Chapter 34

A small beeping noise echoed through the room and Beast Boy rolled over, his eyes tightly closed, waving his arm vaguely for the alarm clock. His hand met with something warm and soft. He frowned, feeling around curiously, wondering what it was.

"Um, Garfield," Raven's voice said quietly, as the beeping sound stopped. "Whatever it is you think you're feeling for, that's not it."

His eyes snapped open and he looked down at his hand in horror. He had his hand on Raven's breast and she was looking at him curiously with one eyebrow raised.

He snatched his hand away, his face burning in embarrassment. He cringed, squeezing his eyes shut, expecting an explosion of epic proportions any moment. "Oh god, Rae," he spluttered hastily. "I'm sorry… I didn't mean… I would never… You know that-"

"It's fine," she droned quietly. "Its sort of understandable actually, I mean, we are sharing a bed now and all."

He peeked open an eye. "Really? You're not going to kill me?"

She raised an eyebrow at him. "No."

"Why not?"

She rolled over onto her side, propping her head up on her on a bent elbow, her eyebrows raised in surprise. "What do you mean why not? Would you like me to kill you?"

He bounced on the bed until he was lying on his side, copying her position. "No. It's just that… well… um… It's always been very difficult to get you to open up and stuff and I don't want you to think I'm taking advantage of you or anything like that."

She gave him a half smile. "Did you sleep well?"

He frowned slightly at the change of topic. "Yeah. No nightmares again. You?"

She nodded. "Don't remember waking up once."

He smiled at her. "You must be getting used to my snoring then. Hey, I never asked last night, did you, Star and Bee have fun yesterday?"

She smirked at him. "Fishing for information, are we?"

Was he that transparent? "No," he said, trying to sound innocent. "Just wondering."

"We painted our nails, did our hair and talked about boys. That's all Bee was really interested in doing. Starfire and I just tend to follow what she wants. Makes it easier."

"You talked about boys? Which boys?"

That smirk appeared on her face again. "Jealous?"

He shrugged and tired to feign indifference.

She continued to smirk at him and got out of bed before gathering her clothes for the day. She paused at the door. "Just in case you hadn't noticed, Gar. I didn't remove your hand then. You did." She opened the door and was gone before Beast Boy could react.

TTTTT

Raven smiled quietly to herself as she sat on the sofa reading her book. She'd really thrown Beast Boy for a loop. He'd been casting her embarrassed and half-hopeful looks for most of the morning. He and Cyborg were in Cyborg's room playing games but every now and then she'd catch him looking over his shoulder at her through the open bedroom door, a dreamy expression on his face.

"What are you so happy about?" Nightwing asked darkly as he sat at the table working on his computer.

Raven frowned and lowered her book, studying Nightwing closely. Something had changed in him overnight but she wasn't sure what. "What's wrong with you?"

He didn't look at her and Raven found that strange. "Nothing."

"Uh-huh." If Nightwing didn't want to talk, she wasn't going to make him.

The door to Starfire and Nightwing's room opened and Raven saw Nightwing tense as Starfire walked out carrying a sleeping Silkie in her arms. She cocked her head and lifted her book again, pretending to read as she studied the pair, gently unfolding her powers to have a closer look.

Starfire was still the same. Very sad, very heart sore, with that sense of vagueness and pain that no one seemed to be able to break. She'd acted like she'd had a nice time last night with Bumblebee, but perhaps that was all it was, an act. But something had hurt Nightwing deeply, right down to his core and Raven wasn't sure what that was.

Starfire came to stand behind Nightwing and placed her hand on his shoulder. He angled away from her and pretended to fiddle with one of the cords behind the computer. Hurt splashed across Starfire's face and she moved away.

Beast Boy bounded out of Cyborg's room. "Hey Star!" he said in greeting. "Wanna come play? Cyborg's trying to cheat again."

"I am not!" Cyborg's bellowed voice from inside the room. "He's the one cheatin', Star. We need a referee!"

Starfire cast a sad glance at Nightwing's stiff back before nodding. "Of course."

Raven waited until Starfire had entered Cyborg's room before she stood and walked to Nightwing. "What the hell is your problem today?" she snapped. Something might have hurt Nightwing, but he certainly shouldn't be taking it out on Starfire. She didn't need that kind of thing right now.

He continued looking at the computer. "Don't know what you're talking about."

Raven's eyebrow's arched. "Try this, Starfire just walked in here and you didn't even look at her or talk to her."

Nightwing stood up abruptly and walked into his room and Raven heard the lock snap behind him. She frowned as she stared after him.

TTTTT

Beast Boy pounced.

The small mouse he was chasing was jerked from his claws and he skittered along the floor after it, his hind legs and tail wiggling in anticipation.

Starfire giggled quietly as she dangled the mouse tantalizingly out of reach and Cyborg's heart leapt at the sound. Raven looked up from her book at the giggle before a small smile crossed her face and she placed the book on the sofa beside her before sliding herself off and sitting on the floor opposite Starfire.

Cyborg leaned over the edge of the sofa, watching as Raven and Starfire began tossing the small toy mouse between each other. Beast Boy scooted frantically after it, leaping into the air, his paws flailing wildly as he tried to snag his toy. It was rather funny to watch and Cyborg laughed under his breath and grinned at the trio.

He glanced out onto the balcony where Nightwing stood, one foot placed up on the balcony edge, his hands resting on his knee as he looked out onto Tamaran. Something was wrong with him, had been wrong with him since this morning. It was like he'd woken up on the wrong side of the bed. He was snappy, he couldn't look anyone in the eye properly, and he hadn't touched Starfire today. It was like he was going out of his way to distance himself from her.

Had something happened at the girl's night yesterday? Starfire certainly seemed much better now; she was smiling a lot more, her eyes seemed brighter somehow. There was still an underlying sadness within her, but Cyborg honestly thought she was getting better.

He turned back to look at Starfire once more, seeing her cast a glance out onto the balcony, pain and confusion flashing briefly in her eyes.

Cyborg gritted his teeth. Whatever was wrong with Nightwing, he'd just have to get over it.

He straightened and walked out of the common room to Nightwing's side. "Man, what the hell are you doing out here? Starfire's in there and she's actually laughing and you're brooding out here by yourself."

Nightwing stiffened. "It's not really her," he said quietly.

Cyborg frowned. " 'Course it is," he said. "Who else would it be?"

Nightwing looked down at his hands as he open and closed his fists. "I don't know. But Starfire would never… she just wouldn't… its wrong on so many levels… I told her it could never be like that between us… and she went and did it anyway… I didn't want that, never wanted that from her, and I hate myself for letting her."

Cyborg's frown grew deeper. "Man, you're not making any sense."

Nightwing's shoulders slumped. "Doesn't matter," he mumbled.

"If it doesn't matter, then get over it," Cyborg snapped.

Nightwing raised his head and looked at Cyborg, his eyebrows raised.

"Dick, Starfire is in there. She's giggling. She's playing. She's smiling. She's finally having a good time and showing signs of recovery. And you know what I'm seeing? I'm seeing her worrying about you. I'm seeing her glance out here every five seconds, a pained expression on her face. She doesn't need that. Whatever it is you think you're going through, suck it up and get over it. Right now, your top priority should be that little lady in there, not your sorry ass."

"It's not that easy," Nightwing said sadly, turning his head away.

"Make it that easy. She needs you." Cyborg grabbed Nightwing by the shoulders and spun him to face the common room. "Look at her. She's a shadow of what she once was, but she's here. She's alive. You need to cherish that. She needs time to heal and you distancing yourself from her, for whatever reason you think validates that, is only hurting her more."

Cyborg gave him a small shove and Nightwing looked ruefully over his shoulder at him before leaving the balcony, Cyborg following behind. He watched as Nightwing crossed the room and sat down beside Starfire, giving her a kiss on the cheek. He watched Starfire turn to Nightwing, her lips caressing his name and her eyes light up.

Cyborg rolled his eyes. More lovey-dovey stuff and he was responsible for it.

TTTTT

Fyria pottered around her kitchen, humming to herself under her breath.

"What are you so happy about, d'anthe l'ani?" asked her husband as he lumbered into the room.

She smiled for him. "It is good to have both you and Kom home. I worry for you both."

He grunted at her. "I fear it will not be for long. I must meet with my A'ninl again tomorrow so that we can coordinate an attack on the Citadel with the other planets that wish to join our cause."

She nodded as she pulled several zorkaberry pies from the oven.

Galfore brightened. "Ahh, zorkaberry pie."

Blackfire poked her head through the door. "Zorkaberry pie?"

She wrinkled her nose at them. "They are not for you. They are for Kori and Nightwing. Or have you forgotten that they are joining us for dinner tonight?"

Galfore's eyes widened. "I have to share?"

"Yes," she replied tartly. "And remember, I do not want either of you speaking of the war at the dinner table."

Blackfire sighed as she crossed the room to sit beside Galfore. "I don't understand why Nightwing won't help us. He has a brilliant tactical mind."

"And he is very skilled in the way of the warrior, he would be a valuable asset. Why his knowledge of battle alone-"

Fyria slammed her spoon down on the bench in the middle, startling both Blackfire and Galfore. "Kom, did you ask Nightwing to join in this war?" she asked, her voice hard.

Blackfire nodded, eyeing the spoon carefully. "Of course. We could really use his help."

Fyria snarled, letting her fiery nature that bubbled under the surface out. "Do neither of you ever listen to Kori? Do you not read her communications ,Galfore? Nightwing does not kill. Never has. Is vehemently against it. It has been hard enough on the boy that Kori was made to do it, hard enough on the both of them, let alone asking him to assist in the destruction of the Citadel. Nightwing took on the Citadel with his team and they did not kill a single one of them did they, Kom? Be thankful that he is allowing her to stay on Tamaran while she recovers, for if it were up to me, I would have taken Kori away from this place as soon as possible. Tamaran has only ever brought her pain." She poked her finger at Blackfire. "And do not ask him to participate in this war again, in any form."

Blackfire nodded meekly. "Sorry Fyria."

Fyria humphed and turned back to her cooking. "Kom, please go and set the table. And Galfore, you need to go and wash."

Blackfire nodded, escaping from Fyria's anger quickly while Galfore sighed. "How is Kori doing?"

Fyria echoed his sigh. "She is so very sad. I did not ever think it possible for Kori to be so unhappy."

Galfore nodded. "She did a lot of damage to the Citadel. It must be hard for her to deal with. Koriand'r has never embraced Tamaranian way of war and the necessity of death." He sighed and lumbered to his feet. "I will go and wash, call me when they arrive."

TTTTT

"Star?" Nightwing called softly as he entered their room, clipping his jagged cape around his shoulders. "Are you ready to go to dinner?"

He found her sitting on the bed, staring vacantly at the floor, looking very lost and alone. He sighed and crossed the room to kneel before her. "Star?"

She blinked down at him. "Why were you so angry with me?" she asked softly.

He winced. Cyborg was right; whatever pain he was in because of what happened between them last night, he shouldn't have been taking it out on her. She didn't need it. She probably didn't even realise that he saw the difference in her, the vagueness in her eyes, this fake persona she was erecting. He would take the pain he was feeling, all the anger at himself and the self-loathing from using her like that and bottle it away and concentrate on helping her heal. After all, he was better at wearing masks than she was. "I wasn't angry with you, Star. I'm sorry for the way I've been acting today. I didn't sleep very well last night and I guess it made me grumpy."

She looked at him with those gorgeous eyes of hers. "You are the un-grumpy now?"

He gave her a smile and brushed her hair behind her ear. "Yeah, I'm the un-grumpy now." He stood up and kissed her on the forehead. "Ready for dinner?"

She wrapped her hands around his waist, pressing her cheek to his stomach and held on tight. He felt his heart catch. He'd done it again. He was never going to learn was he? He was just going to keep hurting her through his stupid actions. He needed to start to think before he acted around her. "Star, I'm sorry," he said softly, running his fingers through her hair and stroking her back. "I didn't mean to make you upset."

"I am the o and k," she replied quietly, looking up at him and smiling. "I just wanted a hug."

He grinned. "Well, come up here and I'll give you a proper one. And then we really have to go."

She smiled and stood and he wrapped his arms around her holding her close, breathing in the sweet scent of her hair and feeling her arms on his back. He wasn't going to trust himself in bed with her anymore, not until she started flying again at least. But that didn't mean he shouldn't hold her, or touch her or love her. She thrived on affection and he was going to shower her in it, he was just going to be careful which affection he gave her.

He gave her a chaste kiss on the mouth, not taking her invitation when she opened hers for him before he broke away and led her from the room. He pulled her out onto the balcony, jumping up on the edge and reaching a hand down to pull Starfire up beside him. "We'll be back later," he called to Raven who was sitting on the sofa reading her book again.

She nodded vaguely. "Have fun."

He spread the jagged edge of his cape wide. Starfire's arms encircled his neck, her body pressed up against his front. "Ready, Star?" he asked, picking her up so she could wrap her legs around his waist.

She nodded, resting her head against his neck. "I am prepared."

He leaped over the edge of the balcony, activating his boots and soared into the air. He loved this thing, it wasn't as nice as Starfire's flight but it was a good alternative. Starfire's arms tightened around his neck. The only down point of his rocket boots and cape was that he had to use his whole body to fly, he couldn't hold on to her.

Blackfire was waiting on the balcony for them when they arrived. "Finally," she said when she saw them. "Fyria made zorkaberry pies and she wouldn't let us have any until you got here."

Nightwing raised an eyebrow, his hands on Starfire's hips as she untangled her legs from his waist. "Oh yes, we must not keep you from zorkaberry pies."

Blackfire wrinkled her nose at him. "You know, you could have just asked me to come and get you."

"No fun in that," Nightwing replied. "It's not often that I get to fly Star around. Besides," he continued as he unsnapped his cape. "This thing totally rocks."

Starfire gave him a small smile before looking back at Blackfire. "Greeting, sister."

"Hi sweetie. How'd that girl's night of yours go?"

"It was very enjoyable."

"Koriand'r!" Galfore's boomed voice in greeting from inside the suite. "Nightwing, welcome to our home."

"Good to see you Galfore," he said with a smile as Starfire pulled him into the room. It was a large lounge room, very similar in design in the one the Titans were staying in, but he hardly had time to look at it before Starfire dragged him into a kitchen.

Fyria turned from the large stove at the opposite end of the room and smiled brightly. "Kori, Nightwing, welcome."

"Hi," he said shyly. He'd barely had time to speak with Fyria, he'd been so wrapped up in Starfire, and even on the few times she'd visited they had only said a few words to each other. He glanced around. This kitchen was huge and reminded him of the kitchen in the Manor. Somewhat more homely and comforting though.

"Kom said there was zorkaberry pies," Starfire said, planting herself down on a stool and leaning on the large bench in the middle of the room.

Fyria laughed. "They are supposed to be for after dinner, Kori, but very well. You may have one now."

"Hey, why does she get one and not the rest of us?" Blackfire whined as she walked into the room, plopping down on a stool as well.

Galfore come in behind her, sitting on the huge stool next to Starfire. "Yes, it does seem rather unfair."

Nightwing changed his grip on his cape as he hovered by the door; unsure where he should stash it until it was time to go back to their rooms. Starfire glanced over her shoulder at him, before beckoning and patting the empty stool beside her. He crossed quickly and sat down beside her, draping his cape over his leg for the time being.

"Well, now," Fyria said as she placed two pies in front of Starfire and Nightwing. "That all depends. Did you bring your manners to the table today?"

Galfore's eyes narrowed at her. "What are these manners of which you speak woman?" he drawled. "I require pie!"

Fyria raised an eyebrow at him while Nightwing's brow furrowed.

"You require pie?" Fyria asked, drumming her fingers on her lips, before reaching out to smack Galfore's fingers as he snuck them towards Starfire's pie.

"May I have a pie please, Fyria?" Blackfire asked, an innocent expression on her face.

Fyria considered her. "Of course you may have a pie," she said as she placed one before Blackfire. Blackfire crossed her eyes and poked her tongue out at Galfore before she began to scoff it.

"Woman! Pie! I am the Grand Ruler of Tamaran and I demand pie!"

"You are a smya blegog and you do not deserve pie!"

Starfire choked on her piece of pie. Galfore thumped her on the back before he turned his eyes back to Fyria. He yelled something out at her in Tamaranian and she responded heartily, returning to the stove to stir whatever was cooking.

Galfore pushed back from his seat, the stool falling to the ground behind him and yelled something else out at her, jabbing his finger into the palm of his hand. He strode around the room to stand beside Fyria, dwarfing the woman with his bulk.

She said something mildly to him and he turned and retrieved a saucepan, handing it to her calmly before he began to roar again and wave his arms around. She floated up and poked him in the nose with her spoon before roaring something back.

Nightwing cocked his head in confusion and tried to make himself insignificant. This was a different side of Starfire's family that he was seeing. Were they going to start having a domestic in the middle of the kitchen? Should he be worried? Star, what's going on?

Starfire began to quietly giggle beside him and Blackfire burst into laughter.

"Galfore, Fyria, you are scaring Nightwing. Cut it out," Blackfire laughed.

The two of them turned to face him and he felt his heart leap into his throat.

"We apologise," Fyria said, her eyes twinkling merrily and Nightwing instantly recognised the look. Starfire got the same gleam in her eyes whenever she was being cheeky.

Starfire lay her hand on Nightwing's shoulder. "They are doing the flirting."

Nightwing's breath escaped him in a rush and he rubbed a hand over his face.

Fyria crossed the room to him, took the cape from his lap and placed it on the bench, grabbed him by the shoulders and pulled him roughly to his feet. "I have not yet had a proper look at you," she said, looking him up and down and he suddenly felt like he was a piece of cattle being sized up. "We have always had other things that concerned us. This new outfit you wear fits you very well," she said with a gleam in her eye. "Why do you always wear that mask?"

Nightwing was taken aback at her frankness.

"Fyria, I have spoken to you about this," Starfire said softly.

"Yes, but I have already seen his face without the mask on, just never in any detail. And I am still curious about the colour of his eyes."

"Fyria," Starfire said warningly.

"They're blue," Nightwing said and Starfire looked at him in astonishment.

Nightwing peeled off his mask, stashing it in his utility belt before he looked back at Fyria. Her eyes widened in surprise.

"What a glorious colour," she exclaimed with a sly grin at Starfire. "They are just like the sky. No wonder Kori is so taken with you."

Starfire eeped. "Fyria! The colour of his eyes has nothing to do with it. I did not even know what colour they were until he-" she broke off and went bright red.

Fyria laughed and returned to her cooking.

You did not need to do that, Richard, she sent quietly.

I know, he sent in return and kissed her hair before sitting down beside her once more. But I wanted to.

TTTTT

Nightwing stood on the balcony looking out at the night sky of Tamaran while he waited for Starfire to finish talking to her sister.

"The stars are very beautiful," Fyria said, coming to stand beside him. "I imagine they would be very different that the ones back on Earth."

Nightwing nodded. "It's nice seeing a different sky sometimes, but I'm starting to miss the one back home."

"I thank you for allowing Kori to stay on Tamaran. I have missed her."

Nightwing shrugged. "She needed to be with her family."

"There is something very wrong with her is there not?"

Nightwing stiffened. "What do you mean?"

"There is a certain… absence in her eyes. She does not shine through as clearly."

He turned to face her, relief suddenly flowing through him. He wasn't being paranoid; there really was something different. "I thought it was only me seeing it. Its like she's missing a part of herself."

Fyria placed her hand on his shoulder. "She has spoken to you of her time in the Citadel, yes?"

"Bits and pieces. I know she went there when she was eleven, and came back to Tamaran when she was fourteen after she killed a Master. I know her father tried to send her back."

Fyria nodded. "When she came back when she was fourteen I saw the same absence in her eyes. No one else was able to see it, indeed Galfore said I was imagining things. It did not last long then and I hope it will not last long now. But she is very sad and I am worried for her. I am glad she has you to turn to during this time. She had no one last time. I have been watching her very closely tonight. Whenever she has been feeling sad or distressed she has been doing this." Fyria lifted her left hand and rubbed the thumb against her ring finger.

Nightwing nodded. "I've seen her do that too. She rubs her engagement ring."

Fyria cocked her head. "Engagement ring?"

"It's an Earth tradition," he said quietly, glancing over at Starfire. "When we get married we give each other rings. An engagement ring is a promise of marriage, something that a guy will give to a girl. I competed in the xhandal for her but I wanted to do things right by Earth traditions too."

"Like this 'kiss' that you do as well, that is another Earth tradition?"

Nightwing blushed. "Yeah. Kissing is our way of displaying affection."

Fyria reached out and grabbed his chin, placing her lips against his. His eyes widened in fright and he went rigid. She moved away and cocked her head in confusion. "What is wrong?"

He felt the blush creep down over his neck. "Um…usually we only kiss our chosen or… what did she call it… claimed on the lips. Family and friends tend to kiss on the cheek." A thought struck him. "And guys don't generally kiss each other."

Fyria nodded and kissed him on the cheek. "I apologise. I simply wished to display the affection for you. I did not mean to embarrass you."

He rubbed the back of his neck and ducked his head. "S'okay," he mumbled quietly.

"It is interesting. You know many languages."

He blinked in surprise and looked back up at her. "Oh… right… yeah I guess I do."

"I am ready to go," Starfire said as she walked over to him.

"I have been learning the human way of displaying affection," Fyria announced with a wicked gleam in her eye and Nightwing felt himself going red once more.

Starfire raised her eyebrows. "Oh?"

"Yes. It is very interesting, this kissing. I shall have to try it with Galfore." She leaned over and kissed Starfire on the cheek. "It is a less painful way of displaying affection."

Starfire eyed Nightwing and he couldn't bring himself to look back at her. He scuffed his boot on the ground.

"Goodnight Starfire, goodnight Nightwing," Fyria said as she walked over to Blackfire and Galfore. "It was wonderful having you both here."

"Goodnight Fyria," Starfire replied, before she stood in front of Nightwing, her arms winding around his neck. Is there something that you wish to tell me? she asked cheekily, her eyes twinkling.

He picked her up so she could wrap her legs around him before spreading his cape wide and launching them off the balcony. No.