The next few weeks were odd to say the least. The Outlaws still traveled the globe, searching for Essence and fighting criminals whenever they could. Roy had even received another letter from Jade that had said she might be willing to talk. Kory had given him a bone-crushing hug of joy for that.

Things with Jason had also changed. There wasn't by any means a massive shift, but Kory could tell he was becoming flirtier. It was typical for him to occasionally compliment her appearance or strength, but now his words followed with actions. He'd sneak her an extra pina colada, he'd let her fire his weapons-not that she needed to anyway-and he even held the door open for her once.

Roy had looked at him suspiciously for that.

Kory was so happy with her friends at this point that it didn't even bother her that she could not define this strange new behavior of Jason's. She loved spending time with both of them, and they were a remarkable team. They were even starting to feel like a real family.

At present the team was in western Europe, searching for Crux. The night before on the news there had been sightings of an enormous winged reptilian creature in Switzerland, and the team figured there couldn't be many others who matched that description out there.

After they had combed the Swiss mountainside for the better part of three hours, they decided to take a break. Arsenal had suggested they make a pit stop into town to grab some hot soup, but Red Hood had pointed out the obvious; they weren't exactly dressed to interact with civilian life.

"Aw, I really wanted soup," Arsenal muttered irritably, rubbing his jacket sleeves.

"Fear not, Friend. I shall make for you a Tamaranean stew when we return home," Kory told him. Arsenal's eyes near popped out of his head, and Red Hood smirked beneath his mask.

"Uh, that's okay Kory. Remember the last time you cooked for me?" the redhead prodded.

Kory frowned. "Oh yes, you were more the hung over than ever I had seen with alcohol."

"You aren't exactly the Iron Chef, Kid," Red Hood quipped, and although Kory did not know whom this 'Iron Chef' was, she could make out Jason's teasing tone anywhere. She stuck her tongue out in response, a childish reaction she had seen Roy do many times.

"Aww, don't be like that," Red Hood said, nudging her shoulder firmly.

"Gross," Arsenal said, cringing. Red Hood, without flinching, stuck his middle finger out at Arsenal. "Well, that was uncalled for," the archer added.

"You still talking, Ginger Spice?" Red Hood asked.

As the men exchanged insults with one another, Kory floated beside them, looking around and trying to take in the beautiful scenery. Her eyes narrowed in confusion when she saw a falcon swoop in their direction. Normally a bird so far away would barely be seen against the brown and white cover of the mountains, but this bird stood out starkly…probably because it was green.

"Red Hood, Arsenal," Kory asked carefully. "Do you suppose Crux can change his form?"

The two paused. Arsenal frowned. "Why would you say that?"

Kory pointed at the falcon approaching them, unsure if she should be prepared to fight or not. Red Hood didn't waste any time removing his weapons, but Arsenal placed a hand on his arm.

"Don't," Arsenal said, his voice strained despite the fact he made no move to ready himself for battle. "I have a feeling this is a visitor for Kory."

Kory opened her mouth to ask him to clarify, but it turned out he didn't have to. In only a few moments the falcon changed in midair, and Kory watched in wonder as a young, green-skinned man wearing a red and white uniform appeared before their eyes.

"Gar," Arsenal addressed the man evenly, but the newcomer didn't even glance at the archer. He stared directly at Kory, a mixture of happiness, anger, confusion and sadness in his eyes. Kory blinked; unnerved that someone she had never met could look at her in such a way.

Perhaps I have met him, she reminded herself, during my first time on Earth.

"Starfire," the green man spoke, and Kory stared at him blankly.

Red Hood glanced from the changeling to Kory. "You know this guy, Kory?"

Kory shook her head, and the green one's face twisted slightly in hurt.

"Kory, this is Garfield…you knew him as Beast Boy. He was on the Titans with you," Arsenal explained.

"What's going on? Why doesn't she remember me?" Beast Boy asked, turning to Arsenal angrily. "Did you do something to her? Or you?" He glared at Red Hood.

"Chill out, Spinach Balls," Red Hood scoffed, crossing his arms.

"We didn't do anything," Arsenal said, coming between Beast Boy and Red Hood when the former emitted a growl. "She came back to Earth like this. She doesn't remember anything about when she was here the first time."

"Not like you or your buddies made the effort to find her until now," Red Hood added, unhelpfully.

Beast Boy's shoulders slumped, and he turned to address Kory, who still regarded him warily. "We tried, Starfire. We really did."

Again with that name. Starfire.

Beast Boy's voice became choked. "Last year me, Rae, and Cy…we tried visiting you on Tamaran, but they wouldn't let us land. They wouldn't even let us talk to Galfore!" He held out his hand and for the first time Kory noticed a gold ring on one of his fingers. "Raven and I tried to get in touch with you. We…we really wanted you at the wedding…and…and Dick-"

"You know Dick?" Kory asked, cocking her head to the side.

Beast Boy looked at Arsenal helplessly. "Maybe it was a waste of time to track you here," he told her, turning back. "I get if you want to live your own life and stuff. When I saw you for the first time a couple of months ago during my own mission, Raven and Cyborg told me to leave you be. They tried to stop be from coming today, even. They said you would find us if you wanted to be found." He winced. "Actually they may be-"

Kory jumped as a portal of black energy opened several feet away from them. A pale-cloaked woman and a man with machinery covering most of his body emerged, their eyes looking at her in the same way Beast Boy's had. Kory deduced this must be Raven and Cyborg.

"Damn," Cyborg said softly, looking at her. "Star, I can't believe it's you. What's it been? Two years?"

Raven watched her sadly, but did not speak. She surveyed Kory in a way that unnerved her, as if she knew everything about her that Kory had yet to figure out.

"It's no use guys. She doesn't remember anything," Beast Boy said miserably.

"What the hell? Did you do something to my baby sister, Todd?" Cyborg accused, pointing his finger at Red Hood.

"Aw come on, why's everyone think it's me? I'm a good guy now."

"Starfire," Raven finally said, approaching her. "This has to do with Dick…doesn't it?"

Kory felt her heartbeat pick up. She didn't know what was happening, but suddenly she felt nauseous. "My name is Kory."

Raven quirked an eyebrow in surprise, but did not give a verbal response.

"Speaking of good old Dick, does bird boy know she's back?" Red Hood asked, trying to sound offhand, but Kory could tell he really wanted to know the answer.

"Oh fuck, I hope not," Arsenal muttered.

"Oh he knows alright, and if he knew we were here he'd lose his goddamn mind," Cyborg said, shaking his head.

"He's going to want to find her eventually," Beast Boy added. "He's a freaking mess."

"Hell, this whole thing's a mess," Cyborg sighed. He looked at Kory. "I just want my sis back."

"Rae, isn't there something you can do to make her remember us again?" Beast Boy asked.

"That's actually not a bad idea," Arsenal offered.

"The fuck it isn't!" Red Hood snapped. "What if you screw up her brain?"

"We should at least give it a shot," Cyborg argued.

Kory's eyes blazed. "I would appreciate it if all of you would not talk of me as if I am not here. I wish I could remember things and be of use to you, but I cannot. Regardless, do not make the mistake of thinking my brain is injured." She took a deep breath so she would not burn the ground around them.

Beast Boy and Cyborg at least had the decency to look guilty. Red Hood looked away angrily, and Arsenal just looked uncomfortable. Raven approached Kory again, this time placing a hand on her shoulder. The touch from the violet haired girl, made Kory instantly calmer for some reason.

"Maybe we can go somewhere else," Raven suggested. "Some place where we can talk this all out."

Kory sighed, releasing the tension in her shoulder. "Yes. I believe that is a good idea."

"Let's just go back to base," Arsenal suggested. "This mission was a bust anyway." Red Hood whipped around, clearly about to object to returning to base with the former Titans, but Arsenal responded with a resounding, "Jason, blow me."

"Can't fucking believe this," Red Hood muttered furiously.

Kory watched him, wondering why he was so worked up about them talking to her former teammates. Or perhaps it was the thought of regaining her memories that bothered him?

"I'll teleport us there," Raven said, extending her corporeal form and enveloping them all. A moment later they were in St. Martinique, right outside the Outlaws' home. As soon as they arrived, Kory noticed three things.

The first was that it was a beautiful day. The second was that an unfamiliar aircraft was parked several paces from their shack.

The third was that Dick was there, leaning against the railing of their porch.

She knew it was him the moment she laid eyes on him. His raven hair, the way his jaw curved, the tense posture in his shoulders, his eyes hidden behind his signature, domino mask.

Robin, she thought, and then shook her head, No, it is…Nightwing…That is his alias now.

Kory winced as a pressure in her head began to build up, and she knew her memories were trying to break through to her consciousness. She wasn't sure if this was something she entirely wanted. Judging by the looks on Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg's faces, however, she could tell his sudden appearance was the last thing they had expected as well.

"Glad to see you're back," Nightwing said to nobody in particular. Every syllable was laced with tension, as if he would break at any moment. He stood up straight and walked slowly toward their group.

"Oh, fuck, no," Red Hood snapped, and Kory glanced at him in alarm. "You don't just get to fucking show up here and-"

"Spare me, Jason."

"Fuck you!"

"Jase, come on, let's just hear him out," Arsenal said, trying to defuse the situation.

"Actually, I'd like to hear you out, Roy," Nightwing said calmly, but Kory could tell he was probably just as angry as Jason. "As a matter of fact, I think you all owe me an explanation." He turned his face to survey the rest of the former Titans, save Kory. Beast Boy and Cyborg winced, but Raven returned Nightwing's gaze, refusing to be intimidated by the man's anger.

"Dude, come on," Beast Boy tried, "you know we, like, just found out for sure she's been back."

Nightwing's face twisted with a strange emotion. He turned to Kory. "How long have you been here? With them? A month? A year? You could have at least reached out to us."

Kory opened her mouth, but she honestly didn't know what to say. She was almost grateful when Red Hood cut in, hissing, "There are a lot of fucking things you don't know about us."

This visibly enraged Nightwing. "I wasn't talking to you."

"Don't give me that. You just came here to stir shit. Don't act like you're being fucking constructive."

A vein throbbed in Nightwing's neck. "The fact that you've fucking been hiding her under my nose-"

"Dick," Raven finally piped in, "while I can't say I agree with Jason's…methods…he does have a point. There is something you don't-"

"I do not remember my time here on Earth," Kory blurted, tired of everyone beating around the bush.

Nightwing stiffened. "Starfire…what-"

"My name is Koriand'r," she said evenly. "And before you even think of accusing Roy or Jason of altering my memory, you should know it has nothing to do with them."

She watched the anger leave him as he became flustered. "What…b-but how?" He paused. "You don't remember anything? Nothing at all?"

Her heart began pounding. "No," she lied, knowing that with each passing day she remembered more and more. She ignored the knowing glance Raven gave her. "I would appreciate it if you would leave me be."

She felt Red Hood's arm come around her shoulders. She could practically feel the smugness radiating off of him. "You heard her, Dick. I'll say it again if I have to. Fuck off."

Kory watched as a dark rage crossed Nightwing's face. She watched as his gaze moved from Red Hood to herself, making a silent connection. She felt her own anger bubbling in her stomachs, at Dick and at Jason. At Dick because he had no right to become angry, and at Jason because he was only being possessive to get a rise out of Dick. Her teeth scraped together as it dawned on her that even now, it was still a competition between the two of them.

Nightwing's anger faded and was replaced with an aura of defeat. "Alright. I'll go. Just…don't completely disappear on us this time, Kory."

She watched him in surprise, and was even more surprised when she nodded in return. "I expect we shall all see each other soon," she responded. She felt Red Hood's arm stiffen around her. Nightwing seemed to perk up a little at this and he nodded, a hopeful smile on his face. The others also seemed to take this as a good sign.

As Nightwing began to walk back in the direction of his ship, he stopped and turned. "Sometimes," he sighed, "there are things I wish I'd said differently...back at the pool."

Back at the pool.

At the pool.

The pool.

Pool.

An explosion in her head. For a moment nothing. And then everything.

Raven's head snapped to her in alarm, and when Kory regained her ability to focus on her former teammate, she shook her head slowly and softly. For now this would be their secret.

After the four heroes left, a little awkwardly to say the least, Kory pushed away from Red Hood and went to her room. She needed to be alone. The pain in her chest, in her heart, was almost unbearable. The loss of Dick, his admission that he didn't love her, it returned to her in full force.

Roy was the first to check on her. He brought her some water and dinner. He didn't say much, but he apologized a lot, said he should have been more helpful. He left soon afterwards, probably sensing she needed to be by herself.

Jason, however, didn't sense this, or at least he refused to respect it.

He barged in a few hours after dinner, still in his uniform but without his mask. Kory sat up in her bed, outraged at his lack of empathy. Her pain was temporarily obscured with a blind rage.

"Mind telling me what the fuck you meant when you said you'd see them soon?" he asked, irritation written all over his face.

"I plan on seeing them again. I have not in quite some time. I spent a significant portion of my life with them. Surely I can become reacquainted?" She didn't want to tell Jason that she remembered. Not yet. He didn't deserve it.

"I can't believe this. I knew you'd go right back to him."

Her eyes glowed. "You do realize even if I wished to do so, your opinion holds no bearing?"

"We're on a fucking team, aren't we?"

"Yes, and I never said I would leave this team. It does not have to be a choice between the Outlaws and the Titans."

"Of course it does!" he snapped. "You're forgetting Dick and I have a history. You think he's just going to leave us alone now that he knows for sure you're with us? He and I aren't exactly going to be butt buddies now."

"Why do you insist on always making it about Dick?" she fumed.

"Because it's always about Dick."

"Because you make it so!"

Jason scoffed. "At least I'm still able to get under his skin. That's a fucking bonus."

Kory flew up into his face, her eyes narrowed into green slits. "I should have seen it, but I suppose I was blinded since I met you. It was never about you or about me, or even about the Outlaws. It was always about Dick. Everywhere I go, I cannot escape it." She felt tears form in her eyes, but she blinked them away angrily. "He is with me wherever I go…and you, when I…when we…whatever I thought you may have felt I see now has been a fantasy. The only thing you care about is doing the ruining of his life."

"What are you talking about?"

"Do not pretend to be naïve. You placed your arm around me to do the sending of a message to him, not out of caring for me. You do not care. Not at all."

"You think I don't fucking care?" he shouted.

They stood in silence for a few moments. She stood there, watching him with tears in her eyes, the fight finally leaving her. She was so, so tired of having her life revolve around Dick, and she suspected Jason knew that. She watched as he came closer to her, his face still unbearably tense.

"You're right," he said gruffly, his hand coming up to cup the back of her head. "I do care about that fucking bastard." He squeezed his eyes shut for a moment, before opening them again to look at her. "But I care about you more."

His mouth covered hers, his lips firm, but his movements slow. She felt his arms come up around her, felt his tongue move into her mouth, sliding softly back and forth. He kissed her for a few moments and then pulled back, looking at her curiously. They stood in silence for what felt like hours.

Finally-

"I didn't just fuck up, did I?" he asked.

She gave him a tiny smile. "You always do the fucking up, Jason."

He grinned. "Well, damn."

Kory shook her head, still smiling softly. "You do realize I cannot turn my back on the Titans, yes? They are my family…even if the details are the fuzzy."

"Yeah, yeah," Jason said tiredly. "I mean, I can't promised I won't flip a shit every now and then, but I'll tone it down." He frowned, and Kory could tell he was still thinking about Dick. She knew it wouldn't be easy for him; their brother-like relationship was complicated at best, but she appreciated that he was willing to give it a shot.

"Thank you, Jason."

"I try." He actually did look thoroughly exhausted, as if he would rather fight a thousand Cruxes than talk about his feelings. The Earthen men she met seemed to have that in common.

She paused, realizing that with her memories, only being referred to as Kory sounded odd. She had always been known as Starfire on Earth, but was she ready to embrace her past self again?

Only one way to find out.

Author's Note:

Hmmm, so a shift in Jason and Kory's relationship, yet it's not really defined…That's pretty much how I picture them. Not exactly friend's with benefits, because there is something more intimate there, but certainly not boyfriend and girlfriend. Coming up, more Titans….and more Dick/Kory. Something's gotta shift with those two.