A/N: Nice to hear from some of you readers again! I love reading your reviews. They are so nice and supportive. I love writing for such a nice audience. I look forward to writing more of this story for you lovely readers. Please Enjoy the new chapter.
"What a touching reunion. I almost hate to have to cut it short," Slade threw an explosive in the direction of the titans.
"Titans! Move!" Robin, still being carried by Starfire, instructed the other Titans before the detonation. While the titans scrambled around to avoid the explosions impact, Slade vanished.
"Shall we try to catch up with Slade," Starfire asked.
"No, let's go back home. We need to work up a plan, we don't have any time for wild goose chases," Robin announced. The others did as the crippled Titan demanded.
When they returned to the tower, Robin went back to his own room to work alone. Shortly after, there was a knock on the door, "Come in," Robin yelled. The door slowly opened to reveal Starfire's figure, "What do you need, Star."
"I have ventured from across the tower to ask your forgiveness," her head dropped in shame, "I have done nothing for the stopping of Slade but mess up."
"What do you mean you messed up, you saved my life today," he put his papers down and walked over to her, inviting her further into his dwelling placing a comforting hand on her shoulder.
"But I only had to save you because you were stolen, and you would have not been stolen if I had chosen to stay at the tower while the other defeated Slade. And I would not have had to make the decision to stay or go if you had not been resting, but you were resting because of your injury which is all my fault as well," she managed to explain in only one breath.
He thought for a moment, taking in all that she had said and trying to understand every word, "Starfire, it isn't your fault my leg is broken, it's mine." Robin reassured her.
"No, Robin, please do not feed me these lies of the good intentions. I am the fault. It is because of my temper that you were thrown into the holder of the heavy weights," she sobbed.
"No Starfire, you were just tired. I shouldn't have woken you up. It's my own mistake that caused my injury," he tried to comfort her.
"You are Robin, you make no mistakes," she wiped a tear from the corner of her eye before it could roll down her cheek.
"Usually I don't," he joked, "but I'm not infallible. I'm only human, and humans aren't perfect."
"But you try so hard to be, and it it is for that very reason that you do not deserve to be so broken."
"Sometimes it takes an accident like this to pull me back into reality. I need to realize that no matter how perfect everyone thinks I am, I'm not any different from a regular guy. Thank you for showing me that," he smiled.
"You are not welcome," she shook her head, "This is not a time for the trickery and games. Admit it is my fault, and I will feel better about myself."
"I'm not going go say that, because it isn't your fault." He said comforting her.
She again demanded he blame her, and he again refused. They went on like this for a short while until Starfire, disappointed that she couldn't change the boys mind and feeling as guilty as ever, retreated to her own room to collect her sorrows.
Cyborg had every computer in the tower searching for any sign of Slade. He had been searching for hours and couldn't find a single trace of him. Robin soon left his solitude to join him, "Have you found anything yet?" He asked.
"Nope, nothing," Cyborg typed in new coordinates to search, "he's probably long gone by now."
Robin smashed his fist into the controls, losing his balance momentarily, "Find him," he growled, "he must be stopped."
"Robin, are you doing okay. You look a little overtired."
"I'm fine, Cyborg. I'm gonna go take the R-cycle out for a spin, patrol the city, and look for any sign of Slade," Robin turned around to head down to the garage.
"Oh no you're not!" Cyborg interjected, "that does not sound like a good idea to me." He quickly jumped in front of Robin and cut him off.
"Cyborg, I'll be fine. Just let me get through."
"Uh-uh, man. What if you run into something that you can't handle by yourself. You'll just end up hurting yourself again. Ain't gonna happen." He continuously shook his head.
"Fine. I'll just go back to my room." He turned around and returned to his room. Boredom soon overcame him. He felt useless, like there was nothing he could do to help. He thought the injury made him less important, less heroic. His friends wouldn't even let him try to help, they must think he was losing his touch as well.
He refused to believe it, he was still Robin, the Boy Wonder. He was able to defeat Johnny Rancid with a cast on his arm, why couldn't he simply ride the R-cycle with a cast on his leg. He shot up out of his bed and snuck past the other Titans and into the garage. He was ready to put on his helmet and hop on his motorcycle when a bright green glow shone behind him.
"Starfire, what are you doing down here?" He asked turning around to face her.
"I was sent down here by Cyborg to ensure that you do not engage in the reckless behavior," she told him, "you have disobeyed him."
"I'm not doing anything reckless, Star, you know I can ride with ease," he tried swooning her, something he was not very good at.
"You are preparing to do exactly what Cyborg instructed I watch out for," she placed a hand on her hip.
"Starfire please," he begged.
"I will not be responsible for another unfortunate accident with you Robin, my mind can not handle any more guilt. You will return to your room at once," she demanded pointing in the direction of the upstairs.
Robin was not often told what to do since leaving Gotham City. As leader of the Teen Titans, he was usually the one giving the orders and calling the shots. This loss of authority caused by his cast made him seem weaker and easier to boss around. Weakness was Robins ultimate fear. He hated the word. It was the weakness Slade made him believe he had that injured him in the first place. Weakness was a sign of defeat. And Robin hated to lose.
"And if I don't," Robins eyes glared at her behind his mask.
"I will simply carry you back upstairs myself. I am afraid you have lost all options, Robin. Please just let us do the patrolling for a while. You must regain your strength." She pleaded.
"Are you saying I'm weak?" He cringed at the sound of the word.
"I would never imply such a thing, Robin, I am only saying that you are unrested and making rather unorthodox decisions," she moved closer to him.
"You don't trust me to be heroic, do you? You think I'm losing my abilities, don't you?" he backed away.
"Robin, please do not be angered. I am only thinking about what will be best for you. I think nothing bad about you, you are still the same kiester kicking Robin I met when I first came to this planet," she quickly flew over to him and picked him up.
He struggled in her arms. The same arms that brought him comfort and reassurance earlier in the day now caused fury and anger to race through his veins. "Starfire, put me down!" he struggled.
"No Robin, I will not," Starfire flew him back to his room, "I am going to stay with you and make sure you do not do any of the stupid things," she placed him on his bed and sat down beside him. She could tell that he wad upset because of the way he was laying. He had a pout on his lips and his arms were crossed across his chest, "Robin, please, what troubles you?" She pushed her hair behind her ear.
"Starfire, I'm not troubled," he sat up on his bed, "I just want to be more helpful."
"You are most helpful Robin, you always know what we must do. You are most intelligent when it comes to machinery and weaponry. You also spend much helpful time studying our enemies. How can you say you do not help?" She questioned.
"I can't be as helpful as I once was now that I'm injured," he pouted.
"You are Robin; you will find a way to heal it, and if you can not; you will find a way to work around it. I have faith in you Robin. We all do. Raven is up in her room right now trying to find a spell to heal you. You are my very best friend, and I do not like seeing you saddened. Please by happy." she smiled at him.
His cheeks turned a light shade of red, "Do you really mean all that?" He asked.
"Of course. Friends do not lie to other friends," she blushed as well.
"Thanks," he forced a smile through his look of seriousness.
"You are welcome," she slowly leaned in towards him. He fumbled for a moment, but soon leaned into her as well. They both had their eyes closed and expected to interlock lips.
"Guys, Slade's trying to call us," Cyborg busted through the door right before their lips met.
The two stopped in their tracks and Robins look of intensity returned, "Well, what are you waiting for! Answer it. I'm on my way," he glared and grabbed his crutches.
Robin left with Cyborg and the door closed behind them, leaving Starfire alone in the dark room. She sighed in sorrow. It was almost impossible to have an intimate moment with the one whom she had "the feelings" for. She slowly stood up and left to the main room to join the others. She wiped the look of depression off her face and tried to look angered.
"Greetings Teen Titans," Starfire looked up to the window screen to greet Slade.
"What do you want Slade?" Robin asked.
"Calm yourself, Robin. We will get to that shortly. It was disappointed when I realized you hadn't come after me after out encounter earlier. I always enjoy those chases," Slade smirked.
Robin scowled, "We have no time for your stupid games."
"I don't really like games either, Robin. I prefer puzzles, myself. Wouldn't you agree?"
"Give me the pieces and I'll put it all together," Robin demanded.
"I can't just give you the pieces, that would not be much fun for me to watch. You will have to find them. Entertain me Robin."
"Tell me where to look, and we'll be there in a heartbeat," Robin clenched his fists.
"All around you. The pieces are all hidden in plain sight, Robin. Open your eyes and see the big picture," Slade signed out.
Robin threw his crutches on the ground and fell back onto the couch, "Scatter the city. Look for any sign of Slade and his 'puzzle pieces,'" he rubbed his temples.
The titans moved to the exit and left, "Starfire, come here." Robin motioned at her.
"Coming," she flew back to him, almost hoping they would finish where they they left off only minutes before, "how can I be of assistance?" She asked.
"You and me are gonna patrol from the air," Robin stood up.
She sighed, "I am not so sure that is safe, what if you fall," she objected.
"I'm the leader of this team. I call the shots. What I say goes," he shouted. He quickly noticed how hurt Starfire looked, he had forgotten how sensitive she could be sometimes, he sighed, "Hey, I'm sorry. Besides, I will be fine," he smiled, "I promise." He picked her chin up, "lets go."
Robin and Starfire took to the skies and flew over the city, "what is it exactly we are looking for?" She asked.
"Clues. Any kind of lead we get on what Slade might be planning to do," Robin explained.
Raven was walking through some of the dark allies behind the back roads when she noticed a small metallic symbol flash next to her. "Huh?" she questioned and walked closer to the source of the flash.
Upon further inspection, she noticed it was the symbol of Slade. She walked closer to see what it was attached to. She reached out her hand to touch it. As soon as her hand made contact with the object, she pulled it away. It was too got for her to pick up, or even touch for more than a moment, "Ow," she winced rubbing her new burn. "Is that a..." she pulled out her Titan communicator, "someone, anyone. Come in." She bellowed into the small yellow device.
"Robin here, what's wrong Raven," he asked.
She began to hear a faded beeping sound from behind her, "I need you here. Right now! I think I've found something." She said.
The beeping sped up and got much louder, "Raven, I can't hear you. What's that beeping?"
"Robin, I found a-" there was an explosion in the background of Raven communicator.
"Raven?" He asked, "Raven!" He asked again. After getting no response, he threw his communicator towards the surface of the ground. "Raven!" He screamed at the top of his lungs.
End A/N: I hope you enjoyed the chapter! I set up a lot of different plot lines that will more than likely be huge in future chapters. Please, if you read this, review! i love reading reviews and getting all kinds of ideas and influences. R&R. much love as always.
- Adrianna