AN: Hello and welcome to my newest story!

So I spent the past week, give or take, watching all five seasons of the original Teen Titans and the whole Slade thing got my muse going like crazy! So I know this kind of story has probably been done like 1000 times already but this is the first time I'm writing something so focused on raw emotions so hear it goes and I hope you guys enjoy it.

First I need to give credit where credit is due: if you check my fav stories you'll see that abasically every second story is one by paganpunk2. Most of my research for this story included going over some of her stories because she writes this kind of thing amazingly. So a big shout out to her!

And now... on to the story...

Chapter 1

"You are leaving?" Starfire's soft voice reached Robin's ears as he finished packing a few things into his travelling backpack. He winced at the obvious sadness in her voice before turning to face her.

She gasped as she saw his face. He couldn't blame her; the last time he checked the mirror he had looked like a zombie. He had barely gotten any sleep since the incident with the dust a week ago. It wasn't bad enough that Slade had haunted him while he was awake, at least then all he had needed to do was turn on the lights to make Slade go away, but Slade had haunted his dreams every night since then. Every single night he had to relive that horrible night. It left him physically, mentally and emotionally drained and it was definitely beginning to show.

"Robin!" Starfire gasped

"It's okay, Star, I'll be fine." He told her, trying to sound as reassuring as possible

"You do not look like you will be fine." She stated gravely

He sighed, "Look, I've had a lot of time to think lately and I've come to realise that I need to go home."

"But, is this not your home?"

"Of course it is, Star, but I have another home in Gotham, just like you have another home on Tamaran." Robin answered softly, "I think it's kind of obvious that this thing with Slade is not going away and… well there's only one person who can help me get over this and I should have gone to see him after the whole apprentice thing… but you know me." He knew he was rambling a little but he couldn't help it. Exhaustion did that to him and he was truthfully extremely nervous about going home. He and Batman hadn't exactly parted on speaking terms and he didn't know what he would do if Batman was still too angry to speak to him. He supposed he could try speaking to Alfred, he knew the old butler would never turn him away, but it wouldn't have the same effect talking to Bruce would, and he knew it. "I can't go on like this, Star, I need to lay this to rest."

"I understand, Robin, and if you truly believe that going home to your Gotham is what is best for you then I will not argue." Starfire said, laying a hand on his shoulder, "When will you be leaving and how will you get there? I hope you do not plan on going all the way on your R-cycle. You are in no condition for such a trip."

He had to smile at that, sometimes Starfire reminded him exactly of Alfred when she got all overprotective of him, "Don't worry, I booked a flight to Gotham and I'll catch a cab home from there. My flight leaves in three hours."

"And how do you plan on getting to the port of air form here?" she asked

"Well I was planning on calling a cab…"

"Nonsense!" She exclaimed, "Cyborg will not mind taking you in his T-car, I am sure. That way we can all bid you a farewell. It is important for us to do so, especially if we will not be seeing you again." She finished with a barely restrained wobble in her voice.

"What? Star, I only mean to be away for a few days. A week, maybe two at the most, I promise."

Her face instantly brightened up, "Oh that is glorious news! But I still think it is important that we are all present at the port of air to bid you a safe journey home."

He chuckled, "Alright, Star. Come on, let's go ask Cyborg for a ride."