Jen: Hey! And welcome to…CHAPTER TWELVE! Oooooh, aaaaahhh! Anyway!
Disclaimer: I do not own Teen Titans. If I did Robin and Starfire's offspring would be running around the Tower.
Flash
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"Robin…" Starfire put a hand to his bangs, letting it travel over his mask and cheeks, stopping at his lips. "I…"
"Here's the food you ordered." A quiet flight attendant interrupted, "A chef salad and a large bottle of," she cringed, "mustard."
Star ripped her eyes away from Robin's mouth and looked at the stewardess, "I thank you." She took the tray and daintily began to eat, picking at her food with uncertainty.
Robin just stared at the alien before sighing and leaning back in his seat. Dear god, they had been close. If Robin still didn't have tingly feeling in his stomach from the way Star had looked at him, he might have yelled at the flight attendant.
With only thirty minutes left of the flight, there was not much to do but watch Starfire eat and pretend nothing happened between them.
But something did happen. He had felt it. And she had felt it, too…hadn't she?
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"Raven," Beast Boy said very, very seriously, "I cannot stand it anymore! I love you!"
As he gathered her up in his arms her breathing quickened. His muscular chest pressed against her bosom…his strong hands beginning to roam…his lips lowering…
Before he could kiss her, Raven nuzzled her head under his chin. Odd, since when was he this tall? And why wasn't he wearing a shirt? Why was she wearing a sexy scarlet gown? Where the hell were they, anyway? Why in the world--
"Attention. This is your pilot speaking. We have reached the Burbank Airport. The time is 6:45AM and the temperature is 62 degrees Fahrenheit. Please wait until the plane comes to complete stop before unfastening your seatbelts. Thank you."
Raven groaned. It had been a dream.
She looked down, suddenly aware of the liquid dripping down her leg. With a disgusted sound, she shoved a drooling Beast Boy off of her lap and onto the floor. He awoke with a few loud snorts, wiping the spit off his cheek before getting up and giving Raven a strange look.
"What was that for?"
"You got your drool on me, you moron." Raven stated, suddenly angry that BB's shirt was on, he had no dimple in his chin, and wasn't scattering her thoughts with a mind blowing kiss.
"Gee, sorry."
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
Robin yawned as the bellboy took the luggage into his room.
"Surprisingly," Alyssa said, gazing at her clipboard, "Jump City only had enough money to pay for four rooms. You'll be sharing yours with someone."
Robin really didn't mind. The room was huge. Lush carpet padded the floor, under all the mahogany colored furniture; a large dresser, three queen-sized beds, a mini fridge, and a cabinet housing the 48 inch plasma screen TV.
"Cool. Who's my roommate?"
Alyssa was hesitant, "Oh…well…you've actually got two."
"Alright." Robin said, "Who are they?"
"Um, Michel and Beast Boy."
"Mike?" Robin nearly shouted, "No, no…I don't want to room with Mike! I won't."
"You will." She persisted.
"No, I won't."
"Okay." Alyssa said, "You want your choices? Here they are: we're keeping the assistants and Titans together. I didn't want these to be co-ed rooms. Either Michel rooms with you, or he rooms with Starfire."
Robin shut his already open mouth, "Fine."
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"Titans." Alyssa said, "In fifteen minutes, the limousines will be arriving to transport us to Grauman's Chinese Theater. This is it. Your big premiere. You shall soon be released as the New Teen Titans!"
And everyone had gotten dressed up for it, too. Robin, Beast Boy, Cyborg, Boris, and Mike were forced into tuxes by Emily. Robin's was as black as his hair, with a red silk tie. Cyborg looked sharp in a white jacket and pants (Emily ranted about how long it had taken her to find a shirt his size), complete with bow tie and polished shoes. Beast Boy's was more of a suit. A blue suit. With brown shoes. And a nasty comb over hairdo.
After many minutes of persistent begging on Alyssa's part, Raven had agreed to wear a dress. It was a clingy black velvet cocktail dress with long sleeves. Raven wouldn't let anyone touch her hair.
Starfire, on the other hand, was a different story. She had actually been quite willing to let Alyssa and Emily put her in whatever they thought fitting. "Classy, elegant" Alyssa had said, "Funky, fresh" Emily wanted. They ended up with this: an emerald (to match her eyes) gown with one long sleeve, her other shoulder bare, wrapping around her hip, leaving her back exposed. The slit began at her upper thigh, revealing her perfect legs. Her hair had been done in a low bun, her two trademark strands left to hang.
Needless to say, Robin did a double take when he saw her. How in the world did they get Starfire to look more beautiful than she already was? It was amazing. Robin literally couldn't think straight for a few moments. When she asked him what he thought of it, fifty billion compliments came rushing out of his mouth into one word:
"Bealovgeornibreama!" Oh god, had he really said that? Stupid, stupid, stupid!
"Oh…what is the meaning of that word?" Starfire asked innocently.
"Uh…"
"It's shortened definition," Alyssa intervened, "is 'beautiful.'"
Starfire's smile was radiant, "Thank you, friend Robin!"
After he was hugged to death and Starfire wasn't looking, Alyssa smacked Robin's forehead, "What, in the name of all things that keep me sane, is wrong with you?"
The pain had gotten Robin out of the trance, "She was just…so pretty. I don't know what happened."
"Well, pull yourself together before the premiere."
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
Cyborg's eyes sparkled as the limo pulled up, "Now that's what I call stylin'!"
"Totally awesome, dude!" Beast Boy added, ignoring the never ending snickers from Cyborg in regards to his hair.
"Why is this land vehicle stretched horizontally?" Starfire's questioning began, "Is there a task people are to complete in it that requires such space?"
"YES!" Mike shouted desperately as Alyssa attempted to wrestle him back before he leapt on Starfire, "And I can show you what it is! Or you can show me! Or, if you're into it, Alyssa can join us t--" Mike stopped suddenly, clutching the most sensitive part of his body and sinking to his knees, "Ow…"
Alyssa's foot returned to the ground, "We'll have none of that Michel."
Robin gave him a look that would have intimidated Mike to the bone had he not been in so much pain. Mike watched the Boy Wonder help Star into the limo.
"Jesus, woman." Mike said as Alyssa forced him up, "What is wrong with you?"
She remained silent, fixing his collar.
"You're playing matchmaker, aren't you?" Mike puffed out his chest, "Forget it, 'Lyssa. Starfire can't resist my charms." His hands went up to his throat when she choked him with his tie.
"You resemble a penguin, you know." She said blankly. Alyssa turned and began to put on her jacket.
She wasn't mad--Mike had seen her mad--but what was that tone? Sorrow? Despair? Hurt?
"Hey," He tried to lighten the mood, "Finally showing a little skin, eh Alyssa?" He gestured to the legs her pale dress revealed, "What's up? Trying to enflame me with desire?"
She looked at him, shimmied out of her jacket, and shoved it at him. He grinned, stupidly thinking that she did want to show him some skin. His mouth curved into a frown when she disappeared into the hotel for a few moments and came out wearing a large trench coat.
Mike followed her silently into the second limo.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"Alright, let's go over it again."
Everyone in the first limo groaned.
"Oh, hush." The hologram of Alyssa's head said, "This is more than likely going to be the most important night of your lives."
"But Alysaaaaa!" Beast Boy whined, "We've already been over it twice!"
"Well, we can't be too careful now, can we?" She adjusted her glasses, glancing at her clipboard, "Robin. Bad good boy. A bit of an oxymoron but--"
Mike's face shoved Alyssa out of the way, "--but great for attracting chicks! Props to ya, man!"
Starfire tilted her head, "Robin…you wish to appeal to baby chickens?"
"Uh…"
Mike's eyes suddenly bulged out of his head as he uttered a very inappropriate word. He disappeared and Alyssa, looking in the direction his head had gone, glared hotly.
"I swear I will remove it if you ever touch me again!" She turned to the Titans, "Now, Starfire. The girl next door. So very innocent yet so very alluring at the same time."
Starfire nodded her head.
"Cyborg." Alyssa continued, "The techno gangsta. Ready to kick butt and do his science homework."
Cy cringed at the absurdity of his image, but forced a thumbs up anyway.
"Raven…is just Raven."
Raven granted the Titans a knowing smirk, looking very content with herself.
"Finally, last and least, Beast Boy." Alyssa chuckled, "Funny guy, hands down. Always ready to make a joke that has people laughing at him as apposed to with him."
"Hey! I don't--OW!" Beast Boy rubbed the spot on his arm where Cyborg had struck him as the metal man motioned for him to be quiet.
"Right then." Alyssa said, "Everyone in touch with their images?"
The Titans forced themselves to nod.
"Good." She smiled at them for what seemed like the first time, "I'm very proud of you, you know. All of you. Robin…look at what you've turned into. You had absolutely no fashion sense and now--"
Mike's head appeared again, "Can it, Alyssa! It ain't like you're his girlfriend."
Starfire's eyes widened just a bit at the implication.
"OF COURSE I'M NOT HIS GIRLFRIEND, YOU MORONIC TWIT!" She shouted, "What kind of a self respecting, moral assistant would I be if I let my personal life get in the way of my work?"
"A smart one!" Mike insisted, "I do it all the time. For instance, as soon as my sweetheart over there," he gestured to Star, "lets me kiss her, she'll want to--"
"Do nothing more with you because of your breath problem!" Alyssa finished, "Besides, if she kisses anybody, it's going to be Robin!"
Starfire ad Robin blushed crimson as their outraged assistants argued about their love lives.
"No way! Sweetheart's gonna end up with me!"
"Only in your probably very frequent dreams, Michel!"
"Oh yeah, well you--"
The hologram suddenly flickered out and all the Titans let out a breath.
"Thank X'hal." Robin heard Star utter.
"Jeez." Cyborg said, throwing the wires he had yanked out of the side of the door on the carpeting, "I thought they would never shut-up."
They all sat enjoying the silence for a few moments until…
"Okay, dudes. Why did the aardvark cross the road?"
Everyone let out a groan.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
The limo slowed to a stop.
"So…this is it?" Beast Boy asked, "Our reason for being here?"
"I guess." Cy shrugged.
Raven let out a sound of exasperation, "Let's just get this over with so I can go back to wearing something that allows me the freedom of movement."
They heard the driver get out and walk around to their door. It opened, revealing the largest amount of people they had ever seen crowded around a single building. A billion flashes nearly blinded the Titans as the screams filled their ears.
Robin emerged first, being leader, and a much louder cheer erupted as he began his walk past the security guards holding his fans back. Alyssa was next to him in a second with the fakest smile he had ever seen.
"Touch some of your fans' hands." She said, barely moving her lips.
He did so just as Starfire graced everyone with her presence. There were so many flashes, Robin swore he saw nothing but white for several seconds. When his vision returned to him, Starfire was blushing a bit as she gave a small wave to a group of young teenaged boys who had fashioned a banner that read, "WE LUV STARFIRE!"
Robin arched a brow at this, a slight feeling of jealousy beginning to fester in his stomach when he was pulled over the red ropes separating him from the fans. A bunch of fan girls had gotten a hold of his left wrist and were currently trying to rip it off. It had been suggested among them that they could sell it on ebay.
Three men in uniform appeared, took hold of his arm, and pried the girl's fingers off it. Alyssa was beside him again, not so gently urging him forward.
"Fan girls." She pushed him subtly, "Keep walking and wave." That grin was still plastered on her face.
A series of shouts erupted from the crowd yet again as Cyborg and Beast Boy stepped onto the carpet, Boris and Emily behind them. The flashing began again.
Starfire stepped up to Robin, "They are…" she waved causing a few of her fans to faint, "unquestionably happy to be in our presence, yes?"
"Yeah." Robin said, "It's kind of cool."
"I suppose--"
"The Enquirer will turn your talking into a secret love affair." Alyssa hissed through her teeth.
"What?"
"Tabloids, Robin, tabloids." She jerked her head forward, "Keep moving."
Before he could say anything more, shouts had again rumbled through the people as Raven stepped out of the limo.
A boy dressed in all black had slipped by a chubby guard and ran to her. He got down on his knees and ripped his shirt open before crying, "I WOULD DIE FOR YOU, RAVEN!"
Her eyes widened as he was dragged away.
"Are premiers always this crowded?" Robin asked Alyssa.
"Only those of teenage superheroes." She responded briskly as she ushered Robin through the doors.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
Robin stepped out of the Theatre with a dazed expression. The premier had gone smoothly enough, save a few crazed fan girls who climbed on stage and stole Robin's tie. Alyssa muttered about it, obviously upset do to the fact that it was imported red silk from Florence. Other than that, it had gone just as planned.
They were now the New Teen Titans.
"So…" Robin began to Alyssa, "What now?"
"Now you get to do interviews." She said just as four reporters rushed up to him.
"Darla Hanson." A brunette in a red dress said, "Seventeen Magazine." She waved a tape recorder in his face, "How did you do it, Robin? How did you go from being a fashion don't to a full fledged hottie?"
Robin was more than a little disturbed by that question, "Uh…well, you see I got a call from the Mayor of--"
"Robin! Robin! Over here!"
He looked for the source of the voice. A microphone was shoved in his face, "Robert Corder. Enquirer Live." Robert's camera man rushed up to him, "Is it true that you and Beast Boy are having a secret love affair?"
"Uh…"
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"So you are single and ready for dating?"
"No, no. That's not what I said." Raven exhaled sharply, "I said I would rather not divulge that information."
The thin reporter blinked at the telekinetic before turning to her camera, "That's right, viewers. You heard it first. This is Christine Alloway saying, Raven: ready and raring to be in a relationship."
"That's not what I said!"
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"So what you're saying, Mr. Cyborg," the nerdy man with the tape recorder snorted, "is that all the readers of Science Post can be just as cool as you?" Hope lit up his pimpled face.
"Well…yeah." Cy prayed he sounded convincing, "It's--it's not really if you're as awesome as someone else…more that you're you. That's what makes you cool."
The nerd took a wheezy breath before his eyes rolled back in his head and he fell over.
"Oh, dang." Cyborg said as a guard dragged him away.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"I am sorry. How is it that I am shiny?"
The blonde woman laughed in an irritated way, "Oh Starfire, always so cheeky. I said with your sparkling personality and gorgeous looks, why is it--"
"Excuse me, please." Star interrupted, "I apologize, but how do you know of my personality? I do not believe I have ever been in your presence before."
"Oh, well, I--"
"What is more, why do you wish to know of my personal life? Is it of some use to you? Are you plotting against us? Are you one of 'the bad guys'?" She rambled, "Why do you--"
"Okay Sweetheart." Mike said, taking her accusing finger and pointing it away from the innocent reporter, "Time to go back to the limo." He gave her a gentle push forward.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
"Robin, is it true that you're going out with Lindsey Lohan?"
"What? I've never even met--"
"Robin, the readers of Buff Weekly are dying to know. How do you tone that six pack?"
"What do you mean--"
"Fred Defy of A.P. Mojo-mag, Robin. Tell us, how long has it been since you've had yourself a good shag?"
"Now wait just a minute! That was completely uncalled for! How am I supposed--"
"That's quite enough." Alyssa interjected as she turned to face Robin's fans, "Robin has no further comment, thank you." She leaned back and whispered through her teeth, "The limo."
Robin didn't have to be told twice. He was drowning in unnecessary questions, not to mention he was embarrassed beyond belief.
He made his way back to the car, stopping only once when a fan attempted to kiss him. Security was their before she'd even gotten a chance to grab his collar. He hopped in the limo with a blush painted on his cheeks as the girl screamed about what she would do to him when they finished kissing. Lord, why didn't the guard just shut her up?
"Hello, Robin."
He jumped at the voice, but relaxed again once he recognized it as Starfire's, "Hey."
"The girl…she attacked you with her mouth?" Star said motioning out the open door where the crazed fanatic was still being hauled off.
Robin's blush deepened, "Uh…sort of. So do you…like it?"
"I am sorry?"
"The premier. I mean, do you like the fans and…such."
"Oh, I suppose I--"
"BLEAHHH!" Suddenly, Mike came tumbling onto Star's lap. He looked up at her and gave a grin, "Hiya, Sweetheart."
"Please ladies, control yourselves!" Robin heard Alyssa shout. Her back was visible as she was pushed against the open space the door left by a sea of arms and heads.
Mike let out a growl before attempting to assist Alyssa in pushing the fans away.
Robin and Starfire could only gape.
Alyssa turned to them, planting her heels on the edge of the floor while keeping the mob back with her arms, "Here." She said in a very strained voice. A card key was tossed at Robin, "Go…to the…hotel."
Alyssa was shoved forward and would have fallen had Mike not caught her. He spun her around and they both returned to warding off the fanatics.
"What are you waiting for?" Mike yelled, "Drive!"
Robin lunged into the driver's seat, turning the key that was conveniently left in the ignition. The limo started with an almost silent roar as him and Starfire hightailed it back to their hotel.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
The limo screeched to a halt as the faint smell of burning rubber filled the air.
"I am…" Star began, "feeling the 'wracking of the nerves', yes?"
"I'll say." Robin said as he leaned his head back.
Starfire leaned forward. The moonlight cast a silvery glow around her copper skin. She slowly scooted herself through the back window so she could sit down in the passenger seat. She graced him with a smile before turning to the front, gazing at the stars.
"They are beautiful." Star whispered.
"Yeah." He said.
She looked at him once more, "Robin?"
"Hmmm?"
She glanced past him where their hotel was. Through the glass doors, she could see the many fans awaiting their arrival in the lobby. Luckily, from the employee parking lot, no one could see them.
"May we stay here?" She added quickly, "Unless you do not wish to. Then we may perhaps do the sneaking into the hotel--"
"Why?" Robin twiddled his thumbs, "I like the view from here."
"Wondrous!" Starfire said excitedly, "We must make the haste. Come!"
"What do you me--whoa!" He said as the alien princess gripped him by the wrist and yanked him out of the limo.
She gently placed him on the roof of the car, grinning as she took a seat next to him. Robin cocked an eyebrow at her until he realized what the low elevation of the inside of the stretched vehicle had not allowed him to see: the city. Hollywood, in all its glory, lay beneath the star covered sky. Their hotel was on the top of a giant hill and from their location they could see all the old style buildings and lovely lights that emitted from them. It reminded him strangely of Jump City.
"It's almost like the view we get at home." Robin commented.
"Home?" She said as if it was a foreign word.
"Yes, you know. Home-the place where a person resides and--"
"No…I am aware of what the term 'home' means. It is simply…you have never referred to it as that." She hugged her knees to her chest.
"What do you mean?"
"It has always been 'the Tower' to you. As in your house. Never your home."
"What's the difference?"
Robin studied her features as she explained, "The is so much difference, Robin! A house is a place you go because you need sleep. Because it is shelter, a necessity." As she turned to face him, her hand found her way to his, "Your home is a place you can go…to feel safe and secure. A place to go where you are not judged and where the people you love reside. There is an Earth phrase…what was it…oh, yes. 'Home is where the heart is.' It is very true."
His voice dropped down to a whisper at her intense gaze, "What does that have to do with me calling Titans Tower home?"
The air changed. Her smile did it. Her smile reflected so much beauty and radiance that he couldn't help grinning back. And when she spoke, it was in such a jovial tone that it made his chest ache, "The fact that you believe the Tower is your home makes me feel as if…your life is there. And that…you…" she seemed to be having trouble finding the right words, "you…well, love us. All that I--we--have ever wanted is for you to feel…that is just it. For you to feel. For you to be comfortable around us and to not be afraid of showing your true self. It makes me very happy."
He was feeling rather overwhelmed with emotion, these so-called feelings she was speaking of. Something in his stomach stirred as Richard broke through.
"I like making you happy…" Richard remarked softly.
She felt herself leaning forward, falling under his spell. Yet something told her that he was just as wrapped up in this as she was.
"Starfire…" He said quietly. So quietly that she had to lean in to hear him.
But as soon as she started she found she couldn't stop. Her eyes closed instinctively, allowing herself to let the sense of touch guide her. Star ran the pads of her fingers up the fabric that covered his arms, grasping his shoulders. His nose slid past hers just as the entire roof jerked to the left.
The both of them fell to the right, Star tumbling on top of Robin. A few flashes lit the back of their eyelids. They looked down to see a mob of fans pushing the limo almost violently. Screams and cries erupted as the two Titans looked in horror at them.
"Whoa!" Robin was yanked by the ankle, halfway into the crowd.
"Robin!" Starfire reached for him, intertwining her fingers with his, "Hold on!"
As she was pulling him up, she felt a tug at her dress. Then another. Until finally…
Riiiip.
The shouts stopped for a few seconds. Starfire glanced at her now destroyed outfit. The lime green fabric had been torn to her upper thigh.
Taking advantage of the situation, Starfire pulled Robin free and took flight. She continued to the roof of their hotel, blushing the entire way.
TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT TT
Jen: Okay, I'll be honest with you: Hollywood is a little less than magnificent. In fact, even the supposedly glamorous parts are lined with litter and hoboes. But for my story, it needed to be…spiffed up. So. To all my readers who live in California and have been to Hollywood, please bare with me. And anyway, from Starfire's point of view everything is wonderful, right?
What is this now, the second time they've been interrupted when they were about to kiss? God, you have to know how much it killed me to mess up the mood again, but I have a better plan for them.
I SAW THE END PT. II! My favorite part of the entire episode was when Slade told the Titans about the journey and the ring and yada, yada, yada…and then Robin said he would go. He takes the ring, places it in Starfire's hand, closes her fingers around it and says, "I know you can do it." They hug. It was absolutely the best hug of the series! It was so sweet and not as awkward as the hug in Stranded. I think Glen is finally going to put them together! Woo hoo!
So…review and you'll make my life happy. MAULING MONKEYS!