Betrayal

Chapter 4: Confusion at Breakfast

Disclaimer: I do not own anything of the Teen Titans.

A/N: This chapter is dedicated to eventidespirit, who has been nothing but a steadfast reader and reviewer of my stories. Kudo's! (btw, check out As Sisters as it is complete, unless I find the time to continue it.)

Robin awoke for the second time that night, the brilliance of Blackfire's eyes still glaring menacingly before him in the darkness. He drew a hand across his brow to find sweat trickling down his cheek and his hair matted to his skull. He vaguely recalled he had indeed fallen asleep twice. He felt sick to his stomach; what could this all mean?

These dreams of his, no matter how controversial, were somehow connected. Something terrible was going to befall Starfire and he was going to have a hand in it.

Robin awoke fully the next morning although not fitfully. He had bathed his face to relieve himself of the salty residue that had been left behind from the terrible night. Feeling somewhat refreshed, Robin made his way down to the front of the Tower, standing in what the Titans had considered their common room.

He could not help the curiosity that rose in his breast as he gazed out over the sea. That dagger. What if Blackfire had truly visited him that night and demanded he find the weapon and destroy her sister. What could possibly become of the world if he did not comply? The threat felt empty but it was the manner in which the raven-haired girl spoke it that seemed so real. Empty-threats could fetch nothing but his suspicion, but they were still not to be taken lightly, his training would not allow it. Yes, there had been something in the dark Tamaranian's eyes that told him different; a haunting ferocity that did not lie.

He grumbled audibly into his mug of milk and drank deeply; he would have had something a little stronger but they were all out of much else besides the white beverage and as much as Starfire promoted it, he did not think mustard would pass for a picker-upper. Robin allowed a small smile to curl his lips before his thoughts returned to resolving his current predicament.

He could not decide what to do, but what would it hurt to at least search for the dagger—tosh! That little blade would not be there; at the bottom of the bay. He would protect Starfire if it cost him his life. The world was another matter.

Robin, deep in his musings, did not notice the red-haired girl who sidled shyly up beside him.

"Does something trouble you, Robin?" she asked gently, not wishing to interrupt their leader's thoughts. Robin grumbled sleepily into his mug, swallowed once and cleared his throat.

"Just thinking."

Starfire's gaze followed Robin's over the water and she unconsciously bit her lower lip.

"Will you be joining us for the morning meal?" she gestured in the direction of the other titans. Robin's gaze lingered for a moment over the tiny tufts of surf below, before he turned to follow the red-haired girl to the cuisine. "Good morning to you all!" Starfire chirped happily to her companions. "And now that Robin has joined our party, we may suffice our hunger on what Beast Boy has prepared for us."

The green teen comically placed his arranged what looked like a lumpy, off-white potato salad before each Titan. Robin was not all that hungry and he did not feel much up to dining on tofu. Raven's eyes slid around the room, subtle twitch of her lips was the only indication of her distaste in the matter. She stood and stalked to the kettle without a word.

"C'mon Raven," Beast Boy moaned, "I made it 'special for you!"

"Herbal tea." Was Raven's only reply.

Offended and slightly intimidated by the blue-clad girl, Beast Boy slipped back to the table and sat forlornly beside Cyborg. The mechanical teen stared at his plate, daring not to touch it. He wanted some wholesome meat. Cyborg stood, squeezing past the green boy, or rather, jostling him out of the way since he was not exactly the most petite of the Titans.

"Huh? Where are you going?" Beast Boy snapped, becoming more upset by every passing moment. Cyborg mimicked Raven in her reply.

"Eggs, bacon, and toast." Cyborg joined Raven by the stove to fry up some eggs.

"Good call." Raven murmured under her breath to him.

The green boy exhaled an exclamation of surprise. "But—but—"

"Beast Boy," Robin sighed wearily, "I'm not really hungry." He slowly rose and strode off, careful not look anyone in the eye. Poor Beast Boy uttered a cry of indignation.

"I'm never cooking a meal for you ungrateful people again!" Beast Boy shouted and stalked off, leaving the dishes to be done by a confused Starfire. It had been a rare occurrence that all of her companions would skip out on the first meal, which she was told, was the most important of all. She sighed sadly as she took a small bite of Beast Boy's breakfast. Something was troubling the Titans and she did not understand what it could be.

Robin hesitated on the edge of the bay, feeling silly for not knowing what action to take. This was ludicrous. How could Blackfire have escaped from prison and acquire this weapon, from his dream? Why was she haunting him? It was true that in Blackfire's past visit, she had sought him out rather doggedly and had spent more time with him than any of the other Titans. And while Robin was, though he would not admit it, flattered by her interest, it had been nothing short of a ploy to ensure her younger sister's arrest.

But why—why did she wish to torment him this way? What was her true intent? Revenge seemed too outlived for this. There was something deeper; why else would she press this issue so hard on him?

Something had to be done.



A/N: Shoot off the fireworks, fire the cannons, and make sure the soldiers report twenty-one rounds! Betrayal has come back! Sheesh, did I take long enough to get my rear in gear or what? Thank the stars my inspiration came back and my writer's block got its block knocked off. Right, this story is still going to have some kinks to work out—but it will make complete sense at the finish, you have my word on that one. (Just as long as I can get there...)

This story is still going under construction and don't expect to have chapters up too often, since I'm toggling between two stories and school is hot on my tail.

Reviews and reviewers and loved and appreciated.

Blackfire 18