Here's the deal… I AM SO SORRY THAT I DID NOT UPDATE SOONER! THIS WAS A VERY LONG WAIT FOR MY USUAL WAITS, I KNOW!!!! I APOLOGIZE SO MUCH!!! THE NEXT CHAPTER WILL COME SOONER (with me as Social-Glytta-Gyal, heehee) THAN THIS DID, I PROMISE!!!

Yes, did you see that I mentioned that Rhustin is also flirting with Blazefire/Lana??? Does this make you excited??? Well, I guess in a bad way, but whatever. Want to know why? Because the guy wants to stay on Earth! And with his girl!!! Which means in the Tower!!!

That was the hyperactive me. Anyway, on with the dedication and disclaimer, and then the story, and then my homework!!! Oh, before I start, I just want to tell you that this is going to have the song 'Torn' in it by Natalie Imbruglia. She's not, like, super-popular, but if you've heard of her, then great! She was also in Johnny English. Or is it Agent Johnny English? I don't remember, but she plays the girl he falls in love with.

Dedication: I forgot to put in a question again! I am so slow!!! Well, anyway. I already dedicated one to Pookey and one to Warprince2000 and another to solodancer789 just because (as in not for contests), so let me move on to another loyal reviewer…how about Savi? Yeah, this one's dedicated to Savi for being a loyal reviewer!

Disclaimer: IDOTT. Yay, I can type really fast now, because I had to memorize where every single key is as a quiz for school, and I aced it, so now I am officially a really good typist!!!

Chapter Ten: Nothing's Right, I'm Torn

After a few moments of what Blazefire thought of as heaven, her head snapped back to reality, and she tore her head away from Rhustin's. "I can't do this," she said with a shake of her head. She had wanted to, true. And she had been convinced by her own mind that this relationship would be for the best. But was he telling the truth – was Lady Alexandria really made up, and had he ever really feared commitment? "I just can't trust you yet," she explained sadly.

Cyborg, who had jumped behind a bush for fear of being seen, was glad that she had said that, but still furious. No wonder she had wanted to be just friends. He was just glad he hadn't poured his heart out to someone who was already in love… with another person.

Rhustin shook his head. "Please, I'm sorry. I was young, and I feared commitment more than anything else. But I've grown wiser, and when you called me… well, I knew that the time was right," he explained.

"I can't," she choked. What about Cyborg? How could she be so desperately in love with both people, who were so different from each other?

"You could before," he said softly. "Think of how we could be together… how wonderful we could be together," he said convincingly, his dark eyes pleading.

I thought I saw a man brought to life

He was warm, he came around like he was dignified.

He showed me what it was to cry.

She couldn't trust him. Even if he really had feared commitment, love would stop him from backing out, wouldn't it? She sighed. Even though her heart was telling her not to do it, he was looking so honest, and so pleading. He was a handsome, strong, and brave person who deserved her, and she deserved him. If he was trustworthy.

Yes, if he was trustworthy, which he wasn't. She had thought of him so much in the dark of night, and how it could have been. But he had lost the perfect chance, and he made her wait around for what seemed like ages. Should she really give him the time of day, even?

She thought of all the times she cried, of how surprised she was that a person could hurt her so much. This man didn't deserve her, she decided. She probably didn't deserve anyone, either, but he definitely didn't.

"Rhustin, neither of us deserve anyone at this point," she said with a sigh. To everyone around her, she was brave and hard, not showing many emotions, but in different ways then Raven. She chose to cover them with her girly attitude, while Raven hid behind books and statues. Still, Blazefire wasn't brave at heart. She knew that.

"You don't deserve anyone, and I don't deserve anyone, which makes us the only ones left for each other," he said with a bit of a grin. "Don't you see? We were meant to be."

Glaring at Rhustin, Cyborg was dying to give him a nice hard sonic blast right through the head, but he refrained. You don't deserve her, but does she deserve me? He pondered. Even though he felt love for her, he also felt heartbroken and angry with her. He was pretty much completely torn. Hate her or love her?

"No," Blazefire said, shaking her head. "I'm sorry… I thought I was ready for this, but I'm not. Please, get out of here," she ordered, tossing a light blazebolt to form a circle around him. It brought him to his spacecraft, which he sadly left in.

"Lana," Cyborg said casually when she spotted him getting up. "Just, um, trimming the bushes." Luckily for him, Beastboy had left the shears out when he last cut them into llamas. He had the shears in his hands, obvious proof.

But not enough for her. Stalker, she thought. But hey, he was probably jealous. And heartbroken, unfortunately.

"You shouldn't do that," he said with a shake of his head. "You played that whole thing up, and then you ditched him." He had decided to lose the act.

"I was just trying to find someone who cared," she said, her voice drifting away in the wind. She leaned on the outside of the tower as she sighed. It was pretty dark out, and it was getting spooky. She hoped he wouldn't take her hint. She hadn't even meant to hint about anything, really.

"Isn't that what your boyfriend is for?" he demanded. "You know, the one in Florida?"

She rolled her eyes at him. "Cyborg." She looked completely serious. "You know me. Okay, I don't even know if we're going out anymore. And I wanted true love."

"From the first guy you found? You told us that guy broke your heart!"

"That's why I refused him," she said angrily. "If you're going to spy, at least do it right," she added with distaste.

"I saw," he said with a shake of his head. "So you lured the guy, then ditched him."

"Can't you just BUTT OUT?" she demanded. She yelled a little louder than she meant to.

"It's not right, what you're doing," he said with a shake of his head. "Maybe you don't need love. Maybe you just need to cool it for now."

"I mean it," she said, tears brimming in her eyes. "If you know what's good for you, Cyborg, stay out of this. I want to be friends, but not if you spy on me and then give me advice that I really don't need right now."

"Yeah, you do," he said in a heartless manner. But he had good reason – he was pissed.

Well you couldn't be that man that I adored

You don't seem to know, seem to care what your heart is for

But I don't know him anymore.

"I think Rhustin-" he started, but she interrupted.

"Take a look," she said, pointing where the spacecraft had lifted off. "There's nothing there. He's gone. So shut up about it." She couldn't believe how rude she was being to Cyborg, but she couldn't help it. She was mad about Rhustin, and now Cyborg. Rhustin had seemed so perfect, and now… this. He was gone.

There's nothing where he used to lie My conversation has run dry

That's what's going on – nothing's fine, I'm torn.

And the Cyborg that she had loved… was he gone, too?

ROBINANDSTARFIREANDREDXROBINANDSTARFIREANDREDXROBINANDSTARFIREANDREDX

"Starfire," Red X and Robin both said when she entered the room.

"Hello, Starfire," Red X greeted soothingly. "Do you remember our little chat earlier? It seems that your little boyfriend decided to spy on you, even though that could mean your life. Of course, I wouldn't kill you, but Slade probably would."

"Robin has dropped the eaves on me?" Starfire asked in surprise.

"No," Robin said quickly. "I mean, I was looking for you, and so I came onto the roof. But I didn't hear anything."

Starfire narrowed her eyes a little. She hated how naïve people thought she was. She was a little oblivious, but she knew what Robin was saying was a lie. Still, he loved her. Of course he did.

"I'm sure there are some video tapings somewhere of Robin sneaking up on us," X said calmly. "Should I go look, Robin?"

Growing hot, Robin said, "You don't know where the cameras are. I don't even know the password anymore, now that Cyborg has the codes. And he's busy trying to get Blazefire to fall in love with him."

"Robin!" Starfire scolded in surprise. "You make that sound completely evil. I find their hidden romance quite intriguing and beautiful." She was very unhappily shocked that Robin didn't see around the same lines as her.

"Sure," he said in dismissal, and then he turned back to Red X. "Can't you just leave us alone?" he demanded. "I mean-"

Starfire shook her head. "You do not care about what I have to say," she commented bitterly to Robin.

"Yeah," Red X said with a grin. "Shouldn't you be more supportive as a boyfriend?"

Robin glared at X, too embarrassed with this to look at Starfire.

"Robin?" she asked softly. "Answer his question."

"Sure," Robin muttered, but he didn't peel his seething eyes away from Red X.

She shook her head, desperately wishing to spit at the ground for no apparent reason. Instead she turned to her two lovers with sadness in her eyes, then spun around and left.

I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel.

I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor.

Illusion never changed into something real

I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn.

You're a little late, I'm already torn.

Could Red X possibly be right? Maybe Robin really didn't love her. Maybe she was better off alone… without love. Love was an illusion, as Blazefire was learning, as well. A perfect life… that was an illusion, too. At least, it was for the two Tamaranian royal sisters.

BACKTOBLAZEFIREFIGHTINGWITHCYBORGBACKTOBLAZEFIREFIGHTINGWITHCYBORG

"Rhustin isn't gone, Lana," Cyborg said with a shake of his head. "Like it or not, that guy has it bad for you. He gave up this time, but it won't stay that way."

"Why would he want to come back? I broke his heart, and now he can't turn back. He left, he understood, and it's all for good."

Cyborg shook his head. "I can see through that, though," he explained. "You're talking about yourself. He broke your heart, and now you can't turn back. You told him no, you and he both understood, and you think it's all for good."

"What are you saying?"

"Rhustin is coming back, and you think he's not. Don't you at least want to prepare for that? I mean, write a letter, or something?"

"Letters are the easy way out, and this is important."

"It worked for him."

"That's not fair. He was afraid of commitment, and of telling me that."

"And you fear something, too. You're afraid something bad will happen again. That another heart will be broken."

"You think you're being wise," she accused. "You think you're so smart, and that you know what I'm thinking, and you have all the answers." She glared at him. "Well, newsflash, robot boy, you don't. No one but me and Rhustin can sort this out, so get out of it!"

"I'm just trying to help you because it's my job! I'm the Titans Leader, and I-"

"Bull," she shouted angrily. "First Robin was like that, and now you are. Frankly, I don't think we need some stupid leader, okay? You're not the best fighter here, and I'm not, either. There is no best fighter. So quit with the Leader act and get out of this."

This was where he knew she was right. There didn't have to be a leader, and they at least shouldn't be like this. But he was still furious. "You and Rhustin couldn't sort this out if your lives depended on it!" he bellowed. "You're some dumb blonde who tied herself up to a vault just to get some guy she was going to ditch five minutes later into coming! And he's the pathetic loser who fell for that! What could you two accomplish on your own?"

The look in her eyes gleamed so many emotions in a short period of time. First was anger, then fear, then hurt, loss, sadness, and finally a look of independence. "I don't need to be here," she said softly. "I don't need to be anywhere with anyone. I'm just a dumb blonde who doesn't work well with others and deserves a terrible life, right?" she asked dejectedly. She didn't wait for an answer. "I can deal with my life on my own." Then she flew, faster than anything he had ever seen, into the stars.

She couldn't even get to Tamaran. Instead she landed on a star and cried her heart out. Cyborg punched the ground as hard as he could and glanced back at the shining, dark sky, wishing she could have stayed… at least for another apology.

But he couldn't apologize to her, and she couldn't apologize to him. There had been so much hurt and so much anger that both of them would probably die from any more pressure.

So I guess the fortune teller's right.

I should have seen just what was there, and not some holy light

To crawl beneath my veins and now

I don't care, I have no luck, I don't miss it all that much.

There's just so many things that I can't touch, I'm torn.

BEASTBOYRAVENANDOFCOURSESLADEBEASTBOYRAVENANDOFCOURSESLADE

"Raven?" Beastboy asked, knocking on her door.

She didn't have to ask who it was, because his scratchy voice was evidence enough. "Come in," she said in her monotone voice.

"Hey," he said cheerfully as he walked into her room. He always tried to be cheerful in her room, because it was too gloomy otherwise.

"Hi," she said with a smile, letting him kiss her on the cheek.

"So," he said, bouncing down onto one of her spooky chairs. "I was getting really sick of fighting the…" He frowned. "Well, I don't really know what they're called, but you know, the four guys who we hate. So, my point is, why don't you go into Slade's mind, figure out where he is, and then go find him like you did for Star?"

"Well, I know it was easy to find her, but that was because it was Batman's old hideout. We probably won't know this place."

"But we might," Beastboy explained. "I mean, it's worth a try, right?"

Raven nodded, closed her eyes, and sped up to Slade's eyes.

What are you doing here, Raven?

Slade? How did you know I was here?

You're quite obvious, you know.

But I was shielding myself. How did you know?

I guess I use more of my mind than the three percent of it your little boyfriend does.

You shouldn't be making fun. Almost every human uses three percent of their brain.

You don't, I don't, Cyborg doesn't, and Starfire doesn't. Robin and Beastboy are weak.

No, they're just more normal.

You shouldn't be normal to be in the Titans, should you?

That's not for me to say. Our team formed this way, just like yours formed your way.

You didn't answer my question.

How can you block my mind, anyway?

Whenever you speak to me, your mind is complex. I guess I arouse… ideas from you?

Excuse me?

Nothing. So, why do you like the little green boy, anyway?

I choose who I love, and it's not any of your business.

I think it is.

Well, I don't.

Raven, I am at a water home last occupied by the late Andrea Worths. Meet me here alone.

Why should I?

You'll learn where we are. And if you don't like us, you can always kill us.

True. Fine, when do I come?

That was quick. May I ask why you're so eager to see me?

When do I come?

Whenever you desire.

Fine. I'll see you… later.

"Raven, why were you talking to Slade? And why are you going to meet him somewhere without us? I mean, why not bring us?"

"What are you talking about?"

"I'm talking about that conversation you just had with Slade. And do I really use only three percent of my brain? And Robin does, too?"

"He might use four."

"Fine. Whatever. So can I come?"

"How did you know about this? My conversations take place in my own head."

"Uh, Rae? You were talking for the world to hear."

She blushed. "I was?"

"Are your powers okay?"

"Yeah. Look, I've got to go."

"Cool. Let me get my hair brushed first, though. You never know what Slade might do if he sees me with messed up hair."

"Beastboy." She rolled her eyes at him. "One, your hair is green, therefore he can still mock you. And two, you're not coming."

"You can't go there alone! That guy, like, loves you! I heard his voice, too, and he was totally flirting with you! In a creepy bad-guy sort of way," he added with distaste, shivering about Slade and about the creepy room he was in.

"You're not coming. He'll kill you."

"No he won't! Why can't I come? It's because you like him, isn't it?"

"Beastboy, of course not!"

"Yes, it is! You like him because he's all smart and cunning and everything, and I'm just some dumb green shape-changer not worth your time! That's it, isn't it?"

"No, it isn't! I just-"

"Raven, don't even try to deny it. You go ahead, dump me and go out with him. It's not my problem that you'll be going out with someone EVIL, though, IS IT?" he shouted. Then he glared at her and ran out of the door with a slam.

I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel.
I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor.
Illusion never changed into something real.
I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn.
You're a little late, I'm already torn.

There's nothing where he used to lie.
My inspiration has run dry.
That's what's going on, nothings right, I'm torn.

I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel.
I'm cold and I am shamed lying naked on the floor.
Illusion never changed into something real.
I'm wide awake and I can see the perfect sky is torn.
I'm all out of faith, this is how I feel.
I'm cold and I'm ashamed bound and broken on the floor.
You're a little late, I'm already torn.

Me:

No worries here, people. I promise there will be our favorite pairings by the end. This one's probably going to have more chapters than Captive did anyhoo, so we still have more than half a story to mend things. And I promise things are going to go uphill from here. Well, mostly. There's still going to be some jealousy, but the apologies will come in pretty soon. READ THIS STUFF, YOU GUYS!!! SOME OF THE STUFF I HAVE TO SAY IS ACTUALLY IMPORTANT, OKAY????

Anyway, you probably haven't heard that song, but if you have, then cool! I know I put the last like whole section in at the end, and I should have spaced it out better… but sorry, I still wrote a long chapter, so be grateful! It's more than six and a half pages long on my laptop! Here are the responses:

Solodancer789: You are so like me. I'm too lazy to see what I write in stuff like that, too. I'd just be like, "whoops," and then get on with the review, just like you!!! Thanks, and I think you would have stopped reading this a long time ago if you didn't like the jealousy thing! And this wasn't exactly a mushy chapter, if that was what you were looking for in this one too, but whatever, they're coming up!

Pookey: I agree with you, Red X is awesome if Robin still gets Star. Which he does, I promise. Here was some BB/Rae/Slade for you. It wasn't exactly funny, but I couldn't see myself making it funny and good at the same time. Still, the idea was funny, so that's good enough for me. Hopefully for you, too. I know she doesn't, but he's being pretty mean to her too now, so they'll get on with it and still fall in love later. But she'll make the bigger apology.

D-I-WaRrIa: You're welcome! -hides- Sorry about telling someone to kill you… -comes out of hiding- Yeah, thanks for welcoming me for thanking you for the pen name, LOL. Hides again. When did I say you liked fluff? Um, I don't remember saying it, but I'm glad you think mine is well-written, that makes me feel good. Comes out of hiding again. I'm glad Babs is going to die, because she deserves it! That was a beautiful signature (LOL) and update your story (or stories – any of them would be nice) as soon as you can!

Warprince2000: I feel kind of guilty that I can't give you a longer review, but you don't really review a lot of words for me to respond to. But thanks for reviewing – that's what makes me happy most of all – and, well, I guess that's all!

Savi: Here's what happens! Did you like it? And I updated! Glasses aren't that bad. I got them and I was way pissed, but then I got used to them, and now I wear contacts most of the time. But don't worry; eventually you think they're not even there. And I'm glad I'm not dead… okay… That's okay, sorry I took so long to update. I saw Bunny Raven, and it was so good! Wasn't it? (I'm assuming you saw it.) I loved your update, and I'm not updating again until your fifth chapter is up! HA! Let's just keep doing this, I guess. Thanks!

Meangenius: I'll respond to all three of your reviews here. So… well, for chapter seven, I guess I am sort of leaving him out, but he has a pretty major part later, I promise. And that wasn't a very long review… but whatever. As for chapter eight, well. Philip takes Blazefire out the door, but then she knocked some blazebolts into him, and she got free and walked up to Cy and Mel. That was for your second question. For your first, there were other Titans, and they weren't even fighting anyway, so they were probably just hanging out waiting for someone to fight them. For chapter nine, that's a really good idea. Even though I'm sick captive stuff, I might use it. I just reminded you in the hallway, so that's over with. Rhustin sucks, I know, but jealousy, my friend!!!! Thanks!

Just so you all know, I'm changing my penname thing, but it's still me!!!! And you'll be able to tell it's me, because it'll still have 'social' in it. But that's just so you'll know that Near Perfection is the same story, just a different author's name. READ THIS STUFF PEOPLE!!!!

Luv ya,

Kweenie (WHO JUST TYPED SEVEN AND A HALF PAGES ON HER LAPTOP! NEW RECORD!)