Okay, so I had some free time.
And I just want to say thank you to those of you who review often: Mikeyf1115, jaqui101, MoonBlossom91, kimminightwing, robstarfan723, BringMeBelugas and LadyFelton1994. You guys make writing worth while. I love feedback! If I could respond to your reviews, I totally would. Love you all!
Ouch, oh what has happened?
Starfire cracks open her eyes, squinting at the light coming in from the window above her. She looks up, noticing that the curtains have been torn down from the rod. One curtain is wrapped around her ankle, the other she must have pulled over herself in the night as a blanket. She must have stumbled through the window and just fallen asleep on the floor.
Placing her hands flat on the ground, she pushes herself up and floats to unravel the curtain from the ankle. In the mirror across the room, she can see her disheveled appearance. Her makeup has smeared around her eyes, her hair a birds nest, and her dress twisted around her body in an unflattering way. She rubs her temple, trying to relieve her slight headache. She doesn't have a strong of "the hangover" as humans do, but it is still unpleasant.
Starfire plants her feet on the floor and walks over to her dresser. Pulling open various drawers, she searches for something to wear. She opts for a light blue t-shirt and dark jeans, and absent-mindedly floats over to her bathroom. She slips her dress off, dropping it into the laundry shoot, and starts the water. She doesn't wait long for it to warm up; hot water isn't really necessary for her. She giggles to herself, remembering how Raven and Beast Boy used to argue about him using all the hot water.
The shower wakes her up and makers her feel a little better. She wonders if maybe having a little food would help too, but the thought of a meal makes her stomach churn. She slips on her new outfit and combs out her hair, setting it straight for it to air dry. After sending the used towel down the laundry shoot, she returns to her bedroom.
A breeze plays against her skin, and that's when she noticed the window was still open. She really must have been out of it last night. She picks her purse of from the floor, tosses it onto her bed, and then returns the curtains to their proper place.
A knock on her door causes her to jump. She crosses the room and opens the door to reveal Cyborg. Starfire smiles brightly.
"Good morning, friend."
"Good morning?" asks Cyborg, lifting an eyebrow. "Starfire, it's nearly 2:00."
"What?" She scrambles for the clock on her dresser. "Surely you must be mistaken- Oh, X'hal!"
"You missed this mornings training."
"Why did no one come and wake me?"
"I did, but you were out cold on the floor." Starfire blushed.
"You saw me?"
"Yeah, and you have some explainin' to do, young lady." Cyborg closed her door, grabbed her by her elbow, and led her to sit on her bed. He stared at her expectantly. She sighs.
"I went to a party last night," she mumbled so silently, she was sure he wouldn't be able to hear.
"You WHAT?" She cringed. So she was wrong.
"It is the okay, it was perfectly fine."
"You went with Roy."
"I met him there, yes. I saw Karen and Malcolm as well."
"Oh yeah," says Cyborg, his shoulders noticeably falling. "I forgot they were together." Starfire places a comforting hand on his shoulder. Maybe she shouldn't share Karen's news with him just yet.
"You will find your mate someday, Cyborg, do not fret." Cyborg sighed, but quickly changed his demeanor.
"Hey! We ain't talkin' about me. Get back to your story."
"There is not much to tell."
"Bull shit, you passed out through your window last night."
"I did the drinking, but by my own choice. And I am of age."
"You drank with Roy?"
"Yes, and the others. I was not alone with him until-" She stopped herself.
"Until what?"
"It is nothing," she says, standing up from the bed and hugging her arms to herself.
"Starfire, I know you. You may've just come back after four years, but you're the same girl. Spill."
"Let us just say that Roy and will not work out. And I do not wish to speak with him again anytime soon."
"Did he hurt you?"
"No," says Starfire. He didn't physically, but he bruised her emotionally. "We just want different things."
"Uh huh…" Cyborg gives her a strange look. "Does Dick know?" Starfire nods. "What'd he have to say?"
"It was not his place to say anything, and that is what I told him."
"D'you think that…maybe you're bein' a bit too hard on him?
"Is that what you think?"
"I'm just saying. You love him, and don't try and tell me you don't. He still loves you after all these years. So why not?"
"Why not what?"
"Go back to bein' 'Nightwing and Starfire', 'Dick and Kori', the world's most renowned couple."
"I… do not know."
"Do you not want that anymore?"
"It does not matter what I want. Dick made a choice while I was away and I have no right to get in the way of that."
"Well I gotta piece of gossip for you, little lady." Cyborg leans in to whisper in her ear.
"No!" Starfire jerks back, eyes wide. "He did not!"
"No, he didn't," says Cyborg. "They both did."
"But why?"
"They were never in love, Starfire. It was always you, and Babs knew that."
"Wait… Cyborg, how do you know this? Surely Dick does not indulge in such conversations with other men."
"BB. He was playin' 'fly on the wall'. Dick talked to Raven about it last night after patrol."
"OH, I forgot about his patrol! He was unharmed, yes?" Cyborg waggled his eyebrows at her. "I merely wish to know as a friend."
"A friend with benefits."
"I do not know what that means."
"And I ain't goin' to explain it. Anyway, I'm just sayin', you should give him a chance." Starfire looks down, twisting her hands.
"Cyborg, he is different. I loved the Richard that I knew before I was gone."
"He's there Starfire. And no one is more equipped for the job of digging him back out than you."
"I supposed I will be more open with him. I do miss him. But I am not sure if I can be with him just yet."
"Alright. Well I'm just lookin' out for you, little lady. You and the bird brat." Starfire giggled. Before Cyborg could walk out the door, she stopped him.
"Friend, what did you tell them when I failed to attend the training?" Cyborg blushed slightly, flaring Starfire's curiosity.
"I told 'em you had some weird Tamaranean lady problem goin' on. I think Beast Boy's the only one who really believed me, but no one questioned. Expect Raven to be stopping by."
"I thank you."
"Anytime, little lady." Cyborg smiled at her before walking out the door. Starfire smiled to herself. She was truly lucky to have friends like hers.
She decides to take a brush through her hair one more time before heading down to the kitchen. She's finally feeling well enough to eat. After heading down the stairs, she turns the corner, nearly running into a sweaty Richard.
"Oh!" he exclaims, jumping back so he doesn't get sweat on her. "Sorry. I was just coming up to check on you. You feeling alright?" Starfire nods.
"Much better, thank you. I am sorry for missing the training."
"S'okay. Maybe we could… ah, never mind."
"What?" Richard waved her off. "Do tell me, Richard." She saw his eyes light up at his name.
"I, uh, thought that maybe we could work out together later. Go for a run or something."
"What a lovely idea. Perhaps a little after dinner?" Richard looked surprised.
"Yeah, sounds good to me."
"Wonderful. Now please excuse me, I am in need of a meal. I missed both breakfast and lunch."
"Alfred's cleaning up in the kitchen. I'm sure he saved something for you."
"It was nice speaking with you, Richard."
Little did she know just how much hope that one little sentence gave him.
...
Dick stands in front of the bat computer, watching footage from the ship last night. He keeps his eyes on Red Hood, analyzing his every move, his every word. He looks at the plastic bag in front of him. It contains the mask found on the seat of the batmobile last night.
When he was Robin, he had that well known traffic light costume and his mask. When Jason came in to work as Robin, they updated the costume a bit, making changes to Jason's personality. Not only was the costume a slightly different smile, but their masks had differences as well. That's how they knew it was Jason's mask.
The mask that should've been locked away.
When they returned to the batcave, they immediately ran to the display cases where they kept old costumes. There was a past Batman, a Robin, and a Batgirl. But one piece of the Robin was missing.
They don't know how, but Red Hood retrieved that mask and planted it. They were sure of it. And while they don't want to face it, there is something nagging at the back of their minds. Do they know why he did it? Do they know who he is?
Dick looks at the sharp corners of the mask, the black and white, remembering how it sat on his brother's face. He wasn't ready to be Robin. To take on the Joker….to die.
He sighs and steps away from the computer, rubbing his temples.
"So who's going to say it first?" Dick looks up at the voice as his father walks toward him. He has dark circles under his eyes as if he didn't sleep last night.
"He must be messing with us. That's all."
"Do you really believe that?"
"We can't just make assumptions like this." He sees some emotion flash across Bruce's face, but it is quickly gone. Bruce clears his throat.
"Yeah, alright then. Tell your Starfire she has an extra training session coming tomorrow. With me."
"Aww, Bruce come on. She wasn't feeling good."
"And you believe that?" Bruce looked at him incredulously.
"Look, she's an alien. You don't know anything about her." Dick runs a hand through his hair. "I'm training with her today anyway." Bruce scoffed.
"And how did you con her into that?"
"I didn't, she wanted to." Dick was becoming defensive.
"Did she really want to? She was gone for four years, Dick; stop pretending like she's the same person that she was when she left."
"I'm not pretending anything."
"Just keep believing that, Dick," called Bruce as Dick stormed away. As he entered his bedroom, he realized that walking away like that was a bit childish. But Bruce can be such a dick sometimes.
Ha, funny.
...
"Hello? Raven?" Starfire had been knocking on Raven's door for a while now. She had run into Beast Boy after she ate, and he told her she had gone up to her room. But why isn't she answering? She decided to open to door, just slightly so she could peak in. Her eyes widened at the sight.
Clothes were tossed around the floor, covering the white carper. But there was no Raven to be found. She walked through the room, cautiously stepping around and over the articles of clothing.
"Raven?"
"In here!" The voice came from the bathroom. "Sorry about the clothes," says Raven as Starfire approached. "Gar's taking me out tonight." Starfire smiled at her friend, who was wrapped up in a white robe standing in front of the mirror. Her hair was half up and slightly waved, her makeup smoky and dramatic.
"Oh Raven, you look beautiful," says Starfire. "It is just that- You need-"
"To put some clothes on. Yeah, I know. I was going to come and find you, but Dick said you were going to eat." Raven set her eyeliner down on the counter then looked up at her. "It's my turn."
"Your turn for what?"
"To hear the explanation. I know you talked to Cyborg."
"Yes, he caught me in a… somewhat compromising position."
"And what might that be?" Starfire tried to make herself small.
"Passed out on the floor in front of an open window."
"I see," says Raven with narrowed eyes.
"I did engage in the drinking last night. And as I told Cyborg, I am of age on your planet." "That may be true, but I still don't think you should be drinking without one of the Titans around. You just came back to earth, Starfire."
"I do not need the babysitter."
"No, but you could use your friends." Starfire sighs.
"I was with Roy, Karen, and Malcolm. Are they not my friends?" Raven smiled slightly, placing a hand on her shoulder.
"They're not us." Starfire smiled back. "So. Roy, eh?" Starfire made a face.
"Yes, but not any longer. I do not wish to see him anymore."
"What happened?"
"He did the putting of the moves on me and it was not wanted. Do not worry, nothing happened." She tried to calm down her demon spawn friend who now sprouted an extra set of eyes.
"Do you promise?"
"Yes. I am fine." Starfire smiled, thinking about Xavier, but quickly tried to erase it.
"What? You're happy, why are you happy?" Starfire quirked an eyebrow. "Not that I don't want you to be happy, you've just been mopey lately."
"Oh, I see." Starfire wrung her hands. "Raven, you must promise not to be upset with me."
"Starfire, what-"
"Just promise." Raven stared at her suspiciously.
"Sure."
"Thank you, friend." She began to smile again. "I met someone."
"What? When? Who?"
"I met a boy. At the party last night, which turned out to be his birthday party. His name is Xavier Redd."
"Huh, strange name."
"That is what I thought. Do you think that he could be the Red X?"
"I think he'd be too stupid to make his alter ego so similar to his actual name." Starfire didn't consider that.
"You are right. I merely thought it was a possibility."
"Well, maybe he's an idiot."
"He did not seem unintelligent."
"Do you like him?"
"Raven, we have just met."
"And yet, I'm sensing something. You feel happy, yet I'm sensing some guilt."
"I suppose I do feel the guilt."
"Because of Dick, right?" Starfire wouldn't look at Raven. "Starfire, I'm not going to be mad at you if you choose not to be with Dick. I just want you to be happy, even if it isn't with my preferred choice. He's my brother, but I'm on your side all the way."
"I do not want you to be choosing the sides. And I am not choosing anyone right now. I am just… being."
"Being?"
"Being the old Starfire." Raven looked sympathetic.
"Look, we've all changed over the past few years. Some for the better, some for worse. You don't have to try and be the you that you were back then. We'll love you no matter what. Just as long as you don't, like, become a criminal or something."
"Do not worry, I have no plans to join 'the dark side'," says Starfire, giggling at her use of Beast Boy's vocabulary. Raven noticed too, smiling.
"Seriously thought, just be yourself. Even if that means your new self." Starfire hugged her friend, still surprised that Raven is willing to receive hugs. She is really glad that Raven learned to control her emotions. "Oh, and I expect more details on Xavier later. But right now, I need help picking an outfit."
"Glorious! You must wear blue!" Starfire grabbed her wrist, dragging her out to play fashion show.
...
Richard watched as Starfire leaned forward, bracing her hands against her knees. They had been running for a while now -for over eight miles- but they used to be able to go further before she'd get tired. She huffed in air, her long hair falling over her face. Even sweaty and exhausted she's so hot.
"Alright, let's head in."
"We do not have to stop yet if you do not wish you. I must improve my stamina."
"It's alright, Star. One step at a time."
"Perhaps we should make the running a daily thing."
"Sure," says Richard, almost too quickly. He tries to suppress his smile, trying not to seem over eager. But Starfire smiles at him, so he returns it.
"I believe I am ready for a shower."
"Yeah, me too," he says as they head back to the mansion.
"So how was your patrol last night?"
"Uhh, well it didn't go as planned."
"Does it ever?"
"No, I guess not." Richard chuckles. "But the good news is, the bad guy didn't get his goods. The bad news is, another bad guy blew it up."
"That is most unfortunate."
"You could say that again."
"That is most-"
"No wait, that's just an expression." Starfire's shoulders fell; an exasperated look graced her face.
"I am sorry, I cannot remember everything. All that I had learned of earth was gone from my mind. I only remember some things now."
"Star, it's okay."
"No it is not. I hate feeling like the idiot all over again." Richard stopped walking, grabbing Starfire's wrist.
"Star, you are many things, but an idiot isn't one of them." Starfire sighed. "Hey, I don't mind having to teach you again. Neither do the others. We're just glad to have you back."
"You do not mind?"
"Of course not. I remember the first few years of being the Titans. I thought you were adorable. I loved being able to teach you about earth and the people." Starfire wrinkled her nose.
"Adorable?"
"That's not a bad thing, Star." She crossed her arms, looking around at the darkening sky.
"I know. I just… do not know how I feel about that word. It is similar to rutha."
"Weak," says Richard. "I remember. But you're not weak, Star." They began to walk again.
"So you say. But you do not understand."
"What don't I understand?"
"I was weak enough to have lose my memories from me, and to be taken from my home. I was weak enough to forget."
"That wasn't your fault."
"It does not matter. I did nothing to stop it." Richard placed a hand on her back.
"You got hurt, that could have happened to any one of us."
"I do not know, Richard. I cannot help but feel responsible."
"Well you're not," he said with finality. Richard looked up at the sky. "It's sunset."
"Yes, I do believe I wish to watch. You may retreat to the mansion, I shall return shortly."
"Well," said Richard nervously, "do you mind if I join you."
Starfire considered this. Did she mind?
"I suppose you may." Richard frowned at her tone. Is he doing the wrong thing? She was finally letting him in. Is he pushing her too far?
"No, it's okay. I'll just go shower."
"Richard, please, let us watch the sunset."
"Are you sure?" Starfire smiled in answer, a smile that he had to return. They took a seat on the grass not too far from the mansion. They sat in the same position; cross-legged with their arms straight behind them with their palms to the ground. Richard realized that this is kind of what it felt like to be best friends with her. But even back when they were just best friends, he knew that he loved her. He sighed.
"What is the matter?"
"Oh, uh, nothing." He cleared his throat. "So I was meaning to ask you, how was that party?" Starfire grimaced.
"It was the okay, but I would rather attend the parties with the Titan's."
"Well there's one of Bruce's charity balls next week. He wanted me to ask if you guys would like to go." Starfire shrieked.
"Oh, a ball? I would get to wear the beautiful gown and the jewels?" Richard laughed at her enthusiasm.
"Yeah, and I have to wear a monkey suit." Starfire looked perplexed. "A tuxedo, Star. Another expression." She nodded in understanding.
"I would very much like to attend. I am sure the others will agree as well."
"Great," said Richard, unable to stop smiling. "I'm looking forward to it." Starfire looked over at him, gorgeous white teeth in full view, green eyes glinting in the fading light.
"As am I, Richard."
Things are looking up, right? Well, maybe...
