Author's Note:

Yes, the review system broke yesterday. Yes, I got all your reviews, I had to PM instead of using the reply system but I hope I got everyone I could reply to. Please let me know if you didn't get one.

Chapter 8

It took Gar at least half an hour before he stopped trembling and growling. He paced in tight circles around my living room, growling under his breath. His claws cut into my carpet and I did not even think of reprimanding him. He swatted at stray balloons and tore a cushion to pieces. I let him, I simply sat on the floor and allowed him to pace protective circles around me, his tail almost constantly brushing against me.

I was at a loss myself. Dick's angry words, how could he even think those thoughts? What had occurred between them to make Dick lash out at the closest target?

More importantly, could I have stopped it if I had not been so selfish and thought about myself over my friends.

I cried a little, I could not stop the tears that streaked down my cheeks, but I did not acknowledge them. "It all went so bad, so fast," I murmured.

Gar flicked his head to me. He nodded and continued to pace.

"Did you know it was that bad between them?"

He shook his head.

"How could he say those things?"

Gar paused. He lay down, placing his head on my lap and curled his body around me.

I stroked his ears. "I have never done anything to jeopardise their relationship. They are both too dear to me."

He rumbled at me.

I sighed. "I wish I had known. I wish I could have helped. Done something more or better or..."

Gar gave a comforting purr.

"I know," I murmured and slipped into silence.

Gar stayed with his head on my lap and I stroked his ears until I felt us both relaxing.

I sighed and scratched his chin. "I believe I should go to bed." I stood, made certain the front door was locked and headed to my room. Quickly changing into my nightgown, I opened my door again and headed to the bathroom to brush my hair, wash my face and clean my teeth and when I got back to my bedroom, kitty Gar instead of tiger Gar was sitting on the foot of my bed.

I smiled and shook my head. Gently picking him up, I gave him a cuddle as I switched off my light, then turned on the lamp by my bed. A kiss to the top of his head and I placed him on the mattress in the floor. As I pulled back the covers, there was a thump as Gar landed on my bed again. He meowed at me as I slipped into bed, then walked up me until he could smooch my face.

I giggled and scratched his ears as he sat on my chest. Then giggled some more as he flopped on me and presented his belly. "Gar-"

He meowed again and battered at my face with his paw. He rolled from his back to stand and butt his head against mine again, still purring loudly.

"You are getting fur on my bed."

He gave me a disdainful look, then licked his back.

"Yes, you are clean, but you are still furry."

He huffed and yawned in my face, tucked his paws beneath his chest and lay down. He rumbled a purr at me and closed his eyes.

"Are you planning in sleeping on my chest tonight?" I asked as I put one hand on his back.

He opened one eye and then closed it again. I sighed and picked him off my chest and rolled onto my side. I tucked my legs up and curled around him, switching off the light. Gar twitched a little as he got comfortable, his spine to my chest.

"This is not how I wanted my birthday to end," I mumbled.

Gar rumbled a comforting purr at me and tilted his head back to rest his nose on my chin.

There was a little warble as Silkie thumped onto the bed and curled up behind my knees. Gar continued to purr until I fell into a fitful sleep.

My snorvlaks were not pleasant at all, but every time I woke, Gar rumbled at me and I drifted away again.

In the morning, I woke to the sun on my face and Gar's arms around me. He slept in human form, snoring lightly as he curled against me from behind. I half turned toward him so I could see his face and watch him sleep. He was warm and comforting and his arms tightened around me as I moved, like he was scared I would leave.

I ran my index finger down his nose and he did not move. I touched his lips lightly, brushed his cheek and he did not wake, so I just snuggled in deeper and closed my eyes again.

It was so nice being held like this and I could remain here forever and-

- and someone was knocking at my door.

I grumbled, pried myself loose, shoved my arms through my robe and went to the door.

The man in blue overalls removed his hat when he saw me. "Miss Starfire," he said. "Me name is Phil. Terry sent me about the windows."

I blinked at him. "Oh. Yes. Of course. Please, come in."

"I just need to measure the size of the glass required," he said. "Someone will come back this afternoon and install it."

I nodded. "Of course, I shall be home all day."

"Got lots of calls for this building today," he said. "Something happen?"

"Yes. Please be careful, there is still glass on the floor, I have not had a chance to vacuum."

Phil eyed the cushion Gar had shredded. "Party gone wrong?"

"You could say that." I pulled the wooden panels we had installed so Phil could get out onto the balcony.

"Coooeee," Phil exclaimed when he saw the singe marks on the balcony floor. "Wow... all righty then."

"Would you like a coffee?"

"Nah, thanks," Phil said as he removed a tape measure and an IPhone from his pocket.

"I shall get out of your way," I said and headed for the kitchen. I went straight for the coffeepot, thanking X'hal that Donna had filled it ready for the next morning and made myself a coffee. I carted one in to my bedroom, leaving it on my bedside table for Gar, knowing that the smell of someone else in the apartment and the sound of voices would most likely wake him anyway.

Phil was most quick and efficient in measuring the glass. He gave me a brochure of different glass styles, from frosted to tinted, even stain glass sections to see what I wished for. While the stain glass was most pretty, I knew I could not afford that. I chose the normal glass that had been there already. Tinted would have been nice but I do love the sun and if I did not wish people to see in, I would simply close the curtains.

Which reminded me. I floated over to check them while Phil finished up his measurements. There were a few rips on at the edges of them, but nothing I could not fix myself. I spotted several larger glass pieces in the floor and picked them out of my carpet.

"All done, Miss Starfire," Phil said. "Do you want me to put those boards back up?"

"No, thank you," I replied and took a sip of my coffee. I sat down on one of the chairs at the dining table and tucked my legs beneath me.

He nodded, pressing some buttons on his phone then put it back in his pocket. "Okay, I sent your measurements to the office. I'm gonna book you in for two. Someone'll be back with your glass and install it then."

I nodded. "Thank you, Phil. I appreciate the swiftness."

Phil smiled at me. "Always good business with heroes about," he said. "We learn to be swift." His eyes shifted to my hallway. "Good morning, Mr Beast Boy," he said, tilting his head.

I twisted and smiled at his dishevelled appearance. "Good morning."

Gar seemed caught between sleep and a protective mood, his hands braced on either wall at the entrance of the hallway. "Um... hi," he said, relaxing and a little sheepish.

"Phil was taking measurements for the windows."

"Oh. Good."

"Coffee beside the bed," I mentioned.

Gar obediently turned around to fetch his. He staggered back with it and slumped down in the seat beside me, taking a large gulp. "Thanks."

"That must have been some party," Phil mentioned.

"Yeah," Gar agreed. "How are the windows looking?"

"Someone will be back at two to install the glass. I shall see myself out."

"Thank you."

"Thanks, dude." Whether or not Phil could see himself out, Gar still rose to make sure the door was closed behind him properly. "Geez, people are so nosy," he muttered as he slumped down beside me again.

I nodded.

"Hey."

I smiled at him. "Greetings."

"Any news?"

I shook my head. "I just woke up. I will call Cyborg in a minute."

"Ahh. Wondered why the bed was still warm."

I gave him a sly look. "You were most snuggly."

His ears tinged red. "Ahh... did I shift back?"

I nodded.

"Oh." He cringed. "Sorry."

"I do not mind," I said. "It was most comforting."

He took my hand, weaving our fingers together. "Last night so didn't turn out the way I hoped it would."

I nodded. "I know. I hope we get some answers."

Gar gripped my hand. "I hope he apologises. Or I'll have to bite his arm off this time."

"Gar-"

"I'm sorry I didn't shift back. I wanted to, I was just so angry," Gar jerked away and stood. "He had no right to call you that. He's the one that fucked things up with Raven."

"Gar, please. Do not get yourself the worked up. He was drunk and the asshole and he will not easily be forgiven. But there is nothing we can do. There is nothing we should do, it was not our fault."

He planted his hands against the back of my chair, one hand on either side of my body and leant over me. His expression was most intense. "I had plans, you know. Flirting with you all night. Watching you blush and chew your lip and heighten anticipated and all that. Sweeping you off your feet. A romantic, memorable birthday kiss. We were gonna savour it. You only get one moment like that and Dick screwed that up for me and it's gone."

I placed my hands on his chest. "It is not gone."

"I wanted it to be perfect."

I slipped my hands up to his neck. "It will be."

The phone rang, startling us both. We turned our heads toward it, but did not move from our position. My machine picked it up after one ring. "Hey, Star," Wally's voice said through the phone. "You there?... Hellooooo? Cy, she's not answering..." There was a muffled voice in the background. "Okay. Um... just a heads up. He's awake and he remembers-"

Gar tore himself away from me, swearing and kicked the chair.

Wally continued. "-Once he's finished throwing up, I'll get him through the shower and we'll be over... it's a little after nine, I reckon we'll be there just around ten..."

There was a little scuffling noise.

"Star, it's Cy," Cyborg said. "I already yelled at him loud enough to make his ears bleed. He didn't believe me, so I showed him my recordin's. One apologetic dumbass on a silver platter. Make him work for it. We'll bring breakfast." There was a click as Cyborg hung up, followed by the beep of my answering machine.

I looked back over at Gar, who was standing in my hallway with his back to me and his arms on either wall. "I give up. Gonna shower and calm myself down."

"Gar-"

"Let's not sully it with this crap going on too," Gar muttered and walked away.

I sighed disheartened. It was most unfair that Dick and Raven's problems were interfering with my prospective kisses.

I vacuumed while Gar was in the shower to get all the pieces of glass out of the floor. Then I took the sheets off the sofa bed and moved it back into my living area.

"I would've helped you with that," he muttered when he came out, his hair still dripping with water.

"I know," I replied as I headed into the bathroom myself.

Ten o'clock found us sitting on the sofa together and waiting for the others to arrive. Gar was a mixture of anger and nerves, his hands kept shifting into claws and then back to hands. Mostly, I was just resigned.

We sat in our usual position; I was half lying on the sofa with my legs across his and my shoulders to the arm of the chair. He was a little more daring, little more personal with his touch, his hand above my knee instead of on my shin.

"What're you going to say to him?" Gar asked.

"Before or after I punch him in the nose again?"

He chuckled. "After."

"I do not know. I suppose that depends on him."

"The first words out of his mouth better be, 'I'm sorry I'm such a dickhead'."

I giggled. "It will be most humorous to hear him call himself one."

"I'm sure we can think of better words to call him," he cast me a sly glance. "You always have such good names for people. Lay some Tamaranian on me."

I considered.

"Something really vile."

"Wussi licur."

"Wussy liquor? What's that mean?"

"W-us-si. Not wussy. Like-yur," I said, pronouncing them slowly. "It means... um... pus for brains."

"Ewwwww," he said, then laughed. "Nice one, Star. Tell me another. Wait, wait. What's 'limp dick'?"

"Gaber du dollnau yeb gumartat."

Gar pulled a face. "That's a mouthful."

"It is 'man who cannot become erect'. We do not generally insult other's manliness."

"Bummer. 'Kay, give me another."

I considered him with a small smile, just watching him.

"What?" he asked, tilting his head at me.

"Hmm?"

"You've gone all doe-eyed."

Deciding I was tired of waiting, I lifted the leg closest to him, Gar moving his hand to correspond with my shifts. I bent it so my foot was flat on the couch and my knee rested against the back of the seat. Then I crooked my finger, smiled and beckoned him.

He stared at me, his whole body still, his hand suddenly sweaty against my leg. "Uhh... uhh... wow... and... uhh... but Cy'll be... aww-"

If he needed more temptation, I was quite happy to supply. I sat up and straddled him, a move I have seen Donna do to Terry. Gar's mouth dropped open a little, then he closed it to swallow. "Dude," he gasped.

I moved his hands until they rested on my hips, then, placing both my hands on either side of his shoulders, I said, "If we get the first kiss out of the way, then surely we move on to the rest, yes?"

"The rest?"

I dipped my head toward his. "More kisses."

So close, his sweet breath fanned against my face. I did not care if X'hal herself came and requested my attention; I was going to kiss him.

My first thought as our lips finally met was, 'Why had we waited so long?'. Then came, 'X'hal, this is glorious'. Followed by just his name, swirling around my head. Butterflies flooded my entire being, I felt so warm, so wonderful. Our kiss was tender and sweet as he pushed up against me. He pressed against me as close as he could and it did not feel as though it was enough. He had been extraordinarily patient and I was determined to take my time and make this perfect.

We had waited so long for this.

His tongue brushed against my lips just once before he pulled back. "I can hear them."

"Let them wait," I whispered and kissed him again.

Unhurried, lazy kisses, just a taste and a tease as there was a polite rap on the door. Neither of us broke away, not even when there was another knock a minute later, a little louder and followed by "Star?"

I sighed and pulled back a little, pleased with the dazzled look Gar had on his face. One more little kiss, then I floated from him.

"Wow," he said in a trance akin way.

I giggled as I headed to the door. "Coming!"

I opened the door to the biggest bunch of flowers I have ever seen and I work in a florist. "Um... Greetings?"

Somewhere from among the flowers Dick's voice said, "I'm sorry! I'm so sorry! I was an idiot and asshole and I lashed out and I'm sooooo sorry Starfire!"

"I see," I deadpanned.

The mounds of flowers wobbled and then were thrust at me. I vaguely saw a blue vase in among them, so I took hold of that before they were dropped. I carefully angled the flowers through my door with the least amount of damage to them, then I placed them on my bench to admire them. They were most beautiful. And expensive.

Cyborg lumbered past me, kissing my cheek on the way, the smell of fresh bread and baked goods following him. Wally came next, carrying a tray of coffees and Dick was left standing at the door. "No Sarah?"

"Shopping with Jinx," Cyborg explained. "Picking them up later."

Behind me, Gar greeted Cyborg and Wally, his voice cracking once but he quickly hid it.

From my doorway, Dick looked very forlorn with his nose bruised, a black eye and his arm in a bandage. He said in a very tiny voice, "May I come in?"

I curled my fingers around the door handle as I considered him. "The temptation to slam the door in your face is very great."

He cringed. "I'm really, really, really sorry, Star. Please, let me explain?"

Gar placed his hand on my hip as he came up behind me.

"What do you think, Gar?" I asked. "Should I give him a chance?"

"Can I bite him again? Wait... I smell pumpkin muffins," Gar said, eager now.

"Well, you won him over," I told Dick as Gar bounded over to Cyborg to receive his bribe.

Dick gave me a woeful, pleading look.

I sighed and stepped away from the door. "I can only hope you will go to this much trouble to win Raven back."

"You're a dry run," Cyborg exclaimed.

To my surprise when Dick stepped into the room he grabbed me. He wove his arms around me, buried his head in my neck and held on tight. Even more surprising was the shuddering that rocked his body.

"Dick?" I asked, my arms encircling him. I shot Gar a startled look. All three of them had paused, staring wide eyed at Dick and me, then got that awkward 'I wish I was not witnessing this' look and they looked everywhere else but me.

I manoeuvred Dick away from the door and closed it, then just stood there holding him until he was ready to talk. I stroked his back and made appropriate soothing murmurs.

Finally, Dick took a deep breath, "I think I screwed up," he said, his voice hoarse. "And I don't know how or why."

"She still loves you," I said.

He lifted his head but did not release me. He needed comfort and I was willing to provide that for him. "Did she say that?"

I nodded. "She was hurting," I said. "From the arguing and miscommunication, but she said she still loved you."

"Is it enough?"

"I do not know, Dick. You will have to talk to her."

"I'm so sorry about what I said to you, it was completely uncalled for."

I nodded.

Dick turned his head to Gar. "And to you too," he said. "I'm sorry."

Gar shrugged. "Well, you're a wussy licker, but I'm okay if Star is."

Dick blinked. "I'm a what?"

"Wussi licur," I told him.

Cyborg spat his coffee, then started laughing. "Nice one."

Dick rested his head on my shoulder. "Do I want to know what that means?"

"Not truly. Do you wish to talk about you and Raven?"

"Um... not yet. I'm going to be really pathetic and just ask you to hold me. It's been a while since I was hugged."

That was odd, but I nodded and stroked his back. "Okay."

"Dude, hands off my girlfriend please."

Eyes swivelled to Gar.

"Since when?" Cyborg asked.

Gar grinned. "Since about two minutes before you all arrived to interrupt us."

"Really?" Cyborg asked.

"You finally kissed her, dude?" Wally asked, excited.

Gar flushed and rubbed the back of his neck. "Well, she kissed me."

Dick squeezed me. "Congrats. I'm happy for you both."

"Truly?" I asked, confused.

"'Course I am," he replied. "You two have been dancing around each other for ages. Damn time you were official."

"Congrats, B," Cyborg said, giving Gar the high five.

"Thanks," Gar said, pleased.

"She snatched your cradle, huh?" Wally said in a teasing tone.

I blinked. "I what?"

Cyborg laughed. "He's always liked older women."

Gar rolled his eyes at me, then gave Dick as stern look. "Seriously, hands off."

Author's Note:

Just for you Phil!

Must be time to kill everyone, yes?