Author's Note: Thank you so much for your help with my writer's block!

Jaideeeeeyboo: That was the plan for this chapter

Jaqui101: My brain was kinda leaning in that direction, but thank you for tying it together!

I think I can make it through the story, and I owe it all to you guys! Now the only reason I should have for late updates is (Unless the snow doesn't stop) spring break is over on Tuesday, so life will get back in the way. Until then, enjoy chapter 3!

DISCLAIMER: I don't own Teen Titans or any songs mentioned in this chapter

Chapter 3

Before heading back to my dorm, I go to campus security and file a claim against Xavier. They tell me it'll all get sorted out, but until then, do everything in my power to avoid him. I finish the paperwork and walk back to my dorm, holding the birdarang close to my chest. Babs is sitting on her bed, looking concerned.

"Oh my God, Kori, what happened?"

"Remember Xavier Redd, from high school?"

"The crazy guy who set a recycling bin on fire?"

"That's the one. Well, he was my not date tonight, but I didn't remember who he was until about 2 minutes before he tried to rape me."

"Holy shit! Are you okay?!"

"Yeah, I'm fine. Somebody threw this at him and he ran away."

I hold up the birdarang.

"What is that thing?"

"It looks like… One of Robin's birdarangs. I knew he was back! He saved me tonight! I know it!"

Babs groans and sits me down on my bed.

"Kori. You have to stop doing this to yourself. If Richard were back, you would be the first to know. But this obsession with thinking he's protecting you from the shadows isn't healthy."

"But then who-?"

"I don't know who threw that thing. Maybe it was Batman that kinda looks like something he would use. Now go get ready for bed, we have class tomorrow."

I sigh and go get ready for bed. I don't care if Babs thinks I'm crazy, I know I'm right. And there's only one person in Gotham who'll believe me. I'll have to go see her after class tomorrow.

The next night, I drove to Rachel's apartment. In my passenger's seat I have the mask and the birdarang. I turn on the radio and Never Alone by Barlowgirl is playing. Someone once told me this song was religious, but I never interpreted it that way. I pull up to Rachel's apartment when there's about a minute of the song left. So instead of going inside right away, I decided to sing along.

"We cannot separate; you're part of me
and though you're invisible I'll trust the unseen

I cried out with no reply
and I can't feel you by my side so
I'll hold on to what I know

You're here
and I'm never alone!"

I sigh and realize that song fits my current situation pretty well. I turn off my car and head up to Rachel's apartment. She opens the door before I even knock and her eyes widen at my appearance. She taps the side of her nose.

"Uh, what happened?"

"Frat party. We all got really drunk and somehow ended up at a tattoo parlor."

"Ah. Well, come in, I know you came in here for something else."

I follow Rachel into her living room and sit on the couch.

"Want something to drink?"

"Water's fine." Rachel comes back with two glasses of water and sits across from me. "Rachel, have you heard anything from Richard recently?"

Rachel sets down the water and sighs.

"Kori…"

"No, I'm serious! He's back, I know he's back! When I went to that frat party the other night, I remember a dark haired guy bringing me back to my dorm and when I woke up in the morning I found this on my pillow!" I hold up the mask. "And last night, I was attacked by a crazy guy and someone threw this at my attacker!" I hold up the birdarang.

Rachel takes the two things in her hands and looks at them before looking back at me.

"This mask could belong to anyone. It could've even just been mixed up in your stuff from moving out of the tower. And this birdarang… Okay, it's the same technology Robin used, I'll give you that. But look at it Kori, this is not Robin's birdarang. Richard will come back someday, Kori. But he's not back yet. Please don't do this to yourself."

Rachel sets down the mask and birdarang takes my hands in hers.

"Hey. How about we meditate? Like we used to. It might help you focus on something else."

I nod and we move to the room she's set aside for meditation. We both assume a lotus position and chant her mantra for about 30 minutes. After that we head back out to the living room and I notice that she's actually wearing make up for once. Nothing too fancy, just eyeliner and lip gloss, but they enhance her holo ring features and make her look very pretty.

"What are you all dolled up for?"

Rachel blushes.

"Oh, I, uh, have a date in about an hour."

"Ooh, who with?"

"Gar…"

"Gar? As in Garfield Logan? As in Beast Boy who we lived with for three years?" She nods and I grin evilly. "Oh, but I thought you hated him? Every little thing he did got on your last damn nerve?"

"Shut up, Kori."

"Not yet, I'm having too much fun with this! I told you so! I knew you two liked each other!"

"Okay, okay! Fine, you were right, I was wrong! But right now, I need your help picking out an outfit."

I give her a genuine smile.

"I would be honored to help."

RACHEL'S POV

"Hey, don't forget, it's your month to go check on the tower."

"I won't. I'm heading out there this weekend. Bye Rachel!"

"Bye Kori."

I watched Kori get into her car and drive away. I really am worried about her. While we were meditating, I took a peek inside her mind. These things really are happening to her, she's not imagining them. Still, Richard is in Asia, he wouldn't be hiding in Gotham and not contacting any of his former teammates. Oh, well. She can keep herself together. She always has. She even helped keep the team together when Robin was losing his mind over Slade. And to top it all off, she does have a good sense of what looks good on a person. She helped me pick out black skinny jeans and a nice dark blue top for my date. Now all that was left was for Gar to show up. When someone knocked on my door, I rushed to open it, but instantly composed myself. Can't have him thinking I'm TOO excited.

The man standing at my door is NOT Gar. This man is much taller than Gar and has jet black hair that reaches his shoulders. He also has very familiar blue eyes.

"Richard? What the hell are you doing here?!"

"Can I come in? I'll explain everything."

I sigh but step aside to let him in. He sits on the couch and I sit in the chair across from him and cross my arms.

"Start talking. I have other things to do tonight, so make it fast."

He sighs.

"Okay, I really was travelling around the world. Until about two weeks ago, when I remembered classes were about to start at Gotham U. So I came back. I'm not Robin anymore though. I changed my hero name to Nightwing."

"Alright. So why haven't you said anything to Kori? Or to anyone for that matter?"

"I still don't feel… Worthy of her, yet. So I've been watching her and protecting her to prove to myself that-"

"Prove what! What could you possibly have to prove?"

"Rachel, please be reasonable. I know it's stupid, but… When Kori and I went to Tamaran, Galfore flat out told me he doesn't think I'm good enough for Kori. It really damaged my pride."

"Oh, fuck your pride! What about Kori's sanity!" Before he can answer, I go over to him and smack him with each word I say. "What the hell is wrong with you!"

"Uh, am I interrupting something? Whoa, dude! Richard, you're back!"

I stop smacking Richard and turn around to see Gar in the doorway, holding a bouquet of flowers.

"Oh! Uh, hi Gar…"

"Uh, Rachel, why are you beating the crap outta Richard?"

I explain to Gar what's been going on with Kori and he gets mad too.

"Come on, man! Kori deserves to be treated better than that!"

"You're right! You're both right and I'm wrong!"

"As long as you're aware that you're being a moron…"

"I am. What are you doing here anyway, Gar?"

Gar straightens up, not letting Richard intimidate him like when they were teenagers.

"Rachel and I have a date."

"Oh, um… That's great. Sorry I'm interrupting. I'll just…"

"Just go tell Kori that you're back?"

"I will do that, eventually. Not tonight, but soon."

"You better."

"Or else."

Richard nods and heads out.

"Sorry about that."

"Nah, it's fine. Ready to go?"

I smile a real smile. Not the little half smiles I used to give him back when we were Titans.

"Yeah, lead the way."

Aww, some BB/Rae-ness! Sorry if my writing as Raven wasn't very good, I really am better at writing as Starfire. But I hope you liked itanyway. Also, I do not own Never Alone by Barlowgirl, I just heard it the other day and realized how well it ties in with this story. Next chapter, what will Kori find in the now abandoned Titan's Tower? Until then, R&R my lovelies! -Starprincess