A/N: Ok…where have I been…I can explain…

Job promotion keeping me plenty busy

I acquired a Nightwing.

I participated in another short story anthology called Secrets in Our Cities, and wrote a story about an evil fast food restaurant that came last October.

Still planning to finish this fic. Thanks again for your patience.

Chapter 20: Homecoming

-R-

Robin had to admit he was just a little nervous. Not exactly how he imagined his first high school dance to go, but it could be worse. If Slade had tried to, oh, set him up on a blind date or something then Robin would have a little more beef with the whole thing.

Cool gel slid down his neck and into the stiff white collar of his suit as he slicked his hair back into its usual spikes. The fragrant, familiar smell seemed so out of place in this dimly lit bedroom with cold gray walls. A touch of home in a place so far away from it. But he had stolen it on the way back from school. Slade didn't say anything, but Robin was sure he appreciated the gesture. Stealing, that is. A little brownie points never hurt anyone.

His black-and-red suit ensemble—a silk red shirt underneath a black vest and cummerbund—was something he would've worn to one of Bruce's charity galas. Everything except for the cufflinks. Pretty hilarious, actually, that Slade owned a pair of cufflinks with his own stylized logo. Where did he get them, special-order on Etsy?

Was Slade ever the kind of guy who went to prom as a kid? Maybe he never went and lived vicariously through his apprentice. Would explain a lot, actually.

If all went according to plan, then this would be the last time he ever saw this cramped room with its hint of must and the blisters of paint along the side of one wall. Good riddance.

"So…" Robin said, twirling a strand of hair around his finger, "is Wintergreen going to drive the limo or what?"

"You shut your mouth."

There was no way Slade would have dodged the Halloween mask and put on a Tux.

"After this," Slade said. "It's over."

"What's over?"

"The Academy."

A fraction of a pause.

"Once we capture the thief it's over. This foolishness has gone on long enough."

Robin gave his tie one last tug, never minding how tight it felt around his neck. That tone was final. There was no arguing with him. But after all those months of begging Slade to let him stay just a little bit longer…it would be suspicious if Robin said nothing at all.

"Maybe you'll reconsider." Robin sprayed some cologne on his wrist. "I hope you will."

That was it. Slade said nothing. Neither of them were looking to piss the other off.

Slade had known he was under the Red X mask. He knew, even when his whole body had been covered by a different costume. And if he could figure that out, then who was to say that he hadn't already discovered who the Xinothium thief really was?

Well, he could bet on Slade's silver ego-boost cufflinks that, whatever Slade was planning, the Titans could handle him.

-Starfire-

"Remember, you're Koriand'r the Terrible," Cyborg whispered. "You have to act the part."

Her heart beat so fiercely she thought it would burst. This would be the first time she had seen Robin in months. Garish city lights whipped by as they rode in the back of a limo, a very curious long black automobile that Cyborg assured her was the mode of transportation for an Earthling on her way to the Coming of Home.

"Yes." Starfire clenched her fists and made a grimace. "Fear me, puny humans, for I am Koriand'r The Terrible, and if you cross me I will smite you!"

"That's pretty good." Cyborg nodded. "Might want to let your eyes sizzle. Make a show of it."

Starfire nodded.

She wore a slinky dress, the dark stripes contrasting with the garish purple. Her mask covered the upper half of her face and her fiery hair dulled to a reddish-brown.

Cyborg—no, Victor Stone—didn't look so bad himself.

"Man," Cyborg said, admiring himself in his reflection from the window, "haven't worn a suit in years."

"I think you look nice."

"Why, thank you, Star." A grin spread across his face.

"Tell me, why is it called the Coming of Home?"

"It's like…" He held up his hands. "A lot of people think high school is the best time of their lives. I thought the same for a while. Back when I played football. The team, the school…it meant everything to me. For me, where I'm from, school was home to me."

Students whispered amongst each other once they stepped out of the limo. The Coming of Home was in one of the nicer hotels in town. Did one of the villains own such a place? How could they gather masked villains in such large numbers without attracting attention?

"I see," Starfire replied. "It was a home to you. So the alumni, they are coming back to their home?"

"Their high school home."

That did not make much sense to Stafire at the moment, but perhaps they were lost in translation, or her nerves were all jumble from the thought of what they were about to do.

"Hmm." Cyborg gazed out of the window. "I don't think I ever got to go to my senior prom. 'Suppose this is as close as I'm going to get."

"Well," Starfire said. "I hope the mission goes well. Perhaps we can hold a coming home of our own."

"Yeah." Cyborg slumped back in his seat, the collar of his becoming crumpled in the process. "We're gonna party hard. That's for sure."

She would like that. Robin had been gone for so long that a celebration was necessary.

They sipped their sparkling cider in silence as they rode the rest of the way to the venue, their stomachs growing more easy and their neared their destination. And when they did reach the venue she forgot, for just a moment, that they were here on a mission.

Fairy lights glittered on strings thin as gorbka silk. Students, dressed in their best, did not look anything like the HIVE students they had fought before. They looked…well…normal. Laughter tickled her ears. The coming of home was one of those strange Earth customs she did not think she would be able to attend.

"Crap," Cyborg hissed. "I didn't realize—"

"What is it?"

"The alumni are here."

"What?" Starfire tore her eyes away from the fairy lights. "The alumni?"

"HIVE grads." Cyborg glanced around. "I don't recognize them. Must've moved out of town.

Was this not something Cyborg and Robin would have foreseen?

-R-

He saw her right away.

Even in the costume he could tell it was her. No one else had that kind of energy, that smile. A swarm of students flooded around the couple, all wanting to meet the mysterious girlfriend who went to the rival school. Or so they thought. At least the attention would be away from him for a while.

Mr. Stone dazzled the ladies in a crisp white suit. Koriand'r the Terrible in a slim dress with stripes racing up her sides. Everyone looked pretty good. Except maybe Robin in his funeral suit and horrible cufflinks.

"That's all?" Jinx folded her arms over her chest. "She's kind of underwhelming."

Jinx didn't look so bad herself. She wasn't in her usual witchy getup, and actually looked nice. She didn't bother hanging onto his arm when he offered it, but he didn't feel too offended. Might as well be a gentleman.

"Well, I'm pretty whelmed." Robin shrugged. "At least she's here. Want to walk around and judge people?"

A mischievous glint shone in her eyes, though she quickly shook herself. "Nah. I'm gonna hang with my crew. Meet you at the punchbowls in a few."

And with that she stalked off. That was good. Robin wasn't sure how long it would take to shake her off. As the initial curiosity around Cyborg and Starfire wore off Robin sidled his way over.

"Nice cuff links," Cyborg sneered.

"Like them?" Robin held up his arm. "I'll be sure to get you some for Christmas."

"Hey, don't mind if I borrow him, do you?" Jinx grabbed Cyborg's arm. "We got things to talk about."

"Stone, one of your friends, is it?" Starfire was doing her best to hide her Tamaranean accent.

"Yeah, a classmate."

"Hm." Starfire looked Jinx up and down. "Be back in time for the good songs. I would like to dance."

Jinx was off talking to Cyborg. Most likely getting ready for the super-secret big prank. Any mistake and he'd pay the price for it. The prank was just way too juicy for Jinx, or other students at the HIVE, to ignore. Unmasking him in one of the school year's biggest social gatherings was a big deal. It was a surprise no one had tried to do it before now.

He glanced at Slade hovering in the shadowy corner near the punch bowl. Hopefully, Slade's presence wouldn't deter the kids from pulling the prank. The Titans needed the distraction so Robin and Beast Boy could do their job.

Besides, it wouldn't take too long for a dance. Might as well enjoy it before all hell broke loose.

A slow song started playing. Robin held out a hand to Starfire.

"What?"

"I'm asking for a dance, Koriand'r the Terrible." Robin smirked. "Or should I demand it?"

"Hmm. I suppose you will do. For now."

A kaleidoscope of colors played across her face as they glided to the dance floor. The warmth of her gloved hand raced up his arm, his neck, flushing his face.

"You look nice," Robin whispered.

"You do too."

She almost said something else, a hint that she knew him, but she cocked her head as she saw the glint of metal in his ear. Slade was always listening in.

"What about your boyfriend?" Robin gestured towards Cyborg. "Think he minds?"

"Does not matter what he thinks."

"Didn't you say you wanted him back for the dancing?"

"I am back for the dancing. He can elect to join us if he so desires."

"What are you doing?" Slade hissed. "Bring her into custody. Now."

Slade's voice crackled in his ear. Robin shot Slade a withering look. Slade couldn't wait any longer. One more minute and he would jump Star himself. Xinothium was a precious commodity.

"She's not going anywhere." Robin lowered his voice. "Besides, kids seem to like her. We're outnumbered here."

Time was of the essence. The longer he delayed either plan—Slade's plan to capture the thief or his escape plan—the more likely he would fail at both. If he didn't move quick enough Slade would think he was stalling. But he needed to stall.

Students shuffled away as the slow song came on, waiting for the dance music to ramp back up. It was too tempting to blow his cover. Slade wasn't stupid. The students weren't stupid. Eventually, someone would figure out who she was.

"All right, ladies and gents, it's time for the big event!" the DJ shouted. "Everyone cozy up on the dance floor."

Cyborg squeezed his way through the crowd to be next to Starfire.

"Taking your time, are you?" Slade asked dryly.

"After this," Robin hissed into his earpiece. "Away from the crowd. It'll get done."

"It better be."

"It's time to crown the Homecoming King and Queen!"

"Finally." Jinx appeared at his side. "Took him long enough."

A white noise seemed to rush in Robin's ears as the DJ announced the Homecoming court. Bunch of kids he knew. Some kids he didn't.

"And now…for the moment you've all been waiting for…the King and Queen!" The DJ's smile widened. "This year's Queen is Jinx!"

A round of whopping applause followed her to the stage. She made a sweeping bow before crossing her arms.

"And your Homecoming King…Robin, the Boy Wonder!"

Oh, well, that was nice of him to use Robin's full title. Been a while since anyone announced him like that. Maybe he was some secret fanboy.

"Well," Robin said, "here we go!"

Jinx didn't uncross her arms. Someone coughed as he walked up to the stage. It felt like the first day of school, when the Headmistress made him walk up to the stage to ridicule him. The deadly quiet was rippling with tension, as if everyone else was in on something. Couples leaned in close to one another and whispered.

Whatever happened next…well…it would happen. Once this rocket started, he was certain to go somewhere, even if it wasn't the right direction.

Several pairs of arms seized him. Billy and his clones held him still. Robin jerked, his arm twisting into a painful Indian burn. A flood of cheers filled the room.

"Hey, bird boy, are you ready to be crowned the bird king?"

Stone grabbed Robin's wrist.

"What are you doing?" Robin demanded.

Slade did nothing. He wouldn't do anything. Coming to Robin's aid would be seen as a sign of weakness. Jinx took a step forward.

"As your new Homecoming queen, I'd like to make my first proclamation." Jinx waved her arms at Robin. "All do-gooders who enter our doors—Not HIVE. Not until they show us who they really are."

Robin said nothing. That smirk of glee on Jinx's face—that wasn't real, was it? His heart pounded. Sweat trickled down his neck.

"Do it! Do it! Do it!"

The student body and alumni became a writhing, angry mass that could not be controlled. Not when there were too many of them and too few teachers.

And the mask ripped off his face.