Chapter 20. Reality check

The superheroes and the thief arrived at the bat cave to a waiting Alfred. Batman had sent him a message once it was decided and now the older man was ready to receive them with refreshments and medical tools and instruments to aid them with their injuries. A hospital bed was ready for Raven who was still unconscious from the exertion of using her powers to the extreme.

Starfire flew over where Red X was carrying Raven and offered her help when she noticed the thief walking with a slight limp but refused and insisted on carrying her himself. Once Raven was on the bed, Cyborg and Alfred tended to her injuries and hooked an IV on her arm to help her replenish her body and speed her healing process. Once she was taken care of, Alfred took a look at the thief and said "Evening sir… that's a nasty wound you have on your leg. Would you mind following me this way, I must tend to it before it gets infected."

"Its nothing, I'm ok" Stepping away from the meddling butler. But the older man wouldn't have a no for an answer "Nonsense young man, that limp tells a different story"

"You should listen to Alfred. Right now you're in no position to argue or condition to fight and… I hate to admit it but… we need you." Robin said swallowing his pride. Having realized the seriousness of the situation and that one of his teammates was in grave danger.

" ha!, You're begging now. That's priceless" mocked the thief, crossing his arms over his chest. Robin set his jaw tight, getting angrier by the minute. Apparently the wretched thief didn't have a care or concern in the world.

"I'm not. But if not for the team, at least do it for her" Robin said thru gritted teeth pointing at Raven on the bed. "You said it yourself, she risked her life to save us, including you so the least you can do is help us find them!" he almost yelled and glared at the thief. Then in a quieted tone Robin added "She wont take it well if something happens to him" said while looking at the unconscious girl for a moment.

"You care that much?" Red X asked. Not mocking anymore.

"Yes, I care about my friends enough to do anything within my power to make sure they're ok, and right now I have two of them in grave danger, so I'll say it one last time …"

"You don't have to, I get it" . Robin glared at the thief once more and turn around and started to walk away.

"Robin" The thief called out. Robin stopped on his tracks and looked over his shoulder. "What?"

"Here" the thief said holding a small device on his hand and offering it to Rodin. "I was planning on going anyway. I'm just not used to the whole "team work" thing you have going on" Robin turned around and eyed the electronic device with suspicion "What is it?"

"it's a tracking device" Answered Batman speaking for the first time since they came back to his lair. "where did you managed to put it. They searched both of them before taking off, they would have fount it by now"

"None of them. I attached it on the mercenary's belt. but halfway here it stopped and lost signal. Either they're out of range or deep underground. You should be able to get a lock on the last coordinates"

"Well done" was all Batman said. Robin took the device from him and nodded towards Alfred who had been waiting patiently, to take care of his wounds while he and Batman headed to the super computer, plugged in the device and started to trace and map out the coordinates and nearby locations.

Reluctant, Red X started to walk to the bed when he noticed Raven's body, floating a few inches above the bed. "What the… what's happening to her?" he asked with real concern in his voice.

Cyborg was about to reply but locked eyes with Starfire who was giving him a "Drop it!" warning look when she saw his intention. He sighed and rephrased his answer " She's in a healing trance. Her powers allow her body to regenerate and recharge wasted energy. It wont be long before she wakes up" Red X watched in astonishment how some of her visible scratches and bruises disappeared in front of his eyes. Alfred came to his side once more "This way Mr. … Red X? Correct?" the thief nodded once and follow Alfred towards the nearby hospital bed.

The older man put gloves on and started to tend to his injuries. The gushing wound on his right leg being the worst one "Needs stitches" said Alfred before pulling a syringe with anesthesia "to numb the area around the wound while I close it back up" said Alfred when he saw the young man flinch at the sight of the small syringe. Red X tried to insist he was fine and that he could even do it himself, but of course the butler wouldn't have any of it "Nonsense young man, allow me while you rest" Having enough experience with "rebel youngsters" as he called them, didn't wait for approval and pushed the syringe into his leg.

Instinctively, the thief reached for the device of his belt that allowed him to teleport but after pressing the button a few times, realized it was useless.

"Oh don't worry young man, you'll be as good as new in no time" said a cheery Alfred not looking up from his task. He was now stitching and closing the wound. And even though it didn't actually hurt because of the sedative, it still felt uncomfortable and was wondering why his belt suddenly didn't work.

"Did you do this?" Red X asked while still pressing the button repeatedly. A mix of confusion, aggravation and disbelief in his voice. "Of course" said the older man finishing up and cutting the thread. "When… how…"

"I've learned a trick or two over the years…" Alfred said while placing a clean gauze and a bandage around the wound. Robin, who was half way across the cave on the nearby computer smirked in satisfaction. Seeing how not even the elusive thief, could escape Alfred when he put his mind into it. That's when Alfred turned to him and nodded to him with a knowing smile. Robin turned his attention back to the screen in front of him and pretended he didn't see.

"You know he can tell when you're injured from a mile away . Don't try to hide it or you'll give him a reason to hunt you down, and as I recall… you didn't like that" said Batman quietly from his seat, never looking away from his task. "Don't remind me. I think he could even find Slade if he wanted to"

"There you go, as good as new, just as I promised" said Alfred to Red X who was flexing his leg in the air while still sitting on the bed. Alfred was putting away his surgical tools when the thief spoke more quietly "Do you know who I am? … what I do for a living?" he asked, a hint of shame in his voice.

" Most definitely,"

"And yet, you treat me as if I was one of them… I mean no disrespect. I really appreciate what you've done for me but….why?" The butler gave him a soft smile and said while resuming his task. "Because I'm no one to judge and because I believe everyone deserves a second chance as well as I refuse to believe that you are beyond redemption." and with that walked away towards a door at the far corner.

In the main time, Robin made his way towards Starfire who was standing close to Cyborg. In silence, no spark in her eyes. She seemed to be watching Raven breath but then she closed her eyes and a single tear run down her cheek.

"Star, what's wrong? Why are you crying?" he asked softly, but she snapped out of her cloud and quickly wiped away her cheek with the palm of her hand. "nothing is wrong, I am just sad for… for friend Beast boy. I hope we can get him back soon. Even if she will not show it, I know Raven would be very happy to see him back and well… wouldn't you agree?"

"I guess so, I wouldn't …. Raven!" Robin exclaimed and made his way next to the bed. She was no longer floating in midair and was now waking up.

Slowly, she opened her eyes, the lights above her were too bright for her liking. The first thing she focused on was the people in front of her. Other people's emotions were stronger than her own and the waves emanating from Starfire were the strongest. She was sad and Raven could sense a hint of loneliness and depression. Cyborg was on her left side, checking on monitors and unhooking them from her body but overall he was calm, if at all, stressed and a bit annoyed. Robin however, was on her right side, he was stretching over her to dim the lights a little. Then felt his hand over hers. A wave of jealousy hit her hard and couldn't help but notice Starfire stepping back with a sad look on her face. Raven was confused at first. Why was Starfire acting up the way she was but then Robin spoke to her and that's when she noticed his hand on hers. She quickly pulled hers and narrowed her eyes.

"Raven, how you feeling?" he asked not even noticing Starfire's retreat. She then looked at Cyborg who was shaking his head. She tried to sit up but Robin stopped her and pushed her back by the shoulders against the pillow.

"Robin…what… are you doing?" Raven hissed and sat up abruptly.

While they talked, Starfire made her way towards the thief and timidly sat down next to him while he was getting ready to get up. He stopped mid step and turned to her. Her eyes cast down and seemed to be holding back tears. "What's the matter gorgeous?"

"Are you also going to check on friend Raven?'' she asked softly. He thought it was an odd question, wasn't she her friend, wasn't she worried that Raven had been unconscious for way too long? doesn't she care the same way Robin… wait a minute, he thought.

"Is this about Robin? I thought you told him you were worried about Beast Boy"

"That is true, I am worried about him as well but… sometimes… I would like to be more like her" she said, nodding once towards Raven.

"A sorceress?"

"No… a little more… fragile"

"Fragile?. What do you mean, fragile?"

"We tamaraneans don't get hurt as easily as humans do"

"And you want to…get hurt? Why? Don't you risk yourself enough fighting bad guys like me?"

A faint smile appeared before she spoke "you are not a bad guy, you are just… misguided. But no, I don't."

"Star, are you jealous of Raven? I thought she was your friend, that you would be happy that she's being taken care of while she's hurt."

"You misunderstand friend. Of course I'm happy she's being taken care of and feeling better but… sometimes, I would like to get the attention she gets. She is the one who speaks the least and yet… is the one they know better" She took a deep breath, pursed her lips and while she wiped her tear away, she gave him a forced smile. "Forgive me, I do not wish to bother any longer" then she got up next to him and without warning, gave him a bone crushing hug. "But I wish to thank you for saving Raven's life earlier"

The thief could barely hear her words as he was trying to breath without much success. "Star… can't … breath" he finally was able to say. She giggled while she let go of him "Forgive me, but that's how we tamaraneans show our appreciation"

Across the room, Robin had been stealing glances at the alien and the thief while they talk close to each other. Too close for his comfort. Then saw her hug the annoying thief. He gasped and turned his head sharply towards Raven who had been talking to him the entire time, but he had lost track of their conversation the moment he noticed Starfire walk away towards Red X.

"Robin? Are you even listening to me?" Raven said with a frown.

"Now she's hugging him?.. What next? Bring him to live in the tower with us?" he said upset, out loud more to himself than to anybody else, not noticing Raven's eyes started to glow red.

"And how is that relevant?"

"How?.. I tell you how… she's hugging a thief, or what, did you forget what he is?"

"No, I haven't. But if she wants to hug him, let her!. She's free to do whatever she wants with whomever she wants. She doesn't belong to anyone … you lost your chance… get over it!" she said thru gritted teeth.

"Get over it?… how can I get over it. He's just trying to take advantage…"

"You're such an idiot!… if you want to blame someone, blame yourself"

"Me? What did I do?"

"It's what you haven't done…" she said then took a deep breath before she lost her temper completely. "you might think he's doing something just to annoy you, but you know what? Not everything evolves around you Robin"

"What are you saying Raven? Are you actually ok with his advances?"

"Were you born an idiot or you just… pretend to be one just to annoy everybody? … he's doing exactly what she expected you to do all along, with the difference that he's doing it without being told and that is what makes her happy. Why should I not be ok with that?"

"But I thought…"

"You thought what?… that by ignoring her or avoiding her advances you were gonna keep her interested in you?… that by being attentive to someone else while holding my hand in front of her was gonna keep her waiting for you to realize she's there? … that she's been there, next to you all along"

"But I was worried about you and…"

"And so was Cyborg and even Red X, but unfortunately for her, she's interested in you but sometimes, you don't want to see reason even when is right in front of you!" she was glaring at him while slowly, her word were sinking in and he stopped talking. He was looking into her eyes, the ones that he finally noticed were blazing red.

"Robin!" called Batman from the computer where he and Cyborg had been working on ever since Raven woke up. Robin turned to raven and nodded once, then headed to the computer.

"I couldn't have said it better myself" said Alfred quietly to Raven who was startled the moment he spoke and turned sharply to him. "Oh my…" said Alfred after taking notice of her glowing red eyes. After blinking a few times, her eyes became normal again. "Forgive me Alfred, but sometimes he aggravates me beyond reason"

"Oh, no need to apologize miss Raven, I'm just glad he has someone to tell him to his face when he's failing and keep him grounded when he needs to be" Raven arched an eyebrow at his comment and he smiled before continuing "Don't get me wrong, I love them both like the son and grandson I never had, but lets face it, subtleties do not work with them" and walked away without a word.

"Gather round y'all! We have news" Cyborg's booming voice was heard loud and clear.

"You have good news, yes?" asked Starfire with hope.

"Yes, but I'm afraid we have bad news as well" said Cyborg turning on his chair.

"Please, what are the good news"

"We found the location where BB and Meliah are being held captive."

"Bad news is, they're on the move… on a cargo ship headed towards the mid Atlantic" Said Batman in a grave tone.

"What!? Then lets go now. We cant waist time" Said Raven already levitating and eyes glowing white, ready to leave.

" We cant just brake in. They're not alone. Besides the great number of other armed mercenaries surrounding the ship, the satellite pictures show they have other hostages also being transported." said Cyborg turning back to the computer and after pressing a few keys, showed the live video he was talking about.

The vessel was the kind used by the air force. With enough space on deck to sit at least ten planes There were cages of all sizes all over and two choppers at the far end and right in the middle was a metal box.

"Quiet!… I have been able to hack into their communication system… listen to this…"

"Alec, are you sure you have them both?"

"Aye mate. And I got the scientist too. I got all you wanted, where's my money?"

"My men are already on their way to meet you"

"So why the interest on those freaks anyway… I've done some bad shit in my day, but what you're planning its just… sick"

"I didn't know you were the concerned type… not that is your business but.. Lets just say a family reunion is in place"

"What the fuck!…"

Suddenly the communication was cut off and they immediately saw the screen. Out of the metal box came two dinosaurs, one green, one almost white wrecking havoc on the deck.