Chapter Twelve: Snap Out Of It

Blaze had made it back to her room without running into the other Titans. She was grateful for that as she glanced at her appearance in the vanity mirror. Her hair was mussed and matted, sweat was dripping from her hairline down, and the bruising! She would have to come up with some sort of story to explain the bruising.

For now, she would just change her clothes and braid her hair. Just as she was done tying up the ends of auburn hair when there was a knock on the door. Blaze wanted nothing else but to just ignore it, jump into bed, and sleep the rest of the day, but she knew that wouldn't happen. She slipped on a clean shirt and selected a skirt to wear. While sliding into the mini, she noticed the dark purple circles all over her legs, and chose a pair of jeans instead. Then she answered the door.

Surprise, surprise. It was Robin and he had a concerned scowl across his face. "Hey... uh..."

"Come on," she waved her hand into the room. Robin stepped in as Blaze kicked the side of the wall to slam the air-lock door shut behind him. "Sit." She took her own advice as she shoved her feet into her boots. "What's up?"

Oh God, she thought, Now I've lost the ability to form complete sentences.

"What's been going on with you?" Robin had noticed her wardrobe was wide open and different clothes selections were spread across the floor. That meant either two things. One, she had just gotten up and couldn't decide what the where. Two, she had been up but had a reason to change her clothes. Robin knew instantly that it was the latter. "It's been... I don't know... weird between us lately. Ever since..."

"Between us?" Had it really been different? Blaze couldn't remember anything before this morning. Maybe that had something to do with the dozen blows to the head she suffered.

Robin must have noticed that she wasn't "all there". He stood and crossed his arms over his chest, glaring at her like a leader would, "I don't know what's up with you but you better get over it. I don't whatever's effecting you to effect the rest of the team." he snapped.

She didn't appreciate that. Not at all. But instead of exploding, she just gently bowed her head and began lacing her boots.

"Sorry, I didn't mean it that way."

"Then what did you mean?" she retorted, not looking away from her chore.

"I meant to say that you're going through something right now, but you can't lock yourself in your room and refuse to go on missions. It's not healthy. Not all is lost. You still have your light bending powers and..."

"That's it. What good is that going to do me?"

"See, you can't do that. You have to be positive about it. Talk to someone. Lost powers may be a first, but we've had other problems..."

"Robin, I know what you're getting at. I promise that I won't lock myself up anymore. I will go on your missions. And, in time, I will get over it." she was staring blankly at him. Her words were hollow, and she knew that he knew they were.

"I just don't want it to be weird anymore." he confessed, rubbing the back of his neck. Blaze noticed that he did that when he was nervous.

"All will go back to normal soon enough. I talked to my brothers the other day. My powers will be coming back soon. But until then, I'll make due." He didn't want it to be weird... Starfire was in the back of her mind.

Robin nodded, aware that she probably wouldn't want to elaborate. He checked the clock next to her bed. Noon. He could practically hear Beast boy's stomach growling. "What're you going to do now?"

"I was thinking of going for a ride. Wanna come?"

"A ride?" he placed his hands on his hips and leaned his head in confusion. "Light screen?"

"No, I was thinking of asking to borrow one of your motorcycles." she smiled.

"Do you even know how to ride?"

"I think I can manage."

Robin faked a smile. "Why don't I go with you. Better yet, I'll drive." He was sad to admit it, but he was more afraid of what she might do to one of his cycles more than what his cycle would do to her.

She grabbed a zip-up from the arm of her couch and poked her arms through. She pulled the hood over her head and added a pair of sunglasses. "Let's rock." she walked out the door before him.

If Robin didn't want it to be weird anymore, it had just gotten weirder. This wasn't Blaze. She wasn't this rebellious. What had happened when she talked to her brothers? A better question would be: what happened before Robin confronted her?

you're disapointing me guys, . . . we're writers NOT SHEEP! review please! i want some feedback. i'd even accept bad ones. well not accept... but you get the idea. even if the sheep thing stumped you... ask me what it means... SOMETHING!