Chapter Twelve: Tell Me Why

"Princess, wake up," a quiet voice gently said into Starfire's ear. "It's time for you to greet the day."

After a moment, Starfire sat up in bed, clutching the sheets to her chest. "You!" she breathed. The past night flowed back into her memory—the fear, the disgust… the wanting, the needing, and the terror of him never returning.

"Yes, it's me," the brunette teen said, his voice silky smooth. "You look upset. What's wrong?"

'What's wrong?'

Starfire tried not to answer, but she couldn't seem to hold back her words. "Everything is wrong!"

'Did he hurt you?'

He appeared to be puzzled, so she went on. "You do not seem cruel; Robin does. I am feeling the 'miserable' and I do not understand why I am able to be in your presence without fearing you, as I properly should!"

"You don't have to be afraid of me," he whispered, hurt softening his expression.

'I'm not going to hurt you.'

"Please," she moaned, dropping her head into her hands. "Oh, X'hal… I would be most gratified if you would now depart from our Tower." She looked up when she felt his arms encircle her, holding her against him. Her head dipped onto his chest and she inhaled deeply. "You smell of the earthly spice named cinnamon."

"Oh? Don't you like it?"

"No… It is wonderful…" She bit her tongue and pushed away, still in the confines of his arms, but far enough to look him meekly in the eye. "You must leave!"

"You've already said that," he reminded her.

"I realize this," she stated carefully. "And you should heed my words—I wish you gone!"

"Starfire, tell me why first!"

She stared at him for a moment before hot tears spilled from her eyes. Irrationality swept through her. "I do not know," she whimpered in frustration. "When you are gone, I am in utter perplexity, but when you are present…" A sob wracked her body. "I do not know what to feel!"

"I'll leave," he said, and began to release her. She clung to him in an almost unintentional reaction, making him furrow his brow. "Starfire, I can't leave with you holding onto me."

"You cannot leave!"

"But you just said—"

"I do not comprehend what I am feeling, and I fear that Robin will not be eager to speak to me! Please, stay!"

He held her closer in an attempt to stop her from shaking. "Calm down," he ordered, tone soothing. "Star, I promise I won't leave you until you tell me to. Just calm down, alright?"

She nodded and purposely slowed her breathing. "Your name," she murmured softly after a few minutes. "I do not know your name."

"Well," he said, nearly formally. "I'm Gabriel."

"Gabriel," she tried. "On my planet, it was reported that that name was for a sacred being on Earth. Are you—?"

"Of course I'm not a 'sacred being,' Starfire. My mother just named me that. I guess Earth isn't like—"

"Hey, Star, it's past noon! Are you awake yet? Robin's hyperventilating in his room for some reason. Do you know why?"

She looked up at Gabriel, who nodded and stepped just inside the bathroom.

"Yes, Beast Boy?" she asked, wiping her cheeks just as the door slid open. "What is it you wish?"

"Do you know why Robin had gone mad…? You do, don't you? That why you're crying?"

She shook her head quickly. "I am not crying because of Robin, although I do know why he is in his room."

"Did you two have a fight?" Beast Boy asked straightforwardly.

Starfire looked away for a moment before nodding yes.

"Oh. Okay. Thanks… Come out if you need anything." He trudged off a few feet, and once her door had closed, Starfire could hear him bounding down the hallway, no doubt to get back to a video game.

"He's a little obnoxious," Gabriel noted, stepping closer again.

Starfire twisted around to face him and then blushed, realizing that she probably looked terrible—red eyes, loose pajama pants, a huge t-shirt, and hair that was most likely mussed. Not even bothering to consider why she cared what he thought, she rubbed her eyes with the heel of her palm and smoothed her hair with the other. "I apologize," she whispered, flushing crimson when he smiled at her.

"No—you look fine. You'll look fine in any situation. Even if you're covered in mud, you'll still be cute." He took her hand and kissed the back of it, looking into her eyes for permission. "Plus, you smell good, too—like strawberries." He kissed her wrist now, lingering for a second before pulling her closer and kissing her cheek gently. "Do you feel better now?"

"I still am confused," she said, shaking her head again.

"You should talk to Raven," Gabriel advised. He let her go, and stepped back a few feet. "I'll be here again as soon as you need me, but I'll leave you alone for now." His form shimmered into nothingness, the usually bright light dulled.

"Good bye," she nodded. And then it hit her again—the torn feelings of hatred and… affection. She shivered as she reached or her communicator. "Raven?" she asked into it. Only static responded. "Raven, I wish to speak with you…" After another minute, she clicked it shut and tossed it onto her bed, mildly annoyed. "Perhaps you should answer instead of ignoring the calls you receive…"

"Starfire?"

She stiffened and looked up at Gabriel, who had materialized again a few feet away. "Yes?"

He came closer, reaching to cup her chin in his hand. "I really am sorry, alright?"

She nodded. She felt calm again… peaceful. "I realize this."

"Good." He leaned forward, lightly brushing his lips with hers and then ebbing back into the light, as usual.

Starfire stood still for a prolonged second, stunned, not yet able to have a handle on what was happening. She sat on her bed in a daze and laid back. I don't understand! she thought for what seemed like the millionth time in the past few hours.

Closing her eyes, she willed herself into a restful sleep.

Unbeknownst to her, no one can escape Gabriel—even in dreams.