Disclaimer: See Chapter One.
AN: Thank you for the reviews again – great comments. I love how you guys are keeping me on track and expressing interest in the stories evolving with our characters. It makes me feel amazing that you guys are getting into it.
And I apologize now for any errors. I'm sick – like can't stand, head feels fuzzy, shivering because you're too cold even though everyone else is telling you, you're hot… But I've been working on this for the better part of the month. I went out to California to visit friends, and still worked on this (lame, I know). So hopefully, it makes sense. I've had to cut out a few things that will be featured in the next chapter because it was just getting too long. It seems the chapters keep growing and the parts I originally wanted are getting elongated or pushed back.
Eh, c'est la vie.
Without further interruptions – enjoy!
Chapter 5
Tested Bonds
(Time Frame: Two months after Speedy begins rehab sessions, six months after Aqualad's death, almost a year since Tokyo, and almost three years since Trigon and Brother Blood battles).
Robin sat on the green sectional couch, the massive TV in front of him muted; it was only a tele-merical that held no interest to him. His tired blue eyes were trained on the window in front of him, watching the twinkling white stars intently. His body seemed relaxed, almost lethargic in the late hours of the Titan's Tower. But his ears were tuned into the tower around him.
It was late, well past midnight. The other Titans were in bed, or in their respective rooms, relaxing before sleeping. Cyborg was still working on advancing himself – he'd have to have a talk with him soon about exhaustion – the wear on the older Titan was as noticeable as the color of his cape. But for the most part he was settling into bed soon, finally his human side of reasoning winning against his machine side of endurance.
Even Beast Boy was sound asleep in his chambers, snoring to muted colorful television sitting on his dresser. With Raven's journey into helping Speedy – no one still had any idea about what occurred for the Archer except he needed to get out of there – Beast Boy's rage had lessen. Robin felt it was still there, and mostly directly at him, but it was more controllable. Beast Boy smiled more. He made funny – if not goofy – jokes again. He wasn't sure what made the young man turn over a new leaf; actually Robin knew it had to do with Bumble Bee and her team.
The dam had finally broken for the Titan's East. Their rage had turned into sadness with Speedy's return and Beast Boy had been privileged to witness them falling apart. And Robin was sure Beast Boy took that close to the heart and was forcefully pushing himself away from the pain and toward the light.
Robin couldn't blame him. Robin still laid Aqualad's death on his shoulders. He didn't know why he dove after Raven instead of helping Aqualad. He should've stayed. He should've known their friend, though experiencing a growth, was still too weak to defeat Slade alone. But Robin had been so worried for Raven – still the image of her lifeless body falling into the dark churning waves, her cape ripped from her mid back and fluttering in the wind gave him the sickest feeling in his stomach. But he couldn't have stopped himself if he wanted too; he should've known Cyborg would've caught the empath. Nothing had mattered more than making sure she was alive.
No one knew that was his ultimate reasoning for discarding Aqualad and flying after Raven, but Robin knew. He just chose to keep it to himself.
What if they deemed him not fit to lead? He couldn't have that. In fact, he wouldn't let himself get to that point. He made one mistake that cost him his friend, his teammate's life. He wouldn't ever make that mistake again. And it haunted him, daily.
Tuning back into the tower, Robin watched as the TV flickered to a new show, the lights dancing above him. He felt an itching sensation under his skin, making him want to jump with nervous energy. He knew why he felt that way. Everyone was where they should be. Except for one.
Raven wasn't home. It was the third night that week she was somewhere in the city, late into the night, without her communicator. She wasn't alone; and Robin wasn't sure if he liked the idea or detested it.
He adjusted his legs, placing them on the yellow coffee table in front of him. His dark sleep pants blended into the shadows and his chest was bare. He had fallen asleep abruptly after reviewing local cases from the police that he could give insight to and then awoke around eleven to find everyone where they should've been, except for Raven.
Now he sat up, waiting for his teammate. He couldn't explain why. Something twisted in his stomach as the minutes clicked by and she wasn't home. He briefly remembered the conversation with Star almost two months ago about his protectiveness of the young woman. She was still half demon, considered royalty by evil and the most powerful empath on Earth; there were no real threats coming her way that she wouldn't have handled well alone. But since her release from Trigon, and the changes going along with her, Robin felt like she needed the extra protection. He liked to think that was why he had dived for her in the ocean all those months ago; if it had been Star, would he have panicked the same way? Or would he have trusted Star being able to save herself?
Protective or not, Robin knew Raven; and with the recent changes, her temper striking out and then miraculously seeming to vanish over night, he wanted to watch her back. Because he was her friend, her leader, her confidante. And he wasn't too sure the man at her side that evening knew her, and could help her the same way.
The doors beneath the Tower, into the garage were a slight rumble in the night. Robin could hear the reviving of a motorcycle and the clanking of the door as they closed. He counted to fourteen as the elevator ascended before Raven appeared in the common room.
He glanced back, arm over the back of the couch to steady himself. Her hair was styled, short curls windswept by the ride were plastered to her pinked cheeks. Her black t-shirt was tight to her curves and the jean skirt was short; but the high black boots hid most of her leg from view. It was a very hip look, but kept the conservative woman covered and fashionable. It was a sight Robin wasn't used to seeing; pajamas, work out clothing, uniforms, sure. Date outfits, no.
She continued to the kitchen, but stopped in her tracks as she turned her kohl rimmed eyes toward him. She had sensed him a few seconds later than he has thought she would; her mind was elsewhere. Her purple eyes reflected the stars from outside and Robin felt his breath hitch just slightly.
What the hell was that?
"Robin?"
"Have fun?" He countered, standing to his full height. He moved closer to Raven, being drawn to her, standing over her like a predator to prey. "You were out late. Hope Speedy is taking good care of you."
Slowly, Raven backed away, the small of her back hitting the edge of the counter. She smelled like diesel, warm tea and hot spice – Speedy's cologne. That thing in Robin's belly turned dove deeper into him, making him move away from the woman. The smell didn't fit, it disgusted him. He felt like he was going to be sick.
"It was enjoyable." She replied quietly. Robin couldn't help but look at the dark goddess, seeing how the lights of the moon and stars highlighted her curves; she was lean, but womanly, so different than Star's slim model good looks. Raven was dark, haunting, sexy, beautiful…
Robin stopped, frozen solid.
She turned around, placing the kettle of already filled water – from Cyborg no doubt – on to the stove. The flicker of flame beneath was a contrast to her dark looks. "He took me for a ride on his motorcycle, and we had dinner as a small diner on the poorer side of Jump. It was…nice." Robin swore he saw her lips flicker into a small, pleased smile.
"In the poorer section, and it was nice?" He couldn't help the scoff. "Why is that?"
Her gaze caught his, and she raised an eyebrow. "It made me feel normal, Robin." She said it as if he should understand. And now that she said it, he did; he almost wanted to hit himself because he did get it. Raven's only dream in the world was to be normal. How could he have missed that?
"Just dinner and a ride?" He asked, ignoring his stupid mistake. He seemed he was making a lot of those with her. He moved further away, sitting on the barstool, arms on the counter. She turned her back to him, watching the kettle, hip cocked.
"Yes. Just dinner and a ride." Her voice had taken on a slight monotone and it hurt Robin some way. The dark woman had let warmth into her voice since becoming released from Trigon. At first it had been small, seemingly lost as her monotone had tried to take back control.
But ever since Speedy, it was coming out more and more. It made her voice sound raspy but feminine. Clear, smooth, like water in a stream under a full moon. Robin liked hearing it. Everyone did.
"That sounds…nice." The words were sour on his tongue. "I'm glad you had fun."
Raven glanced back at him, moving to lean over the counter. Her dark rimmed eyes caught his blue ones, probing him, staring at him as if he were an interesting case to be studied. He couldn't help glancing to her lips before she pulled back, shaking her head. "Why are you up? You're tired."
She didn't have to ask if he was tired, she just knew. Their link was just barely recognizable in Robin's mind. He missed the feeling of being connected to her, but in the recent weeks, Raven had closed the door tighter. He barely felt wisps of her anymore; he wondered if she could feel him, or if she just knew him that well to notice his exhaustion.
"You weren't home. I was waiting up." He shrugged, pulling back further. He glanced to the dancing images on the television screen. "But you're fine. So I'll let you get settled in and I'll see you in the morning."
He was half way to the door before Raven's voice drifted to him. It made him stop, to strain and listen to her soft words. "You don't need to protect me, Robin."
He felt her words, almost like a strike. Why did it hurt for her to say that?
"It's my job." The words were out of his mouth before he could stop them. He didn't mean for them to sound so stark, so cold. Perhaps he really was too tired, and he was just reading into things? Into his thoughts, his emotions, his mannerisms. He needed to rest. "Good night Raven."
The doors opening and closing behind him, seemed to echo.
Raven stood against the counter, hearing the tea kettle whisper but not reacting. Her heart thudded into her chest, painfully, as if it were going to explode from behind her breastbone. She placed a hand there, eyes closed, trying to still it.
It was only his job. Only his job to protect her. She wasn't anything more to Robin than a duty, a job, and an obligation. Her heart rattled and Raven took a deep calming breath as a fresh wave of pain vibrated under her skin.
It shouldn't have hurt. It really shouldn't have mattered to the young woman. Robin was her leader, her friend; his job was to care and protect his team. Raven was a part of that team. But deeper, inside that locked box of her emotions for her leader she had stowed away, she had wanted more than just that. She hadn't wanted to mean more than a job to the young man.
Carefully, Raven released the air in her lungs, and with it, the pain. Slowly, it relented, and she felt a sense of calm return to her. It was getting easier, much easier, to let go of her emotions concerning the masked man, but there were still moments she slipped up. Like now.
Pouring the hot water into the mug, Raven grasped the tea to her chest, savoring the burning warmth, to counteract the coldness in her body. Just as she was about to leave the common room, her communicator rang in her side pocket.
Speedy's smiling face greeted her, and something in Raven lightened. It seemed her mood always increased whenever Speedy was around her. She enjoyed his company and in fact looked forward to it. "Didn't I just leave you?" She taunted, her voice a distant rasp in the nighttime.
The man on the other line laughed loudly. "Yeah, but I was falling asleep on my way back to the East Coast." Raven could hear the clicking of knobs and levers in the Titan's East's airship as the archer prepared for takeoff. "I needed something pretty and with a wide vocabulary for insulting me to keep me awake."
Smirking, with thoughts and pains from earlier vanishing, Raven continued on to her room. "I think I can help with that."
The air was warm, muggy and stuck to his skin uncomfortably. It was late August, the last bit of summer heat beating the city mercilessly. But to Beast Boy it was another reminder of home; of the jungles, traveling with his family, the distant calls of animals in the night. The heat, the humidity, the scent of water on the air all reminded the young man of working in the ferns, with his parents and their voices.
It also reminded Beast Boy of the cure that would give him his talents. He never faulted his parents for saving him and changing him; Beast Boy loved being who he was! He loved being one with nature, with communicating with animals.
And it made him a hero. He helped people; he was different, and he could help people when they couldn't help themselves! There was nothing better!
Now as he sat outside the school, his head tucked under a borrowed baseball cap from Robin, and in street clothes Star had bought him for Christmas, being green and a shifter wasn't exactly cool. And, it wasn't really helping him keep a low profile, and it certainly wasn't helping him talk to a certain girl.
He waited like he always did – not like in stalker ways, but he did it regularly enough to know her schedule – as he watched a petite blonde walk off the stoop of the school. She was a freshman in college, taking a few courses in biology. Her big blue eyes were just as large as they had been as a child, and though she was still small, she had small curves to her athletic physique.
She wasn't model pretty like Star, or a sultry beauty like Raven had become, but she was a girl next door cute woman, with a loud laugh and a lot of scars she didn't know about. But he knew. And he wanted to get her to know them.
Beast Boy never approached Terra though; not since the day he first saw her and was so overcome with relief she had returned to them. Instead, he kept the secret, kept her appearance away from his teammates in order to give her the privacy she desperately needed.
Something had brought her back, but her memories were gone. And though Beast Boy wanted to show her everything she was missing, everything that she could do, show her his world again, he let her have her peace. Let her have the ignorance she was given as a reprieve. Because Beast Boy knew, that the Terra he knew, if she had returned with the knowledge of what she had done to the people that cared about her, the consequences of guilt would destroy her. He couldn't bear to bring that down on her shoulders now. Not with her so happy and carefree; being just another young adult.
So he let her live her life; unassuming, unknowing, that at one time she had been his friend, his first love and also his enemy that in the end had saved his life.
But he would always watch her.
Silently, she pasted him, as he looked at the concrete before him, the cap hiding his face and the outfit hiding his skin from view. She giggled at something a boy to her right said, he saw the way she blushed and flipped her hair over her shoulder. His stomach dropped and he turned away, unable to see his love flirt with another guy. It made him sick.
Carefully, he continued on in the opposite direction as her. He never followed her away from the school, he never tried to intervene with her life. He only watched; if not for her safety, for his peace of mind. He'd rather know that she was safe, than not, with his own eyes.
A few more twists. Screech… screech… screeeech…
Cyborg cocked his head. It had to fit in better. He picked up the hammer.
Bang, bang, bang…bang bang bang BANG!
Pulling back, he scanned the contraption, and nodded once. There we go…
Picking up a throw torch, he held it up, goggles fastening to his eyes to block the bright lights.
Just as he was about to touch the flame to metal, there was a knocking on his door. The large man stopped, stood up straighter and listened again. Was there a knocking? Or had he imagined it?
The seconds ticked by as the person on the other end knocked once more. Grumbling a few choice words under his breath, Cyborg turned to the door, flames off and away. He called out, "I'm kind of busy. Who is it?"
"Robin," the deep voice said on the other side.
Mentally cringing, Cyborg wiped his brow. When had Robin grown up? Was it really just a few months ago, that spiky hair punk kid he had met up with had become a man? It didn't seem real to the half machine. In fact, it was mind blowing to comprehend.
Glancing to the far wall where a singular calendar hung by a small picture, he saw it wasn't too long until Beast Boy's twenty first birthday and right after that it would be his'. Rubbing tired eyes, Cyborg sighed in the silence of his lab. He was going to be twenty four. Was it not that long ago, he was sixteen, on the streets, considered a half machine monster, with no way to letting out his anger and rage?
Now he was a hero; a genius in the field of robotics and travel, a member of the best crime fighting team to be ever created – especially starting off as just kids. They had saved the world – twice. Where had the time gone?
"Cy?" His leader questioned through the door. Snapping back into the present, Cyborg entered his code, his body blocking the door for Robin to look past his massive body.
"Hey Rob," Cy greeted, looking down at the man. He was almost six foot, and Cyborg dwarfed him and Beast Boy; that kid wasn't going to be much taller than five nine if that. "I'm in the middle of something-"
"Can we talk?" Robin interrupted. He wasn't dressed in his uniform; he wore light jeans and a simple white t-shirt though he was wearing sunglasses to shield his eyes and his steel toed boots. How no one ever discovered him when he was dressed as a "civilian", Cyborg didn't know.
Cocking his head, Cyborg rubbed his chin in thought. It wasn't the leader that had come to talk to him about his recent anti-social behavior – he had heard enough from Rae about that – nor was it the commander asking for his second in command's opinion about strategies. This was just a friend, coming to another friend for help.
Glancing back at the new limb he was creating, Cyborg rubbed the back of his neck in frustration. It would have to wait. Robin needed to talk and he rarely ever felt like opening up; Cy would be insane to turn down the chance to pick his brain. He nodded and waved his friend forward.
The young man didn't waste time and jumped into the half machine's room, finding a stool to perch on. Cyborg turned to look at him and held his tongue.
With Raven, all Cyborg had to do was say a few, truthful words, and she would open up to him. With Beast Boy, Cyborg only had to put on a distracting movie or game, and the changeling would open up. With Star, he only had to buy her flowers when she was down, or had something on her mind, and she would open up to him. With Robin? His leader needed silence and no questions.
"What do you think of Speedy?" He asked, looking at the far wall, arms crossed over his chest. "More specifically with Raven?"
Cyborg puffed out his cheeks, taking in the words, the tone of Robin's voice and the defensive posture he had adopted. Glancing skyward, Cy could only shake his head at the irony of the world.
His leader, Robin, was jealous of Speedy. It wasn't like he was in love with Raven. He was –
Human eye going wide, Cyborg mentally slapped himself. Oh this was just great. Robin was falling for Raven, after she had already pushed away and hidden her emotions for him; because she wanted him to be happy with Star. And that she was finding happiness with Speedy – at least Cy thought that's where they were headed – he was starting to develop feelings for her.
He shook his head. This was just too much.
Moving closer to Robin, he lowered himself on to a metal stool, looking at him seriously. He knew Robin didn't think he was in love with Raven. Cyborg would put money down that the masked man only thought he was being a good friend; for a human, not half of anything, nor stunted his entire life from feeling, Robin was the least observant about his own feelings than most.
"You're worried about her?" Cyborg asked instead, watching as Robin's face flickered with emotions. He couldn't place any of them.
"You know Speedy's reputation." He answered, ruffling his locks on top of his head. They were getting a little long for Cyborg's taste. "Raven's a smart girl, but inexperienced. Speedy might not know how to handle it and might do something to hurt her."
Cyborg wanted to call bullshit on his leader. He was just about to shout it out, to throw Robin and Raven in a closet, lock the door and throw away a key and pray they weren't thick enough to just say how they felt. It was the only reason behind everything. It was the only answer.
But his mind flashed to Star and Robin. And he knew maybe, things were a bit more complicated than they appeared.
"Speedy likes women." Cyborg commented, rubbing his chin, trying to keep from shaking his leader into the ground. Everyone knew about Speedy. He was a shameless flirt growing up, and only became worse the older he got. It was a common fact; Speedy liked girls. "But he's honorable."
Another true point. Speedy dated a lot, Speedy hooked up with women, but he never flaunted the details of his encounters; he was respectable, and kept his private information, private.
The fact everyone knew he liked women, was because Speedy tended to flaunt the different girls. Just not the details of what they did. That, he let others assume and make up their own stories.
"And Raven is a strong woman. She's inexperienced with emotions, but she's experienced more than most people know." Cyborg pointedly looked at Robin, but the stare was wasted on him. His leader was as thick as they came. Shrugging, Cyborg gestured with his hands. "It seems unlikely, but in the same breath, it doesn't really. Raven is new to emotions, and Speedy runs high on his. He understands, and Rae needs that right now. And they have a bond." Lowering his voice, Cyborg continued. "Whatever happened during that busting out of Speedy, made them close. I don't know details and frankly, I don't want them. But whatever happened made them close. You can't disregard that. And if something comes from it? Something comes from it."
Pouting, Robin tugged on his strands. "I didn't expect you to support the match."
"Never said I did," Cyborg smirked, bald head reflecting the florescent lights overhead. "And there isn't a match, yet. I also want my adopted sister happy. That girl deserves happiness. More than you know, Rob."
Glaring, as Cy knew he would, Robin furrowed his brows. He liked thinking he knew Raven better than anyone. "I know Rae deserves happiness. After her father, her childhood, her release, Slade, she deserves it more than anybody I know."
Cyborg let the fact that she was sacrificing her happiness for him and Star pass. This wasn't the time to throw that in his leader's face. If he had told him, would Robin still be as opposed to Rae finally moving on? "Then let her have it with Speedy, man."
"I'm worried."
"So am I." Cyborg countered. "But you just got to let things happen."
Warring with his words, and his thoughts, Robin slowly nodded, conceding to his friend. He didn't say anything else as he rose, stopping only by the door. Now his face wasn't of a confused young man, but of a worried leader. Cyborg felt his energy deplete.
"You really need to stop working as hard as you are Cy." He gestured to his body, the shining silver parts, glowing with blue wires underneath. His red eye was darker, glowing hotly in the room. "Aqualad's death wasn't on you. Just because you're half machine, and he died, doesn't mean you failed him."
Swallowing the lump in his throat, Cyborg glanced to the far wall. A picture of them, as just kids, sat there, staring at him. They were smiling, Raven scowling, in the bright summer day. It jolted him. "It's not just Aqualad, Rob. What if it was you? Or Rae? Or Star, or BB? What if I failed you guys?" He shook his head. "My machine parts are supposed to make me endure more, be stronger and faster. When that fails, what do I have left?"
Robin smirked, though his face was solemn. Something like a shared kinship passed between them. "Then you're just human Cy. You're Victor Stone. Just like I was only Richard when I saw Aqualad fall. I couldn't save him anymore than you could've. You at least saved Raven. All I did was abandon our friend to his death."
Cyborg could hear the guilt in Robin's voice. He could taste it on the back of his tongue. Finally, Cy understood Robin just a little bit more. Everyone forgot, but Robin was more human than any of them. And during that battle, Robin had thought and reacted like Richard – not a superhero, but a human. It calmed Cyborg, it gave him a new appreciate and understanding of his friend and leader.
It also made Cyborg want to make BB see – it was just a simple, bad judgment call. Even now the changeling still couldn't let go of Robin's part in Aqualad's passing. He'd have to have a talk with him. Robin shrugged again, hands fisting at his sides as he said: "At the end of the day, take away the masks, the machines, the tainted genes and alien physique, and we're all the same. We're just people. And sometimes, we can't do everything. No matter what our others halves are made of. Just remember that Vic."
The door shut softly behind him, Cyborg still staring at the picture. He had been so obsessed with making himself better, in order to not just counteract Aqualad's death, but to prevent losing his friends lives. He didn't want to fail them. He couldn't lose them, not like he lost Aqualad.
Or his mom.
But, Robin was right. At the end of the day, they were just people. Because when everything was removed, they were all mortals, doing work too large for anyone else to handle.
Turning to the limb, his new leg, Cyborg nodded. One last upgrade, and then this obsession would be done. He already upgraded all his weapons, all the wired and sensors of his machine parts. Now it was time to upgrade his human side; and the only way to do that was understanding.
Mistakes happened. And they all weren't perfect, they couldn't dwell on the past but move forward.
Picking up the torch, Cyborg fastened his goggled back to his eyes, mind made up.
Raven stood in front of Robin and Cyborg the following morning, a small black bag hanging from her delicate shoulder. Her purple locks were pulled back into a short ponytail and her black shirt was simple, tight and her jeans styled with rips and tears but dark. Robin racked his mind trying to remember when the empath had let her grow out or when she had taken so much interest in fashion albeit a small amount; quickly he dismissed the train of thought as Raven began to speak.
"I'm leaving."
"Excuse me?"
"What?" The two male Titans said in unison. Cyborg stood, his body finally transformed enough to be different with melding silver and blue wires and parts; but he was in the common room, during the daylight hours. His eyes weren't as tired and a giant sandwich sat by his elbow, beside the crime reports the two had been scanning.
It was a sight Raven hadn't seen in some time, and it made her internally smile.
"You can't leave," Cyborg said, fists hanging by his sides. "We just got this team back on the right track and by you-"
"Easy Victor," Raven drawled tiredly. She lifted the bag for a demonstration. "I'm heading to Star City with Roy. He needs to accomplish a few things and wants my help to do it."
"Accomplish a few things?" Robin asked, crossing his arms. Something twisted in his stomach and he had to fight to put on a face of emotionless. "Does this have to do with his meetings?"
"And by meetings, I'm sure we're referring to when Roy was broken out of the ring, right?" Cy concluded. Then he shook his head, hands up in the air. "Actually, never mind. I don't even want to know." He pointed a finger to the empath. "Do what you need to with Roy. But if you need help, call me."
It wasn't just a friend or teammate, or even a second in command telling Raven this; this was coming from her surrogate brother. He meant he would drive out at two in the morning to come to her aid on the East Coast, he would swim oceans in order to help her. This was devotion and loyalty and protectiveness. And it made Raven smile, her eyes lighting in gratitude.
"We're only going to handle a few personal things. We won't be Speedy and Raven; we'll be Roy Harper and Rachel Roth." She nodded, head tilted, face barely smiling. "But your dedication is noted. I'll call if I need assistance."
Her eyes fell to her leader, but she refused to look into his masked eyes. "Robin?"
Rubbing his chin, Robin shrugged. "It's been quiet. We have everyone else. And I know Roy needs it." He didn't mention how he didn't approve. It wasn't called for. "Take whatever time you need. Help him with this. And we'll see you back soon." That thing twisted again, painfully and Robin swallowed back the tar taste on the back of his tongue.
Cyborg watched him out of the corner of his eye. Mentally he was shaking his head at his leader but he was also immensely proud he didn't say anything to piss Rae off. It was a delicate balance.
"It shouldn't be long. Perhaps a week." Raven resisted the urge to bait Robin. He didn't care she was leaving, the relief should've been a welcomed joy. She had been debating for hours on how to break the news to her leader. The fact there was barely a fight, when in reality she had prepared for the worse, should've been a welcomed reprieve.
Instead, the dark woman felt empty and not a least bit numb. And she wasn't sure why.
The male Titans nodded. "We'll alert Green Arrow and Black Canary that you're coming," Robin said, picking up his communication device. He was completely oblivious to her emotions; the link was blocked off well and good. Thankfully, Raven said a small prayer to the Gods above.
Raising a hand quickly, black magic wrapping around him solidly, Raven halted her leader's actions.
"That won't be necessary. What we're doing involves them." Her dark eyes finally did look to Robin, then Cyborg in turn. She was strong, emotionless again. It felt good to the young woman to finally be in control – of her body, her emotions. "Don't call them."
"Understood," Cyborg responded, sitting down at the table, picking up his sandwich and taking a large bite soundly. He gestured to Robin to let the whole communication thing go. "Just be safe." He said around a mouth full of food.
"Always," was all their dark goddess said before she transformed into the shape she was named for, and teleported through the tower.
Star sat on her bed, her dangling red locks tangled from sleep over her shoulder in disarray; her pale pink sleep shirt was tight to her petite and long body. In her hand was a silver palm communicator, in the other, her stuffed panda. Her wide green eyes looked into the device, tears welling into them, but valiantly they didn't fall. Even though her entire world crumbled around her.
"Your parents are dead, Princess." Galfore said in their native tongue slowly, voice laced with pain. "It seems your sister holds no love for your parents. Or of your brother."
"They are dead? All of them?" Her voice was strong despite the tears dripping from her cheeks, leaving streaks on her flawless skin.
"We have learned Wildfire is not dead. But he is missing. We are trying to locate him."
"He was most likely sold as another treaty item to be used," she spat out, switching to English. Her mind flashed to the misdeeds her sister had done to her, behind her parents' backs. "My sister is vile and corrupt. What else has she done? Why has she killed my parents?"
"Blackfire is a dark soul," Galfore shook his head, green eyes hard and hurtful. "We believed she was changed before birth, sent to be a challenge to our people. Sent on us by our ancient misdeeds. Because of her, our King and Queen, your parents are gone. Your brother is not where he is needed, home. She seeks to gain control of the planet."
"She cannot!" Star shouted, slamming a glow green hand on to her bright pink bed. The scent of burning fabric wafted into the air. "She will ruin our home, she will enslave our people! She must be stopped."
"Princess," Galfore sighed, long copper locks hanging behind him. They had lost luster, turning grey almost over night. Star's heart hurt to see him like that. "We understand what she is doing. By law she is next in line to take the throne, and we cannot prove she poisoned the rulers. To assume and judge is suicide without evidence." Star nodded, wiping tears from her orange cheeks.
Her people believed in the good of their race. They were a just and kind people, honorable and brave. If one had wronged, there had to be evidence, to support their evil ways. If not, then to make accusations would result in the accuser being the evil one. It was how her people worked, and she understood it.
But she did not like it.
"The only way to stop her from taking the throne would be if another of the royal blood challenges her to a fight. Winner becomes the ruler."
"It has been done before." She nodded, running a shaking hand through her hair. "Though it has been some time, in my family, that the need has ever arose. Once we find Wildfire we can have him-"
"Princess," her nanny stressed. Star looked at him and felt more tears fall from her eyes. "Your parents were murdered. Your evil sister is trying to take control of your planet, of your people. Your brother is missing. You are the only hope this world has for peace." His eyes were sad, and he returned to their native tongue. "You must become Queen."
"I have a duty to my friends, to protect Earth –" Even as she tried to defend her choice, her new home to her nanny, it didn't sound resolute. She had sworn to protect Earth, but her home – her people – was in dire need of her. Something in her could not justify her claims, even as she tried to voice them.
"You have a duty to protect Tameran, little one. Do not let us fall into ruin because you love another world more than us." His face turned older, the longer he talked. Wrinkles were showing up in his forehead, around his mouth. "Or because you love someone else more than you love your people."
"I love my world. I love my people," she said heatedly, finally switching to her native tongue. The words were hard, rushed as she breathed. "I am of Tameran. I am a child of its sky and birthed from it's fertile lands. My sister cannot hurt our world like she will if she rules.
"But I am committed here. I must think on this turn of events. Your men will search for Wildfire?"
Galfore nodded, eyes hard. The lime green glazed over with pain. "We will not stop until we have located him. He is a Prince, he is another of my surrogate children I have cared for until adulthood. Losing him is almost as painful as losing your parents, or you, Princess."
"Good. You will not rest until you find my younger brother then," she cleared her throat looking off the screen, voice catching as she spoke. "And I must make a decision."
"Yes, Princess."
Her eyes wavered, her nose running as she looked back to her guardian. "I have not told my parents that I loved them, Galfore. They do not know that I care for them, or that I will miss them. Already I feel as if I am breaking apart-"
"Koriand'r," Galfore interrupted harshly. "You are a warrior. You are a hero in two worlds. You are a Princess of Tameran. This pain, do not let it consume you.
"Our race feels more strongly than most. Our emotions drive us, we know this. Do not let your sadness drive you into madness. Use your love for your mother and father give you comfort that they loved you in turn. Let your mind rest easy that they knew you loved them. And use your sadness, turn it into fury, and have vengeance for your family. Use your anger to help, not hurt.
"That is what you must do. You must find a way to continue even though you wish to fall apart, little one." He smiled, sadly. "Your parents were my friends, they were my family. I understand the pain in which you are suffering. But rise over it."
Starfire nodded, closing the communicator to her guardian and tossing it across her bed. Her heart throbbed in her chest and she curled up into her bed, hugging her panda closely. She felt her body rack with sobs, her tears drenching her pink sheets, and her cries muffled from them.
She felt as if she were falling apart. Her brother was missing. Her parents were killed. And her sister was trying to destroy her world. And she was grieving from her family, with no way of knowing how to help them.
It had only been such a short amount of time since they had lost Aqualad, since they had just recovered Speedy, and not long before they had rescued Raven from near death. Would life, would fate or the Gods as Raven often said, let her have a moment of peace? Was her life doomed to continual pain and sadness, hurt and loss? Death, destruction, and never succeeding in helping those that needed it?
Suddenly, Starfire felt very, very tired.
A knock on her door had the alien bolting up on her bed, hastily wiping her face and nose of all traces of her sobbing. "Who is it?" She called out, trying to keep her voice steady despite the fact all she wanted to do was cry and grieve for her family. Galfore had said to be strong, but how could she when her whole being hurt?
"Robin. I need to talk to you."
Standing and moving to the door, Star leaned against the wall, panda under her arm. "Robin it is very early and I have just awoken, and I am afraid I am not feeling well. Can it not wait?"
She begged her boyfriend woulds leave her be. She did not feel like explaining what had occurred to him. At the choices she now had to make,
"Sorry Star." His voice was muffled through the door. "I'll make you soup to help you feel better in a little bit. But it can't wait. It's quick. Can you please open the door?"
Sighing, the alien warrior dried her face one more time and fanned herself to cool the flush in her cheeks. She had seen it on television; she hoped it would work for her. Softly the door swooshed open, and Robin's handsome face greeted her. "That's better," he smiled, moving closer to her.
His lips were hot to the touch, and his fingers burned her cheeks where they cradled her head. Their kiss was chaste and quick, but the pickles that ran along her arms were enough to make her smile, small but surely. "I'm sorry you're not feeling well. Do aliens get colds?"
"I believe it is just being tired," she explained, letting him pull her into an embrace. His hands sat on her hips and she wrapped her arms around his neck. Tightly, she hugged him, feeling his support even as her feet felt as if they were on uneven ground. "What is it you wanted to tell me?"
"Raven's gone." He said lowly, face pressed into her hair. Star stiffened, but Robin shook his head. "She's heading to Star City with Roy to help him with a few personal things. She thinks it'll be a week, but we're not sure. We'll be short one person, so we're all going to be on high alert."
"Alright," she said, heart beating wildly in her chest. They were already going to lose one person, and now she had to decide to leave them in their time of need too?
But what of her people? Or her planet? Of her parents and brother?
"Did you want anything?" He asked, masked eyes falling to her eyes. "Tea? Medicine? Company?" His grin was wide and welcoming, but Star shook her head softly.
"No Robin, I must rest. If anything happens, do contact me. I may be sleeping."
Running a finger down her cheek, then over her lips, Robin nodded a small smirk on his full mouth. "You got it. Let me know if you need anything."
"I shall."
They shared one more soft kiss before he departed, and Star fell back against her door, heart crumpling into tiny bits. How was she to leave them? How was she going to do anything?
The options, decisions, plans and theories all weighed heavily on the young alien's shoulders and she felt them sag with the load.
Roy looked up at the grand white French double doors, the stark white matching the blinding white of the attached mansion. And promptly turned around, fist still raised high into the air, tail tucked firmly between his legs.
"Oh no," Raven said, grabbing him by the shoulders. Her nails bit into his skin but he barely felt it. "You dragged me out here; we're going to do this, archer."
Roy sighed, copper locks slicked to his skull with gel and wax that glinted under the dying sunlight in the distance. He was in a worn brown leather jacket, low slung jeans and a dark mustard colored shirt. He looked good – he felt good. He was strong, capable. A hero. He shook his head, nodding more or less to himself than the woman at his side.
She was right. He had to do this.
It had been a few months since he began his rehab sessions; he had worked his way through the steps much quicker than others had, his counselor had told him. He was stronger than most recovering junkies – his counselor didn't say junkie but that's what Roy was – and now he had to face his first task in finishing the program.
He had to tell his family about his addiction.
He'd rather chew off his left hand.
"Right," Roy mumbled, shaking his hands out into the air. His counselor had told him it was one thing to do it on your own, but he had to involve his family. They had to know what he was going through – for support but also for Roy to understand another side of his addiction.
He could do to it himself again. He could easily slip down that dark road again. He could shoot up, enjoy the intense feelings again; remember seeing his biological father's face, see Aqualad's again. But by telling his family, telling Ollie, would make it that much harder to slip. Because his surrogate dad, his mentor, wouldn't want him to slip. He'd want him to keep fighting. He'd want him to get better.
But the part that made Roy wish he didn't have to do this was, Ollie hated drugs.
Hated. With a burning passion. He was the biggest anti-drug person, vigilante or superhero out there. He detested them, he forbade Speedy from ever even looking at them when growing up. How was he supposed to tell his father, the man that raised him and took him under his wing, that he was a recovering junkie?
"Roy," Raven said behind him, her presence a beacon in the storm of his unease. "It'll be fine." She didn't make to touch him, offer physical support. But then again, Rae never needed to. She just had a way about her, which made Roy feel comfortable and safe. And he needed that right now. "You can do this."
"I can do this," he repeated, taking a deep breath for courage. He stepped up to the door, and knock, louder than he thought he was going to; the sounds echoed down the barren suburbs street. Ollie, unlike Bruce, hadn't wanted to live alone in a giant mansion, surrounded only by trees. Ollie was one of the people, his house was big and grand, but the street he resided on, held many houses like that.
Roy liked that about him.
Waiting for the door to open, Roy fingered the singular key in his pocket. He could let himself in; Ollie said it would always be his house. But the whole talk needed to start off on the right foot. Including, letting Gordon, Ollie's personal servant escort them into the house. Ollie would appreciate that; especially if he and his new bride Dinnah were in the middle of something the archer didn't want to see. The idea alone gave him the creeps.
The door swung open, and an older man, in his forties looked down at the young man and woman in front of him. His dark hair was clean cut, and his black suit was crisp in the twilight hours. Smiling wide, Roy held out his arms and said: "Hey Gordy, I'm home. Fetch the big man, will ya? We gotta talk."
Cyborg grinned as the pizza was placed in front of him. The cheese was melting, the pepperoni, the sausage, the thick green peppers – he had to have some vegetables on the pie right? – and large pieces of ham all stared back at him, steam rising into the night sky. He inhaled and sighed, mouth watering.
"Dude," BB said to his left, poking his shoulder. "Just gross."
"Pay attention to your own pizza, dork." He glared good naturally. He pointed to his pizza, an extra large, with extra cheese and stuffed crust. It smelled heavenly "And I'll worry about mine."
"But Cyborg, that is quite a bit of food," Star whispered, pointing to the thick crust. "You will be sick. And Raven is not here to heal your stomach."
Robin snorted, leaning back in his stool. The stars above twinkled, and the night air was heavy with blooming flowers and humidity. Though they were all dressed in uniform, Robin had wished maybe they had gone as civilians; his gloves were making his palms sweat uncomfortably. "Let him go Star. Cy'll learn his lesson when he's doubled over in the boy's bathroom again, wondering why he ever ate so much."
"Hey," the half machine pouted at his leader. "That was just one time. And I got food poisoning from under cooked meat."
"I think you didn't wait for it to be cooked before devouring it was the problem..." Beast Boy snickered, earning a hard look from Cyborg. Robin laughed, arms crossed over his chest.
"Whatever man," Robin waved off, just as the remaining pizzas were delivered. Beast boy got a tofu pizza – no cheese but with a cheese substitute, and he was sharing a baked chicken, sweet pineapple, black olives and honey baked ham with Star. She had wanted anchovies, but he had to have put his foot down somewhere. It was always just so hard telling her no.
Holding the mustard into her hand, Star stuck out her tongue debating on where to put the sauce. Blinking, she looked up at her friends, a moment of sadness crossing her face. Robin noticed it, but it was gone just as quickly as it appeared. She cleared her throat, settling the bottle. "I wish Raven were here to partake in the pizza sharing. She would always share our pizza."
"Yeah," Beast Boy commented, swallowing a large, burning bite of his pizza. He gulped down his soda, tongue hanging out like an overheated dog. "It's not the same without her. Where'd she and Speedy go off to?"
"Star City," Robin responded, pushing his slice around on the plate. Cyborg eyed him but wisely remained silent. "Speedy needs help and Rae offered to assist."
Beast Boy snorted, shaking his head, smirk on his young face. Cy elbowed him, eyes narrowed. "What was that look for?"
"Never took Speedy for the sultry type. Or Raven for the scoundrel type." At the rest of his teammates confused expressions, BB flailed his arms. There was no way everyone missed it! He was the dense one, not the rest of the team. "Seriously dude, Speedy and Raven totally have a thing, don't they? I just never saw it coming, is all I'm saying."
"Neither did I, BB." Robin muttered, chomping on to his pizza harshly. He kept his masked eyes turned toward the sky and ignored the twitch of something in his belly at the idea. Maybe he was getting sick – he hadn't been sick in years – and he needed Cy's professional opinion. He'd have to ask him later.
Cyborg promptly smacked BB across the back of his skull. "Shut up man." That only earned a howl of laughter from the youngest teammate.
"Uhm friends," Star hesitantly interrupted. Her eyes weren't on the three boys, but out on the street below them. A few people walked by, mostly younger crowds, enjoying their last few nights of summer. "Who does that person by the movie theatre remind you of? She has a striking resemblance to someone else we know."
The three boys looked over the edge, gripping the cemented sides for support. Beast Boy dropped back almost instantly as Robin and Cyborg took to staring at the group. There was nothing that caught their attention – at least right away. The group was of college kids, mostly freshman with a few older friends sprinkled into the group. The crowd was predominately females, all in fashionable shorts and sparkling tank tops. Most had dark hair.
One girl had long blonde hair.
And wide blue eyes.
With a signature twin yellow gloves on her hands – made to look like a fashion accessory, but in reality were rock climbing gloves. Made for someone that handled dirt and rocks frequently without fear of cutting their palms.
"Terra?" Robin whispered, astonished. His mouth was open wide, green gloved hands twisted at his side.
"But how-?" Cy rubbed his jaw, his face aging as if before their eyes. "I tried everything to bring her back, and nothing worked. How is she right there?"
"Are we sure it's her?" Beast Boy shook his head, Robin had no clue. "It could be someone that looks like her. The tabloids say she's back every week. It's never her.*"
"Friend Terra!" Starfire screamed, waving wildly from the pizza parlor. Both Robin and Cyborg tried to grab for her, Beast Boy hiding his head from the sudden realization she might see him; but the alien princess was too fast for the guys.
She zipped over the side, curtain of hair fanning out behind her like a satin red carpet. No one was quick enough to catch her until she landed and engulfed the young woman into a bone-crushing embrace. Beast Boy rubbed the bridge of his nose, shoulders drooping from defeat.
"Terra!"
Before either of them had a chance to jump down the wall – Cy grumbling "poor kid" – BB had already thought up 32 different responses for them finding Terra. 32 different excuses why he never told them about her. 32 different lies.
But then when Terra pulled back from Star's embrace of doom, as Beast Boy liked to think of it as, her blue eyes were cloudy with confusion; almost the same dull hint that was rimmed around her bottom lids. When did she start wearing make-up?
"Who are you? And why do you known my name?"
AN: There! I have to stop there, otherwise I'm going to continue it and won't have anything for the next chapter. Well, what do we think?
Next chapter: Rae and Roy have a sit down with Ollie, The Team tries to figure out if that's the real Terra, and a battle they never thought coming - begins.
Leave me a line! Happy holidays and happy New Year!
"It could be someone that looks like her. The tabloids say she's back every week. It's never her.*": This is actually a little nod to another one of my one pieces - Rumors, Truths and Lies. It's a snappy, fun read that has all these wild accusations about the Titans; with wildly insane photos posted in the tabloids. If you read it, you'll know why I mentioned it here. Check it out, you won't be disappointed. *End shameless plug here*