Oh goodness, it's been a while since I've updated this thing. Let's just say...college is hard. BUT I finally found some time to put some thought into this chapter!

Also, I can't say thank you enough to all of you who have reviewed! It really means a lot and I'm so happy to hear that you guys are enjoying the story!

So, without further ado, here's Part 3!

PART 3

Thrust. Sidestep. Disengage.

She's fine. She's completely fine. Stop worrying.

Advance. Underhand.

No need to freak out, he's gone now.

Parry. Cut. Retreat.

Unless he comes back.

Strike.

The iron pipes clattered to the ground as Dick put his head in his heads. No matter how many times he tried to shove it down, the image of the famed assassin always seemed to resurface.

Usually the musty scent of the Batcave calmed his nerves, focusing only on the training routine presented before him. At least on this battle ground, he could usually win. But one stray thought and he was suddenly sixteen years old again, fighting for his life against the figments of his own demented imagination.

"Are you still in here, Master Dick?" Alfred's voice bounded off the sides of the cavern. "I would let you stay and continue of course, but I'm afraid it's time for me to polish the training floor."

Dick turned a raised eyebrow to the butler. "You only polish every other Friday, and that was three days ago."

"Yes well, I don't believe Master Bruce would object to me disrupting my cleaning routine from time to time."

"You've never changed it, not a single time since I've lived here."

"An impressive yet invalid point, Master Dick. Your dinner awaits for you upstairs with Miss Kory. Don't let it get cold."

Dick smirked before finally letting allowing himself off the training circle. Perhaps Alfred was right—twelve straight hours of punching things was pushing it.

Reaching the main floor bathroom, he peeled off his uniform and jumped into the shower, hoping the hot water would distract him from his thoughts.

He was so sure they had seen the last of Deathstroke when he had slipped away after Terra's death. Only Gar had supposedly seen him after seeing Terra "return." But Slade hadn't even bothered the Titans with even a cryptic message. Until now.

He worried about Kory. She seemed be acting even more distant than usual. Only a month had passed since the incident and she still wouldn't completely meet his eyes. He knew Slade had said something to her, but no matter how hard he tried to get it out of her she downright refused to tell.

His thoughts were still churning as he joined Kory at the dining table ten minutes later. Both made half-hearted attempts to get down Alfred's chicken roast, but it was obvious that neither was very hungry. Kory's eyes lingered on the open window, staring at nothing.

Come on Grayson, say something.

He cleared his throat awkwardly. "H-how are you today?"

Her eyes flickered down to him, her expression mildly confused. "Hmm? Did you say something?"

"Uh…nothing. Just, how were you doing, I guess."

"Oh." Her green orbs glazed over once again. "I am well."

"You went down to the docks again today, right?"

She nodded absentmindedly. "Yes, a little after three, I believe."

"And…how was it?"

"Good."

She turned back towards the window, lost in her own private thoughts.

Dick signed inwardly. This is my wife, why is it suddenly so hard to talk to her?

It was the same story every day. Ever since their encounter with Slade, she'd been acting even more guarded. He could occasionally get a conversation started with her, and it would last for a little while. But once it died, she reverted inward to her thoughts and he'd be back on square one.

Maybe it was just karma. After all, he had done pretty much the same to her when he got going on a case. But Kory had always been the open one—the one to scold him when he closed her off. Whatever she was holding inside, she wasn't eager to share it.

It almost felt like he didn't even know her anymore.

He drummed his fingers on the mahogany table. She sipped her soda. The grandfather clock near the parlor kept the time.

Tick. Tock. Tick.

"Alright, that's it." Dick decided. "We're getting out of here."

She looked over at him, startled. "What?"

"You heard me." He stood up from the chair and held out his hand to her.

She hesitated, eyeing him warily. "Where are we going?"

He smiled slyly.

"To get some air."

You just won't give up, will you Grayson?

Of course not. This guy had files on Slade that went back at least ten years, with continuous notes about his supposed whereabouts. No, he certainly wasn't a graduate in the quitter department.

It wasn't like she wanted to shut him out. She wanted to believe that he was the good guy. But the days would always end, and the nightmares began. Ever since that night on the hotel roof, Kory had dreaded going to sleep. She lay awake long into the night and tried to ignore the constant begging of her tired body. But try as she might, the battle was always lost as she succumbed to sleep's tempting abyss.

She never remembered the nightmares in the morning. But she always awoke in tears, and a sense that Dick was the cause of them.

And then there was Slade's deadline to think about. Already a month had passed and she still had no idea what to do.

The sun was already low on the horizon by the time they reached the top of the manor. The last rays of sunlight lit up the Gothic towers that decorated the small platform they stood upon.

"You really do like high places, Dick Grayson." Kory grumbled as she pushed herself up onto the roof.

He only grinned in response. "The higher the better."

The city of Gotham seemed to have a reputation for its cloudy nature, and that night it didn't disappoint. The last rays of the day slid through the massive forms to create kaleidoscopic patterns in the sky.

Dick Grayson stood directly in front of her. His eyes searched hers, asking questions and searching for answers all at the same time.

Kory knew she wasn't being fair to him. He had been nothing but kind since the very beginning.

How do you know you can trust them?

Dick finally broke their gaze and looked down to fiddle with something on his phone. He placed it on top of a nearby banister as a soft melody played off of it.

Kory glanced at him suspiciously. "What are we doing?'

He simply held out his hand to her. "An old tradition."

Oh.

The implication of his request made her cheeks burn, and she backed away.

"What's wrong?" His eyebrows creased in concern as he grasped her hands.

"I-I don't know how. And if I did, well…"

"Kory." He took her hand and tipped her chin so her eyes met his. Her heart involuntarily began to beat a little faster. "You know how, trust me. Even if you've forgotten the song, you know the steps."

Jerk. Insufferable, wonderful, annoying little—

She felt her chest lighten as a hidden laugh burst to the surface. "Must you always say such ridiculous things?"

He gave an impish grin in return. "Only around you."

He slipped his hand around her waist, rocking her gently to the gentle waltz that played off his phone. And slowly, he began to guide her across the roof in the dance.

He was a much better dancer than she had expected. His steps chased hers in a seamless flow, his arms communicating where to go next with only the slightest amount of pressure.

"I…never made you out to be a dancer." She said cautiously. Oh, why was it so hard to breathe all of the sudden?

"Bruce made me go to his fancy galas all the time as a kid. I hated them to be honest, but I guess I picked up a few things."

He talked, she laughed. She blushed, and he would ruin the moment with a joke. And then there were little instants of just…silence.

By the time the sun had set, Kory had lost track of how many songs they had danced to. The glint of the full moon began to light up the incoming night in varying degrees.

Catching her in one last spin, Dick suddenly stopped. She heard herself catch her breath as his fingers brushed over her cheek.

His eyes caught hold of hers, and she felt the whole world stand still. His eyes were unbelievably blue, deep and perplexing—yet bright, quick, and humorous. And the sole focus of their attention…was her.

They shifted, imploring, as though they were asking her permission.

She felt herself give a slight nod, allowing him to close the distance between them.

His lips were careful and gentle, never pressing. A simple gesture. Even so, a burning warmth pulled at her stomach, flowering like a fire that spread to every fiber of her being.

"Unbridled joy, Koriand'r." Galfore had said when he first taught her how to fly. "The happiest you have ever felt."

This was so much more that that.

And it felt…familiar.

I care not for your words, Slade.

I choose him.

Softly breaking the kiss, Dick pulled apart from her and smiled. Kory felt her heart race inside of her. Why hadn't she noticed how incredibly handsome he was until now? The chiseled line of his jaw, the upturned corner of his lip, the dark wavy hair falling slightly into his eyes…

"Sister!"

The both of them jumped at the sound. Kory looked back, startled, to identify the individual behind them. The figure's tanned, almost glowing skin tone gave away her Tamaranian heritage, as did the traditional sleek armor she wore quite well. Her long black hair tumbled down in curls that framed her harsh cheeks and upturned eyes. Kory would have recognized her anywhere.

"Komand'r?"

The alien stretched out her arms. "Oh Koriand'r, how I have missed you."

Kory started to run to her, but felt herself suddenly being pushed back.

"Dick, what are you—"

"What do you want, Komand'r?" Dick snarled. He stood in front of Kory protectively, tense and agitated.

Komand'r dropped her arms in defeat. "I just wanted to see my sister, that's all. She's been gone for so long, and I haven't seen her in ages."

"Dick, stop it!" Kory pushed back him and ran into her sister's arms. She breathed in the familiar scent of vanilla—one that she had always identified with her sister.

"It is so good to see you again, my sister!"

Komand'r laughed. "It's a pleasure as well, Koriand'r. We have so much to discuss."

Dick, however, was not going to give up so easily.

"You're not going anywhere with Kory." He said icily. "Now tell us what you want and get out of here."

"Dick, what is wrong with you? Komand'r is my sister!"
"No she's not. Not after all she's done to you."

"Dick, what are you talking about?" Why was he acting like this? If he truly was her husband, surely she must have told him about her sister at some point.

"Kory, listen." His voice was strained and tight."Komand'r may be your sister in the loosest definition, but don't listen to her. She hates you, Kory! She only wants you dead."

"I don't believe that!"

Komand'r bowed her head in response. "Sister, I'll admit I have made some mistakes in the past. But I never wanted you dead. I—I love you!"

"I am certain that these mistakes in the past can be forgiven." Kory said. "After all, we are sisters."

"Yes." Komand'r smiled. "I suppose we are."

"Kory." Dick was pleading with her now. "Don't trust her. You don't remember all the horrible things she's done to you, but I do."

A terrible headache began to form at Kory's temples. This often happened whenever she tried to remember anything from her past, but everything seemed to be in conflict with each other. Of course she knew that Komand'r could be quite the trickster, but to the extent of killing her own sister? At least with Komand'r, Kory still retained the memories of her childhood on Tamaran.

She disentangled herself from her sister's arms and walked towards Dick. "I wish to speak with my sister, Dick. Perhaps she has knowledge of what has become of my memories."

"I doubt that." He muttered, shooting daggers over Kory's shoulder.

"I am not exactly asking for your permission, Dick."

She couldn't quite read the expression he wore in response. His eyebrows furrowed, but he didn't look angry. He opened his mouth as if to say something, but only sighed.

"Just be careful." He finally uttered, tucking a strand of hair behind her ear (a gesture he was rather fond of, Kory noticed).

Komand'r came up behind them and gave put an arm around Kory. "We won't be long, Boy Wonder. I'll be gone within the hour." She then levitated off the roof and paused, waiting for her sister to follow.

Kory looked at Dick one last time. He said nothing, but silently pleaded her not to go. She fingered the crease that had appeared on his forehead, letting her hand slide down to the base of his jaw.

"I'll be back." she said softly, allowing herself to kiss him before finally ascending to join her sister above.

"Come, Sister dear." Komand'r crooned. "We have much to discuss."

Kory followed her sister faithfully to the top of the roof of a hotel—the same hotel where she had encountered the one-eyed man called Slade. Though the night was warm, the memories sent chills down her spine.

"Um, perhaps we could talk somewhere else—"

"Nonsense, the view is dazzling from up here."

Komand'r settled herself on a rather dusty air vent, groaning in disgust as she wiped the soot off of her hands.

"Oh sister dear, I'm dreadfully sorry you had to come down to this awful planet. We've all missed you so much."

Kory inched closer to Komand'r, the questions bubbling up inside of her all at once.

"But why did I come here in the first place?"

Komand'r gave her pitying look. "You ran away, Koriand'r. Something about not wanting the crown and being afraid to become queen."

"I ran away?"

"Yes, and I suppose you found your new friends here, because you didn't come back. Mummy and Daddy eventually gave up trying to get you to come home, and they've well…passed onto X'hal."

"No…that can't be." Ice cold dread filled her lungs like rising water.

Her father's boisterous laugh, her mother's calming touch.

Gone.

She retained no memory of their deaths, but somehow she knew that Komand'r spoke the truth.

Kory collapsed onto the vent and buried her head into her sister's shoulder, feeling the hot prick of tears sting her eyes.

"It's alright, Koriand'r. We're together now, aren't we?"

"I want to go home, Sister." Kory sobbed. "I must see Tamaran again."

"Why of course." Komand'r droned. "We've all been so worried about you. We just want you to come home now."

"Home." Kory repeated. The word seemed impossible—but soon to be a reality.

The scraping sound of metal caught both of their attention. Kory turned, the full moon revealing the man who had haunted her mind for the past month. Slade strode towards them casually, looking…bored.

"Are you two done yet?" He called out lazily.

Komand'r rolled her eyes. "Deathstroke, can't you see we're sharing a tender moment between sisters?"

"Whatever. Can we get this over with now?"

Kory was on her feet in an instant, aiming a charged starbolt directly at Slade's heart. "Get behind me, Komand'r. This 'Deathstroke' is not welcome here."

But Komand'r only laughed. "Oh, Deathstroke's just a bit melodramatic, that's all."

"Sister, this man is not—"

"Oh darling, don't even worry. He's here on my account. You see, he has certain…abilities that I find to be most intriguing. I hired him to help me find you."

"I do not trust him."

"Then trust me, Koriand'r. He can help you get your memories back."

Slade pulled out a vial filled with a golden liquid. It seemed to shimmer in the moonlight.

"Don't you worry, Princess. I'm a man of my word. You did meet me here, and now I'm here to restore your precious memories."

There was something hauntingly familiar about the golden liquid. Every molecule screamed at Kory to run. She turned to face her sister once again.

"Komand'r?"

"Yes, sister dear?"

"What happened to my memories?"

Komand'r stiffened, then relaxed slightly. "Did that husband of yours not tell you that they rescued you from the Psions? Obviously, they did something to your mind."

She clenched onto Kory's wrist, the movement revealing a fiery red mark on the back Komand'r's hand. It was almost like a curved W—the inverted crown of Tamaran.

Recognizing the mark's significance, Kory's heart stopped.

"Accept the vial, Koriand'r." Komand'r pressed. "And come home."

Kory released her hand from her sister's grasp and glared into Komand'r's metallic gaze.

"How can we, Sister, when you have been banished from home yourself?"

Komand'r's eyes widened, but her expression quickly recovered into an arrogant smirk.

"Oh Sister dear, has anyone ever told you that you're much too trusting?"

Too late, Kory realized her mistake. The electric shock hit her from behind and spread numbly into her limbs. The starbolt faded as her knees buckled beneath her.

"Why?" She managed to croak before she crumbled into the ground.

The voices above her sounded muffled like she was underwater. Kory gripped at the discarded gravel to keep from passing out.

"Get the vial in her now!" Komand'r screamed.

"Calm down, she's subdued."

"I don't care, those friends of hers could be here any minute!"

Kory felt herself being rolled roughly onto her back. A cold, tingling sensation started as Slade inserted the tip of a needle into her neck. The pain seeped slowly through her body, feeling like hot pokers were prodding the edges of her brain. She let out a tiny moan, and Slade chuckled darkly.

"How I would love to see the expression on Nightwing's face when he discovers you."

"Deathstroke, stop stalling." Komand'r called from the background. "We're done here."

"Kom-koman…"

Large spots were already forming before Kory's eyes. Whatever was inserted into her body was quickly pulling her into its poison.

"Goodbye, Sister dear." She heard her sister call out. "Enjoy my parting gift."

The world faded into darkness.