Chapter Three
It had only been five minutes since the Titans had left, but Starfire was already beginning to feel abandoned. Her pet, Silkie, was asleep in her room. She knew better not to disturb the mutant silkworm.
She sat on the couch and stared at the monitor. It showed a map; Mumbo's location was highlighted in one spot, the Titans location in another. And here she was, stuck at home.
She walked to the console and turned off the monitor, then laid on the couch again.
She started off by laying on her side, but then switched to her back.
Staring at the ceiling, she placed one hand by her head, the other on her belly. Presently, she began to rub it with her hand, as if comforting her unborn child.
"Why did I do this?" she said aloud. "I am a young warrior, a Teen Titan. I should be fighting along side my friends, not worrying about a child!"
She turned on her side again. "I am a disgrace! I let my passions take over my judgment. I allowed myself to become pregnant! And now my friends must do battle without me!"
She sat up and began to cry, burying her face in her hands. "By X'Hal, what have I done!"
She spent about five minutes weeping before regaining her equanimity. Her face was streaked with tears, her bangs matted and moist.
"I will not loose control of myself!" she declared to herself.
She took a few deep breathes, then made her way to the kitchen; an urge to eat came upon her. She rummaged in the refrigerator for any leftovers, particularly her Tamaranian dishes. She found a few and took them into the lounge. Then, she decided on a few more items to add to her "snack".
She found a box of burritos in the freezer. She took about five of them and placed them on a plate. While she heated them up in the microwave, she also took out a few cans of soda. When the microwave beeped, she removed the plate, and took it and her drinks to the table where she set her food down.
Starfire then found the remote for the TV and looked for something to watch. She settled on her favorite daytime soap opera. She then began her feast, eating rather sporadically as she watched the show.
It had been an hour since the alarm had sounded when the other Titans returned.
"We're home, Star!" Beast Boy said.
"Yeah, and we brought some victory pizza!" Cyborg added, setting the box on the counter.
"Most glorious!" Starfire said, her mouth full.
"Is everything all right Star?" Robin asked her.
"Yes it is, why?"
"You left a little mess in the kitchen." Raven observed. She saw an empty box of burritos, as well as empty Tupperware containers in the sink.
"Oh yes, that." she said, standing up.
Cyborg eyed the scene in disbelief. "I just bought those burritos! I haven't had a chance to have any yet! And there had to be, what...a couple of dozen in them in there!"
"Apologies, friend Cyborg!" Starfire said. "I was rather hungry after being distressed of not being able to help any of you in battle."
"Without a doubt!" Raven said. "It looks like you had enough for three meals here!"
"Well, I do have nine stomachs. And they all were feeling the hunger!"
"So I see." Robin remarked. "Well, think you got room for some pizza?"
She smiled at him. "Only if we have mustard!"
"No problem there!" Beast Boy said, tossing Starfire a bottle. She squealed in delight.
Late that night, Robin joined Starfire in her room. She was already in her pajamas.
"Feeling any better?" he asked her.
"Emotionally, yes." she replied, sitting down on the bed. "But physically, not so well."
"From the pregnancy?"
"I do not believe so. I think it is from my snacking earlier."
"Really? Sounds like indigestion."
"It might be. I feel...the gas, I believe."
"Oh, I see." Robin made way for the door.
"Please Robin, stay with me?" Starfire pleaded.
"Um, sure." he said, uncomfortably. He sat next to Starfire, hoping that nothing bad would happen. He was elated, though, when she lovingly leaned against him.
"What do you think of us becoming parents at such a young age?" she said.
"Well," he began, "It is awkward, and unusual. But I think we can manage."
"You are not troubled by it?" she asked, letting out a burp.
"Sort of. But I'm not letting it trouble me too much."
Starfire burped again. "Do you suppose that we can raise our baby here in the Tower?"
"I don't know. We'll have to ask the others."
"Must we?" She then let out another monumental belch. Robin was perturbed.
"Well, we don't want to spring out any surprises, do we?"
"No, I suppose not." she muttered, sounding as if distracted by something. "Um, now that you mention surprises..." She trailed off, standing up and walking to her window to open it.
It took all but a second for Robin to identify the new smell in the room. He made for the door, suppressing a gag. "I think I'll go now!" he said.
"But Robin, do you not wish to stay and talk? I have opened a window!"
"Maybe later." he said.
Starfire blocked his exit. "Robin, you used to find me appealing. I took great efforts in serenading you, while you were oozing with charm. What is different now?"
"Well, your serenading has a different sound to it, and you're oozing something, but it sure as hell ain't charm!"
Starfire nodded, a gloomy expression on her face. "I suppose I would feel the same way about you if you were also...gassy."
He put a hand on her shoulder. "But I wouldn't take it personally. It's something that people just need to handle on their own."
Starfire smiled. "I will not be upset then." She kissed him. "Good night, Robin!"
"Night, Star!" he said as he left the room.
Starfire closed the door and sighed. Then, a fresh dose of the pungent aroma was in the air again. Starfire was irritated.
"Tamaranian food never does this to me! Perhaps I should not eat as many burritos as I did today!"
She laid down in bed, hoping for her symptoms to pass... literally.