"I finally found you," Starfire said softly. "Wait until Richard hears this." She turned to walk away only for Rachel to grab her wrist and stop her.
"Wait, Star you can't say anything to anyone." Rachel said. "I've gone this long without anyone finding me...especially him." She muttered the last part.
"My names Kori now," Statfire said. "And I think everyone, including Garfield deserve an answer, you hurt us all when you left." Rachel felt extremely guilty then. "Especially Gar...the team disbanded when he found out you left." The hurt in Kori's voice was immeasurable.
"I'm sorry...but this is the way it has to be." Rachel said.
"No it doesn't, come with me." Kori then grabbed Rachel by her wrist and pulled her over to her car.
"Wait what about my car? And I do have a job you know." Rachel stated firmly unable to free herself from the Tameranean.
"Alfred will pick it up for you, as for your job, call in I'm sort of kidnapping you." Kori said matter-of-factly. She opener the passenger side and waited for Rachel to get in, when she reluctantly did Kori ran to the other side.
"Where are you 'kidnapping' me to?" Rachel asked using air quotations.
"Well first off, we're going to a coffee shop, so we can talk." Kori stated as she drove away from the school. "Then tonight, you and the reason you left come to dinner."
"What?" Rachel asked panic stricken. "I-I can't!"
"Yes you can, everyone will be delighted to see you." Kori replied. When they stopped at a coffee shop called Barney's they went in, ordered and sat down. "Now explain why you left."
"I couldn't handle the fact that Beast Boy was gone," her voice became thick with emotion. "And that I was two months pregnant with his child...I freaked the hell out, so I left." She shook her head in shame. "I know I probably could have told you guys, but I was scared of him finding out...and that we wouldn't want me anymore."
"Raven..."
"Rachel." Rachel corrected.
"Rachel," Kori amended. "He was so sad, so furious at us for not finding you...he left, I hear from him time to time, but he doesn't like staying in one place...I think he's still looking for you." This made Rachel feel so guilty, but at the same time a little sliver of hope wiggled into her heart and took root, no matter how she tries to squish it.
"I didn't mean for the Titans to break up," Rachel said with a solemn look.
"But without you, there was no Teen Titans." Kori said sadly. "So please come to dinner with your child...whom you haven't told me about yet."
For the first time since they ran into each other, Kori saw Rachel smile. "His name is Spencer, and he looks just like his father." Kori smiled at the pure adoration on Rachel's face.
"I have kids too." Kori said. "Two girls five and two. Bella and Gwen."
"I bet their beautiful, just like you and Robin." Rachel smiled, and Kori could see her resolve faltering. "I guess I could come tonight...but one condition no one can know he's Beast Boy's child...I have disguised his appearance."
"Are you sure, you don't want anyone to know?" Kori asked. "And he goes by Gar now."
"Yes, I've made his hair a little darker, and his ears look normal." Rachel said.
"Ok," Kori said. "Well let's switch phones, I'll add in my number and a address so you can find my house."
"Ok." They switched. "I really should be going." Rachel stood up and went to pull some money from her purse.
"No, it's on me." Kori said shaking her head. "I'll see you tonight? 5:30."
"Yeah...and you're sure he won't be there?" Kori nodded.
"The last time I heard from him, was six months ago."
"Ok, see you tonight Kori." Rachel said and hugged her friend before leaving.
Just as she walked out Kori's phone rang.
"Hello Kori Grayson's phone, Kori speaking." She answered, she could hear crying on the other side.
"Kor, when you getting back?" Came an exhausted voice.
"I'm sorry Jen, I ran into an old friend and stopped for coffee." Kori said apologetically. "I'll be there in a bit."
Rachel rode the bus to her house, and when she got home she immediately flopped on the couch. She hadn't expected today to be so emotionally tiring. She closed her eyes as some tears fell from her eyes, all she saw was his face.
She hadn't realized how much she'd missed her friends...especially him. And now tonight she'd be walking right back into her past.
It was 4 when Spencer arrived home because of Rachel's coworker, Liam Henderson.
"Thank you so much for picking him up, for me." Rachel said smiling at the dark haired man in front of her.
"No problem," he smiled back. "Hey you doing anything tonight?"
"Oh, sorry I ran into an old friend and I promised I'd go to her place for dinner," Rachel said apologetically, then an idea struck her. "Would you like to come?"
She and Liam had been on a couple dates, and he got along really well with Spencer. Liam is a tall man about 5'10", with light brown hair and dark brown eyes.
"Oh sure, when is it?" He asked.
"It's at 5:30, and it's across town." Rachel said.
"Ok sure." He said with a charming smile. "Would you like me to drive?"
"Sure that would be great." Rachel said turning to look for her son. "Spencer!"
He came running. "Yes mommy?" He asked looking up at her.
"Would you like to come with mommy and Liam to a dinner, that's at one of mommy's old friends' house?" She asked squatting in front of the five year old.
"Ok." He said nodding.
"Ok grab your sweater, and go get in Liam's car." She said ruffling his hair.
Soon they were on their way, after Rachel programmed the address into his GPS.
When they pulled up to the house, Liam let out a low whistle. "Wow are your friends loaded?"
"I guess so," Rachel said eyes wide. "Spencer I want you on your best behavior." She said glancing back at Spencer, who was busy staring at the screen of his 3DS.
He glanced up at his mother. "Ok mommy." She smiled. They came to a stop and got out, walking up to the door. She was just about to ring the bell when Spencer said, "wait! Can I do it?"
"Sure honey." He smiled big, and reached up and rang the bell.
They waited a couple minutes before the door opened revealing Kori.
"Oh Rachel you made it!" She said smiling and hugging Rachel. "And you brought a guest."
"I hope that's ok," Rachel said uncertainly.
"Oh that's fine the more, the merrier." Kori said ushering them into the grand house. Rachel guided Spencer in, a hand on his shoulder. "And you must be, Spencer."
"Hi." He said with a large smile on his face, which Kori gasped at.
"You were right, he is a cutie." Kori said with a clenched voice, and a tight smile.
"Hey Kor, is your friend here yet?" Around the corner came a tall, well built man. He has black hair and blue eyes. He was holding a red haired toddler in his arms, she had his blue eyes. "Oh...Rav..." He trailed off seeing the look Rachel gave him.
"I'm Kori's friend Rachel," she said walking over and extending her hand. She leaned in and looked at the little girl. "Please don't say anything in front of Liam or Spencer." She whispered to him. "She's beautiful."
"This is Gwen," Kori said walking over and wrapping an arm around her husbands waist.
"This is my friend, Liam Henderson, and my son Spencer." Rachel introduced the men shook hands, and Kori motioned for Rachel to follow her.
"Spencer why don't you come here, as well." Kori said her voice gentle. They walked to a large play room, where a black haired girl was playing, when she looked up her eyes are green.
"Spencer!" The little girl squealed running over and hugging the blonde boy. "Come play with me."
"Hi Bella!" He turned to his mom. "Can I?"
"Go ahead sweetie." He whooped and ran after Bella.
"Come with me," Kori said leading her away again. They ended up in a large open living room and sat on the sectional.
"What's up?" Rachel asked.
"I just thought you'd like to know who's coming," Kori said smiling.
"Oh, yeah."
"Well Victor and his wife Karen are coming." Kori began. "Vic is Cyborg, Karen is Bee...and then there's Jen and Wally too, Kid Flash and Jinx."
"Oh ok, do they know I'm coming?"
"Not you specifically." Kori admitted. "They just know I invited a friend and her son."
"Ok." Rachel smiled. "Well they're in for a surprise then."
"Yeah."
Soon enough everyone was there and briefed on the situation, except Liam.
As they were sitting down to eat, there was one last knock at the door. Kori and Richard glanced at each other.
"Were you expecting anyone else?" Richard asked as he got up.
"No I wasn't." Kori said.
Richard disappeared from the room, and soon came back with an alarmed look on his face, as he was followed by a blonde man with green eyes.
"Hey guys...sorry to just drop in on you..." He then caught sight of Rachel, and his eyes went wide. "Raven?" His voice was breathless.
Her heart was pounding in her chest, she kicked her lips nervously and said. "It's been a long time Gar, please call me Rachel."
He hadn't moved from his spot when Spencer came running in. "Mommy!" And he ran up and hugged her.
"What's going on?" Gar asked shocked.
"Later," Rachel said.