Disclaimer: See Chapter 1

AN: Stay with me kids. This ride is going to get interesting…

AN2: Not like it matters, but there is a reason this isn't nearly as long of a wait – though still a wait. I made the decision with my fiancé to move out of state. We did this back in June. We're just now really getting settled. I also changed career paths – I went from working 60 hours easily in a hotel to now barely 40 at an investment firm. This leaves me with more time for my family (I have the cutest Aussie ever to play with!) and more time to write. So yay to priorities! I know not many people read the author's notes, but I do and like knowing what's going on with them when there's been a time lapse. So now you know.

Of Past and Present

(Takes place directly after Donna's first visit to Titan Tower)

The living room was set up just as Donna remembered from Richard's photos. The two had stayed in contact since he had formed the team with Raven – the dark chick who was giving her the evil eye since landing, she assumed – and the photos had been a regular occurrence between them. The green sectional in the middle had seen better days, the huge television screen had loads of video games laying around it – some even she didn't know had come out yet – and the coffee table was littered in empty coke cans and three pizza boxes.

The kitchen was in similar disarray, with the kitchen island covered in morning breakfast dishes. Apparently, the boy she had grown up with didn't follow Bruce's unusual OCD-ness of cleanliness.

Without wanting to look appalled, she flew into the air and leisurely sat on to the green couch, putting her boot clad feet up on the coffee table, as if she belonged. In a way, she felt like she did. Donna felt a connection with the team she had met only moments earlier.

Even if the green guy was drooling whenever he looked at her.

"So. What's next?"

Richard walked around to face her, followed closely by the large mechanical man, Cyborg, if she remembered right. She had done some research before flying to meet them; it had been boring working with Diana in the rain forests, rebuilding damaged homes and retaining a river. Hera knew, Donna had been itching to leave to meet Richard sooner; but Diana was her older sister, and heir to their mother's throne. By law, she was bound to help.

Looking the gleaming silver man over, Donna had a faint inkling of his raw intelligence and strength. His one human eye was watching her just as she was studying him – looking for possible weaknesses and faults. It made her instantly respect the man. He wasn't naïve and he was clearly interested in what she could do for him. She had to respect that.

She also remembered in the files up at the Justice League tower, that his team was everything to him. The man lived, breathed, fought for the people in that room surrounding them; not including Titan's East. It was a huge weakness, but one that gave him strength. Donna appreciated those that put family above all else. It was how she had been raised on her home island.

Richard cleared his throat, disrupting her mental musings, and rubbed the bridge of his nose. He had that habit ever since he had been a kid, trying to explain to her and Roy why they couldn't climb the tower walls. He had always been the responsible one.

At thinking of the archer, she looked over to the red head and smirked. She had always had a small crush on the rebellious kid. He had always matched her in wit and adrenaline. But she saw the way he casually rubbed the dark chick's hip and Donna squashed whatever infatuation was building in her chest. He was clearly involved elsewhere.

"First, we introduce you to everyone."

She waved him off, her long dark locks swaying behind her. "Hey now, Dick. I know everyone on the team."

His lips quirked and she couldn't help but think of how much he looked like Bats, right there, in the early morning light. Poor kid didn't have a chance. "You know them from their files. Not them, personally."

"Files? The green guy – Beast Boy – questioned. He rubbed his head awkwardly. "Uh, what files? Should I even ask about this?"

"The Justice League has files on all of us, idiot." Raven muttered, wrapping her arms around her waist snuggly. "They keep tabs on all super powered metas. Us having our own team, means they watch us even closer."

"Right," Donna snapped her fingers, pointing at Beast Boy. "You're Beast Boy, Garfield Logan. You joined the team officially third, after Rob and Raven started the team. You're the youngest, sometimes acting like it. Your IQ is unnaturally high, but doesn't seem to show. You lost both parents when in Africa during a boating accident; while they tried to save you from a deadly disease... you know they never really wrote what kind it was. Anyway, you gained your gifts from their serum and blame yourself for their deaths. You were then put into the foster care at ten, until eventually the Doom Patrol saw you use your powers at a carnival show as you tried to impress a girl in high school, and they adopted you into their group."

Donna didn't notice how big Beast Boy's eyes got, or how prickly Raven got in his defense. "And like you. You're Raven, born of Azarath, to a human mother and demonic father." Beast Boy made a weird wincing gesture at the mention of Raven's father, but Donna ignored it. "Your powers are centered around a form of telekinesis, empathy, and some form of telepathy, including mind manipulation. That's not to say you don't have other gifts, because of your demonic blood. Everything is powered by emotions with you. Zantana really didn't like it when you showed up. She vetoed your vote into the league back on-"

"Enough, junior." Cyborg interrupted, mouth pressing into a firm line. Wonder Girl stopped short, her good-natured temperament piquing slightly in defense. "We get it. You read our files. But it doesn't mean you know who we are." His voice was like cold steel.

Her vibrant blue eyes narrowed. "I was only showing Dick, I knew who everyone was, so we could move on to the next bit of this introduction. There's more to do in this city than getting in front of everyone and saying "Hi, I'm Donna, and I like walking the beach at night, cats, and hot chocolate instead of coffee."

Cy took a menacing step forward, and Dick quickly angled himself into the middle of his way. If Donna had been thinking correctly – and not just trying to readily make friends and feel bonded to everyone – she'd have noticed she stepped over a line. One in which no one in the team ever crossed.

"What Vic is trying to say Donna," Dick gently interrupted, pushing Cyborg back to chill out. "Is, we don't care what's in the files up at the JL tower. And, you bringing up our pasts, isn't going to show us anything other than you can read words written by a third party."

"Especially by a biased person, like Zantana." Raven growled, one arm resting across Beast Boy's back. The young kid looked like he was going to cry. Donna felt a prick of annoyance – she actually really liked Zantana – but saw the hurt written all over Garfield's face. She instantly felt ashamed.

Before she could say anything else, Cyborg started talking again.

Handing her a yellow communicator, he began explaining the rules of the team. "As of right now, I'm leading the Titans. Rob has taken a leave of absence until further notice. That means, any and all commands you follow, come from me." He pointed to Raven. "She's second in command. If I'm not there, but she is, her word is law." He indicated the communicator. "Keep this on you at all times. It's how we communicate and how we are alerted to a city issue, and are being paged. If you don't have it, you won't be relied on."

"We rise no later than 6AM during the week, and no later than 6:30AM on the weekends, that is if we don't have a call during the night. If we do, then that is considered our day off. If no calls are heard during the night, then we are here in the rec room, no later than 7AM regardless of day. We have a morning brief, going over notes from the Mayor, notes from Titans East, their progress on certain cases, and updates on our current cases. As of right now, we are 100% caught up on all cases – minus one. Red X." His eyes briefly flickered to Raven, who looked away. A plain folder was shoved into Wonder Girl's hands. "Study him. He's a dangerous thief, with a habit of stealing chemicals or priceless jewels. We haven't heard from him in over five weeks. But we're watching for him.

"After our morning briefing, we have alone time until 9AM. We meet in the gym for sparring or power trainings. At 11AM, we run the obstacle course, which changes weekly. By 1PM, we gather for lunch, or head out to walk the streets. We normally stop for pizza." The big man shrugged. "Sometimes Pho. It depends on team vote. Then we head back to the tower by 3PM, while Raven and I catch up on paperwork and meetings with city officials or the President, whatever we have scheduled. If we don't, then we have a free afternoon. The rest of you will be free after 3PM to do whatever you want – shop, train, read, beat my high score on Killer Goats 3 – which is unlikely – but you can try. We usually have dinner around 7PM, and we take turns cooking. Then it's team time, watching movies or television together. Then we disperse and head to bed. Got it."

Donna's head was spinning but she nodded regardless. "Right. Got it."

Cyborg crossed his arms over his head and moved to the kitchen. He shed his leader attitude and was all smiles. "I'm making waffles, who wants some?"

"Me!" Beast Boy and Speedy – no Arsenal now, Donna had to remember – screamed, running to join him. After his falling out with Green Arrow, Roy's namesake had been revoked. Ollie hadn't been very open with why in the last monthly meeting.

"It's a lot to take in," Dick was saying as he leaned before her, hand lightly touching her knee. "But we have this system to keep everything working like a clock. You'll get used to it."

Nodding mutely, she bit her cheek. "Are you really not fighting? After you-know-who-left?"

Dick smirked and sighed, sounding at once sad and hopeful. "I'm not in the right frame of mind. I might do something dangerous if I let my anger get the best of me. I can't trust myself yet."

Donna shrugged, hugging the folder and communicator closer to her chest, bright red dress a contrast to Dick's casual dark jeans and shirt. "I promise I won't let you down. Really."

The boy wonder nodded, and tapped her knee thoughtfully. "I know you won't. But you won't make any friends being the head strong, stubborn, know-it-all you just were. Learn those who make up this team, and you'll figure it out."

He helped her stand and she smiled sheepishly. "Too much, too soon huh?"

Smiling, he gently punched her shoulder. "You could say that."

He looked past her shoulder to the dark girl behind them, and his face softened. Donna watched, curiosity hitting her square in the forehead. "Hey Rae? Did you want any tea?"

"Way ahead of you buddy," Roy called. Donna turned to see him firing up the stove, a kettle in his hand presumably filled with water. "Be ready in five, Rae-Rae."

The girl rolled her eyes, dark violet looking exasperate and drained. "Stop calling me that."

Donna looked back at her friend, and noticed Robin's face had shut off, like a water value being screwed tightly closed. Not one to ignore anything out of the ordinary, she opened her mouth to ask what was going on, before he darted away.

"I'll be in my room if you need me," he growled, briskly moving to the exit.

Her eyes were round and shocked, but she was also used to Dick's mood swings. The man was worse than a young girl going through puberty for the first time.

Feeling eyes on her, she looked back at Raven, at her folded hands in front of her legs, to the dark purple locks that just barely kissed her collarbone. Her skin was ashen, pale like moonlight and her eyes were searching. Donna knew her gods; she knew Artemis favored her.

"Listen, I get what Robin said. I maybe said some things I shouldn't have and I know now I shouldn't have so I'm-"

"You're Diana's youngest sister, one of three. Your mother favored Diana over the rest of her daughters, and even let her wear the god's armor, even though you were taught not to touch it. Diana was not gifted with powers like you, but she was still chosen to be heir. You're head strong, arrogant, and dangerous. You live for thrills and simple rebuilding projects bother you; you don't work for the population, you work to prove to yourself and your mother that you're worthy." At Donna's surprised expression, Raven moved closer. "When you're in a room with an empath, one who is also gifted in telepathy, it's best to keep your thoughts and feelings to yourself. Otherwise, you might open yourself up for the same criticsm that you threw on to two of your new teammates."

Raven was unrelenting, and Donna nodded, hugging the folder to her chest. "I apologize, Raven. I meant no harm in what I said. I was merely stating facts." She was feeling awfully chastised; but more than that, the power radiating off of Raven was terrifying. Donna knew power, could feel it when her gods graced her island; Raven was no different.

"Facts, derived from an unknowing source." Raven grunted, turning to glance back to the kitchen. "This team is my family. If you hurt anyone here, you'll have me to contend with." Her bottomless eyes caught her stormy eyes and Donna felt more so than heard, that Raven was being completely truthful.

"They're my family now, too. I would never want to hurt them."

"Good. You can start by knowing, Beast Boy never talks about his parents. Your notes weren't wrong when they said he blames himself. He still has nightmares about their deaths." Raven shuddered; Donna didn't have to ask to know Raven sensed when he had nightmares about his parents. Raven experienced it with him. "And Cyborg has issues with his father; some that you should not bring up if you like living in this tower. I assume you know about Roy and Oliver Queen?"

Wonder Girl nodded. Raven's eyes turned dark.

"No one here knows why Roy changed his name," she said slowly, darkly. "And Roy doesn't want anyone to know either. That's his decision to make. Not yours'. Not mine. Understand?"

Donna nodded again. She felt like Raven was laying the rules of the land – rules that Cyborg never mentioned. She was anxious to make good with everyone; something told her to pay attention to Raven. Donna was never one not to listen to her gods.

"Can I ask one question? Maybe two?"

Raven shrugged but remained silent, continuing to watch the three men in the kitchen fight over silverware and clean cups. "Was it difficult, banishing your father? Even though it meant saving everything here?" Donna didn't know her father – men were not allowed on her island. And when women wanted to breed, they would travel away to find men. But if Donna had to make the choice to banish her mother, she wasn't sure she could ever do it.

Raven sighed, quietly, shouldering dropping. "I didn't do anything. Robin did." Her voice turned wistful and Donna's curiosity piqued again. "He saved me. He and the others risked their lives to save me, to restore me, so that I could fight my father. My father was not a good dad. He was a monster, one I had feared for most of my life. But after they restored me, I could face him. If the choice was to be made again, I would banish him one hundred times more if it kept them safe."

"Then why didn't Zantana like you? I mean, you don't seem evil." The words escaped without her knowing, and Donna quickly grabbed her mouth, horror running her face. "I'm so sorry!"

Raven smirked, a quick twisting of her lips. "I live with Beast Boy. Don't worry about it." Straightening, Raven continued on. "Zantana didn't like me because she sensed my father's influence. I was ten when I came to them. Robin found me shortly after, when he battled against and for Starfire's release. I harbor ill will toward her for turning a child away, in a new world, to live on the streets." Donna didn't push it further, sensing that Raven saw more on the streets as a child than Donna would ever experience.

And though, Donna enjoyed Zantana's company, she felt a prick of anger at her friend for turning a young child away in her time of need. She also didn't understand Zantana's hatred of Raven; she didn't seem evil, or selfish, or manipulative. If anything, Raven seemed strong, independent and fiercely loyal to her team.

It was a moment's difference, but Donna liked Raven. She liked strong women, she liked good people, and she appreciated those that would die to save their family. Turning toward the empath, Donna held out her hand. "Let's start over, okay? I'm Donna, little sister to one of the original superheroes, Wonder Woman, with a big chip on her shoulder, and sometimes, too big of a mouth and no filter."

Raven rolled her eyes, but her lips quirked. Donna was starting to learn that meant she wanted to smile. "Nice to meet you. I'm Raven."

Wiggling her hand in front of the dark girl's face, Raven sighed dramatically and grabbed her hand into a firm but delicate grasp. Within a second, the woman's eyes glazed over and she ripped her hand from Wonder Girl's.

A current ripped through her, making Donna's arm tingle. It didn't hurt, but more like tickled the edges of her nerves, drawing her eyebrows down into puzzlement. "Wow, are you okay?" Donna asked, concern covering her pretty face. The boys barely paid them attention as the waffles began to cook and syrup began to be poured over them.

Raven shook her head, one small hand grasping her temple. When she opened her eyes, one teardrop fell on to her cheek. She looked at her, first confused, then accusatorily, then acceptance. She sniffled once and nodded. "Sorry. I was overloaded with emotions. My walls haven't been rebuilt as well as before Trigon's fall."

Donna could tell there was something else there, but within the last hour of meeting the dark girl, she knew not to push her. Instead, she rubbed the back of her head sheepishly and shrugged. "Sorry about that. Guess I've got a lot of emotions running through me from this morning. Want to join the others?"

"In a minute." Raven shooed her away and turned back to the windows. Donna walked over to the boys, who seemed to have let everything she said that morning go. Beast boy was still drooling over her; Roy was teasing, Cyborg was telling jokes and piling her plate with food – "No, if you're on my team, you need to eat. I made plenty. Here!"

But Donna turned back and looked to the sullen figure by the rising sun, watching the rays' dance of her dark appearance. Something had happened, something had scared the dark girl, and it was something to do with her. But she wasn't sure what.

Two weeks into adjusting to team life, they had their first test at the new and improved obstacle course.

"Who in the name of Hades ever beats that things?" Donna panted, laying flat against the dirt, chest heaving with each intake. Arsenal sat next to her, coughing as he tried to inhale. Beast Boy was next to her head, morphed into a dog, whining as he scratched his back on the dusty ground.

"You're looking at her." Arsenal said, pointing to the obstacle course. Raven floated high above, dark cape billowing out around her. Her eyes were glowing white, hands raised with black magic spitting at the ready. Cyborg cackled from the intercom.

"You ready for this Rae? I updated this since the last time you ran the course."

"Let's get this over with."

It didn't take more than five minutes before the entire course was engulfed in black energy, twisted and thrown into a pile of scraps by the side of the tide. The beach waves eagerly lapped at it.

"Awh man!"

"Unbelievable," Wonder Girl groaned, mouth open wide. "Just… unreal."

"She's something else huh?" Arsenal smirked. "Her power levels have boosted in the last few weeks. She's starting to get control again."

"Again? You mean she lost it?"

BB morphed back into human form and panted. "After Star left, she kinda lost it. Star was her best friend. Still is. But without her here, she felt abandoned. Which brought up a lot of feelings and issues for Rae. Like wow. She's been using sparring lessons to build confidence in herself and her powers. It looks like its working."

"Man, seems like Star was important all around." Donna remarked casually.

"You got that right," Arsenal agreed, leaning back on to the sand, letting go a long sigh.

Robin didn't join them. In fact, no one had seen him since Donna's first day with the team. She was starting to think there was more to his issues, than just Starfire leaving.

A few weeks later…

"How did you beat my high score?!" Cyborg wailed, mouth dropping open into a giant "O". Wonder girl snickered beside him, dropping the controller on to the couch with a defiant poof.

"She's awesome," BB laughed, slapping his knee. "I've been trying for two months to beat that score. Dude, you gotta tell me your secrets." His voice cracked at the end; making both Cyborg and Wonder Girl chuckle at him. The poor shifter was finally getting a deeper voice.

"Maybe one day I'll share my secrets," Wonder Girl smirked, winking at the younger man. "But not around Cy!"

"I call bullshit. You cheated!" He yelled, slamming the controller on to the coffee table, coke cans flying off the sides. A few empty beer bottles rolled around, having been finished by Donna and Vic as they battled for three straight hours. BB had only looked on.

The mechanical man moved to the TV intent on finding something wrong with it. Donna was handy with swords, punches and maybe a staff – but she certainly didn't know much about wiring a TV for cheating purposes. BB rolled his eyes, and jerked his thumb to the kitchen. The female hero followed him, letting Cy pull the TV apart.

"He's gonna be at it for like an hour before he accepts defeat," the green man said slowly, opening the fridge. He took out a carton of soymilk and grabbed a few cookies from the top shelf cabinet. He offered one to the princess and she accepted with a small smile.

It had been over a month since her joining and she was still trying to figure everyone out. Cy was a capable leader – she was surprised at how easily he led them when battling or training – and he was fun. He joked but knew when to be serious. He was deathly protective of Raven and a watchful older brother to Beast Boy. She genuinely liked him and she was thinking he was starting to warm up to her.

There was a crash and Donna winced. Maybe before she beat his high score.

BB in front of her snorted at Vic's irritation and dunked his cookie into the milk in front of him. Donna hadn't really had time to bond with BB – she and Roy knew each other and occasionally went out on the town together when they needed a drink; apparently Raven didn't drink and didn't enjoy seedy bars, so she was next best company. Raven had remained distant since her freak out on the day she joined. But BB, he was an enigma to her.

He seemed to joke around too much, making cracks that only he found funny. But she noticed he only made jokes when it was tense, or everyone was on edge. Two nights before, when Raven and Robin snapped at each other had been on such occasion. And even though the crack was terrible, "What, did you two get into a bird fight or something?" Vic, Rae, Roy and Dick had all gifted the youngster with a brief smile. They all had a weird understanding that BB did it when the situation was awkward, and that he was trying to make peace. Maybe that was his role in this team?

Donna was starting to see how the team worked. Cy was the leader, strong and comforting. Raven was the brain, wise and sure. Arsenal was the unpredictable one, willing to take on a huge dangerous risk for the others. Robin was the steadfast watcher, waiting to help but unwilling to just yet. And BB was their comic relief, but also their heart. It was a role that he had seemed to cultivate but not actually have taken on before now. She wondered if he stepped in after Starfire left, for a reason.

"Think he'll stay mad?" Donna asked, tearing her cookie into two halves. BB was already on his third.

"Who? Cy?" He snorted. "He never stays mad. He has a huge temper, and seriously, he's stubborn, but he doesn't ever really stay mad. Anymore."

"Anymore?"

"Well there was one time, back in the beginning, between him and Rob but…" BB shrugged. "That was forever ago. Cy's changed since then. He's kind of out grew all of that. We kinda all have."

The green man looked pensive, and then should the expression away to devour his cookie. Donna's interested were piqued.

BB liked talking about his teammates. Maybe that was how she could bond with him.

"How has everyone changed? Besides, Cy?"

Gar chewed his cookie and sipped from his dairy-free milk. "Well. That's kind of hard to explain. Like Cy, for instance. Used to be a real hot head. Then he met Bee. He's got this long distance relationship going with her. She's pretty kick ass; strong enough to put him in his place. Which he totally needed. And when he took over for Rob, he's sort of mellowed out. He came into his own." He gestured to his left side and waved his hand. "Plus he did like wicked amounts of upgrades after we lost Aqualad, and all his new circuits could be helping him out more too. Who knows."

Donna looked down, feeling remorseful. "I'm sorry about Aqualad. I didn't know him personally. But Superman did. He said he was a good guy."

Gar sighed, pushing the cookies away. It still hurt for him to talk about it, but the rage that was there, had vanished. It was easier to remember him with good feelings, than bad ones. "Yea. He was super cool. We didn't get along at first. He was kind of showing me up. I took it personal. But after, we had to like work together to save the team. And we bonded. He was like me – didn't eat meat. And he taught me some cool tricks. He was a good dude."

Donna nodded. "I know he was lost in battle. But the files didn't really say what happened."

The smaller man looked to the left and sighed, shoulders dropping. "It's hard to explain. Robin made a call and it turned out poorly. He had to choose between Raven and Aqualad. Raven was unconscious, falling into the water and Aqualad was battling Slade. Robin went after Raven. But Aqualad was weaker than we all thought and Slade…" BB trailed off, clearing his throat. He dug for another cookie and dunked it into the milk. "Well, we never found his body."

"I didn't know that." It also didn't seem like a call Robin would usually make. Something wasn't right. She knew her friend, knew his calculating mind and knew he would've under normal circumstances chosen to help in a battle and send someone for a fallen ally. "Was Raven okay?"

"I guess." He shrugged. "Cy was able to get her before she lost too much oxygen. After Trigon left, she like had to relearn all her abilities again. And she still hadn't learned how to heal herself without Trigon's influence. So she was like in a coma for three days. Robin never left her side."

"She must've been grateful." The pieces were falling together.

"That's the weird thing." BB scratched the back of his head. "So like, he stays with her that entire time, right? Doesn't move. Star tried to get him to eat, Cy tried to take shifts, I even tried to hang out with him and I ended up passing out on the floor for one night. He goes through all this, and when she wakes up, she basically kicks him out. And that's it." Speaking around another bite of a mushy cookie, he continued. "Since then, they've been like on eggshells around each other." He swallowed, and leaned close, as if whispering a secret to her. "I think Rae closed their link. Why, I'm not sure. But they haven't really been in sync since then." Something clicked for the young princess almost like a puzzle finding the missing piece.

But she couldn't just say something. She had to work this slowly, build it up right.

"They have a link?" Donna asked instead of the real burning question, finishing her first cookie. The sweet chocolate chips were a welcomed treat. "I remember Bats saying something at a JL meeting. But not much for details."

Gar laughed. "Yea, I don't think he really understands. He and Rob don't talk like they used to. Anyway. The bond happened because Rob was fighting Slade and was under some kind of nerve gas. The only way to figure out where he was or what he was seeing was to like get into his mind. Rae was the only one he trusted and the only one that could. She saw things that I don't think even Star knows about. And since then, they've had their weird silent look-language. But lately it's been gone."

The young man's observations were completely mind blowing to Donna. The guy acted half like a walking clown in green skin and the other half of time he was a drooling fool. Now, she saw another side to the green man and it completely rocked her. Was this where his intelligence from his file lied? His keen observation skills and social cue pick-up?

"So now they've been basically on the rocks with each other. Think it has anything to do with Roy?" She was playing with the cookie package, unable to look up. She didn't want to look too interested. She wanted this to feel casual. Because, Donna was seeing something that apparently no one else on the team was.

Richard was in love with Raven. And Starfire. And it was so… odd.

BB looked her way, narrowing his dark green eyes. "Why, what do you know?"

She looked up, hands in the air. "Nothing! It just seems like their tension there. It's a feeling I'm getting." She wasn't really lying. There was tension. She just thought it came from more than just male hormones.

Gar sighed, sitting heavily on to the barstool. "Look, I have a theory, but Cy says its wack. I think Rob has a thing for Rae but doesn't know it. And I think Rae has a thing for Roy and he's got it bad for her. But Rob also has feelings for Star. And he's all torn up and doesn't know which way to feel. So instead he's like super jealous over Roy with Rae and doesn't really understand why. And Rae… well Raven is special. Emotions like this don't make logical sense to her, so she's like in left field here. Roy is probably the only one of the three that sees it, and is trying to ignore it, but also watch it. Because he wants Rae and he ain't going to not fight for her. Not unless she like ditches him or something."

Donna smiled slowly, patting the young man on his shoulder. "And you see all this, huh?"

Quickly shifting into a fly and then back, BB winked. "There are flies everywhere, dude. And I'm usually the fly."

Laughing, Donna ate another cookies. So her thoughts weren't alone. But if BB hadn't said anything to either of his friends, then neither would Donna. It was their business after all, and if it didn't affect the team, then she would respect it.

Watching the changeling move for another cookie and to refill his cup, Donna cleared her throat. "And what about you, BB? Any girlfriends?"

"Why, you asking if there's an opening?" He joked, cheeks turning red like expected. The guy had no clue how to speak to women, it was clear as day. "Actually, no girlfriend. Just kind of an ex."

"An ex huh?" His ears started turning purple. "Is she cute?"

"Very. And blonde. And also doesn't have any memory of who I am." He sighed as if he were a forlorn lover. Donna thought he was cute, for a little scrawny green thing. "It's complicated. But Cy is trying to help me get her memories back. It's a long process."

Standing, she wrapped her arm around his shoulders; she was a good four inches taller than him without her boots on. Squeezing him gently, she bumped hips with him and smirked. "Cy is a brilliant guy. And if he's working on it, it'll happen. You just have to remain positive. The Gods respond to us when we need them most."

Smiling as if a giant weight had been lifted off his shoulders, BB awkwardly patted her back. "Thanks. I think I needed to hear that."

"Anytime." She began to walk away, sashaying to the far door leisurely.

Gar called out to her. "Hey, just so you know. You're a cool chick."

That was as close to a "welcome to the team" as she was ever going to get. She was glad she got it from Beast Boy though; she still felt bad for dredging up the past on her initial visit with everyone.

Waving, she exited through the door, the only thought on her mind was finding her bed.

Hurriedly, she reached for her red dress and matching shorts she wore underneath. She grabbed a hair tie from her dresser and threw on one boot before exiting her new room; the pale red walls and spangled ceiling reflecting the harsh blinking red light going off in the Tower. Blindly, she hoped she forgot to blow out her summer night candle BB had given her last week.

She hobbled to the elevator, adrenaline boiling up inside her as she floated to put the second boot on. She hadn't seen one speck of action since arriving. A call in the middle of the night was just what she needed to work off the excess energy inside of her. Having down time to spend with the team was great. But Donna was a doer. She needed action, she needed fights and debates. She needed a challenge. And though she loved Cyborg's tests and obstacle courses - that she still couldn't finish - she needed something else. Something to really get her blood moving. Finally, this was her chance.

The doors opened, Arsenal and Beast Boy leaning against the far wall. Arsenal had his mask on, toned arms holding his bow and pulling the string taunt before looking up at her.

Her breath caught in her throat. Quickly she shook it away. The guy was dangerously hot... and also not available.

BB groaned. "Dude, it's like 4AM. Why do baddies attack at the WORST times!"

Moving into the elevator, she sparred a smiled for the green man. "Because they clearly don't like to sleep."

"Clearly," he muttered.

Arsenal pushed the up button. "Time to find out which one it is." The elevator rapidly ascended. Scanning him, Wonder Girl whipped her long black locks into a high ponytail.

"Raven already there?"

He nodded. "As second in command, it's her job to analyze the threat and come up with a plan of attack with Cyborg." He didn't look too happy, but then again it was 4AM in the morning.

"Early morning sex a no-go huh?" BB asked drawly, earning a hard glare from the masked archer. Wonder Girl couldn't help but laugh, putting her fist to her lips to stifle it.

The bell dinged overhead and the three teammates stepped into the rec room. Raven was standing, cape off to the far left. Cyborg was besides her, silver metal gleaming in the bright red flares surrounding them.

What caught their attention was the boy wonder, standing in the center, looking at the screen. Starfire's face greeted them.

The air whooshed out of the room almost instantaneously.

"Star?" Wonder Girl heard Robin say softly, as if in a dream. She was sure he hadn't been expecting the call. In fact, no one had been. "Star, is that you?"

"Hello Robin," her sweet voice echoed around them. Quietly, Cyborg turned off the alarm and the red flashes stopped. She looked past him, eyes moving over all of them, and briefly settling on Wonder Girl's shoulders. "Hello my friends. I believe it is morning there yes? If so, good morning to you all."

"It's a little early Star," BB groaned, moving to the couch, falling on to the back of it. "But it's still really great to see you."

"And it is very good to see you. All of you." Her voice cracked as if the emotion there was too much for her to handle. Her eyes never left Robin.

Wonder Girl stayed toward the back, feeling the atmosphere of the room become stifling. She never met Star before; when Brotherhood had attacked, she had been paired with Robin, not Star to assist. But she could see the battle wariness in her eyes. Donna had grown up in an island of women, priding themselves on being warriors. She could see the same drained look on Starfire's face from battle, the scratches that lined her shoulders and face, and the smear of blood that coated her stomach.

The woman was fighting for her life whenever she was. Wonder Girl felt a connection to her instantly.

"What's going on Starfire?" Robin asked, pulling her attention that way. She hesitated a glance to Raven who stood off to the side, arms crossed. Arsenal was nowhere near her. Whatever happened between them was more than just being interrupted.

"The war here is tiring. I made it safely three weeks ago, but once I entered our star system, I was under attack. I found some small rebel camps that I have taken to make an army. We are strong but few. And Blackfire has the entire palace guard at her disposal."

"Do you need our help?" Cy asked, circuits powering up. "I could add extra energy to our ship. We could be there in five days time." He clearly had already found out when and how he could get to Star if need be. Cy was never if not one step ahead to help his friends.

She smiled sadly, shaking her head. "No, friends. I cannot use your assistance in this. I alone must win this war. Otherwise I will not be able to rule."

"Have you found your brother?" Raven spoke up, voice cracking in the early morning hour.

"That is why I called. We have located him. But we do not know if he is alive. Can you scan the area, searching by my DNA, where he may be captive? We are planning an attack but do not want to risk an invasion if it can be helped."

"On it." Cy agreed, pulling his chair to the computer console. "It'll take a few minutes. Do you have time?"

Her eyes flickered over Robin and she nodded. "I will make time for my friends."

"I wish you had called sooner. We didn't know if you were alright or not."

Her orange painted face turned sad if not troubled. "It was dangerous to reach out to you, Robin. Blackfire could be tracing this right now. I could not risk it if it was not necessary."

Robin swallowed, and his fists clenched. There were a few moments of silence as Cyborg worked and Robin stared at the screen. Wonder Girl knew he was fighting the urge to argue, to say something. But he chose to ignore it in favor of just watching his girlfriend.

"What's your next move?" Arsenal asked, bow slung over his shoulder. Donna couldn't help but look at the slope of shoulders, to the bulging back muscles that rippled as he moved.

Turning away, she caught Raven staring directly at her. Sheepishly, she cowered.

"We are to plan a rescue mission. Once we have Wildfire, we can end this war. I will give the crown to my brother and return to Earth." It sounded so easy, but Wonder Girl knew war was everything but simple.

There was a high buzzing noise, as Cyborg pumped his fists into the air.

"Booyah! DNA location found." He typed something else. "I'm sending copies to your ship. He's there, Star. In the top, northwest corridor. He seems to be stationary."

A weight released from her shoulders, and she clasped her hands in front of her chest. Donna wasn't the only one who saw the blackened blood stained knuckles, or the broken and bleeding nails covered in mud. "That is most excellent news! I will plan with my army and begin work. You are most appreciated Cyborg!"

"Anything for you, Starfire." There was a loud scream in the background, followed by noises of impacting shouts of order. The ground shook and Starfire's camera wobbled unexpectedly. Her face turned grim and she turned, screaming something in her native language. A chorus of shouts echoed back.

They were being attacked.

She turned, leaning forward to hit the off button. "I must go now friends. Please, I will reach out when it is safe again."

"But Star-" Robin interrupted, but the screen went black.

Wonder Girl looked to the far clock over the stove; she hadn't been on their intercom longer than 23 minutes.

"Robin?" BB called, watching as Robin hunched forward, defeated.

Raven walked over to him, reached out to touch his shoulder but stopped. "She'll be fine, Robin." Her gritty voice reasoned. "Starfire was trained to be a warrior."

"She's fighting an impossible war, against impossible odds, and you think she'll be fine?" He snarled, pulling away from her. Raven's eyes darkened.

"You forget, Starfire was born to be a warrior. Her planet is not like this one – she was trained since birth to fight and defend her home world. If not for her training alone, but for her dedication to her people, you should have faith in her."

He turned, glaring at her. Raven met him, looks squaring off. The atmosphere turned cold. "I have faith in her. Not in her chances."

"Then you don't have faith in her."

"Alright," Cyborg clapped breaking up their argument. Raven's hands had started to glow and Robin's hand had reached for his belt. The mechanical man stepped between them, as Arsenal pushed Robin roughly to the side to go to Raven. "I think we're all a little cranky. Let's take today off and regroup. I'll try to open another trace to Star, one that's a bit safer from being detected. That way we can make sure she's alright."

"I'm going to bed." Robin grunted, briskly walking to the elevator. BB yawned, and jerked a thumb at boy wonder.

"I'm with Rob. Keep me updated."

Cy nodded at the green man and then turned his eyes to Raven. She refused to look at him, instead looking at the dark shoreline.

"Raven, you okay?"

"Peachy," she drawled. Arsenal waved Cyborg away, trying to comfort Raven alone. She pushed him away and moved to the windows. Donna didn't hear what she said, but she heard Roy.

"Stop pushing me away Rae. I'm not going anywhere." But she kept her back to him and defeated, Roy sighed, running a hand through his gelled locks.

He stomped off toward the exit, leaving just her, Raven and Cyborg left. Unsure what to do next, she said her goodnights, and followed Roy.

"Hey, Roy, hold up." She called, flying after him, and landing in the elevator before the doors could close. Not like she couldn't force them open. But she didn't want to piss Cyborg off that night.

The doors slammed behind her and the elevator descended to their rooms, only one room apart. She glanced over at him, as he leaned in the corner, arms crossed over his chest, staring deeply at the floor. She cleared her throat and he held up one hand.

"Don't." That was all he said and Donna respected it. The doors opened and he walked to the left and she to the right. Quietly she trudged to her bedroom, kicking off one boot, and hopping to take off the last one as her bedroom door opened.

She didn't bother taking off her suit. She laid on her bed and within moments, she was back to sleep.

It was only a few short hours later that Donna woke up. She searched the rec room, the training room and finally the garage before she found her leader. He was hunched under his car, tweaking some screw and loose another bolt. The T-Car, much like him had been upgraded with newer circuits and gadgets. It was a gleaming silver, with an interface that went directly to Cy. It was a work of art.

Donna whistled, catching Cy's attention. He smirked but didn't stop working his baby.

"It's pretty. You made her all by yourself?"

"And help from Raven. She's a good assistant when she's not turning things into live beings."

At Donna's startled look, Cyborg laughed, grabbing a nearby rag to dry his grease covered hands. "One day, she had been having it rough. She sneezed and turned the car into a ferocious beast with metal fangs. It took all of us to put it down." He shrugged. "She's not boring, I'll give her that."

Meeting him near the car, she handed him a wrench when he gestured to it. She was still in her uniform, but he didn't seem to mind. They worked in silence for a few moments before Donna cleared her throat. "Any luck locating Star?"

There was a screech of a wrench turning and then he handed it back to her. He pointed to the far screwdriver and she handed it to him blindly. Mechanical items weren't her expertise, but she was willing to help him out if he needed it. "I couldn't establish a new link. I've got a few programs running to open a new trace, one we can communicate and Blackfire can't locate us."

Donna nodded and handed him another screwdriver. "What happens when she finds her brother? Defeat her sister and come home?"

"I think there's more to it than that. But generally speaking, yes. Star doesn't plan on staying in her home world. She wants to be back here, with us and Robin. But she has a duty as a Princess." He gave her a look. "You could probably relate to that pretty well, being a warrior princess too."

She shrugged, watching him work. He wasn't wrong. She understood duty to her people and place all too well. She floated into the air, crossing her legs, bare feet hovering near Cy's face. "How long is that supposed to take?"

"It's already been like 3 months since she left." He dropped something and swore. "It probably won't be until next year that we see her again."

"Robin didn't take it too well."

"Robin doesn't take anything too well anymore."

She snorted. "I noticed that. He's changed since I saw him last." He plopped her head on to her hand, long locks tangling around her. "Think he'll ever take back the team?"

Cyborg paused and looked up to his teammate. Hastily she waved her hands in the air. "Don't get me wrong, I love you as our leader. But he's not Robin if he's not shouting or yelling at someone to do something. He's a bossy guy."

Smirking, the big man chuckled. "I know what you meant. And yes, hopefully he will. I like this leader role, but I miss him yelling corny lines at the bad guys. It always gave BB and me something to laugh at later." He struck the inside and the lights on the car popped to life. "One day, when he's ready, he'll take the team back. And I hope he won't let this separation from Star ruin him for when she returns."

Mentally agreeing with the metal man, he tossed her the keys to the car. "Do me a favor and start her up. Let's see if we can really get her to pur." Smiling like the cat who ate the canary, she hopping down and jumped into the front seat. She finally felt accepted by Cy when she revved the engine and he whistled low in his throat.

That night Cyborg wasn't able to establish a link to Starfire's ship. Or the next night. Or the night after that.

It was almost a full month later, nearing Thanksgiving that the team was in downtown Jump City, walking the streets. It wasn't late, but the sun was setting early and the cold was creeping into their warm coastal city. Donna was following behind Cyborg and Beast Boy – both were wearing image inducers to hide from plain sight. Cyborg looked like a regular man – who had clearly been a jock in a former life – with a heavy black pea coat and dark jeans. Beast Boy was wearing a pair of low-slung jeans and a heavy purple sweater – but his skin was a bright pale and his hair was a messy brown.

They looked normal. Or what could count as normal.

Donna trailed them, wearing a pair of light skinny jeans and a heavy winter jacket of deep red and vibrant blue. Her long black locks were curled and tangled from the winter wind. Behind her were Roy and Raven; both wearing dark jeans and dark winter jackets, except Roy was a bright red skull cap to keep his head warm. Robin hadn't come out to join them.

Briefly, Donna noticed how long Raven's hair was getting, brushing past her shoulders now.

"I say because it's so cold, we stop in and get an eggnog." Cy called out. BB pumped one fist into the air and Roy chuckled behind him.

"Now you're talking my language, big man."

The group hurried to the next bar, all of them now of legal age – BB had celebrated turning twenty one a week and a half after hearing from Star – and scurried into the worn bar booth in the back. Roy and Vic ordered at the bar while the rest peeled layers off of their persons.

"Does this area always become this cold?" Donna shuddered, huddling closer to the booth back. Raven sat next to her and Gar was further away, burrowed into his clothing still.

"It gets cold, but not for long. You'll get used to it."

Drinks were pushed around as the remaining Titans came to join them. Cyborg had a large glass of spiced eggnog, like the rest of them, except Raven's was alcohol free and Roy was drinking straight bourbon, as their leader stood. "Listen. I know it's been a rough few months, with Star leaving, Donna and Roy joining, Raven working out her powers, Terra being discovered and me stepping up without Robin being around as much. But I just wanted to take a second and appreciate all of you and say look, we've done it. We're still here, we're still fighting. So let's just enjoy tonight for what it is. To us."

His voice was low and calm but it rolled over each of them. Whether he knew it or not, his words touched all of them. They had all worked on issues and dealt with things, and slowly, things were beginning to return to normal.

The group spent the next three hours at the bar, warming themselves, enjoying a few drinks and each other's company. Donna learned quickly that having Vic play darts with cybernetic eyesight was unfair; that Gar was not the one to beat at foosball with his too quick of and-to-eye coordination, and Raven only seemed to relax when the others did. And that Roy could really handle his liquor when he wanted to.

Even though the gods had blessed her, she still could feel the effects of mortals' drinks. She was only on her second beverage and her cheeks were as rosy as Roy's after his fifth. He and Raven were sitting in the corner, talking; more like Roy was talking and Raven was listening, but her eyes never stayed on him. She was always watching, looking around them for an unseen threat.

"Notice that too huh?" Vic commented, squeezing past her on the booth. Gar had just left to use the restroom and Victor was coming back from getting his last drink of the night.

Her blue eyes caught his, and shrugged. "Notice what exactly?"

He smirked, shaking his head. "Listen, we're all not oblivious. Gar sees how Rich is with Rae and Roy. I see it. Hell, you do. But you also notice how Rae is with Roy." He glanced back, pity coloring his face briefly. "Poor girl. She doesn't know what to do."

"Doesn't know what?"

"Roy is hers', if she'll take him." Something dead crashed into her gut. But she ignored it in favor of finishing off her last sip of beer. "Dark Girl just doesn't know how to take him. She's new to all this."

Pity also rose up inside her. She didn't know what it was like not to feel affection, not to feel love, or hope, or want. Donna had been raised by her mother to embrace feelings, to be womanly but also to be manly in strength and war-like. To be woman was to accept emotions, to embrace them, and to be passionate. Raven, not having any of that, seemed like a cruel fate.

"Do you think they'll work out? Raven and Roy?" Hope flittered through her heart like a jackrabbit running in the dessert. But she quickly squashed it.

It was a crush. A dangerous one. One she had to let go. Immediately.

"Those two?" Vic shrugged, finishing his last gulp. "Who knows anymore? I thought Star would never leave us, I'd never see a friend die, nor even meet a woman blessed by the gods." He shrugged again, ruffling her hair in a brotherly way. "Life's funny that way. I'm going to round those two up, you get BB. We've got to call it a night."

Without thinking, she stood from the booth and went to the men's restroom to wait for the little green one to appear. She watched Vic interrupt their conversation, much to Roy's annoyance and Raven's relief. She looked ready to hug the big man. Instead they gathered their coats, and headed for the door, Vic waving to her to show her the way out.

Gar walked out at that moment, a trail of toilet paper attached to his shoe. Laughing, Donna grabbed him and held on to the waste, pushing him forward. He smiled gratefully at her. "Time to pack it up, BB. We're headed home."

Groaning, he gestured to the table. "But I still had some left to drink!"

"I know Vic's secret stash of beer back at the Tower," she whispered, shuffling from him. His green eyes narrowed. "I'll share it if you hurry up."

It took two seconds for his mind to be made up. He grabbed his coat, yanked her arm and said: "Let's go! What are you waiting for?"

Chuckling she raced out with him and into Raven's soul self that carried them home.

AN: I'm not a huge fan of Wonder Woman; like at all. I think the heroes' women should like are the dark, creepy ones, or the ones who are weird and different, or the ones who wear more clothing than a corset. Just my opinion. (In fact, I'll take Harlequin over WW any day – even if she's in an abusive psychotic relationship with a murderer, she's more real to me than WW.)

But, that being said I've always liked the idea of Wonder Girl because of her backstory – not necessarily her personality. Her personality is very hard for me to write because I just didn't know how she'd be in this situation. I wanted this one-shot to be focused on Donna being the outsider, seeing everything for the first time, being new to the team, and noticing things the others already see but don't necessarily recognize. I also wanted it to be clear that she just wants to be liked – so she gets her foot stuck in her mouth and then has to repair it all; she doesn't know the team or what to say. She just knows what she's studied. And unfortunately there isn't anything in the cartoon to really go off of for how she interacts with the team members, so I took a lot of creative license here.

That being the case how was Donna? She will grow as this continues on. Right now, she's a young adult, getting her first taste of superhero work, and like Raven said – she's trying to prove herself to the team, to her mother and to her older sister. I hope I got the overbearing, head strong, maybe a little lax on the filter thing across. She'll be fun as we go forward, I promise.

For Donna and BB's backstory – I tweaked it. Donna in some incantations is a replica of Diana (Wonder Woman), in some she isn't. I made her the younger sister, living in her big sister's shadow, which unlike her sister was given special gifts, and doesn't need special armor to have them. But yet, big sister is still the favorite. I liked thinking of Donna with a chip on her shoulder; it makes her a bit edgy, with a deeper side to her than what we might see in the show or comics. (If you notice, her sisterly relationship is a foil to Star and Blackfire's relationship. Star was favored, and Blackfire was not. Donna's role is reversed with Diana. Cool huh?)

BB – his story is literally everywhere. I took stuff from the comics and tweaked it for modern times. I wanted to give him the abandoned edge that would make him understand Raven; they bond over that stuff in this series. And if you squint, I paid a few homages to his real roots. Tell me if you spot it.

Any guesses as to what Raven saw concerning Donna?

Drop me a line on how we're doing.

Peace