I don't own the teen titans, if I did than Starfire and Robin would, have kissed by now!!!!!

Trials of the Heart

As the days went by Cyborg and Nakida became quite an item. She and Sonia came over early every morning to clean the Tower and cook breakfast. She soon was one of the gang. Things were very good. After one of Nakida's exotic meals the two lovers left to go to the Bio -Center where they first worked on minuscule projects before turning to help the Warrens and Dr. Lynx on the laser. Nakida 's parents had been arguing for days on end about the laser 's emitter needing a more perfect focusing crystal.

"I'm telling you we need a better crystal for this! We need to be able to do pinpoint accuracy at the molecular level and the current crystal is not going to cut it! If we don't get a better crystal then the whole project goes up in smoke!!!!" said Evan Warren as he waved his hands widely.

"I understand perfectly honey, but we can't just go out to the nearest jewelry store slap down ten grand and get the world's most flawless gemstone! We need to make the gem in the hydro-sythinthetic growth pressure chamber. Which is as I reminded you early is full to capacity at the moment! We need to wait 6-8 weeks to get a vacancy. So just be patient Evan!" snapped his enchanting wife Melinda as she shook her clenched fists in frustration.

"Please you two no fighting. Not when we have come so close! We cannot fail now! If this work it will revolutionize the way we do surgery and save countless lives! I know that your feeling the pressure I'm too. But we must work together please! Nakida, Cyborg, Sonia what to you think?" asked Dr. Lynx to the three through a glass window.

"I agree with my parents. We need a better emitter crystal. It should be the size of golf ball in the shape of an octagon. It must act like a focusing beam and a prism so we can use it at different levels and it should help us get to the cellar level of things. I mean we could remove inorganic material like cancer and tumors without damaging the organic material like skin or bone. We already proven that with the watermelon that it will leave organic material intake while it penetrates the inorganic like the two-inch thick titanium steel blend sheet of metal. What are your thoughts Victor?" asked Nakida smartly

"To be perfectly honest y'all. I may be the most cybernetic teen in existents but I'm clueless about all this technology. But I must say I'm impressed a great deal! What's your opinion Sonia you got to understand this better than I do. I mean no offence but you are this technology!" Cyborg said laughing.

"Ha Ha. Not very funny Cyborg. But I thinks its time for the adults to have a coffee break and you and Ms.Warren to go on your date so lets go!" snapped the Living Hologram as she gave the grown ups their coffee and hurried Nakida and Cyborg out the door.

The trio went to beach where they walked along the ocean and let its cool refreshing water bathe their feet. It was rather peaceful. The sounds of the sea and gentle breeze as it curved down their body like a mother's delicate fingers on a newborn baby. It truly was a day that a photo or painting of this moment in time would still do no justice to the remarkably beauty and simplicity of the day. They made a sand castle and flew a kite and then sat down facing the sea eating ice cream and holding hands.

"I've been to many beaches in my life but never before have I been at one with someone other than Sonia. Victor I'm really glad we met. You made me feel truly alive. I've felt for so long like I was made of stone now it's been chilzeled and cracked away and I'm flesh for the first time. You and the Titans have been the first people in my entire life who been my real true blue friends. I can never thank you an enough. All I 've had ever was Mom and Dad. " She said as she lick her sherbet cone.

"Hey what about me MS.WARREN!! Have I not been a good friend to you since you were 4? I been there for you through thick and thin, good and bad times these past 12 years? I mean really!" demanded Sonia outraged

"Yeah I thought Sonia here was your best friend. How can you just dismiss her like that?" asked Cyborg

"I was just joshing you guys! Of course she's my best friend. When you move around a lot and can't make really friends you turn to your imagination. And for an imaginary friend your okay but that wasn't enough. I needed a real friend but I wasn't able to make ones so I made a living imaginary friend! And Sonia you have been a real good friend. You are part of the family. We must all remember that family and friends are the most important things in the universe! They go hand in hand because friends are family! Cyborg you got great friends who have accept me like one of gang. And I know you had trouble last time you guys open your hearts to that Terra girl. But you guys are really good friends who are there for each other. Like when Raven need help dealing with her rage (Nevermore) Or when BB was abducted by that weird alien cause he thought he was his dog, (Every Dog Has His Day) Help save Starfire when she went through her (Transformation) or helping Robin deal with his evil personality Dark Robin. (Please read my sister Kaliann story "Dark Robin" for more details. It's a very good story.) But I feel really bad that you don't talk to your father at all. That a real shame." She said wearily as she wiggled her toes in the sand.

It took very few things to make Cyborg angry enough to yell like he was about to. He could deal with a lot of pain but talking about his father was the one thing above all that made him boiling red hot!

"Why must you bring him up? He ruined my life even before I became Cyborg!" he yelled at her.

"Victor please will you stop yelling! Let me explain..." she starts to say before he cut off.

"YOU just don't give up do you?" He yelled at her his face twisted into rage.

Sonia said quietly "This is not going to end well," and disappeared into the palm pilot ASAP.

"NO! LET ME EXPLAIN! That man may be my father cause he helped give me life. But he never approved of the life I wanted or loved me like a son! All he has ever cared about is his work. Not my mom and not me! And because of that work I lost my mom and my humanity! Victor Stone died two years ago and now all that left is Cyborg! I'm no longer human because of him! Look at me and see what that supposed father did to me! He made me half machine with no hope of ever having a normal life again!!! I really hate that man! I understand you want me to reconcile with him but it's not going to happen now in this millennium or in the next!" he finished shouting as he stopped to catch his breath.

Nakida turned and faced him and look at him straight in the eye and said "You are still human! Look at me! Tell me what do we have in common? Two hands, two eyes and a nose and we both have hearts beating the gift of life every minute. I've been all over the world and I 've seen people of all kinds. Some in wheelchairs others hooked up to dialies and some much worst off then you. You've not lost your humanity because humanity is not just having a perfect body! All humans are really is DNA mixed with water and chemicals. That's what we are made of. You could clone any living person a thousands times over and they may all look, sound and act the same. But you know what they're not the same cause no one can copy your soul or replicate your heart! That is what makes us human! Not our physical bodies but what's inside! Humpty is having the ability to care about something more than you care about yourself!!! Being able to dream beautiful dreams that will change the world. Having a heart pure as gold that shines brighter then the sun to love and care. And an immortal soul that will live on forever! Those things make us human. Cyborg, Victor I love you for you! Not what you look like or can or cannot do! " She explained tire lying

Her words took a few moments to sink in. But he was taken back by what she said to him and listened with his heart. And after ten minuets he said, "Thanks for seeing the real me. " and then kissed her.

"Come you two crazy love birds lets go out and see the sun set from the highest point in the city!" said Sonia as she repapered and began to brush sand off her skirt.

Cyborg pick up Nakida and carried her in his arms till they reach the grass. Laughing they went on their way again unaware they were being watched.

They went to the top of the tallest building in the city The Sky Crystal Tower. As they watch the sunset Nakida sighed and said

"You know I can bet a lot people here and most of the world would love to live my extraordinary life. Seeing the world and doing amazing things everyday. I've always loved it. But secretly I've always longed for the more simple and ordinary things that you all seem to take for granted. Like going to games and dances. Having picnics in the park with friends. Going to school and just being a kid. I mean we take so much in life for granted, I think if we took a moment to step back and admire and really appreciate the world around us then we see things in an entirely new perspective. Say I got a great idea! Why don't you come over to my house for a home cooked meal on Saturday and my family comes to Titans Tower for dinner Sunday? Hmmm?" she said slyly

"Sure that be nice, but I advise you to stay away from Starfire's and Beast Boy cooking! Trust me they'll make you sick beyond belief! Come on let's take you home," he said as they walked down the stairs to the T car.

He dropped her off and they promised to go to the park tomorrow night and watch for falling stairs. They didn't hear the shutter of a camera go off for the thousands time that day. Nor did they here the rustle of the grass as the stalker left. "Got to report to the boss now." said a feline voice.

A shadowy figure wearing a streamline black jumpsuit and mask with cat ears ran off as fast as they could. Almost like a speeding cheetah after a Tomsin gazelle. This person didn't stop going till they reached the most deteriationg hood in the city. They placed their right-clawed hand on a patch of bricks and they slide away to reveal a shining new building beneath the exterior. The cat like figure went down a flight of stairs then entered a room. She walked forward till she reached the center and a spot light dawned on her. A stone cold voice from the shadows said in way that make your blood run cold "Cat do you have the information we discussed? I 've grown most inpatient here! Now tell me do you have it or not? Well Cat?"

The person removed their mask and revealed what appeared to be a 17-year-old girl with jade green cat eyes and long silky braided black hair. In her ears were panther claws and around her neck was a cat pendent. She then spoke in a sexy feline voice "I have done as you asked sir, I've taken pictures and I have watch them day and night. Except when they're in the Center. That place has more security than the Pentagon and Fort Knox put together. But she doesn't carry the chip on her nor does her holographic friend. "

"What about the boy? Does he have it? I really must know?" said the chilling voice

" I can't say! You must remember that the thing you seek is nanoscopic! I could possible do a better job if you allowed me to use my powers not just spy on them!" shouted the cat like girl. A growl built up in her throat. She was not use to being treated like this.

"Like you powers could help on this mission. Ha! If you think you're so great go back to Kitty Cat Isle. I 'm sure you and rest of your cat worshipers would be pleased with the 20 grand I've sent to you. Now tell me you Catgirl tell me more about what you know." he said

"Don't mock me! My Isle is called Isle of Felines. We have every breed of cat inmanagble! We are descendents of both cats and humans. We worship the goddess Bastet. I'm a cat creature or werecat! We are warriors and right now I want some action! "Screamed Cat to the shadows. Her claws slashed through the air and a tail slinked out from her suit and began to twitch in annoyance.

"And you will get it. Patience Pretty Kitty!" said Slade as he step out of the shadows and laughed "Patience." he repeated.

Roaring loudly she said to him "You better keep up your end of the bargain Slade. My people hold grudges for a very long time." Then Cat turned into a black cat and ran to finish her assiment. She be most grateful to get it over with so she be free to go meet her mother and sister in Nigeria and help save panthers in that area. She hated Slade but need the money! Oh why in this world was it always about the money?

That Saturday night Mrs. Warren made barbecue ribs, corn on the cob, mashed potatoes and cranberries. Mr. Warren was looking over test results on the laser. Nakida and Sonia cleaned up the apartment. When Cyborg got their he was smartly dressed thanks to the nano bots. He gave some purple and white flowers to Mrs. Warren. Then he gave the complete first season of ER on DVD to Mr. Warren. To Sonia he gave her the soundtrack to Pixel Perfect. And Nakida a charm for her charm bracelet. Dinner went wonderfully. Cyborg manners where much better. After helping clean up the table and wash and dry the dish they all played a few hands of Rummy. No one notice a simple black cat on the balcony watching them. Eyes glittering in the moonlight.

"This has to be the worse assment I've ever taken. How am I supposed to find this nanochip anyways smell it?" Cat thought as she used her claws to open the balcony doors. She slipped unnoticed inside and made her way into Nakida's room.

Quickly she resumed human form and began to go through Nakida's stuff careful not to disturb anything. Her desk revealed nothing and neither did her computer. Her closet was empty except for clothes. Her lab was no good either. Growling in frustration she whispered to herself "Where is it? Were did she hide that stupid thing!" Suddenly her cat like ears picked up on something.

"Victor and I are going to the park will be back soon." Nakida called out to her parents.

"Okay sweetie see you later." Mr. Warren said.

"We'll be going to the Center for a few hours so carry your house key okay?" said Mrs. Warren

"All right, Mom. See you guys later. Sonia come on! " Said Nakida impatiently

"It was a wonderful evening Mr. and Mrs. Warren. Can't wait for you to come to the Tower tomorrow for a Titan style dinner. Bye y'all! " Said Cy

"Nice to have you too, Vic. See you guys later have fun., " said Evan

Everyone one left in such a hurry that no one noticed the sound of the balcony door open or shut. Or a streak of black racing through the dark night.

Cyborg and Nakida walk through a mist of fireflies and wrote their names in wet cement and rolled down hills. Next they went to a gazebo and were laughing and giggling happily as they kissed.

Cat watched from a nearby tree. Part of her loved the sight of two lovers in love. Were they could be together and the whole world could just fade from existents. She longed for that kind of love. As her mother once said "True love is like a red rose blooming in winter 's snow. Its so strong then even the deathly cold can't kill it!" She smiled. The other half of her was thinking if it got anymore sappy she put a finger down her throat.

"Oh Bastet help me now." she said as the two walked home.

Same thing the next night. But Cat had the surprise feeling that Nakida was aware of her presence. This gave her an idea. She wrote 100 threaten letters to the Warrens in blood each with a photograph. She knew they get scared and try to cut and run.

Her plan was working out to a T. Nakida came home one day and saw the place packed up.

"What's going on? Mom, Dad?" asked a scared Nakida hoping to God that her worst nightmare was not about to come true.

Her parents looked at each other. They had not told Nakida about the threaten letters or the photo's with their eyes burned out and their face clawed. They had shredded them and burn the remains and flushed the ashes down the toilet.

"Nakida, sweetheart we've been called to help with a military medical project. " said her father with a very serious face as he packed his Medical Encyclopedia.

"We're moving?! But when and where? And what about the laser! I thought you said you would still need a decade to finish with it!" she demanded

"Well things change dear. Now there are boxes in your room that need packing. Go now please." said her mother

"We 're leaving for D.C. tomorrow. We need to be gone by 4:30." said Evan

"In the afternoon?" said Sonia who finally decided to speak up

"No! In the morning!" said Melinda

Nakida just stared in disbelief and finally said under her breath "I'M NOT MOVING AGAIN!"

"What did you say?" her mother asked looking up from her packing.

"I said I'M NOT MOVING AGAIN!"

Sonia sensed trouble and went to her room in the palm pilot.

" Honey, be reasonable. Life is not fair we all know but we can't break the promise we made when we took this job or chose this life." said Evan he ran his hand through his hair nervously.

"Yes daughter. We realize that you will have to say good bye to the Titans and Cyborg but people come and go and that's life." said Melinda brushing a loose strand of hair from her face.

"IT'S NOT THE LIFE I CHOSE! YOU SAID YOU KNOW WHEN YOU FOUND TRUE LOVE AND I HAVE. I COULD LIVE TO BE A 103 AND STILL ONLY LOVE CYBORG. WE'VE BEEN AROUND THE WORLD TEN TIMES OVER! I'VE HAD IT! MOM YOU SAID YOU COULD FALL IN LOVE AT ANY AGE! THERE'S NO RATIONAL OR LOGICAL REASON FOR MOVING!!!! I HATE YOU GUYS!" she said as she ran to her room crying.

Evan and Melinda felt lower then low. They had promise her that they stay here for a long time. But they had to get away from the stalker!!

Nakida went to her desk and grabbed two photos. One of her family in Venice ,Italy, (This is where I wish to go someday myself) she was ten and they were touring Italy for vacation. She and her parents looked so cool in the gondola. The other one was she at Titan's Tower. They were all having fun playing volleyball. Even Raven.

"Are you alright ,Ms.Warren? Please tell me!" asked a concerned Sonia

"No Sonia I'm not! They broke a promised to me! They said we finally stay in one place for a while. All I every wanted and dreamed of is right here! I can't leave not now, not ever!! " she said through her tears. She then made a rash decesion he grabbed a duffel bag and started to fill it up rather fast.

Sonia knew she was planning to ran away and for once agreed. "Take me with you , Nakida. Please here I'm treated like a person not a thing! " she pleaded with her.

Nakida stopped what she was doing and looked at her friend in surprise and said "You called me Nakida. But I can't take you with me. Not right now! Someone has to stay with Mom and Dad. But once I get things worked out I'll send for you." She then ran and hugged her and said "You are the best friend I've ever had. See you later Sonia!" As she let her self down the fire escape. Then ran through the pouring rain as lighting and thunder flashed and crashed.

"This is Cat calling Slade. Time to move in if you want the prize. I'll be waiting for you." Cat said into her communicator.

Meanwhile at Titans Tower the Titans were enjoying a nice game of Element Eliminator. ( That card game from Winner takes all.) For once Lady Luck was with Starfire.

"Look friends I have won almost all the cards is that a good thing?" Starfire asked.

"Yeah Starfire it is. Now come on lets finish this round. I don't like this storm it's a bad omen." Raven told her friends darkly.

"Come on your just trying to scare us." BB said.

Suddenly they heard the main doors open and five minuets later a bedraggled and dripping wet Nakida appeared in their living room. "Hi guys."

"Nakida! What's wrong I mean why are you all wet and what's with the bag? Tell me what's going on?" Cyborg demanded.

Before Nakida could answer she fainted. The Titans rushed over to her and carried her to the couch. "I'll get some blankets." Raven said disappearing.

Cyborg nodded and turned to the rest of them. "Beast Boy get me a thermometer, Robin call her folks, and Starfire heat up some chicken soup please?" He ordered them. Nodding the Titans left him with his girlfriend.

"Hang on Nakida don't you give up on me." Cyborg whispered in her ear. Raven returned with the blankets and Beast boy brought the thermometer. "She's running a fever of 101 and according to my sensors is suffering from hypothermia. Man we have to break her fever now."

"I called her house and there's no answer. The lines have been disconnected." Robin said coming back into the living room followed by Starfire. "I've brought the soup."

Cyborg began to feed her the soup trying to wake her up. She spat some of the soup in his face but got most of it down. Shivering she pulled the blanket tightly around her and began to sleep.

"I'll stay with her tonight to make sure she's okay. Just try to contact her parents wouldn't want them to worry." Cyborg said.

"Understood. Try to get some rest Cy. Goodnight." Robin told his best friend.

Cyborg dabbed her forehead with a wet washcloth and took her hand in his and said "You be all right ,Nakida. I just know. I 'll never leave your side. Come back to me my love." he was actually staring to cry a little and he then said a pray.

She was dreaming that she was running in the dark on dry broken rocky ground. As she raced it to the vast emptiness images of her family and Cy and the Titans. She skids to a stop as the ground began to quake. The ground spilt apart and she ran to her right towards Cyborg and the Titans. But just as she was about to reach him and their fingers where inches form each there the ground split apart and spread them "Cyborg!" He called out to her but she could not hear him. She turns and high tailed it to the left to her family but the same thing happened! She was left to float on a rock that was in the middle of nowhere cut off from her loved ones. She got down on her hands and knees and cried. Then a bright light shown in her face and she woke up.

"Uh ?"as she looked around. She needed a moment to remember that she came here yesterday night. She turned and faced Cyborg who was asleep in the chair beside her. She smiled and woke him up and said "Thank you ,Victor for taken care of me. Now I love you even more." she smiled weakly

"You are still weak, let me fix you something to eat., " he said as he got up and kissed her gently on her forehead. He came back with some eggs ,toast, and applesauce with a pinch of cinnamon. And a tall glass of real milk. She thanked him He then after she had had a few minuets to eat, the question they all been wondering last night. He waited for the other Titans to come down to eat. He said very caution "Nakida why did you come here last night and why did only bring a duffle bag?"

"I ran away from home and I'm not going back to people who break promises!!! I want to come live with you guys! " Everyone stared at her and she replied, "What's the problem? I think it's a great idea. And I promise I won't betray you like Terra did! " She did a pretty pathetic face for good measures.

"Nakida we can't do that. I'm sorry "said Robin

Her eyes turn to flames as she screamed in rage "WHY NOT ? YOU DID THAT FOR A TRAITORIES BRAT! WHY NOT ME?"

"We can't because you have a family and Terra didn't. What ever problems you have with your parents you have to work them out instead of running away from the problem." said Raven

"I THOUGHT YOU GUYS WERE MY FRIENDS!" she shouts at them in a venomous voice.

"We are your friends and we will always be your friends," said Starfire as she sat down and ran her fingers through Nakida 's hair.

"What is the problem and maybe we can help." said BB

"Please Nakida tell me." said Cyborg

She let out a breath and explained what had happen last night. "It makes no logical sense and I really don't want to say good-bye to you guys. I found my first real friends here and true love. How can my parents expect me to leave all that? Even Sonia doesn't want to leave. But I have no chose in the matter. Come Victor you can take me home. Good bye, Robin, Starfire, Raven Beast Boy no matter where I go you will always be my friends and I will e -mail and maybe one day I will return to Jump City and we can pick up right we left off." she hugged all of them and they all said a tearful good-bye. Cyborg dropped her off at her apartment and they kissed one more time and said "I will always love for you be for ever in my heart. "And she went inside.

He went back to Titans Tower broken hearted. Everyone felt the same. So they were really surprised when Sonia appeared tattered and torn ten minuets later. She was crying and said in a shaky voice that the Warrens had been kidnapped!