1. Chapter 1 (2/2)

batman: "try drones, they are cheaper. batcave out."

half an hour later

titans tower, level 7, storage room a

alex: "you guys must be tired after searching for me all night, the least i can do is clean up my own room."

raven: "stay still. i'm not finished healing your wound yet."

beast boy: "don't sweat it roomie! we has energy to spare!"

cyborg: "literally. this isn't exactly the ritz anyway..."

starfire: "it is the bit dreary…"

robin: "it's a necessary precaution. i'm sure ms. xavi understands."

alex: "i knew what i was getting into when i agreed to gordon's plan."

cyborg: "do you mind if we call you something else? ms. xavi sounds like i'm talking to my old history teacher."

starfire: "would danielle be alright?"

beast boy: "plaaaaain! she's needs a cool code name! like cpu girl or... defraggler."

raven: "you don't get to pick code names… ever."

robin: "beast boy is right about something though. your real name is now, for all intents and purposes, a secret identity. we should avoid using it as much as possible."

cyborg: "code name it is. any preferences?"

alex: "well… perhaps dax? if it's not too on the nose?"

raven: "trendy."

beast boy: "ohhh! my third favorite character in ds9!"

starfire: "i do believe those are just her initials beast boy."

alex: "i liked dax in ds9… the first one."

beast boy: "i know, right!? i still feel bad for worf…"

cyborg: "girl, you have no idea the can of worms you just opened…"

robin: "dax will do for now. how's that headwound going raven?"

raven: "almost done with the cut but i can't really do much about the concussion. you'll just have to rest, dax."

dax: "thanks raven. i really wasn't looking forward to getting stitches."

cyborg: "alright, place seems about ready to move some furniture in. if you don't mind old hardware i have enough spare parts to put something together."

dax: "i'm curious about what you guys call old hardware… this place looks like it could give s.t.a.r. labs a run for its money."

robin: "let's start with a bed for now. after that, we all need to get some food and rest. we have to be alert now that the hive is back in town."

starfire: "joy! i shall reheat the sukiyaki! tell me friend dax, have you ever tried the savory tanginess of a blomfar'g?"

dax: "can't… say that i have?"

raven: "you know star… it isn't your turn to cook anymore, you really don't have t-"

starfire: "i shall be upstairs preparing more blomfar'g for the pot!"

raven: "tamaranean for

eakfast. great. "

beast boy: "it's more like fusion cuisine when you think about it."

robin: "raven, could you head up and make sure there's something more…"

cyborg: "edible?"

robin: "local. dax shouldn't be eating... heavy stuff after a concussion."

raven: "i'll whip up some pancakes and tell her they are okonomiyaki. do not strain yourself, doctor's orders."

dax: "yes ma'am."

robin: "can you two

ing down a bed from one of the guest rooms? i'll show dax the lay of the tower and find her some clothes."

cyborg: "i have an idea that might help her keep a low profile but need some time at my workbench. think you can handle it on your own beasty?"

beast boy: "no problem cy, i got it."

robin: "meet back at the lounge in 30."

once the two are gone the boy wonder helps her stand from the desk chair raven had been treating her on and nods for her to follow.

dax: "so… how is this going to work?"

no need to beat around the bush. there's a reason why he sent the others away.

robin: "i've given you clearance to access this level and the lounge. the rest of the tower is off-limits unless one of us accompanies you."

dax: "understood."

robin: "when we are not at the tower i expect you to keep to your room. i'll allow cyborg to build you a computer so you may busy yourself but the rest of our equipment is off-limits as well. i expect you know that privilege comes with strings attached."

dax: "yes, of course."

robin: "the legal age for smoking in california is 21, so no more of that."

really?

dax: "bummer. how did you know?"

robin: "i found ash on the boat you borrowed. and you still carry the smell."

dax: "yeah… sorry about that. hope i didn't cause too much trouble."

robin: "i landed it a few hundred meters down the pier. the owner will have an easy time finding it, should blame a bad knot and the riptide."

dax: "figured that'd be a good excuse…"

robin: "you are sure nobody saw you take it?"

dax: "pretty. didn't see any cameras in the area either."

robin: "the cigarette?"

dax: "from the boat's toolbox. just took the one. pack was open already, the owner shouldn't notice."

robin: "and the cellphone?"

careful...

dax: "recology de

is box on the street, nobody will miss it."

half true, she did see cellphones on those boxes while she was looking for a way to cross the bay or contact the titans. he seems satisfied and prompts her to follow. touring the floor doesn't take long, it's mostly empty hallways and doors to other storerooms. they end up in front of her room again, which lies next to the elevator.

robin: "the door in front of yours leads to the staircase but it'll remain locked unless there's an emergency."

dax: "is there… um… a bathroom on the floor?"

robin: "no. there's a restroom at the lounge floor which you can use. for now we'll go to the quarters level so you can use our bathroom to wash up. i'll talk to cyborg later, he'll figure something out."

dax: "i'll manage, we had shared bathrooms in the first building i lived at after moving to gotham… can't be worse than that."

they get on the elevator.

robin: "i know this feels like prison and, in a way, it is... but you are not our prisoner, you are a guest."

dax: "even if i wasn't a fugitive, i'm still a stranger and this is your home. way i see it, you are being too permissive as it is. i told you robin, i knew what i was getting into when i agreed to gordon's plan."

robin: "so you keep saying but i wonder if you actually do. what you did to the families… it will follow you the rest of your life."

dax: "and given the size of the bounty they are bound to put on me it's likely it won't be that long of a life. i know, batman already gave me the gist of it."

the elevator stops and they both step out. she can see outside through a window at the end of the hallway. the bay is tinted orange and the sun's reflection seems to reach all the way to the tower. the sight is so beautiful, so strangely alien to what gotham has her used to, she can't help but to stare for a few seconds. when she comes back to it robin is across her, leaning on the opposite wall.

robin: "i don't know how much you care for your own life dax but, for us, it matters a lot more than you make it sound like."

she leans against the wall behind her and looks down. she is doing it again, is it her time with the h.i.v.e. that's got her acting like this or is she just that much of a

at?

dax: "gordon said the same thing to me. i w- am such prick that i even had the gall to ask him why. so there he went, explaining himself to some kid who lashed out and signed her own death sentence... and there i was, so sure i was listening to a script all cops are taught to say when dealing with troublesome youths. yeah, it was the usual responsibility and civic duty spill, but there was more. gordon… he cared. he really did. not because i was a damsel in distress or this distraught kid who had just lost her father and needed comfort… i could tell by the concern in his voice, the way he looked. the thought of doing nothing and letting gotham claim another life escaped him completely."

robin: "for people like gordon, specially in gotham, striving to do what little good you can is the difference between living and just... surviving."

she slides to the ground, her gut wrenching from guilt.

dax: "it was the first time i actually felt like a criminal. i wasn't just another body for the grinder, a statistic. i was adding to the misery that is gotham. making someone's life worse and not caring about it... it shouldn't be so easy to forget something like that."

robin: "what is truly regrettable is that people like gordon are so easy to miss, more so in gotham than most places."

dax: "batman warned me. i was so stupidly sure of myself it didn't sink in until now. i'm a ticking bomb, a tragedy just waiting to happen. what the hell was i thinking walking so freely into your home? what was gordon thinking? the bat was right. i should have disappeared. out of sight, out of mind. nobody's problem but my own."

robin: "batman has his own way of doing things. i know it's hard to grasp but… that was him worrying about you."

dax: "kinda hard to grasp when you are hanging upside down."

robin: "don't take it personal. if he didn't threaten to drop you once or twice he wasn't being serious about it."

dax: "but he was… is right."

robin: "as much as he'd like to think so, batman's way isn't the only way. gordon sent you here because he thought it would help."

dax: "you can help me, sure… but i'd become a liability to your team. your reputation, your safety… what could i possibly do to outweigh that?"

he walks towards her and offers a hand.

robin: "start by taking a shower."

...

dax: "that's an asshole thing to say to a girl you know..."

he smiles and she takes his hand.

robin: "language, beast boy is really impressionable."

one much needed shower later…

titans tower, lounge area

dax: "data."

beast boy: "but he has vulcan strength and that neck pinch thing!"

dax: "neither will do much to an android."

beast boy: "okay. seven of nine then, with her borg im-"

dax: "are you kidding? data defeated a borg queen."

starfire: "i fail to see the purpose of such comparisons. these are all fictional characters, are they not?"

beast boy: "fine! leonard nimoy versus

ent spinner!"

dax: "ohhh… that's tough. i mean, even if you take the age difference in consideration, nimoy is a war veteran and played a boxer in kid monk baroni."

cyborg: "who knows that?"

raven: "are we sure that control freak is still in ice?"

beast boy: "you guys are just jealous because you can't follow along."

dax: "is that the guy who hijacked all the shows on tv some time ago?"

beast boy: "yes! he had this super remote control he used to teleport us to some sort of tv dimen-"

robin: "that was actually you, beast boy."

beast boy: "well… yeah. anyway, we chased him across all sorts of cool shows and then fought him in an epic final battle! pretty cool, right?"

dax: "that's an impressive piece of technology. do you think he actually accessed some sort of dimension where all of those shows are reality or did he create a simulation that made it look so?"

cyborg: "we don't know. i've studied his devices trying to figure out how they work but there doesn't seem to be rhyme or reason to them. say what you want about the guy but he is a genius on his field… whatever it is."

dax: "why does a guy like that go evil? he could make millions in the entertainment industry…"

raven: "because the rental place didn't have his favorite movie."

she chuckles, when she looks around the table it becomes obvious it wasn't a joke.

dax: "that can't be all it takes..."

beast boy: "i mean… he is not that evil. just… you know."

starfire: "a dork?"

beast boy: "well… it sounds mean when you say it."

starfire: "i do not understand. what is mean about the way i say it?"

raven: "the word itself is mean starfire."

starfire: "but i thought it was used to address those who lack the social skills?"

robin: "it is. in an… unfriendly way."

she falls into thought for a few moments, a cloud crossing over her face.

starfire: "have i been behaving like val-yor towards control freak?"

robin: "no. it's nothing like troq."

cyborg: "definitely not star. dork is more like zorrnarg or... clorbag varblernek."

starfire: "i see..."

beast boy: "i'm sorry star, i didn't mean to remind you of that."

starfire: "you do not need to apologize friend. but why did you say it sounded mean when i said it? should it not be mean regardless of who spoke the word?"

beast boy: "because you are like... a popular girl, you know? you are not into this stuff like control freak or dax or me."

starfire: "i… do not understand. is it because i do not know who would win between the nimoy and spinner?"

beast boy: "no… well, kinda. it's complicated. guys? a little help?"

cyborg: "she learned english from robin, what did you expect?"

robin chokes with a piece of blomfar'g, hurriedly downing it with a large glass of water.

raven: "seriously. you are the only one who could have such a textbook definition of dork in his mind."

dax: "it's true? you can learn languages from kissing people?"

starfire: "yes! all tamaraneans can do so. i have only recently learnt that this could be considered promiscuous on earth. kissing has a… much deeper meaning on your planet."

she looks at robin. ah, that's how it is. so if those rumors are true then seemore might be right about jinx and kid flash as well. gotta give it to the internet crowd, i was sure that boy from japan was lying.

dax: "i thought it was weird you two had gotham accents."

beast boy: "is that even a thing?"

dax: "well it's obviously very thin on starfire but you can tell if you listen carefully. being able to learn any language in an instant sounds amazing though. have you guys figured out how the tamaranean physiology does it?"

beast boy: "i can tell you there is no tongue involved."

robin: "don't be a milnip wusserloop beast boy..."

cyborg: "that was pretty good rob! are you sure it doesn't work both ways star?"

starfire: "i do not thin-… wait, you are teasing us are you not?"

beast boy: "sorry star, robin just makes it too much fun."

robin: "...to answer your question dax, no. can we please talk about something else now?"

starfire: "perhaps someone could explain the proper meaning of dork to me? i am afraid i have been using the term wrong and wish to know if i should apologize to control freak."

raven: "don't. that's bound to be taken the wrong way by that couch potato."

cyborg: "yeah… i think the guy already has a bit of a crush on you."

yeah well, him and half the internet.

beast boy: "it's nice from you star but it really isn't that big of a deal. being a dork like us… you get used to it."

starfire: "but you are not a dork. your social skills are adequate."

raven: "i'd debate that."

beast boy: "well the thing is… lack of social skills? that's just a fancy way of saying someone doesn't fit in with the group."

starfire: "that seems... cruel."

oh man, she'd hate high school.

dax: "dork, geek, nerd... even freak, they are just words people call others when they don't share their interests. it can be mean, even cruel sometimes, but it can also be just teasing. you know what's funny about it? stuff that used to be considered dorky or nerdy ended up being trendy in the long run. like games, used to be they were only for geeks but now everyone is into them. makes you feel kind of vindicated."

beast boy: "yeah! specially when you are so much better than everyone else at them…"

he locks chopsticks with cyborg and prevents him from taking a slice of meat before raven can snatch it away.

cyborg: "oh, i know that's not a challenge bb…"

robin: "it's to bed right after we finish eating guys."

cyborg: "right, right… hive on the loose and all that."

dax: "are they really that dangerous?"

robin: "mammoth alone would be trouble enough. seemore, billy numerous, kyd wykkyd… if gizmo is half the leader jinx was then yes, they are really dangerous. i warned the prison's warden, he will increase their security. can't allow them to recruit more villains for their team, we are already outnumbered as it is."

she looks down at the pot and grabs a piece of the infamous blomfar'g. she knows what they'll do next, has gps coordinates to their hideout and a way to tap into their comms. the state those guys were at? the titans could probably drop in and capture them without much of a fight, she just needs to tell them. she should, but... the idea of ratting them out makes her feel miserable.

raven: "what's wrong? is it your head?"

beast boy: "duh, obviously, she grabbed that tamaranean fruit thingy."

this thing is a fruit?

raven: "quiet. dax?"

she places it inside one of raven's pancakes and munches down the whole thing. the flavor assaults her tongue. savory tanginess was about right, it's like eating a pepper marinated in vinegar with the texture of raw chicken… and a hint of mint in the aftertaste. it's not as stomach churning as the others made it sound, but it is mind boggling to think what environment would produce such a thing.

dax: "i'm okay, thanks raven. just… trying to put my thoughts in order."

robin looks at her, is he suspicious or worried she's going to make another scene?

raven: "what is bothering you?"

dax: "it's just hard to imagine them as villains. they are not famous like you guys, i had no idea who they were until they told me. from what i saw… they just looked like a bunch of lost kids in a rebellious streak."

raven: "you feel bad for them."

am i being that transparent or is it another of her powers?

dax: "did you know seemore has a crush on jinx? he took her leaving pretty bad."

cyborg: "she is cute…"

beast boy: "i'm so telling on you with sarah and kid flash."

raven: "it's hard to feel bad for him when he used his powers t-"

starfire covers her mouth.

starfire: "do things which we shall not bother mentioning now."

she and raven whisper too low for her to hear and steal glances at robin. they seem to reach an agreement after a few seconds.

robin: "what was that about?"

starfire: "nothing! please, do continue with the gossip!"

dax: "it's not… well i guess it kinda is. look, i don't doubt you guys, it's just that… it's not what i expected from a group of villains. their bathroom is a hole in the ground. hard not to feel a bit sympathetic..."

beast boy: "ugh… sharing a bathroom with mammoth… that alone gives me goosebumps."

cyborg: "hey, i get it dax. i spent time with those guys as well during a mission and i'm not embarrassed to say i enjoyed a lot of it. when you get down to it they are just kids like us, they hang out, have fun and tease each other like we do. it's easy to think that we aren't that different..."

raven: "we are."

cyborg: "i know rae, but common. had i told you jinx would be a titan a year ago you'd have laughed in my face. you telling me you never thought about it? how any of the others could switch sides as well?"

raven: "i have, and about the opposite as well. i'm not looking forward to either."

starfire: "the opposite? do you mean one of us turning evil?"

raven: "it has happened before hasn't it?

robin and beast boy lower their eyes.

starfire: "that is unfair raven. none of you had a choice."

raven: "i'm… sorry. i didn't mean it like that."

robin: "it's okay raven."

beast boy: "guess i'm not the only one whose social skills are up for debate…"

raven uses her powers to move a rather large piece of blomfar'g into beast boy's mouth. he struggles with the taste but after glancing at starfire for a moment he gulps it down. good thing he's already green...

dax: "it's not raven's fault… i'm the one who's been dropping all the killjoy questions."

starfire: "i do not think you have killed the joy dax. in fact, i am quite grateful. had you not asked, i would have kept using a mean word without knowing it."

raven: "you aren't really going to apologize to control freak are you?"

starfire: "i think i should. have we not agreed that people like him and the hive could one day become allies as jinx did? would apologizing not help this?"

cyborg: "girl, which part of the guy has a crush on you didn't you get? he's totally going to get the wrong idea."

starfire: "i cannot prevent that... but maybe i can help him see he does not have to be evil to fit in."

beast boy: "star… that's really nice of you."

raven: "are you okay with this? we'll end up having to rescue her from some romeo and juliet ripoff dimension…"

robin: "i can't stop people from liking her any more than she can. besides, given control freak's interests, i'm guessing we can hook him up with dax."

dax: "joke's on you boy wonder, i think that'd be an awesome date."

raven: "you can't be serious."

cyborg: "that's gotta be the concussion talking."

dax: "sure, the guy is no

uce wayne but he can take you pretty much anywhere. can you imagine that? i wonder if he's limited to tv or if he can do books and games as well… think about the possibilities!"

beast boy: "whoa... she's right! that sounds pretty cool!"

dax: "i told you, he could make millions with those powers. i bet tons of people would pay very well to visit their favorite universes."

cyborg: "alright, i'll give you that…"

raven: "he's still a couch potato."

dax: "well i've been told i'm a walking carrot so there."

beast boy: "i dunno what you are talking about mama, you are rockin' robin's gym clothes."

dax: "thanks bb but it's kinda sad they fit me in the first place…"

fishing for compliments girl?

starfire: "perhaps raven and i could go to the mall of shopping to buy new clothes for you?"

dax: "that's nice star but i'm… well…

oke. any cash i had was left back at gotham and using my bank accounts is out of the question."

starfire: "will she not be receiving the allowance robin?"

robin: "i… hadn't thought about that. guess we'll have to figure it out. you guys about done eating? we really need to grab some sleep."

cyborg: "hold a minute, i want to show dax something. here, put this on."

he hands her a ring which has some sort of mechanical gadget instead of a center stone. she rolls it on her palm. lenses… some kind of projector? it's a bit big for her ring finger so she dons it on her thumb.

dax: "okay… now what?"

cyborg: "now... stand back from the table. just in case."

that sounds promising… once she's clear he taps something on his wrist computer and she suddenly feels a bit tingly, as if an electric current was going through her.

cyborg: "okay now, try not to move too much, the field is pretty unstable."

robin: "think you can fix it?"

cyborg: "of course i can. just need a bit more time to figure out how to stabilize the image without using my own body as an anchor. maybe a mesh on her clothes..."

beast boy: "you okay in there dax?"

dax: "in where? what are you talking about?"

she looks at the window to her right. the moment her neck moves she can feel the current crackling, tiny static shocks just a few centimeters off her skin. the sun blocks half her reflection but what she can see isn't her… it's a man which he guesses is cyborg before he got his implants or someone who shares his facial features. she moves her hands up to look at them, the crackling following her every move. what she sees is distorted, like a tv with a crooked anthena. her body responds normally but the image has trouble keeping up with her movements, lagging behind or

eaking up entirely until she remains still again.

cyborg: "so? what do you think? you know, once it's working properly."

robin: "it could help. we'd still have to be careful though, it'd be really suspicious if someone showed up at the tower at the same time she went missing… but it's a start. nice job cyborg."

dax: "it's… quite amazing. you think i could see the code on this thing? i may be able to help iron it out."

cyborg: "sure thing, we can work on it on my free time."

he taps his wrist pad again and the current stops.

beast boy: "pffffhahaha! you look like beaker!"

her reflection on the window shows she's in desperate need of a no-frizz conditioner. she fixes her hair the best she can and walks towards beast boy. a gentle tap on his shoulder gives him a shock strong enough to make him jump from the chair.

raven: "totally deserved."

starfire: "agreed."

happy with the results, she gives the ring back to cyborg.

robin: "alright team, let's clean up and hit the hay."

once chores are done…

titans tower, level 7, dax's room

robin: "the sheets might be a little musky, we haven't had visitors in months."

dax: "it's not the ritz, remember? seriously robin, i'm okay. this bed is nearly the size of my dorm room back in gotham u."

robin: "you stayed at the dorm?"

dax: "on weekdays, dad… he said it was safer than commuting every day."

and there's the uncomfortable silence… way to go girl.

robin: "are you going to be okay?"

dax: "i'll be better… think that's the most accurate answer."

robin: "would you like to talk?"

dax: "i thought you were on a rush to hit the hay…"

robin: "if you don't want to i understand."

dax: "sure you worked with batman before?"

he smiles and drags the desk chair closer to the bed.

robin: "how is gordon? i haven't seen him in a while."

dax: "you know, i had seen him on tv so much it was weird meeting him in person. he looked… older, but still pretty tough."

robin: "it's the moustache. i told him he looked younger without one when firefly singed it off but he said it's a requirement for commissioners."

she chuckles.

dax: "there's a reason they are called the fuzz after all…"

robin: "yeah… he says the same about smoking."

dax: "i think he's trying to quit… saw him reach for his pack like twenty times while he was talking to me but never took one out."

robin: "bet you were wishing he did so you could ask him for one."

dax: "yeah… you really not gonna let me smoke are you?"

robin: "nop."

dax: "you know they let you smoke in prison right?"

robin: "you are a guest here, remember?"

dax: "yeah…"

aaaand… uncomfortable silence again.

robin: "is that working out for you?"

dax: "shouldn't i be the one asking?"

robin: "maybe, but i did first."

dax: "you are pretty smooth boy wonder, you know that?"

robin: "it's easy when you can't grow a beard."

she chuckles again… now this one will do just fine in high school.

dax: "you don't need to with that hair… go easy on the gel though."

robin: "noted… so?"

she sighs… not going to let her change the subject is he?

dax: "you saw how

eakfast went…"

robin: "i did… you really never used chopsticks before? you handled pretty well there."

dax: "nah… only had cheng's before and they hand out sporks. come on, you know what i meant. i soured the mood every time i opened my mouth."

robin: "i know we are younger than you but we can handle serious conversations dax. and what you

ought up? those were matters worth talking about. it's easy to forget the bad guys are just that… guys… not so different from us."

dax: "i didn't say anything new, just reminded you about sad stuff."

robin: "you heard raven. it's good to be reminded. not caring is easier. easier is usually worse, for them and us."

dax: "you can't second guess yourselves all the time though… there has to be a line. when do you stop pulling your punches?"

robin: "hopefully? never. making that call or not… it can haunt you either way.

dax: "is that why batman is so… batman?"

robin: "i don't need to explain how gotham is to you. wading through it's underbelly… it takes its toll, even from him. i saw it when i was his partner. sparing people like the joker? knowing what they have done? knowing what they'll do? batman has made that decision dozens of times... that burden is always weighing on him."

dax: "but why? every time he caught some bastard like the joker or zsasz everyone would say they were better off dead. those psychos cannot be reformed, even if they wanted to. people would never accept it, not after the things they have done."

robin seems troubled for words. even through his mask she can tell this is not a pleasant topic for him. drop it girl, your curiosity be damned.

dax: "i was wrong to even

ing it up, sorry robin."

robin: "no, you were not. it's a fair question, one batman and i heard many times. not that we ever stuck around to answer… which is good because i never truly knew - not really at least - until i was dumb enough to ask him myself."

dax: "why dumb? you just said it's a fair question."

robin: "not from me, not from someone who worked side by side with him. someone he trusted to share his mission. i should have known better but… things were tense between us and i was being a

at. you can imagine how that went."

dax: "i imagine it took some guts."

robin: "anger is what it took. probably the worst emotion to go into a conversation with, especially with him. after i calmed down i spoke to a mutual friend and came to realize just how much i had let him down."

dax: "just because you asked a bad question?"

robin: "because of how i reacted to his answer… i left soon after."

his chest heaves as he lets out a deep sigh. she knows it's been a long time since robin was last seen at gotham yet this seems to bother him quite a bit still...

dax: "i really have a knack for souring moods don't i?"

robin: "you are a sensible person dax. you may upset people from time to time but in the end i do believe it's for the better."

dax: "come on robin, you've only known me for a few hours…"

robin: "i think i know enough."

that's dangerously presumptuous… and nice.

dax: "you keep throwing lines like that and i'll think you are trying to pick me up..."

robin: "is that why you are blushing?"

damn pale skin, it always puts her on the spot. can't let him play her twice in a single day...

dax: "i don't think you realize how much you've outgrown the boy wonder nickname robin…"

it takes him a moment to process her words. too bashful? no... she can see a slight flush on his face along a satisfied smile.

robin: "see? you are sensible."

dax: "in some spots more than others..."

okay, that's enough innuendo out of you.

robin: "you sound like a certain cat lady…"

he can't be seriously comparing her to her.

dax: "eleanor abernathy?"

robin: "i'm… not even going to try to guess."

dax: "beast boy would have caught it."

she fakes a pout… somewhat.

robin: "so… are you feeling more comfortable with the idea of staying here?"

guess we have been going around the subject long enough.

dax: "even among all the crazy things i've gone through in the last day… that you are trying to make me stay is still the craziest."

robin: "why is that?"

dax: "because… it's... unnecessarily risky."

robin: "you mean there's nothing in it for us."

dax: "i was trying to be less of a jerk about it."

robin: "that's not why we do things, dax."

dax: "i know you guys are heroes and everything… doesn't mean you have to take care of every screw up that ends up on your doorstep."

robin: "i don't think any of us feels like you are imposing. considering it includes raven that's saying a lot..."

dax: "look, i know what you are trying to say. you want to help. i'm really thankful for that… and really scared to accept. that you and the others are so willing to stick your necks out for me knowing how dangerous it could be just makes it harder."

billy was right… it's not them, it's her. they don't need her baggage any more than she deserves their help.

robin: "gordon was right…"

dax: "i picked a bad day to quit smoking?"

robin: "sending you here, is everything a cue for references to you?"

dax: "only the things that matter…"

robin: "listen. he didn't send you here just so you could hide. neither did batman tell you to leave gotham just so you could get away from the families. i believe they both had another reason in mind. just... chose to deal with it differently."

he looks at her, apparently unsure if he should just say it or let her figure it out on her own. there's something else there though, the mask may cover his eyes but she can see the tiniest of grimaces on his lips and his stance on the chair has switched. something is bothering him…

what is the other reason? both gordon and batman knew she was in danger so they sent her away, simple as that. gordon just actually cared so he wanted her to be with good people while batman only wanted to get rid of her. although… robin said he does care, in his own way at least. if hiding her wasn't the main reason she was sent away then what? whatever the reason… they chose differently because they think differently.

dax: "robin… what was batman's answer?"

he closes his eyes for a moment and then recites the words.

robin: "we may work outside the law but we are not above it. we are neither judge nor executioner. the mission is not to replace the system, it is to ensure it does not fall apart. we are the lesser evil. allowing emotions like vengeance to drive us could taint the symbol we have strived to create and with it everyone we ever stood alongside with."

what did you do, robin? she doesn't know if it's concern or curiosity but she almost blurted the question out. what little she can piece together is grim. something happened that put them at odds, something concerning the way they deal with criminals. vengeance… he was being chastised. and the reason for him leaving… that's the difference between gordon and batman. two different outlooks on the same problem. how did she not realize sooner? she might not want to admit it but if anyone is entitled to make a call like that... it's him.

dax: "that's why he sent me away, why he was so harsh. he saw something in me, the same thing he sees everyday in the underbelly of gotham. it's not that i'm in danger... i am dangerous. to the city, to gordon, to you… even to seemore and the others."

she knew it was wrong and still helped them find angel. what was she thinking? they could get themselves or others hurt. and what will they do if they rescue her anyway? eat pizza and hang out? you stupid girl… her worries were about collateral damage, people paying for her past mistakes. this? does she really have it in her? she just wanted to do good by her father, make whoever killed him pay. yes, it was vengeance but… but…

robin: "dax…"

she looks away and wipes her eyes. don't do this to the kid... you're already enough of a pain in the butt without the waterworks.

dax: "sorry… just… it's hard to cope with the fact that the greatest hero around thinks you have what it takes to become a criminal."

robin: "i don't think superman thinks that of you."

she lets out a mix between a whimper and giggle.

dax: "you are such an asshole..."

robin: "i've been told... dax, both batman and gordon saw the same in you. i don't think his worries are so much about what you did but what gotham could do to you."

dax: "thanks for embellishing it robin… but his motive is still the same."

robin: "so is gordon's."

she smiles pitifully.

dax: "so what? i become the defraggler and lie about my age so we can still call ourselves the teen titans?"

robin: "how about we get you into the chores rotation first and see where it goes from there?"

normalcy. that's what gordon wants for her. a place to call home, friends… guidance. an escape from gotham's grip and a chance at becoming someone better. an optimist. batman, on the other hand, would rather not take that chance, avoid the risk all together. a pessimist. the question is… what kind is she?

neither… both.

dax: "even if gordon is a better judge of character than batman… i'm still scared of what staying here could

ing to you and the others."

robin: "leave all that aside for a minute… do you want to stay?"

dax: "yes, but-"

robin: "then stay."

she sighs. be like gordon… until you have to be like batman.

dax: "can you promise me you won't let my past harm the team? i know we might not see it coming but... if we do, if i can prevent it from hurting you and the others i want to know you'll let me go."

robin: "you can leave whenever you want dax. but if you are asking me to promise we won't try to help you... no, nobody in the team will promise you that."

dax: "i know. you'd try to help even if you had promised not to, that's why you are heroes. but that's not what i meant. what i want from you, as the leader, as the person who makes the tough calls, is to understand that if it ever comes down to me or the team… my wish is that you always pick the team. can you promise me that?"

he looks away.

dax: "i'm sorry robin. i know it's not something you even want to think about, maybe i even reminded you of something really painful… but i need to know."

robin: "the team always comes first dax. and you are right… it's not something i like thinking about, but i am the leader. you picking for me doesn't make it any easier though."

dax: "you care robin, i don't think that decision will ever be easy for you. i just hope telling you what i want will at least ease your burden..."

he sighs.

robin: "did i mention you are a sensible person already?"

dax: "you know me so well."

robin: "smartass…"

she smiles. this is dangerously close to turning from a serious discussion into flirting. which is a terrible idea considering he is underage and has a girlfriend that can literally wipe the floor with her...

dax: "do we have a deal then?"

robin: "on one condition. promise me you will do everything you can so i don't have to make that call."

of course he'd ask that...

dax: "there's not that much i can do… but i promise."

robin: "we'll work on that."

he removes his right glove and they shake hands.

dax: "should i worry?"

robin: "not today. sleep well dax."

he stands up and drags the chair back to the desk.

dax: "robin… about the hive..."

robin: "makes you wonder doesn't it? from what you said they must have been hiding in the city for at least a few weeks. why blow their cover assaulting a transfer van? you'd think that if their objective is to recruit more villains they'd have gone for the prison while they had the element of surprise. that's unless they were looking for someone specific... that person would have to be in custody and have some tie with their team, perhaps from their time working for the

otherhood of evil or the academy. i'll review cyborg's mission report later, shouldn't be too hard to figure out."

he yawns nonchalantly and walks toward the door. she's dumbstruck… or maybe just plain dumb. did she really think he wouldn't figure it out without her help? but the real issue here is… does he know she hasn't told them everything?

robin: "i know you have a hard time seeing them as bad guys. given what you went through i don't blame you at all. cyborg may even be right, a year from now we could have one of them over for

eakfast... remember what we talked about though, there comes a point were society will simply not accept a villain has had a change of heart. what we do isn't just about stopping them from

eaking the law, it's also about stopping them from crossing that line."

dax: "i know it may not mean a lot coming from me but… whatever your argument with batman was, you are a hero through and through robin."

robin: "... it does, dax. don't sell yourself short."

dax: "you know… maybe if you asked me again i could recall something else from my time with the hive."

robin: "rest, you've had a long day. the hive will still be out there tomorrow. besides, the officers might have wanted to save face but witnesses were pretty sure kyd rescued them from the van before it exploded. there's hope for them yet."

that sneaky batman wannabe…

dax: "sleep well robin."

he nods and leaves her with a smile.

there's hope for them yet…

child of gotham - chapter 1: 10-97 end

afterwords

well that's it for this chapter... maybe for the entire series? depends on you guys. i think there's a good story that could spawn from this setting but without an audience it might be destined to remain in my mind for all eternity. a quick scan through my other stories will show you i have a tendency to leave them hanging so if you'd like to see more of child of gotham please leave your comments. even if you don't, if you have criticism please post it as well, it'll help with the next chapter/story.

in regards to this chapter, i can tell you the toughest thing to do for me was finding a way for dax to agree to stay with the titans. i know, it sounds crazy right? you'd think the author would want his character to remain in the story but trust me when i say it wasn't an easy task. i try to keep things somewhat realistic and given her background and how things developed it took me a lot of thinking to find a way robin could convince her to stay. i'm also a bit worried i might have made dax a bit too flirty, which is problematic because this isn't that kind of story (yet?) and the age difference between her and the other characters (which in all fairness isn't that big but legal issues, you know).

if you asked me what my favorite part of the chapter was i'd have to say the first bit when dax hangs out with the hive. suicide squad might have ruined it for everyone but i do believe there is room for villain teams in the spotlight yet.

what could come in the future? well, dax has to become a proper member of the titans and we might even get to see a bit of her abilities. some are evident, like her skills with computers (which i'm sure i portrayed miserably since i was lazy and did the minimal research possible) but there are clues at other aspects of her dropped here and there in the chapter.

that's it for now peeps. thanks for reading, please consider leaving behind some feedback and/or recommending the story to a friend, enemy, dc comics, etc.

talking about dc comics, insert legal disclaimer, all characters owned by their respective authors, etc., etc. same goes for star trek (long live g.r., who do you think would win between spinner and nimoy ((rest his soul)?), the simpsons (did you catch that one?), v for vendetta (i'm proud of that one) and every other property i might have dipped my fingers in.