Chapter 52. Oh Man!
The three girls watched as Garfield bolted out of the room in fear. The commotion had woken Meliah up and had heard Leo's threat.
"Is there such procedure?" asked Meliah once Garfield turned at the corner. They heard a muffled call. Sounded like Cyborg was calling after Garfield.
"I wouldn't know…I'm not that kind of doctor" said Leo with a shrug as she opened the package and stretched the catheter with her hands.
"So you were bluffing." said Raven with an amused smile.
"Of course. I don't know if such procedure exists or if this it's the right instrument but really…its all about incentive ladies…"
Cyborg had come in view at the door and was about to ask what was wrong with Beast Boy when he stopped mid sentence, all three girls turned his way as he paled at the sight in front of him and just as quick, left without a word. The girls just chuckled.
"Well, that was interesting, the great superheroes run away at the mere sight of this insignificant object…" mused Leonore while throwing away the damaged object in the nearest trashcan. "Well, enough playing around. We really do have much to do" said Leonore with an enthusiasm much like Starfire's.
Raven excused herself before Garfield came back as she wanted to prevent him further embarrassment and headed to the common room where Robin and Starfire were talking quietly in the kitchen. Raven noticed the kitchen table was stacked with breakfast items, buffet style. The present teammates turned her way . Starfire had a pleasant smile while Robin only nodded once.
"I am happy you're back friend Raven. Well and unharmed" said the alien as she got up and gave her friend a gentle hug.
"Thank you Star."
"Did you see Cyborg? He was supposed to go and tell you guys that breakfast was ready" said Robin as he got up and picked up the dirty dishes from the table.
"It may have slipped his mind as he run away" Raven said as she pulled the necessary utensils to make herself a much needed cup of tea. Robin however was in alert mode in a split second.
"What do you mean run away? What happened?"
"You don't want to know" said Raven calmly as she pulled a spoon out of the drawer.
"Raven, what happened?" asked Robin more seriously. Raven turned around.
"Trust me when I tell you Robin, you do not want to know"
"Is friend Cyborg in need of assistance?"
"Not unless you're a psychologist" at the worried expression Star gave her, Raven continued with a faint smile. "He's fine, so is Gar, but I don't think they'll be willing to share their concerns with any of us girls… ever" she said right before the tea kettle announced the boiling water was ready. As she prepared her tea, she could sense the wave of concern that washed over her friend and the pure curiosity that emanated from Robin.
"Don't worry Star. Male issues we are not meant to understand. I would say ask Robin or Michael but… speaking of which, where is Michael?" Raven said as she walked pass Robin with her cup of tea in hand. She seemed distracted, deep in thought. Robin had noticed from the moment she entered the kitchen. Her morning habit was so engraved that every move, step and procedure was blindly done while her mind was somewhere else. Robin was about to ask when he was interrupted by no other than the thief himself.
"Miss me already beautiful?" Michael was leaning against the wall next to the door with his arms crossed. He pushed himself off and walked towards the demoness.
"Where have you been?" asked Robin with a frown.
"Wouldn't you like to know?"
"Michael, if I find out you've been up to your old habits, I swear…"
"Relax kid, I'm not in dire need of the precious Xenodium… yet" Robin frowned deeper at this, set his jaw and crossed his arms over his chest.
"Then where have you been? I better not find out you sneaked in my room again, I still have a bone to pick with you about last time" said Raven with narrowed eyes but the thief took another step closer and without touching her, leaned in and whispered in her ear "Only if you want me to"
His words sank in suddenly, her eyes glowed white and before he had a chance to back away, he was tightly trapped by a veil of dark energy from the chest down.
"Lets get something straight. In case you forgot, I'm engaged to Garfield and even if I wasn't, you and I… never going to happen. Are we clear?" Michael made an attempt to chuckle but that got her even more upset and the dark binds shrunk tighter. So much so, that the thief was barely able to breath.
"Raven, what are you doing?" asked Robin sounding more alarmed.
"Ra…ven…s-stop" the thief was barely able to say before something cracked and Michael let out a painful scream that made Raven snap out of her trance dropping her cup and shattering on impact, making the hot liquid splash on the floor and over their feet. Immediately, the dark force field disappeared and Michael was left unbalanced, clutching his ribcage.
Starfire was immediately by his side and gently held him and lowered him onto the floor.
"Raven, why have you done this?" the alien accused while trying to find a way to help him. But Raven was at his side as well.
"Michael, I'm so sorry, I'm really sorry. I never meant to hurt you…" she was on her knees, confused and in the brink of tears. She had been so distracted, she lost control.
Michael could barely focus. Sharp pain shot at his chest every time he breathed and didn't dare to move. Raven removed the mask so he could breath better and brought her hands over the spot where his hand held his ribcage in the vain attempt of lessen the pain but, her hands were shaking terribly and in her distress, couldn't focus enough on her healing powers .
Robin was at her side but nothing he said made her calm down enough and Michael could see how distraught she was. It wasn't normal for Raven to lose control and even though her threats were not mild, she never made her point by hurting anyone. Not even the villains she fought on an everyday basis, at least not him or at least he liked to think she had, somewhere deep, deep down, a soft spot for him. No, something was wrong. Raven would never loose control on purpose.
Michael grabbed one of her shaking hands and with difficulty brought it to his lips and gently placed a kiss on it "Its ok Raven, you can do it" it hurt just to breath and speaking made it worse but he tried to hide it for her sake but she knew he was in pain.
At that moment, Leonore run thru the door, gun in hand and against her orders, Meliah was right behind her. When they saw everyone there on the floor, they immediately run to their aid. Robin noticed the gun on Leonore's hands as she put it away on a holster under her lab coat. with a small gasp, she knelt next to the thief. Meliah made a double take on the man on the ground and the one next to Raven.
"Richard?"
"No, his name is Michael and I think his rib is cracked" said Robin as he held Raven by the shoulders. She had her eyes closed tightly and was mumbling her mantra to herself. Finally, after a few shaky breaths, she opened her eyes and silently put her hands over the broken rib and a dark blue glow covered the spot. Leonore watched with great amusement and interest how almost immediately, Michael started to breath easier and his body relaxed visibly. He sighed in relief and sat up. Raven seemed to be in the brink of tears and without a warning and to the surprise of everyone, she hugged him. Definitely something was wrong.
"I'm so sorry"
"Its ok beautiful, it was an accident and thanks to you I'm much better now" he said softly. Still sore but he wouldn't tell her that but everyone else noticed him wince the moment she pulled him into a hug. Then just as quick she released him, pulled the hood of her cloak over her head, obscuring her features, excused herself and disappeared in a portal right beneath her.
"Oh my…" said Leonore but immediately noticed how Michael grabbed his side again.
"You're new" said the thief with a smile. Robin just rolled his eyes and got up and Starfire followed him.
"And you sir, are still hurt. Come with me to the med bay, we have to address this immediately"
"Don't try to argue Michael, she will make you comply" said Meliah.
"Hey kitten, how are you feeling?"
"Much the same but in better spirits" she said with a smile. He got up and with a girl on each side to help him walk, they left the common room. Robin was in the far side watching silently.
"Robin? What is the matter. What has troubled Raven so that she lost control of her powers like that?" asked Starfire.
"I'm not sure Star" he said absentmindedly. A thousand thoughts run thru his mind. Was that a sort of side effect from the influence of that book or was she really scared of what she had to do. Either way, it was disturbing. "…but I hope she can overcome it or we're in serious trouble"
…
…
"I'm telling you dude, she would've done it." said Garfield as he walked down the hall with Cyborg on their way back to the medical bay, carrying very carefully the small container.
"And all I'm saying is that maybe she was just bluffing, she's not that kind of doctor right?" said Cyborg patting his friend's back as they walked.
"You don't know her like I do. When she wants something done she does it. If it doesn't exist, she creates it and if she doesn't know how to do something, she'll find a way to learn it. You're right, she's not that kind of doctor but I didn't want to become the guinea pig for her to learn. "
"You're seriously afraid of her" said Cyborg, barely containing his amusement.
"No… only of what she's capable of doing when she puts her mind into it" said Garfield as they reached their destination and immediately noticed no one was there. That alarmed him greatly and looked around as he placed the container on the counter when they heard muffled laughs and steps coming down the hallway. As they entered the room, the thief was, not only without his mask but had Meliah and Leonore grinning and smiling on each arm.
"Damn, he's good" said Cyborg in surprise and Garfield's only respond was a growl.
"Oh, hello Gar, I'm glad you're back. Why did you never tell me Robin had a twin brother" said Leonore with a smile as her hand and Meliah's rested shamelessly on his chest. "He's such a charming fellow" she continued as they walked towards the nearest bed.
"Oh Leo, not you too" whined Garfield and stopped in front of them. Leonore and Meliah frown.
"Gar, please move, he's hurt" said Meliah, Garfield scoffed.
"He probably deserved it" Garfield said glaring at the thief.
"I may have deserved it kid, but I know Raven wouldn't have lost control like that unless something was wrong"
"Then you definitely deserved it. What did you do to her?" said Garfield and grabbed the thief by the collard of his suit making him wince once more at the sudden move. Leonore put a hand on his shoulder.
"Garfield, he's right. Raven seemed truly distraught. Something is bothering her" Garfield frowned at this and slowly let go of the thief then walked around them headed for the door.
"Keep an eye on him Tin Man" Garfield said.
"Don't worry Gar…" said Meliah.
"We got him" said Leonore in such way that made Garfield turn around. The smirks on their faces was unsettling.
"Forget him Cy, keep an eye on them instead"
"…Um…" was all Cyborg could say but Garfield was gone and Cyborg heard giggles and saw the girls helping Michael to carefully getting on the bed. He saw him wince once more but this time he knew the thief was faking but both girls were fussing over him as they tried to make him more comfortable, touching his arms and chest repeatedly. Cyborg crossed his arms over his chest and shook his head as the thief winked at him with a satisfied smile.
…
…
Raven was in the roof, levitating above the floor in a lotus position attempting to meditate. She was disconcerted at how she lost control. She knew she had been annoyed by Michael's comment but she had never meant to hurt him. The contact with that book had seriously unbalanced the control she had managed to have over her powers during her entire life. If she was able to break a few ribs by a mere annoying comment, there was no telling what would happen if she was truly angry.
The thought was unsettling and tried as she might, could not find a way to find any comfort because, not only will she have to get in contact with the wretched book again but also use it in
the worse ways to bring Slade back to life and keep her father from coming to this world again. No, she was not prepared for any of that and to be in a resemblance of control over that kind of dark magic it would take her years to accomplish and time was what she didn't have to spare.
Finally, Raven came to the conclusion that she needed help but winced involuntarily at the thought of who she needed help from. It wasn't going to be easy and his price would be no less than his freedom. She might have learn a few spells and incantations with black magic but, she was never really taught how to control it and something had to be done soon.
The metal door leading inside opened and closed behind her and felt a wave of relief.
"Rae?" Garfield called out softly as he approached. Raven lowered her legs and immediately felt his hands circle her waist from behind and pulled her against his chest. "Are you ok babe?"
"I'll take it you already know what I did to Michael" she said just as quietly and placed her hands over his gloved one.
"I'm not saying he didn't deserve it, because I'm sure he did but, what happened? You never lose control like that"
"Is he ok? Is he feeling better?" she asked, avoiding his question and he knew it but answered her anyway.
"He's more than ok with two pretty girls fussing over him"
"Hmmm, I hope that doesn't become a problem and the two of them start fighting over him" she said with some concern in her voice.
"Don't worry babe. For what I saw, I don't think sharing is an issue" he said with a smile. "Now, can you please tell me what's going on. Even Michael knows something is wrong and he's right, As much as I hate to admit it, I know you would have never hurt him like that no matter how much he deserved it."
She remained quiet for a moment. She had to tell him eventually and might as well be now. Dozens of thoughts crossed her mind in her attempt to come up with a way to reveal what had her so perturbed. Finally she decided to just say it. Raven sighed and turned around in his arms and said "You're right, there is something going on. Trigon is trying to come back… not through me but Slade"
"Slade? What does he…" he started to ask but she placed a finger gently on his lips to silence him.
"Please let me finish first, then you can ask anything that comes to mind. Let's go to my room." she enveloped both of them in her dark energy and promptly disappeared in a portal that lead to her room. She lead him to her bed and both sat at the edge and then proceded to explain fully how Slade came to be able to heal, how was he now the new portal and the deal she made with him if he told them how to get a cure for Meliah. The possible outcome if everything went according to plan and the fact that she needed to use black magic to perform the necessary spells.
All the while he remained silent. After she was finished, Raven waited for a response but instead, he remained silent and started to pace around her room deep in thought. After what she had to say, it was no wonder she was so distracted.
"What about that book? It sounds risky to use it. isn't there any other way without you having to expose yourself to that kind of power?" he said finally. He kept his voice low as he didn't want to upset her anymore. That and she had requested not to say anything to the others yet.
"Any other way would take too long and as we stand, time is not on our side. That's why, I need to enlist the help of someone that is more familiar with black magic than I am." she said as she walked to the chest on the wall across from her bed.
"And who might that be?" Garfield asked, watching her every move with a slight sense on suspicion.
"Someone who's only price would be his freedom"
"Raven, no! you cant. Remember what happened last time he was free. And why do you still have that wretched book anyway?" he asked more urgently. She stop before the chest and turned around.
"Because magic prevents the book from being destroyed and in the hands of someone else would be catastrophic. I'm not the only sorceress out there"
"Raven, you cant let him out"
"Don't worry Gar. He's not coming out of that book" then she knelt down and mumbled a short sentence and the clasp and lock on the chest opened.
"Ah, the fair and lovely Raven has come to visit me. Tell me my fair maiden, to what do I owe this surprise?" said the enchanted book as soon as the chest was open.
"I'll get to the point Malchior. I have a proposition for you"
…
…
In the med bay, Leonore was looking thru the microscope. Slide after slide, sample after sample and combination after combination. Taking notes in between each takes when she came across something she had only seen once before and couldn't help but gasp. Cyborg was sitting behind her typing when he heard her.
"Leo? Everything ok?"
"I don't know but I must speak to everyone at once" the urgency in her voice implied no joking so Cyborg flipped open his communicator and called everyone in the tower. Meliah and Michael were already there, Robin and Star showed up in less than two minutes and Garfield and Raven came out of a portal at the same time.
"What's going on Leo? Did you find something?" asked Garfield as soon as the portal was gone.
"There are things that, regardless of common knowledge, I found quite peculiar. Meliah's accelerated system for example, is not entirely due to the contrast of Gar's altered DNA but because of the simple fact that she's a female… Meliah, regardless of what has happened to you, your entire system would run twice as fast as Gar's on a normal day but…"
"But how can that be? I didn't start noticing until I was being forced to survive the torture that psychotic poacher put me through"
"Exactly, which brings me to my next observation. I'm sure you are already aware that I created a dangerous formula years ago. Said formula is a basic compound which when decoded, its uses can range from medicinal to pure acid that leaves no trace behind. Everything in between can be just as dangerous like the power inhibitor you two have been exposed to" she said addressing the two changelings.
"Leo? You created that serum?" asked Garfield with surprise and confusion.
"In essence, I'm afraid I did"
"Is that why Alec kidnapped you?" asked Raven speaking from the first time since arriving.
Everyone fell silent and turned to look at the sorceress. Her emotionless demeanor never waver and Leonore remained calmed at the remark.
"Rae? What are you talking about? Leo doesn't know about that pervert" said Garfield confused. But Raven and Leonore remained still, with eyes locked on each other.
"Raven is right Gar. Alec Natovsky was the one who kidnapped me all those years ago. Alec is my biological father" said Leonore with an icy, calm, emotionless tone on the verge of disgust. Robin locked eyes with Raven for a moment, not at all surprised. Starfire gasped in surprise. Garfield and Michael frowned and Cyborg was speechless.
"You're related to that psychotic bastard? How can that be?" asked Meliah with a hiss.
"Trust me, if I could do something about it, I would" Leonore said in disgust.
"But why did you never tell me Leo? So did he take advantage of you?" Garfield was now angry. That bastard had more sins to pay for that what they thought. He tried to approach her but she lifted her hand and signal for him to stop.
"The reason I never said anything is because it never occurred to me that you of all people, would know that man. That and because I don't need your pity, or anyone's for that matter. And yes, he tried, but backed off when he saw what I did to his men. Gar? When you first met me, I didn't talk because I almost was the victim of a rapist but because I killed two men in the process. I was never charged with murder because they took into account the distress I had been under but because of that, the formula was banned but we're getting off subject here. The reason I brought that up is because I found heavy concentrations of the power canceling serum in Meliah's immune system"
"No surprise there. The many time he hunt me down he used the wretched thing whenever he could" Meliah said, crossing her arms.
"Well, the good news is that Gar's blood transfusion is helping to fight it off. Slowly but surely, your white cells are responding to that. The bad news is that you're still at risk. You're metabolism is not slowing down and before you ask, Slade's version of the cure is weak, it can cure it but right now is not strong enough to make it permanent. You'll need almost a full blood transfusion in order to clean your system. Cyborg and I are in the process of decoding it. It will take some time but we calculate we'll have it ready right before your baby is born."
There were sighs of relief and smiles. Garfield gave Meliah a hug then run to Leonore's side and hugged her too. Leo smiled at him and then went back to the clipboard and turned around.
"I'm curious about something." she said to no one in particular as she was still looking down while she scribbled on the papers. Garfield was closest to her so he answered.
"What's that?"
"Why was Alec after you two? I mean, I get it, he's a poacher and having an entire zoo for show at his disposal seemed to be something that would appeal to him but, you cant keep your animal forms for long, correct?" she asked, finally looking up at him. He nodded and Meliah and Raven approached them.
"He wanted our kids" said Meliah. Leo frowned.
"He wanted to force us to have kids together so he could sell them to the highest bidder" said Garfield, all smiles gone but Leo chuckled in amusement.
"That is a ridiculous notion" Leo said but Raven came closer and glared at the girl.
"Trust me, its not at all amusing" said Garfield.
"Oh, I never said it was. I'm laughing because you and Meliah cannot procreate" everyone fell silent and gave her curious looks so she continued "Darling, is called power canceling serum for a reason. In your case, being exposed to it, means your cells fall dormant. Their ability to change and adapt is completely void. That's why you can't transform. And that goes for every cell in your body, including your swimmers. Gar? That baby is not yours"