It bothers me if my chapters start without a line break.


With the various newer members of the Team having been cleared out only Raven, Starfire, Wally, Conner, Artemis, Miss Martian, Beast Boy and Nightwing remained in the living room area. Raven and Starfire stood, it was time for them to get going.

"It has been a pleasure meeting your team, but I believe it's time for Starfire and I to take our leave." Raven said addressing no one in particular, rising off of the couch.

Nightwing pushed himself away from his position in the kitchen "Raven wait...I was thinking... maybe you two would like to stay the night." Shifting on his feet Nightwing proceeded to present his argument. " I mean it's late after all and Jump is hours away...on the other side of the continent...and you'd be better rested for the trip tomorrow right? So why don't you stay, just for the night."

Artemis quirked a brow. It'd had been years since she'd seen Boy Wonder blunder this much. It dawned on her that these girls must have been extremely important to Robin in the past. It made her feel guilty about what had happened earlier ...and Zatanna even though she was Artemis's best friend and Robins...interest...it seemed like Zatanna wouldn't ever be able to hold a candle to these girls.

There was an uncomfortable silence in the room as Raven mulled over the decision. Yes, she hadn't spoken to Robin...Nightwing rather... for seven years and it was obvious that they needed to talk...but what was another seven years. She had done quite well without Robin if she did say so herself and she was in no rush nor mood to have the dramatic conversation that was biting at her heels. Raven rubbed her temples to soothe the migraine that was slowly building.

"Nightwing...thank you for your offer but-"

"We will be pleased to accept." Starfire said placing a hand on Raven's shoulder.

Raven shot Starfire a small glare but nodded in defeat. Sure Raven was the leader but she was also a friend and this was a private situation in which she knew Starfire had better judgement in. The Titans, or whatever was left of the Titans, needed to have a conversation with their former leader and apparently Starfire knew that this was the most opportune moment.

"Thats wonderful." Miss Martian said floating into the air. "I'll make the rooms and maybe we can talk some more. I'd love to hear more about Tamaran."

"Thank you. Although only one room will be necessary Raven and I would like to share." Starfire said with an innocent smile.

"Of course. Beast Boy could you help me really quick?"

Beast Boy gave a toothy grin and followed Miss.M out of the room.

Nightwing couldn't believe it worked and he couldn't believe how much the two in front of him changed. No longer were they the girls that he knew. They were old, grown and so much more mature than he expected them to be. Starfire he couldn't explain, her childlike demeanor was gone but her smile and warmth was as he remembered. Now she seemed more like a perfect fantasy... a beautiful stranger.

Raven reminded him of Batman she stood tall with no emotion on her face. She was sure and proud, more confident in her subtle motions. Like Starfire he no longer recognized the Raven in front of him and to be honest her presence was very...overwhelming... Nightwing could see that this wasn't a Raven who hid from the world anymore, her stare was so intent he had to look away from those amethyst eyes. He wanted to see her smile just like the Raven he remembered around the tower... but clearly both Raven and Starfire were people he could no longer have any claim to.

An audible sigh was heard from Raven as she ran a hand through her hair. "Thank you for the hospitality, is there any room where I can make a private call?"

"Oh yeah. We must inform the others of the delay." Starfire offhandedly commented, a calculating look crossing her face.

"Yeah. Sure no problem." Artemis untangled herself from Wally and walked forward from the kitchen motioning for Raven to follow her. It was the least she could do to make up for earlier.

Starfire watched as Raven exited with Artemis. "Kid Flash your girlfriend is quite beautiful." she said with a grin.

Nightwing could only stare.

Ravens communicator crackled to life as she called the tower. A smile graced her lips as the video feed finally connected. Three figures fought their way to the front of the camera shouting various greetings until a tall broad fourth pushed through and stood dead center with arms crossed.

"And where the hell are you and Princess?" An obviously pissed voice screeched through the communicator. Raven could see the three figures in the back give a salute before scurrying off to their respective hiding places.

"What's wrong? Can't hold down the fort?" Raven asked a smirk playing on her face, which only seemed to anger her counterpart even more seeing as how he threw his arms into the air in response.

"YOU SAID ONLY A FEW HOURS IT'S BEEN LIKE 12. How do you even do this everyday? They're driving me crazy. I don't do babysitting. When are you two coming home?" He said dragging his hands over his face, Raven could tell he was too tired to joke around.

"Yeah. That's what I called to tell you. We ran into a bit of a delay. We'll be back home sometime tomorrow."

"Raven. What do you mean delay? Tomorrow? Unacceptable."

Raven cringed it was rare for him to actually call her by her given name. "It's complicated." Although the explanation would only take her moments to fully explain she didn't want to give him the satisfaction of pressuring her into spilling the beans, but more accurately Raven thought that telling him would solidify her current predicament as if it wasn't already occurring.

"Complicated? I know that you have my belt and its specifically designed and modified to pull you and Starfire out of any situation and bring you back to the roof of this damned tower. You're not here because you choose not to be and seeing as how you're talking to me right now things can't be that complicated. Now Sunshine tell me whats going on."

Raven sighed. She could hear the seriousness in his voice even through his exhaustion and she really couldn't argue with his logic. The modified Xenothium-powered utility belt hummed warmly against her torso and she was well aware how right he was. She could march back into that living room right now grab Star and leave. With the push of a button they'd be back in Jump and she wouldn't have to deal with Robin...Nightwing, until possibly the next worldwide crisis. But that wasn't how a Titan acted. She had taught her friends and students to face their problems and their past head-on and now it was time to take her own advice.

"Hey you listening." Raven asked voice commanding and focused.

"Always."

With a roll of her eyes Raven explained the unfavorable situation and the estimated time of arrival for her and Starfire which ranged from 7 to 12 the next morning depending on if she deemed the use of the belt necessary. The line had been silent for a few moments after she had concluded her report and she patiently waited for his response.

"If you and Princess aren't here by the time Teether wakes up in the morning I'm coming to get you both, and drag you back to Jump by force if I have to. Later."

The connection was abruptly ended and static filled the screen of Ravens communicator. A smile graced her face as she made her way back to the living room following the path that Artemis had shown her earlier. Seeing the anxious faces of her fellow Titans at home and seeing that the tower was still standing gave Raven the motivation she needed to make it through the rest of the night. But just in case she lingered in the secluded hallway for a bit longer mentally preparing herself for the emotions she was about to face.


Zatanna came to a stop outside the cave just short of the main entrance, fingers clutching the amulet in her hand. Despite Wally's outburst earlier Zatanna knew evil and dark magic when she saw it and nothing would convince her that Raven was truly anything but, and had agreed. The gem of Scath did not belong on this realm and they would dispose of it without hesitation when the time came. The amulet came from one John Constantine, master of everything occult, an old friend. Zatanna had told him as little as possible about the situation, but he had assured her that the amulet would be able to imprison all manner of demon, at least until he was able to get to her.

Admittedly Zatanna knew she overreacted earlier but in her profession and teachings nothing good ever came out of dealing with demons and honestly Ravens dark magic manipulation really unsettled her. To be able to negate spells without the use of her own made her incredibly skillful and seeing how fiercely Wally and Beast Boy defended either made Raven a very good friend or a formidable enemy with mind controlling techniques. Regardless had informed her of how unstable Raven's control over her powers were but he had reassured her that the young demon was nowhere as skilled in combat as Zatanna was. If anything were to happen Zatanna was confident that she'd be able to stop whatever plan Raven had put in motion with her 'titans'. She would stay as close to her teammates as possible if something were to go wrong and in order to do that she knew she'd have to play nice.

"Recognized B08 Zatanna"

Beast Boy, Starfire, Raven and Nightwing were gathered on the training mat. Seeing as how someone thought it would be the best place to be if anything were to go… 'wrong' during the conversation. Artemis and Wally had returned home since they were the only two who had civilian lives to attend to in the morning. Whilst Megan knew she was in the room purely for damage control. So it was a surprise when Zatanna entered the room. It didn't take long for her to understand the situation and take her place next to Megan. Giving Megan a nudge Zatanna signaled for her to establish a mind link.

"So what's going on?"

"Nightwing was apart of this team called the Teen Titans a while back, so were a couple of the others and it seems like they have some unresolved issues that Nightwing wants to talk out." Megann answered sending a worried glance towards Beast Boy.

"Talk out? Because the air couldn't get anymore thick in here. By the way where's Artemis and Wally? I have an apology to make."

"Her and Wally went home for the night. Nightwing convinced Raven and Starfire to spend the night too."

"He did what?"

"Nightwing." The formality and harshness of Starfire's tone made it clear to everyone in the room which way this conversation was going. Megan took a few steps back away from the group of Titans with Beast Boy tucked neatly under her arm and Zatanna followed suit. Raven backed away in the opposite direction giving Nightwing and Starfire space. Once a safe distance away Beast Boy sat on the ground, the anxiety of what was to come taking a toll on his legs. They all knew Starfire took it the hardest when he left.

Nightwing, unable to find his voice or an ideal response he gave a nod signaling that his attention was solely on Starfire, he too knew how much he had to make up for.

"You abandoned us Robin. YOU WERE OUR LEADER and where you went friends followed. You didn't tell us anything you just left." Starfire said voice rising an octave.

"I don't understand he was a part of this team first...He only went to Jump for a few years because of a fight with Batman right?...You didn't expect to be a team forever did you?" Zatanna asked with genuine curiosity. They were superheros and being a superhero meant that you had to make sacrifices.

"It's not that." Beast Boy spoke up startling the group with his uncharacteristic seriousness.

"Robin didn't just make a team."

"He made us a family." Raven chimed in. "We were a group of outcasts...freaks... Some of us stolen...others unwanted and unneeded."

Beast Boy nodded in agreement "Dude... Robin showed us how to be a family, sure we fought together but we also ate together, lived together, watched movies had fun and accepted one another." Sitting on the floor Beast Boy's ears visibly drooped. "Do you want to know what day it was when I found out what it really meant to be a Titan? It was the day the Doom Patrol called for me, my old team needed my help and I went. And you know what? Even though I was a member of the Titans I tried to live up to the Doom Patrols expectations. But everything kept going wrong and when we were backed into the corner the Titans saved the day. They were behind us every step of the way and even though the Doom Patrol practically raised me after mom... and were family; the Titans were the family that I got to choose. The family that accepted me as I was and that's what made it so important. I didn't always have to look behind me because I knew the Titans were going to be there no matter what happened. That's why when we woke up and Robin wasn't there we were worried... but when we fought and Robin didn't save the day we knew... We knew you left us without any explanation...we knew but we still waited...and eventually we just accepted it."

"Beast Boy I'm so sorry. I just... I didn't know how'd I explain it...I just couldn't..."

"YOU COULDN'T? YOU DIDN'T KNOW?" Starfire screeched. "THOSE ARE YOUR EXCUSES?"

Nightwing and Starfire stood directly in the middle of the training mat. Starfire circled him as she continue her onslaught of accusations, arguments and new language she'd acquired over the years.

"But Starfire you don't understand." Nightwing shot back fiercely.

"DON'T UNDERSTAND? Well please enlighten me Nightwing because I spent years wondering why we weren't good enough for you." Starfire said as she stopped her rotation in order to stare him down.

"I had to leave. People were waiting on me here. I had debts to repay and apologies to make. I know you hate me-"

"Nightwing duck." Ravens monotone voice cut through his speech and he almost didn't register the orange fist flying towards his face.

Reflexes kicking in Nightwing back flipped to avoid the probably bone shattering punch and landed in a low crouch. Starfire hovered in the air seemingly outlined in her signature green, eyes ablaze.

"Stand Nightwing."

Beast Boy took this chance to activate the training mat. Might as well follow up on that bet he made with Cy a while ago. The mat hummed with a white glow as Nightwing rose to his feet. Seeing that he regained his balance Starfire lunged twisting in the air gaining the momentum she needed for a kick aimed for Nightwing's head. Using his wrist cuffs to Nightwing blocked the kick from connecting and pushed away from her foot somersaulting back.

"Starfire please."

Nightwing's voice didn't seem to reach her as she continued to send as many punches and kicks that she saw opportunities for. Nightwing blocked as many as he could before deciding to go on the offensive himself. Their little battle continued for a while neither particularly gaining an advantage over the other before Starfire finally connected a punch at full force into Nightwing's stomach. Crumbling forward into Starfire's first Nightwing coughed and sputtered as Starfire dropped to her knees in a move to catch him with her body.

Nightwing status: FAIL

Zatanna made a move towards the mat only to be stopped as Megan caught her wrist.

"Nightwing you're a fool if you truly believe that we hate you. Are we angry, disappointed ? Yes. Do we feel as if we are abandoned? Yes. But we could never hate you. You may have forgotten about us and the type of people we are but we haven't forgotten about our friend Robin who we trusted with our lives. The Robin who we all looked up to and would follow to the end of the Earth because we all knew he would do the same for us. We knew about the team that you left behind and we knew about the argument with The Batman but to think that you didn't trust us with the truth or a simple explanation is what hurt us the most. Were we not worth a simple goodbye? Were we just a tool used to cure your boredom? " As she spoke Starfire removed her fist from Nightwings stomach, sitting him up straight.

"I knew how you were feeling a few days before you left but I thought you would have told us what was wrong before disappearing like that. We were terrified, we thought something happened to you, we thought he got his hands on you again." Raven said approaching the two on the floor.

"And if you didn't want to tell us what was going on you could have at least told us you were never going to come back. We looked forever and then only to find you when we turned on the t.v with some other team in some other state was a low blow." Beast Boy said approaching the mat.

"Guys Im so sorry. Please I;m sorry. I should have done things differently. And for you to not hate me... Im sorry Im so so sorry". Miss. Martian and Zatanna only could watch Nightwings back as his body shook in his attempt to hold back sobs. The Titans crowded around their former leader placing their hands on various parts of him in their attempt of reassurance.

"Stupid." Starfire lifted Nightwing's mask off his eyes just enough to brush his tears away.

"It's going to take a while for us to forgive you. Hell some of us might never forgive you we lost a lot trying to rebuild after you were gone. But you'll always be our friend whether you want to or not." Raven chimed in looking away from Starfire subtle display of affection. "Because what you've done, the team that you established, and the family that you gave each of us... is something we could never repay."

"Yeah you didn't give up on us when we hit a low point so we won't abandon you. That's the Titans way. You're kind of stuck with us dude." Beast Boy said giving his signature grin.

Lifting his mask to brush away the tears rest of his tears Nightwing recomposed himself and took another look at his friends. "So what's new with the Titans?" His tone was light and his voice cracked a little reminding them all of the old Robin, their Robin.

Raven rolled her eyes. "Before we get to that you have a lot of explaining to do, like I said it's going to take some of us a little longer to forgive you. Though seeing you get knocked around by Star was quite satisfying."

Nightwing winced. He was sure that with a little more time Beast Boy and Starfire would forgive him but Cyborg and Raven were a different story. Pretty words were not going to override his past transgressions no matter how sincere he was. Actions meant something, words didn't.


So sorry for spelling and grammar mistakes because I know they're there.