Fan Fiction ❯ Homecoming ❯ Chapter Two ( Chapter 2 )

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, etc, etc, it all belongs to the many geniuses at DC, etc. You know the deal.

 

Here is Chapter Two, Enjoy. Don't forget to Review. It's all good writing but it's pretty pointless if no one gives you feedback. I'm only human after all.

 

Homecoming

 

Chapter Two

 

Being a very messy teenager Gar's room was one of complete chaos. The floor was covered with layers of discarded clothing, both dirty and clean, and crammed into the corner was a collection of old soda bottles, greasy pizza boxes (some with half eaten slices of pizza lying inside) and countless chocolate bar wrappers. Against the wall was a small desk, cluttered with video games and his new Gamestation X console. For some unknown reason Gar actually had a bunk bed in his room, the bottom one - which was never used - tangled with even more clothes.

 

Lying amongst the scattered mess of his room Garfield Logan reflected on his day and the surprise return of Terra. As soon as the Titans had returned from the earlier battle with the H.I.V.E. he had gone straight to his room, locking the door behind him, and collapsing onto the floor, where he had been laying ever since. He didn't know what to do. He didn't know what to think. No matter what he said he never actually thought they would ever free Tara from her stone prison. Because of this he had been living with the comforting knowledge that he would never have to deal with the painful emotions he felt whenever he looked at her. Sure, once a month he would visit her statue, but that wasn't the same. To him, that statue wasn't Terra, just a monument to her final deed. To him, Tara had died that day.

 

But now she was back. She wasn't dead. She was very much alive and he had to get used to seeing her that way. The truth was he didn't know if he wanted to get used it. He'd had a crush on Tara ever since he set eyes on her. She was gorgeous, friendly, and bubbly. She was like him. That day he found a kindred spirit. However, the most important thing about Tara was that she actually liked him and wasn't afraid to show it. Gar loved that about her. Ever since his parents had died and he was shipped around from foster home to foster home, eventually ending up with Steve and Rita Dayton he had been looking for someone to love him, either a girlfriend or a parental figure. Maybe both.

 

When he joined the Titans he thought he would get it then. Kory was great, but he just didn't get that feeling from her either. He didn't see her as a romantic interest, just a very good friend. Besides she was madly in love with Dick, everyone saw that. And Raven. At first Raven hated him. He got that. Gar had always liked Raven but she had never liked him. Not really. She was way too serious for him. That's why he didn't even begin to dream about Raven and him ever having anything other than slight friendship. Even though he would do anything for the girl, even give his own life. But when Tara arrived. He got that with Tara. She was like him. She understood him. And she openly liked him.

 

…Then she betrayed him. Betrayed them all.

 

How do you react to something like that? How do you react when someone you thought was long dead just pops up out of nowhere and grins at you like they used to do, acting like nothing had happened? Yeah, he knew she was apparently just a clone of Terra but still…it's hard seeing that. Even if it isn't the real thing.

 

In summary?

 

“What the hell am I supposed to do?” Gar murmured to himself.

 

Just then Gar's stomach let out a loud grumble, obviously hungry. Gar sighed and pulled himself into a sitting position, checking the clock on his desk, or trying to. Sighing, he got up, removed the piece of clothing covering the device and groaned at the time. 2:00AM? He'd been lying there for over four hours. He walked over to his collection of pizza boxes, checking them randomly. He finally found a half eaten slice of pizza and brought it to his mouth. Stopping midway, he noticed a green substance forming on the surface of the pizza and let out another groan, one of both annoyance and disgust. Placing the moulding pizza back in the pizza box he resigned himself to leaving his room and getting something from the kitchen, hoping no one was up at this late (or early?) hour.

 

(----)

 

Gar arrived at his destination to find the kitchen indeed occupied by one of his teammates. And unfortunately for him it just so happened to be the one he least wanted to run into. He turned to leave the room when:

 

“Garfield!” Tara cried, jumping up out of her seat and running to catch him. She was determined to talk to him - to get him to understand her. “Please wait. Please.”

 

Gar stopped, clenching his fists, and turned to face her, scowling. He softened instantly at the saddened look on her face. She looked terrified, like she was facing a thousand Slades and not the light green frame of Garfield. Gar relaxed.

 

“I just want to talk that's all.” She said, giving him a pleading look. “You don't have to talk. Just listen. Stay. Please?”

 

Gar sighed and nodded his head. Tara smiled and proceeded to lead him over to the kitchen table. He took a seat on one of the stools, Tara taking one opposite him. She looked up at him with her usual grin and he felt like both slapping it off her face and grinning right back at her. Shaking his head to get rid of the conflicting thoughts and forcing himself to calm down Gar looked right back at her.

 

“Do you want…?” she motioned towards a steaming pot of coffee by her side. Gar shook his head. Tara smiled a little nervously. “Or something…”

 

“No.” Gar's voice was dull, totally unlike his usual cheery tone.

 

“Okay. Well, I guess I better start talking.” She paused, trying to think of something to say. She shook her head. “I'm sorry. I've been waiting for you to come down all night and when you do I just sit here like an idiot. It's just hard.”

 

“You have no idea.” Gar said, a little angrily. Tara winced.

 

“I guess I don't.” Tara replied. “Look Gar I know you and Terra where close…”

 

“Until you…she betrayed me.” Gar interrupted. “All of us.”

 

Tara nodded. “Yeah. Well I know it must be difficult for you to see her but I just want you to know that I think what she did was despicable. I would never do that.”

 

“But you're her.” Gar stated.

 

“Yeah.” Tara admitted. “But I'm different. I won't betray you. I promise.”

 

“So what?” Gar narrowed his eyes. “You want us to get all cosy and kissy with each other is that it?” Gar laughed bitterly.

 

“No.” Tara looked down at the counter top for a moment. “I just want us to be friends. I'm not stupid enough to think you'd just jump into my arms you know. And to tell you the truth I don't really want us to be anything more than friends. It would be…just weird. So can't we at least be friends?”

 

“I don't know.” Gar replied softly. Tara looked back up at him. “It would be weird and I don't want that either. It hurts to see her. Even if I know you're not really her. It just hurts. I need time.”

 

“I can give you time.” Tara grinned at him again. “All the time you want. All I want is for us to be friends.”

 

“Then give me time Tara.” Gar said simply.

 

“Sure.” Tara hopped off her seat and walked around to him, placing a hand on his shoulder. Gar looked up at her. “I'll be waiting.” With one last smile she left him alone in the kitchen.

 

Gar watched her leaving with a sad look on his face. The truth was he didn't know if he'd ever get used to seeing her. Only time would tell. Suddenly, Gar's stomach rumbled again, remaining him of the reason he came to the kitchen in the first place.

 

(----)

 

Tara walked down the corridors of Titans Tower aimlessly. It was late, and she'd just had one of the most important and nerve racking talks of her life with one Garfield Logan. Despite this fact she did not feel tired and so found herself wandering around the tower with no destination in mind other than maybe her own peace of mind. Ever since she awoke in this time she had been dreading her unavoidable talk with Garfield. After all, what do you say to a guy that used to date your clone? And even worse a guy who just so happened to be betrayed in the most horrible way by said clone.

 

Sure, she had also been afraid of the other Titans reactions but none of them could even compare to the dread she felt when facing Gar. He could so easily choose never to forgive her (even though it wasn't really her) and if that happened she knew she'd be out the door in a heartbeat. She wasn't stupid enough to think Dick would choose her over Gar. I mean, who would you choose? A kind and funny guy who has been loyal to the team since it's forming or a clone of the former Titan Terra, betrayer and snake. It was an easy decision for anyone to make.

 

After Garfield she was pretty confident the rest of the Titans trusted her. Okay, maybe not Raven, but that was also understandable. Vic seemed happy to see her and Kory was defiantly happy to have her back. Using that term loosely, by the way. Dick was not so obvious but she felt that he was also happy to have her back. After all she did have some of the most impressive powers they had ever seen. Raven was a different matter though.

 

After Gar Raven was obviously the most affected by her betrayal. Tara didn't know if it was to do with the fact that Raven had actually trusted her or whether she was just jealous of the apparent control Terra had gained over her powers in such a short time, whereas Raven stretched herself everyday to even have the slightest control over her own.

 

Either way it didn't really matter. All that mattered was getting Raven to trust her. Tara thought that would be even harder than getting Gar's friendship and trust back. In any case at least she wasn't asking for Raven's friendship. Only her trust mattered.

 

Do you really think she will ever trust you? A nagging voice in the back of her head decided to make its presence known. You're an exact copy of Terra, which means that you are also capable of betraying them. Raven knows this and will therefore never trust you.

 

Tara stopped, her head bowed low, totally unaware of her surrounding as she stared down at her orange boots. All the doubts she fought so hard came flooding back to her.

 

You're a fool, the voice continued to taunt her. Do you even think any of the Titans really trust you? Dick most certainly will not. He isn't stupid you know. Unlike you. He'll never take his eyes of you. You watch him, and you'll see. He'll watch you like a hawk.

 

“No.” Tara whispered, tears starting to form in her eyes.

 

Victor also doesn't trust you, the voice just would not stop. Tara clenched her teary eyes tightly shut, trying to will away the voice, but it continued. He may be the nicest guy you've ever met but even the nicest guy had his limits. You're one of his limits. He will not trust you. He may not act like it but he is perfectly capable of leading the team in Dick's place. You know it. He's just like Dick. He'll watch you like a hawk.

 

Tara shook her head, her long blonde hair whipping about, but still the voice continued its rant. Even Kory won't trust you. She may be naïve but she is not stupid. She remembers all too well how you tricked her during you're time as Slade's Apprentice. She remembers and it hurts her every night. She won't forget. She may act like she has but believe me - she will never forgive you. Never. None of them will.

 

Not Dick.

 

Not Victor.

 

Not Kory.

 

…And certainly not Raven and Garfield.

 

“No!” Tara screamed at the top of her lungs, falling to her knees and crying softly. “No.” Her resolve weakened more as she murmured to herself, trying to convince herself it was a lie.

 

Swish.

 

“Terra?”

 

(----)

 

Oooh I'm bad. Cliffy. Who do you think it is, huh, huh?