Yes, here I am, back! I was thinking about my 'dilema' with my other story and realized I made the characters sound OOC, and the whole new girl thing...totally cliche. So this conflict/plot satisfies me much more. :) Here's chapter 1, I hope you enjoy. Definitely review! Thanks peeps. :) Hope you like it.

Chapter 1: Loneliness

Loneliness; ten simple letters, yet so empty.

The sky was an uncertain haze of misty gray clouds concealing the sun's rays. A cool breeze whipped through the trees, and a humid and sticky feeling was in the air. The ocean lapped against the shore loudly, the wind causing the waves to be choppy and big, mist spraying around and evaporating into the atmosphere Rain was on its way.

Starfire gazed out at the uncolorful horizon, knees hugged to her chest, eyes gleaming in amazement that the Earth could have such unpredictable weather. She didn't understand why so many Earth people despised the rain, because she loved it. It fascinated her that water droplets could actually fall from the sky and lightning could light up the horizon, and that thunder could rumble and shake houses.

She inhaled the scent of the air, detecting the smell of rain soon to come. She sighed as she exhaled, letting her feet dangle over the edge of the roof as she watched the gray clouds roll across the sky like a movie in slow motion. The sun was but a mere weak light in the distance, hidden behind puffy rainclouds. She felt slightly tired today because the sun was blocked, seeing as she got her energy from the sun. As much as Starfire loved sitting on the rooftop and listening to the wind and the waves, watching the clouds over the horizon, and inhaling the fresh air, she didn't feel humidity in the atmosphere. She felt loneliness.

How could she say it, she missed Robin. Although he still resided in the tower, and was still the leader of the team, he didn't seem to have time for anyone anymore. His obsession with Slade was becoming ridiculous and tiring for the rest of the team. He rarely came out of his room anymore, and sometimes in the middle of the night, Starfire would hear him creeping out of his bedroom to go to the room where he stored all of the villains' records to look up more information on Slade. Robin never came up to the roof anymore, leaving Starfire to watch the sunset alone. She missed hearing him talk to her softly while they watched the glowing sun sink behind the horizon, sitting near him so closely that she felt comforted by his presence; she felt safe when she was around Robin. But she knew he didn't have time for...affection. Or at least he didn't show it.

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Starfire flew into the main room, nothing out of the ordinary. Beast Boy and Cyborg were playing their video games, Raven was reading her latest book of dark poetry. And Robin was nowhere to be seen, most likely locked away in his room once again.

"Greetings, friends," Starfire said enthusiastically.

"Hey," came her unenthusiastic response from Beast Boy and Cyborg simultaneously.

Starfire flew over to Raven, who was hovering in a cross-legged position in front of the picture window overlooking the city, concentrating deeply on her book. "Friend Raven...have you seen Robin recently?"

Raven looked up and gave her a blank look. "What do you think?" she asked dully, eyes returning to the pages of her book.

Starfire's shoulders slumped and she let her head fall to look at the ground. "I suppose that means that you have not seen him recently?" she asked quietly.

"No. And he hasn't come out to get anything to eat today." Raven gestured at a tray with a sandwich, fruit, and soda on it. "Take that to Robin. I swear he's trying to starve himself by locking himself up in his room. But I'm warning you, it's not going to be easy to get him to come out."

Starfire looked at the tray of food sitting on the table and sighed. She held it in her hands and flew out the sliding door that led to the hallway. She uneasily stopped at the heavy steel door reading "Robin" engraved at the top.

"Robin?" Starfire asked softly, lifting her hand to knock. She placed it on the door and rapped her knuckles against the surface quietly. "Robin? If you are hungry, I have brought you something to eat."

There was silence behind the door, but somehow, Starfire could sense Robin sitting at his desk, unmoving, listening to Starfire's gentle voice asking him to come out. Starfire waited for a response, but didn't receive one.

"Robin...please come out...friend Raven has prepared you something to eat, and it might be appropriate for you to come out of your room. Perhaps for a little while?"

The door slid open suddenly, startling Starfire. She stepped back. Robin stood in the doorway, exhaustion written all over his face. His posture was slouched and he looked like he hadn't gotten sleep in days. His hair was slightly rumpled, probably from running his fingers through it again and again in frustration. He stared at Starfire steadily, and Starfire stared back uneasily as she studied him, setting down the tray of food.

"Oh, Robin...you really must get some rest. I suggest that you lie down and perhaps you will feel refreshed when you wake up-" Starfire suggested, but was cut off by Robin.

"Star, I don't have time to rest. I have to figure out what Slade is planning." He started to close the door, but Starfire put her foot in between the wall and the end of the door, poking the rest of her body in the opening. "Robin, at least have something to eat," she begged, picking up the tray of food from the floor.

Robin stared at her and reluctantly took the tray of food. He stared down at it, and before he had a chance to close the door, Starfire spoke up again, looking down at her feet and blushing.

"I was hoping, Robin, that perhaps you would like to join me in a walk around the park. It is glorious outside; and I would prefer to be able to take a leisurely walk before it begins to rain-"

"Sorry, not right now. Maybe another time. I've gotta get back to work," Robin said abruptly.

"But-" The door slid shut in front of Starfire, leaving her alone in the dark hallway. She sighed, and it echoed and bounced off the walls. Loneliness. What an empty feeling.

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--claps-- Yeah! First chapter down! I was thinking about making it longer, but decided to end it right there. Mwahaha. Reviews are sooo appreciated, so just hit that little button down there that says 'Submit Review'. It's easy! Just click, type, and send!

--Faded Starlight--