As we rejoin our heroes, they arrive back at the Earth hideaway with Koriand'r, safe and sound.

Twelve: All Too Easy

Koriand'r lay on a lumpy bed, barely conscious. Her eyes fluttered open and she looked beside her. She couldn't help but smile.

Robin, who apparently had not left her bedside since she was rescued, had fallen asleep in a chair. His eyes opened as well and met hers.

"Koriand'r," he said, smiling in relief. "You're up." He got up and sat beside her. "How are you feeling?"

"Like a slorvian blort worm," she said. Even though Robin had no idea what in the world a slorvian blort worm was, he was glad to hear she was all right.

"What did they do to you?" he asked, brushing some hair gently out of her eyes. She thought for a bit.

"I'm not quite sure. All I know is that they were experimenting on me. I was scared…" She paused and smiled once again. "But I knew you would come for me."

Her eyes seemed to twinkle when she said that. Robin could feel himself letting go of everything. The attack… the war… none of it mattered. All he could see was the alien girl laying before him.

He leaned in and softly kissed her. He could feel the small tickle of her eyelashes against his cheek. Her heavy breathing brushed against his face and the softness of her lips was heaven to him.

He slowly broke the kiss and sat back up. As he did, her hand made its way to his and grasped it.

Nothing mattered… except for her.

------

"This was just too easy," said Raven.

"I know," said Cyborg, "but what are we supposed to do? Give her back?"

"No," said Robin firmly. "And don't even joke about that."

"Well," said Beastboy, "I'm for loss."

Robin, Raven, Beastboy, and Cyborg sat around an old, diminished coffee table, talking about their adventure a few days ago. Something was wrong, they all knew it. They just didn't know what to make of it, or do about it.

"Well," said Raven, "we know this much: this is far from over. I think we need to re-visit Azerath once more."

"You want to try your hunch again?" said Robin.

She nodded. "And I think we should all go."

"Well," said Cyborg, "you three can feel free, but I'm staying."

"What?" said Beastboy. "Dude! We can't do this with out you!"

Cyborg was slightly taken aback.

"Why not?"

"Well, cause you're cool! I mean, look at all that tech stuff! We need you!"

He laughed a bit.

"I'm flattered, but I need to stay here. I have a home front to guard."

BB's ears drooped and he tried to look as overly-disappointed as possible.

"Can't you just get Karen to do it?" asked Raven.

He smiled. "Karen… it's not that I don't trust the girl, I would just feel better if I stayed."

Robin secretly knew another reason why Cyborg didn't want to have a lot to do with Karen. The other day he stumbled upon a beat up, old photo. It was a picture of Serisum. She was almost identical to Karen. She probably brought up bad memories for him. Though Robin highly doubted he told her this.

"Fine," Raven replied. "Then it'll be Robin, myself, Beastboy…"

"And me."

Robin turned around and saw Koriand'r standing in the doorway.

"What are you doing?" he said, immediately getting up.

"I wish to come as well."

"No. I am taking you back to Tamaran as soon as you're strong enough to travel. You shouldn't even be out of bed yet!"

"My people are most resiliant."

"I don't care if they can withstand an atom bomb!"

"Robin, in my experience, it is unwise to separate from you."

He opened his mouth to say something, but stopped when he knew she would be going weather he wanted her to or not.

"All right. But you have to promise to stay close to me. I don't want you leaving my side."

She took his hand.

"I wouldn't dream of it."

Will Raven's grudge finally be confirmed? What awaits them at Azerath? And will the gunther knife finally be explained? Tune in next chappie to find out!

T,