Chapter 8: Who Would Have Thought?

(Musical inspiration for this chapter: "Who Would Have Thought" by BoyzIIMen" Email me for the mp3 or heck, go buy the album, "Christmas Inspirations". It's well worth the money!!)

"Robin?"

"Aw, man, Robin, we're sorry…"

"Robin, please don't cry!"

"Honestly, we just thought it would be a nice idea," Cyborg continued. "We thought all of the girls would be home by now." Cyborg, Jinx, Torque and Terra were in the living room of Titans Tower and they had just informed their fearless leader that Cyborg and Jinx were planning to marry on Christmas Day. This was not what made the young hero's shoulders shake in sorrow; it was what else they had planned to go with it. Jinx and Torque had come up with the idea that after Cyborg and Jinx were pronounced man and wife, the other two couples could renew their wedding vows as they had each missed their fifth wedding anniversaries while the girls were away. This pleased Beast Boy and Raven well enough, but it was the week before Christmas, and Starfire still had not come home. Robin was beginning to fear the worst: that of all of them, his wife was the one who was not coming home—ever. Robin hadn't slept in days and his appetite was suffering. The others were beginning to sense that their leader was falling apart and there was nothing they could do. Even little Jason seemed to cause grief for his father: his bright red hair and green eyes only reminded Robin of the tenderly beloved wife that was no longer in his arms.

Far away, Starfire shivered beneath the armor she wore. It was freezing cold, but she didn't dare let this show. Days before, she had shown Brother Blood, that she was not just a capable agent, but an intelligent one. Instead of merely killing Gizmo, something she couldn't bring herself to do, she made certain that he couldn't hurt anyone or get in anyone's way again for the rest of his life.

Brother Blood had looked at his auburn-haired agent and asked calmly if her mission had been a success. Starfire simply threw Gizmo's power suit and jet pack at Brother Blood's feet. Brother Blood smiled and nodded.

"Very good, Princess. I wasn't sure you had it in you," Brother Blood said.

"You should not have doubted me. I assured you I would accomplish my mission and I have," Starfire replied, standing still while Brother Blood circled her. She was not intimidated by this as she was sure he wanted her to be.

"Your new armor suits you," Brother Blood finally said.

"My mother wore this armor. It is fitting that I should wear it now," Starfire said.

"Your mother was a princess herself once, I take it?" Brother Blood bantered.

"No," said Starfire, her eyes turning a vicious shade of dark green. "She was an Empress."

There was a rumble outside of the fortress and Starfire stood perfectly still as several legions of purple-clad soldiers entered the building, easily suppressing Brother Blood's minions. Brother Blood looked about him, screaming orders, but no one replied. He was standing high upon a raised platform with Starfire, watching the violet storm as it coursed over the room.

"These obey me and me only. I am the Grand High Empress of the Tamaranian Empire and their allegiance is mine. They will not succumb to your brainwashing so do not attempt it. Will you surrender and accept your punishment or shall I give the order for them to attack?" Starfire growled. Brother Blood was speechless. How could this have happened? He looked down smugly at the legions and then back to their commander.

"What have I done to incur this? I have done nothing to the Tamaranians. As per our agreement, I have not attacked the Titans or your people," Brother Blood replied.

"Wrong. You had all of us kidnapped. You allowed your minions to brutally beat us and assault us. You shot anyone who attempted a rescue and perhaps worst of all, you murdered the Crown Prince of Tamaran—you murdered my son!" Starfire screamed, unable to avoid the tears that clouded her eyes. Brother Blood staggered back as the men below began to shout and bang their weapons and shields.

"Foolish woman!" Brother Blood screamed back, trying desperately to get over the din. "I didn't murder your son!" But it was too late, Starfire gave her signal and the soldiers rushed forward. Several of the Imperial Guards ran to Starfire and guarded her as she left the scene, allowing her people to finish the job. Minutes later, as Starfire was exiting into the snow-covered world, she heard the exultant shout of her armies: Brother Blood was no more. From within the rabble, one large man emerged. Starfire hovered in the air to get up to his eye level.

"It is done, my Queen, the nuisance is finished," Galfore said, gently stroking Starfire's hair.

"Thank you, my friend," Starfire cooed. She leaned into her guardian's massive hand, giving him the first smile she had formed since she had helped Torque to give birth to her child.

"Will you be all right, my little bungorf?" Galfore asked and then softly gasped, "I mean, my Queen?" Starfire's smile widened.

"I am sure with time I will be fine, my K'Norfka," Starfire replied. With this, she lightly kissed his cheek and returned the crown of Tamaran to his head. She left him with instructions that he should continue to rule in her stead and to send word by transmission if there were any problems. Galfore agreed to this, and hugged her again.

"Is it not a holiday on Earth this day?" Galfore asked. Starfire pondered this. He was right: today was Christmas!

Starfire's eyes widened as Galfore handed her a transmission to the Justice League that had been intercepted by the Tamaranian armies. It was from the Titans. It appeared to be an invitation to Cyborg and Jinx's wedding. Starfire's eyes welled with tears as she read that the ceremony was to also include the renewal of Beast Boy and Raven's wedding vows.

"Actually, Galfore, your people didn't intercept that. We let you see it on purpose," said a voice. Walking up behind them was none other than Batman. "We discovered that Starfire was with you and knew that she would find out if you saw it. You and Robin were supposed to renew your vows too, but you aren't there." Starfire started to cry as she hugged the paper to her chest. Batman took a few steps forward, closing the space between himself and the Tamaranian woman.

"Starfire,we can still make it there if we hurry," Batman murmured. Starfire turned and smiled at Batman with tear-bright eyes. Batman smiled. He escorted Starfire back to his jet and they were gone: Star had a wedding to catch.

An hour later, Cyborg lifted Jinx off the ground and brought her up to his level to kiss her. The minister had just proclaimed them man and wife and the congregation exploded into applause. When the clapping had died down, the crowd noticed the other Titans had disappeared. The organ began to play again and at the back of the church stood Beast Boy, beaming with joy, his radiant wife on his arm. She was dressed in a solid white dress and her white cloak was trimmed in fur. Olivia proudly preceded them, carrying baby Emily in her arms. At the music, the family began to process down the aisle. Several steps behind them, still standing at the back of the church, was Robin. Not wanting to ruin the day for his friends, he decided that even though Star was not there, he would go through the ceremony anyway, hoping that somewhere, somehow, Starfire would here it and remember that he loved her. In another blow that seemed to wound Robin just as much as the absence of his wife, was the absence of his mentor and father-figure, Bruce Wayne. Jason, dressed in a little tuxedo made especially for him, smiled brightly and counted the steps that Uncle Beast Boy and Auntie Raven took before falling into step behind them and leading his father down the aisle. When they all reached the front, the priest began by asking if there were any among the congregation that felt that the ceremony should not proceed. For several moments, there was perfect quiet. The minister smiled and was about to continue when the door to the church opened and two shadows appeared at the back.

"Hold. I speak. I will not allow this ceremony to proceed unless…" a voice called. People were turning around and looking, but the bright sunlight was making it impossible to see who was there, but Robin would know that voice anywhere. He held his breath a moment and waited. Into the worship space stepped Bruce Wayne. The members of the congregation gasped softly.

"I cannot in good judgment allow this ceremony to continue unless I am allowed to add one more person to this picture," Bruce said, grinning from ear to ear. He was dressed in his finest tuxedo and he looked at Robin with that look that said he knew something Robin did not. The Titans looked at Bruce in mild confusion, but it was short lived for seconds later, another vision in a white dressed processed through the door and down the aisle. Dressed in her Tamaranian wedding dress and topped with a white cloak that matched Raven's (and Jinx's for that matter), Starfire reached Bruce's side and took his arm. He escorted her the rest of the way to the front where her friends and her husband waited, their hearts pounding with joy. Starfire could hardly contain her feelings. Bruce gently kissed Starfire's hand and then took the rosebud from his lapel and tucked it into her hair. With this, Starfire took the last few steps to her husband's side.

"Merry Christmas, husband," Starfire murmured. Robin trembled and let tears of ecstatic joy fall from his eyes as he took Starfire's hands in his and held them tight throughout the ceremony. At the midpoint of the ceremony, a soft spotlight turned all eyes to Torque, who stood at the front near the piano with a microphone in her hand. This was her gift to her wedded friends. She was not only a gifted Superheroine, but she was also a talented singer. With the piano, Torque began to sing:

"I fell in love
On a very special day
This feeling will never go away
Now I can say
That with your love, I'll always stay
Look at me and tell me if I'm being deceived
Cause right now this feelin' is hard to believe

Who would have thought it'd be this way?
Oh, no
I never thought I'd fall in love on Christmas day
Who would have thought I'd fall in love on Christmas day?

I can't believe
That you are right here with me
The star on my Christmas tree
I wanna love you endlessly
And that's the way I always want it to be

Standing there when the lights from the tree
Meets your eyes
I can see
That I only want you
'Cuz you're all that I need

I'd never fall in love on Christmas day
I never thought I'd fall in love
On Christmas, Christmas day I'd fall in love

I know that Christ came down
To endure my sins and shame
But now my dear we fall in love
On this very special day
This day

do do do do do do do do do do do hey
Thought it'd be this way
Oh, no
I never thought I'd fall in love
I never thought I'd fall in love
Who would have thought I'd fall in love on Christmas day?"

As Torque finished the song, both Beast Boy and Robin kissed the women they loved and very nearly ran back up the aisle, excitement threatening to overtake them. Once all three couples had stepped out into the winter sunshine, they took turns throwing their arms around Starfire. The next ones out the door of the church were the kids. Torque and Terra carried Aidan and Emily so that Jason and Olivia could run ahead and greet their parents. Olivia squealed with glee as she hugged Auntie Star and then returned, still giggling, to her parent's arms.

Robin turned to Starfire and took in the sight of her. The sun illuminated her skin and the reflection off the snow made the snowflakes that landed in her hair sparkle and glitter. Robin couldn't resist stealing another long, lingering kiss that Starfire quite easily indulged. The pair only came up for air when a familiar laugh broke the air. Bruce Wayne was walking out of the church with Diana beside him. Both were smiling widely. On Bruce's shoulders sat Jason. Jason was laughing as hard as his small body would allow as he held onto Bruce's hands for balance. Starfire nearly fainted.

"But I thought…" Starfire began, fighting her tears. Raven and Beast Boy joined them and Raven hugged her alien friend.

"I thought Olivia and Emily were dead too," Raven explained. "But they were there at the Tower when I made it home. You would be so proud, Star. They made it all the way home from that forest retreat!" Starfire leapt gracefully into the air and over to Bruce, where she caught Jason's attention.

"Mother!" Jason cried, reaching for her. Starfire swept her son into her arms, swinging around in a circle as she held him and cried.

"My darling! Mother thought you had been killed by the Brother Blood!" Starfire wept.

"We ran away from him, Mother!" Jason cried. " 'Livia and me played dead and we ran far away from him!" Starfire hugged him again and then leaned down to kiss Robin, wanting now more than ever to go home.

When Cyborg and Jinx were finally off to their honeymoon, Titans Tower was quiet again. Raven and Beast Boy had since locked themselves in their bedroom—Beast Boy made a passing remark about this occasion calling for a second honeymoon and Raven didn't argue. Robin simply shook his head and smiled. Terra entered the room carrying Emily. Olivia and Jason ran ahead of them and dropped to the floor in front of their latest project: a large scale model of Titans Tower made of Legos.

"It really is nice to have you home, Starfire," Terra said softly, looking sincerely into Starfire's eyes.

"Thank you, friend Terra," Starfire replied. Starfire rested a hand on the blonde Titan's shoulder for a moment before Terra moved to the couch.

"I'll watch the kids and put them to bed at bedtime if you guys want to go be alone for a while," Terra said after she was settled on the couch. Robin and Starfire nodded and left the room hand in hand.

Once inside their room, Robin took Starfire's face in his hands and passionately kissed her. Nearly a minute passed before the two parted, gasping for breath. Robin lightly ran his hand through Starfire's long red hair and she smiled.

"I have missed you so much!" Starfire whispered.

"When you walked in that door with Bruce today, I thought I was dreaming," Robin replied.

"It was much like a dream for me also," Starfire murmured, kissing his palm as it stroked her cheek.

"I…I need you, Star," Robin stuttered. "…I've needed you for so long…" Starfire closed the space between them and pushed the tuxedo jacket off his shoulders. Seconds later, there was nothing between the reunited lovers except the air that crackled between them like firecrackers in July.