Mrs. Peacock: Haha, thanks. I'm really glad you liked it. I think you're the only one happy about the cliffhangers, but that's a good thing. :D
ELLIEdangerous: Yay! I actually made someone's week slightly more bearable! Thank you. Writing fight scenes always makes me nervous because I worry that it might not make as much sense as it does in my head or that it'll just be boring. I'm sure you're a lot better at it than you think. We definitely don't always get what we want, but if we did there would be no challenge. And everyone would be perfect, which would be annoying because then you couldn't be better than anyone else and where's the fun in that. Haha, well enough of my rambling. I'm glad you liked that chapter. :D
talim9: Thank you (takes a bow), thank you. Duuuuuude. :D
Snea: Thank you (bows), thank you. Haha! It's not often that I make people happy. :D
Kinz: Thank you. I actually considering having Mark call her dad, but I obviously didn't go through with it. Yes! I'll take the whole bakery too, of course you can have as much as you want cause I doubt I'll be able to finish it all by myself. Aw, you're such a flatterer, but flattery will get you whatever you want from this writer. Haha. :D
darkkfaery: Aw, thank you. You're too kind. I won't let you down:D
Blueyedgirl: Thank you. Of course I'll keep writing! I promise I will never quit my story, and I always keep my promises. :D
Overactive Mind: Thanks, I was worried that the fight scene might have been a little boring. I'm really glad you liked that. :D
slackersteve: Thanks! I'm really glad that you like it so far. I've been trying to integrate a little bit of everything, so it's nice to know that you think I'm doing it well. Well, if you like the violence I plan on putting a lot more in it. I'll never stop:D
LordShe185: Thanks! Yeah, I hate how many people make Raven seem mean and evil, while really she's the complete opposite. I loved Trouble in Tokyo, even if it was all about Robin and Starfire. Haha, I hate that too, but I type it all of the time without thinking. :D
moo-like-a-floofy-llama: Thank you. Haha. Well, that relief should be fading soon. Things are about to be shaken up once again. :D
Hide-because-it's-me: Haha! Thank you. You should try sewing yourself up or at least hot gluing, that should last a little bit longer. Hopefully you didn't lose any vital pieces. Yeah, cats can be sneaky little devils, and they really seem to like the taste of human flesh. Mm, sounds exquisite like all of your creations. I prefer the small intestine over the large, it's much more tender. Your confident strengthens me, master! I will win this fight in your honor! I shall either fight or die with pride for you my lord! Of course you can eat my teachers, but I can't guarantee let I won't kill them before you get there. I also have a long list of kids you can eat, there are only a few people who's names aren't on the list. :D
warprince2000: Thanks! This chapter was probably kinda boring, but I promise the next one will be more exciting. :D
super-cool-pirate-chick: Thanks! That really means a lot. I'm glad you like this story so far. I won't let you down:D
