The excessive clicking of the remote control button against its hard plastic frame resounded throughout the room as the coloured pictures composed of numerous little dots accompanied by a barrage of music spayed across the curved television screen. None of the vivid pictorial scenes enticed the finger to poise in its search to be saved from boredom...

The familiar dialogue of "It's morphing time!" floated through the airways and the search halted as the T.V depicted the Pink ranger holding a poorly crafted piece of plastic that was meant to resemble an ancient mystical power coins embedded in their morphers that was the source of their powers. With the enlisted help of some dismal bright lights she was transformed into her spandex pink uniform that hugged her slightly too tightly to be seen as decent!

Duo sighed audibly, it was during such a moment as this that Mar...that Supersonic would insert a scandalously dirty comment about the costume and she would retort by trying to smother his mouth with a pillow, often resulting in the various snacks, that they were in the process of gorging, being scattered about the room or used as ammunition...Especially when he would quip over how great she'd look in the Pink Ranger outfit...skirt included!

But she laid on her unmade bed by herself this Sunday morning...the sheets piled up about her as she continuous shifted position, her hair was an unkempt mess, having woken only an hour ago she had been unwilling to leave the comfort of her bed...thus the hair remained resembling a rat's nest...even though the tutting sounds regularly coming from Cissie at the sight of it were beginning to become annoying!

She hadn't seen Supersonic in several weeks, not since the array of super heroed teens had agreed for their numbers to be split in half to form two teams, the Teen Titans and Young Justice. Supersonic had eagerly signed up for a place on the YJ team, assuming that his "best friend" Duo would do the same... The instant he had chosen she had proclaimed her desire to remain a titan, even going as far to add insult to injury by claiming that there was nothing to compel her to change sides.

Obviously it had worked...for in all that time he hadn't once tried to approach her, call...he had God Damn Super Speed, he could pop by in an instant! She was grateful that she had accomplished in distancing herself from him...but at the same time she was really hurt that he had given up so easily...

She clicked the remote one last time, turning the television off completely as she then threw the remote viciously against the floor in her anger, not caring that Cissie was there to witness it. It wasn't really her fault...before she had become a Titan she had kept her emotions firmly locked away...since absorbing Cassie's and then Supersonic's souls she had been brutally reintroduced to her feelings and now often had trouble concealing them. Which was clearly shown as the plastic covering of the remote cracked and the batteries flew out of their snug little position to roll across the carpeted floor.

Cissie who had been sitting on the other bed crossed legged, engrossed in a teen magazine, and cocked her head at the angry Duo. She sighed internally and carefully closed the glossy pages of her magazine with careful precision, wanting to keep the pages crisp and clean so that Cassie wouldn't yell at her for damaging her magazine and the pictures of the guys inside...not that she'd ever tell that to Will!

She swept down and scooped up the loose batteries and grimaced at the sight of the remote, she sighed aloud this time and sat nest to Duo, who was currently staring at her bed sheets as she twirled them between her fingers, her eyes hidden behind her hair as a faint embarrassed blush rose in her cheeks. "Duo...what's wrong?" Cissie asked her kindly, her bright blue eyes glistening in the light from the open window.

Duo looked up into the soft features of Cissie King-Jones, there was no way that Duo was going to confessed that she had been a broody wreck because she was missing the annoying pranks and endless chatter of a certain flamed eyes speedster...her best friend...but the look on Cissie's face was caring and concerned. She was in Agony Aunt mode and was not about to be disappointed! So Duo decided to reveal the other issue currently weighing her down...

"I...I found out where my grave is...” Duo whispered.

Cissie raised an eyebrow at this news, she remained cool through her exterior as she watched Duo, and obviously this was something important to the girl. "And...?"

Duo coughed a little to clear the clogging emotion in her throat. "And...and I was planning on visiting it later on today...it's...I know it sounds like a really morbid idea but..." Duo sat up straight and brushed her tangled hair from her face, as she looked Cissie in the eye. "That grave...it shows...for it to be there...that when I died there was someone, perhaps several some ones who cared for me." She remembered what her killer had told her, apparently her mothered had wept pained tears for her fallen daughter, Duo didn't know what she hoped to find...that perhaps a faint impression of their emotion would be laced into the area...but she had to find out. "I guess...I'm just a little scared to go by myself is all..." Duo said with a faint chuckle.

Cissie watched with a sympathetic expression, "well...you know you don't have to go alone, we girls could always go with you, and I'm sure Marx wouldn't mind..."

"NO!" Duo yelled, jumping from her seated position, "I mean…erm..." she stuttered over her words in a vain attempt to cover up her overreaction, "I mean, I don't want to bother anyone...I can do this..." she said, faking a confident smile as she made an exit for the shower.

Cissie watched her go, her brow furrowed in confusion...in the last few months Marx had been a frequent yet unknown visitor to Elias, often sneaking in to watch cartoons with Duo or having Duo sneak out to visit him...but now...

She had asked Greta who was stationed on the same team as Supersonic if the two of them had fallen out, but they hadn't to her knowledge...

Cissie looked towards the phone not 2 metres from her...Duo was going to a decaying grave to discover if she was ever truly wanted and loved...what she really needed was that knowledge for her future from the people around her at present...

Without further hesitation she picked up the phone and dialled Supersonic's number...

Supersonic let out a bored sigh as he looked up from his bed to the TV from his new room in the Young Justice Volcano Headquarters. He missed Duo normally, but he especially missed her at times like these. His wisecracks weren't nearly as funny since he was the only one to hear them. He'd started hanging around with Greta more and they did have fun, but sometimes she annoyed the hell out of him. It wasn't that she wasn't nice or anything like that, it was just that you could set a timer for when she would start talking about Robin. He'd admit it, he was jealous, but he knew she didn't mean to rub the relationship in his face. But he didn't have anyone to talk to about it, his only friends were Greta and Duo, and Duo made it crystal clear she didn't want him around her anymore. Part of him wanted to be angry at her, but he couldn't do it, all he could do was feel like it was his fault that he'd driven her away.

Turning his eyes back up to the TV he saw that Power Rangers was on and immediatly turned the TV off by shapeshifting his hand into the remote control. He'd tried previously to watch those shows but it only made him think of Duo more than he already was. The only thing that made him glad was that he no longer had the nightmare of her death, just as he freed her from it's torture, he freed himself. But without Duo there with him sometimes it was hard to tell whether or not it was a even trade or not. But then it would cross his mind that if staying away from him makes Duo happy, then he should let her be. Just then he was snapped out of his thought by the phone ringing. His red eyes went wide in suprise as he recognized the number, that was the girls' number. He let it ring twice before finally mustering up the courage to pick up the phone. "Hello?"

The phone did its usually dull, emotionless ring twice before she heard the decisive click that indicated Super had picked up.

"Hello?" The tone on the end of the phone seemed as equally bleak as the classic ringing of the telephone that had just graced Cissie's ears. "Hi Marx, it's Cissie here..." she waited a few seconds for this knowledge to sink in, especially since she rarely talked to the speedster, calling him must have come as a surprise!

"Look, I'm calling you because...well I wanted to talk to you about Duo..."

Supersonic was taken back as he heard Cissie's voice on the phone. He hadn't really talked to her that much at all, only the occasional greeting as he would visit Duo. Of course he once more found his super speed to be as much as a hinderance as a help. Even though it was only a few moments that she waited, his thoughts began to cross his mind one after another. Why was Cissie calling instead of Duo? Did someting go wrong? Was Duo hurt? None of this was helped as she finally spoke.

"Look, I'm calling you because...well I wanted to talk to you about Duo..."

"What...what's wrong? Is she okay?" Supersonic asked, the concern laced into his voice.

"What...what's wrong? Is she okay?"

Cissie wore a faint smile at the concern that was obvious in Supersonic's tone. Whatever was preventing him and Duo from hanging together so much was obviously not because he didn't care for her anymore. All concerns Cissie had as to whether calling him was the right decision were discarded.

"No no, she's fine, she's in the shower as we speak...not that you needed to know that!" Cissie said smacking a hand over her eyes in classic "I shouldn't have said that!" fashion.

"Look...I don't know what's been happening but Duo's been in a...distant mood of late, and I'm worried about her, especially since she's going to visit her grave later on today." Cissie said, the volume in her voice dropping slightly with the last sentence, not wanting the conversation to be heard by unwanted parties. "She found out where it is...and...She wants to see it,” Cissie sighed deeply, she felt like a traitor to be revealing this...but at the same time...

"She sees it as a symbol of people who cared for her...I think...I know" she corrected herself, a determined edge seeping into her tone as she twirled the spiralled cord of the telephone round her index finger, "she needs to feel cared for by the people who are with her now...so I thought...that well, perhaps you and some of the others can meet her there, you know for moral support or something?" She held her breath hoping that the speedster wouldn't be repulsed by the concept of visiting the grave of his friend!

Supersonic tried to disguise his sigh of relief as Cissie said that Duo was alright. He then listened intently as Cissie told him that Duo was going to visit her grave, also taking not that she seemed distant lately. He wasn't sure if it was related to him or not but either way he'd help in any way he could. Though Super did find it slightly odd that he didn't make an innappropriate comment when Cissie mentioned that Duo was in the shower, which showed that even his emense perversion had it's limits.

He had to admit that he did find it a little disturbing that Duo wanted to visit her grave. But it did make sense to him how she'd see it as a symbol for the people who cared about her. There must have been people who visited her grave, and feeling they're emotions would probably help her not to feel quite so alone. Marx could relate since he wasn't even from this dimension, none of his family or friends were in here which is why he especially cherished what he had with Duo. Finally snapping out of his thought process the speedster spoke up. "Whether she wants me or not....I still see her as my friend. Just tell me where to go."

Cissie rubbed her fingers over her closed lids, trying to dispel the weariness she was feeling, but she was relieved that Supersonic appeared to be more then willing to help Duo. She pinched the bridge of her nose but she continued to smile. Super and Duo were an odd pair to say the least, yet in truth they were perfect as well, he seemed to be one of the few who could drag Duo out of her cold shell and make her laugh. whereas Duo seemed to be one of the few who could curb Super's hyper activeness and let him reveal a more serious perhaps even sensitive side.

Whatever had happened between them it had resulted in but one good thing, the halls of Elias High were relatively safe to walk down now without incident, for the weeks before hand it was quite probably that some humiliatingly hilarious prank would await you courtesy of Duo Merquise...although few either knew let alone could prove that she was responsible! But as of late no pranks had been committed, but if that were the result of Duo's sour mood Cissie would have preferred the pranks if it meant her friend would show some happier tendencies.

"Thanks Super, I knew you'd help, perhaps you could ask some of the others to come soon, the more people the bigger the moral support impact! I'll find out the exact location and get back to you, knowing you're speed that should give you more then enough time to rally a few friends." She said, her voice less grave then it had been when the conversation had ensued. "Later!" Cissie rang off and replaced the receiver in it's cradle and waited for Duo.

*********************************************************

Duo let the water seep into her hair, soaking its mass so it hung limply down her back, the scorching water stripping the dirt from her flesh and she vainly hoped for it to strip some of the pain from inside...but even the rapid thunder of the power shower couldn't seep that deeply. She breathed in the steam produced by the heat as she felt the nervous butterflies developing in her stomach. She wanted to do this...it was sick and twisted but...that tombstone was all that was left to mark a life she had once lead and that was stolen from her...she had once been laid to rest there, and in her pain...her mind clogged with vengeful justice...she had left that behind and become Shinigami. But now...now she was Duo Merquise...and even though she was tainted with sin...she had emotions and feelings and...friends... She gulped as her mind went through all of these things, was she so different from that girl who had died over 50 years ago...?

<I really wish I wasn't going alone...>

Supersonic nodded as Cissie finished the phone call even though he realized she couldn't see the gesture. "I'll get right on it." Marx immediately began to think about who could go with him to Duo's grave. For the first time in a long time he wasn't in a somber state even though he'd gotten remarkably good at playing it off when he was around other people. Most didn't even realize he wasn't his usual self, they just figured he was planning a huge prank that took a lot of preparation.

The speedster finally forced himself to concentrate to the task at hand. Luckily his number also worked for his bike, Electro which could tap into the phone lines, so Cissie could call him and give him directions to the gravesite without him having to be in the room. Jumping out his window he took flight to Titan's Tower, which felt slightly odd since he'd been avoiding it from fear that he'd run into Duo. As he finally saw the huge T shaped building, even though it had barely taken him a minute to get there. Zooming in through the front door Super sped to Harm's room and knocked on the door. "Will...Will? Are you there?" His knocking caused the door to slowly open with an annoying creaking sound. But as he looked through, he didn't see him anywhere, just his creepy room with Heavy metal posters all over the walls. "I don't think Harm would appreciate you going in his room without permission" A voice said behind the speedster which made him yell out in suprise.

Supersonic quickly turned to the source of the voice trying to catch his breath. "RAVEN! You could give a guy a heart attack like that!" "I apologize. If you're looking for William he's out with Cassandra at the moment. Anything I can help with?" "Actually, you just did. Thanks Rae!" With that said the speedster immediately dashed out of the Tower and pressed a button on his wrist that called Electro. "Hey bud, could you do me a favor?" The speedster asked the cycle which revved in response. "Oh! Of course! You only call me when you need help! I feel so used!" "Um...it involves a hot blonde girl?" Electro paused for a moment. "Well why didn't you say so? Ask away!" Supersonic merely rolled his eyes, he just had to have a cycle with A.I. that resembled his personality didn't he? "Could you lock on to Harm and Wonder Girl's Com-Link signals?" Super asked as he got on the cycle. "Oooo that hot blonde, consider it done oh great one." As soon as the robotic words escaped the cycle, it was off, matching Supersonic's speed before landing in a secluded area outside of a fancy restaurant.

Getting off the cycle, Super looked as he found the two teenagers sitting from each other, a little...preoccupied with their lips. "Um...guys...sorry to interrupt..." "I agree, it was just getting good!" The speedster quickly gave Electro a 'not right now!' expression but seemed a bit too late as he saw Will glaring at him as he was forced to pull away from the kiss. "Super...this...had BETTER...be good!" Will growled, but he was actually restraining himself pretty well given the situation, though he knew that was only because Cassie was right there." Supersonic immediatly began to back up with his hands in surrender. "It is. It is. I swear! Honestly, it's just that Duo found out where her grave is and she's going to see it later today. We thought she could use some moral support, if anyone would understand I think you would." Super said motioning towards Will.

Will let out a deep sigh. This was his first date with Cassie since they got back together, he even made a point of not going into a public place so there wouldn't be any incidents like their other two outtings. He even went as far as to pay for this expensive restaurant and they still couldn't get a break. But having died as well he could tell where Duo was coming from, personally he had Greta and Cassie, so he never really felt a need to visit his grave. Besides, he felt like that Billy was dead, no need to visit him, but Duo's case was different since her previous life was innocent, there was nothing to be ashamed of. Will looked over to Cassie with a defeated expression on his face. "Well...?"

Duo stepped out of the shower room wrapped in a fluffy pale blue bathrobe, in her hand she clasped a white towel and was currently rubbing her mass of hair gently, the material absorbing the excess water so that it grew heavy in her hands. Cissie was once again sitting cross-legged on her bed, the magazine held out before her as she was reading intently about teen disasters and love lives.

Duo hung the towel to dry over the radiator at the end of her bed and grabbed her brush and began the tedious job of raking the bristles through the chestnut locks. After 10 minutes the rats nest was transformed into a silken sea that hung in wavy drapes about her. She reached for a hair band and began to tie her hair back in her customary braid. Cissie watched with keen interest as Duo's fingers worked through her hair, dividing it into three equal sections and weaving it in and out, she sighed at Duo, shaking her head a little, "Duo...you really need to do something with your hair! You always have it in a braid, why not try styling it!" Cissie asked excitedly, her fingers itching to be able to apply numerous styling products to Duo's hair…she loved a good challenge.

Duo smiled in weary amusement, "I don't get it Ciss, every time you ask that question the answer is always no, why do you think by asking for about the 36th time that I'll suddenly say yes?" Duo asked whilst securing the hair band at the bottom of the plait. She stood and wondered over to her chest of drawers, ignoring Cissie as she rounded off the numerous reasons as to why conditioner was an important factor in hair maintenance along with various other products, many of which Duo had never heard of!

Duo ferreted through her drawers, trying to decided what would be appropriate to wear to her grave, obviously the tradition was black...but that was when you were mourning...and she wasn't...not really...but then again bright colours may seem a little tacky...not that Duo actually owned anything brightly coloured!

She opened her bottom draw and withdrew her favourite pair of tight fitting, black hipster trousers, as she drew them into her grasp a white piece of paper fluttered to the carpeted floor...

Duo stared at it...frozen...<that's where I put it...>

Placing the black trousers and red top she had chosen on her bed she gingerly picked up the paper, it was folded over several times, leaving decisive creases in its surface that broke up the writing that spilled over its pages...she'd only read it once and then placed it in the draw, not intending on addressing it again...

But now she peeled open the pages, the blue text a stark contrast to the crisp white page...and as Cissie's voice dissolved into the background Duo began to read...

"Hey Babe,

Perhaps it's cowardly to do this through a letter...I don't know, maybe it seems that way because I'm a guy! Perhaps it's because I care too much to do this face to face, perhaps I'm worried that I won't be able to go through with it.

Babe, I love being a Titan, it's one heck of an adrenaline ride and helping people, rules too, but there's someone else who needs me more then all those tons of strangers I've never met, my mom.

Don't know how I'm gonna fair, I'm gonna miss the kick ass adventures and all but it's about time I did what was right! But I want you to know that you were the best adventure of them all and I'll think of you always...

Love you babe.

Cody"

Duo folded the paper once again, her fingers trailing over its folded edges as she thought. She hadn't bee mad at Cody, just a little empty afterwards... it had only contributed to her decision to want to visit her grave...

She didn't have Cody, she didn't have Marxy...she had been distant with Cassie, Greta and Cissie and she'd been spending way more time at Elias then at Titan Tower, trying to avoid her team mates...

<It's for the best...>

Will and Cassie had been at the restaurant for about 20 minutes before they were interrupted by supersonic who arrived at a very…personal moment between the two.
They quickly broke apart with they noticed the speedster though and while Cassie blushed, Will held his temper long enough to find out the reason for the interruption. When it came down to it he looked to Cassie to see what they should do.

"Well...?"

“Its ok, we’ll go. Duo could use the moral support. Its not often you go visit your own grave now is it?” She said, realising that all three of them had died. Several times in Will’s case, and Marx and herself had both been killed by Duo.
“It looks like there’s some kind of a conspiracy against us having an uninterrupted date.” She smiled secretly at Harm. “Maybe we should try for a movie next time? Double feature?? At least we’d see the first one seeing as we get interrupted half-way through every time”

She couldn’t deny that she was annoyed about being interrupted, or that Supersonic had thought it good etiquette to bring Electro into the restaurant but it didn’t seem like an option to stay. Beside, Duo was a friend of hers and she’d have hoped Duo would have asked her to come along without worrying about what they thought. Maybe it was too hard for her to ask, either way she was getting support whether she wanted it or not.

A misty haze appeared in the air and then an implosion of smoke which curled into the form of Greta beside them.
“Sorry to interrupt but Cissie told me what was going on, she thought it better I catch up with you instead of vice versa.” Greta shyly explained her sudden appearance. “I guess Duo didn’t want you to show up and stop her before she could leave. Cissie was about to talk to her when I left, she should call any moment.”

Duo looked at herself in the mirror, examining her reflection intently, her eyes tracing over the curves of her cheeks and the slope of her jaw line, her flesh a pallid colour that complimented the pale pink of her lips. Her chestnut locks were securely bound in her braid, the red tendrils slipping in and out of the woven pattern...it was the one part of her hair that Cissie seemed to like...she always complained about Duo's insistence of having her braided, but it really did make the red highlights look good!

She looked hard at the girl staring back at her, trying to remember another image...that of the girl she had been fifty odd years ago. The face was pretty much the same, except her flesh was paler and smoother, making her cheekbones seem that little bit higher. Black eyes stared back at her that had once been a medium brown, changing to a light hazel when she had been happy and a dark close to black when angry...now they were a solid black, flaring violet when anger struck her.

She stood clasped in her hugging black hipster trousers and red top, shockingly she looked very presentable and she breathed in deeply as she sort to quell the butterflies that had taken over her stomach.

Cissie's reflection took its position next to her, her blond hair a stark contrast to Duo's chestnut, as were her bright blue eyes to Duo's black. She rested a cautious hand on Duo's shoulder. "Don't worry Duo, all will be fine, you'll see!" She said, her tone holding a knowing note. Duo flashed a Devil-may-care smile that failed to reach her eyes as she turned from the mirror image...it would always be there when she returned.

"Don't worry Ciss, I'm ready for this!" She replied in a confident manner, strolling to the side of her bed to don a pair of black boots.

Ciss looked at Duo uneasily, contemplating the best manner in which to weasel the grave's location out of the angel. "Look...errr...Duo, where is this grave exactly...I mean, just so we know how far away it is so I know whether or not you’re likely to be back really late...you know, just in case any teachers notice your not about..." Cissie said, fumbling over her words.

Duo looked up from tying her boots, her eyes narrowing a little as she regarded Cissie, she sense she wasn't being entirely truthful... "You need not worry about me Ciss, I'll be alright, but if you really must know it's in the graveyard of Maxwell Church, not half an hour's flight from where I baby-sit Kelsey, so about an hour's flight from here." She said, standing, boots firmly tied. She concentrated on her pearled wings and felt them protruding from her spine to spread out behind her, one or two stray feathers flopped to the ground.

"Honestly Duo, you have no idea how much your feathers moult sometimes, and I'm normally the clean up crew for them, otherwise we'll have the damn teachers accusing us of keeping an over grown swan in here!" Cissie complain as she swooped up one of the feathers, motioning the silkiness across her palm.

"I'll see you later on, " Duo said as she opened the window and without a backwards glance launched herself into the air and started at a leisurely pace towards her place of rest.

Cissie waited a good five minutes before she went for the phone and dailed Supersonic's number for a second time that day…

Will gave Cassie a warm smile as she agreed to go, he knew thats what she was going to do and despite how he wanted to complain he knew it was the right thing. "Damn conspiracy. The double feature does sound like a good idea though, we've got to have a normal date at some point. Law of Averages. And since you guys interupted the dinner, I'm going to be expecting to see the money from this." He gave a slight glare at Super making it hard to tell whether he was kidding or not. Everyone seemed to be caught off guard as Secret made her appearance in a puff of smoke.

"Sorry to interrupt but Cissie told me what was going on, she thought it better I catch up with you instead of vice versa."

"Nah Greta, we've already interrupted the date. All the cool people are doin it." Super cracked avoiding Harm's look of death. But before anyone could say anything else, the sound of a ringing phone was heard, originating from Electro. "What? What's everyone looking at me for? Supersonic rolled his eyes as he answered the phone, using Electro. "Uh huh...Maxwell Church? Got it!" Putting the phone down the speedster looked at the others. "She's on her way guys, we don't want her to think we're not coming so lets hurry up. Me and Greta can get there on our own but you two will get there faster on Electro. And Cassie..." Super turned toward her with a weird smirk. "Watch yourself, his jokes are worst than mine."

Will had heard about Super's bike before definitely did not like the idea of his girlfriend riding it, but considering that he was the only one there who could handle smoke jumping they didn't have much of a choice. Almost taunting Will, Electro revved up. "Keep that up and I'll erase your memory with a kitchen magnet." Will growled at the cycle. "Um...that wouldn't work....right?" Electro asked Super uncertainly, but Super could only laugh and shrug. "I'll lead the way." With that Supersonic took off in a blur towards their destination. "Eh well, with your girlfriend riding me I'll die happy." Harm's eyes shot wide open, but Super was already gone so they had no other way to get there. "Rassa frassin cycle." Will mumbled as grudgingly got on the cycle with Cassie. Before they knew what was happening they were gone in a flash of electricity and were right next to Super in the cemetary. "Did the world move for you too Blondie?"

The feathers of Duo's wings ruffled as the breeze filtered through them and around them as she rode the thermals, allowing her to glide across the bags of hot air reducing her flapping to a minimal, it allowed her mind to wander more then she normally would have.

She allowed herself to think of the other person she had lost...the weight of the grief for him on her alone, for she doubted anyone else knew him enough to mourn his passing...she thought of X...

The weight of his guns at her waist was a continuous reminder and a comfort as well, she gingerly traced a finger over the gun at her right hip, marvelling at it's cool surface and intricate design under her soft fingertips. She had told no one of what had transpired in that jungle, told no-one of the war that had raged and the pain of it's consequences...she didn't need the rest of the Titans lecturing her on trusting those perceived as enemies, berating her movements and her character reading abilities! In the short time they had shared she had come to care deeply for X, and he had sacrificed everything, she wouldn't let anyone tarnish that, wouldn't let anyone taint his memory.

She had grabbed the guns when Cissie wasn't looking, she kept them safely tucked away but took them with her whenever she went out, doing as X had asked, to carry them with her to keep her safe.

The gothic image of the Maxwell Church loomed into the distance, its spiral steeple expanding upwards as though to touch the heavens, piercing them so it's light could shine upon those clasped in the earth of its grounds. Duo landed on the outskirts of the graveyard, retracting her wings into her spine. She tugged her rouge top back into place, folding out the creases created by the wind as she had flown, ensuring that the guns were concealed beneath the rolls of fabric as she slowly began the walk down the small winding path created amidst the graves, allowing visitors to walk without desecrating the soil where the dead lay.

Her boots barely made a sound on the cobbled path as she followed it through the green slopes, large trees loomed over head, their branches bowed as though in respect for those who had passed on, the wind ruffling the leaves so that a few fluttered to the ground, where they would decompose and join the rest of the dead. The sun shone it's warmth on Duo's back like a comforting embrace as she walked past a little picket fence painted a pale blue and pink, marking the area specially devoted to innocent life in the form of children. The faint twinkle of wind chimes graced her ears as she saw various chimes and decorations having been hung from the trees circling the baby's graves, their bending branches hovering over them protectively. Fresh flowers marked each grave showing regular attendance and care. Duo averted her gaze when a weeping mother turned her tear-strained face on her, the mother offered a weak smile before she bent her head, her hands clasped in prayer.

Duo rounded the corner to where she knew here grave was situated and she froze, her eyes flew pen wide and her breath caught in her throat as she took them in...

...For her friends...Marxy, Cassie, Will and Greta all stood looking slightly uncomfortable in their surrounding, waiting...

After a minute or two she finally found her voice..."What are you lot doing here!?"

“A normal date? I wish already.” Cassie sighed as she picked up her coat from the shocked waitress at the door as they headed outside. She looked at Electro and braced herself after supersonics warning. This could get ugly.

“I’ll meet you there then, give me a few minutes and then port to you.” Greta decided. As the others took off Greta crossed the road and entered the store opposite.

Supersonic shot off ahead as the cycle made his first comment. Cassie was shocked, even though she knew he would start, this kind of comment still made her blush.
Will got on Electro first and Cassie slid on in front of him, wrapping Will’s arms around her waist. Purely for safety reasons of course. She could hear him complaining under his breath about the cycle’s comment as she leaned down and spoke to Electro with a laugh. “You know, Will’s riding you too.”

It took barely any time to get to the church. In truth, Cassie was glad to dismount, Being on Electro made her feel just kinda...dirty. Plus Will was holding her a little to tight, still, it made her feel safe.

"Did the world move for you too Blondie?"

“I think he needs an attitude adjustment. Pass me the magnet, or a sledgehammer.” She said, shaking her head. “You know, what scares me is that Electro is programmed with Marx’s personality. They think alike. Just makes you wonder what Marx thinks about huh?” Cassie shuddered and began to walk to the church doors as Greta ported beside her with a bouquet of lilies in her arms. “I hope you don’t mind but I though, its what you take to cemeteries.” She smiled shyly as she shrugged. “Where do you think she’ll be, Marx?”

Duo answered for herself. "What are you lot doing here!?"

Cassie stepped forward. "We...just wanted to let you to know that we're here for you. If you need us. You don't have to do this alone. After all, what are friends for?"

Duo looked Cassie straight in the eye, it was beyond obvious that she was highly uncomfortable in her current surroundings but she kept a brave face as she spoke her words. Duo scanned her onyx gaze over the others, Will looked stone faced, neither comfortable nor uncomfortable, merely neutral and unaffected by the conjured numbers of the dead. Greta stood with her arms filled of white lilies, symbolic of death, their white blooms beautiful in the sunlight of the day. It was a kind thought, flowers were a traditional theme amongst the graves, hers could not be anything but blessed to meld with the rest.

Her eyes stared at the lilies for a long time, her gaze deliberately refraining from focussing on him. Her heart fluttered a little with happiness, Supersonic's appearance showed that he didn't hate her, loath or despise her...that he still cared...yet at the same time she wanted to yell and scream at him for not feeling all those things, for being there when she had made it perfectly, transparently obvious that she didn't want him around...that she was trying to save him!

"I...thank you..." Duo spoke softly, her eyes never meeting any of her friends. She stood still, taking in several deep breaths, trying to compose herself, to steel her nerves so she could face what was to come. it was comforting having her friends about her, who seemed not to be repulsed with her need to visit the burial grounds of a long since deceased child...yet at the same time it mounted the pressure on her, the remain calm and focused.

"It's...it's this way." Duo spoke as she continued to walk along the pathway that steered through the alignment of graves, walking straight past Supersonic without a word or glance as she lead the way to her grave.

They reached their final destination with a minute...it was nothing special...nothing elaborate or debonair, just a simple black marble tombstone amidst more black tombstones. It didn't stand out or scream for attention; in truth it probably went unnoticed by any others who came to visit the graveyard. It wasn't marked with ornaments and wind chimes like the children's graves. But it was neatly kept, the stone shining in the sunlight; it's surface gleaming, showing off the engraved words.

Duo stood off from it, several meters off...the writing engraved into the surface she couldn't make out, it begged to be read, coaxing her forwards... she knew that the others knew which grave beckoned her...she wanted to move forward, the see it, the run her fingers across the craved words and feel the lingering presence of those who had visited...but it was as though she was held in place, unable to move as a faint tremor took over her.

"I don't think I can do this..." she breathed.

Will was slightly suprised at Duo's reaction since he was under the impression that she was the one who asked them to be there. It didn't take long for him to put the dots together to realize that this was all Cissie's plan. A slight smirk formed on his face as he thought. 'Duo really does have some good friends.' But as suddenly as the smirk appeared it was gone as he went to Cassie's side. Will could feel that she wasn't comfortable here, and put an arm around her to try to make her feel more at ease as they followed Duo to her gravesite.

Supersonic had to admit, in the back of his mind he was hoping that Duo would be really glad to see him. Part of him was probably even expecting her to run to him and give him a hug, but no, it didn't seem like either of the two were going to happen as she walked past him without so much as a glance. Marx instinctively formed shades around his eyes so that not even they were visible under his hood, there was only darkness. With a slight sigh Super began to push his hurt deep inside him, which he'd actually gotten suprisingly good at lately. He still wasn't completly sure what this was about, the first thing that came to mind was that he'd killed Duo's killer. The only problem was that when he told her she seemed relatively fine with it, and then suddenly began acting cold towards him, it was very confusing. But until he figured out exactly what it was that he did to alienate Duo from him like that there's no point of projecting his aura onto her in case she did sense it.

Putting both of his hands in the pockets on his hoodie, Supersonic followed Duo with the others in silence. To be honest he really didn't know what to say or better yet, he knew what he wanted to say but knew now wasn't the time to say it. As they passed by gravestone after gravestone, Super's mind began to drift to death in general. Everyone present had died at one point, and all five of them had been brought back through mystical means. Easily any one of they're bodies could be in one of those caskets, in Harm's case it probably was somewhere. It made him wonder what exactly was so special about them that they were given a second chance at life when so many others don't? Is it because they all have the power to prevent other lives from being loss? What makes them so special? Supersonic was so deep in thought that it suprised him slightly to find that they were there, but Duo still seemed to be keeping her distance from the grave.

"I don't think I can do this..."

Supersonic walked right next to Duo before he stopped, looking at the tombstone, his hands still in his pockets, his face almost completely unreadable beneath his hood. While he was still hurt, the speedster spoke sincerely without taking his eyes off of the source of Duo's doubts. "You can Duo. We're all behind you. You're not alone."

"You can Duo. We're all behind you. You're not alone."

Duo couldn't avert her eyes from her impending gravestone, but Supersonic's words hit home...she wasn't alone...

Then why, even with the presence of her friends there did she feel as though she was the most isolated individual in existence...? Nothing standing between her and the grave, her friends were a distant blur in her mind.

She took a timid step forward, a fraction of a meter was covered with the movement...but it was a start, and as soon as her body had been put into motion she couldn't stop, she was walking swiftly, breaching the gap between herself and the momentum to a life long since passed.

Within seconds the writing craved into the cool black marble became legible; it's text stark and clear. Duo had never revealed to anyone her birth name, a name graced to her by her parents, laced with love and care, and now there is was, for all who gave a damn to read, with the inscription that her family had left in the cold stone, hoping that those words would be carried with their daughter to her resting place.

"Louisa Merquise

Born - October 5th 1932
Died - December 3rd 1949
Aged 17

May the heavens be graced by the touch of our little angel."

When Shinigami had chosen a new name for herself when joining the Titans it hadn't be a tedious task, Duo had seemed obvious for it was her second chance at a true life, and out of respect for who she once had been she had retained the name Merquise as her surname.

"Louisa Merquise..." Duo whispered, her voice soft and quivering, she hadn't spoken that name in many long years, and her eyes darted to the death year...1949...

"Almost 55 years..." she whispered in amazement as she reached out her hand to brush over the dates...

An eruption, an explosion of pent up emotions burst from the tombstone, a scene from time embedded in its surface ripped from the grave and into Duo as she instinctively began to read.

It had happen at Elias High before...into he room in which Marcy Money had been shot and Cissie's anger and fear had laced the room leaving a vivid imprint...the same had happened here and in Duo's mind a picture was forming...

People...their ages varying from the young to the incredible old, yet their expressions were similar, a look of intense pain and sombre grief etched into their expressions as they stood with bowed heads, staring at a freshly made grave. The sound of women grieving, crying to their hearts content fissured the sky along with the words of a weary priest as he demanded the coffin be lowered, to join the earth.

All the while, outside of her mind Duo fell to her knees by her grave, unable to dislodge her hand from her gravestone, her face crumpled in an emotional pain as the scene played out, her shoulders began to shake.

Tissues were raised to blood shot eyes, tired and strained from the tears that had been shed...all but one man...a face she knew...a face that she had seen not too long ago.

he stood slightly apart from the others, his stature tall, not bowed in respect like the others as his cold eyes surveyed the scene with a look of concealed happiness on his face...his eyes focussed on the woman who was buried in the embrace of a man...a grieving woman...a grieving mother...her mother...

"Mother..." it was a bare whisper on Duo's lips, cut off by the trembling that had taken her over.

The man's smirk only grew, a hideous twisted smile that she had seen swimming above her in a state of blood loss...he had told her that he had attended the funeral, her funeral, her killer...

"ARRRRRRRRRRRRRGGGGGGGGGG!!!" Was the gurgled cry from Duo as she wrenched her hand backwards from the tombstone, severing the connection as she stumbled backwards, a look of anger and fear in her eyes. She stumbled back and her palm landed on the thorns of a set of white roses that had been placed at her grave.

Supersonic followed Duo as she went towards her grave, but not too closely so she still had her space. He heard her whispering to herself as she read the inscriptions on the stone. While Marx knew a lot about Duo, he knew next to nothing about her life before she became an angel of Death. As he heard her whisper her original name he wanted to smile and cry at the same time. He was happy because the name fit her well, and it was obvious that she was cared about by the inscription below her name. But on the other side, Louisa was never given a real chance at life. She had it taken from her when she was only 17, his age. As Duo touched the stone she suddenly began shaking, becoming oblivious to the friends that were standing behind her. It all happened to fast for even Super to really react to before yelling she let go of the tombstone and stumbled backwards. Forgetting about the awkwardness between the two of them, Supersonic reacted on his first instinct which was to help out his friend. In a flash Super was kneeling next to Duo trying to help her up. "Duo? Are you okay?" One of the first things he noticed was the slight bleeding on her palm and looking for the source saw the roses that had been put on the grave.

Will quickly ran to the other side of Duo to try to help her steady herself, confused exactly as to what happened. He took onto Super's example and sought to make sure that Duo was okay before anything else.

Duo shook her head, the images hat she had witnessed continued to cloud her mind, but since she had dislodged her arm from the cool surface of the tombstone their ferocity was receding to the essence of tinted memories and slowly the outside world reclaimed its transparently clear status. Duo blinked and her eyes came to focus on a void of darkness partially covered by the white material of a hoodie, and the usual fire eyes that were locked in the folds were concealed from her.

Duo grimaced internally and she turned her head away as she tentatively pried Marx's supporting fingers from her arm, although she made no attempt to remove Will's hand.

"I'm fine.” the flaccid, monotone words fell from her lips with ease, the face of discontent had reclaimed her features with little effort.

She turned a little to address Will and the two girls who hovered close by, emitting a mothering need to check on the health of their friend. "The...the images..." Duo muttered, "They were stronger then I was expecting. I thought time would have corroded them..."

Out of the assembled group only Supersonic knew that her killer had attended her funeral, and by her killer's words it appeared that he...up until recently...had been the only person remaining who came to visit her grave...but then...

"The roses..." Duo whispered as she felt the blood trickling softly through her fingers and her eyes sort out the wholesome blooms of the white roses, turned a pale pink from, salivated on by her cooling blood.

She gingerly picked up the flowers, their silken petals fleetingly sweeping across her fingers, but she could gain nothing from them, no hint of who had left them...they were hollow...

The only sign of a mourner at all was a white card, camouflaged by the blooms. Duo reached inwards, curling her fingers carefully about the card, not wanting to scratch herself further on the defensive thorns or to crumple the card.

She carefully removed the card and the pale blue ink in its elaborate swirls across its surface could be seen and she read the word out loud.

"I'll be seeing you soon..."

Cassie and Greta clung together in the blustery weather, they were confused by what was happening to Duo but they knew she would tell them at some point, at least she knew they were there for her if she needed them. Not wanting to crowed her they let the two boys aid her, although Duo's shun to Marx didn't go un noticed they didn't want to question it right then and there.

"Maybe..." Greta tried to fathom a reason for the roses "Maybe they came from an elderly reletive? Someone who thinks they might pass away and join you finally?"

Cassie looked away from Greta, not wanting to explain that if this reletive wasn't already dead then she would arrive on the other side to find Duo had never been a resident of heaven and had left hell with no forwarding address.
She stood watching the three that stood by the grave, knowing that at least two of them were in on the secret of the roses, the two that weren't talking would have been her guess.

"If you want anything ..Duo.." Cassie was unsure if she should call her friend by her original name of Louisa, maybe it would be too soon? "If you want anything at all, we'll be happy to help, all of us." She indicated the group, then a thought sprung into her head as she looked at them. "Or if you want some time alone, we could go and wait for you back at the church? Its up to you."

(Are you happy now Kye?! ARE YOU HAPPY!! Stupid-frickin'-"Its my birthday so you have to post"-Kye ishness!! HA! Take that!! In all its sucky postie glory!!! <_< )

(MWAHAHAHAHA!!!!!!!!!! :D You rule Lani!)

Duo looked at Cass with a faint smile, she appreciated her thoughtfulness, but in truth she had acquired as much as she could from this place...she didn't dare touch the blackened tombstone again. Her brow was furrowed, gently creasing her forehead as she puzzled over the roses. She wanted to believe Greta's thinking, that after almost 55 years someone could still mourn for her, tears staining the soil as flowers were laid out of respect...but she knew differently. She had no living mourners, her killer had told her so, not that anyone but Marxy knew this...

Duo was grateful though…to her friends, she had been shunning them of late...and... She was happy to see that they hadn't taken her snide comments and avoidances to heart, but she didn't want to socialise just now...and she wanted to keep her distance from Supersonic...no matter how much it pained her...

“Thank you, thanks a lot for coming, it meant a lot…but I don’t want to cut into your days anymore, I’m sure there are more pleasant things you can do then hang round a graveyard.” Duo said, forcing a laugh.

Super was once more suprised by Duo's coldness as she removed his hand. In the back of his mind he was starting to get frustrated. He was only trying to help and she was treating him like he'd done something wrong, which might have been the case but she wouldn't tell him what it was! But now wasn't the time, as usual he just let it slide and put his hands back into his pockets and kept quiet as the others tried to console her.

Will smiled slightly after Duo's comment about them having other things to do besides hang about in a cemetary. He was tempted to joke about the fact that he was in the middle of a date when he was called but on second thought decided that he'd keep that to himself. He'd noticed the tension between Duo and Marx and had a good idea what it was about. It hadn't started until after Super brought Duo out of the hospital room so it must have been something that happened then. And while he was curious exactly what had happened, he wasn't going to pry, they all had they're secrets after all.

As is seemed like everyone was going to part, Marx figured that now was as good a time as ever to try to clear the air between him and Duo. While he was pretty sure he'd just get the cold shoulder again, he figured that he'd at least give it a shot. Walking up to Duo, he morphed away his shades so that his bright red eyes were once again visible, breaking the darkness under his hood. With an audible sigh he finally spoke up, his voice a lot lower than normal. "Duo...can we talk...please?"

Will felt split in multiple directions as he watched the two of them. One part of him wanted to stay out of it and try to resume his date with Cassie. And the other part saw the expression hidden on Duo's face as Super asked to talk to her. Even without having her soul reading ability he could sense that she REALLY didn't want to. Will gave another defeated look at Cassie, only he would be put into a situation where he was the good guy AND the bad guy. Kissing Cassie on the cheek, he left her and went to Duo. 'Sometimes I really hate being a nice guy.' Will thought as he spoke up before Duo could give Marx an answer acting like he hadn't heard the speedster's previous question. "Hey Duo, are we still hanging out today?"

"Duo...can we talk...please?"

Her breath hitched as Marx spoke to her; she tried to hide the frown forming on her face and diverted her ebony eyes quickly. She really didn't want to have to face him just now, her resolve was already beginning to crack, and the hardened exterior she had crafted was on the verge of splintering. His fire eyes were visible once more, looking at her imploringly as a faint begging note tinged his voice as he spoke to her.

She couldn't...truth be told she wanted nothing more then to throw everything to the wind, grab Marxy in a bear hug and beg for his forgiveness...

But...she couldn't...Supersonic was no longer just a care-free prankster, the joking speed dope who could have her in stitches for hours or who could calm all her fears with a single look. There was a new dimension to him that had been crafted due to her inability and weakness...he was a killer!

"Hey Duo, are we still hanging out today?"

Duo eyes snapped onto Will as he addressed her, giving her a way out and a genuine smile curved on her lips as her eyes portrayed her relief, she could have hugged Will there and then!

"Yeah...sure!" Duo answered, readily agreeing to the proposal, she cast a glance at Supersonic, she could see the hurt in those fire eyes and a hint of malice aimed at Will, but she refrained from speaking, she just averted her eyes and took a place next to Will, hinting very bluntly that it was time for them all to leave!

As soon as she saw the look Will gave her she knew that the rest of her day had suddenly become free, he was about to do something selfless again and would be feeling bad about letting her down, yet another unfinished date to add to the list.
Looking at him, quickly sharing a hug with him, looking at Duo. She found that she didn’t mind, she was so happy with her life at the moment it only seemed fair to give Duo that same chance.

When Will said "Hey Duo, are we still hanging out today?" she suppressed a sigh, hoping the injured looking Marx didn’t pick up on the fact that about an hour earlier Will looked set to spend the day with Cassie.

Cassie and Greta looked at one another, the fact that Duo wanted them to leave radiated from her and they didn’t need her empathic skills to pick up the vibe. They said their goodbyes and began to walk away, wishing that Super would follow them and not make a more painful scene for himself.

As Supersonic heard Will state that him and Duo were going to "hang out" today, he simply looked at the two of them. Will was on a date and Duo had no clue that any of them were going to be at the cemetary. He wanted to yell 'Do you guys think I'm stupid!?', but instead he merely looked at Duo and gave a slight glare at Will as he gave a nod and turned away from them both and went towards Electro. In all the times that Super had been around Duo he can't recall one time that her and Will had ever hung out, but the look of relief on her face was unmistakeable. She obviously didn't want to talk to him and was willing to take any way out she could get. "Going home already? But the cemetary is so nice out today." The cycle cracked but as Super got on it he only said, "Electro...one more word and I cut off your audio." In a flash both of them were gone.

"Well, I'm going to be getting red eyed glares for awhile now." Will said as he saw the speedster depart, before looking back at Duo. "We've got the time now, so we might as well hang out, wouldn't you say?" Will said as he began to walk with Duo out of the cemetary. He had to admit that it felt slightly odd, while him and Duo had started getting pretty close, they more or less began to drift away after Duo went evil with Will not too far behind her. Will knew that in the back of his mind, that they were worst together especially if no one was around, as proven with their previous fight and the infamous interrogation. But to be honest it was just a matter of self control for both of them, and besides Will didn't have his demonic connections anymore so he wasn't nearly as evil.

"I think we both know that the thing that I really want to ask about is what's going on between you and Marx, but instead I'll go with the less obvious question. Did you accomplish what you wanted to at your grave?" Considering Will had yet to go to his grave or even where he used to live, he was as curious about that as the situation with Super.

Duo watched Super head off on Electro, and she cursed herself internally, she could tell by the tautness across his shoulders and the slightly bowed head that he was trying his best to conceal his hurt feelings. She bit her lip hard, it was for the best, of that she was certain...Duo had a habit of bringing the worst out in people.

She'd turned Supersonic into a Killer, made Cassie show extreme violent tendencies when she fought against her during her lapse back into evil and as for Will...she cast a sideward glance at him as they began to exist the graveyard's vicinity. The two of them together...if they were still fuelled completely by their evil tendencies then they would have made quite a team, a team that even Lucifer himself would have been proud of! But Duo was pass that, she was trying to lead a decent life and "fight the good fight" with the rest of the Teen Titans...so why did this have to happen?

"I think we both know that the thing that I really want to ask about is what's going on between you and Marx, but instead I'll go with the less obvious question. Did you accomplish what you wanted to at your grave?"

Duo felt the corners of her mouth upturn, a shadow of a smile that didn't reach her eyes, she appreciated Will's help getting her out of having to talk with Marx and she was grateful that despite his curiosity he was refraining from demanding answers.

"I...I saw my mother, I didn't expect to get a visual image...I just wanted the feelings. It was...a real shock seeing her." Duo spoke uncertainly, she hadn't seen her mother for almost 55 years. Her killer had been very early 20s hence the fact he was still alive after 55 years. "My mother, she was 28 when she had gave birth to me, she would have been 45 when I died...there's no way she'd still be alive today." Duo let out a strained laugh "I bet she never guessed that it would be her daughter who would be left to mourn her rather than the other way around, but then again I suppose that's what you call ironic."

They two of them walked along the high street the streets weren't exactly busy, although there was the occasional couple or mother desperately trying to control her horde of little rampant monsters. "But yeah...I feel better for having gone...for knowing..." <it's just a shame that my last memory of my mother and father has to be tarnished by that bar**ard's presence! >

Will listened intently as Duo went over how she felt, visiting her grave. Whether she noticed it or not, she was totally different from when they first met. Not just that she wasn't evil anymore, her entire personality seemed more open and while before Will could sense that she was always fighting her hunger, that didn't seem to be an issue any longer. Right before he left for his training she even seemed happy, but whatever had gone on between her and Marx didn't seem to leave her with much of it. But if there was one thing Will understood, it's that some things you just want to keep certain things to yourself for awhile. "It may be ironic, but at least you did have mourners. I sincerely doubt I had any at my gravesite." Will let out a little laugh himself. "And if I did, they must not have known me very well. I've never even seen my real parents, probably a good thing actually, I tended to push people away from me. If they ever did find out about my death they probably thought my stepfather was evil for what he did instead of the other way around."

It didn't seem like either one of them was really paying attention to where they were going as they talked. It seemed more like both Will and Duo were in they're own little world thinking about their past lives before snapping out of it. "I'm glad we helped you Duo, even if it was a little. We're your friends. You know you can call us if you ever want to do something like this again. That's what we're here for." Will said as he flashed a smile to Duo. With the exceptions of the few mothers and they're little gremlins, this actually was a pretty peaceful place. Will had to admit that even though both of them had extaordinary abilities and a hidden darkness, it was nice to just be...normal.

"I'm glad we helped you Duo, even if it was a little. We're your friends. You know you can call us if you ever want to do something like this again. That's what we're here for."

Duo matched Will's smile this time, letting it fill her eyes. He seemed to have been as in deep a contemplation as she had been in...They really were way too alike at times.

She turned her eyes onto the kids screaming at the top of their voices, and their demands for ice cream. Duo's eyes lit up as she looked at the swirls of white ice cream spiralled out of the wafer cone with a chocolate sauce spilling over the sides with sprinkles. She hadn't had one like it for weeks, it had always been a treat she enjoyed with Supersonic...but she was feeling slightly better after having talked to Will and the temptation, now that it was right in front of her, was waaaaaaaaay too much!

"Come on Will, I'll buy you an ice cream." She said as she walked with speed towards the stand, "what flavour do you want? Or are you too macho to enjoy it?" She asked with a laugh.

Will was caught offguard as Duo suddenly went after the ice cream truck. He had to laugh a little, it was good to see that she was cheering up. "Well I am pretty macho and being seen with all these kids by an ice cream truck would completely ruin my image." Will said with a straight face crossing his arms before he couldn't hold the straight face anymore and let out a smirk. "But who cares about your image if you have a Butter Pecan ice cream cone. And you did say you were paying right?" Will cracked as he playfully elbowed Duo on his way with her to the truck.

In truth Will didn't care the slightest that both of them towered over the others who were getting ice cream from the truck. Though he did have to admit, part of him wanted to scare the little gremlins so they didn't have to wait so long in line, but he held back the impulse. After he got his cone a funny thought came to mind. Harm and Shinigami were more or less friends, but this is the first time Will and Duo ever really hung out. Without the costumes or the dark personalities, just being who they really were beneath the sometimes evil tendencies.

After taking a bite of the cone Will looked back at Duo. "You know, we should do this again sometime when it isn't just a cover up. Who cares if the occasional mass carnage happens, we can have ice cream afterwards." Will finished with a laugh. "I might even pay next time...maybe."

Duo was happily eating away at her own chocolate ice cream topped with a flake, chocolate ice cream was her favourite, she had great fun trying out all the numerous flavours with Marx but chocolate had reigned supreme.

"You know, we should do this again sometime when it isn't just a cover up. Who cares if the occasional mass carnage happens, we can have ice cream afterwards." Will finished with a laugh. "I might even pay next time...maybe."

"I'll hold you to that!" Duo said, she really was feeling happier, it was weird just hanging with Will like this, the main thing that had drawn them together as friends in the pass was their link to darkness, but now, Will seemed to be more happy and comfortable with life.

"Damn these are addictive," she eyed the truck again and her rapidly eaten cone...she was half tempted to go for another one, so she grabbed Will's arm in haste and steered him away. "Come on, before I'm forced to get another one, honestly, babysitting just doesn't pay enough to fuel the addiction!" She laughed.

They continued walking happily eating their ice creams; Duo was glad that they seemed to have left the conversation and enquiries in to the trouble between her and Marxy to one side. It wasn't that she didn't think tat Will would understand, in truth he could probably understand all to well...she was simply afraid that he would tell her to that avoiding Marx was not the best option.

"Will...I don't think I've ever really said it to you but...thanks, for coming to help me against Vittorio, and for not loosing faith in me." Duo had never told Will to his face how much she admired him, going against his own evil tendencies to join the Titans, having almost lost Cass altogether from having come to her rescue against Vittorio, and what he'd gone through to completely loose his link to his dark powers...yeah, she had a lot of respect for him.

As Will finished his cone, he found himself laughing as Duo dragged him away from truck. Which turned out to be a good thing, as he found that he was wanting another cone himself. "You can hold me to it if you want, I distinctly remember using the words 'might' and 'maybe', I always cover myself like that." He replied with a wink. It was really cool that they were able to hang around like this, it made Will really regret not hanging with her before this but hopefully that would change in the future.

"Will...I don't think I've ever really said it to you but...thanks, for coming to help me against Vittorio, and for not loosing faith in me."

Will smiled as Duo thanked him, neither one of them had really talked about that night since it happened. "As I said, I'm your friend no matter how semi evil I get. It's no problem, if anyone understood where you were coming from I did. After all I slipped that night as well, I know you'd do the same for me." He then gave Duo a slight nudge. "At least you better." He playfully threatened. In truth, he'd respected Duo as much as she respected him. He felt weak after not being able to handle his darkness, after having to give it up. Duo had been able to take full control of hers and still use it for good, including the new powers that she'd gotten from Vittorio, and she was still able relax and cut loose.

Though he had to admit, he was getting the hang of his new abilities and weapons. Using and calling them were becoming second nature now. One of the reasons he'd been able to be so laid back most of the time is that to use his new abilities he had to stay calm, which was the total opposite of how he used to fight but he'd grown to like it.

Duo smiled at Will's teasing, truth be told she couldn't ever imagine Will going rouge or returning to evil, he was becoming more and more mild mannered as the days progressed, and Duo sincerely doubted that it was all to do with the lack of evil connections, she was pretty sure that the intervention of her blond-haired friend had only helped Will more. Duo smiled at the thought, those two were simply too...did she dare think it...CUTE!!!

"Oh come on, you can totally fork out for the ice creams next time! I'll even try out the butter pecan you seem so fond of!" She said nudging Will back. "But I'm sure it will have nothing on the amazingly deliciousness of the chocolate ice cream!!!" Duo said, waving what little of her ice cream she had left under Will's nose.

Will got a devious smile as Duo waved the rest of her cone under his nose taunting him, considering he'd already finished his. It then reminded him of the last time he'd seen her this happy, when she wedgied him, even if it had been Super's influence. It also reminded him that he'd never gotten her back for that. So he remained mellow until she went to start eating her cone again and swiftly backhand slapped the cone into her face. Seeing the chocolate ice cream dripping from Duo's suprised face made Will burst out laughing before he could even explain the sudden attack.

"Don't think that I forgot about that wedgie. I said I'd kill you, so technically you got off easy." Will was able to get out between laughs. Though it was a prank, it was only one Will would have done with the ice cream almost finished. Only the most evil of pranksters would have wasted a perfectly good, complete cone. Some things are just wrong.

Duo gasped in shock as Will smeared the remainder of her chocolate ice cream over her face. It dripped from her cheeks onto her shirt and she couldn't help but stare at him!

"Don't think that I forgot about that wedgie. I said I'd kill you, so technically you got off easy."

"Oh...you did a prank!" Duo could have cared less about the few people gawking at her chocolate smeared face or the few pointing a laughing, mister dark and mysterious, use-to-be villain, Harm had pulled off a prank!!! Duo ran an index finger through the mess on her face and as quick as Bart would have been she smeared it on Will's nose.

"Like I'm gonna be the only one to walk down the street with ice cream on my face!" Duo said as she looked at her top that was now stained a lovely brown colour, "Errrrrrrr...I think I'd better go get cleaned up..."

Will couldn't help but to keep laughing as he heard Duo's reaction. "What can I say? I purposely don't do pranks so the few I do catch people completly off guard." He then put his index finger to his lips. "Shhh. You have to keep that a secret though." Will had to admit that it was pretty fun, he hadn't done a prank on anyone in a long time. No wait, those weren't pranks those were torture. Well he was evil at the time so it was hard to tell the difference.

Will jumped a little in suprise by how quick Duo was able to get some of the ice cream on his nose, but his smile still didn't leave his face.

"Errrrrrrr...I think I'd better go get cleaned up..."

He couldn't help but to laugh at that remark as well. "Yyyeah, that would probably be a good idea. Don't worry about me." Will stated pointing to the small device on his wrist that called his vehicle, the PM. "I have my own way back." He said flashing a smile as the angel departed. Wiping the little bit of chocolate off his nose, Will quickly proceeded to a more secluded part of the town. After all, he seemed like a normal teenager, he couldn't very well have Harm's car showing up to him in the open.

Pressing the button on his wrist he waited for the PM to show up. Depending on how far away it was, it'd take awhile to get there, but luckily he'd made some alterations to the car making it faster so he knew he wouldn't have to wait too long for it. Of course the main thing he had to have installed was a cloaking device, it kept the automatic driving from getting speeding tickets which couldn't be paid since William Hayes for all intents and purposes was dead. While Will waited he was starting to get anxious, it felt as if someone was watching him, but he dismissed it since he'd been having that same slight feeling since they were at the cemetary. Maybe it bothered him more than he admit.

He watched, his eyes a sickening yellow, like lightning striking ice, far too sharp and impeccably foreboding to be of mortal man. The wind faintly ruffled the opaque black shirt that curved about his thin torso, the fabric a stark contrast to the pallid flesh beneath, as though it were drawn of life to leave a pale residue over the skin.

He had been watching, the vile eyes following their paths as he had done for several weeks now. His eyes yearning as saliva oozed from his parted lips with anticipation of what was to come!

Will never saw it coming...The attack was brutal and without warning! A balled fist connected with his face, his happy, devil-may-care smile ripped from his features by the force of the blow. The pointed knuckles caused the skin to fissure, the tissue beneath tearing with ease and a torrent of blood burst from the freshly made wound.

Will's body was sent hurtling backwards to connect hard with the wall.

"You really should stop assorting with angels...they'll be the death of you!"

After hitting the wall, Will fell to the floor. The attack was so sudden that Will didn't really have any time to react, his vision was already starting to blur, but he forced himself to focus. Looking up, his vision cleared enough to see his attacker. 'Great. You know, I have enough enemies on my own without making new ones.' Will thought as he stood up and faced the man. But even without his connections, he could tell that wasn't a normal man, or even a normal metahuman. He'd associated with demons enough to know one when he saw it.

Normally he'd make a remark about how Duo really has some annoying enemies, but to be honest, he might even have more than she does. The first thought on his mind was finding a way to defend himself and considering how powerful that first punch was, he'd need as much help as he could get. Common sense would have said to use the T-Terminal to call the others but honestly that thought never even crossed his mind. He'd taken down demons before, now would be no different. But he wouldn't gain anything from launching an attack right now, so he began to slowly circle his attacker, seemingly sizing him up.

"And here I thought being around angels would give me good luck." While Will still felt the throbbing pain on his cheek as the blood poured from the open wound he ignored it and cracked a smirk. "I'm not really afraid of death though. Been there, done that." Then Will's stalling paid off as he outstretched his hands and caught the sais that he'd summoned. Quickly twirling them, he went into a martial arts stance with the sais' handles pointing outwards. He didn't know who this guy was but one thing he did know was that he was dangerous and needed to be taken out. While he'd have preferred to be in costume, he couldn't be choosy as he finally dashed towards the demon and jumped suddenly striking him in the nose with the handles of the sai. "You'll forgive me if I don't give up."

"You'll forgive me if I don't give up."

Will's blow crushed the bone of the nose. The fragmented slithers of shattered bone sliding across one another as they condensed into the demon's face. Yet this did nothing to curb the sinister smile that consumed his features, not even as the blood flowed down his face, his thin, long tongue lapped up a few stray drops as he reached upwards and grabbed Will by his long, black hair, it coiled about his bony, elongated fingers as her wrenched him downwards, drilling his frame into the ground by the demon's feet!

"Cocky little thing aren't we?" The demon taunted, his voice hoarse. "Who the hell do you think you are you slimy little maggot!?"

Pain exploded on Will's face as he was driven into the ground. He loved having long hair, but sometimes he was so tempted to just shave it off. It wasn't because it hurt like hell to have your hair pulled like that, it's just that it gets really annoying having such an obvious weakness sometimes. 'Well, if he's going to be cheap and pull my hair, I guess there's no reason for me to be nice.' Will thought as he flipped the remaining sai in his hand point outwards, and shoved the point of the sai through his attacker's foot pinning it to the ground. Will looked up into his attacker's yellow eyes with a defiant glare.

"You don't know? I'm Harm."

The sai embedded deeply into his foot, splitting through the bone with ease as it drilled into the concrete below. A cry escaped the demon's throat, pain lancing in agonising waved from his foot up to his leg.

"You don't know? I'm Harm."

The cry became warped as it manifested into a gurgled chortle as the demon wrenched his foot upwards, dislodging the sai from the ground whilst increasing the wound on his foot.

"Oh yeah?" He laughed as he yanked the sai from his foot, his eyes wide with fascinating at the blood dripping from the weapon. "I'm VICIOUS!" He bellowed as he surged forward, ramming the handle of the sai into Will's unguarded ribs, feeling the bones give under the force much to his sickened delight, the now formless bone shards bent and tore into the inner wall of Will's sides and the crunching sound echoed in both their ears.

"You gotta love that sound!" Vicious whispered into Will's ear.