Chapter 15

The next morning was busy at Titans Tower. As Robin and the others had expected, Raven kept after Doctor Beckthold until the physician finally gave in and released both herself and Liand'r.

Naturally, their arrival was cause for celebration, and as usual, Cyborg and Beast Boy went way overboard in that department. Robin had been trying all morning to get Starfire alone to talk to her. He was starting to get worried when, at times, it almost seemed as though she was avoiding him. Finally reaching the end of his patience shortly after lunch, he called to her through their bond.

'Starfire, can I see you on the roof for a moment? Alone.'

'Of course, Robin. I will be there shortly,' she replied.

A short time later, Robin saw Starfire gracefully glide over the edge of the roof, and she touched down beside him.

"I thought you would like to know that I've reached my decision," he told her.

"I know," she said softly, then lowered her eyes. "That is why I have been avoiding being alone with you. I do not know if your answer is the one I hope for."

Unfortunately for Starfire, she didn't see the sly grin Robin gave her. "This should help you figure out what I decided."

"What should? ROBIN!" she first asked, then screamed as she looked up to see him vanish over the edge of the roof. She quickly took flight and caught up to him a short distance down the Tower. Taking his hand in hers, she flew with him over to her garden. Once they touched down she grabbed him by his shoulders and held him at arms length, shaking him none to gently. "What in X'Hal's name were you thinking?!" she demanded. "You could have been killed!"

Robin fought hard to keep from both laughing and smiling, as he knew at this moment, Starfire would fail to see the humor in her reaction. He knew that he had been in no danger, and he also knew that Starfire would figure it out on her own, once she got over the fright he had given her. He decided to explain it to her first.

"Okay, Star, I'll admit that a fall from the roof would have killed me," he began. "but only if you had suddenly forgotten how to fly, or I had forgotten how to use my grapnels." He allowed himself a grin as Starfire turned her back on him with a huff. He came up behind her and put his hands on her upper arms. "I wasn't in any danger, because I knew you would save me."

"So how should that. . .?" she began, but cut off with a gasp as she spun around to face him. "You could do that because you trust me with your life, yes?"

Robin nodded. "So all that leaves is for me to ask one question," he said. "Do you still want me back?" He hadn't even gotten the whole question out when Starfire wrapped him in one of her signature hugs. "I'll take that as a yes," he managed to gasp out.

Starfire loosened her grip on Robin, but kept her arms around him. "I do not wish for you to change your mind, but what made you reach this decision?"

Robin smiled as he felt Starfire's relief beneath her curiosity. "Part of it was some of the things your sister said to me last night. She reminded me of all the good times we had together. Ones that go back to even before we told each other of how we felt. I didn't want to let that go."

Starfire smiled as she picked up some memories from Robin of while they were at the carnival and ended up on the ferris wheel watching the fireworks.

"The other thing was a memory about a talk I had with my father," Robin continued. "Not Bruce, but my real father. I was almost eight when I came back to the trailer, earlier than my parents thought I would, and found them arguing. I don't remember what they were arguing about. All I knew was that the two people I loved the most were angrily shouting at each other."

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"Stop it!" young Richard Grayson cried. "You can't fight! I don't want to end up like Paul, and some of the other kids!

Whatever John Grayson was going to shout at his wife died on his lips at the tearful sound of his son's voice. He knew the Paul Richard was talking about was Paul Simons, the lion tamer's son. Paul was about a year or two older than Richard and was still broken up by his parents divorce almost a year ago. Both John and his wife dropped to one knee to be at eye level with their son.

"Richard, that's not going to happen to us," Mary Grayson assured their son.

"But that's the way it happened with his parents," Richard insisted. "First they started yelling, then then next thing Paul knew, his mother left."

"Listen, Dick, we don't know the whole story behind the Simons," John said softly. "But I promise you that your mother and I aren't going to split up."

"Then why are you yelling at each other?"

"Because your mother. . ." John began

"Because your father. . ." Mary began at the same time. The two looked at each other for a moment, then John went on.

"Because we're simply two people, son." John sighed as he saw the lack of understanding on his son's face. "Your mother and I love each other very much, but we're still two separate people. Sometimes we disagree on things or simply get on each other's nerves," he explained. "Most times we're able to talk things out, but sometimes, like today, one or both of us has a bad day and, well, we argue."

"Then why do you stay together?"

John looked over to where his wife was setting out the dishes for their supper and saw her soft smile. "Because that's what a marriage is," he said. "It's two people that love each other very deeply, and are committed to each other so much that they work through the rough spots because they simply don't want to be without the other."

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"He also told me that they loved each other enough to let them be themselves, accepting their differences."

"So you have accepted the fact that I not only stood by, but kept you from helping our daughter?"

"Not easily, but yes. I have to, Kori; it's part of your culture, part of who you are. As you said, one thing about you that I admire and respect is that you don't try to avoid your responsibilities, no matter how much it might cost you personally." He crossed over and took her hands in his. "Kori, I know what it cost you to do what you did."

Starfire smiled softly, then pulled Robin into a hug. "I am most relieved that it did not cost me you." she said softly. After a moment, she broke the embrace and turned toward the tower. She looked back at Robin in surprise when his hand on her arm stopped her.

"Where are you going?"

"Do you not wish to tell our friends that we have done the making up?"

Robin could feel the heat of his cheeks as he blushed slightly. "Well, yeah, but does it have to be right now? Kori, this is the first time in over a month that we've had a friendly conversation. Call me selfish, but I'd like to have some time alone with you."

Starfire almost chuckled at Robin's obvious discomfort. "I see," she said, her eyes glittering in amusement. She turned back to face him. "There is also the matter of your punishment for giving me that scare when you jumped off the tower."

"Starfire, I'm the leader of the Titans. I don't think. . .ooff." he began, but cut off as Starfire slipped her foot behind his and pushed on his shoulders. He landed on his back, and found himself pinned there by her.

"I believe that I used a very similar argument when we had a conversation like this aboard the ROHA'N," she said. "What is good for one waterfowl, is also good for it's mate."

Robin smiled softly. "Star, that's what's good for the goose is good for the. . .hhhaaa ha ha ha," he said, but dissolved into laughter as Starfire took her hands from his shoulders and started tickling him.

After a few moments, Starfire stopped tickling Robin, to let him catch his breath. "So, are you now prepared to apologize to me?" she asked as she knelt beside him.

As he caught his breath, Robin looked up at his wife as she knelt over him. She had her arms crossed over her chest, and he couldn't tell if the glare she was giving him was genuine or not. "What if I say no?"

In reply, Starfire leaned back down, her hands gently pressing Robin's shoulders into the grass. "Then I will simply resume the punishment."

"I don't think so," Robin said. His hands shot up and grabbed her shoulders. A quick twist, and Starfire gave a gasp of surprise at finding herself on her back with Robin smiling down at her. "Now it's my turn."

Robin may have had the advantage of having the high ground, but that only mattered if Starfire was planning on escaping. He soon realized that as the redhead's fingers sought and found ticklish spots. The two battled back and forth, and the garden echoed with their laughter.

Starfire gasped when Robin stopped tickling her, and pulled her toward him to give her a kiss as they knelt facing each other. "That was most unexpected," she said softly when they broke the kiss.

"And long overdue," Robin said and leaned back toward her.

"Ahem," a voice called softly. Starfire and Robin froze then looked over in the direction of the voice.

"Raven, what are you doing here?" Robin asked, as he was the first to catch his breath.

The dark Titan gave the couple a smirk. "Well, if you're both quite finished, your daughter wants one of you." Raven was surprised at how much she was enjoying seeing Robin's discomfort. She knew how much he hated being caught in either a playful or tender moment with Starfire.

"Shavota, Liana," Starfire called as she and Robin got to their feet.

"Hey, Li," Robin called as he held his arms out toward Raven who was holding Liand'r. "Ah woozy woo," he added with a wide smile.

Raven gasped in surprise when Liand'r lifted out of her arms and floated over to Robin.

"She can fly!"

"That shouldn't be a surprise, Star," Robin said making sure that his hold on his daughter was secure. "She is your daughter."

"I know that, but it is just that I did not think she would have her powers. Normally, infants can fly within the first two weeks."

"Maybe she could sense that we weren't happy," Robin suggested. "And this is the first time we've been together with her. Maybe she needed to see us happy together."

"You have much wisdom for one so young," an old sounding husky voice said.

Robin saw that Raven was blushing softly. "This is the other reason I came to find you," she said. "Starfire has a visitor."

Robin looked at the new arrival, as Raven left. The woman simply had to be the oldest person he had ever seen. Her iron gray hair was pulled back from her shoulders and fell in a braid to her lower back. From her skin color, he knew she was a Tamaranean, but rather than being smooth, her skin was wrinkled and looked leathery. He also noticed that she was the first Tamaranean he'd seen that walked with a staff. The intricately carved shaft was almost a foot taller than its user. He glanced over at Starfire when she gasped in recognition of the older woman. He watched as Starfire dropped not to one knee, but both knees, her arms crossed at the wrists, her palms against her chest. She held that pose for a moment as Robin quickly knelt beside her, then she raised her wrists to her forehead and opened her arms in a welcoming gesture. With Liand'r in his arms, Robin couldn't copy the gesture, but he did keep his head respectfully bowed.

"I am honored that you have chosen to visit us, Zaljerandara Kay'lee," Starfire said.

"And I am honored to see that even a ruthasha can pay proper respect," the woman replied. "Rise, children. I have enough looking down at people at the temple or when aboard one of our ships."

"It is not normally permitted for any but your acolytes to stand in your presence, Your Eminence," Starfire said. "Again, I thank you for honoring us."

Robin noticed that, despite the age of the woman, her eyes were bright and clear as she regarded Starfire appraisingly. "You are as well mannered as the others, but I can hear the sincerity in your voice that they lack. You have chosen a beautiful world to adopt as your home, Koriand'r. This is much as Tamaran was before the Gordanians despoiled it." She sniffed the fragrance of the many flowers in the area as she looked around. "This is very much like the gardens your mother had set up around the palace. Is there somewhere we can sit while we talk?"

"Of course. Please, be seated," Starfire said, indicating a nearby bench. "This section of the garden is one I share with my fellow Titan, Raven. She is the one who brought you to us."

"I see. So, young human, what do you know of my position?"

"You are the Zaljerandara," Robin replied after a moment. "Strictly translated into my language, it means X'Hal speaker, or Speaker of X'Hal. From what Starfire has taught me, you are the religious leader of Tamaran."

"Very good. I am pleased to see that Koriand'r has taught you so well," she said as they sat on the bench. "We have matters to discuss."

The bench was large enough that the three of them could sit comfortably on it. Robin and Starfire took seats on either side of Kay'lee.

"I have come to see this young family who has caused such a disturbance in my people. There are those who side with you, Koriand'r, in that there should be no interference during the last stage of Omshe," she said, then looked over at Robin. "Then there are those who believe as you do, that if the death of the infant is truly the will of X'Hal, such interference would be fruitless. This matter has been foremost in my mind for many years, and news of the struggle between the two of you has shown me that it may be time for a change in our traditions."

Robin couldn't tell if the woman was making her final decision, or simply relaxing as she leaned back slightly. Her eyes were closed, and she seemed to be listening to the bird calls and the soft bubbling of the koi pond Raven had installed beside the bench.

"I commend you, young man, on your dedication to your daughter and wanting to safeguard her life. Equally, I commend you, Koriand'r for you adherence to our traditions. Galfore and Vern'a were most convincing in their arguments to me. So much so that I have sent my acolytes out among the people to test the attitude and feelings of my people."

"I am sorry if we have caused so much trouble," Starfire said.

"Child, the emotions in parents concerning their children are very strong. When faced with the possible death of their child, their faith in X'Hal is put to an extreme test. I realize that your husband does not share your belief in X'Hal, but he does have a faith in a divine being, and you both kept true to your beliefs. I bring you both the news that such a struggle will not have to take place between the parents of an infant in the last stages of Omshe. Falling short of putting the child on full life supporting equipment, any and all medical procedures are now allowed to be attempted to keep the child alive. If the child's death is truly the will of X'Hal, they will fail." She looked over at Starfire, her eyes betraying some sadness. "I am sorry that I did not make this decision sooner, Koriand'r, and saved you the pain you experienced." She looked out at the shrubs in front of her. "I can scarcely imagine the things Trogaar put you through during your captivity. Your belief should not cause you to perform acts that put you in mind of that time." She reached over and put one of her hands on Liand'r's head. "May the blessings of X'Hal protect you, and give you strength." She then placed a hand on Robin's and Starfire's shoulders. "May you continue to share the love that is so evident between you. Know that you have the blessing of X'Hal, and let none separate you."

"Thank you," Starfire and Robin said softly.

"Would it be permitted for me to remain here in privacy for a time? I find it far more relaxing than my chambers aboard the ROHA'N."

"Of course. I will notify the others and you will not be disturbed." Starfire replied.

"Then the honor I have given you has been repaid."