The camp - Saturday

Starfire rose, as she did every morning, in the pre-dawn. It was ritual, she didn't and couldn't sleep in even if she wanted. The only way she would miss those first rays of the sun would be if she'd spent all night awake and even then, she just stayed awake until dawn was over. The first rays contained the most energy, were the most delicious.

But she never expected just how beautiful it would be here.

Mist wafted along the surface of the water, the bank on the opposite side obscured from view, but the mountain behind it rose above the low-lying cloud and was speckled with the first rays of dawn. Everything was so still and fresh and beautiful.

She wandered down to the lakeside in her swim suit, leaving the other girls to sleep. Discarding her towel on the bank, she waded into the water and stopped thigh deep, trailing her fingertips across the surface. The cold didn't bother her, it never did unless the temperature reached sub zero. She found it refreshing.

It was nice to be alone and enjoy the beauty and stillness of the water, to stand and watch and wait for those first rays of sun to find her.

The rest of the Titans were barely stirring in the tents, late night, ghost stories, Jericho playing music, laughter until the early hours of the morning. Robin had eventually had to pull the leader card to get them to sleep, Starfire'd heard his commanding voice echoing over the top of the laughter and revelry and the girls had staggered into bed then, Argent and Kole still giggling and Pantha's voice reminding any male who dared come within a foot of their tent that she would remove their 'stroodle'. That had been the exact word she had used. Stroodle. It would have been funny if the boys had not been so scared she might actually do that.

Starfire doubted they'd even missed her, then chided herself for such a depressing thought. Raven had asked if she wanted to be involved in the girl talk and she had said no, so they'd gone down by the lake instead. She'd heard them giggling and laughing and wished she could feel the happiness to join them.

Still, Starfire hoped today would be different. She felt... not content, but more relaxed today and she wondered if Raven had anything to do with that. Her mind still churned with indecision, worry and questions, but she felt as though she could handle it today.

Although, she supposed that depended on what Robin did when she first saw him.

Warmth tickled her back, first rays dancing over the egde of the treetops behind her and Starfire closed her eyes, turned toward the sun and lifted her face to the sky.

Power swelled within her breast, growing with the increasing warmth of the sun's rays. It trailed down her fingers into the water and turned the ends of her hair to flame, something she only at first light, a habit she only developed on Earth after Beast Boy's 'burning hair is so freaky' claim.

She sighed in delight, revelled in the feeling of power.

"Yo, Robin!" Cyborg bellowed.

Starfire blinked open her eyes.

Robin was standing on the bank, sweating like he'd just been running. Bare chested, limp hair hanging in front of his mask, a towel draped around his neck. He was holding onto both ends of the towel and watching her.

Starfire curled her wrists against her chest, the power of the morning light dying around her, startled and unsure and caught in his gaze. He stood motionless, expressionless, watching and she wished she knew what he was thinking.

Did he dislike what he saw? Was he still angry at her for wearing something like this? It was not like she had anything else she could wear.

She didn't know how long they stood there, staring at each other before she became self conscious under his gaze. Dropping her eyes to hide the tears and bowing her head, she allowed her hair to fall over her body, covering what it could. She took a step backward, intending to hide in the water.

"Don't," Robin said.

She flicked her head up to see his mouth had crinkled up a just little, just enough to soften his expression. Robin shifted his weight to his other foot, then took a step toward her. "Star-"

"Robin!" Cyborg bellowed again and Starfire was sure the whole camp would be awake by now.

With a sigh, Robin turned his head. "What?"

"Where's that thing?"

Starfire looked up at the camp too, seeing Cyborg flailing around the supplies tent.

"What thing?" Robin called, turning his whole body up toward Cyborg.

"You know! The thing!"

"With the doohickey?" Beast Boy called from somewhere in the camp.

"No! The other thing!"

"Eyeball pizza?"

"No, that belongs on the T-Ship. This is the thing for the other thing."

"Need more information than that," Robin called.

"For God's sake, keep it down!" Kid Flash's voice bellowed.

"You know! The thing thing... the... one we need today!"

"Isn't it there?" Robin called.

"If it was, would I be askin' you 'bout it?" Cyborg bellowed back.

"Shut up!" Hotspot bellowed.

"Can it!"

"You can it!"

"Boys!" Pantha bellowed. "Good for nothing, Pantha has half a mind to-"

"If you mention the word 'stroodle', I will show you how large mine can get! Especially first thing in the morning" Kid Flash bellowed.

"That's just gross," Bumblebee yelled. "Keep it down."

"Isn't that Jinx's job?"

"Hey, fuck you!"

"Hables!"

"No te me hagas ir por allá!"

"You keep it down!"

"Come over here and say that, you limp noodle!"

"QUIET!" Raven roared.

Instant silence.

For about two seconds.

"Robin! I can't find it. Man, I wanna make my breakfast, where's the fryin' pan?"

"That's what you're looking for?" Beast Boy called.

"Where's it at?" Cyborg called back.

"I'm using it, butt head. Tofu eggs and bacy."

"You're makin' your tofu gunk on MY fryin' pan?" Cyborg roared.

"Cyborg, so help me-" Raven yelled.

"Alright already!" Robin yelled. "Don't wake the neighbourhood!"

"What neighbourhood? It's just us here!"

"Guys, be quiet!" Argent cried.

Robin shook his head, glanced Starfire's way then headed up the incline to the camp. "Alright, fine. Everyone up. We can start the day early."

Starfire watched him go with a heavy heart.

It took them all some time to get ready prepared for the day. Most of the girls wanted to shower, which was impossible since there were none, and bathing in the lake this early didn't seem to be high on their to do list either after they discovered just how cold it was. Starfire saw most of them, Raven included, opting to wear their swim suits under their clothes, probably just in case there were any places to take a quick dip during their hike today, so Starfire threw a shirt and some shorts over her suit too, sitting outside the tent to pull on socks and the hiking boots Robin had instructed her to get.

Breakfast took an extraordinarily long time, especially with Kid Flash and Mas Y Menos having seconds. Then thirds.

Cyborg complained loudly that his fry pan still had the awful taste of tofu lingering. Thunder and Lightning argued over who was cooking the toast. Hotspot cooked his too quickly and had to remake his toast several times, Kid Flash complaining of the wasted food. Aqualad munched on seaweed with bread while Speedy tucked into bacon and eggs. People alternated between getting dressed and eating breakfast, using the tents one at a time to change so getting ready dragged on a little.

Starfire sat on a log beside Raven, toasting her piece of bread against the fire, watching out of the corner of her eye as Robin balanced a bowl of cereal on his knee while chatting to Kid Flash.

"How are you doing today?" Raven asked.

"Better," Starfire replied.

Raven nodded. "Turn the toast, it's about to burn."

Starfire pulled her fork away from the flame. Having little care for the heat of the bread, she pulled it off and reversed its direction so the uncooked face was toward the fire. "Did you sleep well?"

"Before or after I put a bubble shield around Pantha's head."

"After."

"Yes. Very well. Right up until the bellowing match this morning."

Starfire giggled. "It was amusing."

"Only because you weren't still asleep. Where'd you go?"

"To greet the sun," Starfire said, checking her toast and discovering it was ready to eat. She opened her little packet of jam and smeared it over one side of the bread.

Raven nodded. "Ahh."

"Rae, you want some tofu eggs?" Beast Boy asked, plopping down on the log beside Raven, offering her his plate.

"No. Thanks. I like real food," she replied with a straight face.

Beast Boy grinned and held up a steaming cup. "Herbal tea?"

"You read my mind," Raven said, accepting the cup, then accepted the kiss on the cheek. "Thanks."

"You missed an awesome ghost story night, Star," Bumblebee mentioned as she strolled by on her way to the food tent to get herself some breakfast. "Raven did this really wicked darkness one."

"My apologies," Starfire said, nibbling on her toast. "I was most tired."

"It's cool, we'll do our proper girls thing tonight instead."

"I shall look forward to it."

Bumblebee grinned. "Good, 'cause we're all anxious to hear how dirty Robin is in the sack. Goodie two shoes like him would be downright nasty."

Robin twisted his head, frowning at Bumblebee.

"Sack?" Starfire asked Raven.

"She's talking sex," Raven answered.

"When's she not?" Beast Boy muttered. "Is that what you girls really do?"

"Not usually," Raven replied. "At least, Star and I don't. Just like we're aware not all guys are horn dogs." She nodded to Speedy. "Just the vocal ones."

Robin seemed to relax at that and Starfire suppressed a sigh. "The topic has leant itself that way since Jinx started joining in on our sessions," she mentioned.

"Do you talk about me, Rae?" Beast Boy asked, giving her a puppy dog look.

"Nope. None of their business."

Beast Boy grinned. "Not even how I'm hung like a horse-"

"Since I wouldn't know, I can't tell them," Raven remarked. "Nor would I be inclined to."

"A horse, Beast Boy?" Starfire asked, curious. "Why a horse?"

Beast Boy flushed, his ears drooping. "Shoot, she wasn't supposed to ask why."

"You should know better by now," Raven said with a straight face. "Go on, explain."

"Couldn't I-"

"Nope. You started it."

"It is the okay," Starfire said, holding up her hand. "I do not need to know. I have learnt sometimes it is better not to have things explained to me."

"Grass stain, did you wash this pan after ya'll cooked your stinkin' tofu?"

Beast Boy grinned at Cyborg. "Nope, I left it smeared all over, like grease. You'll never get the taste out."

"Why you little-" Cyborg's pan cluttered to the ground and Beast Boy leapt away, laughing and grinning as he dodged his best friend's seeking arms.

"You'll never catch me, lumbering oaf!" he said, then turned into a dog, tongue lolling, tail wagging as he darted around Cyborg.

Starfire and Raven turned on their log to view Cyborg and Beast Boy wrestling on the grass a short distance away. "Idiots," Raven remarked.

"But it looks like fun," Starfire said.

"Still idiots."

A shrill whistle brought everyone's attention to Robin. "Ten minutes guys, let's get this started."

His words brought a flurry of activity as Titans tried to scoff down their breakfast and dash off to dress. Eventually, everyone was ready, day bags were packed, food locked away safely from wild animals, Hotspot ate the fire and they were off and into the woods.

Starfire hid at the back of the group of Titans milling around the start of the trail. Even though she couldn't see Robin, she could still hear his voice.

"At each checkpoint, you're to pick up a flag and a clue to where the next checkpoint is and take a picture using the camera I provided, preferably with either yourself or your partner in the shot. Stay with your designated partner. Remember to drink lots of water, it's a pretty hot day today. Feel free to stop and admire the scenery but remember you only have three hours to reach the summit and the faster you go, the longer you have to swim at the top. There is a rock pool for swimming up there. Cy's gonna take the T-Ship up there to start organising lunch. Everyone should have their maps and compasses. No powers, this is very important. No powers, no flying, no levitating, no speed force, no bow and arrows, Speedy! It's not a race, there's no prize at the end so if you see someone stuck feel free to help them out. I ran the circuit this morning already, all the flags are in place-"

"That isn't fair," Speedy said.

"It's for fun," Robin said. "To give you a lay of the land. There's pretty cool things to see on the way."

"Do you want to walk with us?" Raven asked Starfire quietly.

Starfire smiled. "No. It is fine. You and Beast Boy enjoy the walk."

"Are you sure?" Beast Boy asked, then grinned at her as he tried to lift her spirits. "I don't mind having two gorgeous girls on my arms."

Starfire gave him an indulgent smile. "No. I am quite capable of traversing this path on my own."

"I'm sure Robin will walk with you," Raven mentioned.

Starfire nodded, not very hopeful at all. That had been the plan when Robin had instructed them all to have partner to work with for the walk and the canoe race later (Aqualad choosing to be official referee for it). But now... she did not know. He had made no indication he wanted to be her partner. Not that she blamed him.

"But first, we're going to do an exercise. Everyone, take off your backpacks and stand in a circle."

Starfire blinked, this was news to her. Still, she did what she was told, along with everyone else who were casting each other confused looks. It didn't take them very long before they were all in a circle.

"Shoulder to shoulder," Robin told them. "Close as you can get. Good."

Starfire found herself shoulder to shoulder with Raven and Speedy, who grinned at her and waggled his eyebrows. "Looks like I got you," he said.

"Okay, everyone put one hand into the middle of the circle," Robin said. "Grab someone else's hand opposite. Doesn't matter who."

Starfire did what she was told, finding herself gripping Cyborg's hand firmly. "Hey, little lady," he said and Starfire smiled at him.

"Now the other," Robin instructed, standing outside the group. "Take someone different."

Starfire's hand found Red Star's. "Greetings," she said.

"Hello, my friend."

"Right," Robin said. "Now, without releasing each other's hand, untangle. And if I hear anyone deliberately touching bits they shouldn't there'll be a stern talking to. Talk to each other, manoeuvre around, those who can fly can make it easier on the rest of you, you can reposition your hands, but don't let go. The object is to become as close to a circle as you can. I'm gonna shut up now, sort this out yourselves."

"You've got to be kidding me," Bumblebee said, wriggling. "How are we supposed to get out of this?"

The Titan knot shifted in time with Bumblebee's movements, several of them pulled off balance. Red Star pulled backward, his strength almost toppling the whole group. Starfire found herself shoved up against Raven pretty hard. The group teetered and swayed, those with more strength yanking those with less off balance.

"Pointless," Raven mumbled.

"My apologies."

"Talk to each other," Robin suggested. "Communicate."

"You're enjoying this," Speedy spat at him.

"Work as a team," Robin told him.

"Pretty easy to say when you're outside the circle, dude," Kid Flash mumbled.

"Someone has to watch and keep you out of trouble. Try looking at where your hands are."

"What are you gonna have us do next," Hotspot complained. "Play Robin says?"

"Don't give him ideas," Argent said. "Ow! That's my foot."

"Sorry," Jinx said.

"Thunder, stop yanking so hard."

"Ow, Hotspot."

"Sorry!"

"Ow! Lightning, turn it off!"

"Don't you dare-"

"Quieres mover tu mano?"

"Get off-"

"All right, ya'll. Just hold up..." Cyborg studied their joined hands for a minute. "This is totally doable. Kole, you're the littlest..."

It took some manhandling, Starfire floating upside down over all of them and winding through the middle of the hands, Pantha physically picking up someone and holding them up with her elbows while Raven and Argent unwound, Beast Boy becoming a monkey, Thunder standing on his head, Aqualad completing the limbo underneath Speedy and Bumblebee's hands, and all of them ending up on their asses several times as the knot fell over, before the circle even began to take form.

"Man, Starfire," Speedy said as she held a slightly awkward position, arms extended out perpendicular to her body, while Kole crept along her body, the two hands she was joined to on opposite sides of Starfire's body. "You sure are flexible."

Starfire nodded, still floating as she removed her legs from the circle of Kole's arms.

"'Spose you'd have to be, dating Robin and-"

"Speedy," Robin said in a warning tone.

"We all know how bendy you are," Speedy complained. "This'd be easy for you, not fair that she gets extra-"

"Concentrate on the knot."

Starfire twisted again, thankful that she was mostly unknotted now. She followed Cyborg's hand and and alighted on his shoulder, Red Star standing beside Cyborg too. "Nice moves, girl."

"I thank you."

She sat there, watching as the others untangled themselves, giggling as half the circle fell over, laughing with the others as they joked about the knot until finally they were all free and in as much of a circle as they could manage.

"Well done," Robin said, approvingly. "You can release now."

Starfire's fingers felt a little numb as she released Cyborg's and Red Star's hands, everyone else seemed just as glad to be free as she was. There was a sense of group pride and accomplishment too, they'd done a difficult task together and had fun doing it. People slapped each other on the back, grinning madly and happy.

"Nice exercise, man," Cyborg told Robin as he gripped Starfire's waist to lift her from his shoulder.

"Thanks," Robin said with a smile and a nod. "See you at the summit."

"Catcha. Good work all, don't be too long," Cyborg said, waving.

Starfire wandered over to fetch her bag and find Raven while Robin went to the beginning of the trail. "Alright, first pair, Thunder and Lightning, off you go."

"I shall travel first, brother," Lightning suggested.

"After you, brother."

Robin continued to send them off on the trail every thirty seconds, Red Star and Pantha went next, then Speedy and Mas, Menos and Aqualad, Bumblebee and Herald, Jinx and Kid Flash, Kole and Jericho, Argent and Hotspot and lastly Beast Boy and Raven. Starfire had been unsurprised at the partnerships, except for splitting Mas Y Menos up, but then she assumed that was so they would not use their power.

She sat awkwardly on a boulder as she watched them all go, laughing and smiling and calling out to the other groups. Robin thrust his hands into his jean pockets as Raven and Beast Boy wandering off down the trail walking side by side and talking. Raven glanced over her shoulder before they rounded a corner and Starfire smiled and waved. She did not wish to ruin anyone else's day simply because she and Robin were arguing.

"Nice moves," Robin mumbled, his back to her.

"Thank you. It was an... interesting task."

"Yeah. Did what it was supposed to do, got everyone working as a team. Cyborg's a natural leader."

Starfire scratched at the rock with her fingernail, little pebbles crumbling away. "You already knew that."

"I did. But that wasn't the point of the exercise."

"What was the point?"

"You don't have to come," Robin said with a sigh. "I wouldn't blame you if you wanted to sit this one out."

Starfire stood and shouldered the little travel backpack which held her water, a camera, compass and map. "I heard a promise of an amazing view once we reach the top."

"Yeah, it is pretty specular. It was really nice this morning, but not the nicest thing I saw."

Starfire looked at Robin, hoping he meant what she thought he meant, but he still hadn't turned around.

"The walk's not bad too," he continued. "Lots of scenery to look at. Flowers and rock pools, interesting trees. Assuming people stop to look."

"People should always stop to admire the scenery."

Robin nodded. "No point rushing if you don't enjoy the trip," he said, his voice laced with double meaning.

"It is the journey not the destination?"

"The destination is pretty important too. As long as it's agreed on. There's no need to take a journey though, if there's no one to share it with you."

Starfire swallowed the mountain in her throat. "Robin?"

"Yes?"

"Are you still my partner for this weekend?" Starfire asked in a small voice.

Gravel crunched under Robin's boots as he turned to face her. "Do you still want me to be?"

She nodded, hopeful and unsure.

He studied her for a long moment. A very long, uncomfortable moment, before he smiled. "Then I'm still your partner." He tilted his head in the direction of the trail and held out his hand. "C'mon. Let's go enjoy the journey."


Author's Note:

Thanks to .Faith-o-sarus. for the Spanish!