I.

"…in ways I really should not"

The red headed woman felt the last words of that phrase echoing in her mind. Only a short hour ago she whispered those very words that would forever change her life. She was sitting with her back hunched over the top of a building. Pushing the thought aside, the chilly wind, which blew across her skin, felt even chillier at this altitude. She studied the setting trying to determine which building she was on. This did look familiar, but was she at the right place? Just earlier she was given instructions to assist in a mission and now she could hardly concentrate on anything.

She kept trying to fill her mind with any senseless thought to avoid the damn comment she couldn't stop thinking about.

"…in ways I really should not"

Closing her eyes she envisioned the scenario she spent the last hour trying to avoid. The setting appeared in her mind and her thoughts where lost.

First Flashback:

The team was exiting the large shuttle that brought them to the tower that evening. It was around 6PM and the Titans had finished rounding up all loose ends around the city. By "loose ends", Robin was referring to the small time criminals that may have gotten away in the last month or so.

He made it imperative in their daily morning meeting that the streets be clean for the coming weekend. It was only a week ago that he travelled to Gotham to meet up with Batman for "business" reasons. What he meant by business she truly had no idea but trusted it was for good reason. The problem was ever since he came back he was on everyone's ass. No lounging around, no down time, and sure as hell no fun was allowed ever since that trip.

Garfield was the first to jump out of the shuttle. "Dude, it's about time we made it back. Why didn't Raven just teleport us here," he half-heartedly joked trailing off to turn around and look at his teammate.

Raven silently exited the shuttle and walked passed him only marginally raising her voice. "I try not to use my powers for pointless things but if you complain one more time you will find yourself in a far away place where you can complain yourself to death."

Starfire then remembered exiting next and running up behind Raven. She remembered glancing to her right to see Garfield's dejected face gazing down. She stopped immediately and embraced him in a deep hug. Even she knew how much specifically her words meant to him

She let her green friend go murmuring into his ear, "We are all a bit overworked. Please do not listen to her in this irritated state. You know she does not mean that."

It was then that she observed a large cybernetic hand gently land on his black and purple outfit. They both turned to see Cyborg opportunely cracking his neck and sighing out loud. "I think we definitely need to take a break."

The group started walking away when their last teammate stepped out and loudly stated, "No rest. I have just been alerted on a possible drug deal happening in the heart of the city tonight. Everyone we will be going undercover or incognito on this one. I was tipped off on the area and we are talking about ex-Gotham cons coming to pull off the robbery. I can't risk any of us being seen and letting this slip through the cracks."

Cyborg turned around with a sleepy face. "We have been awake since 2AM thanks to you. I don't want to sound like a non-team player here but can't some of us sleep? Do we really need the entire team for this?"

The question reverberated through everyone's ears so much that even Raven stopped walking to hear what Robin's response would be. He walked right passed Cyborg speaking only briefly. "Everyone be ready in two hours; it is going be a long night."

She recalled glancing at Cyborg's face and could almost sense his rage detonate.

Something was off. She knew the team had slowly been falling apart but did not expect this amount of conflicting viewpoints from everyone. Even when they had problems before, not more than a few days went by before everything was back to normal but this was different.

Was it their age? She had been a part of this team for nearly four years. They had experienced so much together and all for what, nothing? No, she refused to let this happen. She knew the first thing she had to do was address the problem at its source.

End of first flashback

She suddenly stood up from the ledge of the building feeling the anticipation fill her emotions. Why did she have to always please everyone and keep the team happy? It would have surely fixed itself, right?

Her left hand was balled into a fist in front of her as the thoughts raced her mind. The alien princess let out a deep sigh similar to Cyborg's she heard earlier that day. She was more fatigued than she originally thought. As much as she wanted to blame Robin for her current state of mind, she knew she was to be held accountable for her own actions. Her heart raced with the thought of their last encounter. She closed her eyes once more and let the thoughts rush to her.

Second Flashback

She knocked on Robin's door with sheer determination written across her face. This team would get along if it were the last thing she did on this planet. Robin then called out loudly in an impassive tone from his room, "I'm busy putting together a plan. I'll come get you all in a bit so please go away." The cold words heightened her frustration with their leader but she relaxed and replied calmly. He would at least let her in if he knew it was her she assumed. "Robin, it is I. May I have a word with you?"

She heard a small click and then the door swooshed open.

She entered his dark room and saw Robin sitting at his desk going over what seemed to be floor plans to a large building and the surrounding ones. He seemed so focused. She glanced back realizing he didn't close his door expecting this to be a quick pep talk of some sort. She had seen him enter this overworked state before and it was never good. He had made mistakes in this crazy work state of mind that almost cost him the team in the past and she refused to let him go any further. Although she admired his perseverance more than anyone else in the world, she also recognized that only she could bring him back to being human.

Starfire approached the tense man and stood directly behind him looking at his plans from above. He continued to shuffle through a few more floor plans furthermore continuing to pay little attention to her. It wasn't typical for her to be this close to him and he be this caught up in his work.

She wanted to start asking why he was being so harsh with the team but was interrupted by an appeasing scent hitting her nostrils.

She shut her eyes and breathed in recognizing how masculine it was. Her green eyes reopened realizing it was Robin's scent. Your scent…is very…desirable, she mentally told to herself involuntarily placing one hand gently at the top of his upper back. He didn't seem to notice until she began tracing her finger down his back.

The sheer motion of her nails running down his spine faintly made his body shutter.

The lack of rustling noise the papers were previously making broke her out of her short daze. It was then that she felt time freeze. The only tangible movement was the restless beating heart in her body pounding faster and faster by the second. Her eyes closed once more with her inner most desires starting to pour out of her soul.

Her fingers continued to snake up and down his spine without an additional response from his figure. Her mind began to panic slightly. Maybe I am the only one enjoying this, she pondered to herself. At this point she really didn't care. All of the emotions she had kept hidden away for the sake of their friendship were erupting faster than she could handle. The team was falling apart and if they did split up, she wanted to say she at least had the courage to express her feelings for her best friend and leader of the Titans.

Now or never…

She slowly bent down and tenderly kissed the small space that wasn't covered by the top of his cape on his neck. The moment her lips touched his skin she felt the passion she kept secret finally escape.

It was almost a blur how everything happened so fast but she was able to recognize the slight tilt of his neck inviting her to explore more. Without a word from either party she slowly moved her mouth to his ear. It was almost inaudible, but she sensually whispered into his ear. "I think about you at night sometimes in ways I really should not," she trailed off sounding a lot more erotic than initially intended.

It was then that she finally started to see the physical reactions to her action. Robin's body stayed motionless, but his breathing became very heavy and slow. What she would give to understand what was going through his damn mind. She blinked a few times waiting for any given response but none occurred. His head remained slightly tilted to the right in what looked like was the most difficult battle of his mind happening at the moment.

She wanted to giggle at the thought but didn't want to kill the mood she created. He wasn't saying no or walking away so that was at least some indication there was some reciprocated feelings happening somewhere in his head. She smirked and decided to hell with her insecurities and fears. She wasn't a teenager anymore and realized she had more control over Robin than she ever would have imagined. Appreciating the fact that she also knew her personal and respective limits, she still wanted to at least explore what could potentially be for a bit longer.

In what felt like an eternity, a small audible exhale was heard from Robin's mouth followed by her favorite word drenched in desire, "Star."

The largest smile she probably had ever made in her life covered her face. Just as she was about to spin his chair around, two other Titans ran into his room. The two didn't even get a chance to lock eye contact before Garfield started yelling, "Dude! Do you not hear the alarm going off? There was a silent alarm tripped in the area you wanted to scope out earlier."

Robin jumped out of his seat rapidly running his hand through his hair. "Damn it, I didn't even hear the alarm. I'm sorry," he indistinctly replied running out of the room towards the main area of the tower. Cyborg and Garfield stared at Starfire's blushed face conclusively sensing they probably walked in on something strange.

Cyborg scratched the back of his head, "Umm, is everything ok?"

Starfire chuckled understanding Robin used whatever tactic he could to avoid his emotions like always. She smiled a toothy grin before the two men took off to the main room. Standing there for a few seconds to fully appreciate what jut happened, she finally decided to leave his room.

Within moments she made her way to the main room where Robin was already going over the plans with the group. She was only able to get the end of the plan by the time she arrived.

"So you will wait in the west wing of the building with Cyborg and await further orders if possible. If not, then I will push them out as far as I can but you cannot attack until I give you the sign," he finished telling Raven.

He then turned to face Garfield. "Alright, you and I will enter in disguise. I hacked the system and will infiltrate as one of them," he stated getting a nod of approval from his green team member. He then turned to face Starfire who was having trouble following along.

Their eyes met for the first time since they stepped off the shuttle that evening. She of course could only see a mask, but she was pretty sure her emotions were plastered all over her face. He quickly cleared his throat and then proceeded to explain her task.

"Star, you will be in the building to the north. It's a twenty story building but you will have an excellent aerial view in case anything goes wrong," he calmly ordered. She heard the words but was having trouble processing the information. Her whole mind was in frenzy without a possible way out. She lightly nodded as he continued, "if I don't push them out the west wing, then their only possible option is the sky bridge connected to your assigned building. Cyborg will move positions to block the bottom of that building and then I'll push them up to you or wait for them with to get there with you. There is a small helicopter that you have to make sure they do not board, is that clear," he asked her in a stricter tone.

She smiled and nodded. The red head wanted to ask him to repeat the instructions but didn't want to upset him while he was in his intense leader mode. Plus, as long as no bad guys went to her building, then this would give Robin the break he had been waiting for. Maybe it would give him a sense of happiness and let the team relax with it. Hopefully afterward he could confess to her why this weekend was so important to him.

She felt the familiar wave of adventure penetrate her soul. Somehow, she knew tonight would be special. Before she could think more into it, she heard the well-known words of a determined leader, "Titans, GO!"

End of Second Flashback

She let go of the balled up fist she previously held as she recollected the recent past events. It had been at least 40 minutes, yet she had failed to see a single other body other than that of her own on the roof.

"Xhal, why are earth men so complicated," she sighed out while she rubbed her temples with her fingers.

Starfire then heard faint police sirens from below. She bent down and looked down onto the streets below. She saw three police cars speeding down the adjacent street that let to the highway. The thought of the police following the perpetrators that her teammates were going after crossed her mind but quickly left as it came. Surely if they were hunting the same criminals then her team would also be seen on their tail. Must be some small time criminal, she thought dismissing the idea.

It was then that she sat on the ledge awaiting any signal. Her communicator started ringing loudly.

She quickly picked up the transmission to hear distortion but it was definitely Robin's voice. "Star, I am headed your way. I think we forced them up. I'll meet you there in two minutes," the transmission ended.

Starfire smiled decisively getting ready for some actions. She needed to let off some steam. In her own way she hoped these criminals were carrying heavy artillery so she could really let loose. Before standing up to anticipate Robin's arrival, she heard foot steps on the roof of the building with Robin running across the backside of the roof. Wearing what seemed to be a his disguise, he took off his mask from afar and seemed to be running to another building. His familiar black hair could be seen bouncing off the moonlit sky.

Is that his old Red X outfit? Strange choice of disguise, she questioned herself. He did seem far away though. I can barely see him from this side of the rooftop.

Just as he was about to jump buildings, she called out to him to stop. How did he not see me waiting for him? He must be full of adrenaline and forgot the exact building, she thought inwardly.

"Robin!" she cheerfully called out. "Don't leave without me! Where are you going?" she asked loudly as she flew to his side of the roof. Her boots touched the ground and she then realized he had already reapplied his mask.

Her eyes concentrated in detail on his old Red X outfit he once wore to get closer to their former nemesis Slade about three years ago. This outfit almost ruined him back in the day, but their bond as a team had also grown since then. "Um, interesting choice of disguise," she kindly commented. "No one came with you?" she started questioning him looking around for any potential harm caused to her other team members. To her surprise, he was solo.

Silence. He was frozen looking as if he didn't know what to do or say.

She took a step closer now only about two feet from his body. She grinned trying to cheer up the mood. "Is everything ok?" She placed a hand on his chest and only then realized how much he had grown over the years. His well-built chest seemed more defined than ever through the thin material of the black uniform. She felt the familiar heat start to hit her face with the touch. Her eyelids lowering with the simple thought of their earlier moment together.

He looked directly at her trying to figure out what was occurring. He then took a small step forward closing the small gap between them.

His gesture of closing the space seemed like an open invitation to her. She rapidly pulled up his mask half way and embraced him in a passionate kiss. She felt her body tingle with the warm sensation of his lips. It was everything she expected it to be. There was desire, intensity, but also a soft longing touch to it. A few moments passed before he broke the kiss, most probably for a breath of air. She felt his grip that was now on her lower back firmly pressing her up against his hard body. It was the most glorious moment she had ever experienced.

With that last thought, she felt her body get gently pushed away. She then felt the cool air of the night hit her body once more as the protection of the kind body that previously held her was gone. She didn't like this distance in their bodies. Baffled, she reclosed the gap and moved her face to his ear. "Do you think about me at night too?"

She just needed a simple maybe, yes, possibly, anything to finally have the courage to confess her feelings for him. She was tired of being alone in this world and had fallen head over heels with her leader over the years. She just needed ANYTHING to move forward from this chaotic state of mind. She was ready to make the next step.

She heard his heavy slow breathing return but it seemed to be filled with lust rather than contemplation this time. He took a small stride back grabbing his mask, which was halfway raised up, and pulled it off completely.

NOT ROBIN.

There in front of her stood a man with similar jet-black hair and the purest blue eyes she had ever witnessed. Her body instinctively took 3 large steps back in attempt to widen the space between her and this stranger.

She felt her body go limp in absolute disbelief. She wasn't sure what freaked her out more, the complete shock that seemed to have slapped her across her face with the widespread failure of identifying the real Robin in his old Red X suit or the utter confusion in the strangers face.

He finally opened his mouth to address the strange situation that just occurred. Before words were able to escape, Starfire's communicator went off. She automatically answered it out of habit without really assessing the situation she was in.

"Starfire! Where are you," Raven's voice filled the incredibly quiet rooftop.

Starfire replied as calmly as she could without breaking her eye contact with the figure in front of her. "I am on the building to the South as Robin requested."

Raven's voice could be heard responding before she finished the last syllables to her response. "Starfire! You are supposed to be in the building to the NORTH. Move! He needs your help."

Starfire felt absolute embarrassment even more than the one she just experienced a few moments ago. She placed her hand on her forehead recalling that Raven was right. She was in the wrong building. Just then she heard a helicopter taking off in the distance.

Her eyes started glowing green in anger at her actions that brought her to this very moment. She dropped to one knee trying to regain control of her emotions when a warm gloved hand touched her chin. She gazed up and saw this new Red X with his mask repositioned. "I don't know who you are or why you just did what you did but you seem to be needed," he calmly stated in a low husky voice. He lazily traced a small X-pattern on the right side of her collarbone with his free hand. "Go," were the last words heard before he pressed a button on his utility best and disappeared into the night.

Her eyes lost their angered glow with his strong words running through her head. She didn't have time to ponder on anything anymore. She clenched her fists at her ridiculous actions of the night and flew off into the sky to make amends.

Short and to the point- R&R