AN: Thank you again for reviews and the favorites! I'm jumping back into this story with a fever – I love writing AU and combining everything I want together to tell a whole story. It's so much fun!

Another side note, I'm utterly exhausted. I've been staying up late and getting up early for the past two weeks because I've been with friends from other states, while they are here visiting NY. They'll be leaving this weekend and hopefully I'll sleep then. So if there are typos, or mistakes, blame it on the lack of sleep. I just wanted to get this up!

Enjoy!

Chapter 3

He Has Returned

(About four months after Tokyo, more than a year after Trigon's appearance and the Brotherhood of Evil's battle)

Robin sat by the wayside near the open windows of the Tower, his ears and eyes tuned into the scene before him. Colorful balloons were strung up high – in reds, greens and yellows – with a pile of decorative presents by the front metal doors. The TV was blank, silent as it was the first time in awhile since their return from Tokyo not more than four months ago (Beast Boy and Cyborg had found a surplus of games not yet released in the United States) and streamers dangled across the ceiling like swooping birds. Everyone around him was dressed in civilian clothes because today wasn't a Titan affair, but a friend event.

Robin was turning twenty one. Today was his birthday; the first day of spring, the beginning of good weather, good times, outside volleyball on the Titan's roof, and swimming in the bay. He felt himself smile.

He watched Star drifting across the air, her cinnamon dress clinging to her slender curves that had almost developed over night, to her flaming brilliant hair that hung in soft curls against her sun kissed skin. She looked happy, radiant in the soft lighting and when she smiled Robin found himself smiling along with her.

They had finally begun a relationship the night back from Tokyo. He had finally found the nerve to talk to the girl that had stolen his heart six years ago, during her first violent encounter with Earth. And he was even gladder that their life, their enemies hadn't used it against them. He felt relieved and free all at once. Even now, a glance from her could increase his heartbeat to near maddening levels. Finally, Robin was happy.

Smirking, he watched Beast Boy, in ratty jeans and a yellow t-shirt grab Star from behind as Cy held a piece of double chocolate cake to her face with deep dark chocolate frosting. He pushed it forward, getting just her nose into the confection, a dark spot on her bright face. She giggled and the various other superheroes, Speedy, Aqualad, Bee, Kid Flash and Mos and Mena among others, in normal clothing all turned to laugh and jeer. Some even clapped when Star's eyes burned green and Cy with BB behind him, fled from the alien princess.

He felt a sense of comfort fill him. Finally after years of turmoil, years of battles and being kicked back three steps for every step forward, he and his friends were where they wanted to be. They were happy and together and felt pride at knowing they had all worked for it. He was ecstatic that they had earned and achieved their goals and were all happy. They had saved the Earth – three times now – and finally were being rewarded for their troubles. Robin couldn't have been happier for himself and his team.

Then stilling himself, he felt another presence step next to him. It was like a cool cocoon of peace that filled him with the scent of lavender and chamomile tea. Raven. His mind fizzled slightly as the link tried to patch them together but lately Raven had been keeping it closed. It was disheartening to Robin, but as a good friend and experienced leader he prided himself on knowing her moods and her privacy. If she didn't want him in her mind, then he wouldn't force it. But it left him feeling hollow and slightly empty without the comforting touch of her mind with his. He didn't realize it until then, how much he depended on the link and her to keep him grounded.

"Enjoying yourself?" She asked in her normal gritty voice, her head coming to reach the top of his shoulder barely. It felt like overnight all the team had grown. Robin was taller, dwarfing Beast Boy in height and muscle.

Cyborg was still much larger due to his metal enhancements but BB had begun to sport lean and developed muscles even if his height had only slightly increased. He was trying to grow out a small patch of hair on his chin as a goatee.

He glanced to his left and smirked down at his friend. Raven was no different. Her height had only grown by an inch or two, being the shortest of the group now. But Robin would be blind if he ignored how she had grown into a mature woman. Her lips were full; her eyes were deeper and more soulful since her final battle with her father, and her curves were barely contained behind her uniform. She had a long, dancer's body, with wide hips, a flat stomach and elegant collar bone Now, in a stylish black dress, with a high front and a wide open black that cut dangerously low, she looked regal and incredibly beautiful in a very classy fashion.

He was more than happy to see her finally expressing herself, out of the shell she had constructed since she had been a young child. But she was still sharp tongued and witty. He was glad to see that hadn't changed in his friend.

"I am." He nodded toward the general direction of everyone. "We've been attack free for four months. No real trouble since Tokyo. Everyone's having a good time. And," he nudged her gently, ruffling the arms that were bare and crossed over the conservative front of her chest. She didn't adorn herself in jewelry like Bumblebee with large dangling golden hoops that reminded everyone of the sun and a short golden dress that off set her dark skin nicely; Bee was ostentatious and Star was model worthy. Raven only wore two simple silver rings, one on each hand, a striking and simple look. "Someone decided to join us and dress up."

She quirked an eyebrow, her lips turning up slightly as if trying to hide a smile. He liked knowing her emotions were more pronounced but it would be an even longer time until she would feel comfortable enough to express herself so openly. Robin hoped that day was soon. Raven, out of all of them, deserved happiness the most.

"Unlike some people," she quipped pointedly staring at Beast Boy and Robin chuckled under his breath. The group was now gathering around the presents and Raven sighed. They could both see the gleam in BB's eyes and hear the excited chat between the twins. "Looks like its present time for the birthday boy."

"I hate this part," Robin groaned setting the cup of punch down. They might have all recently turned the legal age of drinking – minus Beast Boy who had a few months longer to go – but they had decided as protectors of a city, drinking with the possibility of a threat right around the corner was not a smart move. Even if, Speedy voiced his disappointment loudly. "Beast Boy turns into a kid on crack when he's presented new things to touch and break. Especially if they're not for him."

Raven snorted delicately as she followed Robin to the large group. They could see Beast Boy humming with excited energy, trying in vain to wait for Robin to walk over to the massive pile. They could see Aqualad slapping his hands away from a blue wrapped gift with silver ribbons – given from Cyborg. Robin was just about to yell out something to the jokester when Raven tugged him back tightly. He faced her, eyebrow raised as she slowly released his hand. Raven pushed a darkly wrapped gift into his vacate hands, face dusting prettily in pink.

She looked nervous and unsure and she bit at lip in anxiousness. Robin couldn't help but smile at the cute pixie look on her pale face. "I don't do crowds," she whispered, nodding toward the restless group behind them. None of them paid attention to the two birds talking as Cy began laughing at a joke from Kid Flash. Beast Boy shouted something akin to "hurry up!" and there were a chorus of agreement. "But I wanted you to have something for your birthday nonetheless. Please take it and open it later tonight. I need to depart and mediate before everyone's emotions get to me."

Robin opened his mouth to argue – Raven barely needed to mediate any longer to control emotions. It was a generally known fact. Yet he knew her impulse to hide was strong; especially when everyone around her was feeling too much and it could be suffocating to the shorter woman. Before him she turned into a dark shadow and flew through the air toward the roof, black and white lights meshing with the grey tiling. Robin looked down at the gift and scratched the back of his head in confusion.

He was just about to follow her – because something was seriously wrong with the woman, he could just tell, even if she liked to think she was like ice - when a strong yet gentle hand gripped his shoulder. He turned to stare into the most beautiful set of emeralds he had ever known. Starfire smiled shyly, lips thin and painted a deep ruby color that set against her skin perfectly.

Sporadically Robin thought of Raven and the lack of make up on her visage.

"Are you alright?" Star asked voice low and sweet. The music was tolerable and his friends' laughs were loud, but her voice was the only thing he heard. It was like light chimes in the wind of a bright summer day. Robin couldn't help but smile, his heart warming under her stare. He could feel the courses of admiration and sweet young love run through him.

Clasping her hands into his harder, rougher ones, he smiled kindly. "Never better. Let's open those presents before BB has a fit."

"Finally!" Beast Boy shrieked and Cyborg knocked him to the ground with one swift hit. The group chuckled in amusement.

Robin placed the gift on to the kitchen counter, the black paper dotted with brighter spots of purple glowing under the soft lights. It wouldn't be until late that night, when Star and BB were asleep on the couches with various streamers covering them, and Cyborg resting on top of the kitchen table with a plate of cake on his chest would Robin remember the present from Raven. Most of his friends had left, all at their own times, sleepy but smiling and congratulating him once more.

He, himself was groggy from the late hour but intent to know what she had deemed worthy enough to give him. Raven didn't give anything unless she thought it would be perfect for the host.

Carefully, he grabbed the gift and padded softly to his room, passing Raven's closed door in the process. He couldn't hear a sound from behind it but it was unlikely she would still be on the roof mediating. It was nearing two in the morning and the last of the guests had finally left for the evening, shouts and yawns following them. Raven would be in her room, not necessarily sleeping, but most likely reading one of her own books. She rarely slept, and when she did, it wasn't for long.

Robin entered the code into his door, stepping into the silent blackness, his room floor slightly disorganized in his haste to hurry for the party. Kicking a pair of steel toed boots aside, he sat down on his unmade bed, ripping the wrapping almost reverently from the present. He seemed sadden to mark the paper that had been evidently creased and cut with such precision for the gift.

It would be a very Raven – like thing to do when wrapping a special gift that she had deemed appropriate. Everything was precise, everything was cut to fit perfectly. It was just how she was.

Eventually he peeled enough away to look at the top of a hard covered book. It was plain, a simple color of plum with gold drippings marked along the edges of the parchment paper. The book was expensive, the care great and complicatedly endearing. It was old, the smell of dust and paper comforting to Robin; it reminded him of Bruce's study and of Raven's cape. Smiling slightly at the irony – Raven gave him a book for his birthday – he flipped to the first title page. Elegant scrollwork above showed that it was a play written by William Shakespeare and below in finer script was "A Midsummer Night's Dream."

"Huh," Robin murmured, perplexed but enjoying the feeling of the sturdy book in his hands. He had a small private collection in his room, but not nearly enough time to read when he had training, a city to defend, a team to keep together and now a girlfriend to attend to. But the feel of the book was a comfort in his hands and he almost felt like beginning to read, even at the late hour.

When he had been a kid, staying with Bruce, he would stay up late just like he was, reading curled into a chair in his study. It made him smile fondly, remembering the crackling fire, the curious looks of Alfred and the knowing and sturdy presence of Bruce in the corner. Of course Raven would know this – she had been inside his mind, and he knew she purposefully gave him this object to invoke the feelings of home.

Without thought he turned it upside down and shook it. Knowing Raven, she wrote something to him. A piece of pale purple paper fell out, with small curls of soft writing catching his eyes. Raven's handwriting; soft, delicate but firm.

He sighed reading the note out loud in his small room. "Richard, Happy Birthday." Here he raised another eyebrow, curious as to why she was using his real name. He was sure she was the only one who knew it. He'd have to share that fact with Star soon, and deep down he wasn't looking forward to it. It was another secret he would have to part with; one he had freely given to Raven when they made their bond. "This book is from my personal collection. Bruce said it would fit for you. Please take care of it for me, as it is one of my favorites of Shakespeare. Raven," and Robin scratched his head in thought.

She had gone to Bruce for help in picking out a present for him?

Robin felt himself smile in pleasant fondness and rose to go to her room. He wanted to say thank you, to express his gratitude for such a carefully obtained gift from such a good friend. He had never had someone put as much thought into a present before and it struck him in the heart.

Raven was coming around. She was becoming one of them, totally. And he didn't want her going through the night, or tomorrow even, without knowing how much it made him feel that she had chosen to care for him. If she cared for one, showing it when she wanted to, she cared for all of them. And that meant her emotions were there, being felt, being lived. It meant she was ok. It meant Raven was finally being the Raven he knew she could be. He felt almost proud.

And something in him felt relieved knowing that. They didn't talk as much anymore since Tokyo and the bond was dormant. Maybe this was her way of expressing herself, working on her social manners without the need of a psychic link? It would explain a lot. It would explain her distance. It would explain her off-handed remarks, the closed expressions she sometimes gave. Robin had worried for her, but perhaps she really was doing alright, by evidence of her carefully thought out present? He couldn't wait to see what she got Cy.

The door swung open and Robin looked up into startling eyes of green.

"Robin," Star whispered, hands wringing in front of her. He saw the hesitation in her eyes but also the coy stance, the slight turn of her torso. She was out of her red dress, but in a pair of matching peach camisole and shorts with delicate white lace ruffling along the edges. His mouth dried. "May I enter?"

The book fell to the wayside, landing on the spine as Star lifted one hand to trace his jaw. She smelled like sweet pea and dark vanilla. It was captivating. Slowly she walked into his room, the hand at his jaw drifting lightly along his neck, to the front of his red t-shirt. Robin had to remember to breathe when Star leaned down just enough to brush her lips against his own.

"I do not have a present in which can be wrapped with tissue paper, Robin." She blinked unhurriedly and it made heat rise up to Robin's cheeks and neck. He was sure he looked like a tomato. "But there is something I wish to share with you."

His tongue was stuck to roof of his mouth. He had to fight the urge to laugh or cry – he wasn't quite sure which one he wanted to do at the moment. All he could concentrate on was Starfire's eyes. "Are you sure?" Was he even sure?

"I am sure. This is a moment in your world that is held in highest regard. And I want to share this with you." Her eyes became glossy and Robin couldn't help himself any longer. He crashed his lips into hers', roughly pulling her toward him. He felt her tense and had to force himself to be patient; to reign in the hungry beast that had wanted it – wanting this – for years.

Softly he kissed her, licking her lips to grant him entrance into her mouth. When she allowed him, she moaned and Robin almost fell apart. Instead, he kept his head calm, and slowly pulled back. Glancing once more for her allowance he closed the metal door, locking it with an extra security code and yanked her deeper inside his room.

That night, Robin saw stars.

The next morning, Robin awoke in his unmade bed, sheets tumbling to the floor as various pieces of clothing littered the carpeted floor below. A sleeping, redheaded woman softly cooed next to him, murmuring into his neck as the soft touch of her eyelashes fluttered on his skin. And across the way, he glanced toward the door where the fragile book Raven had given him, had been trampled in their passionate entanglement.

And it struck Robin as if he had been slapped in his early morning haze. Guilt caught him like a tidal wave and momentarily he couldn't breathe. Had he done that – had he been that uncaring, that involved in Star's arrival to at least put the book down carefully? Raven would kill him. His mind whirled, his stomach twisted… Until Star cuddled closer to his side and his mind went from the book to last night's events, and everything was forgotten as tired comforting sleep claimed him once again.

It didn't last long before the red blinking light overhead began to go off followed by a loud, annoying buzzing. Both Star and he jumped into the air, looking from each other to the red light. They had almost forgotten what it had sounded like.

Neither of them could even think to be embarrassed about their less than covered bodies, after a night of building passion that they had shared. Star quickly changed into her pajamas from the night prior, and Robin followed, throwing on a pair of jeans that had lain on his floor.

Together they entered the main control area, the other three Titans standing at attention, Raven to the side, arms crossed as Cy worked at the console and BB leaned against the back of the green sectional.

Raven's dark eyes found Robin's, scouring over his face and bare chest and then took in Star's appearance. He walked closer; feeling the guilt at the mistreatment of her gift in favor of Star's and felt the need to be near her. Something about her compelled him to move closer, to comfort her; didn't he just think maybe last night, she was doing okay? It wasn't like she looked upset or even anything at all – she looked cool, detached. There wasn't any cause for alarm – except he knew better. As he got closer, ready to put his hand on her shoulder because he just knew something was off, she turned away and walked closer to Cyborg, sitting at the console.

Her indifference rubbed him the wrong way.

"What do we have?" Robin asked, eyes trained on Raven's form, ignoring the pang her brush off had caused him. She was in her sleep outfit, a tight sleep shirt, buttoned down in the front, her soft locks just touching her shoulders in soft tangles with a pair of purple sock on her pale feet. Star walked up beside him, holding his hands tightly and securely.

He glanced to her, smiled softly and squeezed back. He tried to push away his concern for Raven, because even if he could tell something wasn't right with her, he didn't know what. And the city needed him more, than a hunch his friend was hurting.

"Not sure yet. But it's big."

"It's over the ocean," Raven replied gruffly. Robin reached out with his link to decipher her emotions at the frostiness of her tone, but only got a closed door on her end. What was her problem? Robin already felt like an ass for dropping her book – something he knew she treasured – on to the floor when Star presented herself. Why was she giving him the cold shoulder? It's not like she knew about the book. She couldn't have if she kept the link closed.

"And it's growing," Beast Boy commented, looking out the front windows. He was still wearing his clothes from the night before, his hair disoriented on his skull.

All five Titans looked out across the way – a giant grey storm was growing. But it wasn't a hurricane or an act of nature; they had sensors for that, for emergency purposes in order to vacate and help their citizens. It was growing from the sea, rising higher and higher as lightening and dark angry winds cut into the water. Robin glanced to his friends, seeing their eyes laying heavily on him. He was the leader, and it had been a long four months without any action, but they were ready.

He didn't look long at Raven, confused by her treatment and his want to comfort her and nodded once to them as a group. "Suit up Titans. We have a battle on our hands."

Though it was something dangerous, something that could hurt any of them, Beast Boy laughed, pumping his fist into the air. "Alright! About time!" And he took off as a cheetah toward his bedroom at blinding speeds. The team shook their heads collectively as they followed, not as excited as their teammate but just as ready.

Robin was hanging on to Star's hands as they flew closer to the storm, watching as the clouds, the winds, the churning seas seemed to part as they neared. He noticed that coming from the ocean was not just a simple storm, but a structure of steel, and iron that rose up from the murky depths of the bay. He glanced to his left, Beast Boy flying as an eagle, and to his right, Raven floating along, her hands glowing in dark matter.

Cyborg was below them, using their ship to get closer to the thing that dared to enter their area; it would be needed in case the fight turned deadly.

"What is that?" Star asked, voice carrying along the four teens. They all held communicators attached to their ears to keep in contact should anything happen.

Cyborg responded, drifting along the waves. "Not sure. But it's pumping out massive amounts of energy. It's doing something to the atmosphere."

"Like changing it?" Beast Boy asked, quickly morphing as Raven gripped him in her dark magic. He looked down at Cy, a small speck in the dark cloudy ocean. Raven continued to haul them closer, into the folds of the tempest.

"Exactly. Its spring, it should be getting warmer. But it's changing the tides, changing the cloud patterns. It's like it's giving us a global freeze instead of a warmth."

"Why would someone want to do this to the city?" Star asked, flinging Robin to land on the perch of the giant structure's wide and heavy metal fence. He was crouched into a defensive position, bo staff in front of him at the ready.

"In order to control it," Raven replied, letting Beast Boy drop beside their leader.

"It's the only answer I can think of," Cy agreed, sounds of metal gears whirling behind him. "If someone controls the weather, they control the people that depend on it. It's genius."

"And costly. Cy-" Robin began but Cyborg cut him off quickly.

"Diving below to scout it out for a possible weakness or power source. On it."

Beast Boy snorted as he and Rae began to take the left. The automatically paired up, knowing well that the two lovers would want to be together. Raven floated into the air as Beast Boy shifted into a lion. They shared a silent communication, a look of understanding – one that Robin hadn't noticed until now that they could do – and began to move to the metal doors leading down below.

"Wait," Robin called out. The Titans looked at him and he gestured to Star. "Star go with BB, Raven with me. We'll take the lower decks and these two will take the sky and the top sea levels. I'll need you to help Cy look for a weakness. Rae and I will look for the person behind this."

Raven halted and caught eyes with Star; she gave a friendly, reassuring smile but Raven didn't return it. It was almost like she was asking permission – Robin briefly wondered about the exchange but held back from saying anything.

BB ran over to Star at his leader's order. He made a quip that had Star laughing as they both soared into the air, high above, the rain clouds and massive lightening overhead hiding their figures from sight. It left Robin and Raven alone, standing in the gale, drenched.

He smiled at her, but Raven turned on her heel, leading the way to a metal door, keeping her eyes from his covered ones. Using her powers, she yanked it from the hinges and tossed it into the ocean with a bit more force than normal. There was a deafening splash as it connected with the waves below.

Robin stepped ahead, and turned his flashlight on, as Raven held up her hands, an orb of her glowing magic floating between her lean palms; it illuminated the entire stairwell. Glancing around they saw the metal walls, and the grated stairs that went down into pitch dark blackness. The only choice for them was to go deeper into the folds, and away from their teammates help.

Robin had known this was the case. He also knew, he and Raven were the best equipped to fight in such tight, small corridors. Starfire's bolts would only bounce on the metal, or bring it down on them. Beast boy wouldn't be able to shift into anything worthy to help the battle, anything that could do serious damage that would also damage the corridor, and possibly injure them in the process. Raven's magic was controllable and she could wield it better in the space and he was flexible enough to fight easily down there. He had chosen well.

He also wouldn't admit too loudly, but he wanted Raven with him. Just to keep an eye on her. He didn't think BB could do as well as a job as he could. But he didn't let the thought stay long.

"So," he began lamely, peering over the edge of the railing.

Raven stopped walking beside him, coming to the top of the stairs. She glared, but it didn't hold any malice, just annoyance and a bit of ire. Her leotard and cape were soaked and her hair hung in tangled heaps, plastered against her ashen face. She looked battle weary but alert. "What?"

"Nothing," he said quickly. Too quickly. Raven narrowed her eyes but didn't say anything, taking the lead to head into the darkened stairs.

They went down three flights before they heard Cyborg break over the line. "Guys," he said to no in particular. "You won't believe what's powering this. Or who."

"Report, Cyborg." Robin demanded, keeping eyes on Raven as she stopped to listen. "What's going on?"

"It's Aqualad!" They heard BB scream. "He's trapped underneath! They're using his powers to control and power the machine. He's in bad shape guys!"

"I will free him!" Star shouted. They could hear the humming of her powers.

"Wait!" Robin shouted, just as the lights in the stairwell switched on. His eyes were blinded and he heard a muttered curse from Raven. Then the clapping of metal feet. "Hold back. Regroup. We don't know what damage it will do to Aqualad if we pull him out without a plan."

"Good idea Robin."

Raven growled low in her throat as Robin looked to see her, body hunched, hands clenched into fists at her side. Slade bots, newer models, with bigger bodies and larger weapons surrounded them. Slade stood before them, mask replaced with a red cloth; one eye staring at them. "Slade," he muttered and he heard a collective gasp from the teammates not with him.

"We should've known someone that wanted to control people with the weather would only be someone like you." Raven said darkly. "An egotistical maniac. You should've stayed dead."

"You give me too much credit, Raven." He cooed, lifting her face by her sharp chin to look at her. "My, you've certainly grown up. No longer Daddy's little girl, all woman underneath that dark look and sultry voice." He stepped closer and Robin felt something hot wedge itself in his gut. Something entirely protective and angry wanted to lash out at the man for even thinking to touch Raven. "Tell me, are you as innocent as I remember Daddy Dearest thinking you were?"

Her eyes widened just slightly before she reacted; too quickly for Robin to do it himself, but her hands thrust in front of her, gripping the man into a pure black mass of energy, shoving him against the far metal wall. Her eyes were two pools of white, glowing with terrifying power that rippled in the small area.

Robin was half tempted to let her finish him off – once and for all. But his hand fell on to her shoulder, and he held her in a firm grasp. This power was strong and terrifying; and wholly new even to Robin. Was this what she had been dealing with lately? Was Raven experiencing a growth spurt much like Star had years ago? "Raven, let him go."

She growled and muttered a heavy curse in the small area. Slade chuckled as she dropped him to the ground, the Slade bots peering at them, but unmoving. "It seems she is much more controllable now, Robin. After your visit into Hell, it seems there was a bonding that I wasn't quite privileged to witness. You're grown much closer." He leaned forward, into Raven's space as Robin pushed to get in between them.

Raven could handle herself, especially with Slade. But Robin still felt the need to protect her. Even now. "I always wondered why you entered into Hell to retrieve the half breed daughter of the Devil."

"What do you want Slade?" Robin asked instead, gripping his bo staff until his knuckles were white under his gloves.

He smirked under the red cloth, and shrugged. "I needed to make an entrance. The underworld has been weak since my departure just a little over a year ago. I needed to… remind them of who I was. Of what we could do. Even with the Titans around."

"By disrupting weather patterns." Raven shook her head, eying the bots with barely contained disdain. "How the mighty have fallen."

"That and I wanted to see how my old friends were fairing," he shot Robin a look, but kept his eyes on the empath. "After Daddy's fall, and the world returned to normal, I was lost without you two, to keep me company. How are you dear?" He lifted her chin again and she yanked away. "No longer controlled by darkness, living in the light? You could be so much more."

"Enough –" Robin interrupted, pushing against Slade. "You either come peacefully, or we'll take you in by force. The easy way or the hard way. You're still a wanted criminal."

"Please say you want the hard way," Raven mumbled. Her hands glowed in dark magic, her ire swirling around her.

Slade froze, and then stood straighter. He was barely intimidated by the young woman, even knowing what she could do. "Give it your best shot."

Then the stairwell exploded into darkness, with only the sound of crushing metal bodies attacking them.

It was like fighting in a blanket; everywhere Robin turned, there was a bot there, with bigger hands, harder steel toed boots, pummeling into his young agile body. He felt his ribs break, his head knocked against the wall, and in the thick of it, was Slade, watching like a male lion, waiting for his females to bring back the prize.

Robin lashed out as best he could, knocking most of the bots away. He was able to throw out a lightening disk, getting the area lit up and shock a few bots nearby when he heard it – a guttural scream echoing over the chorus of the battle.

He turned to his left just as Raven was gripped around the neck by Slade; his powerful hands so much larger than her pale, delicate limb and tossed her into the far wall. "You could be so much more! I've seen it with my own eyes. You could be everything – everything everyone fears. And yet you remain this – a Titan, pinning over nothing."

"Raven!" Robin shouted, just as the structure began to shake, Raven falling against the wall. Red dripped from her stomach and chin; she had a few hits from the battle that tore at her flesh. He tried coming closer, but the building moved, tilted, and the wall Raven had been leaning against, broke open into crumbing bits.

The remaining bots were tossed into the opposite wall, landing into metal heaps of distorted or broken pieces. Robin himself was shoved into the middle of them, Slade thrown against the stair railing with a loud gush of breath leaving his lungs. Good, he hoped it hurt. Then Robin watched as Raven fell into the ocean below. "No!"

He rushed to the side, watching as her small body fell into the angry waves, consumed by the fury of them. Torn between jumping and calling for help from his friends below, Robin caught an amazing sight; Aqualad soared from below him, a whirlwind of water holding him upright.

His inky black eyes were wide, his jaw was bruised, crusted in blood but set. Had it only been a few short hours ago that he had laughed at his party, had given him new tools to make underwater gear for his twenty first birthday? His friend was battered and bloody, but the seas responded to him, knelt to his command; he was terrifying and dominating.

"How dare you take me prisoner, to hurt those we sworn to protect," he said, voice echoing even as the winds increased and the storm howled on. Slade rose, and Robin heard his friends break out over the line.

"Robin, we're under attack down here. We freed Aqualad to help you deal with Slade, but we could use some help-" the transmission went static. Was that Cy?

Robin glanced from the criminal to his Titans East friend and nodded. His team needed him, and he knew Aqualad could handle Slade. The power that spun around them was awesome and breathtaking – Aqualad was finally realizing his powers, much like Star had. He would be able to hold Slade off until the rest of the Titans came together.

He jumped into the waves below, grabbing a quick underwater breather in his utility belt, and dove down deep below. He knew he had to watch out for Raven – how long had she been under and not break the surface? - and as the thought hit him, he saw the T-ship smoking, Star fending off dozens of bots and Beast Boy ripping the metal lines sparkling in energy off the building that had housed Aqualad.

"Do you have Raven?" Robin communicated.

The T-ship began to raise, sparks coming out as his two friends began to beat off the drones. "She's in here with me. We're in bad shape," Cy panted, gears and emergency noises erupting over the line. "She's unconscious. I'm almost out of energy. The ship is taking on water. We need to get out of here."

"Take the ship and head out," Robin commanded, throwing himself into the battle. He and Star began to fight as a team, defend and dodging with backs to each other as the laser hits from Slade's cronies pierced the ocean. Beast Boy shifted into a large whale and pushed the ship higher, faster, out of the water. "Head to the tower and start to repair yourself and get Raven to the med lab. We'll be right behind you."

Cyborg made an affirmative noise as they head off, flying into the air toward Titan's tower. He, with his two remaining teammates continued to fight, when the bots stopped coming. The last remaining ones, Star ripped into halves and Beast Boy crushed with his massive weight.

"What's happening?" She asked, throwing aside the metal pieces. "Why have they stopped their attack?"

"I don't have a good feeling about this," BB said, shifting back into his form. He swam quickly toward the surface, Robin and Starfire behind him.

As they broke the top, they watched as Slade held a tired and drained Aqualad by the throat, dangling over the edge into the ocean. The metal structure was falling apart, the energy it had been using to disrupt the atmosphere was broken by BB underwater, and it was breaking up. The seas were claiming it, taking it away into the deep navy waves underneath as a final act against the one who had tried to hurt a child of Atlantis. Raven had always said the people of Atlantis had a strong bond with the Ocean and the spirits of water; they looked to be fighting on Aqualad's side.

"Aqualad!" Beast Boy yelled, watching their friend struggle in the tight grasp. Slade shook him silently.

Their fellow Titan didn't respond. The structure groaned and wailed as the screws and nails that had held it together gave way under the pressure of the ocean. There was a sudden silence, the calm of impending destruction and then without warning, the whole arrangement gave way. It crumpled on top itself, both bodies falling back into the gaping hole on the iron wall, and plummeted into the murky depths with a loud roar of protest.

It was only luck Star thought quickly, grabbing Robin and BB and flew into the air; BB gapping down at the carnage. From the sky, they watched the white foam rise up and cover the building, watched as it descended and watched as not only a criminal escaped, but their friend perish along with it.

It had happened so quickly, so resolutely that the trio barely had time to blink before it was gone. Before there friend was gone.

"Is he…"

"He's not…" His friends asked, breathless. Robin hung from Star's side, body soaked and hair plastered to his skull. His eyes saw everything but his heart was in his throat.

They had just lost a friend. A close friend. And it was his fault for not reacting sooner.

His eyes burned and his throat was closing in on itself. Aqualad was gone. And because Slade had wanted to make a statement, to show them he wasn't gone, that he would always keep coming back. He had wanted something this time – it wasn't Robin, but he had a suspicion it was the dark empath that had accompanied him into the stairwell. He was fascinated by her now, and that alone made his stomach sour and bile rise up like the waves below them.

Thinking of Raven, his heart turned to panic. Aqualad was gone and his two other teammates were in trouble. They needed him. They needed all of them. "We need to get back," Robin finally said, hovering in the air. Star's grip was a distant comfort, but the cold in his veins wouldn't recede as he prayed – begged – Aqualad would pull up from below, and wave at them.

"Rob man," Beast Boy tried to say but his words faltered, also hanging along Star. They were lucky she was incredibly strong to support them both. Neither of them had the strength to think of hovering in the air. "We have to search for him."

He nodded, voice cracking. "We will. But we have two teammates seriously injured that need our attention. Once we know they're alright, we'll come out to search." His covered eyes locked on to BB' green ones. "I promise."

Together, Star flew them back to the tower, Beast Boy silent and sullen.

When they arrived back at the Tower, Star almost fainted from exhaustion; but BB held her upright as Robin jogged down to the med lab. He was greeted with a less than pleasant sight.

Raven was hovering over the medical table, a faint grey sparkling shield surrounding her as she healed, and Cyborg hooked up three machines, various images on the display behind him; one of his vitals, and others of his energy levels, which was a blaring red mark on the screen. His shoulder was hardly holding his cybernetic arm together by a few bare wires, sparks were flying around his cut circuits, and his other arm was bleeding on to the floor. His face was ashen and there was a bruise appearing along his temple. Robin didn't want to know what had happened while he was in the ship.

Quickly, Robin set to bandaging his friend, and began to input a few codes in the med lab. Overhead, long machines with hard grasps began to stitch Cy together. Robin waited on baited breath, watching the two arms fuse together, bright lights flashing into the darkened room. "Is it working?"

They had never had to rely on the machines to repair Cyborg before. He had never been put into such a situation. It was only a thought they had one night almost a year ago, to have another fully able component put their friend back together. Now, he hoped they had been right when creating the machine and programs in which to do it.

Cy nodded, face pale in the dim light. "It's working. But it's going to take some time." He gestured to Raven. "Go look her over. As soon as I got her in here, she started to go into a healing trance. But I'm not sure if it's working the way it should."

"Why's that?" The leader asked, turning to his friend. Her chest was eyelevel with him, barely rising with breath.

"Without her father's influence tainting her powers, there isn't someone watching out for her, to make sure she stays alive long enough to see the day of her birthday, and therefore portal status. This is all on Raven now. And I'm not exactly sure she can do it."

Robin gulped, hearing his two other friends coming down the hall. "What should I do?"

"Stay with her. Reach her through the link," he winced as a laser cut into a wire connecting to his nervous system. "If anyone can bring her back, it's you Rob. Just be with her." Cyborg refused to say why he would be the one to reach her. He had sworn to Raven he would hold her secret to the grave; and he wouldn't tell Robin any time soon because of his promise to the dark girl floating above the table.

For two straight days after the incident in the bay, Robin stayed by Raven's side.

Robin never left Raven's side, using everything in his power to pull her through the link. It never worked. Whatever Raven had done to the link, she alone could only undo. He wasn't able to feel her presence, hear her words, or sense her emotions. But he tried anyway.

He sent Beast Boy and Starfire out to search for Aqualad shortly after they returned to the tower. They spent the better part of the afternoon and late into the night searching for their fallen friend. By midnight, Starfire called off the search and had to drag an angry and mildly possessed Beast Boy from the scene, crying and sobbing; they had never lost a friend during a battle like that; with them unable to do anything to help. The feeling of uselessness was overwhelming.

Robin didn't want to think of how BB was handling it, considering he was still grieving over Terra. Robin's heart went out to his younger friend. His heart went out to all the Titans.

Two days later, Raven landed on to the soft medical bed that Cyborg had placed under her, and she opened her tired and weary eyes. Robin, who hadn't left, was still dressed in his uniform, his unmasked eyes staring at her in a mix of relief and astonishment.

"You stayed." She said quietly. Almost too quiet. Robin had to lean down to hear her.

"Of course I did." He gripped her hands in his ungloved ones. Her fingers were cold, numb in his warm palms. "I was hoping I could be a beacon to help you get back to us."

Her deep violet eyes narrowed in concentration and then looked out the door. He glanced, and saw Star leaning there, her brilliant lime eyes watering, arms crossed over her chest. She looked ready to tackle Raven into a large hug where she laid. "You did. But I would've found my way eventually."

She pulled from him and turned on to her side, presenting her back to him. "Send Cyborg in when you have a moment. I'm feeling better but I know he'd like to double check."

"Raven," he began but she shook her head silently. The link was still dead between them.

"I've suffer from extensive injuries. He should come to make sure I've repaired myself fully. Thank you."

Feeling oddly dejected, and cold inside, he stood up, face puzzled. "Whatever you need." He left with Starfire on his arm and moments later, Cy entered the room, hand falling on to his makeshift sister's shoulder.

"Robin seems upset."

Glancing up at him, she shrugged. "There is no reason for him to stay now that I'm awake."

"And no reason for him to be around you, that might hurt you too. Don't think I don't notice the distance between you two. It's as obvious as BB being green."

She glared slightly in annoyance at her friend. He pretended not to notice and dropped the subject. "Come on, sit up. You had a serious gash across your stomach that I need to make sure is completely healed. And then your head." Giving in without argument, Raven did as her friend instructed.

It was that night, after Raven awoke, when the entire two Titans' teams were together on Titans' Island, feet sinking into the waves of the bay. Bee stood beside Robin, facing the darkened water, the rest of the Titans surrounding them. Her brown eyes were dark, angry with unshed tears. Her feelings of sadness, pity and grief were suffocating.

Raven leaned against Beast Boy for support as her strength still hadn't returned, and Star flew above them, lighting the area with her starbolts. Speedy stood behind everyone, cast into a shadow, his copper locks glaring under the alien princess' light.

The two leaders had brought the entire division together, to honor Aqualad who had died only a few short days ago. No words were said, only a wealth of colors – all representing the Titans surrounding Aqualad's picture, was thrown into the crash waves. Star threw a bolt into the center of it, like a makeshift candle, and together they watched the wealth drift out into the dark sea. The only sound was the breaking of waves; and a few sniffling noses.

"He was a good guy. My best friend," Speedy said slowly, hands in his pockets. They weren't dressed in uniforms, or in masks; together, they mourned a friend. "A bit on the touchy, sensitive side. But a good guy." Mos and Menas chattered next to him in Spanish, seeming to agree.

"Speedy," Bumble Bee sighed, smiling sadly. She didn't have the heart to truly reprimand him. This was Speedy's way of grieving.

The archer shrugged. "It's true."

"We had a plaque made," Beast boy whispered, clearing his throat. His arm was resting soundly along Raven's small waist, her black shirt and dark jeans blending into the shadows around them. Robin didn't think they just quite match together. "Just like we did with T-" he stopped short and the oddest thing happened. Raven wrapped her arm around her friend's neck and patted his opposite shoulder.

It was awkward, but it was friendly and comforting to the young man. "We were going to place it right where we're standing."

Bee nodded, arms crossed over her chest, tight yellow shirt bright against her leather pants. "I think that's a nice gesture. He'd like it."

"As long as it didn't hurt any fish in the process." Cyborg snorted at Speedy's joke and it seemed to lighten the mood. All of them began to smile fondly, as they remembered their fallen comrade. Carefully, Cy picked up the large white marble stone – with Star's help because even he wasn't fully recovered – and placed it between Robin and Bumble Bee.

In the center was a copper plaque on the massive cube, decorated in fine script and heavy ivy etched into the border. It read simply: "To our comrade, who fell while protecting innocents. A great man, a worthy son of the seas, a steadfast friend and a valiant hero."

They stayed on the site for quite some time, and together the Titans watched the sunrise over the ocean.

AN: Long one! Told you, each one-shot is a story of their pasts. This one, we lost a dear friend, but realized Slade's not dead. And Robin's thinking his sights have moved from Robin to Raven… interesting?

What did we think? I think it's decently long, with enough details; but I didn't want to make it too drawn out. I wanted to tell the story, even if it was a bit of a filler chapter. It sets up the remaining pieces with everything that happens in here.

Another side note, please don't think Robin and Star sleeping together is just that. There's more involved that will be explored. And don't think Rob is being an ass for taking it as a present – Star is naïve and presented it that way. There are emotions attached and I'll discuss that in the next few installments since I need to for the story to pan out. Just have faith that everything has a reason.

In case anyone is wondering the first chapter happens only a short month after Trigon's appearance. So the final battles with the Brotherhood, haven't happened yet. I never put a mark on that, in the first chapter. Just so everyone knows the timeline.

Next chapter: With the death of Garth still fresh in his mind, Speedy starts to lose his grip on the world around him. He and Green Arrow lose their bond; he takes a case to infiltrate a ring of drug dealers in Steel City – and he succumbs to the allure of heroin. Raven, knowing full well the self hatred and dark path he is on, takes to healing Speedy, and their bond grows. Robin doesn't like how Raven begins to rely on the archer and not him.