9:30 am that morning; Titans Tower; 2006;
"Hello?" her morning voice forced a groggy greeting.
"You overslept," Robin answered her flatly on the other end of the line.
Mar'i glanced at the time on the screen. Sure enough, it read 9:30 on the dot. Raven had suggested everyone try and catch a couple of hours of sleep if they could after the meeting. Mar'i found it a bit difficult considering she was furious at Robin, but she eventually fell into a deep REM cycle which her communicator rudely interrupted.
"I know you're still trying to gain your bearings here," Robin continued. "But I don't appreciate the tardiness. Set an alarm before you go to bed."
Mar'i sat up frowning at the screen and pushed a disheveled mess of hair out of her face.
"Will do." She answered shortly. What she wanted to do was scream at him for giving a time machine to a thief.
"You'll have already wasted 45 minutes of my time by the time you get here, so it looks like we'll have to improvise.
"To be fair, I didn't really ask for your time."
"Get dressed," Robin ordered. "Or... redressed?" Robin appeared to be studying her attire at which Mar'i looked down at her wrinkled clothing. She was still wearing the previous day's outfit.
"Have you been asleep since you got back from the mall yesterday?" Robin asked her raising an eyebrow.
"I suppose I have." Mar'i lied.
Robin's sighed.
"Just get to the gym as soon as you can."
The screen went black and Mar'i closed the communicator. She quickly threw her hair into a ponytail, donned her gym clothes, and headed to the elevator. As the elevator descended, Mar'i did her best to not stress about Red X. She didn't understand how Raven, Cyborg, and Beast Boy were so willing to trust him. But Robin had trusted him too - at least at one point in his life. He trusted him enough to give him a time machine for safekeeping, for goodness sake. How could he be so careless? She thought back to her workout with Robin the previous day when she caught glimpses of the person she knew as her dad. Mar'i then thought of Dick. He was the furthest thing from careless. He was driven, thoughtful, firm yes, but kind. If Robin and Dick Grayson were the same, they had to share those qualities, but after last night, Robin's actions were making that difficult to believe. What was her Dad was doing right now? Was time moving at the same pace for her parents as it was for her? Did they even know she was missing?
The elevator dinged and she exited toward the gym. Robin was there waiting and Starfire was also there sitting on the bench reviewing a file which Mar'i assumed was hers. Starfire looked up with an apologetic expression.
"I apologize for the "wearing you out" at the mall. Robin tells me you appeared quite exhausted from our outing yesterday."
Mar'i furrowed her brow uncertainly and glanced at Robin who had a surprising hint of compassion his face.
"After my first trip to the mall with her was... an experience," Robin explained. "I'll let this time slide. Just don't be late again."
So he can be reasonable.
"Thanks," Mar'i cleared her throat thankful she had remained unscathed. "So what's the deal for today?"
Starfire looked up with a glimmer of joy on her face.
"I was hoping to work on flight with you today, but I gathered from out mall trip that you do not do well with heights. Am I correct in my assumption?
Starfire wasn't wrong. Just the reminder of the trip to and from the mall was enough to make her feel nauseous. If it wasn't for the anti-nausea medication, she probably would have puked all the way home.
"You're not wrong."
"Understood. I was explaining to Robin it might be good to acquaint you with being at a higher altitude first."
"Are you all going to throw me off a mountain or something?" Mar'i laughed nervously. She was joking, but a small part of her worried that might actually be the lesson.
"Not quite," Robin smirked. "But I have something planned."
"Why does that make me nervous?" Mar'i raised an eyebrow.
Starfire closed the file and stood up. She seemed to be making her way toward the door.
"You shall do wonderfully."
"You're not coming?" Mar'i asked in confusion.
"Not this time," Starfire answered as she shook her head. "We spent a great deal of time together yesterday so I figured you needed 'the break.' I also have a meeting with Cyborg I must attend. I shall see you both later, yes?"
Robin nodded and Starfire left them. Mar'i shifted uncomfortably.
"Not what you were expecting, huh?" Robin said almost sympathetically as if seeing she wasn't looking forward to the one-on-one time.
"Well-"
"You don't have to like me, but whether you do or not, I'm here to help"
"I don't dislike you," Mar'i responded when a small smile escaped her. "I think I just like her a bit more than you."
Robin gave a small laugh.
"Most people do."
Robin and Mar'i took the R-Cycle to the training course on the outskirts of the island. Mar'i was surprised at how much she enjoyed the short ride on the R-Cycle and the beautiful weather didn't hurt either. She rested her head on Robin's back and closed her eyes trying to imagine Dick was the one driving. She almost believed he was until Robin spoke to her over the wind.
"Don't get too comfortable,"
Mar'i lifted her head and saw the military climbing wall waiting for her. Her stomach dropped. She wasn't sure what she was expecting from this session, but needless to say, she wasn't expecting this.
It was a big wall.
Robin placed the R-cycle in park before dismounting and removing his helmet. Mar'i did the same and hung the helmet Robin lent her on one of the handlebars but kept her eyes fixed on the wall. He mused upon the panic in her face,
"It's not that scary,"
"How tall is it?"
"65 feet."
"..."
"The view's pretty up there."
"I hate it already."
"Let's make it to the top first, then you can decide if you hate it."
Robin walked to a small shed off to the side of the training course and returned with a harness in hand. He gave it to her.
"Put this on."
Robin motioned for Mar'i to follow him to the foot of the wall. Mar'i walked briskly after him attempting to put her harness on in the process until they reached the bottom, where a couple of ropes were waiting for them. Robin pulled on them a few times to check for secureness. After struggling to walk and put her harness on simultaneously, Mar'i finally had both legs in and Robin checked her straps to make sure they were tight. He went over a few safety tips with her before clipping her harness to one of the ropes and handing the rope to her. She took it from him hesitantly when it dawned on her:
"Wait, where's your harness?"
"Don't need one," Robin answered without looking her as he pulled several times on his own rope.
"So I need a safety net and you don't?"
Robin appeared unconcerned. Mar'i even could have sworn she saw him trying to hide a cheeky grin
"I've done this a few times, and I have enough gadgets in this belt to cushion a fall." He pointed to his utility belt.
"You're insane."
"I'm prepared."
Okay, so Robin wasn't reasonable. He was mad.
"Ready?" He asked her.
Mar'i felt her mouth go dry as she looked up at the massive wall in front of her. She was absolutely not ready. She closed her eyes trying to force the fear down. She opened them when she felt Robin's gloved hand on her shoulder.
"You can do this. I'll be here every step."
A familiar comfort washed over her despite her fear. It didn't make the fear go away, but his hand on her shoulder felt right. His grip was firm but gentle. It actually felt like her Dad. Maybe Dick Grayson was hiding under that mask somewhere - crazy as ever - but still there. She took another deep breath and looked up.
"Let's get this over with."
Robin grabbed hold of his rope and Mar'i did the same. He placed both feet on the wall to anchor himself. Mar'i did her best to follow suit and they started their ascent. They were roughly 10 feet off the ground when Mar'i was already starting to feel nauseous.
"Keep looking up," Robin grunted as they continued the climb. "You're doing great."
"I feel sick." Mar'i paused mid-climb and rested briefly on the harness. Robin, on the other hand, held firm to the rope. Mar'i looked over to him. His eyes were on her with a determinedness. His arms were shaking slightly, but he wasn't letting go. She started to feel guilty for letting him hang there uncomfortably, but she couldn't bring her feet to move.
"Let's talk about something to get your mind off the ground," Robin suggested.
"Uh, okay," Mar'i forced her right foot to ascend the wall as she forced down her nausea. "What do you want to talk about?"
"Anything. Tell me something about yourself."
"Uh alright," Mar'i swallowed some more potential vomit. "I'm really good at Chemistry."
"That's right," Robin responded while also continuing the climb. "Star mentioned to me you want to be a forensic scientist, right?"
Mar'i nodded as she kept her gaze upward. She didn't even want to know how far up she was now. Focus, Mar'i. Robin was right. Talking might help.
"I found out in junior high I had a knack for it so I started taking advanced placement classes to improve. They're kicking my butt. Not as much as this wall, but pretty close."
"I can't imagine," Robin responded and he reached up with his right hand. "I've never been great at science. That's one of the reasons we have Cyborg and Starfire on the team. So you stopped gymnastics to focus on that?"
"Yeah," Mari grunted. Her body was starting to ache while Robin appeared less strained. Almost like it was like second nature to him. Clearly, he had done this a "few" times. She briefly wondered if her Dad could complete a climb like this today. She had never asked him about it, but he must have passed the physical portion of his police exam with flying colors.
"It must have been hard for you to give up a hobby you love."
"It's worth it." Mar'i responded with a heavy breath. "My city is full of crime. I want to help one day."
"And what city are you from?"
Dang it. She said too much. Wait. She saw what he was doing.
"I can't remember..."
"Right..." Robin breathed as he lifted another arm and grabbed hold of his rope.
"Sorry." Mar'i responded.
She wasn't sorry. She had to keep her answers vague.
"I understand wanting to help your city," Robin paused his climb for a brief moment to catch his breath and looked at her. "I'm assuming you know I'm not from Jump?"
"You're the Boy Wonder. It's pretty clear where you're from."
"It's also pretty clear to me that you still have some of your memory." Robin countered, knowingly. "You're just not willing to talk."
She paused her climb as well and rested on the harness to face him. Two could play this interrogation game.
"Okay," Mar'i gripped her rope a bit tighter. "If you're going to make me climb a wall and ask me personal questions, it's only fair you return the favor, right?"
Robin gave her an amused smirk.
"What would you want to know about me? Anything you want to know, you can find in the paper." He started his ascent again and Mar'i followed, realizing she was beginning to feel the sweat on her forehead.
"I don't read the paper."
"You should."
"I'm pretty sure you're the only teenager I know who reads the paper."
"I'm not like most teenagers if you haven't noticed." Robin answered and continued climbing at a slightly faster pace than Mar'i expected. She forced herself to move.
"Why did you leave Gotham?"
"You really want to know?"
"I do."
"I was ready for a change," He responded without any further explanation.
"Why do I have a feeling that's not the whole truth?"
"So I'm not being truthful now? You're a gymnast turned aspiring scientist. Why gymnastics?"
"I wanted to do ballet but my dad-" She stopped mid-sentence and mentally slapped herself. Way to go, Mar'i. Way to carelessly step into the dangerous territory of telling Robin about well... himself. She could only pray he wasn't really listening.
"You're dad, what?" Robin asked her as a few drops of sweat started to form on his brow.
Great.
"He- He thought I had too much energy for ballet, so he recommended gymnastics instead." She quickly asked, "Were you always a vigilante?" before he could ask her anything else.
"Most of my life, but not always," Robin responded with a raised eyebrow. "So what does do your dad do?"
"I can't remember."
"I think you do."
"Fine... He's an accountant."
"You're lying."
Mar'i huffed in frustration and stopped mid-climb again.
"I answered your question, now it's my turn."
Robin stopped next to her.
"Alright, what do you have for me?"
Mar'i thought briefly. She wanted to ask him more questions than she could count - like why he gave Red X a time machine? Obviously, that question was off the table, at least for right now. What did she want to know?
"How... how did you meet Starfire?"
Robin wasn't as quick to respond. He waited for a beat before answering.
"Same as the others. She crashed here. No more breaks. We're almost to the top."
He continued climbing without a word, but she wasn't going to let him get off so easily on this one. There was more to the story. She knew it by the way they looked at each other when one of them entered a room. It was the way Dick and Kori looked at each other, although these versions of her parents seem to be dancing around some awkward tension that Mar'i couldn't seem to pinpoint. She could be just as persistent. She began climbing a little faster to keep up with him. They were probably 30 feet from the top and that meant she had 30 feet to get to bottom of this.
"Details!" She demanded.
"Why?" Robin grunted back as his body was straining forward.
"I like details."
"I'll give you the news article if you're so interested," Robin responded exasperatedly.
"I don't read the paper! Why are you being so weird about this?"
"What do you have against the newspaper?"
"Print is dead, Robin!" Mar'i felt like she was scrambling after him now. "Seriously, it's a new world now. Go paperless! Honestly, this makes sense why your office is such a disaster!"
Robin paused briefly and looked at her.
"What are you talking about?"
"Uh..."
Shoot.
"I don't have an office."
"I mean... your room."
"You've been in my room?!"
"No! It's... I just imagine it's trashed in black and white! Am I wrong?"
"Is there something you're not telling me?" Robin pried. "Among many other things?"
Mar'i stared at him uncertain of what to say next. There were probably 20 feet to go at this point. She looked up and an idea came to mind. Here goes something. Mar'i began frantically clawing her way up. Robin blinked in surprise before he started climbing after her.
"What are you doing?"
Mar'i took the briefest pause from her climb to see she was a few inches ahead of him.
"If I make it to the top first, you tell me how you and Starfire met!"
"That's not-"
"What? Scared you're going lose?"
If Robin was Dick and Dick was Robin, Mar'i imagined they had to share the same competitive streak. Robin processed the information before cracking a smile confirming her suspicions.
"You're on, but if I make it first, you have to answer one of my questions. Truthfully. Got it?"
She hadn't considered the counter offer. Thankfully, she was just as competitive.
"Got it. "First one to the top tells all!"
The two started climbing the last 20 feet significantly faster. Mar'is forearms and thighs continued to burn and shake but she pushed through the pain. Robin was finally starting to look like he was struggling. Only a little bit, but it made Mar'i feel good to see he wasn't so invincible after all. 15 feet. 10 feet. 5 more feet. She tried to fight the temptation to look to how far ahead or behind he was. She had to keep looking forward. Finally, her hand felt the top of the platform. She was about to pull herself up when her hand slipped from fatigue. She wanted to scream but nothing came out because Robin was quick to swing to her side and grabbed her waist, pulling them both onto the platform. Mar'i rolled onto her back and stared at the sky above trying to bring her heart rate down. Robin squatted down next to her.
"Are you okay?"
"That was horrible." Mar'i groaned as she covered her face with her hands.
"You were the one who suggested a race."
She peeked through her fingers at him, afraid to hear the results of their race.
"I lost didn't I?"
Robin didn't answer at first. Instead, he stood up and extended his hand to her.
"Too close to call."
Mar'i was taken aback as she grabbed his hand and stood to her feet.
"I feel like you're just saying that to make me feel better."
"I'm feeling generous," Robin said. "Who's to say, maybe you'll be able to climb it without the harness next time."
"Highly unlikely,"
"True. Star will have you flying in no time."
Mar'i let out a fake laugh
"We'll see. But I doubt that."
"You doubt yourself too much." He put a hand on her shoulder and gave it a reassuring squeeze. "Seriously, nice work, Mar'i."
Mar'i couldn't help but smile feeling his hand on her shoulder again.
"Thanks."
Robin removed his hand and looked at the expanse from the platform. Mar'i followed his gaze and felt her breath leave her body. He was right. The view was beautiful. She had never seen water so blue and they could see the outline of the city along with a few ships on the horizon. Why would her family ever want to leave this place for Gotham?
"Wow," was all she could muster.
"I thought you hated it." Robin joked.
"I take it back. This is... breathtaking."
Robin nodded in agreement.
"If you think this is gorgeous, you should see the view from the top of the tower. You should watch the sunset from there sometime."
"I'll pass," Mar'i snorted a laugh. "I like to conquer only one large infrastructure a day, thank you very much."
"Suit yourself." Robin shrugged and sat on the edge of the platform, letting his legs hand off the side. Mar'i wasn't sure why, but despite her fear of falling, sat down next to him. She clutched the harness making sure it was still attached for good measure.
"It is trashed," Robin said out of the blue.
"What?"
"My room," Robin clarified. "When you mentioned it was trashed, you were right. I have a lot of files and papers to keep track of. It's kind of a nightmare."
"Sounds like you need a vacation," Mar'i said. "... or a nap."
"You know I slept for 8 hours straight last night?" Robin said to her. "I can't remember the last time I slept that long."
"You're kidding, right?" Mar'i cocked her head to look his direction. "That's not normal ya, know?"
"Yeah... normal..." Robin said to himself as if the word had a left a bad taste in his mouth. "Nothing about my life is normal, Mar'i. Same goes for the rest of the team."
Mar'i let the weight of his statement sink in. Were her parents and their friends completely robbed of a childhood? Is this why they never told her about their past? The two were silent for a moment as the watched the water before the moment was interrupted by Robin.
"I'm sorry."
Mar'i did a double-take his direction. Did he just apologize?
"Sorry for what?" She asked him.
Robin clarified. "The other day. When Red X broke into the Tower. I'm sorry for yelling."
Mar'i paused not sure how to respond.
"I want to trust you, Mar'i," Robin continued. "I do. But I know you're lying. Maybe not about everything, but you still are."
"I didn't know I had powers." Mar'i reiterated.
"I know that now," Robin affirmed. "There's something else, though. And Red X has an interest in you, can you see why that looks suspicious?"
Mar'i was silent. She couldn't argue with him, but she didn't have a plausible lie to feed him.
"I understand," She said.
"What you need to understand the last time someone in our house lied to us, my team almost got hurt."
Mar'i's shoulders dropped knowingly as she saw the plaque on her bedroom door in her mind.
"Terra?"
"Yeah," Robin confirmed. "You know what happened to her? She died. And she almost took me and my team down with her."
"But Beast Boy said-"
"What Beast Boy told you about her was true." Robin cut her off. "She was our friend and in the end, she didn't die in vain. But the damage was done. So when I thought you put one of my team members in danger-"
"You mean when you thought I put her in danger." Mar'i looked at him. "Don't you?"
"The point is," Robin didn't respond, but the answer was clear. "I'm just worried about the safety of my team and I'm going to get to the bottom of all of this. But... I am sorry for yelling."
"Forgiven." Mar'i said unsure of how to respond to the rest.
"So," He changed the subject snapping her out of her own head. "Since it was too close to call, I suppose we both get a question, right?"
"Really?" Mar'i asked.
"Why not?" Robin sighed.
Mar'i shifted to face him. She tried to hide her excitement but she was failing miserably.
"How'd you meet her?"
"Can I ask you why you want to know so badly?"
"Is that your one question for me?" Mar'i poked back.
"No," Robin resonded. "I just don't understand why you're so interested."
Mar'i straightened up and wondered how to answer him truthfully. Because you never told me.
"Well, I suppose I'm curious. You two seem... close."
"She's my friend." He answered matter-of-factly.
Bull crap.
"Seems like a little more than a friend to me."
"She's a friend." He reiterated.
Dad, if you friendzone Mom, I swear to god.
"If she's just a friend then you should have no problem telling me how you met."
Robin shifted uneasily and looked away from her.
"Do you want the long version or the short version?"
Mar'i crossed her arms. "I told you I liked the details. Let's go long."
"How about I give you somewhere in between?" Robin looked at her again. "I'm not the best storyteller."
"I guess I'll take what I can get at this point."
Robin put his hands on his knees and took a deep breath.
"I moved to Jump City four years ago... As I said, I needed a change. My mentor... I suppose you know who I'm talking about... we had a bit of a falling out. I wanted to take on more responsibility but he didn't think I was ready. So I left."
Mar'i couldn't believe she what she was hearing. Her dad had a falling out with Batman? THE Batman?!
"You just left like that?" Mar'i asked as she restrained all the questions from spilling out like a waterfall.
"Pretty much," Robin affirmed. "My first day in town was a huge wake-up call. You can imagine how jarring it was to be met with an alien invasion."
"Good grief..." Mar'i rested her head in her hands.
"It was a lot," Robin agreed with her. "And I was way in over my head. Thankfully, I met the rest of the team. They were trying to figure their own stuff out too. We took them on together."
"So Starfire was part of the invasion?!"
"No. She was trying to escape from them," Robin explained. "I didn't know that at the time though. All I saw was an extremely strong girl trying to take down the pizza joint."
"What do you mean take down the pizza joint?" Mar'i cocked her head.
"Exactly what I mean. She's really is stronger than she looks."
"... Oh."
"Anyway, we fought. She almost killed me a couple of times. " Robin laughed to himself although Mar'i couldn't understand why he found it so funny. "Thankfully Cyborg and Beast Boy rescued me from a couple of close calls."
"She tried to kill you?!" Mar'i was in disbelief.
"She was feeling threatened. And it's not like we could have a conversation about it. We didn't exactly speak the same language."
"But you speak the same language now and live in the same house! You obviously worked it out!"
Robin paused before shifting uncomfortably again.
"You could say that."
"Robin," Dad..."Just spill it."
Robin squinted his eyes as if remembering the moment.
"She kissed me."
Mar'i's jumped to her feet with eyes a big a saucers.
"WHAT?!"
In her enthusiasm, she lost her balance almost slipping off the platform. She made a very unladylike screech as Robin grabbed her wrist to steady her.
"Sit. Now." He ordered her, perturbed. She quickly did as she was told and Robin rubbed his forehead as if stressed by the conversation.
"It's not what you think," Robin explained.
"But she-"
"It's how her people- your people-" He emphasized. "... learn languages in case you can't remember. It was a language transfer."
"You're not serious?" Mar'i scoffed.
"I am."
"If it was a language transfer then why does she talk so... different?"
"I couldn't tell you the exact reason but it was... quick. She might have just picked up the basics."
Mar'i couldn't believe what she was hearing. She also couldn't believe how many Spanish tests she could have passed if she had known this information prior to being swept back in time.
"Is that why you both have been acting so strange?" Mar'i came back to their conversation. "That was four years ago. Surely-"
"We never talk about it," Robin stopped her. "At least, we hadn't until the night you showed up."
"Maybe you should talk about it!" Mar'i encouraged. "I can tell she's special to you."
Robin broke his gaze from the cityscape and looked at her with a perplexed expression. "Are you giving me relationship advice?
"No. I'm just saying think about it."
Robin turned back to the cityscape. "Sounds like relationship advice."
"Isn't a relationship what you want?"
"It's complicated, Mar'i. Not to mention there's a lot at stake if we were to... It could be dangerous."
"But she's worth it, right?"
"We can't. I think she knows that too."
"But it's what you want!" She stood up again and stamped her foot in frustration.
This was weird. This conversation was supposed to be the other way around with her sitting on her bed in the distant future crying over some jerk boy and Dick offering the advice. Instead, here she was on top of a wall meddling in her teenage parent's potential love life. Mar'i scolded herself for pressing the issue, but she couldn't help it. Fear of tampering the future was there but she shouldn't let him do this to himself!
"I know she wants it too." Mar'i said unyieldingly.
"No, you don't know," Robin stood to face her. "She's told me twice in the last two days she's considering going back to Tameran." He paused as if pained by the last sentence.
"What?" Mar'i said as alarm washed over her.
"She might go back if the team disbands in a few years."
"But- but she can't!" Mar'i protested. "Why would she even consider that?!"
"We all made an agreement when we started the Titans. Each of us could make the decision for ourselves to either remain in the vigilante network or choose civilian life once we turn 18."
"Okay, so what does going back to Tamaran have to do with any of that?"
"She's worried if we all go our own way that she won't adjust well, specifically as a civilian if that's what she chooses. I've told her I can help her but that hasn't seemed to sway her."
"Maybe she doesn't just want your help? She wants you!"
"Stop assuming what she wants."
"I'm not assuming! Mar'i countered."It's what she wants. I know it!"
"You know nothing about her." His voice was firm. "You've only spent two days with her.
"I know more than you think I do!" Mar'i spat back. "And I know you want her too."
Robin's opened his mouth but quickly closed it as if he was searching for the words.
"I'm right aren't I?" Mar'i pressed him. Of course, I am.
"In the end," Robin started. "It's not about what I want or don't want."
"So if she leaves, what are you going to do?" Mar'i threw her hands up. "Keep being Robin for the rest of your life?
"I don't know. But she needs to do what she thinks is best. No matter how difficult it is."
"Have you ever considered that maybe you're what's best for her?!
"Stop."
"That you're both what's best for each other?!"
"Stop!" He said a little louder and held a hand up. Mar'i's frustration was now starting to escape in the form of tears. Robin narrowed his eyes at her as if trying to conjure a response. He rubbed the back of his neck and took a deep breath.
"Mar'i... I'm done talking about this with you. I don't know why you're so worked up about it, but it's clear I shouldn't have told you any of this."
"I'm worked up because I can't let you act like she's not the most important person in the world to you!" She spat through her tears.
"Just stop please." Robin almost sounded like he was begging.
"No! You can't just ignore this!
Robin rubbed the bridge of his nose in frustration.
"I've answered your question and told you way more than you needed to know. Now it's my turn. Answer me truthfully, Mar'i. I need to know: where are you from?"
"You can't let her leave!"
"Tell me where you're from." He asked again, unwavering.
"I can't watch you both do this to yourselves!" Mar'i cried. "Do you really see your future without her?!"
"Mar'i," Robin's voice was gravely low causing her to stop. He looked at her and took a deep breath as if trying to keep himself composed. His face was like stone. "I won't ask again. Where are you from?"
Mar'i was overwhelmed and she attempted to choke back tears. This isn't supposed to happen. Her mom is supposed to stay. She's supposed to marry her Dad. Did this conversation just ruin any chances of her own survival? Or did her traveling here mess things up before she even met the Titans? The future was probably so screwed at this point. She was exhausted, afraid and tired of lying. What did it matter now if Robin knew where she was from. Her the lump in her throat released a tear-filled croak.
"Gotham... I'm from Gotham."
12:00pm; Titans Tower; 2006
"You did what?!" Raven yelled as her desk lamp shattered.
"Raven, I'm sorry." Mar'i stood with her head down in the middle of Raven's room, eyes still swollen from her tears. "I know it was a mistake, but you don't understand-"
"This is more than a mistake!" Raven said. "You gave him some of the most important information about yourself! You know he's probably doing a search on you right now?"
"He doesn't know my last name." Mar'i answered just above a whisper.
"It doesn't matter." Raven rubbed her forehead. "Robin's smart. He already knew you were lying then you confirmed it! I'm pretty sure a fake last name isn't going to throw him off."
Mar'i didn't respond. She didn't have an excuse. Raven ran her fingers through her hair and took a deep breath to calm herself. When they heard pounding on the door.
"Who is it?!" Raven hissed.
"Me!" They heard Beast Boy's voice on the other side. "My console just exploded! I know it was you!"
Raven marched over to the door and to an enraged Beast Boy.
"You owe me a GameStation!" He pointed to Raven. "What's going on?!"
He let out an "aack!" as she grabbed him by the collar and pulled him in her room, closing the door behind them.
"Mar'i told Robin she's from Gotham. That's what's going on."
Beast Boy also looked equally as panicked.
"Dude, are you crazy?!" He flailed his arms. "Do you want to get caught?!"
"For once, Beast Boy and I can agree on something." Raven said to Mar'i. "Why would you blow your cover like that?"
"I'm tired of lying!" Mar'i groaned. "And you weren't there. He was questioning me and I was stressed..."
"I know it's stressful," Raven answered a little more sympathetically. "But you can't tell him- either of them- anything else. We're hopefully going to hear back from X tonight. It's possible he may have some information for us." Raven pulled out her communicator and started typing a message. "I'll ask Cyborg to do some computer work to hinder Robin's search, but no promises."
"Thanks," Mar'i murmured as she took a seat on Raven's bed. Raven finished typing the message and Beast Boy took a seat next to her.
"Looks like he put you through the wringer." Beast Boy said.
"The wall ended up being the least of my concern." Mar'i answered.
Raven, put the communicator away. She was hesitant at first, but she eventually sat on the other side of Mar'i sensing something more was going on.
"What did you two talk about?" She asked.
"Did you guys know he's going to let her go?" Mar'i looked to Raven then Beast Boy. "He's going to let her go back to Tameran."
Raven and Beast Boy exchanged a look
"What do you mean?" Raven questioned. Mar'i stood back up and started pacing.
"He told me about your agreement. Of when you all turn 18. He says instead of staying in your network or choosing civilian life, that she's going to go back home. And he's just going to let her!"
"Please," Beast Boy let out a laugh. "Star wouldn't leave Earth. At least not for good. She's been here, for what? The last four years? And even when we visited Tameran she ready to come home after the second day!"
Mar'i stopped pacing.
"You've been to her planet?!"
"Yeah, she got engaged." Beast Boy gave her a no-nonsense response.
"What?! To who?!"
"It's a long story," Raven waved a hand dismissing their side conversation and bringing them back to the issue at hand. "But Beast Boy is right, Starfire gets homesick but she's never mentioned wanting to go home permanently."
"Well, apparently she has," Mar'i stressed. "At least to Robin. And he's acting like he's not going to do anything to stop her! Why can't he just man up and tell her how he feels?!" Mar'i gave an irritated huff. "Honestly, why can't they both?"
Raven gave Mar'i another sympathetic look before standing up and reaching into her cloak. She handed Mar'i the photo of Robin and Starfire. Mar'i grasped it and Raven pointed at the subjects.
"Look at this," Raven told her. "Who do you see?"
"My parents."
"That's the thing," Raven told her. "They're not your parents yet. They're teenagers. We all are." She gestured to herself and Beast Boy. "We're teenagers with a very abnormal life, but teenagers nonetheless. We're all working through their own stuff: emotions, family, relationships... You can't expect Robin to act the way your dad would and you can't expect Starfire to do the same."
Mar'i studied the film in her hand. Okay, so Raven was wiser than she thought. She was right. But that still didn't take the fear away. The "what if." What if Robin did nothing? What if her parents never became her parents? The concept of surviving this ordeal was starting to feel slim either way.
"She's right," Beast Boy agreed as he stood to join them. "And if we know Robin. He's not going to let her go. You know jumped on the bottom a freaking alien spaceship to save her once?!"
"Seriously?" Mar'i looked up. "I feel like you're making this up."
"For once, he is being serious," Raven admitted.
Mar'i sighed before handing the photo back to Raven.
"Thanks for the perspective. I just need to know they're going to be okay."
"They will," Raven assured her as she stowed the photo. "As Cyborg said, you're evidence of that."
"Unless I cease to exist. By the way, where is Cyborg?"
"With Starfire," Raven answered. "I have a feeling they're having a Robin-centric conversation as well."
"Hey, you never did say," Beast Boy chimed in. "How did Robin react when you told him where you were from."
Mar'i shrugged trying to recount the incident.
"He was quiet. Didn't say much. We drove back to the tower where he parked in the garage. He left me there."
"Probably went to do a search on your information," Raven said to herself as she grabbed her communicator again from her cloak to check the time. "Hopefully Cyborg is able to work some magic before Robin gets in too deep."
"I thought magic was your thing." Mar'i joked.
"I work with spells, not computer software. And speaking of spells, I desperately need to meditate after this conversation."
"That's our cue to leave," Beast Boy whispered to Mar'i before turning to Raven. "You still own me a GameStation."
Raven opened the door with her energy and Beast Boy levitated against his will
"Put it on my bill." She placed her hood over her head before tossing him outside. Mar'i, for fear of being thrown out as well followed him and the door shut behind them. Mar'i helped Beast Boy up
"What do you think you and Raven will do?" Mar'i asked him.
"I'm not doing anything!" He protested as he dusted himself off. "What she's going to do is replace my GameStation."
"Not that!" Mar'i explained. "About your agreement. Will you stay in the network? Or will you choose civilian life?"
Beast Boy gave Mar'i an amused look.
"Me and Raven?!" He cackled. " Us civies? Have you see us?!" Beast Boy pointed to himself and then to Raven's door. "We don't exactly blend in."
"Sure, but there's technology that could disguise your complections" Mar'i shrugged. "At least where I'm from. Just give it a few years!"
"Eh..." Beast Boy gave an uncertain look. "I can't think that far ahead. S'ides, I don't know if I want to hide who I am from the world."
Mar'i went quiet. His reasoning made sense.
"I get that. But why do you think my parents- your friends - why did they hide?"
Beast Boy was silent for a moment.
"I dunno, Mar'i. But we're going to find out. Promise."
