*I'm back with another chapter! I hope you enjoy!*

*For Joel*

Left Behind

"We're gonna have to get whatever we need tonight. We've got a long drive ahead of us," Richard said as he looked through his phone.

Cyborg nodded. "I think we should use the T-ship. I can transfer coordinates from the ship to where we are using my laptop. It'll be quicker for us that way. It'll only be about 2 hours for it to get here. Until then, we can pack what we need."

Charlie nodded in agreement. "Good thinking, Vic."

Richard sighed in relief. "You're a lifesaver."

Cyborg continued driving toward Garfield's apartment. Charlie noticed Gar's unusual silence, but didn't try to pry.

It wasn't long before they arrived at the apartment. All 4 men gathered inside. Richard was busy contacting his former leader on the phone to warn him of their arrival.

Cyborg opened his laptop and started putting in the coordinates. Charlie peered over his shoulder and watched in fascination as Cyborg used his technology.

Meanwhile, Garfield was standing in the corner, looking rather uncomfortable.

Richard walked out from the kitchen area, having just got off the phone with Batman. "Aren't you going to get ready, Garfield?"

The green titan stiffened slightly. "Um…about that…uh…I don't think I can go."

There was a long silence. Victor had stopped typing and gaped at the former.

Charlie's eyes widened slightly and he shot a worried glance at Nightwing.

His eyes narrowed beneath his mask. "Why," he asked, his voice hard.

The changeling cleared his throat. "Well…I have a job to attend to and I can't just take off all of a sudden…don't give me that look, Dick. I care about Raven, I do, but,"

Richard cut him off. "Then there should be no excuse as to why you can't go," he said through gritted teeth.

"Damnit, Dick. Look, this whole thing completely caught me off guard. I am still processing everything that has happened to me so far."

"Everything that happened to you?" Richard asked incredulously. "Raven is out there suffering in that God forsaken asylum and all you're worried about is processing your damn feelings!?"

Garfield bared his teeth. "Hey, this isn't easy for me. I want to go, I do, but I have things to take care of down here as well. I mean, if I had known in advance I would go!"

Richard took a step toward the changeling. "You should be ashamed of yourself! Raven would want all of us there! How about you think about someone other than yourself for a change!?"

"You're the one to talk! This would have never happened if you hadn't abandoned us! You're no saint! You left because of your feelings! Don't even try to tell me different! How about you get over Starfire already!?"

"Gar!" Cyborg stood up, clearly not pleased with his words.

Charlie stared hard at Garfield before turning his gaze back to Richard.

Richard didn't seem fazed, but his voice revealed all of his pain. "Fine." He turned around and walked out the door, slamming it as he did so.

Charlie sighed. "You should not have used Starfire against him like that."

Victor shook his head. "Nice one, grass stain."

Garfield sighed. "Great…"

"Well…since you're not coming with us, maybe you could lend Charlie here some clothes for the trip?" He was clearly trying to change the subject.

The green titan nodded. "Yeah…I guess…" he gestured Charles to follow him.

Charlie followed him and Garfield showed him to his room. The changeling opened his closet and pulled out some plain shirts and faded jeans. "How long do you think it'll take before Dick speaks to me again?" he asked nervously.

Kilowatt shrugged. "I don't know…you hit a real sensitive nerve with him…"

"I didn't mean to," he said as he pulled out a blue duffel bag. "I was upset…"

"I understand," Charlie said.

"I do care about her…I really do." He sighed.

Charlie nodded. "I do, too…much more than you think."

Garfield glanced at him as he placed the clothes in the duffel bag. "You like her, don't you?"

Charles didn't meet his eyes. "Of course I do."

"I mean…you like her."

Kilowatt chuckled. "I don't know about that…she's…a good friend…"

Garfield tossed the duffel bag to him. "Yeah. A good friend who saved your life 3 times so far."

He caught the bag with ease. "I owe her everything."

"That you do," he said in agreement.

Richard returned after an hour. By then, Garfield had already gone back to work. He wished everyone safe travels and to call him as soon as they arrived in Gotham. He also sent his regards to Raven, whom he hoped was okay.

Victor chatted with Richard about the latest installments on the T-ship, eager for him to see how it looked now.

Meanwhile, Kilowatt sat on the small couch, thinking about what Garfield had said about his feelings toward Raven.

He had been busy worrying about Raven's well-being that he had completely neglected to think about his own feelings. He started to contemplate his thoughts on the dark sorceress.

She was always there for me, he thought to himself.

It was true. Even when she failed to recall him, she still put her life on the line just to bring him back to Jump City. Her heart, albeit cold and barely beating, still had a flicker of warmth and compassion in it.

"Raven…" he breathed her name and felt a shiver run down his spine.

His eyes widened and he felt his heartbeat quicken at the thought of seeing her once more…her amethyst eyes…her violet locks…that beautiful gem that accented her face so perfectly…

He placed a hand on his heart and felt the beats.

Richard glanced at him. "You okay, Charles?"

Charlie looked up and nodded. "Yes. I'm just eager to see Raven again, is all."

Victor chuckled. "It sounds like you like her."

Kilowatt looked down. "Yeah…it does, huh?"

Richard tilted his head slightly. "Wait…you have a thing for Raven?"

Charlie blushed. "Uh…now is really not the time to be discussing this."

Victor smirked. "Whatever you say…but just remember, the topic's going to pop up again."

Richard chuckled.

Charlie shrugged. "I know. And maybe I'll be ready to discuss it."

Victor's mechanical eye started to blink. "Looks like my baby is near! I had the coordinates set to that vacant lot near the coast. Come on, let's meet her halfway."

The 3 men piled into the T-car, duffel bags, suit cases, and all. Victor drove quickly, eager to see the T-ship.

Kilowatt looked out the window and up at the clouds. He saw a few puffs of the white mist come together and form a distinct shape, making him think of Raven. He blushed again at the thought of her.

He smiled to himself and closed his eyes.

"We're on our way," he whispered.