Chapter 6: A Team in Snapshots Part I

The Call

When they got back from their fight with Control Freak, there was a call on the line waiting, the large screen pulsing overhead. Bee immediately went to hit the call button. What she did not expect was Robin's stoic face materializing.

There was a beat too long of silence as everyone processed his appearance. Starfire immediately began busying herself retrieving some bandages and other medical supplies from the cabinets near the kitchen. Not wanting to seem like she was avoiding him, she decided to remain in the room, however uncomfortable she felt.

"Robin," Bee greeted, a tight smile on her face. "What a surprise."

"Bee," he greeted back, confident as ever. "I saw that you had an encounter with Control Freak. Just wanted to follow up."

As Robin and Bee discussed the major happenings of the battle, also pondering why Control Freak had decided to move out East and guessing his obsession with the Titans East was the most probable answer, Starfire sat at the counter with her back turned.

She fluctuated between being annoyed to angry to, much of her displeasure, hopeful. She internally chastised herself, removing her gloves as she did so she could get better access to disinfect and then wrap the area in gauze. She feigned disinterest in what Bee and Robin were talking about and tried to begin on her arm, though she was finding it difficult to do one handed and be thorough at the same time.

"Here, let me help," Speedy said in hushed tones as he stepped up in front of her then moved to kneel at her side.

Her mouth hung open as if to protest but decided against it as he took the first aid kit from her hands. She winced as he initially applied the sanitizer, moving the swab against her skin from the top of her shoulder to her wrist, holding her forearm to keep her from moving. She watched as he worked with a furrowed brow, concentrating on cleaning out the deeper cuts.

As Aqualad went to the fridge and opened it up to retrieve a soda, he shot Speedy a look behind Starfire's back, an eyebrow raised in question. Speedy resolutely ignored him as well as the twins, who he had now gained as an audience, wind messing up his hair as they sped over.

"¿Estás herida, mi amor?" they asked Starfire, concerned. They went to sit on either side of her, inspecting her wounds with puppy dog eyes and irritating Speedy further.

"Ella está ilesa," Speedy replied tartly before she could. "¡Sal de aquí!" He swatted at them semi playfully and they got up grudgingly. They stuck out their tongues at him before speeding off.

Starfire giggled, letting Speedy continue his work as he stood to begin wrapping at her shoulder. While he did so, Starfire moved to place her feet on the stool she was sitting on, beginning to unzip her boots so she could assess and treat the injuries on her legs afterward.

Boots discarded, they sat in compatible silence with only the chatter between Robin and Bee filling the room as Speedy finished wrapping the one arm and moved on to the next. Speedy could again feel Starfire's literal tension as she gripped his forearm back, something indistinguishable etched on her face, not unlike a grimace. Whether it was from the cleaning or something else, he was not sure.

"Thanks for the intel, Bee," Robin finally said. He then looked around the room, addressing the entire team. "And good job with handling Control Freak everyone. The effort is appreciated."

The twins stood with their arms crossed, conjuring up their best glare.

"Lo que digas, idiota," they muttered under their breath, just out of reach of Robin's hearing. Aqualad frowned at them and nudged them. They silenced immediately.

Aqualad looked back up at Robin and called back, "No problem, Rob. We always got you covered, man."

Speedy looked up at that, moving away from working on Starfire and giving Robin a nod and a thumbs up to affirm what Aqualad said, the gauze still in his hand.

Starfire slightly turned her head then, Robin looking at the boys and her in turn. She noticed how it seemed like Robin was looking at Speedy with special interest, though it was hard to tell with the mask. A slight frown and a returning nod were all that he gave, a slight quizzical expression carved on his usually stoic face.

"I'll let you know when the official report is ready and send it over," Bee interrupted, already at the computer controls. "Thanks for following up."

Robin nodded once more, and the screen flicked to black.

Starfire puffed out air with relief, Speedy now finishing up wrapping her other arm.

"All done," he said, emphasizing his words with a light pat at her wrist. He smiled at her and she beamed back, inspecting his work.

"I thank you," she said, pulling him in for a bone-crushing hug before he could protest.

It happened quickly. Just like she would do with any friend, the hug hurt in the fact that he couldn't breathe but was the ultimate form of affection for her. She released him, leaving him with a faint blush that crept up his neck.

"Ahh, you're welcome," he replied, pulling at his collar.

"Your services are no longer needed. I'll take it from here, Speedy," said Bee, walking over from the computer. She gave Star a knowing look, took the supplies from Speedy, and sat her down once again to start on her legs and lower back.

"Can I at least watch?" he said jokingly, earning a swat or two from the girls.


Surf Session

Speedy and Aqualad bobbed next to each other as the pool generated waves rolled underneath them. The pair had spent the last two hours fine-tuning Speedy's skills on the board and coming up with creative combat strategies that Aqualad could use in upcoming battles. They now lazed, backs on boards as they stared up into the Tower's ceiling, making idle chitchat and plans for the evening.

"What about that new action movie? Kung Fu Mastermind, I think it's called? That one looked good."

Speedy shrugged, indifferent. "Sort of looks like a rip-off of Judo Einstein if I'm being honest." He inspected his fingernails, bored. A smirk then started to spread on his lips. "Speaking of action. Got any lately?"

Aqualad sighed and then frowned over at him. Every time it seemed that conversations led to this. They could be talking about sand in a desert, and it always led back to their conquests.

"For your information, I don't kiss and tell. I wouldn't tell you even if I did, mister sex-on-the-brain."

"So, that would be a definite no," Speedy chuckled. "No reason to be ashamed if you're in a drought, my friend." He 'hmmed' as if in deep thought. "Bingo. You could always go for Argent. She's single and pretty cute if you're into the goth type."

"Please, nothing against her, but you're no cupid," Aqualad groaned, sitting up. "Besides, I feel like dating teammates is always a bad idea. I mean, look at Star. That's why she's here in the first place."

"Yeah," Speedy admitted halfheartedly. He turned his head to look up where she sat near the balcony reading, his gaze lingering a little too long.

Aqualad paused, following his gaze and then returning to look back at Speedy. "Please tell me you're not thinking what I think you are," he implored, already knowing the answer and groaned exasperatedly. "Really? Starfire? Do you have a death wish?"

Speedy shrugged him off, arms crossed. "It's just a little fun. Nothing more, nothing less. Don't worry about it, gill face."

"Dude, I'm telling you now, you need to be careful. Robin would personally kick your ass if he found out. And think about the team. Having a fling with a teammate is not exactly the best idea."

"First thing, who cares about Robin? And why does everyone keep bringing him up like he has any authority? Star's a big girl. She can make her own decisions, should she choose to even, yeah know, want something more," Speedy said, annoyed. He then looked hard at Aqualad. "Second, don't pull the team card. I can name several existing couples that haven't caused their teams to implode. Beast Boy and Raven. Cyborg and Bee. I can go on if you want."

Aqualad huffed in frustration. "Well, you should care because he's your boss's boss and your friend, too. It's a shitstorm waiting to happen. Not to mention a lot of trouble because you're the one that wants some 'action', those words being yours, not mine. That's all I'm saying."

Speedy didn't correct him about his intention, instead idly moving his hands through the water. A mischievous grin spread.

"You want to test that theory?"

"Don't you-," Aqualad protested but it was too late.

"Hey, Starfire!" Speedy called up to the balcony. Starfire looked up from her book, making to stand at the overhang railing. "Want to join us? Aqualad and I were just about to start up again."

Aqualand glared in his direction while Starfire bit her lip but ultimately nodded.

"Give me a moment. I shall be right down," she called back.

She made haste to her room and threw on an emerald green one-piece that was high cut in the front while dipping quite low in the back. Returning to the upper deck, she flew down to meet Speedy on the side of the pool while Aqualad opted to lurk from the pool itself, pretending to have his full attention on practicing his new techniques.

While Speedy admired her appearance in silence, ogling her as the pair practiced on the deck first, he noticed that she had healed quite nicely over the last few days, the cuts and scrapes not even noticeable on her skin. He enjoyed the view some more, Starfire mimicking the paddle motions on her stomach while Speedy did the same besides her. Starfire was full of questions as they then practiced transitioning from a lying position to standing, popping up so their feet were in the right position. Over and over this was done until Starfire felt comfortable with the motion.

"You're doing great. Ok, I think you're ready for the real thing," Speedy announced. They went over to where the boards were stored, selecting a longboard for her and he retrieving his favorite shortboard, flames decorating its surface. He helped her wax the board in areas that she would be standing on and then they jumped into the water, helping her attach the leash to her ankle beforehand.

They stuck to the shallows for a bit, mini waves cast so that she could belly board, getting used to the way the waves carried her without standing up and listening as Speedy instructed her on the approximate timing when she should pop up the next time. With that completed, they paddled out past the shallow end to the middle of the pool with Aqualad following suit.

"Now, do what you just did and combine it with what we did on the deck. We'll start with baby waves," Speedy assured.

"Just tell me when," Aqualad said to Starfire.

"I am prepared," Starfire replied confidently, beginning to paddle forward. Starfire gained momentum, looking over her shoulder as the wave crept up from behind. She felt as the wave finally caught up with her and carried her forward, hearing Speedy yell behind her to stand up. She did so, standing up for a minute before hesitating and under calculated her position on the board as she was back too far.

Starfire went to correct by flying but the board was swept up in the surf, she pulled along with it, an 'eep' escaping her as she was dragged into the waves.

"Oof," Aqualad and Speedy uttered at the same time, a wince accompanying their words. Starfire washed up onto the shallows and emerged, less than dignified with wet hair covering her face.

"You're not trusting yourself," Speedy yelled as he paddled over. "Don't tap into your flight. If you're going to fall, fall."

She looked at him pointedly, sweeping her hair away so she could glare properly. "Flying is inherit for Tamaranians. I simply cannot turn it off."

"Well, unless you want to drown every time, I would suggest trying."

She huffed, conceding, and stood to retrieve her board. "Well, let us make with the haste then. Aqualad is waiting."

He grinned, liking this sassy side of her. "Whatever you say, princess."

They paddled once more to the starting point as Aqualad asked if she was ok. "I am fine. I would like to go again, please."

He obliged, her nodding as he cast another wave of similar size. She propelled herself forward, more aware than before as the wave connected underneath this time. Leaning back and positioning her feet more forward, she wobbled as she stood up but then became steadier and surer the longer she stayed aloft. She maintained this for a few seconds but was not able to keep the balance fully correct, finally bailing as the board toppled her into the water.

When she resurfaced, the boys had swum up, shit-eating grins on their faces.

"Woohoo, way to go, Red!" Speedy hollered. "Ya did it. You surfed!"

"That was awesome," Aqualad agreed, nodding at Starfire.

"I thank you both. At least it was more graceful than the last time," she joked but then gave Speedy a puzzled look. "Can I inquire as to why you called me Red now?"

"You're officially a badass now. Taking headshots at people. Smoking a cigarette. Crushing waves and taking names," he said as he offered her a high five. She accepted, a slight smile on her lips. "I think Red fits you. New Tower, new name. Besides, Red is a common nickname given to redheads on Earth. It's not that far of a stretch," he said simply.

She pondered that. Not knowing how she felt about it and also a little confused. She voiced this, saying, "Oh, I see. Then should I also call you Red as well?"

"No, there can only be one Red in this Tower and I've decided that it's you," he said, cheekily.

Aqualad ignored Speedy's attempt at flirting and concentrated on the one thing that he said before. Speaking to Starfire, he said, "You smoked with this bum? Don't let him peer pressure you, Star."

"Oh, do not worry. It was of my own volition and a one-time experience that I do not wish to revisit."

"Yeah, her exact words were 'horrid' if I remember correctly," Speedy added, his smug grin still in place.

"I'll let you in on the number one rule of Titans East, Starfire. Never trust or listen to Speedy," Aqualad said laughing, protecting his face as Speedy splashed at him.

"Hey, I did alright with teaching you didn't I, Star? I mean the results basically speak for themselves. You surfed!" he boasted.

Starfire beamed as his happiness was infectious. "May we go again?"

The three heroes spent the rest of the day taking turns and watching as Starfire got better and better, finally making it to the shallows without falling once. The boys amped up their tricks, showing off as Starfire 'oohed' and 'aahed', clapping at their skills as the boys jeered and attempted to one up one another.

They continued like this as the sunset, laughter plentiful as the glow of the sun's rays illuminated the inside of the Tower with oranges and pinks, light reflecting brightly off the water and surrounding tile.

Speedy looked over at Starfire as the day ended, knowing that this moment would also soon end with it. He memorized the light dancing off her wet hair, her eyes as they traced Aqualad's movements, and the way her skin seemed to glow.

She then turned her head, catching him gazing. He was brazen, not turning away and that familiar quirk of his lips became present. In the silence, she returned an easy smile.

In that moment, she felt content.

In that moment, she felt as though this could be home.