I don't own Teen Titans. But I'm happy cos my cold is gone.

Dedication: My mixed chorus, for taking us to DC!

☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦

Robin was thrown back into a wall, then slid back down to the floor. His attention snapped from his attackers to the door as Cyborg and Beast Boy tumbled down the steps, and Raven levitated Melissa and herself safely to the ground next to them.

"They just disappeared." Robin's eyes went wide, as he looked around. Cy was right; they were gone.

"No…" He jumped to his feet. "Starfire!" His voice echoed through the empty room, but no other sound was heard.

"She's gone…"

"No." Robin shook his head. "She can't be gone. Split up and-" The lights flickered back on and their communicators began blinking. "Slade…"

☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦

Star pulled the glove over her hand, then sighed, looking into the mirror. She had on a long-sleeved jumper, black boots, black gloves; exactly what Slade's apprentice should wear. She hated it. Star pulled her hair up into a high ponytail, like Slade had told her to, then turned away from the mirror, sickened by her own reflection. Unable to stand this dark chamber she was now to call her room, she silently walked out of it and down the hallway. Star froze at the end of the hall, listening. Slade was talking to someone.

"Where is Star?" Robin. She cautiously glanced around the corner, making sure to stay in the shadows.

"Relax Robin. She's here with me. You'll see her soon."

"Go jump off a bridge." Star smiled slightly. Mel would never change…

"And who are you?" Slade sounded slightly amused.

"She's just…uh…the paper girl?" Cy responded uncertainty. Star knew Slade didn't buy that, but he didn't argue.

"Well, she had better learn to keep her mouth shut."

"She'll shut up. Now what have you done with Star?" Raven asked.

"Done? I haven't done anything." Slade replied with mock innocence. Star jumped as something started beeping in the hideout. "Well Titans, I must be going. I'll be in touch." He turned the screen off, then turned around. "You can come out Starfire." Her eyes widened.

'He knew I was here?' She stepped from the shadows, her face expressionless.

"So, you understand the situation, right? You work for me, tell no one why, and obey my every command and your brother will live. Got it?" She nodded. "Good. I will send him to the Tower so you know he's safe, as we agreed. But he can't tell them anything, or I'll kill both of you." She nodded again. "You can talk to him now. You have five minutes." Slade turned away from her. Star flew over to Flame, who was handcuffed to a pole. He looked up at her pleadingly.

"I can't let you out."

"But-" She covered his mouth with her hand.

"No. There isn't much time and I have a lot to tell you. Now, Slade is going to let you go to the Tower. And you have to stay there. But you can't tell them why I'm working for Slade."

"Why are you working for Slade?" She sighed.

"Don't panic, but there's a bomb in your stomach. But as long as you keep quiet and I obey Slade you'll be just fine. Understand?" He nodded. "But there's something I don't understand…how did Slade capture you anyway?" Flame looked away.

"I made a deal with him…" He glanced up at his sister. Her eyes narrowed dangerously.

"Explain."

"He said he would help me get BlackFire out of jail!"

"And what did he get out of this?"

"My video camera." Star stared at him.

"Why would he want it?" Flame looked away, ashamed.

"I recorded you and that Robin guy kissing. Slade said he wanted to find Robin's weakness and he did." Flame looked into her eyes. "It's you." Star took a deep breath, trying to calm herself.

"As soon as we're both out of this I'm going to kill you…"

☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦☼♦

"Walker, get in here." Walker came into the room, still exhausted from his trip back from Connera. Starfire had escaped his grasp yet again. But at least Jacob was alright. He was happy with some mindless girl from Zyneken. But Star would pay for that humiliation. He'd returned to make sure of that. Which meant he'd have to work with Slade again.

"Yes, Slade?"

"You're new partner is over there. You two are going on a test run. Bring this to me." Slade handed him a piece of paper, but his mind was elsewhere.

'Partner? Slade never gave me a partner before…' Walker glanced around to see who this partner was. His eyes went wide upon seeing Star. 'This is going to be easier than I thought…'