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Everyone: Thanks for reading and enjoy.

Can You Find Me?

Chapter 3

Vic looked at the paperwork and groaned. He actually didn't mind doing paperwork. He loved it, to be honest.

Although, he loved it when it was digital, not when it was old school actually paper-paperwork.

Yet that was what he was currently doing. The Die Hards, his crime organization that ruled the south side of Jump City, had kept all of their illegal activities off the record, both paper and digital.

According to Jess, they had a kid who had photographic memory. The kid would remember every single detail about the organization's transactions.

This worked perfectly for the organization since there was rarely any paper trail to use in a court case. However, this all went sideways when the kid was shot in the head during a bad transaction.

Now, he had to work with several members to figure out what was going on, who they owed, and most importantly, who owed them.

He sighed, wondering how the organization made it this far.

Knock. Knock.

"Come in," Vic said.

The door opened, and Jess walked in. Her purple pants suit matched her purple hair that she wore in a ponytail. "Do you need a break?" Jess asked, walking towards the wooden desk.

Vic dropped his pen and leaned back in his chair. "No, I don't need a break, but I desperately want one. Where are we going today, Ms. Frizzle?"

She chuckled at the reference. "To a warehouse on the decks. You in?"

"Sure." He stood up from the chair and stretched his back.

"You're not afraid to ride the magic van?"

He raised an eyebrow as he rounded the desk. She turned and headed toward the door before him. "Should I be?"

"No. I don't have any plans to kill you yet. But I wanted to warn you to be cautious. Not everyone wants you here." She opened the door for him and they stepped into the small hallway. It had two chairs and a coffee table tucked in the corner. There were only three doors. One that led to the stairs and another one, which was constantly guarded, held his office. Then there was the elevator door, where they waited.

"And that includes you?"

"You did kill my best friend."

"And you decided to work for me as my right hand." They stepped into the elevator, and Jess pushed the button to go down.

"My friendship with Angie was personal. Me being your general, that's business. Angie became bad for business, and I need business to be well. I have a family to feed."

He scoffed. "And you think this is the best way?"

"No, but it's the quickest, and I have the skills to do it."

"Those skills and money will go to the wind if you die or get caught."

"Maybe, maybe not. I'll worry about it when it happens."

"The dead don't worry." The elevator chimed and opened. They stepped out.

Jess chuckled. "Mr. Stone, in this line of work, the dead tend to come back to life." She opened the bullet doors that led to the elevator door.

"I will remember those words for your funeral." He crossed the door with her following behind her.

"Please, do. And speaking of the dead…" He glanced back at her. She nodded, causing him to look at the man sitting in the lobby chair flipping through a magazine.

"Who's that?" He scanned the man's profile and created a file in his system.

"That's Garfield Logan. He used to be the Mist's right-hand and ex-bed warmer."

"What happened?"

"The Big Bang and I heard that someone got in between them. An old flame can't beat a new one."

He nodded. "So why is he here?"

"That's a good question. Gar!"

The man with the green hair looked up at the sound of his name. A big smile was already in place. He tossed the magazine on the coffee table before standing up and walking to them.

Before Gar could get close enough, one of Vic's men stopped and frisked him.

"He's clear." Vic's men said, causing a twinkle to appear in Gar's eyes.

Vic was about to scan him for weapons when Jess spoke. "Hey, newbie. This guy is to be considered armed and dangerous at all times. He's an animal shifter." The man gulped, unsure about what to do next until Jess nodded her head for him to leave.

"Really, Jess? Are we handing out secrets now?" His eyes sparkled and he laughed.

"I have a duty to protect my men. "

"But not your boss." Gar's eyes shifted to Vic. "Not you, of course. But Angie. Bold move, by the way. Cutting off her head and bringing it to the meeting. "

It was, but it wasn't Vic's idea. He had taken a page out of Red Hood's playbook. Nevertheless, he said, "thanks"

"What are you doing here?" Jess said.

Gar answered her, but his attention remained on Vic. "I'm here to meet the new boss and extend my greeting as the new ambassador of the Fiends. The guys at the desk said that you were busy. I decided to wait. I hope you didn't mind."

"No, not this time," said Vic. "Next time, schedule an appointment. We can't have the opp waiting in the lobby of our main headquarters."

Gar chuckled. "The Fiends are a peaceful bunch as long as you aren't trying to do unnecessary business on our side of town."

Vic raised an eyebrow. "I thought an ambassador's job is to build relationships, not send out threats."

Gar grinned. "Sorry if it came out like that. Really, I am. I just want to make sure that you understand the Fiend doesn't allow drugs in our territory."

"Your boss already made it clear during the meeting that she wanted no part of my operations. Although I would like a chance to change her mind."

"She won't budge. Trust me, you would be wasting your time trying to convince her."

"Perhaps she would like one of my other business ventures instead? "

"Don't hold your breath. My boss likes to keep everything in house. It gives her more control. But if you like, I would love to hear more about them. And before you think that, I'm trying to belittle you and your status. The boss leaves all the meetings to her general, Frank, or me, now that I got this promotion. It's not personal. She doesn't like people. "

Vic glanced over at Jess, who looked at him and nodded. "Okay, let's set up an appointment and hopefully, we can work together in the future."

"Good, I'm sure Jess still has my number."

"I do if it hasn't changed. You have been gone for a long time."

His grin tightened. "It hasn't changed. Well, I'll leave now. And here before I forget." He reached into the pocket of his hoodie and pulled out an envelope and handed it to Jess. He said to Vic, "I don't know if you are a sports guy, but you look like one. Those are season tickets to all the sports teams in the city. Box seats. I hope you will enjoy them."

"'Thanks, but why are you giving them to me?" Vic asked.

"As you said, it is the ambassador's job to improve relations. And you look like a sports guy. Well, I'll be going. Until next time. And Jess. I like your hair." With that, he turned and walked out of the building.

"'Be careful of him." Said Jess. He has a way of making people relax and open up to him."

"Noted. Shall we continue our field trip?"

"Of course."

The smell of flowers overwhelmed Kory as she entered the nursery. It brought a smile to her face and calmed her spirit.

She didn't know what it was about earth's vegetation that relaxed her, but it did. Her only wish was that they could make all of her bad memories disappear. Unfortunately, they never would.

"Hi, Kory."

She turned left to see Mikey tilting his head from around the rosebush. She smiled and walked to the nursery worker.

"Hi, are these precious little babies still giving you trouble?"

He stood up, brushing the dirt off of his jumpsuit, and stared down at the bush in front of him. "I don't know what is making them sick. I don't want to pull them out and place them in the dungeon, but I might have to."

The dungeon was a greenhouse where the sick plants of the nursery went to.

"It's a shame. They looked so pretty," she said.

"Beauty is only skin deep." He pushed a branch back, revealing a white fungus growing on the branches. Clicking his tongue, he released the branch. "I don't know what–"

"Mikey, come here!" yelled another worker.

"I'll be right back."

"Take your time." Kory's attention went back to the flower. They reminded her of Red Hood.

Beautiful on the outside and wonderfully damaged on the inside.

She was disappointed when she heard that he had left town without seeing her. But she should have expected much, not after their last fight.

Her countenance fell some as she thought about how much they have drifted apart after her and Speedy left the Outlaws. They all needed a change to fill the void that the group had once had. Unfortunately, that change meant separating from one another. And for some members, becoming someone that the others didn't recognize.

She sighed, letting go of the past. Nothing good would come from thinking about it.

Giving the flowers one more look, she turned away from the bush that reminded her or someone else.

"Are you ready, newbie? We're going on a field trip today."

Dick looked up from his computer to Nikki. "Please, tell me you are serious."

Nikki grinned as she leaned against his desk. "Tired watching the HR videos."

"I'm about to die."

"Well, I'm here to save you."

"You're the best."

"Don't tell the others that, or I will have people around here fighting to be my partner."

"I won't. Can't have other people poaching my partner. I have a few more questions on this module. Do you mind waiting?"

"Nope, take your time."

"I'm definitely not going to do that. By the way, where are we going?"

"A tour around Jump City. Seeing the big four headquarters and their hottest operation points that we know of. You used to live in Jump before, right?"

"Yeah, for about three years. I moved back to Gotham about twelve years ago."

"Twelve years…." Dick's eyes moved from the monitor to his partner's face briefly. He could see her calculating the time in her head.

"Twelve years. You left at a good time. That was around the time the Titans stopped protecting Jump and the crime families emerged. But even now, Jump's crime scene is nothing compared to the scenes in Gotham's or Bludhaven's where you came from. Those places make Jump appear to be a gated-community in the rich part of the city. "

"Exactly why I chose Jump. I needed a break from the high level criminals."

"Our criminals are high level, too."

He gave her a look, causing her to add, "If they wanted to be."

"Sure. So you know, it's easier to sleep here as a cop than in Gotham."

"Oh, I believe that."

"I'm done." He stood from his desk and grabbed his badge and gun that was in his desk. "Let's go before someone from HR sends me another email with a training that I have to complete by today."

"Don't worry, partner. I won't let anyone hold you hostage for more than a day."

Gar entered his apartment and paused. He reached for the light switch, and light flooded the studio style apartment. Nothing was out of place. But the room felt different. Someone had already entered his place or was still here.

Shifting only his nose to that of a dog, he moved farther into the apartment and sniffed for a scent that didn't belong. He had taken two steps when the intruder emerged from the closed bathroom door.

"You're home. I hope you didn't mind me using your bathroom."

Gar shifted his nose back with a growl. "I do mind you entering my apartment without my permission."

"Sorry," Frank said, looking around the place.

His new apartment was far different from his old. He went from an apartment that had three bathrooms, two baths, and a game room to a studio. While the studio was still a luxury apartment, it was another reminder of how his life had changed for the worse.

"What do you want?" Gar kicked off his shoes and tossed his keys in the bowl that sat on the small table next to the door.

"I wanted to speak with you about Raven."

"I thought you told me she was no longer my concern." Gar moved to the refrigerator as Frank's eyes traveled along with him. He opened the door, pulled out a beer, and closed it. He stared at Frank.

"I did. I thought it was best that you two were no longer close and I still do."

"Then why are you here?" He leaned on his side against the refrigerator. "Nothing has changed but my job title. I have been listening to you and everyone else. I haven't approached her or tried to talk with her."

But he had tried to get glances at her when he could.

He couldn't say for sure if he missed his relationship with her or if the loneliness and isolation were getting to him. However, he knew he would give his life for her and he couldn't forget their years together. He missed his best friend.

"It hasn't gone unnoticed by me or by her."

There was a long pause between them, prompting Gar to ask again. "Why are you here? What do you want me to do?"

"I don't know. I don't want you around because of the effect you have on her. But I also want you around because of the effect you have on her."

"Frank, what are you saying?"

"Honestly, I don't know. I thought I could find the answer by coming here and speaking with you. But all I gained was more confusion after reading your thoughts. I need to go back and regroup. My apology for the intrusion." He was gone.

Gar tossed the beer can where Frank had stood. He slammed his head on the fridge and slid down it.

How did he mess up his life? His eyes fell on the silver stone bracelet. Terra.

The sound of laughter rang in the small, local church as the kids played in the basement. The basement served as a fellowship hall, recreation room, and the room for the Thursday night AA meeting.

Normally, Raven would be annoyed by the sound of rowdy children horsing around, but the children that attended St. Mark Baptist Church were her exception.

It brought her a sense of joy to see the young children enjoying themselves, in addition to the teenagers lingering somewhere safe and the adults were at ease. Looking at them, she felt accomplished. She just wished the money that she donated to the place was clean instead of money from shady deals and weapon trafficking.

"Raven."

She turned to one of the two reasons why she was here and gave to the church. Maria Sanchez, a black older woman in her early sixties, was the co-pastor of the church along with her husband Matteo Sanchez, who was her second reason.

When she first came to Jump as a teenager, they had been one of the few people that had shown her kindness. Through the church programs, she always had food to eat when she was hungry, clothes to wear, and a warm place to sleep during the winter.

As Raven got older and the couples started to gain more wrinkles, they remained true to their calling: helping the locals that lived in the rundown community. While the couple didn't make any noticeable changes in the community, they have touched many hearts and ease several people's burdens.

She knew because even without protection that she placed around the couple and church, they and the people that came here for help were safe from the violent climate of the neighborhood. No one touched them out of respect for all that they have done.

And if someone did, Raven would slit more than their throat.

"Yes, Mrs. Sanchez?" Raven placed the serving utensils that she had finished washing in the drying rack.

"Do you mind staying an hour or two after the kitchen ends? We have a delivery that is scheduled to come, but Matteo and I want to stop by the Martinz's house to offer words of comfort. You may have heard their boy just died."

She had heard. The boy who had been twenty-five had been a member of her gang. A runner that got caught up in a bad shipment deal. She hadn't visited the family, nor would she ever. Instead, she did what she always had done. She sent money for the funeral cost and extra money that should last for a year. Her men rarely died after the event that had occurred two years ago. But when they did, she took care of their family for a year. That's why many of her men weren't that hesitant about fighting for her.

"I'm sorry to hear that. And I don't mind. I will even help stock the shelves."

"Just accepting the delivery is enough. I heard it's a big one."

"I don't mind. I don't have anything else to do afterwards." Besides, it would only take her a couple of minutes using her powers.

"You need to get out more instead of staying at home and reading your books."

She gave Maria a small smile. "I'm here."

The older woman shook her head." You know what I mean. When you were dating Gar—" Raven stiffened. "Sorry, I didn't mean to bring that up."

Raven turned her head back toward the dirty dishes. "It's fine."

"I…" Maria sighed. "I don't want you to stay here by yourself too late. I only asked you to stay to accept the delivery, because the new volunteer said he would stay with you when Matteo asked. I don't want to take up too much of y'all time."

"It won't, and if the volunteer doesn't want to stay, I will lock up and stock the shelves myself. I will call Yran to pick me up afterwards."

Maria made a face. "Yran is a sweet, young man, but I doubt he could help you in a fight as skinny as he is."

"Don't judge a man by his muscles."

"I know, but I just want you to get home safely. I would prefer you and the newbie to leave at the same time instead of you being here alone stocking the shelves."

"I don't mind staying and helping her."

They turned to see, what Raven guessed was the new volunteer, and Mr. Sanchez walking into the kitchen area.

He was clean-cut. A total square. He could be the poster child for Uncle Sam's favorite nephew. He would've fit the description perfectly if he had blond hair instead of jet black.

Raven didn't like him.

"Are you sure? It could take a while," Mrs. Sanchez said.

"I don't mind. Besides, I'm off tomorrow."

"Well, if you don't mind…"

"It's not a problem. Two people are better than one."

Raven suppressed a groan, thinking about how long it would take now that he was helping.

"Don't worry Raven—" Mr. Sanchez started, but his wife cut him off.

"Oh, we never introduced you two. Raven, this is Richard. Richard, this is Raven."

"Nice to meet you," said Richard. "You can call me Dick."

"Dick?" Raven raised an eyebrow. "Is that a warning about your personality?"

He chuckled. "No, it's short for Richard. "

"You didn't want to go with Ric, Rich, or Ricky?"

"Ricky?" He lifted his eyebrow at the last one.

"It's better than Dick."

"Raven," Mr. Sanchez said in a warning tone that only a few people were able to use with her. "Be nice. After all, Dick here is the latest edition of Jump City's finest. "

A cop. She definitely didn't like him.

"We wouldn't leave you with just anyone," Mrs. Sanchez added.

That would have been fine with her, but for the couple's sake, she put on a smile. "Thanks for the help."

Dick smiled back with one that glowed. " No problem."

Three hours later, Raven found out that he wasn't a bad person. He hadn't taken the hint that she didn't want to talk or work with him.

He granted her unspoken request and kept his mouth shut, only opening to ask necessary questions. Unfortunately, he couldn't have kept it up until the end.

"Do you want me to take you home?"

"No," she locked the doors to the church and pocket the key.

"Are you sure?" He followed her down the steps to the sidewalk. "I don't mind. This isn't a safe neighborhood to walk in at night, and it doesn't appear that you have a car."

She sighed. Of course, she didn't have a car. She didn't need one. It only took her a couple of seconds to get where she was going, as long as she knew where she was going. And she would have been home by now, curled up with a good book if it wasn't for him.

"I'm a big girl. I can take care of myself. Besides, I don't want someone I just met to know where I live."

He raised an eyebrow. "You know I am a cop, right? I'm not going to hurt you."

"What? Does being a cop make you a good guy?" She knew that it didn't. There were plenty of cops on her payroll.

"Fair enough. Can I at least walk you to the bus stop if you're heading that way? I would feel better knowing that I won't have to tell the Sanchezes that I left you on the porch steps in the middle of the night."

She stopped and turned to face him. A concerned expression was on his face, but she felt as if she had been played. He knew she was going to say 'no,' as he knew how deeply she respected the Sanchezes. She knew that she was going to receive an ear full if they found out she didn't call for a ride home and ignored Dick's offer.

"Fine. You can walk me home, but I need to stop by the convenient store first to grab something."

He smiled. "Sure." She stared at him for a moment, annoyed. She reached into her pockets, pulled out two earbuds, and placed them in her ears. She turned and started walking; he followed along.

As they walked, she took in the familiar streets. Her eyes took in every little detail and movement out of habit. Only a few knew the true identity of The Mist, but she could never be too careful. It was always when you let your guard that things went —.

Her pace slowed down as she noticed fresh blood on the pavement. Dick must have noticed too, because he reached out and grabbed her shoulder. "Wait." He looked around the empty street with poor lighting. "Stay close. If something bad happens, run back to the church and lock the door."

She nodded, knowing that she wasn't going to follow his instructions. They moved, following the blood spots as they grew larger. Once they reached the mouth of the alley, he signaled for her to wait.

She nodded. He walked into the alley; she turned to go home. This didn't concern her. Or so she thought?

A familiar whimper entered her ears, causing her to turn around and enter the alley. On the ground was a familiar face with painful eyes.

"Haley!"