Chapter 29

The funeral was a solemn affair.

Glorka pipes, the bagpipe like instruments, sung an overbearing and yet somehow mournful tune. The sweet tone of Herald's trumpet somehow managed to echo through the melody, twisting its remorseful song into the Tamaranian music. Jerchio's lute intertwined with the sound of the trumpet, creating a truly moving melody.

The sun was setting sorrowfully behind the podium where Blackfire rested, her body draped on a long slat of wood with many logs scattered beneath her. The black and gray And'r armor adorned her faded skin, her black hair spread about her like a cape, her crown resting against a blank face.

Mourners had filed past her body throughout the day, offering a fist to the chest in salute and placing gifts by her feet.

A book of depressing poetry from Raven, a copy of 'Wicked Scary' from Beast Boy, a video controller from Cyborg. Things that meant something to them and their relationship with Blackfire. Other items from the Titans that attended had been placed carefully by her feet, remnants of Earth, reminders of friendship and hope and happiness. A zorkaberry pie from Fyria, a hologram image of the And'r children from Galfore. A strange pendant and a necklace weaved of his own hair from Cyridor.

Nightwing looked down upon Blackfire's still body, looked into her face and could imagine for a moment that she was simply sleeping. He could imagine that she would wake and laugh at him and call him a pervert again and that everything was just a cruel, sick joke. And Starfire would have her sister back.

But Blackfire did not stir and Nightwing knew she would never wake again.

He had thought long and hard over what he could offer her for her journey into the afterlife. So many regrets, so many things left unsaid. So many laughs that will not be had, children unshared, a life cut short.

He had nothing to offer that was worthy of her. Nothing. He failed her.

He slowly drew a birdarang from his belt and placed it in her hands, offering her the silent promise that he would never, ever miss again.

He slammed a fist to his heart and bowed to the fallen warrior before he turned and trotted down the wooden stairs, stopping at the bottom beside Galfore to wait for Starfire.

She stood at the top of the podium, the last to pay her respects, staring down at the lifeless body of her sister as she said her final goodbye.

She blamed him. He could tell that she did. She would never say anything, it wasn't her way. But she pulled away from him when he tried to hug her, turned to Cyborg, Raven or Beast Boy for comfort when she was sad. She curled herself up into a ball at night and tolerated him snuggling her back, but never clung to him.

He'd caught her crying several times in the night, while she thought he was asleep. Tears of grief that would stop the instant she realised he was awake and tried to comfort her. In the end, he had to let her cry herself back to sleep and snuggle up to her when she was done.

In the week that passed after Blackfire's death, the Citadel had fallen apart. The slaves had been released with hours of Starfire's proclamation and dispatching of The Master. There had been many teary reunions amongst all the planets and System wide celebrations.

Yurip and the other representatives had taken a tour of the Citadel itself, taking note of all the technology and witnessed the beginning of the dismantling of the cloning vats. Starfire had not gone with them, instead Auvy'r had taken her place amongst the representatives.

Auvy'r was also attending the 'secret' representative meetings with Starfire and Nightwing hoped she was still training him to replace her permanently. It was either believe that, or think that Starfire was turning to Auvy'r for the comfort she would not ask from him. And he could do nothing but follow after her forlornly, waiting outside while she conducted those meetings and walk beside her back to Galfore's chambers.

Starfire had finally beaten the Citadel. He was so proud of her.

It was strange watching her around the other Tamaranians. She was almost robotic when she talked. Her voice lacked that spark of happiness, but it had not lost any of that command. She would speak, they would jump. And the emotionless façade would come tumbling down in the presence of the other Titans, Galfore, Fyria and Cyridor. It saddened him that she didn't have the luxury of grieving, that she had to carry on, her head held high and portray the image of a perfect warrior.

Nightwing shuffled slightly, glancing out into the sea of Tamaranians and other races that had gathered. The entire Titan Network had come to play their respects and sat together, Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg at the head. If the Titans had been surprised by the sudden reconciliation between him and Starfire, none of them showed it.

Batman, Batgirl and Alfred sat quietly off to the side. Nightwing had been surprised when Alfred had turned up along with Raven, Beast Boy and Cyborg on the day of Blackfire's death, but Batman explained that he wasn't really the best cook and Alfred had offered to help Fyria out until she got back on her feet. Plus, the butler had wanted to be there for Starfire. It had set of fresh tears when she'd seen him there, when she'd received his hug, that had taken her ages to quell.

He studied the ground, scrutinizing the small purple pebbles that were scattered around his feet, the tiny grains of orange sand and the cracked, water deprived dirt. He fought the urge to scuffle his feet and kick up a bit of dust. He didn't really know why he had been allowed to stand with Blackfire's family. Technically, he and Starfire weren't married.

Every time Fyria looked at him with those red rimmed green eyes of hers he looked away. He couldn't bear to be under her gaze or Galfore's for that matter.

Starfire finished saying whatever quiet goodbye she needed to ease her soul, placing her last gift in Blackfire's hands and strode to stand at the edge of the podium, looking out onto the crowd that had gathered to witness. They dipped into silence, the music halting.

"Friends," she called out in Tamranain and Nightwing was glad that the C'mysta had allowed the Titans to borrow their translation technology for the evening. "We are gathered here to witness the last flight of Komand'r, daughter of Luand'r, granddaughter of Guand'r, Furiand'r, Dionady'r and Katady'r to the great Goddess X'hal."

"Komand'r was treasured by many." She looked over at him and those that stood beside him, looking at each one of them. "She was a sister to be, a bungorf, a daughter of the heart and had the pleasure to be chosen." She locked eyes with Cyridor last, who stood solemnly on the other side of Fyria before she turned her eyes to the Titans. "She was a friend, a comrade." She looked back out over the people of Tamaran. "She was a leader, an A'ninl in her own right and Grand Ruler for a time."

Starfire closed her eyes for a moment. "But she was also my sister, the eldest of the And'r daughters. She used to tease me when we were younger for being the only one of the And'r children not to carry the black And'r hair." She opened them and smiled at Nightwing. "She even teased that I chose Nightwing based on the colour his hair. I remember, and I am sure the A'ninl will remember this as well, one morning when I was about four, I cut off her hair while she slept and taped it to my head, declaring myself to be a true And'r. I believe I even paraded my new hair into a council of the A'ninl, who in good humor admired my hair and sent me on my way." There was a ripple of laughter through the crowd. "Needless to say, our mother was not happy and Komand'r did not speak to me for a week."

"She did not always have time for me and our brother Ryand'r," she continued, her voice carrying majestically across the crowd. "Being four years older than me and six years older than Ryand'r as well as carrying the burden of being heir to the throne, she did not have time to spend with younger siblings. But every fourteenth day on Okaara was family day and I remember the fun we use to have on those days." She cast a smile at Galfore and Fyria. "Fyria would make the most delicious picnics and we would travel to the Cliffs of Gundoar, or the Forest of Evirnate and the day would be filled with happiness and fun. Those days were the only time we would get to see her and I cherished them."

Starfire bowed her head. "And then Ryand'r died. Komand'r took his death hard and began to rebel. She traveled through many quadrants of the galaxy, learning the ways of the universe before she would return to Tamaran and become Grand Ruler."

"Komand'r and I did not speak for a long time after I decided to remain on Earth and defied her as Grand Ruler. When I returned to Tamaran for my xhandal and learnt that the Citadel was seeking me once more my first thought was of her and we rekindled that which I thought we had lost. She fought her way into the bowels of the Citadel in an attempt to rescue me and two of my closest friends and, meeting my chosen inside, fought by his side until I was able to reach them. I will be eternally grateful to both of them, and to the Titans for rescuing us from that place."

Starfire looked back at Cyridor, her eyes brimming with tears. "And then she was claimed by an outstanding young A'ninl, whose eyes shone with promise and cherished her dearly and I do not believe I have ever seen her happier. When they chose each other, my heart burst with happiness. It breaks for your loss."

Cyridor nodded, fisting his heart at her, his face sad.

Starfire took a deep breath, facing the crowd once more. "Komand'r was taken from us before her time by a most cowardly act, but she will be remembered always for her courage and her bravery. For the way she always fought for what she believed in. She fought long and hard in the war against the Citadel. She was the loudest voice for peace amongst the Planets of the Vegan System and she will never see the fruition of treaty now in place."

"The fire of the And'r family burns brightly and often quickly," Starfire said, holding her head high. "That is the burden of being And'r. We shall not forget you, sister. May the star that shall be born of your fire be the brightest in the sky this night."

A soft transparent bubble suddenly enveloped Blackfire and the pile of wood she rested upon. It lifted into the air and hovered just above the podium.

Starfire turned around, her hands glowing brightly with her star bolts and Nightwing accept the burning torch passed to him by Galfore. He, Fyria, Galfore and Cyridor walked up onto the podium to stand beside Starfire, each baring a torch.

"Safe travels, sister," Starfire said, lifting her hands. "D'tark hurda."

"D'tark hurda," Nightwing echoed, his voice blending in with the others.

The sea of people witnessing slammed their fists to their chests, their voices ringing with the battle cry as Nightwing and the others inserted their torches through the bubble, Starfire inserting her hands, and lit the wood stacked beneath Blackfire's body.

Once the wood was sufficiently alight, he retracted his torch and saw Starfire nod to the guard controlling the technology that created the bubble and it lifted into the air, rising higher into the sky until all that could be seen was a bright ball of fire.

"Bring the Agarfoin!" Galfore bellowed.

A great cheer when up as the door from the palace burst open and Tamaranians carrying huge tables with precariously balanced goblets sitting on them exited the palace. They placed the tables on the ground around the area and Tamaranians flocked to them.

"Agarfoin?" Nightwing asked quietly to Galfore as they walked down the stairs to collect their own drinks.

"The ceremonial drink when a royal dies," he replied mournfully. "There will be an overabundance of it flowing while we celebrate Komand'r's last flight. It is only allowed to be consumed while her star burns," he finished, point up at the burning bubble in the sky. He stopped, turning suddenly to face Nightwing. "I am sorry, Nightwing. The Titans will not be allowed to participate in this drink. Its fermentation is quite potent."

"It's alcoholic?" he asked sharply, seeing Starfire already draining her large goblet.

Galfore nodded and placed his hand on Nightwing's shoulder. "Tamaranians become quite… violent when we consume copious amounts of Agarfoin, it would be wise to ensure that the Titans leave, I would not wish for one of them to be damaged." He pointed into the air and Nightwing followed his finger. "Fyria is already leaving and I will soon follow her. And Koriand'r has not partaken in this drink before, I worry for her."

Nightwing nodded, keeping an eye on Starfire while he walked over to where the Titan Network, Batman, Batgirl and Alfred were congregated.

"Listen up," he called softly as he approached and the Titans turned their attention to him, gathering around to hear what he had to say. "This Agarfoin, it's alcoholic, and extremely potent from what I've been told. Galfore said that we are not allowed to have any. The Tamaranians are going to be drinking it like its going out of season and they will get violent. Head to your rooms and Starfire and I will catch up with you all in the morning. I do not want to hear reports of Titans involved in fights, or being hurt, or even being out of your rooms. Is that clear?"

There was some grumbling from several of the Titans, but Batman cleared his throat and the grumbling stopped instantly, several of them casting nervous glances at Batman's impassive form.

"Dude," Beast Boy said cautiously. "It's all well and good for you to restrict us, but don'tcha think you should mention that to Starfire?"

"What?"

"She's on her third one already," Raven droned quietly.

Nightwing spun his head around. "Crap," he snapped, seeing Starfire discard another goblet and reach for a fourth. "Jinx, Cyborg, Bumblebee, you're in charge." He took out the C'mysta translation earpiece and tossed it to Cyborg. "The C'mysta need to get all the earpieces back. Split the Titans up into groups, make sure you follow orders."

"Go," Cyborg said quietly. "We'll take care of it."

Nightwing gave him a sharp nod and walked as fast as he dared back over to Starfire. "Star," he said quietly, catching her hand as she reached for another goblet. "Take it easy. You don't need to drink them so fast."

She barely paused. "It would be wise to understand that you should not stop a Tamaranian from drinking Agarfoin."

"I'm not," he said, quietly. "I'm asking my chosen to slow down."

That made her pause and she considered him, her eyes already gazing. "Have you tried some, Richard?" she asked quietly. "It is liquid ambrosia. It is golden on my tongue, a fire in my belly."

"I really think one of us needs to keep our wits about them tonight," he replied softly. "Besides, Galfore said it is not for offworlders."

Her eyes narrowed. "You will partake in Agarfoin in honour of my sister and then you and I will speak."

Nightwing frowned. "About what?"

"Us," she snapped, reaching for yet another goblet and draining it while he looked at her in shock.

"Us?" he asked, glad when his voice didn't squeak.

"Yes," she snapped again, extending a hand toward the table. "Drink, or I will continue until you do."

He caught her hand, taking the goblet that she reached for and draining the contents. He gagged and wheezed, his eyes watering madly and dropped the empty goblet on the ground as the drink burned his throat before settling in his belly. It spread outward from there, a cascading warmth.

Starfire tilted her head and studied him.

"That stuff's incredible," he coughed as his entire body felt warm, heavy and relaxed.

The corners of her mouth tilted upward for a moment and she looked over at the Titans. "They should not remain here, the affects of Agarfoin will begin soon."

Nightwing jumped. "That quick?"

Starfire nodded. "I would speak with you before it takes me as well."

Nightwing activated his communicator, already hearing the telltale signs of Tamaranian voices rising. "Cyborg, that stuff works quicker than I thought. Get them out of here."

"It's cool, man, chill," Cyborg replied. "We're already on our way. How's our girl?"

"I am fine," Starfire replied. "We shall return to Galfore's chamber later." She reached out and closed Nightwing's communicator and took his hand. "Come," she said and dragged him into the air. He saw her gather herself for speed before shooting off through the sky faster than she had ever gone before while carrying him.

"Holy shit!" he blurted, his other hand fumbling for hers and hanging on for dear life with the one that had her hand secure. How are you able to fly at all?

I am able to draw on other memories of happiness for a brief time. I cannot sustain this for long. She glanced down at him, her other hand coming to grab his flailing one. You are the only one that can truly take away my flight.

Before he knew it she was dropping toward their cliffs and landed gently on the ground.

He placed a hand to his thudding heart for a moment as he turned and smiled at her. "That was so very cool, but next time, when you go that fast, can I have a little warning?"

She arched an eyebrow at him. "There will be a next time?"

His mouth went dry. "Why wouldn't there be?" he asked cautiously, already disliking where this conversation was heading. Was she going to break up with him? Did she blame him that much in Blackfire's death?

Starfire sighed and walked to the edge of the cliff, looking out over the desert of Tamaran. The land had slipped into dusk, the bubble of fire the only remaining bright point in the sky. "Have you decided what you wish to do?"

He frowned in confusion and walked over to join her. "What do you mean?"

She turned to look at him, her eyes heavy with grief. "Am I your past or your future?"

He sucked in a breath, his body instantly tense. She had heard the conversation between him and Batman.

"You may as well tell me now," she continued sadly, tucking a strand of wayward hair behind her ear and looking bleakly back out at the horizon. "The hyndora ov ducpuktor, the 'time of grief' is over. I do not need you to spare my feelings. It will just be one more thing to cry over. I will not cling to you with the knowledge that you will be leaving me. And I cannot live knowing that what I did disgusts you."

And he suddenly realised she actually expected him to break her heart again, not the other way around. This was the reason why she'd been turning away from him, why she wouldn't allow him to comfort her. She was trying to protect herself.

"I am Tamaranian," she said, gazing into the distance, her eyes glazed in sadness, the wind catching her hair. "As much as I wish to pretend that I am human, I am not. I have a power inside me and a responsibility to use that power to protect those that I love. And that sometimes includes death. I will not apologise for what I did to The Master. I will not apologise for threatening to wipe out the entire Citadelian race. I love you, Richard, with everything that I am, but I cannot pretend to be someone that I am not."

Nightwing slipped the mask from his face and tucked it away. Dick took her left hand, running his fingers over hers for a moment, before he slipped off her engagement ring.

Starfire closed her eyes, her shoulders slumping.

He held the ring in his hands, running his fingers over the diamonds embedded in its surface. "I don't care about that Master. He got exactly what he deserved," he said softly, meaning every word. He took a deep breath. "I do care that you felt you had to lie to me about what he did to you."

"Richard," she exhaled, her voice filled with hurt and haunted memories, her eyes tightly closed.

Part of him hoped that The Master had been the one lying. That he had twisted the truth to hurt Starfire. It tore him up inside just thinking about what she went through in the Citadel and then to add something like that to the mix. It was in the past, she obviously didn't have any qualms about sex, why should he ask her to relive it again? But there was something he did need to know, and knowing the answer to that question would tell him part of the truth. He just hoped he could handle the answer.

"Why did you lie?" he asked gently.

She was silent for a time before she spoke, her voice trembling. "To protect you. You obsess over things you have no control over and you do not like to feel helpless against an adversary. You would have felt the guilt, even though I did not know you at the time and there was nothing that you could have done to prevent... anything that may have occurred. And you would not have been so open with your affection, concerned that your actions would hurt me or would be unwelcome. I did not want that."

He closed his eyes in pain for a moment, swallowing heavily, the truth in her words breaking his heart. He knew that was as close as Starfire was ever going to come to admitting what happened to her as a slave within the Citadel. His poor Starfire, all that agony and she was still trying to protect him. "I wish you'd told me," he said sadly, struggling for the words. "I think… it would've been easier coming from you rather than…. It kills me to know what happened to you… to think… that I could've… I never wanted you to feel forced by me-"

"You have never forced me, Richard," she said softly, a tear slipping from her face. "And that is exactly why…" She dipped in to silence, left the sentence unfinished. She swallowed and struggled to speak. "It… was not unexpected," she said quietly. "He did warn me…"

Dick felt a surge of anger, his hand clenching into a fist around the ring. He forced himself to take a deep breath, let it out slowly, anger had no place here. "It doesn't make it okay and, damn, Star, your father was a cold hearted-"

She shook her head; her eyes still tightly clenched shut, as though she believed it would be easier if she couldn't see him. "I do not wish to speak of the Citadel, Richard, nor of the man that sired me. I wish to know where I stand in your life."

He watched another breath of wind lift her hair and toss it around and he reached up to catch a strand, smoothing it over her shoulder and down her back.

"Starfire, when I asked you a few months ago to marry me, I thought I'd seen you at your best and at your worst and I believed that you'd seen the same from me. I thought there would be no more surprises in store for us. But these last few months… we changed. You're not the sweet, innocent girl I thought you were. The sweetness and innocence is there, but it's not all you are. There's a hardness, a fire and a sorrow in you too. I'm different as well. We grew up. We proved to ourselves and to each other that we don't need the other half of our soul to do our duty. We don't need each other."

A tear leaked out from beneath her closed eyes, trickling down her cheek and he reached up and brushed it away with his thumb in a lingering movement.

"You've accomplished so much on Tamaran in such a short time. You've united the system, defeated the Citadel. Things that your grandfather only dreamed of and you did it without me. I don't have any right to take you away from this peace you've created. I don't have the right to ask you to come back to Earth for me. And I won't ask you to. Tamaran needs you, Star, they need the strength that is And'r."

Her voice cracked. "No, Richard-"

"Let me finish," he said, pressing a finger to her lips to stop her from interrupting. When he was certain she would remain quiet, he shifted his hand from her lips to her cheek. "I don't have any right to ask you to do anything, but… I do know what I want in my life. This… is not the way I wanted to do this, but are you sure you like to know?"

She nodded mutely, her eyes still tightly clenched shut.

He kissed her lightly on the lips, his mouth still hovering over hers. "I want you," he breathed, seeing her shiver. He backed away so he could watch the emotions flickering on her face as he spoke. "I want to be with you when the day is over and the duty is done. I want to be the one that wipes your tears, that holds you close when you're sad. I want to be the one that made the thousand watt smile I see on your face. I want to wake beside you in the morning and be the last thing you see before you sleep. I want to be the father of the children you will some day have. I want to grow old with you, on Tamaran if that's what you want, I'll give up Earth for you. You complete me in ways I could never complete myself. Princess Koriand'r of Tamaran…" He waited until she opened her eyes and looked at him. He dropped to a knee before her and held up the ring he had just taken from her. "You are my past, my present and my future. I love you. Will you marry me?"

She cocked her head, her eyes clouded and unreadable. "You are certain?"

"Yes, Star."

"It will happen very quickly."

"I know. I'm ready."

She was silent, her face impassive and he began to sweat. "Richard," she said eventually. "Tamaranians do not have divorce. It will be for life, you are aware of this."

"Yes," he replied, shifting nervously.

"There will never be another for me."

"Nor me, Star."

"I do not wish for this to become another regret for you."

"I've never regretted anything with us," he said firmly. He watched her in silence for a moment, still remaining on his knee, still waiting patiently for an answer. "Are you the one having second thoughts?" He gave her a small smile. "Is it because you blame me?" he asked hesitantly.

She frowned, seemingly confused by his change in attitude. "For what?"

"Blackfire's death."

Her jaw dropped. "Richard, why would I blame you?"

"I missed."

Now she looked really confused. "Missed what?"

"The dagger, I threw my birdarangs at it and I missed."

She got down on her knees with him, clasping both of his hands in hers. "Richard, you are not at fault in my sisters death. You did everything that you could. You were so far away and he was so quick, I am surprised that you even had time to react, I certainly did not. You fought to protect both myself and my sister and that allowed me time to say goodbye, to tell her how much she meant to me, and to know how much I truly meant to her. For that, I will be eternally grateful." He closed his eyes in sheer relief and he felt her fingers caress his face. "Richard, I am just trying to ensure this is what you truly wish for."

He opened his eyes and looked at her again, clutching at her hand. "This is what I really wish for. I love you, I want to marry you. I want to spend the rest of my life with you and I don't care where that life is. Please, Star, marry me?"

"You would truly give up Earth for me?"

He nodded. "In a heartbeat."

Her smile lit up her entire face, shining from her eyes in that breathtaking way he'd not seen in such a long time. She held out her left hand to him, her fingers splayed, allowing him to slip the ring back on her finger. "Yes, I will marry you."

He kissed her fervently and she leaned into his embrace, purring at the back of her throat before she pulled away.

"I do not wish to live on Tamaran," she said. "There is too much pain here for me. I want to return to Earth to be with you and our friends. That is my home."

He grinned and nodded. "Wherever you want, as long as it's with you, I'll be happy." He leaned for another kiss and she allowed him to deepen it for a moment before she backed off again.

"Why did you ask about Komand'r now? Why did you not ask sooner?"

He ducked his head. "I blame myself and I had to know if you blamed me too before you became violent."

"Why would I become violent?" She sounded puzzled.

His brow furrowed. "Galfore said that was the effect that Agarfoin had on Tamaranians, which is one of the reasons why offworlders couldn't have it."

She laughed, delicious and golden. "No, Richard, the Agarfoin does not make Tamaranians violent, although it can have that effect if two Tamaranians decide to choose the same partner for the night. Agarfoin has an aphrodisiac effect as well as making us inebriated."

He blinked at her in surprise. "You mean… there's a Tamaranian orgy happening right now?"

She frowned in confusion. "I do not know what this 'orgy' is but Komand'r's last flight is taking her to a better place and we celebrate her death by sharing our bodies with those special to us. Although most will be coupling only for the pleasure, it is a time for claimed, chosen and married to renew their bonds. Death is a celebration on Tamaran. We have had our customary week of grief and now it is time to let her go. She will be missed, but we will celebrate the time we had with her."

He was having trouble thinking. "So… why were you drinking it so fast?"

She raised an eyebrow at him.

His jaw dropped. "You were going to sex me into submission?"

"Perhaps, or perhaps one last time, a parting gift. I am not entirely certain. I have always been curious about the effects of Agarfoin. After the first glass, I just had to have more. Does it truly matter?"

"No, I guess not. So how long does it take?"

She purred and shuffled closer to him. "Can you not feel it, Richard? Do you not feel relaxed? Are your limbs not heavy? Do you not feel arousal growing within you?"

"Yeah," he replied huskily, completely turned on by the passionate look in her eyes. "But that could just be because you're so damn sexy."

She ran a hand down his front and straight into his pants, caressing along his rapidly expanding length while she leaned in and nuzzled his neck. Dick closed his eyes and leaned into her touch, his hands coming up to hold onto her arms.

"Richard?" she asked, her breath sending shivers down his spine.

"Yeaaaaaaaah?"

She placed several butterfly kisses along his jaw line as her fingers worked him. "Do you recall what I said about more aggressive coupling?"

"Mmm-hmm."

She pulled away from his neck and he opened his eyes to look at her, that wicked twinkle in her eye and that alluring smile on her lips. "Do the giving of it to me, baby."

He paused, staring at her in shock, the knowledge of what had happened to her in the Citadel still fresh in his mind. How could she even ask him for that, now he knew for certain what had happened to her.

The enthralling twinkle in her eyes started to shift, becoming worried, the smile fading.

And in a flash of insight he realised this was what she meant when she said she was afraid he would stop showing affection toward her, that she didn't want things between them to change. She needed his passion, she needed to feel his love for her; she lived and breathed it. She needed to know that everything was all right between them, that knowing what happened to her in the past would not hinder him, that he knew it did not burden her.

So he had two choices. He could allow her past to encumber him in a way that would change their relationship forever, allow what happened to her affect him so badly that he could never touch her the way he used to and in doing so, that would hurt her more than the act. Or, he could accept the fact that she wanted him, allow the Agarfoin coursing through his veins to give him the push he needed to couple with her, lose himself in the passion of the moment and set them both on the road to recovery.

It was a no-brainer.

He pounced.

Their coupling was frantic, violent, rushed; they couldn't get enough of each other. She tore at his clothing and he ripped at hers. Material stretched and seams frayed and they lost one of her gloves down the abyss beside the cliff in their haste. He kissed her hard, all teeth and tongue, fire and passion. His hands groped at her breasts and he ground himself against her abdomen. Her hands touched him all over, roaming over his back, sliding over his chest, scraping between his legs.

He slammed her back against the ground, her breath escaping her chest in a puff from the force. He held her down by her shoulders, entering her hard and fast. There had been barely any foreplay and she was still tight and slick, dragging him further inside her as he rammed into her again and again, driven by lust and love and sadness. Green light shined through her half-lidded eyes; her hands hot on his back.

He grabbed the back of her knee, forced it up toward her shoulder and held it there, diving deeper inside her, thrusting and grunting, their bodies merging together, the sound of flesh against flesh. Her hands were on his back, wanting, pleading, demanding, her breath coming in quick pants, accompanied by a grunt each time he pounded into her.

Honeyed words were being whispered in his ear, a pleading with him to go harder, faster, a frantic begging for more than what he was giving her. She'd never spoken to him like this during sex before and he'd never known how utterly arousing it could be. He upped the speed, pumping into her furiously, the strength of his thrusts sent her skidding against the ground.

Her fingers turned into claws that slashed at him and the pain as they raked across his back only seemed to invigorate him more. He couldn't breath, couldn't think, could do nothing but hear the throaty cries of the woman beneath him, feel her skin against his, feel the passion for her coursing through his veins. She climaxed with a shriek of his name, her body arcing off the ground, her head thrown back in rapture and he thought it was the sexiest thing he had ever seen.

His breathing increased, the pre-grunts of climax escaping from his throat and he could feel the explosion coming. And at that moment it did, she lifted her head, clamped her teeth down on his neck and bit down hard. Pain mingled with pleasure and one final thrust and roar caused his world to explode in a kaleidoscope of colour and sound. Ecstasy rocked through his body and he emptied everything that he was into her.

He collapsed on top of her, her hands running through his mattered hair, while she licked and sucked at the blood on his neck. She was making quiet crooning noises as she descended from the height of her climax, her body still pulsing and quivering beneath him.

He propped himself up on his elbows, nibbling, sucking and licking at the salty, drenched skin of her neck. He began slowly moving again, gently this time as he rejoiced at the simple feeling of being inside her, determined to keep her in that state of bliss as long as possible and perhaps even coax her back up to soar amongst the stars again.

"Oh Richard," she purred, her body arching under his once more, her eyes glazing and he sucked at the skin on her neck.

"Mmm?" he asked as he kissed his way up to her lips.

"Hmm," she replied into his mouth, purring in that intimate, pseudo language that needed no true words.

"Mmm-hmm."

"Ahhhhh," she moaned, breaking lip contact with him as he slipped a hand between them to play and fondle at the place where they connected.

"You bit me," he murmured quietly, feeling quietly thrilled. The bite mark she'd given him on Tamaran the first time had never scarred, something that he'd always felt sad about when he found out how much it meant to Tamaranians.

She nodded, her eyes glazed. "I owed… you a scar… You are mine."

His entire body felt warm just from her words. "Why didn't you scar me the first time?" he asked quietly, enjoy her soft rumbles and purrs as he moved within her.

"It was not your… oooh… culture to scar and I… did not know if it… would be welcome," she managed to say between gasps of breath.

He licked her neck again. "It would have been," he whispered as that intense feeling of warmth and arousal from the Agarfoin started to spread through him again. "God," he groaned. "That stuff works fast."

"Oooooh yes," she breathed, blinking her eyes so that they focused on him. "That is why… oh… we only have it at… certain… occasions…" Her eyes rolled back in her head again. "… faster."

He gave a small chuckle and complied.

Later, much later, they snuggled on their cliff top and looked up upon the brightly burning beacon in the night sky. Dick knew why they had Agarfoin at funerals now; it left Starfire unable to think about grief. But now, as the effects of the beverage seemed to be wearing off for the moment, that grief seemed to be hitting home once more.

Except that the grief was also shifting toward acceptance. Something was changing, burning away inside Starfire as she watched the purple blaze in the sky.

At least she was letting him comfort her.

She sighed again; seemingly unable to tear her gaze from the blaze that used to be her sister's body. "Richard?"

"Yeah?" he asked, snuggling into her back to keep warm. There was a chill settling over the desert now and even though he was completely dressed again, he found himself wishing for the jumper she had knitted him for Christmas. He pressed his hands against her stomach under her shirt, feeling the heat of her skin warm his fingers even through his gloves.

"What do humans believe happens when you die?"

"Well," he said carefully. "There's a lot of different beliefs. Some believe in reincarnation. They believe that they will be reborn, to live their life over again, to experience the world differently. Some believe in a divine presence and an afterlife. A heaven. It's a place where all those that have passed before you will meet you at the gates and everything will be perfect. Some call upon Allah, or Jehovah. Some believe there are more than one god, more than one sort of afterlife."

"This divine presence, it is the 'God' you speak of sometimes?"

"For me? Yes. I believe that when I die, if I've lived a good life I'll go to heaven, where my mother and father and all those I love that have gone before me will be waiting to greet me, and we can spend the time that we missed together. No more pain, no more duty, just freedom. What about you, Star? What do Tamaranians believe?"

She leaned into him. "You have heard me call upon X'hal. She is the living goddess and currently resides on Okaara. She was an Okaaran woman who was captured by the Psions and mutated until she was an immortal being of pure energy. Tamaranians believe that when you die, the green energy we contain inside becomes a part of her and we take one last fight and are released of the practicality of our bodies and free to join her." She pointed up at the ball of light. "When there is no more fire burning, the bubble will release and the purple energy that was Komand'r will travel to X'hal and be judged and if she is found worthy, will live on through her."

"And, if your body isn't burnt?" he asked curiously.

"Then as the body decays, the energy will be released. Fire is the fastest way to release the energy. But I admit, I do like the sound of your heaven. An eternity with loved ones sounds nice."

He nodded, resting his chin on her shoulder.

"I take comfort in the knowledge she will live on through X'hal but I shall miss that which was distinctly her."

"I know how you feel, Star," Dick said, just as sadly, tilting his head so that his forehead rested against her hair. "There isn't a day that goes by that I don't think about my parents. I never had the pleasure of having a brother or a sister, which is sort of why I think of Raven as a sister I guess. She and I share the kind of closeness that I always thought came with siblings. It's not the same as having a real sister, not like you…"

"I think of Raven as a sister too," Starfire replied. "In a way, she has been more of a sister to me than Kom was… but… I am all that remains of the And'r… it is…"

"A hard burden to bear… I know…. I wish I could make it easier…"

"Actually," she said hesitantly. "You can. Richard, there is something that we need to discuss."

He raised an eyebrow. "Oh? What's that?"

"There is the matter of your Tamaranian name."

He blinked in surprise, lifting his chin from her shoulder. "Tamaranian name?"

She tapped her fingers together nervously. "Yes… you are marrying into And'r. It is customary to take the royal name."

"You mean I have to take your name?"

She nodded. "I realise that on your planet it is customary for the female to take the surname of the male, and I am quite happy to do so when we marry as Dick and Kori, but we do not have surnames on Tamaran. And'r is a title, one which you must carry, for you are joining my family. An And'r will always be an And'r, we can never, ever change. We are the highest royal rank on Tamaran, besides Grand Ruler. It is customary when we marry that our partners take our name, regardless of sex. Only the other royal families can change their name. It is only for Tamaran, you need not adopt it anywhere else."

"Um… okay… so… um… what do you need me to do?"

"The problem is that you carry many names, Nightwing, Robin, Dick, Richard and Grayson. We need to determine which one you wish to use to carry the title of And'r for the record books and ceremonial garbs. An And'r name must also contain meaning. My mother was Luand'r which meant Moonfire, my grandfather was Guand'r which meant Guardianfire. My mothers original name was Luayd'r, which meant Moonriver. She could have chosen to change her name completely when she joined the And'r, but she liked the Moons. Ayd'r was the royal family of the water and were second rank. But there are no more Ayd'r."

"What's Auvy'r then?"

"Vy'r is wind and are third rank."

"Ahh. So if Auvy'r had of married into your mother's family, he would have had to change his name?"

"Yes."

"So, Oirni's title… is Oirvy'r?"

"Yes, but he still goes by his birth name to friends and family."

"Ah, I get it, that's why the herald at the banquet called out Galfore'r and Fyriare'r. I did wonder."

"Yes, when Galfore became Grand Ruler, he created a Royal name, since he was not noble. 'Re'r' means mountain. There were only nine 'r names; now there are ten. Not all nobles are entitled to carry an 'r name however. Torkor is an example, although his family attempted to."

"Um… okay… I'm not sure I understand. Do you mean like Nightwingand'r? Or, God help me, Dickand'r?"

She nodded. "Although if you wished to use Nightwing, the translation would need to be used as there is currently no name that means that, so it would be… Daz'etorrand'r."

He cringed. "I don't even think I can pronounce that."

"Or perhaps we could find a name that means night and wing and combine them. There is an archive of names and meanings. For example, the meaning behind the name 'Kori' is 'star', but 'a star' is 'elemire' in Tamaranian."

"Oh… I see, like Richard means 'powerful leader'."

She blinked in surprise. "It does?"

"Appropriate isn't it?" he said cheekily.

"Very," she said with a smile before her expression became thoughtful. "In that case, perhaps I can make a suggestion?"

He nodded. "Sure."

She leant in close and whispered a name in his ear. He raised an eyebrow as he heard it. "And that means?"

"That particular name would mean Powerfulfire."

"That almost sounds like-"

"Yes. It is very similar, which is why I thought of it."

"Um… well… what happens when Fyria shortens it?"

"That is something that only family is permitted to do. Galfore has never felt comfortable shorting names, and I do not believe that Fyria will cease calling you Dick when you take a Tamaranian name."

"Just checking. It kinda… suits me, don't you think?"

"Does that mean you like it?"

He considered. "Yeah, sure. Why not?"

She frowned. "Richard, it will be the name that all Tamaranians must call you. You must be comfortable with it."

He grinned. "Hey, you picked it, what's not to be comfortable about?"

She sighed in exasperation. "Richard-"

He nuzzled her neck. "I like it Star, really I do." The wind picked up and he shivered with cold. "Baby, as much as I want to sit out here with you all night, I'm getting cold. Can we head back soon?"

She sighed and nodded, removing herself from his grip and brushing the dirt off her backside.


Author's Note:

Heh, yeah… making or breaking of Nightwing and Starfire's relationship, otherwise fondly known as Nightwing did something right for a change.

Um… Okay, I'm actually quite embarrassed about that little tryst that Star and Dick had. So many times that scene ended up on the cutting room floor but it kept creeping back in for a few reasons.

The main reason is that they actually discussed it beforehand. Granted, it was all the way back in the beginning, but the point is they were both comfortable doing something like that. Another reason is sex doesn't always have to be romantic, it can be violent and rushed and that can be fun if you're comfortable with that kind of thing. There are no dirty words or disgusting phrases and slanged body parts. And we know they love each other. Still, if I've offended anyone, I apologise.

Also, taking a leap of faith with Dick's religion. I haven't said which denomination he is, just that he believes in God and heaven. In the comics, bibles have been depicted in Wayne Manor. Dick is also of Romanian heritage, and the majority of them are Catholic so it is reasonable to believe he's one. Again, offense is not intentional.

Made up the X'hal stuff I know they believe in her, but what their belief is regarding death, I can't find any info on it. The only info I could find from the comics was the history of X'hal, her being a Okaaran woman mutated into an immortal being and trapped on Okaara where she was worshiped as a goddess. So the funeral rites, everything, that's all me. It seemed fitting in my opinion, they're a warrior culture, and cultures like that on Earth have a tendency to celebrate death.

Next Chapter: Pudding!