Titans Beyond

Episode 8: New Regrets

Author: Brruundin

Warning, I do not own the Titans or any other DC characters I may use.

Tick, tick, tick, the clock up on Robin's wall went, with each second feeling like a millennium. The young caped crusader's mind couldn't go to ease, the constant struggle with this plan, the diabolical scheme that could be anything, and stretch beyond any limits imaginable.

"What is it?" Robin said very softly, as to not awaken or alarm any of his fellow Titans. He had trouble sleeping for the most part, most nights; however this one was especially different. His struggle with Slade, and the learning part of this plan he had in store really bothered Robin. So there Robin was, lying on top of sheets staring up at the ceiling, trying to make sense of what little information he had. Part of him tried to reason that he should just wait for more information than to act irrational, and do something he would regret. But then, there was small chance he didn't want to take, where if he didn't act fast enough he fail, and quite possibly lose everything, and everyone he loved and cared about. That he could not have, so this is why Robin was always prepared, also waiting for something to strike out in the middle of the night and bite. Luckily, as these thoughts play out in his head, Robin could feel his eye lids become heavy, his mind was slowly drifting away, and thankfully some sleep was going to occur tonight. This sleep only felt like a second however, the next moment to Robin was the buzzing and hissing of his alarm.

"The life of a hero" Robin groans, and slowly gets out of his bed. Robin then walks out into the center of the Tower, it appears the girls have gotten back real early, and this made Robin feel a little bit better.

"Hey, looks like you got my message after all". Robin smiles, still very tired, but fights it back, trying to be as cheerful as he could be.

Starfire is the first to respond to Robin, still having the thoughts and discussion about the two of them readily in her brain.

"Oh Robin how wonderful it is to see you this morning, I have missed you so very much" Starfire exclaims, while moving in to squeeze Robin.

Robin groans a little a bit, because her grip was very strong, and it started to really hurt him. "It's nice to see you too Starfire, but could you let go a bit, you're crushing me".

Starfire realizes what she is doing, and her face changes from delight to concern, "Oh I am so very sorry Robin, I did not wish to cause you pain, I wanted only to express my joy in seeing you again after such an eventful night for us girls".

"Oh so something happened to you guys too?" Robin asks, hoping for something to connect the mysteries about this new plan Slade was forming.

"Yes, Ravager showed up, something about knowing we were out, trying to keep track on us, did something happen back here to cause this?" Raven asks, the first to jump to respond to Robin's question.

"Hmm, well that makes sense, well Control Freak showed up here trying to spy on us, I noticed he had hacked the video surveillance system, which led him to find out where you were going, and once he did that, he could have sent the coordinates to Slade to ambush you guys. It was our fault for letting that happens, I hope you all were okay".

"Yeah were fine Robin thanks, she kind of just showed up and left, not a big deal". Terra adds, also looking quite frustrated with the whole current situation.

"Same with Control Freak, you think they might have been planning something from the inside". Vibe says, eavesdropping from his room and heading into the living room. He then sits down next to Jinx, where the two of them whisper a private conversation, she wasn't looking very happy that morning to begin with. Soon after that, Beast Boy and Cyborg also appear from their rooms. When the whole group is finally settled, Robin begins to tell them about what he learned from Slade.

"Woah dude, you mean they are using drugs to buff up in super humans? How are we going to beat those guys?" Beast Boy says, commenting on what Robin tells the group.

"I don't think that is what the serum is going to be used for, it makes them incredibly strong, but it also makes them lose control of reality, I watched one take it's life when I was held hostage by Slade, it was some pretty scary stuff." Robin responds, pacing back and forth in front of the group.

"Maybe they'll use in on us? Or innocent people? That sounds more like something Slade would do". Cyborg adds, and then Robin turns to him and nods.

"Right, so we need to be extra careful when we're around Slade and his men, he says it wasn't complete yet, so I don't think they'll try to use it on anyone just, however we need to get our hands on a sample of it. That way Cyborg can analyze it and we can make an antiserum".

Everyone nods in agreement, Robin continues, "Well, that's pretty much it for now, later today we're going back to scout the docks, and downtown, and the chemical laboratory, if anything I bet Slade's next target is going to be that. You guys are free to go for now, we'll meet back here around 4 and head out to begin the search, Titans Out". Robin then heads into his room and shut's the door.

"So now what?" Beast Boy asks, while scratching his at looking at the others.

"Guess we just wait around, find something to do". Raven adds in, sitting down trying to mediate and clear her head. She still has the thoughts from last night, and was trying to focus in, and become a nicer person, a kinder person, a stronger person on the inside. She knows how difficult this and tries extra hard to focus in on these things.

Meanwhile Starfire is still very stunned at Robin's reaction to her attempt at affection and doesn't know what to. Cyborg notices how sad she looks, and tries to figure out the situation. "Hey Star, why the long face?"

"Oh friend Cyborg, thank you for your concern, but I am just fine thank you". Starfire says, trying to fight back a tear from shedding.

"No Star, I know when something is wrong, and something is definitely wrong, so what's up? Is it something with Robin?" As soon as Cyborg says this, Starfire's face changes from sadness to shock, she is baffled on how he figured it out so easily.

"What do you mean, is it something with Robin, Robin is my friend, nothing less nothing more". She sighs after she says that.

"Look we all know how you really about Robin, you should just try to talk to him about it, I think he might feel the same way about you, but he's probably just too scared, or too involved in this case to do anything about it right now. Trust me, just go talk to him". Cyborg adds in, trying to give some light, to help brighten Starfire's mood.

"Wonderful, thank you friend Cyborg, I shall go see Robin at once". She grabs Cyborg, squeezes him for a few seconds, then goes down the hall to see Robin. She knocks three times on his door.

"Come in". Robin says, not very loud, like he was half asleep. Starfire enters, and notices Robin lying on his bed staring up at the ceiling.

"Hey Starfire, what's up" Robin says, when he realizes who it is.

"Robin, I was wondering if you had a moment to talk, I have things that I wish to discuss with you". Starfire says, feeling sort of nervous, not knowing what to expect to come next.

"Um sure, Starfire what do you wanna talk about?" Robin responds, looking confused as to what she could want to talk about.

"Well I would very much like to know if you wanted to go out to see a movie, or eat between just the two of us" Starfire says, while smiling very big at Robin. Robin's face becomes bright red, he doesn't really know what to do or say, she was very pretty after all, but too much was at stake right now, and it wasn't really a good time, however, maybe it would be a good way to relax and take his mind off some of the overwhelming factors, maybe they could go out somewhere where he could scout around, the possibilities were endless. So in the end, he decides to agree with her request.

"Um sure Star, I could probably use a break, how about later tonight? After we get done with the mission I have planned". Robin smiles back at Starfire, which really changes her facial expression.

"Wonderful! Thank you Robin!" She grabs Robin, squeezing him, almost suffocating him, she realizes what she is doing, blushes and stops.

"Sorry Robin, I guess I hugged you stronger than I thought I would. I hope you are not upset with my actions". Starfire says, trying to make sure Robin isn't mad at her.

"It's fine Starfire, just remember you're stronger than you" Robin says, beginning to walk back to his bed. Starfire then leaves while saying "Goodbye Robin". Then she closes his door and leaves his room.

Meanwhile, Beast Boy and Terra are having a discussion outside the tower.

"So what did you guys do last night?" Terra asks, trying to get away from all that has happened with her and her family last night.

"Eh, we played some video games, ate some food, played some football where I got hit in the face with the ball" Beast Boy stops to sigh, and Terra begins to laugh. "Then we played a game of basketball, and when were just about done, we heard a noise downstairs and Control Freak was there, luckily I used my super awesome powers and stopped him" Beast Boy smiles as he says this, trying to take the credit for stopping Control Freak.

"Sure you did, they were so wonderfully thankful to have you save the day Beast Boy". Terra says, sarcastically, teasing Beast Boy. Terra then looks down and notices a piece of paper on the ground, when she picks it up, she notices it's actually an envelope that says "Jinx" on the front.

"Hmm, we she probably give this to Jinx, let's go find out where she is" Terra says, Beast Boy nods, and they both head back inside the Tower. They then notice Jinx sitting alone on the couch, being sort of silent.

"Hey Jinx, what's wrong?" Terra asks, looking very concerned for her friend.

"Oh nothing, I'm just really tired, I didn't get a lot of sleep last night, I guess the blow to head from Ravager got my mind racing about things that we talked about last night".

"Oh," Terra adds in, "Well where's Vibe? You two are usually always together as of lately".

"He went out to get more groceries; I think he's going to make something special for dinner". Jinx responds, now looking at both Beast Boy and Terra.

"Well we found this outside, and I think it's addressed to you". Terra then pulls the envelope out of her pocket, and hands it to Jinx.

"It looks like a letter" Jinx says while beginning to open it up. As soon as she opens it, her facial expressions change into awe, shock and disbelief, "It… It's from Wally".

"Wow dude, what does it say?" Beast Boy asks, also in shock that he sent her something.

"He says he misses me, and hopes to see me soon and that I should write back to this address that he lists right here" Jinx then points her finger to the paper with the address listed.

"Wow Jinx, what are you going to do?" Terra asks, also concerned about the implications with her friend.

"I don't really know yet, I guess I have to think about this, I'll probably write him back, but I'm gonna need some time to clear my head and think, ya know?" Terra and Beast Boy both agree with, and then look at the clock, 2:30 PM.

"Well I guess we'll let you have some time to think about this before the mission". So then Beast Boy and Terra take there leave, and head upstairs. They notice Raven is watching over the city, and start to make conversation her.

"Hey Raven what's up?" Beast Boy says, trying to get Raven's attention.

"Oh hey Beast Boy, just admiring the sky's beauty, have you noticed how nice it looks in the afternoon". Raven says, in very pleasant mood, a very unusual thing for her to say.

"Umm Raven, are you okay dude?" Beast Boy says, very shocked to why Raven was acting that way.

"Yes I'm fine why do you say that?" Raven responds, with a confused look on her face as to why Beast Boy could think something was wrong.

"Well normally you're all dark with no emotion or anything like that, what gives?"

"Hmm, I just feel really cheerful today, maybe trying out something new". She responds, turning back out to look at the city. "Oh looks like it's almost time to go on the mission, we should probably go inside, and wait for Robin's orders". Terra adds in, trying to make the conversation appear less awkward.

"Good idea, Terra let's go". Raven says, still very cheerful, and the three of them meet the others inside.

So once inside, Robin gives out the orders to the mission.

"Alright so were going to divide into two teams of four. Myself, Terra, Starfire and Vibe will scout around the chemical lab. Beast Boy, Cyborg, Raven and Jinx, you guys will look around the docks and the surrounding area. If you guys find any sign of trouble or samples of the serum let us know, and we'll do vice versa. After two hours, if we don't find anything, we'll meet back at the Tower. Titans let's go". Robin says, and the others follow, splitting off into groups right as they hit city.

Time passes about an hour, the Titans at the docks still haven't found anything.

"Guys, I don't think we're gonna find anything today". Cyborg says, Beast Boy nods, then sighs.

"Yeah dude I don't know why we bother half the time, these scouting missions are a waste of time half the time".

"Guys I think I may have found something". Jinx calls out, and underneath a broken crate is a small vial of green ooze.

"Well this looks like it could be important". Cyborg adds in as the others move in and see what Jinx found.

"I'll tell Robin and the others" Raven says, getting out her communicator to contact them.

"Hey Robin, I think we may have found something" Raven says, while Beast Boy jumps up and down behind her holding the vial.

"Oh good, well you guys can head over to us, and help out over…" The communicator goes dead, static is heard, and a yell.

"Dude, looks we need to get there ASAP". Beast Boy says, and they then begin to head over to Robin and the others.

Meanwhile, Robin, Terra, Starfire, and Vibe are having their hands full with a group of Slade's grunts. Then Prof. Chang shows up, launching his resin sprayer to freeze Vibe and Terra.

"You do not harm my friends!" Starfire calls out, launching her energy beams right into Prof. Chang.

"Ugh, stupid brats" Prof. Chang says, and then he takes his energy staff and smacks Starfire with it, causing her to go flying into a trashcan.

"Starfire!" Robin calls out, where he throws a mean bunch of punches into Prof. Chang, causing him to go unconscious.

Robin then runs to his fallen friends, and at that moment the others show up.

Jinx and Beast Boy are the ones to reaction first, seeing the ones they care about hurt and struggling to get up.

"Terra are you okay?" Beast Boy says, very freaked out to notice that she appears to be injured.

"Yeah, just very very cold, Beast Boy". Terra says, shivering, with a weak voice. Vibe responds a little better, because he can deal with cold weather very well.

Starfire, also seems fine, getting up slowly from getting thrown very hard into the trashcan.

"Hello friends, I assure you I am completely fine" Starfire says, when the other Titans try to make sure she is okay.

"Alright guys I'll take Chang downtown to question him, you guys go ahead and head on back to the Tower". Robin says, and then he leans in to Starfire and whispers, "Don't worry I didn't forget about what I said earlier". They both smile at each other and then Starfire squeezes him in delight.

A/N Alright guys, next time we'll find about what Chang was up to, Robin and Starfire's date, and a return of some familiar faces. As always comments, questions, etc…