The Unexpected News

[Silv]

Bruce's eyes narrowed at Starfire's response. “Suit yourself,” he replied but as he said it he moved forward, snagging Dick by the arm that Kori was not holding and tugging it forward like the youngest Grayson was little more than an ill behaved child. Batman was taller than both of them, though only a few inches taller than Kori. “But we're not having this conversation here.” it was easier than it should have been for him to drag Nightwing forward. Caught off guard, Dick stumbled towards Bruce but was caught by his connection to Kori. If she wasn't careful Dick could get seriously hurt, because Bruce didn't care enough to loosen his grip.

Batman directed them to an area far enough away that Tim shouldn't have been able to overhear what they were saying. Bruce didn't want the actions of his eldest to give the youngest any ideas. As soon as they were where the Wayne patriarch wanted them Bruce released his hold on his adopted son, shoving him into the girl he had impregnated.

“Do you have any idea the repercussions of your actions?” Batman asked both of them, but his focus was on Dick. He didn't sound passionate. No, it was the cold harshness of reality that came through in his voice and bit at Dick's resolve. “Do you have any idea how dangerous this is? For Kori? For the child?”

“Kori can take care of herself, she's-”

“And how will her powers be affected by the pregnancy? What if our enemies find out about her and the baby when they're at their most vulnerable? Of course you didn't think this through. You're still a child yourself. You can't fight crime and be a father, Dick.”

Something snapped inside Dick. It felt harsh and hard, like he had just been torn down and had all his dreams stamped on. “You would know, wouldn't you, Bruce?” the young man replied glaring at his mentor.

He didn't see the punch coming until it was too late.

Dick stumbled backwards blood suddenly spilling down the side of his chin. His teeth had caught on the insides of his lips and the sour taste of iron filled his mouth. The youngest Grayson spat on the floor, a glob of blood and saliva landing by Batman's feet. “What? Don't like the truth, Bruce? Or are you just jealous that I have someone who loves me while you're alone with your bats and your justice?”

The Batman had grown very still and there was a dangerous look in his eyes that told Dick he should shut up. The problem was Dick had never been very good at listening. And this had become more than just an argument over whether or not Dick should be having a child at the tender age of nineteen. It was an argument on philosophy. Dick and Bruce no longer saw eye to eye and part of the reason was because he'd met people like Kori who had changed him for the better.

“Get out.”

The words were soft but commanding. Bruce wasn't looking at Dick when he said it. He was looking at Kori.

[Elenaphant]

If his rough handling of Dick as he dragged him up was concerning, or the way he threw Dick into her when they had arrived to the place of conversation, Starfire close to lost it when Batman punched Dick in the face. She gasped and lunged forward to steady him, ignoring the instinct that usually told her to throw a starbolt at the person who'd hurt this man she loved so much. When he addressed her, as she so tenderly held his son's face to look at the damage. He's taken worse, but this was from his father. She recognized how this went beyond just this topic, and into their relationship. She's spent a good five years on the outside, only hearing about it and watching the struggle from Dick's side and it wasn't until now that she became involved.

"What is the matter with you?!" She snapped right back, ignoring his command. "This is your son! I don't know why you're so adamant against him being his own person, and being accepted by others. He's done well for himself until now. We have a family with the Titans who will support us when I--we are vulnerable, and we will face this together somehow."

Arguing against Bruce made her more sure of it. She understood very well that they had been irresponsible. They were young, they were heroes, and they didn't even know half of what they had to do now. It was frightening. "I understand very well you are angry, disappointed, and yes--you're hurt. You wouldn't have lashed out if you weren't--but so is he. He only heard this from me a few hours ago. We came here to tell you the news. Whether we like it or not Bruce he is going to be a father, but what about you?!"

Kori was not the kind of person to hold back when she felt something was wrong. She was looking beyond the harshness and reputation of the masked man, trying to talk to the man who loved Dick Grayson. The father Bruce Wayne tried to be... the father he was, because Kori knew in Dick's eyes he was, despite the issues between them. "I don't have parents. I have the Titans, I have Dick and this child. I thank X'hal he has you."

Her hand was gripping Dick's tightly. Likewise, she was only twenty years old. She didn't have parents. Here she was, going to be a mother, wanting desperately to give this child what she didn't have and there was a hand squeezing her heart because the complications were piling up. Why couldn't he see that Dick needed him now? Her tone dropped, steeling herself, and she was quieter now. Undoubtedly Tim could hear her, if faintly, from wherever he was. Now the fire that kindled at the abuse she witnessed had simmered.

"We can go if that's what you want. I'm certainly not going to leave after I just saw." Stubborn men, the both of them. Her disappointment was largely with Bruce though. The way he acted was understandable but beneath him and his so-called self-restraint. Why was anger the only thing he seemed capable of showing when Dick needed love right now?

[Silv]

Dick wiped his mouth with the back of his hand, giving Kori a red stained grin in reassurance as she studied his face. Flecks of blood now stained his right cuff, but it wasn't enough to worry about. He'd be fine. Her attention then turned to his father-figure. Kori looked so beautiful when she was angry. Dick was half afraid Bruce would end up across the room with a smoking chest plate but she was able to reign herself in. She was so eloquent when she wanted to be. Dick listened to her words, his grip on her hand squeezing appreciatively when she mentioned their family, the Titans.

Bruce, however, had gone dangerously still. Starfire was lucky that Batman did not posses the same powers she did or he would not have been able to hold back from burning her to a crisp with his gaze alone. “Restrain yourself.” Batman did not want Tim overhearing this conversation. He knew how the youngest felt about Dick. He didn't need all of his children angry with him. “Sometimes being a parent is about making the tough decisions.” his eyes turned accusingly to Dick, and the younger man stiffened as though he knew he was being scrutinized.

The youngest Grayson didn't need Starfire to protect him from Bruce. Sure, their conversation would have probably not gone any better if she hadn't been there, but it wouldn't have been any worse, either. His blue eyes narrowed at his mentor as their pair locked gazes. “You have a month,” Bruce told him, and Dick looked like he'd just been hit over the head. He waited, silently, for Bruce to explain. “You have a month to figure out what you're doing with your life, Dick, or I'm going to be forced to make some decisions for you.” it was an ominous time line and Dick wasn't so sure he'd like any decisions Bruce made. Especially since he was pretty sure Bruce wanted him retired. “Now, get out.”

He didn't waste any time. Dick turned towards Kori like a man who had just been sentenced to life and accepted it. “Let's go,” he said softly. “That's the best we'll get from him tonight. He needs the time as much as we do.” If Bruce overheard him, the man didn't say anything. Though, that might have been because the next time Dick glanced over his shoulder to where Batman had been standing he was gone. Good old, Bruce.

Dick turned towards the familiar form of the old butler. “Alfie?” it was the childhood nickname Dick had parroted off Bruce. “You'll talk to him, right?” the young man looked uncertain, as though perhaps even the kindly words of an old butler could fix this mess.

[Elenaphant]

Kori nodded curtly and turned with him. The anger was simmering away so by the time they faced Alfred it was more neutral, and she'd heard much about this butler. He was poised proper and the least emotive of anyone tonight with his carefully crafted expression, but when Dick spoke to him, his eyes softened and he held out a white cloth for him to take, for his face.

"I was already planning to. Master Wayne lacks tact, but he does have his reasons. In any case, you two have a lot of thinking to do and I wouldn't worry about this too much tonight." Alfred wasn't going to lecture them. They didn't need it. "I have faith in the two of you. It won't be easy--but you'll manage it." The timing was unfortunate, not so much the child itself. What was done was done, and there was certainly worse news to bring home.

He escorted them to the door, and watched them leave. "And you suppose adding a deadline will help them along, do you?" Alfred mused to himself, knowing Bruce was lurking around as he shut the door. "You may be angry, but I feel an overwhelming sense of pity for them both."

---

"Good morning," she greeted a sleepy looking Dick Grayson. She stayed the night with him, since it felt wrong just to take off and she had been pretty exhausted when they drove back to Bludhaven. She hadn't seen much of him when they got back, as she had fallen quickly to sleep and wasn't sure if he did too. At least when she woke up he was there, so she made herself useful and got the coffee started and poured the bowl of cereal and milk--the only breakfast the alien could manage. Cooking was not a skill she had improved in beyond hot beverages.

"I'll be heading back to Jump soon," she informed him, though she was still sitting in his shirt that she borrowed for sleeping. "Should I... tell them, or do you want to wait for us to do it together?" Them being the Titans of course. Kori would have to inform her agency soon too, which was another complicated matter and she didn't want the Titans to find out from the tabloids.

[Silv]

Dick was glad Starfire decided to stay the night. He'd never admit it, but her mere presence helped him forget about a day that had gone from surprising to terrible. It also helped to keep his mind off of Bruce. Alfred have told him not to worry about it, but that was like asking him not to breathe. Still, the warm form of Kori besides him when he finally managed to calm down enough to slip into bed besides her was enough to chase away all the nightmares shaped like the thing that had once chased all the bad dreams away.

He woke up when the sun was just starting to rise. He was day shift because it allowed him to keep his vigilante activities up during the night. Dick used all his training as he slipped quietly out of the bed and got ready. It was weird to have not patrolled Bludhaven as Nightwing, and his shower was quicker and less fulfilling because of it. It was habit, however, and so it happened anyway. When he was finished, Kori was awake. He wandered out towards his little kitchen, buttoning the front of his shirt as he walked. He could smell the coffee brewing and noticed she'd already pulled out the cereal.

He sat down across from her, reaching for the box to fill his own bowl of cereal. She said she was leaving soon and he lifted his head to look at her levelly. Despite now belonging to Bludhaven, a city that needed him more than any city he had ever seen, the thought of Jump City still had him aching for home. He froze mid pour and set the box back down. She was asking how they wanted to tell the Titans. Dick wasn't sure, but he knew one thing:

“We'll do it together,” he said resolutely. “I'm going with you.” Rookie Grayson could afford to call off work for a few days for a family emergency. He told her as such. “While you get dressed I'm going to call my boss. I'm sure they'll give me some time off for this,” his gaze slid to the left as if he were thinking. “Then I'm going to contact the others,” he wasn't the only Titan to have left the team. “Tell them to meet tonight at the Tower. That it's important.” they would come, Titans always had each others backs.

[Elenaphant]

Kori was glad that he was coming with her. It solidified that they were in this together, if they were both delivering the news, and it was a bit more time spent with him. There was no doubt in her mind that Dick was going to do his best to be supportive, but they both knew they'd be separated a lot during this pregnancy. Kori's life was in Jump City where there was sun and familiarity. Bludhaven needed Nightwing and she wouldn't tear the hero from the people who needed him. Nor did she want to live here, where is was far less safe and bright. They had so much to discuss. One step at a time.

"Very well. I'll contact everyone and hopefully they can make it on short notice," she said, and smiled at him from across the table. This would be a lot easier than the talk last night, she was sure of it.

She waited for Dick to get things sorted before leaving; she changed while he was on the phone with work and managed to get her work affairs sorted out by cell phone that morning. Then, she got started on informing everyone about the meeting as they headed back to Jump--city of the Titans.

---

ooc:
So yes XD If you want to join Dick and Kori will be at Titan Tower and I guess this thread is now open >w> They haven't told the news yet, that'll be when everyone who wants to be in is in. Yeah, sound good?

[Deleted]

So much happened after the Titans got older and separated, but Reflecto noted that most everyone left on good terms, him included. However, when he had left he wasn’t done fighting crime and even though he didn’t mind the whole solo hero act, he sometimes found himself reminiscing his time with the Teen Titans. Desiring to become part of a group again he became a government spy, exploiting his skills for his country.

No longer did he fear Dr. Burgess. The mad man last he checked was still locked away in Belle Reve unable to get out and that was how Reflecto liked it. Often, he told himself how much he didn’t miss the little er tall psycho and yet at times he found himself thinking about him. And whenever that happened he forced himself to visit his old creator making the excuse he is just there to ensure that Burgess can’t get out.

Another person he found himself missing terribly was Sapphire and he knew he blew it all those years ago. Still, he wondered if fate would be kind enough to allow him to see her again. He also wondered if she still had some feelings for him since he straightened himself out or at least he tried to. But, without Sapphire he went straight back to drinking to ease his depression over having lost his best friend. He did manage to quit smoking for the most part. However, he still tended to smoke whenever nervous. It was like a tick of his. Some people chewed the ends of writing utensils while others popped their hands with rubber bands. Well, he smoked.

Besides, those nasty little habits, Reflecto felt certain he was doing a hell a lot better than when he was under Burgess’ thumb. Not only did he better himself, but his outfit changed too and being more of a spy and informant than a superhero it kind of had to. He dressed more like a 50’s detective; his green trenchcoat underwent a color change from green to a light brown and he now wore a grey brimmed hat with a black stripe. His cape and scarf were no more. Ever since the Titans discovered his scar he saw it pointless to keep it covered. But, he did wear dark sunglasses. And speaking of changes he also came to change his birth name from Flash Mcgavin to Jason Fletcher, something about not wanting to have the same name as the superspeedster.

In addition, to all his changes, he also got the hang of his telepathy powers and he improved his psionic blast. His telepathy definitely came in handy in his line of work.

Reflecto was in the middle of interrogating a deadly prisoner when he got the unexpected call from an old friend, Starfire. The telepath was shocked that she would be calling him. Regardless, he sharply excused himself from the interrogation room. “Kori,” he whispered into his old T-comm, “I’m in a middle of an interrogation right now. Can’t this…? I see… Well, in that case I will try to be there as soon as I can. See you there Kori.”

For several long moments Reflecto just stood there just outside the interrogation room, staring out the window. It was a good thing he still had the T-comm on him or he may not have known about this Teen Titan reunion thing. Reflecto did not think the Tamaranean had his cell number especially since it kept changing (he felt certain this was purposely done to keep him safe). He stood there pondering about whether or not he should go. He supposed since Kori was calling him he’d be welcomed, but he remembered when he had turned on his fellow Titans. Even if they say they forgive him he did not think he would be welcomed by everyone. Still, he did promise Kori he would be there and if there was even the slightest chance Sapphire would also be there. He had to go. He had to see.

So, after he finished interrogating the prisoner he informed his superiors that something came up and left. Unsure how long this visit was going to last, he grabbed a small suitcase containing only the essentials and drove himself back to Titans Tower since it was not too far from his home in Gotham. His car was a black unmarked government agent car. He took the secret route for land vehicles and drove up towards the old T. With it unguarded for the past few years he was shocked to find it still standing. Why hadn’t all their old enemies teamed up to destroy it with them gone? Happily confused he parked his car, grabbed his bag and headed inside to wait. Glancing around he saw his car was the first to arrive, but that didn’t necessarily mean he was the first one to arrive since the team had fliers and swimmers.

As soon as he entered through the front door he was consumed by memories, some happy while others not so much. “Hello? Anybody here? Kori? Nightwing?” he called out while taking a few more steps inside. With no response he realized he was the first to arrive. Having missed his fellow Titans and wondering what news Kori had he couldn’t wait until they arrived.

While waiting for the others he went up the elevator and entered his old room; which besides some understandable wear and tear still looked the same, just as he had left it. He set his suitcase down beside his bed.

Then he looked at Sapphire’s old room and feeling overcome with memories he started to cry. Having lost contact with her he had no idea what she had been up to. He hoped she remained good. “I’m so sorry,” he whispered.

[Feathers]

Kimber Fowl waltz into the tower. She smiles. Reminder how much the ‘T’ Shape tower brought happy and bitter memories, mostly happy ones of course. Now older and wiser, she now works in her grandfather company, while juggling her double life as a Hero. And who said you can’t have it all?

Ha! Double Ha!

But a few years back, the economy crisis hit, and it hit hard. She had to put her life on hold. She took a break from her double life and retire musical career, in exchange to work for her grandfather. He needed her more than ever, and he wasn’t getting any younger. Making more frequent trip to the hospital had become a daily basis, both fearing the worse of him… dying. With the days outnumbering him, he needed her to continue his legacy which soon would be becomes hers one day.

Now with everything (economy and her grandfather's health) stable, and when the old Titans crew needed more hands on deck to help, and she leaps at the chance. How could she say no? Honestly, she just missed kicking butt and the adrenaline rush that comes with it.

Receiving an urgent text from Kori, asking her to meet her and Dick (with the other Titans) at the Tower. She quickly hops over to the T-Tower during her lunch break. Still dress in her work clothes. Dress to look professional and conservative, but with style.

Touching up her lipstick. She heard the elevator ding before it opens it doors to the hallway, leading up to the common room. Looking up ahead, she smiles as she saw a familiar mysterious looking figure.

“Hey Reflecto!”

Walking up to him, while putting away her lipstick into her handbag.

“Are we the only ones here?”

She asked. A curse being so punctual on time. She hated it especially when everyone always comes in fashionably late.

[Deleted]

Of course Beast Boy was one of the first to answer Kori's call, and of course he was ridiculously excited that she and Nightwing were coming for a visit. However, there was no need for him to pack his bags and make the trip to the Tower -- he still lived there. Four years had meant a lot of change, but if there was one thing about Beast Boy that had remained the same, it was his status as a Teen Titan.

Though he could hardly be called a boy anymore.

Now eighteen years old, he was on the cusp of adulthood. A couple of years ago Beast Boy had renamed himself Changeling, though he also went by his real name now as well. He had gotten a lot more comfortable with the name Garfield, or simply Gar. It had embarrassed him in his younger years, but now he didn't mind so much. His name wasn't the only thing about him that had changed; he was taller, his voice was deeper, and he was just a little more mature. He was finally beginning to fill out as well and, green skin, hair, pointy ears and fangs aside, was growing into quite the looker.

He was sprawled on the couch in the common room, impatiently waiting for Kori and Nightwing to arrive, when the sudden whoosh of the doors sent him leaping to his feet. However, instead of seeing the two people he had expected to see, he was greeted by an entirely unexpected party.

"Silverwing!" Changeling chirped, bounding over to give his former teammate a warm hug. "What's up, dude? It's been a while," he said, though his ears twitched and his head cocked to the side as she mentioned Reflecto. Strange, he hadn't seen the cat man come in. Reflecto hadn't frequented the Tower in years. Had Kori really contacted him? Or was he here for another reason entirely?

"Reflecto? Is he here?" Garfield asked, glancing around as if expecting to see the cat man suddenly appear from around the corner. Well, if he was here, he'd show himself eventually. Or a random Titan would find him. Whatever.

He couldn't help but laugh and shake his head as Kimber asked if any other Titans were in the building. Though the team had certainly shrunk as the years had passed, the Tower was by no means deserted -- he was still here, after all. "I'm sure the others are around here somewhere. And Kori and Nightwing are due to arrive at any moment. Or at least, they should be. Slowpokes," Garfield griped, flicking an ear in mock irritation.


ooc: I know that Kimber entered the common room, but I assume Reflecto is still crying in Sapphire's old room from what I can tell of Mordo's last post. Sooo, I wrote this assuming that Kimber and Gar were in the common room, and Reflecto was elsewhere. Forgive me if I'm wrong. xD

[Feathers]

Kimber

"Hey, BB...I mean Garfield..."

She smiles and return the hug back to Garfield. He was no longer a boy but now a man. But she can't help baby him once in the while. She can't get over the fact he was all grown up. Just about thinking makes her smiles. Nothing stay the same and everyone change for the best.

"Sure did, but he was lurking around Sapphire room and so I thought...to leave alone with his thoughts"

She pause and sighed.

"So, we are the only ones here and present. Any idea why Kory and Dick calls us over?"

She asked

OCC: Yes, I know short post. I can't come anything else Kim could said.

[Deleted]

ooc: I only wanted to say that Sam is right about Reflecto still being in Sapphire's room, so I don't think Silverwing would have seen him. Sorry for the confusion everyone.
/gives spot back to feathers/