A.N. Alright, so this wasn't exactly the speedy update that I had hoped for. I'm sorry about that, and the third installment definitely will be up sooner. Bear with me here folks, I'm doing the best I can while on a full schedule. Please enjoy the chapter, and I hope it was worth the wait.

"Penalty For Passion"

Chapter Two, "Complication"

The tension in the air was nearly unbearable as Blackfire continued serenely on toward the Titans, seemingly oblivious to the various weapons leveled against her by four of the five Teen Titans.

"Blackfire?" Starfire said meekly, dropping down out of the air. She appeared to waver; the hostility of their last meeting was certainly not lost on the gentle girl, but the excitement at seeing her relative after so many months warred against her desire to give voice to her vexation.

"My darling baby sister," Blackfire crooned, her patronizing tone grating on the ears of Starfire's teammates. She continued to step closer to her red-haired sibling, who remained motionless, obviously still torn between greeting her sister and preparing for an altercation.

"Don't you dare touch her," Robin ground out, stepping in front of Starfire as if to protect her as Blackfire neared his girlfriend with an outstretched hand.

Blackfire regarded Robin calmly, obviously not daunted by the boy's warning. She stopped mere inches from the crouched leader and appeared to size him up for a moment, eyes scanning him lingeringly before meeting the white of his mask once again.

"So sorry, Robin," she finally smirked, and the black-haired girl withdrew her hand. She straightened, bringing herself up to full height, which was several inches taller than the Boy Wonder. "I can't say I blame you for not understanding why I'm here."

"You better start explaining," Robin warned her. "Not only could we have you incarcerated for your past crimes, but you're also guilty of breaking and entering the Tower. Don't think we'll let you off because you're Starfire's sister." Robin spat out the last word, as if Starfire's name was tainted by her relation to the creature before him.

Blackfire rolled her eyes. "Care if I get something to eat first?" she asked flippantly, the gravity of Robin's words obviously having no impact on her. "I haven't eaten since I stopped by Kryptar Seven this morning." She casually stepped past Robin and the rest of the Titans, ignoring their battle stances entirely, and made a beeline for the refrigerator. She pulled open the door and disappeared behind it.

"Blackfire," Starfire began hesitantly, glancing at Robin, "I am… most surprised to see you again so soon. I was under the impression that you… wished not to be in my presence."

Blackfire pulled a can of soda from the fridge and popped it open. She examined it closely then took a careful sip. She swallowed and finally glanced at her sister.

"What, you think that a pesky exile from my home planet can pull apart family?" Blackfire asked sweetly, "After being alone in cold, dark space for so long, I realized that I missed your company, and even the smiling faces of your adorable little friends. Being the responsible big sister I am, I figured, why not check up on my darling Starfire? Maybe crash at her place while I decide where to live out the rest of my unfortunate, homeless life?"

Blackfire's words had the desired effect on Starfire, whose eyes became wide and shimmering with unshed tears of sympathy.

"I cannot deny you shelter, Blackfire," she replied compassionately.

Robin spun around to look at Starfire. "Don't you think we should discuss this before you let her…?" he began nervously, but Starfire shook her head.

"My sister speaks truthfully; I have driven her from her home. I am obligated to aid her while she determines the next course of action for her life."

"Dudes!" Beast Boy exclaimed, "Are we just gunna forget that Blackfire almost made Star marry that oozey thing then went all 'I'm going to destroy you, sister dear' on her ass like a year ago?"

"At our last meeting you did wish to have me wed Glertelscketchh," Starfire admitted timorously.

Blackfire shook her head slowly with a sigh. "And how can I begin to express how sorry I am?" she said dramatically, casting sad eyes at Starfire. "I was doing what I thought best for our beloved Tamaran, I'm sure you can understand that."

"You lied to our nation," Starfire replied with distress, obviously torn over what to do.

"Yes," Blackfire said, casting down her eyes in showy shame, "And I have come to see the error of my actions. Maybe I deserve to be rejected by you, and yet again be banished from another planet and doomed to live miserably among strangers forever." She sighed theatrically, eliciting a murmur of sympathy from her little sister.

"Blackfire," Robin said warningly, and immediately the girl's attention was shifted to him.

"Robin," she said saccharinely, eyes glinting coyly as she looked deeply into the boy's mask, "Surely you wouldn't oppose our Starfire if she was merciful enough to grant me sanctuary while I get back on my feet?"

"Why would you need sanctuary?" he asked in disgust.

Blackfire shrugged innocently. "The people of the swamp moons of Drenthax Four weren't ecstatic to hear that Glertelscketchh betrayed them for the sake of gaining a wife, and my good name may be just a bit tarnished in their eyes from my involvement in that situation."

"They can be fierce warriors when incensed," Starfire added reluctantly.

"Besides," Blackfire continued smoothly, "Your security system is painfully lacking. For a guy with as much brains as you've got brawn, I'm almost shocked that I could get past your defenses for a second time, Cyborg," she said with a wink in the direction of the bionic Titan. By that time all of the Titans had halfheartedly relaxed their battle positions, and Cyborg's sonic cannon had been powered down and converted back into his arm. Blackfire hardly allowed him time for a response before she uttered a sigh and spoke on.

"I'll tell you what, kids. I'll strike you a deal. I stay here for a while until I find a better place, and in return I help you fix up the security around here. If you all play your cards right, I might even be willing to thrill you all with my unparalleled fighting skills. I've seen you all fight, and believe me, you could use some pointers. I know we never finished our marshal arts lessons, Robin, and I just can't wait to try out some new material with you."

Robin blinked uncomfortably as everyone's eyes were suddenly on him. He finally pocketed his birdarang, sensing that his team was waiting on him to decide if they would be entertaining Blackfire or sending her away.

"Who knows?" the black-haired girl offered delicately, sensing his indecision, "Some extra training might even help you finally pin down that one mysterious, elusive villain you've just been dying to best. What was his name again?"

Robin's mask narrowed at the mention of the man he hated most.

"Slade," he replied in disgust, obviously swayed at the prospect of gaining a secret weapon in the seemingly eternal fight against his arch nemesis. He shook his head, trying to think past the thrill that the thought of capturing Slade brought. "How can we know you aren't going to take advantage of all of us, just like before?"

Blackfire clasped her hands and placed them over her heart, in a very Starfire-like gesture.

"I've changed more since we last met than you think," she replied demurely, "How much do I have to beg for forgiveness? Don't you trust me? Sister?"

Starfire bit her lip. "I would like to, yes."

"Robin?" Blackfire prodded.

Robin stood still for a long moment, face still contorted in a grimace. After what felt like ages, a fraction of his disquiet seemed to drain from him and he sighed.

"Fine," he said tiredly, "You can have a guest room, but you've got to earn your stay, and you're not living here for long. And don't think we won't turn you out again if you try anything funny."

"Your kindness never ceases to amaze me," Blackfire replied, graciously smiling at the still frowning Titan.

"Perhaps I should show my sister to her bedroom, boyfriend Robin?" Starfire suggested timidly. A slow, mysterious smile spread across her black-haired sister's face, and she looked between Starfire and Robin thoughtfully.

"Boyfriend, hm?" Blackfire chuckled loftily, "Well it's about time. I'm just thrilled for you kids. You're just so cute together."

"That's a good idea, Star," Robin replied flatly, pointedly ignoring Blackfire. "Cy, why don't you lock up the Tower for the night? I'll be in the evidence room. No one disturb me, please." With that Robin turned and quickly made for the door, exuding a definite air of displeasure.

"Someone's got their spandex in a bunch," Blackfire smirked once the masked hero was out of earshot. Beast Boy half tried to stifle a chuckle and was rewarded with a blow to the back of the head from Raven.

"What?" he whined, whipping around and rubbing the offended spot on his cranium. "That was funny." He waited until Starfire and Blackfire had left the room before turning his focus to Raven and Cyborg, the only other Titans remaining in the room.

"Does anyone actually believe that Blackfire's just here for the heck of it until she finds her own place?" the changeling inquired dubiously.

"Something's got to be cooking in that evil head of hers," Cyborg replied uneasily.

"Whatcha think, Rae?" Beast Boy prodded, and Raven regarded him placidly.

"Knowing the extent of Blackfire's evil nature, I'd be very surprised if this ends well," she replied coolly. "And I'm sure we haven't forgotten what happened last time we let someone looking for sanctuary live with us." Her significant look at the changeling hit its mark, and the green Titan seemed to deflate slightly.

"Please don't liken Terra to Blackfire, Raven," he said in annoyance.

"Come on, that connection just begs to be made," she replied evenly. "And what we should have learned from that last debacle to our judgment is that welcoming non-Titans into our home is a recipe for disaster."

"Terra was a Titan," Beast Boy said in quiet indignation.

"Well, I guess all we can do now is hope for the best," Cyborg spoke up. "And maybe turn on a few extra security cameras around the Tower."

"And maybe plant some tracking devices on Blackfire," Beast Boy added. "Or bar her windows."

"That doesn't exactly fit with the concept of innocent until proven guilty that we're utilizing, Beast Boy," Raven sighed.

"Yeah, well, who needs that?" Beast Boy scoffed.

Raven shrugged nonchalantly. "I just thought you might be a bigger fan of the concept, seeing as it's all that has saved you from certain death for all those times that my books disappear or that I can never seem to find my left combat boot."

Beast Boy chuckled uncomfortably. "I've always attributed my good fortune to my bristling wit and dashing good looks."

There were a few moments of silence while Cyborg and Raven exchanged a glance, and then raucous laughter erupted and Beast Boy was left to sulk out of the common room, mumbling something about 'jealous noobs' under his breath as he trudged angrily toward the door.

TT

Later that evening, Robin and Starfire were snuggled up in a blanket on the roof, watching the silent clouds shift over the sky, illuminated by the lights emanating from Jump City. The bay lapped quietly at the edge of their island many stories below, wafting the gentle scent of the sea up to the two Titans. The only thing that put a slight damper on the otherwise romantic atmosphere was their mutual trepidation stemming from the knowledge of Blackfire's sudden presence in their Tower.

"When Blackfire is not angry, she can be a very kind person," Starfire offered offhand, breaking the comfortable silence that had settled over them. She lifted her head from Robin's shoulder to look into his masked eyes. "Perhaps she truly desires to begin a productive, virtuous life on Earth."

Robin smirked, and his arm around her shoulders pulled her closer.

"I'm sorry, Starfire, but Blackfire doesn't seem to have nearly the same sense of virtue as you. Her track record speaks for itself." He hesitated for a moment. "And that's why I think she's a little… out of place here."

Starfire frowned in concern. "I did not wish to anger my friends when I allowed my sister to stay here. Please, Robin, surely you can understand why I could not turn her out, not after I have already banished her from her home? How can she be expected to change her ways if she has no place of refuge or source of encouragement?"

Robin did not immediately respond, but used his free hand to gently lift his girlfriend's chin. He kissed her gently then pulled back slightly.

"I trust your judgment, Star," he said softly. "And I'm willing to give your sister the benefit of the doubt if that's what you want." He brought his face to hers and kissed her once again. Starfire smiled and returned the gesture contentedly.

"It is, and I thank you," she replied with a beautiful smile after they pulled apart. Her face sombered a bit and she looked him in the eye. "I love you, Robin," she said seriously.

The Boy Wonder's heart leapt into his throat, just as it always did when she looked at him like that and spoke those words. She always seemed to say it with such an incredibly pure sincerity that he never had any qualms about her honesty. He never had to worry that she was hiding things from him or lying to him, and he couldn't imagine being with a girl who made him feel any other way.

"I love you too," he replied, and had to wonder if his tone imparted the same sentiment of honesty that he felt. He hoped so. Robin leaned in again for another quick kiss before continuing, "And nothing, not even psychotic sisters, can change that." Starfire giggled and snuggled closer to her boyfriend.

To Starfire and Robin, that moment in time felt absolutely perfect. Unfortunately, nothing in anyone's life remains perfect forever. Sitting close together on the roof of Titans Tower, neither of them could have predicted the change that was rapidly coming their way. Their expressed sentiments of affection would quickly be put to the test, and it could only be hoped that their love would be refined instead of crushed irreparably by the challenges to come.

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