ONE SEVEN

WOO IM BACK DID YA MISS ME

Hi y'all, I got another chapter fresh out the oven and ready to be served mhmm. Thanks to everyone who's stuck with me this far you are all lovely and I really hope you have wonderful lives because yes.

I'm going through my first year of college okay guys, I will not be able to update frequently (it's not like I do that currently but regardless) because of all the work I have to do, no matter how much I may want to procrastinate sigh. But I have written the next two chapters in advance for this fic and I'll post them and write the rest whenever I have time to take a breather okay? Stick with me here guys, we got a big storm comin'.

Kay time for reviews
Guest: thank you so much! Here's the next one, enjoyyyy
kimminightwing: um, well not exactly….
HorsemanOTA: oh don't worry about the language haha I'm worse whoops. Yes eventually things will work out but it will take a lot of time, and lord knows I can't seem to stop writing this fic so oops. Hm I'd tell you what he does and how he reacts to "Starfire", but it would spoil this chapter and I don't think you want that sooo I'll let my crappy writing do the job for me haha enjoyyy
Frozenstar17: aww thank you so much for taking the time to read this! Of course I'll continue, and to prove it here's the next one enjoyyy
TraitorousFreshman15: aw it's a cliffhanger so readers will stay hooked my dear ;)
jenny868: hm not exactly, but in a way you're also right, so I guess you'll have to keep reading to understand what I'm telling you huh? ;)
lalala16: awwww omg thank you very much! I hope I still can amaze you with this, thank you again :)
LOVER29: then wait no longer! The next one is OUT!
Guest: yep she did and yep she does but I think simple and basic punishment/torture is the way to go with her, don't you think? ;)
ShezaRoxiela: here you go fwiend, u no worry
Guest: I'mma finish this alright, but it's gonna be a journey till we get there so hang with me for a while my friend
Guest: Omg I'm so sorry omg, but as some sort of consolation, have this chapter and be assured that the next two won't be coming half a year later, respectively. Enjoyyy

Okay guys, hold on tight, we're goin' into the climax…

Chapter 17

As it turned out, "having Starfire back" meant "another week of rest Kori."

I sighed angrily and just let myself fall on the couch, stopping my recent pacing. I ran a hand down my face and tried relaxing against the sofa. I had spent enough time last week alone pacing, I didn't want or need to do it again.

I was alone in the house since I had sent Marie to daycare a few hours ago. She had wanted to stay home so much but I just shook my head and pushed both her and I out the door. My patience had been wearing thin from the moment I had woken up and I didn't want Marie to be around when I finally and eventually snapped. So off to daycare she went.

Heaving myself off the couch, I went over to the kitchen and went to the pantries, rummaging around for something to eat. I finally found a bag of pretzels that had somehow managed to land in the top cupboards and served myself a glass of water, going back to the living room and turning the TV on.

Bad idea.

The first thing I saw when I turned it on was a gossip program, of all things, talking about "Starfire" being back.

"… Looking very happy now that his girlfriend has returned. Here he is walking in the park with his beloved just a few days ago, isn't that sweet!"

I scoffed in disgust and turned the TV off without a second thought. Silence seems like a very good idea right now.

I opened the bag of pretzels and chewed slowly, staring at the wall in front of me passively. I honestly tried not thinking of this incredibly messed up situation that Blackfire had put me in, but I literally could not escape it. It was in the newspapers, the magazines, TV shows, etc. The media was going mental covering every single thing possible related to Starfire's return, and I just wanted to scream.

Strangely though, I didn't. I had kept eerily calm throughout this entire ordeal, even though on the inside I just wanted to tear my sister apart limb from limb. She knew exactly what she was doing, and she knew how to do it well, no matter how much I may hate it.

She knew exactly how to play it up for the cameras, how to act in love with Richard, how to smile innocently and keep an air of naivety around her at all times. She had been practicing, I realized two days ago, a chill going down my spine. It made me wonder how long this plan of revenge had been going on in her head, just waiting for the perfect time to escape and put it in motion.

The last time I had seen her was about five and a half years ago, when my friends and I had locked her in prison for the last time. Or so we had thought. She had looked straight at me with such a bright glint in her eye as the guards were loading her up in the transportation ship, one that I had mistaken for unshed tears at the time. I knew now how sinister and dangerous it had been, and I shivered at the knowledge that it wasn't too hard to pick out when this revenge plot had started.

Even if I hadn't wanted to admit it, I had seen the glimpses of her insanity shining through her eyes for the first time, normally hidden under the cool façade she liked to use in front of everyone. Was it even hard for me to believe that she had been like this way before I had unwillingly noticed it? Was it really hard to believe that she had lost her grip on sanity just like she had lost her grip on our parents' affections so long ago?

I shook my head quickly, ridding myself of those thoughts as fast as humanely possible. Dropping the bag in my lap I put my head in my hands, massaging my temples slowly and trying to breathe evenly.

It was hard for me to admit all of this, even to myself. In my head I had always wanted Blackfire to be the perfect dream sister I always wanted, but instead I always had received the cruelly cold, manipulative version I had never even imagined dreaming of. For so long I had blocked out the reality of the situation; ignored that Blackfire wasn't who I wanted her to be and focused on her sickeningly sweet actions that hid her manipulative motives cleverly, believing that being sweet was just what she was. That's why I turned out to be pretty naive and sweet later on, honestly. Wanted to be just like my big sister and all that.

I sighed. So much for that.

Suddenly feeling cooped up in my own house, I stood up. I haphazardly threw the bag of half eaten pretzels on the dining table and went to my room to grab my purse and wallet. There was no way I'd be staying in here all day today.

I knew how risky it was to go out now because of my sister being out there somewhere, but I honestly couldn't be bothered enough to care. I was not going to give her the satisfaction of ruining me, no matter the cost.

She was probably still acting in love with Robin anyways, I thought, rolling my eyes as I walked out my door.

Okay, so I was a bit bitter. But who could blame me? This was plenty enough reason to warrant bitterness, thank you very much.

I shouldered my purse, checking for my keys, and walked the short distance to my car. I still had about two and a half hours until Marie got out, and I was going to make the most of it.

~*WAYN*~

Two peaceful walks along the pier and a visit to the Jump City museum later, and I had managed to simmer down some of the anxiousness and restlessness I had begun feeling. I was (mostly) calm now, and so when I got a phone call, I simply answered it, already knowing who it was going to be.

"Hi Raven, what's up?"

"Starfire, come home. I need to discuss something important with you," was all I heard before the dial tone began ringing in my ear.

Shrugging, I just walked back to my car and drove towards my apartment. When it came to Raven, listening to her was always the best idea.

I arrived a few minutes later and stepped out, looking up at my building complex for a moment. Though I had calmed down some already, the ever present anxiousness persisted and just wouldn't let me go. I sighed and looked back down at eye level again, walking up the stairs to my apartment.

I was greeted with Raven's calculating eyes looking at me from the moment I opened the door. Casually dropping my purse on the couch, I sat down on the sofa in front of her and quirked an eyebrow.

"Well? What's the important thing you needed to discuss with me? I'm all ears," I spoke, folding my hands in my lap.

Raven nodded and cleared throat. "I'm proposing to put a protective spell on both you and Marie," she told me.

"Yes," I said without hesitation.

Now it was Raven's turn to raise her eyebrow. "I haven't even told you what the spell does," she pointed out.

I just shook my head. "I don't care for that Raven. As long as Marie is safe from my sister I don't care." I saw her bite her lip briefly and could almost see the rapidly turning gears in her head. About a second later she nodded and stood.

"Call me as soon as Marie gets home alright? This spell needs to have both of you present." I looked at her and nodded, still in the same spot on the couch. She smiled slightly before waving once and slipping out the door.

And so I was left alone yet again.

I sighed and got up, passing the dining table where I had left my bag of pretzels. I thought for a second, then traced my steps back to the bag's location and took it with me to my room instead.

Reaching for my laptop from under my bed, I opened it and turned it on, turning on my radio in the meantime and playing an old cd of mine to occupy the silence that had taken over the space. Once my computer had turned on completely I checked my work email (as expected, nothing) and then checked my personal account (nothing again).

I sighed, pushing the laptop to the opposite side of the bed. I placed the untouched pretzels on my bedside and lay down on my back, staring at the ceiling. I turned my head to the side and glanced at my monogram clock, its glaring red numbers staring right back.

11:27 am

I had an hour to go till Marie was let out.

Rolling onto my side, I closed my eyes and let out a breath. Might as well rest if I'm not going to do anything productive (or even procrastinate) right?

~*WAYN*~

Waking up about half an hour later, I sighed and went on my back, staring at the ceiling fan spinning round and round for a while.

Eventually though, I had to get up and get ready to pick up Marie. After a few minutes I was ready to go and I stepped out the house, looking around cautiously before leaving.

I had been pretty much left alone lately, and I don't know whether to be thankful of that or terrified. With Blackfire –or Com, as she likes to call herself–, one could never really be sure what to expect. She could strike in the next few seconds or in a month, and none would be the wiser. There would be no warning.

I shook my head and sighed, frustrated. I was beginning to feel fed up with all this anxiety and paranoia that had begun to set in, and it was really pissing me off. All this emotion was threatening to set off my powers, and it's becoming increasingly hard to keep it under control and stay calm. More often than not, I would have to put in a new set of contacts at least three times a day because my eyes would begin to glow at the mere thought of Com. It was throwing off the balance I had created after all this time, what I had spent all these years teaching myself.

How in the world I was going to go to work and act supportive about "Starfire being back", I had no idea.

But I sure as hell am going to try.

Before I knew it, I had arrived at the daycare and stepped out of the car, taking a deep breath and walking towards the daycare. I was met with confused faces as soon as I stepped through the door and I paused.

"What?" I asked slowly, looking at all the workers who kept looking quizzically at me before moving on, eventually landing on Jessica.

Her brow furrowed and she put the papers she had been holding on the front desk, meanwhile asking me, "Kor, what are you doing here?"

I raised an eyebrow. "I'm here to pick up Marie, Jess," I told her.

This just confused her more. "You just told us you'd pick her up around four because you had errands to run," a puzzled tilt to her tone, and I just froze, my body turning cold.

I felt the blood rush out of me in that second. All I could do was stare at her with wide eyes. My heart was gripped in the ice cold hands of fear and I could feel my throat closing up.

'Not Marie, oh dear god, anything but Marie.'

Before she could even ask me anything, though, I snapped out of my shock and sprang into action.

"Where is Marie," I demanded, going straight towards the play area. I could hear Jessica behind me trying to catch up, her worried and bewildered questions sounding far away. I scanned the the indoors first with no luck before going out to the playground, and I found her swinging herself alongside a boy, both talking to each other animatedly. I called her, my voice a tad hysterical, and I saw her head snap up at her name. She lit up and ran to me, and I bent down to pull her into my arms. I hugged her as tight as I possibly could without hurting her and sighed in relief. I felt a hand on my shoulder and I looked up, seeing a frazzled Jessica. I smiled apologetically and stood, automatically placing Marie on my hip.

"Sorry Jess, won't happen again," I grinned. She started to smile back, but then I saw her face shift, turning confused.

"When did you get green contacts?" She asked, pointing to my face. My eyes widened and I smiled.

"You're the first to notice, thanks! I got them two days ago, I was nervous about trying them on and today's the rest run," I fibbed on the spot. After all the recent times my anger burned out my contacts, Raven helped me think out a few excuses and lies to give when I didn't have time to put new ones in and others noticed. That and I began to try improv a little more, which was quickly proving to be my best friend.

This time, Jessica smiled at me. "You're welcome, and I really hope that is the last time this happens though, you scared everyone quite a bit you know."

I nodded. "I know and I apologize again," I told her genuinely. Never again, I thought to myself, keeping my grin in place.

She was never going to get close to us again.

After I buckled Marie into her booster, I drove home slowly and calmly, making conversation with the always excited three year old, who kept talking nonstop about her birthday coming up soon.

"Imma be four mommy!" She exclaimed, holding out hour fingers after counting them, a happy smile on her face. That made me smile in return, looking at her through the rear view mirror while we were at a stoplight. Knowing that she wasn't even five yet and she could already count was both an uplifting and terrifying realization for me.

Uplifting because it meant that my little girl was incredibly smart and I knew she'd turn out to be my little genius. Terrifying because it meant that she was growing up way too fast for my liking. I had grown accustomed to earth ways of parenting, to expect the children to learn things slowly but surely. But Marie was gliding through all of the things she should have struggled with ease. I didn't know what to think.

Breaking free of my thoughts, I blinked several times and looked at the light, which was still red. I looked in the rear view mirror and found that Marie was still chattering away in the back. I sighed and forced myself to think positive.

It had gotten me this far, and I'll be damned if it didn't continue this way.

~*WAYN*~

Once we had stepped in the house I had called Raven, shortly saying to her that there was something I needed to tell her and that Marie was already home. She immediately told me she'd be over in two minutes and I began to clear up the living room and the dining table, which led to cleaning up the stray toys in the hallway and instructing Marie to tidy up her room and that she'd get a snack if she finished quickly. Going to my room, I straightened the sheets on the already made bed and stacked the haphazard papers lying everywhere into one space on my desk.

I was just about to go double check if the dining table was clean when the doorbell rang. I sighed and walked out of my room, passing Marie's and seeing her peep her head out the door, curious as to who is at the door. I gestured for her to stay in there a bit longer and she simply shut her door. Crossing the living room, I opened the front door and saw Raven looking at me, her expression inquisitive.

"What did you have to tell me?" She asked me.

I nodded to myself and walked inside, sitting down. Raven did the same and I explained to her what had happened just an hour prior.

Her face turned grim as I finished, and as soon as I had stopped talking she spoke up.

"We need to do the spell now, before she tries to do anything else," she said gravely, and I nodded and stood. I was just about to go to Marie's room when Raven suddenly stood up, startling me.

"Wait," she hesitated in speaking but just continued, "Do you want her to see me do the spell?"

That got me thinking. Do I want Marie to see Raven do the spell? She loves the Teen Titans cartoons and is over the moon now that she realizes that she knows the actual members, but that show is different from the reality of us, our team. It's only an interpretation, and Mars is only four. She's still too young for this.

And then it all caught up to me. Do I want all this to happen? Do I really want my daughter to get thrust into this world, the one I had run away from? Do I want her to experience crime fighting, when I had left the Teen Titans so she wouldn't have to in the first place? So she could be normal and ordinary? I didn't want Marie to get involved in the superhero whirlwind in the first place, and now here I am, willingly pushing her in.

I should just move away from Jump City, find a quiet, ordinary town, and forget about all of this. Blackfire can win, I just want my baby to be left alone. I don't care for anything else. Yes, that's a good idea, a great idea.

11Raven sighed, bringing me back to our conversation. "Starfire, Mars was going to go into this sooner or later. It's best that we do it now so we can help her and guide her. I know you don't want to get her involved in all the hero crap, but she's your kid. And Robin's. And anyone that's related to either of you is going to do anything but watch as people are in danger. I can bet you whatever you want that if we don't do anything now, she'll just eventually get into this herself, and I honestly don't think it'll be in the way you prefer."

I shook my head and nodded after. "You're right Raven. Let's do this." I inhaled deeply and let it all go quickly. "Even though I don't want her to see, she will eventually, and if we're really going to do this, we might as well show her what our world can do."

Out of the corner of my eye, I saw her react to my words. I haven't included myself in the superhero world for a long time, and haven't thought of myself as part of it in just as long. But it felt right to say 'our world' at the time, and from the look of contained surprise on Raven's face, I knew it was.

I smiled at her, Raven matching my own, and we both walked to Marie's room, bracing ourselves for what would eventually and inevitably happen.

Okay okay I know I suck and that it was way too long a wait and I'm sorry about it I really am, but I hope you guys still like this story and maybe still like it enough to review it?

Idk, just a suggestion, idk

Love you guys, you're all lovely people for sticking with me and this story, please re11view (for it makes me happy), and happy holidays! Happy early new year's everyone, be safe!