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A/N: Probably a three-four part mini story that really has no basis for anything except stupidity and killing boredom at work. Hell, I don't even think everything makes sense for that matter but what ya gonna do. Of course I just could stop writing it but ya know Sanity is relative...which in fact has nothing to do with anything at this moment. Enjoy, despise, or just blatantly loath it. OOC and just general strangeness with some underlying something. May end up being discontinued before it gets any further.

Setting the Stage

Chapter 1

By: Finalitylife

Since he left with them I've found myself unable to keep my eyes focused on the words of my book in front of me, but instead find myself constantly glancing at the clock on the wall. First it was every half an hour, then it was every ten minutes, then every five minutes, and now it seems like the hands have not even moved since last time I looked.

I slam the book shut in front of me with a grumble, placing it loudly on the table in front of me. I stand up, smoothing out my cloak and adjusting it so that it covers me, and I float over toward the kitchen. Tea...I need tea...lots and lots of soothing tea.

"Raven?" and I don't need her...not now...definitely not now. I force down a frustrated snarl and force my face into a blank stare, turning my head ever so slowly until the curious alien princess is clearly in my sight. I can tell she has questions from the moment I see her...questions I really don't want to answer, answers I myself don't want to think about.

"What...is...it...Starfire?" Each word comes out slowly, the calmness heavily forced into each word.

"Where are all of our friends?" Alright...think carefully and maybe if you give the right answer she'll stop asking questions.

"Out with Speedy and Aqualad."

"If they went out, why was I not invited to go with?" I can hear the slightest hint of sadness in her voice and my heart softens just a bit...a tiny, minuscule bit.

"It's a guy's night out Starfire so no girls allowed. It was Speedy's idea to get Robin out so that he would loosen up and stop obsessing over criminals for awhile." Starfire clasped her hands in front of her with a big smile on her face.

"That sounds like a very, very grand idea. Robin did indeed need to have more fun." I again grumble to myself at the cheerful alien.

"If you think going out and getting Robin drunk at a strip club is a grand idea then..." I clasp my mouth shut before I can finish my sentence, hoping for the love of peace of mind that Starfire didn't hear any of my outburst because if she did... Of course I know she heard me by the way her head has cocked to one side with her large, curiosity-filled green eyes staring intently at me.

"Friend Raven, what is getting drunk and what is a club of strip? I have never experienced either of those two since I've come to this planet. If it is not too much trouble, could you explain them to me or even show me..."

"No no no no no no...no no No. Starfire, trust me, you don't want to experience either of them. For one, nobody, and I mean nobody needs you being any more exuberant or hyperactive than you already are so drinking is a horrid idea. Secondly, you don't need to ever go where those guys went." She continues to stare at me with a heavy look of concentration on her face, and I just know this conversation isn't over though I so wish it was. Starfire has a tendency to keep asking questions until she fully understands, and I doubt she is satisfied with my explanation so far.

"But why must I never go to such a place? If all of our friends went then surely it must be a place of great fun." A place a hand on my head, trying to force down the growing headache, muttering to myself how I was going to kill Speedy for creating this situation. How I loathed him at this moment...well for that matter almost every moment. Speedy was a moron, a flirtatious, out-of-control, smart assed idiot who had a tendency to make the rest of my friends act like idiots...especially Robin. I've come to expect a certain level of extreme, childish stupidity from all of them but not Robin. He had his moments when it came to Slade long ago but now, I've come to expect him to be the level headed one, the one in control of the situation. However, I couldn't shake the feeling that it bothered me to know he was out looking at cheap, half naked women or that he was out having fun without me. What were those feelings about?

"Raven?" Starfire's soft voice pulls me back to reality, confirming that I had probably zoned out in my own thoughts. She is still looking at me waiting for an answer, and I finally respond through gritted teeth.

"Starfire, does watching women take off their clothes and dance for money sound entertaining to you?" Then I have a thought...for the love of all that is holy, do not answer that question yes! I can NOT have that conversation...ever! Her eyes grow wide, and I find myself holding my breathe waiting a response

"No," she replies softly.

"Exactly. That is what all the guys are watching right now at the strip club so obviously you don't want to be there."

Starfire finally nods in understanding as I finally turn back to my task of making some relaxing tea to calm my nerves. I jump ever so slightly as an outburst suddenly erupts from Starfire.

"Oh I have the most wonderful idea. Next end of week, we can have a girl's day out. You and I and Bumble Bee and even newly befriended Jinx. It will be so much fun. We can go to the mall, then the beauty parlor, and..." I find myself cringing more and more at each suggestion as Starfire rattles off a horrifying list. I snap around and accidently yell out no, her confused eyes settling on me once more.

"Um...you see Star...umm... Jinx and I still don't exactly get along and..." I see her face fall in disappointment, and I instantly feel bad.

"Well we could try the mall maybe..." I am cut off by an outrageously loud squeal, and the sudden lack of air as Starfire pulls me into an embrace. I hear my spine give off several pops as I struggle to pry myself loose from the overly joyed alien. Finally, she relents, and I am free. Strangely enough, my back feels better. Who needs a chiropractor around when they have Starfire.

She floats away saying something about something, but I'm not really paying attention. I'm just happy she's finally given me some peace to make my tea though I still find myself wondering about how Robin is doing.

Robin P.O.V:

How do I get myself talked into these things? That's right, Roy (Speedy) is a manipulative bastard whose known me far too long and knows exactly what to say to get me out. I don't know why people think me and him are so much alike...alright we're a little alike in appearance and dare I admit...we're both arrogant, ego maniacs. Of course I'll only admit that to myself, never to the others and especially not Raven. She would have a field day with me admitting something like that.

The other guys were far easier to convince to join in this little endeavor, most especially Beast Boy err Garfield or whatever he decides to call himself today. Seriously, if he makes one more joke about calling him the Big Beast or something else that stupid I'm going to lose it and back hand him. Well I would, but I'm fairly certain Cyborg or Raven will beat me too it...most especially Raven.

It feels strange to be in civilian clothes without my mask, and honestly I can't really remember the last time I was like this. I guess Roy was right about me needing some time off though I could think of far more constructive things to be doing than drinking too much and ogling naked women. However, this is what every one else wanted to do and despite it being an appealing idea, I'm not exactly keen on the idea completely. You don't live with a knock out of a red head dressed in a half top and a short skirt and a curvaceous half demon in a skin tight leotard without building up some degree of sexual frustration...alright a lot of sexual frustration and this night really won't help the matter. Cold showers in the morning aren't just for psychos you know...there also for highly obsessive, slightly schizophrenic...wait...I'm just going to stop there.

I also find it strange looking at a pale-white skinned Beast Boy and an actually skinned Cyborg but thanks to Vic's holographic technology, this truly is just a regular guys night out. Well if you discount the fact that between me and Roy we could buy probably most the city, then yeah, just a couple of regular guys out for a night on the town. Vic was the only one who had to be careful since he was still metal, despite the imagery and some synthetic polymer he was wearing and anyone who touched him long enough would quickly realize that his 'hardness' wasn't from the naked women we would be seeing.

The cab ride is quick, and I keep seeing Roy looking over at me with a mischievous smile, as if he's plotting something which simply means he is or already has plotted something and more than likely it involves me. What did I do to deserve this? Oh yeah, at some point I actually made good friends with that outrageous womanizer didn't I. We shuffle out of the very crowded cab and I silently thank God that Cyborg sat in the passenger seat in the front instead of cramping into the back with us.

I look up at the sign and recognize the name 'Jump City Special', a few important facts passing through my mind. For one, I've never been called for any disturbance at this place nor have I ever found anything to be illegal occurring on or near the premises. The other was that I remembered reading about this place in a few magazines rating it extremely high, putting up there with some of the best in Vegas. I guess I really need to commend Roy for this choice because at least this place was in no way dirty or sleazy. I guess as classy as strip clubs get you could say.

"Man this is going to be awesome. I can't wait to get inside."

"Ha, they probably won't even let you in Garfield. You still look like your twelve."

"Hey Vic shut up. The ladies still love me so that's all that matters."

"The only ladies that love you probably were all once men." I laugh slightly as Garfield struggles then completely fails to come up with a come back, settling with shut up. Everyone laughs at our befuddled and clearly lost friend.

"Well the little man is right about one thing. This is going to be one hell of a good time Booyahkasha!" Every one turned to look at Cyborg.

"What? I figured I'd try something different." Everyone eyed him with dead serious looks and shook their heads. He smiled sheepishly.

"Alright, alright. I'll stick with what works...Booyah" I patted him on the back as I walked by.

"Good choice." Everyone follows me up to the door where two quite large and very serious looking men are there. The glare at me before catching eyes with Roy and soon large grins are on their faces.

"Mr. Harper. Welcome back. It is good to see you again. Seems just like last week you were here." Roy walks up shakes hands with one of them.

"Actually that was last week. You know me, just can't keep myself away from such a fine establishment." The three chuckle.

"It seems like you've brought some friends with this time."

"Oh yeah, some business associates of mine. Figured what better way to conduct some business than with a few drinks and a few ladies." The bouncer responded as he opened the door for us.

"Can't think of any better way to do it. Enjoy the evening gentlemen." I watched as Roy handed out some hundreds to the bouncer and we followed him in. He looked back at me as I gave him a look.

"What? Best way to get service is to be the best customer. Got to spend a little to get a little, and its not like we can't afford it." I couldn't fault his logic. The place was dim and I could already here the music playing as we walked further in toward the entertainment. We were greeted with an ecstatic scream by a very buxom blonde who gave Roy a kiss on the cheek. She was dressed in a white shirt and a very tiny and tight black skirt. She had to be some type of hostess/greeter.

"Roy! Its so great to see you again. You told me you were going to call me." Roy only slyly smiled.

"Sorry babe but I've been busy with work. In fact I'm still kind of on the clock here with some of my associates."

"I can see that and all such handsome young men. Care to introduce me Roy."

"Gentlemen, I'd like you to meet Cindi, easily one of the most beautiful women you will find here or anywhere. If you need anything, don't hesitate to ask her." She gave all of us a sexy smile, and I was sure Garfield was drooling all over himself.

"And I want you make sure you especially take good care of this one Cindi." Roy placed his arm over my shoulder.

"This man right here is Richard Grayson. Billionaire ward to Bruce Wayne... the prince of Gotham." You son of a bitch. I didn't say it but my mind screamed it. I didn't want to be recognized as Robin or Richard at this moment but now after word got around, I would have every stripper in this please swooning over me. And away we go.

"Oh my God! THE Richard Grayson. Its such an honor to meet you." Time to turn on that fake charm Bruce always tried to teach me.

"No I believe the honor is all mine." I take her hand and give it a soft kiss on the top of it as I flash her a look with my deep blue eyes. She giggles and gives me another sexy smile.

"Allow me to show you to your reserved table Mr Harper...Mr Grayson." We follow her swaying hips even I unable not to stares as Garfield leans over to Vic.

"What about us? Don't we matter?" Vic only chuckles.

"Man, with the kind of money those two have, all we need to do is sit back and enjoy the ride...at their expense of course."

"That I can do. Let's go ocean boy. Time to see the best dry land can offer.""