Chapter 18:

"What did we do?" Nightblade asked sweetly.

"What was that stunt back there in the mall!" Slade barked.

"Yeah, what was that?" Red X asked.

"I don't have any reasons, except I like that little girl and she was so happy to hear that an old super hero was going to baby-sit her. She reminds me a lot of myself when I was little."

"Baby-sitting?" Slade was very angry now.

"I figure that if I say I am trying to lead a normal life, I might as well act it too…otherwise people will catch on. Only the Titans know that Starfire has turned into Nightblade, no one else."

"So you are going to baby-sit that girl?"

"Yes, I am going to baby-sit Kori tomorrow at seven." Nightblade said confidently.

Slade sighed, "Alright…you have combat practice when you get home though, every Thursday and every Monday. When you get up, you will watch the sunrise, then you will come to breakfast then combat practice. We have Target practice after that, dinner, and you are off to watch the little runt. When you get home, combat practice then sleep. Your day will be the same the next day, except, if you commit to your schedule, I might think about you having the nights off. The nights you don't have baby-sitting, that is."

"Thank you." She gave a slight bow and walked off to hers and Red X's room.

TTTT

"What was that all about?" Red X asked.

"I am taking a shower, you coming?" she took off her top and her metal rings and belt.

"Damn, girl, sure." He said, taking off his clothes, as well.

Nightblade sat on the bed, "I can never get these damn boots off." She hissed.

"Here." He said, pulling them off for her, letting his eyes sneak up her skirt.

"You want up there?" she smiled.

"Of course, baby."

"Come with me then." She walked into the shower, taking off her bra with her back still to him. Then she let the skirt slide down to her ankles, showing off her baby pink panties, before she closed the door behind her.

Nightblade turned on the shower, heating it up. She didn't pull off her bra or panties, knowing he would want to. "5…4…3…" she silently counted to herself, "2…1…" the door burst open and X walked inside butt naked, closing the door behind.

"Hey sexy, you took a whole five seconds this time…what took you so long?"

X laughed, reaching around her and un-doing her bra and sliding her panties down to her ankles.

He gave her a little shove into the shower where the water was running and now hot.

"You haven't changed a bit, baby." He smiled at her.

"I know." She took some shampoo, running it through her hair, massaging her scalp.

"So what's up?" he asked, "With the baby-sitting?" They only talked about important things in the shower. They always did…they didn't know where Slade might put a camera, although he told them he didn't monitor their room or bathroom, they felt it safer to discuss things when the water's running.

"That little girl…she looked like a miniature me!" Nightblade smiled, "You want out of here, right?"

"Yeah…just as much as you. I just want free of this dump." He stared at her, "So what's your plan?"

"Okay, when the Titans see her, …"

TTTT

Robin chased after Mumbo Jumbo with all his might. Jumping over buildings. He threw a birderang at the man only for it to be turned into a flower.

"DUDE!" Beastboy yelled, "How many of those staffs and hats and things does he have?"

"Too many." Raven answered and they flew after him.

Mumbo turned down an alleyway and disappeared. When Robin and the team got there, he was gone. There were no walls or anything…he was just…gone.

"Excuse me?" a weak voice called behind Robin, as someone pulled on his cape.

"Huh!" he turned around only to see a little girl in a frilly purple dress with a pink sash across the waist that was tied up in a big bow in the back. Her hair lay down past her shoulders and her eyes were a bright green.

"Starfire?" he whispered.

"I am lost, can you take me home?" the girl asked.

"Where is home?"

"I don't know." Tears threatened her eyes… Kori was a good actress.

"It's okay. You can come home with us until we find your home." Beastboy placed his green hand on her shoulder.

"Really?" she sniffled and wiped her eyes.

"Yeah." He smiled, "It's cool."

Her smile grew twice it's size at that moment, "Thank you."

He grabbed her hand and led the little girl over to the tower.

"So what is your name anyways?" Raven asked after they were bucked into the car.

"Kori…" she answered and Cyborg and Beastboy exchanged glances. Cy then looked in the rearview mirror to see Robin's reaction. Robin tried to stay calm, but Cy knew what his best friend was thinking. Mumbo Jumbo transformed Starfire into a little girl…causing her to loose all of her memory of being on the team…or even coming to Earth, changing her name…everything…

The rest of the way, the five sat in silence. Kori stared strait ahead, but slowly started to fall asleep, her head resting on Robin's chest.

Kori woke up and saw that she was on a very comfortable couch. She could hear the four Titans talking behind her.

"She looks just like her." Robin sighed.

"I know, Robin, but we need to figure out a few things first." Raven said.

"Yeah, man, I've run a molecular scan on the girl and she is human." Cyborg said.

"How do we know that Mumbo didn't change her molecular structure to make her appear human on any scan?" Robin questioned.

"Why don't we just talk to her first…see if she does know anything." Beastboy actually said something helpful…

"I think I can be of help." Kori said softly, yawning and stretching her arms.

"Oh, you are up." Robin smiled at her, walking over and sitting next to her. Raven sat on the other side.

"Kori, tell us, does the name Starfire sound familiar to you?" Raven asked.

"Yes."

"Really?" Beastboy cut in.

"Yes, she is my baby-sitter." Kori answered, "I met Starfire at the mall. Her name is Koriand'r and she is a former Titan. She told me that she has to work some personal things out before returning with you guys."

"So you actually met her?" Robin asked in surprise.

"Yes, her and her boyfriend, but she obviously doesn't love him. She told me to tell you that she misses you a lot, Robin."

"She knew you and I would talk?" Robin questioned.

"Of course, that was the plan. Oh, and to give you this." Kori reached into her sash, pulling out a neatly folded note. Robin broke the wax seal to read Starfire's letter. After reading it, he passed it to Raven, who passed it to Beastboy who gave it to Cy to read last.

Dear Friends,

I hope by now, you have gotten to know my good friend, Kori. I am sorry I can not meet with you personally to discuss this, but I am monitored where ever I go. Even while Baby-sitting Kori. The only time I am not monitored is in the bathroom and, well, while bathing Kori. But besides that, Slade likes to keep a close eye on me. Kori is sound asleep while I write this and hope she sees my note on her desk. We discussed the plan today, during her bath. I knew you would take her back to our home if she didn't know where to go.

You have to understand that I did not want to join Slade again. When I was alone in the dark, they gave me a choice. It was a very hard one, but when it came down to it, I really could only take one offer. I either would join Slade again, OR I would be frozen in time and they would make me feel like I wished for death.

Please do not miss understand Red X. He is not evil. He is very good, just selfish. He wants out of here just as much as I do. He hates it so much and is trying to help me. Although Red X is good, I do not trust him completely, and neither should you. But when you come to save me, please save him too. He deserves to be free, just as much as I do.

I baby sit Kori every Monday and Thursday, but the thing is that I am monitored everywhere I go by Slade. So he would hear us plan. If you have a plan or something to tell me, give it to Kori and she will give it to me. I will do the same.

Attached are directions to Slade's hideout and to Kori's house.

Please come soon, I miss all of you, and wish to be free. Please save Red X and me!

With Love,

Starfire, Teen Titan

(Koriand'r, Princess of Tamaran)

PS. I do not love Red X, just am a friend to him now. I love you Robin, and hope you still love me.

Cyborg quickly jotted a few things down on a piece of paper and gave it to Kori. "Give this to Star."

"What did you say?" Robin asked.

"I simply said that we will be coming soon…" Cyborg smiled.

"Okay." Robin smiled. "I have a note too." He jotted some words on a piece of paper, giving that to Kori too. "Tell her I love her."

This made Kori smile, "I knew you did!"

"Are you ready to go home?" Raven asked.

Kori smiled and nodded. "I can't wait till Monday when I get to see Starfire again!"

TTTT

Kori's mother was surprised to see four teenagers on her doorstep with her daughter in their hand.

"Oh, hello, thank you for finding my little Kori!" she said, bending down as Kori ran up and gave her mother a bug hug. Her mom picked her up, holding her little girl in her arms.

"May we come in?" Robin asked.

"Yes, please do." The woman moved to the side, letting the four costumed teens inside her small apartment, "What can I do for you?"

"Do you mind if we speak with you…alone?" Raven asked.

"Not at all." She answered, "Kori, can you go upstairs for a few minutes while I talk to these four?"

"But I wanna be part of the-."

"Kori…Please…can we have a minute?" Robin asked.

"Okay…" Kori ran to her room and slammed the door shut.

"Please, sit down!" the woman said, motioning to the sofas, "I am Kristine, by the way."

"Thank you Kristine." Cyborg smiled and took a seat with everyone.

"You're welcome." She answered, "Would you like something to drink or eat?"

"No thank you." Raven said quickly before Beastboy had a chance, "We really need to talk to you about Starfire."

"Right."

"Okay," Robin started, "I don't know if you know everything that is going on. But we feel that you should be notified, since Starfire feels that your family should be involved." He sighed, "You see, Starfire got involved with Slade when the team had a tiny fight. She and Red X started dating and she left with them. When she tried to escape, they came back and forced her to join again." He handed her the note Starfire had written for them, "This gives you an idea of what is going on at the moment. We are going to try to save her, but your family might be put at danger in the process." Kristine read and nodded,

"It's just me and Kori here. Her father left when he found out I was pregnant, so it's just us two. Kori seems so excited to be a part of this. But what should we do?"

"We honestly don't know yet." Beastboy said.

"But we will inform you the instant we come up with a plan, so you can prepare…if you need to." Raven smiled.

"We will contact you with this." Robin handed her a small talking device with a black 'T' on it. "It's what we use to communicate. Don't let Kori use it, because we don't trust everyone with this kind of power. You can reach any Titan with that, anywhere in the world. You can use it to get out of danger, and also, you can use it to reach us. If something happens, call us. The instant we think up a plan, we will call you."

"We promise, you and your child will be safe." Cyborg said, "Our Star is a good fighter, and if anything happens, it'll probably happen while she is here. She will put her life on the line to save a friend. So you can be sure Kori will be safe."

"Thank you." Kristine said. "I'll call you if anything happens." She glanced at her watch, "Oh no!" she sighed, "I have to get to work. Would you mind staying here and keeping an eye on Kori? My boss just called earlier today to see if I could work a few hours earlier…Starfire should be here in three hours, at seven."

"Sure." Robin quickly said, "We'll stay."

"Starfire baby-sits anytime I am at work. It's nice." She smiled, the continued, "If you would like to stay longer that's fine. Go out for anything, if you like, and there's some movies in there. Sorry the selection isn't all that great, and the TV only holds thirteen channels…basic system. It's all we can afford."

"It's cool!" Cyborg smiled, 'We'll take good care of her!"

"And maybe we'll even go out for pizza." Beastboy smiled.

"By the way, she hates eating meat. Her friend told her one day that it was dead animals, and now she won't touch the stuff. Just so you know." Kristine smiled.

"Smart girl." Beastboy said.

"Meat still has protein…" Cyborg sighed as it Beastboy was the most ignorant soul alive.

"It is dead animals! I have been all of them!" Beastboy screamed.

"Well, I think you have some things you need to work out. I have to go, but I'll see you sometime." Kristine smiled as she put the yellow communicator into her purse. "Call me if you need anything."

"Great!"

"Bye Mommy!" Kori smiled as she came out and hugged her mom.

"Bye Honey. The Teen Titans are going to watch you today."

"Really?" Kristine swore she saw stars in Kori's eyes as she left.

"Love you Kori!" she said before closing the door behind her.

"Who's up for PIZZA!" Beastboy yelled.

"Only if it has meat!" Cyborg said.

"EWWWWWWWWWWWWWWWW!" Kori squealed.

"This is going to be a long night." Raven sighed.