The large plane approached the mine field, but held back by several feet. Robin had taken his co-pilot seat, and sat staring at large space. No one spoke as Starfire's fragile body appeared. She wore a headset, into which she could talk back and forth with Val-Yor.

She immediately approached one small bomb, and pushed on it with gentle hands. It moved easily, but she had to be careful to keep them from touching.

"Nice an' easy. We don't want any mistakes this time."

He's still mad at us! Robin knew he would somehow have to take Val-Yor's mind off of Starfire.

The alien didn't look back as she responded, "I will not make any."

For several minutes, bomb after bomb, Starfire soared like an eagle, placing the circles randomly through space. Robin suddenly sucked in breath. He hadn't realized that he had been holding his breath. All the others seemed worried as well, even Val-Yor.

The gap in the web started getting bigger.

"Already, we're going to proceed slowly. Troq, keep moving the bombs and be careful not to have any hit the ship."

"She's doing good." Robin was trying to ease up on Starfire.

"For now."

Whatever she did, she really blew it with him! Robin turned around. Val-Yor sat proudly, eyes in front of him. Maybe Starfire didn't set him off. Maybe he just… Robin couldn't think of a legitimate reason. No. He wouldn't be so judgmental. He's too noble… But what other explanation is there?

More minutes passed. Starfire kept moving bombs correctly. That is, until the craft's nose had just entered the hole in the web. The redhead had pushed a bomb too hard, and it was headed for its brother.

"Watch it, Troq! They're on a collision course!" Starfire gasped, and flew towards the ticking shells. They were within inches of each other.

"Eh! I can't watch!" called Beast Boy from behind.

Star! She had made her way in between the glowing blue balls, and was pushing them in opposite directions.

"Hrrrrrrrrrrrrr…." She grunted while using all of her strength.

"…..rrrrrrrrraaah!" The bombs gave in, and avoided touching. They flew away from Starfire, and away from one another.

"Did we blow up yet?" Beast Boy questioned.

"Yep," quipped Raven, "that's why you're still talking."

Back in space, Star had momentarily frozen. Probably in relief, but as she went to leave, the left of her foot banged into one of the bombs. It made a "whoooeee" sound, and started to grow brighter until it was almost blinding a sight.

"You tripped the detonator! You only have 20 seconds!" Val-Yor screamed.

She can get killed! Robin unplugged his seat belt. "I'm going out there!"

"No!" Val-Yor was very insistent. "It's too dangerous!"

"What about Starfire," Robin wanted to say, but held back. He slowly returned to his seat and stared hopefully out in space. Starfire was pushing the timed bomb as quickly as she could away from the ship. Her body was soon becoming but the size of an ant, until……

BOOM!

A sling of light bounced outwards from the bomb, and kept you from seeing everything happening. The exploding sound fade as seconds grew, but there was no sign of Starfire.

Robin felt his heart reach his throat.

Then, out of Val-Yor's earpiece, the four Titans heard: "You may proceed safely."

The gang cheered and hollered upon her victory.

"Way to go, Starfire!"

"Good job!"

"You rock!"

Thank god.

"I never doubted her for a second," Robin turned to see Beast Boy with his arms around Raven's waist. "Raven, you really shouldn't worry so much." A cold stare from the blue girl made him release his grasp on her.

While the two bickered, Robin searched the skies for Starfire. He found her, but the look he received was not a proud one. It was still the somber look she had shown before her mission.

"I'm gonna go talk to her." Robin stood up. But a large robotic man stood in his way.

"Maybe… I should be the one to greet her."

What? Why? "Why?"

Cyborg looked down upon Robin, and spoke somewhat coldly, "She's already got one person angry at her. We don't need two people."

So Cyborg figured it out, too. "I am not angry at her." Robin spoke gruffly.

"I heard your speech to her, Robin. I was listening from outside the door."

You listened to us? But our talks are private! For just me and Starfire! Robin was, at first, appalled as to why he had thought such a thing. He really knew why, though. Because during their talks, things, small things, would happen that others would find… questionable.

Robin almost blushed.

"You stay here and talk to Val-Yor. Not about Starfire, but just general stuff. You make him happy, I'll make her happy."

Robin looked up in shock, raising his eyebrows. Cyborg gave an awkward glance. "Uh, you know what I mean." The half robot/half human did an about-face, and walked out the steel door.

OOOOO

Hello!

What do you think of this chapter? We have quite a lot going on.

The next post will be the one where we find out what's been happening between Starfire and Val-Yor. But how will Robin react?

Ever Yours,

Song