Author's Note: I'm so sorry this took so long. Unfortunately life got in the way but it's finally here, the end! What a crazy journey this has been, and my final words will be at the end. For the last time, enjoy! ;)

Warning: Language

Disclaimer: Not my characters.

Third POV

Six months had gone by since Jason's funeral, and Kori liked to think they had made some real progress. Dick was doing much better, and so was she, despite the very obvious hole left in the family. Her life seemed emptier, duller without Jason around. Dick felt the same, although it took him longer to adapt. The nightmares were still there, on both their parts, but together they worked through them.

Dick had slowly began to speak more, until he almost seemed like his usual chatty self. There was still a deep sorrow in his eyes and bones, Kori could see it, but there were also genuine smiles and laughs that always made her day. After that day on the cliff, it was the real catalyst for their healing. Kori still didn't like to be left alone, and she didn't go back to work.

Life was strange, but still falling into place. She helped Alfred around the house, took care of the animals which had recently expanded due to Damian's new dog, and she channeled her energy into drawing. Jason had always loved her drawings, and she often spent her free time in her room, drawing whatever came to mind. She had no doubt that the walls would soon be covered in pages.

Dick worked a little here and there when Bruce needed it, but otherwise spent most of his time at home feeling a little lost. He never realized how much of his time was dedicated to Jason, and now that he was gone? He didn't know what to do with himself anymore.

Sometimes, when Kori felt particularly down she would go into Jason's room. It still looked the same as it did before he had passed. She'd sit on his bed and look out the window, imagining all the times he had done the same thing. Sometimes she'd go sit beneath Robin or visit the pond, remembering all those pinpoint moments in her life that she would never be able to forget. Sometimes they went together out to the pond, just reminiscing, but Dick never went into Jason's room.

He couldn't bring himself to, it was too painful.

Every Monday morning Kori had the same routine; she would accompany Alfred grocery shopping and she'd pick up some flowers while they were there. After she had helped him put everything away she'd walk out to his grave. She'd place the flowers there and lay back in the grass beside the tombstone, looking up at the clouds. Sometimes she'd cry, and sometimes she'd smile, but she always missed him terribly.

Her life wasn't anything too spectacular, but it was there. She was alive, she was healthy, and she still had most of her family. There was always something missing, though, but she could never quite figure it out. That is, until that one fateful day.

It was funny how Kori used to think she was the only one. The only one who was different, who wasn't human. Until the day came where a man in blue with a red cape flew across the sky, saving people in the nearby city of Metropolis.

Everything changed when she watched Superman on TV for the first time.

She sat there, watching the news with Dick, Bruce, and Alfred, completely stunned at the man carrying half of a plane. Something inside of her clicked as they called this man a hero, something deep within her finally being set free.

The next day Kori found herself in the gym, practicing what Bruce had taught her but also trying to access her powers. Every time she tried flashes of herself beating Slade came to mind, and she just couldn't do it. Defeated, she was about to give up when Bruce suddenly asked "Need some help?"

She turned to him with mild surprise, but gave him a small, sad smile. "I don't think it's something you can help me with."

"Try me."

With a sigh she explained "As you know I can't use my powers, and I was trying to see if I could get anything, even just a green spark, but nothing. I can't-"

"Why? What's holding you back?"

She grew quiet for a moment, staring down at her upturned hands "Slade. Every time I try I see myself, beating him to death and I don't want to be like that ever again. To lose control."

"Kori, you have to forgive yourself for it if you ever want to move on" he said, crouching into his fighting stance in front of her as she sunk back into hers, "he tortured you for years-"

Bruce lunged forward, a quick series of attacks Kori barely managed to dodge. "He stalked you and kidnapped you, tormenting you-"

He stepped forward into her space, causing her to stumble backwards and almost fall but she regained her balance, dealing a couple strikes that he easily evaded. "He tried to shoot Dick, and he killed Jason -"

Tears stung in her eyes as she dealt a blind attack, but Bruce was fast and kicked her feet out from under her. She fell back against the mats, tears in her eyes as he stood over. "If you let this take hold of you, then you let him win."

She closed her eyes, clenching her fists as she felt that same familiar power course through her veins. When she opened her eyes, a green glow had filled the room. She stood, her fists and eyes glowing as she lunged forward. Bruce blocked her fists, but she was moving him backwards. Finally, when he let his guard down she kicked at his legs and sent him to the floor.

"I will never let him win, he has no power over me anymore. I'm not the same scared girl I was, I'm a warrior, and I always will be."

Bruce looked up at her with a smile. Tears filled her eyes as she fell to her knees, crushing Bruce into a hug. "Thank you, K'norfka."

"Of course, anything for my daughter ."

She let him go and sat back on the mats, thinking of the best way she could bathe in the sun later. Bruce remained quiet for a moment, before saying "If you don't mind me asking, is there any particular reason you were trying to access your powers?"

Heat rose to her face as she shrugged a shoulder, "Kind of, but it's stupid."

Bruce just sat there with an expectant look on his face and she sighed, admitting "Yesterday when I saw this 'SuperMan' on TV- I don't know, I wanted to be him. I've been missing a meaning to my life, and I never even thought of using my powers like that. I've been scared of them for so long and scared for my own life for so long, but maybe I could do some good for once?"

For a moment he contemplated her in silence, before asking "Are you serious?"

"Ha no, I don't know- just thinking out loud" she sighed before standing, and backing up towards the door, "just forget I ever said anything."

-and forget he did; or so she thought. That is until one day Bruce came up to her while she was reading in the library and offered her his hand. "I have something to show you."

Curious, she accepted his hand as he led her over to the piano in the library. She was floored when he pressed a few certain keys, only for the bookshelf ahead of them to give way and reveal a dark staircase. He motioned for her to follow as he stepped through, Kori astounded as she followed.

The staircase led into a huge, dark, open cave that appeared to be below the Manor. Even more impressive was the pathways along the cave, a big computer and monitor taking up one wall as bats screeched above her. "What is this?" she asked in wonderment, making a slow spin to soak it all in.

"I built this for us." When she raised an eyebrow, he smiled slightly saying "You mentioned wanting a purpose in life, and what you said really struck a chord with me. I've been searching for a purpose in my life for most of it, and I never thought of taking this approach. So I thought why not try, together?"

Kori felt her eyes tear up as she hugged Bruce, murmuring "It's perfect."

It wasn't easy, but they trained together almost every day. She would sit for hours doodling and designing countless outfits she could potentially wear, filling up sketchbook after sketch book. It had taken some time and courage, but finally she approached Dick with their idea.

He had been sitting under Robin, reading a book in the quiet when she found him. "Miat'i Lari?" Kori beckoned quietly, Dick looking up at her.

"Yes, miat'i lari did you need something?" he asked, putting a book holder in his current page before setting the closed book in his lap.

She walked over to the bench and sat next to him, reaching out and tucking some hair behind his ear. "My love, I want to tell you something and I know it sounds crazy, but can you just listen to what I have to say?"

"Of course" he answered, clasping one of her hands in his own.

"Well, do you remember when we saw 'Superman' on tv?"

"Yeah, I do. Why?"

"Well, ever since then it's had me thinking. I don't have a purpose in my life. I do the same thing every day, and I'm tired of it. I have powers, and seeing him it made me think why don't I use mine to help people too?"

Dick was quiet, looking at her intently before saying "What you mean like became a superhero?"

"Well- yeah" she shrugged, now clutching his hands in her own, "Bruce helped me get my powers back, and he wants to do this with me. I want you to support me, though. I think I need to do this, Richard."

He was quiet, before pressing a kiss to her forehead "Of course I'll support you, miat'i lari. In fact, I think I want to join both of you."

"Really?" she breathed, eyes full of hope.

"Yeah, like what you already said I have no meaning to my life, and I think it's something Jason would've been proud of. Even with how crazy it sounds."

Kori smiled, her heart swelling with even more love for this man. "I love you, Richard" she sighed, wrapping her arms around his neck.

"I love you too, Koriand'r" he smiled, pulling her in for a gentle kiss.

The wind whipped through her long, red, fiery hair as she stood on the rooftop. Dick was crouched by her feet, the black and blue of his costume always so appealing to her eye. Resting her hand on his shoulder, his masked eyes looked up at her and she smiled. His lenses were flipped up so she could look him in the eye, and she appreciated it.

"Everything seems clear over here, B" he said into the ear piece, winking up at her.

She rolled her eyes, but couldn't help smiling. "Copy that, Nightwing, everything is clear over here too."

"Are we done for the night, then?" Kori asked, threatening Dick with the glow of her eyes

"Yes Starfire, we're done. Head back home."

Dick stood, stretching as he said "Thank god, I really need to pee."

Snorting, Kori teased "Then next time don't design a suit that's all one piece."

"At least mine isn't showing off all my goodies."

Again she snorted, saying "You know yours is literally a second skin, I can see every dip in your body."

"Aaand you love it."

Kori simply smirked as she floated away from the rooftop, replying "And you like mine as well."

"Guess we're even."

"Mm, how about the last one home scoops Silkie's litter box?" she giggled before taking off, her hair leaving a trail of fire behind her.

"Hey no fair! You could've at least made this enjoyable for both of us and you know flying is cheating!" he called after her as he took off across the rooftops, chasing his fiancé.

Kori grinned at the wind on her face, doubling back and picking Dick up by surprise, giggling at his scream. She soared above the clouds before floating on her back, Dick smiling at her. She had somehow managed to find her purpose in all of this. The thing that she focused her life on, something that allowed her to give back, and if all she had to do was run around in a crazy purple outfit and call herself Starfire then she'd be happy for the rest of her life.

"I love you."

"I love you too" she murmured, before Dick dragged her into a kiss that never failed to feel like home.

Wow what a crazy adventure. It's been so strange, this story has been ongoing through so much of my life it's crazy to have it over. I just want to thank anyone and everyone who ever read this or left a nice comment or a favorite/kudo, it's meant so much to me over all these years. Every single one of you has given me the courage and support to write and I love all of you for it. From the bottom of my heart thank you, and I hope you could enjoy the ride. This story isn't that great it's been written through so many years that it's all a jumbled mess, but still I had so much fun writing this and if you want you can check out some other stuff too. Love you all ❤️