Okay… Chapter 20… I feel like this one is going to be pretty long…If you are reading this in the future when this story is complete, I suggest (if you are reading it all at once) that you take a break here. It is a lot of information and important plot points all at once. So yeah, terrible writing on my part. Sorry.

Joker voice: Here… we… go!

"Starfire, we can't just sit out here!" Beastboy sounded exasperated, the titans had been waiting outside the Ops room door for an hour now.

"Friend Cyborg just requires more time." Starfire played with her fingers, Robin had picked up Starfire's nervous habits quickly, this was one of them, he grabbed her hand.

"He's right though, Star, Cyborg and Bumblebee have had plenty of time to talk. I'm sure she knows all about what's expected of her team here." Robin kissed her hand, and starfire looked at him in disbelief.

"Robin, I know you are well aware of what I am regarding."Star raised one eyebrow.

Robin chuckled. Raven spoke, leaning on the wall next to Starfire, "you said yourself, we need to go to Tamaran. We all care about Cy's happiness, Star. He'll appreciate how much time he had. Let's go."

Starfire allowed a wicked smile to cross her lips, and Robin knew she was saying something to Raven through their connection. The empath turned bright red and swatted the alien across her head and her rear, "I'm not talking to you."

Starfire laughed whole heartedly.

Blackfire sighed, "I still don't understand why Cyborg even needs time."

Wildfire looked at her and wiggled excitedly, "I understand! Cyborg feels affection for the pollinating insect!"

Robin laughed, "Bumblebee, she's another titan, Wildfire."

Wildfire turned towards him, "oh? She's a human? Then I don't understand why Cyborg needs to be ashamed of his affection either.."

Starfire's eyes widened, "Ryand-"

Wildfire suddenly burst through the door, "Cyborg, why do we need to hide if your desires are for a fellow human, not an insect?"

Cyborg's eyes became saucers and his face went bright red. He looked at the other titans with a strange mix of emotions; anger, surprise, and something else.

Bumblebee was the first one to regain the ability to speak, "what?"

Wildfire shook her hand, "I am Koriand'r's brother, Ryand'r. I was under the impression that you were an insect."

Bumblebee looked at Starfire, "Koriand'r? Star? Is that your real name?" Starfire nodded, "Well, then nice to meet you Ryand'r. Nope, not a bug. All woman."

Wildfire cocked his head, "if you are a human, why did we have to give you two privacy? I would understand Cyborg's embarrassment if he actually had affections for an insect…"

Blackfire was bubbling with laughter, while the other titans had looks of terror on their faces. Starfire began pushing Ryand'r to the door,

"brother, let us go prepare the ship for departure." She shot an apologetic look to Cyborg and Bumblebee then vanished through the door, the others following her.

Bumblebee turned to Cyborg, a hand on her hip, "so, 'affections' huh?"

Cyborg went red again.

###

Robin watched Starfire load bags into the ship. They were unsure of how long they were staying, so they packed for a week. She said she hoped it would not be any longer than that. Robin sighed, he knew that once she was there he would be unable to touch her. Even for support. Starfire suddenly felt his eyes and looked over to him. She beamed at him, and he could not help but return the smile. She flew by his side,

"You are anxious for the trip?" She prompted him, seemingly reading his mind,

"A little. Star, I do want to look more into this d'aulle nitney. I mean, I would like for you to have a way out. I know you said you're okay with it, but it's your freedom, you know?" He had absently began rubbing his neck.

She ran her hand through his hair, "do not fret, dy iliuni. I understand. We must be very private about the d'aulle nitney. I do not wish for you to be targeted because of my ignorance."

Robin was taken aback for a moment, "I could be targeted?"
Starfire nodded grimly, "from Blackfire has told me, d'aulle nitney. are not often given anymore. In the time of constant war on Tamaran, the energies may be given to a… I believe a general is the closest term. This was so attacks would be executed swiftly, and properly." She tilted her head and fiddled with Robin's collar, "however, many couples of war defied this. They would offer their d'aulle nitney. to each other. This was so, if one was in danger, they could call upon one another to help protect them…. I.. I am trailing off of 'the point'." She sighed and released him, "many Tamaraneans may be upset to find that I have given a power over my energy to an offworlder. As I am still royalty… many Tamaraneans feel a.. a claim over it."

Robin shook his head, "no one owns you. Never have. Never will." He touched her cheek, "Star, would you have still given me the d'aulle nitney. if you knew?"

Starfire tilted her head, "that it would put you in danger. I am unsure, Ri-Robin… I an not fond of risking your life." He smiled at her small bite of sarcasm.

He shook his head, "no, I meant if you knew what the real meaning of the d'aulle nitney. was."

Starfire kissed his cheek, "yes. It is still considered our ultimate sign of affection."

Robin's mouth was agape, shocked, he was about to speak when Raven called over,

"Starfire, we're all set up. Ready to go when you guys are."

"We shall join you now, Raven. I apologize!" Starfire offered him a small smile and began to walk towards the ship.

Robin blinked. This was it. The last time he would be able to touch her for a week. He gently grabbed her arm, and pulled her back to him. She squeaked in surprise when his mouth latched onto hers. He wrapped his arms around her waist and pulled her in, his tongue begging for entrance. She complied, and her hands traveled down his chest. He inhaled her scent and cherished her taste.

He sighed and broke away. Placing his forehead against hers, "Koriand'r, I love you. You are the light of my life."

"Richard… I love you. You are dy iliuni and dy auera."

Robin kissed her again and chuckled, "I have no idea what that means."

She giggled, "my-"

Ryand'r suddenly shouted in Tamaranean. Starfire jumped and turned red,

"Brother! As youngest of us all, you have no need for such curses!"

Robin smiled and pulled her to the ship.

###

Starfire had never been more thankful for Cyborg's mind as she was now. He had decided that separate pods weren't such a good idea after the titans were stranded on that planet. So, he thought it would be a good idea to redesign the T-Ship.A few weeks ago, he had asked Robin for some funds. Within days his request was granted and Cyborg began. The result was truly a technological masterpiece, in Starfire's mind. She saw the influence of Val-yor's ship in the control room. There were four controls by the front window, and one in the middle of the room. Starfire gathered that was Cyborg's main controller. Behind the control room, was there area to exit the ship, whether it be from landing or still in the air. Within the wings there were sitting rooms.

Cyborg had requested taking the flying in shifts. Cyborg had offered to go first. Excited to 'try out his newest gal.' The team decided that he would probably decided to fly the whole way. Robin had entered the control room after Cyborg's original shift, and offered to take over, but the half robot quite literally kicked him out. That was two hours ago.

The titans sat on the couch in the left wing. They had been conversing on and off, Raven nodded off for a while, then read. It had been an uneventful trip.

Blackfire spoke, "Kori, are you really going to try to get me reinstated as an heir."

Starfire tilted her head, "Kom, you have asked me this many times now." She sighed, "yes. I am going to attempt to do so. You are aware that Galfore will welcome you. We must work to help you win back the people."

Blackfire nodded sadly.

Wildfire put his feet on Starfire's lap, "when I'm Grand Ruler, I'm going to be the boss of you two."

The girls raised an eyebrow at him. Blackfire spoke, "Kori, he's obviously forgotten about the ass-kicking you gave him during the ineyon'dr."

Wildfire retracted his feet, his face contorted in horror.

Starfire nodded, she stood from the couch, and adjusted her skirt, "it does seem that way, does it not?" She gestured for Ryand'r to approach her with her finger, "come here brother. I shall remind you."

The titans laughed heartily as Wildfire quickly shook his head. Starfire returned to her seat between Robin and her brother.

"Star kicked our asses, I didn't even last thirty seconds." Beastboy began to pout.

A wicked grin spread across Blackfire's face, "Ry didn't last ten."

Wildfire sunk even lower as the titan's laughed.

Starfire saw her brother's dismay and put a hand on his shoulder, "Ryand'r, you must not feel down. You did not yet have the advanced Okaarean training." he finally met her eyes and she beamed at him, " we could continue with your j'huta lessons, if you so desire…"

He sat up and smiled, "I know exactly where we left off!"

Starfire ruffled his hair, "it had been quite some time since I have used weapons. I hope you will be patient with me, Ry."

Wildfire took her hand and nodded, "do you remember Mother's face when you told her you would be mastering TWO weapons?"

Blackfire laughed, imitating their mother, " 'Tamaran's grimurel verndoce! TWO weapons. Mastery of both? Koriand'r it is simply not done! Komand'r do you condone this lunacy?' "

Ryand'r laughed, "I condoned it. Do you remember father's face when you told him?"

The air turned tense. Blackfire sucked in an angry breath.

Starfire exhaled her negative feelings and decided to relighten the mood, "it was much like the one he made when Blackfire told him she felt affections for Irthder."

Blackfire looped her arm around Wildfire to push a laughing Starfire, "shush! I didn't know he was related to us!"

Wildfire shook his head solemnly, "shortest romance on Tamaran."

Starfire raised her eyebrow at Ryand'r, "You have forgotten-?"

Wildfire slapped his hand over her mouth and looked wildly at the titans, "Kori, shut up! I didn't know!"

He began whispering at her in Tamaranean, the sisters laughing.

The titan's looked at the siblings. Smiles on their faces. It seemed as though Starfire always watched out for others. Even before she was actually a hero. Robin shook his head.

Cyborg's voice scratched over the intercom, "Thiiiiiiis is your captain speaking. We have arrived at the beautiful Tamaran. We enjoyed flying with you, and would just like to let you know that tips and compliments are encouraged and appreciated. For real though guys, we're here."

Wildfire stood, a smile on his lips, "guys, we're home."

###

Starfire stepped off of the ship first. Ready for the worst. She was returning with a banished princess and a prince who was believed to be dead. Taqmaraneans were superstitious people. This had the opportunity to go terribly. She saw Galfore from a distance. His weapon was drawn. The new design of the t-ship meant he had to take them as a possible threat. Starfire gestured to her friends and siblings to stay on the ship. She approached her k'nofka.

The sound weapons hitting the ground echoed through the air, the Titans jumped at the sound but stayed hidden. Galfore abandoned his 'Grand Ruler' tendencies and ran to her, dropping to his knees and holding her face,

"Dear, sweet Koriand'r. I feared the worst. I feared all my bumgorfs were gone. But here is dy auera before me…"

Robin jumped at the familiar endearment. He then heard Starfire's honey voice,

"Galfore. I believe your heart will be eased very soon… I bring you… the best… Galfore… Fate had spared us." Her voice shook at the end.

WIldfire took that as his cue and emerged from the guards gasped and took up their weapons again. Galfore quickly put Starfire behind him and stared, "Ryand'r… you are… this.. cannot be my bumgorf…"

Ryand'r laughed heartily and a smile took over Galfore's face. Starfire emerged from behind Galfore, she approached Ryand'r and squeezed his hand, before she reappeared before her friends and gestured to her friends and sister to come out.

Galfore tensed slightly when he saw Blackfire, but he looked to Starfire, "I believe you have some explaining to do to me, my bumgorf."

Starfire nodded, "and I have a few questions of my own, for you."

The guards closed rank around them and lead them to the palace.

Beastboy leaned into Raven. She heard a faint growl. Raven knew that his animal side hated being corralled in, she looped her arm through his, "Beastboy, it's alright. Morph into a mouse."

He did as she bade and morphed, landing softly in her hands. She stroked his head as they continued to walk to the palace.

Beastboy snuggled into her hand.

Raven smiled.

###

Galfore sat in his throne. He had cleared the room. The titans and three siblings were completely alone with Galfore.

Galfore gestured for Starfire to approach. When she did he gestured for her to sit on the stairs. Robin's eyes widened when Galfore rose from his throne and sat next to her on the floor,

"Kori, please explain."

Starfire nodded and fiddled with her hands, "your messages were being intercepted by a villain named Slade. Ryand'r was found by him, and was tricked by him. This man then lured Kom to him, and forced her to engage in combat with me, threatening Ry's life. Eventually Kom lead my friends and I to this Slade and we engaged him. After we were victorious, we came here."

Galfore looked to Wildfire, "and how is it you live?"

Wildfire stepped forward, "the Psions left me chained to a planet for dead. I escaped my chains and searched all over for Kori and Kom."

Galfore looked at him solemnly, "you did not return home?"

Ryand'r looked at the ground, "I wouldn't return home without my sisters."

Starfire looked at her brother sadly, Blackfire put a hand on his shoulder.

Galfore looked back to Starfire, "and Blackfire?"

Starfire looked her k'norfka in the eye, "Blackfire has returned to our Kom. I have forgiven her. She was loyal when it counted the most. She could have allowed Slade at acquire everything she was after, but she protected my friends and I."

Galfore nodded, "and what was this Slade after?"

Starfire wrung her hands harder. Backfire spoke for her,

"her d'aulle nitney.."

Galfore stood, panting angrily. Starfire stood immediately after her k'norfka raising two hands in an attempt to calm him. He gripped her shoulders and she flinched.

He growled his words, "he did not put his hands on it, did he."

Starfire put her hands on his cheeks, "no Galfore. He did not succeed."

He released Starfire's shoulders.

Robin could see the red marks beginning to form.

Blackfire stepped forward, "Galfore, did you really believe that her friends would allow anything to happen to her."

Galfore looked at Robin, "no, they would not."

He looked at Ry and Kom, "come, Tamaran is anxious to see the royal family."