This is the second time I've uploaded this story. I apologize because i had to delete my stories for personal reasons but they're back and better than ever! Newly edited and with improved wording/grammar! If you've read this story before just wait a while and the chapter you left off on will be back up soon.

- Thanks for starting my story! This story takes place 7 years after the Titans disbanded. Robin and Starfire and Beast Boy are now 23, Raven is 22, and Cyborg is 25.

- Any and all criticism, that isn't obnoxious, is welcome. As well as any suggestions for the story within reason.

- Italics are used for emphasis on words and thoughts

- Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans

- 1 -

... Robin ...

The night was cold as Richard Johnson sat back in his car and watched the drug deal go on just around the corner through his rear view mirror. His breathing was steady but anxious, waiting for the exchange to take place. He thought about calling for backup but almost immediately turned the idea down. They'd never get here in time, Richard thought. I gotta do this myself.

He wore a solid black sweater and black sweatpants with gloves. Wearing reflective sunglasses like he always did in public. No one had seen his eyes in years, and he intended to keep it that way. Usually he wouldn't hesitate to chase down the thug that was dealing but this time was different. He needed to follow the dealer, a stocky kid around 17 that was known around town as "High Mikey". His real name being Michael Smith, but that was all the cops knew. There were thousands of Michael Smiths in Jump City. He was the guy you went to when you were looking for a fix. He wore a black hoodie that covered his face, loose jeans and combat boots. The only problem was that the kid was untouchable. No one had ever seen his face and he evaded the cops so much that eventually they all stopped trying to arrest him. The chief wanted him to let this case die but Richard refused, even after 7 years his hero instinct forbid him from just walking away. He couldn't just watched as drugs were passed around Jump City like it was candy. He needed to put it to an end, even if it meant disobeying the chief and stalking Mikey during his off hours. He probably could run out and arrest Mikey now but that wouldn't solve anything. Only one more deadbeat in jail while two more drug dealers pop up in his place. Richard decided that the best action would be no action. Richard need to learn where the kid gets his supply and take the problem out by the root instead of just taking out the weed that would just grow back the first chance it got.

His eyes roamed back and forth between the deal going on and the billboard in the distance. The familiar model paraded her luxurious auburn hair saying it was made that way by some product. If he turned the TV on tonight, she'd be there. She was everywhere, her charming smile and flaming hair captivated all who witnessed it. Pure, naturally lime colored eyes with forest green pupils.

He needed to forget her, move on and have his own life. But he knew better. Richard knew the truth that that wasn't the case. The girl was someone Richard could never forget. The one he thought about regularly and felt immediate regret when he did so. So many things left unsaid... He thought. Richard hit the steering wheel. I was such an idiot. Acting rash without as much as an attempt to figure things out.

Richard turned his attention back to the deal for a distraction, reading the lips of the guy buying as best he could in the damp light. Only finding key words here and there to even have an idea of what they were talking about. Supply… Cash… Pills… 200… The guy buying was in his late 40's with gray hair and wore a neatly pressed business suit, obviously just another rich businessman with too much money than he knows what to do with. He handed over a large sum of money over to Mikey and once the businessman had his drugs Richard watched as Mikey walked towards him. Richard slumped in his driver's seat, blending in with the darkness cause by the one and only street light 15 feet away. Mikey stopped walking and bent over to look inside Richards's car. Mikey made direct eye contact with Richard but didn't seem to notice, instead he stood back up and continued walking down the street. Richard made it a point to remember Mikey's blue eyes as it was the only facial feature visible. He silently got out of the car and tailed Mikey from at least a block away. Where's he going? Richard thought.

Mikey turned right and down several streets before going down an alleyway. Damn... I can't go down there otherwise he'll know he's being tailed. Richard thought. That's when it struck him, if he couldn't go through it, he could go over it by going on the roof and following him from there. Richard rushed the broadside of the wall and climbed it with ease. He used every crack and brick to his advantage to climb the three story building in less than a few seconds. Been a while since I did that. Richard thought, smiling to himself that he still pulled the wall climb off flawlessly even though he hadn't done it in years. He took a few deep breaths and ran to the other side of the building and looked over the edge to see Mikey go into an abandoned building at the end of the ally. An excellent spot for a resupply. Secluded, vacant, not a streetlight or street camera for a while.

Richard jumped from rooftop to rooftop until he finally landed atop the building where Mikey had gone into. He searched for a way into the building until coming across a small overview window that revealed the entire place to be empty. No Mikey. Impossible, Richard thought gritting his teeth. He walked in there, I saw him. Where could he have gone?!

"Hello Robin." A familiar voice called coolly from behind him. Robin turned and felt a shiver rush down his spine as he saw the face, well mask, of the person who called his former name. "Though you probably go by something different nowadays huh? Dick… Richard… Wayne… So many names, so many identities; it must be exhausting to keep track of them all. You're Robin, the hero of Jump City that suddenly disappeared 7 years ago when the Teen Titans split. You and your friends even have a statue in Central Park to reward your services. You're Dick Grayson, the original, world renowned celebrity and playboy and hair to the Wayne Fortune and future CEO of Wayne enterprises, son of billionaire and current CEO Bruce Wayne. Then you're Richard Johnson, of course John being your middle name not your last name. Not that it really matters when you make a fake identity to fill the void of no longer being a hero huh? You are said to be the one and only person in the city's history to become a Detective right out of the police academy due to exceptional skill and talent. Talent…" He said with a chuckle. "Said like you were born with your skill and didn't have to earn it. Funny how it's easier for society to accept a natural born gift rather than something earned through hard work."

Richard took a step back, his eyes wide and filled with horror through his glasses. "You…" He said, pointing at the figure in front of him. "You're dead! You died ages ago! I watched you die right in front of me! You should've died with Trigun!" He scream loudly.

"Robin…" The figure said shaking his head. "I'm disappointed in you. I thought you of all people would know better than to trust their eyes and what they think to be reality. I believe I tried to teach that to you when you were my apprentice for a little while. Being a hero is what gave you purpose… So you're reduced to this." He gestured his hand. "After the Teen Titans finally put away the last supervillain. Well, the last supervillain in Jump City at least. So instead of going back to Gotham to continue to live in Batman's shadow, or just moving to a different city with your team, or even joining the Justice League despite their constant invitations, you join the police academy. Not the FBI, not the CIA, but your friendly neighborhood police department. You chose to hang up the cape and mask to join the very corrupt system you hated from the beginning. That's why superheroes exist right? You fight against what no one else can. That's why you became a hero in the first place."

Robin shook his head once more. "What are you doing here Slade? And why have you come back?" Richard asked slowly, trying to regain the confidence in his voice.

"Maybe you were tired, beaten. Maybe the years of constant danger lost its adrenaline rush? Or maybe… The real reason is because of a certain redheaded beauty. The one that got away huh Robin? Or the one you pushed away."

"Don't you dare bring Starfire into this!" Robin's jaw clenched and he felt his blood boil. He could feel his heart pounding. He remembered this feeling. Fear, anger, and excitement, all bundled together.

Slade chuckled lightly. "In due time Robin... In due time." Slade said, jumping behind him off the ledge of the building they stood on.

"Slade!" Richard said, running towards the ledge to find no evidence of Slade's fall. Richard sank onto the ledge. Staring down at the hard pavement below him.

Why now? Richard thought. The last time anyone saw Slade was when Trigon, Ravens demonic father, brought him back to life so he could reopen the portal and summon him to Earth. Slade made the deal to work for him in exchange for his mortality back. After Trigon betrayed Slade, there was a temporary truce between the Titans and him. Once Slade and Robin found their way to Raven, Slade disappeared. Once Trigun was defeated, everything went back to normal like nothing had ever happened. No one has seen Slade since then and Raven said that because her father was defeated, his magic went with him. That included that spell that resurrected Slade. He only wanted his life back and now… He has it. The question is, what is he going to do with it?

… Cyborg …

Victor Stone sat on the edge of his desk chair typing away at his computer. He wore his loose night clothes, a pair of black basketball shorts with a dark gray shirt. The room was pitch black, illuminated only by the surface of his computer screen. He was so close to figuring out the code for a new zero gravity inhibitor. This would finally unlock the potential for anti-gravity capabilities integration into society. Creating the technology is easy, but finding a way that it can introduced into everyday life was hard. It had to be perfect, and even then there was no telling what bugs might surface.

"Babe?" A sweet voice called from down the hall. "Where are you?"

"In the office." Vic called. He smiled when his girlfriend of 4 years came through the door of his apartment office with a cup of warm coffee in her hands. "Hey Jinx." He said with a sly smile.

Jinx smiled and sighed. "I wish you'd stop calling me that. I left my bad guy ways behind me. Just like you left looking like a robot behind you." She said, handing him the cup. Vic had perfected his biotech hologram shortly after the Titans broke-up. It made him look, feel and even react to things like a real person. He could feel touch on every part of his body now. It was like a costume that allowed him to be human, though in reality he was only half. Vic decided that his crime fighting days were done after the Titans and he needed to look to the future instead of the present. "How goes the program?" Jinx asked sweetly.

"I'm close. I'm trying to overcome the gravity problem that Jump City has. Seems that Jump City is right on top of a tectonic plate, meaning anytime there's an earthquake the system would bust." Vic said taking a drink. "Where's Silkie?"

Jinx waited until Vic finished explaining to start walking around his desk. "He's sleeping on the couch." She said. "So you gotta make the system adaptable to an earthquake or whatever?" Jinx asked, sitting in Vic's lap and placing a hand on his chest for balance.

"Yeah." He said placing his hand on her hip to get more comfortable. "Got to make it where cars get the lift they need but don't go flying off the road." He said with a chuckle.

Jinx giggled. "Maybe I can help." She said with a shy smile. "I have been known to cause a natural disaster or two."

Vic smiled. "I'll never understand how someone so beautiful can be so deadly." He kissed her on the cheek and pulled back stare into Jinx's eyes.

Jinx blushed and turned her head towards the door. "Alright Romeo, try and finish up." She said, getting up from his lap. She bent down and kissed Vic on the lips then hugged him softly, trying to keep the coffee from spilling out of her hand. "Even the CEO of Stone Technologies needs to rest. You still have human in you." She whispered in his ear, giving him a hug that he gladly returned. Jinx made her way out of the room, strutting as she did so because she knew Vic would be watching her hips swing.

Vic bit his bottom lip. She did that on purpose, he thought with a smile. He went back to work, typing away at his code.

*Ring* *Ring* The phone next to Vic's desk rang. He picked it up and looked at the number, Unknown. Shrugging he pressed the answer button and placed it against his ear. "Hello?" He asked, trying to sound pleasant to his unknown caller.

"Cyborg?" A light yet masculine voice called. "It's Beast Boy! Or Garfield, the lame name I go by now." He laughed into the phone.

Vic's eyes lit up. "BB? Is that you?" Vic asked, his voice picking up in excitement. Suddenly, Jinx came in the room to see what was making her boyfriend so loud. Vic placed his hand over the bottom of the phone. "It's Beast Boy!" He said in an excited whisper.

She nodded and winked, leaving the room satisfied to see that her boyfriend's stress seemed to almost disappear. He works too hard, he needs to relax. She made her way down the hall and to the bedroom, deciding that she'd surprise Vic when he came into the room with the new nightgown she bought. Knowing that seeing the revealing thin cloth would drive him crazy. Guess we could both relieve some stress tonight. She thought with a seductive giggle.

"Yeah it's me!" Garfield said through the phone. "I'm finally coming back to the city after my tour!" He said happily.

"Next time you go to Vegas for a show, you have to take me with you!" Vic said smiling. "When are you gonna be in town?"

"Well we're still on the tour bus right now. We just passed through Gotham and are nearing Metropolis now. Maybe 4 hours?" He said. "Tour buses are slow as hell haha."

Vic smiled, looking at the clock. "It's too late to meet you when you get here but I'll meet you at the Pizza Shack around noon." The usual hangout.

"Alright bro! Get some rest. Tell Jinx I said hi, and give her a good pounding haha." Garfield said.

Vic laughed, "You know it! Night dude."

"Night." Garfield said, hanging up.

Vic smiled as he put the phone back face down on his desk. It had been about 2 months since he'd seen his best friend. Garfield's stand-up comedian career finally took off about 6 months ago. He now opened for some of the biggest names in comedy and, he had to admit, he was pretty funny. He'd tell stories of what it was like as a Teen Titan, never saying their real names of course, only using their superhero names. Vic got up from his desk and sighed. He didn't feel like working at this point. He turned off his computer and made his way to his bedroom where he found a half-naked Jinx laying on the bed.

"Hey sexy." Jinx said, getting up from the bed and walking over to Vic. She placed a hand on his chest and kissed his heart through his shirt.

"Wow..." Vic said, feeling himself starting to get excited. "You're beautiful." He said taking her kissing her deeply then picking her up and placing her on his shoulder. He heard her squeal in glee a little bit at the sudden motion, walking the 3 feet to bed. He set her down on the bed and kissed her again. He felt her lips moving against his own and how her tongue just barely touched his lower lip. Vic growled and grabbed the back of her neck, pushing her towards him. It was an addiction. The taste of her lips and the way they moved in sync to each other. Vic pulled back and looked happily into her eyes. "Best early Christmas gift ever." He said trying to catch his breath. He leaned in and kissed her one more time until they both fell onto the bed to enjoy each other's embrace for the rest of the night.

… Beast Boy …

Garfield Logan stretched out on the bed and stared at the ceiling. He'd take a nap while he could, try not be crabby when he wakes up and unpacked all his luggage. After 5 weeks on the road it left him drained of all ability to even try and be productive. He had performed as an opener for almost every A-List comedian. A few producers came up to him and offered him contracts but he turned them away. He wanted to get better before he went big, plus he got to enjoy at least a little privacy unlike other celebrities. He rolled over and looked at the television in the corner. I wish they had video games here, he thought to himself. I haven't played Mega Monkey's 7 in a while.

*knock**knock* "Garfield, you in there?" His manager called. Jacob "Chuckling" Almond, one of the few people who watched Garfield when first started his comedy act. He believed in him from the beginning and has been there ever since. Garfield respected Jacob, but he hated that there was no real friendship between them, just a professional relationship. He always acted calm and never got angry. For a comedian's manager, he sure had an odd personality.

"What's up Jake?" Garfield called lazily.

"You got a phone call." He said holding out his phone.

Garfield looked skeptical. "Who is it? Another fan or something asking me to perform at a party?"

He smiled. "Her name's Rachel Roth." He said plainly. "Says she's an old friend?"

"Not ringing any bells." Garfield said. He sighed and held out his hand. "Might as well, might be just a fan wanting to talk to me." Jacob shrugged and handed him the phone then walked out the door to give Garfield privacy. Garfield's eyes narrowed as he looked down at the cell phone, contemplating if he should really answer it. He knew who was calling him, there was only one Rachel Roth. "You have a lot of nerve calling me, Raven." Silence on the other end of the phone. He knew she was there listening, having no idea what to say or do. So Garfield decided to continue. "Been about 7 years since any of us have seen you or even heard from you. You left without saying a word, disappearing into that dark portal, never to be seen again." He spat. He felt the anger in himself rise but tried pushing it down.

A small voice came from the other side. "I… I… I was scared."

"And you think I wasn't?!" Garfield asked, growing angrier with every word. "I poured my heart out to you Raven! I loved you and you never even bothered to reject me! You left without saying a God damn word and you… You let the Titans fall apart. Without you having left like that, we might still be together. We might've actually been together." He said, sadness taking over where anger once stood. "I cried so hard when I found that note. I…" He sighed. "I don't even know anymore."

"I wish I could take it back." Rachel said sadly on the other line.

Garfield decided not to respond to that statement. "After all these years I still think back to that night. It was so much fun." Garfield started, hearing the brief sound of a weak chuckle on the other end. He couldn't help but feel a smile creep up onto his face as he reminisced. "The one and only night you and I became one. I felt so much love for you that it literally hurt to be away from you. That night I gave myself to you… Not as some horny teenager or as some player… As a lover and as someone who…" Garfield trailed off. He was speechless. He didn't know what else to say. Garfield knew Rachel would be crying right now. He was so mad at her and hurt by her and yet… All he wanted was to hold her and tell everything would be alright. That they could work through this and everything would be okay but… He knew better. "Why that night? Of all nights, why did you wait until we lost our virginity's?"

"I wanted…To love." Rachel said. "Ever since I was young, I'd never been able to feel love. The strongest emotion I felt was a friendship with the Titans. I knew I cared about you more than anyone else but it wasn't until we had sex that…" She paused. "It was like every emotion I had ever felt came and washed over me. It was like my spirit had been turned upside down. I didn't know how to handle it so… I left."

Garfield felt a lump in throat form. "Where did you go?" Garfield asked, even though he already knew the answer.

"Azarath." Rachel said on the other side.

Of course, Garfield thought. No better place to escape to than another dimension.

"I continued my training with the monks and gained balance." Rachel said.

"What does that mean?" Garfield asked.

"I can control my emotions now." She said with a brighter tone. "No more meditating for hours on end… No more random bursts of anger…"

Garfield felt his heart ache. "Is that why you came back?"

"Yes. I finished with my training 4 years ago. I've been living a normal life ever since I came back to Earth."

"You've been on Earth for 4 years?" Garfield asked dumbfounded. "Why are you just now calling?"

"I... I..."

"You were scared." Garfield finished.

"Yeah." Rachel said sadly.

There was a strong silence between the two, the tension continued to build in his chest until Garfield couldn't stop himself. He wanted to see her. "Where are you?" He asked nervously.

"Jump City." She said. "I'm in my dorm."

"Dorm? Like... College dorm?" Garfield asked.

"Yes. That's what I've been doing for so long." Rachel said. "I love books and reading so I decided that I could put it to good use."

"Have you talked to the others yet?" Garfield asked.

"No." Rachel said hesitantly. "I will soon though."

Garfield smiled. "Well... Now that you're back. You think we could talk again some time?"

Rachel gave a halfhearted smile a little. "If that's what you want."

More than I can ever say. Garfield thought. "Here, let me give you my number instead of my managers."

"Alright." Rachel said. She prepared her mind and listened as Garfield relayed the numbers. She normally could remember anything due to her fantastic memory, but her nerves were on end right now. She had to concentrate otherwise she wouldn't remember.

"You got it?" Garfield asked happily.

"Yeah." Rachel said with a smile. "I got it."

"Well... Until then. See you later?" Garfield said, it was more of a question than a statement. He wanted to trust that Raven wouldn't disappear again.

"I'll see you soon." Rachel said.

Garfield ended the call. Even though he was smiling, he felt sadness in his heart. I'm so pathetic. He thought chuckling to himself. As soon as I heard her voice all my resolve melted away... He sighed and turned on his side in the bed. I should probably tell Cyborg that Raven's back but… He might react badly. I guess I should just tell him she's back and leave the details alone. Garfield laid on his side, using his arm as a pillow and stared at the phone in his other hand. He stared at the phone as his consciousness finally faded into a dreamless sleep.

… Raven …

Rachel Roth sat at her desk with a phone in a firm grip in her right hand. The desk was built between her room and the kitchen, something the college felt was necessary for some reason. She had a desk in her room but it felt spacious outside when no one was home. Like there was more air with an immaculate atmosphere. The left hand placed on top of books to ensure she didn't lose her place. She had to study for the tomorrow's final. If she passed, it would mean she could enjoy Christmas, only about 2 weeks away, to its fullest extent. She smiled as memories of her last Christmas with the Titans came flooding into her mind:

(Start Flashback)

Cyborg had cooked a large turkey with stuffing for everybody. Beast Boy had made a meal almost completely out of tofu. Starfire and Robin making out on the couch, somehow Robin trying to teach Starfire about Christmas lead to a make out session. Raven sat on the opposite end of the couch and meditated. She'd grown accustomed to meditating with everyone there. Seeing as how whenever she tried meditating in her room she somehow always got dragged out, either by some emergency or one of the other Titans being bothersome.

"Hey Rae!" Beast Boy said, grabbing his girlfriend's shoulder. "Come help set the table." He said happily.

"Okay." Raven got up from her position and walked over to the table. "Azarath Metrion Zinthos!" Her eyes flash and suddenly dishware started flying from the cabinets to the table. Everything seemed to arrange itself perfectly in place to seat 5 people.

"Nice work guys." Robin said, walking up to the table with his hand interlocked with Starfire's.

Cyborg humphed. "You and Star macked on each other while we did everything." He said with a teasing smile.

"You're just jealous." Robin retorted. "You're the only one still single Cy."

Cyborg laughed. "So you got yourself a girlfriend and suddenly you're better with the ladies?" He laughed, pretending to wipe a tear from his eye. "Remind me again how often you get laid?"

Everyone except Starfire turned cherry red. Starfire tapped Robin on the shoulder. "Robin, why does Cyborg ask if you got laid down?" Her confusion grew when Cyborg and Beast Boy burst out laughing.

Raven smiled at her boyfriend's laughter. "I don't know what you're laughing at Beast Boy. You haven't gotten laid either." Cyborg lost it. He clutched his sides as he fell on the floor in the midst of his laughter.

"Stop... Haha stop... I can't haha... I can't take no more... My sides are gonna break!" He said. He calmed down a little and stood up, wiping real tears from his eyes. "Now that's funny."

"So." Robin said trying to change the subject. "Let's eat."

After the meal, the Titans decided it was finally time to give gifts.

Robin got a magical potion that'll give him enhanced reflexes and reaction speed from Raven, a plush toy robin (the bird) from Beast Boy, a new upgraded staff that could send electric shocks into an enemy from Cyborg, and a bottle of "her most favorite mustard" from Starfire.

Cyborg got a custom metal polish that is really rare and effective from Robin, a book of magical engineering from Raven, a Mega Monkey's 4 wireless controller from Beast Boy, and a homemade blurkberry pie from Starfire's home world Tameran.

Starfire got an incredibly soft teddy bear that held a heart made of what seemed like Egyptian cotton from Robin, Raven said her gift was a promise that she would participate in "girl time" with her, an organic planting set from Cyborg so Starfire could grow plants from her home planet, and a bottle of perfume from Beast Boy.

Raven got a leather bound Cosmic Sorcery book from a witch Robin arrested, a floating reading light that hovered suspended in the air from Cyborg, a makeup kit from Starfire so they could "have the makeover", and a framed picture of Her and her boyfriend together from Beast Boy signed "I'll always love you - BB".

Beast Boy got a metal staff from Robin due to the fact that Beast Boy kept stealing his, an illegal copy of the not yet released game of Mega Money's 5 from Cyborg, a necklace from Starfire that had a dog's paw on it, and Raven said she would give her gift when they were alone. Robin and Cyborg awed at the romantic atmosphere between the two while Starfire once again looked confused.

That night would be the first and last the time all the Titan's laughed and socialized together like that. For when they woke up, a very important member of their team was missing with no trace as to where she had gone.

(End Flashback)

Raven was brought back to reality by the sound of her roommate, Hailey, walking in from a long night of college partying and drinking. They'd been living together for almost a year now and she was a very considerate roommate. She never ate Rachel's food, touched her books, or even cared that she kept her room locked and didn't allow anyone in there. However, she was very immature when it came to college life. She could never turn down a party invitation. And even worse, she could never seem to keep a boyfriend. Rachel had lost count as to how many times. "Yo Rach!" She said drunkenly. "Whachu douen?" Her words slurred together in a way that slaughtered the English language.

"Studying." Rachel said. "Like you should be doing."

"Neh." Hailey said, flopping on the couch in an exhausted state. "Studying's too much work."

Rachel smiled. She turned around in her chair to ask how the party was but when she did, Hailey was passed out on the couch. She sighed and got up from her seat and walked over to the closet. She pulled a blanket out and threw it on top of Hailey. You're too much work. Rachel thought to herself with a smile. I better get to bed to, I have an important day tomorrow. Rachel thought, disappearing into her room for the night.

… Starfire …

Kori Anders stood outside over the balcony of her premium condo. The view, no matter how many times she saw it, was breathtaking. Her condo was on the outskirts of Jump City so from where stood, the city illuminated like it reflected the stars in the sky. In the morning she had a perfect view of the sunrise as it made its debut across the horizon. The view reminded her of when she once loved a certain hero. Together they would stay up all night and talk and cuddle, until finally ending their night together on the roof to watch the sunrise. Kori smiled at the happy memories, I was such a kid back then.

Kori was now a world famous super model that had a brand named after her and even starred in a few movies. She was titled, "Sexiest Woman Alive" 2 times. Every women envied her and every man wanted to be with her.

After her hero days she and Richard stayed together in a condo much like this one. They lived together for a year, thoughts of marriage and a family swam in her mind. She was content with a small apartment but Richard's police work and Kori's up-and-coming modeling career, however, took its toll on their relationship. Constant long hours and exhaustion never allowed for them to spend any time together.

Kori was discovered by an agent when she and Richard were out for a walk. It was normal for the famous Dick Grayson to be followed by paparazzi often and to be seen with such a beauty was no real stretch of the imagination. Richard announced, as Dick Grayson of course, that he and Kori were dating. This sent the paparazzi ablaze. And as the two were followed more, it was obvious Kori had the talent for being in front of the camera. Before she could blink, she was off to Paris, England, America, and everywhere in between. Kori was on a plane more often than she was at home. Eventually time set its course. Due to so many bad experiences left Kori with the inability to control her flying for almost five years, derived from the fact that her flight was controlled through happy emotions... Best she has been able to do is a few feet off the ground. She thought of all the nights they spent together at the tower, and the night the two of them finally became one. She hadn't and hasn't felt so close to heaven in all her years.

She felt her feet begin to lift off the ground from the happy thoughts but a pair of strong arms found their way around Kori's shoulders, keeping her from levitating. "Waitin on the sunrise again?"

Kori sighed and turned, for a second she thought she say the young hero's face again but when she blinked, it was only her boyfriend Thomas. She grabbed his hands and smiled. "Yeah. It's just one of the joys of life." She looked down and chuckled to herself. "Any reason you're naked?"

Thomas pressed his face to the back of her head and smiled against her hair. "Well after we had our fun I didn't wanna get dressed."

"Aren't you cold?"

Thomas grabbed Kori's hips and swung them closer to hers. "Now with you around hot stuff."

Kori smiled. "Dawns only an hour away. Wanna watch the sunrise?" She asked, though she knew his answer.

"Thanks but I gotta get ready for the day." Thomas said.

"Wanna do something? I have to be on a plane in only a few hours." She asked.

"Can't." Thomas said moving closer to Kori. "I already got plans with the guys."

Another day of anti-romanticism it is then. Kori thought. This wasn't an unusual thing between the two. With Kori's busy schedule and Thomas's inability to separate from his friends for more than a little bit of time. Even their first date was a double date. Thomas also had an inability to be romantic, always straight to sex. Dates felt like they were out of obligation instead of pleasure. There was little emotional or intellectual connection. They'd been together a year and a half and yet none of that changed.

"What do you have to do?" Thomas asked, kissing where Kori's neck and clavicle met.

Kori sighed pleasurably. "Gotta pack for Paris. Tomorrow's the World Famous Christmas Fashion Show. I'm headlining the show again this year... My French is a little rusty though… I'd say about three days from now." She said with a smile.

Thomas hugged his girlfriend again and started to head inside. "I'ma take a shower." He said closing the door behind him.

Kori stared at the horizon. Shades of pink and yellow illuminated from the coast, giving the impression that it was slowly being consumed by light. Her thoughts were centered on that young hero from her adolescence. Six years and I still can't keep my mind away from him. I hate him. Six years and I would still... Give the world to be with him again. Kori thought. She sighed and massaged the back of her neck, remembering how he used to melt her stress away with a single touch. Kori pulled her hand away. "Alright." She said to herself, breathing out steadily. "I really need to distract myself." She decided to join Thomas in the shower, once again hoping to use him to forget about the young hero she could never seem to get off her mind. But just like every other time, it didn't. She felt guilt at times for doing this but overall it made Thomas happy so she put it out of her mind.

No one, no matter their skill in bed or romantic ideals could ever hold a torch to Richard. The love she felt for him was unquestionable. However, it wasn't like she didn't care for Thomas but she never really shook her first love from her mind. Maybe this is what it means to have, "the one that got away".

After Kori finished her packing she placed both her suitcases at the front door and smiled. This'll be fun, I just know it. She thought. "Thomas!" She called.

Thomas appeared with a toothbrush in his mouth. He held up one finger, "mmmhm!" He said, running to the bathroom. After several rounds of spitting and gargling he came running back to her. He wrapped his hands around her waist and kissed her deeply. "Have a good trip babe." Kori returned the kiss.

"Have fun." She said picking her suitcases. "Don't do anything stupid while I'm gone."

"No promises." He said with a smile, watching as his girlfriend disappeared down the hallway.

Kori met her driver outside the complex and smiled. He was a rough-looking man, ex-military that served as both her bodyguard and driver. Anytime she went out of the city he was there. Though never really used for protection because Kori proved she could handle herself. "Did I keep you waiting long, Michael?" She asked sweetly.

"No more than usual Ms. Anders." He said through a smile. "Always a pleasure to wait on a beautiful woman." Kori giggled

Kori placed her bags in the trunk and sighed. "3 days away from home huh?" She opened the door to her back seat and got in, ready to hurry up and get back home so she could enjoy Christmas with her boyfriend in peace.

Thomas sat on the couch and flipped through the channels of the television when the doorbell rang. He sprung from the couch and ran over to the door. Smiling widely once he opened it. "Hey sexy."

A pale woman with long blonde hair and devilishly black eyes smiled. "So how long is she gone this time?" She asked with a seductive smile.

"3 days." He answered.

The woman placed her hands on his chest. "Then there's not a lot of time to waste." She leaned in and kissed his lips, pushing him back into the condo and slamming the door behind her.

- What does Slade want with his new found life? How did Cyborg and Jinx get together? Can Beast Boy find the strength to confront Raven? How will Raven react to Beast Boy? Will Starfire find out about Thomas's home wrecking ways? Who is the mysterious woman? WHEN WILL MY PIZZA ROLLS BE OUT OF THE OVEN?! Stay tuned!

- Any thoughts, comments, reviews are welcomed. Don't forget to follow and favorite for more updates.

- As always guys, thanks for reading and I hope to see you in the next chapter.

Author's Notes:

- Robin isn't a loner. He has friends that are also detectives (will be seen later) and he isn't romantically crippled by his and Star's breakup. He's tried to move on like she has. Even though they both really still love each other. The story of their breakup will be told in a future chapter along with Beast Boy and Ravens in greater detail.

- WARNING: I will be making a lemons in later chapters.

- In Starfire's defense, she did what I think every person does after falling out of love with someone. Try to move on. Though she isn't human. I think that trying to find love in someone else is a natural response. So I don't want people thinking I made her a slut or something like that.

- As the story progresses, I'll start using their superhero names more but for now they aren't hero's anymore. So I can't use their superhero names if they aren't heroes.