Chapter 13

Fast update isn't it? I was kind of surprised myself. I think all this was an excuse to shy away from my summer reading...which I should get to sometime...like now.

Three pairs of eyes watched his reaction. He smirked ever so slightly, and then leaned forward to whisper in her ear.

"Do you really want me that badly?" Another smirk, just for her. "I don't blame you."

Mara's smile grew. She had accomplished what she wanted. She had grabbed his interest, she had hooked him, and she would not let him go. All she had to do now was reel him in until he was like a fish out of water, gasping for breath, too weak and helpless to do anything but what she wanted. But now, there was time. Time to reel him in slowly and expertly, so that he wouldn't break the line and swim free.

A warning voice told her reeling this bachelor in would be difficult, for he was completely surrounded by women seeking for approval. Mara tossed that thought aside. The important thing was that she was safe from the next elimination round, of this, she was sure. However, she had to leave him wanting more in order to win it all.

So, the kiss he expected…

She carefully pressed a smushed chocolate kiss into his palm. "Your kiss." She touched his hand longer than necessary, than walked away toward the entrance of the botanical gardens. She knew he was watching her walk away, and she smiled.

…would be for another time.

Timing was everything to Mara de Mille.

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Rachel strolled around the grounds outside from where the bachelorettes were residing. Leaning against a tree, she lifted her fingers and rested them lightly on her temples. She sent a mind message. Jade. I'm just outside. Come out; I'll meet you.

Jade received the message in moments. She hesitated for a moment, before deciding to bring along Ahn. She looked at her casually with lifted eyebrows, and cocked her head towards the door.

As they left the bachelorette home, Jade carefully looked around before whispering to Ahn.

"We're meeting a friend of mine. She's from then."

Ahn was excited. "Really? Who?" Her question was answered as a figure jumped down from the branches of a tree they had walked past. "Raven!" The empath sent her a frosty glare.

"You must be mistaken," she said icily, "I'm Rachel." Her even stare made Ahn uncomfortable.

"Ah-Ahn. Ahn Ngyuen." Rachel nodded.

"I'm going to probe your mind, make sure you're trustworthy." Ahn looked at Jade helplessly, but the reformed villain, just shrugged her shoulders. When Ahn finally glanced at Rachel, the shorthaired girl met her gaze with an almost-friendly look. "So, tell me about that guy at the baseball stadium. Are you sure he's from then?"

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He watched her stop just inside the entrance to the botanical gardens. She turned around, and smiled at him. "Come and find me." She sashayed away.

Wally looked at the Lina and Clarissa, who were standing off to themselves forlornly. They already had an idea what the rest of the date would end up like. He frowned when they didn't even look at him. He went after Mara, and at the entrance, called to them to follow.

When Wally entered the botanical gardens, he was hit with the aroma of hundreds of flowers. His vision swam with the vibrant colors, and he noticed the fountain at the center making perfect arcs of water, every few seconds. That was where he saw Mara, sitting, her hand lightly trailing the surface of the water in the fountain. He sat beside her, and was not surprised when she leaned into him, circled her arms around his waist, and rested her head on his shoulder. Okay, so he was a little surprised.

"I suppose…" her voice was no longer coy, but seductive, "I still owe you a kiss." She let her lips rest gently on his collarbone, then his chin. She lifted her mouth toward his ear. "Follow me," she breathed. Mara stood up, and walked a few paces away, waiting. The ball was in his court now. He had to make a move, and she was sure he would make it.

Wally felt his eyes cloud over with desire. It wasn't a new feeling, but a feeling he had experienced many times before, with many different girls. However, he had found that whenever he was in this condition, it was hard for him to refuse anything for the girl that was in his eyes. Right now, she was Mara, and he followed.

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Rachel quickly scanned the lists that Jade and Ahn had produced. She confirmed that the lists she held had to hold the name of the stranger; after all they had been very particular about every single hero and villain. The only problem she had with it was…

"I doubt it's Kyd Wykkyd. Even if it has been ten years, I don't think his personality would change that much." Ahn was about to argue that perhaps he had tired of being silent, and was now a very socially adept person who could make witty remarks. Before she could say this however, someone had walked up and interrupted the discussion that she did not want to be interrupted. It was Gar.

"Hey Rachel! Jade! I want you guys to meet some people!" He finally spared a glance at the third girl whose grin seemed more dangerous than friendly.

"Hello." The words were ground out, and Gar returned the greeting nervously. Skirting behind Rachel, he whispered.

"Who is she?" Hearing it was Cheshire, Gar seemed to be more at ease. "No problem then. The people I want you guys to meet, I'm sure you haven't seen in at least ten years." He gave a broad wink. Ahn had been fuming, but when she heard this, she gasped. She gestured wildly to Rachel and Jade, who nodded like bobble heads. Gar watched them amused, but he was caught by surprise, when the three turned to him simultaneously. Ahn spoke, her eyes dancing with eagerness, "Take us to them."

The three girls leered at him dangerously. "Okay, okay!" Gar yelped, as he took off toward a building. Even though he couldn't hear their footsteps, he knew they were at his heels. He muttered, "I shouldn't have even offered…" He trailed off, as he saw Jade's eyes glowing at him, a smirk on her face. Over his left shoulder, Rachel spit out a brief, thank you, although her eyes never left the building that he was leading them to.

Ahn was running ahead of him, never glancing back. Her speed picked up, when two guys walked out of the building, one of them in sunglasses.

"That's them." Gar said unnecessarily. He paused. "Is there something going on here?"

His question was answered, when he saw Ahn Ngyuen had launched herself into a flying tackle. Dick Grayson was slammed into the ground.

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At the bachelorette home, the girls back from the date with Wally were eyed carefully. Lina and Clarissa sank down into the couches, and when they were pressured to give away what had happened, the two broke down into sobs.

The other girls warily looked at Mara who was smiling, satisfied with the day's events. They wanted to hear her version of the story, since the other two were…preoccupied, but no one dared. Mara seemed friendly enough on the outside, but there was something about her, that warned them to keep away. Sharon especially dared not to say anything. She knew firsthand that Mara was relentless and unforgiving.

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Jessica prepared herself for the individual date. She knew she had to get the rose. She had to get his approval on this date, tonight, or… she would be sent home. She swallowed nervously, and with the eyeliner, put the finishing touches on her make-up. This was it. She twirled before the three-way mirror, and watched as her curls bounced lightly back into place. No second chance. She walked out the door purposefully; she was ready to face Wally West.

As Wally was waiting before the group of bachelorettes that had gathered to watch Jessica leave for her individual date, he noticed that Ahn and…he frowned, Jade, was missing. It really wasn't too big of a surprise, the two went everywhere together, but after his group date at the botanical gardens, he was ticked off easily whenever he thought of the pink-haired bachelorette.

He supposed it was because while Mara was luring him through the gardens with her flirtations, he had mused that it was similar to being chased by Jade around the amusement park. Except, the thought had crept in before he could stop it, the latter had been more entertaining. The thought had completely ruined the date. He ran his fingers through his unruly hair in frustration, making it even wilder.

He vehemently hoped this Jessica Philips would help him forget. He held a helmet casually under one arm. They were supposed to go for a motorcycle ride. When she finally appeared at the top of the steps, his eyes widened, while the girls murmured among themselves enviously. She looked stunning.

Smiling at the commotion she caused, Jessica walked down the steps and noticed a rose pinned to his shirt pocket. She gestured gracefully, her voice soft, "Is that the rose?" The rose of approval?

Wally confirmed her question with a nod, and led her out to the motorcycle. He handed her a helmet, and after making sure she was seated comfortably, they took off down the road toward a secluded beach. Once there, they seated themselves on the sand.

"Pretty, isn't it?" Jessica looked at Wally. He nodded. She paused then said, "Do you think I'm pretty?" Wally grinned.

"You're gorgeous." She smiled and shifted herself a little closer to the bachelor. In moments they were making out, and proceeding to her plan, she kept him busy by kissing him, and quickly unpinned the rose from his shirt. Drawing back, she used her pouty lips to her full potential.

"Can I have this?" She dangled the rose from her fingers. His eyes were once again clouded with desire, and he agreed readily. "Thank you!!" Jessica squealed happily. She was safe! She hugged him again and again, while repeatedly squealing with happiness. Eventually, Wally led her back to the motorcycle, and they kissed goodnight when he dropped her off at the bachelorette home.

As Jessica waved dreamily to him, and finally closed the door, Wally turned and drove off in his motorcycle, back to his own place. He smirked. He had not thought about Jade during the entire make-out session, not once. His smirk faded into a scowl, as this thought brought on a flood of thoughts. Pink hair. Black boots. A smirk that matched his own. Arg! Angry with himself, he sped down the road at record speed. Literally.

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Dick's black eyes were wide and filled with shock. Roy could tell because the sunglasses had fallen off when he hit the ground. Knocking the girl off roughly, Dick leaped to his feet, and shouted furiously, "What are you doing you crazy woman!" The girl glared at him, as if being tackled into the ground was his fault, and hissed at him in rage.

"You!" She rushed at him again, and this time throwing caution to the wind, she reached for her shuriken without hesitation, and threw them rapidly, one by one. Jade, Rachel, and Gar had caught up by now, and were staring, making no move to stop Ahn.

Dick, now aware that the girl had some kind of grudge against him, was able to dodge the flying pieces of metal, just barely. He yelled at her in an even angrier tone, "Are you trying to kill me!"

In answer, she swung her leg around to deliver a powerful wheel kick. She didn't miss. Heads followed Dick sailing across the air, and cringed, watching him land on the ground like a sack of tomatoes. Exactly. He went splat. Oh. Thought Dick. Look at the pretty batarangs. Ahn strode over and glared. "I didn't appreciate the stalker act, Robin." She taunted him. "Can't you tell?" Roy winced as Ahn punched his friend, and to her dismay, she discovered that she had knocked him unconscious.

She groaned, while everybody still stared, not having moved from their positions since her onslaught. Finally, uncomfortable of their watching eyes, she yelled, "Somebody help me already!" Everybody moved toward her at once; even Rachel was scared of her. However, it wasn't long before…

"What is going on here?" At this new interruption, Jade, Roy, Ahn, Gar, and Rachel looked up, dropping Dick accidentally with a thud. His attempt to restore order having succeeded, Wally looked down at Dick, then at everybody else, in total confusion. "What happened to him?" As the shock died down, his eyebrows furrowed when he realized that Jade and Ahn were in his bachelor pad. So this is where they had been the whole time.

Jade looked at him, with the smirk that matched his, every gesture arrogant, from the top of her pink hair, to the bottoms of her black combat boots. She was in his bachelor pad.

He felt a vein in his forehead throb dangerously; he blew up. "Get down to the bachelorette place and get ready for the rose ceremony! Get. Out. Now!" He slammed the door after them, breathing heavily. His eyes dared the door to open again.

Feeling everybody's stares, he stalked up the stairs to get ready for the ceremony, when he abruptly stopped. He turned and stared at Rachel. "What are you doing here?" He shook his head. Doesn't matter. He threw her out, accompanied by another loud door slam, and marched back up the stairs, ignoring Gar's protests that she was a guest. Alone in his room, the bachelor blew out a sigh, his anger slightly ebbed. "Now. Let's get back to business."

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Gar opened the door quietly. "Rachel?" He invited in the annoyed Rachel, and gave her the room that was furthest from Wally's own room. "I think you should stay in there for a while," he suggested casually, "meanwhile, I'll go take care of Dick."

Roy and Gar carefully lifted Dick into a bathtub, while Roy ran and filled a bucket up with ice-cold water.

"Ready?"

"Ready." Roy heaved the water onto poor Dick, who came to life with a good deal of spluttering. Hearing the voices of his friends, but seeing only shapes, he rubbed his eyes, and refocused them, only to look into the smirking face of Gar, the annoyed face of Rachel - who arrived, realizing she had never listened to Gar, and she wouldn't start now - and the extremely worried face of Roy.

"Dude!" Gar crowed, "You totally got beat up by a girl!"

"You deserved it, stalking Cheshire…what an idiot." Rachel walked out. She had said what she had wanted to. Dick shook his head, staring as Rachel left the room. With wide eyes, he looked at Gar.

"I have no idea what she is talking about." However, when Dick turned to Roy, his eyes narrowed suspiciously; Roy was extremely pale. "Roy?"

"Man, what am I going to do - the guy she was talking about was me! I'm going to get mutilated when she finds out." Roy groaned, before covering his face with his hands.

"You?" Dick looked at him incredulously. "And you let her do that to me?" Dick fell back heavily on the pillows. "Good luck with her then, good luck, because I'm not going to help you at all." Roy groaned again, until an idea came to him. To meet her, he would have to assume yet another identity. Haha! He rubbed his hands together. Excellent. But as who…

"Come on Gar!" He dragged Gar away. "You've got to help me - you're a shape shifter, a master of disguise…" Continuing to ramble, he led Gar out the door, who shrugged and waved good-bye to Dick, leaving him alone.

Out in the hall, Rachel's head poked out of the shadows, watching Roy sprint down the hall with Gar. She had never truly left, and she had heard his entire confession. She smirked at the piece of knowledge she had gained. Roy, Roy, Roy…

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Ahn frowned as she looked at the door that had been slammed in her face moments before. "I didn't interrogate him yet."

Jade remarked, "I think you punished him enough." Her thoughts drifted to the red-haired bachelor. He was a lot stronger than he looked. Impressive. Jade froze. "Let's go, Ahn," she spoke stiffly, "the rose ceremony's in a few hours." Reluctantly, Ahn left the door, there was something wrong, he had been too bewildered.

"Do you think," she hesitated, "I went after the wrong guy?"

"Then, poor guy." Jade grinned broadly. "He must have had a little bad luck."

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The second rose ceremony started, and although the decorations of the room were beautiful, it did little to lighten the atmosphere. Nine girls shifted nervously, as they waited in a half-circle that opened toward the entrance, in which Wally West would appear. The tenth bachelorette was calm, Jessica; she already had his approval. She was guaranteed to be chosen this round. She smiled; it was fun seeing everyone else so nervous.

Well, she corrected herself, almost everyone. She picked out the few faces that seemed nonchalant. As she heard a chorus of dresses rustling caused by everyone straightening up, she realized the bachelor had arrived. He had on a black tux, identical to the previous rose ceremony, but he still looked as good as ever, and he knew it.

Wally gestured for a table to be rolled in. On the table were seven red roses in seven crystal vases. Each vase had a different image carved into its surface. He cleared his throat as he began to speak.

"You are all beautiful," he said softly, "and you are all wonderful women…I had one of the best times of my life spending it with each and every one of you." He lowered his eyes, just as he had rehearsed. "Unfortunately, I must continue to try to find the one who seems perfect for me as a wife, and tonight," his voice softened, "three of you must go home. I have seven roses. If I choose your name, pick the rose in the vase you love best, and if I do not, please leave," he tried to emphasize this gently, "with dignity."

Jade gave Ahn a look, remembering how last time, the eliminated girls had not simply walked out; they had gone screaming and kicking and scratching. The bachelor had decided to hire some new security, due to some not wanting to return.

Wally West stood by the table with the roses. He began.

"Jessica." She smiled at him, before going and picking out a vase with a rose. She looked at each of the designs in turn. Hearts, a pair of ribbons, an angel, a unicorn, ivy with flowers, glass slippers, and the last was the image of the bachelor himself. She chose the last. Turning, so that he could easily see the vase that she had chosen, she kissed the face of the image, before leaving the table.

Wally smiled. He knew that vase would be popular.

"Mara." She glared at Jessica, smiled at him, then took the rose with the vase of hearts.

"Katherine." She took the one with the glass slippers.

"Ahn." She decided to take the vase with the design of ivy.

"Sharon…and Shirley." The twins gave each other an icy look before changing their minds and giving each other congratulating smiles. Sharon took the vase with the pair of ribbons, and Shirley took the one that had an angel on its surface.

Here, the bachelor paused, and he surveyed the four girls left. Lina, Clarissa, Annabelle, and Jade.

Jade fixed the folds of her dress casually, before looking up to find her eyes meeting his. His blue, blue eyes. Jade froze, when she suddenly realized that… no, she didn't like him, but that she…Jade considered her words very very carefully… didn't want to go home…yet.

She stared at him evenly, no emotion on her face, yet…Pick me.

Wally's eyes swung to another girl, Annabelle, considering her. Annabelle was on the tip of his tongue, he opened his mouth, but his voice box betrayed him. He grew angry; he had decided on which seven he would pick last night, and he was not going to pick Jade. Annabelle. He concentrated. Annabelle. He opened his mouth. Annabelle was on the tip of his tongue…

"Jade." Wally coughed in surprise. His voice box had betrayed him again! There could be no other explanation. He tried to undo his 'mistake'. "I mean…"

Jade's eyes flashed angrily. "What do you mean, 'I mean'!" Her pink eyes unintentionally began to glow, and the last vase on the table, the unicorn, began to shake uncontrollably, as if it would suddenly shatter. Wally changed his mind; he would eliminate her next time.

"I mean, CONGRATULATIONS!" he bellowed, patting her on the back. Unfortunately, his patting was more like a series of blows. Staggering, Jade turned around and glared.

"Thank you," she said sweetly. Then turned and gave him a couple of pats in return that knocked the wind out of him. Glaring at each other with an I hate you more than cow dung look, stamped into their eyes, the bachelor resumed the ceremony as best as he could in his present condition.

"I'm sorry," he said wheezing to Lina, Clarissa, and Annabelle, "I will always remember you…" he ended his good-bye speech a tad shorter than what he planned. He wasn't up to a three-minute good-bye tonight. He quickly shot Jade an icy look, but he was soon preoccupied with three stony faces that approached closer and closer. The security stepped up between Wally and the angry girls.

In unison, as if it was rehearsed, the three rejected bachelorettes screeched a final farewell at the man who was now safe behind a wall of portly men, "I HATE YOU WALLY WEST!" They left, never to be seen around this side of the country again.

Meanwhile…Wally snapped his fingers, bringing a woman who held the next date box. "Enjoy yourselves," he pointed down the hall, "that's the room for celebration." He walked away briskly, leaving the girls alone.

Mara ended up being the one to take the date box from the woman, and so, led everyone to the room. Everyone seated themselves on the couches, and waited, while Mara read the lists of the dates like the last time.

"The first group date is Katherine, Jessica, Shirley. The second is Jade, Sharon, and myself…" at this, she threw Sharon a beady-eyed glance. "And the individual date is Ahn."

"Remember…" Jessica said in singsong, "double-edged sword!" As the room erupted into giggles, Ahn scoffed with contempt. She understood the dangers and advantages of a double-edged sword, much more than Jessica ever would.

"Now," announced Mara, "these are the clues." She pulled out a horseshoe, a rudder, and a scented candle. As everyone else remarked on what these would mean, Jade's eyes remained on the horseshoe. Horseshoes were lucky.