Chapter 3

The Awful Truth

"Umm…please give him greetings." Starfire said with a puzzled face. She had only met Speedy once and he was with the Titans East, other than that she didn't know that much about him. Robin was baffled and a little worried. He knew that Speedy was a lot like himself. Why did he do that? He wondered. The whole way back to the Tower, the two Titans were quiet, their thoughts on what was happening in Steel City and what was with Speedy's message.

"Titans! What's going on?" inquired Robin when he and Starfire had entered the common room. Raven and Beast Boy were sitting on the couch waiting for instructions from Cyborg who was still talking to Bee on the comm. Link.

"Okay, don't you worry your pretty little head. We're on our way." Cyborg said with a smile while Bee rolled her eyes and hung up. He turned to the rest of them, "Yupp, she wants me" he said rather proudly. "Anyway, it seems that Steel City has had an epidemic of crimes. Left and right. Bee says that it's pretty regular crimes like bank jobs and stuff like that, but there are just too many to handle a once. They need us to come and help out." Cyborg explained. "I think that all the crimes going on at once are wearing them out, I really don't think they need that much help…just a break."

"Well then let's give them a break. Jump City has been quiet lately anyways." Robin said while heading toward the garage.

"Ooooo, lets take the T-Car! We can travel the open road!" said Beast Boy excitedly.

"Okay then, since Cyborg's car won't fit everyone comfortably; you, Raven and Beast Boy take it. Me and Star will take the R-Cycle." He said looking a little sheepish.

"Yeah…comfort…he just wants alone time with Star." Cyborg said under his breath to Beast Boy. The two of them snickered. Robin turned around and gave them a murderous glare. Mostly cause he was right. Cyborg gave a grunt of laughter and shook his head. Raven just rolled her eyes. Starfire totally oblivious to what was happening glided down to the R-Cycle. When everyone was ready, they set off. Starfire loved the R-Cycle, riding on it, she felt like she was flying. It was invigorating. Robin loved giving her rides on it. She would hold his waist tightly; she would close her eyes and lean against him, her head resting on his shoulder. She surprised him when he felt her lips graze the side of his cheek softly. The drive took a couple of days, but the Titans didn't mind; they enjoyed looking at scenery and going through different states. While the other Titans enjoyed the trip, Robin's mind was somewhere else. His thoughts were still on Speedy's message to Star. I don't understand. Why would he say that, I mean they asked us for help, it wasn't a checkup call or something like that. He's always liked to tease me, maybe he just said it to mess with me…yeah that's it. Well good job Speedy…it's working. O crap…better pay attention to the road.

Three days later; they finally arrived in Steel City. "Took you guys long enough!" Bee said with a sarcastic smile.

"Beast Boy wanted to drive." Robin answered tiredly. He sat down on their couch and leaned back, resting from the drive.

"Hey guys, hey Raven." said Aqua Lad smoothly, Raven blushed. "How have you guys been?" he asked.

"We've been fine." said Beast Boy pushing Raven aside. "So, you still got that game? I bet I can beat you at it!" Beast Boy said with a tempting smile.

"Your so on!" Aqua Lad replied. "Boys…" Raved muttered while rolling her eyes.

"Hola Senorita! Mirando muy bonita como siempre!" Mas said to Star while giving her a rose. "No! Ella es mio! Senorita, por favor excusa mi hermano." Menos said.

"Usted consigue lejos.Quiero pasar tiempo con ella!" They said at the same time. The began to roll aroundon the ground, arguing over who Starfire liked better.

"Alright you two, leave her alone. Hey Star, how's it going?" Speedy asked giving her a charming smile and while picking up Mas y Menos off of the floor. Robin immediately picked up his head, he glared at Speedy as he sat down next to Starfire. Star…you cant call her that, that's my nickname. He thought. Robin watched as Speedy inched closer to Starfire on the couch. Robin jumped up.

"Heyyy, Speedy! What's up? How've ya been?" Robin asked while sitting down in-between him and Starfire. If there was one thing he was going to do, it was make sure that Starfire and Speedy were not alone together. Speed automatically knew what Robin was doing, he also knew that he was getting to Robin. So he decided to have a little fun with him.

"Umm…I'm doing good Robin." Speedy answered him. "Anyways, Star…" Robin cringed when he said that. "Have you ever had Italian food?" Speedy asked with a devious smile.

"I do not believe I have ever eaten food of Italians, is it good? Do they use mustard?" she asked

"Well not usually but I bet if you asked them, they would. How about if I take you to go get some Italian food tonight?" he asked her. Robin's eyes widened behind his mask with the thought of Star and Speedy on a date. Now Starfire hadn't really mastered the concept of dating, so to her Speedy was just feeding her.

"Sure, I would like to know what this food tastes like." She said smiling and then walked off to go help Bee and Raven with something.

"Well alright then, I'll go make the reservations for our date." Speedy said just as she left.

Robin was furious, not at Starfire because he knew that she didn't think it was a date. But Speedy…what the hell was he doing? There was no way that Robin was going to let Speedy be alone with Starfire without him.

"It's called Mama Leonie's" Speedy told Starfire as they drove up to the restaurant.

"O, whose mother is it?" Starfire asked.

"No, no it's no one's mother, Mama Leonie owns the restaurant." He laughed. As he led her in, another car drove up to the restaurant. Robin parked the car and followed them in. He decided to sit in an adjacent both so it would be hard to see him. He waved the waitress away and listened closely to their conversation. It consisted mostly of what was going on in Steel City with all the crimes and how the Titans were doing in Jump City or how Speedy couldn't believe that Star had asked for mustard as a drink instead of a soda. Every now and then Speedy would tell a joke and Starfire would laugh and laugh. Robin began to feel really low. Maybe she likes him, ughh I was so stupid thinking that she liked me. Why should she feel bad about going out with Speedy I mean we never talked about us. Robin turned away from listening to their conversation and sat there with his head in his hands. From the moment theybecamemore serious then 'just friends' he warned himself not to care too much.Damn!I knew I should have gotten out or something when I realized that she wasanincredible, extraordinary, perfect person.

"Well I'm insanely full!" Speedy said while laughing.

"Yes, I much enjoyed this food of Italians." Starfire said decidedly. "Well ready to go?" he asked her. Starfire nodded. The two got up from the booth and went to pay. Robin noticed they were leaving and knew he had to get back first. He sneaked out and drove back, the whole way he battled with his emotions…jealously, hate, a broken heart and love.

He beat them by just a few minutes, when was going into his room when he noticed Speedy and Starfire through the window. He opened it just enough so that he could hear what she was saying to him.

"yeah me too…well thank you for the food. Even though they didn't put mustard on it." She said as she giggled. Speedy laughed too and shook his head. Starfire gave him a quick hug and then went inside. She had surprised him, her skin felt so soft against his neck. When she left he rubbed the back of his neck and then rambled as if in a dreamy condition. He stepped backward and closed his eyes as if he had the best night ever.

"Wow" he whispered. Robin's heart sank. He closed the window and sat down on the bed. He sighed and laid down with his hands behind his head. He laid there eerily still. Battling with his emotions for her.