A/N This takes place right after the episode "Terra" when Terra runs away from Titans Tower. I'm not making money off this or trying to take credit for the Teen Titans, or anything like that, okay? Okay. On with the show.

Chapter 1: A Voice in the Dark

Terra ran. It seemed like that was the only thing she was ever good at. Running from her problems. But what else could she do? Terra knew she shouldn't risk staying in the city, but it was getting late, and she ran down darkening streets, she realized that she was exhausted. She looked around to make sure no one was watching before she turned down an alley by the pizza place to stay for the night.

Still puffing for breath, Terra leaned against the brick wall of the restaurant and hid behind the reeking Dumpster. She remembered when she was staying with the Teen Titans; they ordered pizzas regularly from here. Beast Boy always made them order a veg- No! Terra squeezed her eyes shut, refusing to think about him. He betrayed me. They all did.

Terra got up to leave. Tired as she was, she couldn't stay in Jump City. It was too painful. Maybe she'd head to the desert. She felt most at home there.

"Going so soon?"

Terra squeaked in fright. She knew that voice. A tall, muscular figure stepped out of the shadows. How long has he been watching me? She wondered.

"I take it you've been thinking about my offer." He had offered to take her in and teach her to control her powers. She had thought about it a lot as she ran from the Tower. But could she really trust such a dangerous man?

"I would never join you!" The false bravado in Terra's voice couldn't quite hide her fear and doubt as she glared up at the masked villain.

"Yet you've left the Teen Titans. Did Beast Boy tell them your secret?" Slade spoke as though she were a petulant five year old.

"Shut up! Go away!" Terra shouted.

But Slade continued. "What a shame. Didn't he promise? I thought he was your friend."

Terra turned and sprinted out of the alley and down the street.

He was right. Didn't he say this would happen? He said Beast Boy wouldn't keep his mouth shut. He knew. Maybe he really can help me… Terra shook her head to clear her thoughts. Slade was evil. Even if she wasn't with the Teen Titans anymore, he was still a 'bad guy'.

"You can't keep running away like this."

Terra screamed and she skidded to a stop. Slade had been running right next to her. Why hadn't she heard him? Slade ran another step before smoothly turning around as he stopped so he was facing her. As Terra panted, desperate for air, she noticed Slade wasn't even out of breath.

"Running away won't solve your problems," He said in that silky voice. "And it certainly won't help you learn to control your powers. I can help you with that. Come with me, Terra. There's so much you don't know."

She rested in silence for a moment, thinking. He seems so sure. Why do I feel like he understands me? I don't even trust him. Then again, I trusted the Teen Titans, and look what happened. Terra glanced over her shoulder. She and Slade stood under a streetlight on a deserted sidewalk. All the shops around them were closed, and there were no people in sight.

The former Titan looked back up at Slade. He was very still, patiently watching. All she knew about him were the bad things the Teen Titans had told her about him. But she'd been wrong to trust the Titans. Could she have been wrong to think Slade was so bad? There was only one way she'd know for sure.

"All right. I'll go."

To be continued… And don't forget to review and tell me what you think of it so far!! And no flames… Please… Or you'll make me cry. ,