Author's Notes: Thank god! I'm back! I'mbackI'mbackI'mback! I'm sorry I put off posting this for so long, but there was the internet thing, and it needed editing, and all the other shit that surrounds junior high life. But the good news is, I've had a LOT of time on my hands, and what better to do than to write fanfiction! So…I've gladly posted, right here, the third chapter of my fic, Payback, which has apparently been looked forward to eagerly by a few of you. I just want to make something very clear to all of you, who will probably tell me that one or more of the characters is, well, out of character. This is fanfiction. I am taking characters that exist and putting them into situations THAT HAVE NOT HAPPENED to them. Of course they're going to be a little "Out of Character". The only way to get everyone completely and perfectly in character would be to repeat exactly what happened in the show. (For instance, I believe that once they both got over their mutual shyness at the beginning, Raven would be the aggressor in the relationship. Instances of that can be seen here. Of course, they aren't in a relationship in the show, so this is my interpretation. Some of you may disagree. That's because your interpretation may be different.) I just wanted to make that clear. I won't dally any longer, so go ahead and read!
Special Thanks: No, I'm not going to go and name every single person that reviewed me, but those of you who did, I really want to thank you for your patience and support. You guys make it all worth it. So this chapter is for all of you, and once again, thank you!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. If I did, Terra would not exist, Cyborg would have a girlfriend, Robin wouldn't be so obsessive, Slade wouldn't act like a pedophile, Gizmo would know some good insults, and Raven and Beast Boy would have multiple episodes devoted to their relationship. With a few dedicated to Robin and Starfire, of course.
Quote of the Chapter: Cyborg – If that remote can turn candy evil, who knows what else it can do?
Payback: Chapter 3 – Foul Play, Favors, and Force FieldsBy Mint Dragon
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The next day, after lunchtime, the Titans were gathered in the living room once more. Raven was curled up in a chair, deep within the pages of an old, black book. Robin and Beast Boy were playing furiously on the Gamestation, and Cyborg was explaining to Starfire the rules of soccer.
"So the object of the game is to get the white and black ball into the opposing team's goal structure without using one's hands or arms?"
"Yeah, Star! You got it!"
Cyborg looked down at the clock built into his arm.
"I'm outta here, guys."
"Where are you going?" Robin asked, never taking his eyes off the screen.
"I've got a pal at the arcade that I owe a butt-whoopin'," Cyborg replied, before exiting.
Hey Raven? Beast Boy telepathically sent his girlfriend. She had shown him how to do it, but he was able to communicate with only her in such a fashion. Which made it very good for holding side conversations.
Yes, Beast Boy?
How did you get Cyborg out of here so easily?
While we were at the arcade, I messed with the controls of the game a little while he was playing. He lost to some rookie, and I figured he'd go back for revenge.
You'd never mess with my videogames like that, would you? Beast Boy asked, genuinely horrified at the idea that she would willingly interfere with a videogame.
Raven looked over her book, one eyebrow raised, at Beast Boy. He stuck his tongue out of the corner of his mouth in concentration, button-mashing rapidly as his character knocked back Robin's. Suddenly, he felt the controls move of their own accord, and instead of blocking, his character ran straight into an attack of Robin's. His remaining health depleted, a huge YOU LOSE! appeared on the screen. Beast Boy was frozen as Robin stood up, grinning.
"Gotcha, BB. And you walked right into that one, too."
Starfire got up and hugged Robin.
"Wonderful! You are victorious!"
A moment later, she let go of him. Raven smirked behind her book. Starfire's feelings for Robin were so painfully obvious, it was embarrassing.
They all turned as Raven shut her book closed.
"Robin? Starfire?" she asked.
"Yes, Raven?" Starfire replied, cheerful as ever.
"Could you two do me a favor?"
"Sure, what's up?" Robin asked.
"Downstairs, in the basement, there's a book that looks just like this one." She held up the black tome. "I was looking for it earlier, but I couldn't find it. And you two are pretty good at finding stuff, so…"
"You want us to get it for you?" Robin finished her sentence.
"If you would," she replied evenly.
"We would be happy to help you locate your missing book!" Starfire said happily, promptly grabbed Robin's wrist and nearly dragged him down the stairs that led to the basement.
"Well, that was easy." Raven said as she stood up, and pulled from her cloak a small mechanical device. She walked over to the door that led downstairs, and attached the little blinking thing to it. At once, a blue force-field surrounded the area around the door. Raven smiled with satisfaction.
"That ought to do it." she said. The purple-haired girl turned to look at Beast Boy. He hadn't moved from his position on the floor since Robin had won. He was staring at the screen blankly. She sighed and walked over to him.
"Why do you even waste your time on these silly little games?"
"They're fun!" he protested adorably. She shook her head and knelt down behind him.
Beast Boy shivered as she ran her hands over his shoulders and down his chest. Her warm breath tickled his ear as she whispered in a sultry voice,
"Those games are amusing. This is fun."
***
Down in the basement, Robin and Starfire walked through the dimly lit room, searching for Raven's book.
"Robin, I have located Raven's missing book of knowledge!" Starfire exclaimed joyfully, pointing to a black book resting on top of a crate. He walked over to her as she floated up and grabbed it.
"Great job, Star. Let's go back and give it to her." Robin said, anxious to get back upstairs. He wasn't sure why he was nervous, but all he knew was that he felt very self-conscious in the dark basement, alone with Starfire.
They walked up the stairs, and Robin tried to open the door. It didn't move.
"The door's not opening," he grunted as he strained to pull it open.
"Allow me to try," Starfire said, hovering in the air in front of him. She grabbed the doorknob and pulled with all of her might, but it refused to budge. Robin inspected the frame.
"It's as I thought," he said. "There's an energy field surrounding the doorway. And there isn't another way out. I guess we'll just have to wait until the device creating it runs out."
"Raven! Beast Boy!" Starfire yelled. No one came. Robin sauntered down the stairs and sat on a crate. Starfire joined him a moment later, frowning in confusion.
"I do not understand, Robin. Why do they not come?"
"I think," Robin said, realization hitting him. "That we're just going to have to wait. They're not going to help us out of here. That force field is too strong to break out of. But it should only last for about three hours."
They sat in silence for a moment, each with their own thoughts.
Starfire looked at Robin. With an impressive physique, he was strong, but not bulky with muscle. He was intelligent and resourceful. He looked at her, and she gulped. Those butterflies were returning to her stomach, a whole swarm of them, and she still couldn't figure out why.
Robin gazed into Starfire's emerald eyes. The beautiful and powerful girl before him was as sunny and cheerful as someone could be. She was compassionate, and while she didn't totally understand Earth customs, she was adapting. Starfire was the embodiment of optimism. She made his life brighter in every way, and was his faithful companion no matter what. He savored every moment with her, every word that came out of her mouth in that wonderfully light and carefree voice.
Maybe now was the time. Robin doubted if an opportunity like this would ever come again.
He stood up slowly, and she looked at him, a little confused.
"On Earth," he said slowly, "sometimes, people are…attracted to others. It goes beyond physical attraction. It's the feeling that…that you don't want to leave their side, that you always want to be with them. And when they aren't there, you feel like a part of you is missing. It's like…it's really hard to explain." he said, trying desperately to come up with the right words for it. Starfire nodded cautiously.
"I believe I understand, Robin. What is wrong? Please, tell me." she urged.
"Starfire," Robin said, gathering every ounce of courage and bravery he could muster.
"Will you…go on a date with me?"
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I love cliffies. Don't you? …PLEASE DON'T KILL ME!!!!!
-Mint Dragon
PS – Polite and constructive criticism would be appreciated.