Chapter Ten
It was one week later. Since then, the Titans had worked with Starfire to clean up the tower and make as many Tamaranian dishes as possible. Robin and Starfire had several conversations in bed, sleeping together regularly. And Raven and Beast Boy made love to each other a second time (that first night, Raven advised Beast Boy not to rip her clothes again).
The Titans waited on the shoreline of the island, waiting for Galfore's transport to show up.
"Why do we have to be down here?" Beast Boy asked.
"The Grand Ruler's ship is too large for the roof of the tower." Starfire explained. "It is designed, however, to be able to land wherever needed, including in the water."
"Gets around, doesn't he?" Cyborg remarked.
"Yes, he does." replied Starfire.
Although she had been away from her home for a long time, she still recalled her people's history.
Robin squinted his eyes as he watched the sky. In his mind, he went over what might happen. He had prepared the reception for Galfore as best he could, including sending out a message for the public and Justice League not to panic at the arrival of his ship. The food was ready, made according to Starfire's instructions.
His main aim was to soften the blow as much as possible of him getting the girl he protected for years pregnant. Galfore was like a father to her. He knew that any human father would be furious. He hated to see what Galfore's fury might be.
His musings were interrupted by Cyborg.
"Notice the two new love birds?" he whispered.
"Huh?"
"Look at BB and Rae!"
Robin glanced at them.
"So?"
"What do you mean 'so'? I bet you anything they've been at it!"
"You mean they've been having sex?"
"At least once."
"How can you tell?"
"The way they're acting is like the way you and Star acted. See?"
Robin looked again and noticed Raven and Beast Boy holding hands. They were also talking openly and were rather close to each other.
Had anyone else seen the two of them, they wouldn't have noticed anything suspicious. But Robin had known the two Titans for years. He knew what was out of the ordinary. And given his own experiences, he had to agree with Cyborg. He nodded at him.
A few minutes later, Cyborg noticed something in the sky.
"Hey, I see something!" he said.
The Titans stood up, craning their necks to see the ship's approach.
It was a dot in the sky at first, but then the scale of it quickly became apparent. It was more or less spindle shaped, as large as a commercial jet plane, and appeared to be made mostly of gold. Large pylons at the back half of the ship supported the large engines, which made a loud roar as they fought to keep the ship above the water.
Slowly, it settled onto the water with a minimal splash. It rocked precariously for a few seconds. Then, a door opened. There was a slight hiss as the pressure equalized. A ramp then was lowered and extended to the shoreline.
Four Tamaranian guards then ran out, lining up side by side on the shore. Then, Galfore himself appeared. Starfire contained herself from rushing to him.
Galfore took in the air for a moment, and then walked to the shore. The guards made way for him. He stepped in front of Starfire. He then smiled.
"X'Hal, Koriand'r! You act as though you and your friends were in some army!"
She smiled back. "It is good to see you again, my k'norfka!" They embraced each other.
The other Titans relaxed, but kept their distance, Robin especially. He had a vision of Galfore rushing at him and beating him to a pulp for what he did to Starfire.
Instead, he simply stared at him.
"So, you are the one that has given my bumgorf a child?" he asked.
"Yes, your majesty." Robin said with humility. 'If you're gonna pound me, then do it.' he thought. 'I had no right to...'
Galfore picked up Robin and gave him a powerful embrace, laughing.
"I knew you and my bumgorf would come together some day and have a child!"
He then set the shocked Titan down. "I just did not think it would be so soon!"
Robin was perplexed. "You're...not mad at me?"
"Why should I be mad?" asked Galfore. "You and Starfire are perfect together. And you have also continued her lineage."
"Yeah, I guess I did." Robin said, in nervous relief.
"Come, my k'norfka!" Starfire exclaimed, happily. "We have a feast to attend to which we have prepared!"
The Titans and the Grand Ruler entered the Tower. The guards, no longer needed, returned inside the ship.
The feasting did not last long, as Starfire and Galfore displayed the same voracious eating habits as they did on Tamaran. The other Titans, fortunately, had their own meals.
"A most fantastic feast!" Galfore declared when he was finished. "You are good friends for my bumgorf!"
"Thanks." Cyborg said. "We aim to please at Titans Tower!"
"So," Galfore began. "Tell me what sort of adventures have you accomplished here on Earth with my Koriand'r?"
The Titans each gave accounts of their various adventures; the battle against Brother Blood and the formation of Titans East, the encounter with Slade and Trigon (which had Galfore in awe, for even the Tamaranians were aware of the demon's evil), and the epic world wide battle with the Brotherhood of Evil.
"X'Hal!" exclaimed Galfore. "You have certainly proved your prowess as a warrior, Starfire."
"I could not have done it without my friends!" Starfire replied.
The Grand Ruler nodded. "Now Titans, if you will, I wish to have a private talk with my bumgorf and Robin."
'Uh oh.' thought Robin. 'Now he comes out with it.'
The other Titans left the room, all feeling worried for what might happen.
"I have noticed you seem uneasy, Robin." said Galfore.
"Well, I thought you might be upset that I got Starfire pregnant." the Boy Wonder replied.
"Oh no! If anything, I was surprised! I knew it would happen, just not at this time."
"So, you are not upset with me either?" Starfire said.
"Why would I be?" Galfore asked, confused.
"My being pregnant means that I can not help my friends in battle. That would risk injury to the baby. I thought you would see me as less of a warrior. Not as strong."
Galfore patted Starfire on her shoulder. "My dear Koriand'r, I would never see you as less of a warrior! Being pregnant takes strength as well! As does raising a child!"
He laughed. "And believe me, I know how hard raising a child can be!"
Starfire laughed. "I am relieved!"
"So am I." Robin said. "I guess I'm too used to how Earth fathers would react."
Galfore patted him on the back. "Your people have quite some time to learn the true values of life."
He then sighed.
"Is something troubling you, Galfore?" Starfire asked.
"No...yes. There is. I am uncertain how to bring it up."
"Please, tell us!"
"Well, it is about the real reason I came to Earth. It wasn't just to see you, as joyous as that is."
"What is it then?"
"I did not want to tell you in a message, because I knew it would be better coming straight from my heart."
Heaving a sigh, Galfore explained his intentions. The two Titans were awestruck by his request.
"We'll have to tell the others." Robin said. "This will affect them too."
He never would have imagined Starfire's pregnancy would cause such a change in their lives.