11. Close shave.

Well this was nice, no, this was better than nice, this was great. He had not known just how great a shower could be, or how much he had missed it over the significant period that he had spent on that mountain. Chris smiled as he let the soothingly hot water flow freely over him; he was at peace with the world, and with himself, or all of himself except David. Though even he seemed significantly comatose with the pleasant effects of the shower. Sighing he allowed his thoughts to wander, it seemed unreal, like some pleasant dream that had somehow found its way in between the nightmares. He stood up straight for a moment, fully expecting to awaken on some barren mountain hillside.

Thanking all who he could think of that he hadn't the pleasant bathing procedure continued. After a few minuets he had dried himself and donned the least destroyed of his cloths. His black T shirt was fine it would seem, unless anybody looked at the bottom part of it, which was now adorned with several small holes. Tucking the bottom of his shirt in to his navy blue cargo pants he pondered their own state, again at first glance the item seemed perfectly acceptable, perhaps a bit 'dog eared' but still not noticeably so. However as with most things, a second glance could reveal much more than you would expect. The right pocket had simply ceased to be such, torn as it was from top to bottom, the right leg had also lost a pocket, luckily though Cyborg's cannon had blown the pocket material in question off with such force that Chris doubted he could have done better with a pair of scissors and a lot of time.

Content that they would do until he could acquire something new, Chris left his room, happy in the knowledge that life was good, and apparently so was he. This feeling of wellbeing lasted approximately twelve seconds as he passed Raven's room and remembered two things; the first was the problem of his apparent feelings for the Titan in question, the second, even more disturbing was that as his mind wandered to the subject of female Titans the image of Starfire wielding a scythe in one feminine hand and a pair of scissors in the other, a smile that hung between insanity and friendliness didn't help as Chris turned around and decided to try and find a new way to the main room. Alas for him there would be no escape.

"Friend Chris, why do you wander, are you yet to grasp the geography of our abode?"

The injustice of it all was baffling, while Chris had become accustomed to fate doing its utmost to frustrate and annoy him; he had nevertheless not gotten to accept it without questioning its reasons. He admitted that for past sins he must be punished, or perhaps hounded until he replayed his debt, but now, with all that had happened, he was beginning to wonder just whether he deserved it, I probably do, he told himself, but that would prove Raven wrong, and that in itself didn't seem right. But it didn't matter at the moment; he had to be on his toes if he was to remain with his head attached to his torso.

"Er, yeah."

Answered Chris, not even attempting to hide his feelings. Not that Starfire seemed to notice, it appeared to Chris that nothing short of a physical attack could prevent what was about to happen. Taking into account all that he had been told about the alien teen, not to mention just what he had felt in those powerful hugs he was left in no doubt as to the fruitlessness of that particular option.

"Are you then ready for the cuttings of you're mane?"

Chris hesitated, mostly because he was trying to think of a polite way of saying that he had no particular wish to go through with it, although admittedly he was left momentarily blank by her awkward choice of words.

"Sure."

He drawled in what even Starfire noticed was a Raven'ish type monotone.

"Glorious, please enter my humble dwelling."

Starfire said in barely concealed delight, giving a bow similar to Chris's as he dragged his unwilling feet past her and into what he could firmly say was the most unthreatening yet pink room he had ever seen. The entire room was filled with the colours with which Chris would associate girlishness. It amused him slightly that he should fear Starfire and yet like Raven so much, especially considering this latest development. He was brought from his musings by Starfire's request.

"Please be seated."

Chris looked around the room; he could see no awkward wooden chair, nor anything even remotely like a barbers stool. He sighed embarrassedly, for a moment a 'Sweeny Todd' image had flashed through his mind, yet another blessing courtesy of his homelands myths and stories. Though he was sure he would make a better pie than the strange object he had found in the fridge earlier.

Deciding he was closing on lunacy Chris put these troubling thoughts to the back of his mind, where they could meet all the others concerning Raven and his past.

"Er, where do you want me?"

Chris asked, dearly hoping she would say that she didn't. No such luck though adorned Chris that moment.

"Here."

Said Starfire as she closed her door and panicked Chris in the process, the closed door didn't sit well with him, who knew that being trapped in the same room with a female was never a good thing. Especially one who was now wielding several sharp objects. Chris looked to where Starfire was pointing and noticed that her hand indicated the large circular bed in the centre of the room.

"The plot thickens."

Said David, Chris mentally told him just where he could go.

"Er wont you end up with hair all over you're bed?"

Said Chris, not so much out of concern as for any excuse to postpone the most frightening act. Starfire looked at Chris in a peculiar fashion, as if he had just stated something that made no sense, after a short pause she smiled and said.

"Well yes friend, but on my planet it is considered a great compliment if one is to leave behind their exes hair on such occasions, it is like trusting the person with a part of yourself, do you not wish to leave you're surplus follicles behind, if so I will understand."

Chris tried to understand just what he had heard, it made sense, but for some reason it made the already peculiar situation that much more so. He actual looked around the room expecting to see limbs and other body parts of those foolish enough to stray into Starfire's room for similar procedures.

Seeing none and now feeling slightly calmer as the realisation that Starfire's alien ways were the main reason for her strange behaviour. Somewhat comforted that she meant only the best but was having trouble getting the message across he felt a new sense of friendship towards the Titan before him.

It was not that she was in any way threatening now, it was merely his own discomfort that had made him feel like he had, and now he was determined to cease his cowardly cringing and get to know his new friend, free from any stupid fears. It was simple, nobody could be less threatening than Starfire, and he had been foolish to think otherwise. Seeing Starfire's rather sadden and slightly offended look as she examined the floor of her room Chris realised he may not have conducted himself in the most advisable way, determined not to let his new friend feel bad he began his comeback, and even David agreed that it was a good one.

"Oh I see, my apologies, I was unaware of that, its earth custom to leave hair behind as well, just not on a bed, but if it would pay you a compliment then nothing would give me greater pleasure than to adorn you're rooms floor with whatever you remove from my most willing head."

Chris smiled and awaited the response.

"Nice."

Said David in a grudgingly impressed voice, thank you, Chris replied to his internal tormenter.

Starfire looked up, eyes bright and wide.

"Oh thank you most generous friend, I know my ways must seem strange, but you embrace them as if they were your own."

Chris smiled, not actually knowing what to say.

"Shall we then begin?"

She asked in a happy and eager voice. Chris was content with the happy part; though considering what she would be doing he wasn't so sure about the eager part. He nodded never the less and sat. With surprising speed Starfire produced a white cloth of some sort and threw it around his neck and then began hacking away. A little too quickly for Chris's liking. He watched as the first significant clump of hair sailed past his eyes and then landed on his knee un an upended U shape that frowned at him, as if accusing him of some sort of betrayal, or scorning his stupidity.

Pushing the thought to the back of his mind Chris relaxed, partially, and awaited his reflection in the small mirror he could already see waiting anxiously on the bed. Four and a half minuets later and with a satisfied noise Starfire announced the completion of yet another masterpiece.

"My friend, it is done, and a piece of art in itself."

Chris mentally prepared himself for what he felt sure would end in a heart attack.

"Let's just hope its not modern art eh."

Said David inside Chris's head, rare as it was, Chris agreed with him.

There was movement behind him and he saw the mirror coming his way, there was a moment of panic as he watched his hairline race up, thankfully though it stopped. A moment later and Chris was amazed to see a version of himself he thought lost. He was staring at himself, but not the 'himself' he knew. This was the 'himself' he knew from nine months before, before…

Well, before that. It was truly remarkable just how fine a job Starfire had done. It seemed like she had known somehow, like she had some deep sense to the matter. Chris was about to discover a fact that would make her accomplishments slightly less impressive, though it did nothing to lesson his gratefulness and new feeling of wellbeing.

"It is, to you're liking friend?"

She asked, a hopeful and slightly proud expression on her bright pretty face. Chris nodded, not sure just what to say.

"Its brilliant Starfire, it's just perfect, just as I remembered it, like you knew somehow."

Starfire smiled, the proud expression became that much more defined. Though Chris did notice she let out a mild sigh of relief.

"I welcome you, I had the honour of seeing some of you're, boats of the graph, and they displayed yourself in happier times."

Chris realised what she meant and felt a tiny pang of anger about his personal photos being looked at, though it passed as he saw the sheer delight in Starfire's smile.

"Thanks Starfire, it's great, I don't know how I can ever repay you."

Chris said, now glad that he had allowed what had happened to happen.

"Friend, no repayment is necessary, though it would please my heart if only you would feel as content and safe among myself and our fellow Titans as you were in you're family images."

Chris felt that same pang at the mention of his family, though once again the simple sweetness of Starfire made it go as quickly as it had come, he nodded and smiled. He knew he had acted uptight, and now he was going to change all that.

"So, we going to the mall or what?"

00000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000000

Short I know, but I have it from a reliable source that its better that way, thanks to my faithful fan and mentor, princessdza for all her help. Please continue to read and will those that haven't please send reviews, though I have some of the best guidance a person could wish for, a little extra really wouldn't hurt. Thanks again to all and Happy new Year.