Foreverhopeful343: You've been sick for four days! No way, I've had the worst freaking cold in my life. Usually I have one for two to three days and that it but this one has been going on for two weeks! Anyway I hope you're better by the time you're reading this. That's awesome your doing so well in math. For me math was never my favorite subject, but I'm actually doing a lot better so…YAY for both of us. So you're trying out for a play, what's the name of it? Are you a main character or supporting character? And you may still have to do a little bit of convincing to get me out on a stage. Sure I'll be all for it walking down the street or something but once I get pushed out in front of 400 pairs of eyes…well lets just say I usually bring a change of underwear. Did you see the second part to the new season opener? In the end when they're panning past all the villains from the show did you notice Kitten in there? She's still wearing that pink dress with the flower on it (even though she crumpled it up). I'm kinda hoping we'll get to see her somewhere in the season, should be interesting if she were to cross paths with Starfire. We may see Robin and Starfire kiss in the series because an episode entitled "Go" is supposed to one giant origin story, one being how they both met. In the comics Starfire kissed Robin in order to learn how to speak his language. Some might call that a mere practicality but a kiss is a kiss. Well I hope you're better and that you enjoy the chapter.

Jadedea: Well I wouldn't let get in the way of your studies. I don't mean to sound like someone who wouldn't like to skip work for writing for you guys but we do what we have to do. I have tons of hmwrk myself but I usually find a way. School comes first, and then fan fiction. Hope you like the chapter.

Princess Angelfire of NZ: Hey there! I'm glad you like both my stories and I'll try not to disappoint you. And don't worry about being lazy; I've been known to make a sloth look proactive. Talk to ya later. NZ totally rocks!

TTHPFan: Your right I do know, and as much as I would like to just yell out what the whole story's about….well I just can't. I'm kinda nervous though as I'm doing something in this story similar to 'When it rains it pours', I'm just a little afraid of what some readers might think. But luckily I have you and a few other good friends here so I guess I'm not so hesitant.

Yes I am answering reviews again, why? Because I gotta! I don't think you could find a single author on this website who didn't like talking to some of their reviewers. Its fun and what harm could it possibly be doing. And YES! Batman Begins is coming very soon. The first chance I got I pre-ordered it on so it'll still be a few days before I finally get it but it's worth the wait. On the eleventh 'Unleashed' (Jet Li) and 'Kingdom of Heaven' (Orlando Bloom) both come out also and absolutely can't wait until they do. And I'm also really looking forward to seeing 'Goblet of Fire', that scene in the trailer with the dragon is probably what really interests me. You're going to Disney Land or World…whatever. Lucky son of a-I mean good for you. lol. I've never ever been to anything like that, except Six Flags. Now that was a day I had more fun then a human being should be allowed to have. And what's even better about this whole thing is that it's your birthday. How many people hope for something like that and actually get it. I hope you have a good time. Laters!

-Dan

April4rmH-Town: Well I am glad you hear you're alright, and yeah those poor people from New Orleans are quite literally homeless. In fact I was in Wal-Mart the other day and tow people who lost their home were there getting some supplies. It was kinda sad but also good to see they hadn't given up hope. I used to live in Dallas then moved to Arkansas and that's where I am now. And yes, Taka is okay. But why and how? Well you'll just have to read and find out.

AvePlateada: Thanks, however I'm not sure that it's an actual rule. First of all we haven't seen it show up on the homepage with all the other news updates. And second I've gone back to responding for weeks now and haven't been deleted so I guess we're alright. I think your right; a one year Tamaranian pregnancy may be bad for everyone. Just for awhile.

Realfanficts: One can only imagine just what is actually going on here. Well I know but if I told you then the story wouldn't be nearly as good. Anyway I hope you still like it. Enjoy!

Valda: Well you never disappoint me either. However what's the big idea keeping me waiting more than thirty seconds for an update? You trying to drive me insane or something? LOL. What I'm trying to say is that I think I'm overdue for an update. I'm just whining of course, update whenever you can. I just hope it's soon. I'm glad you're having fun with my own story. Laters!

Itxprincessxlala: Ugh I remember having to get up at the butt crack of dawn for Cross Country meets in some other town two hours away. I hated those Saturday meets; I left around seven in the morning and didn't get back till around three in the afternoon. And thanks but I'm not really what they call 'book smart', I am doing much better in Algebra than I was years ago. Works going okay, in this chapter I gave Robin the job I have now because I just couldn't think of anything a retired super hero might do. Can't wait until the story really gets started, I've had this in my head for so long I really can't wait to see what you think. Hope you like the chapter.

Well! This took me forever to get this chapter out, every time I'd sit down to start it I'd get distracted by something and the day would be gone (mad ADD). Anyway I have it now and I hope yall like it.

Chapter Four

Reluctant Return

Beast Boy already finished checking her pulse and nodded. "She's alive, but God knows how. What do you think?" Raven examined her and looked up at Beast Boy.

"Let's take her to the tower. I can treat her here but I'd be more comfortable in a medical environment." Beast Boy nodded and pulled out a cell phone.

"Alright let me give Cy a call." While Beast Boy stood up and attempted to make contact with their friend Raven concentrated on a fine chain around Taka's neck. She reached down and pulled the chain up and out from inside her collar. Attached to the thin chain was a small gold triangle. With a narrowed gaze Raven turned it over and over hoping to find some kind of marking. To her dismay both sides were completely blank and gave no clues whatsoever. Raven carefully removed it from around her neck and slid it into her pocket. As police cruisers and fire trucks arrived to restore order two former Titans and a visitor discreetly took their leave.

Crunch, crunch, crunch. Taka's feet mashed through the snow as she ran with all her might. She strained her eyes for the nearest mode of transportation. Before she even spotted a dog sled Taka was tackled out of the air by Blackfire and the two began rolling down the snowy hillside. Purple eye beams and starbolts went off in various directions as the two fought on their way down the slope, unknowingly approaching a small ravine. The battling females rolled off the edge and as they fell continued their conflict with one another. Taka and Blackfire began to pick up speed as they fell faster and faster until at last both Taka and Blackfire landed in a large patch of snow and ice. Bits of the frozen white stuff flew in all sorts of directions and all was quiet for a moment. Taka pushed through the large pile covering her and crawled a few feet away. Her teeth chattered loudly and she scrunched her eyes tight shut as if the darkness of her eyelids would bring her the slightest bit of warmth. At once Blackfire flew out form the pile of snow and shot Taka with a blast from her eyes. Taka tumbled backwards and cradled a burnt mark on her arm. Blackfire hovered over her and smiled devilishly.

"The item if you please," She said holding out her hand. Her voice was low and echoing as if it came from a dark deep hole. Still shivering madly Taka blinked disbelievingly.

"W-Who a-ar-are you!"

"I am your demise if you do not hand over that little trinket!" Taka clinched the fist holding the triangle even tighter and shook her head. Blackfire's hand produced a glowing purple ball. "Very well, you shall see your master shortly." Taka bit her frozen lip and opened her frostbitten hand. Blackfire stopped at the sight of the tiny gold triangle. With a vengeful glare Taka unhooked the chain and placed it around her neck. The freezing cold completely forgotten Taka rose to her feet and pulled out a handful of her kunai. Blackfire let out a ferocious cry and released the charged ball of energy…

"MASTER!" Taka suddenly awoke and sat bolt upright on a bed in what could only be sickbay, Titans Tower. Raven, Beast Boy, and Cyborg rushed over to her and crowded around her bed. Cyborg cupped her face gently trying to calm her down.

"Taka its okay, your safe now." Taka stared at him wide eyed then her eyes rolled back and she fell back against her pillow. Beast Boy raised both eyebrows.

"Uhhh, rise and shine?" Raven displayed her vitals on a screen above her head.

"Her heart rate is racing, we need to let her calm down on her own or she may just have a heart attack. By the way thanks again Cyborg, I know we really don't live here anymore." Cyborg smirked and put up his hand.

"Hey no way, this is yall's home no matter what, though I do have a couple of questions." Raven and Beast Boy gave him their attention. "I would really like to know how she survived both being hit by a huge truck and blasted in the head." Beast Boy shrugged his shoulders.

"Dude we you'd have better luck asking a bowl of chili, because we really don't know. Maybe she's been eating more of those fruits and veggies."

"I think it something more to do with this," said Raven. She produced the small triangle and set down next to Taka. "She was wearing this when she got hit, both times." Cyborg and Beast Boy both sent curious looks down at the small piece of jewelry. "And I'm betting she would have recovered by now if I hadn't taken it off."

"What is it," asked Cyborg.

Raven twisted her face. "I have no idea." They all stopped when they heard Taka muttering in her sleep. Cyborg picked up the tiny object and closed his hand over it.

"What happened to her? And where's Himora? Was he there when you saw her?"

"No it was just her," answered Beast Boy. Raven held a finger beneath her bottom lip thoughtfully.

"Do you think maybe…they've come back?" The two boys looked over at her befuddled.

"Who?"

"The one's that started all this from the beginning…The Psions." Raven's question forced them to quickly flash back to when Starfire first came into their lives. She was an ex-brainwashed alien killing machine who lost her memory and ended up on their doorstep. The Psion magistrate targeted Earth out of spite from Starfire's refusal to return to him and was soon after destroyed along with his behemoth of a ship. Cyborg rubbed his chin and took a step toward Raven.

He spoke low as tough afraid they were being watched. "Raven, they're all gone. The Psions are all gone. The magistrate most of all, a Harvester enhanced nuclear warhead went off right in his face. I really don't think it's him."

"I dunno," said Beast Boy shaking his head. Cyborg dropped his mouth, flabbergasted at his friend.

"Your really buying into this, the man is very very dead! There's no way he can just come back. Let alone send Blackfire after Taka."

"Stranger things have happened to us," rebuttaled Raven.

"Like what?" Beast Boy began to name off things with his fingers.

"Well there was that day when Raven and Star switched bodies, when you got sucked back in time 50,000 years, when Starfire made a cocoon around herself, and then there was that time-"

"Alright I get it!"

"Look all we're saying is keep an open mind. You're probably right but it's better to have theories than stumbling around in the dark. And I'm not so sure we're dealing with Blackfire, exactly." Beast Boy scratched his head.

"What do you mean?

"When Blackfire attacked Taka and she looked me in the eye I couldn't help but detect and entirely different set of emotions, it…it was as if it was her but it wasn't her." Beast Boy bit half his lip.

"Uhh sorry Raven but that doesn't make much sense." Raven searched for a simpler explanation.

"Okay what I think we have is Blackfire but she wasn't the one who tried to kill Taka."

"Well if it wasn't her that who was it," asked Cyborg.

"The one who's inside her. I think Blackfire's body has been possessed by some sort of parasitical creature." Cyborg and Beast Boy sent her immensely skeptical gawks. "Alright I know it sounds ludicrous but it's all I have right now." Cyborg let out a sigh.

"So what do we do?" Raven walked up to the window and gazed out at the open ocean.

"We need to find Robin. If I'm right, and I reallllly hope I'm not, then Starfire could be in mortal danger."

OUTSIDE J&H QUALITY FURNITURE………….

Beast Boy stepped out of his car outside the humble factory and made his way through a door marked 'Employees only'. As he entered a man came up to tell him off. "No it's okay I'm just here to see him," said Beast Boy. He pointed to someone out on the work floor and the man gave him an 'okay' jerk of the head. Beast Boy walked out onto the floor welcomed by the sounds of saws and large sanding machines. He stopped when he approached a young man working with a band saw. "Robin." He looked away from his work and promptly shut off the machine.

"Hey, what'cha doing here? Are you looking for a job or something because I can put in a good word for you but I can't promise anything."

"No that's okay Rob." Robin nodded and picked up the piece of wood he was working with. He removed a chisel from his back pocket and took to removing a few knots here and there. Beast Boy let out a small chuckle.

"What?"

"Nothing it's just that," He paused to let out another small chortle. "I was never really able to picture you as a carpenter." Robin shrugged his shoulders and pocketed his chisel.

"It's peaceful, and you'd be surprised how alleviating working with wood can be. Though I'm really sorry but I can't talk for long, my boss gave me this huge list I have to have filled by the end of this weekend."

"Well you see we're in a bit of trouble.' Not looking away from his work Robin nodded while adding up some measurements.

"Your checks bounce again?" Beast Boy rolled his eyes.

"No, and it was just that one time and thanks for brining that up by the way." Robin let out a short titter.

"What sort of trouble?"

"Taka's back." Robin sent him a confused brow.

"Why is that bad? She's still a good person I take it?"

"Yeah it's that a short while after Raven and I spotted her she got hit by an eighteen wheeler." Robin scratched a long mark with his pencil and stood up straight.

"Oh my God, is she alright?" Beast Boy nodded tentatively.

"She's fine but the semi's totaled." Robin glanced up at the ceiling then back down at Beast Boy. "Then not long after that Blackfire showed up and shot her in the head." Robin blinked a couple times with his mouth hanging ajar.

"And she's…okay?"

"She's just taking a nap." Robin set his stuff aside and paced around for a moment. He then stopped and pointed to his friend.

"So you're going to stand there and tell me that Taka, a mortal human being, was struck by a fourteen ton vehicle then hit in the head by a ball of energy. Those both usually being fatal," he added quickly. Beast Boy took it all in for a second then nodded.

"Yeah that sounds about right." Robin shook his head, gathered up his materials and strode over to a flat sander. "Robin…"

"What?"

"What do mean 'what?' Taka's back, Blackfire shows up, you know that can mean only a few things." Robin set to his duties while reluctantly listening to Beast Boy. "That either Star's cookoo sister is back for own little bit of revenge or this is much bigger then just the two of them." Robin switched off the sander and faced Beast Boy.

"What do you expect me to do about it? I'm retired Beast Boy." Beast Boy slacked his face stupidly.

"Retired? What are you Bob Barker?" Robin turned away from him. "You're not retired Robin you just haven't suited up in four years." Robin spun back around.

"We're not super heroes any more Beast Boy! Now I don't know what you think we need to get ourselves mixed up in but you can forget it. Starfire is just now putting all that stuff behind her I will not bring it all back up for her to relive!"

"But we have a responsibility Robin!"

"Not anymore, let the Justice League deal with whatever is coming kill us all," snipped Robin with a waving hand. Beast Boy rolled his eyes.

"You know good and well they wouldn't know who they'd be dealing with. This is something we need to do." Robin set his rather thick piece of wood back on the band saw.

"And then what? We get ourselves involved in a crusade which we're less likely to survive than the last one?"

"Have you really become that selfish," asked Beast Boy tactfully.

"This isn't about me, it's about Starfire. You know she still has dreams about the magistrate and the battle over Tamaran from time to time. However those kinds of nightmares have begun to wane lately, like I said I not going to tear her apart by bringing it up again." He carved out a piece from is block while Beast Boy ground his teeth in irritation.

"This is not something the Boy Wonder would walk away from." Robin pulled his finished piece away from the blade and switched off the machine.

"Yeah well, the boy wonder doesn't have a wife and a baby on the way. Now if you'll excuse me I have a chair to finish." Robin pushed past him and over to the other pieces of his project. To this now Beast Boy found himself defeated; it was indeed extremely difficult to return with an argument against that. Beast Boy rubbed his eyes and knelt down beside Robin. The former boy wonder tried to take little notice of him by applying some glue to the various pieces of wood.

"You know, I find it a little ironic that you're turning your back on us to protect Star when in fact if you don't do anything like you're doing now, then Starfire really is a goner." Robin let out a hard breath.

"What are you talking about?"

"You know as well as I do that Blackfire showing up the same time as Taka is nowhere near a coincidence. Something's up and we're gonna find out what it is. But please forgive me for intruding into your life. I realize your strategy for keeping Star safe is to sit on the couch and do didilly squat." Robin narrowed his eyes and stared off into space. "Oh and I'm sorry we won't be able to make next Friday's bowling night because we're gonna be too busy getting to the bottom of this. But you go ahead and…make your chair." Beast Boy gestured to unassembled array before Robin. He stood up and began walking away. "Boy Wonder." He rapidly took his leave and Robin was left alone. Robin stood up, pulled his half of the locket out from under his shirt and stared longingly at his wife's photo. He then scrunched his eyes close in noting but dread.

"I just know I'm gonna regret this."

DOWN THE ROAD…………

Beast Boy drove his car down the road a little faster than usual. He steered the wheel with one hand while the other propped against the window and supported his head. The past conversation rang through his head and hit the dashboard angrily.

"Damn it Rob why do you have to such kludge-head sometimes." The next thing he knew his front right tire blew out. "OH! What the hel-" He pulled off the side of the road next to a deserted and disheveled drug store. Beast Boy stepped out and irritably slammed the door as he went. He looked down at his ruined tire and gave it a kick. "Great, this is super awesome! This is exactly what I needed." After venting his displeasure of his apparent bad luck he bent down and noticed the hole in his tire was that of some kind of blast. He heard a click behind him and spun around and saw three shabby but armed individuals approaching him. Beast Boy slowly got to his feet and tried to walk away but stopped when three more approached him opposite direction. Beast Boy backed up against his car.

"What do you want?"

"Take us to the girl," answered one. Beast Boy shifted his eyes.

"What girl?"

"The one you and your friend saved from the street not long ago. Take us to her now." Beast Boy glanced back at his car.

"What if I can't?"

"Then you will tell us where to find her." Beast Boy decided to abandon the 'play dumb' routine and got into a battle stance.

"I'm not giving you anybody!" The changeling morphed into a raptor-like dinosaur and charged down the three just ahead of him. He whipped around and smacked one in the stomach with his lighting quick tail sending the goon flying into a tree trunk. A faint click caught his ear's attention and he suddenly spun around and bit one of his attacker's guns in half. The lead guy however grew tired of the situation and jerked a net launcher from one of his comrades. He took aim, fired, and within moments had Beast Boy on the ground completely tangled in a steel threaded net. The man walked up to Beast Boy and pointed his weapon directly between his eyes.

"You still won't help us?" Beast Boy spat in his direction. "So be it." He charged up his mid-sized blaster and prepared for a killing blow. Unbeknownst to any them however, a single figure walked along the edge of the drugstore roof top. Robin looked down on the trapped Beast Boy and held a bird-a-rang above his head. With a narrowed glare at Beast Boy's attackers Robin let the razor sharp weapon fly. Before the man had a chance to pull the trigger the flying blade swept past him taking his hand along with it.

"AAAAARRRRRRGGGHHHH!" He cried out cradling his handless stub. Robin extended his staff and leaped down from the roof top. He let out a battle cry and landed on tow of the men followed by an all out assault with his staff. Beast Boy watched in relief as one by one Robin easily dispensed with the assailants. When he was finished Robin cut a hole for through the net and Beast Boy came free.

"Thanks," said changeling. Robin paused but nodded.

"No problem." They heard a moaning off to the side and Robin marched up to one he had de-handed and pulled him up by shirt. "Who are you! Who sent you here!" He mouth trembled though his eyes showed great contempt for the boy wonder. "Answer me!" He slammed him to the ground pulled him back up. Without a second thought the man stuck the only pinkie finger he had left into his mouth and quickly cracked it. Out of shock Robin released him and watched as the man twitched for a moment then lay motionless.

"Totally weird," remarked Beast Boy. Robin felt a section of his neck and pursed his lips together.

"He's dead." He examined the man's pinkie finger and felt a small lump under the skin. "There's a tiny capsule imbedded in his finger, probably filled with some kind of poison. I guess they're not allowed to be taken alive."

"But who are they?"

"Them? Oh they're just a couple flunkies, sent by whoever's holding Blackfire's leash. Go back to the tower, I'll get Starfire and we'll meet you there." Beast Boy nodded and Robin began running back towards the factory.

"You got it, hey Rob…" Robin stopped and turned around. "Its good to have you back." Robin smiled then continued on his way.

I hope your all liking this story because I'm having a blast writing it. Well I start typing again sooner or later so about the same time you should have an update. Laters!