Chapter 11

"Hi there!" A little goofy looking version of Robin appeared on the communicator. He had little buckteeth and never stopped smiling. His round cheeks were dabbed with a few freckles. He wore his Robin costume proudly. "I'm the one who's going to rescue you from there! I'm Larry and…" Just then Aria heard a light gasp. She looked up and saw Stuart looking at her. His mouth was wide open. He was obviously in shock. Aria quickly turned off the communicator and held it behind her back.

"I knew it!" Stuart began. "Mom told me that it wasn't you and that I was being silly but it is you! You are the new character on Teen Titans!"

Aria began to panic. She didn't want anyone knowing that about her. Bad things would happen if people knew she had powers. It's not like Spiderman and Superman. People don't glorify powers like that. They would just think you're plain weird and make you the newest edition to the science fair. Aria was no science project.

"No I'm not! That insane! No one can go in the TV," Aria responded. The panic was obvious in her voice. Stuart stepped closer. He tried to peer around Aria and look at what she was holding but Aria blocked his view with her body. Stuart faked her out and got a look at the communicator.

"Yeah you are! I see the communicator," just then it turned on. Robin could be heard on the other end, " Robin! Is that Robin! Let me talk to him! Please!" Aria knew she couldn't hide it any longer. Stuart knew and it had to stay that way.

"Fine, you're right. I am the newest Titan. But listen to me," Aria looked at Stuart sternly. He finally calmed down and looked back at her. The excitement was still obvious in his eyes, "you can't tell ANYONE! Not even your pet hamster."

Stuart nodded his head, "I promise. What can you do? Can you show me something? Please!" Aria held out her hand palm up and created a fireball. Stuart's eyes grew to the size of melons. "WOO! That was amazing!" He shouted while clapping his hands.

Aria pulled the communicator from behind her back, "This is the communicator. Robin's on the other end right now if you want to talk to him."

Stuart fumbled for it. He looked into the screen. Robin was looking back at him.

Robin was a little shocked but spoke up anyways, "Hey, who are you?" he questioned in a friendly voice.

"I'm Stuart, Aria's little brother! I know who you are! You're Robin! You're my hero!"

"Wow! That's cool! Do you do karate? You should!"

"Yeah, I do! I'm gonna be just as good as you some day!"

Aria couldn't help but smile. She had never seen Stuart so happy. Robin was doing great with him. "Maybe we could have a match one day. I would love to talk to you more but I have some important matters to talk with Aria about. Boring stuff, but it was cool meeting you. Maybe we could talk again some time."

"Yeah! I'll give the communicator to Aria now. Bye Robin!" Stuart had a smile on his face as big as the Grand Canyon. Nothing could hurt his day now. He gave the communicator back to Aria.

"So, what's the plan?" she asked Robin.

"Ok, this is Larry. He can transport people through dimensions. He's gonna get you back here." Robin confirmed.

"Wait a second! I know about Larry. I know he likes to help but I remember him sending you to some dimension. I dunno about this." Aria looked a little worried. Larry had a reputation for messing things up. "Plus," she added, " I can't just disappear again. My aunt and uncle would be worried sick! What should I do about them?"

"Tell them the truth. Call us back when you're ready to come through." Robin hung up. Aria stood frozen for a bit. No way could she tell the truth. It's just too weird. Stuart appeared over Arias' shoulder.

"He's right you know," he chimed in. Aria looked at him and gave him a little look.

"Don't make me turn you into a piece of toast," Aria threatened. Stuart jumped down and Aria tackled him. She tickled him.

"No! Don't burn me!" Stuart laughed, knowing it was all a joke. Aria made a small flame. They played for a few more minutes and Aria eventually let him up.

"I better go talk to the parental units shouldn't I? Let's just get this over with so I can get back to the Titans as soon as possible," Aria sighed. Stuart was sitting next to Aria and looked up at her. He had a sad look on his face. He then looked back down at the carpet and started to fiddle with his shoelaces.

"Does this mean you don't want to live here anymore? Do you not like us?" he questioned. Aria was taken aback by the question. She hadn't really thought about it. She hadn't ever thought of whom she was hurting by leaving and going back to the Titans.

"No! I love you and everyone here but I have a job to do now. I'm a superhero." The words felt strange in Aria's mouth. Stuart stood up and wrapped his arms around Aria's neck. Aria felt her eyes begin to water but held it back.

"I'm going to miss you. I'll watch you everyday on TV," Stuart muffled into her hair. Aria embraced Stuart. She suddenly had a good idea.

"Here, take this," she said as she pulled out her communicator. Stuart fumbled with it. His eyes grew big as he took in what had just happened. He basked in the radiance of the yellow device. He looked back up at Aria. "You mean I can really have it!"

Aria smiled, "Yep. That way, we can talk whenever you want. I need to call the Titans soon though. I know Aunt and Uncle won't believe me so I need you to tell them and show them the new episodes. Then maybe they'll believe us, ok. But right now I need to call the Titans. I need to get back there." Stuart nodded his head in agreement and handed the communicator back to Aria so she could call the Titans. Aria pressed the button and someone picked up.

"Hiiii there! I'm Larry and I'm going to get you back! Just hold and I'll open up the Larry's Dimension Traveling Tunnel of Wonder!" Aria gave the communicator back to Stuart and gave him one final hug. A spiral appeared in the middle of the room. Aria and Stuart stood back and gazed at the soft purple fog, twisting in a circular motion. Aria walked toward the vortex and before entering turned around and looked at Stuart. He smiled and waved as Aria gave him a "here I go" look. She stepped into the vortex and was immediately engulfed by the overwhelming fog and wind. It was like being inside a tornado as she was thrown all over, being sucked deeper and deeper into the vortex. A sudden overwhelming, white light flashed and Aria fell with a thud. She looked up and saw a small buck-toothed version of Robin staring back at her.

"Yay! Larry did good! And I didn't mess up! I've practiced." Aria looked around and all the Titans were there. She relished the feeling of being back in her home. She stared out the window at the city she vowed to protect. Aria then jumped up and encircled them all in a big hug.

"Good to have you home!" Robin said. Aria looked around but still saw no trace of Starfire.

"Is Starfire still in prison?" Aria asked

"Yeah, we weren't able to convince the jury to release her," Cyborg solemnly replied.

"Well, then we'll have to break her out. But first I have some important matters I really need to discuss with you Robin," Aria gulped at the fact she would have to possibly hurt one of her closest friends.

"Yeah, what's up?" He asked as they walked into the hallway for some privacy.

"It's about what I said the day I got sent back home. I realized that I can't like you. I've been thinking about it a lot lately and it's just too weird. We all live under the same roof and it's kinda weird. Plus, I guess I got mixed up feelings and I actually don't like you like that. I'm sorry…" Aria trailed off. There was an awkward silence. Robin looked at the floor. Aria waited for his reply as she listened to the buzz of the overhead lights and the blowing of the air-conditioner. Finally Robin spoke up.

"You know…you're right! I kinda feel the same way. It's weird in a way but I actually don't like you like that. It's more of just really good friends, just like everyone else and that's how it should be."

Aria relaxed at the relief. So did Robin. They both knew that feelings of amore just couldn't be when it came to good friends. It didn't mean they stopped caring for each other, just not in a romantic way. "So," Aria added, "Let's go break Starfire out of jail!" Robin and Aria ran and got BB, Cyborg and Raven. They went to the prison and stood on the roof above Raven's cell. Raven turned into a dark, rigged bird and went through the roof. She enveloped Starfire and went right back through the roof again. The Titans went and picked up some pizza before heading home. Once they got home they sat around and talked for hours while savoring the cheesy concoction. Aria told them about making peace back home and Starfire told her adventures of jail. Beast Boy did impersonations, bad ones might I add and Cyborg joked about anything and everything. Raven and Robin both sat there, laughing along with every story. They laughed and talked until they could laugh and talk no more. They fell asleep sprawled across on the floor and completely happy. They were also completely unaware. Unaware of the mysterious envelope that slid under the Tower's door.