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Chapter Text

“I'm sorry Gar... I'm so sorry."

He just sat there, letting Ravens apology fill his room. He wasn't surprised, he knew this was coming, he knew everything about it. He slowly stood from his bed, where he and Raven had been sitting. Where she brought him to tell him this devastating news. But all the meditating and planning, all the thinking and the reasoning that Raven did to prepare for this moment, wasn't needed, because Beastboy knew. He knew for months. Some part of him didn't want to accept it, some part of him yelled to keep giving his all, like he did all these years. The Beast within him howled, roared and clawed within him for what had happened. But Beastboy just stood there, in his room with his girlfriend silently sitting on his bed, shoulders shaking. With her soft delicate hand over her stomach, a small whimper escaped raven and she crumbled into herself. The daughter of Trigon the Terrible, the strongest titan in this small family of superhero's, the dark sorcerous that had withstood so much, and became a pillar of strength in the their home and jump city... the woman he had fallen in love with. And as much emotion as raven could muster, after the defeat of her father, she bowed her head and cried, the worst Beastboy had ever seen from her.

He turned around to face her, as she shook and closed in on herself. He took a slow step towards her, before stopping. She needed comfort, she needed a pillar of strength, she needed hope... she didn't need him.

He turned once again and faced his door. He took one step, then another. He approached his bedroom door, and opened it by pressing the keypad. He quietly stepped through the threshold, and the door closed right after him. The hallway was quiet, he couldn't hear Raven in his room, he just stood there looking out the windows that lined the hallway. He watched as the lowering sun began to make its way over the horizon.

What did he feel? Numb? No, he wasn't numb to what Raven had told him. Anger? Yeah, he was angry, but he didn't feel the adrenaline that was anger coursing through him like it did in the heat of battle. Acceptance?... He didn't want to accept it, he wished it wasn't happening. He wished everything could be different. But wishing never got him anywhere. His hand brushed the side of his pants, against his communicator, and he remembered the massage he received from Nightwing an hour ago.

"Beastboy, please come to the evidence room this afternoon"

So he turned, and walked down the hallway, away from his room, away from Raven. He walked away from the news that felt like an atomic bomb, and he carried with himself a feeling of utter despair and heartbreak.

Nightwing was once again looking over the layout of the stronghold that he had received earlier. He looked again from a different angle, then flipped to another page that showed a detailed layout of the room above the main area. He heard a low knock at the door. He looked up, and after a slow exhale, stood up and walked to the door. He stopped and prepared himself. He pushed the keypad and the door swooshed open to his teammate Beastboy. Nightwing looked at his friends reserved face and prepared for the upcoming conversation.

"'Thanks for coming Beastboy... come in" he stepped aside and let Beastboy walk past him. When his friend walked to the desk, the door closed. He looked at Beastboy's back, the silence unnerving him.

"...yeah Nightwing?"

"is something wrong Beastboy? Do you need to talk about something?" Nightwing asked, as he walked around his teammate to the desk that was in the middle of the room.

"... No, sorry if I'm late for this meeting... i was talking with raven." Beastboy exhaled and relaxed his stance. Nightwing stood silent watching his friend, then finally sat down on the chair and released an exhale of his own. He looked down at the papers, then back up to the other occupant in the room. The awkward and silent moments between the two never went away after all the years they knew each other, but the friendship, caring and understanding were always present. So after a few moments, Nightwing offered Beastboy the other available chair, which he declined. Not going to beat around the bush any longer, Nightwing spoke up.

" I wanted to talk to you privately, what I'm about to tell you, I'll be telling the team right after. But i wanted you to be the first to know. I think this hits closer to home for you than any of us." Nightwing leaned back into the seat and watched the stiff look on his friends face. With no response, Nightwing continued. "I just received some bad news, and it upsets me, and i know it will all of us, but..." he stopped again to look at his partners face. Beastboy continued to look down at his leader, waiting for the news.

"The Brain escaped."

Silence, and then Nightwing saw a hint of emotion pass through his friends face. Not wanting the drag out this bad news, he straightened himself in the chair and continued. "We don't know how, but him, Mallah, and General Immortas are no longer under ice. I got a call from the Doom Patrol a short time ago, and I'll be calling a team meeting to talk about our plans for taking them down."

Nightwing was a master detective, bested only by his master that trained him in his arts. So looking at Beastboy, who wore his heart on his sleaves, who was never afraid to express his thoughts and emotions, he saw the indifferent expression fade to sorrow and defeat. The square shoulders that Beastboy walked in with, sagged and the changeling turned to look at the evidence wall to the side of the room. It hurt Nightwing to see his friend have to go through 'The Brotherhood' chapter again. After these quiet years where they could relax and enjoy the lower crime rate. The Brain found a way to come crashing back into their lives. Disrupting the comfort that this time of peace was giving them, the master criminal was free again and no doubt out for blood after the defeat he received from the Titans. He let the silence linger in the room before continuing.

"Mento says-"

"When," Beastboy interrupted. He gave Nightwing a small gesture that resembled an apology, but his leader waved it off. "Four days ago" Nightwing stood up from his chair and walked around the desk to stand beside his friend. "The security notified the Doom Patrol about their disappearance, the ice melted around Mallah, and before security could stop him, smashed the ice around the brain and Immortas before breaking through a weak point in the walls surrounding the holding room" Nightwing watched as Beastboy absorbed this news, and continued.

"They're at a base not far from where they had built that black hole machine. The thing is... they're still there. They haven't left, no vehicles, choppers or any travel from the base. They're hold up in the base... waiting"

"... Waiting. Waiting for us, like a trap" Beastboy finished for his leader. He turned back to look Nightwing in the face, a strained and heavy look over his features.

Nightwing nodded, and looked back at the desk that had the base plans sent by Mento. "I'll call a team meeting in two hours, i just wanted you to know first. you and the Doom Patrol have a history with The Brain, and i didn't want you to just find out along with the rest of the team."

"Thanks Dick" Beastboy silently said. Nightwing turned to look at Beastboy, his shoulders raised above where they were before hearing the news. With his head held high, Beastboy gave an appreciative look , before turning around and heading for the door. He stopped as the door swooshed opened and turned partially to his friend. "I'll head out for a little while, think about some stuff before the meeting. i wont be too far, and I'll be back when we all get together." He then looked out the room and headed out before Nightwing could give him a reply.

Nightwing watched as Beastboy left and felt his own stress at the situation. He walked back to the desk, sat down, and looked over the base plans once again. Raising his head, he looked at the clock and counted the time till he would send a message to the rest of the team to meet in the common room.

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh' Beastboy looked out at the beach, just on the coast from the tower. the salty air brushed against his face and what used to give him a sense of peace, did nothing to soothe the pain that coursed through him today. He rolled the small ball in his hand, before looking down at the sphere.

'WINNER'

He laughed, a pained laugh, but a laugh all the same. He remembered when he 'won' the small ball. A token that was given to a small group of winners for a raffle to submit a personal item for a time capsule. Hosted by a community group for the city, they would have events, games and competitions for who could win tokens, or pink balls, to exchange them and put items into a time capsule that would be buried for a few years. The project was first made for school children, but gained popularity and was extended to older kids, then teens, and finally the people of the city. Time capsules weren't new to Beastboy, he buried two in his life. One when he was just a kid, living in the jungles of Africa with his parents. He couldn't remember for the life of him what he buried, but he liked to think its was fathers favorite tie, and one of his mothers baked cookies the made for special occasions. The other... was right after the Titans formed. He never expected to make another time capsule, but meeting his friends, his family, on the day of Starfire's arrival. It just felt right. Even though they were total strangers to one another, some part of him knew this was the biggest and most important step in his life. So he watched his teammates as they moved about their new tower, he watched as their walls came down and they got comfortable as their base slowly became a home.

It was just simple items, but items he thought reflected them. A bottle of BBQ sauce that Cy used on his food, he didn't know one was missing from the arm full he would drop in the shopping cart. A bottle of gel from Nightwing... or Robin. He and Cy would joke about robin's obsession with his haircare. A handful of nuts... or what he thought were nuts, from one of Starfire's baking experiments. And finally, one of Ravens tea bags, he sweated a few bullets thinking she would notice a missing bag from her box of a hundred, but some higher being took pity on him, and Raven never noticed the missing tea bag. And finally his item, '1001 jokes to tell your friends.' all jokes memorized and ready at any time to deliver to those special people in your life. He passed the small ball to his other hand, and rolled it between his fingers. He 'won' this token when he first heard about the community project and made a public statement during a news recording after they defeated one of the many criminals of Jump City. The group heard that one of the Titans praised their project and sent Beastboy a token, ready to be exchanged for an item that would be buried along with other cherished memories. To later be dug up, hopefully in a bright and happy future, so they could look back and fondly remember their pasts and history. After a few minutes of his own silence and the sounds of the crashing waves, Beastboy removed the top lid to a 'Justice League' lunchbox, placed the ball inside, and put the tin down. He leaned back and let the issues of today wash over him.

He fought to push his time with Raven to the back burner, and after struggling, shifted his thinking to the Doom Patrol. But his heart hurt almost as much, when his thoughts moved to Steve and Rita. He remembered when Rita called and told him the troubling news, Steve was sick. What they thought was just a normal sickness, just wouldn't go away, and lingered with the leader of the Doom Patrol. What started as restless nights and headaches, turned to fatigue, then aches and pains. But Mento was a proud man, and he wouldn't let anything stop him from his life's mission of crime fighting. But as the sickness dragged on, and with the rest of the team, especially Rita, kept pushing and pushing Steve to slow down and rest. Finally, their private doctor stated that Steve's body was weakening, and that any 'strenuous' activities would further damage the mans body. Beastboy didn't know the details, but he understood what it meant, 'Mento' the leader of the famous Doom Patrol needed to retire. Sometime after the defeat of The Brotherhood, Beastboy flew back to the Doom Manor, and visited his old team. There, Beastboy saw a side to his old family he never experienced. Mento was not the hard-ass leader that drilled the team to function to perfection. There were no loud orders to shape up, no calls for attitude adjustments, no remarks about setting aside personal feelings for the betterment of the team. Just a weakening man, surrounded by his wife, adopted son, and teammates who grew to be friends.

"At least The Brotherhood is put away," said Beastboy. They were in one of the living rooms in the manor. Steve just finished taking his prescriptions, and after hearing his sons words, visibly relaxed. He didn't want to throw in the towel, believing that he could still contribute to the team. He looked around the room, to his family, and he knew the general feeling of the Doom Patrol. Cliff made it clear these past few years that it was time for him to move on from crime fighting. Larry also shared his desire to hang up the suit, and travel the world to find the next chapter in his life. And Rita... her want to finally settle down, and be the loving wife that the Doom Patrol never let her be. Guilt filled Steve, guilt that he never let Rita be the woman that she wanted to be. A wife, a mother, the soulmate that he always believed that she was but never was because the Doom Patrol came first. So he exhaled and finally allowed his body to relax and sink into the plush couch. He looked to Beastboy, the son that he adopted, but never 'raised.' Never taught or guided through life like a father was meant to. So he slowly nodded his head and glanced between his family.

"Your right Garfield... with The Brain finally put away, i think. I think i, and the family, can finally slow it down and get to living the lives we always wanted. The most beautiful smile spread across Rita's face, followed by cliff and negative man, and finally Beastboy. After so many years of fighting crime, and deadly encounters with The Brotherhood, the Doom Patrol would finally hang their tights. They would leave behind the days of training, strategizing, planning and patrols to prepare the days of 'living.' He looked to Beastboy and gave a smile that Garfield couldn't ever remember seeing on his adopted fathers face. "I think its time we stop being a patrol, and start being a family." And after all the major hurdles that Beastboy had gone through with his titan family, starting with ravens sixteenth birthday and the rise of Trigon, Beastboy too sank back into the plush couch and laughed. Laughed with his family, with happy tears in their eyes and a warmth in their hearts that had never gotten the chance to grow. He smiled and talked with his 'mother' and 'father' and his 'uncles.' He heard the soft hum of electric wheels through the threshold and heard an aged voice.

"Then it's settled, after years of being outcasts and misfits, it's time we lay to rest our 'patrol days,' and look forward to the future."

And after hearing those words, relief and happiness filled Garfield and he couldn't wipe the smile off his face .He wasn't at the Doom Manor, he wasn't briefing with the Doom Patrol. He was at one of the homes he was blessed with, with one of the families that loved him, and that he loved too.

"...woosh" "...woosh" "...woosh" he didn't have to image the feelings that were going through his old family. That night at the Doom Manor, when it felt like the crime fighting was over and a normal life was finally at hand, was all a lie. Their worst enemy came back. Now, he felt like a fool for saying The Brain was put away. He felt just like the idiot he always felt he was, the fool Raven would think him. The overzealous weak link of the team, that Robin would straighten and correct when they were in the mix of fighting villains. He liked to think he matured these last few years, he knew he did, but it was that night and his belief that brought back feelings of immaturity.

Right now... right now was not the time for feeling sorry for himself, for feeling sorry for the Doom Patrol. It was time to prepare for war. a war that he wished didn't come, but he and his family didn't get to make that decision. The Brain did, and they would be ready to take them head on. His thoughts slowly began to drift to Raven, when his communicator buzzed. He removed it from his pocket and took a look at the lcd screen.

'Titans, meeting in the common room,' it read.

He stared at the screen for a few seconds, took a few breaths, and pocketed the device. he looked over the 'away' thinking spot he had discovered some time ago. His eyes landed on the lunchbox. He reached out and picked it up. he stood and walked to a wall that was made of rocks that had formed a barrier around the cliff he was just sitting at. He walked to the gap in the wall that housed his time capsule, gently places it inside its home, and moved a few rocks to protect it. He turned and looked out to the beach, to the tower that he called home. The sad and heavy feeling that he'd carried today... no. This feeling that he was carrying for some time now, draped over him. But he pushed it down, readied himself, and after shifting into a seagull, soared towards the tower.

He didn't remember when he arrived, or how he got to the common room. But Beastboy found himself standing before the large window that was the focal point of their 'living room.' Soon the door opened and Cyborg entered the room. He looked up from the terminal on his arm, and after pushing a few buttons, he walked right up to his best friend.

"Yo, BB. How's it going?

"... It's going alright, is everyone headed to the meeting?"

"I saw Starfire coming down the hallway, and Nightwing is probably getting together the last of his supplies. i haven't seen Raven all day."

Beastboy stayed silent and nodded his head. Cyborg looked over his best friend and teammate. He had observed his friend for some time, and still couldn't figure out what was bothering Beastboy. He had been supportive, offering to spend more time with the changeling, and even though the grass stain would smile and spend time together with him... What ever he was feeling was still in the air around him. He's been so busy with his own meetings and projects with STAR Labs, he hasn't been around as much as he used to be. But he still tried to make time for his team, for his family. Seeing his normally bright and happy friend so reserved, he decided after the meeting, he was going to take him aside and have a heart to heart with his 'brother.'

'swoosh'

"Boyfriend Dick, will the massage reach Tamaran in a much shorter time?" Starfire asked as both her and Nightwing walked into the room. They were just talking about an upgrade in the messaging tech to Starfire's home planet. Where she would have to wait some days as her talks with the Royal family and court reached them, contributions from STAR Labs and Wayne enterprises improved the communications and delivery between Earth and Tamaran. She had brought the topic to Nightwing when they bumped into one another in the hallway.

"Yes Kori, Bruce sent over the schematics that showed how it works. I'll get with Cy and we'll see about installing the computers and new satellites." Seeing that they joined the their friends, Starfire smiled and nodded before stopping before the large red couch and greeting Cyborg and Beastboy.

That's when he felt it, the shift in the room that was Raven teleporting into the common room. He always sensed it before she arrived, and he always felt his heart and senses afloat when she was around. But he didn't feel the giddiness that was his girlfriend being so close to him, the feeling that was in his chest just got tighter and tighter. Nightwing stood before his team and gave them each a look over, readying himself for the upcoming conversation. He last looked at Raven before stopping, surprised at her expression. He wasn't the only one, everyone but Beastboy was looking at her. Although she stood straight and ever the strong pillar she was, her light red eyes and disheveled look was not like her. Before he could ask her what was wrong he was interrupted.

"Hold up." Cyborg said loudly as he looked between Raven and Beastboy. Confusion on his features matched by the dynamic duo of their small family. "What's going on? There's been something going on between you two and I can't stand back any longer." Beastboy didn't move and Raven didn't answer. He huffed and continued. "I haven't been the only one to notice, and I've been giving you two space. But now I'm going to ask. What the heck is going on? Why are you so quiet and reserved B? Why is Raven so stressed?" After seeing Raven, he was done with giving them space and he wanted answers. Finally, Beastboy turned and looked at Raven.

"..."

There was a silent conversation between the couple, and somehow Beastboy looked more somber and Raven more reserved. Seeing that Raven couldn't speak, Beastboy slowly turned back to the rest of his team, but hadn't spoken up. Cyborg, frustrated, was about to again demand a reason for the behavior before he was interrupted.

"We're breaking up..." Beastboy said to the team.

Silence. Surprised faces were the only response from their team members. Even Nightwing who was holding papers and a flash drive had to put his arms down and stare at the two. Starfire's face pained as she looked between the two and her lips trembled a "W-what?" Cyborg couldn't move, couldn't speak. His brother just said the relationship that he had fought so hard for, bleed for, was coming to an end. He looked so defeated but accepting. All those years of Beastboy secretly liking Raven, then chasing after Raven in the most Beastboy way possible just disappeared. It was one of the biggest ammos that he had against his green teammate in their schoolboy teasing. That Beastboy liked the dark and mysterious Raven. But after some time of BB denying it, it slowly changed to BB's walls coming down and him finally asking his robotic best friend, "Do... do you think i have a chance?" He had seen a vulnerable side to his best friend that he never showed. It was no longer jokes and jabs given to the changeling. It was a fear and desire that Beastboy expressed to Cyborg. And at the time, as much as he liked Beastboy, he didn't think BB had a chance at wooing the sorcerous. Not a chance in hell. But he was his best friend, and he couldn't tell him no, so he sighed and looked the green shape shifter in the eyes. "I don't know BB, i really don't know what Raven would look for in a relationship. Or if she even would want to date someone, we don't know that about her..." But instead of hiding his feelings, instead of ignoring them, Beastboy rose up and achieved what Cy thought he could never do. He convinced Raven, after some time, to finally go on a date with him. He had seen their developing friendship over the years. Malchior and Terra... Trigon... He knew that the two had come so far from when they first met and they became a team. He remembered the exact date, and he couldn't believe it when he say it, but it was right there plain as day. Raven, with one of her rare smiles, small but just a beautiful, holding BB's hand. And the green bean shining like a small sun, that Cy thought he'd need sunglasses. It was that day that Cy felt guilt for doubting his best friend, and he threw the biggest dinner the tower had ever seen as a congratulation for the second couple in the tower.

Nightwing had so many questions circulating through him, that he temporarily forgot what the team meeting was about. There was grave news to deliver to the rest of the team, but... Beastboy and Raven separating. He stood and let his thoughts wonder on the subject. Ever since the fight with Trigon, and the link that Raven and he shared, he always felt some small connection to Raven. Where she had seen his life, his struggles in growing up to be Robin, he had felt some small essence of her life through Azarath. Her growing up to be a magic wielder, her teachings from the monks and early discovery of her father. They later talked after the defeat of Trigon, and even though they both felt awkward at sharing such an intimate experience, they both settled on the fact that they had someone who could fully understand them. After Trigon, Raven wasn't only the quiet but powerful teammate in the group, but almost like a sister to him. And he liked to think that he wasn't just the stuffy leader that reminded everyone that there was morning training to her. Something changed between the two of them, and they both had an appreciation that wasn't there before. And Beastboy... he didn't know what to think about the changelings words. Dick always had up and down feelings when dealing with Garfield. He never hated Beastboy, but he wasn't afraid to express his frustration and irritations with the shape shifter. Especially when it felt like Beastboy was more of a kid then a teen. He thought Beastboy a close rage powerhouse in a fight, but a kid on sugar when the fighting came to an end. He bothered everyone when in the tower, often pulling his attention away when he was going over case files. He didn't like it at first, and would get angry when Beastboy would get into one of his shenanigans. But after the incident with the 'Beast,' he saw a side to his teammate that wasn't there before. When he was so close to judge and condemn, Beastboy fought and protected Raven and Robin felt an emotion that there wasn't a lot of towards Beastboy before. Respect. And it only grew in the face of taking on Trigon, then later The Brotherhood. When Starfire asked for him to slow it down and enjoy the small moments the team shared together... When Cyborg told him to take the stick out of his behind and stop being so rigid... Beastboy was there to remind him that there was more to life than being a hero. He, Star and Cy all saw the developing relationship between Beastboy and Raven. He felt it through Raven. Her fear and insecurity's, her hidden desire to have someone want her. Want for her like what she thought Malchior felt for her. When he saw the efforts of Beastboy succeed, covered in bandages from Ravens rough handling of him along the way, he finally hand to bow his head and laugh. He did it, a one in a TRILLION chance, but the immature and childish Beastboy did it. And what felt like a huge cornerstone of their Titan family just crumbled right in front of them.

Starfire had known that there was an issue that was hurting her two dear friends. She had spent much of the girl time between her and Raven being supportive for the sorcerous. And even though Raven never disclosed what the problem between her and Beastboy, Starfire did not hesitate to be present and lend the shoulder to her sister. She believed that whatever the issue that pained the two, they could overcome. That may be naive of her, but she always believed and hoped that good would come to the family that took her in. Her mind drifted to how Raven became a much greater friend after the power swap that they had experienced. She remembered how Raven thanked her for her loyalty and bravery in the face of her father. How Raven listened to her gush about the developing relationship between her and Nightwing after the Brushogan battle in Tokyo. A short but wonderful memory of Raven turning from the dark and mysterious titan, into the sister that she had always prayed Blackfire to be. But somewhere along the way, after Raven told her privately that she would accept Garfield's advances, after her talks about her new emotions, fears and inadequacy's, after seeing a sense of happiness fill Raven like never before... something changed. Her sister didn't gush in her special sort of way about her relationship. She didn't share the numerous things that Garfield did to make her happy. No more about the funny but heartfelt dates with Gar. Something changed, and Raven wouldn't tell. So she sat, and listened, and did what she could for her sister. Hoping and wishing that Raven's struggles would be defeated, just like all her enemies and foes before them. What could they be, was it Garfield? Her teammate turned brother? She remembered meeting Garfield for the first time, when she escaped from her captors. How a Stranger, who knew nothing of her and owed her nothing, charged against unknown enemies to protect her, and later accept her as a friend. Who grew from a child to a young man, worthy of Raven's heart after so many years of pain and hardships. What could possibly be hurting her brother and sister so?

Silence continued in the common room, no one spoke or knew what to say. Raven shifted and tried to support her weight. she opened her mouth, hesitated, but nothing came out. Garfield still stood there, unmoving and attention unfocused. She looked over the faces of her family members, seeing the confusion and desire to know just what was going on. She couldn't stay silent anymore. after a few even breathes, she finally spoke.

"I- I'm pregnant..."

Silence. Again. Raised eyebrows shot up even further. "P-Pregnant?" Starfire asked. Finally knowing what was hurting her sister. "Pregnant?" Nightwing asked. Now knowing what was causing and issue between his two family members. "Pregnant?" Cyborg said. Eyes shooting between the couple.

"You're pregnant" Cy said looking at Raven, before turning his head to Garfield, "And your breaking up?! What the HELL man? Ravens pregnant and you're ending the relationship! How the HELL can you leave Raven like this BB!" Cy turned around and took a few paces before rounding on Garfield again. "You know how irresponsible it was to not practice safety, that we can forgive, but you leaving her when she needs you the most!"

Nightwing finally took a step forward before joining the conversation. "Garfield, I don't know what you and Raven have been discussing about your pregnancy, but this is a huge mistake of you two separating. It's none of our business what you to do in your relationship, but I would have thought you Garfield would take more responsibility with this outcome." He took one look at Raven's pained state. "Your leaving Raven as she's carrying your child? I can't even imagine you'd do something like this. I didn't think you'd have this side of you Garfield, to turn away when your girlfriend is expecting."

Star didn't say anything, she couldn't take her eyes of Raven. She heard Dick and Victor continue to yell at Garfield. She heard the anger, disappointment, the HURT in their words, as they talked down to her brother. And as the heated words amongst her brother and lover grew louder, Raven began to shake her head. She shook her head more and more, tears beginning to stream down her cheeks.

"N-N-No..."

"I've lost a lot of respect for you BB!" "How could you be so selfish Garfield?" And Garfield stood there.

"N-No..."

"We're not gonna stand by and let you dump Raven like this is some high school drama!" "There's going to be a big shift in responsibilities and expectation Garfield, and you better own up to them" And Garfield stood there.

"No, no, no, no..."

Hearing the growing wails of their sister, Cyborg and Dick stopped their grilling of Garfield to look at Raven. Seeing the stress that was bubbling and about to pour out of her, they both opened their mouths to console her, but she spoke before they could say anything.

"H-He's not the father!"... and Garfield stood there.

"He's not the father... he's not the father..." Raven whispered, her shaking finally ending. Then before anyone could say anything, she sunk into the floor, most likely heading to her room. And the common room was silent again. No one spoke, the room that was filled Anger and disappointment vanished, and was replaced with nothing. The only sound that was made, was the 'woosh' of the automatic doors as Starfire shot out of the room, heading towards Raven. Dick and Victor stood stalk still, staring where Raven had stood a few seconds ago. They didn't know how long they stared, but they finally turned to look at Garfield. And Garfield stood there. He turned to his two best friends, his own two brothers. He said, "I already know what the meetings about... come find me when we're ready to head out." And Garfield turned, in what direction he didn't know, but he turned and walked away. Walked away from this great big mess that he couldn't tell for the life of him if he could beat this.

Chapter Text

-Flashback-

*Pant* *pant* *pant*, Beastboy took big gulps of air as he crouched in the training room with Nightwing. His leader stood there looking down at his teammate. He too was taking a few extra breaths, but not as much as Beastboy. He recovered sooner, then relaxed his body and stood at his full height.

Beastboy feeling a little self conscious, hurried to stand.

"That's it for today" Nightwing said before going over to the wall and grabbing two towels. He returned to Beastboy and offered one. He hesitated for a few seconds before looking at his teammate. "Can we talk Garfield?"

Beastboy looked at his team leader, not knowing what he wanted to discuss, but accepted the towel and nodded his head.

"Sure Dick, what about?"

"It's about the training that we've been doing this week," Nightwing said as they walked to the bench that was against the wall in the training room. They both sat down, and Nightwing tried to think of what he was going to say, and how best to word it to his friend.

"You've made some improvement in your hand to hand fighting, but I think you need to make a few changes." He looked at his friend's confused face, then prepared to give him an honest, but critical review of his fighting prowess.

"I think you need to find something different in your fighting abilities Garfield… you need to make changes and not completely rely on shifting into animals to fight our enemies. If your overpowered, or your shifting is disabled, you cant fall back on the physical fighting that your currently at" It hurt Nightwing to say this. Ever since he suggested one on one training between the team years ago, he'd notice a pattern that repeated itself when it concerned Beastboy. Gar always put up a decent fight to who ever he was partnered with, but close calls and undecided victors had been turning into defeats. He cringed when he thought of the remarks he make to BB before, when he didn't hesitate to point out his flaws and tell him to fight better. But now, after seeing Garfield perform in these spares, he had to take a different approach.

Gar was surprised as he sat on the bench, anger began to rise within him. But he pushed it down and tried to think about what Nightwing said. Raven used to tell him to always think about the situation and that he shouldn't jump to conclusions so soon. So he calmed himself and tried to think about his leaders words.

Nightwing had said that he should try to change his fighting style, what he really meant was improve it. Like it wasn't good enough. Before his anger could rise up again, his thoughts drifted to the rest of the Titans.

When they first became a team, Cy was already a force to be reckoned with. And as the years went by he grew stronger. His tech grew stronger. He was able to lift more, take more damage, become more efficient. His metal frame, his sonic cannon, his intelligence was always advancing. No one told him to improve, he strove to better himself and was achieving that every year.

And Starfire. After her transformation a few years ago, she too got stronger. Faster. More agile. She would always take a beating from their enemies, but lately she would brush attacks off and blow right through them. Her starbolts grew bigger, hotter, and faster. Maybe it was natural for Tamaranians to grow stronger, but she never slacked off. She was right there with the rest of the team, putting in effort to be better.

Nightwing? What couldn't he do? He was the only member of the team without powers or upgrades, but that didn't stop him. He trained to his breaking point, then trained to surpass that and more. When he wasn't leading the team, or doing the job duties of being the city's protector, he was training. Beating the villains with his tech, overpowering them with his martial arts, outsmarting them on the field. There was a reason he was the leader.

And Raven… Raven was limitless. With her powers, who knew were the ceiling was for her. Her vast knowledge of magic, her ability to fly, teleport, and heal grew stronger over the years. There was nothing she couldn't learn, train and adapt, and achieve as a super heroine. There was no magical book or artifact that she wasn't willing to study. No magic wielder that she shied away from speaking and learning from. Lately, she had spent a lot of time combing over any magical literature that she could find. No matter where she happened across it.

Then there was him. Beastboy. The shape shifter. Bear? Yeah. T-Rex? Sure. Cheeta? They're pretty fast. But was that it? He never questioned or doubted his powers. He embraced them and charged forward to make a difference and do good with them. But his team were growing in their abilities, and were passing him up. He couldn't stop the feeling of inadequacy from spreading in his gut.

Nightwing looked at his friend, and saw that Garfield was thinking over what he had said. He was ready for Gar to angrily defend his contributions to the team, and he was ready to try to simmer down their upcoming argument. But then Garfield stopped, and thought over what he'd been told. After some time, Beastboy looked over to Nightwing and said, "I'll think about it."

Seeing that Beastboy gave some kind of positive response, he stood up and grabbed his water bottle and towel.

"Thanks Garfield, I didn't tell you this to put you down. I don't want you to think I don't appreciate what you are on this team, our family. But ever since these new villains we've been encountering, I think this will be a good opportunity to see where you can take your powers. I'm willing to help you any way I can, and i'm positive that Victor would be too, but you need to be the one to take the first step. Think it over, come up with some ideas and let's see were that leads." Then Nightwing left, to tend to his responsibilities as the team leader.

Garfield slumped on the bench and let his mind wonder about what Dick said. Not much was coming to him, so looking around the training room, he got up and headed to his bathroom for a quick shower.

-Later-

*Clack* Beastboy leaned over and looked at the controller on the floor. It had fallen from his hands while he was playing the game console. He leaned down and hovered his hand over the controller and paused. After a few seconds, he picked it up and leaned into his seat on the couch. He placed both hands on the controller with a firm grip, but... It didn't feel right. It didn't feel like before. It was different. When he and Cy would game for hours, or when both of them along with Robin would try to beat each other at racing and fighting games. It didn't feel the same when he would sit and play alone to beat Cy's high score. He looked down at it, then up to the giant TV in the common room. So he put the controller down, turned off the TV, and headed toward the hallway.

He walked passed the bathroom, then the utility closet, then the guest bedroom that had once belonged to a titan. He walked until he stopped, and looked around to see where he was. He looked over to the lone door on the wall that read "CYBORG." He knocked.

"Come in."

Victor never locked his door, and wasn't bothered when someone needed him and interrupted what he was doing. So Beastboy pushed the keypad and the door swooshed open. He walked in, and saw his best friend sitting at his desk. Victor was looking at his laptop, he glanced up and after seeing Beastboy, said "Hold up BB, let me send this e-mail real quick." Then he returned to typing on the keyboard.

With Cy occupied at the computer, Beastboy looked around the room and remembered how it used to look. When Cy's room was just a table he used for a bed, and tools and spare parts lining the wall. Now... now it looked like an office. With papers, and binders, and a few computer that were turned on, cycling through computer gibberish. He walked over to the countertop along the wall, looking over the stacks of paper that were organized. He lifted one of them and read the title sheet.

"Thermal Reaction After New Installments" scribbled under the title, was a note from someone he didn't know. 'Great suggestion Victor, i knew you were the right person to go to on fixing our problem. Cant wait to meet up again and discuss the results. Peace.'

Cy was in STAR LABS, talking and mingling with scientists. He wasn't just a hero to them, but a genius and fellow pursuer in engineering and science. Victor had come into the common room one day and said someone from the lab had reached out to him. They wanted to pick his brain about some computer, or machine or something. But he was excited, and after a whole two days away, returned with stars in his eyes and appreciation from lab workers that he didn't get from the tower. Soon after, Cy was receiving projects and e-mails from the lab. But he didn't mind, he enjoyed it. He had a hunger for new things that their home wasn't providing to him. And before they knew it, Cy's future was just starting.

He remembered when Cy was in the garage, tuning the T-Car. When they would joke around, Cy would talk about the cool upgrades he was giving their ride. How after he was done, they'd go upstairs and play games and get into friendly arguments. Now... Now there were no more tune-ups in the garage. No more arguments about tofu and meat. The tower had long been settled, no longer needing improvements. The T-Car was already at tip top shape.

"Yeah BB?" Cy closed his laptop and gave Beastboy his full attention. Garfield put down the papers, making sure to place them exactly where they were before. He gave Victor a smile.

"Just wanted to see how my best bud was doing." He walked over to the desk and looked at his friend.

"Swamped. But nothing i cant handle." Victor said with a smile. "What about you, what are you getting up to?" he said as he leaned back into him office chair.

Beastboy realized he didn't have anything worth talking about and looked away to the computers against the wall. He looked around some more before returning to their one on one.

"Nothing." He tried to play it cool. Victor made that face, that face when he was trying to remember something. So Beastboy waited.

"Did you ever finish your collection?"

'My collection?' Gar didn't say anything. looking confused.

"Your comic collection. You were getting all the issues in your favorite series."

"... yeah. I finished it a while back." He answered with a frown forming on his lips. He turned away and said "Actually, i just remembered, i need to talk to Raven real quick." He rubbed the back of his neck and headed for the door. He turned and said "See you at dinner?"

Confused, Cy looked at his friend before saying "Can't BB, i just finished up these e-mails. Now i need to look over a few machinery manuals for the lab. Take a raincheck?"

"Sure, don't work so hard. See you later Cy." He said with a smile, then he headed out. He stood outside Cyborg's door and stared out into nothing. 'Did you finish your collection?' He leaned against Cy's door and slumped. Victor was working on some advanced forms of machinery, thermal whatever, and he asked him how his comic book collection was going... He felt like a real kid right now.

"Oh, Garfield. How are you doing this glorious afternoon?" Beastboy looked to Starfire as she floated above the carpeted hallway. He straightened up and put on a smile and replied.

"I'm doing good Kori, how are you?"

"Wonderful, I'm feeling much better after all the 'reading up' I've been doing." Beastboy looked down and saw the scrolls that Starfire was carrying. Scrolls? Had she gotten them from Raven. Seeing Garfield looking at her papers, she spoke.

"These are the royal practices and laws of Tamaran. It has been some time since I've read them, and i wish to relearn them." She told him shyly. Garfield looked at her, and remembered that Kori was royalty back on her home planet. Then, he realized for the first that maybe... maybe she would one day return to her home to lead her people. A knot formed in his stomach at the thought. He'd never thought that she would leave Earth, but if her people called... would she answer? Would she leave to take her rightful place on the throne of Tamaran? What about Dick, what about the team... what about him? He squeezed the knot down, and smiled.

"You'll memorize them in no time Star. And make sure to add all the cools things you've learned on Earth. I hope we left a good impression on you." She smiled and thanked Garfield before floating off towards her bedroom.

He started in the direction of Raven's room. But stopped. Raven was away, aiding the Justice Leagues magical department. The members of the JL had finally looked past Zatara's earlier remarks about Raven and were finally reaching out to gauge her knowledge and skill.

He headed to the roof.

He sat at the edge of the roof, and looked out to the ocean view. He watched the tide come in and the seagulls fly overhead. Why did he not see this coming. Why did he think that they would be the 'teen titans' forever. Other than a few new villians that came out of the wood works, trying to make a name for themselves, crime was lowering. Dick wasn't going to train in their gym forever. Kori wasn't going to experiment in the kitchen for years to come. Victor wasn't going to fix around the tower until they retired. And Raven... she wasn't going to read on the couch till they were old and grey. They had to grow up, they WERE growing up. But he just stayed right were he was all these years.

"Yes Garfield, i'll go out with you."

He remembered that special day. That day was the second most important day of his life. And he jumped and danced and spun. Hugged her till she growled at him, then he released her before giving her a shy laugh.

Would she get tired of him? Would she see that he was still the kid that she met all those years ago? No. He wouldn't let that happen. His family was growing up. He remembered the Bloodhaven newspapers on Dick's desk. Kori's calls to her home planet, then her royal paperwork. Victors visits to STAR LABS that were stretching from days to weeks. And Raven... he had practically pushed her to the Justice League. But he wouldn't mope, he would grow right along with them. He didn't have to change who he was, he didn't have to turn serious and stuffy. He just had to change and find 'something.' And he would. for himself and the others. For Raven.

-Flashback End-

Chapter Text

Starfire did not knock on Raven's door. She stopped before it, and collected herself. What she was about to say pained her, but she had to speak with Raven.

She pushed the code that was shared with her and entered the room. There, Raven sat on her bed looking down at her carpet. It seemed that she had ran out of tears, as she continued to stare downward not looking to her guest. Starfire stopped before Raven and looked down at her.

Pieces. Pieces she never bothered to investigate, because they meant nothing to her. But they really did, they put together a picture that looking back, Starfire would have never believed it to be true. She heard whispers and gossip when Nightwing and her would visit the Justice League. She saw things that should have mattered when Raven and her partner were together. But Starfire never questioned them, never asked Raven for an explanation. Because Raven would never. Could never. It made none of the sense and was therefore impossible. But it was possible, and it happened.

-flashback-

"Get your ***** hands off my man!"

"***** you stupid ****! Don't ever come around her with your-"

Raven looked up from her bowl of popcorn and looked at the tv that was in Starfire's room. Kori sat there, with her hand holding the remote, paused as she watched the two ladies scream louder and begin to pull at each others hair. The screaming got louder until Raven couldn't take it any longer and she had enough.

"Kori, could you please turn that junk off." Her eye twitched as Starfire continued to look at the fight.

"Rachel, why are these two ladies fighting?" Starfire asked, finally turning to her teammate. Remembering the screaming, she muted the tv before looking at Raven again. Raven was about to scoff and ask 'what ladies,' but decided to get to the point quickly.

"Those two harpies are fighting over the jock in the middle," she pointed to the screen. "They're fighting over who gets to date the guy they both want." She answered as she leaned back against Star's mattress.

"You seem 'the peeved' about their battle over their loved one. Is it not glorious to fight for a beloved?"

Loved one? Raven realized what Star was getting at before looking back to the tv screen. "It's not really over a loved one Kori." And Starfire looked at her to continue. Thinking of a way to word her next sentence she continued. "Yes, they're fighting over who gets to be with the guy in the middle, but it's less about love and more about their hatred of each other."

"Their hatred of one another?"

"Look at it like this, imagine you were fighting over Dick with Kitten."

Starfire began to make both an angry and sour look before Raven cut in.

"But what if Dick couldn't decide which one of you he wanted?" Star lost her angry look and showed a sense of unease. Dick couldn't decide if he wanted to be with her or kitten? Dick had never expressed such thoughts or feelings. She was always what he wanted, the only one he loved.

"What's wrong about their 'fight' is that it's no longer about the man they love and want to be with, but their hatred of each other that is stronger than the love they have for that frat boy." Raven decided not to get into the whole reality TV business about haming up the drama for ratings, but asked Star.

"What if Dick chose Kitten over you?"

"If he chose Kitten… then. Then I must accept his answer, and stop pursuing his affection." She answered.

"Would you still fight, because you want Dick, because you hate kitten?

"No, I would not do that. I would not fight for someone who could not give me their everything. If i can love someone the 'whole heartedly,' i would expect them to give me the same. I would not let hate control me, I would accept it and move on."

Silence filled the bedroom, until Star looked at Ravens face and with a smile said "we are blessed are we not?"

Raven gave her a confused look before Starfire continued.

"We are blessed with ones who love us unconditionally. Who have no one else in their lives who they would devote themselves to. And we who would do the same for them." Starfire finished with a smile, before turning to the tv and searching for a program that Raven would be willing to watch.

Raven sat with a troubled look to her features. She said nothing as she looked down at her bowl of popcorn.

-Flashback End-

"You betrayed him… you betrayed my brother…" Raven didn't move, didn't look up. " he gave you his heart, his soul. He worshiped the ground you walked upon and loved you so much even I could not believe. And you betrayed him. I could not think, don't want to believe that you would do such a thing." Star couldn't stop the tears from escaping her eyes. "But you did. And you've left a scar in this family. And a greater and deeper scar in my brother's heart. Right now… right now. I cannot call you my sister."

She wanted to fly. Fly into the sky, towards the JL Watch Tower and smash right through to the other person who had hurt Garfield. But she stood, with no joy that gave her flight. And with tears streaming down her face, Kori turned away from Raven, and walked out the room.

Raven shook and squeezed the sheets between her fingers.

Chapter Text

-Flashback-

Beastboy was pacing in his room. He'd been doing that lately ever since the team began branching out into their own hobbies. He thought back to Nightwing's suggestion.

"I think you should change-"

Change? Change what? He was Beastboy, he could change into any animal he wanted. He was the same hero during his run with the Doom Patrol, then later joining the Teen Titans. The whole animal kingdom was at his finger tips. And he transformed into every animal that he knew and read about since his patrol days. He'd turn into so many animals during his years as a hero… but they were all used for the same thing.

He stopped and looked up at his ceiling.

He'd always turned into his signature animals when fighting enemies. He would turn into a gorilla when he needed to clash with villains. A cheetah when he needed to dodge attacks and race across the battlefield. Any type of bird when he needed to travel long distances. 'Slam into the enemy,' 'throw the bad guys around,' 'run around the city, ' line up the bad guys so his friends could take them out.

He thought about their battles over the years, how many enemies did 'he' actually take down? When did 'he' get on the communicator and say "I got 'em you guys, it's all clear." He didn't know, it seemed like he was pushing the villains around, while his team was actually defeating them.

Then he thought of 'The Beast.'

Thought back to how he first turned into it. How the transformation had scared him, since he couldn't control it. But after his struggle with it during the fight with Adonis, Raven had given him support and comforting words that helped him accept this new part of him. But… is that what he would rely on? Relying on the Beast for his battles?

The last time he willingly turned into it, was during the battle against Trigon. But his wereform stayed dormant afterwards, he made sure of that. He didn't want to go berserk and turn into a wild card that the team couldn't communicate with or reel in during a fight.

Was that it though? Turn into the Beast, again and again? Go from 0 to 60 in every fight, becoming a one trick pony? He still couldn't fully control his 'beast mode.' He'd neglected to train in it, reach out to that part of him the Beast dwelled in. Out of fear. What else did he have, he reached up rubbed his face with his hand.

He was special, he had a superpower that was unique, unique to only him in a small world of meta humans. There had to be something that he could do to enhance his current abilities. Somewhere he could take his powers to a 'next level.'

He walked over to his bottom bunk and sat down.

He raked his brain. Then… Something was coming to mind, he could feel it. Then suddenly it came down on him like a sledge hammer. He'd turned into an amoeba.

He thought back to when he'd made one of his biggest mistakes on the team. When not only did he put Victor in danger, or even Titans Tower in danger. But a potential crisis that could have spread across who knows how far. All because he wanted to play an illegal game. Charges could have been brought against him. Cy had every right to take him before the team, and hold him accountable for what he'd done. But he let Garfield get away with it, buried it in the past and moved on. And now that he thought about it, he never showed Victor an appreciation for what he did.

Cy and the team never mentioned that transformation. Maybe they could have suggested doing more, or exploring where he could go from there. But he'd probably blow that off. Maybe they thought it was just a fluke, didn't think he was capable of doing new things. He didn't know, and he wouldn't assume the team's reasoning. But that thought hurt him.

He thought of what could have become of his powers had he trained and learned from the Beast. If he'd explore what such a small transformation could have turned into if he'd only practiced those possibilities.

All this time… all this time he could have made something of his powers. But he'd been uninterested in pursuing them. When he'd first joined the Doom Patrol, he'd met the Professor. The Professor was a good man, who was honest and showed interest in Beastboy's shape shifting. He would have helped Garfield not only out of the pursuit for discovery, but to aid one of the Doom patrol. But Beastboy had pushed him away, didn't want to learn about his powers. He'd let a golden opportunity get away. Why? Because he didn't care? Because turning into animals was cool enough for him? Those WERE the reasons why, and it was also because he was scared. Scared of messing with his father's work, the serum that saved his life and gave him his powers. But he wasn't alone, he had a genius like the professor with him. And he'd let the chance to learn and maybe grow, slip through his fingers.

Garfield didn't know until he felt it run down his cheek, but he was crying. Because he'd been so stupid. Stupid for not taking the help when it was offered to him. Stupid for not appreciating a boon in his power after the incident. Stupid for not realizing a great discovery in his transformation. He had gone straight back to the way he was before. Stupid, childish, naive Beastboy.

He sat on his bed for some time, then wiped at his eyes before standing up. He wouldn't cry, part of growing up was accepting and learning from your mistakes. It was obvious that the others didn't dwell on any shortcomings, but worked on themselves to become better heroes, better people. And he would do the same. He'll look at what he could do, where he could go from here. If he had to learn, or practice, experiment he would. He looked around his messy room and started to pick up clothes and comic books.

Where would he start? He thought back to turning into an amoeba. That was pretty cool, so small no one could detect him. And he multiplied! How crazy was that? Then he paused in picking up an empty container, he multiplied? He actually became more than one Beastboy. They all had a singular mind, to stop that virus from corrupting Cyborg. Then, they all joined back together to become him again. He wondered… what did he multiply? When there was more of him, what did they all take from him? Did he sacrifice something, like his mind or body? Did he split his life expectancy amongst the others. Did he split his soul?

Before he knew it, he looked down at the clean floor, and at the bags he'd filled while thinking. These thoughts, and ideas… is this what it felt like when Victor was planning and working on his projects? When Raven was studying and experimenting with magic? He liked this feeling, he was giddy. He wanted to find the answers to these questions. He'd come up with something to do about his discovery. What if there were more of him, what if he evolved?!

His hearing picked up jet engines, then he walked over to the window and saw an incoming JL ship. He smiled… Raven.

He walked through his door and headed to the Common Room. He'd let her stretch her legs after the ship ride and be there to greet her in their living room.

'Woosh" the common room doors opened and Raven walked through. She made her way to the kitchen before she noticed Garfield sitting on the high chair looking at her. The smile that he always had on his features when she was near him made her heart afloat, before the feeling settled into her stomach.

His smile faltered some, and after spacing out a little, he shook his head.

"What's the matter?"

"... Nothing." He took a few breathes. Then his smile returned. "Did you woo them?" he asked standing up.

She let the interaction slide, understanding what he was asking.

"We were able to trace back the origin of the tome that Zatanna discovered in eastern Europe. After a few hours of deciphering it, we translated into the language closest to its original founders. She thinks it'll be a great learning experience for the magic wielders that are interested in the magical courses we will be offering soon." She answered with a small smile, trying to hide how proud she was of herself for such a big contribution in the tome's translation.

But Gar wasn't afraid to hide how proud he was of her, he walked up to her and gave her a big hug and squeezed her for her skill and time away from the tower. She relaxed and slowly raised he arms to return the hug. He leaned into her, resting his head against hers. He wanted to smile, at how his ears rested above hers these past few years. But he squeezed her again, and took a few breathes. Her arms slid to his chest and he took that as the sign that she was going to continue the conversation. He pulled back and looked at her. Before she could say anything, he spoke.

"I'm proud of you Rae. I never doubted you'd make Zatanna see she was wrong about you," then he leaned in a kissed her softly on the cheek. His lips rested on her cheek, and he felt her soft hands give his chest a gentle squeeze. he pulled back again and looked down at her. She stared up at him, memorized in his forest green eyes.

BEEP! They both flinched. BEEP!... BEEP!

Raven looked over and saw the steaming mug on the counter. She looked back at Gar and his sheepish grin. "Still using the oven to time my tea?"

"Baby, it's cold out-"

"Don't give me a Christmas joke Gar, it's still September." She held onto his chest for a few moments before retreating them and walking to the counter. She flicked her wrist, and with her powers, silenced the oven timer. She reached over and picked up the mug. She glanced at it before placing her lips on the rim, eyes on Beastboy.

'Siiip.'

And he waited... and waited... He shifted to one leg. Hopeful.

"... Perfect, like always." She said. And Beastboy jumped and slapped his knee with a great big grin. She smiled, remembering how Garfield begged her to teach him how to make tea. Make it just the way she liked it. And as time went by, he'd surprise her with a hot mug on any occasion that he believed she was busy.

"And what about you, we didn't get a chance to talk much while i was away." She asked and she took a seat on the high chair. She gestured to the chair next to her. Garfield slowly made his way to the chair before taking a seat. She saw his mind wonder and let him sort his thoughts.

"Training with Nightwing. Thinking about some stuff."

"Stuff?"

Beastboy leaned an elbow on the counter, and used his hand to prop up his chin. "Well... since you've been away for a few days with the Justice League, and Victor's buried under a pile of paperwork... I've found myself with a lot of free time." She looked worried. Guilty. So he hurried to continue. "But that's good! I need to think about some things. What about me you know? I'm going to have to start doing something around here... out there..." He spaced out again.

She placed her mug down slowly, looking at him. She reached a hand out and placed it on the hand he rested on his knee. He felt her with a small jolt, but settled down and gazed into her eyes.

"What ever you do, where ever it is... you'll still be here, right? We'll still be here?"

He didn't know how, maybe it was because he loved her. Because she meant the world to him, no... more than that. She was his world, his everything. But he understood what she meant. She wasn't talking about the tower, with her soft hand on his, she was talking about 'them.'

He smiled. Leaned in and gave her his signature smile. He called it the 'Lady Killer,' and she called it the 'Goofy' look. He looked into her eyes and said.

"As long as you'll have me Rae..."

-Flashback End-

Chapter Text

Knock. Knock. Knock…

Nightwing waited outside the room. After a few seconds, he reached up and tried again.

Knock. Knock. Knock…

"… Come in…" he was able to make out a silent reply through the door. So he pushed the keypad, and after the door opened, he stepped inside.

He looked around the room until saw Cyborg, who was leaning against the counter along the wall. Nightwing walked up to his teammate and stopped in front of him. Cyborg was holding a thick stack of papers looking down at them. But the far away look in his features told Nightwing that he wasn't reading them. So he reached up and gently grabbed the stack of papers. He slowly pulled them from Cy's grip, and he gave no resistance. After he took the papers, He stepped to the side and placed them down on the counter before returning to face Cyborg. He looked at Victor, who stood frozen after putting his arm down. They stayed silent for a short while.

"How could I do that to BB..? How could I accuse Gar of doing something like that…?" He leaned further back into the counter, ignoring the groan that the cabinet made from his weight.

Nightwing was silent. Then spoke up.

"You're not the only one Victor. I accused Garfield of the same thing. We both jumped to conclusions, and instead of giving Gar time to explain the situation, we just thought the worst of him."

"And Raven…" Victor asked. "Her pregnancy… do you think that it was for-"

"Let's not jump to anymore conclusions Vic. We'll talk to Raven about it when we have the time. I don't even want to think that she didn't ask for this."

"If she didn't want this, If someone took adv-" Cyborg was cut off.

"Victor, let's not think that right now. The team's in a lot of pain right now. Let's not add more fuel to this by thinking about that. We're Ravens family, she'll tell us when she's ready. But right now, we have other things that we need to discuss."

Slowly, Cyborg anger receded and he looked to Dick to continue.

"About the meeting we were going to have, I gathered the team to let you guys know that… The Brain has escaped from his ice prison." Nightwing finally told Cyborg.

Cyborg turned and walked to his desk, and looked over his stacks of paperwork and projects. He took a big inhale, held on to it, then with a loud exhale turned back to Nightwing.

"We're going after them?"

Nightwing nodded. He just finished taking a call from the Doom Patrol. The chaos that was going on on their end didn't make this terrible evening any better. He had lied to the Doom Patrol, telling them that he briefed the team about The Brain. That the others were preparing for the upcoming encounter. So Garfield's old team gave him the update about the bunker The Brotherhood was using. And after taking a moment to settle himself, after the news of the escape, Ravens pregnancy, and Garfield's behavior over the subject, decided he needed to speak to the Titans individually.

"Tomorrow morning. We'll have another team meeting. I'll go into detail what we're going to do." With that, Nightwing headed out of the room and made his way to Kori's.

Cyborg looked down at his finalized papers. Each packet had been individually cover paged for the team he'd been working with for months. This project had been his biggest contribution to STAR Labs. Even before he finalized this, everyone at the lab were completely behind him. He chuckled when they were falling over themselves to see his findings. To spend more time with him in the laboratory and learn from him, a guy who had technology and science thrusted on to him when he had still been a school jock just scraping by in class less than a decade ago. Who didn't want to bother learning textbooks and studies despite his fathers request to follow him in his field. But after the accident, being a freak really took away the ball games and highschool parties.

He moved the project papers over, lifted a letter that had been addressed to him personally by the head engineer for STAR Labs, and read it.

'We are pleased to inform you, Victor Stone, that the board for STAR Labs and it's affiliates of the Justice League have unanimously agreed to your full time employment in our facility. We are looking forward to having one of the brightest minds joining our ranks. We look forward to seeing you in the coming weeks, and have your accommodations ready for your arrival.'

Signed Chairman of the Hea-

Cyborg placed the invitation down and sighed.

—-

Knock… Knock.

Starfire was startled. She didn't know how long she was lost in thought. She stopped folding her ceremonial robe that was sent to her by her mother. She placed the garment on to her bed and looked to the door.

"Yes…"

"It's me Kori…"

She walked to the door, and after opening it, saw her lover standing in the hallway. He did not have the smile that he would often have for her at her bedroom door. But she understood that the evening was far from the towers usual happenings. She didn't need to say anything as he walked right in, with the door closing behind him, and stood before her. His face was solemn and she knew he did not have good news to deliver.

"The Brain, Mallah, and General Immortas escaped." He finally said after a few seconds of silence.

She held his gaze, before nodding.

"And we're are to prepare for battle."

It was not a question. Dick did not have to do the explaining. However the villains escaped, whatever they sought to gain, she and her family would be there to stop them.

He nodded, then looked to her bed where her robes lay. He knew this time was coming closer and closer. Her parents had done everything they could to convince her to return home, without asking her directly. They were getting older, the growing number of younger Tamaranians wished for a new era for their home planet. A new era they believed Koriandr could lead them to prosperity. Because even though she was so far away from home, she was devoted to her people. Because she was strong, and brave. Because they saw in her what he'd seen in her all the years they've known each other, since the day they met.

Her eyes never left him, and when he turned back to look her in the face, he tried to smile.

"We still have some time." She told him, then he embraced her. And they held each other for what felt like hours. They swayed in one another's arms until Dick finally said, "I have to talk to Raven."

He felt Kori stiffen, and they were no longer rocking side to side. With her head resting in the nape of his neck, she nodded. He hesitated, but then asked, "Is it really that bad Kori?" They stayed like that for some time, and when he thought she wouldn't answer…

She turned her head so that her lips brushed his ear. "What if I was unfaithful to you Dick?" And with that small question, Dick understood Ravens actions. He truly understood Garfield's pain. He squeezed Kori as tight as he could, knowing that he could never hurt her, in more ways than one. And she returned that hug with one that was firm, yet loving. Slowly, Dick started to pull back. He gave her one last look, kissed her lips, then turned and headed out of her room.

Kori watched him go, before returning to her robes. She folded the last robe and placed it inside her luggage. Before clasping the top compartment, her finger brushed along a embroidered stitching gifted to her by her elderly nanny. Who had told her of the great things she would one day accomplish during her rule of Tamaran during her childhood. Almost like a grandmother, she saw the purity and ferocity that was in Koriand'r since her birth. Her nanny was a gifted stitcher that often fashioned robes for the royal family. She picked up a circular stitching that her nanny had crafted and delivered to her along with her ceremonial clothing. Even in old age, her nanny stitched Koriand'rs features beautifuly, almost like a photograph. Surrounded by the colors that represented the Tamaranian people, and flora native to the palace that she had grown up in. Underneath her portrait, read.

"Praise X'hal, our new queen returns'

—-

He passed by Beastboy's room, he wouldn't stop to check in on him. He didn't know if he was inside, or if he'd flown to one of his private spots to think. He decided to message Garfield first thing in the morning about the upcoming meeting. He'd have to apologize sometime after he briefed the team.

He continued walking, down a hallway that he rarely visited. In all the years they've been Teen Titans, he'd hardly ever ventured to this part of the tower. Only visiting occasionally when going to speak with Raven at her door. He remembered the first few times he'd gone to fetch her for dinner. And after so many declines, finally got the hint Raven wanted to be left alone. But that didn't stop Garfield. He went to her just about everyday, down this very hallway to talk to her, to bring her out of her room, to bring her to them.

He looked out through the high rise windows that lined one side of the wall to a beautiful beach and Jump City view.

For the first time in a long time, he reached out to Raven. With the connection that they shared since the fall of Trigon. She had told him that by concentrating, he could send an 'essence' of himself that she would receive. And in that part of him, she could feel his emotions. And he'd reach out to her, to express that he wanted to talk to her, to help and understand her. Right after, he had gotten a response. But it held no hint of emotions, just an acknowledgement.

He reached her door and before he could raise his arm, she called to him.

"You can come in Dick…" so he pushed in the master code that would override the lock for her bedroom. He walking into the dim room and saw Raven cross legged, flowing above her bed. Had he not seen her earlier today, in the state she was in after their team meeting, he would have never guessed something was wrong. She looked just like she always did. Neutral, almost indifferent and slightly monotone.

"Can I help you with something? Does it have to do with the meeting we didn't have?" She asked him like it was just another day in the tower. Like Beastboy was parading around, with a girlfriend who didn't do such a horrible thing to him. He pushed that thought away, could he judge her, in a relationship that wasn't his business. Just because she'd grown into a sister to him, and Garfield a brother to him, did that let him butt into their affairs. Did it really matter what his feelings were?

"…" He didn't voice his conflicted thoughts. But remembered why he came to her room. "The Brain has escaped his ice prison, and is currently held up in a base close to where we first met him. Tomorrow morning, I'll brief the team on what actions we'll be taking in the next few days."

Raven nodded, and continued to look at him. He stood, not knowing if he should stay or leave. After some time, his curiosity got the better of him. "... about Garfield…"

"I messed up Dick, there's no sugar coating it. I'm sure you heard things around the watch tower the few times you visited the Justice League. I know some people have noticed my actions and may have mentioned things in passing. I'm sure they didn't want to gossip around you, but they were more loose lipped around Kori."

Her words did nothing to soothe the pain he felt for Garfield, for the team. He remembered what Kori had asked him in her bedroom. 'What if I was unfaithful to you Dick?' And the thought that Raven had Garfield in her life and still chose to be with someone else, finally hit him. How till this day he still held onto her, worried about her well being when she was away, spent every minute of his free time with her when he could. All while at some point Raven had been with another.

He shook his head, trying to dispel his thoughts and looked to Raven. Right now, standing before her, he wasn't the leader of the Teen Titans. He wasn't Nightwing, the hero born from the ashes of Robin the Boy Wonder. He wasn't a hero… he was her brother.

"Are you even sorry Rachel?

And she looked at him. And slowly her neutral face turn to a pained expression. And she looked tired, guilty and lost. He wasn't sure if she was going to answer. He waited, then turned and left her room.

Alone in her room, like she had been before Beastboy pulled her from isolation. Before she learned what it felt like to be loved, and to love someone. Before she had gotten tangled in this mess that was her love life. A single tear slid down her cheek.

"I don't know…"

Chapter Text

-Yesterday-

Blue eyes stared back at him. Sandy beach hair atop a head with skin kissed by the sun. When he was alone, like he'd been since the team had become busy over this past year, he would extend his powers in new and exciting ways.

One year. In one year, he had progressed his powers further than he could have ever imagined. What started as a jumbled mish mash of ideas and theories, slowly turn into experiments, then progress, and finally results. He was in awe of himself. The things he did, the things he made. He had kept his improvements to himself, first out of self doubt. Even giving it his all, he didn't believe that he could accomplish what his imagination dreamt. But then he saw more progress, and that self doubt disappeared, and turned into a hunger. A thirst. A desire to keep trying when he saw little change, then positive outcomes, then finally big leaps.

He looked down at his arms, and thick iron strong scales grew from
his flesh.

"-ever since these new villains we've been encountering, I think this will be a good opportunity to see where you can take your powers."

Garfield sighed, in all the time that he had trained, no villain had stepped out of the shadows. It was like, now that he was trying to reach his fellow teammates heights, the villains threw in the towel. Called it a day. When he could have performed beyond anything he ever did on the field, to show his friends how far he'd come, the opportunity just vanished. Super villain crime in Jump City crashed, and the only wrong doing in town the police took care of.

There were no more bad guys. And Dick started making better relations with BludHavens mayor. Victor took a six month retreat with his fellow lab workers to improve Steele City's power grid. Kori attended and aided Tamarans largest political peace treaty with nearby planets. And Raven... he was losing her.

His ear twitched, and within a second, he was the old Beastboy that everyone knew and loved. Like he hadn't changed at all. He smelled the air... Lavender.

It was finally here. He sensed it these past few days they were together. He had regressed back to his childish self, pretending that it wouldn't come. Only to enjoy the last days he would have with her. But then remembered he had 'grown up.' That he owed it to himself and her. So not long ago, he shed his final tears. Like his time capsule, he would place his heart in it. So that it could be remembered fondly.

"Garfield... we need to talk."

He turned around and looked at Raven. Rachael Roth. The love of his life. He smiled and stood. He walked right up to her, and extended his hand.

"Sure Rae."

She hesitated, but finally reached over and interlocked their fingers together. Knowing that he loved being entwined with her. She stood in place, almost lost. So he pulled and guided her out of the common room. Down the hallway past the utility closet, passed the guest room that once belonged to a titan.

"You should totally do it Rae!"

"... I don't know..."

"Don't doubt yourself, are you scared?"

"I-I'm not scared... its just.." She didn't continue.

He crouched down in front of her as she sat on her bed. Arms hugging the sides of her legs and he looked up into her eyes.
"You are scared Rae, but its okay. You're so much more than you were back when you first came to Earth. Your no longer the daughter of Trigon. You're Raven. The strongest and most amazing super heroine ever. The Justice League doesn't deserve you. We both know this can lead you to what ever your heart desires. I know it's what you want Rae, don't regret not taking this chance."

She smiled, that smile that was reserved for only him. The smile that he'd work so hard for. And when he thought he couldn't love her more, she'd grace him with it. and his heart soared even higher.

The walked along the hallways of Titans Tower. Their home. In the city they never believed to find friends, family, and love. The sun had peaked in the sky, overhead Jump City. Where they had lived together. Fought crime together. Struggled and shed tears. Where he had fallen in love with the 'dark and mysterious' Raven. And she grew to love the lousy comedian and prankster Beastboy.

The walk through their home never felt so long, but Garfield took that as a blessing. Because it meant that he could have Raven for just a little while longer. Here, holding hands with his girlfriend.

Raven looked up to the TV that stretched across the common room's window. And Batman returned her gaze.

"This has been a long time coming Raven, but I and the Justice League would like to express our deepest apologies for our response to you all those years ago. You have every right to dismiss our attempt at rectifying our mistake. But we would be honored if you'd let us make up for what he did."

Raven nodded, and looked over to her teammates. Her family. She looked to Gar who gave a big thumbs up, and a smile so wide she could have sworn she saw his fang glint in the sun light. She looked back to Batman.

"You have proven to be a prodigy of a sorceress, surpassing other magic wielders that have more age and experience than you. So we at the Justice League would like to extend to you... Any and all support in your desire for higher learning in the magical arts. We will supply and aid you anyway we possibly can. Be it learning, exploring and testing. If you would teach any magical users, be they Justice League, or any other group that seeks to aid the fight in protecting our world. We would be grateful.

And with her passion for reading. Her desire to learn the intricacy's of magic. Her wish to be more than what she had spent the majority of her life believing, Raven smiled.

"I accept."

And at some point in there journey, she finally started to lead, and she pulled him right up to his bedroom door.

He leaned forward and pressed the keypad. He smiled and gestured to her, 'ladies first.' So she walked into the room, waited for him to follow and the door to shut, before heading to his bottom bunk and took a seat. He slowly walked over, taking in her features. She was ready, and he would be there for her. He took a seat beside her, never dropping his smile. He asked for her permission with an open palm, and she answered with a small delicate hand. And they looked into each others eyes. One with sorrow and regret. The other with love. Love that was there the day he met her, before he even knew he could love her. And there was silence.

"I'm pregnant..."

He never stopped smiling, never looked away from her. He would help her through this. Just like he helped her escape from loneliness. Her self doubts.

"I know." he said.

And her hand squeezed his. her neutral features began to waiver. With just that small statement. He'd toppled the entire conversation she had worked so hard to prepare. Surprise and shame began to seep through her features, and she didn't know where to go from here. How did he know? How did he know, and still smile, still hold onto her all this time?

"I've known since the beginning. Before you even learned you were expecting..." He lifted his other hand and tapped his pointer finger to his nose. She understood immediately. His animal senses had picked up that she was pregnant. So they must have also... Her mouth finally sank into a frown and her eyebrows crashed into one another. He knew... He knew from the very start. She looked at him and silently asked as tears started to blurry her vision.

"It started when you first left to help the Justice League. When you and the others began to help them, and got involved in the different departments that were a part of the league. Not long after that, you spent more time fighting global enemies than you did Jump City's. You came home with new scents and an aurora that was unfamiliar. But that was okay, because you were experiencing a new chapter in your life. You were meeting new people, in new places. Rekindling with old friends during our Titan adventures."

Her grip began to loosen, but he wouldn't let her drift away. She needed to hear what he had to say.

"And then you were paired with him. And you didn't smell like the other hero's and facility workers in the Watch Tower. You began to smell like him... I was jealous at first. Every alpha animal in me was clawing and biting to come to the surface. But I told myself it was what you wanted. That that was how the league wanted you to function, partnered with a new league member. To show you the ropes and give you an introduction to what it would be like if you became a full member."

Garfield had to swallow his spit due to his throat getting dry. Raven made no move to interrupt, so he continued.

"Then you discovered the magic of his home, locked away from our world. I remember you were blown away by its origin and difference from all the other magic you were used to. And that interested you so much you began to visit his people. Spent more time than was asked of you while helping the league..."

Smile never faltering, he looked to her face as tears began to fall down her cheeks. And his eyes began to get misty, but he willed the tears away.

"I know when it first started Rae. When i could smell him more and more. Stronger everyday you came back to me. When all the things i had given you here at Titans Tower wasn't enough anymore." he paused and rubbed her hand with his thumb. "I know when it first started, when you first came home and i realized i was losing you."

She bowed her head. And she began to shake.

"I remember the first time you and him were together. And the time after that..."

And she began to whimper, with a cry that broke his heart. But he wouldn't stop. For her he told himself.

"I knew you never stopped loving me Rae. I knew I was always in your heart. I'm not an empath like you, and my animal shape shifting doesn't have the power to read your feelings. But I knew that every time you came back to me, it was with the love for me that grew in our home.

So I waited Rae, waited to see what you would do. What choice you would make. But you didn't decide Rae. You kept coming back, slipped into my arms because you were happy to see me. Be with me. And you left, left to help the league, left to learn what you could from the world of magic that wasn't here in Jump, left to slowly slip into his arms."

By now, he didn't know if she was even listening to him anymore. The anguish that spread from her face to her body looked as though she was in her own world. But he felt her, the aurora that she would blanket around him when they were together was tightly secured around him. She was with him, no matter how much pain she was going through. He fully turned to her, and reached up with his free hand to cup her cheek. He gently turned her face to his. And their eyes met once again. Her beautiful amethyst eyes were dull from heartache, but also glistened with the tears that ran down her cheeks. Mesmerizing eyes that had captured his attention all those years ago. And still he smiled at her.

"You love me Rachael... And you also love him... I don't know what its like... to have two people that you cant decide between. But I'm sure that if you love him, he's got to love you too. And that's something i CAN understand."

She was hugged by the love in his eyes and words. Captured in the view of the schoolboy who turned into the young man before her. All this time, all this time she carried the guilt of sharing herself between two men. She was greedy and selfish. She didn't WANT to choose. Because that choice would hurt not only one of them, it would hurt her also. No matter what she believed she was doing, how she was juggling her time between the two. She didn't deserve either of them. Because she was selfish, she wanted both. But most importantly, despite what she did to keep this relationship going, she did choose...

His smile finally began to fall. Until it was gone, maybe gone for good. And a sorrowful look took his features. With a futile attempt to dry her tears once again, and with the most confidence he'd ever expressed in his short life, looked into her eyes, into her soul, and said.

"It's him... isn't it Rae." It wasn't a question.

And there on his bed. In his room. In the Teen Titans tower that they had grown up in. In Jump City, their home. Garfield Logan and Rachael Roth were no more...

"I'm sorry Gar... I'm so sorry."

Chapter Text

Nightwing looked over the Titans as they sat around their large red couch in the common room. An outsider would assume their stone faced features was due to the upcoming battle with The Brain. And they'd be partially right. Dick hoped they had some semblance of sleep the previous night, but they still had time to prepare.

"Two days. We head out to the bunker housing The Brotherhood, there, we'll meet with the Doom Patrol and prepare to break through the entrance of the base."

Nightwing brought up an image of the base on the large screen that spanned through their common room window.

"The local government thought the base was out of commission, after they investigated it over a year ago and didn't find anything valuable or worth investing in the structure. When The Brotherhood escaped, they made a bee line straight to the facility, local satellites showed that as soon as they entered, energy storing containers within the walls of the base began to open. And an energetic shield blanketed the entire base."

Nightwing clicked the remote that controlled the TV, and the image changed to the base releasing large amounts of energy.

"The amount of energy released by the base is far to deadly for us to storm it now. The energy current is so strong, its bleeding into the air surrounding the base. Flying over head is just as dangerous. But the JL satellites recorded that the energy is slowly receding into the base."

Cyborg leaned forward in his seat and asked "Are they losing power?"

"We thought that at first. We assumed that The Brain was just hunkering down instead of slipping into the shadows. No one knew, not even the architects of the base, that there were hidden energy storages within the walls and under the foundation of the base." he looked to Beastboy "So tunneling is out of the question."

"Are we to wait out the energy field that protects The Brotherhood?" Starfire asked.

Nightwing sighed, and replied. "We cant go in thinking they're losing power. The Brain wouldn't have headed straight to this location if it's defenses were going to fail soon after they were within the walls. The second issue we have, is there are three villages close to the base. So if the energy is not running out, but being used for an attack, we cant afford to wait them out. It's possible The Brain could launch a ballistic attack and put lives in danger. We cant risk civilian casualties because we hesitated."

"So what's the plan then" Raven asked. Nightwing stared at her, until she got the sense that he was going to say something they wouldn't like. She was partially right.

"The plan is to enter the base once the energy recedes into the inner chamber. Myself, Star, Cyborg and Beastboy."

No one said anything, until Raven stood up in her chair. "What about me?"

"You. You aren't going into the base-"

"Yes I am." Raven said angrily. Her teeth began to grind, but Nightwing didn't move.

"You're pregnant Raven, we're not going to risk your safety or the safety of the ba-"

"I've just found out about my pregnancy Dick. I haven't even put on any weight. Let alone am I 'showing.' I'm still just as capable as I've been these past few years."

"It's final Raven"

"Yes, it is final Nightwing. I AM going. I'm not delicate and I'm still at my maximum strength. I understand why your doing this, but it's not necessary." She looked around the room, at her teammates. But they didn't look back.

"I agree with him Rae, it's best you sit this one out." Cyborg finally said and turned partially to look at her.

"I too agree Raven, we could not forgive ourselves if something bad had befallen to you."

"This is ridiculous. I haven't changed since you all found out about me. I'm just as much a part of this as everyone." Nightwing turned to Beastboy.

"Gar tell her-" Nightwing stopped. He'd been too late to catch himself. Guilt hit him for what he just did. He'd almost asked Garfield to reel Raven in, like he was the father of her child. Raven sensed Dick's guilt and relaxed her posture. Slowly, all eyes looked to Beastboy.

"I don't want her to go... but I cant make her stay behind. It's her decision..." Garfield said on the couch. The room was silent. Raven looked between her teammates, her family.

"Please. I have to go. I can't stand out there knowing the danger your putting yourselves in. I cant live with myself if something happened to any of you. I'm the only healer. The only one who could stop a cave in or stop an explosion from taking you or the Doom Patrol out..."

She stood up and moved to the front of the room, beside Nightwing.

"Just this one time. Let me be there to protect you all. After that... I'll retire till after the baby. I'll stay away from crime fighting till later, when the baby is more independent. Please..."

The Titans didn't say anything. Nightwing looked to the others, and they didn't want to budge, but... They really couldn't make her stay out. It wasn't about whether or not Raven would forgive them if they kept her out of the mission. She was tied to all of them in a sense, even after these years of them exploring their own interests, they were still her family. The most important people she had on Earth and in her life. they all shared a collective sigh.

"...you'll stay in the back. I'll have Cyborg and Robot man flank your sides. You are to watch for any attacks behind, under or over us at all times. If there's an ambush, You WILL take cover before aiding any of us during the fight. If i tell you to, you WILL teleport to the nearest safe zone. This is nonnegotiable Raven. As much as we don't want to you in there."

Raven looked to Dick, then to the rest of her Titan family. She knew that she was outnumbered, but she didn't care. She was still at peak performance. She could still be there for them. She looked to Garfield, who never asked her to do what she didn't want. Never denied her or disagreed with her. She had never been unreasonable, so agreeing with her came easy to him. She saw that he WANTED her to stay.

"Okay."

She wouldn't voice it aloud, but he was the most important out of her family that she needed to protect.

-Earlier Today-

"YOU ARE NOT GOING STEVE!"

"YES, I am Rita!" Mento sternly replied to his wife.

The DOOM Patrol were once again gathered in their living room. After such a short time of retirement, they were called back into action. They had been in the room for sometime. Over the fireplace, hung the TV that was used for communications outside the manor. Beastboy's face looked through the television, to his old team fighting, his family fighting.

"We've already told you Steve, you're not going!" Yelled Cliff. He'd just finished flipping over the coffee table out of anger. Larry was against the wall, tired after the argument he had with Steve, unable to change the physic user's mind.

"I've recovered since going our separate ways. I can handle-"

"You recovered because you stopped fighting Steve." Rita said. She was exhausted after the back and forth that they had these past few days. Why couldn't he see that his health improved because he wasn't taxing his body. No, he knew. He didn't WANT to see it. He just saw The Brain. Saw the enemy they spent so much of their later years fighting.

"I'm not changing my mind. I'll make changes to our strategy to accommodate my health. But I WILL be there." Mento said in finality.

Cliff smashed a hole into the wall before storming down the hallway. Larry leaned from the wall to his full height and walked out of the living room. Rita stood for a short while, tears pouring from her eyes, before racing out of the room. Steve looked to the empty living room, before turning to the TV, to Garfield.

"I have to be there. I WILL be there Garfield." Mento said before reaching up to the TV.

"I'll see you on the coast."

-Current Time-

"We're going to be receiving help on this mission team." Nightwing continued. The meeting was coming to a close. In a few hours, they would get ready to board the T-Ship and head overseas. "We were able to get help from available hero's and heroines that aren't occupied with their own crime fighting. Not only are we heading through the front door, but we'll have aid in the surrounding areas. We'll have air, land and sea coverage by fellow Titans and Justice League members. If the Brotherhood tries to escape, they'll be surrounded on all front. We'll give the signal, and they'll descend on any escape to leave the base. Whether its a flying rocket, road vehicle, or submarine."

With that said. the meeting concluded. And the Titans began to go their separate ways. Getting last minute details ironed out before heading to The Brotherhood. Garfield stood and headed outside the tower. He walked past his thinking spot on the boulder.

'Mento and Raven are going...' he thought. He didn't want either of them there. He didn't want his whole family there in general. But they needed to stop The Brain. Nightwing was right, they couldn't wait or hesitate, because it could lead to something with consequences. A part of him told himself this was a chance to go all out. A chance to not only bring a fight The Brotherhood had never witnessed from him, but to truly protect his family in a way that he'd never been able to do. But he smothered that thought. He wouldn't go in trying to 'prove' anything. He wasn't going into this encounter like it was a regular battle between the Titans/DP and The Brotherhood. No, he was going to finish this once and for all. Cheesy movie one liners aside, he was going to do something The Brain wouldn't expect. What his family wouldn't expect. HE was going to stop the fighting. He didn't know the exact details, but he would make them up along as he went.

He needed to prepare, what he was going to do would take a lot of energy from him. A lot of concentration. Then, before they left, he ready the suit that was gifted to him by the Professor. The last gift to him before age had limited the older man.

He was going to do something stupid.

He was alone along the coast. The others thought he wanted time, time to reflect and prepare for the upcoming fight. They all need a moment. But he chose this particular spot. Chose if for a specific reason. Two actually.

Garfield looked up from the beach, as both the T-Ship and Doom Patrol aircraft flew overhead. It was all a stunt. They'd landed and traveled a few short miles away from the base. Then had the ships on autopilot fly nearby, and land within the tall trees of the Amazon. They decided to play it safe, incase there were projectile attacks launched at them. Or if the area was blanketed with explosives. The final touches for breaking through were being finished. He could hear Nightwing giving the last orders to everyone over his communicator. And from here, he could see that the energy that had protected the base was no longer visible from the outside. It was time. Time to get his plan into action.

*crunch* *crunch**crunch* But first...

"Garfield..."

"... Garth." He had one last conversation before leaving.

Nightwing was about to send the signal to the two teams. They were to get together, and make their way to the front entrance. He looked down to the communicator, and took a few breathes. IF they succeeded, this would be the final mission for the Teen Titans. All of their planning for the future would come to fruition. If their luck was better than the Doom Patrol, they would all go their separate ways.

Racheal would leave and become a full member of the Justice League. Leading the magical department that was promised to her by Batman and Superman. Becoming a beckon to all magical users.

Victor would gain full employment with STAR Labs. Where he would continue making great strides in technology and science. He would move to Steel City, not as a hero, but an entrepreneur and visionary.

Kori would move back to Tamaran and take her place on the Royal Throne. And as much as he would miss her, they promised each other to one day meet again.

He would move to Bludhaven. And start the first dream he had when leaving Batman. Before meeting the Titans. He would venture to a city in need of a protector, and watch over it. Similar to his adopted father, but with the strength given to him by growing up with a family. With someone who loved him, and that he loved too.

And Garfield... he didn't know. He never showed an interest in his future. The Titans dropped their hobbies and home activities, and started working towards something more, more than being a Teen Titan.

Raven never slowed down in her pursuit to learn about magic. Her small library wasn't enough to contain her interests. Victor put down the controller and stepped away from the T-Car. He got more involved in technology and later established a connection with other like minded people. Kori stopped running from her lineage, and embraced who she was and where she came from. She believed it was time to return home, and live up to the beliefs that her people had for her. He stopped visiting their gym so much, and preferred to gain strength out on the field. The relationships he built with the Governor, the Mayor, the police Chief showed that there was more to fighting crime then being a hero, living in an ivory tower. But Garfield...

He didn't know what was in his brother's future. The one thing that he did know, was that he had Raven. But that belief had been ripped out of him since the team's discovery of Raven's pregnancy.

He pushed the button, and sent the signal.

"Did Racheal talk to you..?" Aqualad asked him. The waves were so loud, that it could be assumed Beastboy didn't hear him. But he did. Beastboy turned and looked at the Honorary Titan, then partial leader to the Titans East, and finally one of the Justice League's newest members.

"... yeah, she did." He answered him. Aqualad didn't respond right back. They stood in silence as the waves continued to crash. Any minute, Nightwing would send the signal, and Beastboy would get the ball rolling.

Aqualad hesitated. And his handsome features showed doubt. So Beastboy gave him time to say what he wanted to say. Finally, Aqualad spoke.

"I'm sorry," he spoke a little louder. Thinking the waves were drowning out his voice. But Beastboy wasn't going to correct him.

He let the apology hang in the air between them. He had to hurry, he didn't know when Nightwing would call.

"There's nothing to be sorry about Garth." Aqualad looked confused.

"Nothing to be sorry about? After what Racheal and me did to you?" He stopped talking, trying to find the right words. "I knew about you two, I knew there was something more going on between you and Racheal. And I tried to give up on my feelings. But she never left my side. When I looked into her eyes, I knew that she wanted to be with me, and I wanted to be with her. I thought what you two had wasn't real, that what i was seeing true. But every time she went back home from the League, she left uncertain and second guessing herself. But when she came back, when she would come back from YOU, she was more confident, and she was falling more and more in love with me... I know it. And I couldn't hide my feelings any longer."

Garfield's face hadn't changed since the start of their conversation. He still looked to Garth, giving him time to express his feelings.

"I'm sorry Garfield..."

"What are you sorry for Garth? Tell me." Now Aqualad was getting upset. He was trying to own up to his actions, and Beastboy wasn't meeting him in the middle of the conversation. He was making him overextend himself, without offering his true feeling in return.

"I'm trying to tell you I'm sorry that Racheal chose me!" Aqualad had yelled in frustration. And to his surprise Beastboy looked relieved. The Hell? Beastboy looked as though he finally got the last piece to a puzzle only he knew. Then the changeling smiled and gave Aqualad a nod. He was so confused.

"I'm really happy Garth... I'm really glad that you said Raven chose you. Because she really did." Now Aqualad was silent, giving the floor to Garfield to continue.

"Because I knew Garth," Aqualad's stomach sank with guilt, "I knew from the very beginning. And no matter what i thought, or felt, or what my instincts told me... I had to let Raven make that choice. I could have begged, pleaded for her to stay. I could have 'fought,' but i wasn't going to. I gave Raven everything i had, and it still wasn't enough. I admit, I was clinging on at the very end. Enjoying my time with her, since she was away longer and longer with you. But i knew that it was either me or her who was going to end us..."

Aqualad watched as Beastboy reflected these past few days. Garfield had bowed his head, closed his eyes and took long breathes.

"I would have ended it eventually... but i don't know when. You two... you two made that choice for me.

He looked back up to Aqualad.

"I'm not that strong Garth, no matter how far I've come in life, I'm still just that young kid that Raven met all those years ago.

*BEEP* *BEEP* *BEEP*

They both reached down to their communicators, out of instinct to respond to danger.

'Let's head out' it read.

They looked to each other, and nodded. Garth was going to say sorry again, but Garfield raised his hand and waived it off.

"Lets get this day over with, huh?" he asked, and Aqualad turned and jumped into the ocean. Propelled himself a distance off the coast and continued his search for any hidden escape tunnels.

Alone. Beastboy started his plan.

They'd been walking for some time. It was quiet, besides the sound of their feet as they walked through the base. At any moment, danger could spring up and who knew what the situation would turn into. Cyborg's scanners told him that the energy storage within the walls were depleted. Damaged to the point that they could no longer hold any charge. But energy still coursed through the building ahead of them. So they walked, nine pairs of eyes searching every nook in the bunker. The moment they stepped inside, they were cold and efficient. Outside, Starfire and Rita had reached out to the others, to help alleviate the tension some. But it wasn't taken by the others. This was war, a war that needed to come to an end. Rita looked to Steve, and after a moment shared between husband and wife, she turned to Garfield, her son. He was so reserved, nothing like the boy who would charge ahead. Nothing like the young man to was confident in himself and his friends. He was not by Ravens side, which surprised her. They were dating, Why wasn't he next to her. Shielding her from possible danger. Did they have a fight? If they did, this situation warranted that they should have settled the matter. That they go into battle hand in hand, if not in body, then in spirit.

"Isn't this lovely... a family reunion"

Mento stopped and growled. "Immortas!"

Bang!

Where he was just a moment ago, stood a large crater in the wall after a gunshot was launched from The Brains portable housing. Sneaking in wasn't that difficult, but he had to travel through the base at a slower speed than he wanted. He couldn't shrink himself, because he didn't know what would happen to his small form in the energy that laced the room. Dodging to the wall near were he first appeared, he stood to the side of both Mallah and The Brain. In between two rivets that he just learned had high caliber rounds hidden underneath.

He stood stock still.

Mallah growled and walked around his leader, to put himself between The Brain and this intruder. They were on the second floor above the main chamber of the bunker. The second floor was behind a wall of what looked like thick glass, so they could see the ground floor. They could see General Immortas talking to the Teen Titans and Doom Patrol.

"Who are you?!" Mallah demanded in an imposing manner. Fury in his eyes that a stranger had snuck into the head office of the base.

"YeS, pLeAsE InTrOdUcE YoUrSeLf StRaNgEr..."

The two master villains did not recognize this intruder, this possible 'hero.' After their escape from their ice prison, The Brain made a database of all the heros that had aided in putting him and his Brotherhood away. After he was done killing the Teen Titans and Doom Patrol, he was going to hunt them down, one by one, and send them off to meet their precious friends.

"...," the stranger didn't say anything. But he did crouch and get ready for their next attack. Neither knew who this young man was. They did not recall this red and white suit in their battle with the Titans. Or in any registry that they had stolen for the list of active hero's. His shaggy blonde hair and blue eyes didn't tell them anything either. Oh well...

With lightning fast reflexes, Mallah readied his automatic machine gun and opened fire on their unwanted guest. He did not shoot straight, he spread his fire along the wall, in every direction the hero would take to dodge the bullets. He grinned when he saw pieces fly from the young man, thinking his guts had been blown out of him and showered along the floor. But then stopped grinning when in the dim lighting of the room, he saw the chunks begin to move and sway in the air. Twist and fly and scatter around the wall, before heading to the opposite wall. He was confident that he'd hit him, since there was blood stains in the floor. But he followed the path that the majority of pieces flew towards. Close to emptying his ammo cartridge, he reached behind him, grabbed a office chair with a hidden explosive planted underneath and launched it at the stranger. What looked like the torso of the stranger floating in the air, dodged the chair, which impacted the wall. The chair exploded into a fiery blaze that engulfed the young hero.

The Brain left the stranger to Mallah to deal with, and was looking down at the main floor, where his General just began to battle both teams of superheroes. It was one against nine, but the energy in the main chamber supplied Immortas with a perfect offence and defense. Right when the heros entered that main floor, The Brain activated the highest level of security in the bases defense. Reinforced steel too thick and heavy for their robots to break through, chemically treated to withstand the nature of the aliens green power. Hidden static disrupters that would block Mento's, Negative Man's and the witches methods of teleporting traveling and physic powers. Rita Farr and the boy wonder stood no chance of escaping a deathtrap built to withstand powers greater than their own.

His plan didn't stop there, he had failed far to many times to run with one idea. By some grace of an accursed god, the heros would always pull through his first plan. So he made a back-up. And all he needed to wait for was Immortas to tire the heros, so they could take the one escape route and leave their mortal enemies to their deaths.

"RGH!" Mallah screamed and lent down to his leg. A leg that had a huge chunk missing from it. He grabbed the still whole flesh above the gash, trying to stop the pain that shot up his leg. And under his skin, he felt the slithering of something unknown between his muscles and bone. Then he felt the back of his neck begin to tear. and Fiery pain exploded under his skin. Hot burning snakes, or what felt like snakes raced between his muscles and flesh. Mallah collapsed to the floor and viciously pulled at his skin in a vain attempt at stopping this foreign matter that was destroying his insides.

The heroes were scattered across the main floor of the base. Heavy breathing and sore limbs were shared amongst them. In such a short time, there entering of the room spelled their defeat. General Immortas wielded the energy within the base to reach every corner of the room. Having the higher ground, kept the close range fighters rooted to the sub floor. The energy coursing through the ceiling already blasted both Raven and Starfire to the ground. They performed the best they could with the limited space they had. In-between the surges of energy that Immortas controlled through the floor, they dodged and launched anything they could. But the energy field stopped anything from reaching their foe.

General Immortas began to sweat. Although he was having a great time blasting and shocking their enemies, he was running out of juice. And The Brain had yet to call him to retreat to the upper floor. He was going to run out of energy, energy they needed to activate the final plan hidden in the upstairs floor. He looked up to the bullet and sound proof glass along the balcony, used for observing the main floor, through the one way seeing veil to hide Mallah and The Brain. This was it, his last shot before he was left with the necessary amount to fuel the device. He looked to the heroes, judged who could be the biggest threat to their plan. And he fired.

Instantly, The Brain activated both an electric current underneath the paneling of his housing and a few magnets. One under himself and the others within the floor of the room. It was a good thing he did. Because the desk that also had a hidden explosive device under it, flew and impacted him. It shattered in a fiery blaze that his electricity dispersed, as the magnets did their job of keeping him from rocketing into the wall. Mallah's screams were dying down to a whimper, as the stranger stood before him.

"Your surrounded Brain..." He said. "The outside of the base is guarded by the Titans and Justice League. There's flying heroes under the tree tops, ready to take down any plane or rocket you have. Water based heroes ready to intercept a submarine escape."

The Brain didn't have a mouth to growl. He didn't know if he could trust the heroes words, but if it was true... That greatly reduced their escape time after they activated to trap.

And then from the corner of his eyes, he saw a great big flash of energy. He turned and saw a giant beam heading straight toward Raven. His eyes opened wide. Then, a blur of green rocketed across the main floor, and pushed her out of the way, before taking the energy blast head on. He turned to the window in fear, before his left shoulder blew into a bloody mess that painted half the room. But he didn't notice the pain that spread throughout his torso.

Their silent screams through the one way window broke his heart.

He saw his family scramble to 'him.' As 'he' fell to the ground, burnt and bloody.

Then he felt another high caliber bullet blow right through the base of his spine.

*BEEEEEEEEEP* And the right side of the room began to glow yellow.

In a fury, he turned to The Brain with mad eyes. And before the master villain knew it, an enormous brown bull was charging towards him. A bull much larger than natural, with grotesque muscles bulging under its skin, and the most menacing crooked horns adorning its head. It charged The Brain at blinding speed.

*A blinding white light flashed through the window to his left*

In a last ditch effort to save himself, The Brain activated his electric current to dangerous levels. Sent the wireless protocol that would divert all the magnets powers directly to the one underneath him. Just as the magnets made their connection, a force unlike anything he'd witness crashed directly into the high impact shield that protected his only organic matter.

The loud screeching of their hidden trap. The blinding yellow light that was beginning to power the machine. The Black and white lights of the witches power that began to tear apart the main floor of the base. Was joined by a disgusting squelch of bone, muscle and blood that met his metal housing. The brain within its safety chamber rocketed back and impacted the rear of its liquid filled cocoon. The impact disoriented the organ, and 'The Brain' knew no more. A gore of body and limb showered over the unconscious villain. And despite the chaos that was tearing apart the bunker, through a will to protect his family, Garfield Logan reformed.

He rolled on the floor, before crawling himself up to the console that lined the balcony. The air behind him began to distort. And he began to feel a pull backwards. He tried to stand up, but a massive shard of Ravens power blew through the window, right by him, right into the distortion. And the machine that glowed yellow as it was powering up, shifted to black, and began pulling with a stronger force. He looked up, and realized the roof of the base had been ripped apart. giving a view to the early morning sky. With blood dripping down his forehead, and teary eyes, he looked down to the Teen Titans and the Doom Patrol.

He heard their cries, their screams. Crackling energy began to deafen his ears. Then help arrived. Like angels, Honorary Titans and Justice League descended onto his family. Raven had passed out from releasing too much power, carried by Larry. Kori supported Dick, who was clutching his bloody shoulder. Victor and Cliff with shoulders locked, to carry each other as they were lifted up into the air. Steve... and Rita... they were screaming. screaming while clutching 'his' body. All three were lifted into the sky. His family cried "Garfield" with tears cascading down the cheeks. And despite the pain that racked through him, Garfield finally stood. And tried to shout.

"I-I'm... n-not... d-dead..."

He pounded on the only glass that still stood attached to the second floor balcony.

"I'm... Not... Dead..."

And the distortion behind him grew too strong to resist.

"I'm not dead!"

And he pounded and pounded. but no one heard him. He watched as his family was flown to safety. With one less to make the journey home.

"I'M NOT DEAD!" *pound* *pound* "I'M NOT DEAD!" *pound* *pound* "I'M NOT DEAD!"

And he was lifted. But not to where he wanted to go. Not to safety. Not to his family. He was lifted and pulled back. To the sound of metal and glass being torn apart. And soon, his family flew further and further away. And then the main floor of the base that was the final battleground for both the Teen Titans and the Doom Patrol too began to stretch away. Then the upstairs room where he had attempted to ambush The Brain shrunk smaller and smaller.

Darkness began to spread from the edges of his vision. Then it spread more and more till he could only make out a pinhole of light.

In his final moments. Garfield Logan thought of the time he last shared with his girlfriend. When she would come to him after her adventures with the Justice league. When he trained in secret to be worthy of her. When he used to spend time with Victor in his office, getting to know the subjects that interested his best friend. When he spent time with Kori as she practiced and rehearsed her Royal duties around the tower. When he finally earned a semblance of respect from Dick as a Titan.

When she said yes to being his girlfriend.

The Brain... Trigon... Slade... Terra...

When they still had dinner as a team.

Tune ups in the garage.

Movie nights.

When they fought Jump City's villains. And would go out for pizza after a hard days work.

When they became a team

When he first met her

Raven...

And with the shining sun overhead on this beautiful morning day...

Garfield Logan was gone

Chapter Text

*rustle*… *rustle*… *rustle*… He stirred in his sleep. He thought he was sleeping. But this bed… it felt like concrete. And his pillows were digging into him really uncomfortably.

"Hey…"

And with a jolt, his eyes shot open and he began to get up, before a wave a dizziness brought him back down. He squeezed his eyes shut, reached up with both hands and rubbed his head.

"Ugh…," was all he could say. He opened his eyes again and looked up, to the late afternoon sky. He could make out tall buildings around the edges of his vision. But he looked to the full moon that hung in the sky.

"Hey… Are you alright?" a voice asked. Although he was disoriented, he stopped himself from leaping back from the voice. The pain in his back told him he wasn't lying in a bed, but on the asphalt, and his pillows were boxes that were stabbing into his sides. After a few seconds, he lifted his head and looked upwards to the shadows that blocked an alley.

He could see a tall figure, but couldn't make out any features. Not feeling he was in danger, he slowly pushed himself up to sitting on the ground. He lifted his hand and rubbed the side of his head, the dizziness was finally letting up.

"… I-I'm alright…" he took a few breathes, before trying to find the strangers face "… thanks…"

The guy in the shadows stood still, before offering "you need any help?"

He started lifting himself off the ground, balanced his weight on his legs, and took a few more breathes to right himself.

"I think I'm good now…"

The mysterious guy then nodded his head, and began to turn.

"Wait…" and the guy turned around to look at him.

Not feeling in any danger, he took a few steps towards the person that woke him up. "Thanks for checking if I was okay." He noticed the guy get defensive when he walked up to him, but he didn't do anything.

"It's alright, I was just checking to see if you okay."

"You didn't have to do that… you could have just kept walking. I could have been some punk prowling the streets, but you checked on me." He stepped forward and held out his hand. "Thank you."

The guy looked at his hand, weighing what to do. After a few seconds, when he was about to take back the gesture, a sizable hand reached over and clasped his. He was trying to see the guys face, when his hand got his attention. Metal? Was it a prosthetic?

The guy must have noticed him staring, ended the hand shake and started turning again.

"Wait! Wait!" He rounded against the alley wall, getting In front of the guy. "I'm sorry. I didn't mean to stare. I was just surprised that's-"

And with the street light overhead, he made out an African American... with a face plate?

"Yeah… well, you're welcome…" he said before heading out onto the sidewalk.

He stood frozen there, until a feeling in his stomach told him to follow the guy. "Please. I'm sorry if I upset you." He followed the guy down the block. "Thanks… thanks dude!" He smiled and said "My names…" and he stopped.

The guy stopped walking when he noticed he wasn't being followed. He turned around to see the stranger standing on the sidewalk. He looked lost, wasn't he just gonna tell him his name? He watched him raise his hand, and comb through his blonde hair. Blue eyes searching for something.

"I'm…" and he leaned to the side, just catching himself by pushing his hand against a wall.

He took a few steps closer, ready if he needed to catch him from falling.

"L… Lo…gan." He finally said. He looked like he was recovering, after a few inhales.

"… My names… Logan" and he stepped forward with his hand stretched out again.

Even after the episode he'd just had, he still wanted to make amends for staring earlier. He slowly lifted both his hands, and raised them to the hood of his jacket. He hesitated, then pulled down his hood, showing his entire head to the stranger. He looked, took in the appearance of the guy who went out of his way to check on him, then smiled.

"It's nice to meet you." He said

"Nice to meet you too, the names Cyborg."

And Logan kept his smile. "A cool name for a cool guy." And Cyborg couldn't help but grin at the compliment.

"Are you some kind of superhero?" Cyborg asked, gesturing to Logan's clothes.

Logan looked down realizing he felt a small draft. He was wearing tights. Red and white. They had tears along the shoulder and legs, with a gash around his torso. Why was he wearing tights, if they were fixed… he'd really look like a hero.

Cyborg watched as Logan spaced out again. Even though he just met the guy, he was starting to get worried.

"Are you alright-"

*woooOOOOSSSHHH!* Logan looked up as a green fireball was hurling down to Earth. Confused, Cyborg followed the direction Logan was looking, and his eyes opened wide.

"What the heck is that?" Cyborg asked. He'd never seen something so bright and crashing down into his hometown. After a few seconds, he looked over to Logan who was following the green light.

"... we have to go..."

"Go? You think the impact will reach us all the way over here?" Cyborg asked, worried that Logan maybe guessed an explosive element to the crashing, whatever it is.

"No... we have to go to that... thing. Help whoever needs us..." And before Cyborg could ask him what he was thinking, Logan shot off down the street. Soon after, they were both charging towards where the green light would crash. Cyborg looked to Logan and was going to ask him to hang back before.

*Roar!*

Was that a cheetah? Sure enough, a cheetah zoomed ahead of him. Where did Logan go? Wait… was that… The animal got to the edge of the main road in no time. He watched the cheetah turn into some kind of bird before taking to the sky.

Logan was flying. He didn't know where this drive came from, but he knew that he had to be here. Had to stop whatever was happening, or help whoever needed him. So he flew, and his eagle eyes zoomed to what exactly was crashing to the ground. When he was running, he thought it could be a radioactive comet. Maybe a crashing plane. Or it could be a missile, and he was running straight to his death. But if any lives were in danger, then he'd be right there to help.

A girl... A girl was crashing into the Earth! She was engulfed in a green light that almost blinded his enhanced eyes. But that didn't matter, she was unmoving like she was unconscious, so he flew faster until he met her in the sky. And he caught her midair. He looked down to her face, and realized she was not unconscious. Her eyes locked with his, eyebrows raised in confusion.

"Don't w-" then her momentum brought both of them crashing down. "Shiii!" He yelled when the force pulled him down. The street was getting closer and closer. Almost at ground level, he squeezed the girl into his chest before spinning them both. Making sure that he would take to brunt of the impact.

CRASH!

Cyborg skidded to a halt when he saw both Logan and whatever he caught crash into the street. Blinded by the green light that showered the surrounding area.

"Logan!"

She squinted her eyes. She was prepared for any hard surface of the planet she was crashing towards. She was surprised when she met a young man mid flight. She was more surprised when he caught her and attempted to talk to her before they both began to fall. She shifted and realized she was wrapped in something. Before she could break free from her constraints, the dust began to clear, and looking up realized she was wrapped in the young mans arms. Surprised, she was about to yell at the stranger when she noticed it. Blood. A lot of it. The young man who caught her, was covered in gashes, with blood streaks pouring from the edges of his mouth. Her eyes opened wide in fear. She... she killed someone in her landing!

"Logan!" She turned her head and looked up out of the crater they had formed. There stood another person, larger than her. Shock on his face, he froze looking at them both.

Cyborg didn't know what to think. Logan had been disoriented when he met him, looked like he suffered a hit to the head, then charged into danger without any concern for himself. THEN, the guy turned into animals, before flying into the sky chasing a glowing comet. NOW he was in the arms of a girl. But even though the thought of danger from the impact clenched his stomach, Logan's words played in his head.

'Help whoever needs us...'

Isn't that what he was doing. Ever since he'd left home after the fallout with his father, he had turned to crime fighting. He felt that with this cybernetic body, he could do good with it. And what better way to do good, then protect his hometown. But as soon as something dangerous came crashing down, he'd hesitated. And it took the words of a stranger to remind himself why he went out late at night.

Before Cyborg could say anything, he heard fast footsteps approaching. He looked to the side, and noticed a guy in red and green tights. Was that who he thought it was?

Out of the corner of his eyes, he saw the girl rocket out of the crater. She hovered above, looking down to Logan with a scared look across her face. Cyborg looked also before grimacing at the sight. He heard their guest move to the edge of the hole, take a sharp inhale, then pull out a staff. Seeing Logan... like that. When he was just talking to the guy a few minutes ago.. Now. Covered in... He growled and raised his sonic cannon.

"You have to leave."

"Why, what's going on over there?" "Yeah! What was that crash?"
"Was there an explosion?"

She wanted to rub her temples at the bombardment of questions. But she had to stop these people from rushing towards the impact of what looked radioactive.

"There's a shining green light over where the crash was," the people hesitated "Don't risk your health or safety because you were curious. Call the police, and go back to your families." she finished. And slowly the people took to her words, and began to leave away from the impact.

She sighed, before turning in the direction of the crash. She floated to investigate the issue.

Cyborg and the other guy readied an attack against the girl. His sonic cannon was trained on her, but he hesitated. Logan saved this girl, caught her in mid air. She didn't do this to him. Not on purpose. The other guy looked over at him, grip tight on his staff.

"What are you doing" he asked. Confused that the metal guy wasn't attacking.

"... She didn't do it. Not on purpose..." He answered. And the other guy relaxed some.

"**** ** **** * *** ***" the girl yelled at the two of them. "*** *** ****** ***"

"Groin..." Three pairs of eyes looked down into the crater. At the bottom, Logan was picking himself up and swaying from side to side. "Man... i fell asleep again" He rubbed his head, and winced as he brushed against a gash on his forehead.

"Logan, you alright?!" Logan looked up at meet eyes with Cyborg.

"Yeah... I'm coming right up." and before Cyborg could tell him to stay put, he walked up the edge of the hole and made it to the street. He did not look good.

Logan stopped between Cyborg and the new guy.

"Who are you?" Logan asked. He didn't phrase the question like a demand, or say it in a way that the guy would take as demeaning. It was an honest question from the look Logan was giving him.

"… Robin." Robin said, staring at the guy covered in blood. Surprised he was standing at all.

Logan kept looking at him, like cogs were turning in his head, finally he asked "Robin… the Boy Wonder?"

That was the wrong thing to ask, as Robins face turned to a scowl. "I'm not here as Batman's sidekick," he growled.

"I'm sorry!" Logan said. Before feeling a hand on his shoulder. Looking over, he saw Cyborg shake his head.

"Leave him man, we got other things to deal with, like your health."

Logan stood and nodded his head, "I know… but I need to tell him I meant no disrespect." Cyborg looked Logan for a few seconds, taking in the guys sincerity. Logan turned back.

"I'm sorry I said that, I won't call you anything else other than Robin."

Robin didn't know what to say. The guy should be screaming, or at least passed out from blood loss. And here he was apologizing for a making a small observation.

Logan turned to the girl who was flying overhead. He saw the worry on her face. He noticed that all of them were looking at him funny, before looking down at himself. He wouldn't have much of an outfit if he continued this night. But he was sure it was the blood that was tripping the others out.

He closed his eyes and concentrated. Flexed his muscles slightly, and before the others, his wounds started to shrink and fade. He looked back up to the girl and smiled.

"See… all better." She slowly began to lower herself to the ground before him. Cyborg and Robin got in a defensive stance, not knowing what she would do.

"You don't look hurt, I'm glad for that." he continued. She finally landed, and after a few seconds took slow steps towards him.

She was a short distance from him, when Logan looked down at her arms. Realizing that they were bound he frowned.

"Are you trapped in those cuffs" he asked. She stopped. Then Logan began to walk towards her. She pulled back, surprised.

"I don't think you should let her out Logan, we don't know what she did to be put in them." Cyborg said.

"You shouldn't risk your and our safety letting her out until we know all the facts" said Robin.

But Logan ignored them and stopped right before her. He looked into her eyes, and couldn't sense anything bad about her. She looked back at him, confused by what he was saying and doing. He reached forward and grasped her hands, surprising her. He lifted them up to take a look. And she starred.

He tried not to give away that he didn't know what he was doing, or that he didn't know what this metal handcuff was.

She looked down to her arms, and after a few seconds felt a tingling sensation. Then a strange feeling within her muscles and bones. Just as she was about to pull her arms away...

*clank*

And the feeling was gone. and her sleeved forearms were free. She
pulled back some to see the handcuffs on the floor, still locked.
She looked up into his eyes and was captured by his smile, "see... you're all better too. He stopped as he sensed someone new enter the street, but waited to see who they were.

She stared at him, until she reached up and grabbed his collar.

"Hey... I'm sorry if I-" and smooch. A deep kiss he wasn't expecting to have this night caught him off guard. Through the shock and confusion, he felt his lips tingle against hers. Before she pushed him back.

"If you wish to not be de-"

"Wow!" Logan cut her off. She was shocked at being interrupted. He lifted his hand to comb through his hair with a blush spreading across his face. "I-I'm flattered."

"Rgh! I must go, the Gordanians will be here shortly. I-

*Growl* She looked down to her stomach, but looked up at him to continue.

"I repeat, I must g-"

"Are you hungry?" He interrupted her again. She looked at him in bewilderment. She was about to demand he leave her before-

"Do you want food, you sound hungry." Then he grabbed her wrist before pulling her to Cyborg.

"Hey Cy, I think she's hungry. I heard her stomach growl." Cyborg stared at Logan. The dude was full of surprises. After the whole ordeal of space crashing aliens, he goes and releases her from her restraints and wants to take you out to eat.

Logan turned when he remembered the new person that arrived after the crash. And saw a girl in blue robes.

—-

Logan stared at her, until she began to feel uncomfortable. She wrapped her upper body with her arms and turned slightly. Realizing what he was doing to her, Logan quickly turned away. "I-I'm sorry…" She could feel the shame and embarrassment roll off him. He continued to look away. "I'm sorry… I shouldn't have looked at you like that… I'm sorry." He whispered the last part. Cyborg and Robin looked at the two confused. She glanced around the small group before releasing herself.

"It's okay… just don't stare at me like that."

"… I won't… thank you." Logan said before slowly turning to her. His face showed he truly regretted upsetting her. He looked to her again , locking eyes with her shadowed face.

"My names Logan..." he continued smiling. She looked down behind him and realized he was still holding the redheads arm.

"Raven..." He continued smiling.

"Raven... that's a nice name" Then the redhead pulled her arm free from his grasp. Surprised, he turned around and said "Shoot, I didn't get your name! I'm Logan!" he said and raised his hand to her. She began to rub her sore arms that were stiff from her handcuffs.

"There is no time! My captors are on their way to retrieve me. And they will stop at nothing to return me to their stronghold!"

"Captors?" Cyborg asked. "Are you being abducted?"

"Yes! and they will destroy anything and anyone who stands before them."

Robin stepped forward "Who are your kidnappers? Who are the Gordanians?"

"They are a vicious race of lizard people that travel the galaxy committing genocide of smaller planets and abducting female species for enslavement. They wish to trade me to the Citadel and force me into servitude."

The street grew deathly quiet after her explanation. Something like that was coming here. The other teens felt their stomachs sour at the thought of an alien race willing to destroying Jump City, or even Earth.

"We wont let that happen." Logan finally said. He looked to the others. "Right?"

He didn't get a response, before Robin stepped forward.

"You're right, if there is a threat we have to do what we can to stop it. No matter who they are, or what they are." Logan smiled at him.

"That's what I'm talking about!" he turned to Cyborg. "What about you dude, are you up to helping out our new friend here?" he gestured to the redhead. Cyborg looked at Logans hopeful face, turned to the alien that had crashed from space, then to the other two that stood close by. He remembered why he was patrolling the streets, his talk with Logan about doing what they could to help. He finally nodded.

"I'm in..."

"Robin?" Logan asked turning to the caped hero.

"... I wasn't expecting to get involved with a team tonight, but... with a danger like these Gordanians coming to the city, I'm in."

He finally turned to Raven.

"What about you Raven?" he asked with a smile. "You came to the crash sight instead of leaving, ready to be a hero?"

"... I'm not really a hero..."

"Let's just say a can sense good in people, and by that nice heroine outfit you have, I'd say you got a few tricks to you." he said with a grin.

She couldn't help the small smile that spread across her face. Logan took that as a yes. Finally he turned to the redhead.

"What about you miss? Would you let us help you?"

She stared at him in wonder. From the moment she met him in the sky, she had no idea who this person was or what his intentions were. But then he grabbed her, held her protectively like a savior, even though he did not know the danger he was putting himself in. She was too exhausted to fight him off, and began to worry the closer they approached the ground. Then he held her tightly and shielded her from impact, sacrificing himself even though she would not be harmed once she hit the surface. She regained focus only to se him underneath her covered in scars and bleeding. Almost dead. She feared she was responsible for his death, panicked and launched herself away from him. She was worried that his allies would take up arms against her for their comrades death. But then he got up, willed the scars from 'saving' her away, then smiled. Offered his help in the face of a looming threat he and the others had no business in. Then he speaks to his comrades to aid her also...

"... my name, on this planet, would be Star. Fire." she finally said.

Logan smiled "It's nice to meet you Starfire." and she couldn't help but give a smile back.

*growl*

"Dude!" he rounded on Cyborg. "We don't know when those bad guys are gonna show up, we need food fast!" Cyborg shook his head, this guy could make your head spin. All eyes turned to him.

"... There's a pizza joint a few block away from here."

Logan snaps his fingers "Alright! We fuel up before the bad guys show their ugly mugs.

"... I can teleport us." Raven said shyly. Logan turned to her and gave her a grin.

"I knew there was something special about you." she smiled.

"We get food, then strategize." he turned to Robin. "What do you think about that Robin?"

Robin looked back confused, why was he asking him?

"You have more experience as a hero than any of us. If there's someone i trust to lead us to victory, its you." Logan smiled.

Robin looked to the others. Logan with a hopeful smile. Cy with a critical look, sizing him up. Raven with a questioning feature to her hooded face. And Starfire lost in all this.

"I came to this city to try my hand at a solo gig... but if your all okay with this, i can do my best to lead us to save the city." he finally said.

*scarf!* *scarf!* *scarf!* *scarf!*

The others slowly ate their slices of pizza, giving a side glance to Starfire as she devoured her whole pizzas. Pizzas! Even the waitress stood frozen as she just brought the order to these costumed teenagers. Guilt started to fill them, as they realized she was captive before meeting her, and she must not have had a meal for some time.

"So they are traveling by ship?" Robin asked. Starfire paused again to continue her description and any information she could give them.

*scarf!* "Yes. There will be a large number of foes in the ship that will come to retrieve me. Lead by their General Trogar."

"And their abilities?"

"The minions of the Gordanians can fly, they posses strength that can easily break body and limb, and have spear like weapons that emit lightning. Their greatest strength is their numbers."

"And the General?

"He possess the similar attributes to his underlings, although he is stronger than all of them. His greatest weapon would be the particle canon that is part of his ship, and is capable of massive destruction when fired."

Damn...

They finished their meal and let the food settle. They listened to Starfire tell them what to expect from the looming threat, all while looking up to the sky. After some time...

"We got company." Cyborg said.

Up above, a small orange dot began to make its decent, which turned out to be a ship.

"We need to find a way to stop them from reaching the surface." Robin said. He looked to Raven, "You teleported us here, can you do it again?"

"I can... but not all the way up there."

"How about I give us a lift?" Logan asked, before jumping back. then right in front of them, shifted into a large falcon. Scratch that... a GIANT falcon! Large enough for all of them to climb on his back.

"He can turn into a giant bird?" Asked Robin.

"I've seen him change into a cheetah, i think he might be an animal shapeshifter." Cyborg replied. Robin nodded his head and addressed the team and giant bird.

"We'll ride on Logan up close to the ship, then Raven can find a safe space to teleport us inside." Everyone nodded, then climbed on Logans back before he took to the sky. They held on to his feathers as they approached the ship. They all began to sweat when the large particle cannon was prominent on the ship.

'We cant let them fire that thing,' they all thought.

"General Trogar, we've sensed this planet has launched a projectile at us. What shall we do?" asked a minion of the Gordanians.

"Send out half the army to seize this habitat, have the others brace for whatever these creatures have sent to us."

Sensing an open area within the ship, Raven raised her hands and chanted. "Azarath! Metrion! Zinthos!" and they were once again engulfed in black energy. Logan changed back to human, just in time to make it within Raven's bubble and they appeared in the ship.

"Whats that rumbling?" asked Robin.

"I do not know. Perhaps the Gordanians are moving throughout the ship?" Starfire answered.

"Whatever they're doing, we need to get to the General and fast."

"Do not hesitate, attack swiftly as they will not show mercy or surrender." they all nodded. As soon as the corridor opened, they blew through their foes without stopping. Their enemies stood little chance after the attack that came from behind. Robins staff slammed into bodies, as he maneuvered between enemies. Cyborg ran and slid along the floor, firing his sonic cannon in different directions to help clear the room. Raven chanted aloud and offered shields to her comrades, while also blowing back the invaders. Starfire released her pent up fury, after her imprisonment, and delivered heavy blows to her captors. And Logan shifted between animals throughout the room. Charged into groups of bad guys, slithered between foes that threatened the city and his friends. They heard the ship begin to hum.

"The particle cannon!" yelled Stafire. They all began to race faster down the hallway. As they continued to clear another room, Starfire spoke again.

"Something is the wrong..."

"What, what's wrong?" Robin yelled. The others turned to her as they continued running through the hallways of the ship.

"There are not many Gordanians on the ship, there are less present than when i was captured." They felt their stomachs twist at the news. "Up ahead!" She yelled. They all assumed correctly that it was the main control room of the ship, when they burst open the door to a large platform with a captains seat at the helm.

"Interesting, i thought this planet may have sent an explosive to destroy my ship, but it was only an attack force."

"Cyborg, analyze the room for any controls to the cannon!"

"On it!"

"I will not allow that."

Then from both sides of the room, Gordanian soldiers fired their lightning spears at the teens. Raven barely raised a shield to protect them, but the blast shook and disoriented the group of heroes. Just as her shield lowered, they fired upon them in a second wave. Logan quickly turned into a giant snake and wrapped himself protectively around his friends.

BLAST! and he reverted back to human, skidding across the room.

"Logan!" before the teens knew it, their enemy charged at them, and upon bashing them, separated the teens from one another.

"I'm surprised that a planet this size, has only sent such a small task force to stop us from our landing. Perhaps a full scale invasion is in order."

The teens quickly shook off their foes, and after situating themselves, tried to push back against the enemy. Robin dodged lightning attacks and was knocking out any that stood in his way. Raven threw a dark field of energy to remove the Gordanian that was on top of her, before throwing black energy at the others. Cyborg was split between firing his sonic cannon and using his arm terminal to search for hidden controls for the ships main weapon.

Before Starfire could regain balance after taking a surprise lightning hit, she felt a blow to the back of her knee that dropped her. But before she could fall to the ground, she turned and was grabbed by the neck.

"Is this the warrior princess of Tamaran? I thought you would be more of a fight. Is this the best you can do?"

"W-where a-are the o_thers!" she choked.

"Haha, you finally realized. I sent half my army down to the surface to retaliate against this planet's attack against me."

His words pushed the teens into a frenzy, but between the lightning blast and crazed attacks from the enemy, they were struggling to stop the horde. Let alone the General.

"But don't you worry princess. You wont have to trouble yourself with this planet safety. Soon, you'll be on your way to the Citadel, and your only concern will be bowing to the whims of your mast-"

ROAR!

All eyes looked to the giant werewolf that suddenly appeared before them. Even Trogar was surprised at this beast that suddenly appeared in the main control room. Before he knew it, a shower of his men flew in the wake of a golden blur, before a large fist crashed into his face. He released the Tamaranian before flying across the room and impacting the wall. What followed was a rain of blows that the general couldn't stop. Fallen and defeated, he could only look up, covered in blood and bruises, at the beast that raised its final attack. But it hesitated as its giant paw shook, and after a few seconds, lowered its attack. It transformed back to the red and white creature that had entered the room earlier. Togar then fell to the floor unconscious.

The humming within the ship grew louder, and the gordanians stood stalk still after watching their general utterly defeated. Robin and Raven used this opportunity to launch explosive disks and magic to knock unconscious the rest of their foes.

"THE CONTROL PANEL ON THE LEFT! MY SENSORS READ IT CONTROLS THE TILT AXIS OF THE SHIP!" Cyborg yelled. He turned and punched the Gordanian that was holding him down before running to the control. The others hobbled to the panel to join him.

"I cant stop the cannon, but if we push this section of platform to tilt the ship..." He didn't have to say more. All five of them rained blows on the large metallic plate and they began to feel the ship tilt back. The small explosions they could see out of the captains windows, across the streets of Jump City, drove them to push harder. Until the ship started to face forward, then upwards. They held onto the console, until the ship was facing to the open sky.

Then it fired.

A great Yellow beam of energy blasted into space. Away from Jump City. Away from Earth. And the ship began to crash towards the ground. Raven surrounded the group and fazed them through the ship as it finally made impact with the surface. The ship sunk into the ground of a small island off the beach of Jump City.
Out of danger, and checking on the group, Raven lowered them to the pier. They looked out into the city, as the Gordanians stopped their attack, to witness the fall of their ship. Before they knew it, they were overwhelmed by the group of heroes.

The morning sun rose above the horizon, and the teens looked out at the ship that crashed onto the island. Exhaustion was shared amongst the group.

They looked at one another, before turning to the authorities and special task forces that were handling the aftermath of the invasion.

Logan looked at the others, nodding his head.

"You guys... were amazing!" he said with a smile. The others looked at him like he was crazy. He walked until he was in the middle of the group and held out his hand. "Way to go team!" and he shook his hand waiting for the others to join in. The others stared at him in bewilderment.

"... team?" Logan asked. looking around the group with his hand still stretched out.

Then he heard steps and a soft hand placed over his. With a confused look on her face, Stafire met his eyes and said. "Team... yes."

Then heavy steps before a large hand covered theirs. "Sure, why not." Logan smiled before looking to his side.

"Robin?"

Robin looked to the others, and despite his coming here to go solo, walked to the group and placed his hand in.

"Team"

They all looked to Raven, who looked at each of their faces. She finally settled on Logan, who gave her a great big smile.

"It's not complete without you Rae..." And even though she was slightly peeved at him calling her a shortened version of her name, She stepped forward.

"Team..."

"Booyah!"

Chapter Text

"... and this Logan?"

"A watermelon Star." He pushed the cart.

"... and these Logan?"

"Ha... those are bananas Star." He grabbed a bushel and wrapped them in the plastic bag, before tying a knot.

"... and these Logan?"

"Apples... I think you'll like those." They just got there, and she couldn't stop herself from asking him about the strange food that was native to this planet.

"... does it bother you that i ask so many questions?" She asked, worried that he would tire from her constant questions.

He smiled. "No Star, it doesn't bother me at all." They rounded the corner of the supermarket. They watched out to not bother the overnight workers that were finishing up their shift. They were allowed to shop early in the morning, before opening, so they could shop for groceries without being bombarded by citizens.

"I bet if I was on your planet, I'd ask you a lot of questions too." He stopped and began to point in the air around him.

"What's that Star!" "OH, what are those Star!" "Star, can I eat this?"

They both laughed. She knew that he was not doing the mocking her.

"If you have any questions, don't be afraid to ask." He smiled, then began to add boxes of pasta noodles to the cart.

She smiled at him.

It had just been a week since the Gordanian attack, and after some negotiating with the Mayor, they agreed to allow the new 'Teen Titans' to protect their city. He was glad for Robin's negotiating skills, as he would have totally screwed up the meeting between city council and the teens.

He volunteered to do the grocery shopping, when the others looked lost at the thought of buying food in bulk. It kind of felt good, his animal instincts were happy at the idea that he was providing for his 'pack.' And right after volunteering, Starfire asked to venture to the 'Market of Supers.' So after an hour, and twenty questions later, they had a full cart. They paid for the groceries with a debit card provided by the city for only food, then exited the market. They stood outside the store until Starfire looked to him confused.

"Why have we stopped?"

"We don't have a car..."

Starfire looked to the parking lot, then the road that had few vehicles traveling down them. Before she could ask why not carry the bags to their residence he asked her.

"Do you think it would be bad...?"

"... bad?"

"Bad if we stole the shopping cart?"

Her eyes opened wide, 'STEAL' the shopping cart!'

"NO NO NO! Logan, we cannot steal! We are the heroes! It is our job to do the stopping of thieves who would steal shopping carts!"

He then began to laugh, "It's a joke Star. I don't really want to steal the shopping cart." He looked to her confused face. "Hmm, jokes don't work on you either, huh? Oh well, I guess I'm throwing out my comedy gig." He began to gather some bags in his arms. She decided to not question his reasons and also grabbed as many bags as she could carry. She smiled as he tried to balance the bags in his arms, and return the shopping cart to its pen with his legs. Almost losing balance, he straightened himself, before giving out a loud huff.

"Finally! Let's go Star." She laughed.

"What?"

"How will you change into the animal, if your arms are carrying the bags?

He looked down to his arms...

"... you're real funny Star..."

Cyborg looked up to the large ship that would be there new base. It would be a tall order. No, it would be a giant order to change this place from an intergalactic battle ship to a tower that would represent 'justice' in Jump City. But with the cities approval, and financial aid from a mysterious backer, HE would get to design and build the new 'Titans Tower.' HIM. He was granted that honor when he drew a rough sketch of the plans for the tower. Plans that blew away the council, especially when it wouldn't hinder the city and lead to a quick change in the buildings main focus. So far, they lived in the ground floor of the ship, in small compartments, with event washrooms provided by the city until they installed plumbing.

He looked overhead and saw a yellow teradactyl begin to lower to the ground, with Starfire and a boatload of bags on its back. Once on the ground, Star dismounted with the bags, and the dinosaur shifted into Logan. He looked to Cyborg and said.

"I gotta change it up..." Cyborg exhaled. Then Logan and Starfire took the bags of food that would tie them over till they built their kitchen. He went back to staring at the building for some time, before he was interrupted.

"Hey Cy..." Logan walked up to him.

He looked to the shapeshifter, wondering what he wanted. "Yeah?"

"Do you mind if I ask you something?" He looked worried. Then embarrassed. So Cyborg thought it over, not knowing what he was gonna ask him.

"... sure?"

"I-I'm not great at these things." he gestured to the ship behind him. "Actually, I'm pretty dumb when it comes to technology in general." Cyborg scrunched his eyebrows together at Logans insult towards himself. "I was wondering... is there anything I can help you with?"

Realizing Logan was talking about the ship, he though it over. He was expecting ALL the Titans to contribute to building the tower. Or contribute in any way they could. He new that as their 'leader,' Robin would take on the role of the spokesman between the 'Teen Titans' and the city. He would be lead engineer and possibly their on-sight medical practitioner. Starfire, Raven and Logan would most likely be the 'muscle' in managing the teams affairs since they didn't specialize in any fields. But Logan was asking if he could do more...

"I was going to ask you and the girls to do the heavy lifting during construction, but if you're willing to do extra... I can maybe find something you can learn or manage." That seemed to be the thing Logan wanted to hear, since he smiled and released a sigh.

"Thank Cy... it's just. Its really amazing, you know?" Cyborg looked up again to the ship.

"Yeah... who would have thought we'd be living in a spaceship?"

"No... not that." Logan said. So he looked back down to look the shapeshifter in the eyes.

"It's just... it was barely a week ago when you found me in that alley." He paused. And Cyborg knitted his eyebrows. "And now... here you are putting a roof over my head." His confusion melted away to surprise, then to a feeling of appreciation for Logans words. "You're putting a roof over ALL our heads. We were all scattered, with no where to go, with no purpose, you know... But your giving us more than a base... You're giving us a 'Home.'" And Cyborg didn't know what to say to that.

"Thank you Cyborg. Thanks for all the things you've been doing for me... I hope i can repay you someday."

Even when he had saved a few people during his night watches, no one had ever thanked him for helping them. They were more afraid of the large figure that loomed in the shadows, even when he was the one to stop their mugger or thief. The look that Logan was giving him, it was genuine gratitude that his partner was giving him. And it really filled a part inside himself that he didn't know that he wanted.

"... thanks..." then a sphere of dark energy appeared on the beach, before disappearing to Robin and Raven standing together.

Starfire returned from inside the base of the ship, and with all the Titans present, they stood before him. Robin looked to Cyborg and said, "It's all clear, and everything's approved. We can start whenever you're ready." Cyborg looked the team over, before stopping at Logan.

'You're giving us a 'Home'...

He gave a short laugh.

"Then what are we waiting for?! We need a kitchen ASAP!"

They finally completed their base of operations. 'Titans Tower' stood proudly on the island that graced the coast of Jump City. They now understood what it felt like to live in a house while moving in AND renovating. After weeks of their closets being boxes, and eating their meals standing up, they could finally sit back on their large common room couch and kick up their feet.

"What great joy friends!" Starfire cheered as they lounged on the couch after just finishing unpacking. Everyone gave each other a smile, even Raven gave a smirk at all the chaos coming to an end.

"To celebrate, I wish to make a Tamaranian dish that my people feast after a hard battle fought." The others looked to each other with hopeful surprise. After weeks of eating cereal and frozen burritos, a homecooked meal sounded appetizing. They each looked at one another before turning to Starfire.

"That sounds good Starfire? Do you need any help?" Asked Robin.

"No thank you friend Robin, it is tradition that the warrior that calls for the feast be the one to prepare it. Please, be the patient while i do the cooking of our dinner." They nodded and relaxed into the couch watching TV, as Starfire began to go through their pantry. Raven sat at the edge with a book in hand, ignoring the light banging of pots and pans in the kitchen. She wouldn't admit it out loud, but a 'real' meal sounded good. So she read and waited for Starfire to finish cooking.

They heard chopping. Then scraping. Then sizzling and boiling. Then they started to smell something in the air. They looked over to Starfire who was humming along as she prepared dinner, before turning back to their activities. Then they heard snapping. Then grinding. And the smell was getting... pungent. Until the TV and their book couldn't keep their attention any longer.

"Uh... Star... How's it going?" Asked Cyborg.

"Oh, it is going the great friend Cyborg! Earth does not posses the vegetation of my home planet, but it's own ingredients are much more easy to cook with. I do not have to break or soak them to make our feast!"

She then opened a container of herb before pouring the entire bottle into a large bowl of pink goop.

"And it is the done friends! Please, seat yourselves to the table and I shall serve you!"

They hesitated, from where they sat, they could make out the smoke and sinister green steam that wafted from the pots and pans that were viciously murdered on the stove. They rose up, before slowly making their way to the kitchen table. Was the food moving?! They sat at the table when Starfire flew between them with a pot and ladle in hand. Before they knew it, bowls of various substances and lumpy textures were presented to them.

"Please friends, do the 'digging of in!" Starfire said with her hands clasped.

No one said anything, until Logan took a spoon and readied to dip it into his bowl.

"... Yeah. C'mon you guys. For Starfire..." He said while looking around the table. Guiltily, the others reached for their silverware before poking at their meal. They looked over to Starfire, who was already halfway through her first bowl. She thought after a few spoonful's, either nodded her head or gave a critical thought, then continued eating.

Braving forward, Logan scooped up a slimy orange glob and put it in his mouth. Sour. Killer Sour. He almost choked. He gaged though. And the others looked to him alarmed. He looked to them and gestured his head to their plates. They surveyed their meal for any parts that looked recognizable or the least offensive. After one small scoop onto their spoon, they tasted their food.

Robin's shoulders kept rotating. Raven was trying to stay upright in her chair, but an onlooker could make out the rapid eye movement that was going on behind her eyelids. And Cyborg coughed onto the floor. Logan was on his fourth spoonful, but looked more like he was seasick.

Finally, raven stood up and addressed Starfire. "T-Thank you for the meal Starfire, but I'm not hungry anymore." then she floated off to her new room.

Cyborg followed her example, "I've got more unpacking to do in our garage." He put down his napkin and spoon. "Pack it up and save it for later Starfire" He tried to give her a grin before walking down the hallway.

Robin watched the others go, then turned to both Logan and Starfire. "Thank you for the meal Starfire, but I'd like to head to the training room right now. I think it's best I start on our training schedule." He stood up, turned to Starfire and said "Thanks again." before walking towards their new gym.

Starfire's look shifted from confusion to worry as her friends left the table one by one. Then a look of sadness came over her. Until only her and Logan remained. There was silence.

"Do you wish to also leave the table Logan...?" She looked up as Logan struggled to eat another spoonful, not out of fullness though.

He hesitated, then lowered the spoon back into the bowl. He slowly pushed the bowl away from him, and Starfire dipped her head. She heard him push his seat back and then footsteps that headed towards the hallway. She was about to shed tears, when the seat next to her was occupied. She looked up to Logan, who was giving her a thoughtful look.

"... Star. We cant eat this." Her sadness and embarrassment hit her full force, and she was about to choke before she felt strong arms around her. Her eyes opened wide, before she realized that Logan was HUGGING her.

"Don't cry Star. Please..." He said to her. He was standing and leaning into her. She was starting to enjoy his warmth, when he pulled back.

"We appreciate that you cooked for us Star, we really do. But... The way you cooked it. And the things you put together. We're just not used to this kind of food." he finished.

She stared at him in wonder, before her sadness edged back into her, "Why did our friends leave without telling me?"

"They don't want to hurt your feelings Star... I admit. I wanted to tell you I wasn't hungry..." She looked more sad "but i couldn't hurt you like that Star. I had to be honest with you." She saw the sincerity in his eyes, and nodded.

"Then... i should not do the cooking for the team?" she asked.

"No... no Star. Not that. We'd be glad that you would still want to cook for us. I would be glad." And she got lost in his eyes.

"How about this..." He raised his hand and placed it on hers. She felt his warmth and kindness through his palm. "You know what cookbooks are?" He asked.

She looked confused, before shaking her head. So he continued.

"How do you know the recipes for the food you make at home?"

"The recipes are handed down from family to family back on Tamaran." She answered.

"Well.. here on Earth. We write our recipes in books, we even put them on the internet to share with others around the world."

"The internet?"

"I'll tell you about that another time." He smiled, but continued. "How about you and me go through some books and recipes that the others would be willing to eat, huh?

"You... you wish to cook with me?" Did he not know that preparing meals together was an intimate activity, shared amongst those that were family... and more?

"Sure! We can learn together, we'll all have to contribute something to the table. We can't have pizza every day now, huh?" He asked with a smile.

Slowly, a smile grew across her face. Which made him feel that he'd made the right choice in explaining the situation to her. She looked across the table, to the bowls of uneaten food left behind by her friends. And before the sadness could return, she turned to look at Logan.

"Let us discard the traditional feast of Tamaran then, and prepare one for our 'Titan Team,' yes Logan?"

"I'll feel bad about throwing away all your hard work Star." He told her with a guilty look across his face.

"That it okay Logan... I am looking forward to cooking with you."

He smiled then turned to gather the plates and bowls, all the while not noticing the happy smile that followed him at the table.

Robin looked at the Titans that were scattered across the gym. They had been in the gym for over an hour and he was seeing what the team was capable of in their physical training.

Cyborg was power lifting in the center of the room. He was testing out the maximum stress his joints and synthetic muscles could take under a heavy load. He was taking short breaks to analyze and review the results after each set of reps. Robin nodded his head and made a mental check mark at Cyborgs workout.

He then turned to the target practice portion of the gym, where both Starfire and Raven were. To the far wall on the left side of the room, dedicated to flying targets, Starfire launched her starbolts at both ground and air targets that flew and zig zagged across the field. Much like Starfire's course, Raven was also dealing with moving targets. But instead of launching her dark magic in offense, she was instead creating barriers to block incoming attacks and making shields to deflect non-lethal projectiles. Check... check...

Then there was Logan, to the right of the room dedicated to endurance training. Logan had been on the treadmill for... Robin looked at his watch... over fifty minutes. Fifty minutes of a light jog at low settings. All the while with a small content smile to his lips. He was curious what he'd do after his warmup on the treadmill, but Logan stayed put. for ten more minutes, then ten more after that. He'd ask the team to at least dedicate one and a half hours to their first workout as a team, and none of them made any argument.

He glanced at his watch again... an hour and ten had gone by. And Logan still continued to give a light jog without a care in the world. He turned to the others and saw that they were beginning to tire, but tried to hide their fatigue. So he'd let them break early for today, but later, they would have to really dedicate themselves to improving for any upcoming battles. So he walked up to Cyborg, who was toweling off after a set of lifting plates.

"I think that's good for today Cyborg, did you get any good results from your workout?"

Cyborg looked to Robin, then to his arm that gave him a reading of the status of his limbs.

"Yeah. I think i made a foundation that I can build off in my next workouts."

"I'd like to ask you about your capabilities." Cyborg looked at Robin defensively. So Robin continued.

"What I mean is, as the lead strategist of the team, I need to know all the ins and outs of what each of you are capable of. So in the event of an attack or altercation, I can correctly direct each of you on the field for maximum efficiency."

Cyborg gave a light glare to Robin before telling him.

"I have a cybernetic body with enhanced strength, and a laser canon for a arm."

"What else?"

"What else? That's what I'm bringing to the table. Other than my expertise in engineering and medical applications." He sternly replied.

"I'm talking about on the field Cyborg, there has to be more to you than your strength and sonic cannon."

"Anything else is my business."

"Well now its everyone's business Cyborg, my business. I need to know everything about you to fully utilize you on the field."

That was the wrong thing to say, as Cyborg stood up quickly while glaring down at Robin.

"I'm NOT telling you anything else. You cant come to me demanding I spill my guts about myself."

"I'm the team leader Cyborg. I HAVE to know-"

"I DONT CARE!" He stormed off and headed to the door to the hallway, he looked over his shoulder, "you may be the 'leader,' but i don't remember there being a vote. And just because you make up the plans, which we all agree to or disagree to, doesn't mean you can demand personal information about us." Then he disappeared behind the double doors of the gym.

Robin growled at the older teens back, before releasing a loud huff. He turned to the target practice area, where behind glass, the girls of the team continued their training. Oblivious to the argument between Cyborg and Robin. So he made his way to Raven when she stopped after a round of projectiles.

Ten minutes later, and Robin exited the target practice section of the gym with a glare to his features. He had a similar response from Raven about keeping her capabilities to herself. And Starfire told him just about everything he knew so far about her. Two out of three left the room in a bad mood, now it was time to either end this on a bad note, or break even.

He looked to Logan, and sure enough, he was still going at a light jog. Almost two hours and all he did was a pre workout, he didn't even sweat. As Robin approached the treadmills, Logan shut his off and dismounted to the gym floor.

"I heard your argument with Cy, and I also heard the little spat with Raven too."

Robin looked at him in surprise, then remembered that Logan was not too far from him and Cyborg at the bench press. He looked the shapeshifter over and said "You did a light workout."

"Yeah..." he answered with a small grin.

"Why? We have more bench presses, there's two more rooms to the target practice, we even have an obstacle course outside. Why did you just run this whole workout?"

"Running usually helps me think... but I didn't make much progress today." he gave a sheepish grin.

"I don't expect you to make much progress if you only stick to the treadmill."

Logan looked at him curiously, "What do you mean?" He leaned over the armrest of the treadmill he'd earlier stepped down from.

"Todays our first day of training as a team, and although they are still beginners in their workouts, the others made an effort to gauge and practice some part of their fighting style. I trained earlier this morning, so that gave me time to observe the rest of the team, but you. It's like you didn't take today seriously." Robin paused and waited for him to respond, but he didn't.

"I've seen your transformations Logan, and I'm really impressed with what I've witnessed. But we cant rest on our strengths today. We have to strive to improve ourselves. And that's taking our training seriously." Logan looked at him and nodded his head slowly.

"...I did take my training seriously..."

And they both didn't know what his words meant.

Logan stared past him, then after a few seconds, gave Robin his attention once again.

"You were gonna ask me something?" Robin took the situation as one of Logans odd behaviors.

Robin gathered himself before standing straighter than he already was.

"I was going around the team, asking them to give me a full list of what they were capable of on the field. I need this information to better prepare and plan our strategy's for upcoming battles." he finished, and was wondering if Logan would get defensive like Cyborg and Raven.

"Sure"

Robin was surprised, he didn't make any arguments about his abilities. He watched as Logan walked over to the bench that was to the side of the gym. Half way, he turned to Robin with an expecting look, before Robin followed him. They both sat down. Grateful that Logan was being civil, Robin started.

"You don't feel uncomfortable giving me this information?"

"... no, not really. You're not gonna use this info to hurt me, or anyone on the team, are you?"

"No." Surprised Logan would suggest such a thing. "This is just to strategize for the team. I wouldn't do that..." Logan smiled and nodded his head.

"Ask away."

"How long have you been active in fighting crime?"

"..." Logan looked lost again. They were already off to a bad start. "Honestly Robin, I don't know... but I CAN tell you. Its been for as long as I remember." Robin didn't know what to say to that, so he continued.

"I've seen you transform into eight different animals, is it safe to assume you can change into more?"

Logan smiled, "Sure can. If you name an animal, I can change into it, land, air or sea. So if you need me to break down a barrier, do reconnaissance on the field, or make a delivery. I'm your guy."

Robin liked that answer. "Are they regular animals, or do they have any special attributes to them?"

"I have enhanced strength, but not as much as Star or Cy. So my bulls hit harder, jaguars more agile, and my birds fly faster. My hearing, smell, vision and sensing abilities are also enhanced. Think of it as every part of the animal kingdom cranked up to the extreme."

Robin was impressed. Now that he thought about it, it made sense that Logan took it easy in the gym today. But was he being cocky and overconfident?

"Thanks for the info Logan, I'll use this to come up with strategy's for when we are called to defend the city."

"Now it's my turn to ask you some questions Robin..." Logan leaned back on the bench and rested against the wall of the gym. Robin was surprised to be surveyed, but nodded his head. If Logan wanted to know what his skills and expertise were, he'd gladly give them to him.

"Sure, I'll do my best to answer them." And Robin prepared to deliver his skills and work history.

"What are your intentions with this team?" Logan asked.

His intentions? What was he talking about? He tried to understand what Logan was getting at, but had to ask for clarity. "What do you mean?"

"I mean, how are we gonna function as a team? How will you lead us? What do we as individuals get out of this 'team' other than saving the citizens of Jump City?"

Robin was still confused by Logans questions, but decided to answer them individually. "I expect us to function as one unit, with me in the lead, at your suggestion." Logan nodded his head. "I will ultimately give the orders when we are out saving the city, so i expect that my orders are to be followed." "Sure." "As for your last question, you'll have to rephrase or explain it better to me." He finished.

"Everything you said, i agree with Robin... What I mean for the last question is..." Logan stopped to think how to word. "We're teenagers." With that sentence, Robin started to understand where Logan was going. "Now, I know where you're thinking I'm going with this is" he held up his hands, "but what i mean is that we ALL are ready to do what's needed to protect the city. We'll train, follow the chain of command, and give it our best. But we're still human Robin. We're young, living in a new place, in a new city, heck a new planet. We can't be a machine that rotates from training to fighting to resting and repeat."

"... Whatever you want to do in your free time Logan, your free to do it."

He shook his head. "It's not about free time or hobbies. It's about comradery."

"Respect and work ethics are good enough to function as a team. I wont stop team friendships... or relationships."

Logan didn't understand what Ronin meant by 'relationships,' but he stood up and looked down to Robin.

"You're a hundred percent right Robin, everything you've said and explained, i completely agree with. I just want to let you know that... I plan to not only make this a team, but a family..."

Robins eyebrows rose at Logans words, surprised he would say such a thing about strangers that just met two weeks ago.

"And I'm gonna do my best to make sure YOU are a part of it too. So if you ever wanna talk, hang out, or train together. Let me know." He said with a smile. Then turned and walked out of the gym.

Robin sat on the bench thinking about what Logan said. He wanted to make a deeper connection with the other Titans. He wanted friendship, or better yet 'family.' he wouldn't say no to those things. They were all free to do what they wanted when they weren't fighting crime. He wouldn't stop them.

"-do my best to make sure you're a part of it too." Something stirred in him at Logans words. He started to think of the family he had back in Gotham, the family he left due to suffocation, before shaking the thought away.

He got up and headed to his room's shower.

"I'll have to take him up on his offer to train then..."

Chapter Text

Ever since the night of Starfires dinner, there was a few nights of pizza, and take-out that followed. They were all guilty for leaving the table that night, but none of them had the heart to tell Starfire her cooking was bad. But by the next day, Starfire had been her usual bubbly self. So they let the ordeal fade away. But no one in the team were ready to start preparing meals.

It was three weeks, two bank robberies, and a bomb threat (real bomb included) later, when Logan slammed the to-go menu on the counter.

"It's finally time..." the others looked to him with Starfire smiling.

"It's finally time... to start cooking in this house!" He was fed up with pizza, and tacos, and burgers from popular chains in the city. He wanted 'real' food gosh dang it. He wanted food made with love, even if it was pizza, tacos or burgers. "And I know just what's on tonight's menu."

Starfire happily flew over the counter, then rose up behind the counter with two bags in her hands.

"We are to have 'the spaghetti' friends!"

"Is that what you two have been doing in the kitchen lately?" Cyborg asked from the couch. He was wondering what those two were doing spending odd hours of the day.

Logan waived his hand up "We've been working on more than spaghetti Cy, we just made it through the beginners guide to cooking. And Stars ready to cook."

"And what about you?" Cy grinned.

"Like I said, WE made it through the beginners guide." He replied to his friend with a glare.

That didn't put much confidence in the rest of the team.

"But I promise you guys this," Logan leaned against the couch to look the other three over, "There will be cheesy saucy spaghetti on the table tonight, so be there."

"What about meatballs?"

"... eh..."

"Oh heck NO, dude!"

"I'll go to the store!"

"We shouldn't eat a carb heavy meal before tomorrow morning's training." Robin said sitting on the couch with the newspaper.

Logan smiled, "We shouldn't do a lot of things Robin, but were gonna eat spaghetti tonight. And there's gonna be a plate for you on the table. If you don't eat it, we'll put it in the fridge for you for later. And it'll stay there until you're ready to eat it."

Robin wanted to argue that they should eat light and rest early for tomorrow, but knew that Logan would go through one of his behaviors that instilled minor chaos in the room.

Then Raven rose up with her book and floated to her room. "I'll pass..." This wasn't new, they were used to Raven heading to her room often. So Cyborg looked to his arm terminal and viewed the towers security readings. Robin turned back to the local news of the mornings paper. Starfire began to put away the ingredients that would later be cooked for tonight's dinner. And Logan looked at Raven as she floated threw the open sliding doors of the common room.

Raven sat on her bed and opened the book she was just reading in the common room. She couldn't tell how much time passed, due to having her curtains closed at all time of the day. but she knew hours had passed when she made it through a sizable chunk of her book when she heard a knock at the door.

She placed it on her bed, floated to the door and opened it a sliver. On the other side was Cyborg.

"Hey Raven. Logan says dinner's ready. You wanna go to the kitchen?"

"No thanks... I'm not hungry." She could always go down later and get a bite to eat when the others were occupied with other things.

"Are you sure?" he looked worried.

"Yes." Then she closed her door.

She floated back to her bed and continued her book. She tried to concentrate on the inked words that were written on the pages. These past few days had been suffocating. Ever since they moved into the tower, 'someone' had been giving off strong feelings and desires everyday nonstop. Her meditation would have helped a lot more if it wasn't about a certain someone though...

'I knew there was something special about you.'

Why did he have to go and say something like that. She remembered she had smiled at his words. And that upset her for more than one reason. Who did he think he was to be talking like that to her, like he was familiar with her.

'that nice heroine outfit you have'

She was surprised she didn't break a few street lights with his words.

But then... he ignores her. Doesn't talk to her as much since... since Starfire had taken up so much of his time. She remembered after she sent the crowd away the night they all met. She approached the crater, ready to call the 'pedestrians' away, then realized that they looked similar to the costumed heroes she once saw at the Justice League. Despite her being shy, no matter how much she wanted to deny it, she headed to the group of teens. And then Starfire kissed him. She was surprised and embarrassed to be there. She thought she was going to provide help to anyone that was caught in the impact of a meteor. But instead walked into a couple making out.

She closed and lowered her book, before using her magic to return it to her shelf. After a few moments of thinking, she decided to call it early and prepared for bed. After a shower, drying her hair, and a new leotard, she crawled into bed and tried to will herself to sleep.

'Raven... that's a nice name.'

She could feel the warmth on her face, and knew she was blushing.

*knock* *knock*

She floated to the door and opened it a sliver. On the other side was Starfire.

"Friend Raven, dinner is the 'hot and ready!' Me and Logan received fair reviews from the boys for last nights spaghetti. And we are confident that tonight's 'enchiladas' will be the 'hit!'"

"No thank you Starfire, you go and enjoy dinner with the boys." Then she closed her door.

*knock* *knock*

She floated to the door and opened it a sliver. On the other side was Robin.

"Raven. You haven't been joining us for dinner these past few nights. Is something wrong?"

"No, I'd rather eat when I'm actually hungry, and not on a set schedule." He couldn't argue with that.

"But you are eating, right?"

"Yes, don't worry. I'm not starving myself." She then closed her door

Robin looked at her door for a short time, before turning around and heading back to the common room. He had a feeling that would be her response, but Logan asked him to go anyway. He decided to just do the small favor. He made it back to the common room, then walked over to the kitchen area before sitting at the table.

"She's not coming." He said after a few seconds. He looked around the table and saw that Starfire and Cyborg were picking at their plate. But Logan. He was sitting in his chair, food untouched. On the table, to the chair next to him, sat a plate of food that wouldn't be eaten this evening. He took a breath, then started to eat his dinner. He didn't want to look at Logan, he mentioned to him that Raven would most likely decline to join them. Just like she said no yesterday, and the evenings before then. But Logan wouldn't take the hint. She wanted to be left alone. But he kept serving her a plate, then later return it back to the pot when she didn't show up.

'I plan to not only make this a team, but a family'

Maybe some of us don't want to be a family...

"… Star?"

Starfire turned from her mixing bowl in the kitchen. "Yes Logan?"

He hand been placing their dinner in Tupperware to marinate in the late morning, when a thought occurred to him.

"Have you been spending time with the others?" He asked.

She looked confused before answering "I have not. Robin has been busy doing the workout, and Cyborg has been spending more time in the garage… As for Raven , well…" she hesitated to continue. "I believe that she does not care for my company" she finally said with her head down.

He wanted to tell her that wasn't how Raven felt, but he didn't really know. And he wouldn't lie to her to make her feel better. But as for him, she was spending a lot of time with him. So he closed the fridge, and turned to her.

"... Can you do me a favor Star?" She placed the mixing bowl onto the counter, and gave him her full attention.

"Yes Logan?" She asked excitedly.

"Can you spend more time with the others?" She did not expect him to make a request about their friends. Hoping that she wouldn't take his favor as a way to get rid of her, he explained. "The others, their very special to us, right?" She nodded. "And sometimes they can, get lost in their hobbies, they sometimes forget that were here for them."

"OH, you are asking me to spend the 'quality time' with our friends. So that they are reminded that they have others who care for them, yes?" She caught on quick.

He smiled. "Exactly, Star. I cant hog you all to myself, now can I?"

She didn't understand how you 'hog' someone, but that would be just another thing she would ask Logan at a later time.

"Oh, I just remembered! Have you heard of the 'Mall of shopping' Logan?"

"Yeah Star."

"Can we please venture to there? I wish to see the people and the shops."

"I'm not sure the others would like to go, the mall doesn't seem like their thing you know."

"… would it be possible for the two of us to go…?"

He looked at her, and the shy smile that grabbed her features. Everything told him that she really wanted him to go with her, and never one to hurt her, he smiled and nodded his head.

"Sure Star. We'll ask Cyborg about getting us some clothes so we're less obvious to the crowd." She squealed and after giving him a quick hug, zoomed out of the Kitchen to go tell Cyborg.

She just stopped herself from colliding with Raven, who had to stop and concentrate after Star had such a sharp emotional reaction to Logan.

"I'm sorry friend Raven, but I must get ready for Logan and myself to go to the mall of shopping.' I would invite you friend, but I know that such a place would not be your 'scene.'" Then she continued to head out the double doors.

Raven balanced herself, before looking to Logan who was standing in the kitchen.

"Hi Raven…"

"…hi," she said as she went to make herself a cup of tea.

"Me and Star are going to the mall later… you're more than welcome to come."

"… I didn't get that feeling from Starfire. No thanks, you two have fun on your date."

She didn't see Logan scrunch his face at her words. 'Date?' He decided to ignore her last comment.

"I haven't seen you at dinner these past few days, is everything all right?"

"Yes, everything's alright. I already told Robin that. And as for dinner, I prefer to eat alone."

"Why?" She looked at him like he was butting into her business, which he was. "Because I don't want to eat with the team."

"Why don't you want to eat with us, or spend time around us?

"Because I want to be left ALONE!" She stated slowly yet loud and firm. She hoped we would get the picture and leave her alone. With her tea done, she began to float out of the room.

"I made a plate for you last night…" she slowed down some.

"I made a plate for you the day before too…" she finally stopped.

"I'll make you one tonight, and every night after today."

She wanted to blush, but she also wanted to throttle him.

"Stop it!" She calmed down her emotions, "Whatever it is you're doing, stop trying to get me involved. I'm not going to be this lady that sits by your side or comes to you just so you can feel good about yourself. Isn't one enough for you?"

"… I just want to be your friend Raven." He spoke softly.

"Well I don't want to be yours." She bit back.

"It's not healthy Raven, eventually… you'll need people. You'll need someone to make life worth living. You… you just can't see that right now."

Now she was angry, angry enough to vibrate the kitchen counters that let their contents shake and rattle. This guy, this stranger who smiled at her and said nice things to get her defenses down, was lecturing her about needing people.

"I came here to do good with the powers bestowed to me, I don't need people. I don't need someone, and I especially don't need you."

*swoosh*

Cyborg entered the common room and looked to the two.

"Is everything alright?" He asked.

Raven just floated right past him, most likely heading to her room. She didn't say a word, and the living room of the tower was quiet. Cyborg looked to Logan "what happened?"

Logan looked and stared at the double doors. "We're not on the same page right now."

Cyborg was confused, but decided not to get involved. He lifted his arm over his shoulder with a hitch hikers fist pointing towards the hallway.

"I just got finished with talking to Starfire, and there's a few boxes of basic clothes provided by the city, in the event we'd like to head out on the town undercover. Starfire took the one for the ladies, which leaves you with the hoodie pull-up or blazer. Try to have her back before ten mister" he laughed at the end, before heading outside to do who knows what.

Logan continued to stand there, still confused by Ravens and Cyborg's jabs.

—-

They were looking at him, expecting an explanation for her behavior. Not like it was any of their business.

"She's a foreign exchange student…"

That seemed to settle their curiosity, so they continued on their way down the main isle of Jump City Mall. He looked over to the 'build a bear' workshop where Star was oohing and ahhing at the display.

"We must return Logan and do the construction of the cloth bear!" Then another store front caught her attention, and she almost flew to the window.

Sometime later, they continued on down the isle. Her with a bucket hat and tinted shades to hide her identity. And him with a pair of glasses… how original. He could see from the corner of his eye that she was shifting, and looking around them to the people walking in both directions. She seemed nervous.

"Is something on your mind?" He slowed down, in case she wanted to stop.

"… Logan?" With just his name, she was asking him something. So he stopped, turned to her and nodded.

She looked around at the people again, before putting on a somewhat brave face.

"May we hold hands… for the rest of our trip to the mall?" She finally asked. And with some confidence, she held out her hand to him. He looked down at it.

She was nervous. No, she was afraid. Afraid that he'd say no. That despite all the kindness that he showed her, the thought of touching an alien would upset him. He then began to drift away from her.

She looked to Logan. He had done such things since she first met him. She wanted to ask him where his mind was going, but friend Cyborg told her it's best to give Logan privacy until he was ready to share his troubles.

"… I can't remember the last time I... really held someone…" in his eyes, she saw the truth to his words. She was held by her mother, her father and those that loved her on Tamaran. But it seemed as though Logan had not been given the same love and kindness. So she stepped forward and reached out to him.

He was lost in thought, when he felt strong yet delicate fingers intertwined with his. They were warm and caring, but... it wasn't Starfire. It was a feeling that was familiar and he was brought back to… somewhere. Somewhere where there was an end to something.

"OH MY GOD, IT'S STARFIRE!" "Hey look!"

Separating from one another, Logan and Starfire turned to the crowd, fearing that their cover was blown. But they found the crowd looking upward. They both looked up to see a young lady flying overhead towards the tower.

"Blackfire?"

Chapter Text

Blackfire looked at her baby sister's friends. A machine man, a rather dark young lady, and a cutie that caught her eye.

'OH, I hope she doesn't like this one. He's a little young, but I wouldn't mind taking him.' Whether or not her sister liked him.

She had easily impressed them with small compliments and stories of her travels.

She then heard the door behind her open, "Blackfire?" So she turned.

"Hello baby sist-" and she stopped. A grin spread across her beautiful face. She decided to not be rude to her sister, not yet anyway.

"It's been so long Starfire, how is my baby sister doing on this new planet.

Starfire gave a smile and said "I am doing well, I have been welcomed by the people of Jump City and my friends."

Half way through Starfires response, Blackfire was already looking at the young man that arrived with her.

"And you… who might you be, my names Blackfire?" She couldn't hide the hunger in her eyes. Her sister had two handsome guys on her team, a mysterious one with a mask, and this one… he looked… delicious.

Not understanding Blackfires sultry introduction, Starfire cut in. "This is Logan, my ****** (interest)."

Upset that Starfire was killing the mood she was setting, she looked to her sister. "Oh, your ******, that's very mature of you." She gave a big 'fake' smile. Oh well, she wouldn't throw herself at the young man just yet. There was still time to wedge between the two, before shoving her sister to the side.

The rest of the team didn't know what a ****** was, but didn't want to interrupt this reunion.

Logan was watching Blackfire talking to her sister, she then handed a necklace to her, that mesmerized Starfire. Starfire had excitedly given him a detailed history of her sister, claiming her to be older, wiser, and stronger. And the moment they entered the Common Room, Logan could instantly tell, that she was a predator. The way she moved her body around the team, the way she spoke, she was an alpha. It was VERY attractive.

But he wasn't interested...

Off to the side, Raven looked at Logan. And a look of disbelief started to form on her face. 'He was checking out Starfires sister!'

Seeing that she was losing one of the group, Blackfire went to Raven. "Oh you'll love the atmosphere Raven, I'm sure you'd find like minded people of your interests there. A club is a hangout for all types of people."

The idea was tempting, she didn't really know all the happenings that took place in a club, but... she'd give it a try.

"I believe that a celebration is in order baby sister, for your new home here on earth and my arrival. Now let's go and paint the town!

—-

In a loud club, Blackfire swayed to the bass that pounded into their eardrums. The Titans stood awkwardly against the wall that was near the front entrance. Blackfire then danced up to Cyborg and pulled him to her.

"C'mon Cyborg, let's hit the dance floor! You too Robin! Let's show these people how heroes bust a move!" Starfire looking hopeful, glanced at Logan and the group began to dance with each other. Well... not Raven. She took interest in a guy that happened to be a regular at a cafe she would frequent out on the town. Soon, ladies began to get closer to Cyborg and Robin, until they slowly started to separate. Seeing that her sister was so close to the blonde, Blackfire began to dance her way to the 'couple.'

Logan was dancing with a fluid motion he didn't know he had, and even Starfire was doing a good job of mimicking the other dancers. He was a little upset that the others were being pulled away from them, but then he noticed Blackfire dance her way to them.

"Get behind him baby sister!" and Starfire looking confused, slowly danced her way behind Logan. Then Blackfire danced in front of him, very closely, "dance like this Starfire!" And Blackfire began to sway and move very intimately. Followed by an awkward Starfire trying to keep up. Blackfires magenta eyes then locked with Logans blue.

A pair of amethyst eyes watched to disgust, before turning away.

Alarm bells started to blare in Logans head, and he slid out of the two sisters. "I... I need to get a drink! Please keep going!" He then turned and walked off the dance floor.

Upset that her prey was running, she danced with her sister for a few minutes, before pushing Starfire to a few boys that were showing interest in her, telling her she need to use the restroom.

Up ahead, she saw Logan and Cyborg against the wall near the drinks.

Blackfire stopped just short of walking into both of the older guys on her sisters team. She was looking to finally snag the blonde when she stopped around the corner to listen in on their conversation.

"You've noticed it, haven't you?" Cyborg asked.

"… yeah. I've noticed her… checking me out."

"So what are you going to do about? Especially since she's Starfires sister."

"Why does that matter?"

Cyborg looked at him expectedly. He didn't see the way Starfire looked at him? Acted around him? The team could barely tell if she was floating because her powers, or because she was smitten with the shape shifter half the time.

"It's nothing…"

"Cy, please tell me…"

He looked over to Logan. He really didn't see it. Didn't know that their resident alien girl was falling for him. A part of him thought that Logan was enjoying her infatuation with him. He was a nice guy, really nice, and what guy wouldn't want a cute alien girl with hearts in her eyes for them. And they spent so much time together, they were practically a couple. But the look Logan was giving him, told him that only one of the two was infatuated.

"Starfire likes you."

"I like her too." He said confused. Cyborg shook his head.

"No, she really likes you. She's head over heels for you man. I wouldn't be surprised if she jumped on you when Blackfire leaves." He looked at Logan as his words were sinking in. "She's in love with you."

Then Logan rocketed from the wall. His hands raced up and combed through his hair. And he began to shake his head rapidly.

"No no no no," he started to pace, "no no no no no-"

"Logan!"

"S-She can't like me!" He said, looking like he was losing his marbles. "She can't like me. I'm… I'm…" he took a shaky breathe, "I'm Logan." Cyborg was concerned. He could have just said that he didn't know, said he didn't like her back. But he made the thought of her liking him seem… wrong?

"I… I have to talk to Starfire." That was the first time he said her full name. The panic in his eyes didn't go away. He looked guilty, like he'd done something wrong. He didn't, he helped an alien girl become accustomed to Earth, and she happened to fall in love with him. He was making this situation more complicated than it needed to be.

With a sinister grin, Blackfire slithered back to the dance floor. She had scheming to do. Oh, he was handsome AND had mental issues. He only needed a tragic past, and she would devour him.

Logan seemed to calm down, and after taking a few breaths, looked to Cyborg.

"I'm heading home."

"I think our night on the town is done." Cyborg replied. "Let's get everyone out of here.

—-

They all returned to the tower, and were ready to call it a night. They'd forgot all about dinner, but Starfire offered for her and Logan to make everyone a big breakfast to make up for the missed meal.

"Oh baby sister, you don't mind if I bed with you tonight?"

"Not at all Blackfire." She smiled. She was ready to do the 'hitting of the hay' as the term goes.

Blackfire then swung her arm around her sister, before addressing the rest of the group.

"Goodnight everyone, rest well and we'll have another fun day tomorrow." Then the two sisters floated to Starfire room

"Well goodnight yall, this guy needs his batteries charged." then Cyborg headed to his room.

"... night." Raven was not too far behind him.

Robin looked over to Logan who had been quiet coming back from the club. He was now looking out the window into the night air. He walked up to him and asked "Is there some-"

"Hold on Robin," Logan interrupted. So Robin waited. "There's something flying over the city..." and soon Robin was next to him with binoculars, from where he didn't know. "To the right, over the stadium." And sure enough, Robin saw some form of flying tentacle fly low and high, as if it was looking for something.

"I'll call the oth-"

"No."

"No?"

"Let's do our own investigating." Robin was about to shoot the idea down, but then recalled that Logan often hung back in their battles in Jump City. He would follow orders, but when the team got in a skirmish, Logan would take the rear and watch over the others. This... this could be a chance to see how Logan performed at all levels of a 'tracking and capturing' mission. So despite wanting to call the team, he looked to Logan and nodded his head.

"Alright Logan, you lead..."

"A grand display of affection sister?" Starfire asked. Her and Blackfire were sitting on her bed, pillows hugged in their laps.

"Oh, yes Kori. I can see that Logan cares deeply about you, he must be shy in that he has trouble making the moves on you." she smiled.

'Making the moves on me,' Starfire blushed.

"Would you take my suggestion sister, i believe I can make your ****** fall 'head over the hills' for you?

Starfire was looking down at her pillow, but then looked up to Blackfire with confidence.

"Yes, please help me attain Logan." and her sister smiled.

*whistle* *BAM!*

Robin watched from the streets below, as Logan had shot off the ground as a form of bird at super sonic speed. Then before impacting his target, Logan turned into an octopus, similar to their target, before literally strangling it into submission. They were not even on the ground for a minute, and Logan had their objective bound and ready for interrogation.

"Impressed?" Robin whirled around at super sonic speed himself, turning to Logan who was standing right next to him.

"W-Wait?!" And Robin turned to the octopus that was holding their target, then to Logan, then back to the octopus, before finally settling on Logan. "T-There's two of you?!"

"Yeah..." He said it like it was a common thing. Like 'of course there's two of me.'

"How is that possible, why didn't you tell me you could do this?"

"You cant come to me demanding i spill my guts about myself..."

Robin stared at him, remembering Cyborgs words. How offended he was, that Robin demanded to know everything about him.

"I didn't lie to you Robin, i wouldn't lie to you. Were friends, but not 'good' friends. Good friends share secrets about each other, in confidence and in trust. I hope you and me can get there someday."

"..." Robin slowly nodded his head. "Let's... Let's find out what it's searching for." and Logan nodded also.

They walked to the down 'drone' before stopping. Robin inspected the thing, looking for any clues as to what it was or it's purpose. Finally a hatch opened to a screen, which displayed an alien looking suit of red armor.

"Halt! You are in possession of a Centauri Police Drone. Release it at once!"

"Centauri Police?" Logan asked, looking to Robin.

"That's where Blackfire said she came from before coming to Earth." he turned from Logan. "What is an extraterrestrial police force doing on Earth?"

*snore* *snore* *snore* [WAKING UP MODE]

"mmm...?" Cyborg opened his eyes in a groggy state. Some one was at his door, asking for permission to enter. He looked at his clock on the wall that read 3:45. He rubbed the sleep from his eye, before disconnecting from his 'bed' and walking to the door. He opened it to Robin and Logan standing in the hallway. They looked upset.

*inhale* *exhale* *inhale* *exhale* *knock* *knock*

Raven heard the disturbance, and looked to her door. On the other side, she felt Robin Cyborg and Logan's aurora. She spread her senses to them and felt they were upset and determined. She rose from her bed, clasped her cape to herself, and answered her door.

"We got a problem..." Robin spoke up.

She was ready, with the confidence that her beloved older sister instilled in her, Starfire gave the finishing touches to her attire.

"Is this truly the proper way to display ones affection to a potential spouse, Komand'r?"

"Yes baby sister. OH my, i don't think i should call you 'baby' any longer now Koriand'r. I do believe this was the way mother first expressed her love interest in father back home." Blackfire finished running her fingers through the attire that Starfire wore.

"It is a bit... revealing" Starfire blushed.

"It is a display of desire for a potential spouse and mate," Starfire blushed a deeper shade of red, "I believe that Logan will do the 'drooling' that guys his age do when they appreciate a 'woman' like yourself. Now come, you did say that your friends would gather in the common room at this time." She then pushed Starfire in the direction of her friends.

Three stone faced titans stood in the Common Room, waiting for the two Tamaranian sisters to greet them. Finally, the sliding doors opened to Blackfire who entered first, before stepping to the side.

"We have a surprise for a special someone in the group!"

Before they could take steps to apprehend Blackfire, Starfire came through the double doors and stopped them in their tracks.

Starfire looked beautiful. She was stunning. Her hair was done in an intricate pattern that must have taken hours to do, and her eyelids were covered in a rich magenta color that she must have received from Blackfire. Around her neck was the stolen Centauri Moon Diamond. And her dress...

A VERY revealing dress. That directed all eyes to her cleavage and stomach. Her waist barely covered in a sash, with her outer thighs
bared to the world.

The others stood frozen, and with as much confidence as she could muster, Starfire gracefully walked toward Logan before bowing to him with her head down.

Silence.

"... Logan. I Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran, wish to offer myself to you in a matrimony between the people of Tamaran and the people of Earth... I pray to X'hal that I may be blessed with a love from you, that i will cherrish-"

"...no." and she stopped. She shakily looked up to Logan, tears beginning to come to her eyes.

"...w-what."

"... no Star... no..." and tears began to come to his eyes. "I cant Star... I can't love you... It doesn't work that way..." and Blackfire smiled.

"ENOUGH OF THIS!" the Centauri Police officers released their camouflage, and fired their flexible whips at the Tamaranian. She stood no chance a two whips circled almost the entirety of her body, even blocking her eyes. "UNDER THE ORDERS OF THE CENTAURI LEADERSHIP, YOU KOMAND'R OF TAMARAN ARE ARRESTED FOR CRIMES WITHIN THE GALAXY OF CENTAURI!"

Starfire shot up and began to yell at the officers.

"STARFIRE DON'T," yelled Cyborg.

"SHE'S A CRIMINAL," Robin yelled .

"Trust us, she was planning on tricking you, and having you arrested for her crimes." stated Raven.

"..." Logan said nothing. He could only stare at the tear streaks that ran down Starfire's face.

*knock* *knock*

"… Star…?"

Nothing.

"… I'll come back…" Logan stepped away from Starfires bedroom door. He looked at it, hoping it would open. But it didn't budge. So he turned and walked down the hallway.

It had been rinse and repeat after Starfires confession, and Blackfires arrest. He'd knock on her door, tell her that they missed her, that the tower wasn't the same without her. He'd listen for anything, and his senses told him she was crying. In her bed, unwashed, and in pain. His animals howled at a fallen pack member. The devastation of having her heart broken, and her sisters criminal activities was too much for the Tamaranian. And she completely broke down.

Her sadness, embarrassment and broken heart led her to run away to her only spot of privacy, her room. And she stayed there.

Raven had made a cup of tea for herself, when the common room door opened. She looked up and saw Logan enter the room. On his way outside, he turned to her and gave her a smile.

"Hey Raven." She stared at him.

Not hearing a hello back, Logan turned and continued to their front door.

She didn't understand how he could one moment stand before Starfires door and call to her, then walk away smiling to the others like it wasn't a big deal. He'd go to training with Robin, tower check ups with Cyborg, and make dinner while telling her there would be a plate for her. He moved around the tower like they didn't have a fifth member, who was lost in her own misery. Only to be standing at her door, first thing in the morning, calling to her.

He led her on, made her think he cared for her more than a friend. The way he looked at her, the things he said to her and the way he said them, no wonder she fell for h-

She forced those thoughts from her mind.

She had seen both Robin and Cyborg go to Starfires room at separate times, hoping to bring the Tamaranian outside her room. But they too failed. She was the only one that didn't go to her, but a small part of her, she didn't know from where, told her to go.

So after some time, she stood before the door of the Titans other heroine.

*knock* *knock*

"Starfire, it's me… Raven."

She sensed movement in the room, then felt a presence on the other side of the door.

"… I…" she wasn't good at this, " I came to listen…"

—-

Cyborg looked to Logan, taking inventory of all the Titans supplies. The guy looked like it was just any other day. He looked up and made eye contact with Cyborg before smiling.

"What's up Cy?"

"… You need to talk?"

Logan finished writing down the shopping list he'd take to the market in the morning. "Yeah, I do need to talk. But it's with Star."

Cyborg understood, "you need to vent, maybe clear your head?"

Logan folded the shopping list and put it in his pocket. He smiled to Cyborg. "Thank you Cy. It means a lot to me that you'd want to hear my feelings about this. But I don't need to 'vent,' I just need to explain to Star that this wasn't meant to be, you know?"

He didn't know

"What if she leaves?" Logan stopped folding the boxes of supplies in the upstairs supply closet. He spaced out again, staring into the wall.

'If she leaves …' he thought, then turned to Cyborg with a sad smile.

"Then I need to make sure she knows how much I love her, and that I'm grateful for having her in my life…"

—-

She didn't look good, the only positive was that she didn't smell bad. It must have something to do with her genetic makeup.

But she was sitting up in her bed, holding a pillow to her chest. And her on an ottoman.

"So… how do you feel?" Could she be anymore awkward.

But Starfire smiled, appreciating that Raven was there for her. She sniffled and cleaned her nose with a tissue. "In pain…"

Raven grimaced.

"But it is alright, because Logan did not mean to hurt me." Raven didn't understand. Logan should have noticed Starfires feelings. He could have said something sooner, he wasn't oblivious… was he.

"He did hurt you Starfire." She looked at Raven like she wasn't understanding her.

"Yes, his silence to my desires of him… and the way in which he would speak to me, and treat me… how could I not believe that it was possible for him to accept my feelings."

"… Do you hate him?" Starfire laughed.

She actually laughed.

"No." She said with a teary smile. "I could never hate Logan, for he is too important to me. I would never wish my life without him.

Raven said nothing.

"I believe that it is time I speak with him, my sorrow has finally passed on, with the aid of your help friend." And Raven didn't understand how she contributed to her friends recovery.

"I believe a shower and a nice dinner are much needed. Don't you agree?"

Raven slowly nodded.

—-

She and Starfire walked down the hallway towards the common room. Raven was nervous at what would happen when the two would be in the same room together, but Starfire continued on. They finally entered the double doors of the common room and faced the kitchen. Cyborg and Robin sat at the table, looking at the two.

Then Logan rose up from the open oven, with a tray of food. He smiled at Starfire.

"You're just in time Star, ready to eat?"

"Yes… friend Logan." And she floated to the table before taking a seat. The other three stared in bewilderment. Completely lost in the outcome of this romantic ordeal.

With a plate of food in hand, Logan turned to Raven.

"Raven, are you joining us for dinner?"

She didn't know what to say, she didn't know what to think. But slowly, she made her way to the table and took a seat.

Logan's smile grew wider, then placed the plate before Raven.

"Eat up. We have a lot of dinners to make up for."

—-

He knocked on her door, and soon, she opened it. They looked at each other, and it was finally time.

He reached out to her, and she replied to him with fingers that laced with his. He led her down the hallway. Past Cyborgs room. Past the guest room and utility closet. He took her outside to the night sky.

They sat together on the edge of the beach, on top of a boulder, with the shining stars above them. They enjoyed the cool night air. He looked at her and she looked at him.

"You were the first to welcome me to my new home. You showed me a love and kindness that… that I could only dream of. There is still pain, but… I will heal."

"Someday Star, you'll open your heart again. And I know, that when you do, it'll be with a person who couldn't live their life without you. A person, who would be blessed with your kindness, your spirit… your heart. "

The waves crashed with the full moon above them.

"Koriand'r…" she said. Like a goodbye.

And Logan smiled. They reached to one another and gave each other a hug, a hug full of pain, but also new beginnings. He leaned over and kissed her cheek. Then pulled back to look her in her eyes.

"Thank you Koriand'r… thank you for loving me.

Chapter Text

They were eating pizza at their favorite restaurant. The one they would frequent after stopping bad guys. They were sitting around the table enjoying their meal, when Logan lifted his head slightly to the sky. They all stopped eating. He was doing his thing, one of those special powers he had. He breathed in the air, and they gave him their full attention.

"Two meta humans and a kid. One girl… two boys."

They put their pizzas down, and prepared for further briefing.

"One smells like sweat," strong, "the other… like wires," a technician. "And the girl, she smells like magic." Raven readied herself for a magical duel.

"Where are they?" Asked Robin, preparing to call the Titans into action.

"They're close… they just showed up on top of the news network building to the east."

"Alright team. Raven, ready anything you have that can block or disable their magical user." Raven nodded. "We don't know what kind of technician they have, so Cyborg will hang in the back and analyze our enemy to see what he's skilled in, while Starfire approaches them at midrange." Cyborg started up the systems in his arm, ready to read and copy any frequencies their enemy would use, and Starfire nodded also. "Logan and myself will engage the muscle of their team, we'll change our strategy once we get a better understanding of their fighting style. Lunch is over." They all stood up.

"They've separated. The technician is at the corner of Chester and 34th street near the entrance of the store building. The magic wielder is at on the east sidewalk by the JC Fundraiser building. The muscle is in the middle of the street at 36th and Main.

"Titans, GO!" And they separated, heading to their targets to defend Jump City.

—-

Down on the street, Mammoth was surprised when two of the titans appeared before him after they jumped down from a nearby building. So the leader of their team and the shapeshifter were standing before him. Citizens recognized the danger they were in, so cars and pedestrians turned around and made it to safety. The animal changer stepped up to him, with Robin hanging in the back. Before Mammoth could give out a taunt, he was interrupted.

"How strong are you?" Mammoth was thrown off by the question, but grinned.

"Why, you thinking about running?"

"No… I'm wondering how hard I should hit you. I want to send you packing. I DONT want to send you to the ICU." Logan said.

That cockiness pissed Mammoth off. So he leapt to the side and grabbed a hold of the front end of a nearby bus. He lifted the vehicle over his head, ready to slam it on the two. Two thick HARD horns rammed into his torso. The blow knocked the wind out of his lungs, and even though he was only pushed back some, his arms lost their strength to support the bus. And it can crashing right on to of him.

Robin hung back, and watched as the Ram shifted into an elephant, before tipping the wrecked bus over to see their enemy. He was impressed at Logan's performance. He knew that Logan could approach a strength user from different angles in a fight. He could have snuck up and disabled their target, but chose to meet them head on. He even extended some sympathy and offered to their enemy that they could leave, before delivering their foes strength back at them.

"Ravens having trouble with their magic user, head over and give her support." Logan said.

Robin looked to the floored Mammoth, then met Logan's eyes again. Understanding the question, Logan spoke.

"If he gets up, I'll knock him down." And with that, Robin raced off to support Raven.

Logan walked over to Mammoth and looked down at him. He began to stir and was starting to come out of his daze. Showing no fear, he stepped next to the villain and said, "You should really stay put dude."

Mammoths arm shot out, and grabbed Logan's ankle.

"You shouldn't have done that…" Logan said, before he was thrown across the street onto the side lawn of a business building. Mammoth, choosing to not charge head on, ran at an arc towards Logan, before running between abandoned cars along the Main Street. He zig zagged between cars until he was hidden behind a large van, which he then picked up to throw.

Two screams were let out, surprising Logan, but ignored by Mammoth. Through the window of the car, Logan made out two young ladies in business attire that must have been hiding in their car.

Before Mammoth could throw it, Logan shouted to him.

"Put that car down! Or I'll put you down!" His eyes were smoldering, his nostrils flared. He was angry that Mammoth was putting the two ladies in danger. But he was even more mad at himself. Mad that he didn't hear or smell them, which let them stay in the fighting area.

Mammoth, making a stupid decision, threw the van at Logan.

Logan made eye contact with the two ladies that screamed through the windshield. He jumped up, over the van. Fearing that the Titan was just dodging the van, the ladies closed their eyes and braced for their collision with the building, praying for safety.

Until the whole van was lifted gently in the air and carried across the Main Street. The two looked out and saw that they were flying above the street, then up to what was carrying them. A large eagle, with its talons holding the van. They soared down two blocks before softly being placed on the ground, then the eagle flew back in the direction of the villain who had thrown them.

The two ladies scrambled out of the van, with one watching the eagle soar in the sky, before her friend pulled her in a direction away from the fighting.

Logan flew back to Mammoth, who started to head in the direction he placed the two woman, before stopping. He glared when the eagle landed and changed back to his human form. The street was silent, until he spoke.

"… I could really mess you up, for what you did…" Logan said stone faced.

Mammoth didn't say anything.

"I can take away your strength, I can make it to were you never walk again… I can even take your life…" Mammoth started to sweat.

"But I won't… cause in the end, no one was hurt. And you're still young, you can maybe change after today. So we're gonna fight like this never happened, then, I'm gonna carry you back to your friends."

Mammoth then charged.

—-

Gizmo was pissed. He was hoping to take these Titans down one by one, but ended up having to face an up close fight from the alien of the team, while having his network scanned and interfered with from their robot. The girl shot down any projectiles just as they were leaving his backpack, putting him in the blast radius. Then the robot's interrupting his frequencies slowed down his backpacks efficiency. The robot even shut off his own network protocols, and moved to a secondary system that wasn't tied to his main power core or vitals. Any hacking he attempted, the system would just restart and restore back to before he even tried.

"You crud munch- ah!" Then Gizmo was lifted up by his backpack. Which was then torn off him before being crushed like tin foil.

He looked up to a sonic cannon pointed at him. "Don't move little man, or I might have to shock you ."

"Grr..."

"Ah!" Jinx screamed as she lost her balance from one of Robin's exploding disks. He had been peppering them at her feet when he joined in on her and Ravens battle. She HAD the advantage, since her reaction time was better than the female Titan. And her acrobatics were better than Ravens ability to float and fly in the air. When her ability to redirect the magic attacks of the dark sorceress was edging her to a win, their damn leader swooped in and started attacking her lower half.

Taking advantage of her opponents falling, Raven swirled her magic around Jinx and spun her faster than the girl was able to right herself. Jinx was completely disoriented when a blast at her feet froze her to the ground, legs covered in ice.

Soon, Gizmo was carried by Starfire and placed down at jinx's feet. Embarrassed that they had been defeated, they looked in the direction that Mammoth had been stationed for their attack on the Teen Titans. They saw a lion, large and powerful slowly walking towards them and they began to shake in fear. Then the lion turned and Mammoth, who was out cold on its back, rolled off onto the ground next to them before said lion changed into the hero Logan.

With all three villains defeated and captured, Robin stepped forward and started the interrogation.

*pant* *pant* *pant*

Robin took big gulps of air. He looked up to Logan, who didn't look like he had been training these past two hours.

"You're really pushing yourself Robin... slow it down." Robin didn't want to hear that.

Ever since the two Titans first started training together, Robin felt like he was progressing at a better rate than he ever did when training solo. Unlike working out with gym equipment, or sparing with a partner who specialized in one or few techniques, Logan could be anything you needed him to be. He had the enhanced strength that posed a danger on the battlefield. Superior reflexes out of all the Titans and any meta humans they faced in Jump City. He was unpredictable in his body motions. Logan only had one glaring issue.

His hand to hand was below average.

There was 'something' in Logan's movements, like he may have had prior training in martial arts. But it wasn't refined, and Logan didn't push to improve it. He relied on his strength, speed and unpredictable nature to take down their foes. He WANTED their enemies to get up close and personal, because it meant he could grab them. He was an excellent grappler, which would help him form a base if he wanted to learn a fighting style. And Robin would be willing to teach him.

Robin shakily started to get in a kata, but was interrupted.

"That's enough Robin, you really improved today, and I'm sure your gonna get better everyday after today's training, but killing yourself isn't gonna help us catch Slade..."

They had this argument before. Ever since the team first learned about the mysterious man in the shadows that hired the members of HIVE to 'test' them, Robin became obsessed. To the point he started drifting from the team. After the HIVE Five attacked them on the streets of Jump City, the press had swarmed the Titans, asking them questions about the rise of meta villains and 'power' wielding bad guys that were attacking the city. Sure enough, elemental users had caused panic in the streets. Then a crazy British old timer with a cane was going around changing and hypnotizing the city and its people.

They had just finished dealing with this Man/Moth hybrid and his crazy daughter. When Logan wasn't going to let this issue keep getting kicked down the road.

"We're done Robin..." and Logan stood there as a finality. Realizing his training partner was ending their spare, Robin relaxed his body and headed to get a towel and some water.

"I can ask why are you training so hard, but I already know why. I can even ask you to slow it down in your search for Slade, but i know you're not gonna do that..." Robin ignored him and walked out of the gym.

By now Logan was following Robin to the evidence room. Robin didn't even shower, just went from training straight the evidence room. Leaving personal hygiene and eating till the last minutes of his day, sleeping a few short hours, before doing it all over again. Logan let this behavior slide long enough. Out of a pettiness that he didn't know Robin had, he tried to have the door of the evidence room close right in front of him. A strong arm on the door didn't allow that to happen. He made his way inside, seeing Robin look at a laptop. Which was most likely showing him the feeds from security cameras in the city that captured their battle with the HIVE Five. Logan slammed the laptop closed.

"Logan!"

"Get in the shower." Logan said with a glare. "Then head to the kitchen to eat something other than protein bars and vitamins."

"I'm busy, and I'm sure we'd make more progress if you and the others would help out!" That pissed Logan off, so he grabbed the laptop and threw it across the floor, breaking it. Robin looked furious. Logan looked down to all the 'evidence' and 'leads' that Robin believed would help him in capturing this Slade guy.

He started tearing the pages apart.

"Logan!" Robin roared, then jumped to stop him. But he dodged him, and began to tear more of Robin's leads. All the while giving Robin a sinister smile.

"I'm helping him Robin, i'm helping Slade!" he began to rattle the desk. He was being chased by his fuming leader.

"Oh, you had no idea that i was secretly working for Slade! But now your getting too close! I have to destroy the evidence and keep you from finding out his secret identity!"

Robin was seeing red, and before he knew it, his staff was out. He didnt need childish games right now. This Slade had been taking over his life in and out of the tower, and he didnt need Logan setting him back in capturing him. So he swung his staff to stop Logan.

With a fast arc, Robin slammed the staff into Logans right shoulder, he didn't even attempt to dodge it. He took the hit, and continued to tear at the papers he's spent weeks collecting with a smile, So he swung again and hit Logan in the head. Even he paused at what he had just done, but Logan smiled and tore apart a collection of entrance and exit badge scans from a nearby business during the HIVE fight. Finally, Logan stopped and stared at Robin.

"You're not gonna find him... this guy. This Slade. He sounds like the type of guy that drives his prey crazy, gets them paranoid to the point their completely out of it, then shows up only to take them out." Robin lowered his staff. He looked tired.

"What am I supposed to do, not look for him?" he looked lost.

"You DON'T have a lead Robin... stop trying to make one"

Robin looked down to the torn papers on the evidence room floor. Security guard statements of the past weeks in the area they fought the HIVE. Readings of encrypted cellular and network recordings during the time of the fight. He'd been so obsessed, he tried to get anything that would lead to Slade, even if he had to 'collect' the evidence from unknowing people and businesses. His staff retracted, and he looked up to Logan.

"I'm sorry."

Logan didn't look mad anymore. He looked pleased with Robin. So he released a sigh and straightened his posture.

"Hit the showers Robin, I'll clean up and get you something to eat."

So Robin turned and headed to his personal bathroom to shower.

Logan leaned over, and began to lift the loose papers that flew from his and Robin's fight. He reached out to pick up a drawer that had fallen out during his assault on the desk. Then a chunk of red rolled out from under the drawer. He looked at it, curious as to what it was. The moment it touched his skin, he could feel its properties begin to react to his skin, so he placed it on the desk. He felt an opened binder under his foot, then noticed a rough sketch drawn. He lifted it up and looked at the skull mask with its internal components listed.

"... you better have a good reason for this Robin."

All the Titans sat at the kitchen table. Empty plates sat before them on the table, before Cyborg stood to collect them. He headed to the sink, before beginning to wash them. They were all relieved to have Robin for dinner, even Raven seemed pleased that 'crazy' Robin was gone. At least for now.

He began to sit up from the table, when Logan called to him.

"Sit..." All eyes looked to Logan who was staring at Robin. So he hovered over his chair, then took his seat again. The others looked at the two, wondering what Logan was going to talk about.

"I'll start. Robin... I know that you're dead set on catching Slade. And we WILL catch him. But a mysterious guy who schemes from the shadows isn't going to be found until he WANTS to be found. He has to be playing mind games with you. He hasn't come out parading around like all these other villains. He watching, waiting, and he's gonna show himself. It sucks, but this is one of those villains we have to WAIT for..." he finished looking his leader in the eyes.

Robin absorbed his words, then Logan looked to Cyborg and gestured with his head. Cyborg, seeing what his friend was doing, joined in.

Cyborg fully turned, while wiping down a plate, before putting the dish down.

"Logans right Robin. You're tiring yourself out by running around in circles, looking under every rock... even rocks that aren't there. You're starting to lose it man. Don't let this Slade guy beat you, before we even step foot on the field. No matter what, we got your back in this." Logan smiled and turned to Starfire. She understood that this was a conversation to 'reach out' to Robin, so she spoke up.

"Yes friend Robin, no matter what the plans that Slade has, we will thwart them. We shall be the calm and rational about our new enemy. If we must do the extra training or patrols, we will do them as the team." She finished with a confident smile. He listened to her words, and relaxed more into his chair.

All eyes turned to Raven. Who looked uneasy at the pressure to provide Robin with emotional support. She tried to reach into the part of her that spoke to Starfire during her heartbreak.

"No matter what, we're going to give it our all. We trust you as our leader, trust us to follow right behind you." She had her eyes down when she spoke, but looked up to see the others smiling at her words. Logan had a big, almost 'goofy' smile on his face.

Robin continued to sit at the table, after they gave him their comforting words.

"I... I was going to make a mistake. A stupid mistake, now that I'm really thinking about it. I didn't trust you all to do what was needed to find and catch Slade. So I was going to..." Robin looked to the others. They showed concern towards him, but not anger. He looked to Logan, who nodded his head.

"I was going to become... a criminal. To get close to him." he finally said it. He could sense the surprise from the others, but was too lost into himself after saying those words. He was going to go against the very thing he stood for. Justice. The very thing his mentor taught him after his life had been tragically altered. Had he gone through with it, he wasn't sure he could look himself in the mirror, or Batman. Not even his parents... He felt someone at his side, then turned to Starfire, who was gently hugging his side.

"But you will not, right friend Robin?" He looked to her. then felt a hand on his shoulder. He looked up to Cyborg who had walked over from the sink.

"Don't let Slade drive you to his side, you haven't done anything wrong..." Cyborg told his leader.

Raven spoke up. "You're still Robin, don't turn into Slade." Turning into him, he could never again be Dick Grayson.

Robin lowered his head till he looked at Logan. Who leaned back in his chair, arms folded, with a knowing smile across his face.

For the first time, since leaving Gotham, and running from his troubled relationship with Bruce... Since leaving Alfred and Barbara, and his second home... Robin felt like he was surrounded by family again. With misty eyes, Robin whispered.

"Thank you."

Logan was walking the tower, when Ravens smell told him she was in the gym. He wondered why she would be there alone, so he headed over to sneak a peak, just incase she wished to not be disturbed. He looked through the windows of the double doors and saw her sitting on the bench outside of the projectile room her and Starfire used during team training. Weighing whether she would give him the chance to talk to her or her leaving, he entered the gym. She looked up, before turning away to look outside of the large window that showed the Jump City coast.

He slowly walked to her, before stopping. He though giving her a smile would upset her, so he tried his best to give a neutral but supportive look. He stopped just before her. She didn't say anything.

"You look tired..." She really did, from her smell, he could tell she had been in the training room for some time. And she didn't get up and leave, so thats good.

"We haven't talked in awhile..." They haven't. He was glad that she had been joining them at dinner, that he didn't press her to talk to him. But maybe enough time had passed, and he would give it another chance.

"... I was losing." He knew exactly what she was talking about. her fight with Jinx. When challenged against another magic user, she was outclassed in just about every way. Then her leader comes to her rescue. And her victory was aided by having a partner.

"It sucks... losing i mean." She was looking at him. Not believing him. Losing? Him? When did Logan lose a fight. Since she first saw him, Logan never stood down after a hit. Heck, sometimes he would stand there and WAIT for the enemy to hit him, just so he could get up and end the fight then and there. What did he know about fighting a more skilled fighter.

Logan didn't smile.

"You think because I can turn into a werewolf, or giant eagles, that i dont know what losing feels like..." He didn't know where these words were coming from. "But i know what its like to taste the dirt in front of an enemy. I know what it feels like, lying on the ground with chaos from both ends pulling me in separate directions..."

"It sucks..." He said.

She looked at him. Seeing a side to Logan she didn't know he had.

"What did you do?" She asked.

"... I kept going, but not for me," he laughed, "but for others." He gave her a sad smile.

"I hated myself... because I wasn't good enough. So I got better," his smile was coming back, " I got better for the people I care about."

He had spaced out during his speech, but was slowly coming to.

"Do you still hate yourself..?"

His eyes focused on Raven. "I don't know..."

They stood in silence in the gym. before Logan turned to head out the double doors. He looked behind him before leaving the room.

"If you ever want a training partner, don't hesitate to ask." He gave her a toothy grin, and then he was gone.

She looked at him go, and the mystery of 'Logan' only grew.

"Guys! An incoming message is forcing its way into the tower!" Cyborg yelled into their communicators.

Four Titans joined Cyborg in the common room, before the TV that stretched across the window.

"We finally meet, titans..."

The Titans glared at Slade. The man who tried to have them run out of town at best… and killed at worst.

"Why such angry faces, Titans? We've just met, and you're already thinking the worst of me."

"So you're Slade?" Robin stepped forward, with the others stepping behind him. "Why are you targeting us." He tried to stay calm, remembering how the others were there to keep him from losing it.

"I'm surprised Robin, in more ways than one. I sent a small team to test the Teen Titans, and you all performed exceptionally… some less than others." His head turned slightly to Raven. She tried not to squirm under his gaze. Even through the TV, there was a presence about him that was deadly serious.

"I was also surprised when… you stopped looking for me Robin. I thought you were looking forward to our meeting." He continued.

"We're meeting right now, just like we both wanted." Robin said.

Slade was silent from Robins attitude. "A very strange reaction, to someone who tried to end your team." Then he turned to Logan. "But maybe we can thank our friend Logan for your even temper." Slade leaned to the side, and he pressed something.

'Two meta humans and a kid. One girl… two boys.'

Logan's voice played on their TV speakers. Then it fast forward ahead.

'Ravens having trouble with their magic user, head over and give her support'

The Titans were quiet. A pit sunk into their stomachs. How did he record them? Robin's shoulders started shake, before Cyborg stepped forward.

"You tapped into our communicators…"

Robins anger was slowly starting to flare. Weeks. WEEKS! Of combing through every possible and impossible way that Slade could have monitored their fight with the HIVE… and their communicators were bugged from the start.

Slade gave a chuckle at Robin, before looking to Logan again. "Why, your 'leader' is having a hissy fit Logan… maybe you should reel him in. Or how about I play another recording…"

'I can take your strength, I can make it to were you never walk again… I can even take your life…'

Logan didn't speak. And the others were shocked to hear Logan say something like that. He wondered, if their communicators were still bugged... would he play his earlier words to Robin.

"Here I thought Robin was the head of the team, but it seams he gets his orders from the mascot." Maybe not.

From the moment the name 'Slade' left Jinx's lips, a sudden coldness ran through Logan. For the first time since he could remember, he felt a sense of fear run through him. His instincts told him, it was best to deal with the man swiftly. So he tucked that advice in his back pocket, and let the man play his games.

"You're not saying anything Logan, why don't you give us a pep talk. Rally the Titan troops."

Logan smiled.

"You really got me and the team at a disadvantage Slade. We can all stand here, and have you keep trash talking… or, we can start your game…"

Slade looked him over, before turning to the others and raising a remote.

Chapter Text

'It had to be the sewers...' Logan thought.

The Titans, minus Robin, just crawled out of sewage after deactivating a 'fake' bomb and being shot by a bright red laser.

Slade eavesdropped on their conversations these past weeks, and he really wanted to get inside Robin's head... for something.
So while the others worried for Robins safety, he walked over to the ledge of a concrete path that overlooked the docks.

It was awkward... having a stranger know things about you and your friends. He did his best to reach out to his 'family,' all the while some creep was listening in on them. A creep that got his jollies on rubbing it in your face that he was there the whole time. It was a feeling that wouldn't go away, like the smell of sewage after a shower. No, the smell would go away, the feeling of being spied on wouldn't.

The others were talking about retrieving Robin, but their adventure in the sewers and tired postures were telling them to go home and rest.

So he turned to the rest of the team. They noticed he was about to talk, so they waited for him.

"I know you guys don't want to hear this, but we need to rest up. Slade WANTS Robin, he's not gonna do anything to hurt him. We'll rest, then head out to go find him." He looked to Cyborg. "Cy, I trust that you'll lead us during the search."

He turned and walked away. The others wanted to argue that they couldn't leave Robin behind. But they looked out to the city, and had no clue where too start. So they followed.

Logan sighed. All of them will have to stay level headed when they see Slade and Robin again.

And him... he was going to have to figure out how to get, whatever these things were, out of his and his families bodies.

As they made their way towards the tower, Logan used his powers and senses to get a feel of what exactly these things inside him were. A short time later, he knew that he had dozens of little 'machines' inside of him. They floated along in his blood stream, all throughout his body. He didn't know Jack about what they did, but he would reach out to Cy about them.

That was another thing. Their comms were bugged… were they still compromised? And the tower? Were there microphones there too, what about cameras? How deep had Slade made it inside their home? Making sure to isolate a portion of himself that had no machines, he placed Cyborg down after flying him to the tower.

The moment the team landed on the island, a snake slithered out from the collar of his suit. He had messages that needed to be made.

—-

The next morning, after a troubled sleep, four Titans stood in the common room. Before anyone spoke, Cyborg stepped forward and placed new communicators down on the coffee table. Logan smiled to him, 'Cy thought of the same thing.' While the two females of the team realized that Slade might be listening to them at this moment. They quickly removed their communicators and tossed them on the couch, then Cyborg began to collect all four of the old ones into a frequency blocking container. Then joined the other three.

"We're gonna head out and search for Robin." Logan said. They didn't know where to look, for all they knew, Slade could be anywhere. Or maybe he wasn't in Jump at all. But they had to do something. Logan looked from face to face in the final briefing.

"Keep a level head. Don't let anything surprise you. We're going to find Robin."

The others saw the seriousness on Logan's face after he gave that order.

They hesitated, but Cyborg finally took the lead.

"I put some locations in our new communicators that we can start looking for Robin. Message if you find anything. I'll message you all later… if we don't find him."

Then they left the tower in search of their leader.

—-

Starfire flew above the stadium of JCU. She had been distressed since the disappearance of friend Robin, friend Logan's odd behavior, and all the confusion that was Slade.

As she flew over the bleachers, she was joined in the air by a dove. A dove that sang and cooed to her. She was surprised that the bird was so close to her, as other birds often flew away believing her to be a predator.

The dove cooed and flew downward in a spiral between two classrooms. Where it landed to sing and dance. She remembered friend Logan's words.

'Don't let anything surprise you'

So she flew down to the classrooms under a roofed walkway. As her legs touched the ground, a small dog barked. Or tried to bark, since there was a paper in its mouth. The dog raced to her, and after she took the paper from it, it yipped and jumped. She looked down to the note.

'Slade has placed machines inside our bodies Star. I'm going to message Raven and Cy, to see what we can do to protect us. Act normal Star, we'll all be together again. I promise.'

-Logan

Although she was scared that something unknown was inside her, she smiled. Friend Logan would not let his family down, and neither would she.

—-

Cyborg read the note that he just received from a dog that jumped out of an alley he was cutting through.

"There's small machines inside our bodies Cy. I don't know what they are, or what they do. But we need to get them out of us. I don't know if they're trackers. Be we need to watch out if Slades watching us inside the tower or out in the city. I'll message Raven about a way for us to communicate without our tech. Stay safe Cy.'

-Logan

He had the same thoughts when he was programming their new communicators. He had been walking on pins and needles since Slade played those recordings of Logan. Despite the fear of unknown machines and being spied on, Cyborg shook his head. Logan was full of surprise's. There were sentient animals making communications for him. He definitely needed to hang out and pick his brain some more.

—-

'Slade put small machines inside our bodies. I don't know what they do, but we'll have Cyborg check on them later. But I want to ask you Raven. Is there a way we can talk as a team through your magic? Right now, we can't trust the tower, and we don't know if Slade is monitoring our patrols of the city. Please find a way we can communicate.'

-Logan

She saw the raven ruffle its feathers and the dog wag its tail. Logan was really something else. So she thought of her bedroom mirror, and made plans.

—-

Logan stood on top of a financial building on the Main Street of downtown. The sun was setting, and Cyborg gave the message to head back home after not finding Robin. They'd spent hours searching, only to come up with nothing. Logan stood with his back to a shipping warehouse in the distance.

He knew where they were at. He always knew where each Titan was. From the moment he laid eyes on each one of them, he knew they were precious to him. So HE bugged them. And Slade thought he could use microphones and camera to follow them. And now these machines in their bodies.

No matter what nook or cranny Slade tried to slip into, Logan would seep right into the depths with him.

—-

The Titans were gathered in the common room as the sun had just set. They looked at each other in defeat.

"We'll try again tomorrow…" Starfire said to the group. They all looked at her with determination.

"Yeah Starfire. Let's get some rest…" Cyborg said.

"I need to meditate…" Raven said and left to her room.

Logan stood in the living room alone. He looked out onto the city with its skyscrapers lit up. Now that the Titans were home and in bed, his instincts alerted him that Robin was on the move. No doubt being forced by Slade to do something. If the machines in their bodies were any indicator, they were being held hostage. So that was Slades game, huh? He still didn't know what Slade wanted in the end, but for now, he wanted a 'boy wonder' of his own…

—-

It was the middle of the night, when Logan felt a pull. Something was asking for permission for him to be led somewhere. He had stayed in the common room, and slowed his heartbeat, paranoid that these machines could tell Slade if he was awake or asleep. He was sitting on the couch, waiting to see what Raven could do, and now he felt her presence around him. So he calmed himself and let her pull him towards the direction of her room.

He 'awoke' in… a weird space world. He was on top of floating islands of rock with a starry night above him. He was taking the view in, when he felt the presence of the others. So he turned and saw Raven, Star and Cy. He smiled.

"You're amazing Raven." She fought back a blush.

"Friend Raven, where are we?" Starfire asked, also looking around the landscape.

"We're in my mind. When I went to meditate, I sent out my soul self to bring your consciousness into my mind." Raven said.

"You really are amazing." Cyborg said with a hopeful grin. She fought back a smile.

"Truly wonderous friend." Starfire followed with her own compliment.

Now Raven was smiling.

"Cy, you find anything." Logan asked, turning serious. So they all gave Cyborg their attention.

"I had some spare frequency reading equipment put away in my room. I was able to attach it to my bed before I called it a night. It had a search and categorize feature installed in it. It told me that the machines inside us are nanoscopic probes."

The others looked to him confused, but two understood what 'nano' meant. So Cyborg explained.

"They're little machines with antennas, they travel through our bodies, and they can receive instructions from Slade." Now they were worried even more.

"Can they do anything else, Cy?" Logan asked stepping forward in Ravens mind scape. Surprised at Logan's determination, he answered him.

"No… they're just traveling in our bloodstream. Attached to our red blood cells."

"Is there anything inside them other than the antennas? Are they flowing in a certain pattern? Can they read our vitals?" The others were thrown for a loop at Logan's questions. His seriousness and the look in his eyes. Right now, even though he wouldn't accept it, he was their 'leader.'

"No… just the antennas and small magnets that would let them bond with one another."

"If they're attached to our blood cells, and they can stick to each other…" Raven let her words hang in the air, and Star understood after Cyborg told her Slade can kill them whenever he wanted. The three shared a grim look.

But Logan looked relieved. Which confused them.

"Why do you look relieved, we've got death machines inside of us." Cy wanted to know what Logan was thinking. The girls also looked, waiting for an explanation.

"The antennas can ONLY receive a signal from Slade," Logan asked and waited. And after getting a confirmation from Cyborg continued, "I was afraid they were reading our vitals. Making sure they were actually inside of us, then sending those readings back to Slade." Still confused Cyborg responded.

"Slade can still ping us through the antennas, he can send a frequency and it'll bounce off of us and go back to him. He'll know where we are."

"He does know, because Robin stepped out in the city once we got to the tower."

"You know where friend Robin is?" Starfire asked excitedly. The other two looked at Logan in surprise.

"Those animals…" Raven spoke up, " we were scattered across the city, but we were approached by sentient animals that delivered a message from you." She looked to Starfire and Cyborg for confirmation. And the two nodded their heads before all eyes were on Logan.

"… Yes. I have animals that patrol the city. And they know where Robin is right now, but let's not focus on that." How could they not, after hearing something like that.

"So what about these 'nano' machines? Starfire asked.

"I have medical equipment that can filter our blood and remove them, but the procedure takes hours. And if the towers bugged, Slade will catch on that we know about the probes…" Cyborg asked worried.

"Don't worry, I'll take care of-"

Then they were all forcibly pulled from Ravens mind.

—-

AAAHHHHHH!

The titans screamed and hugged themselves as pain coursed through their bodies. The pain inside them dragged on for a few seconds until it stopped. They each dragged themselves to the common room, shaking and in sweat.

Slades had activated the probes.

The four Titans looked at one another, then, throwing caution to the wind Logan reassured the team.

"If Slade activated them, then it means Robins fighting back. So we're going to do the same for him."

The others nodded, not wanting to feel this pain again. But more importantly, to get Robin back.

—-

Robin looked at the camera feeds hidden throughout the tower, and watched as his team were tortured awake from their sleep.

He had already stolen a military micro chip, and a blaster weapon in just one night. It really showed the efficiency and teamwork that he and Slade shared. With him out on the field, and Slade behind the computers deactivating and falsifying the security defenses.

He had spoken out of line one too many times, then threw a punch at the villain.

He received a vicious beat down after that.

Then he surprised Slade with a combination assault that he'd perfected with Logan in the training room, landing a few blows to this monster.

And as a reward, Slade sent the signal that tortured his team… his friends.

Slade cut off the feed, with the Titans screams being the last thing Robin heard in the late night hours.

"You've had a long day apprentice. Go rest up. We start bright and early in the morning."

Defeated, Robin slowly made his way to the small room that Slade designated as his 'bedroom.' After changing into another suit, he walked over to the bed and lifted the sheet. There on his mattress, was a note.

'We know Robin, we'll see you soon.'

Then movement caught his eye, and he turned to see the tail end of a snake slither away.

—-

*knock* *knock*

"He's here! Answer the door!" They couldn't believe that a Titan had casually entered the police station. He literally walked through the front door and asked to speak with the police chief.

"H-Hello Mr. Logan. How are you this morning?" The officer behind the podium asked.

'Mr?'

Logan wanted to laugh.

"Good morning," he looked down to the officers badge, "Officer Smith. May I please speak with the Police Chief?"

"Of course. She was notified the moment you walked in the door" Then a side door opened and the Chief walked through. She looked at the Teen Titan, and walked over to shake his hand.

"Hello Mr. Logan, we weren't expecting a Titan to grace us at the office this morning."

"Well I came to discuss the safety of the city, we have a problem at the moment, and I'd like to ask for assistance." Turning serious, the Chief turned to Officer Smith, "make sure we are not bothered Martha."

Martha nodded as the Police Chief and Teen Titan Logan entered the private office.

She sat at her desk, gesturing to the other chair for Logan. He took a seat.

"What can we help you with?"

"Right now, we have an active criminal hiding in an underground bunker. This bunker is beneath the shipping warehouse on Sedan Drive and L Street." After a few clicks on her computer, The Chief swiveled her monitor to a map of the city, pointing directly where the warehouse was on the map. "Our plan is to enter the bunker, but we need a detailed layout of any basement floor or tunnels of the warehouse."

With complete seriousness, the phone was at her ear.

"Get me the emergency line for the office of JC Storage on L Street… Hello, this is Police Chief Samantha Gomez. I need to speak directly to the warehouse manager on site. This is an emergency."

—-

"Woah!" A man in a suit jumped back as a golden greyhound shot through the street, almost spilling his coffee. The dog raced through the streets, dodging pedestrians and motorists as it made its way to the pier that overlooked Titans Tower. The meeting place for today's showdown with Slade. In its mouth, a rolled newspaper with the detailed basement plans of the warehouse that were faxed and printed at the police station.

—-

The Titans chose to sleep in the common room for the remainder of the night. After waking, they put on a show of paranoia from the attack they just took hours earlier, although they were really paranoid. Cyborg stood up to address the others.

"Whatever that attack was, we have to stop it from happening again. We need to find Robin and Slade asap. We can't stay held up in the tower." His eyes shifted to Logan.

"Let's head out!"

—-

They just made it to the pier, when a greyhound leapt to them. It presented the newspaper to Logan, who took it and opened it to the printed papers inside. The team were really confused and awed at the display.

"What is the newspaper for, friend Logan?"

"Not the newspaper Star," he pulled out the papers and showed the rest of the team, "but the plans of the basement where Slade and Robin are." They were shocked.

"How did you get those?" Cyborg asked.

"I got them from the plant manager of the JC Storage, who sent them to the police station after I asked for them."

"But you were with us the entire time friend, how did you speak with the police?" Starfire asked.

"I'll tell you guys another time." He then headed to Raven "I need you, to look at the basement floor and underground tunnel beneath the warehouse." He handed her the papers. "Can you please teleport us to the lowest level in the tunnel? There, we can head further down into Slades base."

Raven looked down to the plans that showed the sub floor, basement, then tunnel that was built years ago in early Jump City. She looked up to Logan who had one of his smiles. The smile that told his family that he believed in them. He wasn't ordering her to teleport the team, he was asking. Nicely.

"What about the probes?" Logan then turned to the dog… or dogs.

""W-What the heck?!" Cyborg jumped, their attentions were away from the dog, only to find out it had multiplied at some point.

Starfire crouched down and began to scratch the heads of the dogs, whose tails began to wag excitedly.

"I'm really sorry about this…" Logan said.

Then the dogs leapt at the titans before biting them on their forearms. Or shoulder, in the case of Cyborg. The Titans yelped at the pain of sharp teeth that punctured into their skin, but the pain began to lessen. Then they started to feel woozy and lightheaded before falling.

They were coming to. They didn't know how much time passed, but the sun hadn't moved much in the sky. They looked around to see Logan sitting on a cement block. He had dragged them into a shaded area, away from prying eyes.

"What happened?" Cyborgs cybernetic eye reconnected with his human half, restoring his depth perception after he was knocked unconscious.

"I removed the probes from your bodies. When the dogs bit you, I released small organisms inside you that latched onto the probes and pulled them out of you from the bite wounds. You'll only be a little lightheaded, but you guys will recover."

The three were completely silent. They didn't know what to think about this turn of events. They believed they were charging into a battle with death machines in their bodies, all with the mindset that a madman was capable of killing them from miles away. Then after all of Logan's animal surprises, he goes and pulls the probes out of them in what… an hour?

"W-Where are the probes?" Cyborg asked.

*bark* *bark*

The four dogs lied on the floor looking at the Titans as they were getting up after their dizziness wore off. Cyborg shook his head in disbelief.

Raven had been looking down at herself after she had awoken from the floor. She felt this… energy. Like she had a well rested night. And like she had meditated before a good meal. She looked up to Logan, who gave her a sheepish grin.

"Since I bit you Raven… I-I mean the dog that bit you… I gave you extra calories and body chemicals that act like REM sleep. I wanted you to teleport us all the way across town and underground to a location off of a paper map. I didn't want to ask you such a big favor, then leave you drained and weaker before a fight with Slade."

Logan never stopped surprising you…

The dogs got up and scattered across the pier. Then they disappeared over the hills in all directions, to throw off the probes that would most likely be pinged by Slade.

It was still morning time, and she had enough surprises for today.

"… We're going to need a big dinner tonight."

The others smiled. She grabbed the plans from Logan, and recalled the warehouse on L street. Soon, she and the rest of the Teen Titans were consumed in a black ball. And then, they were gone.

—-

"Grr!" *HIT* *HIT* *HIT*

"A very good combination Robin. Your training with Logan has really improved you. But it's sad that you needed a friend to get this far. How far back would you be if you were left alone to your own training."

Robin snarled. He wanted to punch that mask right off his face. But the last hour proved he couldn't accomplish that. He turned sideways to the giant monitor that showed a map of the city. With four red dots flying around it.

"Worried about your friends? It's training time Robin, I'll give them a 'call' later."

BAM!

The wall to their side blew open with shrapnel flying everywhere and a sonic blast flew inches from Slade face, before he leapt back. They both turned to see the remaining Titans enter through the hole they made. Starfire with her starbolt energy coated fist that was the tool used to enter the base.

"We're already here… Robin tear off the pad under the emblem on your suit!" Cyborg yelled out.

Robin jumped to the side, to join his team. He ripped Slades 'S' off his chest, most likely the vital scanner he monitored and tracked Robin with.

"Guys? The probes, I thought-"

"Don't worry about it Robin," Logan interrupted him.

"My my. You just are full of surprises aren't you." Slade exited the shadows that he leapt to from Cyborgs attack. He turned to the giant monitor that still showed the 'Titans' searching the city. "Another one of your tricks Logan?"

He was upset that Logan didn't give him the time of day, he was still looking at Robin.

"Let's go Robin…"

There was silence. Everyone in the base except Logan was completely confused.

"What?" Robin asked. Shocked at his words.

"We should leave Robin... we won."

They won? They didn't win anything! They were all together and Slade was right in front of them.

"We can't leave! We have to stop him!" Cyborg yelled.

"What do you mean friend Logan? We must stop Slade, for he captured Robin and put our lives in danger." Starfire said.

Raven didn't say anything, she just looked surprised he would tell the team to leave.

"Why?" Robin asked

"Because he'll kill us."

Logan finally looked to Slade. "Because he's stronger than us, has more experience than us, and he has nothing to lose."

"I can't lose any of you, and I don't think you guys can risk one of us dying and walking away."

No one said anything.

"That's all I'll ask from the team today. If you want us to fight Robin... I'll fight. But if I can make sure you all get home safe, I'll always take that option."

No one said anything

Slade looked at Logan, "you must really love them."

"I do." Logan responded, not skipping a heartbeat.

"It'll hurt, when you lose them."

"Then I'll do everything I can to not lose them… Can we go Robin?"

Robin looked between Logan and Slade. At a complete loss how the hopelessness from his capture and teams risk of death, turned to this situation. Where they had the opportunity to fight and end Slade.

"Let's go home..." Robin said.

Slade didn't move. He continued to look at the Titans, before folding his arms behind his back. "Sorry for leaving my things around your tower. Please, feel free to throw them out." Then Slade took a step back into the shadows.

Logan didn't care if the others were mad at him, or if they were disappointed. This fight would be pointless, because Slade wouldn't be stopped. Not today...

And the others looked at the two in disbelief, but eventually they all headed out through the hole they just made.

Slade watched them leave. 'This Logan was an even bigger problem than he thought.'

Chapter Text

It had been one week since they walked away from Slades lair. The night they arrived, they found Slades hidden cameras had terminated themselves, and had fallen to the ground. A quadruple check of the tower with Robin at the lead for any of Slades tech was done. After an exhaustive three days of checking, the Titans knew that every piece of equipment, frequency and wireless connection in the Tower was made by Cyborg and ONLY Cyborg.

During the search, every Titan had a serious look to them. How close they were to getting killed still resonated with them. The adrenaline and desire to save Robin had worn off. And all that was left was an uneasy feeling that the Teen Titans were almost no more.

Logan too, was serious since that night. He hadn't joked around, or offered to spend time with the others. He did his searching for any of Slades cameras, cooked them meals, then spent time on the boulder along the shore.

Robin looked out the window and saw Logan staring into the distance. A part of him was upset that Logan called off the fight between them and Slade. But he knew Logan made that decision for a reason.

'He'll kill us….'

Robin turned and headed to meet the other Titans.

—-

In the evidence room, Robin sat at the desk that was clear of any 'leads.' Around him on chairs were Cyborg, Raven and Starfire. They were all quiet, understanding what this meeting was about since Logan wasn't present. The seriousness that they showed earlier in the week had been replaced with nervousness.

"Can you guys tell me… what happened after the fake chronoton detonator?"

So they told him. How Logan took charge of the situation. How he knew there were cameras in the tower. Made them search for him, even though Logan knew where he was at. Knew about the probes in their bodies. How they traveled to Ravens mind. How he commanded animals to deliver messages to them. His 'talk' with the police without anyone knowing. His powers to alter and remove things from their bodies. They spoke for over an hour, with Robin sitting at the desk.

"He asked me to search your suit for any hidden traps. Before Starfire knocked the wall open, he told me to shoot at Slade to push him away from you." Cyborg explained their entrance into the base.

Robin nodded, taking in all that had happened when away from the others.

"Slade told me he wanted me as his apprentice. He wanted me to follow in his footsteps." The others cringed at the news, but Robin continued. "He played mind games with me, tried to stoke suspicion and jealousy towards Logan for everything that he does." He finished.

"Are you?" Raven didn't know why she asked. Even though they were all curious.

"… I don't know. It sounds like you guys did a good job without me."

"Don't say that Robin." Cyborg cut in, before Robin could put himself down. "Logan stepped up to bring you back, I'm sure he would have done the same for all of us. Now that you're here, the teams whole again.

"He is right friend Robin, do not think for the moment that we were 'the better off' without you. We ALL wanted you back, and now that you are, we can be a team again." Cyborg and Raven nodded at Starfires words.

"We can learn from our first encounter with Slade, and we will stop him the next time he comes to hurt us." Raven said.

*beep* [Front Door Open]

A small alarm within the evidence room notified the team someone entered the tower. Logan came inside.

Robin took out his communicator. "I'm calling a team meeting right now. Let's head over to the common room." The others nodded.

—-

Logan walked down the front entrance hallway when he got the alert for a non emergency team meeting. So he continued at a slow pace, since he was near the common room. He entered the room as the others walked through the double doors of the main hallway. He smiled at them.

"Guys…"

They each gave him their own greetings, then they all headed to the couch. Except for Robin. After they sat down, Robin made his way to the front of their living room, looking at the them.

"I wanted to call this meeting, to announce that I would be stepping down as team leader of the Teen Titans."

The three titans he spoke with in the evidence room were shocked. They began to try and convince him to reconsider. But Robin wasn't listening. His attention was focused on Logan. Who sat back into the large couch with a serious face, smile gone.

"So Cyborg will take the lead?" Logan asked.

"Hold up! I can't be team leader. I'm best as support, and maintaining the tower. I can't be lead strategist and making the calls when we're out fighting." Cyborg spoke loudly.

"If you made up your mind, then we'll have to find someone new who can lead the team." Logan said to Robin. This surprised everyone.

"I would step down, and have YOU take over as Leader."

"I decline…"

"Why?"

"Because I can't live up to the expectations of the leader for the Teen Titans." That response confused everyone. But Robin glared, because Logan was dancing around this serious issue.

"You exceeded those expectations, when you saved the team. Saved me. Utilized the police force, and met Slade head on. We were all ready to fight and stop him, but you were the only one to pull us back. I didn't think much of it at the time… But if he could hold the team hostage with the probes, he could have taken any of us in the base. If he hurt one of us, we all would have flown into a frenzy. Slade… we wouldn't have stopped him for good. You were right. He's the kind of villain that slips into the shadows when things don't go his way. Not to mention, we were under commercial property. Not only our lives were at risk.

Logan was smiling towards the end of Robins response. Which confused them even more.

"THAT'S why I wanted you to be the leader Robin." Still confused, they said nothing to let Logan explain.

"You took my advice. You thought of the well being of the team. You had every right as the leader to make that call. I ASKED you to turn and leave, and you thought it through. You considered my input, whether you agreed with it or not. That's what a REAL leader does, they listen to there team."

Silence, they said nothing.

"I made every call, never allowing the others to contribute in the mission. I kept certain things from them, out of selfishness. I left the others in the dark and pushed them around everywhere that I wanted them. I protected you and the others… but I manipulated you too."

Still no one said anything.

"You're the leader of the Teen Titans, right now. But later, you'll be even greater. Being leader is more than just saving the city, and getting us home safe. Because something has to come after the Teen Titans. You Robin, there's just something about you… something great that I can see... just like Batman did." Logan then turned to the others. Robin didn't know what to say.

"And you guys, I believe in the same for you. You guys are great the way you are, and I know that you all will only grow stronger. Cyborg, you're young, but also one of the smartest people I know. Smarter than people who spent more time learning science, technology and machines. Star, who knows someone with a more pure heart. Who would do anything to protect her friends and loved ones. And Raven… who knows where you go from here. When you decide what to do with your life, I know great things will come from it." Logan stood up.

"And me… right now. I just want to spend time with you all. Protect you all. And help you guys see how amazing you are. I COULD be leader… but I can't be what the Teen Titans need right now, I can't be what's needed after."

"I'm your support. Your eyes and ears on the field. Your training partner and your cheerleader, but most importantly… I'm your friend." He turned to his leader.

"I never doubted you leading us Robin, I won't doubt you now." Then Logan left.

The others didn't move after that. They couldn't image that someone they'd known for over a year, thought of them to that degree. That believed he saw something in each one of them, that they couldn't see themselves. What could you say to someone who thought so much of you, when you had so many self doubts.

—-

*pant* *pant*

"Just a few more seconds Raven…"

*pant* *pant*

"And you cleared it! Great job, two weeks and you're already cutting your best time in half since you first started." Raven was barely listening. Two weeks of cardio, after she rarely ever exerted herself was killer. She had been so used to floating and flying, that she neglected muscle building exercises.

Since her fight with jinx, she'd been self conscious of her physique and stamina. After bringing it up in a team meeting, everyone offered to help her in training.

Cyborg stopped the counter on his arms terminal. He saw the embarrassment that Raven had at her less than stellar stamina during that meeting. It reminded him back when he met people in school who couldn't keep up with him in sports. He was popular back in school BECAUSE he helped others out in their training. He was never one to ignore or put others down. And training Raven really brought back good memories.

*pant* "it's over..?" Cyborg wanted to laugh at the 'not so Raven' facial expression. She was really beat.

"Sure is. And as your coach for today, I prescribe you a healthy meal and plenty of water to rehydrate." Raven rolled her eyes, but Cyborg could see a small grin form on her lips.

"As a matter of fact, it's about lunchtime. We'll both head over for some grub."

The two made it to the kitchen, where Logan was stirring a large pot. His face showed he was concerned.

"What's the matter?" Cyborgs asked. Raven also looked to see what had Logan worried.

"It's Star, she's in her room again, and she won't talk to me."

"Where's Robin?" Raven was curious where their leader was. Logan's attitude picked up a little.

"He went to go check on her. I hope she opens up to him, if not, maybe either of you. I just don't know what's bothering her."

—-

"You were right to not leave Starfire," Robin looked at his teammate as she sat on her bed. She had gained some… changes. She still looked like herself, but parts of her body were drastically different.

"I was tempted to leave, out of embarrassment for my looks." She held up her hand to stop Robin from interrupting her.

"I know that I do not look the 'ugly' Robin, but some of my features are mannish and not the lady like."

Robin knew there was no changing her mind, but he was happy that she didn't do something as drastic as leave them. "You know that me and everyone else would have followed you. No matter what you thought of yourself, you'll always be our Starfire."

She smiled.

"C'mon, let's go to the others. You don't have to be embarrassed. We… love you no matter what." He didn't know where he got the courage to tell her that, but it was the truth. In the short time they've all known each other, 'friends' wasn't enough to describe the Teen Titans.

"Thank you Robin…"

*swoosh*

The three turned around and looked to Starfire who entered the common room. She saw Cyborg and Raven give surprised looks. Robin followed behind, placing a supportive hand on her shoulder. She looked to the others with a smile.

"Hello friends."

Seeing Starfire put on a brave face, her two teammates returned her smile. And greeted her. Logan stepped forward and admired her.

"You're growing up Star. It's just puberty, and everything will get better after.

She was glad that she did not run away, and she was happy to have them in her life.

—-

"We hope that we've answered all your questions. We would like to thank the mayor and police Chief for having us attend this formal gathering of Jump City's protectors. And we would like to make this closing statement; the Teen Titans will do their best to protect the city and her citizens, no matter the threat." Robin stepped back from the microphone.

Applause were given to the Titans and Jump City Police. After a hectic week of armed robberies along with chaos by Mumbo and Johnny Rancid, the mayor asked that a formal public speech be made to reassure the citizens that extra steps were being taken to ensure their safety.

The Titans stood to the side of the stage along with decorated service men and woman. Handshakes and pictures would be taken for the public.

"Mr. Logan…" the police chief shook his hand.

"Mrs. Gomez…" Logan shook her hand back with a smile.

After the police Chief shook all their hands, her and her service officers left to monitor the social gathering.

"Just a little while longer guys, then we can head out." Robin looked to Raven, who was trying to block out all the people and noise. "Sorry Raven, just two more photos and we'll head back home." She nodded.

Slowly Robin was pulled away by the mayor who wanted the Titans opinion on an upcoming investigation of a meta human seen along the coast. A group of female reporters wanted to ask Starfire about what haircare products she used. And Cyborg walked over to talk with someone that they didn't recognize. Which left Raven and Logan standing together.

"Excuse me!" The Titans turned to a young lady approaching the stage. She was waiving to get there attentions. When she finally reached them, she walked up the stairs to greet them.

"H-Hello, my names Erica Jones." She shyly introduced herself.

"Hi there." Logan greeted back, "I'm Logan and this is Raven." Erica turned to Raven and gave her a head nod, before returning back to Logan.

"Do you remember me?" She asked hopeful. Butterflies in her stomach.

With a big grin that sent her heart fluttering, Logan replied. "Yes I do. Are you okay since the attack?" Raven stood there awkwardly.

"Yes, all thanks to you. Thank you for saving me and my friend's life that day." Logan's grin turned to a smile.

"You don't have to thank me. It's my duty to protect anyone in danger. I'm just glad that neither of you were hurt."

Erica's eyes shifted to Raven in embarrassment. Raven, who was also embarrassed, looked to Logan.

"I'll… go see if Robin's done with the mayor." Then she walked off.

Logan didn't want her to leave, but he didn't want to be rude to Erica. So he turned to her.

"I wanted to give you something." She told him with a smile. Then she reached into her pocket. Logan could smell the pheromones that came from Erica. He was expecting her to give him her phone number, and was about to let her down gently. But then she held out her hand, and in it, was a small pink ball. He stared at it, then reached out and took it. It read.

'WINNER'

Erica smiled. "I'm a part of a community group that does events for students. Our focus is getting students involved in outdoor activities. I'm the head of the group that does time capsules for the kids, but we're gaining popularity. Since teens are getting into the program, adult school and trade schools are getting involved in the project."

Logan smiled, she was doing a great thing.

Raven watched from a distance. That Erica had given Logan something, and he took it with a smile.

"You exchange that token, so you can submit something to put in the time capsule. Usually we give these to people than win competitions, but after I talked to the head of the program, they loved the idea that a Teen Titan would join in the project." Erica said happily.

"Thank you for giving me this." Logan said.

"So think of something good to place in the capsule, cause the next time we see it, it'll have been twenty years." Erica backed away, then waived at Logan before stepping down from the stage and heading to her group of friends.

Raven didn't notice the others gather around her, but did see Logan pocket what that Erica gave him with a smile.

"Alright team, let's head back to the tower."

—-

*knock* *knock*

"Yeah, come in." Cyborg called from his room.

The door swooshed open, and Logan entered. He saw Cyborg looking at a small card. Then he put it down on the counter where he stored extra parts for himself.

"What's up?" Cyborg asked, curious what Logan wanted.

"I noticed you were having a nice conversation with a girl at the public event." Half way through his statement, Cyborg rolled his eye and waived his hand.

"Don't think too much into it, she's someone I went to school with."

Logan looked embarrassed. "Well there goes my 'just go for it' speech." The two shared a laugh. Cyborg thinking the topic was over, headed over to get a tablet he used for monitoring the tower.

"What did you two talk about?" Logan realized he was being nosy, but Cyborg really looked happy when he spoke with her.

Seeing no harm to the subject, Cyborg answered him. "She landed an entry position at Wayne Tech. She was always bright in school, and someone finally noticed her."

"You must be happy for her."

"I am. She was really nice to me and the friends I had in school." He began to scroll through the tablet.

"Would you take a job like that?" Logan asked.

"At Wayne Tech? That's a job for professionals. They're second only to STAR Labs. I couldn't land a job like that."

"What do you mean, she looked the same age as you. And your designs built this tower. How many people at Wayne Tech can say they designed and BUILT a super hero tower?"

"… it's not that Logan." Cyborg wasn't in good spirits anymore. He then began to shuffle around at the counter.

"What is it Cy? I'm only speaking the truth, you really are one of the smartest people out there." Cyborg didn't respond, but after a few minutes, finally spoke up.

"It's only because of my father…" Cyborg said.

Logan took a seat at a chair in Cyborgs room. He gave him his full attention. Cyborg never thought he would talk about his father, especially to a friend, but… Logan was someone… someone who honestly wanted to help his friends.

"Everything I know, is because of my father. When… when I became who I am today, my father put a lot of information inside my robotic brain. Not just information about how my parts work, but volumes and terabytes of science and engineering. Mathematics and even medical data. There was no way I could have learned everything I know, if it wasn't for my robotic half…" silence filled the room. Logan let Cy take a breather after admitting such a thing.

"…Did your father put 'how to turn an alien battle ship into a tower of peace… into a home?" Silence.

"Did he show you how to design communicators, that would help us fight crime, and call each other when we needed our friend's help?" Cyborg didn't say anything.

"I'm sure he gave you all that knowledge for a reason, but I don't think he gave it to you, so you could become a hero. A hero who saves lives, by running into danger, instead of away from it." Cyborg gripped the counter.

"It's not about how you got all that brain power Cy, it's how you use it. I don't know what your relationship with your father is like. But I'm grateful, that what he gave you, led to us meeting each other."

Cyborg watched Logan as he spoke. It took a lot out of him to talk about his father. He still felt raw from his father's decision to do what he did. His choice to fight crime, came from his heart to defend those that were stepped on when he was in school. At some point, his father faded to the background, and so did his feelings. Because he was good at the knowledge he had received. People needed saving. A tower built. Communicators made. And a team and city to protect.

"Thanks Logan…"

"Anytime Cy. Let's do our check up on the towers systems."

—-

"Grrr…" Robin dodged an attack from Plasmus, by rolling away from its sludge shots. Starfire who was assisting him, had to change opponents and focus on Overload, who had gotten too close to Cyborg. Not wanting to risk the enemy tampering with Cyborgs power core, she turned the enemy's attention to her so Cyborg could get some distance.

Off to the side, Raven had been lifting objects to throw at Cinderblock. Logan was up close and distracting the enemy, but Raven had to dodge the few projectiles Cinderblock would throw any chance he could. With debris just flying over Ravens head, Logan transformed into a bull and charged Cinderblock, who slipped to one knee. With intense concentration, Raven lifted a steel girder and both it and Logan collided on both sides of their foe. The power and vibration of their combined attack stunned Cinderblock to collapse on the floor and not get up.

*Beep* *Beep*

The Titans looked to their communicators and saw a distress signal, while dodging any attacks.

"There's a break in at the Technological Museum!" Robin just dodged another sludge attack from Plasmus.

Logan looked to Raven, "Go help Robin, so it'll be two vs. one for Plasmus and Overload."

"What about you?" Raven asked.

"I'll head over to the museum, and see who's breaking in."

"You should wait for either of the two to go down, so someone can go with you." She didn't want him to go alone. None of them should go to a crime alert without backup.

Plasmus and Overload got a second wind, and started to go berserk. Cyborg and Starfire were having trouble stopping the flying lightning balls thrown. Robin was having trouble dodging the sludge that began to spread across the field and began to send bullet sludge in every direction.

"I won't engage them if it's too big a risk. I'll observe them, and try to hold them in place till you guys are done here." Logan then held up his communicator. "" I'll head to the museum, don't worry, I won't fight unless it's necessary. I'll wait to engage them if they're a danger. Stay safe!" Then he changed into a falcon and flew in the direction of the call. Raven had to join Robin to stop a wave of sludge from grabbing his legs.

The others raced to finish their foes so they could offer support to Logan.

—-

"Valuable in the past, priceless in the future."

"You're a time traveler?"

Warp looked up to the railing to see a lone Teen Titan stand there.

"A Teen Titan… Logan I believe, yes? I've heard about you in the history book archives. You're histor- oof!" Warp flew forward, doing a somersault before landing on his back and sliding across the room.

Logan stood there, staring at the man lying in the floor. The eagle that raced towards his back, then changed into a ram, before literally 'ramming' into him, stood ready for the enemy.

But he didn't move. Worried that he seriously hurt the guy, Logan jumped down to see if the man was okay. He was groaning and in a daze, before passing out.

Wow…

"Logan! How's everything at the museum?" Robin spoke through the communicators.

"You're not gonna believe this… but it's over."

"Over? What happened?"

"I'll tell you later. I need to unfreeze the guards, call the police for me, and I'll meet you guys back at the tower.

"If you're sure…"

"Don't worry Robin, there's no one else here, and what he's after is safe in its case."

"Okay. I'm calling the police to pick them up."

—-

Logan walked into the common room to see Starfire in the kitchen, Robin and Cyborg on the couch.

"Where's Raven?" He asked.

"She's in her room." Cyborg answered, flipping through the channels.

'Again' Logan thought. She had been spending a lot of time in her room lately. And when she would come out, there was almost a… giddiness about her. Well, a Raven giddiness. So he gave her space and joined Starfire in the kitchen.

—-

Robin stood in front of the team.

"It's been some time since the HIVE have broken out of jail, but we know where they are now."

"Are they at large again friend Robin?" Starfire asked.

Robin shook his head. "No, they're at… school."

—-

Logan looked to the open door, and was glad to see Starfire having a heart to heart with Cyborg. Robin walked up next to him and gave a nod, then headed to Cyborgs door to tell him the mission would start.

Out from Cyborgs room, was a fully human African American young man. Unblemished skin, and a physique that screamed line backer. He had a nervous smile on his face. But he wasn't nervous about the mission, but about being in his old 'skin.'

So the four of them headed to the common room, where they bumped into Raven as she exited her bedroom. Startled, she righted herself. She realized she almost missed Cyborg before he headed out, and looked guilty. But Cyborg didn't mind, he put his hand on her shoulder, whatever she was doing was her business.

They all made it to the common room, where Cyborgs clone stood frozen in the corner, turned off.

"Are you ready Cyborg, you need anything before you head out?" Robin asked.

"I'm good Robin, I better go before I'm late."

"We're just a call away, hopefully you get back soon." Robin said.

"Be careful friend, and do not hesitate to call home." Starfire told him.

"Good luck Cyborg." Raven said.

Logan smiled, and held up his hand. "Stay safe Cy."

Cyborg lifted his hand and shook Logan's.

"It's Stone… Victor Stone."

Logan's smile grew wider.

"A cool name… for a cool guy."

—-

"I am most worried, friend Raven has still not left her room." Starfire said to the two.

"We've given her plenty of time, and we even asked her what she's been doing, but she's still locked up in her bedroom." Robin replied.

Logan sat there. He had smelled and sensed Raven this past week. And… he preferred to give her privacy. He was worried too though, and was running out of patience. It wasn't his business, but what was making her have these feelings and… urges. He tried to block those thoughts out, he felt like a pervert thinking about it.

They had fought Kardiak a second time, and Raven had almost caused serious damage to the city when fighting the enemy. Then she raced to her room again when they got back.

"I believe we should-"

BOOM!

The tower shook, and they heard a loud roar above them. So they ran to see what had happened.

While Robin and Starfire raced to the roof, Logan headed to where he was needed most. After getting to her bedroom, he saw Raven in white, crouched on the floor. So he walked to her. The sound of Starfire and Robin battling whatever was on the roof was deafening, but he heard her clearly.

"… he lied to me…" she spoke softly, head down.

Whoever 'HE' was… he wanted to kill him…

But that wasn't needed right now, Raven was more important than anything else. So he walked to her, and joined her on the floor. He reached up and gently placed his hand on her shoulder. She finally looked up to meet his eyes.

"I don't know who 'HE' is. And I don't know what you've been doing this past week, but… the Raven I know. Wouldn't stay down on the ground. She doesn't fight only for the team or the city. She fights for herself too." He gave her shoulder a squeeze, then shifted and headed to the roof.

She watched him go, then with a newfound power and determination, she shot into the air like a rocket.

—-

The cool wind blew her cape, and her bangs brushed against her cheeks.

Jump City's late night shone in the distance. And her white cloak faded some time ago.

She had been sitting on the roof, when she sensed him. He stood behind her. She felt his hesitation, but also the love and care that he always had for her.

Azar… it was hard to be close to him.

To feel his feelings, so strong and so pure.

That they could wash away all your fears and self doubts.

That he could make you believe you could do anything, be anyone… even defy destiny.

He was here to comfort her, to make her whole again. The real 'super power' he had.

A lone tear ran from her eyes.

Oh Azar, she loved him…

Chapter Text

There was a real sick feeling in his stomach, looking at Cyborgs clone broken and scattered along the floor. It wasn't really Cyborg, but it was almost like looking at his friend's dead body. Logan was calm after they escaped the crumbling HIVE Academy, but the image of Cyborgs broken face still lingered.

He felt like he was slipping. Missing the two ladies that were in harms way during the fight with Mammoth. Letting the Hive Five get out of jail. Allowing Slade to walk out of his lair before the police raided it. And now, not following Cyborg into the HIVE Academy to face Brother Blood. Who got away.

He sat on the couch as Cyborg finished telling the team about what he and Blood spoke about during the end of their fight.

They all needed some space after the whole ordeal, so they went their separate ways. Or some of them did. He sensed Starfire go to Cyborg, and he was happy they continued to have their heart to heart talk.

And Logan found himself heading towards the Boulder again. He finally sat down on the rock, when… feelings started to take over him.

It had been happening a lot lately. Where he was always in the kitchen cooking for the team, by Cyborgs side during his routine checkups on the tower, training with Robin and Raven, now… He was spending more time alone. Thinking.

What if he went out, and captured all the bad guys.

Slade… Blood… all the power wielding foes they've come across.

No one would know. They would just… disappear.

No longer a problem to anyone. No longer a threat. To his team… his family.

Logan shook his head. He shouldn't think like this. He had no right to remove people from the city, just to protect the Titans. He knew, that they needed to have these battles. They needed to grow stronger, learn from the experience of being heroes. He couldn't let his personal feelings get in the way, then start a raid to stop the bad guys completely. So as much as he'd like to erase their enemies from the field, he couldn't.

Those 'feelings' began to fade, and he was left truly alone. He couldn't exactly say what they were, but he knew there was more to himself. More to LOGAN. More than the mysterious guy Cyborg found in the trash. Maybe they were parts of his life. Maybe that's what they were…

Memories.

—-

"Guys, I received an alert from the police. There's a meta human out in the dunes outside Jump. They want us to see if they're a danger," Robin said in the common room.

Cyborg lifted his arm up, and readied the security alarm once they exited the tower. They headed to the garage, where Cyborg parked his latest creation. The T-Car. His baby.

So they loaded into the car, buckled in, then sped through the underground tunnel to come out on the mainland of Jump City.

On their way to the dunes, that 'feeling' began to come to Logan. But he softly pushed it down, whatever it was trying to make him feel, he'd do what he could to keep the team safe. He saw that Raven was looking at him curiously. He smiled at her, and she looked ahead. He relaxed in his seat, they'd be there soon.

Cyborg saw the dust cloud ahead, so he hit the brakes and slid to a stop. The moment the car went into park, the Titans jumped out and made their way to the cliff side, overlooking where the meta human should be. And they were right.

A blond girl lured a giant scorpion into a trap, after dodging and weaving between its strikes. When it looked like she was going to be impaled from its stinger.

She crushed the giant scorpion. With earth.

Once the dust settled, she looked up to the group of teens. Her eyes opened wide, and she turned her back to her defeated enemy.

"WOW, you're the Teen Titans!" She smiled.

Robin scouted the area, in case they were anymore scorpions, then headed down to the dune to meet with her. Cyborg headed down too, and Starfire chose to float down to greet the girl. Raven looked over to see Logan staring at the girl. She thought he would say something, but he just looked at her.

Up and down.

Raven feeling… she shook her head. She floated down too. But Logan stood atop the cliff.

"You're Robin. Cyborg. Starfire. You're Raven, and…" she stopped when she had to look up to the last member.

Seeing that he was making the situation awkward, he jumped down softly. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to keep my distance."

"You're Logan! Your like, my favorite Titan!" Blushing, and feeling embarrassed that she said such a thing, especially in front of the others, she waived both hands. "N-Not that you guys aren't as cool… I'm Terra."

Logan smiled. "It's nice to meet you Terra."

"So what are you doing out here?" Robin asked. Then Terra began to talk about her travels. The others liked how friendly and laid back she was.

"You're a real California surfer girl." Cyborg said. Terra laughed, and replied she had been jumping from beach town to beach town.

"Do you have the place to stay friend? A hotel perhaps?" Starfire asked.

Terra wasn't laughing anymore, she rubbed the back of her neck. Then the Titans noticed the only thing around her was a backpack. Nothing else.

"Are you camping? Where's your tent, where have you been sleeping?" Robin asked.

"I sleep under the night sky." Terra tried to answer the question with a positive note, but the team took it as she didn't have a place to stay.

"Then you must stay with us friend Terra! We have plenty of the room in the tower."

"Is it really a tower? A giant letter T?" Terra realized she looked hopeful, then went to decline the offer.

"If you don't have any place to stay, we could let you crash for the night, is that good Robin?" Cyborg asked. It was better to get everyone's approval before they let her in their home.

"I don't see why not, if you have no where to sleep, we can offer you the couch. It's comfortable." Robin said.

"I… I don't know..."

Starfire looked to Logan and Raven, "it shouldn't be a problem, right friends?"

"…"

"It should be alright, it sucks sleeping outside. You don't want rocks digging into your back while you sleep." Logan said.

Terra laughed. "I soften the ground every time I camp for the night."

Everyone looked to Raven.

"It shouldn't be a problem…"

"Well it's getting late, and it's starting to get cold. Let's pile in the car, and head home."

So folding the center console, Starfire sat in the front with Cyborg and Robin. In the back Raven, Terra and Logan sat together. With Logan in the middle.

Terra looked over to Logan, "what's the biggest animal you've changed into?" Then the Titans headed home with their new friends asking questions about them. Mostly to Logan.

The T-Car sped off into town. And a dark figure stepped out of a cave nearby.

"I found her first Titans…"

And off in the distance, a rattlesnake flicked its tongue.

—-

"A-Are you sure?" Terra asked, as she was pushed towards the bathroom.

"Of course friend, you do the washing up and I shall wash your clothes for you. Friend Logan has already started on dinner, and the others will wait for the meal." Starfire pushed her new friend to the single bathroom they had in the hallway.

"Need help with dinner… Romeo?" Cyborg laughed, and Robin tried to hide a grin. Raven wasn't amused.

"Ha ha, no. Get out of the kitchen." Logan already had the water heating up and the vegetables and meat chopped. So Cyborg and Robin settled in the couch, and Raven hovered in the corner with a book.

Sometime later, a fresh and clean Terra along with the rest of the team were called to the table. The smell of food was inviting, and they were all waiting for Logan to give the call.

"Thanks for helping Terra, Starfire. You've been really supportive of her." Robin spoke quietly to Starfire, so Terra didn't hear.

"It is the nothing friend Robin, it is a joy to welcome a new friend in our home." Starfire smiled and Robin smiled back.

A big pot of stew, pot of rice, grilled vegetables and a salad almost filled the table as the teens sat down.

"This looks delicious Logan, you didn't have to make this much just cause I'm here." Terra said the last part shyly.

"You're a guest, and it's just a hearty meal. It's not like I cooked a fancy cuisine." Logan replied with a smile.

"It looks really good Logan." Robin said. The others nodded and began to serve their plates. Soon the kitchen was quiet, with the only sounds being silverware hitting their plates.

They started asking Terra about her travels, hoping to learn about her, but they could see the uneasiness at answering them. So they talked about hobbies and fun things they do in their spare time.

Soon, dinner was over, and they were all getting tired. Cyborg headed to the closet and grabbed a giant stack of blankets. He and Starfire unfolded them, and began to make a bed for Terra on the couch. She looked at them, a warm feeling in her stomach.

Then they all stood up, and readied for bed.

"I hope you have a good night on the couch, it's more comfortable than it looks." Robin said.

"Yes friend, do sleep well. You will rest much better inside the tower, than outside in the cold."

"Sleep good, and we'll catch you at breakfast." Cyborg said.

"… good night." Raven said.

"If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask. There's a radio on the wall, it can call our communicators. Have a nice sleep Terra." Logan said, then the Titans shuffled off to their rooms.

Terra had a blush, but thanked them.

—-

Cyborg was about to split off to his room, when Robin told him to hang back.

"Guys, let's have a team meeting." He said to the others in the hallway. Knowing what Robin wanted to discuss, they nodded their heads and readied to talk about Terra.

"It's nice that we offered Terra a place to stay for the night, but we need to also be careful about inviting a stranger inside our home." He looked to the others.

"It was very nice to extend the welcoming to Terra, but you are correct. She CAN be a threat, like Jinx." Starfire was no longer bubbly, but serious.

Cyborg nodded his head. "It sucks that we have to be suspicious of her, but it's better to be safe than sorry."

Logan turned to Raven. "You don't trust her, do you Raven?"

Raven said nothing. She had an uneasy feeling about inviting Terra into the tower. Everyone just smiled and started pampering her. She was afraid that the others would be upset if she voiced her concerns. But she was happy that it was brought this up, and even happier when her friends thought this out logically. But now she was being called out to give her opinion.

"… yeah. I just have a weird feeling about having her in the tower." Logan smiled, and she didn't feel like she was being unreasonable.

"It's alright to be cautious of her. We won't treat her like an enemy, but we should still be nice to her. Just like we all were when we met." Logan said.

"So what do we do, should we leave her unmonitored?" Robin asked looking at the team.

"If it's alright with you, I'll watch out for her. I can always transform into an animal and sleep nearby. If anything comes up, I'll message you guys. Hopefully it doesn't come to that."

The others looked at each other. Logan always volunteered when it came to a stake out. So they agreed, and headed to their rooms. Raven was headed last when Logan stopped her.

"I'm sorry if we ignored you Raven, we all just got excited at helping someone who was in a similar situation that we were in, before we became a team.

Raven absorbed his words and nodded. "Hopefully… things work out." She looked at him, then headed to her room.

Logan watched her go, then headed to the double doors and sat on the ground. He leaned against the wall and listened to Terra toss and turn on the couch.

—-

Terra was sitting on a boulder, watching the tide come in. She felt guilty accepting all the hospitality from the Teen Titans. She didn't deserve their kindness. Especially if they found out about-"

"You looked worried, you wanna talk?"

She jumped, and the ground from under Logan began to shift and rock violently. But Logan didn't look scared, he just looked down at the ground, keeping his balance. He looked up to see Terra try desperately to stop the earth from shaking. With her arms stretched out, and shaky breathing, she finally stopped the ground from under Logan. She looked embarrassed.

"Were you having trouble?" He asked.

Terra bolted up, "I have to leave…" she was about to run. Forget her backpack, she could always start over in another town.

"No you don't. You can stay here… with us."

She stopped, with her back to Logan. No one had ever asked for her to stay. She always ran away, before any friends could be made. But she stopped now.

"If you have nowhere to go. If you want a place to call home. If you need help, in anything Terra… just ask. And I'll do everything I can, to help you. We all will."

She didn't say anything. She didn't want him to see her blushing cheeks at his words, or the tears in her eyes at his willingness to help.

She heard footsteps come towards her, and she slowly turned to him. He held out his hand.

"Let's head inside, we can start fresh in the morning."

She looked into his eyes. Strong, caring, protective. Eyes that a girl could fall in love with. So she reached to him.

—-

The Titans and their guest sat around the kitchen table.

After a side glance and head nod to the others, the rest of the Titans continued to give Terra a warm welcome into the tower. So after a big breakfast, made by Logan and Starfire, they headed to the obstacle course.

Terra stood nervously as Robin completed the course, going at a slower pace so she could follow him visually. He returned to the starting area where the others waited.

"So that's the direction you follow in the course, are you ready to jump in?"

"S-Sure…" she gave a fake confident smile.

She headed to the starting line, as Cyborg reset the terminal to ready the bots.

"And Go!" He yelled. Terra shot off.

The Titans watched as she removed chunks of earth to ride along the course and raise up barriers from incoming projectiles. She slipped and tripped a few times, and there was a close call or two. But she finally made it at a respectable timing.

They congratulated her, with Raven giving her a nod, when the crime alert rang across the obstacle course.

"Titans, head to the common room!"

—-

So a boulder fell on him… big whoop. He had been giving his teammates support against these robots that looked like B movie Slade rejects. Robin was doing a great job of bashing them. His hatred of Slade was pushing him overboard, but all the pent up frustration that the masked villain gave him needed to come out.

Lasers and a giant drill were the best these hunk of junk could do, and the surprise of "Slade bots" wore off real quick. Slade went from nano bots capable of giving them heart attacks… to this. Maybe he made a mistake in letting the villain walk away.

One transformation later, and the rock flew off of him. He looked to see the others finishing the last of the robots, so he headed towards Terra's scent.

Slithering between rocks, and burrowing through earth, he finally made it to Terra.

"No body else understands you Terra, no one else can help you… I'll be waiting." Then the coward ran.

And Logan wouldn't admit it to anyone, but he really wanted to just kill him already.

But there were more important people that needed him. So he pushed forward, and called out to her.

"Terra!"

She spotted him, through teary eyes. She held her head, like that was going to help her stop this hurricane. So he increased his density, making him heavier, and made sharp appendages beneath his feet to grab the ground. And he walked to her.

"You can stop this Terra!" He yelled, and she looked at him.

"You're strong, you've made it this far in your life, and you can keep going!" She began to cry as her tears poured from her eyes.

"I believe in you, and so do the others. We wouldn't have welcomed you in our home if we didn't!" And the hurricane began to die down. She started to slowly lower to the ground, until she finally met him face to face.

"Admitting you need help, is hard Terra. But friends will always be there for you. I'll be there for you. Just ask… and we'll help you."

The storm finally stopped.

For so long, she ran away. Ran from anyone who ever showed her kindness. Ran from any opportunity to make a life for herself. Because she was scared. Embarrassed. Ashamed. A failure. She was alone. Tears kept falling as she was slipping into despair.

Then strong arms wrapped around her, and she was startled. Her head was in his chest, and he squeezed her.

"You're not alone Terra… you have us."

"… I-I need help!" she screamed. Then she wailed into his chest. Cried the worst she ever had in her life. Her fingernails dug into his suit and she shook. She cried and cried, not knowing if she would ever stop. But through her pain, she still felt his arms around her. Squeezing her, rubbing circles into her back. Pressing his head into hers. Holding her, like no one ever did.

"I need…" she shook. "Need…" she wailed. "Help…" He couldn't hold her close enough. So she buried deeper into him. Until she couldn't see anymore, hear anymore. Her breathing slowed down, she fell into a deep slumber.

And the Teen Titans watched her crumble, asleep in Logan's arms.

—-

Cyborg finished his readings of Terra. She was lying in the medical bay bed at the tower. Her readings weren't too bad, but didn't look good either. He turned his head to see the others on the opposite side of the window. So he looked her over again, then headed to the door.

Once he walked through, Starfire rushed to him.

"Is she alright friend?" The others stood by, wanting to hear about Terra's health.

"She not in any danger, but she's underweight and pretty dehydrated. She's got bruising, most likely from her time out in the deserts." Those were all things they could help her with. Extra portions at dinner, monitoring her water intake, and medical supplies to help her heal. But…

The emotional support she would need. They didn't know if they could help her, but no matter what. They would try.

"Let's rest up, we'll see what we can do for her tomorrow." Robin said. Then they began to head to their rooms.

"I'll hang back, monitor her some more just incase she wakes up." Then Cyborg walked back into the medical bay.

Robin nodded then looked to Logan.

"You said she was singled out by Slade?" He asked.

"Yeah, he was spouting off about him being the only one who could 'help' her, and that he would wait for her to come to him."

Robin growled. Still upset that Slade had taken him all that time ago. To make him his apprentice. But Logan looked at him, so his anger simmered down.

"We can't allow that to happen." Robin said.

"How?" Logan asked. He was curious what Robin would say after that statement. What would Robin and the team DO if Terra went to Slade willingly?

Robin knew Logan was asking the question for a reason. He didn't just ask 'how?' He wanted to know what him and the team were 'willing to do' to stop such a thing. But Robin already knew the answer.

"We'll do everything we can to support her. Give her everything that we have given to each other as a team. We'll show her that she can be a part of this family." He finally said.

Logan gave a sad smile, "I'd like you and the others to treat her, the way I treated you all. Be there, like a friend would, so she can open up. And heal."

Robin nodded, then made his way to his room to call it a night.

Logan looked through the window. Cyborg sat on a side couch, hooked himself to a portable charger. He put himself in a rest mode, just in case Terra woke up. Then fell asleep.

He looked at Terra lying in the bed. And the feeling he was getting, was sadness and regret. So he told himself and it, that he would put her on the right path. He would give her the help she really needed.

—-

Terra woke sometime in the late evening. She looked out the window, and could see the sun setting over the horizon. She heard a sink shut off, before cyborg exited what she thought was a bathroom.

"You're awake, how are you feeling?" Cyborg asked. He didn't want to smother her, so he kept a good distance away.

"… alright. I feel like a slept good."

That was good to hear, she got in a few quality hours of rest.

"I'll remove the monitors, so you can move around more freely." She nodded, then he took off the adhesive tape from her arms and upper chest. He worked slow and gently, so she didn't think he would hurt her.

When he was done, Terra lifted herself to a sitting position on the bed.

"Do you want to know?" He asked her. She looked at him confused. "How you're doing. It's nothing major."

She shrugged her shoulders, then nodded her head. Cyborg took a seat, then leaned back into the chair.

"You're dehydrated. I don't know how often you drink water, especially since you did a lot of traveling before you came to Jump. But don't worry about that, I gave you some liquid I.V. when you were resting, so drink more water and get some electrolytes in you when you head out."

She nodded, then Cyborg got a little serious.

"Now about your weight." She looked nervous and embarrassed, like he was going to call her fat. "You're underweight and pretty thin, I suggest you should eat more Terra. You're pretty tall for your age, if I guessed correctly." If she was alone, traveling from place to place, there might have been times when she didn't eat a meal.

She seemed to know what he was talking about.

"Where's Logan?" He didn't know, and there were more important things to talk about.

"He's not here right now." She deflated.

"You play basketball?" The question threw her for a loop. She had skipped school, so joining class sports never was an option for her. And she didn't remember ever playing with other kids when she was younger.

"No…" she said after a short time.

Cyborg smiled. "I think with your body frame, you'd be an excellent basketball player."

She stared at him, but there was a ghost of a smile on her lips. There was the old Terra coming out of her shell.

"You know how the game works?" She shook her head, so he continued. "There was a game on earlier today, and the sports channel is showing highlights. After that, the sports analysts are gonna spend hours talking about tomorrows game. How about you and me crash on the couch, and I'll explain how you play the game?" He asked hopeful.

"That sounds like… fun Cyborg."

He stood up, then offered his hand for her to get out of bed. She gave him a look. 'Like I need help getting out of bed.' But she took his hand and he lifted her up. She righted herself.

"Let's head over to the kitchen, I'm sure Logan and Starfire cooked something for lunch. I suggest you get a double helping, alright?"

"… yeah, sure doc."

They headed to the common room. All the while Cyborg told her about the grudge Jump City Jaguars had against the Steele City Rockets.

—-

"Friend Terra! You are awake!" Starfire flew over and gave Terra a strong squeeze. She started to choke a little, before she was let go.

"Do you need anything friend? The food, drink, another shower perhaps?" She bombarded the poor girl with questions.

"Where's Logan?" Terra asked. Starfire didn't know.

"Just something to eat and drink Starfire," Cyborg said. He tried to ignore her question.

"Of course friend, let me serve you the lunch that Logan and myself mad earlier." She then flew to the fridge and began removing things.

Hearing his name, Terra looked around the room but didn't see him. Cyborg noticed her looking for Logan, so he spoke up.

"Why don't you take a seat, Starfire will take care of you. I got to go tell Robin you're awake, he's been worried about you after last night." Her mood started to deflate, but he looked to Starfire to cheer her up. So he left the common room.

Terra was half way through her sandwich when the double doors swooshed open. She quickly looked over to see… Raven.

"Oh, hey Raven…" Seeing that she was disappointed, but not taking it personally, Raven decided to talk with her.

"Hi there Terra, how are you feeling?"

"Better, after a good nights rest and some food in me." She gave Starfire a side glance, as the girl placed a half sandwich on her plate.

"Have you seen Logan?" Terra asked, hopeful. Raven looked at her, then shook her head. Terra put her food down.

"… if your interested, you can join me in my meditation. I usually do it in the evening on top of the roof." Raven told her.

Terra didn't know what to say. Raven always seemed private, she'd seen the girl float away from her friends without saying so much as a goodbye. And now she was inviting her to… meditate.

"I… don't know how." She finally responded. Not exactly saying yes or no.

Sensing she was being overwhelmed and nervous, Raven spoke.

"If your ever interested, feel free to ask. Meditation has really helped me through the years. It's helped me find peace when I was lost and confused."

"Do you think I'm lost and confused," she asked the question with a glare. Raven realized she took offense to her words. Even Starfire was surprised at Terra's attitude shift. But Raven wouldn't be intimidated.

"Only you know how you truly feel. And you should do everything you can to better yourself, especially when others are there to help you along the way. It's your decision."

Terra's glare faded until it was gone. All that was left was a lost girl they found in the desert.

"… I'll think about it…"

Raven turned to the direction of the couch, book in hand.

*swoosh*

Everyone turned to Robin and Cyborg who just entered the common room. Robin pressed a few buttons on his Titan communicator, then headed to the kitchen. Cyborg joined Raven on the couch.

"Terra, I heard from Cyborg that you were up. We were worried. How are you feeling?"

"Is this some kind of game?" She asked angrily. Robin was surprised by her anger. Everyone was. Terra stood up from her chair.

"Why are you all asking how I'm doing? Why are you inviting me to watch basketball, and meditate, do you guys feel sorry for me? Where's Logan?!"

"No one feels sorry for you Terra. We want to help you, that's why we're asking you to do things with us." She was nervous and scared. They could tell.

"Where's Logan?" She asked again. She was closing in on herself.

"Friend Logan is not here right now Terra, please, sit and eat-"

"No, tell me where he is. I want to talk to him." Then she grew aggressive, and looked like she would run.

"Calm down Terra, everything is-"

"Don't tell me to calm down!" Terra's eyes began to softly glow, then they all started to feel the ground shake.

"Terra."

Everyone turned to the double doors, and Logan stood there. He stared at Terra. The tower stopped shaking.

"Logan!" Terra rocketed to Logan and hugged him. "Where were you, I was worried something happened to you?"

The others looked shocked that she had changed at the drop of a hat. She held tightly to him, looking up to his face, with eyes begging for an answer.

He slowly lifted his arms and loosely wrapped them around her. He gave her a smile. And she smiled too.

"You don't have to worry about that, cause I'm here now. I'm here for you."

Still smiling, her eyes began to shimmer. And she melted into him. Wrapped her arms around him, tightly, so he could never leave her. So he hugged her back, and placed his chin on her head. And for a moment, they were the only ones in the tower.

He pulled back from her, both ignoring the shocked and worried faces of the other four. He looked into her eyes, lost and broken, but still full of love. And he knew...

"Let's go Terra…"

That was all that needed to be said. And she was his. Her arms unwrapped themselves and her fingers found his, she turned to the others.

"Did you hear him? We're going!" She laughed. A happy laugh. Filled with joy and relief. She would go. Leave town again. But this time, she wouldn't be alone. Because…

She had Logan.

She pulled him to the double doors.

"Logan!"

"Where are you two going?!"

"Friends, what is happening?!"

"…"

But they were ignored, because Terra held onto his arm for dear life, he led her and they made their way to the garage. She laughed and told him about all the beaches she would take him to. About all the secret spots that she had no one to share with. And he led her inside the garage, to the T-Car.

They got inside, and Logan started the self driving feature Cyborg showed him when he built the car. He just finished pushing the start button, when Terra pulled him to the back seat, giggling. The underground garage opened, and the T-Car took off.

—-

The others didn't know what just happened. Logan watched her sleep in the early morning, and the others knew he was worried about her. He had his hand over hers, he wanted to say something, but he couldn't find the words. He would space out, again and again… Robin, Starfire and Cyborg tried to comfort him. And Raven stayed in the back, quietly. But then he stood up, and headed out the door. They tried to call out to him, but he left the tower.

That was hours ago, and he didn't respond to his communicator, because it was off. So they waited, worried for the two. Until finally Terra woke up. And they did their best to help her, just like Logan would have. But they couldn't get her to see that they were her friends. That they would work just as hard as Logan to bring her into the Teen Titans, their family. But...

she just wanted Logan.

Then he returns to the tower, ignores them, then takes Terra with him.

Cyborg rubbed his eyes on the couch, this day was a rollercoaster. He'd been trying to connect with Terra, but a few words and kindness got her suspicious. Then all was lost.

Robin looked down at the communicator, both signals were lost for Logan's comm and the T-Car. He shoved it in his pocket, at a loss for what to do about Logan and Terra.

Starfire sat alone on the kitchen table. Terra's plate had fallen over the table, with its food toppled onto the floor. Bumped and knocked over when she raced to be with Logan. Starfire was sad and worried at Terra's behavior.

Raven had long ago fazed to her room. She didn't want to be with the others. She wanted to be alone.

'I'm here now. I'm here for you.'

His words to Terra was like a knife in her heart. She should have known something like this was coming, when he looked at her like that. Her dresser and bookshelf started to shake, as her eyes became misty.

—-

Terra's head was snuggled into Logan's shoulder, she stared at the beach in a happy daze. She had the most fun she ever had since… since she could remember. Logan… he was so sweet. He took her to places and sights that were unique to Jump City. They held hands, and he bought them snacks and drinks. When it was cold, he wrapped her in his arms and she was tempted to close her eyes and drift asleep. But she couldn't, because she wanted to be with him, every second of this magical day.

She held up her arm, and admired the charm he got her. A simple bronze bracelet, worth just a few dollars. But to her, it was diamond encrusted, a gold bracelet fit for... she giggled. A piece that represented his love for her.

There was no Slade. No Titans. Jump City or anything.

Just Logan and her.

"Terra… how do you feel?" He whispered into her hair, staring out to the ocean. She gave a small laugh, before looking up to his face.

"I feel great, like in dreaming." She said. "Did you plan all this when I was asleep?" She asked him with a grin.

"I did." He said

"Why?" She smiled dreamily, she hoped, and prayed... for those three magical words.

"Because I… I felt like I owed you this." He said.

She was confused, her eyebrows knitted together. She looked at him, not understanding what he meant. He looked away from the ocean, and down to her.

"… I've had this feeling… that I need to make up for something. Like I lost… someone. And even though I moved on… my heart keeps telling me…"

She looked at him, and he looked at her.

"I'm sorry Terra…"

*crunch* *crunch* *crunch*

"Terra Markov?"

Terra bolted up and looked around them.

She turned to a strange lady in a dark suit.

"W-What? Who are you?" Terra then began to stand up, she finally stood on her feet when Logan lifted both of them up.

"My name is Diana Prince, I'm with the Justice League. I've come here to take you to a place where you can get the help you need."

"NO! NO! NO! LOGAN STOP HER! She's trying to take me!"

But he didn't stop her, he held onto her. Not to protect her, but to keep her from running.

"Terra. It's going to be alright." She began to shake her head violently. "She's going to take you to somewhere safe. They'll help you, in a way that me and the others can't." She began to kick and scream. So he held her in his arms.

She couldn't stay with them, and she couldn't go to Slade. Leaving wouldn't help her, it would just keep hurting her until...

"NO!" Then her eyes began to glow… before they faded to her normal blue eyes. So she tried again. And again. But the earth around her wouldn't shift, wouldn't bend to her will. She began to have a panic attack, looking around her to figure out what was wrong. Then she noticed it…

The bracelet.

The 'gift' he'd gotten her.

And she screamed. Punched and kicked with all her fury. As sad and angry tears spilled from her face. And he held her. Took all her fury in his arms. Took every hit she gave him, and kept her from lashing out at the others.

"I LOVE YOU!" She screamed.

"I LOVE YOU!"

"I AH LOVE… Y-YOU! She was weakening. Her struggles were dying, but she kept fighting. She would tire herself out. She crashed her head into his chest, and cried more. So he hugged her and petted her hair.

"…love…you..." she whispered. He squeezed her.

"… I lo…" she said. He pulled back, cupping her cheeks to look in her eyes. He didn't know when he started crying, but he could still make out her face. He could still see the fear and betrayal. He leaned forward and kissed her forehead, kissed her goodbye. He looked down into her eyes. Puffy and red. A lost soul that thought she found someone. Someone she could rely on… Someone she could LIVE for… He couldn't be that someone. She deserved better than that.

"… you lied to me…" she whispered.

And just like that, she gave up completely. And men he didn't know grabbed her from behind, and pulled her away. They carried her to a small Justice League aircraft. They opened it, and 'helped' her inside a gurney. He heard footsteps approach him.

"I'm very sorry for this, but it was the right thing to do."

He didn't say anything.

"There might be some part of you that regrets calling us… loved ones always believe they can help those that are suffering. But it's best to leave it to the professionals."

He just stood there.

"We'll take care of your girlfriend Mr. Logan, we'll reach out to you when she's in a more stable frame of mind."

He turned to her.

"Don't call… It's best that she forget about me."

Then he turned and walked back to the T-Car.

—-

He stood at the base of the tower, after sending the T-Car on autopilot to return to the garage. He looked up to the shining lights of the windows. The citizens would believe that the Teen Titans were up at every hour, watching and defending the city, but… they were still teenagers, well... some of them. They needed their rest. So even though the tower shown like a beacon, the hero's inside slept.

He made his way through the entrance, down the carpeted hallway that would go to the common room. He walked silently, doing his best to not alert the others. He passed the double doors, and the bathroom. He continued in front of the utility closet, and stopped at the guest room.

He looked at the plain door, with no name etched into it. He raised his hand and brushed the door, right where a name 'could' have been. But it didn't, and it would never have someone slumbering in its room.

'I made the right choice…'

'… you lied to me…'

'I couldn't help you… none of us could'

'… you lied to me…'

He lied to everyone, one way or another…

His arm fell, and he stepped away from the door. He turned, and headed down the hallway. Passed Cyborgs room, then passed Starfires. His legs began to sway, and he thought his knees might buckle. But he continued forward, passed Robins room. He stopped, and looked at his bedroom door.

Logan

He stood in the dark, with the moonlight cast through the windows. He reached forward, but had to remember his password. So he finally entered the code, and with a swoosh, the door opened. He walked in.

Just a bed. A dusty bed, that was never used. His shoes scraped along the tile floor, leaving footprints in the dust for the first time. He'd never once slept in this room. Since Cyborg first 'finished' the tower, and they were all assigned bedrooms. He slept everywhere but here.

The common room. The kitchen. The hallways. Outside the tower…

Everywhere but here, because it always felt like… he didn't belong… in here.

So he walked to the bed, and stood before it. He slowly climbed in, ignoring the dust that floated in the air from agitating the sheets. He laid on his back, and stared at a ceiling that was new to him… but also familiar. He closed his eyes.

He didn't sleep much that night

Chapter Text

Robin woke to his alarm chiming, so he turned it off, then picked up his communicator. It showed Logan and the T-Car had returned. So he jumped out of bed, and with a quick brushing up and shower, he was out his door.

The double doors barely opened when he pushed through, looking around to spot Logan. And he was in the kitchen, getting the pans ready for breakfast. He didn't turn to greet Robin.

So he walked up to Logan, whose back was turned to him, and waited.

"Good morning Robin." Logan began to cut a ham into slices. Cyborg always preferred ham to bacon.

"Where did you go last night? Where's Terra?"

"I'll tell you and the others when we're all together."

"You can tell me now, and repeat what you said to them."

"Is that an order Robin, an order from the leader of the Teen Titans…"

"… it's a friend asking… asking another friend to open up." Robin said. He needed to know what was going on, he wanted to help Logan.

"…"

Robin was going to try again, when…

*swoosh*

The other Titans entered the room, Cyborg must have also checked the status of Logan and the T-Car, then alerted them. They looked to Logan and Robin, before checking the room for one more person.

"Where's Terra?" He didn't even know who asked. But all eyes were on Logan.

"...I sent her away…"

The others looked at him. He knew they were confused by his words, so they waited for him to continue. But he didn't. Starfire finally spoke up, "What do you mean that you 'sent her away?'"

"I called the Justice League, told them that she was sick, and that she needed professional help. So they sent over a team member, and they took her to the Watchtower."

Breakfast forgotten, Logan grabbed a chair, and fell into it. He was dazed and out of it. He looked depressed and was spacing in and out. The others went to him, but he sat there staring at nothing.

"Logan…"

"It's alright, maybe it was for the best."

"Maybe there was something we didn't see, but you did."

"You probably knew her more intimately then the rest of-"

"I didn't know her." Logan said sternly. It silenced the others. "I didn't know anything about her. I looked at her, I judged her. I called people that I thought could help her, without telling her… I made a life decision, without asking her." He looked up to Robin.

"That's why I can't lead, because I always put my judgement over others."

They didn't know what to say, they looked at each other, then back to Logan. Finally, someone stepped forward. He felt a hand on his shoulder, and he waited for her to speak.

"Do you... want to talk about it?" He looked up to Raven. She looked more confident than before. She was no longer the silent Titan that didn't want to get involved with other people's problems. At some point, Raven became a person who reached out to the others. He smiled, happy that she had grown since he first met her.

"That'd be nice…" he said.

Then he felt all the Titans come to him and place their hands on him. It was awkward, but they led him to the couch, and sat him down. They sat around him on the couch and the coffee table. And they talked.

"It really was for the best, that she seek help from a psychiatrist." Robin said. The others thought about it, and slowly nodded.

"I really thought that spending time with her would make a difference, but if her issues ran deeper than having nowhere to go... we couldn't have helped her." Cyborg added.

Starfire looked nervous, and shifted her eyes to Logan. Seeing that she was hesitating, he smiled.

"Go ahead Star."

"Did you... have the feelings for Terra?" she finally asked. When Logan had returned, he showed affection to Terra. As though she meant something to him, more than a friend.

Raven was quiet, and looked to Logan. They all did.

Logan laughed. "No Star. I... cared about her a lot. But i didn't have feelings for her." The others nodded, and someone had a huge weight lifted off them.

"You sent her away, to get help, but also to get her away from Slade?" Robin asked, and Logan nodded his head.

"... I did. The more I looked at her, the more I realized that she didn't deserve to be pulled between us and Slade. We could have given her what we have right now, I saw the way you guys supported her, and i appreciate that. But it wouldn't have healed the scars she had. And Slade... that madman shouldn't ever get his hands on anyone. Especially someone as hurt and vulnerable as Terra."

They were silent, agreeing with Logan that it was the right call to send Terra somewhere she could receive help and be protected.

Cyborg looked to Logan, weighing if he should ask him something. Logan looked back at him.

"You don't have to hesitate Cy, you can ask me anything."

"Do… you have amnesia?"

The others looked startled at his question. Not understanding why Cyborg asked him such a thing. But…

Then all the times Logan would space out, the times he held his head when they first met. The complete mystery that was his time before they met. They looked to him, waiting.

'He lied to everyone, one way or another…'

He shook his head. No… they deserved the truth. He never lied to them, but he did withhold things from them.

"… yes. I do have amnesia…"

He looked at them, and knew that… it was his turn to open up. To tell them the truth and express his feelings to them.

They looked at him worried.

"You truly don't remember your past?" Starfire asked with a pained expression.

He looked to her. "No Star, I don't." He said it with a small smile. Which surprised them.

"That doesn't bother you?" Robin asked.

Logan shook his head.

"No. Because the only thing that matters to me, is right now. Here. With all of you."

They looked worried, but also touched. He was still the same Logan that he was the first day they met him.

"Is there anything else you want to talk about?" Logan asked.

"Can, we get to know you… more" Raven asked hesitantly. He smiled.

"Sure"

"Those animals," Cyborg cut in, then he stopped, realizing that he may have interrupted someone. But they also looked curious, so he continued. "Did you really command them to deliver us those messages?" Logan shook his head.

"No, those animals were me…"

That shocked them. But they were still confused.

"That falcon, then squid you turned into to capture that alien drone. I saw you transform into those animals, then you were suddenly right behind me." Robin stated. He'd wondered how Logan did it, but chose not to pry into Logan's business.

"A switching technique. I split into two, you focused on the one I wanted to keep your attention on, while I slipped behind you."

"But friend, what about the birds, and the dogs?" Starfire asked.

"I was all of them, I can multiply myself into as many as I want." They were shocked.

"Was your conscious spread out amongst them?" Raven was intrigued at Logan's power.

"… Not really." Logan tried to think how to explain it. "I was all of the animals, but they had a base instinct that followed my will. My desires. I wanted them to find you, to give you notes that I made for you."

"How did you know that we would receive the notes?"

"They either returned to me, or they sent a pheromone that traveled to me or the other animals." It was nice, telling them what he could do.

"What are these pheromones, and how do they travel?" Starfire asked.

"It's like a smell or a sense that comes from my or the animals body. It's carried across the city by amoebas that I have in the air.

" What?!"

"Hold on." Cyborg was rubbing his head. "Amoebas? In the air around the city?" Logan nodded, like it wasn't a big deal.

"Amoebas are tiny, almost invisible beings." Robin said, looking to Starfire. Then he turned back to Logan. "How many are out in the city, and are you really all of them?"

"Almost an infinite amount. And yes, I'm really all of them." They couldn't believe what he was saying.

"How?" Cyborg asked.

"How can you be so many… beings, at once?" Robin followed up.

"… I eat myself." Logan grinned.

'He what…?'

"Hold up, you WHAT?!"

"I eat myself," he repeated. The shocked and horrified look on everyones faces demanded an explanation, so he did. "Half of my body eats the other half, which gives it strength to grow, recover, develop muscle and multiply.

They stared at him like he was crazy. Because he was.

"Wait, that doesn't make sense. You can't eat yourself and not die. You need to eat food to develop muscle mass, grow and recover." Raven said.

"I am eating food."

"But friend, you do not eat large portions of food during our meals. To do such things, would you not require a tremendous amount of the calories?" Logan smiled at her. Everyone was surprised that Starfire would ask such an insightful question.

"I am eating, out there," he then gestured to the outside. They didn't understand. "I'm eating the leaves on the trees, the coral in the ocean. I eat the fruit in gardens and the crops that grow in the fields of the countryside."

They didn't say anything. So he continued.

"I'm sitting with you all, here in the common room, but I'm also out there. Eating. And I'm bringing it back to me for nourishment. Half my body absorbs everything in nature I eat, like an herbivore. Then the other half eats the first for protein, like a carnivore. I'm always eating, always growing and recovering. It's natural for me."

They were all speechless. They didn't know if their eyes could open any wider.

"How do you carry all the calories and nutrition from outside to your body? We've never seen you interacting with animals." Cyborg asked.

"It's shrunk down and brought to me by the amoebas."

"How can energy like that be shrunk so small?"

Logan laughed. "How can a 5'7 guy grow to be a T-Rex?" he questioned back.

Logan looked at them, at the flabbergasted looks they gave him. So he smiled to them.

"It doesn't matter where I am, here in the tower or out in the city… I'm the birds in the sky, I'm the rabbits in the field, I'm the fish in the sea."

They were silent, completely blown away by the person they had lived with all this time. That he could do such things, and walk around without a care in the world.

"You knew where I was… how?" Realization hit Robin .

Logan's smile faded. He knew this was coming, and it would be difficult to tell them the truth.

"… Because I marked you." He leaned back to look at all of them. "I marked all of you… I know where you all are, at all times."

A look of surprise spread through them, then, a mixture of… everything. Shock, horror, hurt. No one said anything, but a scared and betrayed feeling passed through them.

"Why?" Raven asked silently.

He gave a pained smile. "… because I love you all. And I can't stand not knowing if you're safe."

"... do you know where Slade is..?" Robin asked.

Logan stared at Robin, knowing that this question was coming. This knowledge would hurt more than knowing he tracked them.

Logan nodded his head.

The room was silent.

Then turned to Cyborg. "I know where Blood is too… I know where everyone is."

The common room was silent, and both Robin and Cyborg stood to pace around the couch.

Starfire reached over and placed a hand on Logan's knee.

"Do not worry friend Logan, I know that you did such things out of the love and loyalty you have for us." He smiled to her.

"Thank you Star."

"I understand why you… marked us. And I don't hold a grudge against you either." Raven said.

"Thank you." He smiled at her.

Cyborg turned to Logan.

"I can't be mad at you. I know how much you care for us, for anyone else I'd feel betrayed, but…" he didn't have to finish, but Logan gave him a smile for his forgiveness.

Everyone looked to Robin. He just stood there.

"You knew where Slade was… this whole time..."

"That's not important Robin. We want Logan to know we don't hold this against him." Raven said.

Robin was jumbled. He combed his fingers through his hair. He didn't know how to feel. A part of him was upset, not about being marked. Logan SAVED him, because he knew where he was at. But Slade. Logan knew his location, and didn't tell anyone. So many plans and preparations could have been made to stop Slade, but Logan kept that information to himself. Why?

"Why?" And Logan knew exactly what Robin was asking him.

"For your sanity." Robin was confused.

"Because I couldn't decide what to do with him." Now they were all confused.

"You remember the threat I made back then, the recording Slade played on the TV?"

'I can take your strength, I can make it to where you never walk again… I can even take your life.'

The others remembered how cold Logan sounded in that recording.

"I told you Robin, he would kill us. If Slade was backed into a corner, there was no guarantee that we would all walk away."

Robin said nothing.

"I made that threat to Mammoth, for something he did... but, I can make that same threat to anyone…

What would you have me do? Tell you where he was, so we could charge ahead? Putting our lives at risk. Or would you want ME to stop him? So he could be arrested, but we know how that goes."

No one knew how to answer that. Robin stared at Logan...

then turned and left the common room.

—-

Robin was in the gym, attacking the punching bag with a fury. He'd been in there for sometime. He'd left the others hours ago, and not knowing where to head, went to the only place he could clear his head.

*punch* *kick* *punch* *punch* *kick*

'What would you have me do?'

*kick* *kick* *punch*

STOP. SLADE. Of course.

*punch*

The punching bag flew, and was caught before it hit him. He hugged the bag, before letting it go. He walked to the bench and toweled himself off.

*huff* *huff*

Logan didn't he tell him. They could have done something, anything. He'd dream about it. The day they could slap cuffs on Slade, and put him away for good.

*huff* *huff*

'I'll beat Slade.'

His thoughts turned to all the times Slade overpowered him.

'I'll put Slade away.'

The close calls and near misses for him and the team. The probes. Thunder and Lighting. Plasmus, Cinderblock and Overload. What could have happened if Slade got a hold of Terra.

*huff* *huff*

Robin bowed his head.

'What would you have me do?'

*huff* *huff*

'I can take away your strength, I can make it to where you never walk again… I can even take your life'

*exhale*

Could he do it… Could he ask Logan to weaken Slade? Take away his strength? Make it to where Slade could never fight again.

Was that how Batman fought villains, crippling them, so they were no longer a threat?

No…

The never ending cycle, of jailing the bad guys, only for them to break out. Would Slade really be any different. Was it possible to really put him away, for GOOD?

'… we know how that goes.'

Robin sighed, then headed to his room. He walked up to his dresser, and opened a drawer. He pulled out his communicator, pressed the call button, and waited for a response…

"Dick?"

"… Bruce... can we're talk?"

Chapter Text

[ALERT] [ALERT] [ALERT]

Five pairs of feet raced to the common room. Once there, Robin went to the terminal that showed the team where the emergency was. After selecting the alert, its location appeared on the map.

"We're heading to an animal facility on the west side of Jump. There's an intruder there, we'll see what they're up to. Titans, GO!

They jumped in the T-Car and sped to the facility to see what this intruder was up to.

—-

Logan hung back, as the rest of his friends charged this guy. They were… not doing so great. This guy… Adonis. Was standing his ground, and his overly confident attitude was really annoying. Robin unleashed combos he trained in during his time in the gym, and Ravens improved agility allowed her not to get hit. But… they weren't stopping him. Cyborg did a damn good job of pummeling him, but then his fist got caught, and he was thrown through a wall. And Starfire, after throwing heavy furniture at him, was hit with a desk before rocketing into the wall.

Adonis turned sharply to Logan, who was standing there. He smirked.

"You just gonna stand there wimp? Not gonna try to fight like your loser friends?"

"… what are you even doing in a facility for animals?"

Not in the mood to talk, Adonis charged and delivered a punch to Logan, who dodged out of the way.

Logan landed on his feet, then turned to Adonis. "You're a pretty small guy, in that big suit of yours." That pissed Adonis off, then he lunged forward. And Logan dodged again.

"Logan! Stop antagonizing him, hurry up and fight!" Robin yelled.

Adonis made a grab for Logan, and was able to wrap his hand around the Titans neck. He grinned, then pulled him towards himself to gain momentum. Then slammed Logan into the wall. Logan looked at him, unfazed.

"Just what I thought, another weakling that can't fight!" Adonis laughed.

Logan raised his arm, palm facing Adonis's face. Then a snake slithered out of his sleeve, and shot with lighting speed towards Adonis's face.

And bit him right on his nose.

"AAAHHHH!"

Adonis flew back screaming, reaching up to grab the snake, but it whipped around his neck.

And Adonis punched himself in the face with his robotic gauntlet. Knocked out cold, he crashed to the ground.

The others stared at him.

"... in my defense, his face was exposed."

Cyborg palmed his forehead. He should have just punched Adonis in the face. They all should have. So Cyborg walked over to Adonis, and began to tear at his power suit.

The others were lost in their own thoughts, after hearing Logan point out their foes weakness.

"Hey Cy?" Cyborg turned to look at Logan.

"Yeah?"

"What makes this guys suit of armor different from yours?"

"… it could be a number of things. Who designed it. What the materials that make up the parts are. It's energy sources." He finished.

Logan nodded.

"Can you update yourself with his suit?"

Cyborg never thought about that. He'd always relied on repairing his cybernetic parts or replacing them with spares he received from his father.

"I… could. But it depends on if I'm compatible with his tech. Not to mention, if he stole this suit, I can't take another persons designs." That's all Cyborg could tell.

"The police will confiscate his suit, they should do a check to see if it was stolen. If not, maybe you can take it apart."

Cyborg shrugged. "We'll see."

Robin sent the alert to the authorities that the issue was handled, then hearing the police arrive after, he turned to the others.

"Titans, let's go."

The car drive back to the tower was awkward.

"Are you mad, that I took out Adonis? In a pretty stupid kinda way…?"

Robin sighed, "No… It was just, anticlimactic that's all."

"…"

"When we get to the tower… let's talk in the common room." Robin said.

The others were curious what he wanted to talk about. He hadn't talked much since he walked away from Logan the other day.

"Okay."

—-

Robin stood in front of the others, their eyes were on him.

"I want to apologize… Logan. For leaving the room the other day, I didn't hold a grudge against you for marking me. And I spent some time thinking about our discussion concerning Slade." Logan nodded.

Robin looked to the team, and prepared himself.

"I spoke with Batman."

"Really, that's cool. What was Batman doing?" Cyborg asked.

"He was recovering, just after he jailed Scarecrow."

"Batman was your teacher, right friend Robin, before you joined the Titans?"

"Yes Starfire, he trained me to be a hero when I was young." She smiled, she would thank the Batman for helping train the young man than would later become her friend.

"What did you talk to Batman about, was it Slade?" Raven asked. Robin nodded his head.

"Actually… his name is Deathstroke."

The others were surprised, but his name was more interesting than anything.

"Deathstroke… the Terminator" Robin said.

"He's not just some villain, like Dr. Light or Mumbo, huh?" Logan asked.

Robin shook his head, he was completely serious.

"No, he's not."

"What aren't you telling us Robin?" Raven asked.

Robin sighed. "He's a super soldier. He has a long history of assassinations for contract. He's killed a lot of people over his career, and at some point even fought Batman to a standstill."

The common room was quiet.

Robin turned to Logan. "I told Batman about your… abilities, in finding Slade." Robin said guiltily. But Logan brushed them off.

"I trust your judgement Robin." Robin was surprised, did Logan really trust him so much to share such information? "You didn't go out and tell everyone, that could cause a panic." Logan grimaced, but continued. "You told Batman, a respected hero that trained you. Of course I would be okay with you sharing that information about me." Robin nodded slowly. Appreciating that level of trust given to him. So he continued.

"Batman wants to meet you." Logan looked surprised. "And I told him… I'd like to introduce the team to him." Robin gave a small smile.

Now they were ALL surprised. They would meet Batman.

"When is he coming?" Cyborg asked, excited to meet a Justice League legend.

"Actually, I arrived before you got here." A gruff voice spoke out behind them. Three heads turned quickly, and right in front of them was none other than Batman.

"How did you do that?!" Cyborg yelled and asked.

"The darkness is my preferred atmosphere, but your attention to Robin helped me slip in unnoticed." Robin gave a grin.

"I silenced the double doors earlier today." They were shocked, Robin played a trick on them. They laughed, but remembered they had a professional in the tower.

Robin stepped towards his mentor. "Batman, I'd like to introduce the Teen Titans to you."

Batman nodded, and made his way to the front of the couch.

"This is Starfire, she's an alien from the planet Tamaran. She arrived in Jump City the day we formed our team"

"It's nice to meet you Starfire."

"It is a pleasure Mr. Batman." She smiled.

"This is Logan, the one I spoke about the other day." Robin said seriously.

"Logan."

"Batman."

"This is Cyborg, our technical specialist and medical administrator." They gave Robin a weird look, but that was probably how him and Batman talked amongst themselves.

"Cyborg, you're very gifted in your talents. Such skills are life saving in our line of work."

Cyborg was blown away for receiving such a compliment from THE Batman.

"And this is Raven, our sorceress on the team."

"…"

"…"

The common room was quiet. The others looked at the two, not understanding why they didn't greet each other.

"… Raven."

"…Batman."

They looked away from each other.

Not wanting to dwell on this issue, Robin continued with the topic of Slade.

"Batman is here to help us take down Slade." They were all surprised. They would work with a veteran. A living legend.

Batman looked to Logan.

"Robin told me about your abilities. And I heard your approval for him to share them with me. I want you to know that your secrets are safe with me, under the conditions that you don't abuse your powers or use them for nefarious purposes."

"I would never do that. And thank you." Batman nodded.

"Certain… topics may come up when we discuss how we approach Deathstroke. Would you prefer to speak privately?"

Logan looked to his friends, they seemed to understand Batman's words. But before they could tell Logan it was okay to leave the room, he spoke.

"I want to be completely honest with the team, my family. I wont hold anything back from them. If they're willing to listen, I'll share anything and everything." Logan said confidently.

Logan… was there anyone else who could be so trusting? They really had to live up to the faith he had in them.

Batman wasn't as emotional as the rest of them, Logan's trust was a double edged sword. What could help them, could also hurt them. But he wasn't here to preach or analyze the team dynamic. So he went straight to business.

"Do you know where Slade is?"

"Yes. He's in an underground facility in the outskirts of Jump City. Close to where we met the meta human Terra." The others gave a sorrowful look, but knew that she was safe. Batman nodded his head, hearing about the details from Wonder Woman.

"How are you tracking him? Can you be discovered?"

"I track him by microscopic organisms in the air, and also small rodents and snakes in the desert. He's aware of some of my abilities. But my multiplying and reconnaissance haven't been discovered." Batman nodded his head. The others were surprised. It was like Logan had reported to a superior before.

Now Batman had to ask a difficult question. He needed an answer that would set the tone for the rest of this discussion.

"Can you kill him?"

Silence. Complete silence. The others were completely shocked that Batman would ask such a question. That he could even think of such a thing. All of them, except Logan.

"… yes. I can…" he answered

They turned to Logan, beyond shocked that he could say such a thing.

"What?!"

"Logan… you're not actually thinking… how?"

"Friend! You can't!"

Raven stared at him.

"Would you?" Batman asked, not blinking at Logan.

Logan stared right back.

"I… was tempted. But I could never forgive myself if I did. I could never look my family in their eyes if I did something like that…"

Batman nodded. He didn't need the details on 'how' Logan could do it. He needed to know Logan's frame of mind. And his resolve to solve their issue with Slade.

"What's he doing in the desert?"

"He's receiving and building large machines. I don't know what they are, but it's a lot of equipment." The others were worried. Slade was preparing to attack them, and Logan knew, but was doing nothing.

"What was your plan if I didn't arrive?"

"… I was either going to cripple him, or I was going to show myself and convince him to back down." The others were curious and wanted to know more.

"Convince him?" Batman asked.

"… I was going to offer to be his apprentice. So he would leave the Titans alone." That shocked the others. Logan was willing to go to Slade, to protect them.

"What if he refused? And if he accepted, what if he ordered you to attack your team?" Logan shook his head.

"It didn't matter if he accepted or refused, I would have stayed with him. And I would undo and destroy everything that he did. He wouldn't be able plan or scheme, because I would tear down everything he did, I'd alert his location to every authority 24/7. I'd overwhelm him at every step he took."

They couldn't believe Logan would choose to stay with Slade, just to stop him. Just to stop him from completing his schemes.

"What if he killed you?" Logan shook his head again.

"He can't kill me. He can destroy my body, or the animals around his base. But he can't actually end my life."

They were quiet. Even Batman was thinking about his words. That was a very serious claim to make. A double edged sword to the T. The rest of the team couldn't fathom what Logan said. To say that he couldn't be killed… that was scary.

"Does Slade have any surveillance for this base. Is it accessible to us if we choose to invade it?"

"He has almost a hundred Slade bots doing the construction of his machines and patrolling the lair, his second 'army' is stored in shipping containers in a private company port east of Jump City Harbor. And for his base, there are tunnels he uses to enter and exit the base. But they're not large enough for our group to travel through them." The others watched the back and forth between Logan and Batman.

"Do you have a suggestion on how we could enter the base?"

"Raven has teleported the team to a location I showed her on a map. I can do the same for the base."

"If you can mark or disable any security for one of the tunnels, I'll travel through and wait for an opportunity to engage him. We'll have Raven teleport her and the others inside. We'll find a way for yourself to get inside. With such a large group, it's best we don't all enter at once."

Robin stepped forward to Batman, and everyone looked at him.

"Can I make a suggestion and a request?" An idea came to him when Logan mentioned the Slade bots. Everyone was quiet, giving Robin room to continue.

"Logan knows the location of the Slade bots near the harbor, I'd like to call the police to execute a raid on the port that is housing them. But I don't want to put law enforcement lives in danger."

Batman nodded.

"Is it possible to request the help of another hero? Just so they could aid the police. We don't know if Slade can remote activate them, and if he can, would he send them to the base? Or he could send them to the city, forcing us to split to defend Jump. Any chance he can get at escaping, he would most likely take."

The team were happy to see Robin make a really good suggestion. Logan especially.

Batman thought about Robins suggestion.

"I make it a habit to know where the Justice League members are." The team looked at Logan, who shyly grinned. "And I know that most of them are preoccupied in either their personal affairs or fighting their respected enemies."

The Titans deflated.

"But I also know of a member who happens to be free at the Watchtower."

The Titans perked up.

Batman took out a communicator that neither Robin or the others recognized. He pushed a radio button and spoke.

"Flash. Are you available?" After a few seconds, Batman received a response.

"Bats? What's up, I didn't expect a call from you."

"I'm helping my former apprentice and his team with a local arch villain. Are you free to travel?"

"And here I was making myself comfortable on the couch with a bowl of popcorn, I was about to watch my shows."

"Barry…"

"Alright… alright. Where to Dark Knight?"

"Jump City California."

"Hey, my nephew is in that part of the state. I'll have to visit him."

"Can you be here within the hour?"

"One teleportation and a quick jog, and I'll be there."

"Alright, Batman out."

The Teen Titans were even more excited that they would meet another Justice League member.

"Great idea Robin, we weren't taking into consideration the rest of Slade's robots." Cyborg said. The rest of the team nodded.

"I'll call the police chief, and ask her to assemble a armored swat force. I'll notify her about The Flash assisting." Robin said.

Batman turned to the rest of the team. They were all still surprised at the turn of events. The questions towards Logan, and especially his answers. Now the raid and additional help of two Justice League heroes. He gave them a few seconds to gather themselves.

"If you are all ready, we can head to the outskirts where Deathstroke is. I'll fight Slade, and you guys will destroy his robots and any equipment he has stored in the base." He turned to Logan. "Make the details on where we will travel in the tunnels."

Logan nodded.

Robin stood before the team, they were all nervous. Even Robin, but he would be ready, and so would they.

"We'll head out, and put an end to this. "

"Titans. GO!"

—-

The Teen Titans and Batman stood on the cliff overlooking the dunes. It was an unsettling feeling, being at the meeting place where they met Terra. Just a few days ago, she was in their home, and now. They were charging ahead to the Mastermind that wanted to use her, that wanted to kill them.

Raven was staring down at the base of the cliff. Robin looked over to her, seeing that she wasn't moving.

"Raven?"

She still didn't move.

"Friend Raven?" Starfire said. She finally looked to them.

"Yes?"

"Is something the matter?" Cyborg asked.

Raven looked around the dunes, "No… it's just…

"Does Deathstroke know we're here?" Batman off to the side, asked Logan.

"I've had animals patrolling the sands these past few days. We're in a blind spot, and the animals in the tunnels are telling me everything is continuing as normal inside. Raven should be able to teleport the team from here. She's traveled a greater distance than this." Logan said.

Raven nodded. Ignoring the worried looks from Robin, Cyborg and Starfire.

"And an available tunnel for me to go through?"

Logan pointed to a rock formation a ways to the north. "That tunnel has a few sensors along the walls. But there's no explosives on them. I've learned the smell of chemicals used in explosive devices."

Batman nodded.

On a boulder, was a rough sketch made by Logan of the inner base. The inner base had explosive sensors, but only small enough to hurt those nearby and not the structural integrity of the base. So Batman advised Raven to teleport them to either an open area, or near equipment that Slade couldn't afford to damage.

Batman nodded to Robin. And the leader knew this was the time to address the others. He looked to Raven, but she nodded her head, and gave him the gesture to continue.

The Teen Titans needed a moment.

They were about to invade Slade. With the help of Batman. But Logan said there was a hundred bots in his base. Their failure to take down Adonis still stung, now they were going to take on five times what they fought in the caves from before. With one less fighter.

"If this mission is successful, this could be the last time we encounter Slade." Robin said. The others nodded. "We'll be extra cautious, and we can afford to watch each others backs, knowing that Slade will be occupied with Batman."

"I received a message from the Flash, him and his nephew are with the police near the port. We'll enter the base and they will storm the port at the same time. Hopefully they can destroy the bots before Slade can activate them." The Titans nodded their heads.

"Logan, if you could travel ahead and mark the sensors. I'll come from behind and deactivate them. When we're close to Deathstroke, stand in a safe area, and send a message to Robin. Then Raven can teleport you all to Logan's location."

They nodded.

"Be careful, keep a cool head and best of luck. All of you." Batman said.

Logan nodded to the team, then took off to the rock formation, with Batman not too far behind him.

"Raven, what's wrong?" Robin asked. He was regretting not stalling the invasion.

She didn't say anything.

"Raven." He spoke louder.

Raven looked to him, like she wasn't listening before.

"It's nothing." She said.

"It is something Raven, you're just not telling us." Cyborg said.

"Please friend, what is bothering you?"

Raven shook her head, "It's just a feeling. That's all. I'll get over it."

Raven never shook her head.

Robin walked up to her, and looked her in the face.

"If somethings wrong, if you're having any doubts. You NEED to let us know. Right. Now." Robin stressed.

"It's not a problem. I'm getting over it. I'm just as nervous as the rest of you, and we're close to where we met Terra. We're going to invade Slade."

The others stared at her.

"Are you ready?" Robin asked in complete seriousness.

Raven looked Robin in the eyes.

"Yes. I am."

Chapter Text

Something was different.

He had entered deep within the tunnel, close to the main area where Slade spent most of his time. Where the bulk of the machinery was kept. Batman was behind him at a distance, disabling or tricking the sensors, he didn't know.

The… atmosphere was different. But everything was going on as usual.

Slade overlooking his computer systems.

Slade bots assembling machinery.

The amoebas and animals within the base were reporting that nothing had changed these past few days.

But something was different.

Before he entered the tunnels, he mentioned to the team a certain area that didn't have explosives, obstructions or put the team in danger. The perfect platform to spring an attack.

And his instincts told him it was still the best spot to have Raven teleport the others. So he headed to it.

Different…

In the way that Slade shifted in the base.

The way the bots worked and carried supplies and parts.

His amoebas moved like wind currents. Carrying pheromones, or information, to him. And they still were, but there was something in his 'current.'

Batman must have known Logan reached the opening to the base, because he stopped. It was time Logan got in position, and send the call to Robin.

Slade was looking at a computer terminal, his back to Logan. And it was Deathstroke in the flesh. Logan knew his scent. His sweat. The amoebas in his lungs told Logan that no Slade bot or body double had replaced him.

It was Deathstroke the Terminator alright.

Logan took a sweeping look at the main floor. Just to confirm what his instincts told him. These past few days… Every. Single. Inch. of this base was inspected.

Every bot.

Every sensor.

Every machine. Power line. Water line. Air filtration system. He had sat for hours, thinking what he should investigate. And as soon as they met Batman, then learned both the Titans and him would invade, Logan doubled down and swept the base, again and again.

And still… everything was going as usual.

But it was DIFFERENT!

He gave the floor a quick once over.

Slade on a raised platform, reading his terminal. An open area before the platform, used to walk around the main floor. Enormous squares of tile, or steel plates along a back wall. With one single square leaning on the platform, close to Slade. And scattered crates. Nothing else.

He forced the uneasiness down, and like the flow of water, he turned into one of his amoebas and joined the current. The feeling in his stomach turned to nervousness. Then the room began to feel like it was closing in. Like he was experiencing claustrophobia.

He was tempted to turn back. Go to Batman, and tell him to call off the invasion. Run up the tunnel, grab the others, jump in the T-Car and R-Cycle, and bolt out of there.

But he replayed a plan that he'd come up with. Simple. Quick. And wouldn't take much effort.

He had amoebas in every corner of the base. Inside every crevice. Inside every Slade Bot… If those amoebas happened to turn into animals too large for their metal bodies, then they would burst out and destroy the bots.

That would take care of Slades 'army.'

So Logan floated to the perfect spot, like a leaf traveling down a calm stream. Then he changed back to human. Quietly. So silent, his feet didn't make any noise touching the dirt.

He stood there in the darkness, watching Slades back.

Knowing that he could cripple him. Do to him what Slade did with his probes to his family. But his sense of honor, his struggle in letting the others fight, when he could do all the fighting for them, clashed. He could protect them, make all their enemies go away. So they can live. Grow up. And be happy. He would do the fighting… so they could do the living. Because he loved them. And he didn't want to lose them.

But they wouldn't accept that.

So he reached over to his communicator, and pressed the call button.

*click*

"Logan… I was wondering when you would join me."

Logans eyes shot wide open. He was surrounded by his team, the Teen Titans. They were in battle stances, ready to jump into action. But they saw Logan freeze up and become stiff. So they stared at him.

Slade turned to address Logan and the other Titans.

The base was quiet.

But Logan heard.

He heard his voice loud and clear.

[INTERESTING! VERY INTERESTING! YOU ARE TRULY A UNIQUE INDIVIDUAL MR. LOGAN!]

Brother Blood was in his head…

—-

With lightning fast reflexes, that scared the Titans to their core, Slade pulled a gun and aimed right at Logan's head.

But a batarang flew and cut the gun in half before he could take the shot. Just as Slade turned to the direction of the projectile, his attacker swung from a grappling hook and planted both heels into his chest.

The Slade bots dropped their machine parts and swarmed the Titans. Who had to take their attention away from their teammate, to engage them.

All the while Logan stood there, head facing up with Blood in his mind. Everything that was Logan, inside the base and outside the city, crashed to the ground. Their instincts completely blocked and ripped apart.

Logan felt like claws where cutting through his brain. Not in the sense of pain, but a hunger. A hunger to KNOW. To DISCOVER. To TAKE what was in his head. And Blood wanted everything that was in Logans mind.

[I THOUGHT THAT CYBORG WAS AN INTERESTING SPECIMEN. I WAS ACTUALLY IN THE MIDDLE OF MAKING... CHANGES TO MYSELF. CHANGES THAT WOULD IMPROVE MY PHYSICAL ABILITIES.]

[AND I WAS SURPRISED WHEN SLADE REACHED OUT TO ME, HINTING AT WHAT THE TEEN TITAN'S SHAPESHIFTER WAS CAPABLE OF]

[AND NOW I DISCOVER THAT ANOTHER TITAN HAS AN EVEN GREATER POWER THAN CYBORGS!]

This power, that was coursing through him. It wasn't Blood. No... it was Blood, but it was also something else.

Something otherworldly.

[AH... I SEE YOU'RE GETTING IT MR. LOGAN. WHEN SLADE SECRETLY MESSAGED ME ABOUT THESE 'LIVING BEINGS' THAT WERE SURVAILANCING HIM, I HAD A HARD TIME BELIEVING HIM. BUT TO MY ASTONISHMENT, THEY WERE AROUND ME TOO! AND I COULD SENSE THERE WILLS AND DESIRES. YOUR... WILL AND DESIRE. AND THEY LED ME STRAIGHT TO YOU!]

Blood digging into his mind, he could see flashes. It was Slade and the communicators all over again. Their enemy, destroying every sense of privacy of his and his families life.

When the team met...

When he and Cyborg would play video games...

When they would shy away from Starfires cooking...

When he called Raven CREEPY...

Logan fought to move. But it was like his body was too erect. Like a force was keeping him upright. He tried to look at the others, but could only here the sounds of battle.

"I didn't expect to see you here, Batman! Did Robin go crying to you when he and his team couldn't stop me?"

"Trash talk all you want Slade, but your the one that ran from Gotham to take on 'children.' Were you upset that you couldn't handle your usual class of heroes, so you stepped down to the minor leagues? I believe Robin and his team foiled your schemes since your arrival here in Jump City."

Deathstroke growled.

Batman was having a hard time keeping Deathstroke's attention. He was a complete surprise that Slade couldn't imagine being here in his base. But this wasn't a head butting in the streets of Gotham. They weren't on opposite ends of a investigation or deal. They were in a crowded base, with excess bots attacking him. And a BIG target named Logan in the center of the room. Standing straight, as though he was possessed. Batman had to defend against bots, and keep Slade from taking any shots at Logan. He could see the Titans doing their best to fight the swarm. But he wasn't sure if their best would be good enough. Especially for some...

Shattering the legs of a bot, Batman raced forward and tackled Slade. Slade's small blade clattered across the base floor. So he reached behind him, and pulled out a device.

"Let's make this more interesting!"

Slade pushed a button.

"They're ACTIVATING!" A SWAT member yelled to the two speedsters.

"Fall back and form a protective barrier! Shield yourselves and let the heroes take the lead!" The chief yelled over the radio.

"You heard the chief Wally!" The Flash zipped past the bots closest to the SWAT member.

"You got it Uncle Barry!" Wally West slid under the bots legs, and started hitting them from below.

The Titans were trying to make up for their earlier fight with Adonis. Where he was an overwhelming single enemy, they were fighting a number of enemies that were greater than the Gordanians back when they first met.

Robin did his best to not let his emotions overtax him. He relied on his mental training with Batman, to never lose his focus on the objective. So he imagined himself a machine. Built and perfected to destroy Slade bots. to defend his team. His family.

Cyborg did his best to weave between the steel plating and crates that housed the machine parts within the base. He stocked up on extra cores to keep his systems running at max, before they headed to the base. He chose to trade short range power attacks, to long distance shots at lower energy cost. He aimed for the bots main control panels, and wouldn't waste power shooting their limbs.

Starfire did a lot of twirling and flips, anything to keep the bots from grabbing hold of her. If just one grabbed her, she spun and did her best to collide it with another bot. She would do her best to conserve her energy, and keep her starbolts and eyes to a minimum.

Raven was struggling. From the moment they arrived on the cliff, something was wrong. There was something, familiar, but like it was far away. She KNEW it was there, but couldn't see it. So she lied, and told Robin she was ready. When she wasn't. She didn't know what made her lie, maybe she just wanted the fighting with Slade to end. But it didn't matter, because they were there. And the moment they teleported inside, Raven began to shake and loose focus. But she fought, fought only to stop this oppressive feeling.

[YOU SENSE IT, DON'T YOU? I'M NOT ONE TO ACCEPT ALL THE PRAISE IN REACHING YOU ALL THE WAY FROM STEELE CITY. NO. I MUST THANK MY MASTER. FOR HE HAS BLESSED ME WITH THE STRENGTH TO REACH YOU FROM SUCH A FAR DISTANCE. BUT YOU LED ME TO YOURSELF, MR. LOGAN. I HAVE YOU TO THANK FOR MAKING OUR CONNECTION.]

Logans lips curled into a snarl, but he could do nothing.

[PERFECTION. THAT IS WHAT YOU ARE. PERFECTION. A SPECIMEN UNLIKE ANY OTHER. AND I BELIEVE... THAT I NOW KNOW HOW YOUR DOING IT. HOW YOUR POWERS WORK. AND AS MUCH AS I'D LOVE TO TAKE YOU FOR MYSELF... MY MASTER REQUIRES A SACRIFICE FOR HIS SERVICES. AND THATS WHERE WE PART WAYS MR. LOGAN. I TRULY WISHED WE COULD HAVE WORKED TOGETHER, BUT UNDERSTANDING YOUR POWERS, AND REPLICATING THEM WILL BE GOOD ENOUGH FOR ME.]

Then the base got cold. REALLY cold. But the heroes couldn't stop their fighting. Logan sensed something dark and evil, and his attention turned to the single steel paneling that stood near Slade when they first arrived.

And the plate began to waiver. And melt, like a top layer was coming off. To expose a giant, glowing blood red...

'S'

Raven was hyperventilating. Not just from the fighting, but from the feeling that she was getting. She threw her arm, and sent a sweeping wave of her magic to destroy and send back the bots, and she turned. Right to the steel plate. Right to the large letter 'S'.

The Mark of Scath.

Her eyes opened wide, and she seized up.

"Raven!" Robin yelled. He raced to her, and shielded her from an incoming attack.

The Mark of Scath began to glow, then the letter began to spread. Spread bigger and bigger, until it wasn't a letter anymore. It grew and grew, until it took an oval shape. Then that oval shape began to flex inward, more and more. Until it took its final shape.

A portal.

His shot missed its mark.

Slade was frothing. His sensors told him his bots were intercepted. He was going to send them to the city. He knew that his current numbers would overwhelm the Teen Titans. He wanted their last moments to be not only losing to him, but knowing that their Jump City was being attacked. He just had to suppress Batman.

But the serial numbers unique to each of his bots were turning from 'active' to 'inactive' at a fast rate.

He didn't know who was engaging them, but once he made it out, he'd hunt them down!

He delivered a round house kick to Batman, who had to duck under a Slade bots punch. Crashing the Dark Knight against a crate. He pulled a second hidden blade and stabbed forward to his enemies forehead.

Logan stood, wide eyed at the red portal before him. He couldn't move, even as a bullet flew right past his cheek. Splitting a cut through his flesh. It was... familiar. He remembered...

Yellow... and Black...

Then he felt it.

It was pulling him. Inside.

He tried to run, jump out of the way, but couldn't.

[I'M SORRY MR. LOGAN, BUT MY MASTER WANTS PAYMENT FOR HIS AIDING ME, AND I BELIEVE YOUR THE ONLY ONE AVAILABLE THAT FITS THE BILL. I'M SORRY. HAHA]

Logan was lifted, and flew in the direction of the portal.

Raven stared at the Mark, that just became a portal. And her inner fears came bursting out of her. She shook and choked at feeling her fathers essence. But movement caught her eyes, and she saw Logan lifted above the ground.

no...

Then Logan flew towards the portal.

NO!

[IT ENDS HERE! ENJOY YOUR STAY IN HEL-]

And Raven screamed.

"LOGAN!"

Power unlike anything she ever felt, burst from her. Sent a shockwave that disrupted everything. Everything that hurt her, hurt her family.

Hurt Logan.

The other titans flew back in surprise, as the bots they were fighting were pushed back, and crushed into heaps of metal. Slade took a blow from Ravens emotional force. He couldn't right himself in time, as Batman pounced and rained devastating bone crushing hits to Slades face.

Not affected by Ravens outburst, red tendrils of power exited the portal, and grabbed Logan. And they pulled him.

"NO!"

Raven flew to Logan, and just as Logan was about to be pulled into the portal, black tendrils of Ravens power shot out and grabbed a hold of him. The moment her power touched the red essence, she felt him.

"DAUGHTER..."

But she wouldnt give up, she would never give up.

'I knew there was something special about you.'

She pulled him towards her.

Logan could move, Blood wasn't in his head anymore. He had no time for relief, since he was half way inside the portal. With his last bit of strength he reached out to any surviving beings he could control, who were waking up after no longer being suppressed. Through his instincts, he sent out the message.

STOP. HIM.

And he felt his will travel through the base. Then outside to the city. And beyond. In the direction of Brother Blood.

Then his body grew lax. He looked up to Raven, struggling to pull him back. Sweat poured down her face, and she shook. She was in pain. The others were too tired to go to him, and Batman was holding down a struggling Slade.

He looked into Ravens eyes. And she looked into his.

"... Let me g-"

"No..." she said. He looked at her face. There was no discussion. No reasoning. No argument.

"You... are NOT... going into that portal." And she pulled him.

Then she grew closer. And closer. Until their faces met.

"Thanks... Rae..."

The portal grew weaker and smaller, until it was too small to pull Logan. Then it vanished.

"REPORT!" The chief yelled.

"They're no longer a danger!" A SWAT member called to the Chief of Police. Some of the members held their own units who took physical damage in defending themselves and the team. The two Flashes just finished destroying the last of the bots. Once the final bot hit the floor, the speedsters came to a halt.

"Woo!" The Flash crashed to the ground of the docks, exhausted from so many turns and reversing.

*pant* *pant* Kid Flash stumbled to a column and leaned on it to catch his breath.

The two looked to each other, grinning and giving a shaky thumbs up.

"RGH!" Slade screamed through gritted teeth.

Batman raised his final attack to the downed Slade. And delivered a teeth breaking punch that shook the villains whole head.

Slade fought to keep consciousness, but the colors and spinning of the room were too much. His head crashed into the dirt, bounced twice, then came to a stop.

Slade Wilson, was knocked unconscious. And his breathing evened out.

Batman hovered over Deathstroke, the last of Slades copycat Fear Gas wearing off, thanks to his medical immunity. Batman towered over him, then finally stood to his full height. He pulled out his communicator.

"Flash?"

" *pant* *pant* Its all good Bats, they were activated. But the police distracted some of them, and me and the kid took them out."

"Thank You. Contact the proper authorities about Deathstroke, and aid the ambulance workers any way you can until we can meet up. Batman Out."

Batman stood over Deathstroke. If his breathing or muscles changed in any way, another blow would come to him.

Logan shakily stood up, and caught Raven as she was falling to the ground. He held her and gave her time to readjust herself. She finally looked up to him, and their eyes met.

Logan smiled.

"You didn't just save my life... I think you saved my soul. Thank You Raven."

She nodded.

Then he carried her to the platform, and helped her take a seat on the steps. Robin, Cyborg and Starfire walked to them and the Teen Titans stood together.

They looked over to Batman, who just started tying up Deathstroke. Their postures relaxed, and they breathed easier. It was finally over. Thanks to the help of Batman and Raven's attack, Slade and his bots were defeated. The base was quiet. Its evil plan to kill them and hurt the city, coming to a halt. They sent appreciated looks to Raven, who sat and collected herself after coming into contact with that red power.

So after they caught their breaths, the team stood up and walked over to the two men.

They stood over him. Deathstroke the Terminator... Slade.

He was out cold, tied up, and ready to be taken to jail.

Robin looked to Batman, who was also recovering from his fight. After a few minutes, he asked.

"Is it really over?"

Batman looked to Robin, then the team. Once word got out that Slade Wilson was caught, he would be receiving a visit from one Amanda Waller. Then the Teen Titans wouldn't be seeing him for a long time.

Batman nodded. "He wont be bothering you or Jump City anymore."

The teens visibly relaxed. They looked up to the machines that Slade had been working on, still not knowing what his plans were. But they would be investigated when the authorities came to the base.

Batman crouched down, and lifted Slade over his shoulder.

"We'll travel through the tunnel Logan and myself used to enter the base. I deactivated the sensors, but they would have only alerted him to our presence."

They nodded, and followed Batman through the tunnel and to the outside. Robin had a solemn look on his face, when they walked. The fresh air was a reward that they desperately needed. So they headed to the T-Car and R-Cycle. Batman placed Slade on the ground, before turning to Robin.

"Somethings the matter. Tell us." There was that demanding attitude he had walked away from back in Gotham. But Robin couldn't be upset about it, so he spoke up.

"We needed your help..." And Batman knew exactly what was bothering him.

"You wish that you and the team, were the ones to defeat Slade." It wasn't a question, and Robin didn't respond right back.

Batman released an exhale of his own, then relaxed his stance. He looked to the others, and knew that a part of them also felt the same. They were still young, they thought it was possible to beat Slade by themselves. Possible... maybe. Likely? They had a very low chance of stopping 'The Terminator.'

"A... part of me was... enjoying being Slades apprentice." Robin said.

Everyone was quiet. Especially Batman.

"In the short time we trained, he tried to pressure doubt in me about you, Logan and the others. I knew it was all a trick, a twisted game he was playing to get me to become loyal to him. But for just those few hours, i didn't feel like the 'Boy Wonder' anymore. I didn't feel like a sidekick that ran away from home. And Slade played on that.

Logan and the team burst into his hideout. And we walked away, because Slade ALLOWED us." Robins eyes shifted to Logan.

"Then Logan said he was willing to become Slades apprentice, not to gain anything or fill an emotional need. But to keep us safe..."

Robin turned to Batman.

"You beat Slade."

"You were outnumbered, and had us as potential targets for Slade."

"And you still won..." Batman looked at Robin, who didn't continue.

Since his sidekick left Gotham, the only interaction the two had was his financial investments into their base of operations. He had forced the money on Dick, telling him running a team was expensive and no city would finance it, no matter the crime rate. So he begrudgingly took the money, and used it to help Cyborg build Titans tower. They never talked about their struggling relationship, they only argued. Until Robin had enough, and walked out. Now he knew, there was more to Dick Grayson than 'Robin,' the partner who was being suffocated by his mentor. Covered by his shadow.

"You have high expectations for yourself Robin."

"No one, superhero or teenager, has the dedication you have at being good enough. Not the best, you never had that attitude. Your holding yourself to a standard that not many can reach, at your age. Your comparing yourself to me, someone who started their crimefighting in their early twenties. Who used their power, influence and finances as tools for crime fighting. And even though i supplied you with the necessary tools to be a hero, your greatest asset, was yourself."

Robin stared at Batman, hearing for the first time, Bruce's feelings on their relationship.

"I couldn't have achieved what you've done in your short time away from Gotham. I couldn't have made friends, lead a team, and still be the person I am. I was jaded, angry and lost. And I took my anger out on criminals, it was only years later did meeting you and the others, did I finally start to feel that I wasn't hiding in the dark anymore.

Slade was a professional killer, who stepped down to find an apprentice. For whatever reason, we don't know, but you cant be upset for not stopping him. Your still young, you couldn't have taken on a soldier with years of experience. Who HAD the heart to kill. No one would blame you... but you blame yourself. Because you hold yourself to that standard."

Batman looked to the others, who were listening also.

"It goes for all of you, your all still young. You have a long time ahead of you, to achieve what seasoned heroes are doing today. Don't discourage yourselves, by comparing yourself to others."

He turned back to Robin.

"I'm proud of the way your turning out Robin, your becoming your own man. NOT following me in my shadow, like Slade would have wanted you to follow in his. Your making your own legacy, not one of being alone in the dark, but surrounded by friends."

"You'll get there one day Robin, you and all the people you befriend and lead."

At that moment, Robin truly felt that Bruce had become... his father.

Soon, a loud chopper could be heard in the distance. Batman knew that aircraft. It flew straight to them, then landed.

The side door of the chopper opened, and a unknown man in a suit stepped out. He walked straight to Batman, ignoring the Teen Titans.

"... Batman."

"...Sarge Steel. You work fast..."

"National security cant afford to wait..."

Steel looked to the tied up Slade Wilson, then turned to the teens.

"Thank you for your service children, but the United States Government will take it from here."

Then he gestured to men that brought over metal cables, who then began to tie Slade up even further. Once Slade was cocooned in metal straps, he was lifted and taken to the chopper.

Steel turned to Batman once more.

"I'm sure Amanda will express her thanks in person at a later time, so I will do it now. Thank you for your service."

Then Sarge Steel turned towards the aircraft and walked away.

They watched as the government workers loaded Slade onto the chopper, then they took off and disappeared into the distance.

"Who was that?" Robin asked.

"Don't concern yourself with them, let's return to Titans Tower." Batman said.

So the Teen Titans loaded into the T-Car, and Batman borrowed Robin's R-Cycle. They headed to the tower.

Cyborgs eyes were glowing, both his human eye and mechanical.

THE Batwing was parked on the beach of Titans tower.

It wasn't exactly the Batmobile, but it was still a vehicle designed and made for Batman.

Robin smiled at Cyborgs reaction, he was also surprised at Batman's personal modes of transportation when he first saw them.

They were all on the beach as Batman stood before them. He looked them over.

"I'm glad that we could take care of Slade, and I commend all of you for doing your best in the face of an opponent that wouldn't have shown you any mercy. I trust that you'll continue investigating and aiding the police in dismantling Slade's operations here in Jump City."

Robin nodded his head.

Batman looked to Logan, "And your encounter with Brother Blood?"

"It's being taken care of..." Logan said. So Batman nodded

He looked to Starfire and complimented her performance, and thanked her for her appreciation to him for training Robin.

He looked to Cyborg, before complimenting him too. And offering help or advice in his managing the tower.

He finally turned to Raven.

"Raven... I have a limited understanding of the magical arts, but I still held on to Zatanna's words concerning you. I see now that not only are you independent of your... lineage. But that you are capable of overcoming it. I look forward to how you grow and develop later in your life."

Raven didn't know what to say, so she just said, "Thank you..."

So Batman boarded the Batwing, hovered over the beach, and shot off in the direction of Gotham City.

The Teen Titans watched him leave, waving goodbye.

They settled into a silence, letting this hectic day finally come to an end. They still had a few short hours before the sun would set. So they stood or leaned along the rocks and looked out into the city. A city without Slade. They would celebrate, knowing that someone like Deathstroke was no longer a danger to them or others.

They relaxed.

"Hey!"

They all turned to someone who was walking towards them from the beach.

Logan smiled.

"Garth..."

Chapter Text

Robin, Starfire, Cyborg and Raven were confused, when a stranger walked up to them on the beach of Titans Tower. Then they raised their eyebrows, when Logan walked up to the stranger with a happy smile.

"Garth, how are you doing?"

"I'm alright, but tell me how are you doing? I felt your animals in the ocean go crazy, then they died… well most of them." The stranger looked to the rest of the Teen Titans. "I'm sorry, I didn't mean to be rude, they call me Aqualad. But you guys can call me Garth."

Logan turned to his teammates, and gestured to Aqualad. "I know Garth from helping him with a bad guy in the ocean depths."

Logan looked back to their visitor. "They're my teammates I was telling you about. This is Robin." Garth waved, and Robin returned one himself.

"This is Starfire."

"It's nice to meet you," Garth smiled.

With a light blush Starfire replied, "it is a pleasure to meet you Garth."

"Cyborg."

"Hey there."

"How do you stay under water?"

Aqualad smiled and pointed to the gills that were barely noticeable along his neck.

"And this is Raven."

"Hi." Garth said, looking to Raven.

Raven replied with a, "… hello."

"You guys look beat, should I come another time?" Aqualad asked embarrassed.

"It should be fine, if you're a friend of Logan, you're welcome to come inside." Robin said. He tried to hide the uneasiness of having this guy around.

Logan smiled, and led Garth into the tower with the others following him.

—-

Garth was looking around the tower, nodding his head at the building. He listened to Logan talk about their living situation. Then, when they all entered the common room, the other four walked to the couch and practically threw themselves on it.

They. Were. Tired.

Garth gave them a concerned look, "Are you guys okay? You look like you've been through a meat grinder."

"We almost were," Cyborg said. "What with getting jumped on by Slade bots."

"Slade? That man who was trying to kill you all?" The others looked at Logan, then nodded their heads.

"Garth, how do you know Friend Logan? He mentioned a 'bad guy'" Starfire asked. They were all curious.

Aqualad smiled. "Logan helped me take down a water reptilian hybrid by the name of Trident. He was cloning himself and causing damage to the city where I'm from."

"Remember when I told you that I have animals out in the city?," they all nodded. "I also have fish and other aquatic animals in the ocean. I discovered Garth one day, and saw that he was fighting that Trident guy. So I helped him."

"I seriously thought Logan was a consciously aware school of fish." Garth laughed.

"How did you help Garth, you haven't spent any time away from the team or the tower?" Cyborg asked. He was curious, and so were the others. Now that they thought about it, Logan never said how he spoke to the police when he and the team had the probes.

They saw Logan grimace, like he was hesitant to tell. But he opened his mouth.

"Well…"

"Another time." Robin said. And the others nodded. Logan had shared so much with them already. They'd let him keep some secrets. They were already grateful for the things he shared with them.

Logan smiled, and they could tell he wasn't ready to share that information just yet.

Garth was looking at Logan. That Cyborg guy said he didn't leave the tower, but he'd spent some time with him. Especially taking down Trident.

"Hey!" Cyborg yelled, surprising them all. "We got rid of Slade. The least we could do is celebrate." They smiled and laughed.

"Join us friend Garth, we shall order the pizza for our victory."

Aqualad gave a nervous smile, "I don't know. I feel like I'm imposing on you guys."

Logan patted Garth on the back, and gave him a grin. "Don't worry about it. You're welcomed here." He turned to the others, looking for their approval.

The rest of the team gave Garth a once over, if Logan was happy to see him, then he was welcomed to join in the celebration.

"Sure."

"Not a problem."

"We will have to order extra of the pizza for our new friend."

Raven looked at Logan and Garth. She hadn't seen him so upbeat. This Garth, he must really mean something to Logan.

She looked Aqualad in the face, and gave a small smile.

"You're welcomed to stay."

—-

The teens sat around on the couch, open pizza boxes scattered around them. After a few minutes of quiet eating, conversations started between the heroes.

"So how did you guys stop Slade?" Garth just finished another slice of pizza.

"We enlisted the help of two Justice League members, Batman and The Flash." Cyborg said, getting another slice.

"Mmm… I'm sorry I don't know them, but I've worked with Aquaman. And he is a part of the Justice League." The others nodded.

"Where are you from, do you live in the ocean?" Raven asked.

"I live in Atlantis." he had to raise his hands to calm their excitement down. "Not THE Kingdom of Atlantis. That city was lost long ago, but another city was created centuries ago for my people. It was named after Atlantis in honor of our ancestors." They all nodded.

"Are you a hero? Or do you defend your city?" Robin asked.

Garth smiled. "I've never called myself a hero, but I've defended my city for as long as I could remember. Some of my people are skilled in fighting and telepathy, I'm one of them, and I've been using my powers for good ever since."

The Titans smiled and expressed their approval at Garth. Then they were curious when Garth's mood shifted, and he looked worried. He turned to Logan.

"I came to see how you were doing, but I also wanted to tell you about Brother Blood."

The room got serious, and the four Titans turned to Logan. He mentioned that Brother Blood was in his head, but didn't go into detail.

"Can you tell us what happened with Blood?" Robin asked. Their celebration was over. And even though Slade was no longer in the picture, Brother Blood was still a threat.

"Yes friend, can you tell us more about what happened in the base?"

Logan wasn't as joyful as he was a moment ago, so he hunched over while sitting on the coffee table and started talking.

"I told you Blood was able to get inside my head," the others nodded. Garth listened to Logan, hearing about this for the first time.

"He had made an… agreement, with someone. Someone who was able to help him reach me from outside the base." Raven looked nervous, but the others didn't notice.

"Where is he in the city?" Cyborg asked. Logan shook his head.

"He's not in Jump, he's in Steel City."

They were all shocked, Blood took over Logan, all the way from Steel!

"How?" Robin asked.

"The power he received from that someone, enhanced his mental powers… he used the amoebas and animals that I have outside, to follow and make the connection with me. When he took over, he destroyed the instincts that I and the animals use to communicate." Logan turned to Garth, "when he did that, most of my animals died."

They were quiet, absorbing how Blood was able to achieve such a feat in power. It was scary.

"Why did he want to take control of your mind?" Starfire asked after a few seconds of silence.

"He wanted to find out my secrets, he wanted to learn how my powers work. And how I can multiply myself and my conscious."

"…"

"Did he?" Raven asked nervous. They were all nervous.

Logan looked at them.

"Yeah, he did…"

Now they were scared!

"W-Wait, he found out how your powers work?" Robin asked. Why wasn't Logan being more serious. They had been laughing and eating pizza just a few minutes ago, all the while another of their major enemies just learned a dangerous secret about one of their own.

Even Garth was staring at Logan in surprise.
The knowledge that Blood had gained, could have serious consequences.

"It's not only that…" Aqualad said. Everyone looked to him, worried for more bad news. "Blood has this new technology." He turned to Cyborg.

"To be honest. The tech looks a lot like yours."

The team didn't know how this was getting worse and worse.

"What?! What do you mean it looks like mine?" Cyborg yelled. Garth didn't take offense to Cyborgs outburst. He'd be upset too if a bad guy took something from him.

So he turned to the others, "Another reason I came to see Logan, was that Blood is building an underwater lair. And on top of it, is some kind of weapon. A sonic cannon pointed to the surface of the ocean."

Aqualad fished in his pocket, until he pulled out a small storage device. "It was sent from a spy in Bloods base." Cyborg snatched it from him, then raced to plug it in their computer. After it finished loading, the underwater base and weapon were displayed on the TV. It looked exactly like his father's tech.

Cyborg stared in horror. And anger.

Raven then explained how Cyborg infiltrated the HIVE Academy, that was run by Brother Blood.

"If it's your technology, he must have gotten it from you at some point. And he has these ocean animals that also have the tech, and they're guarding the base."

Everyone looked at Logan.

"Friend Logan… you knew that Slade was building the machines. Machines that he would use to destroy us?" Starfire asked.

Logan said nothing.

"Did you know Blood was building this underwater base, that he was building this weapon?" Robin asked.

Cyborg turned and asked. "Did you know that he was using my tech?" He didn't want to believe that Logan would keep that information to himself. But he did about Slade and his machines. Did he do it about Blood too?

The common room was quiet.

Logan saw that they were waiting for him to answer. They needed one, so he sighed and nodded his head.

"Yeah, I knew…"

All of them, even Garth were… disappointed.

But no one was more disappointed than Cyborg.

He looked to Logan. He tried to say something, but couldn't think of the words. So he turned and left the room.

"Let's call it a night team. We had a long and eventful day." He turned to Garth. "It was nice meeting you Garth, but we'd like to turn in." Robin and the girls stood up. Garth stood and straightened his posture.

"Of course, thank you for having me over." The others nodded, while Logan continued to sit. Garth looked at his friend, not understanding why Logan didn't share this information. He gave him a nod, then headed to the front door.

The three looked at Logan, who still didn't move.

They said their goodnights, then headed to their rooms.

—-

Bumblebee was nervous.

She hadn't heard anything from Brother Blood for the last two days. He'd been held up in his office. The Sonic resonator was close to completion, and the Hive scientists wanted Bloods approval on the finishing touches.

She stood outside his main office, where he analyzed his plans and rested for the night. She never needed to reach out to him, since he was always walking the underwater base. But now, she needed to know what he was doing. So she knocked.

She could make out small rustling on the other side of the door. So after not receiving any acknowledgment from a second knocking, she punched in the master code to the door.

It swooshed open. There was Blood, sitting at his desk.

And the office was a mess, everything in it, was torn apart and all the furniture was toppled over. But Blood just sat there, staring out his office window.

"Blood?" He finally turned his head to her.

"Bumblebee…"

She was feeling uneasy about this. He waited a few seconds, before speaking again.

"What do you need?"

Was he serious. He sat in the middle of his wrecked office, looking reserved, and he was asking her what 'she' wanted.

"The HIVE workers have their most recent progress reports on the sonic resonator. They want you to look over them, to give approval before they add the last installments."

"…"

He looked around his office, almost searching for something. But didn't find it, so he looked back to her.

"Pause the construction for the resonator. There has been an… infiltration in the base."

Bumblebee froze.

"Have the workers use this time to rest and later, go over the schematics again. Have the soldiers do their routine patrols, looking for anything suspicious."

"… okay." Bumblebee said. Then she walked to the main hall.

"Leave my office door open."

She pushed in a sequence of numbers on the keypad, to prevent the door from closing after her.

She had no clue what was going on, but she was nervous about his discovery of the 'infiltration.'

—-

Blood finally walked out of his office, sometime after his conversation with Bumblebee. He headed down the hallways, and would stop at closed doors, before searching the rooms he was in.

As the automatic door opened, Blood looked to her as she entered the room. Bumblebee approached him, wanting to know what was needed of her.

"The workers have been double checking their construction of the resonator. And the soldiers are doing extra patrols."

"Good… I'd like to see the workers, and how far they are in their building off the machine." She nodded, then turned in the direction of the lower level that housed the resonator. And he followed.

Bumblebee was nervous, every time she turned her back to him. She was afraid he knew the truth about her being a spy. He had attempted mind control, which failed all that time ago when she first joined, but… he could still psychically attack her.

The two entered the room which housed the resonator, and made their way to the work tables used by the scientists.

One worker approached Blood, "We've gone through the plans three times already, we assembled the resonator at a safe and consistent pace, there was no need to look over them. We can continue to its completion, right now."

"We have a… third party getting involved in our business deal. Give me time to remove them, then you can finish the final construction." Blood said with a glare.

The worker backed off, aware of the short temper these types of people have. He rejoined the rest of the workers, and told them to take an extended break until told otherwise.

Blood turned to Bumblebee, and she knew that he wanted her to follow him. So they walked a ways away from the others. Until they stopped at the door.

"Override all the security doors." He told her.

Her eyebrows rose in shock. He wanted all the safety locks disabled? Anyone could travel freely through the base. He saw that she didn't understand why he would ask such a thing, so he spoke.

"We have a… spy in the base. By opening all the doors, we can watch anyone not loyal to us leave their scheduled patrols or routines. I also have an order for you."

She slowly nodded.

"I want you to do a thorough investigation on all the soldiers and workers in the base. These contracts we have with the helpers, come with being anonymous, as a formality. I want everything. Their names. Addresses. Bank accounts. Who they've worked for. And I especially want everything you can find about these scientists that are building our resonator. One of them just might be our spy."

Bumblebee almost couldn't hide her relief. He didn't suspect her, or he wasn't at the moment. But investigating the soldiers and scientists. Of course she would do that. If they were successful in stopping Blood, she'd want those responsible for helping him also jailed.

She put on her most brave and loyal face.

"Of course headmaster. The spy won't get away." She saluted for good measure, then headed to the main console to disable all the security locks on the doors.

Blood watched her go, then headed back to his office.

He sat in his chair and stared through the glass, out into the open ocean floor.

—-

*Incoming Call*

Robin was interrupted from his quick lunch. The tower had been quiet since the team spoke about Blood gaining Logan's knowledge and Cyborgs technology.

They hadn't been having team meals the past two days. They just fought the HIVE Five, led by Jinx. But the villains were defeated in the end.

Robin got up from the table, then headed to the TV. He pressed the 'accept call,' and came face to face with one of the police officers that worked with the police chief.

"Hello, Teen Titan Robin?" She asked. Robin nodded his head.

"Yes, can I help you with something officer…"

"My names Martha Smith. I'm calling to inform you and your team about the advanced tech armor from a…" she looked at her paperwork, "an Adonis." She looked to Robin.

He raised his eyebrow, then remembered Logan's questions concerning Adonis's and Cyborgs armor.

"Yes, I recall Titan Logan requesting that the armors design be shared with the team."

Officer smith nodded her head, and looked at the paper again.

"We needed a seasoned engineer and technology specialist to analyze the armor, but we were able to discover the armors original designer."

She leafed through a few pages, before finding what she was looking for.

"We don't know who actually 'built' the suit, but we did find that the schematics and main power source came from a team of scientists from STAR Labs. The lead member was a Silas Stone."

Robin grimaced at the name.

'The names Stone… Victor Stone.'

Robin thanked her, and Officer Smith gave the direct phone line to the lab Silas Stone worked at. They said goodbye.

Robin stood in the common room. He would have to tell the others. Cyborg had been ready to charge the underwater base to stop Blood, but hearing that their enemy also had Logan's knowledge put that bravado on hold. Until they could come up with something.

Robin pulled out his communicator, and called a team meeting.

Soon the others began to enter the common room, and made their way to their leader. Cyborg entered, finally leaving the garage after their discussion the other day.

They stood before him.

"Yes friend Robin?" Starfire asked.

"I received a call from the police, they wanted us to know about the origins of Adonis's armor." The two females of the team didn't give any outward reaction, but Logan and Cyborg looked interested.

"They don't know who actually built it, but they know where the designs came from…"

They looked at him, with Cyborg's human eye looking concerned.

"… the designs came from a Silas Stone, from STAR Labs."

Cyborg growled and turned away from the others. He was shaking. Not only did Blood get a hold of his father's tech, but the supplier for Adonis did too. He needed to break something. Punch something. But all he did was walk to the counter and squeeze it till it was mangled.

"Cyborg…"

"I don't want to hear it!" Cyborg yelled, then stormed away.

The three others stood there, realizing that Silas Stone must be related to… Victor Stone. They looked worried at the direction Cyborg left in.

Robin combed his hand through his hair. They didn't need this, one thing after another. He looked at the others, they were all trying to think of a way to support Cyborg. But he was too lost in his anger.

He looked at Logan, but he was addressing all of them.

"We'll let him cool off after hearing this news, then we'll go to him. We'll come up with something."

They nodded, then separated to do their own things.

—-

The next day, they had to stop Ding Dong Daddy. And man was that a disappointment compared to their recent fights. The whole team was embarrassed at fighting a low level 'villain' like him.

They made it to the common room, when Cyborg gave a loud huff, and stopped before the team. So they looked at him.

"I'm sorry for the way I've been acting. None of you guys deserved my attitude these past few days."

"There's nothing to apologize for," Raven floated to him. He was in a lot of emotional pain. What with his most personal privacy being taken from him, then his family member being involved also.

"Yes friend Cyborg, please do not feel the guilty for expressing your sorrows. We are here to help." Starfire floated to him and placed a hand on his shoulder.

"She's right Cyborg, none of us blame you. We're not upset, and we're ready to talk when you are." Cyborg nodded.

They looked to Logan. And he shrugged.

"I hurt you too. I hurt all of you." He looked at the team. He didn't need to say anything else.

Cyborg walked to the couch, then sat down. And the others went to him, while Logan hung in the back.

"It's really complicated." Then Cyborg told them about his accident. That it was caused by his father, who turned him into a cyborg. When he first woke up after the surgery that saved his life, but cursed him to be a monster.

"No!" Starfire leaned to Cyborg and hugged him. "You are not the monster Cyborg, please do not continue to hold such opinions of yourself." Cyborg smiled, remembering the conversations he had with her when he left for the HIVE Academy. And then when he returned.

Raven leaned to him. "You may be half machine, but I believe that you're more human than anyone we know. Your spirit. Your heart. Your kindness. Those were the things that survived the accident." Cyborg smiled.

"We're glad to have you Cyborg. No matter where you came from, or what your past was, we're happy to have you in the Titans family. It wouldn't be the same without you."

The common room was quiet. They turned to Logan, but nothing needed to be said. Because Logan always made his feelings to Cyborg known.

"You said… that you would go to Slade. To stop him from going after us." Cyborg said. Logan nodded. "That's why you kept quiet. What about Blood? Did you have a plan, if we didn't find out in time? What were you going to do, if that resonator was fully operational?"

Logan's face grew serious.

"It won't be…"

—-

Bumblebee stood before Bloods desk. It was a cake walk. Their workers security, if you could call it that, was subpar. She hacked right through their computer files.

Names. Addresses. Bank accounts. It was all there, printed in these pages she would hand to the headmaster.

Blood sat in front of her. His demeanor hadn't changed since she first found him in his office days ago. So she reached over to hand him the papers.

But he didn't take them.

"What have you done for me?" He asked.

She was startled by the question. Her stomach became queasy. Did he suspect her?

"You look nervous. Please, refresh my memory. Tell me what you have done while serving me…"

The office was silent.

"I've been an excellent student…" Blood nodded his head.

"I've been loyal to you…" He was staring into her eyes, but she didn't feel his powers attempting anything.

"I've followed your commands…" Blood raised his head, and smiled.

"I need more information than that Bumblebee… Please tell me. Have you stolen for me?" He asked.

She swallowed the spit in her throat. Scared of what tricks he was playing. Right now was not the time to start a fight. Especially when she didn't know if she could walk away from it.

"No… you've never asked me to."

"Have you lied for me… to other students. The authorities?"

"No…"

"Have you hurt anyone for me…?" He was serious.

She was scared now. What was he really asking?

"… No." She hesitated. Crap!

Blood stared at her. Really looked at her.

"You're the spy…" he finally said.

She didn't say anything. Too surprised to do anything.

Then he leaned back in his chair, and released a long exhale.

She stood frozen. Completely at a loss for what was going on. Too shocked to convince him she wasn't a spy, Blood relaxed in his chair.

Relaxed!

"Go to the main floor with the workers and the sonic resonator. Stay there until I need you.

"What-"

"Go."

Her hand was twitching towards her lightning rods. But Blood made no move to attack, so she slowly backed away from the desk. Keeping her eyes on him, and clutching the paper, she left the room and stood in the hallway. She didn't know what was going on.

—-

"What do you mean, it won't be?"

Robin asked. He wanted to know. They all wanted to know. What was Logan NOT telling them?

"… call STAR Labs."

Cyborg got up and walked to Logan, he stood before him, but not in an imposing way. He looked Logan in his eyes.

"Tell us Logan… tell me…"

He could see the hurt in Cyborgs eyes. Not only from the pain of his father's actions, not just the theft of his tech by Brother Blood…

But also the hurt from a friend that he trusted, who kept such a secret from him.

"Right now… Blood isn't a threat. I'm… suppressing him. The tech he stole from you, is put on hold. We and anyone we call, the police, heroes or STAR can walk right in and stop him."

There it was again. Logan. The guy that just rolls out the red carpet for you. Knocks around the bad guys. Can kill Slade on a whim. Spreads himself, how far? To monitor and protect. Now he has Blood 'suppressed.'

"When did you do that?" Robin was serious. Sometimes it was hard to follow and understand Logan. He would keep quiet about their enemies, drop bad news like it was nothing, then tell you we was taking care of it behind their backs.

"Two days ago…" the room was silent.

"…"

'That's why I can't lead, because I always put my judgement over others.'

They remembered his words the day after he sent Terra away.

"Is he a threat?" Raven asked. She learned it was best to just move forward with Logan. And not be overwhelmed with his way of doing things.

Logan shook his head.

"How did you do the 'supressing' of Brother Blood?" Starfire asked. They were all curious.

"When I gained control of my body, after Ravens power attack at Slades base. Bloods power over me was cut, and I sent a signal through my instincts that were gaining consciousness. I strung together a connection to Steel City, then to the ocean where he was."

"What did you do?" Robin asked.

The room was quiet.

They looked at Logan, kind of… afraid of what he would say.

"… I poisoned his brain. Put him in a coma, then I have one of my… beings, controlling his body. I took control of his vocal cords and his body's functions. Everyone there thinks I'm Brother Blood."

"…"

Damn…

That… wasn't a hero thing to do.

What do you say to that? That your teammate forced an enemy into a coma, by poison! Then controlled them…

It's was… what a villain would do.

Cyborg looked at Logan, and had trouble seeing the smiling guy that he met all that time ago. The Logan that cooked for them everyday, and always gave a listening ear. Who fought for and protected his family. Right now…

All he could see, was the Logan that could do something like this.

Raven and Starfire looked at Logan. They wanted to say something. But what could they say? What Logan did, what he was doing…

Robin looked down at the paper he had written, for the number to Silas Stone.

That man's tech was in Bloods base. In Adonis's armor. They needed to know what was going on. So he put on a brave face, and walked up to Cyborg, who turned to look at him.

"I know that this will upset you Cyborg, but… We have to call STAR Labs. We have to call your father. His technology, your tech, is out there. And it's being used for nefarious reasons. We need to find out what's going on…"

So Cyborg nodded. It was the only thing he could do.

—-

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

"Hello?" A young lady answered the phone.

"Hello. Is this the Jump City branch of STAR Labs?"

"Yes it is. Who is calling, this is a private line."

"I apologize if we didn't go through the proper channels, my names Robin. I'm a member of the Teen Titans."

"Oh?! A Teen Titan, is this an emergency?"

"Actually, it is. Could we please speak to the director Silas Stone?"

"Dr. Stone should be finishing up briefing the team for today's projects. Can I return your call when he's finished?"

"Yes."

"I can read the phone line you used to reach us, can I call that number?"

"Yes."

"Alright, I'll call you as soon as the Doctor is free to speak."

"Thank you."

*click*

Robin turned to the others. They were sitting around the common room. He could tell that Cyborg wasn't fully comfortable with them calling his father. They could just walk into Bloods lair, if Logan was saying it was safe, and handle the issue themselves. But Logan said contractors were in the base, doing the construction. THEY knew about cyborgs tech. And the armor that belonged to Adonis was now involved.

Cyborg was putting on a brave face, but they could tell he was uncomfortable. So Starfire and Raven stood by him, to give him support. He thanked Starfire, then turned to Raven.

"Thanks for cheering me up. I know you don't do it often, but I appreciate it all the same." He smiled.

Raven had a small smile too.

"You're welcome. I can tell how much this is affecting you, but… hopefully things work out."

He nodded his head.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

Before Cyborg knew it, Robin was in front of him with the wireless receiver, holding it out to him. Cyborg stared at it.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

The others looked at him, worried that he couldn't answer it.

*Ring* *Ring* *Ring*

Before Robin could take the phone back, Cyborg took it, and answered.

"Hello…"

"V-Victor…?" It was his father. The man he hadn't talked to in three years. He was probably expecting Batman's former sidekick.

"Yeah… dad. It's me. How are you?"

"… It's good to hear from you. I… I'm doing alright. Did you… need something?"

"I'm calling about a problem we're having with a villain in Steel City."

"A villain? …What can I do?"

"This villain, he was able to steal information about my body, how my systems work."

"…"

"He used that information, to build an underwater weapon. He's planning on using it to wipe out Jump City. He has contractors building the weapon, they know how my tech works."

"…"

"There's also, another villain. He's not as dangerous, and he's behind bars right now. But he has a suit, similar to how my body works. The police say that the design matches my body."

"…"

Silas hadn't said anything. Cyborg knew that he overloaded his father with a lot of information. He probably wasn't expecting to hear from his son, then has him unload all this bad news on top of him.

"… Can we talk Victor? Face to face…" his father finally spoke.

Cyborg sat with the others waiting for the conversation to end. He didn't know he had the strength to talk to him after these few years, and now he wanted to meet in person.

"… S-Sure. If you free, we'll pick you up."

The rest of the Titans pulled back, and let Cyborg finish his conversation. They spoke for a few short minutes, then Cyborg hung up the phone. He looked to the others.

"I'll swing by, and pick him up. He wants to talk in person."

Robin nodded, then turned to Logan.

"You said you have Blood suppressed. For how long?"

"Whenever I stop pumping the poison in his brain."

The room was quiet again. So Logan continued.

"We'll need a maximum security prison for Brother Blood. What he knows, what he's capable of… A normal jail won't keep him. I can hold him, until we transfer him to the best place to keep him."

He was right, the prisons in Jump City weren't equipped to house someone with mental powers like Blood. They would need to find the right place to jail him.

"There's the spy in the base, the one Garth got the information from." Raven said.

Robin remembered that the spy was watching Blood, now Logan WAS Blood.

"She collected all the identities of the people working in the base. The solders and technicians working for Blood. They'll have to be arrested too, for working with a master criminal." Logan told the team.

Robin nodded. The wrap sheet for Brother Blood went further back than when he first started the HIVE Academy. WAY back.

The scientists were working with stolen schematics and plans, and most likely getting paid for their services. And the guards were working for a known public enemy. The Titans never had to make an arrest for so many people. Even with their powers, there was no telling what the people would do, once they were cornered.

"We'll call the Steel City Police, have them patrol the waters above the base. When we go down there, we'll tell the workers they're free to go, so they don't start a riot. But they'll get arrested once their water vehicles reach the surface. Any soldiers, whether they fight or flee, will be taken down and charged.

The others nodded. And Robin turned to Logan.

"Stall the operation till the police are ready, we'll call Aqualad to aid us. Do you know who the spy is?"

"An African American girl. She's dressed like a bee."

"That's Bumblebee," the others looked at Cyborg who spoke. "She was a top student at the Academy. If she's a spy, she must have been keeping tabs on Blood for some time." Robin nodded, then looked to Logan.

"Call Aqualad, have him reach out to Bumblebee. See if she can send the employee registry to the police. We'll have their names when the police catch them breaking the surface."

"What shall we do in the meantime?" Starfire asked.

"We'll retrieve Dr. Stone, and continue defending the city, until the police force is ready."

They all nodded.

—-

Bumblebee stood close to the resonator. Its shield wasn't active, due to the workers taking their extended break. So if Blood was going to attack, he'd have to hit his precious weapon if he took any swings at her.

The technicians grumbled. They wanted to make their money, and leave as soon as possible. They'd been antsy since Blood told them there was a spy. Afraid that their names would be tied to this project. They'd already went to speak to Blood about the matter, but he told them he was close to finding the traitor.

He wasn't.

Since the night he called her a spy, he'd left her alone. Well… she didn't approach him, since she didn't believe for a second he wouldn't attack her. It took a whole day, but she started patrolling around the base, 'looking' for anything suspicious.

She walked down a windowed hallway, that looked out to the ocean floor. Then she spotted him.

Aqualad!

What was he doing so close to the base. She had a panic attack, when he began to swim straight towards her.

The idiot!

He swam up to window, and before she could physically yell at him, he held out a clear plastic pouch. And in it, was what looked like a radio. With a large T. He swam to the waste release area of the base. The only shoot that can open directly by user controller.

He pushed the pouch through a crevice, and a few seconds of opening the hatch, the communicator was within the base. She tore the package open, trying to keep the sludge from settling on her hands, before pulling out the device.

It was a communicator. And it was receiving a call. So she pushed the button.

"Hello, this is Robin of the Teen Titans. Is this Bumblebee?"

"Yes, it's Bumblebee. What are you doing calling to this location. Blood has all frequencies that's travel through the base recorded."

"I know it's hard to believe, but right now, Blood isn't a problem."

'What the heck is this boy talking about?'

"Blood asked you to collect all the information for the soldiers and workers under him, right?"

She froze. How did he know?!

"Scan the-"

"Hold up! How did you know I was collecting that information? Who told you?"

"I promise, we'll fill you in on the details. But we need you to scan and send all the data you collected, so the police can have it before we go inside the base."

"Your coming inside here? What about Blood?"

"Like I said, he's not a problem. So please, send that information. Don't worry about Blood finding out."

Then he cut the call. She looked at the communicator. He said Blood wasn't a problem. He was… acting strange for the past few days. And he put the resonator on hold, to launch a bogus investigation for a spy. He even let her walk away after calling her out.

She hesitated. Then made her way to the nearest office. After accessing one of the computers, she used a scanner to copy the documents she'd been holding onto. After they were scanned, she created the email to the Jump City Police Department. She hovered over the send button. Afraid that Blood WOULD come charging in.

She clicked the 'send' button.

Then nothing. Everything was going as usual. She pocketed the communicator, then left the office.

She made it to the main floor, where the scientists were gathered.

"We've waited long enough! If the project does not continue within the hour. WE. ARE. LEAVING!"

"What about our payment?! We've sunk months into this job, are we getting paid?"

"Talk to the client again-"

"I've BEEN talking to him, and he keeps repeating himself about a so called spy."

"Threaten him we'll go to the media, we'll give an anon-"

The scientist stopped talking when his colleagues froze. So he turned and came face to face with their client. A Mr. Brother Blood.

"…"

"So, you planned on leaving. Well…" they waited, nervous what he would do.

"Leave."

They stood there. Shocked at what he said.

"W-What about our payment?!" Someone yelled from the back.

"What about it?" They growled.

"We did most of the work. We would have finished if you'd stop this nonsense about a spy in your base. Are you telling us you'd let us leave, with the resonator unfinished?"

"Yes… because I don't need you anymore."

"O-Our payment." Another said.

Then the guards walked onto the main floor.

"… you will receive adequate payment when you leave my base. Be grateful that there hasn't been any… accidents, during your job here.

The scientists growled, but knew they could do nothing. They had to take his word. They looked at the guards surrounding them. So they started packing up what little they brought, since Blood had provided everything they needed. They made their way to the watercraft boarding area, ready to leave the base.

Bumblebee stood there shocked. The resonator wasn't finished. The force field wasn't fully operational. And Blood sent them away.

Blood turned to her.

"You've done a good thing Bumblebee. I'll be in my office." Then he told the soldiers to ease for the moment, and walked through the door.

She watched as the scientists boarded the crafts, then launched up to the ocean surface. To Steel City.

—-

Cyborg and Robin didn't talk in the car. Cyborg drove with his attention on the road, and Robin looked at the streets they passed by. They were headed to the north part of Jump City, the high rise buildings of commercial properties. One STAR Labs.

Robin was second guessing telling Cyborg to take one of them, as support. But when he looked to Starfire and Raven, they shook their heads, before Logan pointed at him. So he 'volunteered.'

"Don't be too supportive Robin…" Cyborg said. He couldn't tell if he was being serious or trying to be funny.

"I just thought I'd be nice for you to have a friend close by." Cyborg gave him a side glance.

"… it's getting a little easier. After the phone call. Now I'm seeing him again, after a few years." Robin nodded.

"I know what it feels like, to walk away, not knowing if I'd ever speak to that person again. I did it with… Batman. But after the whole Slade thing, I found closure."

"…"

"I hope you find it too Cyborg."

Cyborg gave him a small grin. Then they pulled up to the parking garage, into the space designated for the police. They exited the T-Car, and made their way to the main lobby. After confirming with the front desk their reasons for being there, Silas Stone entered the lobby.

Father and son looked at each other.

Cyborgs face fell. In the three years he'd been away from his father, it looked like he had aged ten, maybe fifteen years. His father's posture was hunched over. The man didn't have the vitality that Victor inherited. He looked overworked, more than when he and his mother were in his life. But the tired and shorter man smiled.

"Victor…"

"… Dad."

The man walked up to him slowly, and stood before him. Admiring his son. He looked like he wanted to hug him.

And a part of Cyborg wanted to hug him back.

But the joyful expression on his face faded, and his father remembered why his son and fellow hero called him.

"Hello Dr. Stone, my name is Robin. I was the one to call your office earlier today."

"Yes, I was expecting to speak with you when I called back." He turned to Cyborg, "but I spoke with Victor."

His words had a deeper meaning.

"… You wanted to speak about a villain?"

Robin looked to Cyborg, then back to Dr. Stone. "If it's alright with you, we'd like to take you to Titans Tower. There, we can have a private conversation about our current dilemma."

"… Titans Tower…" he said. He looked at both of the young men.

"If there is anything I can help with, I'll do what I can."

Robin turned to lead him to the T-Car. And Cyborg awkwardly walked side by side with his father. They made it to the parking garage, where Silas greeted the older security guard on duty. They buckled up, and were soon driving through the underwater tunnel that connected Titans Tower to the mainland.

No one spoke, but Robin could see Dr. Stone looking at the interior of the vehicle. They pulled up into their parking garage, in the base of the tower. They exited the vehicle, and waited for Cyborgs father to slowly pull himself out. The three headed to the elevator that would take them to the main floor.

—-

"Please let Teen Titan Robin know that the JCPD and the SCPD are heading to the specified location outside Steel City."

"I will. thank you for updating us."

"It was a pleasure Teen Titan Raven." The other lady on the line was bubbly talking to a Teen Titan. She hung up the line, then turned to the double doors as they opened.

Robin, Cyborg and an older gentlemen walked in. Starfire floated from the kitchen, and joined Raven as the two ladies waited for Silas Stone to finish admiring the tower.

He finally turned to the teens, embarrassed that they were waiting for him. But they smiled.

"Welcome to Titans Tower Dr. Stone." Robin said.

"Please, call me Silas. And thank you, it's a magnificent tower."

"It is all thanks to friend Cyborg, he built it from an alien battle ship." Starfire joined in. Silas smiled at his son.

Cyborg stepped forward, "This is my father, Silas Stone. Let me introduce you to the other members of the Teen Titans. This is Starfire."

Silas reached out and shook her hand.

"And this is Raven." Silas shook her hand too.

The common room was quiet. Four heads looked around, realizing Logan wasn't here. Seeing no one was talking, Silas stepped towards the large window.

"It's a wonderful home you've made Cyborg. And your friends seem very nice. But I know that you called me for something else. Something much more serious." Silas wasn't joyful anymore. His son called him for one reason, and one reason only.

Cyborg nodded, then headed to the TV. He turned the computer on, and the image of Blood's underwater base and sonic weapon was viewed on the screen. Silas made a pained expression, it was a weapon. A weapon that came from his son's body, after the accident. And it was made for the purpose of killing.

Raven walked up to Robin, telling him the police from both cities were heading to the waters above the base.

*ring* *ring*

Robin pulled out and looked to his communicator. He'd just received confirmation that the police had the spy's documents. They knew the identities of both the hired gunmen and the scientists that worked on the weapon. He turned to the father and son discussing the individual parts of the base.

"Silas…" and Dr. Stone turned to look at him.

"We have the identities of those that built the base and weapon. Can you please tell us if you know any of these people."

Robin pushed a few buttons on the communicator, then shared the data file with the TV. It's image changed from the base, to a grid view showing the hired contractors. Silas looked at the faces, not recognizing any-

He froze.

The others looking at him worried.

"M-My partner! He did this…" Silas stared at the portrait of his long time friend.

They raced to the TV, looking in the direction Silas stared. They read the man's bio, and it showed he was currently employed with STAR Labs.

Silas trembled, and took steps back from the TV. Cyborg had to watch his father, in case he fell.

"H-He told me he was injured… that he needed time away from work. That his family wanted to care for him, since he had been working so much."

Cyborg sat his father down on the couch, and the Titans surrounded him in comfort.

"Twenty years… twenty years we worked together. He was my friend… How could he do this, why would he do this…" tears poured from Silas Stones eyes, and he bowed his head in his hands.

Their hearts broke at Cyborgs father as he crumbled. They brought him into this, and even though they felt responsible for his heartache, the real culprit was Silas's friend.

*ring* *ring*

Robin read his communicator again, and the police were in position. He looked to Starfire and Raven. They looked at him, then Raven floated to Cyborg.

"Cyborg… you should stay with your dad. We'll go to the base and collect everyone involved. We'll have Aqualad and Bumblebee with us. So don't worry about Blood's base, just worry about your father."

Cyborg sat on the couch, with his father lost in his thoughts and memories. He'd been more than ready to head to Steel City and fight Blood. But his knowing how Logan's powers worked, scared him and the others. Cause if Logan could do questionable things, what could Blood do with them. So he waited, but wanted to knock out the old headmaster for stealing his body's technology.

But none of that mattered. Not in the face of his frail father crying in pain. Forget Blood. Forget the scientists…

His father needed him.

Cyborg nodded. The rest of the team ran out of the common room.

Cyborg let his father shed his tears. The older man felt betrayed by a longtime friend. To steal from his father...

"... I-It's going to be okay dad. Your friend and the other scientists aren't going to get away from stealing and using your designs. We'll st-"

"Its not my design Victor." His father cut him off.

Cyborg looked at him. Confused. His body was always his fathers design, his technology. Silas Stone was the only scientist capable of saving him after the accident. Victor stone was a marvel of engineering, unlike anything designed and built before him. All thanks to the wonderful, yet reserved mind of Dr. Silas Stone.

Silas had stopped crying, but his pained expression was still present. He shook his head, as his son looked to him.

"I've been called brilliant, and many of my discoveries and designs have been applauded by my peers and profession. But, I wasn't the one to design your body Victor... I wasn't the one that saved you."

Silas looked up to his son. And Victor looked to his father, asking what he meant. So Silas told him.

Told him about the mysterious box that saved his life, from his fathers greatest mistake.

They went down to the garage, waiting for the T-Ship to deploy from its storage. Robin pulled out his communicator and pressed the call button.

"Logan?!"

"I'm already at the base. I'll see you guys real soon."

Robin, Starfire and Raven stared at his communicator. They didn't know Logan left already, he didn't tell them. So they chose to not dwell in it. They loaded into the T-Ship and took off to Steel City.

—-

Bumblebee stood outside of Bloods office. The scientists just left the base, and the soldiers were told the spy was found and would be captured when they returned to the surface. So he ordered the men to stop their patrols and relax, since there were no more 'spies.'

She hesitated to enter, but Robin of the Teen Titans and Aqualad told her Blood wasn't a threat. So she walked in his office, since the safety locks were never reactivated.

He sat at his desk, with his back turned to her. He looked out the underwater window. Just like he'd been these past few days. He didn't say anything.

"What's going on?" She finally asked.

"The scientists are being arrested right now, their submarine was caught by SCPD. The Teen Titans and Garth are coming to the base to arrest the soldiers."

'Garth?'

"Who ARE you?" She wanted to know. A few days ago, he was the old Blood, dark and menacing. Now he was indifferent and nonchalant.

"Don't worry about it. Just know that Bloods not a danger to anyone. This'll be over real soon. Then we can all go home."

He finally turned around, but didn't look at her. He sat back in his chair.

"Turn off everything. The defenses. That squid in the water. The piranhas too. I want them to walk right in here like they own the place." He finished his sentence while looking at her.

She stood there, then walked to his computer before rotating the monitor. She pulled the keyboard to her, then typed the master password that would disable every defense the base had. She watched as the green lights in the screen turn to red. Then, the base was completely defenseless.

So they waited.

"Aqualad and Logan are here now. Robin, Raven and Starfire will be docking soon. Cyborg stayed behind, to monitor everything. Go to the main area, and prepare to fight.

It was weird, seeing Blood act like a… drone. So she turned and ran to the main floor.

—-

*Bang* *Bang* *Bang*

The soldiers fired on the teen heroes. The numbers Bumblebee had sent them, she didn't exaggerate. It was a small army, and even though they were told to stand easy, they didn't part ways with their guns. Laser fire was going everywhere, but fortunately no one was getting hurt.

The Titans and allies took down the heavy hitters first, which left the weaker fire power deprived of a good defense. During the fight, they would look up to the bullet proof window, which they found out after shooting at him, and yell at Brother Blood. Who just stood there and watched his mercenaries get taken down.

It was like shooting fish in a barrel, eventually the last of the soldiers raised their guns and hands. They surrendered. Robin urged the team to not fall for any tricks, so he ordered the soldiers to discard their weapons by tossing them behind themselves. One tried to take a shot at Starfire, but Robins birdarang hit his hand, causing the shot to hit the ceiling. No one fought after that.

The men were ordered to line up along the wall. Police squads used the underwater vehicles the scientists had taken, then began to collect the soldiers.

It was over. Partially.

When the soldiers were being carted off, the teens looked up to Blood. He still hadn't moved, just staring at the ground floor. Logan began to make his way to join the police squad.

"I'll go up. Make sure that everything goes smoothly."

Then without waiting for a reply, he hopped into the vehicle before it closed. It was released from the docking station, then made its way to the surface.

Within the hour, only three Titans, two allies, a police chief and Brother Blood remained in the base.

Brother Blood made his way down to the ground floor, he didn't look at anyone. Didn't talk. Just kept walking. Past the teens, and to the last vehicle where Police Chief Gomez stood.

"You're under control… right?"

"Yes I am."

The police chief nodded, then gestured for Robin to join her and Blood to the surface. Robin turned to the others.

"Take the T-Ship and head to the surface. Bumblebee and Aqualad can join you on the ship. We'll talk when we're done helping the police."

The others nodded, then began to board the T-Ship. Both vehicles left at the same time. Chief Gomez spoke in her radio, and she received news that all police forces were heading to Steel City. Robin sat there, looking from Blood to her.

They were half way to the surface when…

"Crap."

Robin and Chief Gomez looked to Blood in surprise.

"He's walking up." Blood said, with a glare.

They started panicking. Blood was coming to.

"Is he forcing himself conscious?!" Robin asked.

"No… he's using that power from that someone that helped him before." The two saw red wisps of power begin to exit his eyes. Robin pulled out his communicator, and warned the others that Blood was walking up. The chief got on her radio, warning her officers that a threat was present in the area.

"Push the boats at maximum speed! I don't want any bystanders in the area when this villain turns aggressive!"

Robin leaned over and pushed the speed control too high. Trying to get the vehicle to the surface fast. Blood couldn't become conscious in a cramped area with a citizen who would be in harms way. And Robin didn't know if he could engage him with the Chief at risk.

Robins communicator called out, and he heard Cyborgs voice. "Everyone is at the surface Robin, they're surrounding your location. Starfire will grab the police chief and get her to safety!"

Blood began to move as the red power spread through his body.

The vehicle finally broke the surface, and the hatch opened. Starfire flew and picked up the chief, while Robin jumped back and was suspended above the water by Ravens power.

Blood made to yell and hunched over, head close to the water. And a snake slithered out of is mouth, before jumping in the water to swim away.

"Rrrrrrgh!" Blood lifted his head and screamed, finally gaining consciousness. He released a red wave of energy that shockwaved the surrounding waters. Destroying the vehicle and pushing everyone back. He stood on the waters surface, with the red power coursing through him.

Raven waivered at seeing her fathers powers again, she struggled to fly and keep Robin on her platform.

"You insolent children!" He released his sinister enhanced lightning at the teens, which shot in all directions.

Blood felt the powers given to him by his master. They coursed through him, into every part of his body. He'd never felt so strong, so unstoppable.

"Yes! Yes! Master, I shall do your bidding, I will send a message to these children!"

[YES. YOU WILL, MY 'LOYAL' SERVANT!]

Then the powers within Blood grew. And grew. Until his body began to feel pain.

"Aaahhh!" What? What was happening?!

[YOU THINK I FORGIVE YOU, FOR FAILING TO MAKE OUR AGREED PAYMENT! YOU HAVE ONE LAST PURPOSE TO ME SEBASTIAN BLOOD! AND THAT IS TO SEND A MESSAGE. TO. MY. DAUGHTER!]

Then Blood screamed. He held his head as the red power consumed him. He shakily walked on the waters surface, screaming as his body was torn apart by his master power.

"Aaahhh!" Brother Blood screamed horrifically. He was consumed in a bright red light. And the teens could only stare in horror as the man was ingulfed in a fiery blaze of red energy.

BOOM!

Blood exploded in a shower of red, sending a shockwave throughout the waters. Body gone, but in his place, the Mark of Scath shone brightly for miles.

When the red light faded. The Teen Titans and their allies could only stare in disbelief. That whoever aided Brother Blood, also killed him. Robin yelled when the platform from Ravens powers waivered and disappeared. Bumblebee flew over to catch him before he could fall in the water. Raven shook. Robin looked to her, then called everyone to board the T-Ship.

They went to pick up Starfire, then they were all headed to Titans Tower. And Raven was utterly scared, from the sight of her father killing someone.

Cyborg sat back. He just received word from Robin that Brother Blood was killed. He was killed by the person that helped him take over Logan. Even though Cyborg hated Blood for stealing his body's secrets, he never wished the man dead. He looked to his father, who looked exhausted from telling him the truth about the incident, and the 'power' box that later saved his life.

'But after the whole Slade thing, I found closure."

Closure...

He didn't know if he was ready to say that the issue was settled between him and his father. But...

It was a step in... A direction. They would have to wait and see. But the mystery and unknown of the incident was finally clear. He... didn't hate his father. Not anymore.

The two sat on the couch. And small talk finally broke out. They were hesitant, and the topics were jumbled. But it was nice.
An hour flew by, before the tower alerted them the others had returned. So they waited for the T-Ship to dock, and the rest of the teens to make their way to the common room.

They were finally all together.

Before anyone could say anything, Robin walked up to Silas.

"You said that your partner was involved in the construction of the base and weapon. Do you think he also was involved with giving those designs to the villain Adonis's supplier?" Silas sadly nodded.

"He and the previous director were the only colleagues that I shared about what happened. He was my closest friend, i never thought he could do such a thing."

"Is it possible that your friend was the person who built the suit."

"It's possible. The more people who knew of the designs, the greater the risk it would spread, before landing in the wrong hands. We've seen that today." Everyone nodded to that.

"I'll take you home dad. Thanks for... everything."

Silas Stone nodded. He was thanked for his cooperation and expertise. He shook everyone's hands, meeting Logan, Garth and Bumblebee for the first time. The rest of the Titans relaxed, and soon Cyborg returned to the tower after dropping off his father.

They all looked at each other, then Bumblebee needed to ask.

"Okay. What the heck happened back there? What happened to Blood?" Logan stepped forward.

"I took over Blood's body a few days ago. I knew you wouldn't believe him, if he told you he was being controlled. So I asked you to collect information for him, or us, while leaving you alone. I lost him towards the end, because a friend of his wrestled control away from me. But instead of helping him fight, he killed him. Why. I don't know."

Bumblebee stood there, absorbing the information. So Robin spoke up.

"How long were you a spy for Brother Blood?"

"Almost a year. He approached me, offering to help me with my powers, and i accepted. He trained me for a few months, impressed with me. But the more time a spent with him, i started to pick up there was more to him. So I started digging, then I learned about his past. He failed in reading my mind, and never tried again. That let me get away with monitoring him. I was waiting for the right opportunity to report him, but he was always out of the police's reach."

"It was a dangerous thing to do alone, but we're all grateful that you did it. No one else could have done such a thing, and gotten away with it like you did." Aqualad said.

Everyone nodded. And Bumblebee was relieved that it was over.

Robin stepped forward. "I'd like to thank you both. For helping us take down the soldiers." He looked to Cyborg, who went to a drawer underneath their TV. He returned and handed Robin two radios.

"I'd like to offer you Honorary Teen Titan status. If you accept, we'd like to call you in any time of need to defend against villains."

Garth and Bumblebee looked to the two communicators, then they reached over and grabbed them. They smirked.

"It would be an honor."

"Sure. I don't want Blood to be the last good I do."

The Teen Titans smiled at their new allies.

The two started for the exit, waving to their new friends. They flew and swam after saying their goodbyes.

The five teens looked at each other. Then Logan turned and headed to the double doors.

"I'm turning in for the night. See you guys." Then he left, not waiting for a reply. They watched his back, wanting to talk to him. But they knew he wouldn't stop.

Chapter Text

Logan sat on his bed. At some point, he knocked off the dust from the sheets. He still didn't sleep in the bed though, or the room. He looked out his window to the morning sun, just rising above the horizon. Even though this was the second time he'd spent in this room, it was one of his favorite windows in the tower.

He was starting to remember things.

Not the whole picture, but Blood clawing through his mind, brought up memories that were buried in his head. He saw things around the tower that never happened. He treated the others and acted a certain way, that never happened before. He couldn't hear anything, but seeing the memories…

There was Slade and Brother Blood. And really small visions of someone red, and... a brain? The later memories were like a fog. Small glimpses that faded away, like he never knew they existed.

His visions of the red man, who showed a relation with Raven. The feeling of loss, hopelessness and fear were overwhelming. There was Slade, even though he was far away from Jump City. The team, fighting for something. And the world, dead and lifeless.

He looked around the room, and didn't want to be in there anymore, that previous feeling coming back to him. So he stood and walked down the hallway, to the kitchen. It was the early morning, so the rest of the team were probably still asleep. Robin should be up soon, for his early morning training.

He entered the common room, then headed to the kitchen. He checked the fridge to see how they were doing on groceries. Seeing that some of the food had spoiled, from their time outside the tower, he began to clean out the fridge.

Sometime later, while he wrote the grocery list for the food needed, the double doors opened. Robin stepped in and turned to see Logan sitting at the table writing.

"Good morning." Robin said.

"Good morning." Logan replied.

Logan continued to write. Robin staring at him. So he walked up to the computer, and read the information from the police that was shared with the Titans. Small disturbances and a hostage situation that was handled by on duty officers. He looked to the clock, realizing that Raven, the third early bird of the team, would rise within the hour.

Logan got up, list in hand, and made his way to the double doors.

"Logan."

He stopped and turned to Robin. Folding the paper and putting it in his pocket. He waited for Robin to continue.

"… Can I go with you?"

—-

They had used the automatic driving mode for the T-Car, not wanting to be responsible incase something happened. Logan and Robin made their way through the supermarket. They were bagging vegetables in the produce isle, when Robin spoke.

"How are you holding up?" Logan shrugged his shoulders.

"I'm alright. What about you?" He asked like he wasn't interested in the answer. But he did wait for him to finish bagging the lettuce and placing them in the basket, before walking with the cart.

"Still absorbing all that happened. We didn't think this would end with Brother Blood being killed. Especially by an unknown partner of his." Logan nodded.

They were at the deli meats. And Logan started to gather Cyborgs ham. And the sandwich cuts that were used for the teams lunch. He still wasn't talking.

"Are you upset, about the way we've reacted to your… actions these past few weeks."

Logan counted the containers, making sure he had the right amount for lunchtime sandwiches. After he was done counting, he stacked them in the cart.

"No, I'm not upset. I agree with you all, I kept a lot of information from you guys, and I did some pretty messed up things."

They were at the meat department, and Logan was gathering the packs of red meat. He stared at them for a few seconds, lost in thought, then bagged them.

"Something's wrong. Tell me."

"Nothings wrong Robin. Unless you want to talk about my actions." They were at the pork. And Logan looked over the chops.

"You're not acting like your usual self. You're not positive, or smiling like you used to. You're becoming reserved, you never did that. You're the complete opposite since we first met you."

Chops in the cart, they moved to the chicken.

"I'm still the same person I was before, no matter how I act on the outside." He started bagging packs of chicken.

This was a one sided conversation. Robin was trying to have a heart to heart with Logan. After Slade and Logan's actions, then Bloods death. He was acting like this was all nothing. He was moving past it like they just fought another minor villain.

They were at the fruit and Orange juice isle.

"Is there anything you want to talk about? I'm trying to have a friendly connection with you, but you're not meeting me half way. Do you not care about everything we've been going through?"

Logan just finished putting the cartons of juice in the cart, he stared at Robin.

"Of course I care Robin, I care about your and the others safety. That's why I took the actions that I did. They were wrong, not what a hero would do, I kept things from you and the team, and I hurt you all. So now I need to change, so I don't hurt you guys anymore."

He was gathering the gallons of milk, and loading them in the cart.

Robin stared at him, he said he needed to change. But he didn't know where they could start. So they traveled the rest of the market. Gathering all the groceries that could feed five growing teenagers. After paying, they loaded the trunk and entire backseat with bags. They started the T-Car, then headed home.

The elevator dinged, and the doors opened, showing the others a tower of bags that needed to be sorted and put away. So Starfire, Cyborg and Raven began to collect the bags. Robin and Logan stood at the elevator, before Logan turned to the garage exit.

"We haven't been doing our patrols in the city for a few days now. I'm sure the citizens want to see us out and about, watching out for any trouble. I'll head out and patrol, I'll be out for a few hours."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "You're not coming up? What about breakfast with the team?"

"Starfire can cook for you all, and you can help her out. I'm sure she'd love that." Then he transformed into a cheetah, and raced down the underground tunnel.

Robin watched Logan disappear in the darkness of the tunnel. He sighed and turned to enter the elevator, before pushing the ground floor button. Soon, the elevator opened and he walked in the common room. The other three were opening bags, and lining the counter with the groceries.

"Where is friend Logan?" Starfire asked while holding boxes of cereal.

"He went on patrol, said he was going to be gone for a few hours."

The mood in the room shifted, and everyone looked sad that Logan wouldn't be with them. They continued to put away the food at a slower pace. They eventually put everything where it needed to go, then the four stood on the common room, not knowing where to look.

"We're losing him…" Raven finally said.

The others looked at her, then lowered their heads and nodded. Everything seemed so upbeat before Slade. He was always in good spirits, making them smile. He was by their side, helping in his special way. But once they found out what he knew, what he could do, and what he hid from them… Things changed.

"I'm… still upset. That he hid Bloods theft from me. Why didn't he tell me? He was always open and honest with his feelings, I feel like I wouldn't be this far, without him." Cyborg said.

"I'm upset too. He knew where Slade was, at every time of the day, and said he was capable of stopping him. But he let Slade direct Plasmus, Cinderblock and Overload. Let him build those machines. He said he knew where 'everyone' was. Does he know where all the escaped villains are? Does he know where they will strike next?"

"Friends… we cannot find these answers, without first reconnecting with friend Logan. We will only fall into the depression if we succumb to our worries." Starfire told them.

The others nodded. Happy to hear such good advice from Starfire.

"When he comes back, we'll talk. We'll all open up about our thoughts these past few weeks." Robin said.

They agreed, and Raven looked out the window, to the city. Worried how Logan was doing.

—-

"It's never too late to change." Kid Flash said.

Jinx stood silently.

"He's right."

The two both jumped. Eyes wide at being interrupted. They turned to look up to the edge of a neighboring building. There, they found Teen Titan Logan. Standing and looking down at the two.

Jinx took a defensive stance, charging up a hex bolt. And Wally stood curious that they were able to be snuck upon. But Logan didn't look nervous at Jinx's attack.

"I'm really sorry, for butting in on your private conversation. But I sensed you Kid Flash, I and the other Titans never thanked you for helping us with the Slade bots. Thank you, for helping stop Slade's army and protecting the police."

Trying to cool down Jinx, Kid Flash smiled and thanked Logan. He gestured for Jinx to power down her hex.

"It's cool Jinx, we're all just talking."

Logan didn't do anything. Didn't stare at her like this was a fight, his arms were at his side. So she lowered her arms and relaxed her posture, before releasing her hex power.

"He's right, you know. Fighting, not for money or power, but to protect. To fight for others, is a great thing. And your never alone, because there are so many people that wish to do good, they'll fight right beside you. You'll never have to worry about your friends betraying you, double crossing you, because they have a goodness in their hearts. Just like you do, you just sometimes forget it's there." Logan said.

Kid Flash smiled, liking this guy.

Jinx was hesitant. She remembered her times fighting with Logan. He was never aggressive in their battles in Jump City. He always seemed to hang in the back, then when one of their own engaged him, he ended them swiftly and mercifully.

She took a step back.

Kids Flash made a move to reach out to her, but Logan told him to leave her. He looked up to Logan, curious why he would tell him such a thing.

"You've done your part. You showed her kindness, you gave her support. You've given her what others didn't, and that made you special. You can't force her to come to you, or the good side. It's up to her. She needs to look herself in the mirror, and own up to her decisions in life." He looked to Jinx.

"We hope, that we can call you a friend someday. We'll wait for you."

She stared at Logan then Wally, then she jumped off the roof and ran down the street.

Kid Flash was conflicted. He agreed and was happy at Logan's words, but was sad to see her go. He heard Logan jump down, then turned to him. Logan held out his hand.

"It's nice to finally meet you Kid Flash, my names Logan."

"You can call me Wally. And thanks, it's nice to meet you too." Wally replied.

"Do you live in the area, or are you just passing by?"

"I'm from out of state, I travel a lot. Super speed helps with that." He grinned. "What are you doing in the area?"

"I'm patrolling the city. We sometimes fly or drive around, looking for anything suspicious. The citizens like seeing us, knowing that we're paying close attention to what's going on in the city." Wally nodded, then looked like he was about to jet off.

"Well it was nice meeting you, but I better head out."

"Before you go…" Logan disconnected his communicator from his belt. "Would you be willing to become an honorary Titan?" He held out the radio to Kid Flash. "My friends and I would like to call you if we ever need help. You'll have some friends nearby, just a call away."

Wally looked to the communicator, not sure if he should take it.

"It's alright," Logan took back the radio, "I understand if you're flying solo. Some people work best alone." Logan smiled towards the end. He couldn't force anyone outside their comfort zone.

"I appreciate the offer, but right now, it's easier for me to go at my own pace." Wally finally spoke.

"If you ever want to come to the Titans tower, feel free to drop by. The team is really friendly."

"Next time. Catch you later." Wally gave Logan a quick salute, then he zipped away at high speeds.

—-

"No one knows about the mysterious symbol that shone above the waters outside Steel City. After Jump City heroes the Teen Titans engaged Brother Blood in a battle above the waters outside Steel, Brother Blood was confirmed dead by self implosion. The police chief Samantha Gomez notified the fellow authorities and news media."

Raven stared in horror at the TV.

"What do you make of this large red symbol, this letter 'S', that shone in the sky?"

"From the color and intensity of the light, it could be assumed that it originated from a magical or even demonic nature. We know that the heroes that protect us, are attuned with their own affinities with the magical arts. And even before heroes, studies and ritualistic practices had taken place throughout history with the divine and the occult. We believe th-"

Robin turned off the TV. Everyone looked to Raven, surprised she was taking this the hardest. When Blood was killed and the giant 'S' was in the sky, it was bound that the news would find out. That symbol was a complete mystery for everyone, and the media was running with it. Interviewing anyone that seemed to have any understanding of it. Whether true or not.

"Friend, is something the matter?"

"Yeah Raven, what's causing you to look so scared?"

Robin walked to her, "Is something the matter? Does it have to do with that symbol, or the partner that killed Blood?"

*swoosh*

The double doors opened, and Logan walked inside the common room. He saw everyone looking at Raven.

"I… need to go." Then Raven sunk into the floor, most likely heading to her room.

Logan watched her go, then turned to the others. They looked back at him, realizing that they were not all present, to have their conversation with him.

"Everything in the city is good as far as villains go, any trouble was handled by the police. I met Kid Flash on the rooftops. I thanked him for helping us during our invasion of Slade's base."

Robin nodded, weighing if they should have their talk. But it wouldn't be fair to Raven, if she didn't get to share her opinion.

"We'll talk another time," he looked to Cyborg and Starfire, "let's give Raven some space." The two nodded, then headed to their own hobbies. Robin watched Logan head to the kitchen, where he started to get pots and pans ready for an early dinner.

"I helped Starfire, with breakfast this morning." Robin said.

"… that's great Robin. Pretty soon you'll be able to ask her out." Logan replied.

Robin turned bright red.

"I-I don't know what you're talking ab-"

"Robin…" Logan interrupted him. He stopped talking, ignoring his friend cutting him off.

"I've noticed that you and Star are getting closer, well… slowly. But I can see that the friendship between you two is turning to something else. And I gotta say..."

Robin was listening.

"That you two would make a great couple."

He didn't know why he held his breath. This was Logan, he was always accepting of his friends.

"You compliment each other really well, she's very emotionally supportive, and your rational and understanding. You have a strong conviction for doing the right thing, and treating others the same. I meant it when I said Star has a pure heart, and if anyone could earn that level of trust and love… it'd be you."

Logan said this while fishing out peppers and onions from the fridge. This guy could say such strong things, while acting like he was talking about the weather.

"That's why you were nervous when Star blushed at Garth." Logan said with a small smirk.

Robin blushed again.

"Go hang out with her, pretty soon… who knows where you two end up. You have the rest of your lives, start sharing them together." Logan was cutting the vegetables.

"Thanks…" Robin couldn't say anything else. He turned and walked through the double doors.

Logan stopped, and stared at the cutting board.

—-

Cyborg checked the security of the tower, walking down the hall's with his tablet. He'd missed doing routine check ups with Logan, but since his… Cyborg didn't know. He was still upset, it was hard to forgive, when practically his 'best' friend hides something of his that's so personal and even dangerous. Then did something so… questionable. Cyborg sighed, then continued monitoring the tower.

He thought back to the message he'd received from his friend back in high school.

'This job is so hard! But EXCITING! It's a dream come true Victor, I'm working with so many people from so many backgrounds. And its projects projects projects. But I'm loving it. How are you? Are you doing well, how's the hero business? Don't be surprised if I pick your brain Victor! I hope to one day work alongside you. Not as a hero, but a scientist! Well I got to go, I'm going to a meeting that's being directed by thee Bruce Wayne. Wish me luck. Bye.'

He'd laughed at her message. She was always a bit chatty, but kind hearted. She sounded like she was having a lot of fun at Wayne Tech.

'Would you take a job like that?' Logan asked.

Cyborg sighed. He'd never thought he was good enough to work alongside the big players when it came to engineering and science. His father's knowledge was always seen as a crutch to him, he didn't deserve to be beside people that actually learned and tested to be the best scientists. But Logan's words, and Batman's, then his fathers…

Maybe, one day… he'd get to work with the best. Maybe, one day, he could be considered one too.

—-

Raven didn't leave her room for two days, before the others could get too worried and knock on her door, she finally left her room. The team didn't want to overwhelm her, so they gave her some more time before they started asking how she was doing.

"I don't want to talk about it Robin." He was the first to approach her, but she shot him down as soon as he stopped to talk.

"… okay. We don't have to talk about it." He could see that whatever it was, it was affecting her. He and the rest of the team wished she would open up about it, but they couldn't force her. "Did you want to talk about Logan, we've waited for you these past few days?" He asked.

She thought about it. She knew Logan's decisions really hurt the team, especially Robin and Cyborg. So trying to move past the incident with Bloods death, she nodded.

"Alright, I'll call a meeting."

After sending the message, the two headed towards the common room to meet with the others. Soon, they were all gathered together, with Logan being the last to enter the common room.

Logan got the feeling this was about him, when the others positioned themselves away from him. The perfect spots to give their thoughts and feelings. So he stood straight and waited to be addressed.

"You know what this is about Logan?" Robin asked.

"I do. It's time we talk, as a team, about my actions these past few weeks."

The rest of the team nodded. Robin looked around to the others, and Starfire was the first to prepare to talk.

"Friend, we appreciate the aid that you've provided for us, and the sacrifices that you would make on behalf of the team. But the secrecy has filled us with the worry that you do not trust us. We have trusted that you would do everything in your ability to protect the city and the team, we wish for you to believe that we would all do the same to protect you also. But we must know why you choose to leave us in the dark." The others nodded, glad Starfire said and asked such good things.

Logan smiled, happy to see how confident Starfire had become in her talking.

"It hurts to say, but on some level, I don't trust you." That upset them. "But I'm wrong. I'm completely wrong and selfish for thinking that way. It's not my place to judge any of you, to think I know what you all can do and accomplish. So I'll say it again, it was wrong of me to think and feel this way. Because all of you are capable of doing great things, but I'm getting in the way of that. I'm hindering you all from reaching your full potential, because I'm letting my feelings get in the way."

They tried to process his words. It made sense in a way, Logan would get involved in everything, before the team could act as… well a team. He always had a head start on them, most likely from his animals and beings in the city. He was making decisions, before the team even knew what was going on.

"I can understand why you choose to shoulder most of the responsibility, when it comes to responding to situations. But we've always been there to act as your support, just like you've acted as ours. Did you think that we couldn't handle Slade, in any other way than to sacrifice yourself? And Blood, did you think we couldn't fight and defend ourselves?" Robin asked.

"Of course you could. I really believe that you're a better man than Slade could ever be. And Cyborg," he turned to him, "I believe that you could have fought and taken down Blood by yourself." He looked to the two. "It's no surprise that you two had a deeper connection with Slade and Blood. Slade wanting an apprentice, like Batman. Blood taking Cyborgs tech, and trying to use him for his own personal gain. The rest of us were just in the background, but because I knew what I knew, and I had the jump on them, I struck first. Taking away your chances at overcoming those obstacles. Like I said, I hindered you two most of all, because I was selfish." He turned to Starfire.

"Even you Star. I took away your chance to stand up to your sister. She humiliated you in front of us, your family. You had every right to tell her your feelings, but I pushed Robin into searching your sister's arrival. We planned to have her arrested, without asking if you were okay with not seeing your sister again. She was your family, she deserved to hear what you had to say to her."

Cyborg finally spoke. "Why didn't you tell us? We are a TEAM Logan. We work as one. We have our own strengths, and we rely on each other. You didn't have to make any decisions behind our backs. We could have faced Blood and that resonator. We could have faced anything he threw at us. We shouldn't have had to hear about if from Garth, a total stranger."

They watched him look down.

"I could have stopped them... even killed them, made it to where they would never bother us. I wanted to make it to where NO ONE would ever hurt you guys."

They were quiet. To hear him say it out loud again, that he wanted to protect them, even having thoughts of killing their enemies.

'I could never look my family in their eyes if I did something like that…'

Without them… could Logan do such a thing?

"Why do you care so much about us?"

Raven finally asked Logan. And they all wanted to know, how this stranger brought them together and loved them like a family.

Logan smiled. A sad smile, but still genuine.

"I don't know."

"…"

"Since the day Cyborg found me, as soon as I looked at you all. I knew, that you were all special. Important. Amazing. And that I wanted you in my life. I wanted to protect you. Because you were all kind. Thoughtful. Caring. Smart and dedicated to what you all believed in. But I see now, that instead of appreciating you all, I smothered you. And I controlled everything I could, thinking I was protecting you. When I wasn't. I was hurting you."

Logan began to see visions…

Robin, wearing black and blue. Standing tall, keeping watch over the citizens of Bludhaven. Leading the Titans and the Justice League.

Cyborg, surrounded by his fellow scientists. Being awarded for scientific achievements in Steel City. Known around the world as head director of STAR Labs.

Starfire, with a crown above her head, on her home planet of Tamaran. Smiling to her cheering people, who were graced with a new dawn of peace and prosperity.

And Raven. Standing before the young magic wielders, an inspiration to the future generations. No longer hidden behind a cowl, but a beautiful face that showed determination, skill and a life of hardship that she had overcome.

He felt arms around him. Too many to count. They were hugging him. He must have been crying, or maybe he left them, and they wanted him back. But it didn't matter. Because no matter what he did, or how clever he thought he was, he was achieving nothing. He had achieved NOTHING. Because whatever he did, things would end... the same. He was learning the hard truth… again.

They didn't need him.

Chapter Text

They made him dispel all his animals, claiming that not only did it give him too much power over everyone, but that it was a breach of trust and mass surveillance of the city. Robin was willing to give up a huge advantage over their foes, to preserve trust and honesty to the citizens of Jump City.

"You really are something else Robin. Not many people would give up that kind of power. You show everyone just how amazing and righteous you are, and the team too. You all are willing to face your challenges head on, without any shortcuts. I'll get rid of the animals, all I ask is that I can have the amoebas in the air. They're my only way of detecting danger, and recovering in a fight."

They looked at each other, then turned to Logan and nodded.

"As long as you don't use them to threaten our enemies. We'll let you keep them." Robin said.

Logan nodded.

"And you will be the completely honest with us friend? No more secrecy. You will tell us of any dangers?" Starfire asked.

"Yes. Anything I discover from here on out, I won't hide it from you guys. I won't engage any bad guys, without your support."

They nodded.

"You'll let us support you? Like you support us? You won't shoulder all the responsibilities, you'll work as part of the team?" Cyborg asked.

Logan nodded.

"…"

Raven looked to Logan, and they waited to see what she would say.

"You'll go back to the way you were? Back to the happy and smiling Logan we met all that time ago?" Raven finally asked.

Logan smiled.

"I have you guys in my life. Of course I'll be happy and smile." He said.

They all smiled. They were healing, and Logan was coming down from his paranoia and abuses of trust and power.

[ALERT] [ALERT] [ALERT]

They turned to the TV, and Robin raced to the controls to read what the emergency was.

"Control Freaks at it again! He's attacking visitors at an entertainment convention!"

"Titans Go!"

—-

"Watch out. It's hot."

Logan walked to the table, holding a giant tray of lasagna. He walked between Raven and Cyborg, who were seated. They all had a busy week, fighting with villains and armed robbers. They finally got to sit down and have a family meal.

Cyborgs rubbed his hands together, "I hope y'all like it. I showed Logan the ol' Stone family recipe."

Raven looked at the mountain of cheeses and meats, noodles barely visible in the layers.

"Looks… filling Cyborg." He gave a double thumbs up.

Logan began to cut pieces for the team, and once everyone was served, they dug in. Starfire picked at her plate, lost in thought.

"Is something the matter Starfire?" Robin asked. They all turned to her, worried that something was wrong.

"Nothing is the matter friends. I'm just enjoying tonight's dinner at a slow-"

"Star…" she stopped, looking across the table to Logan. Her fake smile withering.

"You don't have to lie. You can tell us."

Her face fell, then she put her fork down. They gave her time to prepare what she would say.

"I'm… getting married."

They were all quiet, eyes wide open.

"M-Married?!" Robin was the loudest of the group. They stared as Starfire who looked defeated yet hopeful for some reason.

"How the heck did that happen?" Cyborg asked. They all wanted to know.

"It was arranged by my family, back on my home planet of Tamaran." Then they remembered when… Starfire proposed to Logan all that time ago.

'I Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran, wish to offer myself-'

"You're a Princess, and your family has decided to marry you to another royal family." Robin said. They all understood now, if she was royalty, then the ruling king or queen would marry their daughter to another country, or even planet, since Starfire was not from Earth.

She nodded. "I am of the age for marriage on my home planet. I was told this time ahead years ago, and it is the right time to travel back to Tamaran, and meet who has been chosen to be my betrothed."

"You don't want to get married, do you Starfire?" Raven asked.

She was putting on a brave face, but they could see right through it. So she stopped trying to make the best of the situation.

"It is not my decision. As the Princess, it is my duty to the royal family and the people of Tamaran. It is a choice I must accept."

"It's not right Starfire. You should have a choice in who you marry." Cyborg said. But they knew she wouldn't fight it.

"Do you want us to stop it? Say the word Star, and we'll beat up anyone who tries to take you away." Logan said completely serious.

They… weren't completely against that. Not exactly in his words. Well, one of them was.

"It is an order by the Grand Ruler, and it cannot be ignored. I must go back home, and fulfill the destiny for who I am."

Raven sunk back into her chair.

—-

"Brace yourselves!" Robin yelled, as the T-Ship came in for a harsh landing.

*CRASH!*

The T-Ship scraped along the runway field before a castle. Coming to a stop, the hatches opened, and the team wobbled out of their cockpits. Once they righted themselves, they were approached by armed guardsmen and a towering man.

"Galfore!" Starfire squealed like a child, then floated to the man, before giving him a hug. She turned to her friends, introducing the man as her guardian. They smiled and introduced themselves.

"I see you've met our enemies?" Galfore said. Looking to their ship.

"They are the same race who attacked us?" Robin asked. Recognizing the ships that were docked along the field.

Then Galfore told them about the invading race that threatened Tamaran. They were all upset, that an army was here to force Starfire's home into submission.

They walked along a large hallway, where strange dog like creatures were chained to the wall. One animal looked to Logan and began to pull at its chain. Seeing that the animal wanted his attention, Logan walked up to it.

"It is advised to not approach them, for they are vicious beasts that are dangerous." A guard stated.

Logan stopped to look at the guard, but the animal made a begging noise, which surprised the Tamaranians. So Logan approached the beast, and the animal pressed its snout into Logan's chest, smelling him in delight. He raised his hands, and gently hugged the beasts head.

"Your friend is very brave to approach them, if they were not chained, they would be a danger to us all." Galfore explained they would be released in the event that someone invaded the castle, an extra defense of the their home.

Logan ran his hands along the scales of the beasts. He released amoebas from his hands, and they penetrated through its skin. He was curious about these animals from another world. It seemed to like him, smelling him in excitement. He was glad that it didn't lick him. He was surprised to see that its hide was thick. Very thick, but flexible. And its scales were like nothing from the animals back home. It was a marvel, what this beast was. So he petted it, and continued with the others down the hall.

—-

It truly was amazing, seeing the two Tamaranian princesses going all out. It was hard to follow them, since they were crashing through walls and floors within the castle. They wanted to jump in and support Starfire, but they knew they couldn't butt in on this family affair. This was something Starfire had to do, had to overcome. What better way to rise above her standing as 'baby sister,' then to defeat her evil older sibling. A sister who was cheating and fighting dirty.

With a final gasp, Blackfire crashed to the ground. Starfire finally relaxed her posture, and released a loud exhale. It was over.

With the crown above her head, Starfire proclaimed Tamaran under a new Grand Ruler, and banished her sister from their home planet.

"BANISHED! I won't forget this sister dear!"

Starfire looked at her sister, and remembered Logan's words.

'You had every right to tell her your feelings'

"Komand'r…" Starfire said.

Hearing her true name, the guards held Blackfire in place. She looked to her sister Koriand'r in anger, but said nothing.

"For years… I have loved you as my most dearest family member. When our mother was lost to us, i held you so close in my heart, because you reminded me of her so."

Blackfire stopped struggling. The castle room was quiet.

"She was both our protector, and our inspiration for who we wanted to be when we would do the growing up. She was strong, kind and beautiful. She was loved by everyone, and I was jealous. For you had taken after her so much. You, were strong, kind and you looked just like mother. And everyone in Tamaran loved you."

Blackfire clenched her misty eyes closed. Not wanting to look at her sister, not wanting her to see her tears.

"But after her death, you changed… And I no longer saw mother in you, I saw hatred, and anger. Where you once were pure and happy, you turned sinister and vengeful. I do not know if it was mother's death that had changed you, or if it was something that I do not know. But I will listen, when you are ready, for that is what sisters do, they talk with each other…"

Blackfire's teeth clenched, trying to hold back a sob. Not wanting to be reminded, not wanting to face what she had become.

"Know this Komand'r, that you once loved me, but I will forever love you."

Head bowed, with angry and sad tears, Blackfire was pulled away. To the prisons below the castle. The home in which they grew up, cared for by a mother who loved them more than anything in all existence. Where for some years, the two were happy. Where they were truly 'sisters.'

—-

"I am also, not best for-"

"No" Galfore interrupted Starfire. She looked up to him in surprise. But Galfore placed both hands on her shoulders, looking into her eyes.

"There are no words that can describe what you are to our home Koriand'r. For many years, we could see your mother through your eyes. We believed that you were her living spirit. But we were wrong."

She was confused.

"You truly are something greater. Not just the peace that came from your mother, but a prosperity in the future, through your heart. Not your mother's spirit, but her legacy. You may step down, Grand Ruler of Tamaran, but the people will always look up to you. As their Queen."

Starfire shed tears, and hugged the man that was like a father to her. The people cheered, for they had witnessed a glimpse of their future leader.

—-

Raven hovered above the roof of Titans Tower. Cross legged, she meditated in her relaxed pose with her signature mantra.

She was projecting herself to the others. Feeling them, and she would be ashamed to admit it, but she was also listening to them.

Because it was finally time.

That 'special' day was here, and she wanted to remember them. She wanted to hold them close to her. So she spoke with Cyborg over the phone for an hour. Listened to him gush about Titans East and their tower. Just through the phone, she could feel his happiness, his determination to do good and right by the others. She didn't need to use her powers, to know how he felt.

And the others, she spread herself and blanketed Robin, Starfire and Logan. She felt the joy of Starfires cooking. That she was happy to provide for them, such a long way from the first time she cooked for them. She felt her heart, and it purity. Just like when they had swapped bodies all that time ago.

And Robin. She could feel the foundation that made up his character. She could feel his desire to protect, support and inspire not just them, but any and all around him.

Logan… Sometimes she didn't feel anything from him, like he wasn't there. But when she did… Love. Just love. An ocean of it. So much, bottled inside just one man. And you were in his waters, not drowning, but swimming. And flowing in a current that cared and protected you.

So she covered them, even Cyborg as he was inside to Jump City. She listened to their heartbeats. She listened to Starfire as she hummed in her cooking. Cyborg singing along with the radio. Robin breathing.

She listened to him.

Logan sat on his boulder outside the tower. Things were finally settling down. They had a busy week with some witch, then Robin went off to do some training with a 'master.' Now they were one short, with Cyborg coming back from Steel City. He had helped build a tower for the new Titans East. He had received a call from Garth some time ago, telling him that he and Bumblebee joined together with three other young heroes. After a formal introduction with the Teen Titans, it was agreed that they would ally together and extend the reach of teamed superheroes.

Logan sighed. It was going… just like he'd seen it in those visions. It was like a road map. And he was along for the ride. Foggy far away, but more clear up close.

*crunch* *crunch* *crunch*

Logan turned, and spotted Robin. They looked at each other.

"Something the matter?" Robin asked.

"… Just thinking. Cyborg comes back today, huh?" He replied.

"He does… and I wanted to talk to you." He saw Logan nod, then continued. "I'm sure you know Raven's been acting weird. I've searched everywhere I could, looking for anything about that 'S' in the sky. And the partner that helped Blood. I was wondering… can you reach out to Raven?" Robin asked him.

"… I can. But it shouldn't be me."

Robin couldn't force Logan to talk to her, but they've waited a long time already. They NEEDED to know about Bloods death. The media may have moved passed it, but they couldn't. Logan looked out to the ocean.

"How close are you to Raven?" Logan asked Robin.

That question came out of left field. He didn't know how to answer it.

"Not… very close." He started to feel guilty. He'd made progress with Logan during and after their dealings with Slade. He had a healthy friendship with Cyborg. Something was… developing with Starfire. And Raven… He must have missed the opportunities to be better friends with her. But he still considered her family.

"Talk to her. Not about Blood, or his partner. Talk to her, like a brother would to his sister. There's a lot a similarities between you two. I think you'll have a bond with her, a unique one like she does with Cy. She tinkers on the T-Car with him. Maybe she can express herself with you."

"Why can't you…? You're close to her too. I thought you'd care about her enough to help her."

"It's more than I care about her Robin, I love her." Logan said.

Amethyst eyes opened wide

Robin was surprised. He'd heard Logan say he loved them, but he never expressed love to one individual.

"Like…"

"Yes… like that Robin."

Panicked, Raven sunk into her room. Heartbeat going a mile a minute, she trembled. Not in fear, but… but… this warmth, this feeling. This love that she felt from him, unlike when he expressed it towards all of them. At that moment, it was for her. All of it. That whole ocean, was all for her.

"Then why not you? You more than anyone should-" Robin stopped.

Logan shook his head.

"It can't. It can be you, or the others. But not me. She doesn't deserve that."

*woosh*

The two looked up, and saw the T-Ship come in for a landing to the garage. Cyborg was home. Then the sky began to darken some. Which was strange, since there was still hours of daylight in the day. Robin turned back to Logan, and saw him get up, then dust his pants.

"Let's have dinner with the team Robin, it's… a special occasion."

The two entered the common room. Starfire and Cyborg were in the middle of setting the table, but they paused to look out the window to the darkening sky.

"Robin, help them set up the table." That got the attention of the others, then Logan walked to the fridge before opening it. They looked at him, as he pulled out a small pink box. He walked to the table, then opened it.

A cake.

A small white cake. With lovely and intricate decorations on the fondant. He gently took it out of the box, and placed it on the table. The others were surprised.

"What's the cake for?" Cyborg asked.

"Yes friend, what are we celebrating?"

Robin just looked at him.

"It's Ravens birthday…"

They were shocked. Surprised that Logan knew Raven birthday. None of them shared that information with each other. They just never thought to.

"How did you-"

Then Logan smiled. That smile that told you to stop talking. To just go with it. That he had it under control. So he stood up and looked to Robin.

"I'll get Raven, but just this once."

They watched him leave the common room, then looked down to the cake.

—-

Logan walked down the hallway. He needed to make a quick pit stop at his bedroom. Not for a gift though. He needed to prepare, for what was coming. He'd seen it happen before, but not in this lifetime. HE wasn't there when it happened. So he hoped the others could weather this oppressive feeling.

But he was feeling something different, something new yet familiar.

Right about now, if he guessed correctly, a panic would be spreading around the world. Shock and fear would grip the populace. Everything would grind to a halt. Authorities around the world would be up in arms, wondering how this had happened.

"What happened to the FOOD?!"

Logan chuckled. Everyone would really be stumped about it, but only five teens in Jump City would know the truth. He stood before his door, then punched in the code to the keypad.

*swoosh*

He walked in, and looked at himself.

He was sitting on the ground, in the lotus position. It was almost convincing, like he was an expert at meditating. He didn't know how he knew meditation, but however he knew, he was grateful. One eye opened, and a blue iris looked to him.

"I've gathered as much as I can hold. I'm about to explode."

Logan smiled, then walked up to himself. He placed his hands on his shoulders.

"Just enough… until Ravens ready." He smiled back at him.

Then his double was gone.

They merged. And everything that was his clone, was now him. Everything. The amoebas in the air, they never stopped at the Jump City limits. They went beyond them, across the state. Across the country. Across the world.

And they ate. Everything that didn't pose an immediate danger to people. Sure he ate food from grocery stores and fields, but just a little. He really felt sorry for the open lands that he devastated with his eating. And the underwater corals, and the forests. But they would grow back. Everything he ate, would grow back to sustain the world. But just for this one moment, all of that food. All those calories. All that energy would be his.

He stood up slowly, trying to keep his balance. This energy, that he was condensing inside himself, was no freaking joke. He just had to hold it, until it was time.

He left his room, then approached Ravens door. His arm pressed against the wall for support. He reached to the keypad, then through some kind of muscle memory, punched her code in.

*swoosh*

It was dark, but he could see her. She gave off a red glow, bright symbols along her body. She sat on her bed, face buried in her hands.

He stepped in.

She looked up to him, tears running from her eyes. She was scared, and ashamed about what was going to happen. So he walked up to her, and held out his hand. He smiled.

"Let's go Raven, the others are waiting."

She didn't know what to say. But it was Logan. You didn't have to say anything.

You just had to feel…

So she reached out and laced her fingers with his. He lifted her from the bed, and they walked out of her bedroom.

They walked past his room, then Starfires. She leaned on him, and despite all the energy he was holding, he would support her no matter what. Then Robins, and Cyborgs. She wavered at the guest room, but he lifted her at the utility closet. They just made it past the bathroom.

Then through the double doors.

The others turned from the window, from the dark sky and eclipse that blocked out the sun. They looked to Raven in shock, she was covered in red symbols that glowed. She looked at them all.

"My father killed Brother Blood…"

"…"

"He's a demon from another dimension…"

"…"

"He sired me, so he could come to Earth and take it over…"

"…"

"… It's the end of the world"

They looked at her in horror, as her symbols glowed brighter. But Logan gently steered her to the table.

"No Raven… It's your birthday."

He took her to the table, before the cake. The others broke out of their daze, and raced to her. They surrounded her, trying to comfort her. But all she saw was the cake.

"HAPPY BIRTHDAY RAVEN"

Tears poured from her eyes, and she looked up to them.

"I don't want to loose any of you…" she began to glow a bright red.

Logan squeezed her shoulders.

"You won't."

And he had to hide his own tears, because he knew... he was lying.

Chapter Text

Everything was black and white. They were in a bubble, made from Ravens magic. She had created it to protect them, and stop them from reaching her. Windows shattering, they watched as she rose up and floated outside the common room of Titans Tower, glowing a bright red, or white from where they were. She exploded in a grand finale of lights and ancient runes...

Then HE showed up, screaming to the heavens of his arrival. A shockwave must have been sent from him, because a great earthquake shook the ground beneath them. And the bubble couldn't hold any longer. Ravens shield had come down, and the Titans looked out onto their precious Jump City.

It was in ruins.

It truly was hell on Earth.

Robin growled at this giant devil. And Logan was reminded just how brave he was, to look at an opponent of this scale and still stand tall. Cyborg and Star were scared, but when the action took place, they'd shelve their fears and get to saving the world.

Sensing that there was still humans alive, the devil, or Trigon from his war cry, raised his hand and swing it at the tower.

Starfire flew and grabbed Robin, while Logan changed into a pterodactyl and picked up Cyborg. They flew a ways away to the ground, and watched their home be cut in half.

They stared at this giant, an unholy being that Raven called her father. From the ground, he looked even more intimidating, but they wouldn't give up without a fight.

"You feel her, don't you?!" Logan yelled to the others.

They turned away from Trigon and the charred remains of Titans Tower.

"You feel Raven?! She's still with us!" He placed his hand above his heart.

They slowly reached to their chests, and they felt it. Ravens magic. Her essence. Her powers that she casted to protect them from this Trigon.

[FOOLISH HUMAN, MY DAUGHTER IS GONE! SHE SERVED HER PURPOSE AS MY PORTAL! HER LIFE IS EXTINGUISHED!]

The others growled and stood defiantly. They felt her, in their hearts. As long as she was there, she lived.

"You tell the lies!" Starfire yelled to him.

"Don't think we'll give up, you four eyed freak!" Cyborg yelled.

Robin addressed the team. "No matter what, we'll fight him and get Raven back! Spread out and-"

"No!"

Their fighting stances slacked, and they turned to Logan who was standing there. In the face of all this death and destruction, he just stood there.

"What?!" Robin looked at him. Completely at a loss at Logan's words. Star and Cyborg were just as confused, didn't Logan just inspire them to believe Raven was alive. They were ready to fight, and save her!

Logan looked to Robin.

"You're not going to stop him… but you are going to find Raven." Then he turned to all three of them. "All of you, are going to find her."

They looked angry, betrayed. Logan was sending them away. In the face of this… monster, he was telling them to run.

"I'll fight him…"

And he was suicidal.

"No!"

"Like hell you are!"

"You will not do the fighting alone!"

They heard laughing, then they turned to Trigon. He was smiling.

[VERMIN, YOU DARE THINK YOU CAN CHALLENGE ME! THE DESTROYER OF THIS AND MANY WORLDS, THE ONE WHO ENDS ALL LIFE!]

They growled and prepared to fight, but Logan walked past them, and they froze. He stood before them, with his back to them.

"I said I'll fight… I didn't say I'll win…"

They looked at him, scared of his words. Scared about what he was doing, letting them leave without him. He turned to Robin, but he was addressing them all.

"He'll kill us… he's stronger than us, and he has nothing to lose."

It was Slade all over again, but this time, their enemy wouldn't let them walk away.

Trigon laughed, enjoying this humans honesty.

"Nothing, is more important than you all finding Raven. She's the one that brought him here. So she must be the one to put him away. I trust that you guys can find her, and convince her, to not give up. So I'll hold him off… the best I can." Logan said.

"We can't do that…" Robin said.

But there was no weight to his words. He didn't want to leave a comrade behind, but... if Raven could be found. If she could send Trigon back to where he came from…

Logan chuckled.

"I'm not dying… not here. I'm just keeping him busy, until you find Raven. That feeling in your heart, just follow it. It's bound to lead you to her."

Then from underneath the lava, demons of fire rose up and surrounded Titans Tower. The others were surprised, but Logan didn't move, he looked to the others.

"Don't hesitate, just blow right through them. You're all better than these match sticks."

Then they ran, in the opposite direction of Logan and Trigon.

Starfire picked up Robin and Cyborg, before flying them over the ocean of lava that separated their island from the mainland. Dodging fire blasts from these minions of Trigon.

[YOU TRULY ARE AN ARROGANT HUMAN, TO THINK YOU CAN STALL ME, AS YOUR FRIENDS RUN TO THEIR DEATHS!]

Logan was mad. He didn't ever want to hear 'friends' and 'death' in the same sentence. So he turned to Trigon, turned to Ravens father.

[PERHAPS I SHOULD KILL YOU LAST, MAKE YOU SUFFER PAIN AND LOSS FOR THOSE YOU HOLD DEAR DYING!]

Logan began to release his stored energy.

"I just have to stall you... until Ravens ready to end you."

Then he disappeared, and Trigon laughed. The human thought he could go invisible. Or perhaps he shrunk himself so small, he couldn't see him. It didn't matter. Because HE could see it.

Trigon could see his soul.

And he was standing right before hi-

[AAAAHHHHH!] Trigon roared. Grabbing the sides of his head as too large masses grew from inside his ears. He clenched his eyes closed at the pain of foreign things in his head. As he opened them…

He saw spines, razor sharp along the backs of scaled beasts. And they spun and flew right at him. Right into his four eyes.

[AAAAHHHHH!]

He aimed low, and swept his arm across the land. Destroying the ground before him. Temporarily blind, he opened his mouth and shot out a beam of pure energy, along the island. The scaled beasts entered inside his head through his eye cavities. And they began to squirm and drag along the inside if his head. Tearing into his muscle and skull.

He growled, gathered energy, then incinerated the beings inside his head. Newly regenerated eyes opened in fury. To look upon…

A giant…

Golden…

BEAST.

RRRRRRRRRRRRRRRRROOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOOAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAAARRRRRRRRRRRRRR!

—-

They heard the roar, and hoped Logan was okay. They touched ground and ran, destroying any fire beings that stood in their way.

Robin backflipped over a trail of fire that was fired from his side. His bow staff hitting and ending these creatures from hell. His martial arts aiding him, since the speed of these hell spawn were slower than him.

Cyborg aimed for their heads, then blasted them at short range. His metal body could withstand the heat, so he charged up close, and blew their heads from their bodies. The rest of the creatures fell apart to charcoal on the ground.

Starfire gave a battle cry as she flew between them, raining blows and shooting starbolts at all incoming creatures. She flew high and low, faster than their flames, before extinguishing them with her strength.

They traveled down the destroyed streets of Jump City. Passed the statues of it's citizens frozen in place. they did their best to keep the fighting away from the innocent, so they jumped along cars and the sides of building in the direction they felt Raven.

"Here!" Robin slid to a stop and looked around the area, but the magic in him wasn't being pulled in any direction. Almost like it was pulling, downward. "It's almost like she's under us!" He yelled. His bo staff colliding with two enemies.

"I feel it too, Ravens presence is getting closer, yet just out of reach." Starfire ended another fire beast.

Cyborg looked at his arm terminal, then looked up to the destroyed streets. "We should be close to the old library in Downtown Jump!"

They fought the last of the creatures, taking a small breather to gather themselves. Starfire held out her hand to Robin, he looked at it, then took her hand. She reached to Cyborg, who clasped hands with her. They closed their eyes, reaching out to Raven. They were desperate, they couldn't stop to fight the creatures, they had to keep going. They didn't know how long Logan could fight Trigon.

"… I feel her. She's scared!" Starfire yelled. She looked to the library.

"Then we're heading underground!" Robin yelled.

Cyborg blasted the rubble and burnt framing of the library, revealing steps that led to an underground chamber.

Strong hands grabbed both Cyborg and Robin.

"We will not be taking the stairs!" Starfire yelled, then jumped and descended with her flight. The three raced down the opening, until they reached a cavern.

The two shook off the queasy feeling in their guts at the long drop, then they all charged down the rocky walls.

—-

The great Beast launched itself at Trigon. Dodging lasers from his half lidded eyes, and swinging around his body, leaving gash marks across his torso. This creature's agility was formidable.

[AAAAHHHHH!] Trigon yelled.

But the Beast didn't stop, it continued to circle him, dragging its massive claws along his skin. Blood dripped from his wounds, but Trigon did not stop flailing and shooting his lasers.

Trigon made to grab the Beast, but carved his nails into its hide. He laughed, so the beast can bleed t-

*RIP!*

Trigons shoulder was ripped apart by the Beast's maw. Its long claws slashed gashes along his face.

—-

Starfire had flown them above the lava. Under the lake of fire, demons sprouted from the surface and engaged the three. So she released them and provided air support for the two.

Robin ran along the walls, launching his arsenal of projectiles.

Cyborg landed on the floating rocks, shooting his cannon.

Star grabbed these demons, resisting the burn from their flesh, then swing and collided the creatures together, extinguishing them.

The cavern was getting bigger, and they looked ahead and could see a red light, like an evening sky. So with the last creatures banished, they raced ahead. Raven's powers, and their desire to protect her guiding the way.

Slowly the rock walls widened and the area was becoming spacious. No longer in a dirt tunnel, they were in an giant underground cave. They charged forward, letting nothing stop them from finding Raven.

—-

The Beast lifted Trigon, then threw him across the ocean of lava, into a hill just off the mainland of Jump City. Not wanting to be close to the fires, the Beast leapt over the sea of magma. The Beast pounced and straddled him, then its two claws swung mercilessly. Blood flying everywhere, the Beast didn't stop. Blood, muscle and bone were slashed and ripped from Trigon. His screams barely heard through the roars and vicious attacks of his enemy.

Trigon gathered red energy in his palm, before slamming it into the Beast's side. But it didn't howl, its nervous system being non existent. So Trigon repeated his attack, only able to move his right arm during the barrage. And the hide of the Beast began to burn and melt away.

—-

Extinguishing a surprise attack from statues, the three ran to a church on a cliff side, destroyed and abandoned. They pushed the double doors open.

"She's in here somewhere, her magic is filling the room." Cyborg said.

The other two nodded

"Raven! It is us, your friends! Please! Come to us, we wish to help you!"

Small pitter patters ran behind church pews. So they followed, but the sounds of running stayed further ahead. Finally at the edge of the church room, they turned to see a small form huddled underneath a tarp. Shaking.

"Raven… it's us. Your friends." Robin said.

"No." Cyborg said to him, so they looked to him.

The shaking continued.

"It's your family Raven…" Cyborg told her

The tarp stopped moving, so Starfire flew to it, and placed a gentle hand on the cloth.

"Yes Raven, it is your family. Your brothers and sister…"

Slowly, the tarp lowered, and a small figure poked her head out.

"F-Family…" she shook her head. Not believing them. She curled up and tried to disappear.

"No… no… no…"

Then she felt… warmth. And her eyes opened wide. She turned, and saw the three hugging her. She was speechless, unable to comprehend this feeling. Robin looked down, into her eyes.

"We came to save you Raven, and we're not leaving without you."

"You're not alone in this little sis, you got us."

"That is what the siblings do, they protect one another."

They didn't know why she was so young, but... They would support her all the same. She felt… love. A love from them… and afar. This church no longer felt cold and empty. Her masked hero, no... her brother crouched before her and offered her his back.

"Climb on, we're taking you to your father. But this time, you're going to send him away."

She was nervous at his words, and her face fell.

"I… I can't. He's too strong…"

Soft yet strong hands lifted her up, and she turned to the red head, her sister.

"You are correct, that he must be strong to destroy the world. But you are stronger, for you are its savior."

She was placed on her brother's back, then her big brother approached her.

"Evil people can destroy the world Raven, but it takes a special someone to heal and restore it. You're that special someone."

She slowly smiled. Then her brother stood up, carrying her on his back.

"We have to go, someone else is waiting for you."

Then they left the church.

—-

Every part of him, small creatures attacked his body. Every inch of his flesh... Claws, scales, bones and pain ravaged him. All the while this giant animal carved at his chest. No amount of red energy had slowed this Beast, it seemed to have a healing ability of its own. Although it was much slower than before.

But it wouldn't matter.

Because he would regenerate. As many times as needed, before he would kill this animal. He may be held down now, but he'd get up.

[RRRGGGGHHHHH!]

Energy shot outwards from his body, killing the creatures and pushing back the animal. Muscle and bone began to reform, as he leaned against another mountain the Beast had thrown him into. He smiled, and rose up.

Condensing his energy, he swung his an open palm at the Beasts shoulder, cutting off its arm. The large limb fell to the ground, shaking the ground, and the Beast took steps back, away from HIM. Trigon laughed.

It was be getting tired.

So he began to walk to the Beast, ready to grab it and tear it apart.

[FORMIDABLE, AND ENTERTAINING! YOU SURPRISE ME IN YOUR FURY TO PROTECT YOUR FRIENDS! BUT YOU CANNOT!]

The Beast stepped back, running into a mountain that stopped its path away from Trigon. With no fear, he walked straight to the animal, and looked it in its tired face.

[WHATEVER YOU ARE HUMAN... MAN OR BEAST! IT DOES NOT MATTER! ALL ARE KILLED BEFORE ME!]

"Ssssssss"

A strike from behind at his legs, Trigon fell back with a growl. And the Beast pounced. Shooting forward to clench its jaws on Trigons throat. He was bent backwards, growling in fury. Upside down, he looked behind him to see a large snake, and its mouth opened revealing four fangs on its upper jaw. It shot forward and bit him in the face.

Four fangs… for four eyes.

And the snakes venom released everything.

Everything and anything that was nature. Poisons, acids, cancers, diseases and more. Right into his eyes, then his brain. He again felt these little creatures, but they entered his body while these tall giants held him in place.

Logan took a big risk, biting Trigon in the eyes. He could take a laser blast right to the face. But he would risk it, he'd try anything to stop him. Slowly his body began to wrap around Trigon, and the demon struggled… but couldn't break free from the two behemoths that held him.

The thick scaled hide that mimicked the animals from Tamaran, were the only thing saving his body from bursting into flames. But for how long, he didn't know.

The small creatures throughout Trigons body, they were eating him.

They would be exterminated, if they grew crazy or were influenced by Ravens father, but like he said. He'd try anything.

Every carnivore in nature was inside Trigon, with nothing to them but teeth, claws and stomach. No brains. Nothing for Trigon to control. Some grew unstable, so they exploded in a shower of his venom.

Trigon was losing strength.

But Logan didn't stop. He kept pumping more venom inside him. Because he knew… he would lose this fight. He wouldn't get cocky, he wouldn't believe for a second, that he had Trigon on the ropes. Because he didn't, the demon just needed time to get back on his feet. And he needed time to have the others bring Raven.

—-

It was easy for Starfire to carry the other three up the hole, to the library. When they touched ground, flame creatures sprouted once again and unleashed hellfire on them. So Starfire and Cyborg dodged, weaved and fought, while Robin carried Raven.

"You have another person protecting you!" Robin yelled over the sounds of fighting.

"Yes! He also loves you the great deal!" Starfire called out.

"He's fighting for you right now, and we're taking you to him!" Cyborg yelled to her.

Raven smiled.

—-

[... INTERESTING...]

Trigon chuckled. Like he was drunk, no, he was barely buzzed. Every natural substance that was dangerous on earth coursed in his brain…

And he chuckled.

Logan felt an intense heat in his fangs, opening his mouth, he removed them from Trigons eyes and pulled back. The Beasts tried to rip his head off, but Trigon grabbed it by the throat, then channeled red energy. He blew the beasts throat out, causing the Beast to lose its hold on his neck.

[HAHA, YOU MAY DESTROY THIS BODY, BUT YOU CANNOT DESTROY MY TRUE ESSANCE! MY SOUL WILLS THIS FORM TO EXIST! AND YOU SHAPE SHIFTER, CANNOT CAST SOUL MAGIC! NO MATTER HOW MUCH OF MY DAUGHTER'S SORCERY COURSES THROUGH YOU!]

"Logan!"

The Beast crashed to the ground, its energy finally ran out. It deteriorated until it no longer existed. The snakes scales were ignited in hellfire, and began to melt away. With a loud cry, Trigon flexed and spread his arms wide, ripping the snakes body apart, freeing himself from it's bind. The snakes mouth opened wide, and Logan jumped out, crashing and rolling onto the ground.

He rose and swayed, trying to find his footing as the giant snakes body deteriorated to nothing. He turned to the others, who just arrived with Raven in tow. She looked up to her father in fear, but they needed her to stand up to him.

"Raven…"

She looked down, and locked eyes with him. He was the one the others were talking about. Her other family…

[SO... MY DAUGHTER LIVES! AND SHE REUNITES WITH HER FRIENDS!] His body still jerked, but stood tall and unstoppable.

He turned to Logan with a sinister look. [I'M CURIOUS... HOW YOU WOULD FIGHT... AGAINST YOUR FRIENDS!]

Then Trigons eyes glowed red, and Logan was lifted above the ground. Red energy surrounded his body, then began to leak from his back, until it took on a humanoid shape.

Red energy wisped around the form, until before them all…

Another Logan stood.

Grey skinned, with red half lidded eyes. It stood before Logan who fell to the ground on his hands and knees. Tired from having his energy sapped into this new enemy, Logan stared in worry at what was to come.

Trigon smiled. This human had caused him so much pain and damage. He wanted to see that same agony given to the humans loved ones.

He wanted that human to watch as his friends were ki-"

Nega Logan collapsed to the ground.

In a cloud of dust, he laid on the dirt unmoving. Everyone stared. Unable to comprehend what had happened.

Logan raced forward to his clone.

"Titans! Go!" Robin yelled.

And the three charged towards Trigon, full attention on Ravens father. They trusted Logan to handle whatever this trick was by their enemy.

Trigon roared angrily, embarrassed at his minions weakness.

He stood, but he also swayed. Whatever Logan did, must be immobilizing him partially. But to the others, it was best to treat him as a full threat.

Logan slid to his knees on the ground, and picked up the unmoving copy that was pulled from his body. He cradled him in his arms, looking in worry. Nega Logan slowly opened his eyes, looking to Logans face.

Their eyes met.

"…wh"

Then Logan hugged him. Hugged Nega Logan to his chest.

"Not yet… Let me have them… Just for a little while longer…" the edges of his eyes began to water.

Nega Logan looked to the blood red sky, then his eyes began to close. He was wrapped in Logan's arms, then he began to fade. Fade and be absorbed back into Logan's body. He hunched over, sinking his fingers into the dirt. Ignoring the cries of his family as they were being overwhelmed by Trigon.

Raven stood, and watched her family fight… watched them suffer. She looked down and walked up to him, and placed a small hand on his shoulder. He looked up, and met her small face.

"...Raven"

"L-Logan…"

Then Raven began to shine. Not red like before, but white. A pure white, both powerful and divine. So bright, the fighting stopped and everyone turned to her.

Logan smiled. This was it… THIS was their Raven.

Attention pulled away from the humans, Trigon turned to his only spawn.

[YOU! WHAT COULD YOU HOPE TO ACCOMPLISH HERE! THE WORLD HAS ENDED, AND YOUR POWER CANNOT MATCH MINE! FOR IT WAS BIRTHED FROM ME! NO DAUGHTER CAN OVERCOME THE WILL OF HER CREATOR... HER FATHER!]

"You… are not my father!"

Logan was on the ground, knees in the dirt. But he was happy, because it came true. The vision came true. And Raven would defeat her father today. She would be happy and free. He placed his hand over his heart. That's all they ever wanted for her.

A great white light illuminated everything around him, and the destroyed Jump was replaced with their old home. Safe and unharmed. Logan looked up to the sky, and it was no longer blood red… but blue. A beautiful cloudy blue.

It was over.

—-

The others stood exhausted, they survived the end of the world. They fought an actual demon. Fire monsters from hell and all.

But Raven smiled.

Smiled at the family that fought for her. Protected her. And loved her.

She raised her hands, and her white raven circled her family. She teleported them to the rooftop of the restored Titans Tower. It was a new beginning.

She turned to the others, and they smiled too. They were safe, home, and with each other. She turned to Logan, who was still on his knees. So they gathered around him, and hugged him. He raised his arms, and hugged theirs.

They basked in each other.

"Can… I please talk to Logan?" Raven asked.

The others nodded, backing away. They looked at the two. Raven standing tall, and Logan on his knees, staring into the horizon.

They headed to the common room, to wait for the two to finish their conversation.

Logan watched the sun lower over the horizon, blinking away tears.

He had to be strong. For ALL of them.

Then he felt her, her essence wrapped around him. It had a warmth to it, a feeling that could only be described as lov-

Logan shook his head.

"What's wrong?" She reached to him, touched and held his shoulder. But no matter how nice it felt, her hand shouldn't be there.

"Nothing…" She let go, as he stood up.

"Logan."

He didn't want to turn around.

"Logan…"

She tugged on his sleeve, and not one to deny her, he turned and looked at her. She looked at his face, and saw his troubled look.

"What's wrong, was it my father. Did Trigon do something to you?"

He shook his head. "It's nothing."

He began to see a vision again.

A flying satellite…

A man…

Ment-

He clenched his eyes shut, willing the visions away. He didn't want them anymore. They weren't his…

He felt a delicate hand on his chest, and her magic soothed him. Any pain he felt from the fight, faded into nothing. He breathed easier, not knowing he was hyperventilating.

He felt it in her magic, but not like before. When she teleported the team, when she lifted and carried them in a fight, he felt her will. Her resolve to fight and protect, to support them in the face of danger. But this feeling in his chest, her magic coursing through him… he didn't deserve it. He lowered his head.

"I heard what you said… to Robin. Before you came to me…"

"…"

She looked at his face, then reached up to cup his chin. Then she raised his head to meet hers, and their eyes locked.

"Tell me Logan… tell me the truth…"

"…"

"Do you love me? Do you really love me… the daughter of Trigon the Terrible... The one who was destined to end the world… A half demon…"

His eyes began to water.

"… since the first time I laid eyes on you…" His tears began to fall.

He couldn't lie to her. He never could. Ever since they all first met, and became a team. Since the day she said he was 'kind of funny.'

She smiled.

A beautiful smile that was only unique to her. To Raven. And for the first time in her life, she wasn't scared to show her feelings.

"I love y-"

"Don't."

She looked at him shocked, and scared.

"Don't say it…" He said.

It wasn't fair. To hear her say it. Not to him. He shouldn't be the one to hear her say those words. Him or-

"Why? Why shouldn't I say it. I lo-"

"Don't!" Logan yelled to her. It wasn't fair. None of them deserved this.

Raven.

Him.

and…

Then she grew defiant, and strong willed. She would no longer be told how to feel, how to express herself. She would be who she wanted to be. Everything he loved about her.

"You can't deny me from telling you. It's in my heart, YOU'RE in my-"

Logan shook his head.

"It doesn't work that way Raven..."

Then she remembered his words to Starfire, all that time ago.

'... no Star... no...' and tears began to come to his eyes. 'I cant Star... I can't love you... It doesn't work that way...'

"Why…" she asked, tears beginning in her eyes.

His heart hurt, seeing the pain he was causing her. But it was for the best. He wouldn't let her make this mistake. Not again.

"Because you're still young… you still have your whole life ahead of you… Don't love me Raven… not when you have so much in your future. So many people you haven't met yet… haven't loved yet."

It would be so easy… to hold her. Love her. Like he always wanted, like he did before. They could be a couple. They could be a family, and grow up together. Again…

Him…

Her…

The others…

He could block out the visions…

And stop the memories…

... But he couldn't deny his heart.

And…

It wasn't fair.

She was the only one that could walk away from this unharmed. It would hurt, but like he said. She had her whole life ahead of her. There was someone out there for her, and she could love again. She WOULD love again.

He could live with that, they both could. For her.

No matter how much he wanted her, he had to let her go. He did it once before, and he could do it again. But this time, her heartache would fade much sooner.

She wouldn't have any guilt.

"Please…" she whispered with tears.

And he hugged her, squeezed her in his chest. Tears in his eyes, he whispered sweet nothings in her ear. He told her of a bright future.

"You're free Raven, to feel and express yourself. The rest of your life... its yours. To do what you want, go where you want."

"…" he raked his fingers through her hair.

"You'll change the world. Not end it, but make it better. Better for those that are lost... and scared. People like you, who felt that they had nothing in this world. That there wasn't anything worth living for…"

"…" he rubbed his check to her head.

"You'll meet so many people, people who will learn from you, be guided by you… love you"

She began to shake her head.

"I want you…"

He laughed, a sad laugh. And he squeezed her.

Just like Starfire… and Terra…

She loved him…

Because he was kind to her.

Believed in her.

Fought for her.

Picked her up, when she was down.

Because he LOVED her.

...

But that wasn't good enough.

... He learned that the hard way.

She didn't OWE him… her love...

He needed her to accept this. She had to move on from him. She couldn't be with him. Because it would all be a lie. To her. To him.

To him.

She whispered into his chest…

"I love you…"

And he cried out at her words, he looked down to her, and she raised her head.

She kissed him.

They stood atop of Titans Tower. In each other's arms. Before the lowering sun, on the first day after the end of the world. Her lips pressed against his, giving every ounce of love in her heart. Love for the young man that saved her. Made her believe, that there was a future, then fought to bring that future to her. She loved him… and he could do nothing to change her mind... her heart.

—-

At some point, his eyes closed, and he basked in Ravens love. For a short moment, everything felt... right. He felt... happy. They held each other, in this picturesque moment. A happy ending to their superhero fairytale.

But it wasn't a happy ending.

... Because he couldn't convince her.

His eyes opened wide, and he inhaled deeply.

"Logan!"

"Logan!" She sounded far away.

"Logan!"

"What happened!"

"Get him inside!"

He was on his back, and they were pulling him. He looked up to the sky, beautiful cloudy blue. But it felt like overcast… like rain.

He saw blurs. They were taking him inside the tower, they were calling out to him. He could no longer hear them, but he could see them. Their fears at his state. He could see Victor yelling, and typing away at his arm terminal. Robin pressing down on his chest. Starfire holding his head, tears running down her face.

And Raven…

He could see her agony.

Then…

Darkness began to spread from the edges of his vision. Then it spread more and more till he could only make out a pinhole of light.

Then he saw it all.

His life.

His first memories. His mother and father. The jungles of Africa. The Doom Patrol. The Teen Titans… Slade. The Brotherhood. Everyone and their lives. Raven… and him.

Maybe… this was bound to happen.

Maybe, Logan couldn't stay here…

Maybe…

Maybe, they BOTH should have never been here in the first place.

Everything was fading to black.

He didn't know.

But one thing was for sure.

It.

Wasn't.

Fair.

"I'm sorry…"

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

…

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*beep*

…

*beep*

…

With a jolt, his eyes shot open and he began to get up, before a wave a dizziness brought him back down. He squeezed his eyes shut.

It was pitch black, and he felt pads on his chest.

He was in the Medical Wing of the tower. This bed, it was more cardboard than mattress. The smell of cleaners overwhelmed his senses, but he could sense her.

Raven was by his side, asleep. On the chair next to the bed.

So he gently opened his eyes, and turned to the heart monitor. He reached over, and pressed the signal button to cut the transmission to Cy, to keep the monitor from reporting him flat lining.

He pulled the wires from him quietly, then got out of bed. Making sure not to disturb Raven. He swayed to the attached bathroom in the Med Bay, knowing the path in the darkened room.

He closed the door, and braced himself.

*click*

Bright.

His eyes needed time to adjust. So he hobbled to the sink and looked up.

Green eyes and a tired face stared back.

He turned the sink on low, and splashed his face. Trying to wash away the sleep from his eyes.

He turned off the light, exited the bathroom, and made his way to the double doors. Gently pushing, he exited the room.

—-

The early sun rays cast through the windows, illuminating the hallway. He took a few steps, then looked down at himself.

Red and white.

This uniform. A gift, that was a symbol for the next chapter of his life. But instead, was used in the dark, away from those that would have been proud to see him wear it.

Clenching his uniform, he stumbled to his room. He didn't deserve to wear this. Not after what he did, tried to do…

Mallahs screams rang through his head.

He stopped at his door, and realized.

'I'm... in the tower...'

'They…'

'They came back for me…'

He lived.

He remembered… they were carried away. To safety. They thought he was dead. But…

They came back for him…

He typed in his bedroom code.

*swoosh*

He walked in.

And the dust assaulted him.

He froze. In shock at the state of his room. Everything was gone, except the bed. Nothing. No picture frames. No souvenirs from his and the teams travels. Something began to creep inside him.

He stumbled through the room, seeing nothing but dust. He raced to his closet, and ripped the doors opened.

No uniforms…

He was shaking now. Fear and uncertainty was taking hold of him. He was confused, and having trouble standing.

He looked down.

There. A note, on the bottom of the raised shoe storage. He shakily picked it up, and read it.

'You have to leave. We... You cant stay here.

- Logan

*Knock* *Knock*

"Logan!"

*Knock* *Knock*

"Logan are you in there?!"

Garfield looked to the door... It was Raven, and the others. They were scared, and panicked. But he turned to the window, and ran. Sliding the security hinge, he jumped out and flew into the early morning sky.

*swoosh*

They ran in, and slid to a halt. Looking at his bedroom. It was dusty and unlived in.

Raven slowly approached the opened window, and looked out.

She spotted a dark eagle in the distance.

She shed tears...

Chapter Text

Garfield had flown across the sky, and didn't stop till he reached the edge of Jump City. Where open hills and mountains separated him from the buildings and the citizens, from the other Titans.

He crash landed to the ground, changing from his eagle form, to his normal human body.

He sat up, taking deep breaths. He wasn't tired, but the strange and oppressive feeling he'd felt in the tower still disoriented him. He sat up, and placed his head in his hands.

He didn't notice at first, since he was still waking up, but there was this feeling… he couldn't stay there. He could have ignored it, but the shock of his room being empty, being old. That feeling intensified.

And the letter…

He looked to his other hand, and the note was crumbled in it. He must have carried it in his Eagle form.

He slowly opened it, and reread it.

—-

'You have to leave. We… You can't stay here.

⁃ Logan

—-

What?

Logan…?

No one called him by his last name, no one ever had, but…

They called him that name. The others, outside his room. They called him Logan, and were worried. They were worried about him…

But why did they call him Logan?

He looked down at the note again.

Why was there a note… by this guy? In his room, a room that looked nothing like it did before…

Before they left to invade The Brotherhood.

He crawled over to a small boulder, before propping himself up and sitting on the rock. He sat there, soaking in the early morning sun.

He… he needed to think…

So he hunched over and evened his breathing. Just like Raven showed him all those years ago, to center himself.

Raven…

He ran away from her. He never did that before. He was always there, whether she called for him or not. And she did… but all he could think about, was to run away. To not see her.

He felt guilty, but he needed to sort out this feeling inside him, before he could look to her or the others.

So he sat, and tried to remember what had happened.

They had invaded the base used by the remaining members of The Brotherhood. He had snuck ahead, after leaving a clone to assist the others when they travelled inside.

He made his way to the control room, right above the main floor. He had spotted The Brain and Mallah, waiting for General Immortas to engage the heroes.

He was caught by The Brain, he remembered the high caliber round that shot from a rivet along his housing.

He fought Mallah, while his team and The Doom Patrol engaged Immortas.

He had to rake his brain. It felt like… so long ago.

But it wasn't…

After some time, the pieces started to come back, and he remembered that shot by Immortas, meant to kill Raven. And his clone had pushed her out of the line of fire.

That's why they thought he was dead, cause he was hit. He was burnt and bleeding. He LOOKED dead. Maybe his clone was, they wouldn't know. To them, he died saving Raven.

Then he defeated Mallah, then fought The Brain. He stopped them, but something was… activated.

He remembered, everything was being torn apart. Raven… she released so much energy, the base couldn't withstand her. So it was torn apart, but something survived her powers.

Something behind him.

They were lifted.

And he was lifted, but not to them.

They were saved, by Titans and Justice League members. While he…

He reached up and massaged his head.

He… went somewhere.

He remembered the control room, and the main floor. But there was something else.

…

He thought he was dying.

He saw… his life, flashing before his eyes. That's it, he thought he was dead, and was watching his life up to the point where the base was being destroyed.

But he didn't die.

He was alive.

And they came back, to bring him home.

He felt his chest, afraid that he might be a ghost. Then he settled down, and looked back up to the sky. It was still morning, and he had raced away from the tower. He began to pat himself down, realizing that he didn't have his communicator with him. He must have left it home, or maybe it was destroyed at The Brains base.

He stood up, wondering what to do. He couldn't do much, other than return to the tower. But that thought didn't sit well, that feeling was coming back again.

Maybe he could head to town, but the others might spot him. He didn't want to see them right now… this feeling. He needed to shake it off.

He looked over the horizon, then down to the ground. Then he stared. Something was… different. He shifted his weight, and blinked his eyes. The ground looked, funny. He couldn't describe it. He shook his head.

So he turned, pocketed the note, and changed into a falcon. He soared up high, then flew in the direction of Steel City.

—-

He had flown to Titans East, and hovered around the large window that shielded their Ops Room. He looked through the glass, realizing that he couldn't make out anyone. No one on the couch, or at the kitchen.

He didn't have his communicator, so he couldn't call them. He flew around the tower, hoping to spot one of them through the windows, but didn't see anyone.

He flew up to the cliff side that hid Titans East Tower. He landed, then shifted to his human form. He looked out to Steel City, seeing the city was going about its business.

They must be in town.

So he turned into a dove, then headed to one of their favorite eating spots.

After some time in the sky, he still couldn't find them. Where were th-

Boom!

Some kind of monster shot from the streets below… and Titans East came rocketing behind it. He wanted to help, but decided to hang back. He landed on a roof one block away from the action. Not wanting to break up the team dynamic, he'd say back in case-

... What?

Bumblebee flew low to the ground, firing her electric stingers at the monster.

W-What? What was she doing here? Why wasn't she back in her hometown?

She'd taken a leave from East to help-

"I got him!" Aqualad dodged an attack, then raised his hands above his head. The nearest fire hydrants, and water was blasted to the monster. The water irritated it, since it let out a loud scream.

"Hit it with enough water to immobilize it, then Speedy can hit it with a freezing arrow!"

"Got it!"

Garth raised the pressure, and Speedy got a clear shot. He fired an arrow at its upper body, freezing its head and torso.

It stumbled, then Bumblebee called to Mas and Menos.

"Spin it around!"

Mas grabbed the monster by its tail, then with his power joined by his brother, they spun it in a fast circle. They went around and around for a few seconds. When they stopped, they released it, and it hobbled and swayed. The monster walked a few steps, before falling to the ground, and the ice around it shattered.

It was out cold.

They came together at its downed form. They looked over it, before talking as a group, giving each other a props for a job well done.

Garfield stood atop the roof, staring at Titans East.

They…

They…

W-What was going on?

He was feeling it again. That pressure, that uncomfortable force that was coursing through him. He stumbled back, not wanting to be caught by them. He turned and jumped over a few rooftops. He settled on one, hiding behind an AC unit of an apartment complex.

He sat down and…

They were young.

He raised his hands and rubbed his eyes. He needed a few seconds.

...

okay.

They were young!

He shook his head, not believing what he had just seen. No. That wasn't Bumblebee. That wasn't Garth. Speedy just left the team five months ago, replaced by another hero he never got to meet. Mas and Menos were away in Guatemala.

He slapped his cheeks before grabbing the sides of his head.

No. This didn't make sense.

It was like their first days as Teen Titans, when Cy went to the HIVE Academy. When they met Garth during the fight with Trident.

He. He was hallucinating. That's it. Heat stroke. He slept too much. He ate some bad tofu, and his body was conjuring up past memories of their earlier days as heroes.

Man he wanted to throw up.

He looked to the sky, it was midday, but he felt… out of it. Like something was wrong.

Different.

He decided to rest on the roof of the building. He wanted to calm himself before he headed to anywhere in particular.

It was the early evening, and the first street lights began to turn on. The bright lights and windows from Steel City skyscrapers illuminated the sky.

Garfield walked along the rooftops of the buildings, jumping over alleys and parking lots separating the structures. He had his hands in his pockets, still nowhere close to figuring out what to do.

He must have headed to Steels busiest Main Street, because the street lights and shops were blinding, even up here where he stood.

He looked over the edges, watching traffic crawl along the busy street. He never stood out late in Jump City, the team often found themselves enjoying each other's company in the tower… when they were present.

So he walked and jumped along the roofs, with the sounds of citizens walking and laughing. Chatting about their work weeks, their plans for the weekend. He saw teens in groups, enjoying the late afternoon with their friends.

And he was jealous, remembering when the team were all together. Wanting nothing but to hang out, and enjoy each others company.

He didn't know what day it was, it must have been a Friday, with all the people in semi business wear and teenagers excited to be out.

Up ahead, he saw Steel City's Jumbotron. At the center of Main Street, in the busiest part of downtown. They were showing highlights of the last game between the Jump City Jaguars and the Steel City Rockets.

"An excellent game, that we can't wait to see where they go next. Maybe with this win, the Rockets will finally get that new stadium that's planned for the north west of Steel City. So that's it for sports, please stay tuned for tonight's evening news. Thank you, and have a nice night."

Music began to play, and the screen changed from team logos, to streaks of red white and blue.

"Hi, and thank you for joining us this evening with tonight's news…"

Garfield sat on the edge of a commercial building. Legs dangling over the ledge, he looked down to the people enjoying their free time.

... This was nice.

He could spend more time outside, watching the people go about their day. Listening, to the carefree lives of those that didn't have to carry the burden to fighting crime or monsters.

Just their personal lives. Work. Family. Friends.

"We hope that they make a full recovery. Also on tonight's news, an unknown monster caused havoc in the streets on the corner of Slate and Pews, we have eye witness reporter Frank Edward's on the scene."

"Thank you, Elizabeth. Just hours ago, police reported to the Titans East here in Steel City, of underground vibrations that were unlike anything they and the city contractors knew of. What was moving below, moved fast and risked water lines, sewage pipes and structural foundations, before it reached the surface and jumped out into the open."

Garfield turned to the Jumbotron, and saw the image of the monster Titans East fought earlier.

"… some kind of underground being. After the heroes defeated this monster, we were able to interview Leader Bumblebee, to ask her about where the creature came from, and what they and the police will do with it, now that it's been captured."

Then the screen changed to Bumblebee, and Garfield stared, wide eyed.

"We reached out to a local branch of STAR Labs, one that specializes in unknown creatures that have not been documented. They asked the police to-"

Garfield wasn't listening to her, but he stared at her face.

Her young face…

He was grabbing the ledge, and he was shaking. The screen changed to Garth, who was explaining something about the water lines, then to Speedy.

They were all young. Just a few years from when he had last seen them.

The TV changed to the next recording of the news, but Garfield no longer gave it any attention.

He stared at nothing.

What.

Was going on…?

He thought… and thought.

But he wasn't getting anywhere. Nothing was coming to mind. It didn't make sense, he stood up and backed away from the ledge. He started to pace, combing his fingers through his hair. He was looking at the ground, and getting that funny feeling again.

So he stopped, and angrily huffed.

"What is it?!"

He looked around. He was tired of this… feeling. Something was going on, and he was out of the loop. So he looked around, searching for what didn't make sense, then he finally looked at his legs.

They were different...

He stared at them, then lifted them one at a time, to pay more attention.

His legs were… longer? He raised his arms and looked at them, his elbows… weren't where they were before. He stood on the tips of his toes, then shifted between them and the soles of his feet.

…

He was taller…

… and Titans East were younger.

…

He leaned over, and threw up.

—-

Hugging the railing that was the emergency ladder for the building, Garfield looked up to the night sky scared. He clutched the metal like his life depended on it. Attention shifting from everywhere to any sounds that he heard nearby.

He was taller… and Titans East were younger.

He was taller…

…

And Titans East were-

He wiped his mouth clean on his sleeve, and rubbed his face. He pinched the bridge of his nose, trying to find his center that Raven had showed him before.

But he couldn't find it… because he was taller, and Titans E-

He stumbled up, grabbing onto the railing. He looked around in the dark, where the city lights didn't reach. This… wasn't funny. He reached up and lightly slapped his cheek, then did it again with a little more force.

He braced himself to release the railing, then slowly walked along the roof.

He turned back to the Jumbotron, to see the evening news anchor say goodnight. Then the screen shifted to the weekly forecast. Cool, all week long. Partly cloudy, with rain this Thursday.

Where would he go?

Titans East?

Him tall… and them young?

How awkward would that be, to walk up to them and rub their hair like an older brother. They'd be the ones looking up at him.

… Wait.

If… they were younger.

What about everyone else?

The citizens..?

The bad guys..?

…

…

…

…The Teen Titans?

…

He grabbed a hold of another railing, getting dizzy.

Wait… Wait..,

If East were younger, then the Titans would be younger too…

And they called him Logan…

'You can't be here.'

Who was Logan? Who was this guy, that screwed up his room, got rid of his stuff, leaving a note that didn't even say he was sorry?

God, he wished he had his communicator.

He needed to walk, he needed to keep moving.

So he walked.

Around the block on the rooftops. Looking down to the streets, fighting with himself about what the heck was going on.

Then he spotted… an Internet cafe…

Bingo.

He knew e-mails, he could reach out to the others. He felt sick at the thought of seeing them, not in a bad way, but he could always message them.

So he hopped downward from ledge to ledge, finally jumping to the street away from citizens, not wanting to startle them.

He walked to the entrance of the cafe, seeing it almost packed with teenagers playing games, and adults video chatting. He looked around to see a section of computers not being used. Ah ha. He looked for an employee, then spotted one.

"W-ho are you? What d-do you want?" They asked. They backed away from him, like he would attack them.

Garfield looked confused. Didn't they recognize him. The Teen Titans have visited Steel City a few times.

"… I wanted to use one of the computers real quick." He raised his eyebrows.

"A-Are you an alien?" He asked.

…

What?

Did this dude seriously ask if he was an alien? Was it because he was green?

"Is it because I'm green?" He asked him, more in surprise than anger. No one ever asked him a question like that, maybe because he spent time away from the citizens when they first formed the team. They were probably used to a green guy by the time the city was interviewing them.

The guy nodded.

…

"No… I'm not an alien." He said.

The guys uneasiness didn't change much. So he looked around the cafe, and saw people looking at him.

"I'm not here for any trouble, I just want to send an e-mail."

The people slowly turned back to their computers, then they returned to their games and conversations. But he did hear some people talk about him and his green skin.

So he looked back at the guy. "Can I please use one of the computers, I just need to reach out to someone, and I don't have a phone."

The guy pressed something behind the counter, then turned to the group of unused computers along the far wall.

"You can use computer #23… you don't have to pay."

…

Did he think he was going to start something? Over a charge to use a computer? Whatever…

"Thanks… I won't be long."

Then he walked over to the empty area, away from the others that were engrossed in their online activities. He pulled out a chair before his computer, and took a seat. The computer was already logged in. So he opened up the browser, and began to type the search engine.

He went to a private website that Cy had showed him a few years ago. A communication message board, that could reach the tower to deliver a message, in the event they lost their communicator in the field. To anyone else, it looked like a chat room, but all the conversations were fake.

He opened a new e-mail, and typed that the receiver would be 'Home Server."

He selected the body of text, then…

…

What would he type?

He flew out of there like a bat outta hell, now he was messaging them hours later… through an Internet cafe in Steel?

His fingers rested in the keyboard, then minutes went by. Then an hour. And he didn't move, because he couldn't think what to send to the others.

Frustrated, he pressed down on the keys. Which was dumb, because he hit the 'popular news story' tab. Then he got a bunch of celebrity gossip and local infrastructure news.

He went to go back to the chat room, but spotted…

"Unknown 'S' in the sky never explained. Media gives up search."

'S'

The Mark of Scath…

In a blurry photo from what could be a port camera, or a boat out in the waters.

He stared at it… confused and scared why the symbol of Trigon was in an article for Steel City News.

He hesitated, but clicked the link.

The next pictures showed boats, full of police officers and… hired gunmen? HIVE soldiers. In the corner of one of the pictures… was the T-Ship?

He looked to the article.

"Mass arrests were made beneath the ocean waters outside of Steel City. At the ocean depths, known public enemy Brother Blood had build an underwater base with an unknown weapon, whose description was not shared with the media."

Garfield nodded.

"A tip by Jump City's Teen Titans was reported to the SCPD, that Blood was in possession of a weapon, and had the intent to launch an attack towards Jump City. The Titans, along with ally and local hero Aqualad stormed the underwater base, engaging Brother Blood."

Garfield nodded again.

"Sometime later, the authorities for both JCPD and the SCPD were called, informed that Blood had been apprehended and that armed gunmen were making a last stand. After the fighting between gunmen and heroes, the call that the fighting was over and that police could travel down to the base was given."

This… was old news.

"Towards the end of the mass arrest, Brother Blood escaped capture, and launched an attack at our heroes."

What?

"Brother Blood was later declared DEAD, after a self explosion that sent shockwaves across the waters."

WHAT?!

"The large letter 'S' in the sky captured by cameras, was the result after Blood's death. It's unknown what…"

…

What the heck did he just read? That's not how it happened… the first part yeah. They stopped the sonic resonator. Joined forces with Bumblebee. Cy fought and beat Brother Blood… who was arrested and sent to a maximum security prison out of state.

Brother Blood DEAD?

The Mark of Scath?

Then the last pictures…

'Teen Titans… along with allies Aqualad and Bumblebee.'

Starfire carrying the JC Chief of Police.

Cyborg nowhere to be found.

Bumblebee holding Robin above the waters.

Garth on top of the ocean waves.

Raven floating in the air.

And him… off in the distance. On a police boat, guarding the SC Ocean Officers.

Red, White and blond…

—-

"Hey!"

Garfield was jostled, he turned wide eyed to the worker from earlier. They looked nervous at raising their voice to him, so they collected themselves.

"We're closing." He said.

Garfield stared at him, casted his gaze across the empty cafe and turned to the computer, then slowly got up and pushed out of the chair. He walked towards the exit, like a zombie. The man watched him go, worried that he might do something.

But he didn't, he just kept walking.

Out the door, around the corner. Down an alley, in who knows what direction. He needed to walk, he couldn't stop. If he stopped, he would think. He didn't want to think. He bumped into a dead end.

Damn…

—-

This… This was a joke

It had to be fake.

Blood didn't die during the sonic resonator event. He wasn't on that boat with SC Officers. He wasn't wearing this red and white suit.

He didn't look… normal.

Blond hair. That's what it used to be. He remembered, and that face.

He stared at it the day Raven confessed to him.

He decided, to not go ahead of the team as Beastboy… but someone else.

…

That's how he looked, when he went to fight The Brain.

This suit.

It needed to come off. He didn't want to look at it, didn't want to wear it. And it just happened to have…

Looking around to make sure there were no civilians in the darkness of the alley, he stripped the suit from his body, and was in his boxers. He laid the suit atop of crates that lined the dead end.

He held the suit, opened it, then began to separate the interior and exterior fabrics. It was like a double suit, both capable of handling his shape shifting. But the inside provided comfort and a breathable fabric. While the exterior provided a limited resistance to cuts and burns.

Once separated, he dressed in the interior fabric, which was a dark grey. Then he rolled the exterior, red and white fabric, into the tightest roll he could. He looked around and found a loose strap, which he removed from the crate, then bound the suit.

He stared at it… he didn't want to get rid of it. No matter what he felt about it, it was still a gift, it had a meaning. Even though he wore it, for another.

He tucked the suit under his arm, then walked down the streets, avoiding people on the sidewalks. It was evening, so the only lights that were on ran along the streets. He walked along the streets, then veered off to a cliff that overlooked the coast. He kept walking along the grass until he found a bench that had a view of the ocean.

He sat down.

...

He couldn't ignore it anymore.

He was taller than he used to be. Titans East were their younger self. The new Steel City Stadium was missing, where him, Robin, Cy and the other guy Titans went to watch away games. The missing housing development where he first landed after leaving the tower earlier.

The date on the computer.

He was back in time…

By what, three… four years? And he was older by what… three or four?

He placed the suit on the bench, and leaned forward. He rubbed his face, and evened his breathing.

He went to the past… and they called him Logan.

Why?

What happened? He fought The Brain and Mallah, the base was ripped apart, the team was saved, and he was lifted… back.

To yellow and black…

A portal…

His breath grew shaky, but he waited for the fear to subside. After a few minute's, he looked up.

"Oh man…" he exhaled loudly. He looked around the cliffside, thanking there were no patrolling officers in the area to question him.

He could go back...

Go to the tower, they would trip out he was from the future, that he knew things ahead of time. He'd shrug his shoulders, and go 'Oh well,' then go about his business.

What was three or four years in the grand scheme of things. Everything would chug along like usual.

Robin would go to Bludhaven, Star back to Tamaran. Cy would come here to Steel City, and Raven…

…

…

No, they won't.

...

"… Ha… haha… hahahaha!"

He laughed. His sides began to hurt. He laughed because they wouldn't. They wouldn't leave, cause they still had years of being 'Teen' Titans left. He laughed some more. They should put him in a straight jacket. Send him to Arkum Asylum, and lock him away. Right between the Joker and the Riddler.

"Haha haha ha haha ha…" tears started in his eyes.

He laughed. Laughed until it wasn't funny anymore. But he wouldn't stop, so he held his head in his hands, and waited till the laughing stopped.

…

No…

He couldn't go back.

They… They weren't his team.

They were…

Logan's.

…

That's who he was, here. The people called him Logan. Just like the article. Just like when the team called to him back at the tower.

Tears started to run down his eyes.

Why was he Logan?

Why wasn't he Beastboy?

He closed his eyes and leaned back into the bench. He breathed in the cool night air. He remembered the date on the computer.

Yesterday was Ravens birthday. Her sixteenth.

The end of the world was yesterday.

He opened his eyes to look out at the crashing waves.

It was the day after her birthday, and everything was fine. Well… Titans Tower, Jump City and Steel were fine. So. They saved the world again.

That's nice.

But he ran away from Raven, when she was finally free to express herself. He felt like a jerk, he could have at least talked to her, but it would have been pretty awkward with the whole 'time travel' thing.

So…

Slade, Blood and Trigon were out of the way.

That's cool.

That only left…

…

Even the crickets grew quiet.

The Brain.

He raised his hand, and wiped away the tears. He even sniffed his nose. So they would be seeing The Brotherhood again.

That also meant…

The Doom Patrol.

His eyes opened wide. His Family, his second… right after his parents. But still.

He'd see them again. But his looks. Garfield looked down to himself. How would he explain his age difference. He wasn't the scrawny kid he used to be when he left. He had his growth spurt, and if the math added up…

He was YEARS older than the last they saw of him…

He looked down to the bench, to his suit. He'd have to part ways with it, for now. He changed into a falcon, grabbed it with his talons, and flew to Titans East.

He flew around the cliff side that hid their tower. He dipped low to the entrance of their home, and dropped it at the front door. They would recognize his suit. If news broke out that Logan was missing, they would keep it.

Then he flew in the direction of Midway City.

—-

He'd flown for some days, taking a break to release amoebas into the air. They brought him nutrients from the surrounding fields and forests, while he sat and tried to think how he'd talk with his family.

He'd been resting his eyes, allowing the small beings to carry calories into his body. With nature, he could recreate or mimic any natural substance. So he no longer needed to stop at rest areas to fuel up. Even water wasn't a problem, since it too was condensed.

His father's work was really something else…

He opened his eyes, feeling as though he'd gotten a good nights rest. He created brain chemicals, allowing him to function well past any normal limits.

'I wonder…'

'What did Logan do?'

He closed his eyes, and shook his head. It was time to head out again. So he stood up, and looked to the town up ahead. Just another day, then I'll see the old gang.

—-

He finally made it to Midway City, and he reached Dayton Manor by the early afternoon. He flew above the mansion, looking to see if any of the Doom vehicles were parked on the property.

He saw Steve's personal cars out in the driveway, his personal grounds men were washing them. He didn't have much of a relationship with the men, since they didn't care for him or his antics when he lived here. Up ahead was the head butler, addressing the gardeners about Rita's rose bushes. He was another guy that suffered from his pranks and misadventures.

He was a handful when he was younger.

Not seeing anything out of place, he descended to the roof, and changed into his human form.

He walked over to the entrance way, that would lead to the top floor. He went to the keypad, and typed his personal pin that would allow him into the home.

…

Nothing. What the heck? Mento told him, when he left the team, that his code would still let him inside the manor, " when you stop acting like a child and return home."

He shook his head. So the code didn't work, Steve could have blocked the roof entrance. So he looked over the ledge, and seeing no one in sight, jumped over it and hopped his way down to the ground floor, to the west entrance.

He walked up to the door, and tried his pin on the door.

…

What the heck? He used his pin… sometime after the first Brotherhood fiasco. His pin worked that time.

So breaking and entering was his only option. Minus the breaking.

In a split second, he was an amoeba. He pushed himself through the brick, stucco and other materials that the house was built from. Making sure to weave between the steel mesh hidden in the walls, that Steve used to block outside frequencies and psychic powers.

He chuckled, remembering when he used to sneak out of the manor. Or tried to. Since he would try to shift to his smallest animal and crawl outside, often getting caught or struggling to actually get in.

Finally through, he turned back to his human form. He was in the west side of the manor, one he didn't frequent when he lived here, but he knew his way to the main area and sleeping quarters.

So he headed in that direction, looking around corners for any butlers or maids. Or maybe he'd bump into one of them. After sometime, he stood in the main area and he'd yet to see anyone.

Did… Did they leave already? Did they go after The Brotherhood. Maybe, they left to the Amazon.

He slapped his face. Stupid Beastboy! Why didn't he think about that? He tried to rake his brain, on where exactly they found Robotman. But he could find the base with the black hole creator.

Then he heard it.

The soft hum of… electric wheels.

He smiled. SOMEONE was here, and he knew exactly who.

He walked in the direction of the study, seeing that the door was open, he walked in. And right ahead of him was…

"Chief!"

The man was startled, and he jerked his electric wheelchair around to look at him.

"W-What?!" The man said in surprise, but Garfield walked to him before grabbing the armrests of his chair, keeping it from tipping over. He gave the man a smile.

"Let me go!" The Chief yelled.

Garfield let go of his chair, and The Chief rolled backwards, away from him. He stared at Garfield in shock and… fear?

His smile faded.

"What's the matter Chief, is the age difference that noticeable?"

The man stared at him.

"I know it's been a while, and me being taller must be a real shock, but c'mon, why the freaky face?"

"Who are you?"

…

…

"What?"

…

What… What did he just ask him?

"It's me… Beastboy."

…

"What are you doing here? Who let you inside the manor?" The Chief asked.

…

"This isn't funny Chief. Why are you asking me these questions?" He looked outside the study door, seeing no one. "Where are the others?"

"I asked you a question, and I expect you to answer it." He said and glared, slowly rolling back to the other door in the study.

…

"It's me… Beast… boy… And I let myself in."

The Chief was still looking at him, like he was an… intruder.

"Where are the others? Where's Steve and Rita?"

Then the Chief stopped, and looked at him funny.

"You know Steve… and Rita?"

…

Garfield laughed.

"Do I know them? Of course I know my own parents."

The Chief looked scared now, he mad his way backwards to the door again, but this stranger was slowly following him.

"Where's Cliff… where's Larry? Are they out driving around again.

The Chief stopped again, and stared wide eyes at him. This wasn't funny anymore, so he walked up to the older man, and crouched down grabbing his chair.

"Where is everyone? Did they… did they go to fight The Brotherhood?" He finally asked. When it finally hit him that they could have left, he was afraid that he'd wasted his time coming here.

…

"How do you know them? How do you know The Brotherhood?"

This was ridiculous!

"Chief! I'm in the Doom Patrol, or I was… but I left. Why are you asking me-"

"Who are you?!" Someone entered the study.

Garfield turned to the butler… who was pointing a gun at him it.

He looked to the older man.

"Step away from Mr. Caulder!" The butler yelled.

Garfield turned back to the Chief, looking in his face. Completely confused, he spoke.

"Tell him. Tell him you know me. It's me… Beastboy!"

"I don't know a Beastboy."

"Of course you do! Steve and Rita adopted me! I joined the Doom Patrol, with you! Mento! Elasti Girl! Robotman and Negative Man!"

"I'll shoot!"

"No…" Niles said.

The butler turned to Mr. Caulder, surprised.

"Leave… I'll, see what he wants."

"But sir, he's crazy. He could attack y-"

"You can go… I'll be alright."

The butler hesitated, then gave Garfield a dirty look before leaving the study.

The door closed.

The two looked at each other.

"How do you not know me? I'm Beastboy!"

He was standing up now, but gripping the armrests.

"Remember?"

"Steve is superhero Mento, and Rita is Elastigirl. They adopted me, when my uncle tried to have me killed."

The Chief stared at him.

"They brought me here. Where I met Cliff, who lost his body in a race car accident. You rebuilt him into Robot Man. And Larry! He was a fighter jet pilot, he flew an experimental plane that gave him his radioactive powers!"

The Chief looked at him in shock.

"I'm Beastboy! I can turn into animals! I got bit by a monkey and developed Sakutia, then my father cured me. But it gave me my powers!"

"I'm Garfield Logan!"

…

Then the Chief looked at him. Really looked at him. That face… finally SEEING the young man's features. Then recognition came to him, despite the green skin, hair and eyes. Dr. Niles Caulder knew who he was looking at.

"G-Garfield…" he said.

And Garfield released a breath. He smiled. The Chief remembered. He-

"You're not Garfield Logan."

Chapter Text

…

…

Click

…

…

Click

…

"Just pick one already." Her friend said.

She huffed, then put down both tops. She couldn't decide, and her friend was supposed to help her choose her outfit.

She wasn't helping.

"Maybe some advice would be nice. You know I don't color match, or 'dress up' very well." Her ponytail swung with her frustration.

"You'll look nice in either one of them, I'm sure he'll think so…" her friend smirked.

She glared at her. Not in the mood for her teasing.

She lifted both tops, trying to find which one looked the best on her. Man… she wasn't good at this. She never had to give much thought to getting dressed. She just threw on her comfortable clothes, and she was out the door.

She sighed. And put both back on the rack.

Her friend shrugged her shoulders. "On to the next one."

"Let's take a break. We've been at it for two hours." She said.

Her friend took out her phone, and pressed the call button.

"Alright girls. Meet up!"

-Sometime later-

*Slurp* She stared down at her cup in the food court.

"And can you believe it? She was all like-"

But she didn't listen to her other friends. She sat at their table, sipping her soda. The other girls were engrossed in their conversations about some cat fight that she wasn't interested in.

"What's wrong?" Her friend asked, nudging her under the table.

"…"

"Cmon, something's bothering you. What is it?"

She sighed.

"… It's too late"

Her friend looked at her, understanding exactly what she meant.

—————

The air outside was chilly, and just about everyone was wearing a sweater. But no one was complaining, it was better the event took place in the colder weather than the summer heat.

The open air stadium was almost jam packed, and everyone was abuzz with excitement. Some parents were conversating outside in the plaza, while others were directing their little ones through the seats.

Laughter and happiness spread across the arena, as the event was to start in half an hour. So conversations ended, and everyone headed through the entrance threshold for the opening ceremony.

He stood at the highest point of the roof, overlooking the entire stadium. It was so loud. So many people, all giddy at tonight. They couldn't stop chatting. Kids would laugh and run around, some cried.

And the decorations, they looked nice. Every color, flag, and mascot stretched across the arena, the colors of all the local schools.

He didn't want to sit, because he wouldn't be staying for long.

—-

"You should tell him." Her friend said.

They were walking the mall again, and the others were ahead of them gossiping. She sighed, and dragged her feet along the tile floor.

"What's the point… it's too late."

"You don't know that. And besides, you never know how things will turn out."

She looked up from the ground, and turned to her friend.

"What if-"

"No no no, no what if's. You should do it. I believe in you." She gave her a wink and a thumbs up.

She giggled. But her uncertainty slowly crept back.

Her friend walked up to her, and placed a gentle hand on her shoulder.

"Don't be scared. Go for it. It's better you say something now, than never tell him."

She stopped in the middle of the isle, surrounded by the people and shops. Then she gave a small smile.

"Maybe… I should."

—-

The noise was dying down. Everyone was seated, and giving their full attention to the stage. He too, was looking at the line of faculty members that stretched from one end to the other. Down in the seating area, the air must have been more relaxing. So many people seated together, and the bright lights that illuminated the stadium. It must be nice and warm down there. But up here…

It was freezing.

—-

All of the girls in her group looked taller than her, but it was because they chose to wear high heels.

Not her.

Screw that.

And it didn't really matter what top she wore, since they were wearing blazers.

She looked around the backstage.

Every school group was here.

The sports teams. The musical groups, band, choir, and even mariachi. The math clubs. The debate clubs. Theater classes.

And her group, track.

She finally settled on the first group that would enter the stage when called.

The science clubs.

—-

"Thank you everyone, for attending this jam packed event, to celebrate this year's outstanding performances by our local schools!"

The audience's cheers were deafening. Parents and loved ones clapped loudly for their teenagers in attendance. Whistles, names and hollers were called out by the people, and the faculty gave them time to release their pent up excitement.

"The city has called this event, to both honor and celebrate the students, that have taken part in all social clubs. Be they sporting, educational, or performance activities!"

"So without further delay, let's start the event!"

The crowd cheered loudly again.

"We would first like to congratulate and honor members of the science clubs!"

—-

The wind was picking up, at the top of the stadium. A coldness began to spread through his body, and he was rooted in place. The presence of both Steve and Rita in the crowd didn't soothe him.

—-

She waited for the director to walk past, and start talking to someone with a clipboard. She heard them mumble 'ten minutes.' Then she decided to go talk to him.

"I'll be right back." She said to her friend, then she sprinted across the backstage.

He was in the back of the science group, nervously shifting from foot to foot.

So she ran right behind him and stopped.

"Hey!" She smiled. "What are you doing in the back? Shouldn't you be leading the group?"

He jumped, before seeing her. He grabbed his chest, trying to slow down his racing heart. She laughed, and he gave her a small glare.

But then his glare slowly turned into a grin.

Then a smile.

And finally, he joined her in her laughing.

"You scared the bejesus out of me."

Her smile widened.

"Well I gotta keep you on your toes. Don't want you to fall over with that big brain of yours."

His smile faded some.

"I don't have a big brain…" he looked down.

"Of course you do. Aren't you like, the smartest science member in the whole school. Even the state."

"I just… memorized a lot of stuff…"

"Don't think like that." She told him, he slowly looked up.

"I saw how hard you worked. You didn't just memorize stuff, you really studied and earned your awards." He looked a little more positive.

"Yeah but… I got a lot of help…"

"You're thankful, aren't you?" She asked him.

"Of course!" He answered her. Of course he was thankful for everyone that helped him get where he was. Especially his-

"Then honor them, by achieving what they believe you can achieve. Don't doubt yourself… I don't" she finished, with a small blush on her cheeks.

He looked to her, then smiled.

"Thank you…"

She smiled back.

[Alright Science Clubs, you're being called!]

"… I'm leaving." He said, no longer smiling.

But she wouldn't let her smile fade, she looked him in his face.

"I know. But where ever you go, we'll see each other again."

"You promise?" He looked hopeful.

"It's a promise!" She grinned.

—-

His shaggy hair was blowing in the wind, right into his eyes.

But he didn't have trouble seeing…

So many faces.

All smiling, and glowing with pride. A group of thirty stood on the stage, with junior lab coats over their button up shirts and blouses.

But one face stood out in particular to him.

One that had once stared back at him, when looking in a mirror at Titans Tower.

—-

"And we would like to finish our celebration of the science clubs, by honoring our most academically achieved student, not only in our district, or the state. But the entire East Coast of our nation…"

"Garfield Mark Logan!"

The people applauded, as the young man shyly walked to the podium.

"Mr. Logan, was awarded top honors at his school, and earned the attention of private academy's overseas. He was offered to finish both his junior and senior years in high school, at a prestigious STEM school in West Africa. Which he has accepted!"

"And to award him, the most gifted 'Certificate of Science' our state can bestow, is none other than the two students who once achieved the same Certificate, please honor…"

"Doctors, Mark and Marie Logan!"

And everyone applauded, all except one.

—————

"… What?" He stared at him in horror.

"I know Garfield Logan… and you're not him." The Chief said.

He stood up, and stumbled back. Shock and surprise coursing through him like a tidal wave. He stared at the Chief.

"I am Gar-"

"No. Garfield Logan is a fifteen year old young man. Son of Mark and Marie Logan. They live in an apartment, three blocks away from here."

Garfield shook.

—————

The two doctors entered the stage, both holding a framed award. An award that their son had worked so hard to achieve. That he had taken to their profession like a fish to water.

They looked ahead, to their blushing son, and couldn't stop the tears that came to their eyes at his accomplishments.

They approached him, and Marie couldn't contain herself any longer. She let go of the frame, and hugged her son tightly. Mark stood back, letting his wife fret over the boy. When she finally let him go, he walked forward and extended his arm. The two shook hands, before Mark pulled his son into a hug.

The crowd applauded.

—————

The Chief stared at him, with a grim but determined face.

"The Brain… in an attempt to replicate his body, abducted Dr. Mark Logan. He planned to force him to use his advanced knowledge of biology and evolution, to recreate his natural born body from the DNA from his brain matter."

Garfield was frozen.

"Forced into working for The Brain, and believing his family was in danger, Dr. Logan used a serum he developed during his and his wife's experiments in Africa."

Garfield started to shake.

"Believing that the serum was the key to developing his new body, Monsieur Mallah administered the drug into The Brain…"

Garfield started hyperventilating .

"Unknowingly giving The Brain a deadly disease only known in Africa, by the name... Sakutia."

"Before the rest of The Brotherhood discovered the disease, the Doom Patrol invaded the base and stopped the villains. The Brain later died from Sakutia, and Mallah committed suicide, in aiding his masters death. General Immortas and Madame Rogue have been arrested in a maximum security prison ever since."

—————

He looked down, to the small family that held each other on stage. Tears pouring from his eyes, in the freezing winds above the stadium.

To the son… who still had his mother and father.

Who didn't get Sakutia… didn't turn green.

Didn't lose his parents… then lived a life of crime, later to be a victim of attempted murder by his uncle.

Who didn't become a Teen Titan…

…

Who was happy.

—————

He was sitting, on what… he didn't know.

"The Doom Patrol, has since been retired. Cliff Steele and Larry Trainor, have gone their separate ways. Steve and Rita, have been happily married, and traveling the world."

…

"And I…retired years ago. I live with, and am cared for by Steve and Rita Dayton. "

The young man said nothing.

At the start of their conversation, Niles Caulder was determined to disprove this young man's belief that he was Garfield Logan. But the more information he gave… he could see he was cutting into his heart. His soul.

The fear, horror and utter loss in his eyes… he couldn't imagine the pain that coursed through him.

By the end of their conversation, Dr. Caulder felt as though he had destroyed the young man.

"Why did you come here?" He asked him.

…

The young man slowly looked up. His soul was broken, he could see it in his eyes.

" I… I have to leave. I. I can't… stay here…"

Then he slowly stood up. Then walked to him.

"Chief…"

He looked at the young man, afraid.

"Chief… you have to help me. You have to help me get back…"

"I…"

"A portal." He stumbled to the floor, at the doctors wheelchair. "I was brought here by a portal. Please. You have to help me." He crouched before the Chief, tears peering from his eyes.

"The Brotherhood! They had a black hole creator! And another, a portal maker! Hidden inside a bunker that stored energy!"

The Chief shook his head.

"We discovered those space altering machines BEFORE they were fully built, we destroyed them. After The Brains passing. The base that stored energy… self destructed. The team barely made it out alive."

He felt like he had just stabbed the boy in the heart.

"Please..." He looked up to him.

"Why me?" Dr. Caulder asked.

"You're the smartest man I know…" he shakily said. Hopeful, with tears sliding down his cheeks.

Then the doctor frowned. And he shook his head again.

"I can't help you… I'm sorry"

He bowed his head, and cried.

—————

Garfield walked in silence.

All he had to do, was send out his amoebas to look for… himself.

In a three block radius.

Entering the apartment… was easy.

After his talk with the Chief…

… he was a dead man walking.

He didn't know what he was doing, or what he was looking for. Maybe he wanted to see them. But…

They weren't home.

So he slowly walked the apartment.

Taking in… the 'home' they lived in.

It was almost like any other apartment, he could have slipped into anyone's by mistake. But he didn't.

The pictures… told him this was the right place.

On the walls.

The counters.

Over the fireplace.

Him…

And his parents…

He walked through hallway, passed the bathroom. Looking at pictures of him, but not many kids his age. Maybe he didn't have a lot of friends.

But awards… he had plenty of those.

He reached the end of the hallway, between two bedroom doors. He looked to the shelves, filled with nick knacks and thick binders.

He remembered something, that he forgot a long time ago.

His mother loved to take pictures.

So he took a binder of the shelf, and opened it.

... So many pictures.

All around the world, in his fifteen years of life. Most adults would be jealous, of the places he travelled to in his short life.

He hoped little Garfield appreciated all this.

It was full, and the binder was heavy. He turned page after page, and each page was covered in smiles.

He turned to the last page, and saw… his perfect picture. The Logan family of three, in the jungles of Africa.

He ran his fingers over the photo.

A picture he once owned… but lost a long time ago.

Just this once… he wanted to be selfish.

He took it out of the protective film, unzipped the top part of his suit, and placed it inside the interior breast pocket.

He closed and put back the binder, then headed to the front door. He stopped at the coffee table, when something caught his eye. It read…

"Academic Achievements Event" All Parents Invited to Attend.

—————

The crowd clapped once again, as the students of the Science Clubs waived farewell. The Logan family smiled and waived also, before heading behind the stage.

It was time to go.

He turned and looked out to the city.

…

Logan was right.

He couldn't stay here.

This world… already had a Garfield Logan.

This world…

Didn’t need him.

So he'd go back… to his world.

A portal.

That's what he needed.

Then a vision flashed before his eyes.

Well…

He knew just the person who could help him with that.

He shifted to an eagle, and flew to Jump City.

Chapter Text

"LaSalle! Dinner!"

He slid the plate to the man behind bars. It was like this everyday. He'd check up on the man, who just leaned into the bars of his cell.

Staring into nothing.

But the man did eventually eat, since he would come back to the plate half empty. His survival must have kicked through his depression, and he would eat. Then go back to staring into the hallway outside his cell.

LaSalle didn't move, so the guard turned and walked away. Leaving the man alone with his thoughts, he locked the secondary door, and headed to feed the other prisoners.

He was cracking. Or maybe he already cracked, and he didn't know. But everything was blending together. Waking up, staring, eating, staring, eating again, staring, then going to bed.

Rinse and repeat.

For over two years, he's been locked up. Not just on assault charges, when he froze those two guards, or breaking and entering, but on immigration and not having an identity.

He shouldn't be here.

He was from the future, one hundred years ahead. And without his tools to go back to the future, he was stuck here. Losing his sanity. He was no one here, in this time. No name, social security, address or family. They wouldn't let him leave, and there was no place to send him, since other countries denied him residency.

He wished he'd never come to this time, even though the risk to reward was so much in his favor.

That… blond boy caught him. Attacked him from behind before he knew what hit him.

Then darkness.

Only to wake up in a jail cell, with no means to prove his identity. A charge of attempted theft, assault and illegal entry keeping him here in Jump City.

Not for the first time, he cursed him.

"Damn you… Logan."

"You only have yourself to blame."

He jumped and turned around. There, before him, stood the young man that caught him, and had him put away. But he was different…

He was green.

He growled angrily.

"You!"

"Be quiet… or the guard will hear you."

He grew quiet, surprised to hear… the hero, say such a thing. They stood in his cell, staring at each other.

"Why are you here?" He was still angry at him. Two years in this cell. He wasn't going to be nice to him.

"I need your help." He didn't say it like he was in need. Or like he was desperate. No.

He said it like, he was GOING to help him.

"Why?" His glare intensified.

"You want to go back home, don't you?" He asked.

Emil stared at him, hopeful.

Home…

That washed away all of his anger. For a moment, he forgot about the last two years. He stared at the hero in his cell, realizing that he didn't come with the guards. This wasn't an official and LEGAL discharge. Logan snuck in, and floated the idea of him leaving.

In exchange for help of course.

Then Logan stepped forward, right in front of him. The young man was shorter, but not by much. The years were treating him well. He was looked in the eyes, and his back was pressed against the bars.

"You're just a normal man. No powers, no way of breaking out or harming others. Everything you could do, was because of your suit."

He was sweating. How did he know, he didn't even attack him back at the museum. He was about to launch concentrated power blasts at him, but wasn't able to since he was hit from behind.

"You want to leave this cell, go back to your time?"

"Y-Yes!" He whispered loudly.

"Then you'll tell me how you travelled. How the suit works, and why you wanted that clock."

He hesitated, wondering and doubting how Logan could understand either of the two things.

"You can't understand how time travel works, not in such a short amount of time. It'll take years for you to fully grasp the concepts and inner workings that make up the machinery and the process that go into space travel, let alone 'time' travel."

Garfield knew that. He wasn't asking to be taught, but explained to and guided on what to do and where to go.

"You'll tell me enough, then we'll see about traveling… together."

Warp stared at him, then swallowed the saliva in his throat. It was best to not antagonize him or dissuade him. He wanted out of this cell, and if the 'hero' Logan would break him out… then he wouldn't complain.

"… alright." He nodded. Then they stood there, and he didn't know what was next.

"Are you breaking me out?" He asked.

Logan stared at him. "When I have everything, and I know it's safe. I'll break you out of here."

That was a relief. So the young man was playing it smart, that's good. No reason to escape, then alert the authorities who would then secure his suit and the clock.

"What if the guard comes?"

"Then I'll disappear, and come back when they leave." Warp nodded.

So Logan leaned against the wall, and stared at him.

"Tell me. Everything about your travel here."

He didn't know where to start, and the young man staring at him, put him on edge. So… he needed to talk.

"And don't lie to me. If you're surprised and wondering how I got in here, you won't be if I hurt you for lying…"

"…"

He walked to his bed, then slowly sat on it. Looking up to Logan. Where should he start?

Frustrated at the silence, Logan asked.

"Did you build the suit?"

Warp frowned.

"… No, I didn't."

Damn… Logan growled internally. He was pissed. Warp was supposed to be his key to traveling.

"But I was friends with the designer and builder of the suit and the regulator." Logan stared at him, so he continued.

"A colleague of mine, who I knew for years, shared with me his collection of data and prototypes. He also shared them with another friend of ours, he explained everything to us. Showed us the inner workings of his machines, machines that would later be downsized into the suit that I arrived in."

"How did you end up with the suit?"

"… I stole it." He was ready to be criticized and judged for his actions. But they didn't come, so he continued.

"All three of us, have extensive knowledge in the sciences that relate to space and dimensional measurements. When the suit and regulator were completed, it was used before the two of us by our friend. After its first recharge, I took it."

"…"

"So you can travel… to any time?"

Warp nodded.

"What about dimensions?"

Warp was confused. "The suit, or vortex regulator, is tuned to this reality, to travel to another… you'd need a secondary device or artifact."

"Artifact… like the clock?"

Warp frowned. Not knowing how to approach this upcoming subject.

"Yes, like the clock."

Logan looked at him.

"Why did you want the clock?" He asked with a glare.

"…"

"You had time travel at your finger tips, you could travel to any point in history, maybe you did, but you came to Jump City… for a clock. Why?"

"It was pricele-"

"No…" Logan shook his head, not buying that bull. There was more to the clock, than money. Warp had time travel… and he was worried about his bank account?

"Tell me. Or I could come visit you in a year… or maybe two?" Warp panicked.

"Okay! Okay!" He spoke up, but lowered his voice, as not to alert the guard.

"Why the clock?" Logan asked again.

"… to charge the suit. To give the regulator an unlimited source to pull from, so it could travel without the need for charging."

"Anything else about the clock, how is it related to the way the regulator works."

Warp thought how to explain it.

"It's not just a simple charge, like a battery. It's two separate energies that represent forward and backwards. The artifact is a clock for a reason. The energies within the regulator both propel the user to the past and the future. And the clocks two dials on its top, represent the future and the past. Two parts of the artifact, to fuel and energize two energies in the regulator. One can only work with its other. Future to future, and past to past."

Logan tried to understand what Warp was saying. He said he stole it after it was done charging the first time, now the clock would have given the 'regulator' a way to be used without charging.

"How long does it take for the regulator to charge?"

"… six years."

Logan nodded.

"How did you know about the clock?" He was curious how an ancient clock could be tied with space travel hundreds of years in the future.

"Not only am i a man of science, I'm also a historian. When my friend explained the workings of the regulator, it matched manuscripts and biblical texts from ancient times. In my reading, I discovered the clock, that the people believed to be created by higher beings. In a sense, they were right. The clock was made from earthly materials, but not by human hands."

"…"

Maybe if he didn't meet Starfire, or fight an inter dimensional demon named Trigon… he'd be freaked out. But he did those things, so it was only slightly surprising.

"So with the clock, you'd have power to use the regulator as much as you want. No need to charge and wait the six years?"

Warp nodded.

"How many travels can the regulator do, before it needs recharging?"

"Three "

Logan nodded. So two travels, one to get the clock, then one to go back to his time. And one for an emergency. Warp could see that the young man was understanding the process he took to steal the clock, then hoped they could get started on getting out of his imprisonment.

"You mentioned artifacts. Are there artifacts that deal with traveling to other dimensions?"

Warp had to think, he was a historian of ancient and even supernatural studies.

"Yes, there are pieces in history that have represented traveling to other worlds or lives by people in ancient times."

"Are they still around?"

"It's possible, written text describes them vaguely, but most aren't illustrated."

"Then we'll get the clock, and any artifact that can send me to another dimension."

Warp was confused.

"Why do you want to travel to another dimension? Do you have any idea how dangerous that is? Even I cannot fathom the risks involved with that kind of journey. There is no safe or even accurate way of knowing what's on the other side if you can travel through."

Logan shook his head. "I'm not worried about risks, I just want to leave this dimension."

Completely strange, but Warp nodded.

"What now?" He asked.

"Tonight. I'll get your suit and the clock. Then I'll come to get you out of this cell."

Warps eyes opened wide. Just like that? The hero Logan was going to steal, then break a prisoner out of jail.

"Why?" He couldn't help but ask.

"Like I said, I want to leave this dimension."

Then he disappeared. Into thin air.

Emil LaSalle sat on his bed, thinking he may have dreamt the whole thing.

It was later that night, when Emil began to drift to sleep, that Logan appeared before him.

"It's time to go."

Warp jumped up from bed, happy yet scared at the prospect of leaving this cell after two years. Logan looked completely serious, he must be. History told him Logan was a hero… for a short time. Now, he'd just committed two crimes of theft and one for aiding in the escape of an inmate.

Logan reached forward and grabbed his arm.

Then darkness.

He didn't know how long he was out, but the next thing he knew, they were outside in an open field. Bright lights in the distance, told him they were outside the city.

"H-How-"

"It doesn't really matter."

Then Warp looked around the area, thanks to a camping light hung to the branch of a tree that had fallen.

His suit! And the clock!

Warp made his way to the suit, but Logan reached out and grabbed him tightly. Logan may be younger than him, but he was physically fit, compared to his older and thin frame.

"You think I'll let you anywhere near the suit?" Logan asked.

Warp stopped, then realized Logan was playing this 'really' safe. So he nodded then stepped back.

Logan walked to the suit, and looked at hit.

"What's the regulator?"

"… The piece on the chest."

So Logan picked up the suit.

"How does it work? How do you set the time you want to go to?"

Warp started to get nervous, then Logan turned around to look him in the eyes. In the darkness, the young man looked… animalistic. So he swallowed his spit.

"Within the glass, is a digital clock," Logan looked inside and saw a tiny digital interface. He also saw what looked like three spheres, one dim and the other two with a soft glow... "It's touch and motion enabled, allowing you to set the time in which you want to travel."

Warp watched as Logan fiddled with the glass of the regulator, worried what he would do.

"What year do you want to travel?"

Looking hopeful, yet confused, Warp answered.

"Ninety eight years to the future."

"And you just press it in? It travels just like that?"

"… Yes."

*click*

Warps eyes widened in horror as a portal was opened… then Logan walked in.

He raced to it…

But it closed.

"Whaaaaaaa!" He screamed. He tripped into the dirt, then began to pound and kick. Screaming into the heavens in the middle of nowhere.

*woosh*

He turned, and saw a portal open… and Logan walked right out. Carrying his suit.

"You! … You!" He was furious.

"I had to make sure you didn't try to steal the suit or regulator from me." Logan said. Looking down, he saw that all the spheres were dim. He used up the regulator's power to travel, now he had to hope Warp would aid him in his 'dimensional' travel.

Warp squeezed the dirt, and glared.

"Does the regulator need the suit?"

"…"

"Does it?" Logan asked angrily.

"No…"

"Then separate the inner material from the armor and weapons. Ditch your jail shirt and wear the inner suit with the pants and shoes."

So he did, with Logan at his back ready to attack if he tried anything. Then Logan dumped the armor and weapons in a ditch before covering them in dirt.

"What if they find them?"

"They won't. We're so far out in a bad location, they wouldn't develop in this area. It's too rocky and has too many hills."

Warp nodded, then a large snake appeared on the ground out of thin air. He jumped back and screamed. Logan walked to the tree and picked up the clock. He looked at Warp, holding both the regulator and the clock.

"You want to go home?"

And Warp calmed down enough to nod.

Then Logan held them out, where the snake opened its mouth, and Warp watched in surprise as the snake swallowed both.

"Then tell me where I can find an artifact that can allow me to travel dimensions."

"…"

"…"

"I'll need a computer."

Warp looked down at the money in Logan's hand. It was just a few dollars.

"Did you steal this too."

Logan glared at him. They were in an alley, in the early evening in Steel City.

"No… I've broken enough laws already. I just collected and pawned a few things. So take it and look up those artifacts."

Warp reached over and took the money, then turned and headed inside an Internet cafe.

Logan walked around the back of the shop, and jumped up till he was on the roof. He was secured in a small cubby area, where he could see the street and shop lights.

He sat down, and placed his face in his hands. He didn't like this, threatening Warp. Pushing him around, it wasn't like him. Walking around in the dark, outside the view of heroes and the police.

Now they were gonna have to go somewhere, who knows what part of the world these artifacts could be at.

-Sometime Later-

Warp exited the cafe, holding a few papers that were printed for him. At extra cost to the hourly charge of using their computers. He looked around, not seeing Logan. So he followed the path they took to arrive at the cafe, when he heard a *psst*

He looked up, and leaning over the ledge was Logan.

"You find anything?"

It was really awkward talking to someone way above you.

"There were three in total, but two were damaged over the millennium. So only one can be used… if it's possible."

"Where?

"… Jump City Museum."

"…"

"…"

Logan sighed, then leaned against the ledge.

"You're not upset? We just left Jump City to come here."

"It's… anticlimactic, but I won't complain. I spent the last hour trying to figure out how I would travel us to Europe. Or Asia. I'll take Jump any day."

So they would walk to a secluded area away from town, then he would shift again to a large falcon. Where he would fly him and Warp back to Jump City. They would look over the papers he printed and find where exactly the artifact was within the museum.

But now he needed to be extra careful to get the other artifact, with the police and Teen Titans on high alert after Warps escape along with his suit and the missing clock.

So they were back in Jump City… again.

They were borrowing one of Slade's lairs, since the man was no longer using them. And the police had long ago raided anything that was dangerous. So they sat, and with his remaining dollars, Warp ate his container of Chinese food.

"When are you getting the other artifact?" Warp asked as he closed the container.

"I'm stealing it right now…"

Warp looked at him shocked.

"R-Right now?! Already? How?" Was this a joke?

"Just a few minutes ago, I sent for it. It should be on its way to us right n-"

His eyes opened wide… there was a shifting in the room!

*swoosh*

Then energy dispersed in the lair.

And five people stood right behind him.

"Logan…"

Damn…

Warp fell on his behind, then crawled backwards, away from the Teen Titans. Without his suit and weapons he was defenseless. If he was captured, then he'd be sentenced for escaping imprisonment.

Garfield sat there, with his back towards the others.

"Logan…" Robin spoke again.

Damn. Damn. Damn. How did this Raven know he was here? Did it have something to do with Logan?

"Friend, why do you not-"

"I'm not your friend," he spoke softly. He'd NEVER raise his voice to Starfire. No matter how angry he was. No matter what world he ended up in, she had to be the same kind hearted young lady he used to know.

"Logan, why are you doing this. Why would y-" but Cyborg was cut off.

"That goes for all of you," he told them. "Whatever you think, whatever you're going to ask me, or say… forget it. This isn't a reunion."

"…"

"I'm… a criminal," he still didn't turn to them.

"That's all that matters…" he said.

"You can return the things you stole." Robin said, but he shook his head.

"I'm not returning anything. I'm taking them, and this guy with me."

"What if we don't let you…" Raven finally spoke.

He bowed his head.

"You can try, I know you will. You can think you'll talk me out of this, but you won't. I'm leaving, period. And this will be a failure for the Teen Titans. Even though no one will be hurt, and the things I stole aren't of value to anyone… it's still a crime. I broke the law. And I'm leaving."

He finally stood up, slowly, with his back turned. He didn't want to look at them.

"I'm not your friend… Whatever attachments you have to Logan, let them go. Cause he's not here, and he's never coming back."

Then before they knew it, the Beast stood before them. Right between him and the group. But instead of attacking, it raced to Warp and scooped him up in its massive arms, and ran.

Logan stood there.

And so did the Titans.

Garth walked past the team, and was marching right up to Logan.

"Stop Aqualad." He said.

And Garth kept walking.

"I said stop!" He growled.

"Or you'll what?! Attack me?!"

Garth stopped behind Logan, him and the others were surprised at Logan's hair color, not understanding why it was green. But right now, he didn't care.

He reached forward and grabbed Logan's shoulder, before turning him around with a jerk.

Green.

Garth was surprised, he froze in confusion. They were all surprised. His hair, skin and eyes. They were all green… even the glare Logan was giving him.

But he shook off the surprise, and growled. He raised his left hand, then pushed Logan's red and white suit against his friend's chest forcefully.

"What's this? Your parting gift? To me and the others? Were we supposed to keep it, in remembrance to you?" He let go of the suit, and Logan grabbed it before it could fall to the floor.

He looked down to his suit, with a scowl on his face. He had forgotten about it. He wanted to take it with him, but after talking with The Chief… and seeing young Garfield.

"Trash it…" why didn't he just have one of his animals swallow it, then change to an amoeba? Like he did before. Did he really want to keep it so much, he wasn't thinking right? Damn he was stupid. And now with him breaking the law, and making threats to Warp... He didn't deserve to hold it.

That didn't sit well with Aqualad.

"So we were just supposed to forget about you? That it? You come into our lives, help us, care about us… then leave?"

Garfield was trying to piece things together. Logan was friends with the others, he guessed that. But that included Aqualad? Somehow him and Garth became friends, good enough for him to start yelling at him in the face for deserting their friendship.

"Yeah. It's as simple as that."

He didn't want to look at the others, it was bad enough he was looking down at Aqualad. He didn't want to see their young faces.

It was like Terra… When they found out she had sold them out to Slade. The hurt and betrayal they went through, at a friend who turned their back on them.

Now it was him… he was Terra.

Garfield growled.

But he didn't sell them out to an enemy. He didn't destroy their home. Didn't try to kill them. He just…

Broke their hearts.

In a moment of weakness, he looked to the others.

Their young faces.

Still young, and fresh out of the end of the world. With no Brotherhood to try and kill them, or put an end to their legacy. An open future, without him.

For a moment, he imagined himself within the group. Right beside Raven, ready for action. Back when he was a goof. A prankster… a clown. This team, wasn't held back by dead weight.

Whatever Logan did, he must not have made a difference either…

Raven stepped forward.

"I've been tracking you… through your amoebas… and the aurora of your soul."

He scowled even more.

"I tracked you when you went to Steel City, but I lost you when you headed East."

He visibly relaxed some, she wouldn't lie to him. Raven must have tracked him when he left the tower, then knew when he returned into town, only to go to Warp's jail cell, then the museum.

He didn't want them to know he went to Midway City. He didn't want them to connect him with Garfield Logan. That kid… had nothing to do with this.

"Why did you run… run away from us?" Aqualad asked.

Raven… and Garth. Staring at him, along with the others. Like he did something wrong… It was always him.

"I remembered who I am… and I forgot all about Logan."

They stared at him, sad at his words.

"However you met him… whatever he told you. Whatever relationship you had with him, forget it. Because I did."

They didn't move.

"Logan wasn't real… it's just me. And like I said. I'm not your friend."

"Is that how you really feel?" Raven asked.

He grew upset.

"It doesn't matter what I feel. I should have never came here. I should have never met you all."

"Friend, you cannot say such things! You are still dear to us. You have touched all of us, and we are grateful for what you've done. The kindness you showed me, when I first arrived. That love, I know it came from deep within your heart."

Cyborg stepped forward. "You told us you had amnesia. That you didn't remember your past, but you told us that you cared about us. Was all that a lie? Was helping me, seeing past my robotic parts, and living in my fathers mistake a lie?"

"…" He clutched the suit

"You do still care about us. That's why you haven't attacked us. There's still that part of you that helped us. Helped me. From living in Batman's shadow. From making this mistake that you're doing right now." Robin said.

"Logan… or whatever your name is," Aqualad took a step toward him, "when you helped me with Trident. Wasn't that YOU who was there with me. Even with this amnesia, or who you are or were… that kindness and sincerity. That was you, wasn't it?"

Did Logan really do those things?

They all started to come to him. And he took a step back, but that didn't stop them. They came to him, until they were before him. They looked at him, at his green face.

"You are from the future, yes…" Starfire said.

He grimaced.

"You ARE from the future, but you also had amnesia. You knew us, but you didn't remember. That's why you cared about us so much. Why you protected us, the way you did.." Cyborg said.

"…" He balled his fists.

"That's why you went to a criminal, who claimed to come from the future. You're looking for a way back." Robin said.

They were staring at him, waiting for him to say something…

"… your half right." He finally said.

No matter how angry he was at the situation, he wasn't going to take it out on them. They were heroes, it was their job to get involved, and he was the criminal that broke the law.

Raven stepped forward, almost touching him. He grew uncomfortable, this wasn't his Raven.

"How did you come here?"

He was still tense, ready to fly at the drop of a hat. Take Warp, the clock and intercept the second artifact. But they were relaxed. They weren't here to fight. They wanted to talk.

His bravado from earlier started to waiver.

Even… if they weren't his team. They were still the people he cared about the most. He looked into Ravens eyes, and he saw her desire to help him. It was mesmerizing, so he blinked and turned away from her.

"It doesn't matter, cause I found my way back." He was trying to convince himself too.

"How do you know?" Starfire asked.

"I don't. But it's a way."

"What if something happens to you? What if it doesn't work out?" Robin asked.

"Then… then it doesn't. It's a risk I'll take." He told them.

"What if you die?" Cyborg asked.

"Then I die!" He was upset. What did it matter? As long as he wasn't here, in this world with the younger Garfield. As long as… there was nothing waiting for him on the other side…

They were upset at his words. They were sad. But he wouldn't care.

"You don't know anything about me, I may have been… nice to you. But that's whatever, you have each other, you don't need me."

"… You want us… to leave you alone?" Someone asked, but he didn't know who.

"I want you to move on and forget about me. To go on with your lives. You all have so much ahead of you, why are you turning around looking at me? When you can be looking forward to your futures."

"…"

"Don't come trying to fix something that doesn't belong to you."

Why…

Why didn't he think this way back in his world. His team. They did JUST that. They looked ahead, while he was busy staring at the ground. They made plans, sacrifices and difficult decisions, ready to embrace adulthood. While he covered his ears and played the best friend in a home they were growing too big for.

He needed them to move on without him.

He needed them, to let go of a friend, that wasn't worth keeping.

They did it before…

And he had no one to blame for his heartache, but himself.

They all, took a step back.

Except Raven

"We talked with the museum, they are willing to take a loss of the two artifacts. They said they aren't made of any valuable material, and that they belong to no set period in history… they said if they're destroyed. That it's okay." Cyborg said.

"…"

"We have also spoken with the authorities. They say that The Warp has served his time for assaulting the guards and breaking in of the museum. And they have agreed to allow the Teen Titans to relocate him. With the permission of the Justice League, by approval of the Batman. The Chief of the officers, Mayor and Governor have agreed to… pardon how Warp was released from jail" Starfire said.

"…"

"You're free to take Warp and the artifacts. We'll trust that you make the right decisions for both." Robin said.

"…"

"I brought your suit to the Titans, hoping we'd see each other again… now we have." Aqualad said.

"…"

Raven reached behind herself, under her cloak. After a few seconds, she pulled out what she was looking for. The second artifact.

It was small, tiny really. Almost the size of…

A penny.

She held it out to him, but he stood frozen. So she reached out with her other hand, and lifted his. She gently placed it in his palm, and they brushed fingertips. He pulled back from her, holding the small piece of metal.

"Since I first met you, there was something about you I couldn't exactly put my finger on. I ignored it at first, because I was angry with how kind and familiar you were acting towards me and the others. But over time, I realized what it was… my magic."

"…"

"I don't know how, a part of me is inside you. No matter how little it is, it's still there. And I don't know why… but…"

They looked into each others eyes.

"… wherever you came from, whatever your past was, it doesn't matter… because we're glad you came to us." Raven said.

They all nodded.

Raven turned to the others, then walked to them. They huddled together, and Raven spread her arms wide.

They were engulfed in a dark orb… then they were gone.

He stood there.

He just… stood there.

Chapter Text

They had stopped at the entrance of the base, outside of Jump City in the dunes. This large Beast that carried him, came to a sudden halt. Sniffing the air, and checking its surroundings, it placed him on the ground. He had yelled at it, worried that the Titans were right behind them, but they never came. Then the Beast… whimpered and settled down on the floor.

"Get up!"

"…"

"Get up! I can't be captured again!" But it stayed put.

He looked around the dunes, too far for him to run anywhere. The superheroes would catch him easily. So he sat on a boulder and panicked. But after some time, he heard…

*crunch…*

*crunch…*

*crunch…*

He turned to the entrance of the cave and saw Logan exiting.

"W-Where are the others?" He was scared their travels were coming to an end.

His green face was stone.

Warp flinched, even though he sensed no ill intentions from the former hero. Logan approached him stiffly and mechanically.

They stared at each other.

"Tell me more about this artifact." Garfield said, as he held it up.

"W-What about-"

"Never mind them… now tell me."

"..."

Warp calmed himself, then he began to share the knowledge he knew about the artifact.

"It… It came from an ancient civilization. From the end of the Stone Age and the beginnings of the Bronze Age. Some 4000 to 5000 years ago. Translations for their text and language, were only partially preserved long ago. But illustrations remained of their battles after they disappeared to time over the millennia."

Garfield flipped and rotated the artifact. It was like a large coin, but with a raised bump on one side, and two broken points underneath.

"It's believed to be a brooch. A clothing piece, worn by a Queen of their tribe."

"…"

"The illustrations, were kept in obscure history books, that early academics refused to believe were accurate. But historians chose to preserve whatever information they had collected about the tribe, its Queen and the brooch. Those books were later donated to the Justice League archives, then shared with academic institutions."

"…"

"Although their lands, armor, weapons and possessions were lost… only the brooch remains. The only surviving text of the tribe, details the story of the Queen and her brooch, that she wore on her toga like attire during their time."

"…"

"Sometime during their existence, an invading force attacked them, overwhelming them to the brink of extinction. The story says that the Queen had grasped the brooch, an heirloom passed down through the daughters of the ruling family, and made a wish."

Garfield knitted his eyebrows, something… was coming to him…

"A wish for help. A wish for guidance, for peace. And those dear to her knew… a wish for love. Her wish came true, in the arrival of a warrior."

Garfield eyes began to widen.

"Her wish came true. Partially. She received help from the warrior, and with his aid, her tribe and people survived. But the love she had for the warrior, did not come true. It is believed that their realities were different from one another, as stated by the warrior, who must have come from a different world."

Garfield eyes opened wide. He remembered… Cyborg. That bolt of lightning, that took him from the common room. When Cy came back…

'Sarasim! Sarasim! …Send me back!'

T-This brooch, if magical, sent Cyborg to the past… But Raven pulled him back to their time. Cyborg was the warrior, but he wasn't from a 'different' world. He remembered how sad Cy was after being brought back. He wanted to return, to fight… he wanted to return to Sarasim.

'I didn't even get to say goodbye'

Garfield was shaking. He squeezed the brooch tightly in his hand, and Warp got up and stepped away from him.

He'd… wasted his time in getting this artifact. He was angry, furious… but he couldn't blame Warp, because him and others believed what history said. That Cyborg, or the 'warrior', was from a different world. But he wasn't, because he knew the truth. If he didn't, then he'd have to believe in the tale of this artifact.

It was… right after Trigon. And before Mento sent the distress beacon to the Tower. When he woke up, then ran away… Cy must have been pulled to the past, to help the tribe. It's the only way that the brooch and the history books could tell the tale of Victor.

"What if the warrior wasn't from another world… but this one?" He asked.

Warp thought of his suggestion, but was confused.

"You would disregard the very reason you searched for the artifact? It's still believed to have transported the warrior to her and her tribe. Her wish came true."

"Wish?"

"That brooch, is believed to have granted the wish of a Queen of ancient times. She had received what she wanted, especially a potential romance with the warrior that aided her and her people. But her love for him was not returned, she met and lost the warrior. To experience a chance at happiness, then later… lose it."

Garfield stared at Warp.

"That artifact, can represent achieving one's desire… but also sacrificing or losing something in return. She received aid, but lost a lover."

Garfield looked down to the brooch.

" How can I make the regulator work with this artifact?" He had to try something. Maybe… maybe something could come from it?

"…"

Garfield looked up, and grew mad.

"How?!"

"… I don't know." Garfield stared at him.

"The brooch… it is an unknown factor. I wouldn't know where to begin to discover or harness its magical properties, if it truly has any."

"Can we change the regulator from traveling in time, to traveling realities?"

Warp looked as though he was slapped in the face.

"You have absolutely no idea what this 'time displacement tool', or the vortex regulator truly is."

"…"

"The vortex regulator's most basic structure, its ability to travel, was created by plans and schematics that were first drawn and fabricated just a few years ago from this time right now. My friend, who completed and built the regulator, inherited the designs from his grandfather, who aided a scientist in building a portal machine."

Garfield looked at him. "A scientist… a portal machine…"

"Yes… I believe it was in the amazons, that this scientist requested the portal machine to be built."

Garfield stared at Warp.

"The portal machine that the scientist requested was designed to travel… to another dimension."

Garfield gripped the brooch tightly.

"I said it before, the dangers of dimensional travel are numerous, and not worth the risks or effort. That scientist, had been a mad man to want to build such a machine,"

Garfield gritted his teeth.

"It is strange, that you would want to travel to another reality. Just after such a device capable of doing so, was lost some years ago from this date."

Garfield was shaking.

"Although his grandfather did not stay to the completion of the machine, he took the schematics for the portal maker, and spent years trying to refine it, and later down size it. But his vision was to travel in time, not realities. It was an effort passed down to his son, or my friends father, then later to him. Years of designing and building, the vortex regulator was completed."

Garfield tried to even his breathing. But Warp took on a thoughtful look.

"It is possible to travel back to when the dimensional traveling machine was built…" Warp offered.

Garfield stopped shaking and became hopeful. They had the power to travel time, they could go back and use…

Then he remembered The Chief's words.

'We discovered those space altering machines BEFORE they were fully built, we destroyed them.'

Warp watched as the hopeful look that grew from his suggestion, faded into defeat.

"It… was never fully built." Garfield said.

Warp was surprised that the young man knew about the state of the scientists machine.

"This was created from the designs of The Bra-, the scientist's portal maker! If we go back, maybe it can be completed. The regulator can be used to make it work-" Garfield was interrupted.

Warp shook his head. And Garfield looked to him.

"They are not the same"

"In the most basic description I can give, a portal can be three things. A portal to another location within the current reality. A portal in time, to the future or past. And a portal to another dimension."

"The final design of the vortex regulator, was built in a similar fashion to the clock and ancient texts that predated it. Hence why the regulator can receive power from the clock.

"The regulator is a time and space travel doorway… to this reality ONLY. Do you think that because they both create portals… they can do the same thing?"

Garfield had nothing to say.

"You can travel with the vortex regulator a million times. And it will sent you to a million points in history and the future. It will NOT send you to another reality."

He could see the crestfallen look.

"They both create points of travel between two locations, but are two different portal types, it is completely idiotic, to believe they can be used for the same thing."

Garfield looked to the ground.

"My friend's grandfather… was not a good man." Garfield understood what Warp was really saying. "And if he aided this scientist that you seem to be aware of… would you ally with them? Is your desire to leave this reality, worth working with that type of people? Maybe you are… since you aided me in my escape, then stole from the authorities and museum."

Warp heard the slip from Logan, that he corrected, but he knew what he was going to say. 'The Brain'… Oh, he was in the history books. Mad scientist didn't begin to describe what that man was.

Garfield was lost in thought. Warp was right, he felt bad for breaking him out, stealing then running away from the Titans. Now he could go back and try to fix the portal maker… by working with The Brain.

He was sent through The Brain's 'dimensional portal.' To this world where he never got Sakutia… never became the hero that he was.

But he only had access to Warps 'time portal.' The regulator that was modeled after The Brain's machine, but was built to serve another purpose.

Then he remembered Ravens magic, that had collided with The Brain's machine... changing it.

Yellow and Black…

"I travelled through the scientist's dimensional portal…" Garfield said, deciding to tell Warp the truth. Hoping that he could receive some professional guidance.

Warp looked at him surprised.

"But something magical… changed it somehow. What if I… add that magic to the regulator?"

Warp tried to think what he was suggesting, but ultimately shook his head.

"I'm primarily a man of science, with limited knowledge of supernatural forces, and the vortex regulator was built to do one thing, and one thing only… travel through time. Any joining or interference by magic, will not change its one and only property. It would most likely render it useless, or destroy it."

"…"

"Even in my time, there are no dimensional portals in existence. No one, had the desire to endanger themselves or others by creating one."

They stood in silence. Warp had no idea what was going through the young man's mind. Logan was upset that his efforts, resulted in getting no closer to another reality than when he started. But what he said was true.

"Not even the 'Great Raven,' could do dimensional magic. She could not banish future enemies that travelled to our world, but she and others did defeat them…"

He decided to share that bit of future knowledge with the young man. But nothing was going to change the regulators time travel abilities. He did not have the proper tools.

Garfield turned and looked out to the dunes. Warp was quiet, wondering what was next. From the corner of his eye, he saw the Beast from earlier shrink, then disappear. Then once again, that large snake was at their feet. Logan was truly a remarkable being to alter these living creatures.

Garfield unzipped his suit, and placed the brooch in the interior pocket, then zipped it closed.

The snake opened its mouth, and Garfield reached inside, to pull out both the vortex regulator and the clock.

Warp stared hopeful.

Garfield gave the two items one last look, then presented them to Warp. With excited anticipation, he gathered them, then ran to a raised platform of stone. He looked around the area for something.

"Tools… tools…" he finally stopped to look at Garfield.

He grimaced, not wanting to go out and steal again.

"What tools?" He asked.

"Just something to wedge, and something sharp. Like a pick." Warp hoped he wasn't asking for too much. He wanted to get to work. He wanted to go home, but he also wanted to experiment with the regulator and clock.

Garfield thought, then lifted his sleeve to expose his forearm. Scales grew on the surface of his skin, then he reached to a few, then pulled them from his flesh. Then long porcupine needles sprouted out, before he plucked a few from his body. He offered them to Warp who was surprised, but went straight to work.

Garfield had a somber look, as he watched Warp tinker with the two items. Warp was lost in his task. Mumbling about the clock, he used a scale to gently pry open a small door on the artifact. His desire to go back home, was currently overshadowed by his fascination with working on such a unique piece of history.

"… luckily never opened or touched by others…"

"…"

"… truly magnificent, to see the two energies up close…"

"…"

"… the same. It's built just like the ancient texts described it…"

"…"

Gently, Warp held the clock with his left hand, and the other in his right. He placed the regulator underneath the clock, then…

*snap*

Like a magnet, they joined together. Warp smiled in delight, he was completely fascinated that the two would join and resonate together.

"Such power… and harmony. Unlimited travel… Future… Past… And the UNKNOWN… when their forces are joi-"

The device was taken from his hands. Warp looked angrily at Garfield.

Tilting it over, and looking in the glass, Garfield saw that the three spheres were fully illuminated. He touched it, and began to change the time dial on it.

"Ninety eight years… to the future right?"

"Yes." No longer angry, Warp looked at him hopeful.

*click*

And a black beam was shot forward, a portal was opened.

The two stared at it.

"Go through." Garfield said.

Warp looked at him strangely.

"What about the regulator? And the clock?"

"You're going…and they're staying."

Warp glared at him, but Garfield glared right back.

"…"

"Do I have to knock you unconscious, and throw you through it?" He threatened. Warp was angry, but realized that he was fortunate Logan was keeping his end of the bargain. So he calmed down.

"Do you plan to go to the past?"

Garfield said nothing.

"There's a reason I travelled to a year in time that I wasn't born yet. To travel to a point in history, in which there are two of you… the consequences, if there are any, are unknown."

Garfield scrunched his features.

"… You can come with me." Warp offered.

"…"

"It may not be another reality, but a hundred years… it will be a new world for you."

He thought about… for a moment, but decided to shake his head. That wasn't in his future. He couldn't run away anymore, he needed to own up to his mistakes, and carry them.

"Thanks. But no thanks."

They were silent, until Warp turned away from Garfield and spoke up.

"… a portal is a bridge between two points. But what you described, it may have been a one way trip…"

Garfield frowned.

Warp looked at the portal, his one way home, he'd come to this time to attain untold power. Now, he was returning home with nothing. So he squared his shoulders, and marched through the portal.

Back to his time.

Garfield stood there looking at the portal, it looked nothing like the one he travelled through into this world. He lowered his hands, and the regulator took that as its queue to close the rift.

Garfield was alone.

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh'

He sat on a cliff over the beach, surrounded by a rock wall. Looking at Titans Tower off in the distance, in his 'away' spot.

Stealing… breaking Warp out of jail… hiding from the law and the Titans. All for nothing. He woke up in this world, ran away, went on a heartbreaking travel to Midway City, then committed crimes for what? To end up, right where he started.

His team… what would they think of him. Would they be as disappointed in him, as he was.

Would Logan be disappointed in him?

"…"

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh'

The wind blew through his shaggy hair. And for a moment, he was back in his reality. Just after Raven and his talk.

Raven…

'I wonder if time went by while I was gone? Did they have a funeral for him? Did they even think about him, with their busy lives?'

"…"

'Did Raven and Garth marry?'

He raised his hand, and rubbed his eyes before the tears came. His breathing hitched, but he centered himself.

Ravens happiness… is what wanted.

But…

She was a crutch. An excuse. Something he could focus on, while ignoring himself.

Because he was afraid.

Of what?

… Life.

… His future.

… The Unknown.

What came after the Teen Titans? The others already had their lives planned out. Where they would go, what they would do. And him? Who knew. He didn't. So he focused on what he did know, loving Raven. But that didn't work out. And now, he needed to figure out what to do with his life… even if it involved his current problem.

Small movement from his side, caught his attention. He turned and saw a green cloth blowing in the wind, tied to a rock. He got up, and headed over slowly. He reached forward, and ran his hand along the worn fabric… 'his spot.' Picking up and moving the rocks he saw it.

A Teen Titans lunchbox

He gently lifted it up, turned, then walked back to the spot he sat earlier. He sat down. He hesitated, then opened it.

Pictures. Newspaper clippings about the up and coming crime fighters the 'Teen Titans.' All five heroes present. 'Robin, the Boy Wonder. Sidekick to the great hero Batman. Cyborg, half man… half machine. All bronze and brains. Starfire, the lovely and energetic alien adored by all. Raven, the dark and powerful sorceress. Skilled in the art of magic. And Logan… the shapeshifter with a heart of gold.' And more clippings…

'New Superhero Team in Town'

'Young Titans Amaze Jump City'

'Teen Titans Defeat Local Thugs and Villains'

Pictures. Of Logan and the team. From snapshots taken from the streets. To public events, with all five lined up. And they were smiling. Even Raven had an air about her, that look he knew meant she was comfortable with the others. Seeing it now, when he wasn't a young goof that was overconfident. When he wasn't full of himself, seeing their happiness… it made him smile.

Garfield looked out to the beach.

Logan… he really got a bad wrap. Coming here, making friends with the others, then disappearing. They came for him, but found a broken Garfield.

Something moved in the lunchbox, and he looked down to a small pink ball. WINNER. He smiled. Just like him…

He went down memory lane, then started to drift to the Titans that lived in this world, but weren't his…

Then he remembered Starfire's words…

'The kindness you showed me, when I first arrived.'

First arrived…

"..."

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh'

He could go back, he had that power now. And even though Warp warned him about there being two of himself…

He hoped he didn't cause some time paradox… and destroy this world.

Mind made up, he placed the lunchbox on his lap, and took one last glance to Titans Tower. He reached up, and swiped away a lone tear. As he brought his hand down, he brushed against his chest, and the interior pocket. He froze, then slowly unzipped his suit.

He pulled out the brooch… and the picture.

Mark, Marie and Garfield Logan. His family.

He wouldn't have this picture anymore, but it never belonged to him in the first place. Just another theft from his stupid and insane chase to escape this world. He didn't deserve it.

He looked to the brooch. Even though he was upset that it didn't have the history or power he wanted, it still belonged to Sarasim. Someone Victor loved, so it was special, and he was blessed to have had it in his possession.

He gently placed the picture and the brooch in the lunchbox. Then closed it.

'I hope… I make it back.'

If he made it home, they would go back to where they belonged. And by going back… he'd undo everything he did. His crimes would be erased, but he would carry that guilt with him. No matter where he ended up at.

Garfield stood up, returned the lunchbox to its home. He turned to face the Tower, and with a quick summon of the snake, he held the augmented vortex regulator. He swiped the glass, controlling the digital clock within the regulator. He tried to remember the exact date. He left the Doom Patrol… flew to California, then to Jump City to explore… then met them.

He smiled. Remembering exactly when he and the others became the Teen Titans.

*click*

*swoosh*

He stepped through the portal, and was gone.

—

*swoosh*

He stepped out onto the street, it was evening. The streets were calm, and surprisingly quiet, so he walked. Looking up to the high rise building, he stayed in the alleys and let his feet guide him. It had been so long ago, but he would find the spot.

He strapped the device to his hip, then made his way down the back streets.

He stepped down a familiar alley. One he had been in before, years ago. Then he felt… a shifting. And heard that familiar sound.

*crackle* *crackle* *swoosh*

He turned, and right before him… The Brains portal, yellow and black. He stared at it in wonder.

His way home…

Then he ran. Right towards it, hesitation long gone. He was feeling himself being lifted, then a force shoved him backwards harshly. He impacted the brick wall behind him. He was pressed against the wall, no longer able to run to the portal. Then he saw something coming through.

Logan.

Then pain… a pain unlike anything he'd ever felt. A pain that coursed through him to his very core. His soul. He clenched his eyes shut and screamed in silent agony. He felt like he was being erased from existence. Yet still here, only to feel that same pain over and over again.

Through some form of will that he didn't know he possessed, he forced his eyes open. He looked ahead.

Garfield stared at himself, as he was flung through space, time and reality. Then he impacted the floor, hitting boxes during his landing. Lying on the floor, unconscious.

Then Logan began to seizure.

He was going through the same pain, but he was out cold.

With fury, and his heroic desire to protect, Garfield screamed and flung himself to the floor. He dug his claw like nails in the asphalt, then dragged himself to Logan. They both shook at the intense pain that shot through them.

He slowly approached Logan, then crawled along side him. He reached forward and lifted Logan, cradling him in his arms as they seizure together.

They were together, with the portal overhead. The wind whipped around them, and the crackling sound of the portal filled the alley.

He remembered, waking up in Med Bay on the day after Ravens birthday. Believing he was back home, in his time. He thought that was his first moment in this new world… but it wasn't. Because he had woken up before that, it was fuzzy, but it was clear now that he was looking to Logan.

'Not yet… Let me have them… Just for a little while longer…'

He'd woken up, for a short moment, in Logan's arms. Looking up to the sky that was Trigon taking over the world. And Logan spoke to him, before he fell back to sleep.

He looked down at himself, but not really himself. Through the shaking, Garfield lifted his hand and ran it along the side of Logan's head.

-
Flashback

"Gar…"

Raven said. She was being squeezed by her boyfriend. He hadn't let her go since they returned to the Tower. At first, she let him hold her, but now it had been sometime. He needed to let go.

"Gar… it's okay."

"It's not okay… we almost lost you… I almost lost you…"

He squeezed her tighter, but not enough to hurt her. She gently ran her hands along his arms, trying to soothe him.

"But you didn't lose me, he just grazed me. I'm okay, I healed up."

But he wouldn't let her go. He was terrified that she would disappear. Seeing that no name villain taking a shot at her, almost 'killing' her.

"I can't… I can't get it out of my head. Seeing you almost… dying."

Then he felt a warmth alongside his head. A prickling sensation along his mind. His thoughts… started to get hazy. He felt Ravens magic course through him, and he opened his eyes. Her eyes were closed, and she was chanting her mantra. He lifted his hand, and wrapped it around hers. She was startled, then looked to him.

"Don't…" he said.

"Gar… I'm trying to help you. If you can't unsee it… let me take it away."

He shook his head, then slowly pulled away from her.

"I.. I just need time…" He was smothering her. To the point she would erase his memories. They were bad memories, but they were still his. They were memories of Raven, and he didn't want to lose them. He tried to comfort her, but in the end, he was only acting selfishly. Because she did survive the attack, but he still clung to her in desperation. He made it not about her… but him.

-
Flashback End

You don't spend years loving Raven, being with her. Training with her. Meditating with her…

And not learn a thing or two.

With Raven's magic that coursed through him, he pushed it into Logan's mind. He made a connection with the other magic from Raven. He chanted quietly through their shaking…

"AZARATH… METRION… ZINTHOS…

Then Ravens black magic flowed from his hand, and joined together with Logan's.

"L-Logan." Garfield shook.

"…" and he seized.

"Logan."

"…"

Then slowly he opened his eyes in a daze. He was awake, but only partially, and was still disoriented after traveling through the portal, then the seizure that ran through his body. Their eyes locked, and Garfield knew he had what little there was of Logan's attention.

"Y-You said… that you wanted them... for a little while longer. And I can understand why, because I knew them too. They're… great and wonderful p-people. But I don't want you to have them for a little while… I want you to be with them, f-for as long as you can have each other."

"…"

"Where ever you came from… whatever your past was, it doesn't matter… So forget it… because you're here now. They came for you, so you must have done something right."

"…"

"You belong here… I don't."

They were opposite. When he arrived in this world, Logan was in the foreground, while he was asleep in the background. At some point, something changed, and he took back control of his body while Logan was pushed to the recess of his mind. He could sense their separate… beings from one another. So he'd do what he can with Ravens and his powers.

With Ravens soul magic, he pulled everything that he felt was Logan within himself, and separated them. He pulled what energy he felt was himself inside Logan, and separated them also. Then with his powers bestowed to him by his fathers antidote and the Sakutia, he merged the separate halves of the two beings. Through magic and biology, he created two people.

One Garfield.

One Logan.

They seized no more, but God was he tired.

Then Logan's eyes slowly closed, and he was back asleep.

Garfield gently laid Logan down. Looking down at someone who was no longer himself.

In Slade's base, when he was surrounded by the Titans, Raven had looked into his eyes. He saw her desire to help him, but he also saw something more.

Love.

A love similar to what he felt from his Raven, but… greater. He couldn't describe it, but. It felt like such a force from her, that he never felt from his Raven.

Logan earned that.

Maybe, in this world… Raven would have chosen him.

But he was Garfield Logan, and in this world, he was the son of two proud parents, with a bright future ahead of him.

He looked up, and saw the portal closing. Wide eyed, he scrambled to it. But its force was just as great. He couldn't crawl to it in time. It would close.

Desperate, he shakily and tiredly reached for the regulator, removed it from his hip, and faced it to the portal.

*click*

The vortex beam shot forward and hit the portal.

There was a bright light, and Garfield prayed that 'something' would happen. Prayed that he could go home. The portal warped and shimmered, then was sucked into the regulator. Garfield hugged and cradled the regulator, looking into the glass.

There… inside. The Brains Portal within the glass of the vortex regulator.

He lied in the floor, hugging the device. Not understanding what happened. Or what was to come. But he had the portal in his hands, that had to mean something. He slowly lifted himself, then sat on the ground. He turned to Logan, and finally noticed the destroyed suit that he wore.

He remembered the fight with The Brain. That impact as a bull, shredded the top half of his suit, and luckily…

He had a spare.

'I brought the team your suit, hoping to see you again.'

Garth… in this world, they were friends. The hurt he sat in his eyes. They were GOOD friends. He wasn't the guy that had a secret relationship with Raven behind his back. He didn't hurt him… no matter how much he hid it from him and Raven.

They would see each other again, but what would come of their friendship… he didn't know. That was up to them.

Soon, the suit was in hand. He lifted Logan's head, and placed it under him. Giving a small amount of comfort after such a body altering experience they had.

The alley was silent. Him sitting, and Logan lying in the ground. He calmed himself, knowing that it would be time to go.

He heard footsteps approaching, so he rose up shakily and jumped up crates and the wall to the rooftop of the building. After situating himself, he looked down to the alley, and saw Cyborg.

"Hey."

He watched as the two met for the first time, how happy and grateful Logan was to Cyborg for checking up on him.

"Thanks… thanks dude!" He rushed to Cyborg and said "My names…" and he smiled. "My names Logan. It's nice to meet you."

Garfield smiled. Logan… came from him. They were once one, but also different. When Raven channeled her soul self back at The Brains base, then shot her powers into the portal before he travelled through it. And his ability to clone and separate himself. Maybe somehow, their powers together, created a way for Logan to be born. He wouldn't question it though. When Logan held him during the end, it really felt like being held by… a brother.

Garfield looked to the sky, and saw a green star falling to Earth.

Starfire…

He trusted Logan to be there for the others, he did it before, and he can do it again.

But this time, he wouldn't carry the guilt of Garfield… he'd be his own man.

Starfire was coming closer, so he held the clock tightly, and summoned the snake. With it put safely away, he transformed into an eagle, and soared off into the distance.

—-

*clank…*

*clank…*

*clank…*

Garfield walked along the destroyed remains of the base, that once belonged to The Brain. The Chief was right, the base did self destruct, but it still stood as a burnt and broken tomb. So he walked down the tunnels.

He travelled down the path that he had taken, when confronting The Brain and Mallah. The path led downward, underneath the ground floor. He walked at a slow pace, not knowing what exactly awaited him, but he's wanted to see the machine again.

So he walked, with the sound of scorched metal under his feet.

He travelled back, to the beginning of the Teen Titans. He hoped Logan's second time around, had a better outcome. Right now, he was a nobody, who committed no crimes. But he still carried the guilt of his choices and actions.

*clank…*

*clank…*

There it was… the portal machine.

The charred remains of the console that he once beat on to get the attention of the others was turned over. So he sat on it, and looked at the machine that was responsible for sending him here. Only the base remained intact, but the arch that must have completed it was gone.

He sat.

His eyes started to water.

This was his last chance. When he travelled back… seeing the portal right in front of him. He was hopeful that it would be that easy. He'd run in, then come out the other side, like it was the common room doors. But that failed. Then he separated himself and Logan, hoping that would allow him to travel through… but that too failed.

He remembered Warps last words…

"… it may have been a one way trip…

He shook his head, he wouldn't accept that. This was his Hail Mary. If it failed… then there was nothing he could do. He'd be stuck here.

"…"

He didn't want to stay in this world. Not with a boy that was this realities version of him. With Mark and Marie Logan alive and breathing. He couldn't stay, knowing they were within reach… it would kill him. The Doom Patrol knew nothing of him, and were retired. The Titans… and Logan.

This was their life, their world. He didn't want them to share it.

He stared ahead, and removed the clock from his hip, and pointed it at the remains of The Brains portal maker. He placed his hand over the glass, and ran his fingers along its smooth surface.

Looking down, The Brains portal within the glass was fading. And that filled him with dread. Because if he failed now, he knew he'd fail again. If Warp was telling the truth, then no one knew how dimensional travel worked. They wouldn't know how to control it, or harness it… not without the destroyed remains before him.

He didn't know what he was doing… but he was losing hope.

*click*

The black beam shot ahead, hitting the charred remains, the faint colors of yellow and black hovered over the burnt metal but…

Nothing.

His hands started to shake. And he squeezed his eyes shut. He struggled to stop a sob from tearing through him.

"…" he shook silently.

*ruble*

His eyes shot open, and he looked ahead. He heard… He looked underneath the black beam, and saw the burnt metal of the portal maker begin to shake.

*screech…*

Then the clock and resonator began to glow, and their weight lightened. Before him, the charred remains of the portal maker, began to slowly rise… and rebuild itself, as the clock within his hand began to chime.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

He stared, as the portal maker completely took its circular shape, then a bright light from within shot ahead. With no fear of turning blind, he stared straight ahead…

To yellow and black…

The portal… but this time. He didn't feel the push from its energy. It was… inviting. With shaky hands, he rose and placed the device on the broken console. Staring into the portal.

His way home…

He looked to the clock, still surprised that it chimed. Then he remembered Warp mumbling while joining the clock and the regulator.

"… And the UNKNOWN… when their forces are joi-"

Joined…

It wasn't just the portal machine. But the base that supported it. What was once charred and burnt, began to turn clean and polished. Everything before the clock and regulator, was restored. Brand new, as the day they were built.

The Chief said they were destroyed before they were built, maybe…

Maybe it just needed something to activate the portal. Like the one that brought him here…

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

He turned to the clock, then jumped as it started to crack and deteriorate. Then the regulator too started to crack. So he walked to the portal, and stood before it. He prayed this was it, his journey home.

This… adventure.

His travel to another world, unconscious for most of it. But only to wake up to the harsh reality that he wasn't who he was, back in his world. That his friends weren't really his, his old team never knew him as the orphan they took in… that his parents were alive, and he was a smart but shy teenager in school.

He… took nothing from this world. But left Logan, to fill the void that was on the Teen Titans. The others… they didn't have him, but they now had Logan.

He knew, that Logan would take care of them. Support them and love them.

Better than he ever could.

With the portal fading, he stared straight ahead, and gave a silent goodbye to this world that showed him a glimpse of what could have been.

He stepped through.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

His eyes slowly opened. He was floating. In a daze, he looked around himself.

Black and Yellow.

He was still in the portal, but this time... he was traveling FORWARD.

He tried to smile.

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Then he say a light at the end.

It grew closer and closer, until...

The Control Room!

He was back!

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

The Clock?

It still chimed?

...

But...

He could see the Control Room. He could see The Brain... and Mallah.

The broken glass and the hole in the roof of the main floor.

The beautiful blue sky overhead.

He wanted to jump with joy.

But...

He couldn't move...

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

He floated to the ground, and stood before the base, then...

Justice League and Titans came from the roof, carrying his team and family with them...

W-What?!

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

They placed them on the ground, before flying to the sky. And he watched as his family rose up and gathered in the center of the base.

Raven in her soul form restoring the roof back to its original state.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Everything... was going backwards...

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Then he saw it... his life.

In reverse.

Just like when he left the first time...

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Their trek through the Amazon to the base.

His and Garth's talk on the beach.

The team meeting outside the base.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

He wanted to cry...

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

His and Ravens talk in his room.

Time he spent with the others doing their hobbies and responsibilities.

Their last dinners together as a team.

He was powerless to stop it all. Forced to see it all in reverse. FEEL it all in reverse. He felt tears pour from his eyes, but all he could do was laugh and smile with the others as his life was flung backwards.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Victor coming back from Steel City.

Starfire traveling back from Tamaran.

Nightwing returning from Bludhaven.

Raven after her time with the Justice League... and Garth.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

...

...

...

...

...

...

Brushogun.

The Brotherhood.

Trigon.

Blood.

Slade.

The villains they fought along the way.

He begged for it to end. His heartache consumed him. Seeing all this... he was afraid.

Afraid what would happen if he saw it all... to the beginning.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

...

*ting...*

...

*ting...*

...

*ting...*

...

*ting...*

...

*ting...*

*BOOM!*

"AAAAAAAAAAAHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHHH!"

"BEASTBOY!"

Chapter Text

“Valuable in the past… priceless, in the future.” Warp stared hungrily at the ancient clock.

“But for the present... you'll keep your filthy hands off it.” Robin said.

Warp turned and looked up to the balcony overhead.

He smiled.

“The Teen Titans… this is a treat.” Warp’s energy guns opened and took aim. “I read all about you in the historical archives. And now, you're all history!”

Warp launched blasters at the heroes.

“Titans! Go!”

Within minutes of the fighting, the Teen Titans realized that the battle was not going in their favor.

Warp had a counter to every single one of their attacks. No matter what they threw at him, he either deflected it or absorbed its energy, making it pointless.

Warp held the clock protectively in his grasp. He smirked at the flustered heroes.

“You cannot defeat Warp. I am from the fu-“

Beast Boy lunged at Warp.

*tick...*

*tock...*

*ting...*

Everyone stopped as the clock began to chime loudly.

Warp was confused, and raised the clock up to see that its face read midnight.

-12:00-

*ting...*

…

*ting...*

…

*ting...*

…

Robin regained his composure and prepared to order everyone to press the attack.

But…

Beastboy was frozen in place.

The others shifted and turned to look at their green teammate.

Beastboy was rooted to the ground, but shook as though he were suffocating.

“Yo! BB!?” Cyborg yelled in worry.

Beast Boy continued shaking, eyes completely wide open in shock and silent horror.

“Friend?!” Starfire yelled in worry.

Robin and Raven stared at Beast Boy.

Hoping to demoralize the Teen Titans, Warp charged his blasters and aimed directly at the changeling.

He fired.

BOOM!!!

"Aaaaaaahhhhhhh!"

"Beastboy!" They yelled.

The Teen Titans watched in horror, as Beastboy was hit directly by Warps blaster.

They watched as their friend was consumed in a shockwave explosion. Screaming out in pain.

He propelled backwards, through the wall of the museum. Even Warp stood frozen at the damage he inflicted on the young boy.

In a desperate attempt to flee, with the others distracted by their teammate’s fall, Warp opened a portal and made to run. But three attacks from the cyborg, alien and demon blew the ground between him and the portal. Sending him back, his travel being disrupted.

They screamed for their fallen friend. Attacking Warp with a ferocity they didn't have before.

Robin watched them attack wildly, before running to the hole in the wall, in search of his teammate.

He ran, almost tripping over the rubble that was the wall, and what must have been a large display on the other side. He saw movement.

"Beastboy!"

He ran to him, pulling away the debris that covered his weakened body.

Blood… running down his face. But he wouldn't panic, he needed to help. Not get emotional. But the green boy tried to rise up.

"Don't! Stay down, I'll need to administer first aid to you. I just need-"

"Robin…"

He stopped, to look Beastboy in the face. Even with a stream of blood pouring down, he was… relieved?

"Don't talk. I'll call-" He was interrupted

Beastboy shook his head.

"I-I'll be fine…" God he hurt. All over. From the travel, from being hit by Warp. He spasmed trying to stand up.

"You're bleeding! Stop trying to get up. Lay down so you can heal!" Robin scolded him, but he shook his head again.

"I'll heal." He was in his old body, it wasn't conditioned like when he was older. Not up to par with his healing ability, but he could still replicate it, just at a slower rate.

"Aaahhhh!"

Their eyes opened wide.

"Cyborg!"

"Victor!"

Garfield tried to situate himself. He'd been traveling backwards so fast, he was disoriented. The memories he saw began to jumble, but they were in the museum. And Warp was here, so they were in the early years of the team being together. But he couldn't stop to think, he needed to get up.

"The others…"

"They're fighting Warp, but with his tech, I don't know if they can beat him. Stay put and-"

"No." He finally stood up on shaky legs, he ignored the blood that ran from his forehead. His suit was charred in some places. He couldn't let them fight Warp, and they wouldn't let the villain just walk away. Warps tech was too strong, if he was pushed too far, he'd hurt them. Just like he did to him.

"Warp…" he asked.

"He already attempted to escape, but the others destroyed the portal before he could jump through."

*BOOM!*

They froze.

"They d-destroyed his portal…" he stared at Robin.

Not understanding why his teammate was scared, he nodded.

They blew up his portal. He came to their time, then lost his second travel…

He only had one portal left… if he failed traveling again… failed in getting the clock. He'd go berserk, only out of desperation, to not get stuck in the past. Like he did in the other reality.

He grabbed Robins sleeve.

"Don't worry about me! Protect them! We can't let him hurt-"

*Crash!*

They stared wide eyed as Raven was blown through a wall up ahead. She flew back and impacted the opposite wall.

She crumbled to the ground, unconscious.

"Raven!" Robin yelled.

But Garfield stood there. Because as much as it hurt to see her lying in the ground, he knew she would go into her meditation. She'd heal herself. She didn't need him to fret over her… even though he wanted to run and hold her.

Realizing the danger Starfire was in, Robin launched himself to the other room. They heard a cry from the red head, as Robin ran and he stumbled to the hole he flew through.

She was being electrocuted. From the same device that had shocked Cyborg before. Robin, with a battle cry, charged Warp with his bo staff. Almost within reach, Warp fearfully created a shield that blocked Robin.

Then Warp pushed his defense, some of his shield dispersed, but the remaining portion of the shield pushed Robin against the wall. Slamming him into it, but it didn't fade away, it squeezed him. And his growls slowly turned to screams as he was being crushed.

Sweat and tears were on Warps face. The suit may still have power to attack and defend, but the man was running on pure adrenaline. Fear ran rampant through him. Fear that he would be captured.

Starfire collapsed on the floor, exhausted from the electricity that coursed through her, but the sound of Robins agony drew her attention. She looked up, and saw Robin at an awkward angle. His arm and leg were bent backwards as he cried out. She gathered what little strength she could, and screamed as she flew to Warp.

Stumbling in, Beastboy turned to the corner of the room, and saw Cyborg with his back leaning against the wall. His body was shaking, possibly because the electricity short circuited his systems. He struggled to get up, with a trail of blood dripping from a head injury. But his body wouldn't budge. He was no longer in control.

'Change… I have to change…" he told himself.

But it hurt.

And it was slow!

Why was it slow?!

He could change, but he felt everything. His bones. His muscles, all in slow and agonizing pain from attempting to shift. He'd reached out to amoebas… only to realize he never released any into the air, that this 'Beastboy' didn't have the skill or practice to do such a thing.

He tried to release something. Anything. Any animal that could attack Warp, distract him so they could fall back.

But nothing.

A cry caught his attention. He looked up to see Starfire and Warp in an arm grapple. Warp was holding the clock, in desperation. He'd rather have it, and not need it. Then suffer the consequences if his third portal failed or was interrupted. Robin was released from the shield that crushed him, and he collapsed to the floor with his own cry, as his limbs hit the debris.

Starfire should have overpowered Warp. The suit may have given him a small boost in strength, but the Tamaranian was stronger. She could have easily lifted and tore him from the suit. But his attacks, and the electricity that coursed through her had to have weakened her, because she struggled to hold him in place.

Starfire thrusted forward, and Beastboy eyes widen.

The vortex regulator…pointed right at her chest!

"Star!" He stumbled forward. He couldn't change, but he also couldn't let her get hit by the regulator.

Through the pain that coursed through him, he charged at the two. He hobbled, as fast as he could. To get her away from Warp, he had to separate them.

The regulator had one travel left. If Starfire was hit, she'd be transported. There'd be no way to know if she would come back. Not if Warp stayed, and overpowered him, like he did the others.

He stumbled, and fell to the ground. Growling loudly through the pain that shot through him. Why?! Why couldn't he transform with ease like before. He worked his body, which began to change, then more pain coursed through him. His vision was getting blurry…

He'd pass out if he kept trying to change.

The blasters on Warps chest piece opened, but the alien girl kept bringing his arms inward. Which put the clock in harms way. She was losing strength, and would collapse any second, but she still held on to the arm holding the clock with what little grip she had. With as much strength that he and the suit could gather, he pulled the arm holding the clock as far back as he could. Giving him a wide open shot.

They charged up.

Starfires eyes opened wide.

"No!" Robin and Cyborg yelled.

"AH!" Warp yelled as he was tackled from the side. No longer being pulled forward, Starfire flew back, and watched as Warp and Beastboy sailed across the floor. His blasters shot upwards, blowing the roof open, and causing debris to rain down on the two.

The suit was almost out of power. With fear and dread filling every sense of Warps mind. With the small chance of running and using his last portal to escape. With the changeling glaring darkly at him in his eyes, beyond reason…

Warp smashed the clock into Beastboys face.

And Beastboy yelled, bleeding from the edges of his eyes, reaching out to throttle him.

And hit the vortex regulator.

*swoosh*

Warps eyes opened wide as Beastboy was hit by the black beam, reaching forward, he grabbed the boy by the collar.

Then they were both pulled through the portal.

"Beastboy!"

His eyes were shut tightly. He not only had pain coursing through his body, now he had it in his face and eyes. But he still held onto Warp with a death grip. They were flying, and his vision was blurry, but he could make out… clocks.

Hundreds of them, of all shapes and sizes, that he could see from his watery and bloody eyes.

"LET GO!" Warp yelled.

He needed to shake off the changing. He set a course for one hundred years, and he didn't need this nuisance clinging to him. His blasters opened from his suit.

Beastboy growled, and guessed where Warps face was. He leaned back, pulling Warp just above himself. He pulled his fist back, and socked Warp in the mouth.

*BOOM!*

They both screamed from the force hitting them. He yelled as the weakened blaster hit him directly, and with a last ditch effort to cling to Warp, he reached out…

And grasped the vortex regulator.

"NO!" Warp yelled, blood trailing from the edges of his mouth, as he was blown back. Thrust ahead through the portal to its end. And Beastboy was shot downward, yelling from the pain of the blaster.

No longer traveling down the straight path, Garfield fell, until a white light consumed him.

"Aaaahhhh!

*slam!* *shatter!*

…

…

…

He groaned, and rolled to his side. Everything hurt. He just covered his head before hitting the ground. Glad that he didn't crack it open upon impact.

*rattle*

He froze, and felt the ground around him. He opened his eyes slowly, thankful it was evening. The sun wasn't out to hurt his…

Evening…?

And it was cold. It wasn't cold when they had fought Warp. He raised himself to his hands and knees. Waiting for what little vision he had, to focus, and tried to calm his breathing.

Slowly, he could see through the tears and the blood.

The regulator… destroyed…

Smashed into pieces.

And the clock…

Pieces remaining that travelled with Warp and him…

Through the portal…

The last one…

…

…

…

He clenched the asphalt.

And sobbed.

He laid in the ground for… he didn't know.

The streets were quiet. With light snow that blanketed the city. No one was outside, due to the cold and the late evening. He crawled to the edge of the street, and tucked himself in an alley.

His breathing evened, but his tears still poured from his eyes.

He made it back…

But couldn't stop time from reversing.

He lived his life again… but backwards.

Everything.

Every moment of his and his family's life.

And he felt every emotion.

Their challenges

Their struggles.

Their pains and heartaches.

…

But also their joy.

And happiness.

Their love for each other.

To the sound of that clock chiming, echoing through his head… like a laugh. And even though his body smiled, and joked, and laughed on the outside. He cried and screamed on the inside.

Then it stopped.

And he was free…

With the clocks final ticking.

And he was shot.

Weakened by everything that he had experienced these past days.

And now his body hurt.

But it was a pain that ran much deeper than muscle and bone…

He hugged his chest in the cold, then centered himself. It would hurt, but he had to heal. So he struggled, but was able to separate some dna from his body. His younger self wasn't used to his type of shifting, but he didn't have the strength to get up and move about.

It was fire along his skin. When they left his body. He clenched his teeth, but bared the pain. He sent out amoebas, to collect any vegetation from the area. The trees had no leaves, but any bushes or grass living would help him.

So he lied down in the alley, and rested his eyes as they collected calories and energy for him.

*honk* *honk*

His eyes opened. He was covered in a light blanket of snow.

He heard the sound of a buses engine rev up. Then the sound of cars driving along the snowy streets.

He'd fallen asleep in the alley.

He felt… a little better. The amoebas must have drip fed him while he was out.

"Clear the alleys. Make sure there's no trash or hoodlums about."

He heard a man's voice, then multiple footsteps outside the alley. They were headed his way. So he rose up shakily, and with intense struggle, shifted to a small bird before flying to the roof of the building.

He collapsed to the roof in his small animal form, before shifting back to his human self.

"You hear that?" One said.

"… it must be nothing." The other said, looking around the area. He raised his radio and spoke into it. "It's clear. They cleaned them the other day."

The radio responded to the two men.

"Finish tapping off the rest of the alleys, then meet up near the stage for your first break."

"Copy." He said.

Then Beastboy looked over to see the two men roll out caution tape at the entrance of the alley. Then the two left and headed to the Main Street. He looked out to the streets.

They were plowed. And shoveled clean.

Any pieces from the clock and regulator… were gone.

He lied there on the roof. Looking out to Jump City. Some buildings he'd never seen built along the street. Models of cars driving down the road, that didn't look familiar.

The portal.

He was flung to the future…

He knew, when he was crawling on the streets, but now he was seeing it right in front of him.

He looked down the street. To a large stage that was being set up. Workers were at every corner, finishing the last of the decorations. A large banner overhead.

"Welcome the New Teen Titans."

His heart sank.

New…

He started to shake, he clenched his eyes shut, and lowered himself on the roof. The cuts along his eyes had healed, so the tears flowed freely down his face.

He stayed there, until the sounds of people began to grow.

He finally looked up, and over the edge.

People were arriving. Cars were starting to back up, and traffic was underway. Jump City residence and visitors were walking along the sidewalks to the stands and stage.

"I hear the new team is going to be led by a girl."

"Are they all from Jump City?"

"Cmon, let's get close to the stage!"

He stayed there, listening to the people chat and gossip about. Not knowing what to do.

"Batman's going to honor the new team, just like last time."

His eyes opened wide.

Batman… Bruce Wayne. He was here, in Jump City.

He picked himself up, and staying low to the roof, slowly jumped and ran closer to the stage. Taking his time not to over tax himself. Nearby were hotels and suites, which had to have been used by official guests and celebrities. He dodged and hid from police officers that were stationed on top of the buildings.

Searching from roof to roof, he finally saw a black sedan parked outside a hotel.

Wayne Enterprises.

That was it. He lowered himself to the floor of the roof, and concentrated.

He needed to change…

But he struggled. And his powers felt… far away from him. Once again, he felt his bones and muscles begin to shift. He clenched his teeth and shook. He was in agony, but he finally shifted into a bird.

He took off, then began to fall. He struggled to fly. The ease of flight left him, and he flapped his wings in desperation. He spun and was getting dizzy. He finally hit the side of the building, and his small bird form rolled on the exterior window seal.

He laid there. Breathing harshly.

He was losing focus, so he stayed still to fill his small lungs with air.

Finally, his small body rose. And he had to stumble to the window. Looking inside, he saw employees rushing through the hallways, most likely in preparation for guests and visitors for the event.

He guessed Batman would have a window overlooking the Main Street, so he hobbled over to the ledge, and carefully leapt to the next window. Then the next. When those windows showed workers, or people in business attire, he leapt down to the lower floor. He travelled two floors down, and was about to collapse.

Until finally.

Through the window, he saw a large man. Tall, and wide in stature. Although he was hunched over, looking the opposite direction into his luggage.

He prayed this was him, and with the little strength he had, he tapped his small beak on the glass.

And collapsed.

Bruce Wayne looked up from his luggage. He had heard a small tapping, looking around the room. A sounded like… glass.

He slowly rose from the bed, and shuffled to the window.

He pulled the curtains to the side and looked through the window, down the street and out to the cars and pedestrians down below. He was about to turn, then looked down.

A bird… a small GREEN bird.

His eyebrows knitted together. He gently unlocked the window, and slid it open. He looked down to the small animal. It's little heart racing.

Then his eyes began to widen.

He softly scooped the bird in his hands, and walked back to the bed. Almost there, the bird began to kick, and roll in his hands. Then finally, it leapt from his hands and fell to the floor…

And Teen Titans Beastboy crashed to the ground.

"B-Beastboy." Bruce said in shock.

He rolled on the floor, trying to situate himself. Taking a few breathes, he finally sat on his behind and looked up.

To Batman.

An older Bruce Wayne.

The two stared at each other in shock.

Beastboy took a shaky breath. And Bruce stepped forward.

"Garfield…" and he froze at Batman using his real name.

"Where did you come from? How are you here?"

Bruce had a suspicion when he saw the GREEN bird, but he thought the probability was less likely. But it turned out to be true. It was Beastboy…

The missing Titan.

He, was the same age as when he disappeared. Not a day older. His suit was burnt around the edges, from his battle with Warp years ago.

"H-How…" Garfield stuttered. But Bruce knew he was shocked also.

"Beastboy… where have you been?"

"How long..?" He asked. And Bruce knew exactly what he was asking. With a solemn look, he answered the young boy.

"… twenty years."

It was like he stabbed the boy in the heart. The pain and hurt that spread across his face.

"You… travelled to the future." He said.

Garfield nodded with his head lowered.

Bruce could only stare at the boy, that missed the last twenty years of life.

"The others… w-where are they?" He asked.

"They're here." He answered him.

Bruce shuffled to the bed, then grabbed the cane he used in private to move about the manor and rooms. He went to Garfield, and slowly lowered himself to the ground. He joined the boy, and reached out to squeeze his shoulder.

"They looked for you Garfield…"

He remembered that day. The call from Robin, when his team was bested by a villain from the future. When one of their own was taken from them. He travelled to Jump City, to find four broken and exhausted teens. Heart broken that their friend was gone, with no way of knowing how to get him back.

So they researched, and investigated. They didn't know who the villain was, other than the name Warp. They did a background check on the clock that he attempted to steal. But only fragments of the clock remained, the other pieces traveling through the portal that sent the two away. Despite the ancient texts that described the clock, Raven and the magic users of the Justice League couldn't utilize its pieces, their power being released when it was destroyed.

Warp said he was from the future , a hundred years. So through magic, they reached out to find him…

And they did... some parts of him.

"They reached out to you, but they couldn't grasp you… a hundred years. They could find small fragments of your powers… your soul self as Raven said, but they couldn't pull you to them. No matter how hard they tried."

"…" Garfield sat, listening to the older man.

They sat in silence, then Garfield looked up to Bruce.

"What happened… when I was gone?"

Bruce grimaced, not knowing how to tell the boy. He had the right to know what happened to his team. The boy lost more years than he was alive.

"We should call the others, and-"

"Please… tell me." He begged.

He thought back to when the boy disappeared, his talks with Dick about his leading the Teen Titans. After a few seconds, he spoke.

"I assisted your team in taking down Slade."

Garfield didn't look too surprised, the boy must have known that Slade was too strong and cunning to be bested by his team.

"An enemy by the name of Brother Blood, attempted to steal and control your friend Cyborg."

Again, he didn't look too surprised. Which confused him. He didn't know how to approach the next topic.

"What about Terra… and Trigon?" He asked.

Bruce's eyes opened wide, how did he know?

"How do you know about Trigon?"

But Garfield continued to stare at him, and he knew, that wasn't important right now.

"Raven defeated her father. When I helped the team after your disappearance, I asked the magical department of the Justice League for help. After an argument with some of the members and Zatarra, past prejudice towards her was lifted. We and your team helped her the best we could, and she ultimately won against Trigon."

"…"

"As for Terra Markov, she retired from being a super heroine, and is living a private life… with therapy."

"… The Brotherhood?"

This, he had no trouble telling the boy. He had a history with The Brain and his team of Villains.

"They're dead."

Garfield looked at him surprised.

"When news that you disappeared became public, the Doom Patrol flew straight to Jump City."

Garfield was hanging on his every word.

"I met them briefly, although I knew Steve Dayton from previous business relations. They were furious, and Rita Farr was heartbroken that you were gone. They all were. They tried to help anyway they could, but they had no expertise in your predicament."

"…"

"Losing you. The Teen Titans, and the Doom Patrol grew close. And with the Justice League's help, the three of us were able to defeat The Brain. But in a last ditch effort to escape, the base they held up in self destructed, and we fled without any casualties."

"So we searched, and they waited. We all waited. But we couldn't bring you back…"

"…"

"You have a brother…" Bruce told him. And Garfield stared wide eyed at him.

"Rita and Steve, sometime after we lost you, they got pregnant."

Bruce watched as the boy absorbed the news. Not only about the events he missed, but the news that he had a brother from his adopted parents. Hoping that Garfield could be reasoned with into joining back into society.

"Garfield… Let's get the others. They need to see you. Your back and-"

Garfield shook his head.

"…"

"My friends… my family?" A tear fell down his cheek.

"Are they happy..?"

"It's not about that… you-" he was interrupted again.

"Are they?" The boy pressed.

That look, on Garfield Logan's face. It told him to… just answer the question. He didn't want sympathy, or reasoning. He wanted an answer. And Bruce thought back to the moments he had with the Teen Titans, with Steve and Rita Dayton these past few years.

"…"

"… yes, they are."

And the boy rose up, shakily, but head held high. He slowly marched to the window.

In a last ditch effort to pull back the boy, he slowly rose up himself, and said.

"They miss you."

And Garfield looked out the window. To the buzz and excitement of the people. To the laughing and hollering citizens of Jump City down below. Wrapped up in their coats, bracing the cold, and happy to see the new heroes. He turned to Bruce Wayne.

"I miss them too… thank you."

Garfield leaned over the window seal, and with intense concentration, changed into a bird and flew out the window.

Bruce stared where the boy was a second ago.

*knock* *knock*

"Bruce" Dick asked.

He opened the door, and walked in. Seeing his father standing and looking out the window.

"Is something the matter?" He asked.

Bruce turned to Dick Greyson, and looked the man in the face.

This man. No longer the young hero 'Robin the Boy Wonder.' But the hero Nightwing, just a few years away from his own retirement fighting crime. He wasn't the boy that shed tears over his friend, that sacrificed himself to save Robins young love, and later wife, Queen Koriand'r.

In a sense, he could understand Garfield. Because the man before him, wasn't Beastboys leader Robin anymore. All of them, we're no longer Garfield's.

They grew up… and it would kill the young boy to be a part of their world.

"Just preparing… this will be the last honor I give to the New Teen Titans. You and the last leader, will have to do the honors for future hero generations after today."

Dick smiled.

He reached forward, and placed his hand on his father's back. They headed to the door, and closed it behind him.

Garfield crashed onto the cliff. He rolled over, and threw up what little matter was in his stomach, that the amoebas collected.

They no longer came to him.

He laid on the stone floor, looking out to the ocean.

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh'

To Titans Tower.

Shining like a beacon of Hope, like the first day it was built.

He rested, and evened his breathing.

After sometime, he sat up.

Then rose up.

And hobbled to his lunchbox.

He pulled away at the rocks, and finally, lifted the rusted container from its home.

He opened it, and the lid broke off. Its contents fell to the floor.

A rancid bottle of barbecue sauce.

A bottle of hair gel, hard as a rock.

Shriveled up… something's that were once nuts.

A teabag… turned to dust.

…

A book with its pages faded and deteriorating. A joke book…

It fell with the spine coming apart, and the loose pages scattered across the rock floor. He stared at it…

Until color caught his attention.

He slowly reached down, and picked up…

A picture.

His picture.

Mark, Marie and Garfield Logan.

…

He lost it… a long time ago. After their deaths. When his heartache blocked everything that happened afterwards. From his last moments in the village, to the time he was in the United States.

He turned it over.

Mark 35, Marie 32 and Garfield 8

…

His picture was never signed…

…

The brooch.

This wasn't his picture, but young Garfield's.

He held the picture to his chest.

And listened to the waves.

'...wooosh' '...wooosh' '...wooosh'

He closed his eyes, and reached within himself.

His powers… were almost gone.

After this… he'd never change again.

He had one last transformation left...

…

"Twenty years…"

"Haha!"

He walked slowly towards the stage.

"I'm so excited!"

By luck, the people shifted, and he made his way through, without crashing into others.

"I wanna see the leader, I heard she's cute."

He felt someone bump against him.

"I'm sorry sir!" They bashful said.

He smiled, and waved them away.

…

He stopped. He was close enough.

"Thank you everyone! I hope you've all been having a wonderful afternoon!"

"YEAH!"

"WOO!"

The crowd screamed and laughed. They clapped with excitement.

"Not only do we celebrate today, for the winter holidays!" The people hollered. "But we also celebrate the heroes that have defended our beautiful, Jump City!"

The people cheered.

"Our THIRD, yes folks, our third generation of young heroes, that defend us from not only the common thugs that have risen up, but the global and even galactic enemies that threaten our lives!"

The people clapped, showing respect to those that brave such dangers.

"Once again, we have one of the Justice Leagues former leaders in attendance, Batman! Please welcome, Mr. Bruce Wayne!"

He raised his eyebrows, not knowing that The Batman released his personal identity.

"So here to introduce the next generation of the Teen Titans, are the original members that protected our home, and their families."

The people clapped loudly, and he watched his old team, walk from behind the curtain.

They aged… wonderfully.

He smiled.

Dick and Kori walked out holding hands, with a little girl that must have been three, carried and hugging her mother's shoulder.

Victor, with who he assumed was his wife. Two young twin boys walking before their parents.

Raven… and Garth. With a young girl that looked so much like her mother. And a small boy that looked so much like his father in her arms.

All of their children… were beautiful.

Just by looking at them… he loved them already.

He wondered if Dick and Kori's daughter had her mother's sincerity, and her father's bravery.

If Cyborgs sons took after their father, if they were kind and well educated.

Raven's children. If the two were free to express themselves.

Small tears escaped him.

No matter what… they were PERFECT in his eyes.

Dick walked to the front of the stage, no longer hidden behind his domino mask, and took the mic from the mayor with a smile.

"I'd like… to thank everyone. For being here today, to witness the next generation of The Teen Titans."

Workers began to exit the curtain, carrying a table draped in cloth.

"One of us… couldn't make it today. And they couldn't make it, when we honored the second generation of crime fighters."

The people grew quiet, some lowering their heads.

The workers pulled the cloth from the table, and along it…

Photos. Of the first Teen Titans. But one in the group, stood front and center in the pictures.

Him.

Beastboy.

Garfield remembered, he'd never taken a portrait photo. No one on the team did. If there was a photo of a Teen Titan, it was taken with the group. Either after they stopped the bad guys and saved the day, or at a press event.

He recognized that photo of him. It was after they had stopped the HIVE 5. The first real super villains of Jump City. The photo was taken by the press when they were questioned about villains with powers coming to the city.

There wasn't a 'true' photo of him.

Of Beastboy.

Just a zoomed in cropping from a newspaper.

Some clapped, but everyone was quiet.

His team lowered their heads, but their children looked out to the people in wonder.

"I spoke for the team, the last time we gathered to honor our new heroes. And I'm happy to speak a-again…" Dick needed a moment.

He saw them sway with their heads down.

He saw Kori shed tears.

Victor holding himself together, while his wife hugged his arm.

And Raven… calm. Eyes closed, like she was meditating, but solemn.

Garth squeezing her hand.

"Thank you, Garfield… for being a hero. Thank you, for being our friend. Thank you… for protecting Starfire, my wife." Dick shed some tears.

"Where ever you are… Thank you for being a Titan."

He watched his team walk to the table, and they stood before it. They lowered their heads, and gave a silent prayer.

Everyone clapped, and cheered.

His arms raised slowly, and he clapped to.

But his heart… hurt.

Because they called him a friend.

A Titan.

…

But not a brother.

He…

Never became a best friend to Victor, a brother in arms…

Never became the little brother to Kori, who she dotted on jokingly…

Never gained the respect of Dick, for being who he was. Not just a martyr.

And.

…

Raven, never fell in love with him…

…

Dick returned to the front of the stage, and Bruce joined him.

Bruce raised a mic.

"Before, the Justice League, kept themselves away from the young heroes… the Teen Titans. We feared, that young heroes, we're not ready for the responsibilities of crime fighting, without the supervision of older and more experienced crime fighters. But we were wrong…"

"Young heroes, are as brave as our protectors. Be they officers of the law, fire fighters, first responders, and many more that protect and serve the city… our nation… and our world."

"So we of the Justice League, admitted being wrong. And made the vital connection, between all groups that fought to protect our lives. Be they civilians, or super heroes."

"So please, honor with us, the next generation of heroes."

Heroes he didn't recognize, they must have been in their mid to late twenties, ushered in young teens to the stage.

They must be the second, and third generation.

The people clapped, and he turned away. He walked away from the stage.

He saw them… with his own eyes.

-
Flashback

"Star…"

She turned around, and looked at Beastboy.

"Yes, friend."

They had all left the common room, after spending time together. They had just battled Warp earlier, and they wanted to be together, after hearing about their future.

She saw the pain across his face, and floated to him. She knew how much it hurt him, to hear about what became of the team.

"It's… not gonna happen. Right?"

She told them about the future. And even though he made a big deal about him going bald and fat… he really felt devastated about the team breaking up.

Hearing that they were sad… and alone… all hope lost, when Starfire left them.

It cut into him, so deep.

"…"

She smiled.

"Never friend. We have each other now. And we will have each other always."

He smiled a small smile.

She said, life was hopeless and empty, when she disappeared.

He prayed that future never came true…

-
Flashback End

It looks like his prayer was answered. That future never did come true.

The future was bright.

And happy

… without him.

…

"Oof." He stumbled slightly.

"I'm so sorry!" A lady said.

He caught himself, and despite his earlier thoughts, he smiled.

"It's okay. I spaced out, it's my fault."

"Don't apologize, I was running because I ran out of copies."

"Copies?"

"Yeah, I've been handing them out to the public. I'm trying to stir interest in our community groups activity."

Looking hopeful, she eyed him.

"Do you know about the time capsule event we have in Jump City?"

He smiled. Did he know?

"I do. You look familiar…"

She smiled.

"I look like my mom, that's what everyone says. Did you know her? She's the senior director, and I took over for the time capsule charity events."

He raised his hand, and reached into the button shirt that he… borrowed.

"She gave me this." He smiled.

A small pink ball. WINNER.

Old and worn from time.

She laughed.

"You still have that? My mom asked her friend to make those ages ago. Why did you never turn it in?"

He looked bashful, and gave a sad smile.

"I… did a lot of running around. I lost track of time…"

A look of sympathy crossed her features. So he perked up with a smile.

"Is it still good? The token?" He held it up.

She took on a thoughtful pose.

"Mmm…"

He smiled.

"You got something to give to the capsule?"

His smile strained.

"Eh…"

He searched the pockets of the pants he… borrowed.

Then he felt something, and pulled it out.

A penny.

He raised it up, and laughed.

"A penny? You're such a weirdo." She chuckled.

"Hey, it's good luck. You got a paper and pen?"

She raised her eyebrow, then gave him a flyer for today's event, along with her pen.

He thanked her, before moving to the side, and holding the paper to a post. He began to write on the back.

"Good… luck… to you… and your… future. From ME." He smiled.

And she smiled.

He folded the flyer into a tiny envelope, and slipped the penny inside. He tucked in the top, and offered it and the token to her.

She laughed and took both.

"Weirdo…" she smiled at him.

He smiled back.

One chapter left…

Chapter Text

"hhuun!" The horse exhaled loudly into his chest.

He laughed, and hugged its large head.

He brushed its mane, and the horse pressed further into him. Soon, the other horses began to gather around him. They were excited to see him. So he walked across the stable, and gave love to each of them.

He walked across the area, then began to collect bales of hay for them. They trotted with happiness.

Once they were all eating, we walked to the youngest foal. He reached out, and the tiny animal sniffed his hand.

He smiled.

"Bonjour."

He turned, and looked at the lady in the threshold.

"Bonjour." He greeted back.

She smiled.

"Comment vas tu ce matin?" She asked.

And he rubbed the back of his head.

"Je Bien Ce matin. Comment vas tu?"

She laughed.

"I am doing wonderful, thank you."

He blushed. He was still learning.

She placed something down on a shelf, then walked up to him. She turned to the small foal that trotted about. She leaned down, and stroked it. It nuzzled her.

She gave love to the small animal, then it jumped and pranced to its mother. She laughed, and watched it join with its parents.

The stable was quiet.

They watched the happy family trot and give each other affection.

She finally stood up, and dusted her knees.

She turned to him.

And he looked to her.

"You saved her, and her foal…"

He smiled in embarrassed.

"I… was just helping his mother."

She walked to him, and hugged him tightly. And he hugged her back.

She loved all of the horses. But the one he saved, was special.

It belonged to her father.

She remembered the package. She released him, then went to the entrance to retrieve it.

He knew what it was, and he was nervous.

She stood there, and he approached her.

The morning sunlight illuminated them, and she turned to him.

She offered the package.

He hesitated, then finally took it from her.

He looked down to the manilla envelope. Holding it in both hands. Finally, he opened the flap, and pulled the paperwork out.

He breathed in, and read it.

She stared at him, worried. She gave him time to read, and hoped he said something good.

"Et?"

He looked up.

…

…

"J'ai obtenu la citoyenneté."

"Haha!" She laughed.

And he smiled in relief.

It was finally over, after these past few years.

Surrendering to the state.

Admitting that he had no identity.

No past. No family.

All this time, being searched for any evidence of a personal life.

Involvement with any type of crimes.

Legal and financial troubles.

Thrown between lawyers and immigration.

…

Until he was granted temporary asylum. Then working and paying dues until he was deemed law abiding and taxable.

A weight lifted from him.

He kept only two things from his previous life…

His name… Garfield.

And.

He felt his sleeve tugged. And he looked to her.

"Dis à ma mère…"

He looked to her, until her words registered with him.

'Tell my mother…'

*chirp* *chirp* *chirp*

She heard clunking on the wooden steps of the porch, and lifted her face from her book.

He stopped before her, and they looked to each other.

She could read him like an open book.

… good news.

So she closed her book, and leaned forward.

He made to help her, but she shooed him away with a smile.

"Je peux m'élever moi-même." She said.

He was always at her beck and call. Worrying about her.

She brought her raised and stiff leg down from the outdoor ottoman.

So he gave her time to right herself.

Finally she stood up, and looked at him.

"Now, you can take me." She said with a grin, holding out her hand.

He smiled, and reached to her.

They laced their fingers together, and he helped her down the porch. They walked slowly, until she elbowed him in the side.

"Hey!" He jumped.

"Dépêche-toi! I'm not broken. It's just a stiff leg, you know that." She chided him.

He looked bashful.

Then she squeezed his hand and leaned into him.

"But… merci."

His smile slowly returned.

They walked along the grass, into the pasture that was lined with trees. They enjoyed the warm sun, and the cool shade from the branches.

So many animals, lived on her property.

Around her home.

… their home.

What was once a house of solitude and depression, turned into a home with life.

The birds chirped their beautiful songs.

The horses she struggled to care for, danced in the fields.

The small critters were no longer afraid to be near the house, but lounged around, fascinated by them.

Even the bees buzzed with an excitement, which caused the flowers to bloom vibrant colors.

They walked hand in hand.

"I never knew how much I loved nature… until you came into my life."

He smiled.

She would shift between her upstate accent, and her French. She would give him both, when she scolded him. Laughed with him.

… spoke softly with him.

They continued, and the ground slowly began to steep upwards, to a gazebo on the hill. Knowing better than to baby her further, he let her lead, and go at her own pace.

From her breathing, he could tell she needed a break. So he guided her to the swing, and she didn't object.

He helped her down, then sat next to her.

Right away, she snuggled into him. And he wrapped his arms around her.

She laid her head on his chest, and looked out to the vineyard that once struggled.

All the acres she bought, to distance herself and her daughter, from her troubles.

From a marriage that didn't work out.

A career ending injury that cost her her gold medal.

From a loss of what to do, and where to go.

So she gathered her winnings, and her inheritance from her parents. She bought property the county deemed unsaleable. And had a modest home built.

She inherited the horses from her late husband, not realizing the demand and responsibility that came with them.

And she struggled.

Until he came.

She nestled deeper into him, and he caressed her arm.

A general laborer, that was said to be good with animals. Some skill in animal husbandry. So she walked up to his back at a feed store, and yanked him around to her.

"J'ai besoin de votre aide." She said.

He was jostled.

"I need your help." She repeated.

He looked down to her, and their eyes met.

…

Then he was on her property, working with the horses. Who loved him.

Then things just became… brighter.

Her daughter returned from college, and saw the mysterious man helping her mother.

"You look happier mother… more vibrante." She told her with a smile. "Es tu..?" She looked at her mother sideways, and let the question hang.

She widened her eyes, then slapped the table to her laughing daughter.

Then help on the pasture and the vines, turned to lunches in the yard.

Then afternoons on the porch

And dinners in the evening.

And the city grew out, so she began to see more people. But she wasn't upset anymore. She received letters asking for work on her property. And people she ran away from, began to turn to her with smiles.

And it all started with him.

Even when they met for the first time in the feed store, she could read him like a book.

He wore his heart on his sleeves.

He had scars, that ran under his skin. And when their eyes met, she saw…

A fire… low and almost only embers.

But not extinguished.

He wouldn't give up.

And she had no idea at the time, that she would be the one to fan that flame.

She reached up to her blouse pocket, and pulled out a picture.

His picture.

Of him and his parents.

One of the only things from his previous life.

He gave it to her.

She stared at it.

At a bubbling mother, whose love was captured by the camera.

A father, strong jawed with his arm protectively around his family.

And a boy, blue eyes wide and full of joy. With no knowledge, that he'd have such a hard life ahead.

She tucked the picture back in her pocket, and lifted herself up.

He made to help her out of the swing, but she grabbed his arms. She smiled and shook her head.

She looked at him.

At his blond hair, that grew darker the years she knew him.

At his tan skin, that was kissed by the sun. From his time working her property… their home.

He looked to her, showing the very depths of the man that he truly was.

Completely bare.

He showed her…

His everything.

…

She laughed, and her ponytail swung in the wind.

"The other day… you told me. What everyone in life, wants to hear. Those three magic words…"

Tears started to pour from her eyes.

"And I ran… because I was scared."

She needed to compose herself, but failed.

"I acted like a child, afraid to have my heart hurt again. But the thought of life without you… I'm not scared anymore."

She raised her hands, and cupped his cheeks.

They were both crying, and smiling.

She looked into his eyes.

Those beautiful green eyes…

…and said.

"I love you Garfield, I love you so much."

Chapter Text

She had woken to the sound of his heartbeat. To light kisses that were placed gently on her head.

Despite being intertwined with one another, she snuggled further into him. She raised her head, and his kisses lovingly said good morning on her forehead, then her cheeks.

He was her alarm clock.

She rolled, until she was laying on top of him. She worried about crushing him, but he laughed, and said he loved feeling her weight on him. He would reach up with both hands, and caress her cheeks. He would cup them, and even though he had just woken not long before her, he would be wide awake.

She would look deeply into his green eyes, and he would say.

"Bonjour, mon amour."

Then she would kiss him.

Arms wrapped around him in their bed.

They did this every morning.

Since the day she told him, she loved him.

She wrapped him in her arms, and never let go. They couldn't get enough of each other, they were like young teens.

But today was different.

"Bonjour, mon amour." He said.

She didn't kiss him.

And he knew why…

Their bedroom was silent. They were lying awake on the bed, and she was occupied with her thoughts. He looked worried, but knew things would be okay.

"Tu vas en Amérique aujourd'hui…" (You go to America today) he said.

She looked worried.

About him.

She didn't want to leave him.

But he smiled.

No matter how much pain he was in…

"…"

"Je ne veux pas te quitter... (I do not want to leave you…)"

He laughed softly, then he kissed her.

He wrapped his arms around her, and squeezed her into him.

They kissed the early morning away.

*sizzle*

She was tending to the stove. Making both her and him, their morning breakfast.

A vegetable scramble.

Hers, with one egg. And his… none.

She heard him enter the kitchen, then he walked up to her back. He hugged her from behind, then placed a deep kiss on top of her head.

She leaned back into him.

The kitchen was quiet.

*sizzle*

Then he pulled back, walked over to the kitchen table and took a seat on a chair.

Facing the threshold.

She looked at the clock above the stove.

Right… about… now.

*Boom!*

Their front door was launched open, and they heard the pitter patters of two sets of feet.

They both smiled.

"grand-père!" The two little boys yelled, one struggling to say it clearly.

They jumped their grandfather. And he laughed, and hugged them, one in each arm.

She stood there, with their plates in hand. She watched, as their two grandsons smothered her husband.

No blood relation at all. But loved and adored all the same.

"ta grand-mère… ta grand-mère…" he said.

She shuffled to the table, and placed the plates down just in time, as the two jumped from their grandfather and launched to their grandmother.

They hugged her lower half, with the youngest gently holding her stiff leg. She leaned down and rained kisses on their heads. She smothered them, and her daughter came into the kitchen, rolling with two luggage's.

"Les garçons ont pris le petit déjeuner. (The boys ate breakfast.)" she said.

After hugging her step father, and kissing her mother on the cheek, her daughter ushered her two sons to her old bedroom.

They waited until the energy left the room, then settled down on the table.

They chuckled, and began to eat.

Soon, breakfast was over, and she started to think about today. So he stood up, gathered their plates, and headed to the sink. He washed them, then placed them on the drying rack.

He walked back to her, and looked to her still lost in her thoughts. He reached forward, and squeezed her shoulder.

She looked up.

"laisse moi t'aider. (Let me help you.)" he said.

She sat in their living room, on their plush couch. He gathered her bags, setting them by the door. Their daughter was finishing up unpacking for her two sons that would be staying with their grandpa.

"Je ne veux pas te quitter... (I do not want to leave you…)" she repeated again this morning.

She didn't want to leave him, not with the pain that he carried inside him. Carried with him in secret, when they were falling in love, then grew more before they were married. Then lingered until now.

They both were only forty two, and she was afraid he'd collapse like an old man.

He turned to her, then walked over to her. He hugged her and she latched onto him. He spent so much time fretting over her, now it was her time to worry over him.

He kissed her head.

"Je ne meurs pas. (I'm not dying.) he said. He squeezed her, and rubbed her back. It was just a… tightness. Just being… disoriented sometimes.

And… pain.

But he could bare it. He did bare it. And he would continue, no matter what.

He looked down to her, and their eyes met. His green, and her grey. She had tears in her eyes, so he leaned down and kissed them away.

"tu iras. (You will go.)" he said. "tu verras ta famille. (You will see your family.)"

"…"

"nous avons des travailleurs, nous avons des amis. (We have workers. We have friends.)"

"…"

"I want you to see them. Even if it's for the last time." He said.

She looked down, to the plane ticket in her hand.

To the United States.

To Midway City.

He placed one last, deep kiss on her head. And she nodded. He never asked much of her, so despite her worries, she would go.

To Midway City.

To a funeral… and a wedding.

She looked out the car window, to her husband and two grandsons.

The boys waived bye, to the two ladies of the family, as they started to drive away in the taxi. They received their arrival time to the airport by their driver, and they thanked the young man.

She looked out the window to the pasture and vineyard of their property. What was once dead and worthless land, started to thrive. Then grow. And flourish with her husbands arrival.

The land loved him. Just like the animals.

Almost, as much as she loved him.

She felt her daughter squeeze her knee. She turned to her and smiled. This trip would be awkward, for both of them.

They would head to Midway City, to attend her aunts funeral. A woman that didn't treat her like a daughter in her early to late teen years. The woman loved her, she knew, but she was always kept at arms length. She believed that her aunts and her mother's spat ran so deep, she held it against her older niece. Even though she still fed, clothed and housed her since her mother's passing.

And a wedding… for her younger sister. An eight almost nine years difference, and who her own daughter never met. The younger sibling that got their aunts love and attention. Who turned out quiet and reserved, leading to more indifference than sisterhood between the two.

Leaving America for a better opportunity, was a no brainer.

An indifferent aunt. A younger sister not interested in her. A coach and team that snubbed her.

An overseas scholarship, and a pretty French boy eyeing her, she jumped at the chance to ditch Midway.

She said goodbye to her best friend, then hopped on a plane to France.

And it was great.

At first.

Her grades. Her performance on the track. Her relationship.

Then things just started to… fall apart.

"mère. (Mother)" she shook her.

She looked at her daughter, realizing she spaced out.

Then they parked, and exited the car with their luggage. They thanked their driver, and headed inside the airport. Checked in, and tickets approved, soon they were seated and were taking off.

She closed her eyes, and drifted asleep in the air.

Soon, they would be in her home town.

"Hi…" her sister said.

Her daughter was busy parking their rental. She saw how antsy her mother was growing, so she asked her to leave the car and stretch her legs. She had hesitated, but agreed.

"… Hi." She replied.

They stood and looked at each other.

They both stood awkwardly on the curb. Outside the church, wearing black, and watched her daughter drive around the back of the building.

This wasn't the first time she talked to her sister in years. She had received a call from her a year ago, out of the blue.

She was engaged.

Her sister was nervous. She didn't have a lot of friends to talk to, and reached out to one of the only people she knew. She said she didn't want to burden them with her issues.

Some friends… or maybe she was the one with a problem. She didn't know.

Her daughter came around the back of the building, and joined the two older women. She smiled to her mother, then turned to the aunt she never met.

"Hello." She said with her French accent. She reached forward and offered her hand.

Staring, the sister shook her nieces hand, bowed slightly in a stiff manner. Although names were shared over the phone, proper introductions were given, until a distant uncle called them into the church.

The service was ready to start.

Her sister turned to them, gave a nod, then headed inside.

She felt her daughter squeeze her shoulder. She looked to her mother, and gave a sympathetic look.

She came to support her mother, not to meet an aunt she never had a relationship with, and say goodbye to another.

But her daughter did have another trip after this.

They were exiting the church.

The services were over.

Their tiny family, along with few friends and neighbors, began to make their way home. Small goodbyes were made, then they would move on with their lives.

No burial, just cremation and ashes spread in the same location her aunts late husband had been scattered.

No children.

Just a man lost to an accident, and his lonely and bitter wife coasting through life until it was her time. Any love in her heart, she gave to her youngest niece, while tolerating her eldest niece and living brother and his family.

Not many tears were shed.

Some people just didn't want to be in this world anymore.

So the three stood outside the church.

Again.

Like a funeral service didn't just happen. Her sister turned to her.

"Thank you for coming. It is bad that aunty could not attend my wedding, but with her health… she gave her blessing."

She nodded. And her sister started to step back.

"You can come over tomorr-"

"No."

Her sister and daughter looked at her strange, surprised she cut her off. She turned to her daughter.

"Appelle ton père. Prends des nouvelles des garçons. (Call your father. Check on the boys)" she said.

Seeing her mother wanted to be alone with her sister, she walked to the car. She would call home, and see how her sons and step-father were doing.

She turned back to her sister, who looked nervous.

She got close… and looped her arm around hers. Then steered them both down the sidewalk. Seeing that they were going for a walk, her sister waived to a man in a suit, waiting outside a black car. He looked at the two women, then nodded, and continued to lean against the side is the car.

She ignored the impulse to ask her sister why she had a driver.

"Why are you nervous?" Her French accent faded some.

Her sister was quiet, but she waited. She always waited for her, when they were young. Until one day, she didn't. The day she decided to leave to France.

"You haven't talked much of your fiancé. Woman always gush about the man they are going to marry. Are you having second thoughts?"

Right away, her sister shook her head.

That was a relief. She didn't know how to comfort a sister that she hadn't talked with in over two decades.

"Is something bothering you?"

Her sister looked lost in thought.

She said very little over the phone, when she called her a year ago. And a little more the second time she called. Then the rest of the calls were about their aunts health, and her work.

She knew nothing of the man.

"I'm… older than him." She said shyly.

She raised an eyebrow.

"How much older?" She was curious.

"…"

"…"

"… four years…"

'Oh God… was that it?'

"Four years? … Are you an old hag? Did you steal him from his mother?"

Seeing her sister panic, she felt guilty. Her words slipped, and she forgot who she was talking to. She calmed her down, apologizing for her words.

"It's not a big deal," she said. "It's only four years, you are very beautiful. You look younger than your age." Her sister calmed down, but still looked worried.

"Is that what bothered you?"

She hesitated.

"He… makes more money than me…"

"Again… it's not a big deal. Is this marriage a charity for him?"

Her sister shook her head again. But spoke up.

"He… comes from a wealthy family." She spoke up.

Like she was defeated.

So she paused, and thought of her sister's words.

Her fiancé, was younger and from a wealthy family. If he made good money, he either inherited it, or had a really good paying job.

She… could understand her sister.

Thinking about it, their family was lower middle class. Dysfunctional, with a bad track record for success. And her fiancé, was some high class child from the elite.

Maybe, she thought it was too good to be true.

To fall in love with someone so… different.

She stopped their walk, and turned her sister to her. Holding her shoulders, she looked her in the eyes.

"Do you love him?"

She nodded.

"Does he love you?"

She nodded again.

"Did he ask you, to marry him?"

She shook her head, and she raised her eyebrow.

"I-I asked him to marry me…" she said.

'Wow… ,' she was surprised by the confident move of her sister.

"Then, that's that. You love each other. La fin."

Her sister looked like… some weight was lifted from her.

"Don't worry about what others think, or how you two look. All that matters, is that you love each other. So make him happy, and he better make you happy too." She pressed.

Her sister smiled.

"We are having a small wedding. At his parent's home, then we will move to the house that he bought in Steel City."

She was handed a folded piece of paper, and smirked at the gesture. Her sister didn't have a phone, a necessity in today's world. She looked over, and saw her daughter and the driver parked across the street. She looked back at her sister, who nodded.

"Tomorrow…" she said.

"Yeah… tomorrow." She replied.

Her sister walked to the black car, then the driver exited to help her inside. But her sister shook her head, and thanked the man anyways, before closing her own door. He smiled, said something, then got in the drivers seat.

They drove off.

She watched them go. Her and her daughter would go to their hotel. They declined to stay with her future brother-in-law and his family, choosing to stay nearby. She opened the paper, and looked at the address.

4216 Evergreen Court
'Dayton Manor'

"…"

*chime* *chime*

She opened her purse, and pulled out her phone.

'I know you didn't come into town, and NOT message me ;('

'Damn…'

Even with food and two drinks in her, her best friend from high school stared at her.

"Are you gonna stare at me all evening?" She asked.

"I don't know… are you gonna call me more often?" She replied.

"Ouch…"

"Yeah… ouch…"

They were silent.

She was kind and friendly when her daughter was present. Gushed about how lovely she looked, that she looked so much like her mother. Reminisced about her when she was a little girl, then asked about her husband and kids.

Then her daughter needed to make a phone call to her husband and stepped away…

She wasn't so friendly anymore.

"You shoulda called me…"

She nodded.

"You shoulda opened up more…"

She nodded.

"How many girlfriends do you have over there?"

She shook her head.

"Talk to me… is it about Garfield?"

"…"

She looked worried at her.

"Is it serious?"

"… I don't know. He's in pain a lot. And sometimes I catch him just… freezing up. He'll walk in the room, do something and leave, then come back. Start to do it again, then stop, realizing he's done it before…"

"… and the doctors?"

She shrugged.

"They have no clue. They don't know where his pains are coming from. His behavior… they think it's early dementia. That his pain is all in his head… but his face…"

Her friend looked at her worried.

"His face… I know his pain is real. Even if no one can see it on or in his body."

"…"

"It's killing me. He worried so much about me and my leg… then he goes along with a big smile, ignoring that he's falling and catching himself around the property."

"Men are like that… they act tough. Not wanting others to see them as weak. So they bottle it up inside."

She shook her head.

"Garfield is tough… he's strong. He's facing that pain head on, and he's held it back for as long as he told me. But I'm afraid… afraid that one day he'll slip, and that pain will overcome him someday…"

Her friend didn't know what to say, it was one of those situations that they didn't know, the doctor didn't know, and the guy would rather tough it out.

They decided not to dwell on it. This was their' best friend' time.

"Hows the grand babies?" Her friend asked.

She smiled.

"A handful. Too much energy for two tiny boys."

"Oh… too much energy. Try eight grandkids."

God. Her friend started right outta high school. Then her sons and daughters had to go out, fall in love just like their mother. And start the cycle over again.

"What are you and your family, a rabbit factory?"

"Are you saying you and Garfield didn't… you know. Like rabbits?" Her friend smiled.

Her face was red with a glare. And her friend laughed.

"…"

"How's my sister?" She asked.

"Honestly… the same."

She looked at her.

"The same as she always was, since we were young. Quiet. Reserved. Awkward. Doing her job with children… like her."

She understood.

"There were men that approached her, but a lot of people, including your aunt, shooed them away. Some more… physically. Everyone was protective of her. Those guys saw a petite woman, who could be overpowered. No one wanted to chance her being hurt."

It was, kind of sad in a way. There are men like that, that would want a quiet and docile woman. But they also could have chased away a good man who took interest in her sister.

"… and her fiancé?"

"Guys well loved. Comes from money, and spends it like there's no tomorrow. But instead of spending it on flashy cars and yachts, he spends it on charities and anything that helps schools and workers."

That was really nice.

"All I know, he was at your sisters school, him and his company just opened up an art department for underprivileged kids… your sister saw him. And shot straight to him."

She smiled.

"How a tiny woman like her, sunk her claws into that man, no one will ever know. Everyone thought it would fall apart. Rich guy with arm candy like her on his arm… and your sister being… the way she is…"

"…"

"But it worked out. Three years today. He and everyone thought she would be happy just being… together. No. She wanted him. Last name and all."

They heard her daughter approaching.

"That man…" she said. Hanging up her phone.

She looked at her mom, and they knew it was code for, 'I hope you talked it out with your friend.'

"Don't 'that man' me. That was before your time little lady. That was what we all said, when we were hooking up, and breaking up back in school."

They all laughed.

They all sat at the table for one last drink. They talked about many things into the evening, then she said her goodbye to her best friend. A promise to make more calls, and more visits to her.

Things were turning out… okay.

"Damn…" the two ladies thought.

It was a manor alright. They felt like they stepped onto a Hollywood movie set. A fantasy home, minus the princess and glass slipper.

They were being guided by the butler, an aged and grey haired man. They relaxed, seeing that the workers on the property and even the hired help, were more familiar and easy going, than uptight stiffs.

So, ignoring the high class decor and expensive furniture, they focused on the smiling people that greeted each other and made last minute preparations for the wedding.

"You can wait inside the study, as you ladies are early. Everyone is getting ready, and we have guests that have yet to arrive." He said.

So they nodded and thanked him.

"Is there anything I can get you while you wait?"

"No, thank you." Her daughter spoke for both of them.

He nodded, and headed out of the study room.

"Wait…" he turned around.

She remembered her sisters words from yesterday.

"How small… or how many will be attending the wedding?" She asked.

"Just a few families, if all attend. Both the Mr and Mrs asked for the wedding to be small and private. So only the closest friends and families of the couple."

She nodded and thanked the man.

They were alone in the study. And not wanting to sit down, they decided to walk along the large room, looking at the decor, collections and library.

"Not very personal, there's no family pictures on the walls." Her daughter said. Choosing to speak her English while in the US.

"That's because it's the formal study room." A man said.

They turned to a handsome man, almost baby faced, smiling to them.

"There's other studies, closer to the bedrooms. Those have our family pictures."

He walked up to them, and offered his hand.

"It's nice to finally meet you. I've wanted to see you, since your sister told me she had a… sister." He smiled, then turned to her daughter. "And a niece."

They properly introduced themselves, and she was impressed with his manners and kindness.

"I'm sorry about your aunt." He looked between the two.

"There's nothing to apologize, we… loved her. But she was ready to go." She said.

He nodded, understanding the two sisters predicament with their aunt and family.

"My mother is coming down, do you mind keeping her company?"

"That's alright." She said.

She was actually… kinda looking forward to this. IF she was right.

He smiled, then they heard someone approaching.

His mother stepped in the study.

Her eyes widened. Oh man… the small girl inside her started to jump.

"Are you… Elastigirl?"

Rita Dayton smiled.

"Yes, I was."

She smiled. No matter how old you were, EVERY girl in Midway City loved Elastigirl. The only super heroine in town, they latched onto her growing up.

She turned to her daughter, and told her about looking up to the movie star as an adolescent, then to the heroine as a young teen.

Rita smiled again, and they introduced themselves.

"So, does that mean…" she let her question hang.

Rita nodded.

"My son comes from the Doom Patrol family. So you can expect its members to attend the wedding…" she finished, her smile not as vibrant as before.

Something… she couldn't remember exactly. Something about a kid on the team… or rumors she heard in middle school.

Then an older man came into the study. Rita introduced him as her husband Steve Dayton. They introduced themselves.

"I'm glad we can finally meet you. We've loved your sister ever since our son brought her to us. What about your husbands?" He asked.

They hesitated, and the older couple understood.

Her daughter spoke.

"My husband is in Jump City. His friend from the states asked him for his financial advice and partnership, since he was opening a new manufacturing plant in the city."

"Tri Auto Industries. Talented, smart people. Making safe, reliable and affordable vehicles for everyone. Your husband has good friends, and I'm sure they see him as one also." Steve smiled.

Her daughter smiled at the compliment.

"I still keep up with today's technologies and happenings. It fills in the lulls of retirement when I'm not traveling with my wife." He squeezed Rita's hand. And the two smiled at each other.

"My husband… is sick. He's back home, watching my grandsons." She said.

The Daytons looked sympathetic.

"Nous prions pour que votre mari se rétablisse. (We pray your husband gets well.)" Rita said. And Steve nodded.

She smiled at the older woman's words, and their gesture.

Then they heard an argument coming down the hallway. The two women were worried, but the Dayton's smiled.

"Still at it…" Steve grinned, and Rita smiled.

Soon a large brass robot and a bandaged man came into the study arguing.

"And I tell you, that hunk of scrap couldn't-" Robotman stopped their discussion. Turning to the people in the room.

"What are you doing here, no one uses this study anymore. The rest of the group is in the other one." He spoke loudly.

"Lower the volume JBL. This isn't a concert." Everyone chuckled, and before Robotman could reply back.

"They were just led here by the butler. So stop being rude, and introduce yourselves." Rita said.

She couldn't stop a small part of her from staring at THE Doom Patrol. The hero squad that protected Midway City when she was in middle school, but then travelled overseas doing her high school years.

So they exchanged names, and began to shuffle out of the study.

"Your sister is a very lovely lady. Seeing the two together, you can't help but see the sparks they share." Negative Man said.

She, and everyone smiled.

They opened the study doors, and invited the two women inside.

She stepped inside… and froze.

"…" Her eyes opened wide

THE… TEEN… TITANS…

EVERYONE in high school, looked up to the teen heroes. Girls fantasized about Robin the Boy Wonder. Guys drooled over the heroine Starfire. Geeks looked up to the hero Cyborg. The goths loved the dark Raven. There was Aquaman, formerly Aqualad, also a heartthrob in school. And…

Then she remembered… the missing Titan.

They were talking across the large study, then they started to turn to the people that entered the room. So she schooled her features, and gestured her daughter to join her side.

'What are they doing here?' She thought.

They were much older than when they were teenagers. No longer in tights, they wore formal wear befitting a wedding.

They smiled to each other, introduced themselves to the heroes of Jump City.

One of them, was staring at her…

She tried not to make eye contact.

Then they heard a light knock against the threshold. Everyone turned to the butler, who politely informed them that they would begin the ceremony soon. And that they should prepare themselves in these last few minutes.

"Well… as much as I wished for a grand wedding that would have stopped the whole East coast… a small wedding will be nice." Rita said.

Everyone smiled at her antics, and desire to decorate lavishly for her son and soon to be daughter in law. The men grabbed their jackets, the ladies their purses, and her daughter checked hers and her phone. They shuffled to the doorway.

She turned, gaze running across the fireplace mantle.

She froze DEAD.

A blond haired… blue eyed boy… stared at her from a picture.

She couldn't take her eyes off of him.

The others didn't notice, and continued through the threshold.

All but one.

She stared… then she tore her eyes away. To another picture of the boy. Then another… with his parents.

The same people… as his picture…

Garfield.

Her husband.

And there were more pictures, of the same boy. Slightly older. But…

GREEN.

"Are… you okay?"

She shakily turned to the person asking.

Raven.

Former member the Teen Titans.

Was looking at her calmly, but also worried.

"I…" she hesitated.

"Mère?" Her daughter asked, coming back into the study.

She saw her mother shocked and frozen state. And raced to her.

"Are you hurt? Are you in pain?" Raven asked. She knew what the woman was experiencing, but it was better to be safe than sorry.

She tried to shake her head, but seeing her husband in those photos…

"Mère?" Her daughter asked her worried, tears almost escaping her eyes.

"Is there anything wrong with your mother? Medical or mental…?" Raven asked.

Her daughter shook her head frantically.

Raven reached forward and grabbed her arm.

Then she felt… calm.

Her anxiety disappeared. Her body stopped shaking.

But her thoughts still raced. She just didn't panic, and she could move.

"Mère. est-ce que tu vas bien? (Mother. Are you okay)" her daughter asked her.

They heard footsteps coming to the study.

Rita entered, and looked worried at the women.

"Is something wrong. Should I ask them to hold the ceremony?"

"No… I'm fine. Just a little woozy." She said.

That was the wrong thing to say, as Rita zoomed in and began to check her. So she gently grabbed the older woman's arms.

"I'm fine now. Please, don't make anyone wait for me. Let's go."

"Are you sure?" Rita asked.

"Yes." She turned slightly, and gave an appreciative look to Raven. "I'm feeling much better, let's go."

She reassured her daughter, and the women exited the study. They joined the others near the West Entrance doors. Just outside, was a modest, yet beautiful, wedding ceremony set up for the bride and groom. They told them that she needed time to get ready, so they accepted her words, and walked through the doors.

It was strange.

Her mind raced a mile a minute. Her feelings were colliding with one another. But her body was calm and relaxed. She sat comfortably in the plush lawn chair they all sat in for the ceremony. She reached over and squeezed her daughter's knee, who was still worried about her mother.

The wedding began.

And they spoke.

How weddings usually started.

But…

They honored him.

Her husband.

Garfield.

How he was a member of the Doom Patrol. Then the Teen Titans.

How they missed him, and some of them shed tears… especially Rita.

How they wished he was here with them, that where ever he was, he was happy.

It all clicked into place.

The rumored 'young hero' that joined the Doom Patrol. Most in school believing it to be a myth, since the team was always away fighting some villain across the world.

That the same hero moved away, and joined the Teen Titans to fight crime in Jump City.

Beastboy.

Garfield Logan.

His photo, the last they ever had of him.

She could see her husband, in that young man's face.

They said beautiful things about him.

That they loved him.

She cried and wept on the inside. But whatever the hero Raven did, she was calm and supportive on the outside. She looked over to her daughter, whose eyes were open wide. She started to shake, so she reached over and grasped her hand.

She smiled.

"…"

She didn't know how her mother had the strength to be so calm.

So they sat through the wedding.

Her younger sister was officially married.

Then they gathered together to chat. They were mostly asked questions, since the others knew each other so well. But no one asked any questions that were too personal.

Then it began to die down.

It was time to leave.

"pourquoi es-tu calme maman? (Why are you calm mother)" Her daughter asked anxious.

"J'ai utilisé un sort de calme. (I used a calm spell)" Raven said.

They turned to the heroine in surprise.

Raven looked to her daughter.

"Are you fine with driving? Do you think you can sleep?" She asked.

Her daughter was unsure, and didn't know what to say.

So Raven reached forward and gently placed her hand on the younger woman's arm.

She felt something small course through her.

Then her anxious feeling from learning the truth… faded.

Raven addressed both of them.

"The spell will stay with you, until you go to sleep tonight. Then it will wear off. Just so you can safely return to your hotel, and rest."

They both nodded, and thanked her.

Then her and her husband Garth said goodbye.

Then Dick and his wife Koriand'r.

Then Victor and his wife Sarah.

And Cliff and Larry.

Finally. It was just the six of them.

"Are you leaving in the morning?" Rita asked.

"Yes. I'll be returning to France tomorrow." She smiled.

"And I'll be flying to Jump City, to see my husband." Her daughter smiled.

They all smiled.

"Will you come visit?" Her new brother in law asked.

And despite Ravens magic, their smiles faded.

Then the Dayton family's smiles faded also.

The court yard was silent.

She… didn't know.

Before she found out about her husband… she would have gently dismissed the question.

But now…

Her brother in law looked… defeated.

"It… was pretty hard. Getting everyone together." He said.

They were all silent.

"Everyone is older. Their kids are growing up. They moved on. Before… we would spend time together. After…" he stopped.

Their hearts broke.

"… now everyone is busy. With work. Life. Kids. I…"

"…"

"I don't think… we'll be seeing each other again after today…"

They were quiet.

She looked at her sister.

Her head was down.

Silent. Reserved. Awkward.

She herself, had been ready to smile, say bye, then jet outta there.

And never come back.

Her brother reached into his breast pocket, then pulled out a card.

He handed it to her.

It wasn't a business card.

It was blank… or it used to be. Now…

It had a number. His number.

"If… you ever want to meet again. Call…" he said.

"…"

She pocketed the card.

"Thank you for inviting us" she said.

"Thank you for coming."

Then they hugged each other. Asked questions about their honeymoon.

They said goodbye.

Her eyes opened.

She was lying in the bed of their hotel room.

The previous night came barreling to the front of her mind.

She got up in bed, which stirred her daughter awake.

Then HER feelings came to the surface.

The two women were silent.

"Garfield…" she finally spoke.

"Mon avion… (My plane)" her daughter said.

"Habille-toi. Tu iras chez ton mari. (Get dressed. You will go to your husband)" she said.

Her daughter tried to argue, but it didn't matter. Her son in law wanted his wife. So she would go.

She could… deal with this news.

She gave one last look to her daughter, who boarded her plane to Jump City.

She waived, and her daughter's plane took off.

She prayed she had a safe flight.

"Did you sleep well?"

She jumped, and turned.

The hero Raven stood before her.

She calmed her breathing.

"Y-Yes. Thank you again." She said.

"…"

"Will… you please come with me?" Raven asked.

She knitted her eyebrows.

She slowly followed the heroine, rolling her luggage with her.

They walked to a small court yard of the airport.

They were alone.

"…"

"…"

"Are you aware… that you have wisps of time and reality energies around you?"

She had no clue what she was talking about.

Raven understood.

"If you remember, I'm a magic user…" she nodded. "I can sense magic, and energies in the air…" she nodded again.

"You… have energies that represent time, and dimension, floating around you…"

Now she was scared. And Raven could see that.

"Don't worry… you're not in danger. Nothings going to happen to you."

She was relieved… slightly.

"But I'm curious… why you have these energies around you?" Raven said.

"…"

She shrugged her shoulders.

"…"

"Why did you freeze… when you saw those pictures of Beastboy?"

She froze.

"Why were you scared… when you saw Garfield?"

She was scared. She didn't know what was going on, realizing her husband was the hero Beastboy. These energies that surrounded her and…

'… energies…' She looked up.

She stared at the heroine

Then Raven threw a Hail Mary.

"Where if he? Where's Garfield?" She asked.

"F-France…" she stuttered.

"Let's go." Raven reached out to her.

"My plane…" she said.

"You don't have to worry about that. I'll tell the authorities I needed to teleport you for an emergency. Now think of where he is, and I'll send us."

She hesitated, but nodded.

She let go of her luggage, but clutched her purse.

Raven grasped her shoulder.

She thought of their home. Of the small house built on the vineyard in France.

She thought of Garfield.

Her husband.

*swoosh*

"Woah!" A man said. Pulling himself and the boys back.

"Grand-mère!" Her two grandsons called to their grandmother.

"Où est mon mari? Où est Garfield? (Where if my husband? Where is Garfield?)"

He was about to ask how she appeared. And who this stranger was, but was cut off.

"Où est Garfield!?" She yelled. Dropping her purse.

"Il est à l'intérieur de la maison. Il est malade. (He is inside the home. He is sick.)" he said.

She moved swiftly inside the home. The strange lady hesitated, then followed her.

The boys wanted to follow their grandmother, but the man pulled them back.

"Garfield!"

She checked the living room.

"Garfield!"

She checked the kitchen.

Then she heard… crying.

She raced to their bedroom.

She found him. Sitting on their bed, hunched over.

His face was buried in his hands, tears in his eyes.

He was in pain again.

And beyond reason, she slapped his shoulders.

She was crying.

"Stupide! Stupide!" She yelled at him.

He was about to call her name.

But…

He sensed…

"Raven…" he said.

She was there, at his bedroom door.

She looked… queasy. Almost sea sick.

In a Raven sort of way.

Seeing that the heroine was in her room, she turned to her.

"Can you heal him?! Can you heal my husband?!" She asked. Tears still pouring from her eyes.

Raven looked at her.

"I… can…" she said.

She stepped away, hoping that her magic could heal her husband.

Raven looked at Garfield.

Blond hair, worked skin, touched by the sun.

And Garfield looked at Raven.

The same old Raven, slightly taller with small wrinkles under her eyes.

"…"

"You have… a lot of energies conflicting inside you…" she said.

He looked worried.

"I… can sense what the textbooks described as the ancient clock… atoms from the regulators portal maker… electrical charges that must have come from Warps blasters when they hit you. Even dimensional tears…

"…"

"And my powers…" she finished.

"Are you okay Raven? Please… sit down."

She shook her head.

"It's just nausea. Being so close to you and your energies, it's just overwhelming me. But I'll be okay."

"…"

"Your powers?" She asked.

"They're gone. Or suppressed. I can't shift anymore."

She nodded.

"They're suppressed. All those energies, including your powers, are colliding together. I can sense some of your powers bleeding from you."

"Can you heal him?" She asked.

"I can… I can remove everything foreign from your body." She answered.

She smiled.

Garfield remembered Warps words about the 'Great Raven.'

"Even dimensional… energies?"

Raven raised an eyebrow, but nodded.

"Thanks to my daughter. She has a knack for that type of energy. Its roots, or fragments of it, in the depths of Atlantis. She can banish it, but I can only move it… she taught me that."

He nodded.

"You can be Beastboy again."

"No…" he felt pain shoot through him.

He looked to her, and spoke before the two ladies began to yell.

"You can heal me… but I'll never be Beastboy again."

She understood what he was saying.

"I'm Garfield. Now and forever." He said.

She nodded.

"It was a very stupid thing you did. Not coming to me…" she said.

"Was I going to die..?" He asked.

"…"

"… No. But you would have suffered that pain, the rest of your life." She answered.

He shook his head.

"Then it wasn't stupid…"

The two women were confused.

"If I went to you… and the others…" he grimaced. "I might have never left you guys."

"…"

"But I did leave you all…" he turned to his wife. Tears in his eyes.

"I would have never met my wife…"

She started to cry.

"I would have never helped, and turned this house into a home…"

She cried.

"I would have never found happiness, her… my daughter in law… my grandsons…"

"…"

He turned back to Raven.

"This pain… I'd suffer through it a lifetime… just to be with them…" he said.

His wife cried.

Raven stared at him.

"When did you grow up?" She smirked.

He smirked back.

"Can you… heal me now?" He asked.

She reached to his chest…

"AZARATH… METRION… ZINTHOS…" she whispered.

Then, they all felt it…

Like wind currents inside the bedroom.

But energies…

They flowed from him in all directions.

Then they were gone.

He leaned forward, and breathed easier.

Slowly, he began to change.

Then he was…

GREEN

His wife didn't care.

She launched herself at him.

Wrapping her arms around her husband, she cried her heart out. He hugged her and squeezed her. They held each other, until they remembered their guest.

Slowly, they pulled away, and saw Raven looking out the window.

Raven turned to her.

"May I… speak to Garfield?"

She hesitated. Looking at her husband.

He nodded.

So she nodded, then slowly walked to their bedroom door.

She closed it after her.

"…"

"…"

"Thank you… I meant it. That pain… it was a price worth paying… to have them…" he said.

She nodded.

“…”

“…”

"We looked for you… I looked for you…" she said.

"I know… you and the others… are good friends."

"…"

"…"

"I couldn't penetrate Warps portal…" she said it like it was… a failure. "I'm… talented. But I'm not all powerful… I'm not my father."

"We're blessed, that your you Rae…" he said.

She stumbled at his words. His… compliment.

She continued.

"It's easier to reach into the past, than it is to the future… Too many variables, change the connection you make. But we tried… And we sensed some of you, but we could do nothing trying to grasp you. Then the portal fully sealed shut, you were gone…"

"…"

"I looked a hundred years to the future. To the exact time and date… Nothing. Then two hundred… and still nothing. Then three… then four…"

"Thank you Rae.”

He rose up, and walked to her.

"Thank you, for looking for me. For not giving up hope-"

"I did give up… and so did the others." She cut him off.

Raven looked sad and defeated. As though she and the others failed him.

"…"

"Three years… we looked for you… then… we gave up…" she said.

He looked at her.

"I… was just a friend… three years was more than enough." Garfield said.

He remembered their words at the Honoring of the current Teen Titans.

She looked… sad at his words.

"…"

"In the museum… you had dimensional energy inside you…" she said.

He stiffened, and she noticed.

"Why?"

"…"

"… my daughter… in experimenting in reading other… realities. Which she should never do without my consent…" she added in controlled anger, "sensed fragments of our dimensional reality, inside another…"

He gulped.

"She freaked out, when I grabbed her…" Raven stared at him.

"…"

"… why were you called Logan?" She asked.

"…"

“Why did you look like your normal self?”

She glared.

She wanted an answer.

"He… was his own man… I wasn't going to absorb him… I wasn't going to kill him…" he finally said.

She was silent. Then nodded.

"He's… happy…" she said.

He looked surprised.

"We… or him and that Raven..." She started.

"…"

"They’re together" she added.

He nodded.

Logan… He lived his own life.

Garfield smiled.

He was right…

In that world… Raven did choose him.

"…"

"Did… you ever think… about us…" she started.

"…" Garfield looked to Raven.

"… together." She finished.

The room was silent.

He smiled.

"I did… I… had a crush on you back then…"

She stared at him. Then spoke.

"I… had a crush on you too…" she admitted.

They both laughed.

"Could you imagine us… a couple?" She asked.

"Haha. Yeah... I don't think it would have worked out." He said.

They both smiled.

Then he felt her powers blanket around him. But he continued to smile. She wanted to know… needed to know.

"…"

She felt him.

His love.

For her.

…

Just like he loved all of them.

The Titans and Doom Patrol…

They smiled.

"It was nice seeing you again… Garfield…"

"It was nice seeing you too… Rachel…"

She was surprised, that he knew her real name. But… she'd let it slide.

Then she was gone.

————

She was sitting on their couch. Looking at the card.

*step…* *step…*

She turned to the threshold. Pocketing it again.

Her husband stood there.

Blond hair… sun kissed skin…

They stared at each other.

And the Green eyes she fell in love with.

He walked slowly to her, then bent down before her.

He looked up to her, hugging her legs.

"I love you… so much…" he said with his soul.

She leaned forward, then placed her hands on his chest.

"Show me…" she said confidently.

He looked confused.

She leaned in, next to his ear.

"Like rabbits…" she whispered.

He grew bashful, then determined.

And finally sexy…

He kissed her deeply.

Then she was lifted.

And carried exactly where she wanted to go.

To the sound of her and her husbands laughter.

Tomorrow…

She would offer him the card… tomorrow.

THE END

-Authors not next chapter-

Chapter Text

This story was originally posted on FanFiction.net by myself as None726 on June 2024.

I would like my story to be archived on AO3.

Thank you for reading my story.

-Original Authors Note-

Thank you, for reading my story. I will apologize this once, for my story being confusing or hard to follow. It was just two dimensions, the original and the one Garfield never became Beastboy. I didn't include ages, because that is math I didn't care to calculate. This is my one, and only, fanfic that I'll ever write.

I am not a good author.

I am not a good story teller.

But I wanted to write emotional moments in the characters lives.

I wanted to write a unique Teen Titans fanfic, for one of my favorite characters, Beastboy.

I had one idea, when I started this fanfic.

"What if Raven, cheated on Beastboy?"

Willingly, and by her own choices. That she would betray Garfield, and be with another person. Who I happened to pick Aqualad, since she showed interest in him during his first appearance.

So I sat down, and thought. Why would Raven do such a thing? Why not break up with Garfield? If she broke up with him before, then she didn't cheat on him.

So how?

I'll ask the readers to give their suggestion, for how Raven could cheat on Garfield. Not in a mean or standoffish way of course.

My first thought was, what if she never loved him in the first place?

That's a cop out. But doable.

No. She needed to love him. So it dawned on me.

We never question, why did Starfire fall in love with Robin? Just because he was the first person to show her kindness, that started their romance. And just because Beastboy showed kindness to Raven, that started their romance also.

How convenient.

But in my story, Dick and Kori played it smart. He went to Bludhaven, and she returned to Tamaran. They gave each other a chance at finding happiness with others. Then returned to be together.

Garfield latched onto Raven. And didn't want to let go.

Raven went to the Justice League, and experienced a life outside the Teen Titans. With new places and people, and a desire to branch out of Jump City, she happened to spend time with her partner. Aqualad.

Raven fell in love with Garfield, not only because his character, but because he was the only available bachelor on the team. Minus Cyborg.

Raven fell in love with Garth, not only because his character, I didn't delve into that, but she was transitioning into a new part of her life. Adulthood.

I did my best, to explain everyone's reasoning, and their short comings at the beginning.

"I'm not that strong Garth, no matter how far I've come in life, I'm still just that young kid that Raven met all those years ago. -Garfield

"All this time, all this time she carried the guilt of sharing herself between two men. She was greedy and selfish. She didn't WANT to choose... She didnt deserve either of them." -Raven

"But when she came back, when she would come back from YOU, she was more confident, and she was falling more and more in love with me... I know it. And I couldn't hide my feelings any longer." -Aqualad

So by loving and supporting Raven, Garfield gave her the confidence to break out of her shell. To pursue life after the Teen Titans, then meet the man that she would also fall in love with.

Garfield was from her past, and Garth was the future.

They all decided to move ahead… except Beastboy.

So now what? Beastboy with nothing to do, nowhere to go? Awkward Thanksgiving's and Christmas parties?

No. I needed to rub salt in his wounds, with the promise of happiness at the very end.

That's my story telling.

So why not send Garfield to a world, where Raven WOULD love him?

I wrote Logan, as an end game Beastboy. No different, if Nightwing was there, the day they became a team. Logan had all the love and care Garfield held for the team. So much, he smothered them. Like Garfield did to Raven.

But there needed to be a trade off, for Logan doing all the work.

Robin never went down the path of Red X. Patched his relationship with Batman, and grew to love his team like a family.

Cyborg looked passed his machine form, much sooner than in the show. Was appreciated for being the most supportive member of the team, and rekindled his relationship with his father.

Starfire gained her confidence early on, and had her heart to heart with Blackfire.

And Raven… was loved from the very beginning. Given support, confidence and was protected along the way.

At the end, Garfield was in the same situation he was in, in chapter one. The team moved on.

Everyone, weren't the same people he knew back in his younger days. So he'd forever be the friend off to the side, that lost years with them. But this time, they had children.

And Garfield would never change anything, to jeopardize the lives of his nieces, nephews and brother.

But he needed a romance of his own. I purposefully wrote the story description to include Raven, Starfire and Terra. Hoping to hide the fact that he would end up with a nameless OC. The track runner from the other world, who had a crush on young Garfield.

"I'm leaving..."

"I know. But where ever you go, we'll see each other again." -OC

I really tried, to write emotionally powerful moments. My absolute favorite show, is the Twilight Zone. And the actors in it, are so powerful in their performances. That they truly feel what's printed in the script.

I wanted the characters to feel that.

The emptiness in Garfield losing Raven, and from being left behind.

The joy and love, Star and Cy grew from their time with Logan.

Robin, realizing the mistake of Red X.

Both Robin and Cyborg, and their relationships with their fathers.

Terra's fantasies about her and Logan.

Raven, falling in love with Logan.

Garfield, seeing that life prospered without him.

And finally, the OC, that got Garfield in the end.

I went with Raven never loving Beastboy. The cop out. But I showed a Raven that wasn't perfect. A Garfield and Garth that weren't perfect either.

But maybe, in the original dimension. Garfield and Raven weren't meant to be…

So that's it. Thanks again for reading. Thank you all that reviewed or showed interest in my story. If you didn't like it, you didn't waste any money. Fanfiction is free. They let anyone submit a story.