Title: Hey Jealousy

Author: Blair Lebeau, SocialButterfli

Summary: When a stranger named Derek appears at the door of Titans Tower seeking refuge, it leads to friendship, romance, and not to mention trouble. It seems to follow Derek everywhere he goes, and when he gets the Teen Titans sucked into it, Robin begins to believe that maybe Derek isn't what he seems. Is Robin onto something, or is it just the result of a little thing called jealousy? RobStar BBRae

Disclaimer: I don't own Teen Titans, which you already knew, but I can't afford to be sued so I'll just say it anyway.

Chapter 10 – Come Away With Me

Derek smiled as Starfire sipped mustard through a bendy straw. Thank God for Raven, with her pulling Robin away he and Star were alone at last. He hadn't wanted to wake her this morning because she had looked so beautiful and peaceful sleeping, but he had longed to talk to her more. The night before he had gained her trust like no one else had ever been able to. Derek had her wrapped around his little finger and there was nothing Robin could do about it. If he tried, Derek liked to think that he had gotten to the point where Starfire would defend him. It had been hard, because Starfire's unconscious love for Robin had been strong. But Derek had broken through. If Starfire could trust him with her greatest secret that she hadn't even shared with Robin, didn't that give him a leg up on the competition?

So long, Boy Wonder, Derek thought maliciously. There's a new favorite in town and he's taking you down.

"So, Star," he began casually. "What's it like being the pretty face of the Teen Titans?" Starfire looked up.

"What?" she asked.

"Oh, forgive me," Derek said, acting as if he had just made a big mistake. "But....don't you know? I thought that it was obvious to you, and that's why you felt so lonely even here on Earth...." Starfire stared at him with curiosity. She couldn't understand what he was getting at.

"I....am not sure of what you mean," she said. "Can you explain?" Derek looked at her with a pitying expression.

"Starfire, my angel, I don't wish to open your eyes to such a horrible reality. You feel safe with your friends and I don't wish to change that."

"What about my friends? Please, Derek, I trust you. Tell me?" Derek gazed at her very seriously.

"Very well. But don't say I didn't warn you. You fight very well, Starfire, nobody knows that more than I do. And I know there's so much more to you than a beautiful face and body because I know the true beauty that is you. But....look at the Teen Titans. Robin is the leader, Cyborg is the muscle, Beast Boy is the comic relief, and Raven is the reality. But what are you? What do you contribute to the team?" Derek looked away and sighed dramatically. "I'm afraid that you are just the pretty face of the Teen Titans." Starfire gasped, comprehending, and her hand went to her mouth. Could it be true?

"Derek, no, that is impossible! Tell me that is untrue!" she demanded. He looked back up at her with big, sad eyes.

"Oh, Starfire, I wish I hadn't told you that." Tears appeared at the corners of her sparkling green eyes.

"Derek," she whispered. "They are my friends. They are my only friends on Earth. They are my only friends anywhere. How can it be this way?" Starfire buried her head in her hands. Derek came over to her and put his arm around her.

"They're not your only friends," he whispered, lips millimeters away from her ear. "I'm your friend too. And I always will be."

"You don't understand," she replied, muffled. "Robin, Raven, Beast Boy, Cyborg....they've been my friends from the beginning. They can't think of me as just a pretty face....they can't. I'm their friend. Doesn't that mean something?"

"Forget them. Forget them all. You don't need them, Star. You've got me. And I know there's more to you than your outside. I know the Koriand'r inside." Starfire's breath caught in her throat at the mention of her real name.

"How did you know...."

"Shh, shh," Derek cut her off quickly. "Think about it, Starfire. There's your friends, who just view you as a way to make them look good in a picture. And then there's me, who knows you and loves you for who you are." Starfire's intake of breath was quick and sharp when Derek let out the "L" word. He had learned how she longed to hear someone use it in reference to her, and to mean it. He figured that by now she would think that he meant it. And she did.

"Derek," she whispered, looking up at him.

"Yes, Star, love. I can deny it no longer. I don't expect you to feel the same way, not yet at least, but please, think about it. I have true love for you. Come away with me."

Time seemed to stop. Starfire's blood ran cold. She lifted her head and looked into his eyes, as if looking for a sign that he was kidding. Certainly he didn't suppose that she would even consider leaving her friends?

"But what kind of friends are they?" he whispered. She shuddered; it was as if he had read her mind. (Um, hello?) Starfire's brain was filled with questions. Surely her friends couldn't feel that way about her. But why would Derek lie to her? She trusted Derek; he understood her like no one else ever could. He was her friend. But so were the Titans.

Starfire was one who never thought badly of anyone except her enemies. If what Derek said was true, then shouldn't she think badly of the Titans? But if Derek was lying, wouldn't that make him her enemy?

"Just think on it," Derek said, breaking the silence. "I'll give you tonight. But really, Angel, would you rather stay with the Titans who only act like your friends, or me, who could give you all the love you ever wanted? Think tonight, Angel; tomorrow I'll be waiting."

And with that, Derek left her, sad, confused, and most of all....alone.

OHHH DEREK'S A MEANIE!!!! If I didn't need him for the story I'd rip him into some serious shreds. The boy needs to go DOWN.

Sneak Peak: Robin and Starfire share a moment and truth comes out.

You know you love me! So review!

Blair