Chapter 6-The Bond
"I see you've discovered how deep your bond actually goes. Excellent," said Slade.
How does he know? Starfire asked.
Not sure, Robin replied.
"Let her go!"
"I will, but only if you will once again be my apprentice. If you agree, I'll let her go unharmed. Attack and I'll destroy her."
Robin set his bo staff down.
"I thought you'd see things my way," Slade said, rather smugly. "As I'm in a generous mood today, I'll allow you a few moments to say goodbye."
Slade pressed a button on his control panel and Starfire was released.
Slade left to watch the fight that was raging between Titan and apprentice.
Starfire ran and threw herself into Robin's arms.
"Glad to see you, too," he chuckled.
"Robin, this is not the time for the jokes!"
"It'll be OK, sweetheart. I've got a plan."
Star looked up at him, eyes full of tears. "Did you not think I can take care of myself?"
"I know you can. But I just prefer to be your protector."
"I would've been O the K. But you just had to be the hero."
"It's what I do," Robin reminded her gently. "Look, Star, I have no intention of serving Slade. This is what you've gotta do…"
"You've had enough time," Slade snarled, reentering the room.
"I love you," Starfire reminded Robin.
"I love you, too. Whatever happens."
"Whatever happens," she agreed with a watery smile. She gave him a long squeeze, and a gentle kiss. Starfire hesitated, reluctant to leave.
"Go back to your friends, unless you wish to be my apprentice as well."
Starfire glanced back at Robin, a sad look in her eyes.
Robin stared at the ground, hating Slade.
"Cheer up apprentice. Once we've taken Jump City I might allow you to keep her."
Robin clenched his fists, fighting to control his anger.
"People aren't things. You can't own a person," he spat, not able to keep it retained any longer.
Slade merely shrugged. "Now, go suit up and help your fellow apprentices."
"Yes, sir."
"Why are you being so obedient all of a sudden? You never used to do anything so willingly."
"You didn't hurt Starfire. I'm grateful," Robin said, quite convincingly.
"As you should be," Slade snapped.
Now, Star! Robin yelled through the bond.
The Titans had kicked the apprentices' butts, helped by the added power of Aqualad, Speedy, and the twins. Bumblebee quickly tied them up and left Speedy to watch them. He pulled put his mirror, admiring his hair.
Aqualad sighed and helped Star open the door, the others following close behind.
Immediately Cyborg, Bumblebee, Beast Boy, Raven, Aqualad, Mos and Menos attacked Slade. Starfire flew to Robin's side.
"I did well, yes?"
"Perfect. I couldn't have done it better myself. Those two are going to be a lot of trouble when they wake up."
"Do not worry; Bumblebee has left Speedy in charge."
"I don't even wanna think about it."
Starfire, seeing that Slade was weakening under the attack of all seven teen heroes, looked at her boyfriend thoughtfully.
"We cannot let them have all the fun," she pointed out. The two joined the battle that was raging, the nine surrounding Slade in a tight circle. Slade pushed his way out.
"This is not where our battle ends, Titans," he sneered, vanishing into a secret room in his lair.
"Well, looks like that's settled," stated Bumblebee.
"For now, anyway," Aqualad added darkly.
"Hey, let's get some waffles!" Cyborg yelled happily. He and his fellow Titans walked towards the exit, all except for three. Raven hung back with Robin and Starfire, who were looking at each other fondly.
"Ahem," she said in her usual monotone.
Robin tried to contact her silently through the bond they'd made when she'd entered his mind, but found he couldn't.
"I gave my part of the bond I shared with Robin to you, Starfire. It seemed like the right thing to do."
"But-"
"You love him; you need him. I don't."
"Then will you be connecting Beast Boy and yourself with a similar 'bond?'" Starfire inquired.
"Yeah, what's with you and our resident grasstain?"
Raven blushed ever so slightly. "He's actually very sweet."
Robin and Star began laughing. The three walked out to join their friends, only to Speedy whispering to his ...bow?
"Yes, I've always secretly liked…Oh, hey guys," he said nervously.
"We are to join the others for the waffles, friend. Do you wish to come along?"
"I-uh-no," Speedy wailed, pulled a teddy bear from his quiver, and ran off.
"This is an Earthly custom, yes?" Starfire wanted to know.
"No," Robin replied, slinging an arm around her shoulders. They waited for Raven to head out to the T-car.
"So, about this bond…" Robin began nervously.
"I believe since Raven felt it necessary to give us the 'bond', it means we are truly meant for one another. Perhaps this connection we share is what allows me to sense when you are feeling a particularly strong emotion. It has happened, even just as you were standing and hating Slade. On the whole, however, it seems to be a useful tool."
"I like the idea of us being meant for each other. It gives me something to hold on to," Robin said softly.
"We will always have each other, my Robin," she replied, and kissed him.
Fin
So…what did you think? Please tell if you thought it was good or if it sucked. Don't worry that I've left you hanging; I will try to post Chapter One of the sequel by next Saturday.
-iluvrobbie
