When we last left our heroes, Robin had just killed a powerful Gordanian General. Now let us see if things have cooled down a bit.

Five: A Hero's Reward

Robin walked down the hall with Koriand'r, neither of them speaking. There were a lot of things on Robin's mind.

He had just killed a man. Well… not a man, per say, but he had still taken away life. And it all happened so fast… so many thoughts flew though his head.

Was he a murderer? He had killed him because he would have kidnapped or killed Koriand'r. But did that make him innocent? Did that fact free him of the sin he had just committed?

And although he didn't know it, his life was going to get a lot more complicated.

"Well," he said, as they reached their doors, "good night."

He turned to leave.

"Wait!"

He stopped and looked over his shoulder.

"Um… I do not feel… safe tonight. There might be other Gordanians."

"Well, I'll be right next door…"

"I still would not feel safe. I wish for you to – stay with me."

His hormones were rushing like crazy. Was she asking what he thought she was asking?

"Uhh…"

"Please?" she asked sweetly, moving towards him a bit. He gulped as he looked into her pleading eyes…

"Well… just for tonight."

She smiled and they walked into her room.

Oh, said a voice in his head, this is not a good idea! Remember what Galfor said? You could be killed!

I'm just going to keep her company, said another, slyly.

Oh, you know you're going to do more than that!

Will you just calm down?

He shook his head and walked into the room. His eyebrows shot up to his bangs.

The room was huge. It was painted in purple and gold, and had a balcony with windows looking onto it. There was a large, round, purple bed that sat in the corner with purple drapes hanging from it. In the other corner was a large, gold dresser and a full body mirror beside it.

"Woah…" he said. "This is so much better then my room."

She giggled and went over and sat on her bed.

"You may set your glunta over there," she said, pointing to the dresser.

"My what?"

"Your weapon."

"Oh." He walked over to the dresser and lay down his axe. He glanced at the mirror and saw that she was watching him in interest every step of the way.

"So, um," he said, clearing his throat, "where should I sleep?"

"Well… my bed is big enough for both of us."

B-Bum, B-Bum, B-Bum, B-Bum

His heart rate began to increase as sweat dripped from the back of his neck.

"Uh… that's… ok. I can always just sleep on the floor."

Her eyes looked down and her shoulders slumped.

"Oh… very well."

He walked over and sat down next to her.

"Well, maybe we can talk for a bit."

"Alright. Can you – tell me about Earth?"

"Haven't you been there before? I mean, you deal with Earth refugees and all…"

"Oh, no, my sister takes care of all intergalactic affairs."

"Oh. Well… the food's different," he said, remembering the delicacies from earlier.

"How?"

"Well, most of the stuff's cooked, first."

She blinked.

"It is?" He nodded. "But why would you take extra time just to heat up a meal when it tastes just as good cold?"

He laughed. "Yeah, I guess it is pretty pointless."

"What else?"

"Well, there's the parks."

"What are they?"

"They're places with trees and benches and things. It's a place where people go to get away from the big city. It's kind of like an escape from reality. Well, for me, anyway."

"I would love to see one!"

"Gotham has a great park. Maybe some day I'll take you."

"That would be most enjoyable."

They smiled at each other and it was then that Robin realized how close they had gotten. And although he wanted to jerk away rather than risk his life, he found himself glued to the spot. Her eyes dug deeply into his and he was intoxicated with every element of her face. She was a forbidden fruit… and he wanted a taste. (A/N I know how that sounds… just roll with it)

He leaned in close. So close that the tips of their lips barely created friction. He closed his eyes and drank in the moment. He could feel her anticipation, her excitement. Then, he brushed his lips against hers. He got such an adrenalin rush he nearly became light headed.

Their lips made contact once more and he could almost hear her heart beat. He pushed his lips a bit firmer and she matched. He felt her arms gently move up and down his chest until they snaked around his neck.

Stop…

He stopped kissing her and pushed her away a bit.

"What's wrong?" she said.

"We – we could get in so much trouble for this…"

She pulled him closer and whispered: "I don't care"

That was it. Robin let go; completely.

He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her close. He looked at her and then gave her the most passionate kiss he had ever given anybody in his life. They didn't even break for air. Slowly, Robin felt himself pushing Koriand'r gently onto the bed. Then, before he knew what was going on, he felt himself being torn away from the Princess and pushed against the wall by his throat. He opened his eyes and saw Galfor's fuming face.

"Ungrateful wretch!" he bellowed.

"Galfor, NO!" Koriand'r pleaded.

"I trusted you! And you betrayed me!"

Robin gasped for air, but none came; he was a good two feet off the ground. He flailed his legs in a vain attempt to escape, but Galfor only held on tighter.

"Your head will roll!"

"Galfor, please!"

"And you…" he said, whipping around to Koriand'r, "you have dishonored yourself and your family! You have no say!"

He turned back to Robin, who was close to becoming unconscious. He let him down and the Earth boy nearly collapsed. He roughly picked him up by his arm.

"Your execution will be at dawn."

He then dragged him out of the room and slammed the door shut. He then turned and locked it from the outside. He draggedRobin down the hall in the way of the dungeons. When they got there, Galfor threw them in a cell.

"I'll be watching you," Galfor said, sitting in a chair across from the cell door.

"Look," said Robin, "none of this was her fault! It was all my idea! She had nothing to do with it!"

"She has dishonored her name."

"No! It was all me! Please, you can't –"

"Can't what?"

He sighed and slumped against the wall, awaiting his death.

Is this the end of our hero? Will Galfor's eternal debt go unnoticed? And why has no one explained what a gunther knife is? Tune in next chapter to find out!

T.