Chapter 2: The Quiet
(The next morning at Titans Tower)
Starfire awoke at once when she felt Silkie crawl up alongside her and started growling to be fed. She could tell that it was early when she saw that it was still dark outside she pulled back the curtains. She got some canned pet food and scooped it out into Silkie's bowl.
After Silkie started gorging himself, Starfire started talking in her motherly voice saying "Oh Momma's little bumkorf, I will miss you terribly when I go, promise me you will be good to the petsitter while I am gone". He lifted his face from the bowl, wearing his adorable smile and cooing softly, Starfire knew he would be fine.
Starfire left her room and went immediately to Robin's. It had become a bit of morning ritual for her to visit Robin first thing in the morning, giving them some time alone before the rest of team woke up. As she entered, the room had not changed a bit. It was still dark with various newspaper clippings pinned to the wall and a plain looking desk in the middle. She suddenly felt a hand on her shoulder.
"Hey Star."
"Ahh! Robin you must not seek up on me like that." "Sorry, nervous about the mission?" "Well, yes, very nervous. My people are counting on me and I must not let them down. What if no one listens to me? I barely understand earth culture, how can I hope to do well with other alien cultures? What if-." "Relax Starfire, I'm sure you will do fine, and if you do run into problems, the others and I will back you up." "Thank you Robin" "No problem, Teen Titans East will watch over things and some the honorary Titans are coming with us in their T-ship, so mumph!" Robin was interrupted when Starfire kissed him full on the lips. It lasted only a few seconds and Robin pulled away. "Umm, I better check with Cyborg to see how the T-ship is coming along." Robin said while making for the door. Starfire felt something was off with Robin. Was he still uncomfortable with their relationship? She should not dwell on that though, especially when there are so many other things to worry about.
She floated over to Raven's room and knocked. "Raven, are you there?" Raven opened up the door, with her head uncovered. "Hey, Starfire, what's up?" Starfire looked down, "I was wondering if you could do the mediating with me." "Sure, come on in."
(A couple of hours later at Titans Tower in Steel City)
Bumblebee was on the roof, and was looking over Steel City Bay. She would often come out here to think and relax. She wondered if she would get such times to herself, as she was going to be left in charge of the entire Teen Titans organization for what she presumed would be a long time, if not forever if the Titans failed to come back from their mission. Suddenly Aqualad rose from a water spout in front of her. "We gotta problem." he said while pointing behind her. She flew to the other side to see hundreds of ninja-like robots trying to swarm the others below. "Contact the Titans in Jump City, because I doubt that this many are after only us."