A Valentine Titan
Chapter 1: Beginning
It had been a somber day. Nothing out of the ordinary, and the city hadn't actually gotten into trouble for a while. Raven watched out the window of the Titan Tower at the waves, each one leaving a pale, glistening remembrance of its visit on the rocks below. Sighing, she went to the middle of the room, getting into a meditation position. She sighed once more as her gaze took her vision to the calendar on the wall. The thing was littered with dates and trips, all of which Robin had arranged. Of course, things changed as the city demanded, and most of the things written on the calendar would never come true for the Titans. Then, her gaze took her to the day that it was. February twelve, two days before Valentine's Day...and again, like always, she had no boyfriend. She had no one, really. Robin and Starfire had taken to exchanging gifts, and Cyborg was cooking up something for Bumblebee, but still.
"Azerath Metrione Zinthos..." She began her meditation, concentrating her focus onto the task ahead. She still had problems in her life to sort out, and thinking about love and romance didn't fit into the queue.
Upstairs, Beast Boy trudged wearily onward. The card he was making had to be perfect! He would see to that, no matter what. Slapping sprinkles and pieces of pictures onto it, he smiled, wiping his forehead with a grimy hand and staring at his masterpiece. True, the crude picture he had put on it wouldn't suffice, but still, it was something. "Man, she's going to be so happy when I give her this. I can see her face now! She'll be all like, 'oh, Beast Boy, what a handsome and thoughtful person you are.' Then I'll be all surprised when she kisses me. Oh yeah, no more lonely Valentine's Day for me!" Throwing the card into a small bag, he proceeded to hide it in a corner, where none but he could find it.
"Friend Raven, what are you doing?" Starfire asked, glancing down at the girl. Raven didn't bother to open her eyes to reply.
"I'm meditating. You've seen me do it before. It's nothing new."
"Nonsense! I will meditate with you, friend. Now...what are those words again?" Raven sighed to herself. The cheery girl could be a nuisance sometimes.
"Azerath Metrione Zinthos." Starfire gasped with delight, settling down and getting into her own position.
"Yes, now I remember." Together, the two began mediating, though it was hard for Raven to actually meditate at all with Starfire so close and giggling each time she said Zinthos.
"Starfire, the purpose of meditation is to become one with yourself." Starfire opened her left eye, glancing at her friend.
"Yes. Is that not what I am doing?"
"Starfire, it is hard to become one with anything when you are giggling." Thoroughly chastised, Starfire sighed, nodding.
"I see. Well, we shall continue the meditation in silence then, friend Raven." Raven nodded, and the silence, broken only by three words, was all she could hear. She allowed herself to relax, dwelling on her inner-thoughts, never allowing anything outside of her physical body to tempt her to...
"Titans, trouble!" Robin's voice blared over the loud speaker, broken only by the screeching of the alarm bell. Raven sighed to herself. So much for trying to meditate. Standing, she and Starfire made their way to the hangar, where Cyborg and Robin were waiting.
"Come on, you guys! Time to kick some bad guy butt!" Cyborg yelled, jumping into his T-car and starting the engine. Raven turned, glancing around.
"Hey...where's Beast Boy?" Robin took a look, then shrugged. Hopping onto his bike, he placed his helmet on, his voice echoing around him.
"I don't know. But we need to go. He'll catch up." His motorcycle streaked out, followed closely by the T-car. Starfire and Raven glanced at one another before shooting through the door, following the two vehicles.
"Hey, guys! Wait up!" Beast Boy burst through the hangar door, waving his hands at the four leaving the tower. They didn't hear him, or if they did, they were too busy to turn around. Scratching his head, Beast Boy looked at the ground. "Man...gotta fly again." Quickly changing form into a pterodactyl, he swooped off, heading in the direction the four had gone.
As Robin turned a corner into the city, his radar began to beep. "Whatever is causing the disturbance is up ahead, guys. Be alert!" His wristwatch beeped.
"Right! Let's go in, kick butt, then get out. I have a car to work on!" Robin shook his head as Cyborg's voice filtered in.
"Right. Let's...oomph!" His breath whooshed from his chest as he was catapulted off his bike, the vehicle running a few more feet before smashing to the ground and slowly circling to a stop. Shaking his head to rid himself of the attack, Robin felt two rough hands grab his shirt, lifting him up.
"Why, hello Robin. So glad to see you."
"...Slade. Now what are you up to?" The man himself smiled behind the mask.
"Oh, you know. This and that!" A punch landed in Robin's stomach, and he grunted. Suddenly, he was sailing through the air, his flight stopped by a brick wall. Slade's visible eye tightened in amusement as three bolts of energy came hurling in.
"Do not touch my friend again!" Starfire zigzagged, firing off a bolt with every twist. Slade merely deflected the first two, side-stepping the rest. His hand shot out to a hidden cartridge on his shoulder, and he threw it. Starfire had no time to react as the cartridge exploded in front of her. With a cry, she tumbled through the air, landing in a heap on the ground.
"You always were a firecracker. It turns out the firecracker is only a dud," Slade said with amusement, taking another cartridge out of his pocket. Turning slightly, he tossed it lightly in the direction of Robin, who was still trying to rid himself of the dizzying wall throw. A beam of blue light came from nowhere, obliterating the cartridge in an instant.
"Booya! Take this, freak!" Another beam shot out, Cyborg running towards the man with a shout. Slade tightened his grip around another canister, throwing it down. It exploded in a smoke cloud, evaporating his form and hiding his movements. Cyborg gritted his teeth, firing willy-nilly into the cloud of smoke. "Come out and face me like a man, you wuss!"
"Alright then." Cyborg gasped, turning. He was too late to avoid the punch, sending him flying head over heels down the street. "You know, you Titan's have really lost your edge. Perhaps we haven't done this far enough."
"That's far enough for me!" Slade's eyebrow rose slightly as he turned to address the speaker.
"Ah. Raven...how are you doing today? A little...heated, hm?"
"You have no idea...Azerath Metrione ZINTHOS!" Raven's eyes lit with power, and her hands went up above her head. Three cars, parked on the side of the street, suddenly were enveloped in a black shroud. Hurling them with psychic force, she hurled the vehicles towards her enemy. Slade shook his head.
"So predictable, young Raven. Too bad." His hand shot out, and a long pole formed in his palm. Grasping it, he began to run towards his target. The first car he smashed down into the ground with a sweep of the pole. The next he jumped to the side to avoid. The last car he jumped on top of, using it as a springboard and catapulting himself at the girl. Her eyes opened in shock as his pole crashed down on her chest, sending her sprawling to the pavement. She groaned, her vision blurred with stars and lightning bolts of pain. A hand grabbed her cloak, lifting her up. "Hm, a shame to destroy something so beautiful. But, rules are rules. Sorry, kiddo. Your time is up." Her eye opened slightly, allowing her the vision of a large, angry pulsar gun, aimed directly at her face. The gun began to vibrate with power, and a core of energy began to build within the barrel. She held her breath, looking away. She didn't particularly feel that a full-on laser blast would do her any good. "Young Raven, prepare to...oof!" She felt the hand let her go, and she hit the ground, her eyes watering from the impact to her already damaged body. Looking up, her eyes widened, seeing the oddly dressed boy in front of her.
"You won't touch anyone else, Slade. You've been read. You're through!" Slade shook his head, standing once again to face the boy who had seemingly appeared out of nowhere.
"Hn. So, who might you be?" The boy smiled. No mask covered his face. Short, brown hair, cropped in the center. His outfit was similar to Robin's, but without the cape and flashy colors, preferring darker colors over that of the flashy red and yellow. He looked up, his black eyes with white pupils flashing in the sun. As Raven watched from her position on the ground, she thought that a streak of light flashed through them.
"Who I am is of no concern to you. What I do, however, is!" He took off, his speed rivaling that of Robin's. Slade was taken unawares as the boy threw a fist into his face, grinding it down into Slade's face mask. The man staggered slightly, looking up as anger etched itself on his face.
"You little upstart brat! You think you can just come in and interrupt my fight!" His hand flew to his pole once more, and he charged. The boy merely stood, watching him as Slade swung at head height. With grace, the boy ducked, coming up with an uppercut and sending Slade reeling back. He followed this attack up with several more, each one driving the masked man back more as the boy fought with rugged tenacity. Raven could only watch, her power drained and her focus all but gone.
Soon, the boy had Slade against a wall, staring at him. Slade glared at the boy with all the hatred the man possessed. "I'm going to make you scream before I'm done with you." The boy smiled once more, shaking his head.
"I don't think so. You're through. As I've said before, you've been read. Your actions are now...highly predictable." Slade took each breath as it came, his chest heaving in ragged gasps. Suddenly, he began to laugh, than to outright guffaw. The boy's eyebrow rose as he watched.
"Fool. If you think that I am so predictable," he began, pointing the gun up. The boy watched, preparing himself...as the gun suddenly flew to the side, aimed directly at Raven still lying on the ground. "Predict this!" The gun started up with a blare, and the boy gasped. Raven blinked as the weapon powered up, then let out a grinding squeal as a large beam of energy shot directly at her. She shut her eyes, her hands coming up to form any kind of defense possible against a weapon that was un-defendable against. She waited for the end, praying that Azerath would take back its erring child. However, when no pain or fire came, she began to breath once again. Opening her eyes, she looked forward, seeing the boy holding out his arm, a blue shield of light creating a barrier between he and her and the weapon that Slade was still firing. The boy grit his teeth, forcing more energy into the shield as Slade took a backstep. "Im...Impossible. Impossible!" The boy took a step forward, bringing the beam out of Raven's direct line. Still watching from her position on the ground, Raven could only guess what could happen.
"Your time...is up...Slade..." Slade, his left hand holding his right steady, shook with fury.
"No. You're through! You're finished!" He may have said more, had three bat-a-rangs not flown in, exploding in front of him. One managed to hit the laser dead-on, exploding brilliantly into blues and oranges of light. Slade staggered back from the blows, his right arm hanging limply from his side. Robin, battered but standing, stood between him and his prize.
"This fight is over, Slade. You've lost." Cyborg nodded his approval, his pulse-cannon already aimed and ready. Starfire flew above the two, her hands glowing a bright orange. Slade took another glance at the two behind them, then sighed.
"Very well. It appears that I have lost this fight...for now." His left hand shot open, and a smoke bomb appeared in it. He threw this down in front of him, and again he was lost to view. "But I will have my revenge, Titan's. You will be destroyed. I'll see to that." Robin sighed, standing up fully.
"Just like the coward to run before his business is through. Oh well. Another day." Turning to Cyborg and Starfire, he nodded. "Good job, you two." Starfire blushed, smiling and nodding her head. Cyborg thrust out his hand, his thumb up.
"Oh yeah, kicked Slade's butt again!" However, Starfire couldn't help but comment on the situation.
"Yes, but we were only victorious because of our new friend." Finally realizing that both the 'new friend' and Raven may need attention, Robin nodded.
"Right." Walking past the two, he went to where the other two stood. The boy still had his shield on, glaring straight ahead. "Hey, it's alright. You can drop the shield, you know?" The boy took a breath, then blinked, staring around him.
"Oh...er, right. Sorry." Turning, he smiled down at the girl on the ground, reaching out a hand. "Help?" Raven blinked back, taking his hand and allowing him to lift her back on her feet.
"Hey, that was some great fighting back there. Who are you, anyways?" Robin said, his head in his hand. The boy smiled, putting his own hand behind his back.
"Me? I'm..." Suddenly, he stopped, his smile dropping.
Robin blinked, staring at the boy who looked like he had just been stricken. "Hey...you alright?" The boy's pale eyes slowly tilted back, and he began to fall back. Raven gasped, her hands coming up and grabbing the boy before he could fall. He lay in her arms, his breathing shallow. Looking up at Robin, Raven threw out a question.
"What do we do with him?" Robin let out a small sigh.
"Well, we can't just leave him here. If Slade comes back, the kid is toast. May as well bring him with us." Raven nodded as Cyborg leaned down, grabbing the kid and throwing him easily over his shoulder.
"I'll carry him. He's nothin' for me." Raven nodded dumbly, standing straight once more.
"Hey! Wait up guys! I'm coming!" Yelled Beast Boy, just arriving on the scene. As he got to them, he stopped, taking a look around. His face screwed up into disappointment, and he sighed. "Ah man...missed all the action. Bummer..." Cyborg smiled, patting the small green boy on the back.
"Hey, don't worry about it BB. I'm sure there'll be a next time." Robin nodded his agreement.
"Right. With Slade still out there, there'll always be a next time."
"Can someone please tell me when this 'next time' will be? Perhaps I can prepare for it better than." The four looked up at the floating orange beauty, and she smiled. "Yes?"
It was late when the boy awoke. His hand flew in front of him, punching thin air. Breathing deeply and fast, the boy looked around, glancing at the walls and ceiling. The entire room he was in was black. There was hardly any furniture besides the bed he lay on and a dresser opposite the bed. Yawning, he stood, shaking himself off. As his eyes roved the room, flashes of light began shuttering through his pupils, as if a camera were sitting behind the lens. Each time his face moved, another flash would graze through them.
"Interesting. Odds predict me to be in...that girl's room. Fascinating." Looking towards the dresser, he walked to it, picking up a mirror that lay on the top. His eyes flashed again as he looked from the mirror to other aspects of the room. "Very fascinating." Turning, he went to the door, opening it and peering out into the hallway. He couldn't see or hear anyone, so he quietly shut the door behind him, sneaking down the hallway and to the main stairs. He could hear talking from the room below, and he stopped as he listened.
"Friend Raven, do you think that our new friend is alright in your room?"
"Why wouldn't he be, Star?"
"Yeah! Raven's room is all dark and stuff. He'll be fine. Should be the best room to get some sleep in."
"He coulda stayed in my room!"
"Your room smells like old potato chips and sour onions, BB."
"Hey!...the potato chips are still good..."
"Yeah, like last year!"
"So? Your room smells like oil and sweat!"
"That's because my car is in there, and I work on my car in there, so mix the two together, and what do you have?"
"A messy, smelly room!"
"Oh yeah!"
"Yeah!"
"Friends, please. Stop the fighting now, please! This doesn't help anything!"
"Starfire's right. Let's just calm down, alright."
"Humph...BB started it."
"What?! Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too times a million!"
"Did not times two million!"
"Both of you shut up!"
"...Yes ma'am..." The boy's eyes flashed once.
"Most interesting." Standing up, he brushed himself down, walking to the head of the stairs. An orange face met his own.
"Oh! Our new friend is up! Wonderous! Let us have the feast of a million pancakes to celebrate our victorious victory in hopes of many more!" At least two people below thought it was a good idea.
"Booya! I'll start on it right now! Oh! Bacon to. And sausage. We need some meat to go with that!"
"Hey! I don't eat anything with a face, remember?"
"Just 'cause you don't doesn't mean everyone else eats that crud you call health food."
"What?! Everyone likes tofu!"
"Try To-gross!"
"He'll like it. Watch!" Turning to the new visitor, Beast Boy smiled. "Hey, you like tofu, right?" The boy blinked, a hand going to his head.
"Er...tofu? What's that?" Beast Boy's face fell as Cyborg smiled.
"Tofu? Oh, nothing. Just some horrible meat imitation that someone cooked up. Come on, I'll make my famous 'Breakfast-for-dinner' celebratory dinner! Oh yeah!" Cyborg disappeared, flashing into the fridge. "Now, where's those eggs." The boy smiled, putting out his hands.
"Really. You don't have to. I've already intruded enough. I don't want to..."
"Do not be making the joke! You are more than welcome here! You helped us fight off the Slade, and for that, we owe you many thanks. Please, enjoy the pancakes and the assorted meats that we will cook!" Robin nodded, indicating a chair.
"Yeah, come on. You can't leave until you've tried Cyborg's pancakes at least." Sighing, the boy smiled, nodding.
"Alright. Why not. I am hungry...and I do like pancakes." A cry of delight came from the fridge.
"Haha! I knew it, a fellow pancake entrepreneur! Sweet! One huge pancake feast, comin' up!" As Cyborg went to work, Robin began to question their newest acquisition.
"So, who are you? You were going to tell us during the fight, but you fainted." The boy nodded apologetically.
"Yeah, sorry about that. That energy shield takes a lot out of me. I...usually don't use it because of that." Looking at everyone, he bowed his head slightly. "My name is Alex Rendan. However, you may call me Analyze. That is the name I gave myself."
"Analyze? Like...analysis?" The boy, Analyze, nodded.
"Yes. Long ago, I found out that I had the ability to analyze a situation, form a hypothesize about the outcome, and base my theories of the conclusion on the data collected." When he got blank stares from everyone in the room, he smiled. "Sorry. I've gotten used to talking nerd for a while. In laymen's terms, I can process information really fast, and design a plan for any situation on the blink of an eye." Robin nodded his understanding.
"I get it. So, you're able to predict what is going to happen based on past occurrence's?" Analyze nodded.
"Yes. I know how someone will act after I have seen them act before. You see, people are as predictable as they want to believe that they are unpredictable. It is the fact that people are so unpredictable that they become very predictable." Robin nodded his understanding, but it was lost on two.
"Wait...the whosits are what now?"
"Man, you need to speak slower. And in English, please?" Robin shook his head.
"What he's saying is that he becomes a super computer on the battlefield. Correct?" Analyze smiled, nodding.
"Yep! That's about it." Looking down at his hands, he sighed. "However, this doesn't really help me. I have no strength. All I have is speed of mind, speed of body, and that shield you saw. That's it." Shaking himself slightly, he smiled, cupping the back of his head with an arm. "Truth is, that was the twelth and a half time I had fought Slade. You guys did me a world of help back there." Robin blinked.
"Wait. You've fought Slade twelve and a half times?" Beast Boy was next to comment.
"How do you fight someone half a time?" Analyze shrugged.
"We never finished the fight. We were at a stand still, then...it started raining, so we both just decided to leave." Robin's eyebrow rose as a vein appeared in his temple.
"Wait...you called the fight on account of rain?" Analyze nodded.
"Yeah. Who wants to fight in the rain, anyways?" Robin didn't know whether to be annoyed or amused.
"Hn. Well...I guess that makes sense."
"Hey! Wait, you're good at strategy and stuff then, right?" Beast Boy asked, coming around the table. Analyze shrugged.
"Well, I can base opinions and theorize the most possible outcome. Yes, I suppose I am then. Why?" Beast Boy smiled a toothy grin, grabbing the boy by the hand and leading him into the living room.
"I've been having problems with this game, see? It's a strategy war game, and I'm on the last level. But, the computer is super hardcore, and it beats me every time, no matter how hard I try!" Sitting Analyze down on the couch, Beast Boy began the game, going through the scenario as fast as possible. However, as he said, by five minutes in, Beast Boy had already lost more than four-fifths of his force, and the computer was hardly damaged. After another few minutes of play, the game was over, and Beast Boy sat back with a slump. "See? No matter how hard I try!" A light shot through Analyze's eyes. Turning to the green boy beside him, he nodded.
"I have formulated a plan based on the actions that the computer took. I need for you to play once more." Beast Boy grunted, but complied. This time, he lost a little sooner, and again he slumped down.
"Don't ask him to play anymore. It's too pathetic!" Beast Boy growled, yelling back at Cyborg from the couch.
"Oh yeah? I don't see you beating it!"
"That's because I haven't tried yet!"
"Then come over here and try!"
"Can't! Making pancakes!"
"Oh...yeah..." Analyze smiled, turning back to the boy as the last fading signs of a flash of light vanished from his eyes.
"My hypothesize was correct. Beast Boy, please replay the game. Only this time, allow me to guide your movements." Beast Boy groaned. If he, the master of games, couldn't beat the last level, how did the guy next to him think he could possibly try? Relenting, Beast Boy restarted the scenario, listening to Analyze as he took him through the processes. Twenty-five minutes later, Beast Boy's forces were overrunning the computer, and the game sizzled, a large white flag appearing on the screen.
"I...I...don't believe it," Beast Boy said, his mouth drooping slightly. "How?"
"It was simple. Most games of this sort follow the same strategy. In this game, the computer has three functions. It has to protect the base, protect its home range, and protect its units, in that order. Therefore, I had you attack the computer in this order. Units, range, base. If it was protecting the units, it had no forces or time to protect the other things. This allowed you to do step two of the plan. Your extra forces, the small, weaker ones, were able to go through undetected while your larger forces were keeping the computer busy at the northern end of the game. Since the computer was engaged, even though your weaker forces were, of course, weaker, it couldn't defend ably enough. That was the key. It had to protect its units, and its units were being attacked. It was blinded..."
"By the shroud of war," Robin finished for him. Analyze nodded, looking up from the couch.
"Correct. You're smart." Robin huffed, shaking his head.
"Not nearly that smart. You must have won some chess tournaments back when, huh?"
"Three years running!" Robin nodded, and both smiled. Beast Boy was still staring blankly at the white flag on the screen.
"Alright everyone! Pancakes are...DONE!" With gusto, Cyborg slammed a large plate of pancakes on the table, and Starfire smiled.
"Yeah! The pancake feast can begin! Please, take a chair and begin the feast, new friend!" Analyze nodded, walking to the table and taking a chair. A heap of pancake was placed on his plate as Cyborg watched, waiting. Taking his fork, Analyze took a small piece off the top, placing it in his mouth and chewing thoughtfully.
"Weeellllllll?" Cyborg said, drawing out the word and waiting. Analyze chewed four times more before swallowing. He gazed at the pancake platter, than back at Cyborg.
"These are, without a doubt...the best pancakes I have ever eaten." Cyborg smiled, giving them all a thumbs up.
"Oh yeah! Cyborg in the house, baby! Now, dig in. I'll have the sausage and bacon done stat!" Analyze nodded happily, grabbing another pancake and shoving it in. By now, the others were eating, though Raven was hardly touching her food. Beast Boy glanced over, nudging her slightly.
"Hey...you alright Rave?" Raven blinked, then looked up, nodding.
"Yes. Why?" Beast Boy frowned, his lip pursed.
"Well, you're hardly eating. Aren't you hungry?" Raven sighed, looking down at the plate.
"Well..."
"They are really good, friend Raven. Please, consume them!" Starfire said from her position across the table, stuffing yet another pancake into her mouth. Raven's stomach seemed unable to force her hand to eat, so she simply sat.
"Are you really ok?" Beast Boy asked again. Raven was becoming irritated with his constant questions, but she held her calm.
"Yes, I'm fine. Eat." Beast Boy sighed, taking another pancake and cutting it up.
"You really should eat, Raven. After what we were through today, eating is probably the best thing for you." Raven gasped, looking up at Analyze, who was pointing a fork at her. She gulped, then nodded, taking a bite and forcing her teeth to chew. Swallowing, she took another bite, then another, her appetite seeming to grow with each passing bite. No one was watching as a flash of light zipped across the boy's eyes.
"Hey, where are you heading to after this?" Robin asked after a few moments. Analyze shrugged.
"Dunno. I thought about going to the other side of the city and waiting for Slade to make a move. At least then I would have a chance of fighting him before...well..."
"Before we got there?" Robin said, finishing his statement again. Analyze blushed slightly.
"It's not that. It's just. Well...this is my fight. Slade is my enemy, I'll fight him."
"Wrong! Slade isn't your enemy, he's everyone's. The Titans are here to fight him, no matter where his head pops up!" Robin accentuated his last word with a pound on the table.
"Yes! We fight as a team! We fight bad people who wish bad things to good people!" Starfire piped in, still eating. Beast Boy acknowledged this.
"So, I guess you only have one option then, Analyze." Analyze blinked, staring at the caped crime fighter.
"One option? I have already theorized hundreds of options."
"I mean one valid option." Robin stood. "You must become a Titan. We could use someone like you on our team."
"Oh yes, new friend! Please say yes! We could always use another friend on our side!"
"Yeah! Come on, man! Join up with us! We kick bad guy butt all day long!" Beast Boy glanced at everyone, then smiled.
"Yeah, what they said! It'll be fun! Oh! You can show me how to beat a couple other games to!" Analyze's face screwed up, as if thinking.
"I don't know..."
"Look, stay another night here. That way, you can think it over, and tell us what you think in the morning." Analyze seemed to think this over in his mind.
"Well...alright. I have nowhere else to go tonight, so I may as well." Starfire was ecstatic.
"Hurray! Welcome to the tower, new friend Analyze! We are sure that you will be happy here." Analyze smiled, his arms being ripped from their sockets as the Tamaranian girl pumped his hands fitfully.
"Thanks. But, could you let go. You're sorta hurting me..." Starfire squealed, letting go.
"Many pardons, new friend Analyze. I am so pleased you decided to stay however."
"Now, the only problem is finding you a room. I guess..."
"He can stay in my room. I can sleep out here...what little sleep I require," Raven piped up. Everyone glanced at her for a moment before Robin nodded.
"Fine. You can stay in Raven's room for now. We'll build another separate room later, if you decide to stay. Welcome to the tower, Analyze." Analyze smiled, taking the proffered hand that Robin thrust at him.
"Thanks." Robin nodded, turning.
"Alright, Titan's. Let's head for bed. Tomorrow we track down Slade and stop whatever it is he's planning on doing." The Titan's nodded, turning. The in-house system began to pile the dishes into the sink, where it would begin to clean them for storage. Beast Boy walked towards the stairs, smiling.
"Alright! All those games I can't beat...they are so going down!" Walking up the stairs, he stopped, turning. "Hey, Analyze! Tomorrow, I got the perfect game for you to beat! It's already in my head!" Analyze smiled, nodding.
"Right! We'll see." Beast Boy turned again, still talking to himself. Analyze shook his head at the boy's lack of eloquence, then yawned. Though he had just woken up a mere hour and a half ago, his head was still feeling the reel of fatigue.
"If you need more blankets or pillows or anything...just ask." The boy blinked, turning around to face the dark-haired beauty behind him.
"Thank you, friend Raven."
"Please...call me Raven. Starfire is the one with the friend tagged in the front." Analyze smiled, taking the girls hand.
"Very well...Raven..." Placing his lips lightly on her hand, he kissed it, letting it go and turning. "Goodnight then!" As he walked up the stairs, he didn't see the blush that had etched itself on her face. Nor did anyone else see the flash of light that flew through his eyes. As Raven got her complicity back, Starfire tapped her on the shoulder.
"He is very handsome, this Analyze. He is cute, I think is what you humans would say. On my home planet of Tamaran, we would call him 'Nucktar'." Raven blinked, turning.
"'Nucktar'? What does that mean?" Robin smiled from where he sat on his chair.
"I think it means 'a good catch'. Right Star?" Starfire nodded.
"Yes, in some words. In other words, it would mean, 'fine material'. However, this 'a good catch' seems fitting." Raven blushed even brighter, throwing her hood over her head.
"Well, whatever 'Nucktar' really means, I'm sure that he is. I'm tired. I'm going to sleep." Robin smiled knowingly.
"I thought you didn't sleep?" He wasn't answered as Raven floated off. Starfire landed on the ground, walking to the small bar and taking a chair next to Robin.
"I think our friend Raven is...what is the human word for it?"
"Hm...smitten? Infatuated? Enamored?" Starfire listened, then shook her head.
"No. I believe that 'sick' is the word used to describe this." Robin laughed lightly, turning back to his mug of cocoa.
"Yeah, she may be. Perhaps all of us are a little 'sick', huh Starfire?" This was answered by a hand on his forehead. Though cool, it was also quite warm. Of course, that may have been his face.
"Are you also 'sick', friend Robin? Do you wish to lie down?" Robin sighed, taking the girl's hand from his face.
"It's just an expression, Star."
A/N: This idea popped into my head for Valentine's day! I hope you all enjoy it. It will be three chapters long, with the next chapter coming out either Sunday or Monday, and the last chapter coming out on, you guessed it, Valentine's day.
As an added note: Thank you to whoever pointed out that Starfire is from Tamaran, not some made up place called Tangea. To tell the truth, its been a while since I have watched a full length show, so I am...er...a bit rusty on my Teen Titan Trivia. If anyone else see's things in this that don't look right, let me know! I like fixing mistakes, it makes me feel worthwhile.
Also, even without extensive knowledge of the Titans and their stuff, I tried to make this as cannon as possible. Can someone please tell me if I got Starfire right...besides the home planet thing. I mean seriously, does she say friend before anyone's name that much, besides the people she knows a lot. I think that I may have used it far too much in this fic. Anywho.