Chapter 7

Cyborg knocked on Robin's door a few times. "Yo Robin! I'm glad you're sleeping in and all but its 11.30!" When he got no response, he decided to just go in. "Robin man, I need you… woah!" He stopped dead in his tracks when he found a groggy Starfire and Silkie in Robin's bed, with no Robin. "Star?"

"Oh, good morning friend Cyborg." She yawned and sat up.

"Um… where's Robin?"

"I do not know; he was here when I fell asleep." Starfire pulled the covers off and attempted to stand. It was a little easier than she thought, but it still hurt. Cyborg helped her, realising she was still unsteady. "Perhaps Robin has started the searching for Slade?" Truthfully, Starfire was a bit disappointed that Robin wasn't there, it would have been nice to wake up to him.

"Knowing Robin, probably. Um, what were you doing in his room Star?"

"Oh!" A blush appeared on her cheeks. "Robin insisted that I stay with him, until I am safe from Slade." They walked down the corridor and made their way to the Command Centre.

"Well, I found Starfire, but no Robin."

Raven and Beast Boy were in the kitchen, making breakfast and drinks for everyone. Well… lunch and drinks for everyone. Beast Boy snorted sarcastically. "Robin will come find us when something happens. You know you can count on him to disappear when Slade comes around." Moodily he went back to making the food. Raven just shook her head at him, and took a fresh cup tea to Starfire. They all asked how Star was feeling, and if she was honest, she was fine. Not good. Not bad. But just fine. They also asked her if there was anything else about her encounters with Slade that they should know. She thought about it, and after telling them about Slade being in her room after their encounter with Red-X, and protesting that it would not be healthy for Robin to find out, she sighed in relief that she no longer held any secrets from her friends. Well, most of them.

But even if that was the case, what exactly were her and Robin? He said they can only remain best friends, and she wants more. But she kissed him and he returned it, and then he snuggles with her in bed. So what is this? Is it a relationship? Isn't it? Starfire didn't know. But she knew better than to go bothering Robin with such questions until after Slade was caught. She was brought out of her thoughts when Beast Boy handed her a hot plate of pancakes. Smiling at him, she took the plate and began to eat. As did the other three.

A few hours later, there had still been no sign of Robin, and no one really wanted to go looking for him. Starfire was stood looking out of one of the big windows in the Command Centre, watching as the rain – which had started about an hour ago – ran down the panes of glass. She loved to watch rain, she wasn't sure why, but it just calmed her. There was so much going on at the moment that she just wanted to watch the rain and clear her head. No worrying about Slade. No confusion about Robin. Just rain.

Not that her luck was up to scratch lately, and Robin wandered in five minutes later. When she turned to see who it was she caught his eye, and then looked back out over the rain, half-heartedly listening to Robin and Raven talking.

"Where have you been all morning?"

"Evidence room. Not that I can find anything of use in anything I have. Where are Beast Boy and Cyborg?"

"Garage. Cyborg wanted to get started on some repairs and I think Beast Boy went with him because he was bored."

"Oh right, well I just got a call from Aqualad. He said something about a malfunction in one of their computer systems. They need Cyborg to go and fix it, but we've all been invited to go round for a day or two."

"What about Slade?" Raven watched as Robin flicked his eyes towards Starfire. He didn't look away as he continued talking.

"If we're not here, he can't get to her." He looked back at Raven who gave him a saddened look. "We leave in an hour. Be ready." And then he left. Raven looked back to Starfire who had let out a big sigh.

"Don't worry Starfire, Slade won't be a worry for a few days." She walked over and put her hand on her friend's shoulder to try and comfort her.

"It is not Slade that will bother me. It is Robin."

XXXXXX

So an hour later they were ready to go. Everyone was in their respective places in the T-Ship, and all system checks were done. They took off for Steel City. It would only take them an hour or so to get there, but it seemed so much longer. There was an odd silence that over took everyone, and it was because Robin and Starfire weren't talking. It wasn't that they were mad at each other; they just didn't want to talk about what needed to be talked about. Robin knew he made a mistake, and he enjoyed making it, but he also knew it was wrong to do that to Starfire. All he could do now was tell her that he hadn't meant it, but that would only push her further away than the last time he did that. Plus, that last time he did that, she got hurt by Slade, and it was his entire fault. So what was he supposed to do? He didn't know, but he didn't want to talk about it now.

Starfire on the other hand, felt like it was her fault. Not only had she made herself a target for Slade, but she had kissed Robin despite him telling her that they could never be. But he had kissed her back. Maybe it was just a spur of the moment thing? Either way, she knew what he was going to say. Give her the whole 'Hero' speech again. She didn't want to hear it. She already knew it, and she didn't like it. Perhaps a couple of days with the Titans East would be good? Who knows maybe she could forget all about Slade and feelings for Robin and just relax? It would be nice to try at least.

When they arrived, they were greeted atop the tower by BumbleBee. After greetings and hugs, they all made their way to the almost identical Command Centre. Speedy was in the kitchen, cooking something that smelled really nice. Aqualad was stood in front of their main computer system, scratching his head in confusion. And Mas Y Menos were on the sofa watching television.

"Starfire!" Speedy called over to her, and when she turned her head to look at him, he was beckoning her over. She smiled and walked to him. "Have you ever tried one of these?"

"What is 'these'?"

"Quesadilla! Mexican food! Here try one! They're nice." And he took it out of the pan and placed it on a plate for her. Taking knife and fork in hand, she took a bite and her eyes widened. Speedy chuckled at her.

"This is most delightful!" She took another bite.

"Here, finish that one and I'll teach you how to make them! I had a feeling you'd never tried Mexican food before." Speedy prepared everything as she finished the one he had already made, and set to work teaching her how to make them.

Beast Boy looked over at the two confused. "What's that all about?" He didn't ask anyone in particular, but BumbleBee had heard him.

"Cyborg told us about what's going on, what with Robin telling her they couldn't be together and then Slade being after her. Speedy just wants to try and cheer her up. He has a little bit of a soft spot for sad girls."

"Or sad Starfires… or just Starfire in general."

BumbleBee just giggled at him and the two joined the rest of the Titans who had gone to Aqualad to find out what was going on. After explaining everything that had happened, and everything they had tried to do to fix it, Cyborg took a look.

"Do you think you can fix it Cy?" Robin knelt down next to him.

"Probably. I think because it's a fairly new system, that it's been over used. Ours did the same thing when I first put that one in. All I need to do is replace a few wires and move some stuff. I won't bore you with all the details, but if I make these repairs then it shouldn't be a problem again." Cyborg and Aqualad left the room, to go and find the necessary parts to repair the system. Beast Boy and Raven joined Mas Y Menos on the sofa, Raven only to try and keep Beast Boy out of trouble. Robin… tried his hardest not to get frustrated at Speedy and Starfire.

"Come on Robin, he's just trying to cheer her up. Let's go watch tele, and relax a little." BumbleBee pulled him away and forced him to enjoy the company of others.

Speedy and Starfire had finished making another Quesadilla. They both took a bite, and actually, it tasted quite nice for Starfire's first try. "Not bad Star!" They smiled at each other and finished eating.

"Mexican food is most delightful! Please, what other items of food originate from Mexico?"

"Oh all sorts! Tacos, Burritos, nachos… a lot of o's… Hey! There's a really nice Mexican food place in this city! Why don't I take you there and you can try some? We could go tomorrow if you like? You guys are staying a few days, and if nothing comes up I don't see why we couldn't?"

Starfire looked over at Robin, he wasn't listening luckily. Maybe going out with Speedy wasn't a good idea, what with the given situation with Robin and all. But then again, Robin was only going to tell her that they couldn't be together, so why shouldn't she go out with Speedy? He was only doing it so she could taste Mexican foods, and there was no harm in that right? If Robin didn't want to be with her, then why bother trying to be with him? "I would most certainly like that!" She smiled at him, and he winked at her.

"It's a date then!"

Sorry about the long awaited and fairly poor updates guys! I move to uni on saturday and its all a big mess! :| Midge