Hello everyone, i'm very sorry for the delay but i had trouble in getting what i wanted to get out of this chapter, especially when i had started it in more than 2 versions. Anyway, also a little piece of fact, today is a year since i started this story and i have to say, i never thought it would get this long, this far but i'm excited anyway. Thank you to all of you for being with me and read and comment along the way. its been amazing. I do have an epilogue to add and then it will be finished... although technically, this is the last chapter. I hope you enjoy it. Let me know.
Chapter 62. Tokens
Leo was sitting at the desk in the med bay writing down her notes about Vicky's last check up while Starfire hovered nearby observing her every move.
"… so, will you leave us as well?" the alien asked with certain disappointment in her voice that made Leo look up from her task and smiled at the friendly alien.
" I'm afraid I must, my research has been interrupted long enough"
"Oh" was all Star could say before a crestfallen expression erased the friendly smile and Leo couldn't help but try to make it better.
"But… I do have a few loose ends to take care of that might take me at least a couple more weeks to resolve"
Starfire's smile stretched from one ear to the other and clasped her hands together in joy when they were startled out of their wits from someone harshly kicking the doors open. Starfire's reflexes kicked into gear and soon her eyes and hands were glowing a bright green, ready to take down the intruder while Leo quickly took the gun concealed under her lab coat, out, ready to demand an explanation when the sight stopped them. Garfield was carrying Raven in his arms and she seemed to be unconscious.
Leo quickly put away the gun and rushed to the changeling's side while Starfire flew towards her friends and assisted Garfield in carefully laying Raven down on the nearest bed.
"What happened?" Leo asked as she put the stethoscope in her ears and proceeded to run the other end of the instrument on Raven's chest to try to listen to her heartbeat and breathing.
"I don't know. One moment she's fine, next thing I know things are being tossed around because she lost control of her powers" said a worried Garfield.
Leo moved the stethoscope over the empathy's chest. First just below her collarbone, next, just above, between her breasts. Her breathing was steady but her heartbeat was slightly slower than usual.
"Did you do this?" Leo asked without looking up to which was followed by a growl that made her look up and caught a quick change of his eyes. The green orbs briefly disappeared into white before he could get a hold of himself.
"I would never"
"Gar, calm down. I'm not accusing you but I know enough to not underestimate her. Her powers are not to be taken lightly, specially if she's lost control over them. It must have taken a great amount of force to knock her down like this though."
Star gently placed a hand on his shoulder and Garfield had to take a few deep breaths to calm down before he dared say anything.
"I'm sorry… and no, I didn't. she did it herself"
Leo nodded once before resuming her task and found the trace of a bruise that, by the looks of it, would be a nasty sight but before Leo had a chance to take a closer look, the bruised area was covered in dark energy and seconds later, the skin was as smooth and flawless as always. Leo tilted her head for a moment and decided that it was time for a blood sample, but as soon as the needle broke the skin, another small amount of dark energy quickly made the small puncture disappear.
"Hmm, fascinating" said Leo to herself with an arched eyebrow and Gar and Star looked at each other for a moment. Leo looked up at her friend, his expression was no longer angry but worried with a trace of guilt.
"So, other than the sudden mood swings, did you notice anything else? A logical reason for her to become upset?…"
"Physically she was fine but we did have a little disagreement"
"What was the reason for your disagreement?"
"I rather not talk about it" he said as he looked away.
"Very well. All I can say at the moment is that she's fine and we'll just have to wait until she wakes up. I'm not familiar with her physiology and Cyborg left with Robin a few minutes ago"
Garfield only nodded and walked up to the nearest window to get his mind off while Leo took the small amount of blood to analyze. Starfire landed silently next to the changeling.
"Is there something I can assist you with, friend Beast Boy?" Star asked quietly when he seemed lost in thought. He didn't answer right away and simply looked out the window to nothing in particular.
"Nothing unless you can make that stupid thief disappear" he said with some disgust that Star didn't miss. She knew he never really liked the reformed thief, not only for his former profession but because of his advances towards Raven and it seemed like the latter was at fault.
"What has Michael done to upset you both so?" she asked innocently but cautiously.
"That's the thing Star, he hasn't done anything wrong per se. on the contrary, he's done the right thing more than once and now, he's gained her trust"
Starfire slightly frowned at his words. "I fail to understand. If he has done nothing wrong, what is wrong with that?"
He looked away from the window and into her eyes with a mixture of sadness and silent anger. "She likes him , Star. She even kissed him willingly as a thankful gesture. She never did that with Robin or Cyborg or even me before"
"Would you feel better now if she expressed her gratitude to you and the others in such way instead of only him?"
Beast Boy thought for a minute, taking in the meaning of her question and finally answered with a defeated sigh "No"
"Then it must have been a very strong reason for her to show her gratitude in such way." she offered without inquiring. "Raven is… complicated. There are many things we are not meant to understand but, there are also the most simple of things about her. Regardless of how wise and powerful Raven is, she is also a woman"
"But why him? It took me years to break the barrier that Raven had built around her. To finally accept me into her life and into her heart but it took him a matter of months to get in her good graces"
Starfire's expression never waver, as if what he said was old news, which in a way, it was. Not an entirely new development considering she too had a soft spot for the alleged thief.
"Friend Beast Boy? May I speak my mind?"
"Of course" he said in reassurance of her hesitant intention.
"Why is it so wrong that she finds in him another friend rather than push him away for who he is or what he used to do for a living? Why is it so wrong that she has found another friend when you have gone far beyond kissing one of yours?"
His eyes went wide open and a gasp escaped him. "Star…"
"Please, I am not finished. I do not mean to offend or to judge. I am aware of the circumstances but the facts were there even before that ever happened."
"Facts? What facts?"
"How close you and Meliah were for example"
"Star, I thought she had died, of course I was going to be happy to her again" he defended himself but Star lifted a hand to stop his explanation.
"Please, friend. Allow me to finish. As I said before, I am aware of the circumstances, we all are, especially Raven but at first, it was not so and Raven was deeply hurt because not only she realized Meliah had your full attention but, how much more you and Meliah had in common. The day you left, after finally capturing that poacher, she cried."
"She did?" he asked and guilt started rise.
"Yes. She felt rejected and more alone that before. The entire time you were gone, she remained in her room and only came out on missions. She missed you terribly and even thought you had chosen Meliah instead."
"So you're telling me that now we're even?"
"No. all I'm saying is that she has loved you since before then. What makes you think that a feeling like that is going to go away by a simple kind gesture from a stranger?"
Star spoke kindly and as honestly and innocently as only she could and that alone made him realize how much more he had put Raven thru and painfully confirmed the saying What goes around, comes around, even if he had never meant to hurt her.
…
…
Raven woke with heavy lids and blurred vision. She blinked a few times until her eyesight was sharper and focused on the window. The blinds were down but slightly open. The faint light coming from outside made it difficult to tell whether it was early morning or early evening.
She tried to lift her head but the moment she made the effort, the trace of an upcoming headache made itself known. She softly grunt at the discomfort but sat down anyway. She pinched the bridge of her nose for a moment, then massaged her temples with her index and middle fingers on both sides but the pounding headache was getting more and more unbearable.
She thought about using her healing powers on herself but the headache prevented her from concentrating correctly and the moment her power concentrated at her fingertips, she lost control and the bubbles of dark energy repelled themselves from each other and blasted in all directions, sending her crashing back against the bed.
She closed her eyes tight and muffled a scream that left her panting heavily while gripping the sheets until her knuckles started to turn white. She was grinding her teeth and her throat was dry but surprisingly enough, her headache started to subside gradually to a certain point.
She heard voices and muffled steps approaching. "Stay back" she spoke as loud as she could, still with her eyes closed "I don't know what's going on and I cant control it. Please, don't come any closer. I don't want to hurt anybody"
She felt someone grab her right hand and with difficulty, she opened her eyes. The light, as dim as it was, was bothering her eyes.
"Gar, I said stay back"
"Not even if you're still mad at me. I'm not going anywhere" he said with a frown. He was upset and she couldn't blame him.
"Gar, I'm sorry… for what I said before, I didn't mean any of it. I know its not an excuse but, I don't know what happened"
"We'll discuss that some other time, right now I want to know what's wrong with you. What happened?"
"I'm not sure. One moment I'm fine, the next I feel angry then sad, then angry again. It was a nightmare"
"It sounds to me like a twisted case of PMS" he said but if he intended that as joke, even he wasn't laughing. Instead, he looked away and Raven could only close her eyes and try to keep calm. The headache had receded significantly but was still there.
"That could be a reason if her cycles were those of a human being, but since she's only half, there are other traits that make her completely different" said Leo sternly.
"Leo, I said for everyone to stay back. Why isn't anybody listening to me?" Raven said and her hands started to glow. She could feel the energy running thru her and accumulate with massive force around her fists, so much so that it started to hurt trying to contain it. She started to chant her mantra and thankfully, her companions remained silent. Finally she was getting a hold of herself and the dark energy started to subside until it was gone, but the lingering headache remained.
Raven opened her eyes with less difficulty now and very careful, sat back up and gave the young doctor a mild glare that she ignored.
"I need another blood sample" said the doctor as she pulled a syringe from her lab coat pocket.
"Why didn't you take it when I was still unconscious? It might have been easier"
"I tried but your body kept healing itself and closing the vain before I was able to draw any more blood. I figured since you're awake now, you might be able to stop the healing for a moment"
"I wouldn't recommend it. I'm not in full control of my powers right now"
"Then tell me, what exactly do you feel?" Leo asked as she pulled a clipboard and a pen and started to scribble something down.
"Headache. I woke up and soon after, a pounding headache was making me nauseous"
"What about now?"
"Its gone for the most part but…" she gasped and shut her eyes tight and put a hand over her stomach and another one over her mouth and two seconds later, she scrambled to her feet, pushing her way past Garfield and run to the bathroom right before she started throwing up.
When Garfield and Leonore caught up with her, she was holding on to the toilet for dear life. Garfield came behind her and gently helped her to her feet. Raven felt light headed for a moment but to her surprise, the headache was completely gone but her stomach was a different story. Slowly and with Garfield's aid, she made it to the sink and rinsed her mouth the best she could.
"That was disgusting" she said as she wiped her mouth with the back of her hand.
"Are you alright?" asked Garfield while walking out of the bathroom and back into her bed to which she refused to lay on.
"The headache is gone but I'm not so sure about my stomach. Leo, did you find something?"
"Oh, you bet" said the young woman with a mischievous smile as she approached the couple.
"And?"
"Raven, you're pregnant" said the young doctor with an enthusiasm she could barely contain. A wild contrast from the shocked, wide eyed expression Raven had next to a similarly shocked, yet happy expression, Garfield couldn't contain.
"Pregnant?…but the trials…" asked Raven who, in her shock, was blocking everyone's exuberant emotions, even her own just to make sure she had heard right.
"The trials were inconclusive. I was trying a normal procedure by human standards but your DNA and Gar's are far from human, that's why they failed"
Leo said with as much professionalism as she could in the circumstances while she clutched the clipboard against her chest, trying to contain her girly excitement and the impulse to hug them both.
Raven was still waiting for Leo's words to sink in. She closed her eyes and silently started to recite her mantra. Even her mind was uncharacteristically silent when she felt a gentle squeeze on her hand. She opened her eyes and found Garfield, his smile, expectant, as if waiting for her to not reject him and his eyes, wide open in wonder, hoping she would be as happy as he felt
Raven lost herself into his eyes, her heart pounding faster in an uncharacteristic excitement she had never felt before and slowly, her smile grew and her eyes started to tear up and Garfield knew then that all the worries, all the jealousy, misunderstandings and broken hearts were thing of the past and the brightest, happiest moments would be coming for sure, starting with this very moment, when he saw in her eyes the love and promise he had always wanted.
…
…
Three months later…
It was a bright, sunny day. The breeze made the new foliage, dance and the birds flew by and chirped in contentment. The new days of spring gave way to a better appreciation of the past twelve months. Yes, it has been a year since the biggest ordeal of their hero career started. Many lives had changed in the process, criminals, even those who seem to have no other goal in life but to cause them grief, had proved to be only human after all, and as such, they had hit bottom in their most vulnerable moments, were either reformed or had simply disappeared.
Raven stood by the window of her room, looking down at the crowd that had been assembling for the last half hour around the tower. Chairs tastefully decorated were set along the grassy blanket that now surrounded their home. She couldn't believe what was happening and what was going to happen when the clock mark two o'clock.
Even as Starfire was helping her to fix her hair and delicately decorating it with small white and purple flowers and the flawless cream color dress she was wearing, she still couldn't believe she was getting married to Garfield.
With the tip of her fingers, she gingerly traced her stomach. It was hard to tell she was a little over four months pregnant. Other than her friends, no one else knew about it and they wanted it that way. The public could make their own assumptions when they find out but for now, it was all about start anew with a new life.
She remembered the day Cyborg and Robin found out she was pregnant. It had been later that same day that the guys came back from escorting Jericho and his sister back to his home. Starfire had been so excited at the news that couldn't help but tell them as soon as they walked out of the t-ship. She and Garfield had still been at the medical bay with Leo when the thunderous voice of Cyborg resonated throughout the tower yelling "BEAST BOY!".
Raven chuckled to herself at the memory. In other times Garfield would have run for his life at the sound of such menacing tone but instead, he gave her a kiss and went out the door to meet them. The muffled voices gave way to a heated argument but before any of the girls had a chance to go out and stop them, all three walked in. Thankfully, Garfield was unscathed and gave her a reassuring smile while the other two frowned and even glared at him but as soon as they saw Raven, all anger was gone from their voice and expression and congratulated her.
Leo left the next day being her last project already solved.
To everyone's surprise, Robin had asked Michael to stay and when out of sheer curiosity, the thief asked why, the boy wonder said "I lost my family almost ten years ago. I never felt more alone and lonely than at that moment. It wasn't until I came across them that I felt the comfort of a family again and even though you and I met in awkward circumstances, you never failed to be there for them when I couldn't. You and Victoria are the only blood ties I have left in the world"
Raven had sensed Michael's tremors of his own emotions. She could only imagine how difficult it must be for him not having memories of his own. No childhood, no parents and the realization of borrowed skills and memories had probably been what made him snap in the first place and become the most talented and wanted thief in the world. But of course, he had never mentioned a word, he despised his appearance enough to try to change it. Raven didn't think he would willingly share his fears, at least not with them.
"Raven?… are you feeling unwell? Is the sickness of the morning clouding your spirit?" Starfire asked when she was finished with Raven's hair.
"No Star, I'm feeling better. I don't get as sick in mornings anymore. I'm just… I cant believe its finally happening… I'm getting married"
Star smiled warmly at her friend and took her hands in hers and gave her a gentle squeeze. "Not only that, you will have a family of your own soon" Raven let out a chuckle.
"You know Star, if someone would have told me a year ago that I would be marrying Garfield and expecting our first child at the same time, I would have actually laughed at the absurdity of the idea but… here I am, four months along and if a few hours, I'll become Mrs. Logan"
"Are you having the regrets, Raven?" asked Star as she made her friend turn around in front of a full length mirror to inspect her work.
"Not at all… or perhaps one thing… I wished I would have done it sooner" she said with a smile at her reflection before looking into Starfire's kind ones.
"Any time sooner and perhaps it wouldn't be memorable as it is now" came the voice of a young girl. Probably in her mid teens. She was almost as tall as Raven and was wearing a maid of honor dress but what caught Raven's attention the most was her skin, pale, not quite gray and the eyes as green as…
"We're ready for you Miss Raven" and she was gone just as fast as she had appeared. Raven and Star looked at each other in confusion. Neither knew who the girl was and when Raven tried to use her empathic powers to search for her, it proved to be almost impossible as the amount of people that now surrounded the odd building was more than what she could handle on an open link.
She dismissed the incident and they both made their way downstairs ready for the ceremony.
…
…
"Did she recognized you?" a young man asked quietly to the girl that had been in Raven's room a few minutes ago and was now disposing of the pastel color dress, revealing her own clothing.
"How could she, but she did look at me funny for a moment. I had to bolt before she used her powers on me"
"You're cutting it close" came the voice of another girl that was also crouching behind the bushes.
"No, you're cutting it close. We were not supposed to come this early, the wedding is only about to start" said the boy.
"I know, I know… its just…" but the music announcing the bride broke their little argument and the girl gasped involuntarily. "…there he is"
…
…
There was a lot of people and Raven had to concentrate harder on keeping her powers in check. Not only the waves of other people's emotions was overwhelming but the fact that she was pregnant, affected her powers in whole new way.
As she walked down the aisle, she tried to focus on the only two beings that completed her existence. One was waiting for her at the end of the aisle in a tuxedo that fitted him better than his own Doom Patrol uniform. He wasn't slouching as he usually did and that made him look a lot taller. His hair however, seemed to have gotten advise from Robin's. it was combed and styled in a way that kept the long strands in place and shined as if freshly polished.
"I hope you had any hair gel left in the jar after he used it" she whispered to Robin who was escorting her down the aisle. He simply chuckled.
"Like it?"
"Honestly I'm not crazy about the resources but I have to admit, it does make him look good"
Finally they reached the end. Robin gave Garfield her hand and he gave her a peck on the cheek before going to his place in the front row.
Garfield on the other hand had not being able to take his eyes off her the entire time. She was radiant. A truly blushing bride. The dress accentuated her now softer but still defined curves. Her hair was swept to the side with a trail of white and purple flowers and the bouquet was made with fresh flowers that matched the colors of the bridesmaid's dresses.
Raven smiled at him and couldn't help but blush at his scrutiny but never felt uncomfortable by it. Then her eyes wander slightly to where the bridesmaids were but odd enough, the girl from earlier wasn't there.
"We're gathered here today…." the priest started but Garfield had noticed her stealing glances around her.
"What's the matter babe? Still nervous?" he whispered as low as he could so the priest wouldn't be interrupted.
"No, I blocked that out before getting out of my room, its just…" for a split second, there was again ,a psychic signature that was both strange and familiar at the same time, but again, the amount of people made it impossible to discern.
"…nothing. I guess nerves are sipping thru my blocking spell and my powers are just overwhelmed" she whispered back before the priest got their attention.
"Garfield, will you take Raven to be your lawful wife, to be her constant friend, to be her faithful partner, to love her, honor and keep her in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, keep only onto her so long as you both shall live?"
"I do"
"Raven, will you take Garfield as your lawful husband to be his constant friend, his faithful partner, to love him, honor him and keep him in sickness and in health and forsaking all others, keep only onto him so long as you both shall live?"
"I do"
"By the power invested in me, I now pronounce you husband and wife. You may now…"
But it was too late, Garfield was already kissing his new wife to the joy and merriment of their family and friends.
…
…
"We have to go, this is not the right time" said the boy again but was silenced by his two female companions upon finishing his sentence. Suddenly, one of the girls got to her feet and started to make her way into the crowd.
"Vik, where are you going?" came the angry whisper of the boy as he failed to get a hold of his friend.
"I'm sorry, but I have to talk to him. I have to see him again" the girl said almost in tears and left, easily blending in the crowd.
…
…
The reception was being held inside and outside the tower. Friends and family mingled and laughs and merriment all around and again Raven was trying to tune out. She danced with her new husband the first two songs, then Robin was next and Cyborg followed. Raven had to admit that she was having more fun than what she expected given the circumstances and not once her powers seemed to misbehave.
Many had attended and the ones that couldn't, had called in earlier, like Dr Simmons who regretted not being able to attend but wished them the best. Batman had also sent his apologies with Alfred as he was away investigating a suspicious suicide in Gotham prison.
At some point, husband and wife were able to have one more dance together before cutting the six tier cake Cyborg had made specially for them. There had been a couple more dances after that and one of them, Michael had made his way to the bride and request a dance to which her dance partner at the time, graciously allowed, not knowing who he was.
Raven had to admit that he had cleaned up really good. His hair was a more natural red, his barely there beard gave him an older look and sunglasses to cover his eyes. Dressed up in a tux he looked drastically different. She had no doubt, no one would recognize him.
"You look stunning Raven" he said close to her ear.
"Thank you. You're don't look so bad yourself" he chuckled at that.
"Not so bad? I do all this for you and all I get is a " not so bad" comment?" Now it was Raven's turn to chuckle.
"If you're fishing for compliments, you came to the wrong person" they both laughed and danced in silence a few more minutes, simply enjoying each other's company.
Garfield was standing by the table were the remains of the cake were. He had come back out to let his new wife know they were ready to depart to their honeymoon as soon as she was ready but stopped at the sight of her dancing and laughing with the thief. He wasn't entirely upset but he would be lying if he said he wasn't at least a bit jealous.
With the jacket of his suit open and the bowtie hanging around his neck, he took a glass of champagne that a waiter was carrying and simply observed his wife and dancing partner from afar as he sipped the bubbly on one hand while the other one was in his pockets when he saw the oddest thing happen.
As Raven and Michael twirled around, a young woman approached them and stopped them mid step, asking Raven if she could cut in. the girl was slightly taller than Raven but still shorter than Michael. Raven moved aside when the girl wrapped her arms around the thief, with tears running down her cheeks the moment he allowed her to cut his dance short.
And to Raven's and Michael's surprise, the girl said "You're more handsome than what I remember"
That stopped the thief in his steps. With wide open eyes under the sunglasses, he struggled to understand what she meant without letting it show, because no one knew other than the Titans and Slade what he looked like and this young girl seemed to know more than what she led on.
"I think you're confusing me, sweetheart"
The girl smiled at the endearment "You have no idea how much I've missed you" the girl said and hugged him harder before a young man came to take her away.
"Forgive me sir, my girlfriend tends to get carried away but I must say… it's a pleasure to meet you. … Ma'am? Congratulations" he shook Michael's hand for a brief moment and after addressing Raven, they both disappeared in the crowd.
…
…
All in all the celebration had gone without a problem. No one seemed to have noticed the little exchange Michael had had with the girl and now that everyone was saying their goodbyes to the couple, that air of unknown familiarity and déjà vu came to Raven and as she was boarding the T-ship, she looked directly at the far back of the crowd and there, for a split second, three figures stood and were gone in the blink of an eye.