"That was a long time ago, Barbara."
Batgirl frowned. "You make it sound like ancient history, but it's only been two years." She sidled closer to him, gently placed one hand on his cheek. "And I've got to admit, you've grown even cuter."
Batgirl moved in for a kiss.
Their lips barely brushed before Robin jerked backwards. He lost his footing on the slippery rock and tumbled unceremoniously to the wet sand below.
"Geeze, Babs!" he managed to spit out once he got over his shock.
Batgirl laughed at the sight of the Titan sprawled out on the beach, and then leaped down to help him up.
"You didn't seem to mind when we kissed all those timed back in the Cave," she reminded him, "Or in the Batmobile. Or on the Batcycle."
"Okay, okay, I get the---"
"Or on the rooftops."
"Babs---"
"Or that one time in Arkham---"
"Barbara!" he exclaimed, exasperated.
She grinned impishly. "You get so cute when you're frustrated."
Oh, man. I need this like a hole in the head.
"Look, Babs, I really need to concentrate here. It's really good to see you again. No, I mean it!" He added, as Batgirl began to roll her eyes, "But, why did you come out here? I'm sure he told you about the ultimatum."
"Not in so many words," she admitted, now looking with interest at the Tower in the distance, "But, let's face it, I've been around him enough to know what he's thinking." She turned back to him. "He's not a happy camper, Dick, so I know things didn't go well."
She locked eyes with him.
"How come you don't want to come back to us, Dick? Do these Titans mean so much to you? Do they mean more to you than I do?"
"Uh," Robin stammered, "It's complex, Babs. We'll been through a lot together and we've jelled well as a team. I just can't drop everything and go. I'm trying to negotiate a transition period, that's all."
He looked at the horizon, as the final part of the sun slipped beneath the waves, "But you know Bruce. Things have to be his way all the time." Batgirl didn't seem quite satisfied with his answer, so Robin continued on before she could take the conversation down a path he really didn't want to tread at that moment. "Look, we normally have dinner around now. Why don't you join us? I'm sure the rest of the Titans will be glad to meet you."
Well, maybe not Starfire.
Batgirl smiled. "I'd like that."
The pair began to make their way up the path to the Tower.
They were halfway there when Robin finally spoke again.
"Listen, can we downplay things while you're visiting? I haven't told them much about Bruce and the rest of my life before we formed the team. I wanted to respect his privacy and be considered independent of him."
"Hey, it's me," she replied, "I know how to keep a secret, Dick. Should I even call you by your real name?"
Robin blushed, "Actually, we usually stick to code names."
Barbara's eyes widened.
"You've got to be kidding me."
Robin shrugged, grinning sheepishly.
-----
"Who is this Batgirl? I do not like her."
"Starfire, you've just met her!" Cyborg replied, eyes on the massive video screen while his fingers worked furiously on the control pad of the Gamestation.
"Yeah!" Beast Boy said, shifting left and right in his seat as he vainly tried to make his video character complete a particularly complex finishing move, "I thought she was pretty cool. She even laughed at a couple of my jokes."
"She was just being polite," Raven stated flatly, looking up from her book. Her empathic ability clearly picked up the strong jumble of emotions radiating from Starfire. It was almost as palpable as the clueless ness emanating from the boys.
Starfire was pacing back and forth behind the big couch. She had nearly worn a path in the thick rug. Every few minutes she would stop and stare at the door that led back to the living quarters where Batgirl and Robin had disappeared a little under an hour ago. The alien would sometimes begin to walk towards that exit, only to stop herself after a couple steps and return back to where she had started.
Then the cycle would begin anew.
Raven sighed and closed her book. Shooting an evil glare at the oblivious male members of the Titans, she walked over to Starfire and put a hand on her shoulder.
"Starfire, why don't we go meditate."
Starfire closed her eyes sadly. "Raven, I do not think my mind will be able to meditate right now. There is too much---"
Raven cut her off and began to pull her towards the door, "You never know 'til you try. Come on."
"But Raven, I---"
"Let's go, Starfire,"
A few minutes later, the two young women found themselves in the hallway that lead past Robin's room. They stopped about twenty feet down the corridor.
"Well?" Raven asked.
Starfire looked at Robin's door, and then back at her friend. "I thought you wanted us to meditate!"
Raven sighed once again. Dealing with Starfire seemed to have that effect on her. "Do you mean to tell me you don't want to knock on that door and see what's going on?"
Starfire gasped. "I could not!"
"So you're giving up, then?"
Starfire was quiet.
Raven tried another approach. "Remember that time Killer Moth's daughter made Robin take her to that dance? You didn't seem to have a problem fighting for him then."
"That was different," she replied softly, eyes sad and downcast.
"How so?"
"That girl was forcing Robin to do those things. Somehow I do not think the Batgirl has to force Robin to do much of anything."
"So they have a history, so what. He hasn't seen her in two years! Years he's spent with us. With you."
If you're not going to fight for him, then maybe you don't deserve him.
Raven checked herself.
I shouldn't be this harsh on her. Batgirl and Robin DO seem compatible. In a sickening, sugary kind of way.
"But why did Robin take her to his room?"
Raven gently pushed her friend down the hall.
"That's what you're going to find out."
-----
"So are you going to help me, or not?"
Batgirl, cowl now removed, was lingering by his workbench. She hefted one of his Birdarangs, testing its balance.
"I'm not sure I really want to get in the middle of this. It would almost be like a betrayal."
"I'm not asking you to fight him with me. I'm just asking you for some intel and maybe some sparring practice. You'd be the closest one to his fighting style, and that's what I need to practice against."
Batgirl put down the Birdarang and crossed her arms.
"I still don't understand why you have to fight him."
"I thought I explained that already---"
"Look, I get it. This is your team. You build it from the ground up. You lead them. They respect you. But you're already part of a team. Our team. Bruce and I." She approached him, "Where is your loyalty, Dick?"
Robin shook his head and stared at the floor.
"I don't think I know anymore." He whispered.
Batgirl knelt by him and cupped his chin, gently lifting his head until their eyes met. Her eyes danced merrily as she smiled, trying to cheer him up.
"That's okay. We'll figure it out. Together."
She kissed him, and this time he did not resist.
At that point, someone knocked at the door.
-----
It was probably the longest minute in Starfire's young life before the door finally opened. She attempted to put on a happy face, but, like all her race, she was more prone to expressing her emotions rather than concealing them.
Robin answered the door. "Yes, Star?"
"Ummmm." Starfire suddenly realized she had no idea what to say.
Robin raised an eyebrow, puzzled.
Finally, Raven decided to save the day.
"She was just going to tell you that dessert's ready."
"Oh, yes!" Starfire exclaimed, "The dessert is wondrous! You must join us! Right now!" She literally grabbed Robin on the arm and dragged him down the hall.
"Starfire!" Robin protested.
"Don't worry, Robin," Raven assured him as the pair disappeared down the hall, "I'll escort Batgirl back to the dining area."
The sorceress turned back toward Robin's room just in time to see Bargirl finish putting her cowl back in place.
What other clothes did she just put back on?
"Dessert sounds great, Raven. What are we having?"
"It's a surprise," Raven said dryly. "Afterwards, I'm sure you'll probably want to head out. It's getting kind of late."
"Oh, don't worry about that. I think I'll stick around for a few days. Robin said you guys have some spare rooms."
Raven tried to conceal her surprise.
"Are you sure Batman's not going to need you?"
"Ah, he's a big boy," Batgirl replied breezily, "And I could use a vacation. I haven't seen Robin in so long. We have a lot of catching up to do, if you know what I mean."
Batgirl walked away, heading towards the main lounge.
Reluctantly, Raven followed, troubled thoughts in tow.
