Beast Boy turned around calmly to face the livid Robin.

"Hey, Rob. Been expecting you."

"How could you do that to her, you creep??? She could not have possibly done anything to make you mad at her! She was only curious and then you--"

"Hold it, Robin," Beast Boy said in a tired voice, "Let me explain. I was showing Starfire these characters I'm writing a fan fic about. I told her they were in love. She noticed they look similar and started beaming about how sweet it was for siblings to fall in love with each other. I'd already put up with Cyborg razzing me over it and I guess I was a little defensive, so when Star didn't know such a relationship was inappropriate I guess I took it out on her. I'm sorry. I shouldn't have yelled. I wasn't really mad at her and I promise you I'll apologize to her the first chance I get and I'll beg her forgiveness and make her laugh and show her and let her read about 'South Park' all day. Okay?"

Robin's eyebrow arched. "'South Park?'" he asked.

Beast Boy sighed. "Never mind. Long story. Suffice it to say that I'm just a little worked up from trying to get this story written and taking grief over it. Okay? I didn't mean to hurt Star and I'll make it up to her. I promise."

Robin's wrath was assuaged. "That's a good idea," he said. "Meanwhile I'll try to get her to let me in so I can explain to her that you're not mad and that you're sorry you yelled at her. But you are still going to apologize to her first thing in the morning!"

"Scout's honor," Beast Boy insisted.

Robin took a look at the screen. "Hey, isn't that Henry and June from 'Kablaam?' You're writing a fic about them? That's . . . unusual."

"Yeah. Here it is," Beast Boy replied, switching from the image files back to his story. Robin sat down in the seat Starfire had drawn up and read over the text. Earlier in the night Beast Boy would have protested but he was not in the mood now. He was beginning to wonder if he should ever have begun writing it.

"You think that Henry is in love with June? His co-host? Man, where did you ever get that idea?"

Beast Boy sighed in exasperation. "Oh come on now, it's written all over his face!" he insisted.

Robin could not recall seeing it written anywhere either during the show or on Beast Boy's saved images. "You really think he has the hots for her?" he asked.

"Oh, MAN! Just look at him!" Beast Boy answered, switching temporarily back to the images. "And he has to work with her like every day, and no matter how close they are she'll NEVER like him the same way! Of course she's completely unaware of his feelings, and while I'm sure she'd be horrified that she was causing him pain, there is no way that she would ever return his feelings. If he told her their friendship would be over, and he wouldn't even have that!!" Beast Boy explained with a passion in his voice that took Robin completely by surprise. At least at first. But then Robin arched his other eyebrow.

"And Henry's really messed up about this, huh?"

"He's torn up inside," Beast Boy mumbled as he briefly assumed a sitting fetal position.

"You're absolutely sure that June would reject him?" Robin inquired.

"Of course," Beast Boy sighed. "Look at her! She's so far above him! But he's fallen under her evil spell, and he is doomed to work at her side forever in constant torment, caught between her rejection on the one hand and not being near her on the other." And Beast Boy shook his head in sadness.

"Wow," Robin said. "I will never look at an episode of 'Kablaam' in the same way again. Poor Henry."

"Yeah. Poor Henry. But that's the way it is and there's nothing anyone can do about it," Beast Boy said dejectedly.

"But you know, Cy and Star are right. They really do look like they're--"

"I don't want to hear it again," Beast Boy said.

"Okay. Sorry. Well, I'm going to bed now--after I try to smooth things over with Star. But you will apologize to her, and profusely, or you will answer to me. Got that?"

"Profusely?"

"Never mind. Good night. And good luck with your story. And good luck to Henry with June. Oh well." And with that Robin also departed the room. And he was indeed going to try to cheer Starfire up. But first he was going to try and speak with another person whose input he thought Beast Boy had dire need of.

Beast Boy had no idea how long he had been staring at the screen. He only knew that he hadn't typed a word since Starfire interrupted him. He was now thinking that it had been a mistake even to begin it.

"You're up late."

To be continued . . .