This represents the last of my plain fluff chapters, action coming soon.

Thanks to all who have reviews, you make writing this worth while, knowing that it is appreciated.

Chapter 7

After everyone had a good laugh, they all looked at Robin, who's communicator started beeping. "Robin here." he said into it, after opening it.

"Hey Robin, have you any idea where Starfire is?" Bumblebee's voice said, from the speaker, "Her communicator reads as being turned off."

Robin looked over at Cyborg, as he whispered, "I thought you told everyone?" then he lifted the communicator again. "Just a moment, Bee." he said, then covered the voice pick up. "You up to talking to her?" he asked Star, who nodded her head. "Okay Bee, I'll hand you to her now." he said, then handed the communicator over to Star. He thought about listening in on the conversation, but then figured he didn't want to hear a bunch of girl talk.

"Sorry Rob, but Titans East was out on a call when I tried to contact them, and I guess they didn't check their voice mail." Cyborg said softly, as Robin walked up to him.

It's alright Cy." Robin said, patting the titanium Titan on the shoulder, "I guess I shouldn't have left her communicator on her dresser."

"Robin." Star called softly, and when he turned, he could see that she held out his closed communicator, "Can I ask you a question?" she asked, as he put the device away.

"Sure, anything."

"Why do you smell of perfume?" she asked, and saw the puzzlement spread over his face, and she was surprised to see Robin glance over at Raven, "And why do you look at Raven for the answer?"

"It must have been the woman." Robin said softly, not seeing Star's eyes narrow in anger, until he turned to explain, "Whoa, Star, let me explain." he said nervously, knowing what was, most likely, going through her mind, "When you sent Raven to come get me, I was in the garden part of the park, that you and I go to." he related, then went on to explain about the woman in the woods. "I must have picked up the scent of her perfume when I picked her up, to bring her here, and didn't know it, because of the flowers in the park." he concluded.

Star smiled brightly at Robin, when he finished, and he breathed a sigh of relief. "Oh, and why does Bumble Bee, think you are my domesticated animal, kept for companionship?"

"What!" Robin asked, totally lost as to what Star meant.

"Oh no." he heard Cyborg groan behind him, "She didn't."

"Yes." Star confirmed, "She wanted to know, what I had named you, since we are now doing the going out."

"She asked Star, what her pet name for you is, Rob." Cyborg said, chuckling softly, as he watched Robins face redden in embarrassment.

"Yes, that is the term she used." Star said.

"It's an affectionate nickname used between two people, who are romantically involved." Raven put in.

Understanding flashed across Star's face. "I understand now." she said, gleefully, "I shall call him. . .

"Star!" Cyborg, Robin, and Raven all shouted at the same time, silencing her.

"It's a name that is usually kept between the two people." Raven explained, seeing the confusion on Star's face.

Robin crossed over and took Star's hand. "I'm sure that whatever you come up with will be fine." he told her, "Just as long as you don't call me Robbiepoo." he added.

No, I most certainly will not call you what that vile creature did!" Star said, indignantly, remembering how Killer Moth's daughter, Kitten, and forced Robin into taking her to her prom..

Just then Robin smacked himself on the forehead. "These are for you." he said, handing Starfire the card, and teddy bear, that Rachel had given him in the waiting room. He helped her open the envelope the card came in, and to unfold it. On it, was a picture, drawn by the four year old, of Star, laying in her hospital bed, with a little girl standing next to it. A comic balloon was above the little girl, with the words, 'Get well soon' inside, and 'Love Rachel' on the bottom.

"I must send a thank you back to this friend, Rachel." Star said softly, as she held the teddy bear to her cheek.

Robin felt Raven's mind touch his, and he silently nodded. "You feel up to another visitor?" he asked Star a few moments later, as he heard some footsteps in the hall.

"Who?" Star asked, "One of Titan's east?"

"No, someone, a little more. . .little." Robin replied, "Bring her in Rae." he called, and Raven come through the doorway, followed by Rachel, and her mother.

"Mommy it's Starfire!" Rachel squealed, as she ran over to the chair, that Robin had just vacated. She stood on the seat, and leaned over to give Star a hug.

"You are the one who made this for me?" Star asked, holding up the handmade card, and Rachel nodded. "Your daughter is most kind, for thinking of me, while one of her family is here." she said to Rachel's mother.

"How. . .how did you know that my husband is a patient here?"

"I did not, but why else would you be in the waiting room of a hospital?" Star reasoned.

Just then Dr. Benson poked her head in the door, and cleared her throat. "I think that means it's time we left, Rachel." her mother said.

"I like you the best of the Titan's." Rachel said, giving Star another hug. "Raven scares me." she whispered into Star's ear.

"She used to scare me, too, but she's really nice, once you get to know her." Star whispered back, causing Rachel to giggle, as she climbed down off the chair, "And thank you again for the card and teddy bear." she added.

"And don't worry, we promise not to tell anyone she's here." Rachel said, as she stopped in front of Robin.

"Thank you." he said, ruffling the girls hair, then turned, as she ran over to her mother.

"Um, actually, that was a signal for you all to leave." Dr. Benson said, a few moments later, "It's time for her dinner, and I can't sneak five plates in here." she added, "but I can manage one."

"Okay, we can take the hint." Cyborg said, seeing the smile on Robin's face, and the rest of the Titan's filed out of the room, followed by Dr. Benson.

Robin smiled softly as he watched Dr. Benson let the door close behind her, as she left, giving them some time alone, in private. "Finally, we're alone." he sighed.

Star gave him a coy smile, "Why would you wish to be alone with me Robin?" she asked, feigning innocence.

Robin looked over at her, the expression on his face telling her that he wasn't buying the innocent act this time, and she smiled broadly, then watched in curiosity, as he took off his gloves, and draped them over the rail of the bed.

"Primarily so I can do this." he replied, moving over to her side, and framing her face with his hands, making sure not to press to hard, and cause her any pain.

Star's eyes widened as she watched Robins face move closer to her, their eyes locked. 'Oh glorious, he's going to kiss me!" she thought happily, but was surprised when she felt not his lips on hers, but the gentle touch of his forehead on hers.

Robin saw Star's eyes widen in astonishment, and her gasp of surprise, at the contact he made, and he breathed a sigh of relief, when he felt Star relax, with a contented sigh, and her hand slid up his back, to entwine her fingers in his hair. His right wrist was against the side of her neck, and he could feel her pulse there, and as he gently, and softly, moved his head from side to side, in small movements, he could feel her pulse race.

For once, Linda wished the hinges of the door in the hospital creaked, as she saw the young couple, their faces close. At first her professional side had come to the fore, as she thought something was wrong with her patient, and Robin may have been performing mouth to mouth, but then she noticed that their lips weren't touching, but they seemed to be gently rubbing foreheads. Just then she noticed the body language of the young woman, who was her patient. 'If I didn't know any better I'd swear he was kissing her, by the way she's reacting.' she thought to herself as she backed into the hallway. Then another thought hit her. 'Maybe for her he is! She's not human, or from earth.' she reasoned to herself.

After a moment, Robin pulled out of the embrace, and looked down at Star's face. Now Robin was fully aware that he was no Don Juan, but he felt fairly confident, at what reactions a girl should have, to being kissed for the first time, by someone they loved, and tears certainly weren't among them, and he grew suddenly nervous. "Star, are you alright, did I do something wrong, or hurt you?" he asked anxiously.

Star's eyes opened, and Robin relaxed a little, seeing the love there for him, as she gave him a small apologetic smile. "X'Hal no, my love," she said softly, "It is just that the last time I was. . . .touched in that manner, was by my mother, just before she let the Gordanian slave masters take me." she explained, then took a deep breath. "It is a bittersweet memory." she added, then looked at him in puzzlement. "Where did you learn to do that?"

"Well, while you were teaching me about your planet's culture, you told me, how the touching of lips doesn't have the romantic, or affectionate. meanings that it does here." Robin answered, "As I kinda figured, as within minutes of meeting, and fighting me, you kissed me, and could then suddenly speak English. If you remember I did ask you, a few times, how your people express affection to each other, but you never did tell me."

Star looked embarrassed. "I did not know what you motives were for asking." she said softly, then looked up at him, her eyes bright. "But that does not explain how you learned."

"You forget that I learned under a master detective." Robin replied, his fingers absently stoking her cheeks, as he marveled at how soft her skin was. "I searched through the database on Tamaran, that you had us connected to, so I could more easily learn you culture, but hit a dead end. Then the idea hit me, to look though fictional stories, particularly romantic ones, and figured that when I hit a word, that I didn't know the translation to, I looked it up in the database. It took me two months, but I finally found it." he concluded.

"Did you find it. . . .pleasing?" she asked softly, blushing slightly, and she smiled when Robin nodded his head. She looked up at him, her eyes meeting his again, "Could you do it again?" she asked, blushing even more. Robin gave her a reassuring smile, then lowered his head to her again, but after only a very short moment, they heard Linda clear her throat, at the doorway.

"Okay, we have a very nice meal here." she said, pointedly ignoring the blushes on the couple's faces as she placed the tray with a covered plate, and three cups on it, on the tray that acted as Star's table. "For you, young lady, we have chicken broth, and hot tea, and for the gentleman we have meatloaf, green beans, mashed potatoes, and coffee." she announced, uncovering the plate.

"What is this broth of chicken" Star asked as she picked up the cup with the steaming, yellow, liquid inside.

"It's the liquid part of the chicken noodle soup I let you try last week." Robin replied, then watched as Star too a tentative sip. He chuckled softly, as her face lit up, and she gave that squeal/gasp of hers, when she found something to her liking.

"May I try some of that, as well? It smells delicious." she said, indicating the meatloaf.

"Not for a few days." Linda told her, "Standard post op procedure." she added, "After next week we'll see if we can take off the casts, then a few days later, we get you up and walking again." she informed her patient, "Oh, and Robin, the young lady you and Raven brought in is going to be fine, she was just roughed up some. Looks like you stopped him in time. Now if you'll excuse me, I've got other patients to check on." she added, then left.

Robin finished his meal, and Star finished her broth. "Looks like we split the Jell-O." he said, looking at the last plate with the red colored dessert on it. He smiled at the look she was giving it, and as she took a sliver off one corner, and tentatively put it in her mouth.

"The texture is similar to glorg, but different tasting." she said, smiling brightly, she then scooped her half up in her spoon and scarfed it down. "Mmmmmm, delicious."

There was an awkward silence for a few moments, then Star reached up, and brushed her fingers against Robin's cheek. "I wish to apologize, for my actions earlier." she said softly, and sadly.

"It's okay, I understand." Robin said, hoping she wouldn't ask the question he thought was coming.

"It really wasn't you, who rescued me, was it?" she asked, them almost regretted it, knowing how much his not being there, to protect her, hurt him.

Robin found that he had to clear his throat, before he could reply. "No. . .it wasn't." he was silent for a moment. "Doctor Benson, Raven, and I, agreed with him that telling you who he was should be held off until you're stronger, but I'm not so sure of that anymore." he told her, then took a different tack. "Think Star, who could you possibly confuse as being me?"

He watched as she closed her eyes, concentrating on the last of her memories of the attack. "I did not see him." she said softly, "I saw something, knock the pipe out of the hands of one of them, and they ran away. Just as I lost consciousness, I heard him tell me that I needed to get to a hospital." she related, she thought for a moment, then her eyes snapped open, wide with fear, as she gripped Robins shoulder, "It wasn't Slade, was it!" she demanded.

Robin leaned forward again, framing her face with his hands, trying to calm her down. "Easy Kori," he said softly, "No it wasn't Slade." he assured her, shuddering, inwardly, as he thought about what Slade would want in return for saving Star's life. "It was Red X." he told her, "He happened to be nearby, when you cried out for me." he was silent for a moment, and Star could see the anguish on his face, as he looked out the window. He hung his head with a heavy sigh, "I'm sorry Star." he said softly, "When you needed me the most, I wasn't there."

"Robin you can not be two places, at the same time." Star said, catching his chin between her thumb, and index finger, and turning his head so he was looking at her, "I know how much it hurts you, that you were not there," she told him, her hand cupping his left cheek, "but today, you gave me the greatest gift I could ask for, Richard." she added, her thumb rubbing over the edge of his mask.

With a gentle nod, Robin reached up and removed his mask, letting her see his eyes for the first time. He smiled at the small gasp of surprise, and the pleased look on her face. "I take it you like blue." he said with a chuckle.

"They are most handsome." she replied, her voice husky, "It is a pity you have to hide them, but I understand the reason." she added, then looked at him from under her bangs. "Kori?" she asked.

Robin blushed, and chuckled softly. "Well I doubt that anyone else would call you that." he said, "Do you mind?" he asked, putting his mask back on, as he heard footsteps in the hall way.

"I think it is perfect." Star replied with a smile, then was silent as an orderly took the food tray away. Once they were alone again, Star crooked her index finger at Robin, and he leaned in closer. "I may be a Tamaranean, but I know what a human kiss is." she breathed into his ear. Robin pulled back, so he could see her face, surprised at what she had said, and she surprised him further, by proving her statement, by sealing his lips with her own.

Robin had to, quickly, shift his position in his chair, to keep from falling, but once he accomplished that, he relaxed into the kiss. If you could call it relaxing, as it felt as though every nerve on his skin had suddenly come to life, especially where it came in contact with hers.

After a few moments, they both decided that they needed to breathe, and Robin pulled back and looked into Star's half closed eyes.

"Robin, ne mathad, e genthalas du penefa, shu vat nevento genthalas du corino." she half said, half sighed.

Robin gazed into the deep, green pools, of Star's eyes, then replied, "Koriand'r, ne mathad, e genthalas du penefa, shu vat nevento. . . " he trailed off, then blinked his eyes, then pulled his head back further, and saw that Star was now giggling gleefully.

"I almost got you!" she cried, "You were this close." she added, holding up her thumb and index fingers so they were almost touching.

"Star that's not funny." Robin said, struggling to keep serious, but smiling softly, despite himself, as Star's laughter was contagious. "What if I had finished, and someone had seen it?"

Star's laughter, and smile faded immediately, and Robin saw her eyes shine as she appeared to be near tears. "Do you not want to take the oath with me?" she asked sadly.

Robin took her hand, and kissed her palm, then cupped her left cheek with his right hand. "It's not that." he told her, "Kori, I would take the oath with you, in a heartbeat, if it was that simple." he continued, "Star, you are my beloved, and keeper of my heart, but to take the oath of bonding with you would be pushing Galfore to far." he sighed heavily as he saw a tear trickle from one of her eyes to her pillow.

"Just because I know these things, does not mean I have to like it." she said sadly, then sighed heavily as Robin wiped her cheek, drying her tears. "But you are correct. Galfore, may not object to you're being my suitor, but to find that we've taken the oath, he may not have a choice but to refuse."

"Yes I'm sure he'll allow his old bungorf that much happiness." Robin said with a smile, that Star returned, ten fold.