At first no one said anything.
I think we were all in shock. The League had promised that no one who knew about the Psions' true mission had been allowed to retain the information. Martian Manhunter had screened everyone personally before they were returned to their families. He had also lessened the damage that some of the worst memories would cause the youngest hostages that had been taken. Some of the children had seen things that made even my skin crawl, and as much as I hate the idea of people messing around in my head even I was okay with removing the memories of torture and violence they had seen. Had someone's memory overridden whatever Martian Manhunter had done to it?
With a small sigh, Raven used her powers to repair the damaged newspaper so Cyborg could read it out loud.
"A betrayal of the worst kind grips Jump City at the realization that it's golden protector, the Princess Starfire of Tamaran, is actually involved in a human trafficking ring of intergalactic proportions. For those of you that recall the string of disappearances last summer and the inexplicable return of nearly two-hundred missing men, women, and children, we can now bring you the full story. It is thanks to the valiant efforts of our real heroes, the Teen Titans that the nefarious plan was stopped and our people brought home. A source who has been brave enough to come forward claims that they witnessed Princess Starfire boarding the alien vessel before it docked on an unnamed planet where unspeakable acts of cruelty were committed against the hostages. A battle ensued in which the Titans barely managed to escape with their lives, and the Justice League was summoned to subdue the hostile alien princess..."
I was practically panting with rage. How dare they drag Starfire's name through the mud with this filth? How could anyone who'd ever met her believe that she would ever do anything like sell humans as slaves to the Gordanians of all people. That they accused her when she was just as much of a victim as the others was more than enough to push me over the edge.
"Who wrote the article?" I growled. Cyborg was much taller than I was and I couldn't see the byline over his forearm. He lifted a brow.
"You know they'll have written under a pen name for this one."
"I don't care."
He tilted the page so I could read, Janet Fellers. I turned on my heel and was out of the room in seconds, leaving the others to comfort Starfire. If I said anything to her right now she'd misunderstand me. She'd think my anger was directed at her when it clearly wasn't. Someone had remembered what happened and gone to the press. The only people who had any knowledge to share were the Titans and members of the Justice League. Of those few, only one of them had been vocal in his disapproval about Starfire's continued presence in Earth.
The door to my bedroom slid open and I strode over to my desk. So far. I had managed not to hit anything, but in the minute or so that it took for my computer to turn on, my control snapped and I kicked over my desk chair. It fell with a muffled crash on the pile of dirty laundry beside my desk. It wasn't nearly enough. My fingers flexed, needing to pummel something. I looked around, searching for something I could vent my frustration on that I wouldn't regret breaking later.
Fortunately, my home screen turned on and I contented myself with stabbing in the code for the direct link to the Batcave.
Bruce wasn't there. It shouldn't have surprised me. This early in the morning he was either sleeping after a patrol or getting ready for a board meeting. Either that or he was avoiding me after pulling this little stunt. Another growl rumbled deep in my throat. I punched in a second sequence, one sure to get a response.
"Master Robin," Alfred answered on the third ring. His tone was professional and alert. I never used this line unless it was an emergency because Bruce in his paranoia hated having any lines to Alfred when so much of the butler's day was spent being surrounded by nosy maids and other service workers.
"Did he talk to the press?" I asked, forcing my voice to remain as calm as possible. I wasn't angry at Alfred after all. He inhaled slowly, as if steeling for a battle.
"Master Bruce left but five minutes ago to handle this information leak. Neither he nor I expected you would be aware of the situation until much later-"
"I get by on just as little sleep as he does," I interrupted rudely. I knew I shouldn't snap at Alfred, but it always bothered me when he took Bruce's side, which he always did. And why was Bruce handling it? Why hadn't he contacted me the moment he heard?
"I assure you, Master Robin that he is just as determined to find out what happened as you are." I snorted.
"Not likely. If the public believes this he'll get exactly what he's been hoping for for the past year. They'll send Starfire back to Tamaran on the first available ship!"
"Honestly, Master Robin, do you truly believe that a man, whose very existence depends on his trusted allies keeping his secrets, would so callously reveal theirs to the world simply because he disapproves of his son's relationship status?"
"There is no relationship, Alfred. How many times do I have to tell you? She's as good as betrothed to someone else." I sidestepped his question without remorse. Of course I thought Bruce was capable of it. This was the same man who kept files of all of the Just League members weaknesses to use against them just in case they went rogue. Heck, he kept a sliver of kryptonite in a lead-lined compartment on his utility belt just in case. Alfred let me get away with ignoring his question and chose to address what I had said instead.
"Ah yes, the proverbial suitor who stands in your way," he said sagely. I could practically hear his rolling his eyes through that crisp British accent. There were no visuals for this line, simply a direct link to his phone, so. I couldn't actually see him as we spoke. I planted both palms on my desk and leaned over my laptop, scowling at it.
"Whose side are you on, Alfred?"
"It is not a matter of sides, Master Robin."
"Tell him to contact me the moment he gets back," I snapped, wincing as I did it. Really, I don't like being short with Alfred. He was practically the only bearable person at the manor and I often thought of him like a grandfather, though it would horrify his rigid professionalism if I told him so.
"I assure you he will have plenty to say when he returns," he said cryptically. There was an edge to his voice that spoke of his disapproval. Before he could issue a full out reprimand I cut the line. I stared at my blank homepage. Did I dare see how far the media had run with the story? If I saw any more hateful lies it was entirely possible I'd put my fist through my laptop. No, before I did anything I needed to take a trip to the training room.
I changed into a fresh uniform before I emerged. Wearing my cape made me feel more in control. Robin was a force to be reckoned with, some sixteen-year-old with a mask and pajama pants...not so much. When the door slid open, all four Titans were crowded on the other side, waiting for me. Cyborg was practically standing on my toes as he tried to eavesdrop through my sound-proofed door. My eyes slid from his face to Starfire, who hung back in the edge of the group.
"Truly you should not be so upset, Robin. It was only the matter of time before the truth came out," she said sadly. I hated that compliant note in her voice. No! It was not just a matter of time. We had this under control. No one was ever supposed to know! Someone had messed up and I needed to know who. Now!
"It's obvious the journalist is slanted," said Raven. "That article is drenched with anti-alien feeling."
Why were they trying to shrug it off? This was serious! We had a security breach.
"Besides Dude, everybody who's anybody knows if they want to get rid of Starfire they'll have to go through us," said Beast Boy, thumping his chest proudly. I stared at them all in turn. They were all going to pretend it didn't matter. Lecturing them for an hour wouldn't convince them how serious this was.
"I'll be in the gym," I grumbled. They parted to let me pass. For a moment Starfire looked like she wanted to say something, but she closed her mouth and walked back to her room. Walked! I frowned after her. The only time Starfire's feet touched the ground was when she was upset. She was back to pretending again. I thought we'd gotten past this, but there she was, plastering a big, 'Oh nothing's wrong, don't mind me,' smile on her face.
"Starfire," I barked out at her. She turned, surprised.
"Meet me in the gym in ten." She nodded and quickly ducked into her room to change. This time she closed the door. Beast Boy put his hands on his hips and lifted a brow at me.
"Dude, if that's the way you ask for a date you're doing it wrong," said Beast Boy with a snort. I leveled him with a look.
"At least she's going to show up," Cyborg drawled. "Remind me again how many dates you've been on... Oh that's right, zero!" Beast Boy reddened.
"That's because you won't lend me the T-car or the R-cycle. What do you want me to do, put them on my skateboard?" His voice squeaked with agitation. When, oh when, would his voice finally crack? The rest of us were secretly counting down the days.
"You could always ride up like a pony. Girls love ponies, don't they Raven?"
"Just what every little girl dreams of, explaining to her father that since her new boyfriend doesn't have a license she's going to be riding him all night long instead."
With that epic quip, Raven disappeared into her room. Cyborg, Beast Boy, and I gaped at each other.
"Did she just...?" Cyborg pointed after her in astonishment. I nodded, dazed.
"I think so."
"Dude, Raven just made a dirty joke." Beast Boy grinned.
A/N: I fully intend to include more silliness this time around.
A-LionGleek, yes, BBRae fans like you might find reasons to enjoy this story too. ;)