Sorry for the long wait. Today a whole new week begins, so you'll see alot more of this story you can be sure. Hope you like it. Enjoy.

Chapter Two

Wonderful News

In the dead of night a young man suddenly awoke in his bed. He sat up straight letting out a loud gasp. He remained in place taking in slow and steady breaths. The one lying next to him stirred and sleepily looked over her shoulder.

"Robin, are you alright? What is it?" He looked down at her and after a moment of thinking up a response he bent down and kissed her on the cheek.

"I'm fine Star." Her eyes gave off their concern filled sparkle.

"You are certain?" He nodded with a small smile.

"Yeah I am, thank you." She nodded but stopped with a small wince. "Are you okay?" She groaned slightly. "It is the nausea again?"

"It is fading." He rose out of bed.

"I'll go get you some pepcid." He put on some sweat pants and groggily made his way into the bathroom. He flicked on the light and after opening the small cabinet on the wall began looking at the variety of containers. Some were written in Tamaranian; he often avoided those no matter how bad he was feeling. He picked out a tiny red lidded bottle and popped out a few pills. He returned to the darkened bedroom and set the pills and glass of water on Starfire's nightstand. She took them gratefully and saw him walking outside again.

"Robin, are you absolutely certain you are untroubled?" He stopped and looked back at her.

"I'm just fine Star; it was nothing….just a dream." He then walked out of their bedroom and out on the front porch. It was near three hours until dawn and the crickets could still be heard making their echoing music throughout the trees. The Teen Titans had been disbanded for almost three and half years now, though to Robin it seemed much longer. Bruce had offered Robin and Starfire a place at the manor but they decided a home of their own and away from the city were much better. They were still residents of Jump City but enjoyed the country side a lot more. He walked up to the edge and gripped one of the supports holding up the awning above him. Two weeks from now would be their fifth wedding anniversary; they had already celebrated the third of two other friends of theirs. Robin stared upwards and made out at least four or five star constellations. Though no matter how elongated or misshaped they were they all somehow formed into the one he left inside the house. Not taking his eyes off the sky Robin reached up to his chest and gripped something around his neck. Never have they forgotten the gift given to them by an old friend.

Both Robin and Starfire were completely at a loss for words.

"Oh Himora…we cannot accept this."

"Yeah this was yours," stuttered Robin. "Who are we to just take it…?" He began to hand it back but Himora intercepted him and pushed it back.

"You are good friends; I can finally let them go." He limped up to Robin. "Life is but a breath in eternity. Cherish her Robin, wake up every morning and thank God you are with her." Robin closed his hand tightly over the gift.

"I already do." Feeling weak at the knees Starfire leant up against Robin and used his arm and shoulder for support. Himora smiled and nodded.

"Then good luck, I hope we see other again in the future." He extended his open hand. Robin put an arm around Starfire and shook Himora's hand.

"Likewise."

Robin moved his thumb aside and looked down at the wallet size photo of Starfire inside his half of the locket. He then felt two hands moved up his back and to his shoulders, where upon he then felt a head rest up against him. He reached back with a smile and held her hand.

"How you feeling Star?"

"Much better Robin, thank you." He sat down a swinging bench and beckoned her to follow him. She promptly seated herself beside him and rested her sleepy head against his shoulder. "You do not wish to discuss what is troubling you then?"

"There's nothing wrong with me Star something just didn't agree with me, that's all. It must've been that weird tea Raven brought for dinner; you know that stuff smelled kinda funny." She bounced slightly as she let out a series of giggles. She calmed herself.

"I am serious though Robin, forgive me but you simply cannot hide these things from me. I believe Beast Boy would say you attempts are 'totally lame'." He looked down at her and she had a sleepy-eyed grin.

"Maybe you should go back to bed."

"I will, as soon as you speak with me." Robin playfully rolled his eyes knowing good and well there was no way out.

"Oh do I gotta," he whined. She closed her eyes and smiled.

"You must." He finally surrendered and paused for a moment. He honestly wasn't sure what drove him out of bed and onto the front porch. He cocked his head back straining to find the answer.

"I don't know honestly," he answered truthfully. "I was dreaming, at least I think I was dreaming, and all of a sudden it was like an enormous disturbance jolted me from my sleep. I felt cold…unsettled." Starfire raised herself up and stared at him concern now adorning her face.

"Do you believe you have had some sort of, premonition?" He shook his head.

"Naa, Raven's the one who would be getting those sorts of things. Again I think I just had too much to eat or something or maybe I'm allergic green tea-"

"But Robin I am serious." He hushed and set his arm on the chair's armrest. "Have you not learned from our past experiences that feelings such as this cannot go ignored? Who is to say that you are merely suffering from an allergenic reaction, and who is to say it is something else?"

He took her shoulders. "Please Star, can we just forget about it? It was nothing, I promise." He cast a fleeting glance only to have returned it with a look of worry. "I don't want you to be worrying about me, especially not right now; you've already got too much on your mind."

"My employee interview can most certainly be pushed aside to tend to your needs. You are my husband, please…let me be your wife." She put a hand to his cheek and moved his gaze to hers. He was then consumed by those pools of emerald he had fallen in love with years ago. He took her hand and kissed her lightly.

"Star, don't think I don't appreciate everything you do for me. I thank God I'm with you everyday. You can trust me, I'm fine. As long as I'm with you I'm fine." She hesitantly stared up at him and finally nodded with a smile. "Now lets talk about something more important like you new job."

"The position is not entirely mine yet," clarified Starfire. Robin waved his hand dismissively.

"Ahh it'll be yours, all the CIO has to do get a look at the awesome personality of yours. Which might I add is also very sexy." She gave him a playful but slightly stinging whack. He burst out laughing as she continued to smack him against the shoulder, small bits of laughter escaping her. She and Robin finally died down after he surrendered numerous times. He rubbed his shoulder with a sly grin. "You haven't lost your touch." She lay back down against him with a soft "hmp." Her vow of silence however was quickly ended when she remembered something.

"Please will you accompany me today to shop for our new dinnerware?" Robin scratched the back of his head.

"Well you know you're actually the expert when it comes to picking out stuff for the house so I'm not sure what I could do to help."

"I desire your opinion on such matters," she stated plainly. "It is of course your house also." Robin looked about the porch and bobbed his head into a nod.

"Well yeah I guess you could go ahead and say that-"

"Wonderful! Thank you Robin," she exclaimed. She kissed him on the cheek and skipped back inside. He remained seated with a small smile.

"Your welcome."

ON THE OUTSKIRTS OF JUMP CITY…………………

A slender and swift figure landed on a rock being hit again and again by the waves on Jump City's beach. The figure surveyed the surrounding area taking in every last detail. Taka removed her ninjistu style mask allowing the moonlight to illuminate her features. It had been so long since she visited Jump City she felt a little afraid of returning to someplace slightly strange to her. But she had no choice, something was happening and she had to worn the only people whom she knew could help her. Taka removed a small telescope from her side and moved her sight along the water until she spotted Titans Tower. She moved the scope away from her eye, confused as to how deserted it looked. Taka stuffed the telescope away and quickly looked over her shoulder. She felt as if a malevolent presence was impending upon her. With a nervous sigh she slipped her mask back on and hopped along the many rocks toward Titans Tower. From atop one of the spires on the bridge 'Blackfire' stood with her arms crossed.

"You shall not elude me for much longer." She spoke to herself. Her voice, deep, distant, and echoing.

THAT AFTERNOON………………..

Robin walked down one the isles of the small kitchen supply store with Jump City. He sighed in semi-boredom walking past a number of minuscule kitchen appliances and cook books. He arched a brow at one book and picked it up.

"Polynesian cooking for dummies?" He shook his head and set the book back down. Starfire rounded the corner and smiled at the sight of him.

"Robin, there you are. I require your assistance." She took his wrist and began tugging him about the various stands and shelves.

"What's the problem," asked Robin dodging other people and fragile displays. She stopped before two different dinner plates and held them up in each hand. One had a hand painting of the Atlantic Ocean with the sunset off to the side while the other depicted a lighthouse showing a lone mariner the way home. "I find I am unable to decide which would be more visually pleasing. I believe I like this one," she said pointing the one with the lighthouse. "Tell me Robin, which do you prefer?" Robin took a fleeting look at them and shrugged.

"I dunno, whichever you like." Starfire sighed.

"You are not being very helpful." Robin lightly chuckled.

"Well what difference does it really make Star it's gonna have food on it." She gave him a slightly admonished look making him scratch the back of his neck nervously. He finally pointed to the one she showed desire for. "I like that one."

She smiled. "Thank you Robin." With a peck on his cheek she informed the nearest employee of the set of her choice and he packaged it all up for her. While Starfire paid for their items Robin patiently waited by the door only to be broken out of his silence by the ring of his cell phone. He pulled it out and flipped it open.

"Hello?" Starfire pulled her windbreaker on and followed Robin outside. "No BB I haven't forgotten. Why are you so worried about my memory these days?" He paused to hear his friend's reply. Starfire watched him roll his eyes. "Just because I forgot to mail off your bills this last the month, which might I add is your responsibility, doesn't mean I have a bad memory." Starfire looked away with a small giggle. She remembered when Beast Boy approached him asking for a small favor. "Whatever, is Cyborg coming tonight?...Good, its getting hard to find substitutes these days. Alright I'll see you both in a little while…..Oh we'll see about that. Later." He hung up his phone and stuffed it away. With a nod at his wife he curled an arm around her waist as they walked.

"What did you mean 'we will see about that'," asked Starfire.

"Oh, Beast Boy said tonight's the night he's gonna finally beat me. And to tell you the truth I hope it is, I've lost count how many times he's said that before we play."

"It is only admiration that he expresses through the desire to defeat you," she said calmly.

"Yeah well you'd think Raven would have been able to teach him a better way to do that by now."

"Give them time Robin; they have only been joined for three years." Robin shrugged.

"I suppose." She bit her lip.

"I was wondering Robin…if perhaps I could accompany you with our friends tonight?" Robin looked at her curiously.

"Sure, but I don't think you've ever bowled before. Have you?"

"Not to my knowledge. But it will be alright, you can teach me." Robin smiled and shifted his head from side to side.

"I guess I will."

LATER THAT NIGHT……………..

A fifteen pound bowling ball slid down the right side of the lane then hooked into the pocket needed to knock every single pin down. The computer awarded Cyborg a strike and he initiated his signature victory celebration.

"BOYAHHHH! STRIKE-OLA!" He did the electric slide back to his seat where upon Beast Boy pointed to the score board.

"Hello…mission control to shuttle Cyborg, it's only the second frame. The game is far from being your game."

"Uh huh, yeah whatever," said Cyborg semi-ignoring him. He looked around the general area. "Where's Rob it's his turn. Man I hate it when he does this." He looked over his shoulder and saw Robin teaching Starfire some pinball. "YOW ROBIN!" He looked over at him and Cyborg jerked his head toward the lane.

"I guess I'm up," said Robin. Starfire smiled and waved goodbye as Robin walked on over to his two friends.

"You Robin there's a good reason why we officially declared this night 'Man Night.' You know not that I don't like having Starfire around it's just that-"

"She just wanted to play tonight because she was curious," said Robin wiping down his ball. His bowing ball was jet black with his old 'Robin' insignia on it. He stepped onto the throwing area lane and took aim. Upon approaching the fowl line he brought his back then forward, releasing the ball and letting it roll to its target. Robin hit the head pin dead on, a mistake leaving him the ten pin all the way off to the side. Beast Boy let out some hushed chuckling.

"Come on Rob don't make this so easy." Robin grinned as the ball return surrendered Robin's ball.

"I'm not." Without even looking Robin rolled the ball behind him and it rode the edge of the lane all the way to the pin he left standing. He sat down where upon he was joined by Starfire. "One spare or two never hurt anyone." Beast Boy smirked and cracked his knuckles.

"Well this is still your last night as king." With that Beast Boy rose to take his turn. Starfire tugged Robin's sleeve forcing him to look away from Beast Boy's attempt.

"I do not understand, what is the 'spare'. I assumed if one was to hit all ten pins then it constitutes a strike."

"Well Star you have to hit all ten pins on your first try in order to get a strike. If you leave one or more you have a chance to knock those down too. If you do that's called a 'spare.' Get it?" She bobbed her head a little hesitantly. "Don't worry you'll be alright, you'll work it out." Beast Boy took his turn and sat down after picking up his own spare. The screen now read that it was Starfire's turn and she apprehensively walked up to the ball return. She carefully looked over each and every ball meticulously, scanning them up close and far away. They all watched her curiously then Cyborg slowly nodded.

"That's good Star, find your ball." She picked out a light pink one with white swirls in it and walked up to the lane. Robin walked up behind her and began pointing out the various dots and arrows on the lane and how they affected her throw. He sat back down with an anxious/hopeful look.

Beast Boy said; "Its okay Star don't be disappointed and such in your first try you don't get a-" She threw her ball and seconds later she jumped up and down giggling triumphantly. He gawked at the pin-less lane ahead of them. "Strike." She ran up to Robin where he met her and spun her around in a circle.

"Awesome job Star!" Said Cyborg giving her a pat on the back. She and Robin quieted and sat down in their seats.

"That really was good Star," complimented Robin.

"Really?"

"Yeah I never got a strike on my first try. Well done." He beamed at her making her smile back. The rotation went thus for awhile, Starfire continued to score with a strike until at last the picture of a turkey appeared by her name.

"Look at that Star got a turkey!" Cyborg pronounced the news proudly to everyone in earshot. Many who heard nodded in recognition or gave a few good applause. Starfire however cast her gaze about everyone a little puzzled.

"Please what does a celebratory bird have to do with my score?" Robin chuckled and did his explaining.

"You get a turkey when you get three strikes in a row." She nodded and set her ball down.

"If you will excuse me Robin, I am feeling a little dizzy I need some water." Robin immediately stood up.

"Are you okay, what's the matter?"

"I am fine Robin. I simply need to rest for a moment." Agreeing that it was merely the ecstasy of scoring well Robin nodded and sat back down with Cyborg and Beast Boy. Starfire meanwhile walked up to the food stand and politely ordered a glass of water. While Cyborg took his turn Robin turned to Beast Boy.

"Hey I wanted to tell you that we're gonna have to have dinner tomorrow night instead of next week." Beast Boy shifted his eyes about.

"Why? What's that matter?"

"Nothing, I just wanted to surprise Star with a little anniversary getaway I guess. Anyway I have it all planned out but we're leaving next week so dinner's not for then. You and Raven aren't too busy are you? Because if you are we'll gladly have it when we get back." Beast Boy waved his hand dismissively.

"Its okay tomorrow will be fine." Cyborg walked back up to them with a smug look on his face.

"You know Rob I'd be a little worried if I were you, cause chances are we're gonna have a new king tonight!"

"Excuse me Cy but this is my 'challenge Robin night'," insisted Beast Boy. Cyborg walked up to him and narrowed his eyes.

"I'll play you for it."

"You're on." Robin rolled his eyes and looked over his shoulder at Starfire she took a few tired sips of her water and walked back over to them.

"You alright?" She nodded and was about to answer when she stopped short. "Starfire what's wrong?" She furrowed her brow.

"Is…it hot in here?" Without another word Starfire collapsed to the floor but was caught by Robin's awaiting arms. Cyborg and Beast Boy saw the whole thing and came running up.

"Yo what's up is she okay," asked Cyborg.

"I don't know, I'm taking her to the hospital."

"We're right behind ya," said Beast Boy.

JUMP CITY GENERAL………….

Robin, Cyborg, and Beast Boy paced around in the hallway waiting to hear what they hoped would be good news. A nurse appeared and approached them. Robin beat the others to her and nodded.

"Well, what's gong on?"

"Doctor Elliot has a prognosis but has decided to keep her here overnight for further analysis."

"Further analysis? She's Starfire not a test tube," snapped Robin. The nurse put up her hand.

"I understand, we'll bring her back in the morning. Trust me she'll be perfectly okay." Cyborg walked up behind Robin and put a hand on his shoulder. He glanced back then returned his eyes to the nurse.

"Will you at least tell me what's wrong?"

"I'm sorry, but I'm afraid I don't know." She turned and began walking back. Robin stayed rooted on the spot for a long while, trying to make sense out of what was going on.

"Come on Rob," said Cyborg. Reluctantly he turned and went with Cyborg and Beast Boy.

--------

Robin waited beyond impatiently at home, pacing back and forth so many times it's a wonder he didn't wear a hole in the floor. He tried to take his mind off it by watching a little TV but found he'd stray away from the program and go back to thinking about Starfire. He looked at the clock, it read eight thirty pm, and groaned loudly.

"Tomorrow is not going to come soon enough." As if hearing his complaint two headlights appeared as they came up the driveway. Robin scrambled over to the window hoping this wasn't some kind of delivery or something. He saw a man get down and then help Starfire out of the car. He walked her to the door and in the same instant Robin flung it open. The man tipped his hat to her.

"Have a goodnight."

"Thank you I will." He returned to his vehicle and drove off. She walked in with Robin.

"I thought you weren't going to be home until tomorrow morning." Starfire shrugged.

"I decided I was well enough to return home a little earlier."

"Oh. Say what was wrong in the first place, I mean you seemed fine when we got to the bowling alley. Are you allergic to something?" She smiled and shook her head.

"Oh no nothing is wrong."

"Then what's up." She took his hand and led him to the sofa. Upon sitting down she took his hand.

"Robin, I have the most wonderful news." He continued to stare at her bemused. Starfire's eyes became bright and misty looking deep into Robin's. "Robin…I am pregnant."

What a place to end it huh? I know I could be sought out and hung for this type of cliff hangery. Well I'll update soon, how's that sound? Hope you enjoyed this chapter, Laters!