Well here it is, the last chapter, the end. Hope you all had fun plotting ways to kill me, because I sure had fun messing with your minds. Ha ha. Reading your pissed off reviews was definitely good entertainment. Thanks for those reviews by the way, and thanks for reading this story. I'm glad it's done now. Make sure you haven't used up all the boxes of tissues when you finish reading this.
Oh well, enjoy, I'm gonna work on my Nightwing and Starfire story now.
Chapter 6 – Unexpected
Beast Boy held out a red collar in front of Robin, it was torn in half, that was all they had found of Starfire. Robin's face fell and he found himself sinking to the floor. The Titans were all too speechless to even think, their minds were numb from the realization that was slowly becoming clear. It was Cyborg who came and placed a hand on Robin's shoulder.
"Hey, man…I'm sorry."
"There was nothing we could've done Robin," said Raven.
Robin jerked himself away making Cyborg take back his hand, it he finally snapped.
"GO AWAY! ALL OF YOU! JUST LEAVE ME ALONE!"
. "But Robin…" Beast Boy tried to reason.
"I SAID GO!!!"
They had no choice but to leave their leader in the heap of rubble in his sorrow. When he was sure the others were out of earshot Robin sobbed. He had to take off his mask to rub his wet eyes.
"Starfire…STARFIRE! Why did you leave me? You should know I can't live without you. I can't…I can't…live…" He cried so much he felt like doing it for hours. "It's all my fault, all my fault, I'm sorry Star, I'm sorry Princess, I wanted you, I needed you…I…I…I love you." He whispered the last part as if he couldn't believe what he just admitted to himself, "Yeah…I think…that I…I do, I do love you….but it's not gonna make much difference now, is it."
No sooner had he said this that he heard a sound, like something that moved. Something was trying to emerge from the rubble, and Robin, not being sure what it was became ever alert, ready for attack. The noise got louder as the rubble started to move more and then he heard it, the sound he hadn't heard in a long time, the sound he dreamed to hear again. It was just a sigh, but it was such a sweet sigh, so sweet to his ears. Robin froze in place thinking it may be a dream or his mind playing tricks on him, he continued to watch as out of the rubble he saw a hand, and then slowly a head…her head. It was Starfire. He watched mindlessly as she put her hand to her head as if trying to get her bearings and caught Robin looking at her like he saw a ghost, but he continued to stare, not really sure what was happening. There she was, same red hair, same green eyes, same gorgeous lips…was it really her? No, it couldn't be, he wanted her back so much he knew he was seeing things, but then she spoke.
"R-Robin?"
Yes. It was her!
"Starfire!" Robin leapt towards her and hugged her tightly as if there was no tomorrow. Starfire was a little taken aback by the sudden reaction but soon smiled and hugged him back.
"Robin." That voice, that angelic voice, he'd missed it so much. It was always music to his ears. Her voice brought back the warmth he always felt around her.
"You don't know how happy I am to see you Star." His voice was muffled out as his head was buried in her wonderful hair. He reveled in her scent never wanting to let her go. He was so caught up in his happiness that he didn't notice the rest of the Titans gawking at the scene, an expression of pure shock on their faces.
Cyborg had trouble even getting his words out.
"St-Starfire…you're…."
"OKAY!" Beast Boy finished as he turned into a monkey and leapt for joy.
Starfire blushed a little at the joyous atmosphere she was seeing and feeling around her. She noticed Robin still had his arms around her waist and blushed even more, and Robin, noticing her facial expression didn't understand why but then realized as he caught sight of the position they were in and immediately let go of her. The Titans all came together in a group hug.
"But I don't get it, how did she change back?" Beast Boy questioned.
"It was the cane!" They only just noticed Mumbo waking up from consciousness. "When you meddling brats broke my cane all my magic was gone, even though I changed her with my hat, which is why I suppose this masked kid here was trying to grab it the first time."
Robin grabbed the old man by his shirt. "Well, now that Starfire is back, this masked kid is going to take you to jail."
After dropping Mumbo off in jail Cyborg declared that they celebrate by getting some pizza. They all readily agreed, after all, the Titans hadn't had a chance to enjoy a have meal together like this in a long time, it was going to be quite a celebration when they got back.
At the Tower the atmosphere was a buzz of excitement, even Raven felt the need to smirk a little. Beast Boy got up and went to get something out of the kitchen cupboard.
"Oh Star," he sang reaching in to fumble around, "I have something for you."
"Oh please friend Beast Boy, not the tofu flavored food again."
"What tofu flavored food?" Robin asked curiously.
"BB was trying to make her like tofu by secretly giving her something that had tofu in it when she was a cat." Cyborg explained. "But he got caught by me."
"What?" Robin gave a glare at Beast Boy. "I can't believe you did that, you knew she wouldn't be able to say anything being the state she was."
"And to do it while she couldn't even use her star bolts against you too. Yep, definitely a clorbag." Raven added.
"Heh…hey, it's not like it was gonna kill her." He said nervously while still rummaging his around.
"I swear BB whatever you're getting out of that cupboard better not be ANYTHING tofu."
"Chill Cy, it's just Star's favorite: mustard." He pulled it out and waved it in mid air, "Of course if you don't want it Star…" That was all he had time to say before Starfire grabbed it from his hands and squealed in delight, everyone laughed.
"Yup, same old Star," said Cyborg.
After more laughing and the eating of pizza all the Titans decided to turn in for the night, it had been a long day. Starfire however, had decided to go up to the roof to watch the stars, the night seemed so inviting it was too much to resist. She sat there going over the whole ordeal in her head, of course she hadn't been there long when she heard the door to the roof open and footsteps approach her.
"Hey," was all he said.
Starfire smiled as she watched Robin sit down beside her, it was almost as if she was expecting him.
"I used to bring you up here every night."
"Mmmm, I remember," she sighed as she dreamily gazed out over onto the glistening waters that reflected the moonlight. The scene was perfect.
"Er…Star? Do you remember anything else about when you were…you know?"
"I remember most things, why?"
"Well…it's just that, the way I was…the way I treated you that is…"
At this point Starfire smiled warmly and leaned her head onto Robin's shoulder. He stiffened a little but relaxed at the feel of her warmth. He was about to continue what he was saying when Starfire spoke.
"You have been the most kind hearted, caring and loving person…"
"Is it just me or did I hear 'loving' in that sentence?"
"…I truly did not expect anyone to give me the kind of treatment you did when I was…transformed, not that I haven't been treated as such before, being a Princess back on Tamaran I always had servants tending to my needs and I was well looked after, and it would all feel normal. But when you took care of me like that, it meant so much more Robin, it was special. Thank you so much, for making me feel…loved."
"There's that word again."
She sighed again and nuzzled in closer to him getting comfortable, Robin didn't mind at all, instead he put his arm around her and held her even closer.
"You know I'd do anything for you, Star…anything." He said softly.
They took a few more moments to just take in and enjoy the view.
"Robin, why had you named me Princess?"
"Er…why? You didn't like it? If not I'm really sorry it's just the guy at the store, he was…"
"No," she giggled, "why did you name me Princess, aside from the fact that I am one."
"Oh well, because…I think it fits you so well, Princess or not. You're kind, sweet, beautiful…perfect. I wouldn't dare change a thing about you."
Her smile grew even wider at his sincerity, as the look on Robin's face got even dreamier while he drifted off into his own world, daydreaming of Starfire. They hadn't even noticed that their hands had somehow entwined themselves with each other's, everything felt so right, nothing could ruin this moment for them.
"Robin?"
"Mmmm?"
"I love you too."
Robin eyes shot open. "W-what?" She lifted her head off of his shoulder and looked at him.
"I heard you when you thought that…that I was gone, and you weren't going to see me again."
"Don't remind me," thought Robin.
"I heard you say it, that you love me. Well...I love you too."
Robin thought he was dreaming. "Did Star really say that?" This was definitely something he wasn't expecting her to say, but he couldn't speak, all he could do was listen to Starfire confessing her deepest feelings, feelings he never thought she even harbored, for him of all people.
"For so long I only wished to tell you how I felt, but I was always afraid."
"Why, Star?"
"I thought you wouldn't allow anything to happen between us, you're our leader, a good leader, and I do not wish to be the cause of anything that will put your leadership in jeopardy."
Robin held her by her shoulders and looked deep into her eyes.
"Starfire, I realized something today, something really important. No matter what happens, I know that I need you more than anything. If something were to happen to you, if I lost you, then there would be no point of me even living. You're the one that keeps me going, you're the reason I wake up every day, you're the reason I exist. When I thought that you were gone forever, at that moment it was like my whole world came crashing down. Heck, I didn't even feel like being a Titan anymore. I can't be a leader without you by my side. I need you too much."
Starfire gazed at him for a bit and then caressed his cheek.
"Do you truly mean that?"
He cupped the hand on his cheek with his. "I would never lie to you."
At that moment their faces drew in closer, and closer still, and then…the kiss that sent them to heaven. It was sweet and innocent, and what seemed like hours only lasted for a few minutes before they broke away.
"Oh yeah, here, I thought you might want this."
Robin pulled out the red collar that Starfire had worn as a cat, it got torn earlier from the collapse of the building.
"When you got this for me Robin, I wanted so much to tell you how much I loved it, it really is very beautiful."
"It's definitely you Star." He stroked her hair while he held her in his arms. "You know, I really missed your voice, even though you were the cutest thing I ever saw, and so adorable, I'm glad that you're back to normal."
"As am I, but I have to admit, I miss the way you used to rub under my chin. Oh, that was just glorious."
"What? Like this?" With the biggest sly smirk on his face he brought his hand on her neck under chin and gently scratched up and down.
"Oh Robin…yes…like that." She was so lost in his touch, his smooth, gentle touch, it jolted up her senses every time. "I'm afraid that you have spoiled me, you may have to do this all the time."
"Yeah? Well I wouldn't mind that." His smile never showing signs of leaving his face.
She giggled at his remark and just lay her head down on his lap while he stroked her face. She soon fell asleep whilst looking up into at the stars. Robin could see them reflect in her beautiful emerald orbs, they looked like diamonds in her eyes. He watched her fall asleep peacefully before he picked her up and carried her back inside. He was first headed to his room when he stopped and realized his mistake.
"Old habits die hard, I guess."
But eventually he arrived at Starfire's door and let himself in. Gently placing her on her bed he took off her boots, and of course it was hard not to admire her legs at that moment. "Beautiful," he thought to himself. He tucked her in between her sheets and gave her one last kiss on the cheek.
"Sweet dreams, Princess."
As he turned to leave he gave her a final glance before quietly closing her door and retreating to his room, his mind only carrying the thoughts of Starfire.
"You will always be my Princess, Star. My Princess Starfire."