Chapter 23. Surprises.

Batman walked to his computer to attend a conference call from Arkham Asylum. A flustered Dr Strange was on the screen and confirmed the arrival of the prisoners. When Batman asked if everything was in order, the doctor said "A most peculiar case of sexual assault I have ever seen"

"Yes, they were the head of drug contraband and human traffic. They tortured their hostages and raped them"

"I meant among themselves… it was a brutal assault from Natovsky to the other prisoner upon arrival" said the doctor with bugged out eyes and left Batman speechless for a few seconds. He was astonished to say the least and had to clear his throat before speaking.

"The important things is they are behind bars and receiving the punishment they deserve. What about the Titans that delivered them?"

"A most peculiar pair as well, but they took their leave as soon as the prisoners were transported to their cell"

"Very well, thank you Dr Strange" the video call was terminated and Batman walked towards the Titans who were gathered around the refreshments Alfred had prepared for them. The thief was next to Alfred while he finish the stitches on Dr Simmons's leg.

"I have confirmation that the mercenaries are already in custody… there seemed to be a… disturbing turn of events for them"

"Are Beast Boy and Meliah ok?" Asked Raven getting up from her chair.

"As far as I know they dropped them off and they left once the prisoners were behind bars" He said to Raven who's expression was of real worry.

"Where are they now?"

"I suppose on their way back" Said Batman and noticed Raven relax at that. She even seemed to be smiling very subtly to herself. The others didn't seem to catch it, specially Robin, who had started to pace when his communicator went off. He flipped it open and Beast Boy was on the small screen.

" Hey Rob, we dropped off those two at the Asylum an hour ago"

"I know, Dr Strange just talked to Batman about it. And by the looks of it, the doctor was… Perturbed. Mind telling me what happened?"

"Rob? … we promised Raven and Meliah's mom we wouldn't kill them and we promised you that we would deliver them on time… everything else in between is irrelevant. Don't worry, we didn't do anything you wouldn't have done yourself."

"That's what I'm afraid of… but… anyway. We're leaving for Jump City tomorrow. You can meet us here at the Bat cave or at the Tower, is up to you."

"The Bat Cave?…. Duuuude! That's awesome!" Beast Boy said with the enthusiasm of a kid that was just told he was going to Disneyland but sobered quickly and said in a rather sad tone " Actually, that's the other reason I was calling… I'd like to take a few days… Meliah is taking me to my parent's graves"

"Oh… of course, take all the time you need, I understand"

"Thanks Rob…hey… um… can I … talk to Raven for a few minutes?"

"Sure, hang on…" Said Robin and he only had to turn as Raven was already behind him.

"Yes Beast boy" although still expressionless, there was a softness to her features when she spoke to him.

" Hey Rae… um… I know I promised you I wouldn't be gone for too long but… I kinda want to do this, I think is the best time to go see them…"

"Beast Boy… you don't have to ask me permission for anything. Besides, I agree with Robin. Take all the time you need. Your parents are more important"

"Thanks babe, I'll let you guys know when we come back" Raven arched an eyebrow at this, but before she had a chance to say anything, the call was terminated.

A couple of light bulbs exploded in the cave getting the attention of anyone other than the rest of the Titans as they were already used to the outburst of magic Raven would have when upset. She turned to Batman who was a few feet away from them and gave him a "Sorry… I need to meditate" before handing the communicator back to Robin and walking away towards the farthest corner of the cave, but when that part didn't bring her any comfort, she looked around until she saw a small waterfall with a darker corner in the far back of the cave. She levitated across the pool and crossed her legs in the air in a lotus position, closed her eyes and chanted her mantra and soon felt less anxious and serene.

All the while, she was being observed by all those who had never seen her meditate before.

"Master Robin?… I can only presume you go thru light bulbs quite a lot at the Tower. Am I right?" Asked Alfred while finishing putting away his medical utensils.

"Somewhat" was all Robin said with a smile while getting back to the rest of his friends. Batman gave a nod to Alfred before turning back to his computer. His back to everyone else.

"Mr. Red X, would you be so kind as to follow me this way please"

The thief looked around suspiciously, not sure what to look for "What for"

"There is something I would like to discuss with you" said Alfred while the thief looked at his surroundings in search of a clue as to what the older man had in mind, but all he saw was the Titans gathered around a small table talking and laughing, Raven still suspended mid air meditating at the far corner of the cave. Batman still at his computer and finally to Dr Simmons sitting still on the hospital bed with a bandaged leg. "Go ahead young man, I'll be fine" she said with a soft smile and nodded towards the butler.

Reluctantly, the thief followed Alfred thru a narrow hallway into a small furnished chamber around the corner with a luscious table right in the middle which held all kinds of culinary dishes. From salads to desserts and several main courses to choose from.

"What is all this?" said the thief with not hiding his surprise.

"Dinner of course. I took the liberty of calling you first. Quite honestly sir, that mask is the least convenient at meal time and I also understand the need of the secret identity but young man, you also need to eat and you've had nothing since your arrival late last night, so please, take your time."

"Alfred… um.. Really this is not necessary I'm…" but was interrupted by the embarrassing growling of his stomach giving away his lie as he quickly placed both hands over it in the futile attempt to quiet it down.

Alfred politely bowed saying "I'll leave you to it then" and started to walk away but stopped by the door and said " The others will arrive until you're ready. If you need anything else, just ring the bell on the table and do not worry young man, your identity, whether you choose to reveal it or not, its safe within this walls" and with that, Alfred stepped outside and closed the door.

The thief was looking at the closed door in wonder, then slowly looked around him. The room was big enough to gather at least ten people but small enough to make it comfortable and intimate. It was sparsely furnished and a chandelier hanging right in the middle of it gave it the feel of a small ballroom. He walked around slowly , this time focused on the walls. Caught in between admiring the original pieces of art and trying to find hidden cameras that could pry into his identity but found none. Instead, his stomach reminded him of the task at hand and headed to a small washroom he had spotted earlier.

His gloves came off first and washed them before removing his mask. But even as he did so, he didn't look in the mirror. He washed his face, bent low into the sink so as to not splash water all over, and with wet hands, run his fingers thru his hair that was plastered onto his scalp due to the sweat and heat from the previous battle.

For a moment he looked into the eyes of his reflection before shaking his head slightly. Washed his hands one more time, scuffed to himself in mocking disbelief then grabbed his mask and exited the washroom without a second look with the sole intention of enjoying the home cooked meal that awaited him at the table.

…

…

…

Beast boy had just closed his communicator. He had ended the call abruptly after he realized the way he talked to Raven. He knew she didn't like the pet name he came up with. Shortening her name was bad enough as it also had the effect of shorten her patience, but he liked it anyway and with a barely there whisper said "I love you" into the closed device.

Meliah, who was sitting behind him, her back to his, chuckled slightly. "The saying "outspoken words are carried away by the wind" does not mean she'll hear them eventually that way you know?… why don't you just… tell her and get it off your chest already"

"huh?… I don't know what you're talking about" he said a bit defensive and a bit embarrassed. He thought she wouldn't hear him. She chuckled again.

"Garfield… you can be many things… but you're not a liar" she turned to him this time. " And who knows maybe she'll surprise you by feeling the same way… don't you want to find out?"

"M, are you sure we wont get in trouble by hiding up her all the way to Africa?" he looked around at their current location. They were seated inside the look out platform of the tallest mast of a cargo boat. Seagulls flapped their wings around them every now and then but left them alone for the most part.

"Garfield, don't try to change the subject." she said with a frown.

"I'm not, I'm just… well, I've never traveled this way before and I don't want to do anything illegal …"

"Garfield, we're not. Besides, we can always hide among these birds, trust me. I have traveled like this many times before"

"What about food and water"

"Well, we can always catch something fresh, there are plenty of birds… and fish… around us, what's the matter?" she said after his mocking face of disgust.

"You mean you actually eat things that are still breathing and trying to escape while you're biting into it?"

"Um… yes… um… oh for crying out loud Garfield!, don't look at me like that, its not a sin" she said trying to hide her amusement at his expression while he tried to hide a laugh then with an exaggerated gasp, he said "Meliah! How Could you?" and on seeing her surprised expression he burst out laughing so hard, he was holding his stomach, making her laugh as well.

"Shut up Gar!…" she said playfully while smacking his shoulder and pointing her index finger at him "I haven't forgotten our conversation so fess up already and don't worry, we'll sneak into the captain's quarters. They usually have the best foods and fruits, ok?"

"Ok, ok… um… well, it's a bit complicated. You see, she has to suppress her emotions or her powers get out of control. That's why she barely ever smiles"

"Barely? … I'm yet to see her smile once" she said in pure disbelief but he chuckled at that.

"oh but when she does… She brightens my day, it's the most beautiful I have ever seen." he said a bit embarrassed and looking away. She saw him blush and thought it was the sweetest thing. "Tell me more"

He went on and tell her how they met all those years ago. How mesmerized he had been from the moment he saw that mysterious girl. All their adventures as heroes and even about her own father. He spoke about the sorceress with such fervor and enthusiasm that Meliah could not help but smile at how well he knew her. How he portrayed that side of Raven that only he knew about because that's how he saw her.

Meliah asked for how long has he felt like that about her, he said "when I realized she didn't hate me. The day I went into her mind and met her emotions"

"Wait.. You did what? Met her emotions? As in like real people?"

"Yeah, when Cyborg and I sneaked into her room, I found a funny looking mirror that took us into her mind. To Nevermore and met her emotions… talk about moody"

"How does that work… does she have the same condition I do?… you know the multiple personality disorder?"

"hmmm, I never thought of it that way… nah, just her powers that allow her to keep them in check so they wont go out of control"

He briefly told her about Terra and Malchior not wanting to go into detail on that. He told her he didn't care about the details because they were in the past "and I want to look forward to a future with her" he said in a sobered moment.

It was late into the night when they finally decided to rest. They had already snuck into the captain's quarters and as predicted, they found the best fruits and breads and even ice cream for Beast Boy as well as some fresh cheese and meat cuts for Meliah before they stopped by that charts on the table. The captain had already traced the coordinates of their direction and all they had to do was follow them. They decided that come morning they would fly and swim the rest of the way.

…

…

Back in Gotham, at Wayne Manor, its habitants had also retired to rest. Most of them, of course, not knowing the real location.

After a satisfying dinner, the thief placed his mask back on along with his gloves. Picked up his dishes and waited. Yes, he was a thief, one of the best ones out there, but not always had it been so and knew the basic manners. He was hesitant in ringing the bell, not sure if he was comfortable being waited upon. He decided to venture out instead. Took the pile of dishes and started his way towards the door, but half way there, the door opened and Batman was there. Silent, expressionless. looking straight at him and somehow the thief felt vulnerable, as if caught doing something he wasn't supposed to.

"Alfred can take care of those for you" and as he said so, moved to the side to let Alfred in. "Besides, we need to talk Red X, or should I say…Michael"

Dishes shattered and the thief took a few steps back away from Alfred who was trying now to pick up the pieces. Red X was now against the table, too astonished to even think straight.

"How do you know that name" he said almost with a growl.

"We've know for quite some time, but we cant talk here, none of the Titans know and it wouldn't be wise for them to find out just yet"

"How about NEVER!" and with that he pressed the button of the his teleporting device on his belt and disappeared.

"What do you think?"

Alfred who was still picking up and cleaning up the mess, straighten up and turned to his boss with a frown. "Really sir, must you be so direct with the young man?"

"But what do you think?"

"I think they're very, very much alike"

"Indeed. Now we need to figure out where did he go"

"I think I know sir in the main time… tend to the rest of your guests. If I was able to find one before, I'm sure I can find this one as well" he said while cleaning the last of the broken dishes and disappeared thru the door.