"Wally?"
YJ-Kid Flash tried to sit up, but every muscle infbody groaned in pain. He fell back into his bed with a dull thud. His senses were a blur and they slowly came back online, one by one.
His hearing cleared up first, and he heard the telltale beep of an electrocardiograph.
"Wally?"
The next sense to return was smell, and his nostrils were greeted by the harsh sting of antiseptic, and he scrunched his nose. He then opened his eyes, hoping to visually confirm the voice's owner. His vision slowly came into focus. She was standing next to his bed, without her mask. He was drawn into her lovely face, a delicate mix of Asian and Caucasian features and her blond hair flowed loosely, no longer tied into a pony tail. She looked both worried and relieved at the same time.
"Are you sure he's OK, Raven?"
"He's fine Artemis; I was able to heal all of his burns." Raven replied before turning to the speedster. "Your costume saved your life Kid Flash. Your burns were pretty severe around your torso; don't be surprised if it's sensitive for a while."
Wally was finally able to sit up. He rubbed his head and groaned.
"What happened?" He asked. "I don't remember anything."
"You ran into a laser, doofus." Artemis replied. "I had to bring you back to the Tower. Were you trying to get yourself killed?"
"No." He replied indignantly.
Raven placed a hand on Artemis' shoulder.
"I'll leave the two of you alone. It's late and Gar is waiting for me in our room ... goodnight."
Raven silently left the infirmary.
"Did she say she's bunking with Beast Boy?" He asked with a mischievous grin.
Artemis glared at him.
"It's not what you think Wally."
"Then what is it?"
Artemis sighed.
"It's hard to explain. To be honest, I'm not sure I fully understand their arrangement. It's some weird alien ritual."
Wally chuckled.
"They do make an interesting couple … hey … did we win?"
The blond archer pulled up a chair and sat down next to his bed.
"Sort of. We were able to stop the shape shifters, but Deathstroke escaped."
"He always does. What about the Justice League?"
"The captured members were recovered." She paused. "The destruction, it's unbelievable Wally. But at least the siege is over now, and the rebuilding can begin."
"Looks like I missed a lot."
"You've been out cold for over two days."
A somber expression blanketed his face.
"Two days? Wow. Hey … how is everyone else?"
"Other than some bruises they're all OK."
"That's a relief … so what happens next?"
"We received orders to stay with the Titans until further notice." She paused, as her expression switched to anger.
"Wally … don't ever do that again."
He grinned.
"You mean run into a laser?"
She frowned at him.
"You were being cocky and reckless. Do you have any idea of how scared I felt when you went down? "
Tears began to well in her eyes. She turned away in a futile attempt to conceal her emotion outburst.
"I thought you were dead." She choked back a sob.
"I'm … I'm sorry Arte … you know I didn't do it on purpose."
Artemis stood up.
"Raven's right, it's late and I'm also tired. We should both get some rest Wally, you still look worn out."
"Sure … uh Artemis."
"Yes?"
"Thanks for saving me … and for caring … I know I don't show it, but … you are my best friend … and … I … I care about you too, a lot. You're … really special to me."
The blond archer was almost at the door when she heard his words. Without saying a word she walked backed to his bed, leaned over … and locked lips with him.
"Good night Wally, I'll come see you in the morning."
Artemis charged out of the room, blushing, without saying another word, Wally traced his lips with his index finger; still unable to believe what had just happened. A grin appeared on his face and he pumped his right arm repeatedly.
"Yes, yes, YES!"
-( scene break )-
Raven stepped out of the infirmary, her unnaturally light footsteps barely made a sound as she walked down the hallway. It was almost midnight and the Tower had switched to nighttime mode, the lights in the hallways were dimmed to half their normal brightness. She made a detour to the common room, which was unoccupied as everyone else had already called it a night and retired to their quarters.
She began to brew a small teapot of rose hip tea and assembled a small tray to take it back to her room. After rummaging through the pantry she found a bag of tortilla chips for Beast Boy, and retrieved a can of root beer for him as well. She then wandered over to the large windows and gazed at the city's nighttime skyline while she waited for the electric kettle to boil.
The citizenry had returned to the city and she could still see a substantial amount of traffic on the large suspension bridge that spanned the bay. It was lit up like a Christmas tree, its thousands of lights twinkling like stars in the darkness while vehicles of all sizes scurried across it in both directions.
Normalcy had returned quickly to the city and the events of just two days prior were all but forgotten. Jump City had been lucky and was spared the ravages of Slade's shape shifting warriors. Of course the populace had no idea of just how close they were to disaster.
Raven knew of course, just as she knew how close she personally came to her own catastrophe. She closed her eyes and the image of Beast Boy, in the form of a falcon, unconscious and falling into the lava pit appeared in her mind. Had she been but a few seconds late he would have fallen to a fiery death.
She understood why he did it. It wasn't because it was Terra's life that hung from a thread. He would have done it for anyone. He was that selfless, and she knew that was one of the reasons she loved him. Even though they were not even one month into the Courtship she had already made up her mind, she would propose to him when the year was over.
The kettle whistled and Raven walked back to the kitchen where she poured the boiling water into the teapot. She collected the tray and walked back to their room.
Would he accept her offer? She wondered as she made her way down the dark hallways. On the surface there was little doubt, but there was a caveat, a situation that frightened her.
Tomorrow morning, using the two rings of Azar, she was going to revive Terra. A surgeon was scheduled to be present to remove the two remaining implants, which were delicately embedded into Terra's spine. They had to be removed immediately to keep Slade from possibly regaining control of the blond earth bender.
Raven was feeling ambivalent about reviving Terra at this point in time. She even considered asking Robin to defer Terra's revival until after she and Beast Boy were wed. She knew that the request was absurd. It would be an insult to Beast Boy, implying that she expected him to dump her and run off with the wretched blond.
Raven's insecurities began to run rampant in her mind. She had hated Terra from the day they met, even before the blond betrayed the Titans, and Raven knew why.
Terra was "normal". She didn't have gray skin or violet hair. She didn't have an inner demon to fight and struggle with constantly to keep under control. She was bubbly, cute and even likeable when she wasn't being treacherous. She was also affectionate. Raven recalled how Terra had Beast Boy wrapped around her finger during those early days. Raven struggled to give Beast Boy affection, it was so hard. It's not that she didn't want to shower him with loving gestures, but it was a monumental struggle to juggle her emotions to do so. One mistake and everything would come crashing down.
How can I possibly compete with her?
Raven suddenly found herself standing at her door. Gathering herself together she opened the door and entered. Beast Boy was resting on the bed, just wearing his boxers while he read a graphic novel. He put his book down and gave her one of his smiles, one of those smiles that always made her feel warm and safe inside her tumultuous mind.
"I brought you some chips and root beer." She announced in her monotone.
He jumped out of the bed and took the tray from her, setting it down on the night stand. He then spun around and with a swift but gentle motion he swept her of her feet, picking her up bridal style and kissed her.
Raven decided that maybe she worried too much sometimes.
-( scene break )-
The breakfast dishes were being rinsed and loaded into the dishwasher, courtesy of Starfire and Superboy, while the others were busy wiping down the table and countertops, throwing the refuse down the garbage chute, vacuuming the floor and whatever else needed to be done. Cyborg and M'Gann had taken off for the safe room, from where they would move Terra's petrified body to the infirmary.
Raven stared at the elevator doors while she also helped to clean up. As she stored a pile of dishes, using her obsidian energy, in a cupboard she heard the elevator chime.
It was time.
TT-Robin emerged from the elevator with a middle aged man who wore eye glasses.
"Everyone, this is Dr. Staveley."
The crowd paused from their tasks to greet the physician.
Robin nodded at Raven, who handed her spray bottle and cleaning cloth to her mate, after which she silently followed them out of the common room.
They entered the infirmary, where Terra's petrified body was lying in state, still in the supine position she was in when she handed over her ring to Raven. The dark sorceress studied the geomancer's form while the surgeon prepared himself. She then slipped the master ring onto her own finger, next to Promise ring she continued to wear, and the ring magically changed size to fit her as her hands were much smaller and daintier than Slade's massive appendages.
The doctor emerged dressed in scrubs, along with Cyborg who would serve as his assistant.
"We're ready Raven." The tin man informed her.
The gray demoness slipped the slave ring onto Terra's stony hand and she slowly began to transform, as if thawing from a deep freeze. Once the transformation was complete she jerked violently as she drew a deep breath and coughed. She saw that Raven was leaning over her.
"We were successful Terra. We stopped Slade and recovered the master ring."
It was obvious to all present that Terra was in pain from her wounds and the remaining neurological implants.
"Where is he?" She asked.
"He escaped." Raven replied. "But we'll talk later. We have a surgeon who is ready to remove the implants from your spine. Time is of the essence as we don't want to give Slade a chance to control you again. Cyborg setup a Faraday cage around the operating table." Raven continued as she helped Terra get on her feet. "So once you're there you should be safe from Slade, the radio signals that control your implants can't get past the cage, at least that's what Cyborg and Starfire say."
Terra nodded and allowed Raven to help her walk into the strange looking metal cage.
"Is BB OK?" Terra asked.
"He's fine Terra. After you've recovered from the surgery I'll remove the curse so you won't have to wear the ring anymore. Good luck."
Raven then turned and walked out of the infirmary. As she made her way down the hall she sensed a presence behind her and turned around.
It was M'Gann.
"Raven, would you mind if we spoke?"
Raven read the alien's face. It was exactly the same expression Starfire wore when she would request that Raven "engage with her in the girl talk". She could also sense that the Martian was nervous, and a bit embarrassed.
Why does everyone come to me with their personal problems? She moaned in her mind.
"What do you wish to speak about, M'Gann?"
The Martian fidgeted with her fingers.
"Could we … uh … talk in private?"
Raven resisted the urge to roll her eyes. Instead she swept her cape, which magically grew, around them and she teleported them to the Tower's rooftop. M'Gann shivered as the black hemisphere faded away, leaving them on top of Titans Tower as a strong ocean breeze blew, billowing their capes.
Raven gave the Martian a slightly miffed look that said "what?"
"I'm sorry to bother you Raven; but you seem to be the most mature person here and no one knows more about boys than you do."
Raven did a double take upon hearing those last words.
"I hate to disappoint you M'Gann, but I'm not an expert on boys."
M'Gann gave her a puzzled look.
"But Starfire told me that you and Beast Boy are mates."
Raven sighed.
"OK, maybe I'm an expert when it comes to Beast Boy. But I'm not an expert on boys in general … but I'll do what I can to help you." She paused. "Let me guess, you're having problems with Superboy?"
M'Gann nodded sadly.
"I don't understand him Raven. Sometimes he can be so sweet, and at other times he's aloof and distant. Is it something I do? Is it because I'm green?"
Raven's eyes widened upon hearing those words.
"No M'Gann, its nothing you've done. I wish I was one tenth as nice as you are, and as for you being green … my lover and future spouse is green. It's not you M'Gann … it's him."
A look of sadness flooded the Martian's face.
"So there is no hope?"
As Raven gazed upon the green girl who was beginning to cry she couldn't help but notice the numerous parallels between the couple that was M'Gann and Connor and her own relationship with Beast Boy. She, like the Kryptonian, had struggled with who she was and the torrent of emotions they each fought to control and harmonize. Then there was M'Gann and Beast Boy, it was almost comical that they were both green as they shared so much in common. They were both shape shifters of course, but Raven also knew that they were gentle souls, loving and caring, and they were more than most people deserved.
Over the years Raven had heard the wisecracks about how she and Beast Boy were "an old married couple" based on the relationship they had. M'Gann and Connor weren't quite there yet, she reasoned, but the parallels were numerous.
"M'Gann, the only advice I can give you is to be patient and not give up on him. As you know I am an empath and I can sense that Superboy has a great deal of affection for you, so there is definitely hope, lots of hope in fact."
Raven paused as she crossed her arms.
"In many ways Superboy is a lot like me. We both struggle with our emotions. Over the years Gar has helped me to become comfortable with who I am, which is why I asked him to join me in the Courtship Rite and be my mate."
She paused.
"Of course you are both younger than we are …"
"Actually Raven, I'm about 50 Earth years old."
"… ok then, figuratively speaking you're younger. What I'm saying is give him time to mature."
"Like you did with Beast Boy? Starfire told me that he used to be a prankster when he was younger. Did he really glue your hands to a GameStation controller?"
"Used to be? He still is a goofball … but he's my goofball. And yes, he did pull that stupid prank on me."
M'Gann began to laugh.
"And you gave him a wedgie."
Raven grinned.
"I gave him the mother of all wedgies." He snickered. "He was so starved for attention back then that I think he actually enjoyed it."
M'Gann blushed.
"Thank you Raven … for sharing with me. So, should I give Connor a wedgie when he's being … moody?"
"Thaaaat might not be a good idea."Raven chortled in reply as she reached for her communicator and flipped it open.
"Gar, are you there?"
"I'm here babe, wassup?"
"Ask Superboy to join us for lunch. Tell him that M'Gann will be joining us for lunch."
"What if he doesn't want to come?"
"Tell him about that wedgie I gave you once."
-( scene break )-
The story continues to unwind, but as some of you have already asked: "Will the YJs get to go home?"
Stay tuned.
Oh and it's my birthday this Sunday (tomorrow), between that and Memorial day on Monday I will be busy, so no back to back updates this weekend.
And thanks for all your reviews. This story is my most reviewed story to date. I'm really flattered. Thank you!
And now for the much neglected mailbag!
She-Pirates kick-BUTT - "OMZ! THIS WAS AWESOME! I feel like such a jerk face. I forgot to put this on story-alert last time. So, I shall not threaten you with koolaid anymore.
Anyways, this was ABSOLUTELY AMAZING! I Loved that final battle scene, really descriptive. I guess this the end of my review.
Hasta La Vista! (that's right, i speak spanish) "
Me alegro que hayan tantos lectores que hablan castellano! Segun las estadisticas del website tengo lectores de Mexico, Chile, Argentina, Espana, Puerto Ric, Venezuela y Colombia!
kitty723 - "yes, its not over yet,the battle is still on!cool, cant wait to hear moe from u :)"
The battle with Slade is over, his shape shifters are under control. But there is still unfinished business.
(anon) - "Good few chapters. As normal. I've been getting to them a few days after release."
Better late than never, I say!
Hairul The Nightrage Beast - "Well Slade can't run forever can he? just wait til he get his just desserts, revenge is best served cold."
You know Slade, he'll vanish while he prepares his next move.
Ansa88 - "BEAST BOY YOU STUPID STUPID IDIOT JUST LET HER ROT. wow that's harsh...but seriously. jeeeeeez...life would be WAY too complicated if terra came back...slade i hate you."
And a Terra hater too. Wait until you see what I have in store for her!
Gingerstorm101 - "I miss it when you do the mail bag... *tear tear*
*takes terras stone figure and takes it to the top of the CN Tower and drops it; then takes the ring slade has stomps on it then throuws it into the lava*"
I've been to Toronto a few times (on business) but I never got to the CN Tower.
a random reader - "Is Terra going to have a second final stand? I haven't left yet! Update soon!"
A little spoiler (a vague one): Terra is going to fall on her sword for BB and Raven's sake.
nequam-tenshi - "The worst betrayal for Raven."
Terra will always be a dark cloud that will hang over their relationship. Raven won in the end, but the cloud is there.
The Cretin - "The action was awesome and the fight scene superb. I eagerly await the next installment. Keep rockin"
Thanks!
titanfan45 - "Slade is indeed the master of having one or more backup plans. Great job on Beast Boy, Raven, and Slade battling it out."
Now everyone knows why it had to be Raven and BB who went after him.
LordGodsServant - "Good chapter as usual. Slade met his match there, but he always has a contingency plan just like Batman.
They might be able to track him through the Teleporter. They need to rescue the captured heroes.
I love how you didn't make Slade the stupid type of villain who is always sure their plans will work.
Good Day and God Bless :)"
Now you wouldn't expect Slade to forget to cover his tracks, do you?
almostinsane - "Great chapter! Hmm... So, what will Slade do for revenge? Thanks for writing this. God bless!"
What he always does, prepare another plot to take over the world! (Cue in theme song from 'Pinky and the Brain')
Hinn-Raven - "Love the fight between Batgirl and Slade, and I really enjoyed Slade's attempt at getting away. And then he succeeded. So close, so close. Poor Beast Boy. Can't really blame him though.
Nice job, as usual!"
BB is a hero at heart. He would have done it for anyone. I can only imagine the chewing Raven gave him later.
Linzerj - "...Oh, Slade, one of these days you WILL get what you deserve...
This was awesome, by the way. I loved it, and I look forward to more!"
Thanks, a few more chapters and we will be done!
Riqis Inna Sunja - "That was great! i cant wait for the next chapter! good luck and please update soon!"
Thanks!
KaliAnn - "I was wondering where Batgirl was. I think she did great for her first time against Slade. Slade's so evil, but he's overconfident at times. Your description of battling the Beast was amazingly detailed and fun. They got the ring and he might of escaped, but the important thing is everyone is alive and his plan squashed. So they should all be thankful for that."
Actually, another reader pointed out that I completely forgot about Babs, so I slipped her in to ambush Slade.
JakeFL - "Duh! Of course we're not done! We still gotta make sure the rest of the League's okay, clean up the country, and, oh yeah, get the Young Justice team back home!"
So much left!
Master Doc - "yes when you mentioned the experiment from Slade's navy days my love for Deathstroke showed itself as butterflies in my stomach. Yessir Deathstroke is now my favorite villain"
Slade's origin was never covered in the show; I guess it would have been a distraction.
Reina Grayson - "if I were Raven, I'd so go psycho on Slade like she did when she was turning into the portal."
She had to take care of Babs. The Beast did the job though. The thing about Slade, he always has something up his sleeve.