For the sake of the children

[lexcorp-media.livejournal.com]

The cameraman aims at the cheerful blonde reporter, and the red light is on. "Charles," says the reporter on cue, "I'm here at the Moscone Convention Center, once again the site of the annual Tomorrow's Heroes auction. This year the children's charity theme is San Francisco's resident heroes of today, the Titans."

The camera pans around to show the busy arena, crowded with people wandering around several tables piled high with Titans merchandise. "Titans and collectors from the Bay Area have donated items for this year's auction. The proceeds will be benefitting area charities assisting children in need, including this year's victims of Degeneration Y." The camera returns to the blonde reporter, now joined by a balding, gray-haired Hispanic man in a tux. "Here with me now is Rick Cantu, of Bay Area Memorabilia, whose auction house is running this year's charity. Mr. Cantu, what can you tell us about this year's items?"

Mr. Cantu, obviously at ease in front of the camera, smiles. "Cynthia, we have an astonishing array of Titans-related merchandise available. If your viewers are unable to join us at the Moscone Center, they are welcome to visit our website at w-w-w-dot-bayareamemorabilia-dot-com to review tonight's catalog. And of course your station is being kind enough to provide live coverage of the bidding, and we expect many bidders will be calling the 1-800 number on our website." The URL and phone number appear on the screen. "Starfire has generously provided us with autographed copies of her famous bikini poster--originals, I might add, not reprints. Superboy has donated autographed videogames. Naturally we have a number of action figures both in and out of the box, vintage issues of Hero Beat, lunch boxes from just about every team line-up available, and for those of you looking for holiday gifts, we have some rare Christmas ornaments for sale."

"That's amazing, Mr. Cantu. And I understand there's a very special item to be unveiled during the auction?"

"Oh, yes." Mr. Cantu beams with pride. "Very rare, very collectible. We're most fortunate to have such an item donated, and we expect it to bring in a fine price for the charity." He taps the side of his nose, looking rather like a clean-shaven Santa. "But that's a surprise we're saving for the right time." He nods at the stage at the far end of the room. The curtains have been drawn, but they shift and billow every once in a while, hinting at the busy movements of auction staffers making last-minute preparations.

"We'll be here when those curtains go up," Cynthia promises. She turns back to the camera. "Live from the Moscone Convention Center, I'm Cynthia McAllister. Back to you, Charles."

"And ... we're off air." The cameraman lowers his camera, but Cynthia waves at him. "Keep that in place," she says, looking around at the crowd. "I want some Titans footage, when they get here."

Comments

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

Eyes misting, Jesse kneels by the chair, taking both the girl's hand and the flower, saying nothing yet, just...savoring the moment. "I'm Jesse," she eventually whispers.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

She reacts as if she's been given the biggest secret anyone has every been entrusted with. The glee in her face is boundless and she whisper back,
"I'm Katie."

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

"Well, Katie," says the speedstress as she holds both hand and iris, her tone ringing with heartfelt sincerity, "you just gave me the best Christmas present I've ever gotten. I want to give you something now, too. What do you want? Just name it, and if I can get it, it's yours."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Katie looks down and squirms self consciously for a moment.

She looks back up and whispers in a small voice.

"When I'm gone. Can you make sure my mommy is okay?"

Her big brown eyes regard Jessie nervously. Did she ask for too much?

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

It's too much. Tears spill over the edge of Jesse's eyelids as she smiles at the girl and nods twice, very slowly. "I can do that. And maybe some things right now too. Between you and me? Crowds make me sort of nervous. Think you can help me keep things straight, since we're both Titans?"

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Katie's smile is like sunshine on a new day. She holds Jessie's hand and squeezes it nodding.

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

The smile grows into a grin as Jesse returns the squeeze and stands up. "Good. I like having a protector. Now...where do we go first? There's my friend Starfire, and there's Flamebird...oh, and Satana.... They should meet you."

I can't believe I almost didn't come....

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

"Titans Together!" She cries out in youthful enthusiasm.

Her mother returns to the scene carrying a bag of fresh hot pretzels and a few bottles of juice.

"Katie.. oh my goodness." she stops shortly when she see Jessie.

Smiling, she hands the food to her daughter.

"I hope she hasn't been taking too much of your time Miss quick."
she says as she playfully touches her daughter on the nose with a loving smile.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

The girl shakes her head innocently as she drinks some of the juice.

"We're going to see the other Titans!"

[fleet-feet.livejournal.com]

"Did somebody yell 'Titans Together?'"

Yes, that's the Flash.

The real, honest-to-god Flash that's just shown up next to Jesse.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Another squeal of joy comes from Katie and her hand squeezes tightly on Jessie's.

"Flash!" she exclaims excitedly.

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

Jesse returns the squeeze and says politely, "Katie, may I introduce you to the one and only, the Fastest Man Alive, the Flash? Flash, this is our new teammate Katie and her lovely mother, whom I met...what was it, about eight months ago now, ma'am?"

[fleet-feet.livejournal.com]

"At your service, one and all" he announces, snapping to a salute. "Are you enjoying being a Titan, Katie?"

Taking a knee next to the chair, he gives her a smile, and then suddenly, there's a flower in his hand for her. A rose. Because it's red, he's red, it's a thing.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Katie giggles in delight and nods.

"Thank you Mister Flash." she manages bashfully.



Katie's mom blushes, taken aback that Jessie remembers her.

"Yes, that's right. I owe you my life Miss Quick."

She blushes even harder now.
"Oh I'm sorry, you probobly get that all the time."

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

Jesse says, with a glance at Wally, "All I need to know, ma'am, is that you're safe, you and Katie here." She's not the sort to deal well with immodesty, and her cheeks are flushed red. "I'll tell you, though, the man right here is the one to thank. The Flash is the heart of our team. He's the real hero. To all of us."

[fleet-feet.livejournal.com]

"Well, yes, that's all true. I'm a golden god among Titans," he says with a wink. "But Jesse Quick is the master of selling herself short. In fact - "

WHOOSH WHOOOSH!

"I bet she didn't even know they were selling Jesse Quick t-shirts," he says, handing one to Katie and one to her mother. A big Q with a lightning bolt through it.

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

Katie hugs the T-Shirt tightly and her face is alive with glee.

"Oh my goodness." exclaims mom. It's a bit overwhelming so she's a tad speechless for a moment.

"You really are too kind Mister Flash. Thank you both." she manages.

[jessequick.livejournal.com]

Another glance goes to Wally before Jesse, blushing, looks at the t-shirts, then at the mother and daughter. "We're both really happy to help you both out. Flash, Katie here's going to escort me around today, be my bodyguard. If," she adds, looking at Katie's mother, "that's okay with you? Flash can tell you I get nervous in crowds."

[jla-extras.livejournal.com]

'Mom' looks positively delighted.

"Oh are you sure? That's so very nice of you!"

She looks down to Katie with a touch of concern.
"Promise you'll speak up if you start feeling tired. okay honey?"

Katie, still holding onto Jessie's hand, nods emphatically as she drinks her juice.

Looking back to the heroes, mom smiles.
"Okay then. I'll be here if you need me."

[fleet-feet.livejournal.com]

"She's in good hands. Trust me."

With a supreme effort, he holds back the eyebrow waggle.