FIFTEEN: Getting A Head

When we left the room with the mirror, we went straight to Zatanna, Damian, and Raven. Zatanna flung her arms around Artemis. "I was so worried about you!" She said.

"Thanks, Zee," Artemis replied softly.

As they started catching up, my mind got pulled elsewhere.

Billy was stroking Gar's back gently as Gar sobbed softly. "I was so scared, Billy," he admitted.

"Of course you were," Billy replied sympathetically. "He almost killed you."

"I thought I was done for... And I realized I'm not ready to die yet."

Billy wrapped his arms around Gar and held him tightly. "I get it," he said. "For three months, I watched Lex and Apophis slaughter survivors. I had to help them... I'll never forgive myself for not being able to save everyone. I know exactly the kind of torture they are capable of inflicting on other people. I'm so sorry, Gar... You never should have had to face that."

"Billy..." Gar said softly.

"Yeah?"

"I'm still scared... But I don't want to be. I'm supposed to be brave. I'm supposed to be a hero. I'm supposed to be-"

Billy shocked Gar by kissing him mid-breakdown. I'm not going to lie... He shocked me, too. I suddenly felt like a voyeur, but I couldn't figure out how to sever the connection and return to my own mind.

Gar relaxed in Billy's arms as the shock wore off and he started to kiss him back. For the first time in too long, they both felt the comfort they so desperately needed.

"You're supposed to be Gar," Billy said when their lips finally parted as he continued to hold him. "Nothing else... Just Gar. And if that means you have a breakdown, then so be it. And if you need to cry, I'm here. If you need to scream, I'll scream with you. If you need to punch stuff, I'll spar with you. I'm here, Gar. You're not alone."

Gar hesitated before asking, "And if I need to feel something good, something outside of this whole mess...?"

Billy smiled at him sadly. "I could kiss you again... If it helps."

"It helps," Gar replied. He leaned in closer and kissed Billy again. As both of their minds calmed down, I was released from their private moment.

"Earth to Grayson!" Damian called, demanding my attention.

"Huh?" I mumbled.

"Dick... Are you okay?" Kara asked.

"So you did come with us," I said. "You didn't make it to the mirror room."

"Constantine sent you and Artemis straight to the mirror, but he sent me to the living room. You zoned out pretty badly, Dick... Is anything wrong?"

"No," I replied. "I just got lost in someone's head... When M'Gann said strong emotions trigger the connection, she wasn't kidding... Anyway, I'm fine."

I was saved from further explaining as Constantine returned to the House of Mysteries with the rest of our team. Harley looked a little bit stronger, offering us a brave face as she stood beside Ivy. Caitlin hid any emotions she might have away and maintained a calm, calculating exterior.

"So, who wants a pint?" Constantine asked, breaking the awkward silence. "I've got plenty of drinking options here."

"I do!" Harley replied enthusiastically.

"You just had a blood transfusion," Caitlin pointed out.

"Exactly! I could use a pick me up!"

"Oh, screw it," Caitlin mumbled. "I'll take one, too."

A strange woman came toward us with drinks, both alcoholic and not. Her face was expressionless. Her eyes were red and her skin was purple. "Um, Constantine? Who's this?" I asked.

"Relax, Mate," he replied. "This is Orchid. She's the House's human form, a physical manifestation of the House that was created so she could experience humanity."

I decided this wasn't the weirdest thing I'd ever heard and shrugged, going with it. "Hi, Orchid. Nice to meet you," I greeted her.

"Hello, Nightwing," she replied.

"How did you know about that?" I asked in confusion.

"I know many things, Nightwing."

"She's tapped into everything in the House of Mysteries, including the communication system," Constantine clarified.

"She's beautiful," Raven said, her eyes full of wonder. "I like purple."

"Thank you, Raven," Orchid replied. "You are beautiful as well."

Billy and Gar came into the living room then. They stayed close to each other, and it seemed to comfort them both. Weirdly, it brought me some peace to realize they had each other. I was happy for them, and considering all the pain and suffering surrounding us, I kind of wanted to cheer for them with an obnoxious level of enthusiasm because it felt good to know someone, at least, had found a shred of light in this bleak, broken universe. Since I wasn't supposed to know about their new fondness for kissing each other, however, I kept my face and voice neutral.

"Hey, guys," I said casually. "How are you feeling, Gar?"

"A little better," Gar replied.

"I'm glad to hear it." I offered him and Billy a warm smile.

We sat together, drinking and trying to relax, until someone rang the doorbell. That made everyone tense.

"Were you expecting company?" I asked Constantine.

"I can't say that I was," he replied. "Orchid, kindly check the door."

Orchid dutifully answered the door. She returned with a rather disturbing sight. She looked perplexed as she held a severed head in her hands.

Raven shrieked and hid her face in Damian's shoulder. He held her, keeping his face cold and neutral, but I knew he was more upset than he would ever let on.

"Bollocks, Orchid! There are children present," Constantine pointed out.

"Whoa! Talk about getting a head," Harley joked before bursting into laughter.

"It was Merlyn," Damian said. "He left this to tell us he knows where we are, and to show us what will happen to those who cross him."

"Damian, did you know this guy?" I asked, motioning toward the head.

"His name was Slade Wilson... Deathstroke, to most people," Damian replied. "He was my grandfather's right-hand man until he was deemed unworthy. That was when Merlyn took over his role. I'm guessing Wilson made the mistake of challenging him for control of the League now that my grandfather is gone."

"Looks like he lost," Caitlin said with a laugh.

"Merlyn is warning us not to cross him," Damian said. "I won't be scared away from doing what we must. To be clear, Merlyn is capable of doing this, or worse, to any one of us. If anyone wants to back out, now is the time. In battle, you must not show fear."

"No one's backing out," Zatanna said. "The world needs us now more than ever. We have to stop Lex."

I paused. Something didn't feel right, and not just because a severed head was staring at me. "We're missing something," I said.

"What do you mean?" Kara asked.

"From everything Damian's told us about Merlyn, he's way too ambitious to stay someone's lackey... So why is he working for Lex?"

"You've got a point, Grayson," Damian admitted. "Even while he was my grandfather's right-hand, he had ulterior motives. I'm pretty sure he always wanted to take over... So why is he suddenly an underling again?"

"He touches base with Lex every couple of days," Ivy chimed in. "He's a great talker, but there's something off about him... I don't trust him."

"Your instincts are strong," Damian replied. "Whatever Merlyn's planning, I can guarantee it involves him double-crossing Luthor."

"Maybe if we can make Lex see that, he'll put a stop to Merlyn," Zatanna said.

"Lex is beyond reason," Caitlin replied. "He's lost his mind."

"Because he lost his daughter," I said softly. "And I can't blame him for going insane, although destroying the entire world over his grief is going too far."

Raven was still hiding her eyes and refusing to look at Slade Wilson's severed head. Constantine seemed to realize that suddenly as he took it from Orchid.

"Ugh..." He mumbled. "Right then. Let's just toss this into a Hell portal." He wandered off, taking the head with him.

"It's okay, Raven," Zatanna said gently. "The head is gone now."

Raven slowly peaked out from Damian's shoulder. When she was sure the head was gone, she relaxed slightly, until she suddenly grabbed the sides of her head.

"Not now..." She said. "Leave me alone!"

"Raven, what's wrong?" Damian asked.

"My father... He's trapped in my head, but he keeps trying to escape into this world. I can't let him."

I raised an eyebrow at that. No one seemed to know what to say. Harley finally wrapped an arm around Raven's shoulders and said, "I've got voices in my head, too."

"Do they want to destroy the universe?" Raven asked.

"Sometimes... They certainly want me to. But I decide what I do, and I'm doing good things now instead of bad! You can decide, too, Raven. Don't be scared of him."

Raven hesitated as she studied Harley. "He's really evil, and I'm the only one that can keep him away... But I'm just a kid. It's so much pressure..."

"You're not alone," Zatanna said. "You have us. We'll help you, sweetie."

Raven nodded, slowly looking a little bit more confident. Sensing she was pretty whelmed, I shifted my focus to Damian. As Harley and Zatanna focused on Raven, Damian started pacing back and forth, lost in thought.

I walked by him, motioning for him to follow me. "What's on your mind, Damian?" I asked when we were alone.

"Nothing," he replied.

"Come on, talk to me. Maybe I can help."

"I seriously doubt that, Grayson."

"Try me."

He looked at me defiantly. "Slade Wilson wasn't an easy man to kill," he said. "Merlyn means business. He's going to come for us next."

"What can you tell me about him?"

"He enjoys mind games. He thinks he's smarter than everyone else, and it is true he has an abnormally high level of intelligence. Underestimating him will get you killed. So will trusting him. He's very dangerous, Grayson... He's like a viper, patiently watching his prey and waiting to strike."

"So how do we handle him?"

"Very carefully... By the time he finally shows his face, it may be too late to escape with your life or your sanity in tact."

"That doesn't sound good..." I paused. "You know, if you need to talk, I'm here. No judgment."

He frowned at me, and his expression was like a mirror of Bruce's. "I don't need to talk, Grayson," he said firmly. "I need to kill Merlyn, and Luthor, and then return home to reclaim what is rightfully mine."

"Always with the killing, Kid... Don't you ever just play games or watch TV or do anything fun?"

"Battle is fun," he replied. "If you want to be useful, you'll spar with me."

I sighed. "Alright," I agreed. "Constantine set up a training room. Let's go spar."

Damian's face broke out in a grin as he said, "Now you're talking."

AUTHOR'S NOTE: Sorry for the delay in updating. I've been focusing on an original project (a vampire/paranormal story called Day In Court), and I also have a lot going on in my personal life at the moment. I promise I have not and will not abandon this fic. I love it and am very attached to the characters, so I will definitely finish it. Please be patient if it takes me a little bit longer to post updates right now. Thanks for all of your support!