Chapter 21

Cathy's Café was busy as usual.

Waitresses carried trays laden with food, cutlery tinkled as it clattered in drawers, glasses chimed together. The quiet rumble of many voices talking and laughing at once.

Cathy's Café always held an open and friendly atmosphere. Clean cream coloured walls, soft yellow lights that hung from the ceiling, small booths and tables to give that slightly intimate feel without losing that feeling of friendliness that Cathy's was famous for.

Cathy herself flitted from table to table, talking quietly with each of her patrons, softly discussing the specials of the day.

And tucked away in a corner booth sat four Titans.

"My dear fellow," Cyborg said, mimicking a posh accent. "I do believe I shall partake in the steak."

Beast Boy raised an eyebrow, peering around the edge of the menu. "Eww. Seriously, can't you pick something that doesn't have blood in it?"

"Like what?" Cyborg asked. "Tofu? BB, that ain't meat."

"Why don't you just let Cathy pick for you like she usually does?" Raven said with a roll of her eyes. "She hasn't got it wrong yet."

"This is a pretty nice place," Batgirl commented as she looked around.

"Yeah," Beast Boy said happily. "Cathy's is the best."

"That's only cause you're her favorite," Cyborg commented.

"Hey, I can't help it if she thinks I'm sexy," he retorted, waggling his ears up and down.

Raven clunked her menu down on the table, casting a glare in Beast Boy's direction.

Cathy swished up to the table at that moment, her graying brown hair pinned in a slowly loosening bun, creating wispy curls around her head. Her eyes crinkled merrily, showing laughter lines. She wiped her hands on her apron, dragging a notepad and pen from her pocket and beamed. "I've not had you in my café for such a long time," she said happily. "I've missed your smiling faces. I've a new tea on the menu, Raven, dear, it's a specialty from Turkey. Can I tempt you?"

"Sounds nice," she replied.

"Chicken salad as well, dear?" she asked with slightly raised eyebrows. "Or perhaps you were thinking of trying one of my vegetarian dishes?"

"Oh, please, Rae," Beast Boy said with a grin. "You know her dishes are the best."

"Why thank you, Beast Boy, the usual for you?"

"Yes please," he replied happily, bouncing up and down on his seat.

Raven huffed and rolled her eyes. "I'll have what he's having."

Cathy beamed again and glanced at Cyborg.

"Surprise me, Cathy," he said gleefully, rubbing his hands together.

"As always, Cyborg," she replied with a smile, turning her eyes to the last member sitting at the table. She immediately switched the pen in her hands and held it out in greeting. "You would be Batgirl. I've seen you around, your tumbling skills are very similar to our Nightwing's. It's a pleasure to meet you finally."

Batgirl took Cathy's hand rather hesitantly. "Um, thanks."

Cathy laughed. "Oh don't mind me, dear. The Titans are always welcome in my café." She eyed Batgirl up. "Now… let me think… you look like a steak girl. Perhaps a salad on the side… ahh yes. I know what I shall order for you."

"Don't I get a say?" Batgirl asked, glancing at the other Titans uneasily.

"Not usually," Cyborg replied with a grin. "Don't worry, you'll love whatever Cathy brings. She's the best."

"Thank you, Cyborg," Cathy said with a smile, passing the piece of paper with their orders to a passing waitress, slipping her notepad back into her pocket. "It won't take long…" She hesitated, her expression becoming concerned. "Dears, there is something that has been concerning me, and I do hope that you don't think I'm intruding. I realise the press is probably already tried to-"

"Starfire's fine," Raven said quietly.

"She's on a mission that's all," Cyborg included.

Cathy breathed a sigh of relief. "Thank goodness," she said, that brilliant smile bouncing back to life of her lips. "I have been concerned. I haven't spoken to her or Nightwing since they were last here and he asked for some breadcrumbs to feed the ducks."

"How long ago was that?" Beast Boy asked curiously.

"October last year, I think. So how have you been dears?"

Cyborg scooted closer to Batgirl in the booth, smiling up at Cathy. "Have a seat, take a load off and chat for a while."

"Love to," she said smiling at him but making no move to join them. "But you know these old bones. Can't stop or I'll collapse."

"Pfft," Beast Boy scoffed. "You're not old, Cathy."

"I'm just maturing nicely," she finished for him with a smile, turning her head to look over her shoulder as someone called her name. "Please excuse me, dears, your food shall be along before you know it."

"She's such a sweetie," Cyborg commented as she walked away.

"Yeah," Beast Boy sighed.

Raven rolled her eyes. "Now I remember why we haven't been here in a while, not with both of you drooling over her."

Beast Boy wrinkled his nose at her. "We just like to be appreciated every now and then, that's all, Rae. Besides, even you admit that Cathy's awesome."

"Why didn't she take my order?" Batgirl quietly asked.

"It's something that Cathy does," Cyborg replied, just as quietly. "Part of the reason that she's so popular is that she always knows what people want."

"Yeah," Beast Boy chimed in. "She just takes one look at you and knows what you feel like eating that day. It's really hard to get a table here apparently, but she always has one for us. It's like she's psychic or something."

Raven snorted.

Beast Boy glanced at her curiously. "Is she?"

"I could answer that," Raven replied with an air of superiority. "But then I'd have to kill you."

Beast Boy rolled his eyes and tickled her ribs playfully while she battered her hand at him.

They chatted for a while about mundane things, Titan Alerts, the latest video games, the latest Titan gossip, before the conversation inevitably turned to Batgirl's impending return to Gotham about the same time as their meals arrived.

"You really don't have to go," Beast Boy said quietly. "It's been really nice having you here."

Batgirl sighed. "I'm not a Titan, I can't remain here forever. This was supposed to be a six-week deal, I've already overshot that by another six weeks. I need to go home."

"Would you consider coming back?" Raven asked, popping a chip into her mouth. "We haven't really had a chance to show you the Titan's best side with all the stuff that's been going on lately."

Batgirl considered as she chewed on part of her salad. "I'd like to. I mean, I could always come over for weekends and stuff. It's not like Batman actually needs me, but I do have a place by his side and he's actually getting pretty narky that I've spent so long here. Not that he hasn't understood that I've been needed, and it's given him a chance to do that 'secret mission' crap that he needed to get done."

Cyborg rolled his eye as he hoed into his steak. "Batman, narky, now there's an image. When is he not?"

Batgirl grinned. "I know what you mean. He's going to be surprised at how much training I've managed to accomplish while I've been here, I guess Nightwing's obsessiveness has accounted for something. Still, I need to go home for a while. I don't want to be a replacement for Starfire."

"You're not," the three Titans said instantly, Cyborg's retort slightly louder than the other two and he ducked his head sheepishly.

"No one could replace Starfire," Raven said, her expression sad. "But you've managed to find your own niche in our team. It's been… nice having you around."

Batgirl grinned. "Thanks, Raven, I think that's the nicest thing you've ever said to me."

Raven rolled her eyes and groaned. "Azar, what is the world coming to, I'm being nice."

"Yeah," Beast Boy included with a grin, placing his hand on her forehead. "You sick or something?"

Raven scowled and threw a chip at him.

"Ahhhhhhh," Cyborg said, sitting back and rubbing his stomach after they had all finished their food. "That was delicious." He checked his arm console. "I guess we'd better head back to the Tower. I'm sure Nightwing's got another grueling training session lined up for us."

Batgirl sighed and pushed her plate away. "I wish he'd just get over himself and go and apologise to Starfire."

Raven nodded. "Yeah, but we can't force him."

"Can't you influence his mind or something?"

Raven raised an eyebrow at Cyborg. "What would that accomplish? He needs to figure this out on his own. If I tried to force him, how will he ever know for certain how he feels about her?"

Cyborg looked deflated. "Yeah… but I just want Star back."

Batgirl's hand closed over the top of his, squeezing lightly. "We all do."

"Can I offer you something to take back to Nightwing?" Cathy asked, suddenly materializing to take away the unwanted dishes.

"It'd probably go to waste," Beast Boy said sadly.

"He is not coping well with Starfire's absence while she is on a mission?" she asked curiously. "The poor dear. Please, wait a moment. I have something that will cheer him up." She whirled away for a moment, returning to the table presently with a plate of food wrapped up in tin foil. "This will keep for a while. Tell him it is from me, I'm sure he will eat."

"Thanks," Raven said taking the plate from Cathy. "We'll make sure he gets it."

"By the way," Cathy said beaming. "There's a certain little girl that wants to see her Bear."

Beast Boy sat up straight. "Rebecca's here?" he asked enthusiastically.

A small brown haired, blue eyed girl no more than four bolted from the kitchen, throwing herself at Beast Boy and hugged him tight. "Bear!" she cried happily.

"Rebecca!" Beast Boy exclaimed, hugging her tightly until he shifted into a green bear, allowing the girl to scramble up on his back.

Cyborg laughed. "Her mother still works here?"

"No," Cathy said with a smile. "Clarissa's doing better now. She has a good steady job and an apartment of her own, and Rebecca starts school soon. She just can't seem to stay away from Grandma Cathy's kitchen. You're my number one helper aren't you, Bec?"

Beast Boy was lying on the floor now, his paws wiggling in the air as Rebecca stroked his bear belly, making small rumbling sounds. Several of the other patrons were looking at them strangely.

Raven stood. "We should head back to the Tower now."

Rebecca looked up at her sadly. "Can't Bear stay?"

Beast Boy gave Raven a small grumble of agreement, giving her those huge puppy dog eyes.

Raven arched an eyebrow at him and turned to address Cathy. "Is Clarissa here?"

Cathy shook her head. "Her meeting's running late. She called and said she'd be another half an hour."

"Do you think she'd mind if we took Bec to the park for a while?" Cyborg asked.

Beast Boy swung his massive head toward Cathy, giving her a questioning growl and nudged her leg.

"Oh, go on you," Cathy laughed, shooing him with her hands. "Bec, you be a good girl, listen to Raven and mind you manners!"

"Yes Grandma Cathy," Rebecca called happily as Beast Boy turned on his heels and lurched toward the door, Rebecca clinging to his shaggy hide. Raven rolled her eyes and floated after them, carrying Nightwing's meal in her hand.

Cyborg quickly paid the bill, slinging his arm around Batgirl's waist and ambled after them.

Beast Boy the Bear was entertaining a cluster of children by the time they arrived in the park, all of them pulling and tugging at his fur as they climbed all over him. He grinned toothily at them as they arrived and rolled carefully onto his belly, waggling his legs in the air.

Several mothers stood around, gossiping to each other and keeping a careful watch on their children. It wasn't often that the Titans went to the park, but when they did, Beast Boy was always sure to put on a show for the children, enabling them to get close and touch an animal they wouldn't normally be able to.

When the children finally became too boisterous, pulling at great handfuls of hair and yanking on ears to hard, Beast Boy snorted, gently shook himself free of the children, nudged at Rebecca and ambled over to where Raven sat on a swing. He shifted back to normal, waving at where Cyborg and Batgirl sat on a bench watching.

"C'mon, Bec," he said with a smile, jangling the swing beside Raven. "I'll push you."

"He's good with kids," Batgirl said quietly watching as Rebecca squealed and giggled in delight, begging Beast Boy to swing her higher.

"Yup. But then, when you can turn into any animal imaginable, little kids are easy to entertain," Cyborg replied, squeezing her hip lightly. "Do you want me to push you on the swing?"

She eyed him. "Yeah, right… I'm not four."

"Cyborg! Cyborg!" a small boy of around ten yelled, darting over to them with a football. "Play with us!"

Cyborg grinned, unwinding his arm from Batgirl and snatched the football from the boy. "Go deep!" he bellowed, waiting for the boy to dash off and let the ball fly.

Batgirl saw Raven glance at her, before pushing off the swings and heading over to sit at her side. "This is a very different view of the Titans," Batgirl said quietly. "Batman would never do this."

Raven shrugged, her eyes on Beast Boy. "It's not like we can hide who we are. There isn't a mask we can remove to be normal. We have the hologram rings, but they can only do so much. And there is always the risk of them failing at the wrong time. Of all the Titans, there are only four normal humans, Speedy, Herald, Bushido and Nightwing although Kid Flash also has an alter ego. The rest of us are augmented in a way that is difficult to hide. So we don't."

"It's nice to be appreciated like this," Batgirl softly said as she watched Cyborg wrestle with the boys. "But there's also a lot of pressure too. Everyone's always watching what you do, what you say, how you say it. Always searching for weaknesses."

"Looking forward to being just Babs again?" Raven asked knowingly, cradling Nightwing's meal in her lap.

"Yeah. I'll miss you guys something fierce, but I need to be myself again. Besides, I'm starting to get tan lines on my face."

Raven snickered.

They watched their boys in companionable silence for a while. "So," Raven said. "Cyborg finally kissed you, did he?"

Batgirl felt a blush creep over her face. "Yup."

"Took his time didn't he?"

Batgirl shrugged. "At least he finally did it. I understand his reasoning though."

Raven arched an eyebrow. "Which was?"

"He was concerned he wasn't 'man' enough for me."

Both Raven's eyebrows shot up at that. "Whats that supposed to mean?"

Batgirl shook her head. "I won't go into it. Let's just say I wasn't surprised. I knew there was something holding him back, and it is a serious issue for him. But it doesn't bother me. I kinda suspected as much anyway."

Raven looked confused. "Ooookay."

"Don't worry about it, Raven. I'm not. And at least he's kissing me now, right?"

Raven made a small noise of agreement, getting to her feet. "That's Rebecca's mother," she said, pointing to a brown haired woman in a smart suit hurrying over to them.

Batgirl watched as Raven and Beast Boy greeted the smiling woman before Beast Boy shifted into a bear once more to give Rebecca one last bear hug.

Rebecca gave Beast Boy one final stroke and flounced off with her mother. "Bye Bear!" she called over her shoulder.

The ride home in the T-Car was quiet; each was caught up in their own thoughts. Batgirl stared aimlessly out the window of the car, as did Raven as she cradled Nightwing's meal, while Beast Boy fiddled with the radio.

"I'll take this to Dick," Raven said quietly, holding up the plate as the T-Car pulled into the garage. "Better to get it out of the way. I'll let you know if he wants to do more training." She closed her eyes for a moment and they suddenly snapped open again. "Odd… I can't feel him."

Cyborg turned around in his seat to look at her. "Huh? What do you mean you can't feel him?"

Her violet eyes held a trace of worry. "Exactly that… I can't sense him. He's not in the Tower."

"N-Cycles is still here," Batgirl said. "You don't think…"

Panic was instantaneous. Seatbelts were thrown away from bodies and Titans tumbled from the car. Cyborg vigorously checked his arm console, desperately trying to activate Nightwing's communicator while Beast Boy bolted for the door, shifting into a bloodhound as he chased after scents. Raven grabbed Batgirl's wrist and wrapped them both in her raven form, depositing them by the door to Nightwing's room.

Batgirl hesitantly slid open the door, gasping in shock as she surveyed the room beyond.

Clothes and bags were strewn everywhere, the wardrobe was flung open, drawers half opened as though someone had rifled through them looking for something. Parts of Starfire's old uniform lay in a crumpled heap in the corner, a bag was planted on the bed and upended, scattering paint supplies all over the bedspread. Silkie chewed on one of Nightwing's boots.

"Snow globe's gone," Raven said absently, her eyes wandering around the room. She turned and swept toward the common room, her white cape flapping madly behind her. Batgirl turned and ran toward Nightwing's office.

Beast Boy was coming out of it by the time she arrived. He shifted back into a human for a moment, remaining crouched on the floor. "He was there, scents not too old," he muttered, shifting back into a bloodhound.

Cyborg bolted past Batgirl and she had to run to keep up with him and Beast Boy as they darted to the common room. "I can't find a trace of his communicator anywhere."

"Could it be broken?"

Cyborg shrugged.

Raven snapped open her eyes from where she floated in her meditation position as the trio entered the common room. "I'm not picking up a trace of his mind."

Beast Boy shifted back to normal. "His scents just vanished."

"His room looked like a bomb had hit it," Batgirl included anxiously.

"The snow globe was gone," Raven added, her voice dark with worry.

The four of them looked at each other before Cyborg voiced the one thought they all shared.

"We have to contact Starfire."

TTTTT

Dick died in that moment.

His body went limp, cold and he felt as though he would never find warmth again. Her words echoed through his head, bouncing around and multiplying. The sound of her rejection sliced his heart deeply. It was all his fault. He was too late; he'd waited too long to come after her. He'd allowed the wounds in her heart to fester to the point where there was no more love in there for him.

He fingered the material of his sleeve once more, feeling the cold metal of her matching e'ara pressed against his skin. Maybe it would have been better if he'd just destroyed it, hadn't unlocked his heart again to the pain of her leaving, allowed himself to dare hope that there was still a chance for them.

He'd spoken the truth on his birthday, even though he hadn't believed it himself. It was over, there was nothing left.

But he had to try. If he'd never tried, he would've always wondered if there was anything that he could have done to salvage their relationship. At least now he knew.

Now all that was left was to say goodbye and leave Tamaran without her ever knowing he was here.

He closed his eyes, refusing the watch the last sunset they would ever see together. Refusing to acknowledge the tears that stung his eyes, the mountain that clogged his throat. Oh God, I'm sorry. I waited too long. I'm so sorry I betrayed you with Jewel, I fucked up badly, and I shouldn't have expected you to forgive me for that.

Richard-

His mind didn't even comprehend that she'd called him by his name. I'm sorry, Star. I'll let you go.

Richard!

I'll break my e'ara, give yours back to you, I know how much it means to you- Suddenly he didn't want to let her go that easily. He had to fight for her, had to win her back, even if it meant begging. Please, Star, there has to be something I can do, some small parcel of love left! It can't all be gone. We've been through so much together, I don't want to give you up, I don't want to let you go. Please don't say this is it, there's gotta be something I can do to make this better, make this right. You've got to at let least me try.

You are doing the babbling.

I don't want this to be the end, Star. I love you, I never meant to hurt you like this. It's all my fault but please don't say this is the end. You have to give me a chance at least. I know I've hurt you pretty terribly by staying away, staying quiet all this time, but I can make it up to you if you give me a chance. Please Star, we're so good together, I need you, I don't want to be without you. I should never, ever have allowed her to touch me like that; I'm so sorry. I don't want to lose you, you mean the world to me and I'll do anything to set things right between us. He stood, ready to run to her and beg forgiveness in person if that's what it took.

You have misunderstood me.

He froze, his heart giving a painful thump. What?

I- I think… that you showed remarkable… restraint… with her…

He sat back down with a small thump, his body going weak while he stared at her disbelievingly. You do?

She was looking at the palm of her left hand, opening and closing it absently. You could have had the sex with her then…she… was offering…and…I… we were separated… and you chose not to.

I didn't want her. I want you. But that doesn't excuse what I did.

I did not… see… you do anything. Yes, perhaps you should not have allowed her to touch you, but then, I should not have allowed Speedy close enough to kiss me.

He frowned. So… what? This makes us even?

She huffed. I do not believe this is about getting even, she replied tartly before her mind voice softened. I am simply saying that…if… that is indeed the worse memory you have…

It is.

And… you did not have lip contact with her?

No. She kissed my cheek, but I never kissed her.

Starfire was silent for a moment. I do not understand… if this occurred before the day of your birth, why did you still make me believe you had replaced me. If you were so adamant that she meant nothing to you in private, why did you allow her to touch you like that? To say the things she did? Why did you not stop her?

Cause I'm a vindictive bastard, he sent sadly, giving her the truth. And at the time I wanted to see you hurting as much as I was. I hoped it would make you come back, make you try and fight for me at least. It was the wrong thing to do and I'm sorry.

Starfire's words were slow and careful and held an undercurrent of deep pain. There is only so much that one heart can take. There is a great pain in mine and I do not know if it can be mended. Is there still enough between us to make it worth fighting for?

He only barely caught the sob in his throat before it escaped. Oh, God…

Something like that does not warrant forgiveness easily. Everything else… we might have been able to work through…

His heart plummeted to his toes. Oh Star… please… don't… I… I'm sorry… I believe there is enough left to fight for. Please. I'm sorry I betrayed you. I should never have done that.

A sniffle and a tiny sob erupted from her. I… I… am not sure that you did… No… I do not believe that you betrayed me.

She would never know how much he was relieved to hear that. You don't? Really?

It hurts, Richard, it truly hurts. But I do not want see it as a betrayal. You did not kiss her and you did not move your hands to her … She made a strange whimpering noise, her own hands fluttering on her lap. You tried to stop her. You were honest with me when I asked it of you, even though you knew the memory would hurt me. You could have lied about it. I know I am not blameless in this either. There are things that I have done or did not do that augmented this argument as well.

But … you still won't come back to me?

Can you honestly say to me that you believe you deserve another chance?

He was silent for a moment, his heart palpitating in his chest, his head hanging in shame. After everything I've done to you? After Jewel? No. Probably not.

She gave a long sigh. I have tasks to complete on Tamaran. I cannot leave just yet. And there is still much we need to discuss … but… when it is finished… you will get your chance. I will come back to you and we can attempt to fix what was broken.

The relief that surged through him was overwhelming. He couldn't breathe because of it, couldn't think, and couldn't move. He could feel the tension that had gathered in his body over the past few months draining away. All the anger, all the hurt, all the pain that had been caused by his actions suddenly mended by those few words from her.

He hadn't realised he'd been silent for so long, caught up in the overpowering relief, until he heard her whisper his name in his mind once more. Richard? … is… is that not what you wanted?

Oh thank God. I love you, Star.

I love you too, so much. You are not the only one that has been unable to function.

He smiled quietly to himself, getting off the balcony ledge and crept toward her. You know what would've been really nice? he sent as he reached her, standing stealthily behind her back.

What?

If we could've watch this sunset together.

She sighed, wiggling her bottom again as she shifted position. I would have liked that. Perhaps… we could journey to our cliffs? I… would like to see you.

He ignored her suggestion as much as it made his heart sing with happiness. Mine is beautiful tonight. So lovely and pink. There's a really nice breeze too; you would've loved to go flying in this wind. And there's this girl, sitting on a balcony staring off into the distance, her lovely red hair flowing in the wind. I want to marry her one day, if she'll still have me.

Starfire's whole body stiffened and he heard her breath catch in her throat. What?

He leant against the balcony edge beside her, his back to the edge, his body facing the opposite direction that hers was. "Hi there."

Her jaw dropped and she gaped at him for a moment, before she threw her arms around his neck and burst into tears. He wrapped his arms around her, dragging her body closer to his, burying his own head into her luxurious mane of hair, breathing in her sweet scent. "Oh God, Star, I missed you so much," he whispered, surprised when he heard his voice break. He was aware that she was murmuring his name, over and over again as she sobbed into his chest, dampening his uniform.

He stroked her hair and back tenderly, trying to ignore the dampness on his own cheeks. "Shh, Star, it's okay."

"You came," she said brokenly, her hands clutching at his chest as though she never wanted to let him go. "You finally came."

"Yeah," he mumbled into her hair. "Sorry it took me so long." He pulled away, his hand going to her cheek to wipe away the tears that streaked down her face. He swallowed, butterflies dancing in his stomach as he looked into her gorgeous green eyes and slowly lowered his head toward hers. He watched her eyes carefully, waiting for any sign of resistance from her, his stomach flopping when her eyes flickered shut and she leaned toward him, her face tilted and he closed the distance between them.

TTTTT

Fyria smiled to herself and dropped the curtain she's been peeking through, glancing at her husband. "I do believe everything is going to be fine now," she said with a smile, before glaring at him. "You may stop looking."

He glanced at her briefly and looked back at Dick and Starfire. "We do not do the 'kissing' like that. Their mouths are open." He frowned, narrowing his eyes, his face almost pressed against the glass of the window. "Their tongues are touching."

"Galfore! They need their privacy!"

"Fyria, I am Grand Ruler and her k'norfka! She is under my protection, I must make sure she is protected."

"Not against him," she snapped, grabbing onto his ear to pull him away. "X'hal, Galfore, what are you going to be like when our child arrives? I do not want an overbearing, protective, grumpy splorch of a husband and father. You must learn to let her go."

He grinned at her, pulling her into his arms. "I would be very interested in conducting this battle of the tongues with you, d'anthe l'ani."

She smiled in return and wrapped her arms around his neck, feeling her pregnant belly pressed between them. "Which would you prefer? A battle of the tongues or a zorkaberry pie?"

He looked torn. "Could I not have both?"

She smacked him and moved away. "No, you may not have both. And now, you shall not get either!"

"Woman!" he bellowed after her, chasing her into the kitchen. "I demand pie!"

She dashed away, giggling merrily.

TTTTT

"Kori?"

Fyria's voice wafted from the balcony door and Dick dragged his lips away from Starfire, leaving her with a slightly glazed look.

"Kori?" Fyria called again and her head protruded from behind the door. "Forgive my interruption, but Cyborg is on the communication wave."

"Goddamn him, does he have some sort of anti kissing device on him or something?" Dick muttered and he raised his voice. "Tell him to go away." His arms tightened around Starfire's waist. He never wanted to let her go again. "She'll call him back later."

"He claims it is urgent."

"Oh," Starfire replied, still dazzled. "I shall be there in a moment."

"Stay with me," Dick whispered, pressing his forehead against hers.

Her fingers brushed against his cheek. "I should speak with him," she said as she slipped out of his arms and headed back inside.

He huffed and got to his feet to follow her.

Starfire was already sitting at the communication computer by the time Dick arrived, her fingers hovering over the keyboard. "Cyborg?" she asked curiously.

"Starfire!" Cyborg's voice was frantic. "Thank God you're there. You gotta help us. We can't find Dick anywhere. He's not answering his com, Raven can't sense him, BB can't even find a trace of his scent. Babs is beside herself. You've still got that link, right? Can you find him for us? He's been so down lately that we think he might have gone off to do something stupid. His rooms a mess, things are thrown all over the place, but it doesn't look like there's been a struggle. We would've contacted Titans East to help look, but to know that our leader is missing is probably not the best moral raiser, seeing how everything's been going lately. Please, you gotta help us, I know he hurt you and all but… please, Star."

Starfire glanced over at Dick. "I do not understand."

They don't know I'm here. Dick grinned wickedly, walking up behind her and leaned over to look at the screen. "Gee, Cy, I never knew you felt that way."

Cyborg looked at him in shock before he slumped in relief. "Oh… my… god… you fucking prick! Do you know how worried we've been about you!" He froze, looking between the two. "Wait… you're there… she's smiling… you're smiling… you guys made up, didn't you?"

Starfire smiled again, placing her hand on Dick's shoulder. "There remain a number of things we need to work on, but yes. We did the 'making up'."

"And the making out," Dick mumbled, burying his face into her neck, nuzzling as he breathed her in.

"BOO-YAH!" Cyborg bellowed, his fists punching the air as he turned from the screen. "They made up!"

"What?" Beast Boy's cry came, his green face appearing in the screen beside Cyborg. "Really? About time!"

"Do you know the agony you've put us through?" Raven asked , her hooded face appearing on the other side of Cyborg.

"Tell us about it," Batgirl exclaimed, shoving Beast Boy out of the way. "Dick's been all sad and mopey for weeks. Why the hell didn't you two make up sooner?"

Dick rubbed his neck sheepishly. "I guess… I was being stupid. But you know how interfering mothers can be."

Cyborg laughed. "Fyria got to you! Finally! Where's that woman? She needs a huge kiss!"

"We'll let Galfore give her that, I think."

"Does that mean you can come home now, Star? Are you finished doing whatever you needed to do?" Beast Boy asked, angling his head back into the screen from over Cyborg's shoulder.

"Soon," Starfire replied with a smile.

"What was it that you did anyway, Star?" Cyborg asked.

Starfire froze and Dick looked at her with concern. "I should explain to Richard first," she said, an aura of sadness flowing from her.

Dick frowned. "Hmm… look, I'll contact you tomorrow, let you know what the plan is. Star and I still need to talk about a few things. I'm sorry I worried you all, but Herald knows where I am, you should've just asked Titans East. Oh, and Beast Boy, do me a favor and look after Silkie? I wanted to bring him but I couldn't find him in time."

Cyborg rolled his eye. "Jeez man, just don't do that again, okay? And take as long as you want, the four of us can hold down the fort."

"Silkie will be fine, he's eating your boots. And congratulations too," Beast Boy called gleefully as the link to Earth died.

Dick looked at Starfire, surprised to see that she was emphatically avoiding his gaze. He tucked her hair behind her ear. "It can't be that bad, Star."

She chewed her lip before she looked at him. "You were planning on staying for a while?"

"Well, yeah, if you'll let me … I packed a few uniforms and stuff. Most of the things thrown around our room happened as I looked for things to bring to you. Things I knew you shouldn't be without, just in case you didn't… um… take me back."

She frowned. "Like what?"

He grinned. "There was this cute little Nightwing teddy bear I found tucked away in the cupboard. There was a couple of other interesting things in that bag of goodies too. Now I see what you were going to model, I'm sorry I missed it."

She blushed. "I… had forgotten about that. Did… did you bring them with you?"

He cocked his head at her, echoing her blush. "As… um… presumptuous as it was, yeah… I did." His voice saddened without him meaning to. "I brought your snow globe as well."

She swallowed. "I had wanted to bring that with me but I did not want to risk… I am sorry I left so abruptly, Richard."

He sighed. "Is there someplace we can go to talk?" He jerked his head toward the door. "Someplace where the peekers can't see?"

He saw Starfire's eyes follow the direction he'd gestured and a blush crept over her face. "Yes," she replied picking up a nearby book and throwing it at the swinging door that headed to the kitchen. There were two 'eeps' and a manly grumble from behind the door as it bashed against bodies behind it. "Where are your belongings?"

"I put them in your room, Kori," Fyria's voice called from the kitchen. "Do you want some zorkaberry pies to take with you?"

"Flogspath woman, you are giving away my pies again!"

"I made more than enough today, Dick has been assisting me."

"Dick?" Starfire looked at him. "How long have you been here?" she asked with narrow eyes.

He shrugged and dropped his eyes. "A couple of hours."

"Why did you not come and see me the moment you arrived?"

"I… er… was nervous… and I didn't know what I wanted to say… Fyria kinda took me by surprise when she called and… when she said that you never missed a sunset… I… um…"

"Wished to wait?"

"Yeah."

Starfire frowned. "Why did Fyria call you?"

"She… um… wanted to know when I was arriving for the wedding…" He looked up at her, suddenly hopeful. "I didn't realise you were still planning it and stuff. It made me believe that, maybe, I wasn't too late and I had to get here as soon as I could."

Starfire's frown deepened and bellowed something out in Tamaranian.

Fyria swung the door opened in an instant, clutching two zorkaberry pies in her hands. "I did no such thing."

Dick closed his eyes, feeling his face drain of blood and the floor gave a nauseating lurch.

"Richard," Starfire said softly and he felt her hands on his shoulders. "It is all right. Let us go to my room and I will explain." He opened his eyes to see her taking the pies from Fyria, before glaring at her and stalking off down a hallway. She paused at a doorway halfway down the hallway, looking back at him, juggling the pies. "Can you open the door for me please?"

Dick quickly walked to her side, opening the door, still feeling off balance. He lingered in the doorway, glancing around the room, suddenly understanding where Starfire had gotten the strange design of her room. It was just like being back in the Tower, beside the fact that it was missing all of his stuff. He blinked in surprise at the vanity table beside the desk in the corner, he hadn't expected her to have once of those. A small door to the side exited into a small Tamaranian bathroom. There was a bench beside the main door and it was here that Starfire placed the two pies then she turned and yanked him inside.

She shut the door behind him, plunging the room into semi darkness, snapping the lock. She strode to the round bed and yanked off the purple bedspread, stuffing it under the crack in the door. She dusted off her hands, turned and walked to the vanity table. She switched on the small lamp there, casting a dull glow around the darkened room. She removed the metal crown against her face, gently placing it on the table. Her grey gloves soon followed it.

Dick hovered by the door as he watched her, unsure and strangely shy.

His eyes widened with surprise as she continued to remove her clothes, the black and grey top and matching skirt and pants tossed in a basket by her cupboard and the boots dumped on the floor, leaving her standing there in lacy red underwear.

He tried not to stare in surprise; he hadn't even known she'd owned any red underwear. But then she'd left everything at home; she must have had to make do with what was available. He dropped his eyes to give her privacy, it wasn't right to stare at her and lust after her when they'd only just gotten back together.

"I wish to take a shower," she said and he flicked his eyes up to see her rummaging through her cupboard. God, was she really bending over and presenting that wonderful round behind to him? All he wanted to do was to stride over there and throw her on the bed and have his evil way with her, but he forced himself to drop his eyes once more and listen to her voice. "I share a bathroom with Kom and I am almost certain she will be listening to us through her door, even if I close mine. Fortunately, her bathroom door squeaks if someone has taken a particularly hot shower, so I will know if she has entered or not." The cupboard door closed. "I will not be long."

He nodded vaguely and heard the shower start. He slumped to the floor, burying his face in his hands, feeling like a right idiot.

"I thought so," Starfire said softly and Dick jumped, looking up wildly. She knelt down on the floor before him, giving him a lovely view of her chest, still bound up in that lacy red bra.

"Shit, Star," he complained holding his thumping heart. "You scared me."

She gave him a rueful smile and gestured her chest. "When you did not react, I did think something was wrong."

His jaw dropped. "That was deliberate?"

"Partly," she replied. "Kom's door truly does squeak and I do wish to take a shower. Now," she continued tapping her lips with a finger. "Let me see. Fyria led you to believe that I was still planning our wedding, so you rush here because you hoped that it was not too late to set things right between us, only to discover that Fyria was lying? And now you are feeling the embarrassment, uncertainty and sadness because you do not know if I still wish to marry you?"

He gaped at her, but then Starfire always seemed remarkably aware of him since they'd begun sharing this bond, not that she wasn't astute before, but now that awareness bordered on clairvoyance. "Um… in a nutshell."

"I was not angry with Fyria because she lied, but because she interfered."

Hope shined through him. "So… you are still planning a wedding? Our wedding?"

She evaded the question. "It was more like keeping the extravagances Fyria wished for to a minimum."

Hope tumbled away. "I'm sorry I took so long to come to my senses. I should've come after you straight-"

She gave him a sad smile, patting his hand to interrupt him. "I believe we shall be offering each other many of the apologies tonight. There is much we need to discuss. I shall have my shower and we shall eat the zorkaberry pies and talk and then we shall see what direction life will take us."


Next chapter: What has Starfire been doing on Tamaran?