When she came to, Starfire was lying in her king-sized bed with Silkie curled up next to her on the pillow. Raven was sitting in a chair at her bedside, a look of concern showing on her usually stoic face.

"How are you feeling?" she asked, reaching for the damp cloth across Starfire's forehead.

"I feel... Hot." Starfire said hesitantly. Indeed, she did feel hot. In fact, she felt like she was burning up.

"Well, you do have a fever. Wait here, I'll go get the others."

As Raven hovered out of the room, Starfire watched her go with bleary eyes. For some reason, it hurt to keep her eyes open, especially with so much light pouring in from her huge window. She tried to sit up, but stopped when she became painfully aware of the throbbing in her head and a growing sensation of dizziness. The blankets were too hot, so she kicked them off, her legs feeling oddly heavy and difficult to move.

In a few moments, Raven returned with the whole team right on her heels. Everyone wore a look of deep concern.

"How are you feelin', little lady?" asked Cyborg, gently. Beast Boy transformed into his cute kitten form, reserved only for Starfire. He curled up with her next to Silkie.

"I feel... Odd. I feel as if I am having 'the flashes of hot' and my body has gotten... Heavier," Starfire said, struggling to find the right words as she absently petted the green kitten changeling.

"She has a fever," stated Raven. "I've been using this damp cloth to try to help cool her down, but I guess it's not working."

Starfire stared quietly at her four friends, slightly scared by the anxious looks on their faces. Never before had she gotten sick like this, not on Earth or on Tamaran. Occasionally she would sneeze because Silkie would be molting, but never had she felt this miserable. But right now, it was the way her friends were staring at her that made her feel the worst.

"Friends, I am sure I will be okay by tomorrow," Starfire reassured, although she was quite certain that she would not be okay. If she could hardly even keep her eyes open without pain, how could she be better by tomorrow? "I am already feeling better," she lied, trying hastily to sit up. "See, I am fine..." Almost immediately, she felt a swimming sensation overcome her and the throb in her head intensified into a sharp pounding.

Raven, seeing Starfire's unsteadiness, used her powers to raise the pillows to Starfire's head. Gently, she let the Tamaranean princess lean back.

"You are definitely not fine," said Beast Boy, back in his human-ish form.

"BB's right. You gotta rest up." Cyborg put a hand on Starfire's shoulder. "And don't worry about Control Freak. We'll take care of him." He smiled, and she smiled wanly back. "I'll go cook you some soup. Be back soon." With that Cyborg left the room.

"I'll go help! I can make you some miso soup! Tofu's a great source of calcium!" Beast Boy ran out the door. The sound of Cyborg and Beast Boy bickering about the health benefits of tofu could be heard as they made their way down the hall.

"I better go after them. You need anything, let Robin know." Raven nodded towards Robin, who hadn't said a word since entering Starfire's room.

For a while, the two of them sat quietly, Robin in Raven's seat, Starfire lying next to the curled up Silkie. Finally, Robin broke the silence.

"Hey, Star..." He didn't know where to begin. It pained him so much to see the friendly, happy-go-lucky Starfire so weak. And when she fainted... The fear rose up in his throat just at the thought. Starfire, the Tamaranean princess who could be thrown through walls, whacked with pillars by her evil sister, and eat more than Cyborg and then some... How could anybody so strong, so durable, faint from the common cold? Or was it the common cold, or something worse?

"Yes, Robin?" Starfire looked at him curiously, her head pounding too much to even fake a smile.

"Uh, well..." He faltered, not trusting himself to speak. Dreadful thoughts went rushing through his mind: What if she gets worse? What if she's really ill? What if she... dies? "Never mind. You should get some sleep." He turned to go, the thoughts unstopping, chilling him with cold fear. That is, until he felt a weak tug on his cape.

"Please Robin, don't leave me." Starfire was near tears. She felt so awful, so weak, so helpless. She knew it was selfish, but she was scared to be on her own. Something about being sick made her feel vulnerable.

Robin saw the fear in her eyes and nodded, returning to his seat. "Alright, I'll stay. But only if you go to sleep. I know you're anxious to get better, but the best way to get better is by resting. Okay?" He took her hand, holding it delicately with his gloved fingers.

"You will be here when I wake up?" Starfire's eyes shone as she asked in a small, almost childish voice.

"Yes," Robin reassured her, giving her hand a gentle pat.

"Then I will rest," she sighed. "Thank you, Robin." She gave his hand a little squeeze.

"Anytime, Star. You'll feel better in the morning, trust me." He squeezed back reassuringly, but inside he was feeling dread. As much as he wanted to believe that she would be back to her usual Starfire-self by tomorrow, a nagging feeling in his gut told him otherwise.