--Just to clear up some stuff…First –Even though hinting at Rob/Rae has been done thus far, it is definitely Rob/Star here on out. It should have been noticeable that this was a Rob/Star fic since the first chapter, but maybe that was just me… Second- There are 11 chapters total. Third –later on, there WILL be some fluff for you all who like fluff, but I tried as hard as I could to make it believable so it really isn't that fluffy.Anyway, everyone should enjoy it!
Reviewer Replies:
THIS time it's not my fault if some of you weren't contacted about my last chapter. Yay for me! -bad for you. The site was having repairs done on Friday and stuff got mixed up. But I have found everyone's reviews and today you get any kind of cookie you want! Just visualize it in your mind… and squint a bit: Crimsy, rjectkd89, "anonymous"(#1 and/or #2), blonde shadowcat, Saint H, Babi3 A, lil' LIK Star, "kitty", Eyes of Nevermore (mmm cookie!), kmc99, PaNRoBiN(x2), "Isabelle", KrimzonGuard Bites BaronP(jigs too), "inuspartan", Jadedea, titanfan, and Suriyuna.
"Eilene": thanks for not flaming since I asked everyone to be nice, and yes I do know best don't I? (hehe)
Absolutely pointless: glad you like it, but my next long one will be a Rob/Rae one. This is supposed to be mostly Rob/Star.
"jolie94": well, you didn't ruin my fun, I've been leaving "clues" throughout each chapter to see if anyone can guess and technically no one's fun is ruined because I give "X" a thorough explanation later.robinxstarfire FAN!: yay! Thanks for reading this fic! I'm glad you like it. That makes me really glad I mailed you!
Evilevergreen: Ooh, I'm glad you noticed how quick Robin catches on to things…if you liked that in the last chapter, you'll really like these next ones!
Taiba: I like your nonsensical verbiage! (I'll have to use that "description" later for some stuff that comes out of my mouth) I'm really sorry, but there's no BB/Rae. Not because I don't like the pairing –I love it actually, it's just that I'm not really sure how to utilize it correctly. I have another one-shot fic 'Welcome to My Life' that has hints of BB/Rae. Maybe you'd enjoy that? Also, I would've rated this R, but I tried to pare it down to the area of PG-13 movies I've seen with this content. That is also why I added the caveat of ::VERY:: PG-13 in my summary.
robin(plus)starfire: X was mad that he'd taken Star to his place because he let her find out his "secret" too early and he had to rectify the stupidity. –I shall email you about how to post a story--. And I tried to put an actual "plus sign" in your name, but it doesn't show up when I post the chapters, so this way, you know it's you…
foreverfree: gosh, I hope your filament doesn't pop before I explain who X is! Keep burning bulb! Keep burning!
Queen-of-Azarath: I'm really happy you stopped to read all of my story. I know what you mean, sometimes it takes so long to get through so many chapters that you can give up…but I shall read yours (wow 444 reviews!), today was just a busy day.
corza12002: Aww…that's sad Corza, Oreo's rock. What's up with you Aussies? (sends package your way)
Girl With The Cauldron Spirit: Yep, Rob/Star. And I'm sure you too will enjoy the explanation of Red X. Oh, and I'm just good I guess, (haha)no really, I just write what I would like to read is all…
"Ryan": Thanks for the "propz". I really do try to edit and re-edit before I post. I'm sorry you thought the last 2 chaps were "off topic". There was a reason for Krystal (plus I just like her) and Robin did find Star, but the next ones you will probably find "back on track".
Whew… my fingers are about to fall off! (no really, I don't mind)…
Now, in order to not leave big plot holes and to have plausible explanations, these next 2 chapters have a lot of exposition, but I think you'll enjoy reading it. Plus, I spiced it up a bit (wink)…
Disclaimer: I would bid on TT if it were auctioned on eBay, but other than that… Though I do not profess to be great, I do not profess to suck either.
Mind Trail
(chapter 8)
He didn't want to confront Starfire with this information just yet because he didn't want to hurt her and obviously she didn't remember anything anyway, although why she couldn't remember eluded him. He went to his computer and tried to track Red X. After a few hours of getting nowhere, he returned to the scene of the crime. 'There has to be something I'm missing.' He searched every piece of furniture, every inch of wall and still found nothing new.
"Do you need any help looking for something?" He turned to see Raven walking carefully down the hall toward him, all the time clutching her stomach.
Her room was on this floor, but she still shouldn't have been out of bed, "Raven what are you doing? You need to go back and lie down!"
He started to escort her back to her room when she stopped him, "Robin I've been lying on my back for four days now. I really need to get up and walk around a little. I'm trying to take it easy, and besides I am almost fully healed."
"I'm just really worried about you Raven," he started, "I don't want you to get hurt again. There's been way too much excitement in the last few days and I don't think you or I could take anymore."
"Fine, I'll go back to my room… right after you tell me what you're looking for." He started to change the subject, but she interrupted him, "The truth Robin. You should know by now that I can tell."
"Alright, I was looking for any clue that would lead me to Red X," he admitted.
"Why would you need to do that, well…right now?" She barely raised an eyebrow as she asked the question.
He tried to start from the beginning, "Well, I was confused about what had happened to Starfire. Nothing made sense so I came here because this is where I found her communicator." She nodded so he continued, " Initially, I found nothing of consequence and I was about to leave when I stepped on this…" he pointed to the ground and illustrated his findings by lying on the floor in the relevant position.
"So, you think that Red X attacked Starfire because of some patterns on the floor?" she questioned in monotone.
"They were sticky. Like he'd taped her down with industrial strength Xes or something. She also had red marks on her eyelids in the shape of an X. That…and I checked my room and the belt that holds the Xinothium and completes the outfit, was gone," he said that with almost a hint of sarcasm.
Raven's jaw dropped a bit, "Well, okay then."
Robin continued, "But now I can't find anything else to help me track him down, and Starfire already said she doesn't remember anything."
Raven stepped forward, "May I try something?"
"Will it hurt you?" he asked reflexively, " I already told you that I don't want you to…"
She interrupted him again, "No, it won't hurt. It will just take a lot of concentration. So I need you to be quiet and I also need you to go away."
"What? I'm not going to leave you here alone when you're using your powers. Not right now. Not while you're still vulnerable," he protested.
Raven shook her head, "No, I mean you need to move. About ten yards down the hall should be fine."
"Okay, but um, why?"
"I'm trying to get some 'vibes' off of this spot," she rolled her eyes as she said "vibes," "And I don't need any interference from you…well, your feelings."
Robin curiosity was piqued, "So you're going to get some kind of 'premonition' or something?"
"No, I don't have that power." She tried to explain, "If what you think happened here really did happen, some strong feelings would have been given off and depending on how strong they were, their essence would be left behind for a while. Kind of like, uh, sweat." She looked a little disgusted at this, but he got a picture of what she was talking about.
"Okay, I trust you," he said, shrugging as he walked to her designated distance. He stared in awe at the scene unfolding in front of him.
She closed her eyes and swung her hands above her head and in front of her face only inches apart. He heard her chant her familiar words, "Azarath Metrion Zinthos," then she brought her arms straight out at her sides, palms out, and lifted her head to the sky. Then she chanted something he'd never heard before, "Antium Echoshun Valiar!" This time, a black and silver what Robin could only describe as, a "tornado" appeared and swirled around the hallway. All of a sudden it picked up Raven and spun her around twice before it set her back down and disappeared.
She lowered her head and her hands and he ran to her, "Raven are you alright?"
She cocked her head to the side and gave him a half smile. "Yes Robin, I'm fine. I just didn't know if that would actually work."
He gave her a very stern look, "Raven!"
She gave him a stern look back, "Don't look at me like that. You should also trust my judgment by now. I knew that I wouldn't be harmed. I just hadn't done it before."
He crossed his arms and inhaled and exhaled very loudly, but finally gave up, "So, did you get any 'vibes'?"
She nodded, "It was very odd. I sensed anger and pain, but also an overwhelming sense of excitement and," she paused, looked into his eyes and then away, "passion."
'What the hell?!' "What the hell?!" He grabbed her shoulders, "Did you just say what I think you said? Are you sure?"
She brushed his arms off of her, "Yes, that was unmistakable." Robin gave her an "unmistakable" sign of dismay. "I don't know who felt what, if that helps…" This time she dipped her head to look into his eyes. "Robin, you don't know what happened. Now buck up and go find out for yourself." It was weird hearing an old cliché pop out of her mouth, but he had to admit she was right. "You need to go talk to Starfire first. Then let me see if I can use the memories of her feelings to help guide me to him. I think I can do it, as long as they're strong enough."
Robin stared at the door and finally just slid it open. He found her perched on the edge of her bed staring out the window, "Starfire?"
When she turned around, she saw who it was and smiled, "Robin! Why have you come to see me…in my room?"
He sat down next to her and got right to it, "Starfire, I know you said that you don't remember anything about the other night, but I really need you to try again."
She looked at him confused, "But Robin, I have shuffled through the blurry pictures in my head many times and not one has become completely clear."
"I've found something that might be helpful to you Star. Please, come with me," he led her down to the 3rd floor. He showed her what he had found and instructed her to examine it for herself in hopes that something would shock her memory.
She looked around for a while, but still exhibited confusion, "Robin I am not quite sure what this means. Is this meant to help my mind remember?"
He sighed, "Star, I really didn't want to do this to you, but would you try something for me?" he asked hoping his expression clearly showed his regret.
"Yes Robin. Anything," she marked him with a questioning, but quaint look on her face.
He really hated to do this to her even though it may help, because he didn't want to see her in pain. "Starfire please lie down here," he directed here to the correct place on the floor. He tried to help her recreate the scene, "Close your eyes."
She obeyed, but she still looked confused, "This does not seem to be helping Robin."
He decided to try something else. He didn't know if it would work, but he was at a loss for other ideas. He straddled her and grabbed her hands and pressed them roughly to the floor. He also pinned down her legs with his. He noticed that her face was scant inches away. He could feel her breath on his lips. He couldn't stop himself, something inside of him took over and his lips moved on their own, "I'm not letting you get away from me again…cutie."
He saw her cringe and clench her teeth. "Nolvandering Sklerdnech!" she cried as she flipped him off of her with her feet. There was nothing he could do. He flew through the air and hit the wall creating a second crack. "Okaaaay… that was useful. I think," he reflected while agonizingly rubbing the shoulder that had smacked into the wall.
Starfire shot straight up and quickly tried to rectify her mistake, "Robin! I am so sorry! Did I hurt you? How did that happen?"
He listed off the answers to her quandaries, "Starfire, it's alright. It'll probably just be a bruise -so don't worry about it. I'm betting you just remembered something that will help us…and now, I'm gonna rest for a sec." He was hurt a bit worse than he'd told Starfire, but he never let on how much. At the very least he was woozy, but he didn't want her to worry about him. She'd just been through enough. He sat in silence leaning his head back against the wall he had just smashed into. Starfire mimicked him. He didn't even want to think about what had just happened, but of course when you don't want to think about something that's the only thing you think about, so the thoughts came spewing out in no particular order. 'That was weird. It worked, but what happened to me just now? I don't talk like that. That must've been residual feelings that he had.' Robin stopped for a second to consider it all, 'But, I'm not empathic like Raven. WAIT! Why would he fell like that? I'll kill him!'
His thoughts quickly turned to the girl next to him, "Starfire I'm so sorry. I don't know what came over me just now. That voice was not mine. I know I must've sounded like a jerk."
Starfire looked befuddled, "Robin what are you speaking of? I did not hear you say anything to me at all. I am the one who should be apologizing to you! I should not have hurt you. I do not remember being mad at you…or at the wall."
He didn't even know where to start explaining this to her, "Well Star, you were sorta mad at me. I think I said something that triggered a bad memory. You called me a Nulbandering Sklerdnick or something like that, and flung me into the wall with your legs."
Starfire was aghast, "What!? I would never call you that!" She stopped and put a hand over her mouth, "Holy zarnals! …That was not meant for you Robin!"
"Yeah, I kinda figured that Star," he started, "Actually, I think that was meant for your attacker." He was about to tell her that it was Red X, but stopped himself. Though, he was worried that that would lead him to another instance of overwhelming jerkosity and more pain for Starfire, it would make it easier for Raven to follow her feelings if the 'vibes' were natural.
"Yes Robin, I know, but I am afraid that that is all I remember." Starfire looked at him with curiousity, "What is it that I should do now?"
"We need to get Raven."
A/N: Don't you just love Raven's "new spell"? And boy, Robin goes to such lengths doesn't he? Whoo…
So, does any of this help? Will he ever find X? You bet… but how?!?!
Review to find out!!