Not sure how to write Zatana-one of the more difficult chapters.

Teen Titans and Veronica Mars

"Hmm."

"Could you be a bit more specific? I couldn't tell if that was a 'good-we'll-get-them-back-by-tomorrow hmmm,' or a 'oops-they're-gone-for-good hmmm."

Zatana raised an eyebrow at the pink-haired witch tone. "I was under the impression that you weren't here by choice."

Jinx scowled. "I'm not." Her eyes narrowed, "And I don't appreciate being left out or spoken to like a kid. What are you, twenty?"

"Try two-hundred seven." Zatana stretched, tossing the book gently onto Raven's bed. She studied Jinx speculatively, noting the way the younger woman refused to look away. "You're very different from Raven."

Jinx laughed. "You're telling me that Rae-Rae took bullshit from you?"

"She threatened to throw me over the tower." Zatana's voice was amused despite the warning in her eyes, "But you're not Raven. You haven't saved the world from hell and worse. You haven't even been a hero for very long. Don't expect me to take you on as a partner just because you're the only decent magic-wielder the Titans have to offer."

Jinx felt her jaw clamp, be resisted the biting reply that was itching to jump out and scratch Zatana's eyes out.

You guys owe me big time.

XXXXXXXXXX

1. Alcohol

"Man, you guys must have really been out of it. Need help finding the freak that got you into those clothes? 'Cause I know someone who can track down anyone." A significant pause. "And I mean anyone."

"Thanks, but we've already got a genius detective. Don't need another."

"…yeah, sure man. Still—you guys need some extra clothes or something? Neptune High's not exactly the safest place for people who like self-expression. Even if it was unintentional self-expression." A low whistle and another look at their costumes. "Man, you guys really need to find better drinking buddies."

2. Borrow

"You know, technically this is stealing."

"We'll wash and return the clothes before we disappear. Call it a temporary loan."

"…in other words, we're stealing."

3. Faulty System

Raven feels her expectations of the educational administration plummet after the receptionist admits them all as "transfer students" without even checking her files. When they all end up in the same classes—despite obviously being different ages, she feels them drop even more.

When the girl in their history class names George Washington as the founding father of cherry pies, she gives up hope completely.

4. Tour Guide

Out of all of them, Cyborg's the only one who's ever been to High School, so naturally, he's the one to introduce them to the various cliques as they move through the cafeteria. Robin's easily a jock, or an "09er," (the nickname they'd quickly found to belong to the filthy rich of Neptune)—but Beast Boy and him would probably fit in better with the more normal-looking groups of friends.

Both Raven and Starfire were attractive and athletic enough to become part of the popular group, but as Cyborg watched Raven's eyes narrow as she stares at the 09er table, he suspects that the dark girl is more ready to tear the clique apart than join them.

5. Attention

They attract attention pretty quickly—become officially famous in even less time. Within minutes, Raven is trading sharp, biting comments with a snobby cheerleader with MADISON printed across her tight tank top. The blonde isn't exactly doing well, and Raven soon demolishes her with a couple well-placed barbs.

"That's the first time I've ever seen Madison shut up so fast." The group looked down to see another blonde smiling at them reluctantly, "Welcome to Neptune."

6. Troubled

There's more bad blood in Neptune than she's ever encountered elsewhere, and despite the fact that she honestly likes Veronica Mars, the emotion-under-emotion-under-yet-another-layer of emotion is really starting to bother her. When Logan Echolls unceremoniously plops down at their table, however, she feels her head implode.

"Just work out your issues and make up!"

7. Paradox

She's grateful that Robin stopped her from actually screaming the words, but not exactly pleased that he chose to do it by "accidentally" spilling his drink all over her—and splashing Veronica for good measure. On the other hand, she had an excuse to get rid of the Logan/Veronica migraine. On the other hand, she was forced to borrow a cheerleader's uniform. On the other hand—never mind. There were too many hands already.

8. Uh oh.

It's child's play to sneak into the Neptune Grand every night—until Beast Boy decides to go up to the luxury suites and nearly runs into Veronica, who's storming angrily out of what seems to be Duncan's rooms, with Logan right behind her. Luckily, they're so busy arguing that they don't register the sheepish looking green cat that's slinking away.

9. Power Duo

Watching as Raven and Kori took down the bully with two well-placed punches, Veronica found herself wondering wistfully what could have happened had she had a partner-in-justice. Then, as Wallace and Mac plop down next to her, she remembers that she already has two.

They may not be physical powerhouses or mental geniuses, but they're her friends, and she loves them.

10. Uncomfortable

"Dick's a dick," Raven said, lowering her voice as she made eye-contact with Veronica, "But it's his younger brother I don't trust."

"What, Beaver? He's actually the sweeter of the two."

Raven's eyes darkened. "Those are the ones you have to watch out for."

11. Frustration

She can feel things happening—important catalysts that will make and break lives—but knows with a certainty that's deeper than prediction that they won't be around to prevent it. Or help heal it. Watching the way Robin's eyes flicker as he watches her watch the people she's grown to care about, she knows that he feels it too.

12. Heartbreak

He'd always thought that superheroes had the worst luck in relationships—a childhood watching Batman struggle with his feelings for both Catwoman and Wonder Woman taught him that—but as Robin helps smuggle Duncan Kane and his baby out of the country, all he can see are Veronica's heartbroken face.

It's a long way to Mexico, so he turns and asks Duncan why he's not taking Veronica with him. He'll never forget the look on the other boy's face when he finally replied. "She's staying because of Logan."

13. Love

There's a word in Tameran for the kind of love that consumes—the love that burns with pain and pleasure at the same time. Starfire was raised to believe that this is the purest form of love, and that few are privileged enough to find it. Watching as her new friends struggle with the bloparng, she wonders if what she was taught was wrong—whether the pain can ever outweigh the pleasure.

14. Girl Power

Weevil worries about V sometimes—the girl's just so damn stupid when it comes to realizing that underneath the taser, pitbull, and snark she's just a tiny, pixie blonde—but he starts relaxing after he catches sight of her new companions. The two girls may be young, but they have wiry muscles that only fighting can produce and a look in their eyes that warn the bad guys away.

15. Absent

Jinx's been suspiciously absent ever since they left Ouran, and though at first Raven wonders if the girl's just disappointed they'd left or if something more was happening. Nothing seems to be tampering with her psyche—in fact, everything seems suspiciously under control.

Except—

16. Awareness

She can feel it when the universe shifts and the black hole starts to appear. It's enough warning for her to make up and spread the story that they're time in Neptune is over, and they'll be transferring to Ohio. It's enough for them to say good-bye.

Something's definitely happened back in Jump.

XXXXXXXXXX

"There." Zatana opened her eyes with satisfaction. She turned around, only to be confronted with a Jinx who was barely managing to hold in her anger. "Something the matter?"

"Yes." Jinx said flatly, "You've been sitting there with your eyes closed for five freakin' hours without telling me what's going on. We're fighting a battle here, your highness, and if you don't feel like sharing how you're trying to get Titans West back, get your ass out of this tower so I can get back to work."

"I linked Raven's consciousness to the patch of instability that has been shifting her and her friends in and out of universes. She'll be able to sense when they'll disappear now, and hopefully prepare." Zatana ignored the way Jinx was spluttering and stood up, "Now, if you'll excuse me, I'm going to go get some iced tea."

Jinx stared after the sorceress as she walked away, eyes narrowed almost to slits. "Enjoy your visit," she muttered, "Because as soon as you stop being the only way to get Rae back, I'm going to kick your ass for talking to me like that."