The next several months passed by with little success at finding whom exactly zombified the All Caste. The Outlaws often journeyed around the world-Jason had finally managed to 'borrow' a small aircraft from the Justice League-looking for any traces or clues.

Often times these clues would come from Essence, a woman Kory had still yet to meet. She often wondered if this woman could be trustworthy, but Jason seemed to trust her, and that was enough for her.

On days when they weren't scoping the planet for clues, they lounged around their base and took Kory out to do other 'Earth' things. Granted, the list of things they could get away with wasn't very extensive; Kory still didn't have a hologram ring after all. Apparently that was the next thing Jason needed to 'borrow' from the Justice League.

Kory heard Roy and Jason argue about the creator of the rings in question, some man named Victor, who went by 'Cyborg' allegedly. Apparently he was close with Dick, and that alone could explain the cause of their tension.

"Ooo, I'm liking that hat, Kory," Roy complimented when the trio went out for a shopping spree. Normally Jason would have refused such an occasion, but they needed to find better disguises to cover Kory's Tamaranean features.

Kory giggled. "Thank you, Roy," she gushed, giving herself a little twirl and making sure not to life off the ground in the process. She was very pleased that her and Roy's friendship had not been affected by his kiss; in fact their companionship was stronger than ever. He drank much less, and whenever he wanted advice or became depressed about Jade, he would seek out her company instead.

"What do you think, Jase?" Roy asked, turning to the raven-haired man.

He shrugged, seemingly uninterested. "She'll look good in whatever you put her in."

Kory's cheeks reddened the comment. While it was quite easy to form a closer relationship with Roy, she found it was significantly more difficult with Jason. This partly had to do with his personality; he often liked to spend time alone. That being said, whenever she joined him on moonlight walks or swims he never asked her to leave.

"Do you like it?" Jason continued, jolting Kory out of her thoughts. She nodded shyly and he shrugged his shoulders again. "Kay. We'll get it. My treat."

"Thank you Jason," Kory said gratefully, removing her hat and handing it to him, before hurriedly covering her features with the hat she had brought with her to the store. His eyes moved up to the top of her head, and she self-consciously tucked the loose strands of her hair back into place. He must have noticed her flustered demeanor for she caught his mischievous smile before he turned around to pay for the accessory.

That night, Jason did not join them for dinner. It was not as though they had a set eating time together, but the trio had taken to sitting in the same room while they scarfed down their meal for the night. As soon as Roy announced he was going to turn in for the evening, Kory drifted over to Jason's room, knocking politely. He didn't answer, so she decided to search for him along the beach. She changed into the white bathing suit he had gotten for her and twisted her hair into a loose fishtail to keep it out of her eyes.

She walked for a bit, opting not to fly so she could feel the wet sand between her toes. She looked out along the water, watching in wonder as the full moon glittered across the small waves. The moonlight fell along her shoulders, her face, her arms, even more so as she waded ankle deep into the water. Kory closed her eyes, taking in a deep breath and letting it out, enjoying the gentle sounds of this paradise around her.

"You stalking me?"

Kory opened her eyes and turned around, finding Jason perched atop a large, black clump of igneous rock. He was shirtless, his own bathing suit attached to his hips. He jumped down beside her, his landing causing small droplets to attach to her skin.

"I am merely enjoying the evening breeze," she informed him, smiling slightly. He didn't respond as he waded to stand beside her, his hands in his pockets. "Are you enjoying the evening?" she inquired politely.

"You and Roy seem pretty chummy," Jason said instead.

She tilted her head to the side. "Chummy?"

"Close. BFFs. Friends."

"Yes," Kory said, nodding, "we are."

"You guys fucking?"

"Jason!" she said, hitting the back of his shoulder indignantly. He lurched forward before catching himself. Hm, perhaps she hadn't quite minded her strength.

"Doesn't answer my question," Jason said grinning, clearly looking for trouble as usual.

"We are most certainly not," Kory informed him, pursing her lips. "Although he did 'kiss' me once."

"Huh, didn't know the bastard had it in him," Jason commented, picking up a small stone from the ocean floor and skipping it across the water.

"He was most embarrassed and apologized profusely," Kory admitted, watching as the stone skipped once, twice, six times before dropping into the water for the final time.

"I bet. What a pussy."

Kory frowned at the poor language, but let it go. "I did not mind, although I do wish I obtained other languages in the process."

Jason turned to her with an eyebrow raised. "Come again?"

Kory copied his expression, then, feeling as though it was her turn to throw Jason off guard for once, she rushed forward, cupped his jaw and pressed her lips to his firmly, releasing him before he had a chance to respond or push her off.

"ты видишь? Я знаю, что ты говоришь на своем языке, " she said in Russian.

"Ницца," he responded, a dazed look on his face.

Kory crossed her arms, impressed with her own cunning. It was high time he got a taste of his own medicine.

"You learn English the same way?" he asked.

Kory nodded. "I…do not remember from whom."

Jason turned away from her, looking up at the moon. "Heh. My money's on Dick."

Kory watched Jason for several moments, finally making up her mind. "Please tell me about him…and about you. About your relationship," she clarified, suddenly nervous for some reason.

He turned, a curious expression on his face. "Thought you didn't want to remember."

"I do not," she said truthfully, "but I fear as though there is more to my life that I am doing the missing out on. I wish to know, at least…a little more." She bit her lip; half thinking that he would scoff and deny her request.

He stared at her hard for a moment before his mouth twisted into a bitter smile. "Where should I start?"

She smiled. "Anywhere."

So he did. He told her about his childhood, how his mom had overdosed on heroin when he was very young. His dad…wasn't around. Jason figured out he was pretty handy with mechanics, and decided to use his skill to steal rather than help. Batman caught him one day trying to steal the Batmobile of all things, and could have turned him in right there, but he saw potential in the pre-teen. A few weeks later he had taken him metaphorically under his wing.

There were things Jason loved about being Robin. He loved the fighting, the ability to kick criminals' asses, and he was good at it. He loved being able to zoom through the city on a 'doped up' motorcycle, loved that he had access to all these cool gadgets.

There were also things he absolutely hated. He hated taking orders from Batman; he hated being patient. He hated not being able to take down criminals his way.

He really hated Dick. His predecessor, only a few years older than him, seemed to think it was his responsibility to give Jason 'pointers' on how to be Robin. He was self-righteous, snobby, and constantly had a stick up his ass. Dick always wanted Jason to do his best, but Jason always wanted to do better than Dick.

"Surely he loves you as a brother, does he not?" Kory questioned. "You may not agree with his methods, but you would not wish him harm, yes?"

Jason snorted. "Hell, I gave him harm. At least at one point in my life. Weren't my best days, I'll admit. Still was funny to see him scramble though."

Kory shook her head, shifting her body. The couple had moved to the igneous rock cluster, their legs hanging over the edge so the frothy waves could tickle them.

She continued to listen to Jason, and was surprised when he began to tell her other things. Dark things. Things he had probably never told an outsider before. She had recalled Roy saying Jason had died, but she hadn't really inquired much about it. After she heard the details, the visions of a painted face, a purple suit, a crowbar, an insane smile, she almost wished her curiosity had not gotten the better of her.

"And you were only-"

"Seventeen," he replied, his eyes watching the water. "But I'm sure Roy told you that."

She winced, and then glanced at him sheepishly, recalling her discussion with Roy on the plane. Jason waved his hand to show it didn't really bother him anymore.

"I woke up and was with the All Caste. Ducra trained me from there. Damn, wasn't she a nasty, old crow. Good teacher though, least I can give her that." He looked at Kory. "I came back as Red Hood. Wanted Batz and Dick to pay for not trying harder to save me, for not going after the Joker. Even then, even when they knew it was me, they still didn't kill the bastard." Jason's mouth set into a hard line. "Doesn't matter. I'm over it now. I did some fucked up things when I got back, I won't deny it. Guess I'm trying something new."

"I like you better as a hero."

Jason chuckled. "Yeah, well, me too, I guess." He surveyed her. "You seem like the type Dick would go after. He likes redheads."

"Oh?" Kory asked, not quite sure how to feel about that.

"Yeah," he said absently, his eyes trailing over her analytically. "Not sure why you'd want to be with a guy like him though."

"And why is that?"

Jason smiled. "Cuz I know you, more and more every day. You probably hated him for the same reasons I did."

"But I also loved him. Allegedly," Kory added.

"But you stopped."

"If I loved him, if he was my eternal love, then it would be impossible for me to cease my feelings. Tamaraneans never fall entirely out of love with the one we love eternally."

Jason raised his eyebrow. "So you'll always be hung up on him?" He paused, realizing she didn't understand the slang. "You'll never love someone else?" he clarified.

"Oh no, I am capable of loving again, but if Dick were to be my eternal love, then there would be a part of me that would never stop loving him." It was her turn to survey Jason. "Does this information make you do 'the freaking out?'"

Jason laughed. "It's fucking weird if you ask me, but I think I can get past it."

Kory joined his laughter. "You are also 'fucking weird' at times as well, Jason."

"Ooo, I'm rubbing off on you," he teased. "Roy won't be happy about that."

"Do not become used to such foul vernacular from my lips. It does not suit me."

"I think it's sexy."

Kory smiled, not sure if he was kidding, but she was also used to his flirtatious behavior. He laughed again and she watched him fondly. "I am glad you shared your life with me Jason. Thank you."

Jason smirked a little, staring at the water. "Yeah. Whatever."

Kory laughed, and then because she thought this would be the only chance she had to get away with something like this, she wrapped her arms around him in a tight hug. He stiffened in surprise for a moment before returning the embrace, wrapping his arms around her shoulders. She noticed he smelled of smoke and the sea. She could feel his heart beating strongly against her chest, his question ringing in her ears.

"You'll never love someone else?"

No, it was possible. Very possible.

That night after they had returned to their base, after Jason had gone to bed, Kory sat in her room. She turned on her communicator. She noticed she had over fifty missed calls, but she did not listen to them for fear of hearing something she could not handle. Instead, she fiddled with the device for several minutes, finally figuring out how it functioned and then calling Tamaran. Galfore picked up on the fourth ring.

And she told him her decision to stay on Earth.

~0~0~0~

The next morning Kory woke with a start. She glanced down by the end-or the head of her bed rather- and noticed a duffle bag by her feet. She turned her chin, noticing Jason standing in the doorway with a mischievous grin on his face.

"Pack your bags. We're going on a road trip," he told her, gripping his Red Hood mask.

A few hours later, the team's ship landed in a cold and barren area of Colorado. There were few buildings around, and a large evergreen forest boarded the small, civilized area. Some of the structures appeared abandoned while others looked similar to the developed buildings Kory had seen in some of Earth's cities. It was an odd place indeed, a place unlike any other she had seen.

"Uh…you sure this is the place Jase?" Arsenal asked as adjusted the strap that carried his arrows over his shoulder.

"Nah, actually I thought this would be a cool place to crash. I got some prostitutes inside waiting for us." Red Hood gave Arsenal a bland look and the redhead rolled his eyes.

"Sorry I asked."

"Would you like me to monitor the area while you and Roy search the building of informative files?" Kory questioned, emerging from the ship.

"Jesus, Kory," Roy gawked as he took in her bare skin while adjusting his own jacket. "You ever get cold?"

Kory smiled. "Not the way you humans do."

"That's why we keep her around," Red Hood joked, flicking Kory's shoulder as he walked past, while putting on a thicker layer on for himself. "Let's go, Arsenal."

"Yeah, yeah. I'm coming." Arsenal followed Red Hood into the building while Kory took to the air.

The wind was cold against her bare torso, but she didn't mind. Tamaraneans were able to withstand such temperatures. She lit her fists with starbolts, using the orbs to softly light the area. She was sure Red Hood and Arsenal would be fine without her keeping guard, but one could never be too careful. Especially since they were looking to avenge Jason's family.

It began snowing softly in the morning air. It was still too early for the sun to affect the colors of the sky, but Kory still found the scene beautiful. She was partial to sunrises, but lately she found she enjoyed the beautiful quiet of the nighttime. She wondered if that was why Jason enjoyed his moonlit walks so much.

Her chest warmed as she thought of her friend. It was true he could be distant, and X'hal knew he could be dramatic with his temper. Even so, he had a good heart; she could tell.

She was so lost in her thoughts that Kory neglected to notice the shifting behind her, paired with the reptilian eyes that ran up and down her body. She heard a sharp whoosh of air, and then the next moment a searing pain ran up her back. She let out a yell and collapsed into the snow on her hands and knees. She watched in half horror half wonder as her blood coated the snow beneath her in red. The coolness on her lower back was taken over by thick warmth as the liquid cascaded down her wound.

Despite her pain and shock, her warrior instincts kicked in automatically. Kory flew into the air again, shooting off into the evergreen forest that bordered the small town. She had no idea who her attacker was, but the only thing on her mind was leading the threat as far away from Jason and Roy as possible.

She could feel the heavy beat of wings behind her, and finally, when she felt as though there was enough distance between her and her two companions, she whipped around to gaze upon her attacker.

He was hideously reptilian. His body was a large, scaly mass, his eyes a toxic yellow. His teeth were long and jagged, his breath puffed out in putrid clouds. Kory could feel the magnificent power in every beat of this creature's gargantuan wings, and yet, there was something about him that was not entirely animal like. There was a knowledge, an awareness in this beast's eyes. Kory suspected whoever he was; his original body had been altered into this being before her.

"Who are you? What quarrel do you have with me?" Kory asked fiercely, trying not to wince as more blood dripped down her back.

His voice came out in a throaty snarl. "I am Crux. I have watched you for weeks, Tamaranean. Your kind is not welcome on my planet. You will perish by my hand."

He flew forward and Kory dodged his next blow, flipping around and using her eye beams to blast him into the snow. Crux grunted, hitting the ground with a large impact before soaring into the air again.

"So you are a xenophobe then?" Kory observed with disgust, her eyes blazing green. "Why do you harbor such ill will toward my people?"

Crux beat his wings heavily. "Years ago a wretched Tamaranean's ship crashed onto Earth. I was only human then. The flames engulfed my kin, my parents. They perished horribly, but the Tamaranean rose without a scratch. He showed no remorse for the murder of my parents, for all creatures such as he have no morals or heart. I have spent my life altering myself to avenge their lives."

Kory narrowed her eyes, making sure to keep a fair distance from herself and Crux. "I am sorry for the loss of your parents, but my death will not avenge them. Your hatred for that one Tamaranean has done the clouding of your judgment. Not all Tamaraneans are as he was."

"Shut up, you wretched she-demon!" Crux screamed, flying forward with his claws extended.

Kory weaved out of his grasp, again firing her starbolts and causing the mutant to plummet once more. Crux, who apparently realized he was no match for a Tamaranean who did not have their back turned, whipped around and plunged into a frozen lake several paces away.

She flew above him, her hands still blazing. She followed his shadow from above the lake, moving faster and faster to keep up with his figure.

"If you wish to engage me then do not flee; arise and fight!" Kory yelled at his form, her flight picking up more and more speed. She was so preoccupied with his shadow under the ice that when she glanced up she was not prepared for what she found.

A Transubstantiator.

Her eyes went wide as she tried desperately to slow her pace down, but it was too late. She fell through the technology's portal, falling into a heap on the other side. Instantly the pain in her back magnified, and the cold of the snow was almost unbearable. She was weak, so incredibly weak, as the last of her Tamaranean powers left her body. She could hear Crux's cruel laughter as he broke the surface, but she could not see him for her vision began to fade.

"Idiot girl. Do you think I would face you with all your Tamaranean strength? I know just what technology will sap your powers," he snarled.

"T-t-then you are a f-f-fiend and a c-c-coward," she choked back.

Crux snarled, circling over her and preparing to dive and deliver the final blow. In the distance Kory could see two figures running toward her from the horizon. One was redheaded, and the other had a shredded, red mask that was practically falling off his face, revealing creamy skin, raven hair, and blue eyes.

"R-R-R-Richard?" she whispered, before she lost consciousness.