Starfire giggles at Roy, who helps her into her seat in the dark. He met her at the movie theater at around 6:00. He had wanted to see the new scary movie that had just come out. Starfire remembered that she didn't fare well with horror movies, but agreed to go anyway. She didn't want to ruin this with Roy. She continuously hid her face in his shoulder at the jumpy parts, taking comfort in his presence. But she forced back the wistful thinking that it could have been Richard there with her. Then again, Richard knows that she doesn't like scary movies.

After the movie, Starfire tried not to seem shaken up. The two walked over to a restaurant called The Fox Gardens.

"This is the nicest restaurant in Gotham, princess," says Roy as he leads her to their table. On this nice summer night, everyone is eating outdoors. Beautiful red table cloths don the round table with candles in the center.

"Very nice," she says.

"What would you like, Starfire." She clears her throat, pointing to the ring on her finger. "Er, uh, I mean, Kori."

She smiles. "What would you suggest?"

"Hmm. You like pasta?" She nods her head. "Well then you should try this…" She tries listening to him, she really does. But she can only nod her head and giggle when he laughs. The waiter comes and takes their order. She sips her raspberry lemonade listening to his stories. He tells her of some past battles while she's been gone. Talking about Titan's East. She was happy to find out that even though the big Titan's were gone, that Bumblebee still led her team.

"So what happened anyway? Where did you go?" She almost chokes on her drink at his bluntness.

"I… was taken to Tamaran. I do not remember how or why."

"You don't remember?"

"Raven says I took a hit on the side of my head, someplace that caused me to lose some of my memories."

"So that's why you stayed on Tamaran for a while?" Starfire only nods. "Damn, that's rough."

Starfire does admit that it is hard to speak to Roy But she kind of likes the way he pays attention to her. Of course, most of that attention is physical. He finally got a hold of her hand, but she hasn't let him kiss her. And he spends most of the time talking about himself. He must really like the sound of his own voice.

"Desert?"

"No, I am most full. Thank you."

"Alright. Hey waiter! Bill!"

After pay for dinner, Roy takes her hand once again and leads her out of the restaurant. They walk through the city for a while. She remains silent as he tells another story. Perhaps she just needs to get to know him better. Then these dates will be more enjoyable.

They find a park and take a seat on a bench next to a large pond. A fountain spurts water from the center of the pond, and twinkling lights of different colors shine from underwater.

"This is beautiful," says Starfire as she watches the colors change.

"No," says Roy. "You're beautiful." He leans toward her, not backing down when she tries to lean away. He grasps her arm. "Why not, princess? Don't you like me?"

"Well I did," she says, trying to remove her arm from his grasp without hurting him. He still fights to kiss her, reaching to grasp her face. Suddenly, a red, x-shaped band crosses over Roy's mouth. His eyes grow wide with fear as he tries to pry it off.

"I really don't think she wants you to kiss her, big boy." That voice. She knew that voice, one so similar to her Robin's, but a little robotic. She jerks her head around, finding Red X standing behind her protectively. "Get lost, man." Roy, mouth still covered, scrambles up from the bench and flees the scene. Apparently he's nothing without his arrows.

"I do not need your protection, Red X," says Starfire as she gets up from the bench, walking away. He grabs her arm. "Do not touch me!"

"I think I deserve a 'thanks'."

She huffs. "Thank you. Now I must go."

"Why in such a hurry?" he asks. He walks behind her, keeping her pace.

"I must go home."

"You're a big girl. You can stay out as long as you like."

"But I am ready to go home now."

"Come on. Lets sit down, have a chat. Get to know each other a little?" He yanks on her arm, pulling her back to him. He lifts her arm to find her hand. "Hologram ring," he says. He pulls it off. "I'd know your voice anywhere, cutie."

"Give it back," she says, fighting with him for the ring.

"Only if you agree to a date." She makes a 'hmph' sound and walks away. "Come on now, do you really want to be seen?" She keeps walking. "Does Nightwing know you're back?"

"Yes, he does," she calls back to him, still walking. He still follows her.

"Does he know you were out with that bozo?"

She walks a little slower. "I did the 'dropping of the hint'. He probably knows."

"How would he feel about that guy making a move on you?"

She walks even slower. "He would be most upset," she says quietly.

"It would be a shame if he found out."

"There is no way that he could," she says. She's almost fearful. She does not want Richard to find out about this. He would hurt Roy. And she would like a chance to speak with him about this and maybe repair the damage.

"You're still going to see him again, aren't you?" Rex X laughs at her. She frowns.

"It is none of your business, X." she stops walking, turning to glare at him.

"Well I'll just have to make it my business. Can't have a cutie like you being attacked by a loser like him." He hands her back her holoring.

"I was not attacked." She takes it and walks again.

"Yeah, you kinda were," he says.

"It does not matter. You know that I can take care of myself."

"But you were just letting him do that to you. I don't get it, cutie."

"It is not your place to 'get it'."

"Even so, I think Nightwing should know."

"What makes you think Nightwing would care?"

"I'm a guy. I know other guy's."

"You are a thief. You know nothing of Nightwing."

"Chuckles and I share a special connection," he says, tapping on his belt.

"You share nothing."

"We could share you."

"Stop talking to me!"

"Hey, cutie, you're talking to me, too."

Starfire lets out a frustrated groan. "What is it that you want with me, X."

"Me. You. A Date. Or I'll let it slip to Nightwing that you're new little boyfriend is a fan of domestic violence."

"No deal."

"Fine, how about we just talk for a little while? I could use some company."

"Do you not have any criminal friends?"

"I work alone," he says, moving in front of her and walking backwards. He suddenly reaches for her and presses on his teleporter. Before she knew it, she was on top of a building.

"Oof," she lands on the roof top on her bottom. Red X stands over her, probably smiling if she could see his face. "Do not laugh at me," she says while getting up. He offers her his hand, but she denies it.

"Not laughing, I swear."

"It is getting dark," she says, looking about the roof. She sees dark shadows forming, fear growing inside her. Why did Roy have to take her to a scary movie?

"Afraid of the dark?"

"Only after horror films," she says. Why is she able to talk to him? It must be because of his voice. "Is there any way you could not sound like that?"

He chuckles. "Sorry, cutie. Your ex-boyfriend put his voice in my suit. Its meant to stay there."

"Not my ex-boyfriend."

"But you just said-"

"Not my boyfriend either," she snaps grumpily.

"How confusing. Wanna talk about it?" he asks. She looks at him incredulously. "What? Let's bond a little. Tell me about your problems."

"I do not want to tell you anything."

"Fine then, deal's off." He presses a button on his belt, which displays a hologram in front of him. The hologram displays images of her and Roy on the bench.

Starfire gasps. "You would not!"

"I promised I would." He presses the button again, making it disappear. She lunges at him, grabbing for the belt. If she breaks it, he can't show Richard that hologram. "Jeez," he says while dodging her hits. "Why is this so important?"

"He will do the rubbing of it in my face," she says as she beings to launch star bolts at his waist.

"Hey now," he says, tossing a small pod that releases a red net over her. "Stop struggling," he says. After a few minutes, she lets out a frustrated scream. "You done?" She doesn't say anything. "If you promise not to hit me with your green things, I'll let you out."

She huffs. "Fine."

"Good girl." He removes the net.

She stands up, dusting herself off. She looks up at the sky. "I missed the sunset," she says.

"Okay?"

"You would not understand, X."

"Make me understand." She shakes her head.

"Why are you in Gotham?"

"Personal business," he says.

"I would not understand?"

"You're a hero. Why would I tell you?"

"Why would I tell you about my relationships?" she retorts.

"Because I'm curious."

"Not a good enough reason."

"Well that's all I got."

Silence spreads over the two as they look out over Gotham City. Out of the corner of her eye, she scans Red X over. There's something familiar about him. But then again, she had known Red X from when he stole Robin's old suit as the Teen Titans.

"Checkin' me out there, cutie?"

Starfire clears her throat. "Do not do the flattering of yourself. I am just making sure you are not going to try to attack me."

"And why would I do that?"

"You are a bad guy. A bad guy who kidnapped me and brought me up onto this roof." She looks around. "I have no idea where I am."

"Wayne Enterprises." He says, jabbing his thumb in the direction behind them. Starfire looks back and up, seeing the large letters spelling out WAYNE.

"I see," she says. She could just fly away right now and what would he do. She is faster than the speed of light. Despite that, part of her wants to stay with him. She's curious about him. But she knows that she should really be getting home. "I must leave now, X."

"Awe, why so soon? We were just starting to open up."

She laughs at him. " I do not think so." She begins walking toward the edge of the building.

"You're really leaving?" She nods. "Fine. But I'll be on the lookout for you. I don't want to see you with that guy again."

"It is not your place to tell me who I can and cannot see."

"Maybe not, but I know someone who has a powerful hold over you." He taps on his belt. Starfire knows he's talking about Richard. Then Red X gives a two finger salute and presses on his teleporter. That same curious part of her kind of misses his presence. She just shakes her head and takes off for the manor.


AN: Is there anything Nightwing won't do to get Starfire back?

Reviews please! :)