Kori Anders: Thanks,I like mysteries too.

Sirenmergirl: Glad your liking the story so far.

Chapter Eleven

Reunited Once Again

After and hour of getting his heart to stop racing Robin finally got off the train at the nearest station. He walked briskly through the station wanting more than anything to get out before somebody recognized him. 'Don't worry guys, don't worry Starfire; just figure out where the first marker is and we'll see each other again soon.' He walked out into the open street and as a bus and a group of people passed by Robin was gone.

AT THE TITANS MOTEL…………….

"BOOYAH! It's in France on top of the Eiffel Tower!" Cyborg exclaimed happily.

"Wonderful, now we need only to go to the France and there we will find the first marker and Robin," stated Starfire. She seemed to almost sound dreamy when Robin's name came up.

"Great, now the only question is just how you intend to sneak into France with both the CIA and the Order on our tail," Raven deadpanned.

"You know that's a good question," said Beast Boy.

"Perhaps if we were to apply some of Robin's 'cloak and daggery', we would be able to arrive undetected," suggested Star. Lee had finally stepped away from the map.

"How? We don't have any fake passports, government credentials veering us, or any type of personal transport."

"Please friends we must not speak as though the situation were hopeless, Robin is depending on our timely arrival."

"And how do we know that," asked Raven. She stepped a little closer. "How do we even know Robin's alive?" The question almost seemed to startle Starfire. She honestly had no idea how Raven or any of them could even think such a thing. Starfire gazed down at what was left of the envelope, which had found it's way into the trashcan. She bent down and removed it from the unused receptacle.

"I simply know, I am sorry but I am unable to explain it." It was strange how something as plain and meager like an envelope could become something of which one was unable to separate from. To Starfire it was all she had of Robin at the moment and she was not going to let it out of her sight. They took in Starfire's response and pursued the question no further. Beast Boy decided to try and change the subject.

"This would so be a lot easier if we had our own car or something."

"Well we better whenever we get back home," said Cyborg still partial to leaving the T-Ship and T-car with the Titans East.

"Anyway," said Raven giving Cyborg a look of irrelevance. "We're in Zurich, if we help each other by flying it should only be a day's journey."

"How far is it," asked Starfire.

"A few a hundred miles giver or take a kilometer," answered Raven flatly.

"I don't wish to be a burden on anyone," said Lee humbly.

"Don't be ridiculous Lee it would take us four times as long to get to Paris on foot."

"Ooookay so how are we going to do this," asked Beast Boy.

"I will carry Cyborg," said Starfire. "Raven will provide a platform for Lee to stand on and you may simply provide assistance should either friend suddenly fall."

"Lets hope it never comes to that," said Cyborg.

"Alright then lets not waste anymore time," said Raven. Ten minuets later the Titans were in the air and headed toward their destination. Cyborg was their guide as he was glad to offer the use of his GPS. The trip took them indeed a day not counting taking a rest every twenty miles or so. There was even a time when Starfire felt herself growing tired and nearly rammed herself and Cyborg into a tall tree. Other than that they made it through their sojourn with only a few bumps and bruises. Soon they passed over a hill and a large expanse of land covered in lights filled their vision. They landed and took in the immense tower that stood in the distance. Starfire's eyes wandered all over enormous city.

"How are we to find Robin in this big place?"

"I don't think we'll have to," said Lee. "He should be waiting for us at the marker's location, am I right?"

"Yes assuming Robin knew what the map said," added Raven.

"Yall can chill," said Cyborg. "Rob will be there no doubt about it! Right Beast Boy? Beast Boy?" They all looked around and they caught sight of him running down the hill. He turned back and energetically motioned for them to follow.

"WHAT ARE YOU GUYS STANDING AROUND FOR? WE'RE BACK IN CIVILIZATION; LET'S GET SOMEWHERE COZY FOR THE NIGHT!" He then bolted down the hill and was almost out of sight.

"Damn your good Raven," remarked Cyborg at Raven's success at healing Beast Boy. Raven shrugged and started down the hill.

"We'd better follow and make sure he doesn't hurt someone," she said gliding swiftly along Beast Boy's path. Starfire, Cyborg, and Lee promptly followed and they set to finding their friend and leader.

ELSEWHERE IN PARIS………………….

Robin stood on the top most level of the famous tower in Paris, France. He looked out over the city and prayed that his friends were down there somewhere making their way up to him. He had begun to debate whether leaving them again was such a good idea. Could he have escaped along with them and be relieved of the worry he now felt? The whole reason he stayed behind was to keep the Order's focus on him; it seemed however that they let no prisoners escape. He worried the most about how much Starfire must be suffering. He couldn't shake away the image in his mind of Élan or Meric abruptly ending her life or worse adding it to the Order. Élan was an assassin and Meric was a re-educator; either way Starfire would be dead, body or soul. Robin shook his head trying to clear his mind, but found it nearly impossible. He needed the Titans as much as the Titans needed him. He wanted to search the city in hopes of finding them but couldn't risk being seen by the Arbiter's agents. All Robin could do was sit, wait, and pray that they would come along soon. He reached into his pocket and removed the chipped pendant he had given Starfire not long before they parted. He gazed down at the emerald gem and closed his hand tightly over it. "God be with them." He pocketed the gem and then glanced over his shoulder as he noticed someone just came into his midst. He turned around and stared up at the shadow sitting up on a support beam.

"I was afraid I hadn't finished the job," he said quietly.

"Shame on you Ritchie, every well trained assassin knows to check his list and check it twice." Meric slid on down from the support and stood before Robin.

"I'm not like you and Élan Meric; you should know that by now."

"Whether you want to accept who you are or not is your own business, I have been sent here to offer one last chance to abandon your crusade and join with us. The Arbiter would really appreciate a person of your skills."

"You're all messing with the supernatural, a road that can only lead from bad to worse," said Robin. Meric narrowed his eyes.

"I'll assume you have rejected our humble offer, then you shall perish here and NOW!" He then turned his back to Robin and spread his arms to the open skies. "Great goddess Osiris I call upon thee, unleash your divine might and confine us to our battle ground!" He shouted up at the sky and waited. Robin looked around curiously then felt a small rumbling. He then gazed around in surprise as a ray of light came out of nowhere and laced around their section of the tower. It closed itself up to form a transparent bubble. Robin took in their clear cage and turned back to Meric. "We are now secluded from the outside world; there is no escape for you Ritchie!" Robin decided he had heard enough and he charged forward.

From a distance Starfire glanced toward the city's landmark and saw flashes of light circulate around its peak. Doubting very seriously that a thunderstorm could stay in one spot like that she began flying off toward the tower.

"STARFIRE," shouted Cyborg. "Where's she going?" Raven carried Lee while Beast Boy took hold of Cyborg and they flew to catch up with Starfire. Starfire zoomed like a bullet toward the tower's peak and soon the bubble came into view. Her eyes widened at the sight. She slowed down and saw Robin and Meric fighting inside the bubble's confines.

"ROBIN!" She shouted and darted straight at the bubble. Robin blocked another attack from his enemy and caught sight of Starfire coming right at them.

"STAR WAIT," Stretching out his hand; too late. Starfire hit the bubble and smacked right into it while also receiving a huge electric shock.

"AAAAAHHHH!" She shouted out in pain and began to fall. Robin ran up to the edge and pounded against the bubble. She fell halfway and was caught by a net of black energy. Raven flew up and gently set her on the ground. Robin let out a breath of relief and was caught around the neck by Meric. Robin darted forward with Meric running behind. Robin ran up the wall and landed behind Meric. He round house kicked him and sent Meric flying off to the side. On the ground Starfire sat up and rubbed her head. She got to her feet just as the others came running up to her.

"What happened," asked a bewildered Cyborg.

"There appears to be a barrier of some sort blocking us from Robin's battle," reported Starfire looking up the tower.

"I know it's a form of kinetic energy," said Raven. She tapped Lee on the shoulder. "You thinking what I'm thinking?"

"Wouldn't be much of a telepath if wasn't would I," he said with a smile. Raven turned back to Starfire, Cyborg, and Beast Boy.

"Starfire, Lee and I are going to cut a path through the bubble long enough for you to intervene. Cyborg, you and Beast Boy get to the floor right below them in case whoever Robin's fighting tries to get away." They gave her a nod and went to their duties. Raven levitated Lee and herself on either side of bubble while Starfire hovered behind Raven.

"Azerath Metrion Zinthos!" Raven concentrated her powers on the half of the barrier while Lee concentrated his on the other side. Both not gone far in the process when they started to feel drained. They gritted their teeth and struggled not to loose focus for fear of not having enough strength for another attempt. Raven's hands began to tremble while Lee found himself groaning from the intense strain; finally however they managed to cut to sizable holes on each side. Starfire flew in through one and as she passed by Robin sent a terrific punch right at Meric. He flew out the other open end and began to fall. With a mad frown he tugged on a chain around his waist and his robe became a parachute; within moments he had disappeared into the dark of the night. As soon as Meric had left the bubble collapsed and was no more. Starfire landed next to Robin and caught him as he fell forward.

"Robin you are ok?" He looked up at her and gave her a crooked smile.

"Just….dandy." With that last word he passed out from his fierce battle and lay unconscious in Starfire's arms.

MUCH LATER……………………..

Robin slowly came to and saw the backs of his eye lids. For long time he had taken to waking up and then opening his eyes, sort of a survival tactic. He squeezed one open and saw he was lying on a bed in a fairly nice room. He heard someone rummaging around in the bathroom; from the soft worried mumbling Robin deduced that it was Starfire. She stepped out of the bathroom and was surprised to see that Robin was no longer on the bed. She looked off to the side and saw him standing at the door checking the locks. He refastened the dead bolt and turned around in surprise when Starfire laid a hand on his shoulder.

"You may be at ease Robin; we have thoroughly searched the lodging for any surveillance technology and Osiris zealots."

"Right, old habits die hard I guess," he said walking back over to the bed and sitting down. She sat next to him and gave him a welcoming smile.

"I…we are very happy to see you again Robin." He turned to her and reached into his pocket. After grasping its contents he removed the pendant her got for her.

"Here, you must've dropped this. I'm sorry it got kinda chipped on the way out"- She put her fingers to his lips and took the emerald necklace from his hand. She set it aside and looked him square in the eyes.

"Your gift is very special to me Robin, however your presence means much more to me than the most indispensable items of value." He swallowed and ran a hand through his hair.

"I'm sorry." She tilted her head at him.

"For what are you remorseful?"

"For everything; none of this would have happened if I had just said no when Dalton offered me the map. I should have told him to find someone else and forgotten about the CIA."

"No Robin it is fortunate you took up such a responsibility. If you had turned away form Dalton he would have undoubtedly assigned it to the next candidate of your class." Robin looked at her and she nodded. He thought about it for a moment and he knew she was right. If he had turned it down Dalton would have entrusted the map to either Meric or Élan and the Order would have had it in a heart beat. "Who was the man you were fighting," she asked. Robin mentally winced at the question he was hoping she wouldn't ask.

"He was…just a zealot." Starfire frowned slightly.

"I do not believe a simple zealot could have conjured such a barrier as the one that kept you within it confines." Robin slumped his head forward realizing he couldn't fool her. "Who was he?"

"A classmate, from the CIA's training farm. He was the one was responsible for your re-education." Starfire put her hands to her mouth.

"He-He is still at large?"

"I'm sorry Star, but it seems we've got more than one of my old friends chasing after us." The news seemed to scare her just as much as he feared so he tried to change the subject. "Where's everyone else?"

"They-They have been searching the Eiffel Tower for the marker of which the map spoke of."

"How long have they been gone?" Starfire glanced at the clock.

"Four hours, twenty three minuets, and this past moment." Robin smiled and nodded. He would have gladly settled for a best estimate but Starfire was always one to go the extra mile. Moments after she gave him the time they heard a knock at the door. Starfire rose up and walked over to the door. "Who is there?"

"Pizza," came a reply form the other side. Starfire cast Robin a confused look.

"But, we did not order any pizza." There was a moment's pause.

"Uhhh some kids called, hey if you don't pay we'll uhh…..we'll T.P. your room." Starfire glanced at Robin again and they both let out some quiet chuckles. She unlocked the door and gripped the handle.

"Come in Beast Boy." She opened the door and indeed found Beast Boy and the others waiting to be let in.

"Dude how'd you know it was me," asked Beast Boy getting an annoyed expression from Raven and Lee.

"Beast Boy there is no other 'way of joke' like yours," complimented Star. They gathered around the table and Cyborg set something down covered by a cloth.

"Check this out, we found it on a plaque towards the very top. People have seen it thousands of times and not known what it was."

"Well let's see it," said Robin. Cyborg nodded and removed the cover. It was a golden ring with many symbols along the outer edge. They leaned in close to examine it. Raven looked over each symbol recognizing the sun and the moon icon immediately.

"They're astrological symbols," she said moving her eyes form one symbol to another. "We won't know exactly what this thing is for until we find the other two markers."

"Then lets get some sleep and we'll start on it tomorrow," said Robin.

"Sounds good," said Cyborg. "But seriously, let's get some pizza!" Robin smiled and gave them all a nod. A small bit of home was just what they needed to let go for awhile.

ELSEWHERE…………………

Two lanes of candelabra lit the hall of worship for a lone man who knelt before a tall statue. He softly chanted under his breath creating a chilling atmosphere throughout the whole room. Off to the side a zealot stepped into the chamber and bowed before him.

"I beg forgiveness for the intrusion my lord."

"What is it," replied the Arbiter sharply.

"The Titans have acquired the first marker and are planning for the other two as I speak." The Arbiter turned his blackened hood in his servant's direction.

"Was it not your responsibility to ensure that didn't happen?" the zealot began to sweat from pure fear.

"It w-was Meric's duty to intercept Grayson and dispose of the Titans before they"-

"Silence!" Hissed the Arbiter. "You will not speak to me about Meric, I trust Meric. As it is, I am relived that Grayson hasn't been eliminated."

"My Lord?"

"Contact whoever is closest to them and have Grayson and the girl brought back to me; kill the others."

"Why the girl my lord?"

"I require Grayson to bend to my wishes, he has a strong will. However, given the proper incentive the strongest of souls will break!" The zealot bowed and backed out of the room. When he was sure he was alone again the Arbiter spread his arms out to the statue.

"Great goddess Osiris hear my call! Give me the strength to smite all those who seek the Eye and are unworthy of its might! Grant our noble brotherhood the sacred right to unleash your divine powers! For soon we shall once again be re-united in loving fellowship! Soon our reign on this world shall once again be SUPREME!" His maniacal laughs echoed up and down the sinister corridors.

Please say your liking it so far. Sorry I took so long to get this next part out. Next chappie will be along soon. Thanks for reading so far. Laters!