Chapter 36

Starfire and Robin stood as the shuttle they were on settled to the deck of the landing bay of the ROHA'N. Trogaar's being taken into custody had been very anti-climatic for the Tamaranean Empress. She had felt the initial thrill at seeing Trogaar with a control collar on, and shackled. She was slightly surprised to see the addition of leg shackles that were attached to his hand ones by a chain. What really surprised her was what Telvaar said.

"You will not be returning to Gordane, Trogaar," Telvaar announced. "The High Council has decided that since it was you who lost your cargo for the Citadel, that you will take her place. It is obvious that you can not take her assigned place, so you will be delivered to the labor pits on Orkun."

"What of his punishment for what was done to me?" Starfire had asked. The look that Telvaar gave her, almost caused her to shiver.

"You misunderstand something, Koriand'r. What Trogaar and his crew did to you was not wrong, it was what they were supposed to be doing. If he had been successful in delivering you, he would have been made a member of the High Council."

Starfire had been so stunned by that revelation that Telvaar had led Trogaar almost halfway down the corridor before she knew it. She shook herself from those thoughts, as she felt Robin's arm go around her waist.

"Sounds like we're expected," Robin commented as they reached the top of the ramp. The sound of an honor guard snapping to attention was clearly heard.

"Well, we are the current Royal couple," Starfire said, sliding her arm around Robin's waist and pulling him closer.

Chr's and Shel'b were at the head of the honor guard lined up at the bottom of the shuttle's ramp. Seeing Starfire and Robin approaching the top of the ramp, he called the detail to attention, and they brought their swords to present arms.

"What in X'Hal's name was that?" Shel'b gasped as something went past her in a blur. She noticed that the rest of the honor guard had seen it, as they had all turned towards the shuttle in various defensive postures. It took only a second for them to relax, and chuckle softly.

"Shamana, Shokata! Kovat X'Hal shu vata serana!" Nie'l cried as he knelt between where Robin and Starfire were now on their backs on the ramp. He had been the blur that passed between the two lines of the honor guard, his arms catching both of them at shoulder level, knocking them flat. He was now alternating between hugging first one then the other. "Pe tarkana shu vena sevana, bu ramare!"

"Nie'l, remember who you are," Starfire admonished softly while the youngster was giving Robin another hug. She saw the amusement on the faces of the crowd of warriors that filled the landing bay.

"He is, Star," Robin said over Nie'l's shoulder, as he returned the hug. "He's our son, and he's relieved that we're safe." He watched as Nie'l released him and wrapped Starfire in another hug. "I haven't felt him this happy in a long time."

"But he is the Emperor," Starfire pointed out.

"And if that means that I can not show affection for my parents, then I shall turn the throne over to Kim'r or Galfore."

"Nie'l! Do not even joke like that!" Starfire admonished.

"If I am Emperor, then I am allowed certain freedoms, and by X'Hal I will not restrain my affection for either of you."

"He has a point there, my Lady."

"Do not encourage him, Kim'r," Starfire said as she stood. "There is a certain decorum that must be observed."

"By an eleven year old? Even you were. . . . .unrestrained in your feelings at that age, my little bumgorf."

Robin chuckled as Starfire blushed at Galfore's comment.

"Besides, he speaks for all of us," Cyborg said, as he and the rest of the Titans walked up. "When we saw you both get pulled into the POJOR's landing bay, we didn't know what to think."

"Up to a point, neither did we," Robin said, taking Starfire's hand. He glanced over at Raven when he felt the mental nod of approval from her.

"I will admit, little sister, that it was actually a pleasure to see you fighting," Blackfire said as she and Kor'mel walked up. "Even if I was on the receiving end."

Kor'mel held up a hand, stilling Starfire's apologies. "We both understand why you acted as you did, Koriand'r."

"What happened over there?" Beast Boy asked, and Robin gave them a shortened version of what went on

TTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTTT

It was several hours later, and Starfire was not terribly happy with her handmaiden. "Kir'a, I demand to know why you have brought me here."

"I have been commanded not to tell you, my Lady. I was to simply bring you here, and leave," the youngster told her. "I apologize, my Lady, but I can tell you no more. I gave my word," she added then quickly ducked back out the door.

Instinctively Starfire tensed as the door slid shut, and she heard a noise from somewhere deeper in the arboretum of the ROHA'N. She well remembered the last time she hand been lead somewhere, then left by one of her handmaidens.

'Relax, beloved, we are safe here, and very much alone,' Robin said through their bond.

"Robin?" she called softly, then her nose picked up a scent other than the perfume of the various flowers. She followed the path and soon found where Robin was waiting for her. A table stood in the small clearing, with two chairs and meal settings for two.

"I've got more than just chapena and samaku here," Robin said, and Starfire followed his gesture to the table which was loaded with food, as was the one beside it.

"Why such a feast, Robin? Do you intend to fill me with food so that I can not escape you?" she asked. Her mouth watered slightly as she went over to the table and recognized several Tamaranean dishes.

Robin smiled at the sultry look that Starfire gave him, and the playful tone of her voice. "That would only be necessary if you were really trying to escape," he said as he slid his arms around her waist and pulled her close. "Let's just say that I've been given some hints, that I'm treating you too much like a commanding officer, and not enough like a husband should."

"And who has been making such claims?"

"Well, Galfore and Kim'r were subtle enough to simply tell me that it wouldn't take much for them to ensure that you and I would have some private time," Robin replied, "Chr's and Shel'b made it a point to inform me that they were taking some time to be alone. They said it was so they could observe some thing called the sivanar."

"That is our word for what you would call a honeymoon," Starfire explained. "I am surprised that Galfore was not more. . . .direct about something."

"I believe that Vern'a took his place there."

Starfire blushed as pulled back so she could see Robin's face. "She did not, did she?"

Robin smiled softly as Starfire's cheeks turned a deeper red as he nodded. "She flat out asked me when we were planning on working on producing an heir to the throne."

Starfire pulled out of Robin's arms and turned away, blushing fiercely. "Robin, I am sorry. They have no right to intrude."

"But they are right on two points. Much as you have tried to avoid it, you were the Crown Princess, the one to take the throne once you came of age. I knew that when I took the Oath with you. I also know that any children we have would be heirs to the throne. That gives them the right to not necessarily intrude, but be concerned."

"And the other point?"

Robin came up behind Starfire and put his arms around her waist. He used his chin to move her hair out of the way, then kissed just behind her ear. "Well, you do have to agree that we haven't had near enough time alone together."

Starfire knew that Robin felt her shiver from both the light kiss, and the feel of his breath against her neck. "But why such a feast? Meals such as this are usually prepared only for a celebration."

"Well, first off, it is a celebration," Robin replied, stepping from behind her, and pulling her chair out. "Of our getting off the POJOR and back to the ROHA'N. It's also because you haven't eaten since breakfast yesterday, and, thirdly, it's a warm up for tomorrow."

Starfire paused in putting some food on her plate and gave Robin a questioning glance. "Tomorrow?"

Robin saw that Starfire was confused as she stopped putting food on her plate. "You mean that you don't know what tomorrow is? I thought you were more than a little preoccupied."

Giving in to her hunger, Starfire put a chunk of food in her mouth and chewed slowly as her mind raced to figure out what Robin was talking about. "No. . . . .I do not know of any significance of tomorrow."

"Let's try this," he said, smiling softly. "According to the Tamaranean calender, tomorrow is the eighth day of Selvish." Robin's smile broadened as Starfire stopped chewing and swallowed as she realized what he was talking about.

"Oh, X'Hal! How could I have forgotten?! I have nothing to. . . ."

"It's okay, Star," he assured her. "It's going to be interesting to see how it's celebrated among your people."

"Robin, Tamaran does not have that many holidays," Starfire said. "Of all the ones to lose track of, Blorthog is not one I ever thought I would forget."

Robin hid his smile as he turned and put some food on his own plate. "Star, I talked with Kim'r, and Galfore," he said then held up a small pastry. "What is this?"

Starfire looked at the item, then took one from the platter and bit into it. "It is called gespal'tch," she answered. "It is very much like what you have told me is an egg roll."

Robin nodded and placed it on his plate along with some pranza sauce. "As I was saying, Galfore and Kim'r have assured me that they are taking care of all the necessary details. I've already gotten the gifts." He handed her a folded piece of paper. He placed some more food on his plate and began eating as she looked the list over.

Starfire sighed softly as she saw what gifts Robin had gathered to give their friends. "I see that you have included the other Titans in this list. You have reminded them of the day?"

"Actually, it was Beast Boy who reminded me. Nie'l will be leaving them little reminders outside their rooms later tonight."

"I am pleased that they accepted my invitation to remain aboard the ROHA'N," Starfire said, then glanced over at Robin. "Are you not concerned that there has been no criminal activity lately?"

Robin shook his head as he quickly swallowed the sip of xanefa he had just taken. "I'm not surprised by it," he said. "Slade and Red X are in jail, so I expect things will be quiet for a while."

Starfire looked down at her plate as she pushed some food around with her fork. "You do know that I will be testifying at Red X's trial, on his behalf?" She was surprised when she felt Robin's hand cover hers. She looked up and saw the soft smile he was giving her.

"Yes I know. I even agree with you." He was silent for a moment. "Kori, if he hadn't found you and taken you in, you would have died - both times. We both owe him for that."

"And for his helping Nie'l to find me."

Starfire almost laughed at the face Robin made. "Yeah, well the jury's still out on that."

"Would you rather that he had gone out on his own?"

"No," Robin admitted grudgingly. "That's one thing in his favor. That he kept his word and didn't run off on him."

Starfire looked over at a flowering shrub to her left. "Like you, he does have his honor," she said softly. She heard Robin's sigh, and knew that he thought that Red X was a darker version of himself. Through their bond, she was also aware that Robin was not yet comfortable with the relationship between herself and the free spirited thief.

She wasn't surprised at that, as she was uncertain of her feelings for Red X, herself. She knew that they would never be more than friends. 'How am I to balance that against his being a criminal and my being a Titan?'

"Starfire?" Robin said, breaking her train of thought. "I've got something I want to ask you."

"As you have assured me in the past when I have made requests of you, any thing."

Starfire arched an eyebrow in curiosity when Robin grew nervous and not only shifted in his seat, but also swirled his fork around on his plate. "Well. . . . I know that our taking the Oath of Bonding is recognized on Tamaran as our being married."

"And on many other planets as well."

Robin nodded then swallowed nervously. "Would you consider marrying me according to Earth custom? It wouldn't be a big ceremony. Just the Titans, Galfore and Nie'l of course. . . . ."

Starfire stopped Robin's rambling by leaning forward and placing her index finger against his lips. "Robin, I would be honored," she assured him. "I may be the Empress of Tamaran, but I am not arrogant enough to not respect your customs."

Robin sighed in relief, and peeled off his mask. "In that case, I thank you, Miss Anders, for agreeing to become Mrs Richard Grayson."

"Miss Anders?"

"Yes," Robin said, smiling at her confusion. "Kori Anders. You know that away from Jump City and the Titans, I'm known as Richard, or Dick Grayson. For you to be part of that life you need an identity other than Starfire."

"So I will finally see that side of you that you have kept hidden for so long," Starfire said, the smiled brightly. "And I will have the secret identity."

"Yes, Star, you'll finally get to meet Alfred," he said, chuckling at her enthusiasm. "I'll be going to Gotham next month, anyway. I'll just stay a little longer."

"Robin?" Starfire called softly when she felt his mood go somber at his mentioning his trip to Gotham.

"It's nothing, Star. I'm fine."

"No,Robin, it is not nothing," she said, covering his hand with hers. "I did not realize that it had been a year since your last trip to Gotham."

Before Robin could speak, they both looked up when they heard a click from the speaker above them that was part of the ROHAN'S public address system.

"Good evening to all you couples out there. This is Derek, the Master of Romance on 92.5 KJMP. Our first request for the night comes from three of our fair city's superheroes, and is sent out to their two team mates. I'd say that this is actual confirmation that Robin and Starfire are indeed a couple." The DJ said, then switched over from his mic to the music.

"Robin, do not be angry with them. They. . . . . ." Starfire said, but tailed off when she saw the smile on his face.

"I asked Raven to call the request in, and arranged to have it piped down here," he said. Starfire watched as he stood and walked over to stand beside her. "You do recognize the tune, don't you?" he asked holding out his hand.

Starfire listened for a moment. The tune was familiar, but she couldn't place it. She watched as Robin's smile widened.

"Care to dance with your King, my Queen?"

Starfire gasped as she recognized the tune. "The song we danced to as the King and Queen of Kitten's prom!"

Robin nodded as Starfire took his hand and stood. He lead her a few steps away from the table, then held her close as they swayed to the music. "That was the first time I danced with you," he said.

The couple was silent for a few moments, then Starfire sighed softly as she rested her head on Robin's shoulder. "Galfore and Kim'r are correct. We have not had enough of the time alone. I hope we can do better once we return to the Tower."

"I guess I can send the others off to either patrol the city, or go shopping from time to time."

"Do not make light of this, Robin. It is important that we. . . ." Starfire began, but trailed off as Robin's fingers started rubbing the back of her neck, just above her neck piece. She knew he felt her shiver with pleasure at his touch. "Robin, you know that I can not think clearly when you do that," she protested weakly.

Robin touched his forehead to hers so they were looking into each others eyes. "Then don't," he said so softly that she barely heard him. "That's the idea."

Starfire drew a breath to say something, but didn't get the chance as Robin sealed her lips with his.