Chapter One:

Disclaimer: WE (Cartoonstar and dolphinluver21) do not, under any means, own the Teen Titans- plain and simple. This story, being created by two people, will be written chapter by chapter, switching off authors. All the ODD CHAPTERS will be written by cartoonstar and all the EVEN CHAPTERS will be written by dolphinluver21.

Thank You

Once upon a time, there was a beautiful princess who lived far far away. One day, a witch put a curse on the princess and locked her away in a tower. The princess fell into a deep sleep and would only be awaken if rescued by a handsome prince and receive true loves first kiss.

"Mari, put your book down and eat your breakfast."

Young Mari Anders glanced up at her mother with her bright green eyes. "But mom, the story is just getting good."

Kory Anders was the mother of Mari and she glanced back at her daughter. "You can finish your story later. Right now you need to eat."

Mari sighed and put her book down on the table. She pulled her bowl of oatmeal in front of her and shuddered. This oatmeal looked no where near edible to eat. Mari looked up at her mother who was currently washing the dishes.

"Mom."

"Yes, starshine?"

Mari smiled at the nickname her mother had given her. "Can I have something else to eat?"

"What's wrong with what you have now?"

Mari stirred her oatmeal around with her spoon. "I don't like oatmeal."

"It's good for you."

"Can I have Lucky Charms instead?"

Before Kory could answer the phone began to ring. She dried her hands off and picked up the phone.

"Hello?"

"Kory, it's Ben."

Kory bit her lip. Ben was her boss at the bar she worked at. Working at a bar was a second job of Kory's to help pay for the bills. She hated the job but she was lucky she only had to work weekends.

"Ben, what can I do you for?" Kory asked with a sweet tone.

To be perfectly honest she didn't really like Ben. He wasn't exactly boss of the year or the kindest guy around. But still, Kory put up with him for her little girl sitting at the table. She needed the job and if she had to put up with a jerk then that was what she would do.

"Sam called in sick today so I need you to cover for him tonight."

"What? I can't do that -"

"Mommy."

Kory turned her head. "Just a minute, Mari," Kory turned her attention back to the person on the phone. "Listen, I have a daughter to attend to. I can't just come in like that."

"Get a babysitter."

"Can't somebody else cover?"

"I already asked around. I know you only work weekends but -"

"Mommy."

"Just a sec, Ben," Kory turned back to her daughter. "What is it, Mari?"

"I don't want oatmeal," Mari said giving off the puppy-dog pout. "Can I please have Lucky Charms."

"Ok." Kory said absently as she turned back to the phone.

Mari gave off a silent cheer and quickly dumped her oatmeal in the sink.

"Ben, I can't do it. I'm sorry -"

"If you want to keep this job you'll cover the night shift."

Before Kory could answer him back he hung up the phone. Kory closed her eyes in frustration and put the phone back on the receiver. She looked over at her daughter and chuckled at the sight. Mari was trying to reach for a bowl on a shelf that was a little too high up for her. Kory walked up behind her and easily picked up the bowl off the shelf. She handed it to Mari who smiled and went back to the table to finally enjoy her breakfast.

Kory knew there was no such thing as perfect but she truly did believe that she had the perfect daughter. Mari was sweet and not to mention adorable. She had tan skin with rosy cheeks and her hair was long and black but soft to the touch. What Kory liked most about her daughter was the emerald green eyes that adorned her face.

A lot of people said Mari was the splitting image of her mother. They had the same personalities, trusting and kind, plus they looked a lot alike. Kory had the same tan skin and long soft hair but her's was red. They also had the same emerald green eyes.

Although they were very similar, Kory saw some differences in them. Mari still had her whole future ahead of her. Mari was only seven years old but Kory knew she was going places. She would make something of herself in the future. She wouldn't be like her mother.

Kory sighed as she brought herself into another 'life-trip'.

It all started when Kory met a particular man. He was handsome and treated her like a princess. Kory thought she was in love. Then things changed when Kory got pregnant. Her prince charming wanted nothing to do with her and abandoned her. Ever since then Kory had to fend for herself and learned that life isn't like a fairy tale.

Her life was far from it.

She lived in a tiny one bed room apartment and worked three jobs. The only thing that kept her going was her little girl.

"Mommy," Mari said in a sing-song voice. "We have to go."

"Oh, of course."

Kory picked up Mari's bowl and placed it in the sink. Kory sighed as she noticed she didn't finish cleaning the dishes. She shrugged, she'll have to do them later.

Mari was waiting patiently by the door with her coat on and her book-bag over her shoulders. Kory grabbed her purse and put on her blue denim jacket and opened the door. Mari walked out first and waited by the elevator while Kory locked the door.

"Kory."

Kory froze and forced a smile on her face as she turned around. "Ms. Norton... hi!"

Ms. Norton was the land lady of the building. She was an elderly woman going on to her late sixties with gray hair and wrinkles. Although usually a kind woman Ms. Norton had a temper. A bad one when it came to those she didn't like and those who didn't pay rent.

She liked Kory.

But Kory didn't pay the rent.

This meant Kory was on Ms. Norton's bad side today.

"Kory, your rent is past due," Ms. Norton said, wagging her finger. "You know I don't like it when people don't pay their rent."

"I know and I'm really sorry but I promise I'll pay you at the end of the week."

Ms. Norton shook her head. "At the end of the week and no later."

"Yes, Ms. Norton. I promise."

Ms. Norton chuckled lightly and walked away, probably to go lecture some of the other tenants.

Kory sighed with relief and walked to her daughter's side. There was a sign posted to the front of the elevator letting the people know that it was broken. Kory groaned and grabbed Mari's hand.

"Come on, let's take the stairs."

Kory's apartment wasn't that far up so walking down the stairs didn't take that much time out of the day. Kory's hand held on to Mari's the entire time as they walked down the side walk. This place wasn't perfect but it was still filthy. Trash was thrown every where and it was disgusting. Maybe one day Kory would win the lotto and move her and Mari into a better neighborhood but until then this is what they had to deal with. As they turned the corner the yellow school bus that Mari had come to known so well had parked by the side walk, taking in the young elementary students. Kory kneeled down at eye level so she was face to face with Mari.

"You promise to do your best in school today?" Kory asked even though she knew she didn't have to. Mari's teachers always told her that Mari was a pleasure to have in the classroom. Still, it was fun to tease.

"I promise."

"That's my girl. Now give mommy a hug," Mari wrapped her arms around her mother and Kory took notice that her daughter was getting stronger. Kory pulled away and gave her a kiss on the forehead before standing up strait. "I love you."

"I love you too."

"Goodbye, starshine."

Mari smiled at her mother once more before boarding the school bus.

---

Kory sighed as she made her way to job number one. The morning job was what she called it. Monday though Friday Kory worked at a small movie store for five hours strait. The job wasn't all that bad, it kept Kory entertained. She had two friends who worked there, Jinny and Wally. Those two were quite the pair, always arguing with each other. Kory put on her work shirt and got to business. Jinny worked at cashier while Wally and Kory stacked and marked DVD's. Not the best thing to do but Kory did it anyway with a smile on her face. As Kory and Wally were unloading the boxes, Wally started conversation.

"So, how's life?"

"Sugar and honey," replied Kory. "How's yours?"

"I was thinking of maybe asking Jinny out."

Now if Kory was in high school she would have squealed like a school girl, dropped what she was doing and grab Wally so they could sit down and talk details while eating a big carton of ice cream. But she was at work and she was an adult.

"Really?"

"Really."

Kory smiled. "I think that's great. I always knew you two had a thing for each other."

"Was I that obvious?"

"Obvious to everyone who works here and the customers."

Wally chuckled but stopped to look at Kory. "Is it just me or are you getting skinny."

"It's just you," said Kory. "Come on, we have to get these tagged and on the shelves."

"Oh... right." Wally said, getting back to work.

Five hours later Kory was all set to go and pick up Mari from school. Before she walked out the door Jinny stopped her.

"Kory, here." she handed her a blue, plastic bag.

Kory rose a brow. "What's this?"

"It's that movie, 'Happily Never After'. You know, the one Mari wanted."

Kory smiled. "Thanks, Jinny. I owe you one."

With the morning job done Kory was off to pick up Mari from school. Now, since she didn't have a car Kory had to take the bus to Mari's school. It wasn't that bad since Mari's school was close to Kory's second job, the afternoon job. Once Kory picked up Mari all they had to do was walk to the small diner that Kory worked at as a waitress. Out of all of Kory's jobs this one was her favorite. Karen Beecher, another one of Kory's good friends, owned the diner and allowed Mari special privilege's. This meant Mari got all the free snacks she wanted, though it was kept to a minimum. The last thing Kory wanted to deal with was a sugar hyper child.

As soon as they walked in they were greeted by Karen.

"Hey, Karen."

"Hey, Kory," Karen smiled at Mari. "Hello, Mari."

"Hello Miss Karen." Mari said.

"Mari," Kory said, grabbing the young girl's attention. "Why don't you do take your favorite seat while mommy works."

Mari nodded and headed off to one of the booth's, taking out her story book to read.

"Kory, I need you to cover those three tables," Karen said as she walked back to the cashier. She stopped and rose a brow at Kory. "Is it just me or are you getting skinny."

"It's just you." Kory said as she slipped on her apron and grabbed a small note book with a pen.

A little while later the door to the diner opened and in stepped a tall, muscle bound man. Kory saw him and smile.

"Vic, over here."

Vic was Kory's closet friend and sorta like an older brother to her.

Vic smiled and made his way over to the red-head. "I got your message. What's the big emergency?"

"I really hate to ask you this but can you watch Mari tonight? I have to work."

Vic rose a brow. Kory only worked at night during the weekend. "I don't mind but why are you working late tonight?"

"Ben called," Kory said bitterly. "His words weren't exactly this but he told me to work the night shift or no more job."

"Ouch," Vic said as he followed Kory around the diner while she cleaned up the tables. "You want me to key his car, a little payback."

"I would like that, I really would but you're a positive influence in Mari's life," Kory said as she moved to the next table. "I can't have you getting arrested now."

"Ben is an ass, why don't you just quit that job already?"

"Because that job pays me money and money pays the bills."

"Why don't you just let me take care of you and Mari for awhile. I don't mind and it would give you some time to just sit back and relax."

"Because, Vic, I don't accept charity. You have your life and I have mines."

"Fine, I get the point," Vic said, raising his hands in defeat. Vic looked at her. "Is it just me or are you getting skinny."

"You know, you are the third person to ask me that today." Kory said as she took something out from behind the counter. It was a blue plastic bag.

Together they walked towards Mari's booth. Upon seeing Vic, Mari smiled and immediately climbed out of her seat.

"Uncle Vic!" she jumped into his arms and hugged him.

"Hey shorty. How's it going?"

"Hey, Mari," Kory said sweetly as she kneeled down. "Guess what I have for you."

She handed Mari the blue bag and Mari looked inside, pulling out a DVD. She smiled and hugged her mother, chanting the words 'thank you' over and over again.

Kory smiled. It made her feel good to see her daughter happy. "Um, Mari, there's also something else."

Mari pulled away and looked up at her mother. "What is it?"

"Mommy has to work late today so you're gonna spend the rest of the day with Uncle Vic."

"But... I wanted to watch the movie with you." Mari looked down on the ground, the smile wiped clean off her face.

"I know and I'm really sorry but I promise to watch it with you tomorrow."

Mari looked up. "Promise?"

"Promise," Kory gave her a quick hug and pulled away. "You're gonna behave with Uncle Vic right?"

Mari nodded.

Just then Karen walked over to the small group. "Hey guys, what's going on?"

"I'm working late tonight so Vic is gonna watch Mari for me." Kory said standing up.

"Really? That's sweet of you, Vic."

Vic stood up as well, blushing. "Well... you know. I try and help out."

"Bye, Mari," Karen said sweetly as she patted the young girl on the head. "Bye, Vic."

"Bye... Karen." Vic said softly, still blushing.

Kory grinned at him.

He looked at her. "What?"

"Do you have a crush on my boss?"

"What? No... No. Nuh-uh... Why? Do you think she likes me?"

"I don't know. Why don't you ask her that."

"Uh...," Vic trailed off. "Would you look at the time. Let's go, Mari."

Mari grabbed her things and walked towards the door with Vic. "Bye mommy."

"Bye, starshine."

---

The night time finally came and Kory's third job, the night job, was finally done and over with. It had been a ruff night. Drunken idiots were every where, shouting and asking for another beer. Not a fun night at all. The night got even worse. Kory had missed her bus and had to walk home. She was tired and her feet hurt, not to mention the fact that she was hungry. The only thing she had eaten all day was a sandwich and some chips. That was at lunch time. Kory looked herself over. Maybe her friends was right, maybe she was getting skinny.

Kory shook her head. "Nah."

Finally, Kory made it to her building and out of the cold night air. She pushed the elevator button and a moment later she groaned upon remembering that the elevator was broken. Kory looked at the stairs as she walked towards them, wishing that instead of stairs there was an escalator.

When Kory reached her apartment she opened the door and saw Vic resting on the couch.

"Vic."

His eyes flew open. "Kory."

"Hey," she looked around. "Where's Mari?"

"She's sleeping in her room."

"Thanks, Vic. This really meant a lot to me."

"No problem at all," Vic glanced at his watch. "I better get home."

Kory nodded. "Bye, Vic."

"Bye, Kory."

Vic walked out the door and the room was left in silence. Kory walked over to the kitchen and noticed that all her dishes were clean. She smiled, Vic mist have cleaned them. Kory yawned as she walked back to the living room, slash, her bed room. The one bed room belonged to Mari and Kory slept on a pull-out sofa bed. Kory yawned again as she turned off the television and took off her shoes and jacket. She laid down on the couch, to tired to pull out her bed, and fell asleep.