Chapter 6: Begin

Chapter 6 dedicated to: xxterraxx

Starfire yawned, sitting up in her bed. Soft shafts of sunlight filtered through her partially opened blinds, making little particles of dust dance in the air. She arched her back, stretching her hands above her head and purred in delight. Swinging out from under the covers, she wandered to her mirror. Thoughts of last night's frightening nightmare were far behind and only the lingering memories of Robin holding her in his arms remained. The girl blushed slightly, admittedly a bit more fond of her best friend than she would have enjoyed admitting.

She observed her reflection, running a slender finger over the cut running across her neck. She was still in the hospital gown she'd been put in last night. Starfire sighed and walked away from the mirror, absently throwing her arms above her head and pulling them back to her sides in another stretch.

WHUMP!

Star jumped in surprise and turned back around, seeking out the source of the noise. Her standing mirror had teetered and fallen back against the wall. She frowned and righted it again. Starfire shook her head and went to her closet. She grabbed her usual uniform and slid into it quickly, fastening her communicator onto her silver belt as a light knock drummed on her door.

The Tamaranian floated over, a tiny eyebrow lifted curiously. She lifted a hand to open the door. The steel creaked, seemed to twitch, and then flew out of the track, slamming whoever it was behind the door to the opposite hall wall. Starfire eeped, clutched her hand to the side and darted over. "Ugh…" a voice groaned uncomfortably.

"Richard!" she peeped, grabbing the edge of the door and prying it off of him, leaning it against the wall near by.

"Morning… Sunshine…" he grumbled, rubbing his head. Starfire couldn't help but giggle.

"Oh… I am so sorry, Robin. Sincerest apologies…" she offered, laying a hand on his shoulder.

"Yeah… sure. Um, let's try not tot throw any more doors…" he muttered. Starfire nodded.

"I did not throw it though. It simply flew out when I went to open it." She explained. Robin blinked behind his eye-mask.

"Ookk…" he said. Starfire shrugged. Robin cracked his back and then his knuckles before it seemed he felt fully recuperated from being slammed into a wall.

"Robin, may I inquire what it is that brings you to my sleeping quarters this morning?" she asked sweetly. Robin took her hands and looked at her wrists. The jade-silver symbols had flared brilliantly and were now glowing softly, even through the material of her violet gloves.

"I'm taking you to Raven. When we were fighting with Mad Mod… that thing you did with the water… Raven thinks you may have acquired telekinetic power from the shards. I'm taking you to her to find out," he said, still examining the shards. Starfire nodded slowly.

"Alright. But is she not in her room?" Starfire asked. He shook his head. "Oh. I see." Robin let go of one of her hands but kept the other, lacing their fingers together and escorting her towards the elevator. "You could simply inform me of where she is waiting and I could endeavor alone. There is no reason for you to waste your time…"

"It's not a waste of time, Star. I'd like to take you to her, if you don't mind me. I'll come back later and fix your door, ok?" he offered. Starfire nodded thankfully.

"Robin?" she began quietly. He looked over. Star furrowed her brows. "I wish to let you know I sincerely appreciate your companionship…" she said. Robin stopped walking and looked over at her. She met his gaze and her cheeks reddened slightly. Starfire almost apologized for the comment, seeing as Robin stared at her for a rather long while before finally speaking.

"Same sentiments here, too," he replied and then he hugged her. Starfire was slightly surprised, but did not protest. She hugged him back, green eyes wide.

"Robin…?" she blinked as he let her go.

"Kori, I don't know what's going to happen. I don't know how to help you. I don't know what Raven's conclusion is going to be. All I know is that as soon as she's done we're all going to go after that power source. We're going to find it and then you're going to do whatever it is you believe is right with it. The Titans have your back, Star. We need to end this. I don't want to see you hurt or scared anymore. Ok?" he said. Starfire glanced down at her feet. Was it really that wise to go after the power? She didn't know what to say, so she nodded slowly… mutely.

He squeezed her arm and led her into the elevator and pressed the button for the first floor. Robin took her outside. He took her around the back of the tower and then stopped. Starfire watched as he lifted a metal hatch in the ground and waved for her to go down. Star complied curiously and flew down the hole. Robin followed her down, using a tiny ladder against the wall.

He proceeded to lead her through a dimly lit tunnel and to a sliding steel door. There he knocked once and waited. The door slid open. Raven stood inside a vast chamber filled with plants and open grassy areas. Fountains and water fixtures trickled like background music and wind chimes whistled in not-existent breeze. "What is this place?" Starfire asked. Raven shrugged.

"It used to be like a gigantic cellar of sorts. I converted it into a place to come meditate… when I really need strong concentration," Raven said. Starfire nodded. It made sense, she supposed. She was surprised that Raven had created such a… light-hearted atmosphere. She would have expected something similar to a large, "outdoors" version of her dark bedroom had she been told that Raven had such a meditative spot such as this.

Robin retreated to a corner and plopped down. He would wait and watch out of the way. He needed to make sure Starfire was safe. Not that he didn't trust Raven, he just tended to like handling things himself. Starfire stood in front of Raven, silent. She waited for the dark girl to speak.

"Starfire, do you remember when our bodies were switched?" Raven asked finally. Starfire nodded. "So you remember, in essence, how to use my powers?" she continued. Again, Starfire nodded her head affirmative. "Good. I want you to pretend your trying to use my powers again. Don't worry about the spell. Just the concentration. Try to lift that crate."

Starfire now noticed that several crates had been set up a few feet away. Starfire nodded and did as told. She stared at the crate. She concentrated.

…

…

…

…

…?

Starfire looked at her dark friend. "I do not believe I am accomplishing much…" she muttered. Raven nodded.

"Could you feel any of the energy? Could you feel any of the power?" Raven asked. Starfire cocked her head to this side.

"Well… yes, but not anything that would have lifted the crate. Perhaps I could push the crate…" Starfire shrugged. Robin observed quietly from his corner. Raven pondered the taller girl's statement.

"Perhaps you don't have telekinetic power. Perhaps you only have telekinetic force," Raven remarked. Starfire stared blankly.

"The difference being… telekinetic power manipulates the object and allows it to bend to a person's will. Telekinetic force is what drives telekinetic power. It is like a spirit energy that can be forced from the body and twisted upon other objects. It would make sense. What you did to the bay water was a strong expulsion of telekinetic force. I assumed you would have telekinetic power as well… like I do. Let us try something else. Starfire, try to make the crate explode," Raven directed.

"What?" Starfire asked, incredulous. Raven shrugged.

"Try to make it explode," Raven said again. Starfire nodded slowly and formed a starbolt in her hand. "No, not like that. With your mind," Raven directed. Starfire sighed, allowed the bolt to fade and returned her attentions to the crate. It was then that a form of instinct took over as it had during the fight with Mad Mod.

Starfire lifted her hands out in front of her.

The shards flashed.

A wave of nearly invisible energy rippled off of her fingertips.

The energy caught the light and gleamed like a prism.

The crate exploded in a shower of splinters.

Raven smirked. "Yeah, Telekinetic force. Starfire, go on to the next crate. Se if you can move it at all. Starfire complied and again the shards flashed, multitudes of color glittered in the glassy clear energy on her fingertips, the crate shot clear across the chamber. "Star, that's good. But now we need to talk… alone for a bit," Raven said, glancing at the Boy Wonder. Robin was still staring at the crate Starfire had just flung across the chamber.

He sighed, stood up and gave Raven a wary glance before slipping out the door. Raven folded herself into lotus position while hovering in the air. Starfire did the same.

"Yes, Friend Raven?"

"You're going to need to learn to control it a little better, but none the less you have obtained a new gift. There is a price though."

"…"

"Telekinesis is overall a darker magic. It comes from the depths of one's mind. The blacker part of a person's spirit. You do not have enough darkness in you to harbor a strong Telekinetic force. That is why your power is hardly visible to the naked eye unless it catches the sunlight. That is why you can only use force and not power. I think it is probably the shards that have the most darkness in them. Either way, there is obviously a new darkness that has awoken in you. You will have to learn to keep it at bay. You will have to suppress it as it grows,"

"I see…"

"I would suggest you join me for meditation more often."

"Of course…"

"I would also suggest you refrain from talking to Robin about this conversation."

"Why ever?"

"He tends to worry… quite a bit about you. He doesn't need to know what you will be struggling with soon."

"Oh."

"On another note, the basic limits on your telekinesis will be making things explode, shoving things great distances, and perhaps drawing smaller objects to you. You will be able to, um, shove things further if you make physical contact with the item. If you plan on using the powers actively, start small. We don't need you unconscious again. I think you'll end up giving Robin an ulcer."

"Glorious…"

"Yeah, I know. Lovely. Anyhow, I just wan to make sure you don't try to lift anything with your powers, disassemble, or levitate things. It will strain the power if you try too much and you'll end up with the worst headache imaginable. Oh, and stick to your Tamaranian abilities of flight. I don't think you can levitate yourself it you can't levitate a crate. I also would refrain from creating physical items with your powers. In other words, don't try to make my black raven. You'll end up imploding or something. All I'm trying to say, is I know these powers. I have these powers. You need to be careful. Really careful."

"Of course. I believe I shall still favor using my starbolts, most of the time."

"Whatever floats your boat."

"I am floating a marine vessel?"

"Never mind."

"…"

"…"

"Ok then… I am guessing you would like me to leave now?" Starfire said after a moment.

"Not trying to be rude, but yeah." Raven spoke, monotone as usual.

"Alright. Um, I shall see you later, friend," Starfire stood up and walked out of the chamber, blinking. Well that was fairly blunt. Her thoughts were still mulling over Raven's words as she exited the tunnel and headed back towards the tower, so it was much to her surprise when Cyborg and Beast Boy loomed up in her face.

"Well Alright! We found her!" Cyborg pumped a fist in the air. Starfire stared at them, clueless. Beast Boy bounced in pace and then swept into a suave bow.

"We're here to escort m'lady to her Prince Charming's quarters," the changeling bellowed in a mock British voice. Starfire coughed lightly.

"Erm…?" She questioned.

"Rob wanted us to tell you he fixed your door and he's in his room if ya wanna talk with him or whatever," Cyborg translated with a clownish grin. Starfire smiled at her two friends, their enthusiasm was very sweet. She giggled and shook her head.

"I see. Friend Beast Boy, perhaps you should refrain from using such accents and odd vernacular. I do not believe many people would understand this Mister Prince of Charming was referencing our friend Robin," she mused. Beast Boy scoffed.

"Yeah, I have a weird vernacular." He muttered. Starfire smiled sweetly at him and he sighed, rolling his eyes. "Gawd, Star, I think you may have beat me out of my innocent face…" he mumbled. Starfire poked him in the shoulder.

"You have a face of innocence?" she asked. Cyborg gasped and then let forth a bellowing roll of thunderous laughter.

"Beast Boy, dude you got told by Starfire," he wheezed between fits of loud chuckling. BB scowled and crossed his arms.

"C'mon, Cy, lets just get her to her lover boy before he decides to string us by our toes," The green teen whined. Cyborg looked incredulously at his friend.

"Dude, it was optional Starfire can go when she feels like it, if she feels like it. Dig?" Cy assured the changeling. Beast Boy sighed. Fine.

"Hey Starfire… Starfire?" Beast Boy blinked. The Tamaranian was gone, already heading towards Robin's room. She did not take the elevator, opting to fly slowly up the steps. One flight, two… three… Starfire ascended to the fifth floor. She wandered down the hall, passing various rooms; some were empty or being used for storage and others contained files and such. She passed the evidence room and an unconscious shiver ran down her spine. She didn't understand Robin's insistence of having such a room. Neither she nor the others was at all fond of the dimly lit showcases, displaying the items taken from the villains they fought.

The young extraterrestrial continued on her way, passing a linens closet and one of the three of the tower's bathrooms. She ambled over to Robin's door and let her fist come down on the steel barrier. She heard shuffling inside. "Who is it?" came a weary reply.

"It is I, Starfire," she answered. The door slid open. Robin had his back to her, shuffling through some papers he had scattered across his bed. Starfire closed the door behind her.

"Lock it," he directed. She obeyed, and then crossed the woven matting on his floor over to his bed. Star glanced at the papers he was going through. Various charts of the galaxy, red lines and black lines drawn all over them, indicative of past T-ship excursions lay before her.

"Are you alright?" she asked softly. Robin grunted. "Richard…" she warned. He sighed and looked up from his fussing.

"Sorry… I just, I don't really know what I'm looking for. I don't know where we're supposed to look for this power source. I don't know if it's even in this dimension… I mean, it's not on earth, right?" he asked. His deep blue eyes met her green ones and she studied them for a while. They were pricelessly handsome, his eyes, and yet he insisted on covering them with that silly piece of cloth most of the time.

"No… it is not on earth," she said finally. Robin blinked and looked away, breaking her concentration on unraveling the secrets in those stormy pools. He sighed again, the exhalation sharp and irritated.

"Do you know where then?" he prompted. Starfire shrugged slightly.

"Not… really. I have a suspicion it is somewhere between Tamaran and the Gordanian home world. That or it is in the Vegan star system. In which case it would be considerably further away. Either way, Dick, how are we supposed to maintain a search for a hidden power off of earth and continue acting as the city's vigilantes?" she asked. Robin pulled out a chart with a small red dot that had been circled. Tamaran.

"JLU has enough teleporting heroes that I'm sure they can handle it. Bruce might even take one of their spacecraft down here to keep an eye on things for us," he replied. Starfire nodded.

"Oh, alright then. It really seems you have everything arranged already… I do not know what I can do to offer assistance at the moment. I, I am not even sure of the exact location. I have given you my best hypothesis. I do not wish to be disruptive if you are trying to plot a course…"

"No, it's fine. I'd actually rather you just stayed here with me," he waved the idea off.

"Are you positive I will not be in the way? Do you need me to point out the Vegan star system?" she inquired. Robin stopped his work and turned to face her fully, placing a hand on either shoulder.

"Kori, you're never in the way, ok? I-I'd really appreciate it if you just stayed with me. Call me paranoid, I don't care. I just feel better having you near me." He said gently. Starfire nodded slowly. She was thoroughly caught off guard when he, for the second time that day, drew her into a hug. After a moment, she rested her head against his shoulder.

"Are you feeling… particularly affectionate today, Richard?" she prodded meekly. Robin buried his face into her long hair, inhaling its soft scent. Upon hearing her question, he couldn't help but laugh.

"Not really, I guess I'm just concerned about you. Kori, it may sound crazy but I've always wanted to be able to keep you safe and make sure nothing ever happens to you. You don't realize how helpless I'm feeling at the moment," he responded, his voice slightly muffled by her long tresses.

"So… you are hugging me?" she inquired, a very slight amusement edging in on her voice.

"Yeah, Kori. I'm hugging you. Deal with it." He gave a lop-sided grin, pulling back just enough to see her face. Starfire blushed slightly. His eyes looked so happy right now… "But a lot of stuff is about to start happening. You know that. I don't know what is going to happen but I'm ready to help you, whatever that may mean. I just need to know if you are ready," his gaze darkened.

Starfire met his stare evenly. "Let it begin, I am ready," she answered firmly. She was ready. As long as the Titans were standing by her… as long as Robin was there to catch her… she could face anything.

Author's Note: Sorry this chapter was short... I hope you liked it anyway. I'm too deleriously happy too say much more... Just got Titans DVD season 1 Voume 2... Sooo happy... I'd love a review... that's all for now...

Love, Princess Starfire of Tamaran

Titans News: Read above... I'm too delerious right now. All I'm saying right now is you know how on the WB kids website there's like a section where you can ask the titans questions and supposedly they'll anwer? Well... evidently someone asked how Robin gets his hair done every morning. "Robin's" reply was like "lots of hair gell and sometimes Starfire styles it" Not the exact quote but... yes, Starfire helps do Robin's hair... evidently. That made me smile, hope it made you smile too.