Chapter 3- Truant, but Not Absent
The Next morning Beast Boy was already in the kitchen making breakfast for everyone. He was hastily away preparing soy waffles, tofu, tofu, and…more tofu.
"HEY RISE N' SHINE, BREAKFAST IS READY," he yelled echoing throughout the tower. "HEY IT'S NOW OR NEVER," he haulers again still getting no response.
Raven came through the doorway where she casually floated by ignoring Beast Boy. Her book in hand, she grabbed a cup of herbal tea and sat down on the couch in the living room and began reading her usual dark poetry.
"Hey Raaaavvvveeeennnnn," Beat Boy said slowly inching towards her face.
"What," she said in a harsh tone starring ahead and then back down at her novel.
"Wakey wakey, tofu eggs and bakey," he said raising an eyebrow trying to entice her into eating his food. "It's 10:30 and you know that means… time for some sweat wholesome tofu goodness--." He smiled gleefully at her.
"Beast Boy," she said blankly, "If you haven't figured it out already…you're the only one here who wants, let alone eats…" She paused, thinking of a word to describe it. "That…"
Beast Boy's smile literally fell of his face and was replaced by a disappointed look. "Well I happen to like tofu," he said in a prideful voice standing above Raven on the couch. "It's better than all that meat or herbal tea the rest of you guys have!"
"Whatever," Raven said ignoring him.
Beast Boy suddenly crashed to the ground as the alarm sounded and the room began flashing red. Starfire and Cyborg shortly burst in to see what the matter was.
"What's up BB," Cyborg asked.
Beast Boy was already sitting at the computer checking the statistics on whom or what caused the alarm.
"It's the Hive," he said rubbing the back of his head, still hurting from his fall. "They're robbing the West Side bank!"
"Alright then," Cyborg said getting ready to say the famous line.
"Teen Titans, G--"
"SSSSTTTTOOOOPPPPP," Starfire suddenly shouted. "Aren't we forgetting something?"
The rest of the Titans crashed to the ground.
"What do you mean 'aren't we forgetting something," exclaimed Beast Boy. "Starfire we need to go!!!"
"But, but--" Starfire tried to finish her sentence.
"No buts Star, we need to get out of here!"
"But where is Robin," she finally asked.
The rest of the Titans stood there dumbfounded starring at her, then gave a lame smile as a sweat drop went down the side of their faces.
"…oh," Cyborg said.
--
The four Titans now found themselves standing in front of Robin's door contemplating whether or not to bother him.
"Well, go ahead BB," Cyborg said, "knock."
"Meeeee, you knock," Beast Boy yelled desperately.
"I'm not gonna knock, you knock," Cyborg said.
"No you knock."
"No you knock!"
"No you knock!"
"Yo man it's just Robin, you knock!"
This argument between Beast Boy and Cyborg went on for a short while until Raven finally stepped in. "Alright children," she said. "I'll do it."
Beast Boy and Cyborg sighed as she put her hand to the door and tapped it lightly. As they stood there waiting, none of them were prepared for what was slowly making its way towards the entrance. The door slide open and out from the darkness came a being so disgusting, so hideously ugly, the Titans jumped into the air screaming at the monster which emerged from the room.
"Hey….guys," the thing said in a sickly tone.
"Robin," Starfire said happy to see it was only her friend.
Beast Boy suddenly fainted.
"Is it Monday already," he asked in a low voice, snot dripping out of his nose. "Well I, guess I better get ready for work then…"
"Uh Robin," Cyborg said, a question mark flashing over his head, "you're not employed…"
"Oh, so the boss fired me…huh…Well… I guess I'll have to put the kids up for adoption then," he said snorting the snot that was oozing onto the floor.
"Uhhhhhh…okay then, um…we're gonna go stop the Hive now, so…we'll be, ya know…gone," Cyborg said trying to hide his confusion.
"Oh, alright, give me a minute I'll be ready in a sec," Robin said.
Before the others could say anything else he closed the door and locked himself back in. The other Titans looked around at one another still taking in what just happened. They shrugged their shoulders, and then dashed out the door and headed for the bank.
---
"Eh, it's the same old crud as last time," Gizmo said hovering over a pile of gold bricks.
"Aw stop your whining Gizmo," Jinx said putting a silver necklace on around her neck, "This is the best hit we've had all week."
"Yeah, we're doing better now that we don't have to answer to Brother Blood," Mammoth said grabbing bags of money.
"Whatever, pea-brains," Gizmo said glaring at Mammoth.
Jinx pulled out two more necklaces which she examined in eat hand.
"Tell me," she said, "which one of these brings out my eyes more?" She held the jewelry up for them to see.
"I don't know," Gizmo said with a lazy tone. "Cut the crud and let's get the scrudge out of here!"
"Yeah, hurry up and get what cha can before the—" Mammoth was cut short when he was abruptly struck by a starbolt and blown against a wall.
Jinx and Gizmo turned swiftly to see who had struck their friend. The Teen Titans now stood in the doorway, poised and ready for battle.
"Well if it isn't the scrud muffin Titans," Gizmo said grinning at the four figures standing in the entrance to the bank vault.
"Ya know, somebody really aught to wash that mouth out of yours," Cyborg said taunting Gizmo.
"Cram it tin man," Gizmo yelled back at Cyborg. "I got something here that'll clean yourhard-drive out real good," Gizmo said pointing to his back pack with a smile.
Cyborg stood there growling and grinding his teeth at Gizmo's comeback. He recapped on former encounters with the Hive where Gizmo inadvertently…"had his way with him."
"Hey…" Jynx stepped in and said, "something's not right here…there's only four of you."
Gizmo and Mammoth scanned them, figuring which Titan was absent.
"Yeah your right," Mammoth commented, "where's the other guy?"
"Heh heh, where's bird boy," Gizmo snickered, "out laying an egg!?!"
Starfire flew forward ahead of the Titans, angry at Gizmo's invidious (I love that word!) remark. "ROBIN IS NOT LAYING AN EGG," she shouted. "HE IS MERELY," but before she could finish she was interrupted by the moans and groans of someone behind them.
Everyone in the room quickly looked at the newcomer now standing in the doorway.
"ROBIN," all seven characters in the room said simultaneously, looks of confusion and bewilderment on all their faces.
"uuuuuuuuugggggghhhhhhh," was all that came out of his mouth as he made his way into the vault.
Terrible was an understatement for how he looked. Somehow or another he managed to put his mask on upside down which veered to the right a little making him look like a retarded alien. His boxers were hanging out of the back of his tights and his cape was on…backwards making it look as though he were wearing a dress. To the rest of the Titans, it looked like his gloves were on the wrong hands and strangely enough he only had one boot on. He slowly entered the room slouched over dragging his arms on the ground behind him. He had a long distressed look oh his face with snot oozing out of his nose, making a trail as he inched forward toward the others.
Once in front of the other Titans he sluggishly raised his arm and tried pointing at their enemies standing before them.
"Titans," said Robin in a meek sickly tone. "Go…"
The entire room went silent. The sound of a cricket could be heard in the background as everyone stood there starring at Robin motionlessly. At one point Beast Boy scratched his butt, but everyone remained silent with the same look of confusion on their faces. The Titans were not sure of what to make of there offish leader giving out orders in his current condition. In a flash, the three ex-Hive agents circled closely around Robin poking and prodding trying to figure out what was wrong with him.
"Maybe he's sick," Mammoth concluded to everyone.
"Maybe he's got a virus like robo-butt over here," Gizmo said.
"Maybe he's got the chicken pocks," Jinx declared.
"AAAHHHHEEEEEHHHHH," Gizmo cried inching away from Robin, "I haven't had chicken pocks yet!"
Robin stood there helplessly while the three curious ex-hive students continued to jab him with their fingers. He didn't have the strength or stamina at the moment to defend himself, but all he could do was let them have their way hoping they'd stop tormenting him soon. The rest of the Titans stood there fixed in their positions trying to think of what to say or do to get them off their friend, but instead stood there with flabbergasted looks on their faces. The three ex-Hive agents stopped poking Robin and looked back up at each other.
"Eh, lets get out of here," Jinx said in a lazy voice.
"Yeah this isn't fun anymore," said Gizmo.
They casually walked past the Titans and started out the vault door. The Titans turned to face them, all of who were extremely confused.
"Yo wait a sec," Cyborg called out to them. "You're supposed to be robbin' the bank!!"
"Ah blow it out your cake hole," Gizmo called back to him not even turning to face Cyborg.
"I'm hungry," said Mammoth.
"Yeah let's go get some ice-cream," Jinx suggested.
"Yeah, ice-cream," Mammoth cheered with a smile on his face.
"Cram ice-cream I want Chinese food," Gizmo interjected.
The three villains were now gone and the only figures left in the vault were the five Titans, abashed at what had just happened. Cyborg, Raven, Beast Boy, and Starfire all looked back at Robin who was still in the same spot as before.
"Um…how bout we just go home now," Beast Boy remarked looking around at his friends.
--
Shortly there after, The Titans were back home, and Robin now found himself in one of the beds in the Tower's medical room. Robin lay there with a green blanket up to his shoulders, a large ice-pack on his head, a thermometer in his mouth and a very aggravated look on his face. He felt so vulnerable, so helpless; he was used to taking care of himself and his friends but was now being pampered and cared for like a child.
"Guys really, I'm fine," Robin said trying to convince his friends gathered around him.
"AW NO YOU DON'T," Beast Boy and Cyborg exclaimed simultaneously, keeping Robin down from getting out of bed.
"You're not going anywhere Rob," said Cyborg. "You've got some kinda flu bug and you're in no condition to do anything."
"But—" he said trying to sit up again.
Beast Boy and Cyborg quickly grabbed him and pulled him back down.
"But nothing dude," Beast Boy blurted out. "How are you supposed to get better if you're too stubborn to get any rest!?!"
Robin didn't say anything.
"Please Robin stay," Starfire pleaded in her angelic voice. "You must regain your strength."
"Yeah man, take it easy, everything will be fine," said Cyborg reassuring his sick friend. "We're gonna go get a bite to eat and pick you up a few things from the store. We'll be back in a little while."
"In the mean time," Raven said. "You need to stay put."
"Alright then," Robin said still slightly aggravated.
"Chill dude, we'll see you in a bit," Cyborg said making his way to the door.
"Yeah, when we get back I'll make you a nice soy burger and a tofu shake," Beast Boy said grinning inches away from Robin's face.
"Just go," Robin said turning away from Beast Boy suddenly feeling ill.
Raven and Cyborg were walking next to each other, Raven leaned slightly over and said something to Cyborg.
"Do you think he'll stay put," Raven asked whispering to Cyborg.
"Rae," Cyborg whispered back trying to make it look like they weren't conversing. "We're talking about Robin here. I re-programmed the quarantine protocol to go off if he tries to leave."
"You sure that's enough," she asked unsatisfied.
"HEY WAIT UP," Beast Boy yelled running after them.
Robin and Starfire were the only ones in the room now. She hopped down from the counter she was resting on and slowly made her way to the door. She stopped and looked back at Robin, a concerned look in her face.
"I hope you will be feeling better shortly," Starfire said forcing a smile.
"Thanks Star," Robin said back to her.
"Is there anything I can do to ease your suffering," she asked.
"I just need to rest Star, I'll be better in a few days," he said reassuring her.
She paused for a moment then gasped as a light bulb turned on above her head. A huge beaming smile lit her face like a spotlight. "I know," she called out abruptly. "Wait here!"
She sprinted out the room in a flash, and as quickly as she left, she was back already, next to Robin's bed. Robin sat up, and looked upon the radiant Starfire who now had a teddy bear in her hands and a smile on her face.
"When I am not well," she said. "I always hold my norplic. Here Robin, you may hold onto him until you are better," she said handing him the teddy bear.
It was the bear Robin had given her for blorthog not too long ago. He was amazed she had it, let alone kept it after all this time. He wasn't much for stuffed animals or "fluffy" kind of things for that matter, but he didn't want to hurt her feelings, so he accepted the bear with a smile.
"Ah thanks," said Robin.
Starfire giggled happily, "I welcome you."
Suddenly a series of loud honks came from outside the tower followed by a loud obnoxious, "Yo Star, what's the hold up!?!" Starfire looked back towards the door, somewhat annoyed that her friends were ruining her moment.
"Well you had better get going," Robin finally said. "You don't want to keep them waiting."
"Yes. I shall," Starfire said still happy at her accomplishment. "Farewell friend!" She dashed out the door.
"Bye," said Robin even though she was already gone.
He was alone again, just like the night before and his friends weren't there for him now. He slid down in his bed and pulled the covers up. He held the soft bear in his hands and put it up to his face. It had a sweet unearthly aroma that he recognized as "Starfire's sent." He smiled slightly at his friend's act of kindness in giving him something as sentimental as this. For some reason now he didn't feel alone anymore, he felt as though Starfire was there next to him keeping him company in his time of need. He rolled to his side and placed the bear upright on the pillow next to him. He looked back up at it and smiled, reminded of the girl he thought so dearly of. He closed his eyes and shortly there-after, he was asleep dreaming of the girl hesecretly admired.
--
A/N:
I know, I know, warm fuzzy mushy kinda stuff but it'll add to the story and the plot as this goes on (Hence the Action/Adventure/Romance). But as I promised you all, things are gonna start heating up. Next chapter: "Call me…Deathstroke." I guarantee you I'm gonna play and toy with your minds and throw twists and turns in here and there to totally throw you around, MUAHHAHAHAH cough, cough, -pukes up hairball. I am quite excited though about this story and I think as this progresses you're really gonna like what I have in store. Thanks for readin' and keep reviewin' I need feedback!
Aries-Raven: Hey thanks for reading my fic and I think it's great that you liked how I started the whole thing. I figured Robin dieing would capture everyone's attention and add to the suspense, thus pulling the reader(s) in. I'll be sure to check out some of your fic's as well, and stop by often I update as soon as I can, I'm always STREAMING with ideas and I just finished this chapter and have already started on the next. Thanks again.
Van Gordan: Sorry this was so…touchy feely, I'm sure you came here for the action but fear not! For I bring you suspense and mystery in these next upcoming chapters, as well as action packed fight scenes! Oh and don't worry, at one point in time in the story Robin will…be brought to a "weakened state" and be very vulnerable. I'll let you think about what might happen, but don't sweat it you and I are on the same page. Keep readin' and thanks for the reviews.
