Chapter 4

Five tired, hungry and soot-coated Titans staggered into the Tower a few hours past sunrise. Cyborg and Raven carried the injured Beast Boy to the sofa to treat his leg. Starfire fetched a cloth, a bowl of cold water and some bandages, while Robin disappeared to contact Batman.

"Are you badly damaged, Beast Boy?" Starfire asked compassionately, placing the bowl on the small coffee table in front of the sofa and handing the bandages to Raven. She pulled the coffee table closer to the sofa, allowing Beast Boy to rest his foot on it. Raven knelt beside the sofa next to Beast Boy's leg.

"I'll be okay," he replied, gritting his teeth as Raven gently unwrapped her makeshift bandage. He licked his dry lips. "Thirsty though."

"I will fetch you water."

"Burns of this size usually dehydrate the body, you're going to need to keep the fluids up for a while," Raven muttered as she pulled her cloak piece completely off his burn. Beast Boy hissed in pain, his hands digging into the sofa. Raven examined the leg with a critical eye, before placing her glowing hands around it.

"I can't believe she tried to cook you, BB. What's she trying to do, put me off meat for life?" Cyborg ranted as he leant over the sofa and watched Raven work.

"If you turn veggie because of it, it will be worth it," Beast Boy grunted through clenched teeth.

"She wasn't trying to cook Beast Boy," Raven, muttered reaching for the water and cleaning ash, soot and juices from the burn. "She was aiming for me, Beast Boy pushed me out of the way." She eyed him. "Why was that exactly?"

"Aww, c'mon Rae, you didn't expect me to just have stood there and let you burn, did you?"

"Do you think I wear a cloak because I like to look pretty?" Raven snapped, her eyes flashing angrily. "My father is a demon that commands a fire army. The cloak is fire proof! And you have to go and try to play the hero!"

"I didn't think-"

"That's the problem," Raven interrupted harshly, tossing her head. "You don't think! You act rashly and you try and laugh off your mistakes!"

Beast Boy tried to cower away but Raven grabbed his knee to keep his leg still. "Why are you so angry?"

"Because you got hurt! Because you could have been killed! You were burning and I thought I was going to lose you! I can't lose you; you're too spe-" Raven went rigid, her mouth hanging open slightly before she turned away. A blush spread across her cheeks. Beast Boy and Cyborg's mouths dropped open in astonishment.

Starfire eeped, dropped a bottle of water on the sofa beside Beast Boy, grabbed Cyborg's arm and hauled him toward the door. It slid open before they reached it and Robin stepped through. He raised his hand in greeting as Starfire bared down on him, only to be yanked off his feet as she dragged him and the protesting Cyborg into the hallway after her.

Beast Boy floundered while Raven busied herself by cleaning his burn, refusing to look up at him. He gathered his scattered wits and reached out, placing a hand on Raven's shoulder. "Rae, I-"

"Don't call me Rae," she said darkly, moving away from his touch. She placed the cloth back in the bowl of water before wrapping her glowing hands around his leg again.

"Raven-"

"Drink, you need the water." Raven shifted uncomfortably, sitting on her feet as she knelt on the floor.

Beast Boy huffed, grabbed the bottle of water and gulped down a mouthful. "Raven-"

"That all the healing I can do today," she said briskly, unwrapping her hands from his leg and reaching for the bandage. "The tissue needs time to settle. Burns always take longer for me to heal than cuts. You'll need to keep off it for a while and no shifting. If you're lucky it won't scar."

"Damn it Raven, would you just stop a second?" Beast Boy snapped in frustration.

Raven stilled and studied her hands as she placed them in her lap.

Beast Boy pulled at his ears. "Look, I'm sorry that I worried you. I really didn't mean to. I didn't want you see you hurt. It scared the life out of me when I saw that fire heading for you and I just acted." He placed a hand on her shoulder and this time she didn't shrug him off. "I didn't know about your cloak. I just couldn't let you be hurt."

"I know," she mumbled softly, still refusing to look at him. "I'm sorry, too. I shouldn't have yelled at you. I was just so scared that I was going to lose you. I don't want to lose you. You're too… special."

He reached down and placed a finger under her chin, lifting her head so she would look at him. "So, where do we go from here?"

Raven rolled her eyes. "I don't do emotions, Beast Boy. I'm not Starfire. I try so hard to suppress them that when I have them, I have no idea where to start. Last time I tried emotions, they released a dragon that tried to kill me. I just don't know if I can trust them."

"Well, let's try the beginning." He held out a hand and gave her a bright smile. "Hi, my name is Garfield. Would you like to see a movie with me? I'm kinda housebound right now, so you'll have to settle for staying in. We can even watch a horror, if you want."

She gave him a shy smile. "That would be nice," she replied as she took his hand.

TTTTT

A freshly showered Starfire stopped outside Robin's door, knocking once before sliding it open.

"Robin?" she called as she entered the room.

"Hi Star," he replied with a smile and continued packing up the mattress on the floor. "Hey, thanks for letting me deal with the WeatherMan. I appreciate it."

"I welcome you." She came to stand before him, her hands clasped together as she watched. "It was very difficult to remain impassive, but I did as you requested. Do you feel adequately avenged now?"

He chuckled. "Yeah, I guess you could say that. You have a calming effect on me, Star. I thought after how angry I was at him yesterday I was going to do some serious damage. Turns out, with you there, I didn't need to." He shoved the mattress under his bed and placed the bed sheets back in his wardrobe. "What are the others doing?"

"Cyborg has gone to work on the T-Car. He mentioned that k'norfka Batman gave him a portion of the Batmobile's prints of blue and he wanted to upgrade 'his baby'. Beast Boy and Raven are having a movie marathon and the sharing of popped corn. It is very sweet as they are holding hands."

Robin raised an eyebrow. "Raven and Beast Boy. Didn't see that one coming."

Starfire shrugged. "You have been very busy. Things have been changing between them since we stayed at Wayne Manor."

"Cyborg didn't see it coming either," Robin protested, sitting down on his bed.

"That is true. Perhaps it is a boy thing."

Robin grunted in agreement before smiling at her. "So, what's your plan then?"

"I think I would like to sleep. I did not get much last night."

"Well, now, that's a shame, seeing as I was planning on taking the day off and spending it with you." Trying to remain aloof, he hid a smile as he saw surprise and joy spread across her features. "But, seeing as you would prefer to sleep-"

She jumped him. She grabbed him by the shoulders and pushed him back on the bed before crawling along his body. He chuckled and placed his hands on her waist, pulling her down until her weight settled on him. He angled his head upward and attached his mouth on hers, before hissing in pain and pulling away.

She smiled softly and touched his lip gently, running her fingers over the small cut on his lip. He fought not to wince in pain. "Perhaps we should not be doing the making out until this is healed," she said, kissing the uncut corner of his mouth.

"I could go and ask Raven to heal it for me," he said cheekily.

"No," she replied, floating off him. "She and Beast Boy need time alone. We will not disturb them."

He kept his hands around her waist, sitting up so he could keep in contact with her. "Couldn't I just-"

"No, Robin," she replied with a smile.

"But I owe him from all the times-"

"No, Robin," she replied more firmly this time, although her eyes twinkled merrily.

He huffed, let go of her waist and flopped back on the bed. "No fair," he sulked playfully.

She floated over him. "I believe the teasing you and Cyborg will be conducting after today will make up for any disappointment you may be feeling now," she said with a smile.

He chuckled before being struck with an idea. "Hey, lets go into the city and grab some lunch. I'm starved."

"That would be most wonderful," Starfire replied smiling.

"C'mon then," he said, springing to his feet and holding out his hand. "We'll take my bike."

TTTTT

Starfire pressed her ear against Robin's shoulder, her arms tight around his chest as he curved over the R-Cycle. She loved the feel of him as he rode, the way his body would lean into a turn, the way his hips shifted, constantly in tune with the movement of the bike as he ducked and weaved through traffic. She loved the wind rushing past their ears and the roar of the engine, the hum of the bike beneath their legs. She treasured the feeling of being flown rather than the one flying, of being taken on a wild ride instead of the one providing it.

Most of all, she just loved the feeling of being pressed against him.

No one outside their circle of friends knew that they were a couple. With the exception of Titans East, even most of the Titans Network was unaware. Robin wanted to keep it that way. He said they had too many enemies that would try and to use them against each other if their relationship was ever discovered. So they never showed affection beyond friendship in public. But an amazing bike ride was a cheeky way of being close without drawing suspicion.

They'd enjoyed a leisurely lunch at a place called Cathy's Café, one of the only places in Jump City willing to serve mustard as a drink. Consequently, Cathy's was the place to go when the Titans felt like something other than Pizza. Cathy, the owner, was a bit of a sweetie and always loved it when the Titans came to her café. She always had new meals for them to test and different desserts to sample. She looked after them like an old mother hen, fussing over them whenever they came into her café and Beast Boy was her favorite. She'd even set up a special tofu menu just for him.

Cathy had been delighted when Starfire and Robin arrived and spent a good deal of time just talking with them, before trotting off to fetch them food without even taking an order. The meal had been delicious, as always, and exactly what they would have ordered if she'd let them.

As they had left, Cathy had given Robin a small brown bag and winked, causing Robin to blush. Starfire's curiosity peaked, but Robin gave her a cheeky smile, told her she'd just have to wait and see and stashed the bag in his bike. Now they were hurtling through the streets of Jump City, weaving through traffic heading toward some unknown destination.

She snuggled in closer, her arms entwined around his chest. Robin spared her a glance over his shoulder and a half smile before his attention was drawn back to the road. He began to slow, before pulling into the parking lot of the Jump City Recreational Park. He parked the bike under the shade of a tree and removed his helmet, giving his head a small shake.

Starfire floated away from the bike, hovering as she waited for Robin to secure his helmet and set the alarm. He retrieved the small paper bag before beckoning to her with a smile.

She walked by his side companionably as they strolled through the park. A generous parcel of preserved woodland and large open meadows surrounding a crystal blue lake just past the outskirts of Jump City. It was a popular spot for fishing and family picnics. The meadows were dotted with tables and shady trees provided seclusion for the seats underneath. Small mounds of dropped autumn leaves piled against the trees. The Titans often came here for a break or to play football and Starfire was quite glad to return after so long away.

Being a workday, the park was virtually deserted. Only a few people with small children were scattered around the parks only play equipment and they didn't seem to notice the pair. Starfire smiled as she heard the children squeal with laughter as they played.

They walked in comfortable silence heading down to the lake edge, Starfire listening to sweet bird song as she walked. A huge weeping willow tree, its branches burdened with yellowing leaves hid a secluded park bench by the lake edge and it was here that Robin stopped. It was quiet and peaceful under the tree, several of its long majestic limbs trailed in the water and some brown and white ducks flittered in between.

He held the bag out to Starfire and she took it, looking inside. It was filled with old breadcrumbs and she looked up at Robin questionably. He smiled. "Most of the ducks would have already migrated, but there are always a few stragglers. I thought you might like to feed them and Cathy gave me those."

Starfire grinned excitedly and stuffed her hand in the bag, before tossing a handful of breadcrumbs at the ducks. She giggled gleefully as the ducks began to squabble and dive for the breadcrumbs floating on the surface of the water. Several more ducks flew in to investigate the ruckus and Starfire gifted them with a handful of crumbs of their own. Schools of fish arrived under the water to compete for bread.

She began to float, lying flat in the air and hovered over the water. She held out her breadcrumb filled hand, her fingers trailing in the water and stayed perfectly still. A particularly adventurous duck swam up to nibble at her fingers before eating out of her hand.

She giggled and raised her head to look at Robin. He sat on the bench, his arms spread out on the back of the seat with a smile on his face as he watched her. More ducks nibbled at her fingers and she looked down at them again. She trailed the fingers of her other hand across the back of a duck, sighing at the feel its soft velvety feathers.

She looks so beautiful like this.

Starfire glanced up at Robin again, before tossing another handful of breadcrumbs into the water. "What did you say?" she asked, unsure she'd heard him correctly.

Robin looked confused. "I didn't say anything."

She frowned slightly before deciding to ignore it. "Would you like to feed the ducks too?"

"Nah, it's okay. I'll just watch," he said with a smile.

A sedate breeze wafted through the area, swaying the branches of the weeping willow. A few leaves detached from the tree and cascaded into the water, floating on the surface like boats. Starfire picked up one of the wayward leaves and twirled it between her fingers, before casting another handful of breadcrumbs to the squabbling ducks. She lolled in the air as she hovered above the feasting ducks, watching the fish beneath the water stealing food.

Eventually she ran out of breadcrumbs, although a few ducks continued to nibble her fingers in an effort to find more food. She let out a soft sigh and alighted on the bank, watching her new friends swim away. She turned and smiled at Robin in delight, surprised to find him already standing next to her.

"I thank you, Robin! This was most glorious. I did enjoy the sensation of the ducks nibbling my fingers."

"Glad you enjoyed it." He grinned at her, his hand reached up to brush her hair behind her ear before he grasped her by the back of the neck and pulled her in for a kiss.

She was momentarily startled before she leaned into the kiss, her arms snaking around his waist. He must have checked to see if anyone was around before kissing her, as she knew he didn't like to display affection in public. His hands crept up her back to pull her closer to him and he slid his tongue into her mouth.

I love you.

Starfire froze. It was definitely Robin's voice, but he hadn't actually said anything. She broke the kiss and leaned back, one hand on his shoulder, looking at him in concern.

He frowned and moved his hands to her waist. "What's wrong, Star?"

"Robin," she began slowly, trying to figure out how to word her question. "Over the past few days has anything strange occurred? Something that you have difficulty in explaining?"

He frowned. "Like what?"

She bit her lip in consideration. "I have been experiencing your voice inside my head and just now I heard you say that you loved me, but I know you could not have said anything since your mouth was on mine and I am very confused because this is not the first time it has happened to me," she said in a rush. "Similarly before when you said you had not spoken I thought I heard you say I was beautiful."

Robin looked very concerned and his hands tightened around her waist. "How long has this been happening?"

"Yesterday was the first time. I was meditating with Raven and your voice continually distracted me. Raven entered my meditations with me to try and discern the problem, but we were interrupted by the Titan alarm."

"What did you hear?" His voice was tense.

"You spoke of hating the work of papers and Bumblebee and Control Freak and I heard you mention something about Wayne Manor and Christmas and you mentioned my name quite frequently." She blushed slightly, lowering her eyes. "At first I only understood parts of what you were saying, but now the words are very clear."

Robin's face got paler as she told him what she had been hearing. "Star, last night when you were dreaming, did you dream of being back home on a cliff top at night?" Her eyes snapped to his face in astonishment as he spoke. "And then Galfore came and spoke to you about going to the Warlords of Okaara? And then-"

"I was on a Gordanian ship… you were there! I knew I saw you there! But why? Why is this happening?"

Robin stepped away from her and ran a hand through his hair, his expression carefully blank. "I think we need to speak to Raven."