I had not been as good as Starfire wanted me to be, a Macy's jewelry display had caught my attention with its array of Diamonds and emeralds that reminded me of her eyes. My mom deserved a nice birthday present and I was hoping that Starfire would forgive me if I got her something sparkly too. Pawn shops talked too much for me to try and go that route. I really missed the power of the belt and was honestly surprised when she had left it on the table. I knew that was a symbol of her trust in me, but I was still tempted by what I could accomplish with it.

Being with Starfire was better than I initially expected which was truly saying something. She was so considerate and passionate that every day I spent with her I felt myself falling deeper into an emotional place I had not let myself venture before. She had my heart and while I had not said so yet, I knew that it was going to become a problem. I had done stupid things in the name of love and with my belt back that level of stupidity could expand ten-fold.

We were still being very careful and discreet. With Red-X being the third wheel in our relationship I had to be extra careful to make sure I didn't draw any attention to myself. I didn't want to give either new feature of my life up but was worried about the day both would be taken from me. I knew Starfire respected my actions enough to not turn me into the Titans my heroic acts while they had been gone had earned me major brownie points in her eyes. I might have to go hero mode more often if it made me so irresistible in her eyes. I still wasn't going to be a stand in for Robin, but she didn't seem to mind the more rule breaking side when I didn't hurt anyone. She was sure about that line and it didn't falter my actions.

Tonight, she said she had a surprise for me and while I was having ideas about what it might be, I had a hope. Though I had a diamond necklace on deck incase it was some sort of gift.

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

When I heard a knock on my door I completely panicked. Starfire was the only visitor I received, and she preferred to use alternative methods of entry. My landlord simply expected an envelope of cash in her mail slot with my apartment number. No late payments no questions which so far I had managed to keep both those conditions satisfied. When the heat went out I fixed it. When my amazon packages arrived with seven different names to the same address, I did not receive any questions when they were put in my box.

I used the peephole on the door and saw a woman with brown hair that was blocking her face though she was holding a large white bag. I didn't recognize her, but maybe she was a new neighbor that hadn't gotten the hint. That would-be best-case scenario, since cop, assassin, and potential angry victim were all on the table. I could not open the door and hope she went away. She knocked again and the vibrations forcibly removed my eye from watching her. I still hadn't made it obvious I was home, so I went right back to my couch and watched TV waiting for her to just leave me in peace. The knock happened once again before I hear a sigh.

It was not much time before a familiar presence flew through my window with the same white bag. It said Star Donuts on the bag, so I knew she had brought me my favorite apple fritter. She had a frown though which often meant that she had heard I had done something disappointing. She was getting used to my anti-hero choices the more she realized my intentions were in the right place.

"I was under the impression people opened the door for people who knocked." Was her statement as she put the donuts on the table and went over to give me a kiss. I knew I wasn't really in trouble when she still gave me a kiss of greeting. It was unnerving when those were absent.

"Oh, you saw that. Knocking doesn't work the same when you're a wanted man."

"That you are." She said and once again I felt giddiness at her rapid improvement of flirting. She had gained more confidence of English in such a short time and it was fun when she threw jokes or sarcasm out of nowhere. They were gems in my eyes and I often enjoyed the light in her eyes when she realized they had landed how she intended. "Though I must say you made me have to change how I would showcase the surprise."

"Hmm that surprise has had me curious all day, Cutie." I moved to take a bite out of a strawberry jam filled chocolate round. She had taken notice of my other sweet cravings which was both worrying but appreciating. Having someone pay attention to detail for you was nicer when you weren't technically on the same side. I had gotten no indication that she had betrayed my identity or location to the Titans. I had trust in her warrior sense of debt. I also had trust that if things turned sour Starfire wasn't petty enough to sick the Titans on me. She could slap me in her own time, that I would accept, but she wouldn't run to the Titans to defend her honor. She could do that just fine.

"Really now. I fear where your mind has gone is not the direction you were hoping for, Jay." She said and I tried to unscramble her meaning. English with her wasn't perfect, but I had a fair ability to translate her little Starfirisms as I referred to them in my head. Goddammit I was screwed if she was the one who ended it. I had all this useless knowledge in my head too. I knew she had a fear of enclosed spaces, I knew she was so ticklish behind her knees she would just drop; I knew she poured soy sauce in her beverages to cancel out the sweet. Though somehow she tastes like peaches no matter what awful combinations she called food.

"Well, Cutie if your involved I'm sure I will be happy to receive it." She kissed my nose and then backed up out of the front door unlocking the chain and stepped out. Once again I heard knocking, knowing it was some sort of game she was leading me into, I opened up to the door to the same brunette woman as before by her outfit of jeans and a white T shirt.

"Tada!" She said and her curly brown hair twirled with her as she did a little spin. Her skin tone was a richer tan that could not be achieved through spray tans. Her face was angular and beautiful, and it appeared she was a super model in features, but fully human. It hit me embarrassingly late that this was Starfire. How was this possible? She had not disclosed any shapeshifting abilities. Prehensile tongue, I had been given awareness of, but she wasn't capable of magic or shifting.

"Star? What? How?" I asked and she drug me back into the apartment. She twisted a simple silver ring on her right ring finger, and she appeared back as Starfire in uniform.

"It is a hologram, pretty convincing and flexible. Cyborg made it for me so I could start taking classes at Jump Community College without drawing attention. Though he told me that I needed to practice human habits while in it hence my knocking on a door. What do you think?" She shifted back and I took her in.

"I think it's very convincing, Star. It's very weird to see you like this, being real. Not that you didn't chose a hot human persona, but it will take a sec for me to get used to this." I was a bit stunned she looked like some cooked-up fantasy in both her forms, though I would miss the red hair.

"I thought it would be nice if we could interact in daylight and finally go out to the mall." She looked so excited and I knew that soon I would be dragged along with her shopping trips. I groaned a little but let her drag me into one of her famous twirl hugs. I decided I could save the jewels for a time she needed a shiny distraction.