Teen Titans Fan Fiction ❯ Heroes ❯ Love and Hate ( Chapter 10 )

Blowfish: If you didn't see the new ep “Birthmark”, I suggest you slap yourself several times. I have one word for that ep:

BAAAAAAADAAAAAAAAASSSS…

It rocked, dammit! Hey you! Person that hasn't seen that ep! GO WATCH IT! Btw, sorry for taking an obscenely long amount of time to update. I got reviews…

The Gemini Sage: Yes! I have converted another!

Raven-fans: OUR POWER IS GROWING!

The Gemini Sage: Karen and Terry's investigation will be quite interesting, though it won't be the subject of this particular chapter. Yes, poor Rae is under the misconception that Gar doesn't love her—which will be expanded upon.

Eilian Rhoss: Glad you liked that chap, and I hope you enjoy this one just as much.

Slade's Downfall: Thanks!

TitansFan: Yes, wood shoved in one's leg would be quite painful. I am feeling quite stupid for not thinking of the mask for Starfire—I guess she never seemed like the mask type to me. nn; Ah well… Heh, if I were Robin, I would've whacked Star too. How does he put up with it, honestly? Don't worry, Star's definitely in this chap (there is a very high demand for her). She'll be in the picture a LOT in the next few chapters. And fluff there shall be mwahahahaha!

stella-s55: Yep, I know what it's like to be pissed about a cliffy. But they're so fun to write… nn

Black Raven: Glad you like it!

lil' LIK Star: You'll just have to see… I love Cy; he's so fun for doing funny stuff. He's all tough, so I thought, “Heh, this guy would freak out on an official date!” And don't worry, Star is not forgotten! She just wasn't really important to the last chap.

Rose: At first, I was hesitant about pairing Vic with anyone (Cy is so abused in the pairing department, I thought maybe he deserved to be cut a little slack), and when I stuck Sarah in, I thought, “Jesus, am I just outing him in the story?” But I've decided to make Sarah cooler than the average non-Titan character, so I could stand her. And I actually like her now! Don't worry, btw, RobStar fluff is on the way! Reviews keep the monsters at bay? Hmm…

Monsters: RAAAGHR!

Reviewers: Screw off!

Monsters: (run away)

apERFECtcircle: Yes, blood and gore is fun. BBRae is the best! Sunday Bloody Sunday? Wow, that's ironic. Night of Chaos, hm? CHAOS ROCKS!

Kevin: WHOO! I AM THE CHAOS LORD!

Readers: …Whoa, we totally lost you just now.

TTJLFan: Raven's condition is mine to know, and yours to find out…unless you just read the chapter. :I And as for her thing with Gar…I've got a lot of things planned, none of which can be divulged at this time.

Chimpy: Geez…you sound like a politician.

K9: Heh, Mad Mod, right? (Or Revolution? Or some other show involving a crazed British guy that I'm not thinking of?) Heh, you'll see.

theKRITIC: Yep, cliffies are really fun to write. And I mean REALLY fun. Go write one, it feels good!

Punky munkey: You did? So did my brother, he said it was great. I might just have to rent it. I bet the next chapter will be long-awaited too…I'm such a terrible updater. nn;

ninmenju-shin: OW! (rubs shin) Once I put the fry-tomato analogy in here, I knew at some point, I would HAVE to put that line in, too. It would suck if Raven died. Anyway… I never thought of what breed Cy's dog would be. Huh...I'll stick that in here, I guess! CSI ROCKS, I LOVE THAT SHOW! But not any of its spin-offs, weirdly enough. I'll stick with the original, thank you very much. Aww, apology cake? GIMME! (eats cake)

The Mad shoe1: Thanks a lot!

TIGERGRRrr: Nooo! Don't stop! Here's your update, just don't speak of such rash things!

dogearredangel13: I know, I suck. Switching modes, hm? I do that sometimes. A good romance always makes me giddy too. They're just so fun.

Gecko Osco: I've got H/W I'm supposed to be doing right now, actually…my mom's gonna skin me alive, man. nn; It doesn't mean you have no life! At least, I hope not…because that would mean I have no life, either… oO;

Taiba: You were in Israel? How was it? Ah yes, I did put a tad more profanity than usual, didn't I? Yay! Fangirlish duties restart!

cRiTiC123: Don't worry; this is going to be a nice, romance-ridden chapter/story!

Exiled-Knight: Yes, Raven's pain is so wonderful to read about.

Raven: (flips Blowfish the bird)

Exiled-Knight: Yep, Dick's all right. And I know what you mean; I recently got finished with exams. TOTAL HELLFIRE.

AlwaysWrite: Glad to have you back. And you're an author now! Awesome! Yep, Nightwing thought it would be prudent to show Raven that not all hope is lost. Actually, I find your analyses to be rather astute. Half of the things you point out I hadn't really paid attention to, but now find them to be good points to focus on. I thought it would be fun to make you guys panic by putting Nightwing in a situation he COULDN'T get out of for once—the guy ain't invincible. There's gonna be some pretty fierce interaction with Raven and Vic, so I hope you enjoy it!

RobinluvsStar: Don't worry, Star's gonna get oodles of screen time this chapter.

The Last: I'm glad you like it that much! So you liked the five monkeys thing? And the fry-tomato? Yes! Thanks!

WolfosTerrence: Wow, you are one dedicated reviewer. Thanks for that. And as for Boss…he'll be up to a lot of things, that's for sure. He's got his fingers in every pie, so to speak.

AzhureTigress: Eh, it's no biggie. You're reviewing now, right? I appreciate it! Yeah, future fics are pretty popular. I'm glad you like mine so much. Patient, eh? You're a better person than I…I'm not patient at all. XD Cool lil' quote at the end, btw.

Kaylina the Gerudo: I would sell them too…but then I'd get sued. Damn copyright laws. :P Glad you like it!

Lauren1792: Glad it was useful. Yeah, there's gonna be a lot of hero injury in this story…I mean, a LOT. nn;

MysticMoon: I'm assuming you're talking about the cliffie. You're not the type to swear? You're a better person than I…#! Hope you didn't do whatever you were thinking of, `cause the update is here!

mew-xena: Shell-shocked, eh? Vile deranged monkeys? I CONTROL VILE DERANGED MONKEYS, MWAHAHAHAHA! Thanks a lot for all of your compliments. Here's the update!

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans. If I did, Brother Blood would've been…I dunno, a LOT cooler.

“talking” `thinking' Tamaranian COMPUTER (bold)

Blowfish: It took me three pages to answer you guys…wow. I'd like to take the opportunity to thank everyone who's been reading this. It really makes my day.

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Raven wasn't sure when she actually regained consciousness—it depends on what one defines as consciousness. First, she became aware that she was in pain. Not the worst she'd been in, not by far, but still in a considerable amount of pain. She was also aware that she was not moving. At all. And no matter how much she silently begged herself to move, she couldn't. She wasn't sure how long this lasted, but after what seemed like hours, she managed to move her hand a bit. Encouraged by this accomplishment, she attempted to speak. Her vocal cords indeed vibrated, but all that escaped was:

“Mmphmehh…”

This did not please her. Raven was a person who liked being in control, and loss of ability to move or speak freely was really starting to irritate her. However, she could still hear—which would have been fortunate had wherever she was not been silent.

Raven's hand moved a little more. Her eyelids fluttered slightly. `Come on,' she told her body. `Move! All together now!' Raven focused all of her will power on her torso. She felt the muscles in her stomach contract. She began to lift herself slightly. `That's it! Now, the arms!' Her arms went under her and helped support. It took a while, but Raven finally managed to sit up and open her eyes.

Raven surveyed her surroundings. Her cloak was hanging on a dresser knob. She was on a bed, in a bedroom, alone. Not completely alone, she discovered—there was a German Shepard asleep at the foot of the bed. She leaned over and scratched him behind his ears, and he stirred.

“Hey, boy,” she said, her voice sounding like it wasn't quite fit for use yet. “Can you tell me where I am?” She felt stupid asking the dog, but she couldn't help it. She couldn't remember where she was or why. She did know, however, that there was a definite reason. Her brain was foggy, and she wasn't sure what she had been doing. The dog sat up and licked her face. She laughed softly. “Glad you like me, even if you can't help me.”

The dog suddenly leapt off the bed and went out the door, barking loudly. She heard a groan and the sound of something heavy hitting the floor. An irritated voice was berating someone—most likely the dog, as Raven heard the words “pain-in-the-ass mutt”. The dog came back in, followed by—

“Vic!” Raven said, a wave of relief washing over her. Now she remembered—she had gone to him for help and collapsed in his apartment. Vic smiled.

“You're up,” he said. The German Shepard jumped on the bed and started licking Raven's face again. “I think he likes you.”

“So this is Sparky.”

“Yeah, he's big, but he's not tough at all. Seriously, I've seen Corgis that make him look like a total wuss. But I love him.”

“Heh… Hey, thanks.”

Vic's face hardened. “Damn straight! You have any idea how much I freaked, seeing you on the carpet bleeding! I mean…somehow, `I told you so' just doesn't quite say it.”

“Look, if I could've gone anywhere else, I would've.”

There was a long silence. Vic just looked at her, but her face revealed nothing. Sparky curled up by Raven, sensing the tension.

“…Did I leave a stain?” she asked.

“Hmm?”

“I was bleeding. Did I leave a stain on your carpet?”

“Well—“

DING-DONG!

“—Crap.” Vic paused. “Stay in here.” He rushed to the door and opened it. It was Sarah.

“Hey there,” Sarah said brightly.

“Hey. What's up?”

“Remember how I asked you to hold my cell phone last night?”

“Yeah. Why?”

“I think I left it with you; I can't find it anywhere.”

“Oh…OK, I'll go get it, you just wait here and—“

“Can I come in?”

“Uh…this isn't the best time. The ol' bachelor pad looks like a pigsty.”

“I don't mind—you've seen my house, it's a disaster area.”

“Um…sure, what the hell?” he said, smiling weakly. Sarah walked in and spotted the large red stain on the floor.

“Oh my God! What's that from?”

“Uh…red wine! I dropped a bottle of red wine!”

“Red wine? You can afford red wine?”

“It was a gift.”

“And you dropped it? That's too bad.”

“Yeah. Look, I probably left it in my jacket in my room, so I'll go get it.” He started off for his room, and Sarah followed him. “Uh…my room's a mess, you don't wanna see it.”

“It's fine,” she said, stepping towards the door. He stepped in front of her.

“No, really, it's terrible. A real war zone. I'll just slip in and slip out, you know?”

“Vic, it's fine, I don't care.” She kept trying to step around him, but he kept stepping in front of her. “Victor—” Before either of them could say anything more, Sparky came running out to sniff Sarah. He pushed the door wide open with his nose, and Vic looked inside, steeling himself for Sarah's worst reaction.

There was no one in there.

Vic looked around, feeling panicked. Raven was gone. Sarah was cooing at Sparky and telling Vic how his dog was “absolutely too cute”, but he wasn't listening. His eyes darted around frantically—the cloak was still on his dresser. He quickly stuffed it in one of his drawers.

“See what I mean?” he said laughing nervously. “Total pigsty.”

“Hmm. Well, it ain't good, but it ain't that bad,” she said. “Now where's your jacket?” Vic was about to answer, but he was too horrified by the fact that Raven was hanging from the ceiling right behind Sarah. Raven pointed at her and cocked her eyebrow in a mischievous way. Vic felt his face flush.

“Vic? You okay?” Sarah asked.

“Me? Oh, uh…yeah!” he practically yelled. “Peachy!” Sarah gave him a look, and Raven imitated her.

“Are you sure?” Sarah put a hand to her chin, and Raven did the same. “You seem kind of…wired.”

“Yeah, well, I just drank a lot of coffee, and I'm in rare form today, ya know?” Vic was getting desperate, and Raven flapping her fingers like a mouth behind Sarah wasn't helping. He had to get one of them out of here. Raven grinned and jerked her head in the direction of his jogging suit that was draped over the couch. “Wanna go for a jog?”

“Hmm…I do need the exercise. But it's a bit cold, isn't it?”

“We'll be warm if we jog! And we can pick up some coffee!”

“I think coffee is the last thing you need. But I would like the jog.”

“Great! I'll be back in a sec!” He grabbed his jogging suit off of the couch and dashed into his bedroom. He flung off his shirt and pants, getting on his suit as quickly as possible. He could hear Raven snickering behind him.

“Women who date you must have odd tastes,” she said.

“Shut it. You've been the one making me crazy!”

“Yeah, well, you can chill out. She'd be out there for four more hours waiting for you—she loves that dog to death.”

“Sparky's a real chick magnet.”

“I cannot believe you just used the term `chick magnet' in front of me.”

“Hey, it takes a long time to find a companion who'll live with you, not piss on your floor, and attract girls. Some of us aren't Gar Logan, ya know.” There was a long silence, followed by a weak chuckle from Raven.

“I still can't believe it…he was so dorky when we were kids, you know?”

“Yeah.” He paused. He had really been dancing around what he wanted to say. “So…how's hero life treating you?”

“Ahh…gloriously. What with all the police suspicion, late nights, overdue reports, lack of sleep, and my nonexistent social life.”

“Well—“

“And I'll kill you if you say `I told you so.' I've had it up to here with you and Gar and all of your crap.”

“We were kind of trying to help you avoid this.”

“Shut it. My life has become one giant pile of convoluted bullshit, and I really don't need you on my back about it.”

“You seem more pissed than I expected.”

“Gee, thanks.”

“What's up?”

“…”

“If it has to do with Gar…I just gotta say it, Raven—you had your chance. A big whopping one. You passed it up.”

“…Yeah, I know.”

“So no more whining about it, then! It was all your choice, and you made it.”

“…Does it ever nag at you?”

“What?”

“The guilt. Late at night, when there's no work, no girlfriend, no TV on, and your dog is asleep—does the silence ever just tear you up?”

“…”

“I mean, not just…the bridge...but everything. Like that young man you heard got mugged. Or the woman you saw on the street that was raped. Does it ever just…eat at you, when you're alone?”

“…”

“Come on, Vic. Answer me. …Answer me, goddammit!”

“…Yes. So?”

“'So?' Is that all you can say?”

“No…that's just all I can give.”

“That's a load of crap, and you know it.”

“Look, maybe you should—“

“'So' is all normal people can give. You're not normal, Vic. Put on a suit, go in the assembly line like everyone else—I could still take that device out of your pocket and crush it, and you'd be exposed.”

“…Shut up.”

“No. I won't shut up. I won't shut up until you realize this dream you're living is a lie. You aren't just one of the guys, Vic. You've got a sonic cannon in your goddamn arm!”

Vic zipped up his suit and turned to face Raven. “I'm going jogging with Sarah. You oughta keep off that leg as much as you can. And watch your side, it's pretty burnt.”

“Don't walk away from me, Vic.”

”Goodbye, Raven.” He shut the door behind him. Raven sighed dejectedly and pulled her cloak out from his dresser. She opened the window and jumped out.

She would have to be at work in half an hour.

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“Ow! God, Star! Any more alcohol and I'd need a designated driver!”

“Hush. And for the love of X'hal, hold still.” She dabbed a bit more alcohol on the cut on Dick's arm. “It's deeper than most of the ones you get, and I'm not letting it get infected.”

“Christ that stuff smarts…”

“Oh come on, you big baby. You've done this before.”

“Yeah, but I didn't have a nagging fiancé to do it for me. Over and over again.”

Star slid her arms around his neck. “I think I'm quite reasonable, thank you.”

“Mmm,” Dick grumbled, rubbing his arm. Star put a bandage on it and admired her work. Her husband-to-be grinned, taking the opportunity to quietly reassure her.

“I worry sometimes…all of the time, really,” she whispered.

“Well, you shouldn't. I can take care of myself.”

“Sometimes I wonder.”

“Come on, I'm fine. Just a scratch.”

“It is not a scratch, and I'm not letting you think you're invincible.”

“Not this talk again...”

“If it weren't for Raven, who knows what could've happened the other night?”

“I know, she saved my ass—you know it, I know it, the American people know it. Now can we stop talking about it?” Star picked up the paper and put it in front of his face.

“Fine, we'll change the subject. Did you read about that giant robot that rampaged in Jump City Park yesterday?”

“This is not changing the subject.”

“Isn't it? We were talking about Raven saving you, and now we're talking about a giant robot the next city over—“

“—which Raven most likely destroyed, thus creating a way for you to worm your way back into the former subject.”

“It is not.”

“Ah, Star. I love you, but I have to tell you the truth: You are a terrible liar.”

“Well not all of us were trained by the world's greatest secret-keeper.”

“Mmm, true.” Dick felt a little agitated having lost their argument. `Hmm…I'll just have to get us in a better mood…I've got it!' He grinned and turned to Star.

“What?” she asked curious to see what his mind was concocting.

“Cow kiss!”

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“Hey Rae!” Terry yelled, seeing his friend on a bench. He ran over and sat down next to her. “What's up?”

“Not much,” she said casually. “Just on my lunch break.”

“Oh. Did you already eat?”

“I wasn't hungry.”

“You've gotta eat something, Rae. I dunno what you're doing, but you're running yourself ragged.”

“I know, but I'm just…not feeling very well today.”

“Well then, take the day off!”

“I can't. Connery's counting on me. Did you get the pictures?”

“Hot from one-hour photo,” Terry said, whipping out a small stack of pictures, the top ones depicting the remains of the giant robot. “Did you get the story?”

“This looks like a Raven, definitely. A few people saw her fly into the park, and one guy saw her leave.”

“I knew it! She whooped that thing's ass! What was it, anyway?”

“The cops are running checks on it right now to see if there's anything on it that's useful. It's too soon to tell.”

“But didn't they already put a story out?”

“That was just to say that it happened. No one really knows where it came from, though. That's the cops' job. And it's our job to tell everyone.”

“Journalism rocks.”

“Yep.”

“The police are on a war path, though. They aren't pleased that Raven's around.”

“Mmm.”

“Jackasses don't like superheroes at all.”

“Yeah…” Rae looked up at the sky, and Terry stuffed the pictures back in his bag.

“You wanna go get lunch? I know you said you weren't hungry, but maybe we could get Karen and go for a latte or something.”

“Sure.” Rae got up, wincing a little and rubbing her leg.

“Are you okay?” Terry asked, looking concerned.

“Yeah, I just…banged it on the table corner pretty hard this morning, you know?”

“Are you sure?”

“I'm fine. Lattes, yeah?”

“Yeah!”

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Detective James Barfield walked into the cybernetics lab at Jump City Police Station. The cybernetics engineer, Osmond Hicks, was preparing his tools near the large metal scraps that used to be a robot.

“'Sup, Ozzie?”

“Not much. Just about to take this bitch apart—not that there's much left to do.”

“Heh, tell me about it.”

“Who does this to a steel robot?”

“I've been picking up leads…her name starts with an `R' and ends in an `N'.”

“Ahh, Raven. Superheroes have never ceased to fascinate me.”

“Mmm. I can't say I share your fondness—especially anything that was related to the Terrible T's.”

Osmond sighed. “You guys really oughta get rid of whatever it is that's stuck up your asses.”

“The North Bridge Incident is what is stuck up our asses, thank you very much. It's been stuck up there for ten years, and now that damn…that damn Titan comes back to shove it up further.” He spat the word “Titan” out as if he were muttering some obscenity.

“Well…I'd better get started. And you'd better get back to the case.”

“Right.” Just as James was about to walk out, Lenny, another detective, walked in.

“Hey, Ozzie,” Lenny said. “Betty's got your wife on the line at the front desk. Somethin' about the lawyers.” Osmond sighed.

“Two words: Pre-nuptial agreement. Make sure to get one, boys. I'll have to come back to this later.” He put his blowtorch back on the counter. As the three of them walked out, they ran into a skinny man who, judging by his ring of keys and faded uniform, was the janitor.

“Just going to sweep up a bit in the lab,” the janitor.

“Where's Eddie?” Lenny asked.

“Sick.”

“Oh. Let yourself in, just don't—“

“—touch anything. I know.”

The three men walked away and the janitor went into the lab. Once inside, he locked the door behind him. He slipped on a pair of rubber gloves and picked up the blowtorch. He searched the metal parts until he came to a large box-shaped piece. He burned a hole in it and reached inside. He pulled out a small, black box and smiled.

Putting the blowtorch exactly where it had been, he tucked the black box under his arm and went on his way.

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Star parked her car in downtown Jump City and got out. She looked around until she saw a blond man with his face hidden behind a newspaper, sitting on a bench. She went over and sat next to him.

“You rang?” she asked.

“Mmm,” he said, folding the newspaper. It was Gar.

“What's up?”

“My life sucks.”

“It doesn't.”

“Yes, it does.”

“How so?”

“Raven.”

“Ohhhh…so this is about Rae.”

“No. It's about Raven.” Star took a water bottle from her bag and took a sip.

“What about her?”

“She's…she's ruining my life.”

Star stared at him for a moment. He seemed to be trying to get his bearings. He folded and re-folded his legs.

“I mean…” He stopped short, trying to get it together. He finally resolved to just say what he meant. “She won't let me have it.”

“What?”

“She's…she's in my way. I can't get around her. I'm a comedian, right? I stayed up until four in the morning, and I couldn't think of one funny thing that's happened to me. Not even ironic funny. I can always think of something funny! But nothing's going right…I mean, my heart just isn't in it.”

“How is this—“

“—Raven's fault? Because something that would've brightened my day without her around. I'm in love, dammit. And she took that away.”

“Look, G—“

“No! Let me finish! It's always been like this! Raven, being cold and inconsiderate when I just wanted a friend; Raven, not stopping me from leaving you guys; Raven, taking Rae away from me just when I had finally gotten her to love me back; Raven, always standing in the way of what I want! What I need!”

“…So what did you ask me to come here for?” Gar slumped on the bench.

“I'm not sure. Maybe I just wanted to vent to someone. Or maybe I was wondering how you and Dick are engaged while Rae and I can't do anything with our relationship. And Dick can still somehow race around Gotham being the savior of hundreds. Is there something I'm missing?”

Star paused. “I do not think that it is so simple. When we all left…when the Titans became just a memory…I don't think that we ever quite shook off that part of us. I believe that, for a time, I was still Starfire, Dick was still Robin, Vic was still Cyborg, you were still Beast Boy, and Rae was still Raven. And I also think that we did our best to hide that. Dick dove into Wayne Enterprises, Vic buried himself in his work, you found your funny side, Rae put her writing skills to use, and I found the stage.

It is interesting, though…I do not believe I ever quite locked Starfire away. I still yearn for the freedom that is flight and the excitement of battle…though I suppose that is probably just Tamaranian instinct. And Dick didn't really lose Robin; he just grew up a little and became Nightwing. But you, Rae, and Vic…I think that you all did your best to never again let that side of yourselves see the light of day.

Rae, I suppose, let herself succumb to guilt. Her mind is a very strange, complex thing. Raven never really left, instead hanging on to what shred of control she had over Rae.”

“Control?” Gar snorted. “You make it sound like Raven was some sort of brain tumor.” Star smiled.

“Well, I guess I am going a bit overboard. But the bottom line is, Rae was only a shell. When she left the Titans, I think she thought she freed herself, just as we all did. But Rae Roth, Gar Logan, Vic Stone, Star Anderson, and Dick Grayson…we're all just secret identities. And you know what happens to secret identities.”

“They get discovered.”

“Yes. Going back to your question…I think the reason Dick and I can have this relationship is because I love him and Nightwing. I fell in love with Robin when I came to Earth. And as I said, Nightwing is only a more mature Robin. I think Raven and Beast Boy have always had something—they were just convinced that the other didn't like what they saw.” Gar looked at her almost fearfully. “Isn't that right?”

“…Raven hated me. Every inch of me was a focal point of her hatred.” Star sighed and stood up.

“Despite what many people think…love and hate are separated by a very thin line.”

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Boss sat in the darkness, quietly humming. His tune was one that Sherman had heard for the last few weeks, but it didn't make it any less disturbing. Sherman was contemplating the merits of leaving the room when a man walked in. The man had a faded janitor uniform on, and was carrying a black box under his arm.

“I've got it, Boss,” the man said. Boss turned around to face him.

“Good. Sherman, would you be so kind as to pay the man?” Sherman took out a clip of bills and handed it to the man, who immediately searched it for counterfeits. After a few seconds, he seemed satisfied and handed Sherman the box.

“Heh, thanks. I hope whatever's in that box helps ya out, Boss.” He left the room.

“I'm sure it will. Sherman, please open the box.” Sherman did so, and pulled out a disk about the size of a DVD. “Excellent. Now run the disk.” Sherman went over to Boss's massive computer and inserted the disk. The screen flickered to life.

PROCESSING…

VIDEO FILE ACCESSED. PLAY?

Boss moved the mouse up to the `yes' button and clicked.

VIDEO FILE PLAYING…

Images flashed across the screen. A woman in a blue cloak flying around, evading lasers, and then being hit by one. The last one blasted her through the trees. The camera zoomed in and—

“Computer! Freeze frame!” Boss commanded.

The video stopped. On the screen was the pale face of a young woman with blue eyes and dark hair.

“Well, well, well…” Boss chuckled. “Raven, you've just won the award for `Least Likely to Keep Her Secret Identity'. Congratulations. Sherman!”

“Yes, sir?”

“I want this face given to everyone in the mob. I want a name to go with it. If anybody finds her or her name, tell them to contact me first. Don't do anything, contact me first.”

“Yes sir.” Boss turned back to the screen.

“See you soon, Raven.”

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Blowfish: It wasn't technically a cliffie, so you can't say I did that this time. I hope you guys will keep speculating about Boss…not that I'll tell you if you're right or not, but it's fun to see if anyone will get close.

Btw, if anyone can pick out the “Law and Order” and “Spider-Man” references (there was a really solid one this time), they will get much praise from me.

Do the cool thing: Review!