Una estrella y el ave

A star and the bird

The trip to the surface was very uneventful. Apparently the only power Stone retained while he was in the Hells was the ability to teleport to the surface but once on the surface he, and Raven, were free from the mysterious dampening effects of the Nine Hells.

Stone teleport Raven and Nightwing to what was left of the living room of the Titan Tower. After the last run in the group had had with the occupying Tamaranian forces the living room was very messed up.

"We'll be staying here for a few days while I contact some informants and refit my weaponry. Dick, it's been good to see you. You're free to go or stay as you wish but I'll tell you what my spies have told me. Star likes to come back here to think things over at night, you might see her if you stick around." Stone told Nightwing who merely nodded in response. Stone disappeared down a hall way and Nightwing went to his old room where he had some spare costumes; he had had enough of wearing robes.

Raven stalked after Stone absolutely steaming. Why had he just let Nightwing go free without any hitches? Why had Stone let him go free and not her as well?

Nightwing changed and made his way back to the remnants of the living room. Sitting down on what was left of the couch Nightwing waited. He knew that he should be furious at Stone for spreading foul rumors about a Tamaranian invasion but Nightwing had no reason to doubt the Dread Lord's word. He might have changed but Nightwing was sure that deep down Stone was still the Victor Stone that Robin had recruited those long years ago.

Thinking of the past led to Nigthwing reminiscing about the old days, the days of the Teen Titans. He and Starfire were still together, still living under the same roof without complications. Well no more then was average for back in the day.

Nightwing let a small smile touch his lips. Back then they really were a bunch of kids having fun playing superhero. Now that they were older only two had carried on, only a 40 success rate for what the Teen Titan project was suppose to do. Of course that Tanar'ri Tir'eir had been a much unexpected factor. Just like Garfield's suicide, Cyborg's transformation into Stone, and Starfire's alleged betrayal.

If Star had indeed been part of an invasion then that would have meant she must have been the forward spy.

"If she was a spy then that would mean…" Nightwing let himself trail off. He didn't want to think that the last 11 plus years had all been a façade that Star had put up. He was the likely candidate. He had the access codes and prestige which Star could have used, especially after they had gotten married. Had the former boy wonder been led on a grand parade, blinded by his love for a woman? It couldn't be true, it just couldn't be.

The seeds of doubt had been planted, and the only way to diminish those doubts was to wait and see if Starfire showed up. If she did, Nightwing was going to get answers out of his wife one way or another.

"Why does he get to go free to do what he wants and not me!" Raven yelled at Stone completely ignoring the lack of an exploding light bulb or appliance.

Stone snapped. He had been over this with Raven for the past 10 months now and if she didn't understand all the explanations it was time for a very brute and frank approach.

Stone whirled around and slammed both his fists into the wall on either side of Raven's head boxing her in.

"Why, Raven? WHY? Because you're the princess to the Blood throne. Do you have any idea just how much trouble you've cause me!" Stone shouted.

"NO I DON'T!" Raven shouted back.

"Gods, Maria was right. I should have just married you and locked you up. Or perhaps I should have married you off to another lord to seal an alliance. Or I could have let Tir'eir have you."

"Why didn't you! At least then I would have been out of your way!" Raven screamed at Stone.

"Because I'm still in love with you!"

"WHAT!"

Stone extended his blades adding two more holes to the wall. "I said I love you." Stone growled out in a very low and soft tone before retracting his blades.

"That's why I let you have the liberties you had, that why I haven't married you off, that's why I've protected you. You might be the princess to the Blood Throne Raven, but I don't need you to take the throne and the Hells as my own. Just because I don't need you doesn't mean other factions don't need you."

A heavy silence filled the air as Raven process everything that Stone had told her.

"While I'm coming clean, I should tell you that the choker you are wearing lets me know where you are, prevents you from destroying things accidentally due to your emotions and lets you put up a magical force field around yourself when we are on the surface. Knowing what you do now, you're free to go if you want. I'll be leaving in 2 days, whether or not you come with me is no longer my business or concern."

Stone pulled his fists from the wall and walked away, his metal feet clanging loudly on the floor.

Raven leaned against the wall and sank to the floor. She was free at last but was it worth what it was going to cost her, both now and possibly in the future.

Night fell on the Tower and all was quiet. Just the way Starfire remembered it when she last left. She had come to the Tower every night since she had injured her husband those many months past. Part of her hoped to see him again, part of her wanted to think and justify the invasion to herself one more time. In the end the result was the same. Her family on Tamaran needed her to provide for them though it broke her heart to force Richard from her heart and mind on a nightly basis. He was capable of taking care of himself, just as long as he didn't join the resistance groups he would be left alone.

Now 10 months into occupation virtually most of the planet had been subdued and the Earth's populous was enslaved to provide resources for their conquerors just like in various empires on the planet through the ages. Only sparse resistance remained but it was only a matter of time before they were crushed.

After all, the last known nest in Jump City surely couldn't withstand attacks from both the occupation forces and the local puppet crime syndicate, the H.I.V.E.

Starfire landed in the living room. The night was a bit nippy but she ignored it. The cold of the night was nothing to the cold dull pain she had been feeling in her heart for the past months.

Star looked around room and found the place Richard had come to a rest after she had blasted him with her energy disks. Sighing she walked over and placed her hand on the floor where he once lay. If she closed her eyes she could imagine that he was still there. It wasn't the best memory she had of Richard but it was the most recent and one she couldn't help remember. She knew that she had nearly killed him. Had he been a normal person he surely would have died.

"I'm not there anymore."

Star leapt into the air and spun around, eyes and hands glowing green, ready to hurl energy disks at the speaker. Immediately recognizing who had spoken Starfire lowered herself to the ground and extinguished the glow of her hands and eyes.

"Richard." Starfire whispered afraid that if she said his name too loudly he would disappear like an illusion.

Whatever resolve Nightwing had had vanished when Starfire spoke his name with such pain and longing in her voice. All he could do was rush up to her, hug her, and kiss her.

Breaking apart for a moment Star murmured; "I've missed you so much." against Nightwing's lips.

"So have I, Kori. Why did you leave?"

Star lowered her head and rested her forehead on her husband's shoulder. Nightwing rested his head on the top of hers as they continued to desperately cling to each other, reassuring the other that they were really together once again.

"Can we go somewhere private to talk?" Star meekly asked.

Nightwing nodded and led his wife towards his or rather their old room with his arm around her waist. Star had her arm around his waist and was leaning her head on his shoulder in return.

Once they reached their old room Star lifted her head and looked at Nightwing. The simple look eroded any resolve they both had. In a matter of moments clothing was shed as the two lovers reacquainted themselves with each other's touch and moans. The long months away from each other, those months of frustration and pepped sexual feelings without and outlet were being made up for in earnest as the lovers kissed.

Nightwing pulled back breaking the kiss to look at Starfire. She smiled and laid herself on the bed showing Nightwing the body he was very familiar with. Nightwing walked over and entered her gently. Star wrapped her arms and legs around him in return and moved with him while Nightwing kissed her tears away. The paired rocked together for what seemed to be an eternity until they peaked together and drifted off to sleep safe in each other's arms.

"OUT OF THE WAY SURFACER!" Stone backhanded the thug into the wall causing the brickwork to cave in due to the impact. Before the thug's body could begin to fall Stone rushed over and slammed his fist in the poor man's gut. A shower of blood poured out the man's mouth painting Stone's left arm a bright red in the moon light of the night.

Stone let the barely moving body fall to the ground. Looking around to the remaining "guards" Stone placed his right foot on the man's head.

"Now." Stone pressed downward spreading grey matter and a spray of crimson onto the concrete. "Let me see Ms. Jinx of the HIVE, unless you want to end up like him."

Frantically nodding one man rushed over and opened the door to the brick building. Stone stepped through without hesitation. He knew the lay out of the building, which was why he had suggested it to Jinx as a possible headquarters. As odd as it was, the alliance and allegiance of HIVE were safely in Stone's grip. By the time Cyborg had become Stone and Stone had befriended Jinx and Cinderblock, Stone knew he would have to maintain a grip on the surface world just in case things didn't work out like they were doing now.

With things in relative turmoil in his empire because he had allowed himself to get just a bit sloppy, Stone needed time to get things back in order. He was sure Maria would take care of things. After all it was in her own interest to keep her own father where he was, just a figure head, while Stone held the real power. Truth be told Stone had amassed enough power and conquered enough land to secure the manpower and resources to ensure his own ascension to the Blood Throne if he so chose. Raven's ascension would simply mean Tir'eir would have lost any chance of taking power himself.

The one issue was the fact that a female had never sat on the Blood Throne. The reign of the original Satan, Raven's father Trigon, had been long. Raven's brother had sat on the throne after their father's death but his reign as was short lived. To complicate things more were Stone's feelings towards Raven. As much as he had tried to stomp it out, that part of Cyborg had managed to carry over. Even if Raven and he weren't married and she remained on the surface, Stone would have to keep track of her. Her children would have a legitimate claim to the Blood Throne and Stone would either have to kill them in secret or kill them in battle and there was no was Stone was going to let War ravage his Hells anymore then was necessary.

Which was why he had come to see Jinx. Stone knew the chances were slim but if the Tamaranian invasion force somehow found the Pillars of Hercules and decided they wanted a piece of the Hells, Stone was going to make sure they would pay dearly in blood for just getting through the Pillars. Though it was a violation of every unspoken rule of combat below, Stone was prepared to revamp the northern fortress he had guarding the Pillars. Once the other lords, not that their opinions matter much or wouldn't in a short while, saw Stone was only trying to defend the Hells for the good of all any bickering they had about munitions and guns would be quelled. Even with such fire support the base hand to hand combat would still be bloody to behold.

"You know, killing my guards like that is going to make it hard for me to get a replacement."

"Perhaps if your henchmen addressed me by my title and gave way when ordered then I wouldn't have had to kill one of them, Jinx." Stone replied. "I trust all is well?"

"Yes my Lord." Jinx said jollily while curtsying. Stone raised his eyebrow in amusement.

"Report the current status."

"We've done as you instructed. We've been working with the occupation forces and have been in contact with resistance groups telling them to lay low, etc. We've become the central rallying point for resistance but we've kept activity to a minimum. You know, just causing enough chaos now and again to make sure the aliens don't think about ditching our 'help.' I think you'll be interested to know that Koriand'r is the regional head here. She's made colonel, it seems invading another planet can really make you climb the ranks fast."

"I suspected as much. I'll need to meet with her in a few months; I've something to attend to first. However, I need weaponry for now. Here is a list. I don't care what means are used to procure the items, but get them." Stone handed Jinx a list of ammunition and gun types.

"This is some serious fire power. Just what are you going to do with all this? I mean we're not even set up for a collective uprising and all these supplies will set us back some."

"I'm retrofitting my northern fortress. I may have been born on this plane, but I've severed the last of my ties before coming her. I have no ties to the surfacers anymore."

Jinx laughed cutting off Stone.

"Just what is so amusing?"

"Us, we've changed a lot from since we were kids. I mean, I'm trying to free the planet and play the quote 'good guy' while you're the evil one here only looking out for your own interests."

"Without evil there is no good. Besides, it was the surfacers that didn't help me when I was here. I owe them as much."

"Which is to say you owe them nothing."

Stone nodded.

"Then why did you have us, the HIVE, get close to the Tamaranians? Isn't that to get be in striking position?"

"When I was a Titan, the goal of the HIVE was to conquer the world. That is still its goal today. Do not forget that." Stone rushed Jinx and pinned her to the wall. "And do not forget that I am the leader. Cinderblock and you are merely my servants on the surface. You obedience keeps you your lives and your comforts that I've given you." Stone said in such a cold and calm voice that Jinx couldn't hide her fear of the former Teen Titan.

Stone allowed himself a grin when he let Jinx slide to the floor and saw her utter terror that Stone had instilled in her once again. Every visit to the surface went like this. Jinx would work up enough nerve to address and question him only to be put back into her rightful place. Cinderblock was different. The mass of rock knew his place having witnessed the beginnings of Stone's transformation and had been below to see how Sotne was now. Cinderblock knew that Stone had turned bad; Jinx always seemed to think that Stone could be rescued.

"And Jinx."

"Yes, my lord?"

"Remember that I'm more machine than man."

"I will my lord."

Stone turned to walk to his room. It was nothing like his Hellish home, grand and lavish but simple. It was simply a room with a bed, table and chair. All cold and lonely. Turning back to Jinx Stone pause a second and looked at her. Since his days undercover in the HIVE she had grown into a beautiful and lovely woman. In Cyborg personal opinion she was really a good person who was found by the HIVE sooner then Robin did. Things could very much be switched between them but fate had played out this way and so it was. And as it was Stone didn't want to go to bed alone tonight and in Stone's opinion, Jinx was a very beautiful and lovely lady.

"Come with me." Stone turned and led the way with Jinx following in his footsteps. After all, surfacers had no honor and Jinx needed a more permanent reminder of who was in charge.

Nightwing woke up to his lovely wife tracing a finger over his chest. They hadn't said anything to each other last night but they didn't have to. Nightwing didn't need any reasons or explanations from his wife; he loved her and had vowed to support her in whatever she did. Even if what Stone had said was true it wouldn't matter. Star was sorry that she did it, but it was something she had to do and Nightwing understood that.

Seeing that her husband was a wake Star sat up and straddled him, taking him in her in one motion. Star smiled down at Nightwing, then rested her head on the clef of his neck, and began to grind her hips against his.

"I've missed you so much." Star whispered once more to Dick breaking the silence that had settled between them for the majority of the previous night. "I've forgotten just how big you were, how your lips felt, the way your hands moved on me." Star rambled on, tears starting to fall down her cheeks. Dick just stroked her hair and held her, letting Star go on.

"I've been so lonely and empty inside without you."

"I'm not going to leave you ever again, I promise."

"You never left me; I'm the one that walked out on you." Star corrected her husband."

"I didn't pay enough attention to you; I went out and fought crime as Nightwing."

Star moaned as a wave of pleasure ran through her before smiling softly. "I knew. I just wanted you to be happy and you being happy made me happy."

"We never spent much time together. I promise to make up for that. I'll stop being Nightwing."

"But"

"It wouldn't be good for our marriage if the husband's job worked against his wife's." Dick forged ahead. "Stone, Cyborg goes by his last name now, told me about the invasion and occupation. Besides, you supported me unconditionally in this marriage, and so far I haven't done much for you. Even if your people have invaded my planet, I still love you Kori and will support you the best I can."

Star burst into tears and clung to Dick fiercely triggering their climaxes. Once they came down from their euphoric state and had regained some measure of coherence Star began to talk again.

"You don't know how happy you've made me. I've worried about this ever since we became close. I just never knew how to tell you, and then the invasion came. It's just that if we had to fight I don't think I would have been able to choose between you and my family on Tamar. I told you once that I came from a poorer family."

Dick nodded his head knowing full well that an actual answer from him was not needed.

"They depended and still depend on me to provide for them. I send them my entire paycheck, I have for years. I came here as a scout. The Tamar government had been gearing up for several planetary strikes on several planets. Earth was one of them. I took the job of probing Earth's defences because the job paid very well. I came here alone and wasn't expected to last more then a month because I was fresh from boot camp. You found me and helped me survive and for that I owe you so much but I still can't abandon my parents and little brothers and sisters. I had to do what I had been sent to do so when the time came the Tamar military were able to take the planet fairly easily. Hardly anyone was killed on either side."

Dick let silence come between them as he thought things over.

"Star?"

Star looked up at Dick as he thought how to word what had to be said. Despite having already said he would support her and being 99 sure of what the answer was the question still had to be asked. After all a few moments ago when Dick had been saying he would support Star he had been thinking with his namesake and now that he was distracted it was time to get a little serious.

"Did you get close to me because of your mission?" Dick asked deadpan. Dick dreaded the answer. Though knowing was something he needed to do the possible answer of "yes" was simply gut retching.

"NO!" Star answered quickly. "My attraction to you was solely based from my heart. I can't say that I did think about using your security codes to get access to some things but I swear to you I never used them and they were never a motivating factor in my attraction to you."

"Then how did you get all the information you needed?" Dick asked very relieved.

Star put her head back down on Dick's chest to hide her blushing. "The internet," was the sheepish reply.

Dick stroked Kori's hair with one hand and reached over to the nightstand with the other, opened a drawer and dug around inside until he found two rings. He had put them there upon arriving at the Tower the first time.

"Kori?"

Kori looked up and saw what Dick had in his hand. Kori smiled and took the plain gold ring that was Dick's and placed it on his ring finger while Dick did the same with his wife's ruby encrusted one. After that the couple cuddled just spending time together as the world outside spun on. They were together again and this time nothing was going to drive them apart.

A/N:

Been a while since I've updated and this is only a short 7 pages. To the reviews:

j: First off the "war on terror" is a load of bull. It's the propaganda used to support the invasion of Iraq to get to the oil. Remember the only thing relating the Taliban and Hussein are the US. Both were our "friends" in the 70's and 80's until they lost their uses. Plus Bin Laden and Hussein hate each other. Hating the US is the only thing they agree on. Finally, evil is a necessary thing. As a base rule of existence conflict drives us. It's a conflict with time and existence just to be alive. In short the US is just playing its role in at being the bad guy until the next superpower comes to power. Frankly the world has become too soft to properly keep superpowers in check. The Romans had to constantly fight off the Germanic tribes, the Byzantines fought off the Turks, the Islamic powers fought off the crusaders, and you get my point. Hell even a rag tag bunch of people beat off the power of the Soviet Union in Afghanistan and the US in Vietnam. Point being there's no one fighting against the US. People are throwing words around and the US isn't listening. Notice how the US left Bin Laden alone until he had a bunch of guys actually do something on US soil. So in a round about way yes the US is a necessary evil until someone else steps into the role of world savoir only to slip back into the role of big evil once again. With one superpower we're stuck in that cycle.

T for Tanya: The plot is just barely planned out. I have point A and point C but how I get there is entirely unplanned. I just want to explore sides of characters that aren't normally seen in most fics. I haven't seen much of the series but I've seen and read enough to get the idea of how the characters are. Star is always happy so I make her have problems so big she just can't smile them away. Robin/Nightwing is used to being in control and he has no control of his destiny now. Raven, emotionless, now gets a taste of emotions. Beastboy and Terra show up as well as Slade because I'm going to use them later on so I though they should make an appearance first. I've also heard that Cyborg went undercover once into the HIVE where he met Jinx and something brewed between them. I figured that since he got a taste of evil, combined with Tir'eir's influence which has waned, lets me explore a Titan gone bad. Good guys going bad are always such fun. Pairings; I went with what I've seen on the show. Terra and BB obviously had something, even if Terra was playing him. Robin and Star are a dead give away and anyone who can't see that needs to be locked away. Raven and Cyborg are probably the most constant of the possibly least shown Titans. I've also heard that Cyborg had something with that black bee girl from Titan's East. I think the writers have no idea what to do with Cyborg. However I think that Raven and he make a good couple but they have a lot to work out before they can become a couple, especially in my universe. Still they are my favorite couple even though it is so hard to find fics on them. Well I was planning on do Star and Robin this chapter anyway, you just are lucky your wish is granted. I had to leave them out cause I was working on Raven and Stone in the underworld. On the surface Robin and Star can be together again.

angelicdhampir2oo4: Good to hear from you. I plan on finishing but school is being a pain. Plus I plan on working this summer too so things might be a bit slow but I will finish! As far as I know I'm the only M rated Cyborg/Raven fic out there so I can't just give up on this one. Plus I've put too much time and effort into it.

The different: Ok there two of you at least. Just thought I'd say that out loud. Thanks for the comments and you'll just have to see about Stone and Raven. They are my favorite couple and they just might get together though the road will be rough. After all Stone is off trying to conquer the Hells and put Raven on the Blood Throne while Raven has to deal with that fact and her somewhat new found ability to have emotions all the time, not just down below. Wonder how that will affect her. You got some Dick and Kori here and there will be more since they've only patched over a few things. They still have to talk about a lot of things before things can really settle between them though I'm sure all the sex will help. I know there are new restrictions on erotic scenes and I haven't really written any since Benevolent Evil so I'm testing the waters as it were. Things might heat up if no one rats on me. I can't say how long you'll have to wait for the next one, but I'll try to get you guys something of decent length soon.

Lockdown over and out…