Chapter 5: The Silver Lining

Starfire woke with a tiny cry of pain. She pursed her lips as she looked down at her bare ankle. Star slid carefully from her bead and flew silently down the hall towards Robin's room. She would check up on him and then go to Cyborg and see if any medication could be applied to her wound. As she quietly entered Robin's room he propped himself up on his elbows. "Star," he said softly. She moved over to him and sat on his bead.

"Did I wake you?" she inquired, her eyes betraying her concern. He shook his head and she smiled. "I wished to see if you needed anything…" she trailed off and tilted her head. He thought a moment and then nodded.

"Yeah, I think I would like something," she gave a gesture to continue. "I think… I would appreciate another kiss," he smiled at her slyly and then captured her lips with his. Starfire was startled but quickly allowed herself to enjoy it. They parted and he gave her a lopsided grin.

"It does not hurt to move?" she asked tenderly. He sighed.

"A little… but Raven came by about a half hour ago and said I should be completely better in a few days, her magic fixed a lot and since the poison is out of my system I should have a quick recovery," Starfire brightened at the news. He gave a concerned glance at her ankle. "That doesn't look very good," he said. She smiled.

"It will be fine, my body heals much faster than humans, perhaps two more days and I will not need any more of Cyborg's uncomfortable creams," she pouted, remembering the sting of Neosporin on her ankle. Robin laughed.

"Well, it may be uncomfortable but go get some now, ok?" she sighed but compliantly floated off the bed to fetch Cyborg and his meds. Robin hesitated but called her back. "Starry?" she turned to look at him from the doorway. "I, uh, was wondering… does this mean you're, I dunno, my girlfriend?" they blushed and she nodded. "Does that mean you won't be rescheduling that date with Aqualad?" she nodded again and he smirked. "I'm glad," she gave him a tiny smile before leaving the room.

Starfire winced as Cyborg applied more Neosporin. When he was through Raven came over and used some magic to relieve her of pain. Although Raven could heal muscular injuries and relieve people of pain, she felt unsure of herself when it came to injuries like Starfire and Robin had received. Starfire smiled gratefully at her empath friend. She floated out of the room and headed to the kitchen. She prepared herself a turkey sandwich and took out a glass and poured herself some mustard. She paused and then made a sandwich for Robin, taking a Diet Coke instead of mustard for him. She balanced the two meals and flew to Robin's room, presenting him the food proudly. Robin smiled gratefully.

They were about to take bites from their sandwiches when the obnoxious Titans alarm sounded. On instinct Robin leapt from the bed but winced in pain as he did. Starfire pushed him back onto the bed. "Stay!" she commanded strongly and he obeyed, a bit startled by her strong words. She then flew quickly to the main room to join the others. They didn't ask about Robin, it was assumed he would sit things out. Starfire didn't really need full use of her ankle as she flew and didn't rely on walking to get around so she could easily fight.

"Slade," Cyborg said grimly. "Slade and his new apprentice," Starfire gasped as Aqualad flashed on screen, he was going public with his loyalties. Her eyes burned a dangerous green and before the others could react she had flashed out towards the crime scene.

All Starfire could think of was that Slade had nearly killed Robin, and used her to get to him. Of course there was the fact that Slade's new apprentice had tried to take her on a date… that would have kept her and Robin apart for sure. Both criminals were about to get a dose of righteous Tamaranian fury. Starfire arrived to see them holding a pretty young woman hostage and getting ready to leave. Star burned with hatred. "Slade!" she roared. "You will NEVER touch Robin again… Nor will you ever take advantage of ME again!" she sent a well-aimed starbolt at Slade's chest, ignoring Aqualad and the woman hostage for the moment. Slade reeled back but took out a bo-staff much like Robin's and got into a defensive posture.

The others arrived and immediately began to try and get the woman free from Aqualad. Raven rose into the air. "This is getting out of hand Aqualad… you can't just use women for your own pleasure. With Slade too? Looks like you picked the wrong side," she growled. A large bench was ripped from the ground, consumed in black energy, and thrust at Aqualad. He narrowly dodged it but was grabbed by Cyborg. Cyborg quickly released the woman who went screaming from the scene. Aqualad snarled and leapt in the air, trying to kick Cyborg. Cy easily dodged the kick but it appeared Cyborg hadn't been the target as Aqualad soared easily by, landed and took out a long sword. He then went running swiftly towards an otherwise occupied Starfire, the sword aimed at her back.

Starfire was angrily slamming starbolts at Slade who was dodging the bolts with only slight difficulty. She became frustrated and a large green aura completely surrounded her. The light began to swirl and dance like electric shocks and with a loud cry blasted Slade across the street and into a building. Slade lay unconscious. "Star!" Yelled Beast Boy. She whirled around and caught the end of the sword in her bare hand. Blood trickled down her hand but she didn't care.

"Blackfire shall have your head by nightfall," hissed Aqualad as he jerked the sword from her hand. Starfire's eyes widened and her shock soon become rage. She rose into the air with a frightening gleam of terrible anger in her eyes. Her emerald pools soon became blinding green lights.

"You tricked me; I was going to be your girlfriend. You were our ally!" she cried in distress. "I do not tolerate the betrayal of trust!" she angrily slammed starbolts at Aqualad and he was soon doubled over with pain, his uniform singed. He stood defiantly and then leapt into the air in a final attempt to kill Starfire. Raven used her black magic to consume Aqualad and suspend him in the air. Aqualad went white. Meanwhile Cyborg had gone to bind the unconscious Slade, could they possibly have defeated him once and for all? Slade woke up and got to his feet to Cyborg's distress. Cyborg used his cannon to try and down Slade but Slade dodged it. Starfire saw this and with a battle cry went hurtling into Slade, her eyes and hands glowing with a charged Starbolt. The impact sent Slade down a story into the pavement, a large hole created in the middle of the road.

Slade was now severely burnt and unconscious yet again. Starfire picked him up by the throat and flew up to the other Titans. "Dude, couldn't you have done that like, forever ago?! You know… the FIRST time we battled Slade?" Beast Boy asked obviously disturbed that Starfire had single handedly downed Slade. Starfire shook her head solemnly.

"I never had the chance to get to Slade with Robin battling so closely with him. I would have injured Robin critically, if not killed him. I couldn't tell Robin to get out of the way as Slade would have had enough reaction time to dodge me…" she sighed. "…and I was never able to hate anybody until today, no matter how hard I tried… but when I got to the point of hating Slade, I could access much stronger powers. I always wanted to put him in jail, always disliked him but until he nearly killed Robin, I couldn't actually HATE him, it is very hard for me to hate…" The others looked at her, suddenly understanding the extremity of her love and devotion to their leader. Starfire shook her head and flew down the street to the nearest squad car and shoved Slade into the back. The police went pale. "Wait here, there is one more," Starfire turned and Raven flew over with Aqualad.

"Slade needs no less than the death sentence… Aqualad… I don't think he'll ever be trustworthy; he tried to end Star's life… I would assume a life sentence and no less, you hear?" Raven told the police before dropping the Atlantian into the back seat. Starfire simply headed into the T-car. "I would think Robin will like to hear the news," Raven smirked. Starfire looked at Raven carefully and then nodded. She wasn't sure Robin would like it that she'd never done what she had today a long time ago. It was hard for her to hate though, hard for her to access that much power. She had always disliked Slade as much as Robin but even how Robin felt wasn't hate it was intense dislike. Hate was the infuriating wrath she'd felt today, the idea that the man that had nearly killed the love of her life was in her grasp caused such anger to burn within her that she had felt she would absolutely burn to death had she not expelled the energy she had. She shuddered to think she had nearly killed Slade, that she had wanted to. As much as Starfire hated Slade, she still could not believe the idea of killing him had even crossed her mind.

Starfire entered the tower quietly, the others avidly chattering about the amazing victory. After the initial shock of Starfire's power they had begun to talk excitedly about how amazing it had been. Even Raven joined in the conversation. Starfire looked at them and then flew off to Robin's room. She entered to see him propped up in bed.

"Robin…" he looked up and smiled.

"Who was it?" he inquired, referring to the fight. Robin assumed it had been a burglar or jewelry thief.

"Slade," she said quietly. Robin's eyes grew wide.

"What?!" he cried. "I should have been there! I can't believe he got away again!" he was yelling, obviously still upset about his most resent encounter with him… and about every incident before that. "Star, he could've hurt you!" Starfire hung her head.

"He didn't get away…" she murmured softly. Robin stopped his ranting.

"What?" he asked in a hoarse whisper, his mouth suddenly very dry.

"I believe I may have put him in a coma or some other form of unconsciousness… either way he is on his way to the city jail and will most likely be receiving the death sentence. Aqualad was there too, he was Slade's new apprentice. Raven defeated him. He was trying to assassinate me in the name of Blackfire." Starfire spoke in a trance-like state, her voice cold and distant. She blinked and placed a gentle kiss on his cheek. "If you do not need anything… I will retire to my room now," she said. Robin nodded a bit numb from the news. Slade was gone, and Robin hadn't been there. Either way it was wonderful, but why was she so… unexcited about it? Starfire left and he mulled over such thoughts for a little while, then Raven came in.

"She told you?" Robin smiled.

"Yeah, that's amazing… we finally beat him, it's hard to believe. But, why is Starfire so… down about it?" Robin was terribly confused. He had always imagined his defeat of Slade as some amazing final fight. He hadn't even been there. He had imagined Starfire praising him and telling him he was a great leader or something. Starfire was the one that defeated him and she seemed… upset about it.

"Starfire… learned about… real hate. Robin, none of us have ever experienced the kind of hate she felt. On top of that, Starfire is well… Starfire so dealing with hate was hard. It gave her access to much more power than usual; her powers are fueled by emotions. I doubt she'll ever feel hate again… either way, Starfire is having a hard time accepting the fact she nearly killed Slade, and that she wanted to kill Slade. Starfire is also dealing with the fact her sister wanted her dead. It's hard on her Robin… She's going to need your comforting," Robin's eyes widened as he listened to Raven.

"You mean… Star single-handedly defeated Slade because she felt true hate?" Raven nodded. Robin was now more than confused. "I need to talk to her," Raven helped him from the bed and Robin walked stiffly towards her room. Raven helped him along but instead of going to her door he paused. "I think she's on the roof," Raven was beginning to realize the love that Star and Robin shared was something much deeper than she had thought. Both of them could almost anticipate each other's movements… perhaps not when fighting, but still they shared a deep connection. Raven helped Robin to the roof by using her magic and sure enough Starfire was up there. Raven left Robin alone with Star.

"Starfire," he said softly. She turned and looked down. "Starfire, don't feel bad… you put Slade in jail for goodness sakes," he looked at her imploringly.

"Robin… I felt so much hate though… I do not like the feeling of hate. Aqualad betrayed our trust, and he wanted to kill me for my sister…" she looked at Robin, she was obviously hurt by Aqualad and Blackfire's actions and the strain of experiencing the emotions she had were obviously baffling her.

"Starfire… You didn't kill Slade, you brought him to justice. Your sister was bitter and tried to have you killed. You were a bigger person than her, you hated Slade and wanted to kill him but you didn't. You stopped yourself. I think Aqualad was seduced… he was a good person at one time. I guess after giving into Blackfire's desires being Slade's apprentice wasn't that hard… he was probably promised a reward for being Slade's apprentice. Either way, Aqualad was swayed too easily. I was Slade's apprentice at one time but, I only agreed to keep you and the others alive. I was going to find a way out some how… Aqualad didn't even want out. Starfire I'm proud of what you did… especially catching Slade," Robin held Starfire in his arms and smiled.

"Robin, this is why I love you…" she murmured, evidently Robin's words had comforted her a lot. She snuggled down into Robin's arms and soon fell asleep. He saw the slash in her hand and frowned. Taking out his T-comp he called Raven and Cy.

"Guys, Starfire is asleep… do you all think you could bring some medicine and a wrap for her hand?" Cyborg nodded.

"I'll be there in a second, dude; you want something for your chest?" Cyborg asked. Robin nodded gratefully.

Raven solemnly headed towards the roof but Beast Boy stopped her. "I guess catching Slade is the only silver lining in this cloud... huh," Raven looked at him carefully.

"I don't know about that… just think about Starfire and Robin's relationship… it's starting to really grow, now that they confessed their feelings," As Raven said it a slight look of tenderness pierced the harness of her violet eyes and Beast Boy couldn't help but think she looked beautiful.

"Do you ever think you could find the same thing?" he asked. Raven looked almost dreamy.

"Maybe…" a lamp exploded near by and her eyes jerked wide. She pulled up her hood and swept swiftly up towards the roof. BB just watched her leave. There were times that Beast Boy thought Raven needed someone to love just as much as the rest of them.

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Author's Notes: This story is almost done and I have a couple questions. This is my second fic and I have written a sequal toit as I mentioned last chapter. When you review could you please tell me if you would like me to post the sequel? It's mainly BBx Rae like I said but there are some key RxS moments that carry over from this story...Tell me! Also I need you to tell me if any of the stories I'm thinking of writing intrest you... I listed them in the last chappie. Well there's lots of stuff to respond to so I'll leave you to your reviewing.