Disclaimer: I don't own the Teen Titans.

Chapter 8

"What do you mean the T-Ship is destroyed?" Richard bellowed at his T-Communicator.

"It's nothing I can't repair within a few minutes." Cyborg reassured him on the other end of the line, "But it's still a setback."

Richard grumbled something about Kori being a stubborn brat of a princess. His blood was boiling in anger and anxiety. He had to stop her before it was too late, but what if it already was? It would only take Kori a few hours to fly to her home. Then again, Ryand'r would have to somehow induce her labor, and giving birth could take days.

Cyborg broke the silence by chuckling, "I still can't believe that she whacked you over the head with a frying pan."

Richard growled, "Don't you have work to do? Hurry up. I want to be in space within the hour." He ended communication with the half-robot and then turned to face his daughter, who was eating pancakes covered in mustard. She beamed a food-covered smile at her father. Richard chuckled in spite of himself, "Mari, you're going to visit Gramps today."

Mari pouted; whenever something seemed to be wrong with her parents, she was shipped off to her grandfather's house. She wanted to be determined to find a way out of it, but she was only three. Either way, she knew it was important to her father that she comply to his wants. "Ok daddy."

As Richard and Mari were driving to Bruce's house, Kori had just landed on Tamaran. Guards from all around pointed their weapons at her, then lowered them when they realized that she was pregnant. One of the guards recognized her as Princess Koriand'r and ran for the castle doors to find the Grand Ruler.

Kori followed softly behind him. Her hands were placed delicately on her belly. She looked serene in stature, but inside she was going haywire. Her heart was beating unnaturally fast, her palms were sweating from her apprehension. Every part of her brain was screaming at her to turn around while she still had a chance, to run before both her and her child were killed.

She knew she couldn't, though. It was too late the moment she stepped foot on planet Earth, all those years ago.

"Sister," Ryand'r opened the large brass doors. "I see you've come willingly."

Kori closed her eyes, "Hello, brother Ryan. It is a pleasure to see you looking so well."

Ryand'r smiled, welcoming her in. Kori walked forward humbly, allowing him to slip his hand on the small of her back. "We will be going to the Hospital Wing of the castle. Once there, I'm sure I can use the machine I used yesterday to induce labor."

Kori said nothing in response but focused her attention on the walls of the castle that she had once known so well. Memories passed by of childish playtime with both of her siblings. Her parents would watch from not far behind and Galfore would start tickle fights among the three of them. She shook the memory from her mind and instead became attentive to what her fate was once they reached their destination, down the dark corridor.

"Starfire, you're going to make me spend the rest of my life chasing after you, aren't you?" Nightwing took hold of her limp hand and gave it a light squeeze.

It seemed like he had been chasing the strange alien girl ever since he met her. He practically turned Jump City upside down after he first met her. He's crossed the galaxy in pursuit of her on more than one occassion. She was like sand falling through the cracks of his fist; whenever he thought he had her, she slipped away.

In order to stop the pain from penetrating Starfire's body, Raven created a pseudo-comatose state. She had spent about half of the day attempting to heal the alien princess. She was resting now, allowing Starfire's body to do its own healing.

Nightwing felt himself staring at her feeble form. She looked so close to death, he thought that a simple exhale of breath could destroy her life.

"Get some rest," Cyborg's voice emanated through the silence of the infirmary. "Her heartbeat is back to normal, brain activity is looking normal too. Go to sleep, it's going past three in the morning."

Nightwing stretched his back in response, not taking his eyes off of his girl. "I'll be fine."

"Dick, she'll be in the same place when you wake up, she's not going anywhere." Cyborg attempted to reason with his paranoid friend.

Nightwing's eyes slanted underneath his mask, "I can't risk that."

"Dick, come on man."

"You don't get it, Cyborg!" Nightwing bursted out, then took a deep breath. "I lost both of my parents at a young age. Batman took me in and reared me as his own, yes, but that doesn't change the fact that I lost the two people who loved me the most in the world, who I loved the most. Before I met Starfire, I forgot what love was. She showed me how to love again, Cy. I can't lose her."

Cyborg placed a mechanical hand on the masked-figure's shoulder. "I understand. Take care, man."

Nightwing mumbled a thanks and focused his attention on the sleeping beauty once more. "I won't lose you, Star."

"Tamaran in clear sight." Cyborg announced to the other Titans.

"Good," Nightwing responded as Raven and Beastboy nodded an affirmative. "Expect company soon, I'm sure Ryan anticipated us being in pursuit of her."

A/N: Quick update! :) I hope y'all liked this chapter! Please review.

God bless,
Rose