"Jay?" she asked once the popcorn was done in the microwave. She was a fan of microwaved popcorn without any additives which made it something we could easily share. Yeah it left us a little buttery, but it was not the worst thing that could happen.

"Yeah, Babe." I had gone over to the dark side of endearments. She had stolen my favorite hoodie and I was tempted to let her keep it. She sounded much better and her face was healed, but I knew the bruises as her throat were a bother to her. She was beautiful, but there were moments her self-conscious side would show up. Bruises especially were touchy to her, since they were "Rutha" which was negative by the sound of her tone.

" When is appropriate in human culture to express extreme emotions of affection?" She said and sat in a way that meant I could use her thighs as a pillow. She enjoyed me laying on her since it gave her the perfect opportunity to play with my hair. She was quite fond of it and she had threatened to leave me if I didn't keep it long enough. I thought that was quite cute to see her heated and flying around.

"It varies." I said and went to start the episode of Orange is the New Black we had left off on. I laid back to look at her and decided that I could do this simply. I could just say what she wanted to hear. I kinda wanted to say it, since I hadn't ever said it before. Though I wanted it to come out smooth. I had almost said it in the moment in bed, but I didn't want to be one of those people who said it and had to take it back. Starfire was honest and emotional so me adding a jk to I love you would not go over well. She paused the TV and looked down at me with her eyes big and green.

"I would like to express it with you, Jay. " She said and I suddenly did not feel so cool. I felt all the confidence and sureness leave me. What had I been thinking? My heart rate speed up and suddenly I felt way too hot.

"Thanks." Was my response and I felt her sink a little bit. She released my hair and I knew she was waiting for a better answer, but I felt my tongue gain like fifty pounds. She stopped looking at me and let the show play after what felt like an hour. She took the hand that used to be in my hand to shove a few pieces of popcorn in her mouth. The sound along with my heart became deafening.

"I understand if you wish to delay your own sentiment" she paused letting me have a chance to speak "just know that is what I feel. You were very brave today; I just find myself unable to leave the feelings unvoiced. You could have died today and I rather you know."

" Thanks." I said once again. Fuck Fuck Fuck why can't I say anything more. I looked at her in a panic and I hoped my eyes would say something more than my mouth. She gave a little smile and let us focus back on the show with her non popcorn buttered hand tracing little symbols on my hip. She tried to not make me feel bad and it made me feel even worse since I could not even say what I was definitely feeling.

We watched two more episodes without speaking before she shook her thighs gently to indicate she had to get up to leave. I felt really bad still I had not said anything close to what I felt. I just couldn't get my mouth around the words "I love you" like I should say. I didn't move and just hugged really hard not wanting her to leave me alone. She held me to her as well and I knew she was trying to communicate more.

"Thank you for what you did today. I enjoy when I get to witness your "Heroic Tendencies", just leave the level 5 nonterrestrials to me. Please, I like you in one sexy piece."

"I will do my best, Cutie. I shall stick to the level 4s and other medium big bads."

"Thanks." She said a little dry, but I looked up and saw her beaming at me. She was making fun of me. I was in love with an asshole, at least she was gorgeous. I stuck my tongue out to her, and she returned it. Maybe I was the one teaching her to be an asshole. I relinquished my hold on her and put her tongue on a better task. I tried so hard to communicate what I could into one heck of a kiss. She was floating by the end of it so I will take that as sign of success.

"Goodnight, Jay thanks" She paused and then added. " for everything today. Sweet Dreams." She grabbed her human holoring and headed for the door. She started to take off my hoodie to give back when I stopped her. I let her keep it and I hoped it meant something to her as my mouth was failing in everything else.

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The day of my impending doom had finally arrived. I knew my days were numbered when I started dating Starfire, but it was surreal that the day had finally come. It was our mall date and from my impression of Starfire in all her lovely qualities I had picked up the tendency to enjoy looking and touching new things. A lot of this time I could find this curiosity endearing especially when I benefitted from it, but I had a feeling my patience would run out before her excitement did. I told her I had a surprise after just in case I needed to get her to leave at a certain moment when I was done. It was really just taking her to a nearby In N Out, not that exciting, but she would love it.

It would also be very weird to have her in human appearance since it completely changed her hair and overall appearance. If I looked for red hair in the crowd I would lose her. My best bet was to hold her hand as much as possible and do my best to rely on height if I lost her. If she wore heels I would just look for the tallest person in the room. I found it kinda crazy how such a tiny thing could change her entire identity. It was interesting to know that technology existed if I ever needed a fresh start. It was also annoying that I had to remember her alter ego name, Stella. Though it wasn't like I actually called her by her actual name often. She said Cyborg had given it to her since it was comparable to Star, but I would likely still stick to whatever came to mind. I mean it shouldn't be that hard since I had to remember my names I took, but it was weird since I knew her as something so different.

I had warned her that since we were taking the bike she had to limit herself and she said she'd been prepared. The backpack she brought indicated she had done this before, so I wasn't that surprised she had been unconcerned. I forgot she was used to riding with Birdie. She was getting better at not bringing him up unless I did a joke and it felt less forlorn whenever she spoke about him.

She had expressed in her own way that we were now exclusive. In the terms of I quote "I am unable to enjoy other men's eyes". I had pressed her about her party night, and she said more than I wanted to hear from what Robin said and what lines Speedy tried hitting on her with . It was a bit of an ego boost to know even without me saying my sentiments she was here for me. There were a few times I wanted her to start a twitter account just so she could share her Starfirisms with the world, but I enjoyed having them being exclusively mine as well. My exclusivity was easier to get since no other women had made a move since I didn't go anywhere, and she was really sweet to me. We had fun and I knew that it was moving towards something more enduring now that she had set her status on earth to something more permanent. There was still a lot of mystery between us since we respected the questions we couldn't answer ourselves. She offered more details about her time on earth than before she arrived, and I didn't talk about my early crimes.

It was kinda nice having someone to come along on the motorcycle and just ride with me. I had spent so much time alone as an only child and then living in that stupid apartment alone made me a little starved for company. I hadn't known it until she started visiting, but its actually really nice to have someone caring every day. Someone that returned my texts and visited since they wanted to see me.

Today we had to meet at 4 since she was doing a sparring session. I was really impressed at how well she had been able to not ruin this by tipping off her friends. She was so blunt and a shit liar, so I guess she cared enough to listen. She looked pumped when she arrived, and we hadn't really wasted time to chat since she wanted to get going. Unfortunately, before we could even make it to the mall I had to get gas. On a worse note I had missed three calls from my mother, so I knew I had to call her back. I had not asked for privacy from Starfire since it hadn't seemed like something I needed to do; she had respected my phone calls before.

Unfortunately, the big tip off was the fact it was my uncle Jamie who answered that something really bad had happened.

"Jason, thank God we have trying to get a hold of you since it happened." He spoke fast and panicky and there was a faint clutter of background noise.

"What happened?" I asked really just wanting to know what was wrong. If he was answering my mom's phone than it was likely something had happened to my mom or grandma.

"It's your mom, she was at work and I guess she seemed off and then all the sudden they found her on the ground."

"Okay" I said wanting to get to what was the actual thing wrong with her.

"She had a heart attack and they luckily called the ambulance, but she doesn't look good."

"Where?"

"I'm at the Kaiser Permanente on twelve street with her."

"On my way." I said as soon as I got the location I curled the cap back on the gas and turned to address Starfire. I could leave her here since I knew she could get home. Though before I could say anything she was sitting on the back of the bike.

"Let us go. I can handle any obstructions." She said and shoved her helmet on. I find myself not arguing since that would waste time and she was right. A superhero would prevent any cop interference and she could bypass traffic if needed.

"It is not going to be a smooth ride." I warned her but she didn't seem to care as she nudged me to start up the bike. I did so and we began the longest drive of my life. Once we got on the highway it got easier since there was less cops and less stops. I don't think I was below 90 most of the way, but Starfire hung on like a trooper. Either the cops sensed my energy or Starfire had done something I hadn't seen, but none pulled us over which was a miracle within itself. We stopped for gas once and she filled up the tank while I read the texts from my family. She still wasn't out of the woods and had hit her head when she had gone down which was a point of concern. She had made a call, but I was so focused I didn't even hear it. I was more focused on paying in cash at the register. Tip pay in cash at gas stations so people can't skim your card. It was a habit of mine since I was the one skimming cards often.

I was kind of surprised she wasn't asking questions or just talking to talk when we stopped, but I guess she knew enough about me or crisis situations to know it likely wouldn't help. The only thing that would help was getting there and seeing my mom be okay. I might not see that second part tonight, but I was going to get there. We hit a patch of road construction near the end of the stretch, but in the cover of early winter darkness she flew the entire bike around the stretch. I sprinted around for the quarter mile stretch and we beat out a forty-minute delay. We hit the ground running until we reached the city. The hospital was on an exit, so it wasn't that tricky to find.

I felt my stomach drop a little more when I saw the white building with the red cross on the side. It was real and we had made it. I parked in the first spot I saw a little roughly and Starfire was off and heading the direction of the main entrance as I turned the key. She waited so we could enter together. My uncle had texted me she was in Cardiology room 314. It took me a moment that it meant the third floor. Starfire had pointed to a sign while I had stared angrily at a busy desk clerk, so it was a quick jog to the elevator. She reached over when the doors closed and placed her hand in mine. I felt powerless as the elevator was moving at a snail pace and squeezed it. It was a bit of a relief that she had stuck with me and helped.

We entered the Cardiology department with clear purpose which made everyone get the fuck out of the way. In room 314 I saw the only thing that I needed to, my mom awake and watching family feud. She looked terrible, so pale and tired. She had a bandage around her head and a monitor hooked up to her. She moved her head to see me, and it started beeping a little quicker. I went over and held her hand. I started crying with so many emotions, fear, relief, happiness she was alive, and sadness she was here.

"Jason.. I'm okay." Was what she said, and I smiled since I knew shed say that no matter what.

"I know. I know. God mom don't do that again. "I said and like Starfire she touched my hand. It had a needle in it, so I didn't squeeze. I didn't want to pull or touch anything in case it would hurt her. We stayed like this for a bit just me expressing my relief to see her until a nurse who was obviously working a double kicked me out so my mom could do some tests. They were going to transport her somewhere else I could not follow.

Starfire had not gone in the room with me. She had let me have that private moment with my mother which I think made me appreciate her more. She had stabilized me driving here but knew when to back off when needed. Though she had stayed outside my uncle and his kids had found her. We had been holding hands up to that point, so they likely made the connection. They made quite the mob in the hallway and were speaking a combination of Spanish and English depending who was asking the question. She was in human form, but I definitely caught my 14-year-old cousin staring at her tits. Her black T shirt was low cut, but I whacked him on the back of the head as I went to join them. She might be the most attractive person he had seen in person, but that didn't mean he could ogle my girlfriend without repercussions.

"Jason! You didn't tell us that you were seeing anyone, you might wanna spare her from your mother, so she doesn't have another one. No that's too soon."

"Yes, it hasn't come up yet, can you give me an update on her condition? I didn't understand her chart."

"She has a cut, but no concussion which is surprising. Her heart is steady, but she needs rest for about 3 weeks."

"Could have been much worse." I said and let my arms squeeze Starfire to me. I was grateful she had been here for me.

"I don't think I can stay with her while she recovers. You might have move back over here at least temporarily."

"I'll do whatever she needs." I said and meant it.

"Good, I'll stop over tomorrow, but its been a stressful day here and these kids should get home. They are holding her for at least tonight. I'm sure we will catch up more. Nice to meet you, Stella."

"You as well." She said and waved goodbye as they wandered off. I let myself sink into her a little more and lean against the wall. I was exhausted, but we had done it. She was so tall and soft yet strong. It was a weird combination, but so comforting at this moment. We hadn't quite had such a moment, but we didn't have a lot of middle we were either chill or high alert. This was also more personal since this revealed a lot more private information such as location of family, family members, and my true name. Thank God I trusted her, and I still believed I could trust her for the most part. Slip ups could happen, but she wouldn't put me at direct risk. She would definitely not put my family at direct risk. She had more respect than that, she was a hero at heart.

"Is she the okay?" She asked and I realized we might be better off moving to my moms' empty room for the time being. We had more to discuss and I did not want it to be in this hallway with rustling gurneys. I shifted us over to her room so I could feel comfortable speaking freely.

" She isn't doing great right now, but she can get better." I said and situated us on the two visitor chairs.

"I am glad, losing a mother is a heard burden to bare." She said and gave me a smile of relief. She was relieved for me. "Family is one of the most important things, and I am glad she can get well."

"Me too, I will have to stay though. We are all we have besides my extended family and I really should be the one taking care of her." I said trying to get it clear I wouldn't be able to see her for a while.

"I understand, I do. Jason I will help in whatever way I can make this easier for you." I cringed when she said my name. That was a huge part of my identity revealed, by my uncle, what a traitor.

"Thank you for getting me here, Princess." I said shooting back. "I don't know what more I can ask for since this is already a lot of…" I couldn't find a word to fit what I meant. I just kissed her, and she kissed me like that was all that mattered.

"I couldn't leave you, this was important to you, and what is important to you is important to me now." She said after with such utter confidence in what she was feeling.

"Thank you, my mother means a lot to me, you made this whole situation easier."

"It felt like something I needed to do, I'm happy for the outcome not being what you feared. May I ask where is your father?" Ah her curiosity was kicking in.

"He and his pregnant wife are living somewhere suburban in Sacramento. I haven't seen him in years. He is alive, but after what he did to my mother he is dead to me." I said just having my tiredness be truth serum at this point. I had looked my father up of course when I headed to NorCal, but there was no room for me. She started to rub out my shoulders which had tightened into stone from driving so hard. I hope my bike was okay from the hard mileage and being carried.

"I am sorry. Family strife is hard to forgive, but it does little good to let it define you." She said and I knew she was alluding to her recent fight to the near death with her sister.

"It is better if we are not involved in either's lives, It works for us both." I said rolling my neck back.

"Fair, it just is hard when the option to mend that bond is ended." She paused as she said them. I realized she hadn't mentioned her own parents, but I assumed they had been king and queen.

"Are yours?" I didn't finish the sentence since I felt her back away from my touch.

"Yes, I miss them often, and it is hard that is all I will ever be able to do. I am glad you will not have to feel that for your mother. I would like to meet her, under less negative circumstances of course." She paused. " I will need to leave soon, but I wanted to make sure you will be the okay?"

"Ill be fine, Star. I'm not going back to Jump for a bit…" I said trying to give her an out if she wanted to cut and run.

"Then you shall not be Jump for a while. Let me know what I can do to help, and I shall be here, Jay. I care for you and a bit of distance is something I am willing to travel if that is what you need. If you need space I shall wait as well, but know I am here for you." She has put my palm on top of her beating heart. It was steady and strong. She was offering to be my rock and boy did I need one.

"I need you, Cutie. Just keep them safe too."

"With my life."

"You are so incredible. Thank you for coming all this way."

"It was what was needed. I will do what I can moving forward, but I need to go."

She made a phone with her hand indicating I call her. Man did I need to get her off teen movies from the 90s. She took her ring off to be Starfire in form and opened the window enough to escape. I gave her one last kiss and crushed her against me. It would be a rough three weeks without her if I lasted that long.