Hey guys, back, FINALLY! I have been working on this chapter for ages, so enjoy it will you?

"Starfire…" I started, voice its usual steel. "I didn't do anything, I helped Robin. And that is all." I sighed, wanting nothing more than to crawl back underneath the sheets of the makeshift bed, but I felt Veridian's cornflower eyes on me, burning with admiration, I couldn't shirk away from that… or, more likely, I wouldn't. Starfire's lips pressed together, in awkward contrast to her face.

"We had names for such night-walkers on Tamaran," She said coldly, the sound of her voice sending shivers up my spine. "They are the most hated creatures that ever lived among us," Her bright green eyes flickered to Veridian and lingered there. My own gaze followed. Veridian's cool composure seemed utterly lost, his fists balled, eyes fiery. He looked ready to pounce on Star. I sat up and took one of his hands, hoping to stall his fury. His hand grasped mine tightly, but his eyes remained locked on Star.

As I sat, the sheets fell down around my waist, revealing my ties. Starfire glared at them, seemingly recognizing them now. "Killing their people for blood," she spat out at me. I had never, in all the time I'd spent with Starfire, heard her speak so completely, so passionately, and it was a little scary. The muscles in Veridian's hand tensed. I squeezed his hand reassuringly, I had no idea why he was so protective of me, but I wasn't angry with Starfire… she just didn't know what was going on.

"I don't kill, neither does Robin, you have to understand that," I stated simply. "The events that are taking place are things you could never dream of," I paused, trying to phrase myself well, but only coming up with: "We're not evil, Starfire." Her reserve broke and fat tears welled up in her eyes; she stood across the room, hugging herself. I let go of Veridian's hand and rose from the bench. My wrinkled cape flew out behind me as I walked over to her and placed a hand on my friend's shoulder. She whimpered and I withdrew it quickly. "Please, Starfire. You must believe me," Her eyes tentatively rose to mine. I took her in my arms and hugged the taller girl. "I'd never hurt you, Star, or any of the Titans. Nor would Robin." She hugged me back, tears falling onto my shoulder.

"Yes, friend Raven. I know that," She pulled away and smiled at me sheepishly, pulling the back of her hand across her eyes. "You will tell us all that has happened?" I nodded.

"As soon as I can talk with Robin, has he returned to the Tower?" I asked, no emotion finding itself into my voice. He should have been wise enough to return before daybreak. Star nodded.

"Friend Robin has confined himself to… your room." Star bit her lip like she wanted to say something else, but exited the room instead. I took in and released a deep breath, even though I didn't need it. Veridian stepped closer. His words were low and once more filled with admiration.

"Your wisdom is exceptional, my lady," he took my hand and kissed it lightly, azure eyes locked on mine. I fought back the urge to smile.

"Thank you, Veridian. Now we must see to Robin," I stated and he nodded in agreement. He released my hand albeit, it seemed, reluctantly.

Robin tossed in my bed in a fearful sleep. I sat down beside him and reached out a hand to wake him, but before I touched him he shot up and grabbed my wrist, his breathing heavy. I felt Veridian tense at my side; I sent him a glance, telling him not to worry. A small burst of pain shot through my arm at his tight grip. His face was wild and he was sweating like crazy. "Raven," he croaked. I trailed the back of my free hand across his forehead.

"Shhh, Robin, it's alright, it was just a bad dream," I said, wincing a bit at my wrist, still in the possession of the boy wonder. At these words, Robin seemed to collapse into himself. He let go of my wrist and in an audible sigh, fell back in my bed. In a few moments, his voice sounded again, its normal smooth tone.

"Raven." He said, eyes trailing over Veridian, the elf was grimacing.

"Robin." I responded, refusing him an explanation for my companion until he offered me an explanation of his own. Robin seemed to pick up on my unheard vibes.

"I'm sorry about the team," he said quietly, looking to his hands. I nodded, saying nothing, but rising from the bed to stand by Veridian, who was glaring at Robin, not that Robin noticed. A mask found my eyes and we stared at each other for a moment. "Apparently, I didn't inherit your ability to er- sink in and out of places," Robin said lightly, making it seem like it was a joke. My glare was hard and cold and Robin soon looked away. "Look, I didn't want this any more than you did, you know that, so stop looking at me like that," he said, using a low, harsh voice I had hardly ever heard. "It could have happened to either of us."

"No, Robin, this would not have happened to me," I said, voice raising angrily, words forming elegantly around my fangs. "Recklessness such as this is clearly your area of expertise."

Robin rose swiftly from my bed and came towards me. I couldn't see his eyes, but I felt the heat radiating from them. His ties, magnificently unwrinkled hung around his waist under a pale, bare chest. He looked deadly dangerous as his hand took hold of my upper arm. I registered the ample pressure of Robin's grip and for a split second, feared it.

My fear was shattered when Veridian pressed a shining silver knife to Robin's throat, forcing my sire back from me, his skin burning. Robin cried out and cursed, pawing at his scorched neck. Veridian stepped in front of me, knife back in its concealed sheath. Satisfied with Robin's pain, he turned to me.

"Are you alright, has he hurt you?" he asked, tenderly touching my arm where Robin had gripped it. I blinked, trying to take in all that had just happened.

"I'm fine," I said quickly, eyes transfixed on Robin. He wouldn't have really hurt me; I knew that, the hand on my arm was merely to strengthen whatever words he thought were coming next. Stepping over to him, I placed a hand on Robin's arm, gently, unlike his had been. "Robin, let me see it, please," I was worried, his skin was actually starting to smoke. Robin pushed me away, using my mirror to look at his neck, cursing again at the angry red welts and blisters forming. He whirled around on Veridian.

"What the hell! Who the fuck are you!" and to me he added. "What is he doing here! Why the hell did he do this!" He said motioning to his neck. His voice now was coming out more of a whine. "Why isn't it healing? Raven! Ah! It hurts!" Veridian stepped forward.

"You deserve every ounce of pain you're in, knave. You will not touch Lady Raven without her consent ever again," he snarled, even I was slightly afraid of his tone. Robin turned on the elf, almost forgetting his smoking neck.

"WHAT!" he yelled, mask wide and fists clenched. "Who the hell do you think you are anyway! You can't tell me what to do. Besides, Raven didn't say one damn thing about my hand." I rolled my eyes and placed a hand on my forehead.

"Just stop it. Both of you. Stop." Veridian looked shocked but then nodded benignly and stepped away from Robin. Robin turned and inspected his burn in my mirror, glad to see it was cooling down and starting to heal. He looked back to me.

"Now. Who the fuck is this chump?" he asked, jerking a thumb in Veridian's direction. Robin might have been acting all high and mighty, but I saw him moving steadily farther from the elf and closer to me. I looked again at his neck, it must have really hurt.

"His name is Veridian. Watch your mouth." I took a step closer and tipped up his chin, looking at the burn. I blew lightly on it and traced my fingers around the edge. Robin placed his hands on my hips as I looked at his wound, and I saw his masked eyes find Veridian, a smirk on his face. I rolled my eyes and pushed him away. Men. "It'll heal," I said coldly.

I plopped down on my bed, sighing. "Veridian is…" I looked to him, his cornflower eyes sparkled. It felt weird to hide something from Robin, something he had every right to know, but Veridian had specifically asked me not to tell anyone… "An old friend." I finished. Robin's eyebrow cocked.

"A friend?"

"A friend." I confirmed, seeing Veridian nod in agreement as well. Robin shrugged reluctantly, until something caught his eye. He jumped up and grabbed Veridian by the chest of his silvery-white shirt. I thought perhaps he was going to hit him. But then I realized where Robin was staring: two perfectly symmetrical wounds in Veridian's angelic skin.

If you guys have any specific questions on the plot, characters, what the hell is going on… feel free to ask questions in your reviews, I promise to answer all of em' I can.