Issue 8: "Fatal Attractions, Part One"

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Issue 8: “Fatal Attractions, Part One”
Written by Matthew Davies
Cover by Ramon Villalobos
Edited by Mark Bowers[/center]

“Ready, Titans?”

Nightwing’s hushed voice whistled through the communicator clipped to each of the teens’ ears, and he nodded in satisfaction as each responded in the affirmative He was perched atop the roof of a warehouse, the others scattered around the ground area. This was the third strike of the night, and definitely not the last one. Nightwing had already found four more leads that needed to be cleared up.

“Okay,” he stated. “Let’s get this ball rolling, people The night’s still young. Starfire, you’re up.”

“Very well, friend,” Starfire’s singsong tone answered.

Mere moments later, a green ball of energy tore through the door of the warehouse and impacted on a crate, spraying shards of wood over the darkly clad men inside. A second clipped one’s hip, sending him sprawling to the ground, the suitcase he had been clutching clattering to the floor. Its contents spilled outwards – several plastic cases of white powder.

Nightwing drew a miniaturized camera from his belt and depressed a button. The device whirred, and he slotted it back into its place. “Got the evidence, guys, so go kick some butt!”

“Finally, we get to the fun part!” Speedy quipped.

A small smirk tugged at the corners of Nightwing’s lips as the various members of his team charged towards the bemused criminals – Starfire, jade globes formulating in her palm; Speedy, expertly unleashing a flurry of arrows; Raven, an ebony bird of the same name cawing as it launched itself forward; and Wonder Girl, a golden lasso whirling menacingly around her head. He’d let them have their fun here…he’d be content observing for the moment.

Wonder Girl’s attack was the first to make contact, her lasso gripping one of the men’s legs. She yanked with a fraction of her vast might, and he toppled over with a shriek. Speedy darted forward, leaping onto the flailing victim’s back and bringing his elbow down on the back of his head, silencing his pleas for mercy. Starfire soared past them, her fiery mane streaking outwards behind her as she slammed into one of the remaining men, hooking her hands under his arms and curving upwards towards the roof. With a heave, she released him as she threw her arms upwards and he collided with the roof with a sickening thump.

“Bad man!” she screeched, effortlessly catching him with one hand and lowering him to the floor below. She dumped him unceremoniously besides the other two unconscious men, and followed Wonder Girl and Speedy into the wildly developing fray. Raven was still positioned in the doorway, her cloak enshrouding her in a deep navy blue that allowed her to blend into the shadows. She reached out with her empathy, casting aside the usual emotions of fear and rage from the fleeing men and combing through the other Titans’ feelings to satisfy the strange sensation that niggled at the back of her mind.

She began with Starfire, who had only a simple collection of sentiments at that moment – the righteous fury that fuelled her charge, the pride pulsing through her veins as she dealt out justice to the deserving crooks, and, of course, the love for Nightwing that was so obvious to everyone but the two involved. Nothing out of the ordinary there. To Nightwing, then; grim satisfaction as the criminals were felled, the same love coating his thoughts without him being consciously aware of it (apparently), etc. Raven let out a sigh of frustration, and allowed her empathy to stray across to her partner – Kid Flash. The costume-clad girl was almost certain that he would also be the same as ever. Wally never changed; she was still quite undecided on whether she liked that quality, or not. She skimmed through the small catalogue of emotion he was displaying, and was ready to move onto Speedy when - - guilt?! Why is Wally feeling guilty?

“Raven?”

Roy’s voice broke through her confusion, and Raven snapped free of her ‘trance’ as the Titans approached, Wally in the forefront. Her expression hid her bemusement perfectly – not a single trace of emotion could be found upon her face. Her mind, however, was racing, trying to figure out why her closest friend would be feeling such an overwhelming guilt, tainting his carefree persona And the scariest thing was the fact that he hadn’t confided in her about it.

If he’s hiding that, what else is he concealing? she pondered.

“I apologize,” she murmured. “I was…distracted.”

Nightwing dropped down beside them, landing expertly. “Ready to move on, Titans? We’ve got a few more jobs to mop up before we get any rest.”

“My,” Starfire said worriedly, “this drug ring is expanding so rapidly!”

“I’d certainly like to get my hands on the guy organizing all this!” Donna fumed, running a hand back through her ebony tresses. “Scum,” she added as a savage afterthought.

“I wholeheartedly agree,” Nightwing said with a nod. “Which is why we end this as soon as possible. Roy, are you ready?”

Speedy snapped to attention, slipping a plastic case into his quiver as he motioned to the men he had just restrained. “Yeah, let’s go.”

“Wally, you and Raven can check the amounts of the substances,” Nightwing informed. “You know the drill.”

Nightwing let out an exasperated sigh as he led the weary group of teen heroes back into Speedy’s apartment, and tossed his mask aside. Plopping down on a chair, he glanced up at his companions: Starfire was following Donna to the kitchen, whilst Raven had drawn a book from her cloak and was sifting through it; Roy had wandered into the bathroom, and Wally had taken a seat beside the former Boy Wonder Dick’s azure gaze locked onto the speedster.

“What is it, Wally?” Dick said softly. “You look down.”

Wally shrugged “Nothing, man,” he murmured. “Just, you know, relationship troubles, I suppose.” His eyes wandered to Raven.

“You and Raven having problems, then?” Dick pressed, a frown deeply creasing his brow. “You seemed fine to me.”

“She seems to think I’m hiding something from her,” Wally answered

Dick leant forward. “Are you?”

Wally paused momentarily, before saying, “No. No, of course I’m not.”

Neither of the heroes noticed Raven cast a shadowy glance their way, nor did they detect a single tear streak down her cheek before she turned back to her book, immersing herself in the words.

Kory dropped down to the exquisite marble staircase leading to the entrance of the Themysciran Embassy. As usual, its open doorway was barred by two golden staffs, locked in an ‘x’ formation across the open space. Kory ascended the steps with ease and laid a hand on one of the pikes. When she spoke, her voice was soft, her tone at ease.

“Ionysus? Penelope? It is I, Starfire.”

Both staffs tentatively withdrew, allowing the alien inside. Kory turned to see the two Amazonian sentries, their grave expressions twisting into welcoming smiles as they laid their eyes upon her. They were very similar in looks and exact in attire; both were lithe yet stocky women clad in shimmering gold armor. The only real defining differences were Ionysus’s onyx hair and emerald eyes, compared to Penelope’s red and hazel.

“Greetings, mistress,” Ionysus said.

Penelope laid an armor-plated hand on her shoulder. “How fare you, my friend?”

“I am well,” Kory responded, “but I seek Donna.”

“She is sleeping,” Ionysus informed. “She asked not to be disturbed Everything is all right, I trust?”

“There is nothing wrong with the Princess?” Penelope added worriedly.

“Donna – the Princess – is fine, I assure you,” Kory said quickly. “I will be retiring to my room now.”

“Sleep well.” Ionysus tightened her grip on her staff; once again, both were alert, their eyes roaming the area for any suspicious activity.

Kory glided elegantly through the hallways and into her chamber, settling onto her bed and reclining with a reluctant exhale. Her thoughts strayed to Donna, and, in turn, sympathy tainted her face. Kory couldn’t deny the slight bitterness in her fellow Princess’ tone as she had spoken of relationships. Could she really feel strongly for Roy? It was something Kory herself could never have predicted The thought hadn’t even entered her mind…but it did make sense in a strange, distorted way. Still, Donna had implied that she didn’t have the social skills to act on her feelings, no matter how strong they were.

Kory knew how she felt. The Amazon female had been right, in the kitchen; Kory did feel something for Dick. A fluttering in her stomach when she saw him, the fear of being rejected when she spoke to him. She had often wondered whether it was what the humans referred to as ‘love’. She was in doubt about this no longer Her brief conversation with Donna had confirmed it. If others could see it, then it had to be true. But, people could be mistaken…just as she had been in Miami. She hadn’t had time to contemplate her time spent with the changeling, Garfield Logan, since she had returned, but guilt still plagued the memories that constantly replayed themselves in her head.

I attacked an innocent person…

Kory swung her legs over the side of the bed and gently pushed the window open. She leant through the opening, enveloping her head in the warm night breeze and breathing heavily into the night air, as if releasing her troubles. She wasn’t going to get any sleep if these thoughts continued to circulate in her head…she had to get away, to find peace, to quell her raging emotions…she had to fly.

And fly is what she did.

Kory was perched on the edge of the pier, her head held in her hands and the breeze sifting through her fiery red tresses. The sun was rising slowly, bathing the Tamaranian in a warm golden glow and adding intensity to her vibrant orange skin. She tilted her head a little to the side, her eyes fluttering as tiredness threatened to overcome her. She was finally alone, yet she felt lonely. She wanted someone beside her. She wanted someone to comfort her, to ease her pain and find the answer to her confusion

She wanted…

“Dick?”

Dick had appeared beside her, allowing his legs to flop into the water as he settled his gaze onto the Sun. A small smile touched his lips as its heat, minimal yet sufficient to keep them both content, reached him, and for but a few precious moments, a comfortable silence sat between the pair. It was broken as he spoke, but his voice was gentle, almost as if he was talking in hushed tones to prevent waking some unseen child

“Hey, Kory,” he said.

“What are you doing here?”

Dick allowed his eyes to close. “I come here sometimes…to relax.”

“Oh.” Kory turned back to the horizon. “It’s…nice.”

The silence returned, hanging over the scene. It was perfect, for both of them. Typically, neither of them was willing to admit it. Their friends had speculated that they were both aware of each other’s feelings, but felt that expressing them would shatter their close friendship.

“You’re troubled.”

Kory’s shoulders slumped. “No, I am not.”

“You can tell me, Kory,” Dick intoned. “Is it to do with Miami?”

He knows me too well, Kory pondered. The question is…do I tell him what is bothering me? He won’t tell anybody, I’m sure, but will it change things? Not just between us, but will it change everything?

“Kory?”

His voice derailed Kory’s train of thought, and she instantly wanted to refuse to tell him. She had to refuse him…it was the only way. Yet, at the same time, she wanted to scream her secrets out, to blurt out everything she wanted to say…and ultimately, that feeling was far stronger.

“Okay,” she gave in. “I will tell you. But your opinion of me will change…I’m sure of it.”

“Kory, I would never think anything different, or bad, of you.” Dick laid his hand on hers. “I promise.”

“Very well,” she conceded half-heartedly. “You can begin. Ask me what you wish to know.”

“What happened in Miami?” Dick said immediately.

Kory sighed She had known this would come up. It was time to face the truth…and, quite possibly, Dick’s wrath. “I was...summoned there, in a way I received a letter telling me to go to Miami, or my friends would be hurt.”

“The Titans? Hurt?” Dick said mockingly, his tone relatively light. “Yeah, right!”

“I didn’t know who had sent it,” Kory excused, a hint of desperation touching her voice.

“I wasn’t criticizing you, Star,” Dick assured. “I’m sorry. Please, carry on.”

Kory nodded, and continued. “I arrived, and began searching for the person that may have sent me the letter. I looked, and looked, and…oh, I made the most horrific mistake!”

“Kory,” Dick said calmly and firmly, taking her hands in his own and gazing into her eyes, “what did you do?”

“I attacked and hurt an innocent!” she confessed. “He was sitting on a rooftop, and he had green skin, and I thought he was a Gordanian at first, and so I attacked him and he wasn’t and I hurt him and - -”

“Whoa, whoa!” Dick cooed. “Calm down for a moment, Kory. You’re getting yourself worked up.”

Kory inhaled deeply, but her breathing was shaky and she couldn’t restrain a strangled sob that wracked her body. “His name was Garfield Logan, and he saved me from the Gordanians.”

“The one you made an honorary Titan?” The sentence was more of a statement than a question.

“Yes.”

“I wondered why you did that,” Dick admitted. “So you gave this guy a communicator out of sympathy?”

“He was extremely nice,” Kory informed through her weeps. “He saved me, even after I tried to hurt him. But I didn’t mean to, honestly!”

“I know that, Kory,” Dick said, embracing his friend. “Just remember…it’s these little mistakes that make you human.”

They hugged for what seemed like an eternity, until that oh-so-comfortable silence was broken for the second time. This time, Kory was the first to speak, tightening her grip on her companion. It’s easier to say how you truly feel when you aren’t looking at the person you’re talking about.

“I had an enlightening conversation with Donna earlier.” Her voice was still faltering a little from the tears still staining her cheeks, but managed to stay strong.

“Oh, yeah?”

“She said that there is something between you and I,” Kory resumed. “Something more than friendship.”

Dick tensed, and Kory momentarily regretted mentioning it.

“Go on,” he pressed with an audible gulp.

“Something called…well…love.”

A deafening silence shattered Kory’s eardrums as the single word exploded from her lips, and she felt her cheeks burn. It could have been a mistake, telling him all of this. But, it had felt right, and it still did. There was nothing she could do now, except clench her eyes shut and hope for the best.

“Did she say that?” Dick stammered.

“Yes.” A simple statement, and an easy answer, but one that sent Kory’s heart hammering even harder inside her chest.

“Well, that makes two of us.” Dick pulled away, and took a deep breath as he gazed into Kory’s emerald orbs. “Wanna make it three?”

“You know, on Tamaran, there is no word for ‘love’,” Kory explained. “People marry merely to continue their legacy.”

“Really?”

“Feelings are completely insignificant.” A pause. “I’m glad things are different on Earth.”

“So am I,” Dick beamed, and rested his forehead against her shoulder. “So am I.”

Kory let out a gentle giggle, and enveloped Dick in another hug before turning back to the sunrise. Its golden balm was completely soaking the harbor now, and distant sounds reaching their ears told them that the city was waking up. The Tamaranian returned her gaze to Dick, who laid a gentle kiss on her forehead.

“This was nice, Kory,” he told her simply.

“Yes,” she agreed heartily. “Yes, it was.”

Kory slotted the spare key she had borrowed from Dick into the door of Roy’s apartment, mentally berating herself for forgetting her civilian clothes (or ‘civvies’, as the other Titans often referred to them) as she twisted it in the lock and stepped inside.

“Roy? Roy, are you home?” she called.

She strode over to the bathroom door, frowning as a scan of the kitchen revealed some sort of mess on the wall. She stepped back and glanced it over – the ice cream she had been eating, smeared over the wall and dripping like spilt blood onto the laminate flooring. It was clear it wasn’t an accident. It had been thrown; she was positive. Turning away, her grimace deepening, she pushed open to the door to the bathroom…

…and saw Roy, Speedy, her friend…with drugs scattered about him, his eyes lolling about in his head.

“Roy?!” Kory gasped.