"Whoa." Raven said, staring at her new living quarters. "I thought you said this was an apartment, not an entire house."
"It is an apartment." Twain said, dropping the box by the huge doorway. "It's just a enormous apartment."
"It has stairs."
"Yep. It's more of a condo than anything." High, beige ceilings towered over them; the room about the size of two floor of the Titan Tower. Stylish furniture littered the room, mostly white leather, professional paintings scattered everywhere, most of them dark and angst. To the right, a long, marble oval bar separated the main room, light blue egg barstools pressed against it, the kitchen behind it huge, with state of the art kitchenware. A wide, two-step wooden staircase led to the living room where a cold hearth and large screen TV laid with a beige shag carpet covering the polished wooden floor.
"Uh, yeah."
"Logan is right next to you, so if you have any problems—"
"I won't have any problems."
Twain rolled his eyes. "Whatever. Can you drive?"
"When I'm allowed. Cyborg taught all of us when we were sixteen. Though Starfire started to learn when she was fifteen. She didn't understand anything."
"Do you have a driver's licenses?"
"We're the Teen Titans. We don't have driver's licenses. If anyone was to drive, it was Cyborg."
"Well, then we have to get you one."
"We don't have a car." Raven started to wonder around the huge apartment, opening and shutting doors, running a finger across the dustless furniture.
"Yeah, you do."
Raven turned to him with a glare. "Yeah, right. We get this huge apartment, and then a Lamborghini. Sure, and I'm outgoing."
"We'll bring them by later on today. It's nothing special and you and Logan will have to share. You'll have to take him to school and the other way around."
Raven finally noticed the huge bookcase on the far wall. She walked down the two wooden steps that lead to the huge living room and stared at the white shelf, filled with thousands of books. "I think I can get used to this." Plucking a book from the shelf, she walked to the huge, stuffed white chair and curled up in it.
"Raven, this is just awesome." Beast Boy bounded in with a huge grin. "My place is huge! I can so get used to living like this. I might not want to go home when this is over." He jumped over the long stairs and plopped down on the huge white couch with colorful throw pillows.
"This is so comfortable." He stretched out, laying a pillow under his head.
"Why don't you go home and get comfortable there?"
He flipped over on his stomach and watched her. "I came over here to help you out. All my things can wait until later." A lock of dark hair fell in his eyes, but he just left it there.
Twain made a mock, dreamy sigh. "How sweet." He sobered instantly. "I'll bring the rest of the boxes up and let him do the rest. By the way, your names are in the mail box."
"But—"
"I'll leave everything by the door. Good luck. Remember we'll leave messages in the mailbox, okay? Check every hour or so just incase something comes up." He walked out, leaving Beast Boy and Raven alone.
"So, when do we get started?"
"We don't. I'll unpack everything and do it myself. I don't want you touching my things."
He stood up and chucked a pillow at her. "You know what? I don't know why I even try to help your sorry ass. I feel for the man you end up with, which, thank God, will never be me." He stalked out and, with a sneer at her, slammed the door.
She threw the pillow on the couch with a muffled curse. "Damn him. Why would I want to be with him anyway?"
She stalked over to the boxes, dragging things out and started to arrange everything where she wanted it. She didn't need his help. She could do this all on her own.
Her door slammed open and Beast Boy waltzed in and sprawled on the couch. "You know what? I'm gonna sit here and watch everything you do just to piss you off. I will follow you into every room, poke and prod at your belongings, break a few things here and there, and wart you because of that stick up your butt."
"Get out."
Beast Boy threw a smug grin at her and started to dig through a box she had kicked by the couch. "Ooh, interesting." He started to toss a glass figurine of Cerberus, from Greek Mythology, in the air like a ball. "Hope I don't accidentally break it. It's so pretty." He chucked it up in the air where there was no way he could catch it, and his put his hand to his mouth in mock horror. "How clumsy of me!"
Raven caught it with her telekinesis and Beast Boy tsked. "Can't use your powers, Rae. It's against the rules." Raven moved the figurine close to her with a sneer. "Get out."
"Nope."
"Beast Boy."
He stood up and walked around, poking through everything. "That's my name, don't wear it out. Ooh, what is this?" He grabbed a book and started to flip through it, almost ripping the pages. He turned his back when she dived for it, and her front hit his back.
He lifted the book when she reached around him and tried to grab it. "This book must be centuries old. It must be worth a good hundred or two, maybe even close to a thousand. Wouldn't want this to tear, now would we?"
"Give it here, Beast Boy." He detected a hint of apprehension in her voice and grinned.
"Uh, no way." He threw the book down on its spine and turned around. Now facing her, he leaned forward and reached for another book. The action made her bend back and he desperately wished she had fallen.
"Ooh, a dark romance. Who would have thought that Raven would read a romance? Well, you do learn something new everyday." Crushing her to him, he read the book, which was behind her back. He leaned his head over her shoulder to read the printed words. His upper arms pinned hers to her side while he read, and he could practically feel the heat of her blush. Hell, he could practically feel everything.
"Hmm, pretty interesting. You've got demons and vampires and men and women doing filthy things. Raven, I am shocked to know you read such, dirty, dirty things."
She fought to get lose, but he was stronger. He flipped though some more pages, scanning the text. He gave an over exaggerated gasp. "Raven, this is like a porn book! It goes way in to detail. Whoa, this book should be rated NC-17! Tsk, tsk."
"Let me go, Beast Boy." Humiliated, she tried to kick him. He slid his legs between her and flipped through some more pages. "It goes into detail for like…seven pages. Jeez! Who'd a thunk? This is actually really interesting. How many more of these books do you have? I might want to borrow some."
"Let me go!" She fought again, trying to wriggle her way out of his grasp, but he held on tighter.
"I think I should examine some more of these books." He leaned down again, practically bending her backward. He placed a hand at the small of her back as he reach for another book. Now, completely unbalanced, they crashed to the floor.
With a muffled oath, Beast Boy managed to untangle himself from Raven. "Well, that was interesting, book and fall. I don't know which I enjoyed more…the porn book or throwing you off balance. And you're surprisingly soft. I would have thought you would feel like metal armor. Cold and rigid."
"You jerk." With her hands free, her elbow collided with his mid section as she scrambled up. He grunted in pain, but he was not through with her.
He hopped up, more slowly than usual, and followed her everywhere she went. With an annoyed growl, she whirled on him. "What will it take for you to leave me alone?"
He stopped, tapping his long finger against his mouth. "Hmm…let me think…" He glanced up and to the side and gave a heavy sigh. "Let's see…how's about a kiss?"
She blushed, moving away from him. He followed, virtually on her heels. "In your dreams."
"Fine then. I'll just follow you around the rest of the day. Who knows, I might even stay in your room while you sleep."
"You're deranged."
"Sure am."
She turned on him and he ran into her. His hand shot out to steady her, wrapping around her arms. She stomped on his booted foot when steady and backed up. "What if I let you help me around here? Will that work?"
He glanced up at the ceiling. "Hmmm…."
She waited for his reply impatiently. Moving as quickly as possible, he crushed his mouth against her, slamming her shocked body against his. His kiss became softer, gentler, but she still didn't know what to do. Kiss him back or ram her knees between his legs. Decisions, decisions.
Before she could do anything, Beast Boy pulled back, pressed his lips against hers softly again, and headed for a nearby box. "Okay. I'll help."
Raven pushed down the urge to give into her weak knees and slide down the wall, and headed for the nearest box.
XxX
Starfire hefted her bed out of the truck with skilled ease, not even thinking about doing it. Robin popped up in front of her, motioning for her to put it down.
"What is the matter, Robin?" She asked throwing her long ponytail back over her shoulder.
"Star, you can't do things like that."
"Like what?"
"Like lifting a bed with only one arm. That is not human. Big, huge, gigantic men have trouble doing that. Just, grab small boxes and move that in. No more lifting hundreds of pounds of furniture, okay?"
She nodded, reaching for a huge box, then another, and another, placing them on top of each other in her arms. He rolled his eyes, grabbing the closets box to him, and herded it up to her new living quarters. "You still manage to surprise me." Robin said as he dropped the box and pressed the elevator button.
"Why is that? You have known me for years now."
He smiled, pushing the box with his foot into the elevator while adjusting his dark sunglasses. "You're just not like other women."
"Is that a bad thing? Should I be like other women? Will men like me more if I was more like other women?"
His eyes narrowed behind his shades at the mention of 'men'. "You're fine the way you are, Star. Don't change."
"But if I don't want to be alone the rest of my life, I should change."
He sighed, leaning against the elevator wall. "You won't be alone, Star."
She raised an eyebrow. "And can you tell the future?"
"No. It's just someone like you is bound to be with someone."
"Someone like me?"
"I'm just going to shut up. I'm just digging myself in a hole I'll never get out of." The elevator bounced, then the door opened and Robin and Starfire walked out, arms full of boxes.
One of the boxes Star held fell into her line of vision and before she could move it, she was knocked back, boxes crashing to the floor. Hoping she had not just run into the wall, she leaned up on her elbows and glanced around.
A boy around her age sat up, rubbing his head, books scattered around him. He pushed his glasses up his nose, finally noticing her. His blue eyes widened and he jumped into a never-ending apology. "Oh, I am so very, very sorry. I wasn't looking where I was going. I was too busy reading a book title. I am so, so, so sorry. Here, let me help you." He scrambled up on his knees, reaching for his books.
"Do not worry about it. It was my fault. I couldn't see over the boxes." The boy stood up and offered a hand. He dropped it quickly when he noticed Robin's lethal death glare behind his glasses.
"Umm, hi. I'm Jonathan. I live just around the corner. I'm guessing you're new, huh?"
"Good guess," Robin said sardonically, helping Star to her feet. Jonathan watched her dust her wind-pants off with something akin to wonder.
Robin growled. Jonathan snapped out of his trance and blushed. "Are you two married?"
Robin's wide eyes were Jonathan's answer. He chuckled. "Siblings, perhaps?"
"No. We just met today. He is just helping me unpack." The lie came out so easily Star was surprised at herself.
Robin raised an eyebrow at her. "Uh, yeah. I think our apartments are next to each other."
"What rooms?"
"268 and 270 I think."
"Yep. I'm two 266 myself. So, what's your name?"
Robin and Starfire froze. What were they supposed to call themselves?
"Yo, people! Come get the rest of your crap!"
Waylin walked out of the elevator with an envelope tucked under his arm. He shoved the paper in Starfire's hand. "I charge by the hour, so I suggest you get your junk outta there quick. You're already payin' over three hundred."
Starfire quickly opened the envelope and took out the paper. Robin leaned over her shoulder.
Rose Skylar and Grayson Rich. Those are you undercover names from now on until the mission is over. Got it? Your school ID is also in here along with your driver's license. By the way, I wasn't the one to come up with these names. Ortega was.
Twain.
Robin jerked it out of her hand and wadded it up.
Waylin grunted, falling back into his rude, mover act. "Dude, that was her payment, not yours. Whadda ya gonna do? Pay it for 'er? Go right ahead. As long as I get the money, I'm as right as rain. Now put your crap in your apartment and start unloadin'."
Robin muttered something and picked up one of the boxes Star had dropped. "Lets get this over with."
Star started to pick up boxes, smiling at Jonathan when he started to help. "You do not have to help me."
He smiled shyly. "I want to."
Robin's eyes narrowed into nothing more than slits.
"Hurry up!" He bit out, his mood darkening even more when Starfire laughed at something that dork said. Ooh, he already hated that jerk! How dare he talk to her. And, lucky him, Jonathan lived right next door to her. How could Star even talk to a guy like that? She was too good for a dweeb like Jonathan. She needed someone like, like…Robin!
No, that came out wrong. She needed some like Robin, not him, the person. Nope. Not him at all…someone else…
Damn his jealous mind! "St—Rose!" He caught himself just in time. "Give me your key. This box is getting heavy! And your flirting is not helping either!"
He watched with a sneer as Starfire hid a grin. After sticking the key in the lock, she turned the knob and used her shoulder to get in. "We would never want the almighty Grayson to wait."
"Bite me."
"I hope you do not mean literally." Starfire said, clearing her throat when a laugh bubbled up. "I just might take you seriously." She laughed when his cheeks flooded with heat.
"Shut. Up."
"Green suits you," Jonathan said, pushing past him. Robin barred his teeth, dropping the boxes by the door. "St—Rose. Come here." He strode to her, grabbing her upper arm and herding her to the room down the hall. He pushed her in and slammed the door.
"What are you doing?"
She smiled and wondered around the huge room. "I think this shall be my room." She opened a door on the far wall and gasped. "Oh, it is a built in bathroom! It is larger than my room at the tower!" His anger faded like water down a drain. She shouldn't have this sort of power on him. Shoving his hands in his pockets, he slowly walked to the bathroom doorway, watching her touch everything, grinning when she made cute little sounds when she found another thing to spark her interest.
He smiled when she slid down into the huge, black, Jacuzzi-type tube. Her head disappeared, popping up seconds later with a dazzling grin. "Robin—"
"Grayson, remember?"
"Right. Grayson, come here! You can fit inside here with me! Come! Come!" She giggled, waiting for him sit down in the bathtub.
"Are you sure? I mean we'll be sitting inside a bathtub." Despite the fact that they had clothes on, the thought of being in a tub with her was enough to make his body tighten with anticipation and desire. He really shouldn't be having these feelings about his closest friend.
She sighed, bouncing up and down. "Must you question everything? Just do this one thing and I'll leave you alone…maybe."
He gave her a crooked smile that made her heart leap in her throat and walked over to her. She crossed her legs, watching as he slid his tall, sinewy frame across from her. There was still much room to spare.
She giggled again, uncrossing her legs and sliding them beside him. "I have never seen a bathing place so big. There is another little room over there," he followed her finger to the built in shower. "And a large towel cabinet right there. I wonder if your apartment is like this." She leaned back with a sigh. "I love this place already."
"This is pretty comfortable."
"Umm-hmm. I think when I am through unpacking, I will soak in here for hours."
Trying his best to push down the image, Robin glanced around. White marble tiles enclosed the floor, the walls a soft green spotted with priceless art. The bathroom counter was a bright, shiny black and a huge, oval mirror was placed above the white marble sink. Behind the mirror, a medicine cabinet was built in. The toilet was a dark black, it's body sleek and shimmering, and was located in a corner.
"Think we better get started?"
Starfire opened her eyes and nodded. "We have much work to accomplish."
"That's an understatement." But neither made a move to get up. "Okay, so maybe we can stay in here a tad bit longer." Starfire grinned, her eyes fluttering shut.
"It is still early, but I am exhausted."
"Yeah, me too." Robin watched her, and then looked away when she opened her eyes. "Is something amiss, Rob—Grayson…this will be harder that I thought. I will always want to call you Robin."
He smiled. "Yeah, it is hard. I've always known you as Star. I'll have to learn to call you Rose."
"Why would they name me after a rose?"
"Uhh, maybe because of your hair." Thousands of reason popped up into his head, all of them seeming to belong in a book of poetry. Uh, hello! Since when have I become a poet?
"Hmm. Maybe."
Robin turned, lifting Star's feet and placing them over his lap. He leaned back, making himself comfortable. She cracked open an eye and grinned. "We should be getting up, you know."
"You're probably right. But I really don't want to. The movers can wait, right?"
"Umm-hmm." She slid farther down with a content sigh. "I never want to move again…"
"Neither do I…But we need to. We can explore the rest of this place."
"And then we can explore yours, to make things fair. Who knows? We might try your bathtub as well."
"You have an obsession with bathtubs, don't you?"
She smiled. "A bathing place has always been my favorite spot, even in Tameran. It is where I can…let lose, as you call it. No one judges you in the privacy of your bathing time. You can think about problems, or lose yourself in a compelling novel, or even dream of your desires. It is the one time where you can be, or do, whatever you wish without the burden of what people classify you as. Sometimes, you cannot even do that in your sleep."
"I prefer showers, myself."
She opened her eyes completely and watched him. "Yes, but usually, you take thirty minutes each time."
"True." He laid his arms against her legs, leaning back farther. "It would work out so much better if we each had different bathrooms."
"Yes, it would." She sighed again, sitting up with her legs still in his lap. "We have left Jonathan in the main room."
Robin made a face that had Star chuckling. "I don't like him."
"And why is that?" She asked, leaning her head against her palm, her elbow braced on her knee.
"Because…" You're too comfortable with him. "I just don't. He seems to like you too much."
Her lips tilted. "So, every man that shows the least but of interest in me is—"
"A dead man, yes."
She laughed, the sound enthralling. "So, I guess that makes us even."
He raised an eyebrow, plucking at the zipper on the bottom of her black wind-pants. "What do you mean?"
"I detest every woman you talk to. Raven is the only exception. For example, Whitney."
"Oh, but how can anyone not like Whitney? She was sweet and outgoing and—"
"Phony. You obviously were not around when she talked to me."
"Hmm, you are jealous."
"Were jealous. Past tense. No longer do I burn with envy. But, the day is young."
"Well, I am honored that you are jealous of the women I have."
"But that changes nothing. You still do not wish to involve yourself with a teammate and I cannot spend the rest of my life alone. We both will have to deal with each other being with different people. I wish to start a family, Robin, and from what I know, you can't do that alone. I don't want to spend the rest of my life wishing for something that will never happen and I would never wish to hold you back. I, perhaps, will date when I am ready, and maybe end up marrying another man. You will find the right woman and maybe propose and start a family yourself, phobia or not. There are many women out there who would kill to be with you. And I promise I won't stop you, if you won't stop me. It might hurt, but I'll get through it. I don't want to end up alone and if I wish for a future with you, I will be alone." She shrugged and leaned back. "So, I guess I need to start looking for a man. Best I get started on finding someone to love me back."
Robin nodded, his eyes distant. Maybe it would be for the best…but, if so, why did his heart tighten with pain and a lump clog his throat?
She moved her feet and stood up, Robin following lead. He gnawed on the inside of his cheek, wondering if he would regret what he was about to do.
Still inside of the tub, Star glanced at him, her eyebrows drawn together. "Is something amiss, Robin?"
Not even bothering to correct her, Robin grabbed her waist and crushed her lower body to his, smothering her startled gasp with his mouth. Her body stiffened in surprise for a short instant, then relaxed.
"Robin," she breathed between kisses. "We should not be doing this."
He nipped her bottom lip with a groan. "I know." But his grip on her waist tightened and his kiss became deeper.
"Whoa, for people who just met, you two sure are close." They jumped back quickly as Jonathan's amused voice floated through the air, which seemed to hot for Star.
Robin cleared his throat, stepping away from her like she was a disease. "Uh…I'll go get the rest of the boxes." He jumped out of the tub, shoving his hands in his pockets as he walked past Jonathan. His eyes narrowed as he passed the boy and Jonathan lowered his eyes quickly, his pale face flushing red, a startling contrast to his bright orange hair.
Jonathan gave her a small smile and walked out behind Robin, wary of the well built, tall teen that could kill with one sharp glance from those unique eyes.
Starfire closed her eyes, pressing her fingers to her lips, where Robin's touch still burned. She gave a heavy sigh. "Giving him up will be harder than I thought."
XxX
After everything was unloaded and furniture was arranged, Robin checked his mailbox to see if there were any messages from Twain. He pulled out the folded sheet of paper and smoothed it out to read his high school schedule.
1st period: Government: Mrs. Dually.
2nd period: English 4: Ms. Garganious
3rd Period: Calculus: Mr. Sterminheimer.
4th period: Computer Technology: Mr. Jinkens
5th period: Biology: Prof. Dunbar
6th period: Health: Coach Estess
7th period: Athletics: Coach. Luther
Robin groaned. He hated school with a passion. Endless discussions and lectures, grades and tests, pushy students and grouchy teachers who were always on the look out for students to terrorize... he would give anything to avoid going to school. He already had a high school diploma. For years, the titans had had a tutor come by and teach the basics. Robin had aced everything and had 'graduated' early (he was handed a slip of paper that said he had a high school diploma) and had hoped, no, prayed, that he would never have to worry about school again.
Where the fates mad at him? Was that the reason why nothing made sense? They had to be angry with him. Otherwise, he would not be in the mess. He would be a home, in the tower, playing a video game with Cyborg or working out in the weight room. He would have never kissed Star and he would not be dealing with raging emotions that left him emotionally raw.
Their kissed slammed back into him, full force. Why had he done that? He had thought, stupidly, that if he kissed her once, then he would be fully sedated and never want to touch her again. Boy was he wrong. Now, he had to hold himself back from dishonorable urges. His hands itched to bury themselves in her hair while he took her mouth.
He was a bad, bad boy. His kissing her only made things worse. How the hell was he supposed to control himself? Could he catch himself every time he reached for her? Not even he, the composed Robin, had that much restraint, especially when it came to Starfire.
The elevator door opened and Starfire stepped out, blushing when she spotted him. "Hello…Grayson."
He smiled, couldn't help himself, when she wrinkled her nose, saying his undercover name.
"Hey. I think you have your schedule." She nodded and opened her mailbox, which bore her undercover name and apartment number. He watched her slim fingers unfold the paper and crossed his arms over his chest, his fist clenched.
Was it normal for desire to be this strong? He had never felt like this before, at least not with other women. He had cravings when Star was near before, always had since she joined the titans, but now, those urges seemed to have tripled. And he was having trouble keeping everything at bay.
"I thought we had already taken these courses before, when we had a tutor. Are we meant to take these again?"
"Yep."
She tucked the paper in her pocket, watching him. "You do not seem well. Is everything all right? Did you strain something when lifting objects? I offered to help you know, but you were being so stubborn—"
"I'm fine."
She nodded slowly, her green eyes locked with his. "If you are sure…"
"I'm sure."
She gnawed on her lip, and he suppressed a groan. "If this is about earlier occurrence that happened this afternoon—"
"It's not. Nope. I'm just…tired, that's all. But I still have to unpack."
"I can help you—"
"No!" He said quickly, too quickly, and her eyes narrowed into slits. "There is something wrong and you cannot hide it from me for long. I can be persistent when I wish it."
She shut her mailbox, watching him the entire time. "I will find out what is bothering you, and maybe I can help fix it, if it is something I can do."
"I'm sure you can," he mumbled, shoving the letter into his jean pocket.
Her eyes narrowed even more. "You know where I am if you need me…" As she walked away, she glanced over her shoulder to keep a quizzical eye on him.
When she disappeared out of sight, Robin kicked the wall, muttering a curse of pain.
Deciding that a walk might help him, he strode out of the lobby and pushed open the large French doors. The city buzzed around him, cars honking and people chattering. As he walked down the crowed sidewalk, his eyes scanned every woman that walked past him. Some smiled at him, some glared and turned up their noses', and some said wicked things that made him blush. But none of them were as alluring as Star. Maybe no one could be like her. Maybe, when he dated, they would only be second best to him.
But he could only feel for Star like a friend. It was only fair to both of them. Dating a teammate would be the downfall of them both, and Robin couldn't bear to see her hurt, emotionally or physically. Star could do so much better than him. She deserved better than him, better than what he could give her. As she said, she wanted a family, a loving husband, and Robin couldn't do that. He didn't want to be tied down to anyone. The only thing that could tie him down was his work and making sure Slade was behind bars. A he knew that if Slade ever found out that Robin cared deeply for Star, Slade would do everything in his power to take her from him.
"Grayson, wait up!"
He turned to see Starfire trying to catch up. He sighed and stopped, watching her.
"Mind if I join you?"
"Don't care."
Her eyes narrowed as she tucked her hair behind her ear. "Obviously." She was quiet, smiling when people smiled at her.
"Did I do something wrong?" She asked, grinning at a little girl holding her mothers hand.
"Why would you think that?"
She shrugged, looking both ways before crossing the street. "You just seem to be… irritated with me. I was just wondering if I did something wrong."
"No, you did nothing. It's just…"
"You want to be left alone?"
"I guess…sort of."
She nodded, turning to head the other direction. He gave an aggravated growl and grabbed her arm to stop her. "Where are you going?"
"You said you wanted to be left alone so I was going to walk the opposite direction."
"No, just…walk with me." She nodded, following behind him.
"You don't have to walk behind me, you know."
"You are annoyed with me."
"Yeah, that happens when you make me feel guilty."
"What have I done to make you feel guilty?" She asked, confused.
"Because you're too…gullible."
Her eyes narrowed. "Why do you say that?"
"I tell you I want to be alone, you walk away with out a word."
"But it is what you wanted."
"Yeah, but…you could have told me to shove it or something. You just don't…fight back."
"You wish for me to fight back verbally, correct?" He could hear the anger weaving its way into her normally sweet voice.
"Uh, I guess. Maybe."
"And when you wish to be left alone, you want me to stay and annoy you, correct?"
"You don't annoy me, Star."
"Yes, well, you hide that fact very well."
She strode off, her long legs eating up the street, and he jogged to catch up. "Okay, look, I didn't mean that. It's…unique to find a girl who doesn't fight back and I'm not used to people leaving when I want to be left alone."
"Must you compare me to every women in the universe?"
Shocked, he blinked. "I don't compare you to every girl in the universe."
"Yes, you do. First, on the moving cart—"
"Elevator."
"Of course. First, on the elevator, you said how I am not like other girls, and now that I don't fight back like other girls. To me, that sounds like you care comparing me to other girls. Why do you do that?"
He shrugged his wide shoulders. "I don't know. Habit, maybe."
"Then break it."
Surprised by her snappy tone, he paused on the sidewalk. She turned to look back at him. "What?"
"Nothing. I've noticed that I am the only one who makes you mad."
"I am not mad."
"Okay, whatever you say."
She folded her arms under her chest. Since things were so uncomfortable between then, he changed the subject. "How far have you come with unpacking?"
"Pretty far. Everything in my bedroom is set up, so I won't worry about the rest until I have to."
"Has Jonathan come back by?"
"Actually, he helped me out."
Robin glared. "Really?"
"Yes. He is very kind. He offered to take me to lunch sometime."
Robin shook with fury. "Amazing."
She stopped and laid a slim hand on his shoulder. "Robin, are you well?"
"Fine," he bit out between clenched teeth. She chewed on the inside of her lip. "I told him no."
Taken aback, Robin's eyebrows drew together. "Why?"
She sighed, walking ahead of him while he jogged to catch up. "He is sweet, certainty, but he is not what I want or need. I do not mean to be hard to please, but I want the right someone, not just anyone. At this rate, I'll never find anyone."
"You think to lowly of yourself, Star. You need to stop that. Boost your self-confidence up and you'll be surprised at all the people who really want you. I found that out the hard way."
They walked to the Jump City Park, their shoulders almost touching. The park was deserted, save for a few bundled up runners and parents trying to persuade their children to stop crying.
Star smiled, sitting down on a swing. "I find it amazing how children can have so much power over a parent."
Robin made a sound of agreement. "It's why I don't plan on having any."
She watched him from her sitting position. "I do not understand you, Robin."
He sat down next to her, stretching his long legs out. "The only person who understand me is me, and hell, even I don't know me."
She gnawed on her lip. The wind picked up, a biting cold the swirled dead leaves and made parents hold their children close against them.
Star leaned back in the swing and pushed off with her feet.
"What are you doing?" He asked, amused.
"I challenge you. Lets see who can jump from the swings farthest."
He raised an eyebrow and started to swing. "Deal. So, what do we get if we win?"
She grinned over at him. "Victor decides."
They swung as high as they could. "Alright, ready?"
He grinned. "I was born ready."
She rolled her eyes with a smile. "One the count of three. One. Two. Three!"
They both jumped, and landed on their feet gracefully…for an entire two seconds. They fell in a tangled heap on the ground, laughing.
"I won." Robin said with a grin.
"By a good inch or two. That is it. You threw me off, so I was unprepared and lost."
"You're making excuses. I won because I have longer legs and can jump farther."
She glared. "I'll win next time."
"Umm-hmm. And I thought I was a sore loser."
"I am not a sore loser." Robin rose up on his elbow and watched her, toying with a lose curl. "So, what's my prize for winning?"
"What ever you wish."
He thought it over. "Lets see…you said anything, right?"
She nodded slowly, curious.
"How about two things?"
"Two? You only won once and that was all. Why should you have two choices?"
"Because, I'm special. Now, how about two?"
"Fine, but when I win, you have to do three things. Three."
He smiled. "Deal. But, I doubt you'll be winning anything in the near future…so—"
"Robin!"
He smiled. "Grayson, remember?"
She harrumphed. "I will win someday. Now, what must I do?"
"You have to have dinner with me all week."
She raised an eyebrow at him. "Have dinner with you? Must I pay, also?"
"No. You can help me cook it."
She smiled, rising up on both of her elbows. He plucked a leave from her hair and twirled it between his fingers. She glanced at him with a smile. "Okay, so I help cook your dinner and eat it with you. That's two."
"No, it's not. That's only one. I'm still deciding on my second choice." She sighed and lay back down, staring at the cloudy sky that threatened rain. "It was bright earlier. The sun was even out, but now, it looks like a thunder storm."
"I know. The weather is always changing. You never know what it has in store for us."
She nodded and turned her head to watch him. "Have you made up your mind yet?"
"Yeah. I think I have." Placing his hands on either side of her head, he bent down to press his lips against her is a slow, sultry kiss.
The he stood up, holding out a hand. "Ready to head back? I think I just heard thunder and the rain this time of year is freezing."
She took his hand in a daze, letting him pull her up. Shaking her head, she ran a hand through her hair, shaking out the leaves and dirt.
He dusted himself off, then pulled her to him, his arms around her waist. As they started to head back, it lightly started to drizzle. "Robin, what is the matter with you?"
"Whadda mean?"
"You have never…I mean…this is…" She sighed. "You have never acted like this before. You have never kissed me, or held me like this. Has the winter air messed with you logical thinking?" She asked innocently.
He chuckled. "No. I don't know what's wrong with me…"
She sighed, putting her arm around his slim back for comfort. "I am…not complaining, as Beast Boy says."
"Do you think Jonathan heard what we were talking about?"
"I highly doubt it. We took so long in there he probably worried."
"Hmm. He probably worried about your safety."
"I wonder why."
"Because you were in a room with me."
She laughed. "Yes, then. He must have been extremely worried about me for no woman can be in the same room with you without being ravished."
"Perfect," he mumbled. "Raven actually succeeded in teaching you sarcasm. And where did you learn that word? Ravish?"
"From one of Raven's romance novels."
"Raven has romance novels?"
"Yes. Big, adult romance novels."
"Whoa, like with…with sex and stuff."
"Yes. Why?"
"I forbid you to read those books. No more. I will not have your innocent mind tainted by books and movies. That is why I made sure that all the movies you watched were PG-13…but only good PG-13 movies."
"Robin, you cannot tell me what to read and watch like a father to his child. I do not think that you sired me." She smiled at him, chuckling.
"Yes, I can… If anyone is to pollute your mind, it would be me, and not even I will do that. This world needs to keep some innocence in it and if we lose you to the non-innocent side, only babies and children will be innocent…and I thank God I'm not your father."
"So, are you going to go through my books and movies at take away all the dirty ones?"
"You bet. Starfire quit laughing at me. I am serious. This is not a funny matter. I am dead serious. I wont have your mind sullied."
"Robin…what if I told you it already was?"
His look of horror had her busting out laughing. "I am just joking, Robin. My mind has not yet been sullied by books, movies, men, magazines, and so on."
"I can promise you now that no man will pollute your mind while I'm around."
She gave him a bored look. "So, no man can pollute my mind?"
"Nope."
"And how will you stop them?"
"I wont allow them into your apartment. I'll have Cyborg install cameras in every room of your apartment and I will watch them as long as it takes."
"You cannot keep every man from me, Robin. I'll need to…why am I even having this conversation with you?"
"Because. No changing the subject. I've always been too shy to say this and right now appears to be the perfect time to humiliate myself. Now, we will lay down some ground rules. Okay?"
"O…kay…but this—"
"Listen to me. Here are my rules. You cannot kiss, hug, talk, have sex, touch, hold hands, have sex, invite a guy in, have sex—"
"That is the third time you have said that."
"To make my point clear…"
"Robin, unfortunately, I will have to do all that some time in my life. I cannot be an innocent for the rest of my life—"
"Yes you can."
"No, I cannot."
"Yes, you will and can."
She shook her head. "This is the…most unusual conversation I have ever had."
"And how do you even know about sex? Was it Beast Boy? Raven? Books? Movies?"
"Robin," she sighed, opening the French door to the lobby. "Why are you so worried? If I do end up doing things like kissing other men, you'll have to deal with it."
"You are totally avoiding my question. Where did you learn about—"
"I don't know what it means, but I have heard of it. Yes, I have read a few selections that contained mating, but…Robin, this is starting to get really embarrassing. Do you realize we are talking about something that has yet to happen? How about we resume this conversation when the event occurs? That way, we save ourselves from humiliation."
"Your right…that was really, really weird. And so unlike me…I don't know what got into me…can we forget this ever happened?"
She nodded. "This moment has already been erased."
"Good. It never happened."
Starfire nodded, heading for the elevator. They managed to squeeze inside the packed elevator and were pushed up against the wall. With barely enough room to breath, Robin flattened himself against the wall when an older woman threw him a flirty smile. But when her younger daughter followed her mother's gaze, Robin decided that maybe she could be the new topic of his life.
Robin made the mistake of glancing at Star, who had followed his look. She lowered her eyes quickly and watched the floor. Damnit it all! Why did he feel as though he were the scum of the earth?
Maybe it's because I kissed her, twice, for that matter, and I'm already planning on snagging another girl. Jeez, that's low. I should have never kissed her. What if I led her on? What if she believes that we have a future together? Oh, now I've done it. I probably just ruined our friendship because of my unruly hormones.
The elevator opened and people walked out. Now, the only ones left in the elevator were Robin, Star, the girl, and her mother.
The girl smiled at him. He managed a lopsided grin, noticing the way Star moved away from him.
The elevator stopped on their floor and Starfire practically ran out, mowing down the girl. She hit her mother, who became unbalanced, and, though she already disliked the girl, Star's hand shot out to steady them both.
Surprised at the girl's firm grip, the mother studied the kid who just saved her from embarrassment. "I am sorry." Star said quietly, walking away when the women were balanced.
Robin gave one last grin at the women and headed after Star.
"Hey! Wait! If I didn't know better, I'd think your legs are longer than mine." Robin caught up with her and walked her to her apartment, which was not far at all.
"So, are we still on for dinner?" He asked casually, shoving his hands in his pockets.
"If that is what you wish."
"Well…it wasn't my prize for nothing."
She opened her door, never glancing at him. "Did I do something wrong?" He asked hoping he didn't sound worried.
"Of course not." She finally looked at him. "Why would you think that?"
He shrugged. "I don't know. Well, I guess I'll see you tonight at seven, okay?"
"All right."
"You best come. Especially when I know where you live." She shook her head at his lame comment and quietly shut the door.
XxX
Pulling into the long driveway, Ethan Matthew's turned off his car engine. He sat for a moment, tapping his tan fingers against the steering wheel. Ever since Hannah had runaway, Ethan had drowned in guilt.
It always seemed that he could never do anything right, especially when it came to her. Not only had he never treated her with the respect she deserved, but also he let his uncle beat her repeatedly without doing anything about it. Like a low life, he would stand in the next room, his eyes closed, waiting for a scream of pain or sobs. But all he ever heard was the crack of a whip against flesh. And with each crack, he would jump, as if he were the one to be beat.
He didn't see how she could stand it. He knew she had told, but no one would believe her. At school, no one paid attention to her. She was labeled as a snob, but the truth was, she was just really shy. She would sit at a table, by herself, reading or doing homework. He had always wanted to talk to her, to actually get to know her, but he let his reputation rule him. If he were ever caught talking, looking, touching her, exc., his rep would be ruined. Hell, he didn't even talk to her in the safety of his home. It wasn't that he didn't want to, no, he would have loved to, but she was either being beaten, screamed at, or when he would approach her, she would scamper away.
He had said some cruel things to her, humiliated her in front of his friends, looked at her as if she were a monster, but she just took it. No glares, or tears, or any sign of emotion. She would look him straight in the eyes when he did those things, and would walk off with her head high.
Ethan groaned and laid his forehead against the wheel. He could still remember the first time he saw her scarred back. He had not known she was home and had opened the bathroom door. She had stood with her back to him, a towel wrapped around her waist. Calmly, she had turned her head to see who was there.
But he was too horrified at her back to be embarrassed or notice her watching him. For the first time in years, he heard her talk. "Attractive, isn't it?"
She had had the deepest voice, smooth and mystical, not at all like the sound he would have thought would come from her. She had shrugged a slim, scarred shoulder and took the pins from her hair so it fell in glorious curls to her waist, obscuring his view.
"Next time, I suggest you knock." He had slammed the door quickly, heat flooding his cheeks.
His heart pounding with horror and humiliation, he had leaned against the wall with a grunt, listening to the shower running.
Her back was nothing but red, angry slashes, some scabbed, others that looked like they had not healed well. Most had been busted open more than once and nothing would have ever rid her of the scars. She would be like that for the rest of her life. And she was only fifteen.
He had pushed himself from the wall, feeling sick to his stomach. Her skin had looked so soft when he first met her, years ago, at his uncle's wedding. She had been a bridesmaid, no older than thirteen, and to him, though he was only fifteen, she had been so pretty, laughing with her mother. Her green dress with an open back had hugged her slim curves.
And the first thing he had thought was, Her skin looks so soft.
Ethan opened his door and made sure he slammed it. Dragging his feet, he slung his backpack over one broad shoulder and climbed up the white marble stairs to his home. Voice drifted out to his ear before his hand even touched the doorknob.
"I'm glad that troublesome bitch is gone." Recognizing his uncles brooding voice, Ethan crept in quietly and pressed his ear against the library door.
"But—"
"No buts, Charlotte. She's better off gone. You know as well as I do that she was nothing but trouble."
"She's my daughter!" Charlotte, his step-aunt, cried, her voice breaking.
"And I care because? All she did was steal my, I mean, your money."
"It was hers to begin with. Her father left it to her in his will that she—"
"Look, Charlotte, baby—"
"No."
"No, what?"
Ethan heard a chair scrapping against wood. "I should have listened to Hannah. I should have never let your touch her like that. I think it is time we get a divorce."
"Wait! Oh, baby, listen to me. This whole ordeal has got you all scared. I am trying my best to bring her back. I've rented four condos and have leased two cars just so these undercover agents can track this man down. I'm doing my best, honey. I might not like Hannah, but I'm doing this for you, because I love you," he said quietly, but Ethan knew that tome of voice. He had used it on him thousands of times when he swore he would never touch Hannah again.
His aunt sobbed. "I miss her so much. She was such a sweetie before…before I married you. She was always laughing, and had many friends. I don't see why she changed."
Disgusted, Ethan scowled at the door. What low lives. When his parents were killed years before, Ethan had no one to turn to except for his uncle. He had worshiped him, dreamed of being like him, but years of watching his uncle's mistakes had changed his outlook. Never would he wish to be like his vile uncle. And Hannah's mother was no better. She was weak; doing whatever that despicable man told her to do like some sort of slave.
Ethan jumped back into the shadows as Charlotte walked out, her shoulder drooping and her head lowered. He sneered at her back, and became on with the wall when his uncle's butler, Johansson, strutted in. Ethan had never like the man, with his arrogant looks and snobbish attitude. He was only about thirty-seven and thought himself higher than Ethan.
When the butler walked into the room that Charlotte had vacated, Ethan's blue-green eyes narrowed. They were up to something, Ethan knew, especially when Johansson had that smug look on his ruggedly handsome face.
"I can't believe I spent a million dollars on housing those undercover agents. What a waste of money. I finally get rid of the nasty little bitch, and then she turns up missing. So, like the good uncle I am, I shell out tons of money to find her! I seriously hope that man has her. Maybe, if I'm lucky, he'll rape her than kill her immediately." His uncle said, and Ethan wanted to strangle him.
"As long as Ethan never finds out—" Taking his chance, Ethan strode into the room as if he heard nothing. His uncle froze in mid-sentence as he nephew strode in.
"Hey, uncle. I just needed a book for this stupid history report." His uncle nodded, his face ashen. What all had the boy heard?
"Ah-ha. Found what I needed." He grabbed a random book of the massive polished wood shelf and walked over to his uncle to hug him. With skilled ease, he quietly picked up the key that opened his uncle's cabinets.
He pulled back with a fake grin. "See ya, uncle." He nodded, watching his nephew. The boy always managed to surprise him.
Ethan grinned, though it was hallow. If his uncle was not going to do anything to help Hannah, then by God, Ethan would.
XxX
I'll admit, the conversation with Star and Robin was a little strange, but oh well. You've probably noticed that the titans are not just the main focus of the story. I wanted to do something different, and this is my first story that doesn't deal with just romance. This is more of a suspense kind of thing, with just the right amount of romance. And, this is also the longest chapter I have ever written! 26 pages! Go me! That's why it has taken so long. And, for those of you who read my other stories, I'm trying to wrap all those up so I can focus on this one. The Beast Within is still under construction, but Is This The End? is finished. I just have to edit it a bit and then re-read it, so I should have the last two chapters posted. Well, until the next time!
