Chapter 34

"Are you okay?" Babs asked, her voice soft as she shut the door to the training room behind her. Dick sighed, his eyes unable to meet hers.

"I knew she wouldn't react well, but I wasn't prepared for it." He leaned back against the wall, his head resting on it.

"Is it definitely her?"

"Yes." He didn't hesitate in his answer, he knew without a shadow of a doubt that the girl in that glass box was Starfire. His Starfire. His Starfire who was probably frightened and alone. Dick moved to go back through the door but was stopped as Babs grabbed his hand before it could reach the doorhandle.

"Dick, leave her to calm down. Bruce said…"

"I don't care what Bruce said. She needs me."

Babs shot him a skeptical look. "Needs you? She just cursed your name! She is in no fit state to have a rational conversation and neither are you." She gently put her hands on his shoulders and pushed him back a few paces. "Look, I know it's hard but the best thing for you to do right now is to go have a shower and go to sleep. You've not slept properly in days. She's safe now and she's not going anywhere. She'll still be there when you wake up." She met his eyes with her own and smiled at him, a small sweet smile.

Dick sighed and moved to pull her into a hug. "I know, you're right."

Babs was right, he hadn't slept properly since before they'd gone to the safehouse. During the rescue of Starfire and the other Titans, Batgirl had sent a message to Batman once she knew Starfire was secure. When the Titans had exited the base, they found themselves on a secluded stretch of beach, with Batman and The Flash waiting for them. As it was, the tracker in Robin's arm had led Cyborg, Batgirl, Kid Flash, and Jericho to the beach area. It wasn't until Robin's modified birdarang had been lodged into Slade's systems that they were able to shut down the security and find the hidden entrance.

Kid Flash was quickly taken by The Flash, with a very concerned Jinx by his side. They decided it would be best if Kid Flash went to the Watchtower to recover, that way not only could he get the best treatment, he would be out of the way of Starfire. Robin knew she would be devastated to find out that she had hurt someone, which was why he had told her she hadn't really hurt anyone. Really, she didn't need to know. He wasn't lying… at least that's what he told himself. Not that it made him feel any better.

Overall, the mission had been deemed a success. Despite still being unable to apprehend Slade, and having Starfire stuck in a glass box, they had managed to free all of the Titans and Jason. The Titans who had been captured, along with Jericho, had been severely apologised to and told to return to their Blue Bird safe houses until it was determined there was no longer any threat to them. A few had grumbled about it, but one sharp look from Batman sent them on their way. Cyborg had spent an hour or so drafting an official document that would be sent out to everyone detailing what Slade had done to Starfire and what the Titans and League had been through over the past weeks. Hopefully that would help a few of them understand, but Cyborg knew they would probably have to call the Network together to explain it all.

That was, if they could figure out how to make it so Starfire wouldn't have to wear that collar.

Dick sighed into Bab's hair, and pulled back. "I'm okay. I just need…"

He was cut off by a loud shout that echoed down the hall. He cringed as he realised it was Starfire, probably letting out her frustrations at being trapped. His eyes found the door and he looked longingly at it, fighting with himself on whether to go in to her or not. But then, what could he even do? It's not like he could help her. He can't take the collar off, and he can't comfort her. He couldn't even go in and give her a hug.

"Dick!" Bab's snapped her fingers in front of his face. "The longer you stand here the worse it's going to be." She snagged his wrist and dragged him away from the door. Another shout followed them down the corridor as Dick let himself be pulled out of the cave and up into the main building of the Manor. Babs didn't let go of him until they were outside of his bedroom. Dropping his wrist, she turned to him. "The rest of your team are asleep, and I'm heading home. Bruce is going to keep an eye on Starfire for a while. Get a shower and go to bed." She turned and marched away before he could respond. Dick sighed again and did as he was told, if only because he felt, for the first time, how truly tired he really was. His mind flicked back to Starfire as he stepped through into his bedroom and closed the door behind him.

XXXXXXX

Starfire watched as Robin and Batgirl closed the door to the training room, leaving her alone again. She hit the floor on her knees as she pulled at the collar with all of her strength, but it wasn't budging. She let out a shout as she gave an almighty tug on the collar before letting her hands drop and slumping back. She glanced back at the door, the image of Robin's retreating form flashing through her vision, and she punched the floor. This was not how she was going to go. This accursed collar was coming off whether Robin wanted it to or not. She was going to get out of it if it killed her. "By X'hal this thing will be gone." Bringing her hands back up to the collar she pulled again, trying as hard as she could to get the boundless confidence she needed to gain her strength. But then, she didn't feel very confident. With another shout she dropped again, burying her head in her hands.

It wasn't until a few hours later, after she had paced and cried and screamed and sulked for a while, that she had her next visitor. She was sitting on the edge of her bed, clutching Robin's cape when a new voice, one that she wasn't expecting, graced her ears.

"Little one, there is no need for you to be so glum."

Starfire gasped as she looked up, shocked to see Galfore standing before her. "K'norfka!" She stood and moved to stand before him.

"My bumgorf, I offer my sincerest apologies."

"Oh Galfore." Starfire brought her hand up to the collar again. "Why would you allow this?" Tears sprang to her eyes.

"Robin had run out of options. There was no other way to detain you safely. I offered him the collar so he would not break his promise to me of getting you back safely from the monster known as Slade."

Starfire's heart rate increased at hearing of Robin's promise to Galfore. Still, it did nothing to quell how she was feeling. "Robin should have made no such promises. I will be removing this collar as soon as possible."

"Why? Koriand'r I have discussed your situation with Batman, that collar is the only thing keeping you alive."

"I am aware, Galfore. But I cannot spend my life shackled in this collar. I would rather perish." She looked away from him, not wanting to see the look on his face when she threw that thought out there. He sucked in a breath to calm himself.

"You would be willing to put your friends through your death?" His tone changed, his voice deepening. She looked up at him as his voice demanded her attention. "You would be willing to put your friends through the grief of losing you? You would allow your K'norfka to have to see you off to X'hal? And what of Robin? You and he are connected. No doubt he would be devastated by your passing most of all."

At the mention of Robin's name, Starfire looked away from Galfore and folded her arms across her chest. "Galfore, please…"

"I understand how you are feeling Koriand'r, but you are being very selfish." His eyes softened.

"Selfish?!" Her arms dropped in disbelief. "I have every right to be selfish about this. I will not be a slave to the Citadel again!"

"I agree with you, you will not be a slave to the Citadel again. However, you are not a slave to the Citadel now. That may be a Citadelian restraining collar, but the people who have opted to use it have done so because they care for you. You are going to allow them to go through the trouble of getting you back, when you do not want the gift they have given you? They are willing to try and save you, at the very least you should offer them the chance."

Starfire sighed and wiped at her face to hide her tears. Galfore had a point, but the hurt, the memories were still there.

"I shall leave you for now my bumgorf, but remember that if you go down this path, those who care about you will suffer the consequences." He turned and left her to think over what he had said. He knew full well that she would be feeling guilty, but hoped that her guilt would turn into something for the better.

Starfire sat back on the bed, clutching Robin's cape in her hand. She let out a deep sigh, closed her eyes, and let her thoughts wander. Okay, so perhaps her outburst at Robin was uncalled for. He was, after all, just trying to help her. Plus, he and their friends had worked to successfully bring her back, even if she was trapped in a glass box. Still, the nightmares that had come with the collar plagued her and if she closed her eyes she could still hear the voices that had brought her so much anguish. Yet… in those voices there was one that stood out. One that currently caused her face to flush in anger. One that made her clench her fist so tight, her hand was trembling.

"By X'hal Slade will regret this."

XXXXXX

Dick couldn't sleep. He was clearly tired, but everytime he closed his eyes, he was met with the image of Starfire's face the last time he saw her. She looked so frustrated, and hurt. Rolling onto his back, he laced his fingers together on his stomach as he looked up into the dark. He was so happy that she was safe and out of Slade's clutches, but it was a bittersweet victory. She was still under his control if not for the collar. Plus, even if he had expected it to a degree, her reaction to the collar struck him to his core. He knew this would happen. When he had asked Raven if she thought that Starfire would forgive him for it, he was just looking for reassurance, he hadn't expected that maybe she really wouldn't.

So what now? Bruce's scans were taking an age to come up with any results, probably due to the collar now that Starfire had explained how they work, which had been confirmed by Galfore. Dick wasn't expecting Galfore to be in the Batcave when they all arrived, but didn't question it. Bruce probably thought it was for the best. If he could help Starfire in any way then Dick was all for it. But that didn't help their current situation. Leave the collar on, and she could die. Take it off, and she'll be back under Slade's control and also could die. Really, there was no easy solution, but surely they could find one. They always found a solution. Always. No matter how long it took, or what they had to go through to get there, they always come out on top.

"As long as we're together, we'll be okay."

He whispered the words out into the darkness, before shifting quickly and throwing the duvet off of himself. Stumbling about in the dark, he threw on some joggers and a jumper before quietly opening his door and peeking out into the hallway. Empty. Perfect. He threw a glance at the grandfather clock down the end of the hall and noted, with a smile, that Bruce would be getting his designated two hours of sleep at the moment. So, closing his bedroom door quietly behind him, he snuck through the endless hallways of the Manor, and down into the depths of the Batcave.

It was a good thing that Bruce trusted him so much, otherwise he wouldn't have known the combination to get into the locked cabinet that held the Red X Belt, nor would he have been able to surpass the security system to get into the training room. Quiet as a mouse, he slipped the door open and snuck inside. The lights were still on, though dimmed. Bruce had probably left them that way because, surprisingly, Starfire was still awake.

She was laid out on the bed, eyes closed. Her head was dangling off of the end and the pillow had been discarded on the floor. He knew she was still awake as her fingers were gently tapping in a rhythm where they rested on her stomach. His hand tightened around the belt as he made his way further into the room.

"Star."

She flinched at his voice, her eyes opening and her hands going still. He could tell she was hesitant.

"Star, look at me. Please." His voice was calm, warm.

Starfire shifted her hands and moved to sit up. A gasp escaped her when she lifted her head to find Dick stood in front of her. Inside the glass box. Tears sprang to her eyes as she reached a shaky hand out towards him. He smiled at her, she must have wondered if she was dreaming. Her movements were too slow for him, so he grabbed her hand and yanked her so she was standing before dropping the belt on the floor and enveloping her in a hug. She broke as her chest collided with his and her tears finally fell. Together they stood, wrapped up in each other for the longest time. He was stroking her hair and whispering calming words into her ear. A gentle kiss to her temple as he felt all of the anxiety of the past year leaving him. She's here, in his arms. Right where she should be.

After some time she pulled back to wipe her face. Dick kept his hands on her arms, not wanting to let her go too far. "My apologies. I have made your jumper wet." She ran her hand over the patch of tears on his shoulder.

With a chuckle, he tucked her hair behind her ear before resting his forehead on hers. "I love you." Honestly, he didn't know what else to say. There was nothing else for him to say at that moment. Nothing else mattered.

Starfire sucked in a breath. "Robin… Richard. I love you. I apologise for my outburst earlier. I was angry and frightened and I…"

He pulled back and held her face in his hands. "Star, don't. I know, and it doesn't matter. I've done far worse to you in similar situations. For now, can I just hold you?" She nodded into his hands and he pulled her in for a tender kiss. "God, I've missed you Star." He pulled her in for another as her hands tightened around his upper arms. He couldn't keep the grin off of his face as he assaulted her with kisses. Starfire couldn't help but giggle at his antics, and Dick thought it was the most glorious sound he had heard from her in a long time.

"Richard." She laughed his name as she pulled away from him.

"Sorry Star. I just…"

She placed her finger over his lips. "I know."

Her hand gently ran down his face and he turned his head into her palm. As he looked at her, he noticed how tired she looked. Obviously her current mood wasn't how she was truly feeling, but it was enough for him to know she wasn't completely gone from herself. He grabbed her hand from his face and held it tight. "Couldn't sleep?"

She smiled a sad smile and looked up at him with glassy eyes. "Do you not know?" A small smile crossed her face. "I cannot sleep without you…" She turned to pull him towards the bed. "Will you keep me safe?" She whispered the words so gently, almost embarrassed to say them outloud. He squeezed her hand gently.

"For you, Starfire, anything."