Disclaimer: I don't own any rights to the Teen Titans or any characters in the DC Universe.
Beast Boy and Raven silently followed Alfred down the huge hallway, their footfalls on the immaculate hardwood floor echoed down the corridor. Alfred didn't need to be an empath to know that the Logans were having a tiff, but the majordomo said nothing.
Raven on the other hand could feel every emotion seeping out of Beast Boy and it wasn't good. He was still hurt by her insensitive remark and he ignored her, busying himself with the dossier that Batman had given them on Hugo Strange. He had told them, correction, ordered them to read it before dinner was served. It was almost 100 pages long and while Beast Boy at first had felt overwhelmed with the request he wasn't going to admit it. He was already on page 37 and was reading it as fast as he could. Alfred stopped in front of a large cherry wood door which he opened after which he led the couple into their quarters.
"Mrs. Logan, if you so desire I can have the fireplace ready when you and Mr. Logan return after your mission tonight."
"Thank you Alfred, that would be very nice." She replied.
"Dinner will be served at 7. Would you like me to draw a bath for you before I leave?"
"That won't be necessary Alfred, but thank you anyway."
"Very well. If you require anything you may reach me through the intercom system." He said before taking his leave and closing the door behind him as he left.
The room was huge. It had a four post king size bed with a canopy over it. There was also a large desk, a pair of wardrobes that already had their clean clothes hanging in them. Their dirty clothes were missing; no doubt Alfred was already laundering them. There was also a sitting area at the far end of the room with two Queen Anne style love seats and a plush wingback chair, which Beast Boy sat down on as he silently continued to read Hugo Strange's dossier. Raven approached him and stopped, standing in front of him.
"Gar, I'm really sorry about what I did." She said in her monotone. "There is no excuse for what I did. I'm going to publicly apologize at dinner."
Beast Boy dog-eared the page he was on and dropped the dossier on the coffee table in front of him. He then looked up at his wife with a piercing look.
"Rae, why did you pick me?"
Raven looked confused before replying. "What do you mean?"
"C'mon Rae. You're way smarter than me. All of you are. Why didn't you date some smart guy, you know, like a grad student working on his Ph.D.?"
"Gar! You're not stupid!"
"I didn't say I was. But I saw the results of the IQ test Cyborg gave us last year. Starfire is a 207, Cyborg is a 193, you're 185 and Nightwing scored 173. You're all geniuses."
"And you scored 137, which means you're smarter than almost 99% of the general population."
"I know, but that's still only 'above average'. You're way out of my league Rae. You're a genius, you're powerful and beautiful. Why did you ever pick me?"
Raven didn't reply right away. She stared at the floor before answering.
"No Gar, you're wrong. You're the one who's out of my league. You're sweet, true and loving. Me? I'm a demonic bitch."
"Oh come on Rae, that's not true."
"It isn't? I just humiliated you in front of our friends. What do you call that?"
"It's OK Rae, I forgive you." He chuckled. "Anyway, you'd think I'd be used it to by now."
Raven scowled at him. "No! You shouldn't have to be used to me mistreating you!" She replied as he saw a single tear drip down her face. He stood up and wrapped his arms around her.
"You deserve better than that." She whispered as she buried her face in his chest. "I'm married to the best guy in the world, and I treat you like crap." She sniffled. "I'm the real idiot."
"Maybe." He grinned. "But you're my idiot."
Raven smiled before replying. "Your idiot wants to show you how much she loves you."
"Only if you let your idiot do the same." He replied before giving her a deep kiss.
John Spivak was lying on his bed after having finished his dinner. Sloppy Joes, it was the fifth time that month they had Sloppy Joes for dinner. He was already used to Arkham's high school cafeteria menu. He wasn't a fussy eater so he didn't really care what they fed him. His room though was another matter. It was identical to the room Terra had woken up in after Hugo Strange had trapped her. It felt like a prison cell and its only creature comfort was a tiny television that hung from the ceiling.
He was pondering the offer Strange had made him earlier. His freedom plus Terra if he killed the damned green Titan. On paper it sounded great, but that was the problem, Strange made it sound so easy. He knew that he wouldn't be able to catch the sorceress off guard this time. And he would have to be swift in killing Beast Boy. If he morphed into something large he wouldn't be able to defeat him, at least not easily
The wind maker rolled over in his bed, pondering how he might negotiate with Strange the next time he saw him. He already knew what his first demand would be: to see Terra in person and talk with her. His second demand would be a place where he and Terra could hide after he completed the task. He knew very well that if he succeeded in eliminating the Bat clan and the Titans that he would have the Justice League out looking for him. They would need to lay low for a long time.
There were too many things that could go wrong. The demoness scared him, a lot. It didn't matter that she was only half demon; he knew that she had terrifying powers. He still couldn't believe that the green idiot had chosen her over his Terra. That was another affront that would have to be avenged as well. And what if he failed to kill the boy? He wouldn't get a second chance. That much he knew. And what about the other Titans? And then there was the Bat and his minions. This was going to be very risky. And then there was Hugo Strange himself. Spivak didn't trust Strange, but he knew he had no other choice if he ever wanted to get out of Arkham.
The lights in his room dimmed, signaling that in 15 minutes it would be lights out. Spivak yawned as he pulled back the covers on his bed. Before he kicked his shoes off he heard the door unlock. As it opened it revealed the usual 4 armed guards.
"Dr. Strange wants to see you." The nightshift sergeant ordered him.
Spivak turned around and faced the wall as the guards shackled him. He knew the routine. Once he was secured they led him out of his room and onwards to the hospital wing.
"Isn't it kind of late for a session?" He asked his escorts, none of which responded.
After a silent walk they reached the entrance to the hospital and were buzzed in. It was very quiet at this time and there was only a skeleton staff on duty. They led him down the familiar hallway but this time they passed the visitation room and went straight to Hugo Strange's office instead. The sergeant opened the door and Spivak saw the psychiatrist sitting behind his desk. The guards led him to a massive metal chair and shackled him to it, leaving the room once they were satisfied that he was secured.
"Good evening Mr. Spivak. Have you given any consideration to my … offer?"
"I have, but I have a few conditions before I accept…"
Strange cut him off. "I'm afraid there is no time for that Mr. Spivak. For you see, a golden opportunity has arisen and we must take advantage of it."
"What are you talking about?"
"It's very simple Mr. Spivak. Tomorrow morning Batman, his former sidekick Robin who now goes by the moniker of 'Nightwing' along with Raven and Beast Boy are coming to visit me, to negotiate Miss Markov's release."
"Tomorrow? Here?"
"Correct Mr. Spivak. It will be the perfect opportunity to ambush the green Titan. It must a quick kill Spivak; you won't get a second chance. And it must be cold, ruthless and merciless."
"So, it's just me against the 4 of them? Won't I get any help?"
"You will have your powers back of course. And there will be a small firearm waiting in your room."
"Ok, that sounds good so far. So what's the plan?"
Strange smiled triumphantly. He had him.
"They will be arriving at 10:15 AM at my office. The will be no patrols between your cell and my office, so you should arrive with no delays after breaking out of your cell. You will ambush them in front of my office. Kill the boy and escape to this location." He handed Spivak a small map to a cave 14 miles away. "If you succeed Miss Markov will be waiting for you there."
"And if I don't?"
"She dies."
Spivak frowned for a moment.
"Then I'd better not fail."
"Excellent choice Mr. Spivak. I knew I could count on you."
Strange handed him a small cup.
"Drink this, and your powers will be back tomorrow morning. Do not eat your breakfast or you will lose your powers again."
Spivak took the cup and gulped down its contents.
"Sleep well Mr. Spivak. If all goes well tomorrow you will be a free man and you will once again have your lover at your side."
"How will you explain how I recovered my powers?" Spivak asked.
Hugo Strange laughed. "I have a scapegoat arranged. A young lab technician. We'll plant some money in his apartment and make it look like you paid him off."
"I like it. How did you pick the loser?"
"He's having an affair with one of my patients. I was going to dismiss him, but this is a much better use for him, wouldn't you agree?"
Spivak chuckled. "So he's bonking one of your girls. Who?"
"Just a minor criminal. A former henchwoman, no one of any importance. It happens all the time. The women become very lonely here and after a while any man looks very good."
"And who's the chump who's going to take the fall?"
"His name is Roger Whyte."
Richard, Kori, Victor and Barbara were in the manor kitchen, in their civilian identities, eating some fresh scones that Alfred had just baked, washing them down with hot chocolate. Alfred tsk, tsk'd them as he entered the kitchen to begin making preparations for dinner.
"I see you haven't changed Master Richard. You still spoil your dinner appetite with snacks."
"You can't blame him Alfred." Victor replied after swallowing a mouthful. "I'm not big on English cuisine, but these are great scones."
"I will pretend I did not hear the first half of your remark, Master Victor." The butler replied as he pulled out several pots and pans. "I also see that Mr. and Mrs. Logan did not join you in your pre dinner snack."
"They needed some time alone." Richard replied. "They had their first fight as a married couple in the Batcave."
"And I am most worried for them Richard." Kori interrupted. "They should not quarrel. They are lovers, not enemies."
"It's OK Kori." Barbara stepped into the conversation. "Human couples always fight. It's normal."
"But friend Raven is only half human. What if their quarrel leads to something worse? What if they get divorced?" She asked in a very worried tone.
"Calm down Kori. They're not going to get divorced, I guarantee it." Richard told her.
"I do not share your optimism, my husband." She replied, the trepidation still clear in her voice.
Richard smiled. "Fine! We'll go check in on them. You'll see that they're OK." He said as he put his half eaten scone done on the plate. "C'mon, let's go!"
The quartet quietly left the kitchen and were soon walking down the long hallway to the room where Alfred had setup the Logans. Soon enough they were in front of the door and Richard raised his hand to knock, but stopped mid air.
"Do you guys hear anything?" He asked.
The other three listened carefully and they all heard a sound escaping through the thick wooden door.
"Do I hear moaning?" Barbara asked.
Suddenly the sounds became louder. There was no mistake, they were moans of pleasure.
Victor blushed. "Is that what I think it is?" The others shrugged their shoulders, unwilling to admit that they all knew what it was. Then, as if on cue, Raven and Beast Boy put to rest any doubts about what was happening behind their door.
"Oh Gar! Gar!! Garfield!! GARFIELD!!" Raven's voice trembled with excitement and was loud enough to be heard though the thick door.
The four heroes became wide eyed and completely silent.
"I didn't need to hear that." Barbara whispered to her companions.
"Raven! OH RAVEN!! OH BABY!!" Garfield replied.
"And I didn't need to hear that."Cyborg muttered.
By this point Dick, Barbara and Cyborg were blushing a deep red.
"Let's leave before they find out we were here. Raven will kill us if she does." Dick ordered his companions.
The foursome retreated quickly in complete silence as the crescendo of moaning was getting louder again. Once they were a safe distance Starfire broke the silence.
"Oh friends, it is glorious!"
"Maybe for them it was." Barbara complained. "I'm gonna have nightmares about that for weeks!" She shuddered.
"But friends! Now we know that they have done the 'kissing and making up', what is so horrifying about that?" Starfire beamed.
"Star, I think they were doing more than just kissing." Cyborg guffawed, which earned him a powerful slap from the princess.
"Cyborg! You are so unromantic! It is no wonder you do not have a girlfriend."
Richard chuckled. "She's got you there Victor."
"Very funny bird boy." The bionic man replied.
Terra sat on her bed, after lights out, staring at the vial that Roger Whyte had just stopped by to deliver to her. Its contents were a clear pale blue in color which shimmered in the moonlight. As she stared into it she saw the choice she was about to make.
On one hand she could place her faith in the system. She knew that her friends would move mountains to secure her release, but she also knew that it could take a long time to get out that way. She might be stuck in Arkham for years. And for what? It's not like Beast Boy would be waiting for her, ready to whisk her off to the altar when she was freed. That was a lost cause and she knew it.
The other choice was to escape. If she took this route she would become a fugitive, a criminal. She would have to cast her lot with Poison Ivy and her gang. There would be no going back.
But what was there to go back to?
Terra opened the vial and drank its contents.
It was ten minutes until seven and Richard was leading the foursome to the dining room. Even after noshing on Alfred's scones they still had an appetite, so that wasn't a problem. They were however nervous. Not about the mission to Arkham they would be engaged in later that evening, but something else.
Barbara peeked into the informal dining room and saw that Bruce was already seated and was accompanied only by Jason. She signaled the 'all clear' to her friends and the all filed into the dining room and took their seats.
Bruce was reading a business journal but their stealthy arrival did not go unnoticed by him. Without looking up he addressed them.
"Why are you hiding from Rachael and Garfield?" He asked in a relaxed tone.
Starfire tapped her fingers together nervously. "Why do you ask us that question Bruce?"
Bruce rolled his eyes. "Because other than Alfred they are the only ones who aren't here Kori, and Barbara scanned the room before you all came in together."
Starfire giggled nervously. "Oh yes, I see." She quickly slipped behind her common law husband.
"Well Dick? What's going on?"
Richard stammered. "It's embarrassing, I'd rather not talk about it."
"OK." Bruce replied. "But you'd better start acting normally, because they're almost here."
Richard, Kori, Barb and Victor unfolded their napkins at the table just as Alfred entered, pushing a cart laden with salads. As he began to serve them the Logans arrived, holding hands.
They were wearing their holorings. Beast Boy once again was his blond, freckled self. Raven was a tan brunette. They were both dressed semi formally in slacks and long sleeved shirts. Raven's chakra stone was hidden and the only thing that gave away her identity was her signature A-line haircut.
"Bruce, do we have to wear these silly holorings?" She asked as Garfield gallantly pulled her chair out for her and seated her.
"I'm afraid so Rachael. I frequently have guests in the manor. What do I tell them if they see Raven or Beast Boy in my house?"
"And I suppose that you will also insist on calling me by the human name my mother gave me?"
"That is also correct, that is whenever you are wearing your holoring. When you are not disguised as a civilian I will of course address you by your hero name."
Raven sighed and noticed that Kori was grinning from ear to ear.
"Let me guess Kori. You saw us walk in hand in hand and have correctly concluded that Gar and I have indeed reconciled after I publicly humiliated him in front of all of you earlier today. Am I Correct?" She said in her monotone.
Starfire nodded her head enthusiastically.
"And you were worried sick that Gar and I would break up and get divorced?"
"Yes friend, I was."
Raven did her best to not roll her eyes.
"Your fears were unfounded Kori. But before we have our dinner there is something I have to do first." She said as she rose from her chair. She then quickly dropped down onto her right knee."
"Rae, I thought we talked about this. You don't have to do it. I've already forgiven you." Beast Boy pleaded with her.
She shook her head. "I have to Gar." She took his hand and paused before continuing.
"Garfield, you know nothing is more important to me than your happiness. Earlier today, because of my insensitivity I hurt and dishonored you. I just want you and everyone present here to know that I do not believe you are stupid or have an inferior mind. Far from it. You are a wonderful man and I am privileged to call you my husband. The truth is I don't deserve you and I beg you to forgive me for my idiotic transgression against you."
Beast Boy smiled and taking her hands he pulled her up to her feet, after which he hugged her.
As they kissed they heard a round of applause around the table.
Here's your Friday treat! I hope that the end of the chapter wasn't too sappy! And sorry for the short chapter.
I'm also sure you're all waiting for the showdown at the OK Corral. Be patient readers, it's coming soon.
And now to the mail bag.
lpwriter4life – "I just realized BeastBoy is just as sensitive as I am!"
He's always been the 'sensitive' Titan IMHO.
DarkRapture – "ANYWAY, if you plan on hurting somebody, hurt Beastboy."
You shouldn't have said that. Now I have an irresistible urge to have Raven get hurt!
BeastBoyFangirl – "I have a feeling that Beastboy's won't go down without a fight."
You can count on that!
Wolvmbm – "And poor helpless fool that was convince into letting the villains go free. I truly felt bad for that guy. :("
Weeelllll, it's not like Roger got NOTHING out of the deal, right?
Novus Ordo Seclorum – "Foremost, I loved the ladies of Arkham. Having Rav seduce one of the staff was quite a brilliant little scheme. I enjoyed her personal foray about how she went about doing it and how easy it was to win the poor schmuck over. "
I really enjoyed writing that part of that chapter. I guess it was fortunate that Rav drew the short straw and not Baby Doll. That would have been … awkward.
Sarah's Boo – "dont you DARE kill off raven and/or beastboy!"
Like I told DarkRapture, don't put ideas into my head!
Alexpv22 – "I can only hope our favorite green guy won't do anything he'll regret"
Probably not, but with Terra lurking in the shadows, you never know!
Titanfan45 – "It looks like there 's going to be a big ruckus with Beats Boy and Raven arriving at Arkham about the same time that Terra and her newfound friend's escape is to take place."
And let's not forget about John Spivak!
Thanks for reading and reviewing!