Robin stood in the doorway. The Titans had just returned home, and Val-Yor was resting on the couch. As soon as the man was conscious, though, he would be leaving. Cyborg, Beast boy, and Raven had gone to pick up some fast food, leaving Starfire and Robin alone. Starfire had gone straight to her room, clearly still perturbed at her friend. Not angry, but upset.

Robin knocked three sharp times, and waited for only a second. He knew she wouldn't answer. "Star?" He entered her purple room, giving it a once-over. He had never really seen the inside, considering that Cyborg had done all the designing for the tower. "Starfire, I want to apologize. I should never have blamed you until I knew what was going on."

The alien girl was sitting on her bed, back to him. She did not look up or open her eyes when she answered. "It is fine, Robin. Val-Yor is someone to idolize and impress. I am just a friend who you see everyday. You were right to scold me."

Wow, I feel so much better now. Robin slowly stepped towards his friend. When he stood at her side, she turned her head in order to avoid eye contact.

"You know that's not true."

"Do I?"

"Yes, you do." When she said nothing, he kneeled. He placed his hand firmly on her shoulder, and spoke in a loud, almost demanding voice. "You aren't just a friend. You are my best friend. I care about all of you guys, and I would never want our friendship to die. People like Val-Yor come around everyday; but best friends are once-in-a-lifetime."

She finally turned to face him. Her smile immediately sent a warm tingle through his bloodstream. Robin's hand slowly made its way down her arm. Both he and Starfire watched him do it. Their eyes then connected once more, with a new twinkle in each pupil. However it happened, Robin had no clue, but soon he found his head moving forward. What am I doing? His body didn't receive the message that his brain was shouting. Before seconds had passed, Starfire's face was mere inches from his. They both paused for a moment, as both were quickly trying to contemplate the situation.

"Ahem," a deep voice interrupted. Robin harshly pulled back, and saw Val-Yor at the doorway. He was limping slightly, and his arm had been casted. But instead of saying anything, he simply kept walking on passed the room.

Robin stood up tall, and spoke down to Starfire. "I smell burgers. Raven and the guys must be back. Let's go eat." Starfire rised, but didn't move. Even a blind man could have noticed the unhappiness in her eyes. Sorry, Star. But what can I do? He didn't say this aloud of course. Slowly, and die-by-side, the two exited the room.

Evening soon awoke and presented himself as a dark shadow over the Titan tower. As soon as Val-Yor had recovered, he immediately prepared to leave. No one objected. The steel man had requested a new ship, and it arrived almost immediately. The five titans stood on the tower, gazing at their once-was hero, showing no sign of pleasure of acquaintance.

"Well, thank you for all your help." The instructor spoke dryly.

"Don't thank us." You coward, Boy Wonder added only in silence. While packing, he heard words being spoken… harsh words… being said about Starfire trying to play the hero. "Thank Starfire."

"Yeah. She's the one who saved your sorry butt."

He looked anything but happy at Beast Boy's statement. However, he listened, though why, Robin hardly knew. "Thank you, Starfire. I have to admit, you're not bad for a Tr...Tamaranian."

Starfire shifted uncomfortably, very much unsatisfied with his actions.

Val Yor forced a laugh, and announced, "You must be one of the good ones."

"No. The fact that I rescued you does not make me any better than other Tamaranians."

"Look. I'm trying to pay you a compliment."

"Then why does it still sound like an insult?" Raven defended her friend. Beast Boy stood at her side, as did Robin and Cyborg. They were friends to the end.

"Spike, you understand I didn't mean anything by it, it's just-"

Robin took a step closer to Starfire, indicating that he was much closer to her then he could ever be with him. "Val Yor, I think it's time for you to go." The cold statement brought a brief silence.

Val-Yor turned away. "I thought you Earthlings were all right. I guess I was wrong." He looked over his shoulder, and remarked gruffly. "You're just like the Troqs."

The man disappeared into his craft, and began levitating above the ground. Before you could blink twice, the ship began to grow smaller.

"I'm sorry Val Yor treated you like that." Robin then added, "If I'd known, I never would've let it happen." I shouldn't have been so blind to it in the first place… Robin had taken plenty of beatings, by himself mainly.

"None of us would," Cyborg pointed out. He was agreed with by Raven and Beast Boy's bobbing heads.

Starfire faced towards the sky. Her hair wrapped around the back of her body, and cupped at her arms. "There is nothing you could have done. There will always be people who say mean words because you are different, and sometimes their minds cannot be changed."

She turned to face her Titan friends, smiling to some extent. "But there are many more people who do not judge others based on how they look or where they are from."

"Those are the people whose words truly matter."

OOOOO

And so ends the tale of "Troq". I do hope you enjoyed it!

I am now open for requests! Should we have the episode, "Deception" through Cyborg's eyes? "The Beast Within" in BB's mind. (For Rae/BB shippers.) Or even The End, through everybody's head?

Do tell me what you did and did not like about the story. I wish to improve!

Ever yours,

Song