Anna Brown, please don't get ahead of me… Be patient… and you have!

Chapter 24: "Returning"

The Titans' door bell rang. Cyborg quickly looked at his arm and saw two individuals. One, a young man with black earlobe length hair, a mask, and a black suit with a blue bird on the chest and the wings stretching to the shoulders and arms. The other, a very tall young woman with orange skin, very long auburn hair, and wearing a purple suit that was revealing to say the least. Nightwing, Richard 'Dick' Grayson, and Starfire, Kori Grayson.

"Hey y'all! Nightwing and Starfire are here!" The new Titan leader called. He pressed a button on his arm and let out a buzzing noise from the door. The couple walked in Titans' Tower hand in hand.

Upon entering the living room, they were greeted warmly.

"It is glorious to see you all friends!" Starfire hugged everyone tightly.

"Um.. Mrs. Grayson, you were here yesterday.." Wonder Girl pointed out.

"Yes but is it not still wonderful to see friends?"

"How's everyone been?" Nightwing asked.

"Alright I guess.." Jinx said.

"Good by me.." Cyborg added.

"Good? Really? You don't remember what today is?..." Beast Boy felt bitter toward his friends for forgetting one of the most important days to him.

"Oh.. sorry Gar.." Nightwing said to the changeling. "I forgot today would be Raven's birthday.."

"Is! Is Raven's birthday!" He was becoming very angry as well as sorrowful.

All came to a halt as a shotgun blast rang throughout the tower.

"What the hell!" Nightwing exclaimed. "Ti- I mean.. "

Cyborg slightly smirked. "Old habit huh? Titans go!"

The group ran into where the shot came from, the training room. Inside, Robin was on the floor.

"Tim! You ok!" Beast Boy asked as he ran to his friend.

"Yeah. Glad he just hit my suit.. (it's bullet proof, fire proof, and stab proof; like Nightwing's)

"He?" Beast Boy turned to see Deathstroke pointing the barrel of a twelve gauge shot gun at his face.

Superboy quickly took the gun from the masked man and ripped it apart. He stared into the man's one eye. "What are you gonna do now?"

The man didn't speak. He gave the sign of 'J' with his hand and fell to the floor. A blue spirit came out of Deathstroke and entered Superboy through his eyes.

"Jericho?" Nightwing was shocked at the conclusion he came to. His answer came when Superboy nodded and kicked him into the wall.

"Get out of him!" Yelled Beast Boy as he transformed into a rhino and charged. Superboy spun around in the air and created a strong wind, knocking everyone back.

"My friend shall be free of you!" Starfire vowed as she flew at the possessed Titan. She threw many starbolts at him. He fell down, clutching his abdomen. Before looking up at her. "Friend Con'el?"

He shook his head before Jericho left the body of Superman's 'son' and entered Starfire.

"Leave us alone!" Shouted Beast Boy.

Starfire flew over to him and grabbed him by the collar with one hand and raised another and charged it with energy.

"That's it Joey! Take him out!" Deathstroke encouraged him.

"No one shall die here!" A black and white portal opened. A young women wearing a gray cloak and black leotard with a transparent body came through. "You shall leave her Joseph Wilson!"

"RAVEN!" Beast Boy's eyes were nearly in tears of joy. The others looked on in the awe of seeing their friend return.

Jericho flew out of Starfire and stayed floating in a blue spirit form. "Raven! Help me!" He screamed mentally. "Help me destroy them!"

"Poor creature.. Your mind has been damaged… I'm sorry for this…but I shall send you to the afterlife.. May the wraiths lead you to paradise.

"NO!" As Raven began her spell, he flew all over the room before finding a suitable vessel, Cyborg. He flew at the Titan and was reading himself to enter his body when..

"Sorry Joe.." He closed his human eye. "You stop here.." As Jericho entered the eye, his information was downloaded onto a disk that was in Cyborg's chest.

"Joey? What have you done to my son you bitch!" Yelled Deathstroke.

"He chose this path Slade.. deal with it.." she said coldly.

"I'll be back!" He threw a smoke bomb on the floor and took his leave.

"Raven!" Beast Boy ran to his love. She had returned. But before he could reach her, a black aura began to envelope her.

"Garfield! Everyone! Find Blood, and you'll find me! I shall return to you my love!" The portal closed and she was nowhere to be seen.

"Raven! No! Not again!" The changeling dropped to his knees in despair. His only happiness had been taken again. The only being that could make him love; gone once more. He began to fall into deep depression until Mas and Menos walked over to him.

"Hermano.." Said Mas. " Remember what you said to her those months ago?

Beast Boy was silent; he didn't.

Menos spoke. "You said that kiss you gave her wouldn't be your last…"

Beast Boy suddenly realized what he was doing. Giving up hope. The one thing he always had.. There's still a chance… Standing, he spoke in a loud voice, "Let's find Raven…"

(Yaaay! Review please!)