Titans of Justice Classified Chapter 21 – “Truly Outrageous Part 2”
Written by: Scotty2Hotty
Edited by: Power Guy


“Rio?” Wonder Man asked, startled. “Who the hell is Rio?”

“Why everyone knows who Rio is! She dances on the sand!” Wildcard suddenly opened his eyes and exclaimed.

Jemstone stared at him not knowing what to do.

“R…Rio…who did this to you?” she gasped.

“You two listen to way too much Duran Duran. As much as I’d love to crown the winner, I’ve got to jet!” Wildcard laughed. Suddenly his costume inflated and a jet pack emerged on his back.

“You think you can get away like that?” Wonder Man demanded.

“I know I can Wonder Weirdo! You see, I got one of my ‘mental hunches’ before coming here tonight! I have an insurance plan.” Wildcard said, his face smeared with sweat and makeup. “You see, there are two of my very own bombs planted inside the auditorium. You can either come after me or find the bombs! Knowing what goody-goodies you are, I know you’ll make the right choice! T-T-F-N! That’s how us hipsters say
Ta Ta for now!!!!!” he laughed as his jet pack propelled him into the night sky.
Before Jemstone and Wonder Man could even head for the auditorium, it exploded.

BOOM!!!!!!!!

The explosion sent glass and concrete flying at Wonder Man and Jemstone. “Get behind me! NOW!” Wonder Man commanded as he deflected all manner of shrapnel that would have mowed down an ordinary man. The building collapsed inward, leaving Jemstone and Wonder Man on the now broken sidewalk.

“You ok?” Wonder Man asked.

“I…I’m fine. But if anyone was inside…” Jemstone said as she erupted into full blown sobbing.

Paparazzi came seemingly out of nowhere, flashbulbs going off like crazy. They were shouting all kinds of questions. Thankfully, the paparazzi did manage to find out the building had been evacuated and told this to the shaken heroes.

“No pictures--not tonight, guys. Sorry.” Wonder Man said as he lifted Jemstone into his arms and flew away.


Minutes later, Wonder Man landed on the patio of Jemstone’s penthouse. She was crying quietly now and Wonder Man didn’t know what to say.

‘Well, I guess you have lots to sort out about Rio…whoever he is. I’ll go.” he said to the pop superstar.

“No! No, don’t go. I don’t want to be alone. I don’t want to be here either.” Jemstone said uneasily.

“Look. My mom keeps a house here for when she’s in town. I’ve been staying there. You are more than welcome to come with me.”

“I…I think I’d like that.”

After ordering a pizza and splitting a 6 pack, Wonder Man and Jemstone were sitting on the balcony enjoying the quiet of the night. It was warm and both of them had changed into their civilian identities.

“Scott, I think I can talk about Rio now.”

“Go ahead. If it gets to be too much, feel free to stop. There’s like 8 bedrooms in this place and you can crash if you want.” Scott said, knowing the beer had relaxed Jerrica and she was finally ready to tell him about Rio.

Jerrica took a deep breath. “You know I was a singer with my band the Holograms years ago.”

“Yeah.”

Jerrica sipped her beer and continued. “Back then it was me, Aja, Shanna, Raya, and my kid sister Kimber--I need to call her by the way and tell her about Rio--we toured the world and had so much fun. Rio was our road manager and sound engineer. He was my friend since we were kids--and he was in love with Jem.”

“Ah, I see--so you and he dated.” Scott queried.

“Not exactly. Rio didn’t know Jem and Jerrica were one and the same. I nearly told him a thousand times, but Rio was always talking about how important honesty was, so I felt bad about keeping my secret from him. I never told him.”

“Sounds familiar. My mom and dad sort of had the same thing. He was always putting Diana Prince down to Wonder Woman. Can you imagine how stupid he felt when mom told him who she really was. Sorry--I didn’t mean anything by that--I mean about Rio.”

“It’s cool. Anyway, when the hits stopped and the band broke up, I retired Jem for a while. I was determined to make Rio fall in love with me. No hits meant no income. Rio got a job opportunity in Japan and left. The last I heard he was running some kind of modeling agency. I can’t.. imagine what’s happened to him.” Jerrica said, her eyes welling with tears.

“Now I see why you were so shocked. I’m really sorry about this. You care a lot for this guy.”

“Cared. I tried to contact him a few times in Japan, but my emails and phone calls were never returned. I assumed he met someone over there and forgot about me. I sort of put him out of my mind too--until tonight.”

“He mentioned his Aunt Duela. Duela Dent was a Teen Titan years ago. Did he ever mention her? She had all kinds of identities-everything from the Joker’s Daughter to Harlequin to Card Queen.”

“No, never. Rio’s last name is Pacheco, and he never really mentioned any family besides his parents. But if she was his aunt, it sounds like he‘s incorporating her M.O. with the card themed outfit”

“Well, his costume is similar to her Harlequin one,” Scott thought Jerrica might like to be alone since she had discussed so much from her past. “I think I’ll turn in. The house is yours. The pool is really nice if you want to swim. Hang out as long as you need to.” he got up and started inside.

Jerrica said, ‘Scott wait. I…I really don’t want to be alone. As much as I hate to admit it, I’m really shook up. Do you want to talk? Just a little while longer?”

“We can talk all night if you want.” he said with a warm smile.

Jerrica was really surprised that the usually full of himself and arrogant Wonder Man was being so sweet.

“So what’s it like being the Titan’s leader?” she asked shifting the focus of the conversation to her host.

“It’s ok I guess. I mean, I’m no Green Lantern and I feel like I’m just sort of holding it together until he gets back. d**n. It’s been months and I keep talking about them like they were still here.” he said quietly.

“I can only imagine. I didn’t know many of them that well, but it was sad nonetheless.

You were what the group needed after the bad press.” Jerrica said noticing how Scott’s t-shirt accentuated his physique.

“I suppose so. I wish Nightvision had become the leader. The others respect him.”

“Scott! They respect you too!”

“Nah, I think I provide entertainment for them. You know, I’ve never really hung out with any of them except Venus--look how badly that turned out. Sargona and I are friendly, but she’s been really distant since the others died. I don’t think the others would hang out with me if I asked. My own cousin and I really haven‘t spent any time getting to know each other even though we swore we were going to make time for each other.”

“Wonder Warrior doesn’t have time for anyone except Queen Bee it seems. He’s so military-minded sometimes. Maybe the others are jealous. You know, you and I are the only ones that have to deal with being a celebrity. We get to go to all the big parties, be on television. Sometimes I wonder if we seem larger than life to them. Even with their powers, some of them haven’t had the breaks you and I get. I took all the girls out that one time--you know, when we saw you. I could tell some of them didn‘t care for the photographers and gawking fans.”

“I think you‘re on to something about the celebrity part. How ironic if they are jealous. I think I envy them. Look at the friendship Starman and Arachkid share. When one of them walks into the room, the other is genuinely happy to see them. I’ve never had a best friend. For once I’d like someone to say, ‘This is my best friend Scott. Isn’t he something? I’ve had friends in the modeling industry, but they’ll stab you in the back so fast to beat you to a job.”

Jerrica was really stunned Scott was being so candid with her. Even she was surprised that the teammate that most of the others considered shallow and full of himself was actually sensitive and probably had his feelings hurt more than a few times. The two of them had walked over to the edge of the balcony and looked out at the gardens.

“I know what you mean. I thought I would always be the team member that was bullied by Amanda Waller. Hell, I killed the Toyman. Try living that one down. Everyone thought I was irresponsible. No one ever said anything, but I could tell some of the team was a little uncomfortable around me.” she sighed.

“I never thought that. I always liked you. I wished you stayed with the east coast team.” Scott confessed.

“Really?” Jerrica said.

“Yeah. I thought you were one of the cooler members right from the start.”

Jerrica looked up at Scott. His eyes were deep blue, like the waters off the coast of Greece. She reached up to kiss him. Maybe she was tipsy. Maybe she was just lonely. Regardless, she went for it.

“Jerrica, I--”

‘Shhhh.” she whispered as she kissed him.

Despite being surprised, Scott kissed her back.

“I didn’t see that coming.’ Scott said, taken aback.

“You? Surprised that a woman wants to kiss you?” Jerrica said as she put her hands around his neck and pressed her body against his.

Scott was becoming flustered. “Jerrica, you’ve had a rough night. I don’t want you to do something you’ll be uncomfortable about later.”

“I know exactly what I’m doing ‘Wonder Man’”. she said as she kissed him and he wrapped his arms around her.

The next morning, the sun shining through the window awakened Jerrica. She glanced around and felt Scott’s chest against her bare back. His arm was around her in a half hug and Jerrica smiled and rolled over. Scott was already awake.

‘Good morning.” he said and kissed her on the cheek.

“Good morning, Mr. Trevor” she giggled as she tusseled his hair.

Just then there was a loud banging on the bedroom door.

Jerrica looked a bit alarmed.

“It’s cool. It’s just the maid. My mom keeps a staff here full time. Come back later!” he shouted.

The door flung open and standing in the doorway was Diana Trevor. Her hair was in a neat pony tail and her glasses complimented her beautiful features. She was wearing a black pinstriped skirt and jacket with a string of perfectly matched pearls.

“Scott is that any way to greet your mother!” Diana then realized her son wasn’t alone.
“JEFFREY SCOTT TREVOR!!!! Who is this--this--this bimbo you’ve brought into my house!” she screamed.

Jerrica pulled the sheet up to her chin as Scott sat straight up. The sheet nearly uncovered him but Jerrica made sure it didn’t.

‘Mom!” What are you---”

“Don’t you mom me, young man! What do have to say for yourself!?”

Scott Trevor pulled the sheet up, covering his muscular chest. He turned red and meekly said, “Uh, great Hera?”