Here is the next chapter of Jukebox. See, I can update more quickly!
Again, some small parts of the story line and of course the characters and characterizations come from a few of the current and past DC Comic Titles, including New Teen Titans, Titans, Teen Titans, Teen Titans GO!, Justice League of America, The Outsiders and R.E.B.E.L.S. with plenty of creative license. Maybe Tiny Titans will offer some ideas for plot points in the future.
Although my storyline predates the current DC storyline for Dick and Kory, but the comments about not remaining on Earth borrows from the Justice League of America storyline from this past spring. Starfire left the Titans and joined the JLA and then realized that being there with Dick, now Batman, was too painful. She left him a note, (we have not been told what was in it) and flew to the Vega Star System. Dick was very sad after reading it – at least that was what Donna said – he was all Batmany so who could tell when he wears the cowl. Once in the Vega Star System, (Tamaran had been destroyed years before) Kory joined the REBELS and reunited with close friends Adam Strange and his wife.
Still, Dick and Kory seem to pine for each other a lot. And she keeps saying she can't be on the same planet with him while she still feels this way. Are the writers going to get them back together? Who knows...
Thank you for the continued positive response to this story and feel free to PM me to prod me along about updates!
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Disclaimer: All of the DC Universe: Not mine and as the True Master would say: not now, not ever.
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Jukebox concept: so mine
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Terms used in the chapter that may be unfamiliar:
Layers of the atmosphere: Mesosphere: 30-50 miles above the Earth's surface; Thermosphere: 50-400 miles above the Earth's surface
DC History:
In Teen Titans Go! Comics Issue #46, Starfire's history is given and it tells the story that parents died of broken hearts. In the Teen Titans comics, they died when New Tamaran was destroyed by the Sun Eater (after Tamaran was destroyed - poor Starfire has been through quite a bit, hasn't she?)
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Jukebox
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Chapter 6
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Nightwing, Cyborg and Grace parted company the 'evening'. It was hard to keep a day/night schedule on the way station. Seeing that the station was in space and having travelers from all over used to all different lengths of day, there had to be a compromise. Not different from Earth, where the 'compromise' language in aviation is American English, in space travel where at least there are ear piece universal translators so the need to foist American English on everyone is less necessary, it is somewhat expected nonetheless. This attitude is in time keeping as well, and again it is Earth-centric thinking that reigns: on space station or in space travel, the standard 'day' is Earth's 24 hours, an hour is 60 minutes, and so forth, where there cannot be one given by the rotation of a heavenly body, be it a planet or a moon.
To emphasize the supposed time of day, the hall lights dim, and workers come off shift as the 'evening' progresses into 'nighttime'. The bar that Grace works in does close for a few hours, 2AM – 8AM, but it would start serving its barely alcoholic brew along with breakfast upon its reopening, and she was back to work the early shift. The group broke up their impromptu reunion and Nightwing commiseratory pep talk at about 10 PM. Grace headed to her quarters on the other side of the station where the other residents were housed hoping to catch her partner Anissa still awake at that hour back on Earth. Hopefully she wasn't out answering an alarm with her fellow Outsiders.
The space version of the T-ship that they had taken for the trip out was smaller than for some of their missions when they had the full crew of five or more Titans. Cyborg and Nightwing had plenty of supplies for the long trip of course. There were Captain's Quarters but these were currently being used as a storeroom but could be used with some reconfiguration and the exhaustion of supplies from the trip out. Dick was hoping against hope that if needed or rather, desired, that the Captain's Quarter's would be used on the long trip home by he and Kory. As for now, things weren't too cramped even with all of Vic's recharge equipment and reclining sleep chair in the main sleeping quarters that he and Dick decided to share with a partial divider.
Dick and Vic were each settling in to their respective sleeping places. Vic had a Popular Mechanics magazine, and Dick had a report on the Titans actual versus projected budget from the last quarter, reviewing any cost cutting, adjusting for unexpected cost increases.
"Are you sure you want to use this Jukebox thing?" Vic asked his longtime friend to break the silence.
"Why not?" Dick answered in surprise and it was more than the sudden question which caught him off guard him.
"What if you don't like what you see? What if you decide after all this things won't work out with Kory?"
Dick felt like he was kicked in the gut, of all the people to challenge him, to play devil's advocate, he never expected Vic to. "What are you talking about? Of course things will work out with Kory, Vic!" Dick angrily growled out. If the line of questioning continued, Dick was already tensed up and ready to spring out of bed to physically confront him.
"All right man, calm down. That was a bit of a test. She's my sister, man. It was hard enough watching what was going down between you two. I just wanted to be sure."
"You jerk!" Dick responded still angry, and then his tone softened, "For the hundredth time, I love her, I was an idiot, I was horrible to her and I have to try to get her back. I may not deserve her but I have to try to convince her to give me another chance. I just wish I stopped her before she left."
"Honestly Dick, I bet it was better this way. Kory's had some time away, and hopefully she's gained perspective, looked back at the entire relationship as a whole, the good and the bad. You had a chance to redeem yourself some before you left, right? You got a chance to really break that pattern of pushing her away, of being in Bruce's mindset."
"I did much more than push her away," Nightwing sad sadly, "but you're right. In fact, think you have a future in family therapy."
"Nah, just doing what I always did. Just being a big brother."
TtTtTtTtTt
Weeks Earlier...
Raven was still in shock over Nightwing's behavior since he returned to Titans Tower. It was almost that he was somehow partially brainwashed or at least indoctrinated by the most paranoid aspects of Batman during his time away. She knew he was lying about being off planet and was trying to respect his privacy but it was difficult. Watching him do the damage he was doing to Starfire, even while he still felt the love that he had for her was the kind of cognitive dissonance that usually gave Raven a migraine. It was one of the rare times that being with Starfire was actually emotionally quieter than being with Nightwing. Sure there was a lot going on in Starfire's mind, but she was a woman that at the moment that was gaining strengh toward a single goal, a woman of conviction.
As for Starfire, she was still in her bed, painfully pale, almost becoming luminescent, becoming only weaker as time past. Tamaranean physiology didn't benefit from rest necessarily but she did not have the energy to do anything but. She was attempting to summon her strength, concentrating on her plan, carefully calculating the amount of energy needed for her faster than the speed of light travel. The flight to Tamaran was 26 light years, so her calculations had to be correct. For all the perceptions by others that she was ditzy due to her naivete, these calculations were easily accomplished in Starfire's head without a calculator or pencil and paper. After she had the solutions for her equations, she could move ahead with knowing exactly what her body needed to prepare for the journey.
"Raven, there are many things to do, but the first and most important thing for me to do is to gather as much solar energy as possible," Starfire said.
Raven was worried about Starfire's coloring that day after she hadn't made it to combat practice but as she balanced herself further, attuning herself with Starfire, there was so much more to be concerned over. As she was finally being bombarded by the emotions as she usually was by her Tamaranean friend, there was as marked loss of the will to live. Raven's breath stopped as a chill ran through her body.
Raven tried to shake off the feeling and failed. She then looked at her teammate with compassion, "Starfire, I apologize. I assumed that you were misusing an expression. You literally will die if things do not change, won't you? It's not that you have nearly lost all of your will to live, it is almost as if your physiologically unable to."
"Yes, and it is how my parents perished. That trait is unfortunately particularly pronounced in my family but it is perhaps balanced with other, more positive ones," she added ruefully.
Raven gave Starfire a reassuring smile, "We'll get you through this, we won't let this happen." She paused for a bit, "Does Rob-, I mean Nightwing have any idea about the how this or how he is, or rather could, affect you? I can't image he wouldn't be here if he knew."
Star shook her head, "Dying of the broken heart as it is probably best translated to the English? No, Richard is unaware. I did need to remind him earlier of his ability to take away my joy, and to therefore take away my power of flight."
"Starfire, I'm sorry about that."
"We shall not dwell on it. But that is one reason that I need your help, my friend."
"Where do we start?"
"I will need your help with your powers to first assist me to levitate me to help me get the sunlight here in the room to get some solar energy and then into the Mesosphere or even the Thermosphere if you can bring we up that high. That is, if it is safe for you considering the levels of radiation. It will be necessary to expedite the complete recharge of my energy. I will have the opportunity to recharge during my travel to Tamaran at some other stars but I must fully recharge prior to flight."
Starfire continued, "I then will need you to help me with some meditation to draw on joyous memories. The flight to Tamaran is long. Space flight is easier for there is no gravity or drag, but I must still draw on joy to feel of flight."
"We'll get you ready to go Starfire, I promise," Raven assured her.
"I imagine we will need the cover story," Starfire pointed out.
Both girls stopped to think for a moment.
Starfire's face brightened, "I know what we will tell the others: I must be quarantined for the Irinean Measles. We will say that you must be my caregiver during the first stage of the virus that I am very ill."
"But Starfire, Irinean Measles aren't that severe-"
"The others will not know that-"
"But Cyborg might or will look it up," Raven pointed out.
"Perhaps, but we will talk to him or perhaps you can put a spell on him." Starfire paused, "However, if we tell him the truth, I believe he will do the 'bringing of the pain' to my dearest Richard."
Raven's cocked eyebrow caused Starfire to pause momentarily, "Good point." She didn't need to point out to Starfire that she still referred to Nightwing that way.
"Oh Raven, we will figure it out," Starfire implored. "I will also need your assistance with a spell to help with the lying if we are further questioned. But please Raven, it is a good cover story and as on Earth it is said, 'it is our story and we are doing the sticking to it!'"
"Very well Starfire, I'll let the others know we both need to be off missions for the next 48-72 hours."
Right then there was a knock on the door and both young women whipped their heads toward it.
"Starfire, it's me, can I come in?" Nightwing said with concern in his voice.
Raven got up and quickly phased through the door, "Nightwing, Starfire is really not doing well right now." Raven was somewhat relieved that Nightwing looked as upset as he was.
"I know Raven, and I'm so sorry I didn't get up here until now."
He paused to rub his face and then looked up at Raven. It wasn't that it hadn't occurred to him that he needed to get up there to talk to Starfire. He just knew how badly he had screwed up things between them and he knew words weren't going to be enough. He finally decided to stop putting it off: they were at least a start.
"Raven, please, I need to talk to her," he pleaded.
"Nightwing, I was about to call," Raven said evenly, "I'm not sure that Starfire is even up for that. She really is quite ill."
"Why didn't you alert us as soon as you got here?" His voice was full of alarm, "Let's get her to medical bay immediately."
Raven placed her hand firmly on Nightwing's forearm, "I've spoken to her, Nightwing. She wants to stay her in her room with me. She doesn't want to be seen by the others."
"Even me, Raven?" he asked with sadness in his voice.
"I'm sorry, it's her choice, she wants her privacy. She doesn't look well, she's very pale," she said to her leader with compassion.
"Raven-"
"Understand, it's up to her, Nightwing. Remember how she hid from us during the prodromal symptoms of her transformation? She ran away, Dick. She left the planet. Now she can't really even stand and she hates when she is perceived as weak."
"I love her. That doesn't matter to me-"
"But it matters to Starfire. I am also concerned that she is contagious."
"I don't care if she's contagious."
"Nightwing, be reasonable. Let's make sure we know what's going on."
He let out a defeated sigh. Raven was surprised he backed down so easily but the truth was that he was determined not to argue with Starfire over anything.
"If that's what you and Starfire think's best, Raven, take all the time you both think she needs. You're off missions as well. Please tell me if she changes her mind about letting me see her. Day or night. Hell, call me in the middle of the mission. I'm here for her no matter what."
Raven gave him a smile, "I'll remember that." Raven phased back through the door.
Nightwing raised his voice, "Starfire, it's me, Dick, can I at least talk to you through the door?" He paused briefly when he heard nothing, "Sweetheart, please?"
Nightwing could finally hear Starfire through the door, "Raven, it will be the okay. Could you assist me to the door? I wish to speak to Richard."
His heart leapt at being called by his birth name and not his hero name. He could here a grunt of effort and the familiar squeak of her mattress springs as she got out of her round bed.
After assisting her the fifteen or so feet from the bed to the door, Raven pulled a chair over for Starfire to sit in while she spoke with Nightwing.
"Yes, Richard, I am here now," she said weakly, a bit out a breath even after such a mild exertion.
Richard rose his eyes upward in thanks and then closed them, taking a deep breath. His voice was heartbreakingly sincere, "Kory, I'm sorry it took me so long to get up here to see you today. You can't know just how sorry I am for how I've acted toward you since I left for Gotham." He hadn't told Raven and wasn't sure if she was listening, but figured she might have known anyway, and anyway, he could have cared less at this point if she didn't, "and my behavior toward you has been unforgivable since I've returned. I don't expect your forgiveness, but please know that I am so, so sorry and that I'm aware of what I've done and I'll do anything to make it up to you. I'm hoping for now though, while you aren't feeling well, that I can at least visit you even if it's through the door. Tha is, until you are better and come back onto the team again."
Kory covered her mouth and didn't hold back her tears and looked over to Raven.
"Of course, Richard."
"I love you, Kory" Those words were certainly said in private, but not in front of witnesses.
"I love you as well, my beloved Richard."
"Do you need to rest now or are you up to talking more, Sweetheart?"
"I do need to rest but I do wish to do the thanking of you for the words you said earlier. It meant a great deal to hear them."
"They are only words Kory, you deserve so much more. For now just rest and feel better. Remember I love you, and I'll be back in a few hours to talk through the door again. And please feel free to call if you want me to come by, any time, day or night. All right m'love"
Starfire giggled, "I will remember all that, and yes it would be nice to receive another visit. It would be very nice."
"I will talk to you later then."
"Good-bye."
"Bye."
Starfire turned to Raven who eyed her carefully, unsure what the plans would now be. Raven couldn't help but sense some return of joy to Starfire and some sense of relief in her as well. Starfire turned her attention back to the door and paused and listened, then stood up to look out the peephole to be sure that Nightwing was gone.
She certainly surprised Raven when Starfire said, "Shall we now begin the preparations for my trip to Tamaran, Raven? I think that I can extract some joyous feelings from Richards words to assist with some flight, but without the solar recharging, I barely have the energy to stand. Can we levitate me by the window before the angle of the Sun's rays make it difficult for any absorption today?"
"Of course, Starfire."
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To Be Continued...
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Ha! You thought Starfire would cave, didn't you? Our girl is stronger than she looks!
Also, Nightwing had to start coming to his senses before she left; otherwise, why the heck would they even have a chance – she'd be a total doormat to take him back after he was being such a tool without even apologizing at all before she left.
The next chapter is at least 1/2 written and hopefully will be up within the week.
Please review! People haven't been and it's hard on me. The hits are great still but not the reviews, but that seems pretty universal with all the authors. I'm going through an especially tough time with some hard core weekly medical treatment and reviews take the nausea and vomiting that the Methotrexate gives me away! (Seriously, it does!)
LJ