Here's the next chapter of Ruthless for you all; hope you enjoyed my extended cliff hanger from last time ;)

Muahaha.

I'm evil.

Anyway, this story is coming to a close pretty soon. I'm thinking I'll be able to finish this within the week, so expect that.

Enjoy!

Starfire woke up to a tear-stained pillow. She shuffled to her bathroom and looked in the mirror. Her eyes were still slightly red, but besides that she looked normal. Could pass for an addict of the crack she thought ruefully.

She took care of her usual morning rituals in the bathroom and then stepped back into her room, heading to her closet. For the present time she was not in any mood to be dressed in her uniform. She knew no crime would be bothering them too much, anyway. They were all much too focused on this killer, and during recent times the alarm went off for the same reasons: usual second-rate super villain or bank robber. She sighed and went into her walk-in closet, searching through her clothing for anything comfortable, yet presentable. She settled for a billowy short silk peach day dress with a ribbon to cinch around the waist. She slipped it on and basked in the soft, slick feeling of the fabric. She just threw on a pair of flip-flops and went up to her door, intending to leave.

She took a deep breath, but did not move. Would Robin be out there? She knew she held her own last night, but would she crack today? Would she break down?

She shook her head to clear her thoughts. Too many questions. She could feel water coming to her eyes just thinking about it, therefore she couldn't think about it at all.

But not to think about it would be not to think.

She took another deep breath and then pressed the button to open her door, half expecting Robin to be on the other side. The door flew open, and thankfully he was not. She hesitantly stepped out of her room and slowly crept down the hallway. Why was she being so cautious anyway? She was the one to break up with him. He would most likely not be in the common room, anyway. She felt a little better now, picking up her pace to that of normal. She made it all the way to the door, and then hesitated once more. She just had to take the plunge…

The floor slid open and she saw the Titans eating breakfast, including him. Her eyes widened slightly, but instantly set her face blank as she walked over to them. She couldn't afford to be hesitant in front of all of them. She noticed that the only open seat – her usual seat – was beside Robin. She also noticed she had a different breakfast from everyone else; they were all munching on cereal while a fresh plate of pancakes and bacon was set in front of her.

She furrowed her brow down at the meal. "Please, why has someone prepared such a marvelous breakfast only for me?"

The room was silent, as if everyone was waiting for the creator to say something. When nothing came, Cyborg sighed and took it upon himself. "Rob made it for ya. Guess he just wanted to be a good ole' boyfriend, huh?" He grinned at her.

Starfire winced. She braved a glance in his direction; he was completely rigid. His jaw was set tight, but after a few moments he went on eating without another thought.

The Titans were beginning to feel the tension between the two; they all knew that they were on rocky terms due to Robin's obsessive behavior and how he was acting yesterday, but they were still concerned. Slowly each Titan began to leave once done with their meal. First it was Raven, who simply went over to one of the large windows to meditate toward the morning sun. Next were Beast Boy and Cyborg to try out their latest videogame.

Now all that was left was Robin and Starfire. They ate in complete silence, neither taking a chance at glancing in the other's direction.

"Is your breakfast all right?"

Starfire jumped slightly at the sound of Robin's monotone voice. She hadn't expected him to speak at all. She cleared her throat. "Um, yes. It is quite good. Thank you for making it."

He nodded and then went back to eating.

Starfire looked at him, but when he didn't turn her way she sighed. "Robin, why did you make this? Please do not make these subtle attempts to do the getting of me back-"

He stood abruptly and grabbed his bowl firmly, going over to the sink and throwing it in. Starfire was surprised it didn't break. When she looked into the direction that he has gone, he was no longer there. She sighed. The breakfast was very nice indeed…and it took all her willpower not to cave. She kept reminding herself that he was only doing these things to try and win her back. If she had never broken up with him, this type of thing would not have even crossed his mind.

This is what made her realize that she made the right choice.

He finally understood. Understood that she won't always be there. That she won't let him push her around any longer, and that she was some prize to be used until he was done with her.

She would never be a prize.

Never.

She took a deep breath and stood up with her cleaned plate, putting it into the sink. She decided to clean the dishes; anything to occupy her mind. She turned on the faucet and took out the dish soap and a rag, beginning to work on the used utensils. When she looked back up, three pairs of eyes were glued on her. Her forehead creased. "What?"

"Girl, what was that?" Cyborg narrowed his eyes in confusion. Beast Boy and Raven both nodded, Raven now standing next to the two boys on the couch.

Starfire looked back down at the dish with calculating eyes. Should she tell them, or lie? Maybe she could give them the truth – but just not all of it. She set the dish down and looked up at them. "We had a fight."

Raven raised an eyebrow. "You've been having a good amount of fights lately, but your vibes are different. Something happened."

Starfire let out a breath. "A fight of the epic proportions."

Beast Boy motioned her over and patted the seat next to him. "C'mon. Tell Dr. BB all about it." He smiled at her.

Raven rolled her eyes, but didn't say anything. Maybe it actually would be a good idea.

Starfire gave him a small smile back, though it did not reach her eyes. She cleaned off her hands and walked over to them, sitting in the spot that Beast Boy had directed. Her face fell the instant she fell down on the couch. "The fight was…not good. At all."

Beast Boy nodded. "Mhm, mhm. And what happened in this fight?"

Starfire shrugged. "We talked about…please forgive me, but part of it is the private. As in private." She bit her lip.

They nodded in understanding. Raven placed a hand on her shoulder. "You don't have to go into any extreme details if you don't want to, Starfire. We just want to make sure you're okay."

Raven's strong yet sincere words were all it took. She began to cry, placing her face in her hands. Cyborg sat on the other side of her and pulled her against him. "Don't worry 'bout it Star. He'll come around."

Starfire wanted nothing more than to tell them the reality of the situation. He would not come around because she made the decision.

She nodded nonetheless and sat back up. "I believe you are correct." She sniffled and smiled in their direction. "Perhaps I could watch you play your games of video?"

The boys grinned and nodded. Cyborg winked at her. "You mean watch me kick BB's butt! Hell yeah."

Beast Boy growled. "Dude, so not true! I'm pro at this game." His car crashed. His ears fell as he stared at the screen in bewilderment.

Starfire giggled.

Raven stared at the scene before her. She was happy to see Starfire brightening somewhat and quickly made the decision to stay with them. She was better at comfort than people gave her credit for. She sat down next to Starfire, who looked to her and smiled.

Robin sat at the desk in the evidence room, all of the plans Doms finished up for them in front of him. He stared down at them, but simply couldn't comprehend their words. His thoughts were much too preoccupied.

He ran his hands through his hair erratically, taking shaky breaths. He removed his mask as tears began to slide down his cheeks. Why would she do this?

Oh yeah. Because he's a jackass.

He laughed ruefully at this. How could he not see it all before? Did it really take him loosing her for him to see how bad he really was to her?

Apparently so.

He was disgusted with himself. Now he was no longer comparing himself to be more like his mentor, but now comparing to be less.

Because trying to be more is what caused him to lose her.

He shut his eyes tight and leaned his head against his desk, trying to stop the waterfall coming from his sapphire orbs. The alarm for an incoming call went off and he instantly wiped his eyes and slapped his mask back on.

He fled from the room and to the ops. room, seeing Doms already up on the screen. "What's up, Doms?"

The four Titans looked back at him, and then back at Doms.

Doms nodded. "Just checking in. My team is going to set up the traps tomorrow, first thing in the morning. We had to order some things."

Robin nodded and then beckoned for him to continue.

Doms sighed. "Right. And we also have the equipment to wire Starfire-"

"You're not wiring her."

Starfire furrowed her brow. "But Robin, you sai-"

He glanced back at her. "I was wrong." He turned back to Doms. "She was right; she needs her privacy. She'll be fine without it, but thanks."

Doms gave him a small smile and nod. "Of course. I'll let you back on to your afternoon activities then." The screen went blank.

All of the Titans looked at the clock in confusion. It was already afternoon? That explains the darkening sky. Well, they all had had a pretty eventful day.

Robin sighed and began to walk back toward the door. "I'm going to turn in early, guys. Wake me if anything happens."

The three – minus Starfire – nodded hesitantly. They glanced at each other, and then at Starfire. She sighed and walked back to the couch.

She turned to look at them. "Let us commence in the games of video again, please!"

They looked at her for a minute, wondering if they should continue on normally or ask some more questions. Before they could make their decision, the lights went out.

"Aw man, power's out! Odd, the generator should have kicked in by now…" Cyborg's cybernetic eye adapted to the dark.

Raven narrowed her eyes in the dark, not being able to see. "I don't see why the power would have gone out at all. There's no reason for it, or not that I can see."

Before anyone could say anything else, the power miraculously came back on. They all looked at each other.

Cyborg shrugged. "Back to the game?"

Beast Boy was back at his controller in an instant. Cyborg growled and ran over to his as well, hopping right back into the game. Starfire smiled and began to walk toward the direction of the couch.

Raven touched her arm, catching her attention. "I'm going to go check on Robin."

Starfire nodded hesitantly. "Whatever you wish, Raven."

Raven kept her eyes on the girl, and then went to leave the room.

Starfire sighed and looked away from her direction. She hoped with all her might that he would not speak of them breaking up. She tried to push the thoughts out of her head as she walked back to the couch, sitting down to watch the boys.

"Aw hell yeah! Try and beat that one, grass stain."

Beast Boy scoffed, working at the controller like crazy. "Oh you just wait metal man – hey! There is no way you just passed me. Dude!" His fingers worked faster.

Starfire giggled.

Beast Boy grinned in her direction and wiggles his eyebrows. "Think that's funny, huh? Well you just wait and…there! Hah!"

Cyborg growled. "Damnit BB! Oh you just wait…"

"Guys."

The three turned to the panicked Raven with raised eyebrows.

She walked farther into the room, holding Robin's communicator. "Robin's gone."

Oh damn.

What is it with me and these cliffies?

Oh yeah, 'cause I'm evil.

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