Chapter 3

Dick Grayson had never been one to let things go easily. Whether that related to his life as Dick, or his life as Robin, the two egos had never quite gotten the hang of forgetting things. He could say it was because he was trained by the Batman, and he dwelled on just about everything. The truth though, was that Dick's life had changed in a matter of moments, unexpected, and unnecessarily. This caused a change in the young boy at the time, and he knew his days of throwing caution to the wind were over. People die if you're not careful. And that hurt never goes away.

Such was true of now, even years after the event, Dick Grayson stood in front of his parents' grave in Gotham Cemetery, unrelenting tears rushing down his face. It was okay, he told himself, to show weakness at this time. Everyone understood. No one judged him. Not that he would have cared if they had. Perhaps he would have, had he been stood there in a black and yellow cape with a mask over his eyes. But he wasn't. So he could cry. He could mourn. He could show that he was breakable.

A delicate hand lay itself on his shoulder, and the light breeze tugged red hair into his vision. He blinked back his tears and wiped his face on his sleeve. Gently, he lay a bouquet of colourful flowers on the grave and stepped back. "I miss you. Everyday. And I hope... I hope you're proud of me, because that's all I ever wanted." Fresh tears hit his cheeks and a small smile graced his face. "Long live the Flying Grayson's."

When he had stopped talking, the cemetery went quiet. Dick had this issue where no matter what he just could not turn off those persistent instincts of his, whether he was in uniform or not and currently he was aware of exactly what was going on in the cemetery. There was a man and a small child three rows from him, the little boy telling the grave of his day at school the day before. Presumably, the boy's mother resided in that grave. Other than that, there was a person, gender unknown, who had their hood up, just entering the gates but had subsequently stopped and stayed stood there. Not that Dick found this suspicious in any way, after all, it took him the best part of half an hour to gather up the courage to enter the first time he visited.

Then there was the gentle figure behind him. She hadn't said a word so far, just being a comfort to him when he needed it the most. She understood. She had lost her mother once, and she knew how hard this was for him. "They will be so proud of you Dick, I know it. You've done nothing but spend your life trying to prevent what happened to them from happening again. Anyone who devotes their life like that to the memory of two people, is one of the biggest hero's I know." Her hand squeezed his shoulder gently and his blue eyes looked up to meet her green ones

"Thanks Babs, I know. I just wish I could hear it from them you know."

"I know. But they love you, and that's all you need to know." She smiled at him and he smiled at her. The hooded person had ventured slowly into the cemetery, slow gentle footsteps. Poor bugger, Dick really did have sympathy for them. "So why did you bring me, Dick?" Babs looked at him quizzically. "I know we've been friends for a while but I was a little surprised to get your call."

"What?" He flashed his eyes to her. "You've come with me before. You know I don't like coming with Bruce, it brings all sorts back for him as well."

"That's not what I mean. Dick, why didn't you bring Starfire with you?" She watched as his head shifted back to the gravestone the instant she said her name. Dick's head spun a little bit. The hooded person had stopped their slow journey. The father and son were getting up to leave.

"Bruce asked me the same thing."

"So what's your response?"

"I didn't think it was the right time to integrate her with the BatFam yet. That's all. I..."

"Dick." She made him look at her. "That's crap. She's already met Bruce, what could be more tasking than that? And she knows Jason. What's the real reason?"

Dick sighed. His head shaking as he mustered up the words. "I... I thought the nightmares would go away. She was finally safe. I don't have to worry about her in battle because she's not allowed to participate. I don't have to worry about Slade because even if he does get out, I'll know within seconds. I just can't stop having nightmares about her. About him. Every night it's the same thing. He would get her, and she'd attack me, and all I can focus on is the rip in her uniform where the scar shows through. All I can focus on is his stupid symbol. When I wake up from these nightmares, and I look down at her sleeping beside me, it takes me a few minutes to realise she's not his anymore. But every time I see that scar and every time she gets angry, it brings it all back. I... I... I'm having trouble looking at her, because all I see is him. I couldn't bring her here, not today and definitely not with this mindset I have. I tried so hard. I even pulled our relationship back on track last week because I thought I was losing her, but I also thought it might make it easier. It didn't. And now I don't know what to do."

They stood in silence for a moment after he'd finished talking. He realised that she wouldn't know what to say but it didn't matter. He looked up and noticed that the cemetery was empty around the two of them. He looked down at the grave in front of him one more time and sighed. "I love you." Silently, the two walked the rows of graves until they reached the gate where a black car was waiting for them. No one spoke the entire journey back to Wayne Manor.

The driver today wasn't actually Alfred as Bruce regrettably needed him for something, so Dick tipped Nolan and thanked him before entering his former home, Bab's trailing along beside him. The foyer was quiet except for a few voices travelling from the kitchen. No doubt Alfred was preparing food, it was nearly dinner time after all. Then there was Jason's laugh carrying through the hallway. That kid's voice travelled through walls relentlessly sometimes. And then Dick stopped dead. His face drained of all colour. There was a giggle mixed in with those voices. A giggle, he recognised.

Babs looks at him suspiciously. "Are you okay? You look like you've seen a ghost." He didn't answer her, he just slowly and cautiously made his way to the kitchen. The voices and the laughter getting louder as he approached. He was certain now. Without a doubt. She was here. Dick turned through the doorway to the kitchen and true to his knowledge, there she sat. Her back to him, perched on a stool at the breakfast bar. Her wondrous laugh escaping her lips, albeit half heartedly, as she lifted a mug to them.

"Ah, Master Dick. Would you like a drink?" Alfred wasn't actually in the middle of making dinner, he was having a friendly chat with Jason and Starfire who had empty plates and mugs in front of them. Starfire turned, startled at Dick's sudden appearance. Her face went as white as his had, and they both just stared at each other. It wasn't long though until Dick felt white hot anger run through his veins. How dare she.

"What are you doing here?!" His sudden outburst startled everyone, including Bab's who was visible behind him in the foyer.

"I... I had in..intended to have departed by the time you returned. I was told not to expect you back until sometime later and so I stayed for the tea and Alfred had kindly offered the sandwiches. I am truly sorry." Her face betrayed her, and if Dick weren't so angry, he'd have noticed that she didn't sound overly sincere in her apology.

"I said I would be back on Friday. I've been gone just over twenty-four hours and yet here you are. Why are you here?" He narrowed his eyes at her and she was saddened to see such beautiful orbs turn to look at her with hatred.

"I invited her." Another voice joined the conversation as Bruce entered the kitchen from the other door. "I asked her to come so we could discuss the possibility of removing her scar. It also meant I wouldn't have to go to Titan's Tower on Tuesday. I was going to have her leave before you came back, but you're earlier than any of us expected." Bruce took a cup of coffee which Alfred had handed to him and sipped it. Starfire looked to the floor.

"You never mentioned anything to me about being able to remove that scar." Dick glared at Bruce accusingly. Surly if Bruce had known that, he would have told Dick first.

"Robin..." Starfire chocked a noise as she corrected herself. "Richard... Mr Wayne has many connections in this city that you must be well aware of. I have conversed with a man over the computer called Lucious Fox whom I believe is the supplier of weapons to the Batman. He knows someone who could remove this scar for me. When Mr Wayne contacted me about it, I got Raven to transport me here so we could discuss it. I meant no intrusion on this day of mourning for you. I regret any harm I may have caused. If you will all excuse me," she stood from the stool she was sitting on. "I shall go call Raven and return home. I thank you for your hospitality Alfred, and thank you for your company Jason. Mr Wayne, I regret that I cannot remember how to enter the Batcave, that is where Raven will wish to come for me."

Bruce put a gentle hand on her shoulder and led her out past a still outraged Dick and very very quiet Bab's. Dick breathed heavily through his nose. Something didn't add up, but he was far too pent up to even think about it. Okay so maybe he shouldn't have exploded the way he had, and okay so there was some reasoning behind it, but even so, Bruce should not have let her come today of all days. "I need to be alone." Dick stalked out of the kitchen and up to his bedroom where he had taken up temporary residence once again. All that was heard from the kitchen was a door slamming and a muffled shout as Dick screamed into his pillow.

Bab's took up seat in the stool Starfire previously occupied. "He's not gonna come out for a while. Today was really really tough on him."

"Yeah well, he should learn to keep his mouth shut." Jason fiddled with some left over crusts on his plate. "I'd be very surprised if he has a girlfriend to go home to. She fragile and he's selfish."

"What are you talking about?"

"Never mind."

XXXXXX

"Raven will be here momentarily." Starfire shuffled her feet, tears threatening her eyes.

"I am truly sorry for causing this Starfire. I had no idea of his feelings. He doesn't exactly open up to me."

"It is okay. I do not blame you. My worst nightmare has come to fruition and I honestly would rather know than him keep it from me. You were trying to do what was best for him and now we both know that I am not it. But we shall sort it out when he returns to the Tower on Friday."

"I'll organise some conference calls with the plastic surgeon and we can discuss the removal of your scar. Though you will need to travel down to Gotham to have the procedure done."

"That is fine. If you could inform me beforehand I would be forever grateful. Should this be successful, I shall be forever in your debt." As Starfire finished talking, Bruce handed her a bag which she took and held tight. A black portal opened up beside her and she could see Raven in the living room through the other side. "Farewell, Mr Wayne."

"Goodbye Starfire."

Starfire stepped through the portal and out into the living room of the Tower. Raven was the only other Titan present and as soon as this was recognised by Starfire she let her knees buckle and the tears flow. Raven caught her as she fell and Starfire clutched onto the other girl's cloak as tight as she could. "Star?.. I'm sensing a great sadness from you. What happened? I thought you'd be staying with Robin for a few days."

Starfire spent a few minutes collecting her thoughts. In an instant her tears of sadness became tears of frustration. She let go of Raven and whispered an apology to the other girl before wiping her face and getting to her feet. She stood with a warrior stance that Raven had only seen a few times before. Her eyes started flowing green. "Robin has unknowingly shared his true feelings. It is evident to me now that the past year has damaged our relationship to a point where it cannot be fixed. He lied to me. Therefore I am through playing by his rules."

"Star, don't do anything stupid." Ravens voice was concerned as she gave her warning. She was still very confused, but she thought she might understand to an extent. "What do you mean you won't play by his rules?"

"I am going to use my own methods of getting my flight back, and my energy to a stable level."

"How? We've been trying for months."

"I explained to Robin many months ago that I had a way of regaining stability. He refused to let me because it is potentially dangerous to myself. He said he would not be able to handle it if he lost me again. He is a liar, and I will no longer sit in the background whilst my friends fight. He has shown today that he has no reason to be concerned."

"Star I don't understand. This morning you went to go help Robin through today and now you've gone into complete warrior mode and are talking about how Robin doesn't care about you. What happened?"

"Robin decided it would be best to voice his opinions when he was unaware of who was around him. He has lied to me, and it causes me great grief."

"That still doesn't answer my question, but if it's too hard to talk about then I get it. What are you going to do about your flight and energy?"

Starfire looked at Raven with a straight face. Her hands and her eyes burst into life. "The same thing I did the last time."