"Rhiannon!" her mother called to her.

"Mom! I'm coming!" Rhiannon called back, annoyed. She shoved her books into backpack and picked up with some strain, running downstairs.

"You look like a complete mess. Did you brush your hair?" her mother asked. Rhiannon ran her fingers through her blonde hair, and smiled with spite.

"All done. If I don't leave now I'll miss the bus. I have a brush in my bag, I'll brush it when I walk down the driveway."

"What about breakfast?"

"I'll get it at school or something. Maybe I'll eat off the street. Bye Mom!" she said leaving the house. Her mother stood in the kitchen, and looked out the window as she saw her daughter pull out a brush, and ran it through her hair. After she finagled with that, she pulled out what appeared to be some sort of snack bar. Her mother sighed.

"What am I going to do with her?" she asked aloud, smiling.

"Oh I don't know," a man's voice said. Rhiannon's mother turned around, with loving eyes, staring at her husband.

"I wonder what her parents were like, because she has such the spiteful attitude."

"Grace, we went over this a million times. We don't know who her parents are, but we love her anyway. Attitude and all."

"I know, Derek. But I've always wondered why the Boy Wonder of Jump City gave her to us those sixteen years ago. Oh what a charming baby she was, and is. I can still remember what he said to me…."

-xXx Sixteen Years Ago

"This baby is in danger, and if you don't take her in, she will grow up in a horrible world, and harbor a horrible life. Please…save her," Robin said, outstretching his arms, so the woman could take her.

"Save her? Well then--"

"Please, ma'am. I don't have much time to put her into a caring home before she really is in serious danger." A loud crack of thunder echoed in the background, after a streak of hot lightening. A man behind the woman came up, and entered the conversation abruptly.

"Who the hell is the idiot who is on our doorstep at four o'clock in the morning?" he asked, and then saw Robin's masked face, and his own face became red with embarrassment.

"He wants us to take this baby in, Derek. He says she's in danger."

"Is the child yours?" Derek asked.

"No."

"Then why are you giving someone else's child up?"

"The mother agrees with what I'm doing. Just please sir!" Robin said, getting annoyed.

"We'll take her in," she said, outstretching her arms, "what is her name?"

"Rhiannon. Her mother appreciates this, and so do I," Robin said, jumping off the porch. Lightning struck again, and the booming sound of a thousand drums filled their ears.

"Wait! Who is the parents of this baby?" Derek yelled in curiosity, but it was to late, the Boy Wonder was off on his motorcycle. The new parents went inside and gave the baby a closer look. Her eyes were blue, with violet streaks scattered throughout. Her facial features were delicate, and stunning, a true wonder to the couple of how anyone could be as so cruel to want to hurt this child.

-xXx

The brisk air felt wonderful on her face as she continued to walk down the long driveway surrounded by large fenced-in fields of cattle and horses. Although she grew up on a farm, Rhiannon never thought herself a country girl. She longed to be in a city, where true adventure happens, and where the heroes reside. Her parents seem to ignore her when she says anything about Jump City. It is as if they are ignoring her. All of her friends have been to the city, and some have claimed to see the Titans, the once Teen Titans. The group of heroes have been together since their adolescent years, and are still going strong.

Rhiannon had finally reached the end of her driveway, and met up with her friend Heather.

"Guess what? My parents want to go to the city this weekend, and they said that we can take you!" Heather excitedly said, jumping up and down.

"Really? That's awesome! But my parents, they probably won't let me go. They seem to be city haters," Rhiannon sighed.

"Oh come on Rhea, just sneak out of the house, it's only for one day. Just say you are coming over my house, for a sleepover. They always let you do that!" Heather exclaimed. The two started walking on the sidewalk toward their bus stop, rambling on about their excitement this Friday night.

-xXx

Robin walked into the room slowly, Starfire right behind him, and saw Raven clutching the newborn, and Beast Boy and Slade on either side of the bed, watching her. Cyborg just seemed to be watching all of their body language.

"Robin! Dude, we'd thought you died when you didn't show up a while ago!" Cyborg said, happy to see his friend. Robin glared at Slade.

"Just had an intense training…lesson," Robin responded.

"Well, whatever, just look at Rhiannon, she's a very good looking baby." Robin wobbled over to the bed, and looked into the baby's eyes, an ocean of blue with purple streaks, how odd. It made her unique indeed.

"Congratulations, Raven," Robin said through a forced smile, not even giving Slade a look.

"Thank you," she replied, yawning.

"She is a glorious addition to the Titans!" Starfire wailed. Slade looked at her with a threatening eye.

"What if she does not acquire Raven's ability? Will she then be so special?" Slade asked.

"She still has a chance of getting some ass kicking skills from you, though," Beast Boy smirked. Rhiannon cooed slightly, at what seemed like a response to Beast Boy's reply.

"Well, why doesn't Raven get some rest, she looks exhausted and then some," Cyborg said, taking Rhiannon from Raven, and exiting the room.

"What a minute, where are you going to keep her?" Slade yelled, calling after Cyborg.

"In another room. Don't worry."

"Slade, stop it. These are my friends, they aren't going to harm her in any way possible," Raven said closing her eyes. As she said this, the rest of the team walked out, and Slade stayed and watched her chest rise up and down as she slept, deep in pleasant dreams.

-xXx

The two friends boarded the bus, and took a seat toward the middle of the bus.

"Your parents seem to have a lot of control on where you go. They seem paranoid," Heather said, after the they got comfortable in their seat.

"You're telling me. I think they feel I'm going to get kidnapped. They make it seem like we live in the most dangerous area in the world," Rhiannon explained.

More people piled onto the bus sleepily, most with coffee in hand. Some teens studied their material most likely for a first period test. Rhiannon was a very smart young woman who rarely studied and received outstanding grades. Her natural smarts helped her concentrate more on her sports and her physical condition. She might live out in what some may consider the middle of nowhere, but their sports program was tough and competitive. For the fall she played soccer, and the winter fencing. In the spring she played softball, not to mention on the day she didn't have practice she piano lessons. Her slender body, blonde, hair, and a knack for sounding stupid made some people wonder why she didn't become a cheerleader.

The bus stopped in front of the school, the outside walls a worn brick. It looked so beautiful in the fall with the trees tall and the red, orange, and yellow leaves blowing around on the lush green lawn. A fanfare of colors.

"You haven't mentioned Justin in a while," Heater stated, while disembarking the bus.

"We aren't on good terms right now," Rhiannon said, in a hushed voice.

"What happened?" her friend asked concerned.

"He lied to me about his drinking problem."

"He as a drinking problem!"

"Exactly. I didn't know either until one of his friends told him to meet him after school where all the drug addicts are. And he said sure right in front of me. The nerve of him, and he knows that I hate drugs! Alcohol I don't mind that much," Rhiannon explained, entering the school's front doors.

"Listen, if he doesn't respect you dump him. You'll find another guy, you usually do," Heather joked.

"I'm not the school whore, that's your job," Rhiannon joked smiling.

"Hey!" Heather said partly laughing.

-xXx

Months had passed since the couple and their baby left the tower, eager to raise the child. Slade was just eager to leave the tower, but it pained the young mother that she would have to leave her friends yet again. Raven held the newborn as she hummed softly. The cries of the child started to withdraw, and she calmed down a little. Who knew that silence would sound so sweet?

"Is it safe to come in?" Slade joked as he entered the room.

"You have to learn to care for her too," Raven scolded.

"I'm not much of the nurturing type, my dear."

"You became very protective of me when the last few months of my pregnancy were up."

"That's not nurturing though. It's not in my nature either."

"I didn't think you could love either, until you loved me. Don't give me that crap."

"No cursing, you are holding virgin ears," Slade teased.

"Lucky for her--"

"Hey I--"

"I didn't finish what I was going to say. Don't assume," Raven lectured. Slade sighed as Raven stood up and placed the sleeping Rhiannon in her crib.

"Just because Rhiannon has virgin ears, doesn't not mean that her mother does," he said, his eye filled with desire. Raven turned around and smiled.

"Well then, how do you want to explain how the young come into the world?" Raven said, walking toward him.

"I don't want to explain it," he replied.

"Oh, you don't?" Raven said, not the least bit surprised.

"No, I want to show you."

"Even better," Raven said, getting swept off her feet, and headed toward the room where Rhiannon was conceived.

-xXx

"Robin! Oh please stop it!" Starfire begged.

"It just doesn't seem right," Robin yelled back.

"Get over your stupid theories about them, dude," Beast Boy said.

"It's getting annoying," Cyborg sighed.

"It is very unpleasant to hear of his ideas, especially after--"

"I get your disappointment in my rambling of it. But I really do feel that--"

"You are insane, dude. Just let it go. We all have, except you. We can't all help but think that you are obsessing to much," Beast Boy stated.

"I agree with Beast Boy," Cyborg plainly stated. Robin sagged his shoulders and headed to his room to try and rid him of the thoughts. But it didn't work the way he planned, it only worked against him.

'I will take her myself. I will take her away to a safe place,' he thought, and smiled as he planned.

-xXx

Heather, Rhiannon, and Justin all sat down at their usual lunch table with three other friends; Greg, Alexandra, and Cody. They were a fun loving group, no doubt, and smiles were always shared, even through the dim days that tight groups usually go through. Their jokes were simplistic, but the meaning behind them made the hard of hearing smile.

"I absolutely hate my classes," Alexandra sighed, drooping in her chair, looking exhausted.

"Your failing again, aren't you?" Cody teased.

"Again?" Greg said amazed, "I didn't think you were able to pull that of again!"

"I don't fail classes like you jerks, but my teachers are really hard this year. The material on the tests weren't even in the notes!" Alexandra wailed.

"Did you pay attention?" Heather asked.

"Usually my teachers lecture a lot," Rhiannon stated.

"But you're like super smart, babe. You don't need to pay attention and you leave with one-hundreds," Justin explained.

"I don't know where she gets it from either. Her parents are farm people through and through," Cody said.

"They don't let me go anywhere either! I haven't been to the city yet, and you guys have gone five times each," Rhiannon complained.

"It's called 'Parent Paranoia'. Hopefully it's like a stage," Greg explained, sounding smart.

"At this rate, they don't seem to be getting out of it," Heather mused.

"I think we all agree," Justin spoke up.

"I mean it's not like the city is dangerous!" Rhiannon defended.

"The Titans reside there, and they do a pretty good job keeping that city safe," Heather explained.

"Yes, and Nightwing looks pretty damn hot doing it!" Alexandra admired.

"Oh lay off it," Greg said covering his ears.

"If you don't me saying, Starfire looks amazing," Cody said.

"I find Beast Boy adorable!" Rhiannon exclaimed joining in on the fun.

"He's green!" Heather gasped.

"And what about me? Am I not adorable?" Justin asked.

"You will be when you stop drinking and smoking," Rhiannon glared. Justin sighed, knowing that this addiction wouldn't stop so easy.

"It's disgusting," Heather stated her opinion.

"But not as disgusting as the person doing it," Alexandra thought aloud.

"Hey, I'm not--"

"Yes you are," Cody and Greg said together. The table laughed, except for an embarrassed Justin.

"Oh come on, Justin, it's only a joke," Rhiannon said, still a trace of laughter in her voice.

"I don't find it to funny."

"That's because we are laughing at you. But anyways…Heather, did you do that history homework?" Greg asked.

-xXx

"I have to go put the security system on," Slade said, motion to get up out of bed.

"Don't leave me all alone. Oh please don't," Raven begged, kissing his barren neck.

"You don't want our dwelling safe?" he asked, turning to face her.

"I want you here with me more, than this home safe. It can be replaced, this feeling can't," Raven said.

"I guess one more minute won't hurt," Slade said, moving toward Raven again.

-xXx

A dark figure moved around in the shadows of the night, artistically making its way toward the targeted home. The house looked completely dark, except for a light on in the second story window. The figure could only imagine what was taking place up there. It jumped onto the front porch, and turned the knob clockwise and pushed it forward slowly. Nothing happened, and the silhouette checked the inside of the house, nothing seemed threatening. Now heading for the stairs, it leapt onto the fourth stair with ease and skipped two at a time going up. Quick on it's feet, and the footsteps soft and careful, the figure made it's way to the intended room. Inside only inhabited a crib with a changing table.

-xXx

"You don't seem to belong here," Heather joked.

"I really don't, but I love the friends I have made being in this "wrong" place," Rhiannon smiled.

"Oh I know, aren't we wonderful, us "farm people"?" Heather stated boarding her bus home.

"Yes, yes you are."

-xXx

"Are you sleeping yet?" Slade asked softly.

"My eyes are closed, but I am still awake," Raven smiled, opening her eyes.

"You don't fall asleep fast, do you?"

"I'm used to staying up hours into the night, or early morning. You should know that."

"I guess I should. But I haven't taken a real notice until now, because I want to slip away but you still lay awake, wanting my company."

"Your company is very pleasant."

"I am not denying it isn't."

"Just hush, my eyelids are growing heavy. A few more minutes, that's all I need."

-xXx

'A few more minutes, is all I need, and all will be well,' the silhouette thought to itself as its hands reached into the crib to grab to baby of only four months. The little girl never winced as a new person held her in its arms. Heart pounding, the dark figure glided down the stairs, and out the door, closing it gently behind itself.

-xXx

"Do you hear that?" Heather said, sticking her head slightly out the car window, "the sound of chaos and adventure?"

"It sounds like home," Rhiannon smiled. She had told her parents that she was staying at Heather's until late Saturday night, because they were going to a camping site and wanted to stay a full twenty-four hours. Her parents bought it, and waved her good-bye as she rolled out of the driveway and headed towards the city.

"I can't believe you have never been here," Heather's father said, looking at Rhiannon's sparking eyes as they saw the numerous, tall, buildings.

"My parents are way to over protective of me. It's like they are afraid I'm going to die," Rhiannon mused.

"But the city is protected by the Titans!" Heather's mother gasped.

"I know. It's like they fear them. I don't care anymore, I am here now," Rhiannon said, looking amazed.

-xXx

"…and I just thoug--"

"Shh…you hear that?" Slade said, putting a finger to Raven's mouth, silencing her.

"No. You are starting to sound like Ro--"

"Just listen!" Slade said his voice strained. A silence fell over the room, but nothing sounded or seemed out of the ordinary.

"I don't hear anything, babe. It's probably just the house creaking," Raven thought.

"No, there is definitely something in the house," Slade got up, grabbing pants and shirt. His breathing was light, and focused, adrenaline starting to secret. But his curiosity couldn't wait any longer, he ran into Rhiannon's room and peeked over the crib.

"Raven!" he yelled in panic. Raven dashed into the room while tying her robe and looked at his worried face, and then glanced into the crib. She screamed with fright, letting some emotion out. "You put her in the crib, right?" Slade questioned.

"I swear I did," she said, tears filling her eyes, "do you think that someone…?" Raven gasped, and quickly ran into his arms, tears now flooding down her face. Slade's eye became wide.

"You…. You!" he yelled, ripping Raven away from him so he could look her in the eye, "the reason you didn't want me to leave your side so the security…."

"What? What are you talking about?" Raven asked through sobs.

"You planned this? You started to plan from the very beginning, didn't you?" Slade started to yell, pointing his finger at her.

"Started to plan what? Don't think I did this!"

"Just because of my past, and then you judged me. You fucking whore!"

"I never judged you, after you showed me the man you could be, the man I fell in love with! Don't turn on me now!" Raven yelled back.

"Me turn on you! You and your little team planned this the last time you saw them, didn't you? Oh you slick little bitch. And to think that our pasts were behind us?" Slade yelled, his face only a few inches from hers.

Here comes the rain again,

"I am still a Titan Slade, but I would never do something like this! How could you accuse a protector of the city, and the mother of your child!" Raven said disgusted.

Falling from the stars,

"How could I not! You don't think I'm a suitable father?"

"You tried so hard not to make the same mistake again, mixing your career with your personal life. And this time you've just lost more than a woman, Slade. You've lost your life," Raven said, walking toward him, turning the tables, "you've lost your child, and now, you are loosing your wife. I want a divorce if you aren't going to believe that I hold responsible for all this. And to think that all this was more than a game."

Drenched in my pain again,

Slade stood there, trying to piece what she said together. Was he really loosing everything again? Raven in her anger, slid the ring off her finger and threw it down on the ground.

"Now it's back to hero and villain work, babe. You against me, and the next time we encounter each other…it's personal," Raven said, the tears streaming down her face. Her eyes were pools of dark regret.

Becoming who we are.

-Wake Me Up When September Ends, Greenday

-xXx

Lightning and thunder filled the sky as the silhouette raced on a motorcycle towards outside the city limits, thinking of where to find a safe place for the baby. The dark figure felt terrible taking the young child from its friend. But it couldn't help but think that Slade hadn't changed. The street lights lit up the motorcycle and the figure on it, letting people see Robin perched on his bike. The baby needed to be far away, where no one would expect a stole child to be; a place like Plainville.

-xXx

The family and their friendly companion decided to stay at the hotel the rest of the night, since it was nearing eight o'clock when they arrived. The traffic was horrible, no doubt, and they were all tired from a long day, and an early turn in sounded wonderful. And Rhiannon wanted to do some dreaming about the Titans before she might encounter them tomorrow. With a willful heart, the young teen went to sleep, unexpected to a family reunion tomorrow.

A/N: A sad chapter, yes, but it sets the rest of the story's motion, I promise. I hope I wrote this well! Please review, thanks!