Birds of a Feather

13

It was a full day before Starfire found me first. She had followed Cyborg down when he brought me some antibiotics for my face which was healing slower now without my powers. When Cyborg left, she approached the glass and I could see even from my spot on the floor that she was hurt.

"Friend Raven our intentions were not to drive you into hiding." She said softly as if trying not to disturb me. I looked up at her and smiled.

"Star it's not you or any of the others. I don't want to put you all in danger again. Until Cyborg can figure out how to get this thing out of my neck I need to stay here. That way they can't use my eyes to see the plans or in a more extreme case cause my rage to come back out. I can't risk it" I said. She looked at me in thought for a moment and nodded her head.

"As you wish. I have contacted my second in command on Tamaran to inform them that I will be staying a bit longer. It appears that Earth may need my help more than my people at the time being." She said smiling softly as she began walking away.

"Star? I would love to hear about your days as queen someday when you've got the time" I said. Part of me was longing for some form of company after not having any for so long. It was easy back then to push out people who I assumed I was only going to hurt. Then when I defeated my father and was able to enjoy life a little more, I began to cherish the moments with each of my friends. After having them back for even just these few days its reminded me of how much I miss them.

Starfire gave me a wide smile. "Of course friend, I would love to have the catch up. We are discussing things currently but afterwards I shall return." I nodded and watched her walk away. I looked around the large white room and couldn't help but think that it resembled the stereotypical mental institution. It was as if I was being kept captive. I knew this was for the best, but I was hoping for Cyborg to burst through at any moment saying he's found a way to remove the device.

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Beast Boy found me next a few days later, he claims on accident, but I think he too followed Cyborg down here one day. He approached the window much more confidently and started tapping on the glass. "Hey look! It's a Raven fish!" He laughed.

I smirked, not wanting to give him the satisfaction of laughing at a joke. "Don't tap on the glass, the fish don't appreciate it." I said back. I put down the book that I was currently reading and walked over to the ladder that Cyborg had brought me a few days ago. It was tall enough to let me be at the same height as the viewing window so when my friends would visit, I wasn't two stories below them.

"Is there anything you need? Anything I can get you?" He asked. It was strange to see him seem so worried and not overly hyper and excited. I shook my head with a smile. I also couldn't help but notice the bright purple cast wrapped around his right arm.

"No Beast Boy it's okay. I'm doing alright. I'm sorry about that." I said quietly pointing to his arm.

"It's in the past Rae. I'm okay and when you're out of there I'll get you to sign it!" He laughed and it seemed genuine enough to make me smile too. "Ya know, last time you were in this thing I gave you one of these and everything then seemed to end up okay." He said as he reached in his back pocket and pulled out a small object. As he tossed it in the air, I could see the copper tone and recognized it to be a penny like the one he had given me the day I ended the world. I couldn't begin to describe the aching in my chest. He laughed and put the penny in the container that usually Cyborg puts tea or food in. I picked it up and turned it around in my hands silently admiring the fact that he remembered the small gesture.

"Thank you." I smiled and held the penny close to my chest. He nodded and looked at the floor looking upset about something.

"Rae I was really hoping that this would happen when you weren't in the human aquarium. But seeing as Terra's only here for a few days I guess it'll have to do for now." He said as he began to walk into the other room.

I could hear whispers but because of the wall separating us I couldn't really hear what was going on in the other room. When Beast Boy came back into view, I could see he was holding a child. My eyes went wide and I stood as close to the glass as I could. I hadn't known about Beast Boy's child until he came back a few days ago, but as much as I hate to admit it, I love kids and I hate that I'm missing the chance to meet his.

"Raven I'd like you to meet Marie Raven Logan." He smiled and turned to show me the toddlers chubby face. Her big green eyes stared back at me and I could help but grin. I looked up at him and saw him searching for my reaction.

"You didn't." Was all I could say.

He laughed, which was a relief. I didn't want him to be offended. "Yes Raven I did. Had to convince Terra but eventually she agreed that we should name her after the best women we know. Marie for my mother and Raven for you." He smiled.

"I'm honored. Truly. I wish I weren't such a threat; I would really like to meet her."

"Don't worry Rae, I'll bring her by more often. She deserves the chance to know her godmother." He smirked and I shook my head in disbelief.

"You didn't think to call and tell me these things?" I laughed and watched as Marie looked up at her dad and giggled along with him.

"I figured you didn't want to see me. I know you and Terra will never get along and I've accepted that, I just wish we could all still be a family." He said shifting his gaze back to the tiny girl in his arms. He started fidgeting with her hair as a sad silence filled the air.

"Well, you're welcome here anytime. All of you. You can bring Terra too but don't expect me to make pleasantries." I said. I could see his ears perk back up at the news. He bounced Marie around in joy and said "Be careful what you say Rae. You don't know who her godfather is." He smirked as he turned to leave.

"What is that supposed to mean?" I laughed as I watched him set her on the floor and let her try to walk out with him.

"Well you see Raven, I wanted to pick Cyborg, but felt it was more important to pick someone who changed my life forever. Terra says I just wanted to stick to the bird theme, but I won't let her know she's only half right." He laughed and then waved for both him and Marie. I waved back and climbed back down the ladder thinking about what he just said.

"Bird theme?" I said to myself. I walked over to the monitors and watched as Beast Boy walked out of the elevator and toward the common room where he playfully handed Marie off to Dick. I shook my head in disbelief understanding what it meant. Nightwing was Marie's godfather.

It was interesting to watch the two of them together. He was so different when he was around her than with anyone else. He even looked around to make sure no one was looking before he played peekaboo with his mask. I smiled and laughed along with them until they all seemed to get up and move towards the elevator. It was around dinner time so it made sense that they were probably going to get pizza. My smile faded as I turned back around to what now seemed like my prison cell. The lonely white walls felt so claustrophobic all of the sudden despite being decorated with things from my bedroom.

It was then that I decided we needed to find ananswer to this and fast because I was getting the worst feeling that thesehappy 'family' times weren't going to last forever and I sure wasn't about tomiss much more of it.