Lunatic: Well. Well. I have a four-day weekend. I have to memorize Shakespeare. I have to write an essay (three days of school and already argh). And I'm doing neither. YOU SHOULD FEEL BLESSED.

Musicstarlover: Of course I love the Raven angst. Some of Raven's issues mirror my own, she's a wonderful outlet. Plus, it causes conflict and conflict is good. [Pats Raven reassuringly]

Jncera: Hm, more fluff? I don't know for sure. Perhaps, perhaps not. I made it R for the 'alternate ending' to the eighth chapter. I probably could have made it PG-13 but since I'm overly insecure and cautious about ratings, I made it R just to be safe. [Sweat drop]

Kawaii Thief Kitsune: Yeah I never read the original series, but it's ok (I hope). Starfire is a twit anywhere .

Scorpio Serpent: I'm a Scorpio too. But I'm a dragon [Breathes fire]

ChocolateCurlz: Well in the series, there was this huge long-winded plot in which Raven actually dies etc. etc. before she finally is freed of her father. That won't be happening here, so you'll just have to wait and see. She didn't run away though, she just left to collect herself.

Tawreh: [copy pastes] Consciousness: sense of one's personal or collective identity, including the attitudes, beliefs, and sensitivities held by or considered characteristic of an individual. Flashback? I'll try.

Peace215: I love you.

Starfire flew low over the shadowy buildings, the sun long set, feeling quite sorry for herself. Her guilt about how she had acted toward her fellow teammate and friend was tearing at her heart like an angry Flornag. If only she had not- what was it- 'jumped to conclusions', then perhaps they would not be spending their night searching for their friend.

Her communicator on her belt gave a plaintive beep, signaling that someone was trying to contact her. She extracted the device from its hidden place (where does she put it in that outfit?) and pressed the button to reveal the little screen. Cyborg was there, looking frustrated.

"Her locator has been deactivated and we just found her communicator in her room." He said angrily. Raven was like a sister to him, it made him worry to think of her leaving them. Robin's voice answered and his face appeared in place of Cyborg's, the city providing a background. He was still searching somewhere down town.

"We'll have to look for her the old fashioned way. Cyborg, stay there and coordinate the search, keep tabs on where we've been and when. Beast Boy how's your end?"

Beast Boy appeared, looking disgruntled. Behind him the forest that bordered the city waited quietly. "There's nothing here. I can't even find her scent."

Starfire frowned worriedly. So far she and Robin had scanned most of the outer city, gradually working inwards. Beast Boy remained in the forests, scouring through the woodland as various creatures of the animal kingdom with no luck. They were running out of places to look.

"I have seen nothing either, friend Robin." She said sadly. "I fear she may have gone farther than we thought, or that she may have encountered something unpleasant."

Robin's small, static face smiled reassuringly at her. "Don't worry Star. Raven can handle herself. What's concerning me is-" He didn't get to finish his sentence because the alarms on each of their persons began to go off. Someone was assaulting the city.

"Section C, East and West Street intersection." Cyborg instructed.

"We'll restart the search once we wrap this up. Lets go Titans." Robin concluded and the small screen went black. Starfire frowned. What was concerning Robin? And why did evil have to begin now?

XXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXXX

Raven didn't jump, nor gasp in surprise when the brooch on her cloak began to blink. There was trouble in the city, she didn't need her alarm to tell her that.

She was in the midst of it.

An hour or so after the sun had finally fallen to rest; she had seen minor explosions in the nearby vicinity. Slade's hideout was located deep in an old part of the city, a place of miscreants and hidden things. He had had a network of spies and technological research labs hidden beneath the surface.

Unfortunately, after his demise, gangs and super powered evildoers had found these labs. The Teen Titans had spent weeks cleaning up the messes made when they experimented with their new toys.

This was no different. A group of inexperienced bad guys had found several weapons of destruction and began to assault the local bank. Why was it always the bank?

Raven, scowling sourly at the disruption in her concentration, had headed toward the fading column of smoke. There, the miscreants had made a sloppy job of blasting out the doors and guards barring their way. No one was injured, but many customers and security officers alike were fleeing in terror.

She sighed wearily: another day's work. "Azarath, Metrion, Zhinthos!"

The explosive cannon balanced on the nearest criminal's shoulder was engulfed in dark energy and flew from his grasp. Raven held it high in the air and crushed it, sending down a hail of broken metal and fuel. The other five spun around to face their attacker, scowling.

"Next time read the instruction manual." She said darkly.

The weapons were now aimed at her, laser guides creating small red dots on her person and dark, pitiless barrels glaring at her with cold, metal apathy. She returned the favor, showing no fear or anger, only the same emotionless façade.

Chuckling, the criminals glanced at each other, assuming that her stoic pose was her way of being frozen in terror. They pulled the various triggers, sending missiles and lasers flying her way.

A shield of darkness protected her for an instant, and then vanished as the smoke gathered around her. Ruined desks and plaster fell around her, mingling with the discharged smoke of the explosives. Obscured in the debris, Raven chanted. Three dark bolts of telekinesis were sent at the five criminals and three of their weapons exploded in their hands.

Shrieking and yelling angrily, the two remaining armed miscreants fired rapidly, one with missiles and the other with yellow lasers. The smoke doubled in density and they were forced to stop when they could no longer see. Coughing, they searched in the shadowy barrier for their opponent.

"Azarath, Metrion, ZHINTHOS!" A car, wrapped in shadow, came flying toward them. They dropped their weapons, screaming, and fled. The two devices were crushed, leaving only the five men at her mercy.

They stared at each other, then at her. Now that they were weaponless, they were at a loss for what to do. Raven suppressed a smirk at their confusion.

She extended a hand and a nearby lamp pole made the decision for them, wrapping around all five. That would hold them until the police arrived. She heard running footsteps approaching, and the familiar sound of Star bolts being charged.

Raven turned around calmly as her fellow Titans approached.

"Raven!" Starfire cried happily. Before the dark girl could even register what in the world was going on, the young Tamaranian princess had crushed her in a joyful hug. "Oh friend I am most glad to see you!"

"I think we'll need the Jaws of Life to get her out of that one." Cyborg commented lightly. The other three Titans gathered around Raven (now turning a similar shade to her cloak) looking relieved and happy. Behind them, the criminals watched sullenly.

"Starfire… I can't… breathe-!" Raven gasped. Starfire blushed and released her friend.

"I wish to offer my most sincere apologies for the way I treated you, friend Raven. I was most unfair!" She cried, clasping her hands in an entreating way.

"Uhm… " Raven trailed off uncertainly. She knew Starfire was an optimistic person, but what had made her change her attitude so quickly? She glanced at the others for help.

"Starfire thought you tried to seduce Robin." Beast Boy blurted, a mischievous grin on his face. Raven stared at him.

"What?"

"Never mind." Robin interjected, as the authorities arrived. "It looks like you took care of them," he jerked a thumb at the would-be assailants, "so why don't we all go home and get some rest?"

Starfire and the others nodded their agreement. Raven was still confused.

"Seduce you?" She asked, one eyebrow raised. Cyborg laughed at the obvious befuddlement on her face.

"We'll tell you about it in the morning." He clapped her on the shoulder, and sent her sprawling to the ground. Laughing, the others helped her to her feet.

"You will be joining us?" Starfire asked hesitantly, hovering beside the darker girl. Raven nodded. She had never meant to leave the Tower permanently, no matter what they thought.

Pleased, Starfire refrained from giving the half-demon another hug. Instead she clapped and bounced into the air. Twirling, she headed toward the open front wall of the bank, followed by Pterodactyl Beast Boy carrying Cyborg.

"Can we talk?" Robin asked when they had left. His voice was quiet in the settling dust and flashing police lights. Raven sighed, her back turned to him.

"No." She answered bluntly. Behind her, she could feel Robin's eyes narrowing.

"Raven, why do you keep-?"

Raven glanced at him over her shoulder, her cold gaze stopping him mid-sentence. "We've been through this Robin. I'm going home." With that she turned around and took to the air, leaving him frowning after her.

Robin only scowled. She watched behind her as he slowly slid into the shadows of the streets, heading in the direction of the Tower. Why was he so determined to talk to her? What was there to talk about? Sighing in minor frustration, Raven continued home.

XXXXXXXXXXX

The next morning was an unfortunate one for the solitary Raven. Starfire had taken it upon herself to 'make up' to Raven what had been said the previous day. For her part, the darker girl didn't think this was necessary, especially when she discovered that reconciliations between Tamaranian's included the consumption of several kinds of Pudding.

"NO Starfire." She said for the hundredth time, fending off the spoonful of greenish goo.

"Friend, I feel most guilty about our disagreement and the way I have treated you. Please allow me to show my apologies in the customary fashion of Tamaran by giving to you 'Pudding of Apologies', 'Pudding of Regret', and 'Pudding of Merriment!'" The redhead pleaded.

Raven glanced at her over the spine of her book. She had several bowls of foul smelling puddings in her arms, each a more revolting color than the last.

"Star, you'll never get Raven to eat anything with the word 'merriment' in it." Beast Boy concluded sarcastically. Raven ignored him.

"Starfire this isn't necessary. I accept your apology, and I'm not eating the Pudding." She responded bluntly. The alien girl looked hurt for a moment, but her usual optimism returned quickly.

"Perhaps then, we may partake in the 'hanging out'? We might go to the 'Mall of Shopping', or the 'Store of Music', or perhaps the 'House of Moving Pictures'?"

Raven didn't bother to correct Starfire's English when it came to the names of places or things. All of them had gotten used to the way the Tamaranian spoke. Instead she merely growled her simple reply.

"No."

"Oh." Starfire replied sadly. Raven couldn't spare any control to feel sorry for her. "Perhaps another time?"

"Maybe."

As Raven retreated to the sanctuary of her book, Starfire wandered away to find Robin; she needed to speak with him. Certainly he would be somewhere in the 'Hall of Training'? Or perhaps she might find him in the 'Jim'?"

As it turned out, Robin and Cyborg were both in the gym (haha Jim haha) playing a relaxed game of basketball. The sport had been one of Vincent's favorites when he was still an athlete in high school. Robin indulged him when he could; he enjoyed sports just as much as the taller boy.

"Robin!" Starfire cried happily when she saw the pair playing. Cyborg took advantage of the boy wonder's distraction and made a basket.

"Hey! All right time out!" Robin hated losing, and he was already four points behind. He glared at Cyborg who only grinned widely at him. If there was anyone Cyborg liked to beat better than Beast Boy, it was Robin, mostly because it was such a damned hard thing to do.

"Starfire! What's up?" The mechanic said happily, taking a seat on one of the bleachers. Starfire flew over and sat between him and Robin.

"I wish to speak with Robin." She said kindly. She smiled at the shorter boy who was still glaring daggers at his opponent.

Cyborg gulped under the heat of the stare. "Uh maybe I'll just leave you two alone then… "

Robin stared angrily at his retreating back until he disappeared behind the double doors. He wasn't really angry at Cyborg he just hated to lose.

"What is it Star?" Robin asked distractedly. He took a long drink of water from his water bottle and wiped the sweat from his forehead. "What did you want to talk about?"

"Robin… " Starfire had become a little more subdued than she had been when Cyborg was there. She stared thoughtfully at the floor and bit her lip. "I know how our friend Raven feels about you, but I am curious to know… what your feelings are for… her." She said hesitantly.

Robin stared at the beautiful alien, at her hopeful expression and the anticipated sadness in her green eyes. He knew right then, more than he ever had, that Starfire cared about him as more than a friend. And he knew then that…

He didn't have an answer to her question.

"Star I-" His face constricted into confusion. He was at a loss. Suddenly his emotions were betraying him and he couldn't say what his logic told him he should. "I don't know." He said incredulously, as if he didn't quite belief it himself.

"You do not… know?" Starfire's expression resembled his own, confused and more than a little upset. "How do you not know such a thing!" She said sharply.

"I- I don't know Star! I haven't made up my mind about any of this." He put his head in his hands and stared at the bleacher between his feet. How did he feel about Raven? And what was he supposed to do if it was more than uncontrollable hormones that drew him to her?

"Then you must decide!" The alien cried unreasonably. She had expected his affirmative no, that Raven was nothing more than a friend. Instead he was giving her this; he was stating his indecision.

Every woman is possessed with an intuition far greater to any man's. Even now, Starfire could tell that his answer, when he finally chose it, would not be in her favor. If it had been, then he would have said so from the very start. It was this fact that made her frantic and unreasonable. She felt herself losing the one thing she wanted most.

"I'm sorry Star, I can't. I just… I don't know." He said sadly, shaking his head where it rested in his hands. An awkward and tense silence settled between them, spreading its cold fingers into each of their hearts. He felt Starfire drifting from him, that suddenly their relationship was no longer the same.

Starfire let the stony silence arrive; she had nothing left to say. She couldn't think of what to say. She felt her heart breaking and healing at once. On one side, she was angry and sad that she would not be the one to receive Robin's love if it was ever given. On the other, she was happy for Raven because she understood now what had been causing her only girl friend so much pain.

She remembered how evilly she had treated her.

"I know Star."

"Then you will answer my question?"

"I don't have a choice."

Starfire didn't understand what her friend meant by this, and so chose to ignore it. "What is your relationship with Robin?"

Raven sighed. "We're just friends, Star." She answered truthfully. The alien noticed the sad tinge in the usually emotionless girl's voice, as if this fact pained her.

"Do you wish that this was not so?" She asked in confusion. She hardly stopped to think that Raven might want it to be something more. Her assumptions were that perhaps Raven was so angry with Robin; she no longer wished to be friends with him.

"No." Raven whispered sadly.

"Then what troubles you friend Raven?" Starfire had forgotten her jealousy when she saw the two arguing. Now that she knew it was just usual banter, it did not bother her. What bothered her was the sadness in her friend, and the creepy interior of her room.

"I love him." That was the last thing Raven said.

"You- you love friend Robin?" There was no reply from the dark silhouette in the window. "This is not some form of platonic friendship?" Her voice raised an octave as jealousy and frantic fear entered her heart. Still there was no reply.

Starfire strode the last few steps toward her apathetic companion and spun her around, holding onto her forearms. "You love Robin as more than a friend." She said simply, her eyes narrowed. Raven closed her own violet eyes and her expression became pained. It was as if she was trying not to affirm Starfire's statement. In the end, she nodded her head and the tight pain left her face, replaced by weary resignation.

The alien let her grip loosen as all the 'logical' assumptions she had made came flooding into her brain. "You told me there was nothing between you and friend Robin." Starfire's voice shook slightly with righteous anger and jealousy. "You lied to me." She hissed. "You LIED."

Raven only averted her eyes guiltily. Starfire roared with anger. "YOU ARE A LYING BLORNAX!" She dropped her friend to the ground, tossing her slightly with her alien strength. Raven caught herself nimbly and followed Starfire as she fled the room.

Starfire stood, staring with unseeing eyes into the gymnasium as if it held the answers and reassurance she sought.

"Robin." She said quietly. Relieved that the silence was finally broken, Robin glanced upwards at the Tamaranian. Her expression was so determined, so focused and so far away that he felt he hardly knew her. She seemed to snap out of it, and blinked slightly. She glanced down at him.

"Robin you must choose what makes you happy. If you are uncertain what you feel for friend Raven, then you must discover for yourself what your heart is telling you." She said sagely, all of her childish innocence and optimism gone from her face. Robin stared at her, utterly stunned by this transition.

Then she smiled, and clasped her hands in front of her chest. "May I be of assistance to you in your search?"

"Starfire… " He thought about her words, and what he had been about to say. He had been about to tell her that he didn't plan on doing anything of the kind, that Raven didn't want him near her and he didn't plan on disobeying her anytime soon. Then he thought about what he had just felt when he thought about his feelings for Raven: the fiery desire, the boundless need, and the inexplicable urge to see her smile. "Yeah. Yeah you can help."

Starfire's smile softened into a look of parental understanding. "Glorious."

Lunatic: Eeee-yup. There you go. He'd figured it out. Sort of. And we get to see Starfire's forgiving, sage side. (I do believe she has one, seriously.) I think what I just wrote was one of Starfire's best moments really. Think of how hard it must have been for her to choose their happiness of her own? I couldn't do that; I'm a selfish- [Robin covers her mouth.]

MMMF! Mm, mm-mmf mm-mmhmmf.

Robin: … what?

Lunatic: -glares-

Robin: Fine.

Lunatic: As I was saying. I would just like to note that the thing that was concerning Robin will be in the next chapter. It's not terribly important, I just couldn't coherently fit it in here.