HELLO! Well it looks like we are going to stretch this into 26 chapters with an epilogue... I don't think anyone is too upset. I also made three story outlines during a Geography class so yeah...stories are coming not all are StarX, but keep your eyes open after the final chapter drops. Thank YOU for reading!

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The three weeks before the meeting went by quickly as we settled into what we were going to say. Robin had warned my broken English might limit them from taking me seriously and I told him that I would rehearse what I would say so it would come out clearer. We hadn't let him hear the exact statements and case, but we did take his advice and his report on the lab was a blessing to add to our pile. He had been very supportive in making sure I would get up the first days after the fight. He brought me blankets and even solar lamps in case I was in need. He had invested in them after my last sickness apparently. All of his gestures made it easy to bestow forgiveness upon him, but he wasn't the only one that needed it doled out.

I had not messaged Jay. I had not even looked at my tablet to see if he sent me a message. It was tucked in the bottom drawer under my dresser. I needed my head in the game as Cyborg had told me and I took that serious. If Jay had something to say I could read it after this meeting. If we were going to get passed this he needed to handle that my safety relied on not letting my heart first for once. He might not have said anything at all…

It was not the priority. Raven had helped me through some memories that had resurfaced from the sight of the manacles and surgical equipment. She had cried with me as we went though the tougher parts. She had been stunned by the experimentation I had gone through and witnessed my sister also be subjected to when we had been young. It was the first time any Titan was aware of that part of my history and she told me it might be worth sharing. I hadn't been confident that I could share them especially in front of strangers, but I had nodded. I had worked on providing a case that I had to be reason of concern for my safety as a refugee by a preventable threat(Batman). Robin had not said much about Batman's thoughts, but I knew from a staring match that occurred on the main screen for legitimately 7 minutes of silent staring in masks that things were not quite well between them. Beast Boy's chip crunching had not eased the tension as he watched them. If it wasn't also so worrying I might have laughed.

We were getting teleported to the League's inner atmosphere command center which I had only been to once to apply for my Terran card in the first place. Beast Boy and Raven had never been, and one was more stoked than the other. While the meeting was under my name, the team had insisted coming for moral support. I would not have it any other way. Robin seemed the most confident of where we were going and that made sense he had been here last time together.

We were getting showed to a conference room by J'onn the Martian and it honestly made it easier having another non-terran in the room. He had made it clear he was going to stay when he took a seat on the other side of Robin. I knew very little of the Martians besides awareness their was a civil war and he was also a refugee. They were not an interstellar race so I had not had a great deal of expectation on where his sentiments would lean. We had been taken to the room 10 minutes before our appointment and I knew that my external temperature was raising with nerves. I motioned that Raven needed to take the files out of my accidental reach. I did not want to ignite our hard work even if we did have quite a few multiple backups. J'onn was silent and I really did not think saying anything more would help. If I did not nail my English in a practice run through I would lose some confidence. I had done it perfect at breakfast and I wanted to leave it at that. There were scones which was nice, but I did not feel the need to eat them. Cyborg had two which was good for him. He seemed the most confident out of all of us since he had to meet the Big Three for other meetings before. Robin had personal tension or else I would assume he would be more relaxed since this was more normal for him. He had lived and worked with Batman for years so he must have witnessed meetings like this often. Beast Boy was tapping his foot and shaking the table which needed to stop. Both Raven and J'onn gave Beast Boy a look and he quickly stopped. I clasped my hands on my lap and did my best to let my heartbeat settle in a better rhythm.

"It's gonna be okay Star." Cyborg said and put his hand on shoulder. I gave him a small smile and a nod. I did not know what the outcome would be, but it felt like it had to be mentioned. Though confronting Batman made me the most nervous. I was also concerned what would happen if the other members also agreed with his belief I needed to be neutralized. In theory I could escape back to Tamaran, but that was no longer home when placed beside earth.

In that moment the doors slid open and in walked Superman, Wonder Woman, and Batman in that order. There was no handshakes or greetings they had more meetings to get through in the days they made available, so it was essential to be concise and to the point.

"Good morning Starfire it appears that you are here to request increased protections beyond your Terran Card. You mentioned supposed domestic threat." Wonder Woman said she sat between both men and it appeared she would be leading the discussion. That was truly a relief since I would be accusing Batman shortly and while I had expected to say these things to his face, Wonder Woman was more focused on the truth in proceedings I had heard. I had Raven pass over the collection of files and portfolio we had amassed, and Robin put the confiscated solar radiation syphon on the table as well.

"That is correct. After the Kour Vol incident Robin informed me that I would be perceived as a larger threat by foes and colleagues and unfortunately in a recent battle that was proven correct." I felt like I was using correct too much, but I was told that was the better word to use.

"Ah yes, I had heard in passing that a Kryptonian had made his way to earth while I was away. Can you provide me more details on what occurred?" Superman seemed almost friendly compared to Batman.

"I simply engaged him in talks of peace and when he refused I showed resistance to his plans of enslavement and overthrow of Earth." I said since that was the short version without details of how he had thrown in a few good punches.

"How did you engage in talks of peace if he did not speak English?" Batman asked me directly and since he had my very detailed file from Robin I knew he already knew the answer.

"Tamaranian's are capable of learning languages through contact. He knew three languages I had not known including Kryptonian which was what we mostly conversed in."

"Does that include verbal and written language? Or just verbal?" He asked and he was trying I realized that he was trying to get the specifics Robin had not included within the file.

"Both. It is not a flawless acquisition, though some languages are easier than others." I said trying to not be rude, but not dumb.

"How many languages can you access?" Wonder Woman asked and with a quick catalogue in my head I decided it might be quicker to just give an estimate.

"Thousands in total, but only a few earthen languages since I have not attempted the transfer so freely here."

"Why not?" she asked, and I saw that Robin had turned a little red in his cheeks.

"Lip contact on earth has a different connotation and I have been warned it is not something done lightly between humans." I said and looked down at my hands. It hadn't been something I had done lightly with a human either.

"Ah I see." She said and looked a little embarrassed as well. "But if your talks did not make any progress, your fighting ability did?"

"Correct, the team had gone to assist in evacuations and acquiring effective weapons. I had gone to confront him since I was more capable of direct combat." I had gone against orders as well, but they were orders that would not have worked in the end. It was not worth making a point of the matter.

"And how were you more capable?" Wonder Woman asked and in that moment I realized as a fellow warrior she might be more of ally than I first hoped.

"I was trained at a very young age how to fight and defend. I am capable of a large variety of hand to hand techniques, but in this case I utilized a spear. My biology also allows me enhanced strength and endurance compared to my teammates. I could get up from a blow with Kryptnionian level of strength and it was doubtful they would."

"So, you are saying that you were trained to fight kryptonians?" Superman asked very neutrally.

"No, just to fight all levels of being whether they be stronger or more armed than myself. I was fortunate he was not a trained fighter or else I would have come off worse from the fight. I have no wish to do serious battle with a trained Kryptonian. No offense meant, but you are quite the intimidating."

"None taken." He said simply.

"How did you know he was not a trained fighter?" Wonder Woman asked seeming more interested in the battle element.

"He resorted to some moves that I believe on earth are referred to as cheap shots. There is not a good alternative translation for what I would call it. Hair pulling and strangulation are not typical first moves of a warrior. His strength allowed him to provide more damage than his skill." I said and pulled my hand back from where it traveled up my neck my body remembering the injury subconsciously. I did not want to go into the other threat he offered.

"We have a photograph of the level of injury in file 1." Raven added since we had extracted a photo from her memory into Cyborg's cerebral printer. I looked very beaten and did not feel the need to stare at something I had seen in the mirror. It had not been in Robin's report either, so Batman flipped open his file.

"I see, though was there anything in particular allowed you to get the upper hand?" Wonder Woman asked.

"I did absorb some of his energy while fighting. Though I had never done that before and do not believe I would know how to do that again. Honestly once the spear was introduced his lack of training ended any advantages." I honestly did not know how it had happened since that was not a practiced technique on Tamaran. It might not be a Tamaranian natural ability many possessed.

"So, you have unclassified abilities to leech solar radiation?" Batman added.

"I have always listed the ability to absorb radiation as sustenance from the sun, I was unaware in high stress scenarios I could also absorb it from a similar life form." I answered since it was the truth. I had no memory of doing it before, but in hindsight that ability may have been why I survived so long in prison with my strength. I glanced down at the gun on the table and back at him.

"Could you demonstrate such ability?" Superman asked and put his elbow on the table in a way I recognized from the party. He wanted to arm wrestle.

"I do not know if it shall work." I said and leaned over the table to copy his position. His hand was significantly bigger than mine. I had never felt that my hands were an inadequate size, but I could likely wrap my entire length of fingers around his thumb.

"Please do your best not to break the table." J'onn asked which I could make no promise whether I would or would not. I nodded at him and looked at Superman's face. It was friendly and was clear of an ulterior motive. Then the pressure started to be applied to my hand and I started to resist the movement. He had shifted me down about an inch before I met him in equal strength. We hovered in this stalemate for a few seconds escalating our force until I caught the sight of Batman writing in his notes and the fear propelled me to give up. I eased my hand back in defeat which was bound to happen anyways. As requested the table did not break, though J'onn gave me a look I could not describe.

"Do you feel drained at all?" Wonder Woman asked Superman. He shook his head no. "Well since it does not appear to be a conscious ability. Though if Kour Vol is off earth and in custody why are you filing a protection request."

"The request is from protection from a threat on earth. After the battle commenced I was given warning I may have a reason to suspect retaliation since I gave awareness of my powers."

"And who provided that warning?" Wonder Woman asked. I looked at Robin which made everyone else look at Robin until he spoke.

"I gave her warning after my personal file of hers was requested which contained her DNA coding and sensitive list of her abilities and personal private information." Robin said and all the Titans noticed the omission of Batman's name.

"So, the file went from one place to another, that doesn't always warrant panic. Who requested the file? Oh, never mind." Superman started but as soon as he asked the image of who could ask that of Robin struck him.

"I did request the file, but it was in the interest of learning what strategic advantage could be gained and if Jump City had too must of a cluster of heroes." Batman said smoothly and without looking at me which was both insulting and unnerving.

"Strategic advantage for who?" I heard Cyborg whisper under his breath and knew Superman had also heard it by the sharp look he gave.

"Well that is not a surprise to hear from past experiences unfortunately. Though since Starfire has minor status, that is not something we can challenge." Wonder Woman added following procedure.

"Actually, my minor status was revoked after I left to be married. I might not have been wed, but since I was going to be married off my legal status was adjusted to prevent any conflicts with international arranged marriage laws. I simply did not see a purpose to revert back to minor status." I stated since that had been a detail we had undergone since earth had protections for forced marriages which included what I experienced on Tamaran. My status had to be adjusted so it would be of my own choice to commit myself to the marriage. The only thing it really shifted was I could claim my own city to vigil over and the severity of reprimands for disobedience increased. If I had broken any bylaws I would be held fully responsible, but so far I hadn't. My relationship with Jay did not affect anything because of the Cat woman clause and that relationship was not public in the first place. It might not even be a thing anymore… Though it was nice to know that since he was listed on the grey morality list he may be able to be converted to full hero. "Robin would have needed my signature and made me aware of who had requested my file. I can forgive him for this oversight, but he did neither."

"From the gun placed upon the table, I am down to assume that this goes beyond a request for proper procedure?" Superman asked what I assumed what he had wanted to know from the start when the weapon was first placed on the table.

"Yes, unfortunately shortly after these files were released to Batman, a robbery at the Jump City branch of Wayne Labs revealed to us that this information had been leaked and utilized into tools to be used against me. While this might not be direct action, the information within the file was accessed in order to create these weapons. Either the materials were ordered or there was a breech in the security of my file in your possession." I said and this time I looked directly at Batman meeting were his eyes were under the mask. "I am not going to accuse Batman to his face of manufacturing weapons with the sole purpose of doing me harm, because they are not exclusive to me."

The room went very quiet and for a second I questioned my English. Wonder Woman rubbed a vein that had developed on her forehead.

" If you look at pages 7-18 of photographs you can see what we found at Wayne labs and a detailed file has been made available. The buyer that commissioned the robbery was an employee who could not overcome the general security and wanted to continue working in the lab so he could have access to the private file I had amassed." Robin added and turned our reference file. I did not look down since I did not see the images again. I did put my hand on his leg as a thank you, before putting it back on the table avoiding the file. I gave time for everyone including Batman to go over the documents provided. Superman and J'onn seemed the most emotionally distressed where Wonder Woman's face had frozen into a grimace. Batman's face never wavered, and it was close to sending me into a panic at how unaffected and unapologetic he was at his actions even as he was getting called out. Did he get away with everything in his simply because he was the Batman? I knew he and Robin had contracts through Wayne labs since much of the Tower's tech was from there.

"J'onn would you perform a fact check?" Batman asked and a sudden heavy pressure filled my head and I sunk down catching sight of the photograph of the lab equipment. My memories of slavery and experimentation went to the forefront of my mind . I tried to get anything for relief and crushed the table between my palms. The pressure in my head abruptly stopped and my hands had melted a large hole in the middle of the table. I felt my eyes blaze at J'onn until he put up a hand in a gesture of he meant no harm.

"I apologize Koriand'r I did not mean to dive deeper into your past than needed. Her experience corresponds to the images and why the scenes would cause her distress. It is justified that such equipment would be a cause for concern for her life." J'onn said and I let my anger for him fade.

"Did you develop technology with the specific intent to be used against Starfire?" Wonder Woman asked to Batman and suddenly I saw a golden strip of lasso around his wrist. I suddenly remembered that she had the lasso of truth in her possession.

"Yes." He said and I was personally a little astonished that it was simply that easy.

"Do you understand that you provided personal information of a proven ally to a terrorist?" She asked and I gained even more respect for her than I already possessed.

"Yes." He said and I believe I saw his jaw tick in resistance. I felt relieved. I saw Robin's face had turned to a smirk.

"Were you aware of the danger you put civilians along with other heroes in?"

"No."

"Do you regret your actions?"

"No." He said, and I felt sick to the bottom of my seven stomachs. He would kill me still. I saw Wonder Woman whip her hand up causing tension on his wrist.

"Why did you target Starfire specifically? Was it her race or her abilities?" she asked, and I noticed that Superman looked unamused himself. I guessed there may have been prior moments when this was touched upon in their own relationship as heroes.

"Both…Her proximity to Robin and the lack of a clear way to neutralize her if she threatened his safety." He said every word like it hurt.

"What does the gun do?" This time it was Superman who asked. There was almost levity in his curiosity for what the gun could do.

"It siphons solar radiation which could weaken both her and you." He said and was obviously extra uncomfortable in admitting that he had conspired to weaken Superman to his face.

"Was there anything in the file that could have justified your response?" Wonder Woman asked.

"No.." He said and I think there was a little bit of guilt that entered his tone. I had been a support to my team without fail and Robin wrote me in a positive tone even if I might have done something he asked me not to do.

"Will you continue to develop ways to harm Starfire?"

"Likely yes." He said and suddenly my ears tuned to a growl that escaped Beast Boy.

"J'onn did you see anything that suggests that Starfire is a threat to the life of her team or city?" she asked turning to J'onn and not releasing Batman.

"She is dangerous, but not to her team or those she has sworn to protect. In my opinion causing her physical harm creates more harm in general." He answered and I understood his meaning.

"My blood can be corrosive, but my skin only cut by few materials, an allergy of mine was exploited. The allergy is also a danger since it can make my abilities act protectively." I said and knew that I would now be labeled by that weakness. Chromium would be my Kryptonite.

"So, by trying to neutralize Starfire you made a bigger threat to her team." Wonder Woman said and while it was not exactly phrased as a question Batman muttered a yes. She released him from the lasso and turned to me. She looked me over for a good second assessing my frame and potential. She looked over at Superman and they nodded. Batman covered his wrist with his hand.

"Thank you for bringing this to our attention, Starfire we will allow that protection order and if it is violated we will make sure retribution is doled out." Superman said and offered his hand to shake. I did so with a firm grip.

"If you ever have need from anything from the League please continue to use your voice, Koriand'r." Wonder Woman said and gave me a nod of acknowledgement.

"Thank you, I shall." I said and did a sign of respect I hadn't done on earth of bringing my hand from throat to heart. It was a warrior sign that you would fight to the last breath and the last beat of your heart. I was not sure it translated, but she continued to look at me before another small smile was given. I was not under the impression she liked me, but I believe she liked what I had done. They both left yet Batman did not move out of his seat.

"You know why you are a threat." He said directly addressing me.

"Yes, I do, but I am not a danger." If I had to contend with villains who knew my weak points I would just have to fight better and smarter. I would have to switch to tactics I did not want to use. I would not stop being a hero, but I be more dangerous in what I had to do. " There is a difference between us, and I am proud that I am not the one who puts people in harm's way." I said which was something likely unneeded. It felt appropriate. It shut him up enough to leave and as soon as the door shut a group hug commenced. I didn't even have to force people into it. We had won, but what had we won?