Superheroes cannot kill those they fight, not for any reason. This is known as The Code and it is absolute, but not without cost. What happens when that cost is so terrible not even superheroes can pay it?
This is a Teen Titans/Dr Who crossover. It takes place between the Dr Who episodes Tooth and Claw and School Reunion (Tenth Doctor/Rose), and three weeks after my previous story Conversation Over Pizza (which occurs a couple of months after Trouble In Tokyo).
If the first chapter makes your head explode you might want to refer to Conversation Over Pizza to find out why.
Disclaimer: I do not own and did not create Dr Who, the Teen Titans, or many of the characters and locations mentioned in this story. This is, after all fan fiction, which by definition uses the original characters and settings created to tell stories the original creators never envisioned (or even know about).
As such I didn't write this story for profit, it is merely meant to entertain any reader who stumbles upon it. I hope my poor attempt does justice to Dr Who and Teen Titans. If you like this story please make sure to check out the two original series, both are well worth watching!
The character of Detective Twain was borrowed from Jessemudflap's story The White Rose, which is itself well worth your time to read.
Chapter 1 – Honeymoon's End
His eyes snapped open as he felt an arm slip around him. The feel of lips against his cheek brought him fully awake and the slight tart odor of her breath made memory rush back. He relaxed imperceptibly and turned into her embrace.
"Good morning, my husband." She whispered. "Did you sleep well?"
He knew she was smiling even though he couldn't see it. Seemed like both of them hadn't stopped smiling since the day the marisu had turned their lives upside down.
"Like a baby, Star." He answered quietly, feeling her warm and soft against him. Memories of the last three weeks washed over him like a tide made of miracle. But that miracle had a sting in its tail, potent and dangerous. None of them knew the shape of it, only that it would arrive today.
She was watching him, her eyes faintly luminous in the dimness of their room.
Our room. He thought. I'm still getting used to that. Still getting used to lots of things.
"Today's the day." He said.
She nodded, not letting go.
"The marisu told us Tuesday of the third week, and I do not think he will be wrong, Robin. He did not lie about our two weeks of peace nor that we would once again face our foes afterward. Even if it was only the Dr. Light." She chuckled.
"Yeah, well, maybe that was a good thing. We had been slacking off on combat practice." Robin said lightly. "He was a little tougher than usual too. Took us all afternoon. I thought Beast Boy was going to faint from the heat before we brought him down."
"Perhaps friend Beast Boy watches too much the television?" Starfire asked. "Although I do not believe Cyborg has such an excuse. Also, did you notice Raven seemed—less annoyed—with Dr. Light than she has been in the past?"
"Yeah, I kept waiting for her to pull her "scary cape" trick but she seemed content to pound on him with a cement mixer instead. Maybe our good mood is contagious?"
"That would indeed be wonderful, Robin. Oh, my joy is so large I cannot contain it!" She squeezed him tightly. He winced in pain.
"Watch the ribs, Star!" He gasped.
"Oh! I am so sorry, my husband! Please forgive me!" She let go hastily. "Your ribs have still not recovered?"
"Mostly." He said ruefully. "I wish I'd known your control slips when you get excited before finding out the hard way."
"I do humbly apologize. Truthfully I had never even considered it. I believe I am the first Tameranean to marry outside my species. My people are not well regarded in the galaxy, so no one else has ever wished to marry one of us."
"Then the galaxy is filled with idiots." Robin said flatly. "Lucky for me."
"Truly, I am the one blessed with the luck, Robin, for I have discovered the one who could love me." She hugged him gently. Her face was solemn in the dimness.
Suddenly she brightened.
"Although I am most pleased you found a solution to the problem, my husband!" She said cheerfully. "I would never have thought to use chains in such a manner. Or the rubber ball, that was most considerate of you, to let our friends sleep through the sound of my unbridled joy."
"Yeah, about that." Robin said carefully. "Let's just keep that our little secret, ok Star?"
"Why, my husband?" Star raised herself on one elbow. "I believe Raven might find the information useful one day. Or perhaps friend Cyborg."
Robin shuddered. "Um, Star, Cyborg can program his strength, and Raven, well she's not nearly as strong as you are. I don't think they need to know."
"Oh. Well, as you wish. Still, it is time for us to rise and meet the challenge of the day, as much as I would rather spend it here with you." She pulled back the cover and floated off the bed. He shaded his eyes from the brilliance as the lights came on, flooding the room.
Starfire idly stripped off her nightgown as she floated over to the closet, unconcerned with her nudity. He, on the other hand, rapidly averted his eyes before mentally kicking himself.
She's my wife, for God's sake. He reminded himself. I'm allowed to look. He spent several seconds admiring her before she turned unexpectedly, catching him watching her. Smiling she carried her clothes back to the bed and settled on her knees next to him.
"Your eyes are very beautiful, Robin." She said softly. "Am I the only one to ever see them?"
"Pretty much." He agreed. "But I did take off my mask in Tokyo, remember? When I was framed and had to hide?"
"When the criminal Uehara Daizo made everyone think you had murdered Saico-Tek." Starfire nodded, her eyes narrowing dangerously. "It still angers me that he could be so cruel. I knew you could never do such a thing."
"Don't be so sure, Star." He said somberly. "I've come pretty close with Slade."
"But you did not." She cupped his face with one hand. "You were not the one to kill him, Robin. Terra did."
"Yeah. Pity he didn't stay dead." Robin said disgustedly.
"While I believe it is wrong to rejoice in an enemy's death," Star said carefully, "Truly our lives would simpler if Slade were not in them. Although he seems to have lain near the ground since we defeated Trigon."
"Laid low." Robin corrected her automatically. "I wonder if Slade is the one the marisu warned us about."
"Why would we need vinegar for use against Slade?" Starfire asked, cocking her head. "Surely it would do no good against Cinderblock, nor Plasmus. And Overload can be defeated by ordinary water."
"I could be wrong." Robin admitted. "This might be a whole new enemy."
"We will know soon enough." Starfire said, donning her top. "Let us join our friends for breakfast, my husband. Perhaps I will try one of Beast Boy's soy sausages today. I am curious why friend Raven does not approve of them. Although, now that I think upon it, she does not seem to enjoy zorka berry jam either. Perhaps she has the delicate stomach?"
Robin paused, debating how to tell his wife exactly why humans found zorka berries so horrific, when he was distracted by the sight of her wriggling into her skirt.
"Robin, you have not even started getting dressed!" She said slipping on one of her thigh-length boots. "Do human males always take so long to don their garments?" There was a teasing note in her voice.
"Just when our wives distract us." Robin said with a grin. He sprang forward and put his hands on her shoulders, using the leverage to vault into a flip over her and land five feet from the bed, using his momentum to smoothly propel himself toward the closet.
"Hmmf." She sniffed. "Is that not known as the showing off, Robin?"
"Yep." He said cheerfully. "I tend to do that when I'm happy."
"Then I am glad I was the cause of your showing off." She said. "And now it is I who will enjoy watching you, my husband. Please proceed with the donning of the garments."
Robin froze, turning a startled glance at Starfire who was standing with arms crossed, an innocent gaze directed toward him.
"You know, you're not as naive as you pretend, Star." He said, dressing with quick economical movements.
"My people do not hide the joyful interaction between men and women. Nor do we cower inside our clothing in terror that someone might see us naked." She said lightly, her eyes drinking in his every move. "I have never understood why Earth people see things so differently."
"Long story, Star." He said, grinning. "But you always seemed so shy and innocent. Is that just an act? Am I starting to see the real Starfire at last?"
She shook her head.
"No, my husband. I have never hidden what I am. I do what I must; it is a matter of courtesy, and decorum. I am a stranger to your world. I do not wish to give offense, nor to appear an ignorant savage unfamiliar with polite customs. As a member of the Royal House I must be the living proof that Tameraneans are not as the galaxy thinks us to be. You remember Val-Yor, do you not? Unfortunately, he is typical of how most in the galaxy regard my people. They see us as mere barbarians who cannot understand culture and manners."
Robin paused, staring at her, appalled. "Star, that's not it! I didn't mean—"
She flew quickly across the room, placing one hand over his mouth.
"Fear not, Robin. From the very beginning, to you I was never a savage barbarian, never a troq. You alone always saw me for what I was. Worthy to be your friend, trusted to watch your back in battle. And now, worthy to be your wife. For that, and so much more, you are worthy to be my husband. We are one. Do not fear the thoughtless words, Robin. We are stronger than they are. Always remember that."
She looped his utility belt around his hips and snapped it closed, and then smoothed his cloak around his shoulders.
"Come, Robin. I am hungry. Let us join our friends in glorious good fellowship." She hooked her arm in his and steered them both through the door.