7. Evaluation.

Chris seemed troubled, this much was apparent to Starfire as she watched him play with the last scraps of food on his plate. Either that or he was attempting to play some English game that she was unaware of. Starfire frowned momentarily; it frustrated her that on this planet the entire male population seemed to hold some complex system of incomprehensibility. On her home planet all was not so complicated; if someone was troubled then they would discus it openly with those close to them, on this planet however those who were troubled most seemed to be the people to shun openness. She had often questioned those around her of their past and feelings. On almost every occasion those who she was questioning would simply close up and refuse to go any deeper. This was especially true with Raven and Robin, who seemed determined to avoid answering any question of Starfire's whatsoever.

She looked to her left, at Robin, a small feeling of warmth swept through her; it always did when she gazed upon the boy wonder. Now more than ever, it seemed to her that he too was concerned by Chris's lack of conversation. Robin's eyes were hidden by the mask, but Starfire could well guess that they were even now boring their way into Chris, trying to unravel his secrets. She looked away from Robin and inspected her fellow team mates; they were also looking at Chris with deeply quizzical expressions. Of all however it was definitely Robin who was reading Chris the closest. Starfire herself was no novice at reading others, however her powers of deduction were limited, firstly by her unfamiliarity by the foreign stranger, and secondly by his lack of emotion, something which she would otherwise have been able to sense. Chris looked up, apparently satisfied with his peculiar earth game. He scanned the staring faces and simply asked.

"Yes?"

There was a brief moment of what was close to panic as the four Titans realised that they had been blatantly staring at Chris. Beast Boy came to the rescue with one of his apparently random suggestions.

"So, ya wanna do something?"

Chris looked at the green changeling with an expression of interest.

"Such as?"

He asked in a voice that showed there was life in him yet.

"Well er…"

Answered Beast Boy looking to his fellow Titans for support.

"We never did give you the full tour."

Supplied Cyborg. Chris smiled, apparently content with the idea.

"No, no more moving around for you today Chris."

Said Robin firmly. Chris, Starfire and the others all looked to him.

"You took a beating last night, in fact I think it's a pretty bad idea that you should have been moving around at all this morning."

He added looking sternly at Beast Boy and Cyborg. They simply smiled to one another and then winked at Chris.

"Come on Robin, the guys obviously eager to have a look around."

Cyborg said indicating towards Chris, who supplied a pleading wide eyed face. Robin looked at Chris and then back at Cyborg. There was a moment of consideration before, Robin finally slumped his shoulders in defeat and said.

"Ok then fine, but first I need to give him his stuff back."

Starfire smiled, she knew of what Robin spoke. While in the alley she and Robin had found the remnants of Chris's backpack, singed and virtually crushed flat by the stampede of escaping thug's feet, it had nevertheless still contained a few salvageable items. As Robin had looked around the alley for any sign of evidence that had been missed and could lead to the identification of the murderer, Starfire had shamelessly rifled through the belongings that had been rescued from the ruined backpack.

She had unearthed several faded photographs and also a few letters, she had not read these as she had assumed them to be private correspondence between Chris and the murdered girl. Apart from a few shredded items of clothing she had also found a peculiar item, a medallion, it had been snapped but was impacted underneath where Chris had fallen, thus proving it to be his. Unfamiliar with earth customs she had asked Robin to identify it, he had told her that it was the image of a saint; however in the darkened alley he had been unsure. Later he had re-examined it under a street lamp, and had discovered an inscription on the back, it had read 'A debt you must repay, before you're final day.'

This was a disturbing look into the past of the English stranger and it was perhaps this that had made Robin so suspicious of him. Starfire felt slightly guilty about this, feeling that Chris had suffered enough without his obviously troubled past coming back to haunt him, it would be better if this was left unmentioned. This however would be unlikely considering the curiosity Starfire's discovery had instilled in him. The continuation of the conversation brought her back from her recollections.

"My stuff?"

Chris asked looking perkier than he had done so far.

"Yes, I've got it here."

Robin answered grabbing the bag from under the table and handing it over which to Chris's eager hands. Starfire was happy to see Chris looking so less glum, it seemed that he was truly thankful and his words didn't do anything to dissuade this observation.

"Oh, thanks Robin, and you too Starfire, I assume you helped Robin with all this?"

Starfire nodded happily and watched as Chris sought out what he had thought lost forever.

"You're welcome friend Chris."

She said smiling.

"Yeah no problem."

Added Robin. Chris took the photos and quickly went through them, from his pleased expression Starfire gathered that they were all there. She wondered at just who the people in them were, while Chris was evident in more than half of them, Starfire remembered a great deal of others in the photos, far to many to be family.

"Wow, I didn't even know I had lost this."

Said Chris holding up the medallion and checking his throat, as if to see if there was a duplicate item still hanging there. He looked in wonder as the still shining item hung from his hand and span, as it slowed and came to a stop the message on the back came to rest facing Chris. Starfire watched in interest as Chris's eyes seemed to fly over those familiar lines and suddenly freeze; he quickly gathered up the medallion and its broken chain in one hand and violently stuffed it into a trouser pocket. Starfire looked to Robin who had seen the whole thing, for a moment it appeared he would say something concerning the reaction, but then, apparently thinking better of it instead said.

"Much missing?"

Chris looked up, his face had gone pale again, but despite this there were the beginnings of a blush coming on.

"No, nothing of any real importance."

Replied Chris to the table. There was a notable moment of silence before Cyborg shattered it with.

"So we going or what?"

Chris looked at him with a much less enthusiastic exoression than before.

"Perhaps friend Chris is tired and wishes to rest."

Said Starfire, Chris looked up and seemed to see his chance, he quickly nodded and said.

"Yeah, I am starting to feel a little drowsy, perhaps later."

He looked hopefully at Beast Boy and Cyborg.

"Fine, whatever you say man."

Replied Cyborg looking somewhat crushed. He looked up at Chris almost immediately though with close to an evil look in his one human eye.

"But you still owe me a rematch from before."

Chris smiled slightly and nodded, soon he, Cyborg and Beast Boy were solidly engaged in another vicious life or death struggle, all courtesy of the game station. As Starfire watched the closely fought battle come to its bone crunching climax her attention was taken by Robin who indicated that she should follow him out of the main room, she did so silently, not that they would have been noticed as any sound she may have made was overwhelmed by the victory roar of.

"Booya!"

"Ohhhhhh, I don't believe it, last punch to."

"Aw dude, that was intense."

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The door closed behind Starfire, blocking Robin's view of the three arguing combatants. He looked at Starfire, for a moment he was forced to look away, he always felt awkward when he was alone in her presence, but this was no time for any of his personal feelings to interfere, as leader he was responsible, and that extended to just what kind of people he allowed his team mates, no, his friends to get close to. He didn't like it, he didn't like having to influence his friend's personal lives, but if he was to be the best leader that he could be, then nothing could be off limits.

"So?"

He said careful not to look into those dangerously beautiful emerald eyes. There was a pause before Starfire answered.

"You are inquiring as to my opinion on friend Chris's actions of a few moments ago?"

Robin nodded; secretly glad that he was not required to rephrase the question into anything more sinister. Starfire looked around as if to be sure that they could not be overheard, she sighed before starting.

"I believe that you were correct in you're suspicion that Chris has a past he will be unwilling to share with the rest of us, I also agree with you're suspicion that the, medal eon, is a key part in the puzzle that plagues him like the maldemer flue."

Robin wasn't sure about the last part but he had certainly found out what he wanted to know. He could now be sure that he wasn't just seeing things that weren't there in Chris, it was apparent that he had a history that would not be his chosen topic for conversation.

"Can we trust him?"

He asked with as little emotion as he could, this was just not the right time.

"I believe we can, the fact that friend Chris does not wish to share his past does not necessarily mean it is a past of misdeeds."

Robin was about to ask her if she had any reason to trust Chris other than it was in her nature when she continued.

"You too Robin have a very hidden past that you do not wish to discuss, yet you are not a bad person,"

The beautiful smile was in stark contrast to the painful memory that flashed through his minds eye at her words. He saw the two falling figures but shook the memory from his mind before they finished their brief fall. He wanted to find something in her words that he could deny, something he could use to justify his suspicions, he failed. He felt a momentary flush of anger that Starfire had in two brief sentences made him question himself, especially when she was one of the people he was trying to protect. He looked at her face angrily, she was smiling, that smile, it could melt his anger in seconds, and it did. He sighed and leant against the wall behind him.

"So you think we can trust him, if he proves to have what it takes, and accepts the offer if he does?"

Robin said, feeling he had to make the latter points again. Starfire nodded.

"Ok then, let's find out about him."

Again Starfire nodded, smiling also, her constant willingness to learn, it irritated Robin sometimes, but now at least it would come in handy. He headed back to the main room but turned at the last moment as he remembered something.

"Star, could you go and tell Raven what's happening, and get her opinion?"

Starfire looked longingly at the door to the main room before nodding and saying.

"As you wish."

She flew noiselessly up the corridor and soon disappeared from sight. Robin sighed and prepared for what was to come, a difficult task to say the least, he was going to have to get close to someone who he didn't fully trust, not something he was looking forward to, still, he thought, if it proved beneficial to the team then it would be worth it, he just hoped it would.

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Cyborg couldn't believe his luck, not only had Chris totalled any opposition from Beast Boy but now he seemed completely immobile, he wasn't even trying to defend himself, not at all. Cyborg delivered the final killing blow and was just about to jump up and deliver his victory call when a gloved hand and a hissed.

"Shhhhhhhh."

Stopped him. He looked along the familiar arm, Beast Boy had one hand with one extended finger over his lips, Cyborg thought that this was a ploy to prevent him celebrating his victory when he noticed what the other hand was now pointing at. It was Chris, he had apparently been finally overwhelmed by exhaustion, Cyborg smiled, it was a miracle that he had survived this long, especially considering what he had been through the night before.

"What should we do?"

Asked Beast Boy removing the game station controller still clutched in Chris's limp hands. Cyborg shrugged.

"Play on our own I guess."

He said. Beast Boy took another look at the snoozing form next to him and nodded, twenty seven seconds later another desperate struggle had developed, albeit between only two characters now. Behind them the door opened automatically and Robin stepped into the room. Not able to see Chris's slumped form from behind he stood for a moment looking around the room. Finally deciding that Chris wasn't here he announced his presence with the question currently on his mind.

"Where is he then?"

Cyborg heard the question, knew what it meant, knew who was asking it and knew the answer, but he didn't respond, he couldn't, any lapse of concentration could cost him the game. Once again the question came only this time a little louder and a lot firmer.

"Where is Chris?"

Again no response was emitted from the two battling Titans, a crunch, a scream and a small victory dance accompanied by a hushed song later and Beast Boy turned around to answer the question of the now annoyed boy wonder.

"He's here."

Said Beast Boy indicating the sleeping form of the Englishman on the couch beside the whimpering Cyborg. Robin walked over and looked down the front of the couch.

"Ah, I see, probably for the best."

Cyborg looked up.

"What do you mean?"

He asked with a tone that left none of those present in any doubt as to his the mood his defeat had left him in. Robin looked down on the slumbering form, as if to make sure that he was really sleeping, apparently satisfied he held up the security tape from earlier and handed it to Cyborg. Cyborg looked at the tape in his hand then to Robin, then to Beast Boy who returned his look, they both looked at Chris who was whimpering slightly in his sleep. Cyborg looked back at Robin and simply said.

"Now?"

Robin nodded.

"Man that's just stupid."

Even with his misgivings he still strode over to one of the many computer consoles along the walls, selecting one he sat in the comfortable chair in front and examined the tape.

"You know this is going to be awful right?"

Again Robin nodded, Cyborg took one look at the back of the sofa and shook his head as he inserted the tape in to one of the many slots of varying sizes at that particular console.

"Never thought I would have to use that slot."

He said un-humorously. Several minuets passed leadenly as Cyborg fought twenty-five years of technology and corruption to try and find anything of any use on the static plagued tape. Finally after five full minuets the image on the screen cleared to an almost perfect image, black and white as it was it was obvious that it was that nights recording. The three Titans watched in silent horror as the girl they had found the previous night was chased up the road and into the darkened alley.

"Fast forward it a few minuets Cyborg."

Commanded Robin. Cyborg obeyed without looking away from the screen before him. The tape could be heard whizzing around inside the console. After a few seconds Robin commanded quickly.

"Stop."

Cyborg stopped the tape with a confused look on his face, until that is he noticed the hunched figure walking up the road from the fuzzy left edge of the screen. It was Chris, they could all see that. He was hunched with some sort of food in his hands; he sat on a bench and proceeded to consume his food. Cyborg watched sadly, what a shame it was, he thought to himself, that they should already know the ending to the tale, yet they had to watch it just to see the manner in which it had come to be. He concentrated on the film before him, Chris had stopped eating and had placed the food on the bench beside him, there was no sound on the tape, but they could tell that Chris had heard something from the way his head perked up.

"He's like a fox."

Commented Beast Boy. The other nodded as Chris move stealthily from the bench and to the side of the alley; he paused as if watching something, though all they could see was blackness.

"Isn't there any way you can show us what's happening?"

Asked Robin urgently. Cyborg looked at Robin and shrugged.

"Well I can try."

He proceeded to fiddle around with the controls on the console, back on the screen Chris seemed to sigh and then standing tall disappeared into the darkness. Robin looked at the screen and then to Cyborg.

"Come on, we could be missing crucial evidence."

He said in an almost panicked voice. As suddenly as the last time the image changed, for a second it teetered between blinding white and pitch black, then it apparently swapped colours, the darkness became bright and the street lamps seemed to shine darkness. They watched as a blindingly bright Chris stood between two thugs and the girl. Cyborg noticed that one thug was already lying down on the alleys floor. He looked at Robin and asked casually.

"So, still think he started it?"

Robin shook his head, a look of remorse on his masked face.

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It was awful yet amusing all at the same time. She didn't laugh, though she didn't actually make any effort to stop his endless fall down those stone steps. Raven watched as his body bounced down the magically appearing steps, like an unfortunate person who has become caught, endlessly caught on an escalator. She watched and watched, it was somehow comforting, like the tick of the old clock back in her room. Suddenly a cloaked figure appeared behind her; she turned and gave the figure a brief glance. The new figure strode up behind Raven, or more accurately strode up behind herself, for she was Raven, or at least a part of her.

"Well well."

Brave said, raising an eyebrow. Raven simply continued to watch the figure bounce down another dozen steps; he hit the last one with a crunch and was deposited onto a mercifully flat surface. Raven turned to face her green cloaked self.

"What do you want?"

Brave snapped her gaze from the groaning form on the floor and concentrated on herself.

"I don't know, it's you're dream."

At these words a lot began to make sense to Raven, she had to admit it had occurred to her that there was no real explanation as to why Chris was being thrown down a magically reappearing staircase, or why she had not felt compelled to assist, before, when these questions had been asked she had simply shrugged and enjoyed the show. Now however she was forced to face the fact that not only had she been dreaming of Chris, which was bad enough as it was, not only that but this dream really was quite disturbing. She turned back to the form of Chris, who now was banging his head on the floor, creating a sound just like that of someone knocking on a door, the door knocking noise continued and suddenly Starfire's voice began to echo around the peculiar dream world. Raven turned to ask Brave what was happening, only to find that she was gone, replaced by Starfire.

"Are you there friend Raven, please wake if you are sleeping, I have an urgent message from Robin, friend Raven, please answer."

The knocking sound became deafening and Starfire's voice seemed to drag Raven into the sky. There was a brief moment of nothingness and then, nothing, or to be precise blackness, warm comfortable blackness, while it lasted. The loud knocking again accompanied by Starfire's voice tore through Raven's momentary respite. Realising just where she was Raven tore of the bedcover over her head and nearly rolled out of bed and on to the floor. She stood and tried to make sense of everything, not quite sure for a second just what had been a dream and what wasn't. For a moment she asked herself just what was real, the only answer that came back was a mocking laugh. She was just about to try and remember if Chris was a real person or if she had dreamed up his whole existence when Starfire's thunderous knocking and voice answered the question for her.

"Friend, please wake up, I have to relay to you the current situation regarding friend Chris."

Groaning, Raven found her cloak fastened it around herself and shambled over towards the door. Having recovered her composure by the time the door was reached she sighed pulled up her hood and slid open the door a fraction.

"What?"

She asked in a voice that actually drove the smile from Starfire's face.

"Friend Raven, I am here to tell you of the current situation with…"

"Chris."

Raven finished for her.

"Yes, it is the opinion of our fellow Titans that he is to be given a chance to prove himself as a good person, and perhaps even as a Titan himself"

Raven raised an eyebrow and stared unemotionally back, her cool demeanour didn't betray the absolute flurry of feelings that flew through her head at these words.

"And nobody thought to ask my opinion?"

Starfire tilted her head slightly as if in confusion.

"But friend, I am here now to inform you so that you can have you're opinion asked."

"Of course you are."

Said Raven rolling her eyes. Starfire seemed lost for a moment as she tried to think her way around Raven's sarcasm.

"So what are the boys doing now?"

Asked Raven not really caring.

"I am unsure, although I believe they are now doing the, hanging out, so as to learn about friend Chris's past."

"Oh."

Replied Raven in as unemotional voice as ever. It seemed wrong to her, not that the other Titans had neglected to ask her opinion, they did that often enough, what seemed truly wrong was the fact that they were apparently on the verge of allowing a total stranger into the team, a stranger who Raven knew was harbouring some very, very deep emotions.

The only good thing that she could see coming out of the whole incident apart from possible entertainment value, was that Raven would finally have found someone who regarded everything in as disapproving an attitude as her, funny as he was, he could not hide his deep dark feelings, oh well, she said to herself, at least now I can have a conversation without the risk of someone mentioning computer games fluffy bunnies or any other form of so called, fun.

Sighing she stepped forward closed the door behind her and walked with Starfire in the direction of the main room, if anything, she thought, the day should prove interesting.

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Chris lay there looking at the ceiling, but listening intently. He had been listening for the last few minuets and he was not sure how he felt about what he heard.

"Oh yeah, look at me go."

Said Beast Boy as he watched a miniature black and white version of himself transform into a leopard and chase several thugs down the road.

"Ok I think we have seen enough."

Said Robin in a cold voice.

"So we can officially say he wasn't responsible?"

Asked Cyborg removing the tape and switching of the console. Robin nodded solemnly. Chris smiled behind the couch, though he would probably never forgive himself for his failure to protect the girl it was good to know that the others didn't blame him, of course it also hurt that they had suspected him in the first place. He listened and could hear them talking now.

"So can we trust him now and please stop sneaking around?"

Came Beast Boy's voice. There was a moments silence before Robin responded.

"Yes, I just had to be sure."

"You're not going to check his personnel file?"

Asked Cyborg in a mildly shocked voice.

"No."

Came the answer.

"Why not?"

Robin sighed and then answered.

"I already did."

"Really?"

Asked Beast Boy.

Robin nodded before saying.

"Even though its none of you're business, he seems to have had a normal life until he came over here with a large group of family and friends, they were present when that maniac set off a bomb in Gotham, he was the only survivor from his group when the museum collapsed, after that he just disappeared for nine months, it seems he wandered the country until he ended up here, that's all I know."

Robin ended heavily. The others remained motionless and quiet, little did they know that behind the sofa lay a broken Englishman, silently crying as all the memories he had fought so hard to suppress came back in one endless torrent of anger and hate.

He slipped in to unconsciousness as the exhaustion of the last nine months, both physical and mental seemed to collapse on him in one huge unstoppable mass. As he fell into a dream world of his own he was immediately confronted with the ranks of dead, all those who he had failed to protect and now waited for him, called him. He would not give in though; he had a debt to repay, one which fate seemed intent on making him pay in full, and with interest. Back in the real world he shifted and spoke in his sleep, watched silently by the five Titans standing above.

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Chapter seven for you there, much quicker than I had thought, should get another in before Christmas if I can continue like this. Mind you I can't take all the credit; I did get my inspiration from somewhere. Once again thank you to princessdza for you're wise words of wisdom and continued support, also thanks to Elihu for you're review, Oh, I suppose I should thank Transient Turnip or (David) for his review, but considering he actually gave out some of my private information not to mention he was partially responsible for me being so lonely as to write this in one day. I don't think I will bother. I hope you enjoy this chapter, as it cost me a Sunday, day of rest Ha, anyway please R&R, you're reviews, ideas and opinions are very important to me and will always be welcomed. Thanks, next one on its way, hopefully pre Christmas.