Disclaimer: Characters within do not belong to me, but it would supersweet if I did have some real control over them.
Author's Notes: My apologies for the delay. I had some surgery two weekends ago and have spent a lot of time since then whining and popping pain pills. But I'm a lot better now, and finally able to put my laptop on my lap, so I got this chapter out. I hope everyone enjoys it. And thanks so much for all the reviews so far. See ya sooner than later!
Flying Home
by Kristen Elizabeth
Something cool and damp lay across his forehead. Robin slowly opened his eyes. A white washcloth blocked most of his vision. He frowned. Was he sick? In addition to all of the other things he did around the manor, was Alfred having to nurse him back to health?
But Alfred didn't sing. Or if he did, he didn't sing in an alien language. Robin could hear the sweet voice, but couldn't understand a single word. There was only one person who sang like that…
"Star."
She was at his side in a flash. "You are awake! This is wonderful." She removed the cool compress, and he could see her hovering above him. Her emerald eyes, her peachy skin, her fiery hair…if he was dreaming, there was no reason to wake himself up.
"Where am I?"
"You are in Titan Tower," Starfire replied. "You have been asleep for a whole day and we have tended to your injuries."
"Injuries?"
"Do you not remember? You stopped a group of jewelry thieves, but one of them carried a terrible weapon and you were wounded."
A flash of metal. The hot sting of a blade in his ribs. He'd been stabbed, straight through his uniform. Suddenly, a thought hit him with far more force. His mask! His hands flew to his face, searching. It was still there, in its proper place.
"I did not remove it," Starfire told him. "I did not think you would want me to."
"Thanks." Robin relaxed. "Really, Star…thank you."
Starfire smoothed down the sheet covering his chest. "I am just glad that you are…here. I was very worried."
"I'm a bleeder, but I recover quickly." Robin winced as he tried to sit up.
"Do not do that!" she scolded. "You require rest in order to heal."
Robin spoke through teeth tightly clenched in pain. "I think a whole day of rest is quite enough." He lifted the covers up off his lower body, blinked, and quickly tucked the sheets back into place. "Where are my pants?"
She looked away, sheepish. "Your uniform had to be removed in order for Raven to heal your wounds."
"Did you…?"
"No! No, Beast Boy volunteered."
"He volunteered?"
"After Raven conversed with him."
He frowned. "That's all it took?"
"Well…he might have been pressed against the ceiling at the time of the conversation."
Robin suppressed a grin. "Things really do stay the same."
Starfire sat on the edge of the bed. "Before…when I said that I am glad you are here…I did not only mean here alive. I meant here at all. Home."
"Star." He swallowed. "I can't…" Robin sighed. "Can I maybe get a drink of water?"
Her hand flew to her mouth. "What a blarthbart I am! Of course, Robin. I will be right back." She ran out of the room, frantic to correct what she considered to be a grave offense.
Robin let out a shaky breath, surprised at the pain even that brought. "I thought she said Raven healed me," he muttered.
"I did." The woman in question slipped out of the shadow she'd been hiding in. "But I might not have put my entire heart and soul into it."
"Why not?"
Raven approached his bed on silent feet. "Because I'm not going to make it so easy for you to walk out of here this time."
"You think it was easy last time?"
"Maybe." She shrugged. "You did it and you managed to stay away for nine months. Seems to me that's a lot easier than making any effort to keep in contact."
He shook his head against his pillow. "You have no idea."
"Enlighten me."
"Look, I don't want to cause any more trouble than I already have." Ignoring the lingering pain, Robin sat up. "Just point me towards my pants, and I'll be on my way."
Raven folded her arms across her chest. "Maybe I was wrong. You might not be Robin anymore."
"I'm not," he replied. "Robin grew up."
"Robin flew the coop," she snapped back.
"Listen, you don't know how much I'd like to just…"
Starfire cut him off by re-entering with a glass of water. "Friend Raven?" She looked at Robin. "Please, Robin…you must lie down in order that you might heal more quickly."
"Why should we let him heal?" Raven asked. "As soon as he does, he'll leave again."
"I know." The Tamaranian girl set the water down on Robin's nightstand. "But if going is what Robin wishes to do, we should not stop him."
"Star." He swallowed, his dry throat sticking slightly. "I don't want you to think that I don't care for…all of you. But I have other loyalties that I can't just abandon."
She looked at him with emerald eyes that shone with unshed tears. "I only ask that you stay long enough to ensure that your injuries will no longer hurt you. Raven." After exchange a long look with the other girl, Starfire moved towards the door. "We will leave you alone now."
"It's okay!" he called out, a bit too quickly. "You can stay. You know, if you want. To keep me company."
Raven followed her teammate. "I'll send Beast Boy in to keep you company."
When they were gone, Robin cursed out loud. For the first time he was realizing just how much damage he'd caused.
And it was hurting worse that his half-healed stab wound.
Starfire stood in the kitchen, staring at a can of tomato soup. She was trying to prepare it for Robin's lunch, but for some reason, she just couldn't perform the simple task without wanting to break down and cry. Maybe it was because tomato soup was what Robin had made for her when she came down with her first human cold. He'd helped her sip it, holding the spoon up to her lips and assuring her that it was perfectly normal if she couldn't taste it. She'd thanked him, accentuated the thanks with a sneeze, and for a long moment, it had seemed like Robin might just lean in and brush his lips across hers. A kiss, something she'd seen in movies and witnessed between others, but never experienced for herself.
But in the end, he'd pulled back just in time, and nothing had come of it.
That indefinable, unbearable intimacy still hung between them, even after months of separation. She felt it every time she entered his room to check on him. Over the past two days, he'd spent most of his time sleeping, despite his proclamations that he was doing just fine. Ever so often, he'd mumble a few words, but nothing she could make any sense of. He had a low-grade fever, according to Cyborg's reluctant scan, but his wounds were almost entirely healed. In a few days, he'd be free to walk out of the Tower…free to leave them all. Again.
Just when she had started to cut into the can with the electric opener, she felt someone come up behind her. "There you are." Aqualad set his hands on her shoulders, surrounding her. "It's a bit early for dinner, isn't it?"
"It is not for me, but for Robin," she replied.
"Oh, yeah. Of course."
"Nourishment is essential to a complete recovery."
"That's what they say." Aqualad leaned back against the counter and watched her prepare the soup. "Are you all right, Starfire? The past couple of days you've barely said two words."
She frowned as she stirred in a can of milk. "I have not kept count, but I am sure I have said more words than that."
"Not to me." He stepped closer to her. "I've missed talking to you."
"I am sorry."
"It's all right. I know you've been busy. With Robin."
Over her shoulder, Starfire looked at him strangely. "He was badly injured and has required much of my attention."
"You really are way too good," Aqualad said, smiling ruefully. "For him. Maybe for anyone."
"I do not understand what you mean."
"I know." He came up behind her and gently took the spoon from her hand. Turning her around to face him, Aqualad held her face between his hands. "That's a lot of what makes you so good. You don't have any idea…how special you are."
She was shocked at how icy his mouth was against hers, but she probably should have been, considering the rest of him was cool to the touch. It took her a long moment to figure out what was going on. She was being kissed. It was the strangest feeling. Although every movie and book had led her to believe there would be fireworks, the strange feeling wasn't all that great.
Starfire parted her lips to try to protest, but apparently this was a signal of some sort for Aqualad, because instead of letting her go, the kiss grew deeper. Was that his tongue trying to touch hers?
"No!" she cried, twisting her head to the side. "Please do not be upset with me." She looked back at him. "But I cannot do this."
Aqualad understood, or at least that's what he told her, and the incident seemed to pass. Unfortunately neither of them had noticed Robin limp into the kitchen in the middle of their kiss. He left before it ended, just as quietly.
"So. You're just gonna waltz off into the sunset again."
At the door that led out of the Tower, Robin stopped upon hearing Cyborg's deep voice echoing off the metal walls that made up the entranceway. He sighed, winced at the slight pain in his ribs and turned to face his old friend. "It's the middle of the day."
"Not your best comeback ever." Cyborg stepped forward, his massive metal and flesh arms folded tightly. "You're getting soft."
"I'll work on it." A long moment passed. "See ya."
"Wait just one damn minute." Cyborg unfolded his arms. "I've got stuff to say, and this time I'm gonna say it before you run out on us."
Robin frowned. "I didn't run out last time. I gave explanations and fair warning. And the only reason I'm leaving like this now is because I know when I'm not wanted or needed anymore. So this chip on your shoulder…why don't you knock it off and at least try to understand where I'm coming from?"
"Can't do that," Cyborg replied. "See, the way I'm thinking, all those reasons you gave were crap."
"Excuse me?"
"Crap. Poop. Excrement. Bullshit. You don't just go from being our leader to being someone's sidekick, voluntarily, especially. It just don't work that way." He sniffed, triumphantly. "You want me to get rid of my chip…you give me some real reasons why you wanted out."
Robin's temper sparked suddenly. "Why does everyone think I wanted this? Am I the only one who knows anything about duty and sacrifice and loyalties and…and…duty!"
"You said that one already."
"It bears repeating." He pointed one finger at his cybernetic friend. "I owe Batman more than you could ever imagine. I owe him my life." He sighed, his temper deflating. "I was wrong. You can't possibly understand."
Another awkward pause stretched between them until it was almost unbearable. Finally, Cyborg cleared his throat. "At least say goodbye to her. You're big into owing people stuff. You owe her a goodbye."
Robin shook his head. "Star deserves…everything. But I can't…I'm not the right person to give her…what she deserves. Obviously."
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. So."
"So? Um…so what?"
"I've really gotta get going," Robin continued
Cyborg crossed the distance between them and towered over Robin. To anyone else, it would have been intimidating. But Robin just looked up, meeting his friend's hard stare with a calm one. After what seemed like forever, Cyborg relaxed and clapped a hand against Robin's shoulder, fairly slapping his exposed collar bone. "Do what you gotta do. I don't like it, though. Got it?"
"Got it." Robin smiled weakly. "Thanks." He opened the door, letting in a long shaft of light. "You're doing a really great job with the team. Just so you know."
Cyborg nodded. "Take it easy, Rob." When the door closed behind him, Cyborg looked at the display panel in his arm. A red, blinking light on the mapped screen began to move away from the Tower. He smiled.
"I see you."
Robin returned to an empty mansion. After three days of happy chaos, the silence was overwhelming. He quickly snapped on two TV's and the radio in his room, but he was still surrounded by emptiness. With a sigh, he went into the kitchen, popped a frozen pizza into the oven and started up the stairs to take a long shower.
Once he was dressed, he put on his mask out of nothing but instinct. He realized it a moment later, and was about to take it off, when doorbell rang. Instantly, he was on guard. In order to get to the front door, one had to be buzzed in at the gate. He didn't bother with the stairs, swinging himself down to the foyer instead. Once there, he approached the door with trained caution and looked at the monitor, hidden in a wooden panel. The security camera that watched the front of the house showed something that made his jaw drop.
He grabbed the door and flung it open.
"Starfire." She was there. At Wayne Manor. The house that wasn't supposed to have any connection to Batman or Robin or even Nightwing. He swallowed. If Bruce found out about this when he came back from Fiji, he was not going to be happy. "I don't understand…how did you know where to find me?"
"Forgive me," she asked quietly. "On your neck, you will find a small tracking device."
His hand automatically flew to the back of his neck; he found the chip after a moment and peeled it off. "You shouldn't have, Star. You know I have an identity that has to be kept a secret."
"I am sorry, but when I discovered that you had left, Cyborg informed me that he placed the device on you, so that we might know where to contact you in the future. In truth, I have very little idea where I am." Starfire looked down at the stone stoop. "But even if I did, do you not trust that your secrets, whatever they are, would be safe with me?"
He instantly felt shamed. "Of course I trust you. It's not that. It's just…you surprised me."
"It was unavoidable." She lifted her gaze to meet his. "Twice now you have left us without a proper exchange of farewells. I did not wish for another nine months to pass before we spoke again."
"I didn't think…" Robin sighed. "You seemed pretty occupied. And I had to go, so I just…did." Her lower lip quivered slightly. "I'm sorry."
She bit her lip to keep it still. "What could you imagine would keep me so occupied that I would not have time to say goodbye to my friend?"
He didn't even want to say Aqualad's name out loud, so Robin quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you come in? It's getting cold out there."
Once inside the mansion, his ploy worked, as Starfire was temporarily distracted by the splendor of her surroundings. "It is not a home, but a palace!" she exclaimed. "Do all humans live in such places?"
"Less than a handful," he replied, taking her purple coat and hanging it up. "But speaking of palaces, didn't you used to live in one? On Tamaran?"
"Back home, the royal family tries to set an example by living amongst the people, in homes the same as theirs."
"I didn't know." Robin smiled. "That's kind of cool."
"No. During the summer heats, it is not."
He laughed; his voice echoed off the endless walls. Laughter. How long had it been since this place had experienced any? "God, Star…you're here for two minutes and already you've lit up…" He stopped. "How do you do that?"
She frowned, confused. "What did I do?"
Instead of answering, he took a step closer to her. She smelled like fresh air from her flight; her hair was gently tangled from the winds and her cheeks were flushed. "Nothing wrong, trust me." Robin reached out and touched one tousled lock that hung over her shoulder. "You shouldn't have come here…but I'm so glad you did, Star."
"Robin. Why did you leave without saying goodbye?"
"I can't explain it. I don't have an explanation, at least not one that's good enough. I just…" He stopped. "It's something I have to do."
Her eyes brimmed over with tears, but she kept her chin up. "In the alleyway, before you fell into unconsciousness, you told me that you have missed me. Have you?"
Robin turned away for a moment. "Yes," he admitted in a soft voice. He turned back around. "God, Star…you have no idea how much I've missed you."
"Then how could you stay away for so long? And how could you leave again so soon?"
"I don't know." He ran his fingers underneath the very bottom of his mask. "I'm just trying to do what's right. I'm always trying to do what's right. And one day, I'll actually succeed without hurting anyone."
Starfire sniffed. "It is just such ambition in you that I admire so greatly. But Robin, perhaps, just for once, you could do what makes you happy. Whether it is right or not."
"You don't understand what you're asking." He hesitated. "If I do what you're suggesting…if I just do what I want without thinking about any possible consequences…no!" His head swung back and forth violently. "No, I won't ruin what's good between us just because I can't control myself!"
"I have tried to understand why you always wish to be in such tight control, Robin, but I cannot. And I do not think I ever will." She started for the coat rack, slowly lifting her jacket from the peg it hung on. "I will go now, and promise I shall never let anyone know where you live." Starfire lifted off the ground and floated to the door. "Please do not be a stranger to us anymore. Even if you cannot live with us and be part of our team, it does not mean that we cannot exchange visits. As friends."
She was almost entirely out the door before Robin replied. "Friends." She glanced back at him. "That's just it, Star. I can't be just your friend anymore." The horribly hurt look that crumpled her face broke the remaining bits of his resolve. Robin walked to her and took her hand, urging her to land on her feet. Once she had, he swallowed and forged on. "It's not enough for me."
"Robin?"
He cupped her face in his hands and all she could think about was how warm he was. "Don't go, Star," he begged. "Don't let me run you out of my life. Because it's not much of one without you in it."
She stared up at him, searching his face for something. With her own hands, she reached up and gently tugged his mask up and off. For the first time, Starfire looked Robin in the eye.
"Would you please kiss me now?"
His lips touched hers, hot and soft, and this time, she parted her lips not to speak, but to feel more of him. The kiss grew deeper. Robin pulled her closer; her arms circled his neck.
"Star," he whispered, breaking away long enough to plant a moist kiss just under her jaw. "I need to know that this is what you…"
She cut him off, placing her finger against his mouth. "I understand everything. And I want it, Robin." She kissed him again. "I want this."
Embracing again, Robin leaned down and swept her up into his arms. He took the stairs quickly, heading for his room.
To Be Continued
Author's Notes: My apologies for the delay. I had some surgery two weekends ago and have spent a lot of time since then whining and popping pain pills. But I'm a lot better now, and finally able to put my laptop on my lap, so I got this chapter out. I hope everyone enjoys it. And thanks so much for all the reviews so far. See ya sooner than later!
Flying Home
by Kristen Elizabeth
Something cool and damp lay across his forehead. Robin slowly opened his eyes. A white washcloth blocked most of his vision. He frowned. Was he sick? In addition to all of the other things he did around the manor, was Alfred having to nurse him back to health?
But Alfred didn't sing. Or if he did, he didn't sing in an alien language. Robin could hear the sweet voice, but couldn't understand a single word. There was only one person who sang like that…
"Star."
She was at his side in a flash. "You are awake! This is wonderful." She removed the cool compress, and he could see her hovering above him. Her emerald eyes, her peachy skin, her fiery hair…if he was dreaming, there was no reason to wake himself up.
"Where am I?"
"You are in Titan Tower," Starfire replied. "You have been asleep for a whole day and we have tended to your injuries."
"Injuries?"
"Do you not remember? You stopped a group of jewelry thieves, but one of them carried a terrible weapon and you were wounded."
A flash of metal. The hot sting of a blade in his ribs. He'd been stabbed, straight through his uniform. Suddenly, a thought hit him with far more force. His mask! His hands flew to his face, searching. It was still there, in its proper place.
"I did not remove it," Starfire told him. "I did not think you would want me to."
"Thanks." Robin relaxed. "Really, Star…thank you."
Starfire smoothed down the sheet covering his chest. "I am just glad that you are…here. I was very worried."
"I'm a bleeder, but I recover quickly." Robin winced as he tried to sit up.
"Do not do that!" she scolded. "You require rest in order to heal."
Robin spoke through teeth tightly clenched in pain. "I think a whole day of rest is quite enough." He lifted the covers up off his lower body, blinked, and quickly tucked the sheets back into place. "Where are my pants?"
She looked away, sheepish. "Your uniform had to be removed in order for Raven to heal your wounds."
"Did you…?"
"No! No, Beast Boy volunteered."
"He volunteered?"
"After Raven conversed with him."
He frowned. "That's all it took?"
"Well…he might have been pressed against the ceiling at the time of the conversation."
Robin suppressed a grin. "Things really do stay the same."
Starfire sat on the edge of the bed. "Before…when I said that I am glad you are here…I did not only mean here alive. I meant here at all. Home."
"Star." He swallowed. "I can't…" Robin sighed. "Can I maybe get a drink of water?"
Her hand flew to her mouth. "What a blarthbart I am! Of course, Robin. I will be right back." She ran out of the room, frantic to correct what she considered to be a grave offense.
Robin let out a shaky breath, surprised at the pain even that brought. "I thought she said Raven healed me," he muttered.
"I did." The woman in question slipped out of the shadow she'd been hiding in. "But I might not have put my entire heart and soul into it."
"Why not?"
Raven approached his bed on silent feet. "Because I'm not going to make it so easy for you to walk out of here this time."
"You think it was easy last time?"
"Maybe." She shrugged. "You did it and you managed to stay away for nine months. Seems to me that's a lot easier than making any effort to keep in contact."
He shook his head against his pillow. "You have no idea."
"Enlighten me."
"Look, I don't want to cause any more trouble than I already have." Ignoring the lingering pain, Robin sat up. "Just point me towards my pants, and I'll be on my way."
Raven folded her arms across her chest. "Maybe I was wrong. You might not be Robin anymore."
"I'm not," he replied. "Robin grew up."
"Robin flew the coop," she snapped back.
"Listen, you don't know how much I'd like to just…"
Starfire cut him off by re-entering with a glass of water. "Friend Raven?" She looked at Robin. "Please, Robin…you must lie down in order that you might heal more quickly."
"Why should we let him heal?" Raven asked. "As soon as he does, he'll leave again."
"I know." The Tamaranian girl set the water down on Robin's nightstand. "But if going is what Robin wishes to do, we should not stop him."
"Star." He swallowed, his dry throat sticking slightly. "I don't want you to think that I don't care for…all of you. But I have other loyalties that I can't just abandon."
She looked at him with emerald eyes that shone with unshed tears. "I only ask that you stay long enough to ensure that your injuries will no longer hurt you. Raven." After exchange a long look with the other girl, Starfire moved towards the door. "We will leave you alone now."
"It's okay!" he called out, a bit too quickly. "You can stay. You know, if you want. To keep me company."
Raven followed her teammate. "I'll send Beast Boy in to keep you company."
When they were gone, Robin cursed out loud. For the first time he was realizing just how much damage he'd caused.
And it was hurting worse that his half-healed stab wound.
Starfire stood in the kitchen, staring at a can of tomato soup. She was trying to prepare it for Robin's lunch, but for some reason, she just couldn't perform the simple task without wanting to break down and cry. Maybe it was because tomato soup was what Robin had made for her when she came down with her first human cold. He'd helped her sip it, holding the spoon up to her lips and assuring her that it was perfectly normal if she couldn't taste it. She'd thanked him, accentuated the thanks with a sneeze, and for a long moment, it had seemed like Robin might just lean in and brush his lips across hers. A kiss, something she'd seen in movies and witnessed between others, but never experienced for herself.
But in the end, he'd pulled back just in time, and nothing had come of it.
That indefinable, unbearable intimacy still hung between them, even after months of separation. She felt it every time she entered his room to check on him. Over the past two days, he'd spent most of his time sleeping, despite his proclamations that he was doing just fine. Ever so often, he'd mumble a few words, but nothing she could make any sense of. He had a low-grade fever, according to Cyborg's reluctant scan, but his wounds were almost entirely healed. In a few days, he'd be free to walk out of the Tower…free to leave them all. Again.
Just when she had started to cut into the can with the electric opener, she felt someone come up behind her. "There you are." Aqualad set his hands on her shoulders, surrounding her. "It's a bit early for dinner, isn't it?"
"It is not for me, but for Robin," she replied.
"Oh, yeah. Of course."
"Nourishment is essential to a complete recovery."
"That's what they say." Aqualad leaned back against the counter and watched her prepare the soup. "Are you all right, Starfire? The past couple of days you've barely said two words."
She frowned as she stirred in a can of milk. "I have not kept count, but I am sure I have said more words than that."
"Not to me." He stepped closer to her. "I've missed talking to you."
"I am sorry."
"It's all right. I know you've been busy. With Robin."
Over her shoulder, Starfire looked at him strangely. "He was badly injured and has required much of my attention."
"You really are way too good," Aqualad said, smiling ruefully. "For him. Maybe for anyone."
"I do not understand what you mean."
"I know." He came up behind her and gently took the spoon from her hand. Turning her around to face him, Aqualad held her face between his hands. "That's a lot of what makes you so good. You don't have any idea…how special you are."
She was shocked at how icy his mouth was against hers, but she probably should have been, considering the rest of him was cool to the touch. It took her a long moment to figure out what was going on. She was being kissed. It was the strangest feeling. Although every movie and book had led her to believe there would be fireworks, the strange feeling wasn't all that great.
Starfire parted her lips to try to protest, but apparently this was a signal of some sort for Aqualad, because instead of letting her go, the kiss grew deeper. Was that his tongue trying to touch hers?
"No!" she cried, twisting her head to the side. "Please do not be upset with me." She looked back at him. "But I cannot do this."
Aqualad understood, or at least that's what he told her, and the incident seemed to pass. Unfortunately neither of them had noticed Robin limp into the kitchen in the middle of their kiss. He left before it ended, just as quietly.
"So. You're just gonna waltz off into the sunset again."
At the door that led out of the Tower, Robin stopped upon hearing Cyborg's deep voice echoing off the metal walls that made up the entranceway. He sighed, winced at the slight pain in his ribs and turned to face his old friend. "It's the middle of the day."
"Not your best comeback ever." Cyborg stepped forward, his massive metal and flesh arms folded tightly. "You're getting soft."
"I'll work on it." A long moment passed. "See ya."
"Wait just one damn minute." Cyborg unfolded his arms. "I've got stuff to say, and this time I'm gonna say it before you run out on us."
Robin frowned. "I didn't run out last time. I gave explanations and fair warning. And the only reason I'm leaving like this now is because I know when I'm not wanted or needed anymore. So this chip on your shoulder…why don't you knock it off and at least try to understand where I'm coming from?"
"Can't do that," Cyborg replied. "See, the way I'm thinking, all those reasons you gave were crap."
"Excuse me?"
"Crap. Poop. Excrement. Bullshit. You don't just go from being our leader to being someone's sidekick, voluntarily, especially. It just don't work that way." He sniffed, triumphantly. "You want me to get rid of my chip…you give me some real reasons why you wanted out."
Robin's temper sparked suddenly. "Why does everyone think I wanted this? Am I the only one who knows anything about duty and sacrifice and loyalties and…and…duty!"
"You said that one already."
"It bears repeating." He pointed one finger at his cybernetic friend. "I owe Batman more than you could ever imagine. I owe him my life." He sighed, his temper deflating. "I was wrong. You can't possibly understand."
Another awkward pause stretched between them until it was almost unbearable. Finally, Cyborg cleared his throat. "At least say goodbye to her. You're big into owing people stuff. You owe her a goodbye."
Robin shook his head. "Star deserves…everything. But I can't…I'm not the right person to give her…what she deserves. Obviously."
"What?"
"Nothing, nothing. So."
"So? Um…so what?"
"I've really gotta get going," Robin continued
Cyborg crossed the distance between them and towered over Robin. To anyone else, it would have been intimidating. But Robin just looked up, meeting his friend's hard stare with a calm one. After what seemed like forever, Cyborg relaxed and clapped a hand against Robin's shoulder, fairly slapping his exposed collar bone. "Do what you gotta do. I don't like it, though. Got it?"
"Got it." Robin smiled weakly. "Thanks." He opened the door, letting in a long shaft of light. "You're doing a really great job with the team. Just so you know."
Cyborg nodded. "Take it easy, Rob." When the door closed behind him, Cyborg looked at the display panel in his arm. A red, blinking light on the mapped screen began to move away from the Tower. He smiled.
"I see you."
Robin returned to an empty mansion. After three days of happy chaos, the silence was overwhelming. He quickly snapped on two TV's and the radio in his room, but he was still surrounded by emptiness. With a sigh, he went into the kitchen, popped a frozen pizza into the oven and started up the stairs to take a long shower.
Once he was dressed, he put on his mask out of nothing but instinct. He realized it a moment later, and was about to take it off, when doorbell rang. Instantly, he was on guard. In order to get to the front door, one had to be buzzed in at the gate. He didn't bother with the stairs, swinging himself down to the foyer instead. Once there, he approached the door with trained caution and looked at the monitor, hidden in a wooden panel. The security camera that watched the front of the house showed something that made his jaw drop.
He grabbed the door and flung it open.
"Starfire." She was there. At Wayne Manor. The house that wasn't supposed to have any connection to Batman or Robin or even Nightwing. He swallowed. If Bruce found out about this when he came back from Fiji, he was not going to be happy. "I don't understand…how did you know where to find me?"
"Forgive me," she asked quietly. "On your neck, you will find a small tracking device."
His hand automatically flew to the back of his neck; he found the chip after a moment and peeled it off. "You shouldn't have, Star. You know I have an identity that has to be kept a secret."
"I am sorry, but when I discovered that you had left, Cyborg informed me that he placed the device on you, so that we might know where to contact you in the future. In truth, I have very little idea where I am." Starfire looked down at the stone stoop. "But even if I did, do you not trust that your secrets, whatever they are, would be safe with me?"
He instantly felt shamed. "Of course I trust you. It's not that. It's just…you surprised me."
"It was unavoidable." She lifted her gaze to meet his. "Twice now you have left us without a proper exchange of farewells. I did not wish for another nine months to pass before we spoke again."
"I didn't think…" Robin sighed. "You seemed pretty occupied. And I had to go, so I just…did." Her lower lip quivered slightly. "I'm sorry."
She bit her lip to keep it still. "What could you imagine would keep me so occupied that I would not have time to say goodbye to my friend?"
He didn't even want to say Aqualad's name out loud, so Robin quickly changed the subject. "Why don't you come in? It's getting cold out there."
Once inside the mansion, his ploy worked, as Starfire was temporarily distracted by the splendor of her surroundings. "It is not a home, but a palace!" she exclaimed. "Do all humans live in such places?"
"Less than a handful," he replied, taking her purple coat and hanging it up. "But speaking of palaces, didn't you used to live in one? On Tamaran?"
"Back home, the royal family tries to set an example by living amongst the people, in homes the same as theirs."
"I didn't know." Robin smiled. "That's kind of cool."
"No. During the summer heats, it is not."
He laughed; his voice echoed off the endless walls. Laughter. How long had it been since this place had experienced any? "God, Star…you're here for two minutes and already you've lit up…" He stopped. "How do you do that?"
She frowned, confused. "What did I do?"
Instead of answering, he took a step closer to her. She smelled like fresh air from her flight; her hair was gently tangled from the winds and her cheeks were flushed. "Nothing wrong, trust me." Robin reached out and touched one tousled lock that hung over her shoulder. "You shouldn't have come here…but I'm so glad you did, Star."
"Robin. Why did you leave without saying goodbye?"
"I can't explain it. I don't have an explanation, at least not one that's good enough. I just…" He stopped. "It's something I have to do."
Her eyes brimmed over with tears, but she kept her chin up. "In the alleyway, before you fell into unconsciousness, you told me that you have missed me. Have you?"
Robin turned away for a moment. "Yes," he admitted in a soft voice. He turned back around. "God, Star…you have no idea how much I've missed you."
"Then how could you stay away for so long? And how could you leave again so soon?"
"I don't know." He ran his fingers underneath the very bottom of his mask. "I'm just trying to do what's right. I'm always trying to do what's right. And one day, I'll actually succeed without hurting anyone."
Starfire sniffed. "It is just such ambition in you that I admire so greatly. But Robin, perhaps, just for once, you could do what makes you happy. Whether it is right or not."
"You don't understand what you're asking." He hesitated. "If I do what you're suggesting…if I just do what I want without thinking about any possible consequences…no!" His head swung back and forth violently. "No, I won't ruin what's good between us just because I can't control myself!"
"I have tried to understand why you always wish to be in such tight control, Robin, but I cannot. And I do not think I ever will." She started for the coat rack, slowly lifting her jacket from the peg it hung on. "I will go now, and promise I shall never let anyone know where you live." Starfire lifted off the ground and floated to the door. "Please do not be a stranger to us anymore. Even if you cannot live with us and be part of our team, it does not mean that we cannot exchange visits. As friends."
She was almost entirely out the door before Robin replied. "Friends." She glanced back at him. "That's just it, Star. I can't be just your friend anymore." The horribly hurt look that crumpled her face broke the remaining bits of his resolve. Robin walked to her and took her hand, urging her to land on her feet. Once she had, he swallowed and forged on. "It's not enough for me."
"Robin?"
He cupped her face in his hands and all she could think about was how warm he was. "Don't go, Star," he begged. "Don't let me run you out of my life. Because it's not much of one without you in it."
She stared up at him, searching his face for something. With her own hands, she reached up and gently tugged his mask up and off. For the first time, Starfire looked Robin in the eye.
"Would you please kiss me now?"
His lips touched hers, hot and soft, and this time, she parted her lips not to speak, but to feel more of him. The kiss grew deeper. Robin pulled her closer; her arms circled his neck.
"Star," he whispered, breaking away long enough to plant a moist kiss just under her jaw. "I need to know that this is what you…"
She cut him off, placing her finger against his mouth. "I understand everything. And I want it, Robin." She kissed him again. "I want this."
Embracing again, Robin leaned down and swept her up into his arms. He took the stairs quickly, heading for his room.
To Be Continued
