Grounded.
[i]Grounded.[/i]
[b][i]Grounded?![/i][/b]

Gem was [u]furious[/u].

They were [i]Teen Titans[/i]. She could build a [i]warhead[/i] out of [i]cardboard[/i] and [i]tape[/i], and her sister could make it strong enough to level the [i]moon[/i] and take out [i]Superman[/i] if he got in the way, and just because she'd had an 'episode' - god [i]forbid[/i] that constantly seeing how to turn [i]everything[/i] into a [i]WMD[/i] would [i]occasionally[/i] become a bit [i]stressful[/i] - they, the both of them, had been [i]grounded.[/i] Confined to the dorm floor, barred from missions, taken from quarters to training and back again. [i]Escorted[/i].

[color=92278f]"You can't make nuclear explosives from cardboard, Gem." [/color]Sia said, reclining on her bed. She didn't even open her eyes. [color=92278f]"And I don't have the time in my life to hold a WMD until it vaporizes the Man of Steel."[/color] She sighed, crossing her legs and bringing her hands behind her head. [color=92278f]"Quit pacing."[/color]
[color=662d91]"How did you know what I was [i]thinking[/i]? You're not doing that freaky [i]twin [/i]thing again, are you?"[/color] Gem said, brought out of her tantrum by her sister's words.
[color=92278f]"No."[/color] Sia replied, smiling. [color=92278f]"You were muttering. You mutter too loud. Go stew if you have to but be quiet, at least." [/color]
Gem just huffed. Sia said nothing, and for a few seconds, it was peaceful.
[color=662d91]"But we're [b]GROUNDED.[/b]"[/color] Gem yelled, and Sia opened her eyes this time. No use anyway. 
[color=92278f]"Yep."[/color]
[color=662d91]"And we're [i]TITANS[/i]."[/color]
[color=92278f]"Uh-huh."[/color]
[color=662d91]"And we didn't even do anything [i]wrong![/i]"[/color]
[color=92278f]"That's a matter of perspective."[/color]
[color=662d91]"They just went on a [i]mission[/i] [b]without[/b] us!"[/color]
[color=92278f]"Mmmhmm."[/color]
Gem sat on the floor, crossing her arms. [color=662d91]"It's not [i]fair.[/i]"[/color]
[color=92278f]"Wrong."[/color] Said Sia, standing up and walking over to her sister. She held a hand out and Gem looked at it sullenly, before accepting it and pulling herself up. [color=92278f]"We have to [i]learn[/i]. That's why we're here, after all. The world needs [i]protectors[/i], and that's what the Teen Titans are for, but sometimes [i]we[/i] need protecting as well. You don't realize how [i]wired[/i] you get when you're stressed out, Gee, and that leads to episodes, and that leads to bombs."[/color] Sia put her hands on Gem's shoulders. [color=92278f]"We're not [i]grounded[/i], that's just what Rose called it so she wouldn't seem nice. It's a [i]vacation[/i]." [/color]Gem sighed, and Sia pulled her into a hug.
[color=662d91]"If you say so, Si."[/color] Gem conceded, returning the embrace.
[color=92278f]"I do. Now be quiet so I can rela-"[/color]

There was a rumbling as the T-Wing returned, and Gem and Sia heard echoes of Rose chewing out the team. There was the sound of breaking glass, then they heard Sentinel's dorm door open and slam, and then there was a knock at their's, and Rose opened it.
[color=9e0b0f]"Your team is back. You're un-grounded. But the team's on orders to take some downtime. You guys are the newest - so get to know your teammates. They're upstairs."[/color]
Gem pulled out of the hug, and looked from Rose to Sia, and then gave Sia a grin that almost frightened her. She shot past Rose and up the stairs.
[color=92278f]"Thanks, Rose."[/color] Said Sia, sincere. 
Rose didn't say anything before she left.

Sia joined Gem upstairs. She'd already grabbed a beer, and was sat watching the Guitar Hero proceedings. Sia settled for a can of cola, and stood behind said sofa. 
[color=92278f]"Dibs on next game. Winner stays on?"[/color]
[color=662d91]"Si, you only say that because you always [i]win[/i]." [/color]Gem said, smirking at her sister while playing air-guitar to the riffs coming from the TV.
[color=92278f]"Because I'm good, Gee. Natural talent."[/color]
[color=662d91]"I'm not sure [i]superpowers [/i]count as talent, hun'."[/color] Gem remarked, pushing playfully.
[color=92278f]"It's not [i]my [/i]fault those controllers are so simple. Things practically play themselves."[/color]
[color=662d91]"They do after [i]you've[/i] been holding them for a few minutes." [/color]Gem said, and Sia threw her hands up in defeat, walking away as Gem remained.

Sia stopped beside Pistole-[i]Simone[/i]. Man, [i]really[/i] gotta learn [i]actual[/i] names.
[color=92278f]"So..."[/color] She started, unsure of her words. Simone was rather...imposing. [color=92278f]"...how was the mission? We heard Rose yelling...and apparently we've been ordered to 'take downtime'. That bad, huh?"[/color]