Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans or anything else in this story
TITANS TOWER
"Where were you?" Robin demanded when Fireteen entered the main room.
"Um, grocery shopping, it's my turn to cook this week," Fireteen responded a little surprised by the question.
"You were gone for two hours, that is a long time," Robin observed.
"There was a robbery, so I took it down, probably be on the evening news," Fireteen said as she began unloading her goods from the bags.
Robin just glared at her. Nightfire entered the room and asked, "What's wrong Robin?"
"Nothing, absolutely nothing," Robin growled with an edge as he stormed out of the room.
"What happened?" Nightfire asked Fireteen.
"I don't know," Fireteen sighed, "Ever since we have been going out he has been slowly becoming more protective and jealous, he is also acting very possessive," Fireteen added.
"That doesn't sound good," Nightfire observed.
"No kidding, I mean he is jealous of Guardian, his best friend, he doesn't trust him, that has to tell you something," Fireteen said as she laughed with Nightfire.
"Tomorrow's Valentines Day," Nightfire pointed out.
"Yeah, and it is also our day off, anyways, have Guardian and Darkness returned with any info yet," Fireteen asked, changing the subject to Raven.
"They just sent an update, they haven't found anything yet, or any sign of the HIVE, but they have found out the HIVE split with Hartwell a few weeks ago," Nightfire explained.
"So, you and me will do the next shift," Fireteen said.
"Yep, and the other three will come if we call them," Nightfire explained.
"We better find a break through soon, it's almost been a month, time is slowly running out," Fireteen said as she looked at the calendar.
"The Titans Reserve may have to be called if we don't make progress soon," Nightfire observed.
"Damn, I hope it doesn't come to giving into Iqbal's demands," Fireteen said.
"It won't," Guardian's voice came as he walked into the room briskly.
"Where is Darkness?" Nightfire asked in greeting.
"Sleeping, she is really exhausted," Guardian said as he went to get some orange juice.
"Who is your Valentine for tomorrow?" Nightfire said with a wicked smile. She was changing the subject to a less depressing one.
Guardian looked at her seriously, "We have more important things to worry about then Valentines and love. All love gives you is death and orphans," Guardian said bitterly as he left the room.
"What's his problem?" Nightfire asked, taken back by the outburst.
"Guardian has some issues, some things happened when the team began, some bad things," Fireteen tried to explain quietly. She didn't think she should tell Nightfire about Julie and those tragic events.
"What type of issues?" Nightfire asked out of curiosity.
"It really isn't my place to say," Fireteen said sternly.
"Alright," Nightfire said, a little hurt that Fireteen didn't trust her with the information.
VALENTINES DAY
Robin woke up with a start, he had another nightmare. Robin turned to the side table and saw it was four in the morning. Robin groaned, once he woke he couldn't go back to sleep. Robin got up and went to the bathroom. Robin slept only in his pants; he only needed three minutes to get his shirt, boots, belt, and mask on, which is why he didn't bother to sleep in his full uniform. He took a shower and changed into his uniform, he always put his cape on last. Nothing was really going through the young teens mind as he went to pick up his wallet from his dressing table; it was next to a picture of Fireteen.
Robin left the room and entered the kitchen to find the usual man already there eating his breakfast, Guardian. "Hello Guardian," he mumbled as he grabbed a bowl.
"Hello Robin," Guardian replied, also not with much emotion.
"Do anything interesting last night," Robin said as he poured the cereal, he was referring to Guardian's night patrols.
"The usual, burglars, robbers, and Hartwell's gangsters," Guardian replied as he sipped his tea.
"So, what's on today's agenda? Who has the first shift?" Robin asked as he began eating, he sat across from Guardian.
Guardian gave him a strange look, "Don't you know what today is?" he asked.
Robin gave an irritated look, "What is it smart ass," he said angrily, he was really short tempered these days.
"Cool down, its Valentines Day, and our day off, we have been working so hard these past few weeks everyone is exhausted," Guardian answered, ignoring the outburst.
"Damn! Your right, I have to take Fireteen out today," Robin said as he quickly finished his breakfast and he rushed to his room to get the flowers and chocolate he had picked up several days earlier.
"Good luck," Guardian said to no one as he just continued to drink his tea.
SEVERALHOURS LATTER
1st AVENUE CLUB
"Your everything, your everything I wanted," Robin managed to say to the beautiful redhead sitting in front of him. Both Robin and Fireteen were in there disguises and Robin had taken her to her favorite teen club.
"Same to you handsome," Fireteen said with a smile. So far the day had gone beautifully, candy, flowers, the smiles, and love. Robin was acting like he used to, not like the jealous, dark man he had been acting like for the past few days. She was really enjoying herself, just her and Robin.
"Hey love birds!" another teenage boy said as he patted Robin and Fireteen on the back. The boy had long blonde hair and wore a leather jacket.
"Hey Bill!" Fireteen said happily, Bill was a friend they had made while in disguise. Robin just nodded.
"How are you Bill," Robin said out of politeness, he was really upset with his appearance and of how Fireteen was pretty much flirting with him.
"Doing fine, my buddy," Bill responded before returning his attention to Fireteen.
After several more minutes of listening to his good friend flirting with his girl and his girl flirting with him, Robin, in anger got up and stormed out.
"Kevin! Where are you going?" Fireteen called to her boyfriend.
"Out, you seem to be busy," he said quietly as he left the room. Fireteen said sorry to Bill and ran after Robin.
Fireteen entered the alley and was quickly flung against the brick wall. "What is wrong with you? What are you doing?" she yelled as Robin pinned her against the wall.
"The club on First Avenue, I came here just for you, and now you flirt with my good friend. Is that how you thank me?" Robin demanded.
"What? I wasn't flirting with him!" Fireteen said enraged at the accusation made by Robin.
"Then girl tell me why you were laughing. I won't hold on, I can't hold on to this," Robin said as his grip got tighter.
"Robin, what is bothering you? Why are you acting like this?" Fireteen asked scarred. Robin was actually hurting her.
"Thursday I am holding the trust that you gave, my plan for today was mapped out in my head for three long weeks, three long weeks, three long weeks! Well Fireteen, I won't hold on to this," Robin said menacingly. He was tightening his grip.
"Robin, what is going on?" Fireteen yelled in fear, she noticed several people pass by on the street, not caring, to them Fireteen was just another victim, they didn't care. To them Fireteen was just another victim in the dirty city.
"Valentines Day, everybody else is holding bouquets, but now I am holding my face in an alley, scratching away for any trace, of affection you may have. I won't hold on anymore, I can't hold on to this," Robin said quietly.
"Robin, we are finished, you are too much for me, I can't trust you anymore, I-I don't feel safe around you anymore," Fireteen said quietly.
Now Robin was angry, "No," he said, very quietly, then he exploded, "I won't hold on to this! For you, for you I got the knife!" Robin said as he let her go and began pounding the wall in anger.
"Robin!" Fireteen yelled as she stood up, Robin's eyes had tears. She was really disturbed by his last comment. She walked towards Robin who backed away from her and began yelling again.
"You are a fake! Go away! My God you are beautiful orange and red! You are such a beautiful orange and red!" Robin screamed out as he collapsed.
TITANS TOWER
INFIRMARY
"Will he be okay?" Fireteen asked Guardian.
"Yeah, he just fainted or something, are you sure he acted like that?" Guardian responded.
"Yes," Fireteen responded.
"That doesn't sound like Robin," Guardian observed.
"I know, he, he wasn't the same, he was screaming about cutting himself, called me fake, told me to go away, and then started screaming beautiful and orange and red," Fireteen responded.
"How could he act like that?" Darkness said as she also looked at Robin's sleeping form.
"I am incomplete shock," Fireteen said, "And am scared," she said as she shivered.
"He better give some answers when he wakes up," Nightfire said with an edge in her voice.
"To me he is just emotionally and physically overwhelmed, and he hasn't been with the right crowd either," Guardian put in.
"You think this has to do with Jim?" Darkness said.
"Who else would make him feel jealous like that," Guardian pointed out.
"True, he never was like this before he began his daily visits to his house," Darkness said nodding.
"Maybe we should pay him a visit," Fireteen said as she faced her other three teammates.
JIM'S HQ
"Jim, what did you do to Robin?" Guardian started off right away when he entered the plush office, Jim was sitting behind a wooded desk. Fireteen and Darkness were right behind Guardian.
"What? Did something happen to him? Why are you here, you aren't the leader?" Jim said, worried his plan to run the Titans through Robin was failing.
"I am the leader as of two hours earlier, Robin has mentally and physically collapsed and I was elected to temporarily take over while Robin recovers," Guardian explained the situation to Jim.
"So, you guys got jealous of Robin, and scared of the fact he was making you guys into a real team so you decided to get rid of him," Jim said sternly.
"No, we didn't get jealous or anything like that, Robin has gone on suicide watch and we are here to find out what you said to him that drove him to that stage," Guardian said calmly.
"What I said? What I said? You drove him to this stage; he came here complaining about his whore of a girlfriend flirting with any guy from the opposite sex. He told me about his so called best friend putting him down, and he also talked about his bitch of a friend who still is keeping a secret from him," Jim said with a smile at the Titans who were now looking down.
In a twisted way, he was right, Fireteen had let on to the other guys, Guardian had been very negative with him lately, and Darkness still hadn't told Robin about her mother's secret.
Guardian however, didn't like the way he said it and he grabbed Jim by the collar.
"I wouldn't do anything if I were you," Jim warned.
"Why," Guardian said, not as a question, but as a statement.
"I can get Raven for you, I just got some information," Jim said with a cocky grin, he felt he had the Titans right where he wanted them.
"We don't want your help, sadly, I don't want another team member on suicide watch," Guardian growled before punching Jim hard in the face. "That's for calling my teammates whore and bitch, and for screwing up Robin," Guardian said as Jim clutched his nose in pain.
Jim gasped out, "Get the Hell out of here, our "relationship" is over! No more help with Hartwell, and you will never get the information you need to find Raven!" Jim screamed.
"As the leader of the Titans, I don't need your help," Guardian said as he walked out of the office with the other Titans.
As they flew to the Tower Fireteen said, "Good job Guardian!"
Guardian just nodded, but Darkness flew silently, wondering if Jim was right about having some information of her mother.
TITIANS TOWER
INFIRMARY
Robin woke up with a groan, his head was throbbing. However, Robin noticed he couldn't lift his arms; he struggled for a while, not realizing what was going on until Nightfire spoke, "You are strapped in."
"Why?" Robin asked as he continued to struggle, realizing now he was in the infirmary and he couldn't move his arms or legs.
"Guardian put you on suicide watch after your breakdown," Nightfire responded.
Robin looked at her in disbelief, "Suicide watch? Why? Why are you listening to his orders? I am the leader of the Titans!" Robin said anger rising in his voice.
"Not at the moment, after you assaulted Fireteen, we all voted that you were unfit for leadership at the moment and we picked Guardian to be the temporary leader until you return back to your old form," Nightfire explained.
"Assault Fireteen?" Robin asked in disbelief.
"Do you remember anything? Don't you remember your date with Fireteen?" Nightfire asked.
Robin stared blankly at Nightfire before the memories flooded back to him. "Oh my God, what the hell did I do?" he said quietly.
"A lot of bad, she has broken up with you," Nightfire responded.
"What do I have to do to get out of this stupid suicide watch?" Robin asked in frustration, he was just getting bad news after bad news.
"You seem fine at the moment, but you are being put on a week vacation to gather your thoughts together, and the Justice League has some doctors who can help you. So you are to report to the Watchtower, spend time with family, and see these doctors before returning back to your leadership role," Nightfire quoted Guardian.
"Alright," Robin said without resistance, he knew he was screwed up at the moment.
Nightfire nodded satisfied and was leaving the room to deactivate the straps when Robin called out, "Wait, who is going to replace me?" he asked.
Nightfire turned around, "Avengement says he is busy, but Kili called in to say he was coming, and Nola from Japan will come in," she answered.
Robin nodded, "Great selections, just one week," he said pretty much to reassure himself as he drifted off to sleep again.
GUARDIAN
OUTSIDE OF TITANS TOWER
"Yeah Nightfire," Guardian responded to his communicator, Nightfire had called him.
"Robin's awake and he seems to be okay so I took him off suicide watch," Nightfire's voice came out, only Guardian could hear. The other Titans followed behind but the wind drowned out the private conversation Guardian was having with Nightfire.
"Good, good, he isn't angry or anything like that is he?" Guardian asked.
"No, he is fine, but I was wondering, should we send him off now? I mean do you think him and Fireteen should see each other? It seems it would get a little awkward.
Guardian was silent for a few minutes, he turned to see Fireteen, he could tell as they approached the Tower she was becoming more apprehensive, her face darkened with worry at what would greet her. "Get him out of there, I don't want to risk a scene, nor do I want Fireteen to go into an uncomfortable environment, so get him out," Guardian ordered.
"Alright, how far away are you?" Nightfire responded, she knew it would take time to get Robin out.
"I will delay for you," Guardian said as he cut off his communication. Guardian looked around for some distraction to cause a delay. He suddenly stopped in midair.
"What's wrong?" Darkness asked.
"I see a thug down there, dressed like one of Isaac's men, let's go interrogate him for information before we reach the Tower," Guardian said as he began flying down. The other two girls just shrugged and followed their leader.
THREE HOURS LATTER
TITANS TOWER
After several hours of hunting down thugs across the city, Guardian decided it was finally safe to get back.
When they entered the Tower Fireteen immediately asked Nightfire, "How's Robin?"
"He already left for the Watchtower," Nightfire responded.
Fireteen nodded and asked, "Did he leave anything? Or did he say anything?" she wanted to know if Robin had anything to say.
Nightfire hesitated, glanced at Guardian who didn't reveal anything behind his mask, but he was a little surprised by Nightfire's reaction. "He left a letter for you," Nightfire finally said before handing Fireteen an envelope.
Guardian was surprised that Robin left a letter and a little worried about what the man, who several hours ago had been considered suicidal, wrote.
Fireteen took the letter and went to her room without a word to read the letter in privacy.
"What did he write?" Guardian asked Nightfire.
"I don't know," Nightfire said honestly.
Guardian actually got a little angry, "Come on Nightfire, what if he wrote some bad things in there, we don't want the relationship to get worse, next time you are in this situation, read the letter," Guardian lectured.
"Invade his privacy?" Nightfire said in disbelief.
"Yes, invade his privacy, he is suicidal, I know he is your cousin but you are a Titan now and you should know these things," Guardian continued to lecture.
"Sorry, alright, jeez, no need to rip on me," Nightfire said as she too left the room.
Guardian just went to a chair and sat there in anger. He was lost in thought, as he began wondering when the two Titans Reserve members would show.
"I think you were a bit harsh on her," Darkness observed as she pulled a chair and faced her leader.
"The goal is to keep this team together and to stay unified, we are dealing with not only the HIVE but also a master of manipulation, as you know," Guardian said.
Darkness flinched, "I know I have made mistakes Guardian, but you don't need to rub it in all the time. I know you were right, okay, so please stop pointing it out every time the subject comes up," Darkness said sternly, her relationship with Iqbal was still fresh in her and Guardian's mind.
"Sorry, I really didn't mean it like that, it's just that things are falling apart again, and I don't know what to do. I mean, we can't find your mom and our leader has been pushed to the edge," Guardian said.
"Don't worry, if anyone can pull out of a crises like that, its Robin," Darkness said with a small reassuring smile.
"Let's hope your right," Guardian said with a nod.
ROBIN'S LETTER
Fireteen ripped open the letter and this is what she read:
Dear Fireteen,
I am so sorry for all the pain and hurt I have caused you today. I am truly an evil man and undeserving of your love. This is all my fault. I loved you, I always loved you, and you were the one for me. Now I am stuck inside our memories, I forgot about destiny, I buried us truly. Didn't I love you, faster than a devil? Is that why I drove us to the ground? The world has drowned me in its dark water. However, you were always floating, but I could never see because I was so down. I am so stuck, stuck in a past that will never be, I still can't believe you're gone. Everything has fallen apart; you have fallen from me, didn't you? Or maybe I am just clouded in mind about what happened, I thought I was amazing to you, I thought you were amazing to me, but here we go again. Did I love you? Or was it just emotions neither of us could control. Oh please just forgive me, I don't know what came over me, and I promise I will try to change when I get back. I have been drowned by his sound, by his voice! How could I have been manipulated like this? I was drowning in love and memories, damn, I am drowning in a lot of stuff these days aren't I?
Yours truly,
Robin
(P.S Sorry for the long confusing letter, I am just filled with so many thoughts I can't understand)
ROOF TITANS TOWER
Guardian stood on the roof staring out at the city. He stood like a statue for several minutes before tears began flowing. Guardian took off his mask and went to his knees as he wiped his face and just continued to weep.
Darkness came to the roof, noticing Guardian leaving the room and saying he needed fresh air after listening to another news report claiming Guardian was foreign spy because he was spotted by an embassy after it was robbed. Then came another report speculating about Julie and Guardian's relationship.
Darkness noticed Guardian's hurt and frustration and followed him, this wasn't the first time he had just left, however this was the first time Darkness followed and she was shocked. She knew Guardian was a tough guy and she never expected to find him crying on the roof of the Tower facing the evil city.
"Guardian?" she asked softly, "Let me share the burden, what's bothering you?" she asked.
"I…I am overcome," Guardian said as he quickly got up and brushed off some dirt and quickly put on his mask, before beginning to leave the roof. However, as he floated, he felt the soft hand of Darkness hold him in place.
Darkness said, "No Guardian, tell me what's bothering you," she said with affection.
Guardian turned and looked at the kind eyes before he began his confessions.
Special thanks to all those who read, and especially to those who reviewed:
BlackGothFaerie
Elissar
whitewolf33
StickLad
Moonfire
AnimationWickedRaven
Dark Wolf 021
Kirara-so-cute
Shadow Element 13
Well, two newcharacters will join the Titans next update, Iqbal prepares a attack, and Robin gets help from his mom (he needs it)
I should also explain exactly what went to Robin, Robin has been hanging with Jim for too long and his mind has been clouded, so now he is going back to the Watchtowe to get healed by none other than...STARFIRE!
(This is huge,I have been accused of not concentrating on Starfire in some of my previous fics, not this one, so I am going to make Star play a pivatol role in this one)
SO STICK AROUND FOR THE NEXT CHAPTER AND REMEMBER:
PLEASE REVIEW!