These hallways were worse than a riddle's maze. Despite having the one good eye Slade had superb vision for the dark but even he was struggling in these endless tunnels. All he had to guide himself was the faint echoes off crying in the distance. He shouldn't have ran earlier. He was already exhausted and that short sprint had left him clutching the wall for support. It never occurred to him why no one was following him. In this state the Titans could easily take him down, but Slades mind was mulling over so many other things that he was oblivious to anything else. After what seemed like a lifetime of searching Slade came to a door with moonlight escaping from the crack between the frames. What were the chances that this would be her room out of the dozens already built in this place? And even if it is, what would happen?

"I'm the only one can ease her pain" He believed those words at the time but now, standing here, he felt he was the one who was causing the pain. All this was happening because of him. If it weren't for him, she wouldn't be crying right now, she wouldn't have attacked them and she wouldn't be killing herself over a psychotic madman.

Inside the room was bitter with cold. Slade immediately thought this was her room but it couldn't be; the room was clean and the fact that there wasn't a giant hole in the wall made it pretty obvious. He nearly left before he saw her. Right there, where this whole mess started, under the large window with moonlight glaring down on her. Her feet were tucked in, her arms wrapped around her legs and her knees knee's hid her face.

Look what you've done to her. Does that look like the women you fell in love with? You've crushed her.

He'd caused her so much grief already. If he stayed with her that's all there would ever be. She would never let him leave either because she loves him too.

I'll make her hate me. It's the only way.

As he marched over to where she sat, his mind kept buzzing of what to say: you're nothing to me, I never wanted you, everything Beastboy said was true. He thought of one that would really scorn her; I lied so you'd let me fuck you. He stood over her, tall, fists clenched trying to look furious but he couldn't do it. There's a saying that sometimes you have to hurt the people you love because it's for the best. And this would be for the best. But he couldn't do it. So instead he dropped to his knees and cried. He lay his head against her knees and held her hand so tightly.

"I'm so sorry" He sobbed "But I can't make you hate me. I just can't., but I can't love you either. I don't deserve it!" He sprung to his feet to run but was pulled back by the arm and fell to floor where Sarah wrapped her arms around Slade's neck. He tried to pry her off but she only held tighter. "Let go!" he pleaded. "I have to leave!" She screamed at him

"You think you can let me fall in love with you just so you can take it away?" Slade saw her face now. She looked completely worn out. Her eyes, red and blood-shot with tears, stared straight at him. "That's not fair!"

"You'll find someone else. Someone better than me"

"Don't you understand by now? There will never be anyone else Slade. My body chose you and you want to leave?"

"Look at me!" He shouted back "Look at my life. Is that what you want?"

"It would be a life," She said quietly. It took Slade by surprise; all he had ever seen in her life was happiness. Then he remembered.

"Why do you eat organs Sarah? I know I said I knew but to be honest I don't, I just thought it was the best way to make you feel better. I meant it when I said I would do it for you though" She loosened her arms.

"I believed that. The reason why I eat them is because my body tells me, you know that much. I'm sure you've seen the kind of people I kill right? What happened outside was a reaction. All the blood from those people was full of such evil and when I bleed, that allows the evil to escape. They say everyone is born the same but it's a lie. Some people are born to be evil. No, a lot of people are. And my body decided that I should endure that personally.

Slade looked away for a second but continued to listen.

"What I didn't say is that it's what keeping me alive. For too long I've had to kill a lot of people to satisfy my body's desires. It's like being a separate person in the one body. I could have ended it though; just forced myself not to eat them and I would have just died away in peace. But, I didn't want the freedom to die; I wanted the freedom to live. So my body punished me. It erased all feeling in me except pain, sorrow, anguish, grief, misery, everything that would make me miserable."

"But, every time I saw you, you always looked so happy. How could you disguise something like that with such a smile?" he questioned

"That's the main thing we have in common Slade. We both cover our faces with masks. I haven't felt truly happy in a long time. I came here in hope to find a way to be happy. And I did."

"Why me? What's so special about me?" She looked at the floor. Nervously wringing her hands. Drops of tears fell to the ground between them.

"I don't know," she said shakily. "I don't know. When I first met you, I didn't feel the things I do now. Every time you're near me my heart races and I feel like I'm going to be sick. Those first few days were so simple. You were just another person I talked to, nothing serious could ever happen. But you kept getting closer to me and all these forgotten feelings just came out of nowhere. Why are you doing this to me Slade? I don't know what's going on! Please tell me. I want to know what's wrong with me!" Then Slade did something really unexpected. He laughed. It was a small but a definite laugh. Sarah looked up in shock. Slade stared at her confused face and could only smile about what he was thinking.

"That's what love feels like Sarah. And I don't think your body chose me on it's own. I think it was all you"

"But…but how-?" Sarah was taken by surprise as Slade embraced her. Something inside made her tingle. It made her own arms reach up and hold him back. "What is this? I feel, warm"

"Everyone's always said you're strong, but you've never thought that yourself have you? But don't you see? You're stronger than you think. You've beaten what you thought you never could."

"I…" she shuddered, "I can feel you. I can really feel you" For a while they just sat there, holding each other closer than ever before as if the other would fall away if they let go. When they did, there was that little moment of silence where two people just stare at each other. That kind of silence that doesn't make you feel awkward or talk to fill it in. Just a silence that you don't even seem to notice because it's with someone you care about. In that moment where they just stared at each their faces edged closer and closer until the tips of their noses touched. Their chest's met and the pounding of their hearts beat into each other's bodies. Lips parted, skin brushed over skin and they kissed. At first shyly. Then that buzz of adrenalin, nerves and passion kicked in. They pulled each other together, their lips entwined in lustful ecstasy. They became so lost in their moment that they failed to notice that someone had the decency to close the door but the vulgarity to sit and watch through the crack of the door.

Sarah. I'm glad to now you're finally happy. But, why couldn't it have been with me? I know I'm young but in no time I would've looked no older than you. Why him of all people? My enemy. The man who took me away from my friends and blackmailed me onto being his apprentice. Is he really the one you're destined to be with? I remember when you first came here; that day you saved us. I honestly thought an angel came to our rescue. Your power, your strength, your beauty and caring nature. It's hard to believe that underneath all that you were this miserable. I can't believe I never noticed before. I mean, I grew up blocking out what I really felt. I'm ashamed I never noticed. If I had, then maybe you wouldn't have needed Slade.

Everyone thinks I have a thing for Starfire and I know she has a thing for me but anything I felt for her disappeared the night I kissed you. It was sick, perverted and wrong. But, when you just suddenly collapsed like that, I was so terrified. It felt like a knife was being twisted in my stomach. When Beastboy said you were O.K you have no idea what a weight lifter that was. After the others left, I snuck into your room. I just had to see you. Something just took over me. You looked so beautiful lying there. They way you breathed was almost hypnotic and the scent of earth that surrounds you was intoxicating. I had to feel your lips against mine. Just once. And when I kissed you, I couldn't remember a time when I'd felt such excitement shoot through me. I liked it. I loved it. And I just know you did too. You wouldn't have smiled if you didn't. It's that same smile now. He's making you smile the way I did. The way I should. I…I want you so badly. It makes me want to scream. But I'm Robin. I don't show emotions in that way. I keep them behind the mask and let them loose on criminals. Those extra kicks I make only look like I'm taking down the villain. I'm really taking it out on them. They deserve it, yes. But sometimes I kick more than necessary. I twist an arm till it's close to snapping. I grip hard enough for bruises to last for weeks. I admitted once that Slade and I are alike. It's only now I see how clear that really is. But I don't care anymore because there is now a huge difference between us. He has Sarah.

As I lay beside Sarah, watching her sleep in my arms I began to think about our situation. We were finally together but we would never be accepted here. I am their enemy, I played with their lives and now I will taking away someone they all care deeply about. So much has happened in the space of one night that it's almost hard to believe. Out of habit I stared at the ceiling-as I usually do when I'm thinking-and I suddenly heard the creak of the door hinges. I could feel the lines forming on my forehead as my eyes widened. I kept thinking, 'oh crap, here we go again' but no one came in. Maybe it was too dark to see. I kept still nonetheless. I only realised I wasn't breathing when it felt like something had landed on my chest and I let out my breath. I felt these little pads of light pressure moving towards me and I sighed with relief when I realised it was just Binx. I laughed at the thought of myself being so scared. Sarah has played with so many of my emotions tonight; I think I'm beginning to lose control of them. I gently scratched behind Binx's ear; "You played your part in all this too. Shame you never got to be part of all danger-huh?" Something was tucked into his collar. It felt like a paper. A note? When I tugged it out Binx took off right out the door and, unless I gave Sarah a cat that could grow five-foot tall with fingers, then someone had been waiting outside to close it behind him. I threw the covers off and popped my head in the hallway. No one. Just darkness. I remembered the paper in my hand as I curled my fingers. I unfolded to find incredibly neat hand writing-much like my own- written on it. It read: I'll look after Binx. Please stay safe. Robin.

That boy was never one for long, heart-warming speeches. I've known about Robin's feelings for Sarah for a while, they weren't exactly buried deep in the ground but he still managed to keep his friends from realising.

"Slade…" When I turned around I was struck by this urge to fall to my knees. For a moment it was like someone else was in Sarah's place but it was her. She looked so…so…I want to say beautiful but it would seem like an understatement. It was as if something had been drained away from her and everything left behind was causing her to glow. Did her hair grow longer? She sat up with the covers pulled up to her chest and I saw her smile in a new way. Her eyes are soft and warm. That smile so delicate and the red in cheeks makes her look so adorable. She's happy.

She nodded towards the paper. "What that?"

I handed it over, "A note from friend" After she read it she held the hold close to her, "Thank you," she said in a whisper. I wonder if Sarah knows how Robin feels about her. My thoughts were cut off as Sarah spoke, "Well, if I ever come back, at least there's one person I know who accepts me." I smiled at her admiralty. I leaned over on the bed and kissed on her temple. She giggled as I asked, "how do you do it?"

"Do what?"

"It's like you can see things in people that no one else ever can. I mean, I doubt anyone would think twice that I could ever change. And even now, with everything that's happened, you still believe that you could come back here and it would be O.K."

" I'm made of elements Slade. So, in a way I can see things that others can but only in those who don't see it for themselves. Those who are shy and scared really have fiery courage inside of them; people who look successful and happy are really as depressed as a wet, cloudy day and those who appear to be as cold as snow are desperate for the light of spring to shine down on them." She seemed to be looking at something that wasn't there. She must have encountered all kinds of people to be this specific about who people really are.

"What did you see in me?"

"Something very rare Slade. This world has been corrupted for so long that I thought there wasn't any of it left"

"What"

"Light." She placed her hand on my chest and stared straight at me. "You've kept it hidden from yourself for a long, long time. When I first saw you it was the tiniest little spark. It really could have gone either way for you. The darkness could have consumed you entirely"

"Sort of a 'love concurs all' thing isn't it?" She laughed softly then it grew louder and livelier than I'd ever heard her. I felt myself laughing too, I haven't laughed like this in who knows how long. It felt, perfect.

Robin sat alone on top Titans Tower, well, not alone exactly; he had little Binx keeping company. He scratched behind the black kittens ears, mumbling away about how much he would miss Sarah. It was a little relieving to let out the words he'd kept inside for so long. But still, it wasn't enough. Talking to a cat wasn't what he really wanted to do. What he really wanted was to take her away from him. To love her, in the way he is. When the first talked together Robin felt himself feel safe. He may be the boy wonder-the all fighting, crime-stopping poster boy-but inside there was Richard. Little Richard Grayson. The young gymnast who lived in the circus with his parents all his life and saw them die before his eyes. The image still haunts him at night. Years have past since that night but the scars are still there.

To Robin, Sarah had this atmosphere of a mother about her. That's what made him feel so safe around her. But he felt disgusted with himself that he couldn't keep her safe from everything that happened. It was too late to think like that now. He was too late to do anything now. All he had left were the memories and the things she left behind. He held the locket in his other hand, running his thumb over the engraved word written on it. A token of trust they shared together. He hoped that something would have grown between them because of this. But it was too late. He nearly lost himself in his thoughts of her when the sound of the hatch door opened. When Sarah's head popped into view, Robin felt his spirit lift. He wanted to run up to her, beg her to stay, ignoring everything his head told him, until Slade came into view. It didn't matter that Sarah was happy now because of Slade, Robin's anger towards the man was swelling up, threatening to explode. He just kept staring at Slade as he climbed out and was taken by surprise when he felt himself being embraced by warm arms. He welcomed it. This warmth was so new to him, it really felt like the kind of warmth your mother could only share with you. That safety and security of knowing that someone will always be there to love you, no matter what you do. And when she pulled away, taking that warmth with her, Robin was close to tears.

"You have no idea how good a friend you've been to me Robin. Because of you I think I'll have the courage to come back someday." she held his face in her hands. "You'll see"

"You're really going?" he said. He was struggling to hold himself back. He really wanted to cry.

"Yes. Thank you for always trusting me Robin."

"I said I would didn't I?" He forced a smile but inside his heart was being ripped apart piece by piece.

Sarah stepped away, much to Robin's dismay, and Slade came closer. He held out his hand in front of Robin. Robin just stared at it dumbly.

"Truce" said Slade. Robin held out his own hand, knowing it would please Sarah but pulled away seeing a chance.

"Only if I can see you face"

"But I'm-"

"Oops. My fault" Sarah giggled. Robin wasn't sure what that meant, but when she waved her hand Slade mask disappeared before his eyes It wasn't quite what he expected. His hair was close to silver and a little longer than Robin's with strands falling over his eyes. Robin expected scars over scars but all he could see was the one where Slade's eye once was. He was younger than Robin expected too. He'd hoped that Slade would at least be less attractive than him, sadly no. He was perfect for her. Damn him he thought. Reluctantly, Robin shook Slade's hand and felt like he could be sick when Slade smiled at him. "You can stay and watch if you like, Robin?" said Sarah.

"Watch what?"

"I'm going to show Slade how to use his powers. You're welcome to watch."

"Powers? What powers? You mean he can create water and fire and wind and stuff?"

"Not exactly but pretty much. It's sort of a package deal" she giggled. Robin just sighed and nodded. He didn't really want to watch but he forced himself anyway.

Sarah and Slade stood hand in hand on the edge of the Tower. They turned to face each other. Robin strained his ears to listen.

"So, how do I do this?" asked Slade

"Don't think too much about it. Wind is the simplest of all elements. Just, don't think about becoming wind, let the wind become you. Look at the world and see yourself as it. It, is adapting to you." She wrapped her arms around him, resting her head on his chest. "Let it all go. Let everything you feel in the moment consume you until you become what you feel" Robin's eyes narrowed as a bright light suddenly came from nowhere. He used his hand to block out what he could and he could just see Sarah and Slade in the distance. They were glowing, Their hair shining white, their bodies gleaming brightly. That was when Robin felt the tears flow, as he watched them kiss. It was heartbreaking for him but he continued to watch. He watched as their bodies seemed to evaporate from the feet up. Inch by inch they were disappearing. The air grew colder and Robin's hair waved erratically in his face. Almost gone. The sound of the hatch door caught Robin's attention. It was Beastboy. A look of horror and shock on his face. He screamed to Sarah, he ran towards her. Then Robin tackled him to the ground, pining Beastboy's arms to his sides.

"You can't do anything! Leave them! Just leave them!"

"NO!" Beastboy morphed into his bear form breaking Robin's grip. He ran towards them, reached out his hand to grab her. The last thing he saw was Sarah's eyes looking into his as she faded away completely. Robin watched as the white light vanished into the wind leaving Beastboy on the ground, crying.

"I'm sorry Sarah" He cried "I'm sorry. I didn't want to hurt you. Please forgive me. Come back…come back" Robin rested a hand on Beastboy's shoulder. Beastboy didn't need to be a puppy to have the eye's of one.

"She'll be back. You'll see" Robin stared at the sky

And when you do, I'll make you pay, Slade. Enjoy being with her while you can.