A tune of "Carol of the Bells" can be heard at the end of a hallway, where a cloaked figure hums merrily while hanging Christmas ornaments.

"Merry Christmas everyone! Can you believe that this tree was growing for 15 years just to be cut done and sold to me for this holiday? But enough of the facts, I got Christmas gifts for ya'll: my next chapter!"

"But I also want to thank each and every one of you (readers/followers/favorite-rs/reviewers) for your encouragement and opinions! Keep doing what you guys do cuz I really appreciate it! One of you guys (reviewers) actually inspired me to make a one-shot, and as soon as I post it, I will PM (if possible) you and show the other readers how it came to be. So be on the lookout, I guess."

"On with the show!"


A/N: This chapter was betaed/betad/ whateveryoucallit by the awesome and lovely Clockwork's Apprentice! She is a wonderful and caring gal who can produce great stories like its nothing and I can't thank her enough! Seriously, go read her stories. They are freakin' AMAZING!

Disclaimer: I do NOT own anything/any characters from DP or TT. Good reason for that.


Chapter 1: Congé

"What a glorious morning!"

The red-haired alien practically flew circles around the other three tired titans in her excitement.

"The birds are singing, the sun is greeting us warmly, and I have prepared a traditional earth-breakfast! Oh, what a glorious morning indeed! Don't you agree Raven?"

"Sure," Raven scowled, trying her best to avoid the sunlight. The other two titans looked at each other in confusion.

"Did she just say earth-breakfast?" Cyborg began to tune his hearing, unsure if they were working correctly.

Starfire nodded happily. "Yes! My friends, I have just discovered a dish that is similar to one on my plant served at dinner-feastings. However, your people serve it at the breaking of the fast, and call it 'oatmeal'." She gestured proudly to the stove top, which held an enormous pot filled with creamy, normal looking food. Beastboy's pointy green ears perked up.

"So it's actually edible? Sweet!"

He briefly shifted into a dog to sniff the air before changing back, drooling at the mouth. "And it smells awesome! When's it ready?"

"As soon as the food turns black, we shall feast!"

Raven didn't bother helping her teammate frantically explain to the Tameranian that oatmeal was not served burnt here on earth. Instead, she began reading as her powers assembled her routinely herbal tea. She was too engrossed by the novel to notice, but by the time she took her first sip it was too late. Sputtering out the drink, she whipped her head around so fast that her violet hood fell off.

"What. Is. This?"

She pointed into her cup. The liquid was oozing orange bubbles, and pink smoke arose every time one ruptured. The three titans cowered under the half-demon's glare practically feeling the fire burning in her eyes. She glowered down at the green changeling, who squeaked and tried to run away. Immediately, black glowing tendrils wrapped around him. "Beastboy!"

"I swear it wasn't me!" Beastboy shrieked as he struggled feebly in her binds. Starfire timidly raised her hand.

"My apologies, friend-Raven. It was me. When you told me you were not a 'bird of earliness' because you didn't have enough energy, I thought it would be best to add something to help you gain energy. You are not angry, are you?"

Starfire immediately began to tear up and cry. As much as she wanted to, the violet-haired girl couldn't stay mad at Starfire.

"No Star. I'm not angry."

Her teammates sighed in relief when Raven seemed to shrink back to normal. Starfire squealed and tried to hug the girl, but Raven raised her hand to stop her. "Don't do it again and don't touch my tea." She glared at the boys. "Nobody touches my tea."

Cyborg nodded, but Beastboy rolled his eyes.

"Duh, who else would drink that awful stuff? Hey!" He found himself being shaken upside down by a black bind. "What did I say?"

It was at that moment the pot exploded, sending blackened goop all over the hall.

"The oatmeal is done!"

"Morning guys." Robin entered the room.

He didn't even raise an eyebrow at the bizarre scene and opened the fridge. "I'm going to go training at a new place, so I'm going to be gone for a few hours."

"Training?"

"Mm-hm." Robin held an apple in his mouth and grabbed an energy bar from the cabinet.

Cyborg frowned. "What about that new material arts program I installed yesterday?" He did a few moves for emphasis.

"Already did it."

Beastboy slides on the table were Robin was seated.

"So it's just like the True Master, huh? Can we come too?"

"Nope." The masked teen got up and swung his backpack over his shoulder.

"You are coming back, yes?"

Robin gave a confused look at Starfire's saddened form.

"Of course. We talked about this last night, remember Star?"

Behind Robin's cool demeanor, the teen was praying that she remembered. He sighed in relief when she lit up.

"Oh? Oh! Oh, I mean," she cleared her throat, "I wish you well on your journey."

She kissed him on the cheek,

"We will be ready when you come back!"

"Kay. Bye."

With that, he left the tower. Starfire squealed and went back to the kitchen…Silence.

Beastboy was the first to shake out of his stupor.

"Okay, am I'm the only one feeling like I'm missing something?"

"Surprisingly no." Raven watched Starfire cheerfully put out the fire on the stove top. "They both feel... off. But in a positive way."

Beastboy scratched his head. "You think their planning something?"

The half-demon resisted the urge to roll her eyes. "Obviously."

"Yeah, no girl should be acting that happy when their boyfriend leaves. Especially not Starfire. Come on BB. We're gonna get some answers" Cyborg began to haul the green changeling to the kitchen. He paused to face Raven.

"You coming Rae?"

She shook her head. "I'll be in my room."

"Suit yourself."

The dark titan floated away. It wasn't that she was not curious- she was. Robin's emotions were so jubilant that it put Starfire's usual demeanor to shame. It was more that it felt unnecessary to question the Tameranian. The team was going to find out anyways. These types of things always ended up in their hands sooner or later. Hopefully, it wasn't going to be that much of a nuisance.


As soon as he left the tower, Robin found a private area to change. He exchanged his usual green and red outfit for the clothes he 'borrowed' in Tokyo. The only thing he kept was the mask, but that too was hidden behind the dark shades. The motorcycle was already taken care of. At the click of a button, the well-known R-Cycle became an average, everyday motorbike. Of course, it was a lot faster than a normal motorbike.

So zooming across a highway, Robin wasn't given any second glances except by bike lovers and possibly the people he pissed off on the road. He couldn't help it; he was an half an hour away. So what if he cut in front of a few cars at high speeds without a signal? It's not like every other driver did that on the road.

Fifteen minutes. Robin's stomach was starting to do fronts flips, back flips, and the other flips out there (because only Robin's stomach would do that). Six years was a long time ago; how much did his brother change? Would be happy to see him again, or angry that he abandoned him? Did that night change him too?

He remembered that night like it was painted on the back of his eyelids. The circus was jammed-pack, and he remembered his sweat coating his skin after he had just performed with his parents. His brother was already sitting in the section reserved for the performers who were not in the act, waving him over like crazy. He was wearing a white shirt over his uniform, Robin recalled, because he wasn't performing yet. His brother was a monkey when it came to the swings, but because he was a bit clumsy he would sometimes slip or get tangled in the wires. Thus, their parents were waiting a little longer till he joined the Flying Graysons acts. Instead, he helped younger kids try out the miniature trapeze before the show started. It wasn't the same as the acts Richard did, but that didn't change his eagerness and admiration for their family one bit. So it wasn't a surprise when he proudly handed his older brother a towel and a cold drink. And it also unsurprising when he complained about getting popcorn when Richard asked.

His brother wanted to see their parents' act, but he was tired and didn't feel like doing it. He remembered telling him that he wouldn't play with him afterwards unless he bought it. So after a bit more whining, his little brother got up reluctantly to buy the popcorn. That was the last time Robin saw him.

It was also the last time his parents performed.

He was too wrapped up in his own emotions from his parents' death and adoption to realize that his younger brother was missing, but by then it was too late. His brother had been gone for days without a lead to follow. Add that with the murder of his parents, and in less than a few weeks the police declared him dead. But Robin never believed it. Even when years passed and Bruce started to waver, he never gave up.

A car horn blared from behind, and Robin swerved to avoid crashing into another car. Cursing inwardly, he pulled over to the side until he regained his composure. No matter what the outcome, he had to get this over with quickly; all the stress was becoming a safety hazard. Taking a deep breathe, he started up the engine and looked at the sign ahead.

Amity Park: A Nice Place to Live!