Little One, Little Danger
(The Revision)
Chapter 22:
Broken Bonds
Robin lied in the king-sized bed of the suite's room half asleep as he stared at the ceiling. He thought about Kida and the mixed feelings that came with the woman. There was something about her that seemed ominous and yet familiar.
"I've always wanted to bring you here."
Something about the way she said that…like she had been waiting for him prior to their first meeting. Did she know who he really was? Not to mention using her special VIP room at the karaoke bar just for him? The older couple also said she usually goes alone but she seemed like an outgoing person that would have several friends to hang out with. Right? Robin could feel his eyes starting to grow heavy and before he knew it, he drifted off to sleep
Sunflowers, that were three feet tall, filled a field that Richard stood in the middle of. Above him lay a cloudless blue sky with the sun shining brightly as a refreshing breeze swept over him. He lifted his head to take it all in, enjoying pass gently upon his maskless face. "Daddy!" He lowered his gaze to look ahead of him, a voice echoing in the distance, "Daddy!" Was it Raiden? He squinted to see a figure wave from afar, "Daddy!"
"Raiden?!" His response caused the figure to jump up and down with excitement.
"Wait there! I'm coming!" Richard simply nodded with a smile as he waved. The girl broke out into a run through the field of flowers in his direction. He could feel the excitement growing inside of him almost like he hadn't seen her in years. He didn't take his eyes off her as she got closer, a huge smile on her face in an adorable sundress that matched the surrounding flowers that she was only a few inches taller than. "I'm coming daddy, I'm coming!" She giggled.
"I'm not going anywhere kiddo." He smiled.
"Neither am I." The familiar voice of a third person took him by surprise and he turned to his right to lock eyes with a beautiful milk-skinned woman who was smiling ever so sweetly at him. He could feel that his smile had instantly been replaced by a slightly agape mouth and widened eyes. "What's wrong Richard? You look like you've just seen a ghost."
Richard quickly shook himself of shock, "No I…sorry I just uh…"
"Surprised to see me?"
He smiled softly as he dropped his gaze, "No I'm just…" Lifting his gaze, he grabbed one of her hands, "…happy."
Rachel's eyes softened by his touch and his words as she gently squeezed his hand, "Me too." They turned to focus on Raiden who was still headed their way, "You're almost there sweetie!"
"I'm…I'm comin—uhf…" The little girl tripped over her feet and fell beneath the sunflowers out of sight.
Richard and Rachel's faces fell as they heard a piercing wail come from where the girl fell. "Raiden?!" They released their hold on their hands before running to make sure that she was alright. Dark clouds started to ease through the blueness of the sky. "We're coming!" They yelled in unison. As they got closer to Raiden's location, her cries begun to fade. Once they approached the specified area, Robin could see that she was lying face down.
"Raiden?" He could hear the concern within his own voice. Something wasn't right…he knew that because if all was well he and Rachel wouldn't have reacted the way they did. He knelt down and brushed the back of the girl's head but she didn't flinch, "Raiden?" He grew anxious with more worry as he turned around, "Rachel?" She wasn't there. The blue sky was replaced with a dark gray one now overcome with matching clouds. Richard turned his attention back to the little girl on the ground, "Raiden, can you hear me?" He gently turned her over but what he saw was not the face of his daughter.
The individual's eyes fluttered open, "Robin?"
"Starfire." His blue eyes met her emerald ones.
She smiled, "Yes, it is me."
He stood and took a step back, "Starfire where's Raiden?"
"Raiden?" The girl stood with a confused look on her face.
"My daughter. Where's my daughter?"
Starfire shook her head, "Robin, you do not have any offspring." She approached him and he noticed that she was slightly towering over him. He raised his hands to his face and his fingers brushed against his mask that he could've sworn wasn't there before. He suddenly felt the girl caress his cheek, "But you will always have me."
Now as Robin, he turned his head away from her letting her hand fall from him, "No, Starfire."
"No?" She raised a brow confused.
"I can't do this Star…this idea of US has to end. It's not real."
"Of course it's real." Starfire took his hands into hers.
"No Star, it's not. I just want to find my daughter."
She grinned, "I do not have any knowledge of who you speak of, but if you wish to have offspring…" She leaned into him to whisper in his ear, "…I would gladly give them to you."
Robin grabbed ahold of her wrists and pulled her away from him, "This isn't a game Starfire, where is Raiden?"
"Why?" Her grin was replaced by a scowl, "She doesn't love you…I do! Not her or Raven but me!"
He released her with a little push and sighed, "How did I let this happen?"
Starfire massaged her wrists, tears welling up in the corner of her eyes. Robin had turned his back to her as he rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. "Robin." He remained silent, unfazed by her call to him. "Robin, I love you and I KNOW you love me in return." Tears begun to run down both her cheeks as she sobbed.
He could feel his heart ached, "Starfire…*sigh*…I do, but not in the way you want. The reality of it all is that I'm in love with Rachel."
"No…NO!"
"I'm sorry." Robin turned to face her.
"What must I do Robin? T-Tell me what it is I have to do for you to love me?!"
"Starfire it's not that simp—" The girl suddenly cut through the center of her uniform top and pulled the fabric pieces back exposing herself. "What are you doing?!"
"Giving you something you cannot resist."
Robin quickly averted his eyes elsewhere, stunned that the girl would go this far, "I don't know what kind of guy you think I am, but I'll prove you wrong." He turned and walked away.
Starfire completely removed her top as she watched him walk, "You cannot walk away from this Robin."
"I believe that's just what I'm doing."
"Oh really?" He suddenly felt himself wrapped in the girl's arms from behind.
Robin tried to get out of her grasp, "Starfire release me, this is ridiculous." It slipped his mind that she had superhuman strength.
"Robin please just…" Her voice was soft and on the verge of tears again.
He sighed and stopped his struggling, "Star—"
"Just listen…to the beating of my heart."
"I—"
"Just close your eyes and listen." Robin relaxed and sighed as he complied with her request. He felt her loosen her grip on him, her hands resting on his chest. The sound of his own heartbeat filled his ears and soon after he picked up on hers. He could feel it thumping upon his back as it echoed through them. "Can you hear it?" He simply nodded in response like he was in a trance. Starfire slowly moved her hands down to grab his again, "Can you feel the vibrating beat through my breasts?" Robin almost forgot she was topless, resting her chest against his back without a care. But she was right…once he focused on it…that vibration was coming through but he kept his answer to himself. Starfire then moved one of his hands to the side and slowly lifted it where it slid along her bare skin. "Is this something Raven can offer you?"
He knew what she was trying to do, "No."
Starfire smiled, "So you understand now, why you should love me?"
Robin halted his hand before it made it too far up, to her surprise, "I do understand, but not why I should be in love with you."
"W-What?"
"Rachel would never offer just sex Starfire." He got out of her grasp and turned to face her, locking in a gaze, "We'd make love."
There was a look of sudden shock in her face that was quickly replaced by fury. In an instant, Starfire tackled him to the ground, "You WILL love me!"
Yet again, he struggled to get away from her, "Starfire get ahold of yourself!" Just as the words left his mouth he felt her lips on his. To his unfortunate surprise, he gave in to the kiss and it nearly made him regret rejecting the girl's invitation. After several moments, her lips lifted and he slowly allowed his eyes to open.
"Are you okay?"
"Damn. Those lips are lethal." He thought aloud.
Someone snickered, "Are they?"
That voice…it didn't belong to Starfire. Robin focused and made out another newly familiar face, "Kida?"
"Hey Richard." She smiled.
Was he back to Richard now? He didn't feel the mask on his face…but that was beyond the point. "W-Where uh…what happened to Starfire?"
She raised a brow confused, "Is that some new cocktail?"
"No it's…" He shook his head; he didn't have time for this. He got to his feet, "Never mind, I have to find my daughter."
"Wait…you have a kid?"
"Yeah. Kind of."
Kida followed behind him, "That's nice but uh, can I ask a favor of you?"
"A favor?" Richard raised a brow.
Kida ran around him and cut of his path, "Spend the night with me?"
"W-What?!" He fell backwards in shock.
The woman crouched down in front of him, "I'll explain in full detail later but for now…" She grabbed the belt of his jeans, "…let me help you take these off."
"Are you crazy?!" He scrambled backwards in a panic away from her.
Kida continued to tug at his jeans with a maniacal laugh, "This will make Bruce so jealous."
"Who the hell is Bruce?!" Richard kicked around trying to get her to release him. "Why is this happening to me?! Why these girls?!"
Robin awoke in a cold sweat, his breathing rapid as he looked out into the darkness of the room. After several moments he calmed down and slowly laid back down on his pillow. A dream. It was just a dream. He reached out to grab his phone that was charging on the nightstand to check the time; four in the morning. He placed it facedown and sighed as he wondered about the wellbeing of his teammates.
{ }
[Titans' Tower]
Both girls hit the roof with a thud, laid out on their backs for a while before they struggled to get to their feet. Raven's shirt was torn to shreds along with Starfire's skirt and leggings. The two bent over trying to catch their breath as they eyed one another. "Starfire…*pant*…"
"…*pant*…Raven…"
Raven straightened up and clenched her fist, "Stop this foolishness."
"You…stop." Starfire straightened up as well.
"Starfire this has to end."
"Oh it will…" The alien princess' words were cold and she charged at Raven. She drew back her fist and as she threw her punch, the dark-natured girl caught it with her left hand. Raven could feel the pain in her palm that traveled all the way up her arm. Starfire grew agitated and attempted to attack with the other hand which was caught as well. She struggled to get out of Raven's hold, "Let go!"
"Not a chance." Raven had thrust up her knee to sink it into Starfire's abdomen, but the girl countered it with her own knee. Raven tried the other knee but the result was the same with Starfire blocking. A sudden aura of energy engulfed the two like an electric wave and it circled them. "Give it up."
"No, you." Star gritted through her teeth. They rose into the air slowly, their hands and knees turning red and almost bleeding from the impacts.
"I'm warning you Starfire, back down."
"COWARD…"
"Mom? Auntie Star?"
Someone's voice caught their attention and they focused on the roof's entrance to the tower to see Raiden standing as she held herself. There was a look of shock on her face. Losing their focus on one another, they fell out of the air and hit the roof with another thud. Raven quickly looked at the girl embarrassed, "Raiden?" The girl ran back inside causing Raven to quickly get to her feet, "Raiden?!" She went after her.
Starfire slowly and wobblily got to her feet as she looked at the door across where the other two girls exited through. She turned to look out towards the sea, eyes beginning to well up with tears. She wasn't going to let him go…she couldn't. Starfire lifted herself off the ground and flew over the edge of the roof of the tower.
~o~
"Raiden!" Raven followed the girl through the tower until she disappeared into the guest room.
"Just leave me alone!"
Raven tried to enter the room but the door remained shut. She tried to phase through but couldn't, "Raiden, why can't I get in?"
"I figured out how to lock the automatic door and I set up a barrier that blocks your powers!"
How did she do that? Raven would have to figure that out later; she banged on the door, "Raiden please let me in!"
"I don't want to talk to you! Or anyone for that matter so just…leave me alone!" The girl's voice sounded like it was on the verge of crying.
Raven sighed as she rested her head on the girl's door, "Raiden, please…I can explain what you saw."
"No need."
"But—"
"Raven!" Cyborg called from the living room.
She gave the girl's door one more look before she headed to the living room. Cyborg was seated on the couch watching the news channel. She approached from the back of the couch, "What's going on?"
"Check it out." He raised the volume on the TV.
"Yes Sally, these things have been popping up in several parts of the world." The male reporter spoke.
"Do you have any idea of what they are Dan?" His colleague asked as the camera panned across abandoned areas of several cities and outskirts. Within them devices about the size of basketballs were rooted into the ground and glowed a goldish tint. Sprouting out of them were matching vein-like growths that expanded about ten feet in diameter of the device.
"What is that?" Raven took a seat next to Cyborg.
"Well I'm not sure Sally, but I have Dr. Hayes here with me from Starlit University who can probably shed some light on the situation." Dan held the mic to the older man's mouth.
The doctor adjusted the specs on his face and cleared his throat, "Yes well, I can't necessarily explain the exact mechanics that is going on with this device. What I can tell you is that they're emitting a kind of energy that I have never seen before. Down at the lab we believe that it can be dangerous and harmful so please, we advise everyone to keep their distance and have requested that the authorities take measures to barricade them."
"Thank you for your incite doctor." Dan nodded.
Sally spoke again, "Dan, I believe you also have with you the individual who found the device there."
"Oh yes." Dan turned to a young man, "I have here with me Jak Lucas." The guy put on a big smile and waved, "Tell us how you came across it Jak."
"Well, you see, what had happened was…I was drivin' out late at night while comin' back from this awesome party. I'm talkin' 'bout AWESOME Dan."
Dan winked, "I'm sure it was Jak."
"Anyway, I was takin' a short-cut home right, from around that corner by the Q-mart. Are you followin' me Dan?"
"I believe so."
"So, all out of the blue somethin' starts flashin' in my passenger-side mirror and I'm like, I know that's not five-oh, I ain't did nothin' wrong. So, I slowed down and noticed that there weren't no police but this glowin' ball thing. So, I'm like daaaamn, what's that? Pulled over, got out my ride and walked by it. I noticed the little lines comin' from the bottom and so I stepped on one."
"And then what happened?"
"You want to know what happened? Burned the bottom of my new kicks man! Pissed me off you know what I'm sayin'! So, after that I contacted national geographic and—"
Dan looked at him dumb founded, "We don't have a national geographic out here."
Jak hunched his shoulders, "Well you know, whoever those nerds are. CSI, somebody, but best believe I'm goin' get my credit Danny boy."
"It's Dan actually."
The camera went back to Sally, "Well thank you Dan and Mr. Jak for that wonderful insight of the story. We will keep you all updated on the condition these devices are in and the action that will be taken to keep them secure. Next coming up, Gotham's rich bachelor Bruce Wayne's surprise engagement, yay!."
Cyborg turned off the TV and turned to Raven, "Thoughts on what those things can be?"
"Or who might be responsible for them." She thought aloud.
"Yeah but—" He then noticed how battered and bruised she was, "What the hell happened to you?"
Raven turned to him a bit confused until she realized what he meant. She probably looked the way she felt, "I'll go and clean up." Raven stood to leave the room.
Cyborg quickly got to his feet, "Raven?" The sudden sound of the titans' jet in the underground hangar caught their attention. They exchanged a look of confusion before running off towards the direction of the basement. "Is someone hijacking the jet?"
"I don't know." Was it Starfire? The two got to the hangar just in time to feel the thrusting air pressure from the vehicle that was hovering several feet above the ground already. Neither Cyborg nor Raven could get any closer as they shielded their eyes from any flying debris. However, they did make out Starfire through the front shield seated in the cockpit piloting the jet.
"Star?! What are you doing?!" Cyborg yelled over the noise but could barely be heard.
The hangar's door opened as Starfire maneuvered the jet around to face it. Once fully opened, she accelerated forward and almost in an instant the jet flew through and was gone. Raven and Cyborg stood there, the young man confused by the suddenness of it all, as the sound of the jet begun to fade away. He massaged his temples, "Where is she off to?" Raven sighed, not giving him a response and turned to head back inside. "Raven?"
She stopped, "Going to clean up."
"Something happened between you two?"
Her heart ached, "What makes you think that?"
"Well for starters, you look like you've been put through a blender and I detected some injuries on Star too. Not to mention she just took off without saying anything to either one of us."
Raven sighed, "It's nothing." She resumed her trek back towards the door.
Cyborg caught up to her and grabbed her wrist, turning her around to face him, "It's not nothing Raven, talk to me."
"Why? It doesn't matter and it won't change anything."
"Would you just—ugh…just tell me what happened will you!"
"We got into a fight okay!" Her sudden outburst took him by surprise, or maybe it was what she said. She sighed and turned away from him holding herself, "And I'm not talking about an argument, we…literally fought."
Cyborg shook his head, "Why? What in the world could make the two of you—?" He knew.
"Like I said…it doesn't matter. I'm going to go clean myself up and then we can head to the control room to investigate the devices that was discussed on the news."
"Raven—"
"Victor…just drop it…at least for now." He watched the young woman walk away from him and exit the hangar. What the hell was going on with his teammates? Cyborg shook his head and sighed only to wonder when Robin would return.
{ }
[Titans' East Tower]
Aqualad sat in the living room, head resting in the palms of his hands. There was so many thoughts going through his head that he couldn't focus. When did his life become so complicated? It wasn't like he thought his teenage years would be a breeze but he didn't expect to feel like this anytime soon. How was he supposed to cope or deal with the situation he was in? "Hey, you okay?"
The water-teen looked up to see Speedy beside him, "No." It was an honest answer.
"Still dwelling on what happened at the cottage?" Speedy took a seat next to him.
"Yeah, but it's not the main thing that's weighing on me."
"What is?"
He sighed, "I told Raven about the fight."
"What'd she say?"
"Nothing much, but she's hard to read man."
"Did you mention the reason behind the fight?" Aqualad nodded his head, "Did she still have nothing much to say?"
"That's what's weighing on me…I didn't much give her a chance because…"
Speedy raised a brow, "Because?"
"I told her…I loved her."
Speedy nearly choked, "W-Whoa you just uh…laid out all your cards huh."
"No cards. No games."
"Fair enough." Speedy turned to him, "So…how did she—"
"I don't know." Aqualad shook his head, "I don't know anything. How she felt about the news of the fight, how she feels about me or Robin it's just…*sigh*…I don't know…"
"Hey don't sweat it alright. Everyone goes through something like this at least once in their lives. Things are going to work out for the best in the end, you'll see." Speedy tried to sound reassuring.
Aqualad snickered, "He's a coward."
"Who, Robin?" Speedy raised a brow, "I mean sure, he did run off to Japan, so maybe in the sense of dealing with his emotions."
"The question is why? Why would he isolate himself from everything? From his friends…from Raven?"
Speedy shrugged, "Not sure, maybe it's something he picked up from Batman over the years." He glanced his teammate's way, "What he said…about the way he felt…did you believe him?"
"I…"
"I don't deserve her and maybe she doesn't give a damn about me right now but I know that I love her and I'll be damned if I'm going to just up and lose her!"
Aqualad remembered the man's words and felt a stabbing pain within his heart. He shook the thought out, "I couldn't tell if he was full of crap or not."
"Really?" Speedy didn't believe him; he turned his attention forward, "Honestly…I believed him."
"Of course you did. You two are basically the same person peering at the world from behind your masks."
Speedy snickered "I won't take offense to that since you're obviously not thinking clearly my friend. But anyone could tell by his actions and the look in his eyes that he was serious."
"The eyes covered by the mask? Tch." Aqualad scoffed.
"Yeah, the ones behind the mask. And because I'm 'just like him' apparently, I've seen the same look within myself. He was telling the truth…I know it and whether you admit to it or not, you do too."
Aqualad stood, "Say what you will but the guy's not as genuine as you might think. His current actions is clear that he cares about nothing but himself." He begun to walk away.
"Garth…" Speedy's use of his name got him to stop in his tracks, "…if you really believed that, then why try SO hard to convince yourself, me and possibly Raven of that very fact?"
Was that what he was doing? Trying to sound convincing so that they'd both believe it? No. No, Robin wasn't that great he…the memory of when he first met the Titans' leader popped into his thoughts with Robin's genuine smiling face…he shook the thought out, "I have nothing more to say."
"Heh…" Speedy shook his head with a snicker, "And you say he's a coward."
Aqualad clenched his fists before he walked on out of the living room to his bedroom. He entered the bathroom and looked at his reflection in the mirror not recognizing who he saw. Face more pale than usual, hair unkept and hanging on the sides of his face and eyes a bit droopy. What was going on with him? This was Robin's fault…but he wasn't going to get the best of him…he wasn't going to let him. Aqualad took a quick shower and changed into some fresh clothes before grabbing his communicator to connect with someone. "Hello?"
"Surge."
"Aqualad? This is a surprisingly late call."
"Apologies but I need the sub ready in thirty minutes, can you handle that?"
"Of course I can handle it, what's the emergency?"
"No need to concern yourself with the details, just have it ready. I'm headed over now."
"Yes Sir, any particular destination?"
"Tokyo, Japan."
{ }
[Titans' Control Room]
A world map was pulled on a large screen, "Okay so we're here." Cyborg used a laser pointer to indicate the location of Titans' Tower. "And the closest device is located here, about two hundred and eighty-five miles east." He moved the pointer's little light across the right side of the map.
Raven rested her hands on the desk in front of her, "Any specific pattern that these things are using? Like similar terrain, environment, people…just some sort of connection?"
"Let's expand the range of the map." Cyborg his a few buttons on his keyboard, "Looks like there are a total of seven, but maybe we can try to find some sort of—"
"The glow within them is kind of odd."
"I've seen odder heh." He grinned her way.
Raven rolled her eyes, "Yeah yeah. Is there any way you can pull a sample of the energy that they're emitting?"
"From those freaky looking vein things?" She sighed but gave him a nod. Cyborg then typed a few more things into the main computer. Almost instantly, the locations of each device began to glow with a faint light, a transparent path that connected them. Both titans focused on the map intently trying to decipher. "Is it…supposed to—"
"It can't be…" It came to Raven almost immediately as her eyes widened.
"Tell me it's not what I think it is."
Raven stood and walked over to the map, "I wish I could but—"
"No no." Cyborg chuckled, "See, that cannot be the same symbol of your father that was also splashed over Slade when he was brought back to life because all that hubbub was taken care of and—"
"Cyborg…" Raven's heart begun to race, "…it's real."
"What? B-But how can you be sure?"
"I can feel them…" She could, faintly but the feeling was there. The dark-natured girl begun to pace back and forth trying her hardest not to lose it as she gritted her teeth. She ran her fingers through her hair as her mind flooded with thoughts and questions. She didn't even hear Cyborg who had begun to rant on about the possibilities of what was the actual connection between the devices and the symbol they made. All she kept repeating within her thoughts was that there was no way that he was here…that he was back.
"Raven?" Cyborg's voice finally got through to her.
'Yeah?"
"Hey look, before we jump to any conclusions, like Trigon returning, we need to do some further investigations so don't freak out."
"And what if I make things worse?" Raven could feel her body tremble.
"You won't." Cyborg stood and walked over to her, placing his hands on her shoulders to calm her down.
Raven took a deep breath and sighed, "You're right…I'll settle these thoughts."
"Good, now the first thing we should do is head to the device that's closest to use us and gather as much information about it as possible. Perhaps get a sample if we can."
She nodded and then took another look at the map, "Can you enhance the sensors a bit more?" Cyborg did what was asked of him though he made the comment that the enhancement might not work since it was already pass its limit. "There." She pointed at something.
Cyborg squinted, "Looks like the same kind of energy is being emitted from a residence."
"Exactly."
Cyborg's eyes glanced elsewhere, "Hey, over there too."
"Looks like they're far from one another."
"You think a team is involved?"
Raven shook her head, "I have no idea, but maybe we should go to the residence that's near the device that's closest to us. Two birds with one stone."
"No objections here." Cyborg nodded which Raven returned before turning to leave the room. "Raven?" The girl stopped, "You know what?"
"What's that?" She suddenly felt his cold metallic arms around her in an embrace from behind; her eyes widened a bit surprised.
"Things are going to be okay."
"I know. There's no way my father is—"
"That's not what I'm talking about." Silence fell between them as he continued to hold her, "You're always putting on this farce that nothing bothers you but I know better. You don't always have to be strong, especially with the recent things going on in your life. Raiden, Starfire, Aqualad, Robin…all of this will work itself out and things will be fine. I truly believe that."
Raven could feel her heart ache as her eyes begun to well up with tears, "Cyborg I'm okay really…I'm just…i-it's just…" What was it?
"It's okay." He pulled her closer, "You got this." The girl simply nodded her head as she lifted her hands to rest them on his arms giving them a thankful squeeze. She let herself sink into him as the tears trickled slowly down the sides of her cheeks.
{ }
Raiden sat on her bed holding her knees up to her chest trying to understand what she witnessed between her mother and Starfire. They were fighting…why? What could've possibly made them—
*knock knock*
The girl quickly turned her head towards the door, "Raiden?" Raven's voice called from the other side. She didn't want to talk to her. Even though she had so many questions, she wasn't ready quite yet. "Raiden, if you haven't fallen asleep and can hear me…I just want you to know that I'm sorry you had to see what happened between Starfire and I." Raiden squeezed herself tighter. "Also, Cyborg and I are going on a mission out of town for a little while. We plan to be back in the morning but Beastboy should be back from some party in a few hours so sit tight until then. You won't be alone. Raiden?" The girl remained silent. She could hear her mother sigh, "Okay, be safe. I love you."
Raven gave the door one more look before turning around. Before she started to walk however, she felt a pair of arms wrap around her waist from behind, a head buried into her back. She turned her head to look down behind her and saw Raiden staining her uniform with tears. "I love you too mom."
{ }
[Gotham – Wayne Manor]
"Master Bruce?" Alfred entered the bat cave.
The computer screens in front of Bruce were filled with recent news footage, "Have you seen this Alfred?"
"Yes. As a matter of fact, it's the reason I've come down Sir." The older man nodded.
Bruce rested his hands atop his desk, "I have a bad feeling about those questionable devices. Have you taken time to look into them yet?"
"Was just about to Sir."
"No need." Bruce turned to him with a smile, "Let's leave this to the Titans shall we."
Alfred raised a brow, "Do you believe they can handle it?"
"Sure. Besides there's one not too far from Jump City and I'm sure they've picked it up on their radar and are currently looking into it."
"Should we give them a call?"
Bruce begun to enter some numbers within the panel on his desk, "Only fair. Let's see what their gameplan is." The built-in phone in the main computer system begun to ring after Bruce entered Robin's cell number. I rang until it was sent to voicemail. "Hm…that's odd. Dick always has that device strapped to his waist."
"Perhaps try Master Victor."
"Good idea." Bruce found Cyborg's contact number and dialed it in.
After a few rings, "Hey Bruce."
"Cyborg, it's good someone answered."
"Huh?"
"Don't worry about it, I just wanted to check in on you guys. How was the cottage trip?" The young man on the other end of the phone grew silent long enough for Bruce to speak again. "You there?"
"Yeah um…I'm here. The cottage was great, until the fight…" He whispered that last part.
Bruce raised a brow, "I didn't catch that last—"
"So, what do I owe the honor to get a call from Gotham's number one bachelor?"
Bruce smirked, "Don't patronized me son, but I did call to touch basis with the titans. Have you seen the news lately?"
"Strange devices popping up around the world? Yep."
Bruce turned to Alfred with a grin, "Told you they were already on the case." He then focused back on his call, "Figured I'd sit this one out and let you guys handle things."
"Well that's generous of you."
"What can I say, I'm a generous man. Just make sure to tell Robin to keep me updated on what you guys find out."
"Bruce…about Robin…"
The man raised a brow, "What about Robin?"
"He's not currently…with us. Right now, it's just Raven and I."
"Where's the rest of your team?"
"Beastboy's at a party and Starfire flew off in the jet somewhere."
"And you don't know where?"
"Unfortunately no."
"And the young kid?"
"Kid?"
Bruce snapped his fingers, "You know, the little girl…what was her name Alfred?"
"I believe it was Raiden Sir."
"Yes, Raiden, Robin's supposed daughter."
"She's back at the tower."
"You left a six year old alone?
"Heh, she's actually twelve now Bruce but that explanation is for another time. Besides Beastboy will be making his way back to the tower soon. We just talked to him before receiving your call."
"Okay." Bruce shook his head, "So last but not least, where's Robin?"
"In Japan."
Bruce raised a brow, "Alone? Is there another mission out there?"
"No. To be honest with you Bruce, he's isolated himself because of a fight he had with Aqualad at the cottage."
"He got into a fight with Aqualad? The reason being?"
"It's a long story."
Bruce sighed, "Alright, we'll put that on hold for later. You and Raven keep me updated on those devices and don't hesitate to ask for backup when needed."
"Will do Bruce."
"In the meantime, I'll try to get in touch with Dick." After an understanding, the call was ended and Bruce let his mind linger with thoughts of his apprentice.
"So Master Dick has runoff to Tokyo."
Bruce glanced over at Alfred, "I was thinking Tokyo too. The penthouse suite is there if he was going to stay anywhere in Japan."
"A fight with that young water fellow? I thought they were comrades."
"They are, but I'm sure there's something more to the story."
Alfred nodded, "Yes, there always is. Well, on that note, should I go run your bath?"
"That would be fine Alfred."
"Oh, before I go." Alfred smiled at him, "Congratulations on the engagement once again."
Bruce ginned, "Get out of here Alfred." The older man finally left him alone in the cave, a single light shining down upon his workspace. There were several files on the desk along with tax papers that he was supposed to take care of the week before. Bruce leaned back in his chair…a fight with Aqualad? His foot hit a button on the inside of his desk which caused a drawer compartment to open. He slowly sat up a bit surprised that he still possessed the contents inside. Old letters, notes and candy wrappers, most likely left by a young Richard Dick Grayson. Bruce grinned to himself. His eyes then fell upon a photo deeper within the drawer and he pulled it out. It pictured him and a younger Robin leaning against the batmobile after their first mission together. Of course, the photo was hidden in here hehe. The man smiled to himself as he lifted the photo, however something fell from the back of it.
Within his lap rested another photo. Bruce placed the current photo in his possession back within the drawer and lifted the other. His eyes softened, though his heart ached. He looked upon a younger version of himself, early twenties, in a pair of black swim trunks. His arm happened to be hanging over the shoulder of a seventeen year old girl who was dressed in a green and black striped bikini. The two were right outside the entrance of a waterpark called Atlantis…a huge smile on each of their faces. Bruce smiled sadly. Kida.
{ }
10 years ago…
[Wayne Manor]
"Kida!" Bruce called from the living room.
The twenty year old woman dragged herself downstairs, "What?" Her response was rather cold.
"Ouch, someone woke up on the wrong side of the bed."
She folded her arms beneath her chest, "What do you want Bruce?"
"Look." He walked over to her, "I just want to apologize for being a jackass okay."
"So what?" She hunched her shoulders, "I lost count of your apologies so save it."
Before she could turn away from him and walk, he grabbed her by her wrist, "Wait wait!" He turned her to face him again, "I want to make it up to you."
"Ugh, here we go again." She rolled her eyes and groaned.
"I'm serious Kida." He took her hands into his, "You deserve better and this stupid man regrets hurting you time and again."
She narrowed her eyes at him as he gave her puppy dog eyes. Damnit. "Ugh…FINE. What do you want to do?"
"Yes!" Bruce smiled widely and quickly retrieved something out of his pants' pocket, "Look here."
Her eyes widened, "Is that?"
He nodded, "It sure is."
"And we're going?"
"Just the two of us. It's back to Atlantis we go."
The young woman jump with sudden excitement and gave him a hug, "It's been so long! Thank you so much! I can't wait to go back with you!"
"Great because we leave in the morning." He smiled while returning the hug, "So pack your favorite swimsuit."
She smirked, "Swimsuit?"
"Pfft, sorry." Bruce playfully hit his forehead, "I meant SWIMSUITS. Emphasis on the 's'." The girl shrieked in excitement as she headed back up the stairs. Alfred was coming down the stairs at the same time but dodged the girl gracefully. "See, I told you she'd love it Alfred."
~o~
The next morning…
Kida waited in the living room, not realizing that she had been humming the entire time as she waited for Bruce. "Ready to go beautiful."
She quickly turned around to see the man's smiling face; she blushed, "Don't call me that."
"Why keep a truth bottled up and not release it?" He chuckled.
"Because I know that's just smooth bachelor Wayne talking." She stood, bag in hand.
"No." He approached her, "That's genuine Bruce complimenting you."
She blushed again, "W-Whatever. Let's just go." She tried to walk pass him but he grabbed her hand and turned her to face him.
"I mean it Kida. Just like always, you are beautiful."
She scoffed nervously, "And you're handsome."
"Tell me something I don't already know." He grinned slyly.
The girl groaned, "Okay batman it's time to really go now." They gathered their things and headed out the front door to the car where they loaded the trunk. Alfred escorted them outside and Bruce reminded him to take all calls and they'd see the lovable butler when they got back. Kida hopped into the passenger seat and let the window down to wave Alfred off.
"Have a great time Miss Kida." The older man smiled with a wave.
Bruce got into the driver's seat and drove them off down the driveway. Kida looked out the window, feeling warmth pass through her from happiness. The man beside her glanced her way and couldn't help but smile. She shifted her gaze to lock with his briefly because she averted back to the scenery out the window a pinkish blush decorating her cheeks. What was wrong with her? There was no need to be nervous or bashful around Bruce…right?
"Kida, are you happy?"
His question gave her goosebumps, but she turned to look at him anyway, "Yeah. Very actually."
"Good, because that makes me happy." There he goes again and she couldn't stop the next blush from surfacing. Bruce chuckled.
"What's so funny?"
Bruce grinned, "Your cheeks are all red. Is that a blush?"
"What? N-No!" Kida turned from him embarrassed, "I don't blush!"
"Hey, it's fine." Bruce shrugged, "A lot of people blush."
"Yeah but I'm not one of them." She pouted.
"You know it's said that when one blushes it reveals the individual's true feelings."
Kida grew nervous, "I-It does?"
Bruce nodded as he took the next exit turn, "Oh sure, like embarrassment or rise in body temperature…" The girl felt around her neck to see if she was warm. "…even love."
Kida's blush intensified, "I-I don't have any of that going on."
"Another good thing to hear." Bruce turned to her with a grin as he watched her continue to look out the window.
~o~
2 hours later…
Kida awoke to the car at a standstill. She lifted her head and looked outside to see they were parked at a gas station and Bruce was filling up the tank. The man faced the fuel pump and was looking intensely at the screen of his cell. Her eyes traveled up and down his physique which brought on a warm feeling inside yet again. Kida immediately pulled down the visor and examined herself in its mirror, fixing her hair. She then realized what she was doing and stopped herself…what was wrong with her? It was only Bruce…just…Bruce. The man's smiling face flashed within her thoughts. How he carried himself playfully but yet maturely. How he cared about the wellbeing of Gotham and actually trying to do something about it. How great he looked in that swimsuit of his. Wait that last thought didn't…she shook the thoughts out of her head as her heart throbbed. Suddenly the driver's side door opened and Kida straightened herself as Bruce got in and leaned against the steering wheel. "Don't tell me you're exhausted from the drive already?" She poked him teasingly.
He didn't even crack a smile, "Kida."
The girl's smile faded, "What's wrong Bruce?"
"Alfred called…the signal has been raised."
She shook her head, "No…you can't be serious."
"Apparently the Joker is—"
"I don't care what that freak is doing!"
"Kida…I'm sorry but try to understand—"
"Let the police handle it for a change would you!"
"You know they can't…not alone."
Kida bit her lip as the warmth se was feeling previously had been replaced by hurt. She could feel the corner of her eyes welling up with tears. "You know what…I knew this was a bad idea." Without hesitation and got out of the car and walked off but Bruce reacted just as quickly to go after her.
"Kida come back! Kida!"
She swiftly turned around to face him, causing him to stop in his tracks, "Why Bruce? You don't care about me."
"You know that's not true Kida." There was definitely a hint of hurt within his tone, "It's just at times—"
"Your city comes first." He knew those words were truer than he wanted so he remained silent. Kida could feel her hurt intensifying as she grew angry. By the time she knew it, she had stormed over to him and slapped him. "I hate you."
Her words stung just as much as her heavy hand, "You don't mean that."
"Yes I do!" She spat out.
"Kida."
Tears begun to stream down her face as she beat her fists upon his chest, "I hate you so much! You and your damn vigilante persona! I hate you both!"
Bruce wrapped his arms around her and pulled her close into him ceasing her hitting, "I hate myself for this being a constant issue and hurting you." Eventually he convinced her to get back in the car and the two headed back to Gotham. They rode in silence the entire ride back and his heart broke more because every time he glanced at the girl…her tears had never ceased.
{ }
Present day…
Bruce returned the photo back to its place within the desk drawer. He remembered that when he had gotten back to the manor after dealing with the Joker and his gang, Kida was gone. "I miss her at times too Sir."
Bruce turned around, "Alfred? How long have you been standing there?"
"Not that long Sir. Just came to inform you that your bath is ready."
"Ah, thanks Alfred." Bruce also returned the other belongings he had taken out back into the drawer and then closed it.
"You know I've always wondered, why you didn't track her down that day. You definitely had the resources."
"Yes well…" Bruce smiled sadly, "…perhaps I thought that it was for the best…instead of her constantly getting hurt by my broken promises."
"But that you could not help." Alfred shook his head, "I really wish she would've stayed. Gave you another chance. I'm quite sure she loved you truly."
Bruce chuckled weakly, "What are you spouting nonsense for Alfred? All that is in the past and I'm sure she's better off somewhere that has done her some good."
Alfred sighed, "I do hope you're right."
Bruce's smiled faded as he remembered the words he spoke to Kida that day in the car.
"You know it's said that when one blushes it reveals the individual's true feelings. Like embarrassment, rise in body temperature and even love."
The girl's smiling face that looked out the car window entered his thoughts. That day she might've assumed that he caught her looking at him when it was in actuality him staring at her. Only her.