Chapter 1: Coming Home
The sun was still ascending in the sky when Blackfire and Starfire decided to spend some time strolling in the vast royal gardens in a large courtyard of the palace. The sisters had not gone far when they were joined by their younger brother, Ryand'r.
"Good morrow, my sisters!" he called, running to catch up to them.
"Greetings, brother," Starfire said, kissing his cheek. Blackfire did the same, and the walk continued. Among other topics of conversation, Ryand'r brought up the translations of his sisters' names.
"If you, dear sister are called 'Starfire' and you, sister, are called 'Blackfire', then if I were to visit you on Earth, what would I be called?" Ryand'r asked.
"That's a good question that I don't have the answer to," Blackfire said.
"I believe, sweet brother, that on Earth, your name would be 'Wildfire'," Starfire replied. Ryand'r tried this on his own voice and took a moment to let it sink in.
"Is it a nice name?" Ryand'r asked. His sisters laughed softly and reassured him that yes, Wildfire was a very good name.
Raven cautiously coaxed hers and her husband's clothes back into their suitcases and then went to see if Beast Boy had finished packing his own. When she walked into the room that he had shared with his big brother, Catalyst, Beast Boy was fast asleep on the bed with his stuffed figures of his parents snuggled close to his face. He was covered with his favorite heavy fleece blanket and Raven smiled as she noted that Catalyst had fallen asleep along side him, his strong left arm around his little brother. Glancing the other way, she noted that their suitcases were packed and stacked beside each other near the door. Catalyst drowsily opened his eyes and looked at his mother. Raven smiled and walked to his side of the bed. She summoned the blanket over the chair near the window and draped it over her older son. He smiled and Raven kissed his temple softly.
"Rest," she whispered. "We're not leaving for a little while yet." Catalyst nodded sleepily and closed his eyes again. Raven closed the door behind her and moved on to the next bedroom, the one her daughters had shared for the trip.
"Livie, that's gorgeous! Have you told mamma and daddy?" Thetis asked upon seeing Hummingbird's ring.
"No," Hummingbird replied nervously. "I'm terrified what they'll say. I don't think anyone else knows about us." Thetis, dressed in a purple tee-shirt and blue jeans, folded her arms over her chest and arched an eyebrow at her big sister.
"What?" said Hummingbird.
"You honestly think no one else can tell?" Thetis said. Hummingbird bit her lip.
"Are we really that bad?" she asked gingerly. Thetis rolled her eyes and Hummingbird flopped on her back across the bed.
"Aw, this is a disaster!" she whined.
"What are you talking about? Your best friend—a literal and figurative prince—dances with you all night and then takes you out on the balcony under a zillion stars. He declares that he loves you, gives you a gorgeous ring that belonged to his grandmother, and then asks you to marry him someday—not now—not a year from now—when you're ready…did I miss something here?" Thetis babbled.
"I was beginning to wonder the same thing," Raven said, opening the door. Hummingbird jerked upright and Thetis looked at the floor. Raven sat down on the bed near her daughters and smiled softly at them.
"You know, I don't know when it happened, but the two of you grew up when I wasn't looking. Sometimes I look at you and I still see my little girls playing with rag dolls and tea sets. I look at you now and I see two beautiful young women who are independent and intelligent. Each of you has a young man in your life that cares deeply for you and I want you to know that I couldn't have done better for you myself. I understand your concern, Olivia. You're the leader of the team and you feel like you should be objective, don't you?" Raven said.
"Yes," Hummingbird replied softly.
"You feel like you might have to be subject to him or you might have to let him be equal to you on the team," Raven said. Hummingbird nodded. Raven lifted Hummingbird's chin to meet her eyes.
"Cross those bridges when you come to them," Raven instructed her. "and you…" Thetis looked up at her mother.
"If Rorek is anything like the book character I remember, he is gallant and loyal and will treat you like a princess if you let him. He's in a great transition right now. He will need you to be supportive of him as he adjusts to life in our world. You are still so young yet, my Emily. I want you to be careful, and remember that in many ways, you are still a child and that you have every right to that childhood. If you ever feel that you don't know what to do, I want you to go to your sister, or to me, and we will help you. Boys are not easy to figure out and I want you to have all the support you need. Do you both understand?" Raven asked. Both girls nodded and hugged their mother.
"Now, what's this I hear about a ring?" Raven asked. Hummingbird and Thetis laughed as Hummingbird extended her hand to show her mother the ring.
Later that morning, the Titans packed their ship and prepared to leave Tamaran.
"Must you leave so soon?" Ryand'r asked his sister, folding his arms around her.
"Yes, I'm afraid we must. We are needed back on Earth, as are the children," Starfire replied. She embraced her parents and then came to her sister.
"I trust you will help Galfor take good care of our world in my absence," Starfire said. Blackfire nodded, her eyes shining with hope.
"Thanks to you, I have the authority to do just that. I can't thank you enough for what you did, Koriand'r," Blackfire said, hugging her sister tight.
After all had said their goodbyes, the Titans climbed on board their ship and lifted off, the children waving from the windows as Tamaran became smaller and smaller in the distance. Sitting back in his chair, Nightwing wrapped an arm around Starfire and she leaned into his shoulder. He stroked her belly and smiled.
"Do you suppose we have another son or another daughter in there?" he said softly.
"This one is restless much like Jason was, but at the same time seems to be intently listening as Rosemary did," Starfire replied. "To tell you the truth, I do not know."
"I suppose we'll have to have an ultrasound when we get home," Nightwing said.
"Yes, that is a good idea," Starfire said.
Torque emerged from the restroom on the ship looking a little pale. She returned to her seat beside Arsenal and took a long drink from her water bottle before sitting back in the chair.
"What's wrong, mommy?" asked Hawkeye, sitting sideways in her father's lap.
"Yeah, you don't usually get airsick," Arsenal added.
"Erin, baby, why don't you go play with the others for a minute. Daddy and I need to talk, okay?" Torque replied. As soon as she was out of earshot, Torque looked at her husband and bit her lip.
"What's wrong, baby?" Arsenal said, lifting the armrests so that she could lean across into his arms.
"I'm late," she said softly. Arsenal raised an eyebrow. "Late?"
"A week late," Torque repeated.
"All that stress…you know it's not unusual to skip a period when--"
"No. Honey, I'm nauseous. I'm sick…" Torque insisted.
"You mean you're…we're…" Arsenal stammered. Torque nodded.
"You're sure?" he said. He didn't want to get his hopes up only to find out that it was a fluke. Torque nodded again.
"I've carried two kids, honey. I think I know what it feels like by now," Torque said. Arsenal tightened his grip on her and kissed her.
"I love you, Ginny," he whispered. "I love you."
"I love you, too, babe," she replied, returning his kiss.
Raven took a deep breath and opened her eyes. She had fallen asleep meditating in her seat beside Changeling. She was met by his fathoms-deep green eyes and she smiled.
"You fell asleep again. Are you okay?" Changeling asked.
"I think so. I've just been really tired since we got to Tamaran. Today I'm a little dizzy," she said.
"The dizziness could be motion sickness. You don't usually sleep when we fly," Changeling said. "But the tiredness I don't get…Did we over-do it?" He smiled and wiggled his eyebrows suggestively. Raven giggled.
"We weren't very careful, that's for sure," She replied. Changeling leaned over and kissed her lips. She smiled as he stroked her face and kissed her again.
"Oh, I wanted you," he whispered. Raven nudged her nose against his and then made sure the next kiss was deeper than the last. Remembering that not only were all of their teammates around, they discontinued the kiss. Raven had an idea. Quietly whispering it in Changeling's ear, she stood and moved for the back of the ship and he followed her a minute later.
On the other side of the ship, most of the kids were playing cards or reading. The littlest ones played with toys they brought along. While Catalyst was preoccupied with a journal he was writing in, Hummingbird crept over to sit beside Robin. He was softly picking at his guitar again.
"How come you never played on Tamaran?" she asked, leaning her head on his shoulder. Robin smiled. He set the instrument aside and pulled Hummingbird across his lap so that she was resting her head on his left arm and was staring up at him.
"I was too busy staring at you," he replied. Hummingbird giggled. "Good answer," she laughed. Catalyst's journal slapped shut and he grunted softly as he got up off the floor and headed back to his seat. Hummingbird watched him go and then got up to follow him.
"Toby, what's wrong?" she asked.
"Nothing," he said softly, not looking at her. Hummingbird dropped into her seat beside him and seemed to physically demand his attention.
"Toby…" she repeated.
"I said it's nothing. Go back and sit with Jason…" Catalyst said, finally looking at her.
"Promise me you and I'll talk s'more when we get home?" she said.
"Yeah," Catalyst said, stuffing the journal back into his backpack. Hummingbird smiled softly.
"That is…after you've had a chance to say hi to Kyler," she teased, nudging his shoulder. Finally, a small grin cracked Catalyst's gloomy mood.
"Yeah…after Kyler," he said.
As soon as the Titans were within communications range, Nightwing brought a handheld radio and smiled as he handed it to Hummingbird.
"We're stopping on Earth first. You know you want to say it," he said. Hummingbird grinned and pressed the buttons on the front of the device until she heard a soft chirp, signaling that a channel was open.
"Hummingbird calling Jump City headquarters—anyone home?" she called.
"Olivia! Delightful to hear your voice again! Tell me, how long before you all will be come home?" replied a familiar voice. Emily squealed softly in the background and the others laughed.
"Hi, Rorek! We're about a half hour away. See you soon!" Hummingbird replied.
When the transport ship landed on top of Titans Tower, the other Titans were spilling out the door and out onto the roof. Hummingbird hoisted her backpack and duffle bag and sighed.
"Finally home…It's gonna be great to sleep in my own bed tonight without Emily kicking me in her sleep," she mumbled.
"I did not!" Thetis cried.
"She always has," Raven added, patting her middle. "My ribs ache just remembering."
The young Titans hugged their parents and ambled toward the doorway of the craft. Catalyst's eyes raided the roof and his father rested a hand on his shoulder.
"Don't worry…she's there," he said. Shy Catalyst only blushed and smiled.
"Now remember, baby," Raven said, holding Hummingbird close. "Your team's been through a lot in the past few days."
"That's right," said Nightwing. "Give the older ones time, but we'd like you to keep an eye on Caleb and Rosemary for a while to make sure they're okay."
"Yes sir," said Hummingbird, administering a few last hugs before she left the ship with her friends. She was still blinking in the early sunshine when she heard the distinct sounds of her teammates welcoming them home. Catalyst looked up as he descended the stairs and a wide smile brightened his face.
"Toby!" Silver Nova cried. She ran to him as he dropped his bags on the roof of the Tower and swept her up into his arms.
"Aren't you a sight for sore eyes!" he said.
"Oh, I missed you, Toby!" she replied, burying her head in his shoulder as he swung her in a circle. Silver Nova smiled as Catalyst gently stroked her face and hair with his hands.
"You owe me a kiss, Toby," she said softly.
"So I do," he said, leaning in and pressing his lips to hers. The other Titans smiled as they watched this exchange. Robin walked past them, his arm draped over Hummingbird's shoulder.
"Rorek!" Thetis called, looking left and right for her dashing beau. She stopped short of the rest of the group and fumbled in her pocket when it emitted a high chirping sound. She pulled a small, gray, black streaked creature from the pocket and stroked its head with her finger. It chattered at her and she giggled as it climbed her arm to rest on her shoulder.
"Yes, we're home. Now, where is that Rorek?" Thetis said. She pulled her luggage along on its small wheels and greeted the rest of their friends.
"Welcome home, Titans," Bumblebee greeted them, opening her arms to hug them. After unloading all of their things and getting the status report and mission summaries from Bumblebee, Titans East took their leave and most of the returning team sat down, exhausted, in the ops room.
"God it feels good to be home," Hummingbird muttered.
"I'll second that," Rumble added.
"What time is it?" asked Catalyst.
"A little after five," replied Silver Nova.
"Anyone else hungry?" asked Hummingbird.
"Starving!" said Rumble.
"You're always hungry," laughed Robin.
"I'm still a growing boy I hope," Rumble shot back with a cheeky grin.
"Gimme the phone. We need pizza," Hummingbird said.
In the bedroom area, Thetis knocked timidly on Rorek's door. She was still baffled at how he could be absent from their arrival and still be hiding in his room so close to dinner time.
"Rorek?" Thetis called. "Are you in there?" She bit her lip in mild worry. "I'm home now…won't you come out and talk to me? I've missed you!" When he didn't answer, Thetis squeezed her eyes closed against the tears falling from them and ran to her room still pulling her luggage along behind her.
"Emily? What's wrong?" asked Catalyst, walking down the steps into the bedroom area. When she ignored him, Catalyst looked at Rorek's bedroom door in suspicion. Had Rorek said something to Thetis to make her cry? A hand on Catalyst's shoulder stopped him from immediately going to find out.
"What's going on? Is that Emily I hear?" asked Robin.
"Yeah. She was here a second ago and took off running. I haven't seen Rorek since we got home—has he even come out to say hi to her?" Catalyst asked.
"I don't think I've seen him either," Robin said. Catalyst started to pull out of Robin's grip and suddenly Robin got the picture.
"Whoa, here…we told him that if he broke Emmie's heart we'd break his neck. You don't really think that he lost interest in her in the week we've been gone?" Robin said.
"That's what I need to find out," Catalyst grumbled, reaching for the door.
"Hey, whoa, let me do it," Robin said, futilely attempting to keep Catalyst away from the door.
"She's my sister," Catalyst argued.
"Exactly. You're mad. Let me talk to him and at least find out what his deal is," Robin said. Reluctantly, Catalyst gave in and Robin proceeded to knock on the door.
"Hey, Rorek, it's Robin. Can I come in?" he asked. Finally, the silver haired hero peeked out the door and admitted him into the room.
"Friend Robin, I fear I have done something awful…" Rorek whispered. "I feel such shame that I cannot possibly face lovely Emily without a remorse such that I have never felt!" Confused, Robin asked him to explain.
"Whilst you were all on Tamaran, Bumblebee treated us all to dinner and I…I danced with Aries…" Rorek confessed, his long hair spilling over his shoulders as he leaned forward to rest his head in his hands and his elbows on his knees. Robin sat down on the bed next to him and gave him a moment before replying.
"So?"
"So?! I've betrayed her! I've thrown her fragile young heart to the shades and shown affection to another woman!" he lamented. "How can she be prevailed upon to forgive me when I've shown so little regard for her feelings?" Rorek cried. Robin put his arm around Rorek's shoulders.
"I don't know what the custom was where you came from, Rorek, and I know that you feel bad about this, but here on earth, there's no reason to be ashamed for that. Aries is our friend and you danced with her as a friend, right?" Robin said. Rorek nodded. "Then let it go. Emily missed you a lot in the last week. She was really looking forward to seeing you up on the roof with the rest of the team when we got back and you weren't there. You wouldn't come out of your room and now she thinks you're upset about something. Go talk to her."
"Very well. You are certain that she will not be upset?" Rorek asked in caution.
"Just tell her that you danced with Aries while she was gone and you felt like you had betrayed her. She'll think you're noble and gallant and she'll forgive you. Trust me, she'll be more upset if you avoid her than if you come clean," Robin advised him. Rorek nodded, straightened his scarf, and then exited the room with Robin. As soon as they were in the corridor, a screech and a sob issued from Thetis' room. Catalyst returned, and the three boys launched themselves down the corridor and around the corner to where Thetis' room was situated.
"Emily! What's wrong?" Robin cried.
"It's not physical," Catalyst said, telepathically analyzing the situation. His mind was suddenly pierced by a stabbing pain. "Ouch! It's emotional!"
"This is all my fault!" Rorek murmured. Robin opened the door and discovered Thetis sitting on the floor of her bedroom, her face soaked in tears and the body of Honey, Thetis' crème colored cockatiel in her hands. Around her sat her other animals, Alexander, her gray tabby cat, Manfred, her large, red, lop-eared rabbit, and Hercules, her mouse. Hercules' nose twitched as he stared up at Thetis. His quiet squeak of concern was barely audible over Thetis' sobs. Rorek immediately dropped to his knees beside her, as did Robin and Catalyst.
"Dearest Emily, what has happened to your beloved bird?" Rorek asked gently.
"I came in my room and she was shaking…I picked her up and held her and she just died!" Thetis wailed.
"What's going on?" asked Hummingbird, coming into the room with the other Titans.
"Emmie's bird died," Catalyst said, looking up at her.
"Mas and Menos were supposed to feed them all for me while I was gone! Didn't they feed Honey?" Thetis sobbed.
"Of course they did, darling," Rorek said, stroking Emily's hair. "Perhaps Honey was simply old and it was her time to leave this world."
"I would have known!" Thetis screeched. Alexander and Manfred retreated to Thetis' bed and fearless Hercules leapt up onto her knee. Catalyst gently took the bird from Thetis' hands and used his powers to scan the body.
"She was older than you thought…it was just her time, Emmie. Her little heart gave out. It wasn't anything Mas and Menos did wrong," Catalyst told her. Thetis leaned into Rorek's arms for a moment and then seemed to finally notice that he was there.
"Where have you been?" she demanded, her teal eyes snapping at her dashing hero.
"Forgive me, dearest heart, I felt unworthy to see you. I danced with sweet Aries while you were away and I wasn't sure how you would feel about my spending time with another," Rorek murmured. Thetis' tears dried and she looked ruefully into his eyes.
"But, Aries is our friend! Toby said that Kyler danced with Mas and Menos and he's not mad at her! Why would you think that I would be mad at you?" Thetis asked.
"I was such a fool, Emily. To think I doubted your heart for a moment…can you ever forgive me?" Rorek asked. Thetis turned to face him and then threw herself into his arms.
"Of course, I forgive you! I missed you so much!" Thetis said, snuggling in his arms. "Don't ever doubt me again!" Rorek sighed in relief and held Thetis tightly in his arms.
"I swear it," he whispered.
