The blue light flashed in through the front door, where the ambulance men just had come in. They tried to help Mr. Williams, but the all knew it was too late. She was gone. They lifted her up from the floor and put her on the stretcher. They placed a blanket over her head and rolled her out to the ambulance. One of the ambulance men came over to them.
"I'm sorry, but there was nothing we could do. Her heart just stopped."
He walked away.
Robin putted a hand on Gary's arm.
"Gary, she was…she was…do…do you want us to help you with the kids?"
Gary's eyes were fixated on the front door.
"It was too early…"
It was like he woke up from a trance.
"…no…"
He looked up the staircase and saw the group of scared kids on the top of it.
"…if you want, but…"
He turned away. Robin knew it was because he wanted to hide the tears, so he took him into to the living room and made him sit down in a chair.
"We will take care of the kids, so you only have to concentrate about yourself."
He went back to the other titans, who had begun to get the kids into bed. He found Raven, who was trying to explain what just had happened to some of the kids.
"…she was called back by God. He was missing one of his…"
She looked up and saw him.
"…angels. Just a moment."
She stood up and walked over to him.
"How is he taking it?"
"Not good. I didn't knew, that you believed in God."
"I thought it was the best way to tell it to them."
He pointed over at the kids.
"Raven, do you think your three can handle this?"
"Yeah, why?"
He looked down.
"It's Starfire. I have tried to contact her several times, but she haven't answered."
-
He felt like someone was shadowing him, so he quickly turned at a corner and waited for his pursuer. He could hear the footsteps coming closer. Who could it be? Slade? No, it wasn't his style. Only a few more steps and then the pursuer would turn at the corner. Robin went into attack mode and got one his Bird-a-rangs ready.
The pursuer turned at the corner. First Robin couldn't see who it was, but then the light revealed him. The Bird-a-rang felt down to the ground.
"Nice to see you have forgot everything."
The pursuer picked the Bird-a-rang up from the ground and inspected it.
"Good work."
He threw it back to Robin, who caught it with ease.
"What are you doing here?"
"Alfred said you had visited him."
"What do you want?"
Batman took something from his utility belt and gave it to Robin. It was an envelope.
"What is that?"
"Open it."
He opened it and saw there was a check in side. It was on half million dollars to St. Johns.
"Thanks, but why?"
"Call it an early Christmas present."
He called after the Batmobil, who soon after came racing down the street. Batman went over to it, but stopped and took something from his belt and threw it to Robin. It was a set of keys.
"What is that?"
"A new R-Cycle. Alfred said it was the next best present you could get."
He jumped into the Batmobil and drove off.
-
The Titans Tower laid down in darkness, which increase his worries for Starfire. Why had she left St. Johns so sudden? If something had happen to her…then it would be his fault. He should have check up on her. He was the leader, but so much had happen. He reached the door to her room and gentle knocked on it, but nothing happened. For a while he just stood out there in the dark, but then he heard something. It came from her room. Could it be…? He cautiously laid a hand on the door handle and pressed down.
The room was like the rest of the tower – dark. There was the sound again. He looked in the direction from where is had come from and found Starfire. She was lying on the bed.
"Starfire?"
She didn't answered. He sat down on the bed and put a hand on her shoulder, but she turned away.
"What's wrong?"
She still didn't answer. He felt her pain and wished he could take it away from her, but how? He didn't even know where it came from.
His communicator crackled for a second, before he heard Cyborg's voice.
"Robin?"
He answered it.
"It's Gary. We need your help?"
"I'm on my way."
He ended the transmission and stood up. Starfire, who had heard the whole thing, turned around.
"What have happen?"
"Mr. Williams have died."
She could see the pain in his eyes as he answered her question. Maybe he didn't care for her in the same way as she cared for him, but he was still her friend – her best friend.
He turned around and was just about to go, when he felt a hand on his arm. He froze as she came closer. If he just could tell her how he felt, then… but they were just friends.
"I know how much she meant for you. Elmer and now her; it is good you have Sam."
There was something in her voice.
"Sam is gone."
He could see the surprised on her face.
"She have left the home and aren't coming back."
"But…"
She stopped herself and hugged him instead. Sam had left St. Johns, but why? She had seen them together!
As they ended the hug he got a good look on her face. There were dried up tears on her cheeks, which indicated she had cried in a long time. He just wanted to take her into his arms again and never let her go. Suddenly he remembered something. Airmid! She had been right. As he looked at Starfire he question himself if the price wouldn't be too high, if he didn't changed. He couldn't stand to lose her, but he also knew she was able to care of herself.
He looked into her eyes and saw for the first time, what all the others had seen for months. Sam had been right.
Without hesitation he leaned towards her and kissed her.
The End of Phoenix I
(Continues in Phoenix II)
Preview of Phoenix II: Flames Without Limits:
A year has passed and the Titans have grown up a little. Robin and Starfire are together, but there comes a mar in their relationship, when Sam comes back. Starfire haven't forgot, what she saw that day. After a big argument Robin leaves the tower and doesn't come back for a day. When he finally comes home he is changed! Starfire tries to apologize, but he seems more interested in Raven…
Okay, not everything is what it seems like – especially since Airmid comes back and ask Robin for help. Can he save himself and the world, as we know it?
Next in The Phoenix series:
Phoenix III: The Secret Flame
- Dick discovers a big family secret and finds out why Slade is so interested in him. In the same time he also needs to adjust to his new skill, before it's going to kill him.
Phoenix IV: The Ring of Fire
- Not long after leavening Teen Titans Dick gets an offer he can't refuse. It takes him into a whole new world, but is he really finished with Teen Titans?