Chapter 5: Progress Reports and Fanboy Moments

"So, what's up, boss man?" Killowat looked grumpy, and Jericho guessed that it was because he had been woken up by the summons. Jericho waved good morning to him, and got a tired grunt in reply.

"Well, guys, it seems that Robin, stickler for routine that he is, wants to arrange a meeting with us, to see how we're functioning as a team, that kind of thing." Killowat was suddenly much more alert.

"The original Titans? We're gonna go hang out with the original five? That is so freaking cool!"

Argent tried- not very hard- to hide a grin, while Hot Spot merely commented "Alright, enough with the fanboy moment, Kil'."

"Yeah, well, just 'cause you've met them before."

"Yep. Fought Robin too, in some kind of skewey tournament. He kicked my ass, but I still fought him."

"Have you met them, Argent?"

"Yep. Starfire gave me my communicator."

"Yeah, but, did you talk?"

"A bit. Why? Someone must have given you yours."

"Yeah, Raven. But it was like, 'You Killowat?' and I was like 'Yeah', and she was like 'You wanna join the Titans?' and I was like 'Hells yeah' and she was like 'Here's your communicator' and I was like 'Thanks' and then she vanished. No one paid me much attention after the Brotherhood crisis, either."

"Killowat?"

"Yes, boss man?"

"Shut up. And stop calling me that."

"Yes, boss man." Killowat replied with a grin.

Herald pointedly ignored him. Anyway, in a week, we're going to Jump for the day. You guys are probably gonna be free, but I'm gonna go over leadery stuff with Robin." He grimaced at this. It was not going to be fun.

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Jericho had misgivings about visiting Jump- after all, that was where he lived. The man who haunted his dreams. The one-eyed monster of a man. Dad. However, he couldn't say he didn't want to go, or his friends would ask why. And the answer was one he could never give. After all, how could he tell them that he was the son of an international assassin? Impossible. He sighed and continued packing.

Knock Knock.

"Jeri, you ready? We gotta go, Herald doesn't want to be late."

Jericho briefly wondered how a man that possessed a handheld teleportation device could be worried about being late, but he dismissed it as a leader thing. He opened the door and saw Hot Spot looking anxious.

Are you alright?

"Yeah, man, just a little nervous, that's all."

Why?

"Well, the last time I saw Robin, I let Madame Rouge beat the crap out of me, which meant that she got a communicator, which led to the whole Brotherhood Crisis."

So you're worried they'll blame you?

"Yeah, kinda."

Don't worry about it, I'm sure you'll be fine. It wasn't your fault.

"Yeah, but-"

They won't blame you. If they blamed you, would they let you on this team?

"I guess not. Thanks, man."

Anytime. Now let's go.

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As Jericho stepped through the portal, he was immediately snatched into a vicelike grip that threatened to squeeze the life out of him. As blackness began to well up behind his eyes, and he was flailed around like a rag doll, he faintly heard a voice.

"Errr, Star? You remember that 'Breathing' thing we talked about?"

Immediately he felt the pressure lessen, and a frantic voice yelled platitudes into his ear, whilst setting him down. He reacted as best he could, by patting the apologetic girl on the head and smiling, albeit weakly.

As the rest of the team stepped through, Herald noted Jericho's state and smirked. "That's why I didn't go first."

The introductions were exchanged, a formality in many cases, although there was a minor moment of embarrassment when Killowat's static handshake caused Robin's hair to stand up even more than usual, something Beast Boy had to lie down to recover from.

"So, Jericho, how've you been? Haven't seen you for a while."

Jericho smiled. He liked Beast Boy. He was the first person who'd ever climbed his mountain, and his respect for the green youth had increased tenfold during the Brotherhood Crisis.

Well, thanks. And you? Jericho just hoped that he'd practiced American Sign, like he'd promised he would.

"Not too bad, thanks. Been a bit quiet, with most of the villains on ice, but I'm not complaining."

Jericho grinned. You got any food? I missed breakfast.

"Right this way, dude."