Chapter 6
The next day, no-one was talking about what the three Titans had done. They had been expecting an angry scolding but it never came. Robin seemed too pre-occupied with his own thoughts and Starfire hadn't come back until late, and when she didn't bring it up, the others decided she didn't want to talk about it so they didn't mention it either. They considered themselves lucky. However, they could tell that there was something different about the general conduct of their friends. Robin would keep shooting glances at Starfire, as if he wanted to reassure himself, but everytime he did it only seemed to add to his uncertainties. As for Starfire, her anger had seemed to have grown, but she wasn't acting out. She would walk around with her teeth clenched and her eyes narrowed, but every so often she would sigh heavily, and her shoulders would slump and her face would relax into a sorrowful mask.
It was early in the afternoon, and the Titans were going about their various businesses, when the doorbell rang.
"I shall answer the door." called Starfire from the stairwell so that her voice would reach all the floors of the Tower. Robin was in the tech-room, researching some of the more substantial criminals. He pushed away from the desk and guided his rolling chair towards the security-camera monitors. He pressed some buttons and a view of the front door flashed onto the screen. He frowned slightly as he studied the man at the door. Robin didn't recognise him and it didn't seem like he was from Jump City. The man was heavily built but not fat, with brown hair and a tired leather jacket.
Robin watched as the door opened, though he couldn't see who had opened it. He rocked back in his chair as he watched and considered the scenario before him. The man seemed to be angry for some reason. Robin lurched forward with a thump as the man on the screen reached through the door, and wrenched Starfire outside by her wrist. Robin's hands clenched into fists as he forced himself to stay put and not intervene. Imagine what she would say if I was wrong… he thought. The man began to speak to Starfire, and it was obvious that he was angry. What could he be so mad about? Robin wondered as the man got more and more wound up. His feet began to tap irritably. Come on Starfire, stand up for yourself . Robin cursed the lack of audio on the security cameras and made a mental note to talk to Cyborg about it. Starfire appeared to be just taking the abuse, nodding slightly and wringing her hands.
Finally, she reacted. The man had said something, crossed a line, that made Starfire's head snap up to look at him. Robin could see her lips moving and he smiled triumphantly. Ha ha, now he's in for it he thought. All feelings of triumph and satisfaction vanished and his eyes widened in horror. The man had just back-handed Starfire to the face, knocking her off her feet. Robin was on his feet and out of the room in a split-second, while the monitors still held images of Starfire on the ground with her hands pressed to her cheek.
"Yeah, stay down. I don't know why I bother with you. You're just a waste of space, has anyone ever told you that?" Luke spat on the ground. He turned away and took a few steps of frustration before turning back again. Starfire had meanwhile raised herself up onto her hands and knees. This only made Luke madder and he took a big step, closing the distance between them, and used the momentum to kick Starfire hard, in the ribs, forcing her to the ground again.
Robin's heavy, steel-toed boots collided with the side of Luke's head. He fell to the ground seeing stars, and quickly lost conciousness. Robin stood over him as he toyed with the idea of beating him some more. A gasp to his left drove every other thought from his mind. Starfire lay on the ground clutching her side. Her eyes were wide and she was gasping repeatedly as if she couldn't get enough air. She kept rolling from side to side, trying to get up, but everytime she just fell back again. Robin ran over to her and knelt next to her.
"Starfire? Starfire! Are you okay? Who is that guy?" A thousand questions raced through his head but he ignored them all when he saw the agony on her face.
"Okay ,Star, let's just get you to the infirmary and Raven will fix you right up. You're going to be fine." he said. He reached for her wrist and pulled her arm over his shoulders to help her stand. She rose a few inches before collapsing back onto the ground. Robin stared at the situation before him feeling helpless and cursed his lack of medical knowledge at seeing his friend that way. It's obvious she can't walk, he analysed, so I'm going to have to carry her. A smaller voice told him she wouldn't like that, but he decided he couldn't care less. He bent down and scooped her up in his arms, with one arm supporting her back, and the other at her knees. She pushed feebly at his chest and turned her head away.
"No, Star, no objections. You can't walk so I'm carrying you. End of story." he said, and she lay still. Robin kicked the door to the Tower open,
"Raven!" he shouted up the stairs, "Raven!" God, I hope I'm in time, he thought, Please, Starfire, please be alright.
