SUMMARY OF PREVIOUS CHAPTER: Red X stays with the Titans and fits in with them instantly. Red X tries to talk to Starfire but Starfire seems to enjoy Robin's company more than ever. Robin and Starfire brought pizza and went to the roof to eat it and were about to kiss when the communicator went off and all of them had to go downtown for a mission, Red X included. The Titans tried to defeat Cinderblock, Plasmus, Overload, Mammoth, Rancid, Fang and Atlas while divided into two groups but they had to retreat. BB saved Raven and then helped Cyborg get out of the fight scene. The T-Car was destroyed. Red X saved Starfire and Robin got upset because of this. Robin rejected Starfire and after everyone had left, Red X told Starfire that he knew what Slade's plan was but he did not want any of them to know but her. Red X and Starfire left the tower and talked about Slade's plan.
DISCLAIMER: Do not have possession of the Titans.
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Chapter 3Heartbreak
The morning sun illuminated Titans Tower and forced the Titans to open their eyes and wake up. Raven was the first one to get up from bed and went straight to the bathroom to take a shower. BB had woken up when the sun hit his face and he had not been able to find anything on his bed to cover his face.
-'Blanket…pillow…anything!'-BB thought
Cyborg woke up early and went straight to the kitchen to beat BB and make a "normal" breakfast.
-'Tired of that tofu stuff, man'-Cyborg thought
Robin had stayed awake until midnight. He could not sleep because he had been thinking about how Red X had saved Starfire. Maybe this was not a big deal for the others, but for him it surely was.
-'Why didn't I move or something? She could had hurt herself and I didn't help her'-Robin thought
Robin went to the bathroom and was about to knock on the door when the door opened itself and Raven came out from it.
-"Morning, Robin"-Raven said
-"Morning, Raven"-Robin said
Raven wanted to ask him how he was. She already knew he had not gotten over the fact that Red X was alive and living with them. She wanted to help him see that Red X's presence would not affect Starfire's feelings for him; however, she thought it was better for him to find out by himself. Raven touched Robin's shoulder on her way to the main room and Robin faked a smile while he went inside the bathroom. The door closed and Robin began getting ready to take a shower of his own. Raven walked away from the bathroom and found BB on the hallway on her way to the main room. BB still looked asleep and walked with his eyes partially closed.
-"Morning, Rae"-BB said
-"Morning, Beast Boy"-BB said
-"Are you feeling better?"-Raven asked
-"Uhm? From what?"-BB asked
-"Last night, with Rancid. Thanks for getting me out of there"-Raven answered
-"No big deal, Raven. You know I would do anything for a friend"-BB said
-'A friend'-Raven thought
-"Sure. How come you aren't making breakfast?"-Raven asked
-"I want to take a shower first"-BB answered
-"Robin just got in"-Raven said
-"Oh, man!"-BB said
-"Well, I have to go prepare my herbal tea"-Raven said
-"Ok, Rae. See ya"-BB said
BB grabbed Raven's shoulder and smiled at her and then kept walking down the hallway in direction to the bathroom. Raven took a last glimpse at BB before he turned on the corner. She could not help to smile.
-'Now I know why Robin feels so bad about not saving Starfire'-Raven thought
Raven kept walking and disappeared in the shadows. BB sat on the floor, allowing his back to relax by using the bathroom door for support and waited for Robin to come out. Robin was almost done showering and could not help to think about what to do to apologize to Starfire. There had been many times that he had lost his grip and had yelled and hurt Starfire and he had not apologized any single time of them. How could he hurt someone that he loved so much? He wanted to do something that would show her how much he cared for her and at the same time, something that showed how much he trusted her. What else could he do? His only hope was to trust her and her love for him while Red X was around her like a vulture.
-'I need to apologize to her'-Robin thought
Robin turned the water off and got out of the shower. He grabbed a towel and covered himself with it while walking towards the mirror. He looked himself on the mirror and saw his face, he had taken his mask out to wash his face and as he saw himself on the mirror, he thought of how nice it would be to able to go around –at least inside the Tower- without his mask on and without being afraid of it. Robin sighed and put his mask on and began styling his hair with his hair gel and remembered when Starfire was playing with it. He had been so mean to her that time, and he never truly apologized.
-'Why do I always screw up with her?'-Robin thought
Robin finished grooming himself and dressed up. Robin opened to door only to see BB fall backwards and end up on Robin's feet. He had fallen asleep while waiting for Robin.
-"Beast Boy! Get up!"-Robin said
BB opened his eyes and looked at Robin. He mumbled something and stood up scratching his head and rubbing his eyes. Robin walked out of the bathroom and BB closed the door. Right after the door closed, Robin heard a loud thump and then BB snoring.
-'I need to see her'-Robin thought
Robin walked to his room and watched the clock. He knew that Starfire liked to go see the sunrise and it was kind of late for this now but whenever she felt upset she would stay at the roof for a long time. He knew what to do and ran towards the stairs that took him to the roof; her…their favorite place. When Robin was almost at the door of the roof he heard Starfire talking.
-'She's here! I knew it…Wait…why is she talking….Who is she talking to?!'-Robin thought
Robin slowly opened the door and got his answer. Red X was next to Starfire and they were talking very close to each other. Robin could not force himself to calm down and avoid a scene. He opened the door, got out to the roof and slammed the door shut. Starfire and Red X gasped and turned to see him standing there, arms crossed with and angry face.
-"I see you two are…catching up"-Robin said
-"Hello, Robin. How was your sleep?"-Starfire asked
-"It was fine. But it seems yours was better"-Robin answered
-"Don't get me started"-Red X said
-"Please, it is too early for mean talking"-Starfire said
-"I didn't say anything, it's his deal"-Robin said
-"Robin, why did you come up here?"-Starfire asked
-"Doesn't matter. I'll leave you two alone"-Robin answered
Starfire wanted to stop Robin and talk to him but she did not do anything after seeing Red X's face. Robin was also expecting Starfire to say or do something but she never did.
-'Come on, Star. Say anything! Come with me!'-Robin thought
Starfire limited herself to lower her head and return her sight to the lake. Red X did the same. Robin saw that Starfire was not going to do anything to stop him from leaving and this hurt him. He clenched his fist and went back to the door. Right after the door was closed, Starfire deeply sighed and Red X put and arm around her.
-"Don't worry, Star. He'll be ok, this is for the best, remember?"-Red X asked
-"I know"-Starfire answered
Robin got down from the stairs and while on his way to his room, he smelled the delicious aroma of bacon and eggs coming from the kitchen. He had thought about not eating breakfast but he needed to get the picture of Starfire and Red X on the roof alone out of his mind. He decided to keep walking until he reached the main room.
-"Mornin' ya! Where's little lady?"-Cyborg asked
-"She's busy with Red X"-Robin answered
Cyborg, Raven and BB mouths dropped open and they looked at each other. They also saw Robin's face and decided to change the subject and then find out what was going on by asking Starfire or Red X later on.
-"Tofu?"-BB asked
-"Sorry, Beast Boy. I'll stick to eggs and bacon"-Robin answered
-"Ok, dude. Rae…tofu?"-BB asked
-"Sure"-Raven answered
-"Sweet!"-BB said
Cyborg gave Robin a plate with the food he had prepared and BB gave Raven a plate with his tofu. Cyborg went to the refrigerator and got the bottle of milk out while Robin got four glasses out and then poured milk in them. They all ate and talked about different stuff, trying not to mention Starfire, Red X or Slade to not ruin their breakfast; Robin's face was enough for them to know how much Red X's presence and Slade's return affected him. Starfire and Red X were still on the roof, it seemed they had much to talk about.
-"Are you certain that Robin cannot handle the truth? I do not believe is good to keep secrets from him. He is not only my leader, but my best friend as well"-Starfire said
-"Star, I am your best friend now. If Robin finds out the truth, he'll ruin the plans we have together"-Red X said
-"Sooner or later he will begin questioning our behavior. What shall I do then?"-Starfire asked
-"You tell him that there's nothing wrong"-Red X answered
-"But what if he does not believe me?"-Starfire asked
-"He'll just have to trust you"-Red X answered
Starfire did not like Red X's answer but he was right, and she did not want to talk about the subject anymore. He had told her enough news last night when they went to the park and talked about their past, their present and their future together.
-"I believe today is my duty to wash the dishes"-Starfire said
-"Seriously? Wanna go downstairs?"-Red X asked
-"I do not wish to encounter Robin. Not after he saw us here"-Starfire answered
-"We can't hide it from any of them, especially from Robin. He needs to understand and deal with the fact that is not you and him anymore, but us"-Red X said
Starfire nodded and Red X stood up. He offered Starfire his hand to help her stand up and she accepted it. He pulled Starfire towards him and pressed her close to him.
-"I thought I would never see you again"-Red X whispered
-"I never thought you would come back to help us"-Starfire said
-"I would come back from death to save you"-Red X said
Red X hugged Starfire by grabbing her by her waist and leaned his face to get closer to hers. He saw her lips and did not waste any time to think about what he wanted to do and moved forward. Starfire closed her eyes but broke loose from his grip.
-"Shall we go downstairs?"-Starfire asked
Red X looked disappointed but decided to drop the opportunity and try another day; he knew she would eventually give in, especially after what happened last night between them.
-"Ok, Star"-Red X said
Red X and Starfire flew to the door and went downstairs. Once there, they walked to the main room and when they got there, they saw the Titans just finishing their breakfast.
-"Hello, Star"-BB said
-"Mornin'!"-Cyborg said
-"Good morning, friends. I believe it is my turn to do the dishes?"-Starfire said
-"That's right. We ate a lot. Need help?"-Raven asked
-"Don't worry, Rae. I'll help her. Right, Starfire?"-Red X said
Once again, Starfire looked at Robin before nodding at Red X. This time Robin saw Red X's demanding face but he was too upset to say anything.
-'Fine. You want to be with him, then be with him!'-Robin thought
BB and Cyborg began their daily routine of playing video games. Raven and Robin left the main room while Starfire and Red X washed and dried the dishes. Raven walked to her room and began meditating. Robin went straight to the weighting room and decided to take out his anger with the punching bag.
-'What the hell is going on? Why suddenly is she so needed to be around him all the time? That's my place, my place and nobody else's place!'-Robin thought
Robin's punches and kicks became stronger and faster; he wanted to go upstairs and yelled at Red X that Starfire was his and that he had to back off from her. He also wanted to scream to Starfire that he loved her more than anything in the world and that she should be with him forever. Robin was angry that Red X was with Starfire now, but he was angrier at the fact that he was down here, thinking of what he should do but he could not force himself to do it. Back at the kitchen, Starfire and Red X were almost done washing and drying the dishes. Red X was happy to have Starfire by his side once more but Starfire did not see too happy about it.
-"Star, what's wrong?"-Red X asked
Starfire looked at Red X from the corner of her eye and then returned her sight to the dishes.
-"There is nothing wrong with me"-Starfire answered
-"Doesn't seem that way"-Red X said
-"I must talk to Robin"-Starfire said
-"Starfire, you can't talk to him"-Red X said
-"I can and I will"-Starfire said
Starfire washed the last dish and gave it to Red X so he could dry it up and walked out of the kitchen. Red X saw the dish and thought about running after her but decided not to.
-'Robin is dumb enough to screw up again, I know him…myself'-Red X thought
Red X dried up the last dish and placed it on top of the others; he then walked outside the kitchen and saw that Starfire was long gone. Red X knew it would not be long for Starfire to come back to him, sad and disappointed about Robin and he would be the one there to comfort her. He just needed to find something to do in the mean time.
-"Hey, X. Wanna play Mega Monkeys IV"-BB asked
-"Yeah!"-Red X answered
-"Awesome! Would you teach me your tricks this time?"-BB asked
-"Ya mean he hasn't told you?"-Cyborg asked
-"You told Cyborg??!"-BB asked
-"Come on, BB. Let me teach all I know"-Red X answered
Red X put and arm around BB and walked towards the game station. Cyborg grinned about Red X telling him the tricks and how BB did not know anything about it.
-'I'm gonna beat BB today!'-Cyborg thought
Cyborg walked behind BB and Red X and before they knew it, they were playing Mega Monkeys IV on the big screen TV. Robin was still hitting the punching bag, he had been there for a while now and his hands were getting sore. His "practice" was interrupted when someone stood at the door and called his name. Robin turned and saw Raven standing there, arms crossed.
-"How much time do you plan to be here?"-Raven asked
-"What? You want to use the punching bag also?"-Robin asked
-"No. What I meant was how much time are you going to waste here"-Raven answered
-"What do you mean waste my time? Training is never a waste of time. And now that Slade's back…"-Robin said
-"Stop it, Robin. You know what I mean"-Raven said
-"No I don't"-Robin said
-"I'm saying that you should stop feeling sorry for yourself and instead of being here you should be talking to Starfire"-Raven said
-"What for? She doesn't need my anymore, she has Red X now"-Robin said
-"Red X is playing video games with Beast Boy and Cyborg"-Raven said
-"Where's Star?"-Robin asked
-"I am here, Robin"-Starfire answered
Raven and Robin turned to see Starfire standing behind Raven.
-"I have to go meditate"-Raven said
Raven flew away from there and hoped Robin did not screw up this time. Robin did not know what to do. He wanted to keep "training" and ignore Starfire but his heart told him that he should run towards her and tell her what he felt. His heart won, partially.
-"Starfire"-Robin said
-"Robin"-Starfire said
Starfire grabbed a towel that was hanging from one of the training machines and walked towards Robin. Robin could only stare at her in awe and did not move a bit. When Starfire arrived, Robin extended his hand to grab the towel to dry himself but Starfire did not give it to him. Instead, she slowly and cautiously began patting Robin's face with the towel, making sure no sweat was left on his face. Robin just stood there, enjoying the help until she was done.
-"Better?"-Starfire asked
-"A lot. Thanks"-Robin answered
-"You are mostly welcomed"-Starfire said
Starfire lowered her head and looked at the towel, not knowing what to do or say. Robin grabbed the towel and threw it to the back without knowing where it fell. They both smiled.
-"Problem solved"-Robin said
-"Yes, indeed"-Starfire said
They both sighed and looked around and did not say anything for a couple of seconds.
-'What is wrong with us? Here we are standing in front of each other alone, and we can't talk? This is my best friend in front of me, my very best friend!'-Robin thought
-"Robin, I wish to talk to you about the events that took place yesterday"-Starfire said
-"Me too, Star"-Robin said
-"Please, allow me to talk first"-Starfire said
-"Star, but you didn't do anything wrong…"-Robin said
Robin shut up when Starfire placed a finger on his lips and smiled at him.
-"I do not want you to feel upset about Red X saving me. It is not such a big of a deal. I am thankful for what he did; however, it does not mean that I felt the same as when you save me, Robin"-Starfire said
-"I'm sorry I couldn't help you, Star"-Robin said
-"Do not worry about it. You have saved me from greater dangers before"-Starfire said
-"And about yelling at you…I'm so sorry"-Robin said
-"I forgive you, friend"-Starfire said
Robin smiled at Starfire and she smiled back; he loved her smile. He had nothing more to say, or maybe he did but he did not know how to start. He had decided days ago that he would tell Starfire how he felt and when he had done it while they were dancing at the club, she had passed out and she had not heard him. What was stopping him from confessing his love to her now? There was no pounding music, no one else to interrupt and nothing to loose.
-"Starfire, there is something I need to tell you"-Robin said
-"Slade is back, Red X is alive and all the criminals have united to fight against us. What else do I need to know?"-Starfire asked
-"It has nothing to do with our Titan duties. It's about us"-Robin answered
-"What about us?"-Starfire asked
-"That is exactly what I want to know"-Robin answered
-"What do you mean?"-Starfire asked
-"Starfire, can't you see why am I so upset about Red X being around you?"-Robin asked
-"He tried to eliminate you before and kidnapped me in the past?"-Starfire asked
-"Besides that. Can't you see…feel what I feel right now?"-Robin asked
-"Robin…I…"-Starfire answered
Robin was now the one who put his finger on Starfire's mouth and then pressed her against him. Starfire rested her hands on his chest and looked at him. There was something different in her eyes, it was nothing bad but for some reason, it made Robin shiver. For the first time, Starfire could see how short she was compared to Robin. He had grown and she had noticed it when she did not have to lower her head when talking to him but this difference in height was more noticeable now that they were this close. Robin put one of his arms around Starfire's waist and with his other hand, he caressed her cheek while leaning towards her face. Starfire kept looking at him and raised her hands to touch his cheeks as well. Robin did not waste any more time and kissed her. He slowly kissed her lips by slowly kissing every single part of them, waiting for Starfire to react. She did and they began kissing slowly, without rush or taking breaks in between. Starfire moved her hands from his cheeks to his neck and hugged him from there. Moments after she did this, Robin's hand on her cheek felt water on it. Was she crying? Robin broke the kiss and saw Starfire crying.
-"Star, did I hurt you? I'm sorry if I offended you I just had to…"-Robin said
-"No, Robin. You did not hurt me, it is just that I am so happy"-Starfire said and sobbed
-"Don't cry, Star. Please don't cry"-Robin said
Robin rested his forehead on hers and she kept crying. Robin kissed her forehead and hugged her with both of his arms while Starfire grabbed his waist with both of her arms and cried on his shoulder.
-'Why is she crying? It can't be because she is happy'-Robin thought
Starfire suddenly stopped crying and small sobs could be heard. Robin kissed her head and then whispered something into Starfire's ear.
-"I love you, Star"-Robin said
Starfire stopped sobbing and her eyes opened wide. Robin knew that she would not say it back because she had already told him before when she almost died when fighting Red X. He knew she had been waiting for him to tell her and this was the moment, he would give her a few seconds to process it and then they would be together forever.
-"Robin…this…cannot be"-Starfire said
Robin moved himself to face her and she was crying again but her face was serious.
-"What do you mean? I…I thought you also felt something for me"-Robin said
-"Forgive me, Robin. This should have not ever happened"-Starfire said
Without allowing Robin to react, Starfire broke away from him and flew away from the weighting room. Robin did not move or say anything. She was gone.
-'That's it?'-Robin thought
Robin clenched his fists and punched the punching bag one last time before getting out of the room and heading for Starfire's room to talk to her.
-'I am not losing her, not now, not ever'-Robin thought
Robin ran to Starfire's room and when he finally arrived he stood in front of the door. He was determined to knock the door down if she did not answer or opened it herself.
-"Starfire, please you have to listen to me. Open up"-Robin said
No response was heard.
-"Starfire, we need to talk about this. I will knock the door down if you don't answer"-Robin said
Again, no response was heard. Robin sighed and rested his forehead on Starfire's door. He then punched the door and growled in desperation.
-"I love you, Star. What's wrong with that?"-Robin said
-"Maybe that she isn't there"-Raven said
Robin gasped and saw Raven standing behind him.
-"How long have you been standing there?"-Robin asked
-"Long enough to listen to what I and everybody else in this place already knows"-Raven answered
-"Laugh all you want"-Robin said
-"I'm not laughing. It's about time you go and tell her"-Raven said
-"I already did"-Robin said
-"What did she say?"-Raven asked
-"She said it couldn't be. That we couldn't be together…and she ran away from the room"-Robin answered
-"What else did you do? Did you yell at her again?"-Raven asked
-"No, Raven. I hugged her, I…I…kissed her and then I told her that I…lo…cared for her"-Robin answered
-"And she still ran away?"-Raven asked
-"She did. Do you know where she is?"-Robin asked
-"She's in my room, crying"-Raven answered
-"I have to go see her"-Robin said
-"She doesn't want to see you, Robin. Not now at least"-Raven said
-"Why not? I thought she loved me. I thought I was doing well by telling her how I feel"-Robin said
-"Things changed Robin. If you should've done that before Red X got here, things might have turned out to be different"-Raven said
-"I told her before he got back, I told her while we were dancing but she didn't hear me, she passed out, remember?"-Robin said
-"Well, it's too late now. Let her go"-Raven said
-"WHY? Nobody is taking her away from me!"-Robin said
-"You have to understand Robin. Let her think things over, let her be the one to talk about it…when she's ready"-Raven said
Robin glared at Raven and Raven was not intimidated at all. Robin remembered the kiss he had gave Starfire and wanted to kiss her again. He wanted to tell her all those things that he had wanted to tell her before but never did. Was it too late now? Was Raven tricking him? No, Raven is not the kind of person that enjoys making fun of other people. There was nothing else that he could do for now.
-"Raven"-Robin said
-"Yes?"-Raven asked
-"Don't tell her what just happened. Tell her I was joking, tell her to forget all about it"-Robin answered
-"Are you sure?"-Raven asked
-"Never been more sure"-Robin said
Robin did not even let Raven answer anything back because he walked to his room. He was not in the mood to deal with Raven or talk to Starfire or see Red X playing video games with the "traitors", as Robin called BB and Cyborg. He needed to be alone. Robin got to his room and threw himself on his bed. He stared at the ceiling trying to digest all that had just happened in so little time. How could everything be so ruined for him? Did he not do what his heart told him to do? It was not his fault, Robin thought, it was Red X's fault. Everything was his fault. Robin felt tired, his arms hurt from hitting the punching bag so hard and for such a long time. Until know he began feeling the sore and the tiredness he had. Just about when he tried to take a rest and closed his eyes, the alarm at Titans Tower went off.
-"Darn it!"-Robin whispered
Raven and Starfire stopped talking and got out from Raven's room to the main room where Red X, Cyborg and BB were waiting for them.
-"Are we missing somebody? Where's Robin?"-BB asked
-"Dude's the first one to be here when an emergency comes up"-Cyborg answered
-"What's the trouble?"-Raven asked
-"Mumbo Jumbo is playing tricks downtown. I don't think he is by himself"-Robin said
Robin was standing in the main door and walked to the center of the room. He looked at Starfire and then at Red X who walked towards her and grabbed her chin.
-"Were you crying?"-Red X asked
-"I do not wish to talk about it"-Starfire answered
-"Ok. Tell me later?"-Red X asked
Starfire nodded and Red X smiled. If looks would kill, Red X would have been dead by now.
-"Cyborg, you and Raven go in the T-Car"-Robin said
-"Man, I haven't fixed the car yet…it would take a few more…weeks"-Cyborg said
-"Ok. Raven, Starfire and Red X you can fly there. Beast Boy, fly Cyborg over there, I'll take my bike"-Robin said
-"Starfire will go with me on my bike"-Red X said
-"Whatever, just get there"-Robin said
-"Ok, let's go"-Cyborg said
BB turned into a pterodactyl and grabbed Cyborg with his claws and began flying. Raven decided to join BB and Cyborg and flew with them. Robin drove ahead in his R-Cycle while Red X and Starfire rode in Red X's bike. Soon after, the Titans were at the scene of trouble: the bridge. Mumbo Jumbo had stopped traffic and was now using his magic stick to turn people into chickens. Cyborg attacked from the sky and used his cannon against Mumbo Jumbo. Mumbo used his stick and converted Cyborg's cannon into a water gun. The rest of the Titans used this time to get down on the bridge and surrounded Mumbo Jumbo.
-"This weirdo just screwed my cannon up!"-Cyborg said
-"Keep an eye on us. As I told you before, he is not alone, I know it"-Robin said
-"Ok, man"-Cyborg said
Cyborg ran behind them and started scanning the cars with his laser eye, making sure they were not in the middle of a trap.
-"Titans, get that stick from him!"-Robin said
At Robin's command, the Titans began trying to get Mumbo out of the fight. Starfire blasted her starbolts against Mumbo who used his magic to send them back at her. Starfire got hit on the stomach by one of her starbolts and was thrown back. Robin ran after Starfire to catch her but Red X, who was faster, got there first and caught her before Robin could move any further. Robin frowned and decided that Starfire would not be in the need of his help during this battle…or any of the ones to come. Red X carried Starfire to the ground and checked her to see if she had any bruises.
-"Are you ok, Star?"-Red X asked
-"I am alright"-Starfire answered
-"Watch out, you know you can't get hurt. Not in your…condition"-Red X said
-"I will be more careful next time"-Starfire said
-"There will be no next time. I'm taking care of you…remember?"-Red X asked
Starfire nodded and flew away from Red X to help the others stop Mumbo. BB ran to where Raven was and whispered something in her ear. Raven nodded and BB turned into a rat.
-"Azarath, Metrion, Zinthos!"-Raven chanted
Raven used her magic to distract Mumbo. Raven moved two cars and tried to hit Mumbo with them. Mumbo used his magic and turned the cars into confetti.
-"Is that everything that you've got?"-Mumbo asked
-"That's what I was going to ask you"-Raven answered
BB had gotten inside Mumbo's clothes and began tickling and biting Mumbo. Mumbo started to move around, using his magic stick with no direction, trying to hit BB and get him out of his clothes. Mumbo's magic was hitting aimlessly on the bridge and the Titans who tried to get out of the way. Cyborg stopped monitoring their backs and began running away from the magic's blasts since his cannon was still a water gun. Raven saw Cyborg and used her magic to get him out of the way.
-"BB…where is he?"-Cyborg asked
-"Inside Mumbo's pants"-Raven answered
-"I'm getting that stick!"-Robin said
Robin used his gadgets to get near Mumbo who was now rolling on the floor. Mumbo kept shooting blasts of magic but now to the sky. Some of the blasts hit the cables that supported the bridge and it began moving. The blast hit one cable, then another, then two more. The bridge was not going to last long.
-"Raven! Get these people out of here. The bridge is going to fall!"-Robin ordered
-"I'm on it"-Raven answered
Raven did not need to tell anyone what to do. People had begun running out of the bridge, at least the ones that were still humans. Cyborg was running around, gathering the people that had been changed into chickens. Robin turned and saw Red X and Starfire trying to help Cyborg but he decided to make them do something else.
-"Starfire, help me get near Mumbo"-Robin said
Starfire flew to where Robin was and grabbed his arms.
-"Be careful, Starfire. We don't want to get hurt"-Robin said
-"Yes, Robin"-Starfire said
Red X used his speed to gather the chickens and then help people get out of the bridge. The sooner he finished, the faster he would get Robin's hands off her. The bridge had started to swing. Red X flew Cyborg up, since he could not keep balance and Raven used her magic to teletransport people out of there.
-"Raven, leave us here"-Robin said
Raven closed her eyes and took the bystanders, Cyborg and Red X out of the scene. Only BB, Starfire, Robin and Mumbo were on the bridge now.
-"We must get Beast Boy to safety"-Starfire said
-"I'll get the stick and you get Beast Boy out of there"-Robin said
-"Will you be ok, Robin?"-Starfire asked
-"Don't worry about me"-Robin answered
Finally, after some flying maneuvers of Starfire, Robin was able to reach Mumbo and using his birdarang, he took Mumbo's magic stick away from him. Starfire yelled at BB that it was time to get out of Mumbo and he quickly did. BB turned into a bird and flew away from Mumbo. Robin told Starfire to leave but she could not leave Robin alone. Robin broke Mumbo's stick and Jumbo returned to his own self. Everything that had been changed into something else had resumed its original form. However, the bridge was still close to collapsing. In split seconds, a loud sound was heard and the bridge bent sideways, making Robin loose balance, fall down to the ground and roll to the edge of the bridge.
-"Robin!"-Starfire yelled
Starfire flew to save Robin but she was stopped when something hit her from behind and forced her to turn around. It was Overload. Starfire gasped. Robin heard Starfire and tried to get up but the continuous swinging of the bridge made it hard to stand up. Starfire saw Robin being pushed to the very last part of the edge of the bridge, being so close to fall, and also saw Overload approaching her. She had to make a decision. Starfire's eyes and fist glowed green with fury. She used her anger to make big green starbolts on her hands and aimed at Overload. She was prepared to attack when something she had not expected occurred. Starfire began feeling weak, like the night she had been dancing with Robin in the club. Her eyes would not focus on her target and her body felt heavier and heavier. Overload used this to his advantage and blasted Starfire with a big amount of electricity that only made it worse for her. After Overload hit Starfire, he also hit the bridge that could not hold any longer and cracked right in the middle. Robin realized that the crack was approaching him. He reached to his utility belt and got his rope out to jump away from the almost split bridge. It was then when he saw Starfire falling from a very high distance, going straight to the water. Robin panicked and hurried himself to reach her but the bridge swing fiercely and made Robin fall from the edge. Robin's utility belt got stuck to the edge and broke. Robin's last resort was to grab one of the loosen cables of the bridge and tried to climb up as fast as he could but he was not able to make it on time to help Starfire; however, he was on time to see her go between the cracks and become a drowning spot in the water.
-"Starfire!"-Robin yelled
Robin saw Overload getting near him and in a desperate need to save Starfire, Robin let go of the cable and jumped into the water. On the other side of the bridge, BB was arriving where the other Titans were and saw that Starfire and Robin had not gotten there yet.
-"Where's Robin? And Star?"-BB asked
-"What do you mean where are they? They were with you!"-Red X answered
-"Starfire told me to leave!"-BB said
At that moment the sound of the bridge hitting the water made the Titans turn their heads and saw how their bridge got lost inside the ocean.
-"No!"-Cyborg said
-"We have to go find them!"-Raven said
-"Wait! We have company!"-BB said
The Titans looked and saw Overload climbing from the fallen bridge and rapidly approaching them. They had no time to waste with Overload, their friends were in danger.
-"We have to look for Robin and Star"-BB said
-"Then go! I'll take care of Overload"-Cyborg said
-"Are you sure?"-Raven asked
Cyborg changed his arms into his cannons.
-"Boo-yah!"-Cyborg said
-"I'll stay with him"-BB said
-"But…"-Raven said
-"We'll be ok, Raven. Go and save the others!"-BB said
Raven looked at BB who winked an eye at her. She closed her eyes and flew towards Red X who was already on his way to find Starfire.
-"Raven, can you locate them?"-Red X asked
-"Let me try"-Raven answered
Raven got her communicator out and began searching for either Robin or Starfire's signal. She found none.
-"I can't track them"-Raven said
-"You think they are underwater?"-Red X asked
-"They might…"-Raven said
Red X did not allow Raven to finish and got into the water. Raven decided to look for them from the surface. Maybe they will show up. Red X used his telepathic powers to try to communicate with Starfire.
-'Starfire, where are you?'-Red X thought
-'Cannot breathe…'-Starfire thought
-'Hang on!'-Red X thought
Red X swam as fast as he could and saw Starfire's body get deeper and deeper into the ocean. Raven was waiting outside and saw Robin come out of the water. Robin took a deep breath before looking at Raven.
-"Raven, where's Star?"-Robin asked
-"Red X is looking for her down there. How long has she been down there?"-Raven asked
-"Too long!"-Robin answered
Robin got some air inside his lungs and got inside the water again. He had been trying to find Starfire but had not been able to. His body could only last so much underwater. He was getting desperate.
-'Starfire, I'm so sorry'-Robin thought
Robin kept swimming around. He then found something floating a couple of feet from where Raven was. He could not see who it was but swam as fast as he could to find out.
-'Please, not her. Don't let it be her'-Robin thought
Robin finally approached the body and for its surprise it was dead. Robin gasped. However, for his relief it was not Starfire's dead body; it was Mumbo's.
-"He's dead. Nobody helped him. What are you planning Slade?"-Robin mumbled
Robin grabbed Mumbo's hand and was ready to call Raven to get the body out of there when suddenly someone grabbed Robin from behind and began pushing him into the water, trying to drown him.
-"No, help!"-Robin yelled
Robin tried to turn around and see his attacker and when he did he could not believe his eyes. It was Mumbo. Robin felt even more scared when he saw Mumbo's eyes turning red and his grip getting tighter. He then finally realized what was going on. Mumbo was trying to stay a float but he could not and was using Robin to save his life.
-"It hurts!"-Mumbo said
Robin could feel Mumbo's arm getting tighter and began pressing against Robin's throat. He could not move. He was sure he was going to die. Underwater, Red X had found Starfire and was now getting her out of it.
-"Raven, I found her. Did you find Robin?"-Red X asked
-"No. He's still looking for her. Is she ok?"-Raven answered
-"She's not breathing, I need to get her on the ground to give her CPR"-Red X said
-"Here, use this"-Raven said
Raven used her magic and a floating black flat surface appeared. Red X flew and laid Starfire on it. He then began giving CPR to her.
-"Come on, Star. Wake up, wake up"-Red X said
-"I'll go look for Robin"-Raven said
Red X did not pay attention to Raven and she left. She flew around and saw something moving. It was Robin and someone was with him.
-"Robin, Red X found her. Are you ok?"-Raven asked
Robin did not answer. Raven looked at Robin's face and saw his grieve. She also saw the scars he had on his throat and arms, like if someone had scratch him really hard. Then she saw the body floating next to him.
-"What happened?"-Raven asked
-"I'll tell you later. Get us out of here"-Robin said
Raven did as told and got Robin and Mumbo's body out of the water. When they were getting near Red X and Starfire, Robin saw something that he did not like. Red X was kissing Starfire. Robin felt anger rose up to his fists, jumped to the flat surface and punched Red X off Starfire.
-"What the hell do you think you are doing?"-Robin asked
-"Get out of my way, this none of your business!"-Red X answered
Red X pushed Robin away but Robin grabbed Red X by his back and threw him away from her.
-"I said to get away from her!"-Robin said
-"I'm saving her life!"-Red X said
-"By kissing her?"-Robin asked
Robin jumped towards Red X and they began fighting each other. Red X was faster than Robin and he quickly punched Robin on the stomach. Robin fell to his knees. Red X aimed his fist to Robin's face who was still suffering the hit when Starfire began coughing. Red X ran to her and hugged her.
-"Star, you are ok? Talk to me"-Red X said
Robin looked at Red X and then at Starfire. She had been unconscious this whole time and he had not noticed it. His anger had made him blind.
-"I am ok, Red X. Where's Robin?"-Starfire asked
-"That jerk is here. He thought I was kissing you when I was saving your life! You were not breathing. Are you sure you feel ok?"-Red X asked
-"I am"-Starfire answered
Robin looked at them again. He had screwed up for the third time this week and had almost lost Starfire because of his stupidity. The situation was getting out of hand. Luckily, Raven arrived just in time and when she did, Red X carried Starfire in his arms and took her back to his bike. Raven stood there for a few seconds without saying anything.
-"What do I do with…him?"-Raven asked
-"We have to take him to the police"-Robin answered
-"Want me to go with you?"-Raven asked
-"Yes, I don't want to go back to the Tower, not right now"-Robin answered
-"Okay"-Raven said
Robin and Raven took Mumbo's dead body to the police and filed the report. Apparently, Mumbo had a heart attack and that was why he seemed dead. He then came back to life and had another heart attack and was panicked about being underwater, this is why he had grabbed Robin so tight. He did not want to drown and the pain from his heart stopping was too much to take. The rest of the Titans had also left to Titans Tower and were waiting for everyone to get back. Red X and Starfire had gotten there first but they were not there when BB and Cyborg arrived. They new they had gone to the Tower because the shower showed signs of had being used and there were things moved around. They did not now how long have Starfire and Red X stayed at the Tower or for how long would they be out. Raven and Robin arrived at the Tower and Robin went directly to the bathroom to take a shower before he got sick. Raven stayed with BB and Cyborg at the main room.
-"What happened?"-Cyborg asked
-"Mumbo is dead. He drowned next to Robin after having a heart attack"-Raven answered
-"What?"-BB asked
-"What happened to Starfire?"-Cyborg asked
-"She drowned and became unconscious. Robin and Red X looked for her. Red X found her and she wasn't breathing. He then gave her CPR but Robin thought he was kissing her and punched him out of the way"-Raven answered
-"Oh, oh"-BB said
-"Big oh, oh"-Cyborg said
-"Red X and Robin got into a fight but Starfire woke up. They left and Robin and I went to the police station. Are Red X and Starfire here?"-Raven asked
-"No, but they were here"-BB answered
-"This is not good"-Cyborg said
-"No, it's not. What happened to Overload?"-Raven said
-"I used my cannons and blasted him until we could get him near a fire hydrant and BB broke it. We soaked the guy up and he lost power"-Cyborg said
Raven looked at BB and he looked at her.
-"Is there something you are not telling me?"-Raven asked
-"What would we not tell you something?"-BB asked nervously
-"What are you hiding?"-Raven asked
-"Nothing, Raven"-BB answered
-"Cyborg?"-Raven said
Raven glared at Cyborg and BB. They could only lower their heads and before BB could react, Cyborg ran away from the main room saying he had to re-charge his power cell. BB kept looking at the floor and rubbed his neck.
-"What's going on?"-Raven asked
-"Nothing to worry about"-BB answered
-"Then there is something going on! Tell me"-Raven said
-"Forget it, Raven"-BB said
-"I can read minds you know"-Raven said
BB did not like the idea of having Raven wandering around his mind.
-"We couldn't stop Overload"-BB said
-"What is so wrong with that?"-Raven asked
-"Someone stopped us"-BB answered
-"Who?"-Raven asked
-"Slade. We saw Slade. He is alive"-BB said
-"Are you sure?"-Raven asked
-"Yeah, Rae. We didn't want to tell you guys because a lot of things happened today. But he is alive, we saw him"-BB answered
-"We better not tell Robin yet. I was wishing that Slade was not back. That it was Red X's mistake. But he was with me the whole time"-Raven said
-"How do we tell Robin?"-BB asked
-"Let's wait until Red X and Starfire are back. This is serious"-Raven said
-"Ok"-BB said
Raven left to her room and BB also went to his room and nobody got out. Robin got out of the bathroom for the second time this day and locked himself in his room. There were so many questions and not that many answers.
-"What is Slade's plan? What if this is not Slade's but Red X's plan? How can I trust him?"-Robin said
Robin kept looking at the ceiling, thinking how close he had been of losing Starfire. He had not been able to find her and then tried to stop Red X from saving her life because of his jealousy. This had to stop. Today he had told her that he loved her and kissed her, then he had been mean with her, then she had almost died. He needed to talk to her and to him. He needed to apologize to both Starfire and Red X. He wanted to thank Red X for saving her, for saving what Robin held most precious in his life. Robin also needed to tell to what he held most precious in his life to save him. Robin decided to look for them but he did not find them anywhere in the Tower. He returned to his room and searched for Starfire's position. He could not find her by her communicator's signal because it had been damaged when she was underwater but he had other ways of finding her. After Red X had taken her away he had put microscopic chips in between everyone's clothes. If they happen to loose their communicator, they could still be found by the tracking devices on their clothes. After a few moments, Robin was able to pinpoint Starfire's location. She was at the park. Robin got on his bike and went straight to the park. He found Starfire but she was not alone.
-"But what if I hadn't found you on time?"-Red X asked
-"But the truth is that you did. We must not worry about what could have happened"-Starfire answered
-"Starfire, you know that this was the first fight only! Slade will not rest until he separates us"-Red X said
-"He shall not succeed. I will not allow him to hurt you and you know why"-Starfire said
-"I know, Star. And I will not let him hurt you again"-Red X said
Robin was listening to Red X and Starfire talk. Why was Starfire so worried about Red X? He could take care of himself, right? Robin did not only want to listen but to see what they were doing and decided to hide behind some bushes.
-"Is Robin ok?"-Starfire asked
-"Yes, he is. We don't have to worry about him"-Red X answered
-"When do you think that Slade will personally strike?"-Starfire asked
-"I don't know. But you have to promise me you will be more careful and won't play the heroin. You have to take care of yourself now more than ever"-Red X answered
-'More than ever? Why?'-Robin thought
-"But, X. I am a Teen Titan. I cannot refrain myself of what I like to do. Even if that will endanger us"-Starfire said
-'Who's us?'-Robin thought
-"What happened when Overload hit you?"-Red X asked
-"Nothing happened"-Starfire answered
-"Don't lie to me, Star. You may be able to lie to Robin but not to me"-Red X said
-'She doesn't lie to me'-Robin thought
-"I do not wish to discuss it"-Starfire said
-"Like you didn't want to tell me what Robin did to you earlier?"-Red X asked
Starfire said nothing and closed her eyes.
-"Look, Star. You know you can't hide anything from me. If Robin hurt you in any way I will go straight to him and give him what he deserves. I can't believe you can sacrifice for him and he cannot do the same thing for you"-Red X said
-'Sacrifice…for me? By being with him?'-Robin thought
-"Robin is…he is confused. I do not know how to tell him the truth between us. After the events that took place earlier today between him and I…I know he would not be able to handle he truth. You were right. Robin would not understand our reasons for being together"-Starfire said
-"I told you. It's only us now. The way it should be"-Red X said
Starfire opened her eyes and faced Red X. She remembered how Robin had kissed her earlier today and the words he had spoken to her: "I love you". She remembered everything. She had hoped for those words for so long that she had began thinking that Robin would never ever say them, until that night when Red X came back. Red X had told her that he loved her and even though she did not feel anything for him yet, she knew he had to forget about Robin and stay with Red X. This was the only way she could save her friends and the one she loved. Starfire felt dizzy again and almost fell from the swing she was sitting on.
-"Starfire"-Red X said
Red X ran towards her and grabbed her just in time. Starfire rested her hands on his chest while she gained equilibrium.
-"Is this what happened with Overload? I need to know"-Red X asked
Starfire was too tired to argue and lie to him. She nodded.
-"You know what this means?"-Red X asked
Starfire nodded again. Starfire tried to stand up but the headache and dizziness did not allowed her to do so and she fell on Red X arms.
-"Everything will be ok. Trust me"-Red X said
-"I do"-Starfire said
Robin did not know what to think at that moment. Were Red X and Starfire together? What is it they were hiding? Why was Starfire's health so bad these days? Robin had many questions inside his head and realized they had not made a sound. This worried him. Had they left?
-'Where are they?'-Robin thought
Robin returned his sight to where Red X and Starfire were standing. Starfire was leaning on Red X chest and Red X was hugging her. The scene hurt Robin.
-"May we go back home now?"-Starfire asked
-"Sure"-Red X answered
Robin sighed in relief that they were going back to the Tower but his relief did not last long. The second time he saw them, they were kissing. Robin could not handle seeing his Starfire kissing anyone else, especially Red X. Robin felt his heart broke and immediately left the park thinking how stupid he was for even thinking of apologizing to any of them. Now he knew why Starfire told him that they 'could not be'. She was seeing Red X behind his back. She had chosen Red X over him. Robin made his way to Titans Tower, not being able to erase the last scene of Red X and Starfire out of his mind. Back at the park, Starfire pushed Red X away from her.
-"Stop"-Starfire said
-"Why, Star? Isn't this what you wanted?"-Red X asked
-"I do not wish for this to happen ever again"-Starfire answered
-"But…"-Red X said
-"I am not asking you nicely next time"-Starfire said
Red X frowned and then grinned. He knew Robin was there a couple of seconds ago and had purposely kissed Starfire, even knowing that she did not want to be kissed. He had accomplished two of his goals at the same time: kiss Starfire and make Robin hate him more; all was going according to what he had planned.
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Thank you for your WONDERFUL reviews…I apologize for keeping you waiting for so long but I had several problems with my internet provider which caused my computer to crash and I had to format it….ERASING ALL MY FILES….then I could not access internet and changed providers and then had to find my back up files and had to reinstall the whole thing again!!!...Well, I'm back…hope you have not lost interest in my story…Thank you for reading