6. First impressions.

"So er, meteor is the most powerful card ever then?"

Asked Chris scanning the deck in his hands. Cyborg looked up from his own cards with an almost frightened look.

"Yeah, you don't have it do you?"

"Nope."

Chris lied easily. It seemed to him that with this apparently 'legendary' card victory was assured. He was content that should the situation deteriorate he could deploy the card whenever he deemed it necessary. Happy in the knowledge that victory would be inevitable, he settled in for the long wait, the wait for the killing blow to be struck. Fate however had other plans. From the direction of the door through which Raven had departed came the sounds of girlish laughter and giggling. Chris looked over his cards in anticipation, this certainly didn't sound like Raven, if it was then things were about to get very, very interesting. Beast Boy put down his cards showing everyone his truly awful hand, he turned to Chris and quickly said.

"Get ready dude."

Chris was just on the verge of asking whether this was the Titan Starfire, whom they had described to him earlier. When the door opened suddenly to reveal non other than, Starfire. She came at him like a banshee; Chris had just the time to close his eyes before contact was made. Considering the speed she had been going Chris was surprised at how gracefully she had been able to stop and embracing him in a way that did his ribs no good whatsoever lift him into the air. He opened his eyes, or more accurately they bulged out so much it was the only thing to do. He was glad that he had not been tackled head on, sent flying through the window and then ended up coated on the rocky half of the island below.

Cyborg and Beast Boy were looking up in a mixture of wonder, concern and amusement. As Chris began to black out, as much from the pain in his ribs as from the lack of oxygen, he could hear the Titans below shouting for Starfire to release him. She did so and he fell the several feet back to the floor. On most occasions he would have taken the drop quite well, however with his head swimming from his near suffocation he lost his balance and ended up on his back looking up into the large emerald green eyes of a very attractive purple clad teenaged girl standing above him. A hand was offered to him and once again that morning he was pulled to his feet after a fall by a girl.

"My apologies newcomer Chris, I was so overjoyed on hearing of your recovery I forgot your injuries, please may I have your forgiveness?"

Chris looked at the tall redhead with a look of puzzlement on his face, which was rapidly regaining its colour. He shot a look at the others who were still standing at the table, they shrugged.

"No apologies necessary, er, Starfire, it's nice to er, finally meet you."

Chris hoped that this response would be acceptable and would not lead to a similar incident like that which he had had with Raven, no more listening through doors tonight, he told himself. At his words Starfire's eyes widened, at first Chris thought that he had somehow said something insulting or otherwise inappropriate. However he was relived if somewhat annoyed when she smiled again and drew him into another bone crunching hug. He was amazed by the strength that she was able to put into what he would otherwise call a pleasant action.

"Huuuuuuuu, that's nice, er Starfire, ribs, lungs, oxygen."

Starfire once again released him and he managed to stay on his feet as he staggered back over to the table.

"I have many questions for you."

She said with barely disguised joy, Chris looked up from the table which he had been leaning on and simply replied.

"Oh."

She began her questions like a machine gun, apparently oblivious to the less than enthusiastic response from Chris.

"Please, where are you from, how did you get here, what is your favourite colour, how old are you, do you intend to remain here for long, how are you feeling and do you wish to be my friend?"

By the time that the seventh question had been delivered in that rapid fashion Starfire's face was inches from his own, and he was already leaning uncomfortably back. Chris was reeling from the questions as if each one had been a blow to the head, but he was determined to answer them, if for no other reason than to just halt her own questions.

"Er, well, England, hiked, red, 15, er, if you don't mind, ok considering and nothing would give me greater honour."

Chris finished unsurely, he thought he had answered correctly and in as polite an attitude as possible, but with his head still swimming he was unsure. After a seconds pause Starfire grinned almightily and shouted joyously.

"Oh hello new friend!"

Chris knew what was coming and again closed his eyes as for the third time he was gripped in a vice like hug. His head swam, his eyes watered, there was a distinct crunch, and for the fourth time in recent history Chris felt himself slipping into the cold blackness of unconsciousness.

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"Whoa, whoa, star put him down!"

Shouted a voice from behind them, Beast Boy turned to see the team leader enter from the same door as had Starfire. He turned back to the spectacle before him and saw Chris lifelessly fall back into his seat. Beast Boy had heard the crunch and it had turned his stomach. Now he wondered just what else could happen to him, inside he felt guilty, he had after all caused Chris a significant part of the pain he had suffered. He had made the unfortunate mistake of picking up Chris off the alley floor; he had thought it was the right thing to do, as it turned out, it wasn't. He could still hear the scream of pain which had been emitted from Chris when he was lifted.

After that he had made the mistake with the cat, that had been bad, for a moment he had thought Chris to be dead, but Raven had placed him back on the bed and told them to leave, something which he had been all to ready to do. Now after all that he was feeling very sorry for the long suffering Englishman, who seemed nice enough to him. Chris raised his head with a low groan, like that of an un-amused lion, Beast Boy thought.

"I am not having a good day."

Said Chris in a very bad humoured voice.

"So it would seem."

Said the team leader, extending his hand. Chris looked at the hand suspiciously, after a few seconds he stood, took and shook it. Chris seemed slightly less frightened at the prospect of a conversation with the team leader. This Beast Boy assumed was because of their striking similarity. Height wise they were very similar, they both had dark hair, and while one wore a mask Chris's eyes gave nothing away either. Beast Boy had not really examined Chris properly up until now, after all that had happened he had not really concerned himself with appearance, but now that it seemed that he might be spending some time there, the night at least, he decided it was time to learn all he could.

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Chris sat back down and looked at the boy standing in front of him. He was the same height as him, perhaps a few inches taller. He was wearing a strange uniform as well as a mask. Something about not being able to see his eyes didn't sit well with Chris, he felt as if he couldn't see the real person, only what they wanted him to see. Shaking off the feeling he continued his observation, the person he saw before him, who was obviously fit and he could almost sense a sort of energy within him, like a coiled spring. From the 'R' on his uniform and his cool air of authority Chris was left in no doubt as to just who this was.

"Robin, I presume."

He said in as respectful a voice as he could muster.

"Right, how are you feeling?"

Chris was really getting sick of that question now, and with the new taste of blood in his mouth from the vicious hugs he was very tempted to reply in a truthful manner. He didn't however and contented himself with.

"Not too bad, thanks to you and your team."

Robin smiled at this response and nodded.

"Yes well you didn't do to badly by yourself, I erm, I'm sorry we didn't arrive sooner."

Chris looked at the table as the waves of self loathing and shame washed through him once again.

"Thanks, you did your best."

He said quietly. Even Starfire was silent and frowning now. Chris looked up and gave a weak smile. This seemed to reassure the other Titans who were all silently watching him, as if expecting him to suddenly begin crying. He decided to break the silence, but was unsure how, as it happened he was saved the task.

"Her name, did you know her name?"

Chris shook his head.

"Oh, well it was Peiper, Heather Peiper."

The name meant nothing to Chris, but already within himself he could feel the burning rage anew. This new closeness to the now dead girl made his failure feel all the more real and utter. He hadn't just failed to protect some random girl, he had failed to protect Heather Peiper, Heather Peiper would never again take a living breath because of his weakness.

This was not just another face in an endless reel of those he had failed or lost, it was now a face with a name, a name that led to a family, a mourning family, a family mourning because of his ineptness. The screams started again, but now with Heather's added, deep and quiet at first but soon to be replaced by the heart wrenching shrieks of fear and pain. A firm gloved hand to his left shoulder seemed to pull his head above the surface of his own thoughts.

"It wasn't your fault Chris, nobody could have done more, nobody could have asked more."

Again that hollow remark, Chris had heard it from Cyborg already, and it didn't seem any truer coming from Robin. They all knew that had it been any of the Titans there in the alley instead of him then Heather would still be alive, alive and with her family, already on the road to forgetting about her terrible ordeal. But not now, and all because of him. The realisation of it all just seemed too much, but he wouldn't burden his saviours with it not now. He would do what he always did, he would bottle it up, cast it to the dark part at the back of his mind, it would come back ten times worse, it always did, but at least he wouldn't be going to pieces in front of the people who were currently staring at him. He looked up forced a smile and asked in a matter of fact tone.

"Anybody care for something to eat?"

The Titans looked back at him in amazement. I really must stop changing my attitude so quickly Chris told himself. After a few seconds of staring Chris made a sudden movement of his head and hands that said 'well'. Robin seemed to consider something for a moment and then smiling slightly said.

"I think I'll try the omelette."

Chris smiled and headed over towards the kitchen area once again, content that Raven had spread the word of the culinary skills of this particular Englishman. Starfire hovered up behind him causing him to turn from his preparations. She was floating a few feet of the ground making Chris's head level with her stomach, she bent forward smiling and said.

"Please may I partake in your, hom let."

Chris was leaning back over the worktop and could feel the knife he had laid out ready to chop the ingredients digging viciously into his back. He nodded and answered in a voice that barely disguised his pain.

"Sure, no problem."

Starfire smiled hugely and leaned in even closer.

"And perhaps after the consuming of the, hom let, you will tell me of your homeland?"

Chris leant just a few inches further back, truly petrified by this girl's forward attitude. He felt a sudden pain in his back and knew what that meant.

"Fine sure, whatever you want."

Said Chris while trying to lift himself of the ground so as to relieve the pressure on the knife.

"Oh glorious, I cannot wait!"

Shouted Starfire as she flew back to Robin's side. Robin noticed the look on Chris's face and asked.

"Is everything all right?"

Chris looked up while pulling the knife out of his back.

"Oh fine, just thinking about something."

The Titans came and sat around the table.

"Yo Chris, hit me with one of those omelette's will ya."

Said Cyborg as he took his seat.

"Me to."

Added Beast Boy eagerly. Chris nodded and turned his back on them, inspecting the knife as he did so. There was a small amount of blood on the tip, the blade hadn't gone deep, it still hurt though. As he began his preparations in the now fairly familiar kitchen he became aware of the same hushed conversation as before, even with his superb hearing he was unable to make out what was being discussed properly, whatever it was though it was apparent that Robin was asking a question and that the others were all for it. He hoped that they were considering allowing him to stay the night; he would really need to stay somewhere until he could get some essential supplies together. He would need those before he could begin his next hike along the coast. He continued with the task at hand, making sure to leave some aside for himself he began to cook the first of the omelettes. He started a second one on another of the cookers burners and filled his glass from before with water, he took a sip and joined the others at the table. He was happy to find that the conversation didn't stop abruptly when he sat down and instead continued as if he wasn't there.

"No man, have a heart, we haven't had any sleep all night."

"That's why training has been rescheduled for the afternoon."

"Come on, even if we go to bed straight after this we'll still only be getting about five hours."

"Well maybe you should have gone to bed when Raven did instead of staying around for seconds."

Said Robin indicating Chris.

"Say Chris, do you think we should be forced to go through a training session in the afternoon, after, well, after all that has happened in the last few hours."

Cyborg finished rather feebly as he realised just what he was saying. Chris noticed this too and felt annoyed that his new friends should have to feel so uncomfortable around him.

"I don't know, I guess you do deserve some time off, but, it's not up to me, the leader's decision is final."

Chris wasn't really sure just what had made him say the last part; he did believe that they deserved a break after saving him, but why he had said what he had about Robin eluded him. Whatever the reason Robin seemed impressed.

"There, the decision is final."

He said turning from Chris and back to Cyborg. Chris looked away as he got some questionable looks from Cyborg and Beast Boy. He was about to try and add something that would assist Cyborg in his attempts to avoid the apparently unpopular training sessions when the sound of burning omelette gave him an excuse not to. He rushed over and turned out the first omelette and onto a plate. The second wasn't far behind and so he didn't wait for it to start burning. After this he looked behind him at the four waiting Titans who were all looking at him now.

"Er, who wants the first two?"

He asked, aware that he would be eating last no matter what happened. Cyborg and Beast Boy leapt at the opportunity, but Chris felt that it was wrong that they should eat first again, so he made his feelings clear.

"No chance, you two are next, the others must be hungry and you have already pigged out on waffles."

At these words the looks of merriment on Cyborg and Beast Boy's faces died and changed to ones of jealousy as they watched Chris deposit the hot food in front of Robin and Starfire. They looked at the food with somewhat different expressions, Robin gave it a look of suspicion for a second, as if he was expecting Chris to poison him; however one look from Cyborg and Beast Boy seemed all the reassurances he needed. Starfire on the other hand was it seemed filled with curiosity and joy at trying something new. Chris collected five knives and five forks from a draw and placed them in front of each respective Titan. Cyborg and Beast Boy looked at the cutlery and sighed, Robin and Starfire began to eat, Robin at first seemed cautious and like Raven took a small piece to test, thankfully also like Raven he smiled and without further ado began eating happily, only pausing to say.

"Nice, really good Chris."

Starfire had no such suspicions and was hooked from the first bite, Chris would later learn that it was hard to find anything that Starfire would not happily consume, but at the time he was simply content with her words.

"Glorious, absolutely glorious, it is perhaps the greatest substance that I have consumed all day new friend Chris."

Not sure exactly how to react to this apparent compliment, Chris changed the subject quickly.

"Want something to wash it down with?"

They nodded.

"Er, soda?"

Chris said as he knew of nothing else he could offer other than water or herbal tea.

"Sure."

Answered Robin, Starfire's response was somewhat more elaborate.

"Oh yes new friend Chris, I do wish to partake in the, so da, that would be the perfect beverage of choice to go with the, hom let."

She smiled hugely, slightly scaring Chris; he stepped back involuntarily and spun round as images of waiting knives flooded his mind. He realised what he was doing and tried to cover his foolishness with a quick response.

"Coming right up."

He paused in mid movement.

"Er, you two chaps want anything?"

"Well it's nice to be noticed."

Replied Cyborg.

"That's a yes then is it?"

He and Beast Boy nodded. Chris turned to the fridge and doing his best to avoid the strange item of before grabbed four cans. He took them to the table and placed one in front of every Titan, before returning to the kitchen area to begin the next round of omelettes. As they began to cook he returned to the table, still thirsty he had again refilled his glass of water. He had no sooner sat down than Starfire looked up from her food and smiling again proceeded to bombard him with questions.

"Please friend, I wish to know all about you, please tell me you're likes, dislikes, favourite food, favourite place and where you learnt to cook so especially wonderfully?"

Chris was annoyed to find that he had once again involuntarily leant back and that he was obviously doing so, as shame coloured his face he did his best to answer the questions, all the time secretly hoping for the sound of burning omelette.

"Well er, I like, er, you guys."

It had been the first thing that flew into his head, he didn't know why he had said it, he was tired and still suffering from a possible concussion, in the future Chris would blame a lot of his irrational behaviour on those factors, but right there and then he was simply left with what he had just said.

"This is true?"

Asked Starfire clearly delighted. Inwardly damning himself Chris decided that he would just have to go with the flow, so to speak.

"Well yeah, I've read all about you're team and all the great things you've done, it's really an honour to meet you guys."

The four Titans all looked proudly at each other, even Starfire remained silent. Chris for the first time in his life wished that something he was cooking would start to burn; all that he was saying was true, but that didn't stop it being uncomfortable to say out loud.

"Thanks Chris, that's very decent of you to say."

Said Robin, apparently feeling he must say something back to this obvious compliment.

"You're welcome."

Said Chris, who then virtually dived for the kitchen area as the mildest hint of a burning sound started. He was safe, Chris thought to himself, he would have to be more careful though, if he didn't want to end up saying something really stupid in front of these guys. He didn't know why, but he felt he could trust them with anything, he felt at home with them, safe and secure, in short he really liked them all, even Raven with her dark and dangerous attitude. But he wouldn't let himself get attached, no, he wouldn't, soon he would have to leave, and getting attached would only make his departure that much harder.

Experience was a cruel teacher.

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Robin watched Chris as he tended to the two omelettes that had just finished cooking. Chris seemed to be very jumpy around Starfire, Robin found this amusing, as he knew that Starfire was the most gentle, caring, understanding, friendly and loving person anybody could ever hope to meet. He supposed that she could be a tad frightening to someone that didn't know her, still, he would get used to that, perhaps. Robin leant into the centre of the table and continued the conversation that he had been forced to change the subject of when Chris had come back over.

"So, you think he has what it takes?"

He asked the question quickly and quietly, his gaze never leaving Chris's turned back. He had already asked this question once before but had received no definite answer as Chris had returned to the table.

"I believe friend Chris has this, 'what it takes', I believe he has already proved this to us all."

"He would make a valuable asset to the team, I mean even just as cook it would be worth it."

Added Cyborg his mind once again wandering to the subject of waffles.

"Yeah, plus he totally rules at video games."

Put in Beast Boy loudly. The others all glared at him, and Chris turned round for a second to be greeted by four faces all smiling at him, smiling too much, he quickly looked away. Robin looked at Beast Boy and shook his head before continuing.

"We need Raven's opinion, besides we still don't know if he would accept, we need to check his background, we cant afford some weirdo on the team, no matter how well he cooks or plays video games."

He ended looking at Cyborg and Beast Boy. Chris walked over and deposited the two warm plates of food in front of Cyborg and Beast Boy. Robin pondered Chris's lack of food and asked as much.

"Where's you're food Chris?"

Chris looked away from the rapidly eating Cyborg and Beast Boy who were both giving him the thumbs up sign.

"I am going to do mine now, I just wanted to make sure you lot were happy, it's the least I could do after you, got me out of there."

Chris's voice trailed off as he finished the sentence, Robin nodded and Chris once again walked over towards the kitchen area. Robin watched him go and felt a moment of sadness for him, he had been through so much and yet he was still putting others first, by eating last he was showing this. It was a rare trait Robin thought, he must blame himself greatly for the girls death, those sort of people always do. He would talk to him alone at some point, man to man, it would help him to let go of the guilt he thought. Besides, Robin told himself, if this stranger was to even be considered as a member of the team then there could be no risk of him cracking up under the pressure. Robin would need to get a good first impression of him before he made his final decision on that matter. Chris seemed to be staying over by the cooker now, good; this was the time Robin needed to finish the important conversation with the three present members of the team.

"So we all agree that we should give him a chance?"

Several nodding heads were the response. Robin nodded also and then said in a firm tone that left no misunderstanding of his seriousness.

"Ok, but he gets one chance, one, if he proves to be a good team member then we ask him to join, but we do no favours, none, we cant afford to let anybody new on the team for the wrong reasons, not this early, not before we can trust them properly."

He looked at each individual member of the team that was sitting at the table, and each member nodded grimly, he would have to go and speak to Raven about this, there was little point even if she disagreed she would still be outvoted, but even so it would be wrong to not inform her.

"So are we agreed?"

"Yes Robin."

Answered Starfire, Cyborg nodded and Beast Boy after a moment of hesitation looking at Chris's turned back answered.

"Yes, but you know, I think we can trust him, he seems like a real nice guy."

"Nice won't cut it on this team."

Responded Robin darkly.

"I meant good, he seems like a real good guy, why else would he have risked it all to save that girl?"

Robin had to admit that Chris had fought well, but it was this that troubled him about this English stranger the most. Had he started that trouble in the first place, was he really responsible for the girls' needless death, it would certainly explain his apparent guilt. If so then he didn't belong on any team of Robin's. Robin refused to take the side of the underdog, the situation was to important to be classifying anybody as good or bad, not yet, not before they had seen the proof. The thought reminded Robin of the 'proof' in question, he pulled a small video recording tape out of the small bag he had stashed under the table and looked at it, the answers were in there, somewhere.

"What that Robin?"

Asked Beast Boy looking at the tape.

"It is the video recording device that Robin procured from an establishment near to the scene of the tragic death."

Answered Starfire looking sorrowful as she uttered the last words.

"Its from a surveillance camera from a video store across the street, it was pointing in the right direction, it might give us a clue as to just what happened with him and the girl.

Said Robin indicating Chris, as he began to place the tape in his pocket Cyborg stuck out his hand.

"Here let me take a look."

Robin hesitated a moment, unwilling to hand over the key piece of the puzzle, he however placed the tape into Cyborg's outstretched hand. Cyborg looked at the tape and sighed.

"This is a really old model of tape; the quality is going to be awful."

Robin nodded grimly.

"I know, but its all we have, think you can do anything with it?"

Cyborg looked at the tape and breathed out while shaking his head.

"I'll try but no matter what I do its still going to run like one of those black and white horror movies BB likes."

Beast Boy looked at Cyborg with an angry look, he pulled the bottom half of his right eyelid down and stuck out his tong. Robin rolled his eyes behind his mask and sighed.

"Well I don't care how bad it is as long as it gives us some proof that Chris didn't start that whole thing, that's all I want."

"You think he started it?"

Asked Cyborg shocked.

"I don't know, but if he did then he's responsible for that girl's death, and he certainly doesn't belong on this team."

The others nodded seeing the logic behind it all at last. Back at the kitchen Chris had finished his waiting and had his omelette, with yet another glass of water he walked over to the table and sat down. He looked at the sitting Titans who all smiled back, almost nervously. He began to eat, quickly, with speed that revealed just how hungry he had been.

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Chris noticed the strange smiles he was getting and wondered just what had been said while his back had been turned. Whatever it was Chris thought, it was definitely about him. He smiled back and received even more of the forced nervous smiles. Oh no, thought Chris sarcastically, to get this I really must have made a good first impression.

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Well there's chapter six, sorry it took a while, had to think it up, thanks for the reviews, yes I can now say reviews because I have two now. Thank you 'princessdza' for you're review, you have helped me more than you could possibly imagine. For all those who haven't reviewed well, thanks for reading you lazy lot, anyway next chapter on its way, could be a while but it will follow before Christmas I assure you. Please R&R you're ideas, tips, suggestions and opinions do matter to me greatly.