digi-gal-rox: hey guys! sorry for the late update! have a lot to study for, so yea... anyways, hope you enjoy the chappy!

Chapter 8 - Newcomers

Bruce sat back thoughfully, starring at the computer screen that sat in front of him. Rumours had it that Poison Ivy had fled Gotham, but to where he didn't know. Harlee Quin was now at Ivy's aid. However his main concern was this Slade, that Dick was interested in getting rid off. With the help from Barbara, he watched the replay of young Dick fighting against Slade. Red X's first appereace, and Dick being blackmailed by Slade. It had never occured to him the burden Dick had as a teenager when he returned to Gotham. He had learned to hide it. After Dick's return that year, he couldn't help notice the change in the boy he took in. He wasn't the only one concerned. James was surprised by the sudden change in Dick as well. He's eyes fell. He should've took him back sooner if he knew. But Dick never said anything. He didn't want to loose his friendship he had with the Titans. Especially that Starfire. Leaning in, he pressed the replay button again, studying Slade's movements. They were vert similar to his, but much more ruthless, he didn't hesitate to play dirty.

He looked at the forgotten suit. He remembered doning the suit in hopes to discover who Slade really was. So much for that theory. The only people who knew about 'Red X' was Cyborg, Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire. No one else. Not his best friend, Wally West. Not Bruce, Alfred, Tim or even Barbara. The role had been later taken by an unkown person, and still remained unkown to this day.
"Dick?" Raven called out softly. She appeared by his side at the Titan's archive.
"Batman wanted some info on Slade." he said, before she could ask. Quickly shoving the Red X suit aside, he grabbed the box labeled 'Slade'.
"We'll get him, Dick." she said, reassuringly. The Titan leader smiled at her thankfully.
"You're a great friend, Rae."

"The situations a little more serious than you think," said Barbara in a serious tone.
"What do you mean?" Tim asked, glaring at Cassandra who was swinging on her chair. The teenager meekly sat up straight.
"I was able to hack into Slade's data base, don't ask me how I did it, I just somehow did, but the thing is... he's looking for an apprentice, again."
"What?" she looked up to see that Dick had slamed a large box on the table. "Again?"
"You are the one thing that got him," Barbara sighed, "He's crazy about you, and vice versa."
"I am not that crazy about him. I may have been when I was a teenager, but that was ages ago!"
"Lets see this a different way," Wally said, jumping in, "I've faced this guy once or twice, but I think his motives are different. I mean when I met him, all he cared about was destroying the Titans."
"Terra..." Garfeild murmured.
"Who?" Barbara looked at him curiously.
"An ex Titan," the shape shifter explained, "She died protecting us, but when we returned after a mission her statue was gone. I saw her again, at the local high school."
"The name sounds familiar," Barbara murmured.
"I haven't mentioned her, have I?" Dick asked.
"No..." she shook her head, "Wayne Enterprises found the statue, and took her to the labs. They help revived her. But she couldn't remember anything."
"Wait, are you saying Bruce is responcible for that?"
"Lucious Fox ran the program." Barbara answered, "All Bruce knew it was saving a life, he didn't know about who it was or why."
"Why would he do such a thing?" Garfield asked.
"He thought the Titans needed their friend back, after recruiting teenage heros around New York."
"She was the one person he could control," Raven murmured, "The one person who actually came to him for help. Maybe he's after her."
"Do you know where she is?" Victor asked.
"At Metropilis," Barbara responded, "But I advice you not to go there. Slade's not after her, at least not at the moment."
"Than who's he after?" Kory asked, who had remained quiet through out the whole discussion.
"The Dark Knights." she replied.
"Shouldn't we keep her close incase though?" Garfield asked. Barbara paused for a moment.
"We need a plan," she nodded.

"There you are," a friendly arm surprised her.
"Peter!" she exclaimed, smiling at the handsome man, "We're not meant to meet till six."
"Well, I had to see my girl." he grinned.
"That's so sweet," she gushed, "But somethings come up, I'm sorry. So I can't make it tonight."
"Really?" he asked interested.
"Yeah, a job offer, actually. You know how some time ago, I applied at Wayne Industries?"
"Yeah, that place is hard to get into."
"They called me up. They want to meet me."
"That's awesome!" Peter beamed, "Call me, and tell me how it goes?"
"Always." she smiled.

"Why me!" Dick exclaimed, when Barbara pushed him into the building.
"Because Bruce skipped town, in search of Ivy. And you made the call!"
"Come on!" he protested.
"The company is part yours," Barbara muttered.
"Why not you? You can-"
"Who was the one who made the call?" she asked, shoving him into the office.
"I did," he mumbled.
"Who was the one-"
"Hi," the couple turned around surprised to see a young attractive blonde, in black pants and a while blouse, her soft blonde hair tide in a loose bun. "You must be Mr. Grayson."
"That I am," he smiled, "This is my secretary, Barbara who'll be joining us," he had received a glare from her.
"Nice to meet you," she extended her hand. "I'm Terra."
"Why don't we go in?" Barbara suggesting, letting the young woman pass. "You are so dead, Grayson." she muttered.
"Deal." he retorted, "Anyway, I owe you a dinner."

"You definately have my vote, but we have to see what my father says," Dick smiled, as they arrived at Wayne Manor.
"Why don't you join us?" Barbara asked.
"I should really head back." Terra said quietly.
"It's no bother," Barbara insisted, urging Dick to join in.
"She's right," he nodded, "You must be hungry. Dinner should be out."
"Well... if it's just dinner. But I'll have to call my boy friend first." she said.

"Why not!" Garfield exclaimed angrily.
"She has a boy friend, BB!" Dick snapped, "She doen't need a Titan hitting on her at the moment!"
"And you're right, she doesn't remember anything about being a Titan." Barbara sighed, "You wanted her to be protected, but for the time being, please, don't go near her, till we've sorted this out."
"But-"
"Promise?" Dick looked at him meaningfully. He hesitated, before nodding.
"Fine."

She had moved on with her life. They were right, he also had to move on. Some part of him always believed that she'd remember. But Oracle had to confirm it. She had no memory of being a Titan. He watched them have dinner. The Titans behind him spying as well. A long lost friend was just within his grasp, but he made a promise. She chose a life without the Titans, she chose a life without him. Quietly he abandoned the door, leaving the remainig Titans to watch. He let her go once. He wasn't going to let her go again. He'd do what ever it took to get her memory back. He didn't care of the consequences. All he wanted was for Terra to remember.

Bidding her farewell, Barbara snuck a tracer on her, while giving a friendly hug.
"Take care."
"You will call me when he gets here, right?" she asked.
"Ofcourse," she smiled, before the blonde youth disappeared into the yellow taxi. "She seems nice," Barbara mused, returning to the library where Dick and the Titans sat, with a lap top.
"By the looks of it, Slade's been keeping a close watch on her." Dick reported.
"I don't blame him," Barbrara responded, surprising the group with her answer, "See it this way, Beast Boy, you mentioned Slade talking to you about moving on, right?"
"Yeah..." the green shape shifter frowned.
"What if he's only protecting her?" she suggested.
"Slade doesn't seem like that kinda guy." Dick frowned.
"Think about it, if he wanted her, he would've already gotten to her, but he hasn't."
"She has a point," Raven murmured.
"She's no threat." Barbara sighed.
"Is there any chance she'll remember?" Starfire asked hopefully.
"I don't think so," Barbara shook her head, "Even if she did want to remember, there's a reason why she supressed her memories."
"She didn't want to betray her friends," Beast Boy murmured. Barbara looked at him curiously.
"I think it was a lot more than that."
"What do you mean?" Cyborg asked.
"What if she wanted to forget what she did. The pain she caused all of you. Maybe it was the only way she can continue life, without feeling the guilt she carried when she risked her life."
"Maybe you're right Babs," Dick murmured, "But that's not going to stop us from keeping a close watch on her. Slade may 've not cause her any harm than, but what's to stop him from doing it now?"
"You. You're the Titans. The one thing he never got over." Barbara answered.

"How did you find me?" he sneered, as the figure moved towards him.
"I have my ways,"
"You gonna call the cops on me?"
"I'd rather handle this on my own."
"Who are you?"
"I have a deal to make with you, Slade."
"First tell me your name."
"Blackfire."
"Starfire's sister, I presumed."
"She has sent me to exile. I want my revenge. I'll help you get your precious Terra and Nightwing, if you give me my little sister."
"A thoughtful deal," he mused, "But what I want is Nightwing and the Batman. Do you think you can handle it?" he noticed her hands and eyes beginning to glow a purple energy.
"You bet I can."

digi-gal-rox: R&R pls!