Chapter Fourteen: "The Truth"

The day's training had finished and I retreated to my room. It had been three weeks since I had last contacted the Titans. I felt horrible for not sending a transmission. I had pushed such thoughts from my mind because of the extensive training I was enduring. I looked from my bed to the communication controls.

"I must call my friends," I said softly. I walked slowly to the corner of my room which housed my communication controls. I pressed multiple buttons, and the screen that was once pure black came to life. Static filled the screen as I typed in multiple numbers and symbols. A long beep echoed through my room. Minutes later the screen came to life, showing the main operations room. "Hello?" I asked hesitantly.

Beast Boy was the first one to approach the screen. "Starfire!" He shouted surprised.

I could not help but smile. "Hello dearest friend, how are you?" I asked happily, yet nervously. I could see him dig into the pockets of his clothes. Within moments he had a familiar yellow and black circular device.

He opened it quickly and pressed a button. "Guys get in here! Starfire's on the TV screen!" He shouted excitedly. I giggled and he looked up. "Sorry Starfire, I had to tell the others. Anyway, I'm ok I guess. It's kind of boring without you around. The towers ... quiet."

Before I could reply to his comment Cyborg, Robin and Raven walked in.

"Hey Starfire!" Cyborg beamed.

"Hello dearest friends, I am missing you very much. How are you all doing?" I asked before Robin could even start to bombard me with his own questions.

Cyborg smile turned to a facial expression that I could not read. "Well ... uh ... its ok I guess. The tower's been kind of quiet lately."

Raven seemed unmoved by my presence. "It would be quieter if Beast Boy would stop playing his music as loud as it's been," she stated angrily.

Robin looked at me with much curiosity and concern.

I looked behind me and back at the screen, "I something wrong Robin?" I asked confused.

He folded his arms, "Why are you covered in dirt?"

It seemed to be more of a demand than a concerned question.

A wave of anger swept through me, but it quickly left. He could not do anything now that I was far away from him. My expression felt like it had taken on a stern look. "I have just finished training for the day, but I must say that most of these spots you see are merely bruises."

Robin's face went to pure concern, "Bruises! I thought you said you were going to be protected and taken care of!"

I chuckled, and it seemed to only make him more worrisome. "Bruises will heal Robin. I received them during training. To be honest, I deserve them," I said unusually happy.

Robin was dumbfounded, "You deserve them? How is that possible?" He stuttered. The rest of the team, minus Raven, had seemed to take on as much concern as he did.

"I was not focusing properly. I allowed my thoughts to wonder, and in battle that is not a good idea," I informed him.

Both rooms, mine and theirs, seemed to be overtaken by uncomfortable silence. Seven minutes had passed before Raven decided to break this silence.

"When are you coming back?" She asked.

I lowered my head. Should I tell them the truth or tell them 'soon'. You can not keep this up, they will find out sooner or later. But I prefer for them to find out later. It will only hurt them further. Tell them the truth. They will hate me. How do you know? I sighed as my head argued with itself.

"Starfire?" Robin asked impatiently.

I looked up at the screen and looked away, "When I said that I would be back soon, I did not inform you that my training is a rather long one," I paused, looking at Robin, "When you went to find the 'true master', you were gone for a short time. My training requires much more of my time, and well, it will take at least five more of your Earth months."

Everyone's jaw dropped, well except Ravens.

"Five months!" Robin shouted angrily. "Starfire I need you back here."

How could I possibly hope for him to understand? This is something I must do, I thought. "Robin, I am quite aware that the team is in need of my assistance, but please understand that this is very important to me. I need to prove to, not only you, but to myself that I am capable of protecting myself." Before anyone could add to this argument a knock on my door acquired my attention. "One moment please," I said softly. I turned to face the screen once more. "I am sorry friend; I am needed and must leave. I will try to contact you soon. I wish you much happy thoughts and wonderful times," and with that I pressed a single button and the screen, once again, darkened.

The tower was silent after the transmission was cut off. No one dared to move or speak. Robin was fuming at what he had just heard. After a few moments of silence, Robin walked out of the room.

Everyone watched him leave in silence. Once they knew he was out of ear shot Beast Boy turned to the two remaining titans. "So ... what just happened?" Beast Boy asked.

Raven looked at Beast Boy. "Robin just needs some time alone. Don't bother him," she declared.

Cyborg sighed, "So other than this little problem, what are we going to do with that girl that saved us? Don't we need to find out if she's a threat?"

Beast Boy flapped his arms around. "Hello, she saved me," he shouted.

Raven rolled her eyes, "Just because she saved you doesn't mean that she's any less of a threat. She could have a reason behind it."

Beast Boy just looked at her, "I highly doubt that Raven."

Cyborg cut in, "Well to be on the safe side we need to look her up. I'll get started."

Raven nodded, "And I'll try to see if I can sense her."

They both looked at Beast Boy.

He stared back, "Dudes, she saved my life, and I'm not going to pry into her life."

Cyborg shrugged and walked over to the computer console and Raven walked out of the operations room.