~HELLOOOOO FANFICTIONERS! So here's the latest on yours truly and the story as well as my other fanfics. I plan on continuing my other teen titans fanfiction Colder and Colder and if you have a better title please tell me! Also I plan on making another fanfiction for teen titans as well as other cartoons like adventure time. So if you like my writings check em out. I am sorry I don't update frequently but with school, drama, music, homework, and the sudden reason I have to get glasses makes life really hard to fit in internet time for fanfiction writing but the more reviews I get the faster the story's next chapter arrives! BTW I loved you guys' reviews they made me smile! ^^ Enjoy and remember to keep readin' my loves!~

It was mid winter and a biter cold that stings your nose. It was just like last year. The titans had no idea how old Robin was, but it was the second year of his disappearance. The boy was fifteen when he disappeared, being born on the first day of spring he turned sixteen rather soon, soon his birthday would arrive and he'd be seventeen. But on this day of last year Robin Boy Wonder went out for a ride on the R Cycle and never came back.

He just up and disappeared. Poof! Gone like the wind. Or was it gone with the wind? It was more than wind, it was a chill that whisked the exposed parts of your skin even when that harsh blow of sudden bitter freezing ice did more than a nip at your nose, which was more like an angry mauling, and it sent you diving for warmth by any means. Even if it meant snuggling close to a green skin changing to which the only reason you're even supposed to be with him is to keep an eye out for his so called friends so they stick with her master's plan. The plan was not to toy with his emotions. But the worst is what you did to his friend, your friend, no, he isn't your friend because you don't have the right to call him that after what you've done.

The memories returned for everyone. Like a painful black spot you get with bad headaches and your vision gets dull so you sit down for a while but it just gets worse. Suddenly your heart starts hurting, a harsh pounding and stabbing pain, a pit in your stomach opens for not the peaceful butterflies but the whirlwinds of the hurricane that just mated with a tornado. So a certain gothic girl tried meditating but it just never worked and the memories flooded inside her.

The entire episode arrived like a bad storm. A storm that might get your gears rusty, but there is no way you'd let the rest of the team know how badly you are hurting. So its best to act like it doesn't faze you. You only let the part of missing a friendship make a slight light through a dark cave of all the emotions your feeling.

Even though you're with her, you still miss your best friend. You can't help but think about your last words, how you said them in spite. How he was right, everything worked out, for you, while he just ended up dead or possibly worse.

Not knowing was the worst part. You're so depressed you can't even function properly. No longer able to fly. No longer able to cook foods no one will eat. You are no longer able to be you. Your soul is deteriorating; your slowly dying, and the pain won't stop.

For some, it is a neutral event. Yes, it would be nice to see the boy live his own life but why should you care. Your friend has already done the deed, why not just play along? True, it feels wrong, but remorse has never held you back before. Maybe if you stay quiet, shut up and color, all will eventually turn out okay. No. A boy's life has been taken away, forced on him, and ruined. You've been a part of it. Yet you still can't feel remorse. And when you don't pay attention, that voice reminds you that's the reason you hate you when you overthink too much.

It can be a victory. You completed your mission. Mostly, you've won. You don't feel regret. You don't feel sympathy. You just feel thrilled. You know you've won. Perhaps that is why you are so unsatisfied.

But for one it is unknowing. Everyone is quiet, even the city people, though you've never been outside during the day to know. All you know is everyone is quiet, they speak to you less than normal, and Terra has trouble looking at you right. It's like a sad holiday, a memorial, a memoir of some sort that no one lets you in on; a secret of a sort. A time when your memory was blank. You only know what Terra, Wintergreen, and your master were willing to tell you. You remember logic, you know how to fight,; you've just forgotten the sentimental parts of life including memory and who you are.

The titans, Slade, Wintergreen, Terra, and even Richard have a feeling this day. It is rather strange. The titans may have different opinions on what happened to Robin, but the remember him. They go to his grave and there they have a moment to remember. Then when they leave they hope to remember to try and forget. Its all black, and Richard never knew where Terra went off too. Well he did, but he wondered how it felt being there. A friend of hers dies by her own hand. She said she had to kill him, and only Wintergreen, Slade, Terra, and himself know she killed this boy. He died at fifteen.

She wears a black dress, a pretty one, but maybe it is supposed to make her look beautiful so that way even when everyone is crying, at lest her beauty is there to make them smile a little inside and slowly begin to heal the pain. Sadly she doesn't get this healing, for she doesn't know how beautiful she really is. And lord is she beautiful. Not the pretty people say to not hurt your feelings or that trashy sexy, no true beauty. A rare beautiful people just sit back breathless and think to themselves, wow.

Richard knew not of how long the even lasted, how the event occurred, how many or who would be there, or the name of the dead boy. He only knew what Terra had said to him just before she left for this event. The girl is walking to this event right now. She heard the wind blowing, howling against her ears. A sharp cry of agony awaits her. Her head begins to throb, the memories return. Even when she doesn't close her eyes the flashback comes, so she decides to close them anyway.

"What are you wearing?"

"It's a dress"

"Obviously. Why?"

"I'm going somewhere?"

"OOOOO" The boy said intrigued. "Is it with that boy?" He made sure to sound a little annoying, like a gossip girl.

"Yes, he'll be there."

"Where you going? And why wear all black? Add a little color! Try red." After a while he noticed the melancholy look in her eyes. Completely serious and very depressed. A sober state that seemed to even made himself sad. "Hey….what's wrong? I thought you'd be happy to be going to a party with your boyfriend."

"It isn't a party. And he's not my boyfriend." She said softly.

"It must not be for you to look like that, and you didn't even yell at me for calling that mystery dude of yours your boyfriend. So what is this shindig?"

"It's a memorial service, for a hero. "

"A memoir? For a hero? Who died?" Richard paused. "Why are you going again? I think I missed the part when you went completely insane! Helloooo, Terra? We're kinda in the hero killing business."

"Not this time. He was my friend before he died."

"A hero? You were actually friends with a-"

"I wasn't always Slade's apprentice. Back then, I thought I could be something different. But I was wrong. My mistake ended up killing my friend."

"How'd he die?"

"I killed him."

Silence. So that was the reason. A friend, a hero, and the murder of said hero friend by her own hands. Richard noticed Terra tensing up, her body was shaking. An odd sound escaped her lips. Like a sqeakish quiver.

"Terra? You okay?'

"If he only would've hated me. He'd still be here. Now I'm forced to go to his grave and sit there while everyone just asks why and I'm the reason, Richard. I'm the reason why he had to die! It's all my fault!"

She began to cry and Richard rushed to her side.

"Hey, hey, hey now. Shhhhhh." He held her as she wept in his chest. "It isn't you fault. Things like that just happen. I'm sure you did what you had to. And you know what? I bet it was the right thing." She wept harder. "I think the reason why he didn't hate was, well, because who can really hate you, Terra? Your smart, your pretty, your kind, gentle, and caring. You're the reason my world keeps truing. You're the reason I keep going. You're like my little sister but more. Terra, you're my best friend. I always be here for you, you know that, right? You're such a special person, Terra. Special to everyone. So I bet that's why he couldn't hate you. And who can blame him? So stop crying. You'll just make me cry and then we'll both be screwed." Terra looked up to see Richard smiling back at her. She stopped crying. He embraced her. "See. All better. I'm here for you, Terra." She closed her eyes. In that moment she couldn't hate herself, she just loved him. He was her rock, her best friend. He was a different love than Beast Boy, but he was still a big part of her life. So she wanted to be selfish. She wanted him to be there with her. Just before she pulled away to get ready he whispered one thing in her ear. "Forever and always."

As Terra opens her eyes she realizes that she and Beast Boy are already at the place where Robin was supposed to be buried. Now it was simply a grave marker without a body. In truth it was just a slab a stone. It was a form of closure. Closure meant letting go, but Terra knew what it really meant; it meant you quiet trying.

"So that was your friend?" Tara asked. It was weird stepping into one girl and then another. In her heart and mind she was Terra, to Richard and Slade she was Terra, to the rest of the world and especially the titans she was Tara, a simple school-girl.

"Yeah." Beast Boy said. Terra had never seen him more serious than the look he had right then. "That was my friend."

It was all quiet for a moment. One of those moments you feel like saying something but don't because it was probably stupid anyway and just let the person suffer in silence like you know they want to.

"It isn't fair. He's missing, not dead, at least not that we know of. But he isn't here. I can talk to this rock all day but it would only be a lie. I'd be talking to air. There isn't even a body under there. Just dirt. He isn't dirt. And even if he died he isn't there!" Tears began to fill BB's eyes. "I can't even apologize!"

"Apologize?"

BB sniffled. He wiped away the tears. "I lost my parents when I was young. Then I lost my girlfriend to this madman. She died saving us, saving me. She became a statue and I would visit her everyday. I'd talk to her. I knew she wasn't there but it helped. Then I meet you." He looked down at her and smiled. "You look just like her, Tara."

"She was Terra. So that's why you befriended me."

"Yeah." His smile faded. "Her statue disappeared and when I saw you I thought maybe she'd come back. It was the greatest feeling ever for a moment. Like someone you loved just came back form the dead. Then slowly I realized she was never coming back. The madman who killed her, the man who is responsible for all of this, he took her away from me. He tried doing the same to Robin. In a way, I guess he did. But after Terra was just gone I dunno. I lost it. My life at that moment, with everything that had happened, well I, I just couldn't take it. I had said things to Robin I really shouldn't have and then he just disappeared. I was so close to just going off the deep end. I almost lost myself in the darkness. Then I got to know you and…I feel like that hole inside me was healing."

He smiled at her and she found the courage to smile back. Terra tried to make herself understand she was the cause of his pain, but still because he was smiling she couldn't help but smile back. And as he held her in his arms she close her eyes and let herself feel relax and happy. She knew one day he'd find out everything. He'd hate her. His hate would be too much for her to bear and she'd die. Somehow it'd kill her. But right now, in this moment, she let the good feelings overtake her. She just hoped that moment wouldn't be soon. She wished she would stay like this forever. She prayed that perhaps Beast Boy would be the one to glue back her shattered remains. Yes, it was true. It was a selfish thought, but there's no harm in dreaming, right?

The Haunt…

Derek Black wasn't used to someone calling the shots. He was a simple thief who went by his own rules. He had grown up as an orphan. Alone in the streets he was raised only by his own rules.

Derek learned a lot about thieving from the streets. He became more than street smart. He was streetwise. When he heard about the goody-two-shoes Robin and the Red X incident he was more than intrigued.

He managed to use his talents to steal the Red X costume and then he meet the bird boy who wanted the suit back. After that X went on.

Now he stood in the haunt of the one called Slade. How long has it ben since that last Christmas Starfire told him Robin di…er…went missing? For a moment he was happy. The look in her eyes was a hopeful one filled with promise. Through her he saw a promising future. One without thieving, lies, betrayal, and hate. But it could never happen. Not after everything that's happened. Not with his past. Not with her future. It was too late to turn good, and too broken for one more mistake like that.

"X, I presume?" A girl with blonde hair and pretty blue eyes walked out from the shadows. Derek felt a flutter. Oh yeah, this'll be fun.

"Maybe. Depends on who is asking? And who might this lovely rose be?" He asked, trying to look cool and succeeding as far as any other girl would see. Derek was known for having a mysterious pull to him. Few people, people like the girl before him, were aware of this pull and were also ale to conjure it themselves as well as deflect any pull trying to suck them in.

"Careful, roses have thorns." She told him slowly making her way in front of him at a safe distance, of course.

X smiled, if it weren't for the mask he'd look a little decent with an innocent smile on his lips.

"No time for flirting. Strictly business here." A familiar voice said. X automatically felt defensive. He turned to see a boy probably around the same age as himself. An athletic build, spiky black hair, not as spiked as Robin's, speaking of Robin his voice….could it be? He couldn't be sure. After all their meetings were masquerades. They had a dance, a chat, and a face full of masks and lies to chew on while the spun each other in circles.

This boy couldn't be Robin. For one Robin was dead, right? Or cold he really be missing? But if he were, why stay in Jump? Besides the second reason is the true ringer. No way would Robin let anyone see his face. His mask covered his eyes. This boy had the most beautiful blue eyes he'd ever seen. It was like swimming in a sea of clear consciousness. He felt as if he cud tell this boy anything. He was his best friend. Suddenly the innocent stares and undisciplined smiles made Derek feel relaxed. Besides Robin can't smile anyway.

"I see you've welcomed our guest, Terra, Richard." A man said as he appeared form the shadows. X felt sudden chill that wasn't there before. The girl nodded.

"Yes, Master." The boy said.

Master? Creepy and kinda kinky if you asked X. No way he'd answer to any "master". He was his own master. Well, sure, maybe Lily kinda-sorta "wore the pants" in their "household" but Derek was the one who took care of her and plus he was never one to listen to anyone but Lily anyway. But this man had a certain command in his voice that Derek couldn't help but listen to and want to…no! This man did not control him! He couldn't go there! Not with Lily on the line. Do the job, get paid, save Lily, and burn the checklist and dance in its ashes.

"We have a manor of business to discuss, don't we, Mr. X?" The man Slade asked.

Derek looked at the girl Terra, who suddenly looked like her innocence had been swallowed and all she wanted was to dive in after it. A sad aura that made Derek feel defeated. Her looked at Richard. His childhood likeness went to a villainous smirk that gave off the feeling that even though he might regret it, it was going to be a fun ride. An addicting one at that. Once he started he wouldn't be able to stop…ever. But heck that is what a thief lives for. Why not? Derek then looked at Slade. He felt the pull drag him under, forcing him to dig a six foot pit. A test. Dig your own grave. If you fall in, if you can't get out, were not going to save you. If you manage to survive your pit will be filled with riches beyond imagining. He decided to take his chance with the grave riches. Derek's sly smile came through and although the mask covered his expression you somehow knew he was smirking. He looked directly at Slade and almost laughed in spite of himself.

Derek opened his mouth. He could walk away, he could turn it down. Or he could gamble. The only thing at stake? Everything. "Yes," he said. "I believe we do."

Titan Tower…

Cyborg stood alone in what used to the Teen Titan's living room. Now it was an empty space. Empty of people. It was just a room.

One fight was not unusual. It was never unusual, even with Robin. Just after he left the fights started hurting more and hitting home a little harder. Cy supposed it was just the last straw this time. Beast Boy was the first to vacate.

Beast Boy had become increasingly distant from the titans ever since Robin left. The titans knew it wasn't just because of Robin, but because of Terra and everything else they didn't know about.

After Beast Boy, Raven left. It was a surprise she wasn't the first to leave, but then again anyone leaving was a shock. So predictable but denial made you so blind that any surprise was a slap in the face.

Recently Star left. She used to talk to Cy, but then the conversations got shorter and the visits became farther apart and soon they rarely passed each other in their own home. Star got to the point she couldn't even look Cyborg in the eyes. One day she was just gone. Cy wasn't even sure when she'd left, but he just one day realized she was gone and she was never coming back, none of them were.

It was a few days he sat there on the couch, watching TV, all alone. Not knowing what he was watching, but he was just watching it. Then reality sunk in. All his friends were gone and he was acting like he didn't even care. He'd broken his promise to Robin and instead of getting off his metal rear he was sitting on a comfy couch when people in the city would very well be being attacked by a giant robot or whatever it was the titans used to fight.

The titans could very well be dead for all he knew. Just like Robin, he'd never know what happened. He even had a chance to save everything, several opportunities, and he let them slip through his fingers. Star was right there, with him, and he let her go. Raven stayed for a while, but he refused to try and save her from the swallowing darkness. BB was obviously going through an emotional tiff, but Cy never bothered to find out what it was. Robin wouldn't have done that. Leaders don't do that, at least not the good ones.

Robin would've found out what BB was going through and helped him, he would've saved Raven, and he being there would've been enough for Star. Cyborg wasn't Robin. In a way he was glad.

Robin also kept secrets; he kept close to the dark. He was a mystery, he was so much like Slade it was scary. Robin was often a good leader and a good friends but then again he wasn't.

Now he just up and disappeared. Slowly the titans faded as well. The city is going down, the criminal rate has gone up. The tower is looking old, Cy felt like crap, the world was graying….

God, what a mess.

If Robin were here he'd work until he fixed it or died. If only Robin were here. No. Cy had to fix things, by himself. He had to try. He owed it to Jump. He owed it to the titans. He owed it to Robin, but more importantly, he owed it to himself.

Cyborg rose up from the couch and discarded soda can pile, he looked out the window to see the sun rising and thought to himself one day I'll fix it. One day this will all be just one big nightmare. One day, one day, one day…..

Jump City Streets…

They were obviously drunk. No one in their right mind pisses on the side of the street. Both of them were totally wasted. They were hunched over, they couldn't walk in a straight line, and their speech was slurred and made no sense.

They were laughing, but it wasn't a good laugh. It was that kind of laugh you hear and take your child close and tell them to pay no mind to those people and that we're going somewhere else and walk off way faster than normal to the point the small child knows something is wrong but is either to frightened to ask or in their own way knows they shouldn't.

It wasn't the best part of town, but now days, a lot of the streets were like that, especially at night. She couldn't have picked a worse time to be there.

She walked by herself, in a place people never walk alone. No one walks alone anymore. No one doesn't lock their cars anymore, no one doesn't turn their alarms on anymore, no one leaves their windows unbarred anymore, no one talks to strangers anymore, no one goes out at night anymore, and no one ever walks by a bar at night all alone especially if that someone is a tiny, pretty young lady.

The girl's hair was dark, about to her shoulders, and she was in dark clothing. Her outfit was tight fitting and she wore a cloak but her legs were completely shown. Her cloak had looked as though it'd been through a lot. Her eyes had dark circles under them. She was beaten, sore, and tried. She was walking close to the wall, very close, in fact she was leaning on the bricks as she walked through the streets aimlessly. Lost, cold, beaten, tired, and pretty. Very pretty. She was, in a way, what most would call, sexy.

When your drunk , if your lucky, your reality is dulled. So it really doesn't matter who you "hook up with" because one you wont remember and two your drunk. But any sober man could see this girl was worth hooking up with, that made two drunks an even worse situation.

She stuck close to the wall and let the drunks be well drunk. Hopefully they wouldn't see her. She felt so weak. Even with her gift she didn't think she'd be able to fight back very long.

She stopped. She stood there silently still. She tried to even her breathing, make it slower and more of a whisper. Shakily and louder than she wanted her breathing continued.

She tried walking when she felt a rush of air rise in her throat. No, she thought, keep it in, keep it in, keep it-

Two wasted men heard a hash coughing from the wall. They looked to see a very sexy little figure right for the taking.

"Hey, beautiful." One of them said.

They began walking over to her, she lowered her head and leaned against the wall. She couldn't run, she'd hurt her ankle a few days ago. She would've healed it by now if it weren't for the fact she was starving. She was so weak, she hadn't slept in a while. Tow days, right? Since her last nap. Food? Dunno, maybe three days? Four? Last drink was whatever was left in that soda can that guy threw at her.

One of the guys got real close, only inches from her face. His breath was sour. It made the girl want to puke, it took almost everything she had not to. If she threw up, she' get weak, if she got weak she'd pass out, if she passed out this with these drunk guys it'd all be over.

"How," the man swallowed hard, 'bout you..an…meee? Eh beautiful?" He smiled, a wicked smile, one where you see what he wants and to give in was weak.

If it weren't for hi being drunk he looked like a nice guy. A guy who would hold your hand when you were in the car, a guy who would tell you your pretty instead of grabbing our waist and jamming you against the lockers saying how sexy you are, a guy who makes you feel special. But alcohol dulled his everything, making him nothing more than a lusty monster.

"Get….away…from me…now." She said slowly. It took a lot of power just keep her eyes open let alone speak.

He stroked her head and she tuned away. He laughed; it amused him. He got in close, to kiss her, and she pushed him away and tried walking against the wall again. He laughed even harder and stumbled over to her. He caught up with her tried grabbing her, she broke free and fell to the ground. He laughed. He got closer to her, to finish what he started. The girl heard his friend laughing, edging him on.

"I said," she lowered her head, feeling a sudden rise in power. "Get….AWAY!" Her eyes became two black holes and the man felt himself being pushed back against the wall. He felt his bones crushed. His leg, oh God, his leg. She broke it! With her mind! He broke his leg! He looked down and saw his bone escaped from his flesh. He saw his bone!

All the girl heard was a horrid scream, a scream of agony and pain. Confused turned into pain. Pleasure turned into pain. Pain was all that was left to think about.

"Witch! She broke my leg! She…she…..witch! Witch!"

The girl ran, she stumbled, she tripped, but she ran. Then a forceful object pressed her against the wall.

"Whatcha do to my friend, eh? He was just trying to have a little fun, right? Witch, you tried to kill 'em. Broke his leg, his bone came right out, didn't it?"

Her wrists were pinned to the wall, his body advanced on her. She was trapped. To weak to fight back. She couldn't call upon her powers. His breath was worse than the first guy. This guy wasn't a man but a loser who always got dunk and hooked up with women. Someone without a life, without a purpose, and without sense.

"I'm sorry. Please, just leave me alone." She whispered.

"Sorry don't fix his leg, sweetie. That's expensive, ya know. How you gonna pay me?"

"Please, I don't have any money."

He leaned in, really close. "That's alrigh' with me, beautiful."

The girl tried getting away but the man wrestled her to the ground. His hands went to her waist and began slowly feeling her up. His lips smashed themselves against her own, slowly getting lower, farther from her lips and closer to her-…please…just get off…please just get him off of me..someone please…save me!

He wasn't stopping, and he wasn't going to. He was going to take her tonight and she wouldn't be able to stop it.

The world began to blur and she felt herself begin pulled into darkness. She would pass out and he was going to-NO! She wanted to scream. She wanted to get this horrible excuse of a man off her. She wanted to be saved! Save me! Somebody, anybody! Please! Cyborg? Starfire? Beast Boy? ROBIN!

An agile figure kicked the man off her. The girl laid there..,on the ground. She saw a familiar figure, one built for acrobatics, very agile. She saw him save her. The man was easily subdued. Now he was against the wall. Blood escaped from his nose and lower lip. He'd have that black eye for awhile. Her savior looked the drunkard in the eye, for a moment he felt sober, sober enough to be so frightened he pissed his pants.

"Now you listen real good. Don't you ever touch this woman, or any other woman, ever again, you rotten piece of wasted garbage!" Her savior threw the man to the ground and spat at him. "You make me sick." The man stumbled to his feet. Her savior threw him against the wall once more. "And if I ever see you ever again," he leaned inches form the man's face, close enough to smell the spearmint gum he recently discarded, right in his ear he whispered to him, "'cause if I do I'll kick you so hard you'll have absolutely no way to ever have any "fun" with your "junk" ever again, you hear. In fact, you just might become a little damsel in distress yourself if you get what I'm saying." He threw the man again and he ran off stumbling. "Get lost, scum!" The man said as the drunkard faded in the distance.

The girl's savior rushed to her side. He picked up her head and shook her, trying to keep her awake.

"Raven? Raven! Raven, are you okay? Speak to me!" He yelled.

Raven looked up at the man, familiar. She knew him. The mask, he had a mask. As the world began fading as it began to blur she realized who her savior was.

She whispered, but he heard her clearly. She looked at him with sad yet hopeful eyes. Her mouth opened slightly, she took in a bit of air and let it out to say one word, "Robin?"

Jump City Streets….

It was daytime, and the people were out. It was nice to be out. Starfire looked tired but much better than you'd expect. She was still in her titan uniform, she was still broke, and she was still alone.

She walked without a point, without a clue. She had been on her own for several days maybe weeks, who knows? She managed to eat for her first few days on her own from boys she meet on the streets who bought her a muffin, pretzel, or cupcake from one of the side stores in the city.

Finally she found somewhere to stay. She spent her nights at a church where the priest took pity on her. He allowed her to stay and in return she helped clean the church. She washed the floors, walls, dusted the high places. Even with everything that had happened she could feel a sense of happiness there. It was so relaxing, so peaceful. The pastor was so kind and the people who came in were so kind. Star liked the church very much. It was very old but very beautiful.

She wanted to find a place to stay that wasn't the church. It wasn't a home. Staying a few days in the pew of a church isn't very comfortable. She was headed for another city, one with an honorary titan, just until she could make it back home. Then she'd leave the Earth for good and the titans along with it.

She wondered around the city. Perhaps there was a map somewhere? Something. She then saw something popping from the trash bin. It was a map! A sudden gush of wind threw her newfound happiness from her hands.

She couldn't afford a map and the odds of minding another were slim, so she races after the one in sight. It lead her to the alleyway were she finally regained her map.

She was more lost than ever before, and in an abandoned area. She was alone. More so now then ever before. With her powers she was safe, right?

"Lost, princess?" A familiar voice asked.

Star turned around to see X hanging upside down eye level with her. For some reason she pushed away the sudden instinct to fight him.

"What are you doing here?" She asked.

"Thieving. What else?"

Star glared at him.

"Relax, princess. I haven't stolen anything…yet. The better question is why you are here?"

"That is business of my own I do not wish to share. " She said walking off.

He suddenly was behind her as she turned as she went to push hi out of her way he moved again, she turned and missed him and he was once again behind her she went to slap him but he caught her hand. Her eyes suddenly glowed green in furry.

"Easy, princess. Just having fun." He said. "So where are the others? I heard the titans scattered? You stickin' around?"

"No. I plan on going home."

"Oh. So the titans really are history, eh?"

Star looked away. A sad expression, one of remorse, a melancholy depression.

Stupid, he thought to himself, why say that to her? Stupid!

"I mean, your on your own now?"

She nodded.

"Anyplace to stay?"

She shook her head. "Not anymore. I'm on my own now."

X rubbed the back of his neck. A tension spot. All he wanted now was to make her smile.

"Sorry to hear that princess."

"Why do you keep calling me that?" She asked.

"Princess? Well, I guess a few reasons."

"Yes?"

X felt himself blush, thank the lord he had a mask. Even better than the lord Starfire could not read minds.
"Well, you're pretty, like a princess."

"Being pretty makes someone a princess?"

"I guess." X shrugged.

"So you think I am pretty?"

X blushed again.

"Umm…yeah…sure…I uhhh…think your…very petty…Starfire.."

Star smiled. X wasn't acting like a jerk this time. He was being sincere, kind, and a bit awkward. He was a lot like…."You remind me of him."

"You mean him, him, right?" He asked. "Your friend?"

She sadly nodded. "Yes. Right now, you remind me of him." Her face saddened. "He never stole. Only once, and that wasn't his fault."

X was confused. The bird boy was once a thief? He looked at Star and couldn't help himself.

"Hey, uhhh, Star…." He took in a deep breath. "Why don't you…umm…you can….I mean if you want you can…look I….we…you can….do you wanna stay at my place? At least until you're able to get home? Where ever that is?"

"My home is Tameran."

"Tama what?"

"A planet not near here-"

"Wait you're home is a whole other planet?"

She nodded. "I am the princess of Tameran."

X felt his jaw drop. "Oh…okay.." He said. "You wanna take up my offer or not?"

Star thought about it. "You're a thief. You've stolen form…him…and brought X back and….you want me to stay with you? Why should I?"

"I can think of a few perks." He said smiling. If she's from another planet and she's leaving this hero business I can be myself with her. She can know the real me.

"What are these 'perks'?" She asked.

"Well for starters you don't have to stand alone in the rain."

"It is not raining."

"It will. Trust me."

Star looked up at the grey sky.

"Plus you can figure out where you're going and how to get there. Get supplies, have a meal, get some sleep in a bed instead of what ever park bench you've been sleeping on-"

"I've been staying my nights in a church." She said matter-of-fact.

"Okay, still think a warm bed is better than a church pew."

Star became silent.

"And you'll get to know the real me."

Star looked up. "What do you mean?"

"Ever wondered who is Red X?"

"Of course I have wondered. We all wondered. He especially wondered."

"Well wonder no more. After all, I'm no going to strut around my place in my costume. I'll be the real me. You can find out what you've wondered ever since you meet me."

Star was tempted, oh yes she was tempted. Robin would've wanted to know, but he wouldn't have done it this way. No, she had to. This was her best option.

"Okay."

"Really?" X asked.

"Yes, I'll 'take you up' on your offer. I'd like to know the real you."

Jump City Park…

It was nearing the end of winter. Soon spring would start. Terra honestly preferred winter. The cold reminded her of herself. Something most people stayed away from, but in other cases, were inexplicitly attracted to. A black rose with long thorns that got smaller and sparer the more who tried to discover every aspect of the flower.

"Hey, Tara?"

Terra looked up at Beast Boy.

"Yeah?"

"I'm not intruding am I?

"What?"

"It's just that," he rubbed the back of his head awkwardly. "It's been a while and I've just been mooching off your family."

"You haven't been mooching!"

"You sure?"

"You've been doing like all the chores in the house and looking for a job on your spare time, you're trying and honestly we wouldn't blame you even if you happened to mooch a little. Not after everything that's happened to you. Besides, you've saved the city countless times. I think you've earned to mooch a little."

"So I am mooching?"

"NO!" She giggled. "You're doing just fine, Beast Boy."

He smiled as she got closer. Walking in the park was the perfect way to spend an afternoon. Beast Boy was lucky he was able to stay with Tara's family. They loved having him there. He was such a nice kid. Too bad it wouldn't last.

Somewhere in Jump City…

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

Raven felt herself in darkness. It was like her soul was floating above the world.

Tick, tick, tick, tick, tick…

She felt herself being called back. The world felt a little warmer a light reached for her.

Tick, tick, tick, tick…tick..tick…tick..

Raven gasped as she sat up straight in a hurry. Her heart rate slowed. She looked around the room. It looked like a hotel bedroom. She was all alone in the room. The door was shut and the bathroom door was open. She was in a bed, wearing clothes, a robe more specificlally, that were not her own. Her regular clothes were laid out on the table next to her. The clock showed 12:01 PM.

Had she slept past breakfast? Obviously. Where was she? Who's clothes was she wearing. Raven blushed to think who undressed her. Wait. How'd she get here.

Raven peered into her memories. What happened last night? She saw a flash of light. It was a blur. A man getting tossed in the mud, an agile figure, a mask….ROBIN!

Raven heard a door shut from the other end of her own. She threw of the covers and rushed to the doorway. She opened the door and saw the rest of the room. A TV with a table and couch and a kitchen. A figure popped up from behind the bar table. Raven's jaw dropped.

"Mornin'!" He said.

"Speedy! You-you-you-"

"Saved you butt? Yeah, you're welcome. What were you doing there anyway?"

"I could ask you the same thing."

"Patrolling. I was on my way to see you guys and stopped here for the night and decided to go out for a bit. Lucky for you I did. "

Raven looked down at the floor. So it wasn't Robin then. Go figure. Wait, was it Speedy who-?

"Your clothes were pretty messed up. I had them washed but the holes are still there. We can go back to the tower and-"

"No! I'm not going back. At least…not yet."

"Okay?"

"Was it you who undressed me?" Raven asked with a straight face in a monotone voice. Speedy flipped out.

"What? Me? NO! Of course not! I swear!"

"Then who did?"
"Muriel. She's a maid here. Figured better a lady you don't know than me, right? Your clothes were also soaking wet and covered in mud. What have you been doing, Raven?"

"Where am I?"

"A hotel, my hotel room."

"Why?"

"Well…..you needed help-"

"I had everything under control." She said.

"Not from where I was standing." Speedy wasn't going to let her do this to herself. She needed help, and she needed to admit it.

"I have to go."

"Where? I thought you weren't going back to Titan Tower?"

"Back to the city."

"Not where I found you?"

Raven nodded. "Exactly there."

"Raven, you're making a mistake. Why on earth would you want to go back there?"

"I'm looking for someone. And he is most certainly there."

Speedy grabbed Raven by the shoulders. He could tell she was still weak, but Raven was not one to mess with. If she wanted to go then she'd go no matter what. But as a friend he wouldn't let he do this to herself. Raven opened her mouth in protect but was cut short by Speedy suddenly embracing her in a hug.

"I miss him too, Raven. I really do."

Raven held back the tears. She felt herself choking n her own words. She was completely flustered which didn't help. Pull yourself together, she thought.

"I'm not looking for Robin."

Speedy released her and Raven looked him straight in the eye well mask. Just like Robin, straight into his mask. Right into that darned fog. It was just like that! It really and truly was just like that. Looking Robin in the eye meant looking him in the mask and falling into the fog and eventually her flashlight ran out of batteries and she was left there all alone with nothing but eh darkness.

"Then who?"

"His name is Red X."

Speedy raised a brow. This was an unfamiliar name.
"Red X?"

"We're not sure who he really is. All he is, is a thief-"

"Then why are you chasing him?" Speedy snapped.

"I haven't found him yet to chase." She said calmly and matter-of-fact.

Speedy threw his arms in the air.

"Well, that's just great! Your looking for some guy who sometimes picks pockets under the name 'Red X' and worse you don't have a clue where he is! But the best part is you've left all your friends in a frantic search for some petty thief! And for what, Raven? Why did you almost get yourself killed? What reasoning could possibly make you think that was a good choice? What possessed you to make you think going off like that was a good idea?"

"I have a hunch-"

"A hunch? You almost-" Speedy stopped. Raven had fallen silent but her eyes hadn't yet back down. Things were just heating up. Speedy rubbed his chin then looked straight at her. "You could've died. What we're you thinking?" He said softer. "Out on the streets of the city at night? For a hunch on a crook's whereabouts?"

"I need his help."

"His help?" Speedy said in a way that made her flinch inside. Just like him, she thought.

"I think he can help me find Robin."

"Hey, you know me. I'm all for finding Robin but going off into the city slums by yourself?"

"I have my powers."

"You were barley strong enough to stand let alone fight!"

"I could've handled it."

"THAT'S NOT THE POINT! YOU WENT OFF INTO THE CITY AT NIGHT ALL ALONE, RAVEN! DON'T FORGET YOU A GIRL!"

"WHAT'S THAT SUPPOSED TO MEAN?" Raven said as loud as she could in her monotone voice. "Me being a girl doesn't affect my ability to fight!"

Speedy shook his head." God, you're so…so! ARG! God, Raven. What were you thinking? Do you honestly think Robin would want you to do this."

"No." She said with a straight face. "In fact I know for a fact he wouldn't want me to do any of this."

Speedy gestured in a way that said well there ya go! But Raven wasn't done. A sudden sense of passion roared in her eyes yet Speedy lonely half listened

"But I also know for a fact he'd do twice as much if it were me so I owe it to him-"

"You don't owe it to him to throw your life down a sewer plant chasing shadows all for someone who is probably dead!" Raven looked at the floor. She held back her emotions but heaven knows she was trying oh so hard not to just let go and scream, tearing everything apart. Speedy looked away. "I shouldn't have said that." Raven wasn't listening she was already on her way out the door, still wearing the robe. "Raven. Wait. I'm s-'m sorry okay? I'm sorry! I should have sa-were are you going? You can't just go out in a bathrobe! Raven? RAVEN!"

Just as Raven was about to walk into the elevator Speedy pulled her back. She was still so weak, she couldn't even fight back with her powers.

"Let me go." She said.

"No! I already lost a friend! I'm not losing another! Especially when I have the ability to prevent anything bad from happening to you! I'm not just going to let you walk away!"

Raven thought of that night. Robin…she let him just walk away…she could've…it was too much for her to bear. She could no longer resist the tears.

"Raven? Hey? What's wrong?" Speedy asked softly. He heard a little squeak then a hiccupping sound coming form Raven who was now curled up against his chest.

"I let him just walk away." She whispered. "I could've stopped it! It was my fault! It as all my fault!" She let the tears slowly slip down her cheeks, still holding back her tears.

"Oh, Raven. It wasn't your fault. Come on. I'm taking you back to my room. If were going after this X guy, were doing it on my terms: together and with a plan.