Chapter 5

Nightfire had Beastboy, Cyborg and Raven in her room. The young girl was cleverer than she looked, but not subtle.

"So, guys, what's up with Nightwing and my mum, huh?" she said. The Titans looked at each other. How much did she know?

"Er, well, we were a tight-knit team you know?" said Beastboy.

"Yeah and he just took it the hardest when she left, that's all" said Cyborg.

"That's all?" said Nightfire suspiciously.

"So, what do you prefer? Nightfire or Claire?" asked Raven, changing the subject. Nightfire, let it drop in the interest of being a good guest.

"Well, I can't be among super-heroes and have a name like Claire, can I?" she said.

Cyborg laughed, "I guess not," he said.

"Although, I mean, Why did my mum have to call me Nightfire? It makes me sound like some kinda wierdo." she said.

"No it doesn't" said Beastboy.

"Yeah it does. She's always doing stuff like that, she can be a real freak sometimes, it's embarrassing." she said.

"Hey girl, don't talk about your mother that way. She's also our friend you know," said Cyborg.

"Sorry, but you don't know what it's like. I have the worst genes ever….."

The Titans didn't realise that Starfire was just outside the door. They didn't realise that she could hear every word, and they didn't realise that her heart was breaking. Starfire dropped her armful of cleaning products that she had been on her way to return, and ran back to her room in tears.

Nightwing left his room and was walking to the kitchen for a snack. His steps were heavy, and not just because of the steel toecaps and heel. He knew he was approaching Starfire's room. No matter what, he always noticed, whether he wanted to or not. This time was different, because as he drew nearer, he could hear the sound of crying floating through the door. He stopped, he was concerned, but he was unsure what to do. She's still Starfire he thought, making up his mind.

Starfire only just heard the sound of knocking over her sobs. She got up and opened the door without thinking about it. When she saw Nightwing standing there she hid her face behind her arm that was holding the door open.

"Starfire, what's wrong?" he said. Starfire wanted to throw herself into his arms and tell him everything, wanted desperatly to be in his heart again, but she couldn't do it.

"Oh nothing," she said, trying to smile convincingly, and failing. Her lip trembled and she collapsed into tears again, covering her face in her hands. Nightwing carefully stepped past her into her room and closed the door. He guided her over to the bed and knelt in front of her. He gently prised her hands away from her face,

"Don't tell me this is nothing, Star." he said. Starfire looked at him, and seeing his concerned face looking up at her and feeling his hands on her wrists brought back old memories and she twisted her head to the side, her hair spilling over her shoulder. Then she felt his gloved hand gently cupping her face and she turned back to him. She looked down at the eyes that she knew were a clear crystal-blue behind his mask.

"Starfire…." he said. It suddenly struck her how handsome he had become. He had a strong jaw and his ebony hair fell in thick falls over his broad shoulders. She told him what she had heard Nightfire say. Silently he moved up onto the bed next to her, she started to cry again, he put his arm around her.

"Come on Star, you know what teenagers are like. Do you remember what you and Galfor were like?" she smiled and nodded, but it still hurt inside. "But that didn't mean that you didn't love him." Starfire sighed and lifted her head up to look properly at him.

"Thank you, you always did know how to cheer me up." she said, and in that moment it seemed as if no time had passed between them and they were still friends. Suddenly, Starfire remembered her make-up, "Oh my god, I must look awful" she said.

"I think you look beautiful" Nightwing said quietly and they just looked into each others eyes for a moment, before looking away, embarassed. Nightwing took his arm back and Starfire stood up. It suddenly occurred to him that he was in her room.

"I'm gonna go fix my make-up," she said.

"Okay but can you…..can you let me see you without it? Just once?" he said. Starfire nodded slowly.

A few minutes later she emerged in full glory. Nightwing could only stare and try not to say anything stupid. Starfire ran her hand through her hair embarrassedly and smile, she felt naked without it after so long. He extended a hand to her, and after barely a moments consideration, she took it. He pulled her down next to him,

"Why do you wear all that make-up, when you look so beautiful without it?" he said in awe. Starfire sighed,

"I'm orange, that doesn't really help if you're trying not to be noticed, or recognised. I had to get a job, get Nightfire into school, I had to make myself blend in. I don't mind." she said. Her daughter's words still present in her mind, she sighed and put her head in her hands, it felt good not to have to worry about smudging anything. "Oh Nightfire…." she whispered, "It really hurts my heart to know that my child is embarassed by me, Robin. Er, Nightwing"

"Robin's fine," he said, "reminds me of better days." Starfire looked at him. She remembered that one night they had spent together as teenagers, remembered how good it had felt to give everything she could to him, and he to her. It was already evening, and her open curtains gave perfect view of the rising moon and the ripling waves. Slowly, she raised herself and, keeping eye contact, leant in for a kiss. Their kiss was gentle and unsteady at first, but then something clicked, their bodies remembered each other, and they knew they didn't have to be afraid. Her kiss was just as sweet as he remembered, his arms were just as strong as she had hoped. They broke apart, but stayed close. Starfire looked at him, her eyes half-closed,

"Make the pain go away, Robin," she said "The way that only you can" Nightwing felt as if the world had just dropped into his lap, and was about to move in to do exactly as she'd asked, when something stopped him. Enfuriated, he asked himself what it was, and he realised he couldn't go on.

"I can't," he choked, and lower half of his body cursed him viciously, "it would be taking advantage." Starfire blinked.

"I don't understand…" she said. Nightwing sighed,

"You only want to sleep with me because you're hurting inside. If we go through with this, you'll regret it in the morning." Starfire frowned and leant way from him, she tried to consider what he had said, but she was hurt by being rejected,

"I'm not……attractive, anymore?" she said. Nightwing's eyes widened in that special expression that only men can pull, when they realise the woman they love is about to get upset.

"No, no, it's not that," he hastened, "Of course I still think you're attractive! You're the single most beautiful, sensual, alluring girl, woman I've ever met! Tonight is just not the right time" He meant what he'd said, and he just wished she knew how much. "Come back any other time, and I'll be there, trust me." he said, laughing for emphasis. Starfire nodded slowly, her anger dissapating. "How about this? I'll stay here tonight, and do what I can to help heal your heart" Starfire opened her mouth to say something, but he cut her off, "But not that." he said. Starfire smiled and he slowly lay down on the bed, pulling her with him. He held her close to him with his arm tight around her waist. She had her back to him so they fit together perfectly, her soft hair pillowed at the base of her neck, and Nightwing couldn't resist caressing it with his cheek. They both closed their eyes, and as they lay there they could here the waves breaking on the shore below. Just before Starfire was completely asleep, he heard her softly whisper,

"I love you, Robin." And before he could reply she was gone.

"I love you too, Starfire" he whispered to her closed eyes and he kissed her on the cheek before falling asleep himself.