Chapter 6

"Speedy might I ask what our destination is?" Starfire questioned.

They had been driving for exactly 12 minutes. The only conversation exchanged was information on the Titans and the Titans East. It was rather uncomfortable to Starfire. She had little idea how to go about "romantic" small talk. The closest Starfire got was telling Speedy his hair looked impeccable. He beamed at this.

"We're...just about..." The car turned, "Here!" Speedy said excitedly as he parked. Starfire smiled and awkwardly tried getting out the car. Her dress was making it impossible to get out like a lady. Eventually she gave up and flew out to the restaurant entrance. She saw Speedy, still by the car, looking at her strangely. She waved and smiled sheepishly.

She waited for Speedy to catch up with her. Once he did, she automatically opened the door for him and gestured for him to go first.

He looked at her. "Uh. Starfire. What are you doing?"

She hesitated, unsure of what to say. "Um. Is it not in good manners to perform courteous gestures on the dates on your planet? Such as opening the doors, pulling the chairs out, and waiting three days before calling to apply for a second date? Etcetera etcetera?"

Speedy gaped at her. He'd never been around Starfire enough to know her quirks, confusions and general behavior. Or how to respond to them.

"oh...kay...let's go inside." He said, as charmingly as he could.

Starfire blushed, feeling as if she had done something wrong.

TTTTT

Robin had disappeared to his room after Starfire left. Any trace of anger was gone. He just had sadness in his heart. A montage of images and moments of Starfire had been playing in his head; every smile, laugh, wonderful bone crushing hug, they'd all made the ache he felt increase. He missed her.

But he couldn't play the victim. It was his own fault Starfire was out with Speedy right now. Having dinner. Laughing.

He gritted his teeth in jealousy.

His door slid open suddenly, he turned and saw Raven leaning against the wall.

"Jealous Robin?"

He sat up on his bed. "Raven? How'd you-"

"Uh. Hello. Bond." She raised an eyebrow and said matter-of-factly. "Plus. You'd have to be a complete idiot not to know it's tearing you apart thinking about what Starfire's doing right now."

He frowned. She was right.

"Okay. So what? That's none of-"

"Don't give me that. I don't know who's gonna pull your head out of your ass but I figured I'd give it a try."

"What makes you think that-"

"You're Robin. Gloom and doom lately. Who else is supposed to give you the cold hard facts?" Raven stated.

"Okay first of all, quit cutting me off. And second, what facts huh? Enlighten me Raven." Robin said frigidly. He was being stubborn. Still trying to mask his feelings with every single defense mechanism known to man.

Raven sat down next to Robin and looked at him. "You love her."

She didn't ask. She stated. He could've denied it, but he was tired. So he slowly nodded and stared at the floor.

Raven smirked. "Good. At least you're not being a ninny. Now. You love her, you want to be with her. But what, Robin, are you so afraid of?"

He sighed. "I'm..afraid of..of hurting her Raven. We have enemies and they could take advantage of my one weakness. My love for her."

Raven stared at Robin for a few seconds, then she promptly smacked him upside the head.

"Ow! Raven what the hell?" he groaned.

"You're really dense. Starfire is not some weak naïve alien anymore Robin. She does have an excellent capability of taking care of herself. As for enemies? We've rid ourselves of our most threatening ones! You, Robin. You are just a coward. You need to stop whining, put your big boy pants on and stop letting the girl you love slip away."

TTTTT

"So..er..how is the nourishment here Speedy?" Starfire asked whilst looking through her menu, attempting at the small talk again.

Speedy looked up and smiled at her. "It's great Starfire. I've been here tons of times."

They were sharing a booth, and Speedy had slid in next to Starfire. She was a bit put off by this, considering she rather enjoyed her personal space. There had been many awkward silences since their arrival. Neither seemed sure how to have a natural conversation.

Their waiter returned ready to take the orders, he was a snooty man with a rather obscure mustache.

"Bon-Soir Monsieur, Mademoiselle, what might I get you this evening?" He asked obtusely. Starfire was confused at his greeting, considering they were in an Italian restaurant.

As she prepared to request her preferred dinner, Speedy grabbed her menu, joined it with his, and promptly returned it to the server.

Speedy smirked, put a hand over Starfire's and said, "She'll have the Caesar Salad, followed by the Portabello Mushrooms. And I'll take the Fettuccine Alfredo. No rushing please."

Although he may have thought this was a charming move, Starfire was completely put off by this. She in no way liked being bossed around, let alone having decisions made for her.

She cleared her throat and spoke up, "Actually sir, I would enjoy to have the lasagna please. And cancel the salad if it is not too much for trouble?"

She looked to Speedy as the waiter left, "Excuse me friend Speedy, I will appreciate it if you'd let me make my own nutritional choices? I thank you in advance."

Speedy looked at her sincerely, "Gee..Starfire I'm sorry."

Starfire relaxed, accepting his apology. "It is okay."

Speedy turned to her, trying to turn the evening around.

"So Starfire tell me. How's the team doing?"

TTTTT

"Raven what the hell am I supposed to do?" Robin asked, pacing back and forth.

Raven's "pep talk" had gotten to him. He needed some friendly tough love.

"I don't even know where she went! There's thousands of restaurants and movie theaters here! I can't scour each one!"

Raven remained calmly sitting. "You're not going to get anywhere getting angrier Robin. All you can do it sit here...wait."

She thought for a second, and added sharply. "And you better hope Starfire didn't have a wonderful time."

Robin stopped and glared. "I can't just wait around and do nothing Raven. I'm not that guy."

"Yeah? Well you have been for God knows how long Robin. You being THAT guy is the reason Starfire is out with not-you right now." She said coolly.

He sighed. She was right. All he could do now was wait. And pray it wasn't too late.

Raven began walking out of his room, and put a delicate hand on his shoulder.

"I think you need to be alone with your thoughts. I also think you better think about just how much you want Starfire."

TTTTT

Speedy had realized three things in the past 34 minutes.

1. Starfire was incredibly gorgeous.

2. There was absolutely no romantic chemistry between them.

3. She had managed to cram stories about Cyborg, Beast Boy, and Raven into 2 ½ minutes, while spending the other 31 ½ talking about Robin, Robin, and Robin.

"...and then it disappeared in my mouth and Robin laughed, and that was when I was introduced to cotton candy."

Oh. And she ate 3 courses of lasagna. This girl could eat.

He put his fork down, and spoke up. "Listen Starfire, can I ask you something?"

She nodded so he went ahead. "Why did you accept this date with me?"

She was surprised by this, she put her hands down and played with the napkin on her lap.

"Um..well I was flattered by your invitation. And it was refreshing to have a male show the interest in me."

Speedy mulled this over, "I see. And before said invitation, you didn't have any..ya know..romantic interest me?"

Starfire looked down, and shook her head.

"You've always had the 'romantic interest' in someone else am I right?"

Starfire was surprised, but nodded. She was about to speak up, when Speedy gently put his hand up and cut her off.

"And this someone else, he hasn't shown you he wants you has he?"

Once again, Starfire shook her head sadly. "Oh I'm so very sorry friend Speedy! I did not mean to lead you to believe that-"

Speedy smiled at her, and gently took her shoulders.

"Hey Starfire, it's okay. I guess I kind of already knew. Hell everyone knows about you and Robin."
She pulled back abruptly, "What? What do you mean that everyone knows?"

"It's really obvious.." he laughed. "I'm just sorry I got in the middle of it. What do you say I take you home and knock some sense into Robin?"

Starfire laughed, relieved she would not have to deal with the discomfort of telling Speedy he was not an appropriate suitor for her.

"Let us go home Speedy, I truly had fun tonight. Towards the end of the date. Heh."

He payed the check, and stood up laughing, extending a hand to Starfire. "Yeah, we're better off as friends aren't we?"

She smiled and nodded as they head outside.

TTTTT

He was going to make her his. He was going to make sure she knew that his heart was forever hers. That was all that was in Robin's mind.

He'd, as Raven put, finally "put his big boy pants on".

It was 10:21 PM. Starfire had been gone for over an hour and he was hoping and praying for her to come home early. Come home so he could finally tell her, show her, whatever he could do so she would realize he loved her too.

He was sitting on the couch in the dark, thinking about her. It relaxed him. He was falling asleep when he heard the door begin to open. He sat up immediately, realizing Starfire was home. He heard voices though, so he hid behind the couch, hoping to hear the end of Star's date.

He heard Speedy say, "I had a nice time Starfire. I hope things work out for you."

You better not have, he thought as he scowled in the dark.

"I too had an enjoyable evening with you friend Speedy. Good night!"

Robin heard silence, he looked up and saw them hug before the door shut.

She'd had a nice time too, so she said. He started wondering what kind of night they'd had, becoming even more jealous, when he realized what she'd said.

FRIEND Speedy. He grinned. He knew what he had to do.

He hopped over the couch and ran to Starfire's room.

Starfire hung up her nice dress. She had changed into loose black and red flannel pajama bottoms and a black tank top that showed her midriff.

She laid on her bed, staring at the ceiling, going over her first "date".

She was glad Speedy remained her friend. However as her thoughts drifted to Robin, she knew she still wanted him.

But at that moment she wasn't sure if he would ever demonstrate anything else to her.

She'd hated their fights lately. She hated yelling at him. She hated him yelling at her.

She wanted desperately to run to his room and throw her arms around him, even if it was just as a friend.

As her eyelids started to droop, a noise snapped her out of her almost slumber.

Knock knock

She realized it must be Raven, wanting to gain knowledge of her first date. Starfire smiled, excited to tell her friend all about it.

She shuffled sleepily to her door and opened it.

Her heart skipped a beat, and her breathing slowed. She reached for the door frame to steady her.

"Robin.." she whispered.

The boy she loved had a pained, lamentable expression on his face. He was still in only boxers and a shirt. He didn't wait for an invitation, he simply came inside, shut the door and reached for Starfire.

Oh snap cliffhanger. Looks like Robin finally grew his 'male genitalia' XD

Lol hopefully I update the rest of the story before finals.

Reviews welcome!