Author's Note:

And now for my next trick, you will all fall in love with SladeRobin. Yes...

Kater's promised to shoot me in the head if I ever go down that road. Have no fear.

Chapter 6

When my apartment was ready for the party, balloons hanging from every fitting and streamers flowing across my ceiling, Donna and Terry went home to shower and change and possibly even have sex in the shower, from the look on Donna's face. Cyborg and Sarah left to book into their hotel room. I did not expect people for another hour, so I took my time getting ready. Long hot shower, lather, rinse and repeat.

I vacated the bathroom with a towel wrapped around my body, calling to Gar that the shower was free before I headed into my bedroom to get dressed and blow dry my hair.

Purple backless halter top, the hipster jeans, black heeled boots. I tugged my hair back into a tail of the ponies. I felt sexy and that was the point.

The way Gar's tongue fell out of his mouth when he saw me was most pleasing. "You look amazing."

"Thank you," I said, smiling at him as he sat on one of the stools beside the kitchen bench. There was already music playing, but not loud enough so we could not speak. "You look quite handsome too."

"This old thing?" he said, gesturing himself. Blue jeans and a white shirt. "Yes. I do, don't I?"

"So modest," I said and sat beside him.

"The apartment looks great," he said.

"Better than last year's birthday," I mentioned.

"I had fun last year," Gar protested. "Pizza and good company."

"Everything was so uncertain," I said, reminiscing. "New apartment, new city, new job, new life."

"Old friends," Gar said, reaching across the space between us and interlocked our fingers.

"Good friends," I said. "There were so many things to learn and so quickly."

"It was good for you," Gar said. "I loved watching you become yourself again."

"I think I was using the Tower as... the crutch? Using something as a way to avoid integrating."

"Possibly. It's nice to see you happy again."

"Are you happy, Gar?" I asked.

"Yup. I mean, I miss you at the Tower; it's fast becoming couples fest there, what with how much time Wally and Jinx spend there too and now Cyborg and Sarah. But I'm happy. I know it's not going to last much longer though."

"Why?"

"Well, Dick's going to head to Bludhaven soon to train as a police officer. Raven's taking her doctoral exams. Cy's been making noise about a job at STARR labs. They're all kinda moving on."

"Perhaps you should move on too."

Gar shrugged. "Maybe. Thought about it."

"I have a spare room," I said. "Comes complete smelly socks on the floor."

He laughed. "And a pretty lady to make me waffles in the morning?"

"That too."

"Thanks, I appreciate the offer, but I think I need to be on my own for a while too."

I nodded. "I know the feeling."

"Actually... I was gonna wait until after the party to tell you, but... I had a job offer."

"Oh?" I asked, intrigued.

"It's not a talking part, in fact it's... I'd be a fucking alien and intelligent horse who's comic relief and the sidekick to the main actor in a wannabe western series, but it's a start. They're paying me. Apparently an actor is cheaper than CGI-ing every episode."

"That is great!" I said, excited.

He did not seem as excited as I was. "It's in Texas."

Deflate. Now I could see why he was not as excited. "Texas?" I squeaked.

He nodded. "They're talking about fourteen days on location, four days off. I'd have to stop being a Titan. Or at least, so active as a Titan."

"Oh."

He looked at the floor and then pulled my hand to his lap so he could grip it with both of his. "And I wouldn't be able to spend much time with you."

I squeezed his hand. "Do not let me hold you back. Is it something you would like to do?"

"Yeah, I think it is," he chuckled. "I'm actually looking forward to it. I haven't told them yes -yet- but I think I might. I wanted to see what you thought."

"I think you should. It will be good for you."

"It... just so far away. From Cy." He looked at me. "From you."

"He has the T-Ship and I can fly. I would love to visit you."

"You'd visit?"

"Of course," I exclaimed. "I could never be apart from you for long."

He grinned, relieved. "Good."

"I shall leave dirty socks on the floor too."

Gar laughed, then kissed my hand.

"What is the show called?"

"Ahh... the name's in production. I think they're calling it 'Alien Cowboys' right now." He rolled his eyes. "So imaginative."

I giggled.

"Oh. Hey." He released my hand and leant back, reaching in to his pocket. He drew out a small blue box with a clumsily tied red bow. "Birthday girl. Present for you."

I smiled as he handed me the box. "You did not have to get me a present."

"'Course I did. That's what birthdays are for. Open it."

"Should I not wait for the others?"

"Nope. They'll only tease anyway."

I was excited as I pulled the little ribbon around the box. I gasped as I opened the lid. It was an adorable pendant in the shape of a heart on a silver chain. The heart had little green gems set around the edge. "Gar, it's beautiful."

He grinned at me, then gestured the box. "May I?"

"Of course," I half turned my back to him, presenting my neck. Gar took the necklace from the box and stood so he could clasp it around my neck. My fingers touched the pendant as the chain tickled my skin.

"It looks nice on you," he said, moving my hair out of the way, then I felt his hands brush my upper arms and his lips on my shoulder. "Do you ever think about that night?" he whispered. "And what could've been?"

My breath hitched and the bumps of the goose followed the trails of his hands down my arms. Perhaps I had been wrong. Perhaps... well, he was an actor. Perhaps... Could I hope? "All the time."

"Me too."

I swivelled to face him, his hands slid down to my hips as I did so and he stepped a little closer. There was a most odd expression on his face. Determined and hesitant and something else I could not name. His eyes bored into me, his lips set in a smile. His hands slid against the bare skin of my back and I felt so wonderfully warm.

"I didn't know," he said. He lifted his fingers to brush against my face. "I thought it was just me."

My hands curled around his biceps. "I know. Out of curiosity-"

The tips of his ears went red. "Jacelyn. Just once. I felt horrible afterward."

I had to giggle at his choice. "Jacelyn from acting class?"

"Yeah. I'm sorry."

"Oh, Gar."

His head dipped toward mine and I found my eyes sliding shut in anticipation.

A raven call shrieked.

Gar released me, growling under his breath and gave me a scorching look before he stepped away completely, muttering something about being cock blocked too many times under his breath.

I had just enough time to compose myself and rise before the raven unwrapped Raven and Dick in the centre of the room. Although I wanted to scowl at them for interruption, I could not. I beamed brightly, wrapped my arms around them. "I am so pleased to see you both!"

Raven appeared to realise she had interrupted something but Dick just seemed pleased to score a hug.

"Happy birthday, Star," Dick said and kissed my cheek.

I released them and bounced up and down on my toes. Raven was going most causal today, black sequined tank and jeans; I could see her tattoo on her back. That had been a sore point between her and Dick for a while, he did not like that she 'marred her body' with ink and Raven told him it was a reminder and that it was her body. I thought it looked nice and suited her personality.

Dick wore a dark blue shirt and black pants. I thought it mildly humorous that they reversely matched their shirt and pants.

"Thank you," I said.

"Here," Raven said, passing me a small bag. "Happy birthday."

"Thank you," I said again, peering inside. They had gotten me a little crystal panda for my collection of figurines. "Oh, it is beautiful," I said, holding it up.

"Hide it from Roy," Raven said.

I laughed. "All my precious things are already safely away."

"That's a pretty necklace," Dick mentioned as he placed his hand on Raven's back. For some reason, Raven's expression twitched into a scowl which she quickly smothered and she moved away. Dick cast a glare at her.

I beamed uncertainly, I could not keep myself from smiling, but their action was concerning. As I touched the pendant, my eyes automatically drifted over to Gar and he grinned at me toothily in response. "Gar gave it to me. I shall just put this in my room," I said, darting down the corridor.

"Hey guys," Gar said, now across the other side of the room where the stereo was. "What song tickles your fancy first?"

And guests started to arrive.

Donna bustled in, deliberately hiding the cake from me while I pretended not to see as she exaggerated her actions as she placed it in my refrigerator.

I played the good host and birthday girl and met all the guests either at my door, like Wally and a windblown Jinx, at Herald's portal, like Bumblebee and Aqualad, or at the balcony, like Argent, Hotspot and Red Star. I gave many hugs and received gifts and birthday congratulations in return. I put out snacks and food and Gar made sure everyone knew where the drinks were so they could help themselves.

Soon my apartment was full with people all chatting and laughing and drinking. It had been a while since we had all been together socially and it was interesting to see the pairings that were occurring within our groups.

Raven was talking to Donna and Terry. Wally and Jinx were chatting to Hotspot and Argent. Red Star and Pantha were dancing. Gnnark was eating and Kole was talking to Jericho who signed in return. Bumblebee and Herald were grinding. Speedy, Aqualad and Dick were telling jokes. Mas Y Menos were eating. Cyborg was having fun introducing Sarah to everyone again, reminding her of who they were and what they did. He was showing her off, we could all see that, and I for once was happy he was happy.

I had made sure to go around to everyone and greet them properly, catching up what was occurring in their life. I squealed when Argent told me she and Hotspot were moving in together and hugged them both tightly. We uncorked a couple of bottles of champagne so we toast to them.

Dick was quite pleased to inform of his acceptance to the police academy in Bludhaven and we toasted for him too. We toasted for Raven's acceptance into medical school. We toasted to Red Star's reduction of radioactive waste in Russia. We toasted to my birthday. We toasted to Kole finishing highschool soon (although she got a soda). We toasted... to the ant Speedy found in the chips.

I was feeling pleasantly fuzzy, that happy medium between tipsy and drunk, even though I had been trying not to drink too much. Tamaranians do not react the same to alcohol as humans do. I did not get the hangovers, but I was also quicker to be susceptible to it, especially with nine stomachs, alcohol quickly hit my blood stream.

Occasionally, our eyes would meet from across the room and Gar would smile at me. There was this promise in his smile, of times to come, of what may happen when we were alone. I would flush and drop my eyes and then hear his chuckle from across the room.

All through the night, however, there existed this undercurrent of tension. Raven and Dick scowled at each other intermittently. I do not think I saw them talking together even once. Dick was drinking in excess. It was odd and worrying and so different to the happy couple I was used to seeing.

"What is wrong with them?" I asked Jinx when we had a moment alone.

Jinx sighed. "Long story."

I raised an eyebrow at her.

"Basically, Dick's been spending too long in Gotham recently... and with this whole police academy acceptance and how much time he's been with... Batgirl, and... I dunno, Star. Maybe Raven's reading into it too much, maybe she's not. You'd have to talk to her."

I nodded and changed the subject, asking how she and Wally were doing, which caused her to gush with pleasure.

I knew Raven would reach a point where she would seek some solitude; she is not the most social person, so all I would have to do wait.

Gar slid his arm around my waist. "Do you want to dance?"

I beamed. "I thought you would never ask."

He plucked the drink out of my hand, leaving it on the table and placed his there instead. Twirling me under his arm, he pulled me out onto the dance floor. I giggled at his cheeky smile. He placed his hands on the small of my back and as I rested my arms on his shoulders, he pulled me to him.

Of course, our entrance to the dance floor seemed to initiate the couples fest. Donna and Terry soon joined us in the moving cuddle. Jinx and Wally, Argent and Hotspot, Jericho and Kole, Pantha and Red Star, all dancing and enjoying themselves, although Raven and Dick watched from the sidelines. Cyborg clumped up, Sarah standing on his toes as they danced and 'deliberately' backed into Gar. "Oops, sorry."

Gar rolled his eyes. "Yeah right."

"Gettin' all cosy there with the birthday girl."

"Yup. Make like a banana and split, Cy."

Cyborg laughed. "Save me a dance, Star."

I opened my mouth to reply that I would but Gar interrupted me. "Nope, she's mine."

I blinked. "I am?"

His hands slipped up to the back of my ribs. "For a little while. Sick of you talking to everyone else. I need my Star time."

My hands curled around Gar's upper arms as we shifted slowly from side to side. "You are very touchy feely. Have you drunk too much?"

"I haven't drunk at all," he said. "I want to remember tonight."

Nervous flutterings stirred. "Oh."

He reached up so he could place his cheek against mine. "Just dance. Plenty of time to talk later."

Cyborg bumped into the back of Gar again, jostling us both. A hand tickled my back and I turned to see Donna winking at me, and then her camera flashed.

"Geez," Gar complained. "C'mon guys."

Speedy and Aqualad waltzed, exaggerating their dance as they made the kissy faces at Gar. Glancing around, I could see them all watching us and trying not to look like it.

We swayed in the moving cuddle, his fingertips creating fiery trails up and down my back and his breath warm on my neck.

I do not know how long we danced and I did not care. Even when the music changed tempo, Gar did not change the way we danced.

"Gar," I said, trying to appear confident although my stomachs fluttered madly. "Did you or did you not intend on kissing me today?"

Gar's head reared back, his eyes grew even wide and he made a funny squeaky noise. Lifting his hand, he covered his mouth to cough. "Just, jump right in, why don't you?"

"It is my birthday. Am I not entitled to have what I wish?"

"Yes, but... in front of everyone?" he asked sceptically.

I considered that. "Perhaps not."

"Have some patience," he told me.

I sighed.

"You know, you totally ruined my moves there."

"I did?" I asked, resting my hands on his hips.

"Yup. I had pick-up lines and everything."

"Oh. Well. Perhaps it is a good thing I ruined your moves."

"Hey!"

I giggled at the mock outrage on his face. "Very well," I said and moulded my face into a stern, expectant expression. "Let me hear your best line."

"Are you a sheep cause your body is unbaaaaalievable."

I laughed. "Gar, that is awful."

"I got worse. It's hunting season and fox like you shouldn't be out in the open!"

More giggles. He seemed so pleased with himself.

"No? How about, Star, you're bright light and I'm a bug, I'm so darn attracted to you."

"Do you have any that do not involve animals?"

He considered. "I have an "owie" on my lip. Will you kiss it and make it better?"

That one deserved a kiss. Just a peck though. On the cheek.

"A peck? That's it? A measly peck? Oh, I see how it is. I have to break out the big guns, huh?"

I waited.

His smile shifted from cheeky to sweet. "If I had a rose for every time I thought of you, I would be walking through my garden forever."

I beamed, pleased by his words and so very warm.

"I like it when you smile," he said, getting this dopey grin on his face. He leant toward me.

The lights went out.

Donna, it seemed, had gotten bored of watching us slow dance.

Gar growled. "And now it's Donna's turn," he grumbled as he released me.

Turning toward the kitchen where the candles lit up Donna's grinning face, I beamed.

"C'mon, birthday girl," Gar said, beckoning to me with his head.

"Ready, ya'll?" Cyborg boomed as I made my way through my suddenly grinning friends.

Donna grabbed me and made me sit on a stool she had placed in the kitchen, so my friends could stand on the other side of the bench and watch, then grabbed her camera. Always the photographer, she had been snapping photographs all night. "Smile Star!"

I beamed at her and was subsequently blinded by her flash. Blinking the spots from my eyes, I looked down at the cake and had to laugh.

"You cannot possibly expect me to eat Silkie!" I said.

"It's a chocolate Silkie," Donna said with wink.

Cyborg, seemingly tired of waiting, started to sing the Happy Birthday song, while everyone else joined in as loud as they could. I blushed and beamed and giggled, especially when Gar mock serenaded me, one arm outstretched, the other against his chest and he even dropped to a knee when he got to the 'Dear Starfire' part.

I took a deep breath and blew out the candles while they clapped and cheered and Red Star turned the lights back on for us.

As I picked up the knife to cut the cake, Donna said in a very loud and cheeky voice, "'Kay, boys, get in close. If she touches the bottom, she has to kiss the closest person of the opposite sex!"

There was a sudden scrambling which surprised me. Speedy was right here, grinning at me. So was Aqualad. Wally had even zipped in closer, although I was fairly certain he was just teasing. Mas Y Menos were right up close too, looking at me with big eyes. Cyborg shouldered his way through to the front, as did Dick.

And kitty Gar landed on my lap.

I giggled at him and scratched him behind the ears, and he placed his paw on my chest so he could stretch up and head-bump my chin. "I do not think you can get any closer than that," I said.

"That's so cheating," Speedy said.

"Can we sit on Star's lap too?" Wally asked.

Gar hissed at him, then put his cold nose against my cheek. I picked Gar up one handed and held him to me as I cut through the Silkie cake with my other hand. Donna's flash went off again, then again as I hit the bottom of the cake, then a third time as I pressed my lips to the top of Gar's kitty head.

He purred at me in response.

As I was cutting up the cake and distributing it to my friends, I saw Raven slip out the door to the balcony. Gathering up two pieces of cake, I headed after her.

Sliding the door shut with my foot, I held up the cake as Raven turned with a scowl. "Cake?" I asked, smiling.

"Sorry," she said immediately and softened her expression. "I thought... yes please."

As I passed her a piece of cake I said, "Raven, I cannot help but notice you do not seem very happy tonight."

She sighed and pinched a bit of cake between her fingers so she could eat it. "A little. I'm sorry I'm being a downer."

"Is there anything I can do?"

"Star, it's your birthday, I can't-"

I placed my hand on her shoulder. "Raven, please. What is wrong?"

She sighed and kept picking at the cake. "It's Dick. And the whole police academy thing. He didn't even ask how I felt about it, he just enrolled, then he was surprised at how angry I got about it. And now he expects that I'll just leave my studies and follow him. I'm glad he passed, but I really wish he'd talked to me about it first."

I nodded, leaning on the railing. "He can be most oblivious to the feelings of others."

"Double standards too, everything I do, he has to have input on it. Becoming a doctor, which College I chose. My tattoo. His thoughts and feelings get explored and he doesn't give me the same courtesy. I do have feelings. Sure, it's harder for me to express myself but it's like he has no patience anymore. Then there's the torches he's still carrying," Raven said sourly.

"Torches?" I questioned.

She nodded, not looking at me. There was so much muted pain in her voice. "He thinks I don't know. He thinks he's been so damn sneaky hiding it."

"Hiding what?" I asked.

"He slept with Babs."

I rocked back in shock. "What?" I blurted, my heart hammering.

"Okay, so I don't know that for sure. But I know he wants to. Each time he visits Gotham, he's one temptation closer. You know he had a crush on her when he was younger, now he's spending time with her again, it's grown into something more. And then he blames me for getting him in trouble for something he's says he's not doing."

"Raven, do not all Earthen men have those thoughts occasionally?" I asked. "You cannot get someone in trouble for thinking about it."

"I can sense her all over him every time he comes back. All the time. It's more than just friendship. I... I can't deal with that, Star." She turned her face from me and wiped her cheek. "And now he's going to be living so much closer to her... and I can't handle it."

"Oh, Raven... I did not know. Why did you not tell me?"

"I couldn't. I didn't... know how. How did you do it, Star?"

"Do what?"

"Find the strength to walk away."

I considered my hands, and then turned my head to look through the glass at the people inside. "I realised I was not being true to myself," I said, slowly. "The only solution I could see was to put some distance between myself and the things causing me pain. Leaving was the most selfish thing I have ever done. But Raven, surely you do not wish to leave him?"

"No. I don't. I love him." She sighed. "But... last night... we argued and he said that if he's going to get in trouble for something he's not doing, he may as well just do it."

I put my arm around her, feeling a surge of distain for him. What a horrible thing to say to anyone. Especially Raven.

She leant into me, buried her face into my neck. "He should know he can't say those sorts of things to me. I'm an Empath. I could feel that he meant it. I can forgive the thoughts, but actually meaning something like that... I need to get out. Clear my head."

"I have a spare room," I offered. "You are welcome here."

"I hate being an Empath," Raven said bitterly. "I hate how I can read everyone so perfectly. I hate how I can know someone better than they know themselves. I hate-"

"Raven? Star?" Dick asked as he slid the door to the balcony open. Raven stiffened.

I turned my head, holding onto Raven tighter. "Dick-"

Raven turned her head. "I was just telling Star I didn't feel well. I'm going home."

"Oh..." Dick said. "Okay, I'll-"

"You can stay. Have fun. I don't want to ruin your night too."

"Um...you sure?"

She turned, smiling at him, her tears hidden by the darkness of my balcony. "Of course. Can you fetch my jacket?"

He smiled. "Sure."

Raven snorted when he closed the door behind him. "And he calls himself a detective."

"What are you doing?" I asked, worried.

"Can you keep him here?" she asked. "Just for tonight. It will give me a chance to pack."

I hesitated. "Raven-"

"I never should have let it get this far," she murmured. "I should have done something when it mattered instead of retreating and hiding in my mediation room. I'll find a hotel for now-"

"You should not be alone."

"Alone is exactly what I need."

The door was sliding open again. "Did you have a jacket?" Dick asked. "I can't find one."

"I'll call you," Raven said quietly. "First thing in the morning. Can you give us a min here?"

"Raven-"

She looked at me, her eyes deep wells of emotion and I found myself nodding. "I love you."

She smiled. "I love you too."

I gave her one last squeeze and walked way. I should not have. I should have stayed. Helped her. Been with her. Been her shield, an extra barrier between her and Dick.

I think she compelled me.

I blinked at my hand as it closed the glass balcony door and I backed away, looking at it fearfully. Especially since it seemed that Dick and Raven were suddenly arguing.

"What's up, babe?" Gar asked, his hand on my back.

"It is bad," I said, still staring.

Gar followed my gaze, to where Dick was yelling animatedly, his arms being thrown around and gesturing her. "Uh-oh."

"Really bad," I said.

Gar backed us away slowly. Around us, others seemed to be noticing the fight occurring outside. Fear and anger seemed to swell, seeping through my walls and into the living room.

When Dick grabbed both Raven's upper arms, my balcony door and all the glass beside it imploded.

Author's Note:

Kissing someone of the opposite sex if you touch the bottom of a birthday cake seems to be an Australian tradition. Too bad. Too cute not to use.

Also, please remember, first person. Things happen that Starfire isn't aware of. Only getting half the story. Dick has his own side.