HOMEMADE DYNAMITE !
❝ THE BURNING WOMAN. ❞

MAGENTA. The woman's hair was magenta. And, no one more surprised than her, Abby found herself digging it. The lady looked like she'd just fallen from a distant planet from the outer-rim of the cosmos, but the colour suited her.

After an interesting introduction to the latest addition to Batman & Co., Abby had watched Jessica upgrade the quality of the security footage and successfully locate, isolate and zoom in on the woman who had literally set herself on fire. And then proceeded to burn down half the fucking building and leave with Rachel at her side.

"I mean... the woman's totally crazy for setting fire to a gas station, but we stan." Jess finally broke the silence with a well intended joke.

"Yeah. Somehow I don't think the man she murdered would agree, Jess," Dick muttered in reply, still concentrating on the footage before him.

"Can you track the plate? Find out where it was last seen?" Abby asked Jess, ignoring the comment from the man sat beside her.

"Uhhh," Jess frowned in thought she leant forwards and tapped against the screen, "Yeah shouldn't be a problem."

A white line on the screen encircled the number plate and a map of the globe appeared in the corner, pulsing for a few seconds before narrowing the radius of its search and finally pinging back a location. They hadn't gone far at all. Abby exchanged a look with Dick.

"Ta-da," Jess announced, reaching over Dick and enlarging the new address.

Saint Paul's Convent, Covington, Ohio.

They hadn't even left the state.

Abby shifted in her seat, taking the tablet from Dick and turning to face Jess, handing her the tablet. "Keep updating this. Let us know if they move."

"We're going?" Dick murmured to her, eyes glued to her face as she sat back in her seat and turned to him.

Abigail let out a sigh, shrugging as though it was obvious, "We can't abandon Rachel, Dick. And chances are the people who took her are gonna come after her again."

"Two birds, one stone?" Dick rephrased, all too easily slipping back into simply knowing what was going on in Abigail's head.

Abby smirked, repeating it back to him, "Two birds, one stone."

Dick looked at the junction ahead, igniting the engine, hands gripping the wheel, music starting up quietly in the background. The engine revved and roared. But the car didn't move. His brow furrowed, slowly shifting his gaze back to Abby.

"You sure you want to get into this?" Dick questioned softly, "You got out, Abs."

"Someone needs my help, Dick. I can't ignore that," Abby breathed, Atlas incarnate as her shoulders buckled under the weight of the heavens, "And besides, I'm starting to think this life is inescapable for me."

"Really? I thought florist suited you," Dick grinned wolfishly, earning a light scowl in response.

"I hate to interrupt, and it's not like you guys aren't super cute or anything, because you really are — like, Dick, you gone fucked up ther—," Jess slowly began to ramble, and Dick winced in embarrassment, cutting her off.

"Jess!" Dick interrupted, his cheeks reddening slightly at the sight of Abby grinning in his peripheral vision.

"Right, sorry," Jessica cleared her throat awkwardly, "We need to go. It's, like, over a two hour drive to Covington and I mean we're only gonna catch these two if they don't decide to move."

"In that case..." Abby nodded her head and motioned for Dick to get out, "You're shotgun, Jr. I drive way quicker than you."

Jess raised her eyebrows, "Wow. That sounds... safe."

Abigail hopped out of the car, moving to the driver's side, where Dick now blocked the doorway. They stood too close for it to be a simple interaction. Once again, they had somehow managed to make soldiers out of their hearts, a battle for who could hold out the longest. A war for who could pretend they were bulletproof the best.

Their words still hung unsaid like the snow that floated around them. Too fragile to touch. Too delicate to last.

"You're not insured any—," Dick began, not even managing to finish a sentence.

"Don't bullshit me, Grayson," Abby scoffed, arms folded as she stuck her chin out at him, "We both know that's a lie."

Dick clenched his jaw before relenting, taking a long stride out of the way, but still half blocking her way, and when she went to climb in, he casually placed a hand in her way. The look the two exchanged alone could've melted the snow around them.

"Don't be a dick, Dick."

"Like you haven't used that one before." The dark haired man raised a singular eyebrow challengingly.

Abby straightened up, her face inches from his, and latched a hand onto his wrist. They both ignored the fire setting their skin alight. The sensation of electricity in their veins the other gave them. She knew the feeling. Abigail Lance felt it the first time she'd laid eyes on Dick Grayson.

"You're a piece of work," Abby muttered softly, as if she was afraid a higher tone would shatter him into a millions little pieces.

She dropped into the car, causing Dick to move out of the way as she closed the door. He looked down at his snow-covered boots and felt his frostbitten cheeks tug into a gentle smile. His voice was quiet. Like he was worried she'd blow away with the breeze if he was louder.

"Likewise, Lance."

SCOOTER'S ROLLER SKATING RINK? Not somewhere Abigail would really have chosen to go. Then again, the last time she'd been at a roller skating rink it had been with her estranged ex-teammate beside her. Donna and Nora had come too. The other Titans had bailed, but it hadn't mattered. The four of them were together. Despite it all, that's what had really mattered.

Abigail slammed the door of the car as she stood up. The air still threatened to rob her of any warmth she grasped onto, but the snow was melting and the sky was blue.

The stolen car had last been spotted here. She lost count of how many speed limits she'd broken whilst trying to get here before they could move again. Dick gripping onto the door and handbrake had become a worrying regularity in the time frame. She was pretty sure Jess had been a nervous wreck.

"Never again," Jess drew out, emphasising each word as she took a shaky step out of the car. She looked to Dick. "Is this hell? I'm pretty sure we died somewhere in that car ride."

Dick rolled his eyes at her, pushing her towards the door gently as he shut the door, "Don't be dramatic, Jess."

"We sure as hell aren't going to heaven, that's all I'm saying!" Jess called over her shoulder as she pulled ahead and somehow practically tripped into the building.

Dick fell into step beside Abby, glancing over to her with false grimace, "Should've taken you off the insurance."

Abby turned to meet his gaze, pushing him playfully as they jogged up the steps, her eyes rolling to the back of her head dramatically.

"Oh, shut up."

Abby entered the rink first, recoiling against the flashing strobe lights which attacked her vision. Doubles as a disco ring? She took in the neon carpets and chairs, the sounds of an arcade, ears ringing with the booming music, until her gaze landed on a familiar mane of magenta.

Her hand crashed into Dick's torso as she drew his attention to her and he followed her gaze, "It's our burning woman."

"Great," Dick muttered, striding past Abigail to approach her.

"As if he's just stormed towards the woman who could literally incinerate him with, like, her pinky," Jess deadpanned, watching in disbelief.

"Please tell me you're not surprised he'd do any different," Abigail mumbled in response, before nudging Jess, "Go find Rachel. I'll keep Batboy out of trouble."

She didn't wait for a response, reaching Dick just as the woman from the footage turned to face him. She stopped at his side, wary on how to approach the situation. Abby could feel the annoyance radiating from the man beside her. Please don't get yourself fucking killed. The woman now facing them in front of the jukebox didn't seem much happier to be interrupted.

"We gotta talk to you," Dick stated blatantly, head tilted defiantly.

The woman raised an eyebrow, almost in disbelief, "Yeah? Take a number."

She turned her back to them again and Dick frowned, spluttering silently as he shifted on his feet, unused to being blanked so carelessly. Abigail shook her head, placing a hand on his arm as a silent cue to shut the fuck up as she took over.

"Ignore him. He's crap with words. What we mean is that we'd really like to ask you..." Abby bit her lip nervously, "about Rachel."

The woman stopped. Lifting her head and tilting it for a moment before she slowly turned to face them and raised an eyebrow, "You're Dick, from Detroit."

Dick's frown was all the answer she needed. Her gaze drifted to Abby, and for some reason the defensive look softened slightly.

"That makes you Abby."

Abby crossed her arms over her chest, her voice playful, "That obvious, huh?"

"It's the jacket," the woman shrugged, tone teasing.

"Where is she?" Dick interrupted, worry fringing his voice as his eyes drilled into the woman.

On the other side of the rink, buried deep amongst the arcade games, Jessica had wandered towards the sound of two people cheering and laughing. A small smile worked its way onto her lips when she saw a pair of teenagers, one with green hair and one with blue. Her hand subconsciously ran through her purple strands.

"Twilight Zone?" Jess inquired, stopping at the pinball machine.

The two looked up, eyes instantly drawn to her hair the same way she had been theirs. Birds of a feather, right? The trio let out a synchronised chuckle of familiarity.

"It's awesome," the green haired boy shrugged, smiling over at her.

"More partial to the Star Wars one myself, but each to their own," Jess grinned back, joking lightheartedly.

There was a brief moment of silence, the only noise being the ding of the machine beneath them, lights bouncing off each of their young faces and glassy eyes. Jess found her eyes continuously glancing up at the boy opposite her. Her cheeks flushed red when she caught him doing the same.

"My name's Gar," he introduced through stutters, rubbing the back of his neck.

"Jessica," she replied dazedly, before snapping out of it, "But call me Jess, obviously. Only my mom calls me Jessica, and even then it's when she's telling me off, and clearly you're not my mom, or – or telling me off, so it's Jess, I'm Jess."

The blue haired girl let out a small laugh at that, prompting her to introduce herself, "You're funny, Jess. I'm Rachel."

Holy fuck.

"Nice – nice to meet you, Jess." Gar's body language was screaming at her how awkward he was feeling, yet somehow all Jess could think was that it was really fucking cute.

"Nice to meet you both," Jess choked out as she forced her jaw to refrain from crashing to the ground.

Panic had now settled into her stomach, a ravenous pit. Oh shit, what now? Something told her Rachel would not react well if she opened with "oh yeah I'm with the two ex-superheroes who basically ditched you a couple days ago — but don't worry, they've remembered now". But before she could stumble into some bad explanation or flail off to find Dick and Abby, a voice broke her from her prison of thought.

"Hey, come on. We're going."

Jess froze, then slowly turned around at the sound of Dick's voice. He didn't sound exactly happy.

"Both of you."

The betrayal that flashed across Rachel's face left Jess feeling surprisingly bad.

"What are you doing here?" Rachel snapped in response, glaring fiercely up at Dick.

"We came to get you, Rach," Abby answered softly, not giving Dick a chance to piss her off more.

Rachel's flare almost vanished completely when she turned to the brunette, and guilt flooded her eyes when she caught sight of the cuts and scrapes littering her face like stars did the night sky.

"I'm so, so sorry, Abby." Rachel could feel a sob building in her chest. This had happened because of her. That family had been after her — and Abby and Dawn had been the ones to suffer for it. "I read what happened. Are you — are you okay?"

Abigail shook her head, "Not your fault. I'm a big girl. I can handle myself."

"Now's not the time for a reunion," Dick intersected, shooting Abby a look, before glancing back to Rachel, "Let's go."

"Why are you here," Rachel repeated, a demand not a question now. The muscles clenching in her jaw were practically bulging from her skin.

"Can we talk about this somewhere else?" Dick replied impatiently, "Let's go."

Abigail exchanged a glance with the pink-haired woman before they began to stride after him. Jess placed a comforting hand on Rachel's shoulder and felt her chest nearly collapse in relief when she didn't shrug it off. The purple haired girl glanced back to send the green haired boy a friendly smile.

As they fast approached the exit, Dick turned back to catch Rachel's eye, "Rachel, we gotta get you somewhere safe."

The nameless woman quickly matched his stride, her tone curious, "Do you know who sent that weird family after her?"

"We're working on it," Abby replied, checking over her shoulder to make sure the two teenage girls were still there, "Unfortunately, not that easy."

"Who the hell are you?" Dick finally gushed, voice bordering on angry as he looked across to the woman.

She shrugged, brushing stray strands from her face, "I... don't know. But somehow Rachel's the key to me figuring me out."

"Is that why you kidnapped her?" Dick bit back.

"She didn't kidnap me," Rachel interrupted, defensive as she pulled away from Jess' side, "She saved me."

They burst out of the doors, striding into the car park. Abigail hadn't missed the bleak, midwinter air. The leafless trees seemed to agree with her.

"How's Dawn?" Rachel asked desperately, nervously, "Is she..."

"Rachel..." Dick sighed, trying to calm her down.

Rachel paid no attention, "I read what happened online. Is she gonna be okay?"

"She's in a coma," Abigail breathed, voice saddening at the mention of it, "We can only hope so."

"Who's Dawn?" the fiery woman behind piped up.

Jess was quick to answer, reminding them all of her presence, "She's a friend of theirs. Got seriously hurt trying to protect Rachel."

"I can't talk about this right now," Dick muttered, then directed his attention back to Rachel, "The cops are looking for you."

"He always like this?" the woman muttered to Abigail, drawing the brunette's attention.

Abby scoffed, "Ninety percent of the time. Charming, isn't it?"

"Not exactly what I'd call it," the woman mused back.

"And they're looking for you, too." The duo looked up at the sound of Dick's voice, having missed the last part of the conversation, but knowing he was talking to the woman beside Abby. "Assault on multiple officers. Arson. Not to mention kidnapping."

"Like I said," Rachel barked, voice growing frustrated, "She didn't kidnap me. She saved me. When you didn't."

"Okay," Abby interrupted, her tone shutting the other two up, "Grayson, drop the kidnapping thing. Rachel, he's doing his best, okay? Yes, he fucked up. But he's here now. We're both here now. Us and the chatterbox. She's alright."

"I'm not leaving without her," Rachel relented, gesturing to the woman beside Abby.

"Fair enough," Abigail shrugged, locking eye with Dick, "Just take two cars. She handled that family pretty well. We could use the help with Hank and Dawn being benched."

"Hm. What she said," the pink haired woman nodded in agreement.

Dick let out an exasperated sigh, turning to Rachel, "Can you please tell me what the hell is going on?"

"You left me," Rachel replied curtly.

Dick's answer was instant and defensive. "No, I didn't."

"You might had well have." Rachel's voice flared.

Dick crossed his arms, "Dawn got thrown off a roof. Abby had been beaten half to death, Rachel. I couldn't leave her — them."

"You were still going to," Rachel nearly yelled back.

"Rachel," Dick huffed in frustration, "I wasn't."

"I read the note —," Rachel started.

Abby was quick to interrupt, "She has a point, Dick. You were gonna leave her behind."

"He was, wasn't he?" Rachel nodded, before looking back to Dick, "You were gonna leave me with them."

Dick desperately tried to explain himself. "I just needed time to figure things out."

"Stop." Rachel shook her head.

"Rachel—."

The voice that left the girl's mouth was not her own. It sounded dark and monstrous and infernal.

"Stop lying!"

Rachel's eyes flashed black. A wave erupted from her and the windows lining the cars around them exploded viciously, alarms beginning to screech as they rained down a shower of glass onto the five of them Instinctively, a thought not even crossing her mind, Abby raised her hands defensively.

A boom sounded from her, her powers uncontrollably kicking in. The sonic vibrations passed through the people surrounding her harmlessly — at least she had that in her control — but the cars around her? Well. What cars? All she stood in was a crater.

NOTE!
IM SO SORRY THIS IS LATE!! i made it extra long to make up for it — and WILL UPDATE TOMORROW TOO SINce i missed an update. forgive me pls!!! lemme know what you thought of guys! xx

keep your eyes peeled for tomorrow's update !!