Behind these broken mirrors

by Mrs.ClarkKent4

He lost her. Nothing he could do could save her, the one thing that mattered, that gave him peace and love. And he failed. Everything changed after her, and so when he is blessed with a second chance, he is going to give his all. Even if it takes his life in return.

25. Chapter 25

Chapter 25

(Or really Chapter 24 part 2)

How can you see into my eyes like open doors? Leading you down into my core where I've become so numb.

Without a soul my spirit's sleeping somewhere cold until you find it there and lead it back home.

Superman raised his head when a beeping sounded, alerting the heroes to a change in signal transmission. "What happened?"

Wonder Woman's eyes narrowed as Manhunter turned, "The signal strength has increased."

"Can we get a lock?"

"There seems to be... an interference." He pointed to the screen, "There's something else out there that is preventing us from identifying the signals."

"A distraction," Wonder Woman crossed her arms.

Superman pressed his lips together, "Not for long. Diana, get GL and Batman and Flash."

"He's with Wally."

"Then Captain Marvel. We need to discuss a tactic."

"For what?"

He opened the door, "To intercept whatever the hell they sent."

xxx

Wake me up, wake me up inside, I can't wake up, wake me up inside

Save me

Call my name and save me from the dark, wake me up, bid my blood to run

I can't wake up, before I come undone

Save me

Save me from the nothing I've become

Do not be fooled

For the face I am wearing is not true

This mouth does not speak the thoughts that are behind these eyes

Where is the key?

Far away...

Unobtainable

What do I do? Where do I go?

My feet want to run, yet I walk

My hands clench in impatience

What more can I do...?

My lips burn, holding back the scorching screams

Hidden, silenced

Does anyone notice? Can no one hear

the desperate soul chained behind the wall I put her behind?

I am racked with guilt

Come back, come back...

Where is my answer?

Where is the soft breathing, the contagious laughter; the fun, the joy, the rhythmic beating of her heart-

Where is the girl? A past that slips through my fingers...

I cannot hear her voice, so alive and soothing

I cannot see her face, warm with happiness

Nothing could damper her smile

Where is the comfort that surrounds her, faces and smiles she knows so well. Where is their joy?

Where is his kiss, his touch... The passion which he held her with...

What happened to her?

What happened...

The wall will not crumble. My fists continue to bleed with each pound, the wall never shaking, never moving. But I didn't stop. The blood tainted my palms, smearing on the wall, oozing, crawling down my hands.

Onto my fingertips.

Onto the floor

Drip, drip drip

"Let me in!" I screamed. "Let me in!"

Chuckle, low and demonic, "There's nothing here for you..."

"Lies!"

"Nothing to save..."

Punch, "You are hiding her!"

"Nothing..."

Call out to the girl. Scream. Scream.

Come back, come back...

"STARFIRE!"

The wall cracked-

Koriand'r jolted awake. And winced immediately at her headache as her hand fumbled in the dark for the magazine she knew was the reason for her passing out. She couldn't believe it; the second her eyes finished the first sentence, her body went cold and her vision blacked out.

Good. It meant she was close to something. And whatever that was preventing her from reaching Starfire was fully aware of exactly how close.

She will cross the barrier, she will heal her soul.

The wall had cracked...

Koriand'r took a deep breath and moved to open the magazine.

Futile... Give up.

"No," Koriand'r glared.

No point... coming...

"Let them," she growled under her breath, the ugly creatures flashing in the back of her head.

Death either way... All... Nightwing...

Her fists clenched, rumpling the magazine, "No... They will not touch him. And if I should fail... you will perish with me!"

She opened the magazine.

Fool! the voice cried just as green eyes landed on the page. The background was a complete disarray of destroyed buildings, overturned, mangled vehicles and large clumps on blackened concrete and charred objects littered all over.

People were photographed running, screaming, terror-filled eyes caught in time. Buildings were on fire. Some in the process of collapsing in on itself. Rubbish and dirt filled the air, the sky a mixture of dark grey, black and red.

Koriand'r's hand lifted up a bit in shock.

The voice was dangerously quiet.

She took in the image before turning the page, not reading, not wanting to. It was roughly the same thing. She turned the page again.

And in the very center, the picture taking up both the left and right pages, was her young Nightwing, not as tall, not as broad shouldered due to still being in an adolescent, but it was him! The Richard her heart aches for! She felt tears in her eyes when she saw his spiked up hair.

Then she realized something.

He kneeling on the floor with a girl in his arms.

Nightwing hunched protectively over her, the straining of his arms visible as he held onto the girl with all his might. His face was buried in her neck, but a little of the side of his face could be seen and the smeared red on his cheek was hard to miss. Nightwing's uniform resembled the background from the slashes on his sleeves and back, his wounds causing concern to rise in Kori when his own blood was seen seeping into the black of his uniform around the wounds.

Fool, it whispered.

But Kori didn't look away.

Then she glanced at the girl.

Blood. Blood everywhere; on her exposed legs in the form of claw-like slashes, on her ankle that rested at an awkward angle; it trickled down the limp, orange arm and puddled underneath the girl in a small dark pool. The tattered purple uniform was soiled by red and dirt as crimson hair spilled over Nightwing's cradling arms.

Her body was in a leaned back position, Nightwing's right knee under hers while her neck looked strained from the way her head fell back. Red stained Nightwing's black gloved hands that clenched at the girl's waist and arm in a way that expressed brokenness indeed. In clear view, the girl's face was peaceful, with closed eyes and relaxed pink lips. Without all the gore and depressing scene, she was honestly beautiful. Like... like Sleeping Beauty...

Koriand'r gasped out as something stabbed at the base of her skull, her hands clutching at her head. Noise filtered in through the silence around her, dull and echoing. A ringing pierced through the faint thuds, yells, heavy breathing and what sounded like the cackling of fire. Car horns... screams... buildings falling... grunts... Noise muddled together.

Too much.

She clutched tighter, holding her hands over her ears to block off the sound and winced at the cry of a baby.

Then Koriand'r's fingers began to tingle as if she were losing blood circulation until she couldn't feel them at all.

She swayed where she kneeled.

Ground yourself. Understand what's real and what isn't, and see what you want to see.

Kori took a deep, haggard breath, exhaling and inhaling again almost desperately and moaned at the next jab at her temple, eyes watering.

... make it small... Focus and listen only to the beat of your heart... it's only you.

Ba-thump, ba-thump, ba-thump

Focus...

The shaking of her hands decreased until they were steady again, the noise reducing to only a ringing.

Ground yourself. Accept it, don't fight, but focus.

Another breath. She closed her eyes and concentrated.

Accept...

When her eyes opened, the pain receding, she was no longer in the closet.

Instead... she sat on top the edge of a tower...

Sunset casted the sky in a dance of colors above the city in the distance, puffs of clouds swimming in an ocean of reds, blues and orange.

A fifteen year old Starfire looked somberly out, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear when the wind carried it away. She was thinking, words reciting in her head...

'Give it up, little sister. You'll never catch me! You may be faster now, but still not fast enough!'

Kori could see a dark form flying ahead of her into the sky.

'I'll always be faster than you!'

It was disappearing.

'I'll always be stronger than you! ... I'll always be better!'

Starfire sighed.

"Hey, Star. Why the long face?"

She turned and couldn't have smiled if she tried at the boy walking up behind her with a worried frown. The wind carried his black and yellow cape over his green sleeved shoulder. She didn't like the way his handsome face was contorted in worry for her. He shouldn't have to worry. Not for her.

She looked back out at the city, "She was right, Robin. Blackfire will always be stronger than me. And faster than me. And she will always beat me because she is simply better than me."

"Better than you?" He asked, slightly surprised as he dropped down to sit beside her, following her gaze over the horizon. "Sure maybe at some things. But not the important stuff. The right stuff. And who cares if she beats you at everything? You know, it's not about winning or losing, but how you play the game."

When Robin put his hand on her shoulder reassuringly, she looked back at him and saw his signature smirk, "And no one plays a better game than you."

She softly smiled.

Koriand'r couldn't move to wipe her tears before another memory sucked her in. People she didn't know yet recognized filled her mind, all laughing and mingling around. A black and yellowed girl rushed forward-

"'Ey, Star! Why aren't you over here with us?"

She smiled at Bumblebee, "I am enjoying myself over here, thank you. Please, carry on with yourselves!"

The Titan frowned, Jinx and Raven coming up behind her, "Awe, c'mon girl, this is a celebration! You should be happy!"

"I am! I just..." She caught Raven's pointed glance and sighed, "I just hope he enjoys this."

Raven moved forward, touching her arm. "He will, trust me."

"Are you certain?"

"Well, let's find out." She smiled, nodding at the double doors of the common room that in the next second swished open, Starfire jumping in surprise. A chorus of cheers and claps erupted from all around the room, loud and strong above the music as all the air in the princess' body left in a gust of awe.

A grin flashed across Nightwing's lips, an embarrassed chuckle escaping while he rubbed his face with his hands, "You guys...!"

"Who's that handsome devil!?" Kid Flash called out, the boys falling in a fit of laughter before rushing forward to greet their leader. Some gawked at his new black and blue uniform and equipment, excitement lighting up their expressions at the same time most of the female Titans swooned.

Raven gave Starfire's hand a light squeeze before joining some of those females to keep them in check and the alien tried to look over the crowd gathering around to see the only one that really mattered. She heard his laugh, his voice above Kid Flash's, but couldn't see him. He laughed again. And Starfire smiled to herself.

As long as he was laughing...

Turning to the table of treats and snacks, she quietly giggled at Beast boy who was currently beating Speedy in a game, his cries of victory drowning out the red suited boy's groan. Beast boy heard her giggle and sent a playful wink her direction before they both heard Nightwing ask a question. Her green friend grinned and pointed to her, "It was Star's idea! She planned it! I picked out the balloons!" He boasted and gestured to the black and blue party decorations. Speedy grabbed a handfull of blue, black and silver confetti from the table and threw it at Beast boy's face, gaining a chuckle from Raven.

Starfire glanced at Nightwing to see the softest expression ever to grace his face and felt her cheeks flush when he nodded, "Thanks Star."

"Y-you are welcome," she smiled back, waving her hand quickly only to be deflated when the Titans began to berate him with questions about the new gadgets, the boys howling gusto at his escrima sticks, wanting to hold and test them and basically fought over Nightwing's attention. Starfire's hand slowly fell and she faced back to the snacks.

Nightwing stood a bit up on his toes, trying to see past those around him and frowned a little when he saw she wasn't looking. "St-"

"Hey, dude, what does this do!?"

"These sticks are sweet!"

"Uh, yeah, thanks," he murmured, his eyes flickering across the room.

Beast boy and Raven looked at each other before the green Titan elbowed Cyborg at his side. He looked up as Beast boy nodded toward her and called, "Hey, Star, wanna come play?"

"I am fine, thank you. Please, continue with the whooping of Speedy's butt," the princess held her hands to her chest, watching the characters on screen and not hearing Kid Flash as he slapped his friend's back, "So, what's Nightwing's first mission?"

She didn't see him become thoughtful, glancing over at her. She didn't notice when he suddenly pushed past the crowd of Titans, who gained curious expressions. She didn't hear the low shocked gasps of those around as they realized something before her or the footsteps approaching from behind.

Starfire didn't even have time to react when her arm was grabbed in the most caring, yet firm way and was spun around, her lips suddenly being pressed against by another's. At first, she only felt the tingle of a handful of languages running through her head, but then thought, wait, I already know these. Then she widened her eyes to see, or not see really, another pair hidden behind black and grey. Starfire moved to break away, aghast, before the hands on her tightened and his lips parted.

Her heart stuttered.

She knows these lips, even though she only felt them once, she knows them!

Then Nightwing's hand moved to her lower back while the other rested just underneath her breast, holding her side as he sighed into her mouth. A chill crept up her back at his taste, her mouth automatically opening up to him.

He bent his head lower to her.

And Starfire melted.

Her own hands found residence on him as well as they instinctively lifted to his neck, holding him out of unconscious fear that he would stop at any moment, her lips parting along with him. His taste engulfed her, sending her heart into a frenzy of absolute joy at actually kissing him. Nightwing! He was kissing her!

The shock of what was really happening was over the second she felt the tip of Nightwing's tongue on hers, his arms now secure around her waist as he held her closer than he's ever have before. He had her positively, absolutely, incredibly trapped and Starfire wanted to do nothing to change this.

Their lips fit and met perfectly, their tongues engaging in the slowest of dances, testing and experimenting before they fell in a perfect rhythm set long before their time. Nightwing's kiss was warm, soft and glorious and made Starfire feel... perfect. Completely, simply... perfect.

So this was a kiss...

Starfire's hadn't even realized she was floating, her ankles crossed in the air with her arms now winding around Nightwing's neck while their kiss deepened. She could faintly hear the loud whistling and cheers that sang around the two, louder than when he first came in. She barely heard Cyborg's distant 'Booyah!' It was only him. And her. Them.

He softly broke the kiss, their lips parting with a light sucking sound and pressed his forehead against hers. With their arms wrapped around each other, they both shared a dreamy smile, her eyes glazed and twinkling gloriously while he whispered, "Mission accomplished."

She grinned and tilted his chin, reconnecting their lips.

"Oh," Koriand'r breathed, leaning heavily against the door as the memory faded. Her fingertips brushed along her tingling lips, paying no mind the wetness on her top lip from the tear. She drew in a choppy breath, "Richard..."

Dead...

She winced.

Gone...

"No..." She whispered and shook her head.

You left him...

"No!" She cried, shying away from the magazine.

Left... him... Alone

"Y-you're wrong. Your words mean nothing to me."

Dead... Gone.. soon...soon...

Her fist clenched, "Enough with you! I will not listen to a thing you say! You are- ahh!" Kori gasped at the sudden stab in her chest, heaving forward and staring widely at her hands.

Dead... Gone... soon... Promise...

She fell onto her side when the world around her spiraled out.

"... right here. I'm right here." Nightwing whispered by her ear. She tried to see past the blurriness that clouded her vision to see the one she truly wanted. And when she did, she forced all of the strength she had left into her hands to hold him as tightly as she could. The pain... It was too much. It hurts! It hurts!

"Shh, it's okay. Don't cry. Stay with me, Star. I know you can hang on. Raven will get you better. Just hang on. For me." Starfire felt lips in her hair, desperately wanting them to kiss away this tormenting blaze within. But it didn't and she knew it never would. Starfire finally found something his kiss couldn't heal... She hated herself.

Her body couldn't contain the spasms of her muscles, trembling violently hating that Richard was here watching it all. Don't look at her... Don't remember this... Please.

"Cyborg, get them away!" Raven shouted. Starfire's heart gave a weak, but painful throb at the desperation with which she shouted with. No, sister, do not fret... Not over her...

Something wet and warm pooled underneath her lower back. Raven's distant voice echoed in her now numb ears, "No. No, no Starfire don't-"

The blaze licked at her.

She couldn't contain the scream.

"Starfire! Hang on, please hang on! I'm so sorry," Nightwing pleaded, his voice cracking. "I'm so sorry."

"Dick… I… can't…"

Starfire heaved and shuddered, barely able to meet his eyes again as he pleaded.

... "No. C'mon, baby, don't give up. I'm right here, don't give up on me." His begging... It almost pained her as much as the blaze. His image was faintly blurry, yet she was always aware of his touch and voice. "I love you. Do you hear me? I love you so much. I want to be with you always and forever. I want to wake up with you at my side and go to sleep with you next to me. I want to marry you and grow old with you and have babies. You want that, don't you? You have to hang on. Please, I love you!"

She couldn't see his eyes. She wanted to see his eyes. Then the mask was gone and she sighed as those peircing sapphires looked at her with so much love. Commit those eyes to memory. Never forget those eyes...

Something grabbed her hand and Raven's calming voice broke, "I'm so sorry. Forgive me. Please, forgive me."

Always, Raven...

Nightwing's shouting. No. Do not shout. She didn't want to hear him in pain. Laugh, my love, whisper to me, you set me at ease. Sing to me, Richard. Shh...

"I love you. I love you so damn much. You're not leaving me. Do you hear me? You're not leaving me! We're getting married or did you forget? You're not leaving!"

I would never forget... I do... I do, Richard... Show him, prove to him that I do. The ring... my ring... look, it will never leave my finger. I love you. I love you, "Rich…"

Darkness filled her vision.

Her fingers slipped from his cheek.

"S-Stop," she cried to herself, echoing in the small, empty space around her. "Stop! Please! It is too much!"

We're so sorry. He's going to hate us. I failed you, alpha. We should've protected you, not the other way around. I love you, Starfire... We're so sorry…

I'm yours. Forever. I know that's what you were trying to say. You're the only one. Wait for me, wherever you are. Please, wait for me...

"E-enough!"

Something was hurting her. She felt it, deep inside... It was dull and barely there, but its presence was uncomfortable nonetheless... Where was X'hal? She did not see or feel her. Where was X'hal's energy? Wait... where was her energy? She felt so... so... empty. What was this- wait -was this her hand? And her hair? How- no, she was dead! She shouldn't be feeling anything!

Wake up!

Her eyes flashed open.

Clicking filled her ears.

Koriand'r arched, in utter pain before her vision began to narrow, fading.

... marry me...?

Everything went black.

xxx

Now that I know what I'm without, you can't just leave me

Breathe into me and make me real

Bring me to life

...

Koriand'r glared.

...

And glared.

...

And punched.

She was back where she was before, when she first passed out. Standing here in front of this blasted wall that wouldn't move, she took out all her frustration, hurt and anger, communicating them with her bleeding fists.

She couldn't wake up, so she was stuck until her body found strength and she couldn't control her dreams so she was a prisoner to whatever comes at her.

Secretly... she wanted something to come.

Her fists were growing tired of just hitting wall.

But really... she needed a distraction. The last thing she wanted to think about was that she-

"No," Kori gasped, stumbling forward a bit. An aching centered in her chest. She furiously shook her head, "No..."

"Can't handle the truth?"

She jumped, startled, and whipped around to come face to face with her reflection. No, not her reflection... whatever this thing was, it definitely wasn't her! Those green on green eyes were soulless and cold and her face screamed death. Her presence sent eerie shivers down the princess' spine, her feet ready to run from this demon. The figure may have Koriand'r's features, but it was nothing like her.

So that's why Koriand'r felt stronger than she looked, glaring, "You finally came out of hiding. Coward."

"Hiding?" It's detached voice said. "It is you that has been hiding..."

"No! You-"

"Me? Why, I was here this entire time," its voice cooed.

"Where is Starfire?"

"I am Starfire."

"Do not lie to me!" Koriand'r yelled and the corner of the figure's mouth twitched up. "You may look like her, but you are nothing but a monster!"

"A monster?" Then it mocked hurt, it's soulless eyes watching her closely, "You have not even given me a chance..."

"I know it!" Koriand'r's fist shook.

"I am no more of a monster than you, Koriand'r. We are one and the same."

"Demon! You wear her face!"

"But it is soo pretty..." Twitch of the lips, "Would you like it if I changed my appearance?" Then its form rippled, shuddering as it changed into something that had Koriand'r jumped back in fright, hands flying to her mouth as a wave of tears filled her eyes.

Richard smiled back at her, "Am I a monster now?"

"H-how dare you!"

"No? Then perhaps..." Donna looked at her now with a cocked head, "this? Or this," Changeling, "Or..." Bruce.

The alien pressed herself against the wall to put as much space between them as possible, shuddering when it took a step forward, "Which do you prefer? I can be anything you like... want... I can," Richard's hand extended to her, "be anything you desire..."

"Get away from me." She ground out.

"I can be better, Koriand'r... Allow me to show you," he touched the tops of her arms, his touch so familiar that it rose goosebumps on her skin. His warm breath washed over her face, muddling her thoughts, "Give me control... and I will give you pleasure... fulfill your needs... Take everything away and become your dreams... Koriand'r..." Those lips whispered directly over hers, brushing them with the softest of touches and the princess felt her will start to succumb to the sudden and intense lust-driven desire to kiss him, "Just submit to me... submit..."

At those words, the spell broke, releasing Koriand'r as she remembered those words from another mouth, in another language, and with her shriek, she furiously pushed back the entity, "NO!"

It stumbled back, surprised and slightly caught off guard before glaring and appearing several feet away. The new distance gave Kori room to breath as she sucked in air, eyes never leaving the cold, green ones reflecting back at her. She was looking at her face again and growled, "No."

"Fool," it snarled, dull red hair falling in its face.

"So you have said..." Koriand'r leveled her glare, "Why? For what reason do you fear me?"

It laughed and the ugly, high pitch noise grated on Kori's eardrums, "Fear? No, my dear, I believe it is you who fears me. I-"

"You wish to prevent me from remembering," her fists tightened, "You are hiding Starfire. You are afraid."

The smirk dropped from the entity's face and its scowl became dangerous, murderously so. "Hiding her?" Something shuddered. "Or are you just blind?"

When Kori turned, her knees nearly gave out.

The wall was gone.

It had disappeared, leaving nothing behind to prove it was ever even there. But this was only a quick observation that was forgotten the instant her gaze fell on the most breathtaking sight.

And the most broken.

A girl laid on her side, curled in herself, though her hands were limp and weak. A river of red flowed away from her head and sprawled around her elegantly, a few strands falling in her beautiful face. Oh, beautiful it was, with those full, parted, pink lips, long black lashes framing her wide, but closed eyes. Smooth apricot skin, soft features. Welcoming presence. Breathtaking warmth. Purity.

But something was wrong... those pretty red, alien eyebrows were pinched and lowered low over eyes that were squeezed shut. Those plump lips were twisted over white teeth that grinded against each other as if holding back a scream. Her chest heaved, Kori now seeing that her hands clenched and unclenched weakly, body shuddering every few seconds. The girl gasped a silent cry as she curled tighter in on herself when a very faint ringing was heard before it disappeared. Then Kori noticed something else... The girl was naked, a part of her long hair draping over her body to hide her bareness, but it wasn't this that shocked her; no, not at all. It was the scars that marked nearly every section of her body, long and jagged, short and precise, littering over her skin in cruel twist. Just like what she saw in the shower.

Koriand'r's chest constricted when she recognized the expression of agony on her face and automatically stepped forward, hand reaching.

And instinctively jumped back when the entity appeared behind the convulsing girl with a pretty little smile on its lips, "Nuh-uh... No touch..." Koriand'r's eyes flicked frantically back and forth between the two as it bent to the girl, grabbing a fistfull of hair before yanking her up on her knees, the alien stiffening at her short yelp. The girl's hands tried to grip the wrist of the hand holding her, "Beautiful, isn't she?" Its grip tightened.

The girl gasped.

The alien's arms lifted, palms held out, "N-no! Do not hurt her! Please."

"Can you feel this? Can you sense her pain?" It mocked, "Or are you too disconnected from this half of your soul?" and released the hair, the girl slumping back onto the nonexistent floor. But Koriand'r couldn't move.

Her soul. "Get away from her."

"Your other half... Is this what you came for?" It crept closer to the heaving, wincing girl, "What you want... Go on then... Take her."

The girl feebly looked up as Kori started, "What...?"

"Here she is," it waved.

The alien didn't move, her heart drumming away.

There she is...

"N... no..."

Both Kori and the entity glanced down at the gasping girl who glared at Kori through strands of hair, "D... do not... fall... T... trap..."

The alien stared at her closely, seeing nothing but feirce determination and brewing anger in her hard face, "R... run..."

Her eyes widened and looked back up with discovered horror, meeting the snark gaze of the entity, "You... You were the one who gave me the hallucinations. And Starfire... told me to run... Yet... She has not been the one to stop me! She's never stopped me! It is you! YOU. You are the one preventing me from searching, to find out the truth! You are the one who speaks back to me and turning the dreams dark! You are the one who was trying to trick me into running away from the memories while she told me to run from you."

"You can never run from me."

"I do not plan to," Kori glared back, "I am not running anymore."

Those lips twisted. "You idiotic, pathetic, little-"

"Z'vok, smö!" Starfire snarled, and Koriand'r's eyes widened at her curse. English's profanity was nothing like what Starfire just uttered and Koriand'r felt within her a proud, admiring laugh about to burst forth at her cuss. But when the entity's eyes flashed, ringing filing the air, Starfire arched in pain and choked.

"No! Leave her alone!" Koriand'r yelled and the entity's eyes dimmed, the ringing stopping. She dropped to her knees to pick her up but Starfire weakly shook her head and for some reason, Kori obeyed. Though she still glared, "Is this what you are doing? Torturing her so that she will not rise against you."

"She couldn't if she tried."

"You are afraid."

"I fear nothing!"

She locked eyes with the girl who was now curled up, her lids heavy and almost closing and Koriand'r immediately pieced it together, "You are afraid. You have been doing this all along while Starfire has been giving me the visions! Though you pained her, she still went against you and fed me memories, despite you're suppression! You have made her weak and trapped and discouraged me! ... But Richard gave her strength to give me that last memory."

"A minor set back."

"Release her!"

"Even if I wanted to, I cannot."

"Why? What have you done!?" She shouted.

And when the entity laughed, shivers of dread shot up and down Kori's body, her instincts suddenly on the verge of frenzy when the laugh that echoed throughout this black abyss didn't sound at all like her, but- "You were never bright, were you sister? Time did nothing but make you even more stupid!"

She froze as the entity darkened, black oozing from the roots of its hair, slowly seeping through the red strands until it was only black that was seen. Its green on green eyes flickered and brightened before violet crept into the irises and the green bled out. A sick, sadistic smirk spread across this new face when Koriand'r stumbled back, slipping, and terrifyingly tried to crawl away though unable to tear her gaze from the woman standing over her.

A broken moan escaped Starfire's lips. "It's been too long, sister... I was getting worried that you forgot about me." She laughed.

And Koriand'r became as motionless as stone, "... Black... Fire..."

"Ah, you didn't forget. Oh, special me! You forget your pathetic little friends yet remember my name in a second. I suppose blood is thicker than water, right sister dear?" Laugh and both Koriand'r and Starfire shuddered. "Did you miss me? Did I cross your thoughts? I have been lonely without you... very lonely..." violet glimmered, "Do not leave me again, sister, stay... here... with me..." She stepped forward.

Koriand'r numbly shook her head.

"So, so lonely..."

"No!" Starfire yelled, but she only got as far as finishing her cry, raising her head and shoulders before falling back on the floor as purple flashed. When she opened her eyes enough to see, another strangled cry escaped when she caught sight of Koriand'r on her knees, being dragged forward a bit by the claw-like hand gripping her throat, her fingernails digging into Blackfire's wrist. She was pulled in until her face was mere inches from the one that paralyzed her body in fear. Its breath smelled of burned flesh and blood.

"You ask what I've done to her... but the truth is I've done nothing. You did it, Kori. You were the one to put her to sleep, asking Raven to lock away your energy and memories... But you see, I am your energy. I live in you, breath off you... I am a part of you... You cannot get rid of me. I infested your body, contorted your mind, took your life," fingers dug into her neck. "and you thought a little block would hold me...? You thought you could return and not me? Do you not feel it? Do you not hear...?" A ringing filled the silence behind her hush, "They call to me, Kori, and I answer. They are coming and I will lead them to you. Remembering your past and memories may relieve the pain, just a little, but in the end, your blood will be spilled once again." The ringing heightened and Koriand'r paled when the entity deeply breathed in, her palm increasing in temperature against Kori's skin as the violet in her eyes shimmered, "Do you feel it? The signals empower me, sister, feeding me, made me strong enough to repress your other half without so much as the slightest effort."

"Y-you-

Blackfire squeezed and Koriand'r choked, "I will admit, your will is... strong, as well, and she may have gotten some memories through... My intention was to allow the devastating ones to consume you, fill your nights with nightmares, drive you to the brink of insanity, suicidal tendencies... But, alas, it was not meant to be. It does not really matter. With memory comes energy. You did not think this through. I will just wait till they get here and do away with you." Her grip loosened, releasing a near blue Koriand'r who sucked in a large gulp of air, choking and coughing where she hunched over herself, not seeing Starfire's eyes dreadfully closed. Then Koriand'r looked up with a daring glare.

"Why wait? Why not kill me now?"

Blackfire's expression was always on the edge of vacancy, that smirk being the only thing keeping it from doing so until now as it dropped from her lips, "If only... I'd rather much wait to course through your viens again and force your hand on your friends."

"Why?" She fought to stand, knees shaking, "You can touch me, certainly you can kill me. What are you waiting for? Are you positive you can?" Her glare hardened, "Or is your pathetic cowardice and fear that I could stop you keeping you from doing so?"

"Watch your mouth!" Blackfire snarled, black filling her eyes until no violet can be seen.

"The signals make you strong... But my memories fuel my will! They make me strong as well! And if memories serves, it is me that breathed again." Her fists clenched, "Jealous, sister?"

Starfire's eyes snapped wide open as Blackfire lunged forward, Koriand'r grunting when her back smacked to the ground with the black and purple girl sitting on top her with both hands at her throat as she bared her teeth, "I am the drug inside you, I control your core! I blister your soul as she fades away! The heat boiling under your skin... That is me. Me! I AM your energy! I am your DEATH! Your soul is MINE!"

"No!" She growled between her teeth and Blackfire's glaring, glowing eyes widened when she twisted her wrists a bit off her neck, "It is MINE! And you will not stop me!"

"You will DIE!"

"And you will go with me!" She bucked, throwing off the snarling girl as she jumped on her feet and sprinted as fast as she could to where the panting girl lay. "Sta- OOF!" Koriand'r tripped and her chin connected to the ground, biting something in her mouth and she tasted blood. Looking over her shoulder, she saw Blackfire holding onto her ankle, her expression twisted menacingly until Kori kicked her in the face, releasing her ankle. She ran again to Starfire, sliding by her side and raised her hands-

And screamed once as she was stung back, her palms burning from whatever it was they touched instead of Starfire. Koriand'r looked at her in utter astonishment and confusion before trying again and yelled when she touched the invisible wall shielding her other half. Her other half who slowly shook her head, in quiet pain, "... Can... not... reach... nnuek... Ti-"

"I need to get you out! Help me!"

Starfire's body became extremely limp, "Fade...ing... Trapped... nnuek... Ti-"

"Ah!" Koriand'r yelled when the entity slammed her against the wall, Starfire wincing in pain.

"Kzhe, nuphork'a vekka rao! Glorek ba szen'kiru, shanek!"

Koriand'r twisted her body, slamming Blackfire into the same wall without sparing Starfire an apologetic glance when she gasped in pain, "You are the bitch, too, sister!"

Her arm whipped out and the alien was thrown back with a short yell. The taste of blood was stronger now as the black and purple girl towered over her, snarling, "You can't reach her! You can NEVER reconnect! Why? Because you are not strong enough! You will NEVER be strong enough! I DOMINATE YOU!"

"Not anymore!" She cried out on instinct.

"I will ALWAYS be stronger than you! I will ALWAYS be faster than you because I will ALWAYS be BETTER than you!"

"Maybe so," she whispered, glancing at Starfire whose harsh breathing smoothed out a little at her remembering another voice; another voice that eased the pain... "But not in the right things. The important things... and there is one thing I am better at."

The entity's face contorted as she reached for Koriand'r at the same the ground began to tremble, specks of light poking at the darkness. Blackfire and Starfire looked around as the lights shimmered and flickered, the trembling now accompanied by a nest of noises. Noises that didn't bring Starfire pain, but had her sigh in relief. The entity shrunk back, "What is this? What are you doing!?"

Koriand'r smirked a bloody smirk, "Playing a game. It's called..."

The light peeled away the black as the noise became louder.

"... Hide..."

Blackfire spun around and shied away from the growing light, "What!?"

"... And seek."

The light shattered what was left of the black, noise warping around as the entity leaped at Koriand'r with a snarl but didn't reach her as she materialized away. Her body disappeared as the alien girl fell from wherever it was she was laying till she hit water. Warm, soothing water...

She kicked up and broke the surface with a gasp, shaking the hair out of her face when a voice chuckled, "Okay, now that's a show off."

Koriand'r spun around and held her breath when Robin smirked down at her, arms crossed, red and black trunks dripping with water like his black hair did over his mask, "And you call me conceited."

Another laugh sounded and Kori looked behind her in mild surprise when she saw a younger Starfire swim up, passing through Kori as she brushed her hair back, "I believe it is putting you in your place!"

"Yeah, alright," he said sarcastically and reached out a hand to her to which Starfire smiled, taking it, but flew up and gained a laugh from him. Koriand'r watched as he playfully pushed her shoulder, "Show off!"

Starfire giggled, flying over Robin in a little twirl before diving back down into the water and Koriand'r blinked when he sighed, a little smile playing on his lips.

The alien swam up to where he was standing and walked passed, the area around her shivering and changing before she was in a new area, a living room... In confusion, she looked around, taking in the long red couch, high tech computer in the corner and large window that gave a breathtaking view of the water and city far off. A kitchen was off to her right, door on her left. Koriand'r stilled as voices disrupted the silence, forms appearing and soon she was surrounded by young, aggravated Titans fighting over foolish things as Starfire passed through Koriand'r with a cold chill, trying to calm her friends.

Her mouth dropped open when Cyborg, who was running from Beast boy, caught on the necklace she was holding, tearing it. The beads fell to the floor and Starfire screamed, "STOP!"

Koriand'r eyebrows shot up when the teens listened, freezing in place as they instantly stopped their loud insults and yells. She looked at her past self, seeing her hands come together as she pleaded with her eyes, "Friends must never behave this way! And especially not on Blorthog! Do you wish to invite the Rekmas?"

The alien's eyes widened in recognition as Beast Boy scratched his head, confused, "Geshundheit?

Starfire sighed, "On my world, Rekmas means the drifiting. The point of which close friends begin to drift apart and their friendship begins to die."

Cyborg spoke, "Oh, come on Starfire!"

And Beast Boy jumped in, "We are so not Rek-whatevering!"

Koriand'r turned to Raven whose voice shocked her with its emotionless, detached tone. Her Raven didn't speak this way... "We're getting on each other's nerves a little. Big deal."

Then Robin spoke, his voice immediately her favorite sound as it she listened to this younger tone. Her Richard's voice was deeper, more manly, but this voice... It was just so... She felt her eyes close when he offered reassurance to Starfire, smiling softly, "Yeah, this is just typical roommate stuff. We're not going to drift apart, Star. I promise. We'll all be friends forever."

Koriand'r smiled to herself: always promising her things... And Starfire frowned a little, "Forever?" But he didn't answer her as an alarm sounded and he looked at the alert on his communicator, spinning around to his team, "Titans trouble!"

But the alien was transfixed on the young girl who glanced down at her beads before lifting into the air with glowing green eyes.

Then she was plunged into the middle of a fight, yelping and ducking when a green lion jumped over her with a growl before getting zapped by what looked to be electricity. She ran behind a corner as he fell, a yellow armor suited man standing over him before Raven and Cyborg attacked. She blinked in remembrance. This was all familiar. Yes, she knows this place and she knows that face; he was... a controller of time or somehow connected to time travel and she... she... Oh, what happened this day? Remember. Think!

"...very bright future ahead of me."

Koriand'r snapped up when she heard herself growl, Starfire's angry green eyes glowing as she impulsively flew forward and into the man and gasped when Robin jumped up, just a few seconds behind before he leaped after Starfire who now entered the worm hole. Robin had lunged forward with all his might and Koriand'r saw the strain as he tried to grab her, his hands clutching at air as she disappeared, and flipped onto the ground. There he whipped around, his eyes wide and disbelieving and she could see the shock register on his face as he yelled, "Starfire!?"

Then Koriand'r fell into another area with snow and wind and felt a chill creep up her spine as she stood and hugged herself. Why is she cold? How can this be? Why did she feel... empty? A sound caught her attention and she turned to see her younger self shivering just as she was, the same confusion in her eyes as they both looked around and froze together at the sight of a broken, old tower.

Koriand'r's eyes widened.

She followed Starfire inside the tower, constantly fighting herself to keep up with the memory as the sight of the rundown, dirty and broken home stabbed at her something awful. One look at her younger self and she knew they both shared the same feelings as Starfire called out to her friends, sadness and loss threatening to enter her voice.

When a Cyborg in disrepair suddenly stood in front of them, Koriand'r finally remembered. She remembered this day, going through the worm hole and entering this alternate time line where she had disappeared. She remembered the broken down Cyborg, a miserable Beast boy, an insane with loneliness Raven and- and... The memory before her flickered constantly, Koriand'r now watching the entirety of this day unfold in the blink of an eye until a long haired Nightwing stood in front of Starfire, gazing deeply into the eyes that he hasn't seen in twenty years, "... There isn't time."

Then she was back at the tower, Cyborg yelling joyfully in Raven's ear, "Happy Blorthog!"

Beast Boy scratched his head, "I thought it was Blort-hog."

Starfire happily placed a necklace on Robin, a wide smile on her face as he cocked an eyebrow and smirked at her, "So ... Nightwing, huh?"

The memory ended there.

A spot of light flickered to her right and Koriand'r jumped into the memory.

She stood behind the Titans who were gathered in front of the computer screen, a green boy by the name 'Kwiz Kid' challenging Robin at his detective skills in order to save a blonde haired girl named Kitten. At the sight of her, both Koriand'r and Starfire glared, huffing in annoyance as Starfire said, "As much as I dislike the one who calls you 'poo', and wish to see her fed to a drokbor, I suppose we cannot allow her to be harmed by this quizzical villain."

"I hate to say it, but she's right," Raven murmured by her side and then when Koriand'r blinked, they were at an aquarium, Beast boy singing a jingle while they searched for the clue. Raven cocked an eyebrow at Starfire while Robin asked, "But where's the clue?"

"As much as I'd like to pretend not to see the clue and similarly pretend that Kitten does not exist, if I'm not mistaken there it is," she pointed inside the tank and Beast boy quickly went to retrieve it. Robin analyzed this, going over the riddles in deep thought as Starfire suddenly picked up a map of the aquarium and looked at him with not-so-innocent interest and hope as she tried to distract him, "Oh, the spectacular seal show begins in a few minutes..."

But he didn't acknowledge her, the Titans continuing in their quest to solve the riddles and save the girl Koriand'r suddenly hated so much. In the next second they were in the car, looking for the tallest building when she suggested, "And are we sure Kwiz Kid meant this city? Perhaps we should inspect the tallest buildings in neighboring cities such as the ever-exciting Tokyo or... the exotic Cairo!"

Raven leaned toward her, "You're not fooling anybody."

Then they were at the library, Robin looking around, "Now we just have to find out where he hid his next clue," to which Cyborg groaned.

"Aw, man! I hope he didn't put it in one of these books!"

Koriand'r almost giggled at the sudden spark of hope in Starfire's eyes, a smile spreading across her face, "There are thousands of books to look through here! We may never find the clue!"

But of course Robin figured it out, deducting that this vilain was fond of sharks and therefore the clue was in the section of marine biology. His impressive detective skills, the clear focus way he went through the investigation impressed Koriand'r to no end and she found herself respecting him so much more and sensing his leadership. She sighed in admiration as he pointed out that the shelves were dusty instead of one particular spot and gawked at herself when Starfire quickly tried removing the dust from the other shelves in another attempt to throw Robin off. But he found it, again without acknowledging Starfire and Cyborg praised him, "Impressive work, Robin!"

Kori's heart went out to the red haired girl who somberly looked down, "Yes, quite impressive..." And looking back at Robin, she realized with a start that this is Richard, her Richard, the one who kisses her so dearly, held her so tightly; this focused, determined young hero with a mission at hand and unwillingness to turn away from it was her Richard. This distance, the aloof way he disregarded her, just as he did in the pool... It was all here and Kori... Kori... understood.

He was trying to complete the mission. Save the girl.

'... And I was given strict orders. You wanted to be protected, to be safe and away from danger and I'm trying to give you that... Everything I'm doing is for your safety and I have been going insane trying to make sense of everything you put me through! ... Why do you always have to challenge everything I say? ... If you had only listened to me none of this would have happened, but did you? ... You were the one that told me and the Titans to protect you. You wanted this.'

"I'm sorry," Koriand'r whispered to Robin who spun on his heels, the memory shifting as the Titans and a sad Starfire followed. "I gave you a mission... and you only wanted to fulfill it... Now I'm taking it away. Forgive me, my love." She reached out to touch him, but her hand only went through his cheek, his form rippling from the interaction as he confronted Kitten who tried to flirt with him.

Starfire was seething in the background and Koriand'r knew just the feeling. But before she could go over to herself, the argue shuddered and she again stood back on top of the tower, watching Starfire watch the sunset with that same somber frown. Kori held her breath when Robin walked up behind her, passing through Koriand'r, "Hey, Star."

"Hello, Robin," she quietly greeted, looking at him as he sat down beside her and scooted a bit closer when she looked away.

"Crazy day, huh?" He pressed his lips together when she only shrugged, a habit picked up from Beast boy, "Look... about Kitten... don't let her get to you. I know some of these people we go up against are... freaking annoying, but we still had to save her. To be honest, I didn't even want-"

"Do you think she is pretty?" Starfire abruptly asked and gazed at him curiously when a chuckle burst forth before almost glaring, "I mean it."

"But why?" He smiled and Koriand'r could see the effort in her past self's face at not letting that smile affect her, "Who cares? She's not important."

She sighed and looked off, "I suppose not."

"Why do you want to know?"

"Why are you suddenly so curious?"

"Well, you asked." That smile grew. "Just want to know why."

"Why so intrigued as to what my reason is?" Starfire asked, liking how the air suddenly became playful and the banter that was about to begin, but Robin ruined it when he actually became thoughtful, saying quietly:

"I like knowing what you're thinking."

Her cheeks flushed a light pink and she looked away.

"Please don't be mad at me."

"I am not mad at you. I was... only frustrated."

"You mean jealous?"

"W-what?" Her mouth dropped open, "No!"

"Oh?" Robin smirked, nudging her arm with his, "So... you're not jealous?" His smirk grew when she sputtered.

"P-please!" Starfire blinked rapidly, trying to pull off innocence but failing when she blushed, "Of that shanek? Never!"

"So... you weren't jealous. Really." That smirk tugged at Koriand'r's heart and Starfire fought not to look at him.

"No! I just- I... she is so very aggravating."

When he laughed, Starfire's shoulders relaxed and her lips turned up in a small smile as he nodded, "Ya, I guess you're right." Then he looked at her through the mask with a hidden spark in his eye, lips pressed together before suddenly leaning toward her and pecking her cheek. His lips stayed no more than three seconds on her skin, but it summoned a tidal wave as her heart jumped inside her chest, heat filling her cheeks as she widely gazed at him in awe.

Koriand'r's hand rose to her mouth as Robin leaned away again, that smile still on his lips as he whispered, "You're much prettier than Kitten... No competition there... C'mon, let's go beat Beast boy and Cyborg at that new game they got!" Grabbing her hand, he stood and tugged her back inside the tower, leaving Koriand'r to think over these memories as her own heart raced. She remembered this. She remembered going down and doing just as Robin said as they beat the boys and he challenged her to a game. She remembered playing for hours, just her and him until she yawned in a late hour, falling asleep during the movie they were watching and Robin carried her to her bed. She remembered waking up just enough to feel his lips on her cheek again, and opened her eyes to see him walk out of her room, the door closing behind him. She remembered.

A speck of light swirled next to her and Kori touched it with her fingertips, the air shuddering.

Then she was at a park, turning in place as she tried to find the Titans and caught sight of them as their forms appeared, running around each other, an egg-shaped ball in Cyborg's hands as he waved at Nightwing a few feet away, "'Wing!"

A green cheetah jumped in front of Nightwing, but he responded by jumping on the animal's back to catch the ball and Cyborg yelled, "Booyah!"

She turned again and saw Raven and Starfire sitting under the shade of a tree, Raven crossed legged with a blue robe, Starfire's legs relaxed and bending at the knees on her side as she leaned toward Raven with a giggle.

The girls whispered to each other and Koriand'r smiled when Raven tucked back a loose piece of red hair and realized with surprise that Starfire's hair was much shorter. It only reached her shoulder blades and Raven shook her head, "I still can't believe you cut it. Let me grow it out. I can-"

"No." She shook her head, "I like it this way."

"You're a horrible liar."

Starfire sheepishly looked away and Raven giggled a light sound, patting her knee, "It's okay. It means so much anyway. I owe you."

"Raven-"

"Look, the boys are being stupid! Well... more than usual."

It was unmistakable that Nightwing and Beast boy were trying to show off to the girls and this was the reason for their giggling as the boys would often glance over at them to see if they noticed and made the girls feel silly. But Raven told Starfire to pretend she didn't notice and if they didn't acknowledge them, Nightwing and Beast boy would try harder, which they did. One time Nightwing just got so into the game and flipped up and over a few kids on the monkey bars who shouted 'whoa!" and 'cool!' and he grinned, automatically looking over to Starfire who honestly hadn't noticed as she was leaning toward Raven again. Koriand'r saw the slight hurt in his face.

But Starfire quickly made up for it, finally noticing that the boys started to drop the ball and not put as much effort into the game. She flew up and over Nightwing, ignoring Raven's 'where are you going?' and when then ball came at him, she darted in, snatching it away with her tongue sticking out. Nightwing blinked at her before smiling, "Hey!" Starfire flitted around in the air, dipping in his reach and out again. He chased after her.

Koriand'r felt contented as he jumped in the air, trying to get Starfire while she continued to taunt and tease him. Raven immediately followed suit and her laugh was beautiful as a green puppy tried to catch the small ball she created with her magic. She was even more pleased when a pretty blonde striked up a conversation with Cyborg, smiling kindly at his constant blushes.

The princess turned, stepping into the swirl of light where the air around shuddered again and walked into a purple room, the sky dark and twinkling outside the wall length window as two people spoke softly on a round bed and she stilled when she saw Nightwing holding Starfire's hands. He was in his uniform, his mask shielding his eyes while Starfire wore only grey warm ups and a blue tank top with her hair in a pony tail. Koriand'r felt her heart jump when she remembered; she was sick, down with a cold that surprised the Titans; who knew such a common human illness could deter a Tamaranian as large burst of energy exploded out of her hands with each sneeze, and hindering her flight momentarily. Raven had concluded that by being on Earth for so long, her alien immune system had been compromised. Nightwing had made her stay home.

Koriand'r remembered being lonely by herself. She remembered talking to someone through the computer, smiling at an older face with similar red hair and gruff yet still soothing voice, "... My little bungorf..." She remembered the Titans coming home before leaving to an alert, though Nightwing stayed, holding her in his arms and she appreciated the attention. She remembered the laughs, kisses, cuddling all leading up to the serious conversation unfolding, confessions, tears, and- and...

Nightwing bent his head, his voice breaking, "...and I- I..."

"Richard?" Starfire asked, her own voice wavering as the name she was just entrusted with felt foreign on her lips, yet as soon as it was said gave her a warm feeling. The corner of Nightwing's mouth twitched as he himself welcomed his name in her voice.

Then he spoke again, but his words escaped Koriand'r's ears and she practically ran to her younger self's side, staring at him widely as Starfire reached up to his mask almost hypnotically and took it off, tears glistening in her eyes as she saw for the first time his sapphires. Her hands shook a bit as she held his face, "R-Richard..."

"Starfire... I... I..."

Koriand'r couldn't breathe when his black lashes became damp, his blue eyes slightly red as he looked at her with so much longing, passion, care and love. He pressed his lips together and sniffed once just before laying his heart at her feet, "I... love you."

Then Koriand'r stood and quietly walked to the door when he leaned in to kiss her, their kiss deepening quickly as Starfire cried and he held her so tightly that she almost couldn't breath but didn't care. Her arms had been just as tight, they had to be, for any looser the boy she was holding would have fallen apart as he whispered between each kiss, "I love you... I love you..." Now at the door, Kori paused and looked behind her shoulder at the couple now laying back in the bed, Starfire whispering back.

"I love you, too..."

Koriand'r walked out the door.

She took slow steps down the hall that started to shift and tremble, the metal fading and soon she was walking down a wide, long hallway with elegant drapes falling from the ceiling, warm wind blowing gently through the open spaces between the engraved pillars on her left. It reminded her of a balcony. And for some reason Koriand'r thought of a courtroom just behind the corner she passed and a courtyard below where she stood. A large red sun was half hidden behind the red topped mountains in the distance.

A noise tickled at her ear; a child, male, hiding behind one of the thick curtains that draped down. Then another sound was heard.

Koriand'r walked over.

And became stiller than stone.

It was a child, a male child, perhaps no more than four that sat next to another, older one, wiping his tears and pouting. A mess of deep red hair, as rich as hers, fell over his beautiful, wide green on green eyes. His cheeks were just adorable in their roundness and his small body looked even smaller in the royal purple and black uniform he had on, only a bit of silver outlining the belt and sleeves. A silver crown sat at his side but he paid no mind to it as he hiccuped, wiping his eyes.

Koriand'r was filled an urgent need to wrap this tiny creature in her arms and hold him tightly against her chest while whispering promises and kissing his forehead. She wanted nothing more than to prevent those tears from ever falling from his eyes again and bring whoever caused them to justice.

But when her hands went through the boy, her own tears filled her eyes, but were held at bay when another set of hands, small and dainty appeared on his cheeks, thumbs rubbing away the water under his eyes. They both shared apricot skin. Koriand'r watched in wonder as the youngest Starfire she's seen, no more than eight, leaned forward to kiss his nose, her long red hair half pulled up in elegant braids that twisted on top her head while the other half waved down her back. A thinner, more feminine crown rested on her head as well as small silver beads in her braids. She wore a purple dress, sleeves slit up to her shoulder and allowing the silver armbands to catch light. A silver and black belt cinched her small waist, the skirt flowing out and tailing behind her with shiny linings of silver. Silver, glitter-like makeup swirled out of the corner of her eyes as the emerald on the gorget on her neck sparkled. Her bright green eyes opened to look lovingly at the boy at the same time the alien realized that this dress was a royal dress, one fitted for a princess.

Both children shared the same black framed green eyes.

And when she spoke, Koriand'r understood every word of her Tamaranian tongue. "Shh, my sweet Ryand'r, Kom will not hurt you now."

"She is mean!"

Little Starfire frowned, blinking, "She... is only having a stressful day. She is now at the age of ki'lanz, as I will be soon; a lot of pressure is on her. You will understand when you are older and I will be entering ki'la. Do not take her words to heart, dear one. Komand'r means well."

"She is horrible! How can Father and Mother even think to celebrate her ki'lanz? She will not be Queen."

"Ryand'r hush!"

"It is true," he said, knowledge combating his age, "I heard them speaking; if you beat Kom in the arena and the guards, you will be-"

"That is enough," Starfire reproached. Ryand'r pouted, "We will not speak of this. Kom will be Queen for she is the rightful first born and Father will declare it. When you are of age, you will take the crown as king."

"She will hate me."

"Kom loves-"

"Is it not taboo for Tamaranians to love, sister?" Ryand'r asked, Koriand'r seeing great maturity in his young eyes. "Love will get you killed."

Starfire pressed her lips together and comb his hair down with her hand, "Then, Ryand'r... I will die loving you."

The little boy's lip trembled and he rushed forward to hug her with his small arms, "No! Do not die. I love you, too!"

Starfire giggled and hugged him back, kissing his temple as he murmured in that adorable voice, "Do not leave me, sister."

She pulled back with a reassuring smile, "Leave you? Absurd! I would not leave you for anything. I promise. Stay by my side tonight, little brother and celebrate with me Komand'r's ki'lanz." She grabbed his crown and placed it on his head, "A fine prince you are, my love."

"Kori, can I have some zahg?"

She grinned and stood, lifting up her skirt a bit as she floated a few inches off the ground, "If only you can beat me to the kitchen..."

Ryand'r gasped in excitement and took off into the air, Starfire purposely flying a little slower behind him.

Koriand'r stared after them with not a thought in her mind, her body numb and unfeeling as she stood with a slight wobble and continued down the hall that started to materialize away, the light being stripped by black and soon she walked down the same abyss she was thrown into, staring at nothing. Just kept walking.

And stopped at another speck, though this wasn't the spiral of white and silver as the others, but a dark blue and silver, so small that she could hold it in her palm. But she didn't. She didn't reach out to it. There wasn't a need to. She knew what memories this speck held and wasn't sure if she was ready. Did she dare? Is she strong enough?

She sensed a presence behind her.

Koriand'r turned halfway around, her hands never raising, "Why did you leave me?"

The broken girl lay helplessly just a few feet away, her long red hair flowing down her bare scarred back and over her shoulders and she hugged herself, kneeling with her head bowed. "I had to. I had to split our soul. I wanted... to give something back to Richard... anything."

"A shadow?" She asked between her teeth, anger fueling in, "A mere fraction? An incapacitated, disabled, cracked, and obeying little princess; that's what you gave him! You gave him nearly nothing! You gave him a broken piece of glass!"

Starfire shuddered and shook her head once, "I... did not.. mean..." She looked up with those bright, almost pupil-less green eyes and Koriand'r felt a jab in her chest; her eyes weren't nearly as bright as those. "I... am... sorry."

The alien quickly averted her gaze as cruel words threatened to spur out of her mouth at her other half, but before she could fully calm down and think clearly and logically, Starfire spoke again, "What... did you.. do to...?"

"I sent her through a maze of memories; she is currently lost trying to locate us. I found you first."

Her brows pushed together, "How did you...?"

"I suppose I am stronger than you wanted me to believe," Starfire shrunk at her hard gaze, "Why? Why did you do this to me? To him? Them! Why did you not reconnect with me before she, it, grew stronger? Why did you leave me powerless?" Koriand'r faced her in a fury, "Why are you not doing anything? Starfire! I need you!"

"No!" She yelled when Kori impulsively reached her hand out to her, shaking her head with fear clouding her expression. But the alien didn't listen and stumbled back at the shock given from the invisible wall. Starfire winced, "You cannot... The realm... I tried... Believe me, I tried."

"Realm? What realm?" Kori gasped, her expression twisted in anger.

"I... I split our soul..."

"I know that."

Starfire stared at her, pleading her to understand, "Raven... came to retrieve... but the pain... I was afraid... asked her to split... return with only half..."

"I know-!"

"... The other half... remained... In..."

"... Remained? What do you mean remained? Remained where?"

Starfire hugged herself tighter and Koriand'r dropped to her knees, trying to keep their gazes locked, but saw the struggle to just keep her voice heard. "Tell me. Please. I will not, cannot, go back knowing but a fraction yet still nothing at all. I beg you... Please. Tell me. Everything."

"It will do no good... Memory... will not connect us..."

"Please."

She shuddered once, "You... We... a Titan. Born princess of... Tamaran, younger sister of Komand'r and older of ... Ryand'r... But Kom... considered a curse, but you were loved, cherished... Komand'r's hatred led her to betray us... captured and experimented on... made you stronger with more energy than any Tamaranian besides Blackfire... escaped, but you couldn't save Ryand'r... engaged previously to Karras but was captured again and sent... Gordanians... tortured and experimented on, raped, punished until you killed your guards... decapitated... took down the ship and escaped to Earth, but was followed..."

"Robin."

Starfire paused as she took in Koriand'r's detached tone before nodding once and shuddered, "Robin and the others came together... helped and saved... became friends and he formed the Titans. He trained us... prepared... and protected the city as heroes. Our friendship... grew... Without knowing, we became a... a family..."

Koriand'r gasped.

All at once, memories came crashing down, never stopping as they came in pounding, devastating waves that rocked her to her core as they flashed in front of her eyes: missions, memories of flying, shooting star bolts, punching, kicking training, before memories of the Titans stabbed at her chest, knocking all the breath out of her mental body when she remembered spending time with the young Titans: Robin, Cyborg, Beast boy and Raven, laughing and fighting, arguing and spending time together as their friendship bloomed. Then she hunched forward in pain as every memory of Nightwing hit her like no other, every night spent in his arms, every kiss, every whispered word and token of love ever exchanged as well as their arguments and shouts. She remembered entire conversations, his body, his hands on hers, his lips everywhere, his voice.

Immediately after were memories she never tapped into,memories of a grand room with elegant furniture, maids and servants and guards standing at her command, waiting to fufill whatever it is her little princess heart desired. She could remember running down the halls on her young legs, playing with other children and feeling uncomfortable and agitated at male sons of nobles who tried to court her. She remembered being carried by a giant man who held her so dearly, his affection fatherly, and could see another girl glaring at her behind his shoulder.

Then she was older, seeing through eight year old eyes as she held her crying little brother, kissing his cheek and smoothing back his deep red hair before the memory shifted to her hands holding a sword that was plunged into a Tamaranian warrior when her father threw her into an arena, Komand'r shaking in anger just a few paces away as their father declared an heir to the throne. Koriand'r's heart sunk deep in her chest at the sight of Ryand'r cowering behind the wall, staring at her in fear and admiration.

Then she was eleven and fought desperately to reach an eight year old Ryand'r who was being pulled and dragged away by wounded, bleeding Psions as the ship was about to self-destruct. She screamed and thrashed, reaching to him, his wide green eyes begging her not to leave him when a hand grabbed her from behind and Blackfire pulled her out of the window into space a second before the ship exploded. When she gained consciousness on a nearby planet, Blackfire attacked, tears streaming down her face as she blamed Starfire for Ryand'r's death.

In the next memory, she was pleading her father to protect her. But Blackfire had got to him first and she was captured again by Gordanians. Experiment after experiment, torture, rape, her small, fourteen year old hands taking life after life before destroying the ship. Flying, bonded, Earth, Robin, fighting her before fighting for her, the kiss, new friends... the Titans, growing, learning, a family blooming, trust, love, care... Acceptance. A new beginning. Nightwing, Raven, Cyborg, Beast boy... so much like Ryand'r...

Koriand'r sobbed one loud sob, though these mental tears never fell from her eyes and that only made it all worse. Starfire was quiet, feeling everything she was, yet it was still strangely dull for they were still half, cut down the middle, split. And yet, the pain was still crippling. What horror it would have been had they been connected... "You fell in love. They showed you... love... A new family..."

Koriand'r gasped and moaned again, holding her head.

"Blackfire... came back... Different. She arrived with Karras... you to be his bride... infected with a drug that summoned the warrior within, heightening its senses, instincts and feeding off your energy... It became your warrior, twisting it into something more than it was... though it fed, the drug had the energy multiplying rapidly... too much... Unstable. I couldn't control it and the drug couldn't be destroyed... burning me from the inside. Blackfire was the drug and she invaded my body... by her hand."

"She killed me," Koriand'r breathed, barely able to speak. "My scars..."

"... was supposed to combust, just any other Tamaranian, but... I was... taken... and..." Starfire shivered and Koriand'r couldn't find the will to press her when she complety skipped the time after her death to- "Raven came to retrieve me. But I couldn't go... I was afraid... They would find me, but I couldn't leave Richard... split my soul and gave the only half of me that could have a chance... but the signals woke the drug and I heard them; my energy is too great for Raven's block to suppress... The drug is stronger than me... without you... It takes the face of Blackfire, but it not truly her... only a fraction. Her DNA... It knows we are afraid of her and uses her face to strike at that fear. I tried to force my way through, but it stops me and Raven's block keeps the realm more secure. I cannot escape and you cannot come in. I... used all the strength I had left to give you the memories, but not only an attempt to free me, but to... relieve the pain and... offer a bit of happiness... counter the drug's plan to drive you insane... until they come..."

Koriand'r forced herself up, mustering every ounce of courage and anger to push her body to kneel in front of Starfire and glared, "Who is coming?"

"... I..."

"Why can I not reach you?"

"Koriand'r... We died... I split my soul... Half of it returned..." she almost glared back, "The other half... is still here. I am drifting."

"Do...do you mean...?"

"I am trapped in the Tityl annuek."

Her mouth dropped open, but Starfire's glare managed, "Though I am trapped... cannot give up. They will come for me, I do not care, but Richard... The Titans... they are in danger... want to protect them, but I cannot without you... need to protect them! But I cannot risk you."

"You do not have a choice."

"I need to get out. I need you... cannot let them get him! But he cannot lose you again!"

"What do you mean?" she asked just before a chuckle sounded behind her and she whipped around to see the drug menacingly sneer at her, black hair slowly flowing down her back.

"Tragic, isn't it?"

Starfire shuddered with the hardest glare she could manage and Koriand'r stood, "You will not win."

"I already have."

"Koriand'r, leave."

She never took her eyes away from the drug, "I am not leaving you."

And it stared back, "Even if you did reconnect, I would be fully released. You cannot get rid of me."

"Koriand'r, go!"

"No... Let her stay," the drug stepped closer, the black fading and leaving a long wave of blood red in its absence, violet eyes turning a hostile green as it began to bare its teeth. "I could kill this half of your soul, but you would still technically be alive because of that half. But no one would know. Your body would just slip in a coma. And if your friends tried to retrieve you again, they couldn't because they'd only get half. You're stuck." Ringing filled the darkest. "Ohh... you hear it?" It became louder. "It's beautiful..."

Starfire fell back on her side.

And Koriand'r took off in a sprint.

She didn't know where she was running, but any direction seemed fine and when a hand grabbed her arm, she span and punched the twisted face as hard as she could, releasing her arm and spared Starfire one last glance, "I will get you out!"

The space around them shuddered.

"I promise!"

The drug moved to stand as Koriand'r jumped at nothing, but all the same disappeared as her body woke. It turned a hard, blank glare at Starfire. "If she returns... I will kill her."

Starfire's shoulders shook before she looked up, startling the drug with a forced, twisted little smirk, "As my Richard would say... Fuck you."

xxx

Bring me to life

I've been living a lie, there's nothing inside

Bring me to life

Frozen inside without your touch, without your love, darling, only you are the life among the dead

When she woke, her body jumped, eyes snapping open and sucking in a breath. High pitch ringing echoed in her ears as she turned on her side and gasped at the soreness in her muscles and limbs. Everything ached. Her temple throbbed. Blood trickled out of the corner of her mouth.

Koriand'r was completely disoriented as her blurry vision slowly returned to normal, the ringing dulling enough to allow her to hear the heavy pounding of her heart. Reality settled in.

And Koriand'r froze when she heard a footfall.

Not caring that she had only discovered her past, not caring that she now knew the truth and that Starfire was in danger, or that the drug was wide awake inside, eating away at both Kori and Star, or that she was still only in a bra and underwear or that the blood was still wet and falling over her chin, she didn't care; she ran out of closet, stumbling and staggering on her sore, weak legs to the door of the bathroom. The first word in her head at that footfall was one word and one word only that now dominated over her unlike any drug could.

Richard, Richard, Richard

But when she flung the door open, falling forward a bit before catching herself against the door frame, her hope shattered as a flabbergasted Donna and Jinx gaped at her, "K-Kori?"

The air knocked out of her body and she fell on one knee on the floor, leaning heavily against the frame from the effort she forced. The room tilted. The two heroes rushed forward with wide eyes, "Kori! Hang on!"

"What happened!?"

"You're pale!"

"Answer us!"

She now laid on her back, staring up at them blankly as Donna worriedly wiped away the blood on her mouth, "You're bleeding a lot. Your bottom lip is nearly split open, what happened?"

"When... How..."

Jinx quickly went to lock the door as Donna slowly lifted her to sit up, "It's ten am. I went to get Jinx and came over here and snuck in, but couldn't find you. Or anyone. I called Alfred and he's with Bruce whose in Metropolis and there's no sign of Dick here. We searched all over the manor but couldn't find him, then finally came in here. Now you answer; what happened."

"Richard... isn't here?" She whispered.

Jinx rushed over, "Great Donna, now she's not going to answer anyth-"

"I remember."

Both women looked at her, not really hearing what she said, "What?"

"I remember... Jinx... and Wally." Koriand'r whispered and the two heroes froze, "The Titans... Bee, Speedy, Hot Spot, Jericho... Kole, Herald, Red Star... I remember... Slade, the Brotherhood, Kitten, H.I.V.E, Red X... Terra... Robin, Beast boy... I remember."

The pink haired woman dropped to her knees, her pink eyes the widest Koriand'r has ever seen them as she bent over the alien, "B-but... h-how...?"

Koriand'r swallowed, tasting blood, "I remembered. Last night... Nightwing and I almost... and he triggered... Starfire. He gave her enough strength to give me a memory. And I ran... I hurt him... locked myself here and read the magazine and saw the picture with... him... holding..." Her face became completely blank, "They changed when I died, didn't they?"

Jinx gasped, covering her mouth.

Donna only stared. "Yes. What else?"

"Several memories... I fainted and confronted the thing inside me. I know what it is. It grows strong and Starfire grows weak... She is... fading."

"Why didn't you connect?"

She looked straight at Donna, ignoring when Jinx wiped at her eyes, "I cannot. I was able to travel through my memories and found her and she told me everything. I remember... everything up until my death though... I have had several memories of that time and can assume what had happened. But I see the memories as if I were watching a movie; I am detached with the actual feelings and thoughts of those times. The pain is... duller because of this." Donna listened carefully. "When Raven retrieved my soul, I asked her to split it, because the pain was too much and I truly did seek a new beginning. She secured the realm that Tamaranian souls dwell in after death, and my energy was asleep with it. But whatever, whoever, took me has been sending signals to the drug and therefore woke it. Starfire woke as well, though the drug had quickly overpowered her and planned to use the dark memories to drive me mad. But she reversed the effect and has been giving me little slips of Richard and the Titans to ease the pain and prepare me for what is to come. The hallucinations are the drug, but Starfire gained enough strength to warn me. She is weak now. When we split, Raven returned this half to the body while the other-"

"Is still is the realm," Donna said slowly and Jinx dropped her head in her hand, "and not being connected, you two are weak against the drug that just keeps getting stronger. She's fading, but still drifting. If you connect, you release the drug fully, but if you don't it could take you out and leave her permanently stuck."

"It took Raven all four Titans and her soul included to get me out and that was with my help. Richard's soul found mine. Now with Raven's block it will be even harder to find the annuek. I tried reconnecting and she tried, but we could not... With memory comes energy, and the drug grows strong yet Starfire fades."

"Shit, Kori," Donna muttered, biting her lip as she thought.

Jinx looked at the alien, trying to grasp it all, "So... There's no hope, is what your saying..."

"At the moment... I am just thankful I can speak," she leaned against Donna, her lids heavy, "I am so... exhausted."

"We'll find a way, sweetie. Don't give up. It's not impossible, the drug just wants you to think that way. That's the way they work; they take your mind and twist it, but you can't let that happen. You are stronger than this. You can do it."

Her eyebrows pushed together as she thought of this, before her eyes fully opened and she moved to stand, "I... have to find Richard..."

Both women looked at her curiously and Donna shook her head, "He's not here."

If memory serves, we've done the impossible before... "Yes, he is. I have to find him."

"Kori, wait; Jinx snuck at least three books from Raven, I'm sure we can find something we could use to-"

Don't worry, Star. I'm with you. Always. "I need to find him." She stumbled to the door.

Donna and Jinx were there in the next second, blocking her path and glaring, "You just went through a painful, devastating and traumatic epiphany with your soul, remembering not only your entire life, but death as well, your sore, bleeding, just found out your still drugged and was recently told by that same drug that I didn't even know had a mouth that you can't reconnect with your soul because your best friend blocked you out... And you want to find Dick?"

"Yes."

She stared at her before shrugging, "Alright," and Jinx gasped at her. "What? She knows what she's doing. She did this on her own. Koriand'r understands what's happened and what's going on and I trust her. But first... at least shower and get ready. Quickly. I still want to look at what Jinx snuck out and talk to you some more on what you found."

Koriand'r was in and out of the shower, scrubbed clean and fresh before throwing on a pair of jeans and a blue oversized sweater, running to the door. Donna and Jinx crept out and followed suit, a little nervous of the way the alien staggard every once in a while, her eyes glazed and the rapid pace which she walked with as she kept taking turn after turn. "I told you, we checked everywhere. He's not here."

"You think you checked everywhere." She murmured, coming in front of a random painting where she paused, the two heroes coming up short behind her as Kori carefully looked over the painting, "You did not find him because he does not want to be found... And he always retreats where he has to think of one thing and one thing only."

"Why?"

"So that he cannot think of what he is trying to hide from." Placing her hand on the marble on the long dark table, she twisted the head slightly, the wall shuddering before opening up to the three women. Kori looked into their widening eyes, "Richard and Bruce are full of secrets. Their biggest being that they are afaid of what they do not know or understand. Therefore they run. Hide in isolation so they can distract themselves."

"Why are you telling us this?"

She looked inside the secret room they were about to enter, "You are alarmed by my lack of emotion towards finding out the past and my situation... but the truth is, if I allow myself to... feel as I want to, which is anger, hurt and sadness, and scream as I want to and cry, and hate myself and think about it over and over to try to understand every little detail that will only send me deeper into the darkness... Then I will hide myself away as well. Though certain events in my life is not considered exactly joyful, I am not accustomed to the darkness as Richard and Bruce are. I will get lost in my hiding. And I have done enough hiding as it is. Besides," She looked at them one more time, "I am still alive," and walked in.

They stepped in a large white, grey and blue room, the wall closing behind them as Kori looked around. The first thing that came to her mind was the word gym, but the images that accompanied the word didn't match the room for there were no big weights, no treadmills, or even the punching bag Kori could clearly see in her head. Instead, there were weapons, black and sleek, resting along a long silver cases and metal tables just off the side. Platforms were raised to different levels on one side, tall, thin poles on the other. There was a corner with a small blue lights on the large patted ground and controller pad beside it. Then, straight ahead, were bars- many bars -in different sizes with mats on the floor with two other tall poles with a bar connecting them. On the ceiling, throughout the entire space, were more bars, hanging and swinging a little back and forth. In each corner of the room were pillars with steps and small platforms leading up to the top where the bars swung.

A training room. It was perfect.

In here, all he would have to think about was what his hands were doing and curse himself when he messed up. Ane she instinctively knew he has been doing that a lot.

She watched by the door as Dick missed the bar in his spin and fell smack on his side, her frown deepening when he punched the ground and panted. He had stayed there for a moment, thinking about something and she slowly and quietly took a step forward.

Dick sighed and sat up, Starfire catching his wince that was no doubt in response to whatever he hurt from his fall. "You should be more careful."

He quickly turned, surprised, "Starfire."

She smiled at him, "Greetings."

Koriand'r looked at the wide door in the corner, the door she knew led inside another room, much smaller as it was only a shower and two lockers. She heard the distinctive sound of water shutting off.

Donna grabbed Jinx and shot up to the ceiling when the door knob turned, Koriand'r standing her ground as a man walked out, hand over his face as his still damp black hair slightly hung in locks just over his ears. He wore a white t-shirt and jeans and his fresh, clean scent hit Koriand'r in a calming wave though his slightly slumped shoulders suggested he was anything but calm.

Still, she didn't move even when Donna and Jinx nervously waved at her and Dick continued to the bench just a few feet away from the door along a raised platform where he sat without lifting his head from his hands. She waited a few seconds before slowly walking over, her footsteps light till she stood just three feet in front of him, but he still didn't move. Head bowed, palms hiding his face and elbows on knees, Dick was making Koriand'r's chest ache and ever so slowly, she kneeled before him. No reaction.

Her hands rose to his wrists, hovering for a second before gently grabbing hold. The only response she received was the stilling of his chest from his breathing. Koriand'r softly tugged on his arms.

Dick didn't even fight her and let her peel them away, though he still kept his head bowed, staring hard at the ground when all Koriand'r wanted was for him to stare at her. But she knew he was hurt. She could sense his pain and self-hatred and hated herself even more for it. She knew he wasn't going to look up and that his mind was blank and running with a thousand thoughts at the same time. Koriand'r knew this wasn't going to mend easily. How could it?

But she was always willing to try.

Placing both hands on his neck, she scooted closer, closing her eyes as she kissed the corner of his brow, then his temple, gently trailing down over his cheek and jaw. Her lips caused him to raise his head a bit and she took advantage of this new access, moving her lips over to the corner of his mouth where she kissed the softest of kisses.

But that was cut short when Dick slightly turned his face away from her. He didn't look up, but Kori could see that his eyes were hard and cold, his jaw taut. Kori could practically hear his curses to himself, and the guilt was not merciful. She didn't like the way Dick's hands stayed limp or the way he felt tense and distant, but she didn't blame him. Not at all.

So she kissed him again, just his cheek, just as he had done so many times and cupped his neck again, her fingers twisting in the hair on the back of his head. Her lips made another slow path back to his and lingered at the corner. Then she firmly placed her mouth over his, her body easing its way in between his knees.

Koriand'r felt his hands brush on the tops of her arms. She parted her lips slightly, his following her and breathed in deeply when he finally took hold of her shoulders. But his touch was feather light, barely grazing her skin.

That was okay.

The kisses were slow and healing, no tongue or drumming away of the hearts, no groping or labored breaths... just kisses. Sweet, soothing kisses that took their time, lips brushing lips as her heart beat fell in a steady rhythm, his own pulse even beneath her palms. They were closed mouth kisses with only the smallest of parts of their mouths, barely tasting, just calming and gentle. The hands on the tops of her arms were cold, but soothed her too warm skin.

And after a minute or so, Dick pulled back, but not before Koriand'r stole one more kiss from his bottom lip. His eyes were averted as he spoke lowly, "I'm sorry."

"Richard..." she whispered, but he shook his head.

"I shouldn't have... I didn't mean... I..." Dick took in a frustrated breath, his mouth a thin line, "I'm so sorry..."

Koriand'r lifted his chin up, keeping her sigh at bay when his eyes finally met hers, "You have nothing to be sorry for." Kiss. "Nothing at all..."

"But-"

"Richard."

"Kori, I-"

"Nothing," she stressed and smiled kindly up at him which caused Dick to sigh in defeat, nodding once and closing his eyes when she leaned in to kiss him again. Her thumb rubbed underneath his eye, "It was not you. It was my fault."

Dick's eyebrows pinched and Koriand'r saw Donna shake her head from where she hovered high above them, "Your fault...?"

"That is one of the reasons I came to find you. We need to talk. I have something I need to speak to you about."

"Your fault," he repeated, but his tone was quiet, patient, waiting for her to explain while those sapphires hardened the slightest as thoughts she wasn't sure she wanted to know ran through his head, "Kori..."

"But not here," she stood, holding his hands now as she tugged gently.

Dick blinked before standing with her, slightly weary and careful, and didn't stand any closer than he was now or hold her hands any tighter. This was fine; Kori understood. And she was actually enjoying a little space. With the small smile still on her face, she took another step and was pleased when Dick automatically followed, "It is... very important."

His eyes were careful, "What is it?" But then they snapped to her legs when his bleak tone caught her off guard and her foot hesitated in the air.

She quickly took another step, "First I must ask and you must be honest with me: if... I needed you for something... would you help me?"

"What kind of question is th-?"

"Richard," she whispered, "Please. If I needed you, without a doubt, if you were the only one to possibly help me in any way, would you?"

"... Depends."

"On what?"

His expression was careful, "On what exactly you're getting yourself into. I want to know your reasons and they have to be logical and good. I won't do anything that can hurt yo-"

"What if logic... could not be trusted here? What if nothing really could be trusted and we had to go by... faith?"

"You're not making any-"

"No matter what. Whether you agreed with me or not, but it was absolutely necessary, no matter what anyone says... You must think like Nightwing, the hero, the Titan. Dick Grayson cannot be here," he tensed a bit and she continued, "If I needed Nightwing... would you help me?"

"What do you need?"

"I... need you to... have faith in me..." she said slowly.

Dick looked back and forth between her eyes, a little confused, but a pit immediately formed in his chest at her words. He didn't know where it came from, or exactly why, but Dick never doubted his instincts, especially when Kori's gaze flickered to something behind him, just a miniscule change that no one else would have caught and the pit became concrete when he caught a shadow that was neither him or her move from something above them. But Dick kept his expression the same, never moving, Koriand'r never noticing that he saw the shadow.

When he looked back up at her, though, she did see the wall created out of instinctive suspicion and his face became completely emotionless, voice stoic, "... I do."

Pulling him with her, she walked backward and felt her legs gain a little strength back, "It is dire. I need you to listen to me, do the hearing of me, before you come to a final conclusion."

This rose his curiosity (and suspicion) and his brow arched as he remembered when she something similar to that long ago, but before she could speak again, furious movement caught her attention from behind his shoulder and she glanced, seeing Donna and Jinx with worried, angry expressions, hand motions that shouted "No!" and "Don't say anything!" She looked back at him.

"I... very strongly believe you are the only one who can help. And I think others would agree with me too."

Jinx gave her an incredulous look while Dona threw her hands up in the air.

Dick however gained that focused glint in his eye, and Koriand'r could just see it clear away the conflict that had resided there just now, his mind and body ready to help her in almost whatever she needed, "Yes?"

"You see... I have been-" but was interrupted when something hit her foot, her yelp of surprise drowning out the snap that sounded just before she tripped and Dick's arms caught her. He looked at her with a hint of worry, but otherwise remained emotionless as Kori sent a quick death glare to something behind him. But it wasn't that pointed look that made the suspicion spike, it was the way her skin suddenly felt warm, very warm, the way someone who has been standing out in the sun for hours would feel; she was... hot.

Dick looked at her eyes. He was filled with the sudden need to stare deeply into them, pulling out whatever it was she was hiding when she ground out, "As I was saying-"

A loud bang came from their right and Kori jumped, but Dick stayed perfectly still, only his eyes moving over to the corner where a bar fell over and she saw them narrow the slightest bit.

She sent another glare in the two women's direction where they silently waited up on the ceiling, Jinx's eyes pink and ready to sabotage what Kori was trying to do. "C-can we leave? Go someplace else?"

"Hmm," he hummed simply.

"Um, shall we go now?"

"... Sure." He stepped forward, Koriand'r wanting nothing more than to get him out of here and just tell him what she wanted to. Getting to the door couldn't have happened any slower, especially when he paused by the cases of weapons, thoughtfully looking over them, "Mind if I...? Real quick."

"Of course not," she murmured and he reached for a gadget, twisting it in his hands. It was a disc, black with blue ringing around it. It was small enough to fit in his palm. And when he spoke he didn't look at her nor did his tone change.

"I really am sorry."

"Richard-"

"I know I hurt you."

"That does not-"

"Don't tell me it doesn't matter," he faced her, his expression hard, "Don't lie like that."

She didn't answer.

"I didn't know you even knew how to lie."

Her fists clenched, "I... do not."

"The why are you nervous?"

She started, "I am not. Why-"

"Your lying," he said quietly, seeing her emotions wash over her face as she gave a little wince, her lips thinning and her eyes couldn't look straight at him, and- "Your fingers are twitching and you walk with a stumble." Kori couldn't move when he reached up to her bottom lip, jutting it out with his thumb and her eyes widened when he looked at the cut, expression never changing. Dropping his hand, Dick looked away, "Don't lie to me."

"Richard, please, do not-" she grabbed his arm-

"I know you are holding back because you are worried, but to be completely honest I have wanted nothing more than to be with you since all this started. I took you at the ball because I knew it would give me the perfect excuse to do so; you would have denied me any other moment. I cannot stand it anymore."

"That was the dru-"

"No, it wasn't, not entirely. But whether it was or not, my body still wanted you. Even when the drug demanded I go with Karras, the body stayed with you. You have not kissed me, or touched me in any way like you use to in a while. And I know it is because of my situation. I'm sorry, but please... nothing would make me feel better than you. All of you. I need to know you still love me the same."

When she blinked away the memory, Dick was staring at her, guarded, "Why do you do that?"

"W-what?"

"That. Spacing out. Randomly zoning off, not hearing me, not answering for several seconds before you come back to reality; it's like you're not even here, thinking about... something else like you're... you're..." Dick blinked, his eyes slowly dropping from her face as he started to think of everything since she first woke, her recent strange behavior, and the pit grew inside, "... remembering something, like... when someone has... flashbacks..." His shoulders tensed, "Last night-"

Koriand'r rushed forward, hands on his chest, "Richard, all I ask is that you trust me. For now. I need-"

He stepped away from her, deep in thought, his mind racing, "You have constant relapses and become very emotional afterwards... you wanted me yesterday, but pushed me away when we were about to- You were terrified. You screamed... because you saw something," she jerked back as of she were slapped when his eyes widened at the floor, "You weren't running from me. You remembered the promise and recited it perfectly, but I never- we never... You've had bad dreams, you didn't remember them... That black and pink girl showed up." Dick glanced over at the corner where the bar lay. "We recieved an alert of a Titan in the area." You don't trip out of thin air. The bar has a stand; the only way for that thing to fall over is for someone to pick it up and throw it. I heard something snap.

Dick stiffened.

Koriand'r knew what he was going to do before he did it, activating the disc in his hand, but only yelled when the blades swished out and span, the birdarang flying upward towards the ceiling where it clashed against Donna's defending silver wrist bands. He suddenly had four discs in each hand, each one waiting to fire in the spaces of his fingers and glared, "You."

"Richard, no!"

He released the discs.

Jinx, who had been hidden behind her back, jumped over Donna, her arm lashing out and sending a pink ray to counter the discs. She fell in a flip on the floor on her knees, the Amazon hovering over her as she furiously looked at the alien, "Kori!?"

"Jinx!?" Dick gasped, stepping back.

"Richard, please, do not! Just listen-"

"Listen!?" He turned on her and his expression became that of absolute shock and anger, "You... Kori! What's going on!?" He took in her guilt and shook his head, disbelief painted across his face, "You... no... What-what have you done!?"

Donna lunged forward in an attempt to seize him, but he back flipped over the case and Koriand'r raised her hands, "Please! This was not how I want to go about this, but I need you!"

"You could have warned!" Donna snapped at her and moved for Dick again. But he had his staff in his hands now and the loud clanging of strong metal clashing against each other echoed throughout the room. Dick dropped to the floor, spinning while kicking his leg out, tripping Donna before dropping in a defensive crouch.

The Amazon flew back up, charging at him, but Dick was too quick and she missed. He planned to get on one of pillars, but when his eyes instinctively searched for Kori, Dick started as he saw Jinx run up to her and touched her arm, "A little heads up would have been nice. Now we have to deal with that," the two women looked just as Donna flew into Dick and actually pinned him down, but only because the shock faltered his step. She soon had her hands locked around his wrists, her legs preventing him from getting up. Though he still thrashed, he was unable to do much against her Amazon strength. "Jinx, help me!"

"Get the fuck off me!" Dick yelled. The Titan came into view and he seethed. "You! What are you doing!? What the FUCK are you doing here!?"

Donna glared, and in a blink of an eye had him in a head lock, her knees pressing into his ankles as he tried to fight her off, "I'm sick of you cussing at me."

"Fuck you, Donna!"

"Richard," Koriand'r snapped and his furious eyes turned on her. "She is only trying to help."

"Help!? WHAT are you-"

"I remember, Richard."

He jerked once, not hearing what she said as Donna's arms tightening, "You LIED to me! You promised! You fucking promised! You never listen to me!"

"I was only-"

"You bitch, you never LISTEN!" He yelled. "You-"

"Niether did you!" Koriand'r screamed at him, shocking both Donna and Jinx and Dick only jerked. Hot, seething anger coursed through her as she glared at him, "I told you to stay with me! I begged you to stay! But did you? Did you!?" Dick started, eyes widening. "I told you she would stop at nothing and that we should escape together! But you wanted to fight her! You didn't LISTEN to ME!"

All the blood drained from his face as he thrashed once more against Donna, his wide eyes never leaving hers as his mouth opened and closed in shock, "I... You..."

"I know I promised to follow you and I know I asked you to protect me, but I was wrong!" His lip quivered the tiniest bit, "I never intended for this to happen, but I made an even bigger mess and I am sorry! I am sorry Richard, but now I am trying to fix it and protect you. I know you're angry, but I didn't betray you by speaking to Donna. I am only trying to make things right. I remember, Richard."

"W-what...?"

"I remember... everything." Her fingertips brushed on his knee and tried to not let her hurt show when he roughly pulled it away, "I remember Tamaran and Galfore... I remember my brother and... sister. I know I was heir and she betrayed me into slavery. I know I was engaged, but kidnapped again and I know... how we truly met. The Titans, the tower, our family and love- I remember it all." Dick became impossibly pale, his body frozen solid in Donna's arms as she continued quietly, "I also remember Blackfire returning, infected, drugging me and my death... Raven searched for my soul, with yours and the others and I asked her, you, for a new life. But I made a mistake Richard, and I really am trying to fix it. But I am not complete nor can I be without your help. That is why I need you. You are my only hope right now, who can possibly help me in retrieving my-"

"S-Star..." Dick breathed and Koriand'r paused when he stared at her as though she just appeared out of thin air, a sight he's never seen before in his life, "Starf...ire."

"... No. Not yet," she tried to smile and failed when his hand slowly raised, Donna's arms now loose on his shoulders, and the tips of his fingers barely grazed hers.

"You... But..." He was quiet for the longest time, just staring at her, "Star..."

"Please. Help me."

"... No."

Kori paled at the same time Jinx gasped, "What!?"

Dick looked as if he's seen a ghost, "No... It's not true. You're... You're lying! You don't remember, you can't!" He thrashed suddenly, Donna locking her arms once again, jerking with him as he started to fight again, "Get off! Get away from me!"

"Richard, the ones who took me are coming back, Starfire warned me!" She said as he and Donna began to wrestle and Jinx grabbed Kori's shoulders to pull her away when he freed his legs. "I have to reconnect but she's trapped! The drug is making her weak! I can handle the pain! But I need her! They're coming for you!" He slammed Donna back on the ground, her arms straining against his neck and shoulders as he was nearly released, "Rich-"

"SHUT UP!" He shouted. "No! I won't do it! You won't go through that again! You won't! I won't let you!"

"But I can-"

"I won't lose you again!"

"Listen!"

"NO!"

"Jinx, help me!" Donna yelled. The Titan seemed conflicted before reaching in her pocket, pulling out a small vile while Kori was close to tears, her own anger countering Dick.

"How could you say that!? I'm doing this for you! YOU!"

"You fucking did this, Donna! You told her! You ruined EVERYTHING!"

"Shut the hell up and LISTEN to her!"

"FU- mmm!" His next shout was muffled when Jinx covered his mouth with her hand and passed Kori the vile, saying with a calm, focused tone.

"Raven gave that to me. It's a potion, compelling anyone who drinks it to be completely truthful and sort of intoxicates them for a full twenty-four hours. With that, they don't remember a single thing of those twenty-four. Give it to him. It'll make him help."

Dick's eyes widened more than before as Kori and Donna looked at the vile with hesitation, "Are you sure...?"

"She added something that will make it like a dream, and said it can also be very influential and bring out every little secret you have kept inside. It's powerful. Use it." She looked at her leader without a hint of guilt. "Sorry. But you're wrong this time. And you kept her a secret from the rest of the Titans. We're even."

Dick glared menacingly, breathing harshly through his nose. She lifted her hand a bit, but clamped down again when he tried to throw them off, "Kori, now."

The alien was torn; she really needed Dick to get Starfire, her plan that formed in her head wouldn't work without him, but drugging him...? Was that going too far? Would he forgive her? Would he even forgive her for what they're doing now? Meeting his eyes, she saw every emotion crash against each other in his icy irises and knew then- she had to do it. Starfire was counting on her. She was counting on herself.

They will come and get her. She didn't care.

But they will not touch him.

Taking off the top, she put the vile to her fingertip and allowed a drop on the pad of her finger before rubbing it on her lips. The Titan and Amazon said nothing as the alien leaned over Dick who kicked and twisted in his trying to get away, eyes wide on Kori who now had her mouth directly over his under Jinx's hand. The Titan moved it away and he gasped, "Kori- don't!"

"I have to."

"Please! You get it back, the drug is unleashed! You can't- I won't! I can't lose you! Please! Pl-" his eyes closed when she kissed him, their mouths open and his tongue automatically tasted her bottom lip, tingling as a bittersweet taste filled his mouth. Dick jerked and thrashed, but Donna and Jinx held him tight as Kori's mouth became so soft and warm and her kiss was just amazingly gentle and-and... wow. Was her lips always this soft? And the way they moved... Oh, he could kiss her all day and never grow bored or tired of it. Wait, stop, he was angry. He was angry and hurt and confused, but... But... Her kiss was taking it all away. It felt nice. He felt nice. Kori was, she was making him.. feel... he...

Koriand'r pulled back when Dick's lips stopped moving and a strange sort of satisfaction filled her when she saw that his eyes were glazed, his breathing deep and steady as he slowly looked around and relaxed enough for Donna to loosen her grip a little. She brushed back his hair, "My love..."

Dick met her gaze again, becoming a little perplexed before she lifted the rest of the potion in the vile to his lips. Tilting it little by little, the liquid flowed into his mouth, Dick only once kicking weakly back as he tried to fight again, but when there was nothing left in the vile, his body fell into complete relaxation. Kori ran her fingers through the black locks just above his ear as his heavy eyelids threatened to close. He looked at her one last time, almost pleading, and she kissed him once more. His hand tried to grab hers. So strong, yet so vulnerable... "Forgive me."

Just as Dick's eyes closed, she whispered, "I love you."

xxx

All this time I can't believe I couldn't see; kept in the dark but you were there in front of me. I've been sleeping a thousand years it seems. Got to open my eyes to everything

Without a thought, without a voice, without a soul

Don't let me die here

There must be something more

Jinx ran to the entry way, fumbling in the pockets of the black leather jackets that hung on a hook on the wall, searching for set of keys, any set as Donna quickly turned the corner after her, carrying a passed out twenty-two year old man in her arms. Koriand'r kept up pace with her, her hand on his head as she fretted, "Careful!"

"I have him, sweetie," the Amazon reassured, though with a little annoyance which she felt guilty for when Kori caught his hand that slipped from his stomach. Her eyes were a mess of worry and guilt, but she still didn't say anything about using the potion on him, nor did Jinx express any regret at giving it to her as she fished out several rings of keys, "Got them!"

The Tamaranian looked at Donna, "Is it really necessary to steal a vehicle from Bruce? Isn't there another way?"

"We have to leave before Bruce or Alfred get back; I don't think any of them will appreciate what we've done and I don't want to look at Raven's books here. I can't carry all of you." She raised her eyebrows, "We just roofied Dick and you're worried about taking his car?"

Kori held his hand.

"We'll bring it back. I promise. Let's just get out of here, please!" She stressed and followed Jinx to the garage. Koriand'r took one look at the keys and automatically knew which vehicle it was, running to a very expensive looking, very sleek, black luxury car, jumping in the backseat and prepared her lap for Donna to lay Dick on. When she did that, she moved the driver's side and Jinx sat with a huff in the passenger's, fastening her seat belt, "On my god, oh my god."

"You were with the H.I.V.E, once in your life wanting to destroy the Titans and you're freaking out over the car!? What is wrong with you two!?"

Jinx flashed a glare at her, shocked, "Uh, no!"

"Then what's your problem!?"

"Donna! Have you ever driven before!?"

"... Well I don't have a lice-"

"Didn't think so!"

"Well then you drive!" She said, throwing her hands up in the air, but Jinx was quick to dismiss it, telling her to just drive but holding onto the headrest with dear life as she sped out of the garage a drive way. When they got on the road, Jinx put on her hologram ring and passed the other to Koriand'r who only held it in her palm as she was too busy staring at Dick's sleeping face.

So peaceful he looked and youthful, the young face she remembered resting as she smoothed back his hair. His face was free of all the hard lines and suspicion. With his lips and jaw relaxed where his head rested in her lap, it wasn't hard to see the young boy in him, not Robin, but before that, in a time where Robin wasn't even a thought, love was only between family and he was... truly happy. Koriand'r saw the young boy in the painting, sitting in his mother's arms with his dad's smile. She didn't see Nightwing or Robin, or even Dick Grayson. Koriand'r saw... Richard. Mary and John's little Richard.

Gone...

She rubbed her thumb over his cheek, Never. Not him.

Gone... gone, gone...

As you will be soon.

"That was really stupid, Kori." Donna abruptly said and Kori looked up instead of hearing what the drug responded with. "Stupid!"

"I know."

"It was rash, dramatic, not thought through- you practically threw us at the sharks Kori! It was the dumbest thing you probably ever done, going to him like that and just dumping on him! You could have said something, let us know what you were thinking in the room and we could've come up with a better strategy at telling him! This could've gone a lot better!" Shee gripped the wheel.

"I know."

"But though it was incredibly stupid and you should never do that again," she made eye contact throught the rearview mirror before looking back on the street, "I'm... proud of you. You stood your ground against him and that in itself is rare. You... let him have it basically. I'm proud of you."

Jinx rubbed her face as Koriand'r blushed lightly, "We're dead."

"Yup." She made a sharp turn, ignoring Jinx's curse. "Where are we going?"

"Titans Tower."

Donna slammed on the breaks, the car screeching and sent all passengers jerking forward, the Tamaranian clutching at Dick who didn't flinched the slightest. "What the hell!?" Jinx yelled at the same time the Amazon turned around in her seat to gape at the alien, "What!?"

"We need to go to the tower."

Now both women stared at her as if she were insane and Koriand'r sighed, "My memories... are still a little foggy. I can recall them, but it is difficult and a little distorted. I cannot remember my room and there is something I need to see. The tower... Please."

The Titan and Amazon looked at each other for a long while before slumping back in their seats, the car moving forward again as Jinx mumbled, "So dead..."

"Yup..."

It was quiet for a long while, the two women lost in their own thoughts, but Koriand'r wasn't as stressed as them, or actually none at all. She just kept caressing the man in her lap, every once in a while kissing his hand that she held in hers on his chest. And once, Kori thought she saw the corner of his lips twitch up. "Stop real quick."

Donna and Koriand'r looked at Jinx and followed her gaze out the window to a gas station and store, "For what?"

She shook her head and got out when Donna parked, closing the door behind her before walking in. The Amazon sighed heavily and turned when a small voice spoke a minute later, "I am sorry."

"I already forgave you."

"... Then thank you."

"... Can I tell you something?"

Koriand'r waited and Donna pursed her lips as a blonde haired Jinx came out, "You... were my role model."

"Were?"

She smirked at the same time Jinx opened the door, "Alright, still are, but Diana says I'm too old to have role models like that. Our secret?" Kori smiled at her and Donna looked at Jinx, curious about the brown paper bag in her eyes, about to ask when she pulled out a large bottle of vodka, easily taking off the top, "What the- Jinx! Why did-"

"We are currently headed to Jump to the Titan Tower, with a passed out, drugged Nightwing in the backseat with a very traumatic Tamaranian princess who not only remembers her death, but all the disturbing events surrounding it and still finding out the alien drug is still in her, in a stolen WAYNE car with a war hanging over our heads. I think I'm inclined to this," she stared out the dash, taking a large gulp straight from the bottle.

Donna winced along with her, pressing her lips together, "At least tell me you paid for that." Jinx didn't answer and only held the bottle out to her to which she shook her head. But Kori was transfixed on the Titan, not caring of the alcoholic beverage she was clutching nervously.

"What war?"

Donna sped out and down the road and Jinx took another gulp. "Focus. Titan Tower first. One thing at a time."

"... Very well... But... you will inform me, right?"

"One thing at a time."

She stayed quiet, distracting herself with Dick. An hour passed, then another and the distant buildings of Jump came into view. After thirty more minutes, they entered the city and Koriand'r jumped when Dick moved, his head turning a little toward her as he frowned.

"Richard?"

Jinx looked over her shoulder at them as she bent closer to his face, "Richard? Are you waking?"

His brows pushed together, moaning lightly and she kissed his forehead, cupping his cheek, "My love... Wake up."

"Are you sure that potion wil work?" Donna asked.

"Raven made it. Of course it would."

"But this is Nightwing."

Jinx stared and then banged her hand on her thigh, "Shit."

"Richard..." Koriand'r whispered and her heart jumped when he turned his face toward her voice, his lips parting and eyelids flickering. "Wake up. Look at me. I am right here..."

Show me your eyes

Then they opened and all three women held their breath as those glazed over blue eyes slowly focused (as focused as they'll get) on bright green ones that took in his dilated pupils. A fog cloud over his eyes, yet Koriand'r could see everything in them, the wall completely gone and every emotion he was feeling was right here in front of her. And what she saw made her chest clench as the worry of his anger dissolved.

Joy. She saw joy.

His lips twitched up in a dazed smile, his words slightly slurred, yet his voice was as clear as the sky above them as his hand tightened on hers. "Star...fire..."

Do not ruin this, "Yes. Yes, Richard," she smiled, her eyelashes damping.

Dick breathed deeply and turned his face into her stomach, snuggling into her as he hugged her waist, "My Star..."

"How do you feel?"

"Mmm."

She giggled lightly, rubbing his shoulder affectionately, before- "You are happy now. I hope you stay this way for a while longer."

He slowly opened his eyes, looking at her deeply and with so much emotion she almost choked as those lips smiled, "With you... I'm always happy... Star, I love you."

xxx

Okay, that's enough heartache for now.

Next chapter; a drugged up, truth telling Dick Grayson and... I guess fluff.