Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans, but I'm not making money from this, so you can't sue me.


Chapter 3. Good bye, my friend

The Titans found it odd that little Zelda never cried. She'd make a whining sound if she needed something, but never did she cry. Kyte, who looked like his father, except for his skin color, was always making noise. He either cried or laughed. He seemed to find everything funny.

(--- --- ---)

A week after the children were born, Robin called a meeting in the main room. Valere watched as Robin paced back and forth, waiting for the others to arrive.

Valere and Terra were the first to arrive, because they had already been heading there. The next two to arrive were Starfire and Jinx. It seemed as if the two were becoming close friends. Beast Boy was next. Then, Gizmo and Cyborg arrived. They got weird looks from the original Titans. Raven was last to the meeting.

"Sorry. Zelda was being fussy about going to sleep." Raven said as Valere moved up behind her and wrapped his arms around her waist. "What did you want to talk about?"

Robin took a deep breath. "I've been thinking… since there's nine of us, it wouldn't really effect the team if someone left for a little while." He paused. "I'm going back to Gotham for a while, maybe a year or two."

Valere sensed everyone's emotions change and he knew there was going to be a large argument. Before anyone could put in their opinion about Robin's chose, Valere spoke. "Who will be in charge while you're gone?"

Robin looked surprised. "I thought you should choose for yourselves."

Valere was shaking his head before Robin even finished. "You're the leader, no matter where you are, so just choose who will lead while you are gone."

"Well, Cyborg, you've always been my second in command, so you're in charge."

Cyborg assumed a military stance. "Yes sir." Beast Boy broke out laughing at this.

Starfire threw her arms around Robin. "I will miss you, friend Robin."

"I will miss you too, Star." He returned the hug.

Robin went to each of the Titans, receiving their farewells and giving his own. He left Valere for last. They shook hands.

Valere leaned forward and spoke in a whisper. "I'd like to know why?"

Robin's voice returned no higher that his friend's. "When Kyte and Zelda were born, I realized that somewhere in my life I lost a part of myself. I think that if I return to where I grew up, I might find that missing piece." He patted Valere on the shoulder. "Keep them safe."

Robin said his final farewell and entered the elevator. It went down to the basement and some dared to hope it would come back up. It never did.

(--- --- ---)

Valere gave Raven a passionate kiss before entering his study, which was his old room. He walked over to a book on his desk and opened it. The eyes of Malchior looked back at him. "And, what has transpired this day, my friend." The eyes asked.

"Robin has left us for a while." Valere responded as he picked up a sketch book.

"Really?" Malchior was actually a little surprised. "Might I ask why?"

Valere opened the sketch book and started drawing. "The birth of the children showed him that he was missing something and now he's gone searching for it."

The book laughed. "And, you already know what he's missing." Valere shrugged and showed Malchior the drawing. "It would look better if it was darker."

Valere picked out a black marker. "What Robin's looking for is one of those things that you can't be told it, you can only find it." He chuckled. "Too bad he can't see three feet in front of himself."

He tore out the page he was drawing on and tossed it away. "This is so frustrating." He ran his fingers through his hair.

"Valere?" Malchior questioned. "How did you do that?"

"Do what?" Valere questioned back.

"Wave your hand in front of your face and you'll see." The book suggested.

Valere did just that. His hand moved as though it wasn't whole. It was like some of the atoms were slower to get moving than others and only when he stopped moving did his hand become whole again. "Whoa." Was all that could escape his throat.