HAPPY BIRTHDAY TO PAKKRAT! (15th August)
(Flashback)
We made our way to the old relic of a house on BB's moped, since his trailer accidentally backed onto my car…
("… No thanks Rob, I don't need any aspirin.")
I was just glad there was a helmet so no one knew it was me.
We made it, despite the fact he was pretty nervous with me holding onto him (Mainly because I was in the usual position as if I was to choke him) and we saw Cyborg's car already outside. This would be the first time in yonks for all of us to meet again. We also wondered if Starfire was back from Tamaran, and maybe this was a surprise homecoming or something. We certainly did get a surprise…
"Yo! Hi there Cyborg! Give me five!" says Beastboy as we head in. The place was nicely tidied up with all its glory intact. Yes, even my garden was pretty much the same. Beastboy continued to greet on while I stared at Starfire, or more so at her midsection…
"Hi Terra! I saw your fashion line! Really good girl!" he says, still not getting the picture. "Hey! Nightwing! Why didn't you call back sooner? Good to see you're not done in by the crooks! And you too Star! Haven't heard a lot from you either! Man! You've gotten bigger! What did you eat?"
"Gar!"
"I'm just kidding Rae! It's probably just a design from Blackfire's fashion studio. Pretty Avon guard!"
"GAR!"
"Err? So she is fat? Wowee! Talk about sitting around the…"
"GAR!"
"Hmm… It's gas… It's gas isn't it?"
I groaned a bit and pulled myself together. "Sorry about that Kori!" I say, smiling again. "I'm so happy for you! And I guess the father is…?" and I look towards Nightwing and he nods. He looked a lot paler than usual and older somehow, as if he was riddled with worries.
"Woohoo!" shouts Beastboy. "This is so cool! You are the man Rob! You are the man! And so are you Star except more girl!" Starfire blushes and hides the tray of lasagne she had for a little late morning snack. "So when did you guys tie the knot? You are married now aren't you?"
"Yeah!" says Cyborg, slapping Nightwing's back. "You sly old dog! How long did you think you could keep this from your best buddies?"
"Look guys, I called you here for a reason…" says Nightwing, quite seriously. Unfortunately, I was the only one who seemed to pick it up…
"Yeah! To help celebrate!" jumps BB, running to the fridge. Cyborg hands over some Nappy coupons and a spare pram he had up his sleeve. "This is sooo great! We should call in the others too!" says BB, coming out with various fruits and vegetables (And thankfully no tofu). "Hotspot, Wildebeest, Mas, Menos, Speedy…"
"Uh. Thankyou very much for your joy you share with us. A larger reunion of comrades would be quite nice friend Logan, but…" begins Starfire, but she is cut short as Cyborg practically blocks her from view with a bunch of baby products he just happened to be carrying around.
"Just in case, as my wife always says after every baby." says Cyborg. "I'm actually relieved I didn't carry all that stuff around for nothing!" Beastboy continues to nudge, shake hands and pretty much go all berserk in niceness that Nightwing and Starfire are unable to get a word in. Cyborg also offers a new prototype baby playpen, complete with laser fencing. Terra was busy scribbling out designer baby clothes and asking Starfire's opinion.
If I wasn't there, maybe Nightwing would have had to resort to volume and violence to try and get his point across., which would have made the good moment quite sour. Luckily for them, I did it for him…
After belting up BB's praising with an orange, Terra by taking her pencil and Cyborg with a pacifier I butt in. "I think there is something the future father wants to say." I said, giving the couple some breathing space.
"Thanks Rae." sighs your father. "I am glad you guys are as happy as I am for what is happening right now, and I am sorry that things were so secret. But that is the way it has to remain…"
"Don't like the paparazzi huh?" says BB, calming himself down and munching the orange. (He had the annoying habit of eating it with the skin on)
"Not just that… our enemies." and the others soon get the drift. "We couldn't stay on Tamaran for long. I think we broke a law by marrying outside the planet. The last uninhabited island we were at is now being turned into a resort, so we are going to move here until the baby arrives."
"Why not hide with Bruce then?" says Cyborg, but Nightwing is already looking agitated and Starfire looks to him concerned. "I know that hiding in my facilities won't be easy cause of all the workers I have, but I'm sure Wayne Manor would be…"
"No Cyborg. I would not take them to Wayne Manor for anything." and the way he said it ruled out that possibility.
The mansion was only a meeting place. Everyone knew that this was a place we hung out, so it could be watched. Cyborg had developed a tunnel system though, that lead to one of his office buildings. A block of flats (This one in fact) would provide the hiding place for Starfire as she went undercover. We all pitched in to help buy the flat, though my share turned up shorter than what the others could dish out…
"You really do not need to do this friend Raven." says Starfire, patting her large tummy. Terra was sound asleep on a couch, snoring loudly. She had stayed in the flat overnight to give it a test run. "It is quite unnecessary. I can manage…"
"No heavily laden friend of mine is going to be slaving by herself while I'm around." I said, dusting off the mantle piece, kitchen and ceiling at the same time. It was a nice place. "Besides! I have to make up for the lack of support I could give for this flat."
"Oh. You do not need to feel obligated. We quite understand if you are unable to contribute that well in that aspect."
"Are you saying I can't earn myself a living?" and I started to act proud.
"No. I'm just saying that it may take more time."
"Did you get BB to talk to my boss?" (Proud and stupid in fact.)
"I only suggested to him on the occasion. Did I do wrong?"
"Listen Starfire, I CAN handle myself!" (Very stupid.)
"And so can I FRIEND Raven." and she snatches the dusters from my hand and mind control.
We both look angrily at each other and Starfire starts crying in my arms.
…
"And you cried too." smiles Robin.
Raven isn't so forthcoming. "No I didn't."
"You did too!"
"No I didn't."
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Did not!"
"Did too!"
"Okay fine! I did… a little!"
"Did too!"
"You can stop that now…"
…
"I AM SO SORRY FRIEND RAVEN!" cries Starfire with tears flowing like Niagara Falls. "I FEEL SO STUPID, WORTHLESS AND HOPELESS! I JUST MAKE THINGS MORE AGGREVATINGLY COMPLICATED."
"Please don't cry Kori! No, it was my fault! Really!" I said (And yes, I DID cry a little) "I shouldn't have been so stupid and angry. I had no right to do that to you."
"Can you forgive my past transgressions?" she sniffles. "I never meant to cause you such grief."
"You didn't really. I was just too proud to except it. Can you forgive me?"
"A thousand times certain." she smiles and gives me a Starfire hug. (Which should not be performed in front of Pereponians from the Asek system as it is an act of war)
"Okay. Now just pass me the dusters and I'll go finish the furniture."
"I can help too!"
"You need to stay calm. Just let me do this. It's no trouble."
"It is no trouble for me either. This baby is not due for another three to five months, depending on its genetic makeup. I am quite capable of dust gathering."
"No. Just sit down and practice those relaxation exercises."
"But I want to help!"
"Then what can I do then? You NEED to RELAX!"
"I AM CAPABLE OF AIDING!"
"WELL THAT'S WHAT I'M TRYING TO DO ISN'T IT?"
And we both stare off… she cries and we hug.
…
"Did you cry?"
"Yes."
"I thought so!"
"Oh shut up!"
…
(Flashback)
"I AM SO STUPID FRIEND RAVEN!" cries Starfire, increasingly emotional with her extra load. "I CONVEYED SO MUCH STUPID DIALOGUE THAT REFLECTS MY STUPID BEHAVIOUR OF PREGNANT HERECY!"
"It's okay Kori! I was… am more idiotic than you are by far! I shouldn't underestimate you, I'm just so happy for you both that I sort of got carried away! I have no excuse to do what I did or to argue with you a second time." and I did cry a lot, I admit.
Starfire pats her back and cries some more. "It was my fault in equal, if not more so. I AM THE STUPID ONE NOT YOU! MY FRIEND IS SMART AND CARING AND I AM STUPID, STUPID, STUUPIIID!""
"No you're not! Your caring, happy and wonderful all round. The best friend anyone could want!"
"BUT I'M SO STUPID!" she cries still hugging.
"I'm not about to start arguing that I'm more stupid than…"
"I'M STUPID!"
"NO I'M STUPID!"
"I'M STUPID!"
"I'M STUPID!"
"I'M STUPID!"
"I'M STUPID!"
"I FEEL SO PREGNANT!" she wails.
"Go figure!" and we sit, hug and cry for a few more minutes.
…
"And that is how females bond and strengthen friendships?"
"Well, it's a bit confusing but it worked for us."
"I shall never understand…"
"Oh, you might find a girl you'll understand some day."
Robin thinks for a bit. "Aunt Raven?"
"Yeah."
"Should I call people stupid at my school to form more friends then?"
"What do you think?"
"Can I call you stupid?"
"Sure!"
"Really?"
"No!"
"Were you being sarcastic again?"
"Don't be stupid!"
"Is that a compliment? I am confused."
Raven groans. "How did I get myself into this mess?"
"You're stupid?"
"I'll ignore that and continue with the story… Now where was I?"
"You're stupid."
"Oh shut up…"
…
(Flashback)
"Err… Do you think we should interrupt?" asks Cyborg with Richard and Garfield with him, laden with many shopping bags for the stay. They had arrived there for some time when they heard the crying and antagonism, and were wondering whether or not to even dare to enter.
"Only if smiley here promises not to take advantage of them." sighs Richard, looking at Garfield who is in tears leaning on the wall for support as he splits his sides in silent mirth. "Let's give them some warning."
"Okay… (Cough) BOY MY ARMS ARE TIRED RICHARD! WE ARE ALMOST AT THE DOOR THOUGH! BOO YAH!" (Slow but loud movement of feet)
Richard enters and finds me dusting the place casually with Starfire reading a magazine as if nothing happened.
"Oh. Hi guys." I said. "How was the shopping?"
"Hey? What? Who's attacking?" says Terra as she wakes up.
Cyborg just grins as he starts packing an assortment of meats in the fridge. Richard sighs and smiles at Star who smiles back. He politely turns the magazine the right way up. "Oh it was…"
"STUPID! HAHAHAA!" laughs Beastboy like an epileptic hyena, falling over laughing out loud, unable to contain it any longer. "OH MAN THAT WAS SO HILARIOUS! HAHAHAA! YOU SHOULD HAVE HEARD YOURSELF RAE! OW MY RIBS! STUPID! HAHA! THAT WAS A ONCE IN A LIFETIME…" and he continues laughing as I boot him out the door.
I sigh some for the lost cause and turn around. "So you heard that did you?"
"It's okay Raven." smiles Richard. "Kori and I have to do that sometimes as well."
"Except he doesn't cry as much." adds Starfire, hugging him.
"Alright I get the point; way too much fluffy love around here!" I say sarcastically, smiling at the happy couple.
"So we'll take turns to visit?" asks Cyborg, still stocking up the shelves.
"Only twice per week." says Richard. "We don't want too much attention as we can avoid. Always use the 'back' entrance. And have a good alibi ready too."
"Are you sure you two will be okay cooped up in here? I mean, after the first week it might get a little boring!"
"We fared pretty well on the deserted island, and hiding on planets. But with the Tamaran empire expanding, and the politicians on the prowl, no place is really safer than here."
"I'm just concerned about the child's future…" I say aloud. Nightwing and Starfire look to each other. "What powers is he going to have, how are you going to raise and where are you going to raise the child? Have you thought about that much?"
"W… We have…" begins Starfire, but Nightwing finishes.
"We have talked about it… And I've decided to stop being Nightwing… forever…"
We all look at him concerned. We knew it was an option he was considering.
"It's for the best." he says, fumbling his mask. "I can't keep living like this. This is where I have to stop being a hero and start being a father. It has to stop now…"
…
"Did he REALLY say that?"
"Your father was really concerned for you Rob. He was pretty serious about it."
"I'm really glad he continued to help people. Many would have died if it wasn't for his actions."
"I'm glad he's your hero."
"Isn't he every-ones?"
ACTION SOON
wordbearer: Sorry, I'm quite attached to my spleen. I did mean telepathic, stimulating the nerves in the cerebrum to imitate the pain. Thanks for the review. Foresight lives up to his name.
Starofthenights: Yeah, that was my fav line too. Muse sounds like a great partner to have when writing these fics. Her ability reminds me of a lot of Shekra. Thanks again!
Pakkrat: Dr Eggman of Sonic surprised me, but it fits. The Lancer is going to have quite a few OC's. This story is going to introduce a major OC, Lefto, the new lord/emperor of the Tamarean empire. I think my best OC would have to be 'The Leech' or Robin Grayson for their sheer character. It'll be interesting to see Akaige's bio though. Your sidekick, Big Ben, I found quite hilarious, cause that's the nickname of one of my best friends (He is quite large so we relate him to the clock tower of London. He's a pianist and even created his own chord for the words 'BIG BEN') HAPPY BIRTHDAY again.
WickedWitchoftheSE: Almost typed, oftheSouth. Woops! Your sidekicks aren't based on friends or siblings are they? And what did you mean by freaky voices? Ring Wraith, Flipper, Celine Dion or my History teacher? Thanks for the review!
ravenwithemotion: Very smart dog, very frightened cat! A very common, but very effective sidekick all round; thanks for the review!
oneredneckgoddess: It takes a skilful man to walk over walls, but a really, really big man to walk through one. Lol! You sound like a more brain over brawn hero. Good for you. If half the superheroes were more like that, it would save a lot of bandages. I could imagine the chaos every time you try to call for your sidekick in a crowded street. (But I bet it confuses the bad guys!) Thanks for the reviews!
Airhendrix: Hmmm. You sound like a character straight out of Asterix! Your sidekick is classic. I think his power was interesting, but I work at McDonalds, and after a very long shift, I don't want to see another fried potato again… Until tomorrow when I work again or get hungry. I wonder if your sidekick is jealous of your better shape and form? Anyone who freely gives you free chips might be a concern.