Robin led her gently out to the R-cycle, glancing back every now and then. His steps were soft, and only a very quiet tap could be heard as the steel-toed boots collided with the cobble-stone path winding from the park. Starfire hovered after him, smiling weakly. Her feelings were so jumbled she just didn't know what to do. Sucking in a deep breath, she resolved to put Red X in the back of her mind and focus on her leader, for now.

He grinned cockily, and helped her onto the back of the bike. She giggled softly. Robin straddled the motorcycle in front of her. He handed her his helmet. "I wasn't really planning on this so I don't have your helmet… sorry," he apologized. Starfire tilted her head.

"What shall you wear?" she inquired. Robin shook his head.

"It's not far. Put it on," he chuckled. Starfire nodded hesitantly, and cautiously placed the helmet on. It fit snugly on her head, and her hair tumbled like a wild, ruby mane from the bottom. She smiled. Robin turned to check that she was ready and with a flick of his wrist, the bike roared off. Starfire secured her arms gingerly about his waist, pressing her head into his back. Robin didn't really mind…

He tore down the street, risking a few speed limits just for the heck of it. The wind darted through her hair and teased the exposed part of her neck. Starfire sucked in a deep breath of the rushing air. Her senses throbbed gloriously, and to her, the ride ended much too quickly. She almost reluctantly released her hold on Robin, and with a contented sigh she pulled off the helmet, her hair ruffling and tumbling in an amusing display of auburn. Robin smirked softly, and offered her a hand as she primly slipped off the R-cycle.

They entered the brilliantly lit ice creamery, and Starfire blinked a few times in attempt to get used to the harsh, florescent light. Soft, elevator type music tinkled vaguely in the background and Robin arched a brow. The alien princess moved eagerly to the long counter, pressing her hands to the glass and peering at the array of offered flavors. Robin sidled up beside her and sent an unneeded glance at the ice cream, already knowing quite well what he was getting. "Star, you ready to order?" he asked, amusement lacing his voice.

Starfire gave a muffled reply, having pressed her face to the glass as well. Her jade eyes shimmered with delight as she pondered which treat to get. Pulling her face back she sent a quizzical glance at the young man beside her. "Robin, I cannot decide. Should I get the 'Very Berry Strawberry' or the 'Mint Chip' ice cream?" she asked mournfully. Robin chuckled.

"You can have both. Two scoops are better than one, anyhow," he said knowingly. Star beamed. "Ok, two scoops of chocolate on one of the cones and a scoop of mint chocolate chip and a scoop of strawberry on the other," he handed the cashier a few bills. The cashier took them blankly, his glazed expression emphasizing his boredom with the job. A few minutes later, he produced the order and handed them to the Boy Wonder. Robin gave him a paranoid look and took the cones. He opted to usher Starfire outside, where they sat at a little metal table in front of the shop.

Starfire took a tentative nibble at the edge of her cone and squeaked, catching a little bit of the ice cream in the process. Robin watched her carefully as her eyes slid closed and a slow smile spread across her face. Her eyes flashed open, and the blazing shimmer dancing in the infinitely deep pool easily conveyed her pleasure.

"Never gets old, does it?" he took a lick of his own ice cream, eyes still resting on her as she nodded, and continued to consume her ice cream. Starfire brought her head up in surprise as a small bit of ice cream got on her nose. Robin attempted to hold back a laugh but none the less, it erupted from his throat pleasantly. Starfire pouted.

"Dick, that is not nice," she huffed. Robin's face became serious.

"Plleeaase don't call me that… Bruce had a sick sense of humor," he shook his head. Starfire giggled.

"Fine, but I must ask if you have a napkin I may use…" she said apologetically, jabbing a finger at her nose as if to emphasize her point. Robin nodded, and produced the requested amenity, proceeding to wipe the ice cream off of her nose himself. Starfire blushed. "You make me feel like a child," she scowled playfully. Robin just shrugged, a smile tugging at his lips.

"Good," he finished his cone and threw away the used napkin. Starfire finished up as well, swallowing contentedly. "Ready to go back home?" he asked. She nodded and followed him to the R-cycle again.

High above them, on the roof top of the ice cream parlor, Red X watched the two in silence, a twinge of… something causing him to turn away in disgust. Jealousy, perhaps? He waited until the sound of the bike dulled in the distance before turning back, eyes sweeping from the ground up to the now dark and velvety sky. With a rustle of his cape, the thief disappeared into the night.

Robin and Starfire rumbled up to the tower and pulled into the immense garage; Cyborg's sanctuary. As if to confirm that, the hulking teen's head popped out from under the T-car. "Hey, Rob! So you finally found her? Took a while… Where'd ya go, Star?" he asked, his booming voice echoing merrily in the concrete room.

"Well, we actually took a pit stop at an ice cream place… she was in the park," Robin supplied. Starfire nodded her support of the answer while removing Robin's helmet from her head.

"Oh, ok then. I think Raven needs y'all to save her from BB. He's trying to make her laugh," Cyborg said gravely. Starfire covered her mouth, suppressing a giggle. Cy winked and disappeared back beneath the T-car.

"Alright," Robin grinned devilishly at Starfire, who became immediately wary. In one swift movement, he had scooped her up bridal style and they were barging into the rec. room. "Alright, Raven, my lovely assistant and I are here to save you!" he puffed in mock bravado. Raven's eye twitched, her gaze shifting between Beast Boy, who was currently doing the tango in mongoose form, and Robin. Starfire giggled sheepishly.

"What did you feed him, Starfire?" Raven asked quietly. Star sweat-dropped.

"I suppose all chocolate must have such effects on him…" she giggled. Robin glanced down at her.

"What's that supposed to mean," he smirked. Starfire just gave another nervous giggle. Beast Boy reassumed his human form.

"Dude… you're being creepy…" he said, edging away slowly. Robin's masked eyes followed the changeling out of the room. Once gone, Robin smartly set Starfire back on the ground, eliciting a relieved sigh from the frazzled girl. He chuckled, and Raven quirked a brow.

"Hey, we got him to stop annoying you," he said defensively. Raven returned to her book.

"Thanks," she deadpanned. Robin rolled his hidden blue eyes. Starfire smiled softly.

"I believe I shall go up to the roof a little while. I will be back down in a short bit," she announced. Robin nodded hesitantly and stared after her as she left the room.

"Hey, Star, promise you'll be back in soon. It's late…" he trailed off. Starfire looked back and gave him a reassuring smile.

As she stepped lightly out onto the roof she choked back a startled gasp. "Red X… what are you doing here!" she squeaked. X turned to face her and gave a dramatic bow, a smirk playing on his features beneath the mask.


TBC

Author's Note: I couldn't resist it... I HAD to have rob/star fluff in this chappie. For those of you who were confused, Robin didn't see Red X... all he saw was Starfire starting to fly away from the park. I think Robin was a bit flirty in this chapter... hmm... I had fun. Hippie-Mikki, the brownies might have been spiked... who knows. Especially if Starfire got anywhere near the batter. We can only guess what she would add to those things. Personally, I think he just has an odd reaction to chocolate in general. As you can see at the end of this chappie. Thank you to all who are reviewing and I promise I'll try to make coming chapters clearer when scenes switch from the titans to Red X and Star's escapade. ((glares at Red X and pummels to ground. You're murdering my rob/star happiness! grr...)) I kind of like writting this love triangle though...

Love, Princess Starfire of Tamaran