I
It was getting late. The quaint yet sizable book store had grown quiet. The gentle hush that had filled it during the early evening hours had all but vanished leaving in its wake an almost eerie calm as its meager few remaining customers concluded their purchases. It was here, perusing the reference section at the front of the store, that Grayson found himself. Absentmindedly drumming the cover of a title in his hands with his fingertips, he once more scanned the aisle. Tilting his head at a slight angle he studied each spine. At this point he could almost guess what followed what, and again he was reminded that all he was doing was killing time.
He was passing over a book on C++ computer programming when he felt it once more. Eyes on his back, watching his every move with unsteady interest. The cashier behind the counter, the dark haired beauty with the thin elegant frames, she was looking at him again. It was not the first time. Her gaze had found him several times prior during a few of his trips to that particular book store. He had to give her credit. She was very discrete, making herself appear busy at her computer for the most part, looking up from time to time only enough to seem mildly interested in what was going on in the store. The average guy would never have noticed. Though he was not necessarily accustomed to it Grayson had to admit her interest in him was not wholly unwelcome. He much preferred it to the cold hard stares of the supervillains and thugs he usually dealt with.
Grayson checked the time. 9:47. He was pushing it. He waited any longer and it would be too late. Then again maybe that was the point. Maybe he wanted to push it, to have the excuse, however lame it was. It could have simply been that he wanted to let time get away from him, to let the opportunity "accidently" pass him by. Maybe...
Making his way around the bookshelf to the opposite aisle, he pulled out a few more titles that caught his eye, gave them a quick skim and then put them back. He did the same for the next aisle and the next. He took his time, moved as slowly as he could. He checked the time again. 9:49.
"Dammit," he sighed in his head. Tucking his purchases under his arm he took one more walk around the store going from classic literature all the way to cooking for dummies and back again. Then, at long last, he headed for checkout.
The woman behind the counter, the same cute cashier that had been staring earlier, looked up from her work just in time to see him approach.
"Hi," she said brightly. She smiled at him. Not the forced company required smile given by most public servants, rather one that was sweet and genuine; a smile that spread beyond her lips, lit up her face like a Christmas tree and caused her eyes to twinkle behind her glasses, warm and inviting as a fireside embrace. She took his purchases, waved them in front of the scanner, effectively "beeping" each one.
"Did you find everything you were looking for?" she asked after a beat.
Grayson nodded, said, "Yep."
The woman smiled at him again, continued her task.
Even through the blunt and analytical lens of his detective's gaze it was impossible not to notice the young cashier's beauty. Her eyes were a rich and alluring hazel and she had a light brown complexion as soft and smooth as freshly poured chocolate. She wore a red wraparound shirt that clung enticingly to her soft curves, and the plastic badge that hung around her neck smiled at him with the name Erica.
"Do you go to school?"
The question came suddenly, wresting Grayson's attention away from his mild leering.
"Pardon?" he said.
Erica appeared startled. "Oh nothing," she said quickly. "I was just wondering because...I mean I just noticed..."
Erica's words trailed off and her eyes wandered south to one of Grayson's purchases, a big fat text on 21st century medicine, and very quickly Grayson identified the woman's meaning.
"Oh," said Grayson unable to help a small smile. "No, I'm not a student."
"Right, of course. You must be a teacher then."
"No, no, just a guy who likes to...keep his mind sharp."
"Oh, good for you." She nodded, smiled another shy but wonderfully radiant smile. She fiddled with a lock of hair at the back of her neck, bowed her head nervously, said, "I'm actually a student myself. Fourth year. Almost. I attend the University over on 7th."
"Hallman U?"
"Yup."
"I hear that's a good school."
"It is, it is." She finished scanning the items, punched a few items into her computer. "Do you have our Frequent Reader card?"
Grayson shook his head, no.
"Oh, you should definitely sign up. It's free. Saves you ten percent on paperbacks. Every purchase goes towards coupons and freebies, it's definitely worth it for a sharp minded individual such as yourself. Here..."
Without another word Erica retrieved a small plastic card from beneath the counter. She asked for Grayson's name and email. Though not exactly wanting to, he nevertheless complied. She punched the information into the computer and scanned the card.
"There you go." She handed him the card and said, "All set. Just show this with your next purchase."
"Great," said Grayson with a small smile.
Erica smiled back at him.
A strange silence passed between them. Grayson tapped the card against the countertop and finally said, "So how much do I owe you?"
Erica made a face like she just realized she was standing in the middle of the street. "Oh right, right," she said. She seemed not to know where to put her attention for a few moments before finally righting herself. It was a moment Grayson had to admit he found endearing.
"With the new discount: 54.98," she said finally.
Grayson paid her, thanked her and made for the door.
"Hurry back," he heard her call to him just before exiting. He responded with a friendly wave. He chuckled as out of the corner of his eye he noted her wincing with a combination of embarrassment and regret. No doubt she was mentally kicking herself for what could only have sounded like a desperate plea. Rest assured it was, though Grayson didn't really mind.
As Grayson walked to his motorcycle the pretty young cashier stayed with him. He thought of her standing there behind the large store front windows. Briefly he considered catching one more glimpse of her, one more lingering glance. His pace slowed to a standstill, but he stopped just short of turning his head those precious few degrees. He thought about how she smiled at him, how her eyes twinkled behind her glasses. She was very nice. He thought about what it would mean to go back, to just talk to her again, maybe find out when she got off work, maybe...
Grayson's thoughts trailed off and were silenced. He checked the time again. Almost 10:00. He stood there for a time, motionless by his motorcycle, staring at his watch. Finally, throwing the books into the compartment under his seat, he mounted his ride and headed for home, cursing himself the whole way.
II
The screen was black. As the LED light flickered green the words Searching...please wait soon popped up in the center in white blocky lettering. The device hummed and after a minute or two a smiling Cyborg filled the screen.
"Hey, Star," he grinned. "How goes it?"
The Tamaranean woman answered, "I am well, Victor. And you?"
"Hangin' in there."
"What of your Teen Titans?"
"The grunts are doin' fine. Hell, they're always fine. Just chillin' in the game room for now. At least until I ambush them with a surprise drill."
Starfire giggled. "Oh you are bad Victor."
Cyborg smiled as if he'd just been complimented. "Yeah, I know," he said.
"And how are Garfield and Raven?"
"Funny you should ask. I got a surprise for you. And it should be here in any minute now..."
Almost as if on cue the device beeped and the words New Arrivals appeared. The screen fractured and suddenly the images of both Beast Boy and Raven appeared alongside Cyborg.
Starfire squeee'd loudly, almost cheering their names.
"What up, Star?" Beast Boy smiled. "Check it out. Vic finally got off his lazy metallic butt and made us a couple of these nifty gadgets too."
Cyborg frowned. "Don't talk to me about lazy butts. Who was it that once took three days just to empty the dishwasher?"
"Oh, it wasn't three," said Beast Boy defensively. "More like one and a half."
"It was three," droned Raven.
Starfire giggled. Oh how she had missed this.
After some friendly reminicing the conversation took an abrupt turn when Raven suddenly said, "Uh Starfire? You're glowing."
"You know I never got that saying," said Beast Boy.
"It just means she's happy," said Cyborg
"No, I mean she's really glowing," asserted Raven.
And indeed she was. The rest could see it now, even through the screen, a faint glow emanating from somewhere south of the device's metallic border, illuminating the young woman's face, adding an extra dimension to her happiness. Starfire was quick to explain.
"It is the baby, you see," she said with a timid smile. "In pregnancy all Tamaranean women experience a bright unprovoked glowing from the stomach usually occurring halfway through the second gestation cycle. It is an event known as the Sedk'f or Little Sun."
"What is it?" asked Beast Boy.
"The explanation is quite simple. As my baby grows and become stronger it will start to crave solar energy. Since it is effectively cut off from the sun's rays it fulfills this need by absorbing energy from me. Soon it gathers enough to give off its own light."
"Now, that is pretty amazing," said Cyborg.
Starfire smiled. "Indeed."
Starfire's Sedk'f in particular had in fact been the source of much excitement around the kingdom. Everywhere one could hear whispers of "Did you see? Did you see? The glow, it is so brilliant, so bright. Never seen anything like it. It's wonderful. So wonderful." Indeed, the glow of the young Empress' stomach was far greater than any Sedk'f ever before seen in the kingdom. For many this was a clear sign...Bright days lay ahead for their beloved Empress and for the kingdom itself. For Starfire, the start of her Sedk'f meant something a bit more personal. Though no one noticed there was a deep relief present in her eyes the first time she found the warm light shining through her gown.
"That sounds wonderful, Star," said Raven.
"How far along are you?" asked Cyborg
"I am in the midst of my third cycle."
Beast Boy was puzzled. "Alright, what's that relative to an Earthling pregnancy?"
"Why? How long does such an event last for Earth Women?"
"Well, I'm not entirely an Earth woman," said Raven. "But mine still lasted nine months."
"Oh it will not be that long."
"Wha?" said Beast Boy, raising an eyebrow.
"How long then?" asked Raven.
"Well," said Starfire. "For me, my full gestation lasts..." For a moment she was silent as she quickly worked out the numbers in her head. "Five and one half months. Earth time."
"Oh you've got to be kidding me," said Raven dryly.
"No, I am most serious," said Starfire.
"I should have been half Tamaranean."
The group laughed. As things died down the subject quickly turned to more pressing matters. Namely vacation. Coordinating a visit to Tamaran was far easier said than done. Both Beast Boy and Raven worked (and of course there was also the matter of Brandon's schooling) and Cyborg and Starfire had responsibilities that did not lend themselves to simply calling in sick or electing to take a personal day. Finding a time in which they were all available needed some planning.
Cyborg looked down ponderously for a moment. The sound of tapping was heard and suddenly a digital calendar filled everyone's screens, a string of dates shaded green.
"I'm thinking maybe this would be the best time for us," he said. "Me and the team got some business with the Justice League coming up so we'll be preoccupied for..eh, about a month or so. I already asked the Titans East if they wouldn't mind sending some guys to cover for us at some point, so we're all set. We got a pretty sizeable window. The rest just depends on you guys."
"Micky at the comic book shop owes me like twelve favors, so I'm good whenever," added Beast Boy.
"I have some vacation time coming up in a couple months," said Raven. The calendar cycled showing a new series of dates. "But regardless I think when we all go mainly depends on when Star's ready to have us."
"How about it, Star?" asked Cyborg.
The calendar shrunk in size, relegated itself to a small corner of the screen, returning everyone's faces to their respective spots.
"Hmm," said Starfire thoughtfully. She then immediately brightened and an excited smile crossed her lips. "Oh I know," she practically cheered. "The Lro'Tah,"
Beast Boy arced eyebrow, said, "And that is...?"
"The Lro'Tah is a celebration not so unlike your Fourth July. It is the Tamaranean day of rest, and all business is suspended."
"Sounds perfect," said Raven.
Beast Boy appeared doubtful. "I don't know," he said, rubbing his chin. "I was kind of hoping we could stay little longer than just a day."
Raven rolled her eyes. "Gar," she said. "You do know a typical Tamaranean day is equal to about five Earth days, right?"
Starfire smiled happily and said, "Indeed." Tapping the buttons on her screen, Starfire returned the calendar to its full size. She studied it and after a bit of figuring scrolled through and highlighted a new line of dates. "It is right here," she said. "I believe it will give us plenty of time for celebration and to do the catching up."
"Well, alright," said Cyborg excitedly. "This Ler..Lero..."
"Lro'Tah."
"Right. Lero'Tach sounds perfect, right ya'll?"
"Won't be a problem for me," said Beast Boy. "What about you, hon?"
"Should be fine," said Raven. "And it even falls just before the end of Summer Vacation so we won't have to worry about Brandon."
"Glorious. I will have already birthed by then, so you will all be able to meet my child."
"This is gonna be a blast!" said Beast Boy.
The four friends chatted for a while longer, catching up on recent events, talking about everything, nothing and whatever fell in between until finally the sound of a background Titan alarm interrupted.
"Oop! That's me," said Cyborg. "Gotta go, everybody. Duty calls."
Everyone quickly said their goodbyes and the metal man signed off.
"We should probably go too," said Raven. "It's kinda late over here."
Beast Boy reluctantly agreed, and though Starfire was disappointed with their departure she made no attempt to sway them, only wished them a pleasant evening.
"I hope to hear from you again soon," she said.
"You will," said Raven.
"See ya, Star," said Beast Boy.
"Yes," said Starfire. "I will see you."
The screen went blank. The device hummed a few moments longer. Its light faded and then disappeared entirely.
III
Setting their devices down on their respective nightstands, Beast Boy and Raven climbed into bed. Beast Boy pulled off his socks and removed his shirt, and Raven's running shorts hit the floor. They settled into the covers, got comfortable.
"That was nice," said Beast Boy.
"Mmm-hmm," said Raven, her eyes already shut.
"Star seems like she's doing really well."
"Mmm-hmm," said Raven.
"I still can't believe she's going to be a mom."
Raven yawned. "Mmm-hmm."
For a moment there was silence. Beast Boy then very hesitantly added, "So I guess you-know-who didn't make it."
Raven said nothing as Beast Boy continued, saying, "Well, he's a busy guy. I'm sure he probably just got hung up, right?"
Raven cracked one eye open, and stared hard at her husband.
"Mmm-hmm," said Beast Boy.
IV
Grayson was fully dressed. His Nightwing costume clung to his body like a second skin. The only item he neglected was his mask. He had to admit he hadn't expected this level of regret. Sitting at his kitchen table, illuminated by a single over head light fixture, he stared at the device in his hands, the rectangular tablet Cyborg had given him. He looked at the clock. The meeting was over. He was sure of it. It would have been pointless to call now, not to mention incredibly rude. The thought made his decision easier to swallow, if only a bit.
Getting up from the table he entered the living room. With a tired sigh he set the device down in an empty space along his bookshelf. He returned his mask to its rightful place, climbed up to the skylight and left, entering into the dark still of the night air.