The Unknowing

Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans or anything dealing with DCU

Chapter Six: Hobb's Bar

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Third Point of View

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Jason was quickly learning that he would never get used to the coldness that creeps through his very soul every time Raven teleports them somewhere. It happens in an instant, the dark shadows engulf them in what feels like cold nothingness and then the next thing he knows, he's where he needs to be. But that barely mattered at this point. He looked around to make sure no one saw them in the alley.

"The coast is clear, I don't sense anyone near us at the moment," Raven's monotone voice said, sensing Jason's uneasiness. "We're three blocks away from the bar you suggested. Ready?"

He snorted. "Of course, I was ready to do this gig solo."

Raven crossed her arms in annoyance. He sure was mouthy when he wanted to be. "Did you forget that this isn't just about you? Dick and I both have people after us just like the Joker is after you."

"For the record, we don't know that they're after us. All we know is that they're up to something."

Raven sighed and rubbed her temples. "You're right, all the more reason why you're not doing this alone."

"I can handle myself just fine, it's working with people that usually slows me down, not to mention they tend to become a liability."

"I'm hardly a liability, Jason."

"Oh yeah? Then why was it always so easy for me to take you down when we went hand to hand combat in my Red X days?"

She glared, he smirked.

"Face it, Sunshine, without your powers you become a liability and right now you can't use any magic or news will get out that we're onto them. So stay close and don't piss anyone off, we'll get in and out before anyone notices a thing."

With that, Jason made his way to Hobb's and left the annoyed witch to follow suit. As much as he irritated the hell out of her, she had to admit he had a point. When it came to combat, he was better than her but that didn't mean she was helpless, far from it.

She couldn't help but feel the shift in his emotions as she fell in step with him. He felt… uneasy and on edge. That much was clear and it rolled off of him in hidden waves. Anxiety crept at the surface, filling her like a pool. She shuddered and pushed it back, out of her reach. The anxiety was not her own.

"You two fight like an old married couple," Dick voiced in their ears.

"Shut it, Grayson," Jason growled.

Raven couldn't help rolling her eyes as she heard Dick chuckle in her ear.

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Raven's POV

….

The bar itself wasn't huge, just big enough for a couple pool tables and a dartboard. It smelled of tobacco and cheap alcohol. The music radiating throughout the four walls was some bad rock band I hope to never hear again.

I didn't dress to draw too much attention to myself but I can't help but feel a few men's lingering gazes on me as I make my way to the bar. I step closer to Jason and ignore them. The urge to punch them was high. I have to remind myself that I can't make enemies with anyone here. Besides, it might be easier to get information out of them if they're not unconscious.

I take a seat at the bar as Jason leans his forearms on it and singles for the bartender.

"What'll it be?"

"Whiskey on the rocks," Jason replied without a second thought.

The bartender nodded and promptly turned his attention to me.

"Make that two."

He nodded again and hurried off to make the requested drinks as Jason's questioning look caught my attention.

"What?" That might have come out slightly harsher than I originally intended but I pay it no mind. He's annoyed me enough already tonight so I don't feel too bad. Not to mention the anxiety that started overtaking me earlier.

"Nothing, I'm just surprised."

"Yeah, and why's that? Because I ordered whiskey or because I'm an ex-Titan drinking at all?"

It was at this moment the bartender strolled back over with their drinks before disappearing again.

"Both I guess."

"Come on, I'm not that same teenager that struggled in combat against you. Which, by the way, wouldn't happen anymore."

"Is that so?" He teased.

"You heard it live, here and now." I couldn't help the sarcasm dripping from my lips.

He paused to briefly look me over, as if contemplating something before nodding. "Well, I'll drink to that." He raised his untouched drink, as did I. "Cheers."

I could barely hear the clink of our glasses over the loud rumble of music. As I bit back the harshness, I surveyed the scene. There were only a handful of women here with the rest being men. Everyone minding their own business, playing pool and a couple men trying to pick up what little women chose to be here.

"Alright, guys, I hacked the only camera in the bar and did a facial recognition sweep of the crowd. Most of them are low level criminals. Most likely won't know anything helpful. One person is drawing my attention. Three o'clock, black shoulder length hair with a black suit. Names Eric Forrester. S.T.A.R. labs used to test his meta-human powers. Apparently he can mentally control any computer or piece of technology. Looks like he worked for Deathstroke a couple times in the past too. If anyone there knows anything, it'll be him."

I sip my drink as I casually peer at the man. He was already eyeing me with a look I wanted to wipe off his face. Typical sleazy man. Always thinking about one thing. That'll be his downfall. With a flood of confidence, I finish the drink in one go and can't help but cringe at the aftertaste. Jason lifted a brow and was about to speak when I beat him to it.

"Time to show you I'm not a liability after all." I couldn't help the smirk as I walked towards Eric. I could feel his confusion but I brushed it off.

"Raven, be careful and stay alert."

I can feel Dick's worry for me through our bond so I send a wave of calmness in return to let him know I have this under control.

I put on my fakest smile as I sit on the bar stool next to Eric. His full attention is on me and I swear I could feel the hairs on the back of my neck rise. I don't like the way he's looking at me, like I'm some piece of meat.

"I couldn't help but notice you looking at me, Mr…?"

"Forrester, Eric Forrester. And who do I have the pleasure of speaking to?"

"You can call me Rachel."

"Nice to meet you, Rachel," he said as he reached for my hand, laying a kiss on it.

Mental reminder to burn my hand later? Check.

"Nice to meet you too, Eric," I say as I gently replace my hand on the bar and out of his reach.

He smirked and leaned in closer. "Sorry, I didn't mean to stare but what's a girl like you doing in a place like this?"

I tilted my head to the side, as if confused. "I don't understand what you mean."

"You're way too hot for a dump like this."

"But a place like this is where all the fun is, Mr. Forrester."

He stops to look me over as if it was the first time he's seeing me. "What about him? I saw you come in with him. Is that your boyfriend?" He motioned with a slight head tilt in the direction of Jason, who looked to be chatting with a man at the bar.

"Not unless you want him to be," I replied as sultry as I could.

It must have been enough because he suddenly paused but his emotions went wild. He was practically oozing attraction and desire. I swallowed it all back, not wanting to feel what he feels. Being an empath had its challenges. I do a good job holding other's emotions at bay but if their emotions are strong enough then I'll always feel it.

"That's good to hear. Call me selfish, but I like my women all to myself."

"Well if that's the case," I place my hand on his arm, "no, he's not my boyfriend and you have me all to yourself. So what do you say about ordering us a couple drinks? Something to help us unwind a little." I'm internally cursing myself but trust this is the fastest way to get any information out of him.

He responds immediately, waving at the bartender until he nodded. He must be drinking the same thing all night because the bartender didn't ask what he wanted when he came over with two new glasses and amber looking alcohol inside.

"There you go, enjoy."

"Here's to the luckiest night of my life with a hot piece of ass and I mean it. The things I'd do to you, baby."

He trailed off towards the end but his suggestive tone was enough to send shivers up and down my spine. His eyes never stopped eyeing me. He was foul but I figured that before walking his way. His hand suddenly made its way to my leg and was traveling further up my thigh until I let out a forced giggle and grabbed his hand. I can feel his anger as I stopped his hand's destination so I try to lighten the mood.

"Now I am all for a fun time but here you are buying me a drink and I don't know anything about you besides your name, Mr. Forrester."

He plastered on a large smirk, all traces of anger gone in a flash. "You can call me Eric, baby. There's not much to tell, I work a boring job and I come here to forget about it. Maybe you can help me with that." He scooted his stool closer to mine until we were only inches apart. He smelled of axe body spray and cigarettes. Two scents I'm not a fan of.

I chuckle and pick up my drink for the first time, he follows suit. "Cheers."

As I neared the glass to my lips, I whispered a spell too low to be heard by anyone. This creep didn't know it but he was about to be very honest with me for the next hour or so. This man truly made my job way too easy.

"You're fucking hot. Why haven't I seen you here before," he asked as he placed his glass back on the counter.

"I'm new to town and looking to make some easy money." I lean closer to him and lower my voice so only he can hear. "Back in San Francisco, I had a good thing going for a while, that is until the Titans figured us out. We barely escaped."

"We as in the guy you came in with?" He eyed where Jason was at the bar and frowned. "I thought he wasn't your boyfriend."

"He's not but we worked together under Johnny Rancid." I shrug and shake my head in fake disappointment. "But the idiot made a mistake and got caught. Thankfully my pal over there was able to make a diversion to get us the hell out of there before we were put behind bars too."

Eric snorted as he started trailing his hand up my leg again. I had half a mind to break it but reminded myself the mission was far more important than kicking the ass out of this pervert.

"Your first mistake was working for Rancid, that guy is an idiot through and through. He makes it too easy for himself to get caught with that motorcycle of his." He paused, as if thinking for a brief moment. "You should come work for me."

"Oh? And what is it you do exactly?"

"Honestly, I trick women into bed. I seduce them and steal their souls so I can keep part of my humanity." He pauses again, this time he looks thoroughly confused. "Why the fuck did I just say that?"

I chuckled as I finished the last of my glass and leaned close enough to whisper in his ear. "You're cute and funny. Is there somewhere less busy we can go to be alone?"

I pull back to see his blue eyes darken as he grabs my wrist and we head to the exit. I lock eyes with Jason, not needing words to convey what's next. Eric walks us to the alley next door. No one was around at this time of the night and the few that were looked too drunk to notice the two of us walking further into the dark alley.

I got to say something but before I can, Eric suddenly pushes me against the brick wall. My breath hitches when I feel a cold metal pressing along my jugular vein.

"You bitch, you did something to me didn't you?!" With his one hand holding my shoulder, he roughly slams me back, my head hitting the bricks hard enough for me to see stars. I can hear Dick in my ear but I do my best to ignore him for now. I need to focus.

"I've never told anyone that before but yet for some reason I told a slut I just met at the bar about my plans for you. And how the fuck did you manage that, Beautiful? Who the hell are you?"

I smirked at his abrupt behavior. Maybe he isn't a complete idiot, most people don't notice they're telling their life secrets with my spell. It must be his meta-human abilities.

A gun clicked in the shadows.

"Someone that just might shoot you here and now if you don't let her go."

Eric looked away for the slightest second and I act on instinct. First I stomp the heel of my boot on his foot and then I grab the arm holding the blade to my throat. I knee him in the groin before twisting the blade out of his hand. The sound of metal hitting pavement echoes against the walls. Before he knew it, I had him pushed against the same brick building, holding my knife to his throat.

"Thanks, but I got it handled, J," I say without breaking eye contact with Eric. "Oh, I wouldn't scream if I was you."

To emphasize my warning, I applied pressure to his neck. I could hear Jason taking a step closer, his gun laced in his hand.

"You fucking bitch, I'm going to kill you," Eric yells in my face but I don't let it phase me.

"And I believe you'd try and fail like everyone else. Now it's my turn for the questions and you have no choice but to answer honestly. Tell me everything you know about Joker, Deathstroke and Brother Blood. Are they working together? What are they after?"

I could see Eric struggle with himself, he didn't want to answer but the spell would force him to. Still, he struggled with all his might, sweat dripping down his face before finally caving in.

"All I heard is Joker and Blood are recruiting people. Tried to recruit me but I told them to fuck off, I'm not getting mixed in with the likes of them. I don't know what they're up to, I swear!"

"What kind of recruits," came Jason's deep voice.

"Anyone who'll join. They're fucking recruiting people off the streets, anyone desperate and stupid enough to join them. Apparently they're promising them tons of money but I don't buy a lick of it. The Joker never keeps his promises and he'll probably kill them all by the end of it," he spat.

"End of what," Jason asks behind clenched teeth. I can tell he's getting impatient and I don't blame him. The sooner I get away from this guy, the happier I'll be.

"I don't fucking know, asshole. Now let me fucking go before I find out who you two are and kill you for good." Eric turns back to me and gives me a look that makes me want to press the knife harder into his throat. "You know, after I suck your soul out real good, sweetie."

Before I have enough time to process a reaction, Eric is laying on the wet, alley ground. A bump forming where Jason hit him with the back of his gun.

"That looks like that's gonna hurt. Too bad you probably won't remember it was me who did it," Jason says but pauses to quickly assess me. "You good?"

I nod. "Yeah, I'm good. He definitely won't remember anything though."

I crouch down to Eric's level and press my hand to his temple. I'm taking away his memory of seeing us. Anything that'll link Jason and I to Hobb's bar. I stand back and look at Jason. He put his gun back in his holster but was giving me a questioning look. It seemed to be the new normal.

"I wiped all memory of us from him. He won't remember a thing, except for drinking too much."

"Nice trick. I could think of a couple people that would be useful on," he said as he stroked his chin. "So, let me guess, you used a spell to get this scumbag to tell you the truth?" I nod. "Risky move, Sunshine. You could've been seen by someone in there."

"It worked, didn't it," I reply with my usual monotone voice.

"That's enough for tonight, regroup in the cave."

I head out of the alley, tired and craving a shower. I felt dirty. Hot water would help me forget his sleazy hands touching my thigh. And my lavender, honey tea would help me to relax. The anxiety I felt earlier is gone, which I'm thankful for. I can barely feel Jason's emotions at all at the moment which is strange considering he seems to be an emotional person. Of course I can only tell because I'm an empath, I wouldn't have the slightest idea if I wasn't. But now he's a light simmer and it gnaws at my consciousness. Why am I having trouble sensing him all of a sudden? I look over my shoulder at him following along, debating if I should ask him or not. He appears as stoic as ever but something is off, it almost feels like he's holding something back. But what?

As I grab his arm, getting ready to teleport us back to the cave, I feel it all at once. A blinding madness that wanted to be released, clawing its way to the surface. The last thing I could feel was the coldness before my legs gave out.