Sorry it took so long, but we were pulling up the carpet and had to unplug my computer.
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Cyborg watched the two titans pace, each one going in different direction. And, damn it, Cyborg was going cross-eyed. His human eye narrowed slowly as he watched the two. They were this worried and damn, the girls were just in the next room sleeping! It was not as if they were still MIA (Missing In Action).
Come on! How obvious can you get? Beast Boy, poor thing, was so palpable in his love for Raven. You could tell the he was head-over-heels in love with her just by the way he looks at her when she's busy doing something else and/or the way he frets over her when something is not right. But Robin was unpredictable in his feelings for Star. One minute he would stare at her as if she was God's gift, then he would be on a date with a different girl. And, he would only go on a date when Star was not around, or had no idea. But watching the two in the hopeless love always gave Cyborg a kick. It was too hilarious to describe.
And now, as they paced the floor waiting for the two to wake up, Cyborg was having the time of his life. They were worried about the girls, and, hello, they were in the next room sleeping, working off the drugs in their system.
It was not like they were still back at Slade's lair. They were right here, in the tower, safe as can be. And Slade, the psycho, just sent a couple of robots to drop them off at the doorstep. That threw everyone off. Why did he steal them for only one day, and then bring them back? He could have made them worry, well more than usual, and kept them away longer. But just as they were about to go find them, the doorbell rang, and Robin, who was already mad enough that someone had taken his love, (If Cyborg ever said that out loud, he would be nothing but a chunk of metal) answered the door. And Starfire was instantly shoved into his arms, asleep and well. Except for the torn shirt, of course.
After depositing Raven into Beast Boy's arms, the small robotic army left. No bombs were left behind, no surprise attacks, zilch. Maybe that was why Robin was pacing so...nope he was worried about Star.
Ugh, he couldn't take the pacing anymore! When they came within arms reach, Cyborg grabbed Robin's cape, yanking him down onto the couch, and wrapped his hand around the back of Beast Boy's neck, pulling him back and dropping him on the sofa. Cyborg grinned. Couldn't have done any better.
Robin glared. "What was that for?" Folding his arms across his huge chest, Cyborg replied, "Look, I checked them over twice, and the drugs will ware off soon enough. It's not like they are in a coma, so you have nothing to worry about."
Robin still glared. "I was not worried about Star." Liar, Cyborg thought, but listened to Robin's excuse nonetheless. "I was wondering...why would Slade take them, drug them, then bring them back here with out a scratch?"
Beast Boy held his chin in his hands, deep in thought. "Oh no," Cyborg and Robin groaned as Beast Boy jumped up, his wild imagination working. "I know! Slade kidnapped them, and then...then...cloned them! Yes, and when we least expect it, the clones of Raven and Star will attack the city, along with the aliens Slade communicated with! Yeah, yeah, and the clones will destroy the city and the aliens will rule the world!" He laughed, grinned, and sat back down. "Yep, that's what is going to happen."
Robin blinked comically. "Beast Boy, in all your...ideas, you always have something to do with aliens and/or zombies...why's that?"
Beast Boy glanced over at Robin. "Because, I know the aliens are out there, planning on destroying us. And what better time to do it know that Raven and Starfire are cloned?"
"Beast Boy, Raven and Starfire are not cloned. They were just—"Robin stated, rolling his eyes when Beast Boy interrupted.
"Then why did Slade take them, huh? We all know his obsessed with you, but why would he take the girl you love—"
"I do not love Starfire!" Robin hissed, but his eyes betrayed him.
Beast Boy continued on as if Robin never spoke. "—If not to clone them. If he did, then you would, I don't know, bow down to him or something 'cause your girl would be accused—"
"Star is not my girl." Robin said slowly, his arms crossed over his chest.
Beast Boy glared. "Would you let me finish?" Robin scowled, but stayed quite.
"Anyways, they would be accused of turning evil and—"
Cyborg interrupted him by standing up. "This belongs in a comic book, not the real world, Grass Stain. Let's think logically, or how 'bout we leave the logical thinking to the smart people."
Beast Boy glared. "Your right. We will leave the thinking to the only one smart enough to figure it out." Cyborg grinned. "Robin, start thinking." Cyborg's grin fell. "Hey, are you trying to say that I'm dumb?"
Beast Boy stood up, and had to crane his neck to look up. "Yeah, that's what I'm saying."
"Come here you little Grass Stain!" As the two chased each other around, Robin crept into the room where Starfire lay. He dragged up a chair, sat down, and watched the monitor. She didn't really need it, but still, he wanted to be on the safe side.
He glanced down at her torn shirt and questions raced through his mind. What did Slade do, exactly? Why did he do it? What was the point of tearing her shirt open unless...no. He couldn't think like that, wouldn't think like that. Slade would never...would he? Rage boiled inside him, threatening to over flow. No, he would not think of his Star being raped—wait, his Star? Man, he had been doing that a lot lately. Saying his Star. Though it was all in his head, it was still unnerving. She was not his Star. Nope, she was just Star.
But when he said it, it felt so right. His Star. Robin's Star. Maybe she was his Star and he was just too stubborn and pig-headed to realize it. Or maybe it was just the hormones talking. One of the two was the answer, and he didn't plan on figuring out which one it was anytime soon.
Romance, to him, was way to confusing. Not really worth dealing with. When he went out with a girl, behind Star's back (which he always felt guilty for) it would just to have fun. There might be a kiss here or there, but he learned his lesson in that department. He had actually called a girl Star and had to think fast. And what he said was really, really bad. "Starfi...uh, I mean, aren't the stars beautiful tonight, Katie? Just like you." Ugh, how corny can you get? But, hey, she believed it. It earned him a few extra kisses, but still, his mind was always on Star. When he would go out with a girl, he would always picture her as Star, then it would disappear and he would see his real date. But he would always compare the girl he was seeing to Star.
And Star always won hands down. No one could compare to her. It was hard to find a fault in her. But when he did, it always seemed so charming. Like her cooking, for example. She could not cook if her life depended on it, but it relaxed him just to watch her throw things together that, quite frankly, should not be put together.
And when she shoved one of those nasty concoctions down his throat, he might spend the night throwing everything up, but he was never mad at her. Never.
And he still could not get over the fact that he had been so close to kissing her. If it weren't for Slade, he might have told her how he felt. Might, being the key word. Ugh, he had wanted to kiss her so bad! Still wanted to kiss her. And not the simple kiss either. He had only given her a basic summary and had not gone in to detail about real kissing. But, he planned on showing her sometime, hopefully sometime soon.
She sighed, turning her head to face him, though still asleep. So, he took the time to study her. And slowly came to a conclusion. No, no one could compare to her. She's one of a kind. And, hopefully, she'll be mine. A childish thought flashed through his mind. Hey, that rhymed! Hey, that also rhymed. He shook his head, smiling slightly.
Cyborg walked in, followed by a pouting Beast Boy. Beast Boy plopped down in the chair beside Raven, hands crossed in front of his chest. And, all the while, he glared at Cyborg.
"How's everything going?" Cyborg asked, messing with the monitor. Robin shrugged. "Fine. Nothing has changed." He cleared his throat, hoping he would not sound to obvious. "When did you say they were supposed to wake up?"
"Well, the drug Slade gave them was meant to keep the asleep for weeks, but since Raven and Star aren't normal humans, I say they'll be up in no time." Robin watched as Cyborg checked everything, from monitors, to the sheets. Cyborg was worried too; he just would not admit it.
Robin leaned over her bed to fix her pillow when her eyes snapped open and she sat up...fast. Robin's head, unfortunately, collided with hers. She sat back with a groan, rubbing her sore head. Not exactly what she planned on waking up to.
Robin sat down on the chair, ignoring Beast Boy and Cyborg's laughter, and massaged his sore temple. Man she had a hard head. And, damn it hurt!
Starfire looked around at her surroundings, her headache now a dull throb. She was not in Slade's presence anymore, but was back at the tower. Her eyes landed on Robin. His elbows rested in his knees as he rubbed his head, making an adorable sight.
She glanced over at Cyborg and Beast Boy, who were laughing so hard it seemed as if they could not breath. And they happened to be rolling on the floor, holding their stomachs'. Earths' customs were still unusual to her.
"Robin, I am truly sorry." He grunted, rubbed his head one last time, and glanced up. "Glad to see you're awake."
She smiled, but only for a mere second. Because Robin just had to ask about Slade instead of how she was doing. "What did Slade do? Do you know where he is hiding?"
She sighed inwardly. No, he would not ask if she was okay, or if her head hurt from the large collision, but he would ask her about Slade. Typical. "I do not know."
"You have to remember something. Maybe you can give as a indication or—"
"Robin, as I said before, I do not retain information from the past event of being abducted by Slade. All I remember is Slade conversing about nothing in particular, and then, well, that is all." She didn't want to mention the fact that he had torn her shirt to mere shreds of cloth.
Robin look slightly aggravated. "I am sorry I cannot be of help, Robin." I loathe Slade. If it were not for him, Robin would talk to me openly, become friendlier. And not hate me when I do not remember what happened with Slade. She had hoped that maybe he would be a tad bit worried about her, but she should not have gotten her hopes up.
"If you will excuse me, "she said, her voice almost sad, but she cleared her throat. "I am still tired and wish to retire to my room." She threw her legs over the bed, making sure to hold her torn shirt with both hands, and stood up, only for her knees to give out under her. She was still to weak to get up. The drug had not fully worn off.
Robin grabbed her around the waist, pulling her to him so she would not fall. "Look Star, you need to rest so—"
"I can remember what happened while Slade had me." She pulled back gently, and sat down on the bed, clutching her shirt securely.
Robin sighed. "No Star, I don't care about what Slade did," he raised an eyebrow as everyone's head snapped up. He gave a slowly, "Umm hmm," then turned back to Star.
"I just want to make sure your okay, and rest is the best way to insure that." She smiled. Cyborg made kissing sounds, and Robin grabbed the water bottle next to her bed and threw it at the metal teen, hitting his mark: Cyborg's loud mouth.
Starfire giggled. "Dude, what was that for," Cyborg yelled, rubbing his sore mouth. "Damn that hurt." At least that is what Robin thought he said, considering his hand muffled his words.
Beast Boy laughed. "Dude, that was awesome! Direct hit!" Cyborg glared, rubbing his mouth. "Yeah, why don't you pat attention to your lady love and mind your own business."
"I hope you are not talking about me, Cyborg." Raven said as she sat up in bed. She had been listening to the conversation the whole. Beast Boy blushed a bright red, laughing softly. "No Rae. He wasn't talking about you."
"Yeah I was." This time it was Beast Boy who threw something, hitting the side of Cyborg's head with another water bottle. "Damn, I'm getting out of here. You people are violent, "Cyborg mumbled as he rubbed the side of his head, walking out of the room.
"What happened?" Raven asked after everyone had his or her laugh at Cyborg's expense.
Robin sighed. "You don't remember either?"
"No, from what I remember, she never awoken from her slumber. But I remember Slade saying something about her being too strong and him not wanting to take any chances." Starfire said, pulling the white sheet over her chest and tucking it under her arms.
"It makes sense, that he would want her under longer. She could have easily escaped, especially with her powers." Robin motioned to Starfire's bandaged wrist. "The type of metal he used was almost indestructible, or in other words, Starfire would not have been able to bend, pull, or whatever."
She opened her mouth to tell him that she had in fact pulled the chains out, but he would ask how he drugged her again, and she still did not wish to explain.
The room was silent for a moment before Raven said, "I feel as if something was taken from me." All eyes turned to her.
"I feel the same also. I did not wish to mention it, though."
Robin's mind was going ninety to nothing. What was it that they were missing? What if Slade knew how much he love—liked Star, and decided to take what should have been Robin's? Starfire. He could have easily taken her innocence, knowing full and well that Robin planned on...but wait...why would he also take Raven? The only feeling he had towards Raven was friendship, nothing else. So, Slade must know nothing about his feelings for Star.
So, that halfway ruled out the fact that Slade had raped Star. But again, why was her shirt ripped? Ugh, this was getting confusing, even for him. Because for one thing, Robin had always thought of Slade as homosexual, but that was only because of his obsession with Robin. Wow, Robin thought. You do learn something new everyday.
He just had to ask. "Star...why is your shirt ripped?"
Her eyes snapped up, and Beast Boy glanced at Raven. Taking the hint, she let Beast Boy help her out of the bed and hold her waist to steady her. Robin watched as they walked out, and raised an eyebrow at Raven's blush. He knew Beast Boy loved Raven, but was the feeling mutual? Who knows?
"I..." She seemed to find the sheet completely interesting.
He tilted her chin up so she had no choice but to look him straight in the eye...mask...whatever. For a brief moment, he forgot what he had asked her earlier. That is, until she finally answered.
"All I can recall is Slade and I in dispute, then I finally managed to loosen the manacles. I had, for a moment, thought I was free, but Slade pounced on me, keeping me down. And, then he, for some unknown reason, ripped my shirt and inserted a needle into me." She unconsciously rubbed her collarbone, still remembering. "Then, all is vacant in my mind."
"So Slade didn't, umm...never mind." It seemed as if a large weight was lifted off his shoulders.
"I...I mean, we were worried about you." She smiled, catching his mistake. She tucked a long piece of hair behind her ear. "I will be truthful. I missed you as well."
He was shocked. She just said she missed me. Not anyone else, but me. Oh, this is the best day ever!
She was now grinning. "Robin, if I recall correctly, you never showed me the demonstration of that kiss." So straightforward: I love it. He grinned, leaning in slowly, oh so slowly. But, just as before, when he was only seconds away from her lips, something disturbed him. He pulled back fast as Cyborg ran in. And there was not laughter in his human eye. Instead, there was pure horror.
"Robin, for once...Beast Boy was right...Raven and Star were cloned. And the clones are destroying Jump City."