Jan did not like sparkling black dresses. She did not trust hiding in plain sight, and she certainly did not enjoy walking through the front door. It was risky, and it took everything in Jan's self control to smile and walk with her escort to the front door. The escort was someone Slade said she should trust, but Jan's paranoia played up. She believed it was not beyond Slade to say one thing and do another. Where was the proof that her escort would not become her enemy later on? It was yet another thing she wouldn't have to deal with, were she alone.
The girl did as she had been instructed earlier, placing her fingers lightly on her escort's forearm and walking up to the door of a large building. They were checked off the list by a man that stood next to one of the large pillars of the museum and research center. Then, four steps into the masquerade, Jan and her masked companion parted.
Jan wandered through the room, trying to make her path look aimless. She focused on cameras and security, making sure to memorize every door, window, guard, and air duct in the room. There were few air ducts here, in the room where everyone was shown famous art while also being treated to fine foods and drinks. It was a shame that Jan's favorite method of transportation was in short supply, but her stomach quickly reminded her that she hadn't eaten at all today, so she maneuvered over to where the good scents came from.
The place was packed. There were all kinds of important and not-so-important people about, and it was a chore for Jan not to flinch away from everything that brushed against her. Self-serving gentlemen passed by her often, trying to make an impression on one person or another. All the movement didn't mask the security, however, which checked in periodically with each other at the same door. It was this door which would lead straight to special pieces of the museum, pieces which were not meant to be shown tonight.
The masks were not appreciated in full, either. Yes, it was a masquerade, and it served Jan well. No one would know her face like this. But she quickly realized that masks were very good at hiding thoughts, expressions, and even eye movement that might otherwise be a fine clue to what was going on around her. If there was security hidden in the crowd, she wouldn't know it.
Everything was making her nervous, and Jan decided to take a breather before she got too fidgety, and eventually twitchy. Aware of security eyes watching her, Jan made her way over to the empty balcony. She needed to discipline herself. Being among people wasn't that scary, was it?
No, she needed to focus. How did you dispel the attention of wary guards? The easy answer was to become part of the crowd, talking and dancing with others. But Jan was awkward in social situations, to say the least. She had neither the experience nor the courage to start a conversation with a guest here just to avoid suspicion. Damn, she wished her escort would hurry up.
"I didn't think there would be anyone else around here that would be around my age."
Jan turned, a bit stiffly, to see Beastboy was talking to her. Shock set her covered features as she picked out the other Titans from the crowd. They must have just gotten here very recently. But what were they doing here? Certainly they didn't think the thief with many faces would strike here. There was no way to predict that.
Beastboy flashed her a fanged smile.
"Wanna dance?"
She smiled kindly.
"Actually, I don't know how to dance properly." Jan said sheepishly. She could feel the mask resting awkwardly on her cheeks.
"That's alright." Cyborg walked up behind Beastboy to put a hand on his scrawny shoulder. "Neither does he."
"Hey! Dude, that is sonot ok!"
"So what are the Titans doing at a museum masquerade?" Jan laughed.
"Well, we have important stuff to do, you know?" Beastboy's chest puffed out importantly.
"Go figure." Jan said, unimpressed. "You are teen heroes, after all."
Beastboy deflated, and Cyborg laughed.
Jan wanted her escort to hurry up, to take her away from the worst situation imaginable. Then again, it may be the Titans that were deterring him, even if he was finished with his task. In the meantime, she had to see what she could do about being charming. She had never messed with them before without being in the act of thieving something. Quietly, she checked the time.
"Cyborg. Beastboy." Said a familiar, commanding voice. Robin approached, Raven and Starfire trailing after him. "Have you seen anything yet?"
"No, nothing yet." Cyborg turned to look at Robin.
"Well, keep an eye out." Robin said, glancing pointedly at Jan.
"Who is this?" Starfire looked at Jan, her eyes bright. "Have you made a new friend?"
"Call me Jan." The girl said, smiling.
"Jan, huh?" Robin's eyes narrowed slightly in suspicion, and Jan felt nervousness clench her stomach. "Security says you might be a suspicious figure."
"Why?" She raised an eyebrow, though it might not have been seen.
"You've just acted strange ever since you entered the party. You haven't even spent that much time with your escort- separated with him a few steps into the hall, in fact. It seems strange for you not to participate in a party like this."
Robin's gaze had suddenly turned intense. He glared at her, waiting for any sort of giveaway. Jan carefully controlled her expression, changing her smile to a concerned frown. Why was he so preoccupied with this? Why did he confront her about things that would normally only warrant caution?
"Is there something wrong?" She tried to sound concerned. "I mean, you guys obviously aren't here for the party."
"Robin..." Starfire said a little sadly.
"Sorry, Jan, but we have to stay on high alert." Cyborg said, rubbing the back of his head in embarrassment. "Would you mind?"
"Ok." Jan shrugged. Hesitating only slightly, she took off her mask and began itching a spot on her cheek. Maybe if she didn't mind revealing her face, Robin's suspicions would lessen. Then she remembered that Robin had seen her face once before- in the alleyway the other day- and wondered whether this would be a problem. What she saw in his reaction was stiff embarrassment, but he didn't comment on it.
"I was invited here even though I'm not exactly coordinated at social events. I like extremely old and new things, you see, so this place obviously attracted me." she explained a little nervously. "Anyways, my partner isn't really someone I know. He had other things to do. As for why I was looking around..." she gestured to the room inside. "Haven't you ever enjoyed architecture?"
God, that was lame. What the hell kind of series of excuses were those? Oh, yeah. Normal ones. No wonder she didn't like them.
Robin frowned. There was still something he didn't like. Jan allowed a little concern on her face, thinking it wasn't strange. The other Titans glanced at each other, and the girl felt this had happened before somehow. Not with her, of course.
"Did I go to the wrong party?" Jan said, looking between their faces.
"Just stay aware." Robin said roughly. He turned on his heel and strode into the crowd of party-goers. Cyborg apologized and the rest gave her odd looks before parting to keep watch for whatever it was they were looking for.
Jan half turned on the balcony so that she could see both inside and outside. After pulling on her mask, she let her mind descend into thought. Robin was extremely uptight. So the Titans already has suspicions or a tip to what was going on. Perhaps they were only working on the many-faced thief theory, or perhaps Robin thought Slade was involved. It certainly would explain a few things. It was a good thing, either way. Yes, Robin would be more aggressive, but he was also more likely to make mistakes.
"Jan."
She readjusted her focus to watch her escort approach. He had something in his hand and walked with a straight back. Jan tried to compare him with Slade, but found Slade was more powerful in presence.
"Taking off your mask was unwise."
"Perhaps. I figured Robin would notice if I tried to hide behind it."
"The damage has been done." he said with little interest, raising his hand so that Jan could take the small ear device from him. She put it in her ear, under the cover of her hair.
"Robin heard about Slade being involved. The boy is obsessed."
"As such," Slade's voice began, "we'll be changing plans. Not that you haven't done well so far, but another opportunity has presented itself."
Jan rolled her eyes. Slade was obviously displeased with some part of her performance. Not that she gave a damn; she was more preoccupied with the sudden change in plan. The thief had studied Slade's first plan for hours, and he was changing them on a dime.
"Follow your escort into the crowd when it's time for the guest of honor to make his speech. Things should fall into place from there."
"Alright." She muttered.
She was given her orders, so Jan settled down into the persona of the thief for hire. Although she was beginning to dislike Slade's control over her work, it was the last job. Jan would just deal with it until she left Jump City. The water's call was becoming agonizing.
Her escort began moving, and Jan followed him without hesitation. She noticed the crowd had begun to settle and crowd near a podium, near which several men stood. The girl noticed the Titans coming closer as well, and became nervous when she realized she was in the middle of them all. Still, she made sure not to look at them and acted oblivious.
The escort stopped, and Jan stopped as well. A man in a grey suit was next to her, staring attentively at the stage. The thief in hiding felt some sort of nervousness from him and glanced toward him, taking in his features quickly. Though he looked to be a wealthy man, there was something dodgy about him.
"Thank you all for coming." A man said at the podium, and the crowd hushed. "I would go on about how wonderful it is to have both old and new history together in the same place, but if you'll humor me, that speech is a little overused. Instead, I'll have to let our guest speaker approach the podium. Let me introduce Mr. Watson, the director of a very famous museum I think we all know."
There was applause from the crowd, quiet and polite. The speaker walked to the podium, smiled, and suddenly the barrel of a gun was alongside Jan's face, pointed toward the guest speaker. Jan didn't think- she reacted. She brought up her elbow and slammed it into the attacker's face while her left hand grabbed the gun hand and pointed it at the ceiling.
The gun shot off and the crowd scattered, screaming. The Titans rushed toward Jan, but she forced herself to focus on the closer threat. A quick kick dropped the gunner to his feet, and the gun was in the girl's hand in the same instant.
Robin walked next to Jan and glanced at the man on the floor. Then he looked at Jan and held out his hand for the gun. Jan frowned. Why should she hand it over?
"It's nice to see that the Titans are as diligent as ever." Mr. Watson said as he approached. Cyborg dragged the gunner up from the ground. "Thank you, miss."
Jan stopped for a moment, surprised at the praise. She had been preparing for some kind of squabble now that she wasn't helpless anymore. But while the Titans were uncertain of her, Watson seemed genuinely glad she was here.
"Er... I'm not one of the Titans." Jan amended.
"Really? With reactions like that?" Watson said, eyes wide.
Damn. How was she going to explain this away? What could she tell them? What could she do to dispel the attention on her? What the hell was Slade thinking?
"I'm so sorry for the secrecy." Jan's escort approached, taking off his hat and bowing his head briefly before placing his hat over his mask again. "I was hoping we wouldn't need to appear for a random shooter, but even the Titan's can't outrun a bullet."
"So that's why you got an ear piece." Beastboy said with dawning comprehension.
Was this part of Slade's plan? her escort seemed to think so, and Jan figured she may as well play along. What other choice did she have?
"Sorry. I didn't mean to be quiet about it. It's in the job."
"What job is that, exactly?" Robin raised a brow.
To hell if Jan knew.
"Also secret." The escort said. "But now that our presence is known, we cannot operate quietly. May we help you, Titans?"
"What was your name?" Cyborg spoke up.
"You may call me Johnson."
The cops came in and took away the gunner. Jan finally relinquished the gun. She felt nervous when one of their visors turned her way, but she looked away from them, focusing on the conversation. If something changed, she needed to be aware of it.
"Why are you and Jan here?" Robin didn't quite seem convinced with their earlier story.
"Slade." Johnson said simply.
The Titans seemed to understand where he was coming from. Slade was their target. Jan tried to readjust her awareness of the mission. When she came in, she had planned on using an excuse to get past the guards and sneak into the room filled with museum artifacts. Now she had been redirected with mystery orders, leading to her suddenly being a part of some kind of secret police. So she had somehow turned from a thief in hiding to a thief pretending to be her enemy's ally. How the hell did that happen?
After some more conversation, the Titans agreed to accept the help. They said that, against Slade, they might need the help. Robin didn't want help, but the group's opinions outweighed his.
The party was over, and all the guests who were left were dismissed. No one wanted to stay after a shooter was found. It was fine for the Titans, Jan, and Johnson. They didn't need more people in the way. Jan just thought of it as less interference when she got away. Speaking of which, how was she going to steal the item now?
With darkness taking over the city, the group took patrols. Johnson went on his own, but Jan was put together with Robin, much to both of their distaste. Robin told her not to get in his way. Jan planned to leave as soon as darkness hit.
The halls of the building were eerily quiet. Robin was tense, waiting for any sign of Slade. Jan found his nervousness rubbing off on her, and she watched him with a sharp cautiousness. She was waiting for him to snap.
"So where'd you learn to fight?" Robin's voice suddenly broke the silence. They hadn't seen anything for half an hour. "You made quick work of the assassin."
"I taught myself." Jan said automatically. Robin raised an eyebrow.
"Really?"
"Well, at first."
"Careful with your words." Slade's voice made Jan jump. "Move towards the artifact room. Things are set up."
Robin looked at Jan peculiarly. Jan realized her suddenly silence and look of concentration must have seemed odd. But the girl was back in her area of expertise, ready to go thieving, so all of her awkwardness was lost.
"I'm heading toward the artifacts."
"I thought you wanted to work with us." Robin said touchily.
"And I will help you with Slade and trust you to watch my back in conflict." What a lie. "But I take orders from someone else."
Jan turned to head away from Robin, but the boy trotted up to her side in the next second.
"It's not safe to wander alone." the boy affirmed aggressively.
"You just don't want me to get the only action." Jan laughed.
"If your boss thinks there's something there, there must be a reason." Robin smiled.
Their steps became unusually loud to Jan. Her nerves slowly built, despite her attempts to wrestle them down. Robin couldn't be allowed to see her steal the item. What would happen instead?
Both Jan and Robin stopped at the same time, having a bad feeling in their guts. While Robin prepared for some kind of battle, Jan just stood as an observer. The lights went out, and there were several sounds that indicated the arrival of other bodies. There were two small, red lights in front of Robin and Jan. Then there were flashes of red and Jan felt something hit her in the chest and throw her back.
The girl cursed; she couldn't help it as she landed harshly on the ground. More bodies landed around her, but they didn't seem interested in attacking her now that she was separated from Robin.
"You should be able to perform the thievery from here." Slade's voice said quietly in Jan's ear.
Jan looked up, finding an entrance to the air ducts above her in the red flashes of the sladebot's guns. She jumped up, held onto a groove, and kicked the vent in. Once inside, she proceeded to make her way to the artifact room. All she needed to do now was steal it and get out.
"I think you will find the purpose of this assignment interesting." The earpiece buzzed a little. "It actually has something to do with you."
"You're suddenly talkative." Jan mumbled, kicking out another vent and dropping in on a dark artifact room. She was surprised to hear Slade talking back.
"It didn't seem prudent to distract you. Now there's more time."
"You must be mistaken." Jan kept her voice low. "The time hasn't changed at all."
"Quite the contrary."
Jan made her way to the item Slade had specified. With the entire building down, she just broke the glass to grab the decrepit-looking object without worrying about the alarms. Then there were loud bangs at the door, and Jan just knew it was the Titans again.
"Get out now." Slade ordered, and Jan disappeared into the air duct again.
The thief moved as quietly as she could, aware that she was on a time limit now. The purpose was to escape with as little conflict as possible. Then she would be home free, heading to the ocean after this piece was delivered.
"You're a hard person to find, you know." Slade continued. He was getting on the thief's nerves. "Even when I predict your movements, there's no telling how long you'll stay in place for one trivia or another."
"I thought that was the point." Jan said quietly, looking through a vent on the side to see if she was being tracked.
"You run because you're weak."
"What was that?" she growled.
"This item and I could make you strong. Have you ever felt the need to become stronger, Janus?"
She paused. The girl's memory went back to when she had fought Slade for the thumbdrive of information. When he beat her, when she found he was so far out of her league, a feeling had emerged in her. From then on, she had an urge to get stronger than him. But why did it sound like he was offering just this?
"Take a right up ahead. You'll have to find a way onto the roof."
Jan maneuvered as she was ordered.
From what he said, Slade had known about Jan for a while and had attempted to track and find her. He had probably known about her before he confronted her. Knowing Slade, this was all planned out. And now he was seemingly offering to make her stronger. Was he asking her to stay here in Jump City as well?
The night air greeted Jan. She discarded her mask and looked around. It was a miracle she hadn't run into the Titans yet. Or perhaps she had just jinxed it.
"Any last orders?" Jan muttered.
Silence. No answer came, even as Jan walked around the roof looking for ways off. On one side, there was some construction. Steel beams shaped out the space for which they were going to build onto the already huge museum and research center.
A sudden battle cry caused Jan to spin around to see Slade flying toward her, fist pulled back. The blow was narrowly avoided, and Jan's confusion was obliterated when she became preoccupied with fighting. Slade moved quickly and seemed intent on beating the thief into the ground. She had no choice but to fight back.
A blue beam of energy shot down in between Jan and Slade. Both jumped away from Cyborg, who landed between them. The rest of the Titans appeared, all facing Slade.
"You alright?" Raven asked, floating down next to Jan.
"I'm fine." Jan confirmed, wondering what Slade could be up to.
"Titans." Slade said in greeting. "Nice of you to show up."
Robin growled. Jan couldn't see his face, but she was sure it was twisted with some kind of anger. Slade seemed to find it amusing.
One enemy suddenly turned into many as sladebots appeared from nowhere. The Titans looked around. Jan sighed and ripped off her dress, revealing thin, black half pants and a spaghetti strap shirt.
"Do you ever run out of these things?" Beastboy squeaked, looking at the horde of robots.
"I would entertain you, but I'm afraid I have a business contract to finish."
The robots jumped into the fray, engaging even Jan. She parried and kicked as needed, smashing in several masked faces. Another one of those guns burnt her arm, but that was quickly pushed to the back of her mind.
Robin never lost track of Slade, heading straight for him. The two fought, Robin frustratingly far away from ever winning. Slade played with him for a little bit, but a swarm of sladebots suddenly leaped on the two. Robin struggled with the robots and his frustration while Slade headed straight for Jan.
"Cyborg! Help Jan!" The boy shouted as he swung his staff into a sladebot, shattering its side.
Cyborg confirmed and pointed an energy beam at Slade, who jumped over it and almost managed to successfully ambush Jan. Jan tilted out of Slade's fist range and tried a kick to his ribs. Slade caught it and pulled Jan closer, reaching for the item still in her hand. She automatically leaned further from him and lifted her other leg to kick Slade in the face.
As Cyborg came closer and engaged Slade, it clicked in Jan's head. Since the Titans had talked to Jan, Slade had decided to work with it, tricking the Titans into thinking she was their ally. Right now, he was maintaining that image, attacking her. Jan was not allowed to give up the item in her hand unless Slade forced it from her. At least things made more sense, now.
"What's that?" Cyborg said, motioning to the item in Jan's hand while Raven tried to preoccupy Slade.
"The item he's after." Jan said truthfully, watching Slade warily as he outmaneuvered Raven and threw a freed Robin at her.
"Alright." Cyborg said while charging up the cannon in his right arm. "Then we just need to keep him away from you."
Jan laughed nervously.
"Good luck."
Cyborg's cannon was shot at Slade's feet, and the man leapt into the air. Starfire tried throwing starbolts, but the man twisted to avoid them and kicked the approaching Robin.
Beastboy charged Slade as he landed, and the man wrapped his hands around the green bull's horns, stopping Beastboy. Then the bull was twisted onto his back with little effort. Raven tried to grab Slade with her abilities, but he was too quick. From his belt, Slade pulled some discs and threw them at Cyborg and Jan. Cyborg tried to blow up the discs before they were too close with his cannon, but it was a useless action. The explosion caused more smoke than fire.
"Shit." Jan said as the smoke enveloped her. This was something else she used on her opponents often, almost always guaranteeing they didn't know where she was. Suspiciously, she tried to peer into the smoke and sense Slade.
The blow was hard, hit her in the ribs, and sent her flying to the edge of the building. With a cough, Jan pushed herself up from the ground and looked toward the smoke cloud. Slade emerged from it, holding the item in front of him and his other arm behind his back.
"For someone who's so fond of smoke bombs, you don't fight very well in them." He observed, and Jan frowned.
Sladebots jumped into the smoke cloud, and Jan knew she and Slade would have some time.
"What's the matter?" Slade asked suddenly. "Not going to take it back?"
'As you wish.' Jan thought as her hand edged toward her beltline.
Several reflective discs shone between Jan's fingers, and they suddenly began glowing orange. Slade had experienced this before, and dodged out of the way of the explosion. Jan did not hesitate, drawing a dagger from God only knows where and rushing toward her opponent. She sliced through the air and Slade spun around, his foot soaring half an inch from Jan's head. The girl lunged forward and Slade sidestepped. A fist met Jan's ribs, and then, in a flash, she was flying off the side of the building and heading straight for a metal beam.
What was wrong with him? Slade offered to make her stronger, and then he threw Jan off a building!
A hand shot out and grabbed Jan's wrist as she was trying to twist so that she could find a way to land. She looked up to see Slade. Was that a glare? Then he turned to look toward the noises the Titans were making. Apparently, they had made it out of the smoke and past the robots.
"Let her go, Slade," Robin growled.
"Well, if I must," Slade said in a mocking tone.
And then he let go.
Shieb: Yes, perhaps posting this was actually a bad thing to be done. After all, I stated since the beginning that this wasn't to be regularly updated, yet this ending will no doubt make you want to read what happens next. I'm just horrible like that. So what has Slade got in store for Jan?